Chapter 78

Black Canary PoV

Songbird’s body was flipped over my shoulder before being slammed into the ground below. After a few seconds, I decided to release his hand. Finally allowing him to get up with a grunt.

He put a hand on his neck before wincing.

“We’ll stop here today. Go ahead and get changed.”

Songbird nodded at me before heading off towards the changing rooms. It was only after I was sure that he turned the corner did I bite my lip and plant my hand on my aching chest.

He punched me right in the tit!

Of course, I didn’t react to it in the moment or anything. If I had shown any sort of weakness, he might have decided to hit elsewhere out of consideration. Which definitely wasn’t the lesson I wanted to teach him.

Truth is, there are some crazy chicks out there that needed to be punched in the tit. It was pretty normal to run into guys who genuinely tried to aim for other parts of my body out of embarrassment. Even Oliver was mindful in our little spars.

Which of course left an opening to be exploited.

So it was better for Songbird to not pick up any sort of bad habits when fighting. Though I won’t lie, the idea of letting him figure it out for himself did cross my mind.

He was a smart kid. Frustratingly so.

There was nothing wrong with him of course. The problem was with me. I hated to admit it, but he had already learned the bulk of my fighting style. The reason our training was slowing down wasn’t because it was getting harder for him, but because I was running out of things to teach him.

I was even going so far as to go out and ask Diana and Bruce for tips. Improving and even trying out new moves when I go out just so I have something new to teach him.

Well, at least there was a positive in that. Self-improvement should always be strived for. A healthy body is a healthy mind.

I’ll be the first to admit that I haven’t really pushed myself for a while. Well, pushing myself to actually get better. There just haven’t really been any criminals or villains lately that have really pushed me to go further beyond.

Which is something I needed to do with Lawrence. The writing on the wall was pretty clear about that. He was going to be at my level sooner than later. Which was…disheartening…to say the least…

I mean, look at Bruce and Dick. Dick could be in his forties and Bruce would still be capable of teaching him something new. He was a great teacher.

Compared to that, what was I? I definitely wasn’t known as the world’s greatest detective. I didn’t have billions or even millions of dollars to help secure better equipment or to set someone for life.

Maybe it was dumb, but I couldn’t help but feel like I was letting him down.

…Perhaps taking him under my wing was a mistake. Maybe I should’ve stepped out of the way when Hawkman and Hawkgirl showed interest in him. Heck, even if he didn’t voice it, even Bruce seemed interested in the boy.

I know he’s had a rough time growing up. I know all too well what it was like to grow up in that shithole of a city. It should be my responsibility to make his life and future prospects brighter.

And yet Bruce did more in a week than anything I could ever hope to achieve.

Not that I begrudge him or anything. Song-Law’s future was more important than any sort of stupid selfish feelings on my part.

I just wish…that there was more that I could give.

“Lost in thought?”

Law commented, causing me to turn my head. He changed out his workout clothes for a loose-fitting T-shirt, and a towel around his neck. Considering the water on his hair, it seems like he rinsed his head before coming out.

His eyes betrayed no real emotion. It was rather rare they did, actually. Well, any emotion besides general annoyance, that is.

Which fit, considering his personality.

“Something like that.”

I admitted, putting my hands on my hips before regarding him. He nodded slightly before observing me in silence for several seconds. His eyes merely looking into my own.

I wonder what it was that he saw.

“…Well, don’t spend too much time in your own head. It can be…unhealthy.”

A small snort came out as I shook my head. Sometimes it felt like he was the one comforting me. Which was almost humiliating to think about.

“I’m guessing you’re speaking from experience?”

I teased, leaning forward. He hummed before closing his eyes. Crossing his arms before answering.

“Something like that.”

It wasn’t difficult to imagine. He had become the leader of the Titans suddenly, and without any real warning. Without any leadership training. It was genuinely impressive that he got this far all on his own.

He did ask for advice from me, but there was only so much I could really give him. I wasn’t ever in a situation even remotely similar to his. The only thing I’ve been in that was even close was the Justice League, and I was far from the one calling the shots.

Being stressed out was a given. Still, he hid it pretty well.

“Is this it for today?”

His words brought me out of my thoughts once more. This time it took me several seconds to respond with a shake of my head. My lips twisting into a smile as his eyes narrowed in interest.

“No, actually. I was thinking of giving you a few lessons about a different subject.”

