Sins of our Fathers
Chapter Five
Felicia's house was everything Davian expected it to be.
It dwarfed the other residences in the elegant locality of upper Manhattan.
A fantastic piece of architecture, the mansion sparkled with an array of lights, a beacon of unrivaled opulence. The wide driveway, manicured lawns, and tastefully furnished exteriors screamed of wealth and luxury.
The mansion, a three-story marvel, stood beautifully against the twilight. Each detail of the building was a testament to the refined taste of its owners. The grey stone bricks, the Elizabethan roof, and the Gothic twin pillars by the entrance were things most people could only dream about.
Upon entering the main door, the grand foyer, adorned with antique mirrors and gorgeous chandeliers, instantly took Davian by surprise. He paused, appreciating the array of luxurious artifacts for a moment before shaking away his awe.
Tonight wasn't about architecture.
Tonight was about taking a break.
Lord knows he needed it.
As he stepped out to the back, the party came into full view. The vast backyard was abuzz with the chatter and laughter of the city's elite teenagers. The open arcade hosted a massive gathering: the lucky invitees of Felicia's soiree. Fashionably dressed in casual wear and sleek suits, the young crowd was surely enjoying the applaudable extravagance.
A stage was set at the center of the yard, currently occupied by a DJ playing popular tunes. The lawn was filled with picnic tables and lawn chairs, an open bar serving up varieties of delicious treats, and a dance floor teeming with teenagers and young adults swaying to the popular beats.
Under the fresh night sky, strung fairy lights twirled and twinkled in synchrony with the music while colorful lanterns suspended from trees swayed in the night breeze.
Near the pool, a group of girls lounged on the poolside seats, their laughter carrying over the ambient noises. Boys, flaunting their swim trunks, engaged in rounds of belly flop contests in the pool. Their grotesque displays of leaps and dives sent tidal waves of water onto the spectators, whose gasps matched the volume of the crowd's excited cheers.
Every corner he turned presented a new spectacle.
This party wasn't just about good music and free food; it was about the buzz, the vibe, and the thrill it offered.
Felicia really knew how to throw a party.
Peter didn't make it to the party.
It was predictable, considering the words exchanged between him and Gwen. It had been a spat, a loud, harshly vocal one at that. Davian heard about it later that same night, and his attempts to broker peace were fruitless.
The argument had been loaded.
Peter was hurt, not just because Gwen had chosen Flash over him, but because she had so blatantly done so just to hurt him.
Gwen, on the other hand, was a mess. The guilt etched on her face was evident, and she was not in a good place.
Peter was usually a bundle of positive energy, bouncing around the place with his camera and nerdy talks. But today at school, he was somber, hurt, and trying to navigate this newfound territory of despair.
He needed time and space.
Gwen was no different when Davian went to visit her.
For someone who was admired and adored by everyone around, seeing her so lost was difficult. Her quiet demeanor and distant gaze verified her inner turmoil.
Perhaps being left alone was what she wanted, what she needed.
She regretted her choices and regretted hurting Peter.
Neither of them was happy.
Davian wished he could take away Peter's pain, wipe Gwen's guilt off, and start things fresh.
But it was easier said than done.
The only decision he could make was to take a step back and give them their space.
Let the dust settle a bit; let them lick their wounds.
Time might not heal everything, but it often provides the perspective needed to understand things better.
After all, sometimes, it's the distance that brings people closer.
Or tears them apart.
After meandering around the scattered bunch of ecstatic teenagers, Davian finally managed to locate Felicia.
She was in her element, the center of attraction.
He approached her tentatively, immediately catching her attention.
Felicia didn't need words to register his sullen mood; a single glance at his expression sufficed.
A scoff escaped her lips, her hand swiftly swinging through the air in dismissal. "Wipe that look off your face, Dav," Felicia commanded in her usual nonchalant manner.
"This is a party," Felicia proclaimed emphatically before shoving a chilled glass into his hand. The frosty surface fogged under the evening air, a slick layer of moisture trickling down the sides. She raised her brows expectantly, her fingers pointing to the drink. "Not a funeral."
