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Harper had grown used to working with the batfamily. Had been on patrol with them a number of times. Learnt how to interact with the batman, how to get along with the robins and the batgirls. Even going so far as finding her own space, and a unique dynamic with them all. She had learnt so much from them all, and she was truly beyond thankful for everything they have done for her.She knows they've accepted her in, but meeting with them outside of patrol felt daunting. Knowing how to act when you're fighting bad guys, or infiltrating some new organization. All of that is different to being told to dress up nicely, because there's a Wayne gala event that they want her to attend. Honestly, she can't tell if it's worse that it's a public event or if it would be harder to get through something more private.It had been killing her to think about. Thinking about it every single day leading up to the actual event. She'd of course told Bruce that she was more than happy to attend. Had been incredibly grateful to even have received an invitation, but internally she had been screaming. Being around all these people she didn't know, while representing the Wayne foundation was stressful.Agonizing over how she was meant to act around them. Was she meant to be friendly or keep her distance like it was professional. How was she meant to present herself in relation to the others. She had wanted to ask Duke for some advice, but he'd shrugged his shoulders and told her it's just something you get used to. Be yourself and everything will be fine.Be yourself and everything will be fine he says! As bluebird, Harper knows how to be herself and that everything will be fine. Her confidence shines out on the field, even batman had complimented her on her abilities. This was different though, and Harper kind of didn't understand why she was panicking so badly over it. Overthinking it wouldn't solve anything, it would only wind her up.Now it was almost time for her to make her way over to the manor. Harper was still in a towel, wrapped around her air-dried body as she looked about the mess of clothes she'd strewn about her bed. Some had slipped off the sheets and onto the floor, where she'd discarded them after deciding they didn't work. Most of her clothes were casual clothes, nothing fancy enough for a gala.Just as she was going to lose her mind, her phone started ringing. It was hidden under a few clothes so it took her a second to find, but she eventually secured her phone. Flashing across the screen was Steph's name and a little icon of hers. An incoming call from Steph, Harper hadn't expected it, so it took her a moment to react. She hoped nothing had gone wrong."Hey!" Steph's cheerful voice came from the phone as her face appeared on screen, and only then did Harper realize she'd picked up a video call."Shit sorry, didn't see it was a video. Not even dressed yet."From the image Harper could see, Steph was already dressed for tonight. It was something glittery and purple. Looked absolutely gorgeous on her, but Harper tried not to stare for too long as she put the phone down to find some underwear. Slipping into them out of sight, Harper could still hear Steph through the phone. Telling her not to worry about it, and that she should've texted Harper first."Having trouble picking?"When Harper picked the phone back up, the camera managed to pick up on some of the mess on the bed. While it was a little embarrassing to show, Harper felt like it would probably do well to be honest. Steph could probably help her out, if she asked. Though Steph looked good in anything she wore. Shaking her thoughts away, she admitted that she hadn't been able to decide on anything.None of the clothes she had felt like they had the right vibe. While she did own some dresses, and some arguably fancy dresses at that, she didn't feel like wearing any of them. Harper didn't want to be difficult, truthfully it would be easier if she could just pick and go about her day. But she didn't really want to turn up in some fancy dress, and feel uncomfortable for the entire night."Does Cullen have anything you can wear?""Cullen?" Harper said it to herself like she hadn't even considered it.Steph picked up on the interest and continued, "Surely he has a suit laying around somewhere?"Focusing on getting ready, Harper didn't notice Steph watching her as she went into Cullen's room to check. He was out with Bluff for the night, so he wasn't in there when she opened the door. Checking through his wardrobe, she managed to obtain a singular suit. Simple and elegant enough, she decided that it would work just fine and she wouldn't feel so uncomfortable wearing it."Oh." Seemingly only noticing know, Harper asked, "Was there something you needed? You probably didn't expect to have to help me get dressed.""Don't worry, helping you get dressed is enjoyable for me. But no I didn't really have a reason, just wanted to talk and see how you were doing."Coming back to her bedroom with the suit, Harper pointed out, "Duke told you I was nervous about tonight didn't he."Although Steph didn't agree or disagree, she had a small smile on her face as she waved the question away. Saying there's nothing to worry about and everything will be fine, but in a way that felt a little more reassuring then Duke's confidence. Because Steph promised she'd spend the entire night with her. Make sure she's comfortable and can make her way around throughout the night."You can rely on me."Honestly Harper didn't have the words to thank her enough. She had seriously been worrying herself over it too much, the reassurance that she wouldn't be stranded or alone at any