Olivia hugged the jacket Victor handed over to her chest. It still smelled like him. That wasn't strange was it? To like that about him? Among many other things. She sighs and stashes it inside the locker with the rest of her things. The mask was on its way in but after noticing the bit of tech inside she hooked it to her hip then left the locker room. Melissa is waiting, reaching out to take her hand and lead her back to the party. She can't openly worry around Mel or Arthur. They'll ask questions and she doesn't feel like she has the room to give them answers. Olivia follows her friend into the flood of bodies dancing to music that vibrates her chest with lights swiping across or flashing on the crowd.
There is an energy in the massive room that she can't ignore. It feels as if it just calls to her very nature. The two girls meet up with Raven enjoying her own little bubble as she dances but once she has the two of them close she invites them closer. Everything will be fine. They are no more or less a spectacle than anyone else around them but there are eyes that turn their way and get ignored. They don't matter. Just noise in an ever shifting sea of minds. There is nothing she wants more than to dance with Victor again, watch his face light up when he sees her. A bit of static rolls up her spine, crackles through her hair and lights up her horns.
Nothing can distract from the minds she knows the most. She can feel Jaime shifting around the roof and Victor moving further away from the garden. As Jaime's mind gets louder she pauses and feels out something beyond the revelry. Raven stops as something shakes the ceiling above but no one but Olivia and herself notice. Raven mouths "stay" then takes off to do what she must. She's not a child but what could she do for whatever was happening outside. Another rumble from above but her attention is pulled back to Melissa as they dance. Just push it to the back of your mind and be like everyone else.
She's not like everyone else. She's not like her family either. Jaime has moved locations now and is closer to the ground. What's happening out there? Raven is above, unseen and a darkness swipes through the crowd then outward. That has people that were alert stopping in their tracks. Olivia focuses and she can feel the energy of anxiety, panic and fear growing beyond the walls and getting closer. Without warning she leaves Melissa behind, pushing her way through the dense crowd to the garden. There are a few people lingering but they've heard what's going on outside. A riot? An attack of some kind?
Olivia hesitates but runs towards the main entrance only to be blocked by a wall of darkness. "STOP!" Someone yells behind her and she turns to see a man, carrying something in his arms close to his chest and heading for the main room. The staff manage to tackle him before he can reach the doors. A canister rolls from his hands then begins spewing a bright orange mist. Olivia pulled the fleece she wore over her mouth and turned to bang on the black wall. They needed to leave! She puts out as much of her energy as possible to be known! To be heard by someone!
Those nearest to the gas begin to drop to their knees, gripping their heads or crying, screaming! What's happening?! Whatever it is she can't let it get to everyone else! Olivia sprints around slamming doors shut then shoots over to the canister to kick it far from the people now struggling with some kind of inner turmoil. The can lands by the window and disappears into the greenery. Whatever that was she can't breathe it in! She finds a spot with fresh air and finally takes a breath. Maybe if she sets off the sprinkler system? Before she can find one to strike and activate or even an alarm to pull she spies movement in the garden. All around the garden spider lily blooms are growing rapidly and begin to emit a strange pollen. The density is outrageous!
Olivia covered her mouth and backed into a corner. Why is this happening now? She slams her eyes shut and listens to the minds around her. Jaime is just beyond the doors she can't reach. Raven must have her reasons for locking them in. Where were her brothers? Where was Victor?! There was sudden coughing and then quiet. The people where the man was tackled were calming. They breathed deep and looked around confused but they were fine. Taking a risk Olivia let her breath go and breathed deep. Did the flowers neutralize whatever was in that gas? The blooms seemed to lean towards the offending substance. The tackled man was grabbed, bound and dragged towards the catering hall. Olivia took this opportunity to open the doors and see what became of the dance floor.
Panic. Those closer to the doors were exposed! Propping the doors open may help but they should be in the garden. Olivia tried to call out to anyone she could find. Some fae out there had to be on the streets to help. Help them! Melissa! Arthur! She sprinted back onto the dance floor feeling out her friends in the slowly growing chaos only to find Arthur climbing up to the DJ booth with a mic in his hands and his mask removed from his eyes. "May I have your attention please!" he calls out to the party goers and many turn his way to become transfixed by his vibrant gaze. The music dies down. He's trembling and unsure of what to say. "I..." He looks down to Olivia tugging at his pant leg. "Miss Olivia?! Thank goodness!"
"Tell them to go into the garden!" she says and hopes he will just do it.
