Say (All I Need)

"Despite the rather tumultuous battle and grave stakes at hand, I must commend you all on a relatively successful mission," Wonder Woman spoke to the team, "Highest of praise especially to Nightwing and Zatanna. Without them, we may not be standing here enjoying some delicious celebratory cupcakes."

*HEAR HEAR*

*WOOHOOOO*

*HIP HIP HOORAY*

On a random Thursday afternoon, various agents of chaos decided to descend upon the mortal plane and wreak havoc. Klarion and Child put aside their differences and opted to work together to try and enslave the human race. Like before, heavy dark magic incited numerous natural disasters to occur all over the world. Lightning indiscriminately struck from above. Winds howled at unbearable speeds. Fire tornados shot up burning everything in their paths. It was an absolute nightmare. To ensure as much stealth as possible, the plan was to allow all high-profile League members to temper the natural disasters and help the people as much as possible. If the heavy-hitters like Superman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Lanterns and more were out saving people, it would look as if the League was too thin to spot the two chaotic lords.

Meanwhile, a smaller, lowkey team would sneak in and try to disrupt the lords' tethers. Said team initially started with Zatanna and her students Traci and Khalid. However, Nightwing wasn't going to let Zatanna out of his sight, especially with how difficult it was to bring down Child the first time. So, the covert team expanded to include Nightwing, Kid Flash (formerly Impulse), and Starfire. As Nightwing had argued, a mix of magic, ingenuity, speed, and strength could make the impossible, possible.

"HOOOOOOLY SHIT GUYS!" Bart wrapped both his arms around Nightwing and Zatanna, "I swear you two are AMAZING! TOTALLY CRASH! How'd you guys even pull that off?!"

"Indeed. That was quite a spectacle from you two. Even the greatest of warriors on Tamaran would be filled with envy at the synergy you two present," Kory smiled biting into her cupcake.

"I mean that was SOOOO COOL! The way Nightwing and his clones flipped and drew all the attention. And then Zatanna going BLAM BOOM! And then the real Nightwing. GASP NIGHTWING PRIME! The way he swooped in like OMG IT WAS THE COOLEST THING EVER!" Traci jumped with glee using giant gestures to mimic explosions.

"Even in my wildest dreams, I'd never come up with a strategy like that. Absolutely brilliant. Well done you two. I clearly have much to learn."

"Hehe, Khalid is right. Nightwing, Zatanna, we are forever grateful to you both," Diana patted Dick on the back not noticing the slight wince in his eyes.

Throughout the whole celebration, despite smiling and taking all the compliments in stride, neither Dick nor Zee said a word. They both just smiled and waved as their companions cheered and jumped while enjoying the post mission celebration. Eventually, the two found a chance to sneak away. Diana spotted them leaving, but she simply winked and waved goodbye. Grateful, Dick and Zee nodded and left via Zeta tube. They remained silent even when arriving back in Bludhaven. Zatanna held Dick's arm as they walked along the sidewalk towards their apartment, not caring how weird it would look for Justice Leaguer Zatanna Zatara to be clinging onto Nightwing, Bludhaven's Aerial Avenger. They walked with heavy steps up to their floor. No words exchanged. Once inside the apartment, Dick dropped their keys into the bowl by the door as Zatanna dragged her feet to the couch. She plopped onto the cushions with Dick sitting down next to her. Right as he removed his mask and placed it on the coffee table, Dick buried his face in his hands as Zatanna leaned back and rested her neck on the back of the couch.

"UGGHHHHHHH" they both collectively groaned.

"I am so fucking tired," Zee said aloud the first words spoken between them in hours.

"Same, Zee. Same."

"Dick what the fuck happened back there?!"

"I honestly couldn't tell you," he looked back at her with his hands in the air, "Zee I'm gonna be honest with you. I had no control over that situation. Absolutely none!"

It was true. The couple looked completely exhausted from that last mission. They looked absolutely terrible. Zatanna's boots and jacket were all torn with tears here and there. She had a bruised lip with a little cut to the side as well. Even her bowtie was missing. Dick meanwhile was missing a whole entire sleeve of his uniform. He had his own cuts on his forehead and hip with tears along his costume and cracks on his armor plates. Even though everyone else was celebrating, Dick and Zee were just running on empty.

