A night of exhausting small talk, familial violence and perhaps too long an early morning of being entangled with Victor left Olivia feeling more drained than she could ever imagine. No one could blame her for finally relaxing after weeks of worrying. No one would wake her either, not even Victor. Olivia was allowed to sleep long past noon. When she finally made her arrival in the cave she found just Bruce and Jason at the computer.
Bruce had his arm in a splint and sling and will entertain going in for extensive healing after matters are settled with his family. The process puts him out of commission far longer than he would like. Jason appeared to have not slept at all. "I see you're finally up," Bruce said then smiled as Olivia gave him a gentle hug. "How did you sleep?"
"Like the dead," she said before slipping over to Jason to hug him as well. His embrace was tighter. Last night's event had them all shaken up. "I feel fine, just sore from healing my ribs in under five minutes. Where is everyone?"
"Tim is monitoring your grandmother and the other fae at the Watchtower. Victor mentioned paying family a visit and your brother is returning Arthur home," Bruce explained. Olivia was not fond of calling that woman her grandmother. "We're expecting the colony tomorrow. Given the circumstances and information we have, if they're civil, they will be in quarantine for a few days before we can speak with them."
"Yay, more waiting," she groaned. "Well, is it safe for me to let off this excess energy?"
"Do you feel you need to?"
Olivia shrugged as she thought about how she felt physically. "It doesn't feel like I do. I'm not burning up and I don't feel restless. I guess my explosive growth upped my capacity."
"Seems like it," Jason commented. "You should be fine but let us know if anything comes up. No secrets over this!" He pauses then looks at Bruce while he quirks a brow, but keeps his eyes on the screen. "Maybe some secrets." Olivia's cheeks burn as her hair sparks. She expected her family to pick up on her...appetite and hoped they would remain quiet on it. Even if she was more discreet it wouldn't matter. A little more privacy from a house full of detectives would be nice. She'll be happy when she and Victor can retreat back to his place.
After looking over her father she narrows her eyes. "I hope you realize this doesn't count as resting, dad. You still owe me 48 consecutive hours." Her attention turns to Jason. "You too! I am not used to being at the center of all of this but taking better care of yourselves helps reduce my stress."
"Eh, I'll be fine, Sparky," Jason says with a dismissive wave. "The one up side to a dip in that pit is I heal fast, remember?"
"Physically, not mentally!" she says with a stomp of her foot. Given her two long braids she looked like an angry floppy eared rabbit trying to intimidate. "I know what I sounded like having my body tearing itself apart. It still freaks me out. I can't imagine what it was like to watch."
Jason grimaced. They did replay the gruesome scene to ensure they learned all they could but after the second time they had to mute the photoage. "Okay, Sparky."
"Am I still homebound or can I go into the city for a bit?" she asks her father.
Bruce looked at Jason then back to his work on the screen. "I'd rather you not go anywhere unsupervised until we're certain this is all settled."
Olivia listened to his relaxed tone and swayed. "Does supervision mean being around family or anyone that can call you for help if something happens?"
"The latter." Olivia beamed. Freedom at last! "Phone on you at all times and bring your suit as a precaution. You may need to fly home."
Honey eyes grew wide. "You would be okay with me still flying around?"
"I would prefer you stick to more traditional forms of transportation but this is something that is a part of who you are. What kind of father would I be if I denied you that?"
"Batman," Jason snorts while Olivia giggles.
"Thank you dad," Olivia happily sighs while hugging around his neck. "I will get a normal means into town and back out. Flying only in emergencies. Weather permitting. I discovered last night that I'm pretty bad at flying in a snowstorm." She could practically hear her dad clenching his jaw. It was clear her flying around worried him. She is the batfam's first flier after all. "If I don't think I can make it home I will go to the nearest friend's home or one of the safe houses. I love you!" she cheered then scampered off to get her suit and redressed.
Victor inhaled the crisp November air and smiled. This will be the first Thanksgiving he doesn't make himself a nuisance which is a little sad. He enjoyed dipping in and out of expensive homes, picking up rumors and eating as he went. The sheer number of rich people that have huge parties today was ridiculous but very advantageous for someone like him. He could easily blend into a crowded room and be gone before anyone noticed. He did have something to do today. His only stop in casual clothes was Hye-ja's store.
