#2018 me would be SHOOK but she'd be so happy !!

[backintimeforstuff]

Not to be incredibly uncool about this or anything but !!! Twenty-Five Years and Counting is now complete!!! Here's the final chapter <3

(To all of you who think your fic isn't good enough: Don't Delete It. For the love of God. You'll regret it. I promise you you'll miss it. And you'll only end up rewriting the whole damn thing later word for word as best you remember it. Exactly like I did. Exactly like what this is.)

[bechloeislegit]

Pitch Perfect SpookFest 2022 - Day 8

Life After Death

Warning: Due to the nature of the prompt, there will be a major character's death (nothing graphic; only mentioned) in this Chapter. Don't hate me.

{Please note this is a reworking of a prompt from PP Rare Pair Week 2018. I had trouble coming up with something for SpookFest, so I went back to another of my stories that I really enjoyed; I hope you enjoy it as well.}

Chloe kissed her fingertips and placed them on the lips of Beca's photo. She wiped a tear from her eye and left her apartment. She drove to the diner where she was meeting the rest of the Bellas and parked her car. She sat for a minute, collecting her thoughts before she let out a heavy sigh and got out of the car.

"Chloe," Aubrey said when she saw Chloe enter the diner. She rushed over and grabbed her into a hug. "How are you holding up, sweetie?"

"I'm doing okay," Chloe said. "Still kind of hurts, but each day it gets better."

"Come on, let's sit," Aubrey said.

"Hey, Chlo," Stacie said, giving her a soft smile.

"Hey, Stacie," Chloe said, somewhat surprised at seeing the brunette. "I thought you weren't going to make it."

"Are you kidding?" Stacie said. "This is for Beca. And you. Nothing was going to keep me away."

Chloe smiled and then heard more squeals and turned to see Jessica, Ashley, and Flo entering the diner. They all greeted each other and sat down.

"Where's Amy?" Chloe asked. "I figured she'd be here before everyone else."

"She volunteered to pick up CR and Lily from the airport," Stacie said.

"Oh, I'm sure she's going to be fashionably late and make a grand entrance," Aubrey said, causing the others to laugh and agree.

Just then, "What's up, pitches?" is heard across the diner.

"See what I mean," Aubrey said, causing another laugh.

Fat Amy struts over to the table with CR and Lily following behind her. They all give Chloe a quick hug and sit down.

"I can't believe it's been a year already," Amy said. "I sure miss that little shit."

"We all do, Amy," Aubrey said.

Chloe gives her a teary smile and just nods her head. She misses Beca so much. If only she hadn't had to play the hero, she might still be here with her. Chloe wipes at a tear that falls down her cheek.

"Well, if she were here, she'd probably be rolling her eyes and smirking at how emotional we all are," Chloe said. "So, let's be happy and rejoice in the time we got to spend with her."

"Yeah," Jessica said. "I'm getting the chocolate chip pancakes because they always seemed to make Beca happy when she ate them."

This set off a conversation about their lost friend, with lots of laughter and stories being bounced around. Chloe was laughing and glanced over at a corner of the diner. She did a double take because she would have sworn she saw Beca standing there. She shook her head and rejoined the conversation thinking how it had to be her imagination.

After brunch at the diner, the girls all visit the cemetery to lay a flower at Beca's grave. Chloe lets the tears flow and places her flower on the grave. She looks up to wipe her eyes and again swears she sees Beca standing a little ways away, looking at the group with tears in her eyes.

"Do you see that?" Chloe asks Stacie, who's standing next to her.

Stacie looks to where Chloe is pointing and asks, "See what?"

Chloe looks again and shakes her head. "Never mind."

"Are you okay, Chlo," Stacie asks.

"Yeah," Chloe says. "Just emotional, I guess."

"It's to be expected," Stacie says. "I admire what you and Beca had. I just hope one day to have that."

"You will, Stacie," Chloe says and hugs the girl. "And it will be awesome."

