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Mar. 2nd, 2011 12:42 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
iamdamnloyalWho: Harmony and Dick Grayson
What: Dick is seeking distractions from his Post-Cupid Influence Marriage. He decides some sparring with Harmony might be a good idea, plus it will return his routine to something normal-ish.
When: MISSING SCENE: Mid-December (during the birds, but no birds are around)
Where: Harmony's Room - Workout Room - Harmony's Room
Rating: TV-PG(DSV) - some suggestive dialogue, mild sexual content, moderate violence
Note: This is the scene that time forgot. Literally, we've been working on this through hiatuses and real-life and everything, so it's sort of... a LOST SCENE. Also, by some "Christmas Miracle" we're skipping over the thought that they were supposed to be stuck in the Ye Olden Day clothing. We... sort of forgot when we got to that part.
Dick: [Oh man, is he miserable, but this is what a rapid crash and burn will do to a guy. In love one minute, utterly thrown the next. He needs a distraction fast, but everyone else knows him too well to know when something's wrong, and as for Damian... well, Dick'll consider himself lucky if the kid ever talks to him again. At least his spars with Harmony had been a semi-regular occurrence, even with his two-week absence, his knocking on her door and asking if she'd like to go a round or two shouldn't be too out of the blue.]
Harmony: [she's been keeping herself busy with work and the like, plus the holiday does seem to lend itself to a bit of... interesting hallway activities. When she hears the knock at her door, she sweeps the hair off of her face, tucking it behind her ear and going to open the door with a smile. Of course, it fades a bit when she sees the who behind the door and the look on his face] Hey, what brings you by?
Dick: [He'll cut to the chase, not particularly wishing to dwell on what exactly had brought him to her doorstep.] You busy?
Harmony: [frowns slightly, but shrugs] Not really...?
Dick: Did you wanna hit the mats?
Harmony: Right now? [it's of a bit of concern, so she folds her arms over her chest] What happened? Because we haven't really done much of anything in at least a week and a half.
Dick: It's nothing [he looks away and down to the side. He's not usually much of a liar, and he realizes that at times, he can be really bad at it.] I could use the work out, that's all.
Harmony: Well, I'm not dressed for that; so just come in for a bit. [opens the door wider and gestures for him to come in]
Dick: [He looks at her as though asking whether she's sure, before taking the gesture as a definite yes and entering.] I'll wait while you get changed.
Harmony: Okay. [shuts the door behind her] Do you want something to drink? I mean, [stops walking and glances to him] something is clearly wrong and if you're not going to talk to me about it that's fine. I'm not going to pry, because it's your business. I just - I do consider you a friend and if you need to talk, I can listen.
Dick: [He certainly wasn't expecting that. Her compassion means a lot.] ...thank you, Harmony. [His worst subject is talking about himself, it's rare he'll volunteer anything at all when asked directly. He'll eventually let it out, but in his own way. He scrubs a hand through his hair.] It's been a bit of a rough week.
Harmony: [exhales, unneeded but still a comfort] We all have rough weeks and this one has these weird birds. I think I've kissed a dozen people and hardly any of them I knew before I was suddenly, nearly, on their laps. [frowns] It's amusing, but also a bit ... of a hassle.
Dick: [How can she find that funny? Sure, even his own misfortune could be construed as humorous, Dick doesn't fail to see that, he just fails to find anything about it funny at this particular moment.] Consider yourself lucky you didn't run into Cupid. [Dick rubs a kink out of his neck. In his eyes it's more of a statement than an admission, but it also just kind of slipped out.]
Harmony: [lifts an eyebrow as she moves toward her dresser] Cupid? Like... the actual little winged baby? Isn't that a bit early or at least the wrong holiday?
Dick: [He takes this moment, while Harmony's back is turned, to look around her room. Not in an obviously nosy way, just in an observatory manner. He imagines this is the room of what every 8 year old girl dreams about. Ponies, unicorns, pink satin and silk ribbons. It's not what he would have imagined, but it's very her. He smiles a little to himself for what's probably the first time he's smiled all day.] Actually, I think he's a new arrival. And he's not so much a little winged baby. More... more... fully-grown, bow-totting adult.
Harmony: Sounds... creepy. [she tugs open a drawer, shifting through clothing until she pulls some sweatpants out and sets them on top of the dresser] I take it you ran into him?
Dick: [He makes a non-committal sound.] Mmn. His arrow ran into me. [Stupid hero heroics.]
Harmony: [spins around, frowning, slightly confused] Doesn't that mean....
Dick: Mmhm [still sounding just as un-enthused.] It means exactly what you think it means.
Harmony: Oh. [more frowning] That sucks. I'm sorry.
Dick: Yep [it sure does suck.] Now you know why I haven't been around so much.
Harmony: [nods] I'm glad it wasn't something I did. Was it at least someone you knew?
Dick: [He looks up sharply at that, suddenly feeling guilty for making her think, even for a moment, that his absence was because of something she'd done.] Vaguely [...how he knows Lana Lang in Paradisa and how he knows OF Lana Lang from his own world are two topics he definitely doesn't want to get into right now.] Why would you think it was something you'd done?
Harmony: [shrugs] I don't know, sometimes people just get upset with me. [she changes the subject] Lorne, he's one of my best friends. He's an empath demon - but when his wires get switched around instead of telling you how you feel, he tells you how to feel. I spent almost a week engaged to Angel. I hurt my other best friend, Cordelia, because she actually is the one that should be with Angel. [goes over to him and sets her hand to his] I actually know how it feels. [pat-pat on his hand]
Dick: [...wow.] Guess you really do. [Moving to take her hand in his and giving it a nice squeeze, he smiles in both sympathy and thanks.] But I'll see your engagement and raise you a marriage [There, there's a glimmer of his old self-depreciative, wry humor appearing as he turns over their hands, and wriggles his fingers to show her the wedding band around his finger.]
Harmony: [eyes go a bit wide at that] Holy... [smirks up at him] Well, you really don't do anything half-way, do you.
Dick: [He has to laugh at that, mostly because it's very, very true.] No, sir.
Harmony: [shakes her head, a bit a laugh there] Do you want to talk about it? I mean, I know beating something up is probably more your way of dealing with it, but if you want to talk.
Dick: Thanks, Harmony, but I think I just want to try and put it passed me. Of course, I don't know what we're going to do about it. I mean, I don't even know Paradisa's stand on divorce. I suppose I should look in to it, but a part of me doesn't want to. [He looks at her, hoping she'll understand.] Like, there's a part of me that still thinks it was real, even when I know it wasn't.
Harmony: [nods] From what I've heard... they aren't fond of divorce. [she does understand, she's seen a lot of people get caught up in the emotions the castle shoves on them] It was real, at least for that time. I know that I cared for... I loved and that's not something you can pretend. You have to feel it.
Dick: [he nods] it still hurts.
Harmony: [frowns, exhaling again, moving a bit closer to him her hand brushing to his hair] I'm sorry you had that happen. I know it'll take time to sort through it too.
Dick: [He exhales, nodding slightly and shutting his eyes for a moment, not minding her touch and closeness at all. It could be explained by his familiarity, earned from weeks of grappling together on gym mats with her, or Dick's own lack of belief in personal space and general tactile nature. Either way, it doesn't strike him as anything peculiar.] Yeah, no kidding. [The exhale is shaky with uncertain laughter.] I don't know where my head is right now.
Harmony: [her own thoughts often just drift to the most simplest of beliefs and she works for a psychiatrist, so she believes that she knows how to help, too] I think it's on your shoulders. [shy smile, trying to make him at least smile] I think it'll sort out, though. Cordelia and I are friends again and Angel is back to his usual monosyllabic self.
Dick: [She manages a half smile out of him.] Yeah, I know, you're probably right. [Dick knows it's only a matter of time before things either go back to normal, or something new and impossible comes along. It's why he'd wanted to spar, to distract himself until this time came along.] I just- [he smiles, but it's self-mocking] wish I didn't feel so pathetic. [and needy. so very needy.]
Harmony: [frowns, resting her hand to his shoulder] You might feel it, but Dick - you are far from a pathetic man.
