From "The next step forward"- a one shot devoting to Davood and Yara deciding what to do about their fledging relationship. It's centered on two characters from DC Comics in their civilian identities.
As the sun in a sleek yet sterile corner of Metropolis, we check in on our leads running through a hallway. Davood, a man with a brownish skin tone and cropped hair reaches the door first and levitates his keys from underneath the welcome mat. Yara, a woman with raven colored hair skids across the hallway grabbing his jacket to stop herself. Davood pulls her close out of reflex and Yara makes use of the oppurtunity to tickle him in response.
Davood muttered "That's cheating" as he started to laugh.
Yara responds "You broke the rules first" with a fierce look in her eye.
"we all can't be Amazons Habeebi" Davood says teasingly
"Shame, I'd let you wear my skirt" Yara retorts with a smile on her face.
While Yara waited for his retort, she didn't realize Davood used his telekinesis to lift the keys into the door. The door flings open and Davood uses her shock as cover, rushing to the sofa.
"SAFE!!!" Davood yells triumphantly as he transitions into a sleeping position. Yara tackles into him, her compitetive nature unable to accept defeat. They playfight like children till Davood pulls her close, wrapping his arms around her waist. He leans in and kisses the dimple on her cheek.
"All's fair in love and war Habeebi" Davood whispers into her ear while he raises his right arm, swiping his wrist. The door closes telekinetically and we hear a lock turn.
Yara wiggles out of his arms and states "Querida, you need to be more active. You've gained a little weight since we last had a mission together."
Davood responds with a whisper "You sound like my mom"
Yara retorts "well if you took better care of yourself" and slaps his chest for emphasis. Davood hold her hand and squeezes it lightly, whispering "I promise I'll start tomorrow". Yara rolls her eyes as she pushes him back onto the sofa. Davood lays back folding his arms behind his head and Yara's anger fades as she leans forward, touching his forward with her own. Davood tilts his head upward and kisses the scar across her nose where a sword kissed her previously. She tried to play it off as a sign of progress, that she can fight her own battles. Her teachers and her comrades both looked at her with pity and she felt like a fraud. But Davood was different around her and she started to see him as more than just the guy she talks to in the satellite cafeteria.
Their eyes lock and the silence creeps in as both stop laughing. The silence lingers as they take comfort in each other's company. Davood admits the closeness he felt with her scared him. He made a habit of keeping others at a distance but she had a habit of getting closer than he liked. He couldn't mislead her like the others and it took a weight off. Now the moments where she lays on his chest and all that he can hear is her breathing is what he misses the most when she leaves.
A cellphone ringtone pierces through the peaceful night. Davood moves hands through his backpockets, searching for his phone while not wanting to disturb Yara. She lifts her head and frowns as her hair is out of place. Yara reaches forward and Davood feels her nails scratch his rear as they yank his phone out.
"Got it" she states nonchalantly. The voice on the phone was rapid in their delivery. Yara couldn't keep up and confusion appeared on her brow. Davood listened as she tried to calm the speaker. He realized that the speaker wasn't talking in English, was a woman and they sounded familiar...
Davood snatches the phone from Yara and states " Assaslamualaikum Ammi". He raised a finger to Yara's lips as Davood's mother continues in Hindi. Yara snaps her jaw at Davood's finger and he flinches. She laughs and Davood's mother takes notices.
Davood's mother asks "Agla Hai Kyun?" in a worried tone.
Davood states "She's Yara. An old friend that ran into me after work. We were talking about a personal problem when you called". He stares downward while he spoke, an old habit from his childhood. That caused him to miss Yara's frown.
Yara decides meekness wasn't her strong suit and states loudly "Hi Mrs. Nassur, it's nice to meet you" interrupting Davood's rehearsed story. Before his mother could answer, Davood interjects "Yara is supremely talented but speaking Hindi isn't one of them."
Davood mother replies " Sorry Yara. I just wanted my son to practice his Hindi." Yara forces a smile but Davood cuts her off with "Ammi you need to practice your english too. I thought we made a promise and you aren't getting any younger.." Davood winks at Yara as her mother curses "Oy Kaminey, chup chup" repeatedly.
A laugh escapes Yara but Davood doesn't notice how hollow it was. His mom asks "Yara where are you from?" and Yara responds with "My family is from Brazil".
His mother continues with "Oh ok. Are there any muslims in Brazil?"
Yara says "Maybe?" in a confused tone.
Davood's mother tuts before stating "Oh Beta, your options are limited then. Yara please keep an eye out for my son. He's shameless but loyal and smart. He'll make the right girl happy one day."
Yara replies "Oh he will" with gritted teeth.
"thank you dear. He doesn't listened to me because I'm old." Davood's mother spoke like she was sharing a secret.
"Ammi. that's not true."
"I want grandkids beta. Before I'm too old to run after them."
"Ammi, I'll call you later. Yara needs my help now. You can tear apart my life choices another time." Davood hangs up the phone as his mother starts protesting.
"Ya allah, she can talk." Davood mutters as he slumps on the sofa arm. He peaks at Yara as his eyes start to close. Her face was different, the warmth she had earlier was replaced with something else. If Davood had to guess she was hurt, so he moves towards her hand. Yara stares back when his fingers touched hers. She raised her head and Davood could tell she was furious.
"What was that?" Yara spoke briskly.
"I'm sorry she interrupted us. I'll have to be careful at Jummah tomorow. She's been on this when you will get married nonsense for years now. I'll have to dodge aunties asking me for their daughters. It's not as fun as it sounds." Davood hoped his babbling would deflate the tension but Yara's glare remain unchanged.
I didn't like what i wrote but im seeing its value better.