Montana Sky

"I need a break, Kaldur. You, me, Wally…we founded this team. I just-I need time."

"I understand, my friend. But know that you will always be welcomed here. Take all the time you need."

It hadn't been long since Wally had sacrificed himself for the Earth. Losing the young speedster had been a price no one expected to pay. Everything had gone so smoothly, too. If only they had picked up on that last pod left by the Reach. Dick looked over to see Artemis conversing with Bart, the new Kid Flash. She'd probably never admit it, but Dick knew she was completely broken inside….because he absolutely was. While Artemis opted to dive headfirst into work to keep her mind off things, Dick went the opposite route, wanting to go away for a bit and clear his head.

"Are you really leaving?" a shy voice asked from behind him.

"Y-yeah. I'm sorry, Zee. I kinda need this."

"I-I understand. I can't imagine losing my best friend like that…"

"Thank you. I just never imagined a world where he wouldn't coming running at a moment's notice. I feel like maybe some traveling will do me good. Give me some perspective."

"I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you, too! How could I not miss my friend?"

"We were more than friends once."

"Yea…."

"Anyway! I won't stop you. Be safe. And keep in touch?"

"Thank you. And I will! I promise," Dick flashed a quick smile before turning towards the Zeta tube.

Zatanna watched him leave while trying to stifle a whimper. A tear rolled down her cheek as she regretted not saying what she really wanted. But it was not the time and place.

"…..Now I know how it feels to lose my best friend."


ONE WEEK LATER

Dick: Hey Zee!

Zatanna: Heyyy. What's up?

Dick: Nothing. I'm in Georgia rn. Visiting the Coca Cola Museum.

Zatanna: Really? You're just in Atlanta?

Dick: Well….yea? Figured I'd start local.

Zatanna: Haha well you did always act like you were constantly on a sugar rush.

Dick: Ok I wasn't THAT hyper

Zatanna: Doubt :p

Dick: Har har. Anyway, did you know the French has a soda called Orangina made of real orange juice?

Zatanna: Ooo sounds tasty.

Zatanna: Also the French would name a soda like that

Dick: Like what?

Zatanna:…..Dick pls

Dick: ?

Zatanna: Orangina…Oran-gina

Dick: Oh….OHHHHHHH

Zatanna: I can't believe I used to sleep with you…

Dick: Hehe pretty sure it was because you liked it when I tasted YOUR orangina hahaha

Dick: Zee?

Dick: …..Zee?


FOUR DAYS LATER

Dick: Did you know Minnesota has a burger called the Juicy Lucy?

Zatanna: No? What is it?

Dick: Basically it's still the two patties right, but they stuff them with a ton of cheese. And it just oozes out when you're done cooking it.

Zatanna: OOooo while that sounds interesting…that'd be such a grease-y meal haha. I'd feel so gross afterwards.

Dick: It's pretty wild.

Zatanna: I wonder what the meat to cheese ratio would be?

Dick: Actually looking at it, there doesn't seem to be a lot of meat.

Zatanna: Would it still be called a burger then?

Dick: Unclear


THREE WEEKS LATER

Zatanna: Wait so let me get this straight, you were walking down Sunset BLVD, and a random casting agent saw you and dragged you to a photo studio to model….flip flops?

Dick: Yea I don't get it either

Zatanna: Did he not recognize you as Dick Grayson? Son to billionaire Bruce Wayne?

Dick:…..I errr may have grown a beard.

Zatanna: YOU WHAT?!

Dick: I got lazy with the shaving alright?

Zatanna: What, no flannel to complete the lumberjack aesthetic?

Dick: …..

Zatanna: OMG

Dick: Look chilling in Oregon really opened some horizons ok!

Zatanna: Still doesn't explain why you were chosen to model flip-flops

Dick: I was wearing shorts and flip-flops. I guess he just really liked my feet?

Zatanna: Do you know what magazine you'll be in?

Dick: I don't want to talk about it….

Zatanna: ….well now you HAVE to talk about it.

