Well hello part 2, I can't wait to see how you will turn out. Here we will be discussing the third time Richard played matchmaker and set him up with a journalist.

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Cupid's Arrow 3: Vicki Vale

Richard should have known that just because Clark Kent and Lois Lane's relationship worked out, it in no way meant that Bruce Wayne could start dating Vicki Vale and end up with a happy ever after.

But also this was one of his plans that Bruce didn't outright object to either. Turned out that having Vicki Vale on his side and somehow convinced that he wasn't Batman would result in the press lessening all those articles on him that threatened his secret so often.

So just that once, he didn't stop Richard from trying his luck out on playing matchmaker again.

Also, it was partially Richard's idea that Bruce could date Vicki and make her believe how different he was from Batman, ending the very slight conspiracy theory the woman might have regarding his connection to his alter ego.

And though Bruce had agreed somewhat to go along with it, the first date with the journalist was quite awkward. Because Vicki was rather curious of everything about him and it was her first chance at an off-the-record interview with Bruce and he was, on the other hand, trying to be as different from Batman's persona as possible.

The night after that date, he had retired to his study but Richard was far too curious to know how the whole date had gone. So he had come up to the study as well, ignoring the locked door and Bruce's clear warning of no one disturbing him.

"Look, if you are not going to let me in, I will find other ways," Richard warned as he stood outside the door with the keys in hand, "and for the record, I know which one of these is the key to the study."

"No, you don't."

"If you intentionally don't show me things, I figure them out for myself," he placed the key in the lock, turning it for dramatic effect and also to let Bruce know that he wasn't kidding, "remember how I figured out the Batcave?"

There was silence from inside until Bruce's somewhat resigned voice sounded, "fine, come in."

"Thank you," he opened the door, a wide smile playing upon his lips, "I'm kinda hurt you didn't invite me over yourself, y'know."

Bruce looked at him wearily, "Richard..."

"No, don't Richard me," he grimaced, seemingly not used to Bruce addressing him by his real name, "it can't possibly be that bad."

"It was," he sighed, "I feel like I made a fool of myself more than twice."

The boy looked highly surprised, "no... That can't happen. You never make a fool of yourself."

"It seems like I did," the words were out before he could stop himself as he was tired and when he got tired, he had lesser control over what he said. Nevertheless, he added, "you are not allowed to gloat over it."

"Oh come on, B, I never gloat," he remarked breezily but then added, "and especially after what happened with Miss Chase, I gave up all my gloating rights. I still am truly sorry for that."

"You caused me a lot of trouble," Bruce almost shuddered, recalling that embarrassing time.

"She wanted a threesome with you and Batman so..."

"Shut up."

Richard looked slightly amused to see the very faint trace of embarrassment cross Bruce's features, "sorry, won't bring it up again. I just keep doing this to make sure you still have human reactions left."

"That is extremely unnecessary," he tried to focus on the work he had attempted to busy himself with but Richard wasn't someone to ignore easily, "why are you not asleep yet?"

"Because I still haven't gotten a full account of your date."

"I am not going to tell you, I have already said enough," he remarked vaguely.

"Bruce, please... At least tell me if there's going to be another date or not."

He thought for a while, "I don't know."

"Of course you know, think of it as the person who's nothing like Batman. Will you go out on another date with Miss Vale?"

He sighed wearily, "let me recover from this one and then we'll see."

"Okay... You didn't refuse outright, that's a good sign," the boy stated, finally deciding to leave and not pester Bruce anymore, "and do get some sleep. If you show up on the next date with tired eyes, she can still guess you're spending the nights out as Batman."

"Dick, it's way past your bedtime too."

"I know, but unlike you I never get tired," he exclaimed cheerfully with the brightest smile he could manage.

"That's not true," Bruce stood up, his hands gently resting on the boy's shoulders as he drove him out, "good night."

"Geez okay, good night, you didn't have to push me out... Oh okay." The door had slammed shut soon as Richard had been put outside by Bruce. "But don't lose hope, the second date won't be bad, I promise."

"You are not going to show up or do anything to intervene," Bruce's words of warning reached him through the door.

"Okay whatever, Dad." The boy chuckled lightly, making his escape before Bruce could come out and ask him if he had actually called him Dad or not.

