Going back only for something to happen...

The pizza guy’s beat-up car rolled through the quieter edges of Gotham’s industrial quarter, where streetlights flickered like they were dying and even the potholes had potholes. The pizza bag on the passenger seat radiated faint warmth and the old dashboard radio hummed out a tune from some forgotten alt-rock station.

All day, he had been ordering. After Kory, it became unexpectedly busy. No time to talk to Kara, on the phone or in-person.

‘Should I officially confirm us? She seems really, really into me. Oh, but what about Supergirl…’

With Supergirl…was that even possible? She was a literal superhero with villains that could shatter planets. Maybe it was better for it to be a lucky one-night stand. Something to tell his children about. It was like sleeping with a celebrity or something.

But…

She wasn’t just a celebrity to him. He fucked her raw, yeah, but that connection they had felt real. As real as his connection with Kara.

He drummed his fingers on the wheel, sighing. Just one more delivery, then home. Maybe. Assuming the boss didn’t surprise him with that smile and a pizza box again.

But something felt off.

He checked the rearview mirror.

A black van. No headlights.

It had been behind him for three blocks now, even when he’d made that weird left turn he only took when he missed the main street. And again at the next intersection.

“Okay, maybe a coincidence,” he muttered. “Or maybe I’m overthinking it. It’s Gotham. Half the cars look like they’re about to rob you anyway.”

The light ahead turned red. He slowed to a stop.

The van stopped too.

His hands tightened around the wheel.

To his horror, the doors slammed open.

Ten guys jumped out. Masks. Bats. Crowbars. One of them immediately slashed his rear tire with a knife.

They swarmed him.

“Get outta the car!” one barked, slamming the bat against the hood. “Now!”

“Phone, keys, everything!” another shouted.

One of them began tugging at the handle of the passenger side door while another pounded on the roof.

He froze, heart hammering. He pressed down on the gas pedal. “N-not moving…!” His door’s glass window broke. He was forcibly dragged out and thrown to the floor.

“Phone, keys, everything!”

All of them kept repeating it: phone, keys, and wallet. They kept yelling and threatening so he gave his stuff out. His wallet, phone, and home keys. Everything as they said. He was on his knees, panting and looking up as they double-checked too.

The one at the front stared down at him. Then smirked. “Your belt too.”

The pizza guy paled. What else could he do? He unbuckled his belt, slid it off, and gave it to them.

“Back away from the vehicle.”

Only for a woman to voice herself. The woman didn’t shout. She didn’t need to.

The thugs turned. The pizza guy looked to the side.

“H-holy shit…”