Chapter 1: Part 1
Chapter Text
*(Wonder Woman, Batman, and Superman just finished dealing with a magical threat with reluctant help from Zatanna)*
Diana: "Well, that's been taken care of. Good work everyone."
Clark: "Yeah well, what do we do with *her? (points to Zatanna, now bound and gagged again by Diana)*"
Bruce: "We take her back to custody, our work here is done."
Diana: "Very well then--"
*(Explosions everywhere)*
Bruce: "Take cover!"
*(Diana, Bruce, and Clark take cover)*
Bruce (trying to stand as the smoke clears): "Where's *cough cough* Zatanna?"
(They look around, Zatanna's gone)
Clark (pointing to a rooftop): "Over there!"
(The three look up)
Renegade (waving down at them, Zatanna slung over his shoulder): "How you guys doing down there?"
Diana: "Who are you?! Where are you taking her?!"
Renegade: "Sorry Wonder Lady, nothing personal. Just being paid to do my job."
Bruce: "You don't know what you're dealing with! Zatanna's a dangerous criminal!"
Renegade: "Yeah, well, so am I Bats."
(Renegade rips off Zatanna's gag)
Zatanna (wincing): "*tsch* Took you long enough."
Renegade: "Sorry babe, traffic was shit."
Diana: "After them!"
(Bruce fires his grappling gun, Diana and Clark try to fly after them)
Renegade: "Would you please, my lady?"
Zatanna (snorts and rolls her eyes): "Tropelet"
(Zatanna and Renegade vanish as Bruce, Diana, and Clark reach the rooptop)
Bruce (scoffs): "Damn it!"
-----
*(In an undisclosed safehouse)*
Zatanna: "I was starting to think that you forgot about me."
Renegade (pulls off his mask, revealing who he is): "You wish, we're both stuck together for the rest of our shitty lives and you know it."
Zatanna (smirking): "And that's why I love you, babe."
Dick (picks her up bridal-style): "Love you too, babe."
Zatanna: "Can you untie me now? The ropes starting to itch my wrists and ankles."
Dick (smirking): "I will, but I got a few things in mind I wanna do first."
Zatanna (leans closer and bites his neck): "I like the way you think, babe."
Chapter 2: Part 2
Chapter Text
***[Part 2]***
*(Two Weeks After Renegade Rescues Zatanna)*
Renegade: "Never really thought that anyone would have the balls to call a hit out for former Commissioner Gordon, especially during his mayoral campaign, seeing as how shit Gotham is already."
Deathstroke (over commlink): *"Yeah, well, not really our business. You know how we operate, no unnecessary questions."*
Renegade (sighing): "Yeah, yeah, I'll get this over with by tonight."
Deathstroke: *"Good, Deathstroke out."*
Renegade (readying his sniper): "Sorry commish, nothing personal. Just doing my job."
*(At the apartment window, Commissioner Gordon talking to his wife and daughter)*
*(Renegade readies to fire)*
*(There's a whip in the air)*
Renegade: "What the fuck?"
*(A Batarang hits the barrel of his sniper)*
(*Renegade turns behind)*
Batman: "You're not going anywhere, Renegade."
Renegade (sighing): "I got nothing on you, Bats. I'm just earning my paycheck."
Batman: "We'll see about that."
-----
***(Later...)***
*(Someone rings the doorbell of Bruce's apartment)*
*(Bruce [just changed into civilian clothes] opens the door)*
Dick: "Hey! Shit, sorry I'm late."
Bruce: "Not a problem, Dick. Thanks for coming by."
*(Bruce lets Dick in)*
Dick: "*psh* When have I ever turned down an beer offer from you?"
*(It's the weekend and they enjoy their beers)*
*(Dick notices that Bruce has a busted lip)*
Dick: "You okay man? What happened to you?"
*(Bruce touches his lip)*
Bruce: "Oh, this? Don't worry about it, I just got into a scuffle on my way home. Nothing major."
Dick: "Who's the deadbeat that tried to pick a fight with you, huh? Where is he?"
*(Bruce laughing)*
Bruce: "Don't worry about it, Dick. Trust me, I handled it."
*(Bruce notices that Dick has a bruised cheek)*
Bruce: "Speak for yourself, what happened to you?"
Dick: "Ahh, this? Nothing much, got it from a bar fight."
Bruce: "Well, next time you get into a bar fight, let me know. There's no way I'm letting something like that slide."
Dick: "Yeah... Thanks, appreciate it."
Chapter 3: Part 3
Chapter Text
***[Part 3]***
*(Over a month or so after Part 2, Batman and Renegade have had their fair share of fights by now)*
*(Dick is suiting up, Zatanna's been captured again and he's going out to rescue her)*
*(Dick's phone rings)*
Dick: "Oh, who the *fuck* is it now?"
*(He sees it's Bruce calling and picks it up)*
Bruce (panting over the phone): *"Dick! Hey, where are you?"*
Dick: "You okay Bruce? You sound like you're about to have a heart attack. What's going on?"
Bruce: *"Dick. Please, we need your help. We've got someone bleeding out here and you're the only person I can trust about something like this."*
*(Dick contemplates his choices, he needs to go out to find Zatanna but it sounds like Bruce really needs him right now)*
Dick (sighing): "How bad is it?"
Bruce: *"Bad, but could've been worse. Diana and I stopped as much of the bleeding as we could."*
Dick: "Diana? Who's the hell's Diana? Y'know what, nevermind, fine. I'll help. Where are you?"
Bruce: *"Not far from your place. 3 minutes out."*
Dick: "I'll ready the couch and some first aid supplies. You don't have to knock, just barge in when you get here."
Bruce: *"Thanks Dick, you're a life saver."*
-----
*(In the car...)*
Diana (at the back of the car, holding a rag over Zatanna's wound): "Are you sure we can trust this cousin of yours?"
Bruce: "Not like we have a choice. Plus, I trust Dick, we'll be okay. How's Zatanna?"
Diana: "I've stopped the bleeding but we really need to dress her wound before it gets infected."
Bruce: "Hold on, we're almost there."
-----
*(Back in Dick's apartment...)*
*(He's still in his Renegade suit but without the mask, he just finished clearing the couch and grabbed as much medical supplies as he could)*
*(He contemplates if he should change or not)*
Dick: "Ah, fuck it! It's Bruce, he'll understand."
***SLAM***
*(Batman and Wonder Woman barge through his door)*
*(Dick reacts fast, draw the gun from his holster and aims at the intruders)*
Bruce: "Dick?"
Dick (lowering his gun): "Bruce?"
Bruce: "You're ***Renegade?!***"
Dick: "You're ***Batman?!***"
Diana (glaring at Bruce): "Your cousin is a *mercenary assassin?!*"
Bruce (points at Dick): "I didn't know you're fucking ***Renegade!***"
Dick (points at Bruce): "And I didn't know you're the fucking ***Batman!***"
Diana: "*Ehem!* Can you two save the family banter for later? We still have someone bleeding out over here!"
(Dick turns to see the person Diana's holding up over her shoulder)
Dick: ***"ZEE!"***
*(Dick rushes past Bruce and grabs Zatanna from Diana)*
Dick: "Zee! Baby, can you hear me? What happened to you?"
Zatanna (barely opening her eyes): "D-Dick?"
Dick: "Yeah, I'm here. Stay with me, I'll patch you up. Everything's gonna be okay."
*(Zatanna leans into Dick and closes her eyes, Dick kisses her forehead)*
*(Dick turns and glares at Bruce and Diana)*
Dick: "You two have a *lot* of fucking explaining to do! Or so help me God I'm putting *bullets* in your brains!"
*(Bruce and Diana give each other nervous looks)*
Dick: "Well don't just *stand* there! ***Help me!***"
Chapter 4: Part 4
Chapter Text
***[Villain Couple Chalant! Absolute Universe AU]***
Zatanna's sleeping, Dick moved her to their bedroom, her injuries were bad but nothing he hadn't had on himself before.
Bruce and Diana sitting awkwardly on the couch, not really knowing what to do.
Dick's walks out from his and Zatanna's bedroom, still in his Renegade uniform but without the full face orange and black mask.
Diana: "How is she?"
Dick: "Resting, the wound's bad but I managed to stitch it up. Nothing I haven't handled on myself before."
Dick walks over to the kitchen.
Dick: "Can I get you two anything? Whatever it is *superhero freaks* drink as refreshments?"
Diana and Bruce give each other a knowing look.
Diana: "Water would suffice."
Bruce: "I'll have a beer."
Dick nods, he grabs a glass and pours it with water for Diana and grabs two bottles of beer for him and Bruce.
He goes back to the living room, grabs a seat, and sits in front of them.
Dick (awkwardly): "So, you're the fucking *Batman?*"
Bruce (opening the beer bottle and taking a sip): "And you're Renegade."
Dick (shrugging): "Well, you know how it is."
Bruce (takes a deep breath): "For how long?"
Dick (sighing): "Remember back when I was eight? Back in the circus."
Bruce: "I remember."
Dick: "And how my parents died?"
Bruce winces at the thought, he wasn't there when Dick's parent's died but he heard what happened from his mom.
Bruce: "I'm sorry. Uncle John and Aunt Mary were great people."
Dick (nodding): "They were, but not like anything would've changed."
Bruce (taking another sip of his beer): "That still doesn't explain how you ended up as Renegade."
-----
Dick (chuckles as he reclines in his seat): "Gimme a sec, I'm sharing a story, remember?"
Dick (continuing): "After they died, I wound up in the foster care system. Just as shit as the rest of Gotham. Passed around foster homes here and there until eventually."
Dick pauses.
Dick: "In one of the homes, I met Zee."
Diana: "You met the *witch* when you were kids?"
Dick (glares at Diana): "Shut it lady. Don't you *dare* fucking call her a witch!"
Bruce (moving between them): "That's enough Diana. Dick, I'm sure she doesn't mean it."
Dick (scoffs but continues): "Well, yeah, I met Zee while we were in foster care. Her mom died years ago, her dad was the head of the Italian mob and was serving time in the clink. Zee had no other relatives who could take her in so she wound up in foster care."
Dick takes another swig from the beer.
Dick (continuing): "We grew close, as close as kids our age were. We starting playing around together, hanging out. At night I'd sneak in at the girl's side of the home to see her and sometimes, she'd sneak in the boy's side of the home to see me."
Dick (shaking his head): "Hell, we even had plans. Foster home was shit and we planned to run away together."
Dick: "We already had everything ready, had our bags packed, had no reason to turn back."
Dick: "The night when we were going to make our escape, well..."
Bruce (gulping as he takes another sip): "The orphanage where you were staying burned down. I remember, mom was trying to get custody of you but the papers were taking too long."
Dick (nods): "Yeah, it did. I don't blame you or Aunt Martha for not trying, life was just shitting with me."
Dick (sighing): "Zee and I got seperated during the fire, and that was the last time I heard from her."
-----
Diana: "That doesn't explain how you became a mercenary."
Dick glares at Diana again.
Dick (hissing): "I'm *getting* there."
Dick takes another sip.
Dick: "I spent a few weeks on the streets. Cold, dirty, hungry. I had no where else to go and I didn't remember where you (refers to Bruce) lived at."
Dick: "I started doing petty theft to survive. Small stores and shops, even did a little pickpocketing."
Dick: "Then one day, I see this geezer with gray hair and and eyepatch walking down the street. Stupid me decided to pickpocket the fucker."
Dick (laughs to himself): "I was about to go in for it but he caught my hand, then called it *'sloppy technique'*."
Bruce: "Deathstroke."
Dick (nodding): "Yeah. I tried to run away but the old fuck won't let me go. He took me to a diner and I had real food for the first time in a long time. I asked him why was he feeding a sleazy street kid like me and he said *'because I see potential in you'*, and 'cause he recognized me as *'that Grayson boy'*."
Dick: "So he took me in. He gave me a home, introduced me to Wintergreen, and raised me in his ways."
Bruce: "I'm sorry, Dick. We didn't know. When my mom cleared the papers, they said you were either missing or dead."
Dick: "Don't blame yourself, Bruce. Life's shitty as it is, besides, I turned out alright. Well, as *'alright'* as a merc can be."
Diana: "And what about... (she trails) Zatanna?"
Dick gives her a knowing look before he took another swig of his beer.
-----
Dick: "If memory serves me right. I remember her telling me that after the fire, she was found by a guy named 'Constantine'? Old family friend, she said."
Dick: "Very British, very drunk, Constantine took care of her while her dad was locked up."
Dick (laughs to himself): "Zee said he tried what he could, no matter how fucked up he was."
Bruce: "And then what happened?"
Dick: "She was 14? Wait no, 15? I think. They got into a fight about something, Constantine walked out, Zee broke into his safe, stole some of his magic books and some cash, and ran away."
Diana: "You two have a habit of running away, don't you?"
Dick: "Eh, shit happens."
Dick (taking another sip): "Then her dad busted out of prison, about damned time too, as if there's any clink in the planet that could hold off Giovanni Zatara. Some in the underworld call him *'the dark pope'* and they weren't lying."
Dick: "The next time I saw her, Slade refered me to good ol' Gio for a contract. Some *numbskulls* thought it was a good idea to kidnap *'the pope's'* daughter and he hired me to track her down."
Dick (laughs at the memory): "I did. Walk in the park. Got in, sliced some fuckers in half, popped caps in a few fuckers' skulls. Clap clap easy as that."
Dick: "When I got to her, she was pissed. Said, *'Who the hell do you think you are? Do you have any idea who my father is?'*"
Dick: "We got into a fight. I tried to explain that her dad sent me to find her, and she knocked out my mask."
Dick (smiles to himself): "She recognized me, I recognized her. And that was that."
A momentary pause as Bruce and Diana process the information.
Bruce (after taking another swig): "And... You've been together ever since?"
-----
Dick: "Pretty much. It helps when you're Deathstroke's *'apprentice'*, and I'm happy with my life with *'the pope's daughter'*."
Dick puts his beer bottle down.
Dick: "I might've shared *our* life story but that doesn't get you two shits off the hook. What the hell happened to her?!"
Bruce and Diana eye each other nervously.
Dick: "Bruce, I love you and all, you're my cousin. I'll ask how you became Batman some other time but unless you start talking, I'ma have to pop a few caps here."
Bruce takes a deep breath.
Bruce: "Well... We were dealing with--"
Bruce is interrupted by the sound of footsteps.
Zatanna (groggily, standing by the doorframe of hers and Dick's bedroom): "Dick?"
No fuss, no buts, he goes to her *immediately*.
Dick (holding her in his arms): "Zee, baby, what are you doing up? You should be resting."
Zatanna: "I... I wanted to see you."
Dick (meets her eyes to eye and gives her a quick kiss): "I'm here babe. Don't worry, you're safe."
Zatanna (nods, her eyes half closed): "Okay."
Dick: "Come on, let's get you back to bed."
Dick guides Zatanna back to their bed.
As he does, he gives Bruce and Diana a glare that says, *'This shit ain't fucking over, you still got some explaining to do.'*
Chapter 5: Part 5
Chapter Text
***[__Evil__ Couple Chalant! Absolute Universe AU]***
***[Part 5]***
***(WARNING: GRAPHIC SCENES - VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED)***
(Giovanni's Italian Restaurant - New York City)
Giovanni's was just how Dick remembered it, a "family style" Italian restaurant right in the heart of New York City.
He'd been here may times before, and why wouldn't he? To any outsider, it looks just like any same-old Italian-style bistro as the rest of the city.
But Dick knows better, the restaurant was just cover, behind the scenes, it was just a front for one of the most-powerful mob families in the city.
And the headquarters of the one only known in the underworld as, *"The Dark Pope"*.
Dick made his way in, underneath the hoodie and trousers he was wearing were two pistols, 6 mags of ammo, and two knives.
Dick (approaching the host's desk): "Hey, how you doing?"
Front Desk Host: "Hi, table for how many?"
Dick: "No tables. I was wondering if the *'boss'* is in?"
Front Desk (eyeing him curiously): "I-I don't think I follow?"
Dick: "I was wondering if *'Il Papa's'* in office?"
Front Desk (slowly reaching for the gun hidden underneath the table): "I'm sorry, *pal*. But you might be in the wrong place."
Dick (shrugging, as he flashes a medallion): "Don't worry, I'm a friend.
The Front Desk Host sees it.
Front Desk: "Oh shit! Mr. Grayson! My apologies, sir. I didn't recognize you."
Dick (chuckles): "No harm done. So, is the *'boss'* in or what?"
Front Desk: "Of course. Follow me, sir. The *'boss'* is in the office."
-----
*(Knocking on the office door)*
Giovanni Zatara: "Come in."
Front Desk Host (giving a small bow as he enters): "*Mio padre*, I'm sorry to disturb you but you have a visitor."
Giovanni (lowers his smoking pipe): "Oh? I wasn't expecting any guests."
Front Desk Host: "It's *Renegade*, *mio padre*."
Giovanni: "Ahhhh. Well, whatchu standin' aroun' there for? Let 'em in!"
Front Desk Host: "Of course, *mio padre*."
(Front Desk Host turns around and faces Dick outside)
Front Desk Host: "*Il padre* will see you now."
Dick (nodding): "Thank you, much appreciated."
Front Desk host (nods in return): "Have a good one, Mr. Grayson."
Dick: "You too."
(Dick enters the office)
Giovanni lets out a puff of smoke as he welcomes Dick in with open arms.
Giovanni: "Richard! *Mio figlio!* How are you?"
(Giovanni extends his left hand, the one where *"the ring"* is on)
(Dick kisses the ring as a sign of respect)
Dick: "I'm good Mr. Zatara. Thank you for having me."
Giovanni: "Nonsense, my boy! You're always welcome here. Come! Sit, what brings you to my office?"
(Dick takes the seat in front of Giovanni's desk)
Dick: "I hope I'm not bothering you much, Mr. Zatara."
Giovanni: "Ahhhhh. You're not a bother, Richard. And what did I tell you about calling me *'Mr. Zatara'?* Call me *Giovanni*."
Dick (gulping): "Yes, sir. *Giovanni*, sir."
Giovanni: "Now. What seems to be the problem, my boy?"
Dick: "We have a *'situation'*, sir."
-----
Giovanni (eyes Dick curiously as he takes a puff from his pipe): "What *'situation'*, exactly?"
Dick: "Well, Giovanni, sir. If it's all the same with you, what would be the most effective way for me to kill a warlock?"
Giovanni: "Warlock? Why do you ask?"
Dick: "*Hypothetically* speaking, sir."
Giovanni (continues to eye Dick curiously): "Richard... I welcomed you to my *house*. I trust you with *mia piccola's life*, and treat you as *family*. You better not have any *funny business* in mind."
Dick: "No! God no! It's not like that, Mr. Zatara."
Giovanni (lets out a huff as he takes in another puff from his pipe): "Then why do you ask me how best to kill a warlock?"
Dick (gulping): "Well, if I may, sir. Has *Felix Faust* caused you any trouble recently?"
Giovanni (raising an eyebrow): "Felix? That *bastardo?* What did he do this time?"
Dick: "Well, that's the *'situation'* I wanted to discuss, Mr. Zatara."
Giovanni (continues to eye Dick curiously): "I'm listening."
Dick: "Well sir... He may have... Uhhh... *Hurt* Zatanna, sir."
Giovanni (slams his table): "***WHAT??!*** WHAT DID HE DO?"
Dick: "Well, Mr. Zatara. It's a long story but Zatanna got involved with some... *People* I know. They were dealing with Faust as he was causing trouble around Gotham."
Giovanni: "*And?*"
Dick: "Well, Faust *may* have... Nearly killed Zatanna, sir."
(Giovanni's hands begin to eminate the aura of dark magic)
Dick: "I'm sorry, sir. I was about to go find Zatanna myself when I found out."
(The lights around the office begin to flicker)
Giovanni (simmering with rage): "And *Zatanna?* Where is she?"
-----
Dick: "Back in my place, sir. I'm taking care of her."
Giovanni: "Good. See to it nothing else happens to her, Richard."
Dick: "Of course, Mr. Zatara. I protect her with my life."
Giovanni pauses as he ponders his thoughts.
Giovanni (closes his eyes as he takes in a breath): "Go to the chapel, ask *Father Santino* for some holy water. That should burn the bastard long enough for you to have an opening."
Dick: "Are you sure, sir? I understand that Faust has worked for you more than once."
Giovanni stands up and walks to the window, peering outside the curtains.
Giovanni: "Faust has had his uses, but he should've known better than to lay his hands on *my daughter*."
Dick (nodding): "I agree completely, Mr. Zatara."
Giovanni turns to face Dick.
Giovanni: "You have my blessing, rid me of that *bastardo* Faust. He will be made an example of. Any person of sound mind should know better than to lay their hands on *my daughter*."
Dick (stands up): "Of course, Mr. Zatara. Consider it done."
Giovanni walks over to Dick and places a hand on his shoulder.
Giovanni: "You promised me once that you would protect *mia piccola* with you life. Do you still mean it?"
Dick (nods): "Yes, Mr. Zatara. I would gladly die for her if I have to."
Giovanni (nods in return): "Good. I'll hold on to your word, Richard. Now get rid of that *bastardo* for me."
Giovanni extends his hand again, the one with *"the ring"* on it.
Dick kisses the ring as a sign of respect.
Dick (mid-bow): "It will be done, *mio padre*."
-----
*(Some Dingy Warehouse in Gotham)*
Felix Faust was doing his normal *Felix Faust things* when an explosion happens.
Felix Faust: "What the fuck--!"
A grenade launches in the air and detonates, it lets out a big blast of water vapour.
Faust inhales it and chokes on the ground, his eyes burning and his throat constricting.
Faust: "*Holy water?!!* Who dares to *ack*--"
A knife launches out of the smoke followed by the sound of two gunshots.
The knife hits him square on the chest and he is hit on both shoulders with bullet wounds.
Faust falls to the ground.
Dick (as Renegade, emerging from the smoke): "Faust."
Faust: "*Deathstroke?!* I didn't do anything to you!"
Renegade: "Guess again."
Faust tries to focus his vision.
Faust: "*Renegade?* What did I do to you?!"
Renegade (walks towards him): "You know what you *did*."
Faust: "Who's paying you to do this, huh?! Tell me! I'll double whatever it is they're offering if you *kill* them!"
Renegade crouches, and drives the knife deeper into his chest; Faust screams in agony.
Renegade: "No one's paying me to do this, Faust. This is *personal*."
Faust (breathing hard, blood starting to spill from his mouth): "You're a *fucking* idiot, Renegade. Do you know who I work for?! He'll *kill* you when he finds out about this!"
Renegade: "Oh, I don't believe he will."
Renegade tosses him a gold coin.
Faust's eyes go wide in shock.
Faust: "B-But... But, I've been loyal! I haven't done *anything* against *The Pope*! I've followed all his orders to the letter!"
Renegade: "You sure about that? Thing long and *hard*, Faust."
Faust (panicking): "I don't know what your talking about!"
Renegade drives the knife in again, Faust screaming in pain.
Renegade: "***Downtown Gotham!*** Five days ago! Ring any bells?"
-----
Faust (panicking): "I don't-I don't... (he starts to remember) I was fighting the Batman! And Wonder Woman!"
Renegade: ***"And who else?!"***
Faust: "The *witch* girl! She was with them! It was--"
The realization dawns on him.
Faust: "Oh *shit*."
Renegade (taunt nods): "*Yeah*, *'oh shit'* exactly."
Faust (begging and pleading): "Please! *Renegade!* You have to understand! I didn't notice! I didn't mean to hurt *Zatanna!*"
Renegade pulls out another bottle of holy water and slowly pours it on Faust's head, the water begins to burn and scald his skin.
Faust continues to scream in agony.
Faust: ***"PLEASE!! I'LL DO ANYTHING! I'M SORRY! I DIDN'T MEAN IT!"***
Renegade stands up, and pulls off his mask.
Dick: "Look at me, Faust."
Faust can barely look him in the eyes.
Dick: ***"I SAID LOOK AT ME!"***
Faust looks up, his eyes begging for mercy.
Dick crouches down again.
Dick: "I want my face to be the *last* thing you ever *see* before I send you off to hell."
Faust (barely fighting to stay alive): *"Please... Have... Mercy..."*
Dick: "Tell Satan, I said... *'Hello'*."
Dick pours out the rest of the holy water on Faust's head and pulls out the knife from his chest.
As Faust continues to scream in agony, Dick starts his slice at the right side of Faust's neck, *as slow and as painful as he possibly can*.
Blood sprays as he cuts Faust's right carotid arteries, making his way to his windpipe, then to his left carotid arteries.
Faust was screaming throughout all of it, Dick wanted him to *feel* every agonizing moment.
The only thing that made Faust's screams die down was when his knife finished slicing Faust's windpipe.
Dick stood up, admiring his handiwork.
Dick: "That's what you get when you fuck around and find out, *Faust*."
-----
*(Dick and Zatanna's Apartment - Gotham City)*
Dick opens their apartment door with his keys.
Dick: "Zee? Baby! Are you home?"
Zatanna is on the couch, reading one of her grimoires.
Her eyes light up at the sight of him.
Zatanna: ***"Dick!"***
She rushes towards him and wraps him in her arms, Dick catches her and twirls her around.
Zatanna (pouting): "Where were you? You didn't tell me where you went."
Dick (chuckling): "Nothing you needed to worry about, babe. Was just doing *business*."
Zatanna notices the blood over his armoured uniform.
Zatanna: "Well, go get changed. It's not easy to get blood out of your clothes, y'know."
She notices a wet bag tied behind the katana sheath on his back.
Zatanna (pointing to it): "Dick... What's that on your back?"
Dick (pretending to be oblivious): "What's *what* on my back, Zee?"
She gives him a look.
Dick (raises his hands up): "It's just my katana, Zee!"
She's not buying it.
Zatanna (giving him a stern look): "*Richard John Grayson*, I can literally *see* the bag dripping."
Ah shit, his full government name.
Dick sighs in surrender: "I was going to surprise you."
Zatanna (eyeing him curiously): "Surprise me with *what*?"
Dick takes the bag from his back, opens the ties, and shows her what's inside.
-----
Zatanna's eyes go wide, she covers her mouth with her hands.
Zatanna: ***"OH MY FUCKING GOD! IS THAT?!"***
Dick (grinning like an idiot): "Yep."
Inside the bag? The decapitated head of Felix Faust.
Zatanna: ***"DICK? WHY??!!"***
Dick: "He tried to *kill* you, Zee! I wasn't going to let *that* slide!"
Zatanna: "We *handled* it! Oh my fucking *god*, Dick. If my dad finds out!"
Dick: "He knows!"
Zatanna stops in her tracks.
Zatanna: "He... He ***what?***"
Dick: "He knows. I went to visit him before doing it. He gave me his blessing."
He tosses the bag with Faust's head still in it to the kitchen island, then holds her close.
Dick: "Zee... He tried to *hurt* you. He almost *killed* you. I'll be damned if I ever let that shit slide."
Zatanna closes her eyes and takes in a deep breath.
Zatanna: "You're a real fucking idiot, Dick. Y'know that?"
Dick: "I know, you love me for it."
A grin creeps up on her face.
Zatanna: "You bet your ass I do."
She pulls him by the hair and slams her lips on his.
By the time the part for air, their foreheads are touching as they're both panting heavily.
Dick: "Sooo...?"
Zatanna (staring at him with devilish intent): "I *fucking* love it."
Dick: "I love you too, babe."
Zatanna (pulling away): "And I know just what to do with it! *(referring to Faust's head)*"
-----
Dick just got out of the shower with nothing but a towel wrapped around him.
Zatanna (with a sheepish grin): "Whatcha think, babe?"
She gestures to the coffee table on their couch.
On it, a freshly-cleaned skull with a lit candle inside.
Zatanna (pouting): "Well...?"
Dick (chuckles): "I think it's amazing, Zee. Really brings the living room together."
Zatanna: "YAY!"
She rushes towards him and jumps into his arms, wrapping her legs around his waist.
Zatanna (cupping his cheeks): "Now take me to bed, *lover boy*."
Dick (shaking his head): "Don't have to tell me twice!"
Chapter 6: Part 6
Chapter Text
***[Villain/Evil Couple Chalant! Absolute Universe AU]***
***[Part 6]***
*(Bruce Wayne's Apartment - Gotham City)*
Bruce: "...And that's how I became Batman."
Dick only sat in silence, his beer bottle still in his hands.
Dick: "That's... Wow... Holy *shit* Bruce. I'm so sorry."
Bruce (shrugs as he takes another swig): "Well. I won't lie to you, Dick. It was hell, pure *hell*. How my dad died right in front of me, and everything that's happened to my friends..."
Dick (also takes a swig and pats Bruce on the shoulder): "Shit... and I thought *I* had the shitty life."
Bruce: "We both had shitty lives, man. But hey, at least we're still here."
Dick (raising his beer bottle in salute): "Amen to that, brother."
Bruce (clinking his beer bottle with Dick's): "A-*fucking*-men alright."
As they drink, a news report plays off from the TV.
News Report: *"...and on an unrelated note, an unidentified headless body was found the other night inside one of the abandoned warehouses along the Narrows. The GCPD is yet to make a statement as they try to ID the remains of the victim."
Bruce (wincing): "Jesus... Gotham has *really* gone to shit, huh?"
Dick: "Tell me about it."
Bruce: "I came across that case last night. Whoever did it knew what they were doing. Professional job, my take is that the killer wanted the victim to *feel* it from how the decapitation cut was made."
Dick: "There's a lot of real monsters out there these days, man."
Bruce (an idea popping into his head): "Say... Dick, don't tell me..."
Dick (raising his hands up defensively): "I didn't do it! I swear man."
News Report: *"This just in, the GCPD just released the results of their preliminary report of the victim. Fingerprints identify him as one *'Felix Faust'*, a known criminal and sorcerer."*
-----
Bruce (eyeing Dick carefully): "Dick..."
Dick (trying to play it off): "Hey! Say what you want, Bruce. But I'm telling you, Zatanna can vouch where I was that night."
Bruce (suspicious): "Uh huh..."
Dick (oddly enough) is pulling it off.
Bruce: "Whatever you say, man. But you better not let me catch you or *else*."
Dick: "Wouldn't dream of it, Bruce."
*(Inside, Dick is sighing a breath of relief)*
They continue their usual beer nights, trading stories about their day jobs and "night" activities.
Until.
Dick: "Hey, Bruce. You know what time is it?"
Bruce (looking at the clock on the wall): "Past-8-ish? Why'd you-- *Oh shit!* I gotta pick up mom from the farmer's market!"
Dick: "8?! *Fuck*, is Uncle Joey's still open? Zee will have my *head* if I don't go home with dinner."
Bruce: "You want a ride? I can drop you off there."
Dick: "Sure! Much appreciate it, Bruce."
-----
*(Uncle Joey's Italian Diner - Gotham City)*
Bruce dropped him of some time ago, Dick is now walking out of the diner with a takeout bag and headed his way home.
*Ping!*
A notification on his phone. He opens it to see the message.
Zee: *"Wer r u? U kno wut time is it???"*
Dick smiles as he read the message, then promptly types back.
Dick: *"Bruce dropped me off the diner. I got the cacio e pepe!"
*Zee is typing...*
Zee: *"YAY! AM HUNGY! GIMME GIMME GIMME!"*
*Dick is typing...*
Dick: *"Have the plates ready, I'll be home in 15 minutes (wink emoji)"
*Zee is typing...*
Zee: *"CAN'T WAIT! LOV U BUG!"*
*Dick is typing...*
Dick: "Love u too baby, c u laterz!"
Dick pockets his phone with a smile on his face.
He makes his way down the streets, it shouldn't take him long.
As he rounded the corner, the last thing Dick saw was the lightpost before...
***THUNK!***
...Feeling something hit him on the back of the head as his eyes cut to black.
-----
*(Undisclosed Location - Gotham City)*
Dick woke up groggily, the last thing he remembered was rounding the corner of 3rd and Madison before...
When he came to his senses, he found himself chained to a wall.
Dick: "What the *fuck*..."
As he did, a figure emerged from the shadows, a baseball bat in his hands.
The person: "Well look who it is! If it ain't *Deathstroke's* lackey!"
Dick (trying to focus his vision): "And... And who are *you* supposed to be?"
The person: "The name's Enzo, but not like you'll live long enough to remember."
Dick: "And you are...?"
Enzo: "Just a nobody, but I'm sure you've heard of the man I worked for. Well, *used* to."
Dick tries to rack his brain on who could possibly be *stupid* enough to try and pull something like this.
Enzo: "I'll give you a hint. *Maroni*."
Dick: "Shit, you're *Sal Maroni's* people?"
Enzo: "Good to see you still have a working brain. You honestly didn't think you could get away from offing our boss now, did you?"
Dick was laughing, like really, this was just *dumb*.
Dick: "Look, *Enzo*, I don't know about you but that was just business. Man has to his paychecks, y'know. You understand that."
Enzo wasn't having it, he hit Dick's knees with the bat.
Dick: ***"FUCK!"***
Enzo (scoffing): "Not so tough now, are ya, *jackass*."
Dick (panting): "You're dumber than I thought."
Enzo grabs his face.
Enzo: "You'll *pay* for what you did to the *Don*."
Dick (tries to keep a straight face as he bears through the pain): "I'd like to see you try."
Enzo punches him across the cheek, then grabs him again.
Enzo: "Let's see how long you last, *buddy*."
-----
Enzo: "Hey Tony! Leo! Get the alligator clips and the car battery! Let's make this fucker *scream*."
Dick (his head hanging down): "Say... Enzo... Care to answer a question?"
Enzo (with a weirded out but curious look): "What is it?"
Dick: "You wouldn't happen to have... magicians... with you in your gang, would you?"
Enzo: "*Magicians?* As if we'd ever associate with those *freaks*. The fuck do *you* care for?"
Dick (letting out a hollow laugh): "No reason..."
~~~~~
*(The Following Morning)*
*(Dick and Zatanna's Apartment - Gotham City)*
Zatanna was pacing around their flat, biting her fingernails in nervousness.
Dick didn't come home last night.
She already made a few calls and visits; she called his cousin *Bruce*, but Bruce said the last time he saw Dick was when he dropped him off the diner.
The next few people she asked were some of their known associates around the city, they didn't see him either.
She doubted he would be out in a contract, it wasn't like him to not tell her if he would.
Hell, she even called *Slade* just to be sure, and Slade told her that he didn't have any jobs for Dick at the moment.
In her desperation, she called her dad for help. He immediately sent out all his available men to find Dick.
She was starting to panic, *where is he?*
Just as she was planning her next move, there was a knock on the door...
-----
*(Undisclosed Location - Gotham City)*
Enzo: "Had enough?"
Dick was panting, breathing heavily, blood was dripping down his nose and mouth.
Dick: "I... I should ask you the same thing."
They spent the better part of last night electrocuting him with the alligator clips and the car battery, and just finished waterboarding him.
Enzo: "You ain't getting off the hook that easily. *No one* kills Don Maroni and gets away with it."
Dick: "I'm warning you, Enzo. You still have time to find a magician. I suggest you do while you still can."
Enzo smacked him again.
Enzo: "I'm getting tired of this *shit*, Renegade."
Enzo turned around.
Enzo: "Tony! How's the car battery!"
Tony (from across the warehouse): "New one's in, boss!"
Enzo: "Well whatchu standin' around for?! Bring it over here!"
He grabs Dick by the face again.
Enzo: "We ain't done with you yet, *stronzo*."
Dick (another hollow laugh): "I can do this all day. Try me."
Chapter 7: Part 7
Chapter Text
***[Villain/Evil Couple Chalant! Absolute Universe AU]***
***[Part 7]***
***(WARNING: GRAPHIC SCENES - VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED)***
*(Dick & Zatanna's Apartment - Gotham City)*
Zatanna frantically swings the door open.
Zatana: *"WHO THE FUCK DO YOU THINK--"*
The man stood on the other side, *terrified*.
Zatanna pauses.
Zatanna: "*Mickey?*"
Mickey (shivering, very visually scared): "I-I'm sorry to b-bother you M-Miss Zatara. Y-Your old man sent me."
Zatanna (eyeing him curiously): "What does he want?"
Mickey: "We g-got word about M-Mr. Grayson, ma'am."
Zatanna: ***"WHAT DO YOU KNOW? TELL ME!"***
Mickey: "W-we had people! P-People on the street who saw him last night! S-Said he was taken in by Maroni's men."
Zatanna: "*Maroni?* Sal *fucking* Maroni?! I thought Dick killed him? He got a huge paycheck from that!"
Mickey: "H-He did, ma'am! B-But word on the street is that what's left of Maroni's family has been planning on getting revenge on the killer."
If Zatanna was mad before, now, she's very *fucking furious*.
The lights around her's and Dick's apartment began to flicker, energy began to pool around her fists.
She tried to steady her breath, Mickey was just doing his job.
Zatanna (growling): "Do you know where they're keeping him?"
Mickey: "W-We got guys staking out the place as we s-speak, ma'am. A warehouse near the docks, not far from Pier 13."
Zatanna closed her eyes and took in a deep breath.
Zatanna: "Thank you Mickey, give *papa* my regards. I'll send you back."
-----
Mickey: "O-Of course, Miss Zatara. Wait, what do you mean--"
Before he could even finish his sentence, Zatanna was already chanting.
Zatanna: *"Dnes mih kcab ot ym rehtaf."*
Mickey didn't even have time to squeal, he was just enveloped in a cloud of purple smoke and vanished.
Zatanna cracked her knuckles and a joint in her neck.
Zatanna: "Alright, you shits... Let's *fucking* play..."
-----
*(Abandoned Warehouse - Pier 13, Gotham Harbour - Gotham City)*
Dick was breathing heavily.
He had bruises all over his body, blood was now flowing from his nose and mouth, he had a black eye and a few broken bones.
Tony: "We're not getting anything from him, boss."
Enzo (rolling his eyes): "I'm running out of patience for this. Where's the barrel and the cement?"
Tony: "Jackie's got the barrel and Big G just finished with the cement roller."
Enzo: "Good, we're packing this *fucker* in."
Tony: "How far out we dumping him, boss?"
Enzo: "5 miles from shore. Ain't no way anyone would find his body there."
Dick (still alive): "You.. You really *are* stupid... Enzo..."
Enzo (turns around and spits at him): "You're a *dead* man, Renegade. It's just a matter of time."
Dick: "D-Don't... Don't say I didn't warn you..."
As if on cue, explosions blasted all around them
Enzo: "What the fuck!"
-----
A thunderous voice rang out the warehouse.
***"SNOISOLPXE!"***
And the explosions kept on coming.
One of Enzo's men yelled out: "BOSS! WE GOT A PROBLEM HE--!"
He didn't even finish his sentence, all they heard was the sickening sound of a body being sliced in half.
Enzo: "***FUCK!*** Get me all our guys on whoever this is ***NOW!***"
Dick (laughs as he taunts Enzo): "Told you.
Enzo (glares and points at him): "YOU SHUT THE *FUCK* UP! ONCE WE *KILL* WHOEVER THIS IS, YOU'RE NEXT!"
