The Hive: I thought summer vacation was supposed to be about bikinis, beach volleyball, and fun? So far, this vacay's more of a bummer than summer.
His fists clenched the wheel as he stepped harder on the gas pedal. The gauge already hitting 100 and wanted it higher. Tears ran down his face, his vision blurred, and his nose stuffy. Bzzz. Bzzz. Dick glanced down to see Bruce's name on his phone display. He pressed decline, for the billionth time since he left the manor. Dick turned up the volume nozzle and let the speakers vibrate through his system.
He didn't want to think about them, remember the heartache that he felt. He still feels. Their eyes when he saw them for the last time, falling to their deaths. Now, they expected him to show up in court? Expected him not to go feral and lunge at the man that killed them? He couldn't sit there and stare that man straight in the face, while he testified. They wouldn't understand. No one does. Dick glances outside of the window and notices the dark sky, then checks the clock on his dash display. It's almost midnight, he would need to crash soon. He exhaled a deep breath. Dick couldn't go back to Gotham, not right now. He couldn't look Bruce in the eye and expected himself not to cry. Alfred, Jason, Rachel, and even Kory. He didn't want her to see how weak he felt or vulnerable he was when it came to talking about his parents. "Is that how you treat your girlfriend?" He thought to himself. Dick couldn't answer, instead, he lifted his foot off the gas pedal and let the car cruise.
The Hive: Attention Gothamites. I'm sending out an MIA for a certain Boy Wonder. He's about 5'8, chiseled abs that you could sink your teeth into, and an emotional wreck. If found, please return him to the Prince of Gotham.
Kory pours herself a bowl of Fruity Pebbles as Galfore skimmed through his catering booklets. "Are you catering the Mayor's gala?" Kory asked. Galfore removed the glasses off his face. "Yes, he wants an exotic spread to show off to his out-of-town colleagues. I'm looking at different options to show him." "I'm sure that whatever spread you choose, he'll love." He smiles warmly at her. "Let's hope he does." Galfore goes back to his binder as Kory takes a bite of her cereal.
Komy enters the kitchen wearing a tight black romper that shows off her chocolate legs and wedges to match. She runs a manicured finger through her high ponytail and whips it through the air. "Ah, I slept so well last night. Although, Kicks you should really check the water pressure in the guest shower. I almost drowned." Kory bit back a laugh at the image of Komy getting hosed down by the showerhead. "I'll be sure to look at it, Komy." Kory could see her uncle roll his eyes underneath his sunglasses. "Kory dear, I was looking around in your room—" "—Why were you in my room?" Komy batted her eyelashes like an innocent lamb. "No reason. I was searching for some sunglasses to match this outfit of mine. Anyways, I took a look at that closet of yours. Why don't you let me take you shopping?"
"Because the last time you took me shopping, you snuck something into my bag and had me on the Tameranian news." Komy flipped her hand as if it wasn't a big deal. "We were children then, nothing but a harmless little prank." "It was two years ago." Komy glanced at the box of fruity pebbles and pushed it to the side. "Ugh. Seriously, sister, you can't keep eating this garbage and expect to still have a nice figure. I mean, you've seen those American reality tv shows, right?" Before Kory could grab the box in protest, Komy had already thrown it in the trash.
"Komy, let the girl eat some cereal. It's no harm." "Kicks, you outta see what they're putting in cereal nowadays. I mean, you'd think they'd have a little bit of sanity. Glad father banned certain items from ever touching Tameran soil." Kory shoved another spoonful of cereal into her mouth before Komy could grab the bowl and throw that out as well. This was one of the things she didn't miss while away from home. Her family watched her every move, being told what to eat, how to dress, where to sit, and how to talk to people. It was exhausting to be so perfect all the time and maintain the best, squeaky-clean image for the kingdom of Tamaran. Too bad her parents were still doing damage control on hers since getting involved with the citadel.
