Hey all, sorry for the super long wait, I actually forgot to post this short chapter ages ago. I was going through a lot and lost my confidence in my work so I kind of gave up writing this fanfic and many of my others on this site. since I had no time to write, and even stopped watching Arrow. I apologize to my fans who have been waiting. I went though a lot of personal hardships as well from loss of pets and family members and work related stress but I have re-read my story and remember what I wanted to happen so plz be patient on new chapters and even new stories, in new to post categories Star Wars ( cannon and AU), Fantastic Beasts, and Hannibal. and please read and review it really does help. :)
XOXO BunBunBabe
Chapter 9
Malcolm sat quietly and statue like as he was booked and finger printed. He knew acting cool and uncaring would get him killed but acting scared and weak would make him an easy target so settling into a comfortable position and not moving unless he was told to, worked like a charm. Not only did the officers not want to look at him but others waiting to be booked kept their distance from the aura he was giving off. Keeping an eye on everyone around him the archer took stock of the men and women coming and going. Fifteen men and six women… none from the league…at least for now which means Ra's doesn't know I'm here but as soon as he finds out Oliver's protection is over. Malcolm thought to himself as he sat still and made sure to keep a close eye on those around him. When he was taken from the cell he was being held in he could feel the energy in the room change as every eye turned to him as the chatter stopped. Walking through the halls Malcolm stayed silent as the insults and death threats were thrown at him.
Walking out the front of the police station Malcolm held his head high as was led to the car and placed in the back to be brought to the courthouse for arraignment. "You better pray you don't get a nice judge Merlyn… otherwise you might get some outside justice. Maybe the Arrow will get you, I hear rumors he doesn't kill anymore but I think he'll make an exception for you," the officer in the front seat remarked as he started the car and made his way slowly through the crowd of reporters and camera crews.
Entering the courthouse Malcolm waited until his docket was called. When it was his turn Malcolm stood before the judge. "Docket number two-four-seven-nine-six, the city of Starling against Malcolm Merlyn," the bailiff said handing the file to the judge "You're honor the charges are two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder in the two-thousand and seven sinking of the Queen's Gambit and the recent attack on the Glades which caused millions in damage and countless loss of life," the prosecutor remarked. "How do you plead?" the judge asked looking at Malcolm as he stood beside his lawyer.
Quietly Malcolm spoke with his lawyer before looking at the judge as his lawyer spoke. "Your honor my client would like to plead not guilty by reason of emotional distress,"
"Not guilty it is…bail?" the judge asked looking at the prosecutor who had been looking at Malcolm.
"Mr. Merlyn is a flight risk he has access to a private jet and the family owns multiple homes around the world he also has access to money from his husband's family, we're asking for bail to be set at two million," the prosecutor said looking at Malcolm who began whispering to his lawyer. "Your honor, my client is an upstanding citizen we're asking for him to release on his own recognizance…he is willing to agree to an electronic monitoring device and he also has agreed to relinquish his passport to the court," he said giving the judge Malcolm's offer.
The judge looked at Malcolm with disdain. "Mr. Merlyn, you must take me for an idiot if you think I'm going to agree to that… I'd be laughed off the bench. Your offer is denied, bail is set at five million cash," the judge said slamming his gavel with enough force to shake Malcolm to the core. "Next case" the judge barked as Malcolm was cuffed and led away, looking over his shoulder for some support he saw Tommy and Oliver nodding that they were there for him as he was taken away.
Leaving the courthouse with their lawyer Oliver pushed through the crowds or reporters and camera as he kept an ear on the lawyer as he promised to help get Malcolm out before dinner. Getting back into the car with Tommy, Oliver ignored the flash bulb photos and reporters yelling questions at the limo as it pulled away from the curb. "They're like animals out there," Tommy remarked as he looked out the back window at the crowd jumping on their lawyer with questions. "I just want to get home I don't care about the reporters," Oliver remarked looking out the window.
"You better start caring, these news stories are going to making finding an impartial jury very hard, not to mention hurt Merlyn Global Group," the younger Merlyn said as he "I don't care about the company…it could go bankrupt for all I care the only thing that matters to me right now is my family, and right now my family is being torn apart," Oliver remarked going quiet ending the conversation as he looked at the scenery as it passed by before the limo arrived in front of their home. Getting out with grace Oliver walked to the front door ignoring the reporters on the front walkway as their voices overlapped the same questions. Tommy followed close behind wishing that Oliver's mysterious bodyguards had stayed around though they had been mysteriously vanished since everything had gone down at the ceremony. Seeing Thea standing at the foot of the stairs talking with her brother quietly on how the twins had been while they were gone.
