Saturday is certainly not a normal day for a doctor's appointment but then again Olivia was not going to a normal doctor or even a hospital. S.T.A.R Labs of Gotham specialized in weaponry but had many smaller departments scattered about. One was involved in researching the xeno population and assisting in providing healthcare for those individuals. Where they lack in staff willing to branch into such a field they make up for with the technology at their hands. The facility was located on the mainland just outside of Gotham proper's lower west side. In Spite of his protest that he could meet them at the lab, Olivia insisted on picking Arthur up along the way. It did add to the drive but Alfred did not seem to mind. He was probably on the same track as her father in wanting to know where this boy lived. If an emergency pops up they may need to find him or know where to take him. Those would be the excuses they would make to her.
A luxury car pulling through a modest borough turned heads in a neighborhood close to Gotham University on the upper west side. A quaint brown stone with a small stoop was their destination and while it wasn't exactly like living in the suburbs it did feel that way. It felt like her first home. Alfred would remain with the car as Olivia hurried up the steps to knock on the door. She heard shuffling and felt the excited buzzing of two minds before the door finally opened. Arthur was dressed in very casual clothes but not bothering with his usual glasses. Olivia could make eye contact with one of his.
"I'm so sorry Miss Olivia. I um...we're almost ready," he said in a meek voice.
"We?" Olivia asked with a brow raised then stepped into his home without even asking. The cozy warmth inside was just drawing her to it.
"Um, yeah I. I told my mother and she wanted to go. She may have gone overboard with collecting her research.
"I'M COMING!" A woman's voice rang through the home and Olivia couldn't help giggling. "I am so sorry!" this mysterious mom called out again then finally burst into the hallway. A fair skinned woman with the same color hair as Arthur's with tighter curls. Her eyes were a soft blue but in spite of that difference it was clear the overall shape of her son's features, especially his eyes, came from her. "Miss Wayne!" she said while catching her breath then fumbled with a stack of folders and her laptop to stuff everything into a satchel then held out her hand to the girl. "Camille Deupree, Professor of Crypto-Anthropology. When Arthur told me you were a monarch I could not contain my excitement in finally getting to meet you!" Olivia gave a firm shake and a warm smile.
Arthur cleared his throat. "Mom!" he hissed.
"Oh, right! We can discuss this along the way. I need my." Camille smiled as Arthur held up her purse and keys. "Thank you, Arty." Olivia's eyes were lit up and hair crackling with energy. She was jealous but in a way she could manage and still be happy for them. Camille looked on in aw but Arthur kept his mother on track and ushered both women out the door to lock up. His glasses made their reappearance and he covered his eyes like always.
Outside Alfred would greet Arthur and Camille with a slight bow of his head then open the door for them to pile into the back. There was more than enough room for the three to sit beside one another. Olivia could not distract from how loud Camille's mind was. The woman inspected her and Arthur was happy he made the choice to sit between them.
"I have so many questions," she said as they pulled away to leave the main body of the city.
"I'll try to tell you everything I know," Olivia said with a laugh.
"You are a nature sprite, correct?" Camille asked, then took up her laptop to click away and pull up a mass of data. Olivia was not sure how to respond and simply shrugged. "Well you are. Your manipulation of electricity speaks loudly to that. How has that affected your life thus far?"
Oh she was getting interviewed now! "I guess it was a little bumpy at the start. I had to learn how to control my energy. Going to a meta-human school really helped." Camille was typing away. Olivia looked to Alfred in the rearview. This might be more than she can handle. "I get about the same harassment actual meta-humans get even though I pass as human." More typing away.
"That is one unfortunate thing about us humans. We don't know how to treat each other like people. I hope we atleast made a good impression on your mother when she was still with us."
"Mom!" Arthur hissed! This was the most normal he looked to Olivia and she was loving it.
"Well, she did marry a human so I would say so."
