"Happy 18th birthday!" Russell said as both Charlie and Quinn made their way downstairs, he had managed to make pancakes without burning them, and following the instructions on the box, and he had realized he could microwave bacon which meant there was bacon and fresh maple syrup, courtesy of Frannie. And he hoped that they would like the present that he had for them. He had gotten it the other day from one of Artemis's lawyers, he hadn't looked at it, as it was just a USB.
"Thanks dad," Quinn said with a bit of a yawn as she took a seat at the island, just as her father poured her a cup of coffee. It was what their mom had used to do, she glances over at Charlie who opened the fridge and grabbed her monster, before stealing a pancake and using it as a wrap for her bacon before biting into it.
Charlie grunted when she felt her fathers eyes on her, like he was expecting something from her. "It's not my birthday. Leap year baby dad."
"I know that," Russell said with a roll of his eyes. "I was there. Your mother was not pleased that you took your sweet time coming." He rolls his eyes when Charlie pushes the pancake bacon monstrosity into her mouth. "Anyway, I have a present for you, if you've got time before school." Russell said, pushing the small box towards the two of them. "This gift isn't from me, you'll get my gift after school—"
"It's a party isn't it?" Quinn interrupts taking the box and opening it and pulling out the USB and smacking Charlie on the arm to pull out her laptop.
"A surprise party? Dad, no one in this family likes surprises!"
"It's not a surprise party."
"Then what is it?" Charlie questions, narrowing her eyes at him.
Quinn snorted as she pulled her laptop out of her backpack and turned it on as she plugs the USB in, only for a window to pop out revealing a single video file, and she feels her heart freeze as she smacks Charlie and motions towards her screen.
Charlie looks at the file and the title, and her mouth goes dry. "Doodlebug and Firefly. Grandma?"
"It came from her estate, arrived last night and was handed to me. I haven't watched it, but there was some contact information from her lawyer, who says to call him when you're ready."
"Should we watch it now?" Quinn asks, her voice low.
Charlie glances at her father, who holds his hands up. "I need to head back to LA, I've got some meetings with some people, but I'll be back later to give you two your gifts, Charlie if you could—" A portal opens up beside him and with a shake of his head he enters the portal.
Charlie waits until he's through and shuts the portal and looks at Quinn and points to the television, "We can plug it in the back," she said as Quinn ejects the USB and hands it to her and she plugs it in as Quinn switches on the television, and immediately opens up the file. She glances over and sees Quinn's hand shaking and touches her twin. "It's just grandma, Doodlebug."
"Oh shut up," Quinn says swallowing before she hits play and the video begins with their grandmother sitting there in front of the camera with a gentle smile on her face.
'My dearest grandchildren Lucy and Charlie, if you're getting this then something must have happened to me and your grandfather. I am so sorry that you needed to go through this pain. I am so sorry that I can not guide you further, but you two are strong and while it will hurt, while this must feel like an open wound that will never heal, I promise you that it will get better.'
Artemis's tone was soft, and Quinn swallows the lump in her throat, and glances over at Charlie who looks like she's desperately trying not to cry.
'I am sorry for the burden that I am about to place on your shoulders, but I need you to keep these words with you as you two will be the ones that lead this family into the future. So please carry my words with you in the years to come. I need you to know that the two of you will make mistakes in your life, you are young and the world is cruel, and I fear that you may harden your hearts to protect yourselves like I did. That is a mistake. I need you to know that you will go through trials and tribulations and at times it will feel like you are Atlas holding the world on your shoulders, and keeping the world from falling into ruin. I have trained you to the best of my ability and I know that I was harsh, I know that at times I could be demanding but I did it out of love. Our strength invites challenge, and the challenges ahead—'
Artemis pauses and looks down at her hands for a moment, 'The challenges ahead, will test you and you must not bend, you must stay true to the people I know you to be. The very best versions of yourself. I hope that you will know love like I did, your grandfather saved me. I never wanted to get married, I never wanted all of this, but the joy that I felt seeing my grandchildren grow into the women that they are—and it will be difficult, and there may be loss, and for that I am sorry that I will not be there to dry your tears and help you get through it. And even though I am placing this all on you and I expect so much from you, and I know that you will both smash my expectations because the two of you have been doing that your entire life, and I just wanted you to enjoy it to make friends, to grow as people. You two are my greatest hope and perhaps you will be the ones to do what I could never do. Usher this world into peace.'
