Since its the 4th of july for we american folks, i decided to do a happier little piece from Jacobs past. Hope everyone is having a safe holiday with family and not replacing any fingers. Enjoy!
4th of July, Queen Estate, Earth 119
Laurel Lance and Jacob slowly stepped out of their vehicle, closing the doors behind them with a metallic thud. The young boys eyes darted around at all the new people across the sprawling grounds of the Queen Estate. Loud music drifted over to them from speakers set up just outside of the pool accompanied by the aromatic smell of grilling meats. Loud laughter from adults and the sounds of children playing intermingled with the music. Laurel took a few steps in front of the car, pausing and looking back. The young boy stood hesitantly beside the car door, left hand still touching the car. Laurel smiled sadly and waved him over.
"Its ok," She reassured him, giving him a smile and holding out a hand for him.
He heitantly shuffled forward, taking her hand gently. She pulled him close, wrapping an arm around his shoulders and urging him forward. Oliver Queen spotted them across the green, waving a hand in the air and walking over towards them. Laurel smiled brightly, waving with her free hand.
"Hey gorgeous," he greeted her happily before giving her a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Hey yourself," she giggled.
"Heya Kiddo," Oliver chuckled, ruffling Jacobs hair. Jacob looked up and glared at Oliver for a minute before a small smile crept to his face.
"Hey," he replied quietly.
"You alright?" Oliver asked, kneeling down and looking him in the eyes.
"Lots of people," Jacob muttered quietly, eyes darting around at all the new faces.
"Dont worry," Oliver said, squeezing his shoulder in a comforting manor. "No one here will hurt you. I think i saw Wally and Jessi over by the pool…"
A bright smile jumped to Jacobs face as he looked up in a wordless question to Laurel.
"Go ahead," she answered smiling at him.
Jacob ducked under Oliver's arm and rushed off towards the pool. Oliver stood up laughing before pulling Laurel into his arms. He bent down at the neck and planted a deep passionate kiss on her lips. Laurel sighed, wrapping her arms around him and embraced him with equal affection.
"How's he really doing?" Oliver asked after breaking the kiss.
"The nightmares are getting worse," Laurel sighed, resting her head on his shoulder. "Sometimes two or three times a night."
"It'll be alright," Oliver assured her, brushing her hair with a hand and kissing her forehead. "The little guy went through a lot. How are you doing?"
"Im just worried about him," She whispered, smiling at his kiss.
Jacob ran as fast as he could, trying his best to duck and weave around people as we went. He heard the splashing of water and tried to work his way around everyone. Unfortunately, he wasn't as quick as he hoped, colliding with the tanned legs of a leggy brunette. A fruity drink rained down on him as the owner stumbled back a step. The smile vanished from his face as he looked up apologetically at the woman.
"Im sorry," he mumbled, fiddling with his fingers.
"Its ok," the woman laughed, reaching over to a tall standing tabletop and grabbing a napkin. She wiped the liquid from her hand before setting the drink down and kneeling down to Jacob's level. She reached forwards with a napkin to wipe the spilled drink off of Jacobs face, only for him to recoil a step.
"Where are you off to in such a hurry?" She asked pulling her arm back.
Jacob silently pointed over to the pool.
"Heading for the pool huh?" she asked, smiling as Jacob nodded once. "What's your name?"
"Jacob." He replied firmly.
"Well Jacob, my names Helena," She explained, holding her hand out to him slowly. He grasped her hand quickly, giving her a quick shake before pulling his hand back.
"You've got a little something right here, Jacob." She pointed out where on her face.
He raised up a hand and brushed it across his face quickly, completely missing where she indicated.
"Here let me," she giggled, slowly raising her hand holding a napkin. This time he didn't recoil as far. She slowly and gently brushed the napkin across his cheek, wiping away the spilled drink.
"There, that's better." She smiled brightly, eyes giving off a warm and kind addition to her smile as she winked at him. "Try to slow down a bit."
He nodded quickly before slipping around her and working his way through the crowd. Helena stood up, laughing to herself and watching after the boy. He ran a few paces away before spotting two other younger kids and dashing towards them.
"Ever think of having one of your own?" Came a mans voice from behind her.
Helena turned around quickly, coming face to face with a tall man in a light grey suit. His hair was combed to perfection by what Helena knew was a professional hairdresser. His hands held a single tumbler filled with what smelled like bourbon. A warm smile lit up his face as he took a sip of his drink.
"Malcolm." She acknowledged as she nodded to him.