"Kory, when you're done ingesting that garbage. I'll be in my room waiting to take you out for the day and I won't take no for an answer." Komy strutted out of the kitchen, ponytail, and hips in full swing. Galfore turned to Kory with an apologetic smile. "She'll be here for a couple more weeks. Your father wants you to mend the problems you have." "He wants me to do a lot of things." Galfore knew what she was hinting shut his binder and walked over to her, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Things will come to light soon enough, give it time." "How much time does he need to stop deciding what's best for me?" He didn't have an answer, instead, he patted her shoulder. Kory shoved the soggy bowl of cereal away, suddenly she wasn't hungry anymore.
Bzzz. Bzzz. Kory glanced down at her phone and noticed Bruce's name on the screen. She shared a look with Galfore, Bruce never called her phone unless it was something important. Kory pressed the answer button and put the phone to her ear. "Hello?" "Kory, is Dick with you?" "No, I hadn't talked to Dick since last night. What's the matter?" She could picture Bruce running a hand through his dark locks in worry. "Well, he hasn't come home. I thought that maybe he was with you—shit." Her heart skipped a beat. "Well, if you can get to him. Please tell him to call me." Bruce hung up the phone. Kory dialed Dick's number and waited. Riiinnng. Riiinggg. Riiing. "Hey, you've reached Dick—" Kory hung up the phone. "What's wrong?" "Bruce hasn't heard from Dick, I'm gonna call Wally so we can look for him together." She marched past Galfore. He stepped in front of her and shook his head.
"Kory, I know it's not the best option. Your sister could be of assistance as well." Kory gazed at him as if he were delirious. The last thing she wanted around Dick was her sister and she planned to keep Komy away as much as possible. Though from the pleading look in his eyes, she could tell Galfore didn't want her snooping around or not under a watchful eye. He had important meetings to tend to and with Komy in town, who knows what tricks she has up her sleeve. The best option would be for her to stick around with Kory and her friends, even if she was screaming on the inside. "Fine. You owe me two finbarbs though." "Deal."
Rachel folded the last moving box and threw it on the pile of cardboard near her bedroom door. She surveyed the room around her, it resembled her old one except there were no cracks in the walls or spiders making webs in the corner. The bed felt like paradise, that was the first time in weeks where she was able to get a good night's sleep. There weren't any screams in her slumber or waking up in a puddle of her sweat.
Rachel stepped in front of the floor-length mirror and pulled up her shirt. No bruises to hide or pain to hiss through. She could feel her father's presence slowly slip away, yet his eyes were still on her. She ran a finger through her raven locks. Rachel no longer sported a boyish bob that would hide the small cuts she'd get when pushed to the ground from the dance club. Instead, her hair was longer and framed her face better, she almost looked lovely. Almost. Rachel wasn't like Jinx or Kory or Karen, where their hair matched their personalities and guys would drool as they waltzed by. "Nobody wants someone like you." She heard her father say from time to time, whenever she picked up a slice of pizza or bit into one potato chip.
Rachel pulled her shirt over her hips and hugged herself, to think that her father was nowhere to be found and he still left an impact on her. "Rachel, do you have a minute?" She turned around to find a disheveled Bruce behind her. He had a five o'clock shadow instead of a clean-cut face and his gelled-down locks were replaced with a mess of hair. His shirt was buttoned in different places, not even tucked in. "Is everything okay?" Rachel asked. "Have you heard from Dick?" She shook her head. He sighed and rubbed his hand over his neck, "Damn." She heard him whisper. Rachel wanted to reach out and touch his shoulder, but she didn't know him like she knew Dick. It probably would have been uncomfortable, at least for her.
"I'm sure he'll be okay. He's Dick Grayson, son of Bruce Wayne. There's nothing that you guys can't get out of." She grinned at him. He rubbed his hand over his growing beard "I guess that's true. How about you? Are you okay with everything?" "Fine. More than fine, Mr. Wayne—" "—Please call me, Bruce." "Okay." They chuckled slightly, trying to dissipate the discomfort they were both feeling, but in different ways. "Rachel, if you are ever uncomfortable with anything. My office is down the hall." "Thank you." She didn't know what to say. Rachel didn't want to have to intrude on anyone or anything for as long as she stayed here. "Shut up and keep away." She thought to herself. Once she opened her mouth, who knows what would come out of it?
