Life's Canvas

I Guess So

Chapter 12: I Guess So

Life's Canvas

Chapter 12: I Guess So

Two Weeks since the funeral of Roy Harper

Kori stared bleakly out the window, her hair flowing loose down her shoulders. She could hear Richard talking quietly on the phone in the room next door, and the drone of Alfred's vacuum cleaner buzzed in her ears. Bruce Wayne would be home this evening. Joy. Richard had hardly seemed excited about the debonair billionaire learning that his relationship with Kori had passed the professional level... to a slightly serious degree.

Richard hefted a sigh and rubbed his temples as Raven Logan's voice floated through the receiver.

"I'm actually proud of you, Dick," she purred, obviously readying herself for some entertaining provoking of the young man.

"Why...?" Richard asked testily. He was familiar with Raven's games.

"You haven't taken a girl to bed since you met Kori. Is she whipping you into shape or something?" Raven asked, amusement lacing her usually stoic voice. Richard was quiet for a moment.

"Damn... you're right. You don't think... I'm loosing my touch or something, do you?" he asked, a tone of imploring urgency in his voice. Raven let out a peel of mocking laughter, but it was hardly malicious.

"No. I highly doubt that. Kori's just wary and you, Dick Grayson, are feeling the side effects of making a commitment to someone for the first time in your life," she countered smartly.

"Ok, a: Don't say that disgusting word around me, and b: you said that like I was trying to get Kori to... well, you know..." he trailed off awkwardly. That was a first. He'd never been shy about his interests.

"Uh, yeah. Well, first of all... get used to the word, Richard. It's going to come up with her sooner or later. She's not looking for a fling with you," Raven replied.

"I-I know... and I'm not sure that's a good thing," Richard mumbled.

"It IS a good thing. You need a solid relationship now. But anyhow, finishing what I was going to say, I'm glad that you're lightening up on your disgusting womanizing habits. They're absolutely terrible," Raven snapped. Richard growled.

"Shut up," he said, miffed.

"Alright. Well, good luck with Bruce. Bye!" Raven hung up, and did so with enthusiasm. Richard groaned and flung the phone dejectedly to the floor. Kori hadn't cried much since the funeral, but she was still suffering. That had made these last two weeks much harder. It was difficult enough for a man like Richard to grasp he was actually accountable to someone without the added irritation caused by her seeming ungratefulness. He knew it was selfish, but he couldn't help but wonder if Kori was still doting on Roy's memory. It was unlikely because she'd become harshly cold towards any thoughts of when she'd dated the man... during much time he must have been engaged... and a father at that.

Still, he wished that either she would stop her sorrows or he could at least sympathize with her loss. He hadn't known Roy much and the brief moments he had had with him were less than fond recollections. Richard pulled himself off of his bed and trudged next door, moving to stand behind Kori and wrap his arms about her. Kori leaned back against him

"Hello Richard," she whispered, her gaze far off.

"What are you thinking about?" he asked.

"The gallery... talking with Mr. Wayne tonight," she shrugged and Richard planted a light kiss to the side of her head. Kori had insisted upon completing the gallery once she'd cleared her head of the funeral and had made several trips alone... preferring not to have Richard with her. He was fairly sure why, and it bothered him to an extent. She felt guilty, despite what Roy had been doing behind her back he had treated her kindly and she felt as if she was betraying him by waltzing off with Richard.

"You don't have to talk to him tonight, Kori. I can talk to him about the break in and stuff on a business type level. You won't have to get involved with it," he assured her. Kori gave a frustrated sigh.

"What about us?" she asked quietly. Richard shifted.

"You mean... about our relationship?" he asked. Kori nodded. Richard tightened his grip about her. "Well... first you have to tell me what we are in the first place," he murmured. He'd promised to stand by her side and he'd kissed her and two weeks later both were unsure of where they stood. Kori didn't trust him. Not with his reputation with women. This impression had been considerably worsened when she had found that Roy, whom she had trusted, had a fiancé and a son. But that didn't take away with the fact she'd fallen in love with Richard...

Richard, on the other hand, was completely averted to relationships that made their way out of the physical realm and yet his interactions with Kori were almost purely emotional, both reaching out to the other for healing... and the stray kiss or embrace here and there. Oh, and there was that small irritating voice in the back of his mind laughing and telling him he'd fallen in love. ((Strangely enough, this voice was rather reminiscent of Raven Logan))

"I can't say exactly... what I do know is we are more than co-workers, and more than friends. But exactly what more... I-I really don't know yet," she said softly. "I believe our relationship is a rather difficultly worded one..." she finished. Richard scooped her up in his arms and then set her back on the floor so that she stood facing him.

"You're right... so then tell me what you want me to tell Bruce," Richard shrugged. Kori looked down at the floor, frowning.

"Perhaps we tell him nothing until we ourselves know? But of course... I won't be hiding my feelings. Whatever they are," she replied. Richard nodded and brought her face up so he could press a light kiss to her lips. He nearly pulled away, but Kori brought her hands up around his neck. He gently ran his hands through her long hair, toying with the silken strands and savoring the taste of her lips. Kori finally allowed him free, but he parted reluctantly, his blue eyes suddenly filled with a sort of delighted confusion.

"Sure. And I'm guessing that's a start to figuring it out ourselves?" he chuckled suddenly. Kori flushed and nodded.

"I guess so,"

TT

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