"It seems my daughter isn't the only one who has taken an interest in that young man," he chuckled.
"Whos is he?" she asked,.
"I do believe he is Laurel's son."
"Laurels...son?" she asked flabbergasted. "I didn't even know she was pregnant."
"Heavens no." Malcolm laughed. "She adopted him after the tragic incident with Prometheus."
That figures, she thought to herself, leave it to Laurel Lance to act like a saint.
"That poor boy," she cooed, smiling sadly. "To witness something so morbid."
"Would you like another drink, my dear?" Malcolm asked, noticing her empty hand and offering her his elbow in escort.
"Mmm, why not?" she murmured, breaking her gaze away from the child and allowing him to lead her away.
Jacob spotted Wally's bright red hair waving in the breeze where he sat with his feet in the pool, his bright yellow shirt rippling and dotted with water. He ran as fast as he could towards him, seeing Jessi turn and start waving her hand in the air. She hopped up, spraying Wally with water from her feet as she rushed over to meet Jacob. The two met halfway, laughing and hugging each other happily. Wally watched after Jessi and once seeing Jacob, jumped up himself to run over and join in the hug. He moved a bit faster than he realized, almost tackling his two friends and sending all three of them tumbling into the grass. They rolled a few paces before coming untangled and scattering around. The children laughed merrily, clothing now grass stained as the adults looked on and smiled happily.
"We looked everywhere and couldn't find you," Jessi laughed, crawling over closer to Jacob and Wally.
"Dad said you were for sure coming," Wally explained, brushing his shaggy red hair out of his face.
"Im here," Jacob nodded firmly, smiling as his friends.
The trio lay in the grass, laughing together as a group of teenagers kept a watchful eye on them from afar. The group consisted of a tall redheaded boy with a short buzzcut, a dark haired boy sporting a pair of dark sunglasses, and two very peculiar teenagers with strange tattoos on their skin, holding hands.
"Kids," the redhead laughed, taking a drink from a soda can in his hand.
"Wasn't long ago, that was us Roy," the young man in the sunglasses commented, smirking.
"Is that the boy Laurel took in?" The taller of the peculiar teenagers asked in a deep male voice.
"His names Jacob," Sunglasses commented.
"It is good to see him smiling," The female of the two admitted, leaning against her companion.
"Much so after his ordeal," He agreed, squeezing the females hand.
A younger looking redhead approached the teenagers, followed by a slightly younger boy with jet black mid length hair and gently pulling on the young man with the sunglasses elbow.
"Dick, Jason and I are bored," she whined. "We barely know anyone here."
"Why don't you go play with Wally and Jesse?" He asked, slightly annoyed and nodding over to the trio.
"Whos that boy with them?" She asked, squinting in the sunlight.
"Why don't you go and ask him?" DIck shot back, annoyance showing on his face.
"I guess we could," She admitted, turning around to Jason and raising an eyebrow. The boy shrugged his shoulders in indifference.
"Be nice," Roy called after the two as they started to walk away.
"Im always nice," Barbara quipped turning around and sticking her tongue out at him.
"I wasn't talking to you," He retorted, shooting a glare at Jason, who rolled his eyes back.
Dick laughed heartily as Roy continued to glare at the young man.
"That kids a royal pain in the…." He started before Dick stopped him mid sentence with a hand on his arm.
"Hey," Dick warned. "That's my little brother."
The couple laughed at the two boys, exchanging dirty looks at each other before smiles and laughter broke through.
The two younger siblings walked over to where Jacob, Wally and Jessi were laying on their backs in the grass, staring up into the clouds and pointing.
"Hey there!" Barbara piped up. "Whatchu doin?"
"Watching clouds," Wally said through a grin.
"You two want to join us?" Jessi asked, sitting up on her elbows.
"Sure!" She squeaked, kneeling down beside Jacob.
"Jacob hasnt seen a single animal yet," Wally pointed out, nudging his shoulder and laughing
"Oh?" She asked, looking from the clouds to Jacob.
"Don't see it," he muttered, shrugging.
"Hi!" she enthusiastically put in, offering her hand out to Jacob. "Im Babs, this is my little brother Jason."
He looked at her hand for a second before looking up into her eyes. They emitted a warm happy feeling from them as he took her hand and shook it gently. Her skin was really soft but strong for a young lady.
"Jacob," he offered, smiling back and giving a small wave to Jason; Jason smiled back quickly before laying down in the grass wordlessly.
"Well Hi Jacob!" she giggled, blushing a bit before laying beside him. "Where are you from?"
