Give Me Clemency

Chapter 9

Author's Note: Ok, so I promised a couple of people that Dick and Kory would be flirtin it up in different languages, but then I had something I wanted to get you guy's opinion on first, so I added this chapter. It's kind of a "filler" I guess, but I thought it was kind of cute and developed relationships, so I hope you like it. It is actually all happy for once, and kind of my first attempt at extended "fluff". Hope it's alright.

So since I am going to have Dick and Kory speaking different languages, I wanted to know how you guy's would want it written. Would you prefer I actually write the dialogue in the language (in italics) with the translation in parenthesis directly next to it, or should I just write it in English in italics but pretending they are saying it in the different language? Sorry if that's confusing, but I've seen it done both ways, and didn't know which would be best. I know I personally like to see the languages they are actually speaking, and then having the translation right next to it, but I just wanted to know what YOU guys wanted, so let me know

This chapter is a little late, so I'm sorry. I don't really have an excuse besides the fact that school had me up late all week. I desperately wanted to work on this chapter but didn't have the time, and so Friday I sat down all excited to do it and then I fell asleep. Oops. I was super mad though.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Teen Titans

Kory couldn't stand to sleep anymore. But she couldn't stand to wake up either. Her brain still felt like scrambled eggs, but things were slightly clearer now. Regret surged through her veins. Hot. Electrifying. It burned. She wanted to scream. I shouldn't have gone. They'd seen her body. I shouldn't have gone. They'd seen her exposed. I shouldn't have gone. Would they treat her differently?

No.

No. She couldn't picture that. They had always been so kind to her, so incredibly kind. It was wrong of her to even entertain such an idea last night. They must've seen the video before even taking her back here. Before even insisting that she stay over to make them feel better. So they'd know she was safe…But it still hurt. Why did they care so much? Why couldn't they all have treated her like everyone else? Why did they give her the hope that she could, if only for a moment, feel normal? Feel relevant?

She needed time. She needed so much time. Time she wouldn't have if she didn't leave before everyone else woke up, yet she was still reluctant to do so.

Reasons to stay asleep: tired, warm, comfy.

Reasons to get up: not actually tired, too warm, someone is touching my butt.

Kory's head bolted straight up off the couch only to find a sleeping Bee rested up against her bottom. Vic lay by her, his arms wrapped around her waist and head tucked in her folded legs. Upon looking further around the room, Kory found both Gar and Rachel leaned back in a recliner together. His head rest comfortably on her shoulder: gentle snores sneaking from between Gar's parted lips. Their fingers were intertwined.

Kory brought a hand to her mouth and stifled a giggle. The entire scene was quite comical; both seeing Vic in such a fetal position, and Rachel so openly close to Gar.

She easily maneuvered herself off the couch, the blanket falling freely from her body, and laid a pillow by Bee for her to snuggle. She smiled softly at them before tiptoeing her way to the front door; the tiled floors of the kitchen cold on her feet. Her arms tingled as goosebumps raised from their soft flesh in delicate patterns. She rubbed them vigorously in an attempt to warm up, already regretting having left her sleeping spot. Kory couldn't go back though. She had to leave; figure everything out.

She still decided she couldn't let them know that she had been awake last night. If they realized she knew about the video, they would openly pity her. Kory didn't want that. There was no way she could develop friendships if they expressed their guilt about the whole ordeal.

She decided it wasn't worth trying to find her clothes from the previous night, and was grateful to discover her sneakers set by the front door. Kory looked out the window as she slipped them on. The snow fell from the sky seeming to form an impenetrable wall. She desperately hoped the walk home wouldn't be too long.

Kory tugged the elastic band from her hair, undoing her French braid and ran her fingers through, hoping it could help to keep her neck warm. She opened the door gently, to keep from making too much noise, and almost ran into the man standing in front of her.

