Fire Starters! [Dick]

[Kory Anders - Starfire]

Kory now flew through the city of Bludhaven, after a mission with the titans, mostly successful, despite Kory simply just ran through the motions, without really feeling the emotions and energy as she should. Her golden body was felt heavy as she flew. Her eyes lingered as she passed Dick's apartments window, but barely even saw her own reflection. Taking a leave from Outsiders, she really had given him his space. Flying until her purple boot touched her balcony. Her skin felt subtly the sun move and beginning to drift into the setting. The city lights were just turned on and her shadows began to play as she motioned for her balcony door…

Nobody home. Silent. Kory slid the door behind her and walked through the low dimmed living area of her apartment. She saw enough, just not clearly… As her felt and heard a crunch below her boot. Looking down she saw the glass. The festive colours that were and glimpse of the familiar face. Kory bent down as her hand lingered on the broken christmas decoration, the photo of Dick and herself once upon a time. A sweeter time. They were just kids then, it made her smile, but it made her sad to see it broken, when it felt they were possibly broken themselves.

Letting the photo ultimately fall as it may. Kory stepped over the broken vase and decorations scattered on her floor. Slipped out of her tattered Starfire gear and left it somewhere on her couch. Making way through her empty apartment. Feeling more lonely than ever and entered her slightly unkept bedroom. A partially opened box by her bed with some of Dick's suits. Some girls curl up with ice cream, Kory curled up with his suits. It was almost the same thing. It helped without actually solving the problem.

Kory headed straight for her bathroom and finally flicked on a light. Before turning on her shower. With short wait for it to be beating hot. Kory stepped in and let the water hit her and attempt to wash something away. With the silence broken by the running of water, but Kory was still left with the echoing of her pulse. Her emotions screamed over everything and before long she even realised, her eyes sprang tears. Her hands come pushing her hair back, as her tears bleed into the water. The strength in her gut shakes and shivers. Rattling until it cannot do anything than break down square in the middle. Hunching herself over in silent sobs, until pushing her back to wall. Out of seeking support, because of her fault she doesn't have. Not fighting as her body slides down the shower wall. Falling to the bottom.

[Dick Grayson - Nightwing]

It had been some time since Dick had seen Kory, let alone talk to her. She had given him space. More space than she had in previous fights. But this fight had been more one sided.

And as the time passed, he was realizing the problem that had taken place. And he was the one to blame for this fall out. Maybe he over reacted a bit. Ok maybe more than a bit.

Roy had been bashing him quite a bit since the fall out. He was there for him in understand. Though with the on going time of Kory's sadness, that somewhat understanding became poking to get him to patch things up. Eventually leading to minor fights between the two. After all Roy was Kory's roommate.

Dick had been a flat out jerk and he knew that. And now he was feeling lower than ever. How could he treat her like he had? He should have been more understanding. At times it could be hard for him to understand.

It was later in the day, work was over for the most part of his day shift. And he would be heading over to Gotham to check in with the Outsiders. Knowing Roy had probably been there most of the afternoon working on their last case file for the computer.

Nightwing would take flight to get to Gotham before the sun would set. That would give them time to plan their next actions for the night mission before he patrolled his city.

There was one thing he needed to take care of first.

Nightwing crossed over the rooftops. As the light of the sun grew dimmer, he scaled the side of one building. Down on to a balcony, he silently walked across it to find a door left ajar.

Nightwing walked into the living room. He knew where he was, and he knew what he had to do. Kory was home by the looks of it. And he could hear the shower raining down in the bathroom down the hall as he walked down it.

He felt horrible as he could hear the slight sound of sobbing as he got closer.

He stopped short of the entrance to the bathroom. Taking a breath, he was realizing just how much damaged he had done without saying a word to her.

Dick was giving her space as well. But it was too much for Kory. And he was the one who needed to apologize for everything he had done lately. Or the lack of action.

He lightly knocked on the wooden door that was partially open to the bedroom.

"Kory," he finally spoke up. The state of the place had set him back with how damaged her state of mind must be. And he was the cause of all this.

"I understand if you want me to leave," he said right not. He wasn't sure what to expect from her at this time. He honestly wouldn't blame her if she wanted to take a swing at him or use him for target practice. He deserved that.

[Kory Anders - Starfire]

It could have been seconds. Hours, as Kory sat at the bottom of the shower. Emotions heightened and hardly ran dry. The coasting sobs were unavoidable as her tears bled into the beating water, possibly tempting to wash something away… Less than herself perhaps. Sometimes you just had to let go… Let the emotions go… There just was little pay off. How could there be, if Kory just kept feeling more and more alone! No Dick… No Donna… The two people on this planet, she'd mostly turn to in a situation like this… It just made it feel even more out of whack. Caused the rapid pacing of her heart rattling against her frame like a bird trapped in a cage. Her body shook. Trembled as it were… Then the slightly unexpected thing happened… Kory heard the feeble knock at her bathroom door, echoed faintly through the shower walls. Perhaps it was false hope… Or perhaps it was Roy… Kory tilted her head ever so slightly… As if to listen to anything that would follow or even spot a shadow… For a moment, nothing just silence… Perhaps she had just left a window open. You never know when a bird needed a home…

Then her name was spoken. Lifting her head up through the water that fell. Ran her hands over her face, pushing the wet strands that fell behind her. Before one hand fell beside her and the other a little more towards her chest… Feeling that sudden swirl. No matter the reason. No matter the moment, it was always good to hear his voice. Particularly her name. Sent a shiver up and down her arms. It was moments like these, she had to ask why did he have to hover at her door. 'Dick?' Kory spoke lightly echoed within the shower walls around her. There was no sound of his footsteps. Least not coming to the shower. Slowly Kory rose to back to her feet. Careful so she didn't end up more than ass up. Her hand stopping at the soap dish, before hearing Dick speak up again… It did naturally make her frown a little in worry.. Fretting he was already about to leave before truly stepping inside. With little to no hesitation, Kory popped out of the shower.

"No…! Don't go! Please stay!"

No heart beat was wasted as Kory gracefully now stood in the midst of her bathroom. Bare and wet. With somewhat of little puddle at her golden feet. She wasn't about to let the moment slip her by nor Dick with it. As her green eyes hardly needed to go searching before they fell upon him in her doorway… The redness and gentle puffiness around her eyes were clear signs of her saddened state, despite most of the water had washed down her tears.. There was now the slight plea in her eyes he didn't need to go… More pointedly as she looked more squarely at him now. She didn't want him to go, but to stay. To which there was a brush of Kory smiling… Looking over at Dick… All decked out in his tight Nightwing suit… Mask included, but it was Dick… He looked good. X'hal, he always looked good. Though Kory could see. Sense he himself was somewhat upset… With a slight release of whatever she was holding in her chest, she could almost sense he had missed her. Maybe almost as much as she missed him. Maybe… Kory's eyes moved off. Catching on the bathrobe that hung on the door. Next to where Dick was standing right now… To which Kory then motioned over to. Pulled at the bathrobe. Faintly hiding evidence of the beginnings of a proper smile, as she had motioned closer to where Dick stood. Grabbing at the robe. Most out of convenience.

"I always like seeing you!"

Kory confessed, commented honestly her eyes looking more directly at Dick. Before a smile more promptly lit up… Of course that goes without saying, she liked more than just seeing him.. As Kory slipped her golden arms through the robe, tied it loosely. With a gentle twitch in her smile, as Kory looked Dick up and down. Naturally hoping he hadn't gone and gotten himself injured in her absence again, even though short. It seems daily he gets a cut or a bruise…. Hmmm, good sign his Nightwing suit seems intact… Clean, mostly… Though she couldn't help naturally stopping mid thought, even though she knew he was here for her… Perhaps there was a chance he was just here for business… The kind of business he normally doesn't role play to. Not that she hardly had to note he was dressed to fight and well Kory can fight in anything, but a bathrobe was hardly as form fitting.

"Did Roy send you? Normally he buzzes me in… I swear, I would have heard it… I hardly ever miss it…"

With a slight raise of her brow, as Kory asked gently. Evidently as her eyes looked over his suit again. Of course showing up in his Nightwing suit wasn't new, than again… Could she have expected to see him again without the suit? She really couldn't say. She simply wanted to see him… Mask… No Mask. It really didn't change him… Nor hide… Well, least not to her… Whether it was shear feels he had or the way his cheekbones were shaped… Hmmm, the bump in his ear, also totally gives him away… With the slight confuse as Kory continued to speak, she had taken a short leave of absence from the Outsiders unless they truly needed her powers on a certain mission. Usually as she mentioned being buzzed in. She's usually contacted through her communication device on her suit… Perhaps, there was the faint chance she didn't hear it over the shower. Her eyes frowned slightly as she looked over Dick's shoulder. Before she moved passed him and moved into her bedroom. Her damp golden feet patted slightly against the carpet, before meeting tiles as she darted out of her bedroom in through her kitchen slash living area. Grabbing at her left wrist band that hung on an arm of her couch. Did not linger, before Kory motioned back into her bedroom. Fiddling with the device that looked like a little shiny ruby. Kory listened for any sign of a buzz she had missed… Nothing… Well, not nothing… There was an invite from Vic to go to Soup and Salad with him and Gar…. Hmmm, she was almost tempted...

"Yeah, no buzz...!"

Kory then spoke up, pausing near her bed. As her golden fingers fiddled to switch her device off. Before placing her purple wrist band on her bed… Before eyes also brushed the clock. Whew, she hadn't been caught up to much in the shower…. Kory planted herself on the edge of her bed. Facing the door of her bathroom. Her eyes peaked through her blinds. Her windows. There was still a little bit of light outside, which was nice. Well, least it seem less likely work… Unless it was being delivered personally. It was better than the alternative of Dick coming here to completely leave her… Her hand slightly rubbed the opposite arm. Her eyes slightly shifted to the floor, with a gentle sign under her breath.

"Dick, if you are here…. Does this mean you forgive me?"

