"C'mon Boy Wonder. Don't tell me you are scared." -The magician teases her boyfriend.
"How can't I not be?! Your father is going to murder me the second I get in his house!" -Zee can feel all the tension surging from his body.
"Don't say that. You know that my father likes you and-and approves us dating. Not that I need his approval, but it means so much to me." -She rested her hands on his cheeks as he started to relax with her touch.
"I swear by God, Zee. You have something in your voice and touch that always makes me feel better." -She blushes from his comment.
"It's magic, baby."
"Are you sure you didn't put a spell on me the first time we meet?"
"What? Are you complaining from the results?" -She did a little pose.
"Not at all. Not that you need one to have me all wrapped up in your finger." -He started to kiss her finger tenderly one at the time.
"Dick! Stop! You are just stalling!"
"I'm just trying to be attentive and show my love to my amazing fiancé. I love how you look in that dress, although it doesn't make justice to the Goddess wearing it."
"Dick. You would say that even if I was wearing a potato sack."
"It's not my fault that everything looks good on you. I'm still missing the fishnets."
"Wait until we get back from my father's"
"As you say, my fiancé." -Dick did a mini bow.
"I love the sound of that." -They looked into each other's eyes; they would never get tired of getting lose in the blue.
"I love it even more."
"Have you spoken with Alfred and Bruce already?"
"They are meeting us there. We better hurry. I don't want to leave your father waiting." -Zee turns around to walk to the door as she swayed her hips and Dick couldn't help but stared at her lower half. He spanks her and keep his hand on her ass as he groped her and pulled her once more into his arms as she yelps in surprise.
"What do you think you are doing naughty boy?"
"I was just thinking that this is my last day alive. Don't people get one last wish? One last meal?" -Zee gave him a heated kiss and before breaking apart she bits his lower lip.
"This is all you are getting…survive this and you get the buffet with open bar." -Dick put a goofy smile before walking to the door and opening for her.
Dick, Zatanna, Alfred, Bruce, and Giovanni were sitting on the couches in the living room in Zatara's house.
"Have you been sir? You look better every time." -Dick was trying to cut the awkward silence between them.
"I've doing great. All thanks to my daughter and Dinah." -Dick smiled, he knew how healing was the sorceress' mere presence.
"I'm glad to hear that. Zee really has something that brings the best in people." -Zatanna blushed as Richard tucked a strain of her hair behind her ear. Bruce and Alfred watched the scene with a smile on their faces, but Zatara wasn't that happy.
"I'm glad that you joined the Leagues Reserve System old friend." -Bruce was trying to ease up Zatara, he knew that what bad move from them could result in them living in the zoo for the rest of their lives.
"It's really great to be able to help once again as myself and not just as Fate's host. Still, I'd rather spend more time with my piccola."
"That reminds me…your latest show has been great."
"Thank you. I took notice every time you take your time to watch our show. But it's not surprising since Richard rarely misses one." -Dick blushed, he never gets tired of seeing his fiancé perform.
"Master Richard has been kind enough to take me to various of your shows and every time I'm delighted with your performance."
"Thanks Alf. It means the world to me that you like our show."
"Indeed Alfred. Thank you for your kind words."
"Still. I'm afraid that I'm not as smitten as the young Master." -Dick almost spilled his tea. He just can't catch a break.
"What can I say? I'm all about magic." -Zee knew the time was coming and started to squeeze her partner's hand.
"Let's get to the point. I can tell that this is more than just a visit to check on me." -Zatara wasn't blind to the strange behaviour of their guests and his daughter.
"Right." -Dick took a deep breath.
"I came here to ask for your permission and blessing to marry your daughter." -Zatara didn't answer right away and the silence was killing them all.
"Daddy?" -Zee was worried for her father's reaction. Zatara stands up from his chair and walked to the kitchen.
"Richard. If you won't mind…" -Dick stand up with Zee's hand intertwined with his'.
"Just Richard. Zebra, keep company to Mister Wayne and Alfred." -Dick gulped before looking to Alfred and Bruce and then proceeded to give a gentle squeeze to Zee's hand and a sweet smile.
"Right away sir."
"Kcol eht Roof Dna Foorpdnuos!" -The seasoned magician casted the spell as Richard entered the kitchen with him leaving a nervous trio in the living room.
"Young Miss…I'm afraid that you might be a widow before you get married." -Alfred remarked as he was drinking his tea making Bruce and Zee more nervous. Usually, the raven-haired girl will make a sassy or smart comment as a comeback but she was too preoccupied with his love's life.
"Don't worry Miss. If Master Richard knows something is how to connect with the heart of the persons, he's with and there's no doubt that your father will see how much he loves and cares for you." -Those words reassured Zee that if anyone could get her dad's approval was her Boy Wonder.
"Richard." -Just the mention of his name turns Dick back again in a kid about to get scolded.
"Sir. I love your daughter and I'll do anything for her."
"Do I need to remind you that I just got my daughter back and that she's everything I have."
"I'm well aware. But she's not everything you have…I mean I know what you're saying but you have me, Bruce, Alfred, Clark, Barry, Dinah, Billy and so much more friends that cares for you, that cares for you like the big family we are. And I assured you that Zee is everything to me as well."
"She's too good for you."
"I know. Don't get me wrong…it's not like a have low self-stem or something but she's too good for anyone…" -Zatara was quiet as a sign of permission for him to go on.
