DISCLAIMER: I do not hold any rights to any Time Warner franchises or to those of its subsidiaries.
Biding his time and waiting for the opportune moment was no problem for Mento. He'd done it many times throughout his life as a hero and doing it just once more was certainly within the realm of possibility. The cheer of the party had died by now and he knew from the awkward glances that the team made towards him every so often throughout the party that they didn't actually think he'd be giving Beast Boy, his only heir, a gift on his birthday.
They were somewhat accurate in that assessment. The gift wasn't going to be given to Beast Boy, that much was true, but it affected him nonetheless and the green teen would be just as thankful.
All was silent and the opportune moment had now arrived. Briskly, the CEO of the largely self managing Dayton Enterprises stood up and approached the rest of his team who were crowded around the opposite end of the table. "Everyone, I have something to say."
Successfully gaining everyone's attention, he began his speech after sharing brief eye contact with everyone to gauge their interest. "I've had my doubts about Jinx, as you all know. She was a villain and I had qualms with that fact... But I came to look beyond her past life. I'm not saying that we should recruit the Brain next, I'm merely saying that I understand her situation. Everyone deserves an opportunity to change."
He paused for a moment to choose his words carefully. "The next big hurdle was confronting those doubts. I've since then given her many responsibilities in our team and she's not shirked them once which has left me with no other option than to accept that she performs admirably in the face of adversity. Her ability as a hero was not in question for long, in fact, your confrontation with Phobia the other day further strengthened her position here among us."
Recalling the tricky situation he was in during that fight, Beast Boy crinkled his brow in a look of mock disgust. "Don't remind me. I don't like licking big cuts like that. It takes forever to get the nasty metal taste to go away." He'd used his recently discovered tongue healing ability to patch up a superficial flesh wound that Jinx took in his place.
Jinx playfully smacked his shoulder before complaining. "If all you're worried about is the taste of blood then that's the last time I ever knock you out of the way, Greenie." They'd bother rather just forget about what Phobia made them experience whilst they were patrolling the city together. Some things were just better left unsaid.
Using his calm and cool demeanor to temper his dismay, Mento calmly proceeded as if he hadn't been interrupted in the first place. "My next doubt was her suitability for Beast Boy. I know I haven't always seen eye to eye with his decisions and I may not have always been as supportive as I should have, but adopting you, son, was a joint decision between Rita and I. We both wanted it to happen and we both have an interest in your future."
"It took me a while to see Jinx being in your future, but you two are so inseparable that even I was eventually convinced to see what was obvious. You're happier than I've ever seen you, Garfield, and I can only accredit that to my future daughter-in-law." He shifted his focus towards Jinx's roseate eyes before taking a step in her direction and removing his one hidden hand from behind his back. In the once concealed hand was a large letter sized white envelope. "This is for you, Jinx." He reached out and handed it to her.
Graciously accepting the mysterious gift, Jinx flashed him a puzzled look before warily opening it. Reaching in and grabbing the first thing she could, she pulled out a small, thin, blue book.
Upon further analysis, she discovered that it was an American passport. Opening the passport, Jinx immediately recognized the figure in the picture on the cover page. It was her, or rather, her undercover self.
Flawless white skin, brunette hair that extended just beyond her shoulders, luminescent pink eyes with rounded pupils... It was exactly what she looked like with her holo ring on.
"Nicole Diaz?" Without wondering how he must've gotten the picture, she read the name aloud and looked at Mento for clarification.
Mento carefully analyzed her numerous expressions. "That's now your legal name. I heard you preferred Nicole so I went with that."
Almost shocked out of her mind, she quickly examined the rest of the envelope's contents to discover a birth certificate in her name, no doubt with false parents listed, and even a social security card.
When she looked up to him with a look of bewildered appreciation, he further explained what he'd done. "I went through government channels to get those for you so as far as they're concerned, those are all as real and as valid as mine or even the president's. You've also been legally emancipated so you're free to make your own decisions."
Jinx smiled from ear to ear as she dropped the envelope and its extracted contents on the table so that she could properly thank Mento for what he'd done by wrapping him in a tight embrace, however, before she got too far ahead of herself, a thought came to the forefront of her mind. Her smile dropped as she adopted a pleading look and turned to Beast Boy as if to ask for permission for what she was about to do.
The simple act of asking for permission to do such a thing was almost an absurd notion in modern society but Jinx knew that it was important to Beast Boy. He never let any other male touch her in the slightest unless it was for a good reason. Thanks to his instinctual urges, protecting his territory was number one on his to do list and Jinx had no other choice than to accept that, which she happily did.
Call her crazy, but she really loved that he was so protective of her - it showed that he cared and Jinx had certainly had a scarcity of such people in her life. Maybe she was desperate, blinded by young love or perhaps she just understood him well enough to know that he wasn't one of those stalker boyfriends.
Seeing the almost imperceptible nod that Beast Boy gave her, the cheery smile quickly returned to her face as she shot towards Mento and pulled him into a one sided hug whilst uttering "thank you" many times over.
The rest of the team looked on in support. It was about time Mento warmed up to Jinx and this was exactly what their confusing relationship needed to sort itself out.
Beast Boy eventually squeezed a single "Happy Birthday" out of his father before Jinx stated that it'd be best to safely put away her new identification documents as soon as possible, which of course prompted a certain changeling to openly declare that it's not safe to walk the halls of the Doom Patrol HQ at this time of day and that he should escort his fair lady to their quarters.