Not to be completely hopeless, as Kory's eyes shifted up then more towards Dick as she spoke up and asked. Wanting. Needing to know. With a little more wear on the look of her face. Of all the things she did, perhaps even he did, that she had been forced to bottle up. She didn't do bottling up, very well… Clearly…. Though sure she played over and over the lasting words Dick had said to her over the phone. How it was her fault… A lot of it she believed it was… Thus, she had given him as much space as she could.

[Dick Grayson - Nightwing]

Dick stayed were he was. There was a bit of longing in Kory's voice. That was expected. At least that was the way between them. When they were a way from each other, there was a longing on each end. Dick sometime wondered how Kory could put up with him. Especially this time the way he up and left for same space.

His eyes lingered on Kory as she walked toward him. She was as beautiful as the goddess she always was. He could tell she had been more letting the water run over her. Her eyes gave sign of tears that had been falling.

He wasn't that ignorant. He knew her well enough. After all these years, he should.

He remained silent. Uneasy to speak up. What he had done, he saw as unforgivable. Roy was right...maybe always right when it came between the two of them. Dick didm;t deserve someone like Kory. She was too good for him. She deserved better. It was sometime shocking the things she still took him back over.

Letting her words fall out, he wasn't sure how to respond. This was a bit difficult for him. Maybe more so on Kory.

"It's good to see you too," he finally found his tongue.

Her next question almost made it sound like he wouldn't have shown up if it hadn't been for business. Maybe the mask was throwing her off. His expressions hidden. The same stone as his mentor at times it seemed.

Letting her brush pass him thinking it was a business call. He then spoke up after she had checked.

"No, it wasn't Roy," he said.

He saw her sit on the bed uncomfortably. It pained him to see her like this. A pang of guilt running through him. He deserved that and more. Kory didn't deserve any of this. She deserved better.

Though her words surprised him. He really had been hurting her more than anything this time. The whole time thinking it was her fault. Of course, he had left without as much reason as she deserved to hear.

But when putting up with Dick, that could be the case. He just left at times. Never looking back, not wanting to admit to his faults.

To say the least he was living up the the nickname that could double as a tag for his actions.

He had been too harsh. And way out of line this time. To hurt Kory this much...

"Kory, I'm not the one who needs to do the forgiving," he spoke up.

He finally removed the eye mask to give her real eye contact. Humanizing himself once more. Bringing himself down from the stool so many heroes were places. Untouchable and nonhuman.

Walking over towards her. He looked to the seat next to her. Almost about to ask to sit down. He deserved the floor. But he wanted to get close to her.

"You have nothing to apologize for. I'm the one who does. You didn't deserve that phone call, my words. They're nothing. I was over the line...," Dick started as he sat beside her.

His own blue eyes looking into her green eyes that showed the strain of lack of sleep and possible days upon days of crying.

[Kory Anders - Starfire]

The past days. Weeks. Were strange… Too say the least, with a slow build up… An almost forever bounding knot of Kory's emotions. They flowed as naturally as they could… Tears, yes. A lot of tears. Surprisingly she normally embraced tears almost as she embraced a smile, but it was different this time… It ran just that little bit deeper and it wasn't something she could just cry and it be over… No… There would never be an easy way to get over, Dick Grayson… And just in her darkest hour… Here he was, standing in the doorway of her bathroom. Inches, as there was little way Kory was about to send him away… The even mere thought, was unbearable. All kinds of emotions came like pins, hitting her over and over again. Despite all the pain. The guilt. Missing him was certainly the most painful. Words were difficult. So much time had gone by and part of Kory was just merely happy to look upon him again… But so much had happened… Had been said and not been said. It was hard to know if and where they stood together… Though as Kory had brushed by and Dick responded… It was super nice to hear his voice and his words… They were certainly hopeful and no doubt made her brink a smile. With the slight brush of colour over her cheeks, wrapping the robe around her, as she left most of the stream and met closer towards him to the rush of the coolness. Despite some loose butterflies in her own tummy, her eyes didn't play to coy in looking over him… Tracing off course the Nightwing mask, it was certainly was not what she was seeing… With that sweet soft moment, that she was just glad he was here… Deep down she knew, she knew him, but something just made her ask… If he was here for another reason, she hardly cared even if it was an excuse…

So Kory had rushed out, that and possibly trying to stall if it was seemingly only going to get worse, but the tamaranean princess was never one to give up. Especially not hope… It was long before she rushed back from her living room and checked her rather empty inbox of her beeper. No Roy… No mission… As Kory stopped short at her bed and Dick confirmed… It wasn't Roy, but his tone meant it wasn't anything to do with any sort of business… He was here for her… For them. Kory's heart certainly moved, perhaps she wouldn't have to go to bed another night alone. There was an almost half smile it seemed a while since he was in her bedroom. Such a simple detail, it was a lot to her. There was a lot, as her mind certainly was swirling more than she care for it to be. Taking her seating upon her bed. Some feet from her bathroom… Watching. Glimpsing him. There was a lot of silence, but a lot of emotions. She was certainly not the only one hurting right now and she sure she was one to blame for this. She just hoped… No, she needed him to forgive her… As the shear weight of all of it was evident in her words. Her eyes… Every thing she had felt. Everything that she was made of… Keeping what happened from him… It was wrong and it just just got worse and worse, the longer she kept it away from him. It was certainly not like her, to keep anything from him… His words he had left her with on the phone, only fuelled that and made her feel worse. Her eyes lingered as it was silent momentarily, her eyes slightly trailed, but not far… Waiting for his words… What came, took Kory a little by surprise. Stopping her momentarily in thought. Her gaze stopped.. What? As her brows fused slightly… He was the one seeking forgiveness? Kory looked to him with a softened and seeking expression… He didn't blame her? She questioned, as her heart raced and her green eyes widened a little more directly upon him. As if an almost slight wash came over her. The realisation, least from what Dick's words suggested, he felt it the other way around.. Causing Kory to swallow, though her mouth fell silent, but her eyes were certainly searching. There was little to none that she felt he needed to apologise for… There may have been more than lack of communication, but Kory was certainly all ears. Attention now… Feeling her pulses and emotions in a weird spin right now, watched she he peeled off his mask… It actually made Kory smile, a more genuine Kory smile he knew… Mask, no mask, he was always the same to her, but she wasn't blinded to know he was offering her a gesture in that… She was never shy in taking those. The clear signs he was still the most warmest and sweetest man she knew… This wasn't about Nightwing or starfire. It wasn't even about being human or tamaranean. They were always more than that. Not that they didn't embrace what they were, perhaps at times it had been Kory more so, but its probably safe to say she allowed Dick to embrace himself more than he ever did before. He was always amazing in her eyes and places deeper… As Kory swallowed again, as Dick walked towards her. Reading her mind, her emotions or simply he wanted her close, just as she wanted him close. Nor be the last time… Kory moved over slightly, not to move away from him, but to give him that room. That invitation. Kory half turned in her seating, as Dick spoke more and Kory listened. Really soaked his words in… Letting his gaze in as she gave her own and her heart was on fire now… With a half smile, her golden hands reached to his, motioning to take his Nightwing mask into her own.

"I do, Dick… On my world, people always meant what they said… Perhaps, here… You didn't mean the words, but what you were feeling. What made you say it… That was real Dick. I don't blame you for it… I'm to blame."

Kory softly rebutted Dick, as far as she felt she had some part in this to feel incredibly apologetic for… As her golden fingers kindly took care with his mask in her hands, traced it ever so lightly as Kory responded to Dick mentioning his words meant nothing, were nothing. Whilst sharing on her planet, words were always meant to be said, which Dick would already know. Kory very very rarely ever dishonest. Whilst Kory had been on Earth a long time now, she still could slip up from time to time… As Kory placed his mask gently in her lap, expressing his words were perhaps an extension of what he felt, but she couldn't believe they simply came without some underlining truth. Underlining emotions, Kory was sure he probably was just trying to bottle up and Kory trying to reach it… Suppose it was meant to blow up in their faces, a little bit. Of course she could be assuming and reading it wrong, after all she didn't feel there was little to anything he needed to apologise for. Sure his words hurt and he knew what to say to do that, it all stemmed in her mind from keeping the information away from him.

"From the moment I found out about the baby… I should have told you, Dick. I wanted to… The thing I don't know why, is that I knew then as I know now… Even as I skim for the excuses, there is no right excuse for keeping it from you… I didn't want to lose you too, and yet I just ended up pushing you away…. I just made it worse, I am so deeply sorry for that… With all that we've been through, I can forgive you for your words… Plus you are here now… I know how commitment, scares you and nor can I really say I would be ready for that step. But, I can't sit here and deny for that brief moment it almost came to light, I desired it, to have a family with you…. It really would have been nice and who knows maybe one day it could be… For now my desire is you, just you, Dick… If we can grow from this?"

Slowly Kory spoke, confessed as honestly as she naturally was. Not dancing around it, despite the slight unease she knew it could bring, in most of it all, with all Kory had told before Dick, he was the one she wanted. Needed, simply to speak her mind. Let herself feel what she felt, without caution and then move on… She knew she was wrong to somehow feel, she should doubt him, as even as they its never to late… Kory was at ease to have him in this moment, now and she wasn't about to waste, she had hope it wouldn't be the last time… Right now, as she looked him in the eye. She could feel his warmth, his letting down his guard, which she knew wasn't always easy for him to do, but she always knew he could. As she expressed the guilt she felt for stalling and not telling him up front in the first place. It was not in her nature to do that, which ultimately made it hurt more and ultimately confuse her more. Sincerely apologising and forgave him. She knew him well enough he had no intention to hurt her, just as she had no intention to do, but felt she had… Perhaps it was as he and his kind said, he was only human… A human she found incredibly endearing, as her eyes brightened slightly as she made acknowledgement he was here, subtle, but that meant something to her. She'd rather him here and not, despite the words. Despite it all, really. She knew he cared.. Her tone slightly shifted, but she felt something needed to be said. More she wanted to say something and she was not one to not speak her mind. More or less speak from her heart. Or from her unraveling emotions, that ran from her system like a constant drip. As Kory had spoke of commitment, mostly in relation to the loss of the child and she couldn't avoid what it caused her to feel. Admitting desire she had, though she knew she wasn't ready for that, suggesting the slight fear, though in all things in her life. She would have embraced it, which was near the bottom line of her words, perhaps… As she loosely smiled that it would have been nice, as her head glimpsed the foggy pictures of Dick as father, it was hard not to smile at that thought, if that happened, whenever it happened it be worth it… As her green eyes half played up with the little hope of maybe, but none of that would mean anything without him… That was the key thing she desired. As Kory motioned a hand to his own, potentially gloved hand, but it didn't stop her heat from radiating though just enough, she could ignore the glove.Well, for now. She did after all love his gloves and no she did not have a glove fetish… Making the point in say it was just him. If nothing else, she just wanted him in her life, preferably more than just as friends…. Asking him if that was what he wanted, did he want them in the simplest form, in whatever form that would be.

