Chapter 79

Songbird’s lips were split widely into a smile, revealing his teeth. It was only because he wasn’t laughing out loud that I wasn’t pressing the weight of my foot on top of his toes.

…And because I was an adult, of course.

It would be childish if I was to take so much offense as to take it out on him. I mean, he wasn’t even the one to start the rather insulting exchange.

Honestly…I didn’t look that old…did I?

Finally, Songbird decided that he had his fill of my misery by waving his hand. His smile slowing dying down back to his customary frown.

“Relax. I’ve come here with Starfire a few times, so Jordan assumed you were related to me in some way.”

Songbird paused with a thinking expression. His eyes closed as his arms gesticulated outwards.

“That, or he assumed I was cheating on her and decided to potentially get fired in order to ruin my night.”

I blinked at that. Not quite sure what to say to that. ‘Jordan’…had I not noticed his nametag? A part of me was slightly upset that I hadn’t caught that little fact. It would likely not come in handy, but it was still useful and free information that could be used later.

Better to have than not have, at any rate.

“Oh, I see.”

Songbird nodded.

“I’ve noticed that outside of Gotham, people have…principles. A stronger moral code.”

A rather bleak outlook on things, and one that was likely colored by his own past and experiences. Having grown up in the slums of Gotham…yes, it was quite obvious why he would believe that most people would throw away morals if it meant some extra cash.

No, even that wasn’t quite fair. Gotham was…a completely different beast when it came to the other cities. Honestly, I wasn’t even sure how Batman was able to put up with it night after night. Even I needed to take breaks from working in Gotham.

It had a habit of just…sucking the soul out of everyone in it.

My eyes flickered to the target who was now currently laughing a bit too loudly at his own joke. His partner seemed to be a bit more reserved, looking around in a bit of a panic. He was nervous. Scared.

“…Not to get sidetracked, but you do remember why we’re here, correct?”

Songbird nodded.

“Of course, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have an actual conversation as well. I’m more than capable of multitasking…unless…”

He raised an eyebrow towards me causing my face to mirror his own. What he was trying to imply wasn’t exactly lost on me. How cheeky!

I had to fight down my own smile as I nodded slowly at him. Eyes narrowed as I accepted his challenge.

“If anything, I was worried about you. But if you think you can handle it, then why not? Don’t be afraid to let me know if it gets too hard for you.”

His frown turned into a wry smirk at that.

“I’m thankful to have such an understanding teacher.”

“As you should be.”

I exclaimed, unable to continue fighting the smile that had started to creep up on my face. Eventually allowing it to stretch to both corners of my cheeks.

The waiter returned this time with wine glasses. It would seem that he had also ordered drinks earlier. The name of the bottle was something I’ve never heard of, or perhaps was just spelled in a language I didn’t understand. The liquor that poured out was of a reddish brown mixture. A strange translucent like curtain seemed to separate the top from the bottom.

Bringing it up to my nose, I gave it a small cursory sniff. It smelled like…an orange?

Interesting.

“Drinking on the job? I thought I taught you better.”

I then tsked and pretended to seem cross with him. But it didn’t seem like he was buying it. Right, he had a pretty good read on people. Then considering that the two of us have hung out numerous times…

Huh. Actually, I was kind of interested in just how much he thought he knew about me.

“What, is a single glass too much for you?”

Hah. Going to bars and doing shots was something I still did. Though a lot less frequently nowadays then when I was younger. Perhaps I should surprise him later with a drinking contest…

No, that might be a bad idea. He might be able to cheat with his ability…

“Oh, I think you’d be rather impressed just how much I can take.”

The words came out much more flirtatiously than I meant to, but I decided to double down on it by giving my sidekick a wink. If it got under his collar, he didn’t show it. Causing me to be slightly disappointed by the lack of a reaction, but I was also a bit proud of him in turn.

“I don’t doubt that.”

