Victor swept from room to room of a ratty office building. The men in his wake fired past his head to mow down any obstacles in his way. Another day, another job. Another rat den to fumigate for an ungrateful boss. The yelling got on his nerves more than the gunshots. The confusion allowed this to go off without much fuss. A startled person turned a corner and one well placed bullet sent him flying. The last stop was an office. He bowed his head, snapped his fingers and the room was lit up before they even peered inside. The gunfire ceased at the raise of his hand. There was still movement inside. He checked his revolver and stepped inside.

The office was in shreds. Paper, money, blood and glass across the floor. The body of the man they were after was face down. To ensure he stayed down he was shot square in the back. "Let's go. Send someone else to clean up." The click of a gun grabbed his attention and he whirled around, his own ready only to see a child beneath the ruined desk holding a gun too big for him in steady hands. Brown hair, big eyes and hatred clearly directed at him. He was shot, did the kid even notice? Victor raised his gun. A shot rang out in the room.

Victor gasped, eyes flashing open! He groaned and threw his arms over his eyes. "Never a fun dream is it?" he mutters. There's banging coming from his door. There are very very few people that know he lives here. Right. Time for all that. He got up, pulled on a pair of sweatpants and answered the door. "You always knock like a cop?" he asked as he stepped out of the way of Red Hood.

The lumbering figure had a more relaxed version of his mask. Or perhaps an older version. His hair was visible but still not his face. "You always sleep in?" he threw back.

"Do you ever sleep?!" Victor slammed the door shut then stomped into the kitchen. "Let me eat then we can do this."

"You'll eat after. Let's go!" Red said and went about moving the sparse furniture in the room.

Victor sighed and shut the fridge. "I hate you."

"You don't hate me enough. Hurry up."

If at any point he thought he could take Red Hood in a fight those dreams were dashed! Over and over and over as he was thrown, slammed and tripped into the padded floor. Against a well rested Red Hood he couldn't keep up. Not with holding back from lethal intent like he was told. They were going to be cleaner about how Victor carries out his business. A far more efficient version of himself. Kills have to matter. Horror stories of how quickly he mows through others to get to his target keep the underworld quaking.

He heard rumors of what Batman was like the years before he was even born. Red Hood was reported to be just as capable and far more brutal. It wasn't until Victor was sparring with him day in and day out that he realized how much this man held back. Victor was never a target, just another goon on the way to the real problem. And there was his streak of pride. Every person Victor was charged with lived to see another day. What happens after when he's not around was not his problem.

He needed to use their difference in size to his advantage, something he hasn't had to do since before he shot up and started towering over Oswald. Subduing someone was far more difficult than just going for the kill and moving on. He learned that during his sad man's rampage. Those nights did give him a far more intimidating reputation to those smaller gangs. Many remember those nights vividly and wouldn't dare breathe the same air as him.

When he wasn't being thrown across his own living room, he patched himself up and took jobs with a far more discerning eye. If he could help it he'd hold back and get the assignment done. His new reputation as a wild dog was strong enough to ward off any small-time crooks tricked into gunning for big fish. Those said big fish were weary of him again but wouldn't make a move. He wasn't making waves, just not taking to heel on the jobs they wanted him to accept. No amount of pay was going to lure him away from the path he set himself on. A supplement between bodyguard work was him wrestling the protection gig at the meta-human club away from Oswald. It wasn't hard. The mad dog of the underworld aligned himself with meta-humans and offered to improve what they already had. Who better than someone that spent his time observing people, assessing threats and seemingly can predict blood being spilt before it even hits the floor. An exaggeration but the security crew respected him.

That was something he was not used to. Genuine respect, not just fear. The safer the patrons felt, the more business they received. Any major problems he would handle himself out back to remind people who they were dealing with. After coming to know Olivia he came to realize that even meta-humans with dangerous abilities are no fighters and will back down if they can help it. The only issue with this position was when he was around there were certain members of the staff that lingered wanting his attention. A gentle turn down. This wasn't a place for him to start burning bridges. This precarious dance was something he was never suited to.

