Fish out of Water![Bruce]

[Kory Anders - Starfire]

It was safe to say snow was once very far from the Tamaranean princess’ world. Very far indeed, in fact Tamaran didn’t exactly have a winter season. Certainly nothing like how it hit Gotham or even New York to be frank. No, she had been born in a world where the sunshine was out and out to be enjoyed. Perhaps it was one of the reason that made the race so utterly joyful… Its not to say humans were not joyful or couldn’t be. It maybe a little dim to tell as Kory passed strangers on the street, with less than happy expressions upon their faces, possibly from the gloomy weather. Whatever their reasons maybe, Kory’s spirits were not dampened, as unlike most humans, the sun wasn’t out of reach to her, like often, Kory most enjoyed watching the sunrise, from a much higher place. So, it was safe to say she had soaked in her fair share of energy this morning. With what sunshine did hide behind the clouds, she still could very much feel it within her skin, just not as intense as she may otherwise prefer, but it least lent her not to feel so much of the brisk wintery cold. Although, Kory still very much dressed for the season, least what she deemed practical. Jeans. A slightly off the shoulder, neutral coloured sweater. Boots, the slightly faux fuzzy kind. Minimal jewellery. A simple purse, that may or may not help to carry her Starfire outfit around with her. Minimal make-up, allowing her skin to glow naturally, despite some human that may mistake it for being fake tanner. Kory didn’t do much with her hair either, simply let it out in waves and curls. With just the subtle play from her fingers. With the mild groans and half eyed glance. It seemed she had achieved two thumbs up, or well one and a half, but she was sure he meant two. With a simply smile, she had left him where he laid until he’d finally wake and depart on his own to his work. That was usually how it was, fleeting moments between work and whatever sleep was given to them. Of course, Kory sure made the most of whatever time they were given. Though now…

Now she had somewhat of a mild day to herself. With a brief modelling gig in the bright early hours, cut short thanks to the weather, but no doubt. Kory met up with a friend in the midst of Gotham City. A newly recruited titan, a young wondrous girl, with the future bright in her eyes and the almighty courage in her fists. She also had a brilliant mind and an incredibly good heart. Whilst she maybe considered a student, Kory most certainly considered her a friend. That besides helping her learn the ropes, Kory could also share in balancing the hero life with the more normal life. As Kory met up with her in a cute salon. For a relaxing manicure and pedicure. Nothing overly fancy, but a girl could still enjoy some nice nails. Naturally Kory always seemed to stick with the usually shade of purple. It was her trademark, as Dick would put it. After the short little time spent. They left the salon and Kory said goodbye to Cass, who flew back most likely back to the T tower. Leaving Kory within her own company this late morning. Taking a stroll down the footpath in amongst the cascading buildings around her. Kory pondered just what she could do, who she could perhaps visit. A friend? A stranger? X’hal, or Bruce. As Kory stopped, looked up and unknowingly found herself before the infamous Wayne Tower. It hadn’t been a place she had visited frequently or really at all. It was massive. Impressive. Kory naturally felt the tug to go in and to see is Bruce was in, but something made her second guess it. He’d hardly been the most warm and accommodating. She had to wonder if he would refuse her company? So Kory walked on, but she didn’t get far. As her head and heart debated. It pulled her back and forth a bit. Ultimately she decided to go in. Because, frankly it wasn't in a tamaranean’s nature to just walk on by. What harm was there in saying hello. Perhaps, Bruce was just too busy to pay a visit in Bludhaven. With knowing his double life, she’d have to give him the benefit of the doubt and to really come to think of it. When have they ever really sat down. Chatted. With that on her thoughts. Kory was practically smiling of encouragement as she walked through the entrance.

Wow, was an understatement. It was like another world had opened, well maybe not an entirely other world, but this was certainly not the usual for Kory. As her eyes travelled up the high ceiling in the main entrance area. Men and women dressed in suits and ties. So many ties, as she many passed her by entering or leaving. Ignoring any eyes upon her, perhaps it was more the fact she was dressed more casual, than the fact she was orange. Or had bright green eyes. Which were more focused on the interior of the building as it had literally opened up to her. Walking a little further as she found herself getting closer to an entrance desk, her eyes then catching the trail of some people heading towards the elevator. As she was realising the size of this place, she had to wonder exactly Bruce would be, surely he couldn’t be that hard to find. It wasn’t exactly like he was good at hiding, sarcasm. It was almost like she was human. As the half smile grew on her lips. Her eyes looked at the numbers above the elevator. So many numbers, so many floors. Perhaps she could wing it, hmmm text Dick, but she wasn’t entirely sure she wanted to bother him. He’d mostly likely rattle her with questions as to why she was here, not that she’d ever dare to keep something from him. With her subtle debate, she just figured she could ask someone here and at that it seemed someone was asking her. As a voice perked up from one of the receptionist behind the desk.

‘Miss? Can I help you?’

”Greetings. Oh, yes.. Yes please… My name is Kory Anders. I am here to visit with Mr. Bruce Wayne.”

Kory pepped up as she asked with a kind smile, with her attempt at the human formalities. Hopefully it would get her somewhere. That’s if Bruce was here.

‘Do you have an appointment with Mr Wayne, Miss Anders?’

”No, but I am a friend.”

Kory responded to the nice receptionist. With the somewhat questionable tone in the woman’s voice, Kory assured she was a friend. Surely, that was enough, despite what friend may mean to humans. It meant what its supposed to mean to Kory, least in english anyways. Though there was a slight hesitation in saying in relation to Bruce, whilst she felt quite content in considering him a friend, she couldn’t be entirely sure he’d consider the same from her. She liked to think that he did. She was good with emotions and reading them, but he seem to hold many of them to himself. Rather well, that made him not the easiest person to read.

‘Just give me a moment. I’ll let Mr Wayne know you’re here.’

”Gratitudes.”

Kindly Kory responded. Taking a few steps back from the desk as the receptionist took to the phone and keyed into wherever Bruce was. ‘Mr Wayne, sir. A Miss Anders is here to see you!’ Kory over heard, she’d have to guess he was somewhere here, as her eyes returned to vast scale of the place. It wasn’t overly bright or colourful, but it wasn’t entirely dark either. Despite the a slight gloomy feel, but that was simply from the gloomy weather from outside. Otherwise it was very clean and open. Yet as her eyes looked to the elevator and listened to the continuing sound. There was perhaps a lot more she couldn’t see. The so called hidden secrets. Sure, she pondered a little, but she wasn’t so fussed about secrets. Most humans seemed to have them. No, Kory was simply here to visit Bruce. Say hi if nothing more, though most certainly she’d hoped to speak with him. She hadn’t in quite some time. Not since that double date and frankly since, he’d hardly been in contact. If he was it seemed mostly business as usual calling on Nightwing. There was a part of her hoping she maybe able to offer peace, enough to bridge any gap there was out side of that life. Not just for Dick, but herself. She had no plans on leaving. It would make things better, if there wasn’t any seen or unseen tension. Thats was of course, if he was here or open to her visit.

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Outfit:

SPOILER: Click to show

[Deleted]

Holy Mother of God and of all that’s good and decent, was he ever in so much pain! He wasn’t feeling the excruciating repercussions of last night’s tumble in the lumberyard docks – taking on seven heavily armed men clad in body armor (eight actually, if you count the ass who preferred to carry a sledge hammer instead of an assault rifle for his weapon of choice). Even though pine is the softest of all woods, it still hurt like hell when having a couple of 50-60lbs. logs slam right into your clavicle, left kidney, and left lung. Not to mention getting directly nailed by round of armor piercing bullets right in the side of left thigh.

Thankfully, the latest upgrade to his batsuit’s armor and biotech scanners prevented him from breaking any bones or losing too much blood. Still didn’t stop him from receiving some severe internal bruises, minor bleeds, and multiple sprains. A new scar was added to his assorted collection on the small of his back – but? He nailed the bastards, every last one of them (including Sledge Hammer). Lord, if the pain he now felt was only just pinpointed to last night’s vigilante activities – then he’d be golden right now! But? How very unfortunate for him that this current state of mind melting pain he was now in had zilch to do with being physical.

It was solely caused by the never-ending fresh hell of a teleconference call he was now currently on – a meeting of WE’s best legal minds and board members to discuss zoning arrangements and expanses in FDA regulations for switching pesticides to be used on the fresh fruit in the vending machines for all subsidiary WE satellite buildings.

Legal minds arguing, “You DON’T want to align yourself with anything Chipotle has been using! Look at the drop in their earnings, not to mention their stocks! We don’t want WE employees thinking, “’Eat WE’s apples, then get WE’s E. Coli!’”

Board member minds arguing, “If we use more preservative based pesticides then we might as well throw our money out the window given how much that crap costs! Just go with the eco-friendly bug spray and tell’em all that we’re going green so you can keep on eatin’ green!”

“E. COLI!”

“EAT GREEN!”

Bruce had said all of nothing for the past hour and a half – which up to this minute was the time length and counting for this meeting. He kept his silence partially due to boredom infused shock over the fact that he had to even take part in such an asinine meeting to begin with and partially due to the fact that he found himself truly not caring one way or the other – just so long as safety and health was ensured at the end of the day. Micromanagement was very much his forte, but this was just getting God damned ridiculous!

Suddenly, saving his very sorry hide from the very real chance of shriveling up into jerky-dust (a side effect caused from death by boredom) came the interruption of his private intercom – his secretary alerting him of Kory Anders waiting just outside to see him.

Great.

Starfire was here to see him. How very unexpected. Better yet! How very unwanted. Now he was caught having to make a choice between the lesser of two evils: Snoozefest Nightmare Meeting from Hell or Dick’s Current Flame of the Week. And people keep wondering why he never smiles. Placing his own telecom on mute from the meeting, he responded back to his secretary in his usual polite tone, “Miss Anders is here? That’s a nice surprise. Go ahead and send her on in – my meeting has just wrapped up.”

