Be On Your Own Path

"Thank you, everyone, for coming out tonight. You have all been such a wonderful audience. As per usual, I'd like to end the show by pulling a rabbit out of my hat!"

Scanning the crowd, Zatanna beamed at the various excited looks from kids and a few regulars of the show. She also noted a few skeptics who enjoyed most of the show but clearly felt let down by the finale.

"Trust me, it's not as easy as you think," she teased, "C'mon. C'mon…..hmmm, Pocus? Where are you?"

She leaned into the hat a little more to "reach deeper". Suddenly, a giant hand appeared from the ceiling of the theater.

"Holy shit!"

"Bruh how's she doing that?"

"That's clearly a projection, right?"

"Honey, I think I left the stove on."

As patrons stared in both awe and slight fear, the hand came down and picked up one particular person sitting in the front row.

"No way!"

"Is he part of the act?"

"He's kinda cute."

"That's you're takeaway from this, Kitty? He's being whisked up into the ceiling by a giant hand!"

Everyone sort of panicked as the audience member in jeans and a blue sportscoat was plucked from his seat. The hand and the poor guy disappeared into the darkness of the ceiling. On stage, Zatanna pulled her hand from her hat and held a miniature version of the audience member in the palm of her hand.

"Hmm. You're not as fluffy as Pocus, but you're just as cute. Handsome even."

Zatanna kissed the top of the little guy's head. In a puff of smoke, he reappeared next to Zatanna standing tall at his normal height although a little bewildered.

"Whoa!"

"That's so cool!"

"Pft there's a trap door somewhere. He's clearly in on the act."

Awkwardly, the resized patron smiled and waved, clearly not in on the act….

"Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to thank each and every one of you for attending tonight. This is an incredibly special occasion because today marks my one hundredth show!" Zatanna announced.

As the crowd cheered, she snapped her fingers and a bouquet of pink roses appeared in her hands.

"I'd would also like to especially thank this person here. I guess it's time to let the rabbit out of the hat. Some of you may already know who this is. Well, to me, he the sweetest, most loving, most supportive person in my life. I never would have had the confidence to go up on stage like this without his wonderful encouragement and passionate love. In all honesty, this show and everything you see here was made possible thanks to him! Ladies and gentlemen, my loving boyfriend, Dick Grayson!" Zatanna said as she kissed his cheek and raised his hand up in the air.

The crowd roared and stood up on their feet to give Zee and Dick a thunderous applause. One or two even let out a loud whistle.

"Oh my gosh they're soooo cute!"

"Goddammit, I knew she was too good to be true," one patron grumbled tossing his rose to the ground.

"Wait….DICK GRAYSON IS OFF THE MARKET!? HOLY SHIT I NEED TO TWEET ABOUT THIS!" another pulled out her phone and typed furiously.

"KISS! KISS! KISS! KISS!" the crowd begged.

Always a crowd pleaser, Zatanna placed hand on Dick's cheek and pulled him into a sweet kiss onstage.

"Feeling the aster?" she whispered sweetly into his lips

"Always."

"Dick! Let me go heheehe. I need to do the meet and greet!" Zatanna chided as Dick held her tired and sweaty form tightly on top of him.

"They can wait a little longer. Build up the anticipation," Dick huskily growled as he kissed her neck.

He bit her neck a little causing her to flinch.

"Ah Ah! No marks, Baby! I still need to look presentable! Besides, I said only one quickie in here. Then we'll continue later tonight, I promise!" she chided again kissing his jaw.

"Haha alright alright. I guess I'll have to share you with the world."

"Never. I'm always yours and only yours," she kissed him one more time before finally getting off of him and the couch in her dressing room.

Shakily, she stood up and stretched. She then picked up his jeans and threw the pair into his face.

"Hurry up, Mr. Grayson. I have a feeling they'll want to see you, too!"

"Heh. You do realize you've broken the hearts of hundreds of Gotham bachelors and made yourself the enemy of just as many bachelorettes, right?"

"Oh, hush! You've wanted those girls to get off your back since we started dating. Now hurry up! It's late and there are kids in line!"

"Alright alright!"

"Teg aremac ydaer!" (Get camera ready)

In a blink of an eye, Zee's hair straightened out, her blouse appeared on her smoothed and wrinkle free, and any stray marks Dick sneakily bit onto her neck vanished. Dick's shirt was also straightened. His face and neck were cleaned completely of Zatanna's new cherry lipstick.

