The buzz around the academy has been swept away from the homecoming dance to an event later in October. The Gates Halloween Party at the Wayne Botanical Garden. Without having to ask a single Wayne, Melissa secured a new location for her party and managed it below her budget. She gets a massive venue to have half of Gotham inside and the garden gets to show off their potential for hosting again. It's been years since a plant attack! Between her studies and organizing Mel will be busy. She is refusing assistance from her friends at every turn except pulling her away to relax. If she insists on making sure Olivia relaxes then she has to allow them to do the same for her.

Olivia had her work cut out for her as well or at least that's what everyone around her assumed. Her grades were up and steady, she decompressed on a regular basis and the one thing she excelled at was making costumes! She was deep in her element and so ecstatic about it. Countless times she has run off to fabric and craft stores to collect everything she would need. The only costume that needed to be crafted mostly from scratch was Melissa's! She made a request and Olivia was going to deliver.

Behind the scenes the Robins were making calls for assistance for what would surely be a busy night and synthesizing a safe antidote to the fear venom that continues to pop up around the city. Crane's usual large-scale application of his fear toxin is airborne, but the worry that someone may flip a car is still there. Bruce is not leaving this as a learning experience. They will have to prepare a cure of the fear toxin and the nerve toxin for injections on a case by case basis. He also intends to be here to assist if matters beyond the city do not pull him away. A party lined up behind Gotham's Halloween parade is a tempting target for Jonathan Crane. If he's even behind this at all. GCPD can be warned but the more information they have the better. Jason has taken upon himself to investigate Crane. With Victor handling the underground they may have this locked down.

Victor's job was easy. Be the spook he was meant to be. So long as the threat he might be there was in the air, Riley stayed hunkered down in his gym. He utilized the natural menacing aura he brings while on the job. The shotgun he kept with him at all times helped too. After the docks he was taking no risks. More efficient stopping power. Tranquilizer rounds to slow any particularly enhanced individuals. He took Red Hood's advice to heart. No second guessing and zero hesitation. Pressure was applied from both sides. The occasional raid on a warehouse or drug den by The Black Mask kept a fire under everyone. All the while he kept his ear to the ground.

A street name popped up for the fear venom patches; dog tags. Word got around they were developed to be used by the military in case of an emergency. Finding the source of the rumor may point them to whomever was changing the initial formula. Information on the patch's development did not stray far from Santa Prisca, only a direct supplier may know.

Amidst all this scrambling and planning there are moments of peace and fun. Victor finds himself visiting Wayne Manor more than Olivia visits his apartment. He's not going to fully distract her from the project she has become so passionate about. Just a little distraction. As he dismounts his bike at the bottom of the steps to the front door it opens. Brown eyes rise up expecting to see Alfred only for him to spot Arthur assuring his ride was just down the hill and on the way up. Victor smiles and offers a wave before removing a folded black garment from the compartment under the seat. "Hey, you're Arthur right?" he asked and the young man seemed startled.

"Yes, that is me. You're Miss Olivia's boyfriend Victor," he said then extended a hand for a shake. Victor shifts his helmet beneath one arm to oblige. "She talks so much about you."

Victor smirks. "I'm sure she doesn't talk that much about me."

"She kinda does?" Arthur nervously laughed while shifting his camera bag on his shoulder. "It's really sweet. I just...hope you feel the same way. I can't imagine what she'd be like heart broken."

Victor may not be able to read Arthur's face but his body language says more than enough. There's a quiet hostility towards him. He smirks and tilts his head. "You...have a crush on her, don't you?"

Arthur gripped the strap of his bag and bowed his head before raising it up. Victor caught a glimpse of one eye beneath that mop of hair. "I can't really say for sure. She doesn't understand the effect she has on other fae. But...but she's my friend and I want to protect her." Victor arched a brow. With a trembling hand Arthur pushed his glasses up to move his hair out of his face and stare Victor down. "I will do anything to protect my monarch."

Those were some unusual eyes and he had to give it to Arthur for growing a spine in the presence of a known killer. "Good on ya." Arthur seemed confused as Victor came up to pat him on the shoulder. "She needs more people like you around, but just between you and me, Art!" He leaned in. "If you make a move on her, and I find out, I'm breaking your legs." He sounded unserious but Arthur looked genuinely scared of this man. Victor stood straight, smiled and gave him another pat. "I'm fuckin' with you!" he laughs. Was he? "See ya around, kid." As Victor disappeared into the manor Arthur had to sort out what just happened. Why didn't his charm work?! The honk of a horn beyond the gates snapped him out of his stupor and he hurried to his ride.

