Steel City lied approximately 441 km from Gotham City. It was a nice town, the sort of place one would settle into to start a new chapter in their life, find a job, start a family, get a pet, that sort of thing.

H.I.V.E5 wasn't into that sort of thing. They were professional, they were rough, hard edged and wanted nothing more than making success in the music industry. At least Nicole was. Nicole Diaz was the leader of the band and a hard working young girl. However, she had been blessed with an uncanny ability to have bad luck.

Bad luck in love.

Bad luck in school.

Bad luck with parents.

Bad luck with friends.

Bad luck in life.

She had somehow managed to make a name for herself due to this and have been given the name Jinx by the people of the music industry. This naturally made it hard for the girl to achieve her dreams. Jinx' band mates didn't make it better.

They were unfocused, lazy and not half as interested in making it big like they should be. Making these lazy ass adolescents listen to her and care for the band would take a miracle.

A miracle Jinx was way too unlucky to possess.

Jinx wasn't a dreamer or an optimist. She already knew they would never make it big in Steel City. Not only because of her band mates lack in motivation, but because of Steel Trouble; the male band that was serenading everyone with their tunes. Yeah, Jinx wanted them down, gone from this plane of existence. And then, maybe then, H.I.V.E5 could get at least a little acknowledgment.

She actually didn't have much against the band itself as she had against one particular chivalrous guitarist there.

Wally fucking West.

He was too good and she didn't like it one bit. Too good with the strings. Too good with the ladies. Too good with that stupid smile with that stupid left sided dimple, and those stupid freckles and red hair and stupid blue eyes. Sitting up straight, she closed her eyes and steadied her breath, pushing down the blush that was threatening to surface on her otherwise pale cheeks.

The point was: she did not in any circumstances like him.

Especially that stupid part of him which always gave her roses; one would think he only handed them over when they met or alternatively bump into each other on the street. But no, Wally West had other plans. Such as sending her roses every day, not a bouquet of roses, just single roses he would send every day. At least 8 times a day, not that Jinx was counting. If that wasn't enough, he was also making it a point to give her roses when they bumped into each other on the street; like he was always carrying them with him in case they met. Ha. AS IF. He was a lady's man. He most likely kept them around for every girl he met. Including the old ladies by the bingo centre. Especially the old ladies by the bingo centre.

She didn't like the thought of that.

She didn't like the fact that she didn't like the thought of it.

Pushing it all aside, she got up from the dining table, took with her the mug of cold coffee and spilled the content into the sink. Watching in mild interest as the black liquid disappeared before placing the mug on top of a couple of dirty dishes from the night before.

"Guys, we should practise." She suggested with slight anger in her tone, making it seem a little bit more like a command then a friendly suggestion. When she didn't get an immediate answer she drew her eyes from the sink and looked over at them. They were glued to the TV, playing some sort of video game with far more enthusiasm than playing music.

"Hey! Lay off them god damn lasers!" Hollered Billy, completely ignoring the pink haired girl. Laughter followed swift from the other boys, making Jinx' temper rise with each second.

What started out as slightly misplaced flustered annoyance quickly evolved into anger. Anger and a headache. "Guys! Do you even care about the competition? We almost lost last time because someone…" She glared at Baran who, despite being three heads taller than her, flinched. "Spaced out and lost his rhythm!"

"Does it even matter?" Billy shot back without taking his eyes from the screen. "We're not gonna win anyway so why even try?"

"Yeah, those snotbrained Steel Trouble always come first!" Mikrom, or 'Gizmo' as they called him, added.

"Don't you guys get anything? If we can make a good appearance then the Brotherhood might actually contact us!" Her voice rose at the end, anger seeping through her veins.

"Brotherhood Music Corporation." Simon snorted.

"Yeah, all those old-timers think about is making the dough! Boring!" Billy complained.

"Yeah, who needs 'em?" Gizmo finalized with a wave of his hand.