He stammers but finds his voice. "If I could have everyone move into the garden. There is something very special Miss Gate would like to show you." Like obedient drones they quietly march into the garden, inhaling the pollen of the spider lilies. They file in along the winding paths and keep from stepping on the flowers. Once they've followed this one command, Arthur releases them. They are in awe of the new blooms that were not there when they entered the party. The smell is mild but their petals are alluring to look upon. The ones full of panic are cured!
Olivia attempts to call out to Raven one more time and she finally recognizes the little cries. "Olivia? Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. Everyone inside is fine. The flowers in the garden are fighting this weird gas someone tried to set off. Arthur helped move everyone there."
"You fae are strange creatures but thank you. The lack of fired up emotions is helping me concentrate."
Olivia's eyes snap to the window. Barely visible through the condensation she can see a man slamming his fists against the panes trying to break through! It's loud enough that people are looking. "Rae!" The wall expands and the noise ceases. "That was close!" She makes another call to her kind to help those around them if they can and to not panic if they are. Clear minds will save lives.
"Olivia I need to get everyone back in the main room. Jaime needs help!"
"I'll try!" She rushes back to the stage where Arthur has collapsed, breathing hard. "I need you to get the music back up." He gives a weak thumbs up then stands to look at the DJ he charmed to take over again. In seconds the music starts pumping through the grand hall. High energy! Enough to draw people back in and away from the garden. As they file in she pulls Arthur down. "Herd the last people in the garden back in here then shut the door behind you. No one needs to be in there. Then go find Mel!"
"On it!" he said and took off to do his job, ignoring the people he charmed along the way. They would be back to themselves soon enough with such short glances. Olivia climbs on stage to see the doors close and Arthur waving to her.
"Whatever you need to do, do it Rae!" The black shield around the garden drops and from the edges of the crowd you can hear the chaos outside but also just beyond the door as people come flooding into the pollen filled room. One by one they breathe deep and become lucid. What were they running from? Why are they in here of all places?
With the minds around her calm she feels out her family and Victor. He's close! She needs to bring him in here in case he's inhaled whatever is driving people crazy. She heads to the nearest door trying each one until one lets her outside! The noise! The panic around her. Olivia looks to see her brother yelling for her. Her eyes go up as a black object flies over her head and an orange mist that looks to be the same as the one from the strange canister coats her.
Everyone is gone. She can't feel anyone around. What's happening?! Where did they go? Where are her brothers? Where is Victor? She felt them just a moment ago! Why did they leave her behind?! How was the whole city empty?! It was just filled with people!
Olivia closed her eyes and tried to feel anyone that must be out there! Something was wrong! Very very wrong! Her heart begins to race, her breathing quickens and tears start to form. Where was everyone?! She screams! Someone has to hear her! Someone has to be out there. They can't be gone! She's still here! They can't leave her! Come back! A weak sob comes from her and she drops to her knees holding her head then starts to wail. Her energy explodes from her trembling body.
No! Someone is out there! This powder is messing with her head. She needs to calm down. Feel them out. Help! She sends out to the other fae around her. She knows they are out there! No one just disappears on this scale. She is not alone! The dust on her, it has to go! Brushing herself off is not enough. The lake! Her energy is pulled into herself and she rises to her feet. She doesn't want to be alone. She knows how to make that possible. The water. Get into the water. Something warm touches her hand. Another hand! She squeezes it and keeps walking, taking whomever this is with her. The hand is let go as she steps into the lake. It's freezing but she keeps going. The journey gets easier and the shock to her system allows her to think clearly. He's right behind her waiting for her to come back.
When it feels she is far enough in she exhales then crouches down to submerge herself completely. Now for the hard part. She inhales taking water into her sinuses and holds it, feeling a burn she tries to fight. When she could not bear it a moment longer she stood up coughing, shivering and feeling the world around her like always. Help them. She calls to the fae. Help everyone you can. I'm fine. Help them! Her eyes burn, her clothes are heavy and she trudges out of the water. Static along her skin helps to fight the chill but not by much.
Victor reached out to pull her from the lake. "Hey, Sunshine," he says in a low voice. He's still wearing his mask. She smiles and kisses the side of his mask close to a cheek. "Mm, totes inappropriate, Miss Wayne. Don't you have a boyfriend?"
"I'm sure he won't mind," she says through chattering teeth. "I'm very cold."
"I can see that. Let's get you inside so you can warm up." Victor looked at the downed meta-human now bound by Jaime and encased from the neck down in water by Jackson. The moment she regained her senses she tried to emit a new dust. Soaking her put an end to that. While escorting Olivia back to the garden Victor peels off her drenched coat to wring out. She's better off without it.
"You...you should go help everyone. I can take it from here. The flowers in the garden can help with the weird dust," she stammers. The warmth of the garden is a welcome relief. Now if only she could get out of these wet clothes.