Dick: "Good luck with that."
-----
Zatanna was barely breaking a sweat, these people were not even *beneath* her.
Hell, she wouldn't even bother stepping on they're bodies, they're too worthless for the effort.
Gunfire was blazing all around her but it didn't matter, nothing was even hitting her.
One of the men was yelling: ***"FIRE EVERYTHING YOU'VE GO--"***
Poor sap didn't stand a chance, his head just rolled off from his body after the sound of a sickening *slice*.
Zatanna: "Setimgalats."
Stalagmites appeared all around her, impaling every since person within radius.
Their screams of fear, agony, and pain were music to her ears.
Zatanna: "Rnirb eno fo meht ot em."
In an instant, one of the men appeared before her outstretched hand; she gripped his neck *hard*.
Zatanna (voice low and murderous): ***"Where are you keeping him."***
Poor grunt: "A-At the back! H-He's with the b-boss the back!"
Zatanna: "Thanks. ***Tlem sih niks dna hself.***"
The man screamed as if being burned in the fires of hell.
Zatanna just kept her hand outstretched as his skin and flesh melted at her fingertips.
She tossed his skeleton aside with a scoff afterwards.
Zatanna: "Pathetic."
Zatanna: "Pir rieht seidob trapa."
The sickening sounds of men screaming, pleading, *begging* for their lives surrounded her.
Followed by the sounds of blood splattering, bones shattering, and limbs being sliced and ripped apart.
-----
Enzo was cowering in fear, all his men were *dead*.
He could hear the footsteps walk closer.
As the person rounded the corner, he caught sight of the curly-haired woman with the ripped-up blue jacket.
Zatanna: "I'm guessing you're the *genius* behind this?"
Enzo (pissing his pants): "W-Who the fuck are you?"
Zatanna walked closer.
Zatanna: "Mrasid mih."
In an instant, the gun Enzo held in his hand as well as all weapons he had on his person vanished.
Zatanna outstretched her hand.
Zatanna: "Gnirb mih ot em."
Enzo didn't even realize what was happening, the next thing he saw was that Zatanna's hand had a deathly grip on his neck.
Zatanna (her voice dead and cold): ***"I won't even ask for your name."***
Zatanna: "Eit mih ot eht gniliec."
The next thing Enzo saw was that he was tied up in chains to the warehouse ceiling.
Zatanna: "Stoggam."
Then, maggots appeared all across his body; in the hundreds then thousands.
Zatanna: "Tae mih evila."
Enzo screamed as much as his throat allowed him as the maggots devoured his body.
But Zatanna wasn't finished.
Zatanna: "Peek mih evila."
Zatanna: ***"You die when __I say__ you die."***
Enzo pleaded, begged, but Zatanna didn't hear him.
Zatanna: "Reirrab, on dnuos si ot eb draeh gnipacse ereh. On nosrep dluow reve tes toof ereh niaga."
An invisible barrier enveloped the warehouse, Enzo screamed as loud as he could but his cries couldn't be heard outside.
Zatanna's spell also made sure that no person would ever find themself here no matter what.
As much as she enjoyed this *shitstain's* suffering, she had a man to find.
And find him, she did.
-----
Zatanna: ***"Dick!"***
She found him chained to the wall; beaten, bloodied, and bruised.
She rushed over to him in a heartbeat.
Zatanna: *"Eerf mih!"*
The chains disappeared, as Dick fell, Zatanna caught him in her arms.
Zatanna: "Dick, baby, can you hear me?"
Dick was breathing hard, but he was still alive.
Dick: "Z... Zee...?"
She could feel hear heart *crack*. tears began to fall from her cheeks as she cupped his face.
Zatanna: "Yes baby, Zee's here. I found you."
He opened his heavy eyes.
Dick (smirking): "T-Took you long... Enough..."
She smiled at him with love, sadness, joy, and relief.
She couldn't help herself as she lowered her lips on his, not bothering to care about the metallic taste of his blood.
Zatanna: "You scared me."
Dick: "S... Sorry about dinner... I'll make it up to you."
Zatanna tried her hardest to stifle her giggle, this man would be the death of her.
Zatanna: "Shut up."
-----
She helped him up, slinging him arm over her shoulder.
As she did, Dick admired her handiwork.
All of the mangled corpses and dismembered body parts, then moving his gaze to Enzo chained to the ceiling and screaming.
Dick (panting): "Isn't this a bit *overkill*? Even for you?"
Zatanna (leaning in as she held his weight): "After what they did to you? Not even in the slightest."
Dick (chuckling): "Figures *ow*-- (clenching a broken rib)"
Zatanna could feel her heart crack again, he was in pain.
Zatanna: "Let's get out of here. I'll patch you up."
Dick (closed his eyes and sighed): "Zee..."
Zatanna (looking up at him): "Yeah?"
Dick turns to face her, his beaten yet still bright blue eyes looking down on the same glistening blue of hers, though her eyes were stained with tears.
Dick: "I love you."
Zatanna (looks down on the ground and leans closer to him): "I love you too."
Zatanna: "Let's go home."
Dick nods in agreement, taking in the sweet scent of her hair.
Zatanna: "Ekat su emoh."
Chapter 8: Part 8
Chapter Text
***[Evil/Villain Couple Chalant! Absolute Universe AU!]***
***(Part 8)***
-----
Bruce had been tracking as much leads as he could. Zatanna calling him the other day asking for Dick's whereabouts was unexpected, how the hell did she even find his number? Regardless, he'd been conducting his own investigation anyway.
He had also been tracking the disappearances for three days.
Low-level criminals. What was left of Maroni's people, mostly. Just... *vanishing* into thin air.
No bodies. No witnesses. No trace.
Until an informant mentioned Pier 13.
Batman approached the warehouse carefully. Something was wrong, the air felt thick. Like reality itself was bruised here.
He activated his scanner, one of the gadgets he'd been working on. With all the magical threats he, Diana, and Clark sometimes have to deal with, this would probably be a good place to test it out.
Faint magical residue. Dark magic. The warehouse door was slightly ajar.
Batman pushed it open. The smell hit him first.
Blood. Decay. Something worse. Something wrong.
He stepped inside.
Bruce: "Jesus Christ..."
Bodies. *Dozens* of them.
Strewn across the warehouse floor like discarded dolls. Torn apart.
Dismembered. Some were just pieces, a torso here, limbs there, a head rolled against the wall.
The walls were painted with blood. Arterial spray patterns suggested extreme violence. Rapid. Efficient.
This wasn't a fight.
This was a *massacre*.
His jaw clenched as he surveyed the carnage. His detective mode activated, scanning, analyzing, cataloging.
And then he heard it.
*Screaming*.
Muffled. Distant. But there. Constant. Unending.
Batman followed the sound, stepping carefully over body parts, his boots squelching in blood.
There.
Near the back of the warehouse.
A man. Chained to the ceiling. His body was covered in... *movement?* Thousands of writhing maggots, consuming his flesh in real-time.
But the man was still *ALIVE*.
-----
His eyes were wide, bloodshot, pupils blown with madness and agony. His mouth open in an eternal scream, though his voice had gone hoarse.
He'd probably been screaming for *days*.
Batman reached for him, analyzing the chains.
***CRACK!***
An invisible force burned his hand through his gauntlet.
Batman pulled back with a hiss, shaking off the pain.
*Magic*. A barrier spell.
He couldn't break it. Not without magical expertise he didn't possess. The man in the ceiling kept screaming.
Batman analyzed the magical signature. *Dark magic*.
*Powerful. Ancient*. The kind that didn't fade with time.
The kind that lasted forever.
He was starting to piece it all together.
Zatanna panicking, her calling him when he last saw Dick? One of the cases he dealt with months ago, the death of mob boss Sal Maroni.
It was suspected that *Renegade* did the hit, but the work had been *too clean*, he couldn't prove anything.
Batman's blood ran cold.
He looked around the warehouse again.
The precision of the kills.
The brutality.
The *message*.
This wasn't random violence.
The pieces clicked into place like a death sentence.
Maroni's men wanted revenge for the hit.
They kidnapped Dick.
And Zatanna came for him.
Batman looked at the man chained to the ceiling one more time.
Still screaming. Still being eaten alive. Still *kept* alive by magic.
Forever.
Bruce: "Dick... What have you done?"
-----
*(Two days after the rescue)*
Dick was sprawled on the couch, his torso wrapped in bandages.
Three broken ribs, extensive bruising, a black eye that was finally starting to fade from purple to yellow.
But he was alive.
That was what mattered.
Zatanna emerged from the kitchen carrying a tray with a glass of water and a fresh bowl of cacio e pepe.
Zatanna (setting the tray next to the Faust's skill candle): "You need to eat."
Dick: "I'm not *that* hungry, Zee."
Zatanna (grouchy and pouting): "You need to eat. Your body needs fuel to heal."
Dick (sighing): "Yes, ma'am."
Zatanna (raching for the remote): "What do you want to watch?"
Dick (leaning into the couch): "Anything. You pick."
She scrolled through options, settled on some mindless cooking show. Background noise. Comfort.
Dick ate slowly, each movement careful. His ribs still screamed with every breath.
Zatanna reached over, running her fingers gently through his hair.
An absent gesture. Soothing.
Dick: "You know, you didn't have to go *that* hard on them."
Zatanna's hand paused. She turned to look at him, expression unreadable.
Zatanna (giving him that look): "Are you shitting me? After what they did to *you?* I went easy on them."
Dick (laughing): "Ow—*fuck*—"
Zatanna (moving a hand to his shoulder): "Don't laugh. Your ribs need time."
Dick: "Sorry, sorry. Just... *eternal torment*? Really Zee? That's a lot even for you."
Zatanna (giving him that stern look): "He *hurt* you. They *all* hurt you. I wanted them to *understand* what that meant."
Dick set the bowl down, turned to face her fully despite the protests from his ribs.
Dick: "I know. And I love you for it, babe. Thank you."
Zatanna (leaning in, pressing her forehead to his): "I thought I lost you. When you didn't come home, when I couldn't find you, I thought—"
Dick (cupping her face with his hands): "Hey, hey. I'm here. I'm okay. You found me."
Zatanna (sighing): "I know. But if I'd been even an hour later—"
-----
Dick: "You *weren't*. You came for me. Like I knew you would."
Zatanna (closing her eyes, taking in his scent): "Always."
They sat like that for a moment, foreheads touching, breathing in sync.
The skull candle flickered between them.
On the TV, someone was making risotto.
Normal. Peaceful.
Like they hadn't left a warehouse full of corpses and a man in eternal torment just a couple of days ago.
This was their normal.
And Dick wouldn't change it for anything.
Chapter 9: Part 9
Chapter Text
***[Evil/Villain Couple Chalant! Absolute Universe AU!]***
***(Part 9)***
***KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK***
Dick's head snapped toward the door. Zatanna was already on her feet, tense.
Zatanna (standing up): "I'll get it."
Dick: "Zee, wait—*ow fuck*—"
Zatanna (glaring at him): "Sit *DOWN*."
Dick settled back with a grumble, hand pressed to his side.
Zatanna approached the door cautiously. Her fingers twitched—ready to cast if necessary.
She opened it.
Bruce Wayne stood on the other side.
But this wasn't Bruce Wayne, *beer-drinking cousin*. This was Bruce Wayne who just got off patrol as Batman, the cowl down from his head.
Serious. Conflicted. Haunted.
Bruce: "Zatanna. Dick. We need to talk."
Zatanna (not moving from the doorway, hand on her hips): "About?"
Bruce: "You know what about."
A beat of tense silence.
Zatanna glanced back at Dick. He nodded.
She stepped aside.
Bruce walked in.
-----
Bruce stood in the living room, hands clenched at his sides. He didn't sit. Didn't accept the offer of water or beer.
He just stood there, looking at his cousin on the couch.\
Bandaged. Bruised. *Alive*.
Bruce: "I found a warehouse at Pier 13."
Dick and Zatanna exchanged glances. Not surprised, but *resigned*.
Dick: "Bruce—"
Bruce: "There were bodies, Dick. *DOZENS* of them. Torn apart. Ripped to pieces. And someone..."
Bruce (his voice trailing): "*Someone's* still alive. Being tortured. I tried to get him out. I *TRIED*, and I couldn't—the magic burned me—"
Zatanna (bored, rolling her eyes): "You weren't supposed to find that."
Bruce (turning to her): "What did you *DO?*"
Dick (intervening): "She saved my life, Bruce."
Bruce (losing his composure): "By torturing someone *ETERNALLY?!* That man is being *TORTURED* fr eternity! Do you understand that? *ETERNITY!* Eaten alive by *maggots*, kept alive by magic, for the rest of *TIME!*"
Zatanna (getting pissed, gesturing to Dick): "Do YOU understand what they did to him?"
Zatanna (her voice rising): "*Broken ribs. Electrocution. Waterboarding*. Beaten with a *baseball bat*. For *HOURS*. They were going to put him in cement and dump him in the ocean five miles from shore."
Bruce: "That doesn't justify—"
Zatanna: "It justifies *EVERYTHING*. They touched what's MINE. There are consequences for that."
Dick: "Zee."
She took a breath, visibly reining herself in. Stepped back.
But her point was made.
Bruce looked between them. His cousin. The woman his cousin loved.
Bruce: "You're not even sorry."
Dick: "No. I'm not."
Bruce (felt something crack inside him): "How can you... Dick, you *KILLED* people! Zatanna *TORTURED* someone for *ETERNITY*. How can you just sit there and—"
Dick: "Because they would've *killed* me, Bruce!"
Dick (stood up despite the pain): "They *kidnapped* me. *Tortured* me. Were going to *murder* me and *dump* my body where no one would ever find it. What the *fuck* was Zatanna supposed to do?? Ask them nicely to *stop?*"
Bruce: "There are LAWS, Dick! There's—"
Dick: "***LAWS?!*** Where were those laws when I was *eight years old* and on the *streets?* Where were those laws when I was *starving, cold, and had nowhere to go?* Where were those laws when Zatanna was being passed around foster homes like a *fucking toy?*"
Bruce stepped back, stung.
Dick: "The law didn't save us, Bruce. *People* saved us. *Slade* saved me. *Constantine and Giovanni* saved Zatanna. We learned to survive in the world we were given. And in that world? You protect your *own*. ***By any means necessary.***"
Bruce shook his head: "I can't... (his voice trailed) I can't accept that."
Zatanna: "Then *don't.* But don't stand in our home and judge us for surviving."
-----
Bruce paced, running his hands through his hair, trying to process everything, trying to find the words, trying to—
He stopped.
Turned.
On the coffee table, between the TV remote and a half-empty bowl of pasta, sat a *skull* with a lit candle inside it.
*Human.* Definitely *human*.
Cleaned. Polished. Displayed.
Bruce's blood ran cold.
Bruce (his voice trailing): "*Dick*... What is *that?*"
Long pause.
Dick (a beer bottle now in his hands): "Oh, that?"
Dick (taking a swig): "Just Felix Faust."
The name hit Bruce like a freight train.
*Felix Faust*. Known criminal. Sorcerer.
The warlock that fought him and Diana, leading them to having to seek Zatanna's help again in the first place. The warlock whose headless body found in the warehouse weeks ago.
Bruce: "You ***KEPT his skull?!***"
Zatanna walked over, picked it up almost tenderly, examining it like a work of art.
Zatanna (smugl): "I cleaned it. Made it useful. Pretty good feng shui, actually."
Bruce (fuming): "***FENG SHUI?!*** You're using a *human skull* as ***HOME DÉCOR?!***"
Zatanna (shrugging): "I helped you and your friend, he tried to kill me. *Almost* succeeded. Dick killed him for it. I turned his remains into something useful. I call that justice."
Bruce: "That's not *JUSTICE*, that's—that's—"
Zatanna (giving him a look): "Practical?"
Bruce then looked at Dick.
His cousin. His family. The boy who used to do acrobatics at family gatherings.
He was smiling smugly as he nursed his beer bottle.
Bruce: "Who *ARE* you?"
Dick met his eyes. Unflinching. Unapologetic.
Dick: "I'm exactly who I've always been, Bruce. You just didn't know it."
-----
Bruce: "You're *KILLERS*. Both of you."
Dick stood up, slower this time, wincing from his injuries but standing nonetheless.
Dick: "We're *survivors*, Bruce. We do what we have to."
Bruce: "There's a *LINE*, Dick!"
Dick: "And where was that line when I was *eight and on the streets*?!"
Dick's (voice cracking with years of buried pain): "Where was that line when Zee was getting passed around foster homes like she didn't matter? Where was that line when the system *failed* us?!"
Bruce: "Dick, I... (his voice trailing) That's not fair—"
Dick (sighing, taking another swig): "Life isn't *fair*, Bruce... You know that better than anyone. You became Batman because your dad died in front of you and your friends were turned into monsters. I became Renegade because I had *no one*. We're not that different. It's just that life had different plans for us."
Bruce: "I don't *kill*."
Zatanna: "That's *your* choice, not ours. In our world, we have to *kill* just to survive. Where we come from? It's either *kill* or *be killed* and we would rather be the *hunters* than the *hunted*.
Bruce: "That still doesn't make it *right*."
Dick: "No, but that's the world *we* grew up in. This is *our* life, Bruce. This is how we survived. How we're *still* surviving."
Bruce: "There has to be another way. There has to—"
Dick: "There isn't. Not for us. Not in the world we live in."
-----
Zatanna: "He's my *life*, Bruce. The world ripped us apart only for us to find each other again. He's my *love*, my *life*, my *family*. Wouldn't you do the same for the people close to you?"
Bruce: "Not like *this*."
Zatanna: "Then you don't protect them *enough*."
The words hung in the air like a guillotine blade.
Harsh. Cold. And yet *true*.
Dick (placing his hand on her shoulder): "Zee..."
She stepped back, but the point was made.
Bruce (looking between them): "You really believe that?"
Zatanna: "Yes. It's all we've ever known. Dick would die for me. I would burn the world for him. That's what love is in our world. *Total*. *Complete*. No *hesitation*."
Bruce: "That's not *love*, that's *obsession*."
Zatanna: "Call it what you want, but when someone takes him from me, they learn what it means to cross a Zatara. That man screaming in that warehouse? He wasn't the *first* nor will he ever be the *last*. Touch what's mine, and you'll wish for death that will never come."
Bruce (feeling sick): "You're talking about *torture*. *Eternal torture*."
Zatanna: "I'm talking about *consequences*. That's how our world works, Bruce. You don't have to like it. But it doesn't involve *you* and you can't *change* it."
-----
Bruce's hands were shaking. His jaw clenched so hard it hurt.
Bruce: "I should turn you in."
Dick: "But you won't."
Bruce: "How do you know?"
Dick (limping closer): "Because I'm *family*. Because you love your mom, and you know this would *destroy* her. I know you tried to *save* me, Bruce. The paperwork was too slow, but she still *tried*. For months, she fought the system to get custody of me. Don't make her lose me again by putting me in a cage."
Bruce (hands clenching into fists): "Dick..."
Dick: "You're not *Batman* right now. You're *Bruce Wayne*, talking to your *cousin*. Your *family*.
Dick: "And family protects family. Even when they don't agree. Even when it hurts. You know that, Bruce. Even before everything went to shit. Family matters most."
Long silence.
The weight of it crushing.
Bruce (trying to find the right words to say): "...I can't let this continue."
Dick: "Not like you have a choice. You can't stop us, Bruce. You know you can't."
And Bruce did know.
Against Zatanna's magic? Against Deathstroke's training? Against Giovanni Zatara's entire criminal empire?
Batman was strong.
But he wasn't *that* strong.
Not against all of that.
Not without destroying his family in the process.
-----
Bruce: "If you kill again..."
Dick (taking another swig): "Bruce... I'm a *mercenary* and she's the daughter of a *sorcerer mob boss*, we literally *kill* people for a living."
Bruce: "That's not good enough."
Zatanna (not wanting to debate any further): "It's all you're getting."
Stalemate.
Bruce closed his eyes, feeling the weight of compromise. The weight of family. The weight of impossible choices.
A momentary pause.
Bruce (sighing): "Stay out of Gotham's business. Don't interfere with my work. If I'm stopping a crime, you don't get involved."
Dick (nodding): "As long as you stay out of ours. You don't investigate our... *associates*. You don't come after Giovanni's people. You don't try to arrest Zatanna *again*."
"She's a criminal."
Dick: "Well so am I, whether she's my *fiancée* or not."
Bruce pauses.
He blinks once, twice, then *thrice*.
Bruce (eyes wide). "***Fiancée?***"
Dick and Zatanna exchanged glances and small smiles.
Zatanna: "Not official yet, but soon."
Bruce (speechless): "You're going to *marry* her?"
Dick (yawning as he takes another swig): "Why wouldn't I? She's *it* for me, Bruce. Has been since we were kids. That's not changing."
Bruce looked at them. *Really* looked.
The way Dick leaned into Zatanna despite his injuries. The way her hand rested on his shoulder, protective. The way they moved in sync, like two halves of a whole.
They were serious.
This wasn't a phase. This wasn't rebellion.
This was their *life*.
Bruce (shaking his head): "Jesus-*fucking*-Christ, Dick.
Dick (rolling his eyes and raising an eyebrow): "Do we have a deal or not? You stay out of our business, we stay out of yours. We don't kill unless it's self-defense. We don't interfere with Batman's work. In exchange, you don't come after us or our family."
Bruce wanted to say no. Wanted to arrest them both right now. Wanted to do the *right* thing.
But the right thing would destroy his mother. Would destroy the last family connection he had to his father's side. Would start a war he couldn't win.
Bruce (sighing in defeat): "...Deal."
An uneasy truce.
-----
Bruce walked to the door, each step heavy.
He paused at the threshold, hand on the doorknob.
Turned back.
Bruce: "Dick... I'm sorry. For *everything*. For not being there when you needed me. For not saving you in time."
Dick (sighing, but in understanding): "I know, B. Aunt Martha tried. You both tried. The system was just... *broken*. It's not your fault."
Bruce: "But you ended up *here*. (he gestured to the apartment). You ended up with *them*."
Dick: "Yeah, I did. And honestly? I turned out okay. In my *own* way."
Bruce looked at the skull candle one more time. At the comfortable apartment that housed two of Gotham's most dangerous criminals. At his cousin, who he loved, who had become someone he barely recognized.
Bruce: "Yeah, your own way."
He opened the door.
Dick: "Bruce."
Bruce turned.
Dick (offering an olive branch): "Beer next week? Uncle Joey's?"
Despite everything, despite the horror and the moral compromises and the impossible situation, Bruce felt something warm in his chest.
Family.
Bruce (sighs but nodding): "Yeah. Next week."
Bruce left.
The door closed behind him with a soft click.
-----
Dick (sighed deep, sinking back into the couch): "That went better than expected."
Zatanna (snorting, settling beside him): "He didn't try to arrest us, so yes. Better than expected."
Dick: "*Yet*."
Zatanna (agreeing): "*Yet*."
They sat in silence for a moment.
Dick: "We might need to lay low for a bit. Or until things cool down."
Zatanna (considering): "Or we could visit my dad. He wanted to see you anyway. Make sure you're recovering properly."
Dick (considering the offer): "Giovanni's? I could use some good Italian food. And some wine."
Zatanna (rolling her eyes): "You're on painkillers."
Dick (shrugging): "I just *literally* had a beer. But okay, you can have the wine and I'll live vicariously through you."
Zatanna (laughing, leaning into him): "Deal."
They looked at the skull candle, still flickering peacefully on the coffee table.
Zatanna (pouting): "Should we move Faust? Bruce seemed uncomfortable."
Dick (shaking his head): "Nahhh. Keep him here, it really does bring the room together."
Zatanna (grinning with pride): "I was thinking the same thing."
They settled into each other, Dick's head on Zatanna's shoulder, her fingers running through his hair.
On the TV, someone was making tiramisu.
Outside, Gotham continued its endless night.
But here, in this apartment, with a skull candle and leftover pasta and each other?
They were *home*.
-----
*(One week later)*
Giovanni's Italian Restaurant was bustling with the dinner crowd. Civilians enjoyed their meals, completely unaware of the empire operating beneath their feet.
In the back office, Giovanni Zatara sat at his desk, smoking his pipe, reviewing ledgers.
A knock on the door.
Giovanni: "Come in."
The door opened. Dick and Zatanna entered, hand in hand.
Giovanni's face lit up immediately.
Giovanni: "*Mia piccola!* Richard!"
He stood, arms wide, embracing his daughter first, then Dick.
Giovanni: "How are you both?"
Dick: "We're doing well, sir. Zatanna's taking good care of me."
Giovanni: "Of course she is. Sit, sit. I'll have the kitchen bring something up. You must be hungry."
They sat. Within minutes, plates of antipasto, fresh bread, and wine appeared.
Giovanni poured three glasses, sliding two across the desk.
Giovanni (raising his glass): "To family."
Dick & Zatanna: "*To family.*"
They drank.
Giovanni set his glass down, his expression becoming more serious.
Giovanni: "I heard about the warehouse. The *Maroni* situation."
Zatanna (meeting him eye-for-eye). "We handled it."
Giovanni (with visible pride): "I know you did. The whole underworld knows. They're calling it *'The Pier 13 Massacre.'* Word is that anyone who even thinks about touching either of you will end up like Enzo Maroni."
Dick (raising an eyebrow): "They know it was Enzo?"
Giovanni (taking a puff from his pipe): "His screams can be heard if you get close enough to the warehouse. Some of our associates confirmed it. He's still there. Still alive. Still suffering."
Zatanna (sipped her wine with smugness): "Good."
Giovanni (smiling, dark and proud): "You are your father's daughter, *mia piccola*."
He turned to Dick, expression serious now.
Giovanni: "Richard. You're *family*. You've been family since the day I met you. Anyone who touches you touches the Zatara family. Let them remember that."
Dick felt the weight of those words. The protection. The promise. The THREAT to anyone who would dare.
Dick (nodding): "Thank you, Giovanni. That means everything."
Giovanni (raising his glass again): "To family. Blood or chosen. We protect our own."
They toasted.
Outside, New York City hummed with life.
Inside Giovanni's restaurant, in the heart of the Italian mob's power, three people who had found each other in darkness shared a meal.
*Family*.
Chosen.
Protected.
*Forever*.
Chapter 10: Part 10
Chapter Text
***[Evil/Villain Couple Chalant! Absolute Universe AU!]***
***(Part 10)***
Dick turned the key in the lock, Zatanna beside him. They were both exhausted; him from a contract that had taken longer than expected, her from a four-hour strategy meeting with Giovanni and the capos.
All they wanted was to collapse on the couch, order takeout, and watch something mindless on TV.
Dick pushed the door open.
The lights were already on.
Dick's hand went instinctively to the gun at his back. Zatanna's fingers twitched, magic crackling faintly at her fingertips.
Then they saw who it was.
Sitting on their couch. Boots propped up on their coffee table. Right next to the Faust skull candle.
Slade Wilson.
*Deathstroke.*
Dick's mentor. His father figure. The man who had raised him from a street kid into Renegade.
Slade (not looking up from the file he was reading): "You're *late*. The job ran long?"
Dick relaxed marginally, but didn't holster his weapon yet.
Dick: "Slade, the hell are you doing here?"
Slade finally looked up, his one good eye assessing them both with the cold efficiency of a predator.
Slade: "Can't a man visit his protégé? Make sure he's recovering properly?"
Zatanna (still tense, still ready): "You could've called first."
Slade (smirking): "Where's the fun in that?"
He set the file down on the table. Leaned back. His gaze drifted to the skull candle holder, then back to them.
Slade: "Nice décor. Very... *avant-garde*."
-----
Dick finally holstered his gun, moving into the apartment. Zatanna followed, but stayed close to him. Protective. Watchful.
Dick (sighing): "How'd you even get in here?"
Slade: "Your locks are shit, kid. I've told you that before."
Dick: "Our locks are *not* shit. You just have way too much practice breaking into places."
Slade (shrugging): "Semantics."
Zatanna crossed her arms, still eyeing Slade warily. She'd met him a handful of times over the years. Knew he was important to Dick. Knew Dick respected him, maybe even loved him in that complicated, unspoken way men like them did.
But she also knew Slade was *dangerous*. Not just skilled—*dangerous*. The kind of dangerous that could hurt Dick if he decided Dick had stepped out of line.
And Zatanna wasn't about to let that happen.
Slade's gaze shifted to her, reading her body language with ease.
Slade: "Relax, *witch*. I'm not here to start trouble. Besides, Giovanni's a good contractor, always pays with a hefty bonus whenever we get jobs done faster and cleaner."
Zatanna (coldly): "Good. Because you won't like how it ends if you do."
For a moment, they stared at each other. Two apex predators, sizing each other up.
Then Slade smiled. Just a slight quirk of his lips.
Slade: "I like her, kid. She's got spine."
Dick (moving between them, hands raised): "Alright, alright. Can we not do the posturing thing? Zee, he's not here to hurt me. Slade, she's not going to curse you into oblivion. *Probably.*"
Zatanna (not taking her eyes off Slade): "*Probably*."
Slade chuckled, low and dark.
Slade: "Fair enough."
-----
Dick sat down on the arm of the couch, wincing slightly as his ribs protested. Zatanna immediately moved to his side, hand on his shoulder.
Slade noticed. Of course he noticed.
Slade: "So. The *Maroni situation*."
Dick stiffened.
Slade: "You got *sloppy*, kid."
Dick (defensive): "I wasn't—"
Slade (cutting him off): "You got *caught*. *Kidnapped*. *Tortured* for hours. That's the definition of *sloppy*."
Dick's jaw clenched.
Slade: "I trained you better than that. What the fuck happened?"
Dick (quiet): "I got ambushed. I was... *distracted*."
Slade: "*Distracted*."
Dick (glancing at Zatanna): "I was thinking about something else. Wasn't paying attention."
Slade (leaning forward): "And that's how you end up *chained to a wall* with *broken ribs* and a *baseball bat to the knees*. You get *distracted*, you get *dead*. You know this, Dick."
Zatanna's grip on Dick's shoulder tightened. Her voice was cold when she spoke.
Zatanna: "He's *alive*. That's what matters."
Slade: "He's *alive* because you went fucking *nuclear*. Everyone in the underworld is talking about it. *'The Pier 13 Massacre'*. Dozens dead. One man screaming for eternity. That's not *subtle*, witch."
Zatanna (stepping forward): "I wasn't trying to be *subtle*. I was sending a *message*."
Slade: "Oh, you sent a *message* alright. 'Touch *Renegade* and face the *wrath* of a *Zatara*.' Very loud and clear."
Zatanna: "Good."
Slade studied her for a long moment. Then he turned back to Dick.
Slade (sighing): "You're lucky she's as ruthless as she is. Anyone else, you'd be at the bottom of the harbour in a barrel filled with cement."
Dick (quietly): "I know."
-----
Slade stood, walking over to the kitchen. Helped himself to a beer from their fridge without asking. Popped the cap off with his thumb.
Slade: "So. *Felix Faust*."
Dick and Zatanna exchanged glances.
Slade (gesturing to the skull candle): "That *is* Felix Faust, right? I'd recognize that smug bastard's bone structure anywhere."
Dick (carefully): "...Yeah. That's Faust."
Slade took a long drink.
Slade: "Clean kill. Throat slit, slow and deliberate before you sliced his head off. You wanted him to *feel* it."
Dick: "He *hurt* Zatanna. Nearly *killed* her."
Slade: "So you killed him. Made it personal. Then *kept his skull* as a trophy."
Zatanna (defensive): "It's not a *trophy*. It's a *reminder*."
Slade (amused): "A reminder that you two are absolutely fucking *insane*. Got it."
He walked back over, sat down again. This time, he looked directly at Dick.
Slade: "You're getting soft, kid."
Dick (bristling, almost sounding offended): "Excuse me?"
Slade: "You got *caught* because you were *distracted*. You got *tortured* because you weren't paying attention. And you let your *emotions* dictate your actions instead of *thinking strategically*."
Dick: "I—"
Slade: "Killing Faust? Fine. *Justified*. But keeping his head and turning his skull into a living room ornament? That's *sentimental*. That's *attachment*. And attachment gets you *killed* in our line of work."
Zatanna (stepping forward again, voice dangerous): "He's *allowed* to have attachments. He's allowed to care about people."
Slade (not backing down): "And caring about people gets you chained to a wall."
The air crackled with tension.
Dick stood, moving between them again.
Dick: "Slade. *Stop*."
Slade looked at him. Really looked at him.
Slade: "I'm not saying this to be *cruel*, Dick. I'm saying this because I *care*. You're one of the best I've ever trained. But you're letting your emotions compromise your effectiveness."
Dick: "Maybe I *want* to let my emotions in. Maybe I'm tired of being a machine."
Slade: "Then you'll end up *dead*."
Dick: "Or maybe I'll end up *alive*. Actually *living*, instead of just surviving."
Silence.
Slade stared at him. Then, slowly, he nodded.
Slade: "You've changed."
Dick: "Yeah. I have."
Slade: "Because of her."
Dick (glancing at Zatanna): "Because of *us*. We found each other again. After everything, we found each other. And I'm not letting go of that. Not for anything."
Slade took another drink. Then he sighed.
Slade: "You're *compromised*, kid. *Emotionally compromised*. That makes you *vulnerable*."
Zatanna (voice like steel): "And anyone who tries to exploit that vulnerability will end up like Enzo Maroni. *Screaming*. ***Forever.***"
Slade looked at her. Then at Dick. Then back at her.
And he smiled.
Not his usual smirk. A real smile. Small, but genuine.
Slade: "You really do love him."
Zatanna (without hesitation): "More than anything."
Slade: "And you'd kill for him."
Zatanna: "I already have. I'll do it again."
Slade: "Good."
He stood, finished his beer, and set the bottle down on the counter.
Slade: "Then I don't have to worry about him."
-----
Slade walked to the door. Paused. Turned back.
Slade: "Dick. You're still sloppy. We're doing drills next week. Counter-surveillance, situational awareness, ambush protocols. No arguments."
Dick (sighing but nodding): "Yeah, alright."
Slade: "And for the record? I'm *proud* of you."
Dick blinked, once then twice.
Dick: "...*What?*"
Slade: "You *survived*. You endured hours of torture without breaking. You kept your mouth shut. That takes strength. And the woman you love tore through an entire gang to get you back. That's... *impressive*."
He looked at Zatanna.
Slade: "Take care of him, witch."
Zatanna (meeting his gaze): "Always."
Slade: "And Dick?"
Dick: "Yeah?"
Slade (smirking): "Next time you decide to keep a skull as *home décor?* At least make it useful. Hollow it out, use it as a stash spot. Something *practical*."
Dick (laughing despite himself): "Noted."
Slade opened the door, then paused one more time.
Slade: "Oh, and congratulations. Wintergreen told me about the betrothal."
Dick and Zatanna both froze.
Dick: "How the hell did Wintergreen—"
Slade: "He has his sources. Once you pop the question *officially* and slide the ring on her finger, invite us to the wedding. Or I'll crash it anyway."
And with that, he was gone.
-----
The door closed. Silence filled the apartment.
Then Zatanna let out a breath she didn't know she'd been holding.
Zatanna: "I hate when he does that."
Dick (pulling her close): "Which part? The *breaking in*, the *judgmental lecture*, or the *surprise approval* at the end?"
Zatanna: "*All* of it."
Dick laughed, pressing a kiss to her forehead.
Dick: "He's not wrong, though. I was sloppy."
Zatanna (pulling back to look at him): "You were *human*. You're allowed to be human, Dick."
Dick: "Not in this life, apparently."
Zatanna (cupping his face): "*Especially* in this life. You *survived*, Dick. You're here. That's what matters."
Dick leaned into her touch, closing his eyes.
Dick: "I love you."
Zatanna: "I love you too."
They stood there for a moment, wrapped in each other. The skull candle flickered on the coffee table. Outside, Gotham's night continued.
But here, in their apartment, they were safe.
*Together.*
*Always.*
Chapter 11: Part 11
Chapter Text
***[Evil/Villain Couple Chalant! Absolute Universe AU!]***
***(Part 11)***
Dick was packing his gear when Zatanna walked into their bedroom. She leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching him load magazines into his duffel bag.
Zatanna: "Metropolis, huh?"
Dick (not looking up): "Yeah. Simple extraction. In and out. Should be done by tomorrow night."
Zatanna: "Sounds *fun*."
Dick: "It's *work*, Zee."
Zatanna: "I could... come with you?"
Dick finally looked up.
Dick: "*No.*"
Zatanna (pushing off the doorframe, walking closer): "Why not?"
Dick: "Because it's *Metropolis*. Superman's turf. The last thing we need is to attract his attention."
Zatanna: "We won't attract his attention if we're careful."
Dick (zipping up the bag): "Zee, I appreciate the offer, but I work better alone on jobs like this."
Zatanna moved in front of him, blocking his path to the door.
Zatanna: "Dick..."
Dick (sighing): "Zee—"
Zatanna: "I could be helpful. You know I could."
Dick: "I know you could. But this is a quick job. Low profile. One person is easier to hide than two."
Zatanna took a step closer. Then another. Until she was right in front of him, looking up at him with those impossibly blue eyes.
Zatanna (voice softer now): "Dick... please?"
Dick (trying to stay firm): "Zee, no. It's not—"
Her eyes widened just slightly. Bottom lip jutting out in the smallest pout.
Zatanna: "Please? I promise I'll be good."
Dick (weakening): "Zee..."
She blinked up at him. Slow. Deliberate. Those big blue eyes shimmering with perfectly calculated sweetness.
Zatanna (voice almost a whisper): "I just... I *worry* when you're gone. After what happened with Maroni's people, I just... I'd feel better if I was there. With you."
Dick felt his resolve crumbling like wet sand.
Dick (trying one last time): "Zee, that's not fair—"
She tilted her head slightly. The pout deepened. Her hand came up to rest on his chest.
Zatanna: "*Pwetty pwease?* I'll even let you pick where we eat after."
Dick stared at her. At those eyes. That pout. That face.
He lasted approximately ten more seconds.
Dick (sighing in defeat): "...*Fine*."
Zatanna's face lit up like the sun.
Zatanna: ***"YAY!"***
She threw her arms around his neck, kissing him enthusiastically. Dick caught her, steadying them both, unable to suppress his smile.
Dick: "You're *terrible*, you know that?"
Zatanna (grinning): "I know. But you love me anyway."
Dick: "Yeah, I really do."
Zatanna (already pulling away, heading to their closet): "I'll pack light! Just give me ten minutes!"
Dick (calling after her): "Zee, *'light'* for you is still three bags!"
Zatanna (from inside the closet): "Then I'll pack *very* light! *Two* bags!"
Dick shook his head, smiling despite himself.
He never stood a chance.
-----
***[METROPOLIS - 48 HOURS LATER]***
The job had gone smoothly. Almost *too* smoothly.
Dick had extracted the target—a low-level informant who'd pissed off the wrong people—from a safehouse in Suicide Slum. No witnesses. No alarms. Clean.