Dick: Coming from someone who can wipe the floor with me without even trying, that means a lot. [His smile and laughter are both real this time, and he rests his hand over hers.]
Harmony: Speaking of... do you still want to spar? I'll just take a few minutes to change.
Dick: [He'd be the last one to ever admit it (unless it was to Harmony herself) but talking to Harmony has actually helped.] Sure, if you want.
Harmony: [smiles brightly] Okay! I'll just be a minute. [gives his shoulder a soft squeeze before she departs to go and grab the outfit from the dresser] You can make yourself comfortable if you want. I promise, I'm not going to take long though. [and she moves to the bathroom to change]
Dick: Take your time. [He calls after her. He'll just be by her bedside table, admiring the little trinkets she's set aside.]
Harmony: [she changes quickly - vampire reflexes and speed very handy in times like this and rejoins him in only a few minutes] Ready? [she pauses] There are birds though... the whole, castle taking-control thing. I haven't been out today, so I don't know if they're still in the castle.
Dick: ...right. [Truth be told, walking back from Lana's this morning he'd had other things on his mind. He couldn't tell her what he had or hadn't seen. It disappointed the detective in him. He turns to face her fully and raises his right hand, palm towards her.] I hear so much as a tweet and I will run in the opposite direction like there's no tomorrow, I swear.
Harmony: [she laughs, though -- really, she's not so sure she would be offended if he didn't make it away from her in time, he was still very attractive] Oh, well, what a relief. You'll spare me the horrible task of having to kiss you.
Dick: [He laughs at that, though flattered none-the-less, and gets the door for her. Dick's not blind, he knows what he sees in the mirror couldn't be considered unattractive, not by a long shot, he knows he's fortunate, but by no means is he vain. In fact, most days he will only look at himself in the mirror twice - once in the morning and once and night, and usually he'll only pull a face or shrug his shoulders. Neither is he blind to Harmony's looks and charms. If he weren't getting over/not-getting over Lana, he probably have flirted back.] After you.
Harmony: [it's been a while since Harmony has seen her own reflection - her Christmas present this year from the castle will be a greatly appreciated one - but she suffers the low-self esteem that many girls do, so she just heads out the door and toward the stairs, since she figures it'll be a good start to use those instead on the way to sparring] I've been practicing, you know. [calls out over her shoulder as she takes the stairs]
Dick: [He jogs to catch up to her.] Oh, yeah? Cheating on me, you mean. [He's joking of course, the grin on his face should tell her as much.] First I get my heart broken, then you tell me you've got a new sparring partner. I might as well give it all up.
Harmony: [laughs] Oh, no - I wouldn't want to hurt anyone. I've just been using the hanging bag-thing. [she might have had to wish for a new one... she did take one down the first time she got carried away]
Dick: Replaced by an old bag, huh? That does help ease the pain.
Harmony: Hey, you weren't around. [smirks over her shoulder as she opens the door to the correct floor where the gym is at] I didn't want to let all your training go to waste.
Dick: Then I guess we'll see how good you've gotten. [He grins, almost challenging her. Yeah, he can do this. This whole not focusing on his fake!marriage thing. If he could just do this for another week or so, he should be good.]
Harmony: Oh, I'll put you to the mat. [overly-confident? why yes, she is.]
Dick: [He likes this side of Harmony. The playful confident side. Of course, he likes ALL of Harmony's sides, including her back- wow. Okay, so he might be getting over his whole Cupid ordeal much sooner than he thought. For that, he might just let her win.] Sure, she can talk the talk, but can she walk the walk.
Dick: [He likes this side of Harmony. The playful confident side. Of course, he likes ALL of Harmony's sides, including her back- wow. Okay, so he might be getting over his whole Cupid ordeal much sooner than he thought. For that, he might just let her win.] Sure, she can talk the talk, but can she walk the walk?
Harmony: [turns around, walking backward for a moment] Oh, I'm sorry - I couldn't hear you over the sound of me getting ready to kick your ass. [grin and turns back around to open the door to the gym - she's actually relieved that there haven't been any birds, since she actually is looking forward to the work-out]
Dick: Careful Harmony, wouldn't want your head to get stuck in the door. [He's smirking and walking towards her. He pushes the door open, stretching his arm across and above her to hold it open. Ever the gentlemen.] After you.
Harmony: [frowns] I'm a vampire, nothing about my physical form can really change. It's impossible for my figure to change in the slightest. [ha ha. she will never get fat... or older]
Dick: [Might've looked that figure up and down without checking himself first.] Well, aren't you the envy of young women everywhere.
Harmony: [shrugs] Well, the whole vampire thing is considered 'gross' [she uses air-quotes there] because they like chocolate and whatever. [entering the work out room she glances around, moving a few of the loose free weights off the mats as if they don't weigh anything at all]
Dick: [If he ever has any heavy lifting to do, forget PeeGee and Kara, he's coming to you, Harmony.] Who doesn't.
Harmony: [takes the hair band off of her wrist and ties her hair up into a loose knot, smiling over at him] Ready?
Dick: [Affirmative nod and cocky eyebrow raise while he moves to a defensive stance.] Are you?
Harmony: Duh? [she looks super adorable when she says that]
Dick: [...seriously does.] Ladies first.
Harmony: [she takes her stance and moves forward with her first attack, recalling easily all the combinations that he taught her]
Dick: [Observes through a series of guards and dodges.] Good... Nice... Raise your left.
Harmony: [easily follows his instructions, following through and shifting her stance as she moves around him] You know, you can hit me back. I can take it. Honestly.
Dick: [He doesn't doubt her for a moment as he turns, mirroring her movement.] If you think you're ready.
Harmony: [smirks, shrugging up a shoulder before she goes through another sequence] You're the one that needed something to get your mind off of certain things.
Dick: [His guards don't stop at simply deflecting her now, he puts a little force behind his blocks, pushing her back.] Yep, and do you see me moping around anymore?
Harmony: [smiles, blocking his returns as well] Nope. [pushes back with her return a bit harder, trying to see how far he'll push this 'sparring' session]
Dick: [He grins back.] Then mission accomplished. [For now he's only going to match her, but if she continues to up the ante, then he's going to need to focus a little more as the intensity rises.]
Harmony: [laughs a bit as she continues their little match] I didn't realize you had a mission in place.
Dick: A mission. The mission. It's all relative.
Harmony: [lifts an eyebrow] I see. [moves to circle him, pushing the force of her strikes up a bit more, mostly out of instinct than anything else]
Dick: You do?[Oop] Feisty, [he quips, one-handedly somersaulting out of her way.]
Harmony: [watches him move and with a bit more speed than he probably considered she'd have, she's already on the other side of him when he rises to his feet] Yes and... yes.
Dick: [Quick enough for him to stumble back a pace.] Woah, hey.
Harmony: [reaches for his arm, letting her hand grip to his forearm so that if he should stumble he won't actually fall] Sorry.
Dick: [He'd never actually fall, she just startled him is all, but he smiles gratefully at her hand on his arm.] Thanks. [Now that her guard is down, it would be a perfect opportunity for him to strike at her, and were she anybody else - Kara, Tim, Damian - he probably would have.]
Harmony: [well, she's got his arm - which means she's completely capable of flipping him - which she'll try]
Dick: [She's devious, he likes it. Which is exactly why he's laughing from his position flat on his back...but not before he's gripped her ankles and yanked.]
Harmony: [oof! she didn't expect that at all and she drops hard onto the ground, she's laughing though] Ouch.
Dick: Seconded. [He turns onto his side and gets up onto his hands and knees. He crawls over her, taking her forearms in hand and pins them either side of her head, his knees spread either side of her hips. He's grinning.] That. was ballsy.
Harmony: [well... this was an interesting turn of events, not one she'd complain about because she was looking up into those eyes and... well] I saw an opening.
Dick: [He's impressed.] I let my guard down.
Harmony: Tiny bit.
Dick: [He's not one to gloat, but he is the one currently pinning her. His expression says as much. He smirks just a bit.] Nicely done.
Harmony: [she's noticed that he's not letting up either] I have a good teacher.
Dick: [His smirk turns into a pearly grin] Oh, now you're just fishing [and his ego is loving it.]
Harmony: [smirks up at him] Maybe. You can't prove it though.