"Gar, Garfield, Gar." Terra waved her hand in front of an awestruck Garfield Logan. He hadn't moved from his spot since she said hello to him. She snapped her fingers in his face and he came back to life. "T-Terra?" He stuttered. Terra shoved her hands into her pockets and kicked her shoes in the dirt. "Yeah. I was calling your name for the past five minutes." "But you—and then you were never—I had to-" "—Woah, woah. Gar slow down. One question at a time." She chuckled slightly, and a light red blush crept on his freckled face. "Heh, sorry. I thought you moved to another planet or something. I mean after that night I asked you out and you said you'd think about it—" Terra's eyes widened.
"Oh, crap! Gar, I feel so bad. My brother had this huge emergency out where he was stationed and I was needed there. I wanted to call and tell you, but no one knew your number." That's what he gets for being one of the least popular kids in school. "So, this wasn't your way of rejecting me?" She laughed again and punched his arm. "No way dude, I was stoked. We could always go down to this great vegan pizza place I know and share a pie." He didn't know if Terra was taking pity on him and wanting to let him down gently or if this was her way of asking him out. He couldn't tell, girls didn't gravitate towards him. "Right now?" Terra shook her head, guess that answers that question. "My uncle needs me back at the place. It's my turn to do the dishes." There was something in the way she said it, it's like she was avoiding Garfield from asking any more questions. He had so much more to ask. Who called the restaurant she worked at?
Where did she stay? Did she have a remote set of interest in him? So many of these questions ran through his mind and with every question he was met with a wall of confusion. "Saturday?" "Yeah. I should be done with lacrosse practice, so we can hang." "Cool." "Cool." They glanced away from each other. Gar rubbed his arm as Terra averted her gaze to every tree in the park. A maroon car pulled into the parking lot and honked its horn. Terra waved at the car, then turned to Garfield. "It was great seeing you, Gar. I really missed you and your jokes. See ya, Saturday!" She elbowed his arm and ran towards the car. Terra opened the passenger side of the car door, giving Gar another wave before getting inside. Gar couldn't make out the driver, but he could've sworn it was a man's silhouette. "Yeah, see ya." He muttered as the car drove away.
Karen stood outside of Victor's house with one task on her mind: apologize to Victor. She hated the way they ended things last year and due to her competitive nature that got the best of her relationship. While she was in Paris, all she could think about was how terrible she was to him and her friends. All Vic ever wanted for her was to be happy and she was, wasn't she? She got caught between the image of perfection and the image of being human. While she's come down from that cloud, there were times when she could feel herself slipping back into her old ways. Her competitive nature, selfish choices, and a bit impulsive. Bee couldn't help it, once she stepped off that plane, the old her was waiting right there at the dock.
She twiddled with her thumbs as she stared down the oak door. Knock or don't knock? Call? They've been together since junior high, so it was natural to be worried about your ex-boyfriend. He was in a car accident after all and no one's heard from him. Naturally, anyone would be worried about him. However, since she can't get a hold of Jinx to sort out these thoughts. She had to take a small step into being a smidge impulsive. Bee raised her hand to the door and before her skin could hit the wood, the door opens and Silas comes out.
