Summary: Suggestion from pxaviercm that I've been holding off on for a while, but it's about time. Takes place in November of 2016
Disclaimer: I don't own DC
5 years.
5 years ago today, Zatanna had lost her father. And the worst part? It still felt like it was yesterday.
Zee expected as much; she was convinced that she was never going to outrun this pain, not so long as her father was absent. But it had been getting better, just like Dick had promised. Over the past 3 years, she had been letting herself smile more and more every day, much in part thanks to the ex-Boy Wonder, and even on this dreaded day, she wasn't a complete mess like she initially had been. Of course, it was harder than most days, it always would be for her, but she wasn't the absolute shut-in girl she was 5 or even 4 years ago when the anniversary rolled around. She was letting people in, slowly but surely.
Last year was probably the best it had been in a while. Dick had booked a romantic getaway for the two of them in Hawaii that would conveniently encompass her father's anniversary as well as her birthday, and though she was depressed on the fateful day, she still smiled and had her boyfriend there to help her. It was just the two of them for those few weeks, no team, no League, no photo to cry over, nothing to remind her of Dr. Fate.
But this year, things were not as asterous. For whatever reason, Zatanna woke up feeling miserable, and her feelings only compounded as the day went on. Luckily, Dick was there from the moment she woke up to help keep her together, but he simply wasn't enough. He understood, too. Traumatic events like this one hit harder randomly, there was no science to it. All he could do was be there for her, and he was certainly trying his hardest, but sadly, he just wasn't sufficient. Not this time. Grayson had to admit, it stung a tiny bit knowing he wasn't enough to help her get past it, but he understood perfectly. Sometimes, no amount of support could really help in a situation like this.
Dick was getting frustrated. It was almost lunchtime at this point and he was unable to get her to stop crying. He was getting more and more angry at himself as the time passed on, and eventually he had had enough. I've got to do something about this. He bent down from his position on the bed and kissed the top of her forehead softly before whispering.
"Babe, I gotta go do something, but I promise I'll be back as soon as I can." Zatanna sank deeper into her pillow at that statement, and Dick felt his heart break. "I...I'm sorry. B-but just...trust me. This is important. I'll get Arty to stay with you, is that okay?" Zatanna didn't say a word to him, looking away and burying her face deeper in her pillow, and Dick frowned as he slowly started to leave, calling Artemis on his way to the Zeta tubes.
"And where exactly do you think you're going?! Zee needs you, bird-brain, you're the only reason she's not in pieces right now!"
"Look...okay, don't tell her this, but...I'm gonna try and talk with Nabu. I need to get Zatara out, even if it's just for a little bit." Artemis calmed down and looked at him a bit dubiously.
"You...you sure he'll listen?"
"No, I'm not, which is why I don't want you to tell Zee. I don't want her getting her hopes up just for that prick to devastate her again." Artemis nodded and walked off.
"I'll watch her, but don't take too long, Grayson! She needs you here." Dick nodded before stepping into the Zeta tube and warping to the Watchtower. Just as he predicted, Nabu was there, in the monitor room, on monitor duty. And there was nobody else there, nobody Dick could use to back him up in the ensuing argument. Okay, here comes the hard part. Gotta get him to let Zatara out, somehow. Solid chance I get fried alive.
Dick did his best to keep his temper in control, he really didn't need to start a fight with the Lord of Order. "Uh...hey, Nabu."
"Grayson." He gulped before continuing.
"So, I...I know this is a...touchy subject, but d'ya think that-"
"The answer is no." How did he-"The Batman, among others, has already pestered me enough about this, Grayson. I am not releasing Giovanni Zatara. That is final." Dick glared.
"Listen, today's a...difficult day for Zee. She needs her father back. Please."
"She should have thought of that before donning the helm." Grayson's glare only hardened, and it took every ounce of self-control to keep him from clocking Nabu.
"Excuse me? She put on your stupid helmet to save the world. She doesn't deserve to suffer for that, Nabu. If it weren't for her, the whole world would have been fucked over!" Nabu, not doing as much as turning to face Nightwing, quickly responded.