Zatanna had stayed in the shadows, providing magical cover when needed. Silent spells to muffle sound, minor illusions to redirect attention. She'd been professional. Efficient.
And, Dick had to admit, incredibly helpful.
They were three blocks from the extraction point, moving through an alley, when Dick's instincts prickled.
Dick (low voice): "Zee. We've got company."
Zatanna: "I know. I felt him thirty seconds ago."
Dick: "How bad?"
Zatanna: "Take a guess."
Dick (closing his eyes): "*Fuck*."
A gust of wind. A soft *thump* of boots hitting pavement.
And there he was.
*Superman*.
Standing at the mouth of the alley, arms crossed, cape billowing slightly in the breeze. His expression was stern. Disappointed. The look of someone who'd caught kids spray-painting graffiti.
Clark: "That's far enough."
Dick and Zatanna stopped. Exchanged a glance.
Dick's eyes said: *Don't kill him. He's Bruce's friend.*
Zatanna's eyes said: *I wasn't planning to. Probably.*
Dick turned to face Superman, hands visible, non-threatening.
Dick (calm, professional): "Evening, *Superman*. Nice night for a flight."
Clark (not amused): "You just *kidnapped* someone."
Dick: "I prefer the term *'extracted'*. And he's not exactly *innocent*."
Clark: "That's not for you to decide."
Zatanna (stepping forward slightly): "Actually, it was decided by the people paying us. We're just the delivery service."
Clark's gaze shifted to her. Recognition flickered.
Clark: "Zatanna Zatara. I thought they caught you by now."
Zatanna (shrugging and smiling sweetly): "Welp, I'm still here, aren't I?"
Clark: "You're *still* on the FBI's Most Wanted list, you should be back in Area 41 in custody."
Zatanna (still smiling): "I'm flattered you've been keeping track."
Clark looked between them. Calculating.
Clark: "Let the man go. Walk away. I'll give you a ten-second head start before I take the *both* of you to the authorities."
Dick: "That's generous. But we can't do that."
Clark: "Then I can't let you leave."
The air grew tense. Heavy.
Dick's hand drifted subtly toward his holster. Zatanna's fingers twitched, magic sparking faintly at her fingertips.
Clark's eyes narrowed.
Clark: "*Don't*."
Dick (taking a breath): "Look. Superman. We don't want trouble. You're Bruce's friend. We *respect* that. So here's what's going to happen. We're going to leave. You're going to let us. And we'll call it even."
Clark: "*Bruce...?* You know *Batman?*"
*Shit.*
Dick caught himself. Too late.
Zatanna smoothly stepped in.
Zatanna: "We've crossed paths. *Professionally*. The point is, we're not here to cause problems in Metropolis. This is a one-time thing. We'll be gone in an hour."
Clark: "And the man you're carrying?"
Dick: "Will be delivered safely to people who have questions for him. What happens after that? Not our problem."
Clark's jaw tightened.
Clark: "I can't let you take him."
Zatanna (sighing): "We were afraid you'd say that."
-----
It happened fast.
Superman moved forward.
Zatanna's hand shot up.
Zatanna: *"DNILB!"*
A flash of blinding white light erupted in the alley. Superman stumbled, momentarily disoriented.
Dick was already moving. Grabbed Zatanna's hand.
Dick: "Go, *go*, ***GO!***"
They ran.
Behind them, Superman's vision cleared almost instantly. He launched into the air, tracking them from above.
Zatanna (running): "*He's following us!*"
Dick: "I noticed!"
They turned a corner. Zatanna's free hand gestured sharply.
Zatanna: *"EKOMS!"*
Thick black smoke billowed out, filling the street. Clark flew through it, unfazed, eyes glowing faintly red as he tracked their heat signatures.
Dick (panting): "Zee, he's got X-ray vision!"
Zatanna: "I *KNOW!* I'm *WORKING* on it!"
They ducked into an abandoned building. Dick pulled Zatanna behind a concrete pillar just as Clark landed in the doorway.
Clark: "This doesn't have to be difficult. Just *surrender*."
Dick and Zatanna looked at each other.
Dick (whispering): "Remember. Don't *kill* him. Bruce will fuck us up more than he already does."
Zatanna (whispering back): "I'm *aware*. But I'm running out of non-lethal options."
Clark (rolling his eyes): "You *do* know I can both *hear* you, right?"
Zatanna (louder): "Then you can hear this, *DLEIHS!*"
A shimmering barrier erupted between them and Superman. He pushed against it, expression frustrated.
Clark: "Zatanna, this is *pointless*. I'm not going to—"
His words cut off as the entire building began to shake.
Zatanna (grinning): *"ERUTCURTS, LLAF!"*
The ceiling started to collapse.
Clark's eyes widened. He flew upward, catching chunks of falling concrete to prevent them from hitting the street below.
By the time he'd stabilized the building, Dick and Zatanna were gone.
-----
**[EXTRACTION POINT - 15 MINUTES LATER]**
Dick and Zatanna burst through the door of the safehouse, panting. The informant was secured, already being loaded into a van by their contact.
Contact (handing Dick a duffel bag): "Payment's all there. Pleasure doing business wi'd ya'."
Dick (taking the bag): "Likewise."
The van pulled away. Dick and Zatanna stood in the empty lot, catching their breath.
Zatanna (laughing breathlessly): "That was... *insane*."
Dick (also laughing): "You almost brought down a building!"
Zatanna: "I *contained* the collapse! No one got hurt!"
Dick: "Superman is going to be *pissed*."
Zatanna (grinning): "Good. He tried to stop us."
Dick shook his head, pulling her into a quick kiss.
Dick: "You're *amazing*, you know that?"
Zatanna (smiling against his lips): "I know. So... was I helpful?"
Dick (pulling back, smiling): "*Incredibly* helpful. *Terrifyingly* helpful."
Zatanna: "Does that mean I can come on more jobs?"
Dick (pretending to think): "...We'll see."
Zatanna (pouting again): "Dick—"
Dick (laughing): "Fine. You can come on more jobs. You've earned it."
Zatanna (beaming): ***"Yay!"***
She kissed him again, deeper this time. When they pulled apart, Dick's phone buzzed.
He pulled it out. Read the message.
His face went carefully neutral.
Zatanna: "What?"
Dick (showing her the phone): "Bruce."
The message read: ***"We need to talk. Superman says you and Zatanna were in Metropolis. Causing problems. Call me. NOW."***
Dick and Zatanna looked at each other.
Zatanna: "...Oops?"
Dick (sighing): "Yeah. *Oops*."
He pocketed the phone.
Dick: "We'll deal with Bruce later. Right now? We celebrate. You said I could pick where we eat."
Zatanna (linking her arm through his): "That I did."
Dick: "Good. Because I'm starving. And I saw a great steakhouse on the way in."
Zatanna (laughing): "Lead the way, *lover boy*."
They walked off into the Metropolis night, duffel bag of cash in hand, completely unbothered by the furious Kryptonian they'd left behind or the angry cousin they'd have to face later.
Because right now?
They were together. They'd completed the job. And they had each other.
Everything else could wait.
-----
***[Meanwhile - Somewhere over Metropolis]***
Superman floated above the city, arms crossed, staring at the spot where the building had nearly collapsed.
His phone rang.
Bruce: "Clark. You wanted to talk?"
Clark (frustrated): "They got away, Bruce."
Bruce: "...Who got away?"
Clark: "*Renegade*. And *Zatanna Zatara*. They were working together. Kidnapped an informant right under my nose. When I tried to stop them, Zatanna nearly *brought down an entire damned building* as a distraction."
Silence on the other end.
Clark: "Bruce? You there?"
Bruce (sounding tired): "...Yeah. I'm here."
Bruce "Renegade said you know them?"
It wasn't a question.
Bruce (long pause): "...It's complicated."
Clark: "Bruce—"
Bruce: "I'll handle it. Just... let me handle it."
Clark: "Are you sure? Because they seemed pretty comfortable working together. And Zatanna mentioned that they *'respect'* us being friends."
More silence.
Then, quietly:
Bruce "I'll. *Handle.* ***It.***"
Then the line got cut.
Clark hung in the air for a moment longer. Then he sighed and flew off toward the Daily Planet.
Somehow, he had a feeling this was going to become a recurring problem.
Chapter 12: Part 12
Chapter Text
***[Evil/Villain Couple Chalant! Absolute Universe AU!]***
***(Part 12)***
Dick pushed open the apartment door and immediately collapsed onto the sofa with an audible *PLOP*.
He didn't even bother taking off his jacket. Just sprawled there, one arm over his eyes, the other hanging off the edge of the couch.
Zatanna looked up from the grimoire she'd been reading at the kitchen table. A smile tugged at her lips as she closed the book and padded over to him.
She climbed onto the couch, curling up against his side, head resting on his chest. Her arms wrapped around him, and she pressed a soft kiss to his jaw.
Zatanna (voice soft and sweet): "*Sooo*... how'd it go?"
Dick sighed, long and deep, breathing in her scent—jasmine and something darker, like smoke and spices. Deadly and intoxicating all at once.
Dick: "I already have Slade to deal with. Bruce is just... *uuugghhhhh*."
Zatanna giggled against his chest, the sound light and musical.
Zatanna: "That bad, huh?"
Dick (finally dropping his arm to look at her): "He spent forty-five minutes lecturing me about *'jurisdictional respect'* and *'not antagonizing his allies'*. Like I tried to run into *Superman* for fuck's sake. The guy just *appeared*."
Zatanna (tracing idle patterns on his chest): "To be fair, I *did* almost collapse a building."
Dick: "You *contained* the collapse. There's a difference."
Zatanna: "Try telling Superman that."
Dick groaned, pulling her closer.
Dick: "I swear, between Slade's *'you're getting sloppy'* speeches and Bruce's *'you need to lay low'* lectures, I feel like I'm being parented by two very different, very judgmental old dads."
Zatanna (propping herself up on her elbow to look at him): "Well, at least *my* dad likes you."
Dick (smiling despite himself): "Giovanni's great. No lectures. Just wine and acceptance."
Zatanna: "And the occasional murder contract."
Dick: "That too. Can't complain about the pay."
After their laughter. they lay there for a moment with comfortable silence settling between them. Zatanna's fingers kept tracing patterns on his chest, and Dick's hand ran slowly through her dark, curly hair.
Zatanna (softly): "How was the contract before the Bruce talk?"
Dick: "Quick. Easy. Surveillance job in Blüdhaven. Client wanted photos of a cheating spouse. Boring stuff."
Zatanna: "But it *pays*."
Dick: "But it *pays*. I'm used to *assassinations, theft, espionage*, not being an *armed private investigator*."
Zatanna's laughter was music to his ears.
He turned his head to look at her properly, taking in her face. Even after everything, after all the darkness they'd lived through and created together, she was still the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen.
Dick: "How was the meeting with your dad?"
Zatanna (making a face): "*Long. Tedious*. A lot of old men arguing about territory disputes. I mostly just sat there looking menacing."
Dick (grinning): "You're good at that."
Zatanna (swatting his chest playfully): "Rude."
Dick caught her hand, bringing it to his lips and kissing her knuckles.
Dick: "I meant it as a compliment."
Zatanna (softening): "I know."
-----
***[THREE DAYS LATER - EVENING]***
Zatanna materialized in the living room in a swirl of purple smoke, carrying takeout bags from Giovanni's restaurant.
She'd barely set them down on the counter when Dick emerged from the bedroom, freshly showered after a morning contract, hair still damp.
He saw the bags. Saw her. His face lit up.
Dick: "Is that from Giovanni's?"
Zatanna (grinning): "And his special tiramisu!"
Dick crossed the room in three strides, sweeping her into his arms and spinning her around. She laughed, the sound bright and unguarded.
Dick (setting her down): "Have I told you lately that you're *perfect?*"
Zatanna (pretending to think): "Mmmmmm... not since this morning."
Dick: "This morning doesn't count. I was half-asleep."
Zatanna (wrapping her arms around his neck): "Then tell me now."
Dick leaned down, pressing his forehead to hers.
Dick (voice low, sincere): "You're *perfect*. *Terrifying*, *deadly*, and *absolutely perfect*."
Zatanna (smiling): "Keep talking."
Dick: "*Beautiful. Brilliant*. The *best* thing that ever happened to me."
Zatanna: "Better."
She pulled him down into a kiss, slow and deep. Dick's hands settled on her waist, pulling her closer. The takeout was temporarily forgotten.
When they finally pulled apart, both breathless, Zatanna's eyes were sparkling.
Zatanna: "Food first. Then I'm going to show you *exactly* how much I *appreciate* the compliments."
Dick (grinning): "Deal."
-----
*[ONE WEEK LATER - MORNING]*
Dick woke up to sunlight streaming through the curtains and the smell of coffee. He stretched, feeling pleasantly sore, and smiled at the memories of the night before.
He pulled on sweatpants and padded into the kitchen.
Zatanna was at the stove, wearing one of his old t-shirts and nothing else, humming softly as she made scrambled eggs. Her hair was a beautiful mess, and there were faint marks on her neck that made Dick's smile widen.
Dick (leaning against the doorframe): "Morning."
Zatanna turned, her own smile bright and warm.
Zatanna: "Morning! Coffee's ready."
Dick poured himself a cup, then moved behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and resting his chin on her shoulder.
Dick: "You didn't have to make breakfast."
Zatanna (leaning back into him): "I wanted to. Plus, you need fuel. You have that job in Newark this afternoon."
Dick (groaning): "Don't remind me. I *hate* Newark, Blüdhaven's a close #2 though."
Zatanna (turning in his arms): "Then come home quick. I'll make it worth your while."
Dick (raising an eyebrow): "Oh yeah?"
Zatanna (voice dropping to a purr): "I'll even wear that thing you like."
Dick's eyes darkened.
Dick: "The blue thing with the lace—"
Zatanna (grinning): "*Yes*. the blue one."
Dick: "I'll be back by six."
Zatanna (laughing): "That's what I thought."
She kissed him, quick and sweet, then turned back to the eggs.
Dick grabbed his coffee and headed to the bathroom to get ready, already looking forward to coming home.
-----
***[THAT EVENING]***
Dick walked through the door at 5:47 PM.
Thirteen minutes early.
The apartment was dimly lit, candles scattered around the living room. Soft music played from somewhere. And there, sitting on the couch in that blue number that made his brain short-circuit, was Zatanna.
She looked up at him, eyes dancing with mischief.
Zatanna: "You're *early*."
Dick (already moving toward her, dropping his gear bag): "I'm *motivated*."
Zatanna (standing, strutting as sultry and seductive as she could, walking to meet him): "I can see that."
Dick pulled her flush against him, one hand tangling in her hair, the other on her waist.
Dick: "You're *dangerous*, you know that?"
Zatanna (smiling against his lips): "That's why you love me."
Dick: "One of *many* reasons."
He kissed her, deep and demanding, and she responded in kind. Her hands were already tugging at his jacket, pushing it off his shoulders.
They stumbled toward the bedroom, leaving a trail of clothes in their wake.
The takeout Zatanna had ordered for dinner would sit forgotten on the counter for hours.
Neither of them minded.
-----
*[TWO DAYS LATER - AFTERNOON]*
Zatanna was sprawled on the couch, reading through a spellbook, when Dick came home carrying shopping bags.
She looked up, curious.
Zatanna: "What's all that?"
Dick (setting the bags down): "I passed that boutique you like. Saw some things. Thought of you."
Zatanna sat up, interested now.
Zatanna: "You went *shopping?* For me?"
Dick (shrugging, suddenly a bit shy): "Yeah. I mean, you're always getting me stuff. I gotta spoil my *baby* too, y'know."
Zatanna opened the first bag. Inside was a gorgeous black dress, elegant and deadly all at once. The second bag held a new grimoire she'd been eyeing for months but hadn't bought yet. The third had expensive dark chocolate and a bottle of her favorite wine.
She looked up at him, eyes shining.
Zatanna (voice soft): "Dick..."
Dick (rubbing the back of his neck): "If you don't like them, I can always—"
She was on him in an instant, kissing him breathless, arms wrapped tight around his neck.
When she pulled back, she was grinning.
Zatanna: "Bedroom. ***Now.***"
Dick (laughing): "What about the dress? Don't you want to try—"
Zatanna: "I'll try it on later. Right now, I want to *thank* you properly."
Dick didn't need to be told twice.
-----
***[ONE WEEK LATER - LATE NIGHT]***
They were on the couch, Dick's head in Zatanna's lap as she absently ran her fingers through his hair. Some crime documentary played on the TV, but neither was really watching.
Dick (eyes closed, content): "We should do this more often."
Zatanna: "What, watch TV and see the latest Netflix series?"
Dick: "Just... *exist*. *Together*. No jobs. No contracts. No lectures from Bruce or Slade. Just us."
Zatanna's hand paused for a moment, then continued its gentle motion.
Zatanna (softly): "I'd like that."
Dick opened his eyes, looking up at her.
Dick: "Maybe we take a vacation. Go somewhere. Paris? Tokyo? Somewhere far away from work or distractions."
Zatanna (smiling): "I thought you *hated* vacations. You get restless."
Dick: "I'd be with *you*. I wouldn't be restless."
Zatanna leaned down, kissing him upside down.
Zatanna: "You're sweet when you're tired."
Dick: "I'm sweet all the time."
Zatanna (laughing): "Sure you are, you *killer*."
Dick reached up, pulling her down for a proper kiss.
Dick (against her lips): "Say *'yes'*."
Zatanna: "To what?"
Dick: "To a vacation. Just us. Somewhere warm. Somewhere we can just... *be*."
Zatanna looked at him, *really* looked at him. At the man who'd survived hell and come out deadly. The man who loved her with the same intensity he brought to everything else. The man who was *hers*, completely and utterly.
Zatanna: "Yes."
Dick's smile was brilliant.
Dick: "Yeah?"
Zatanna: "Yeah. Let's do it. After this next job for my dad. My friend Artemis says that Hanoi's great this time of year, we can disappear for a week or two."
Dick: "*Artemis?* *Sportsmaster's* kid? I thought she retired and married that red-headed physics professor from Stanford?"
Zatanna: "She does. But we still keep in touch, coffee and hanging out every once in a while."
Dick: "Two weeks it is. We deserve it."
Zatanna (pretending to consider): "Two weeks. And you're planning everything."
Dick (sitting up, pulling her into his lap): "Deal."
He kissed her again, slow and deep, and she melted into him.
On the TV, the Netflix show was explaining forensic evidence.
The Faust skull candle flickered on the coffee table.
Outside, Gotham's night continued its endless cycle.
But here, in their apartment, wrapped in each other, Dick and Zatanna were simply... happy.
Living. Loving. Existing in the space they'd carved out for themselves.
*Home.*
*Always home.*
-----
[THE NEXT MORNING]
Dick woke up first, which was rare. Zatanna was still asleep, curled against his side, one hand resting on his chest.
He watched her for a moment, memorizing the peaceful expression on her face. The way her hair fell across the pillow. The gentle rise and fall of her breathing.
This. This was everything.
Not the contracts. Not the money. Not the reputation.
Her.
Dick pressed a soft kiss to her forehead.
Zatanna stirred, making a small, sleepy sound that was absolutely adorable.
Zatanna (mumbling, eyes still closed): "...Stop watching me sleep, *creep*."
Dick (grinning): "Can't help it. You're *alluring*."
Zatanna (cracking one eye open): "Flattery will get you everywhere."
Dick: "I'm counting on it."
She shifted, moving up and flipping herself to straddle him, hair falling like a curtain around them. Her eyes were still heavy with sleep, but there was a familiar spark there.
Zatanna (voice husky): "You're up early."
Dick (hands settling on her waist): "Couldn't sleep."
Zatanna (leaning down, lips brushing his): "Want me to tire you out?"
Dick (grinning): "By all means."
She kissed him, and the morning dissolved into tangled sheets and breathless laughter and whispered promises.
Later, much later, they'd make breakfast.
They'd plan their vacation.
They'd check their phones for new contracts and messages from Giovanni and lectures from Slade, Bruce, or both.
But right now?
Right now was just for them.
And that was more than enough.
Chapter 13: Part 13
Chapter Text
***[Evil/Villain Couple Chalant! Absolute Universe AU!]***
***(Part 13)***
***[DAY 1 - MORNING]***
Zatanna stood in the doorway of their apartment, arms crossed, watching Dick triple-check his gear bag.
Dick (for the third time): "You have my number. And Slade's number. And Giovanni's number."
Zatanna (amused): "Dick, I know."
Dick: "And if anything happens—*anything*—you call me *immediately*. I don't care if I'm in the middle of the job, shooting someone's brains out, or slicing someone in half. You *call* me."
Zatanna walked over to him, taking his face in her hands.
Zatanna: "I'll be fine. It's three days, babe. I've gone longer without seeing you."
Dick: "That was before *Maroni's people*."
Zatanna's expression softened. She understood. After what happened—after he'd been taken, tortured, nearly killed—Dick had become more protective. More worried.
It was sweet. Also slightly annoying.
Zatanna (gentle but firm): "Dick. I'm the daughter of the *Dark Pope*. I've been trained in combat magic since I was ten. I can handle three days alone."
Dick (sighing): "I know. I know you can. I just..."
Zatanna (kissing him softly): "I know."
She pulled back, smiling.
Zatanna: "Besides, I have my own job to keep me busy. Dad needs me to handle something here in Gotham."
Dick (eyebrow raising): "What kind of *something?*"
Zatanna: "Magical artifact retrieval. Some collector has a cursed amulet that's been causing problems. In and out. Simple."
Dick: "Be careful."
Zatanna (grinning): "Always."
Dick kissed her one more time, long and deep, then reluctantly pulled away.
Dick: "I love you."
Zatanna: "I love you too. Now go. Before you miss your flight."
Dick grabbed his bag, gave her one last look, and left.
The door closed behind him.
Zatanna stood there for a moment, feeling the sudden emptiness of the apartment. Then she shook it off.
Three days. She could handle three days.
She had work to do.
-----
***[DAY 1 - EVENING]***
The collector's penthouse was in the Diamond District. High security. Magical wards. Civilian guards.
Child's play.
Zatanna had bypassed the wards with a simple counter-spell, slipped past the guards with an invisibility charm, and was currently standing in the collector's vault, examining the cursed amulet.
It was ugly. Bronze, encrusted with dried blood, pulsing with dark energy.
Zatanna (wrinkling her nose): "Disgusting."
She pulled a enchanted containment box from her bag, carefully lifting the amulet with a levitation spell. As she guided it toward the box, the amulet suddenly *pulsed*, sending out a wave of necrotic energy.
Zatanna stumbled back, throwing up a shield.
Zatanna: ***"DLEIHS!"***
The energy splashed harmlessly against her barrier. She gritted her teeth.
Zatanna (annoyed): "Of *course* it has a defense mechanism."
She reinforced her shield, then tried again. This time, she wrapped the amulet in binding spells, suppressing its power before guiding it into the containment box.
The lid snapped shut. The oppressive energy in the room immediately dissipated.
Zatanna (exhaling): "There. Not so—"
The alarms went off.
Zatanna: "Oh, *come on!*"
Red lights flashed. She heard shouting. Footsteps pounding up the stairs.
Zatanna grabbed the box, turned toward the window—
And froze.
Standing on the fire escape, visible through the glass, was Wonder Woman.
Arms crossed. Expression stern. The Nemesis Lasso glowing at her hip.
Zatanna (under her breath): "*Fuck*."
Diana pushed open the window, stepping into the vault with the grace of a trained warrior. Her eyes swept the room, taking in the triggered alarms, the empty pedestal, and Zatanna holding the containment box.
Diana: "Zatanna Zatara."
Zatanna (forced smile): "*Diana*. Fancy meeting you here."
Diana: "Put down the artifact."
Zatanna: "Can't do that. It's *mine* now. Well, my client's. But you get the idea."
Diana took a step forward.
Diana: "That amulet is *dangerous*. It's killed three people already. It needs to be secured properly."
Zatanna: "Which is exactly what I'm doing. My client is going to lock it away where it can't hurt anyone."
Diana: "Your client is a *crime lord*."
Zatanna (shrugging): "He's my *father*, asshat. And he has a vault specifically designed for cursed artifacts. Safer than whatever government facility you were planning to dump it in."
Diana's jaw tightened.
Diana: "I can't let you leave with that."
Zatanna (sighing): "Diana, I really don't want to fight you."
Diana: "Then *don't*. Put it down. Walk away."
Zatanna considered her options.
She could fight. She was powerful enough. But Diana was *Wonder Woman*. Demi-god. Warrior. One of the strongest beings on the planet.
And more importantly... she was *Bruce's friend*.
Zatanna could almost hear Dick's voice: *"She may be a bitch but please, for the love of God, don't kill her. We'll never hear the end of it from Bruce."*
Zatanna (carefully): "Okay. New plan. I'm going to leave. You're going to let me. And we'll pretend this never happened."
Diana: "That's not how this works."
Zatanna: "It could be."
Diana moved fast—faster than most humans could track. But Zatanna had been trained by Constantine and Giovanni. She'd been fighting since she was a child.
Her hand shot up.
Zatanna: *"EZEERF!"*
Diana's charge slowed—not stopped, but slowed—as if she were moving through honey. It gave Zatanna enough time to sidestep, heading for the window.
Diana broke through the spell with sheer force of will, spinning to intercept.
Zatanna: *"DNIWRIHW!"*
A vortex of wind erupted in the room, papers and debris flying. Diana braced herself, pushing forward against the gale.
Zatanna was already out the window, levitating down to the alley below.
Diana followed, landing with a heavy thud that cracked the pavement.
Diana: "Stop running!"
Zatanna (backing away): "Stop chasing!"
Diana pulled the lasso from her hip.
Aw *fuck* no! Not the lasso!
Not *fucking* happening!
Zatanna: "SNOITSULLI, REPPILF, ETACINUMMOC!"
Suddenly, there were five Zatannas, all running in different directions.
Diana hesitated for only a moment, then threw her lasso at the closest one.
It passed right through. Illusion.
Diana (growling): *"Zatanna!"*
The real Zatanna was three blocks away already, running through back alleys, the containment box clutched to her chest.
Her phone buzzed.
She risked a glance. Text from Dick: *"How's it going?"*
Zatanna (typing while running): *"Fine. Totally fine. No problems at all."*
Behind her, she heard the telltale sound of Diana taking flight.
Zatanna: "Shit, shit, shit—"
She ducked into an abandoned building, pressing herself against the wall, throwing up a concealment spell.
Zatanna (whispering): "Edih em morf thgis, edih em morf thgim, tel on eye dnif em ni siht thgin."
She held her breath.
Diana flew past overhead, scanning the streets below.
Zatanna waited. One minute. Two.
Finally, Diana moved on, heading east.
Zatanna exhaled slowly, then carefully made her way deeper into the building. She found a back exit, slipped out into a different alley, and started making her way toward the extraction point.
Her phone buzzed again.
Dick: *"You sure? Your typing suggests otherwise."*
Zatanna (typing): *"Just tired. Long day. Contract went fine. Heading home now."*
Dick: "Good. Love you. Be safe."
Zatanna (smiling despite everything): *"Love you too."*
She pocketed her phone and kept moving, hugging the shadows, staying off main streets.
Diana was still out there. Hunting.
This was going to be a long night.
-----
***[DAY 2 - MORNING]***
Zatanna finally made it back to the apartment at 4 AM. She was exhausted, covered in grime from crawling through half of Gotham's sewers to avoid Diana's aerial searches, but she had the amulet.
She locked the door behind her, set the containment box on the counter, and immediately headed for the shower.
Twenty minutes later, clean and wrapped in Dick's oversized hoodie, she collapsed on the couch with a glass of wine.
Her phone rang.
*It was her father.*
Zatanna (answering): "Yes, *papa?*"
Giovanni: *"Mia piccola. Do you have it?"*
Zatanna (looking at the box): "I have it."
Giovanni: *"Good. Were there... 'complications'"*
Zatanna (grimacing): "Wonder Woman showed up."
Giovanni (concerned): *"Are you hurt?"*
Zatanna: "No. I got away clean. But she's going to be looking for me."
Giovanni (thoughtful): *"Mmm. This is a problem. Diana Prince is... persistent."*
Zatanna: "I know."
Giovanni: *"Can you get the amulet to me today?"*
Zatanna: "I can bring it tonight. After dark. Safer that way."
Giovanni: *"Good. I'll have dinner waiting. You can rest here for the night if you'd like."*
Zatanna (softening): "Thank you, papa."
Giovanni: *"Of course. You're my daughter. Now get some rest. You sound exhausted."*
Zatanna: "I am."
Giovanni: *"Then sleep. I'll see you tonight. Ti amo, mia piccola."*
Zatanna (smiling): "*Ti amo, papa*."
She hung up, took another sip of wine, and stared at the containment box.
Diana was going to be a problem. The Amazonian didn't give up easily. And now that she knew Zatanna had the amulet, she'd be hunting her actively.
Zatanna would need to be careful.
She pulled out her phone, opened her messages with Dick.
She started typing, then stopped.
He was on a job. He needed to focus. The last thing he needed was to worry about her getting chased by Wonder Woman through Gotham.
She deleted the message.
Zatanna (to herself): "I can handle this."
She finished her wine, set the glass down, and curled up on the couch.
Outside, the sun was starting to rise.
Zatanna closed her eyes.
Just a few hours of sleep. Then she'd deliver the amulet to Giovanni, collect her payment, and everything would be fine.
Everything would be—
Her phone buzzed.
She cracked one eye open. Text from an unknown number.
***"I know you have the amulet. We need to talk. - Diana"***
Zatanna stared at the message.
Zatanna (groaning): "Oh, for *fuck's sake!*"
This day was already exhausting, and it hadn't even really started yet.
-----
***[DAY 2 - AFTERNOON]***
Zatanna stood on the rooftop of an abandoned factory not far from the harbour, arms crossed, waiting.
She'd agreed to meet Diana. Neutral ground. No fighting.
Just... *talking*.
Diana landed softly a few feet away.
For a moment, they just looked at each other.
Diana (finally): "Thank you for coming."
Zatanna: "Let's skip the pleasantries. What do you want?"
Diana: "The amulet is *dangerous*, Zatanna. It needs to be destroyed."
Zatanna: "My father has a containment vault specifically designed for artifacts like this. It'll be safer there than anywhere else."
Diana: "Your father is a *crime lord*."
Zatanna (bristling): "My *father* is the only person who gave a damn about me when I had no one. Yeah, he's a *crime lord*, but he's also a *master sorcerer* who knows how to handle cursed objects. Which is more than I can say for your *government friends* and those *assholes* from *Area 41*."
Diana took a step forward.
Diana: "Zatanna... I'm not your enemy."
Zatanna (laughing bitterly): "Could've fooled me. You chased me halfway across Gotham."
Diana: "Because you're making dangerous choices! Working for criminals! Stealing artifacts. This path you're on, it's going to get you *killed*."
Zatanna: "I've been on this path my whole life, Diana. And I'm still here."
Diana: "For how long? How long before you cross the wrong person? Make the wrong enemy?"
Zatanna (voice cold): "I've made *plenty* of enemies. I'm still breathing. They're not."
Diana's expression hardened.
Diana: "Is that supposed to *impress* me?"
Zatanna: "It's supposed to make you *understand* that I don't need saving. I don't need your judgment. I'm surviving. The same way I've been surviving since I was a kid in foster care."
Diana (softening slightly): "I know about your *past*, Zatanna. I know you've been through *hell*. I have too, but that doesn't mean—"
Zatanna (cutting her off): "***Don't.*** Don't you *dare* try to *psychoanalyze* me. You don't know me, Diana. You don't know half of the *shit* I lived through. What I've had to do to *survive*."
Diana: "Then help me *understand*."
Zatanna stared at her.
For a moment—just a moment—she considered it. Considered explaining. About the foster homes. About Constantine. About finding Dick again. About choosing this life because it was the only life that made sense.
But then she remembered who she was talking to. Wonder Woman. A hero. Someone who would never understand.
Zatanna (shaking her head): "*No*. Because you'll just try to *'fix'* me. Try to put me on the *'right path'*. And I don't need *fixing*, Diana. I'm exactly where I want to be."
Diana: "Working for your father? Stealing cursed artifacts?"
Zatanna: "*Living*. With people who *love* me. Who *accept* me. Who don't *judge* me for what I've had to do to survive."
Diana (quietly): "Like *Richard Grayson?*"
Zatanna froze.
Diana (continuing): "I know, Zatanna, Bruce and I took you to your home after that battle with Faust. You're with *Renegade*. Deathstroke's apprentice. Another *killer*."
Zatanna's magic flared, crackling around her fists.
Zatanna (voice dangerous): "Choose your next words very *carefully*, *Diana*."
Diana (not backing down): "He's using you."
Zatanna (laughing, sharp and bitter): "*Using me?* Dick is the only person in this world who has *never* used me1 He's *loved* me since we were kids! He'd *die* for me! I'd *burn this entire city down* for him! So don't you fucking *dare—*"
Diana: "That's not *love*, Zatanna. That's *codependency*."
The words hung in the air like a knife.
Zatanna's magic surged, her eyes glowing faintly purple.
Zatanna (voice low, deadly): "Get. *Away.* ***From me.***"
Diana: "Zatanna—"
Zatanna: ***"NOW!"***
Diana hesitated, then slowly stepped back.
Diana: "I'm not giving up on you."
Zatanna: "You don't get to *'give up'* on me, because you were never with me to begin with. Stay out of *my life*, Diana. And stay away from *Dick*."
Diana: "If he's making you into something you're not—"
Zatanna (interrupting): "He's *not*. I'm exactly who I've always been. The difference is, he *loves* me for it."
She turned away, preparing a teleportation spell.
Diana (calling after her): "The amulet, Zatanna. I *need* it."
Zatanna (looking back over her shoulder): "You're *not* getting it. It's going to my father. Where it'll be safe."
Diana: "I can't let you do that."
Zatanna (smiling coldly): "Try and stop me, you *bitch*."
She vanished in a swirl of purple smoke.
Diana stood alone on the rooftop, fists clenched, her hair flowing with the wind.
This wasn't over.
Not by a long shot.
-----
***[DAY 2 - NIGHT]***
Zatanna materialized in Giovanni's office, the containment box in her hands.
Giovanni looked up from his desk, immediately assessing her.
Giovanni: "You look upset."
Zatanna (setting the box down): "Diana cornered me. Wanted to *'talk'*."
Giovanni (standing): "And?"
Zatanna (bitterly): "And she thinks I'm on the wrong path. That Dick is using me. That I need to be *'saved'*."
Giovanni walked around the desk, pulling his daughter into a hug.
Giovanni: "Diana Prince is a *warrior*, *mia piccola*. But she is also *naive*. She doesn't understand the world people like *us* live in."
Zatanna (leaning into him): "She called what Dick and I have *'codependency'.*"
Giovanni (pulling back, looking her in the eyes): "Do *you* think that's what it is?"
Zatanna (without hesitation): "No. I love him. He loves me. We protect each other. That's not codependency. That's *partnership*."
Giovanni (smiling, proud): "Then Diana's opinion doesn't matter."
Zatanna (sighing): "I know. It just... it got under my skin."
Giovanni: "Because part of you wonders if she's right."
Zatanna looked up at him, startled.
Giovanni (gently): "It's natural to doubt, *piccola*. Especially when the world tells you that your love is wrong. But I've seen you with Richard. I've seen the way he looks at you. The way you look at him. That's not codependency. That's *devotion*. And devotion like what you two have is rare these days."
Zatanna (softly): "I miss him. Is that stupid? It's only been two days."
Giovanni (chuckling): "Not stupid. That's *love*."
He guided her to the couch in his office, poured them both wine.
Giovanni: "Tell me. How is Richard? Still recovering?"
Zatanna: "He's fine. Better. Slade's been drilling him on counter-surveillance since the thing with Maroni's lackeys."
Giovanni (nodding approvingly): "Good. Wilson can be, how should I put this, an *'ass'* at times but he's the best in his craft. A very valuable *ally*. Richard is lucky to have him."
Zatanna: "Dick, he says the same about *you*."
Giovanni (surprised): "About *me?*"
Zatanna: "He says you're the father figure who doesn't lecture him about his emotions."
Giovanni (laughing): "*Mia piccola*, we're *Italian*. We're *made* of emotions. Why would I lecture him for having them?"
Zatanna (smiling): "Bruce lectures him. Slade lectures him."
Giovanni: "Bruce is repressed vigilante who dresses up as a bat and Slade is a soldier estranged from his mercenary children. Neither understands that emotions make us *stronger*, not weaker. Your love for Richard makes you more dangerous, not less."
Zatanna (sipping her wine): "Diana doesn't see it that way."
Giovanni: "Diana is *not* family. Her opinion doesn't matter. What matters is that you and Richard are happy. Are you?"1
Zatanna (without hesitation): "Yes."
Giovanni: "Then that's all that matters."
They sat in comfortable silence for a moment.
Giovanni: "Stay for dinner. I'll have the kitchen make your favorite."
Zatanna: "Cacio e pepe?"
Giovanni (smiling): "With extra pepper, just how you like it."
Zatanna (leaning against him): "Thank you, *papa*."
Giovanni (kissing the top of her head): "Always, *mia piccola*. Always."
-----
***[DAY 3 - MORNING]***
Zatanna woke up in her old room in Giovanni's penthouse above the restaurant. For a moment, she was disoriented—this wasn't her apartment. Dick wasn't beside her.
Then she remembered. She was at her father's. Dick was still on his contract.
She checked her phone.
A text from Dick, sent an hour ago: *"Morning, beautiful. Contract's almost done. Should be home tonight. Miss you."*
Zatanna (typing): *"Miss you too. Can't wait to see you. Have something to tell you about."*
Dick: *"'Good' something or 'bad' something?"*
Zatanna: *"'Annoying' something. 'Diana' something."*
Dick: *"...Do I need to come home early?"*
Zatanna (smiling): *"No. I handled it. Just be prepared for a rant when you get back."*
Dick: *"I'll bring wine and Chinese food."*
Zatanna: *"And this is why I love you."*
Dick: *"I know. Love you too. I'll see you at home."*
Zatanna smiled after reading the word *'home'*.
She set the phone down, feeling lighter already.
Diana's words still stung. But Giovanni was right. Diana didn't understand. Didn't understand their world. Didn't understand what she and Dick had.
And that was fine.
Zatanna didn't need Diana's approval.
She had Dick. She had Giovanni. She had Slade and Wintergreen and even, maybe even begrudgingly, Bruce.
She had *family*.
Chosen family. The best kind.
And that was enough.
-----
***[DAY 3 - EVENING]***
Dick came home at 7 PM, exactly as promised, carrying bags of Chinese food and two bottles of wine.
Zatanna met him at the door, throwing herself into his arms.
Dick (catching her, laughing): "Whoa! Miss me?"
Zatanna (kissing him): "So much."
Dick (setting down the bags to hold her properly): "It was *three* days, Zee."
Zatanna (pulling back to look at him): "Three *very long* days."
Dick (studying her face): "What happened?"
Zatanna (sighing): "Let's eat first. Then I'll tell you."
