@inkdevourer / tim says, "Yes, I was flirting with you."
CLOUDS, once thick and dour, brighten as the first rays of the sun peek across the city's skyline. It unveils itself: its brilliance skimming along the mirrored edifices of skyscrapers and reflecting in her blue eyes as she kicks her legs along the roof's edge. She idly sips an iced coffee, determined to keep her gaze ahead of her.
She doesn't want to look at him. Not yet.
Their patrol had ended just half an hour ago, and not wanting to returning home, they linger in silence as they watch the sunrise. Breakfast was the excuse; their half-eaten meals sit, forgotten, between them. Her fingers are so close to his, but she doesn't reach out.
She shouldn't. She can't.
It had been awkward all night. They nitpicked the most basic tactics the other suggested; they squabbled over the dumbest things. Yet after every disagreement, he'd made a point to stare her down, offering a hesitant smile and saying what she least expected–a dumb joke or pun–to get her to crack one in return.
Stephanie sighs. Setting down her drink, she finally looks to him; blue eyes loll lazily, as if she's doing this naturally. Casually. Finally, she sees his profile: strong jaw, his softly delicate nose, and those blue eyes seeking hers out.
She's just about to look away, but he speaks. It's the last thing she'd expected him to say.
Her lips part, mouth opening briefly out of shock. She closes it and clears her throat. Unable to find her voice for precious seconds, Steph responds, "I, uh..." You are such an idiot. "As if I couldn't tell..." It's borderline self-deprecating with its implicit disbelief.
She clocks the burgeoning displeasure on his face.
Gathering herself, she frowns and tucks a stray curl behind her ear. Suddenly feeling like a coward, she looks down at her lap. Her voice is grim, but there's an edge to it as she finally voices the one question that had her dumbfounded by his assertion. "Why though? Things between us are over. You don't approve of my return to Spoiler, and you made it clear after Batman's disappearance and return that..." Shoulders heavy, she sighs. "Why now, Tim?"