tushanshu_logs | [Closed] You wanna know how to make me smile

Entry tags:

[Closed] You wanna know how to make me smile

Characters: Zatanna Zatara (

backwordscompatible) and ~~Dick Grayson~~ Robin (

hackingyoursensors)
Date: December 21st, after the Masquerade
Location: Wood Sector
Situation: Rooftop date
Warnings/Rating: C for Chalant

Tonight had been almost perfect.

A mix of good food, even better music, and an assembly line of friendly faces. Some, she had never met in person until now. Others, she was more than happy to reunite with. Or have a little fun with (really, Wally made it almost too easy sometimes). Conversations had been shared, dances had been danced, and in some cases, future plans had already been made. All-in-all? Just the temporary distraction she'd needed from everything.

Unlocking the door to her quarters, Zatanna lightly hummed to herself as she shut it behind her without a second glance. Her next steps took her straight to the window, opening it out of sheer habit. Something she did whenever she was home and would be awake for a while. The cool night air felt wonderful on her slightly feverish skin. She inhaled the fresh scent of the trees outside as she sat down at the table, absently removing the pins from her hair so she could brush it out. No doubt, after all that dancing, she must've looked quite the sight.

Not that she really minded.

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It's a little while before he shows up. He had to change and did a quick patrol around Wood, just to check up on a few things.

Not long after, though, he settles onto the branch outside of Zatanna's window, waiting to see if she'll notice him.

She does, but only after a glimpse at his brightly-colored reflection in her vanity's metallic corner. It was hard to miss those yellows and reds against the neutral-colored bark, which meant he was doing very little to hide himself. Just hanging around in plain sight. Obviously waiting for her.

Smiling to herself, Zatanna leaned a little further back into her chair, neither turning around nor putting down the book in her hand.

"You missed quite the party tonight." Casually turning the page. "It was actually kinda fun."

He reclines a little on the branch, looking totally comfortable. She might be able to see him, but the people on the ground couldn't.

"Someone had to keep an eye on Keeliai. So, what was it like?"

"Well, everyone was in masks. So, basically, it was a lot like home."

She finally puts the book down, swiveling around so they could actually look at one another while chatting. He knew he was welcome to come in anytime he wanted--she told him every time he popped over to visit--but if he wanted to get comfy with the tree, she wouldn't stand in their way.

A moment's pause, as she thinks back to the events of the night. Trying to pick out which stories to tell in what order.

"I caught Wally under the mistletoe." Start with the funny ones. Humor was always a good way to break the ice. "I'd never seen him look so terrified in his life. Should've taken a picture."

He laughs.

"Terrified? Artemis isn't even here to get mad at him."

Her brows rose at this statement. She'd suspected, but hearing Robin's reaction basically confirmed.

"Suddenly it all makes sense." Laughter. Just trying to picture the two of them from what little interaction she'd been witness to. "Though he calmed down when I finally just kissed him on the cheek. Really, it was his own fault for not watching where he was standing."

She purposely leaves out the part where 'finally' meant after several moments of letting him sweat it out. It was implied.

"Let's see...I also got to dance with a bunch of friends. There was Peter. And Wally. And Cass. And Kara--we actually made plans for a later time, even. She's pretty cool." A smile. "Oh, and Dick, of course. Since we sorta went together." Just as friends, though. Which was also implied.

"It's obvious to everyone except themselves."

He grins.

"Sounds like you were busy. And I thought you were going on your own."

"I was. That was the plan at least." She gave a shrug, not bothering to explain why it had been the plan. "But he offered to at least walk me there and back, with the occasional hanging out rights. We live in the same complex, so it worked out for the both of us."

"So you were his bodyguard?"

It was just unexpected enough that she burst out laughing at the question.

"Sure. We'll go with that."

He laughs a little too.

"Seriously, though. Glad you had fun."

"I did." Putting the book down on the table, she got up. Making her way over to the window, where she could sit on the sill. Closing more of the space between them. "Still felt like something was missing, though."

He sits up, resting his elbows on his knees.

"Like what?"

She also leaned forward.

"Guess."

"Something tall, dark, and handsome?"

He's joking, clearly.

"Well, maybe two out of the three."

Hey, you brought height into this.

Smirking, her eyes trail upward towards the higher branches. "You know, the one downside to living in a tree is that we can't really see the sky from our windows. All the leaves and branches get in the way."

"Luckily, that's easy to fix. Especially if you come prepared."

He pulls out one of his grapples.

She already knew what he had in mind even before he pulled out the hooks, smiling growing that much wider. Swinging both legs over the window ledge, she let them dangle loosely above the three-story elevation as casually as if it were all of three inches. Pulling shut the window behind her.

The air was pleasantly cool, and even though she was still in her costume from earlier, it was still enough to shield her from the night chill. Not that she expected to be cold. Considering where they were heading, it was also a tell that she had already switched out of her formal shoes for more comfortable flats.

He wasn't the only one prepared.

Maybe he should be worried that she knew him so well.

Nah.

"Ready?"

He holds out a hand. Sure, she could just fly up, but where's the fun in that?

Maybe they should both worry.

...

...or not.

"What do you think?"

She accepts his hand, letting him pull her out into the air, though the branches, and up towards the roof.

He expertly navigates around the branches until they settle on the highest branch that can support the two of them. Which does give a pretty good view of the stars, though the sparse upper branches.

"Better?"

Even at that height, the branch was still thick enough for them to sit comfortably together. Personal space was practically non-existent, but that suited her just fine. Her weight was half leaning against the trunk, half against him, as she stretched one leg out on the bark, letting the other dangle off the edge. Eyes glued to the stars above.

She had been serious in her lament over a lack of window view. Even in Manhattan, star gazing wasn't much of an option. Too much light pollution. But here? Now?

