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singmyblackcanary​:

Dinah raised an eyebrow when Zachary used magic to put his pets into the hat. Neat little trick– except it wasn’t a trick, it was real, honest to goodness magic. No matter how many times she saw such things, Dinah felt fascinated. “Yes, let’s.” She reached behind her as if needing to scratch an itch along her upper back, then would gracefully pull out a short, black escrima stick. She shook it out to make the stick longer, then turned her phone light off.

They were briefly submerged in darkness before she opened the door leading out backstage, cracking it just enough so that someone could push it open if they wanted. “Your assistant? I sent her to get us coffee. Got eyes on her. So far so good, she’s stuck in line and her card will be declined and hold her up even more..” She was hearing up to the second updates from the little voice in her ear, and she flicked her hair back over one shoulder so her earring would be able to see better. “He’s heading this way. I’ll strike first. Just… try not to kill him.”       

In the darkness of the room, all that could be seen was the sliver of light coming from the cracked door. In the distance Dinah could hear someone drilling– probably one of the stagehands working on the set. The voice in her ear couldn’t be heard by anybody but herself, and she had to force herself not to respond once she heard footsteps in the hallway. The door would slowly creak open. Then stop, before slowly continuing to open further. Before the person would even be able to walk into the room, Dinah would reach out and grab at their wrist, yanking them forward and then flipping them down with a kick to the shins. “Ha!”

-

It was a failsafe he’d spent months getting down perfectly when he was starting out. He’d been reckless with his own safety more times than he figured it was smart to mention, but he was never going to risk Friede, Xander or Ezra for that matter; although, he’d wager the elephant and tiger were both pretty capable of taking care of themselves if worst came to worst. Speaking of the worst... it seemed the were about to field that in the here and now.

“Bunny?” he asked, eyes going wide since, between Dinah being, Dinah and the imminent threat on his life, Zach might’ve forgotten all about her. “Shit. I’ll have to give her a week off for this.” Lord knows she’d been pestering him about wanting to see her family, ugh. He took a step back when Dinah spoke again, not out of here, well... not completely out of fear, but he’d been in the Titans long enough to figure out where he stood in a battle: at the rear. There were heavy hitters and martial arts experts to get in close, he was the glass canon that shouldn’t take a hit.

Zach waited as Dinah did, crouched low. His thighs were already beginning to burn from the pose but he didn’t have long to wait before the door nudged open and Black Canary swung, quite literally, into action. He watched with wide eyes and more than a little excited bubbling in his stomach as the woman threw down his would be assassin. Realising he was staring like a moron he shook his head a little and quickly muttered, “gbihtolC dnib mih!” Immediately Zach’s (copious) amount of clothes hanging on a rail flew into the air and began to wrap around the assassin. Not about to kill him, but hardly gentle or dignifying. His jackets wrapped around the mans arms, pants around his legs, a scary around his eyes; it was enough to prevent him getting back up. “Can I hit him now please Ma’am?” Zach asked, torn between his appreciation for the woman and, well, the need to inflict bodily harm. 

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supermansglasses​:

Of course, the most obvious difference in Zach was the accent that he spoke with. Clark would’ve overlooked that entirely as some kind of stage choice, however. It wasn’t as if everyone Zachary had ever encountered didn’t know that he was a performer. In the few interactions that Clark had with him as an adult, it seemed to consume most of his personality. The rest had been reserved for snarky, sometimes downright rude comments. That was the real, glaring difference. He’d not seen him so polite since he was a bright eyed little child waiting on his uncle. 

“I would say that you’re…a pleasant change of pace,” Clark told him, trying not to be too insulting about it. At that point, he still wasn’t sure what was going on or who, exactly, he was talking to. It wasn’t as if he was unfamiliar with the strange twists that the universe sometimes managed to pull. People got thrown out of timelines, their own universes, pulled back and forth through time…Any number of things could happen. He was at least a bit vigilant in case this turned out to be something more sinister than it appeared. Mostly, though, he was curious. He’d never been like Bruce, seeing shadows everywhere. “Those are terrible for you,” he commented as Zach took out the cigarette, and for just a moment he wore the same stern look that he’d often given to Jon when he wanted him to make a different choice without telling him to make it.

