InsaneJournal

Cobb had absolutely no idea what was necessary to take when jumping into the future by magic. Before Vallo he’d only known a single planet, at least as far as he could remember, so the concept of a jump forward of any kind remained as foreign to him as the worlds many of the other Outlanders spoke of. Instead he turned his attention to checking the intricate works of his right arm, mechanics a soothing break from the task ahead.

He’d just finished an adjustment on his bicep when he heard Lee’s light approach to the kitchen. Cobb returned the small screwdriver to the toolbox and rolled down the sleeve of the flannel shirt to his elbow just as she entered.

There was a time when he gave absolutely no thought to his own wellbeing when there was a task at hand needing completion for the betterment of the whole. He had been Freetown’s marshal but the residents of Freetown were tough, capable, survivors. Removing him wouldn’t hinder that. In Vallo he finally started to become accustomed to the idea of having a life. A job at the meadery he enjoyed, a dog that he thought he adopted but maybe it was the other way around. Then came Lee into his life, and Barbara, and now he had a reason to come back. With that reason also came heightened risk.

“I picked up new bags of food for Jolene and Dolly,” he said as if they were discussing plans for the day instead of the real undertaking ahead. “Dolly needs to go in another room while Jolene eats. Seems to think she’s a dog and Jolene’s food dish is hers.” Cobb walked over to slide an arm around her waist. “Though I suppose I didn’t need to say that, having dealt with that enough already.”

There was a lump in Lee’s throat and she couldn’t get rid of it. Life and relationships in this world were precious and so fragile, the whims of Vallo deciding whether they lasted or broke. Cobb wasn’t exactly being sent back to his world where he would never remember her again, but this journey she was told of felt just as impactful. She didn’t understand how time-travel worked. She never needed to operate with that notion being true in Gotham no matter how much it happened here. (And no matter how absolutely batshit insane Gotham became.) How long would it be? Would he be gone for a few days in their time or would he just walk through the door a few seconds later having spent a while there?

Lee had no idea. And she didn’t like not knowing anything.

“I got it,” she said, voice just a little hoarse with emotion, even if she tried to smile through it. “I, um, I was thinking of packing a few things for you. Medical supplies, mostly? Small things to carry, obviously, it won’t take up too much room.”

Cobb grinned faintly. “I suppose I can’t turn down an offer like that when we both know my tendency to get a bit bumped up.” Running into danger with barely a sense of self-preservation probably contributed to that but he had gotten better somewhat, or at least he thought so. The grin was quick to fade though and the one armed hug became two, Cobb embracing Lee and resting his chin on top of her head.

Godsdamned, he loved this woman. Not a feeling he’d been particularly used to but life but something he embraced in Vallo willingly. He pressed a lingering kiss to the top of her head.

“Won’t be long and then maybe we’ll get out of here for a bit. You, me, the kid. Somewhere fun without having to worry about something attacking,” he murmured.

Lee hugged him as tight as she could like this ws the last time she was going to see him. Which was ridiculous because he would be back. She trusted the magic users in this world because she had no idea how any of it worked no matter how long she’d established herself in Vallo. “Sounds exciting,” she said, her voice muffled as she spoke into his shoulder. “How ever will I wait all these days?”

She tilted her head back to look up at him, her smile dropping entirely from her face. “Whatever happened to make you not exist in that timeline that allows you to travel there now? Make sure that doesn’t happen again.”

“Hopefully I won’t make you wait too long. Not like that time I forgot about our date and showed up at the wrong restaurant.” That had not been a banner evening for him in any regard and he’d been thankful for her understanding. It was good for slipping a little humor into their conversation where he could though, the foreboding unknown of the future hanging over them both.

Cobb firmly nodded. “I will do my damndest because I…” He trailed off, holding one of her hands in his, thumb brushing over her fingers. “When I get back and we got a potential future to look forward to, I’d like to talk something over with you. ‘bout the two of us and, y’know, the thing two people building a life together do,” he finished, growing a little more awkward with every word in the sentence, uncertain.

Lee shook her head, the smile showing back on her face. “You’re lucky that I was feeling extra forgiving that night.” Or maybe it was one of those Vallo being Vallo nights so she was tired and decided to stay at the restaurant and dine by herself, and was more amused than angry at Cobb showing up so late. Helped that she had some amount of food in her stomach already.

As he kept speaking, Lee’s smile at least widened a bit. “Do you mean making us an official family and all? Because I’d really like that. Like a lot.”

“Just that night? I’m lucky every damn day with you,” he replied, grinning softly, “and hope to keep on being lucky long as you’ll have me.” He never was one for long speeches and often got straight to the point of what needed to be said but he figured he could give her one hell of a list as to just why he felt that way. If it hadn’t been for Vallo, that chance might have never existed.

Cobb nodded slightly. “Yeah. I’d speak with Barbara as well, make sure she’s good on it and hear any thoughts she’s got but…yeah. I’d like that a lot too. Seems like a good reason to help save the future.”

Despite the somber situation, Lee was suddenly feeling very giddy. “You have quite the timing bringing up this proposal, you know.” Not that she minded. Hell, she’d never mind any of what she said. She’d been thinking the same for a while and wasn’t sure how to breach it, or got distracted along the way. There was always something so you couldn’t wait for Vallo to calm down. But she also usually came home, had a glass of wine after work and sometimes just fell asleep depending how busy the day was.

“I got the impression that the quiet before the storm was meant for these moments,” Cobb teased playfully, arching an eyebrow. “Take this as my word that I will be back soon so we can make those promises.” Having a family was never an option he’d allowed consideration before but this place, these people, offered options not plausible before.

In a moment of inspiration, he picked up the loaf of bread from the counter, untwisting the tie keeping the bag closed. He twisted it closed a little tighter, tucking the excess under the loaf before he resumed fiddling with the twist tie. Quickly he had it fashioned into a simple ring shape that he held up to her. “This ain’t that ring, not yet. This is the promise I’m making to you, right here and right now. Circle shape means it ain’t broken and I won’t break what I made to you.”

“Oh, my god,” Lee couldn’t help the laugh that escaped her lips but she also suddenly had tears in her eyes. Oh, it was happening. It was really happening. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she knew she’d have to have a serious discussion with Barbara too considering back in her world, she was still married to one Commissioner Jim Gordan but… damnit, she was allowed this, and it had been so damn long since she’d been in Gotham.

“You know you’re already getting a yes. I love you.” She stepped closer, her hands cupping his cheeks as she pressed her lips to his.

“Still always gonna ask because I’ll always want to hear your say on the matter,” he murmured, gazing down at her affectionately. “I love you, Doc.” Cobb leaned in to kiss her again, soft and slow, as if letting every second imprint on his memory to take with him on the journey they were about to embark on.

It was with reluctance when he finally pulled back, just enough to look her in the eye again. “And speaking of your say, maybe I could get you to advise on some medical supplies to take with for them? Sounds like they’re lacking.”

“Oh, you’re getting a goddamn duffel bag, in that case.” Lee brought her hands to his, taking the makeshift ring and slipping it on her fingers. It wasn’t much but it meant everything to her, and even if he never got around to making a real one, she didn’t really care either way. She had him, and she was going to hope everyday that he’ll come back to her in one piece.

“Come on,” she said, tugging at him and pulling him with her to the next room. “Let’s get you packed up, Time Traveller.”