Β Β Β Β Β She already knew the answer to her question before a single sound left his lips.Β What she needed was some form of confirmation.Β For what?Β She wasnβt entirely sure of, but a sense ofΒ β¦Β peace was given knowing for certain exactly what he was willing to do that night.
Β Β Β Β Β No one could truly blame him had he done it.Β Barbara, could count the amount of times she wanted, no, begged to be allowed to cross the line.Β Some people could not be stopped no matter what they did unless they were sent six feet under.
Β Β Β Β Β Β β Β Youβre only human β¦ after everything that happenedΒ Β ββΒ Β I knew I had to do something to help you.Β I knew because had our positions been traded, Iβd be in the same state as you.Β Β βΒ It didnβt matter the hurt feelings sheβd had the entire time while involved with this event.Β How shut out and shut down heβd made her feel.Β At the end of the day, she cared for him and knew he only wanted to do what he believed was best.Β He was the only one besides Leslie who knew at the time what state Stephanie was in.Β The level of pain and torment Black Mask and put the poor girl through and countless other lives.Β Everything about it was personal.
Β Β Β Β Β Her eyes flick over towards him.Β A sharp pain in her chest at his final words.Β A sentiment that should bring joy to her to hear, but only brought sorrow.Β Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β β Β I did what I had to.Β Youβd do the same for me. Β βΒ Barbara returns the smile, but cannot had the sorrow in her eye.Β Β
Thereβs no relief in the utterance. No weight lifted off his shoulder, only dragged down. He wasnβt meant to be human. He was supposed to be more, to be better, to represent something that he almost tarnished and for what?
The failure still hung like a storm over his thoughts. Barbaraβs kind reassurance only fell on deaf ears. He didnβt deserve it anyway. None of it. He had failed his city, his people, his family when they needed them most. And he lost another soldier in the process.Β
β Maybe, β he thought out loud. His gaze elsewhere. Doubtful even as he repeats her words in his head a few times over. She had always been stronger in ways no one else has ever been, stronger than him too, after everything. After everything heβs put her through. And he doubts she would have fallen under the same spell of violence and rage that had overcome him for a moment. A sickness he only shared with a few. β But youβve always been smarter than me.β Where it counted.Β
Better too, he thought to add, but that might be pushing it even for him.Β
A frown catches. Lit up like smoke on his features. Dark and blackened until it thinned out to pale gray and then nothing. Only scorch marks on where it used to be.Β
β You have more to say than that, Oracle. β Tone grim as he studied her.Β