"You said you didn't want to be alone so I'm not leaving you alone," he explains and guides her to the staff locker room. He takes the key from around her neck and seeks out where their personal effects are stored.
"I...I did?" she asked. The door shut behind them and she went about pulling off her clothes, one sodden piece at a time. Her boots were the last to go and she winced at the amount of water that was inside now splashing on the tile floor.
"You don't remember? Do you remember zapping the bird lady?" he asked while taking her bag out and rummaging through for dry clothes. He figured that's why she had it with her and sure enough there were two changes of clothes inside.
"I did that?!" she squeaked. "Should I go say sorry?"
Victor paused. God she was too sweet for her own good. "She threw the city into chaos and ruined a fun night. It's the least she deserves." There had to be a towel somewhere. Behind another door was a shower room and he disappeared for a few moments to return with a white towel. "Here." Victor finally removed his mask and set it on his hip then went to go block the door.
"I'm just glad I didn't fuck anything up," she said through a weak laugh. The wolf mask was pat dry before she moved on to herself.
"You found out about Ivy's plants fighting the toxin. That wasn't fucking up. You did amazing. We..." He closed his eyes and crossed his arms. "We should have trusted you with more information, even if you didn't want to hear it. You and everyone we know were in the middle of it all. It could have helped even more."
Olivia paused in drying herself. "I don't think I helped that much."
"According to Raven you kept a room full of people from freaking out. They're still dancing in there like nothing happened!"
A weak smile spread on her lips. "Mel must be happy about that. She's probably mad I disappeared on her for a bit." As much as she dislikes the feeling she has to wear socks inside of her wet boots. It's terrible!
"You have all of your people helping outside, don't you?"
"Those that can...Did I really say I didn't want to be alone?"
"The dust or whatever makes you experience your greatest fear. Yours is being alone?" Olivia sucked in her bottom lip and nodded. "What did you see?"
"...The world was empty of people. I couldn't hear anyone, see anyone, feel anyone with my abilities. Everyone was there and then suddenly gone."
"How did you know it was me holding your hand?"
She smiles brightly. "I didn't. I just really hoped it was but it made me feel safe and grounded. Thank you."
Victor smiles and nods. "Any time, Sunshine."
A plastic bag was collected for her wet costume and she prepared to leave with all of their things in her arms. Victor put his mask back on and took her hand to lead her back to the main hall that was now quiet of music and full of frantic chattering. The party goers have been informed of what happened outside and that the party has to come to an end so people can be helped. "V...What are you afraid of?" she asked while squeezing his hand.
"I don't know any more. Probably losing you?" He shrugged. It was more likely hurting her, truly hurting her. Maybe it's hurting everyone he cares about. That very small collection of people he's grown attached to. There are people walking by them and he feels her let his hand go.
"I should go find my friends," She says while facing Victor and smiling into that mask. "Thank you for helping me. I'd kiss you again but I think my boyfriend might actually get upset." Victor's smile is unseen. She plays her part of ignorance so well.
"Wouldn't want him getting jealous. I'm sure he'll be around soon enough. Take care, Miss Wayne." He nods and takes his leave. The chatter of the crew in the helmet is calm as they assess everything they've had to deal with for the night.
Olivia returns to the hall following the feel of Melissa and Arthur. They are in the catering hall and are both on the phone with their respective parents it seems. They called because they were worried. She's reminded that they haven't heard from Bruce in quite some time.
"Mother please! I'm fine. The garden was the safest place to be!" Melissa sighs, leans her head back and rolls her eyes then continues. "I'm getting everything in order and I promise I am heading straight home after. I've gotta go. Uh huh, bye!" She ends the call then looks at Olivia alarmed. "Where have you been? And where is your costume?!"
"I fell in the lake," she laughs. "Just being clumsy I guess."
Melissa narrowed her eyes. "You're not that clumsy. Did someone push you? Do I need to break someone's fucking legs cause I've got the energy and the drive for it!"
"It's fine, Mel. There was so much chaos outside when I went to see where my brother and everyone else went. They got swept up in the parade but they're fine."
Melissa frowned but accepted the excuse. If she finds out someone did push her best friend like a child she'll respond in kind. Arthur got off his own phone and looked exhausted but also had the mask Damian gave him back on. "I'm glad you're okay, Miss Olivia. You ran out so fast I was sure something bad must have happened," Arthur says then leaned against the wall behind him. "This was more excitement than I'm used to." His equipment was gathered up and resting at his feet.
"Are you two okay? You know besides everything that happened?" Olivia asks while fidgeting with her bag.