Olivia was always a welcomed relief. Made all the bruises worth it if she doted on him. After one scrape she even stitched him up. "Where'd you learn to do that?" he would ask and she would dodge and lean into her time at the meta-human school. "Something you just pick up to keep from getting in trouble." He wouldn't press it. He was still keeping secrets too. One day he'll be able to tell her the whole truth and not just surface level details. For now he'd enjoy getting to see her more than once a week. Until school started back up, she was all his. God she was excited about that school. Opening doors for her, she said. He hoped that was true. Whatever doors were closed to Bruce Wayne's children had to be heavy.

"I've noticed something about you," Olivia began while gently running her nails along his scalp as he reclined between her legs. He made a noise to point out he was listening. "You heal really fast. Kinda wild actually."

"I rolled pretty damn lucky with that," he said while shifting on the couch to take up one of her fashion magazines. "What, you think I might have some latent meta-human gene?"

She shook her head. "If you did, it would have manifested, especially after what happened..." Her voice trailed off and he took up her hand to kiss the back.

"Ancient history, Sunshine," he assured her. He solved that problem and it was far from his mind. Except in nightmares where he didn't get to her in time, where he never broke free. Where she was too terrified to protect herself. "What are you thinking? I might be something a little more than human?"

"Probably a xeno of some kind."

"Mm, or a demon?" he asked with a toothy grin.

"Demon or not, you still need to be more careful. Get help when you can, if you can."

"Yes, ma'am. Still want me to steal you away tomorrow?"

"If you're not already sick of seeing me."

"I'm still not done tasting you, are you kidding me?" He'd grunt at a small pinch to his arm he barely felt.

"It's a half day for orientation. Meet the staff, find your locker, find your classes and linger longer if you want is what my brother told me. I'll be out before noon. Is that car you came across still under dubious ownership?"

"Not anymore." Avram wasn't given much of a choice. He was arrested on suspicion of gang violence but was released back to the wolves. The rest of his living people were being pressured to drop their case, plead guilty or accept deportation. Avram got off easy in comparison. He can work on getting a new car under the watchful eyes of one of the families. "Wanting to make a dramatic exit?"

"Well I probably shouldn't be seen on a bike in a skirt."

"Right, that cute uniform."

"Blech, the damn thing hasn't been updated in like twenty years. Dad says they're not likely to accept a design change but they might from a future alumni! And If I get accepted at the school I want they'll have to at least look at it."

"Not doubting you but I get the feeling getting into fashion schools is a bit...cutthroat. What are you going to do if you don't get in?"

"Cry!" she laughs. "God, I'll be a mess but I can just do normal courses here in Gotham and work on my projects full time. Improve. Make waves. Make them regret not saying yes first."

"So vindictive! Getting excited just thinking about it. But uh, just so I know which schools you're applying to. I want to know if I need to get a car better on gas, and a bigger trunk." He muttered that last part.

"Victor!"

"Kidding! I'd break like one hand worth of fingers at most...for each rejection."

"Oh my god, you sound like my brother Jason!"

"He sounds fun if he sounds like me. Can't wait to meet him."

"Maybe you'll get to if he ever stops being so much of a recluse."

"Looking forward to it. I want to meet everyone that matters to you. Even your alarmingly horny best friend." Olivia giggled and shook her head. "Did she send you that toy for your birthday?"

Ozone and the crackling of hair. "No, it was my dad's cousin. I consider her an Aunt. She's always worried I'm spending too much time around men that know nothing about what a woman needs in her life. Or something like that."

Victor turned over to sit up facing Olivia with her legs against his hips. "So...did you use it?" A pillow hit him in the face. "Oh come on! I'm just curious! I've gotta compete with something you don't even need to find a charge of batteries for AH!" That was a shoe!