"Oh my God, Dick. Look! I'm shaking," Zee raised her trembling hands to show Dick.

"Zee we almost died! I'm shaking too!

"How the fuck did we get out of that?!"

"I DON'T KNOW! Pure luck I guess!?"

"I mean there's no way you could have known the exact frequency needed to shatter Child's crystal familiar!? Right?! Right!?"

"Absolutely not! I said fuck it and fired that soundwave canon on a prayer."

"OH MY GODDDD," Zatanna shriek burying her face into a pillow.

"What about you? Since when did your transfiguration spell work on Teekl!? I thought Klarion usually protects his cat with anti-magic repellant?"

"I don't even know. I was just desperate to try anything! I don't even know what I said. I spat out the first spell in my mind and turned Teekl into a teapot. Everything was just spirling out of control. Bart was down for the count and Kory was dealing with that Doomsday clone thingy."

"Oh my fucking God how did they even get a hold of that thing?!"

"Dick, I'm so fucking tired. I don't ever want to leave the apartment," she pressed her face into his shoulder and sobbed, "Can we please just call in sick tomorrow? And the day after? And the day after?"

"Fuck it. We're taking at least a two-week vacation. That shit was way too much for one mission."

Soon, Dick leaned back on the couch letting Zatanna's head fall into his lap. She turned and hugged his torso, continuing to sob.

"Dick I was so scared when he burned right through your suit."

"Zee, when Child had you by the throat, choking your life away, I couldn't bear it. I just couldn't."

"Why do we keep doing this to ourselves? Risking our lives like this?!"

Dick pondered on this for a minute. He stared up at the ceiling while stroking Zee's hair with his bare hand. The buzz of the ceiling fan filled the silent void as Dick and Zee slowly calmed down regaining their composure. He looked out the window listening to a few cars here and there speeding by. A police siren wailed in the distance. Soon, he could feel Zatanna's breathing even out against his waist.

"Honestly, it's because we're crazy," he admitted.

"Hehe what do you mean?" she laughed.

"I think we wouldn't be able to quit right now even if we tried."

"Seriously?" she sat up.

"Yea. Not like we're addicted to the action or anything…"

"Hmm. Keep going."

Intrigued, but still exhausted, Zatanna leaned back to the other side of the couch placing her legs onto Dick's lap. Picking up the signal, Dick started to unzip her boots while continuing his explanation.

"I think you and I wouldn't be able to bear watching our friends risk their lives while we watched from the sidelines. At least right now, in this stage of life, it would eat as us if we did nothing when we knew we could have done something. It's like a never-ending mission for us."

"Hmmm," Zee wondered aloud wiggling her toes after Dick removed the first boot.

"And well, we're kinda stuck together. So, if one of us plays hero, the other follows to make sure they're safe."

"Like tonight," she raised an eyebrow as her other boot was tossed to the floor.

"Hey, c'mon," Dick smirked, "There was no way I was gonna let just you and your students take on two Lords of Chaos."

"Hey! They are very capable magic users!" she defended.

"I'm sure they are. But you gotta admit, me, Bart, and Kory added an unexpected element, didn't we?" he smiled now massaging her feet and calves.

"Please. Bart got wiped out and Kory was smashed against the walls like a toy."

"Yea, well Traci lost her voice for a moment and Khalid couldn't see."

"Har har. I was the one who pitted Klarion against Child to get them distracted," she stuck her tongue out.

"Yea. Because I reminded you that Klarion had an inferiority complex," he pinched her toe a little.

"Hehehe I guess we both contributed in a way."

"Of course we did. We're perfect together," he smiled.

"Yes. We are. It's why I married you."

"Really? I always assumed it was because I wore you down with all those private training sessions."

"Oh you wore me down alright. Worked me to the bone with….your bone," she suggestively raised her eyebrow.

"Can you blame me?" he growled huskily while tracing his fingers up her thigh.

Dick leaned forward while Zee got up and met him halfway. Their lips pressed against each other in a sweet kiss. It was soft and tender and happened almost a little too fast. They kept their foreheads together as they moved in for more little kisses. After a few moments, Zatanna cupped his cheek looking lovingly into his deep blue eyes.

"I hope you meant it when you said we're taking a two-week vacation," she whispered.

"Of course I'm serious. We deserve a break."