A spell, then. That made sense. “I think we can track at least one of them down. Are you hoping they’ll be able to help send you back?” He was confident that Zatanna, at least, could prove useful. Constantine tended to be far more of a wildcard. He did know a decent bit of Zach’s family history in this world, so news that he had his folks waiting for him back in his own did explain some of the differences he was seeing. “You have both parents waiting for you?” 

-

Zachary snorted and casually pressed the lit cigarette to his lips, taking a deep breath and letting the smoke blow out but careful to turn his head so none of it blew towards Clark. “So I’m a tosser here is what you mean?” he asked lightly, “Can’t say I’m surprised. Mam always said ma head was dangerously close to inflating too much. Guess she may not’ve been as strict here.” he added casually, tuning back towards the crater left by the impact of the aliens from earlier. “Hmm, well that’ll knacker up someone’s suspension.” he muttered, clicking his fingers and easily weaving a sigil in the air. Moment’s later, the road rose back up to its original state.

He grinned at the comment, already expecting it, “You’re right but, with all due respect Sir, given our line of work is a few ciggies end up being the death of me I’ll take it as a life well spent, besides,” he stared down at the cigarette between his fingers and sighed, “Helps calm the nerves. S’not the first time I’ve been dimension hopping but it’s never been so,” he gestured slightly, frowning as he tried to think of the word, “Abrupt, discombobulating, a real kick in the unmentionables? If ya take ma meaning.” Zachary finished with a smile that, while slightly forced was certainly genuine. “S’why I was so relieved to run into you so quick. You and Mam are pretty close back home; me dad winds you up but that’s his real magic.” Dad could irritate a being with endless patience; how mam managed it he wasn’t sure... Maybe that was why they never married and their cohabitation was iffy at best.

“That’s what I like to hear,” he grinned, slotting the cigarette between his teeth once more, “Thanks Sir. I’m hoping they’ll be able to help me isolate where I am so I can get back; the travelling’s not so hard but I don’t know where I am so figuring out where I got to get to is.” he sighed, “How’s the Missus, if I can ask? And ya boy?” he paused a moment, “Beggin ya pardon, I don’t know if those things are the same here.” he took another long drag of smoke, definitely a show of nerves.

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singmyblackcanary​:

Dinah blinked when the faint light from the windows disappeared, leaving them in an even darker shade of black. She took in a slow breath, then pulled a phone from somewhere inside her dress. The light from the screen came on, illuminating her face, then she moved to stand in one smooth movement. “First time, huh?” She reached down to lightly slide a fingertip along Zach’s jaw, then pointed the phone screen around the room to take stock of the situation. “Windows gone. Good job.” With the lamp tossed to the floor they had no other source of light, so she flicked on the flashlight from the phone to give them more light.  

Her blonde hair was tousled from the dive maneuver, but her makeup still looked perfect, her dress no longer hiked up to her thighs as it had been when she’d been on the floor. “That leaves the door as our way out.” Her head tilted as if listening to something, then she nodded and turned her attention to a vent above them in the ceiling. “Yeah, I see the vent. You think I’m crawling through that in this dress?” She was clearly talking to someone that Zach couldn’t see, her attention away from him for a moment as she scanned the room again. Hmm. 

She turned to Zach after a moment, the phone light turning to the tiger and bird that were hiding, though was sure not to shine it right in their eyes. “Security cameras are showing an armed man coming through the back door of the opera house. Zachary, think we can take him?” There was a light, teasing lilt to her tone, trying to get him to calm down a bit. Dinah wasn’t armed with a firearm herself, but that didn’t worry her. She had fought plenty of armed guards, goons, and villains before and came out on top.

-

Zach’s eyes widened and for a brief moment his snark overtook the shyness Dinah was able to conjure (the darkness made that a little easier too) “I wasn’t in the Titans for long I didn’t make a habit out of-” and then she cupped his chin and someone might as well have pulled the plug on whatever power source was riling him up since Zach clammed up in seconds and his face flushed bright red... One more reason to be thankful for the darkness. “U-uhh, yea thanks.” He cleared his throat, blinking several times when Dinah cast a little light around them with her phone.