The little store owner was happy and somehow angered to see him. Her family excitedly moved through the shop putting away stock and talking about their dinner tonight. Hye-Ja mutters while pushing Victor towards the back storeroom.
Victor laughed and shook his head. he asked and received quite the sharp look. he explains with a hearty smile.
Hye-ja narrows her eyes.
Victor stuck his tongue out at her and received a quick swat to his arm. A relative wandered in and she slipped into English. "I saw you on that Courtney lady's show. Where did you get a suit that nice?"
A smirk touched his lips and he gave the passing family member a wink. The young man looked flustered before averting his gaze. Victor turned his attention back to Hye-ja. "Olivia made it for me but that's not why I'm here." He took his phone out to show Hye-ja a picture of Mario Falcone. "If this man comes around asking about me, be careful on how dumb you play."
Hye-ja took the phone to inspect the man's face and raised a brow. He was good looking but if her strange son was warning her she would listen. "You steal! All the time. Come into my shop and take then run," she said, playing up her fresh off the boat act. Family cleared out and she slipped back into Korean.
Victor shrugged. He took out a black business card and handed it to the woman. With the right angle and light his number can be seen.
Hye-ja has seen that cold look in his eyes before and possibly a child version of it when he was small aimed at her. She pats his cheeks, unphased and leads him out to the front of the store.
He grins. He has his cheeks pat twice more before he's on his way. Everywhere he looks people are hurrying to grab last minute ingredients before the markets close. Some have already started drinking. Many were disappointed that the parade was canceled but after last month's ruined events it's understandable. Victor checks his phone after it vibrates for his attention. Time to make a quick visit to the brown stones on the north west side of the city.
His car pulled to a stop just a block or two away from Arthur's house. He took his phone out to send a message then stepped out to lean against the hood of his car. His hands are jammed in his pockets and his eyes behind his sunglasses focused on the faces he sees. Kids playing in the street looked on by older siblings or cousins. Older relatives on stoops sequestered to mind the children and keep out of the way of those still cooking inside.
There is a slight bit of jealousy that melts away. He's just happy his brother got to grow up in a place like this. Footsteps approach and he tilts his head up just enough to peer over the edge of his sunglasses at Douglas O'Hara running up smiling. "Vic!" he calls out. "Didn't think you'd actually come by," he said while giving his older brother a hug.
"Gonna be real, Doug, I probably shouldn't have," Victor said with a plain look about his face. His little brother frowns then leaned against the car with him. "You shouldn't really be seen with me too often. Especially not during the day."
"Is it cause my dad's a cop?" Doug asked with his arms crossed.
"Yeah. Thankfully a decent one too. I don't have the kind of reputation that should follow anyone around."
Doug sighs. "So I take it you're not going to come say hi for a bit." Victor shook his head. The brothers are quiet for some time before Doug speaks up again. "Saw you on TV. Does her dad not know you two are dating?"
Victor snorts. "Nothing gets past that man!" he laughs. "Besides, Olivia wouldn't feel right keeping us a secret from her old man. The public at large can fuck right off though. And before you say anything, the Waynes have the kind of money that can make any problem go away, including me. Me being seen with one does nothing they can't shake off." That made Doug uneasy. "It's fine. I'll come around, catch a few of your games but I'm not bringing trouble to you or the rest of your family. Keeping you safe is my priority."
"Then why bother showing up?!"
"It's clear to me now that I have a hard time telling certain people in my life no." Doug smiles and looks back up the street he came. "Besides, you looked like you were genuinely happy to see me. That's rare outside of Liv." He gently punched Doug in the arm then glanced down the street. He's anticipating someone to come looking for his brother soon. "Do you need anything?"
Doug scratched at his chin. "Like what? We don't need money."
"Not your family, just you."
The teenager shrugged. "I don't really need anything. I just wanted to see my brother. Thanks for doing that much." Doug spotted his father searching for him. "The old man is looking for me. You sure you won't stop in for a second? Say hi to mom?" Mr. O'hara crossed his arms at the sight of the brothers Zsasz. Victor offered a small wave and was surprised to receive a nod. "Come on. Just for a little bit? If you need to be a ninja about it you can come through the backdoor."
