Oh no, I'm beginning to catch up with myself with these updates lol. When I started posting this fic, I always remained a few chapters ahead of whatever chapter I was posting, but now here I am posting chapter nine while I'm still not done posting chapter ten. I had up to chapter eleven written a few weeks ago, but then I decided that I needed some new scenes, which caused me to rearrange a few things. But hopefully I'll get ahead again!
Victor returned to CJ's condo within the hour, much to her surprise. With the note their earlier conversation ended on, she quite honestly didn't expect him to come back. But sure enough, in his true unexpected fashion, Victor was on her doorstep and offering her lunch, though CJ's stubborn attitude toward him didn't waver. She was ready to turn down the meal held out in front of her, but the ironically timed grumble of her stomach gave her away, and so CJ snatched the food from him with cut-eye and a muttered 'thanks.' But she didn't invite him in or offer up a smile, instead silently closing the door on him and retreating into her home.
CJ could be stubborn when she wanted to be, and that day she was feeling particularly driven to be so. Just because Victor was willing to act as if he had no problems or past didn't mean that CJ had to follow suit. A part of her felt something akin to rejection when Victor chose not to share anything with herㅡhere he was, aware of virtually all the skeletons hidden in CJ's closet, meanwhile she knew nothing of his. Sure, there were those few vague rumors she'd heard from Umberto, but she had yet to gain much of any information to prove whether those were fact or fiction. CJ wasn't fond of secrets, especially those kept from friends, and despite herself, she began to feel the sinking sensation that maybe Victor didn't see her in the same light she saw him.
Of course, the following day her anger and doubt had subsided, and CJ began to reason with herselfㅡVictor had no obligation to discuss his past with her, and him keeping his silence didn't mean anything against their unusual friendship. CJ began to realize that actually Victor had revealed more to her than she originally realized. Silence spoke volumes, and Victor's avoidance meant there was something he was sensitive about, something he was afraid to address. Even Gotham's finest assassin had human traumas and fears despite trying to pretend he didn't. Whatever Victor was keeping to himself, CJ was sure he had a reason not to share, and despite her severe curiosity, she wouldn't let herself linger on what these secrets could be.
There was something about their last conversation that seemed to inspire something in CJㅡin the days following that talk, she felt a motivation to do something, anything really to keep her busy. Perhaps that was all her pent up emotions and energy finally spilling over, and its target became her condo. From day one, CJ was threatened by the space, by its lack of character and its stark white appearance. Everything about the place was too bland and sterile, and she couldn't feel at home in a place so plain and unwelcoming. So, CJ decided she needed to redecorate before she lost her mind.
First thing she did was open up the couple of boxes stacked in the corner of her bedroom, which were packed with things from her room back home. They (and a fair portion of her wardrobe) were already here when CJ moved in, so Umberto must have stopped by at some point earlier to deliver them in hopes they'd help her feel at home. One box was full of all sorts of odds and ends, from her record player to a small stack of books to a few framed photos with old friends (and CJ noticed that Umberto conveniently left out any family photos). The second box proved to be a little more fruitful to her redecorating effortsㅡher favorite plush blanket was stuffed in there with a couple of throw pillows and the strand of fairy lights she used to have hanging above her bed. It was all small, but CJ undeniably appreciated the effort Umberto made. At this rate, she'd forgive him far sooner than she wanted to.
Once she put out all of her old belongings, CJ still felt that itch to keep working, to which she pulled a face while considering what to do next. She realized that she'd have to go pick things up, and that now there was no avoiding the public any longer. And despite her anxieties, CJ wasn't as terrified of that thought as she would have been even a week ago. It's as if a switch finally flipped, because suddenly she was beginning to miss going out. A certain relief flooded over her upon that realization, and with a nervous yet eager sensation in her chest, CJ quickly went to clean up and dress for the day ahead.
About forty-five minutes later, hair still a little damp from her shower, CJ found herself down in the building's front office, greeted by the property manager in a manner suggesting he was prepared to dote on her to stay on Don Falcone's good side. Of course, when CJ walked in he didn't expect her to ask if they had any spare paint lying around, and his expression noticeably furrowed at the request.
"Miss Maroni, the walls were freshly painted just before you moved in, what could you need paint for?" It wasn't his intention to sound rude, yet the manager realized that's exactly how he came off. CJ's brows turning down in something akin to apology caused him to quickly stutter, "Oh, please don't misunderstand, I don't mean to dissuade you."
CJ considered briefly, not wanting to seem ungrateful for the work put into her condo, "The space just needs some color." She gave a small smile.