point made her feel more comfortable. Setting up her phone off to the side as she put the suit on and made it fit well. Then she moved to doing her hair, all the while Steph sat on the phone with her and talked.Mostly about meaningless things but Harper appreciated her presence. A distraction from her worrying about tonight, talking about this and that, but Steph was just a distraction in herself. She truly looked stunning, her hair was gently curled and was tied back from her face. Light make up complimenting her. She wondered if Steph always looked this good going to these events."The food there is always, good." Steph seemed to think over her words before continuing. "But it isn't always the most filling, if you're still hungry afterwards I'll take you out to eat. Just the two of us, it'll be nice.""Sounds good, thank you."Harper feels like she'd take her up on the offer whether or not the food is filling at the event. Steph looked pleased as well, they said their goodbyes before Harper went to leave the house. The way to Wayne manor isn't too long of a journey, but Harper spent the entire time feeling a lot lighter and happier than she'd spent the rest of the week. Completely pleased with the turn of events.By the time Harper arrived at the manor, the sky was already darkening and the amount of people surrounding the front of the manor was substantial. They were taking their time letting everyone in. She could see the lights on from outside, could hear the music amongst the chattering of guests. The atmosphere didn't feel too heavy outside, but she was glad when she spotted Steph.Walking in by herself might've been embarrassing, but Steph sidled up real close the second she got her eyes on Harper. Wrapping herself around one of Harper's arms to lead her towards the front door. Passing by people and moving through the loud conversation until they were inside. It was still loud, with the amount of people already inside, but they could hear each other."Looking very handsome, knew you could pull it off.""You look, stunning tonight yourself. Purple really is your colour."Again Steph seemed pleased, reaching up to run her fingers through Harper's hair and saying, "We make a good match then."Only recently had Harper re-dyed her hair, the purple standing out strongly on top of her head. She felt a little dazed as Steph grinned, before leading the pair of them further inside. The music wasn't something she was all that familiar with, but it was nice. As far as background music went. Instruments being played live over to one side, the lights overhead illuminating everything is bright glittering light.First they managed to find Jason, Damian and Duke who were discussing something. All three of them wearing fine suits. They chatted a little before Steph whisked Harper away to another side of the room where they had small glasses of champagne. Harper was happy to sip away at one of them with one hand, the other mostly unusable as her arm stays locked against Steph's body.Cass and Tim were doing something by the champagne, and similarly they chatted until Steph wanted to drag her elsewhere. She had a beautiful smile on her face, it was something Harper wanted to see more of. It made her happy to be led around throughout the night, held close by Steph. Made talking to random strangers bearable. A few times they'd been stopped by small groups to chat about different things."A friend of yours, Stephanie?" One lady asked, wearing a low plunging dress and high heels.Grinning cheekily Steph responded with, "A very good friend."Dick and Bruce were probably the hardest to spot throughout the night, but they came across Bruce for a split second before he seemed to disappear again. And Dick when they got near the dancefloor, he was entertaining a conversation with some lady about something. Steph explained that they needed something out of the women, and Dick was the best one to talk her into spilling the information.Unfortunately Barbara hadn't been able to attend. Harper mourned the loss of getting to see her tonight, the woman was so naturally beautiful it made her feel a little lightheaded honestly. But she was more than content spending her night with Steph. Still sipping on her champagne leisurely as Steph giggled her way through her second one. The atmosphere between them was nice."You have really strong arms." Steph said as she squeezed herself impossibly closer, hands still firmly holding her arm.Feeling a little flustered and reddening at the compliment, "Thank you.""Bet you're hands are probably bigger than mine too." Steph said with a sigh, smiling lightly as Harper raised her hand to compare hers with Steph's.Soon enough they themselves found their way onto the dance floor; it was a slower song playing from the band. It wasn't something Harper recognized either. Steph had seemed so eager to dance though, and Harper couldn't deny her. So she found herself on the dance floor, looking around at the others and noticing a string of couples. It made her cheeks heat up again.Looking down slightly to catch Steph's eyes. Steph got the two of them into position. Moving their hands until Harper had one around Steph's waist, and Steph had one over Harper's shoulder. The others were holding each other. Harper tried to keep a polite distance, but Steph moved them close together easily. Guiding Harper through the dance with soft words and her body."Do you usually dance at these things?"Shaking her head no, Steph explained, "Only when I have someone special to dance with.""Oh."The dance was a little lengthy, but they were finished in no time. Yet Harper felt hesitant to part from Steph. At the same time though, she didn't want to come across