Victor grew tense as he watched his brother's adopted father. He wasn't sure this was a good idea. "You sure I'm actually welcome?" he asked.
"Dad used to tell me a Christmas present under the tree was from you up to last year, Vic," he explains with a smile.
Victor winces as he rubs the back of his neck. He clearly wasn't being as clever and discreet as he thought, leaving gifts of money where Mr. O'hara could find them. "I'll move my car. I can only stay for a bit." Doug gave a quiet cheer then hurried off to his waiting father. They shared a few words before the older man looked at Victor and nodded with a warm smile. If this goes sideways, Victor will never forgive himself.
His car is moved somewhere more inconspicuous and he takes to the back allies towards the O'hara home. He's done this about a dozen times since they moved to a nicer neighborhood. It was a relief the day they left the Bowery. One less thing for Victor to have at the back of his mind while he worked. At the backdoor of the home he paused. He's only seen the inside from a few peeks into the window. Only heard the family carrying on beyond shut doors. The kitchen door swung open and a very pregnant Marigold O'hara stood at the top of the short steps, bright strawberry blonde hair over a glowing almond complexion. Victor froze, eyes wide and arm still extended to reach for the knob. "I..."
"Well don't just stand there," she laughs and hands over a bag of trash to that outstretched hand. "Take this to the can for me then clean up for dinner." Victor is a little stunned but does as is asked of him then follows her into the kitchen to wash his hands. There were pots going and dishes ready to be set on the table. A woman with the same hair color as Marigold spun into the kitchen with a baby on her hip. He was heads and shoulders taller than both of them. "Erica, can you get the turkey out for me?" Marigold said. Before Victor could offer his assistance instead Erica's little girl was passed into his arms.
Victor stared at the smiling tot awkwardly holding her as her feet dangled. "You are too big to be in the way," Erica chastises him. "Go on, out! Shoo!" He was ushered through the threshold and brought the little girl closer to hold properly. He felt so out of place. The dining table was set as well as a smaller one for the kids. The room beyond was what one would call cozy without being cramped. The O'haras had a nice home made warm with the family portraits across the walls, kids' toys speckled across furniture and soft lighting. The little girl in his arms pointed at Doug as he came up to his brother.
"I see you've met Lilly," he states and brings his face to his cousin with a smile. He receives a light smack to his nose. "She has a weird way of saying hello." Curious, Victor lifts up the girl to his own face. Lilly looks at him confused because he looks so familiar to Dougie but smiles and smacks his nose too. "See?" he laughs. Victor is led further into the home where Mr. Clancy O'hara sits with a young boy that looked like him and a man who must be Erica's significant other given that Lilly had his eyes.
"There he is!" Clancy calls out and waved to the young men to get out of the way of the door and to sit. Lilly giggled and seemed content to remain with Victor. "I see Lilly has taken a liking to you."
"The women around me seem to be consistent with having poor taste," Victor remarks.
"Uncle Javier, this is my brother Victor," Doug said then waved towards the quiet man with soft brown skin and auburn hair. He's seen this man before but only briefly. A hand is extended and Victor gives a firm shake.
"Oof! Don't break my hand, kid!" Javier laughs. "Feels like a strong arm runs in your blood. You play ball too?"
Victor gives a weak smile. "Never had the chance to try out myself." He raised a brow as Lilly gently tugged at one of the knives holstered beneath his right arm. Tiny fingers are gently plucked away. "Can't let you play with that. Maybe when you have better hand eye coordination." Lilly's father grew a bit tense but Victor could keep the air light. He looks at the child staring at him beside Clancy. Before he can say hello the boy speaks.
"Hey, why are you bald?" he asks loudly. Clancy grimaced and clamped a hand over his son's mouth.
"Markus, what the heck man!" Doug hissed.
"It's an immune disorder," Victor says without missing a beat. He's used to the blunt questions of kids. They're innocent and largely curious by nature. "Hair fell out when I was about your age." Lilly moves to stand on Victor's legs babbling at him. He is unsure of how to carry on a conversation with someone that can't talk. The kid seems made of glass in his hands. He gives a toothy smile and she claps her hands and laughs.
Doug narrowed his eyes. "She really likes you, starting to think she's got a new favorite cousin," he grumbles.