"I haven't! It's a little intimidating. And why does it need a cute animal on one part? How is that sexy?!" she fussed then fell back with her arms over her eyes. Victor laughed and pulled her up to set her on his lap for a change. "And then you said you were bigger and ugh!" Her cheeks were hot, skin crawling in static and hair its own little storm.

"I could have been lying." He gave a cheesy grin. "Only one way to find out." She stuck her tongue out at him. "So mature!" he growled then pulled her in for a soft kiss. "Take your time. I'm not going anywhere. I mean it." If he'd known a small joke like that would have scared her off he would have kept it to himself. "Do...whatever on your own."

"I just wish that toy wasn't so... ugh!" She leaned in to press her forehead against his own. His eyes crossed and she giggled before shutting hers. Her fingers were blindly tracing along his forearms up to his biceps then stopped. She seemed fixated on the form of his arm, the slight shift of definition.

"Can I help you, ma'am?" he asked through a chuckle. She simply shook her head and carried on her silent examination of his body. He simply let her do as she pleased. It was a delightful feeling with how delicately she danced her fingers along his skin like she could hurt him with any more pressure than that. His arms pulled her close and flexed perhaps to show off a little more for her. His face found a plush spot against her breasts to be smothered in. Quiet moments like these were worth everything he was doing. If she got sick of him, he'd be in a place to find someone new and have more moments like this but he can't imagine wanting anyone else.

Melissa Gate is the eldest of three Gate children. Their family is old. Not really as ancient as the Waynes or Arkhams but did help to build the city. One of her ancestors was a great architect and that gave the family name prestige. Prestige what would be in flux for generations after. Her grandparents brought the family name back from ruin in their youth and her parents maintain their status through art galleries, historical dedications of famous buildings, especially the ones her family had a hand in making and development projects around the city. "Gotham's skyline is in our blood," her father often says. But will he let her take up the arts? Become a designer like her ancestor? Of course not. They are hobbies. Managing the family's legacy will be her real job.

Her first day of school was nerve wracking. Attending a pre-school for the elite and knowing that they are often seen as bottom rung her parents made sure she knew how to act. How to carry herself with other children of bigger families. It's a lot for a little girl to try and handle on her own. One parent came with her on their orientation day but he slipped off to rub elbows and talk up the latest project for the chance at a doner or two. No one talked to her, no one saw her. She felt she could shrink into the background.

"I like your shoes," a sweet voice came from beside her. A little girl with wild brown hair and honey colored eyes. "I said, I like your shoes."

"I...thank you. My daddy bought them for me." Who was this girl? What family did she belong to? "I...I like your hair!" she blurted out.

Little Olivia beamed. "Thanks, I grew it myself!" They giggled and became inseparable for the rest of the day. When their parents came to collect them Bruce Wayne scooped up a sleepy Olivia and smiled at Melissa's father who held her in his arms as well. Her dad would be excited to know she made friends with Bruce Wayne's newest adopt. This was her friend, not theirs! She'd hold on to her as her rock for as long as she could. With Olivia she gained her footing, found her voice and explosive personality.

Up through second grade they spent as much time together as possible. If anyone picked on Olivia for being different she'd try to fight them. Olivia would stop her every time but still say thank her. In the third grade Olivia showed how special she was when she saved a stupid boy from a livewire. It was the prettiest thing she ever saw, Olivia lit up like a star then slowly unplugging the damaged device. Her clothes were smoking, hair an even wilder mess but that boy was alive! Everyone else was scared of Olivia after that. Called her a monster. She wasn't allowed back. She was dangerous. She was a hero!

It was years before they saw one another. Second year of middle school the Gates found themselves a guest at the Wayne Manor. Some business dealing about restoring a park. Olivia was nowhere to be seen. She probably forgot about her which would have been fair. It felt like Melissa did until that day.

