Chapter Thirty-Five

Robin was a hot weight between her knees, his thighs pressed hers, moderate and considerate but also desperate. Maybe he thought he things would progress passed the couch, maybe he was just hopeful. His kisses were wet and hot and not unpleasant but he was constantly retreating away from her mouth and trying to get to her neck; her high collared shirt was having none of that.

Just as he was getting frustrated, his phone went off on the coffee table. Robin grumbled and sat back on his heels, reaching over to check and decline it after a moment's hesitation. He returned to her neck but didn't get far before he hand was pressing against his collarbone and pushing him up, away.

"Robin, we need to talk about this," she said. Robin gave her room to sit up and scoot back. He rolled a bit and sat on the opposite end of the couch.

"I know," he sighed, rubbing a hand over his face, knocking his sunglasses up a bit before pushing them back down onto his nose. He looked troubled, and Zatanna felt her frown lessen. "I'm sorry…"

Zatanna blinked in confusion, and Robin noticed. "For my dad. I know you don't like how I'm constantly called away."

"Robin," she said, not wanting him to feel like it was all his fault. It wasn't, not when she could be trying harder to spend time with him or make time for him when he wasn't busy with his dad.

"No," he said, cutting her off, "let me say this, please." He found her hand and she squeezed his fingers in encouragement, ready to hear what he had to say no matter what it may be. "I like you, god I do, and I knew when I met you and you applied for the photographer position that I wanted to get to know you better…"

Zatanna smiled, knowing the expression was somewhat sad. "I made an impression on you, did I?"

Robin grinned, and nodded, "yes, you did," he said. "But I need to get a few things in my life settled before I think this will ever work."

Zatanna had known he was a rational person, and she was glad he was. They both looked down at their joined hands, and they both sighed. "It's fine, Robin, I… I know what it's like to need some time to solve your own problems."

"God, we make such a good pair," Robin joked grimly. Zatanna couldn't manage to laugh with him.

"So… this is it," she said, wanting to clarify. "It's not a break," he shook his head, "it's not an open relationship," he grinned solemnly but shook his head again. Zatanna sighed and nodded, trying to wrap her head around it.

"Five months," he breathed, letting his head tip back.

"Almost six," she said. He chuckled at that. They sat in silence, each in their own respectable bubbles of space save for their entwined fingers. After a while, Zatanna loosened her fingers from his and stood slowly, drawing his eyes. "I should… probably get back to my own dorm," said Zatanna.

Robin stood with her and walked her to the door, despite it only being a few feet away. At the door, she tugged on her jacket and he helped her with the sleeves. They shared a said smile once the door was opened.

"I'll see you at lunch sometime?" He asked, looking sad and happy at the same time.

Zatanna nodded slowly, giving him a soft kiss on the cheek. "I'm still your friend, Robin, you won't be getting rid of my completely."

"Wouldn't dream of it."

The door clicked shut softly behind her and she stood there for a minute, taking it all in. Then her feet carried down the hall, down the stairs, out the door. She barely felt the evening chill on her cheeks, and she realized suddenly that it was later than she realized when the campus lights flicked on, lighting her way.

Instead of sulking in her room and crying into her pillows, she kept walking, heading for the library. She had no idea, given the giant building would be empty and nearly as cold as the outside, but she walked anyway.

She felt terrible, but not as terrible as she thought she might after her first breakup. Was this what Conner felt going through everything with Megan? No, she probably had it easy. Robin had been gentle about it, and they hadn't fought like Conner and Megan had.

Somewhere in the back of her mind she wondered if Robin knew what she had been doing with Conner. Maybe, it might have influenced his decision, but in truth their split had been a long time coming. Since Christmas, most likely.

Zatanna sighed and looked up, regarding the smog filled sunset over the apartment buildings that took up the horizon. Beyond that line, the great skyscrapers of New York loomed, undaunted by the changes in her life and as unwavering as she wished she could be. The rest of the world moved on like nothing had happened.

Zatanna took comfort in the thought.

Thunderstorms again today. It's like I live in the middle of nowhere.

Oh wait.

Next Chapter: Soon?