Dick: [Tips his head to one side, still looking amused.] Now why-ever would I do that?
Harmony: [shrugs, but it's not the easiest thing with her arms pinned] Part of the mission maybe? [she's teasing and with her upper body strength, which is considerably more than his (vampire and all) she turns with her body and tries to flip them over]
Dick: [Oof!] Well, I was going to say that it helps my flailing ego, but you'd better make that my wounded ego. [He chuckles.]
Harmony: [frowns slightly] Did I hurt you?
Dick: [The chuckles gradually fade, but he's still smiling.] No, but remind me not to make you mad.
Harmony: [her tone teases but she settles on him now, seated on his lap] Don't make me mad.
Dick: Thanks, but I think you might have to tie a knot around my finger [because, chances are that he's going to forget that since she's being so...distracting, what with her literally sitting pretty. On his lap.]
Harmony: I'll keep that in mind. [she sits up a bit straighter now, letting go of his arms as she moves to readjust her ponytail]
Dick: [He bumps himself up onto his elbows, and is rather helpless but to take in the view. He COULD try to roll them again, but those thighs of hers...] Show off. [He teases.]
Harmony: [glances to him, smirking] Not comfortable?
Dick: [Quite the opposite] I should ask you the same thing.
Harmony: [muses for a moment] I'm good. [glances to him] Are we done?
Dick: We're done. [He nods] So, we're agreed on a stalemate, right?
Harmony: [thinks] Wait. That means no one won?
Dick: Exactly right.
Harmony: [pushes her hand to his chest, pressing him quickly to the mat again] That doesn't seem fair.
Dick: [He laughs softly] Hey, remember my ego!
Harmony: [leans over him, folding her arms over his chest as she looks down at him] I recall it.
Dick: Maybe I oughta tie a bow around your finger.
Harmony: [smirks at him] I think you have enough trouble putting things on girls fingers. [she says it with a smile, clearly teasing him but she is slightly worried that it'll push a bit lower than she anticipated, and in doing so she does lessening her powerhouse grip on him - giving him an opening to take - should he feel like doing so]
Dick: [He knows it's a tease (even if it did hurt a little), she doesn't mean anything malicious by it.] Oh, it is on. [He feels the fluctuation in her grip and decides to take advantage of it, but he wraps his arms under hers, gripping her shoulders, so that when they roll, her back and head don't smack off the matt. Consequently this means that when they do roll, their noses are inches apart. And he's grinning.] That was below the belt.
Harmony: [she meets his eyes] I was aware.
Dick: [He narrows his eyes, yet somehow they're still bright with amusement. Mischievous.] I want a rematch.
Harmony: You've already pinned me. I think you're at a slight advantage.
Dick: [He grins] I hadn't noticed.
Harmony: I'm upset that I'm not noticeable.
Dick: [Upset but not angry, huh? She could flip them at any time and Dick knows it. He unwinds one of his arms from under her back to tuck some hair that had fallen loose behind her ear, while his eyes roam her features.] I wouldn't say that.
Harmony: [it's quite possible that it's a risk she's thinking about taking, but with all the damn birds pushing her to kiss people without hardly a moment to speak of, she feels like if she doesn't take this one on her own the holiday will have been all for nothing. Leaning up toward him and kissing him very softly, testing the waters so to speak]
Dick: [His eyes go a little wide, but he'd be lying if he said he hadn't been thinking about doing the same thing. After a moment he shuts his eyes and returns the kiss, and after a few seconds, he brushes his bottom lip against her top, softly teasing her lips apart.]
Harmony: [there's relief that he doesn't spook away from her or push her back, because even if there wasn't much between them as far as a relationship went, it would've been foolish for her not to at least take a chance for just a small amount of affection. There was also the fact that he was a good kisser, so when his mouth parts against hers, she lets a hand slip up into his hair allowing him that extra bit of contact]
Dick: [Spurned on by her hand in his hair, Dick puts a little more behind the kiss, but not enough that he warrants being told to slow down or ‘go easy, tiger’. His hand moves from hovering by her ear to the joint where neck and shoulder meet, and gently, his thumb brushes over her collarbone. She's cooler than he is, and for a moment he thinks his own skin must feel feverish against hers. It's curious, and obviously requires further investigation.
After a moment of almost forgetting himself in their open-mouthed kiss, Dick pulls back. His hands stay on her, but his expression reads a mixture of guilt and surprise (and maybe a little awe, because that had been pretty intense, and sudden, and- yeah, hi.)] Woah. Harmony, I- [Uh, why had he stopped again? Right, right, the no advantage taking thing. Yes, yes, he’s aware she initiated it. But still. He wouldn’t be hopeless if he didn’t.]
Harmony: [with a soft bit of laughter, she grins up at him. The sigh that comes from her is practically empty, not really full of breath since she doesn’t breathe, but it’s still there.] Yes? [then, as quickly as her grin was there it’s replaced with a bit of confusion] Oh. Crap. Was that... I mean, I probably -- yeah, I shouldn’t have done that. [there’s a brief curious glance] Right?
Dick: Right. [Maybe he’d answered that too quickly.] I mean, it’s fine. It-- it was better than fine, [his thumb still strokes idly against her neck, while he raises an questioning eyebrow] but. [Right. Again with the but.] Are you sure?
Harmony: [her grin returns, hiding a bit of amused laughter] Am I sure that I wanted to kiss you? Yes. Am I sure that it was the wrong thing to do in the moment...? Not entirely, no. I mean, I’d be pretty foolish not to want to kiss you. I’m not a fool either. Possibly easily influenced and at times I’ve been accused of being naive, but I like you. [shrugs] I like spending time with you. [that smirk returns] And it was a very nice kiss.
Dick: [He can’t help but return her grin at that, because, yes, yes, it had been. Definitely.] I like you too, Harmony, but-- ah [his thumb pauses on her neck, and Dick chews on his bottom lip, although a small quirked smile steadily spreads, taking it’s place.] I’m not sure if this is the right place to do... well, [he gestures at them both with the hand on her throat.] this.
Harmony: [glances around] OH. Right. Hmmm... [sways her knees from side to side a bit, since she’s thinking and apparently can’t just “think” she has to move something to get those gears going...] We could go somewhere else? Like... my room?
Dick: [Her fidgeting is something he recognises, seeing as it’s something he does himself. However, he’s a little more focused on the woman beneath him, and honestly, her moving isn’t helping matters.] Right. [He nods. Well, that was a little more forward than he was expecting.] Like your room.
Harmony: [she pauses for a moment, because there’s that doubt again] Unless, you’d rather not. I mean, I know there’s... [hold on... props herself up on her elbows, glancing around and - relief - there are no birds] I know there aren’t any birds that made us do that, but if it was just a moment... thing. Because of the whole ‘grrr-fighting’ and … [she can’t think of the other words she wants to say that aren’t something akin to ‘grunting’ so she just smiles at him, hoping he’ll at least understand what she was going for there]
Dick: Right, yeah. [He does pull further back this time, straightening up and resting his hands on his thighs, where they rub back and forth a little restlessly.] It was a moment thing. A-- I mean-- [pauses, rubbing a hand over the back of his neck.] It was a good moment thing. [It seems like they’re back at the whole ‘it was a good idea, but is this a bad idea?’ kinda type thing. He’s not opposed to it, but at the same time he doesn’t want this to be something she’s likely to regret 20 minutes later. IT’S A ROUGH ESTIMATE OF TIME, OKAY. NOT A- well, you know.]
Harmony: [watches him, amused for the moment, because she can assume he’s doing some serious contemplation there. When his hand moves from his one thigh, she sits up a bit more, well, as much as she can in this position, and brushes her fingertip against that newly abandoned thigh, nodding as he talks] It was a good moment. [one that Harmony believes, right now, would be a good one to repeat.
She’ll reach with the hand that was occupied on his thigh up to tug at his shirt and pull him back toward her, because if she had to be the aggressive one here - she had no problem doing so.] We should do that again. The moment. [and here’s where she kisses you again, Dick.]
Dick: [Even though he knew what was about to happen, he still manages to look on in wide eyed surprise. There are no objections, however, and this time there is no pause before he starts to return the kiss. It’s chaste and close-mouthed, but at the same time prolonged and deep. When it’s over, despite not having exerted much, he’s a little breathless. Grinning. he knocks his forehead to hers.] Right. But not here.