With that? Bruce finally spoke for the first time since the meeting started after unmuting himself, “Gentlemen, no one knows better about how I feel on this important topic like Lucius knows. Lucius? You have my full support in approving the final decision. I must depart now, much to my regret – something important just came into the office and needs my immediate attention. Best of luck!”

CLICK.

A sigh of relief escaped his lips as he leaned back to relax in his large cushiony office desk chair. He, like all of his countless employees, too was dressed in a rather finely tailored suit and stylish tie, business jacket draped over the back of his chair. Sleeves were rolled up to expose his pale, muscular forearms (cleverly covered in a special skin-toner blend to hide all scars and bruises – a unique lotion he had developed to specifically never rub off if touched or wash off without using a special soap scrub he had also developed; this cream helped him to appear as normal and carefree each day as a multi-billionaire like Bruce Wayne ought to be, rather than the true appearance of violence and justice he donned when he wore the cape and cowl of the Batman at night).

He smoothed his thick black hair back as he now awaited for Kory’s arrival into his office, hiding the wince that wanted to come given the stab of pain such a normal action suddenly caused him. Well, at least the pain of that god forsaken meeting was over… But, with Kory’s sudden and unexpected arrival, he had a feeling that his current state of physical pain was about to only get worse…

[Kory Anders - Starfire]

There Kory continued to wait. Wait, patiently. She did after all have a garden, in which she practised patience. It most certainly helped. Hmmm, perhaps this place had a garden. Although you’d never would guess by the looks of the place. As her eyes continued to take in what she could see. Realising, just how little she really knew of this place, sure Dick told her here and there. Suppose, more frequently had she listened, rather than closing his lips with her own. Call it a habit. In her position, she felt it was very good habit. What could she say, he was hard to resist. As her mind half flooded with fleeting moments, as buzzing vibrating sound came from her phone. It just so happened to be Dick, texting her. It naturally caused Kory to be surprised at the time and a little confused at the sign of her slight frown. ‘What are you thinking about?’ Was all that it said. ‘Are you reading my mind?’ Kory texted back, perhaps he had gone and got himself powers. ‘Yes’ Or suppose, in reality he was just bored at work. As a smirk came across her lips. ‘Get back to work.’ Kory waited in the pause, but somehow she could picture his own smirk. ‘Yes, Ma’am.’ She laughed and half rolled her eyes, he hardly ever called her ma’am unless his intentions were nothing short of being a little bit naughty. ‘You best be wearing that hat tonight’ Kory texted back, certainly he knew what she was talking about and sure enough he returned with a wink smiley face. So cute, Kory thought. Though it was then, the receptionist had spoke up again, after speaking to Bruce on the phone. ‘I gotta go, bye for now!’ Kory sent her final text, for now. Suppose she should have mentioned, what she was doing, but it didn’t entirely come to mind.

’Miss Anders? I let Mr Wayne know you are here, you’re free to go up now… You can follow me, if you please?’

”Oh, that is wonderful… Certainly, gratitudes.”

Lowering the phone that was in her own hand. Kory delightfully smiled in response. It seemed not only Bruce was here, but he was keen to see her. Well, at least accepting it, but Kory was sure he capable of joyful emotions. Too a degree… Kory happily nodded and thanked the receptionist to helped guide the way to his office. Given the shear size of the place, it probably wouldn’t be hard to make a wrong turn. It was probably why the receptionist offered. Perhaps it was like Hogwarts, there were forbidden areas. All somehow she imagined they couldn’t be more forbidden than his cave, not to suggest she hadn’t been in there on occasion. Whether or not he knew about it, was between him and his former Robin. As the receptionist got to her feet, moved away from the desk n began the lead to the elevator. Kory followed closely behind. Stepping into the enclose moving contraption. There were a handful of other people, but it wasn’t completely crowded. Not that it mattered, given Kory didn’t breathe, least not oxygen. Surprising there was music, but even less surprising. It wasn’t exactly overly up beat. Neutral. As the time was passing. There was another vibrating sound from her phone, that she was still holding in her hand. ‘I’m speeding through the city. You free?’ Only this time, it wasn’t Dick. Clearly. It was Wally. ‘I’m afraid not. I’m at the Wayne Tower. Visiting Bruce.’ Kory sent back, she was disappointed to be letting him down. ‘What the hay? Did the world go crooked? Good luck with that.’ Suppose his response was, somewhat expected. ‘Haha, very funny and thank-you! If you’re still speeding through later, I should be free. In the meantime, I think Dick could do with a friendly visit.’ Kory offered the suggestion, perhaps Wally could even take Dick out to lunch. ‘Oh, great idea. Thanks. Hopefully catch you later’ Kory smiled, she was always happy to help. ‘Bye for now.’ Suppose she should a little concerned as to what trouble they could get themselves into, but surely they were men now. X’hal, only knows where Roy was, it was best not to dwell on that. Just at that thought. The doors of the elevator opened and the receptionist moved through. Kory following still close behind, as she closed her phone, put it on mute and put it back in her bag.

After a short walk down a winding hallway. They finally came to a stop outside of an office door at the end. With Bruce’s name practically written on the wall. Bingo! Kory smiled, as the receptionist knocked on the door for her and shortly there after opened the door. Allowing Kory entrance, as Kory passed through the door. With a brief glance back, the receptionist had shut the door and was gone. Leaving Kory alone, with Bruce in his office. Not sure why she did, but Kory pushed the sleeves of her sweater up a bit. She swore they were not nerves, tamaraneans aren’t usually nervous. Kory then turned her eyes to the room she had just walked into. Fancy, most definitely. Spacious and perhaps even some feeling of comfort if that was to be expected. Suppose if he entertained many guests in here, a feeling of comfort would indeed help. Walking further in, pondering she should visit more often. Her eyes shortly fell upon Bruce. Still with the somewhat cooler set of eyes, it was definitely Bruce. Handsome no less, in his tailored suit, it was refreshing to see him out of the rubber or whatever his suit was made of these days. A smile grew upon the tamaranean princess’ lips, for some reason, despite her doubts, she did always enjoy being in his company. You couldn’t always know what to expect, maybe that was half the curiosity… Sure, there was also the fact, he was Batman, for those who knew his identity. The larger than life figure, but now. Now, with the cowl gone. He was just the man. Quite the man, no less.

”Greetings Bruce… I sure hope I didn’t come at a bad time… I was in the connecting streets, I thought I’d pay a visit… You are not too busy?”

Kindly and surely, Kory greeted Bruce. Making sure she hadn’t caught him at a bad time and to somewhat assure him that in her ‘dropping’ by. She didn’t exactly want it to feel like some kind of ambush. Because surely, given her powers, an actual ambush from her, would be quite different. Surely, without plainly putting it out there. She had come in peace, not to sound completely cliche. Of course, he was probably not short of busy. She lived with his adopted son, the apple didn’t fall far, for her to know the family traits, if thats what you call them. Surely with the gleam in her bright green eyes, she hoped he may have a bit of time. Enough to squeeze her in. Of course, she hadn’t exactly planned this, she had simply walked passed and felt the need to say hello. She simply followed her emotions, as she generally often did. She walked a little further, closer towards his desk.

”Dick has mentioned Wayne Tower, but I don’t think I’ve ever actually seen it. Least from the inside. It is even more impressive… I’m not entirely sure, if I should be surprised you have a view… ”

Kory spoke up and mentioning Dick may have talked about it in passing. This seemed indeed her first time inside the tower. Rather surprising, given her track record with his manor, let alone his cave, but it was better late than never. She had motioned a breaking of whatever gap between them, to offer a kiss to his cheek. Possibly both cheeks, she wasn’t always spot on with human interactions and proper greetings. Generally, particularly with friends, she just hugged them, she was perhaps a short moment from that, but something tugged at her, he wasn’t much of a hugger. Not to worry, as her mind often went from one place to another, if not multiple at one time. Her attention moved to his window. From the shear landscape. They had to be at least several storeys up. Surely when Batman came to mind, one did think cave or very high places. So, fitting. As Kory smiled. Walked shortly, a little closer to the window, as she took the a more prominent look at the city.

”X’hal, and what a view it is… This must be amazing in summer!”

Etching closer, as the remark spoken from her lips, were simple. Yet, said everything. Least she imagined they did, as to how she felt. Joy. Delight. Somewhere around that. As her fingers all but lightly etched at the glass. Mindful to a degree not to put a finger print on it, but she could be faulted if she wasn’t aware. Whilst Gotham was one the many curious cities, Kory had been to, she wasn’t entirely sure she would have in a degree called it home. It was a far cry from New York, but surely. From views, such as this. It was a small reminder, it did have its beauty and wonder. It made all the sense in the world, as to why Bruce did all that he could to save it. It was his home and oddly in someway looking upon it. Was like looking in a reflection of Batman, though she liked to say Bruce. Both really, masks were still a completely human thing. Suppose as were secrets. Where she was from. No one hide who they were, there was also most chances of looking outside a window and see a surrounding mass of plants. Not that, Kory needed much of a reminder, that she was far far from her world. With it now exploded, she could never go back. Suppose, even before it, she had already knew, whatever destiny laid before her, it was on Earth. Her home. Sighed a deep sound, as her green eyes looked upon the snow covered buildings. The frost bitten bridges. Was, that a snowflake. So pretty. Kory shortly, turned her gaze back to Bruce. Company was always best. Better than, being alone.

”How have you been? From what Alfred spoke, you have been quite busy. Not too busy, to find sleep I hope.”

