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Gotham Cemetery
Rose, Ravager, stood before a tombstone with a solemn look. Her hands in the pockets of her jacket as the autumn wind blew against her hair.
She thought back to the first time she met her, when she was assigned to infiltrate the Titans.
***
Before anyone can respond, the elevator doors slide open, revealing Zoya standing there with two bags of groceries in her hands. She blinks at the scene, unfazed by the tension filling the air.
But when her eyes landed on Rose, a surprised, yet relief smile appeared on her face.
"Oh! You're awake."
Rose hesitates, looking at Zoya with clear confusion. The team glances between each other, unsure how to react to the sudden shift in mood.
Zoya, however, did not lose her casual manner and continues to smile. "I was just about to start lunch." She looks at Rose up and down. "You look like you could use a good meal."
Rose stares at her, momentarily thrown off balance, her defensive stance loosening just a little. Jason clears his throat, trying to regain control of the situation.
"We're giving our food to the prisoner now?" Jason grumbled.
Zoya gave a sharp eye over Rose's shoulder. "She's not a prisoner, she's a guest. And everyone's gotta eat, don't they?"
Jason crosses his arms in defiant, but does not talk back to her, he knew better than to do so.
Zoya looks back to Rose. "Stay for one meal, and if you still wanna go. . . we'll talk about it then."
Dick suppresses a smirk as Gar's tense posture eases, clearly amused and shared a look with Rachel. Rose looks between them, the team's confidence suddenly feeling less intimidating with Zoya's calm presence diffusing the tension.
Rose at the time still couldn't believe that this was the infamous al Ghul that her father had told her about. But all she sees is a kind woman who is offering her an invite to their table. Giving her a still skeptical look, she responded quietly after feeling intrigued of what game the al Ghul spawn was playing.
"One meal."
Zoya gave her a warm smile. "One meal."
The Titans exchange glances as Zoya heads toward the kitchen, and Rose reluctantly follows, trailing behind her. The Titans follow, still on guard but with the tension softened by Zoya's unexpected intervention.
She was momentarily stopped by Dick, who laid a hand on her shoulder.
"Thank you." He was truly grateful that the woman was here. Rose could see it.
"I told you you couldn't handle it on your own."
***
Rose sighs and knelt to place a single un-bloomed blue rose on the tombstone. Hand caressing the writing.