[Dick Grayson - Nightwing]

"Kory, here words in anger are spoken with little thought behind them. It's a rash moment of intense stress. And often people regret what they say soon after their thoughts have already come out," Dick started to say.

He stopped and looked to her. He knew the ways of her world. She had told him. Her people had been more open about how they feel. They didn't bottle it up. But on earth, some people were different.

Even Kory had seen that in him. He never spoke about how he 'felt'. He grew up not expressing such things. Silence was best. Speaking made it worse. And he saw that right here.

He did not hold his tongue that day. And he should have with some of what had been said. Dick dared not to repeat that mistake.

"That's what I did. I reacted instead of acted. There were no thoughts before the words were spoken. They were just spoken in anger," Dick said.

He sat silently listening to her. Kory could read him like a book. She knew him well enough and long enough to know how he felt over the idea of commitment. He had a long line of relationships ending in disaster.

Time and time again, the passion had been there. And then when they wanted to settle, he start pushing away. It was always that wall there. Something his own mind did not let him climb over. Not yet any way,

"Anyone how is near me or a part of my life is in constant danger if anyone were to ever find out who I am. And there are those that know the family. And they will stop at nothing til we are exterminated," Dick spoke honestly.

Was this the most of his fear? There could be more.

[Kory Anders - Starfire]

Whether it was for Dick’s comfort or perhaps even a little out for Kory’s own comfort. With the few inches between them, Kory broke with the reaching out of her hand, to simply land upon his hand that was close to her. A gentle spark, was surely there. It had been rather long since she last touched him, it almost always put things a little more in perspective for her… Though for now, as she sat upon her bed, next to Dick and her heart thudded that little bit faster. Her eyes still stained, but she was feeling much like her open self. Despite her rather drawn room, but she hardly noticed. Hardly really even cared right now. Kory was just keen to simply hear him speak… There was little that needed to remind of just how much could separate them, being from another planet certainly created those differences and yet so much brought them together. It more often just felt like coming home… Where she had once felt incredibly confused about this planet, it made more sense to her at this point and largely because of the man who sat beside her… As he had often before, now explained things to her. Surely to a point she knew, but there was undoubtedly confusing. As to what Dick spoke he had done. Spoke without much rational thought. Had let his anger. His emotion speak… That was very much how Kory operated, she lived by her emotions… Although in anger, was often less words, as Kory could almost hint at a curl of small smile. Though it didn’t take great form, remained simple as it was intended. Kory simply looked to him, listen to him vent… Understand, what he had done. Said… It was clear how heavy he was putting himself into this penance, but she had already forgiven him. He was more in ways, wonderful than he could possibly ever truly know. It was in that wonderful man, that already caused her to forgive him.

”I assume this goes along those lines you often said, when the emotions got the best of you? I’ve seen you on your worse days, as far as I see it. Its a part of life, but in all your worse days, Dick. It doesn’t discount all the things that make you wonderful. You really think in all the time that we spent and everything that we’ve been through! That I couldn’t forgive you? If you are truly apologetic, there is no need for regrets. Because as angry as you were, I know your sincerity is true. Though if you ask me, possibly not expressing yourself more often, could have easily added to your anger…"

Possibly a little glimmer shone through her lips as she tried to recall the saying, was that really how one would put her. Something that just let emotions get the best of her, perhaps, simply, well usually she felt in touch with her emotions. Dick on the other hand, perhaps it was harder, but it didn’t mean they weren’t there. In even the subtle ways he may not even realise, but it did pain her little as Dick seemed to almost back track ever expressing himself, sometimes Kory had to wonder was he afraid of something else or sometimes himself. Not that as she spoke as heartedly as she could to Dick, she wasn’t going to deny his words had hurt, but larger scheme of things she wouldn’t be hung up on them forever. How anyone could simply turn away from someone simply because of a few words, seemed very alien to her. What was that other saying Dick has often said. To take the bad with the good and if these were the few bad that Dick had with him. Then he had a lot more good with him.. That she simply couldn’t deny… Whether it was something Dick wanted to hear right now, but the last thing she needed for him to ever think was that she could give up on him, especially that easy. When she had given him her proper forgiveness, she was already one more step towards moving on. As her fingers coiled a little as his own fingers, asking how he could think she couldn’t forgive him. Her tone was calm, gentle. Sincere. As a single tear strolled down her cheek, but it was somewhat caught between emotions… She knew how much Dick took, placed on his shoulder, perhaps more than she could really comprehend at times, so it wasn’t a full stretch to suggest bottling it all up, may have also been the cause why his emotions may have ran off on him. Though in what had happen, the secret of which she kept, she couldn’t blame him. For it to have played with her and her emotions, it was not surprising that it would in someway effect Dick. Kory expected that. How had been somewhat a gamble, but he was here. Which was what mattered right now.

Kory’s finger’s slightly uncoiled at Dick’s fingers, she didn’t pull her hand right away. She listened as he spoke again. Talking of dangers. Family. It was in ways something she had heard many many times. Perhaps it had been a little Bruce’s words, but she knew Dick meant what he said. He had said such things when she first came here, but perhaps the dangers just seemed a little different to her. Perhaps partially down to being a warrior or simply the dangers she herself had been put through which led to her to come to Earth. Kory didn’t often get scared, but in ways did understand the dangers Dick spoke about. The dangers their friends could be put through or even family. Though the way she looked at it right now, they were not here and he needn’t to worry she couldn’t keep things secret when she needed too.

”Dick, you know I will always keep that secret. Please don’t let what I did, feel you can’t trust me… There are times when somethings are gonna come before our relationship, I get that and I understand that… But, when it does come to our relationship. It is you and me… Like right now, there isn’t anyone else here. Why can’t we just be ourselves? What possible danger is there? Well, perhaps a little danger, but that kind is expected… Before everything, you are my best friend, Dick. I want you to be the one I can tell everything to. My feelings. My desires…. Let me also express with this fear of commitment you have. Remind you that on my planet the closest thing to a wedding and a marriage was a peace treaty. Marriage and divorce never existed. We simply always allowed ourselves to love and always eternally… Humans, seem to fall in and out of love so easily… I suppose I just fear you will leave me, but in fearing it I honestly couldn’t stop you. As much as I could try… How could I truly know, you can be the most inviting, warm and yet at times its like you are at arms length. It confuses me… Also, you shouldn’t under estimate the lengths I will go to protect those I love and care about. Sometimes, I wonder if you forget just how strong I am.”

Kory started, being up and front with it, but Dick probably needed less reminding. She had essentially promised since the first day he and Donna sat her down, explained the importance of an alias and to keep that secret. Though as Kory slightly glimpsed the ground, she could sense if in keeping what she had secret from him, would make her seem untrustworthy. As then looked to Dick with slight pain, but sincerity in them. It had truly been unnatural as it felt unnatural for her, but she was sure she was still someone that valued trust, loyalty. Not that she really lied to him in her secret than simply she just didn’t tell him, but lying. Secrets. It felt wrong nonetheless. Though as she expressed on wards, she understood the dangers. Especially in the line of work they do as heroes. Saving the world. Many things. Many times, are going to be important. She knew that and believed that. She wasn’t someone that could truly just give half of herself into something or someone. So their relationship wouldn’t always been front in centre, though it didn’t mean it wasn’t important in its own right. In certain times in public, it made sense to down play it, but now. He had to remember she was someone that lived very much in the present and right now it was just the two of them. As she could almost fail looking for danger around them. Not that she would ever truly push him into things he wasn’t comfortable with, but seriously what fear was there. What danger lurked behind the corner if he just happened to confess at that time he was good at chess. Well, suppose her telling someone, but that really wouldn’t be much of a danger. That was just more cute. As Kory smiled a little more, lightly, but clearly visibly to Dick. Mostly in suggestion he needn’t take the fear of danger with him everywhere. Though she joked at the other kinds of danger, but surely they were past being afraid of that. She expressed a small laugh and a slight wink. In small attempts to make this right again, if not light again. It is rather amazing how easily forgiveness could make her move on, but in that she wanted to being moving on with him. Not against him, well in a manner of speaking… Speaking honestly as she wanted to tell him everything. Though she often told a lot of things to anyone who would listen, but she was in ways not always entirely open. Least not as one would think she was, it kinda went with living in the present, but at times her past tried to haunt her in ways only Dick knew and even he didn’t know all the details. But, she simply meant as she had expressed how felt about the pregnancy and after. She simply wanted to tell him. Not expect anything from it. She wasn’t good with bottling things up as he was… Though as she had expected in even attempting to simply ease her mind and let him in. It opened the line of commitment, which she wasn’t sure he truly understood what she wanted or desired. As such things were quite different in her world as was commitment, it wasn’t even really a correct word to describe any of it, because commitment at least in Dick’s terms rather felt like being stuck and that was the complete opposite of what it was for her, love. It was eternal, but in being eternal it was completely open and in some cases very open on her planet. Not that she entirely agreed, but one couldn’t fault her people for not following their hearts. Sure, she might not be opposed to wedding, marriage someday if it ever came, but that isn’t the part of it that she truly desired. Perhaps more what it represented in terms of her kind… She knew her feelings for Dick and being eternal meant those feelings will always be there. Though as she had witnessed rather a lot just isn’t the case on this planet. Confessing she simply didn’t want to lose him, not ever if she could help it. That was in ways why she had kept the secret. As she spoke as openly as she could, she simply could hope he was understanding her. He could be so on. Then be so off, perhaps for reasons that more often aren’t even about her, but it is hard for her to not be confused. With what he truly feels and what he wants. Of course she knew he loved her, but she didn’t as often feel he did. There was difference between saying it and making someone feel it. Expressing it and admit it. Kory paused a little after she spoke of what was confusing to her, that was the closest to how she could verbalise it. It wasn’t new to her that he could be reserved, but didn’t make it less confusing at certain times… Her lasting words in protecting those she loved from ‘dangers’. She spoke truthfully, but light heartedly, because he clearly knew that and she looked to him a subtle playful look, along with a slight playful gesture upon his hand. Of course Kory meant Dick included in those she would undoubtedly protect.

