Getting to know each other (Semi-Chapter)

{Read the author's thoughts at the end for clarification}

Captain Atom and Superman were back to back, each just finishing their own bouts with some parademons when they heard laughter in the distance. They turned to see Omni and Zatanna flying around each other, each had magical energy radiating from them as they blasted the creatures with green and blue beams.

"Apparently he can also use magic," Superman said.

"How can you tell?" Captain asked.

"Just can."

"Well, looks like they're having a good time."

"Not quite the place for it though, is it?" Superman sighed.

"Well, at least she's getting her mind off of the break up," Captain said.

"I guess. Anyway, we should join the others. There's only a few dozen ships left."

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Ben looked in front of him to see Zatanna animated as she sped around, shooting beams here, lightning there. She even turned some of the parademons into rocks with her magic, leaving them floating in empty space.

"Haha, that's hilarious," Ben grabbed one of the rockified creatures before tossing it behind him.

Noticing that there were only a few ships left after Superman and Captain Atom took more out, he decided to sit it out and focused on the brightened woman near him.

"So, where are you from?" Zatanna asked, inching close to Ben.

"How about I tell you over a cup of coffee after this wraps up?" Ben asked the magician.

The corners of Zatanna's smile lowered a bit as her eyes lost some light.

"Too soon?"

"How'd you know?"

"Flash told me," Ben shrugged.

"Bastard," Zatanna mumbled.

"Is everything alright?"

"Yeah, the break up was smooth and everything. I'm just trying to adjust to being single again," she said absentmindedly.

Ben looked to see that the other leaguers were wrapping things up with the ships and came up with something.

"Look, I get what you are going through. I went through a nasty break up around a year ago with someone I thought was going to be my future wife," he looked down.

"Wow. That's horrible," Zatanna said, "If you don't mind, what was the reason? It sounds as if things went well enough if you thought of marriage."

"Well, remember when I told you about my future selves?"

"They were married, I'm guessing?"

"I even had a son," Ben held back his eyes from watering as he remembered meeting his son and their adventures together.

"I'm so sorry," Zatanna placed a hand on his shoulder, noticing the tone of his voice, "What was his name?"

"It was Ken, ha, not that creative of me. My name's Ben," he said to her, noticing her confusion.

"Anyway, she felt a lot of pressure because she thought it was a destiny thing and she didn't like that."

"Well, I guess that would mess with anyone."

"I guess. Not really helping though," Ben smirked.

"Sorry, sorry. How'd you get over it?"

"I didn't, really. I holed up in my house and tinkered with a bunch of technology until I accidentally opened a portal to this universe."

"Ok, we're not gonna blow past that. You're from a different universe?" Zatanna said, bewildered.

"Yes, keep up," Ben smiled widely, "But then I came here. And even though it's only been a day, I'm in a lot of a better mood now then I have been since the break up."

"Why?"

"Because I'm in a whole fucking different universe and fighting creatures I have never seen before," Ben opened his arms wide, then lightly hip bumped Zatanna, "Company's not that bad either."

"So, try new experiences?"

"Just get out there and take your mind off of the guy who was crazy enough to let you go," he tapped her shoulder, "Now let's head back to Watchtower with the others," he turned to go, not noticing Zatanna's slightly blushed face.