Dick grunted as his leg slipped from under him, forcing him on a knee before getting turned over by his sparring partner. Usually, he would be spitting a few hurtful words towards the other. But in the position he was in right now, his mind was steadfast on gaining the upper hand.

He wanted to lie and say he was having a bad day. However, knowing his rival, he knew that they would call him out on his weakness which led to merciless verbal attacks towards him. Dick was not ready to accept that defeat. So, he kept his mouth shut and hooked their leg with his arm to pull them down with him.

The rivalry didn’t stop at hand to hand combat but at everything they did. Ever since Dick joined the Court of Owls, the other had this vendetta against him. He pointed this out quickly, watching how they would scowl and laugh at his expense. He convinced himself that he didn’t need to know why they didn’t like him so much. He also convinced himself that he always needed to get even.

Any chance he got he would give the other the taste of their own medicine. Throwing snide remarks at them to embarrassing them on their missions. Dick found humor in their angered expressions and their spite that were simply directed towards himself.

Through the years of being the organization with the other, Dick couldn’t help but notice a shift in their attitude. No longer openly trying to humiliate him but just sticking to glaring at him. Glaring. He wanted to be disappointed at the fact that they gave up on their little back and forth except that would be admitting to himself that all the feelings he has for them are true. He’d rather take that to his grave.

Dick rolled back up to his feet swiftly, watching them return back to their fighting positions. “You seem a bit tense. Something on your mind?” He asked, coming out more flirty than he expected. What is wrong with you today?, he asked himself. “Don’t tell me you’re losing your spark.” He added, his cold eyes gleaming.

The more he looked at them, he swore they looked at his lips.