“Xander, Friede!” Zach suddenly yelled, perhaps the only thing to snap him out of the presence of Dinah was fear for his friends, his family he’d go as far to say. He scrambled to the side and heard a faint growl from the tiger and a coo from the dove moments later. He sighed in relief and half slumped against the overturned table, “Oh thank the deities.” Being able to use magic had taught him a little bit of every religion had it right, so he kept his celestial thanks pretty vague. Meanwhile, Dinah had either gone batty or was talking to someone- oh, batty was probably right since he’d heard the name ‘Oracle’ mentioned earlier; she worked in Gotham so that meant bats.

He was snapped from the musing when Dinah announced his would-be murderer was heading over, his nerves were quickly overtaken by irritation and he rose to his feet, “Xander, Friede, into the hat. latroP ot s‘arzE evreser.” he cast, clicking his fingers at his top hat, which had fallen to the floor, it wobbled, floated up and turned sideways, widening the brim so both dove and tiger could fly through to the reserve his elephant was in, they’d be safe there. “Okay.” he sighed, brushing down his pants then raising his arms, “Let’s do this.”    

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singmyblackcanary​:

Dinah gestured with a brief and elegant wave of her hand that she didn’t need to sit, though she appreciated the offer. Her expression was grave when Zach asked who would want to kill him. She wasn’t sure yet, and neither was Oracle. That was one of the things they were still trying to track down. Meanwhile, Dinah could still try and intervene before it was too late. “We…” 

Her voice cut off abruptly when she saw the red light on the young man’s chest. Without hesitation she jumped forward suddenly to shove him to the ground, having more strength than seemed possible for someone her size. “Down!!” Glass shattered but otherwise there was no sound from a bullet– clearly someone using a silencer. Even as she was shoving Zachary to the floor, she grabbed the cord leading to the vanity lights and yanked on it hard, causing the lights to go out and leaving them in complete darkness.

She landed hard on top of Zachary, her soft breasts pressing against his face briefly before she sat up on one elbow to look over her shoulder. Her body was still against his, her long hair falling down over one shoulder. “The window. Stay still.” Her perfume could be easily detected in this position, as well as the scent of her shampoo, lightly floral and pleasant.

Her eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness, but she didn’t dare turn on ay lights yet. After a moment she rolled off of Zach and then immediately yanked him by the collar to be sitting with her on one side of the massive wooden vanity table, their bodies hidden from view of the one window. She hoped the tiger and bird weren’t injured. In the darkness she couldn’t see them– but there wasn’t the scent of blood, at least. “You were in the Teen Titans. Can you fight?”  Her voice was low, almost too low to be heard, her face close to Zachary’s so that they could talk as quietly as possible.

-

Zach wasn’t sure what was happening, one minute he was trying to list all the reasons why no one would want to kill him and the next the lights were out, he was on his back and something... or rather some-things that were incredibly soft and smelt amazing were half-smothering him. In truth he couldn’t say he minded but his cheeks promptly turned the colour of cherries and he didn’t dare move his hands from their position on the floor. Other parts of his body he internally screamed at to the do the same... perhaps in vain.

Luckily the pleasurable weight rolled off him soon enough and yanked him along too until they crouched beside his vanity table. Zach took a moment and reached out, Xander had backed into the other corner of the room, under the window and was hidden from sight, absolutely still. His dove rested between the tigers paws; Zach’s connection with them was strong enough to tell neither was hurt, thank god. “U-uh... briefly.” he whispered back, “I can do this first though. swodniW otni llaw.” he muttered, the darkness of the room deepening as Zach’s magic turned all the windows into additional pieces of wall, cutting off the chance of anymore sniper fire. “Jesus...” he swallowed, “Someone tried to shoot me...”    

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singmyblackcanary​:

The use of magic didn’t seem to startle Dinah at all, her hand lifting gracefully to take the glass that floated up. “Thank, you dear.” She took a slow sip as she watched Zachary bluster and blush, finding his reactions adorable. Her perfectly-shaped eyebrow raised at the translation of what the dove was saying, then she smiled slowly and took a step closer, her fingertips lowering to lightly touch the top of the vanity. “Oh?”          