They settled on the couch with food and wine, and Zatanna told him everything. The contract. The amulet. Diana showing up. The chase through Gotham. The rooftop conversation.
Dick listened, his expression growing darker with each detail.
When she finished, he was quiet for a long moment.
Dick (finally): "She said I was using you?"
Zatanna: "Her words were *'codependency'*, but yeah. Basically."
Dick (jaw clenching): "That *motherfucker*."
Zatanna: "I know."
Dick (taking her hands): "Zee, you know I'm not—I would *never*—"
Zatanna (squeezing his hands): "I *know*, Dick. I told her exactly that. She just... she doesn't get it. Doesn't get us*."
Dick (pulling her into his lap): "She doesn't *have* to get us. All that matters is that *we* get us."
Zatanna (resting her forehead against his): "That's what my dad said."
Dick (smiling): "Giovanni's a smart man."
Zatanna: "He also said our love makes us stronger, not weaker."
Dick: "He's not wrong. You make me better, Zee. Stronger. Happier. More... *alive*."
Zatanna (softly): "You do the same for me."
Dick kissed her, slow and deep and full of everything he felt.
When they pulled apart, Zatanna was smiling.
Zatanna: "So. Diana's probably going to be a problem."
Dick: "Probably. She and Bruce have the same self-righteous hero complex."
Zatanna: "Should we be worried?"
Dick (considering): "Nah. We've got Giovanni, Slade, and each other. And if shit hits the fan? I can always call for Grant and Rose as backup. Diana's tough, but she's not tougher than *all of that*."
Zatanna: "Fair point."
Dick (grinning): "Plus, if she comes after us again, we'll just sick Bruce on her. Let them have their hero arguments while we disappear to that vacation we planned."
Zatanna (laughing): "Artemis already got me brochures from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh."
Dick: "She's a smart woman, her husband is lucky to have her."
Zatanna (snuggling, burying her head into his chest): "You're terrible."
Dick: "You love me for it."
Zatanna (looks up and kisses him): "I really do."
They stayed like that, wrapped in each other, the weight of Diana's words fading in the face of what they actually *had*.
*Love. Partnership. Home.*
Everything else was just noise.
-----
***[Later That Night]***
They were in bed, tangled in sheets, Zatanna's head on Dick's chest, his fingers running lazily through her hair.
Zatanna (quietly): "Dick?"
Dick: "Hmm?"
Zatanna: "Do you ever wonder if they're *right?* Bruce, Diana, all of them. About us."
Dick's hand paused.
Dick (carefully): "Do *you* think they're right?"
Zatanna (after a moment): "No. But sometimes... sometimes I wonder if it would be easier. If we weren't who we are."
Dick (pulling her closer): "*Easier* doesn't mean *better*, Zee. We could be different people, living different lives. But we wouldn't be us. And I wouldn't trade us for anything."
Zatanna (voice thick): "Even if it means being *judged?* Being *hunted?* Being told our *love* is *wrong?*"
Dick: "Especially then. Because our love isn't *wrong*, Zee. It's the *realest*, *truest* thing we've ever had. And I don't give a *fuck* what Diana or anyone else thinks about it."
Zatanna (smiling against his chest): "You're really good at speeches when you're half-asleep."
Dick (laughing softly): "It's a gift."
Zatanna (seriously): "*I love you*, Dick Grayson. More than anything."
Dick (kissing the top of her head): "*I love you too*, Zatanna Zatara. Always."
They fell asleep like that, wrapped in each other, the world outside forgotten.
Tomorrow would bring new work. New jobs, new contracts, new problems. Maybe another encounter with Diana or Bruce or some other hero who thought they knew better.
But tonight?
Tonight was *theirs*.
And that was *everything*.
Chapter 14: Part 14
Chapter Text
***[Evil/Villain Couple Chalant! Absolute Universe AU!]***
***(Part 14)*
Bruce Wayne pushed open the door to his apartment, exhausted. Patrol had been brutal; three muggings, a car theft ring, and a near-miss with a building fire. All he wanted was to collapse on the couch, maybe eat whatever leftovers his mom had left in the fridge before she went to visit his aunt in Keystone City.
He flicked on the lights.
And froze.
Sitting in his chair, in full *Renegade* gear (mask, tactical suit, weapons clearly visible) was *Dick*.
His cousin.
Who looked absolutely fucking *furious*.
Dick (voice low, dangerous): "Give me *one* good fucking reason to not *kill* Diana right *fucking* ***now.***"
Bruce's exhaustion evaporated instantly, replaced by adrenaline.
Bruce (carefully): "Dick... I—"
Dick (standing abruptly, cutting him off): ***"NO ONE TALKS TO ZATANNA LIKE THAT!"***
His voice echoed in the small apartment, sharp and lethal.
Bruce raised his hands slowly, non-threatening.
Bruce: "What are you talking about? What did Diana do?"
Dick (pacing like a caged predator): "Your *friend?* Your *hero friend?* Cornered Zatanna two days ago. Called what we have *'codependency'*. Said I was *using* her. Told her she needs to be *saved*."
Bruce (carefully): "Dick, I'm sure Diana didn't mean—"
Dick (whirling on him): "She told Zee that our love is *wrong*, Bruce! That I'm making her into *something* she's not! She stood there on that rooftop and judged us like she has any *fucking* ***right!***"
Bruce could see it now—the barely-contained rage. The protectiveness. The same energy Dick had when he'd threatened to shoot him and Diana if they didn't help Zatanna that night.
This was a *dangerous* situation.
Bruce (voice calm, measured): "*Okay*. Okay, let's... let's talk about this. What *exactly* did Diana say?"
Dick (jaw clenching): "She *chased* Zee halfway across Gotham. *Cornered* her. Started *psychoanalyzing* her about her *'path'* and her *'choices'* and how I'm somehow *corrupting* her or some *bullshit* like that."
Bruce (carefully): "Diana can be... *intense*, but I'm sure she was just concerned—"
Dick (laughing bitterly): "***Concerned?*** She told Zatanna she needed to be *saved*. Like Zee's some damsel in distress instead of the most *capable, powerful, terrifying* woman I've ever met!"
Bruce (sighing): "Dick, sit down. *Please*."
Dick (still pacing): "*Why?* So you can *defend* her? Or tell me I'm *overreacting?*"
Bruce (firmly): "So you can calm down before you do something you'll *regret*."
Dick stopped pacing. Turned to look at Bruce.
Dick (voice cold): "The only thing I'd *regret* is letting someone disrespect Zatanna and doing nothing about it."
Bruce (running his hand through his hair): "What do you want me to do, *Dick?* Diana's her own person. I can't control what she says or does!"
Dick (growling): "You're her friend, *jackass*. You *work* with her. Tell her to back the *fuck* off."
Bruce: "Or *what?*"
The question hung in the air.
Dick's hand moved to the gun at his hip. Not drawing it. Just... resting there.
Dick (quietly): "Or I *handle* it ***my way.***"
Bruce's blood ran cold.
Bruce: "You're not going to *kill* Diana."
Dick: "I don't want to kill Diana. But if she keeps coming after Zatanna, keeps trying to *'save'* her or *'fix'* her or whatever hero complex *bullshit* she's on... I'll do what I have to do."
Bruce (stepping forward): "Dick, *listen to me*. Diana's not your enemy. She's just—"
Dick (interrupting): ***"She made Zatanna cry, Bruce!"***
Bruce stopped.
Dick's voice had changed. Still angry, but now there was something else underneath. Something raw.
Dick (quieter): "Zatanna *doesn't* cry. Not in front of people. Not even in front of *me* most of the time. But when she told me what Diana said about us? About us being *'codependent'*? About me *using* her? She had to *stop*, had to take a breath because her voice was *shaking*."
Bruce (softly): "Dick..."
Dick: "Diana *hurt* her. With words, sure. But she *hurt* her. Made her *doubt*. Made her question if what we have is *real*, or *'healthy'*, or *right*. And that's..."
He trailed off, jaw working.
Dick (finally): "That's *unforgivable*."
-----
Bruce moved slowly to the couch. Sat down. Gestured for Dick to join him.
After a long moment, Dick did, though he stayed tense, ready to move.
Bruce (carefully): "I'll talk to Diana."
Dick: "That's not good enough."
Bruce: "What do you *want*, Dick? You want me to *cut ties* with her? Stop *working* with her?"
Dick (shaking his head): "I want her to *understand* that Zatanna is *off limits*. That what *we* have is none of her god-damned *business*. That if she comes after Zee again, there will be *consequences*."
Bruce: "And if she doesn't listen?"
Dick met his eyes.
Dick: "Then she'll learn the hard way what happens when you threaten a Zatara's partner. You've seen what I did to *Faust*."
A long silence.
Bruce (closing his eyes): "Jesus Christ, *Dick...*"
Dick: "I'm *serious*, Bruce. I've made *compromises* for you. I stay out of your way. I don't interfere with *Batman's* work. But *this?* This is *my* line. You protect *your* people, I protect *mine*. And Zatanna is ***mine.***"
Bruce (opening his eyes): "Diana was probably just trying to help."
Dick (bitterly): "We don't *need* her help. We don't need *anyone's* help. We're *fine*."
Bruce (carefully): "Are you?"
Dick's head snapped toward him.
Bruce (continuing): "I'm not saying Diana was *right*. But Dick... you and Zatanna live in a *dangerous* world. You've both been hurt. Nearly *killed*. Maybe she's concerned because—"
Dick (standing abruptly): "*Don't*. Don't you fucking *dare*."
Bruce (standing too): "I'm not *attacking* you. I'm just saying—"
Dick: "You're saying what Diana said. That we're *unhealthy*. That our relationship is *wrong*. That we need to be *fixed*."
Bruce: "That's not—"
Dick (voice rising): "Then what *are* you saying, ***Bruce?!***"
Bruce (matching his volume): "I'm saying that I *worry* about you, asshat! That seeing you with bruises, broken ribs, and broken knees because you got kidnapped *terrified* me! That watching Zatanna turn into someone who leaves people screaming for eternity scares the living *shit* out of me!"
Dick (coldly): "We didn't ask you to *worry*."
Bruce (voice breaking slightly): "You're *family*, Dick! I can't just *not* worry!"
Dick stared at him. Then, quietly.
Dick: "Then maybe that's the problem."
The words hit Bruce like a physical blow.
Bruce (hoarsely): "What?"
Dick (looking away): "Maybe... maybe we can't keep doing *this*. The beer nights. The dinners with Aunt Martha. Pretending like we're still the same people we were."
Bruce: "Dick, no—"
Dick: "We're *not*, Bruce. I'm not the eight-year-old kid who did flips at family gatherings anymore. You're not just my cousin, you're *Batman*, I'm *Renegade*. We're on opposite sides."
Bruce (desperately): "We're *family*, Dick. That doesn't change."
Dick (sadly): "***Doesn't it?*** You just stood there and *defended* Diana for hurting Zatanna! That's *choosing sides*, Bruce! And you didn't choose *me*."
Bruce (stepping forward): "*That's*... that's not fair—"
Dick (backing away): "***Isn't it?*** Be honest with me! If it came down to it, if *Diana* and *I* were *fighting*, who would *you* help?"
Bruce opened his mouth. Closed it.
He wanted to say Dick. He wanted to say family comes first, always.
But he couldn't lie.
Dick saw the hesitation. Nodded slowly.
Dick: "*Yeah*. That's what I *thought*."
He moved toward the window, his preferred exit, apparently.
Bruce (calling out): "Dick, wait—"
Dick (pausing, not looking back): "Tell Diana to stay the fuck away from Zatanna. I won't ask again."
Bruce: "And if she doesn't?"
Dick (finally turning, and his eyes were cold): "You'll find out, Faust wasn't the *first* or *last* who crossed me *personally*."
Bruce (voice barely a whisper): "You *wouldn't*."
Dick (putting his mask back on): "*Try me*, motherfucker. I've done *worse*."
And then he was gone, vanishing out the window into Gotham's night.
Bruce stood there, alone in his apartment, the weight of everything crashing down on him.
He'd just lost his cousin.
Maybe not permanently. Maybe there was still a way back.
But right now, in this moment, Dick Grayson felt further away than ever.
-----
***[Dick & Zatanna's Apartment - 30 Minutes Later]***
Dick came through the window, shedding his Renegade gear mechanically. Zatanna was on the couch, reading, but she looked up immediately when she heard him.
One look at his face and she set the book down.
Zatanna: "What happened?"
Dick (sitting heavily beside her): "I went to see Bruce."
Zatanna: "Dick..."
Dick: "I *needed* him to know. Needed him to understand that Diana can't just say those things to you and get away with it."
Zatanna (moving closer): "What did he say?"
Dick (bitterly): "He *defended* her. Said she was just *concerned*. Asked if we were really okay."
Zatanna's expression hardened.
Zatanna: "He what?*"
Dick (leaning back, staring at the ceiling): "I asked him, if it came down to you and me versus Diana, who would he choose. He couldn't *answer*, Zee. He couldn't even *answer*."
Zatanna (taking his hand): "Dick..."
Dick (voice thick): "I thought family *meant* something. I thought... I thought *blood* still mattered."
Zatanna (fierce): "It does. *We're* family. Me, you, my father, Slade, Wintergreen, Rose and Grant too wherever they are. That's *family*. Bruce is just... he's just someone who shares your DNA."
Dick (looking at her): "That's harsh."
Zatanna (meeting his eyes): "*Is it?* He chose *Diana* over *you*. He's choosing his *hero friends* over his own *cousin*. That's not *family*, Dick. That's *obligation*."
Dick (pulling her into his arms): "I'm sorry. I know you didn't want this drama."
Zatanna (holding him tight): "Don't apologize. Diana started this. Bruce made it worse. You were just protecting me."
Dick: "Of course I would."
Zatanna (pulling back to cup his face): "I love you. Not because I'm dependent on you. Not because you're using me. But because you're *you*. Because you see me, *all* of me, and you don't flinch."
Dick (leaning his forehead against hers): "You do the same for me."
They sat like that for a long moment, just breathing together.
Zatanna (finally): "So what do we do about Diana?"
Dick: "We *avoid* her. And if she comes after you again, we *handle* it. *Together*."
Zatanna: "Together?"
Dick (smiling slightly): "You didn't think I'd let you have all the fun, did you?"
Zatanna (laughing softly): "Fair point."
Dick: "Besides, if it comes to a fight, you're way scarier than I am. I'm just there for moral support and tactical backup."
Zatanna (kissing him): "You're more than that."
Dick: "Yeah?"
Zatanna: "Yeah. *You're everything*. Plus, you shooting people's brains out and slicing people in half with your katana turns me *on* so..."
Dick kissed her back, deep and slow, and for a moment, everything else faded away.
Bruce's betrayal. Diana's judgment. The impossible choices and divided loyalties.
None of it mattered right now.
Right now, there was just this. Just them.
And that was enough.
-----
***[Bruce's Apartment - Same Time]***
Bruce sat on his couch, head in his hands, phone on the table in front of him.
He needed to call Diana. Needed to tell her to back off. But he also needed to understand what she'd said. What she'd been thinking.
He picked up the phone.
Hesitated.
Put it back down.
What was he supposed to say? *"Don't try to help people because my criminal cousin will kill you?"*
But Dick was *family*. And Diana had hurt Zatanna. That much was clear.
Bruce (to himself): *"What the hell am I supposed to do?"*
No answer came.
Outside, Gotham's night continued, indifferent to the impossible choices of the people living in it.
Bruce closed his eyes.
Tomorrow. He'd deal with this tomorrow.
Tonight, he just wanted to pretend—for a few hours—that his life wasn't falling apart.
That his family wasn't fracturing.
That he wasn't caught between the people he loved and the principles he'd built his life around.
But deep down, he knew.
Something had changed tonight.
Something had broken.
And he wasn't sure it could be fixed.
Chapter 15: Part 15
Chapter Text
***[Evil/Villain Couple Chalant! Absolute Universe AU!]***
***(Part 15)***
Zatanna woke up that morning to find Dick already awake, sitting on the edge of the bed, staring at nothing.
She didn't need to ask. She knew what day it was.
She'd known for years.
Every year, the same date. The same silence. The same weight that settled over him like a shroud.
*The anniversary of his parents' death.*
Zatanna (softly, not moving yet): "Hey."
Dick didn't respond immediately. Just kept staring at the wall, his shoulders tense.
Dick (finally, voice quiet): "Hey."
Zatanna sat up slowly, moving to sit beside him. She didn't touch him yet, just sat close enough that he could feel her presence.
They sat in silence for a few minutes.
Dick (eventually): "I had the dream again."
Zatanna (gently): "The fall?"
Dick (nodding): "Yeah. This time, I was in the crowd watching. I can see the rope fraying. I'm *screaming*, trying to warn them, but no sound comes out. And then..."
He trailed off.
Zatanna (quietly): "I know."
She'd heard about the dream before. Every year around this time, it came back.
Dick (voice thick): "They were so *happy* that day. So *alive*. And then, just... *gone*."
Zatanna reached out slowly, taking his hand. He squeezed it like a lifeline.
Zatanna: "What do you need today?"
Dick (taking a shaky breath): "I'll see them."
Zatanna (without hesitation): "Of course."
-----
Dick was quiet all morning. He went through the motions—showered, dressed, made coffee—but his mind was clearly elsewhere.
Zatanna didn't push. Didn't try to fill the silence with meaningless chatter. She just *was*. Present. There.
She made him breakfast—nothing fancy, just scrambled eggs and toast—and sat across from him while he picked at it.
Dick ate about half, then pushed the plate away.
Dick: "I'm sorry. I'm just not—"
Zatanna (reaching across the table to take his hand): "Don't apologize. You don't have to eat if you're not hungry."
Dick (looking at her, something softening in his eyes): "Thank you."
Zatanna: "Always."
Around noon, Dick stood from the couch where he'd been sitting, staring at nothing.
Dick: "I get the flowers."
Zatanna (standing): "I'll come with you."
Dick (shaking his head): "You don't have to—"
Zatanna (firm but gentle): "*I'm coming with you.*"
Dick looked at her for a long moment, then nodded.
Dick: "Okay."
-----
*[Gotham Cemetery - Afternoon]*
The florist near the cemetery knew them by now. Every year, same day, same man buying the same flowers.
White lilies for his mother. Blue carnations for his father.
The woman at the counter didn't ask questions. Just wrapped the flowers carefully, offered a sad smile, and sent them on their way.
Dick carried the flowers in one hand, Zatanna's hand in his other, as they walked through the cemetery gates.
Gotham Cemetery was old. Weathered. Headstones dating back over a century, some so worn the names were barely legible. It was quiet here. Peaceful, in a way the rest of Gotham never was.
They walked in silence, following the familiar path. Past rows of graves, under old oak trees, until they reached a section near the back.
Two headstones, side by side.
***John Grayson***
***Beloved Husband, Father, Son***
***"The sky was his stage, love was his legacy"***
***Mary Grayson***
***Beloved Wife, Mother, Daughter***
***"She flew with grace, she loved with fire"***
Dick stopped in front of them, staring down at the stones.
For a moment, he didn't move. Just stood there, flowers in his hand, shoulders tense.
Then, slowly, he knelt.
Zatanna stayed standing just behind him, close enough to be felt but not intruding. Watching. Waiting.
Dick carefully placed the lilies in front of Mary's headstone, the carnations in front of John's. From his jacket pocket, he pulled out two small candles and a lighter.
He lit them carefully, setting them on the flat tops of the headstones.
The flames flickered in the autumn breeze.
Dick (voice quiet, rough): "Hey, Mom. Dad."
Zatanna's chest tightened. She'd heard him do this before, talk to them, like they could hear him. And maybe they could. She believed in enough strange things to think it was possible.
Dick (continuing): "Sorry it's been a year. I know I don't come around as much as I should. I just..."
He paused, collecting himself.
Dick: "It's been a rough year. But also a good one. I guess that's life, right? Rough and good all mixed together."
He reached out, tracing his fingers over his mother's name carved in the stone.
Dick: "I got hurt pretty bad a few months ago. Some guys from a job I did. They came after me. *Kidnapped* me. *Tortured* me. It was... it was *bad*, Mom."
His voice cracked slightly.
Dick: "But Zee found me. She always finds me. She came for me and she... She made them *pay*. Made sure no one would ever come after me like that again."
He glanced back at Zatanna. She gave him a small, sad smile.
Dick (turning back to the graves): "I know what you'd say, Dad. *'That's not the life we wanted for you.'* And you're right. You wanted better for me. Wanted me to stay in the circus, to be *happy*, to be *safe*."
He took a shaky breath.
Dick: "I still visit old Haly every once in a while, the geezer's happy whenever I bring him stuff. He always tries to turn down my *'donations'* to the circuc whenever I try to donate cash, but I always make him take it, and I know it helps him a lot whether he admits it or not."
Dick (sighing but continuing): "This is who I am now. This is the life I've built. And I'm... I'm okay with it. *Most days*."
Silence.
Dick (voice softer): "Bruce and I had a fight. He's... he's *struggling* with who I've become. He wants me to be *different*. *Better*. But I can't be what he wants, Mom. I can't be the hero he is. That's not me."
He wiped at his eyes roughly.
Dick: "I wish you were here. Both of you. I wish I could ask you what to do. How to balance everything. How to be good when the world made me into something else."
Zatanna's own eyes were stinging now. She blinked quickly, keeping the tears at bay.
Dick (continuing): "But I think... I think you'd understand. You always told me to follow my heart, *right?* To do what felt *true*. And this? Zee, Slade, Giovanni, this life? It *feels* true to me. It feels like *mine.*"
He placed his hand flat on the ground between the two headstones.
Dick: "I love you both. Every day. Every single fucking day you're not here, I carry you with me. Your strength. Your love. Your grace."
His voice broke completely.
Dick: *"I miss you. God, I miss you so much."*
He bent forward, forehead nearly touching the grass, and just breathed.
Zatanna couldn't stand it anymore. She knelt beside him, placing her hand on his back. Not saying anything. Just there.
Dick (after a long moment, sitting up): "I'm okay. I'm okay."
But his eyes were red, wet.
Zatanna (softly): "You don't have to be okay right now."
Dick (looking at her): "I know. But I want to finish."
She nodded, keeping her hand on his back.
Dick (turning back to the graves): "I wanted you to meet someone properly. I mean, I've brought Zee here before but she always kept her distance. But now? It's... *Different*."
He took Zatanna's hand, pulling her slightly forward so she was beside him, not behind.
Dick: "Mom, Dad, this is Zatanna. I know I've told you about her before. We knew each other as kids. We were going to run away together, remember? Before the fire."
Zatanna's breath hitched. She'd known he talked to them, but she hadn't expected this.
Dick (squeezing her hand): "Life took us apart for a long time. But we found each other again. And she's... she's *everything*, you guys. She's *strong*, and *brilliant*, and *terrifying* in the best way possible."
He looked at Zatanna, and despite the tears, he was smiling.
Dick: "She loves me. *All* of me. The broken parts, the dark parts, the parts that aren't good or heroic. And I love her the same way."
Zatanna (voice barely a whisper): "Dick..."
Dick (still looking at her): "We're getting married. Soon, *probably*. I haven't officially asked yet. Don't give me that look, Zee, I'm getting there, but we will. And I wish you could be there. I wish you could help with Zee's dress since her mom's gone too. I wish Dad could stand with me."
He turned back to the graves.
Dick: "But I know you'll be there anyway. Watching. Making sure I don't trip over my own feet during the vows."
Zatanna laughed despite herself, a wet, choked sound.
Dick (smiling sadly): "I'm going to make it good, you guys. This life. Even if it's messy and complicated and sometimes really dark. I'm going to make it good. For *her*. For *me*. For the *memory of you two*."
He stood slowly, pulling Zatanna up with him.
Dick: "I love you. Always. Until I see you again."
He pressed his fingers to his lips, then touched each headstone gently.
They stood there for a moment longer, watching the candles flicker.
Then Zatanna (quietly): "They'd be proud of you."
Dick (looking at her, then snickered): "You don't have to cheer me up, Zee. I know they'd flip if they see the man I am now."
Zatanna (meeting his eyes): "I'm *serious*. You *survived*, Dick. Against everything. You survived and you built a *life*, you found *love*. That's... that's everything a parent wants for their child."
Dick (voice thick): "Even if it's not the life they'd have chosen?"
Zatanna: "It's *yours*. Not *theirs*, not *Bruce's*, not *Slade's*. *Yours*."
Dick pulled her into his arms, burying his face in her hair.
Dick (muffled): "I love you."
Zatanna (holding him tight): "I love you too."
They stood like that for a long time, the autumn wind rustling through the trees, the candles burning steadily on the graves.
Finally, Dick pulled back.
Dick: "We should go."
Zatanna: "You sure?"
Dick (nodding): "Yeah. They know we were here. That's enough."
They started walking back toward the cemetery gates, hand in hand.
Halfway there, Dick stopped.
Dick: "Zee?"
Zatanna: "Yeah?"
Dick (turning to face her): "Will you marry me?"
Zatanna blinked.
Zatanna: "What?"
Dick (smiling, despite the tear tracks still visible on his face): "I know I said I'd do it properly. Fancy dinner, ring, all that shit. But standing there? Talking to them, I realized... I don't want to wait. I don't need the perfect moment. This is already perfect as it is. You're perfect."
Zatanna (voice shaking): "Dick..."
Dick: "We've been talking about it. Planning it. But I want to make it *real*. *Right now*. So I'm asking you, *Zatanna Giovanna Zatara*, *will you marry me?*"
A pause, the tension building up between them.
Zatanna's eyes filled with tears, happy ones this time.
Zatanna (voice barely above a whisper): *"Yes."*
Dick: "Yeah?"
Zatanna (laughing through tears): "*Yes*, you dumbass. *Of course yes.*"
Dick swept her up, spinning her around, and when he set her down, he kissed her like his life depended on it.
When they pulled apart, both were crying and laughing at the same time.
Zatanna: "You proposed in a cemetery."
Dick (grinning): "I proposed with my parents as witnesses. That's romantic."
Zatanna (shaking her head, but smiling): "You're ridiculous."
Dick: "But you said *yes.*"
Zatanna (cupping his face): "I said *yes.*"
They kissed again, slower this time, the weight of the day transforming into something lighter. Something hopeful.
When they finally pulled apart, Dick took her hand again.
Dick: "Come on. Let's go home*."
Zatanna: "Home sounds *perfect."
-----
**[Their Apartment - Evening]**
They ordered takeout, Thai food this time, and curled up on the couch together.
Dick was quiet, but it was a different kind of quiet now. Not the heavy, painful silence of the morning. Something softer. Contemplative.
Zatanna (running her fingers through his hair): "How are you feeling?"
Dick (leaning into her touch): "Better. Lighter, somehow."
Zatanna: "Good."
Dick: "Thank you. For today. For being there."
Zatanna (kissing the top of his head): "*Always*, Dick. Always."
Dick (after a moment): "We should start planning."
Zatanna: "Planning?"
Dick: "*The wedding*. I proposed. Now we have to actually do it."
Zatanna (laughing): "We don't have to rush."
Dick: "I'm not rushing. I'm just... *excited*. I want to marry you, Zee. Make it official. Tell the whole world you're mine and I'm yours."
Zatanna (smiling): "The whole world already knows. I think you made it clear with *Faust* and I made it pretty clear at *Pier 13*."
Dick (grinning): "Fair point. But still. I want the ceremony. The vows. Your dad walking you down the aisle. Slade standing with me looking uncomfortable in a suit."
Zatanna (laughing harder): "That last part I *need* to see."
Dick: "Right? It'll be amazing."
They sat in comfortable silence for a moment.
Zatanna (softly): "Your parents would have loved it."
Dick (voice thick): "Yeah. They would have."
Zatanna: "We'll make sure they're there. Pictures, candles, something to honor them."
Dick (looking at her): "You'd do that?"
Zatanna: "Of course. They're part of you. That makes them part of us."
Dick pulled her close, pressing a kiss to her temple.
Dick: "Have I mentioned lately that you're perfect?"
Zatanna: "Not since this morning."
Dick: "You're perfect."
Zatanna (snuggling into him): "Keep talking."
Dick (grinning): "Beautiful. Brilliant. Deadly. *Mine*."
Zatanna: "Better."
They stayed like that, wrapped in each other, the TV playing quietly in the background.
The Faust skull candle flickered on the coffee table, a reminder of their darkness.
But Dick's parents' love; their grace, their strength lived on too.
In him. In them. In the life they were building together.
Dark and light.
Pain and joy.
Death and love.
All of it, tangled together, making them who they were.
Chapter 16: Part 16
Chapter Text
***[Evil/Villain Couple Chalant! Absolute Universe AU!]***
***(Part 16)***
***[Two Weeks After Dick's Proposal]***
Zatanna woke up to Dick already making breakfast in the kitchen. She could smell coffee and pancakes, he always made pancakes when he was trying to take care of her.
She padded out in one of his shirts, hair a mess, and wrapped her arms around him from behind.
Dick (smiling): "Morning, *future wife*."
Zatanna (pressing her face against his back): "Morning, *future husband*."
Dick (noticing something in her voice): "You okay?"
Zatanna (quiet for a moment): "What's the date?"
Dick flipped the pancake, then checked his phone.
Dick: "October 17th. Why?"
Zatanna (voice soft): "Mom's birthday."
Dick immediately turned off the stove, turning in her arms to face her.
Dick: "Zee..."
Zatanna (forcing a smile): "It's okay. I'm okay. I just... I always think about her this time of year."
Dick (cupping her face): "You want to visit her?"
Zatanna looked up at him, surprised.
Zatanna: "You'd come with me?"
Dick (like it's obvious): "Of course I would. When do you want to go?"
Zatanna (leaning into him): "Greenwood Cemetery in Brooklyn. It's about a four-hour drive, or we could take the train..."
Dick (without hesitation): "I'll get the car. We can leave after breakfast. Stay the night if you want. Visit your dad while we're there."
Zatanna (voice thick): "You sure? That's a whole day—"
Dick (gentle but firm): "Zee. You're always there for me. I'm always here for you. That's how this works."
Zatanna (eyes stinging): "I love you."
Dick (kissing her softly): "I love you too. Now come on, let's eat. Then we'll go see your mom."
-----
***[Greenwood Cemetery, Brooklyn - Early Afternoon]***
The drive to New York had been quiet but comfortable. Zatanna had dozed off for part of it, her hand in Dick's on the center console. They'd stopped once for coffee and gas, then continued on.
Greenwood Cemetery was beautiful in a melancholy way. Historic, sprawling, with rolling hills and old trees that had stood for over a century. It was peaceful here. A stark contrast to the chaos of New York City just beyond its gates.
Zatanna had been quiet since they arrived, directing Dick through the winding roads until they reached a section near a cluster of old maple trees.
She got out of the car slowly, carrying white roses, her mother's favorite, and two tall white candles. Dick grabbed a lighter from the glove compartment and followed.
They walked up a small hill, fallen leaves crunching under their feet, until they reached a headstone that was elegant, carved with intricate designs that looked almost magical.
***Sindella Zatara***
***Beloved Wife, Mother, Sorceress***
***"Magic in her hands, love in her heart"***
Zatanna stopped in front of it, taking a deep breath.
Dick stood slightly behind her, close enough to be felt but giving her space.
Zatanna knelt slowly, placing the roses carefully at the base of the headstone. She lit the candles with a whispered spell instead of the lighter, setting them on either side of the flowers. The flames flickered to life, steady despite the autumn breeze.
For a long moment, she just stared at her mother's name.
Zatanna (finally, voice soft): "Hi, *Mama*."
Dick's chest tightened. He'd never heard her sound so *young*.
Zatanna: "I brought roses. White ones, like you loved. And Dick's with me. You remember Dick, right? I told you about him last time I was here."
She glanced back at Dick. He gave her an encouraging nod.
Zatanna (turning back): "A lot has happened since I was here last. I don't even know where to start."
She settled more comfortably on the ground, cross-legged, like she was having a conversation over coffee.
Zatanna: "I'm getting *married*, Mama! To Dick. He proposed two weeks ago, in a cemetery, actually. I know, I know, not the most romantic place, but it was *perfect*. He'd just been talking to his parents and then he turned to me and just... *asked*. No ring yet, no big production. Just him and me and the *truth*."
She smiled, touching the headstone gently.
Zatanna: "I said *yes*. Obviously. Because he's... he's *everything*, Mama. He's the boy I knew in foster care, but he's also this man who's strong and deadly and still somehow soft with me. He looks at me like I hung the moon, even when I'm covered in blood and ash."
Dick's eyes stung. He blinked quickly.
Zatanna: "Life's been hard this year. Someone hurt him, *took* him, *tortured* him. I thought I'd lost him, Mama. For hours, I thought I was too late. But I found him. And I made sure no one would ever hurt him like that again."
Her voice hardened slightly.
Zatanna: "You would have understood. You always told me that the people we love are sacred. That protecting them isn't weakness, it's the strongest magic there is. I protected him. The way Papa always protected you."
She took a shaky breath.
Zatanna: "Papa's doing well, by the way. He misses you every day. I can see it in his eyes when he thinks no one's watching. But he's strong. You made him strong. You made *me* strong."
Dick moved closer, kneeling beside her now. Zatanna leaned into him automatically.
Zatanna (continuing): "I wish you could meet Dick properly. Not just hear me talk about him, but actually *meet* him. I wish you could see how he looks at me. How he makes me laugh. How he brings me takeout when I'm working late on spells. How he knows exactly when I need him to talk and when I need him to just *be*."
She wiped at her eyes.
Zatanna: "I wish you could help me pick and fix my dress and see Papa walk me down the aisle but... I wish you could be there too. Standing beside me. Fixing my hair. Telling me I'm beautiful even though I'm probably a nervous wreck."
Her voice broke.
Zatanna: "I miss you, Mama. Every day. Every spell I cast, every choice I make, I wonder what you'd think. If you'd be proud or disappointed or worried."
Dick (quietly): "She'd be proud."
Zatanna looked at him, surprised.
Dick (meeting her eyes): "She'd be *proud*, Zee. How could she not be? You're *brilliant*, *powerful, and you've survived things that would have broken most people. You've built a life. Found love. That's everything a parent wants."
Zatanna (voice shaking): "Even if it's not the life she'd have chosen?"
Dick (echoing what she'd told him): "Remember what you told me? It's *your* life. Not *hers*, not *Giovanni's*, not *Constantine's*. *Yours*."
Zatanna let out a wet laugh, leaning her head on his shoulder.
Zatanna (turning back to the grave): "He's right, isn't he? You would be proud, hell, you married a mobster. You always told me to follow my heart. To be strong. To never apologize for who I am."
She reached out, tracing her mother's name on the stone.
Zatanna: "I'm not apologizing, Mama. I'm *living*. *Really living*. With someone who sees all of me, the *dark* parts, the *deadly* parts, the parts that aren't soft or gentle, and *loves* me anyway. Someone who chose me, over and over, even when the world told him not to."
Dick pressed a kiss to her temple.
Zatanna (voice soft): "We keep each other happy, Mama. He makes me laugh when I want to burn the world down. I make him smile when he's drowning in guilt. We're... we're good together. Really good."
She took a shaky breath.
Zatanna: "I wish you could tell me stories about you and Papa. About how you fell in love. How you knew he was the one. Papa doesn't talk about it, it hurts him too much. But I wish I knew. I wish I could hear your voice telling me that what Dick and I have is *real*. That it's worth *fighting* for."
Dick (squeezing her hand): "It *is* worth fighting for. We both know that."
Zatanna (nodding): "We do. We really do."
She stood slowly, pulling Dick up with her. They stood in front of the grave for another moment, the candles still burning steadily.
Zatanna (one last time): "I love you, Mama. *Always*. I'll come back soon. Probably with wedding plans to tell you about. And Papa. And Dick, always Dick."
She pressed her fingers to her lips, then touched the headstone gently.
The wind picked up, rustling through the maple trees, and for just a moment—just one moment—it felt like someone was there with them. Like Sindella Zatara was reaching out, touching her daughter's face one last time.
Zatanna closed her eyes, breathing it in.
Then the moment passed.
Dick took her hand.
Dick: "Ready?"
Zatanna (opening her eyes): "Yeah. Let's go see Papa."
-----
***[Giovanni's Italian Restaurant - Evening]***
By the time they arrived at Giovanni's restaurant, the dinner rush was in full swing. The hostess recognized them immediately and ushered them through to the back office.
Giovanni looked up from his desk when they entered, and his face immediately lit up.
Giovanni: "*Mia piccola!* Richard! I wasn't expecting you until later this week!"
He stood, embracing Zatanna first, then pulling Dick into a firm hug.
Zatanna: "We came to visit *Mama*. Thought we'd stop by after."
Giovanni's expression softened, understanding immediately.
Giovanni: "Of course. How is she?"
Zatanna (smiling sadly): "Still there. Still beautiful. The roses looked good."
Giovanni (nodding): "I had fresh ones put there last week. I try to go every Sunday."
He gestured for them to sit, then moved to the small bar in his office and poured three glasses of wine.
Giovanni: "So. What brings you both to New York on a weekday? Not that I'm complaining."
Dick and Zatanna exchanged glances.
Dick: "Actually, we have some news."
Giovanni (raising an eyebrow, sitting): "Oh?"
Zatanna (holding up her left hand): "We're officially engaged. Dick proposed two weeks ago."
Dick: "The ring's still pending, I'm asking around my contacts to see what the best thing they can find for me."
For a moment, Giovanni just stared. Then his face broke into the widest smile either of them had ever seen.
Giovanni: ***"Mia piccola!"***
He stood, pulling Zatanna into another crushing hug, then Dick.
Giovanni (pulling back, eyes shining): "This is wonderful! *Meraviglioso!* We must celebrate! I'll have the kitchen prepare a feast!"
Zatanna (laughing): "Papa, you don't have to—"
Giovanni (waving her off): "*Nonsense!* My daughter is getting married! To a man I already consider my son! This is cause for celebration!"
He moved to the phone, barking orders in rapid Italian. Within minutes, staff were setting up a private table in the back room, and plates of food started appearing.
They moved to the table, and Giovanni poured more wine, raising his glass.
Giovanni: "To my daughter and her fiancé. May your love be as strong as steel and as enduring as magic."
They clinked glasses and drank.
As they ate, course after course of the restaurant's best dishes, Giovanni kept smiling, asking about the proposal, about wedding plans, about everything.
Finally, as dessert was being served, Giovanni grew more serious.
He reached across the table, taking Zatanna's hand.
Giovanni: "*Mia piccola*, I don't think I have told you this, but seeing you and Richard together... it reminds me of your mother and I when we were your age."
Zatanna's eyes widened.
Giovanni (continuing, voice soft): "The way you look at each other. The way you move together. The way you protect each other with everything you have. That's how Sindella and I were. *Fierce*. *Devoted*. *Totale*."
He looked at the both of them.
Giovanni: "Sindella would be proud of who you became, Zatanna. And she would approve of your choice. Richard is a good man, as *'good'* as one can be in our *profession*. Strong. Loyal. He would burn the world for you, and you for him. That's rare. That's precious."
