Nightwing: Heartless

Part 17: Motorcycle Ride

Dick was waiting for her as she pushed the door open to her dorm. He was on his phone, hands in his pocket, a casual white-shirt and jeans on. He seemed to sense her presence and looked up when she reached the steps. They both broke into a smile and Willa moved more quickly, jumping off the last step to Dick's waiting arms. It was one of her favorite things to do, because he always caught her.

He hadn't been in class on Wednesday or Friday, and this early in a relationship, that felt like forever to not see him.

He laughed and set her down, "nice to see you too."

She jogged a few steps ahead, "let's go, slow poke." He caught up in an instant. She was excited for today. She wouldn't have blamed Dick for backing out of his promise to let her drive his bike but he was super chill with it, pending her sobriety and empty parking lot. She pulled on a helmet and climbed on the back of the bike. Dick started the engine and pulled away from her dorm.

He found a parking lot in no time, which impressed Willa because it always seemed like they were going too fast to see things that quickly. Either way he pulled in and kicked the stand down to switch spots with Willa. He explained the throttle and the brake, how to lean with her weight and steer, and most of all, not to panic when the bike feels like it's leaning.

She was definitely tentative at first, only going a few feet before slamming on the brakes. She knew how to drive of course, but she was a little out of practice. She didn't have a car on campus and she had grown up in the city, so she walked most places. And handling a motorcycle was a little different too, she didn't want to wreck it. Dick was patient each time she stopped suddenly, just keeping a firm grip around her waist and offering pointers.

Eventually she got more comfortable and could drive through the parking lot with ease. She laughed, stopping at a normal speed. "I can't believe your dad lets you drive this!"

Dick laughed, "it's not the most dangerous thing I've done."

"Then you lead a more exciting life than me." She accelerated then, faster than she had before, causing Dick to slide a few inches back. She was getting the hang of this, and she could see why Dick liked it, the freedom, the fresh air. It was easy to feel like you were flying.

She put the kickstand down and took off her helmet, turning slightly to talk to Dick. "There's a pizza place near here, do you want to go there for dinner?"

"Take us away."

She grinned, happy he trusted her to drive on an actual road, like through traffic. Which she did pretty well, if she did say so herself. No drivers gave her weird looks like she was doing something wrong, and it was much easier to park a motorcycle than a car.

The pizza joint was decorated in an old fashioned way, a jukebox and pictures of the founders on the walls. They picked an old red vinyl booth to sit in.

"So what kind of pizza does Dick Grayson eat? Do you even like pizza? I should have asked." The only time she had seen him eat unhealthy was that milkshake forever ago. Every other meal was a plate of protein and veggies, with the occasional sweet potato or quinoa.

"Of course I like pizza," he answered breezily, "why wouldn't I?"

"It just seems like you take your nutrition seriously, and pizza isn't the greatest."

He raised an eyebrow. "You've been watching my diet?"

She understood that it sounded a little creepy, "not watching, I'm just observant. Do you play a sport or something? Is that why..." she didn't know how to finish that sentence, her cheeks getting hot.

It amused him, though. He leaned forward, a familiar smirk on his face, "why what?"

"Why you seem like you might be an athlete." She made a face that just made him laugh.

"I'm on a... team, of a sort. Kind of a family thing."

"Cool."

"What about you? You seem like you might be an athlete," he asked cheekily which just made Willa blush again.

"I was a cheerleader in high school, remember? But I was the person getting thrown in the air, not the person lifting," she shrugged.

"You're an acrobat?"

Willa laughed, "not even close. But my family went to a Cirque du Soleil performance when my brother and I were younger and I've always had a feeling I would be a good acrobat." She paused, knowing that wasn't the right word. She snapped her fingers, "sorry, it wasn't the acrobats I wanted to be, it was the trapeze artists. Have you ever seen a trapeze show?"

"Um, yeah," he cleared his throat and opened his menu. Willa sat back from the whiplash, unsure what just happened. "What toppings do you like?" He asked, his familiar smile back on his face and any trace of whatever that had been gone.

Willa studied him but decided he wasn't going to elaborate and let it drop. "I don't eat meat, so how bout a bunch of veggies?"

"Perfect."

"So where were you this week?" Willa asked after their pizza got to their table.

"There was an event in Bialya."

Willa had heard about that. Something to do with Queen Bee and a whole host of international relations conflict. "Do you have to do stuff for the Wayne Foundation a lot?"

Dick nodded, "sometimes if Bruce is busy I do it."

"How many classes are you taking?"

"Just five, any more would make it hard to balance everything. How many hours are you doing?"

"19 but I don't have to represent a global philanthropy group," Willa joked.

He pulled his phone from his pocket and frowned as he read a message, looking back to her with what was getting to be a familiar apologetic look. "I'm sorry, but something's come up. Can I drop you off at your dorm?"

"Yeah, of course. Is everything okay?"

He nodded and offered a hand to help her up. He drove back, giving Willa time to think about how often he had to leave early. She hoped everything really was okay.