The neon glow of Noonan's Bar cast a hazy light over the mismatched tables and worn-out barstools. Kite Man, Chuck, leaned against the counter, wiping down a glass absentmindedly. His heart raced, and his mind replayed the events of the past hour.
Golden Glider, Lisa Snart, sat across from him, her silver eyes searching his face. She'd always been the calm one, the voice of reason. But tonight, reason had fled, leaving only raw emotion in its wake.
"Chuck," Lisa said softly, "you can't blame yourself."
He clenched his fists, the glass slipping from his grip. "I should've been faster. I should've—"
"No," Lisa interrupted, her gloved hand reaching across the table to touch his. "We both knew the risks. We chose this life."
"But I never thought..." Chuck's voice cracked. "I never thought I'd watch you die."
Lisa's lips trembled. "And I never thought I'd watch you fall."
They'd fought Darkseid's minions together, side by side. But when the dust settled, Lisa lay broken, her golden armor shattered. Chuck had carried her back to Noonan's, praying for a miracle. But miracles were in short supply in Gotham.
Harley Quinn, their friend and fellow bartender, hovered nearby. She'd seen it all—the battle, the fall, the desperate flight back to safety. Her eyes were red-rimmed, her face streaked with tears.
"Chuck," Harley whispered, "I'm so sorry."
He shook his head. "It's not your fault."
"But I—" Harley choked on her words. "I should've been there. I should've—"
"You're not a superhero," Lisa said gently. "None of us are."
Chuck's gaze shifted to the window, where rain streaked down the glass. The city outside was a blur of lights and shadows. He'd lost Ivy, the love of his life, and now Lisa—the woman who'd healed his broken heart.
"Maybe I'm cursed," he muttered. "Maybe I bring death to everyone I care about."
Lisa's fingers tightened around his. "Chuck, listen to me. We've faced worse odds. We'll find a way to fix this."
"But how?" His voice cracked. "How can we bring you back?"
Harley stepped closer, her eyes fierce. "We'll find a Lazarus Pit. Or a magic spell. Or—"
"No." Lisa's voice was firm. "I won't risk your lives for mine."
"But—"
"Chuck," Lisa interrupted, "we've had our moments. Our stolen kisses in the alley behind Noonan's. Our late-night talks about life and death. If this is the end, I want you to remember those moments."
He swallowed hard. "I'll never forget."
Lisa leaned across the table, her lips brushing his. "Promise me something."
"Anything."
"Live," she whispered. "Live for both of us."
Chuck nodded, tears blurring his vision. "I will."
As Lisa pulled away, Harley wrapped her arms around him. "We'll get through this, Chuck. Together."
He glanced at the shattered remains of Golden Glider's armor, the wings that would never fly again. "Together," he echoed.
And in that dimly lit bar, surrounded by broken dreams and lost love, they clung to each other, their hearts shattered but still beating. For Kite Man, Golden Glider, and Harley Quinn, the night was a storm of grief and pain.