***

Cupid's Arrow 4: Vesper Fairchild

The arrangement with Vicki Vale also didn't last for much longer. Bruce did manage to convince her that he was not Batman but it came with a lot of work because he had to be more discreet around her.

But eventually, the two decided that it would be better for them to part ways. They had started to understand each other but the spark that existed between lovers was missing.

So Richard was free to look for another person to set Bruce up with despite all the lectures the man had given him to convince him not to do that.

Of course, it did not take him long to find another potential love interest for his guardian.

Vesper Fairchild was a radio show host but Richard met her in the Gotham Public Library. They were both browsing through the books on the crime thriller shelf and Richard recognized her to be the sweet and friendly radio show host who his school friends liked to listen to.

She was short and petite with rectangular framed spectacles and brown hair trimmed into a bob style. It suited her and at the same time helped her be almost invisible in the crowd of all the other people around them.

With her pastel cardigan, flat sandals and simple attire, it was impossible to deem her as somewhat of a celebrity figure. 

Not many people knew about Vesper but Richard had that very observant nature and it didn't take him long to recognize her voice. But he did not point that out and instead sparked a conversation related to books.

"Hi," he smiled politely, helping her take out the book she wanted from the top section of the shelf, "it's good to see someone else in this section other than me. Usually, people flock over to the romance section."

She took the book, "thank you. And likewise, I hadn't expected to find anyone here either."

"Maybe because we live in Gotham and people see so much of crime that they don't want to read about it as well," he cracked a light joke and it made her laugh a bit, "who are your favorite authors in this genre if you don't mind me asking?"

"The best ones I have read so far are from John Grisham," she eagerly told him, "but I have read Agatha Christie's books too. Murder On The Orient Express was good."

"Nice. I haven't read anything by Agatha," he replied, "I feel like she's overrated."

"Excuse me?"

He shrugged, "just an opinion."

"You have got to read this one then," she handed him one of the books she was carrying, "it might change your opinion."

"I look forward to that," he accepted the book, "my opinions aren't as hard set as my guardian's though so I feel like if the book is as good as you make it seem, they might change."

She paused, assessing his sentence and then realizing why he felt so familiar. "Wait, are you Richard Grayson?"

He nodded with a slight smile, "I am."

"Oh, nice to meet you in person," she didn't seem at all affected by the revelation, "I'm Vesper."

"Nice to meet you in person too, Miss Fairchild."

"Oh, you know me?" She looked surprised.

"Vesper is a very unique name and there is only one Vesper I have heard of," he replied casually, taking the book she had given him to the reading table, "my best friend Wally is a great fan of yours."

"That's nice."

Richard decided he could play a slow court for the time being. Vesper seemed like a good person to have for a friend so he decided to delay the matchmaking and delved more into their mutual interest in books.

Regardless, it led to him inviting her over to the Manor so that he could show her his collection of books. And he purposely set it all up so that he would take her to Bruce's study and show her the bookshelf he had.

As it was a Saturday, Bruce would definitely be in his study. So two birds could be killed with one stone.

It was a very rare instance when Richard could play both matchmaker and witness Bruce getting flustered firsthand in front of the woman he was going to set him up with.

And not for anything would he let go of such a fine opportunity.

But the situation backfired when Bruce mistook Vesper to be Richard's girlfriend instead and the boy got so flustered that he left her in the study with Bruce, not showing up to lunch either out of embarrassment.

Though it did end up with Bruce and Vesper interacting with each other and eventually served the purpose Richard had put so much effort in. But their relationship didn't last long either because while Vesper was very open with her feelings, Bruce couldn't do the same and it eventually led to a breakup.

Richard was very disappointed with the outcome but with the closure of one door comes the chance of opening another. So keeping up his tradition of ignoring Bruce's warnings of not influencing his love life, Richard once again set out to play matchmaker for his guardian.

"I am not gonna rest until I find someone to call Mom," he once told him ending the whole sort of argument they had on the topic, "so lecture me all you want, I am still going to be looking out for your special someone."

***

I must say, I am starting to adore this Richard even more by now and a part of me doesn't want things to go the way I have originally planned for him.

Anyways, what did you guys think of this chapter?

The next part will feature two more such incidents and you're free to guess who those might be. A little hint, both the upcoming women hold a very significant place in Bruce's life and heart. 

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