Meaning: Boldness, adoration


When the Zeta tube announced her name, Dick was…surprised. Truth be told his birthday was currently the last thing on his mind. They were supposed to be heading out on a mission soon and he didn't remember having any Justice Leaguers on the operatives list. But then she stepped out of the golden light wearing those leggings he loved so much and all of a sudden he weirdly really hoped she'd be tagging along.

"Justice Leaguers in the house! You girls forget to Zeta to the Watchtower?"

Rocket shrugged, making her way to Karen and Mal. "What can I say? We're slumming."

"We're not slumming. We're on a mission." Her voice carried a certain flair to it, a spark that he hadn't heard her enjoy in a long while. It almost brought a smile to his face hearing a glimpse of the naughty excitement that was once her defining trait.

Before the adulthood kicked in, at least.

She slowly approached him with a coy smirk on her face. He tried to ignore it and carry on; showing distraction in front of the team would be ill-advised and inappropriate. But he felt a familiar, strong hand take hold of his forearm, and the next thing he knew she was kissing him with just as much passion as she had the first time they did it all those years ago.

The room seemed to go silent, so silent that a pin drop would probably be as loud as a Boom Tube, but whether it actually did or it was just his imagination he couldn't say, because for one small, brief moment it was just him and her. Her hands grabbing his collar, his arms encircling her waist. Her tongue in his mouth, his lips pressed up against her own.

It was honestly the exact thing he needed right now.

When he pulled away he smiled, and it only felt better when he realized she was smiling back. She got close to him, so close that he'd swear she was about to go in for another kiss, but instead she leaned herself into the side of his neck, a tantalizing air around her that he longed for more of.

"Happy birthday, Boy Wonder." It was barely whispered into his ear, but it still managed to coerce an ear-to-ear grin out of him. Nobody else had wished him a happy birthday yet save for Bruce and Alfred. Out of her mouth it just felt so much more special.

"Say it backwards," he whispered with a smirk. She rolled her eyes before complying, adding a little something at the end that made him chuckle with anticipation before finally being forced to pull away with the realization that everyone was staring at them.

Dick was quick to take note of the looks on the others' faces. Conner was trying not to smile, but Barbara was openly smirking. M'gann was awkwardly trying to look away while shielding Gar's eyes, and La'gaan looked confused. Tim was nonchalant as ever, and Cassie looked like she'd just learned a scandalous celebrity secret.

But Zatanna didn't care. She pressed a gloved hand to the armor plate sporting his blue emblem, desperate to enjoy just a few more minutes of bliss before needing to leave, but when she heard her communicator go off she looked to Rocket and pulled away, leaving him to send her one last heartfelt smile before watching her disappear back into the Zeta tube with her companion, just as abruptly as she had shown up in the first place.

His eyes lingered on the tube for a few more seconds before clearing his throat and turning back to the rest. "Alright, guys. Back to work." Conner crossed his arms while the others returned to their mission preparations.

"What was that all about?" Dick smiled.

"Just a reminder to pick up my present later."