#like why couldn't rachel see his memories when they held hands or heal him when he was poisoned

[undertheknightwing]

not to Titans post but something about Gar being almost right outside the church (or whatever it was) when Rachel escaped always struck me as weird. either Doom Manor is really close to that church place and Gar just so happened to be there as a tiger or Gar followed them after they left roller rink and I honestly think that's what happened, the way the scene was lingering on his reaction after the group leaves and he's just randomly outside church at the perfect moment to meet up with Rachel again, almost like he knew what was going on and was ready to take her away from that place if/when she got out. It seems the most logical to me. I think he got curious after how weird the situation at the roller rink was and decided to follow them, and probably used his enhanced hearing to eavesdrop when he needed to like to learn about keeping Rachel at the church.. or he just is really well at hiding and heard everything from the shadows (which would also make sense since he seems to be a pretty good thief and would have to learn to sneak around and hide)

[not-so-mundane-after-all]

Fandom: DC Titans

Title: Heaven is a Place on Earth

Pairings/Relationships: Dick Grayson/Kory Anders, Core Four

Summary: Stargazing was really relaxing and helped with her shattered nerves but Kory knew deep down she needed something more. 

Check out the prompt list | REQUESTS OPEN

Hand-holding | 43. raising the other’s hand to their lips to kiss it softly, Dickkory - for Vanessa N Isaacs 

When she abruptly woke up, her breathing rapid and heartbeat racing, all she could feel was fire.

Kory's used to fire coursing through her veins, but this time it's not the warm and comforting power of her Starfire, it's a conflagration, turning her into a pile of ashes. Sweat was dripping from her face, lungs refused to cooperate and the only thing on her mind was run, get out.

Throwing the tangled covers away in a hurry she slipped off the comfortable mattress to sit down at the edge of the bed. She wanted to run her fingers through the messy bush of her curly purple hair but she noticed her palms were giving out a soft orange glow. The waves of heat were flowing underneath her skin like water in the river during a storm. The sight could be almost calming but it only added fuel to the fear squeezing Kory's chest.

"It was just a dream," she whispered, closing her eyes, her fingers curling into fists. "Just a fucking dream."

She ordered herself to steady her breathing, to calm down her raging heart. She looked over her shoulder at Dick, who remained asleep on his side of their bed, facing away from her. In the faint light coming from the window she could make out the outline of his bare back. Watching him breathe in his sleep calmed her down a bit but she knew it won't do the trick after the horrors she just witnessed in her mind.

So she stood up and as quietly as she could stepped out of the room.

***

The door to Rachel's room creaked when she opened it and Kory froze. She waited five seconds, holding her breath, but the girl didn't wake up. Kory didn't mean to enter anyway, she just wanted to slide her head in to sneak a glance, that's all.

Rachel slept soundly curled up in her bed, wrapped in her blankets so tightly that only the top of her head was visible. Kory's heart slowed its pace a little, knowing that the girl was alright. She leaned her head on the doorframe and smiled fondly. She could never sleep like that, she'd feel trapped, not to mention how hot it'd be under all these blankets, but Rachel loved the heat. She loved to bury herself in the covers and pillows and soak up the warmth, especially when she didn't have anyone to cuddle with and share body heat - usually that person was Dick.

She's okay, Kory told herself when the images from her nightmare flooded her mind again. She's okay and she's sleeping so stop being paranoid.

She closed the door with a soft click and moved to the bedroom next door - Gar's. Peering inside she let out a quiet laugh. The boy was sprawled out on top of the covers, arms and legs spread in every direction. His mouth was slightly open and the soft snoring sound he was making made Kory giggle so hard she had to press her hand to her mouth to keep it quiet. He's okay, she told herself and closed the door behind her, a fond smile still tugging at her lips.

It was just a dream. The kids are alright.

Then why was she still shaking? Why was her heart still trying to break out of her chest? Why were her hands still glowing? She didn't- She didn't, right? She just checked. The kids are alright.

There's no going back to bed, Kory knew it. So her bare feet carried her further down the hall to the living room and out on the balcony. She stepped out into the chilly night air, not feeling a bit cold despite having only a gray tank top and pink shorts on. Leaning on the railing with her hands folded in front of her she looked up and took a long, deep breath.