Walking a little bit back towards him. Her hand rubbed her other arm through the sleeve, as her gaze looked over him and sincerely asked how he was, offering a mild bit of concern. Whether or not he cared, she did in fact care about him. Of course, that question maybe vast. Given, she was in the realm of understanding how he lived his ‘double life’, to which she was also accustom to heroes, putting the soldier face on as if nothing was wrong with them. So, she couldn’t be entirely surprised, if Bruce down played how he actually was. Much as Dick, often did. Although, Kory liked to think, it was a little bit different. Dick, seemed to put far more weight of the world on his shoulders, than almost anybody, even Batman if she was being honest. However, from what Alfred had spoke of it, last time she paid him a visit, it didn't sound all that different. Of course, Kory was open to anything, even surprises. She hadn’t seen Bruce in quite some time, so any number of things, she could have missed. Surely, there was perhaps plenty he had missed, though somehow he had a way of finding things out, but that didn’t exactly mean he was keyed in.

[Deleted]

Truth be told, (as it wasn’t a secret to anyone, really…) Bruce wasn’t overly fond of the Tamaranean alien. True enough she fought for the Titans and supported the majority of his cause as the Bat. But also, true enough Kory Anders managed to involve herself with his first ward and protégé Dick Grayson, both as a comrade in the war on crime and as a romantic interest – proving to heavily influence the young man’s decisions in his own stint at leading a masked vigilante double life.

Though there was no actual proof or any real motive from Kory’s end for Bruce’s to feel the way he did about her, he still semi blamed her presence and involvement with Dick as a main, unspoken reason why the young man moved from Gotham to Bludhaven, renouncing his ward ship from Bruce Wayne, his title as Robin, and then to claim the new mantle of Nightwing. And once that split took place? When Dick decided to break free? Bruce let him do just that – barely paying the young man whom he had raised for a better part of 10 or so years any sort of attention. Let alone support.

Still, that was how the dynamics worked between members of the ever allusive Bat Family – all dysfunction without any of the fun. Kory Anders wasn’t technically a Bat Family member – she was a Titans member as Starfire, and a had somehow managed to squirm her way into Dick’s heart, earning his trust – giving her access to specific certain secrets, knowledge, and support. But that was as far as it went. She hadn’t done much in the ways of getting into the Bat’s good graces… Except for maybe saving him from Death by Boredom only a few mere moments ago. That wasn’t saying much.

“Ah, Vivian! Thank you so much! Hey – couldja’ go and grab us some of those spinach and feta finger sandwiches? And something to drink, maybe?” Here was Bruce Wayne, Head CEO of Wayne Enterprises, Inc. looking clean cut, handsome, powerful, radiant, confident, and as friendly as could be once his secretary arrived with Kory Anders in tow. It was like running into an old childhood best friend who was easy to catch up no matter how much time had passed from when you last saw them. His blue eyes bright and lively, his smile sparkling and warm – despite the gloomy grey weather bustling outside in the office view window behind him.

“Miss Anders, have a preference for something to drink?” He asked sincerely, casting his steely gaze over to meet Kory’s. “I’ll take a Perrier, Viv. None of that cheap stock. You know how I like it.” He sent her a wink.

Vivian chuckled, stifling down a blooming blush that started to creep over her cheeks. “Oh Mr. Wayne!”

And once Kory placed her request the secretary hastened herself out of the office with a jump in her step. After the Tamaranean was introduced into his office and the secretary took leave, Bruce’s happy-go-lucky charming smile he was notorious for flashing across many magazine covers and front page press pictures dissolved away into his grim, stoic, hard set expression the Batman wore flawlessly at all times the moment his secretary left them alone in his office. Somehow it was even more intimidating to see on Bruce’s face considering the cowl, cape, and mask weren’t there to help tone back the fierce intensity of such a harsh expression. It was then Kory would take her gaze of child-like wonder and awe around his spaciously luxurious penthouse office.

Perhaps the innocent questions she asked of Bruce just then would’ve been found endearing and maybe even “cute” by most people. Well, Bruce wasn’t most people. Cute wasn’t even in his vocabulary.

“You aren’t seriously here for some social call, are you?” His once friendly, polite, and warm tone had switched and reverted to an icy, grave, dark tone almost as firm and graveled as the Bat’s – but not quite. It was clear however, Bruce was no nonsense and she was stepping in on his territory without an invite. Whatever little graces he held for her were in serious danger of being dropped.

“Is Dick ok?” He then asked, razor sharp gaze eyeing her as if trying to pin her down with Superman’s laser beam heat vision.

[Kory Anders - Starfire]

To put it lightly. There was history. Particularly a history of tension and possibly resentment. Mostly one sided, it would seem. Sure, there were in many ways that made them opposite. Bruce or Batman, wasn’t exactly known for the warmer. More inviting personality. Although, Alfred had assured her on many occasions, that there was much more to Bruce, than he generally led on. Suppose, he just didn’t see Kory as one of those people to show. It was rather sad, she missed it, though she wasn’t going to apologise for things he accused her for doing. They were either misinterpreted or plain wrong. Judgement through shaded if not jaded eyes. Kory had to wonder if, he had ever judged her simply because of who she was. Did he even know who Kory was? Beyond perhaps note points on a blackboard. There was no one and Kory would mean no one. In the universe that knew every inch of her life. Dick was sure the closest, he was the only one Kory told things, she’d more or less rather forget. Though, as much as she had told him, there was plenty she didn’t, the underlining pain could be too much for some others to bare. Bare it she did. As far as she was concerned, there was no telling when or how ones life was going to end. With all the pain that she had endured, she wasn’t going to sit by and not live it. Part of living, particularly here on Earth. Suppose, it was one of the more prominent attractions. Dick Grayson. Whether, Bruce was willing to accept the choices Dick himself made, Kory was in his life. He was a part of hers. He was in ways her family… Bruce was part of Dick’s family. Adopted or not. He was important. Suppose, it was half reason she was here. If she could even offer something, that may fill the gap in the bridge… Even a little bit. Make it easier. A little bit better. She didn’t want to be a reason, Bruce didn’t speak to Dick. She didn’t want to be the thorn in their sides… Whilst, Bruce had the many shades of grey with his personality. Kory wasn’t someone that played in a realm of pretend. The shear kindness she brought as she walked through Bruce’s door, was genuine. As was her smile. Her delight to see him. Sure there was a little hesitation, she couldn’t expect the best, but she wasn’t going to expect the worst either…. She most certainly didn’t expect sandwiches… Especially the finger kind. But she couldn’t deny…

”Oh, those sound delicious… Oh, ah… Maybe just water, please… Thank-you!”

A bright grin came across her golden face, she’d hardly expected Bruce to like finger sandwiches… Or even sandwiches really. Suppose, that was something and suppose she could be a little bit hungry. She hadn’t even thought of food. Let alone any form of beverage. As noted by her somewhat lack in choosing, so she decided water was a safe bet. She really didn’t need anything to distract her or given herself something focus on. Whilst, there was some hesitation, as what she was sensually walking into, she was confident she could do it. Not that, she entirely sure what she was doing. What she had come to say, just knew that something needed to be said. Closure needed to be set at some point. At some scale. Just long enough that, when she walked in a room, with Bruce again, he least looked at her somewhat less of a monster. Than whatever he pictured her now before him. She sincerely couldn’t imagine, he was that judgemental on what she was… It was… Just that similar feeling, he put across. Making the steps towards his window. She hadn’t expected the air in the room to shift as it did. It was surprising just how much it did, just by Bruce’s change in demeanour. It was just a brush against the hairs on the back of her neck, but she felt it more directly. Once she had turned. Faced him. Eyes locked upon his cold. Steel. Gaze. One might have thought, she had skinned his cat. That’s if he even had a cat, well suppose… Kory half looked off, not far as she listened to his words. Stiff and icy cold. Suppose, she had interrupted him… Social call, wasn’t it obvious? It wasn’t like she planned this, so she hadn’t meant to ambush him… She just happened to be outside his door and it seemed opportunity sprang.

”Well, I came to chat. I do prefer to do it in person… So I suppose that is what you call a social call? I’m not as good with the mobile phone and they never vibrate long enough in the front pocket. Which is a shame! Would you have rather me on the phone? Do you even have my number?”

Kory’s voice remained positive enough. Gentle enough, but she was completely honest with him. She was never one to lie or be overly good at it at times. Keeping hush hush on secret identities was easy, that was just sensually protecting a friend. That Kory did superbly. Just as she did with the information she on Bruce. Batman. As she light heartily somewhat suggested it was a social call. She wasn’t exactly on point with all of human customs, so she could really only assume. Just as she perhaps a shared a little too much, before seriously wondering if Bruce had her number. She was pretty sure she had his, but suppose she had it by proxy through Dick. Kory motioned away from the window. Towards Bruce’s desk… Whilst, he had not invited her to do so and normally she’d be polite enough to ask. She took seat upon the chair on the opposite side to his chair. If he objected she’d more than willingly take back to her feet, but hopefully Bruce least saw it as confirmation. That, she did in fact. Want to speak to him. Even if at the end of it, he disliked her all the same as he did before. She least needed to take the step and at least try. Whether for her sake. Whether for Dick’s sake. Or even for Bruce… Sometimes, we really don’t know what we want. Sometimes, we don’t see the larger picture with our pride hanging so high. Kory did not judge him for his distaste for her, she did not resent him for it. She knew that all of it was, a mask. A mask. He blamed everyone. Dick. Titans. Herself, for what drove Dick ‘away’. Whilst, perhaps not taking any of the blame himself and really not taking the steps in forgiving himself, either. Kory couldn’t help, but feel some level of pity in that regards. Some people, like herself. Forgiveness wasn’t a chore… Deep down, she had to believe, Bruce cared. At least half as much as she cared about Dick, that he wanted in what ever way, to have Dick in his life. Placing her purse upon her lap, remaining as calm as she was where she sat, though it honestly almost felt like she was sitting on a cloud. Weightless, as if hardly anything was holding her up. Suppose, she was obvious to that kind of feeling, but this was different.