That night, Stacie and Aubrey offer to stay with Chloe. They sit with her and help to comfort her. After they all went to bed, Chloe was left to her own thoughts. She was drifting off to sleep when she heard someone call her name. She sat up and looked around, "Brey?"

Chloe turned on the bedside lamp and looked around, and let out a small scream. She put her hands over her mouth and listened to see if she woke up Aubrey or Stacie. When she was met with silence, she looked at the figure sitting on her bed, looking at her with a smile on her face.

"Hey, Chlo," the image that looked like Beca said.

"You're not real," Chloe said. "You're just a fig-figment of my imagination."

"Actually, I'm a ghost," Beca said. "For real. A ghost."

"But how?" Chloe asks, sitting up and leaning back on her hands. "Why? Why are you here?"

"I need to set you free, Chlo," Beca said. "You need to know that it's okay to be with someone else."

"I don't want anyone else," Chloe said. "There isn't anyone else for me."

"Yes, there is," Beca said. "It's someone you already know. Someone who has loved you for a while."

"Why don't I know about them?" Chloe asks, bending her legs and hugging her knees. "Why haven't they said anything?"

"Because you were with me," Beca said. "They are a friend to both of us and don't want to say anything for fear of breaking some sort of friendship bond we had."

Chloe just looks at Beca with tears in her eyes. "I don't know if I can love anyone else."

"Just because you fall for someone else," Beca said with a sad smile. "Doesn't mean you fall out of love with me. The person knows how you feel about me, how we always felt about each other. I think you should give them a chance. She'll make you happy, and you deserve to be happy."

"Who is it?" Chloe asked, her interest piqued now. "Wait. What the hell am I doing? Am I really talking to a ghost about this? I must be dreaming."

Chloe falls back on the bed and throws an arm over her eyes. She actually pinches herself and lets out a soft "ow". She immediately sits back up, and Beca is still sitting there with a smirk on her face.

"Are you done?" Beca asked, biting her lip not to laugh at the redhead.

"Yeah," Chloe said sheepishly. "I still don't understand how I can see you and talk to you."

"It's kind of complicated to explain," Beca said. "Let's just say it has something to do with Cupid and moving on."

"Moving on?" Chloe said. "They expect me to move on and forget about you."

"Not forget about me," Beca said. "Move on and find love again."

"I, I don't honestly think I can," Chloe said, eyes filling with tears. "You're the love of my life, Becs. No one will be able to come close."

Beca gave her a small smile. "You have to stop thinking like that," Beca said. "I mean, I know I'm awesome and all that." She gave Chloe a big grin, causing the redhead to smile back at her. "I will always be in your heart and in your memories. But there is plenty of room in both for someone new."

"Then why won't you tell me who it is?" Chloe asked.

"I can't," Beca said. "But trust me, you'll find out soon enough."

"So what happens if I fall in love with this person?" Chloe asked. "Will I be able to see you and talk to you like this again?"

"I, um, honestly don't know," Beca said. "But, if you really, really need me, I'll be here. You can talk to me, and even if I can't respond, I'll hear you. I always hear you."

"I love you so much, Beca," Chloe said.

"I love you, too," Beca said. "I have to go now. Just remember what I said. You can and will love again. Don't ignore it."

Beca disappears, and Chloe falls down on her bed and lets the tears fall. She doesn't believe she'll ever be able to love again.

The next morning, Stacie and Aubrey are sitting in Chloe's kitchen talking.

"I bet if you asked Chloe, she'd let you stay here until you found a place," Aubrey said.

"I don't know if that's a good idea," Stacie said. "You know how I've felt about Chloe for a while now. I don't want to make it weird between us."

"You should just tell her," Aubrey said. "Give her some time to get used to the idea. I think she's ready to move on and find love again."

"I'll never be able to be what Beca was to her," Stacie said.

"Then don't try to be," Aubrey said. "Just be yourself. You're pretty awesome on your own merits." Aubrey hears Chloe's door open. "Just think about it."