Dick: ….Bear

Zatanna: Bear?

Dick: I'm in California…

Zatanna: ….OH MY GOD

Dick: Look the money was good.

Zatanna: LOLOL I'm sure the other Bears in the area will be very appreciative of your feet.


FIVE DAYS LATER

Lumberjack Bear Boi: I will die on this hill. I refuse to believe otherwise!

Meanie Magic Lady: I can't believe you won't even give it a second chance!

Lumberjack Bear Boi: I have given it a chance! And it sucked!

Meanie Magic Lady: Maybe you just had a bad batch

Lumberjack Bear Boi: No. I don't care. You will never convince me that In n Out is better than Whataburger!

Meanie Magic Lady: Ok you're in Texas. Maybe they don't know how to do an In n Out burger like in California.

Lumberjack Bear Boi: I was IN California! It sucked there too! Look, one bite of a patty melt, and you'll be ENLIGHTENED.

Meanie Magic Lady: Pft I'd have to go down the Texas then!

Lumberjack Bear Boi: Then come down.

Meanie Magic Lady: …..wait right now?

Lumberjack Bear Boi: You busy?

Meanie Magic Lady: Are…you asking me to come see you?

Lumberjack Bear Boi: I mean…this is a really good burger.

Meanie Magic Lady: OH SHIT! Baby, I gotta go. Big League alert. Talk later!

Lumberjack Bear Boi: Ok! Be safe.

Dick looked up from his phone with a puzzled expression.

"Baby? She hasn't called me that in a while…"


ONE MONTH LATER

Birdy: I'm coming home. I'll kill him

Zee: No no it's fine! I handled it!

Birdy: He had no right to do that! Disgusting British prick

Zee: He was drunk and I guess he just didn't know where the line was.

Birdy: I don't care how blacked out he was. He never should have touched you like that!

Zee: Dick it's fine. I broke his wrist with that move you taught me and that's that. Kinda a shame though. I liked that bar, but I don't think I'll be going back.

Birdy: Ok. What's so special about that place anyway?

Zee: It's a fancy new magic bar. The drinks are pretty crazy. Nimue suggested it.

Birdy: And you went by yourself?

Zee: Well yea. The bartender is really nice and some of the regulars are pretty chill. It was just him…..Him I don't like. But I started a bar fight and well I guess I'm on probation for a bit.

Birdy: I'm sorry.

Zee: Nah it's fine.

Birdy: You should take me there some time.

Zee: Really? You'd go to a magic bar where the drinks are made from exotic sorcery ingredients?

Birdy: I'd go anywhere with you.

Zee: Then it's a date…when you come back of course.

Birdy: Of course.


TWO MONTHS LATER

Zee: Oh that's sooo pretty!

Birdy : Yea. I didn't expect the Montana sky to be this nice.

Zee: Maybe it's all the vast open space. No city lights to ruin the aesthetic.

Birdy : Maybe. That does explain why it's so peaceful out here.

Zee: It's a nice getaway for sure. Here in NY, the lights are so bright sometimes all I see are silhouettes.

Both looked up from their phones sighing and staring out into the distance. Dick watched the wind ruffle the grassy fields from his water tower perch. Zatanna looked out her window counting the droplets of rain hitting the glass. Moments of silence passed as they both felt deep longing. An ache clenched both their hearts forcing words out of their mouths that the other wouldn't hear. Instead, they'd be lost into the void.

"I wish you were here with me…"


TWO DAYS LATER

Birdy : Heya! Uhhh are you not home?

Zee: No? Wait why?

Birdy : Cuz uh I'm at your apartment. I still have a spare key.

Zee: Oh noooo!

Birdy : ?!

Zee: …..I'm in Montana.

Birdy : Wait? Why?!

Zee: …why are you at my apartment?

Birdy : I wanted to see you.

Zee: I wanted to see YOU.