It was at moments like these that Jinx truly started to question herself "Why in the world was she hanging around those guys?" With an angry grunt, she stomped toward the door while muttering angrily that her 'bad luck' would make their game catch fire. "Suite yourself, but when I'm playing in the big leagues and you're still playing in the streets: don't ask me for any favours!" She said and left the room.

~O~O~

The weather was too good to suite Jinx' current mood. It was sunny with no clouds in sight, children was laughing, music from a nearby café could be heard and a butterfly just flew past her; as if to emphasize just how gorgeous of a day it was.

Too bad for Jinx: she wanted to see something scream and burn.

"Hello there beautiful!" Came an all too familiar voice from behind her as the owner of the voice fell into step beside her.

She kept her eyes planted on the pavement in front of her, not daring to look at the person next to her in case she actually would try to set him on fire.

"What do you want, West?" ("You") I'm in a bad mood." She informed him while slowing down her trot and giving him a mild glare. "So if you don't want any bad luck then I suggest you back off." She now turned to him fully. Taking in all those stupid freckles and those stupid clear blue eyes.

His shoulders tensed at her words and his usual flirty smile was replaced by a frown as he met her eyes with concern and said, "You're not bad luck, Nicole."

She was taken by surprise for a moment and stepped away from him. She was well aware that he was pushy, but never did she think he would care what she described herself as. Bad luck, Jinx everyone including her bandmates called her that. Why did he deem it important enough to take it with such seriousness?

She was overthinking it. She knew she was. Thus, to hide her questioning self she folded her arms, scoffed and glared at him. "Who told you you could call me that?"

His serious expression melted away as a nervous laugh escaped his lips. He raised his hands in defeat and while still keeping clear blue eyes on her own pink ones tried, "Miss Diaz?" The flirty smile was back. It irked her more than she liked.

Her glare darkened and he stepped closer to her, still with the smile in place. "Okay, okay. Jinx, there. Happy?"

"No." She answered and resumed walking down the street.

"Damn, it's like someone cancelled "My Little Pony", what's wrong Ni… Jinx." Wally corrected himself as he fell into step with her.

She turned to him again with a frown and snapped, "Never ever say something like that about MLP and nothing is wrong!"

Any other might have given up on Jinx after this and that was completely understandable. However, Wally West was a man of his own ways. He stepped in front of her, making her scoff and attempt to bypass him, something he wouldn't allow.

"Seriously, what's wrong Jinxie, tell me." He almost pleaded with his hand hovering over her shoulder.

"Don't call me 'Jinxie' and I already told you; nothing's wrong." She answered and swatted away his hand. "Now stop bothering me and move aside."

This time he let her pass him, but he fell into step with her again. "It's the other members of H.I.V.E5 isn't?" His words made her tick, but she continued walking, seemingly trying to ignore and shake him off.

He kept persisting. "You know they don't listen or respect you. You're too smart and ambitious for them and they are only holding you back."

She rolled her eyes, but said nothing. Wally took it that she agreed with him and continued. "They will continue playing in the streets and we both know you're better than that." He fell silent for a while before a lighting bulb flickered to life above his head, an idea taking shape.

"Hey, you can join our band! The guys won't mind!" He promised as he took her hand in excitement. And because he really wanted to hold her hand, but that was beside the point.

"Yeah? And be hated by the entire female population of Steel City? I don't think so. Besides, you already have two guitarist, you don't need a third one." She scoffed and looked at him in bored disbelief before lightly shaking free from his hand.

Wally let her hand go free, for now, and instead circled his arm around her shoulders. Which she shook away at once. Damn.

"I know you can play the piano, I heard you once when you thought everyone had left the concert hall after second round. You sang with it, it was beautiful" He sighed dreamingly while silently whooping inside when he noticed the slight blush creep up Jinx' face. "what song was it?"

"It doesn't matter." Jinx muttered as she sped up her walking in hope of hiding the inevitable blush on her cheeks.