as too clingy or odd. Moving back from Steph's body as the song finished up. They spent the rest of the night walking around. Entertaining a little conversation from others in passing, but mostly sticking to each other.Picking up a little food here and there throughout the night. Harper could see what Steph meant by her earlier comment. It was all good food, yet it was so small and it made one feel greedy for taking too much. So it really wasn't very filling. By the time night had truly come upon them, and the gala was coming closer to it's end. Steph brought it up once again."Would you still like to go out and eat something together, a date with just the two of us?""Yeah, I'd love to."Harper sounded a little breathless at Steph's words, following along as she had the entire night as Steph led her away. It got quieter the further away from the manor they found themselves. They'd said a few goodbye's to the rest of the batfamily, but had departed without much fuss. The night sky was beautiful above them, Harper couldn't help but stare after Steph a little.They were no longer pressed against each other. Side by side with a little distance, Steph talked about something to do with the stars. Harper felt a little bad for not listening closer, but Steph was so mesmerizing to look at. She was still wearing her dress, but she'd found shoes to swap out with. Not wanting to walk in heels, Harper had offered to carry then as Steph changed into flats.She was sure Bruce was probably already out on patrol as batman. Some of the other batfamily members would likely follow, usually having to stay longer than Bruce did incase anyone there needed anything immediately. Alfred had dutifully left much like Bruce did, after making an appearance on the outskirts then disappearing. Without question, to go aid Bruce during his patrol."I think you look really pretty, under the stars."Despite how captivated Harper had been by Steph, she hadn't meant to say it out loud. But Steph turned her head just enough to look at her, and the smile on her face was so genuinely happy. She couldn't bear to regret it. Steph held a hand to her cheek as she asked Harper if she really thought so, turning her gaze back up to the stars above them. Her expression never faltering from delighted."Also, I wanted to say thank you for tonight. You didn't have to be so nice to me, but it made me feel less nervous to be there."Sensing something in the way Harper said it. Having been slightly ahead in walking with Harper, when she came to a stop, Harper couldn't help but bump into her a little. Eyes widen as she takes a step back, so she isn't standing over Steph so closely. Without the high heels, Steph also stands a lot shorter now. Not allowing for the distance though, Steph stepped forward until they were close again."What do you mean."A little confused but honest, Harper replied with, "You were being extra nice and attentive tonight so that I wouldn't feel so nervous, right?""You think I did this, just for tonight?""Well, yeah?"Growing more and more confused, Harper couldn't fathom what Steph was getting at. Why did Steph seem confused, that was making Harper feel even more confused in turn. There was a moment of silence between them. Standing there almost chest to chest, under the night sky. They were close to the place Steph planned to bring Harper to eat, they'd be there in no time now."Harper?""Yes?""Are you being serious right now?" At Harper's embarrassed silence, Steph pressed on, "I was flirting with you! I've been flirting with you, for a while now actually. I thought you were interested. I spent tonight with you because I wanted to, not just because I was being overly kind."This information seemed to take a moment to process in Harper whose eyes widened even further somehow. Of all things, she hadn't expected Steph to say that. Not in her wildest dreams, had she considered that Steph would like her. Not outside of friendship at least, she was delighted to have her friendship with Steph. This was more than she could have ever imagined.Even though she seemed a little embarrassed at having to spell it out so plainly, Steph also seemed a little endeared by Harper. She had been flirting every chance she took, and she was certain she'd noticed Harper's interest in her. But she hadn't been sure why Harper never, tried anything. Had taken up the flirting all on her own, now it seems Harper hadn't even realized she could."You're being serious?"As serious as a heart attack."Smiling to herself, Harper checked again, "You were flirting with me? You like me?""More than anything, I've been trying to make you, my girlfriend. I thought you had caught on!""I just thought you were being friendly."Steph looked a little disbelieving at Harper but she was still smiling. Seemingly happy with how they were progressing. Even though it was still a little soft and silly between them, Harper seemed to be catching on that Steph was serious about this. Feeling like she didn't have to crowd Harper anymore, Steph took a step back, but Harper caught her arm just above the elbow before she could go too far."You'd want to be my girlfriend?""Hey! You're not allowed to be the one to ask, I did all the hard work here. Do you, want to be, my girlfriend?" Steph said instead, eyes sparkling as she asked."God, more than anything."Excited by the answer, Steph threw her arms around Harper's shoulders and pulled her in close. It was a little chilly out, being so late, Harper thought it was a good excuse to draw Steph in against her body even closer. It had all worked out in the end, even if Harper was a little oblivious. Steph was grinning again, eager and so excited still. It was a good night for them.