The security at S.T.A.R Labs was strict as was expected of a facility that developed experimental weaponry and handled sensitive information as well. Once the surprise guest of Camille was approved they were allowed through the gates. Within the building Olivia visited countless times she led the way to Sylvia's office practically bouncing with excitement. Arthur was more interested in the things they pass in the halls. Small projects in xeno-studies. Many different people pictured as examples of their species. There was a picture he swore was of Olivia but wasn't quite right.
Sylvia was excited to have a potential new colleague but kept them on schedule. Olivia received her usual check-up, gauging how strong she's gotten since the last time she was in the facility. Her mother was set as a baseline and she was rapidly approaching those milestones set by her including her height and overall weight. Age was hard to pin down so she would be set if she made those markers by the time she was in her early twenties by Sylvia's projection. When Olivia was no longer the focus Arthur was, much to the boy's dismay. He really should have seen this coming. Thankfully his mother had extensive notes she could share and the two women became engrossed in their research, chatting away excitedly.
An intern was roped in to be a test subject so Sylvia could witness his ocular charm safely behind a camera. Before this could carry on for too long Arthur suggested that Olivia and himself be dropped off. Camille waved them off with a giddy smile. She'll find her own way home. Most likely with Sylvia. The two might be at the lab all night discussing everything they've compiled over the years. Olivia confirmed he had keys to get into his home and he explains that his mom is the scatter brained one in the family.
"I think I know why your parents hit it off," Olivia said.
"Hm, what do you mean?" he asked while enjoying the view from the car ride. Gotham was a beautiful city to view from the coast.
"I don't think she looked me in the eye once for very long," she laughed. "Your dad probably thought that was endearing and listening to her talk with so much passion about something. You might have got some of your mom's charm too without even realizing it." His mouth was open wide and face turning red. She could hear his mind going into overdrive.
"Relax Arthur, I have a boyfriend. Just giving you a compliment as a friend."
The boy sank in his seat. "Even so, getting a compliment from a pretty girl is a rare thing for me. I get so nervous talking to people and I can't let anyone see my face without turning them into a zombie."
"Well, maybe we can figure out a way to turn it off?"
"I've tried. The closest I get is simply not telling them to do anything because they'll take it as a command." Olivia shrugged. They may figure something out together one day. "Um...Miss Olivia. I...I found out about what happened with those two jerks from the lacrosse team and I'm sorry. I should have pushed to stay with you a little harder."
Olivia held a fake smile on her face, the first Arthur has ever seen while she squeezed his hand. "It's okay. The whole thing was handled and they won't be a problem."
He began to speak but received a stronger squeeze to his hand. "Ah, well, okay then. If you say so." Olivia did not tell any of her family members about the other day and wanted to keep it that way. As far as anyone was aware Victor helped her figure out a way for her to avoid people better and wanted to train on that unprompted. That was it. Hopefully Alfred was too engrossed in his driving to truly see through her fake smile. Once outside of Arthur's home Olivia tried to convince him to hang out a bit longer but he had a project he wanted to work on while the sun is still out.
"Thank you for the ride, Mr. Pennyworth! See you at school, Miss Olivia." Olivia waved from the car and they waited for him to step inside before pulling away. Alfred cleared his throat and looked through the rearview mirror to his charge. "Alfred please. It was just a small thing and I handled it. Nothing to worry everyone over. I'm getting Damian to teach me some things so it won't happen again."
Alfred sighed and turned back to his driving. "If you insist, Mistress Olivia." The subject would be dropped for now but he had every intention of relaying to the master of the house. He was not as likely to react in a rash manner and accept Olivia was trying to be independent. "Has this outing come to a close for you today?" he asks as they wait at a light.
Olivia took her phone out to check her messages. "Let me see if anyone is available, if that's okay?" Alfred nodded and would take the scenic route through the city. She attempts to call Melissa but it goes straight to voicemail before a text from her pops up.
"Getting into it with my parents again. I'll fill you in later." A tiny image of a heart appeared at the end.
Well that was one down. One more to try. Victor answered his phone groggy. "Did I wake you?" she asked, trying to have an even tone.