"I care little for her reasoning. She made her choice, and I have made mine." Dick was having a hard time keeping his rage in check at this point. "I would advise you get a grip over your emotions, Grayson. I can feel your rage emanating from here." He gritted his teeth.
"Zatanna needs her father."
"And the world needs Doctor Fate." Grayson contemplated that rebuttal for a moment. He...he's right. But it doesn't have to be Zatara under the helm. If I can get Zee her dad back, even if it means I have to go instead, then that's exactly what I'm gonna do.
"You're right. But...take me instead. Release Zatara, and take over my body. I won't struggle, I promise. You can have me. Please, just let him go."
"A pathetic trade, Grayson. Your body has 0 affinity for the mystic arts. You would be a waste." Dick chose to ignore the insult as he struggled to find a way to get Nabu out.
"My body is more physically capable. I could better withstand the strain of your powers. Plus, I'm younger. I could be your servant for longer. Please, just let him go."
"I care little for your physique. You have no connection to the magical forces of the world, your body would be useless to me."
"Nabu, I'm literally begging you right now. What do you want in return?"
"Find me a more suitable candidate for the helmet, and I shall release Giovanni from his role as my vessel." Dick looked down. Sure, he could find someone, but would it be right? Who gave him the authority to decide someone else should suffer in the helm just so his girlfriend could be happy? If it were his body, that was one thing, but this was a complete innocent he was talking about.
"I...Could you just give him a day? Just...a day with his daughter. He can put the helm back on after that." Nabu didn't respond for a bit, and Dick got his hopes up. Maybe this could work?
"My final answer is no. Now leave, Grayson. And do not bother me with this matter again." Grayson frowned and walked away, nothing more he could do. He wanted so much to turn around and punch Nabu square in the face, but he knew such an outrage would be pointless. I'm so...God. I couldn't even help Zee with this one thing. What the hell is wrong with me? The Boy Wonder Zeta'd back to the cave, unable to so much as utter a sentence to Artemis as he walked back past her and collapsed on the bed next to Zatanna, wrapping his arms around her wordlessly and letting her cry into his chest. Arty frowned before leaving the room, and Dick just sat there, doing his best to comfort Zatanna all the while blaming himself for his failure.
From inside the helm, Giovanni Zatara was speechless. Grayson, the boy who had wormed his way into his daughter's heart for the past 5 years, was actually offering himself up. Nobody had gone to such lengths to free him before. Sure, Bruce had argued with the sorcerer for hours on end, but Dick had just offered up his own body in return for an hour of Giovanni's time. The boy was clearly determined. It broke Giovanni's heart seeing the look in Dick's eyes as he walked away, pure failure. It hurt even more when he returned to his scrying spell to see his daughter in tears. I thought she was getting better. Giovanni pinched the bridge of his nose before speaking. "Nabu..."
"Do not bother, Giovanni. You heard my answer to Grayson."
"I know, but...please. May I have an hour? Just an hour. I will return right after, you have my word. I just wish to see her."
"What guarantee do I have that you will return?"
"Have I not been your faithful servant for the past 5 years?" Nabu was silent for a moment.
"Very well. You get one hour. One hour every year, on this day. Do not waste it, Giovanni." Zatara smiled as he felt Nabu take the helmet off, and for the first time in what seemed like forever, he had control over his body. He relished the sensation for a minute before chasing after Grayson, only to find that he was gone. Nmab Stab! Okay, I only need to check on Zatanna. An hour, not nearly enough time, but it is better than nothing.
Back at the cave, Zatanna's sobbing had slowed down enough for her to speak. "Wh-wh-where d-did you go?" Dick stayed silent for a minute, not wanting to tell her of his failure. How can I tell her I couldn't get her dad out? I can barely live with myself as it is, she'll never look at me the same again.
