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I. Jennie stumbles from her room towards the kitchen, still half asleep. She may be dressed and physically ready for the day, but mentally she’s nowhere near that. She needs coffee before she can possibly bother with anything requiring an iota of thought. She’s never been a morning person and she isn’t starting now. The only reason she’s even willing to force herself up before 8am is because she has work and she really, really likes to not be broke.
The smell of sausage and coffee hits Jennie before she steps into the kitchen. Donna stands in front of the stove, wearing an oversized Titans shirt. “Morning.” Donna’s voice is like a ray of sunshine, especially in comparison to Jennie’s zombie-like demeanor.
Jennie blinks in surprise when a warm mug is suddenly shoved into her hands. “Mocha with exactly three spoons of caramel creamer,” Donna smiles. It takes Jennie’s brain a few moments to start chugging along and understand.
“Wait, you remember the coffee I drink?” She’s suddenly far more awake. She’s pretty sure the only other people who remember it are Ma Hunkel, who makes amazing coffee, and a few friends so they can make fun of how exact she is about the creamer. “And… had it ready?” At exactly the time she wakes up for work? That’s totally normal for roommates, right?
Jennie finds her eyes lingering on Donna’s smile for what's perhaps a moment too long. It’s not just her voice that’s sunshine. (What type of thought is that?) “It’s easy to remember an angel’s order.” It’s a joke, it must be. She’s heard Donna call her other friends angels. It’s never serious. Yet, for a moment, it’s like her mind is stuttering over it on repeat. Angel. Then her phone alarm goes off and she snaps out of it.
She takes the cup from the Amazon, lips quirking up in a matching smile. “Guess I’ll have to return the favor and memorize yours too. But after work. I gotta rush.” She hates having to leave now, but she can’t exactly buy coffee for Donna if she skips out on her photography sessions.
There’s a slight skip in her step when she leaves the house.
II. It was the Crime Syndicate. It’s not the first time Jennie has faced them, but it was certainly one of their more organized and planned attacks. More damaging too. The Justice League and other teams didn’t have a moment’s warning before the attack came. It had required all hands on deck, with even a few other heroes showing up to give a hand.
Jennie sighs as she slides down to the ground, her back pressed against a large chunk of broken concrete. The street is destroyed. She has no idea how far the damage extends, but she’d imagine it’s a fair distance.
Dick had said to give him time to catalogue the damage and then they’d start repairs. It’s a necessary part of being a hero - you can’t leave everything to be cleaned up by others - but right now Jennie would rather sit down and not move for the day. Her face aches from where Johnny Quick had gotten in a few punches and her ribs are sore from being thrown into a building. At least the sun is up. With the fact she photosynthesizes, it’ll make her injuries heal a tad faster.
“You’ve got the right idea.” Jennie turns her head as Donna drops down next to her. Jennie can see only a few bruises across her body. Amazonian strength must work wonders. “We might as well rest until the Boy Wonder’s done over analyzing everything.”
Jennie snorts then winces as it pulls at her ribs. She’ll need to get those checked before heading home. A comfortable silence falls over them, both too exhausted to really say much.
And then Donna leans to the side. Their shoulders touch and Donna’s head bumps lightly against Jennie’s. Jennie’s breath sticks in her throat like a heavy rock. She doesn’t know what to say, but Donna doesn’t say anything further either. Jennie hesitates for a moment before relaxing and leaning against Donna too. They stay like that until Batman’s done surveying the damage.
III. It’s the memories. It’s always the memories. The past lives and timelines and multiverse and it all gets so loud and so much and there’s only one way to quiet it. Wine from Themyscira, strong enough to make any Amazonian drunk.
“Donna…” Jennie’s voice, soft and tinted with concern, drifts through the alcohol-fueled haze.
Donna weakly looks up from where she sits on the floor, slumped against the couch. It’s hard to think, but a thin flame of shame runs through her while Jennie’s green eyes scan over the scene. Empty bottles surrounded Donna. How pathetic must she look?
