When Rorshchach first saw beyond New York (Rorshchach x Nite Owl)
''Hey, Rorshchach.''
''Hrrg?''
''Want me to fly you to your house?''
The dalmatian-masked man lowered his head after a second.
''Can't show where I sleep.''
''Why not?'', asked Nite Owl.
''Prefer not to show.'', the other answered in a final tone.
Nite Owl sighed. He was a bit annoyed, yet concerned. Rorshchach never told anyone where he slept. From the look (and...sometimes, smell) of it, it couldn't be good. Still, his patrol partner looked cold and more tired than usual. This is then than an idea plopped up in his mind.
''Hey-hum, (clears throat), well then...I don't know quite a lot about where you live, but I do know one thing...'', the goggled hero smiled with pride, ''...It's that New York looks mighty beautiful from up there...I bet you never saw that. And besides, you look like you could warm up a bit.''
Rorshchach almost imperceptively moved his head up, as if caught. He grumbled, but he was indeed shaking and his mouth was making vapor, even through his mask. Even his coat, at this hour would most likely not fare him by then.
''Hrrgh...Fine...Just to get warm.''
Nite Owl was pleased with his victory. He pressed a button on Archie and with a whoosh, they could enter.
Archie had been recently cleaned up. Rorshchach's shoes squeaked on its floor. He felt a bit out of place and fidgeted in his pockets. Nite Owl beckoned him to sit on the right seat at the commands. The fedora-wearing slender lad did with a a slight slump. The chair was ergonomic and thinly covered with a sort of velvety fabric, like those old cars. He sighed.
''All set?''
''Yeah...''
''Then...contact.'', Nite Owl smirked.
Effortlessly, Archie ascended with a hum. The cabin was filled with an aqua hue. At first, Rorshchach could see towers upon towers...A poor black woman tucking her children in a double bed...A couple fighting...Punks staring up at the vessel...Graffitis...That street painting of silhouettes in love on one wall..
But then, the towers made way for antennas...Then clouds...Then...
Rorshchach's dark blotches on his mask slowed down to near standstill...
Stars...Stars everywhere...The kind you only see in a storybook... They glittered like...He couldn't quite compare it to anything. He knew nothing of beauty, for it had deserted New York since forever... In the deep dark, they seemed t glow even more...
Then... Archie slowed to an halt.
''Pssst, Rorshchach.''
The latter jumped as Nite Owl's fingers tapped on his forearm. He looked upon a warm smile.
''Look...''
''… (faint gasp) ...''
The moon...Humongus amongst a plain of pale, twilight blue clouds...Perfectly framed through the viewport...
And not sounds of a plane getting near...
Rorshchach slumped his arms at his sides...He slowly got up and walked, step by step...
Nite Owl could tell the awe hiding beneath the mask...
Rorshchach contemplated the scenery left...to right...Then, he drew in a long, slow breath...and slowly exhale, tonus loosened. His black spots swirled about serenely.
''Pretty, isn't it?'' smiled Owl.
''...Calm...No noise...Peace...''
''...I love to go there, some nights.''
''Hmrmr...Silence...'', Rorshchach's smile wasn't quite hidden by his mask, anymore.
Nite Owl cautiously joined his accolyte. Both taking it in...
Until there was a rumble below...
''Maybe we should go, it might start to rain.''
''No. I want to stay.''
'' Well...Maybe we can fly some more...Then, I could drop you off wherever you want.''
''...Hrmrm..Okay.''
And thus, as rain began to fall, they flew in the night for a longer while... Rorshchach made himself at ease in his seat...Just watching the plains of clouds and stars...Then when the ship went under it, he listened to the pitter-patter of the rain...
Nite Owl glanced every now and then. He never saw him this relaxed. He was indeed a strange fellow, but he was effective when squeezing truths from crooks. And he was on point with his theories about cases they both took together. He never quite teamed up with the others, except when needed be.
Strange fellow...But always true to his mission. No compromises. Nite Owl liked that.
He glanced again...and gasped.
The fedora-wearing vigilante had drifted off. His arms comfortably lying atop his striped thighs and his head lolled to the left.
Nite Owl smiled and turned the autopilot on. He untied his long brown cloak and gently went to cover him and tuck it around Rorshchach's shoulders. The latter lowered the tip of his chin onto it.
Nite Owl serenely beamed. Seeing that the hat may fall off, he took it with utmost care in one hand and...with the other one...he...gently stroke the back of his neck. When it leaned into the touch, Nite Owl contained a gasp, then after a pause, did it again. Rorshchach sighed. Nite Owl hesitantly smirked in slight amazement at how close he had touched him. He slowed his strokes, then placed his hand onto his shoulder.
''Good job...my friend.''
THE END