"Karen, what a surprise! To what do we owe the pleasure?" Silas saw Bee as more of his friends, her parents' daughter, rather than his son's girlfriend. He gave Victor and Karen space when they would have study dates over at his place, though still informing them to keep the door open as a parent would. When they were younger, there'd be times he'd volunteer to take them to the movies or dinner at a cafe. Those times were rare since both families compensated for a driver to take them everywhere. Still, the times were nice. She had the chance to learn more about Vic and his father. "Hi Silas, is Vic home?" He glance behind him and shook his head. That's odd. "Um, no. Vic stepped out for the moment. You just missed him, if you want I could take a message." "I know that I'm probably the last person that Vic wants to see right now and I don't blame him. However, I'd like it if I could get the chance to apologize to him, face to face. No texts, no calls." Since he wasn't answering either of them. Silas glanced behind him again, Bee rose her eyebrows in suspicion.
"I don't think it's a good time right now, I'll let Victor know that you stopped by and he'll call you." She scanned over Silas, tense shoulders, shifty gaze, and rushed words. Something was going on, she's been with Victor for two years and if someone deceived him, he didn't forgive easily. So, if Silas tells Vic that she stopped by, there wouldn't be any chance for her to talk to him. "I guess I'll try again later, thanks anyways, Silas." "Of course Karen. Tell your parents I said hello." She nodded as Silas closed the door behind him and Karen made her way to the car. Silas steps inside his shiny Jaguar as Karen opens her car door. She gazes up at the window, where Vic's room lie, and saw the curtains move. "That's odd." She whispered to herself. Silas stated that Vic wasn't home, but then who would be in Vic's room? "Are you ready, Miss Beecher?" She heard the driver ask. Karen's gaze didn't leave the curtains, "Yeah, I am." She tore her gaze away from the curtains and got into her vehicle, closing the door behind her.
The Hive: Looks like that " New Leaf Makeover" is coming slower than we thought, Queen Bee. Some people aren't ready to forgive or forget. But, you should already know that by now. Just ask your ex-boyfriend, Victor Stone.
Kory fiddled with the loose strand in her low ponytail, anxiously pressing her thumb again and again on the call button that was connected to Dick's contact card. Each time the phone rang, she could feel her heart set at a standstill and when she heard his voicemail, it'd sink lower. Wally glanced at the frantic teenage girl in the passenger seat and popped open his glove compartment, revealing a butt load of the greasiest, cheesiest, and sugariest snacks inside. "Some snacks to settle your anxiety. It always helps me." She grinned at him knowing that the redhead was trying to ease her nerves, but she felt too nervous to eat.
As the hours passed by, the more worried she'd grow. Currently, Kory, Jinx, Wally, and Komy were sitting in the car going to all of Dick's favorite spots to see if he was there. So far, they were out of luck and it was getting closer to the evening time, it'd be time for them all to head back soon. Jinx poked her head in between the two car seats "Um, Wally. I think it's kind of unhealthy and gross that you keep those snacks in there. You know what the heat could do to that crap?" He rolled his eyes and closed the glove compartment. "My car, my rules, woman." He grunted. "Don't come crying to me when you complain about your ass being on fire when you do wind sprints for football practice." "My ass is fine. The ladies love it." It was Jinx's turn to roll her eyes. "Puh-lease. Your ass is flatter than a cutting board." They made eye contact through the rearview mirror, heat rose to Jinx's cheeks and she fell back into her seat.
Komy caught the interaction and smirked to herself. "You two act like an old married couple. Are you together?" "No!" They both yelled at the same time, Komy's eyes squinted in interest. "Well, could have fooled me. But since you're not couple. I happen to think that you have a nice butt, Wallace." Wally combed his fingers through his hair and winked at her. "Thank you, I've been doing my squats." "You've also got quite the complexion, no acne, freckles on the cheeks, and a nice jawline. I'm sure all the ladies drool at the sight of you. Don't you agree, Jinx?" Jinx swallowed and clenched her palms together, she couldn't help but feel as though Komy was testing her to see if she'd agree or disagree. Kory did mention as they were coming to pick them up that her sister was tricky.