"I'm underage," Davian quickly quipped, eyeing her signature cocktail.
"So am I," counter-attacked Felicia, her lips curving upwards in a mischievous smile.
Davian figured he could humor her this once, so he took a tentative sip of the concoction.
There was an initial bitterness that hit his tongue, followed by a swirling aftertaste of sweetness. A strangely pleasing mix of the taste of citrus and berry, the warmth of alcohol leaving a brief sting on his tongue.
He let out a long sigh, a slight feeling of warmth spreading through his chest and extending to his fingertips.
Davian took note of Felicia's intense gaze on him.
Her eyes, reflecting the multicolored party lights, were raking carefully over him. It was a strange kind of scrutiny that he couldn't fully comprehend.
Was she laughing at his confusion or simply enjoying his minor discomfort?
With Felicia, you could never tell.
"You clean up good, Dav," Felicia's voice filled his ears. Her remark took him by surprise, a tinge of blush creeping onto his cheeks.
Davian had given serious thought to his clothes before showing up at the party.
His choice of attire was simple and classy - an appropriately decent pair of well-fitted black jeans and a crisp white button-down, the first couple of buttons left open. To comply with the chill of the evening, he'd paired the attire with a classic black leather jacket, the material cool against his skin.
A departure from his usual attire when he was out on the town.
His shoes were a comfortable pair: jet-black sneakers that gelled well with his attire. Yet, they were mostly overlooked, hidden under the slightly long denim.
His hair, usually a wild frenzy of unruly curls, was styled neatly to frame his face. A sharp departure from his usual careless appearance, he had made sure he looked presentable for his first social event outside the superhero realm.
And going by Felicia's comment, he assumed his efforts paid off.
Davian chuckled lightly, rubbing the back of his neck in slight embarrassment. "I tried my best," he confessed, a shy smile playing at the corners of his lips.
His admittance sparked a soft chuckle from Felicia, her eyes gleaming with pure amusement.
"What about me?" she asked, a playful lilt in her faintly husked voice. With a graceful sweep of her arm, she motioned towards herself.
Felicia had always had an impeccable taste when it came to fashion, but tonight she was breathtaking. Clothed in a knee-length black cocktail dress, she looked positively radiant. The sleek material of the dress fell perfectly onto her slender frame, showcasing her admirable physique.
The dress had minimalistic patterns of lace and gauze, creating a beautiful contrast against her fair skin. The off-shoulder design revealed her toned arms and collarbone, adding an elegant poise to her overall appearance.
To complement her attire, she had opted for a pair of simple, strappy heels, adding to her charm. The soft black suede matched the dress, effortlessly elevating her height.
Around her neck, she had a delicate choker studded with tiny diamonds. They shimmered with every flutter of her movements, drawing the spectator's gaze to her.
Her hair, usually let loose, was done up in a chic bun, with stray tendrils framing her face. They added an aura of ethereal beauty to her overall charm, making her look enchanting.
With ever-so-subtle makeup highlighting her exquisite features and a light tint on her lips matching her flushed cheeks, Felicia looked nothing less than stunning.
Mocking her usual demeanor, Davian echoed Felicia's earlier question, "Don't you always clean up good?" A smirk played on his lips.
It was his turn to needle her.
Felicia rose to counter in kind, with an elegance that was uniquely hers. "Of course, love," she responded without missing a beat. She shot him a cheeky wink, her eyes twinkling in the soft glow of the surrounding lights. "But your opinion counts since you're my guest tonight."
Her words were draped in a tone of faux seriousness, flitting between playful banter and genuine interest in hearing his thoughts.
Davian only shrugged at her playful goading and moved a step closer, close enough that their personal spaces started to blur into one. He reached out, a finger gently brushing loose strands of hair away from her face in a manner surprisingly gentle for someone with such a rugged exterior.
"You look beautiful," he said, his voice dipping low as if he was confiding in her a secret. He glanced at her intently, words of appreciation hanging in the air between them. His voice was sincere, his eyes reflecting the same truth. "Dangerously so."
