#whatever hea being paid its not enough

[keepingupwiththeboltons]

#givemaesterorwylearaise

[just-some-random-blogger]

One Million In One Day | 8

GOT7 SugarDaddy!Jackson Wang x Reader + Park Jinyoung x Reader | Part 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 ? Characters: GOT7 Summary: His mother’s final wish is to see him be happy in a relationship, knowing that Jackson would be fine when she left him. But, damn, he didn’t have time for relationships, especially not since he was busy running his father’s billion dollar empire, thus the compromise: you. Word Count: 4k+ Warnings: Stalking, fighting, cursing, mentioning of illness, TYPOS, etc.

Preview | Alternate Moodboard | Chapter 8 Teaser

A/N: i made a moodboard for this chapter because i needed the will to keep going cough cough but made it into a teaser cuz i write slow

Yall this is also the longest chapter ive written for anything lololl

"Hey Jackson," I mutter and turn from the ice cream cone in my hand to his clear smooth face, "not to sound greedy-- purely out of curiosity and to prepare myself..."

Jackson looks at me, brown eyes widening in expectation.

"Am... I gonna get paid again?" I said speaking lowly at one particular word.

He gives me a blank expression, and I follow it up quickly, raising a hand, "Can I just... not?"

He lets out a sigh and shakes his head, "Baby," he cuts himself of by licking the dripping the melted ice cream on the side of his cone that was trickling its way down to his fingers. I found myself gulping. He takes a bite and turns back to me, "a deal's a deal. I don't want to come off as a cheat."

"No but you won't cause it's-it's my request!"

He thinks as he eats his dessert. I purse my lips, "I honestly don't know what to do with it anymore. I paid my loads, have a whole new wardrobe and a whole fridge of food. I even payed my rent for the rest of the year and that still wasn't enough to get rid of it all. I had to get my friend help me burn the money and keep my sanity in check. I bought him a laptop and everything."

"Oh," Jackson pulls his head back and knits his brows, "you told Jinyoung?"

"What?" Part of me panics when I hear him say that name. 

Once the question registers in my head I shake my hands, "No, no, no. I told Mark, my other friend. And well, my roommate Nari, because there is no way she wouldn't find out about it anyway." I turn to Jackson and finish the rest of my ice cream. "You remember her, Nari? She was with me, uhm, when I was fitting that green dress."

Jackson's poker face shifts into a smile, "Ahhhh, yeah."

For a moment, we finish off eating and throw away our trash without words.

 "Who else did you tell?"

I turn to Jackson who starts walking off again. I follow after him and purse my lips in realization of what he could possibly be insinuating, "Oh, uhm, just them. And I may tell Jinyoung after this. Am... am I not supposed to? I mean I didn't really-- they don't... I trust them..."

Jackson shakes his head and breaks into a nervous laugh, "No. No. It's just... no offence, I don't doubt the fact that they can't use this against me. It's just," he chuckles, "usually the fake dating goes both ways. I dunno, it's a first that I don't have to worry about seeing your family too."

I can't help but break out in a laugh, "yikes. Sounds like a nightmare."

"Gosh, you have no clue."

 We trail off for a while. I break the silence this time, "So... do we have a deal?"

Jackson turns to me and lets out a breath, "Oh no, absolutely not."

I do a double take and pull my had back, "What?"

"Hearing myself say that aloud makes me realize how unfair this arrangement is to you. And it's making me feel uneasy, like I want to punch myself." He knits his brows and stuffs his hands in his pockets, "you have go around meeting all these people in environments you're not used to, in clothes that aren't yours," he lifts his thumb and point behind him with it, "having strange men follow you around." He releases a breath and turns to me, "and all you get out of that is paper."

I can't help but frown at his conclusion. It was plain to see how opposite our worlds were, with the mere way we value money. It made me feel lucky, honestly, that even though I wasn't rich, I had friends and family, their love around me, something this lonely billionaire evidently lacked.

"Listen, sweetheart. I don't mean to make you feel bad because of this, but, you have a lot of money, I don't. I don't have the need to focus on a massive business and to hear people around me nag about my love life, you do. The other gives what is needed and takes what the other has in excess. I don't know about you, but that seems like an awfully beneficial deal to me."

Jackson snickers after I spoke, "smart."

I smile upon hearing that.

"One of the things I like about you."

Wh- one of the things he--

"Alright Ms. Business Major. I see you learning in your classes."