”We’ve never really gotten to talk, really talk… Dick and I have been back together for over two years now and I don’t plan on going anywhere… It would perhaps do well, to at least try to ease the tension, to make things smoother… If you are still holding resentment towards me… I would like at least the chance, that if you are going to judge me, that you’d judge me fairly… I understand that there is much that may divide us, but I’m sure you would agree. We at least have one thing or rather someone in common… And, I don’t want to be the reason that you don’t speak to Dick… I’m not sure if you are aware, that I actually encouraged him to talk to you. To reach out to you… Though, like I said to him. He can only try so much, before you need to at least meet him half way…”

Kory eased in with her words. She couldn’t entirely be sure how or even if Bruce would hear to them. Twist them. Some perhaps she’d pondered. Perhaps she was making assumptions, but she least wanted to put some expression of what. How she was feeling across to him. Whether or not he cared. Honesty, it wouldn’t really bother if he simply wanted to keep hating her, but sure if there ever the chance to save whatever connection they may have. It was worth saving. As detailed in brief of just how long Dick and she had been together, since she had returned again, to at least just paint the picture, that their relationship wasn’t just a flash in the pan and nor was it her intention to leave. It had never been her intention to leave. As her voice remained calm. Careful. Deep and filled with her emotions dripping from her sleeves. As her eyes could almost flash the sadness in what had forced her to leave Dick in past, it wasn’t by choice. It had literally been by force. Forced by the duty of her planet. Now… Now, she was firm with her feet on the ground, as much as she could bare it. As her green eyes levelled on Bruce, someone she knew the level of importance in Dick’s life. She needed to make light that when Dick wanted to reach out, but was afraid. Kory encouraged him to take that step. To try to talk things out. Not to brag that she did, but perhaps simply to assure Bruce, that she never walked into Dick’s life, to simply push him away from Bruce. Sure, there was perhaps there was some disagreement, in how Kory felt how Bruce had treated Dick, particularly physically. Somehow, a father adopted or not, it just didn’t entirely sit well with her, that he would hit his son. She imagined, Bruce had pained himself over that and the most important part of it. Was Dick still had some desire to have Bruce in his life… Although, with Dick being distant again… As her eye level dropped as Bruce then spoke. Asking about Dick. “Is Dick ok?” Was Dick ok? Kory wasn’t entirely sure she knew.

”Honestly? I don’t know… I thought he was… I thought we were getting better, ever since we lost the baby… We’ve even been in the process of looking for a new home of our own to move into, but ever since Blockbuster was killed… Dick has felt responsible for it. I imagine regret, I know its eating at him and I don’t entirely know what to do about it, without pushing him away. Did you know about the mission? ”

Whilst her eyes looked down, they shiftily briefly to the window as Kory began speaking. Opening up, whether or not Bruce had exactly expected that. Whether or not it would fall flat upon him, even if he even noticed. It was nice to be actually talking about it. Her eyes shifting then upon him, as she mention the brief moments least before Blockbuster’s death, that Kory truly believed things were good. Happy. Particularly since everything that happened surrounding Kory being pregnant, she hadn’t entirely known how much Bruce had known about it, she knew Dick spoke to him at some point, but into how much detail. She couldn’t entirely be sure. In part, it was always reason why she wanted to talk to Bruce. To get rid of any tension she could, because if by the chance she hadn’t lost the baby. She didn’t want him resenting their child, because of her. Kory didn’t have any family, apart from a sister somewhere, but with her often wanting to kill Kory, she was not exactly number one aunt. Not that, there was any plans to have a baby or even try, but the baby they lost hadn’t exactly been planned either. Wonderfully they had moved passed it and as Kory mentioned, they had plans for a new home. Together. Things were brighter… Least until Dick had ended up on the mission that resulted in Blockbuster being killed. Not by Dick’s hand directly, but perhaps he sensually felt that he had. He least felt responsible for it. He didn’t stop it. If anyone knew how Dick felt about killing anyone, Kory knew it. He was the one that helped her resist her instinct in battle and whilst she may not have agreed with it certainly first, to a degree she probably didn’t entirely agree with it. If killing her rapist meant saving her life and obtaining her freedom, she most likely would have done it again. X’hal, knows how many other children he would have tortured, let alone killed. Though, as she had come to spend more and more time on Earth. Even now she did not even feel that instinct anymore, thanks to Dick… Though now, now he was in pain. Guilted. He could try to brush it off, but she knew when he was off. Admitting openly to Bruce, she didn’t entirely know what to do. How to deal with this. She sure was going to try and do whatever she could. Kory slowly, but surely then sank a little deeper in the chair. She at least felt lighter, having told someone. As her depth filled eyes looked upon Bruce, with the slight sign of the sadness. The concern. The worry that was trying to settle upon her. In all the things Bruce thought, he had to at least know, just how much she did truly love Dick. In all her heart, she had loved him from the moment she saw him and like with all tamaraneans. Love, wasn’t something you ever let go off, nor shake it off! Nor would, Kory want to!

[Deleted]

When Kory accepted his offer for lunch, Bruce placed the order for a variety of freshly prepped finger sandwiches and iced water per Kory’s request – iced unsweetened green tea for himself. Before the conversation between the two masked vigilantes became anywhere close to hot and heavy, the lunch order for them arrived and within moments they were once again left to the infallible privacy of Bruce’s office. Now Kory began to talk – really talk much unlike the incessant babbling she had been pestering him with prior. Bruce leaned forward across his desk listening intently to her as she told him of how life had been with Dick since he denounced himself as Bruce Wayne’s ward, removed himself from being Batman’s Robin, and left Gotham… Since Dick rekindled a much deeper and more committed relationship with Kory… Since the formation of the Outsiders… Since the loss of their unborn child… Since the death of Blockbuster…

Really, it was learning of the life Dick had as Nightwing after walking out on his life as Robin. A second life encouraged to be brought into fruition and lived by the manipulative suggestions (most romantic in nature, he was sure) of Kory Anders. It was that white hot coal of deep seeded anger Bruce held onto as some sort of pathetic excuse to explain why Dick officially chose to throw down his mask as Robin forever. Dick moved from his home in Gotham to live in the uncharted city of Bludhaven, quit being Batman’s single most trusted crime fighting partner, Robin, to become the lone vigilante superhero, Nightwing, and left the sacred identity of being ward and heir to Bruce Wayne, to become immersed in some superficial, lust-fueled temporary relationship with Kory.

Though he’d never admit it out loud, Bruce found that he had lost much more than his crime fighting partner, he had lost the closest thing he ever had to calling a son. Had he been ruthlessly hard on the boy since taking him in as his ward all those years ago when Dick too had tragically lost his own parents at a very young age due to an act of crime? Of course he had been hard AND ruthless! Bruce felt he had to be if he were to ensure the young boy’s survival in a city like Gotham; especially if he wanted to guarantee not just how to survive, but how to always be ready and prepared to take action in the name of justice, never being a violated victim of crime ever again.

So, Bruce raised Dick just like that of a soldier, a fighter, a protégé to understand the dire importance of what it means to be Batman and to be a part of the Bat Family, to be Robin. If Dick wanted to use that type of caretaking Bruce raised him with as some excuse to explain why he now feels so slighted, or jaded, abused, mistreated, or whatever! Then so be it. It was utter bullshit as far as Bruce was concerned. Just because Dick refused to see the true cause of the rift between them for what it really is, Kory, didn’t mean Bruce had to play along and dumbly agree. No matter, he had done just fine without Dick… Or so he managed to convince himself. And he happened to observe that Dick hadn’t been doing too half bad on his own, either. Though it was clear he had experienced some significant problems due to some very sloppy mistakes – mistakes that would’ve never been made by Bruce at all to begin with, had he been around…

All these splintered, hot-button emotions now found themselves immediately rising to the surface after being carefully tucked away for so long the very moment Kory entered his office with her little surprise visit and conversation topics of choice. His icy blue gaze narrowed into pointed daggers at her the moment she asked if he even had her phone number.

“Did you really just ask me if I had your number? You do know WHO I am, right?” Bruce snapped coldly at her.

He then took a long drink from his iced green tea allowing the silence to impose just how thick and intimidating the finely built wall was he had put up long ago between himself and her.

“Dick is fully capable of making his own choices now. However brash or poor they may be, given his distraction from ignorant outside influences.” His tone darkened, lowering some.

“You used sex to gain his trust and loyalty – at least when you two first became involved, and proved it wasn’t strong enough to make things work out between you two in the end. Don’t think for a second that I would ever forget that. Now, you’re back together two years strong and going – which, really, the length of time shared doesn’t mean a thing in the long run when it comes to earning the unwavering loyal support from someone you think you love. Or think loves you. Dick always has and always will follow his heart. Look,” Bruce suddenly let out a small, exasperated sigh.

“I understand now that whatever you two have, is more than something superficial… And not the single root cause for Dick choosing to leave Gotham and Robin behind. Looks like you’ve got his heart, Kory.”

A truth he was even a little surprised to hear himself say out loud, especially to the likes of her. But, it was true. No matter how much the white hot coals of anger wanted to deny it. Can’t cover up what is true if it’s simply nothing but the truth. Damnit.

“But!” He sharply and immediately blurted out, interrupting himself. “If you think I’m gonna’ start blowing up your phone with texts about how I love you being my new BFF, then you’re sorely mistaken. I respect what you and he stand for and approve his affiliated formation of the Outsiders.”

His stormy blue gaze met hers in a sudden deadlock. “And whenever a captain has men he must command, he must always be willing to admit this single, ugly truth to himself every given day: one day, one of his men will die and it will be by his directed order, fighting for his cause in the war. It will be his fault as a captain of men and a burden of guilt he alone must bear, no one else. It is his responsibility as a commanding captain to continue on by leading the rest of his men forward in strength, learning not to repeat past mistakes by staying ever prepared for future threats, in order to accomplish the most important mission: winning the war. If he cannot face that single, ugly truth every given day, then he has no business being a captain of any sort of command, sure as hell no business fighting in this war.”

