Work Text:
How many times have I driven this road
On my way home
It's always the same
So many people just stand in the line
They're chasing the lights
But losing their way
She wiped a tear from her cheek as thunder cracked above her head. The skies opened and the clouds seemed to squish together as rain began to fall to the earth.
She knew she shouldn't let this get to her but she was feeling low and it seemed appropriate that she was in a literal storm as her love life was a torrent of emotions.
And I find myself looking for you
(For you
For you)
Yeah, I find myself looking for you
Looking for you
It started just the same as it always did. One of them attracted the attention of the opposite sex and it snowballed from there. There was shouting. There were accusations. There were hurtful words spewed on both sides.
And it had always been that way...
She could still remember the first time one of them got jealous.
It was the first time they'd been out together as a couple and it was a simple trip to the bookstore.
He held open the door for her and she hid a small blush in the hood of her hoodie. Knowing she was blushing, he swept into a low bow.
She rolled her eyes but her blush intensified. They walked towards the counter but he pulled on her elbow as he found something. It was a graphic novel of Frankenstein. Her favorite novel.
She picked it up and flipped through the pages. "This is pretty good."
"I told you." He leaned against the shelves with a smug smile.
She pursed her lips. "That's just one."
"Oh I believe that's two." He blew in her ear.
She shivered then glared at him. "We're in public!"
"I know." He blew again softly.
She shivered again then hit his arm. "Stop it!"
He chuckled. "Are you gonna get it?"
"Get what?" It wasn't often that he stumped her but she was confused.
He laughed. "Frankenstein."
She colored. She'd still been caught up in his blowing smoke that she'd forgotten all about the book she held. She cleared her throat and said stiffly, "Yes. Yes, I am."
His lips twisted in amusement. "I get you that hot and bothered?"
"You're not funny." She told him.
"Aww come on! You don't mean that."
"I'm serious." She teased. "There is not one laugh when you tell a joke."
"I gotta joke for you." He moved closer.
She moved away. "Is that all you can think about?"
"I never told you what I was thinking!" He grinned as he stalked closer.
"I know it was dirty." She narrowed her gaze on him and continued moving backwards.
As soon as her back hit the bookcase behind her, he caged her in. "It really was."
She breathed his name as her eyes grew.
He leaned down and skimmed his lips across her nose and cheeks. "Hmm?"
She forced herself to focus and to not melt into a big half demon puddle. "Public. We're in public."
"Isn't that better?"
She locked her knees. "Nightwing wouldn't approve."
"He's not exactly on my mind." He ghosted around her ear lobes.
He wasn't on hers either. "We could get into a lot of trouble."
"It’ll be worth it." He hovered above her lips.
She forced her hands between them before she gave in like everything inside her screamed for her to do. She pushed until he backed up a couple steps. "Not gonna happen."
He pouted. "How close was I?"
She wouldn't admit that he only had to press closer and he could have done whatever he wanted to her. "Not very."
He smirked. "Alright. Let's get the rest of your books and get outta here."
"Why? Afraid of knowledge?" She began walking to the counter again.
He snorted. "Please. You don't want me to get in a book."
"I dare you." She was flirting outrageously. Only he could make her so comfortable outside of her comfort zone.
He got behind her and walked closely. "I take that dare. Any book. Pick any book and I'll read it."
Her cheeks burned at the intimate movements. "I have just the book. Don't say I didn't warn you." They reached the counter and she hit the silver bell on the wooden expansion.
He moved from behind her and laid against the counter as a blonde came from the back room. "I'm shaking."
The brown eyed towhead looked at the couple. "How may I help you?"
"I have a hold." She spread her hands across the counter.
"Okay. Give me your name and I'll-" The worker flicked her eyes to him and noticed his skin. "I know who you are! You're a Titan!"
He grinned. "Yes. Yes, I am."
Her eyes lit up and she stuck her hand out. "I'm Candy! I'm your biggest fan!"
"Aww! No, you're not. I don't have pretty fans."
She blushed. "I totally am. I liked you before all those Asian girls jumped on the bandwagon."
"A true fan." He whistled low. "What's my favorite color?"
"Easy. Green."
"Favorite food?"
The blonde thought. "Radishes."
He was impressed. "Alright. You won't get this one. Which do I prefer: soy milk or cow's milk?"
"Trick question. Neither. You love almond milk."
He laughed. "You are my fan!"
"Told you." She batted her lashes.
"Would you like an autograph?"
"And a picture?" She goaded.
"And a picture." He smiled warmly.
She reached across the counter to hug him. "Oh thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"
"Do you hear something?" He asked.
"No." She pulled back a little. A cracking sound exploded from behind her and she jumped away from him. "Oh no!"
