It's past midnight. Rain pours down on the rooftop in rhythmic, tapping sheets. The dim gray glow of the shadowed sky shines through the half-opened drapes, punctuated by brief flashes of lightning. The white light illuminates two Titans asleep on the couch, lost to this world.
Gar lies on his back, one arm extended above his head and the other hanging off the edge, fingers nearly brushing the carpet. Tara sprawls across him, head resting on his chest and pajama-clad leg draped over his.
The clock in the corner ticks from 1:59 to 2:00 and begins to chime the hour. Gar stirs, turning his head away from the sound. His eyes half-open, seeing the dim room without really processing it. A warm weight presses into him. He looks down at his girlfriend and smiles. A few hours ago, they'd curled up under a blanket while their friends watched the game. Now the TV sits silent and dark in the corner, its viewers long since gone to bed.
Gar runs his hand through Tara's hair, rubbing a silky strand between his fingers. She smells of flowers and earth, of everything good and solid and real. Moving slowly and gently so he doesn't wake her, Gar cranes his neck and kisses her forehead.
"I love you."
His whisper is thick with sleep, barely audible, but Tara stirs slightly.
"Gar," she mumbles, arm tightening around his waist. He shifts onto his side and holds her close, burying his face in her hair and planting another kiss. She settles against him with a sigh. Her breathing evens as she falls back into deep slumber.
Gar lets his eyes drift closed. The peace of the moment surrounds him like the warm blanket draped across his legs. He savors the feeling, the contentment that calms him every time he's with Tara.
It's reassuring, in a way, to think that everything they've been through has led to this. All the trauma and tears, the struggles they endured on their own and together. No matter how bad it got, they still managed to wind up here. Falling asleep in each other's arms after a long day of back-breaking heroics. Safe and dry inside Titans' Tower while the rain pours down outside. No longer running from themselves or hiding behind false humor. No more fear of rejection.
Tara knows him, the good and the bad. She loves him anyway. Maybe even because of it. Gar does his absolute best to return that gift. To love and care for her like she deserves. And if she says yes tomorrow, he'll get to spend forever doing just that.
There's nothing he wants more. Because here in her arms, he is home.