Chapter 16: The Morning After

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(Disclaimer: I own nothing from Image or DC Comics, nor do I own any of the artwork I have posted or will post.)



Titans Tower:


It was now the morning after the battle between Mark, Blackfire, and the Task Force X agents out of CADMUS.  Mark had just landed on the roof, and he and Blackfire were mentally preparing to go inside and deal with the shitstorm they knew was probably waiting for them once the team found out about the night prior.  The two use Mark's guest I.D. to key into the Tower, and he takes her to the medbay.  Realizing that the others will be awake soon, and that they both need to prepare for the grilling from Nightwing and Starfire about what went down, Mark lays Blackfire down on one of the beds, grabbing a med kit and sitting beside her.  Blackfire winces as he carefully starts cleaning a nasty gash on her arm, her usual tough demeanor slipping as she watches him work.  

"You didn't have to do that, you know.  Help me.  Most people would've stayed out of it," she said quietly.  

Mark looked up almost surprised.  "Yeah, well... I couldn't just leave you to get captured by CADMUS.  Besides, I don't exactly like Amanda Waller's idea of 'team-building exercises.'  You didn't deserve to be forced into that kind of life," he said, his expression sincere.  

"Still... it's not every day someone like you risks their neck for someone like me.  Most people are too scared," Blackfire said with a faint smile.  

"Guess I'm not most people.  And besides, I know there's more to you than the whole 'dangerous princess' thing you've got going on," Mark said.  

Blackfire raises an eyebrow, amused despite the pain.  "Oh? And what makes you so sure?"

Mark pauses, finishing bandaging her wound, before looking at her, his expression more serious than usual.  "I don't know.  Call it a hunch, I guess.  But you're not just some villain looking to cause chaos for the fun of it.  There's something deeper.  And honestly?  I kind of like having you around," he said.  

For a moment, Blackfire is silent.  The flirtatious banter between them had been fun, but there's something different in the air now—something more real.  She glances away, as if unsure of how to respond, then looks back at him, her voice softer than before.  "You're strange, you know that? Most people look at me and see a threat, a problem they need to handle.  But you... you keep surprising me."

Mark grins, his eyes warm.  "Guess I like to keep people on their toes.  Especially someone as unpredictable as you."

Blackfire laughs softly, wincing slightly as she shifts her position on the bed.  "Unpredictable. That's one way to put it."

There's a pause, and for the first time, Blackfire doesn't feel the need to fill the silence with a snarky remark or a teasing comment. She just watches Mark as he finishes tending to her injuries, and a strange feeling settles over her—a feeling she's not used to.  "You know... I usually don't let anyone get this close.  It's easier to keep people at arm's length.  Less chance of getting hurt that way," she said softly.  

Mark meets her gaze, his expression understanding.  "Yeah, I get that. But maybe... you don't always have to push people away.  Sometimes, it's okay to let someone in," he said.  

Blackfire looks at him, and for the first time, she doesn't feel the need to hide behind her usual bravado. There's something about Mark—something genuine and disarming—that makes her feel safe, in a way she hasn't felt in a long time.  "Maybe... you're right," she said, more to herself than anything.

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⏰ Last updated: Mar 22 ⏰

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