Quinn wiped at her eyes with the back of her hand, her eyes had begun to blur and she didn't want to miss a second of this, not even one.
'A new chapter is beginning in your lives right now and it will be a chapter filled with turbulence and growth. Lucy, oh my sweet Quinn the world is there for your taking. Your ideas and determination and the war chest that you received will be enough to bring our enemies to their knees. They can join us, kneel to us or they will be crushed under your heel. And your family will be beside you. If they bleed, you will bleed with them. If they tire, you will support them, you are the one that will carry my mantle doing what needs to be done for the sake of many, but you will not be alone. And you will be far better than I ever was at it. A new chapter begins, this family against all. And there will be times when they will test you, there will be times when you will want to burn it all to the ground, but never forget your compassion, never forget why you're doing this. A perfect world.'
Charlie reaches over and squeezes Quinn's shoulder tightly, as tears begin to pour down her cheeks. She could feel that heavy lump in her throat.
'Charlie, my firefly you haven't begun to scratch the surface of your power. And I know that deep down you're afraid of hurting the ones that you love, I know that you struggle to control every last aspect of your power and abilities. The burden of that power weighs on you in unfathomable ways. I know that being a hero isn't what you imagined it to be, and there is so much wrong with the system. Understand this, your power isn't a curse it's a gift. You have your grandfather's eyes, and his heart, and you have inherited his will and I know that you are going to change several—no, that's a spoiler.' Artemis winks at the camera. 'Be the hero that I know you can be.'
Charlie sniffed her nose and immediately wiped at her cheek, she wasn't crying.
'I love you both so much. Always and forever.'
The video ends and Quinn lets out a loud sob, turning to Charlie who immediately wraps her arms around her tightly.
~ O ~
"What's with all the cars parked off school grounds?" Finn asked, nodding towards the multitude of vans and cars parked just off McKinley grounds, they were causing a bit of a traffic jam and he had been worried he would be late.
"Dunno," Blaine responded with a yawn as he stretched out. "Do you think that we can convince Frannie to let us spend the day with Thing 1 and 2, instead of having practice. It's Charlie's last official day at McKinley and it's Quinn's birthday."
"I mean if they hear you calling them Thing 1 and 2, they'll totally throw us all under the bus and probably do something petty like eat cake while we do wind sprints up that awful hill," Tina shudders at the memory. She glances around, "Where are they? They're usually here super early."
"Santana and Rachel are missing as well—you don't think that practice is canceled?" Artie motioned to the parking spots that were empty. Everyone knew who those parking spots belonged to and avoided doing anything to get on the twins' bad side. Santana was the only who had dared, but she generally took up Charlie's spot, since Charlie had a tendency to just appear these days. "You think Rachel took Charlie's idea seriously and that's what the hold up is?" Artie questioned flashing an amused grin at his fellow Titans.
"You really are gross," Kitty rolled her eyes. "I mean there are news vans, so Charlie probably did something, maybe she burned down Trask industries, someone check if there have been any mysterious fires."
"On it," Ryder said, immediately pulling out his phone.
"If I was going to burn down a building, I assure you I wouldn't get caught. I wouldn't even be a suspect." Charlie said as she appeared behind the team, tilting her head as they jumped up. She adjusts her aviator shades and tilts her head.
"Hundreds of students literally heard you threatening to burn down the building, you would be a suspect no matter what. They just wouldn't be able to prove that you did it," Quinn retorts looking over at all the news vans and reporters who seemed to notice their appearance. "Your fan club is here."
"I'm still 17, they aren't allowed to talk to me, not without an adult present," Charlie smirked, pleased with the loophole.
"I'm legally an adult now," Quinn says.
