DC x Reader One-shots

Protective - Jaime Reyes/Khaji Da [Blue Beetle]

Summary: Some things were easier than others to say – Jaime could tell you any day of the week that he thought your smile was one of his favorite things, or that he looked forward to your good morning texts. Others were not as easy; like telling you that Khaji Da was sentient, that the scarab – though too worried over your reaction to introduce himself – was incredibly fond of you and had a major protective streak. It comes to a head though when you see firsthand just how willing Khaji is to protect both you and Jaime.

Notes: "100 kisses" Prompt #49: tending to your lover's wound, placing a kiss on top of their head, grateful they're still alive

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You had been so lost in your thoughts as you seemed to flit from space to space in the living room of your shared apartment. Jaime had surprised you with some decorations that you had been eyeing but had not been able to justify buying and you seemed more than ecstatic to set them up.

But it was that same thought that suddenly had his expression darkening. Because Jaime had bought them, sure, but he had not been the one to form the idea – that was credited to Khaji Da, his scarab, who had wanted to surprise you after noticing your dower mood the last few days. There was an electric chirp somewhere in the back of his mind as he thought about it, a soothing gesture from his alien partner.

"I do not mind, Jaime. They are happy to think the gift is from you." 

Jaime narrowed his eyes at that, looking away from you and off into space as he began to converse with the scarab under his breath. "You say that, but I can feel that it bothers you." He glanced at you, thankfully too occupied with trying to move some of the items just right that you had not noticed his behavior.

"I am willing to accept this feeling, so long as we both get to keep them in our life."

"We need to tell them eventually."

The scarab was silent for no more than a heartbeat before answering. "One day."  That was all he said before he slipped back from Jaime's consciousness and walled himself off. The act had become a habit when Khaji Da did not want to confront telling you he was sentient, or when it bothered him that your sweet words and acts excluded him by virtue of not knowing of his existence. It was logical, he knew, but it was a hurt he was unfamiliar with. Just as telling you about his presence was a fear he had never been confronted with until he began to grow into his own will and personality.

Jaime sighed, noting that it caught your attention, though he tried to wave it off.

You narrowed your eyes, staring him down with one hand on your hip before setting aside the item in your other and moving to stand in front of him. "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing," he assured, taking one of your hands in his own and running his thumb over the back.

"Jaime," you begin, moving to sit beside him so your legs are flush against one another, "you know you can tell me anything."

It was a half-hearted smile on his face before he spoke, but no less sincere. "I can tell you that I love the way you smile." In truth, Jaime knew that you would be okay with Khaji – that you would adore him just as much as you did Jaime himself – but without the scarab's approval, he would not reveal the truth to you yet. He knew it would take some time for you to adjust, maybe, but you wouldn't leave over it.

You only sigh in response to his comment, leaning forward to place a kiss on his cheek. "I won't pry it out of you." You stand, arms above your head as you stretch and feel your joints relax. "But thank you for the compliment anyways, amore."

"We'll be running late if we do not leave for patrol soon." Khaji Da warned with a chirp in Jaime's mind.

"I'll be back later tonight; I just have some stuff to take care of. Don't worry about leaving the light on, it'll be late." He chimes, moving to stand beside you, pulling your hand once more to his lips to place another kiss.