one.
exes and whys.

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               THE SUDDEN LOUD BANGING on the door cut through the song blaring through the speaker of the apartment, drowning the voice of Rick James' super freak. Zarina Shon was startled, causing her to lose her concentration. Her peaceful morning has now been disturbed by whoever was at the door, and she had guessed it was John Constantine. He always forgot his keys and often knocked loudly enough to disturb her. She assumed he had finally returned after spending a few weeks at the house of mystery, which he had won over a card game.

   "Fuck." Zarina muttered. She scowled as she saw how the eyeliner she had been doing on her left eye moved away from the perfect straight line. Closing the eyeliner and slamming it down her makeup table, she stood up and marched over to her apartment—well her and John's shared apartment—door.

   "John, How many times have I told you to stop forgetting your bloody ke—" The lecture she was saving up for her older brother figure was stopped as she swung the door open. But on the other side wasn't John instead, then and there was Dick Grayson. He gave a smile and suddenly her bandaged heart was once again bleeding just from his presence.

   He's the type of guy whose presence you'd sense even before you see him. Lean but unquestionably strong, as if each muscle was designed for movement—fluid, controlled, and smooth. His shoulders are wider than she recalled, as if he's been carrying extra weight lately, and there's a wiry tightness in his posture, as if he's ready to spring into action at any time.

   Then there's the smile. Oh, God, that smile. It's maddening that it hasn't lost its edge—it's still as dazzling and disarming. Zia used to believe it was for her, but now she sees it for what it is: a weapon, something he uses to deflect, charm, and keep people at arm's length even while they appear to be getting closer.

   His hair remained the same dark, inky tangle, always tousled as if he just got out of bed—or, more likely, just completed doing something reckless. However, his eyes—those piercing blue eyes—are tougher today. She used to see the world in them as limitless and full of possibilities. Now there's a shadow there, which she couldn't quite reach despite her best efforts.

   That's the thing with him. He's absolutely lovely, but it's the kind of beauty that leaves bruises.

   "The fuck?" She questioned loudly as soon as she had finally gathered her thoughts, she had dreamed of this. But this was going differently than what she had dreamt.

   In her dreams he would arrive at her doorsteps with a bouquet of flowers, the ones he knew she would love, and he would beg for her forgiveness. She would forgive them then send him to the North Pole as a revenge for breaking her heart.

   "Hey Zarina." He finally broke the silence, him saying her full name felt odd. He never called her by that name, he was the one who said her name was like a spell. So he gave her the nickname she ended up using until now.  "We need to talk."

   "No we dont." She said as she was about to shut the door but Dick's hand was fast enough to catch the door, stopping it from closing. She wanted him to leave, she was not in the mood to deal with her ex-boyfriend and whatever news he had, she knew it would mean she needed to suit up with them once again.

   "It's important." He added, there was a pleading tone as he looked at her. She stayed silent, thinking of considering his plea or slamming the door shut, she really wanted to do the latter.

   "Fine, 5 minutes." She instructed as she turned her back on him. Hearing the door click behind she glanced over shoulder. "I never said you could come in." Her tone made Dick frown, this side was something he never saw before from her.

   "Nice shirt." Dick couldn't help but comment, Zia raised an eyebrow and glanced down at what she was wearing. Realizing she wore one of the many shirts she did not return and just her underwear.

   Dick spoke again as he watched Zarina turn off the music, ignoring his comment. "Zia, we have a problem."

   "Since when have we been a thing?" She questioned as she gave him a glare.

    Dick ignored her question and continued to speak, "This also concerns you, the light—"

   There it was, and yet she was hoping that he was there to talk about them and what had happened. "And I care about the light since when?"

   Dick sighed, it was always hard to communicate with her before but now it seems like she's just shutting him out. "Zia, can you at least let me finish?"

   "Fine." She muttered, walking past him to reach the refrigerator. "Time's ticking." Grabbing a bottle of water, she glanced at Dick.

   "The light has a new recruit, they call them the witch hunters."