He lifted up the wine glass to his lips before taking a sip. In doing so, I reflexively copied him. Taking my own taste of the-

“Oh…wow.”

My face screwed up in a grimace as my eyes blinked rapidly. It was much stronger than the smell indicated. If that had been all then I wouldn’t have really flinched, but it tasted…sour.

Not like how beer could taste bitter, but truly sour. Like something had gone bad and died.

“It’s…an acquired taste.”

My sidekick, who now seems to double as a wine connoisseur, commented before idly spinning the wine glass in his hand. I hummed at his comment before dabbing my lips. The taste still remaining in my mouth.

“That’s…some taste you have.”

He waved his hand before looking away. His eyes seemingly locking onto something in the room that wasn’t actually there. So, either he was thinking about something else, or he was trying to pay attention to the conversation nearby.

“I’m not really big on it, but Starfire likes it. So out of habit I simply ordered it.”

I couldn’t help but smile warmly at that.

“Quite the attentive boyfriend, aren’t you?”

His lips pursed at that, causing my smile to falter a little bit. My words seemed to have struck a nerve. That was…not a good sign.

“…Is something wrong?”

I asked worryingly, causing his frown to slowly recede. Being replaced by his normal resting frown. Yet it was obvious by his eyes that something was bothering him. The fingers from his unoccupied hand were also starting to drum themselves on the table.

“…I’m not sure.”

Well that doesn’t sound good.

“What aren’t you sure about?”

I asked, hoping he would elaborate. He seemed to take his time thinking and collecting his thoughts before responding. Choosing his words as deliberately as possible.

“Starfire is from a very…differentculture.”

…Yeah, I’d assume so. She was an alien after all. It was surprising enough that she was even humanoid looking. Unlike the Martians who were…a bit more…distinct.

He continued on after a second of deliberation.

“Her culture’s understanding of love is very…open.”

“Well, that sounds good?”

He paused at that before stressing the point further.

“They are VERY sexually open.”

Oh. Oh! Wow. With my private sessions with Starfire, I thought she was just naturally a very optimistic person. Not just open to…that kind of stuff.

Oh no.

“Does she…”

I attempt to continue, but instead trail off. Fearing that I might be hurting my sidekicks feelings. Romance and love weren’t exactly games that could be played with the heart. Not without genuinely risking getting hurt.

And it was quite obvious that Law wasn’t exactly the most trusting of individuals. So something like this could lead to him closing off his heart even further.

Which wasn’t something I’d allow.

“No. She was very receptive and kind when I asked her to not do anything sexual with others. At least, not without consulting me first.”

…Alright. Good communication there. As expected of Starfire, she’s very in tune with not only her own emotions, but others as well.

“So, what’s the problem?”

“Starfire has encouraged and allowed me to start a…relationship with Galatea as well.”

…Huh? Oh. Uh. Huh. I…did not know how to react to that. Galatea was definitely attractive, but she was also…definitely not the relationship type. Or at least that was the opinion I had formed after our sessions together.

She was extremely emotionally cut off. Barely even tolerating the session in the first place. The best word I could describe her as would be…uncaring.

Which was similar, but extremely different from how Raven was. Raven simply states that she doesn’t care, and her tone seems to imply that as well. But the truth was that Raven cared a great deal, she just wasn’t letting herself do as such. She was also just very introverted.

Galatea however didn’t bother talking to others not because she was shy, but because she truly didn’t care what others had to say or feel.

I was quite certain that I could have stripped naked and turned into a plant during her session, and Galatea wouldn’t have batted an eye. So, to hear that she was actually in any sort of relationship was…interesting.

Not to mention that Songbird was apparently involved with two of his teammates…

“Oh. I see.”

I wasn’t sure what else to say, but he definitely had my attention. He seemed to catch onto that fact, as he continued to explain. That or he simply wanted to get it off his chest.

“She’s completely fine with it, and so too is Galatea but…I do feel like it’s unfair to her. How can I use her beliefs to my advantage when it benefits me, but then turn around and deny her beliefs when it doesn’t?”

