3.1 | Complete Me ✔

Louie G

"Are you pregnant?"

Scarlett froze in her tracks at the odd question Saber asked. They were on their way to the Gotham Art Gallery. It was the place they went for inspiration on Saber's costumes.

"Are you trying to call me fat?" she spat back defensively. Saber's hands immediately shot up in surrender.

"Not at all! You know you always look fabulous. It's just . . . you've also been really luminous lately. What are you doing for your skin?"

A deep blush washed over Scarlett's face without warning. When she offered no sort of answer, Saber timidly shrugged her shoulders and left the matter alone.

The Gotham Art Gallery was virtually deserted at this time of day, making it the perfect place to channel creativity. The setting was never the same: they rearranged the furniture and debuted fresh, new exhibits every two weeks. 

As she blindly perused the display, her mind couldn't help wandering to Kaldur. How should she feel about his behavior as of late? How was she supposed to respond to his feelings? She glanced over to Scarlett time and again, wishing she could ask her about it, but she seemed deep in her own thoughts.

With a sigh, she found a spot, taking a seat and pulling out her sketch pad. Scarlett sat beside her and slapped her knees. It quickly grew distracting, and Saber glanced at her worriedly.

"You know . . . you don't have to stay here with me if you don't want to. I know how badly art museums chafe you."

Scarlett looked embarrassed, slowly relaxing into her seat and patting her back. "I'm sorry, Saber. That's not it at all. I just . . . feel a little inadequate here."

"You aren't," Saber assured. "You're a very integral part of this process. You're the greatest designer in the world. I need you here."

"Well . . .  when you say it like that," Scarlett grinned.

Saber rolled her eyes playfully before looking around at all the gorgeous paintings and sculptures. Taking a deep, cleansing breath, she began to sketch. Scarlett watched her, giving fabric suggestions and advising where necessary, but mostly asking questions about her design and marveling at her work.

Once she finished with the woman's design, she moved on to the man. She tried to keep the sketch as vague as possible, but Scarlett still gasped beside her.

"Kaldur?!"

"No!" she exclaimed, picking up the picture to examine it. She discovered that for the past ten minutes, she'd subconsciously channeled his features into the drawing. "N-no . . . this isn't him!"

"You certain about that?" Kaldur said from over their shoulders. "Am I really that handsome?"

Saber screamed as she soared to her feet, her materials scattering to the floor as she whirled on him. "What the hell are you doing here?" she asked, looking around to ensure no one had heard her bloodcurdling scream. Seconds later, she turned on Scarlett, who immediate shook her head.

"Wait a minute--"

"Slow down there," Kaldur chuckled. "Don't throttle her. It's truly a coincidence this time."

Saber glared at him, but somehow, she knew he was telling the truth. 

"I didn't know you liked the art museum," he continued conversationally. "I guess it makes sense, being a playwright with so many other artistic talents."

"Yeeeeah," she muttered, watching him closely. 

"I should be going," Scarlett said nonchalantly, snapping the two of them out of their impassive staring match.

"What? No, wait! Don't go!" Saber pleaded.

"Yeah, what's the hurry?" Kaldur added. "Conner's coming to meet me here."

"Oh, is that so?" she replied, a menacing smile coming to her face. "I'll meet him outside."

She promptly left the pair alone before they could stop her.

"I can't talk right now, I'm very busy," Saber said, gathering her work from the floor.

"Did you really model your character design after me?" he asked, showing no sign of going away. "Is that to say that there's hope for me after all?"

"Please go away," she ground out, willing herself not to blush.

"There's nothing wrong with liking me, Saber," he said, leaning toward her. She pointedly ignored him, so he continued. "Admitting it is a healthy first step."

She looked up to say something biting and probably regrettable, but he suddenly pressed his lips to hers. It was a kiss so chaste, she actually felt disappointment when he suddenly pulled away.

"I'll leave you to your work. You should text me sometime," he said with a gentle smile. "I worry about you, and I'd rather not show up everywhere you go unwanted."

"So you are stalking me!" she snapped. His eyes widened for a moment before he laughed.

"Never. I just . . . have this intuition of where you are, always. I can't stop myself from following it. But you can, by texting me." He winked before he turned and left.

Saber was now completely alone, and she felt uneasy and crestfallen for some reason. She looked down at her unfinished sketch and felt anger surge inside of her.

It really did look like Kaldur, right down to the freaking tattoos! It confused her, because this is how she had always envisioned this character. It was just as coincidence - as he loved to say - that it resembled Kaldur.

She laughed to herself, feeling silly for having considered scrapping the whole thing. It didn't matter to her what he, or anyone else, wanted to believe. Wishful thinking never changed any circumstance, and unfortunate coincidences wouldn't stop her show.

Society would just have to add it to her list of notorieties.