Survival
by Raiko Toho
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It was December thirty-first by the time we returned to Earth's surface.
"Well, we missed Christmas," I said, surveying the cheery plastic pine tree in the living room. "Just in time for the New Year, though. Coming?" We headed for the bedroom.
"Just in time," Kara scoffed, slightly disgruntled. Some of the Leaguers had been questioning the wisdom of letting me off the Watchtower, now that I knew their access codes, and she was a little fed up. "We've got, what, ten minutes until the ball drops?"
I flopped down on the bed, then scooted over; an invitation for Kara to sit. "It doesn't take ten minutes to turn on the TV." To prove my point, I flipped to the right channel. "No harm, no foul, right?"
She sighed, nestling next to me on the squashy cushions. "I guess."
"So, what are we going to do for the other nine minutes and thirty seconds?" I asked impishly.
Kara grinned back. "Listen to this band on TV."
"Ouch," I groaned theatrically. "Rejected!"
Kara laughed.
"Listen," I said, turning serious. "I brought something back from the Watchtower."
"What?" Kara's eyes widened as I pulled a single, red-tinted light bulb out of my jacket. "Is that--"
"A red sun lamp?" I completed. "Yeah. In case we… you know. If you want."
"Oh, I want." Kara seemed to glow in anticipation.
Flushing slightly, I switched out the bulb on the table lamp beside me, then flicked it on. Immediately, the room was bathed in its dim red light, and Kara pulled me closer as the final countdown began.
"Love you," she murmured softly. Our lips met as the ball dropped and the crowds in the square went wild. I smiled.
"Never doubted it for a second."
Living in Gotham is all about survival, and I've done that in spades. But when I met Kara, I went above and beyond that. I found a way to live.
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Playlist
"America's Suitehearts" by Fall Out Boy
"As Long As You're Mine" from the Broadway musical Wicked
"Bad Reputation" by Joan Jett
"Complicated" by Avril Lavigne
"Dangerous and Sweet" by Lenka
"Glass Vase Cello Case" by Tattle Tale
"How Strange" by Emilie Autumn
"Juliet" by Emilie Autumn
"Learn to Fly" by Foo Fighters
"Let Go" by Dave Lichens
"My Life" by Billy Joel
"Perfect Day" by Hoku
"Sam's Town" by The Killers
"Somebody to Love" by Anne Hathaway
"Take My Hand" by The Cab
"The Resolution" by Jack's Mannequin
"Unwell" by Matchbox 20
"You and Me" by Lifehouse
Drink Index
Earthquake: Absinthe, Cognac
Harvey Wallbanger: Galliano, orange juice, vodka (doesn't actually taste good)
Joker: gin, Kool-Aid powder, orange juice, tonic water
Safe Sex on the Beach: cranberry juice, grapefruit juice, peach nectar
Quick Fuck: Bailey's Irish Cream, Midori liqueur
Notes:
And here's the end of the first installment of the Stars Crossing Cycle. I've got a sequel in the works, and also a few outtakes in the next chapter, so make sure to check those out. Thanks to Kalacyn, for beta-ing.