Chapter Text
She was straight. Of course, she was straight. She had just looked up images of Kori; she had never seen the Tamaranian up close. She was thinking of Dick while her hand teased herself. Or at least, she made herself think of Dick, and of course, Kori was there too. Her eyes were fixated on the images of the other redhead on the computer after all. It was to be expected.
She glanced at the time on her phone. A deep paranoia that she may be discovered overcame her. Her uncle was still at work. She was home alone. And distinct guilt filled her. She pushed herself back, standing from her chair. It was too early to go on patrol.
She stepped into her underwear; her mind had returned to the night before each time she saw a pair, out of sheer paranoia and excitement. Guilt shot up again as the thought returned. It was wrong. Not only because she was straight but also because it was a violation, little more than an actual crime.
She pulled on a leather jacket. A ride would clear her mind. She knew as she drove where she was going. It wasn’t a conscious decision, but she hadn’t actively avoided it. The caves and passages that led to the Bat Cave were familiar. The Cave itself almost a home. More than her dorm apartment. More than her uncle’s.
* * *
“-ames, Star.” Voices filled in as the bike came to a stop, and she killed the engine. She had not expected the Titan to be in the cave; though her being allowed in the manor made it inevitable. Her heart ached as her shelter was pierced, though the irony of it being her own make was not lost on her.
Dick wore tight jeans that highlighted his calves, an orange—no, brown—turtleneck kept him warm with a lighter blazer on the outside. The tall woman beside him was barely dressed, with only a towel covering her nethers, full abreast.
Beside them both Tim stood with his arms crossed- eyes trained on the ground before spotting Barbara’s arrival and turning trained on her.
Her hair fell as she pulled off the helmet, hanging it on the stand as she came into view. “Babs?” Dick’s face lit up with a smile as she walked in.
“Uh, we just went over this.”
“Yes, Nightwing, the Robin said in the cave we maintain our mantles.” He moved past them and pulled her in for a hug. She took it in. His warmth. His feel. The faint aftershave mixed with leather. She returned the favor and wrapped her arms around him.
“I missed you,” Dick picked her up for a moment before placing her back down. Her face turned warm with a blush, and she let out a deep breath.
“I’m glad you came,” she began to apologize. But he quickly interrupted.
“I am too. It shouldn’t have been so long.” The alien let out a small, polite cough. “Where are my manners?” He stepped back and toward the long-haired woman.
For the first time, she could take her appearance in person. She was tall, taller than Dick. Maybe half a foot, she estimated. “This is Kori- Starfire.”
The Tamaranian smiled, “It is the pleasure to be meeting you.”
Barbara gestured hello, but Kori began to float down the stairs, pulling her in for an embrace. She could smell the woman, the woman pressed up against her. The alien’s hand had inadvertently found itself on her butt cheek just as Dick’s had.
“Hugs are a part of both my and human culture,” she spoke as her arms held Barbara up against her. Her bare chest pressed against Barbara’s jacket. She broke the hug but pulled Barbara beside her and guided her toward the other two. “Nightwing has told me a lot about you.”
She tried not to look. “Good things, I hope?” She did look at Dick; he had a warm smile. His eyes glanced at the alien’s breasts before to her own face, then away. She could hear her own heart pounding with nerves, could they all? She grabbed her wrist to steady her hand.
“He told me about the Scarecrow case.”
Barbara couldn’t help but give a small smile, “Sewers or blimp?”
“Blimp?” Tim looked between the two.
“Sewers,” Dick replied. It felt nice, having her friend back. She considered if he or Kara were more of a best friend. She knew there was no need to rank them.
“Early for patrol,” Tim starts. “What’re you doing here?” She could sense the relief that he could talk to her and alleviate the urge to stare at the Tamaranean’s breasts.
“Came to clear my head.”
“We should do lunch,” Kori smiled and looked toward Dick.
“Uh, yeah. Sure. Lunch.”
“I’ll pass,” Tim stepped away and toward the back of the cave and vanished.
“I will get clothes, Dick, Barbara-” she paused and considered the name that just came off her tongue. “You two pick a Gotham place.”