"Hey," Chloe said as she walked into the kitchen. "Sorry, I slept so late. I had the weirdest. . .I'm not sure what to call it. I didn't sleep well."

"It's okay," Aubrey said. "I was thinking we could go to brunch. I have to fly home today, but it would be nice to have brunch, just the three of us."

"Sounds good," Chloe said. "How about you, Stacie? You up for it?"

"Um, yeah," Stacie said. "Sounds good. I'll just go get changed."

Stacie gets up and goes back to the guest room to shower and change. Just as she's about to walk into the bathroom, Beca is standing in front of her.

"Holy shit!" Stacie squeals. Her mouth drops open in shock. "Beca?"

"Hey, Stacie," Beca said. Stacie reaches out to touch her, and just like in the movies, her hand goes right through her. "Don't do that. It feels weird."

"Yo-you're really a gha-ghost?" Stacie stuttered.

"Yep, I'm really a ghost," Beca said. "And I don't have much time. So, here goes. Ask Chloe out. Tell her how you feel about her. Take good care of her, and she'll take good care of you."

"What?" Stacie asked, her mind in a jumble. "You know how I feel about Chloe?"

"Yeah," Beca said. "Ghost, remember? I can listen in on conversations, and I just heard you talking to Aubrey. Ask Chloe about staying here while you look for a place. Spend some time with her. She'll realize how special you are, and you two will be very happy together."

"This is too weird," Stacie says, sitting on the edge of the bed. "You were my best friend, Beca. It just doesn't feel right that you're telling me to love your girl."

"Stacie," Beca said. "Chloe was and always will be the love of my life. I was also hers. But she's still alive and has plenty of love to give to someone else. And I would love for it to be with someone I know who will love her like she deserves to be loved."

"So, you're giving me your blessing?" Stacie asked. "To be with Chloe if Chloe wants to be with me."

"Yes," Beca said.

"Just like that?" Stacie asked.

"Just like that," Beca said. "Stop overthinking things and just do what your heart tells you to do. Go for it, Stace. You'll be so glad you did. I know what it feels like to be loved by Chloe Beale, and let me tell you, there is no greater feeling than that."

"Thank you, Beca," Stacie said as tears fell down her face. "I'll, um, go for it."

"Good," Beca said. "I have to go. But I'll be checking in sometimes, and you'd better be treating her right."

"I will," Stacie said and smiled. "I'd hate to have my ass kicked by a ghost."

Beca smiled and was suddenly gone. Stacie sat there for a minute before she got up and went to take her shower. While in the shower, she thought about what just happened. She took it as a sign and decided that she really was going to go for it.

After she was dressed and met Aubrey and Chloe in the living room, Stacie looked at Chloe.

"What?" Chloe asked, starting to squirm a little.

"I'm sorry," Stacie said. "I was just thinking about how to ask you if I can use your guest room for a couple of months. I'm being transferred here and will need a place to stay until I find my own place."

"Of course," Chloe said, jumping up from her seat and hugging Stacie. "You can stay as long as you need to. It will be nice to have another body around."

"Great," Stacie said with a smile. "I'll be transferring in two weeks, so I'll plan to start staying here then."

Aubrey looked at Stacie and smiled. She just knew this was going to work out for Stacie and Chloe.

"Shall we go eat?" Aubrey asked as she stood up.

"Let's go," Chloe said with a genuine smile.

Stacie moved in, and six months later, she was still "looking" for an apartment. Chloe wasn't in any hurry for Stacie to move out, and neither was Stacie. They had become closer, and Stacie found herself falling more in love with Chloe than before. Chloe started having feelings for Stacie but still held back. She still loved Beca and found it hard to think of herself with anyone else.

"Why is apartment hunting so hard?" Stacie whined.

"I've told you before," Chloe said. "Just stay here. It's nice having a roommate. I kind of like having you around." Chloe blushed a little when she said this.

"Really?" Stacie asked with a smile. "I do kind of like being around." Stacie bit her bottom lip debating on whether to ask what she really wanted to ask Chloe. "Hey, Chlo?"