"I...I had to run an errand for Bruce and Alfred. I'm really sorry, Zee, i-it couldn't be helped. B-but I'm here now. I'm not going anywhere. I swear." Zatanna clung to him tighter as she bawled a bit more, and Grayson only stroked her hair wordlessly. He heard the Zeta tube recognize someone but he couldn't make out who it was. That is, until a familiar man clad in a magician's uniform with raven black hair (though a few whites were starting to show) stepped into the room. Dick's eyes widened as he recognized the man, and he was rendered speechless, stiffening up from shock. Zatanna noticed he stopped stroking her hair, and she looked up to him, confused. She followed his eyes and gasped as she saw her father, standing there smiling at the duo.
"D-daddy?" Giovanni opened his arms as Zatanna ran into him, and Dick couldn't help but smile.
"I'm here, Zatanna. Nabu let me out for an hour." Zatanna bawled into her father's chest as he stroked her hair, not unlike what Dick was doing earlier, and he subtly smiled at Grayson, nodding to him in approval. Dick got up, rubbing the back of his head awkwardly as he started to walk out of the room. Better I leave them together. She doesn't need me. Dick passed the two, nodding to Giovanni on his way out, but before he could leave, Zatanna reached out for his hand and desperately tugged on it, sending him a pleading look from her hug. Dick smiled back to her and nodded, gently rubbing her hand with his thumb and staying with her.
Zatanna and Giovanni spent the next several minutes catching up with one another, and Dick was just there for Zatanna's sake. Giovanni turned to Dick after a few minutes and nodded. "I take it you two are..." Both teens blushed, Dick rubbing the back of his neck and Zee scratching her arm.
"D-Dick's my boyfriend. H-he's the only reason I'm s-still in one piece, daddy. I...I love him." Zatanna and Dick both blushed as she said that, and Zatara smiled.
"I know, I have seen it. Thank you, Richard. You have been there for her through some...difficult times. I am in your debt." Giovanni then darkened his tone, narrowing his eyes at the Boy Wonder as his overprotective side kicked in. "But I warn you, if you everharm a hair on my daughter's head, I will personally-"
"Dad!" Giovanni lessened his glare, nodding to his daughter and dropping the subject, leaving a very flustered and quite frankly terrified Dick in his wake.
Zatanna could safely say that this was one of the best days she had in recent memory. Alas, an hour came far too soon for them, and Giovanni stood up, hearing the helm call to him from the pocket dimension it had been placed in. Zatanna frowned as he solemnly looked at her.
"Zatanna, I-"
"N-no! Daddy, p-please! It's n-not fair! Th-this isn't enough!" Giovanni frowned, hugging Zatanna.
"I know. It isn't. I am sorry, Zatanna. But I...I have a responsibility to uphold. You will be in good hands, I am sure of it." Giovanni looked to Dick, nodding before letting go of Zatanna, kissing her forehead and letting Dick take her in his own arms. "Take care of my daughter." Dick looked to him, solemnly nodding.
"I will. You have my word." Giovanni smiled and walked out, taking one last look at his daughter and her boyfriend. He trusted Dick with her; he had seen the bond they shared and admired how much Dick stood by her through. As much as it pained him to have to leave, he knew that he was, at the very least, leaving her in caring hands. Grayson would never hurt her, not so long as he lived. Zatanna broke down into tears, and Dick picked her up and deposited her in his lap, tightening his hug while stroking her cheek. He felt a sense of pride knowing that he managed to get Zatara out of the helm, but at the same time, he felt a pang of guilt that it was only for an hour. I wish I could do more, Zee deserves more.
Back in the helm, Zatara was deep in thought. He had done as Nabu asked, he had returned to the helmet in an hour, and upon return, he had begged the Lord of Order to grant him this sabbatical once a year. Nabu hadn't declined it, so he had a chance. So long as I keep up my good samaritan act, Nabu shall permit an hour of freedom a year. Hardly enough time for Zatanna, but it will have to do. Thank you, Richard. If it weren't for you, I would never have seen my daughter with my own eyes again. Keep her safe, no matter what.
Sorry I haven't posted in a while, also sorry that this one might not have been up to your standards, but I'll try to do better going forward. Let me know if this was what you wanted from the suggestion, if not, I'll be happy to do a follow-up. Feel free to leave comments or suggestions for chapters you wanna see. Next chapter up soon.