I would sin for you to take me in your arms
Sell my soul for you, keep you safe from harm
For a single kiss I would start a war
You're the only cause that I would die for
I Love The Way You Say My Name, Scarlet Dorn feat. Chris Harms

I hesitated at the front door of my apartment, feeling really unsure. I was sick of being stuck at home, and Dick was off somewhere, so I really wanted to get out for a while. But I was being held back a little by fear.

"Come on, Fay. You've got this. You're going to be fine." I took a deep breath.

There was an indoor archery range nearby, and even though I'd bought a membership, I'd only been by once so far. Determined to either work through the fear or just completely ignore it, I picked up my bow case and marched out the door.

Dick would see me leave through the camera, but I was hoping he would trust me enough not to activate the tracker in my phone. I just needed an hour or so to get out of my head.

After scanning my card to get in, I made my way to one of the furthest lanes from the entrance. There wasn't anyone around yet, because the range had just opened, but I didn't want to have to deal with anyone. The last two lanes could be closed off from the rest, so I wouldn't have to wait for anyone to finish shooting before I could collect my arrows.

I opened my case, putting my recurve bow together. Even though I hadn't started yet, I was already feeling better and I was definitely less conscious of all the shit I was dealing with.

I picked up an arrow, placing it in position and drawing the string back. The familiar tension of the string made me feel free and back in a space that I really belong to. Letting go, I watched as it thudded into the target, further above the target than I was happy with. I was a little out of practice, but that's part of why I was there.

I kept shooting and collecting my arrows, over and over. It was monotonous, but in a good way. All I had to do was focus on one thing at a time, and there was nothing else inside my head.

"Are you alright?"

I turned, finding Dick heading my way. Nodding, I placed my bow down on the stand. "I'm sorry, I know I should have told you that I was leaving and where I was going, but I just needed some time where I wouldn't have to think about anything."

"Oh, no!" He shook his head, stopping in front of me. "I didn't mean you had to ask for permission or anything like that. I wasn't trying to make sure you were behaving. I went to your apartment to see if you wanted to get an early lunch, but you weren't there, and you didn't answer your phone, so…" He paused, looking a little sheepish. "So I might have turned on the tracker to find you."

I shook my head with a laugh. "I thought the point of the tracker was to keep me out of danger, not finding me so we can go get early lunch."

He gently kissed me. "Sometimes I like to use my powers for my own benefit."

"Well, since you're already here, you're welcome to join me." I held out my bow to him. "I want to see how you do."

"Okay, but you can't make fun of me, even though I'm probably pretty rusty. It's been a long time." He took it from me.

I watched as he shot an arrow, taking a couple of mental notes. He wasn't bad, but he could definitely do better. It just barely hit the target.

"How embarrassed are you to be seen with me right now?" He laughed.

"A little more than I'm going to admit right now." I handed him another arrow. "You're thinking too hard about it. If you aim for too long, your arm starts to wobble, and it will completely throw you off. Try again."

The next shot was better, but still quite a bit off. I stepped behind him, placing my hands over his.

"This is a bit clichéd, isn't it?" He chuckled.

"Even the worst clichés have some sort of origin in reality." I laughed. "The problem you're having is that when you release, you're letting the string pull your hand forward with it. You need to continue pulling back as you release the arrow."

I gently drew his hand back, continuing to pull as he released the arrow. It flew through the air, hitting the bullseye.

"See? You're pretty good." I took the bow from him, pulling it apart.

"Do you compete? You're really good."

"I used to. Now I just do it to relax, with no expectations." I walked to the target, pulling my arrows out. "I think you said something about early lunch?"

"I did. I thought we could go back to the mansion, have something to eat, and then I could show you some more self-defence."

I nodded, putting everything away. "Sounds like a plan."

"Are you sure about this?" I asked, turning so Dick was behind me.

"Very sure. I'm just going to wrap my arms around you, and you fight me off."

I nodded, taking a breath. "Alright, do it."

He wrapped his arms around my body, holding me tightly. I stamped down on his foot as hard as I could. His grip loosened, just a little. I grabbed his arm, ducking underneath it and twisting it behind him. Then I shoved him forwards.

He stumbled a little, but caught himself, turning to me with a smile. "You're stronger than you look."

"I'm sorry, did I hurt you?" I walked over to him, concerned.

"Nothing I haven't dealt with before, but I think we should take a break." He held out his hand to me. "Come on, let's go outside."

I put my warm coat and gloves on, and walked out to the back patio with him. The snow was falling again, and I still couldn't help feeling amazed by it.

"Are you still happy here in Gotham?" Dick asked, leaning against the railing. "I mean, with everything going on?"

"Of course I am. One bad situation isn't going to ruin the rest of my life here, even if it is scary." I hesitated, gently touching his arm. "Why do you ask?"

"I don't… I don't want what's going on out there to colour what we have here."

I wrapped my arms around him, softly kissing him once. "I don't plan on letting anything damage what we have going on here. Aside from my ex's father holding a grudge for something I didn't technically do, I'm happy here, I promise."

"I just wanted to be sure." He took my face in his hands, pressing a kiss to my forehead. "Gotham can be so harsh, and I don't want you to lose your smile."

I walked out into snow, turning back to him with a smile. "I promise, if I start feeling unhappy, you'll be the first to know. Now, are you coming?"

Running towards the woods, I ducked behind a tree. I watched as he passed, staying as quiet as I could. Then I doubled back, running back out to the open air. I thought I'd tricked him, but then he came out of nowhere and gently tackled me to the ground.

I laughed, looking up at him as he made sure my hood was behind my head so I didn't get cold.

"Do you often tackle defenceless young women like that?" I whispered, softly reaching up and touching his cheek.

"I'm making a special exception, just for you." He dipped his head, kissing me. "Because you look so beautiful, all rugged up like that, and I knew I had to kiss you here in the snow."

I blushed under his gaze, almost a little too warm, even with the snow at my back. "Kissing in the snow… This is another one of those clichés, isn't it?"

"Maybe, but I think it's one of my favourites." He gently pulled a leaf from my hair. "Besides, if I don't do these romantic things, some other rich boy might hear your sexy accent and try and sweep you off your feet instead."

"Well, I guess if another sexy rich boy with a dark secret came my way, I would be obligated to go on a date and give him a try." I laughed, wrapping my arms around him. "I should keep my options open."

"I will have to fight all of them off." He got up, helping me off the ground and into his arms.

I pulled him close, trying to keep warm. "You would fight for me? You're being very romantic today."

He blushed this time, the red spreading across his cheeks as he avoided my gaze. "I'm in a very good mood. So, I thought I would make you feel even more special than usual."

"I like it."

"What else do you like?" He asked, gently pulling at the zip of my coat.

I took hold of his hand, pressing a kiss to his cool fingers. "I like how you sometimes pick me up when you kiss me, lifting me off the floor. I like the way you drift your fingers over my tattoo as I fall asleep."

"There's snowflakes on your hair."

"There's snowflakes in yours too." I brushed them off his fringe. "Come on, it's getting too cold out here. Let's go inside."