Chalant Candlelight

Chapter 54

(Zatanna's POV)

It was my birthday party And I hadn't talked to Robin since that time I called and he was vomiting, and that girl answered. After the call, I looked around, and my whole room had been upturned in a second, so that took half a day to clean up.

I half expected Robin not to show up after everything. I don't even know what to do anymore. I want to pull him close, but I'm petrified that I'll hurt him just like everyone else. I have this darkness that Klarion instilled in me. I figure it was born the day I lost both my dad and Robin at once. After that day, Klarion took it upon himself to use my pain to fuel my anger, my darkness.

I know I should tell Robin about this because I confide in him if I so much as get a paper cut. But after the way he looked at me that day, he caught me in my father's study, that uncertainty towards me in his eyes that I had never seen before. Even when he didn't trust me as a hero he still never looked at me like that. I think my powers reminded him of what Klarion did to him, and that made him uncomfortable. Before, I would assure him that I would never hurt him, but now... after all these nightmares, I truly fear that I will end up losing control on him. With Robin, as broken and messed up as he is, my betrayal would be the last straw I feel before he completly loses it.

"You don't look too thrilled. Shouldn't the birthday girl be smiling?" I hear a voice as smooth as butter beside my ear. The host of the voice lays a quick peck on my cheek while the rest of the party guests aren't looking. I turned to Robin, who stood next to me, still a little behind me, making a secret entrance,

"You made it," I smiled at the boy in casual clothes. This means a fitted black turtleneck and cargo pants with other accessories and a loose burgundy zip-up hoodie draped over him, pooling around his elbows since it was too warm to have fully on. His fitted fingerless gloves did something to me when I looked at his hand placement on the table. His hand was so close to mine, his thumb sliding up and down my pinky. Our hands were hidden from anyone's gaze by the flower arrangements on the table,

"I want to apologize again for everything," he spoke in hushed tones, sending shivers down my spine. Maybe it was even more thrilling because I had to keep my eyes on the others to make sure no one saw us being so close,

"I-it's okay, really," I assured him, my stuttering started when I felt his hand that wasn't stroking mine find its way to move my hair away from my neck pulling it around and over my shoulder so gently. I thought for a second he was about to bite my neck when I felt his breath on the side of my neck where he removed my hair. His lips came super close to my skin before suddenly he was gone. His warmth left with him as he walked off casually to the talking team to seamlessly enter their conversation. Did he just tease me?

My knees buckled for a second before I approached the conversation as well. Still blushing, I loved when Robin was flirty with me because he was a total tease, which is annoying but so exciting as well since this is all new to me. I mean, he doesn't even know he was my first kiss,

"Hey, birthday girl!" Artemis put her arm around me when I joined the group. Everyone's attention was on me as we were all huddled up,

"Shall we have some ice cream and cake?" Magan pitched, now that we were all in one place,

"Sure!" I gleamed

"Then afterward you can open your gifts," she jumped up and down, almost more excited than me even though I had gotten excited now with the way I knew Robin's eyes were on me from behind his dark shades. I was, however, a little embarrassed to have to open gifts in front of everyone, but they were my team, so I wasn't too nervous about it.

We ate the cake, well most of us did. Robin politely declined Magan's offer for cake and ice cream as discreetly as possible. He didn't often eat with the team. Instead, he just sipped on whatever he brought to drink.