Victor had no clue the kid could turn that eye charm off. He was greeted by Alfred and handed over his helmet. They've been over this nearly every time he comes over but he had to just accept that the butler was going to do his job. As he made his way to Olivia's room he had to shake that streak of possessiveness that rose up along the way reflecting back on his moment with Arthur. She's not an object to fight over. She also doesn't need to know he threatened one of her friends, even if it was in jest. Probably best she finds out on her own that the poor guy has feelings for her as well.

He raps his knuckles on the opened door to grab Olivia' attention. She looked up from a dressform she was repositioning and gave a bright smile. "Hi!" she cheered and rushed over to throw her arms around his neck in a hug before a sweet kiss to his lips. "Did you run into Arthur on your way out?" she asked while gently tugging him inside.

"Yeah, seems like a nice guy." His eye was pulled away to the now three dressforms lined up beside one another with completed costumes. Two fluffy white costumes given horns made of wire curled in different ways. Beside them was a black costume with a lupine looking minimalist mask. Each piece was given the accents of the animal they were supposed to invoke rather than straight up features. The black was trimmed with black and grey faux wolf fur in places OIivia felt they fit best with the jacket it was all attached to. Just the outside of the hood was given the same treatment. "You sure work fast!" he whistled then looked at his excited girlfriend gently trying to pluck the black object from his hands. He let's go without hesitation.

"I don't really have to do much. I'm retrofitting most of it," she explains then hurries to a fourth mannequin to drape the heavy coat over then adjusted to fit the size as closely as possible. "With the exception of Mel's, all of these just needed a bit of rummaging through closets. Most of Arthur's had to be bought new. He made such a fuss about that," she laughs.

He drifted between each piece to admire her work. "I'll promise not to put holes in this coat."

Olivia smirks. "You better. I'm still trying to figure out how to fix the last one you ripped."

Victor swooped in to slip his arms around her waist. "I didn't rip it. Someone tore a hole with poor knife skills. I figured you'd be more concerned for me!"

"And I thought you said you were faster?" she teased. She squealed as she was picked up and spun around.

"Gross!" came Damian's voice from the hall as he walked by. "Get a room!"

"We are in a room!" Olivia snapped back.

Damian poked his head in. "Then close the fucking door," he said, grabbed the knob and yanked it shut.

Olivia looked up at Victor who's smile turned devious. "Well, now that we don't have an audience!" he growled and pulled her tight for a deep kiss. A bit of static and the scent of ozone. "Shit, before I forget. I wanted to ask something." Glowing, honey eyes focus on his. "Come with me to Gotham High's homecoming game."

Olivia scrunched up her nose and tilted her head. "I'm sorry what?"

"I haven't seen my brother play since he was in middle school. It would be nice to see how he's improved and not feel out of place." He grimaced and looked off. "Now that I've said it this feels like a dumb idea."

"I've never been to any kind of sporting event before. Family isn't too big on spectating." She guides his gaze back to her. "I'd love to."

He kissed her then pressed his forehead to her own. "Thanks, babe. You'll also help me keep from talking to him like I want to."

Olivia smiles. "I mean, what could it hurt? You said it yourself, he won't recognize you. Certainly had way more hair back then." He chuckled and she smiled. "Maybe don't dress like you're on the job when we go?" she suggested. "I do like you in a suit but it might be a bit much for a high school game."

Victor laughed and bowed his head. "You have me there, Sunshine."

She slipped free and went back to her sewing table to look through the drawers then darted around her room looking for something. "Take off your jacket. I need to make sure the other one will fit properly once I'm done modifying it. Just gotta find..." She sucked in her bottom lip and started turning over pillows, fabrics, faux fur, patterns! Everything. Victor watched as she disappeared into the bathroom. "Where is it?!"

Victor stepped into the bathroom, jacket and shirt left behind almost like he was instructed while holding the tape measure he found dangling from the doorknob. "Looking for this?" he asked.

Olivia spun around bright eyed and cheered. "You found it! I keep losing these," she explains then comes up to take the tape from him. He pulled it back with a sly look in his eye. "Hey!" He kicked the door shut behind them. Static crackled through her hair as she chewed at her bottom lip. "I am clearly in danger."

