Authors Note: Hey there! I know I've been getting a bunch of bs from y'all for not updating a while ago, but life gets in the way. Keep in mind that I'm still in school, still have a job, and I still have a boyfriend and family. I have a lot of free time this week though, so maybe I'll update a longer chapter Thursday (If I don't get called into work). This should be fairly short, I swear I'll pick it up! Love y'all! Thanks for the support!
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"Grayson," she called me out of my current trance, I was fascinated by the look of her and what was said, "handle it."
I nodded in response, not fully comprehending what she was talking about.
"Now." She added, firm in tone.
"Okay ..few seconds .." I got the memo now, after the few seconds I was given I leaned against the table, rubbing my face as my elbows held my hands steady.
She used to like this.
And I still can't help myself.
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Grayson stood before Kori's mother, Ja'an, swallowing in anticipation of meeting her husband and taking their beloved daughter out on their first 'real' date. It took all the courage and might he had to ask her parents for permission beforehand.
When he first met Galfore, Kori's father (well, stepfather), Grayson was oddly intimidated by the man. Unlike when he first met Commissioner Gordan, his ex's father. Barbara's father was different though, he was more 'professional' yet fatherly at the same time. And, well, Galfore wasn't exactly small either.
Galfore was meant to be intimidating, he was, after all, Grand Ruler of their home country of Tamaran. He was also a gifted warrior, fighting with all the grace and skill of a god when the war against the Gordanians broke out, a people from a neighboring country. The people who'd taken Kori and her siblings away for 'experiments', all with her birth fathers permissions.
Grayson only knew that part of Kori's pain, nothing more.
And it pained him too, even barely knowing what happened those few weeks she was held captive.
Grayson rolled his shoulders, trying to hold composure as he rid himself of those horrendous thoughts and tried to focus on the matter at hand. Soon, he'll get the full story soon. No pressure, just let her come to him with the information, no matter how much he wanted to help and comfort her.
He'd began to worry that Kori'd backed out of their date. His forehead began to perspire and suddenly his suit was getting a little too hot for his level of comfort, he twitched a bit, his hands becoming clammy and shakey. He prayed Galfore hadn't talked her out of this, he was just 'speaking briefly' with her, right? Ja'an wouldn't lie to him. No, Grayson trusted her parents, her father was a great man. Much better than his own fath-
Grayson's thoughts were cut off by the familiar ring of Ja'an's voice calling out to him. He looked up to meet the brilliant shades of green the she must've passed down to Kori.
It was crazy really, how much Kori looked like her mother.
Her hair held the same strawberry color, she had the same petite figure, the same facial structure, it was almost like looking at Kori's future self, only her mother's hair was far longer than Kori's. Ja'an even passed her oh-so-bubbly personality down the trait train.
"Oh, I remember when Galfore and I had our first date .." Ja'an sighed with a reminiscent smile curling upon her lips.
"Oh yeah? How was that?" Grayson asked, wanting to spark up a conversation with the woman.
"Well .."
Upstairs, Kori studied herself in the mirror, smoothing out all the little rumples and tiny wrinkles that popped up every now and again. It was a fitted cream-colored dress, a slit cut up all the was to the top of her knee, strapless. Her heels were of the same color and only a few inches. Her hair was cascading down her back and worn in her natrual curls, her short bangs drifting out of place every time or so. She looked breathtaking.
Her father sat silently on the bed, watching her with a range of emotions from sorrow, his little girl was growing up, to disapproval that she wanted to go with this boy.
Galfore took in a shaky breath, "Koriand'r, are you sure you wish to go? I have no problem picking up your brother so we could join you as a family."
"No, kenorfka, I would like if Richard and I were alone, I am most certain he would wish the same as I." Kori laughed, pushing a loose part of her bangs back behind her ear.
She turned and faced Galfore, arms spread and shoulder's hunched in excitement. "I believe I am ready!" She giggled, cheeks rosy with youth.
Galfore gave her a simple nod in return, accompanied by a sad smile, he didn't want her to grow up yet.
It's always hard to let go of something you love so dearly, his daughter was no exception to this. She meant the world to him, Komand'r and Ryand'r as well. He didn't want anyone to get hurt ..especially by a silly boy.
He stood up, opening his arms wide for Kori, which she happily obliged to by wrapping her arms tight around his midsection.
He was sad alright, but he was all the more proud of her.
His daughter.
"Kori, he is waiting for you." She only nodded, looking up at her father like he was her one and only idol, her protector.
Her father.
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"Oh, the golden years of my youth." Ja'an sighed in contentment as Grayson and herself strode around the living room, dancing to the slow tempo of 'What a Wonderful World' preformed by Louis Armstrong spinning on the record player.