"You are not my legal guardian Quinn, so don't even think about it." Charlie snaps at her twin and looks at the team. "Something came up this morning so Santana had to double back and pick up Rachel they'll be here shortly—"
"Blaine! The who's who of fashion are literally lined up on the street waiting! I think I saw Giorgio Armani. Like in person! I don't think I've ever been this close to a living legend! And he was asking about Charlie!"
All eyes turn to look at Charlie, who looked ridiculous in her oversized Aviator glasses and her ripped jeans and shirt that had a picture of all 4 of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on it, with an oversized hoodie.
"Because she can't dress herself? And he's here to save her?" Kitty questioned.
Charlie blinked and looked down at herself, "What's wrong with what I'm wearing?"
"Everything. Everything is wrong with what you're wearing." Kurt answers and Quinn snorted loudly. "I think he wants his brand to be the one designing your supersuit! There are people from Vogue, there are people from all the biggest fashion houses, they all want to design your supersuit! When you meet with them, please I beg of you, give me a shout out. This could help my career infinitely. Maybe there will be a House of Hummel."
"Really, that's what you want to go with? House of Hummel?" Quinn questions.
"It's a work in progress," Kurt snips at Quinn.
"I mean, I guess you and Santana can tag along, I mean these meetings are always kind of boring to me, and I usually pick the first thing I like, and while I like a good Armani suit, I don't think I want to be tied to a brand like that. I mean only wearing his suits? I mean I'll look good obviously but what if I want to experiment with another brand?"
"Charlie, I say this as your friend—"
"Are we friends?" Charlie questions glancing at Kurt. She really couldn't remember him at all.
"We're friendly, and as a person who is friendly you need all the help you can get in this department. It's been the talk of fashion blogs for months, especially after Chicago. Everyone is wondering who is going to land you as a client and design your super suit. You've been going around in civilian clothing and having to do quick changes when they get too damaged. You need a super suit. Every good Hero has a super suit. And you deserve something iconic."
"Armani doesn't design super suits," Quinn pointed out, before quickly losing interest as she spots Santana's car pulling into the parking lot.
"This is why you must choose carefully, there are only a handful of great super suit designers. Art Rosenbaum, Edna E. Mode, I mean those are the icons, most hero firms these days just subcontract out, and hire a bunch of young designers out of fashion school," Kurt admits. "Edna is retired and Art is very selective with his clients—as he's entering his retirement age. With the right designer you could be fashion icon Charlie. You could be on the cover of Vogue!"
"Do I want to be on the cover of Vogue?" Charlie turns to ask Quinn only to see that she's left to see Rachel and she turns to look at Santana who finally joins the team. "Do I want to be on the cover of Vogue?"
"I don't know, do you?" Santana questions back, not quite sure where this is coming from.
"I don't know but Kurt here says that I do, cause I'll be a fashion icon or something. I'm not sure that heroes should be fashion icons—"
"I mean it wouldn't hurt if you dressed a bit better, I mean I know you clean up well, we've all seen it, but that would mean photoshoots, and being interviewed which we know you hate. I mean I suppose a place like Vanity Fair won't ask you dumb questions, but—"
"Holy shit it's Alexander Galbachi! He's also good in the superhero space," Kurt said, grabbing onto Charlie's arm and smacking it.
Charlie blinked and looked at Santana, "Stranger danger?"
"Aren't you an adult?" Santana replies with another question, smirking when Charlie looks slightly outraged. "Calm down, if you don't like his designs tell him so, no one is forcing you to go with—" Santana followed Charlie's sharp turn of the head and spotted a helicopter making its way onto McKinley's football field. She glances at Charlie for a moment noting her shoulders slump for a second before she rotates them and shifts to her ready position. "They're only here because they think you're eighteen, they don't realize you're only 4 and a half."
Charlie snorts as the helicopter blades stop moving and she spots Figgins looking horrified and making his way to the helicopter probably to yell at them. "Remember you dated me, you cradle robber."
"Whatever was I thinking?" Santana drawls and tilts her head as someone exits the helicopter and sets up a bunch of steps as the door opens.