This second has been censored and edited for content. For the uncensored version please check AO3

Victor lay face up on Olivia's bed with his head resting in her lap. Olivia idly runs her nails along his scalp while making notes on her sketch for Melissa's costume. She did eventually get around to getting Victor's measurements again. "I forgot to ask how things are going with work, vaguely obviously," she said while tucking her sketchbook away.

"Mm, busy. Very busy. Good and bad. At Least I did something nice. Helped a friend and her little sister get out of the country."

"Her?" Olivia asked and regretted it. That sounded jealous! She didn't want to come off that way. She was simply curious.

"Yeah. She and I were uh...can't really say we were together at anypoint. Just fooling around a lot." Olivia looked off. "Getting a little envious, Sunshine?" he teased.

She was jealous! This has never happened before. "No, I'm just curious. Like, what was she like?"

He shrugged then sat up to turn and face her. "Typical mob princess. Naive to the world her dad operated in around her. Think we just...gravitated towards each other because we'd be the youngest in any given room. Being the same age felt like enough at the time."

"So why did you guys break up?" she asked while reaching out to slip her hand into his.

"One day she saw the real me. The wild dog her dad would hire every now and again. She didn't speak to me for years after that. Rightfully thought I was a monster."

"You're not a monster," Olivia said while she squeezed his hand.

"I am, Liv. The difference between then and now is I'm not trying to hide it as much." He sighs and pulls her into his lap to sit with his forehead against her own. "My old...not really boss. More like a handler? Fucked up uncle? He seems to think I'm on my way out of this life."

Olivia gently swayed and he followed her rhythm. "Do you think you are?"

"I don't think I'll ever fully be out of it but...yeah. It's getting easier to just stop being that guy sometimes."

"Hm, I may never get to meet this fucked up uncle will I?" She sits up and looks into his eyes.

"I prefer that you never did."

"Mm, he wouldn't approve of you dating a Gotham Princess?" she asks with a bit of a pout. He smirks and kisses her.

"It's just that he's another dangerous man. Though I don't think he'd ever hurt you. He wouldn't want me breathing down his neck for the rest of his short life. Or your dad." Olivia sucked in her bottom lip and looked to the open door.

Bruce stood, leaning against the doorway with a small smile. "Olivia, it's getting late," he explains. "You have class in the morning."

Olivia shrank a bit with a sheepish smile. "Sorry, dad. I'll see him out...unless I can convince you to let him stay the night?"

Bruce looked baffled that she would even ask. Victor laughed and rolled out of her bed. "Bold! You're cute but not that cute," he said while he pulled on his boots and took up his jacket. "Your dad can see me out. Get some sleep, Sunshine."

Olivia sat up to kiss him and smiled once he pulled back. "Goodnight, Wolfy," she says just low enough for only him to hear. His ears turned red and he smiled while walking backwards until he had to turn to keep from bumping into Bruce.

Bruce reached in to pull the door shut. "Goodnight, Olivia."

She gives a warm smile that could melt ice. "Goodnight, Dad!"

The door closed and Bruce led Victor to the main entrance of the mansion. "Not going to search me in case I pinched something?" Victor asked along the way.

"You're many things but not a petty thief, Victor," Bruce states and Victor smirks. Nothing escapes his notice. Not the fact Victor smells like the soap Olivia uses or the scratches barely hidden beneath his jacket collar. Especially not how it's clear he has something to say.

Once at the door Victor takes up his helmet left on a table in the wide hall. "Mr. Wayne," he begins.

"You can call me Bruce."

Victor shook his head and chuckled. "You definitely don't want me to, so I won't. I know about your associate in red." Bruce arched a brow but said nothing. "Didn't take much digging but then again I feel like he wanted me to find out. But if I can find that out I can find out what it is about you that scares The Penguin so much." They stared at one another for a long while. "Here's hoping I don't regret it. Goodnight, Mr. Wayne."

"Goodnight, Victor." As Victor heads down the stairs he calls out to him one last time. "You'll want to put a salve on those scratches you've got." Victor froze for just a second then pulled his helmet on and readied to leave. Bruce looked quite smug in the doorway of his ancestral home as he watched Victor ride away. Hopefully Victor will stay in the dark long enough for what's coming to pass without incident. Bruce had no intention of using him as a line of defense against the criminal underworld but now that he's in place that is a real power vacuum that cannot be allowed to open. There is no way to safely go back from this point.