At first, Jinx thought she said that due to it being a little tension due to the sisters' past and Kory was annoyed that her sister had to tag along. However, after each stop, Komy would make these little comments that would cause Kory's shoulders to tense up and change the subject. "Jinx, you don't have to answer that." Kory interjected. "No, it's cool. As if I'd stare at that-that pasty stick for longer than I am required to." She averted her gaze to the window and pouted. "Your loss. Wally seems like a catch." If Jinx could fling herself out the window and let one of the passing cars on the highway hit her, she would. "To fish." She muttered. Wally was about to say something to Jinx's comment, but Kory cut him off. "We could try to find Dick at the park?" "Um, Kory. Dick's not really a park guy, you're his girlfriend so I could be wrong. But, the last time I've seen him at the park was during a football drill." She threw her head into her hands.
"Ugh! This is hopeless! We've tried the gym, school, football field, the beach, and nothing! I'm running out of ideas!" Jinx gently rubbed her back. "Kory, we'll find him. It's gonna be okay." "Yeah, I know my best friend. He's probably blowing off some steam. For all we know, he could be at a hotel or something." Kory's eyes widened, and Wally sucked in a breath. "No! Oh god, I didn't mean like that—obviously, he wouldn't cheat on you. Well, you are technically the first person he's been in a super-serious relationship with—" "—Wally. For the love of god, shut up." He pretended to zip his lips shut and throw away the key. "Any suggestions, Komy?" Jinx asked. "I'm not sure, but I know that it's getting late and we should head back. Can't have my sister out late like she used to be back in the day. Dick, isn't on drugs is he?" Kory bit her lip to keep from snapping at Komy's comment.
"Absolutely not. At least I don't think so. Dick Grayson on drugs and under Bruce Wayne's roof? That's a stretch." "I don't know, the last guy Kory was with was on drugs and he'd pull stunts like this all the time." "He's not on drugs, Komy." Kory stated. "Excuse me for caring, Mom and Pop asked me to watch you while I was down here. We can't have you going down a dark path again or else." Typical Komy, pointing fingers at Kory making it seem like she was going down the same path as last year. She hated when she did this, especially to make it seem as if she was an angel compared to her. "I kind of agree with your sister, red. It's getting late and my uncle will freak out if I'm not back home soon. You know, post-rehab rules." "We can look tomorrow. I promise that we'll find him." Kory nodded in agreement as Wally made a U-turn and headed back toward Gotham. She glanced out the window, a small tear rolling down her cheek. Wherever Dick was, she hoped he was alright.
The Hive: Whew, is it getting hot in here or is it just me? Things seem to be heating up between my favorite polar opposites and I'm not talking about the sizzling summer heat. Careful Jinx, get too close to that speedster of yours and you just might end up getting burned.
"Thanks for meeting me on such short notice." Gar explained as he shoved a spoon of vegan mint chocolate chip into his mouth. Rachel sat on the other side of him and smiled, taking a bite of her chocolate ice cream. "Yeah, you sounded serious on the phone. What happened?" "Terra's back." "As in Terra, Terra?" He nodded. "Where had she been for the past couple of months?" "I don't know, she said that her brother was in some sort of accident and that she had to leave." Rachel collected her thoughts for a few moments, Gar watched as she was trying to register what he was telling her. Her nose would scrunch up slightly and her pretty violet eyes glancing upward in thought. He noticed some of the tiny freckles sprinkled on her pale skin and the light pink in her cupid arrow lips. He wondered what the felt like—oh no. No. No, no, no. He was not going down that road again, not while he was distraught and still thinking about Terra.
"That's all she had to say?" "Yeah. I don't know, it sounds like she's hiding something. I could be wrong, but you're usually good at figuring out these things." "I think that you shouldn't throw away your gut feeling just yet. However, I do think that getting to know her more could help. It's not exactly your business as to where she went." He grinned. "You're right. As always." She smiled softly and scooped a hunk of chocolate ice cream unto the spoon and into her mouth, a little dribble of ice cream falling on her chin. Gar reached for a napkin instantly, "You gotta little something right there." Instead of handing her the napkin like a normal person would, he pressed the cloth against her chin. Their eyes met, green to purple.