"Like I said, the women in my life have bad taste," he laughs.
"That, I think we have in common, Victor," Javier laughed then reached out to take his knife pilfering daughter. "Still don't know why Erica bothers with me but someone has to like this ugly mug!" He smiles wide and his daughter smiles right back reaching for his face. Victor knows a girl dad when he sees one now. It's cute.
The mixed family chattered along with Victor. He felt less out of place and more at ease now. Was this how families were supposed to be around this time? No backstabbing or nasty whispers, just mild sabotage as siblings bicker. Questions are aimed at Victor and he answers without revealing too much about the work he does. Mr. O'hara seems relieved by that. It would seem only he understood what the eldest Zsasz got up to. Victor will try to keep it that way.
Olivia tilted her head as she looked at her phone upon receiving a strange message from Victor. "I'm leaving you for a younger woman." The picture to follow was Lilly asleep on his chest and Doug hanging over the back of a couch. Olivia smiles with her hair gently sparking. "SO CUTE!" she cooed then leaned back to show Melissa.
Mel quints and smirks. "I knew he had a kid somewhere out there!" she teased. "Is that his little brother?" Olivia nods. "Man, them genes sure are strong. I wondered what he'd look like with hair."
"I'm surprised he went to see them," Olivia says while sending him a message before setting her phone aside. "I think spending so much time with my family made him want to reach out again."
Melissa stares. "Your family is weird as fuck, he probably wanted to know what a normal one looks like." Olivia stuck her tongue out. This was nice getting back to normal. When she showed up to relax with Melissa her best friend was in furious tears. Relieved but also annoyed she was left so far out of the loop but Arthur wasn't? Unacceptable. There were several offers to beat up Olivia's biological grandmother. Beyond protective violence she was relieved her best friend was finally given a moment to breathe. Melissa was overjoyed to discover Olivia could fly now. The retelling of the fight was scarce on details not because Mel couldn't be trusted. There are just some things she didn't want to share, like how she nearly died.
"So, the sperm donor is still on his way?" Melissa asked while they snacked as Olivia waited for her ride back up to the manor. Her best friend nods with a pained look on her face. "Think you'll have to get into another fight?"
"I don't know and I really hope not," Olivia sighed. "Dad says we might not be alone if there is one but no fight would be preferred. My heart can't really take doing all of that again."
"You have a small army at your beckon call, I say use them," Mel said with a shrug. "It's clear they want to protect you. I say let them and kick this man's ass too! Nobody fucks with my best friend and gets away with it. Don't care how much blood they share with you."
Olivia looked to the open door of Melissa's huge bedroom. A woman with greying brown hair and soft creases on her flawless skin stood in a cream colored dress adjusting one of her earrings. "Mel, sweetie, have you seen your brothers?" Mrs. Gates asked from beyond the threshold.
"Mother please, why would I know where they are?" Melissa groaned. Giggling came from beneath her bed then shushing noises. Olivia sucked in her bottom lip and tried not to laugh.
"Holland, Izaiah! Out, you two! It's about time we got you properly socialized!" she said while tapping her foot. The brothers in question slowly emerged grumbling. They were identical, brunettes like their sister and scarcely dressed for a dinner party.
"Why does Mel get to stay home?" Izaiah whined.
"I've done my time and you two couldn't stay quiet for five more minutes," Mel states then stuffed a strawberry into her mouth. Olivia waved to Mrs. Gates and the twins as they left. "That party has been a blessing and a curse."
"They have you planning a New Years party, don't they?" Olivia asked.
"Bitch, yes! Ugh! I am too talented a hostess for my own good. Please tell me you'll go!" Melissa asked. "It'll be frou frou enough that you can bring your boyfriend in his bodyguard getup." Olivia gave a shrug. "Oh come on! I didn't get to see your outfit in person yesterday. If I'd known you'd gone I could have helped you harass an old man."
Olivia shrugged yet again. "I'll think about it, promise. This year has just been so exhausting."
"Well it's almost over so why not ring in the new year by getting black out drunk with your bestie?" The weak smile is all Melissa needs. She hugs around Olivia's neck and squeezes tight. "Did I tell you I'm really glad you're okay?"
