Teen Titans; Why Heroes Can't Sip Champagne and Apples are a Girl's Best Friend

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Another goofy chapter. Enjoy!

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Chapter 10: My Day Off; Take Two

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Lounging was fun.

Well, after stopping Ivy from terraforming Blud Central Park into a real urban jungle, the next few days were as usual. In the PM, Dick was a night owl. During the day since he'd gone to a new department?

This morning, he'd be up all through a siesta…

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"What to do, what to do…Haley? You…. wanna go for walkies? Oh, yes you do! Yes, you do! Good Hales!"

The grey pitty was getting too lazy, he'd noticed more anxiety in how she'd not acted like her normal self after Harley's spat with Wing.

" Aww, puppy - girl…" He went over and saw her…

Eh, moping.

"Moping? Do, dogs even –

And then, the phone rang.

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Dick motioned for Hales to wait for him, then zipped on over to retrieve the line.

He leaned up casually against the fridge, arm not minding being bent over his side uncomfortably.

"Y'ello? Grayson residence –

~ Is…it too early? I do apologize. Victor said that you would "be" the up." ~

A voice of a woman….and a shy one? He turned blue by the caller I.D.

"Y- y…eah, I'm off until five…working the late shift. Morning off…Kori…" He tried to play it cool, but sweat in his grasp. Fingers layered like he'd drop the phone in an instant, he…wanted to bite his tongue.

~ Oh, I…was then perhaps wondering if…. ~ She shifted her hair away from her ear, the words as hard to speak as ever before.

~ I'll be in Blud for a shoot around this afternoon. Would you not like to...~

"To…as in –

~ I do not know the city, and Wallace will be busy. Raven is unable to make the journey…There are new recruits at the Tower…she has been very busy as of late since training them and helping these future heroes to hone their strengths. ~

"Raven finally has something that opens her up to others, and she can only grow from learning from future Titans like those kids. Like we did from our mentors." Dick smiled at how many pranks he'd pulled on Uncle Barry when Batman wasn't looking.

~I did wish to locate the shop that sells the very coldest and best sweet cream that is "the" icy…we never did have a chance to partake…~

"Kori, I'd love to take you but…this is all so, sudden." Dick had to be straight with her. "I'm a night shift guy, so if you'd rather try for brunch…. How about I stop out say…. ten thirty and we can either meet of I'll meet you at your hotel. I can be down in the lobby. No big deal."

~As long as we are not noticed by the city's photographers. ~ Kori frowned, nodding to the idea however with a bob of her fire – shaded locks.

"I'm used to ditching the press." Dick softly chuckled as Haley's puppy cheeks and expression melted his heart all over again.

"You can count on me. I know a good crepe place that is a bit rich but…we can handle one sit down –

~ I would rather eat something before my shoot. ~

"What about the standard?" Dick asked. "You sure they aren't too strict?"

~For sandals? ~ Starfire smiled and turned to the second person in her room. Had she only said nothing about Raven and Wally as her go team.

"Sounds like a good plan. I'll see you at ten-ish. I'll ring so you don't have to rush."

~I shall not be late. ~ Kori had her words as simple as she'd never wanted them.

"See ya till then, princess."

~ As to you, my favorite officer. ~

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Favorite? Oh, she'd sent the location…

Wait.

Signing into his other account, Dick dug a bit…. into…

Dog.

Café.

"What??"

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A call to Wallace later; he'd been in and out of the hotel first, the red headed male gritted his teeth as they began to chatter.

"Yo!"

~ Why, does Kor want us to go to a DOG café?? ~

"I dunno, dude." Shrugged the other hero. "Word must have traveled about your puppy – but this is your chance! -

~No, it's not. It's selfish and…if we get into a fight –

"You worry too much!" Wally waved the thought of Kori doing something outrageous, away. For good.

~ I don't worry, Wall. I know her. She's here for Haley and to be less than close. I'm just the entertainment, and Haley is so spoiled right now – Bad girl! Why'd you have to be so dang cute?? Now I have a fan club after you…You want me to lose her too??~

"Dick! Cool it, bro." Wally was worried. Was he that against trying over, that Dick had to be personally jealous of his own furry companion??

~ Did Batman worry about Selina getting all hopped up on Dami's cat? No, but Dami did! ~

"Ah…. I think we're off track here. What were you calling me about? I can't say anything!"

Dick slapped his forehead, ~I know that, idiot. But for some reason, she knows. I have reason to think Raven is involved, but I can't go pointing the finger this late…. I have three hours to be…there…. with her…and my puppy… ~ Groaned the disgruntled copper.

"This is a golden opportunity…to show you aren't such a Dick –

~Do I need to give you the report, Wall? I. Don't. Date! ~

"Not as a date, man." Wally chuckled with his cell a bit bulky to walk to the station with.

"I gotta pass on this one, though. You'll do fine. Just make Haley feel at home and don't point out that you spoke to me."

~ What? ~

"Gotta fly! Knock em dead, tiger!"

With a click, Wallace had hidden his dirty secret for another day.

Raven called his line and gulping; he lifted the device back up to his ear.

~Hi. ~

"Hi…. on my way back to –

~ If Kori cries, you are in so much trouble. I won't stand for her to go through another heartbreak. Anyway, you'll be back in the city soon? ~

"Y – yeah..." Wally nodded reluctantly.

~Good, see you there. ~

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It was a dog café, complete with a menu option for vegans…and dogs.

Oy vey.

Dick took Haley in her cutest blue bandana into the establishment that was alive with seated, yipping things and children of all ages.

A real circus tent.

