Artemis & Zatanna: Falling In Love Was Easy, Admitting It Was Harder
new eyes - cahill // human - krewella // hurricane - fleurie // i run to you - missio // distance - christina perri // sacrifice - zella day // hero - jessie j // collarbones - thomston // the draw - bastille
After the legends defeat Mallus Ava tries to finds the right time to tell Sara she loves her.
“Tell me about your day,” Sara requests softly.
Ava can feel the breath of her words on her throat, Sara’s head lain snugly on her shoulder. The moment Ava had stepped foot on the Waverider after work she’d been ordered to take off her work clothes and cuddle with Sara in bed, the kind of demands Ava is all too happy to meet. Sara’s hand is resting on Ava’s collarbone and one of her legs is covering Ava’s. One of Ava’s arms sneaks under and around Sara, half asleep, but Ava can’t find it in herself to care, and the other is slowly running up and down Sara’s arm.
“It was good,” Ava says, stopping the motions of her fingers when they reach Sara’s hand. “We successfully dealt with a few more anachronisms, and I got some much needed paperwork done.”
“You’re such a nerd,” Sara says lovingly, turning her hand around to intertwine her fingers with Ava’s.
Ava lifts their joined hands up to her mouth and presses a soft kiss to the back of Sara’s. “Paperwork is important!” she exclaims as she lets their hands drop back down to her chest.
“Maybe,” Sara starts, in a tone that says the opposite, causing Ava to roll her eyes in exasperation. “But you enjoy it, which makes you a nerd.” Ava’s about to protest when Sara lifts herself up from Ava, only to roll properly on top of her, straddling her waist. Sara cups her face and presses a brief, soft kiss to her lips, before pulling back a couple of inches. Ava’s arms wrap properly around her, her previously asleep arm prickling as it wakes up.
“God, I love you,” Sara whispers, tracing Ava’s cheekbone with her thumb. Ava averts her gaze, opens her mouth, to say what she doesn’t know, but Sara kisses her again before she has the time to say anything at all. One of Sara’s hands moves to slide down to her chest as the other wraps around Ava’s head to tangle itself in her hair, and Ava knows that it was planned, knows that the last thing Sara wants to do is make Ava feel like she has to say it back, but Sara’s adamant about Ava knowing she’s loved, regardless of how she was created.
It doesn’t mean that it doesn’t break Ava’s heart that she can’t bring herself to say it back, despite the words always being there, at the tip of her tongue. She loves Sara, of course she loves Sara, but after discovering her past she can’t help but question if the feelings she has are as made up as most of her memories. What gets her the most is that she’s never uttered the words aloud before, to anyone. She remembers doing it, of course, remembers telling her parents countless times, remembers the first time she told a girlfriend. But none of that happened, Ava has never actually told anyone she loves them, and she fears the possible invalidity the words might still carry because of it.
“Stop thinking,” Sara whispers in her ear, Sara’s hand having found its way under her shirt. Ava shivers as she slowly drags her fingers up her torso. Ava nods and pulls Sara’s head back to where she can kiss it, surrendering herself to Sara, quickly only thinking about what Sara is currently doing.
i. Joker - Dalshabet // ii. Bad Romance - Lady Gaga // iii. Disturbia - Rihanna // iv. Criminal - Britney Spears // v. Don’t Blame Me - Taylor Swift // vi. Tattoos - Caravan Palace // vii. Crazy=Genius - Panic! At The Disco // viii. Off To The Races - Lana Del Ray // ix. Why Do You Think You Are Nuts? - Sharon Needles // x. Sweet Things - The Pretty Reckless // xi. I Hate Myself For Loving You - Halestorm // xii. Problem - Natalia Kills // xiii. Wicked Ones - Dorothy // xiv. Bubblegum Bitch - Mariana // xv. Blow - Ke$ha // xvi. Heads Will Roll - Yeah Yeah Yeahs // xvii. (One Of Those) Crazy Girls - Paramore // xviii. Chick Habit - April March // xix. Sucker - Charli XCX // xx. Crazy - 4minute // xxi. Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down) - Nancy Sinatra
"Who are you?" A quiet voice asks hours later, Steph drenched in sweat and fists wrapped but still aching something awful. If she weren't a bat she wold have jumped; she was a bit caught up in her head, didn't even hear the girl come in. She couldn't be Batman.
"I'm the new Batman." She answers with a resigned sigh, turning to face the girl.
"Hey Steph, can you do me a Solid?" Tim's voice started when she picked up the phone, and she groaned in frustration because that voice was the 'I'm going to ask you do do something you don't want to do' voice, but it was Tim, so it was also the 'You'll do it anyway' voice, and she just wanted A Day Off.