He paused a moment, his eyes slipping down away from hers to briefly glance at her stomach while she sat before him quietly listening.

“… Still, no amount of strength or preparation or guilt baring can ever return those to life after being taken by death.” His gaze still lowered, tone a hair softer now when he spoke. “I’m sorry for your loss – both of you.”

He shifted quietly in his oversized executive office chair, straightening himself up to regain his more notorious rigid posture in exchange for the somewhat soft and open stance he had fleetingly displayed before her just a mere moment ago.

“Whatever he is going through… He at least has you to go through it with him. Keep it that way. He’s better off having you for support, rather than pushing him into talking with me.”

Bruce now swiveled his chair to have the side of his profile face Kory, taking a moment to silently look out his wall-sized office window view displaying a sight of endlessly tangled rows sporting dreary grey skyscrapers to make up downtown Gotham City. Her words about Dick showing a willingness to maybe meet Bruce halfway in order to talk things out between the two of them managed to actually put a slight damper on those fiery hot coals of his within. His annoyance with Kory even seemed to lessen, even if it was only slightly. Still choosing to face the view of the city-scene rather than her, Bruce finally replied in an even, unassuming, stoic tone.

“I knew about it and about Roland’s death. I always keep tabs.”

Maybe the loss of their unborn child, followed by Roland Desmond’s untimely death, not to mention the added responsibility of heading the Outsiders was finally taking its toll on Dick Grayson. And given the fact that Dick was the first to be willing to make the journey in meeting Bruce halfway only proved Bruce’s deduction to be fairly accurate – the stress was starting to crack and break him down. He wanted help and not help from just anyone, he wanted Bruce’s help. Kory was truly here not even to so much mend whatever pathetic excuse of a “friendship” (if you could even dare call it that!) between she and Bruce, but more so she had come to see Bruce unexpectedly on her own accord in effort to help and support Dick in the best way she knew how.

That fact didn’t escape Bruce for a second once he was able to contemplate and familiarize himself with all that had been going on in Dick and Kory’s lives. Kory would just then gain an ounce more respect with Bruce – which in turn would present itself as a slightly less harsh tone he would now use whenever talking to her. If the given circumstance required that he even had to talk to her, that is.

“I presume Dick has no idea that you decided to stop by and play catch up with me today, right? But since you said he’s willing to meet halfway… It wouldn’t be out of my way to meet him there too, I suppose. Only when I get the time and ability to do so.”

He looked back to Kory. “A possible time would be my nightly typical patrol, Dick knows the hours and the route if he’s interested.”

That was the best olive branch Kory would get from this man – a true victory!

[Kory Anders - Starfire]

The room had seemed for just that brief moment. That little bit brighter. Least brighter than this man’s cave. Of course, Kory should have expected it was most likely going to change. Perhaps in part she did expect it. She certainly did not expect it to change so much. Maybe… Just maybe, she was throwing him the benefit of the doubt. Whatever the hell that was worth to him… Her eyes had beamed that little bit with the sandwiches. The beverage placed in reach upon the table. Her heighten sense of smell… Yes, perhaps a lesser known fact about tamaraneans, they had much stronger sense of smell than humans. Kory could certainly smell the spinach… Feta. Her golden fingers made a effort to pick up one of the fingers. She really hadn’t even thought of food. Surprising, how it changed… Well, somewhat. No, matter how it may seem. How she may seem. She very much gave her attention and she was always one for a chat… Even if one before her, wasn’t much of a chatter box. She did not know why, she found it somewhat sad… He wasn’t the only one, many humans on this planet had a tendency to hide. Not just their emotions, but who they were sometimes… Generally, she could read people. Least their emotions. Often better than they could, but Bruce… He was a cold book, to say the least… Though from what she could gather, whether or not it was even remotely at his surface. She felt pain. Least in past that he pointedly tried so hard to hold on. Something, she never could understand why humans do. Why live in the past? Why not live in the now? Even as the door was shut and they were alone. Kory most certainly then felt the entire feeling of this room shift. As if darts, his eyes were cold as ice upon her. Kory most certainly felt them. There was the slight feeling of unease. She wasn’t going to deny that, but she wasn’t going to let that shake her. With all that she had face in live up to this point… This, this was certainly not the hardest part. This, this was easy. Communication. As much as humans may not always be reminded, it was definitely a valuable thing in life. Of course. Communication, didn’t always mean talking, but well. Kory could certainly hold up a conversation. If anything, put it down to being suppressed for so many years, when given the chance to speak. She was going to speak and speak her mind. She was going to go where ever her emotions led her to be. Even as she had initially entered Bruce’s office space. She hadn’t anything particular in mind until the very moment she spoke. When the emotions came to her in a instant.

Taking a bite mid sandwich. Or, suppose mid finger. Now, there was a thought. Bruce cold snap, in his questioning. Snapped her attention to it. She was a little surprised out of what she had actually said. That was what he got out of it… In his questioning. Wasn’t that sort of redundant? Kory did not return a dumb look, if that was supposedly what he may have been expecting.

”Well, you can never be too careful. You have any idea how many phones and numbers I go through? As good as your signals can be, they don’t exactly hold up in space… Of course… You’re Jackie Chan!”

Kory answered quite honestly. She sure had assumed he may have had her number, but in all her powers. She may have some chance to read his emotions, but she couldn’t read his mind. Though knowing how she went through phone, after phone. After phone. Whether it was smashed. Lost. Or, died in space. That was a mistake very easy to make, when you aren’t thinking about your phone being with you. Whilst phones may seem oddly and in someway a creepy way, very important to humans. It was decidedly less important to Kory. Sure keeping in touch with friends, was important, but well. She tended to do that with or without a phone. Though not to over think it, it had simply been a simple question she had asked. Not entirely serious. Certainly not anymore, than her response to asking if she knew who he was. Of course, her sarcasm could be debated whether it was good or not. She didn’t nail it like humans did. Not that she didn’t enjoy trying. Their play on their own language was incredibly amusing. Once when it had been completely confusing to her, it was decidedly less so now. Not that, it would have eased any of the continuing cold vibes Bruce was still pushing towards her. Judging her. It was plain to see the negativity in his eyes. His critique of her… She nodded in agreement, to Dick making his own choices. Whether one would deem them good and bad. Having been beside Dick through many of his so called ‘ups and downs’. It was very clear to her, that he succeeded far more, than he ever failed. X’hal, knew. How paranoid he could be to everything at once. The pressure he put on himself, was easy to feel. Not just her, but all the titans felt it… Kory frowned a little in the mentioning of distractions. What is it with this notion, that she was a distraction? If she was, she wasn’t a very good one. If she was, Dick would be with her far more that he was, particularly through the day. Though suppose, she was good supposed distraction when he was burning himself out. When he needed a reminder to take time for himself. For some of the more simpler things in life. Then, well she wasn’t entirely sure that was a bad distraction, if it was helping him from completely losing his mind…

Then, more words came from Bruce’s mouth. Accusations, as if they were facts. However, much he was believing them to be. They were not facts. Not to mention, quite offensive in her humble opinion. Kory didn’t entirely believe he had intended them to be offensive, but she couldn’t lie it felt offensive… They were, if Bruce ever thought he knew a thing about who Kory was. That he would even suggest, she would use sex… In any forceful or manipulative way. Whatever, joy may have been expressed upon her demeanour, it was greatly washed away. Kory put the finger sandwich on the table before her. Whilst she did not breathe as a human did. She did take some slight moment. A pause. As a deep building of emotions, perhaps anger was building within. Not in a berserker level, but suppose she wasn’t completely far from throwing a chair through a window. You can never be too careful. Though no. It was a defensive emotion, that she wasn’t about to let anyone dictate who she was. Throw around accusations, that she knew weren’t true. She didn’t need to prove herself to anyone, but she knew exactly how much she had to fight. To endure, when she was captive… To even be accused, in anyway… Well, Kory wasn’t going to deny it, it stung. Oh, it very much stung… Perhaps, deeply than Bruce had even imagined and Kory couldn’t expect him to. Whilst, she hadn’t walked in his shoes. He hadn’t walked a day in hers, either. Her bright green eyes, welled with the anger and tears that were caught in the corners. To even remotely imagine she would ever do that to someone…. Let alone, Dick. Kory looked away, in utter detest at the idea. As her golden hands, subtly dug in the arm of the chair.