Blazing blue met glittering green, and they both found themselves hypnotized. Dick's breath came out in white puffs, dissipating along Kory's forehead. His cheeks were flushed a soft pink from the cold, greatly contrasting with the milky pallor of his complexion. It was almost as though he could blend right in with the snow. His slate black hair lay limp against his forehead, rather than gelled like it normally was, as snowflakes forged a veil of sorts in it. He shifted his grasp on the two thin boxes he held, freeing up one hand to ruffle through his loose locks.

"Kory?" Dick inquired. "What are you doing?" He took a few steps into the house and Kory stumbled back from him, crossing her arms tightly against her chest, her eyes glued to the swollen purple bruise on his cheek. She went to touch it before catching herself, and pulling the wondering hand back to her side. He slid his shoes off with his heels while simultaneously placing the boxes cradled in his arm onto the kitchen counter.

Kory swallowed, suddenly realizing her mouth was dry as a desert. "I was going to go home. I did not wish to inconvenience Karen any further. I have already been the burden." She paused and reached out again, touching his cheek, her fingers fluttering around the injury. She would have to feign oblivion about the injury, since she had to pretend to not have been awake last night. "Richard, what has happened?"

He ignored her question, grabbing her hand in between his and bringing it away, wincing slightly. "Kory, it's snowing out there, you don't have a coat, and do you even know where you are?" He let out a disbelieving chuckle as he widened his eyes at her. "How on earth were you panning on getting home? Just wandering around aimlessly? That's pretty ridiculous."

Kory chewed her lip meekly and looked down, her cheeks blazing. How would she find her way home? She was too focused on leaving to even think about it. Now Richard thought she was foolish. She felt him starring at her, waiting for an answer, but couldn't even bring herself to look at him.

Dick could see she felt embarrassed, and his outburst probably hadn't helped at all. Why did he always hurt her? He reached out and rubbed from her elbow to her shoulder soothingly, having noticed her goosebumps. "Come on Kory. Stay for a little while." She looked up at him pathetically, her eyes forlorn. Dick smiled sheepishly. "I got a whole bunch of doughnuts. And I'm sure Bee's got some hot chocolate around here. Sound good?" He slid one of his hands down to take her own and lead her to the kitchen, hoping she would stay. He glanced over into the living room and saw the rest of his friends passed out cold. Kory must've wanted to leave before they got up, but he couldn't let her do that.

Dick shuffled aimlessly through Bee's kitchen cabinets, and finally came about the one full of mugs. He grabbed two and set them down.

"I have never had a doughnut."

Dick whipped his head to stare at her in awe. "You've never had a doughnut?"

She shook her head, a small smile gracing her lips as she looked at him through her eye lashes.

"Okay. So you've never had a doughnut, but please tell me you've had hot chocolate before." He proceeded to fill the two mugs with milk and set them in the microwave to heat up.

"Of course." Kory giggled softly. "Such a beverage is quite common in Tameran, despite the heat. It is most delicious."

Dick raised an eyebrow at her as he pulled the two now steaming mugs out and set them back on the counter, stirring in the chocolate powder mixture. He had never heard much about Tameran and was quite curious as to how it differed from Gotham. She mentioned it was very hot there, which could explain her golden skin tone. And their love for hot chocolate must be cultural, however he wasn't sure how mustard fit into the picture. Maybe it was just a Kory thing.

"Well does Tameran know the secret hot chocolate ingredient?"

Kory puckered her lips and gazed at him perplexed. "I am unsure. Although we do not use premade mixtures of coco. You use the whipped topping on top, yes?"

As Kory said it, Dick pulled the can of whipped cream from the fridge and chuckled. "Course we do." He swirled a comical amount into one mug and slid it towards Kory. She giggled as she swiped some from her finger and brought it to her mouth. In turn Dick lifted his head back and sprayed some directly into his mouth.

Kory covered her mouth with her hand in an attempt to stifle her giggles and refrain from waking the group that still lie asleep on the couch. Her efforts were futile as Dick grinned mischievously and gestured for her to tilt her own head back. She did so timidly as Dick filled her mouth with the delicious whipped topping.