Almost immediately, that all-too-familiar victorious smirk flashed across Felicia's features. It was as if she had won a silent battle for his satisfaction, and he knew then that he had temporarily succumbed to her powers of persuasion.
But in that fleeting moment, Davian couldn't bother about feeding Felicia's ego.
She was beautiful, a blend of charm and danger rolled into a force he couldn't quite decode. Beauty, to him, was as thrilling as it was daunting, and he wouldn't shy away from admitting it.
Not today, not ever.
Felicia's drawled, honey-smooth words captured his attention. "Come with me. There are some people I want you to meet."
Before he could register, her soft arm snaked through his arm, linking them together. He felt the slight pressure of her leading him away from the vibrant heart of the party.
As they ventured off, they traversed through the energetic crowd towards a quieter section of the yard. Despite being a part of the lively party, it was secluded enough to offer an intimate feel. The soft strumming of the distance music and the laughing voices of partygoers laced the background, a comfortable bubble of noise blanketing their stroll.
Finding such a semi-private spot within the bustling environment was a pleasant surprise for Davian. He quirked a smile at Felicia, acknowledging her smart choice. She responded with a knowing wink, clearly pleased with herself.
As they ambled through the trimmed lawn, Davian decided to break their comfortable silence by pondering about something that had crossed his mind quite a few times.
"Felicia, where are your parents?" Davian questioned, his inquiries lined with curiosity. It surprised him that he'd been around the house a few times now, yet there was no evidence of any adult supervision.
Felicia chuckled, a sound that was as lovely as bells chiming on a Sunday morning. "Oh, they're always away," she answered nonchalantly, her bright eyes wandering over the scenery. "Be it for work or pleasure, they're quite the globe trotters."
The thought of Felicia living mostly alone elicited a pinch of sympathy within him. But her casual demeanor didn't paint any signs of loneliness.
His interest was piqued, "So, it's just you?"
Shaking her head amusedly, Felicia glanced up at Davian, a playful glint in her eyes.
"Not really," she clarified before adding, "I have a mentor. She's more of a family member, if anything."
From the tone of her voice, it was evident that this mentor held a special place in her heart. Davian decided not to delve further into the matter.
That knowledge would come with time and opportunity.
As they moved further into the secluded corner, Felicia let go of his arm, pivoting towards two women who were engaged in what looked like a heated debate. She turned to Davian and beckoned him to follow her.
"This is Tandy Bowen," she introduced when they reached the pair. Felicia was pointing towards a woman with blonde hair that cascaded neatly over her shoulders. Dressed in a bright blue jumpsuit, her refined elegance was in full display. Her striking green eyes bore a confident light, which added depth to her sophisticated vibe.
Tandy was the daughter of New York City's Police Commissioner. Looking at her small but controlling posture, it was easy to see where she got her authoritative demeanor and stubborn streak.
Even in the dim light of the party, Tandy's analytical gaze piercing through his defenses felt like a palpable force. It was evident that she was a woman of apt observations and sharp intellect, a total of her exposure as the daughter of the city's most influential Police Officer.
Sometimes, Davian often forgot the age difference between him and Felicia. She was older than him by almost a year, only a month away from turning nineteen before their graduation. Older in numbers but eternally youthful at heart, Felicia often made him forget that they didn't belong to the same grade.
"And this," Felicia gestured to the lady standing beside Tandy, who was clearly older than them, "is Selina Kyle." Davian's eyes moved towards the woman Felicia introduced as Selina.
Selina Kyle was different.
Davian could see it as plain as day.
The way she carried herself.
The way her eyes swept over him with practiced ease.
This woman was different from the rest.
And different made her dangerous.
Donning a chic black dress that graced her hourglass figure, Selina looked every bit as stunning as Felicia herself. Her short, curly hair juxtaposed her defiant and sparkly green eyes that held a mysterious allure.
"Lovely to meet you, Davian," Selina greeted him, her voice laced with elegance and a smoothness that reminded him of Felicia. Her sparkling green eyes held a playful glisten, much like her apprentice.
"Felicia has said a lot about you," Tandy chimed in, sending him a warm smile.