Harmony: [leans in a bit against his forehead, nodding, mocking a bit of a stern glance] Right. Of course. [then she’s back to grins and tapping her hand against his thigh, because she can’t go anywhere with you still ON HER] So, you’ll get up... because not that I don’t mind the current position, but we can’t go anywhere until you get up.
Dick: [If Dick were a cartoon character, he’d have groaned at the notion. Instead, he pushes his lower lip out slightly in a playful mock-pout, before smiling again and pulling back.] Okay, I get the message. Getting up. [He stands without much effort, and with feet and legs still spread over hers, he bends, offering her two hands up.]
Harmony: [gratefully accepts the help up to her feet, dusting herself off since gym mats ARE ALWAYS DUSTY... glares at the lack of people mopping the place...] Thanks.
[there’s a definite bit of bounce to her ponytail as she moves toward the doorway, to head back to her room... WITH one Mr. Dick Grayson, seriously, if someone had told her this would be happening and not due to weird birds she would’ve laughed at them. Yet, here she is - and extremely pleased with the notion. Glancing over her shoulder, she smiles, holding the door open for him] Ready?
Dick: [Just. Grinning and walking on through the open door. If he looks smug, it’s because he totally is.] Guess I won that round after all. [He’s teasing, obviously, because he’s not a pig. Also, the little mischievous smirk he throws over his shoulder to her totally gives him away.]
Harmony: [shakes her head at the little smirk and the remark] I think we can mark this off as one of those ‘win-win’ situations, which I am actually very aware of, since I used to work for a law firm. They’re very rare, I’ll tell you that. [nods a bit and continues toward the elevator, bumping her hip to his as she passes him by]
Dick: [Touche, Harmony, touche. Also, she’s done that thing again where she’s taken him totally by surprise. A law firm, really?] No kiddin’? [Welp, colour him impressed.]
Harmony: [presses the button for the elevator and by some small miracle - it’s already there! so she’ll step in and wait for him to join her before pressing the button for her floor] I was the personal assistant to the CEO. He’s here, but he’s from before he was the CEO of the firm, so right now I just work for Dr. Sweets, in the city. [which she probably told him some other time, but she doesn’t mind repeating herself. She actually assumes most people tune her out]
Dick: [It might surprise her to learn, but Dick does actually listen to every word she says. He’s attentive that way. Also Batman maybe sort of might’ve drilled it into him at a young age - attention to detail, that is. He joins her in the lift, standing by her side, innocent faced. You’d never have guessed that seconds ago they were sucking face. Well, except for all that tension, that mounting sexual tension. There is that.] Right, yeah, you said. [It was news about her being a PA to a law firm’s CEO, though. Conversely:] What’s his name? Your CEO. [That’s it, make conversation. That’s always a good distraction when thinking about hitting the ‘hold’ button on the lift, yup.]
Harmony: [she’s humming a bit, trying not to fidget as she stands beside him] Oh! Right, his name’s Angel. He’s a vampire too, but he’s way better at the whole good-guy thing. He’s got a soul and tons of internal torment for all the things he’s done. [oh. shit] I mean, not that I’ve done horrible things. Because, nothing like what he did. [and... so not helping matters, so she’ll just... get quiet.] How’s Damian? Is he excited for Christmas? [pushes the conversation onto him!]
Dick: [Should’ve seen that one coming. Damn. He keeps his tone light, interested.] As excited as Damian gets. I mean, how do you top your very own island? [But no, wait a second. Back it up.] Angel? The same guy you thought you were engaged to? He was your boss? [That... kind of sucks.]
Harmony: [makes a face] Yeah, it was awkward. Plus, one of my best friends, Cordelia, is totally destined to be with him. I swear, it’s like fate. So, when that happened I just … I felt really bad. Because, I would never do anything like that to... well, anyone, let alone a friend. [this elevator is slow.... moves closer to him a bit] Wait, did you say an island? Who got him an island?
Dick: [He resists the urge to ‘ugh’ and roll his eyes.] His mother. Not to say that Bruce couldn’t top it. I mean, he could, but he wouldn’t. [He turns his head a little to look down at her, noticing the change in space between them.] So is she here? Cordelia? [As much as this is just making small-talk until the slowest elevator on earth gets to Harmony’s floor, Dick does hope her friends are here, and she had mentioned fate keeping Angel and Cordelia together. And no one does fate like Paradisa.]
Harmony: [nods, more inching closer] Yes! She’s here. So is Lorne, he’s my other best friend. Lorne is “Lorney Toons” and I’m his “Harmonica”. [she grins at that, because her and Lorne are really good friends.] There are actually a lot of people from my world here, but some of them I knew when I was in high school... so they don’t have the best impression of me. I was sort of mean in high school. The whole pressure of popularity and … yeah, I think I’ve managed to make up for it though. Oh! Fred is here too. She’s a Gal Pal of mine at the office back home. We go drinking... [and her fingers kind of brush to his thigh a bit but! saved by the ding of the elevator]
Dick: [Okay, cursing the elevator now. Should’ve hit that stop button... Not only was he learning a lot about her relationships with her friends, but that grin of hers was so infectious he’d wanted to kiss it. He waits for her to get off before following closely, returning those slight, almost accidental brushes with one or two of his own.] Is she a vampire too? [It doesn’t bother him anymore, in fact, he’s more often genuinely curious. Harmony had explained her abstinence from drinking fresh blood from humans, and the differences between vampires like herself and, well, the kind Dick had mistaken her for all those weeks ago.]
Harmony: [shakes her head] Oh, no. I mean, I’m the only one of my friends, other than Angel. Lorne’s an empath demon. He owns the karaoke bar, Caritas, in the city. Spike’s here, he’s my ex. [there’s a definite tone of annoyance/dislike] He’s a vampire, but he’s also easy enough to ignore. But Cordelia and Fred - they’re human. I actually went to high school with Cordelia. [and story-time ends because hey - it’s her door, and no one is in the hallway so she’s going to stop and steal a kiss before she turns to open her door]
Dick: [With her back to him, he steps in to close the gap, and brushes his lips against her shoulder lightly, his fingertips feather-light against her sides. He presses a kiss to her bare skin.] You sure about this? [Never hurts to ask one last time.]
Harmony: [if she hadn’t been before that moment he pressed his mouth to her skin - that would have pushed her over the edge - thankfully, she was already well-sold on the notion. She does, however, completely appreciate that soft gesture and leans back a bit as her fingers push her door open] Uh-huh... very sure.
Dick: [What had started out as a simple need for a distraction to turn into this, well. Nobody could have known that this was how it would turn out. He is thinking of Lana, just a little, and she does have something to do with why Dick isn’t backing the Hell up and taking a cold shower right about now, because he needs to get over her. Because it wasn’t real, none of it was. Harmony, however, she seems to live very in the moment, which is usually the same space that Dick occupies. She’s easy for him to be around. And Dick does like her, he’d be crazy not to. And if he does have any regrets later, then Harmony is not going to be the one to blame or somebody he’s going to start avoiding, that’s not how Dick operates. He doesn’t do regrets. Ever. It was all a sort of … learning experience.
His hands get a better hold around her waist, and he nudges her shoulder with his nose.] Lead the way.
Harmony: [it’s such a strong contrast to feel like someone wants to be there with you over all the other instances that she’d ever had in her life... un-life... life. Yeah, she’ll go with life. Not that she wanted to start putting weight on this before it had actually happened, but this at least felt like something they both could just handle and not over-stress. Unless he wanted to put weight on it. Which, they could talk about later, because the weight she was concerned about was the touch of his hand to her waist. Her own hand, no longer that warmer temperature from the work out presses over his as she walks into the room. This is good. They’re both adults. Heck, she isn’t getting any older... literally, so why not live in the moment. It was a magic castle and for the moment maybe she could be the girl that got the Prince. Even if they were just stories.
Once in the room, she turns around, still keeping close to him and smiles. Her hand reaches beyond his shoulder and the door shuts behind them.
For now they can both handle a little bit of a “Happy Ending”.