Grayson had noticed Ja'an's fascination for vinyl and things of such, so, naturally, he asked her to dance. Specifically to her favorite song.
And no, it wasn't to try and win her trust or companionship, it was out of pure respect and kindness. Which, those days, he didn't share a lot of.
They'd been dancing for an odd three songs now, he actually enjoyed it. She must've passed down far more traits than he realized, the silence between the songs wasn't at all awkward. It was filled with quiet laughter and small talk, wholehearted smiles and joy.
All too soon, Grayson's fun was cut off by someone clearing their throat from behind him.
He spun on his heel to face his beautiful girlfriend striding down the staircase, grinning from ear to ear. He couldn't help but smile back, a lopsided grin plastered across his face as he tried to find the right words to say.
"Kori." He breathed, still trying to muster up something, anything to say.
"Richard." She giggled again, happy she could provoke such a reaction out of him.
He simply could not stop smiling, stop staring at her in awe.
She was his, and his only.
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Throughout the rest of the night, Kori'd noticed Richard staring at her the entire time, how could she not.
He was so bluntly obvious of it, he only had eyes for her, no one else.
All the woman that came his way, all the ladies that tried to flirt, tried to to win him over. He'd just turned them down the whole night. The way another man would try to approach Kori and he'd shoo them away, actually quite literally. It was so amusing, Kori loved every minute of it. He liked her, a lot.
He felt like he actually loved her.
And he couldn't get used to it, to her. He'd never felt like this towards anyone but Kori, all the other chicks he'd dated in the past were practically a waste of time compared to Kori in his eyes. Everything was so surreal to him, he was entranced by her.
In love.
Finally, Kori spoke up.
"Is there something wrong, Richard?"
"No." He barely mumbled.
"Then why are you looking at me like ..that?"
"Like what?"
She laughed softly, then mocked him with silly looking googly-eyes. He just had to laugh aloud, though they were in a more 'high class' establishment. "Oh, I'm sorry I just .." He took a moment to think before speaking again, suddenly spilling the most cliché word out of his mouth, "you're just so beautiful."
Her face flushed and filled with that of a deep rose and snorted, "Haha! Well, you better do the handling of yourself," she laughed abroad, "someone may think we are the 'weird'."
Grayson smiled wide, he couldn't get enough of her struggle with English, it was just too adorable to him.
"Well, can I at least get a couple of seconds to admire my princess?"
"You are making this difficult .."
"Please?"
"I suppose so."
"Thank you." He mumbled, placing his elbows upon the tabletop and resting his chin on his balled fist, smiling at the girl, "You know something Kori?"
"Hmm?" She took a sip of her sparkling water.
"I like you ..a lot."
She looked up from her glass and set it down on the table, "And I too adore you, Richard."
Grayson reached across the table for her hand, she happily claimed his hand, placing hers on top of his, gently caressing him with her thumb.
"I'm so happy you're in my life."
He hoped she never changed.
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"Grayson, handle it."
He shook his head in realization and gave me an apologetic and sheepish smile, rubbing the back of his neck with his hand.
Deep down, though, I kind of enjoyed the way he looked at me, like I'm the only woman in the room. But I know he was just doing that to mess with me anyways, throw me off guard, I'm not that naïve.
I watched as he glanced around the room, possibly scoping out the place. He does that often, he is quite the analyst. He's a 'what if' kinda guy, not that I mind anyways. I actually found it sort of attractive when he'd be so focused on his work and studies before hanging out with his friends. Though he seemed to zone out, cut people off when he did so, the type of determination he had was something to stride for. Another envious trait owned by none other than the Dick Grayson.
I was lost in thought again, so lost in fact that I hadn't noticed when Kennedy returned with our food.
"Kooorri?" Kennedy chuckled, waving his hand in my face, yet again, Grayson looked annoyed at Kennedy and my owns' friendship.
"Oh, I'm sorry." I laughed softly, looking up at him with sincere eyes.
"Nah, you're good." He placed our food in front of us, "Enjoy, I'd love to strike up a conversation with you two but we're kinda busy right now, catcha later Kor!" And with that, he went on his way. Disappointing me along the way, things were starting to get awkward between Richard and I.
I frowned, but the smell of the food drew me back to my senses and I picked up my silverware and took in a large mouthful of eggs, I haven't been here in awhile, their food was even more delicious than I remembered!
I smiled silently to myself and looked up to meet Richard's gaze, who appeared very amused by me.
"You should try it instead of staring." I giggled, taking another mouthful.