"Mm, yeah but I needed to get up. Thanks babe." He grunts, stretches then sighs. "Coming by, Sunshine?"
"I was hoping I could but you sound tired. I don't want to impose." Her eyes rise to meet Alfred's. He seems hopeful. It was too late for her to bring her skates and go around the park like her usual Saturday.
"Impose, please. Just give me a bit to kick housekeeping out."
Olivia's expression lit up. "I can bring a late lunch. I'll see you in a bit!"
"Thank you, Sunshine. See you." Victor hung up and glared at Red Hood. "Get out."
Red Hood stood before the entrance to the armoury. "Give me the results for the blood sample and I will. I've no intention of watching you makeout with your girlfriend."
Victor sat up on his couch and looked to the door. "You can't get in there, can you?"
"Not since you finally took over. Congrats on finding out, by the way. I was starting to get worried you took too many blows to the head." Victor glares. "You're running out of time." So was Jason. The moment Olivia got within a block of the apartment he would be found out and he's not quite ready to reveal everything today. It would be too much of a shock and might set them back. "Oracle, access code Red Hood. Emergency override."
~Denied~ Red waved towards the wall. "What do you want me to confess to so I can be on my way?"
"Why not tell me you're working for Wayne?" he asked while pushing up to his feet.
"Because it's not exactly working for him. Our goals align. He's only kept in the loop if something is directly related to his little girl."
"Does she know?"
"No. He seems to think it'll yield the best results if she doesn't know."
Victor rubbed at his face with both his hands. "She probably already knows. She can practically hear electricity! All the equipment in the armory is probably buzzing at all times."
Red tilts his head. "The whole apartment is designed for minimum draw. Gotta keep a low profile while still on the power grid. The armory wasn't even on until you accessed it today." That uncanny ability of Olivia's really does throw a wrench into matters. "At worst, lie." He knocks on the wall where the door is.
Victor groans. "Oracle, open up." The door slides open and Victor could practically feel the smug look on Red's unknown face. He follows shortly after him. Red was looking over the report on the blood sample. "He was on some kind of super steroid. Computer says it shares similarities to something called Venom. Ever heard of it?"
"Something before your time and way back when I was a kid. The go to drug of Bane."
"...The luchador drug lord?"
"Yup. He hasn't even been stateside in years. This could be bad. Send me everything you have and I'll poke around while you and your girlfriend...do whatever it is kids your age do." Victor opened his mouth to speak and was silenced by a raised, gloved hand. "I don't need the details." Victor smirked then sent all the data he had on the patch and the blood sample. Red would make his exit through the garage and the secret tunnel access that Victor also discovered! It was wide enough to fit his car through!
With Red gone the apartment was prepped for Olivia's arrival. The armory was set to minimal draw with the door shut tight. The kitchen was straightened up, the couch made to look like he didn't sleep on it and the door left open for her to come in while he scrubbed the smell of gunpowder off his body in the shower.
He had to think on how to spin having the armory if Olivia does pick up on it or when. Secrets keep her safe. It certainly kept him safe all these years, but why should he be the one lying to her as well? Everything that involves that secret room measures up to things he could proudly tell her about. It's her dad that wanted to keep things hushed. Why not fuck with Bruce in a way that doesn't hurt Olivia? He could only imagine the disappointed look and possible silent treatment she'd give her dad like on tv. Then again how would she feel about him being some vigilante on top of his mercenary work? How does she even feel about the ones the city already has? The Robins did come to save her during the kidnapping incident. But she also seemed annoyed for a reason he can't quite remember. What if she asks about all of the equipment? The only gun she's ever seen on him was by chance.
During his wrestling match with this dilemma he made it back to his bedroom to change into casual clothes. There was room now to buy more and at the rate he's losing shirts he's going to need it. His phone chirped and the shuffle of someone on the stairs was heard. She's here. He can figure all this out later.
