Chapter 78: 78

Words : 817 Updated : Oct 1st, 2025

| Washington D.C. - July 27 Joseph liked Kori. Ever since their time trapped in the arena together, she had occupied a space in his mind he couldn't ignore. She was kind, even after all the pain and torture she had endured. Thoughtful and caring, yet tough and strong—so many things about her drew him in. Truthfully, he had always had a crush on her. But the fear that she didn't feel the same way had always held him back. From spending time with Kori, he had learned that Tamaraneans were passionate people, driven more by emotion than reason. While they were fierce warriors, their capacity for love was even greater than their capacity for hate. And that was the problem. He feared that the kindness she showed him, the warmth in her laughter, and the time they spent together weren't special. That they were things she would do with anyone else. He also didn't want her to feel obligated to return his feelings just because he had helped her escape the arena. What if he confessed and made their relationship awkward? What if she rejected him, and things between them were never the same again? But for those thirty minutes, when his fear had been stripped away, none of those thoughts had held him back. So, he had asked her out. And she had smiled and said yes. Now, walking through the streets of Washington D.C. with Kori beside him, Joseph felt a mix of emotions. Relief. Happiness. Maybe even excitement. She had accepted. Looking back on their time together, he realized they had already gone on many "dates" without calling them that. Exploring Gotham every week, discovering hidden gems in the city, sharing meals at different restaurants. They had even exhausted everything they could do in downtown Gotham, which was why they had decided to start exploring D.C. together now that Kori lived here and operated as Starfire. Joseph had opted for semi-formal attire, a crisp navy-blue button-down and tailored black pants. Kori had chosen a green dress that complemented her striking eyes, though she wore advanced contacts provided by Batman to make them appear human. The contacts didn't dim their brilliance, though—her eyes still held that mesmerizing glow that captivated him. The day had been filled with fun—visiting museums, trying street food, and watching a street performer juggle flaming torches while balancing on a unicycle. Kori had been delighted by the sight, clapping enthusiastically and even asking the performer if she could try. Joseph had barely managed to talk her out of it. They wrapped up their evening at a high-end Italian restaurant that Selina had recommended. Dim lighting, elegant decor, and the scent of freshly baked bread filled the air as they stepped inside. The ambiance was warm and intimate, a perfect setting to end the night. Joseph, thanks to Nova's tutelage, had picked up several languages over months. Italian was one of them. When the waiter approached, he placed their order in fluent Italian, earning an approving nod and an amused smile from Kori who sat beside him. "You speak Italian?" she asked, her curiosity piqued. Joseph chuckled. "A.I. Nova taught me some stuff." She smiled, watching him as he translated the menu for her. She eventually made her choices, and Joseph, knowing her Tamaranean appetite, made sure to order extra portions. He planned to eat well tonight too. The meal was incredible. Handcrafted pasta, rich sauces, perfectly seasoned meats—it was no wonder Selina had recommended this place. As they ate, their conversation flowed effortlessly, touching on everything from Gotham's nightlife to Tamaranean cuisine. When they finished, Kori leaned back with a satisfied sigh. "That was delicious. Thank you for bringing me here, Joseph. I enjoyed it a lot. The cuisine makes me want to learn Italian." Joseph smirked. "I could always teach it to you. L'italiano è una lingua bellissima." Kori's emerald eyes gleamed with something unreadable. She leaned in, and for a moment, Joseph's breath caught. She was the same height as him at 6'4", their faces just inches apart. Then she kissed him. It was soft at first, almost hesitant, but when he didn't pull away, it deepened. Joseph melted into the warmth of her lips, a rush of heat spreading through him as he leaned in to return the kiss. The rest of the world faded away—the dim candlelight, the quiet murmur of other diners, even the faint sound of an Italian love song playing in the background. When they finally pulled apart, a teasing smile curved Kori's lips. She whispered in his ear, her voice like silk. "Farlo in questo modo è più veloce." Joseph blinked, then chuckled, feeling a warmth spread through him that had nothing to do with the meal. Learning so many languages was worth it.

Chapter 78: 78

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