Offering to take Thea home Tommy worried about leaving his friend slash step father alone though he knew that Oliver wouldn't dare go outside and would keep to himself with the twins upstairs out of view of the reporters and cameras that had begun setting up for the long wait on the front lawn hoping to get some kind of statement from the family on the arrest and subsequent charges. Leaving out the backway Tommy drove in silence avoiding the radio to keep from hearing the reports about the story he knew was tearing the family apart quietly at the seams. "Look after him Tommy, Ollie I mean…he's going to try and act like everything is alright but I know my brother his whole world is falling out from under him and it scares him," Thea said out of nowhere as they pulled into the Queen mansion's driveway.
"You don't have to tell me twice. Oliver is someone I have known all my life but right now even I can see that the face he is putting on is like glass and one wrong move and it will shatter and everything will just be chaos," he said with a sigh. "Just keep your phone nearby we might need you to watch the twins again soon," he added. "Of course anytime you need me," Thea agreed as she shut the door and made her way to the house.
Driving back home Tommy pulled right into the garage and shut the door before closing the door and cutting the engine as he went inside and found Oliver in the kitchen watching the news ticker on the bottom on the television screen. "How bad is it?" Tommy asked taking the freshly poured glass of scotch from the other man. "Bad, a full investigation into Malcolm's and Merlyn Global Group's financial records has started…it's only a matter of time before something comes up that can't be brushed under the rug. The only good thing on our side is Lance is stepping down on the case apparently some horrible interrogation footage made it to a reporter showing a certain captain of the Starling City police giving Malcolm a shiner just as they enter the room," Oliver said finishing his glass and starting another.
"Not enough to get the case thrown out of course… you saw that judge just as I did, a man determined to put a face to the crime in the Glades true or not he wants to make a name for himself as well," Tommy remarked grabbing the scotch bottle and pouring a drink. "With reporters swarming this place we have to be careful with what we say or do, I saw Anatoly turn tail with his men but I'm not blaming him. I would have done the same if I could have," Oliver stated grabbing the bottle back and pouring a full glass before downing in one gulp and reaching for bottle of scotch to fill his glass again. "Oh no you don't you need to stay sober and on your game tonight the press is snooping around we don't need you on the front page of every paper and news blog drunk off your ass, especially while the twins are in your care, " Tommy replied grabbing the bottle out of Oliver's reach and capping it. Oliver sighed and rubbed his eyes when he realized hope helpful Tommy had just been. "Thank you…I needed that…I think I'm going to head upstairs for a little while to rest," he said softly getting up and leaving the kitchen.
Heading upstairs to avoid the reporters outside Oliver made a beeline for nursery and found the twins in their cribs the guard dogs sitting within view of both doors. "Good dogs…" Oliver mumbled walking over and giving them each a pat before checking on his children. Looking over the railing as Liam looked at him he smiled as his son scrunched his face up and started to fuss. "So you waited this whole time to let me have the honor of changing you even though your aunt was here all day," he laughed bringing Liam to the changing table. "Hey you silly," he laughed softly as he changed his son and held him close and rubbed his back softly. "I love you Liam… and of course your sister," Oliver said softly as he sat in the rocking chair with Liam in his arms.
What are we going to do…I can't subject the children to this, but I still love Malcolm…I don't know what to do Oliver thought as he noticed Liam was getting fussy to be put down. Putting his son on the play mat in the play area of the room he smiled as Roscoe came over and sat sentry at the edge of the mat keeping Liam wrangled as Oliver changed and placed Talaysn on the mat beside her brother. Hearing the phone ring in the study Oliver looked at the dogs and knew they wouldn't move an inch until he returned. "Good dogs" he said leaving the room and grabbing the phone from the charger. "Merlyn Res… oh yeah, let me grab a pen," he said opening the right desk drawer. "Huh yeah…no I got that, thank you for letting me know," he said half listening to the business call. When the call ended Oliver dropped the pen on the desk and noticed the top drawer was locked but not fully closed. Jiggling the drawer a bit he managed to pop the drawer open. The first thing Oliver saw was a scroll that seemed to be shoved in with haste. Unraveling the scroll slowly and reading the message Oliver froze and dropped the scroll letting it bounce on the desk and fall to the floor. Letting the information sink in he heard the study doors open revealing Malcolm.
"You lied to me…I found the scroll," Oliver said seeing pallor of Malcolm's skin almost go ghost white. "Oliver…no…please tell me you didn't open it…" Malcolm pleaded softly. "I did…six men coming by next month…"Oliver said turning away from his husband. "Were you ever going to tell me?" he asked. Malcolm sighed and looked at his young husband. "No…Oliver, wait," the elder Merlyn pleaded grabbing his husband's arm as he started to walk past him. "I couldn't, I'm bound by a promise of protection, in exchange for the protection if I ever told you about my acceptance back into the league I would have to make you join by any means, otherwise…" he trailed off at the thought.