I release a laugh at that and so does he. "But if anything, sweetheart," he stresses and leans down. I feel my neck and ears burn, "what? You can call me baby, but I can't call you sweetheart?"

He laughs, "No, no, it's cute. Please do." He turns his gaze forward, "this just further proves that I need to take care of you in the only way I can."

I groan and screw my eyes shut, "Jacksoooon." And here I was thinking that I actually got through to him.

"Ya. Why are you so rude? Are we same age?" He playfully glares and barks, "Oppa. Oppa."

I groan again and glare at him, "Oppa!"

He smiles and nods, "That's better."

I whine and stomp my feet, "Ahh! But I don't need it! I still have job!"

"What?" Jackson snaps, "you haven't quit your job?"

"Uh, no duh? How else am I gonna get pocket money?" I say, knowing he'd understand the fact that not everyone accepts a black card. Also, it was empty.

"The how'd you pay for your taxi?"

"I borrowed money from Mark."

Jackson's eyes blew in shock. He mumbles lowly and raises his hands, "my sugar baby needs a part-time job and borrows money."

 "Okay, listen," he starts, tapping his chest with his finger tips, "just let me do my thing." He, out of the blue, takes my hand and we continue walking. "I have to go back to work after this, but later I'll come pick you up because you need to meet my mom."

I nod slowly up heaing this, "Oh."

"And clearly now, you've made me realize this is two dates-"

"Jackson-"

"-shut up or I'll kiss you."

My jaw is left hanging. 

Jackson turns to me and holds back a laugh, lips curling into a smirk. 

"As I was saying, you have also pointed out that I really haven't being fair to you. Up, up, up-" he raises a hand and cuts me of before I could even begin. He lets go of my hand and links my arm with his. "Right. So, I've been used to having arrangements with women with excessive tastes that can blow off a million in one day. And more, who am I kidding. Which is why," he turns to me. 

I turn to him and he smiles, "I'm letting you cash out."

"Cash... hold on, wha-- cash out?"

Jackson seems confused and knits his brows for a second, and then bursts into laughter when he realizes, "Oh, no. Not like end this. No way! I still need you." He tugs on my arm and pulls it to his chest, embracing it as if he meant it personally. 

He giggles, "I mean like, I'll let you withdraw money."

I gasp and turn to him, "Oh my gosh, really?!"

"Yeah," he nods, "I mean you can only withdraw anything from that one bank, but yeah. You deserve that at least."

"Oh my gosh thank you!" I grin and pull away from him, only to be able to hug him tightly. I hold him for a few seconds and smile brightly when I let him go, "I could send my parents money. I could-- I could-- WOW!"

Jackson breaks into laughter.

"Okay, now, come on, I'll drive you home."

 With that, Jackson and I retrace our steps and find our way back to the car. The men following us seem to have gone away, to which I am relieved. We walk hand in hand, and he's doing all the talking. I watch as he laughs and wonder how he could talk about such stories, like getting his foot stuck in the toilet one time when he was younger, and still look so poised and handsome.

Jackson is playful all the way to my apartment. It made me happy, as I remember the last time I drove with him, back when we went to a party, he was pretty glum.

"You shouldn't let them get to you too much, Jackson." I speak up after our conversation about whatever popped up into our heads.

Jackson knits his brows and spares me a glance, "What do you mean?"

"Remember last time, after going to the party? You were pretty quiet, and it was kinda concerning."

He doesn't reply for a moment. When he does, he speaks half-playfully, "you're concerned about me?"

"No duh, Wang-Wang. You've been nothing but kind to me, and I'm the type to take care and check up on my friends."

He nods his head, "Well... thank you for... the concern, but that wasn't why I was quiet on pur drive back. I couldn't give two shits about whatever those rich bozos think. I just want them out of my business, babe."

I knit my brows, "Huh. Then why were you?"

Jackson chuckles and pulls on the collar of his top. "It's kinda complicated.” He turns to me, then back to the road to chuckle, “To a point where I'm not even really sure yet about it. But, uh, for what it's worth, if I figure it out, I'll tell you."

I hum, "well, are you sure you can figure it out by yourself? Sometimes all it tales is to say it aloud, y'know."

Jackson turns to me and offers a smile, "I know. But I don't want this to become real, and I'm pretty sure if I say it aloud, it will."

"Oh... well, I get that."