"I was a very charming 4 year old," Charlie says with a shrug of her shoulders.
Santana rolled her eyes, and was about to say something when she needed to cover her ears at the almost shrill squeak from Kurt and she looked at Blaine, "Seriously?"
"Sweet Barbra! It's Edna E. Mode!"
Santana turned to look at the short woman, who had exited the helicopter and simply ignored Figgins' raging, as she made a beeline towards Charlie who looked utterly confused as to what was going on. "You probably should announce to the world that you celebrate on the first."
"I mean I don't really celebrate it at all but—"
"Darling, come closer so I can see how much you've grown!"
Charlie blinked and looked down at Edna, she was fast. She leaned down, "Hi?"
"Your grandfather, rest his soul made me wait till you turned 18 to give you your super suit. After I saw you stopping that bouncing lunatic, it reinvigorated my passion for designing super suits. All these heroes these days all focused on the celebrity and the quick cash. It's not the same as it once was, where heroes cared for truth and justice. When they stood for something not, likes and the chirping. Whatever that is."
"Miss Mode! I am a massive fan! You are an icon!" Kurt said practically trying to squeeze between Charlie and Santana.
Edna glanced over at Kurt, "I know I am. And you?"
Charlie could practically feel the puppy dog eyes that Kurt was shooting her and Blaine was a friend and maybe if he got what he wanted he'd stop pestering her about all of this. "He's the super suit designer for the Titans, the team, and he tells me to dress better all the time. He's a friend," Charlie said with a shrug. "Who I'm sure will be the perfect intern if you do that sort of thing." Charlie shrugs her shoulders, "How do you know my grandfather?"
"I wanted to make him a supersuit, but I refused to make one for your grandmother. She wasn't a hero, and I only make suits for the best. For the ones that I determine have it."
"It?"
"Yes, darling the it factor! Why do you think all these second-rate designers are here? They all want you to model their second rate suits—I mean Galbachi. I forgive you, it's clear you don't know anything about fashion."
"She really doesn't. She wanted spikes and neon colors on the temporary supersuit I created for her, for her fight against Charlotte Flair," Kurt chimes in. Nodding at Edna's look of utter disgust. "I did my best, we decided that she doesn't know any better so we have to do all the work for her."
"I mean I would have looked like a badass—"
"You would have looked like an idiot," Santana cuts in. "A fashion disaster."
"Come along darling, I need to put a few more touches on your supersuit, your grandfather didn't have an idea of how powerful you are and I need to do some final tweaks. It will be magnificent."
"But I—" Charlie said as she ended up following Edna Mode back to the helicopter.
Kurt watched and looked over at Santana, "Do you think—?"
"I'm sure Charlie will try her best to get you an internship, if she remembers your name," Santana interrupts. "Blaine, you should probably text her."
"I hope we're the first ones to see it, it'll be the first Edna piece in years," Kurt says excitedly.
~ O ~
Rachel's hips bucked against Quinn's hand, as she groaned deeply into the kiss. She had never once been truant in her life, but if this was what other teens did when they played hooky—well she certainly understood them a bit more. Charlie had been right again about her relationship with Quinn, and while she wasn't going to say anything now, she was going to be a firm believer of Charlie's dating advice. She lets out a small whimper as Quinn suddenly stops and pulls away. "Quinn?" She presses, wondering for a brief moment if she had done anything wrong. She had done as much research as she could to prepare herself for this, both mentally and physically so for things to stop as suddenly as they did— "Did I do something wrong?"
"No! Never, I just—I've wanted this for so long, and I did some questionable things to get here—"
"The party last year? I mean we both behaved badly. You were with Marley and I got jealous. I just never expected you to like me and I was so focused on my career as a hero, not realizing that what I really wanted was to be a celebrity and I could do that without putting my life at risk."
"I wasn't that drunk Rachel, Charlie called me on it. But I wanted you, even when I was with Marley and I did some fucked up shit and then I blamed you and I'm sorry. I got ashamed and then lashed out, and I fucked up. I don't really deserve you Rachel."
