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/-\
Raven studied Arthur from the corner of her eye, knowing that tone too calm for comfort.
Arthur's gaze slid to the sky, to the red sun that drained Kryptonians but did nothing to him.
"Lobo isn't what troubles me," he said quietly.
Raven hummed, curious. "No?"
"What troubles me," Arthur continued, "is that he's a bounty hunter. Which means someone wants me, dead or captured. Someone is paying for that."
Raven stopped walking.
"Right.. That's the real threat.."
Arthur nodded once.
"Yes. And what bothers me is the identity of the one who issued that bounty."
Raven crossed her arms, cloak fluttering with faint static. "Your enemies are… numerous I guess."
Arthur let out a breath that might've been a laugh.
"Most of my enemies don't live long enough to send assassins after me. or one of my loved ones. Which means whoever hired him is someone alive, informed, and confident." His eyes narrowed, faint violet burning beneath them. "Someone from Earth is possible."
Raven's expression sharpened.
"Then we capture Lobo. Extract answers from him directly."
"Exactly." Arthur's tone dropped, colder. "If I can beat him and extract his shadow, I'll know everything he knows."
Raven frowned. "Arthur… he can't die."
He shrugged like he was discussing weather.
"I'll figure something out."
A ripple of something pride, worry, affection passed over Raven's face. She stepped closer, brushing her hand against his arm.
"Should we tell the League? They could help. They would help."
Arthur slowed.
The alien streets glowed blue against his face, half-shadow, half-light.
"No. This stays between us. If the bounty issuer is probably Earth-based, I don't want suspicion. No leaks. Not even between us when we're home."
Raven sighed, though not with disappointment more like understanding.
"You know," she said softly, "I love your confidence. The way you never rely on others to clean up your storms. But you can trust the League. They aren't your enemies, they're good people."
Arthur looked ahead past crowds, past neon signs somewhere only he could see.
"It's not that I don't think they're good," he said. "But I don't drag people into my wars. If someone wants to come for me, they come for me. I'll handle it."
His voice lowered.
"And I'm not alone."
Raven said "Yeah.. You do have your army of shadows.."
"No, I have you." Arthur corrected her.
Raven felt warmth bloom in her chest, but before she could speak, a drunken mumble answered for her.
"…and me…"
Kara mumbled from his back, still half asleep, cheek mashed against his shoulder.
Arthur snorted, almost choking on a laugh.
"Of course. How could I forget the dumbass crash-out?"
A weak smack hit his collarbone.
"Shaa'rup," Kara slurred without opening her eyes.
Raven laughed softly warm, unguarded and Arthur glanced at her, gaze gentle.
"I have you both, and few people that I truly care about, and that's more than enough." he said.
Raven's cheeks reddened, faint but undeniable.
Kara drooled down Arthur's neck.
"Good.. Good..," she repeated proudly, then resumed snoring.
Arthur adjusted his hold on her with one arm, free hand brushing Raven's knuckles with deliberate softness.
"Let's go home," he murmured.
Raven nodded.
A portal of shadow and violet opened before them, humming with quiet magic.
They stepped through
Power at his back, love at his side, a bounty on his head, and someone dangerous waiting in the dark.
****
The night air on Earth hit different cooler, quieter, real in a way no alien neon sky could ever replicate. The three stepped through the portal into darkness and gentle wind. Grass brushed their ankles. Distant city lights blinked through fog.
Home.
Kara was dead weight on Arthur's back, head lolling against his shoulder like a doll, arms dangling limply. Raven wiped a smear of glitter off her cheek, looking around as the portal closed behind them.
Arthur inhaled the air once and spoke first.
"We should split up for now."
Raven blinked. "You sure?"
"I'll be fine."
He leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to her cheek a touch brief, but warm enough to stop her breath.
Raven stared at him, eyes half-soft, half-worried. "Arthur…"
He cut her off gently by shifting Kara into her arms Raven caught her with telekinesis before the blonde hit the grass.
"Make sure this idiot wakes up soon," Arthur muttered. "She's going to get her powers back and feel stupid."
Raven couldn't help the laugh that escaped her. "I'll get her home."
Arthur shook his head.
"Not my estate. Titans Tower. Stay with your team for now."
Raven's expression changed. Not anger just understanding, but a bit disappointed.
"Oh… so you're just making sure we're not in your way."
He met her gaze head-on.
"No. I'm making sure you're both safe. Away from anything unexpected."
Then, lower, honest in a way few ever heard.
"This will also help me know if he's after me… or someone else."
Raven narrowed her eyes not fooled, just acknowledging.
"Right."
She opened a portal with a flick of her hand violet runes circling into a flat disc of swirling shadow. Kara levitated beside her like a floating drunk ghost.