Ah, I see…

Songbird paused again, before looking into my eyes. Genuine emotional vulnerability seemed to well up inside as he frowned. It was the first time he’s ever shown me such a side to himself, even in our sessions.

Which meant I had to give him the advice he needed to hear.

“What do you think? Am I abusing her trust?”

I took a small sip of the wine in order to gather my thoughts for a proper response. The expected disgusting taste hit my tongue, but this time went down a bit more easily. The texture allowed me to focus more clearly on my own thoughts.

“I think that the fact that you’re even worried about this is a decent sign that you have good intentions.”

That didn’t seem to be what he had expected to hear, as he seemed to focus entirely on me as I spoke. He said nothing in turn, but the emotion in his eyes quickly faded as he listened to my answer.

“You said Starfire is okay with this…arrangement? And Galatea also has no problems?”

Honestly, I found that difficult to believe. Galatea didn’t seem the kind to allow sharing, but then again I was wrong about her not caring for relationships. So what did I know really?

He nodded, allowing me to continue.

“Then it would seem that the only one bothered by this is you. I also think having a problem with this is completely valid, even on your part. What is probably the most important question now is…if this continues on without any incidents with Galatea and Starfire, do you see yourself being more comfortable with the situation in the future?”

There were two possible answers that I could see coming from Songbird. Either he would be fine with it, or he wouldn’t be. If he was fine with it, then it showed that the only thing that was really bothering him was potentially hurting Starfire’s feelings.

If he wasn’t fine with it, that would show that the root of the problem is something more internal. That he’s deep down not okay with open relationships, even on his side of the field.

Which can definitely be a deal breaker in a lot of relationships.

Songbird seemed to turn introspective on himself for a few moments before nodding. Causing me to internally sigh with relief. It would have been extremely awkward to talk about a potential breakup with his girlfriend during a fate date outing for a mission.

That just…seemed to spell disaster, really.

“…I would be. Perhaps you’re right. Maybe I’m worrying too much.”

I nodded along. The best answers to these types of things are the ones that come naturally. After someone asks the right question, at least.

After a glance back towards our target, I couldn’t help but do a double take as neither he nor his partner were in their seats. Songbird must have noticed me being alarmed as he waved me off.

“Targets in the bathroom getting ready to leave, and the partner has already left.”

My eyes narrowed a bit. How much had he really been paying attention? Had he seriously been multitasking the entire time? Even I got too caught up in the conversation at hand.

Unless…had that been his intention from the very beginning? I know for a fact that none of that was made up. There was too much genuine emotion in his expressions. But that doesn’t mean he didn’t choose this moment specifically to bring it up in order to throw me off.

What a scheming little…

“So, you heard the details of their supplier, then?”

I tested him, only for him to nod along.

“Yes. His name is Faraday, and they’ll be meeting him on Tuesday.”

For a brief moment after he answered, the edges of his lips twitched upwards. Causing me to be wary of his next words.

“And did you catch the part about the smuggling route?”

…I did not. A fact that he immediately became aware of by the look on my face. One that was now sprouting a frown due to his antics. Here I was giving him my most sincere and honest advice, and it was used against me!

The nerve!

He made sure to not meet my eyes as he hummed. Taking a small sip from his wine glass before putting it down onto the table.

“That’s fine. I’ll inform you on the way.”

He stated, as if he was doing some sort of kind act by not rubbing it in my face that he pulled a fast one on me. I couldn’t help but be exasperated and begrudgingly amused at his childish antics.

But if he thought this was over, he was dead wrong.

I didn’t play to get even. I played to win.

He was about twenty years too early to be pulling something like that on me. He was sorely mistaken if he thought I would just let this go. This entire time I’ve been holding back out of a genuine want to seem more professional. But if it was just me and Songbird…

Then there was no longer a reason for me to hold back, now was there?