"Otherwise, what you'd have to kill me?" Oliver asked with a small laugh only to have it die as he saw the look on Malcolm's face. "If you don't agree to join I've been ordered to kill you and if I fail to do so Ra's will order someone to do it," Malcolm said lowering his eyes. Pulling his arm free Oliver looked at the other man. "I see…"Oliver said calmly with a near deadpan expression on his face. "I'm glad you're taking this so well," Malcolm remarked. "Actually Malcolm I'm beyond furious with you for lying to me," the younger man said pulling his arm free. "I had to lie to you, it was the only way to protect you," Malcolm stated as Oliver walked back to the desk and grabbed the small dagger used as a letter opener. Throwing it at Malcolm he watched the other archer catch it mere inches from hitting him. "Then get it over with, because there is no way I am doing this… I will not be forced into joining that group and there is no way I'm letting the twins be raised by them either," Oliver said walking toward Malcolm slowly until they were inches apart.
Dropping the knife on the floor Malcolm pulled Oliver into his arms and held him before moving his hands to either side of his face and forced Oliver to look in his eyes. "You never saw the scroll…you have no knowledge of any of this…we're going to get through this trial and we're never going to speak of this scroll again" he said keeping his voice down as if the walls could hear him. Pulling away still quite upset Oliver crouched down and pulled the dagger out of the floor where it had landed perfectly and tossed it back onto the desk with no real grace. "I don't want to be around you right now," he said leaving the study and heading into the master bedroom.
Walking across the study Malcolm picked up the scroll and closed it before putting it back in his desk drawer hoping that none of Ra's men had seen Oliver with the scroll. Maybe the reporters scared them off for now giving us some privacy…I hope, otherwise I'll have to come up with some sort of plan to make it look like Oliver will be joining even though he's already said no. Malcolm thought as he looked out the window into the group of trees hoping not to see anyone though the trees were thick with leaves making it hard to make out even the trunks. Looking back at the other archer Malcolm found the room empty. "Oll… Oliver wait please we need to talk about this and come up with a plan," he said following Oliver to the master bedroom only to have the door slammed in his face.
"You can sleep on the couch tonight!" Oliver yelled through the door. Forcing his way into the room Malcolm stood in the doorway. "Like hell I'm sleeping on the couch, we're going to talk this over right now even if I have to tie you up," he said hoping to get through to the younger archer. "Say what you want Malcolm I'm not joining the league," Oliver said sitting on the bed. "Damn it Oliver you're not making this any easier…I did this to save your life and you have to believe I didn't want this I just wanted the league to protect you from Slade that's all, I don't want you in the children a part of the league at all" Malcolm said walking over to the bed and kneeling beside it. "You went behind my back, how am I supposed to ever trust you again Malcolm," Oliver said pulling away so he was sitting farther back on the bed as the elder Merlyn crawled after him. "I swear Oliver even if you leave me I am never going to stop loving you, can't we just forget the league tonight, and I'm going to keep saying this until you're sick of hearing it but I love you" he said moving in closer until he had Oliver pinned against the headboard.
"I don't… not love… you also… jerk…" Oliver smirked as Malcolm lent in held him in place as they kissed. "You're still sleeping on the couch you know… I'm still furious with you," Oliver said pushing Malcolm away. "Fine, the couch it is, I choose the one in here maybe I'll get lucky in seeing you changing for the night," Malcolm remarked with a chuckle. "Perv…" Oliver laughed getting up from the bed. "I'm going to go check on the twins" he said leaving the room and going to the nursery. Walking into the room Oliver felt that something was off. "Malcolm…Malcolm!" Oliver called hearing the other man arrive at the doorway. Looking in the semi dark room Malcolm looked for something out of the ordinary. "What's wrong?"
Turning his head slowly Oliver gave a small nod toward the floor by his feet. Looking down Malcolm flipped the light switch bathing the room in light from the two lamps in the room illuminating the problem. Two large snakes were moving around the floor; recognizing the snakes as black cobras each one no more than a foot from Oliver's bare feet. Searching for more Malcolm froze when he noticed movement in the cribs. "Don't move an inch, I'll be right back," he said leaving the room before returning with a bow and arrow. Taking a deep breathe he quickly took out the two on the floor. Malcolm knocked another arrow into his bow ready to release it if another snake was hiding somewhere. "In the crib, there's something in there," Oliver said keeping his voice down as he watched the snakes at his feet to make sure they were dead. Moving swiftly Malcolm grabbed the edge of the blanket in Liam's crib and pulled it through the bars revealing a smaller snake moving with little care up the bed and over Liam's legs. Not willing to risk his son's life Oliver made a decision and slowly reached into the crib and began to pull Liam out of harm's way.