He felt his breath catch and removed the napkin as quickly as it came. "Sorry. I should've let you—" "—Gar. It's fine. You were just trying to help." She took the napkin from his hand, their finger brushing each other for a brief second, sending a light shock through his veins, and wiped the last of the chocolate ice cream off. "Did I get it?" He nodded. They sat in silence eating their ice cream and listening to the conversation of the attendants around them. Gar couldn't watch Rachel eat or he'd fall out in his chair. He thought she looked kind of cute when she munched on her favorite treat. Although, no one else knew it was her favorite except him. When they were younger, he'd remember when Rachel would come over to their house and grab a fudge bar out of the fridge on a hot summer day, then eat the fudge bar and read her book under the tree. She never let a drop hit the pages.
When she stayed at their house, without her knowing. Gar asked Rita if she could grab those fudge bars for them again. Rita, of course, had to ask a bunch of questions, but he'd shut her down and told her that it was to make Rachel feel more at home. Sometimes at night, while playing video games (secretly), he'd hear her feet on the wooden floor and the sound of a wrapper opening. He smiled in satisfaction knowing that it was her enjoying a late-night snack while reading one of the books that Chief had bought her. "Gar?" "Yeah?" "Is everything okay? You started smiling for no reason." He blushed. "Oh yeah, I was just thinking about how—technically you're a rich girl now." "Ugh, I'm not. The last thing I'd want to be wearing is something that costs more than my bed sheets.
" He chuckled. "Is it fun there?" She shrugged. "I don't know, everyone kind of does their own thing there. Jason's always in his room or the game room. Dick's in the gym most of the time, Bruce is in his office and Alfred's usually in the kitchen. It's nothing like you guys." "What do you mean?" "I mean that you guys kind of acted more like a family. Yours and Rita's conversations were always so fun to listen to. We'd work at the pet shop during the day, then at night meet at the table for dinner. Chief shocked me a bit when he would ask what's the latest book I read." Gar refrained from rolling his eyes. He didn't want to snap at Rachel and state that the chief did those things because he was interested in her hobbies and didn't think they were a waste of time.
Meanwhile with him, Chief often questioned him wanting to start something new and fresh, that wasn't sports or academics related. He had lightened up a bit on his critiques when Rachel was around, maybe because he didn't want to seem horrible in front of her. Who knows? Rachel's eyebrows knitted together in confusion, her gaze set on the window. Gar followed it and saw her looking at a random man walking on the sidewalk. "Do you know him?" She snapped out of her trance and shook her head. "Um, no. I was looking at the store behind him, thought I'd check it out." She took another bite of her ice cream. Gar glanced at the store, it was a mattress place. "What's wrong with the mattress at Wayne Manor?" She glanced up again. "It doesn't feel like what I'm used to that's all. Too expensive." She was acting weird all of a sudden, similar to how Terra was acting earlier. He turned his head to see the mystery man look in their direction and spot Rachel. A slow smile spreads on his face before he sticks a cigarette between his lips and ignites it.
Kory sat in the black leather chair as Bruce sat across from her, the five-o'clock shadow on his face growing thicker by the minute. She could tell that Dick's absence was taking a toll on him. "I've tried everything, Kory. I called Selina, Commissioner Gordon, Coach Dowd, and no one's seen him." "Bruce, do you know what may have caused for him to leave?" Bruce got up from his seat and grabbed a sheet of paper off the table, then handed it to her. Kory read through the letter, bringing a hand to her mouth. "I think I know where he is."
Dick pulled up to the Seattle Cemetery, fresh tears streaming down his face, similar to the drops of rain falling. He got out of the car and went to the passenger side, popping the door back open and taking out a bouquet of white roses. Dick let the rain cascade down his hair and unto his face it didn't make any difference. The rain wouldn't wash away the pain he was feeling. He walks down the long pathway, each step getting heavier than the last and it felt as if the path had gotten longer. Tombstone after tombstone of people that have passed away, their loved ones, friends, aunts, uncles, parents. They say that you haven't felt true pain unless you lost someone close to you. But what if you lost two people that were close to you?