A wild hair girl came sliding into the parlor, eyes lit up and hair crackling like a storm. "HEY!" Melissa looked at her startled. "I like your shoes."

The parents in the room stopped looking a bit confused. They were ignored. Melissa had important matters to attend to! "Thanks, my dad bought them for me. I like your hair."

"Thanks, I grew it myself!" The shrieks and shift in electricity in the room reflected how the girls felt about seeing one another after so long. "You gotta see my room!" And off they went leaving their parents in the wake of a teenage gust.

They weren't inseparable but they were together again. Olivia was still as sweet as ever and Melissa maintained that fiery protective streak. They called each other often, sent texts during class. Spent the weekends hanging on one another and exploring the city with supervision of course. Olivia was more nervous about her abilities now that she understood them more...and how fragile humans can be. She eventually told her why she approached her at the orientation when they were small.

"I was nervous. Even back then I knew how to hear people's minds working? Not what they were thinking, just knowing that they were and I know what stress sounds like. My dad told me if I'm nervous, find someone nervous too and just talk to them. I'd never been in a room full of so many fancy looking people and then I heard you and I just...if a girl in a pretty outfit was nervous then it was okay if I was too. I realized later he was helping me make a friend."

"Through trauma bonding?" Melissa joked.

"That or probably both of us calming down and forgetting why we were nervous to begin with. It worked!"

At the start of their senior year was Olivia standing at the gates of Gotham Academy; the junior ivy league of the ivy league located in one of the richest neighborhoods on the west side of Gotham. There were stairs inside older than most of the families that attended. Olivia seemed nervous with Damian beside her doing what he could to make people back away without drawing too much attention. He seemed ready to pull a knife. Melissa smirked. He's got such a sister complex!

"Hey!" Olivia turned wide-eyed towards Melissa. "I like your hair," Melissa said with a bright smile and showing off the gold necklace with those words formed with a pearl inlay.

"Thanks," Olivia replied, sounding relieved and held up her matching necklace. "I like your shoes."

Orientation day went about as expected. Damian was discouraged from hovering allowing the less than savory comments to come out. Many students attending now were from the same elementary school and remember the incident where a meta-human student lost control. Or at least that's what their parents and rumors told them. Olivia was seen as the ultimate charity case. A girl so pitied for being unwanted the richest man took her in for clout.

She knew the truth. Her father's parents didn't want to raise an alien child that wasn't their blood. Bruce had a kind heart and took her home. And one day a boy was dared to do a stupid thing that would have cost him his life had she not stepped in. Better she get blamed for scaring a classroom full of children than blamed for taking one's life. Even so it was a bit much. Back at the meta-human school she wasn't as famous and only became that over the years. Here people knew of her and that was it. There were parents desperate to have their children get close to her but polite indifference was what they received.

At the academy Melissa would be her rock and help her stand on her own in a world that wishes she and people like her were never born.

Olivia leaned on Melissa and whined. Only a half school day and no actual class! She was wiped out. Why was this so hard?! Why were so many girls so mean to her?! About the only time she wasn't getting shot daggers at her was when Damian swung by to check and make sure she was still getting a ride after all this mess. She didn't zap anyone, she barely drained her own phone! The one upside was that the floor layout of the school wasn't confusing. Her last school was a maze and took at least a year to get familiar with.

"Come on you sack of potatoes!" Melissa huffed and waddled with Olivia still hanging on her. "Just the closing ceremony and we can go meet that boyfriend of yours." Olivia whined. This place was draining in the worst kind of way. It was boring! Why did she want to go here again? To stay close to home, be another alumni and use the prestige of attending this school to open doors. And a few more things. She got to see her brother at his most awkward, Melissa being cheeky and now as they were heading to the gates, Victor dressed in black with sunglasses smiling, ready to whisk her away! There were heads turning as she rushed over. This would be food for the rumor mill. Olivia Wayne meeting some guy at the gates!

