Ut Novum Dies Elucescat: The Wyvern Arrives Part XXX
As always all characters are fictional. Wyvern, Deus, and Reaver are my characters. All other characters/locations are copyright of DC Comics and their respective creators.
"So, everything has worked out in regards to you and Kara?" Bruce had finally decided to broach the subject before bringing up the Japan trip.
"Oh dear Christ Almighty, mitera has GOT to get you into a clinic or something. You're skill at small talk SUCKS!" CJ knew he shouldn't be such a smart-ass, but, he really couldn't help himself.
"Well, you'll forgive me if I'm a bit out of my comfort zone here son, I've never really been much of a father. I haven't had a great deal of success in this department." Bruce glanced away from the main computer in the Batcave to look at his son, and instantly saw that his sarcastic side was making an extended appearance today.
"Well, if you always have 'The Talk' down here, that may be part of the problem. Let's face it dad, the Cave isn't exactly conducive to giving the warm fuzzy feeling." CJ smirked, knowing back-up was soon to arrive.
"Perhaps a change in lighting would help to improve the ambiance somewhat Master Christian?" Alfred quipped as he strode forward to deliver a fresh carafe of coffee.
"Ooh, great idea Alfred, Home Makeover: Superhero Edition." CJ chuckled as his father pinched the bridge of his nose, his son and his oldest friend and foster father were going to drive him towards a stay in Arkham.
"Sorry dad, I'll be serious now. In regards to your previous statement, I've got to disagree. You were a good father to me, don't ever doubt that. As to your first question; yes, Kara and I have worked everything out." CJ kept his face neutral as he spoke.
"Define everything… did you sleep with her?" Bruce knew they had, Diana told him that they were good for each other, but he wanted to hear it from his son.
"No, I didn't do something as base as sleeping with her. We made love yes, but it is much more than just 'sleeping together'." his son actually scoffed at the question.
"What do you mean made love?" Bruce couldn't believe those words had issued from his son's mouth.
"Well, when a man and a woman really care for each other, they have a very special hug that they-"
"CHRISTIAN!" Bruce bellowed, already at his limit with his son's sarcastic streak.
Diana paused in her talk with Kara. She'd sensed something from her son that reminded her of the many times she had unabashedly teased Bruce.
"Everything okay Diana?" Kara leaned forward, an expression of concern on her face as Diana had paused in bringing her cup of tea to her mouth.
"Oh thisavros, please tell me you aren't going overboard with your sarcasm today." Diana pleaded. She wanted her son and the one that she truly loved to be on better terms, but Bruce didn't respond well to flippancy. (Even Dick only got so much leeway in that smart ass department.)
"Rao help me… if Boo Bear got to the 'special hug' line his dad is gonna go ballistic." Kara actually giggled at the thought of her lover and his father sparring. (Verbally she hoped, she didn't want CJ to actually hurt his old man…)
"Oh Pallas help me, he actually had this planned?" Diana almost refuses to think it possible, then she sees Kara's guilty smile.
"You know your son Diana, everything's planned like a chess game. Even irritating his father." Kara giggled.
"He better be glad he's too grown up for Bruce to take him over his knee." Diana groused. Her son was entirely too flippant… that would have to change.
"Please, we all know you'd gladly takes CJ's place." Kara grinned evilly as Diana sputtered into her tea. Now she also had to deal with her son corrupting Kara…
He'd switched to Japanese a while ago and was very pleased that his son was more that fluent.
"I can tell you're holding back son." Bruce was still using Japanese, and was thankful that his son wasn't as flippant now.
"Yeah, well all my jokes don't really translate well. And wipe that look off your face. Mom hates it when you're insufferable." CJ joked, drawing a smile from his father.
"The other things I need to discuss is my bodyguard and your girlfriend." Bruce seemed very loath to approach these particular points.
"I will have my lover with me in my own suite, so that's not going to be a problem." CJ spoke up. "Let's just hope that Lucius isn't in one of his… moods?"
Bruce's face dropped as his son spoke, the conversation was spiraling right where he didn't want it to be… out of his control.
