"Futures"
By: The One, The Only… Angelic Temptress (and the crowd goes wild)
Disclaimer: I want them for my birthday. It's in November, in case you were wondering.
Rating: Do I really have to? I guess I better. PG-13
Spoilers: Um. Rex. And "Epilogue" because Terry mentioned Selina.
A/N: Wishful thinking? Enjoy.
And, of course, thanks to my beta reader. Missy is amazing in every way. ;)
VvV
(Chapter 1)
"Why am I even bothering?"
Shayera places the last dinner plate in the dishwasher and starts the machine. "What are you mumbling about?"
The seventeen year old with frustrated bright eyes and shaggy black hair continues to tap his pen on the kitchen table. He glares at his mother, and she returns the glare before sitting down across from him. Calmly, Shayera folds her hands in front of her and asks what he's fussing over.
"Why am I applying to colleges?"
She raises an eyebrow. "Huh?"
"And why did I accept that internship? Why am I bothering?"
"Because you're an intelligent man who also happens to be a fantastic writer. It makes sense."
Rex puts down his pen and pushes the pamphlets aside. "Mom, I'm no idiot. Wayne Enterprises, the company that sends my parents checks every month, gave me the scholarship. The Daily Planet, which is owned by Bruce Wayne, offered me the internship. I'm not stupid. I know things are just being handed to me, and it's not right."
"You're wrong. You have the smarts to be successful; that's another thing you got from me, by the way."
He lowers his stare and sighs. "I'm the only child of two of the most powerful beings on the planet: The Green Lantern and Hawkwoman. I know you don't believe in destiny, but I know that I'm destined to be like you. I'm stronger, quicker, smarter, and braver than most humans. I'm supposed to be someone who helps the helpless. And no offense, Mom, but you and Dad are getting old."
Shayera runs a hand through her chin-length hair. "But what happens when you have bills to pay? Where are you going to live when you don't have your father and me? The League might not always be there to help you."
His forehead wrinkles like John's would, and he rubs the back of his neck. "You mean I need a secret identity?"
"You don't realize how difficult it was for us. We have enemies and had to hide you." She reaches across the table and grasps his hand. "Like Clark, Bruce, and Wally, you'll need to keep secrets. What if you fall in love and decide to have a family? How will you protect them from people who might want to hurt you?" She laughs and adds. "Plus, your SAT and ACT scores are too good to ignore."
"You're not mad?"
"No." She swats his hand away from hers and crosses her arms over her chest. "You took karate, played football, learned to fence, and learned kickboxing for a reason. Your father and I are smarter than he looks."
"You mean we look, right?"
"No. I meant he." After standing and pushing in her chair, she adds, "And by the way, I'm not old. He's old. I'm not."
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Shayera wakes to the sound of knocking. She fell asleep reading the new thriller novel she picked up over the weekend. Once she yawns and crawls out from beneath the covers, she slowly makes her way to the terrace doors. A pair of radiant eyes gazes at her from the dark night.
Wearing the silk and lace red chemise is no accident. It's always been his favorite.
She opens the doors and places her left hand on her hip.
"Hey there."
"Hey yourself."
"Can I come in?"
Shayera considers his request and admits, "I find you a bit forward, Mr. Stewart."
"I thought you liked forwardness, Mrs. Stewart."
She brings a hand to her chest to clutch her nightie and allows her jaw to dramatically drop. "Have some respect. I'm a mother."
"And a fine looking one too," John says slyly with a twinkle in his unnaturally green eyes.
"What's the password?"
"I missed you."
Shayera smiles. "I was looking for 'hot sex,' but that'll work."
He chuckles and rushes into his bedroom, bringing his wife into a warm embrace. He closes the doors behind him and lays kisses all over her face.
The Green Lantern still sports a shaved head, but recently did away with his salt-n-pepper beard at Shayera's request. Unfortunately for Shayera, the Corps mission hadn't permitted John to get rid of his five o'clock shadow.
Without a single word, John lays Shayera on their bed and immediately gets to work. His hot lips plant kisses on her throat and collarbone.
"You still… look like… a twenty-five year old," he says against the silk fabric of her chemise.
She smirks. "Too bad I can't say the same." Shayera roughly clutches John's gut.
He gasps. "Are you trying to ruin the mood?"
"Nope, just getting turned on." She nips at her husband's neck and whispers, "It's not my fault my metabolism is better than yours."
"Something I'd love to thank your mother for." John covers her mouth with his own but stops kissing her when his son taps on the bedroom door. He reluctantly leaves Shayera to answer.
Rex's eyes widen with surprise. "Dad? I didn't know… How'd the mission go in Sector… um…"
"2935."
"Yeah."
"Went well."
"I just wanted Mom to know I'm home. Hi, Mom."
Shayera sits up and returns a greeting. "Have fun?"
Rex nods. "I… I'm going to bed now, and I'm going to pretend I saw nothing."
"He acts as if it hasn't happened before… Get showered," Shayera orders and kisses John's cheek. "I'll warm up your dinner, and don't worry. Your talented son, who got all his talent from me, cooked it." She pinches his ass and leaves him in the room.
VvV
"He wants to be a superhero."
"He said that?"
Shayera nods and sips her hot tea after tightening her bathrobe. "We talked about that and college earlier today."
"And?"
"He's decided to go, but only so he can have a successful secret identity."
John finishes chewing his pork chop and then sips his coffee. "We can't stop him. He's meant to be Warhawk."
She smiles. "He's a lot like you, you know. A skeptical man with faith." Shayera watches John stand and waits for him to wrap his bare arms around her waist. "I know it's almost inevitable, but it still scares me. He's our baby."
John kisses her forehead. "I'm going to put in a call to Bruce in the morning. The prototype suit needs more work, and I want to take a look at it. Plus, I think it's time for Rex to visit the Cave."
VvV
"Ah, come on. Spar with me."
Rex rolls his eyes at his mother's request and slugs the punching bag three more times. "No," he answers bluntly and kicks it.
His mom steps behind the bag and sends him a smile he's seen girls wear from time to time. Her big green eyes follow his movements for forty-seven seconds before he breaks.
"What?"
"You heard me. You're not afraid of losing, are you?"
Rex grits his teeth and balls his fists. "Are you trying to annoy me this morning? I swear that you only get worse with age."
"Leave the kid alone, Shayera. He's just angry because of last time." Rex's dad finishes his bench presses and sits up. "You nearly ripped your own son apart."
"Did not."
Rex lets out a breath. "Mom. I love you, but you're a monster sometimes."
"I'm sorry that I'm competitive, but it's something you should learn to pick up." His mother crosses her arms across her chest and sighs.
With a roundhouse kick, Rex breaks the punching bag's chain, sending it across the room and into the wall where it bursts. All three stare at the split bag in awe.
"Well," his father says as he comes to join the other two, "it looks like the evil punching bag has been eliminated."
A moment of thick silence passes as Rex tries to control his tempter. He knows she's acting strange because of his decision. She wants her son to be prepared.
"Okay then." Rex's mom checks the clock and loses the smile. "I have to be at the museum in twenty minutes; we're getting a new shipment of artifacts from Japan. And later, I'm working my other job. So boys, I will see you in the morning." With that, she leaves the men to themselves.
"Rex, get dressed. We've got to go."
He narrows his green eyes. "Where?"
"You'll see."