My Dearest

She knocks on his apartment door a few times but there's no answer. Luckily, she still has his spare key. With a twist, she opens the door and walks into the pitch black abode. Turning on the lights, she finds him on the couch with his head in his hands. An opened bottle of advil and an empty glass of water lie on the coffee table. She sits down next to him.

"Have you come to yell at me too?" he asks.

"No."

It's been a rough couple of days. It feels like anything that could go wrong has. The Light wasn't buying into Kaldur's villainous turn so he asked Artemis to provide backup undercover much to Wally's chagrin. Then M'gann had to fry Kaldur's brain turning him into a vegetable. This forced Dick and Artemis to orchestrate M'gann's capture so she could try and fix Kaldur. The planning is getting shoddy, the risks are getting bigger, and most importantly the lies are starting to burn. He finally gave into the pressure and revealed the big scheme not too long ago. As expected, not a lot of people were happy being manipulated first into believing Kaldur turned coat and then into mourning Artemis. There was a lot of swearing and yelling and just cruel words being thrown in his face. Knowing he deserved all of it, Dick took every blow and strike. But Zatanna said nothing the whole time. This is the first time he's seen her since the big reveal.

"You should yell at me," he tells her, "I deserve it. I played you too."

"Hmmm. Yea, you did. The sex was good though," she lightly chuckles.

He pulls his head up to look at her. It seems time has not been kind to her Boy Wonder. Eyes that were once full of life are now hurt and teary. His smooth face is now littered with worry and stress lines. She isn't sure if his lips could even smile right now.

"Why are you here, Zee?"

"I haven't heard that name is a little while," she smiles putting her hand on his cheek.

He closes his eyes and leans into her hand. His breathing slows and he relaxes a little.

"When was a the last time you slept?" She asks worriedly.

"I don't know."

"Hmmm. Well that won't do."

"What are you doing here, Zee?" he asks again a tad too sharply.

"If you must know, I'm here to make sure the man I love is doing ok."

"Pft. I don't deserve your love. Not after I lied to you like that. Not after how I lied to everyone. I swore I'd never become him, become Batman. And yet, here I am treating everyone like pawns."

She brings up her other hand and cups his face pulling his body closer into her lap.

"I don't think you understand how love works," she whispers.

He isn't really contributing to the holding or attempt at cuddling. She directs his hands to her waist as her legs wrap around his before she cups his face again.

"After all these years, through ups and downs, thick and thin, the two of us have something precious that we must protect no matter what. There will come a time like today where our strength alone won't be enough. There will come a time when someone accuses you of telling lies."

"But I did lie..."

"Hush. Let me finish," she lightly scolds, "They will try and hurt you with their heartless words and judging eyes."

She leans forward resting her forehead with his. She holds him close so she can warm him with her breath.

"Dick, even if the world turns on you and won't believe a word you say, even if they make you wear a crown of thorns, don't you give way. Love will make me stand and be the one to wipe the tears you shed. Love will make me be the arms you run into when someone hurts you. Even if all hope is lost and somehow we both lose our way, even if the darkness comes and tries to take you away, I'll become the light enveloping all the dark you see. I'll hold you close and won't let even God above take you from me. Everything that makes me whole belongs to you, Dick. You're my dearest treasure and for you, I'd give my heart and soul. I'd risk it all for you, Dick. That's what love is."

He hesitates and still isn't looking straight into her eyes. Frustrated she bites the inside of her cheek.

"Yes, you've done some dumb things, but enough people have yelled at you," she continues, "Despite all the lies and deceit, I'm here to stand by you because I love you. I will not leave you to wallow in self pity and pain like I did when Jason died. You, Dick Grayson, are incapable of understanding how important you are to so many people. That's why I'm here. To make sure you stop curing your stress migraines with painkillers. I have a much more effective method."

She tilts his head up and kisses him. He tries to pull away, but she holds on tight. She leans forward and pushes him onto the couch. He still tries to squirm out, so she grinds on him and gently licks his lips. Finally, he relaxes and relents opening his mouth to feel her. His hands hold her waist and gently rubs her sides. She smiles in their kiss. When they part, she leans up to see him crying. With watery eyes herself, she moves to kiss his tears as they fall from his face.

"You're a danger to yourself when left alone. You deserve someone to hold you and keep you on the right path. Let me be your light, Dick."

"I've made mistakes. I've done things I've regretted. I regret how I treated you like a pawn."

"Mmmm I wouldn't say pawn. With how we fucked that night, I was at minimum a queen."

"Hahahahah. Even so, I'm glad I kept my feet on the path. With every step, it's brought me to where I am today, here with you. Just like you said, you're my dearest treasue. I don't deserve them, but I'd gladly take your heart and soul so long as you'll have mine."

"There's the Dick Grayson I know and love. He was just buried deep under the layers of darkness."

"That he was. Now then, my light, come here so I can treat you like a queen again."

My Dearest - Supercell