"Not that I don't appreciate having a healthy discussion of our feelings, I get to decide whether you deserve me or not. If I didn't like you I certainly wouldn't have skipped school for the first time, ruining my perfect attendance, to be here with you at this moment. What's on your mind?" Rachel said shifting on Quinn's bed so she can actually talk to Quinn in a more comfortable position.
"Do you know why Charlie broke up with Santana? I mean you're friends with the two of them, did they explain to you why they broke up? Or why they're in this weird quasi-relationship now, without any labels other than friends with benefits?"
Rachel blinked, "Are you breaking up with me right now?"
"No—that's not what I want, I just—" Quinn closed her eyes, "My grandmother recorded a message for me and Charlie before she died, a message from the grave. And I realized that the path that she put us on—"Quinn swallows and gets up and grabs her laptop from her bag and the USB and plays the video for Rachel, handing it over to her.
Rachel watches quietly, her eyes tearing up and she gently rubs at her eyes, "I don't understand, what this has to do with Charlie and Santana breaking up? Or their weird relationship status."
"I mean I know that everyone thinks that our lives are amazing, I think that they believe that we're spoiled, Mack thought that. She's not wrong, we are privileged, and yeah our dad spoiled us but our mother never really flaunted it. She shopped at Costco, our clothes aren't exactly designer, we had a normal allowance, I mean sure it was an LA allowance and sure our grandparents also spoiled us, but we had chores. Growing up, I knew our family had money, I just had no idea how rich my family was. But with all the riches, and the power that my family accrued we made enemies. Powerful enemies, you saw that when the Union of Justice broke their no-kill rule and attempted to execute Charlie. Our family is considered a threat by those who are scared of the power we have. Charlie's protecting Santana. Frannie is protecting Joe by not marrying him. Brittany is considered to be a level 3, but I doubt that the government believes that but they couldn't do anything or question it when my grandmother was alive. Santana wanting to be a hero puts her in the crosshairs, because if they can't hurt Charlie physically, they can take aim at the people that she loves. And I just realized that my feelings for you—"
"Will make me a liability for you," Rachel finishes, her brow furrowing.
"Will make you a target for my enemies, and as my sisters have said consent is important. Being with me will put a target on your back, I will make enemies Rachel. Charlie already has a bunch of people who want to murder her, and given how annoying she is and how righteous she can be at times, I imagine that number will quickly grow. I will do whatever I can to protect you. I will do anything to protect you, but you need to understand what you're getting into by being with me. I want you, but I need you to know that I come with baggage Rachel," Quinn swallowed.
"Everyone comes with baggage Quinn, and I think that you're underestimating us mere mortals, I know how to defend myself. I'm surviving Frannie's rather sadistic and obscene training. Besides, Charlie's the one that everyone is scared of which means that you have time to start building your empire and your defense. This video can't be all your grandmother left you. I'm choosing you right now, maybe we break up in the future, maybe we're endgame, but if you're paranoid about losing someone you'll never actually have them. At least that's what I think."
The look on Quinn's face softens, "My dad did say that when we were ready there was more to look into, and since it's not like I really need to pay attention in class, I think I'll start looking into it. She wouldn't leave us defenseless."
"Your grandmother couldn't see the future could she?"
"No, honestly she never talked about her childhood at all. I knew my grandfather was an orphan, and I know enough about my paternal grandparents, but the furthest my grandmother ever went back was her meeting my grandfather, she only married him because he was cute."
"Your grandfather was cute?" Rachel wrinkled her nose, Lawrence had been a massive unit of a man, even in his old age he had been burly and had a beard.
"My grandmother thought so, she thought he was a teddy bear, according to my grandfather he got shut down a few times and then one time he just looked so dejected that he got a pity date. And the rest as they say is history," Quinn said with a laugh, smiling at the memory. She glances at Rachel for a moment, "Since I convinced you to join the dark side and play hooky, should we—"
Rachel rolled her eyes, she was ready to lose her virginity and they had time to really enjoy themselves, "When did you say your dad came back?"