Olivia knocked before stepping into Victor's apartment and hurried to the counter. The white paper shopping bag was emptied of its contents, a classic American lunch of a burger and fries. One for each of them. Simple! All she had to do was hide the restaurant's bag. "Whatcha' got there, Sunshine?" came Victor as he entered the kitchen. Olivia squeaked and tucked the bag behind her back. Victor smirked and slowly approached her. He glances at the food. "Burgers? Nice. Where did you get them? I know a pretty nice place in The Bowery but I know you didn't come from that way."
Olivia smiled and backed towards the trash can. "I knew a place that has amazing burgers and I wanted you to try them." Her heart was racing as she was slowly stalked across the kitchen. "You know, just some quaint place."
Victor arched a brow and looked at the plates their meal was sitting on. They weren't his. "Quaint places hand out expensive dishes now?"
"Um...maybe?" she said then tried to blindly find the bin. She shrieked when he shot between her and it. Static surged along her skin. She was smiling, lit up like always. "I... may have overdone it?"
He smirked and stepped closer. "Babe it can't possibly be that bad so just let me throw that bag out for you and we can" He lunged and she screamed and ran into the living room. He pursued at a leisurely pace. When he got close she would dart away giggling. "Food is getting cold."
Olivia inched towards the kitchen now that she had her back against the bedroom adjacent wall. "Then just let me throw out this bag and AH!" She could feel him preparing to move but she still was not fast enough to make it to her goal. She headed towards the bedroom and he was right behind her only for her to duck under his arm and scamper back to the kitchen.
Victor snatched her by her waist and hugged her close then plucked the bag from her fingers. "No!" she laughed and tried to reach it. The name on the bag was written in gold calligraphy. Even the paper it was printed on felt expensive. "This is the fourth most expensive place in Gotham!" he laughed in disbelief. He's been there once before to disrupt the dinner celebration of one family beneath the Maronis.
Olivia shrank a bit. "I overdid it?"
Victor laughed and hugged her tighter. "That is an understatement. Hope it reheats well for bougie burgers," he said then brought his lips to her shoulder. His heart beat fast and his blood seemed on fire. The bag was tossed into the kitchen to land wherever. "Gotta work up an appetite."
This section has been censored and edited out. For the unedited version please check AO3
Victor sat up to give them both room to breath and cool from the heat that built up between them with sweat streaking down his toned form. He followed the trail burned along his wall and smirked. Olivia let out a weak groan and that snapped him back to reality. "You alright, Sunshine?" He examined the marks he left on her neck and shoulders. What kind of beast did he let himself turn into?
Olivia smiled. "Sore..." she giggled. Her eyes returned to normal but there was still a glow about them.
"I overdid it," he sighs then leaned over her to kiss her lips and press his forehead against her own. He leaned into the soft palm that caressed his cheek, turning just enough to kiss at the center.
She is still smiling while shaking her head. "I mean, maybe a little," she giggled. That mirth was a relief to him but he knew he put too much of his strength into this. "Mm, you still feel ready to go again."
"I have you to thank for that," he said, then kissed her. "You keep shocking me. Makes it difficult to come down from that." Her eyes were wide causing him to sit back up. "You don't feel that?" he laughed.
"No! I thought it was just a surface thing. I'm sorry!" She inhaled and focused to calm herself.
Victor chuckled and gently wiggled her hips with his hands. "Don't be, it feels amazing." Her pulling back was probably for the best. He was wanting to again but it's clear she still needs time to catch her breath. He pulled himself free and she gasped then rolled in static again. He would drop beside her and pull her close to his chest. "I really made a mess of your neck." In spite of her complexion those bruises and imprints of his teeth would easily be seen.
"I think I like you biting me," she confessed while weaving her fingers with his own. Bright honey eyes spied the damage she did to his wall. "I... think that will scrub off," she squeaked. Hopefully!
He snickered and nuzzled into her neck. "I should make some changes so you have something grounded to hold on to." He breathed in the warm scent of her hair and sighed. "Still, I should have held back more."
Olivia giggled and shook her head. "Mel was right about you."