Birdy : Give me 15mins


FIFTEEN MINUTES AND FORTY-TWO SECONDS LATER

Zatanna sat patiently atop the water tower watching the sun set the Montana sky ablaze. Her eyes were just lost in the mix of yellow and orange. Soon, she heard the clanking of the metal ladder below her. The footsteps were strong and very determined. No mistaking who this could be. Not by a long shot.

"You were right. The Montana sky is beautiful," she mused as he climbed up and sat down next to her.

"Yea, but I'm kinda partial to the Georgia sunset. Bit more orange in the mix."

They sat in comfortable silence letting the sun tuck itself behind the horizon. A little awkward and shy, neither of them really knew what to do or say next. Finally deciding to break the ice, Zatanna scooted closer to Dick resting her head on his shoulder. Responding in kind, he wrapped his arm around her waist letting her snuggle just a bit closer. She closed her eyes and took in his enticing scent.

"Mmmm Gucci Guilty. You meant serious business," she sighed.

"I wanted to smell good for you."

"You always smell good."

"Not as good as you."

"Oh stop hahaah."

Feeling more comfortable, she wrapped her arms around his torso cuddling into him. He hugged her closely for warmth as they leaned back against the water tower. She lifted her feet and set them over his lap before leaning into his neck.

"Did you find what you were looking for?" she whispered.

"Yes, actually I did."

"Hmm?"

"I said before that I couldn't imagine a world without having my best friend. Without Wally. I realized on my journey to mourn him, I just could not stop talking to you."

"Well that was evident. We texted every day."

"Right. And honestly, talking to you was the best part of every single day. I never wanted to stop."

"Me too. I missed you so being able to text and just hang out made being away from you more bearable."

"Honestly after a while, Zee. All I wanted to do was hold you and kiss you. I could look at all the Montana skies and Georgia sunsets, but you were always the one walking in my head."

"Hehe I felt the same way. During all the long long New York nights, or when I was out with my friends, all I ever saw was your silhouette. It was my heart telling me to go to you. I should have gone to you sooner. You always told me where you where anyway."

"Would you want to try again?" he asked after pausing a moment, "I know we became busy and that's why we broke up. But I feel so connected to you now. Moreso than ever. I really want to MMPH"

To unapologetically cut off his rambling, Zatanna leaned up and kissed him. Her hand caressed his cheek to keep him in place while her lips continued brushing against his. One of Dick's hands rested gently on her waist while the other lightly pressed against her neck nudging her just a bit closer. The world seemed to stop spinning as the stars started to appear in the night sky. Their lights felt so much brighter than they had before as Dick and Zee were still in their own little world, enjoying their first kiss together in ages. When they had finished and parted lips, their need to be closer than ever kept them mere centimeters apart. Their foreheads rested against each other as they both breathed in sync enjoying the moment.

"I've been waiting, wishing, praying for the chance to try again with you," she whispered.

"I'm sorry I took so long. I just…needed to find the place where happiness begins. And I realized, that place is right here with you."

"It's ok," she kissed his cheek, "I've learned that when you love someone, and they break your heart, don't give up on love. Have faith, restart, and just hold on."

"I love you, Zee."

"And I love you, Dick."

"So, what you do you wanna do now?"

"Mmmm I guess I could give Whataburger a shot…" she rolled her eyes.

"Hahaha then we'll hit up that magical bar of yours."

"Alright but I'm warning you some of the drinks are pretty gnarly."

"Hey, anything is worth at least one try."

"Then I'm glad we're giving us a second chance," she chastely kissed him again.

"Well then, shall we, milady?"

"Mmmm give me a sec. Let's just sit here and enjoy the moment. A little bit longer, and I'll be fine."

AN: Montana Sky - Jonas Brothers

Yes. I've added yet another Jonas Brothers song to this playlist hahah. I can't help it! I'm a HUGE fan! Their songs have been such integral parts of my life. I'm happy to say that I'll be going to one of their shows for the first time ever! Anywho, Montana Sky is off their latest record, The Album. I love the catchy riff of this song and I felt like it was perfect for depicting Dick seeing Americana only to want to come home to Zee. Hope yall enjoyed it!