Zatanna's eyes were full of tears.
Zatanna (voice thick): "Papa..."
Giovanni (squeezing her hand): "You chose well, *mia piccola*. Just as your mother chose well with me."
He turned to Dick.
Giovanni: "And you, Richard. You've chosen a woman of fire and magic. She will test you. Challenge you. Push you. But she will also love you with everything she has. Sindella was the same. It's the *Zatara* way."
Dick (voice sincere): "I wouldn't want her any other way, sir."
Giovanni (smiling): "Good. Then you'll do just fine."
He raised his glass again.
Giovanni: "To *Sindella*. Who loved fiercely and raised a daughter who does the same. She is here with us tonight. I can feel her. Smiling. Proud."
Zatanna (crying openly now): "To *Mama*."
Dick: "To Sindella*."
They drank, and for a moment, the room felt full. Not just with the three of them, but with memory. With love. With the ghosts of those who'd come before.
Giovanni (setting down his glass): "Now. Tell me everything. When is the wedding? Where? How many guests?"
Zatanna (laughing through tears): "We literally just got engaged, Papa. We haven't planned anything yet."
Giovanni (waving his hand): "Then we plan now! Venues. Caterers. Musicians. When *Don Zatara* wants *perfetto*, he gets *perfetto!*."
Dick (grinning): "You sure you're not trying to take over our wedding, Giovanni?"
Giovanni (completely serious): "I am *absolutely* taking over your wedding. You're both far too busy killing people to plan properly."
Zatanna and Dick burst out laughing.
Zatanna: "Fair point."
Giovanni (pulling out a notebook): "Good. Now, first things first. The venue. I'm thinking—"
And just like that, they were swept up in wedding planning, Giovanni's enthusiasm infectious, the grief of the day transforming into joy and hope.
Outside, New York City hummed with life.
Inside Giovanni's restaurant, in the warm glow of candlelight and family, three people who had found each other in darkness planned a celebration of light.
Of love.
Of life.
And somewhere, in the space between memory and magic, Sindella Zatara smiled.
Her daughter had chosen *well*.
Chapter 17: Part 17
Chapter Text
***[Evil/Villain Couple Chalant! Absolute Universe AU!]***
***(Part 17)***
Dick pushed open the apartment door, tired from a long job in Baltimore. All he wanted was a shower, food, and to wait for Zatanna to come home from whatever mob business Giovanni had her handling.
He flicked on the lights.
And there, sitting on his couch, boots propped up on his coffee table, right next to the Faust skull candle holder, with a beer from his fridge in hand, was Slade Wilson.
Dick (sighing heavily): "We really need to change the locks."
Slade (not looking up from the beer): "Won't help. I'll just break in through the window."
Dick (dropping his gear bag): "Of *course* you will."
He moved to the kitchen, grabbed his own beer from the fridge, might as well since Slade had already helped himself, and came back to the living room.
Dick sat in the armchair across from Slade, popping open the beer and taking a long drink.
Slade (finally looking at him): "So it's official."
Dick (raising an eyebrow): "Wintergreen?"
Slade (nodding, taking a swig): "He knows a lot more than me at times."
Dick (leaning back): "Like we aren't already used to it."
Slade (smirking slightly): "The old man has his ways. *Congratulations*, by the way."
Dick blinked, surprised.
Dick: "...Thanks?"
Slade: "Don't sound so shocked. I can be *supportive* when the occasion calls for it."
Dick (taking another drink): "It's just weird hearing it from *you*. Usually you're lecturing me about *being sloppy* or *emotionally compromised*."
Slade (shrugging): "You are *emotionally compromised*. But that doesn't *always* mean that marriage is a bad idea."
Dick (dryly): "Wow. Such *glowing* approval."
Slade (setting his beer down, leaning forward): "I'm serious, kid. Zatanna's good for you."
Dick (surprised again): "You really think that?"
Slade: "I've seen you with her. Seen how you move together. How you think together. She makes you sharp. That's rare."
Dick (processing): "I thought you'd disapprove. You've spent years drilling into me that emotions are liabilities."
Slade (nodding): "Emotions *are* liabilities. In *most* cases. But with the right person, someone who understands the life, who can handle themselves, who makes you better instead of weaker, then it's *different*."
He picked up his beer again.
Slade: "Zatanna's not some civilian who'll get you killed with her naivety. She's the daughter of *the Dark Pope*. She's survived whatever the hell *Constantine* did in raising her. She's powerful, ruthless, and she'd burn the world for you. That's not a *liability*, per se, that's an *asset*."
Dick (soft smile): "She would, wouldn't she? Burn the world for me."
Slade: "She already did. *Pier 13* proved that."
Dick's expression darkened slightly at the memory.
Slade (continuing): "And you'd do the same for her. You *have* done the same. *Faust*. The skull you're using as home décor."
Dick (glancing at the skull candle): "She made that, not me."
Slade (amused): "And you *kept* it. My point stands."
Dick took another drink, considering.
Dick: "So you're saying you approve?"
Slade: "I'm *saying* I've trained a lot of people over the years. Most of them are dead now because they made stupid choices, well, except for Grant and Rose..."
Slade's voice trailed, a rarity for a person like him.
Slade: "But still, you've survived this long because you make smart choices. Choosing Zatanna? That's *smart*."
Dick (feeling oddly touched): "That might be the nicest thing you've ever said to me."
Slade (scoffing): "Don't get *sentimental* on me, kid."
Dick (grinning): "Too late. I'm having feelings. Should I hug you?"
Slade (pointing his beer at him): "Try it, and I'll shoot you in the leg."
Dick (laughing): "There's the Slade I know!"
They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, both drinking their beers.
Slade (finally): "So, when's the wedding?"
Dick: "We haven't set a date yet. Giovanni's already trying to take over the planning. He pulled out a notebook the second we told him."
Slade (almost smiling): "That sounds like Giovanni."
Dick: "He wants it to be big. Fancy. The whole mob will probably be there."
Slade: "And you?"
Dick (shrugging): "I just want to marry her. Could be in a courthouse for all I care. But if a big wedding makes her and Giovanni happy, then that's what we'll do."
Slade (appraising him): "You've grown up, kid."
Dick (raising an eyebrow): "I'm twenty-five, Slade. I have been grown up."
Slade: "No, I mean you've *matured*. When I found you on those shitty streets of Gotham, you were *angry*. *Reckless*. You'd pick fights with other street kids twice your size just to *feel* something."
Dick (quietly): "I remember."
Slade: "Now look at you. Planning a wedding. Making compromises. Building a life with someone. That takes *strength*. Different kind of strength than what I taught you, but strength nonetheless."
Dick (voice thick): "You *did* teach me, though. Everything I am, everything I can do, *you* gave me that. You, Wintergreen, Grant, Rose, and Jericho wherever he is now. You all *saved* me, Slade."
Slade (uncomfortable with the emotion): "I gave you tools. You decided what to build with them."
Dick: "Still. *Thank you*."
Slade (gruff): "You're welcome. Now stop being emotional before I regret coming here."
Dick (grinning): "You came here to *congratulate* me. You were always going to get emotions."
Slade (standing): "I came here to make sure you weren't being *dumbass*. Now that I know you're not, I'm leaving."
Dick (standing too): "Stay for dinner. Zatanna will be home soon. She'd want to see you."
Slade (considering): "Giovanni's sending her home late. Mob meeting ran long. She won't be back until after midnight."
Dick (not even questioning how Slade knows this): "Of *course* you know her schedule."
Slade: "I keep tabs on people I care about. Makes sure they don't get killed."
Dick (softly): "You *care* about Zatanna?"
Slade (shrugging): "She's going to be your wife. That makes her family. And I protect family."
Dick felt something warm in his chest.
Dick: "For what it's worth... you'll be there, right? At the wedding?"
Slade (looking at him): "Where else would I be? Someone has to stand with you. Make sure you don't trip over your own feet during the vows."
Dick: "Even if Grant and Rose show up?"
A momentary pause.
Slade: "I know what they feel about me. But even if they *do* show up, I'll still be there."
Dick: "Good enough for Zatanna and me."
Slade: "Besides, Wintergreen would never forgive me if I missed it. He's already planning what suit to wear."
Dick (grinning): "Is he going to cry?"
Slade: "*Probably*. Old fool gets emotional at weddings."
Dick: "And you?"
Slade (deadpan): "I don't *cry*."
Dick: "Not even a little?"
Slade: "Not even a little."
Dick (smirking): "We'll see."
Slade (moving toward the door): "You *won't*. Because I don't have tear ducts anymore. Hazard of the job."
Dick (laughing): "That's not how tear ducts work, jackass!"
Slade (at the door now, turning back): "One more thing, kid."
Dick: "Yeah?"
Slade: "Don't *fuck* this up. I've had my fair share of failed marriages. Zatanna's a good woman, the best you'll ever find. You hurt her, you lose her through your own stupidity, and I'll kill you myself. Well, assumming Giovanni and the entire Italian mob doesn't beat me to it."
Dick (serious now): "I won't *fuck* it up. I promise."
Slade (nodding): "Good. Then we're done here."
He opened the door, paused.
Slade: "Oh, and Dick?"
Dick: "Yeah?"
Slade (almost smiling): "I'm *proud* of you. Don't make me say it again."
And with that, he was gone.
Dick stood there for a moment, staring at the closed door, feeling oddly emotional.
Slade Wilson—the man who'd raised him, trained him, turned him into Renegade—was *proud* of him.
For finding love. For building a life. For choosing Zatanna.
Dick sat back down on the couch, finishing his beer, a smile on his face.
His phone buzzed.
A text from Zatanna: *"Meeting running late. Papa is being thorough. Miss you. Love you."*
Dick (typing back): *"Take your time. Be safe. Love you too. Slade stopped by."*
Zatanna: *"Of course he did. Breaking in again?"*
Dick: *"Always. He says congratulations. And that you're a good woman."*
Zatanna: *"Coming from Slade, that's practically a declaration of love. You okay?"*
Dick: *"Yeah. Better than okay. Just thinking about how lucky I am."*
Zatanna: *"We both are. See you tonight. Don't wait up—I know you will anyway."*
Dick: "You know me too well."*
Zatanna: *"That's why I'm marrying you. ❤️"*
Dick smiled, pocketing his phone.
He looked around their apartment. The candle on Faust's skull flickering on the coffee table. Slade's empty beer bottle on the side table. His gear bag by the door. Their life, chaotic and dark and perfect.
In a few months, Zatanna would be his wife.
Slade would stand with him.
Giovanni would walk her down the aisle.
Wintergreen would probably cry, maybe Grant and Rose too if they show up.
Bruce would be there (Aunt Martha? Probably), uncomfortable but present, because family.
And somewhere, Dick's parents and Zatanna's mother would be watching, proud.
Dick leaned back on the couch, closed his eyes, and smiled.
Life was good.
Dark, complicated, violent, and messy.
But good.
Really, really *good*.
Chapter 18: Part 18
Chapter Text
***[Evil/Villain Couple Chalant! Absolute Universe AU!]***
***(Part 18)***
***[Dick & Zatanna's Apartment, Gotham - 11:47 PM]***
Dick was half-asleep on the couch, waiting for Zatanna to get home, when he heard the window slide open.
He was on his feet instantly, hand going to the gun on the side table—
Then he saw who it was and relaxed.
Sort of.
Rose Wilson dropped down from the fire escape with practiced ease, followed immediately by her older brother Grant. Both were dressed in dark tactical gear, armed to the teeth, and grinning like they'd just pulled off a heist.
Dick (sighing, holstering his weapon): "Couldn't you two *fucks* use the door like *normal* people?"
Rose (shutting the window): "When have *we* ever been normal? Plus, where's the *fun* in that?"
Grant (looking around the apartment): "Nice place, Grayson. Very... *cozy*. Is that a skull on your coffee table?"
Dick (glancing at the Faust's skull candle holder): "Long story."
Rose (picking it up, examining it): "This is fucking *metal*. Who was it?"
Dick: "*Felix Faust*. He hurt Zatanna. I killed him. She turned it into décor."
Grant (impressed): "Your girl's hardcore."
Dick (smiling): "Yeah, she is."
Rose set the skull back down carefully, then turned to face Dick, arms crossed.
Rose: "Heard from the *old coot* that you're tying the knot."
Dick (raising an eyebrow): "Wintergreen?"
Rose (nodding): "Called us last week. Said, and I quote, (imitating Wintergreen's voice:) *'The mad lad Richard is getting married and you two wankers better show up or I'll hunt you down myself.'*"
Dick (laughing): "That sounds like him."
Grant (sprawling on the couch): "So it's true? You're actually doing it?"
Dick: "Yeah. Proposed a few weeks ago. We're making it official."
Rose (studying him): "You look happy about it."
Dick (without hesitation): "I am. Happiest I've ever been."
Grant and Rose exchanged glances, something complicated passing between them.
Dick (curious): "What?"
Rose (shrugging): "Nothing. It's just... *weird* seeing you like this. *Settled*. *Domestic*."
Dick: "I'm still a *mercenary assassin*, Rose."
Rose: "Yeah, but you're a mercenary assassin who's getting *married*. That's different."
Grant (grinning): "Next thing you know, you'll have a minivan and a dog."
Dick (throwing a couch pillow at him): "Fuck off."
Grant caught it, laughing.
Dick (sitting in the armchair): "I thought you live in Berlin now?"
Rose: "I still do. Just finished a job last week. Heard about your engagement and decided to swing by."
Dick (looking at Grant): "And you? Didn't you set up shop in Moscow?"
Grant (shrugging): "Still am. But when Wintergreen calls, you *answer*. Besides, wanted to see if the rumors were true. Dick Grayson, *settling down* Never thought I'd see the day."
Rose (sitting beside Grant): "So when's the wedding?"
Dick: "We haven't set a date yet. Giovanni's handling most of the planning. It'll probably be in a few months."
Grant: "Big fancy mob wedding?"
Dick: "Looks like it. Giovanni's pulling out all the stops."
Rose (smirking): "Of *course* he is. His little girl's getting married. He's probably losing his shit with joy."
Dick (smiling): "He is, actually. It's kind of sweet."
Grant (more serious now): "So... is the old man standing with you?"
Dick knew who he meant. Slade.
Dick (carefully): "*Yeah*. He is. Just missed him, but knowing you two, you probably waited until he left."
Rose's expression flickered—something between anger and resignation.
Rose: "Of *course* he is."
Dick (gently): "I know things between you three are... *complicated*."
Grant (bitterly): "That's *one* word for it."
Rose: "He *fucked* us over, Dick. Got Jericho killed. He *knows* what we think about him."
Dick (quietly): "I know. And I'm sorry. If I could change—"
Grant (cutting him off): "*Don't*. Don't apologize for shit that's not your fault. We don't blame you. We blame *him*."
Silence fell over the room, heavy and uncomfortable.
Dick (finally): "Will you two come though? To the wedding? Even though Slade will be there?"
Rose and Grant looked at each other. A whole conversation happened in that glance—years of shared pain, resentment, and complicated family dynamics.
Grant (finally): "If Jericho was here, he'd challenge me to single combat for best man rights."
Dick's chest tightened. Jericho. Dead two years now. Killed on a job gone wrong.
Dick (voice thick): "Yeah. He would."
Rose (standing, moving to Dick): "We still hate that old fuck. Probably always will. But... he's still our *dad*. And you're our *brother*. Not by blood, but still."
She put her hand on Dick's shoulder.
Rose: "We'll be there. For *you*. Not for *him*."
Dick (looking up at her): "Thank you."
Grant (also standing): "Besides, someone's gotta make sure you don't trip over your own feet during the vows. Slade's getting old and Wintergreen even older. They might not catch you in time."
Dick (laughing despite the emotion): "Fair point."
Rose (pulling him into a hug): "Congratulations, *bigger brother*. Really."
Grant joined the hug, the three of them standing there for a moment—a makeshift family, forged in violence and loss and survival.
When they pulled apart, Rose was wiping her eyes quickly.
Rose (clearing her throat): "Okay, enough feelings. When do we meet this girl who's crazy enough to marry you?"
Dick (checking his phone): "She should be home soon. Mob meeting ran late."
Grant (impressed): "*Mob meeting?* She's really in deep with Giovanni, huh?"
Dick (proudly): "She's his *daughter*. *The Dark Pope's heir*. And she's terrifying and brilliant and I love her."
Rose (grinning): "I'm liking the sound of her already."
-----
***[Across Gotham - The Bowery, Near Crime Alley]***
Zatanna was exhausted. The meeting with some of Giovanni's Gotham associates had gone longer than expected, coordinating the New York and Gotham operations was always tedious and all she wanted was to get home to Dick, take a hot shower, and collapse into bed.
She was walking toward where she'd parked her car when a familiar voice called out from an alley.
Voice: "Zatanna Zatara. Been a while, love."
Zatanna froze.
She knew that voice. Would know it anywhere.
She turned slowly.
Standing there, leaning against a brick wall, looking exactly as disheveled and charming as always with the trench coat, loosened tie, cigarette dangling from his lips, was *John Constantine*.
Zatanna (surprised): "John."
Constantine (grinning): "In the flesh. Well, *mostly* flesh. Might be part demon at this point. Hard to tell."
Zatanna (cautiously): "What are *you* doing in Gotham?"
Constantine (gesturing down the street): "Exorcism went sideways in Robinson Park. Took care of it, *mostly*. Figured while I'm in your neck of the woods, I'd look you up. There's an all-night diner two blocks over. Fancy a cuppa?"
Zatanna checked her phone. 11:53 PM. Dick would be worried if she was too late, but...
Zatanna (typing quickly to Dick): *"Running into an old friend. Be home soon. Love you."*
Dick's response was almost immediate: *"Be safe. Love you too. Let me know if you need anything."*
Zatanna (pocketing her phone): "Fine. But just coffee. I need to get home."
Constantine (already walking): "Won't take long, promise."
-----
***[Sal's 24-Hour Diner - The Bowery]***
The diner was the kind of place that catered to Gotham's night crowd—truckers, night shift workers, and people who didn't ask questions. A tired waitress brought them two cups of black coffee and left them alone in a corner booth.
For a moment, they just looked at each other.
Constantine (finally): "You look good, Zat-Zat. Healthy. *Happy*, even."
Zatanna (softening at the old nickname): "I am. Things are... things are *good*."
Constantine (taking a sip of coffee): "Heard you've been busy. Working with your old man. Making a name for yourself in the underworld."
Zatanna: "You keeping tabs on me, John?"
Constantine (shrugging): "*Old habits*. Plus, when Zatanna Zatara starts leaving eternal torture victims as calling cards, word gets around. Even across the pond."
Zatanna (not apologizing): "He *hurt* someone I love."
Constantine (raising his hands): "Not *judging*. Just *observing*. You've grown up, kid. Become fockeng *terrifying* or so I've heard."
Zatanna: "You taught me well."
Constantine (smiling sadly): "I taught you *magic*. Your dad taught you *ruthlessness*. That's all you, love."
They sat in silence for a moment.
Zatanna (finally): "I'm getting married."
Constantine's eyebrows shot up.
Constantine: "So I've heard."
Zatanna (surprised): "From who?"
Constantine: "I have my ways."
Zatanna (eyeing him carefully): "Right... as if my dad doesn't keep you up to date.
Constantine (taking a sip from his mug): "I have *other* ways than that."
Zatanna (laughing): "Of course you do."
Constantine (more serious): "*Dick Grayson. Renegade. Deathstroke's protégé.*"
Zatanna (defensive): "You have a *problem* with that?"
Constantine (shaking his head): "Not at all. I'm just... *processing*. Last I saw you, you were sixteen and stealing my spellbooks. Now you're a grown woman getting married to one of the most dangerous men in the underworld."
Zatanna (softly): "He's not *dangerous* to me."
Constantine (studying her): "'Course he's not *dangerous* to you, he *loves* you."
Zatanna (without hesitation): "More than anything."
Zatanna: "Completely. Utterly. He'd burn the world for me."
Constantine (smiling): "*Good*. That's good, Zat-Zat."
Zatanna (cautiously): "You're not... *mad?* That I'm getting married? That I didn't tell you sooner?"
Constantine (looking genuinely confused): "*Mad?* Why the hell would I be mad?"
Zatanna (shrugging): "I don't know. You *raised* me. After the orphanage fire, you took me in, taught me magic, kept me alive. I thought maybe you'd—"
Constantine (interrupting): "I took you in as a debt I owed to ol' Gio. Your dad saved my life back in the day. When you ended up on the streets after that fire, I figured it was time to repay that debt."
He took another sip of coffee.
Constantine: "But you became more than that, kid. Became *family*, in your own way. And family? Family gets to be *happy*. Family gets to find love in this shitty world of ours and build a life. Why would I be mad about that?"
Zatanna's eyes stung.
Zatanna: "I thought you'd think I was abandoning you. Or that I'd turned into something you didn't approve of."
Constantine (laughing): "Zat-Zat, I'm a *con artist*, *exorcist*, and part-time *demon*. I'm in no position to judge anyone's life choices."
Z
atanna (laughing wetly): "Fair point."
Constantine (grinning): "Hell, I feel bad for the blokes who'll piss their trousers when they find out Zatanna Zatara's a married gal now. The underworld's going to collectively *shit* itself."
Zatanna (smiling): "Good. Let them be scared."
Constantine (raising his coffee cup): "To fear and marriage. May they both keep you safe."
Zatanna (clinking her cup against his): "*To fear and marriage.*"
They drank, and for a moment, it felt like old times. Just John and Zatanna, two magicians against the world.
Constantine (setting down his cup): "So when's the wedding?"
Zatanna: "Few months, probably. Dad's planning most of it. It's going to be big. Fancy. Very *Italian mob*."
Constantine (grinning): "Sounds like a party."
Zatanna: "You'll come?"
Constantine (seriously): "Wouldn't miss it for the world, love. Someone's gotta make sure you don't accidentally *curse* the priest."
Zatanna (laughing): "I'm not going to *curse* the priest, Father Santino's a good man! Well, good for *our* standards"
Constantine: "You say that now..."
Zatanna (sobering): "Thank you, John. For *everything*. For taking me in. For teaching me. For not judging who I became."
Constantine (uncomfortable with emotion): "Yeah, well. You turned out alright, kid. Better than alright. You're bloody *terrifying* and I love that for you."
Zatanna (standing): "I should get home. Dick's probably worried."
Constantine (standing too): "Give him my regards. And tell him if he hurts you, I'll summon something nasty to haunt him for eternity."
Zatanna (grinning): "I'll let him know."
She moved to leave, then paused.
Zatanna (turning back): "And John?"
Constantine: "Yeah?"
Zatanna: "I'm glad you're okay."
Constantine (softly): "I'm glad you're happy, Zat-Zat."
She smiled, then left the diner, heading back to her car.
Constantine sat back down, finishing his coffee, a rare genuine smile on his face.
His kid was getting married.
To a *killer*, sure. But a killer who loved her. Who'd protect her. Who saw her darkness and didn't flinch.
That was all Constantine could ask for.
He stood, dropped some cash on the table, and headed out into Gotham's night.
He had a wedding to prepare for.
And maybe, *just maybe*, he'd even wear a *suit*.
-----
***[Dick & Zatanna's Apartment, Gotham - 12:34 AM]***
Zatanna opened the door to find Dick on the couch with Rose and Grant, all three of them with beers and laughing about something.
Dick looked up immediately, his face lighting up.
Dick: "Zee!"
He stood, moving to her, pulling her into a hug.
Dick (quietly): "You okay? Who was the friend?"
Zatanna (pulling back to look at him): "Constantine. He wanted to congratulate us. And threaten you a little."
Dick (grinning): "Of course he did."
Rose (standing): "So... *You're* the woman who's crazy enough to marry good ol' *Dickie boy* here."
Zatanna (turning, seeing Rose and Grant for the first time): "And you are?"
Dick (gesturing): "Zee, this is Rose and Grant. My... well, my *siblings*, basically."
Zatanna (smiling): "I've heard about you both. Dick talks about you sometimes."
Grant (surprised): "He does?"
Dick (shrugging): "You're family. Of course I do."
Rose (extending her hand to Zatanna): "Nice to finally meet you. Dick's told us absolutely *nothing *about you, so we're flying blind here."
Zatanna (shaking her hand): "I'm Zatanna. I do magic, kill people occasionally, and apparently I'm marrying this *dumbass* (pointing her thumb at Dick)."
Rose (grinning): "I like her already."
Grant (also shaking her hand): "Welcome to the dysfunctional family, Zatanna. Fair warning: we're all varying degrees of fucked up."
Zatanna (smirking): "So am I. I'll fit right in."
The four of them stood there for a moment—this makeshift family, forged in darkness and blood and survival.
Then Rose (checking her watch): "Alright, we should get going. Got a flight to catch in a few hours."
Dick: "Back to Berlin and Moscow?"
Grant: "For now. But we'll be back for the wedding. *Promise*, on Jericho's soul."
Rose: "He swore on Jericho! We can't back down now."
Rose (hugging Dick): "Take care of yourself, bigger brother. And take care of her."
Dick (hugging back): "Always."
Grant (clapping Dick on the shoulder): "Don't fuck this up, *Grayson*."
Dick (grinning): "I won't."
They said their goodbyes to Zatanna—Rose giving her a quick hug, Grant offering a respectful nod—and then they were gone, disappearing out the window the same way they'd come in.
Zatanna and Dick stood in the quiet apartment, alone finally.
Zatanna (leaning into him): "Your family's... *interesting*."
Dick (laughing): "That's *one word* for it."
Zatanna: "Constantine's coming to the wedding. Rose and Grant too. Slade. Wintergreen. Giovanni. The whole underworld, probably."
Dick (wrapping his arms around her): "It's going to be *chaos*."
Zatanna (smiling up at him): "The *best* kind of chaos."
Dick (kissing her forehead): "Yeah. It really is."
They stood there for a moment, just holding each other.
Outside, Gotham continued its endless night.
But here, in their apartment, they were home.
Together.
*Always.*
Chapter 19: Part 19
Chapter Text
[Evil/Villain Couple Chalant! Absolute Universe AU!] (Part 19)
[Blüdhaven Docks - Two Weeks Before]
The contract should have been simple.
Extraction job. Get the target out of the warehouse, eliminate any resistance, get paid. Dick and Zatanna had done a dozen jobs like this.
But nothing ever stayed simple in Gotham.
Dick (behind cover, reloading): "Zee, how many on your side?"
Zatanna (crouched behind a shipping container): "Four—no, five. They keep calling for backup!"
Dick: "Same here. We need to move before—"
An explosion rocked the warehouse. Someone had brought grenades.
Zatanna: "DLEIHS!"
A shimmering barrier erupted around them both, deflecting shrapnel.
Dick (moving up, firing): "Cover me, I'm going for the target!"
Zatanna (hands glowing with magic): "Got you!"
She stood, unleashing a barrage of force blasts. Men flew backward, weapons clattering.
Dick moved through the chaos like a dancer, precise and deadly. Two shots, two bodies. He reached the hostage—a terrified accountant who'd stolen from the wrong people—and started cutting him free.
Dick: "Got him! Zee, clear us a path!"
Zatanna: "On it! EKAM A HTAP, RAELC EHT YAW!"
The enemies between them and the exit suddenly found themselves thrown aside by invisible force.
They were almost out. Almost safe.
Dick had the target, Zatanna was covering their retreat, and—
*CRACK*
The sound of a sniper rifle, distant but unmistakable.
Dick stumbled.
For a moment, he didn't understand what happened. There was just... pressure. In his chest. Hot and spreading.
He looked down.
Blood.
So much blood.
Dick (voice weak): "Zee..."
Zatanna turned just in time to see him fall.
Zatanna: "DICK!"
Time seemed to slow. She watched him collapse, watched the blood spreading across his tactical vest, watched his eyes go unfocused.
She was moving before she even realized it, sprinting to him, sliding to her knees beside him.
Zatanna (hands shaking as she pressed them to his chest): "No, no, no, no—Dick, stay with me!"
Dick (gasping, blood bubbling at his lips): "Zee... I can't... can't breathe..."
Zatanna (voice breaking): "I know, baby, I know. Just hold on. Hold on!"
Her hands glowed purple, magic flooding into him—healing spells, stabilization spells, anything she could think of. But there was so much blood. Too much.
The bullet had gone clean through. Punctured his lung. Maybe his heart. She couldn't tell. Couldn't focus. Couldn't think.
Dick's hand came up weakly, touching her face.
Dick (barely audible): "Love... you..."
Zatanna (tears streaming): "Don't you dare. Don't you dare say goodbye to me. You're going to be fine!"
But his eyes were closing.
Zatanna: "DICK! Dick, please! Please don't leave me!"
Around them, the enemies were regrouping. Moving closer.
Something in Zatanna broke.
She looked up, and her eyes weren't blue anymore. They were black. Completely black. Voids of pure rage and magic.
Zatanna (voice not quite her own, layered and terrible): "YOU HURT HIM."
The temperature dropped. The lights flickered and shattered. The air itself seemed to scream.
One of the men (backing away): "Oh shit, oh shit—"
Zatanna (standing, magic erupting from her like a storm): "LLIK MEHT LLA."
It wasn't even a fight.
It was an execution.
Men exploded into red mist. Others were torn apart by invisible force. Some tried to run and found themselves frozen mid-step before being crushed like insects.
The sniper in the building across the street—the one who'd shot Dick—had time to see Zatanna look up at him, lock eyes across the distance.
Then his entire floor imploded.
Zatanna walked through the carnage like a goddess of death, magic crackling around her, leaving nothing alive in her wake.
When the last body fell, she turned back to Dick.
The rage drained from her eyes, replaced by terror.
She collapsed beside him again, gathering him into her arms.
Zatanna (voice shaking): "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, I had to—I couldn't let them—"
Dick wasn't responding. His breathing was shallow, labored. His face was pale, lips turning blue.
Zatanna (looking around desperately): "Help! Someone help!"
But there was no one. Just bodies. Just death.
Just her and Dick, bleeding out in her arms.
Zatanna (closing her eyes, gathering every ounce of magic she had left): "Papa. Papa, please hear me. Papa!"
She placed one hand on Dick's chest, the other raised toward the sky.
Zatanna: "EKAT SU OT YM REHTAF. WON! ESAELP!"
Purple smoke exploded around them.
And they were gone.
[Giovanni's Office - Giovanni's Italian Restaurant, New York]
Giovanni was reviewing ledgers when purple smoke suddenly filled his office.
He was on his feet instantly, hand going to the gun in his desk—
Then he saw them.
Zatanna, covered in blood and ash, eyes wild.
And Dick, limp in her arms, chest barely moving.
Giovanni: "SANTA MARIA!"
Zatanna (voice breaking): "Papa, he's—he got shot—I can't—I can't stop the bleeding—"
Giovanni was already at his phone, barking orders in rapid Italian.
Giovanni: "Dr. Russo! Get here NOW! Bring everything!"
He moved to them, helping Zatanna lower Dick onto the couch.
Giovanni (checking Dick's pulse, face grave): "Mia piccola, what happened?"
Zatanna (hands still glowing, still trying to heal): "Sniper. Chest shot. Through and through. I think it hit his lung. Maybe his heart. I don't know, I can't—I can't tell—"
Her voice cracked completely.
Giovanni (taking her face in his hands): "Zatanna. Listen to me. You need to breathe. Russo will be here in minutes. He'll help."
Zatanna (sobbing): "There's so much blood, Papa. So much blood."
Giovanni pulled her into his arms, letting her cry for just a moment, while keeping pressure on Dick's wound with his other hand.
The door burst open. Dr. Russo—an older man with steady hands and no questions—rushed in with a medical bag.
Dr. Russo (assessing quickly): "Gunshot wound, through and through. How long ago?"
Zatanna (pulling away from Giovanni): "Ten minutes. Maybe less. I used magic to keep him stable but—"
Dr. Russo: "Good. That might have saved his life. I need to get him to the medical room. Now."
Giovanni: "Take him. Do whatever you need to do. Cost is not a concern."
Dr. Russo and two of Giovanni's men carefully lifted Dick, rushing him out of the office.
Zatanna moved to follow, but Giovanni caught her arm.
Giovanni: "Let them work, piccola. You've done all you can."
Zatanna (desperately): "But he needs—I should—"
Giovanni: "You should sit. Breathe. And trust Russo. He's the best."
Zatanna stared at the door Dick had just been carried through, then collapsed into her father's arms, sobbing.
[Five Days Later]
Dick hadn't woken up.
Dr. Russo had removed the bullet fragments, repaired the lung, stopped the internal bleeding. He'd done everything right.
But Dick remained unconscious. Stable, but unconscious.
And Zatanna hadn't left his side.
She sat in a chair beside the medical bed in Giovanni's private infirmary, holding Dick's hand, staring at his face.
She looked haunted.
Her usually perfect curls were a tangled mess, pulled back in a haphazard ponytail. Dark circles shadowed her eyes—deep and purple, like bruises. She'd barely eaten. Could barely drink water without feeling nauseous.
Giovanni brought food. She pushed it away.
He brought water. She took a sip and forgot about it.
All she could do was watch Dick breathe. Count each rise and fall of his chest. Make sure he was still there.
On the third day, Slade arrived.
He walked into the infirmary without knocking, Wintergreen close behind.
Slade stopped when he saw Dick—his protégé, his son in all the ways that mattered—hooked up to machines, pale and still.
Slade's jaw clenched.
Slade (voice low): "What the fuck happened?"
Zatanna (not looking away from Dick): "Sniper. We were extracting a target. Got caught in a firefight. I was watching our six but—"
Her voice broke.
Zatanna: "I didn't see him. The sniper. Not until it was too late."
Slade moved closer, studying Dick's vitals on the monitors.
Slade: "Russo's work?"
Zatanna (nodding): "He saved him. Got the bullet out. Fixed his lung. But he won't—he won't wake up."
Wintergreen (gently): "Zatanna, lass, when did you last eat?"
Zatanna: "I don't know. Yesterday? The day before?"
Wintergreen (exchanging a glance with Slade): "I'll bring something."
Slade (sitting in the chair on the other side of Dick's bed): "He's strong, witch. Stronger than most. He'll wake up."
Zatanna (finally looking at him, eyes red): "You don't know that."
Slade: "I trained him. I know exactly what he can survive. This? This isn't enough to kill Dick Grayson."
Zatanna wanted to believe him. Desperately wanted to believe him.
But Dick looked so pale. So still.
Slade (reaching out, touching Dick's shoulder): "Come on, kid. Wake up. You're scaring your girl."
Nothing.
Slade pulled his hand back, expression carefully neutral.
But Zatanna saw the tension in his jaw. The worry he wouldn't voice.
Even Slade, as much as the man was, was scared.
[Day Six]
Rose and Grant arrived together, flying in from Berlin and Moscow.
They stood in the doorway of the infirmary, staring at their brother—not by blood, but by survival—lying motionless in the bed.
Rose (voice thick): "Fucking hell."
Grant (moving to the bed): "How bad?"
Zatanna (mechanically): "Through and through. Collapsed lung. Lost a lot of blood. Surgery went well. But he won't wake up."
Rose (looking at Zatanna properly for the first time): "Jesus, Zatanna. When did you last sleep?"
Zatanna: "I can't sleep. Not until he wakes up."
Grant: "That's not healthy."
Zatanna (voice sharp): "I don't care about healthy. I care about him."
Rose and Grant exchanged glances.
Rose (sitting on the edge of Dick's bed): "Hey, Dickie. You're supposed to be getting married, remember? Can't do that if you're sleeping on the job."
Nothing.
Grant (awkwardly patting Dick's leg): "Yeah, man. Wake up. Zee's losing it without you."
Still nothing.
Rose's eyes filled with tears. She wiped them away roughly.
Rose (standing): "We'll be back. We're staying in the city until he wakes up."
Zatanna (quietly): "Thank you."
After they left, Zatanna went back to watching Dick breathe.
[Day Seven]
Constantine showed up smelling of cigarettes and whiskey.
He took one look at Dick, then at Zatanna, and sighed.
Constantine: "Bloody hell, Zat-Zat."
Zatanna (dully): "Hi, John."
Constantine (pulling up a chair): "How you holding up?"
Zatanna (laughing bitterly): "How do you think?"
Constantine lit a cigarette, offering her one. She shook her head.
Constantine: "Want me to try a healing spell? I know a few that might—"
Zatanna (interrupting): "I've tried everything. Every spell I know. Nothing works. His body's healing but he's... he's not here, John."
Constantine (studying Dick): "Might be his soul needing time. Trauma does that sometimes. Body heals, but the spirit needs to catch up."
Zatanna: "So what do I do?"
Constantine (softly): "You wait. You stay with him. You let him know you're here."
Zatanna (voice breaking): "I can't lose him, John... I can't."
Constantine (stubbing out his cigarette): "You won't. He's too stubborn to die. Trust me, I've seen men like him. They don't go down easy."
Zatanna wanted to believe him.
God, she wanted to believe him.
[Day Eight]
Bruce arrived in the afternoon.
Giovanni's men didn't stop him, Giovanni had given explicit orders. No violence. Let the Batman visit.
Bruce walked into the infirmary still in his tactical suit, cowl down.
He stopped when he saw Dick.
His cousin. His family.
Pale, still, barely breathing.
Bruce (voice rough): "Zatanna."
Zatanna (not looking up): "Bruce."
Bruce moved closer, taking in Dick's condition.
Bruce: "Giovanni called me. Told me what happened."
Zatanna: "Did he also tell you I killed everyone there? Every single person who might have pulled the fucking trigger?"
Bruce (quietly): "He mentioned it."
Zatanna (finally looking at him, eyes blazing): "And are you here to lecture me? To tell me it was wrong? That I should have shown mercy?"
Bruce stared at her—this woman his cousin loved, who looked like she'd been through hell and back.
Bruce: "No. I'm here to see if Dick's okay. And to see if you're okay."
Zatanna (laughing bitterly): "Do I look okay?"
Bruce (after a pause): "No. You look like someone who almost lost everything."
Zatanna's anger deflated. She looked back at Dick.
Zatanna (softly): "I did. I almost lost him, Bruce. One second he was fine, and then—"
Her voice broke.
Bruce (awkwardly): "He's strong. Stronger than anyone I know. He'll wake up."
Zatanna: "Everyone keeps saying that. But it's been eight days."
Bruce (sitting on the other side of the bed): "Then we wait. For however long it takes."
Zatanna looked at him, surprised.
Bruce: "He's family. That means something. To both of us."
Zatanna (eyes filling with tears): "I thought you hated what we are. What we do."
Bruce: "It's the things that you both do that I hate. I don't hate you. Or him. And right now, that's what matters."
They sat in silence, both watching Dick breathe.
After a while, Bruce stood.
Bruce: "I'll come back tomorrow. If you need anything—medical equipment, specialists, anything—call me. I know a guy that works for MI6, maybe I can pull in a favour."
Zatanna (quietly): "Thank you."
Bruce (at the door, turning back): "He'd hate seeing you like this, you know. Not eating. Not sleeping. He'd tell you to take care of yourself."
