Kori's POV
I do NOT own
Well now I look twice as crazy to these people then I did before. To say this car ride back home with Richard is not awkward would be a huge lie. He has not said anything to me since… well since my outburst at the table. Matter of fact, no one said much to me except for Karen, Wally, Bruce, and the rest of my family, the others looked at me as if I was completely mental.
Stupid girl, you have been getting that look your entire life! It will never go away, people are always going to think you need to be committed. Hell, your own blood had you committed years ago when you were small, and could not fend for yourself… that place, do not even think about it, do not go back there. That hospital broke you both physically and mentally. He got what he wanted. He wanted you to be scared, to never forget him and now you are so fucking scarred he is burned into your brain, in your flesh, and even into your heart. Every time you close your eyes to sleep you see him. The man with no face lurks in every dark shadow, and every corner. This gift you have is like a plague, only despair comes for you, it trails behind you waiting to strike when you least expect it. You will never be rid of it, maybe he was right. Maybe….
"Do you wanna tell me what happened back there?" Richard asked pulling me out of my thoughts as he parked the car. I was so far in my own little world I did not even realize we were home.
"There is nothing to do the talking about." I mumbled as I blinked back the wetness in my eyes. I opened my door quickly and hurried to get Silkie out.
Great, he wants answers… and none I am willing to give.
"Oh, so are we just going to act like none of that shit happened at Bruce's?" Richard snapped as he slammed his door.
"You acted as if I was in control of what happened…" I mumble as I wrap my arms around myself, as I make my way towards the entrance of our apartment building.
Please just leave me alone….
"Oh really, because when you started yelling at nothing, all of the supernatural shit just seemed to stop. Why are you so scared to tell me this secret of yours, do you not trust me?" Richard questions as his eyes bore into mine. I could feel my lip begin to tremble and my eyes fill with tears.
"I do trust you, probably more than I do anyone. Trust here is not the issue…." I tried to reason but was interrupted.
"Than what is the issue here, Kori? Am I not good enough to know…" Richard started fuming, but I quickly spoke up.
"You are good, to good! That is the problem! You are one of the best men I have come to know, and my baggage weighs people down, it ruins people, and I cannot have that put onto you! You are also one of the biggest faces of the world, if I tell you there is a good chance people all over the globe could find out, and I would feel awful if people thought you were a freak to! So, no Richard, it has nothing to do with you being not good enough. It is me trying to protect you and your reputation because you are one of the only things right now and back then that has kept me sane through all the shit I go through. You make me feel the normal, and I cannot have that taken away from me, or maybe I actually will go mad." I poured my fucking heart out and did not even realize I had tears streaming down my face, and my chest was heaving. I could not even look at Richard. I did what I do best, and I bolted into the apartment building with Silkie hot on my heels.
Great, run away like you always do. Should I just tell him the truth? NO, are you stupid? Do you want to lose one of your only friends? Of course not, and not only will it hurt our friendship but it can do damage to Vic's and Richard's relationship as well.
I must have really been lost in my thoughts, for I did not notice the kid's warning when he was shouting at me to do the watching out. It happened so quickly, the only things I was sure of was the shooting pain in both my hip and ankle. Silkie was whining and licking my neck.
How did I get on the ground?
"Crap, miss are you ok? I'm so sorry!" I panicked voice said. I looked up from my awkward position on my side to see a kid about 14 hovering over me. He was a cute kid with shaggy brown hair, gray eyes, and tanned skin.
"Kori! You ok? What happened?" Richard questions now kneeling next to me clearly worried. One hand brushing through my hair, while his other was holding one of my hands.
"I… I ran into her…" The kid says as he shakes like a leaf.
"I was not paying the attention. You know me, I never watch where I am going. I have always been the clumsy." I tell Richard causing him to sigh.
"Did you hit your head?" Richard asks his hand still stroking my hair.
"I do not think so." I respond quietly.
Did I? I do not think I did. I mean it does not hurt.