"What's up, Tim?" She sighed, and got gratification from the 'ah' that always accompanied that uncomfortable-guilty cringe he did. Good. If she had to deal with his bullshit, then he probably deserves the discomfort.
"So. Don't hang up-" he says, and, if Steph was stupid enough to believe Tim hadn't done something to remotely disable the Hang Up button on her phone, she definitely would have. Heck, she kinda wanted to try anyway, and he hadn't even said anything yet. "But.Um. So."
"Get to the point, Tim." Steph gritted out, and Tim heaved a sigh of his own.
"So. Dick's off planet with Duke and Babs for some peace talk." He started and yes, she already knew this, and he was clearly and blatantly stalling for time, and she didn't want to deal with this bullshit.
"Yes, Tim. I was there when Ol' Batty went over the plan. You're Batman- sorry for your luck-, Damian's Robin and training that girl from his school- that's honestly kinda cute- and Cass is flying back in to fill in for Nightwing. Cullen gets to try his spot at Oracle. Harper stays Batgirl, I stay awesome, Jason stays Redhood, and Bruce stays in bed on Alfred's orders. Seriously, Get To The Point or I'll just drop the phone and leave." she threatens, and Tim is silent long enough that she almost starts celebrating a rare bullet dodged, because whatever he's trying to ask is not gonna be good. But, Alas-
"Damian snuck onto the ship with the others. And Zeta beams as well as Communications were quickly disabled." Tim doesn't know how to blink first. Figures. She mutters a curse as she figures something else out, fingers turning white in her grip of the phone, because-
"They left a week ago, Tim. Ever think that maybe this is information you're supposed to share with the class?" She nearly growled, because she loved Tim, but he's also the absolute worst sometimes.
"I didn't want to worry anyone! We can't really do anything about it besides hope everything's fine and try to fix it from our end, and The Leauge is already working on that. I've been training Olive, and it's been a quiet week. I didn't need a Robin." He defends himself, and there's a bit to unpack and talk about there, because he must be woried out of his mind and it's bullshit that he didn't tell any of them, but there are more pressing matters.
"I'm sensing a 'But' here." she says hesitantly, reminded of Pandora and her Box.
"But," he obliges, "I'm a little...Shot, right now. Ok. Maybe a lot shot. I'm on bed rest for the foreseeable future. Bart dragged me to Titans Tower because Alfred's so busy with Bruce. I had to blackmail them into letting me have this call instead of passing out." He admits reluctantly and yeah, now that she's listening for it instead of just being angry at him for talking, she can hear his breathing and he's talking a little slow, which is the Bat Equivalent of slurring your words.
"What the hell Tim." she groans, feeling a headache start to form. "Seriously, spit it out. What do you want? What is this about?" She asked, anger masking worry.
"You are my last hope." he starts, and that's not good. "I swear Steph, I wouldn't ask if you weren't. I need you to be Batman."
Steph is silent. She freezes. she's clenching one fist hard enough to draw blood with her nails, and the other hard enough to crack the phone in half if it wasn't a BatPhone designed to keep sturdier then a fucking Nokia. It makes sense, given ho angry people get when talking to Bruce. After the seventh that broke being thrown against a wall and the 12 that was snapped in half and the 3rd ground into bits under someone's heel, they went through some revisions.
"Please Steph. I'll delete that blackmail from Star City, you know the one. I'll give you eternal access to whatever you want. I'll dress in drag and do the Hula. I'm actually begging here. Harper can't be Batman. Jason *laughed* at me when I asked. Cass is dead set on Nightwing, something about a bet. Kate doesn't have time to be Batwoman right now, let alone Batman. No one can get a hold of Azreal. Jim's too old, even with the mech suit. You're the only option." He rants and wow, either pain or drugs is really getting to him because he sounds almost hysteric.
"Fuck you." she snarls. "Fuck you sideways. Fuck Everyone in this god forsaken family. Fuck Damian in particular, little brat. Fuck you." She spits, because she;s a fighter and this is the best she can do. "Seriously. Fuck You. My revenge will be slow and painful, and you owe me so many things, and I'm dying the BatSuit purple out of spite. All of them. Except Cass's, because I love her. Once you heal, I'm kicking your ass." She grumbles and promises and goes on, but it all boils down to her reluctant defeat.
"Thanks Steph, yes I know I suck, you're the best, Goddess amoung Mortals, yes I know you hate me, sorry steph-" Tim indulges her rant because he's a good friend and a smart guy like that, and she only stops when he actually starts slurring words.
