Fantastic Fanfiction: Marvel and DC Fanfiction

Verdant - Roy Harper

The music is so loud that you can hardly hear yourself think, but tonight you're okay with that. Your thoughts aren't something that you want to be listening to. They'll remind you of obligations that need to be filled and relationships that didn't work out - again. The throbbing music is a good distraction, and so are the colored lights that strobe through the dark building.

Downing another drink, you push it across the bar for a refill that you sip lazily as you scan the club. The mass of sweaty bodies gyrating on the dance floor isn't as appealing as your current seat, so you're content to simply drink and watch. Your current attire of skinny pants, a crop top, and heels aren't really conductive to dancing for someone with your coordination skills anyway.

Quick movement behind the bar catches your eye, and you turn away from the dancers. A young man is speaking to the bartender in low tones, and after a moment she nods and disappears into the back, leaving the messenger boy to take her place. You would pass it off as nothing, but something about the guy seems familiar. Unable to put your finger on it, you turn your focus to him, curious. "What's your name?"

He looks surprised at first, then laughs. "Not one to beat around the bush, are you?"

You lift your drink slightly as you say, "I'm usually a little more subtle, but my filter is currently shot."

"You're not as bad as some I've seen." He grins and leans against the bar slightly. "I'm Roy."

A memory surfaces through the haze of alcohol and music. "Harper, right? You were kidnapped, and the Arrow -"

"Yeah," he says, cutting me off. "That was me."

Tension fills the air and you realize that you touched on a bad subject. "Sorry, I just thought I recognized you, and without a filter . . ."

He waves it off, though his jaw is noticeably tighter now. "It's fine."

It's not, though, and you don't want to end this pseudo conversation on a sour note. So you speak again, saying, "I'm Y/N, by the way."

Roy's expression softens ever so slightly, and he takes the hand that you offer to shake. "Nice to meet you, Y/N."

At that moment another girl down the bar calls for a refill, and he moves away. You continue to watch him - hopefully not in a creeper sort of way, but he's more interesting than anyone else right now. Despite recognizing him from the hostage situation and ensuing video, there's something else about him that you can't put your finger on, and it bothers you. You're certain that you haven't met him personally before this, and this is your first time at Verdant so you don't recognize him as an employee. Maybe something else on TV . . .

You almost fall off of your stool when it hits you. How did you not see it before? The red jacket, the strong jaw, the short but powerful build - it has to be him. Hopefully it is, because he's seen your slack-jawed expression and is making his way towards you.

"Are you okay?" He asks, genuine concern in his tone, and you can only stare. You can't believe that no one else has connected the dots yet. Or maybe it's just because you're a fantastical wacko who's had too much to drink.

"You're him," you say quietly, though there's no chance of anyone overhearing you. "The red guy, the red hood who works with the Arrow."

He doesn't say anything, but the look on his face tells you that you're right. For a moment you're afraid - now that you've figured it out, will you be dragged down to some secret dungeon to be locked away? - and you start to stand when he leans across the bar. But he grabs your wrist and forces you to sit as he asks in a low tone, "How did you know?"

You can scream for help or answer, and you vaguely toy with the idea of the first before choosing honesty as the best policy. "I just . . . I was just looking at you, and the pieces sort of came together. My sister is a cop and I sometimes see pictures of - of the vigilantes, and everything just lined up."

His stare is at the verge of making you squirm when he finally leans back and lets go of you. "I can't believe it," he says with a short laugh, running a hand through his hair. "We've been busted by a drunk girl that watches the news."

"I'm not that drunk!" You protest, putting your glass down. "And be glad it was me that found out. I can keep a secret."

He almost laughs, but quickly sobers again. "Yeah, but what are we gonna do when someone who can't does?"

You doubt that he was talking to you, or that he even expected an answer, but you say, "You could try adding a bit more to cover your face. You've got a jawline that could do a number on titanium."

Roy looks floored at first, then amused. "I'm not entirely sure how to respond to that."

"How about another drink as a reward for my brilliant suggestion?" You drawl, pushing your glass across the bar. "And maybe your number too?" The last bit wasn't supposed to sound so much like a question, but you haven't exercised your flirt for a while.

"Fair enough." He refills your glass, then pours one for himself. "Cheers."

You give him your phone to program his number in, and laugh slightly at the name. "Arsenal?"

"Better than 'dude in the red hood', don't you think?" He says with a chuckle and a wink, and you have to agree.

"I'll see if I can get it to catch on." Both of you toast to that, and you realize that coming to Verdant really was a good idea after all.