"Perfect."

The constellations were different. Unsurprisingly. There had been a star chart on the wall behind the register at the magic shop by the sector borders, but she had yet to learn all of it. Only a couple images stuck out in her mind, and she couldn't remember their names.

"One of them was a dragon," she murmured, more to herself but loud enough for him to hear. "And there was a cat or tiger or something like that just above that."

Personal space is overrated. Especially when it involves stargazing with a girl he likes.

Not that he'll ever be quite chalant enough to tell her all of that. Yet.

He dangles both legs off the edge of the branch, feeling just as secure as he would on the ground. Robin looks up at the stars. He'd seen them before, night after night during patrol, but they were more interesting with someone to share them with.

"Constellations?"

Some things didn't really need to be said; part of her already knew. They pretty much acted like a couple half the time, anyway, which was why she could enjoy moments like these without the slightest hint of embarrassment or shyness. She was comfortable around him. As close to being at peace as she could be, given the circumstances.

"Mm-hmm." A light nod in response to his query. "It took me forever to remember the ones back home, and now I've got a whole new chart to start memorizing."

He turns and looks over his shoulder at Zatanna.

"Why do you need to memorize them?"

A light shrug, trying to downplay the explanation as much as possible.

"Bunch of reasons. Work. Habit. There are some rituals which can depend upon the alignment of the stars." In an attempt to keep her voice from tightening, she shifted slightly against him. Not as a distraction (this time), but because she simply couldn't keep still in such a potentially tense moment. "...besides, why not? I have time. Not like I'll be going anywhere anytime soon."

He feels her tense and knows what it's about. Stars, alignments, Doctor Fate?

"I should probably start studying too. Don't tell Batman I haven't."

The last line is playful.

She chuckled softly as his attempt at humor.

"I suppose I can keep a secret. You know, just this once." As if she didn't have a million of them already.

Oh good because he's going to attempt humor all night. Which is why he replies playfully.

"I am forever grateful."

Hold that thought.

"Maybe we'll get lucky and you'll make it back home before he finds out."

Because if one of us should have that chance, it should be you. The words that didn't quite make it out.

He chooses not to hear those hidden words.

"But I still have to worry about the Batman here, and I'm going to be here for awhile."

Because I'm not going home until we can get everyone home.

"I hope not."

She said it without thinking, really, though the reply would have most likely been the same even if she had considered it. He didn't deserve to be here any more than Wally had, and while she would miss him even more than she did their fellow teammate...it was selfish of her to want to keep him here just so they could be together.

"I don't think I get a say in it. Besides, it's not all bad."

A half smile, and she chuckled softly before bouncing her knee against his. Her way of agreeing with him. It wasn't all bad. Which almost made it worse, because the longer she was here, the more she almost started to like it.

Still...there was the matter of unfinished business. Something that had been on her mind ever since that fateful (no pun intended) trip to the mainland.

"Can...I ask you something?" Then, to clarify, she added: "A favor."

Robin turns his head to look at her.

"Sure."

"When you make it back home..." and she said this with all the conviction of someone who knew he would make it back long before she did. "...I want you to tell my father not to trade places with me. Do whatever it takes to convince him."

"What?"

He's not entirely surprised, but he is startled.

"Zatanna, I don't know if..."

If he could convince Zatara even if he wanted to. If he really could let Zatanna sacrifice herself to the Helmet.

Actually, he was taking it better than she'd expected.

"Tell him it's what I want." Clearly, she'd thought this through as much as one could. "If he gets himself trapped, I don't know if I'll be able to get him out. I'm...not strong enough. But if I'm the one inside...you know how powerful my dad is. I'm sure he'll find a way."

"Zatanna..."

If he had to trade himself, there must not have been a way to. Not right then. But he can't bring himself to say it. He-- Dick-- knows what it's like to have to live with someone you care about who's so close but not really there. (His uncle was alive, but not really there. Not anymore.)

"He's your dad. He's going to protect you, no matter what I say. It's what dads do."

She gave a half-hearted smile at the notion.

"I know. But, still...promise me you'll try?"

He sighs heavily.

"Alright."

He's completely grudging about this.

He hated the thought. She wasn't blind to that; there were only so many reasons why he would even (grudgingly) agree to something like that. It certainly wasn't because of any added faith in her father over her. It was because she had asked him.

In gratitude, she tilted her head up and placed a light kiss against his cheek. Lingering just a moment longer than a peck to show it was deliberate. Not spontaneous, like usual.

"Thanks Robin," she whispered in his ear, before settling back into her spot beside him. Burrowing a little further into his arm as her gaze returned to the stars above.

Even if it didn't work. Even if Robin was right, and nothing he said would be able to convince Zatara to wait...just the knowledge that she was doing something about it...for a little while...provided some comfort. Not much, but enough.

The peck on the cheek startled him, but it didn't feel nice. Not the way he expected it to. The context completely soured it. He doesn't want to be thanked for doing this. Sometimes, he just wants to forget what's waiting for him back home.

Sometimes.

His expression is calm but he's troubled. It was a no-win situation, in the end.

He always hated those.

She's ruined the moment.

This was supposed to be a fun night of two really...really good friends, sharing a tree branch while gazing up at a group of unfamiliar constellations. Maybe even coming up with names of their own. Laughing over the Masquerade he's missed out on, and maybe even trading off a few stories of the day.

The worst part was that she wasn't sorry. It was something that had needed to be done, and there wasn't anybody she trusted on the Turtle more than him. She was certain there was a way out of this mess. That her dad would come through, in a different way than had played out in the vision Eva showed her.

For the moment, though, she tried to put that behind her. Focus on the boy next to her, and the cool night air. It was really all she could do.

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[Closed] You wanna know how to make me smile

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