”X’hal knows, I would never use sex for anything other than for pleasure. With passion. Having been used for sex, in quite forceful and countless vile ways… To have escaped that… Never would I do that to another, in any remotely forceful or manipulative ways… ”

Whilst, there was quite a bitter feeling, she was feeling and perhaps giving off. Her voice was still quite calm, but with evidently heavy with her truest emotions. Her honesty, she wasn’t going to apologise for enjoying her comfort in her sex life. It was her life and it was her body. She was free as Dick was and if anything she had the right to enjoy every ounce of peace it gave her. Because unlike when she was forced, now… Now it was in her free will… Not that she entirely believed she was gonna have sit down about her sex life with Bruce, but she wasn’t going to just sit back and let it be used against her. Of course, chances she couldn’t make Bruce believe her, but unlike humans. Lying wasn’t something she was entirely capable of and genuinely very bad at it, when she was. It was hard to even imagine and Kory couldn’t bare a thought to imagine she’d do any sort of thing to Dick. Not in even the slightest way… It hurt her, so incredibly deeply to even think of hurting him in anyway. That if Bruce seriously thought she had manipulative Dick in anyway to gain anything, then Kory understood why he may detest her as he did, but he couldn’t be more wrong

”If you honestly, believe that I would do any of the sort to gain anything from Dick. I have not. I would not. I would never seek to trap him, let alone hurt him… Believe me, I have and I would give him any space that he needs… It took two years before he asked me out. I would have gone out a lot sooner, if I had simply gone by my desire. His is just as important to me… You can be assured there was plenty of loyalty and trust, amongst many other qualities build long before we slept together… We spent so many days and nights together… ”

Where Kory’s eyes had lowered in the feeling of the deep pain she had felt in even the thought. She then most prominently. Lifted her eyes to Bruce. Even lent somewhat over the table. In evidence as she expressed to him, that she had never done anything remotely to Dick. Nor had she any desire to. Whatever Bruce’s opinions were, they mattered the least, than Bruce concerned she would in any shape or form hurt Dick. She loved Dick with all her being. Freely as she accepted his love. Even as he trailed her mind, every single feel and thought of him. As always tingled every inch of her skin. Caused her pulse to tense and race… As made a point to express that from the moment they had met, when she had kissed him. Absorbed language. Knowledge. Though, Bruce may have had the impression, that she had instantly jumped his bones, and even if she had desired to do so. That wasn’t exactly how it happened. Dick was a little more at a crossroads as to what ever it was that he was beginning to feel for Kory and not wanting it to tangle it up in the team work… Of course when he finally accepted his feelings and asked her out, it became quite clear how their relationship didn’t tangle up with the team work. There was, as Kory spoke. So many days and nights, side by side. Whatever the state of their relationship, there was no doubt they would always be friends. Best friends. Titans, was a family. Sharing not just team work, thrust. Loyalty. Life. Love. Not just on the battle field, but in many aspects of their lives… Kory leant back in her chair, as she brought back in a reminder of when Dick and herself were broken apart. She couldn’t entirely say it was even a break up. Neither of them, had wanted it nor chose it… It was one of the unfortunate struggles they had to deal within their relationship. No relationship was perfect or smooth. Kory wasn’t about to even suggest the relationship was perfect.

”Lack of strength in our love had nothing to do with why we were broken apart, it wasn’t even us. I had a duty to my planet, I suppose looking back I should have tried harder to refuse, I just couldn’t say no to my father, my planet… Though I did try, I begged Dick to stay with me on Tamaran, but in all that I wanted… I couldn’t force him and he couldn’t bare to share me… There is no words to describe how shattered both of our hearts were… It wasn’t a lack of love… Whilst I may have come somewhat accustom to human ways, I still am not human. Tamaraneans. We do not just fall in or out of love. We love eternally… It isn’t something I think… I know. I feel.”

Kory expressed as openly as she naturally always did. Whatever Bruce knew of the ‘break up’, Kory could easily gather Dick hadn’t actually told him much if anything. If what Donna had accounted when Dick had returned home from tamaran, he had literally became a hermit in his apartment, depressed and shut off not to just Bruce, titans. Everyone. It had been rough… Extremely rough. For both of them. Though being Tamaranean, living in the past was exactly a natural thing. So she had eventually tried to live in the present, but the pain in watching Dick leave her. Watching his heart break, was horrendous to say the least… Though at the time, she had been convinced she had no choice, that she couldn’t refuse her father, her planet, again. It wasn’t a choice she could so easily just choose, no matter how much she had wanted a life with Dick on Earth or anything… Later, in some reflection, she could have tried a little harder, as Dick had said in the first place, but he himself later realised Kory couldn’t say no. She wasn’t someone that could just turn her back on her planet, when they needed her. As much as she loved her friends. Dick. Earth. She loved Tamaran… What little time she had grown on it before she was given over to the citadel, she never stopped loving where she was from. It was in her DNA. It was was in her heart, as her eyes both softened and slightly broke. At the reminder of her last memories of Tamaran exploding… Thus, allowing her to return to Earth, not just because she wanted to. She had no other place to call home. As any tamaranean would, she took motion to move on. She looked for strength… Kory’s guard did relax more, as Bruce signed and in what effort that he could afford. He was seemingly showing some level of understanding. Whether or not he was completely agreeing… He was perhaps in more frame of mind to realise the way their lives were at, that perhaps in accepting it. Maybe not in it entirety, but in some degree. It wouldn’t bring the world to an end. Kory’s brow shifted at his words of ‘superficial’. Suppose, if she was human that would be a consideration, but she wasn’t human. If anything, one could suggest she was too honest… Her relationship with Dick, was definitely real. Her lips softened into somewhat of a smile, as Bruce seemed to lessen blame towards her. But, she wasn’t so sure she’d agree she had Dick’s heart. It expressed procession, that Dick’s heart of only occupied by herself. That just wasn’t true. There was plenty of room in it for who he deemed family and friends. Though romantically, sure they were exclusive. Call them jealous, Kory had to smile, but hell their love was freely given between them.

”I am certain I am in his heart. As he is in mine. I do not know if I am his, but he is my soul mate… Whether it felt like that to you, Dick never left you behind. He was always there, when you needed him… Whilst Robin was a very prominent and important part in his life. He was forgetting himself. There maybe many factors, but that is the main reason he left. To find and to better understand himself… Believe me, it was a surprise to us all when he officially dropped Robin… You may blame us. For ‘changing’ him, but all we did was accept him and love him… What ever the mask, he will always be Dick Grayson. I saw that when I met him… You will always be important in his life, as will the Flying Graysons and Titans be. It shouldn’t be a surprise that he wanted to fly. He was meant to fly, as I born to fly!”

Not one to keep much her thoughts nor her feelings to herself. She surely expressed that as she responded to Bruce. To an extent disputing that Dick had left Bruce. The bat Family and Gotham behind. Suppose on some minor surface, he did, but Kory couldn’t believe that had truly been Dick’s intent. It wasn’t like Bruce hadn’t pushed Dick away, nor even cut him off. Suppose, one gets the cold shoulder a certain amount of times, maybe one shouldn’t be surprised they’d return the favour… Having literally lived alongside Dick during most of it, Kory knew it hadn’t lasted before Dick either reached out again or leant aid when it was needed. There was once a time when Dick had his responsibilities spread between New York with the Titans, Bludhaven by himself and Gotham alongside Batman. Whilst of course he was living with Kory at the time, to say he was thinly spread out and stressed was an understatement. Suppose he’s not really Dick Grayson, if doesn’t think he can carry the weight of an entire world upon his shoulder. Maybe even multiple worlds if he had too. At a point, something had to give and that was when he chose to leave Robin behind. He couldn’t really be Robin if he couldn’t fully commit to being a sidekick and he’d long passed being simply a sidekick. Long passed… Kory recalled being not just surprised, but shocked when he officially dropped Robin. He had never discussed that with her nor anyone at the time, thus naturally she had jumped to the conclusion he was leaving the titans not just Robin, but that wasn’t the case. In taking what time to finally become Nightwing. He did remained a titan. It was a family in quite a different way than the Bat family. Not too suggest that the Bat Family wasn’t important, as Kory very much expressed it was. Bruce was, not that she needed to be the one to say it, but there was much more to Dick Grayson than Robin. Or any mask. He did not play up the man like Bruce or live so fully in the suit like Batman, it don’t work. It certainly worked for Bruce. For Batman, but as much as Dick maybe similar in ways. He was his own identity. His own man. What had he to be ashamed of in being Dick Grayson let alone Nightwing? To assume he’d ever turn his back on any valuable lessons he had learned, is to lower your expectations of the man, for he held things far more closer to his chest than suppose even Kory could. He did begin his life as a flying Grayson. Kory was adamant he was suppose to fly as she was born to.

”X’hal… I swear that hadn’t even occurred to me… Besides, I already have a boy friend forever… Though I’d never push away any amount of care. Whatever level of care you may have in you’re heart… You do have mine, for however much it is worth. Despite what differing opinions we have, I do respect you… I didn’t exactly come with the intention of being friends, just at least for something more civil. I do not care for negativity in my life. I will not simply stand to be dragged down.”

Kory was taken back by the words Bruce had said. Interrupting himself to clarify he was most likely not going to give her any friendly calls… Or call her his BFF… She responded with a subtle amusing tone upon her tone, but make no mistake there was a level of truth in it. Despite whether his impression of her was a kin to a sixteen year old human, in truth she was neither… It seemed rather a bizarre thing to imagine Bruce calling her for a simple chat. To speak joyfully. Let alone call her his friend… Not that she was passed being surprised. There was always hope. Yes, she was playing with the whole BFF thing. As Kory reclaimed the finger sandwich she had put on the table. Taking another bite. As she amusingly remembered Beast boy’s take on BFF. It was a human thing, to shorten words. Even the use of sarcasm was a human thing. On her planet, people always said what they meant. Although Kory would certainly admit the sarcasm could be quite amusing. Even if it was completely foolish, suppose that was the point… Though reclaiming more of her genuine sincerity to least express that, whatever their view was upon each other. She did in some matter of way care about Bruce and that she wouldn’t close off to him, if he had any amount for her. She had always respected him, didn’t mean she’d get along with him. He was a cold person. She was a warm person, suppose it was natural they clashed. She wasn’t going to hold her breath. In reality, if it wasn’t for Dick, she probably wouldn’t have bothered. She aimed for positivity in her life and pushed out the negativity as much as she could. Which she wanted to make clear. She’d only extend the chance for whatever level of peace, he may be willing to take. He could have any opinion on her he wanted, but it didn’t mean she had to listen to them. Or sit here with dagger stares. Did she care what he really thought? Not really, no. But it didn’t make it any less uncomfortable, if she was uncomfortable. She’d easily removed herself elsewhere, where she did feel comfortable… Though honestly. Now. She felt comfortable enough.

”If you are just using your people, you may find you are bound to lose them… Are you talking about a captain in general or a particular captain?”