"Oh dear God, he did do this while in one of his moods didn't he?" CJ grimaced. "How bad is it?"
"So, what exactly do you plan on doing while Bruce and CJ are in Japan?" Kara asked, innocence seeming to shine from her eyes as she spoke.
"Oh, I think I'll be able to occupy myself. Someone has to keep those two out of trouble." Diana smirked, Kara was good at this. Her son must have given her some pointers.
"Really, Agent Diana Prince is making an appearance?" Kara grinned.
"Yes, and why do you seem so happy about that fact?" Diana could see the devil dancing in Kara's eyes.
"Just thinking of how much fun it'll me making our boy-toys hold the bags on our shopping trip." Kara eyes twinkled evilly as she spoke.
"Wait, let me get this straight. Lucius, in a fit of I don't know what the holy fuck to call it, got mom's Diana Prince identity as your personal bodyguard? Did you forget his birthday this year?" CJ couldn't believe that Lucius would do something like this, it was EPIC!
"Stop grinning Christian, it is NOT funny." Bruce groused.
"Oh come on dad, you have to give Lucius props for that stratagem. He put you on the defensive with one move." CJ grinned at his father.
"Perhaps we should invite Miss Diana over for dinner this evening?" Alfred suggested. Bruce turned his glare at his foster father, but CJ beat him to speaking.
"Sounds great, I'll call Kara and have her extend the invite." CJ pulled out his cell and dialed his lover.
"CHRISTIAN WAYNE!"
Kara moved the phone away from her ear when she heard Bruce's bellow.
"Shit Boo Bear, give a girl some warning will ya?" Kara grumbled. "Your mother could've heard that on Themyscira."
"Pallas give me the strength to not strangle them both." Diana whispered. Her eyes were drawn up when Kara tapped her with her cell phone.
"What thisavros?" Diana asked whilst rolling her eyes.
"Would you and Kara be so kind as to come over to Wayne Manor for a family dinner?" CJ cut right to the chase.
"Will I be catching your father in a bad mood?" Diana really hoped she wouldn't
"No worries mitera, I'll get him calmed down." CJ spoke with all seriousness.
"Yes, because sarcasm works so very well on your father." Diana groused.
"I promise mitera, I'll lay off the sarcasm until dinner." CJ spoke with a tone of sincerity.
"Fine, we'll be there for dinner." Diana answered as she disconnected the phone, not really registering that her son had only offered a short reprieve from his witty remarks.
"Alright, they'll be over in a couple of hours." CJ spoke up as he put his cell phone back in it's holster. "I guess it's too late to say that I'd be perfectly happy with burgers and fries?" he looked at Alfred hopefully as he spoke.
"Master Christian really, this is a formal meal with your parents and Miss Kara. I hardly think your menu choice to be appropriate." Alfred scolded.
"Yeah well, it was worth a shot." CJ muttered, drawing an actual grin from his father.
A short while later CJ got up from his seat and made his way towards the Manor proper.
"Okay, that does it for the updates to security and integration. I'm gonna grab a shower and change." CJ grabbed the duffel bag he'd brought and made his way to the room that Alfred always had prepared for him.
"Perhaps we can see if Masters Richard and Timothy can join us as well." Alfred suggested.
"Not this time old friend. Nightwing is currently working a case in Bludhaven and Red Robin is on mission with the Titans." Bruce supplied.
"Oh well, there are always the holidays. Perhaps you could even take Master Christian Trick-or-Treating?" Alfred quipped.
"Why is it that everyone is in the mood for flippancy today?" Bruce groused as Alfred simply smirked.
Diana didn't know what she was going to be walking into as she approached the main door to Wayne Manor, but the smile Alfred graved her with was an indicator that it wouldn't be nearly as bad as she feared. Kara had been longer than normal picking out an outfit for this dinner. (A fact the Diana had teased her about on the trip over.) As she and Kara entered the spacious living room she did in fact find the man she loved and their son locked in battle - facing each other down over a chessboard.
"Hey Boo Bear, where's your dad's queen?" Kara inquired as she draped her arms across CJ's shoulders. In response he pointed to a collection of the said piece, along with several pawns, a bishop and rook.
