WHO: Zatanna and Billy WHAT: Older!Billy visits Zee WHEN: During the plot WHY?: Because friends are friends forever WARNINGS: None STATUS: Closed and Completed GDoc
Billy was bouncy as he stepped to Zee’s door, A box the size of a small van riding atop one shoulder as he stood at her door and knocked. He had brought things for her. Since he had come back in time, he had needed to see her and talk to her. And, well, he wanted to do a few things for her.
Things he had not had time to before.
With a smile, he nodded and waited, bouncing as he grinned.
***
Zatanna opened the door and looked at Billy. “Holy shit, what the hell did you bring?” she stared at the box and looked at him, then shook her head. “Good lord, come on in.” she stepped aside to allow him to come inside.
“What am I going to do with you, oh my.” she laughed as she closed the door behind him, shaking her head again. “Where? My side of the house, living room what?”
***
Billy smirked at her as he walked in, the box somehow fitting through the door despite its size. “Some presents for you. I’ve been busy.”
He smirked at her. “Wherever you want to go, madame. You know I will follow you absolutely anywhere.” His grin was not a smirk, but it almost hinted at it in a playful way.
*** Zee just laughed softly then headed towards her wing of the house and her room. It was large, spacious and had room for whatever was in that box of his. “Presents huh?” she smirked a bit and shook her head.
“I don’t need presents, but thank you.” she licked her lips a bit. “Oh yeah? Well, I lead people into danger half the time, so be careful with that one.” she winked as she pushed her door open.
**
“Yes, presents. And I know you don’t. I wanted to get you some things. AND MAKE YOU SOME THINGS.”
He laughed. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.” he followed her into her area, the box following him as he walked. “Your place is always lovely.”
*** “You spoil me.” Most of the men in her life spoiled her except one. Garin with his friendship, humor, flattery and wine. Mark with cupcakes and sex. Sam with friendship when she needed it most. It was a nice place for her.
“Yes, well, it helps making an apartment is own pocket reality. Garin has a huge wing for himself, mines getting bigger as I model it after Shadowcrest and the House of Mysteries. I like my home interesting.”
***
“Nah. I am just me, and I do the thing.” he wiggled fingers and grinned at her. “It’s always interesting since it has you in it.” He smirked and set the box down. Out of it first came a small square of black, which rippled, unfolded, and became a full-sized version of her battle costume/performance outfit. “Bullet, fire, and lightning proof, also, won't tear, and will be warm in the winter and cold in the summer.” he nodded.
***
“I'm intent on making It a combination of both my houses back home.” The House of mysteries liked her better than John anyways. She grinned at him and flopped onto a chair.
She didn't stay down long though. “Oh man, hot damn.” She was up and reaching for it to get a good look. “It's like you know me.” She teased.
***
“Oh yeah?” He really looked around, then smiled at her as she reached for the costume. He snerked at her comment. “I’d like to think a man gets to know someone he is around for as long as I’ve known you.” His voice was a gentle deep rumble, with hints of the old Billy still within it.
His smile was purely Billy’s, with a mature edge of warmth that Billy had never managed to convey.
“I worked on that thing since I arrived. I wanted you to have something just for you, not for anything else, not for a purpose. Just… you.”
***
“Oh, it's only been forever.” She teased before smiling. “I love it, Billy. This is beyond amazing. It's perfect. I hope I never need it but I love it.” She leaned over to kiss his cheek.
“You're very thoughtful. This is amazing. I can't imagine... You're too good to me.”’ She lifted a hand, spoke softly and a dressmakers dummy appeared so it could be put on display until she needed it.
**
***
The outfit flowed onto the dummy, and he smiled at her. “What else should a man do for a woman he loves, and cares for, and with whom he has walked many miles?” Billy grinned warmly, then pointed at the box, winked at her and spoke.
“Txen tneserp raeppa.” And there was a puff of smoke as a single dress appeared, shimmering of changing colors, in a fabric that seemed sometimes transparent, sometimes completely opaque.
***
Zee stopped moving. She seemed to be doing that a lot lately. Why.. Why did everyone say that to her? How could they see past? She just… let out a breath. Her eyes watered, she didn't know how to handle this.
“I taught you mnemonic speech.” She laughed softly, trying to hide her emotions. Seeing everyone older and how they treated her wasn't what she expected. “Oh, Billy.”’ She breathed out.
***
***
He leaned in and kissed her cheek.
“Yes. I mean it.” Then he looked at the stuff and smirked at her out of the side of his eyes. “Oh eeZ.” he chuckled. “You resisted at first, but I kept trying, even on my own, and finally you gave in.”
He smirked. “I can be a bit of a stubborn ass.”
***
“You are stubborn. It's why I did offer to help.” She smiled at him. “I'm not surprised. Though it's not an easy one to learn.” She smiled again then shook her head. “This is beautiful, Billy. You have a good talent.”
***
“It was hard, but it was worth it. Everything that I went through was worth it, really. I am just… very glad to be here and be able to thank you.” He gently touched her shoulder, smiling softly.
“I have one more present, but I have a favor to ask. That you don’t open it, until the right moment. You’ll know. When darkness and light meet.”
He lifted out a small box. And held it out to her.
“Please.”
*** She took it carefully. “When darkness and light meet? I'm guessing you mean more metaphorical than literal - not sunset.”
Her mind ran, but she had a good idea what he could mean. In their lives, she could guess it was when she and John actually worked together again. Darkness and light. But she didn't say that.
“How am I going to know, Billy? I mean, I promise.”
***
Billy grinned. “You will. Trust yourself. Even when it is hard to.”
He chuckled. “Especially then.” He pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek. “You will never be alone. Remember your words.”
*!!
She gave him a look. “Which words? I say a lot of words!” She poked him, obviously teasing, even though this was going to be a puzzle. “You're a brat, Billy, but that's why I love you. Keep me on my toes.”
She kissed his cheek, smiling. “Alright, I trust you. And uh me I guess. You're a brat, still.”
***
“I am. Yes.I learned from the best.” He smiled and kissed her cheek, and nodded. “I love you too, Sillystring.” He smirked as he called her by her nickname...that she didn’t have yet.
“Now! We should eat.” He nodded. And then there was a table, and food, and a television with classic Fred Astaire.
***
Zee just stared at him and set the box above her bed in the alcove. She looked at it then him. “I'm not sure I want to know why you called me Sillystring.”
But she just smiled, then settled in to eat with her friend, things were strange but wasn't that their normal anyway?