The manager considered her request once more, "… I might have something in the maintenance room. You mind waiting?"
CJ shook her head, and the manager stepped through a door and disappeared, leaving CJ's eyes to wander the space absently. He was back within a few minutes with a can, setting it on the desk nearest CJ, who eyed the single stroke of paint on the lid that indicated the color inside.
"Looks like it's the only color aside from white that we have."
The paint was a forest green, and for a few moments longer CJ stared at it and considered; but she knew it wasn't her taste, so she thanked the manager and stepped out, pausing just outside the door in thought. She needed to find the nearest paint supply shop, seeing as she wasn't familiar enough with her new neighborhood to know where to start. Or maybe she'd just catch a ride over to Little Italy where, stereotypical as it may sound, she knew the shops and streets like the back of her hand. And down there maybe she'd snag a couple deals at the shops that knew her well.
Again, CJ paused as she was about to exitㅡdespite her familiarity with the neighborhood, she knew it wouldn't be her best idea to go alone. This was still Gotham City, and CJ was not prepared to be going out on her own.
She turned around toward the elevator as the idea came to herㅡit was probably in her best interest to bring Victor along if he had the time. At this point, he really was her only friend and he was the only person that even crossed her mind at this moment. So, she stepped into the elevator, considering for a moment which unit was his again before she hit a button and pulled out her cell phone.
When she exited on Victor's floor, she finally hit the call button, walking the short distance down the hall as it rang.
"You okay?" Victor answered suddenly and quickly, causing CJ to pull a face until she remembered that she had never called Victor before, so the conclusion he jumped to wasn't too illogical.
"All good, bruiser." She replied with a trace of laughter in her voice, coming to a halt at his front door, "You home?"
"Yes?"
And with a grin of amusement at her own sense of humor, CJ knocked on the door, waiting patiently as she heard the vague echo of it in the phone followed a few moments later by footsteps. When Victor opened the door, a furrow on his brow, CJ's grin grew into an all out smile, flipping her phone shut. Victor lowered his phone a slow second later.
"You busy?" She asked brightly, genuinely surprising Victor. CJ looked the best she had in awhile, and that wasn't just to do with her physical appearance (though seeing her dressed in a simple floral dress instead of the sweats she'd been wearing for months was a nice change). CJ's eyes were full of life again, and for a minute it made Victor forget about her underweight frame (though it was slowly returning to health each day) and sunken in cheeks. She finally looked like CJ again, and he was happier to see it.
In turn, CJ took in Victor's appearance, though certainly not in the same way he was looking at her. No, CJ was just shocked to see Victor without his jacket or gloves or gun holster, and his shirt sleeves were rolled up a couple of inches, showing just a tease of his forearms. CJ thought she may have seen the edge of a scar at the base of his left sleeve, but she couldn't say for sure.
Victor's expression furrowed just slightly at the young woman, "Guess this means you're not mad at me anymore?"
CJ simply shook her head, a small smile remained on her lips. Victor considered CJ's unexpected appearance at his front door for a few moments longer.
"… I'll have to move some things around." He answered, recalling what was on his schedule for the dayㅡhe was supposed to go meet with the Penguin, but he could surely push that back a couple of hours. CJ was finally rearing to leave her apartment, he couldn't just shoot her down now; who knew if she'd be feeling so eager again any time soon. Victor silently motioned with his head for CJ to step into his condo, which she did with a raised eyebrow, "I gotta make a call."
He closed the door behind her, catching the way she curiously studied his place as he walked toward his bedroom to grab the rest of his things.
CJ wasn't surprised by anything she saw as she looked around Victor's apartmentㅡit was larger than hers, and was actually decorated in reflection of its owner's taste. The walls were a simple off-white, while the furnishing was all black and dark brown. There was a modern and industrial quality to the room and furniture, and the accessories scattered about were just the right touch of vintage to contrast with the space. If she didn't already know it, CJ still could have guessed that this was Victor's condo.
CJ could hear Victor's muffled voice on the opposite side of his bedroom door, but couldn't figure out who he was talking to, not that it was any of her business. So, she continued to simply linger by the front door, patiently waiting for Victor to return.
He stepped out a minute later, shrugging on his coat, his gloves hanging out from one of the pockets. As he reached for them, CJ tilted her head but said nothingㅡafter all these years, she still thought it odd that he dressed so formally each and every day. Did Victor even own anything casual? Jeans? Sneakers? CJ suspected she wouldn't find that out any time soon.
"So, what are we doing?" Victor asked as he came to a halt in front of her. The gleeful smile that crossed her lips seemed foreign to them both.