"Yeah," Chloe said and looked at Stacie. She caught Stacie's eye and couldn't help but stare. Stacie was really beautiful. Chloe looked at her and was surprised because she didn't have the same guilty feeling she got when she thought about being with someone else. Like she was cheating on Beca. This time, it felt right.

"Do you, um," Stacie started and stopped. "Do you ever think about finding someone else to be with? I mean, I know you will always love Beca, but do you think there is someone else out there for you?"

"Honestly," Chloe said and tuck a stray hair behind her ear. "I do."

"Good," Stacie said. "I, um, think that's good."

Stacie looked at Chloe and then just turned and walked to her room. She face-planted on her bed and groaned.

"What the hell was that?" Beca asked, causing Stacie to jump up.

"Dammit, Beca," Stacie said. "You scared the hell out of me."

"That was the perfect opportunity to ask Chloe out," Beca said. "And you just walked away. Unbelievable."

"I panicked," Stacie said. "She's just so, so-"

"So, Chloe?" Beca prompted.

"Yeah," Stacie said. "She's perfect and gorgeous, and oh, my God, those eyes. Argh!"

Beca just stood there and smiled. "Sack up, dude, before someone else comes along and snatches her right out from under you."

"It's not that easy," Stacie said.

"Look who you're talking to," Beca said. "How long did I whine to you about how I felt for Chloe before I finally asked her out?"

"Yeah, it was pretty pathetic," Stacie said with a snort.

"Rude!" Beca said. "Anyway, I'm going to tell you what you told me. If you don't do it, someone else will, and then you'll spend the rest of your life pining away for the one that got away."

"You're right," Stacie said and got up. She marched to the door and swung it open, and went to the living room.

"Chloe," Stacie said, causing Chloe to look at her. "I like you. A lot. And I want to know if you'd like to go on a date with me. We don't have to do anything fancy, just maybe a nice dinner and see a movie. Or we can just see a movie. Or just go to-"

Stacie was cut off from saying more by Chloe's kiss. Stacie's eyes widened when she realized what was happening. Chloe pulled back and said, "I'd love to go out with you."

"Really?" Stacie asked, her voice cracking. She clear her throat and tried again. "Really?"

"Yes, really," Chloe said. "I've been trying to figure out how to ask you out."

"Wow, so Beca was right," Stacie mumbled.

"Beca?" Chloe said, confused. "What do you mean, Beca was right?"

"Um, I, uh," Stacie stammered.

"Did you see Beca, too?" Chloe asked, smiling.

"Too?" Stacie said. "You saw and talked to Beca?"

"Um, yeah?" Chloe said, not wanting to sound crazy. "She told me that there was someone out there for me. Someone I already knew, and she approved of them if I decided to be with them."

"She told me to go for it with you," Stacie said. "I've kind of had feelings for you for a while. I was just afraid that you'd compare me to Beca, and I knew I couldn't compete with the love of your life."

"Stacie," Chloe said and took Stacie by the hand and sat on the sofa with her. "I won't lie to you. Beca will always be in my heart. No one can replace her. But there's room in my heart for you, too. I feel like I'm falling in love with you."

"I feel the same way about you," Stacie said. "So, we're going to give this a go?"

"Yes, we're going to give this a go," Chloe said. "I have a feeling Beca is doing a fist pump right about now."

Beca was listening and was also doing a fist pump. She smiled at how well Chloe still knew her. Her smile grew wider when she saw Stacie and Chloe coming together in another kiss.

"I love you both," Beca said out loud, causing the two girls to pull apart.

"Did you hear that?" Chloe asked.

"I did," Stacie said.

"So, are you busy tonight?" Chloe asked. "I know this great little Italian place. Beca and I loved going there." Chloe frowned. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that."

"It's okay, Chlo," Stacie said. "I know there will be a lot of things that remind you of Beca. I would be offended if you didn't talk about her freely."

"I have a feeling Beca knew what she was doing bringing the two of us together," Chloe said and smiled.