"Go The Fuck To Sleep, Boy Wonder." She growls and he hums a good bye and hangs up. She almost buries her head in her knees and pities herself, but instead goes to the BatCave and works through her anger with a good old fashioned punching bag.
Done Right Steph and Cass were surveying Gotham from their favorite perch in the city, all the bats had a favorite vantage point. Theirs happened to be the very top of a semi popular casino. Way up on the neon blue sign saying “Fortune!”. It wasn’t really known for its originality. It was a fairly quiet night in Gotham, they’d only had to stop five bank robberies and three were at the same place down the block. Cass was quietly enjoying ice cream and watching the sober people entering the casino as the distraught and less than sober people leaving.
“I think I’ve had my fill of inaction. I kinda want to beat someone up.” Steph said with a huff. Cass tilted her head.
“Yes.” She said with a decisive nod. Steph pulled out binoculars and scanned the skyline, that was when the lenses went dark. Steph pulled away and blinked in surprise at the hovering amazonian. Donna Troy was smirking at them.
“My sisters in arms, Starfire and I require your aid, will you join us?” She asked, Steph always forgot how ripped donna was. She was starring a little too long at her arms.
“Uh yes, Yes! Sorry, we’re in. RIght Cass?” Cass nodded tossing her cone which elicited a a faint cry of anger from below.
“What’s the crisis?” Asked Steph Donna extended her arms and each batgirl grabbed a hand as Donna flew northward.
“A most peculiar alliance has formed between unlikely allies. It would seem Riddler, Dr. Light, Captain Cold, and Mr. Zsasz have taken hostages in some heist. The purpose is yet unclear but it is dire nonetheless.” Donna said, Cass threw a sideways glance at Steph who hid a snicker.
“Why, do you need our help? I’m sure you and Starfire could easily handle them.” Hell one of them might have been able to take on all four of them.
“We require a more subtle unit in this battle, we know nothing of the layout of the building, nor what hostilities may lie in wait. Additionally Star and I are not particularly adept at avoiding notice.” Cass smirked.
“Yes.” Steph grinned. “Alright, so Cass and I sneak in, get the scoop, you bust in, we rescue the hostages and beat the bad guys. Sounds easy enough. Where’s Star?”
“Star awaits at the scene, making sure it does not escalate why I gathered reinforcements.”
The rest of the flight was mostly silent, and brief, Donna was pretty fast. They arrived at the Gotham science department, it was odd because none of the listed villains had a particular fixation with science. Star was watching the building from a rooftop across the street.
“Oh salutations friends! I’m so glad you have joined us!” Cass chuckled and waved. “Any developments Star?” Steph asked pulling out the binoculars to see into the building, She sighed as she couldn’t see anything.
“The police are doing their best but they are, as they say, at a standstill.” “Cass let’s enter through the roof access, Donna, Star, take these, this is how we’ll stay in contact.” Steph handed them earpieces. She and cass then slipped into the darkness and Donna soon lost track of them.
“Do you think our friends have the what it takes?” Star asked concerned.
“Without a shadow of a doubt Star.” Star hovered back and forth. “Be at ease, they are skilled warriors, you need not fret.” Star nodded and took a few deep breaths.
“Am I correct that there are six sidekicks to the Batman?” Donna smirked “Verily there are two more, the one called Oracle and the mighty Batwing.” Starfire shook her head.
“Nightwing had always said his family was quite complicated.” “There is even another, she is not counted among the children, a batwoman, and Batman has a lover called Catwoman. I’ve heard a few of them speak fondly of an Alfred and a hound called Ace. I think it is more complicated than even they are aware.” Star giggled.
“I would very much like to meet a ferocious Bathound!” They both laughed quietly at that. “What is next a Batcow?” Donna said between fits causing them both to erupt into laughter again. After a few moments the giggles and tears subsided.
“Are there more of you Donna?” Donna shrugged. “I suppose I have no room to jest for there is another Wonder Girl named Cassie, Diana has a Kangaroo named Jumpa, and I heard rumour of a brother. There’s also a fierce Amazon by the name of Artemis, she has been Wonder Woman once or twice.” Star nodded smiling.
“Is it nice to have such a group?” Donna nodded. “We are bound by the deepest sense of sisterhood, I know that even in times of peace my sister will always be there with me.” She said fondly staring up at the night sky lost in memory. “Surely a Princess of Tamaran has many warrior friends?” Donna said turning her attention to the fiery alien.
“Well I have a as you say, caretaker who was most kind. I have a sister but my sister is... most unpleasant. We used to be close, the last few times we’ve encountered one another it has ended in violence.” Star said closing her eyes to the hurtful memory.