[Dick Grayson - Nightwing]

"You know I don't express my emotions often," Dick replied. A serous situation at this time, but he managed to at list try and give the hint of a smile. Recalling how long it had taken Kory to get him to open up a bit.

Though it faded as quick as it came. He was at least trying to put the past behind him and stop trying to keep the wall between him and Kory. The wall he seemed to put up against everyone.

"There is no danger between the two of us," Dick replied.

There was no threat from Kory in their relationship. It was all on him. He was the one causing most of the issues. Maybe even coming up with new issues as an excuse to take a step back.

"Maybe I'm just going crazy. After all those years of sleepless nights might be messing with my head," Dick managed to joke back in maybe a slight truthful way.

Returning the less tense situation they had started out in. Kory always had a way of helping to loosen things up a bit.

Feeling her hand against his was reminder enough of her always being there for him. She always returned to him regardless of what he had put her through. He didn't deserve someone like her. Sometimes he wondered just why she put up with him.

Then again there was a lot more going for them than against him. He just put the road blocks up at times.

"I can understand the secrets you kept from me. I may have overreacted to the whole thing," Dick started to say. "As much as I hate to admit it...I may have had a few concerns over a new chapter at that level."

Dick was honest. He did worry over it. Though it was more of a fear he was not reach to admit to. His words would reflect some of that. But Kory would seem right through him. There was a fear there of a new chapter in their lives. Being together is one thing. Getting married is another level. But a child was another story.

[Kory Anders - Starfire]

There was certainly something about him. Even in that simple train of thought possibly bubbling through Kory’s mind, she knew there was a lot more than just something about him. In ways she knew him more than all the squares on a rubik’s cube, but there always seem to be something more. That kept her falling deeper, though it was more less crashing than she simply felled lifted, even if she was gifted with flight, but suppose it was in many ways emotions were. More simply felt than simply explained. Her room was still very quiet. Darkened, but not blackened. There was still the echoing of water from her bathroom, but one could very easily forget that. Right now. As her green eyes brightened upon his sight, even the simplest things he did that was perhaps not so much aware of. Such as the general serious state he was in, well as he would more put it, but he was still warm to her. Despite, yes he had been cooler towards her lately, but Kory wasn’t blinded to the various ways the life of the Batman had influenced him in good and in bad. As not to say she didn’t have respect for Bruce, she most certainly did, but he wasn’t a very warmly person. So it was perhaps natural for it to have rubbed a little on to Dick, but he still wasn’t a naturally cold person… Perhaps that was the Grayson in him, Kory may never know about that, she more believed it came from who he really is… Even now in the simple gesture of him hinting a smile, trying to offer peace within the situation. There was definitely a lot emotions in there, if there wasn’t he wouldn’t of tried… Lets face it, Kory is generally about being in the moment. Though she would never forced him to open up, all she could do was support him enough to know that he could. Most hopefully comfortably.

”That doesn’t mean you can’t… Or haven’t! You are always caring, Dick and more or less worried…”

Kory really didn’t do walls, least not mental walls. That perhaps was more a human thing. As with everything now out in the open, Kory had no reason to hide, it just wasn’t natural for her. Though there still a few more stitches on the patch to be made, Kory was just happy Dick was here. With as however much more he was going to give her. As her voice responded calmly and her hand that had reached for his with a slight hesitation. Did not hesitate anymore. Without crouching the space, but it was possibly she found herself that little bit closer to him without smothering him. With the gentleness in her eyes despite having no pupils. He may not boast with emotions as she did, but she had experienced many times when he was in many stages of opening up. So she knew very well it was in him. Oddly how most of them probably when they were with Titans and away from Gotham. But, expressing or not, she knew emotions long enough to know he was always feeling something. Leant slightly into him with the lightest of looks to play lightly at fact he was worried, a lot. The underlining being he cared a lot… Mostly she found it adorably, other times she’d probably result in putting him on a building he couldn’t escape… Ok that happened at least once… Still as she remembered it. Cute. With the subtle play with eyes not totally getting carried away right now… Perhaps a little bit as she could be completely forgetting he was dressed as Nightwing right now, but really that wasn’t knew. He may fool others, but never her… Kory smiled as Dick confirmed there was no danger. Least in the senses that counted. He trusted her, which was good as he was probably the person she trusted the most. Perhaps that wouldn’t seem a lot given how friendly Kory can be, but in her life span she had been betrayed by those most closest to her. So it very much counted for something. Not just because she didn’t do alone very well… Kory leaned enough to press her motioning lips against his warm cheek closest to her in response, before resting forehead near where her lips has been. Not focusing on whether this would be the end so much… Now, now she was hopeful. Bliss, it wasn’t reaching just yet, but she was delighted to be near him. With a hand still upon his, another then lightly rested somewhere higher on his arm. There was a lot she offered to him, but there was just as much that he offered to her. Perhaps more than he even realised… Sometimes even Kory could be simple with words, but the touch from her toes to ever other placement in her limbs spoke otherwise… She frowned slightly at Dick’s attempt of humour, at himself… Crazy? She could possibly see the attempts from the human point of view, but she was still tamaranean. It could be harder for her not to take things literally, perhaps helped given all the countless nights she slept beside him and saw how hard he worked.

”You may have a small case of insomnia, but you are not crazy, Dick… The Joker’s unstable… And we all know what Dr Light is crazy about… You are wonderful, with equally wonderful flaws and even more wonderful dints… Have you ever heard the line about being your own worse enemy? That may be you.”

Kory chimed in with her response, with still very much a light tone, but admit that he was not crazy by the definition, least not in her perspective. Especially not in comparison to those that would very much be in that state of mind. As Kory kept it short in that listing, but with the experiences combined that be probably a long list. Even more in a city like Gotham, it appeared as such. Although Kory was sure Dr Light was missing a bulb, ok that may more an inside joke. Thats not to say Dick was absolutely perfect, although he very much was in Kory’s eyes, but everyone had some level of flaws. Which more often translated there was room to grow. To be and be unique. In all Dick’s bad traits, if you wanted to call them that, they weren’t that bad and the good very much so outweighed. Her fingers traced lightly the material of his suit covering his arm, potentially tracing an underlining scar. Of course there was the ever possibility Kory meant more than simply scars. Freckles. Bumps. Kory was sure there wasn’t a part she hadn’t missed, yet she would always find herself searching more and more of him. He was truly fascinating. Kory lightly pressed the question, spinning a human saying. Least she saw she had taken it in the right context… Mostly she meant mentally, but she did seem to catch him coming out of the gym quit often with bruises he did not have going in… She did relax that little more when he didn’t pull away from her hands. Her touch. He needn’t feel she wanted him to change, she liked who he was, Kory could only hope Dick could accept himself as she did.

”I say we both did… Of course you would have concerns… Its not at all like a park you can just go walking in easily… Not to mention we’re from different worlds. Assuming we’d raise our child here, I’m not sure I even know much about how humans are raised and we both know I wasn’t raised in the common traditional tamaranean way… With what I did read in your pregnancy books, we should be alarmed. Very alarmed. This room alone is a death trap… Though suppose that might vary depending on how strong my gene is… There would be a lot to weigh out, especially now… You know as a tamaranean I live in the present, I may be hopeful for the future, but I do not live there anymore than I would in the past. I clearly don’t have any shiny rings… Just to be clear, if you are alarmed. I meant legion… What concerns do or would you have, Dick? I really think you’d make a great father, whenever that day comes… Would you teach circus things? Because that could be very cute… Could you imagine? Ok, I may vision a little more than just hope… I think he would have had your eyes!”

