Be Prudent
It was early in the morning. Birds were chirping and the sun shone through the windows of Wayne Manor. On the bed, two naked sleeping forms were cuddled together tightly under the covers. Clothes and undergarments were strewn all about the floor as evidence of the previous night's...events. Zatanna tucked her face in Dick's neck while he rested his chin on top of her head. They both fit together perfectly like puzzle pieces. They wrapped each other in their arms and intertwined their legs. Blissfully they slept with not a care in the world. Dick soon stirred awake and took a big whiff of Zatanna's hair. Breathing in the scent of oranges and vanilla, he gently stroked her hair.
"Mmmhmmmm," she purred in response.
"Haha. Are you a cat?"
Smirking, she licked his neck and lightly scratched his chest.
"Meeeeeowwww"
"Hahha Good morning little kitty-Zee."
"Nyan! How'dnya sleep last night, nyan?"
"Perfect, Zee. Just perfect."
"Me too."
"Did you have fun?"
"Are you kidding, Dick? God you were...you were...just...magical. Baby, I still can't feel my legs. Last night was the best night of my life."
Swelled with pride, he pulled her into a sweet kiss
"Mine too. Honestly I could have gone all night."
"Truthfully I didn't think you had it in you after the second round. But you really powered through round three and gave it your all in round four. I'm sorry I cramped up at the end though. I also didn't want to stop."
"Hey hey, it's ok," Dick reassured her kissing her forehead, "We were going pretty rough for our first time ever haha. I may have gone a little overboard..."
"No no, baby. I loved it. I love you! I'm a tough girl. I can take a good pounding," she teased kissing his cheek.
"Zee! You're being quite...chalant aren't you?"
"Of course. I told you when we first met: Be as chalant as you like."
"Well in that case. How about we continue where we left of and commence round five?" Dick teasingly asked as he cupped her ass.
"Haha oh baby, as much as I'd love to, I have brunch with Artemis soon. I need to shower and get ready."
"Shower sex is hot too!"
"Down, boy hehe."
Just then, some light scratching could be heard outside their door.
"Awww baby we should let him inside. He's probably been waiting to wake us up," she cooed.
"Alright alright. Go hop in the shower. I gotta find some shorts."
With a quick kiss, Zatanna scampered to the shower while Dick put on some basketball shorts and opened his door.
Once there was a little crack, a giant furball jumped onto Dick and started licking his face.
"Hahha ok ok Ace. Haha morning to you too!"
"Woof!"
"Who's a good boy! Who's a good boy!"
Ace smiled and wagged his tail furiously as Dick scratched his neck
A couple of years ago, he and Bruce raided an underground dog fighting ring hosted by Roulette, a cutthroat businesswoman with an infamous green dragon tattoo that ran from her left shoulder, across her torso, and down her right leg. Though her money was legitimate, she had a bad habit of hosting various types of illegal fight clubs from chickens, to dogs, and men with insurmountable debt. The dynamic duo captured all parties involved and released all the dogs. But one little German shepherd puppy remained in his cage too scared to come out.
Dick practically begged to take the little guy home, and Bruce just couldn't say no. In fact, he was the one to name him Ace! The little pup warmed his way so far into Bruce's heart that even Diana was a little jealous. But Ace's cute beady eyes won her over instantly. Of course, Ace's favorite was Alfred since he did most of the training. His second favorite was certainly Zatanna as she just couldn't help sneaking him little treats. Since settling into the manor, Ace became everyone's little alarm clock, making rounds to everyone's room to wake them up via barking and licking. First was always Alfred, but being a gentleman, he never climbed onto Alfred's bed. Next was Bruce and Diana. He usually climbed into their bed and snuggled with the pair for a few minutes before barking them awake. When he reached Dick and Zatanna, Ace was full of energy, he usually leaped onto their bed jolting them both awake.
"Ok bud. Go get some breakfast from Alfred. Zee and I will be down soon"
"WOOF!"
Ace trotted off to the kitchen while Dick stayed behind...hoping to prove a point.
He made his way to the bathroom, took off his shorts, and slowly entered the shower. With the water on full blast, Zatanna remained completely unaware until Dick hugged her from behind, cupped both her breasts, and bit her neck.
"Huh? Dick? What are you dddddoooinggg mmmmhnmmm"
"Showing you how hot shower sex is..."
At Lou's Bakery, Artemis sat impatiently as she stirred her coffee for the hundredth time. She worriedly check her watch again.
"It's been an hour. She's never this late. Maybe I should call her."
Just then, Zatanna hurriedly burst into the little bakery.
"Oh my gosh, Artemis! I am so so sorry for being this late. I know you've only got so much time since you and Wally have to go back to California soon."
All of Artemis's worries washed away as she began taking note of Zatanna's appearance among other hints. Zatanna wore a black t-shirt with Captain Rex's clone helmet on the front. The shirt was way too big for her as evidenced by how it was rolled up and tied into a knot at her waist. On the outside, she wore a blue zipped down hoodie that definitely did not belong to her. In fact, Artemis noted the only article of clothing that Zatanna wore and actually owned were her pair of tight blue jeans.
