Chapter Text
It was half past ten and the dark city streets were bare save for a few vacant cars parked along the road. All vacant but one, tucked away among two others, its headlights off and engine whirring softly into the summer night.
Dick sat idly in the driver’s seat, staring ahead at one of the larger business offices in Blüdhaven just a few buildings down, his dark t-shirt and jeans almost blending into the dark interior of the car. It was rather musty, the front dash covered in a thin layer of dust with half of the features inoperative for as long as anyone could remember. The only saving grace was the little sandalwood rose air freshener looped around the rearview mirror, courtesy of the resident magician.
“Mmm, I’m starting to like this whole stakeout thing,” Zatanna mused, watching his fingers drum lightly across her knee. She tucked her hands in the loose sleeves of her sweater and adjusted, curling into the seat.
Though his position was relaxed with his back reclined against the deep leather seats, his senses were fully alert. Sharp eyes scanning either side of the street lit in an ugly yellow-green and the occasional car that sped by, disappearing into the night. The radio crackled alive every few minutes with a string of updates before the engine's hum filled the little space once more.
Zatanna was fascinated just watching him work, observing him and the identity he took on in every role, leader, teammate, and partner. She noticed the way his gaze narrowed ever so slightly taking in his surroundings, the set of his jaw as he listened intently to the world around them.
Tonight they were merely two civilians, blending in, watching the doors of the tall office building at the street’s corner. There were no hero suits or explosive fights, just Dick and Zatanna.
They sat waiting, eyes occasionally drifting to the little analog clock as its short hands worked their way around the smudged face. It helped to have each other's company, comfortable quiet layered with even breaths and the muffled sounds of the night beyond their haven, worn yet comforting.
It was serious work, and she respected it as much. But as the hours ticked by, sometimes you needed a little something to help stay awake.
Pursing her lips, she let her eyes wander the deadened city street while his touch steadily buzzed her every nerve.
“Pretty lucky, huh? You, me, alone for who knows how long.” She glanced at him with a knowing look. He faced her, his eyes dropping to the pink lip caught between her teeth before returning to mirthy blue eyes.
“You volunteered, baby.” His eyes softened at her quiet pout. “But I am lucky. Wouldn’t want to stare down a high-profile murder suspect with anyone other than you.” He smirked, patting the top of her thigh.
Closing his eyes a moment later, Dick let his head fall back against the headrest, rolling his neck side to side. It was looking to be a long night, and having the hottest woman alive in the seat next to him was a sure temptation. The growing worry nagged at the back of his mind though, all of the dangerous what-ifs beginning to run rampant.
“The radio’s been quiet for a while now,” she continued, looking out the window to the empty sidewalk with no one in sight. “Maybe our guy won’t show after all.”
She was trying to lighten the mood, but all he could see was another headline that the monster of a man was still yet to be found and locked behind bars.
“He’s smart. It’s possible he could’ve made it past any of them unnoticed.” Dick commented, turning to the face of the building, eyeing each and every entry point. Maybe they were missing something, the anxious itch creeping its way up his spine. Zatanna’s hand on his thigh brought his thoughts to a screeching halt.
“Well, it’s a good thing you’re smarter.” Her voice was smooth, the soft lilt already easing the tightness in his chest.
Still, an unconvinced grin tugged at the corner of his lips as she watched the muscle in his jaw flex.
She rarely saw him on edge because he trained to wear the brave face and keep anything else tucked away. It never mattered though; whatever she couldn’t see she felt. The stutter of his breath, the tap of his fingers on fishnet-clad legs. He was a dead giveaway every time.
“Dick,” she said, and when her breath brushed against his cheek like a cool, gentle breeze on a spring day he found himself inches from her face. Leaning forward, Zatanna propped her other arm atop the middle console shifting her body to face him fully. “You need to clear your head. Jumping to worst-case scenarios doesn’t help anything.”
The hand on his leg skimmed his cheek, curving behind his neck, her fingers sliding into his dark hair.
“We’ll get him,” she affirmed, her eyes following the various shadows carved into his face from the flickering street lamps. No matter the situation, she kept him grounded, kept him sane.
His lips spread into a wider, daring smile as he pressed forward, his lips meeting hers in a slow, drawn-out kiss. In the rare, quiet moments it was easy to get lost in each other, where time seemed to stand still waiting patiently just for them.
Instinctively, Dick’s fingers curled into the waves framing her face, brushing away the soft hairs to hold her jaw, his touch firm yet tender. She smiled against his lips, pulling him ever closer tugging at the hair at his neck. His other hand traced little patterns up her thigh and she shifted under his touch.
At her content sigh, Dick licked her parted lips and deepened the kiss, dragging her into his lap. She moved to straddle him, knees slotted on either side of his waist.
He was her oxygen, her mouth never leaving his as his hands teased the exposed skin at her waist. Zatanna leaned into him, chests rising and falling quickly with every quick breath managed between kisses. She shifted on his lap, hips rocking against him as rough jeans rubbed the soft skin of her inner thighs.
Her body acted on its own accord, hands never quite feeling enough while they roamed his broad chest and looped behind his neck. Her lips trailed the corner of his mouth along his jaw, taking her time while her tongue mapped the rest of the way to the soft spot on his neck. His fingers dug further into her skin, tracing her ribs and she smirked at the soft groans he tried to hide away.
Having enough of her teasing, Dick trapped her top lip between his before sweeping his tongue into her mouth. He reveled at the breathy moan that came from her, and she pushed him back against the seat, bodies flush and heated with the growing friction between them.
The feel of his thumb grazing just under her bra made Zatanna gasp and she pulled away with half a brain to remember the task at hand.
“Babe, what are you—the stakeout,” she questioned in a dazed tone, struggling to focus on anything but his swollen lips.
“I’m doing exactly as you said,” he murmured, dragging his teeth across her bottom lip, “clearing my head.”
Zatanna shook her head, giggling between kisses as he pulled her tighter, his fingers searching every expanse of skin she’d allow him. In turn, she eased his every last nerve, her touch his everlasting calm.