"As you know, I was over my head bury for work, all that I care was the mission…but your daughter never leaves me alone no matter what stupid thing or stunt I pulled to get the job done…as Will told me once: Everyone was afraid to say no to the Big Boss but not her, not Zee. She will pull me from my dark place and show me the light, she's, my light. She reminded that there's more, she helps me to get back Dick Grayson when there was just Nightwing. Every day, I wake up with the reminder and hope to get to be the man that you daughter knows I can be and funnily enough…that has become my mission…to be someone worthy of her love and hope and I strive every day to get better, to get there." -Those words reached Zatara's heart. His daughter was just like her mother, Sindella and he could see himself in Richard.
"Richard, I mean Dick. I'm beyond grateful for everything you have done for my daughter…the endless night staying by her side after Fate happened. I saw how you care for her, endured every time she broke down, endure a hate that wasn't meant for you, knowing that it was her pain screaming those words but even after getting shout at, you didn't flinch, you stayed by her side, help her get to sleep, to eat, to be a girl and a woman when I could not."
"I…" -Zatara rises his hand for the boy to let him continue.
"I remember quite well your decisions and struggles and how you have to endure it on your own for so long." -Zatara reflected his long night, all his years as Fate in how Dick was trapped in his own mistakes and mask.
"And I can see that you have grown in a wonderful man. And I don't believe my daughter could be a better hand than yours." -Dick looked up in confusion and excitement. He just got the approval of his love's dad in a burst of joy Dick embraces the man in a tight hug.
"I'm so happy to hear that. I know how much you mean to Zatanna; how much you mean to each other. And I promise you, I have my words that I'll do everything in my power to not let you down nor Zatanna…not now, not ever." -Zatara could see again the jumping boy who got way to excited to meet his daughter back in the day. He could see that brightness and joy that made everyone come to Richard while looking for a friend. He couldn't do nothing more than to reciprocate the hug.
"Still…that doesn't mean that I'll keep an eye on you."
"I wouldn't like it in any other way." -Both men smiled to each other.
"How much longer?!" -Zatanna was pacing around the room.
"Zatanna. Relax, they are just talking…your father isn't going to kill Dick." -Bruce was trying to reassure the magician when he wasn't so sure himself. And as of cue, both men stepped out from the kitchen and Zatanna sprinted to her fiancé to embrace him in a tight hug.
"I'm glad you are alive." -Really hit her.
"Wait. Are you really you? Or did my father make a doppelganger."
"I wouldn't ever do that."
"I'm just teasing. How did it go?" -She took Dick's hand and squeezed it a little too hard waiting for her father's response.
"My great girl, I'm afraid that…" -Her heart hit the ground and below. She was ready to spill some tears.
"That we have a wedding to plan." -The man ended, and she couldn't help to jump at her father in joy. Zatara and Dick just laugh at her reaction.
"Why did you do that?"
"I'm sorry Zee. You should have seen your face…"
"Sorry, Picola. I couldn't help it." -Bruce, Zee, and Alfred were surprised by the complicity between them.
"Great now are you two best pals or what?"
"Your father and I need to have a united front to make you happy and keep you safe."
"Also…because neither of you can handle me on your own."
"Believe me. We know that."
"There's no force in this world or any world that could handle you."
"You are so much like your mother. She will be very proud of the woman you have become."
"Daddy."
"Should we make a toast?" -For everyone's surprise, Alfred had already put a glass in everyone's hand.
"That went better than expected…" -Finally, the magician and the acrobat were back to their place.
"Don't tell me about it. For a second, I thought I wasn't seeing you again when you entered the kitchen with my dad."
"My thoughts exactly."
"Tell me. How did you convince him?"
"We bonded. It was bound to happen…I mean we are the persons that love you the most…it was only natural." -She pecked his lips and snake her arms around his neck. A mischievous smirk was formed in the aerial avenger.
"What?" -She decided to humour him and play along.
"Well…if I remember correctly…someone owns me a buffet service with open bar…" -Lust has overcome him.
"Is it that right?" -He started to gently bite her earlobe, neck, and lips.
"It is. And let me tell you that I'm starving."
"Stenhsif no!" -That was everything Dick needed to take her to their room or that was his initial idea until she pulls him down to the couch.
"Soo…. only you didn't get killed or turn into something but you get Zatara's approval and even make an alliance with him?" -Artemis, Clark and Dinah were shocked. They knew how strict and overprotective he was with his daughter.
"That's an oversimplification of things but yeah."
"Congrats are in order."
"Damn Zee. I hate to admit it but you did get yourself a Boy Wonder." -Dick puffed his chest with pride.
"Don't let that get to your big ego."
"It doesn't. You should see his noodle legs when my father asked him to follow him to the kitchen." -The girls shared a laugh. Artemis would pay to see it.
"Hey! You weren't any better."
"I was afraid to be a widow before even get to be the bride."
"You look good in black."
"She looks good in everything."
"What can I say?" -Zatanna shrugged.
"It's magic."
"Don't tell me about it."
"Hey! hey! Save something for the honeymoon besides a kid could get in here and catch you red handed…"
"Or do I need to remind you every time you two get caught getting handsy with each other."
"Hey! You make us sound like we are some kind of freaks"
"Raise your hand if you have ever entered in a room with this two showing their love to each other." -Every hero in there raises their hand even Fire, Ice, Isis, Mera and Blood, who just joined the commotion.
"Case close. Congratulations!" -Artemis hugged her two friends. Finally, they got their heads on what truly matters…about time.