"Shopping." The simple answer made Victor's brow quirk, "I want to decorate the condo."
That was enough explanation for Victor, so he nodded in agreement, grabbing his keys from the table just beside the front door, "Where do you want to start?"
"I need paint." Victor opened the door for her, and CJ led the way out and down the hall, "There's a nice shop down in Little Italy, it's the only one I know."
From behind her, Victor pulled a faceㅡLittle Italy could potentially be a bad idea. It was too close to the Maroni home and business, and people that knew her brother could be lurking everywhere. But then again, the venture could turn out to be no risk at all, however, Victor nonetheless hesitated for a moment at the suggestion.
"You sure?" They were in the elevator, and CJ looked up at Victor.
"Yes." There was a question to her tone, unaware of the reason for his doubt, "I let you drag me anywhere you wanted to go, now it's my turn." She smiled again with jest, and Victor decided not to push an argumentㅡhe'd keep his guard up while they were out. There were just as many Falcone loyalists in the neighborhood as there were Maronis, no one would dare make any moves so long as that divide remained. And no one would dare be dumb enough to take a wrong step toward CJ so long as Victor Zsasz was by her side.
Twenty minutes later Victor parked his car along a curb outside of a mom-and-pop hardware store, eyeing CJ as she turned to steal a look at the familiar neighborhood. For a few long moments neither moved; CJ was both excited and anxious, and both sensations were stirring in her chest. But finally she took a sure breath and turned her hazel gaze to Victor, who stared back a second longer before opening his door and stepping out. CJ too pushed open her door, but Victor was already there, opening the door wider and offering a hand to her. CJ looked at his gloved hand with slight surprise, not expecting the gesture. But she set her petite palm in his and allowed Victor to help her from the vehicle. Once more, CJ led the way into the shop, pausing for a moment near the front to look around before finding the sign for the paint aisle.
Another fifteen or so minutes later, the pair exited the building with Victor carrying two paint cans over to the car, setting one down to fish out his keys; as he closed the trunk a moment later, he looked to CJ.
"Where to next?"
CJ considered his question for only a few moments before perking up,"There's a flower shop around the block."
The thought even dared to make CJ laugh as she imagined the idea of Victor meandering among rows of flowers and succulents. Victor must have also found it humorous, his face wrinkling with amusement. CJ waited expectantly to hear what he had to say.
"… Well, I guess we're buying some flowers." CJ brightened just a little before spinning on her heels, motioning with a wave of her hand for Victor to follow. He met her pace easily, walking alongside her with that amused shine still alight in his eyes. Despite that, Victor still maintained a keen eye, watchful of everyone they passed by along the way. He noticed that any of the watchful stares that turned their way all seemed to focus on him, relieving Victor as it seemed no one yet recognized CJ. He didn't expect people to be all that familiar with her (after all, she had grown up sheltered by her father and then spent the last two years in New York), but he could never be too cautious.
Sure enough, the flower shop was only a couple minutes away, and soon the pair were walking through the wide front entrance and maneuvering around other shoppers. CJ looked as if she was searching for something in particular, and quickly it appeared that she'd spotted it, making a beeline deeper into the shop with Victor right on her heels.
"Buongiorno, Gabriel." She greeted a man whose back was turned to them, but upon hearing his name he quickly spun around, smiling in recognition after a few moments of studying the young woman's face.
"Miss Camila!" Gabriel answered in a heavy accent, setting down the bucket of flowers in his hands. He looked to be in his fifties, with a dark tan and even darker eyes. He held his hands out to CJ, and quickly gave a firm squeeze to the one she offered back, "What a surprise to see you."
CJ's smile faltered ever so slightly, "I'm back in town for a while…"
"Glad to hear it." Gabriel replied, not hearing the change in the young woman's tone. He finally turned his eyes up to spy Victor, his expression straightening into a neutrality that the other two parties instantly noticed.
"Gabriel, this is my friend Victor." CJ started in an all too casual manner, looking back at Victor and waving for him to come stand next to her, "Victor, Gabriel's family owns this shop."
As Victor briefly met CJ's eyes, she gave a commanding stare, something he wouldn't have expectedㅡnever had he seen an authoritative look such as that one on her face before. Silently, she was asking him to be nice, as if she expected him to act otherwise. Victor would give her credit, she knew he could be off-putting, after all. He made a slight face at her, but turned his attention back to Gabriel, who tried to mask his wariness. The corner of Victor's mouth pulled up as he silently offered his hand, Gabriel giving it a quick shake.