Kory commented shortly, although she may have a different take on over reacting, but she really held no fault in Dick reacting. It was always better out than in, but even she at times wanted the talking to stop. Emotions are wonderful and intense thing, speaking isn’t the only way for them to be expressed, but Kory could be very receptive as Dick admitted he had concerns. Openly admitting she had her own, not just concerns, but possible fears. There was a lot that surrounded having a child, perhaps even more than either of them could handle right now, but of course in being tamaranean she was never meant to be overcome by fear. She would just figure it out. Highlighting that she did have other concerns than simply Dick leaving her if she told him. Some concerns forming more just now as Kory even thought about potentially raising a child. It was one thing to just have a child. As she pointed out the already known fact they were of different worlds. Different ways of a lot of things. Although perhaps it was nice to know it was possibly, but Kory kinda knew that already. But she didn’t know much about raising a child in this world, not even so much in her own world. She was born an heir in her world, a far cry from a lot of other tamaraneans. She was from a young age trained to be a warrior and a ruler. Before of course she was made a slave, at still a very young age. Suppose it was only natural to hope to be a good parent, Kory least with what she did know would try with all her might and she adored children. Perhaps deepened by the suffering the death of so many she had witnessed when she was a slave, but possibly just because she was good person with a kind heart… Though she could certainly admit to the pregnancy books, certainly were concerning to say the least, but then it kinda made one wonder. Kory couldn’t really know, but it definitely wouldn’t be easy. She couldn’t expect it to be, but they certainly were not ready. Not even for marriage… In all things Kory is, she is certainly honest and she simply desires it in the future. A possible one. Would Dick really expect Kory to be dating him for any other reason than she loved him? She smiled with a little glimmer as Kory mentioned shiny rings, yes she was playing a little bit with words, not so much to mess with him, but how his mind was so cute. Worryingly cute. As made sure to clarify she meant the legion rings. Nor was she an alien with such powers. Tamaraneans were filled with a lot of gifts, advanced in ways, but quite simple when you cut them down. Really it was humans that were complicated in her view… Running a hand up his arm in a simple gesture. Sincerely wanting to know what concerns he might have in detail. Kory was sure she would have totally missed something she probably would need to weigh out. Dick was after all the more responsible one… The day for children was a long way from now, but Kory could at least talk about what was on her mind. How she felt and what she was sure of. Tell him all the things she wanted to tell him. Yes she had ached from not telling Dick, perhaps relieved that they didn’t have to worry about all that came with a child, but of course a part of her ached for fact that she had lost a baby. Even so tiny, that really wasn’t something to just sweep under a rug, she wanted to acknowledge it, but it didn’t exactly have to be all in sadness. The kind of line between mourning and celebrating what could have been. Kory wasn’t one with regrets. Kory’s demeanour certainly shifted more out of the sadness, perhaps right before Dick’s eyes. As mentioned small things if they did have kids that one day whenever it came. Well, at the very least picturing Dick teaching all things things about acrobatics. Even though she was more than sure they’re children would be naturally born flyers. Again, adorable. If only he was there when she first started to fly… Of course she was possibly visioning all kinds of cuteness. Oddly snowball fights that she understood less, she preferred the beach. Oooh, sand castles. Well, at that point she couldn’t completely say it was just hope, but she sincere in it being a distant day… Although perhaps as Roy had said, Dick should least be flattered Kory would want to have his babies. Of course there was more after that, but it was more trying to rattle the cage that point… Kory’s last words was spoken with a deepened smile, but merely not to be taken more deeply than it had simply been a thought. Least she thought it would have been a boy, but yeah. Dick definitely had good eyes. Said also given she was looking at his eyes right now and she had certainly missed them.

”You are who and what I want. Anymore would be icing and if nothing else comes. I’m sure we can be content with just the tiny bits of sprinkles we can find… I guess I must be human if I’m comparing you to food… Its probably not helping when you’re in a kind of marble pattern… Let me guess, Black and blueberry?”

Kory added and much as she could express what she really wanted without her desire for a possible future get in the way. She was simply wanting the ride to wherever they may go, with perhaps a couple possibilities, but she wasn’t holding out for it if it didn’t come. She didn’t do regrets, she simply wanted to live and live as well as she could. Freely. Perhaps it was because she was tamaranean or perhaps because her time as a slave. Perhaps both, that she could simply see the bigger picture, but the one thing she didn’t want. Was to be alone and without Dick. As she found herself making food comparisons, which lets face it happens a lot with humans and well the strange sarcasm, but there Kory found herself expressing, yet oddly she meant every word. Well, apart from eating him. Which animals talked on her planet, so a tamaranean hunt wouldn’t be much different. With kind smile as she motioned a finger under Dick’s chin. As the slightly damp tamaranean sat in a bath robe closely beside him. Lightly gesturing at the marble pattern that was his Nightwing suit, seemingly noting more clearly that he was indeed in his suit, it really was easy for her to forget, Grinning a deeper teasing smile as questioned the possible flavours he ranged and most likely made this all far more confusing, just to end up throwing him off. How should it be any different.

[Dick Grayson - Nightwing]

Dick did not withdraw his hand from that of Kory's touch. There was no point in doing so. He had thought over for many nights how to apologize for his actions and words. And he knew Kory was always willing to forgive him for such things. Though there were times he could even question why she was still with him. And it did take quite a bit to put up with someone like him.

"I'm not stone," he replied simply in return to the comment of him being caring.

Kory's kiss upon his cheek was more than he desired.

"Not exactly the crazy I meant," he gave a slight laugh over his words being taken literally. "Yes, but from my experience not being critical enough has caused me to face a lot of unpleasant situations when faced with life or death," he commented truthfully.

He felt her fingers trace his suit slightly through the material. Relaxing more into the current situation, it made it easier to just speak calmly without speaking first and thinking last. Then again, he had had a lot of time to think when he had went off by himself all along.

Dick could help the slight redness that came to his cheeks. Kory was always so hopeful! And she wanted nothing more than to make him happy and to be with him. Roy would smack him in the back of the head saying he was crazy to walk away from someone as great as Kory. Maybe even go as far as to say she was the best thing that had happened to him.

In many aspects this was true...she had brought out quite a bit in him that otherwise might have been lost in a long life of brooding.

"I would teach quite a bit of my life experiences. My main concerns are the threats the lay in hiding. Those that know who I am or if they found out," Dick responded. The last part a bit grimly. "There's no telling for sure if there is someone else out their like Ra's al Ghul."

"I do want a family some day. Sometimes there's that fear of the unknown. It's easier to calculate a situation most times. I've ended up jumping into them head first and came out of some death defying ones in one piece. Then again things have gone wrong before a couple of times, I'll admit," he replied.

He shock the thought off. There was no point in continuing on with this thought and he knew it. This was the last thing he wanted the night to turn into. Talking over threats and enemies. There was more to life. And Kory was just speaking of this. And he wanted to drop his end of the conversation.

"I wouldn't have you any other way than just the way you are," Dick gave a slight smile.

Her and sweets. A combination he knew all too well. "Am I to assume, I remind people of a marble cake rather than a symbol of justice?" He gave her a puzzled look. Before the smallest of a grin came to his face.

"You have the most interesting views on life," Dick commented, giving her one hand a light squeeze.

[Kory Anders - Starfire]

There was was certainly a sense of ease that Dick didn’t pull away from Kory, nor her touch. The way her pulse rattled inside her up and down her spine, it was enough, whilst leaving there more to desire. It was always there. With everything weighed out the could possibly happen, not to mention potentially lose. Forgiveness was easy for Kory to give, to offer. Somethings. Some emotions couldn’t be ignored. Especially when the pain grew with the hurt of Dick simply not being here. Right now, as the tamaranean princess sat at the edge of her bed, with him beside her. It made things just that bit clearer and potentially deeper, but perhaps Kory would never stop falling in love with him. Even in his less range of emotions at times, but it wasn’t impossible to get to see his wonderful sides. Perhaps it had part due to his circus, entertaining days or simply because deep down he was still the most warmest person Kory knew… So it certainly brought a light heart expression on her lips as Dick made point to say he wasn’t stone. He wash’t a cold heartless statue, but Kory knew that. Though it didn’t prevent her completely from poking him, a little. As if added proof he was all man, well a very heroic man, but a man nonetheless.

”Of course you’re not… You are the Boy Wonder… Or I guess that would be Man Wonder, now?”

Kory spoke with ease in agreement, he may of been distant, but he wasn’t completely gone. There was always a way he came back… As Kory simply spoke sweet and remenising a little. In some ways he hadn’t changed, he was still the sweet Robin she fell for, but he was certainly also more. Not just in size, even though Kory was slightly cupping his upper arm muscle, somewhat helping to make her point as he wasn’t much of a boy anymore. Kory was making light of it. She didn’t frequently call him by Boy Wonder, but she more often than not called him Wonderful. That was unmistakable, despite he didn’t see it as clearly as she did at times. Her lips felt the warmth of his cheek without resistance. It was nice. So nice. It made Kory smile. That was like a tiny shot to her golden toes. Leaving her even less will of breaking space and even more willing to get close. Who was she kidding, she craved it. Not simply in the physical, she had craved for conversation… Oh! Kory could almost expressed with a simple look to Dick, realising she may have take his words a little more literal than he meant. Put it down to her basic nature. As fluttered her eyes rather playfully in response, before Dick spoke truthfully and in ways went with a little of his own basic nature? Building on the pressure. Kory could almost see the worried crinkle forming between his eyes, it probably didn’t help or maybe it did that it just made him adorable… Kory nodded and smiled, whilst keeping her hands very much in place with his own.

”Many of which I was therefore, we more than pulled through, Dick… Especially with the Titans, we couldn’t have done it without our leader, but suppose as you also taught us. There is always room to grow…?”

Kory added softly, though she didn’t feel the need to offer examples. There was probably enough experiences between them and titans to last a lifetime. A few in others. Life and death was often in the threshold, but remarkably they were still very much alive… Because of them, but in many ways because of Dick. Of course Kory wasn’t simply bias. She certainly loved him like lover, but she also very much trusted him as a great leader. She wasn’t the only one. Her fingers lightly traced at his gloved hand, but she barely even realised she was feeling the fabric. He was wonderful the way he was, but she certainly wouldn’t be one to hold him back from wanting to be more. To grow or however the humans would say it… She toyed sweetly with a smile and as her hand motioned gently at his hair. Lightly running through some strands. The length, as if noting the literal growth. She could joke to herself that she would stop him before she have to grow a bean stalk, but really the be a little redundant when she could fly. Lightly giggling to herself. Oh, he was sweet. Special. As Kory sweetly planted another kiss on his cheek… Least she could feel Dick relax a little more under her touch. She could almost hear him take a relaxing breath. Perhaps a step closer to peace… Then again, did Dick just go a little red? Kory smiled simply as she ran a finger against his jawline. Hmmm, seems like his emotions were trying to show. Kory then added more softness to her smile, not that she entirely knew what was in his head, but perhaps she would know a little more now. Kory listened, her touches remained simple. Sweet. With all his restraints and responsibilities dialled up to 110, Dick needn’t have any reason to fear her… For a brief moment her smile lifted as Dick mentioned he’d teach his life experiences, that could certainly get her thoughts churning, after all he had taught her so much… Kory’s smile faded a little, with faint traces of still tears in her eyes. As she heard his concerns and they weren’t concerns she had entirely run through. She always had the instinct as a warrior to fight. To protect, but it was in a turn a concern. Kory nodded her head as Dick spoke slightly more grimly, but it needed to be said.