“’m sorry,” she slurs. She looks away from those emerald eyes, staring at the floor. She lets out a laugh watery with tears. “Really heroic look, right?”
There’s silence. Her stomach twists. Jennie must think she’s disgusting. Of course she would. It’s not much different from what Donna thinks about herself. Maybe-
Donna jolts when Jennie squeezes her hand, instinctually meeting her eyes. There’s no revulsion there. “What happened?” Jennie quietly asks as she kneels down in front of the Amazon.
Her eyes sting with tears and she briefly shakes her head. “I don’t-” Her voice breaks off. There’s a vice grip around her chest that she can’t force her voice past.
Jennie’s arms wrap tightly around her as she’s pulled into a hug. There’s a beat and then Donna all but collapses against her friend, burying her face against her shoulder and grabbing onto her shirt.
Jennie stays with her all night.
IV. “Could’ve done without the fish,” Donna mutters as she rings the water out of her hair. Usually the Justice League faces serious, powerful threats. Sometimes, though, they happen to stumble upon something ridiculous but still dangerous enough and that’s how you end up nearly buried in fish. But they've saved the day and Dick’s giving his leader speech, telling them they’ve all done well and to secure the area before they head home.
Donna turns to Jennie. She’s still coughing up some water, but otherwise seems fine. “Thanks for the backup.” Jennie startles, as if surprised by the gratitude, but Donna barely notices. She’s too focused on the startlingly green eyes that turn her way.
“I should be thanking you. You’re the one who saved me and kicked his ass.”
“Only because you gave me an opening.” Her stomach flip flops. She tries not to think too hard before reaching out and squeezing Jennie’s hand. “Seriously, thanks, babe.” The nickname isn’t anything new. She’s said it before. Hell, Jesse’s called Jennie that before. But there’s something else behind it now, a yearning that she hopes Jennie notices but Donna could easily pretend was nothing if she doesn’t.
Their hands are touching for only a moment before Donna lets go and quickly walks to Batman. She tries not to let her hope or nervousness show on her face, but by the grin Dick shoots her way, she knows she’s failed.
V. “There’s something wrong with me,” Jennie whispers. She sits slumped on the couch, as if weighed down by an unseen mass. Donna sits next to her, turned to face her. Jennie presses her thumb against the Starheart burst on her left palm. She can feel the thrum of power in her hand. It’s felt wrong ever since she was resurrected as a White Lantern, just ever so slightly twisted out of shape. “I shouldn’t have come back.”
“Hey!” Donna’s voice is sharp. Not mean or cruel, only stern. Firm. Startled, Jennie looks up at her. “Whatever’s wrong, we can fix it.” Donna reaches out and holds her left hand. It’s gentle and kind yet grounding. It feels right. Donna leans forward until their heads are touching and all Jennie can see is her eyes and how they sparkle. “But don’t say you shouldn’t have come back. The ring chose you for a reason. And… I’m really happy to have you back.”
They’re so close. Jennie can feel Donna’s breath and her cheeks turn a shade of dark green. Something clicks into place. She’s felt wrong since she was resurrected. The Starheart doesn’t speak to her the same and there’s so much anger and a power inside her that she can’t control, but with Donna…
With Donna, it always feels perfect. They fit together in a way Jennie can't say she ever has with any friend or boyfriend before. The feelings have been there, but Jennie's always brushed them aside. No more.
Jennie takes the leap. It’s quick, barely more than a peck, but their lips meet. Donna’s eyes widen and for a moment there’s the searing dread of misunderstanding the last few months. But then Donna’s face softens into a smile and she cups Jennie’s face, pulling her into a second kiss that lasts much longer than the first. Donna tastes sweet on Jennie’s lips.
When they break apart, it’s only enough to breathe. They stay with their heads pressed together. They’ll need to talk more in the morning, but for now that feels far away. “Stay with me tonight?”
“Always.”