"Artemis? Are uhhh are you mad?"
Taking a second to really savor this moment, Artemis took a deep breath and smirked.
"You and Dick finally fucked didn't you?"
Horrified, Zatanna burned red hot and waved her hands furiously trying to deny the allegation.
"Wh...what? No I mean...Arty, please...hehe what even made you think that?"
"Well let's see...your cheeks are still red and puffy, your hair is, to put it nicely, a little scruffy, you've got bite marks all over your neck, you're wearing all his clothes, though that's nothing unusual. Oh! And when you came in, you were walking all wobbly and you winced when you sat down. Almost as if you were really sore...down there."
Zatanna could only just star dumbfoundedly at how quickly Artemis figured her out. Admittedly, she was in a rush because she and Dick had a little too much fun in the shower, so she forgot to use a spell to make her camera ready.
"Tanna I may not be as good a detective as your boyfriend, but I can read all these signs like a book. There's only one explanation for your symptoms. Girl, you got absolutely RAILED."
Zatanna turned a shade of red that was probably very unhealthy and looked away. She definitely did not want to make eye contact with that impish look Artemis had on her face.
"Ok fine! Yes we...had sex."
Artemis raised an eyebrow.
"Ok...we've had a lot of sex"
Artemis crossed her arms.
"Ok yes. We fucked in the shower this morning which is why I'm late. Now can we please talk about something other than how good my boyfriend is in bed?"
"Haha ok ok that's the end of that...but y'know, that only makes things more complicated."
"...What do you mean by that?"
"Well, Dick's planning on leaving Gotham right? Maybe even going to college or something."
"Yea? So?"
"So...are you gonna follow him?"
"I uh...I don't know. I was actually thinking of going into showbiz...like my father."
"Tanna, there hasn't been a day where you two have been apart. It...it sounds like you want different things right now."
"I know, but I want to make it work. I love him, Artemis. I undeniably love him. And besides? Zeta tubes can help us. We're not really gonna be long distance."
"It's not the how, Zatanna, but the when. Dick's taking on more leadership roles now that he's co-captain of the team. More people have joined like Garth and Tula. And I hear Diana is this close to swaying Donna to join. He's gonna have all that, and whatever school work he has, and all his normal hero work. You know him. He'll want to appease everyone. Especially you."
"What are you saying, Artemis?"
"I'm just saying it's going to be difficult. Especially since you crave his touch now...so much so that you're an hour late to brunch."
"I said I'm sorry!"
Both girls giggled at the light teasing. But Zatanna did feel that Artemis's words rang true.
"It's why I moved in with Wally," Arty continued, "We both got into Stanford and well...we just wanted to be together."
"But, Artemis, I mean it wouldn't be for long. Just a few years. And besides, we still have hero work on the side. It's not impossible to see each other."
"Look, whatever you two choose, I will support you both. More you than him haha but he's got Wally so, it's fine."
"Thank you, Artemis. But I think we'll be fine. As they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder."
The rest of brunch continued with Stanford stories. Wally slept through most days, rushed in the last five minutes of class, quickly jotted down notes, and pretended he had been present the whole time. Artemis tried making pho to get in touch with her Vietnamese roots. Unfortunately she put in too much fish sauce stinking up the whole apartment. Zatanna listened graciously and kept asking questions so Artemis wouldn't notice Zatanna paying the bill behind her back. When the pair went their separate ways, Artemis immediately pulled up the group chat consisting of the entire team sans Dick and Zatanna.
Chalant Betting Pool
Artemis: Guess who finally SMASHED!
M'gann: GASP O.M.G. YASSS
Conner: Nice
Wally: Wait...I thought they were already sleeping together?
M'gann: Yea well...now they're "sleeping" WITH each other :p
Raquel: It's about time. You could cut the sexual tension between them with a knife.
Kaldur: I am glad for our friends. They deserve all their happiness together.
Wally: Hang on, it's before their high school graduation right?...ah shit.
Artemis: That's right losers. PAY. ME. MY. MONEY. $$$
At Gotham Park, Dick was jogging with Ace when a familiar friend stopped by to say hi.
"Heya, Dick!"
"Sup, Babs! Getting in a morning run?"
"Yea. Just finished two miles. But more importantly...HOWS MY WITTLE ACEY BOY! HUH? Who's a good doggie? Yes you are! Yes you are!"
"Woof!"
"You wanna sit and play with him for a bit? You look like you could use a break," Dick asked.
"Ohh yes! Anything to hang out with my handsome wittle friend."
"Haha, Barb, we've talked about this haha I'm taken."
"I could not have been more clearly talking to the dog..."
They found a nearby bench to sit and catch their breaths while Ace laid down by Dick's side.
"So. Any offers?" she asked.
"Sigh...Gotham U accepted me on the spot. They even offered me a full ride even though my dad is billionaire Bruce Wayne haha. Columbia wait listed me. Cornell also accepted me but I really only applied there as a joke. NYU hasn't gotten back to me, but MIT and Dartmouth want to schedule interviews."
