▶ꜰʀᴏᴍ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴇʙᴛᴏᴏɴ ʙᴀᴛᴍᴀɴ: ᴡᴀʏɴᴇ ꜰᴀᴍɪʟʏ ᴀᴅᴠᴇɴᴛᴜʀᴇꜱ Fanmade ᴇᴘ.5½:

Somewhere in Gotham...

Pearl focused on her target while aiming her shooting at the head. After finishing, she removed the headset and thanked the receptionist before leaving the shooting range, which was a place for practicing aim, having fun, or venting frustrations.

For her, she was just having fun.

With her REUNITED best friend, Jason Todd.

"There. That's how you get things done." 

She told him, making Jason smirk at her: "Really? From what I'm seeing, you just missed two targets."

Pearl rolled her eyes, a playful grin on her face. 

"Missed? Those targets were just deception tactics. You think I actually care about scoring?"

Jason chuckled, tossing his jacket over one shoulder as they stepped outside into the dimlit afternoon where there was a sunset going down as the air became cool but charged with the kinds of anticipations only Gotham could muster. 

"Right, because spending an hour blasting away is somehow a philosophical exercise for you."

"Exactly!" she replied, her tone animated. "The noise of the gun, the feel of the trigger. It's therapeutic."

As they walked down the dimly lit street, the sun dipped beneath the skyline, casting long shadows that danced across the pavement. The neon lights of shops and bars blinked on, illuminating the city's gritty charm.

Jason glanced sideways at her, a hint of nostalgia in his eyes. "The old Pearl wouldn't be caught dead enjoying a gun range. You've changed."

"Oh, c'mon. I'm still the same Pearl." She retorted, the confidence in her voice masking the underlying edges of vulnerability, "I've just found more effective ways to blow off steam," 

He nodded slowly, considering her words. "Fair enough. But don't think that just because you can hit a target at the range means you'll handle yourself out there," he gestured towards the shadows of their surroundings. "Gotham can be a real piece of work."

"Please, I'm all grown up," she smirked, waving a hand dismissively. "Besides, I have my trusty sidekick with me."

Jason laughed, shaking his head. "You've really been hanging around the wrong kind of people, Pearl."

"Nah, I just watch too many movies."

The lightness of their laughter faded for a moment as Pearl's expression darkened, memories swirling in the back of her mind. 

She stole a glance at Jason, a stir of curiosity creeping over her: 'How much pain had he endured after the Joker had gotten to him?' 

It was a question laden with weight, one that she longed to have the courage to ask. But just as quickly as the thought materialized, she pushed it aside, reminded that the streets they walked were familiar. 

They were on the same sidewalk where they used to meet during their high school years at Gotham Academy.

"Remember this spot?" Jason's voice broke through her reverie, pulling her back, "You used to drag me here after classes, trying to make sure I did my homework at Wayne Manor."

Pearl laughed, her frown momentarily forgotten."So I was basically your study babysitter?So what?I only did it so I could escape that tiny house my new foster family crammed me into."

"Yeah, but you and your undying focus made it hard for me to goof off," Jason teased, a playful smirk crossing his face as he ruffled her hair, which made Pearl whine and glare at him. 

He continued, "You'd trap me in those intense discussions about the characters in horror mystery movies after homework. Like, who could handle the tension better—Beetlejuice or Chuckie?"

"Definitely Beetlejuice. He had the advantage of the dream world, and he's got style." Pearl challenged him back, and for a moment, they were just young friends debating the ins and outs of slasher films.

Instead of two adults grappling with the battles that loomed outside the walls of comfort, they had built: "Right. But that's assuming you can wake up and face him. But Chuckie would just keep coming to you in a toy box, no matter what," he quipped, making her laugh even harder. 

They continued on their usual playful banter as they kept on walking, bringing back memories of their high school days like a nice, soothing cup of coffee for the soul. When they got to a building, the elevator doors opened wide, and they stepped inside. 

The weight of their laughter managed to push aside the shadows that had been hanging over them.

When the elevator doors closed, they were both silent for a second. The air was thick with unspoken thoughts. Now, they were both hesitant, wanting to ask when they could hang out again, each waiting for the other to break the silence.

And then, in an unexpected synchronicity, they spoke at once, "When can we do this again?"

They were both surprised at how in sync they were. 

Both he and Pearl blushed and feeling embarrassed, Jason scratched the back of his neck before escorting her back to her flat that's next to his, as he suddenly remembers his plans for the night. "Actually... I should be heading out with the Outlaws right now. We have a mission."

Pearl's heart sank a little at the thought of his dangerous lifestyle, but before she could voice her concern, a thought flickered in her mind. "What if I tag along? I can help. You know I've got—"

"Pearl," he interrupted gently, his eyes earnest. "I know what you're gonna say and yeah, I know you've got your abilities, but this isn't just a game. You can't just jump into the field without knowing how to control them. It's a lot messier out there."

She sighed, frustration mingling with understanding in her chest. 

"I just... I don't want to miss out on the action. It's hard sitting here knowing you're out there."

He turned to her, the line of his jaw tightening, but his expression softened as he placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. Instantly, warmth washed over Pearl, causing her heart to flutter uncontrollably. 

"I wish I could but trust me, it's not just about having powers." Jason explains, "You need discipline and control. We'll make it happen when you're ready, okay?"

His words hung in the air, and she found herself nodding, albeit reluctantly. "Okay. I understand."

He gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze before letting go, but the warmth lingered. 

As they stood facing each other, Pearl could see the concern in Jason's blue eyes, and it mirrored the worry in her heart—a silent understanding of the battles each of them faced, both in the shadows of Gotham and within their own lives.

Jason cleared his throat, a hint of mischief returning to his voice. "Besides, we need to have our epic debates about horror movie characters as usual, right?" He nervously laughs, "Can't let you forget I have the best arguments."

"You're going down, Todd." She chuckled, her eyes sparkling. "Next time, I'm bringing research."

"I'll hold you to that," he said, the smile returning to his lips as the elevator doors slid open back open, Pearl offered to escort him outside which he didn't mind; And as soon as Jason stepped back outside, he felt like the heavyweight had come back. 

Whereas Pearl watched. Just as he waved at her goodbye, he turned around to get on his motorcycle and leave—an unshakeable desire to bridge the distance that their lives had imposed.

Then, without thinking, Pearl, feeling the fear of seeing him leaving sent some horrible deja vu vibes.

Flashback in highschool the day Jason was 'killed' by Joker~

" 'See ya later, alligator' " Jason waves at Pearl.

Pearl smiles brightly, "'You too, goodbye!' "

End of flashback~

In a panic, she rushed outside to hug him from behind, startling Jason at first until he heard her blurt out, "B-Be careful tonight, okay?" 

He widened his eyes, unable to ignore how firmly she gripped his leather jacket. The fear in her voice was unmistakable as she lifted her chin to meet his gaze, holding it with intensity for a brief moment.

You could see how much emotion Jason was feeling just by staring at her.

"You too, Pearl."

With those parting words, Jason stepped away and rode on his motorcycle into the night, the shadows of Gotham swallowing him whole. Pearl stood there for a moment, heart racing, knowing that despite the miles between them and the dangers that awaited, their connection would always bring them back together.

Even if her feelings for him weren't reciprocated.