"Good. Because I want to spend some quality time with my husband."

"I can arrange that. In fact, vacation starts right now. What do you want for dinner?"

"Ugh I hadn't even thought about food yet. And I really don't want to cook," she shifted so that her head rested on his shoulder while he leaned back against the couch again.

"We could order in. Although at this hour our options are Big Belly Burger, Domino's Pizza, or maybe Chinese from the Red Lotus."

"Mmmm I could go for some Chinese right about now."

"Chinese it is."

Half an hour later, their DoorDash arrived. The driver was slightly confused as Dick answered the door still in his torn-up Nightwing suit. Luckily, a simple explanation about cosplaying and sexual roleplaying supposedly satisfied the late-night worker's curiosity. Although Dick drew the line at being asked to take a selfie.

"Have you picked a movie yet?" Dick asked bringing the food over.

"Mmm I dunno," she answered scrolling through the Netflix catalogue, "I want something cozy and not too overstimulating. So not a lot of action, but nothing so bland that we sleep right through it."

"We could always watch Harry Potter," Dick joked as he put the food containers on the table.

"Dick! I said cozy! Not something that will frustrate me due to inaccuracies!"

"Haha alright alright. Uhh I dunno. Fast and Furious?"

"Bleh. How about The Greatest Showman?" she teased back.

"Now who's talking about frustrating inaccuracies?"

"Hehe."

"Oh hey! How about the Princess Bride?"

"Actually…that's perfect."

He didn't fall?! INCONCEIVABLE!

You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

"Hehehe," the two lovers giggled on the couch.

By now, various empty Chinese takeout containers were laid out on the coffee table. There was even an opened bag of Cheetos to the side. Once they had their fill, Dick and Zee cuddled and snuggled on the couch under a warm Superman blanket. Zee still rested her head on Dick's shoulder and hugged him tightly. Dick wrapped his arm around her shoulder keeping her close to his chest.

"I really like this," she whispered.

"I bet. It's a great movie. A classic."

"No not that. I mean, yes, it's a classic. But more, I love us. You. Me. Just sitting on the couch watching a movie. Snuggling under a warm blanket. It's just so perfect."

"Me too. I love spending time with you, Zee. In any and every way I can."

"Really now? You'd follow me to the ends of the Earth?"

"As you wish."

"Hehehe," she giggled before pulling him into another tender kiss.

Dick leaned back pulling her more on top his chest as they kissed. She shifted herself to more comfortably lay on top of him as he pulled the blanket warmly over them. Still not breaking lip contact, they continued to kiss as the movie rolled on. It was sweet, but they didn't push the passion any further. Simply being together was enough for them right now. Soon however, both of them started tuning out the movie. Dick's eyes felt a little heavy, but he was stirred awake when Zatanna adjusted so she could nuzzle her face into his neck.

My name is Inigo Montoya! You killed my father! Prepare to die!

"Y'know," he spoke softly, "We'd be much more comfortable in our bed."

"Yea. But we're so warm and comfy in our little blanket burrito."

"But we could just make another burrito in our bed."

"Hnnn but I don't want to move. We're in a good, sweet spot right now."

"Zee, we still haven't even changed out of our uniforms."

"I don't mind. Your chest is so comfy right now. Just be a good pillow for me, Baby."

"Sigh. As you wish…"

"Hehehe. Besides," she looked up at him, "You're all I need right now. I love you."

"I love you, too, Zee. You're the air I breathe."

AN: Say (All I Need) - OneRepublic

I really really should get back to HTBC, shouldn't I haha. Honestly, I was looking at some Chalant fanart and commissions I've ordered. I really really love this piece by ghostpainters_real of Dick and Zee just sitting on the couch. It was 4shur4 who said they looked like two tired heroes just happy to have each other. So thank him for convincing me to add this chapter.

I had the scenario in mind already, I just needed the song to match because I didn't feel like adding another separate work to my portfolio. Idk I'm weird. This song by OneRepublic is really old but honestly really sweet. It brought me back to high school for a bit which is now at least 10 years ago for me.

Anywho, I hope you enjoyed the read! Please please go check out ghostpainters_real . She's an amazing artist and deserves all the love and support in the world!

OK! TIME TO FOCUS ON HTBC! (I say this knowing full well I have a Spider-man/Mary Jane idea in mind lol)