"Yes it does!" Wally shouted after her before he caught up to her again. "To me it does. Come on, I know you want to tell me." He sang out playfully as he nudged her with his arm.

She hated this. She knew she was far too easily giving in to him; and the worst was that he knew she was easily giving into him. And he looked smug about it. With a heavy sigh, she met his hopeful eyes with a frown. A frown which only meant she was running out of patience. "It's called Gabriella's song. Now, please leave."

Wally simply smiled at her and leaned in. She could feel her insides warm with every inch he got closer and she knew he knew she felt more and more flustered the closer he got. "Not until you agree to join Steel Trouble!" He breathed as he leaned in and bumped his forehead with hers.

"Dream on!" She snorted before backing away from him and turned to walk away. Her insides were a mess, but she was positive that she managed to play it cool.

"But at least leave H.I.V.E5! Those losers aren't worth your time or talent!" He shouted after her.

That's it. Wally West was asking for it and hell if Jinx wasn't giving it to him. Because even if she knew Wally was right and actually agreed with him, there was no way her pride would allow her to that this calmly.

"Those 'losers' are my friends!" Jinx yelled back at him as she turned to glare daggers in him. It wasn't exactly true, but it wasn't exactly a lie. She wouldn't call them friends, they were less than that; but she didn't really have anyone to actually call friends, so from anyone else's point of view they would be friends.

"Now leave me alone." Her voice trembled with anger. She knew she was exaggerating and that it wasn't fair; Wally hadn't done anything particularly annoying. She also knew he was completely right, but all the anger and frustration she kept bottled up inside was spilling out.

"I get it, Jinx." He calmly responded as he stepped back a little. "Just take care of yourself, don't keep poisonousness people as your friends."

"Don't tell me what to do." She scoffed while folding her arms.

"You won't listen anyway." He smiled solemnly as he leaned in and brushed a few loose strands away from her face before he turned and walked down the street and into the crowd.

He hadn't only tucked her hair behind her ear, but also a bright red rose.

~O~O~

Wally West was popular. He didn't want to brag, but he was pretty popular. Not as popular as Garth (he didn't really think it was humanly possible to be more popular than him.) but he was still pretty popular.

Unfortunately, no matter how popular he was or how many pretty girls screamed his name in ecstasy, his sole attention was on Jinx. No, Nicole. He liked to call her Nicole far more than calling her Jinx. It was plain rude and cruel how they had given her the nickname and how her supposed 'friends' adopted it.

Though, he had to admit that in a none-content way the name was a little cute.

Jinx. Jinxie. Jinxety-Jinx. Jelly-Jinx. J-babe.

"Hey West! Snap out of it, man!" Came Isaiah's voice from behind Wally. He sounded slightly annoyed.

Heh. When is he not? Wally thought while he snorted softly and looked over his shoulder at the other boy. And just as he thought, he saw Isaiah Crockett, their drummer, looking at him with something that was quickly forming into a frown.

Wally gave the hot headed drummer a little wave before he assumed his former position.

"You okay? You've been staring at your strings for some time now." Garth asked in worry.

"Is Jinx cute?" Wally asked in a daze instead of answering their vocalist's worry. He was opting to start calling her 'J-babe'. However, while he meant the name when he asked; they thought he meant the girl.

"Nah," Mal said as he placed down his trumpet next to Joseph's guitar. "Karen is way cuter." He stated firmly.

"She is your girlfriend. Of course you think she is cuter." Wally said while dismissing Mal's statement with a wave.

Joseph nodded in agreement to Wally while giving Mal a look that could only say. "Don't blame yourself; you are a fool in love after all."

"I sort of get where you're coming from." Isaiah admitted to Wally while scratching his chin absentmindedly. "Goth-chicks are kind of hot."

"Back off!" Wally barked while jumping from his seat in alarm. "Ni-Jinx deserves someone better than you!" He pointed an accusing finger at the drummer whose temper was quickly flaring up again.

