The Honeymoon Period

[_nightwing_]

Just because the base is officially open doesn't mean the workload's necessarily done. Boxes line hallways and new suites as the permanent members of Titans East move in and take some time to customize their new surroundings. Computer systems are being broken in. More paperwork is required. New emergency protocols and layouts for the compound have

Comments

[_bird_of_flame_]

Bette's been looking at this thing for awhile now. Awhile being however long ago she figured out it was here. So, a few weeks at most. She's never been on a trapeeze. It is one of the few 'thrill junkie' things that she hasn't ever done.

Seeing Nightwing up there makes her pause a little bit. He looks peaceful up there and she doesn't want to bother him. It isn't often that he looks like that. Still, she wants to do this.

Flipping through the air is peaceful to her as well.

[_nightwing_]

He was on a trapeze almost before he could walk. His first day on the apparatus had had him swinging by his knees and then progressing to a Bird's Nest maneuver - heels up on the bar before swinging out and releasing to his mother's catch.

There are things you just can't forget. Some things you shouldn't; like the feel of the air on your skin as you fly, the stillness as time seems to slow down while you're in the air.

He's not even paying attention to what's down below. You never do. Looking down's bad luck, by his family's tradition - traditions he's always felt some pressure to continue.

A couple more swings to get up to speed. A double cutaway with half twist.

[_bird_of_flame_]

Pulling in a breath and letting it back out, she starts to climb up the rope ladder. It occurs to her on her way up that he's beautiful like this. And not in the way she usually thinks it. It is the same thing she thinks when she sees the Grand Canyon, or the center court at Wimbeldon or Michelangelo's David.

Getting to the platform, she stops, watching.

[_nightwing_]

There's a puff of chalk dust as his hands come back to the bar. Now he's swinging facing away from her, pushing his body up into a halfrise position for a few moments as the trapeze moves back and forth. Then he drops back down in a sudden motion and goes back into an intense swing, feet kept together and in front of him, pointing towards the roof as the motion comes to its zenith. Just before it hits its highest point, he lets go of the bar, releasing into the quadruple somersault he and his parents were so famous for.

Just a second passes in that moment, but it might as well be minutes. As he unfurls from the movement, his hands contact the solid bar once more, the movement bringing him back towards the platform.

[_bird_of_flame_]

"God, yes." Why didn't she do this earlier? Why hasn't she been doing this for years?

Damn.

That brings a whole bunch of thoughts to her all at once.

[_nightwing_]

He kicks up their swing a bit, checking the timing of her bar.

Alright, think you can manage a half twist and transfer back? When I say go...

[_bird_of_flame_]

"Yeah. I can do that."

Or she should be able to do that. Part of her doesn't want to go back but well... That's silly. Moments of connection like these don't happen often.

[_nightwing_]

One more swing, lifting them both higher. Just before they reach the zenith, he releases her.

Go!

[_bird_of_flame_]

Bette chuckles softly, "I'm not sure if I should attempt to distract you or if I should leave and leave you two alone."

[_nightwing_]

Just checking some news stories I've been following. As long as I'm out of here by...

He doublechecks the Sidekick again.

...five. Mary's birthday is coming up in a couple days, and Babs needs me to run some errands for her before I hit the rooftops tonight.

[_bird_of_flame_]

"Happy birthday to the little one." Bette smiles a bit at that, "She's a real sweetie."

[_nightwing_]

There's a weary smile at that.

Yeah. Probably a good thing considering the stuff she gets into.

Another brief touch on the Sidekick, and he shows her the screen: A photo of his daughter's latest endeavor involving finger paint.