Victor narrowed his eyes. "Mm, let's hear what she had to say this time."
"She says you're like a reverse werewolf that turns into a dopey pitbull."
"Dopey!?" he growled then kissed her neck. "Queen of mean strikes again. Though I can live with werewolf."
Olivia wiggled and turned to face him properly, ignoring the soreness of her hips and thighs. "What does that make me?" she asked and he fell deep into those big eyes.
"Whatever you want to be but clearly a marshmallow."
She pinched one of his arms and he feigned feeling it. "I'm more than a marshmallow! I... I guess I'm a sheep wandering from the flock." Victor furrowed his brow as she continued. "Every move I make feels scary but I just keep on going because there's stuff out there I want."
"You're an odd sheep raised in a pack of guard dogs. I think I'm starting to get why you are who you are." He squeezed her hand. "Confidence of a predator and none of the menacing energy or malicious intent." Olivia smiled. That was a far cooler way of explaining that she turned out soft compared to her family. "I feel sorry for anyone that manages to uncover those horns you've got hiding behind all that fleece." He grinned. "And I hope I get to watch."
Olivia scrunched up her nose. "Victor!"
"What?" he laughed. "I will also be there to help you calm down... I just might not try that hard if I think they deserve it." He kissed that scrunched up nose only to receive a mild zap. "Mm! Careful, Sunshine or you might not be able to walk away from this room." She searched his face, chewed on her bottom lip and shocked him again. The embers in his eyes reignited.
The night is young and it is time for Victor to get to work. Olivia was sent home by rideshare at her insistence. She didn't want him to be late for anything by driving all the way up that mountain just for her sake. Olivia would let herself be a distraction for only so long and they may be cutting it close with her arriving near her curfew. After they finally ate he did tell her...in a sense about the secret room. He simply called it the place he stores his "tools of the trade" but it can double as a safe room in emergencies. He doesn't foresee any trouble following him home and if they come at him when he's with her he's not going to hesitate to put them down.
Normal work brought him to Oasis. For the sake of getting in touch with Red at a moment's notice he kept his minimal mask tucked in the pocket of his leather jacket. It was all black and dressed down for him to blend in with the rest of security tonight while he moved about the club doing his job. He wasn't anticipating trouble but given the size of the crowd it was inevitable. They were at capacity which was unusual even for a Saturday. As if they were making up for lost time waiting on the heat around meta-humans to die down. Doing his "day job" allowed him the chance to see what new drugs may be circulating. Unless Riley has a direct channel to a Caribbean drug lord, someone had to be pushing these Venom-lite patches as Red called them.
Shelf stable, compact and missing many key components of the genuine article and something else they couldn't place said the reports Red Hood sent for him to look over. Another observation of a user in the wild could help them be certain. Working from there and beyond the city would have to be up to Red to handle. After the docks Victor is not interested in wandering far from a fire just as it's getting going. Work may come flooding in and even if he refuses most of the jobs the nature of those offers will tell him more than enough about what is happening between the heavy weights in the underground.
Victor rarely stayed in one place for very long within Oasis. The crowd enjoyed their time drinking, dancing, some drunkenly singing at various talent levels and the occasional scrap that would last only moments. Nothing he had to intervene in. The security team beneath him moved like a machine. Branagh was kept in the loop while he took to assisting behind one of the bars. The man was quite the showman with a bottle and could hold the attention of a gaggle of club goers long enough for them to forget whatever they came in frustrated over.
Outside the world was cruel to them for reasons beyond their control and made to feel ashamed for those reasons. In these walls they were people. No more or less flawed than any other. Just as capable of being fuck ups but judged three times as harsh. "Zsasz!" one of the waitstaff called, miss fiery hair Yazmine. He looked across a few heads to her then to where she was pointing. He signaled for her to follow. A young man was stumbling towards the restrooms with another man close behind glancing around. Not the behaviour of someone worried about the one they were on the heels of.