Zatanna (smiling sadly): "I know. But I can't. Not yet."
Bruce nodded and left.
[Day Twelve]
There were two women standing in the doorway when Zatanna looked up.
Artemis Crock; a tall, blonde, athletic, wearing jeans and a leather jacket, carrying a bag of takeout.
And beside her, another woman. Dark hair, sharp features, intense eyes. Dressed in dark purple and black, a silver cross pendant visible at her neck. Helena Bertinelli.
Artemis (stepping forward): "Zee..."
Zatanna looked up, and when she saw them both, something in her face crumpled.
Artemis dropped the food and rushed to her, Helena right behind. They pulled her into a fierce hug, one on each side.
Artemis: "We came as soon as we heard."
Helena (voice low, accented—Italian-American): "Arty called me. Told me what happened."
Zatanna (clutching them both): "I—I can't—"
Helena (holding her tighter): "Shh. We're here now."
Zatanna sobbed into their shoulders—ugly, wrenching sobs that she'd been holding back for days.
Artemis and Helena just held her, letting her cry, providing the support only old friends could give.
When Zatanna finally pulled back, both women got a good look at her.
Helena (gently but firmly): "When did you last eat? Sleep? Shower?"
Zatanna: "I... I don't know."
Artemis (exchanging a glance with Helena): "Okay. Here's what's going to happen."
Helena (taking charge): "Arty and I are going to sit with Dick. You're going to shower, change clothes, eat something. Then you can come back."
Zatanna (shaking her head): "I can't leave him."
Artemis: "We'll be right here. Both of us. I promise. If anything changes—anything—we'll get you immediately."
Helena (placing a hand on Zatanna's shoulder): "Zee, you're running yourself into the ground. Dick wouldn't want that. You know he wouldn't."
Zatanna looked at Dick, then back at her friends.
Zatanna: "Twenty minutes. That's it."
Helena: "Deal."
Twenty minutes turned into thirty. Zatanna showered, changed into clean clothes Giovanni had kept around, and forced herself to eat half a sandwich while Artemis and Helena made sure she finished it.
She felt marginally more human when she returned.
Artemis and Helena were sitting on either side of Dick's bed. Artemis was holding his hand, talking to him quietly. Helena was checking his vitals with the practiced eye of someone who'd spent too much time in field hospitals.
Artemis: "—and then Zee absolutely destroyed the guy. I'd never seen anyone use a banishing spell as a weapon before, but she managed it. You should've seen his face."
Helena (to Dick, voice soft): "Your girl's a badass, Grayson. But you already knew that."
Zatanna (from the doorway): "You're telling him stories?"
Artemis (looking up, smiling): "Wally says coma patients can sometimes hear. Figured we'd keep him company while you were gone."
Helena (standing, gesturing to the chair): "And I was checking his readings. Everything looks stable. Dr. Russo did good work."
Zatanna (moving to her usual chair): "How do you know about field medicine?"
Helena (sitting back down): "Grew up in a mob family too, remember? You learn to patch people up when they can't go to hospitals."
Zatanna: "Right. The Bertinellis."
Helena's expression darkened slightly at the mention of her family name, but she nodded.
They sat in silence for a moment.
Artemis (carefully): "Constantine told us you were getting married. Congratulations."
Zatanna (voice hollow): "Feels like a lifetime ago."
Helena (reaching across to squeeze her hand): "You'll still get married. When he wakes up. You'll have the wedding, the dress, all of it."
Zatanna: "If he wakes up."
Helena (firmly): "When. Not if. When. I've seen men survive worse. And Dick? Deathstroke didn’t raise no pussy. He's too stubborn to die, especially when he has you waiting for him."
Artemis: "She's right. This isn't how his story ends, Zee."
Zatanna wanted to believe them.
God, she wanted to believe them.
Helena (after a pause): "I brought something. From Gotham."
She reached into her jacket and pulled out a small wooden rosary, dark beads worn smooth with use.
Helena: "It was my mother's. She gave it to me before... before everything went to shit. I've carried it through every job, every fight. It's kept me safe."
She pressed it into Zatanna's hands.
Helena: "I want you to have it. For Dick. For both of you."
Zatanna (tears forming): "Helena, I can't—this is your mother's—"
Helena (closing Zatanna's fingers around the beads): "Don’t worry, I have my father’s (she flashes her rosary necklace, once owned by her father). Your mom's watching over you, right? Well, mine can watch over Dick just as she does to me. Between the two of them and whatever cosmic forces are listening, he'll make it."
Zatanna (voice breaking): "Thank you."
Helena pulled her into another hug.
Helena (whispering): "We're family, Zee. You, me, Arty. We take care of each other."
Artemis joined the hug, and for a moment, the three women—assassins, mercenaries, survivors—held each other in that sterile room.
When they pulled apart, Helena wiped her eyes quickly.
Helena (clearing her throat): "Alright. Enough emotions. Who wants coffee? Because I'm pretty sure we three need the caffeine."
Artemis (grinning): "I'll go with you. Zee, we'll bring you back something too."
Zatanna (nodding): "Thank you. Both of you."
After they left, Zatanna looked down at the rosary in her hands. She wasn't religious—not in the traditional sense—but the weight of it, the history, the love it represented, meant something.
She draped it carefully over Dick's hand, the beads resting against his still fingers.
Zatanna (whispering): "You hear that, baby? You've got three mothers watching over you now. Mine, Helena's, and yours. So you better wake up. Because I'm not done with you yet."
[Later That Evening]
Artemis and Helena had settled in for the long haul. Artemis had called Wally to let him know she'd be staying in New York for a few days. Helena had sent a message to her own contacts in Gotham, putting her jobs on hold.
They took turns keeping Zatanna company, telling stories, making sure she ate and drank water. They talked about old jobs, about close calls, about the insanity of their lives.
Helena (leaning back in her chair): "Remember that job in… I think it was in Mexico? The one with the arms dealer?"
Artemis (groaning): "Oh God, don't remind me. That was a disaster."
Zatanna (almost smiling): "You two set fire to an entire warehouse."
Helena (grinning): "In our defense, he shot first."
Artemis: "And the fire was mostly contained."
Helena: "Mostly."
They all laughed—soft, tired, but genuine.
Zatanna (looking at both of them): "I don't know what I'd do without you two."
Helena: "Good thing you'll never have to find out."
Artemis: "We're in this together. Always have been."
The door opened. Giovanni entered, carrying a tray with tea and pastries from his restaurant.
Giovanni (to Artemis and Helena): "Thank you. For being here. For taking care of my daughter."
Helena (standing, respectful): "Mr. Zatara. Of course."
Artemis (also standing): "She's our friend. This is what friends do."
Giovanni (setting down the tray): "Still. I'm grateful. Both of you are welcome at my table anytime."
Helena (understanding the weight of that offer): "That's... that's very generous. Thank you."
Giovanni (to Zatanna): "How are you holding up, piccola?"
Zatanna: "Better. Now that they're here."
Giovanni (nodding): "Good. I'll leave you girls to it. But Zatanna—get some sleep tonight. Real sleep. Doctor's orders."
Zatanna started to protest, but Helena cut her off.
Helena: "We'll stay with him. Both of us. If anything changes, we'll wake you immediately."
Artemis: "You need rest, Zee. You're no good to Dick if you collapse from exhaustion."
Zatanna looked at Dick, then at her friends, then at her father.
Zatanna (finally): "Okay. A few hours. But you wake me if anything—anything—happens."
Helena: "Promise."
[Late Night - Day Thirteen]
Zatanna did sleep—for three hours, the first real sleep she'd had in nearly two weeks. When she woke, she found Artemis and Helena exactly where they'd been, keeping vigil.
Helena was reading aloud from a book—some thriller novel—her voice soft and steady. Artemis was dozing in her chair, head tilted back, but would wake at any sound.
Zatanna (from the doorway): "You two don't have to stay all night."
Helena (looking up): "We're not leaving."
Artemis (opening her eyes): "What she said."
Zatanna (moving back to her chair): "Thank you."
The three of them sat in comfortable silence, the machines beeping steadily, Dick's chest rising and falling.
Helena (after a while): "He's going to wake up, Zee. I know he is."
Artemis: "And when he does, we're all going to have a very long talk about better tactical planning."
Zatanna (almost laughing): "He'll love that."
Helena (grinning): "Oh, I'm sure he will."
As dawn broke on Day Fourteen, Zatanna sat holding Dick's hand, flanked by her two closest friends, her father's rosary draped over their joined hands.
She wasn't alone anymore.
And somehow, that made all the difference.
Zatanna (whispering to Dick): "You hear that, baby? The girls are here. Artemis and Helena. They're not leaving until you wake up. So you better hurry, because Helena's getting cranky about the coffee situation."
Helena (overhearing): "I heard that."
Zatanna (smiling for the first time in days): "I know."
And as the sun rose over New York City, bringing Day Fourteen, Zatanna felt something she hadn't felt in weeks.
Hope.
Real, fragile, precious hope.
Dick was going to wake up.
He had to.
Because she had too many people who loved him, who were waiting for him, who refused to let him go.
And that had to count for something.
Zatanna (squeezing his hand): "Come back to us, Dick. We're all waiting."
The machines beeped.
His chest rose and fell.
And somewhere, deep in whatever darkness he was fighting through, Dick Grayson heard his name.
And started climbing toward it.
Chapter 20: Part 20
Chapter Text
[Evil/Villain Couple Chalant! Absolute Universe AU!] (Part 20)
(WARNING: EXTREMELY GRAPHIC SCENES - VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED)
[Giovanni's Private Conference Room - Day Fourteen]
The room was packed with made men—capos, underbosses, soldiers. Giovanni Zatara's entire operation, plus representatives from allied families. The air was thick with cigar smoke and tension.
Giovanni stood at the head of the table, hands planted flat on the surface, his expression carved from stone.
Giovanni: "We have confirmation. The entire job was a set up by The Consortium."
Murmurs rippled through the room.
Capo Rossini: "The Consortium? Those bastardi have been trying to move into our territory for months."
Giovanni: "It's worse than that. They're not just targeting us. They went after Renegade specifically because of his connections. Deathstroke's protégé. My future son-in-law. One of the most effective contractors in the underworld. They wanted to destabilize all of us at once."
Underboss Marconi: "How many organizations are we talking about?"
Giovanni: "Seven families. Corporate fronts. Mercenary groups. They've been consolidating power in Gotham and New York for the past year. The hit on Richard was their opening move in a larger war."
More murmurs, angrier now.
Giovanni: "Which is why we're going to end them. Completely. No survivors. No mercy. We burn The Consortium to the ground."
The room erupted in agreement—voices overlapping, hands slamming on tables.
Then, from the back of the room, a voice cut through the noise like a blade.
Zatanna: "I'll do it."
Everyone turned to look.
Zatanna stood in the shadows near the door, arms crossed. She looked like death personified—dark circles under her eyes, hair pulled back severely, wearing all black tactical gear.
Giovanni: "Mia piccola—"
Zatanna (stepping forward): "I said I'll do it. The Consortium. All of them. I'll handle it."
Capo Rossini: "With all due respect, Miss Zatara, this is a coordinated strike. We'll need multiple men—"
Zatanna (voice cold): "I don't need teams. I need targets."
Giovanni (standing): "Zatanna, you haven't slept in two weeks. You've barely eaten. You're not thinking clearly—"
Zatanna (slamming her hand on the table, magic crackling): "I'm thinking perfectly clearly, Papa. They tried to kill the man I love. They shot him. He's still lying in that bed, unconscious, because of them. So I'm going to make them pay."
The room went silent.
Giovanni (voice softer now): "We almost lost Richard. He's still fighting for his life. I can't bear the thought of losing you too, piccola."
Zatanna: "You won't lose me. But I am doing this. With or without your blessing."
Giovanni stared at his daughter—at the woman she'd become. Fierce. Deadly. Driven by love and rage in equal measure.
He recognized that look. Sindella had worn it once, when someone had threatened him years ago.
Giovanni (after a long moment): "Then you have my blessing. And every resource we have."
Zatanna: "I don't need resources. Just addresses."
Underboss Marconi pulled out a folder, sliding it across the table.
Marconi: "Seven locations. Warehouses, offices, safehouses. They're spread across Gotham and New York. The main leadership meets at a penthouse in Midtown Manhattan."
Zatanna picked up the folder, flipping through it.
Zatanna: "I'll start in Gotham. Work my way to New York. Save the leadership for last."
She turned to leave.
Giovanni: "Zatanna."
She stopped, looking back.
Giovanni: "Make them suffer."
Zatanna's lips curved into something that wasn't quite a smile.
Zatanna: "I intend to."
[Zatanna's Room, The Upper Floors of Giovanni's HQ - 2:00 AM]
Zatanna was loading everything she needed into a duffel bag—guns, knives, spell components—when she heard footsteps behind her.
She turned, hand going to the knife at her hip—
Then she saw them.
Artemis Crock, Helena Bertinelli, Grant Wilson, and Rose Wilson, all dressed in tactical gear, all armed.
Artemis: "Zee..."
Zatanna (defensive): "I'm not apologizing for anything, Arty. They almost killed him! He's still fighting for his life in there! I'm doing this and you four can't stop me."
Grant: "We know."
Rose: "That's why we're coming with you."
Helena (stepping forward, crossbow in hand): "All four of us."
Artemis: "Did you really think we'd let you do this alone?"
Zatanna stared at them, speechless.
Zatanna (voice shaking): "Guys... You don't have to..."
Grant (stepping forward): "We insist."
Rose: "No one tries to kill a Wilson and gets away with it, blood or not. Dick's our brother. That makes this personal."
Helena (voice hard): "My family used to run with people like The Consortium. I know how they operate. And I know how to make them bleed."
Zatanna looked at Artemis.
Zatanna: "But you're retired! What would your husband think?"
Artemis (checking her bow): "What Wally doesn't know won't kill him. Besides, I made a promise to myself a long time ago—if someone hurts the people I care about, retirement doesn't mean jack shit. And you're not turning me down, Zee."
Zatanna's eyes filled with tears.
Zatanna: "Thank you. All of you."
Grant (grinning): "Don't get sentimental yet. We've got work to do."
Rose: "So what's the plan?"
Zatanna (wiping her eyes, pulling out the folder): "Seven locations. Seven organizations. We hit them all in one night. Fast. Brutal. No survivors."
Helena (loading her crossbow with lethal bolts): "Any of them expecting trouble?"
Zatanna: "They know my father’s pissed. They probably have security. But they don't know I'm coming."
Helena (dark smile): "Good. I’m familiar with their security protocols. Their weaknesses."
Grant: "Then they're already dead. They just don't know it yet."
[Location One: Consortium Warehouse - Gotham Harbor - 3:15 AM]
The warehouse was guarded—eight men outside, more inside. Lights on. Security cameras. Standard setup.
They never stood a chance.
Zatanna appeared in the middle of the compound in a swirl of purple smoke, Rose and Grant flanking her, Artemis and Helena on rooftops across the street—Artemis with her bow, Helena with her crossbow.
The guards had time to register her presence.
Time to reach for their weapons.
Then Zatanna raised her hands.
Zatanna: "EZYLARAP MEHT!"
Every guard froze mid-motion, bodies locked in place by invisible force.
Grant and Rose moved through them like shadows, methodically slitting throats. Clean. Efficient. Silent.
Within thirty seconds, the exterior was clear.
Artemis (over comms): "Clear from my position. Moving to join you."
Helena (over comms): "Same. Six down from my angle."
They breached the warehouse door.
Inside, more guards—a dozen? Maybe more. Some playing cards. Some sleeping. None expecting an assault.
Zatanna didn't give them time to react.
Zatanna: "NRUB!"
Fire erupted across the warehouse floor, not natural fire but magical fire—blue-white flames that burned hotter than any earthly flame.
Men screamed, trying to run, but Grant was already among them, his sword a blur of motion. Bodies fell, blood spraying.
Rose moved like a ghost, knives flashing. One man tried to shoot her—she deflected the bullet with her blade, closed the distance, and drove both knives through his chest.
Artemis took up position at the entrance, bow singing. Anyone who tried to escape met an arrow through the eye or throat.
Helena moved through the warehouse like a wraith, crossbow firing with deadly precision. Bolts through necks, through hearts, through skulls. She'd learned to kill from her family—the Bertinellis had taught her well before they were massacred.
In the center of the carnage, Zatanna walked forward, hands glowing.
One man—braver or more foolish than the rest—pulled a gun, aiming at her head.
He pulled the trigger.
The bullet stopped mid-air, hovering inches from Zatanna's face.
She looked at it. Then at him.
Zatanna: "NRUTER OT REDNES."
The bullet reversed direction, tearing back through the air, punching through the man's skull. He dropped, dead before he hit the ground.
Within five minutes, the warehouse was silent except for the crackling of magical fire.
Twenty-three bodies. No survivors.
Grant (wiping his blade): "One down."
Rose: "Six to go."
Artemis (checking her arrows): "That was almost too easy."
Helena (reloading her crossbow): "They weren't expecting us. The next ones will be harder."
Zatanna (looking around at the carnage, feeling nothing): "Let's move. Before someone calls it in."
[Location Two: Consortium Safehouse, Gotham Narrows - 4:30 AM]
This one was residential—a brownstone converted into a safehouse. Quieter. More discreet.
Zatanna didn't care about discreet.
She walked up to the front door and placed her hand against it.
Zatanna (voice low): "EDOLPXE."
The entire front of the building exploded outward, bricks and wood disintegrating in a blast of force.
Alarms screamed. Men shouted, scrambling for weapons.
Grant and Rose charged in through the smoke and debris.
The first man they encountered got Grant's blade through his throat before he could even raise his gun.
The second met Rose's knife in his eye socket.
Artemis and Helena stayed outside—Artemis covering the windows, Helena covering the back exit. Both firing whenever a target presented itself.
Inside, Zatanna moved through rooms methodically.
A man burst out of a bedroom, shotgun raised—
Zatanna: "HSURC."
Invisible force compressed around him. His ribs shattered. His organs ruptured. He collapsed, choking on his own blood.
In the living room, three men tried to barricade themselves behind overturned furniture.
Zatanna raised both hands.
Zatanna: "SETIMGALATS MORF WOLEB!"
Stone spikes erupted from the floor, impaling all three men simultaneously. They died screaming.
Grant kicked down a door to find two men cowering in a bathroom.
Grant: "Wrong place to hide, boys."
His sword sang twice. Two bodies fell.
In the basement, Rose found the Consortium's records—ledgers, contacts, operational details.
Rose (over comms): "Found their files. Want me to grab them?"
Zatanna (appearing in the doorway): "Burn them. Burn everything."
Rose nodded, pulling out an incendiary grenade.
By the time they left, the safehouse was an inferno.
Fourteen more bodies. No survivors.
Grant: "Scorched earth. Fuck them all.”
Helena (as they walked away): "Total annihilation. We leave nothing standing."
Zatanna (coldly): "Good. I want them to know we're coming."
[Location Three: Consortium Office, Financial District - 6:00 AM]
This location was trickier—a legitimate business front in a high-rise. Civilians nearby. Couldn't just blow it up.
So they went subtle.
Artemis disabled the security cameras with EMPs. Rose picked the locks. Grant cleared the stairwells. Helena scouted ahead, identifying guards and weak points. Zatanna provided magical concealment.
They reached the eighteenth floor where The Consortium's "accounting firm" operated.
There were nine people inside when they breached—six guards, three accountants.
Grant took the guards. Fast. Brutal. His blade moved like liquid death, opening throats and puncturing hearts.
Rose and Helena handled the accountants.
One of them—a middle-aged woman—tried to run. Helena caught her with a crossbow bolt through the calf, dropping her. Rose finished it with a knife across the throat.
Another tried to call for help. Grant put a bullet through his hand, then his head.
The third just sat there, frozen in terror, as Zatanna approached.
Zatanna: "You kept the records. The money. The payments for the hit on Renegade."
The accountant (stammering): "I-I was just following orders! I didn't—"
Zatanna: "TLEM."
The man's skin began to bubble and melt, sliding off his bones like wax. He screamed until his vocal cords liquefied.
When he stopped moving, Zatanna turned to the others.
Zatanna: "Clear out the hard drives. Everything. Then we burn it."
Artemis was already at the computers, downloading files to a secure drive before wiping them completely.
They left the office looking like a slaughterhouse.
Nine more bodies.
The sun was starting to rise.
Helena (as they exited): "Three down. Four to go. We're making good time."
[Location Four: Consortium Warehouse - Brooklyn - 8:45 AM]
This warehouse was bigger. More guards. Heavy weapons. They were expecting trouble now—word was spreading.
Good.
Zatanna wanted them to know she was coming.
This time, they didn't bother with stealth.
Zatanna teleported them directly into the center of the warehouse, right in the middle of the Consortium's forces.
Thirty men. Automatic weapons. Body armor.
It didn't matter.
Zatanna threw up her hands.
Zatanna: "DNIWLRIHW!"
A whirlwind erupted around them—a vortex of cutting wind that tore through the warehouse like a buzzsaw.
Men were lifted off their feet, shredded by the wind, body parts raining down like confetti.
Those who survived the initial blast found themselves facing Grant, Rose, Helena, and Artemis.
Grant moved through them like a machine, sword and gun working in tandem. Blade through a throat, bullet through a skull, blade through a heart. Over and over. Mechanical. Precise.
Rose was faster, smaller, harder to hit. She danced between gunfire, knives flashing. Every strike found a vital point—eyes, throats, arteries. Men fell around her like dominos.
Helena was methodical, her crossbow singing a song of death. She'd learned from the best—her family had been killers for generations before they were wiped out. Every bolt found its mark. Throat. Heart. Eye. She wasted nothing.
Artemis stayed at range, bow singing. Arrow after arrow finding targets—through visors, through gaps in armor, through open mouths. Each shot killed.
And Zatanna...
Zatanna was a goddess of destruction.
She pointed at a group of five men trying to flank them.
Zatanna: "EDOLPMI!"
They imploded. Bodies collapsing inward, crushed by their own mass until they were nothing but compressed meat.
Another group tried to rush her.
Zatanna: "LOIB MEHT OT HTAED!"
Their own blood betrayed them, boiling inside their veins, cooking them from the inside out. They dropped, steam rising from their mouths and eyes.
One man—desperate, terrified—threw a grenade.
Zatanna caught it mid-air with her magic, held it suspended for a heartbeat, then sent it back.
It exploded in his face.
Within ten minutes, the warehouse was silent.
Thirty bodies. Some recognizable. Some not.
Grant (breathing heavily): "Four down."
Rose (wiping blood from her face): "Three to go."
Helena (checking her bolts): "Running low. Need to restock."
Artemis (nodding): "Same here."
Zatanna (looking around, expression empty): "We'll stop at the next safehouse. My father’s people have supplies."
[Giovanni's Safehouse - Lower Manhattan - 11:00 AM]
They regrouped at one of Giovanni's secure locations. Cleaned weapons. Restocked ammunition. Changed out of blood-soaked gear.
Zatanna sat in a corner, staring at nothing.
Artemis (sitting beside her): "You okay?"
Zatanna (hollow): "I can't feel anything, Arty. I thought... I thought killing them would make me feel better. But I just feel empty."
Helena (sitting on her other side): "That's normal. You're running on adrenaline and rage. Trust me, I've been there. After my family was killed, I spent months hunting down everyone responsible. Felt nothing during it. The feelings came later."
Artemis: "When this is over, when Dick wakes up, then you'll feel it. All of it. But right now? You're in survival mode."
Zatanna: "What if he doesn't wake up? What if I'm doing all of this and he's already..."
Helena (firmly, gripping her hand): "Don't. Don't go there. Dick's strong. He's fighting. You know he is."
Artemis: "And when he wakes up, you're going to tell him what you did for him. How you burned down an entire criminal empire because they dared to hurt him."
Zatanna (voice breaking): "He'd probably be mad I risked myself."
Helena (almost smiling): "Maybe. But he'll also understand. Because he'd do the same for you. Hell, Rose told me about the whole Felix Faust thing? He already does. That's what people like us do—we protect our own. At any cost."
Zatanna (looking at Helena): "Your family... the Bertinellis... I'm sorry. For what happened to them."
Helena's jaw tightened, but she nodded.
Helena: "They were killed by people like The Consortium. Rival families who wanted territory. I was thirteen. My dad stashed me in the closet to try and save me. I watched it happen and I couldn't stop it."
She pulled her crossbow closer, checking the mechanism.
Helena: "So this? What we're doing? This is personal for me too. These bastardi are all the same. They think they can take whatever they want. Kill whoever they want. Today, they learn they can't."
From across the room, Grant and Rose were loading magazines.
Rose (quietly): "Bertinelli's got ice in her veins. I’ve heard about the Huntress. Working with her for real is way better than just hearing it from stories and words of mouth."
Grant: "She's good. Efficient. No wasted movement."
Rose: "Zatanna's lucky to have friends like her and Artemis."
Grant: "I guess this? Us all working together? It might be a recurring theme now. Dick gonna have one hell of a support system when he wakes up."
After an hour, they were ready.
Three locations left.
Including the penthouse where Consortium leadership was meeting.
Zatanna (standing, checking her weapons): "Let's finish this."
Helena (standing with her): "For Dick. And for everyone they've hurt."
[Location Five: Consortium Depot - Red Hook - 2:00 PM]
This was a weapons depot. Heavily fortified. Guard towers. Razorwire. Mines.
They hit it from above.
Zatanna teleported them onto the roof. Artemis and Helena planted explosives on the support beams while Rose and Grant provided cover.
When the explosives detonated, the entire building collapsed inward, floors pancaking on top of each other.
Men screamed as they fell, crushed by concrete and steel.
Those who survived the collapse found themselves trapped in the rubble.
Zatanna walked through the wreckage, stepping over bodies, searching for survivors.
She found three—pinned under debris, legs crushed, bleeding.
They begged for mercy.
Zatanna: "NRUB YLWOLS"
Fire consumed them. Slow. Agonizing. She watched until they stopped screaming.
Helena watched from nearby, expression carefully neutral. She'd seen this before. Done similar things. In their world, mercy was a luxury they couldn't afford.
No survivors.
[Location Six: Consortium Hideout, Queens - 4:30 PM]
This one was smaller. A residential house in a quiet neighborhood.
Six men inside. Low-level soldiers.
Rose and Grant went in through the front. Artemis and Helena through the back. Zatanna stayed outside, hands glowing, ready to intervene if needed.
She wasn't needed.
The sounds of violence were brief—gunshots, thuds, screams cut short, the thunk of crossbow bolts finding flesh.
Within three minutes, Rose emerged, wiping blood from her knife.
Rose: "Clear. Six down."
Grant (behind her): "Found something you should see."
Inside, on a desk in the back room, were surveillance photos.
Of Dick and Zatanna.
At restaurants. Walking together. Entering their apartment. At Giovanni's.
Someone had been watching them for months.
Zatanna stared at the photos, something cold settling in her chest.
Zatanna: "They were planning this for a long time."
Artemis (picking up one of the photos, examining it): "Professional surveillance. This is definitely mob work. They knew your routines, your patterns. They waited for the perfect moment to strike."
Helena’s expression darkened.
Helena: "This is exactly what they did to my family. Watched us for weeks before the hit."
Grant: "Which is why we're about to end them. Permanently."
Zatanna (gathering the photos, setting them on fire with a spell): "One more location. We take down the leadership and this is all over."
[Location Seven: Consortium Penthouse - Midtown Manhattan - 7:00 PM]
The penthouse occupied the top three floors of a luxury high-rise. Expensive. Exclusive. Sixty stories up.
Seven men were inside—the heads of the seven families that made up The Consortium. Meeting to discuss their "Renegade problem" and how to handle the Zatara family's inevitable response.
They were about to find out.
Zatanna teleported them directly into the penthouse's living room.
Purple smoke dissipated, revealing five figures dressed in black, armed and ready.
The seven men looked up from their meeting table, surprise registering on their faces.
One of them—a heavy-set man in an expensive suit—stood.
Don Castellano: "What the hell—"
Artemis put an arrow through his throat before he could finish.
The room erupted.
Guards poured in from side rooms—twenty, maybe more. Professionals. Well-armed.
It didn't matter.
Grant and Rose became blurs of motion, tearing through guards with brutal efficiency. Guns fired, blood sprayed, bodies fell.
Artemis moved to high ground, perching on the staircase railing, bow singing. Each arrow found a target—eye sockets, throats, hearts.
Helena took position near a pillar, crossbow firing with mechanical precision. She'd trained for this her whole life—the Bertinelli family had prepared her to be a killer. Now she used that training for something that mattered.
And Zatanna...
Zatanna walked through the chaos untouched.
Bullets came at her from every direction. She raised a hand, and they stopped mid-air, suspended by telekinesis. Dozens of bullets, frozen in time.
Zatanna: "NRUTER."
The bullets reversed, flying back to their shooters. Men collapsed, killed by their own weapons.
One of the Consortium leaders—a younger man in his thirties—pulled a pistol, aiming at Zatanna's head.
Before he could fire, Zatanna gestured.
Zatanna: "HSURC SIH DNAH."
His hand crumpled like paper, bones shattering. He screamed, dropping the gun.
Zatanna walked closer.
Zatanna: "You ordered the hit on Renegade."
The man (backing away): "It was business! Nothing personal! We were trying to—"
Zatanna: "EZYLARAP."
He froze mid-sentence, body locked in place.
Zatanna (voice cold): "It became personal when you shot the man I love."
She reached out, placing her hand on his chest.
Zatanna (whispering): "Kaerb yreve enob ni sih ydob."
He screamed as every bone in his body shattered simultaneously. He collapsed, unable to move, drowning in agony.
The last three Consortium leaders tried to run for the emergency exit.
Grant caught the first one, blade through the spine. He dropped, paralyzed.
Rose caught the second, both knives through the kidneys. She left him bleeding out on the floor.
The third made it to the door before Helena's crossbow bolt punched through the back of his skull. She'd learned from her family—Bertinellis didn't miss.
Within minutes, it was over.
The penthouse was a slaughterhouse.
Twenty-seven bodies. Seven Consortium leaders dead.
Zatanna stood in the center of it all, covered in blood and ash, breathing heavily.
Zatanna (to the paralyzed man still screaming): "This is what happens when you touch what's mine."
She turned away, leaving him to die slowly.
Grant: "It's done. The Consortium's finished."
Rose (agreeing): "You can say that again.”
Artemis: “Every leader dead. Every operation burned. They're gone."
Helena (reloading her crossbow, professional): "This is how it has to be. You leave one alive, they come back for revenge. My family learned that lesson too late."
Artemis (turning to Zatanna quietly): "Zee. We should go. The cops will be here soon."
Zatanna (looking around one last time): "Burn it. Burn all of it."
She raised her hands, and fire erupted throughout the penthouse. Not magical fire this time—just regular, consuming flames.
By the time they teleported out, the entire top floor was an inferno.
[Giovanni's Restaurant - 10:00 PM]
They materialized in Giovanni's office, covered in blood, exhausted.
Giovanni was waiting, along with several of his capos.
Giovanni (standing): "Mia piccola."
Zatanna (voice hollow): "It's done. All of them. Every location. Every leader. The Consortium's gone."
Giovanni moved to her, pulling her into his arms.
Giovanni: "I'm proud of you. Your mother would be proud too."
Zatanna (breaking down): "I killed so many people, Papa. I can't even count how many. And I don't feel anything."
Giovanni (holding her tighter): "You will. When Richard wakes up. When you can breathe again. Then you'll feel it. But right now, you did what needed to be done."
Artemis, Helena, Grant, and Rose stood back, giving them space.
After a moment, Giovanni pulled away, looking at the four of them.
Giovanni: "Thank you. For keeping her safe. For standing with her."
Artemis: "She's had my back since, it's the least I could do."
Helena (respectful): "Same here Mr. Zatara. Me, Arty, and Zee are in this for the long haul."
Grant: "Besides, they tried to kill our brother. We weren't going to let that slide."
Rose: "No one fucks with a Wilson."
Giovanni (smiling): "Indeed. Now, all of you—go. Clean up. Rest. We can only hope that Richard wakes up soon."
They nodded, turning to leave.
As they reached the door, Giovanni called out.
Giovanni: "Zatanna."
She looked back.
Giovanni: "He's going to wake up. I know he will. And when he does, you can tell him you tore down heaven and hell for him."
Zatanna (tears streaming): "I just want him back, Papa."
Giovanni: "Soon, piccola. Soon."
[Giovanni's Infirmary - 11:30 PM]
Zatanna returned to Dick's bedside, freshly showered, wearing clean clothes.
She sat in her usual chair, taking his hand.
He was still pale. Still unconscious. But stable.
Always stable.
Zatanna (whispering): "I did it. I killed them all. Every single person who was involved in hurting you. The Consortium's gone, Dick. They can't hurt anyone else."
She leaned forward, pressing her forehead to his hand.
Zatanna: "But I need you to wake up now. Please. I can't... I can't keep doing this without you. Come back to me."
The machines beeped steadily. His chest rose and fell.
But nothing changed.
Zatanna closed her eyes, exhausted beyond measure.
For the first time in two weeks, she fell asleep in the chair, still holding his hand.
She didn't see his fingers twitch.
Just once.
But they did.
And somewhere, deep in whatever darkness he was fighting through, Dick Grayson heard her voice.
And started climbing toward it.
Chapter 21: Part 21
Chapter Text
Evil/Villain Couple Chalant! Absolute Universe AU!] (Part 21)
[The Space Between]
Dick found himself in a clear, white, empty void. There was nothing and everything at the same time—infinite space that somehow felt intimate, like standing in the eye of creation itself.
His body—or was it his consciousness?—felt weightless. Untethered. He could see himself, transparent and ethereal, but solid enough to feel real.
As he began to wander through this impossible space, a familiar voice called out to him.
Voice: "Son?"
Dick froze. That voice. He knew that voice.
He turned around slowly, almost afraid of what he'd see.
And what he saw nearly brought him to his knees.
His parents.
Dick (voice breaking): "Mom? Dad?"
John and Mary Grayson stood there in their ethereal forms, as pristine and vibrant as the day he lost them. John's warm smile. Mary's kind eyes. Both of them radiating a light that felt like home.
John (grinning): "How have you been, l'il buddy?"
Panic seized Dick's chest. His eyes widened, breath coming faster.
Dick (backing away): "Does this mean I'm dead? No... no no no no no... I can't be dead! I CAN'T! I STILL HAVE ZATANNA TO GO BACK TO—"
He was cut off by the sound of his parents' laughter—warm, familiar, the kind of laughter that used to fill their circus trailer on lazy mornings.
Mary (smiling gently): "You're not dead yet, my little robin."
John: "This is not yet your time."
Mary (stepping closer): "We know that this isn't the best of circumstances, but we wanted to finally talk to you. Really talk to you."
Dick's legs felt weak. He sank to his knees, and in an instant his parents were there, kneeling with him, holding him.
For the first time in over a decade since he lost them, Dick Grayson was in his parents' arms again.
He sobbed—deep, wrenching sobs that shook his entire being. Years of grief, of loneliness, of surviving without them, poured out.
John (holding him tight): "It's okay, son. We've got you. We've always been watching."
Mary (running her fingers through his hair like she used to): "We're so proud of you. So, so proud."
Dick (pulling back, wiping his eyes): "But you don't know... you don't know what I've become."
John (gently): "Then tell us. Tell us everything."
[Dick's Story]
And so Dick did.
He told them about waking up in the hospital after the fall. About learning they were gone. About the foster system—the cold, institutional nightmare that chewed up children and spit them out broken.
He told them about the orphanage. About meeting Zatanna. About their plan to run away together.
He told them about the fire. The separation. Being alone on Gotham's streets—cold, hungry, terrified.
He told them about Slade Wilson. About being found. Taken in. Trained. Transformed into something deadly.
He told them about becoming Renegade. About the contracts. The kills. The blood on his hands.
And he told them about finding Zatanna again. About the rescue that became a reunion. About falling in love with the girl from the orphanage who'd grown into a woman of fire and magic.
John and Mary listened to everything. They didn't interrupt. Didn't judge. Just listened.
When Dick finished, there was a long silence.
Then John spoke.
John (sighing): "I won't lie to you, son. This isn't the life your mother and I dreamed for you."
Dick's heart sank.
Mary (taking his hand): "We wanted you to have the circus. To fly under the big top. To experience joy and wonder and safety."
John: "But the world took that from you. From all of us. And you did what you had to do to survive."
Mary: "You adapted. You fought. You lived. And you found love in the darkness. That takes strength, Dick. A different kind of strength than we taught you, but strength nonetheless."
Dick (voice thick): "I've killed people. So many people. I'm not... I'm not a good person."
John (firmly): "You're our son. That makes you good. Maybe not in the way the world defines it. But you're loyal. Protective. You love fiercely. Those are the things we taught you. Those are the things that matter."
Mary: "And Zatanna... Dick, the way you talk about her. The way your whole being lights up. That's beautiful."
Dick (surprised): "You... you approve? Of her?"
John (smiling): "Son, she's the daughter of a mob boss and a sorceress. She's killed people, committed crimes, done terrible things. But she's also the woman who saved you. Who loves you. Who makes you happy."
Mary: "You may not know this, but your hearts are intertwined with one another in this universe. Where you go, she goes. Where she stays, you stay. You're bound, Dick. Soul to soul."
Dick: "What do you mean, 'this universe'?"
John and Mary exchanged glances.
Mary: "We should show you something."
[Other Realities]
They raised their hands, and the white void rippled like water.
Images appeared—windows into other realities. Other universes. Other lives.
Dick watched, mesmerized, as versions of himself played out across infinite possibilities.
In most of those universes, Bruce Wayne was a billionaire who took him in after his parents died. Dick became Robin, the first of many, the moniker was something he came up with from the nickname his mother always called him. He trained under Batman, fought alongside him, eventually became Nightwing.
In another, he led a team called the Teen Titans. Young adults his age, all trying to be heroes. He guided them, protected them, and became their leader.
In another, he was part of Young Justice—and there was Zatanna, but different. Lighter. Happier. They had feelings for each other but never quite came together.
In most of them, he trained other Robins—Jason Todd, Tim Drake, Stephanie Brown, Damian Wayne. He became a mentor, a big brother, a pillar of the Bat-Family.
Dick saw himself with different women—Koriand'r, Barbara Gordon, Helena Bertinelli, Kara Zor-El, even Harley Quinn in some realities.
In all of them, he was a hero. Flawed, sometimes dark, but fundamentally good. Someone who saved people. Protected people. Inspired people.
Dick (staring at the images): "Is... is that really me?"
Mary: "In other universes, yes. Those are versions of you who had different circumstances. Different choices. Different lives."
John: "But this universe—the one you're living in—was built differently. It's darker. Harsher. Heroes don't come easily here. This reality was purpose-built to break people."
Mary: "And yet, you survived. You found love. You built a life. In the darkest possible universe, you still found light."
Dick (watching an image of himself as Nightwing, standing tall beside Batman): "Why? Why am I so different here?"