Melissa closed in on the couple and cleared her throat. "Before you two start screwing in the parking lot!" Ozone. She grinned.

Olivia stepped back and waved towards Melissa. "Victor, this is my best friend Melissa Gate. Mel, this is my boyfriend Victor Zsasz." Victor perked up hearing that title for him for the first time.

Melissa beamed. "Nice to finally meet the competition for my best friend's affection," she said and held her hand out to him.

Victor took it and she gave a surprisingly firm handshake. "Nice to finally meet the infamous best friend. Thanks for the birthday tip." His voice was deeper and scratchy.

"Oh...Will you excuse us?" Melissa said then dragged Olivia far enough away to whisper-yell at her. "What was that?! Why does he sound stupid hot?! You did not mention that!"

Olivia was just as confused but laughed. "I don't know, he normally doesn't sound like that. I mean it does sound pretty nice."

"Thanks, babe," Victor called out to them, then had to clear his throat.

"Are you getting sick?" Olivia asked a bit concerned while tugging Melissa back to the car.

"What? No. Just got jabbed in the throat. I'll be fine in a few hours," he explained. He wasn't going to tell her he nearly forgot to come get her while training. He's not as battered as he normally is.

"You better not be getting sick," Olivia warned as if that would be enough to keep any virus away from him.

"I promise, Sunshine. I'm not getting sick." Victor could feel Melissa's eyes burning a hole in him. "Am I not living up to your standards?" he asked in a low voice. Damian caught his eye and he stood straight and offered a nod. "Does...your brother normally have a fanclub following him around?"

Damian glared then looked back behind him. There was indeed a collection of young girls and boys. "Leave." There was squealing before the lot of them dipped back behind the gates or dispersed. "I've got shit to do. Catch you later." Another exchange of nods before Damian was off. He'd stashed his bike off campus. They didn't want students driving the first week of school. No one stuck to that rule.

"We should get going. That cop over there is itching like he recognizes me," Victor said while narrowing his eyes behind his glasses. He was pretty sure that man shouldn't be near a school of any age. "Need a ride, Mel?" he asked the best friend. The girl was caught off guard.

"I actually don't live that far from the school," she began to explain.

"Want to come along anyway?" he asked.

"Are you sure?" asked Olivia as she bounced on her toes and felt charged back up after a hard day.

"Yeah it'll be fun." He leaned over to open the door to the backseat. "It'll give her plenty of time to interrogate me."

"Mm, okay then!" Melissa pushed Olivia to the backseat and climbed in after her. Walking around to the driver's side he looked across to the cop having to direct school traffic. He pulled his sunglasses up and glared. The officer quickly looked away.

The original plan was to head back to Victor's apartment and let Olivia decompress. A trip to a slow shopping center will be a nice treat. Buy her something sweet and let the girls spend time with each other. "You know your girlfriend is a big baby?" Melissa announced from the backseat.

"I am not a baby!" Olivia said in a hurt voice.

"Yeah, she's a bit of a marshmallow," he laughed. "Still cute."

Olivia crosses her arms over her chest. "I hate it here. I should have stayed out of Gotham. Everyone is so mean to me."

"You'll get over it soon enough. All they can do is whisper around you. I'm sure if anyone tried to actually hurt you, your brother would pop out of the shadows or something," Melissa explained.

"He give you that vibe too?" Victor asked. "Glad I'm not alone in that." Olivia was screaming in her head. Why was her family so weird?! Could Damian at least seem dangerous and not murderous?!

"So, Mr. Zsasz. How old are you?" Melissa had her phone out and looked at it. She took notes!

"Ah, and the grilling begins. Nineteen. Birthday is in November."

Melissa made a discerning noise. "Mm, what's your family like?"

"Don't know, I'm an orphan."

"Go to nickname for Olivia and why!?"

"Sunshine. She's got this glow about her that I like."