"I agree," Stacie said.

A little over four years later, Chloe was standing in front of Beca's grave on the fifth anniversary of her death, all their Bella friends standing around her. She knelt down to place a flower and whispered, "I still love you." She stood up and walked over to Stacie, taking their daughter so she could lay her flower on the grave. The two-year-old started squirming. "Settle down, Beca. We'll be leaving in just a few minutes."

[not-so-mundane-after-all]

Fandom: DC Titans

Title: Heaven is a Place on Earth

Pairings/Relationships: Dick Grayson/Kory Anders, Core Four

Summary: Stargazing was really relaxing and helped with her shattered nerves but Kory knew deep down she needed something more. 

Check out the prompt list | REQUESTS OPEN

Hand-holding | 43. raising the other’s hand to their lips to kiss it softly, Dickkory - for Vanessa N Isaacs 

When she abruptly woke up, her breathing rapid and heartbeat racing, all she could feel was fire.

Kory's used to fire coursing through her veins, but this time it's not the warm and comforting power of her Starfire, it's a conflagration, turning her into a pile of ashes. Sweat was dripping from her face, lungs refused to cooperate and the only thing on her mind was run, get out.

Throwing the tangled covers away in a hurry she slipped off the comfortable mattress to sit down at the edge of the bed. She wanted to run her fingers through the messy bush of her curly purple hair but she noticed her palms were giving out a soft orange glow. The waves of heat were flowing underneath her skin like water in the river during a storm. The sight could be almost calming but it only added fuel to the fear squeezing Kory's chest.

"It was just a dream," she whispered, closing her eyes, her fingers curling into fists. "Just a fucking dream."

She ordered herself to steady her breathing, to calm down her raging heart. She looked over her shoulder at Dick, who remained asleep on his side of their bed, facing away from her. In the faint light coming from the window she could make out the outline of his bare back. Watching him breathe in his sleep calmed her down a bit but she knew it won't do the trick after the horrors she just witnessed in her mind.

So she stood up and as quietly as she could stepped out of the room.

***

The door to Rachel's room creaked when she opened it and Kory froze. She waited five seconds, holding her breath, but the girl didn't wake up. Kory didn't mean to enter anyway, she just wanted to slide her head in to sneak a glance, that's all.

Rachel slept soundly curled up in her bed, wrapped in her blankets so tightly that only the top of her head was visible. Kory's heart slowed its pace a little, knowing that the girl was alright. She leaned her head on the doorframe and smiled fondly. She could never sleep like that, she'd feel trapped, not to mention how hot it'd be under all these blankets, but Rachel loved the heat. She loved to bury herself in the covers and pillows and soak up the warmth, especially when she didn't have anyone to cuddle with and share body heat - usually that person was Dick.

She's okay, Kory told herself when the images from her nightmare flooded her mind again. She's okay and she's sleeping so stop being paranoid.

She closed the door with a soft click and moved to the bedroom next door - Gar's. Peering inside she let out a quiet laugh. The boy was sprawled out on top of the covers, arms and legs spread in every direction. His mouth was slightly open and the soft snoring sound he was making made Kory giggle so hard she had to press her hand to her mouth to keep it quiet. He's okay, she told herself and closed the door behind her, a fond smile still tugging at her lips.

It was just a dream. The kids are alright.

Then why was she still shaking? Why was her heart still trying to break out of her chest? Why were her hands still glowing? She didn't- She didn't, right? She just checked. The kids are alright.

There's no going back to bed, Kory knew it. So her bare feet carried her further down the hall to the living room and out on the balcony. She stepped out into the chilly night air, not feeling a bit cold despite having only a gray tank top and pink shorts on. Leaning on the railing with her hands folded in front of her she looked up and took a long, deep breath.

The sky was exceptionally clear tonight, the stars scattered around were shining like glitter, she could even make out a few constellations. Such views are rare in cities like San Francisco - at least that's what Dick told her once. Something about pollution in the air and tall buildings covering the sky.