"She… she was air b…b…born landed on her hip pretty hard. She landed awkwardly on her ankle, she may have sprained it." The kid stutters causing us to look at him in wonderment. "My dad is a doctor, and I…I wanna be one to. I'm also pretty observant." The kid mumbled looking down at his skateboard. "I really am sorry." He said in a panic as he ran his hair tugging hard at the shaggy ends. I slowly sat up causing me to hiss as the pain shot through the side of my hip.
"Easy." Richard warned softly.
"It is not your fault…." I start but linger as I wait to hear the kid's name.
"Dean." The kid filled in the blank making me smile, but he still did not make eye contact with me.
"Well it is nice to meet you, Dean. I am Kori, and I am known for being very clumsy. You are not the first person to do the running over of me." I say as I hold out my hand which he timidly shakes.
"I can't believe I pretty much tackled the Richard Grayson's girlfriend." Dean groaned before looking toward Richard his eyes wide as saucers. "Sorry…. again."
"It's ok, Dean. Accidents happen, and unfortunately they happen to Kori very frequently. She's kind of a klutz." Richard spoke with a laugh.
Is he not going to correct Dean's assumption of us being together?
"Wow… thanks a lot." I scoffed as I tried to get to a standing position, but it seems as if my ankle was not having that, for as soon as I put pressure on it I immediately yelped in pain. I immediately took my weight off my ankle only to stand on one leg, and using Richard to keep my balance.
"Kori, there is no way you'll be able to walk up the stairs, maybe we should take the elevator." Richard suggests arching a brow.
"No! uh I… I can't!" I say panic stricken as I think of being enclosed in such a small space.
"Right, claustrophobic. Relax we won't take the elevator." Richard says before he is grinning at me like the Cheshire cat.
"Why are you look…" I started only to be interrupted when I'm swept up into Richard's strong arms. My arms immediately circled around his neck to make sure I stayed stable. "This is your solution?" I questioned looking into his crystal blue eyes.
"You got a better one? It's better than you being stuck on the floor." Richard says looking at me with a raised dark brow.
"I am too heavy to carry up so many flights." I tell him only to hear him scoff in response.
"Oh please, you weigh what a hundred and thirty pounds soaking wet? I bench about 3x your weight on a daily basis. Trust me, you are by no means heavy." Richard speaks to me with a wink before he looks over to Dean with a smirk. "I better get her some ice for that ankle. It was nice meeting you Dean, don't be a stranger."
"Uh… yea ok." A still star struck Dean responds before we are making our way to the staircase.
"I have the feeling you made that boy's day." I tell Richard as the two of us along with Silkie begin to make our way back to our apartments.
"That's one of the best things about being Richard Grayson. Seeing the way kids brighten up when they see me, or hear my music, it's the best. Makes me feel like I'm doing something right." Richard explains thoughtfully with a soft smile on his face.
… (Richard's POV) ….
"What is the worst thing about being Richard Grayson?" She asks looking at me with her large, beautiful eyes.
Not being able to be with you.
"Hmmmm definitely a tie between the complete lack of privacy and the fake news." I give an answer even though it's not the honest one.
"Fake news?" Kori questions with a perfect arched brow.
"You know, all the fake gossip that you read in the magazines or online. The paparazzi will say anything just to make a quick buck." I tell her as she makes a small noise in agreement.
"Would you ever step away from all the fame? I know Bruce is your father and you will always be the big star, but have you ever thought about just disappearing for a while, and starting over?"
"I think about it a lot in all honesty, but I'm not ready to stop fighting and making music. I think maybe in a few years I'll just maybe move out of the country and see the world. Maybe we could do some traveling together, and you can show me some of the places you've been." I tell her as a radiant smile lights up her face.
"I would love that. It sometimes gets the lonely constantly traveling by myself." She says honestly as we finally make our way to our floor.
"Well I promise in the future to be your travel buddy." I say making her smile grow even bigger. "You and the mutt want to come over and watch a movie? I mean since you can't walk and all."
"What do you think Silkie, do you want to go to Richard's?" Kori questions looking at the large beast who was following beside us. The girl in my arms was answered by a loud bark causing us both to chuckle.
"I'm taking that as a yes." I say as I open my apartment door for the three of us.
Now this is something I can get used to.
Well Guys there's chapter 8! Thanks for being so patient, and please follow, review, and favorite! You guys are the BEST! : )