Be Careful of the Claws

"$495 for a three-ounce bottle of perfume?! You've got to be kidding me!," Zatanna exclaimed. She spritzed a little on her wrist, "But damn it smells good. Maybe he'll like it."

Zatanna had a rare Saturday to herself. Dick was off on some secretive business, and Artemis wanted to spend time with her mother. So, Zatanna did what any sensible teenage girl would do…..visit the mall.

"This top is cute. A little short at the midriff though. Maybe he'll like that. Actually, come to think of it, he'll just be happy I have clothes of my own. I can't help it if his shirts are comfy and smell wonderfully like him."

Just then, a woman wearing a black trench coat, a scarf over her head, and large sunglasses bumped into Zatanna.

"Oh! I'm sorry m'am. Are you ok?" Zatanna asked.

"I'm fine dear. I should have watched where I was going. Have a good day."

The lady walked off, and Zatanna continued perusing the expensive clothing rack. Oddly though, her left hand felt a little lighter.

"Huh…..MY RING!"

She looked around for that woman again but found nothing.

"Ugh. So much for a relaxing Saturday by myself."

Later that night

"Twice as many stars in the sky? Pft. I knew he was corny, but this is a whole different level."

As our mysterious figure was admiring her new prize, the ring suddenly glowed blue and flew from her grasp sliding perfectly into the left ring finger of a young magician.

"I happen to love his corniness….."

"Why hello there, Bunny"

"You do know there are easier ways of meeting up with me, right?...Selina?"

"True, but why get a cup of coffee at some overprice café when you can sit freely atop the Gotham skyline!"

"It can be a beautiful city," Zatanna admitted smiling at the lights of the city.

"Come. Sit with me, little Bunny."

Selina and Zatanna sat on the ledge of the building taking in all the lights and sounds of Gotham City.

"How is Kitten?"

"He's great. Top three in his class. A great leader for the team. He's really becoming quite the man. He's…..he's perfect."

"Annnd?"

"Sigh. And you were right. He…..really did blossom into a hunk."

"Hehe trust me. I've got a nose for this sort of thing."

"You sure it's not because your nose is still stuck on his Batdad"

"Careful Bunny. We agreed to put away the claws."

"Fine fine haha. Sorry. Bit of a low blow."

"Speaking of blowing low…..I must ask. How is he?"

"…..You did ask. He's doing great?"

"You know what I mean. How good is he at…..hiding the cucumber?"

"…..Absolutely fantastic," Zatanna reluctantly answered with her cheeks on fire.

"Heheh lucky girl."

"Sometimes I feel too lucky."

"Oh no. Don't you start this again."

"Selina come on. He…he can have every girl in the world. A smart redhead who's known him since he was eight. Or maybe a supermodel from somewhere? Hell, he immediately charmed an alien princess without even trying. I'm…I'm just a broken orphan who misses her father."

"And what's wrong with that?"

"Huh?"

"Zatanna, there's nothing wrong with you at all. You sell yourself short."

"He deserves better. I mean…what can I really bring to the table for him?"

"Your kindness. Your joy. Your compassion for him. Your heart."

"You're just saying that….."

"Girl, I haven't even gotten to your smoking body!"

Zatanna still didn't seem convinced. Looked down into the alley as she twiddled her thumbs. Selina, however, was having none of it.

"Look, when I saw him, he laughed loudly. Cracked jokes at a high decibel. He put on a smile so bright you could see it from space. But it was all fake. Not many people could see past all the smoke and mirrors, but Bat and I could. Behind the jokes, and the cackle, and the joy….was a little boy. A broken orphan missing his father AND mother. Nowadays, interestingly he's…quieter. The laughs are softer. The jokes are there, but less forced. The smile, it's less pronounced, but infinitely more genuine. You did that. You changed him for the better. You made….no…..You MAKE him happy."

"But….."

"Nope. He chose you, Bunny. He chose you! And you know what the best part is?"

"What?"

"Neither of you really had to change to accept each other. You two fit beautifully like two perfect puzzle pieces, and all you had to be were yourselves! Take it from someone who…..missed out on a good man. You have it easy girly."

"I'm….I'm sorry, Selina. I didn't mean to."

"Don't. I don't need your pity. It's ok. In the end…..I see it. He's got a code he won't let go of. And me? Well, I like the freedom to explore and have a little fun. Neither of us were willing to change for the other. In a way that's probably why we couldn't make it work. What he and I had….was good. A good fling. What he now has with…..her? It's much more lasting. Kinda like you and Kitten. Now stop this pity party of yours. It's simple. You love him, he adores you. You make boom boom in bed. End of story."

"But, what about you though? You deserve a happy ending!"

"Bunny, my story isn't even halfway done yet."

"You could still….y'know. Stop all this wandering and stealing. And come be with us?"

"Hmmmm enticing, but I'm a drifter. Like I said, I'm not willing to change. Besides, I'd get antsy living in the same house as my ex-boyfriend, his current girlfriend, and then there's his son and his super hot girlfriend. Course there's Alfred and he's a gem, but I am not built to be a fifth wheel."

"Ok. Just thought I should extend the invitation."

"Speaking of, I heard you and Kitten are graduating soon. Very well done, both of you."

"Thanks."

"I heard he's thinking about leaving the nest a little."

"Yea. He's….He's leaning towards college," Zatanna said a little dishearteningly

"Oh? Interesting. You ok with that?"

"Well I mean…yea. He'll be away for a while but we'll be able to see each other again!"

"Hmmm. New piece of advice, Bunny."

"Ok?"

"Hold onto him tight. Never ever let him go from your grasp?"

"Huh? You mean, don't let him go to college?"

"What I mean is…..fight for him. Like I said, you two accept who you are to each other. You're perfect for each other. Fight to keep that perfect bond of yours."

"Well, I mean…I sorta kinda performed a magical lovers' bond between us. We're literally inseparable."

"You know what I mean. I'm just saying. It may feel like things will get tough but push through all that because Kitten is worth it."

"You're…..yea you're right. Kitten is perfect."

"Precisely. Now, I've got to be on my way. But before that. Here."

Selina reached into her bag and pulled out an expensive box from Chanel.

"SELINA! YOU DID NOT!"

"Hey like you said. $495 is crazy…..so I got you the bigger 6.8 ounce one."

"Selina! C'mon you can't just take things!"

"Hey. I happen to know Channel No. 5 works wonders. Wear some of this, and I guarantee you and Kitten will make BOOM BOOM all night."

"I mean…..we already do it all night"

"Well either way. Call it a graduation gift. You deserve it. Continue making Kitten happy."

"….Thank you, Selina."

"Ciao!"

With that, Selina flipped off the building ledge and disappeared into the night. Just as Zatanna got up, she noticed her wallet on the roof completely open….and completely devoid of any cash.

"OH COME ON, SELINA!"