“Oh? And what is that?”

I smirked.

“Going undercover.”

I proudly stated, causing him to return my smile with a faint one of his own. One that seemed more amused than anything else.

“Understood. Who’s the target?”

“Just a no name drug smuggler from out of town. He’s not really important, but his connections might be. Even so this is more of a learning opportunity than anything else.”

He hummed at that before nodding.

“Then I look forward to learning.”

It’s funny. He probably meant absolutely nothing by that comment. Just a simple statement to show that he acknowledged what I said. But that only made it more poignant and important in my eyes.

It showed that he had trust in my ability to teach him something new. There was no second guessing, nor any sort of skepticism. He simply believed in my ability more than even I did.

Ha…how embarrassing. I’m usually much more outgoing and sure of myself. Not nearly as emotionally vulnerable as I am now.

I guess I have been a bit stressed lately. What with the job, the Justice League meetings, teaching Songbird, and dealing with Ollie. I loved the man but honestly…it was like I was dealing with a child half the time.

But…that was part of what made him Green Arrow.

“What should I prepare for?”

I winked at him.

“A date.”

“Alright. Then I’ll need to talk to Starfire before I leave.”

That got my attention. He obviously knew it wasn’t a real date, but even so he still felt the need to tell Starfire? Was she really that jealous? Funny, I never got that vibe from her.

“I didn’t realize Starfire was the jealous type.”

I commented, leading to a rather abrupt snort from Law.

“Hardly. Even so, she deserves to know exactly what I’ll be up to. Especially if it involves other women.”

…Wow. I wasn’t expecting him to be so…loyal. No, loyal wasn’t quite the right word. Neither was cautious. He was very…thoughtful. Mindful even.

Even counting everything he’s learned from me, his leadership decisions, and a cure for being freaking deaf, I’m pretty sure THAT was the most impressive thing he’s ever done. I couldn’t be prouder of him if I tried. Starfire was a lucky girl. Loyalty could be hard to find, but thoughtfulness?

Now THAT was rare.

*~o~*

Jump City had some nice places. It may not hold a candle to some locales in Star City, but it definitely didn’t lose to a place like Gotham. It probably helped that the crime rate was at an all-time low. Likely due to Songbird’s and the Titans influence.

Unfortunately, that also meant that the city was ripe for the taking for criminal groups. As they would be able to devote most of their resources into not being discovered and not defending their ‘territory’ from rival gangs.

I think the phrase is…suffering from success?

We were seated at a nice table ahead of time. Specifically, the table that would be at just the right distance to not look too suspicious, but still able to overhear the conversation of several other tables.

Our target was already in engaging someone in conversation when we came in. Likely another criminal with some level of ties, but not from Jump City. Perhaps he was thinking of branching out, or even leaving Jump City altogether?

As we sat down, I couldn’t help but admire Songbird’s choice of wear. Or perhaps I should say, Starfire’s. As I knew from experience that he didn’t really care all too much about how stylish his clothes were. But he did seem to value the ‘quality’ of them.

He was also more than a bit vain when it came to his hair. Considering I’ve never seen so much as a damn knot in it. It always seemed to be sleek and well brushed.

I was pretty sure he took better care of his hair than any woman I knew.

“So, how long do you normally spend on your hair?”

I asked as I sat down. This wasn’t a place that handed out menus, so I was looking forward to seeing Songbird at a loss. But he didn’t even seem to register it yet. He pursed his lips before answering.

“About thirty minutes a day. I probably spend more time on Starfire’s hair then my own.”

Bullshit.

As the waiter came by, he asked Songbird first what he was ordering. It was rather normal for them to ask the man first, after all. Unfortunately, my amusement was abruptly ruined when Songbird answered in French.

Terrible French to be sure, but still. I hadn’t expected him to have actually done research ahead of time.

“And your mother, sir?”

My eye twitched at that while Law seemed to have a ghost of a smirk on his lips.

Honestly, what sort of assumption was that!? I didn’t look anything LIKE my sidekick! I wasn’t even that old! I was still in my twenties damn it! The prime of my life!

I wasn’t sure what Songbird had answered with, as I was too busy calming myself down mentally. I only knew that he had ordered for me as the waiter eventually left.

As my gaze fell back on him, I noticed his smirk had grown much more visible.

“Is there something wrong, mom?”

…I wasn’t going to hold back in our next training session.