"Scars. You’d have to go under the knife to remove those. But the psychological disfigurement — no blade for that. Except the cutting edge of life itself. Otherwise, you remain a cheerless bird in a gilded cage. Truly… a BLACK CANARY."
PRIVATE indie. highly selective. dinah lance from mostly fandomlessdc comics. canon divergent & heavily headcanon based. exploring themes of: all that is gold does not glitter, a caged bird is safe but not free, it is not a justice system it is just a system, taking on an army with good looks and a quick wit, breaking silence with a scream. this blog contains mature content. minors DNI. 18+. cherished by charlotte, she/her, 26. discord: shield maiden#4070
She perks up a little and nods. “ Yeah! Talking would actually be better for me I think. “ She admits with a sniffle, smiling at Dinah. “ That’s way better than bein’ alone. The boys can just sleep with me anyway. “ Harley spins and drops onto the couch, hugging a pillow and gives the spot beside a couple pats.
“ Where do I start … ya know? I thought this whole hero thing would be easy but it’s not all punching bad guys and breakin’ arms it’s hard work doin’ the right thing. I’m actually startin’ to care about people. “ She looks at her, dead serious. “ If somethin’ happened to my people I might actually lose it. No! I’m gettin’ off track. Ya remember Crockie? I just spent the whole afternoon chasin’ that smuck all ova’ Gotham trying to get back somethin’ he stole and it turns out… he did it f’ love. “ She gushes. “ I mean how romantic is that! And what was I supposed to do then huh? Stop em? Afta he told me everything? It was so touching! I wish somebody loved me like that. “ She has a half smile on her face.
Dinah’s smile was genuine and warm in return, because she understood. When one was alone with their thoughts? It festered enough to drive even the most sane person mad. She would never admit it, not easily at least, but she didn’t like being alone either. So, she wasted no time to take the spot that Harley patted on the couch, settling in.
What was said next, almost brought about a memory to the surface. She was close to it, when she was young. It felt like a lifetime ago, and it was probably why she didn’t hold too much judgement when it came to certain former criminals.
“You’ll get it, Harley. I know it may seem like you never will, but when it does? It’s going to really sweep you off your feet.” Shit. Yeah, she was thinking way back on that year. “I’ve only experienced it once. Fell fast. Punched me in the face hard. Not literally! But, it was strong.” She chewed on her lip in thought, smiling slightly. “He wanted to rob a bank, to secure our future. I’ve never told anyone that. Our little secret, okay?”
“ The dumpsta? “ Harley cups her mouth and turns to her friend stomping a foot. “ Ya coulda asked, birdie! I mean I love the must on that thing it was like comin’ home to the boys whenever I leave em with Selina and I could’ve really used that right now cause it’s been a long day, i’ll tell ya. “ And they’re still with Ivy’s doctor friend, ugh.
“ Did ya just put it there? Maybe I can get it back! “ Harley says, a hopeful gleam in her eyes.
The wheels were struggling to turn at all from the question alone. “That’s..” Don’t say it. “Yeah. Yeah, I’m sure you could get it back.” And, she said it. She wasn’t one to enable such an act, because EW. Dinah couldn’t bear to see Harley in this state. “When you get back, do you want to talk about it? Or, sit in silence? Whichever works. I’m here for you. If you want me to be… I can leave you alone with Mr. Beans.”
“ No! No, no, no! You didn’t! What did ya do with Mr. Beans? I know he was in rough shape but he was Lou’s favorite mattress. “ Harley stares in horror at the space that the bean bag chair used to fill, now empty.
“I’m sorry to break your heart this way and dearest Lou’s. It was time for it to go to a better place. Like the dumpster.” Oh, this was bad. Dinah was trying her hardest to remain calm on the outside, but the inside? She could see that Harley was really distraught. “Look, it was in poor taste to not ask before evicting Mr. Beans, but darling? The condition was a little more than rough. I’m pretty sure it was one day away from becoming a breeding ground for the next plague.”
That was the problem now, wasn’t it? Trust. Words were so easy, but they were also manipulating. Dinah’s gaze averted away, feeling the familiar twitch in the hands. She had been here so many times before. Not knowing what to believe, or who to believe anymore. “There’s still the possibility that you could change your mind.” Words were out of her mouth before she could stop them. But, she was tired. Emotionally drained of looking for love in all the wrong places. Hell, she wasn’t even looking for it. Not really. Messy love always hit one like a fucking freight train. “I want to trust you. I do.” Tears were forming in her eyes, bottom lip quivering. Vulnerability. The breaking point. “I’ll trust you, if you promise to be patient. When I push. When I fuck up.. because I usually do. And, it’s not on purpose. Just a God damn talent!” She laughed out with a broken sob, wiping the tears from her face.
“She sat on the kitchen floor with broken stars in her eyes and burnt promises on her tongue, and she told him, “Your life would be so much easier without me.” So he sat by her side, close enough that their arms and hips and legs touched, and he said, “But not better.””
ALL (4 things thangs)anyone needs to know about dinah laurel lance summed up by haley james scott.
1. she’s head of the cheerleading squad in high school. convinced by friends at the time (little nod to canon). she doesn’t seem like the type who would care about cheer, and honestly? that’s the whole reason why she tries out in the first place. go ahead, whatever it is, tell her she doesn’t seem “the type” - she really loves when people underestimate her. it’s also where she gets her acrobatic streak, even if that was mostly from gymnastics at a much younger age.
2. she. can. kick. your. ass. ted grant (wildcat) was already giving her boxing lessons at 13 (slight canon nod to ignite). kick boxing is her specialty. however, she’s nowhere near being an expert in martial arts.. not yet. come back senior year. that’s where it all slowly begins.
3. the girl can eat. she’s the best date you will ever have because of this. want to take her out to eat? GREAT. she will be so happy! i can’t say the date will be happy. that’s going to be some check.
4. did i mention she can kick your ass? she’s absolutely brutal if you do anything to the ones she loves. especially teen verse. like, you can take the girl out of gotham but you can’t take the gotham out of the girl. again, this reckless behavior isn’t “tamed” until her teachings with sensei. in my canon, that doesn’t happen until she’s 18. otherwise? dem boxing lessons with all that teenage angst anger? yeah. YIKES.
young dinah is on her way to becoming a living breathing walking talking encyclopedia! because she never fails to step out of e v e r y class with a binder full of notes. she legit is one of those who will tell you the studying will be simple and “light”, and you think, phew~ she’s going to let you off easy.