The shelves on the wall behind her had splintered and fallen down.
He frowned. "What happened?"
"I don't know!" She moaned. "I'm going to get in so much trouble!"
"Maybe I can help?" He reached forward but never made it as a black tentacle stopped him in his tracks. The tentacle whipped him around to face a very pissed off half demon. "Hey?"
She sighed. It was like he couldn't turn it off. Ever since he'd shot up and filled out, his flirting was taken more seriously, which made it flourish.
The city was on fire for us
We would've died for us
Up in flames
Cue the rain
In my heart
Little scars
Everywhere that you are
Up in flames
Cue the rain
Everywhere they went, girls were throwing themselves in his path and all he did was flash those sharp canines. At times, he flexed to show off his powerful physique. It was sickening.
He always said he had eyes for none other than her but she couldn't tell! He was always winking at a fan and taking pictures with random girls. Giving out hugs and saying sweet things.
He did so without thought and it showed because he did them so smoothly. Compliments rolled off his tongue as easily as comebacks Nightwing thought up in battle.
It broke her heart every time he did so because of the lack of respect but also because she wasn't the most confident in her looks and some of these girls made her feel worse. They were stunning and even worse, giggly.
They were outgoing, fun, giggly, pretty girls and they made her feel like a short, plump, pale, quiet shut in. She hated that feeling, she hated that they could make her feel that way and she hated that she cared so much.
Headlights and taillights
They all look the same
We come and we go
Need something to chase
Hard to remember what we left behind
But your hand in mine
Is hard to erase
But there was a dangerous flipside. It wasn't just her jealousy. It was his, too. This fight wasn't about him flirting with some tall blonde but some puny dweeb in a big robot suit.
He thought everyone was looking at her. He thought everyone was flirting with her. And when they were, he flew off the handle. He'd beaten the villain so badly, their leader had had to dress him down but he didn't care.
He'd wanted to know why she'd let the robotic menace get so close to her. She'd argued that it wasn't her intention and that he was the one to get closer to her, not the other way around. He hadn't wanted to hear it. He'd insisted that she liked the attention from the oafish Adonis and that she flaunted it in front of him to punish him for all the things she said he did.
Their screaming match was so long and so loud that the others had fled from the vicinity, taking the children with them. No one had been able to calm them down so they'd given up.
She'd screamed herself hoarse defending herself and pointing the finger back at him but he'd remained stubborn and thickheaded.
And I find myself looking for you
(For you
For you)
Yeah, I find myself looking for you
Looking for you
She wondered why did they do this. What purpose did it serve? What gain did they get out of it? It did nothing short of driving their family away.
As she raised her tear stained, rain soaked face to the skies, she thought about telling him it was over. That they just weren't good together and to stop torturing themselves (and everyone around them).
The city was on fire for us
We would've died for us
Up in flames
Cue the rain
In my heart
Little scars
Everywhere that you are
Up in flames
Cue the rain
They could co-parent without being together. They could go back to being teammates and nothing more. They could give up on the only real relationship either of them have ever had.
And I'll stay
Yeah, anything but okay
And I'll fade tonight
They could go back to being lonely. To being alone. To having no one to call their own. They could go back to not having someone to hold. To kiss. To love.
The city was on fire for us
We would've died for us
Up in flames
Cue the rain
They could go back...
Cue the rain
But you can never really go back, can you?
Why can't I stay?
Save it away
If they broke up, she'd be the creepy witch all over again. He'd be the foolish twerp. Together they were more than what others saw. Together they were in love. Maybe that was why they never called it quits after an argument? Maybe they knew they were better together than apart and no argument could ever change that?
And I find myself looking for you
Yeah, I find myself looking for you
She sniffled gently. She couldn't let him go. She loved him too much. And it was love. The way he looked at her, the way they sat in silence, doing different things but were still close, the way she felt when he touched her.
She loved his mind, his body (she blushed), his fathering skills, his soul. She loved nearly every single thing about him.
The city was on fire for us
We would've died for us
Up in flames
Cue the rain
In my heart
Little scars
Everywhere that you are
Up in flames
Cue the rain
But was love enough? They could not continue to fight like this. It broke her heart and scared their daughter. Heck, it scared her! The way they got so angry and said whatever popped into their minds.
Was love enough to banish their demons and keep them together? It was the most important question to ask herself.
She jumped when she felt arms encircling her waist. He settled in the curve of her neck and she relaxed.
And I'll stay
Yeah, anything but okay
And I'll fade tonight
His soft voice carried on the wind. "I'm sorry."
The city was on fire for us
We would've died for us
Up in flames
Cue the rain
Love was enough...