He just smiled even wider and planted his fork into his eggs as well before taking some into his mouth. He chewed slowly and dramatically, as if taking in all the flavor and savoring it, I had to giggle even more at this.
"It's good, I guess." He tilted his head to the side a bit and pretended to toss imaginary hair behind his back with nose in air.
I laughed softly, covering my mouth so not to show the contents, I am a lady after all.
Filler chatter was made between Richard and I, we only talked about unimportant things, not that I minded that is. It was kept simple, little did he make things difficult. We weren't very formal about things either, I suppose he was in a jovial mood today. Or maybe he was kind enough to not make it it's usual torturous talk, getting straight down to business immediately. It was very enjoyable sitting with a friend for once, I take it he enjoyed my presence as a friend too.
I checked my phone for the time; 2:43.
"Um, I think it's time for us to get a move on .." I lied, truly, I wanted to stay but I know that it must be some kind of chore for Richard to stay and chat with me. He just feels guilty for what he did to me, he's been doing a good job hiding it though.
I watched as he took an almost forced intake of breath. "Well, do you wanna go for a walk or- er, you know what, we can do whatever you wanna do. I don't mean to be pushy or anything I just want to-"
"A walk sounds fine, Dick. We can go by my house. I've discovered a few trails here and there in the wooded area nearby."
"Great plan."
We both stood up and I began to reach for my wallet, I hate having people pay for me. Richard stopped me before I fished it out of my pocket, I looked up at him with a warning glare and he just smiled sheepishly and shrugged before dropping a hundred down onto the billfold. Well, Kennedy sure is getting a nice tip.
I looked towards the kitchen area and laughed at Kennedy's face, so hard and concentrated. He looked up for a moment and smile, I waved at him and mirrored his actions. I felt a warmth at the small of back, a familiar warm. It couldn't be none other than Richard, displaying his 'alpha male' instinct he does best. Instead of scolding him, I just went along with it, I'm actually looking forward to this walk, with or without Richard.
He sighed and led me towards the door, opening it for me once we reached it. I took my chance to escape his dominance and walked at a faster pace than him to the car, then I even opened the door for myself. There was no way I was gonna let him try and work his 'charms' on me, during out conversation he did try and work them on me but I politely declined. I have to admit, I was funny seeing him turned down like that, he's just not used to it. After that, he was off game the entire time. I guess he just sorda gave up. I like his companionship more than anything else, I really don't want anything from him. Especially right now.
The car ride was another quite one, but less awkward this time. He was less tense, but still a bit edgy. I can usually read him, but I honestly have not the slightest idea why he's acting this way. Maybe it's Bruce? Bruce does have Richard on a leash, well, metaphorically speaking that is.
I sighed softly so not to distract him, he noticed anyways.
"You good?" he asked, still watching the road.
"Yup, just kinda tired is all." I looked out the window and watched the trees disappear behind us.
"Do you want to go home and sleep, did you sleep okay last night?" He placed his hand on one of my knees.
"I slept just fine." I removed his hand, pushing it away.
I could practically hear his frown, "Oh, well .."
I glanced over at him and was not surprised to see his expression just as I imagined, low and sad.
He cleared his throat, "I know you're kind of tired, but if you'd like to talk a little more ..that's alright with me."
I pressed my mouth into a firm line, "I think I wanna go home and sleep after all .." I drug my eyes back out the window.
"Oh, um, okay..", his tone dropped to disappointment, a feeling of guilt arose from my stomach.
"But, we can talk tomorrow, if you'd like." My words were almost jumbled together.
"Yeah ..yeah ..I would like that."
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Authors Note: Y'all, I know this chapter sucks camel balls, like. I am BEYOND disappointed in myself. You all don't even understand. I literally beat myself up for this chapter, I've rewritten it seven times and it's still trash. I just wanna get to the action already, like I said before, this isn't only supposed to be focused on romance. I have so much in store for this story but these filler chapters are killing me. I'm so sorry the chapters are coming out so slow, I have so much going on right now; school, work, and I have to go to funeral this Sunday. Life is so sucky it hurts. Metaphorically, of course. I cannot apologize enough. Next chapter will be long, I promise. This one was too short for my liking. I should be getting some action next chapter too, probably drama though. These chapters used to be prewritten but My COMPUTER DELETED THE WHOLE ENTIRE DOCUMENT I WAS SO MAD! So yeah, longer wait for stuff now. Seriously, someone needs to kill me before I do it myself. I am so so so sorry. I don't care if I get criticism on this chapter, I hate it. So, I hope you enjoy my NEXT chapter. C'ya, and sorry.