Stargazing was really relaxing and helped with her shattered nerves but Kory knew deep down she needed something more. Something that unfortunately was out of reach this time.

Back on her home planet whenever she felt the need to clear her mind or get her unstable powers under control, she would take a small ship for a ride and spend a few hours drifting in space, close to Tamaran's orbit, watching those little shiny dots from up close. Oh, to be stardiving again! It was the only time she, Koriand'r, Princess of Tamaran, could be truly alone - no royal guard, no servants, no nobles, politicians or other royal family members, close or distant. She missed soaring through hyperspace, twirling between asteroids, surfing on stardust. The other day during a movie night the team was watching one of the Star Wars movies (Gar wanted a whole marathon and he was stubborn as hell about it) and at some point Kory had to excuse herself and run to hide in the bathroom because she was one second away from crying. Seeing the vast space, the ships, even the hyperspace tunnel (that didn't look like this in real life at all but that's not the point) felt like getting repeatedly stabbed in the heart. It brought back memories that were fond and happy but stung like a fresh cut. Her heart couldn't take it. 

Being out there felt almost heavenly, it just made all your worries go away, even if only for a moment. No duties, no laws, no control, nothing - just her and the stars. The lights, the colors, the feeling of being light as a feather… she missed being instantly healed from her worries thanks to all that.

But things are different now. Back then Kory took every opportunity to run away from her duties and responsibilities and hide between the stars. Now she was here on Earth - with new duties and new responsibilities. And she found herself realizing that for the first time in her life she doesn't want to get away from them, even for a moment of quiet and peace. She had this team now, this family, two amazing kids she and Dick were raising together - she couldn't just take off whenever she felt like it. She wasn't a princess anymore, but she was a freaking superhero, a friend, a girlfriend and most of all - a mother. 

She looked at her hands again, feeling that her lower lip was starting to tremble. If that dream had been real, if the kids really were… if she really-

"There you are," she heard a sleepy voice behind her and turned to find Dick standing in the doorway. He was barefoot as well, only in sweatpants and a t-shirt he must have thrown on when he got up. He was watching her with curious eyes, but not without a hint of worry. "What are you doing here in the middle of the night?"

She gave him a faint smile even though she could feel tears welling up behind her eyes. One glance down told her that her palms were still glowing so she hid them behind her back. 

"I just needed some fresh air."

His gaze lost all signs of curiosity - now it was just worry. He stepped out onto the balcony, closing the door behind him.

"Nightmares?" he guessed.

She shook her head and sighed, "Dick…"

"Kory…" he shot back mocking her tone, half playful, half serious and she instantly knew she lost that fight. Once he noticed something was wrong he wasn't going to back down. It was their children who taught him that patience and resilience with their own night terrors and shutting down.

Dick walked up to her and leaned back against the railing, crossing his arms over his chest. Kory turned back to the city view and fixed her eyes on the buildings but she could feel his gaze boring into her skull, studying her, trying to read something from her face.

"It was nothing." she finally told him, not being able to stand the pressure anymore.

"If you're out here at 3 am watching the stars, it's not nothing."

She winced and looked away. Damn it, sometimes she forgot how well he knew her. It's one of the things she loved so much about him - he could break her down to pieces and put back together with one single glance.

She dropped her head, squeezing her eyes shut. Part of her wanted to tell him, he was only trying to help after all, but at the thought of putting that nightmare into words a painful lump grew in her throat. She shook her head helplessly, her lips pressed into a thin line. She couldn't do it.

His hand slipped across her back and Kory shivered when he moved closer to embrace her. It was a hesitant hug, he wanted to comfort her but was mindful of her needing space and acted carefully, ready to step back if she wanted him to.

She didn't.

"You know you can tell me, right?" he whispered, leaning closer to her face. Their eyes met and after a long moment full of dread Kory uncurled her fingers wrapped around the railing, revealing a soft orange glow that illuminated their faces.

"I lost control," she breathed out, her voice wobbly. "My Starfire got out of hand and… I hurt the kids."