Raven paused before stepping in.
"Be careful."
Arthur nodded once.
"I will."
She stepped through, portal closing like a held breath.
Arthur exhaled, long and slow.
"She's too smart to play for a fool. We both know he's coming for me."
The shadows behind him stirred deep, cold, rippling like ink.
A figure emerged, tall and regal, eyes glowing with purple flame.
Marshal H'El.
Arthur didn't turn, just spoke.
"You'll watch over Titans Tower. From afar."
H'El bowed his head, fist to chest. "I will see the task done."
His voice carried devotion, hunger for service like a sword begging to be drawn.
"Am I permitted to eliminate all who approach?"
Arthur sighed.
"Kryptonian instincts…"
He finally faced him.
"No. Only notify me if that person appears there, and then engage if you must."
H'El nodded,
"Understood, my king."
He shot upward, vanishing into the clouds in a streak of violet-black energy.
Arthur stood alone beneath the sky.
"Troublesome to instruct," he muttered, rubbing his temple.
"But useful."
A portal cracked open beneath his feet the shadows swallowing him whole.
Home called.
****
GOTHAM – ARTHUR'S ESTATE
When Arthur stepped through the shadows, quietly, the polished floors reflected the soft lamplight, the familiar scent of old books grounding him after an alien party.
He had barely taken two steps when..
George, impeccable as ever, stood waiting with a calm, almost knowing expression. His white gloves immaculate.
"Welcome home, Master Arthur. I should Inform you that..."
Arthur cut him and exhaled softly.
"Thank you, George. I'm going to rest for a bit, I..."
He stopped.
His gaze shifted past George.
A woman sat upon the velvet sofa near the fireplace, posture flawless, presence unmistakable. Dexter the cat was in her lap, purring loyally as she stroked his fur with the elegance of someone born to command respect without speaking a word.
Arthur froze.
George cleared his throat delicately.
"That, my lord, was precisely what I was about to tell you."
Arthur whispered the word more than spoke it.
"…Mother."
She lifted her head composed, graceful, unmistakably proud and stern all at once.
"Arthur."
She rose from the sofa, gown flowing, eyes sharp as polished silver. She studied him for half a moment.
"Well?"
One word loaded, disappointed, expectant. A mother's judgment wrapped in aristocratic silk.
Arthur rubbed the bridge of his nose.
"I assume this is the part where you remind me that I never call."
"I do not need to remind you of what you already know," she replied, voice smooth as wine, "But it would not kill you to check in with your family. We believed you dead three times last week alone."
Arthur coughed. "To be fair, one of those times was valid."
George muttered with dignified resonance,
"She has a point, sir."
Arthur shot him a look. George merely bowed with polite indifference.
'This is not a good time to visit, mother…' Arthur thought silently, keeping his composure perfectly still.
Her eyes drifted around the estate before returning to him.
"And where are Rachel and Kara? I was under the impression they resided here with you."
Arthur answered evenly.
"They're not home. Raven is with her team in Jump City."
She narrowed her gaze curious and dangerous, like she was connecting dots too quickly.
"Did you two..."
"No, it's not like that." Arthur cut in swiftly, hands raised.
"She simply has responsibilities. Titans business."
His mother took that explanation with a slow nod, though her eyes still gleamed with mischief.
"Well. That means there is still hope for grandchildren, I assume? Perhaps soon?"
Arthur stared. George carefully choked back a laugh behind a cough.
"Mother...no. And we are not married. That option will have to wait several universes."
She smiled, the kind of smile that meant she heard "not now," but translated it internally to "eventually."
Dexter hopped off her lap and strutted toward Arthur like a little herald, meowed once, then sat at his boot.
His mother folded her hands with noble poise.
"I will be staying for a few days."
Arthur blinked.
"…Of course you will.."
George inclined his head with perfect sophistication.
"I shall prepare the guest wing at once, madam. Dinner will be served shortly."
She nodded gracefully, then turned to Arthur voice gentler now, though no less commanding.
"It is good to see you again, my son. Properly. Alive. Standing before me, and not on a screen or rumor."
Arthur softened, just slightly.
"It's good to see you too, mother."
Even if the timing was terrible. Even if a cosmic bounty hunter was on his trail. Even if the Black Heart pulsed like destiny in his inventory.
For a moment.
He was simply someone's son. And as much as he didn't want to admit it, Arthur did not dislike it.
/-\
If you Like this story! Check out my other stories! Solo leveling in Westeros.
&
If you wish to read more or simply support me than check out my patreon at
"https://www.patreon.com/FrenzyAren"
You can Get Access to 3 More Chapters OR 7 More Chapters if you want