#fallengotham

[ COCOA ] for sender and receiver to get hot chocolate at a winter festival.

Zatanna smiled as she took the cup of cocoa from John, the streets buzzing with vendors and Christmas activities. She was surprised with him and she was actually having a really good time. He’d promised her the outing wouldn’t come with strings which is the only reason she agreed. “John?” she asked waiting for him to look at her. She kissed his cheek lightly. “Thank you...I really needed this.” 

Richard and Zatanna's relationship had always been a.. complicated one. Not complicated in the way her relationship with John Constantine was.  Their chemistry was undeniable, always gravitating them towards one another. But more like, they could never quite get the timing right. So aside from a summer teenage romance, a few random dinners and hot steamy nights as adults...it had never gone much farther. Still, their friendship remained intact and she knew him well. Especially when there was something bothering him. Zatanna walked up behind Dick, running a hand through his hair.  "you know, too much brooding can give you frown lines." she teased him, before leaning on the desk to face him. “what’s wrong? And don’t say nothing. I know when you have something on your mind.”

Rae had always been a private person. For the protection of others and herslef, she tended to try and work out her problems on her own. But even she could admit when she needed help. She didn’t want to turn to Damian. Things were still to fresh between them. It wasn’t fair to him. She couldn’t confide in Gar either. He was a worrier, and she didn’t want that either. So that left her with one choice. The man she practically owed her life to. “Dick?” she called, knocking on the door. i’d like to talk to you in private, if i may.” 

Rachel hadn't seen Damian in sometime since their break-up. He had almost immediately went on some deep cover assignment. She felt sorry for whatever his target was. No one had heard from him in weeks, but when Damian didn't want to be found he wouldn't be. It was as simple as that. she could still sense he was alive at least. She'd became accustomed to rising with the sun as he did and was doing her normal routine of making tea first thin. However, she was caught off guard when she made her way down to the kitchens to find him there. "Damian..." she gasped in surprise. "You're back..."

“ well, serves me right for stopping by without texting first.” Roy grumbled when he realized that he may have interrupted a date for Donna. Honestly, he had no one to blame but himself. What had he expected? For her to wait around for him while he cleaned up? “I’ll just..leave these here. Get on my way.” he said putting the flowers he bought on a planter she had hanging on the door. “You look good Donna. I’ll see you around.” 

“ this is so stupid.” Zatanna sighed as followed the red head blindly. “Why won’t you tell me where we’re going. And don’t say to trust you. Last time I trusted you I ended up gagged and you were using my spell book to reek chaos on Gotham. Forgive me if I’m being cautious here.” she continued on, heels clacking against the ground. “Jeremiah.”

❝ i was sucking on this candy cane and accidentally made a weapon... ❞

"mhm." Zatanna nodded, not even glancing up from her book. She hadn't completely barred Damian from her apartment, but it was clear she wasn't happy with him. Not only for the stunt he'd pulled with Rachel, but the way he had snapped at her. Actions had consequences and he needed to learn that just cause people loved him and would forgive him didn't mean he could just talk to them anyway they wanted. And they certainly didn’t mean things went back to normal without an apology.

❝ i didn’t know what to get you. i hope you like it. ❞ 

Rachel's eyebrows furrowed, looking down at the box he held out for her. It was large and seemed to be...moving? She hadn't expected him to get her anything, neither of them being holiday people. That and well...they hadn't really spoken since that night at Zatanna's. They’d had a moment, and she’d been to afraid to see him since. Zatanna told her the spell was a band aid on an open wound. It wasn't safe for them not yet. Still, Rachel couldn't help the way her heart soared when she opened the box. A bird cage with two Ravens inside. "Damian..." she gasped softly. "They're beautiful..." She ran her hand down the side of the cage the birds both sqawking. It made her laugh. "thank you."