"Star City," he muttered.
"Oh really?" she asked, sitting up on her elbows to face him. "Jason and I are from Gotham, have you ever been there?"
He wordlessly shook his head, letting the young girl go on.
"It's sort of like Star City but has a bit more crime in it, sort of a weird darkness to it as well," she went on. "Have you ever met The Black Canary? I think she's really awesome, my dad tells me stories about her all the time."
"I have," he muttered, smiling. "Shes my mother."
"What?! No way!" she squeaked, fangirling. "But you don't look anything like her?"
"Jacobs adopted," Wally put in, earning a smack and a glare from Jessi. Jacobs smile disappeared and his face darkened a shade.
"What?" He asked, a clueless frown creeping to his face as he brushed out his red hair.
"Laurel adopted him," Wally went on. "After a real bad man did something really really bad. But on the good side, we got a brother."
"Nice save Wally," Jessi groaned, shaking her ringlets.
"Oh! Im sorry," Babs consoled Jacob, blushing and fiddling with her fingers. "Jason and I are adopted too. So is our big brother Dick."
Jason snorted where he lay, gaining a glare from Babs.
"Its not a bad thing," she admitted, turning her attention back to Jacob. "I like to think of it as a good thing. We get to be a part of some of the greatest men and women in the world!"
"I guess," Jacob muttured, staring firmly up at the clouds.
Babs looked Jacobs face over, confused by his sudden change in emotion. She quietly laid back beside him and stared up at the clouds, silence breaking when Wally pointed out a lopsided bunny.
"What are you kids doing laying in the grass on such a hot day?" Came Moira Queens voice as she walked over.
"Grandma Moira!" Jacob gasped as he bounced up and ran to hug her.
"Hello sweetheart," She cooed, pulling him tightly into a warm hug and kissing the top of his head.
The rest of the children all began standing up, brushing the grass off their clothing.
"Hi misses Queen!" Wally cheered while Jessi gave a happy wave.
"Hello Wally, Jessi." She replied, smiling happily as she slowly let go of Jacob. "Why don't you guys go for a swim?"
"Come on!" Wally insisted, turning to Babs and Jason.
"There's a new swimsuit for you in the poolhouse," She advised Jacob, giving him a nudge in the direction. "Do your friends need swimsuits?"
"I have one on already misses Queen." Babs mentioned, tugging at a light blue material under the collar of her shirt, Jason nodded silently. "Bruce says to always be prepared."
"Oh goodness," Moira laughed smiling at them all.
"Last one there is a rotten egg!" Jessi cheered, taking off before the others had even turned.
"No fair, Quick!" Wally called, running after her. Babs followed along laughing as Jason silently complied.
Jacob hesitated, turning to look after the group of youngsters then back to Moira.
"Go on!" she urged, waving at him happily. He smiled brightly at her before turning and running into the pool house.
Robert Queen stood with a large brown cigar stuck in his mouth, a tumbler of bourbon in his hand while talking to another older gentleman with dark black hair and thick rimmed glasses. An old wooden box lay on the bartable between them.
"I disagree, Harrison," He said around the cigar, stirring his drink absently in his hand. "When the market bounces back next Quarter, i would not have Queen Industries name being accused of thinking about profit margins over its employees.
"But Robert," Harrison argued, pulling his glasses off and cleaning the one lens. "How do you intend to stay in business, let alone please your investors without cutting your workforce?"
"Are you asking as an Investor yourself?" He asked, removing his cigar to take a sip from his glass.
"You wound me," Harrison shot back with a glare. "Im asking as your friend, which seem to be in short supply as of late."
"As it so happens, I seem to have found another." He admitted as he gave a wave to a tall dark haired man with extremely broad shoulders. The man smiled as he walked up.
"Harrison Wells, i'd like you to meet Bruce Wayne."
"Bruce...Wayne. As in Wayne Enterprises?" Harrison asked, frowning slightly.
"I have heard of you as well Doctor Wells." Bruce admitted, extending a strong hand forwards in greeting. Harrison shook it, taking note of the man's grip. "It's an honor to meet you in person."
"Likewise. Would you please talk some sense into Robert?"
"As it happens," Robert interrupted. "Bruce has graciously offered to form a partnership with Queen Industries."
"Despite the city's problems, a few of us in Gotham happen to think the same way as Robert here. The people should always come first. A partnership between our companies would eliminate the need for any loss of workforce and would increase both in value" Bruce pressed, folding his hands in front of him.