Dick stood in front of their headstones reading "John and Mary Grayson, a loving mother, a loving father. Gone but never forgotten." He placed the two bouquets on their graves and fell to his knees. "I wish I could go back in time and stop this from happening. I wish you were here to see me grow up, playing football, falling in love." He wiped his nose and continued, "They sent a letter asking for me to testify in court against him. I don't think I can do it. I don't think I can look him in the eye without wanting to hurt him for what he did. I can't. I can't sit in that courtroom and talk about what happened without crying. Not without thinking of you both." Dick removed the shades from his face and squeezed his eyes shut. He heard footsteps squish behind him, but Dick didn't turn around to look. Instead, they stood behind him, a faint smell of lavender and honey wafted through the air. Kory.
Dick couldn't find himself to look at her, his gaze stayed on the grave site. Kory didn't say anything rather than stand there and wait for him to get up off his knees. She kneeled next to him, her hands close to his and her gaze falling on the headstones. Kory didn't intertwine her fingers with his as the rain continued to fall and she didn't say a word as he sniffled. Moments pass, tears continue to drop, and words go unspoken. Dick reaches his hand over to Kory's and laces their hands together. "We were the Flying Graysons. An act consisted of me and my parents where we'd perform without a net. That's why I'm so good at gymnastics and sports, cause of them. Why I'm so adventurous? I was around nine at the time, this piece of shit named Tony Zucco was asking the owner of our circus for more money. Of course, he wouldn't give it to him. So, during our act, he burned the ropes to the bars and they—" He couldn't bring himself to finish as the tears pricked his eyes.
Kory squeezed his hands in comfort, he pulls her in for a hug and cries into her shoulder. She rubs his back, tears brimming her eyes as well. "I miss them, Kory, I-I miss them so much." "I can't imagine what you must feel." Was all she could say, she didn't want to tell him that she knew and felt his pain, because she didn't. "I-I didn't even get to say goodbye." She continued to rub his back and whisper into his ear that she was with him. Meanwhile, Bruce stayed back in the car and watched the two teens reunite. He was right to send Kory to talk to him, she knows the best way in helping him. He felt that all he could do is stand there and tell him that everything will be okay. Except he didn't know and the last couple of people he wanted to know was his family. He brushed a small tear off his face, his eyes never leaving the teens out of sight.
The Hive: Aw, reunited. Boy Wonder and his princess. This brooding jock no longer has his heart under lock and key. He's given that key to Kory Anders. Let's hope she doesn't lose it.
"How did you find me?" Dick asked as they took a seat on the bench. "The letter from the court. I sort of connected the dots and we flew on your private jet here." She pushed a small strand of hair behind her ear. "I can go if you want some space." Kory stood up from her spot, Dick grabs hold of her hand. "No. I'm…happy you're here. I didn't know what else to do, Kor. They're asking me to testify in court." "I saw. Do you have a choice?" He shook his head. "If I continue to blow off the court, they keep pushing back the case. I can't keep running away from it." "Dick, you're still grieving. They can't expect you to talk in front of all these people about what you saw." He scoffed "Welcome to America." He took the shades off his face and inspected them.
"You know, my mother would always compliment me about how beautiful my eyes were. She'd say they were Crown Jewels. I got them from her." Kory stared down at her feet. "What were they like?" She heard his breath hitch. Dick didn't move, his muscles tensed and his eyes set on the sunglasses. He took a deep breath "They were…amazing. From what I remember we always laughed…we never stopped laughing. There were times when I'd be sad and my father would find a way to make me smile again. On my birthday, I remember that instead of a birthday clown, the kids would get one. I'd get a puppet show, my parents being the main acts of course. Everyone in the circus loved it. Sometimes, my mother would cook this huge Romanian feast and we'd all pig out until our stomachs poked out of our clothes. I don't think there was ever a dull moment with them. They'd love you, you know." Her eyes widened.