Oh. Not like that.
Well... sort of like that.]
What: Dick is seeking distractions from his Post-Cupid Influence Marriage. He decides some sparring with Harmony might be a good idea, plus it will return his routine to something normal-ish.
When: MISSING SCENE: Mid-December (during the birds, but no birds are around)
Where: Harmony's Room - Workout Room - Harmony's Room
Rating: TV-PG(DSV) - some suggestive dialogue, mild sexual content, moderate violence
Note: This is the scene that time forgot. Literally, we've been working on this through hiatuses and real-life and everything, so it's sort of... a LOST SCENE. Also, by some "Christmas Miracle" we're skipping over the thought that they were supposed to be stuck in the Ye Olden Day clothing. We... sort of forgot when we got to that part.
Dick: [Oh man, is he miserable, but this is what a rapid crash and burn will do to a guy. In love one minute, utterly thrown the next. He needs a distraction fast, but everyone else knows him too well to know when something's wrong, and as for Damian... well, Dick'll consider himself lucky if the kid ever talks to him again. At least his spars with Harmony had been a semi-regular occurrence, even with his two-week absence, his knocking on her door and asking if she'd like to go a round or two shouldn't be too out of the blue.]
Harmony: [she's been keeping herself busy with work and the like, plus the holiday does seem to lend itself to a bit of... interesting hallway activities. When she hears the knock at her door, she sweeps the hair off of her face, tucking it behind her ear and going to open the door with a smile. Of course, it fades a bit when she sees the who behind the door and the look on his face] Hey, what brings you by?
Dick: [He'll cut to the chase, not particularly wishing to dwell on what exactly had brought him to her doorstep.] You busy?
Harmony: [frowns slightly, but shrugs] Not really...?
Dick: Did you wanna hit the mats?
Harmony: Right now? [it's of a bit of concern, so she folds her arms over her chest] What happened? Because we haven't really done much of anything in at least a week and a half.
Dick: It's nothing [he looks away and down to the side. He's not usually much of a liar, and he realizes that at times, he can be really bad at it.] I could use the work out, that's all.
Harmony: Well, I'm not dressed for that; so just come in for a bit. [opens the door wider and gestures for him to come in]
Dick: [He looks at her as though asking whether she's sure, before taking the gesture as a definite yes and entering.] I'll wait while you get changed.
Harmony: Okay. [shuts the door behind her] Do you want something to drink? I mean, [stops walking and glances to him] something is clearly wrong and if you're not going to talk to me about it that's fine. I'm not going to pry, because it's your business. I just - I do consider you a friend and if you need to talk, I can listen.
Dick: [He certainly wasn't expecting that. Her compassion means a lot.] ...thank you, Harmony. [His worst subject is talking about himself, it's rare he'll volunteer anything at all when asked directly. He'll eventually let it out, but in his own way. He scrubs a hand through his hair.] It's been a bit of a rough week.
Harmony: [exhales, unneeded but still a comfort] We all have rough weeks and this one has these weird birds. I think I've kissed a dozen people and hardly any of them I knew before I was suddenly, nearly, on their laps. [frowns] It's amusing, but also a bit ... of a hassle.
Dick: [How can she find that funny? Sure, even his own misfortune could be construed as humorous, Dick doesn't fail to see that, he just fails to find anything about it funny at this particular moment.] Consider yourself lucky you didn't run into Cupid. [Dick rubs a kink out of his neck. In his eyes it's more of a statement than an admission, but it also just kind of slipped out.]
Harmony: [lifts an eyebrow as she moves toward her dresser] Cupid? Like... the actual little winged baby? Isn't that a bit early or at least the wrong holiday?
Dick: [He takes this moment, while Harmony's back is turned, to look around her room. Not in an obviously nosy way, just in an observatory manner. He imagines this is the room of what every 8 year old girl dreams about. Ponies, unicorns, pink satin and silk ribbons. It's not what he would have imagined, but it's very her. He smiles a little to himself for what's probably the first time he's smiled all day.] Actually, I think he's a new arrival. And he's not so much a little winged baby. More... more... fully-grown, bow-totting adult.
Harmony: Sounds... creepy. [she tugs open a drawer, shifting through clothing until she pulls some sweatpants out and sets them on top of the dresser] I take it you ran into him?
Dick: [He makes a non-committal sound.] Mmn. His arrow ran into me. [Stupid hero heroics.]
Harmony: [spins around, frowning, slightly confused] Doesn't that mean....
Dick: Mmhm [still sounding just as un-enthused.] It means exactly what you think it means.
Harmony: Oh. [more frowning] That sucks. I'm sorry.
Dick: Yep [it sure does suck.] Now you know why I haven't been around so much.
Harmony: [nods] I'm glad it wasn't something I did. Was it at least someone you knew?
Dick: [He looks up sharply at that, suddenly feeling guilty for making her think, even for a moment, that his absence was because of something she'd done.] Vaguely [...how he knows Lana Lang in Paradisa and how he knows OF Lana Lang from his own world are two topics he definitely doesn't want to get into right now.] Why would you think it was something you'd done?
Harmony: [shrugs] I don't know, sometimes people just get upset with me. [she changes the subject] Lorne, he's one of my best friends. He's an empath demon - but when his wires get switched around instead of telling you how you feel, he tells you how to feel. I spent almost a week engaged to Angel. I hurt my other best friend, Cordelia, because she actually is the one that should be with Angel. [goes over to him and sets her hand to his] I actually know how it feels. [pat-pat on his hand]
Dick: [...wow.] Guess you really do. [Moving to take her hand in his and giving it a nice squeeze, he smiles in both sympathy and thanks.] But I'll see your engagement and raise you a marriage [There, there's a glimmer of his old self-depreciative, wry humor appearing as he turns over their hands, and wriggles his fingers to show her the wedding band around his finger.]
Harmony: [eyes go a bit wide at that] Holy... [smirks up at him] Well, you really don't do anything half-way, do you.
Dick: [He has to laugh at that, mostly because it's very, very true.] No, sir.
Harmony: [shakes her head, a bit a laugh there] Do you want to talk about it? I mean, I know beating something up is probably more your way of dealing with it, but if you want to talk.
Dick: Thanks, Harmony, but I think I just want to try and put it passed me. Of course, I don't know what we're going to do about it. I mean, I don't even know Paradisa's stand on divorce. I suppose I should look in to it, but a part of me doesn't want to. [He looks at her, hoping she'll understand.] Like, there's a part of me that still thinks it was real, even when I know it wasn't.
Harmony: [nods] From what I've heard... they aren't fond of divorce. [she does understand, she's seen a lot of people get caught up in the emotions the castle shoves on them] It was real, at least for that time. I know that I cared for... I loved and that's not something you can pretend. You have to feel it.
Dick: [he nods] it still hurts.
Harmony: [frowns, exhaling again, moving a bit closer to him her hand brushing to his hair] I'm sorry you had that happen. I know it'll take time to sort through it too.
Dick: [He exhales, nodding slightly and shutting his eyes for a moment, not minding her touch and closeness at all. It could be explained by his familiarity, earned from weeks of grappling together on gym mats with her, or Dick's own lack of belief in personal space and general tactile nature. Either way, it doesn't strike him as anything peculiar.] Yeah, no kidding. [The exhale is shaky with uncertain laughter.] I don't know where my head is right now.
Harmony: [her own thoughts often just drift to the most simplest of beliefs and she works for a psychiatrist, so she believes that she knows how to help, too] I think it's on your shoulders. [shy smile, trying to make him at least smile] I think it'll sort out, though. Cordelia and I are friends again and Angel is back to his usual monosyllabic self.
Dick: [She manages a half smile out of him.] Yeah, I know, you're probably right. [Dick knows it's only a matter of time before things either go back to normal, or something new and impossible comes along. It's why he'd wanted to spar, to distract himself until this time came along.] I just- [he smiles, but it's self-mocking] wish I didn't feel so pathetic. [and needy. so very needy.]
Harmony: [frowns, resting her hand to his shoulder] You might feel it, but Dick - you are far from a pathetic man.
Dick: Coming from someone who can wipe the floor with me without even trying, that means a lot. [His smile and laughter are both real this time, and he rests his hand over hers.]