"Once or twice," Olivia laughs and returns the hug. "I'll fly for you sometime before then though. Promise."
"Phft! You better. Arthur gets to see before me. Really? Arthur?!"
The girls laugh and relax a bit longer before Olivia's ride comes for her. One of the autonomous vehicles in the family's fleet retrieves her a little after the sun sets. The drive back home is quiet. Olivia scrolls through her messages and pictures with a soft smile. The picture of Victor and his brother is pulled back up and her heart soars. She's happy they have each other again. She's grateful for her own family as well. It's hard to imagine where she would be or what she would be like without them. She has to plan out something to do for them for helping keep her mind in one piece through all that's happened. Gifts might be the way to go or perhaps a movie day during winter break.
After a bit she sends a message to Victor to see how the family festivities are going. She does not expect a video call to come through. After checking her top and hair she answers. "Hey, wol... hi?" Olivia laughs as a woman answers.
"Oh, she is cute!" Erica gasps. "Hi! I'm Dougie's auntie!"
"Uh, hi I'm Olivia. Is Victor there?" she asks now even more concerned about her appearance.
The phone is turned to show Victor holding Markus under one arm and supporting Lilly carefully with the other. Both are laughing and squirming. "Hey babe, I got mugged!" he calls out. His jacket is somewhere while he tries to handle the kids without dropping one. He hoists up the young boy. "Markus, say hi to my girlfriend."
The boy scrunches up his nose. "That's not your girlfriend!" he laughs. The boy is gently dropped to the floor.
"Victor!" Olivia laughs.
"Eh, he's fine," he snickers, then reaches over to collect the phone from Erica and holds it up as he turns so Olivia can see the family in the living room behind him. "Say hi to Olivia."
"Hi Olivia!" the family cheers.
Olivia's cheeks are dark as she smiles and waves. "Hi. I see everyone is having fun. Is that my competition in your arms?"
"This is Doug's baby cousin Lilly." Erica comes to retrieve her child giving a wave to the phone then let Victor have privacy to dip into the kitchen. "I taught a baby how to use a knife."
"What?!"
"It was a plastic one," he reassured. His knives were still safely in their holsters. Once the family got comfortable around him they didn't mind seeing them. "Have I told you today that I love you?"
Olivia smiles as the lights of one of the tunnels out of the city swipe past the car windows. "Mm, yeah. I love you too. When I heard you had family to visit I didn't think it would be Doug's parents."
The call is shifted to end the video side so he can be off speaker as he spoke with her. "Yeah, neither did I. I saw Hye-ja. She's got a full house too." His gaze floats towards the living room just beyond the dining room filled with excited voices.
"I can only imagine. It's not often we have all the Waynes under one roof for more than a few hours. I'll be happy so long as dad doesn't go out tonight with a broken arm."
Victor pauses as he listens carefully to her voice. The subtle inflections and pitch shifts. "You okay, Sunshine?"
Olivia had to think about that. "Yeah, I think I am. Just a tired kind of relieved, I suppose. A night of quiet will do me a lot of good."
"Don't want me to come by?"
She shakes her head clearly for herself. "No, I'll be fine. Think I'm finally letting myself feel...everything so some alone time may be what I need right now." There is silence for about thirty seconds. She inhales then smiles. "Try not to feel pressured to suit up tonight, okay?"
"Hehe, it'll be hard making me stay home. Having you and family has been a strange motivator. Even if I do head out I'll let you know when I get home. Okay?"
"Okay. I love you, Victor."
He smiles with his ears turning red and his eyes closing. "I love you too, Sunshine."
As Olivia pulls into the manor's garage she's pleasantly surprised to feel her family home. She hurries through to the kitchen. Alfred spent what was clearly most of the day preparing a hearty meal for the Waynes. After quickly washing up she joins her brothers and father in the dining room. "Am I late?" Olivia asks with a beaming smile and sparks through her hair.
Bruce turned in his chair. "Right on time, sweetheart," he said in a warm tone. With a light heart she hugs her dad then takes her spot beside Damian. Family diners are rare but always loved. They are a strange hodgepodge of a family and Olivia wouldn't have them any other way. Gotham is calm enough that she gets more than just a few hours with them. They finish dinner uninterrupted. Clean up together and watch a movie together. Perfect.