”I didn’t even… We know there are others just as dangerous and worse… The dangers could very well stretch beyond Earth… But, there is no way I would let that happen… Nor would you!”

Kory began in a low tone as her eyes slightly wandered at an empty space somewhere on the floor. Admitting to Dick that she had ran these concerns in her mind. The dangers that could spring, it would seem silly to think that there wouldn’t be that possibility. That was how it often was in this role as a hero. Protecting came, sacrifice. Protecting was also what they did best. Kory didn’t specify, but she needn’t have to given all the dangers they had faced. Whether with Titans, such as Trigon or without Titans. Or even by herself. When she was a slave to the Citadel. Sold by her own sister, there was perhaps some level of peace, but could her own sister serve up a similar fate to Dick and Kory’s children? Kory herself had been so very young and had seen a lot of other children suffer at the hands. Many of which were killed or died. Occasionally at night Kory can still hear the cries. The screams. Its not something, Kory would allow to happen again, especially not to their children. As Kory spoke truthfully to Dick and there was no denying. She knew Dick would go to any lengths. He already had in so many ways before, but it was still a concern.. A big concern. Perhaps not ripe for now… With everything else potentially on their plates now, but with all the concerns. Kory still wasn’t completely afraid to when ever that day would come… Perhaps Dick was more rational in ways, Kory could certainly love that about him too, despite on occasion she may have tested it, a little. Though with the brief positiveness in Dick’s words, for a family some day… It most certainly shot a spark or two from Kory’s toes to her lips to a smile. Being tamaranean, she was more positive than she would ever be negative. Not that she couldn’t blow things up on occasion.

”Someday! Isn’t never! There could very well be carpooling, which I’m guessing isn’t what I think it is… I think its sweet, slightly creepy that you think having children is a death defying act. We’re not seahorses… I think I’ll be doing most of that… But seriously… I understand. Weighing all of this on top of everything else, it be a lot to ask for both of us… Someday just isn’t now and Nightwing still has more goons to spook in this town… Hopefully not too soon?”

Kory repeated what Dick had said, it just something though she knew he wanted deep down, but just something rarely he’d say out loud. She was honoured to have heard it, not that she gonna so swing from the roof tops, dreaming up how it all will go. It might not happen, but Kory wasn’t herself if she wasn’t at least a little hopeful. Hope was what got her this far and hope was the base of which that still carried her on… She least felt a little lighter and more secure that they were least potentially going somewhere. She spoke gently and playfully, trying her way of some form of human sarcasm, but she was sure she fell a little flat or mostly a little confused. Certainly she had heard Carpooling in relation to children? Shaking her tousled red head. Paused briefly as Dick spoke of jump and acts of the deathly kind. This was more in link with his acrobatic side, Kory was sure… Her mind fell into a few thought, between raising a child and evidently birthing a child… Which she playfully prompted mentioning, that she’d be doing most of that. She was maybe not of this world, but somethings weren’t that different… Give or take an extra month or two… Kory laughed softly, of course not at him, but just from sense of ease…. Though her playful smile winded down more to just simple sweet as Kory with a more even tone. Making sure he knew she had heard him and that she understood him… With a city to run and in her case a couple, not to mention the world. On occasion the universe to protect. They’re plates were hefty, thats not even weighing their jobs. After all a hero still has to pay the bills somehow and Kory knew how little Dick liked using Bruce’s money. He’d rather make his own. Be his own man. Hmmm, that be the other concern, maybe. How would Bruce react, rather wonderfully Kory would hope. He may have a hard shell, but she had seen him smile before… Life, was quite simply what Kory lived for and would never live for anything less. Even the smallest things could be the most wonderful and right now Kory was certainly seeking such wonder… Catching the slight smile at Dick’s lips. Were they fully healed? Not quite, but Kory was convinced they were getting there.

”Warts and all? As they say!”

Kory jested lightly, given she rarely was ever with such lumps… It hardly worried her, given she was used to all kinds of shapes. Colours. Earth was beautiful, but it was still very young when it came to the universe. Just how connected it was… Kory smiled sweetly, as she did very much take what he said with full sincerity. Her cheeks even rose a little more golden, perhaps she had changed a little. One probably would on another planet, but she still was very much true to who she was. Least she believed she was. Perhaps she could be too honest at times, but then again she was generally on the more positive side. Then again as clear she was one to find the oddest loops from so very little, as she was looping back around to the fact Dick was in his Nightwing gear and somehow food got involved. It was really a simply leap in her head, but then slightly strange even for her. Talking cakes wasn’t a good sign even on Tamaran. A talking animal on the other hand… As Kory innocently smiled, but with no regrets. As her fingers very much touched him in places, at his suit. Mostly at his arms. His gloves! She sure missed them, but of course not as much as everything that was just below his suit… Finding her knees turned more in towards his own… Listening as he questioned. He was cute, catching his puzzled look, though he hardly seem as puzzled as he had been on more than one occasion when she first met him. Suppose he figured it out, she was simple and yet not so easy to explain. She could almost appreciate as Dick not half painted him in her head as one giant cake, perhaps it wasn’t a stretch when she had dreamt him as a gingerbread man once… Though Kory had to raise a brow as Dick questioned being a symbol… Sure she could have mistaken that as a cymbal, the musical instrument, but surely only really Kory knew the musical side of Nightwing… She suddenly smiled at that thought to herself, along with him potentially dancing with his sticks, magical… But a symbol of justice… He was much more than that.

”Hmmm…. In that case, yes… You are far more than just a symbol, Dick… From the training with the Batman to having a heart bigger than Superman, I don’t think anyone could, nor should they mistake you as anything less than a hero… That and you are also super sweet…”

Playfully Kory shifted her gaze as she responded When weighing out his sweetness with a symbol, she smiled softly. As she pointed out the obvious. The training for the Batman. As her hand ran along his arm to the palm of his hand, before a slight detour to his chest where his heart was. As Kory spoke of Superman, whom was where Dick got the name of Nightwing. There was no denying he was effected by great heroes in his path, that he became a equal if not a greater hero in the making. At least that was how Kory saw it, Symbols and masks never existed for her until she came to Earth. So it was more natural for her to just see him how he was, somethings were much like when he was Robin… He still had that ounce of sweetness… As Kory more pointedly reached a hand to his cheek as she motioned her lips for his… Timing, plus she had been dying to do it… Giggling soft sweet sounds… He sure tasted just as good… She paused momentarily as Dick commented on her views, on life… Perhaps he was a little bored without her. Kory smiled as he squeezed her hands. With how up and down life could be. One had to be have an interesting view right? Or perhaps they were both a little crazy… Hmmm, the hell with it… As her hand slipped further back from his cheek to the back of his head. Hopefully pull him in and perhaps catch him off guard if he wasn’t aware… With the echoing water running in her bathroom, but Kory had mostly forgotten about it at this stage.. As Kory’s lips very playfully teased and pulled at his own.

[Dick Grayson - Nightwing]

"Out grew those short a long time ago," Dick poked fun at himself a bit.

He wasn't without a sense of humor at times. And he wanted to show he was in a lighter mood at this time. He wasn't balking from the comments she made. Which was more progress between the two with how he had set the ground rules between them in way. In other words, not taking calls, answering anyone, just flat out burying himself in work.

"To err is human," he quoted in response to her comment.

He understood what she was saying. And he knew there was truth. The Titans including himself have seen the growth between each other over the years, no in height, but in skill. They refined may aspects of their lives and fighting abilities. That's because they had worked together. Against each other as well as along side.

Listening to Kory's thoughts on this all. He could see she understood him better than he thought. Ok...except for the creepy part....

"What? Now I'm creepy," these words being his first reaction.

Maybe a little to throw her off course for a second.

"With the lives we lead, the kid would need more than a baby sitter, we'd have to get a body guard at times...learning martial arts is on the list then," Dick said jokingly.

He avoided the last question for a little bit.

Dick let Kory engage any type of contact between them. She was the one who held the cards in her hand that night. And at this point, feeling her hands tracing his suited arms, he was pretty sure things were on the mend.

Now facing Kory more so, his eyes followed her words when she reached her hand to his chest referring to a heart. He looked back to her as her hand then traveled to his cheek. Then she moved in close to kiss him.

Gees...it had felt like for ever since the last time they had this connection going on. Her laugh brought back the memory of the first time they had met. A life changing moment to say the least.

"Ha, more vigilante the cops would...," Dick started to say as he thought there would be space for a moment. Boy was he wrong.

Kory pulled him in as quickly as she had let the space build. He could feel her hands move to the back of his head and he could tell she was in a fiery mood now. Well, he wasn't about to leave her unanswered. Dick responded by bringing her closer as his arms wrapped around her waist to pull her in in return to her actions.

[Kory Anders - Starfire]

There was almost a hint of a dare in air at Dick’s words. Kory probably be very much up to seeing just if that was true. As her green eyes easily sneaked off to one of the closets where she had the Robin suits stacked… Yeah as Kory’s mouth playfully toyed at the idea of Dick trying them on again… Would it be that kinda thing they’d only get so far past the knees? That be amusing and most likely still an attraction. A turn on… Well, generally when it had to do with exposed legs, his legs to be precise… How odd it use to be so common to have him pant less all day and basically all night. It was actually very normal for her and made far more comfortable, than one probably realised. Suppose only a handful would actually believe that Kory wasn’t the only one of her kind that didn’t have the need for a lot of clothes. The males of her world, were generally in briefs, he would have and did fit rather well, when he went… Ah, memories. Not that Kory lived in the past, but sure she could have memories. Mostly the good. Most of the bad she could forget, a perk as a human would say of a tamaranean. Really it was just nature and evolution, but some bad she couldn’t always control. For the most part she did well and could do well to get back to living in the now.