Melissa looked over Olivia and she grew nervous. Why?! She wasn't being asked questions! "Checks out. What kind of work do you do?"

"I do security at a nightclub for meta-humans. Do I get to ask questions?"

"No! Do you drink?"

"If you're wearing a wire, the answer is no."

"What animal do you relate to most?"

"I can tell you the animal most people that know me associate me with. A dog."

"You think you're cooler than that?" They locked eyes in the rearview mirror. "Delusions of grandeur," she said while making additional notes.

"Oh she is mean!" he howled with laughter. Olivia was simply smiling, happy they were getting along.

At the outdoor shopping center Olivia was at a stall getting herself something sugary to refuel. "Do all teenage girls run on sugar?" Victor asked.

"No, just her. You don't get a lot of teenage girls in your neck of the woods?" Melissa asked. They sat beneath a giant tree that provided amazing shade from the August sun while observing their shared companion.

"You generally don't want to see teenagers at all where I'm from." They were quiet, watching Olivia being bubbly, politely conversing with the vendor.

"Has she told you what she is?" Melissa asked and leaned over to look him in the eye.

"...Not in any certain terms. I know she's not human. Doesn't matter none to me. I'm used to being treated like I'm not human, but I can't stand it when they do it to her. She never lashes out at anyone, even when she should. Help her with that?"

Melissa looked down, toying with her necklace. "She shouldn't have to change too much but I'll try. We can't always be there to hold her hand. Going to fucking try though. All you have to do is not get snatched up by some shady mob boss again."

Victor sighed. "She tell you about that?"

"She didn't have to. The whole city knows what happened to her. I pieced together what it was about because I sure as fuck wasn't missing and all her other friends live across the country. Some outside of it." Melissa crossed her arms and seemed to get very serious. "She cried for days after that first date of yours, you know." Victor bowed his head. "I wanted to think she was being dramatic but I know that wasn't true. Olivia likes everyone. That's not a fucking achievement. Even the girls that hate her at school because she's prettier than them, close with her brother or a not-quite-meta-human she likes them. She loves very few people. Her family, a handful of close friends and that's it. We saw you at that nightclub and she had a panic attack!" This girl was good at cutting him to the core with her words, with just facts she feels to be true. "She wanted to go back after we left and we had to tell her no."

"Threat received," Victor stopped her. He removed his sunglasses and looked down at her. "I've been around the block enough to know a call to behave when I hear one. You have my permission to come for my head if I hurt her. I think you'd be the most cruel and I would deserve it. Gotta go out like the dog I am."

Melissa pursed her lips and watched as Olivia pranced back to them. "Ask her out when there's going to be a storm. She gets real weird in the rain but she'll want to show you something if you can get somewhere empty. Beach or like a field or something. Bring spare clothes and just listen when she says she'll be fine." Victor was curious but before he could ask Melissa pushed away from their shady spot to bound over to Olivia and take a bite out of the crepe she bought.

"I thought you didn't want one?" Olivia said and was ready to turn to buy another.

"I didn't. One bite is enough." Olivia scrunched up her nose but took her first bite. It was worth sharing. Honey eyes moved to focus on Victor and she smiled. Bright as the sun, like always. She was worth getting killed over and killing for if his hand was forced again.

Their outing with Melissa ends with them dropping her off at a skyrise a few blocks from the academy. Olivia hugged her and climbed into the front passenger seat. They didn't pull away until Mel was safely past the doors and on her way. The next destination was Victor's apartment. By now his voice is back to normal and Olivia teases that maybe he should try to get hit in the throat again, just so she can hear him gravely once more.

"Only if you do it to me," he said while looming over her in his kitchen. She sucked on her bottom lip and looked off. "Didn't think so. Tragic my normal voice isn't good enough for you anymore," he drones in her ear. The air is charged again and she is looking up at him with a sheepish smile.

"I know you like when mine is stressed out." A brow ridge perked up and Victor smiled, coming in to kiss her.