Harmony: Speaking of... do you still want to spar? I'll just take a few minutes to change.
Dick: [He'd be the last one to ever admit it (unless it was to Harmony herself) but talking to Harmony has actually helped.] Sure, if you want.
Harmony: [smiles brightly] Okay! I'll just be a minute. [gives his shoulder a soft squeeze before she departs to go and grab the outfit from the dresser] You can make yourself comfortable if you want. I promise, I'm not going to take long though. [and she moves to the bathroom to change]
Dick: Take your time. [He calls after her. He'll just be by her bedside table, admiring the little trinkets she's set aside.]
Harmony: [she changes quickly - vampire reflexes and speed very handy in times like this and rejoins him in only a few minutes] Ready? [she pauses] There are birds though... the whole, castle taking-control thing. I haven't been out today, so I don't know if they're still in the castle.
Dick: ...right. [Truth be told, walking back from Lana's this morning he'd had other things on his mind. He couldn't tell her what he had or hadn't seen. It disappointed the detective in him. He turns to face her fully and raises his right hand, palm towards her.] I hear so much as a tweet and I will run in the opposite direction like there's no tomorrow, I swear.
Harmony: [she laughs, though -- really, she's not so sure she would be offended if he didn't make it away from her in time, he was still very attractive] Oh, well, what a relief. You'll spare me the horrible task of having to kiss you.
Dick: [He laughs at that, though flattered none-the-less, and gets the door for her. Dick's not blind, he knows what he sees in the mirror couldn't be considered unattractive, not by a long shot, he knows he's fortunate, but by no means is he vain. In fact, most days he will only look at himself in the mirror twice - once in the morning and once and night, and usually he'll only pull a face or shrug his shoulders. Neither is he blind to Harmony's looks and charms. If he weren't getting over/not-getting over Lana, he probably have flirted back.] After you.
Harmony: [it's been a while since Harmony has seen her own reflection - her Christmas present this year from the castle will be a greatly appreciated one - but she suffers the low-self esteem that many girls do, so she just heads out the door and toward the stairs, since she figures it'll be a good start to use those instead on the way to sparring] I've been practicing, you know. [calls out over her shoulder as she takes the stairs]
Dick: [He jogs to catch up to her.] Oh, yeah? Cheating on me, you mean. [He's joking of course, the grin on his face should tell her as much.] First I get my heart broken, then you tell me you've got a new sparring partner. I might as well give it all up.
Harmony: [laughs] Oh, no - I wouldn't want to hurt anyone. I've just been using the hanging bag-thing. [she might have had to wish for a new one... she did take one down the first time she got carried away]
Dick: Replaced by an old bag, huh? That does help ease the pain.
Harmony: Hey, you weren't around. [smirks over her shoulder as she opens the door to the correct floor where the gym is at] I didn't want to let all your training go to waste.
Dick: Then I guess we'll see how good you've gotten. [He grins, almost challenging her. Yeah, he can do this. This whole not focusing on his fake!marriage thing. If he could just do this for another week or so, he should be good.]
Harmony: Oh, I'll put you to the mat. [overly-confident? why yes, she is.]
Dick: [He likes this side of Harmony. The playful confident side. Of course, he likes ALL of Harmony's sides, including her back- wow. Okay, so he might be getting over his whole Cupid ordeal much sooner than he thought. For that, he might just let her win.] Sure, she can talk the talk, but can she walk the walk.
Dick: [He likes this side of Harmony. The playful confident side. Of course, he likes ALL of Harmony's sides, including her back- wow. Okay, so he might be getting over his whole Cupid ordeal much sooner than he thought. For that, he might just let her win.] Sure, she can talk the talk, but can she walk the walk?
Harmony: [turns around, walking backward for a moment] Oh, I'm sorry - I couldn't hear you over the sound of me getting ready to kick your ass. [grin and turns back around to open the door to the gym - she's actually relieved that there haven't been any birds, since she actually is looking forward to the work-out]
Dick: Careful Harmony, wouldn't want your head to get stuck in the door. [He's smirking and walking towards her. He pushes the door open, stretching his arm across and above her to hold it open. Ever the gentlemen.] After you.
Harmony: [frowns] I'm a vampire, nothing about my physical form can really change. It's impossible for my figure to change in the slightest. [ha ha. she will never get fat... or older]
Dick: [Might've looked that figure up and down without checking himself first.] Well, aren't you the envy of young women everywhere.
Harmony: [shrugs] Well, the whole vampire thing is considered 'gross' [she uses air-quotes there] because they like chocolate and whatever. [entering the work out room she glances around, moving a few of the loose free weights off the mats as if they don't weigh anything at all]
Dick: [If he ever has any heavy lifting to do, forget PeeGee and Kara, he's coming to you, Harmony.] Who doesn't.
Harmony: [takes the hair band off of her wrist and ties her hair up into a loose knot, smiling over at him] Ready?
Dick: [Affirmative nod and cocky eyebrow raise while he moves to a defensive stance.] Are you?
Harmony: Duh? [she looks super adorable when she says that]
Dick: [...seriously does.] Ladies first.
Harmony: [she takes her stance and moves forward with her first attack, recalling easily all the combinations that he taught her]
Dick: [Observes through a series of guards and dodges.] Good... Nice... Raise your left.
Harmony: [easily follows his instructions, following through and shifting her stance as she moves around him] You know, you can hit me back. I can take it. Honestly.
Dick: [He doesn't doubt her for a moment as he turns, mirroring her movement.] If you think you're ready.
Harmony: [smirks, shrugging up a shoulder before she goes through another sequence] You're the one that needed something to get your mind off of certain things.
Dick: [His guards don't stop at simply deflecting her now, he puts a little force behind his blocks, pushing her back.] Yep, and do you see me moping around anymore?
Harmony: [smiles, blocking his returns as well] Nope. [pushes back with her return a bit harder, trying to see how far he'll push this 'sparring' session]
Dick: [He grins back.] Then mission accomplished. [For now he's only going to match her, but if she continues to up the ante, then he's going to need to focus a little more as the intensity rises.]
Harmony: [laughs a bit as she continues their little match] I didn't realize you had a mission in place.
Dick: A mission. The mission. It's all relative.
Harmony: [lifts an eyebrow] I see. [moves to circle him, pushing the force of her strikes up a bit more, mostly out of instinct than anything else]
Dick: You do?[Oop] Feisty, [he quips, one-handedly somersaulting out of her way.]
Harmony: [watches him move and with a bit more speed than he probably considered she'd have, she's already on the other side of him when he rises to his feet] Yes and... yes.
Dick: [Quick enough for him to stumble back a pace.] Woah, hey.
Harmony: [reaches for his arm, letting her hand grip to his forearm so that if he should stumble he won't actually fall] Sorry.
Dick: [He'd never actually fall, she just startled him is all, but he smiles gratefully at her hand on his arm.] Thanks. [Now that her guard is down, it would be a perfect opportunity for him to strike at her, and were she anybody else - Kara, Tim, Damian - he probably would have.]
Harmony: [well, she's got his arm - which means she's completely capable of flipping him - which she'll try]
Dick: [She's devious, he likes it. Which is exactly why he's laughing from his position flat on his back...but not before he's gripped her ankles and yanked.]
Harmony: [oof! she didn't expect that at all and she drops hard onto the ground, she's laughing though] Ouch.
Dick: Seconded. [He turns onto his side and gets up onto his hands and knees. He crawls over her, taking her forearms in hand and pins them either side of her head, his knees spread either side of her hips. He's grinning.] That. was ballsy.
Harmony: [well... this was an interesting turn of events, not one she'd complain about because she was looking up into those eyes and... well] I saw an opening.
Dick: [He's impressed.] I let my guard down.
Harmony: Tiny bit.
Dick: [He's not one to gloat, but he is the one currently pinning her. His expression says as much. He smirks just a bit.] Nicely done.
Harmony: [she's noticed that he's not letting up either] I have a good teacher.
Dick: [His smirk turns into a pearly grin] Oh, now you're just fishing [and his ego is loving it.]
Harmony: [smirks up at him] Maybe. You can't prove it though.
Dick: [Tips his head to one side, still looking amused.] Now why-ever would I do that?