"And what of STAR Labs?" Harrison asked frowning.
"I fully intend to extend the partnership to you as well, Doctor Wells." Bruce admitted. "No one can come close to the research and ingenuity of your company, not to mention the importance of your discoveries."
"Why didn't you tell me about this sooner, Robert?" Wells asked, surprise showing on his face as he raised his eyebrows.
"For that reason right there," Robert laughed, pointing at Wells. "I wanted to see that genuine look for myself."
"A toast gentleman," Robert offered, sliding the lid off of the wooden box in front of him and pulling out an extremely old bottle of malt liquor from inside. He broke the aged seal on the bottle, removing its cork and pouring a small amount into three tumblers in front of him and raising one in salut. "To the continued welfare of our companies, the beginning of an important partnership and the continuation of our friendship"
"Here here," Bruce agreed, raising his own and taking a sip.
Harrison mimicked the movement, taking a drink himself and sighing.
"That is excellent," He commented, taking another drink.
"Single malt, aged 52 years." Robert explained, pouring more.
Laurel Lance sat in a reclining chair, sipping from tall drink with an umbrella in it while absently listening to the other ladies chat around her. Sara Lance sat directly to her right, while Iris West-Allen sat on her left, applying sunscreen to her pale face and trying to avoid getting it in her bright red hair. Sara leaned forwards, squinting her eyes at her sister before smacking her with a rolled up towel.
"What?" Laurel gasped, almost spilling her drink and glaring at her sister.
"Iris just asked you a question, geez," She grumbled.
"Oh," Laurel muttered in embarrassment, shaking her head. "Im sorry Iris, spaced out."
"Its alright," Iris laughed, rubbing more sunscreen on her arms. "Being a first time mother will do that to you."
Laurel sighed and set her drink on the small table sitting between her and Sara before shaking her head and rubbing her eyes, sending her hair dancing around.
"Everything alright?" Iris asked in a concerned tone.
"You look a little tired," Sara addressed, looking her sister over.
"I am…" she admitted with a sigh. "Jacobs still having nightmares, he keeps waking up in the middle of the night screaming."
"Did you try singing that song my dad taught you?" Iris asked gently.
"Every time he wakes up," Laurel confirmed. "It calms him enough to sleep again but a few hours later he's awake screaming again."
"Can you really blame the kid?" Sara asked quietly. "I've seen pictures of that crime scene, it shook me a little."
"It just takes time," Iris said, placing a hand on Laurels arm and trying to reassure her. "Be patient with him."
"I know," Laurel replied, taking Iris's hand and smiling. "I love him. I'm just worried that i'm not doing enough to help him."
Their conversation was cut short by a sudden burst of wind and a bright yellow blur of lightning whizzed by. Barry Allen suddenly appeared next to Iris, causing Sara and Laurels drinks to shimmy on table, threatening to walk off completely.
"Dammit Barry!" Sara grumbled, scrambling to catch the two drinks before they spilled.
"Sorry," he laughed, grinning merrily before turning to Iris and giving her a big smooch. "Hey beautiful."
"Hi back," she giggled, brushing her hand against his cheek and kissing him back.
Laurel reached for her drink, barely lifting it up before a set of burley arms quietly snaked their way down her shoulders till they grabbed both of her hands. She looked up, seeing Oliver standing above her, shirtless and sporting a goofy grin.
"You too?" she asked, raising a hand to scratch the scruff of his beard.
"Well yea," he chuckled, leaning down and planting a kiss on her lips. She sighed into his embrace, pulling him down closer.
Sara rolled her eyes and smiled.
"Hi Ollie," She muttered, feigning annoyance.
"Hey Sara," he replied, not taking his eyes off Laurel as he kissed her again.
"Where's Nyssa?" He asked once Laurel let him go, walking around and scooting Laurels feet so he could sit on the end of her reclining chair.
"League Business," she grunted, tossing her drink back and standing up. "You guys want another?"
Laurel shook her head as the rest murmured their agreement. Sara saluted with her glass and walked off towards the bar. Oliver raised an eyebrow at Laurel, who in turn shrugged.
"Hey where are the kids?" Barry asked Iris, looking around. Iris raised a hand up to shield her eyes as she scanned around the area.
"They're over there by the pool," Oliver remarked, nodding in their direction.
Laurel looked over, seeing Wally and Jessi splashing around as Jacob sat with just his feet in the water with Barbara beside him. She smiled to herself, glad to see Jacob laughing and smiling.