Her statement took him by surprise. He hadn't known that his name was a part of their conversations, future or present.
Felicia was quick to jump to his defense in her snappy way. "All good, of course," she added, patting his shoulder encouragingly. Letting out a soft chuckle, Davian nodded at the duo, extending a light 'Nice to meet you too.'
As Felicia moved towards Tandy, engaging in a light-hearted conversation, Davian turned his gaze back to Selina.
The woman was still sizing him up.
Selina's gaze bore into him, shadowed lightly by her dark lashes, yet keen and discerning. Erratic heartbeats beat against his chest as he noticed a slower version of the same calculating gaze that Felicia often wore.
The resemblance between Selina and Felicia was eerily uncanny, beyond physical appearances.
It was in the way they took control of situations with a certain finesse, their playfully menacing gazes, and those grins that held secrets that others could only guess.
Standing there under Selina's scrutiny, Davian came to a realization.
The commonality in their demeanor wasn't a coincidence. Felicia may have inherited a few attributes naturally, but a few others were undeniably picked up from Selina.
Given that Felicia was away from her parents for extended periods, it was natural for her to seek guidance from a figure like Selina.
But looking at the woman, who was far more mature and experienced, he wondered what life lessons Felicia was absorbing from her mentorship.
Despite his best attempts, his curiosity couldn't be contained.
Breaking the silence that had fallen between them, he finally spoke up, "What exactly do you do as a mentor, Ms. Kyle?" He tried to make his question sound as non-intrusive as possible.
Contrary to his expectations, Selina just laughed out loud at his question. The sound was infectious, causing Davian to smile along despite his confusion.
"Come now," her voice dropped into a playful purr, much like Felicia's, "a mentor's job can mean a lot of things."
Gaining her composure, she continued, "I guide her, provide support when she needs it, correct her when she stumbles, and above all, help her navigate a...complex world."
Her eyes softened.
"But, don't forget," her tone transformed to a mischievous one, "Sometimes, you don't teach. You just provide the experiences and let them learn."
His eyes flickered towards Felicia.
The question had been professionally avoided.
"And what exactly are you teaching her?" Davian asked. His question hung in the air, openly showing his curiosity. It wasn't a mere query. It was something that had been lurking in his mind for a while now.
Selina, however, didn't reveal anything directly.
Instead, she parried his question with an enigmatic smile, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
And then she got close.
So close that Davian could smell the perfume.
But her eyes gave away her intent.
And for the first time in a long time, Davian felt like he stumbled into a lion's den.
"Make no mistake, boy," she said after a heartbeat. Her voice dipped a notch, her words grounding him like an anchor. "Right now, you're just a curiosity to her. An itch she needs to scratch, and when she meets that need, you're going to let her go."
The severity of her statement hit him with an unexpected ferocity. Her words, her very demeanor, sunk into his ears.
At any other time, this statement would have been ignored, but Davian found it very hard to fight away that inch of doubt creeping into his mind.
He knew Felicia well, or at the very least better than most.
An itch that needed to be scratched?
Is that how Felicia saw him? A temporary distraction?
The thought engendered a wave of…doubt within him. He was not sure whether to feel offended by Selina's brutal honesty or appreciate her for her candidness.
Because her words weren't new because he felt them crawling at the back of his mind all the time.
And yet he banished them nonetheless.
"How would you know?" he countered, refusing to be pushed down by her sharp insinuations.
He braced up to stand his ground, to prove that he wasn't just another casualty of her charm but more to himself than anyone else.
"I don't know you well enough," Selina replied calmly. "But I've met a few good men in my time. And they always have the hardest time letting go. Don't be like them."
A profound silence hung around them, the moment pregnant with unspoken emotions.
Davian took in her words, feeling their weight seep in.
She was right.
Letting go was hard.
Maybe even impossible...if it came to that.
And that alone made him wonder.
Felicia chose that moment to rescue him.
She gracefully whisked him away from the more sober part of the party, leaving Selina and Tandy with polite goodbyes.
Selina just stared at him with that coy smile.
And he hated it.