"They would?" "Oh yeah, Dad would say how pretty you were and mom would think I've chosen a great person. You are great, beyond great." She smiled and kisses his knuckles, Dick closes his eyes to strengthen the feel of her lips on his hands. Soft and sweet just like her. "Thank you for telling me everything." He closes the distance between them, their legs brushing against each other "I told you that I wanted you to get to know the real me. This is part of it." Dick presses his lips against hers, warm electricity spreading through his veins. She opens her mouth slightly and runs her fingers through his hair. He wraps his arms around her waist and pulls her closer to him. It wasn't the most ideal place to share a kiss with someone, but they didn't care.
"Mmm." Dick moaned before pulling back from her and meeting her half-lidded gaze. The words were on his tongue, those three words that he can't bring himself to say. "Kory, I—" "—Pardon me for the interruption." He heard Bruce say. The two glanced up at him and broke apart, bright red blushes rising on their cheeks. "Bruce," Dick stated. "Are you okay?" Bruce asked. Dick nodded and grabbed Kory's hand "I'm getting there." They rose from the bench, he pats Bruce's back. "Thanks for coming here. Both of you, I needed it." "Just don't go to Seattle without telling anyone next time. You scared us half to death." "I won't. I was wanting to know if you could call your lawyer for me. If I'm gonna testify in court, I have to make sure that I have everything I need to take this asshole down." Bruce nods in agreement. "I'll call him on the way back to Gotham." He states. The group makes their way to the car, Dick takes a final look back at his parent's gravesite and mouths "Goodbye." before turning back to follow Bruce and Kory into the car.
Kory closes the door behind her, she had been traveling all day and Bruce had called a car to drop her off at the apartment. She gazed out the window, the sky mixed in shades of blues, pinks, and purples. Sunrise. She lets out a small yawn and heads up the stairs to her bedroom. "Well, well. Did you find your boyfriend?" Komy asks, sending a chill up Kory's spine. Komy had to choose this time of day to wreak havoc. "Yes, we found him. He's safe and sound at home?" "So, it wasn't a little episode then?" "For the last time, Komy. Dick's not on drugs."
"That's good, 'cause I'd hate to tell Mom and Dad about what their little princess is up to." Kory clenched the stair rails and exhaled a breath. It was too early to fight with her, for now, she'll let the comments roll off her back. No matter how much she wanted to shove one of the couch pillows down her throat. "What do you want, Komy?" Komy had that look her in the eye like she had been up to no good.
She wouldn't be surprised if Komy had spiked the orange juice while she was gone. "Oh, nothing. I just thought about what your boyfriend might do if he found out what you'd been up to over the summer." Her heart stops Komy smirks. She's got her sister right where she wants her. "Komy, I haven't found the right time to tell him." "Time's ticking baby sis. Mom and Dad can't hold them off forever, sooner or later he's gonna have to find out, and when he does. You know what's bound to happen next." With that, Komy struts up the staircase in her silk pajamas' leaving Kory stomach aching with guilt.
The Hive: Tsk. Tsk. Looks like Kory Anders still has some secrets to hide. How long will it take this time for you to come clean? Time's ticking and something tells me that it's ticking close. You'd better confess to Dick Grayson before your sister does.
Comicgeek16: Another chapter done! I've been going through a small wave of doubt lately, but it's slowly getting better. Anyways, I know that Bruce is a master detective and it's OOC for him to not know where Dick is in an instant. However, I wanted to give a bit of that power to Kory, because in TT, she could figure out Dick's next moves as well. And this is a bit of a callback to the TTG comic books when Dick was dealing with the anniversary of his parents death, such a cute ending T_T. Thanks for the follows, reviews, favorites, I really appreciate them! If you can, promote and review this chapter as well! Hope you enjoyed and you'll hear from me soon :).