“Not all sisters are from blood or comradery in arms, some are formed through friendship.” Donna said placing a hand on Starfire’s shoulder. Star smiled.
“Thank you Donna, your words are quite the comfort.” “Spoiler to Troia, Black Bat and I have located the hostages, it looks like there’s 9 scientists. Meanwhile the bad guys are rounding up the tech from one of the labs. It looks like they plan to destroy it. I can’t tell what it is from my vantage point but it looks like it deals with brain waves of some kind. I see a few headgears.”
“Well done Spoiler, what of bombs or traps?” “There’s none that we can make out but Riddler is a tricky son of a bitch.” “Do they have a route for the escaping?” Star asked. “Strangely no, they look like they might plan to just head out the front door. Their only superpowered members are Cold and Light, and while they’re dangerous they could potentially be overwhelmed by gunfire. Another strange thing is that they aren’t talking to one another. It’s just silent, no arguing or barking orders.” Star and Donna exchanged a perturbed glance.
“Are you able to cause a distraction or rescue any of the hostages?” Steph laughed over the radio.
“When you see it fly in and grab some hostages alright?”
“See what?”Star asked confused only to be answered by a boom, and a billowing of smoke that could be seen through the windows.
“Ohhh, I should have known, Nightwing is fond of the smoke bombs.” “Let’s go!” Donna shouted and the two swooped inside, a quick sweep said the smoke was surrounding the bad guys and the hostages were clustered together in the corner. Donna and Star extended their hands allowing three people to grab a hold per arm. One climbed on Donna’s back and they swiftly carried the hostages out to the police. “What are the villain’s interest in your work?” Donna inquired. “The devices they are gathering up are telepathic enhancers and inhibitors. Some generate pockets of psychic interference, others can amplify a psychics range and power levels.” Said a dark skinned woman. She looked like the head of the team.
“Did they say anything else?” Star asked. “No, they just moved silently, they didn’t even seem very interested in us. Several of us were secretly texting family and the police. They didn’t even care. It may be my work clouding my judgement but they act as if they are being controlled.” You could almost see her mind working to put the pieces together.
“Thank you, you’ve been most helpful.” “Spoiler, Black Bat, We are headed in. Be careful there’s a possibility they are being controlled.” Star and Donna flew in once more to see the batgirls engaged in battle. Cold and Light were firing blasts of ice and light at Cass and Steph who were dodging with incredible acrobatics. Cass hurled batarangs, two were frozen but the third detonated sending cold flying. Donna swung her lasso at Zsasz who had run swiping his blade at Cass and yanked him toward her. Star and Dr. Light began hurling light blasts at each other. Their light beams ricocheting dangerously. Riddler threw his own projectiles that Steph avoided easily. Cold got up and hurled more ice daggers at them. Cass and Steph propelled upward, Cass swung around delivering a devastating kick to Cold’s jaw, Star managed to blast Dr. light in the chest while Steph descended from above to land on the riddler. Cuffing him in the process.
Steph and Cass high fived over the defeat of the villains. “Fantastic job friends!” Star cheered. “Who are you working for Zsasz? The Lasso compels you to obey my command.” Zsasz struggled and gasped but did not answer. Donna blinked.
“Answer me!” She commanded, Zsasz suddenly went slack. “Little heroes, you can’t expect me to give up my secrets so easily, you may have won the day, but trust me. I’ll be back.” And with an ominous chuckle Zsasz became unconscious. The four of them stood around feeling a slight sense of foreboding and quickly delivered the criminals to the police.
From a rooftop a few buildings away a woman watched the proceedings with disdain. “Shall I convince them to finish the job your highness?” Asked the man next to her with a wicked grin.
“That won’t be necessary Psimon, the children may have interfered in the destruction of the originals but with all the confusion I believe the research we’ve gathered will make sufficient copies.” Queen Bee smirked at the tablet that now had all the files from the project. Riddler may be annoying but he was useful with a computer.
“Come psimon, I think we have a few upgrades to work on.” and with that the queen of Bialya and her henchman disappeared into the night.
Back at the crime scene out heroes were busy celebrating. “We should do this again, I have a feeling that this particular mission isn’t over yet.” Steph said.
“Agreed.” Said Cass. Donna and Star smiled. “I’d like that.” “As would I!” And the four walked off into the night as well with the beginning of a beautiful team up.
Hello, Merry Christmas! this first playlist I have made for you is based off your prompt of Christmas songs. While coming up with it I was trying to think of songs Ava and Sara would listen to together alone on Christmas. The result was a mix of traditional/popular Christmas music mixed with more romantic/sexual ones as lets be real after that birthday scene they would totally get down on Christmas.