She took another sip of gin before setting the glass down on the vanity table, her red lipstick leaving a little mark on the rim. Her body turned slightly to continue facing Zachary, her arms then crossing over her chest slowly. “Zachary, I’m afraid my visit isn’t simply for pleasure.” Her smile faded slightly, but only to be replaced with a look of concern, the lights from the vanity mirror making her eyes look very blue. “You’re in danger.”

The intel had come through a week before. Oracle was always tuned in to such things– mostly via the Dark Web. At first they thought the transmission was about Zatanna, so had wasted some time looking into that– but then it became obvious the target was actually Zach. The other Zatara. “Someone’s put a hit out on you. A cool 2 mill for your death. A bonus if done while you’re on stage performing.”

-

Be cool, dammit be cool! Zach kept repeating in his head, making a move to sit before thinking that’d be rude and quickly shooting up again, “U-umm, would you like a seat at all, Ma’am?” he asked, very briefly shooting a dirty look at his dove who was cooing once again, this time she was laughing. Meanwhile his tiger had opened an eye to watch the show and was making a low rumbly sound of enjoyment.

Zach couldn’t help but swallow when she said the word ‘pleasure’ and again did his best to keep his eyes on the face, hardly a trial since damn her skin was perfect, and her eyes and her hair, boy he liked long hair, it just fell nice around a face like her’s... or Eddie a- OKAY. Zach shook his head a little to clear that thought out and just caught the end of Dinah’s words, “In danger?” he asked, cocking his head as the tiger stood up and padded closer.

“A what?” Zach asked, blinking several times, “I-uhh... Look Ms Lance, you’re you so you’re probably never wrong but I, well umm, I’m not that big in the hero game, I don’t have enemies that wanna kill me.” He wasn’t even involved with the Titans enough to generate any specific animosity with a villain. “Like who cares about me that much?” He was so busy racking his brain trying to think that he didn’t notice the thin red laser shining though the window and directly over his heart.  

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supermansglasses​:

Metropolis boasted plenty of quiet days. I wasn’t like Gotham with its endless string of crimes, both petty and huge. There were still plenty of moments that called for Superman, though, and that day he’d had a threat to answer. The fight hadn’t been going on long enough for him to consider it over, despite having not quite broken a sweat. Yet when he landed, there was nothing waiting on him except…

“Zachary Zatara?” Of course Clark recognized him. They’d had a few encounters, all of them memorable for vastly different reasons. He wasn’t sure that he’d ever seen a case of a curious child turning into such a…well. Zach’s manners could use some serious work. It hadn’t been that way when he was younger, and Clark had never been quite sure what was responsible for the heel turn that had obviously occurred.   

Not that anyone would’ve been able to tell with the way Zach approached him right then. It was so different from what he’d been expecting that Clark actually cocked his head to the side, looking for just a moment like some great red and blue owl. He didn’t sound like himself in accent or in words. “Well…what seems to be the problem? I’ll do what I can. And thank you for helping me out. That saved a lot of time.” And left him baffled, admittedly, but there were worse things to be confused about than an unexpected kindness. 

-

“That’s me mate.” Zachary nodded, “And no problem, I figured it would end things quick enough. Given how far out into space that portal sent them I think it’ll be a few years before they can make it back to Earth.” And hopefully in that time they’ll realise it’s a bad idea to tangle with such a well-defended planet. But then, common sense never seemed to be in copious amounts with bad guys.

He smiled at Clark’s actions and couldn’t hold back a small chuckle. “I’m guessing I’m not acting like myself right? Or the self you know anyway,” he reached into the pocket of his jacket and pulled out a cigarette, “Do you mind? I know I shouldn’t but they remind me of me dad.” Who he had to admit he was a little curious about (new world, new roles after all).

“You see Superman, I’m actually from another dimension, I took a spell for my teammates in a fight and here I am. My folks’ll be worrying themselves grey so I’m looking to get back as soon as. I figure my parents, as they’ll be, here can help me out. You don’t know where Zatanna Zatara and John Constantine might be by any chance?” he asked, muttering a quick spell to light his cigarette.  

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singmyblackcanary​:      

Dinah watched calmly as Zachary stumbled around, feeling amused by his reactions since it was very cute. She walked away from the door and slowly shut it behind her, subtly locking it as well so no one could just burst in without them knowing about it first. “You remember me. Smart man.” She continued to smile faintly as she stepped closer, her heels clicking softly on the wood floor. “Gin, if you please.” Her gaze went down to the tiger, and she slowly lowered a hand to let the large cat sniff, not seeming afraid of it at all.       