John: "This universe was built by a being of unspeakable darkness. In this universe, we died before Bruce Wayne became Batman and how could he? He was only 2 to 3 years older than you. You had no safety net. No billionaire to save you."
Mary: "And Zatanna... in most universes, she has a complicated relationship with magic and heroism. But in this universe? She found you. Her solace. Her anchor. Just as you found her."
Dick stared at the images of other lives—better lives, heroic lives—and felt a strange ache in his chest.
Dick: "Do you... do you wish I was more like them?"
Mary (cupping his face): "We wish you'd had their circumstances. But we don't wish you were anyone other than who you are. You're our Dick. Our son. And we love you."
John: "Besides, look at what you've built. Look at who you love. In all those other universes, most versions of you and Zatanna never quite work out. But here? In the darkest universe? You two found each other and held on."
Mary: "That's powerful, Dick. That's real."
Dick (tears streaming): "I just wish things had been different. I wish you'd lived. I wish—"
John (pulling him into a hug): "We know, son. We know. But you can't change the past. You can only move forward."
[Sindella Appears]
Before John and Mary could say more, another figure approached through the white void.
A woman, elegant and radiant, with dark curly hair and eyes that glowed with magical energy.
Sindella Zatara.
Dick (recognizing her from photos): "Ms. Zatara?"
Sindella (smiling warmly): "Richard. It's so good to finally meet you properly."
Dick (standing, suddenly nervous): "I... I'm sorry. I don't know what to say. I—"
Sindella (laughing gently): "Breathe, Richard. I'm not here to judge you. I'm here to thank you."
Dick (confused): "Thank me?"
Sindella (stepping closer): "For loving my daughter. For seeing her—really seeing her—and not flinching. For standing by her even when the world told you not to. For making her happy."
Dick (voice thick): "I would do anything for Zatanna, Ms. Zatara. I love her more than... more than anything."
Sindella (eyes shining): "I know. I've watched you both. I've seen the way you look at her. The way you protect her. The way you'd burn the world down for her."
Dick: "She'd do the same for me."
Sindella (smiling sadly): "She did. While you've been here, fighting to come back, she's been tearing apart the people who hurt you. The Consortium is gone, Richard. Every last one of them. She destroyed them all for you."
Dick's eyes widened.
Dick: "She... she did what?"
Sindella: "She loves you, Richard. With everything she is. And in our family, when you love someone, you protect them. At any cost."
Dick felt something warm and fierce in his chest.
Sindella (growing serious): "I need to ask you a favor."
Dick (without hesitation): "Anything."
Sindella: "Deliver a message for me. To my daughter and my husband. Tell Zatanna that I'm proud of her. That I love her. That I see the woman she's become—fierce, powerful, uncompromising—and I wouldn't change a thing."
Dick (nodding): "I will. I promise."
Sindella: "And tell Giovanni that I'm still with him. Always. That he should stop visiting my grave so often—I'm not there. I'm wherever he is. In every spell Zatanna casts. In every decision he makes. I never left."
Dick (voice breaking): "I'll tell them. Both of them."
Sindella (stepping forward, kissing his forehead): "Thank you, Richard. For giving my daughter a reason to smile. For showing her that love can exist even in darkness."
She pulled back, smiling.
Sindella: "I know that my daughter has a very complicated life in those other universes. But in this one? As dark and depressing as our world is, I'm happy she found you. Someone who loves her with as much passion, dedication, and devotion as she does. Someone who's willing to turn the world upside-down for her."
Dick (smiling through tears): "She does the same for me."
Sindella: "That's how you know it's real."
[The Farewell]
John and Mary stepped forward, and suddenly Dick knew—this was goodbye.
Dick (panicking): "Wait, I... I'm not ready. I just got you back—"
Mary (gently): "This isn't goodbye forever, my little robin. We're always with you. Watching. Guiding."
John: "And Dick? Congratulations. You and Zatanna are going to have a wonderful life together."
Dick (gaze falling): "I just wish you two were alive to be there in person. At the wedding. To see it."
Mary (smiling, placing a hand on his shoulder): "Don't worry. We will be there. We're watching over you two, always. You won't see us, but we'll be there."
John: "Every moment. Every milestone. Your wedding. Your life together. All of it. We won't miss a thing."
Dick (tears streaming): "I love you both. So much."
Mary: "We love you too, Dick. More than words can say."
John: "Now go. Zatanna's waiting for you. And son?"
Dick: "Yeah?"
John (grinning): "Tell her we approve. She's one hell of a woman."
Dick (laughing despite the tears): "I will."
Sindella (stepping forward one last time): "One last thing, Richard. Take care of my daughter. Love her fiercely. Fight for her. Live for her."
Dick: "I will. I promise."
John: "That's our boy."
Mary: "Go now. It's time."
The white void began to fade, warmth flooding Dick's chest.
He felt a pull—gentle but insistent—drawing him back.
Back to his body.
Back to Zatanna.
He saw his parents one last time, waving, smiling, proud.
Then the light became blinding, and—
[Giovanni's Infirmary - Early Morning]
Dick jolted upright with a loud gasp, chest heaving, covered in cold sweat.
His eyes struggled to adjust to the light of the infirmary. Medical equipment beeped around him. His body felt heavy, sore, alive.
He was back.
As his vision cleared, he realized where he was—Giovanni's private medical facility. The soft beeping of monitors. The sterile smell. The IV in his arm.
And then he heard it.
A voice. Broken. Disbelieving. Hopeful.
Zatanna (tears streaming): "D-Dick?"
He turned his head.
Zatanna stood beside his bed, looking like she'd been through hell. Dark circles under her eyes. Hair a mess. Wearing clothes that looked like they'd been slept in. But her eyes—God, her eyes—were wide with shock and hope and love.
Behind her stood Grant, Rose, and two women—one blonde and athletic (Artemis), the other dark-haired with intense eyes and a silver cross at her neck (Helena).
Dick (voice hoarse): "Zee?"
Zatanna let out a sob—a sound of pure relief and joy and desperation—and lunged forward, throwing her arms around him in the tightest embrace she could muster.
Zatanna (sobbing into his chest): "You're awake. You're awake. Oh my God, you're awake."
Dick wrapped his arms around her, ignoring the protest of his healing ribs, holding her like she was the only real thing in the world.
Dick (voice thick): "I'm here. I'm okay. I'm here, Zee."
Zatanna (pulling back to look at him, cupping his face): "You were gone for two weeks. Two weeks, Dick. I thought... I thought I'd lost you."
Dick (wiping her tears with his thumb): "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."
Zatanna (shaking her head): "Don't apologize. Just... just don't leave me again. Please."
Dick (pulling her close again): "Never. I promise. Never."
From behind Zatanna, Rose wiped at her eyes roughly.
Rose (voice rough): "Took you long enough, Dickie."
Grant (grinning): "Welcome back, brother. You had us worried."
Dick (looking at them over Zatanna's shoulder): "Rose. Grant. You... you came."
Grant: "Of course we did. You're a Wilson in all but name, you jackass."
Rose: "And besides, Zee needed backup. We helped her take down The Consortium."
Dick (confused): "The... what?"
Artemis (stepping forward, offering a small smile): "Long story. I'm Artemis, by the way. Zatanna's friend. You've heard about me?"
Dick (nodding): "Yeah. Zee talks about you. It's... it's good to finally meet you."
Helena (stepping forward, arms crossed): "And I'm Helena. Helena Bertinelli. Also Zatanna's friend."
Dick's eyes widened slightly at the name.
Dick: "Bertinelli? As in—"
Helena (nodding, expression hardening): "The Gotham Bertinelli family. Yeah. They're all dead now. Killed by rival families when I was thirteen."
Dick (carefully): "I'm sorry."
Helena (shrugging): "Ancient history. What matters is Zee's my friend. And you're important to her. So you're important to us."
Dick was quiet for a moment as he observed both Artemis and Helena, they looked exactly the same as he saw them in the other universes.
Eventually, he shook his head.
Dick (looking at all of them): "You all helped her?"
Artemis: "We weren't going to let her go after The Consortium alone."
Helena: "Besides, organizations like that? They're why my family's dead. It felt fucking amazing to return the favour."
Artemis: "Now, we're going to give you two some privacy. Come on, you three."
She gestured to Rose, Grant, and Helena. They nodded, filing out of the room, leaving Dick and Zatanna alone.
Zatanna climbed onto the bed beside him, curling into his side, being careful of his injuries.
Zatanna (voice muffled against his chest): "I was so scared. I've never been that scared in my life."
Dick (running his fingers through her hair): "I know. I'm sorry."
Zatanna: "Don't apologize for getting shot. Just... just promise me you'll be more careful."
Dick (softly): "I promise."
They lay there in silence for a moment, just being. Together. Alive.
Finally, Dick spoke.
Dick: "Zee, I need to tell you something. While I was out, I... I saw them."
Zatanna (lifting her head): "Saw who?"
Dick: "My parents. And your mom."
Zatanna's eyes widened.
Zatanna: "What?"
Dick (nodding): "I don't know if it was real or a dream or... something else. But I was in this white space, and they were there. My mom and dad. And Sindella."
Zatanna (voice shaking): "My mom?"
Dick: "She wanted me to give you a message. Both of you—you and Giovanni."
Zatanna (tears forming): "What... what did she say?"
Dick (smiling softly): "She said she's proud of you. That she loves you. That she sees the woman you've become and wouldn't change a thing."
Zatanna's hand flew to her mouth, a sob escaping.
Dick (continuing): "And she said to tell your dad that she's still with him. Always. That he should stop visiting her grave so often because she's not there—she's wherever he is. In every spell you cast. In every decision he makes. She never left."
Zatanna (sobbing): "Dick..."
Dick (pulling her close): "She also said she's happy you found me. That in all the darkness of this world, we found each other and held on."
Zatanna (crying into his chest): "I don't... I don't know if I believe in that stuff, but... God, I want to."
Dick: "I think it was real, Zee. It felt real. And my parents... they wanted you to know they approve of you. Of us."
Zatanna (looking up at him): "They do?"
Dick (nodding): "They said you're one hell of a woman. And they're proud of the life I've built. Even if it's not what they'd hoped for, they're proud."
Zatanna (smiling through tears): "Your parents sound wonderful."
Dick: "They were. They are."
They held each other, the weight of everything settling around them.
Dick (finally): "Zee, I heard what you did. What Sindella told me. About The Consortium."
Zatanna (tensing): "Dick—"
Dick (gently): "Thank you."
Zatanna (surprised): "You're not mad?"
Dick: "Mad? Zee, you avenged me. You took down everyone who tried to kill me. How could I be mad?"
Zatanna: "Because I put myself in danger. Because I—"
Dick (kissing her forehead): "Because you love me. And I love you. And we protect each other. That's what we do."
Zatanna (voice breaking): "I couldn't lose you. I couldn't."
Dick: "You didn't. I'm here. And I'm not going anywhere."
Zatanna (leaning up, kissing him softly): "Good. Because we're getting married, remember? And you're not getting out of it."
Dick (grinning): "Wouldn't dream of it."
They kissed again, deeper this time, and for a moment, everything else faded away.
The pain. The fear. The darkness.
All that mattered was this.
Each other.
Home.
[Later That Morning]
Giovanni entered the infirmary, stopping when he saw Dick awake.
For a moment, the intimidating mob boss looked like he might cry.
Giovanni: "Richard."
Dick (smiling weakly): "Giovanni. Sir. Sorry for worrying you."
Giovanni (moving to the bed, gripping Dick's shoulder): "You have nothing to apologize for. I'm just glad you're alive."
Dick: "Sir, I... I have a message. From Sindella."
Giovanni froze.
Giovanni: "What?"
Dick repeated what he told Zatanna, about the ethereal plane, what he'd seen, and what Sindella had said—about being proud, about always being with him, about the grave.
When he finished, Giovanni's eyes were wet.
Giovanni (voice thick): "She... she said that?"
Dick: "Every word."
Giovanni sat down heavily in a chair, covering his face with his hands.
After a moment, he looked up, smiling despite the tears.
Giovanni: "Thank you, Richard. For bringing me that message. You have no idea what it means."
Dick: "I do, actually. My parents said something similar."
Giovanni (standing, composing himself): "Then they were there too. Watching over you. Guiding you back."
Dick: "Yeah. They were."
Giovanni (clapping Dick's shoulder again): "Rest. Recover. And when you're ready, we'll start planning that wedding properly. No more delays."
Dick (grinning): "Yes, sir."
Giovanni left, and Zatanna climbed back onto the bed, curling into Dick's side.
Zatanna (softly): "You really saw her? My mom?"
Dick: "I really did."
Zatanna (closing her eyes): "Thank you. For telling us. For bringing her back, even if just for a moment."
Dick: "Always, Zee. Always."
They fell into a comfortable silence, both of them finally able to breathe.
Outside, the world continued.
But here, in this moment, they had each other.
And that was everything.
Chapter 22: Part 22
Chapter Text
[Evil/Villain Couple Chalant! Absolute Universe AU!] (Part 22)
[Giovanni's Infirmary - The Days After]
Recovery was slow, but steady.
Dick's lung was healing. The internal injuries were mending. Dr. Russo checked on him daily, adjusting medications, monitoring vitals, and giving grudging approval of his progress.
But more than the physical healing, what helped most were the visitors.
They came in waves over the next few days, each one bringing relief, affection, and—in their own ways—love.
[Day Three - Slade and Wintergreen]
Dick was sitting up in bed, working through some physical therapy exercises Zatanna was helping him with, when the door opened.
Slade Wilson walked in, Wintergreen close behind, and the temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees.
Dick (carefully neutral): "Slade. Wintergreen."
Zatanna (standing, positioning herself protectively): "Wilson."
Slade's one eye swept over Dick—taking in the healing wounds, the pallor that was slowly returning to normal color, the way he moved carefully to avoid pain.
Then Slade's jaw clenched.
Slade: "Never do that shit ever again."
Dick (attempting a grin): "I'll try my best not to."
Slade (pointing at him): "That's not good enough. For the entirety of next month, we'll be tripling all the drills and exercises as soon as you're back on your feet. Counter-surveillance. Ambush protocols. Sniper awareness. Everything."
Dick (nodding): "Wouldn't dream of it."
Slade studied him for another moment, then—unexpectedly—moved forward and gripped Dick's shoulder. Not hard. Just... firm. Grounding.
Slade: "You scared the shit out of me, kid."
Dick (voice thick): "I'm sorry."
Slade: "Don't be sorry. Just don't get shot again."
Wintergreen (stepping forward with a warm smile): "Good to see you up and about, lad. We were all quite worried."
Dick (smiling genuinely): "Well, I'm still here."
Wintergreen: "Rose and Grant send their regards—they made themselves scarce once they heard we were visiting."
Slade (scoffing): "Cowards."
Wintergreen (giving him a look): "They're giving you space, Slade. There's a difference."
Dick: "I appreciate them coming at all. Means a lot."
Wintergreen (pulling out a small package): "I brought you something. Your favorite biscuits from that bakery in London. Gio's cooks are good but I thought you might appreciate a taste of something else."
Dick (taking the package, genuinely touched): "Wintergreen, you didn't have to—"
Wintergreen: "Nonsense. You're family, lad. This is what family does."
Zatanna (softening slightly): "Thank you. Both of you."
Slade (looking at her): "You took down The Consortium."
Zatanna (meeting his gaze): "Yes."
Slade: "Good. They needed to be eliminated. You did what needed to be done."
Zatanna (surprised): "You're not going to lecture me about being reckless?"
Slade: "If someone shot Dick in front of me, I'd have done the same thing. Probably worse. You protected your own. That's what matters."
Zatanna blinked, then nodded slowly.
After a few more minutes of conversation—Slade outlining his training regimen, Wintergreen fussing over Dick's comfort—they prepared to leave.
Slade (at the door): "Heal fast, kid. We've got work to do."
Dick: "Yes, sir."
Wintergreen (smiling warmly): "Take care of each other. Dick? We're all very proud of you."
When they left, Dick let out a long breath.
Dick: "Well. That went better than expected."
Zatanna (sitting beside him): "Slade actually showing emotion? That's new."
Dick: "He cares. He just... has a hard time showing it."
Zatanna (taking his hand): "I know. And I'm glad he came."
[Day Four - John Constantine]
Dick was reading through some files Giovanni had sent (business matters that needed his attention once he was fully recovered) when purple smoke filled the room.
He looked up just as John Constantine materialized, looking exactly as disheveled as always—trench coat, loosened tie, cigarette already lit.
Constantine: "Well, well. The dead man walks. Or... sits. In an infirmary bed. Close enough."
Dick (setting the files aside): "You must be Constantine."
Constantine (grinning): "In the flesh. And you must be the lucky bastard who stole Zat-Zat's heart. Nice to finally meet you properly, mate."
Dick (smiling): "Zatanna's told me about you. Said you raised her after the fire."
Constantine (moving to sit in a chair): "Raised is a strong word. More like... kept her alive and taught her magic. She did the rest herself."
Dick: "She speaks highly of you."
Constantine (surprised): "Does she now? That's... actually quite touching."
They sat in companionable silence for a moment, Constantine smoking, Dick observing.
Constantine (finally): "So. You saw the other side."
Dick (carefully): "How did you—"
Constantine (waving his cigarette): "Zat-Zat told me. You had a near-death experience. Proper one. Saw people, didn't you?"
Dick (after a pause): "Yeah. My parents. Zatanna's mom."
Constantine (nodding): "Figured. Sindella's been watching over her girl for years. Makes sense she'd want to meet the bloke who makes her daughter happy."
Dick: "She asked me to deliver a message. To Zatanna and Giovanni."
Constantine: "I know. Zatanna told me. Beautiful thing, that. Giving them closure."
Dick: "Constantine... in those other universes I saw, you were there too. Different versions of you. Some of them were... darker. Some lighter. But you were always there, somehow connected to magic users, to heroes."
Constantine (taking a long drag): "Multiverse theory, yeah? I've dabbled. Seen a few alternates myself. Always the same tragic bastard, just with different haircuts."
Dick (laughing despite himself): "Pretty much."
Constantine (serious now): "Listen, Dick. I don't do the whole emotional speech thing. But Zatanna? She's the closest thing I have to a daughter. I took her in as a debt, but she became family. And seeing her with you? Seeing her happy? That's worth more than all the magic in the world."
Dick (voice thick): "I love her. More than anything."
Constantine: "I know you do. And she loves you. That's rare, mate. Real love. The kind that survives darkness and death and all the shit the world throws at you. Don't take it for granted."
Dick: "I won't."
Constantine (standing, stubbing out his cigarette): "Good. Now, I'm off. Got a demon problem in New England. But if you ever need anything—magical backup, cursed artifact removal, someone to officiate your wedding with absolutely no religious affiliation—give me a call."
Dick (grinning): "Will do."
Constantine (at the door, turning back): "Oh, and Dick? Welcome to the family. Try not to get shot again. Zatanna gets more murdery then usual when people hurt you."
And with that, he vanished in a swirl of purple smoke.
Dick sat there, smiling.
He liked Constantine.
[Day Six - Bruce Wayne]
This visit was different.
Dick knew it would be the moment he saw Bruce walk through the door—not in his Batman gear, but in a simple jacket and jeans, looking more like cousin Bruce than the Dark Knight.
Bruce stopped just inside the doorway, hands in his pockets, looking uncomfortable.
Bruce: "Hey."
Dick: "Hey."
A long, awkward silence.
Then they both spoke at once.
Bruce: "I'm sorry—"
Dick: "I need to—"
They stopped, then Dick gestured.
Dick: "You first."
Bruce (moving closer, sitting in the chair beside the bed): "I'm sorry. For everything. For not choosing you when you asked me to. For judging your life. For... for almost losing you before I could tell you that you matter to me. That you're family, and that's more important than anything else."
Dick (voice soft): "Bruce..."
Bruce: "When Giovanni called and said you'd been shot, that you were unconscious, I... I thought I'd lost you. And I realized that all the arguments, all the moral debates, none of it mattered if you weren't here."
Dick (taking a breath): "Bruce, I almost died. And when I was... wherever I was... I saw things. Other universes. Other versions of us."
Bruce (confused): "What?"
Dick: "In those realities, we weren't cousins. You were a billionaire who took me in after my parents died. You still became Batman and I became your Robin, your sidekick, basically. You had a butler named Alfred Pennyworth, we were family in a different way, but family nonetheless."
Bruce paused for a bit, Alfred Pennyworth was the name of his contact in MI6.
Bruce (stunned): "You... you saw that?"
Dick: "In every universe, Bruce, you were there. As Batman, as billionaire Bruce Wayne, but always there. You were the constant. And it made me realize something."
Bruce (leaning forward): "What?"
Dick: "That even though our relationship here is different, even though we've had our problems, you're still my family. You're still the person who tried to save me. Who cared when no one else did. And I don't want to lose that."
Bruce (voice thick): "You won't. I promise."
Dick: "I can never turn back from the life I've made, Bruce. I'm Renegade. I'm with Zatanna. I'm part of hers, Giovanni's, and Deathstroke's world. That's not changing."
Bruce: "I know. And I'm not asking you to change. I'm just... I'm asking if we can find a way to coexist. To be family despite our differences."
Dick (extending his hand): "I'd like that."
Bruce (taking his hand, shaking firmly): "Me too."
They sat there for a moment, the weight of everything settling between them.
Dick: "Bruce, I want you at the wedding. Officially. Not just as Batman keeping an eye on things. As my cousin. As family."
Bruce (swallowing hard): "I'd be honoured."
Dick (grinning): "Good. Because Zatanna's already planning the seating chart and she's terrified of putting you next to Slade."
Bruce (eyeing him curiously): "Slade?"
Dick: "Deathstroke. That's Deathstroke's name."
Bruce (laughing despite himself): "That's... probably wise."
As Bruce stood to leave, Dick called out.
Dick: "Bruce, wait. There's something else I need to tell you."
Bruce (turning): "What?"
Dick: "In those other universes... the ones I saw... you weren't just my guardian. You were a hero. A real one. You saved people. Inspired them. You had this whole family—Alfred, me, Jason Todd, Tim Drake, Stephanie Brown, Damian Wayne, Cassandra Cain, Duke Thomas. Kids you took in and trained. You gave them purpose."
Bruce (quietly): "Sounds like a better version of me."
Dick: "Maybe. But in this universe, you're still trying to save Gotham. You're still fighting for what's right. You're still Batman. That counts for something."
Bruce (voice rough): "Thanks, Dick. That... that means a lot."
Dick: "And Bruce? In those other universes, I looked up to you. Admired you. I may not be Robin here, but I still... I still care about you. You're still my family."
Bruce (moving back, pulling Dick into a careful hug): "You're my family too. Always."
When they pulled apart, both had wet eyes.
Bruce: "Get better. You got a wedding to plan."
Dick (grinning): "Yes, sir."
After Bruce left, Zatanna—who'd been waiting outside to give them privacy—came back in.
Zatanna (sitting beside him): "How'd it go?"
Dick (smiling): "Good. Really good. We're... we're okay."
Zatanna: "Good. Because I already put him on the seating chart next to your Aunt Martha."
Dick (laughing): "Perfect."
[Day Seven - Artemis and Helena]
There was a knock on the door, and both Artemis and Helena entered carrying coffee and pastries.
Artemis: "We brought reinforcements."
Helena (holding up a bag): "And cannoli from Giovanni's kitchen. Real Italian ones."
Dick (sitting up straighter): "You two didn't have to do that."
Helena (setting down the bag): "We wanted to. Besides, Zee's been running herself ragged between you and helping Giovanni with business. Figured we'd give her a break."
Artemis (handing Dick a coffee): "How are you feeling?"
Dick: "Better. Sore, but better. The doctors say I can probably go home in a few days."
Helena (sitting in a chair): "Good. Because Zatanna's been sleeping in that chair and your already-cramped hospital bed more than in her own room."
Artemis: "We've been trying to get her to rest, but she's stubborn."
Dick (smiling): "Yeah, she is."
Helena (studying Dick): "You know, Grayson, I wasn't sure about you at first. Zatanna's important to us—to me and Artemis. We're protective."
Dick: "I understand. I'd be the same way."
Helena: "But watching her these past two weeks? Seeing what she did for you? The Consortium massacre? That's the kind of love that's rare. Real."
Artemis: “Hardcore shit on Felix Faust by the way, Zatanna told us all about it.”
As Dick chuckled from Artemis’comment, Helena leaned forward, her expression more serious.
Helena: "I know I sound like a broken record on how my family was killed by people like The Consortium and I couldn’t save them. But it’s all fucking true."
Her jaw tightened.
Helena: "But Zatanna? She saved you. Burned down an entire criminal empire to protect you. That's... that's what family does. What real family does."
Dick (voice soft): "I'm sorry. About your family."
Helena (nodding): "Like I said, ancient history. But it's why I was glad to help her. Why I'd do it again. Those bastardi needed to pay. And they did."
Artemis: "What Helena's trying to say is—we approve. Of you. Of you and Zee together."
Helena (almost smiling): "You make her happy. That's all that matters to us."
Dick (genuinely touched): "Thank you. Both of you. For being there for her. For helping her when I couldn't."
Artemis: "That's what friends do. Also, you should give your ‘siblings’ credit too. Grant and Rose, Jesus-fucking-Christ, people would pay top dollar just to see how Deathstroke’s kids fight."
The three of them laughed.
Helena (continuing): "Besides, now you're stuck with us. We're a package deal. You marry Zee, you have to deal with us too."
Dick (grinning): "I can live with that."
They stayed for another hour, talking, laughing, sharing stories. Helena told Dick about growing up in the Bertinelli family—the good parts, before it all went wrong. Artemis talked about her own complicated family history with Sportsmaster, Cheshire, and her mother.
By the time they left, Dick felt like he understood Zatanna's friendships better. These weren't just casual connections—they were family, forged in darkness and survival.
Helena (at the door, turning back): "One more thing, Grayson."
Dick: "Yeah?"
Helena: "You ever need backup on a job? Call us. Me and Artemis. We work well together. And apparently, we work well with you and Zee too."
Artemis (grinning): "Consider it a standing offer."
Dick: "I will. Thank you."
After they left, Zatanna came back in, having been catching up on sleep in a nearby room.
Zatanna: "I heard Helena and Artemis were here."
Dick: "They were. They're good people, Zee. I can see why you're close with them."
Zatanna (sitting beside him): "They're my sisters. Not by blood, but by choice. Just like Grant and Rose are for you."
Dick (pulling her close): "I'm glad you have them. That we have them."
Zatanna: "Me too."
[That Evening - Dinner with Giovanni]
Giovanni arranged for a private dinner in his office—just him, Dick, and Zatanna.
The table was set with Giovanni's finest dishes—fresh pasta, braised meats, rich sauces, and a bottle of wine that probably cost more than most people's monthly rent.
Giovanni (raising his glass): "To family. To surviving. To love."
Dick and Zatanna: "To family."
They drank, and for a while, they just ate and talked. About nothing. About everything.
Giovanni told stories about Sindella. Dick shared memories of his parents. Zatanna talked about her plans for the wedding.
It was warm. Comfortable. Home.
As the meal wound down, Giovanni grew serious.
Giovanni: "Richard, I want to thank you. For the message from Sindella. It... it means more than I can express."
Dick: "She loves you, Giovanni. And she's proud of the family you've built. Of Zatanna. Of everything."
Giovanni (eyes wet): "I've spent so many years visiting her grave, talking to stone. But knowing she's still with us... that she's watching... it changes everything."
Zatanna (taking her father's hand): "She is, Papa. I can feel it. Every time I cast a spell, every time I think of her, she's there."
Giovanni (squeezing her hand): "I know, mia piccola. I know."
After dinner, Giovanni pulled Dick aside.
Giovanni: "You're going to marry my daughter."
Dick: "Yes, sir."
Giovanni: "You understand what that means? The responsibility? The danger? The life you're choosing?"
Dick: "I understand completely. And I wouldn't change a thing."
Giovanni (studying him): "You love her."
Dick: "More than anything in this world or the next."
Giovanni (smiling): "Good. Then you have my blessing. Not that you needed it—Zatanna would marry you regardless. But you have it nonetheless."
Dick (relieved): "Thank you, Giovanni. That means everything."
Giovanni (clapping his shoulder): "Welcome to the family, son. Officially."
[Three Weeks Later - Dick and Zatanna's Apartment, Gotham]
Dick turned the key in the lock, Zatanna beside him, both of them carrying bags of groceries and medical supplies.
When the door opened, Dick stopped in the doorway, just looking.
It was exactly as they'd left it.
The couch where they'd cuddled countless nights. The kitchen where they'd cooked together. The bedroom where they'd made love and held each other through nightmares.
And there, on the coffee table, still flickering despite everything—
Faust's skull that still had that candle in it.
Dick (laughing softly): "It's still here."
Zatanna (setting down the bags): "Of course it is. Where else would it be?"
Dick: "I don't know. I guess I thought... after everything, something would have changed."
Zatanna (moving to him, taking his hands): "We changed. But this? This is still home."
Dick (pulling her close): "Yeah. It is."
They spent the afternoon unpacking, cleaning, settling back in. Dick's movements were still careful—his ribs protesting any sudden motions—but he was here. Alive. Home.
As dusk settled into night, they collapsed onto the couch, Zatanna curling into Dick's side, his arm around her shoulders.
The skull candle flickered on the coffee table.
Outside, Gotham's endless night continued.
But here, in their apartment, there was only warmth. Peace. Love.
Dick (running his fingers through her hair): "Zee?"
Zatanna (looking up at him): "Yeah?"
Dick: "I saw so many different versions of our lives. So many possibilities. Different choices, different circumstances. But you know what I realized?"
Zatanna: "What?"
Dick: "That in all those other universes, we never quite worked out. We were always almost, but never quite there. But here? In this universe? In the darkest, hardest version of reality? We found each other and we held on."
Zatanna (eyes filling with tears): "Dick..."
Dick: "And I wouldn't change a single thing. Not the pain, not the darkness, not the violence. Because all of it led me to you. And you're worth everything."
Zatanna (voice breaking): "You're going to make me cry."
Dick (smiling): "Good. You're beautiful when you cry."
Zatanna (swatting his chest lightly): "Shut up."
Dick (turning to face her properly): "I love you, Zatanna Zatara. In this life and every other life that might exist. You're my constant. My home. My everything."
Zatanna (cupping his face): "I love you too, Dick Grayson. And I promise—no matter what happens, no matter what the world throws at us—I will never let you go."
Dick: "Promise?"
Zatanna: "Promise. In this life and the next. Always."
Dick leaned down, capturing her lips in a kiss that was soft at first, then deeper, more passionate. A promise and a claim all at once.
When they pulled apart, both breathless, Zatanna rested her forehead against his.
Zatanna (whispering): "We're getting married."
Dick (grinning): "We are."
Zatanna: "And we're going to have a life together. A real life. Despite everything."
Dick: "The best life. Dark, complicated, violent, and messy. But ours."
Zatanna: "Ours."
They kissed again, and as the night deepened around them, they held each other close.
The skull candle flickered.
Gotham hummed with its endless chaos.
But here, in this apartment, in each other's arms, Dick and Zatanna had found something rare.
Something precious.
Something worth fighting for.
Worth killing for.
Worth dying for.
Love.
Real, fierce, uncompromising love.
The kind that survived near-death experiences and massacres and impossible choices.
The kind that transcended universes.
The kind that would last forever.
Dick (as sleep began to pull them under): "Zee?"
Zatanna (drowsy): "Mmm?"
Dick: "Thank you. For not giving up on me. For fighting for me. For loving me."
Zatanna (snuggling closer): "Always, Dick. In this life and the next. Always."
They fell asleep like that, tangled together on the couch, the skull candle casting dancing shadows on the walls.
Outside, the world continued.
But here?
Here was home.
Here was peace.
Here was love.
And that was everything.
Chapter 23: Part 23
Chapter Text
[Evil/Villain Couple Chalant! Absolute Universe AU!] (Part 23)
(WARNING: EXTREMELY GRAPHIC SCENES - VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED)
[Dick & Zatanna's Apartment, Gotham - Late Morning]
Dick stood in their bedroom, staring at the weapons laid out on the bed with methodical precision.
Two handguns, freshly cleaned and loaded. Extra magazines. His katana, newly sharpened. Tactical vest. Knives of various sizes. His orange and black mask.
Everything he needed.
His injuries were still tender, but healed enough. Dr. Russo had cleared him for light activity three days ago, though "light activity" probably didn't include what Dick had planned.
But this wasn't something that could wait.
From the living room, he heard Zatanna's voice.
Zatanna: "Dick? Artemis just texted. She and Helena want to grab lunch and do some shopping. You sure you're okay if I go?"
Dick (keeping his voice casual): "Yeah, of course. Go. Have fun. I'll be fine here."
Zatanna appeared in the doorway, looking concerned.
Zatanna: "Are you sure? I can stay. The girls will understand."
Dick (turning to face her, smiling): "Zee, I'm not a vegetable. I'm fine. You've been taking care of me for weeks. Go spend time with your best friend. You deserve it."
Zatanna studied him for a moment, then moved forward, wrapping her arms around him.
Zatanna: "Okay. But call me if you need anything. Anything."
Dick (kissing her forehead): "I will. Promise."
Zatanna (pulling back, looking up at him): "I love you."
Dick: "I love you too. Now go. Arty's waiting."
After she left—after he heard the door close and lock, after he was certain she was gone—Dick turned back to the weapons.
He'd told everyone about his time in the ethereal plane. About seeing his parents. About Sindella's message.
But there was one thing he hadn't shared.
One final revelation his parents had given him.
Tony Zucco.
The name burned in Dick's mind like a brand.
The mobster who'd killed his parents. Who'd sabotaged the trapeze ropes. Who'd turned the Flying Graysons' final performance into a death sentence.
Dick had learned the full story in that white void, his parents' ethereal forms showing him the truth with painful clarity.
[The Truth - As Revealed in the Ethereal Plane]
Tony Zucco had wanted Haly's Circus. Wanted to use it as a front for his smuggling operations—drugs, weapons, people. But old man Haly had refused.
So Zucco had made an example.
He'd sabotaged the ropes. Killed John and Mary Grayson in front of a packed audience. Sent a message: refuse Tony Zucco, and people die.
But there was more.
Decades before Dick and Zatanna were born, when a younger Giovanni Zatara was still working his way up through the mob, a younger Tony Zucco had kidnapped Giovanni's then-girlfriend, Sindella.
He'd held her for ransom, trying to strong-arm Giovanni into giving up territory.
Giovanni had rescued her. But Zucco had escaped, vanished into the underworld. Even after Giovanni became the Dark Pope, even with all his resources, he'd never found the man who'd taken Sindella.
Until now.
Dick's parents had shown him everything. Given him the location. The opportunity.
The chance for vengeance.
Dick began putting on his gear, piece by piece.
Tactical vest. Holsters. Knives secured in their sheaths. Guns loaded and checked.
He thought about the other versions of himself he'd seen. The ones who'd caught Zucco. Who'd brought him to justice. Who'd forgiven him.
Those Dicks had been heroes. Had followed Batman's code. Had chosen mercy.
But those weren't him.
Dick Grayson of the Absolute Universe—Renegade, mercenary, killer—had no interest in forgiveness.
He wanted blood.
He pulled on his mask, adjusting it until it sat perfectly.
Then he grabbed his katana and headed for the door.
[Zucco's Warehouse - Gotham Harbour - 2:00 PM]
Tony Zucco's operation ran out of a converted warehouse on the docks. Twenty-three men guarding the place. Surveillance cameras. Secure entry points.
Standard setup for a mobster who'd gotten too comfortable.
Dick approached from the water, using the dock pylons for cover. Silent. Invisible.
The first guard never saw him coming.
Dick emerged from the shadows, blade already moving. One precise cut across the throat. The guard went down without a sound, drowning in his own blood.
Dick dragged the body into the water and kept moving.
The second guard was smoking a cigarette, facing away from the building.
Dick came up behind him, hand clamping over his mouth, knife sliding between ribs and into the heart. A quick twist. The guard spasmed once, then went limp.
Into the water.
Three more guards at the side entrance.
Dick pulled out a silenced pistol. Three shots. Three bodies.
He stepped over them and breached the door.
Inside, the warehouse was a maze of shipping containers and crates. Perfect for an ambush.
Perfect for a hunt.
Dick moved through the space like a ghost, katana in one hand, gun in the other.
Two men walked past his position, talking about a shipment.
Dick let them pass, then stepped out behind them.
The katana sang. Two heads rolled.
Four more guards heard the commotion, came running with weapons drawn.
Dick threw a knife. It embedded in one man's eye socket. He dropped.
Another aimed a shotgun. Dick shot him through the throat before he could fire.
The third got off a shot—missed—and Dick closed the distance. Blade through the chest. Clean. Efficient.
The fourth tried to run. Dick put a bullet through his knee, then his skull.
Eleven down. Twelve to go.
An alarm started blaring.
Good. Dick wanted them to know he was here.
The remaining guards converged on the main floor—a large open space with catwalks above and crates providing cover.
They were shouting, coordinating, trying to set up defensive positions.
Dick didn't give them time.
He dropped a flashbang from the catwalk above. Blinding light. Deafening noise.
Then he descended like an angel of death.
The first man he encountered got the katana through the spine. Paralyzed instantly.
The second took a bullet through the jaw.
The third lost his gun hand to the blade, then his head.
Dick moved through them systematically, not rushing, not hesitating. Each kill was precise. Practiced. Personal.
One man got close, tried to tackle him. Dick sidestepped, brought the pommel of his katana down on the man's skull. Bone cracked. The man collapsed.
Dick finished him with a blade through the eye.
Another fired wildly, bullets spraying. Dick rolled behind a crate, came up shooting. Three rounds. Center mass. The man fell.
Within five minutes, the warehouse floor was silent except for dying gurgles and the drip of blood.
Twenty-three guards. All dead.
And there, in the back office, behind bulletproof glass, sat Tony Zucco.
Older now. Gray hair. Expensive suit. Face pale with fear as he stared at the carnage outside.
Dick walked toward the office, stepping over bodies, trailing blood.
Zucco scrambled for a weapon—a pistol in his desk drawer.
Dick raised his gun and fired through the glass. Not at Zucco. Just beside his head.
The bullet punctured the "bulletproof" glass, spiderwebbing it.
Dick fired again. And again. And again.
The glass shattered.
Zucco (backing away): "Who the hell are you?! Do you know who I am?!"
Dick stepped through the broken window, katana in hand, mask still in place.
Dick (voice cold): "I know exactly who you are, Tony."
Zucco (desperate): "I'll pay you! Whatever you want! Name your price!"
Dick: "There's no price for this."
He grabbed Zucco by the throat, slamming him against the wall.
Zucco (choking): "Please! I don't even know you!"
Dick: "No. But you knew them."
He pulled off his mask.
Zucco's eyes widened in recognition—not of Dick's face, but of his eyes. The eyes he'd seen once before, years ago, in a circus tent.
Zucco (horrified): "You're... you're the Grayson kid."
Dick (smiling coldly): "That's right. John and Mary Grayson's son. The boy you orphaned when you killed my parents."