Oliver watched the snake and jerked Liam out of the way as it lunged. Taking the full bite on his arm he pulled his son against his chest as the burning venom began to pump through his veins. Rushing over Malcolm removed the snake and dropped it into the trash can. Putting Liam back into his crib Oliver moved to Talaysn's crib and pulled the blanket back and saw another cobra curled at the bottom of the crib. "It's still drugged," Malcolm said picking the snake up and dropping it in the same can as the other and covering the opening to keep them inside. Feeling a tightness building in his chest Oliver found that his breathing was getting ragged "Mal...colm...can't breathe..." He choked out. Rushing and grabbing the younger man's arm Malcolm pulled him to the rocking chair. "Sit and don't move...where's your bag of herbs from Lian Yu?"
"Ki...kit…kitchen, above...stove" he gasped struggling for air. Running out of the room Malcolm flew into the kitchen nearly crashing into Tommy. Shoving his son out of the way grabbed the herbs and a bottle of water before running back to the nursery. "Oliver, take this..." He said handing over the herbs and water. Ripping the bag open Oliver shoved a handful of herbs into his mouth and began to chew before grasping for the water bottle. Chugging the water down until he began to choke Oliver swallowed down the mixture he pitched forward as he began to cough and continue to struggle to breathe. Catching the younger man Malcolm sat on the floor with Oliver's head in his lap. "I love you Oliver, please...Don't leave me," Malcolm begged as he put a hand on the other man's chest feeling the beating of Oliver's heart.
"I...I...love...you...too...but...this...is...all…your...fault," He choked out as his head began to feel lightheaded as his air was being cut off as his diaphragm slowly stopped as the venom pumped through his body. Malcolm couldn't move he was frozen watching the life slip out of Oliver. "We can save him Al Sa Her….but you have to convince him to join us… better hurry he only has seconds," Alec said coming into the nursery from the balcony. Shaking Oliver until he opened his eyes Malcolm looked into them. "Oll, you have to say yes right now please, just agree to join the league please…just say it," he begged tears forming in his eyes.
Struggling to pull in fresh air Oliver looked away from Malcolm's gaze over to where Alec was standing with a prepared needle of anti-venom before looking at the floor and nodding that he agreed. Barely feeling the needle puncture his skin Oliver continued to fight the venom to breathe. "My father will be in contact with you Al Sa Her…"Alec said as he retrieved the snakes from the trash can with ease and placed them in a small bag before leaving out the balcony door and disappearing into the twilight. Picking Oliver up slowly and with some difficulty Malcolm carried him to their room and put him to bed and dragged the small desk chair over and sat down in the chair to watch Oliver for any change.
By sunrise Malcolm had not only informed Tommy of what had happened in detail and why but he sat vigil all night until sunrise when Oliver opened his eyes again after a rocky night. Trying to sit up Oliver felt a hand on his shoulder and saw a very tired and emotionally drained Malcolm beside him still sitting in the desk chair that Oliver knew was not something that could be sat in for long periods of time comfortably. "You look like hell…" Oliver croaked out as he sat back down as the weight got heavier as Malcolm climbed onto the bed and pulled him into his arms and held him.
In that moment Oliver felt all his fury at all the terrible choices Malcolm made disappear. "Thank you…. For saying yes, I know you didn't want to…. But thank you…. So much…." Malcolm said softly kissing Oliver's forehead repeatedly. "I did it for the children… if I died you would have gone after the league and been killed leaving our children orphans…"Oliver replied keeping his face buried against Malcolm's chest. Smiling against Oliver's hair Malcolm shook his head a bit and kept his husband close. "I love you… and now that you have said yes no harm will ever come to you, you control the Bratva and now a branch of the league… our children are protected their whole lives," Malcolm added.
"Don't push it Malcolm…" Oliver warned letting Malcolm hold him still. Curling up against Malcolm, Oliver noticed that after a few quiet moments the other man had fallen asleep. "He stayed up all night watching over you, he made some mistakes I'll agree to that but his heart was in the right place," Tommy said walking into the room as Oliver disentangled himself from Malcolm's limbs. "He wouldn't have had to sit at my side if he hadn't done what he did in the first place, but… and you can never tell him this I'd never live it down, I'm glad he stayed and didn't go after the league to retaliate for this," Oliver said as he slowly got to his feet and left the room with Tommy.
