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The Rooftop
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Thinking of Two, Kid Flash and Jinx
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-Hey.
-Hey.
-What are you doing here?
-Raven told me the rooftop is the best thinking place around here.
One flash and he is sitting next to her. He scoots up so that his shoulder is just brushing against hers.
-So, what're you thinking about?
-Nothing.
He smirks.
-Liar.
She wraps her arms around her knees. Her eyes are fixed on the turbulent sea.
-Suit yourself.
He changes position at the speed of light. He is now leaning backwards with a graceful arrogance, staring into her face. He cocks his head to one side.
-I bet I could get you to crack.
She snorts scornfully.
-You're losing that bet, handsome.
-I'm not so sure about that.
He leans in close to her face and stares her straight in the eyes. The dark navy of the ocean and the bright autumn-sky-blue eyes begin to blur and merge together. Striking red frames the outskirts of her vision, and for a crazy moment she believes the ocean is on fire. The blue is swallowed up in a tangle of red and darkness. Eternity follows close by, heated and pure like molten gold.
The tangy sea breeze returns to her face, sweeping away the last glowing drops upon her thirsty lips. They scatter into tiny beads and tangle into the infinity of the dark skies. Maybe stars are the remainders of lovers' contact, she thinks.
-Still not ready?
His voice is the star-speckled summer night. The velvety warmth rubs gently on her eardrums, vibrating the tender membranes and sending shivers down her spine.
-It doesn't matter now.
-Course nothing matters when we're together, babe. I still want to know.
She buries her head in her knees and arms, laughing at the utter schmaltziness of his words.
-You're a total sap.
He grinned.
-You know you love me for it.
She wishes she had a pillow to throw at him. But there are no pillows on this concrete bed.
-Shut up.
-If you tell me.
Out of the blue, a warm finger caresses the curve of her jaw. His eyes start to draw her back to the place they can only go together.
He breaks off too early. She snatches at the warmth but it insistently dissolves into the air. He knows what she wants.
-If you tell me.
His voice is taunting. She wonders if it is worth opening her mouth for. He wheedles.
-You promised, no secrets.
-It's not a secret. I probably told you this before.
-Jen, he whines.
He is suddenly serious, vehement.
-Did any of the other heroes try something? If they did, I swear –
She shakes her head rapidly.
-No, no, it's nothing like that. They were all nice to me.
-Too nice?
He is asking her if the others were overly courteous. She knows that.
-It's not that either. It's just –
He waits. She knows he wants to blurt out, just what?
-I don't belong here.
He is all frowns.
-Jinx, we've been through this before.
Her face is made of the same material she is sitting on. She looks away. She starts to get up.
-Wait.
His hand is fast on her wrist, binding her to the ground.
-What?
He knows she is irritated. That never stopped him, and it will not now.
-I'm sorry. That's not how I meant to say it. Of course you belong here. It's been a year since you've been part of the Titans. This is your party.
-I don't know –
She breaks off agitatedly. Almost angrily.
-Forget it. I was being stupid.
-C'mon, talk to me.
Her eyes stray to the waves again.
-They're all so happy, all so sure. All their friends are always right. But half my friends are in jail.
-You still care.
-I probably can't say the same for them.
He can't tell if her mouth is a smile or a grimace. All he knows is that it's wry. He continues.
-And you're not sure if that's right or not. You feel guilty.
-Like hell I do.
But he knows it's true. He gropes about in his head for a good example to fish out. He can think of none. He resorts to vague advice.
-Well, they're still your friends. It makes sense you still like them.
-Even if we were all villains, the Hive was a still a school you know…
He stands and holds his hand out to her.
-Do you want to go and see them? I could get you there in a heartbeat.
She reaches up. Before he can gather her up into his arms, she speaks.
-No, I don't want to. Let's just get back to the party.
-Dance with me?
She smiles that wicked grin he loves. She grasps his hand.
-Definitely. I'll hex you if you don't.
His eyes widen. He tugs his hand out of hers.
-Right! Wait a sec –
Two windy seconds later he stood in front of her, eighteen red roses in his hand.
-Happy birthday, Jinx.
Her eyes widen in delight and surprise. She laughs.
-Told you you're a sap.
She tugs him close. He is stuck in bubblegum sweeter than a sip of water in the desert. She is his oasis, and he did not care for the rest of the dry sand around him.
-Thanks.
She breathes in the gentle scent of her scarlet bouquet. A sparkle of mischief kindles in her eyes.
-Hey, Flash.
She leans close to him. She makes as if to kiss him on the cheek.
…
-Oh, come on, that's not fair!
His mask is in her hands, his foot stuck in a hex-created crack.
-Life's not fair, Wallace Rudolph West.
Cackling, she saunters down the stairs. The flowers are cradled lovingly in her arms. She calls as she descends.
-You promised me a dance, Kid Flash. You better not break that promise, or it'll be unlucky for you.
His face breaks out in a wide grin. An astonished chuckle escapes his lips.
Now, if he can just get his foot out…
Different from the style I usually write. I just wanted to try it out ever since I read Hemingway and James Joyce. How is it? Do you like it? Is it confusing?
Oh, and Wally's middle name is really Rudolph. Not joking.