"Outside of mildly stressed that there was a riot outside? I'm good. Just need to get everything sorted out before I head home," Mel explains.
"I'm fine too, Miss Olivia. I may have just over done it with the charm," Arthur says while giving a weak smile. "I've never had to use it on that many people at once before."
"Do you need help getting home?"
Mel dismissively waved a hand. "My ride will be here soon enough. Knowing daddy he's probably going to airlift me out just to get through traffic. So dramatic."
"I'm sticking with Miss Mel until that happens. I can just walk home from here."
"You will be getting a ride home regardless of how my father comes to get me!" Mel stated.
"I...I guess we are doing that."
Olivia smiles and hugs both of them. "Ugh you smell like a swamp! Hurry home and take a shower!" Mel grumbles but holds tight.
"I plan on it. I'll talk to you guys soon. I need to go find Victor. Be safe!" And off she went with her phone vibrating. Everything she received were messages as she followed the trail to Victor waiting patiently outside, mask put away and bike ready to go.
"I have good news and I have bad news," he begins while she gets situated on the bike behind him.
Olivia pauses as she tries to process that there could be more bad news for the night. "I don't know which to start with..."
"Good news, I might get to steal you away tonight after all. Bad news is we're regrouping at the Belfry to make sense of everything tonight. And maybe get food. Fucking starving."
"Better than nothing. At least I'll get to wash the smell of lake out of my hair. You don't have nearly enough shampoo," she huffs.
"Well, I don't burn through it like the rest of you do. We can grab some on the way back to my place." As she climbs on behind him he squeezed the hands that came to hug against his abs before taking off.
At The Belfry Jason and Roy are the last to arrive. They took charge of ensuring one Abigail O'Shay was properly contained before being handed over to the authorities. She is likely to be held at S.T.A.R Labs given the nature of her metahuman abilities. It seems the containment cell used for Pamela Isley in years past has gone into disrepair. A close eye will be kept on O'Shay to ensure she does not run.
Olivia did get her shower and sat cuddled up with Victor on one of two couches with her hair in tight buns. The rest of the crew looked exhausted. Jaime fetched a mountain of food from a popular burger place in The Bowery and confused the employees when he effortlessly walked away with all of it held with one hand. Tim sipped away at a milkshake while he compiled all the information they collected on Abigail after learning who she was. Worked through a second burger with his hair down and legs stretched out ahead of him. Raven and Damian took up the second couch sipping on the same milkshake.
"I hate Halloween in Gotham," Jason grumbles then drops down on a short set of steps to kick back. A bag of food was slid towards him and he picked through for what he'd like to have right away.
"I feel this could have gone worse," Jackson added. "I might come back next year."
Roy looked Olivia over. "What happened to your costume, Sparky?" he asks before slipping into the small kitchen.
"I jumped in the lake to get rid of all the fear dust on me," she said between nibbles of french fries. "I got pictures in order beforehand so not a big loss for the night." She moved to sit more in Victor's lap to give room for Roy on the sofa.
"So, Tim, what do you have on Abigail?" Jason asks.
"I have two classes with her! Mind you they are the online ones but still." He explains. "Abs is enrolled at Gotham U. Her path is general studies. Some people really just don't know what they want. Uh, let's see. Obviously a metahuman. No brainer there. Her dad, according to our blood records, is Sean Riley!"
"No shit?" Victor asks.
"No shit. Her mom was one of his mistresses." One of the pictures from Ibanescu's safe pops up on the big screen for everyone to see. "Her metahuman gene activated during one of Scarecrow's last attacks eight years back. According to everything that we've seen she can just produce whatever toxin she comes in contact with, of which she is immune to!"
"Three tranquilizers bombs and a nerve toxin dart didn't slow her down for long if at all," Roy adds.
"Mmhm, and none of what she produced through her wings worked on metahumans," Tim continues. "I personally witnessed a few members of the populace nearly caked in it powering through to help people with their abilities."
"Safe to say Riley being drugged up on fear toxin was fueled by personal reasons," Victor chimes in. "What about the group she had working under her?"
"An anti-government group. Their leader is called Anarky? So creative. Lonnie Machin. A few misdemeanours, graduated with high marks. We'll have to wait for more information on that whole group but teaming up with an extremist makes sense if Abigail was pissed off about how metahumans are still treated today. Once everyone gets booked we can piece together a bigger picture."
Olivia covered her mouth as she let out a squeak of a yawn. Jason smirks. "We apparently have our little sister to thank for a big save on the Garden," he says and raises his milkshake to her.
