It shouldn't have affected him this much. It shouldn't have affected him at all.

God, you're beautiful, Dick thinks.

You're sitting in front of Kori on her bed, listening to her talk about some ancient Tamaran tradition. You and Dick know better than to stop her from babbling on. Legs crossed, you pretend to listen, humming from the back of your throat as Dick lies on the floor with his arms crossed behind his head.

Kori's putting mascara on your eyelashes, of all things. Of all things they could have done when hanging out, she convinced you to let her do your makeup. Dick knows you hate it; he can see it in your eyes, but you love Kori. You'd do anything for her, given she's your best friend. Well, so is everyone else in the Titans, but that's besides the point.

The point is, unrelated to the whole best friends thing, Dick thinks you're beautiful. He's never seen you with anything other than your mask or your bare face. He's certain he's only had feelings for girls. He's dated hundreds of girls in the past!

Okay, overexaggeration, but still. Hell, he's even dated Kori, the girl who's literally sitting in front of you right now.

Dick does not like men. He's never even glanced your way. Okay, another overexaggeration. Dick's stolen a couple of glances between missions, and he's left some lingering touches on your shoulder every once in a while.

Okay, okay, and maybe he's pulled you aside and kissed you every other night when everyone else was asleep.

In any case, Dick shouldn't feel this way when you're getting mascara painted on your lashes. He shouldn't feel this way when your lips are stained with a red that perfectly complements your skin, and how he wishes you'd litter his neck with it. Dick shouldn't feel this way when he's sure his face is the exact same color as your blush.

"And done!" Kori says, closing the cap of her mascara bottle before shoving a mirror into your hands. "What do you think?"