Kory wasn’t entirely sure where Bruce was intending his words on captain for. War and mindsets on them were quite different here than it was where she was from. Where she had been trained. She was thoroughly well trained warrior, which perhaps could be often over looked by her joyful and sweet nature, but make no mistake about it. Her warrior training. Instincts were very much there when she needed them. Where joy was gone, anger often took its place. Kory’s response was more just an overall opinion in considering really anyone as just something to command and forgetting that they were also someone. She was not only supposed to be a warrior. She had been in training and preparation to one day be queen to an entire planet. That at a time had been her own destiny in mind… Until of course she became a slave and realised she could never lead. Curious as she wasn’t entirely sure where Bruce’s commits were directed at, Kory did question who Bruce was maybe referring to as captain. Himself? Dick? Roy? General? Though her curious look, remained. It shifted. As Bruce’s gaze. His demeanour, whilst to an extent was still cold, but his guard was much lower. Which was actually surprising, yet nice that it was. Even if it was by a little bit. From ways that Dick had talked about Bruce, there was much that he kept guarded. Thus where Dick obviously got the similar trait from. Though differences, Dick was generally still much warmer… As Bruce’s eyes dropped. Then spoke of un-returning death and she knew he was talking about the baby… Maybe even Jason, as much as Bruce may treat the Robins like soldiers, somewhere. He must surely love them as sons, even if he lacks showing it…. Kory’s own eyes fell, as she was reminded of the baby, she didn’t even get a chance to know. Though she had as she always did moved on as she supposed to, with her mind brought back. Along with reminding emotions. The hints of the sadness, certainly crept… X’hal, even some of the guilt, as regret was never something Kory did, but in this… She entirely couldn’t stop it and it was horrible… But she knew, in all the thoughts that if there was a chance she could have done something different… That maybe… But, she knew. There was no maybe. The sad and bitter truth. It was how it was. In the unexpected softness in Bruce’s condolences. It did peak a smile from her lips. In gratitude. In some unspoken understanding.

”Gratitudes… It was quite… Unexpected… If it had, I sometimes wonder if it would have been different… I am happy I had Dick in the end of it all… He is my constant!”

Kory truthfully and full heartedly meant her words as much as the emotions expressed behind them. As her eyes looked more directly upon Bruce. Sharing quite personally, perhaps more than she expected, but she was generally led by her emotions. There was still a smile. A even softened touch to it, but there was the gleam of sadness in her eyes. With her eyes bright green, the sadness dimmed them ever so slightly, but the light wasn’t completely gone. She was sad at was, she never could lose herself in what was. Though she could also deny that she had to wonder, had she known she was pregnant… That she could have made an effort, not to lose it. Even if it hadn’t been something they were completely ready for, it didn’t take away the fact… She had always desired to have a family with Dick, one day… To have had it so close and slip away. Was a little rough… Whatever happened, she knew she shouldn’t have kept it from him, like she had. It was so out of her character… She expected when Dick didn’t speak to her, that it could be forever… But, he did come back… When she had feared losing him… He was there. Her heart certainly swelled at the emotions. The feelings rushed through, with what had been lost. She needed him… Though shifting again with an little more edge of sadness. No, concern. As happy and as ok, things can seem to go. They’re way or more pointedly Dick’s way. Often at times. He slips. Or at least it feels like he is slipping away. Kory smiled, at it was warmed from her heart. As Bruce spoke of Dick having her. Her support. He had always had her support. She most certainly wanted to give. More than he wanted it at times… Kory frowned. Not at Bruce, but at herself. When he suggested that she was pushing Dick into talking to Bruce. Was that what she was doing?

”Is that what I am doing? I don’t want to push him. I don’t want to be between anything, if I am… I just want him to be happy. For the most part, he is wonderful, but sometimes. He just won’t talk about it or he’ll avoid it… I know often he wants space. More than I sometimes know how to give… ”

Kory asked Bruce, she knew that hadn’t been her intent, she’d simply want to try to give the chance for a bridge. If a bridge was needed. She didn’t want to be in between, whatever she may have been between. Perhaps on some part she may always be, but the relationship between Bruce and Dick. Was between the two of them. Of course, Kory would support Dick, no matter what. He was a wonderful human being, even more wonderful than anyone Kory had ever met, that she couldn’t understand why Bruce didn’t want him in his life, but in all they tried, If Bruce still wanted to push Dick away, then that was on Bruce. All Kory cared about was Dick’s happiness. She knew Dick sometimes far more than he knew himself. Though same could be said the other way around. As open as Kory was, far more open than most on this planet, he was still the one who knew her the most. Friends. Allies. She’d fought many times beside him. With him. That there was nothing in life, she wouldn’t walk through, she of course hoped to walk through everything hand in hand, but unlike on Tamaran. Where there was no secrets. No desire to be alone. To want space. Yet it, was often a human desire. Particularly for Dick. Sometimes, he just wanted to feel guilt. Even suffer in silence. As Kory had often watched him do on the balcony. With all her naturally desires to comfort him. Bundling up emotions, just wasn’t natural, but as Donna has often helped Kory navigate the more confusing traits of humans. More or less, particularly in men. Or even Dick. It still wasn’t overly easy. Though sure Kory tried. Though it was never knew for Dick to take things so fully heartedly and to himself. Suppose he was so caught up in whatever mistake he thought he’d made, he just wasn’t forgiving himself. Naturally beating himself over and over. As Roy said, Dick needed time to straighten himself out, its that time of the month.

”He told you…? I can forgive him not telling me, I just wish I knew what I did or didn’t do if he’s not trusting me! He has nothing to prove to me!”

There was an assumption in her questioning. Kory was less surprised if Bruce knew, simply because ‘he knew everything in his city’ kind of way, but had Dick actually told him? Prior to going into the mission? It wasn’t like Dick didn’t jump occasionally into things without some communication. The fact for whatever reason he purposely didn’t tell her, was what bothered her, than the fact he didn’t tell her. Whilst she didn’t care for secrets, she understood in their line of ‘work’, particularly his, there was secrets he felt needed to be kept. This was different. Knowing the bits she did know, she couldn’t help wonder if he had felt pressure into this. Its not the first time, he took on more than he was prepared for. He needed to tell her these things or least feel that he can tell her these things. He certainly could take care of himself for the most part, it didn’t make her value his life any less. As tough as he thought he was and what he actually was. He was human. He didn’t need to deal with everything alone. In officially moving in and buying a home together. She imagined they were very much in this together. That trust wasn’t a problem…

”No… I didn’t exactly plan this… I certainly will tell him… Although, I half imagine, he already knows if Wally told him… Time, I understand… Ability? I’d never would expect to hear you lack in that department… I’ll pass that long. I can’t know for sure, but I somewhat don’t doubt he’ll be interested.”

Openly Kory confessed, mildly guilty, but she hadn’t planned it. Though suppose she hadn’t exactly told him when he was texting her. She sort of already knew what he would have said and she would have most likely come anyway. She generally didn’t back down from anything, whatever fears she always made a point to face them head on. To get rid of them. Not that she did not have inner fears she may be somewhat in denial about, that was a slightly different thing. Kory did however, had every intention of telling Dick whenever she did see him today. Evening. If not, she’d tell him on the phone. There was the chance Wally told him, Kory looked off recalling, not bothered in the least if he had. She was never one for secrets anyway. Kory did smile and nod in Bruce agreeing. Well, in his own way agreeing to meet half way… Time, was an expected excuse. Suppose ability was, though it seemed oddly amusing, given who and what this man was. Either side. Batman… Bruce Wayne. Maybe he lacked super hero powers, but did he really lack power? Were, they not in his fancy erect tower? Eating finger sandwiches? Was this not a man that supposedly knew how to get what he wanted? Kory smiled amusingly in her playful banter… She very much intended to tell Dick much of what happened, she could guess wrong, but knowing Dick… She’d have to guess he was interested. At least now, if he hadn’t.

”If you were ever interested in a different route… You are most welcome to visit our home… We have our own perfectly placed balcony… Even a sofa, well not in its entirety at this current state. Thats a mistake Dick is happily paying for.”

Whilst eating more of the finger sandwiches. Kory did offer to Bruce, that he was welcome to visit him. It seemed fair given she occasionally, perhaps more than occasionally visited his home. Though suppose his life good be far too busy. Alfred did mention that in somewhat detail last time. It was that much different to how Dick could be. No wonder, Bruce was cold as he was. He probably rarely even slept, let alone even did anything remotely out of his ‘work’ zone… Either way, he was welcome. In or out, as she mentioned the privacy of the balcony… The comforts. The sofa. Though she didn’t get far into that, before recalling it was in a need of repair to say the least. Kory couldn’t help, but lightly laugh. It sounded far more suggestive than to what actually happened. Thus half the reason Dick proclaimed, the need of the extra space for the new home… So to, better practice his ‘cool’ moves. Well, Kory called them that. They were very impressive, as evident with the sofa. For once the damage wasn’t from her. At that thought, Kory finished the rest of the finger sandwich.

[Deleted]

To say that Bruce had been expecting a rebuttal from the Tamaranean would definitely be the understatement of the day; he actually used the strategy of purposely behaving quite harshly with her in the start of their conversation so that she’d become defensive and inadvertently expose the true intent of her visit right in the very beginning. Though he kept discrete and meticulous tabs on her motives, listening for the smallest slip of any kind, her reason for being there hadn’t faltered once and had remained crystal clear: Dick needed help. It was obvious that she didn’t just care about Dick, she truly loved him. After all, here she was on her own accord, willingly subjecting herself to that oh-so-special type of scrutiny only Bruce was capable of giving, in some Hail Mary attempt of trying to best help Dick.