Harmony: [shrugs, but it's not the easiest thing with her arms pinned] Part of the mission maybe? [she's teasing and with her upper body strength, which is considerably more than his (vampire and all) she turns with her body and tries to flip them over]
Dick: [Oof!] Well, I was going to say that it helps my flailing ego, but you'd better make that my wounded ego. [He chuckles.]
Harmony: [frowns slightly] Did I hurt you?
Dick: [The chuckles gradually fade, but he's still smiling.] No, but remind me not to make you mad.
Harmony: [her tone teases but she settles on him now, seated on his lap] Don't make me mad.
Dick: Thanks, but I think you might have to tie a knot around my finger [because, chances are that he's going to forget that since she's being so...distracting, what with her literally sitting pretty. On his lap.]
Harmony: I'll keep that in mind. [she sits up a bit straighter now, letting go of his arms as she moves to readjust her ponytail]
Dick: [He bumps himself up onto his elbows, and is rather helpless but to take in the view. He COULD try to roll them again, but those thighs of hers...] Show off. [He teases.]
Harmony: [glances to him, smirking] Not comfortable?
Dick: [Quite the opposite] I should ask you the same thing.
Harmony: [muses for a moment] I'm good. [glances to him] Are we done?
Dick: We're done. [He nods] So, we're agreed on a stalemate, right?
Harmony: [thinks] Wait. That means no one won?
Dick: Exactly right.
Harmony: [pushes her hand to his chest, pressing him quickly to the mat again] That doesn't seem fair.
Dick: [He laughs softly] Hey, remember my ego!
Harmony: [leans over him, folding her arms over his chest as she looks down at him] I recall it.
Dick: Maybe I oughta tie a bow around your finger.
Harmony: [smirks at him] I think you have enough trouble putting things on girls fingers. [she says it with a smile, clearly teasing him but she is slightly worried that it'll push a bit lower than she anticipated, and in doing so she does lessening her powerhouse grip on him - giving him an opening to take - should he feel like doing so]
Dick: [He knows it's a tease (even if it did hurt a little), she doesn't mean anything malicious by it.] Oh, it is on. [He feels the fluctuation in her grip and decides to take advantage of it, but he wraps his arms under hers, gripping her shoulders, so that when they roll, her back and head don't smack off the matt. Consequently this means that when they do roll, their noses are inches apart. And he's grinning.] That was below the belt.
Harmony: [she meets his eyes] I was aware.
Dick: [He narrows his eyes, yet somehow they're still bright with amusement. Mischievous.] I want a rematch.
Harmony: You've already pinned me. I think you're at a slight advantage.
Dick: [He grins] I hadn't noticed.
Harmony: I'm upset that I'm not noticeable.
Dick: [Upset but not angry, huh? She could flip them at any time and Dick knows it. He unwinds one of his arms from under her back to tuck some hair that had fallen loose behind her ear, while his eyes roam her features.] I wouldn't say that.
Harmony: [it's quite possible that it's a risk she's thinking about taking, but with all the damn birds pushing her to kiss people without hardly a moment to speak of, she feels like if she doesn't take this one on her own the holiday will have been all for nothing. Leaning up toward him and kissing him very softly, testing the waters so to speak]
Dick: [His eyes go a little wide, but he'd be lying if he said he hadn't been thinking about doing the same thing. After a moment he shuts his eyes and returns the kiss, and after a few seconds, he brushes his bottom lip against her top, softly teasing her lips apart.]
Harmony: [there's relief that he doesn't spook away from her or push her back, because even if there wasn't much between them as far as a relationship went, it would've been foolish for her not to at least take a chance for just a small amount of affection. There was also the fact that he was a good kisser, so when his mouth parts against hers, she lets a hand slip up into his hair allowing him that extra bit of contact]
Dick: [Spurned on by her hand in his hair, Dick puts a little more behind the kiss, but not enough that he warrants being told to slow down or ‘go easy, tiger’. His hand moves from hovering by her ear to the joint where neck and shoulder meet, and gently, his thumb brushes over her collarbone. She's cooler than he is, and for a moment he thinks his own skin must feel feverish against hers. It's curious, and obviously requires further investigation.
After a moment of almost forgetting himself in their open-mouthed kiss, Dick pulls back. His hands stay on her, but his expression reads a mixture of guilt and surprise (and maybe a little awe, because that had been pretty intense, and sudden, and- yeah, hi.)] Woah. Harmony, I- [Uh, why had he stopped again? Right, right, the no advantage taking thing. Yes, yes, he’s aware she initiated it. But still. He wouldn’t be hopeless if he didn’t.]
Harmony: [with a soft bit of laughter, she grins up at him. The sigh that comes from her is practically empty, not really full of breath since she doesn’t breathe, but it’s still there.] Yes? [then, as quickly as her grin was there it’s replaced with a bit of confusion] Oh. Crap. Was that... I mean, I probably -- yeah, I shouldn’t have done that. [there’s a brief curious glance] Right?
Dick: Right. [Maybe he’d answered that too quickly.] I mean, it’s fine. It-- it was better than fine, [his thumb still strokes idly against her neck, while he raises an questioning eyebrow] but. [Right. Again with the but.] Are you sure?
Harmony: [her grin returns, hiding a bit of amused laughter] Am I sure that I wanted to kiss you? Yes. Am I sure that it was the wrong thing to do in the moment...? Not entirely, no. I mean, I’d be pretty foolish not to want to kiss you. I’m not a fool either. Possibly easily influenced and at times I’ve been accused of being naive, but I like you. [shrugs] I like spending time with you. [that smirk returns] And it was a very nice kiss.
Dick: [He can’t help but return her grin at that, because, yes, yes, it had been. Definitely.] I like you too, Harmony, but-- ah [his thumb pauses on her neck, and Dick chews on his bottom lip, although a small quirked smile steadily spreads, taking it’s place.] I’m not sure if this is the right place to do... well, [he gestures at them both with the hand on her throat.] this.
Harmony: [glances around] OH. Right. Hmmm... [sways her knees from side to side a bit, since she’s thinking and apparently can’t just “think” she has to move something to get those gears going...] We could go somewhere else? Like... my room?
Dick: [Her fidgeting is something he recognises, seeing as it’s something he does himself. However, he’s a little more focused on the woman beneath him, and honestly, her moving isn’t helping matters.] Right. [He nods. Well, that was a little more forward than he was expecting.] Like your room.
Harmony: [she pauses for a moment, because there’s that doubt again] Unless, you’d rather not. I mean, I know there’s... [hold on... props herself up on her elbows, glancing around and - relief - there are no birds] I know there aren’t any birds that made us do that, but if it was just a moment... thing. Because of the whole ‘grrr-fighting’ and … [she can’t think of the other words she wants to say that aren’t something akin to ‘grunting’ so she just smiles at him, hoping he’ll at least understand what she was going for there]
Dick: Right, yeah. [He does pull further back this time, straightening up and resting his hands on his thighs, where they rub back and forth a little restlessly.] It was a moment thing. A-- I mean-- [pauses, rubbing a hand over the back of his neck.] It was a good moment thing. [It seems like they’re back at the whole ‘it was a good idea, but is this a bad idea?’ kinda type thing. He’s not opposed to it, but at the same time he doesn’t want this to be something she’s likely to regret 20 minutes later. IT’S A ROUGH ESTIMATE OF TIME, OKAY. NOT A- well, you know.]
Harmony: [watches him, amused for the moment, because she can assume he’s doing some serious contemplation there. When his hand moves from his one thigh, she sits up a bit more, well, as much as she can in this position, and brushes her fingertip against that newly abandoned thigh, nodding as he talks] It was a good moment. [one that Harmony believes, right now, would be a good one to repeat.
She’ll reach with the hand that was occupied on his thigh up to tug at his shirt and pull him back toward her, because if she had to be the aggressive one here - she had no problem doing so.] We should do that again. The moment. [and here’s where she kisses you again, Dick.]
Dick: [Even though he knew what was about to happen, he still manages to look on in wide eyed surprise. There are no objections, however, and this time there is no pause before he starts to return the kiss. It’s chaste and close-mouthed, but at the same time prolonged and deep. When it’s over, despite not having exerted much, he’s a little breathless. Grinning. he knocks his forehead to hers.] Right. But not here.