"And...have you told Zatanna any of this?"
"I mean...I dunno. Part of me wants to leave Gotham and explore a little bit y'know. Maybe gain some new experiences. But...I...I just can't leave Zatanna behind."
"I get that Dick. I do. Let's start with something simple. What do you want to do?"
"Hmmm. I...I really want to help people. In any capacity I can. There's a lot of darkness in the world we live in, so I feel like I can shed some light into it y'know?"
"Well, this is just me talking, but I think college could be great for you."
"Really?"
"Yes. You said you want to help people, but you didn't narrow down the how. I think college can help you explore that how. You're a techy. Maybe you can develop some groundbreaking technology. You're smart. Maybe you could become a doctor. You're clever. Maybe a law degree could be in your future, or something in criminology. That's what college is for. To expand your horizons and figure things out for yourself."
"But...Zee...she...she's got her own path."
"Then let her walk that path. She'll grow too! Think of it like a flower plant. You start small with a tiny pot. But if you keep it in there it'll get cramped and die. You need to constantly move the plant to bigger pots and ultimately the garden to let it bloom and flourish. That flower represents you and Zatanna right now. So what if you're put in different pots? You both love each other so much, it won't even matter. You'll make it work together."
"Wow. That actually makes sense."
"Hey. You've got time...but uh not a lot. You definitely need to do interview prep for Dartmouth and MIT."
"Haha you're right. Thanks Babs. I appreciate it."
"Of course. Any time."
After a long day and another beautifully cooked dinner by Alfred, Dick and Zatanna retreated to their bedroom. They were so exhausted they meant to just cuddle and go to sleep. Dick was just about to drift off into dreamland...until Zatanna wiggled her ass against his groin. Then one thing led to another...and another...and another...and another.
Finally completely spent and covered in sweat, Zatanna rested her messy head on Dick's sticky chest.
"Zee, we literally just started having sex last night, and now we've done it like what...10 times in the past 24 hours?"
"Is that a bad thing?"
"Well, no but are we...freaks?"
"Hmmmm I'd say...we're making up for lost time."
"Haha sure. Let's go with that."
After basking in the afterglow a bit, Zatanna leaned up to whisper in his ear.
"Hey Dick...are...are you really going away for college?"
"I uh...I don't know quite yet. I feel like I'm at a point in my life where I need to take a big step. I'm not sure what that is though."
"Can I be honest?"
"Always."
"I...I'm not even sure you really need college. Like...you are already so smart. The work you do with Bruce is insane for your age, but you're out there developing new tech and solving crimes quicker than seasoned detectives. I just think spending four years at college. I worry you might get bored."
"Maybe. But, it's always good to learn new things."
"True, but you can learn new things anywhere. You say you want to help people right? I feel like you're someone who wants to hit the ground running and spend that time making a difference now."
"You're...you're right. I do a lot already. The Team, regular Robin stuff, adding college could muddle things a bit, but I still feel it's worth the time sink. I don't know. I...I feel like there are both valid merits to going and not going."
"What ever you choose, I will always love you and support you," Zatanna reassured him as she kissed him, "Buuuuut sex would be a much more regular thing if you stayed here with me."
"You sure your big speech about me being bored at college wasn't a ploy to keep me here as a boy toy."
"I mean...that was my entire intention from the get go, Toy Wonder haha"
"Hahaha...I love you Zee. Truly I do."
"I love you too Dick. No matter where we go in life. No matter what path we choose. We will always find and love each other."
"Hehe you make it sound like our destinies are intertwined."
"I pray that they are. Forever connected. Forever and always I will love you."
"...Say it backwards."
"...Say it with me."
"Huh?"
"It'll be like...like a magical pact. A promise really. I actually have a spell for that. Something to keep us together. Keep our hearts, minds, and really our souls connected."
"...Are you proposing to me, Zee?"
"...So what if I am? Haha you gonna get cold feet?"
"Never. What do I do?"
"Take my hand and interlock our fingers."
"Right ok."
"Now. We'll keep it simple. You have to say my full name. I can go first for you to try and learn."
"Ok but uh...go slow."
After a few practice runs, Dick finally felt comfortable to go for the real pact.
"Ok. Shall we?"
"I'm ready."
"I'll go first to start the spell. Drahcir Nhoj Nosyarg, I esimorp ot syawla dna reverof evol uoy" (Richard John Grayson, I promise to always and forever love you).
"annataZ arataZ, I esimorp ot syawla dna reverof evol uoy" (Zatanna Zatara, I promise to always and forever love you)
From both their wrists, gold vines began enveloping their joined hands. When the vines covered every inch of their hands, they shined and a bright gold light quickly flashed throughout the room. In a blink of an eye, the lights and vines were gone. Around both of their left ring fingers, there were a dim rings of light. Eventually those faded too leaving faint marks on both fingers.
"So uhh now what?"
"Well Dick, now...it's a lock."