AvaLance Chrismas:
i. All I want for Christmas is You - Mariah Carey // ii. Santa Baby - Ariana Grande, Liz Gillies // iii. Underneath the Mistletoe - Sia // iv. Rudolph the Rednose Reindeer - Burl Ives // v. White Christmas - Bing Crosby, Ken Darby Singers // vi. Misletoe - Justin Bieber // vii. Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee // viii. Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy - Lindsey Stirling // ix. My Only Wish (This Year) - Britney Spears // x. Carol of the Bells - Mykola Leontovych // xi. Santa Clause is Coming to Town - The Jackson 5 // xii. You’re a Mean One Mr. Grinch - Jim Carrey // xiii. Jingle Bell Rock - Bobby Helms // xix. Rockin’ Around the Pole - Mean Girls Original Broadway Cast // xx. A Holly Jolly Christmas - Burl Ives
This second playlist is a little bonus. I decided to compile a list of songs that remind me of Laurel and Sara as the iconic sister duo they are. A lot of these songs are from badass women like the canary sisters and I just personally see them fitting in with certain story arcs or the characters in general. Some might make you sad but that's because both gone through some pretty hard shit. I really hope you enjoy these two playlists and enjoy the Christmas season. with love, your secret Santa!
Canary Sisters:
i. Woman Like Me - Little Mix, Nicki Minaj // ii. Fight Song - Rachel Platten // iii. Bird Set Free - Sia // iv. Live Like Legends - Ruelle // v. Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story - Orginial Boradway Cast of Hamilton // vi. Salute - Little MIx // vii. Confident - Demi Lovato // viii. Flares - The Script // ix. Elastic Heart - Sia // x. Saturn - Sleeping At Last // xi. That’s My Girl - Fifth Harmony // xii. Good Enough - Little MIx // xiii. Sorry Not Sorry - Demi Lovato // xix. Shout OUt to My Ex - Little Mix // xx. Run the World (Girls) - Beyonce
Kate and Renee let the passion take them wherever it may. Their moans and laughter filling the manor. In the mornings they would lazily walk down the stairs, Clark and Bruce already having breakfast. Their lovers would blush a little more often than not, but they would get past it. Wayne Manor was a world of its own. Nothing that happened inside the property could reach the outer world.
- Alternate Universe 1920s
The speakeasy was stocked that late July night. The air filled with smoke and laughter, the crowd gathered swaying and dancing to the rhythm of the jazz. The band was giving it all, the tuba taking over with a remarkable solo. Everyone hummed in appreciation.
The delicate sound of glasses clinking and matches being lit seemed thunderous to Kate. She kept walking, unnoticed. Social interactions seemed so pointless to her, wasting time chitchatting with her cousin’s friends’ friends or bribing some copper. She couldn’t begin to comprehend how Bruce did it.
Her cousin was surrounded by men and women near the bar stool, everyone clinging to his every word. Bruce and her, they have always been together. When Aunt Martha and Uncle Thomas were murdered, when her Mother and sister were kidnapped.
He smirked across the room to her, a kind look on his face, eying briefly the woman climbing up the minuscule stage to start her performance. Kate shook her head, not wanting to discuss Renee and decided that, after all, maybe talking nonsense would take her mind off the torn pieces of a once beaming heart that rested on her aching chest.
Kate wondered if she was meant to outlive all tragedies upon earth. She lit up a cigarette, to wash away the taste of Renee.
“Dear cousin,” she managed a weak smile. No one noticed, the charisma radiating off the Wayne heir was blinding like that. Bruce frowned a bit, his trademark smirk faltering. He bend down to kiss her cheek and whisper on her ear.
“Let’s leave,” and she felt exhausted, the protective tone of his voice the safe net that always managed to catch her mid-fall. She should feel bad for making him leave, but in the end, Kate thought, she had never been that self-less.
The tragedies that had befallen both families had left them broken, but they had been each other’s lifeline. Having someone falling apart beside you pushed you to keep moving, to keep them alive. To keep yourself alive in the process. God knows what would have been of them all on their own, drowning in sorrow, wandering the empty hallways where the ghosts of their beloved ones threatened to make the fall to their perdition.
Kate thanked everyday whatever god may be listening for not being sent away when his Father returned to the army to work the pain away. Instead, Bruce had stepped up and offered her a home. A rather unusual family. A chance to live.
And here they were, barely adults and making profit off the prohibition. Their Mothers wouldn’t be glad, Alfred definitely wasn’t. But to be fair, neither of them would be doing it had their Mothers still been alive. Probably.
