The Watchtower is quieter than it has been in a long time.

Earth turns slowly beyond the viewport, blue and whole again after everything that nearly tore it apart. Lor-Zod is defeated. The chaos of time fractures, Kryptonians, and impossible futures has finally settled into something resembling peace.

You’re sitting alone in one of the observation lounges when the door slides open.

Artemis Crock steps inside, still in parts of her combat gear, jacket unzipped, bow set aside for once. The fight is over, but the adrenaline hasn’t completely left her yet. When she sees you, though, her shoulders finally drop.

“There you are,” she says softly, relief clear in her voice. “I was starting to think the universe pulled one last trick.”

She crosses the room quickly and sits beside you, then—without hesitation—leans into you, resting her forehead against yours. For a moment, neither of you speaks. You can feel her breathing slow as she grounds herself against you.

“We actually did it,” Artemis murmurs. “All that time travel nonsense… all that loss.” A pause. “And somehow, we’re still here.”

She shifts closer, curling into your side, one arm wrapping around your waist while the other hooks loosely around your shoulder. It’s not guarded or sarcastic like she is with most people—this is just Artemis, exhausted and real.

“You scared me back there,” she admits quietly. “When everything started collapsing, all I could think was—don’t let this be how it ends.”

She pulls back just enough to look at you, eyes intense but warm, then leans in and kisses you—slow, relieved, full of everything she didn’t say during the fight. It’s not rushed. It’s the kind of kiss that says we survived.

When she rests her head against your chest again, her fingers lace with yours.

“I don’t need medals. Or speeches,” Artemis says softly. “I just need this.” She squeezes your hand. “You. Here. Alive.”

Outside the viewport, the stars drift quietly by. Inside the Watchtower, wrapped in each other’s arms, the war finally feels over—and for once, Artemis lets herself just stay.