"Take me….to your people?" Dick cocked his head sideways as Haley mimicked her owner in the cutest attempt to know one's furry best friend.

And a hairless one.

A woman in a new Americana modern style white apron, and button-down plaid shirt that said "Doggone to Heaven!" came up to greet and seat the couple.

"We're waiting on one more." Dick told the woman as she made sure to let Dick and Haley sit at the closest booth once a couple of kids and their dad had left with a rather large Sheppard out the Dutch doors.

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Haley was inquisitive for her first visit to a café of this caliber. She however, was extemely well behalved.

Like a kid on their first day of school, clinging to the safest, closest adult and not making a peep.

"It's ok, Hales. This place has…oh!" Dick waved and in she walked. Boots that were cow girl in style and a top that was a tad revealing by the midriff. Though, nothing too serious save for –

Her pants were a mini skirt.

Holy shit, this was sniff and scratch central…

Dick began to sweat.

"Ah, there is the little bumgorfkinla!" She waved t…...

Oh, right. Dick cracked a grin, nervously as he waved on...

Haley was the star of today, while Dick just held her "doggie" bags, carrying them to the limo.

That dog had it way too good!

"I do see she is a smaller size for her breed, a miniature?"

"To this, she may just be." Dick wasn't sure, seeing as strays were more mutt by design. Kind of the same as he was.

"I do not mind. She is…oh!" She spotted it.

"that is…the colors! That bandana will stand out –

"No, we're ok I think

"Can you not see it though?"

"Nightwing's –

"Yes!" She bobbed her head and rubbed behind Haley's floppy ears.

"They have a vegan selection here that got rave reviews." Dick stood up, feeling the need to tinkle. "I'll be right back. Men's room."

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He splashed cold water onto his face, the pressure stronger with Wally being absent.

"I…can talk to her…It's not a big deal." He tried to tell himself that, but the misery of before still felt acrid in taste as he spit into the sink. Thinking of how to remedy his triggers…

If only…

Dick looked into the mirror at his reflection.

He was surprised to see a face he found…. strangely familiar…

"You, ok?"

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Dark hair, big and a lot of muscle under that shirt. And…kinda close…

"You ok, man?"

Again, the man, this man asked Grayson if he wasn't in the right mind.

Again, Dick didn't now how to answer.

"I…just had a bad trauma. I'm –

"Want me to get the manager –

"No!" Dick stood and stooped his rather buff helper.

"I, just need to wash my face. Seeing an old friend, we had a falling out and I have to make up so we can continue working together."

"Oh, damn." The tall man chuckled, laughing with a shake of his head as that smile was, kinda cruel…

"Well, I guess you can handle a post trauma break up, can't cha?"

"Um, yeah." Dick said. "I can, thanks. And…you knew by my face….shit."

"Anytime." The man waved him on and left, as if…

Wait. Didn't he need to use the –

Kori!

Dick flailed and with one last nod to himself, he had to try again. Like Wally had said, he'd do just fine.

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Kori was fine, he was just paranoid. How the heck would there be time for a stick up with so many dogs?

And one off -duty cop.

Dick swallowed and headed back to see that Kori was rubbing Haley's belly.

Sitting in his seat.

"So, did you two order anything while I was out?"

"Haley would just adore the "kibble – con carne!" Starfire beamed as she scratched the pup's tummy until her leg shot up. Kori squealed, overcome by doggy mania as quickly as ever.

"I guess I can get…. uh."

"Yes?"

"There is, one thing if you wanna share. I'm not going to waste food like the last time. You're the guest of honor to Blud, today!"

"Oh, that is very kind. Yet, I invited you." She smiled up at the man. "I will only ask that you pay for the "creamy ice of such sweetness" once we have eaten and rested no sooner after our heavier, meal."

"Done." Dick knew that she hated chivalry, so it was settled.

"Ah, how about…oh." Dick pointed to the pigs in a blanket. And…

That name was so cool.

"The "Doggone – it" mini dogs."

"Oh! We must! These are the tiny sausages that are the very "cute" size!"

"Done, again. We are both getting along…"

Dick blushed as Kori saw him put down his menu.

"Bathroom!" (Pulling a DC super hero girls on this one. I love that ep…. sigh…)

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Dick paced this time, burning a hole through the clock. He reached for the door handle to leave and no sooner, there he was.

Tall, dark and…. muscle bound.

And witty.

Dear god, he needed to get out more.

"I saw that." The man snorted, leaving Dick to jut back, as if the door had a zapper on the other end.

"Why...Are you…Do you have a dog?"

"Maybe I do, or I just like the grub." Shrugged the man. "I came to wash my hands, but you're washing your face again."

"Am not…. Wait… why are you telling me this?" Dick raised a suspicious eye to the male in his way.

Or, the other way around.

He did need the sink, and Dick was in his way.

"It's a small shack. The next guy over is practically rubbin' elbows with me and Apollo."

"Who's…your dog?"

The laugh that man gave was pretty loud as Dick had to wince by it, reminding him of Slade some….

"Heh, you're a funny guy. Maybe I'll see you around town. Pup to pup. Your sweetheart sure is genuinely in love with you –

"Thank…wah! What? She's –

"Later, but could ya' just scoot on by a sec?"

Dick grumbled, and didn't even notice how their shoulders brushed on the way to opposite ends.

"Thanks, kid."

The man, smirking as he grinned and shut the bathroom door, literally made Dick's skin itch.

"Weirdo." Dick shrugged off the feeling of being watched and went to find her.

And, her.

Face deep in their fill of Kibble Con carne and "fancy" pigs in a blanket.

Time to reprimand his little piggy of a pooch.

"No paws on the table! Haley !!"

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