"Thea better watch out," Iris laughed, nodding to the young redhead sitting next to Jacob. "It seems another lady's taken an interest in our little bird."
"Nah," Oliver laughed along with Barry. "I bet you any money those two get married someday. He's all Thea can talk about these days."
"Where is she?" Laurel asked, looking around the crowed.
"Probably still fussing with Raisa about what to wear," He laughed.
A loud splash accompanied by the children yelling snapped Laurels attention to where the kids were playing. The spot where Jacob had been sitting was now empty, instead Jason stood, a weird grin plastered all over his face. Laurel sat up in alarm, seeing Jacob floundering in the water, sending waves ripping around as he thrashed.
"Oliver," she hissed, pushing on his shoulders. "He cant swim."
Oliver bolted upright, taking a few steps towards the pool as fast as he could before a bright bluish light surrounded Jacobs thrashing body in the water. Oliver hesitated for a second, looking around for the source, seeing one of the teenagers running closer, his tattoos glowing brightly the same color as the water. The young man raised his hands, lifting an orb of water from the pool with Jacob inside and maneuvering it to solid ground. Moving his arms slowly, the young man gently sat the orb on the ground and rush over. His tattoos momentarily stopped glowing and the orb of water splashed free on the ground, rushing back into the pool. Jacob thrashed around, gasping for air as the second teenager rusher over and took hold of his head.
"Lie still," she urged, her tattoos glowing like her partners as he knelt down beside them both.
"I will try to extract the water from your lungs," The male insisted, laying his hands on Jacobs chest as his tattoos began to glow again. He slowly moved his hands up Jacobs chest and over his head as Jacob coughed up a string of water. The young man lifted his hands, pulling the string with him and manipulating it into a ball before flinging it over into the grass. Both the teenagers tattoos slowly dimmed as Jacob gulped down lungfuls of air.
"Thank….you…" He gasped, looking from the young man to his companion.
"You are most welcome young one," The female smiled down at him, brushing drops of water from Jacob's face.
"Who...are...you." Jacob asked breathlessly.
"I am Kaldur'ahm," The young man replied, smiling and placing a webbed hand on his own chest. "And this is my fiancee, Tula."
The female, Tula, smiled sweetly down at Jacob, helping him sit up.
"Strange names," Jacob remarked, frowning. "How did you…"
"We are Atlantean," Kaldur laughed, holding out his arm and showing Jacob his tattoo; it snaked and twisted up both his arms shaped like an eel. "We have ways of manipulating our natural environment."
Oliver rushed over as Jacob was tracing his fingers across both Tulas and Kaldurs tattoos, completely awestruck by the shape and design. He knelt down and looked Jacob over.
"You alright, Kiddo?" He asked, eyes flickering all over.
Jacob nodded, shaking slightly while trying to stand; Tulas hands didn't leave him till she was sure he wouldn't fall. Oliver too stood, turning to Kaldur and grasping him by the shoulders.
"Thank you Kaldur, I owe you one," Oliver remarked.
"Think nothing of it," He responded smiling and waving a webbed hand.
"What the hell were you thinking?!" Came a loud voice from behind them both. They turned to see Dick dragging Jason away by the scruff of his neck. "The kid can't swim, you little idiot!"
Bruce rushed over, quietly muttering something to them both before escorting them away from the crowd. He paused, turning back around and calling for Babs. She jumped up, rushing past everyone before turning around and stopping in front of Jacob.
"Im sorry about Jason," she muttered, looking down at her feet. "Sometimes he…"
Bruce called for her again, making her look up, her eyes starting to fill with tears before she turned around and ran off. Bruce gave an apologetic look towards Oliver before resting his hand on Babs shoulder and escorting all three away from everyone. The crowd began to resume their conversations and behaviors as Wally and Jessi hopped up out of the pool. Kaldur gave Jacob a warm smile before he turned away, Tula smiling and giving a small wave at him before following after Kaldur. Jessi and Wally rushed up to Jacob as Oliver drapped a towel around his shoulders and began to nudge him over to where Laurel and Iris were sitting.
"Did you see that!" Wally asked waving his hands. "It was all, wooosh and then splash!"
"I've heard of Atlantean sorcery but ive never seen it in person!" Jessi squealed, walking along with them.
"Magic isnt real!" Wally argued, padding alongside Oliver. "It had to be some sort of technology."
"Yes it is!" Jessi shot back. "Isnt that right, Oliver?"