"Shall we, Boy Wonder?" she asked offering her hand

After signing hundreds of autographs and countless selfies, Dick and Zatanna decided on a quiet nighttime stroll through the park. The summer breeze cooled them both as they walked down the path arms linked and Zatanna leaning her head on his shoulder. For most of the walk, they remained in a comfortable silence, just happy to be near one another.

"Have you told him yet?" she quietly asked.

"Not yet. I was hoping to at some point."

"You should probably tell him soon."

"I know. I just worry about him. I'm not really sure how he'll take it."

"Despite what people may think of The Batman, I'm sure he loves you. He wants you to be happy."

"I guess. It's going to be a very weird change though."

"Would you like me to be there with you?"

"Actually, I'd like to do it on my own if that's ok."

"Of course. Anything you want, I'm here to support you."

"But first….."

"First?"

"We go home and…..continue?"

"Sigh….let's go home and continue."

In the early morning, Dick walked down the halls of Wayne Manor. He entered Bruce's study noting the clean desk and unwrinkled leather chair.

"Always working, aren't you Bruce?"

He opened the grandfather clock and rotated the arms opening the cave entrance. Slowly, he walked down the stairs trying to go over exactly what he wanted to say. When he reached the bottom of the steps, he stopped and just stared at the shadowy figure sitting in the glow of the giant computer screen. After a few moments, the figure spoke in calm baritone voice.

"Good morning, Dick," Bruce greeted without turning around or missing a beat with his typing

"Heya Bruce. Uh how was your night?"

"Quiet. Nothing much happened. A mugger or two."

"Sounds like an easy time then. Where's Diana?"

"Wildfire in Australia."

"Hmm, whatcha workin on?"

"Dick, is everything alright?" Bruce asked with clear concern.

He stopped typing and swiveled his chair to face Dick. The Boy Wonder fidgeted a little nervously wondering how to broach the difficult subject.

"Um so, y'know how I was in Bludhaven and spent a week there investigating HFS?"

"Yes, excellent job by the way. The flow of HFS has stagnated in Gotham since your time there."

"Yea, well, I feel like there's more work to be done there."

"Hmm?"

"I got to see a lot of messed up stuff there. Yeah, I took out the distribution centers, but I never really found the manufacturer. And it looks like everyone's corrupt there. The cops are on payrolls and trying to cover up everything. I found out all the goons I supposedly left for them to arrest, were all let go. Larry Muntz was executed a day after I interrogated him. It just felt like a never-ending cycle."

Dick paused a bit waiting for Bruce's response. Bruce instead kept a stoic and calm face. Feeling awkward, Dick continued.

"I was thinking. Well, you already know that I dropped out of MIT."

"And I don't blame you for that. I understand your decision."

"Right! So, I've thought about it and uh…" Dick took a deep breath, "I want to join the police force. Specifically, the Bludhaven Police Department."

A little stunned, Bruce leaned back into his chair. Reading his body language, Dick hastily added his explanation.

"I mean, I want to make a difference there. I feel like I can help those people, that city. The police, the wealthy, probably even the mayor there all stink to their cores. I just want to make an impact somewhere like you did. And I want to do it from…that side of the law."

"Are you saying?"

"Y-yeah. I think so. I want to give up being Robin for a bit. Maybe grow into something. I definitely want to be a cop in Bludhaven and I dunno, root out all the evil and corruption there? Make a difference in the light for a change. I want to be a detective, a good one. Like my old man"

Finally, Bruce stood up and walked towards Dick. Awaiting disappointment, Dick flinched a little but only felt a tender caring hand on his shoulder. Dick opened his eyes to see a genuine smile on Bruce's face.

"I'm happy for you…son"

"Really?"

"When I took you in as an eight-year-old boy, at first, I thought I was easing my own guilt about the loss of my parents. When I saw you standing atop that platform staring at your parents falling from their trapeze, I saw myself kneeling in that alleyway beside my own. For a while, I thought that by taking you in and bringing your parents' killer to justice, I was atoning for my own failures. It's why I left you with Alfred while I hunted down Zucco. But then I realized, I had a responsibility to you. I needed to ensure that you would never ever grow up to be me, but someone better. You were just a boy. I didn't want my guilt and burden to weigh you down. It's why I let you come with me as Robin. You caught Zucco and made your own decisions. Since that day, you've grown to be an outstanding person. You see the light in others. You have unparalleled compassion and drive. You're something I could never be, Dick. I'm so proud of you," Bruce smiled with tears on his cheeks

"Wow, Bruce, I never knew you felt that way."

"You're my son, Dick. I'm just a parent proud to see you gain purpose in life."

"Thanks…..Dad."

"….And now you've ruined it."

"C'mon! What else was I supposed to say!"

