Meaning: Graduation, pride


They were supposed to meet at Zozi's, but she came a little late. Normally he hated alcohol, but he always liked drinking with her.

Earlier today Batman offered the team - the original team - an offer to join the League. Wally and Artemis said no - they had their own plans. Kaldur said no, then Conner not long after. Raquel said yes.

They were sitting at the bar. It didn't take long for the drinks to roll in. Zatanna took a sip from hers before finally asking the question he himself had been pondering.

"Are you going for it?" Dick sent her a deliberate glance and she set her cup down with a sigh, rimming the edges with a plastic straw. "It's a pretty big honor, y'know."

"Yeah, it is." Zatanna didn't seem satisfied with that answer. Dick took a sip and made a face. "I don't know, Zee. The kids, the new kids, they still need training. Kaldur and Conner can't do it alone."

"And M'gann." He raised an eyebrow and she took a hearty sip. "Said she wants to stick with Gar for now. I think she also wants to salvage whatever's left with Conner."

Dick hummed. Nobody knew why they broke up in the first place.

There was a moment of silence before her next words. "I think I'm gonna take it."

Dick took a longer sip from his drink. "I know."

He knew from the second they were given the offer. It was the only thing he could think about for most of the day.

She was his best friend before and after they dated. Of course he didn't want her to leave. But he knew why she had to. And he didn't want to stand in the way of that.

"And you're really okay with that? With me leaving?" He smirked.

Sure, they'd spend less time together. So what? They'd still be best friends. They'd always be best friends.

"Just promise you won't find another hot circus freak to hang out with and I'll get over it."

Zatanna laughed, placing a hand over his wrist. "Trust me, I don't think I could pay anyone to want to spend as much time with me as you do."

"Good to know I don't have competition." They shared a smile.

"You never will."

She leaned in, and he followed suit. They kissed.

Yeah, it stung. That didn't mean he was any less proud of her.