"As if you're the better option!" Isaiah shot back in spite. Silence falls as the rest of the band keep their eyes firmly at Isaiah with looks that each held a different degree of "Was that really necessary?" They all knew how smitten Wally was with H.I.V.E5's Jinx. (Or rather it was hard to not notice when he was waxing poems about the pink haired guitarist while getting rid of thorns on red roses.)

Sighing heavily, Isaiah proceeded to force his temper down and calm down. "Besides," he tries this time with a much softer tone. "If you like her so much why not ask her out?"

"I have! Millionth times, but she never answers to them!" Wally sighs while sliding down into his seat.

"What?" Garth asked, his handsome face scrunched in confusion. "It's either a yay or a nay how can she avoid answering it? How did you ask her out?" He further questioned.

"Giving her roses." Wally muttered though it came out more as a question as he grew to quickly doubt the method he had taken to use for the last 7 weeks.

A resounding slap was heard in the soundproof room as each of the band members took to slap their respective foreheads with their palms. Joseph was the first to recover as he proceeded to shake his head, tune his guitar and play a melancholy tune.

"Are you an idiot?" Mal asked in disbelief.

~O~O~

Lucky Strike - Maroon 5

The song Jinx is referring to is a Swedish song called "Gabriellas sång" which means "Gabriella's song". (Link to a surprisingly good English cover of the song is on my profile.)

Here's the English translation of the Swedish lyrics if anyone wondered what she sang:

It is now that my life is mine
I've got this short time on earth
And my longing has brought me here
All I lacked and all I gained

And yet it's the way that I chose
My trust was far beyond words
That has shown me a little bit
Of the heaven I've never found

I want to feel I'm alive
All my living days
I will live as I desire
I want to feel I'm alive
Knowing I was good enough

I have never lost who I was
I have only left it sleeping
Maybe I never had a choice
Just the will to stay alive

All I want is to be happy
Being who I am
To be strong and to be free
To see day arise from night

I am here and my life is only mine
And the heaven I thought was there
I'll discover it there somewhere

I want to feel
that I've lived my life!

I have a personal headcanon that Joseph always plays his 'melancholy' tune whenever he wishes to express "What? Why? Why would you do that? Are you brainless or something? That was stupid!" and the rest of Steel Trouble knows that that is what he means whenever he plays that tune.

I know I made Wally a little clueless and naïve-like, but I actually did that because I enjoy the thought of Wally being a little out of his game. He is not as charming and witty as he should be because, well to be honest, he is a little desperate and he is so deep into this whole being in love that he can't give a single care to be witty and charming.

Don't worry, he will get his charm up soon enough.

…And if anyone is wondering… No Roy isn't always that grumpy, you all just caught him on a bad day. Besides I always like to imagine him being the type to not waste his charm on girls who don't interest him (or in this case who treat his friends like … old tofu.)

The pairings of the fic is:

Robin (Richard Grayson) and Starfire (Kori Anders)
Beast Boy (Garfield Logan) and Raven (Rachel Roth)
Cyborg (Victor Stone) and Sara Simms (They were canon in the Teen Titans Go comics, so why not?)
Speedy (Roy Harper) and Cheshire (Jade Nguyen)
Hot Spot (Isaiah Crockett) and Argent (Antonia Monetti)
Kid Flash (Wally West) and Jinx (Nicole Diaz)
Herald (Mal Duncan) and Bumblebee (Karen Beecher) (what can I say? They are canon)
Aqualad (Garth) and every fangirl in the fic.

Other characters that will appear are:

Jericho (Joseph Wilson)

H.I.V.E5:
Mammoth (Baran Flinders)
Gizmo (Mikron O'Jeneus)
See-More (Simon Moore)
Billy Numerous (Billy Numerous)
Kyd Wykkyd (Ken Wykkyd)