There were only two presents left anyway and they were both easily handheld so he brought those along as well. One was a small brown padded envelope and the other was a box of some sort covered in a bland, brown wrapping paper. The wrapped box happened to be just about double the size of the length of his hand but it was thin so he managed to grip it without trouble. It would be a safe assumption that they were the last presents to be opened because they were exceedingly dull in appearance.
Giving everyone his thanks once more, the chromatically differed duo departed together after promising to return for his already opened gifts later.
Jinx was practically bouncing in her step as she gripped his arm whilst they walked to their destination. "Can you believe he did that?" Her voice was of a higher pitch and slightly more hurried than usual.
Beast Boy could see what was coming. "Yes."
The pale girl continued as if she hadn't heard him. "I know! He's been nothing but a total jerk to me the entire time I've been here! You've seen the way he looks at me."
"Yup." He droned out.
"But now he's sorta given me his blessing, right?" She inquisitively asked yet it was clear she wasn't really seeking an answer.
"Yeah."
"Aren't you excited? I get to be your wife! Then one day we can have kids!" She suddenly blurted out.
"Yep." It took him a moment to register what she'd just said "Wait, what?"
"And every girl dreams about getting married in a huge church with-" She was forced to stop walking forwards when the object of her constant affections halted in his steps.
She turned around to look at his stoic face for the first time in their short conversation. "What's wrong? You don't want a big wedding? I guess it can be small if you want it to be."
He ignored her last sentence. "Jinx, what did you just say?"
"About the church?" She sought clarity.
"No; before that."
She was just getting confused now. "That I get to be your wife?"
He greatly enjoyed that part but it wasn't quite what he was looking for right now. "... Right after that."
It took her a moment to recall her hastily spoken words since she hadn't particularly been thinking about them at the time. "Oh... You don't... You don't want to have kids with me?" She released his arm and turned to face him.
He couldn't help but smile at her insecure antics. It was evident that his next few words could either bring her to tears or make her even happier. "Why aren't I the insecure one in this relationship? Of course I want to eventually have kids with you, beautiful. The question really is: when do we start?"
The hug she abruptly pulled him into was full of want, desire and need but he appreciated it just the same. She gently rubbed the side of her face against his chest. "I love you so much, Logan."
Catching on quickly, he affectionately wrapped both arms around her, resting his hands on the lower part of her naturally curved back. "Sorry, Jinx. I was just shocked when you laid it all on me like that."
"It's okay." She calmly spoke out, letting the conversation die as they enjoyed each others presence in the middle of hallway.
After staying as they were for a few more seconds, Beast Boy caught her attention. "Jinx?"
"Mmmhm?" She sounded half asleep at this point.
The young man pulled away and looked her in the eyes. "We're having a small wedding."
Not up to the task of arguing with him, she conceded. "Okay."
Eventually making it to their room, Beast Boy sat down to start opening his two remaining presents as Jinx safely put away her new identification documents.
Seeing his partner walking up to him as he started opening the brown padded envelope, he parted his hands so that she could take her favored seat in his lap which she more than happily did. After she was comfortable, he brought his hands back around her waist and proceeded to open the mysterious package in her lap.
Inside was a small and very thin and very red rod about one inch in length. Curiously, Beast Boy checked to see if there was a note or anything with it. Lo and behold, there was indeed a note right below where the rod was. He opened the neatly folded paper and read it quietly alongside Jinx.
"Friend Beast Boy, it is I, Starfire. I regret that I am unable to attend your glorthon celebration in person but rest assured, I am with you in spirit. I would present you with a throknar, as is tradition among my people, but it would not be advisable given the time it would take the parcel to reach you - the gift would... Expire.
I must impose upon you my sincerest apologies for never having celebrated your glorthon before, and now that you and friend Jinx have informed me, I will do my best to make up for it in the future.
Boyfriend Red X and I are faring much better now that he has found far more effective methods at keeping us out of harms way but life in Gotham is still difficult. It appears that most of the super villains refrain from venturing into the home city of the Man Bat so we will be staying here for the time being.
I look onward to hearing from you and friend Jinx and I wish you all the best with your upcoming marriage. Perhaps, if the conditions are right, I might attend the ceremony. It is lonely without you and all the others but boyfriend Red X tries his best to fill the void that has been left.
Happy Glorthon, friend!
- Starfire
P.S. Hey kiddo, X here. Swap the rod with the one in the communicator that my princess gave to you. You'll be able to call us securely so it can't be traced anymore. Happy 'Glorthon'."
That note came as a complete shock to both of them. Beast Boy was the first to comment. "Uhm... Wow. They're in Gotham?" He neglected to bring up her mention of "the others" because he had no desire to start thinking about the Titans again any time soon.
Jinx kind of felt sorry for the poor red headed girl. "Gotham's not a good place to be."
"You've been there?" He asked, greatly intrigued with how Jinx could state such a thing so sympathetically.
"Well, not personally, but a few people I've dealt with before did business there quite a few times." Talking about her past life as a criminal was always a sore subject for her.
He made sure to quickly divert the conversation back into safe waters. "At least she's safe."
Appreciating his understanding, she continued. "We should probably call and check up on her now that we can."
"Sounds good, but can we do it after I open the last present, please, Nicole?" He added her new name at the end almost as an afterthought. Maybe it'd get him a few extra brownie points.
"As long as I don't have to move out of my comfortable seat, then, sure." Jinx playfully stated as she teasingly rubbed herself against him.
With little more delay, Beast Boy placed his gift on the bed next to him and reached to grab the rectangular shaped box that was wrapped with that distasteful brown paper.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hello there, mortals. No excuse for the lateness this time. Check out Moving On by TheWriterFormerlyKnownAsNixon - if you don't like that story as much as, if not more than mine then something is wrong wichu.