Zatanna Zatara grimaced as she pressed her fingers to her face in frustration. Why did she have to be given Watchtower Duty on Christmas Eve. She was lonely and had like no family, she knew that, but her Christmas Eve could have at least been spent on her couch watching crappy Hallmark movies and eating chocolate.
Zatanna shook her head. Best to have a good attitude. Zatanna put her code into the system, letting the beta tube beam her up to the Watchtower. Once she arrived, Zatanna closed her eyes, feeling the odd chill go through her body that always seem to come with using that beta tube.
Zatanna opened her eyes, coming into contact with the Christmas Tree at the Watchtower. The tree was decorated with beautiful lights and a smattering of ornaments, each from a different member of the League.
Zatanna's ornament was a Bat-Symbol, something she did to mess with Bruce, which had worked perfectly. The brunette felt a smile reach her face at the memory of his gruff grunts of annoyance.
"I can't wait till we get to take it down", a voice said from behind her.
Zatanna turned around, recognizing the voice. "Bruce? Your on Watchtower Duty too?"
Bruce shrugged, "Probably Clark or Dinah. You know Clark goes on about my lack of a personal life."
Zatanna looked her friend over, seeing that he was once again clad in his all-black Bat-suit, with his cowl still on. Always on guard, she thought with a smile.
"They were trying to what…set us up?", she asked.
Bruce grunts, "Most likely."
Zatanna gave an odd look at that. She knew Dinah knew of her and Bruce's past, but did Clark? The black-haired magician didn't know the Man Of Steel very well and she knew Bruce wouldn't share anything from his past with well, anybody. He was still frustrated that Oliver knew that she and Bruce used to date.
She smiled, "Well, we might as well make the best of things, right? I'm sure I can find my way around the kitchen."
Bruce raised his eyebrow, "I have work."
It was Zatanna's turn to raise her eyebrow, "Work? What work would that be?"
"Reviewing old case files", he said, his voice short.
She crossed her arms over her chest, "You'd rather look at old case files than spend Christmas Eve with an old friend?"
Bruce huffed in annoyance, "I have to stay sharp. I can't…let myself slip."
Zatanna looked at him sympathetically. She knew he lived fear of being unprepared. Preparation was his superpower. It was an obsession, though. One he needed to be relieved from now and then.
She grabbed his hand and looked him in the eye, "C'mon. A few hours won't kill you, will it?"
Bruce looked at her conflicted, but ultimately sighed, "Fine. I'm not watching another Hallmark movie, though."
She rolled her eyes, "I made you watch one Hallmark movie and that was in the 90s. How do you still remember that?"
"It left an impression and not a good one", he deadpanned.
And she had to laugh at that. He really was such a grump. But hey, there's no grump Zatanna would rather spend Christmas with.