A young woman built as much as Victor with feline-like features named Tonya was grabbed along the way. Yazmine dropped the flames of her hair and followed the pair of club goers in first. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?" came her voice through the door. Victor gave the signal to enter and he would follow suit. The stalker was caught by surprise and backed away from one of the open stalls. A weak groan came from inside.
"I was just trying to help him!" the man said in a startled voice.
"Good on you. We can take it from here!" Tonya growled while getting between the open stall and him. Inside the woozy patron sat slumped over, barely able to keep his eyes open. Yazmine slipped in to tend to the customer while Zsasz blocked the door. The suspicious and now anxious man approached thinking wrongfully that he was free to go.
"Pockets, empty them!" Victor said in a calm but firm tone. He hesitated and Victor stood straight. "I won't ask again." Trembling hands complied. Every pocket he had was turned out. Wallet, keys, cellphone, a tiny plastic bag with a single pill inside and dust around it. He began to explain himself but Victor silenced him. Victor hooked an arm around the man's neck and held his own phone up to snap a picture. A charming smile offset but a look of terror on the man. "You're coming with me. Tonya, you got this handled?"
"Yeah, Zsasz. Don't worry."
The man looked even more panicked. "Zsasz?!"
Victor grinned. "Oh, you've heard of me? I'm flattered. Now let's go before I make a mess in here." The photo was sent to all of the staff while Victor "escorted" the man out back into the alley. A swift slam of his fist to his gut made him double over and gasp for air. "Don't let me catch you around here again." Victor straightened out his jacket and looked up and down the alleyway then returned to the club. Tonya and Yazmine would take care of the drugged club goer. Friends he arrived with witnessed him being carried out of the restroom and were understandably worried. They'll see him home. That was five bodies out of the way to allow more to enter. A new batch to prove how human they were. They had their work cut out for them tonight and it would be a long one.
Last call came at 3am. As the last of a hardy crowd were ushered or forcibly removed from the dancefloor and out the doors the staff tried to get everything cleaned enough to not leave the afternoon staff with much work. Every room, even ones locked to all but the staff were swept through for any persons hiding out, chairs turned over on tables and then floors literally swept up. Among one dirt pile Victor spotted a familiar sized patch. Same coloring but this one still had the clear film on the adhesive side. What a thing to drop and lucky for them whomever was carrying this did. What fights that broke out through the night were simple and did not involve someone strong enough to throw a man across the room.
Branagh was shown the curious patch and he smirked. "Trying to tell me to quit?" he laughed while counting over tonight's earnings.
"An associate of mine assumes this is a new drug on the street. The violent kind." Branagh arched a brow then looked over the patch before Victor pocketed it. "I'm going to make sure but keep an eye out for more."
"This have anything to do with what happened at the docks?" he asked as he finished his count.
"Depends on what you heard happened." Victor had a deathly serious look in his eyes. He did not play games with this man out of respect.
"A whole lotta none of my business but there's talk some monsters got loose out there."
Victor chose his words carefully. "None of our own from what I heard." Branagh nodded his head. "Old man, what do you know about the party scene?"
The older gentleman rolled his shoulders before leaning back into his chair. "Not much these days. I'm leaning on the lot of you to keep me in the loop about even small things. What kind of party?"
"Athletics."
He frowned. "I'll keep my eyes peeled. Now get out of here. Wait!" He held a hand up and Victor stopped heading towards the door. "Penguin dropped by not long ago. Didn't set foot inside, just dropped a message for you. 'Pride over deep pockets.' Whatever that should mean." Victor clenched his jaw then began to leave. It was time to be even more discerning of the jobs he took sooner than he anticipated.
"Take it easy, Ray," he said, then waved over his head before leaving. He would head straight home, leaving the driving up to the bike while he mulled over how best to proceed. Any moves made would have to wait for him to get a decent amount of sleep. The newly collected patch was put in the lab for testing. Perhaps it will come back as simply a nicotine patch and they could worry less about a possible rampage on their hands in the near future. Perhaps.