Her voice broke and she lost the fight to keep her tears at bay. She leaned into Dick who instantly wrapped his arms around her, letting her hide her face in the curve of his neck.

"They begged me to stop and I- I couldn't." She was full-on sobbing now. The dam finally broke. "I felt nothing, I was empty. But I can still hear Gar screaming, I can feel Rachel's skin melting under my hand…"

She couldn't get another word out, it was too much. Kory couldn't remember the last time she cried this hard, but now she wasn't able to stop. Dick held her tightly against him, rubbing her back.

"Kory, you would never do that-"

"You don't know that!" She cried out, ripping herself out from his embrace. His arms fell helplessly to his sides as he watched her with pain and worry written all over his face. Kory lifted her hands in front of her, showing him the pulsing fire beneath her skin. "I woke up and my hands looked like this. I didn't do anything while I was asleep but how can I know I won't do it next time?"

Dick took a step closer.

"Kory-"

"How can I know I won't hurt Rachel or Gar - or you - when I'm like this? How-"

"Kory!" he called out to her and stopped her panicked rambling by grabbing her hands in between his own. He locked eyes with her before he pulled her closer, trapping their joined hands between their chests and then spoke softly but with total conviction.

"Kory, this is not gonna happen."

She tried to swallow the lump in her throat. "How do you know?"

Dick smiled, then slowly lifted her hands to his lips and kissed them softly. 

"Because I know these hands," he whispered tenderly and lifted his eyes back at her. "They are capable of many things but they would never hurt our kids in any way. You would never do that, Kory. I know that and Gar and Rachel know that, too."

Her heart almost melted when she heard him say our kids. They both loved them more than anything in the world. And that love is what brought them together, tying them to each other like an invisible string.

Blinking away her tears Kory finally smiled and leaned her forehead against his.

"Have I ever told you that I love you, Grayson?"

He let out a quiet chuckle and let go of her hands, wrapping his arms around her waist instead.

"Maybe once or twice."

She looped her arms around his neck relishing in his closeness. They stayed like that, forehead to forehead, until her heartbeat came back to normal and the last of her tears had dried out.

"We can go check on them if you want." he suggested softly, gazing into her eyes. She brushed her nose against his.

"I already did. I almost didn't notice Rachel under all those blankets."

Dick chuckled and Kory felt her heart skipping a beat at the sight of dimples that appeared on his face. Great X'Hal, she was head over heels for this man.

"Yeah, she loves to turn herself into a burrito," he nodded, smiling tenderly. "And let me guess, Gar's spread out on his bed as wide as he can, isn't he?"

"Like a fucking starfish." she giggled, shaking her head. "Funny how he'd take up a lot less space if he actually turned into one."

"Oh, don't give him ideas." Dick shot her a warning look but his gaze wasn't serious and his voice sounded giddy. "Remember what happened last time he turned into a sea creature?"

They both burst out laughing so hard Kory had to lean her head on Dick's shoulder. Yeah, she remembered a giant green dolphin in the middle of their living room damn too well. Gar was so panicked he forgot how to turn back and although it was a bit scary back then, now it was one of the best embarrassing stories they loved to tell and he hated to hear.

When their laughter died down they both sighed in content and found themselves lost in each other's eyes again. Dick reached out to tuck an unruly purple curl behind her ear.

"So what do you wanna do?" he murmured, his low voice sending shivers down her spine. She looked up at the stars again and smiled. She didn't need to drift between the stars to feel like she's in Heaven - she found it here, in the loving arms of the best man she has ever known.

"This." She breathed out and leaned in to press her lips to his, softly at first as a sign of gratitude, but then his arms gripped her tighter and he deepened the kiss, putting more passion into it. And the galaxy of stars lit up behind Kory's eyes, the fire in her veins spreading out from her palms through her entire body. It wasn't dangerous and scary anymore, but warm and bright, like the love she felt for her new family.

Yeah, who needs stardiving when Heaven is a place on Earth?