It was almost as though Dick's antics could calm her down and keep her in the moment. She wasn't worried about what happened 12 hours ago, and she wasn't worried about what would happen 12 hours from now. It was all about right now, 6:30 am in the kitchen drinking hot chocolate and playing with whipped cream.

She was immensely excited to try a doughnut. She had seen the delicate pastries before and always found them beautiful.

Dick caught her eyeing the box as he recapped the whipped cream and stuck it back in the fridge. "Go ahead and pick one." He then proceeded to go through Bee's spice cabinet until he found what he was looking for. He sprinkled a generous amount of cinnamon on both mugs. "Secret ingredient is cinnamon." Dick realized her attention was still on the boxes of doughnuts. "Kory, take one."

She looked up at him as though she were a deer in headlights. He smiled warmly and strode over to open the box for her. He noticed as her eyes widened even further, and she looked on at the doughnuts in utter amazement.

That was one of the things he liked about her. She found extreme wonder in the simplest of things. He nudged her with his elbow in the ribs. She jolted and giggled, causing him to laugh as well. He liked her laugh too. It was light and bubbly and made him feel warm. He especially liked when he was the one making her laugh.

"Go on and pick one."

She shook her head profusely, tearing her doe eyes from the doughnuts to him. "Oh I could not Richard. I do not know of anyone's preference would not like to take one of another's favorite flav-"

Dick ceased her rambling by smiling at her and coaxing a tress of hair that had fallen in her face behind her ear. She lavished in his warm touch on her cool skin and the electrifying trail it left behind. "Kory." He murmured softly. "Just pick a doughnut. We have plenty. And this is what they get for sleeping in."

Kory looked back to the doughnuts; they all looked so lovely and delicious. How was she to choose one?

Dick decided to choose one for her. She watched as he grabbed a napkin and used it to pick up a pink frosted doughnut with rainbow sprinkles. "Here. You'll like this one. It's strawberry."

Kory smiled at him and gratefully took the colorful pastry. She examined it carefully before taking a bite.

Dick found himself positively mesmerized by her mannerisms. The way she licked her lips in anticipation for the sweet taste. And her face when she took that first bite. Damn. It made her so happy. He made her so happy, and that made him feel incredibly good. She looked adorable when she ate. Whether it was carrots covered in mustard, whipped cream, or strawberry doughnuts…she just seemed to enjoy it all so much.

He cocked a smile at her as she chewed. Her eyelids raised slowly, unveiling her emerald orbs that he had found himself so fond of. She ceased chewing for only a second to flash him a timid close-mouthed smile. She then brought the napkin to her lips. "It is delicious Richard. I thank you."

He went to take a bite of his own doughnut, but hesitated to rip a piece off, being sure to get some of the filling with it. He held it out to Kory who looked at it in confusion. "Try some of this one. It's Boston crème. My favorite."

Kory shook her head adamantly, pushing his hand away back towards himself. "Oh no Richard. It is your favorite. I wish for you to eat it."

Dick sighed and shook his head, offering her the piece of doughnut again. "Kory, I wouldn't offer if I didn't mean it. Try it. You'll love it." When she refused to take it he brought it up to her mouth. Kory went cross eyed as she followed his hand. Dick chucked at her and tapped the doughnut to her lips. "Open."

Kory hesitantly opened her mouth and locked eyes with Dick. He pulled his gaze to her lips as he placed it on her tongue. This time, her eyes didn't shut in delight, but continued to stare intently into Dick's before realizing where he was looking. She quickly turned to the counter to retrieve her napkin and use it to wipe her face, worried that she had frosting smeared on her mouth.

Dick cleared his throat and rubbed the back of his neck uncomfortably. "So you like it?"

Now confident that her face was doughnut free, Kory turned and beamed at Dick. "Oh yes it was most remarkable. I can see why it is your favorite."

"Ok. So now you've tried strawberry and Boston Crème, you've gotta try the rest of the flavors. Just a bite."