Hell, he’d never say it out loud, but damn if she didn’t have some moxy to her! A trait to be admired yes, but even more so to be cautious of – mixing bravery with logical was like mixing honesty with Gotham’s politicians. His lips twitched suddenly, giving hint of a ghost smirk when Kory asked for clarification of his captain-soldier-military analogy. Aliens. They really should have to first pass a test demonstrating acceptable social skills before being allowed to make Earth their new home. He simply dismissed her question about his captain reference with a shake of his head.

“People are assets, not tools. Assets get dismissed, tools get lost. I’ve never confused the two.”

Bruce now went to sparingly nurse his cold beverage growing silent once again as he listened to Kory’s justifications, concerns, and reasons all expressed on Dick’s behalf, in hopes of gaining approval and support from the man who was considered to be the closest thing to a parent Dick had in life. There hadn’t been any question or doubt in Bruce’s mind when he had made the decision to adopt the small 8-year old Dick Grayson who eerily shared the similar grim fate of becoming tragically orphaned after the sudden murder of his own parents, raised as his heir of Wayne Manor – trained as his protégé of vigilante justice.

He made Dick who and what he was… A gifted curse… Somehow taking comfort beneath the surface of his jealousy, to find himself proud of the man Dick was turning out to be – he still had the light of hope shining behind his eyes, he hadn’t been jaded into the dark void of shadows like Bruce had been… Not yet. That notion alone was worth his stepping in to assess the situation. That notion alone was never to be heard spoken out loud, either. Kory being the one responsible for that notion alone to even exist at all!

“Like I said, I keep tabs. Especially when it comes to MY city. There isn’t much that goes on in Gotham I’m not aware of, first hand. Dick didn’t tell me anything, I found out by means of my own. Means that don’t come with the drama demanding trust and approval.”

He squared his jaw some and then leaned forward, tilting ominously closer to her as he sat behind that colossal marbled desk, taking shape of imposing statuesque gargoyle whose lurking form of solid stone was hidden in disguise as a wealthy businessman, wearing a classy business suit, in a snazzy business office. Only the sudden low drop in his deep tone that made his voice now dark, harsh, and graveled, would be the giveaway of the Bat prowling within.

“Look, seeing the way things are changing in Gotham with Arkham City opening soon, I’m not about to leave. But… After taking all things into consideration, I’ve decided to go ahead and send out an all call alert for any justice defenders to come to Gotham and take claim of a watch post over Arkham City. If Dick is interested, door’s open for invite.”

[Kory Anders - Starfire]

It was surprisingly shocking how easily Bruce threw accusations along with his thoughts upon her. In responding… Speaking not just from her own mind, but her heart… He sat there in silence. Utter silence, despite the fact he’d very pointedly aimed at her heart. Was that inferior or some suffering apology on his part. Apologises, didn’t exactly seem to be something one would expect to come from him. Suppose, he truly believed what he said. What he felt and what he believed. He was entitled and Kory couldn’t simply changed it. Though, she sure tried. Kory just had to hope that under the many faces, Dick had warned her about, that perhaps somewhere there was actual compassion. Or some level of empathy, that he’d not be completely fair in his views on her, at least not all of them. Least in anything she’d given him much to think about, if it was easier for to process things alone in the dark. Or he was completely just playing her and she wasn’t noticing it. Kory was most often genuine. Though she wasn’t completely without perception. People quite often perceive her to be far more or far less that she actually was. She was stronger than many realised she was. Not just in shear strength, but being weak was suppose to be in a tamaranean’s nature. One always needed to be strong. Suppose one could imagine the slight complications. The struggle herself may be in denial when she was made a slave. Though is not wrong that she is adamant in was in that believe and in that strength that had kept her alive. She could have very easily succumbed as many others had as a slave and there was even a brief moment in time she had herself sort death. She bared and pushed through. Waited until the time came she could bite and claw her way to freedom… Going ‘home’, after that. Wasn’t so easy. Somehow in a twisted turn of events, maybe fate. Kory found herself in a place that at times is quick to alienate her, but quite a few that did in fact made her feel at home. People that not only fought along side her, but for her as well. People she would go to great lengths to protect herself, not just because they were an asset. They were also a friend… Suppose Bruce had simply meant Captain in an overall generalisation, not Dick nor Roy in particular in their leadership roles. Kory would have to say from experience. They were not quite as Bruce described, Bruce wasn’t there. Particularly in the times that counted. What harden expressions laid upon her golden features had softened to this point. She wasn’t so completely forsaken to realise exactly where she was and why she was here. Even if much of it she had gone by instinct. As Kory took for another finger sandwich and a sip from her water. She halted in mid sip as Bruce then uttered his next words. To that she had to wonder if he was in some way being calculating… She just didn’t understand why…

”Assets?! Is that all you see? For some humans a car is an asset and from what I have heard they can be easily lost… Though I suppose, you don’t have to worry about that! You can just replace them!”

Kory certainly wouldn’t deny people could indeed be assets, but to her that wasn’t where one started or ended. From the impression she got. She couldn’t not ask, if that was truly the entirety of how Bruce saw people. It certainly made sense with the demeanour and everything that he did express. Why he sensually kept people at distance. In bringing up the fact humans could dub many things an asset, particularly cars.. Suggesting to the many Bruce had to replace them… Of course in her words. There was a little more of a hint in her accusations. Not out of bitterness, more realisation as her eyes even dropped at the thought. Because it wasn’t like he didn’t attempt to sensually replace Dick with Jason as Robin and that in itself didn’t work out so well for Jason either. Kory wanted to believe, that Bruce didn’t honestly feel that way. That such people in his life were that expendable, regardless of position. But if did. Well, then he probably wouldn’t be completely immune to feeling exactly how she felt about that. Whatever the X’hal it was. Jealousy. Resentment…. It was getting way to old. They were getting to old, for Kory to try and attempt to mend whatever kept them a part…

”Keeping tabs? Exactly how much do you spy on? I’m not demanding anything… Its simply a matter of feeling out of touch. There is a problem and rather than sitting on the sidelines. I’d like to try to find some resolve… Whatever drama there is, that comes, I’m not just going to give up.”

To suggest Kory was at least a little uncomfortable was, an understatement. Still she couldn’t entirely imagining keeping tabs wasn’t the same as being involved. Suppose if he had truly been that close, then maybe she wouldn’t of had to come here and try to find peace… In this she was also realising, if Dick hadn’t told Bruce, he was high likely not talking to anyone. Her eyes looked to Bruce in his, least she took it as he was suggesting she was demanding. She was quite sure she wasn’t, it certainly was not in her intentions and she wasn’t about to let him put words in her mouth. Kory had never not accepted Dick for who he is. Kory knew Dick well enough to know when something is wrong, when he isn’t being himself. Whilst it maybe easy staying on the outside, she wasn’t going to entirely judge Bruce for making the decisions that he made, but Kory couldn’t just sit. Watch nor let Dick suffer in silence. Kory wasn’t oblivious to the fact bad things and rough patches happened. It was life. There was no problem to big to be overcome, to at least try.

”Bruce, you know you need not have to ask it… Of either of us, really… It is what we do after all… I can pass on the message to Roy, if you were wishing to extend the invite for the Outsiders? Maybe even to Victor, if you needed any Titans?”

Whilst, Kory couldn’t exactly answer for Dick, she had a pretty good guess he wouldn’t hesitate to help. Even despite whatever personal baggage there maybe, he generally left that at the door when it came to saving the world. As Kory responded even with herself included if Bruce needed her, with a giving smile that beamed even to her green eyes. She had never sought to be his enemy and she wasn’t about to start now. Just as Dick could. Kory could very much be full on deck on the battle field. She would always be a warrior. Her bubbly and kind nature wasn’t the only thing to come so natural to her. She did however, offer to pass the message on to Arsenal and Cyborg. If Bruce in need of more defenders. As handy as Nightwing and Starfire could be. More hands are always better than one. Of course she couldn’t guarantee they’ll say yes, but being fellow teammates and also her friends she could at least extend the invite.

”Whilst, I totally understand this would keep you from leaving Gotham… Can I at least suggest meeting somewhere in the middle. In Gotham. No Masks. Life can be too short to leave things unspoken. If you are not interested, thats fine… But, if you are, I’ll talk to Dick… I kinda have a place in mind… I mean if it goes well, yay bonding time. If it goes bad, then well you have an excuse to hit each other… Not that I would like that to happen. You both have had enough damage to those lovely cheek bones….”

Kory then rattled on again, in not in great attempts to be at all persuasive, just in hopes that there maybe a little chance. If Bruce was at all interested. Even Dick, to be honest. It wasn’t exactly like he knew she was here. She still was in high thoughts they could at least try to talk and not keep it all business. Even hang out, it wasn’t completely criminal and lets be honest. Bruce wasn’t that old either. Though suppose one could take from her words, they both weren’t getting any younger either. As even Bruce had suggested earlier, life can be fragile. Despite how strong and hard they fight. A fight can always be lost. There was a place Kory had in mind, that she mildly hinted to. She hardly kept things to herself, but she also like keeping the options open. Least until she spoke with Dick. Though, it really did seem incredibly well suited for the two men. As she lightly hinted, whilst ending up complimenting their cheek bones as she settled down in her seating.

”I do hope you're not just trying to avoid my cooking… I swear on X’hal, I’ve gotten better… I must admit, I’m greatly impressed by your sandwiches… They are lovely!”

Raising a playful brow, Kory teased jokingly other reasons Bruce may have avoided coming to their place. Not that she always did the cooking, but she did quite often. Enjoyed it. Even Alfred had helped. Its was less likely going to be a mess on plate these days and at least edible for humans. Not that in a mild way she was boasting. Mostly she was just making light in the situation. The conversation… As her mind and compliments quickly went towards to Bruce and his sandwiches. With a gleeful smile, she was very impressed. Still, very much surprised he had sandwiches and in finger sized… They were indeed lovely. Kory joyfully tucked into another finger.