"I still think we should have played Go." CJ quipped, his lips quirked up in that half smirk that drove Kara crazy at times.
"Yes, because me challenging a person that is above genius level on the most advanced I.Q tests to any game is not a losing proposition." Bruce could only see one move, it would prolong the game a few more moves and maybe give him the chance to promote one of his few remaining pawns. He went with the most logical move.
"Checkmate. Good game dad, most people I've played don't make it past my initial moves." CJ spoke without any sort of gloating quality to his voice.
"Just be glad you didn't try to face him in a fighting game… he turtles." Kara grumbled.
"You're never going to let that go are you?" CJ laughed.
"You let me get you down the 10% health then proceeded to wipe the floor with my character!" Kara pouted.
"Sorry, if it makes you feel better I'll spring for an additional shopping trip while we're in Japan." CJ compromised as he placed a warm and gentle kiss on Kara's pouting lips.
"I'm terribly sorry to interrupt Master Christian, however, dinner is served." Alfred spoke up after a soft throat clearing.
As they sat down for the dinner CJ and Kara both looked less tense than they had when Diana had arrived unexpectedly a few days prior. Before Diana could do more than smile at the two young lovers Alfred came bustling out of the kitchen, the cart that he'd taken to using for larger family meals was polished to a mirror sheen.
"I do hope that Masters Richard and Timothy can join us for the next family dinner. It doesn't seem like a proper family gathering without them present." Alfred sighed as he began serving the meal he'd prepared. CJ glanced at his parents, Bruce was fighting to hold back a scowl while Diana was fighting to keep from laughing.
"To begin the meal, we are starting with my handmade Risotto." Alfred sat the plates down with a flourish and began to move around placing drinks for each person at the table.
"Alfred, why are you placing a glass of Merlot in front of me?" CJ glanced at the , no doubt exquisite, wine before him. He was on the far side of twenty while Kara was nineteen. Even on the rare instances that he'd returned to the land of his birth he'd never partaken in the fruit of the vine.
"Oh, live a little for once Chris, just for me?" the voice made CJ close his eyes and expel a long breath while Diana's eyes widened.
"Lady Aphrodite, what brings you before my family this night?" Diana asked as she bowed before one of her patron goddesses.
"Meh, just got the 411 on a little tidbit of info that made my millennium and decided that I'd share. You don't mind, do you Chris?" Aphrodite asked as she reached for CJ's wine glass. CJ motioned to the love goddess to proceed, both with the wine and her explanation.
'Why does it seem like she knows more than she's letting on. I know Boo Bear said she was happy that we'd consummated our relationship, but what else could she be-' Kara's eyes widened as an unexpected scenario encroached unbidden into her mind.
'Oh Rao, I can't be pregnant, can I? I thought we were careful, but what if this is one of those times that outside factors conspire to put us in a situation we aren't planning for. Oh, Diana's gonna fucking kill me!' Kara calmed somewhat when CJ placed his hand over hers and gave a gentle squeeze.
"Damn, this is good. You sir, have excellent taste." Aphrodite turned and saluted Alfred with her upraised wineglass. As she took another sip she heard CJ clear his throat. As she followed his gaze she couldn't help but giggle as she saw the panicked look on Kara's face.
"Oh, don't worry Kara, you still have at least a nickel to wait before you and CJ start your family. You still have to get hitched first." she smiled as Kara visibly calmed.
"Not that I'm ungrateful for your letting Kara's heart rate return to normal, but, what is this news that you received that has you so happy Aphrodite?" CJ's tone was less than amused, a feeling that was reflected in Bruce's stony gaze.
"Well, the news is more for your parents than for you Chris." as she turned towards the aforementioned parties she felt CJ's hand clamp down over her wrist. Before Diana could voice a protest Aphrodite locked eyes with CJ and seemed to communicate something. As CJ released her wrist she turned to Bruce and Diana, her smile now wider.
"This is going to be a little chat about destiny. Ya see Bats… do you mind if I call you Bruce?" the only response Aphrodite got was that the man in questions gaze grew, if anything, colder. "Oookay… sticking with Bats."