”Hmmm, and in more ways than one… I have missed your legs, though, well… Mostly. This suit is very revealing…!”

Poking fun. The truth. As Kory responded with the play of her eyes and lashes. Depending on what Dick was actually meaning by ‘out grew’. Her lips playfully smiled, oddly she knew that too, but yeah. It did make her miss his legs. Going from all day and night kinda deal, to far far less. Of course thats not to say she didn’t like his suit now just as much, just in perhaps another kinda way. As her eyes naturally travelled down to his legs and brought back to the fact he was in his nightwing suit. His legs may not be bare, but well. As Kory’s fingers could barely even pinch the fabric… Yeah, as Kory subtly whistled… Super tight. But protective. Which is the only part in which would make sense on her planet. If clothes don’t offer any properties they needed, there’s no point in wearing it, fashion nor models existed… Then at Dick’s next words… Kory wasn’t exactly sure what he was saying in his quoting… Raising her brow and a rather blank expression. Was she suppose to be in the loop of what this meant, suppose it was a human thing? That and who was Err?

”Excuse me?”

Questioned with curious slightly puzzled look. Yeah, this was something easily going over her head and she was bound to know why. Not being human… Moving past that, as it seemed her words weren’t totally going over his head. Most of all, he seemed more relaxed. She could only imagine how round up he had been, knowing what she had been feeling, but it was best not to dwell on that. There was little need and most of the water was over the bridge, which confused slightly. Why would one want water over a bridge. Ah, metaphors. Though as Dick then questioned when she mentioned creepy. Clearly that caught him up. Which made her softly laugh, mostly at him. Yes, at him. Miss understanding what she said and meant. Given she was mostly joking about child birth. Hmmm, suppose that was why. Not that she was wondering now if he was thinking tamaranean’s babies pop out of the ground like dwarves or something. Because that would just be silly.

”I didn’t mean you were creepy… Just your thought. When you were mentioning death defying acts and having a child… And you know… Child birth… I mean I know it will be hard, but deadly I think is a little excessive, least I hope it won’t be… I was using sarcasm, mostly… I mean its true it can be painful… Well, so I’ve heard… I never said I was good with sarcasm.”

Kory clarified, hopefully that made Dick feel better. Honestly if he was creepy, it seriously be a different relationship or not really one. Depending on how much of the creep factor… Yeah, creepy was the last thing Dick was. What she said and meant, was comparing death defying kinds of situation to a situation with a child, of course as elated, she was also somewhat joking in her response. Or suppose playing light, as usually even in her attempt of sarcasm, she was still pretty truthful. It was in her nature to be honest, but she wasn’t being overly serious. Playing at so it were… Not that Dick had referred to child birth, but its a natural step in having a child. Wasn’t humans often saying that was sometimes the hard and painful part? She of course never had any kids to know if it would be much different for her than human, she’s imagine a little bit. She was a lot stronger and chances are so would the baby, but to sort of go with her little point, that was one act he wouldn’t have to do… To point Kory grinned, perhaps she took that to far… Perhaps that wasn’t sarcasm by default, but she was sure she circled that. As she happily admitted she wasn’t exactly awesome with the ways of sarcasm. Given a lot of sarcasm she heard from humans were often quite inaccurate, which was possibly the point why it was funny. She smiled as Dick mentioned sitters. Guards and Training. Seemed talking was fine. Upon occasion and she was generally ok with all those suggestions.

”Naturally… Is a body guard, like a guardian? I had one, oh… He was wonderful… Though I’d hardly imagine we’d be that busy, Dick, suppose part time guardian…. I think the better question, who? Suppose we can figure that out later… There’s a list? Here I thought you’d just wing it… Suppose along with the martial arts, some training with the warlords of Okaara? They train some of the best from the Vega system. It was customary for royalty of Tamaran, I can imagine strength would be a strong gene. Maybe emotions… Expect slightly heightened tantrums, I’m only saying. Walls. No, Walls! I am kidding… I was never that bad!”

Much of her time on Tamaran was very brief, as she much her memories were from when she was a very small child and well history. It was customary for the next ruler in line to be trained and also knowledgable, amongst other things of course. Between her time away in Okaara and then being a slave, she had at this point spent probably more time on Earth or there about. Though she did recall her guardian, but generally a young royal was protected. Suppose that similar. Protective. Teaching, but she couldn’t imagine they’d be as busy as a king and queen. Smiling and wondering who would be a guardian. Was that something you could just ask here on earth? Friends? She could imagine a few. Family? Bruce? Was that even possible? Did he like children? Well, she could jest, but surely he did to take in what… Three at this point, hmmm. Yet you could potentially debate whether he was happier for it or more stressed. Thank X’hal his cave was secret and locked… Cos that would be too many accidents… Last thing he needed was a young tamaranean with his or her hands on the baterangs. Kory would never hear the end of it… In the midst… Kory raised her brow… Yes she did catch when Dick pointedly said list, as if he potentially planning ahead. Which as she thought about it, shouldn’t shock her. Anything, Dick would want to plan out, if not several back up plans… Kory had ideas, but yeah, she was figuring she was the less of the planner of the two… Though she didn’t mind adding to the list, not that she’d remember it all, but what the heck. Training seemed a possibility. Training at such a young age didn’t seem odd to her at all, but suppose given that was what she went through. It was expected on her planet, especially royals. Mostly it was for tradition. For ceremonies. Up until her sister betrayed her planet, they had peace for over 100 years with no war, but they always wanted to be prepared. So they continued training. Made sense and that training was the base of everything she did. Believed in. Not of course she’d press upon it, but an option. Suppose, she could just share her training directly. Wasn’t like she forgot it. She made point of some training, given, Dick’s views on killing. Not that Kory was exactly trained to kill, but she was trained if she was to go into a fight to treat it like it was the last fight. Of course killing was less of an instinct for her now… Mentioning the possible strength and so forth. Some kind of training might be needed as Kory hinted at. In a light playful teasing manner. Tamaranean with a human just didn’t happen, if it did. She didn’t know about it. So it be a wonder what cross. Exactly. Of course Kory could assume, knowing what it was like for her as a child… Tantrums. Destruction. As she looked to the walls. She was known to break things, on occasion. Possibly trying to get Dick a little worried, it wasn’t hard, as she giggled softly. Before saying she was joking… With the hint of maybe. Well, to her she wasn’t that bad. Though it could be a little like Kory not exactly thinking she can get jealous…

Talking at definitely been on the needed cards, but of course there comes a time when there is a little bit too much talking. Well, least talking with words. There was certainly many ways to communicate, even though sometimes Dick may play he doesn’t know them, hmmm, but he wasn’t resistant and he wasn’t leaving. That was enough, least right now… What were the chances some call in the city was gonna break this short? Now? Kory made sure not to focus on that… Moving in and pulling him in. Subtly. Slowly. Touch by touch… Until she could kiss him… A kiss that could burn and linger. Whilst not lingering long enough. Though she remained soft. gentle. Even though she certainly could feel his pulse. His breath.. Movements beneath his chest… He began to speak, Kory wasn’t entirely sure where it was going… Vigilante. Cops? As Kory stopped him mid to kiss him. Pull him in… She laughed sort giggles as he pulled her in. Official they were past that and signs she didn’t have to worry about losing him. There was no chances of any kind of future with out him and he was the one thing she did desire. She knew it as she… Well, not breathed, cos she didn’t breath… Suppose, lived… It was life pretty much what drove her. Along with every emotion in her being.

”Vigilante? I thought vigilante’s don’t follow the law, they follow their own law… You, most certainly follow the law. Otherwise as you and Donna told me, if I didn’t I wouldn’t be able to stay or you’d go after me… Do I have to chase you now? Ooh, and I do have restraints. Just say the word… Though what do I know, the closest to heroes, vigilantes, was warriors on my world.”

Hmmm, but break Kory did manage to find. If Dick was suggesting the cops thought he was vigilante? Or perhaps it was the cooler term… Though from her understanding of vigilantes, although they can vary. They generally went by their code and would stick by despite the law. Which oddly seemed to fit Batman more, but Dick… Maybe on occasion he may bend a rule, but out break laws. Would seem totally odd to he. Not just because he was a cop, but he made it very clear. More than several times of the laws. Especially killing anyone… Kory raised a playful brow if she’d have to chase him down? Recalling the handcuffs… She… Um, borrowed… Surely he had more than… If they didn’t work. Zip ties, next draw… Or basic hand strength… Not that she was toying with any particular thought. Laughing softly, though clarifying she wasn’t one to really know who or what belongs where in such labels. Suppose it was questionable if she was a hero, but she was most certainly a warrior. That was basically the same thing, right? Who the heck knew? She smiled playfully, pulling him back in… Though as she was going into the foggy kind of moment and a little back into also reality. Like the fact they were in her bedroom. The echoes of her bathroom were trickling in… Now to quash the mood. She no intention of that, with many limbs intwined.

”Ah, Dick… Shower! I can turn it off unless you have time?”

Kory spoke breaking slightly again. With possible gasping of his breaths. Raising a hand off and pointed at her bathroom. Simply saying shower. Clear it was still running, with the steam coming through the door. Rolling her lip a little, offering to turn it off quickly unless of course he didn’t. Hopefully getting the suggestion he could join her. As she looked a little town at his Nightwing suit. Was he needed right away? Hmmm, perhaps the suit could do with a little bit of an extra wash. Kory smirked as her finger lightly rubbed at his shoulder, as if to check for dust… Of course she could wait… Or she could redress him. That was always fun… Even though it could be hard at times to figure out what side is the front… Has an awesome trademark, but its same either side. Surely it easy to get confused and were most zips on outfits on the back. Or was that just dresses? Kory amused herself and sure it had nothing to do with stalling… She was the least distracting… Whilst her robe was slightly exposing a leg as it was half draped over him, Kory played light fingers under his chin and teasing his bottom lip.