"Nice to meet you, sir." Gabriel said simply.
"Likewise." The plain and impersonal reply made Gabriel uncomfortable, and so he looked back to CJ.
"What are we shopping for today?"
CJ gave a shrug as her eyes swept around the shop again, "Trying to decorate my place; I miss having plants around."
With a smile, Gabriel pointed to a shelf, walking over toward it and plucking a small bouquet out of the mass of various flowers, "Beautiful camellias we have this season."
CJ smiled fondly at the dark wine colored flowers, almost rolling her eyes, "You say that every time I'm here."
"Because it's always true." Gabriel wrapped the stems of the bouquet in an extra layer of plastic to keep any excess water from dripping and held the bouquet out in CJ's direction. She happily took it, "The bouquet is on me today."
"Thank you; I'm gonna keep looking around." Gabriel nodded, stealing another glance at Victor before returning to his work. CJ, too, looked at the assassin, though it wasn't obvious what she was thinking.
"Did I do okay?" He teased, pulling a slight grin across CJ's lips.
"Could've been better." She teased right back, beginning to wander through the plant-crowded shop with Victor close behind.
It didn't take long for CJ to find another couple of plants she liked, and soon they were at the register and paying. And just as quickly, once they had stepped outside, CJ came to an abrupt pause once they were out of the way of any passer-bys and turned on her heel. As Victor looked down at her, having nearly bumped into her after her sudden stop, CJ stared back with curiosity and warmth, reaching into her bouquet of camellias with her free hand and snapping one of the stems to a shorter length. Wordlessly, she stuck the lone flower into Victor's breast pocket with the slightest huff of a laugh, to which Victor furrowed his brow before smirking in surprise. Briefly, an unmasked contentment crossed his face before he could hide it, causing CJ to smile even wider.
"Maybe now you'll seem mildly more approachable." She gave a good natured wink before turning around to continue leading Victor around the neighborhood. He stayed planted for a brief moment as he stared at the camellia before allowing himself to stare at CJ, fondness and curiosity still in his eyes, "I want to make another stop." She said once Victor was back at her side, dipping into a café just a few stalls down from the florist.
The café was fairly empty despite it being midday, so when the pair walked through the front door it drew everyone's eyes over for a brief second. The barista at the counter gave the customary "welcome" greeting, but her expression furrowed in recognition as she gave CJ a second glance.
"CJ?" the other woman's face lit in excitement as she stepped out from behind the counter, "Long time no see!"
CJ smiled with the slightest discomfort as the barista pulled her into an unwanted hug, careful not to crush the bouquet of flowers she held away from the embrace, "I was nearby, thought I'd see if you were here."
The woman looked past CJ's shoulder at Victor, brow raised as she glanced from his face to the flower tucked in his pocket and back again, her eyes shining with scrutiny before returning her attention to CJ.
"Pino said he thought you skipped town." Her words caused CJ's eyes to dull slightly and Victor's to mirror the stranger's scrutiny, "I was worried I missed you."
"Nope, still here." CJ shook her head, attempting to mask any upset she felt at the mention of her brother, "You saw each other recently?"
"A couple weeks ago yeah, we all went out for some drinks."
'We all' must have meant the circle of friends CJ's brothers shared, as Teresa was a friend of Umberto's before she met either Pino or CJ. A moment later, remembrance struck CJ as she looked back to Victor.
"Oh, I forgot to introduce you." CJ set a friendly hand on Teresa's arm, "Victor, Teresa's been like family for years; Victor's a new friend."
Teresa was very good at keeping up appearances, that was immediately obvious. Victor knew she recognized him, her eyes giving her away, but she said nothing on the matter, smiling nearly too wide as she feigned well-practiced friendliness.
"Any friend of CJ's is a friend of mine." Victor could feel CJ's eyes on him, so once more he gave a formal smirk, but didn't hesitate as he spoke:
"I wouldn't go that far." There was some humor to his voice, but CJ nonetheless gave him a nudge with her elbow, and when he looked down CJ's eyes narrowed almost mockingly.
"Rude." Her tone, too, was mildly teasing, though he could still tell there was that cordial part of her that was put off by his response. CJ looked back to Teresa with apology before taking a deep breath, "What did Pino tell you?"
Teresa briefly looked around the café before motioning with her head, "Wanna sit down and catch up for a bit?" CJ nodded, so Teresa stepped behind the counter to call something to the back room.
Victor dipped his head slightly, "I'll be in the car; call me when you're done." CJ looked back in agreement as the assassin grabbed the bouquet in her hand to take along with him. He stepped back, but paused as his eyes fell onto the pastry case for a moment, "… Grab some cannolis on your way out."