The sky was exceptionally clear tonight, the stars scattered around were shining like glitter, she could even make out a few constellations. Such views are rare in cities like San Francisco - at least that's what Dick told her once. Something about pollution in the air and tall buildings covering the sky.

Stargazing was really relaxing and helped with her shattered nerves but Kory knew deep down she needed something more. Something that unfortunately was out of reach this time.

Back on her home planet whenever she felt the need to clear her mind or get her unstable powers under control, she would take a small ship for a ride and spend a few hours drifting in space, close to Tamaran's orbit, watching those little shiny dots from up close. Oh, to be stardiving again! It was the only time she, Koriand'r, Princess of Tamaran, could be truly alone - no royal guard, no servants, no nobles, politicians or other royal family members, close or distant. She missed soaring through hyperspace, twirling between asteroids, surfing on stardust. The other day during a movie night the team was watching one of the Star Wars movies (Gar wanted a whole marathon and he was stubborn as hell about it) and at some point Kory had to excuse herself and run to hide in the bathroom because she was one second away from crying. Seeing the vast space, the ships, even the hyperspace tunnel (that didn't look like this in real life at all but that's not the point) felt like getting repeatedly stabbed in the heart. It brought back memories that were fond and happy but stung like a fresh cut. Her heart couldn't take it. 

Being out there felt almost heavenly, it just made all your worries go away, even if only for a moment. No duties, no laws, no control, nothing - just her and the stars. The lights, the colors, the feeling of being light as a feather… she missed being instantly healed from her worries thanks to all that.

But things are different now. Back then Kory took every opportunity to run away from her duties and responsibilities and hide between the stars. Now she was here on Earth - with new duties and new responsibilities. And she found herself realizing that for the first time in her life she doesn't want to get away from them, even for a moment of quiet and peace. She had this team now, this family, two amazing kids she and Dick were raising together - she couldn't just take off whenever she felt like it. She wasn't a princess anymore, but she was a freaking superhero, a friend, a girlfriend and most of all - a mother. 

She looked at her hands again, feeling that her lower lip was starting to tremble. If that dream had been real, if the kids really were… if she really-

"There you are," she heard a sleepy voice behind her and turned to find Dick standing in the doorway. He was barefoot as well, only in sweatpants and a t-shirt he must have thrown on when he got up. He was watching her with curious eyes, but not without a hint of worry. "What are you doing here in the middle of the night?"

She gave him a faint smile even though she could feel tears welling up behind her eyes. One glance down told her that her palms were still glowing so she hid them behind her back. 

"I just needed some fresh air."

His gaze lost all signs of curiosity - now it was just worry. He stepped out onto the balcony, closing the door behind him.

"Nightmares?" he guessed.

She shook her head and sighed, "Dick…"

"Kory…" he shot back mocking her tone, half playful, half serious and she instantly knew she lost that fight. Once he noticed something was wrong he wasn't going to back down. It was their children who taught him that patience and resilience with their own night terrors and shutting down.

Dick walked up to her and leaned back against the railing, crossing his arms over his chest. Kory turned back to the city view and fixed her eyes on the buildings but she could feel his gaze boring into her skull, studying her, trying to read something from her face.

"It was nothing." she finally told him, not being able to stand the pressure anymore.

"If you're out here at 3 am watching the stars, it's not nothing."

She winced and looked away. Damn it, sometimes she forgot how well he knew her. It's one of the things she loved so much about him - he could break her down to pieces and put back together with one single glance.

She dropped her head, squeezing her eyes shut. Part of her wanted to tell him, he was only trying to help after all, but at the thought of putting that nightmare into words a painful lump grew in her throat. She shook her head helplessly, her lips pressed into a thin line. She couldn't do it.

His hand slipped across her back and Kory shivered when he moved closer to embrace her. It was a hesitant hug, he wanted to comfort her but was mindful of her needing space and acted carefully, ready to step back if she wanted him to.

She didn't.

"You know you can tell me, right?" he whispered, leaning closer to her face. Their eyes met and after a long moment full of dread Kory uncurled her fingers wrapped around the railing, revealing a soft orange glow that illuminated their faces.