"Might want to speed this up before you get frostbite Aphrodite." CJ deadpanned.
"Right, so… CJ and Kara, you two have probably already guessed it, but you two are destined." she delighted in the nearly blinding smile she saw from Kara. "Likewise Chris, your parents are also destined, despite every attempt your daddy has made to try and torpedo my inevitable victory." Aphrodite paused when she heard Bruce scoff. "Oh, so you don't love Diana?"
"You already know the answer to that question, so why try to draw this out with a denial. Get to the point." Bruce practically growled.
"So forceful, I can see why you're a better fit than the flying pretty boy. He's nice to look at, but a bit to soft in the balls category, if you catch my meaning." the love goddess smirked.
"Lady Aphrodite?!" Diana voice had risen a few octaves due to embarrassment.
"Fine," Aphrodite huffed "no poking fun at the adopted brother." Diana thought she heard something that sounded like 'interfering douche' as she drained the rest of her glass of wine.
'Hera give me strength and patience.' Diana silently prayed.
"You appear to be running out of you not insubstantial reserves Diana." the queen of Mount Olympus spoke as she appeared in the dining room.
"Alfred should've set more places." Kara quipped, then squirmed when CJ pinched her side. (He knew she was ticklish.)
As CJ took in the scene unfolding he noticed that Hera had 'back-up' with her.
"Any particular reason you have Pallas and Artemis with you Hera? I would not think Aphrodite to be overly difficult to take back to Olympus." for some unknown reason CJ was on the defensive, this whole situation seemed off for some reason.
"I have two pieces of good news for you Diana, one: Aphrodite is correct in her statement." Hera was choosing to ignore CJ's question for the time being. "Two: I intend to prove to your stubborn paramour that you can and will be together."
"And how, pray tell, do you intend to do that?" Bruce bit out.
"Please know that this is not our first choice in doing this." Artemis spoke up.
"Lady Artemis, what do you mean to…" Diana's words trailed off into shocked silence as she gazed upon a fifth form that had appeared without warning. "ARES!"
At his mother's outburst CJ's gaze had snapped over to the war god and untamable rage tore through his soul. Kara gasped as she saw the Deceiver trespass upon Wayne Manor, an arrogant grin upon his face.
CJ's eyes widened even as his pupils contracted to furious slits and anger caused his irises to glow with an azure fire. Before anyone could utter a word CJ moved. For the first time Bruce and Diana observed the speed of their son as he seemed to disappear from his seat at the table (his chair starting to slide back a few inches) only to appear at Athena's side. The sound of a sword being forcibly drawn from it's sheath seemed to startle Diana out of her shocked state.
"Thisavros!" her cry took longer to utter than the course of action her son initiated. After he'd procured the sword, he turned and moved to attack Ares without waiting for an explanation. The magically forged blade easily parted the armor over the war god's left breast, allowing the blade to slide effortlessly between ribs and into the soft vulnerable tissue of Ares' heart. As Diana's cry echoed in the room CJ violently twisted the blade and tore it from it's home in the stunned Olympian's chest. Without pause CJ's body rotated as Ares sank down to his knees, his strength fleeing due to the grievous wound.
"Kokoro shizukani shine!" CJ's voice was devoid of emotion as he spoke, his sword arm causing the blood soaked blade to sing as it descended towards the unprotected neck of Ares. With a sickening sound that Kara would never forget (and hoped she would never hear again) the head of Ares came flying off of his shoulders.
A/N: I want to apologize for how long it took to get this chapter done. Real life issues and a bad case of writer's block on how to proceed delayed this. I hope that I don't have any more such lapses, but I can't promise that. Thanks to all those who have been waiting for an update and I again apologize for the delay.
A/N 2: I'm going to be posting longer chapters going forward both due to suggestions from reviews and because it's easier to write this way without feeling like I'm making the story stutter. Any and all reviews are welcome and we'll see if the glimpse into the darkness in CJ's soul makes another appearance in the story.
A/N 3: Rough translation on last line CJ spoke - May your heart be at peace as you die.