Despite showing up with a purpose, Dinah’s demeanor was calm and without urgency. She glanced around the dressing room with faint curiosity, not seeming as if she were scoping out anything for tactical purposes. She was dressed up for a night on the town, her hair styled and makeup perfect. It wasn’t her usual outfit of black leather jacket and fishnets. “Your show was wonderful. I wish I had come to see it before tonight.” She stepped over to look at the dove after that instead, cooing softly at it in a perfect imitation of a dove noise… but Dinah Lance wasn’t just an expert at martial arts– she could also copy any sound, whether singing, sound effects, or animal noises. 

There was the faint scent of expensive perfume coming from her skin, but it wasn’t overpowering or cloying. The glittering bangles on her wrists tinkled slightly as she lifted a hand to gently brush the chest feathers of the dove, her lips pursing just slightly as she whispered another coo at her. “Hello, sweet thing. Aren’t you lovely?”

-

Zach gulped again, both animals looking at him as though he’d lost his mind which, he might as well have. Regardless of how pragmatic, how strategic and how sarcastic Zachary was, there was a small group of people (mostly women) who could knock him out of that headspace in a second; Dinah Lance happened to be the top of that list. Seriously, Zach only had to think about the woman and he was all fingers and thumbs, desperate to impress and not offend.

“Y-Yes Ma’am.” Zach nodded, he looked away from the stunning woman for a brief moment and muttered, “niG dna cinot, raeppa.” And a second later, a glass of gin mixed with tonic with a sliced cucumber for garnish appeared on the table in front of him, “oG ot sM ecnaL.” he added, and the glass floated up from the table and slowly moved through the air towards Dinah where it came to a pause at chest level, just waiting for the woman to reach out a grab it.

“O-oh well I uh, I was on good form tonight, y’know, decent crowd, good energy, all that jazz.” he (uncharacteristically) brushed off the comment while rubbing the back of his neck with his hand. His dove, Friede, cooed in return, and fluttered her wings a little, those and fell and Zach spoke again, “She says she’s fine thank you and-” he flushed, “And to uhh... to keep doing what you’re doing with... me.” Crap. He was so out of sorts he was translating Friede’s messages without even filtering them.  

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Where: Metropolis - Town Centre With: Kingdom Come!Zachary Zatara & Clark Kent @supermansglasses​

Well, this clearly wasn’t his dimension. Zachary sighed, “Bollocks.” he muttered, a little of his father’s Scouse accent coming through with the swear. He tried to tell the Titan’s not to mess with the magical enemy but no, and here he was, taking spells for them that had him stuck in what he assumed was a parallel dimension. 

And a busy one at that. Zachary looked up to see clashing figures in the sky above Metropolis, several were purple coloured, but one was blue and red. Superman. Well, he’d certainly be able to catch him up this world. The blue blue punched down the purple blurs and Zach teleported to their landing spot. The repellant, reptile like creatures hissed and struggled to their feet, “latrop ot peed ecaps, nepo.” Zachary said calmly, a portal to deep space opening beneath the creatures and sucking them in, “esolC.” he quickly said, locking them out for good. He turned back to see Superman land nearby, probably expecting round two.

“Good afternoon Superman,” Zachary smiled, walking over, his hands clasped in front of him, “I’m sorry for getting involved in your fight Sir, I just thought I could help out a little bit.” he said politely, “I don’t suppose you could help me out a little bit though, I’m in a bit of a pickle and I’d really appreciate it.” His posture was relaxed, but respectful and his tone calm and friendly... miles away from the Zach of his dimension. 

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singmyblackcanary​:

Dinah Lance & Zachary Zatara- Backstage

It would be directly after the show that sound of stiletto heels against the wooden floor could be heard near the dressing room. Backstage it was quiet except for the sound of stagehands dropping and lifting items, setting up the curtains and backdrops for a performance happening the next day. Security normally wouldn’t let anybody backstage after a performance without explicit permission, but she’d managed to get by. A sweet but nervous girl tried to stop Dinah from continuing on, but with a smile she pushed by and opened the door to the dressing room. 