Zucco: "That was business! Nothing personal! I was just trying to—"
Dick punched him. Hard. Bone crunched under his knuckles.
Dick: "It became personal when you murdered them in front of me."
He threw Zucco to the ground, then pulled out a knife.
Dick (crouching beside him): "Do you know what you took from me? Do you have any idea?"
Zucco (spitting blood): "They were just carnies! They didn't matter!"
Dick drove the knife through Zucco's hand, pinning it to the floor.
Zucco screamed.
Dick: "They mattered to me. They were my world. And you killed them."
He pulled out another knife, drove it through Zucco's other hand.
More screaming.
Dick: "And you know what else? You took someone from Giovanni Zatara too. You kidnapped Sindella. His wife."
Zucco (eyes widening): "You... you're with the Zataras?"
Dick: "That’s none of your business, what I’m here for is revenge."
Zucco tried to pull his hands free. The knives held.
Dick stood, pulling out his katana.
Dick: "My parents told me about you. In the space between life and death. They showed me everything. Every crime. Every kill. Every life you destroyed."
Zucco: "I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"
Dick: "No, you're not. You're just scared."
He placed the edge of the katana against Zucco's neck.
Dick: "But I want you to know something before you die. I want you to know that I'm not a hero. I'm not going to arrest you or let you rot in prison. I'm going to kill you. Slowly. Painfully. And I'm going to enjoy every second of it."
Zucco (sobbing): "Please..."
Dick: "That's what my mother said. When she was falling. 'Please.' But no one caught her, my father was falling and he couldn’t. No one saved them."
He pressed down slightly. Blood began to well.
Dick: "So no. No mercy. No please. Just pain."
And then he started cutting.
Not fast. Not clean.
Slow.
The blade moved through skin, muscle, cartilage. Zucco screamed until his voice gave out, until he could only make choking, gurgling sounds.
Dick made sure it took a long time.
Made sure Zucco felt everything.
When the head finally separated from the body, Dick stood, blood-soaked and breathing heavily.
He looked down at Zucco's dead eyes—wide with terror even in death.
Dick: "That's for my parents. And for Sindella."
He picked up the head by the hair, found a bag in the office, and placed it inside.
Then he walked out of the warehouse, leaving twenty-four bodies in his wake.
[Dick & Zatanna's Apartment - 6:45 PM]
Zatanna returned home to find Dick in the shower, the bathroom door cracked open.
Zatanna: "Dick? I'm home! How was your day?"
Dick (from the shower): "Good. Relaxing. How was lunch with the girls?"
Zatanna: "Great! We got you some—"
She stopped as she entered the bedroom.
There, on the bed, was Dick's tactical gear. Blood-stained. Fresh blood.
And on the nightstand, a black bag. Dripping.
Zatanna's eyes widened.
The shower turned off. Dick emerged, towel around his waist, hair wet.
He saw her staring at the bag.
Dick (carefully): "Zee—"
Zatanna (voice tight): "What. Is. That."
Dick (raising his hands): "Just business, babe."
Zatanna (stepping closer): "Dick, you were supposed to be resting. You're still recovering. Where the hell did you go?"
Dick: "To settle an old debt."
Zatanna reached for the bag. Dick didn't stop her.
She opened it.
Inside was a severed head—middle-aged man, gray hair, expression frozen in terror.
Zatanna (looking up at Dick): "Who the hell is this?"
Dick: "Tony Zucco. The man who killed my parents. And the man who kidnapped your mother thirty years ago."
Zatanna's breath caught.
Zatanna: "What?"
Dick: "When I was in the ethereal plane, my parents told me everything. About Zucco. About what he did. To them. To Sindella. They showed me where to find him."
Zatanna (setting the bag down): "So you went after him. Alone. While you're still healing."
Dick: "I had to. This was personal."
Zatanna (furious): "You could have been hurt! You could have been killed!"
Dick: "But I wasn't."
Zatanna (voice breaking): "Dick, I just got you back! I almost lost you! And you go off on a revenge mission without telling me?!"
Dick (moving to her): "I know. I'm sorry. But Zee, this was something I needed to do. For my parents. For yours. For us."
Zatanna stared at him—at the man she loved, covered in someone else's blood, holding the severed head of his parents' killer.
Then she let out a frustrated scream and punched him in the shoulder.
Dick: "Ow."
Zatanna: "You're really a fucking idiot! A reckless, stupid, fucking idiot!"
Dick: "I know."
Zatanna: "You could have died!"
Dick: "But I didn't."
Zatanna glared at him for another moment, then her expression softened.
Zatanna (sighing): "You're lucky I love you."
Dick (smiling): "I know."
Zatanna (looking at the head again): "And you're lucky I'm me. Because if you'd brought this home to anyone else, they'd call the police."
Dick: "But not you."
Zatanna (picking up the bag again): "Not me. Because I'm thinking this would make a great centerpiece for the windowstill."
Dick (laughing): "I had other plans, actually."
Zatanna (curious): "Oh?"
Dick: "We're going to see your father."
[Giovanni's Italian Restaurant - 10:30 PM]
The restaurant had just closed for the night. Giovanni was in his office, reviewing ledgers, when there was a knock on the door.
Giovanni: "Come in."
Dick and Zatanna entered, Dick carrying the black bag.
Giovanni (standing): "Mia piccola. Richard. I wasn't expecting you tonight."
Dick: "Sorry for the late visit, Giovanni. But I have something for you."
He set the bag on Giovanni's desk.
Giovanni (eyeing it): "What is this?"
Dick: "Consider it a gift. From your future son-in-law."
Giovanni opened the bag. His expression went carefully neutral as he looked inside.
Then he closed the bag and looked at Dick.
Giovanni: "Who was he?"
Dick: "Tony Zucco. The man who killed my parents. And the man who kidnapped a certain Sindella thirty years ago."
Giovanni's eyes widened. Then narrowed.
Giovanni: "Zucco. I've been looking for that bastardo for decades."
Dick: "My parents told me about him. About what he did. To them. To Sindella. They showed me where to find him."
Giovanni (voice thick): "And you killed him."
Dick: "I did. Slowly. Painfully. He suffered, Giovanni. For what he did to all of us."
Giovanni stared at the bag for a long moment. Then he looked at Dick, and his eyes were wet.
Giovanni: "Thank you, Richard. This... this is a great gift. An offering."
He moved around the desk, pulling Dick into a fierce hug.
Giovanni: "You've avenged your parents. And you've avenged Sindella. You've given us all peace."
Dick (hugging back): "It's what family does."
When they pulled apart, Giovanni was smiling.
Giovanni: "You're a good man, Richard. A good son. Well, as good as a person can be in our business."
Zatanna (stepping forward): "Papa, if you don't mind, I'd like to... preserve it. Like we did with Faust."
Giovanni (laughing): "Of course, piccola. Make it something beautiful."
While Giovanni poured wine for the three of them, Zatanna took the head to a back room. Within twenty minutes, she returned with a cleaned skull, enchanted and preserved.
She handed it to Giovanni.
Zatanna: "For your desk. A reminder."
Giovanni (taking it reverently): "Perfetto."
He placed it on his desk, right beside a family photo of him, Sindella, and a younger Zatanna from many years ago.
Giovanni (raising his glass): "To justice. To family. To vengeance."
Dick and Zatanna: "To family."
They drank, and for a moment, the weight of decades of pain and loss felt lighter.
[The Drive Home - 12:15 AM]
They were halfway back to Gotham when Zatanna broke the silence.
Zatanna (leaning into Dick): "How are you feeling?"
Dick (keeping his eyes on the road): "Honestly? I don't know. Part of me feels... nothing. Like I should feel something—satisfaction, closure, something—but it's just... empty."
Zatanna: "I felt the same way. After The Consortium. I thought killing them would make me feel better, but it just felt... hollow."
Dick: "Exactly."
They drove in silence for another moment.
Dick (finally): "But I am satisfied. In a way. I avenged my parents. They're at peace, and now... now I'm at peace too. Does that make sense?"
Zatanna: "It does. Because closure isn't always this big emotional moment. Sometimes it's just... knowing it's done. Knowing they can't hurt anyone else."
Dick: "Yeah. That's it exactly."
Zatanna (squeezing his hand): "Your parents would be proud. And mine. We've both avenged the people we love."
Dick: "And now we can move forward. Build our life. Get married."
Zatanna (smiling): "Yeah. We can."
They drove the rest of the way in comfortable silence, hands intertwined.
When they finally got home, they collapsed onto the couch together, exhausted.
Zatanna (curling into his side): "Promise me something."
Dick: "Anything."
Zatanna: "No more revenge missions without telling me. If there's someone else who needs killing, we do it together."
Dick (laughing): "Deal. No more solo vendettas."
Zatanna: "Good."
They fell asleep like that, wrapped in each other, the Faust skull candle flickering on the coffee table.
Outside, Gotham continued its endless night.
But here, in their apartment, there was only peace.
The kind of peace that comes after vengeance.
The kind of peace that comes from knowing your ghosts have been laid to rest.
Finally.
Chapter 24: Part 24
Chapter Text
[Evil/Villain Couple Chalant! Absolute Universe AU!] (Part 24)
[Haly's Circus - Outside Gotham City - Saturday Afternoon]
The circus was exactly as Dick remembered it.
The big top tent, slightly weathered but still proud. The smell of popcorn and sawdust. The sound of children laughing. The painted wagons and trailers arranged in a careful semicircle.
Home.
Or at least, what used to be home.
Dick stood at the entrance, Zatanna beside him, both of them taking it in.
Zatanna (gently): "You okay?"
Dick (nodding slowly): "Yeah. Just... been a while since I've been here."
Zatanna took his hand, squeezing gently.
They walked through the grounds, past performers warming up, past families buying tickets, until they reached a trailer at the back—slightly larger than the others, with "RINGMASTER" painted on the side in faded gold letters.
Dick knocked.
A voice from inside—gravelly, warm, familiar.
Voice: "Come in!"
Dick opened the door.
Inside, sitting at a cluttered desk surrounded by papers, ledgers, and circus memorabilia, was Old Man Haly.
He looked older than Dick remembered—more gray in his hair, more lines on his face, shoulders a bit more stooped. But his eyes were still sharp, still kind.
Haly looked up, and when he saw Dick, his entire face transformed.
Haly: "Dick?"
Dick (smiling): "Hey, old man."
Haly was out of his chair in an instant, moving faster than someone his age should be able to, pulling Dick into a crushing hug.
Haly: "My boy! My boy! It's been too long!"
Dick (hugging back): "I know. I'm sorry. I should've visited sooner."
Haly (pulling back, gripping Dick's shoulders): "Nonsense. You're here now. That's what matters."
His eyes drifted to Zatanna, curious.
Dick (gesturing): "Haly, this is Zatanna. My fiancée."
Haly's eyebrows shot up.
Haly: "Fiancée?" (then, grinning) "Well, well. Look at you, all grown up and getting married."
Zatanna (stepping forward, extending her hand): "It's nice to meet you, Mr. Haly. Dick's told me about you."
Haly (shaking her hand): "Please, drop the formalities, just call me Haly. Everyone does. And it's a pleasure to meet the woman who caught this one's heart. Must be quite something if Dick's settling down."
Zatanna (smirking): "He's not so bad. Once you get past the mercenary-assassin thing."
Haly blinked, then laughed—a deep, genuine sound.
Haly: "I like her already. Come, sit. Both of you. I'll make some coffee."
They settled around a small table in the trailer, Haly fussing with an ancient kettle and mismatched mugs. The space was cramped but cozy, filled with decades of circus history—photos on the walls, old posters, props from famous acts.
Dick's eyes found a photo on the wall—the Flying Graysons. His parents, young and vibrant, mid-performance. And there, between them, a much younger Dick, grinning at the camera.
His chest tightened.
Haly (following his gaze): "I kept that one. Hope you don't mind. Couldn't bring myself to take it down."
Dick (voice thick): "I don't mind."
Haly poured tea, his movements practiced, and sat down with them.
Haly: "So. What brings you by? Not that I'm not thrilled to see you, but you usually give me more warning."
Dick (taking a breath): "I wanted to tell you something. Something important."
Haly (setting down his cup): "I'm listening."
Dick: "I finally know who killed my parents. Tony Zucco. And he's dead."
Haly's mug froze halfway to his lips. His face went carefully neutral.
Haly (quietly): "Zucco."
Dick: "You knew."
It wasn't a question.
Haly (setting down his cup, sighing deeply): "I... I suspected. For years. The way he'd been pressuring me before the accident. Wanting to use the circus as a front for his operations. I told him no, and then..."
He trailed off, looking down at his hands.
Haly: "After your parents died, I knew. But I couldn't prove it. And I was a coward, Dick. I kept it from you because I thought... I thought I could handle it myself. Thought I could find evidence, go to the police, get justice."
Dick: "But you couldn't."
Haly (voice breaking slightly): "No. I couldn't. Zucco was too well-connected. Too protected. And I... I was just a circus owner. What power did I have?"
Dick (reaching across the table): "Haly, it's okay—"
Haly (shaking his head): "It's not okay. I let you down, Dick. I got John and Mary killed. I should have told you. Should have done something."
Dick (firmly): "You did what you could. You kept the circus running. You kept their memory alive. You didn't let Zucco win."
Haly (looking up, eyes wet): "But I didn't get you justice either."
Dick (smiling sadly): "No. But I did. Zucco's dead. He can't hurt anyone else. Can't threaten anyone else. It's over."
Haly studied Dick's face for a long moment.
Haly: "You killed him yourself, didn't you?"
Dick didn't answer. Didn't need to.
Haly (nodding slowly): "Good. The bastard deserved it. Worse than death, probably, but I'll take it."
Zatanna (gently): "He suffered. I can promise you that."
Haly (looking at her): "You were there?"
Zatanna: "No. But I know Dick. He wouldn't have made it quick."
Haly (almost smiling): "No. I don't suppose he would have."
They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of decades of grief and guilt settling around them.
Finally, Haly spoke.
Haly: "Your parents would be proud of you, Dick. Proud of the man you've become. Even if..."
He trailed off.
Dick: "Even if I'm not what they hoped for?"
Haly (carefully): "They wanted you to have the circus one day. Wanted you to fly under the big top. Have a normal life. But life doesn't always give us what we want. And you've survived. You've thrived. Found love. That's more than most people get."
Dick (squeezing Zatanna's hand): "I know. And I'm grateful for what I have."
Haly (looking at Zatanna): "You take care of him. He's a good boy. Loyal. Kind. Even after everything."
Zatanna (smiling): "I know. And I will. Always."
Haly: "Then he's in good hands."
After finishing their coffee and talking for another hour—about the circus, about Dick's life, about the wedding plans—Dick and Zatanna prepared to leave.
At the trailer door, Dick turned back.
Dick: "Haly, I want you to come to the wedding. It would mean a lot to me. To us."
Haly (smiling sadly): "That's a kind offer, Dickie. Really. But I can't. I've got a circus to run. Shows to put on. Can't just close down for a few days."
Dick: "We could schedule around your performances—"
Haly (shaking his head): "No, son. This is your day. Yours and Zatanna's. You don't need an old man like me there making things complicated."
Dick: "You wouldn't be—"
Haly (gripping his shoulder): "I appreciate the offer. Truly. But I'll be here, thinking of you. Wishing you well. That's enough for me."
Dick (voice thick): "You're sure?"
Haly: "I'm sure."
They stood there for a moment, then Haly pulled Dick into another hug.
Haly (whispering): "Be happy, Dick. That's all your parents would want. Just... be happy."
Dick (hugging back): "I will. I am."
When they pulled apart, Dick reached into his jacket and pulled out an envelope.
Dick: "Before I forget—"
Haly (seeing the envelope, already shaking his head): "Dick, we talked about this—"
Dick: "It's a donation. For the circus. For maintenance, for the performers, for whatever you need."
Haly: "I told you, I don't need—"
Dick (pressing the envelope into his hands): "I insist. Please. Let me do this."
Haly opened the envelope slightly, saw the stack of hundred-dollar bills inside, and his eyes widened.
Haly: "Dick, this is too much—"
Dick: "It's not. The circus was my home. You were my family too when I had no one else, before I got sent to foster care. This is the least I can do."
Haly (voice breaking): "You don't owe me anything—"
Dick: "I know. But I want to help. Please."
Haly stared at the envelope, then at Dick, then nodded slowly.
Haly: "Thank you, son. This... this will help. A lot."
Dick: "Good."
Haly (looking down, voice soft): "My only regret, you know, is that I didn't have the balls to stand up to Zucco when he first came around. Maybe if I'd been braver, if I'd fought back, your parents would still be—"
Dick (firmly): "Don't. Don't do that to yourself. Zucco would have killed you too. You did what you had to do to survive. To keep the circus alive. To honor my parents' memory. That's enough, Haly."
Haly (looking up, eyes wet): "You really believe that?"
Dick: "I do. And my parents would too. They loved this circus. They loved you. They wouldn't want you carrying that guilt."
Haly (wiping his eyes): "You're a good man, Dick Grayson. Better than I ever gave you credit for."
Dick (smiling): "I learned from the best."
They hugged one more time—long, tight, meaningful.
When they pulled apart, Haly turned to Zatanna.
Haly: "You found yourself a keeper, young lady. Don't let him go."
Zatanna (smiling): "I don't intend to."
Haly (grinning): "Good. Now get on out of here before I start crying like an old fool."
Dick (laughing): "Yes, sir."
As they walked away from the trailer, back through the circus grounds, Dick looked back one last time.
Haly was standing in the doorway, waving.
Dick waved back, and then they were gone.
[The Car - Driving Back to Gotham]
Zatanna was quiet for the first few minutes of the drive, just watching Dick.
Finally, she spoke.
Zatanna: "You okay?"
Dick (nodding): "Yeah. I am. It was good to see him. To tell him about Zucco. To... to close that chapter."
Zatanna: "He loves you. You know that, right? Like you're his own son."
Dick: "I know. And I love him too. He kept the circus alive. Kept my parents' memory alive. That means everything."
Zatanna: "He wanted to come to the wedding."
Dick: "I know. But he's right. He's got responsibilities. Can't just close down the circus."
Zatanna (gently): "Are you disappointed?"
Dick (considering): "A little. But I understand. And honestly? Just knowing he wanted to come is enough."
Zatanna reached over, taking his hand.
Zatanna: "Your parents would be so proud of you. Of the man you've become. Of how you've honored them."
Dick (squeezing her hand): "I hope so. I really do."
They drove in comfortable silence for a while, the city lights of Gotham growing closer on the horizon.
Dick (finally): "Zee?"
Zatanna: "Yeah?"
Dick: "Thank you. For coming with me today. For meeting Haly. For... for being you."
Zatanna (smiling): "Where else would I be? You're my family now, Dick. Your past, your people, your circus—all of it matters to me because it matters to you."
Dick (voice thick): "I love you."
Zatanna: "I love you too."
She leaned over, kissing his cheek, then settling back in her seat, still holding his hand.
As they drove back into Gotham—back to their apartment, their life, their future—Dick felt something settle in his chest.
Peace.
Real, lasting peace.
He'd avenged his parents. He'd settled his debts. He'd said goodbye to the past.
And now?
Now he could move forward.
With Zatanna. With their life together. With the family they were building.
The circus in his rearview mirror grew smaller, then disappeared.
But the memories—the good memories, the love, the home it had given him—stayed.
Always.
[That Night - Dick & Zatanna's Apartment]
They collapsed onto the couch, exhausted but content.
Zatanna (curling into his side): "So. Haly seems like a good man."
Dick: "He is. He really is. Kept me grounded after my parents died. Made sure I remembered where I came from."
Zatanna: "Even knowing what you've become?"
Dick: "I don't think he knows the full extent of it. But yeah. Even knowing I'm not the circus performer my parents wanted."
Zatanna: "You're still their son. That's what matters."
Dick (kissing her head): "Yeah. It is."
They sat in comfortable silence, the Faust skull candle flickering on the coffee table.
Dick (suddenly): "You know what we should do?"
Zatanna: "What?"
Dick: "After the wedding. After everything settles down. We should go to the circus. Together. Watch a show. Remember what it used to be like."
Zatanna (smiling): "I'd like that."
Dick: "And maybe... maybe one day, if we have kids, we can take them. Show them where I came from. Let them see the Flying Graysons' legacy."
Zatanna (looking up at him, surprised): "Kids?"
Dick (grinning): "Waaaayy in the future. After we've had a few years to ourselves. But yeah. Maybe. If you want."
Zatanna (smiling softly): "I’d want that."
Dick pulled her closer, and they fell into a comfortable silence.
Outside, Gotham continued its endless night.
But here, in their apartment, wrapped in each other, they had everything they needed.
Love. Peace. Future.
And that was everything.
Chapter 25: Part 25
Chapter Text
[Evil/Villain Couple Chalant! Absolute Universe AU!] (Part 25)
[Dick & Zatanna's Apartment, Gotham - Tuesday Morning]
Zatanna was in the kitchen making coffee when her phone buzzed.
A text from Artemis: "Got a job. Good pay. Could use magical backup. You in?"
Zatanna typed back: "What kind of job?"
Artemis: "Retrieval. Artifact. Client says it's cursed. Sitting in a private collection in Metropolis. Four of us would make it easier."
Zatanna: "Four?"
Artemis: "Me, you, Rose, and Helena. Grant's busy but the girls are free and bored."
Zatanna considered. Dick was meeting with Slade today for training—testing his recovery, running through drills. He'd be gone until evening.
And honestly? A job with just the girls sounded fun.
Zatanna: "I'm in. Details?"
Artemis: "Meet at my place in an hour. I'll brief you all."
Zatanna: "See you there."
She finished her coffee, then walked to the bedroom where Dick was getting ready.
Dick (pulling on his tactical gear): "Everything okay?"
Zatanna: "Artemis has a job. Artifact retrieval in Metropolis. She wants me, Rose, and Helena to come along."
Dick (turning to face her): "I thought she was retired?"
Zatanna (shrugging): "Arty can be quite selective with her retirement."
Zatanna (continuing): "Besides, you'll be with Slade all day anyway. And it's been a while since I've done something that wasn't... you know. Massacring people."
Dick (grinning): "Fair point. What's the target?"
Zatanna: "Cursed artifact. Private collection. Should be straightforward."
Dick: "Be careful. Metropolis is Superman's territory. And after last time—"
Zatanna (kissing him): "I'll be careful. Promise. Besides, Rose and Helena will be there. We'll keep each other out of trouble."
Dick (skeptical): "Rose Wilson and Helena Bertinelli keeping people out of trouble?"
Zatanna (laughing): "Okay, fair point. But Artemis will keep us in line."
Dick: "That's more reassuring."
He pulled her close, kissing her properly.
Dick: "Call me if you need anything. And I mean anything."
Zatanna: "I will. Now go. Slade's going to make you run laps if you're late."
Dick (groaning): "Don't remind me."
[Artemis's Apartment, Star City - 10:30 AM]
The place where Artemis currently stayed at was a surprisingly normal apartment in Star City; third floor, modest but comfortable, decorated with archery trophies and photos of her with a red-headed man Zatanna assumed was her husband.
Artemis mostly spent her time in Palo Alto with her husband, Wally West (yes, she married the Flash; no, Zatanna and her other friends have no clue who he is), but she still kept this place around just in case.
When Zatanna knocked, Artemis opened the door immediately.
Artemis: "Zee! Come in. Rose and Helena are already here."
Inside, Rose Wilson was sprawling on the couch, boots on the coffee table, playing with a knife. Helena Bertinelli sat in an armchair, cleaning her crossbow with practiced efficiency.
Rose (looking up): "About damn time, Zee."
Helena (not looking up from her work): "Fashionably late as always."
Zatanna (sitting in a chair): "You know how it is Rosey, gotta be fashionably late."
Rose (visibly disgusted): "Do not call me 'Rosey', ever again."
Helena (smirking): "I think it's cute."
Rose (glaring at her): "Don't start, Bertinelli."
Artemis (bringing over a folder): "Alright, ladies. Before you three kill each other, here's the job."
She spread out photos and documents on the coffee table.
Artemis: "Client is a private collector—legitimate businessman, not mob-connected. He acquired an artifact three months ago. An amulet. Ancient Egyptian, supposed to grant protection."
Rose: "Let me guess. It's cursed?"
Artemis: "Very. Couple of poor saps who've handled it are dead. The collector wants it gone before it kills him too."
Zatanna (studying the photos): "Why not just… y’know destroy it?"
Artemis: "Because someone's willing to pay a lot of money for it. Our job is to retrieve it, deliver it to the buyer, and get paid. Simple."
Helena: "Who's the buyer?"
Artemis: "Anonymous. But they're offering four hundred grand. Split four ways."
Zatanna (impressed): "That's... holy shit that's not too bad.”
Rose: "For a cursed amulet? It's a steal. What's the catch?"
Artemis: "The amulet is being kept in a high-security vault in the collector's Metropolis penthouse. Alarms, guards, the works. And as we all know from Dick and Zee’s last job there, it's Superman's territory."
Zatanna (raising her hands up in defence): “We tried to be subtle about it!”
Artemis (giving her that look): “Zee, you collapsed a building on him.”
Zatanna: “Partially collapsed! I had covered, no unnecessary casualties.”
Helena: “Wow, first time in my life I’m hearing the Zatanna Zatara worry about casualties.”
Zatanna: “Alright, you two better shut up before I turn you into spiders.”
Artemis and Helena: “Shutting up now.”
Rose (grinning): "Okay, so that aside, we need to be fast, quiet, and gone before Supey notices."
Helena (looking down on the security schematics): "Security seems easy enough for the four of us."
Artemis: "Exactly why I asked you all along."
Zatanna: "When do we go?"
Artemis: "Tonight. Collector's hosting a charity gala. He'll be distracted. Perfect opportunity."
Rose (standing, stretching): "Alright. I'm in. What's the plan?"
Artemis: "Helena’s already got a head start on the blueprints. We go in through the service entrance, bypass security, grab the amulet, and get out. Thirty minutes, tops."
Helena (setting down her crossbow): "And if something goes wrong?"
Artemis (smirking): "Then we improvise. Like always."
[Later - Artemis's Apartment]
While Artemis worked on the security bypass tech, Zatanna, Rose, and Helena found themselves alone in the living room.
Rose was sharpening her knives. Helena was checking her crossbow bolts. Zatanna was going through her spell components.
Rose (without looking up): "So. You and Dick are really getting married."
Zatanna: "Yeah. We are."
Rose: "Are you sure you know what you're signing up for? I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm ecstatic with the idea of you being my in-law but life with a Wilson? Even an adopted one? It's complicated."
Zatanna (smiling): "I'm the daughter of a mob boss and a sorceress. I think I can handle complicated."
Rose (finally looking up): "Fair point."
Helena (not looking up from her work): "So long as I can spoil the little Dickies and mini Zatannas in ten years time, I’m good."
Zatanna gave Helena a surprised/shocked look, all while Rose was laughing her ass off.
Zatanna: “Helena!”
Helena: “What? Don’t be prude with us, Zee. I know you two fuck like rabbits. I’m surprised yain’t pregnant already.”
Zatanna could only stare at her with an open mouth.
Zatanna: “Fuck you, Helena.”
Helena: “Tempting, but I’ll pass. As hot as you are, I don’t want to get on Dick’s bad side and join Faust in being décor for your living room.”
Rose (covering her face with her hands, laughing her ass off): “Fucking hell you two are insufferable.”
They worked in laughter for a moment.
Rose (carefully): "In all seriousness though. You make him happy. Dick, I mean. I've never seen him like this. Settled. Content."
Zatanna: "He makes me happy too."
Helena: "That's what matters. Not the complications. Not what other people think. Just that you make each other happy."
Rose: "Good. Because if you hurt him, I'll kill you. Just so we're clear."
Zatanna (meeting her eyes): "And if he hurts me—which he won't—my father has an entire mob at his disposal."
Helena (finally looking up, grinning): "And I’ll grab Arty, we’ll sit back with popcorn, and enjoy the show."
Rose (grinning): "How have we four not worked together before?"
Zatanna (shrugging): "Beats me, this honestly feels like a long time coming."
Artemis (from the other room): "Are you three bonding over there or threatening each other?"
All three (simultaneously): "Both."
Artemis (laughing): "Perfect. That's exactly the energy we need for tonight."
[The Penthouse - Metropolis - 9:45 PM]
The charity gala was in full swing. Wealthy donors mingled, champagne flowed, and classical music played from a string quartet.
On the roof of the building, four figures crouched in the shadows.
Artemis (checking her equipment): "Security cameras are on a loop. We've got a twelve-minute window before they notice."
Rose (pulling on her mask): "Then let's make this quick."
Helena (checking her crossbow): "I'll take point on the guards.”
Zatanna (hands glowing faintly): "I've got us covered. Ecnelis ruo spets, edih su morf thgis."
A shimmering field of magic enveloped them—silencing their footsteps, bending light around them to make them harder to see.
Artemis (impressed): "Show off."
Zatanna (smirking): "You asked for magical backup."
They rappelled down the side of the building, entering through a ventilation shaft Artemis had identified. The shaft led them to a maintenance corridor, which in turn led to the penthouse level.
Helena (checking ahead): "Two guards at the vault door. Artemis, Rose, cover the flanks. I'll take them both."
Artemis (already drawing her bow): "I've got left."
Rose (readying her weapon): "Right side clear."
Helena moved like a wraith, crossbow firing twice in rapid succession. Two bolts, two silent kills. The guards dropped before they could raise an alarm.
Zatanna: "Clean."
Helena (snorting as she reloads): "Like you haven’t worked with me before."
They moved to the vault door—heavy steel, electronic lock, biometric scanner.
Artemis (pulling out a tablet): "Give me ninety seconds."
Rose (keeping watch): "You've got sixty."
Artemis (typing rapidly): "No pressure."
Zatanna (placing her hand on the door): "Or I could just... Kcol, nepo rof su."
The lock clicked. The door swung open.
Artemis (sighing as she looks at Zatanna): "You know, you could have mentioned that before I spent three hours planning the security bypass."
Zatanna: "Where's the fun in that?"
Rose (grinning): "I really like you."
Helena (shaking her head): "You're all insane. I love it."
Inside the vault were dozens of artifacts—paintings, sculptures, jewelry. And there, on a pedestal in the center, was the amulet.
It was small, unassuming. Bronze, with hieroglyphics etched into the surface. But Zatanna could feel the dark energy radiating from it.
Zatanna (approaching carefully): "That's definitely cursed."
Rose: "How cursed are we talking?"
Zatanna (examining it): "Very cursed. Like, I can’t even explain half of it."
Helena (keeping watch): "Then let's not touch it directly."
Artemis (pulling out a containment box lined with lead and enchanted silver): "Already ahead of you. Zee?"
Zatanna used a levitation spell to lift the amulet, guiding it carefully into the box. The moment it was sealed inside, the oppressive energy in the room dissipated.
Zatanna: "Got it. Let's go."
They were halfway back to the ventilation shaft when the alarms started blaring.
Rose: "What happened to our twelve-minute window?"
Artemis: "Someone must have noticed the guards!"
Helena: "Doesn't matter. Move! Now!"
They sprinted through the corridor, guards shouting behind them.
Rose (turning, firing her weapon): "Go! I'll cover you!"
Artemis and Zatanna kept moving, Rose and Helena providing suppressing fire. They reached the ventilation shaft—
And found it blocked. Someone had sealed it from the outside.
Artemis: "Shit!"
Zatanna: "Plan B!"
She raised her hands, and a wall of force erupted behind them, blocking the corridor and giving them precious seconds.
Zatanna: "Window. Now!"
They ran to the nearest window. Artemis fired an explosive arrow, shattering the glass.
Rose (arriving, breathless): "We're sixty stories up!"
Helena (right behind her): "Please tell me someone has a parachute."
Zatanna (smirking): "Good thing I can fly."
She grabbed all three of them, and before they could protest, she jumped.
Rose: "HOLY SHIT!"
Helena: "MADRE DI DIO!"
Artemis: “WHAT THE FUCK??!”
Zatanna: "YLF!"
They didn't fall—they glided, Zatanna's magic slowing their descent, guiding them away from the building and toward the street below.
Guards fired from the windows above, but the bullets fell short.
They landed in an alley three blocks away, all four of them breathing heavily.
Artemis (laughing breathlessly): "That was fucking insane."
Rose (also laughing): "God, I think I'm going to puke."
Helena (leaning against a wall, breathing heavily): "Fucking hell, Zee."
Zatanna (grinning): "But we got it!"
Artemis (checking the box): "Yeah. We did."
Helena (catching her breath): "Remind me to go on more jobs with you people. This is way more exciting than solo work."
Rose: "Now let's get the hell out of Metropolis before Superman shows up."
[Artemis's Car, Driving Back to Star City - 11:30 PM]
They were an hour outside Metropolis when they finally relaxed.
Rose (in the backseat): "That was actually fun."
Artemis (driving): "Fun? We almost got caught!"
Rose: "Yeah, but we didn't. That's what makes it fun."
Helena (also in the backseat): "She's got a point. The adrenaline rush was incredible."
Zatanna (in the shotgun seat, smiling): "See? Helena gets it."
Artemis (shaking her head): "Fuck's sake, you three are insane."
Zatanna: "Says the assassin who's supposed to be retired."
Artemis: "I'm selectively retired. There's a difference."
Rose: "Does your husband know you're doing this?"
Artemis: "What Wally doesn't know won't kill him. Besides, he's out of town for a physics conference. Perfect timing."
Helena: "Grandma used to tell me something similar. An old Italian saying, ‘What the wives don't know won't hurt the husbands.’"
Zatanna: "You're all terrible."
Artemis: "I learned from the best."
They drove in comfortable silence for a while, the adrenaline slowly fading.
Rose (finally): "You know, we really should do this more often."
Zatanna: "What, steal cursed artifacts?"
Rose: "No. Just... work together. The four of us. We're good at this."
Artemis: "We are, actually. Different skills, but complementary."
Helena: "Seconded!"
Zatanna (considering): "It would be nice. Having a team. People to work with who aren't trying to get me killed."
Rose: "Plus, it'd be fun to watch Artemis try to explain to her husband why she keeps coming home with bruises."
Artemis: "I'll tell him I took up kickboxing."
Zatanna (laughing): "He'll believe that?"
Artemis: "He's a scientist. He believes in evidence. As long as I don't bring home bullet wounds, I'm fine."
Helena: "What about you, Zatanna? Does Dick know you're out stealing things?"
Zatanna: "He knows I went on a job with you three. He trusts me."
Helena: "That's... honestly, I shouldn’t even be surprised. That definitely sounds like the two of you."
Rose: "That's how it should work. Dick's lucky to have you."
Zatanna (softly): "I'm lucky to have him."
[The Exchange, Star City Docks - 1:15 AM]
The buyer was waiting at the docks—a middle-aged woman in expensive clothes, flanked by two bodyguards.
Artemis (carrying the containment box): "You have the payment?"
The woman (gesturing to one of her guards): "Show them."
The guard opened two briefcases. Inside? Neatly stacked, were two hundred thousand dollars in cash, one hundred thousand dollars per case.
Woman: "Half now. Half when I confirm the amulet's authenticity."
Artemis: "That wasn't the deal."
Woman: "It is now."
Rose's hand moved to her weapon. Helena's crossbow came up slightly.
Zatanna (stepping forward): "Listen, I don't think you understand the situation, lady. We completed the job. You pay us. That's how this works."
Woman (coldly): "I'm changing the terms."
Zatanna's eyes glowed faintly purple.
Zatanna: "No. You're not."
The air grew heavy. The temperature dropped. The winds picked up a little and the bodyguards shifted nervously.
Helena (voice low, Italian accent thickening): "I don’t suppose you’ve heard of the old Bertinelli family saying. 'Chi non mantiene la parola, perde la testa.' Those who don't keep their word, lose their head."
Her crossbow wasn't quite pointed at the woman, but the implication was clear.
Woman (swallowing): "I... I see."
Zatanna: "You're going to pay us the full amount. Now. And then you're going to take this cursed amulet and never contact us again. Understood?"
The woman nodded quickly, gesturing to her guard. He placed two more briefcase on the ground.
Woman: "Four hundred thousand. As agreed."
Artemis (checking all four briefcases): "Pleasure doing business."
She handed over the containment box. The woman took it, and she and her guards left quickly.
When they were gone, Rose started laughing.
Rose: "Did you see her face?? She looked like she was about to piss herself!"
Helena (lowering her crossbow): "The old Bertinelli intimidation tactics never fail."
Zatanna (magic fading from her eyes): "Like hell I would let her cheat us!"
Artemis (dividing the money, one case per person): "Remind me never to piss off any of you."
Zatanna (smirking): "Good idea."
Each of them took their share, each briefcase containing one hundred thousand dollars each.
Rose (counting her cut): "Not bad for a night's work."
Helena (tucking hers away): "More for the bank."
Artemis (flipping her finger through a stack of cash): "Not bad at all."
Zatanna (casting a spell to teleport her share to the safe hidden in hers and Dick's apartment): "We should do this again."
Rose: "Agreed."
Helena: "Count me in. This was the most fun I've had in months."
Artemis: "Next time I get offered a job, hopefully it’s something with less Superman as a potential threat to worry about and more planning."
Zatanna (laughing): "Deal."
[Dick & Zatanna's Apartment - 3:30 AM]
Zatanna slipped into the apartment quietly, trying not to wake Dick.
But the lights were on, and Dick was on the couch, clearly waiting.
He had a beer on hand, and some random Disney+ show playing.
Dick (looking up): "Hey! How'd it go?"
Zatanna (sitting beside him): "Good! Really good, actually. We got the artifact, got paid, no one died."
Dick: "Did Superman show up?"
Zatanna: "No. We were gone before he noticed."
Dick: "Good work, babe."
He pulled her close, and she curled into his side.
Dick: "You have fun?"
Zatanna (smiling): "Yeah. I did. It was nice. Working with Artemis, Rose, and Helena. Feeling like part of a team."
Dick: "Sounds like you had a blast."
Zatanna: "Like hell I did! The girls are great."
Dick: "You thinking about doing more jobs with them?"
Zatanna: "Maybe. If the opportunity comes up. Is that okay?"
Dick (kissing her head): "Of course. You don't need my permission, Zee. I trust you."
Zatanna: "I know. But I like telling you anyway."
They sat in comfortable silence, exhaustion pulling at them both.
Zatanna (yawning drowsily): "How was training with Slade?"
Dick (groaning): "As you can expect, he made me run through obstacle courses for hours. Said I needed to rebuild my endurance."
Zatanna (laughing softly): "Sounds like Slade alright."
Dick: "Yeah."
Zatanna: "I'm glad you're okay. That you're healing."
Dick: "I'm glad you're okay too. That you had fun tonight."
Zatanna (looking up at him): "I did. But I'm happy to be home. With you."
Dick: "Me too."
They fell asleep on the couch, wrapped in each other, the Faust skull candle flickering on the coffee table.
Outside, Gotham continued its endless night.
But here, in their apartment, there was only peace.
And the promise of more adventures to come.
Together.
Always.