    Zarina stared at him blankly, opening the water bottle she held, "Wow, do they come with children's meals and toys?"

   "Zia, this is serious." Dick urged. "They're targeting magic users."

   "I kinda pieced that together." Zarina pointed out as she took a sip of the water she held. "If they're such a threat, shouldn't you be worried about the magic users in your team rather than coming here to merry ol' London?"

   "I came to warn you, Zia. Zhee said she hadn't come across someone like them before, they're different." Dick lied easily, making Zia's eyebrow raise. "The light knows your connection with the Team and the League, you might be a target."

   "I can take care of myself, boy blunder." Dick hasn't heard that nickname since she had left. He never took offense to it, for some weird sense it made him happy to hear it.

   "Zia, we can work together." Dick suggested, this was always the plan, to ask her to come back to them, to him. "Zatanna believes, you two ca—"

   "No." Zarina denied quickly, looking at him seriously. "I don't belong in your team, remember? I mean you said it yourself."

   Dick was silent at her words, the same words he threw at her before in the heat of their argument. "Zia..." He started off, wanting to finally apologize.

   "Your five minutes are up." Zia cut him off before he could speak again, twisting her hand, white and blue hues surrounded her hands. The door was suddenly open. "Now get the hell out."

   "Zia, I'm sorry." Dick spoke sincerely. "About what happened, about what I said to you."

   "Apology not accepted." Her tone was colder than it used to be, she had already turned around so she didn't have to face him. "Get out before I change my mind and send you to Antarctica."

   There was silence for a moment, before she heard the lock of the apartment door click. In that moment, she broke her promise to herself, she allowed the tears to fall once again.

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               "ANY LUCK?" ZATANNA ZATARA QUESTIONED as she watched Dick Grayson leave the apartment building, she leaned against the wall of the front of the building with one leg propped up supporting her. She had already talked to John Constantine, and told him about the whole fiasco of what was happening and asked him to assist the league with their current problem, much to her surprise he agreed.

   As soon as she saw the look on his face, she knew. "Ah." She simply said, she already assumed what had happened. "Did she hex you?"

   "She threatened to send me to Antarctica." He bitterly chuckled as he spoke those words. "Told you, you should've been the one to talk to her." Dick sighed in defeat, he knew that Zarina had a soft spot for Zatanna.

   "Yeah, then we won't be able to get John to agree." Zatanna pointed out, earning a surprised glance from Dick.

   "He agreed?" Then there was hope, hope that Zarina would return to the team, maybe John can persuade her. "How'd you do it?"

   "Well for starters, I didn't break his heart and practically kicked him out of the team." It was supposed to be a joke but Zatanna saw how Dick's face hardened. "Sorry." She muttered.

   "It's fine, Zhee." He gave a forced smile at her, her words rang through his ears. "I just want her to be safe."

   "Zarina can take care of herself." Zatanna reminded him. "She's been doing it for years now." Placing a hand on his shoulder, she spoke once again. "Maybe John can talk to her, she'll reach out when it's time. For now, we're done here" Zatanna's tone was soft, she knew how much this was affecting him especially after seeing Zarina. Zatanna likes to think Zia is Dick's the one that got away.

   Dick turned silent, he recalled how she opened the door. Suddenly all the memories came flooding back. She had always been unforgettable to him, with those wide, almond-shaped eyes that appeared to hold an ocean of secrets. They can appear sweet and gentle one moment and then pierce like a blade the next. Her skin was beautiful, the kind of smooth, radiant complexion you'd expect to see only in photographs, but it was real. Believe him, he had seen her up close on her worst days, and she still glowed.

   Her smile—oh, that smile. It was not only stunning, but also disarming. It made him feel as if he was the only person on the planet, even though he wasn't. And her hair? Thick, dark, and incredibly smooth, it always fell softly over her shoulders. Dick used to tease her about how great it always looked, even though she said she didn't try.

   It's funny, though. For all her beauty, what Dick remembered most about her isn't her face or figure—it's the way she tilted her head when she was deep in concentration, or how her lips twitched when she was trying not to laugh at his poor jokes. Those little things... they're harder to forget than he thought.