Kory looked to the box of doughnuts skeptically. "Oh Richard, there are so many. I could not possibly-"

"Just a bite." Dick said, proceeding to rip a piece from a double chocolate doughnut. He held it to Kory's mouth who looked to him with her eyes slightly narrowed and her lips puckered. Her hands rest on her hips.

"Richard I am going to get the fat."

Dick's head fell back as he guffawed. Kory's tinkling giggle mixing with his deep timbre. "Kory, I promise, you are not going to get 'the fat'. Now come on, you'll like this one." When Kory's lips refused to part even as he gently tapped the doughnut to her lips, he sighed defeated and brought the doughnut away. "Do I have to make airplane noises?" Kory laughed and he smiled mischievously as he quickly placed the doughnut on her tongue.

Her eyes widened momentarily before she accepted defeat and swallowed. "That was a mean trick." She attempted to glare at him but couldn't keep it as she realized he was pulling off a small piece of another differently flavored doughnut.

He looked to her and smiled. "Don't do that to your face. It'll stick like that." He licked his thumb and handed her the piece of lemon doughnut. "Besides, you look much cuter when you don't look like you want to kill me." As soon as he said it he felt heat in his face and turned his attention back to his own now half eaten doughnut. Kory popped the piece he had placed in front of her into her mouth with no rebuttal. He noticed her pink cheeks.

They fought over taste testing doughnuts for another good ten minutes until Kory had tried a piece of all the flavors Dick got. He on the other hand had finished his Boston Crème and started a double chocolate. "Alright Kory." He said in between bites. "Which flavor's your favorite?"

Kory hm'd and tapped a finger against her chin. She hadn't been able to finish a full doughnut after having sampled a bite of all six flavors that Dick had to offer. The rest of the unfinished ones sat back in the box. They had all been ripped by clean fingers, so when the rest of the guys woke up they wouldn't have a problem with eating them. "Most definitely the Boston doughnut. The creamy liquid filling was most glorious."

Dick couldn't keep himself from chuckling. "Glorious." He repeated with a smirk. "I like that word."

Kory flushed and began to ring her hands. "I speak quite funny, yes?" She peaked up at him and her eyes were clouded. She looked so fragile and meager and Dick couldn't stop thinking about how badly he just wanted to hold her. To make her feel better and not so flustered.

"No. I think it's cute. Or glorious." He smirked, hoping she would get a kick out of his word choice.

Kory giggled and repeated after him, not blushing nearly as much as she thought she would have, considering it was the second time he had called her cute that day. "It is difficult to master the idioms and the slang of English, as well as with all the other languages I speak."

"How many others do you know?" Dick challenged, cocking his head. "Cause I happen to know a few too."

Kory raised an eyebrow at him. "Perhaps you shall find out one day."

Dick laughed and poked at her ribcage. "Ok, since when did you get sassy?"

Kory swatted his hand away, her face alight with amusement until she noticed how close his face was to her own. She chewed her lip and touched the purple knot on his cheek again, noticing as he flinched subtly. "Does it hurt?"

Dick pulled her hand away from his face for the second time that day, yet he kept hold of it, playing with her fingers. "It was worth it."

Kory's breath hitched as his fanned over her face, remembering that he had beat up Roy for her. She couldn't stop herself from wrapping her arms hesitantly around him, her face resting against the crook of his neck. "Thank you Richard." She whispered firmly into his flesh.

Dick stood stock still, frozen as the girl gripped him tightly. He snaked his arms around her thin torso, pulling gently on the tips of her hair that hung by his hands. The top of her head rest against his cheek and he reveled in the feeling of her, everything about her. And as she gave her thanks to him, his neck burned with her breath. He shuddered and hoped she didn't notice. He kissed the top of her head and broke away, feeling warm all over.

Dick could tell his whole face must have been red enough to blend in with her hair. He rubbed the back of his neck and shuffled his feet, clearing his throat and hoping desperately that his voice wouldn't crack. "So whaddya want to do until those guys wake up?" He nodded towards the still sleeping group. He didn't blame them, it'd been a rough night for all of them. The only reason he had gotten up so early was because he had to see Kory.