"Haha. You've called me Bruce for over ten years. It takes some getting used to! Anyway, I'm going to miss you as a partner. Giving up the Robin mantle like that is a big decision."

"Yea. I mean, I loved being a superhero. But I figured, I should try to go all in on this lawful way of fighting criminals."

"You are your own man now, Dick. I'm happy to support any of your decisions."

"Thanks, Bruce. I really mean it. Like you said, I feel like I've finally gotten my sense of purpose. And in a way, this is my opportunity to make it on my own."

"That's great to hear. However, spending time in the academy is not a source of income. At least let me pay for your place in Bludhaven until you graduate and actually get a salary."

"Deal."

With a tray full of fluffy waffles, butter, syrup, and strawberries, Dick tiptoed back into his and Zee's room. Her bare back was still facing away from the door as he gently placed the tray down at the end table. He slowly climbed into bed and hugged her from behind. Feeling his touch, Zatanna stirred and squirmed a little leaning into his chest comfortably.

"Good morning," Dick whispered.

"Mmmm I smell waffles!"

"Hehe, freshly made. Strawberries, too."

"Hot sex and hot breakfast in bed? You sure know how to treat a lady."

"I do my best," he replied as he kissed her cheek.

He buried his face in her hair taking in a new scent of lavender. She tapped the hand on her waist signaling him to loosen up and let her turn and face him. Now face to face, she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"How'd he take it?"

"He was surprisingly ok. Really supportive actually."

"I told you. Underneath all that steely exterior is a softy. Diana had to brute force break it down. But you? He willingly opens up to you."

"Yea. You're right."

"So. Bludhaven, huh?"

"Yea. I'm enrolling for the fall. Can't believe I traded one school for another haha."

"I think you'll like this one better."

"I do too."

Dick shifted to lie on his back pulling Zatanna back on top of him. She laid her head on his chest and placed a hand on his pectoral gently listening to his heart.

"So, I guess you'll be moving again. To a new place. In Bludhaven."

"Yea. Bruce was nice enough to pay for rent while I'm in training. But afterwards, once I get a full-fledged job and everything, things might get tricky."

"Hmm. Y'know, I was thinking about moving out of the manor."

"What do you mean move out? You don't live here! Your stuff's still at the cave!...OW!"

Zatanna pouted as she smacked his chest a few times.

"Meany"

"You don't even have any clothes here! I can't even tell which t-shirts are mine anymore haha"

"Anyway! I kinda want my own place. I've got a decent chunk of money thanks to the shows and merch deals. But, I dunno, I wouldn't mind getting a…..roommate."

"Oh?"

"Yea, y'know. We could split the rent and get a bigger more comfortable place."

"Hmm"

"Yea. It'd be cute. Y'know we'd watch movies, have meals together. Talk about our day. All that fun stuff."

"That does sounds fun."

"Exactly! So….you think Raquel would be game to go in on a Gotham apartment?"

Dick was left speechless staring incredulously at his girlfriend. She was biting her lip to stifling a full-on laugh. Realizing the joke, he flipped her onto her back and tickled her sides.

"HAHAHAHBAAHAH HAHAH DICK DICK! HAHAHAH I'M SORRY OK HAHHAAHHAHA YOUR FACE WAS JUST HAHAHAHH PRICELESS!"

To punish her even further, he leaned in and began biting all over. He started at her shoulder and left a red trail along her collarbone, her neck, her cheeks, and then her ear.

"Mmmm ok ok ahhh. I'm sorry, baby." Zatanna cooed.

"And somehow I'm the meany"

"hehehe but really though. Would you…..like to move in together?"

Instead of answering, Dick leaned down and kissed her.

"I'm whelmed that you would ask."

"I should hope so! I'm trying to be whelmingly chalant here!"

"And it's working. Yes, Zee, let's move in together!" Dick declared as he kissed her again.

"Hehe, yes. Let's! Let's move in as quickly as possible. I don't want some crazy, cataclysmic, or tragic event breaking us apart and preventing us from living together and being together."

"Haha you make it sound like something ominous is going to happen. Like you losing your powers or something."

"Ugh I shudder to even think about that."

"Don't worry, powers or not, I will always be by your side."

"I love you."

"I evol uoy, Eez"

"Hey! You've been practicing!"

"Anything for you!"

Just before he leaned in for another kiss, Zatanna placed a finger on his lips using all her strength to push him back.

"Hey, since we're gonna be er sorta normal now, won't we need a car?"

"Huh, maybe."

"Any thoughts?"

"Y'know, I've been eyeing this Audi A3 sedan…."