Arms crossed over her ample bosom, she leaned in the doorway, blue eyes trained on the young man inside. “Zachary Zatara. You’ve grown.” Her voice was a low purr, and she slowly brushed her long blonde hair back over one shoulder, her movements slow and almost deliberately sensual. Dinah Lance was pushing forty but her looks had yet to fade. She wore a short black velvet dress with a v-cut plunging neckline that ended at the top of her toned stomach, the skirt hem dangerously high. The designer stilettos were tall enough to make her almost the same height as Zach, and she stepped forward slowly to get a better look at him. Her ears were decorated with diamond clusters that sparkled as she walked. One of them had a mic with an unseen earpiece. The other had a camera, invisible unless one was right up in her face. “Handsome, aren’t you?” 

The visit was not planned. Well, it was, but she had not informed the young magician beforehand. Of course, she and Oracle had known about it for days prior, and her best friend and teammate could hear and see all. It had been years since Dinah Lance had been around Zachary Zatara, despite being on the Justice League with his cousin, Zatanna. Back in the day she had babysat him a few times, but he wasn’t a kid any longer. The sight of him made her smirk faintly, her lips cherry red.

-

“You’ve been a magnificent audience, I’ve been Zachary Zatara, thank you and goodnight!” Zach cried to rapturous applause and a standing-ovation as the curtain dropped and his show was finished. He sighed and stretched, reaching down to give his tiger, Xander, several pats on his huge head. He’d rescued the tiger about five years ago when he’d just been a cub from an abusive circus owner, getting his arm broken in the process but certainly worth it. The two were thick as thieves. Between his dove, tiger and elephant, Zach had a family. And that was enough for him.

Zach, Xander and his dove, Friede (resting on his shoulder) walked to his dressing room and Zach quickly shed his top hat and jacket. He undid the top few buttons of his shirt and opened the cuffs, rolling the sleeves up and relaxing while Friede flew to her perch and Xander curled up to sit by his feet. He was about to summon up a tonic water (he always had one before and after a show) when he Xander’s large head shot up, focusing on the door of the dressing room and garnering his attention. He frowned and followed the tiger’s gaze, his purple eyes shooting wide when he caught sight of the most beautiful woman ever to exist ever: Dinah Frickin’ Lance. At her words his face rouged to resemble tomato and he shot from his chair, almost tripping over Xander who cocked his head curiously at Zach’s behaviour.

“M-Ms Lance, umm h-hi.” Zach stuttered, raising a hand and waving dorkily. he ran a hand through his hair, oh crap! Was it messy? Did he have hat hair!? And who cared when a blonde goddess was looking at him and smiling, Jesus she was even prettier than he remembered. “D-do you umm, want a drink? Water? Vin? Godka?” he shook his head, blushing even more, “I-I mean, gin, vodka... Ma’am.” He swallowed, adam’s apple bobbing as he forced his eyes to her face and only her face. She was Dinah Lance, he didn’t deserve to ogle.        

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Our Halloween

With: @reddevilindie​

Zach opened the portal to Eddie’s room at the Titan’s Tower and stepped through before he could second guess or talk himself out of it. They’d been through a lot... too much even. Eddie more so than him dealing with Neron’s shit but Zach had been with him every step of it. Sure he’d bitched and moaned but Eddie took his whining like a champ and, well, now it was done. And much as he figured Eddie needed some time before he moved on with things, Zach had something he had to do as well. And now Eddie’s soul wasn’t at risk he thought he might finally be able to do it. 

“Yo.” he greeted casually as he stepped into the devil’s room; he was dressed casually in black jeans, a purple t-shirt and a black blazer, his hands were in his pockets and his shoulders slumped a little. “Sorry to rock up unannounced but I uhr,” he paused a moment and licked his lips, “I got a thing I gotta do and I wanted you to come with. Not that it’s important or anything so you don’t have to.” he shrugged looking down a little, in fact, he’d avoided meeting Eddie’s yellow eyes since he’d appeared in the other’s room. 

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Zachary: My audience loves me. And I love them. And they love me for lovin' them and I love them for lovin' me. And we love each other. And that's cause none of us got enough love in our childhoods. And that's showbiz, kid.

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