They began to lazily drift back towards the center of the festivities. The infectious enthusiasm of the party seeped back into their surroundings as they made their way out of the seclusion.
Her favorite song began to play, making Felicia's eyes light up in excitement. The song, a catchy pop number that seemed to have swept most of the town off its feet, was about to begin. You could tell that Felicia was itching to move to the playful beats.
Though Davian made an effort to lighten his expression, masking his thoughts under false cheerfulness, Felicia wasn't fooled easily.
She cast him a side glance, concern shadowing her usually playful eyes. "What did Selina say?" she prodded curiously.
It was not his place to tell Felicia about her mentor's concerns. "Nothing of consequence," he replied, stubbornly hedging.
Felicia didn't buy his evasion.
She shot him a knowing look, seeing right through his attempt to avoid the subject.
"That's not true," she retorted, challenging him with her direct gaze.
Davian let out a sigh, recognizing the futility of his weak attempt at deflection. Looking at her expectant face, he decided to tell her.
"Selina is concerned...about you...about me, us," Davian admitted reluctantly. He watched as her brow furrowed, trying to make sense of his cryptic statement.
"She means well, Davian," Felicia said, her voice reassuring. His admission didn't fluster her but rather seemed at ease with it. Just as she always was. "Anything she told you, take it with a grain of salt. That woman's been burned more times than you can imagine."
With a quick squeeze of his arm, she offered him a smile, her eyes conveying a silent message of trust.
She genuinely believed that Selina was driven by her best interests, albeit in a more vigilante sort of way.
The evening wore on, with Davian's mind regaining its equilibrium. He found comfort in Felicia's casual shrug of concern she showed towards Selina's assertions.
It quieted the doubt.
Felicia's eyes suddenly sparkled at the familiar chords chiming through the party, a thrilling sensation coursing through the crowd once they recognized the tune.
"Ooh, I love this song," she squealed in delight before hastily pulling Davian behind her towards the dance floor.
A bold energy infused the crowd the moment the melody started to play. The anticipation of what was coming next charged the ambiance, continually amplifying the party's already feverish life.
The DJ blared out the music, casting a net of ringing notes over the mass of swaying bodies. Once the song kicked in, the crowd joined in with an irresistible fervor, resonating with the eclectic blend of rhythm and tune.
Looking at Felicia at that moment, Davian saw an elated spark in her. Singing along, she swayed with the rhythm, being one with the music.
He didn't mind this music, but Felicia held a different opinion.
And she was a sight to behold.
The up-swinging bass of the song, "Drugs got me sweatin', but the room gettin' colder..." echoed loud and clear. Yet against the cacophony of mingled voices belting along with every word, Felicia's upbeat voice stood out, fervently singing the lyrics.
"...Lookin' at the devil and the angel on my shoulder." Her voice crashed against his senses, the mesmerizing effect making him get lost in her world.
Her angelic face lit up, eyes twinkling in the ambient lighting as she sang along.
A collective euphoria spread through the crowd as the song intensified. From a distance, Davian watched Felicia become a part of it, her enthusiasm contagious. His heart pounded with an inherent rhythm, the infectious electricity of the gathering taking control of every sense.
"Will I die tonight? I don't know, is it over?" The lyrics rang loud against his ears, pulling him deeper into the prevailing chaos mounting his curiosity even further.
Still singing, Felicia glanced back at Davian, her eyes meeting his amidst the sea of echoing voices, "Lookin' for my next high. I'm lookin' for closure." Her gaze, intense and captivating, seemed to communicate an emotion he couldn't figure out.
Davian found himself entranced, even amidst the tempestuous party, her voice and gaze pulling him into a world composed only of them, their background fading into oblivion.
In a swift movement that Davian didn't see coming, Felicia tugged him by his shirt, pulling him down towards her. Before he could react, she landed her lips on his in a heated, passionate kiss.
He responded almost immediately, his thoughts clouded by the intoxicating rush of sudden intimacy. Amidst the euphoria induced by the music and the crowd, their world seemed to narrow down to just the two of them.
His mind went temporarily blank.
