No invasion, but there's pie

[jla-extras.livejournal.com]

The heroes continue to arrive and partake in the Thanksgiving feast, with varying degrees of relief that the "alien invasion" was merely a ruse.

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/_bird_of_flame_/]

She was there to patch him back up. There isn't much that puts someone in a place like that. Carefully, she takes the few steps over to stand behind him and wraps her arms around his shoulders for a few moments in silence.

"What you do isn't easy but I know that a lot of people in this room are thankful for you."

Flamebird pulls away, to leave him in peace.

[-nightwing-.livejournal.com]

So why does he keep feeling like he needs to apologize to them? He doesn't say that, either, but the slightest drop of his shoulders will tell her enough.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_bird_of_flame_/]

Okay.

That isn't right.

She goes back, wrapping her arms around him from behind. Turning her head, she presses her cheek inbetween his shoulder blades. There are some things she doesn't think she'll ever say but that does not make them any less true.

Bette can't think of anything else to do, of any other way to help than this.

"You should head home."

[-nightwing-.livejournal.com]

He starts, jolted from his self-introspection, not expecting that; but he forces himself to relax. It's partially successful. Yeah. He should go home.

Bette...

[http://users.livejournal.com/_bird_of_flame_/]

The jolt causes her to pull back just a bit, putting physical distance between them again.

Quietly, she speaks, "Yes?"

[-nightwing-.livejournal.com]

He turns around to look at her again.

I'm sorry if I let you down.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_bird_of_flame_/]

"Why would you ever think you'd done that?"

She looks at him, curiously, a crease forming between her brows.

[-nightwing-.livejournal.com]

He offers her a wry smile.

Where should I start?

[http://users.livejournal.com/_bird_of_flame_/]

"Obviously you're holding yourself accountable for things I don't."

[-nightwing-.livejournal.com]

Someone has to. Might as well be me.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_bird_of_flame_/]

There is a wry look on her face as she says, "Oh, please. If we start that we'll both be drowning in our own self-recrimination. And our own bitterness."

Bette gives him a small smile.

[-nightwing-.livejournal.com]

He gives her a look that wouldn't be out of place on his mentor.

The team leader isn't supposed to lose it in the field.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_bird_of_flame_/]

"A lot of things happen that aren't supposed to happen."

Looking up at him, she's currently unpahsed by the look.

"If life was the way it was supposed to be, none of us would have to do what we do here and...." Bette closes her teeth over the next thing that wants to come out.

"Look. This doesn't do anyone any good. Ah-They all love you, you know. They accept you, flaws and all. And there is a good reason for it. Everyone slips. It's called being human. It's called family. Stop beating yourself up. There will be enough people who want to do that in the future for you to give them a headstart."

[-nightwing-.livejournal.com]

There's a long silence.

That's not how I was raised.

Beat.

I should go home.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_bird_of_flame_/]

"Your family will be better at cheering you up and giving you things to be thankful for than I possibly ever could be. Go hold your baby girl and smile at her." Bette smiles at him softly.

[-nightwing-.livejournal.com]

He glances at the others briefly, then nods.

Make sure nobody gets into trouble while they're here, yeah?

[http://users.livejournal.com/_bird_of_flame_/]

There is a soft chuckle at that. "Sure."

After a moment there is a small tinge of blush on her face, before she turns to let him go.

[-nightwing-.livejournal.com]

He's not sure why he does it; but as she turns, she'll feel his lips brush her cheek for a second, and a whispered "Thanks," in her ear.

He's gone before she can turn around.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_bird_of_flame_/]

Bette opens her mouth and puts a hand to her cheek.

Oh.

She blushes more deeply, smiling softly.