Harmony: [leans in a bit against his forehead, nodding, mocking a bit of a stern glance] Right. Of course. [then she’s back to grins and tapping her hand against his thigh, because she can’t go anywhere with you still ON HER] So, you’ll get up... because not that I don’t mind the current position, but we can’t go anywhere until you get up.
Dick: [If Dick were a cartoon character, he’d have groaned at the notion. Instead, he pushes his lower lip out slightly in a playful mock-pout, before smiling again and pulling back.] Okay, I get the message. Getting up. [He stands without much effort, and with feet and legs still spread over hers, he bends, offering her two hands up.]
Harmony: [gratefully accepts the help up to her feet, dusting herself off since gym mats ARE ALWAYS DUSTY... glares at the lack of people mopping the place...] Thanks.
[there’s a definite bit of bounce to her ponytail as she moves toward the doorway, to head back to her room... WITH one Mr. Dick Grayson, seriously, if someone had told her this would be happening and not due to weird birds she would’ve laughed at them. Yet, here she is - and extremely pleased with the notion. Glancing over her shoulder, she smiles, holding the door open for him] Ready?
Dick: [Just. Grinning and walking on through the open door. If he looks smug, it’s because he totally is.] Guess I won that round after all. [He’s teasing, obviously, because he’s not a pig. Also, the little mischievous smirk he throws over his shoulder to her totally gives him away.]
Harmony: [shakes her head at the little smirk and the remark] I think we can mark this off as one of those ‘win-win’ situations, which I am actually very aware of, since I used to work for a law firm. They’re very rare, I’ll tell you that. [nods a bit and continues toward the elevator, bumping her hip to his as she passes him by]
Dick: [Touche, Harmony, touche. Also, she’s done that thing again where she’s taken him totally by surprise. A law firm, really?] No kiddin’? [Welp, colour him impressed.]
Harmony: [presses the button for the elevator and by some small miracle - it’s already there! so she’ll step in and wait for him to join her before pressing the button for her floor] I was the personal assistant to the CEO. He’s here, but he’s from before he was the CEO of the firm, so right now I just work for Dr. Sweets, in the city. [which she probably told him some other time, but she doesn’t mind repeating herself. She actually assumes most people tune her out]
Dick: [It might surprise her to learn, but Dick does actually listen to every word she says. He’s attentive that way. Also Batman maybe sort of might’ve drilled it into him at a young age - attention to detail, that is. He joins her in the lift, standing by her side, innocent faced. You’d never have guessed that seconds ago they were sucking face. Well, except for all that tension, that mounting sexual tension. There is that.] Right, yeah, you said. [It was news about her being a PA to a law firm’s CEO, though. Conversely:] What’s his name? Your CEO. [That’s it, make conversation. That’s always a good distraction when thinking about hitting the ‘hold’ button on the lift, yup.]
Harmony: [she’s humming a bit, trying not to fidget as she stands beside him] Oh! Right, his name’s Angel. He’s a vampire too, but he’s way better at the whole good-guy thing. He’s got a soul and tons of internal torment for all the things he’s done. [oh. shit] I mean, not that I’ve done horrible things. Because, nothing like what he did. [and... so not helping matters, so she’ll just... get quiet.] How’s Damian? Is he excited for Christmas? [pushes the conversation onto him!]
Dick: [Should’ve seen that one coming. Damn. He keeps his tone light, interested.] As excited as Damian gets. I mean, how do you top your very own island? [But no, wait a second. Back it up.] Angel? The same guy you thought you were engaged to? He was your boss? [That... kind of sucks.]
Harmony: [makes a face] Yeah, it was awkward. Plus, one of my best friends, Cordelia, is totally destined to be with him. I swear, it’s like fate. So, when that happened I just … I felt really bad. Because, I would never do anything like that to... well, anyone, let alone a friend. [this elevator is slow.... moves closer to him a bit] Wait, did you say an island? Who got him an island?
Dick: [He resists the urge to ‘ugh’ and roll his eyes.] His mother. Not to say that Bruce couldn’t top it. I mean, he could, but he wouldn’t. [He turns his head a little to look down at her, noticing the change in space between them.] So is she here? Cordelia? [As much as this is just making small-talk until the slowest elevator on earth gets to Harmony’s floor, Dick does hope her friends are here, and she had mentioned fate keeping Angel and Cordelia together. And no one does fate like Paradisa.]
Harmony: [nods, more inching closer] Yes! She’s here. So is Lorne, he’s my other best friend. Lorne is “Lorney Toons” and I’m his “Harmonica”. [she grins at that, because her and Lorne are really good friends.] There are actually a lot of people from my world here, but some of them I knew when I was in high school... so they don’t have the best impression of me. I was sort of mean in high school. The whole pressure of popularity and … yeah, I think I’ve managed to make up for it though. Oh! Fred is here too. She’s a Gal Pal of mine at the office back home. We go drinking... [and her fingers kind of brush to his thigh a bit but! saved by the ding of the elevator]
Dick: [Okay, cursing the elevator now. Should’ve hit that stop button... Not only was he learning a lot about her relationships with her friends, but that grin of hers was so infectious he’d wanted to kiss it. He waits for her to get off before following closely, returning those slight, almost accidental brushes with one or two of his own.] Is she a vampire too? [It doesn’t bother him anymore, in fact, he’s more often genuinely curious. Harmony had explained her abstinence from drinking fresh blood from humans, and the differences between vampires like herself and, well, the kind Dick had mistaken her for all those weeks ago.]
Harmony: [shakes her head] Oh, no. I mean, I’m the only one of my friends, other than Angel. Lorne’s an empath demon. He owns the karaoke bar, Caritas, in the city. Spike’s here, he’s my ex. [there’s a definite tone of annoyance/dislike] He’s a vampire, but he’s also easy enough to ignore. But Cordelia and Fred - they’re human. I actually went to high school with Cordelia. [and story-time ends because hey - it’s her door, and no one is in the hallway so she’s going to stop and steal a kiss before she turns to open her door]
Dick: [With her back to him, he steps in to close the gap, and brushes his lips against her shoulder lightly, his fingertips feather-light against her sides. He presses a kiss to her bare skin.] You sure about this? [Never hurts to ask one last time.]
Harmony: [if she hadn’t been before that moment he pressed his mouth to her skin - that would have pushed her over the edge - thankfully, she was already well-sold on the notion. She does, however, completely appreciate that soft gesture and leans back a bit as her fingers push her door open] Uh-huh... very sure.
Dick: [What had started out as a simple need for a distraction to turn into this, well. Nobody could have known that this was how it would turn out. He is thinking of Lana, just a little, and she does have something to do with why Dick isn’t backing the Hell up and taking a cold shower right about now, because he needs to get over her. Because it wasn’t real, none of it was. Harmony, however, she seems to live very in the moment, which is usually the same space that Dick occupies. She’s easy for him to be around. And Dick does like her, he’d be crazy not to. And if he does have any regrets later, then Harmony is not going to be the one to blame or somebody he’s going to start avoiding, that’s not how Dick operates. He doesn’t do regrets. Ever. It was all a sort of … learning experience.
His hands get a better hold around her waist, and he nudges her shoulder with his nose.] Lead the way.
Harmony: [it’s such a strong contrast to feel like someone wants to be there with you over all the other instances that she’d ever had in her life... un-life... life. Yeah, she’ll go with life. Not that she wanted to start putting weight on this before it had actually happened, but this at least felt like something they both could just handle and not over-stress. Unless he wanted to put weight on it. Which, they could talk about later, because the weight she was concerned about was the touch of his hand to her waist. Her own hand, no longer that warmer temperature from the work out presses over his as she walks into the room. This is good. They’re both adults. Heck, she isn’t getting any older... literally, so why not live in the moment. It was a magic castle and for the moment maybe she could be the girl that got the Prince. Even if they were just stories.
Once in the room, she turns around, still keeping close to him and smiles. Her hand reaches beyond his shoulder and the door shuts behind them.
For now they can both handle a little bit of a “Happy Ending”.
Oh. Not like that.
Well... sort of like that.]
