Two Birds; One Stone (Titans Dick Grayson Fanfiction)

Chapter Four

For a few moments, nothing was said. The way that Dick and Dawn were staring at each other was making jealousy run like fire through my veins. When they were together, it seemed so effortless between them. Even then I had a crush on him, but he'll never see me as anything other than an old friend. I just wished he would look at me the way he was looking at Dawn. 

Eventually, the awkward silence became too much for Rachel because she stuck her hand out at Dawn. "Hi. I'm Rachel."

Dawn gave Dick a strange look before taking her hand and shaking it. "Dawn," she said slowly. 

"Can we talk?" Dick butted in. 

Dawn gave him an intense look before replying, "you're about four years too late, but sure." She opened the door a bit wider so we could enter. She gave me a strange look when I passed by her. 

"Later," I mouthed as she nodded briefly and an understanding look flashed across her face. 

"Wow. This place is huge," Rachel commented, surveying the place. 

The front door opened directly into a nice sized kitchen, which flowed seamlessly into the adjoining living room. The living room had two couches, a coffee table, and a TV. Dotting the room was various knick-knacks and pictures, giving it a homey and lived-in feeling. 

I'm not sure why, but when Dick stormed out on me this was the first place I went to before crashing at Donna's place. It may seem weird to seek solace in Dick's ex, but Dawn was a friend of mine before they got together, plus her emotions are always so soothing. Just like her voice, they were very soft and serene most of the time. It reminds me of when I used to hang around Garth. 

For a moment, sadness crept onto the edges of the jealousy I felt. Sometimes I miss him so much it's hard to breathe. 

We all went up the stairs that would take us to the roof. The chilly January air gave the air a crisp feeling, and I almost regretted wearing just a tank top. Dawn saw that I was shivering, so she gave me a cup of coffee. I took it from her gratefully, relishing in the feeling of warmth it brought to my palms. 

Dick and Rachel were admiring a new birdcage that wasn't there the last time I was here, so I took this opportunity to talk with Dawn privately. "The dove cage is new. When did that show up?" I gestured to the large cage. 

She gave me a warm smile as she took a sip of her own cup. "Hank made it for me for our three-and-a-half-year anniversary. He showed it to me yesterday, actually."

I smiled softly into my cup. Say what you want about Hank, but he was crazy about Dawn. "That's really sweet. The most a guy has given me was a hickey that lasted for a week."

Dawn laughed loudly as she wrapped a comforting arm around my shoulders. "Don't worry, Sky. You'll find someone. So why did you show up at my house with Dick? Last time I checked you were drunk and saying you would never see him again."

A bit of the happiness left my body and was replaced with exhaustion and sadness. "I owed Bruce a favor, so he asked me to come to check up on him in Michigan. I'm still pretty mad at him, but it's too draining to constantly be angry. Take it from an empath--I know what I'm talking about."

Dawn gave me a knowing look as we stared at Rachel and Dick. She was like the big sister I never had but wished I did. The only reason I didn't stay here more often was because being around Hank drains me. He can be a very sweet guy, but when he is angry he is like a bulldozer--there is nothing that can stop him once he gets going. And sadly I feel every ounce of anger coming off of him in violent waves. 

She dropped her arm off of my shoulders and I mourned the loss of the contact. There was very few people that I allowed to touch me because I don't want to constantly know what people are feeling. It's almost like I am violating their inner thoughts and feelings and I hate it. If I could just become a normal person then I would. Bitterness made my heart feel like it was being weighed down by lead. I craved to just be like Dawn or Dick--people with exceptional fighting skills without the burden of anything else. Tears pricked the corners of my eyes but I fought with myself to not let my weakness show.