"I lost control," she breathed out, her voice wobbly. "My Starfire got out of hand and… I hurt the kids."

Her voice broke and she lost the fight to keep her tears at bay. She leaned into Dick who instantly wrapped his arms around her, letting her hide her face in the curve of his neck.

"They begged me to stop and I- I couldn't." She was full-on sobbing now. The dam finally broke. "I felt nothing, I was empty. But I can still hear Gar screaming, I can feel Rachel's skin melting under my hand…"

She couldn't get another word out, it was too much. Kory couldn't remember the last time she cried this hard, but now she wasn't able to stop. Dick held her tightly against him, rubbing her back.

"Kory, you would never do that-"

"You don't know that!" She cried out, ripping herself out from his embrace. His arms fell helplessly to his sides as he watched her with pain and worry written all over his face. Kory lifted her hands in front of her, showing him the pulsing fire beneath her skin. "I woke up and my hands looked like this. I didn't do anything while I was asleep but how can I know I won't do it next time?"

Dick took a step closer.

"Kory-"

"How can I know I won't hurt Rachel or Gar - or you - when I'm like this? How-"

"Kory!" he called out to her and stopped her panicked rambling by grabbing her hands in between his own. He locked eyes with her before he pulled her closer, trapping their joined hands between their chests and then spoke softly but with total conviction.

"Kory, this is not gonna happen."

She tried to swallow the lump in her throat. "How do you know?"

Dick smiled, then slowly lifted her hands to his lips and kissed them softly. 

"Because I know these hands," he whispered tenderly and lifted his eyes back at her. "They are capable of many things but they would never hurt our kids in any way. You would never do that, Kory. I know that and Gar and Rachel know that, too."

Her heart almost melted when she heard him say our kids. They both loved them more than anything in the world. And that love is what brought them together, tying them to each other like an invisible string.

Blinking away her tears Kory finally smiled and leaned her forehead against his.

"Have I ever told you that I love you, Grayson?"

He let out a quiet chuckle and let go of her hands, wrapping his arms around her waist instead.

"Maybe once or twice."

She looped her arms around his neck relishing in his closeness. They stayed like that, forehead to forehead, until her heartbeat came back to normal and the last of her tears had dried out.

"We can go check on them if you want." he suggested softly, gazing into her eyes. She brushed her nose against his.

"I already did. I almost didn't notice Rachel under all those blankets."

Dick chuckled and Kory felt her heart skipping a beat at the sight of dimples that appeared on his face. Great X'Hal, she was head over heels for this man.

"Yeah, she loves to turn herself into a burrito," he nodded, smiling tenderly. "And let me guess, Gar's spread out on his bed as wide as he can, isn't he?"

"Like a fucking starfish." she giggled, shaking her head. "Funny how he'd take up a lot less space if he actually turned into one."

"Oh, don't give him ideas." Dick shot her a warning look but his gaze wasn't serious and his voice sounded giddy. "Remember what happened last time he turned into a sea creature?"

They both burst out laughing so hard Kory had to lean her head on Dick's shoulder. Yeah, she remembered a giant green dolphin in the middle of their living room damn too well. Gar was so panicked he forgot how to turn back and although it was a bit scary back then, now it was one of the best embarrassing stories they loved to tell and he hated to hear.

When their laughter died down they both sighed in content and found themselves lost in each other's eyes again. Dick reached out to tuck an unruly purple curl behind her ear.

"So what do you wanna do?" he murmured, his low voice sending shivers down her spine. She looked up at the stars again and smiled. She didn't need to drift between the stars to feel like she's in Heaven - she found it here, in the loving arms of the best man she has ever known.

"This." She breathed out and leaned in to press her lips to his, softly at first as a sign of gratitude, but then his arms gripped her tighter and he deepened the kiss, putting more passion into it. And the galaxy of stars lit up behind Kory's eyes, the fire in her veins spreading out from her palms through her entire body. It wasn't dangerous and scary anymore, but warm and bright, like the love she felt for her new family.

Yeah, who needs stardiving when Heaven is a place on Earth?