   "Dick?" Zatanna called out, pulling him away from his thoughts.

   "Zhee?" He returned by copying her tone.

   "Is there anything else? Or should we go back?"

   "Nothing, let's go back." He answered her honestly. Glancing at the building before him, he couldn't help but feel as if he's leaving once again incomplete.

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                AFTER THE UNEXPECTED VISIT Zarina received from Dick, she went to her A-level classes and had distracted herself all day. Despite her best efforts to shut him off her mind, she can't help but think of him once again. It's been 2 years since she had last seen him, him showing up out of the blue made her think of all the what ifs. Two years since they had broken up, screaming at each other's faces.

    Zarina watched as the sun dropped low over the horizon, pouring its final shades of amber and scarlet across the sky, as if the day itself was hesitant to go. Shadows stretched long and thin across the ground, like languid fingers, while the air chilled and carried the subtle aroma of dew resting on dry grass. She hated the sunset, she had believed it was a cursed herald; that the wicked came out to play during this transition. For her nightfall wasn't a time for rest—it was a battleground, where demons stirred and prowled, hungry for fear.

    But for tonight, Zia decided she was going to rest, the day had been too long already. Surely, London's demons would not cause havoc, well that's what she had hoped for. All she wanted to do was curl up in bed and watch some crappy vampire movies, just forget about today. She had passed by the nearest convenience store, picking up her snacks, before she started to walk home.

    But the moment she had started walking home, she suddenly felt uneasy. That something or someone was starting to follow her. Sighing to herself, she took a turn to enter the empty park near their apartment building. She had decided to walk towards the children's park. Once she felt the presence still behind her, she gently placed her backpack and groceries on the ground near the swing.

    She stood there, waiting for someone to step forward. No one did. It was silent, too silent for her liking. Then she heard it, the release of arrows, she was quick enough to raise her hand, diverting the arrows. She watched as two figures descended from the trees that were surrounding the park. One was male, the other female, their outfit reminded her of the matrix movies. The all leather black corsets, black coats, and even the black boots. They could pass for a

   "I'm taking a wild guess here," Zarina spoke as she shifted her weight, her muscles coiling in preparation. "Witch Hunters?" She asked, her tone teasing, though her eyes were sharp, scanning for their next move.

   The figures said nothing, their footsteps echoing as they began to circle her like vultures around a dying animal. The air grew tense, their silence heavy, like a noose tightening around her neck.

   Zarina smirked, her fingers twitching at her sides, ready to unleash the magic coursing through her veins. "Not much for conversation, huh? Guess I'll have to teach you some manners."

   One of them lunged first, quick and precise, a glint of silver flashing in the dim light. Zarina twisted to the side, narrowly dodging the blade. Her hand shot out, a burst of white and blue energy crackling from her palm and slamming into his chest. He flew back with a grunt, landing hard on the cobblestones.

   The woman wasted no time. Zarina ducked under the swing of a mace, sweeping her leg to knock the attacker off balance. She spun toward the man, who had now recovered from her hit, catching his wrist mid-swing as he aimed a dagger at her throat.

   "Really?" she quipped, her voice dripping with sarcasm as she wrenched the dagger from his grip and sent him staggering with a well-placed kick.

   But they were relentless. The woman, recovering from being knocked out of balance, charged again, and Zarina could feel the ripple of their coordination—a pack, not individuals. Her heart pounded, her mind racing as she summoned more energy.

   "Fine. You want to play rough?" She clenched her fists, magic surging around her in tendrils of crackling light. "Let's play."

   One of them, the woman clad in dark leather, finally spoke, her voice piercing through the tension surrounding them. She was in command and Zia realized she must be the leader of the two. "You're outnumbered, Charmcaster. Surrender now, and your death will be quick."

   Zarina laughed, a sharp, defiant sound. "Yeah, not the type to surrender" Her grin widened as she raised her hands, the air around her shimmering with raw energy. She charged, magic flaring like fire in her wake, meeting their blades head-on.