CJ grinned, "Any other requests?"
Victor smirked back, "Get a couple with the chocolate dipped shells."
With a laugh, CJ nodded as Victor stepped out, giving him a small wave as he paused to take a last glance at her from outside the window. Behind CJ, Teresa watched the exchange curiously, waiting for CJ to turn before smiling again.
"Want a coffee or anything?"
CJ sighed like a woman deprived, "I could kill for a latte right now."
With a brief smile of agreement, Teresa jumped back behind the counter and made CJ's order, which she still had memorized despite it surely being a year since she last made it. She also made herself a beverage before heading over to the table CJ sat at, Teresa looked at her friend in consideration as she sat down.
It quickly dawned on CJ what the other woman was thinking, and so she gave a small sigh, "Ask about him."
"What?"
"Victor." CJ leaned her elbows on the table as her friend slid the latte over to her, "I'm used to the strange looks by now, even the one that you tried to hide."
Teresa deflated, accepting that she had been found out, "CJ, you can't go around town with Victor Zsasz and not get looks. Everyone knows who he is, or at least who he works for… I almost didn't believe Pino when he said you were hanging around with Zsasz."
"And what did he say about that?" CJ's voice came out harsher than intended.
Teresa sighed, sitting silently for a few moments, "… Said you turned your back on the family, that you don't care about them… that you'd rather spend time with Zsasz and pretend they didn't exist."
CJ's face hardened, nearly offended that Pino talked about her with others as if she was at fault for everything these last few months. She shouldn't be surprised, thoughㅡfor one, she certainly didn't expect Pino to tell the full story and admit his faults, and two, from his skewed perspective, CJ must have been the one to blame for all this.
Despite her upset, CJ knew better than to divulge any details regarding what was really going on with her brothers. She didn't need sympathy from anyone, and she didn't need Teresa babying her the way she sometimes used to do when CJ was younger. It was best she kept quiet, at least for the time being.
"… Pino and I have been fighting a lot… I just need some space, you know?" She remained vague, to which Teresa gave an understanding nod, apparently not considering that CJ could be hiding anything from herㅡTeresa never thought anyone hid anything from her. If only she knew the things that went down behind closed doors in the Maroni house.
"I get that, but… space from Pino includes spending time with Zsasz?" Her expression was tentative, causing a huff of a laugh to escape CJ.
"Ironically, yeah." She looked back out the window as if expecting the man in question to be there, "Look, it's not as serious as Pino makes it out to beㅡVictor just stumbled in at the right time, I guess."
After a few moments of further consideration, Teresa accepted the answer with a nod and obliged a good natured grin, intending to cut the tension, "Doesn't make it any less odd, you walking into the shop with Victor Zsasz in tow carrying flowers for you."
CJ hung out for another fifteen minutes or so, enjoying the opportunity to catch up with someone. Way back when CJ was maybe twelve or thirteen, she felt close to Teresaㅡthe older woman felt like a big sister at the time, the kind of relationship CJ had obviously never had before. As the years went on, the two had undeniably drifted apart, Teresa taking more interest in Pino and his crowd, but nonetheless CJ still felt a kinship with her. These days, though, that kinship felt less sisterly and more like distant cousins that didn't always know what to say to one another.
The women exchanged phone numbers once CJ announced she better head out, CJ got a box of cannolis, and they said their goodbyes, Teresa promising she'd call CJ soon so they could make plans.
CJ left the café with a slight skip in her steps, deciding that it was definitely a good idea to finally get out today. As she started down the sidewalk, she nearly walked past Victor's Cadillac, which he moved to a nearby parking spot while waiting for her.
CJ climbed into the passenger seat with a content look on her face, turning to Victor to offer up a cannoli before she paused upon catching a certain look of business in his eyes. Her brow furrowed slightly, studying his gaze that contrasted with the casual expression he had trained on his face.
"You good?" She asked simply, and Victor quirked a brow in consideration as they met eyes.
"Cobblepot needs me." He answered, "I gotta drop you off quick."
A thoughtful look came to CJ's faceㅡCobblepot made her curious. She really hadn't thought of the man much since the night of the party, and at that time she didn't care either way about him. But that unexpected wave of curiosity came to her thenㅡshe'd have to ask Victor more about the kingpin another day.
So, with a nod of understanding from CJ, Victor began the drive back to their apartment building, quietly snatching a cannoli from the box in CJ's lap, which caused another content smile to tug at her lips.