"I..." Her cheeks are dark and she shrinks a bit with static surging along her skin. "I didn't really do that much," she squeaks. Victor kissed one of her temples. He already misses the fruity smell of her shampoo.
"Please don't sell yourself short," Raven says while running her fingers through Damian's hair as he laid his head on her lap. "Especially not in this boys club. All Jaime and I could do was hold the line. Discovering Ivy's plants were fighting back in their own way was all you."
"Ivy never had a problem dealing with Scarecrow but it was clear she couldn't risk anyone she had under her control snapping out of it to be fueled by fear instead," Jason points out. "Probably a good thing we didn't go scorched earth with her plants or more than we can't."
"We'll have to send her a thank you card or something," Damian scoffs.
"Can we?!" Olivia asks with stars in her eyes. "Oh he was being facetious. I'll be quiet now." She feels dumb but no one is picking on her for that earnest question.
"Thanks for answering our call," Jason says. "This would have been an all night thing without you guys. You helped save lives. I'll stick around to help with all the intel we've gathered. I'd say enjoy the rest of your night but it's been a rough one. Now get the hell out of here."
Jackson is first up stretching and soon the rest of the group, given the go ahead to disperse, follow suit and file into the elevator. In the garage they sort out who is going where. Olivia sheepishly holds onto Victor and her brother picks up on what she's getting at. Raven offers to teleport everyone back to the mansion where they can either stay the night or head out via teleporter.
A journey through tunnels, some public and others secret and used by the bat family, gets Olivia and Victor back to his place without issue. Her wet clothes were tossed into the wash, boots left down stairs to properly dry and Olivia carried upstairs with much squirming and giggling.
"I can walk just fine!" she laughs.
"Uh, no." He says and just carries her over his shoulder while moving around the apartment. "I let you out of my sight for too long tonight."
"So you're going full caveman on me?"
"I was thinking more werewolf?" He laughs then eventually sets her on the couch to sit beside her. Olivia slips beneath his arm and brings her ear to listen to his calm heart. She received messages from Mel and then Arthur that they were safely home. Reflecting on her actions tonight she smiles a bit. She helped beyond just blasting someone with electricity. She had every right to be proud of what she did.
"Hey, uh Liv?" She makes a soft noise to let him know she's listening. "Raven explained why your friend Art's charm doesn't work on me." Olivia frowns before sitting up.
"That explains that little secret meeting you three had. I was worried it was hero work related and I was just being a pest." She sits with her hands in her lap and head bowed. "I expected her to tell me when she found out and maybe not tell you. I...I don't want you thinking you might turn into some uncontrollable monster that would hurt me because I know you won't."
He pulled her into his lap to hold with his chin resting on her shoulder. "Little upset you'd want to hide something like that from me though. I thought we said no more secrets."
"I...we did and I'm sorry. I lied when I said I didn't know outright. I had no way of confirming if it was true though. Arthur's mom has notes on creatures the fae only vaguely call the devourers. No physical descriptions, just horror stories of a monster that tastes of raw power and nearly devoured a fae Arthur's dad knows. Only weaker fae fall prey to low level demons. They become addicted in every possible way and just...become the start of another addiction in the demon." Olivia shrugs and gently sways in his arms. "I'm just happy to know being as strong as I am means my feelings for you are real. If I told you I loved you and then found out I had no choice in it I'd probably go crazy."
"Mm, I already think you're crazy for being in to me so..." He smiles at the static running around his throat from her shoulder. "To think, if I just let that guy steal your phone we wouldn't be here right now." Brown eyes zero in on her neck and he gives a small lick receiving static on his tongue. "Wouldn't know anything that no one else could learn. Not that alarming sweet tooth, the way you look in a storm or what that cute laugh of yours sounds like." He gently pokes at her sides and she laughs, squirming around.
"Stop!" she giggles. "Hehe, I guess I wouldn't know a thing about you. No handsome face to put to memory, the sound of your voice." She smiled and slipped her hands into his palms. "Not how strong your hands are when they hold me."
A smile turns into a devious grin unseen by Olivia. "There's one thing I know I'd really be missing out on," he says in a lower voice. She asks a question with a simple noise of curiosity. "How you taste!" One hand slipped away from her soft touch to press between her thighs. A strong current surged along her skin. "Though if some lucky jackass got the chance to taste you and brag about it I'd try like hell to see for myself." The supple hand resting in his palm laced fingers with him and squeezed.
"Victor!" she gasped, feeling her heart fluttering.
"Hypothetical me's life sucks compared to mine," he growled.
This section has been edited for censorship. Please find the chapter on Ao3 if you wish to read the explicit scene. Thank you for reading.