"Well i have dealt with a few bad guys who have done some incredible things," he offered, hand on Jacobs shoulder. His input had no effect on Wally.
"No way!" He insisted, before running up to Barry. "Dad is magic real?"
Barry hesistated, looking to Iris for help.
"Don't look at me," she laughed, "Your the scientist."
"Well...it...kind of…" Barry babbled, scratching his head as his son jumped up and down in front of him. "Arthur C Clarke said…"
"I know i know," Wally finished. "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. But doesn't that mean magic doesn't exist?"
"No, that means both can exist!" Jessi pointed out, causing Iris to laugh again, Oliver cracking a grin.
The two continued to argue as Laurel held out her arms and beckoned Jacob over to her. He smiled and obeyed, sitting down in front of her and letting her wrap her arms around him in a hug.
"You alright?" She asked snuggling against him.
"I need to learn to swim," he replied glumly.
Laurel chuckled, giving him a squeeze before letting him go and leaning back. She looked around, seeing Bruce huddling his kids around him and taking in such a low voice, she couldn't hear him. Oliver tapped her hand, Laurel turning to look at him. He gave her a slight shake of his head. She squeezed his hand in response, smiling sadly before noticing Thea walking up.
She wore a bright red sundress, with flecks of black dotting the fabric along with red strappy sandals and a carnation tucked into her hair. The bright hue made her skin look like porcelain, elegant and fragile. Laurel smiled widely, impressed by the young girls style and waved to her. Oliver turned around at the motion, whistling once he caught sight of his sister.
"Woah, look at you," He commented, eyes widening. "You finally stopped arguing with Raisa?"
"She was worried i was going to get too dirty," Thea laughed. "I wanted to look pretty."
"Well you certainly do," Iris replied, causing Barry to nod his head in agreement.
"Don't you agree Jacob?" Laurel asked, nudging him.
He stared at Thea for what seemed like endless seconds.
"I…" He started, throat suddenly going dry on him and making him cough. He nodded vigorously in response, causing Thea to blush and shy away.
"Come on guys," Oliver laughed, changing the subject. "Let's head up to the balcony, get a good view of the fireworks."
Everyone muttered there agreement, Wally jumping up and cheering as Oliver led the way. Thea fell in step beside Jacob as they walked, poking at the towl covering his shoulders.
"Did i miss something?" She asked, frowning.
"Just some messing around," Jessi answered from behind them a few steps.
"Gotta keep those wings dry, blackbird," Thea joked, leaning in close to him. "You can't fly otherwise."
Jacob heard Laurel chuckle from behind him as he blushed.
"You look…" He started, stopping to swallow hard before trying again. "You look really pretty."
"Thank you," Thea muttured, blushing and holding her hands up to her face. The gesture made her look even more beautiful to Jacob.
"Come on guys!" Wally shouted from the front, making a hurry up motion with his arms before turning and taking off. Jessi rushed past both Jacob and Thea to chase after him.
They made their way up to the main house, a race starting to form amongst the kids as they sped up the stairs and out towards the door leading to the balcony. Jessi made it there first, unlatching the door and swinging it open for the others to run up. They all rushed forwards to the railing, wowing at the great view and spotting Harrison setting out a dozen bright silver containers with Cisco helping him. The children waved at the two, Cisco tapping on Wells shoulder and pointing up. The two waved widely before turning and pulling a remote out of the last box and retreating a good distance away. A microphone screech echoed around the grounds before Joe West's booming voice replaced it.
"If i can have everyone's attention. The fireworks are going to start in the next few minutes."
Cheers rang out all around the crowd. The kids watched as everyone began climbing out of the pool and started rearranging their chairs towards Wells and Cisco. Wells held up the remote while the crowd started counting down from 10. As they reached zero, he pressed a few buttons and multiple lines of color shot up into the sky, exploding into a veritable starburst of colors and patterns.
Jacob closed his eyes at the boom of the explosion, starting to shake as the bad memories began to play in his mind. Laurel looked down and noticed his discomfort, pulling him close to her and brushing her hand through his hair. He continued to shut his eyes, shaking more and more. Thea slowly took a step back from the rail, as to not be noticed and came to his side. Very slowly and carefully, she reached out for Jacobs hand, trying not to look away from the fireworks. She found it, interlacing her fingers with his and sneaking a look at him. He had stopped shaking and his eyes were open, looking directly at her. She turned and smiled at him, tightening her grip on his hand before nodding towards the display. A bright smile lit up his face as he turned his gaze towards the colors and patterns, thumb beginning to brush against hers.