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No one nearby. He thought to himself, ear pressed against the ornate front door of Wayne Manor. Good.
When he’d pulled up to the mansion all the lights were still on, which meant that Bruce was awake and around here somewhere. He just had to avoid him for a little longer.
Controlled, steady hands unlocked the door, and he carefully pushed it open without so much as a squeak.
Dick tried to remain cool and casual as he slipped inside the cavernous foyer, desperate not to reveal just how fast his heart was beating.
Eyes glancing down at his watch, he picked up his pace when he realized how close he was cutting it. Soon he’d be out of time.
Turning to walk past the dining room, the sound of running water and clinking porcelain floated in from the kitchen.
Alfred’s still up. Damn.
At this point every second mattered, and if the butler saw him after what he’d done tonight, he would without a doubt be stopped and endlessly questioned.
Okay, if he’s doing dishes, his back should be to the door. This should be easy.
Years of training had honed his ability to move silently, and with a running start he took a stealthy leap past the doorway, breaking his fall with a somersault on the other side. As he rolled across the carpeted floor into a crouch, the water stopped running. Dick held his breath, still as a statue.
This could be the end of the line. Alfred had very good ears, and a sixth sense for trouble.
Nerves crackled under his skin as he waited, the only thought in his mind a desperate plea not to get caught.
After what felt like an eternity, the faucet started up again, and Dick took off sprinting down the hall.
Finally he reached his goal — the thick mahogany table at the end of the corridor with the phone sitting neatly on top. Yanking the receiver to his ear, he dialed the number at the speed of light, letting muscle memory take over from the hundreds of times he’d punched it in over the years.
It barely rang once before she picked up. She must have been waiting by the phone all night.
“What took you so long?” Donna hissed quietly from the other end, an edge of urgency in her voice. “She’ll be home any minute!”
“Sorry, I know, there was traffic, and—“
“Never mind, there’s no time.” She interrupted with a voice hungry for information. “Spill! How’d it go??”
Dick glanced around once more to make sure Alfred or Bruce hadn’t miraculously appeared behind him, then brought the receiver closer to his mouth, almost whispering but not quite.
“It went well.” He was sure Donna could hear the smile in his voice as he let out a breathy laugh. “Really, really well.”
“Tell me everything.”
Winding the phone cord around his finger, he absentmindedly twirled it over and over as he described his evening.
Dinner, a movie, dancing — as far as first dates went, he didn’t think it could have gone any better.
Questions and answers flowed rapidly between them, trying to fit in as much detail as possible in the precious little time they had before the girl he’d just taken out returned to her and Donna’s shared Manhattan apartment.
Which restaurant did you go to? What did you talk about? How was the food? What did you wear? Oh, that’s not too bad, but I think the navy blue one would’ve been better. Which movie did you end up seeing? Did you kiss her? Fine, she’ll tell me in a few minutes anyway. She never mentioned planning to go out after, was it a spur of the moment thing? Wait, go back, the line cut out for a second.
“—then she suggested we go dancing at this club we’d passed by earlier.” He chuckled. “I didn’t think it’d really be my scene, but it turned out to be a lot of fun.”
“Wow, Dick Grayson out on the floor, wish I could’ve seen it.” Donna’s amused laughter buzzed through the phone.
“Hey, I’m not bad.” He scoffed. “I was an acrobat, dancing isn’t all that far off.”
“If that’s what helps you sleep at night.” She teased. “So when are you going out again?”
“Not quite sure yet. I need at least a few more days to finish things up in Gotham. I told her we could figure it out when I got back.”
“Don’t wait too long.” She warned.
“I won’t.”
“I mean it. Your track record for relationships isn’t exactly stellar. Don’t leave her hanging if you’re not really in this.”
“I know.” He sighed, not proud of past mistakes. “But it’s…different, this time. With her. I’m gonna make sure of it.” The sincerity in his words was strong, he just hoped he could live up to it.
“Good. I’d hate to see either of you get hurt. If you— wait, I think I hear her keys. Gotta go.” Donna whispered suddenly. “Oh, and Dick?” She added at the last second.
“Yeah?”
“I’m really happy for you. Both of you.” Blush rose to his cheeks and he couldn’t stop his lips from turning up at the corners.
“Thanks. Talk to you soon.” He bid her farewell as he hung up the phone.
Silence stretched out around him, but it was welcome, gave him a chance to think.
He always assumed the term ‘walking on air’ was an exaggeration, but as he meandered toward his bedroom, the memory of her deep jade eyes and how nicely their hands had fit together made him giddy and light.
Dick and Kory. He tried out the phrase in his head with a grin. It has a nice ring to it.