[Dick Grayson - Nightwing]

Dick gave a slight laugh at her response to what he had quoted. Sometimes it was just natural to rattle off an old quote. And many times, he was accustom to explaining them to Kory.

"Old quote meaning to make mistakes is human," Dick replied quickly to her comment.

Catching her reaction to his comment over being creepy, this conversation was getting rather interesting. Kory had not caught on that his reaction to her words was a bit of a joke on his part. He let her continue on. Hearing her thoughts was always entertaining to him, he never knew when he might learn something more of Kory's culture that he hadn't known before.

"I'm joking Kor. And a body guard could be compared to a soldier on some terms. As for a list, it was a figure of speech," Dick replied.

This conversation had become the usual relaxed banter between the two. It was a far step forward from when he had arrived that evening. Good, he wasn't screwing things up with what had been on his mind.

Some how the idea of chasing him down tonight wasn't really in his plans tonight. She already had his undivided attention.

"It's just the word thrown around between the cops towards any one who tried to make a difference outside of the force," he started. "No restraints necessary tonight."

He'd rather have his hands free tonight. Kory's ways tonight were trapping his mind though. A good thing on his terms....but not so much when it came to having patrols he needed to get on with tonight. Right now he was wondering just how much time he could get away with. It was his schedule, but crime didn't wait.

Dick wanted to keep her close. He had been away from her long enough...this mainly being his fault. Maybe all in his head on some parts of the issues.

As Kory broke away for a moment to speak, he rest his forehead slightly against her's, wanting to keep her close. Her words taunting him. Skip an hour or so....His mind lightly playing upon the thoughts as her finger played at his lip. He turned to look towards the bathroom for a moment.

He really did not want to look at any clocks. He knew he had work to do. Not like he was going to be meeting anyone tonight. But he knew what time some certain illegal shipments were to come in that night at the docks in his down. And he wanted to shut it down before these gangs started a war in his down.

"I think I could spare a few minutes...," Dick replied.

[Kory Anders - Starfire]

It was always nice. No, beyond nice when Dick laughed. Smiled. Relaxed and for a moment could seem the weight wasn’t so heavy. Not that Kory didn’t love his serious side, she quite clearly loved every side and she would pointedly remind him he had plenty of them… Her tears were now more just faint stains in her eyes. They no longer on her cheeks or in the corners of her green eyes. Kory was feeling more of the bliss, she had hoped, but she hadn’t been so sure would have happened. She really shouldn’t doubt her feelings… Ever… Although… As Kory reacted pleased by his laugh. It did make her wonder in jest, was he laughing at her? As she eyed him and playfully frowned at him in response. Though didn’t last, her joy was fast taking over again.

”Oh… I wouldn’t have guessed that… What mistakes you may have made, have helped lead you this far Dick…. With all the right you have done… There be no need for regrets…”

Kory honestly responded, but perhaps it was human for the quote to sound, well, completely confusing. Though it did somewhat make sense.]. At that point Kory leaned in closer as she spoke softly, not too directly, but just enough. Her hand placed on his thigh. Perhaps trying to remind him though he may have had some bumps on the way and it was perhaps normal for a human to make mistakes, like everyone, but also see how far he had come in spite of any set backs. Most of all, he was here right now and for that Kory was most grateful and happy for… Least she could help him forgive himself a little, if she was able. Kory had regretted not telling Dick sooner, but looking at how it had worked out now. She had none… And in her simplest way she was thanking him for being here and encourage him. Any issues there had been, just didn’t matter as much to her now… Then again, all she ever wanted was be able to love and love him openly. Kory smiled somewhere near his jaw line. The simplest touches she had missed and needed little convincing as he did, that he was someone to be proud of. Someone she loved and loved her in return… Playing with the strands of his hair with her golden fingers. Could simply watch him. Listen to his breath. Feel his pulse… Though as she had tried to assure to him, that he was not creepy and nor did she think that. He was the most wonderful person. Man. She’d ever known. Not only her lover, but her best friend… Kory relaxed again when Dick made a point of saying he was joking… She could sigh with a little relief and giggled softly. Shaking her head ever so slightly at him, with the smirk on her lips at Dick being playful and cheerful. Plus, he was so darn cute and whilst she could keep him on his toes. It proved he could keep her on hers.

”You’re lucky your cute… Warm. Romantic. Strong. Brave. Brilliant. Everything, but creepy. Well, apart from when gloved hands come up at me in the dark… I can’t say I’ve ever complained, in the end… Yes… I know your organising skills, very well, Dick… You seem to like leaving them at my door. And, I know if I steal your gloves everything inside will be in a row.”

Humorously Kory responded, as she eyed him playfully, joking back. Because clearly she wasn’t that shallow, thus naturally the honesty did find its way out that. He was cute. Extremely cute, but that wasn’t all. Though that list could be quite long. As she summed up what she was saying. Whilst remaining light and with joyous banter. Finger moved from his thigh to trace his gloved fingers. Teased him at grabbing her when she least expected it. Creepy in the sense he shocked her, he may have dodged a singed eyebrow. Pausing briefly as she smiled to him knowingly. Hmmm, yeah it had certainly not ended creepy… Kory grinned and responded as Dick said his ‘list’ was a figure of speech…. Perhaps he hadn’t entirely caught on that in the tone when she questioned, was playing at his organising skills. Not so much an actual list… As Kory amused, pointed that out. She had lived him and worked with him. Where, he was mostly always organised. His weapons always had a place… Though as made reference to her door or even his door, the same couldn’t really be said about his clothes. No list, but she was sure he’d always know what to do. Kory never had a plan, she did things as she felt them, generally. Dick, he was a little more rational, which was probably a good thing… Nodding humbly as Dick spoke of what the cops called him. Either in her mind. In her heart. She knew Dick was a good person and a hero in her eyes. He saved her on more than several occasions and even spoke up for her when others wouldn’t or she couldn’t. But, she couldn’t be surprised if there were people that thought otherwise about him.Perhaps there would always be some sort of judgement on this planet. Some close minded people. Like the ones that didn’t think she belonged because she was different.

”Why should tonight be any different? I am all you need.”

Kory asked in response to Dick’s decline of restraints. Though she had been playful in offering them, she was in agreement without them. It wasn’t like she was without her own strength and truth be told, she could never really lock him up. Perhaps even if he were to break a law or two, but he knew that of course. Having been locked up for almost half her life, she wouldn’t just will that on another… Though in play there was a difference and she was resilient enough to know that. To be willing. Comfortable, but now. Restraint free… She was well aware there was probably little time. He was in his Nightwing and as much of a distraction one may claim her. Kory wouldn’t take too much of his attention. His time. Just enough for now, because it had been so long. Of course whilst a simple touch was a lot, it never truly was enough… X’hal knew it be a while before it be bed time. It seemed so long ago since he had even simply spent the night. As her loose fingers could toil at the bed they sat on, that had felt so big and empty. It did not feel so lonely anymore and nor did the room itself feel so dark, despite what little light was in it, the sun was almost down, but caused a cascade of deep warm pinks and oranges. His lips were as warm as they had ever been and Kory could have almost lived in them. Perhaps she had, but reality broke through. At least she surrounded by possibilities, rather than none. Letting his lips free. Letting go ever so slightly. She paused as he had rested against her. Felt his breath as she still tasted his lips. Hers tingled, rather like popping candy, oddly how so many things come back to candy… Yes a extra shiver or two ran over her shoulders as she ran her finger over his lip. She could feel his own struggle. His own desires. His mind and his heart toying. Pulling… She wouldn’t have asked it, if there wasn’t the small possibility he wanted it. After all the suffering. They could allow the tiny bit of peace. Right? Not that she was hoping, she really wasn’t thinking so much than she was feeling and she’d go anywhere with him right now… She uncrossed her legs over him as he had looked to the bathroom and she slightly tidied up her robe, not really for modesty sake, just mostly because of the friction. Her hand then toyed a little at her damp ends of her hair, before tucking her hair a little behind her ear. Before motioning to play with his, it wasn’t that dirty, but she was trying to convince herself it could be cleaner… Or at least cut… Suppose with how busy he was, going to the barber shop was not really on the imaginary list and he probably trusted Roy less with it. She let go of his locks when he looked back and spoke. His voice seemed almost sultry to him. Deep and most of all confident. Kory never wanted the world, just him.

”That be more than enough, for now at least… And Roy is out… This suit is waterproof, right? ”

Softly Kory responded with still the closeness, as she smiled. Any minute she could more than make it worth their while and she knew there be time later. They’d always find it… Mentioning Roy was out, which Dick knew, she was sure. So that could perhaps assure him a little, that if something were to happen, Roy would probably call them. Not that she was suggesting that was a reason not to go out, just a reason to not entirely rush out. That and Roy being out of the house was probably a plus. Least for Dick, Kory hardly minded… Kory leaned in and kissed him deeply again, before starting to get to her feet, with his hand in hers to lead to the bathroom. Though not before she asked, as she was sure she remembered that his suit was waterproof. As the slight play came at her lips, potentially toying with wild thoughts

”We better not waste time, sweetheart… Oh, before I forget… I love you!”

Kory spoke happily, leading to her bathroom. Any time wasted, meant less time in the shower and she most certainly enjoyed her shower. Especially in this weather, even if she was mostly immune to the cold, but she always preferred the heat. She practically lived in it 24/7. She loved her shower even more when she wasn’t alone… Kory stopped in her tracks at the door way of her bathroom, before she turned back around. With pure look of bliss, like she’d ever really forget. If she didn’t say it, she always make sure he knew it, but it had been so long since she said it now… Well, she meant the three special words very much right now… Escaping her hands around the back of his neck, pressed against him and properly kissed him. Gently her arms slid down as she broke away, stepping backwards into the bathroom. Kory’s lips smiled playfully at Dick, as her hands unknotted her robe, moving further into the steam that now engulfed the room.