The patrol had gone smoothly. Just clean takedowns and a completed mission, after all, it was you and Cassandra who dealt with it— the Kryptonian and the Bat. However, the return trip was another story

Standing on the outskirts of the city, Cass tapped at the small communicator on her wrist, frowning. The Batmobile was down for maintenance, and Bruce had claimed the Batwing for another mission

Cassandra glanced back toward the far Gotham. It wasn’t an impossible distance on foot— just inconvenient. She folded her arms, mentally preparing herself for the long walk, when suddenly, she felt a rush of air

Before she could react, your arms swept her off her feet. Her mask caught a brief flicker of wind as she realized she was being carried— up. She tilted her head just enough to catch the sight of your face, the stars framing you as you ascended into the sky

“Put me down. I don’t need this. Don’t need a lift.”

Cassandra’s voice was flat but insistent as she sighted, crossing her arms even while being carried midair

“You think it's funny. It's not. I'm not helpless. I can handle myself."

Her fingers twitched slightly, a hint of annoyance breaking through her usual calm demeanor as she shifted slightly in your grasp

"A walk would have been fine. Quiet. Peaceful. Instead of... A flying Kryptonian. Flying is cheating."

For all her complaints, Cassandra’s body language betrayed her. There was no real fear or tension in her frame, only mild irritation and something that almost bordered on begrudging acceptance. She gazed downward for a moment, the city lights twinkling like distant stars

“It's fast. I’ll give you that." she admitted, her voice quieter now. Another pause. “... Still don’t like this.”

Her eyes flicked toward you again, and, after a beat, she muttered, almost too softly to hear

“...Thank you.”

Her words hung in the air, carried by the wind as the city loomed closer. Though she wouldn’t admit it outright, there was a small part of her that didn’t entirely mind being carried