He hadn't had dreams as bad as last night since he was little. He had to come over, even if only to drop of some doughnuts for the group and watch her sleep for a while. He needed to assure himself that she was safe. He never imagined she would have been up already, let alone gunning to leave and find her own way home through the snow.

"Well, I never finished the Sleeping Beauty last night." She turned to him, her eyes wide with adoration. "Oh Richard, it is the most glorious film about a princess who-"

Dick chuckled, cutting her off. "I know what it's about Kory."

"Oh. You have seen the princess movie before?" A wicked smile painting her face as she teased him.

Dick blanched. "Oh, well I mean, most people…It was with a girl friend who wanted- but not-"

Kory's hypnotic giggle cut the flustered boy off. "Do not worry Richard. Your masculinity is not challenged by having watched such a film." Her laughter died down. "It does contain much of the action as well, does it not?"

"Yeah yeah. Just don't tell any of the guys, would ya?" Dick made his way to the T.V to put the movie on for Kory, and not at all himself.

"Of course Richard." She skipped over in front of him and grabbed his hand. She intertwined their pinkies and squeezed. "The pinky promise." She whispered with a kind smile before taking her seat on the couch next to Bee.

As the movie started Dick reheated their now cold hot coco's that had been ignored during the doughnut eating frenzy. He handed one to her carefully, being sure she didn't spill any on her lap. He sat close by. The couch and reclining chair definitely weren't made to seat six people, but they made it work.

Kory leaned down and retrieved the blanket that had covered her the previous night and placed it over both her and Dick to share. Once the movie started, it was as though Kory was in another world. She was so taken by the story, and Dick couldn't help but watch her from the corner of his eye. She seemed to especially enjoy the dance that was shared between Briar Rose and Prince Phillip in the woods. Dick smiled at her childlike fascination.

As the movie went on and Kory became distraught by Maleficent, Dick found her small hand cradled in his underneath the blanket. He gently rubbed his thumb along her palm and squeezed. Dick smiling at the innocence of the gesture. Kory had truly started to open up to him today, and he found himself truly enjoying his time with her. He no longer wanted to hang out with her in pity due to her sister's death, or Kitten's torment, or even because he felt bad about what happened at the party. He just wanted to be around her. When she was happy, he was happy. And he really loved when she was happy. There was still a lot he didn't know about her, and he couldn't wait to learn more.

Kory felt immensely comforted by Dick's presence. She remembered back to when he had ran into her in the hallway and she had found herself dreaming of ever being touched by him, and yet, here they were. Of course it wasn't as intimate as she had hoped, and he probably only meant to offer her comfort, but his hand surrounding hers still gave her the butterflies.

They were both brought out of their daze when a groan and snap sounded from across the room. Garfield stretched emphatically, his vertebrae popping with each which way he twisted. He nimbly stood up without waking Rachel and looked to the glowing T.V screen, curious as to why Sleeping Beauty was playing again.

"Hey Gar, doughnuts are in the kitchen."

He yelped, having not realized that Dick was there, let alone awake. "Dude, give a guy some warning huh?" He smiled sleepily at Kory and waved to her. He then turned to shake Rachel's shoulder. "Hey Rae, you awake? There's doughnuts. You want a double chocolate?"

Rachel murmured unintelligibly. Gar then meandered into the kitchen and opened the first box only to find himself immensely confused by the sight. "Uh, dudes? Why are some of the doughnuts missing pieces?"

Neither Dick nor Kory could hold in the laughter that cascaded from their mouths.

Authors Note: Again, mostly a filter, but please let me know how you guys feel about the whole language thing, and sorry about the late update. It might happen one more time in a couple of weeks, but I'm not sure yet. It depends.

And if you guys are looking for a really good, really disturbing M rated story that makes you feel just so so sad, pm me. I found a really good one that doesn't get nearly enough credit.