   The next few movements were a blur of steel and magic. Zarina ducked, dodged, and retaliated with precision, her magic searing the air and slamming into the two like thunderbolts. But they were coordinated, relentless, and for every blow she landed, another came dangerously close.

   One of them feinted, his sword flashing in the faint light, and Zarina moved to block it—only for a second hunter to dart in from her blind spot. She gasped as a dagger slashed across her side, the blade biting deep. Warm blood soaked her school uniform as pain flared white-hot, stealing her breath. She had taken a step back, clutching her side, her magic flickering as her focus wavered. She watched as the woman advanced, sensing her weakness like wolves closing in on an injured prey.

   "You're bleeding out, caster." the younger male sneered, Zarina realized he couldn't have been older than her. "No use running now." She gritted her teeth, her mind racing. He was right—if she stayed, they'd wear her down.

   Her fingers sparked with barely controlled energy as she forced a grin, blood dripping from the corner of her lips. "Run? Oh, I'm not running." She muttered a short spell and then there was smoke. The explosion wasn't meant to harm—it was a smokescreen.

   The cobblestones erupted in light and sound, a cloud of dust and debris filling the air. Zarina turned on her heel and bolted, ignoring the searing pain in her side. Every step was agony, but she pushed through, darting down the narrow alleyways of the town. Behind her, she could hear their shouts and heavy footsteps.

   "Take the left!  She's injured—she can't have gone far!" It was the woman who spoke. Somewhat that voice reminded her of someone, but the pain was too much for her to focus on anything else.

   Zarina's breathing came in ragged gasps as she stumbled into a dark and empty alleyway, leaning heavily against the wall. Her vision blurred as she pressed a trembling hand to her wound, trying to stem the bleeding.

    "Come on, Zia." she muttered to herself, her voice strained. "You're not dying here. Not like this."

   She summoned what little magic she had left, a faint glow spreading over her palm as she attempted to seal the wound. It wasn't much, just enough to slow the bleeding, but it sapped her strength further.

   The sound of boots on cobblestones grew louder. They were getting closer. "She's close. I can feel her." The male spoke dangerously close to where she was.

    As a last resort she spoke. "Accipe me ad Dick Grayson." Her eyes flashed electric blue as she felt herself be surrounded by her own magic.

    She felt her body fall but a pair of familiar arms caught her before she hit the ground.

   "Zarina!" Dick's voice was sharp with concern, his hands steady as he cradled her. She blinked up at him, barely able to focus, his familiar blue eyes filled with alarm.

   "Hey." she managed, her voice weak but laced with a faint smirk. "Isnt this fucking ironic? I'm in your arms again."

   "Zarina, you're hurt!" He exclaimed, his tone a mixture of panic and determination. He shifted her gently, his hand pressing against the bleeding wound on her side.

   "No shit, Sherlock." Sarcasm dripped from her tone, though her trembling body betrayed the severity of her condition. "Just a scratch, boy blunder" She joked weakly.

   Dick wasn't buying it. "A scratch doesn't bleed like this." He said, his voice tight. "What happened? Who did this?"

   Her head lolled against his chest as exhaustion threatened to pull her under. "Witch Hunters..." She murmured. "Wanted a fight... gave them one." She coughed, her words breaking off into a grimace.

   Dick's jaw clenched, his mind racing as he surveyed their surroundings. "We need to get you some help. Hold on, Zia."

   Dick adjusted his grip, his movements swift but careful. Zarina simply hummed, no more energy left in her to reply. "Stay with me." He urged, his voice steady but laced with worry. "You're not leaving me like this."

   Those last words were the last thing she had heard before she descended further into unconsciousness.

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sam says:
❥ First of all, Happy New Year, my lovelies! Here's to another good year for us, especially since im about to graduate and I am very excited about it!
❥ A small side note: John is aged down in this and is a year older than Zatanna and Dick making him 3 years older than Zarina! Zia and John are very sibling core in this version!
❥ That's all for now! Ta-ta till next time my lovelies!