Time fell into an unnoticeable shift, and the world outside his senses disappeared.
And there was only Felicia.
The taste. The feeling. The thrill.
It was intoxicating.
Against the boisterous backdrop of the DJ blaring out the next lyrics - "Let's get too high, reach a new height," Davian felt a surge of exhilaration like never before.
His heart pounded in his chest, the heaviness of the unexpected kiss mingling with the escalating tempo of the song. Each flutter of her lashes against his skin, every gasp they stole in between their passionate exchange, ignited a fire within him he had seldom known. His fingertips traced the curvature of her heated face, lost in the softness of her skin.
The taste of her lips was like a drug, and he was hooked.
The delightful feeling of having her this close—the sensation dulled the outside world into nothingness. It was as if every lyric of the song was spoken exclusively about them. His mind was a haze of thoughts, Felicia at its center.
"Take the shrooms and the pills at the same time. Took too many drugs, now I don't feel right." Davian was soaring on a high, the heady mix of the kiss and the pulsating beats pushing him towards the edge.
He broke away from the kiss, gasping for air, his gaze lingering on Felicia's flushed face. Her lips were swollen from their intense exchange, her breaths coming out in ragged, unsteady pants. The sight of her in such a state sent another wave of desire coursing through him.
Davian missed the end of the song.
It was all a blur.
The disentangled fringes of his conscience struggled to regain some semblance of a timeline. Davian couldn't remember when or how they escaped the throbbing dance floor, their bodies entwined in a trance-like rhythm of their own.
What stood crystal clear among the muddled twists and turns of the evening were his pulsating emotions.
As Felicia's hand enclosed around his, tugging him through the vibrant party and up a grand staircase to a serene balcony, he found himself entangled in a web of feelings he'd never experienced before.
In her sprawling mansion's quiet corner, under the gentle glow of the moonlight, Felicia pressed her back to his chest, forcing his hands onto her hips with a confident approach that left him utterly spellbound. His fingers traced the curve of her slender waist, the heated skin hidden underneath the fabric of her dress sending a tingling sensation pulsating through his veins.
With a carefree giggle, she reached up to play with the tresses that hung loosely over his forehead. Her delicate fingers sifted through his hair, a comforting rhythm following them.
The proximity allowed her to fill her lungs with his intoxicating scent—an intriguing blend of musky cologne and the faint smell of the sea, a distinct signature that was so characteristically Davian.
"Can you stay the night?" Felicia's voice cut through the solitude, so soft that he barely heard her amidst the murmur of the distant party. Her fingers ceased their rhythm through his hair, waiting for his response.
Davian froze.
Her tone held a raw sincerity that Davian hadn't heard before. It wasn't the usual teasing Felicia he was familiar with.
It was a Felicia who seemed stripped of her flamboyant exterior, replaced by a vulnerability that felt as real as the cool night air around them.
Her voice held an underlying tone of need, contradicting the independent, self-assured facade she frequently paraded around with.
It didn't sound like a careless, spontaneous request; more like a concealed plea, subtly sighing its need beneath the shroud of her usually playful demeanor.
The desire in her voice was palpable— a burning need. Her eyes now mirrored the same feelings of hunger and uncertainty that had begun to form a cloud around his own heart.
In the midst of a lively party, their bubble of peace bore an intimacy that drowned the outside world to a distant murmur.
All that mattered was the silent conversation their eyes were having.
Davian was so close to saying 'yes,' but a sudden intrusion disrupted his thoughts.
His phone buzzed violently in his pocket.
Felicia cursed under her breath, a faint frown dampening her previously lit face as Davian stooped to answer his phone.
Reading out the name flashed across the screen, he mumbled, "Ms. Parker?"
He couldn't fathom why she'd call him so late in the night.
With a quizzical and apologetic glance at Felicia, Davian stepped away before answering the call.
Through the sound of choked sobs and strained words, Aunt May asked him to stop by their house.
Her voice filled with an uncharacteristic tremble, but the words reached his ears nonetheless.
Benjamin Parker had been shot.
He didn't make it.
The phone broke in Davian's hand.