 Soon after, we arrived at my place. I turned to give Jackson a smile goodbye, but I was shocked when he moved in to give my cheek a kiss. He pressed his lips against skin, and I immediately felt the area burn, as if he was scorching hot. I’m glad I didn’t move yet, cause if I had moved any sooner, Jackson and I would've had to a disastrous lip lock--or teeth lock at that..

"Thank you for today," he says simply, close to my ear. I could smell his cologne.

My cheeks burn. Once he pulls away, I turn and gape at him for a second, "shouldn't I be the one saying that?"

He purses his lips and chuckles, "Not at all." 

For a moment, I just sit there, not knowing where to look and where to place my hands. Jackson smiles, and proceeds to cackle. It’s pretty obvious that he is pleased with how obviously I'm affected.

I feel my face redden, but I can't help myself and growl. I shove him and glare, "Next time, a little warning will suffice."

The man across me seems baffled by my action and tenses up only to burst out laughing all giddy "Mianheeee."

He shuffles in his seat, “Before you go,” and pulls out his wallet, “here... pocket money.”

He pulls out all the cash in his wallet and my eyes widen. I raise my brows, “That won’t be necessary, oppa.”

He shoots me a look and grabs my hand, “Oppa thinks otherwise.”

“But you’ll be paying me later!” I protest, trying my best to to actually grab hold of the money. “You’re even going to let me cash out, so this is all unnecessary.”

Jackson huffed, “Consider this as a bonus.”

“I don’t want a bonus!”

“Well, you either take it... or... or else I won’t talk to you again.”

For a moment, I look at him with a dumbfounded expression. I ask, “You do know that is worse for you than it is for me right!”

“Ugh! Just take it! I don’t have any leverage! I never thought I’d ever have to force someone to get my money.” Jackson whines and shakes his body in annoyance. “Just take it!” he groans, “It’s not like it’s a bribe. Just use it to pay Mark.”

“That is way too--”

“TAKE IT!” he screams, successfully planting the money in my hand, as his shout took me off guard. I awkwardly look around and Jackson shakes his head expectantly. I purse my lips and fold the paper, shoving it to my pockets.

Jackson smiles in content and pats my head. I scoff. I proceed then to remove my seat belt.

He watches as I do so and then asks, "You want me to walk you?"

I shake my head, "Oh, no need. I can manage."

“You sure?”

I turn to him and nod,  “I’m sure, Jackson.”

“Jackson oppa.”

I roll my eyes, “I never should’ve voluntarily called you that.”

He chuckles. 

I exit the car and wave him off dismissively the moment I'm out. He waves goodbye and drives away.

 By the time he's gone, Nari is running towards me like the fumbling mess she is. "Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, was that him?! I can't believe I missed him! GASH!"

I scowl at Nari and nudge her, "stop being such a loud mouth."

She huffs and turns to me, hands on her waist, "You have no clue how jelly I am."

I roll my eyes and walk inside. She follows quickly, "What are you gonna do about Jinyoung?"

I whip my head to her, "What about Jinyoung, Nari?"

"I mean, you have Jackson now! Jinyoung deserves to know."

"You say this, as if I like Jackson."

Nari looks mortified, "Bitch don't tell me you're gonna be like one of those dumb protagonists that's in denial and then has their world comes crashing down around them."

I scoff, "No, Nari, because I don't like Jackson-"

"bITCH-"

"-I like Jinyoung."

 "... ...ohmygosh, did you actually say that aloud?"

I dismiss her, but her squealing and iron grip prevent me from getting away. "EEEEEK I KNEWITIKNEWITIKNEWITIKNEWITTTTTTTTT!"

"Shut up! You're gonna wake the dead," I hiss and cover her mouth, "Or even worse, Mrs. Kim. "

Literally, the moment I said that, there was a yapping old woman resounding curse words against the wall. Nari and I scrambled to hide from her wrath.

"YOU FUCKING KIDS, I TOLD YOU TO SHUT UP WHEN JEOPARDY IS ON!"

 Alright. Yes. We managed to survive the terror in apartment 16, which was why I managed to brush up on my studies and the drama I had in the sidelines waiting for me.

I leaned back in my cozy attire, with shorts and hoodie, stuffing popcorn in my face as Lee Minho beat Kim Woobin up, and vice versa.

I don't mean to sound like a brag, but damn, there really is a difference with the cheap cotton shorts and these freakin 10,000 dollar ones. Would I ever recommend these to a friend? Helllll no, but damn they're realllly soft.

"Moron your phone is blowing up in your room," Nari screams from her own room. I scramble to my feet, shit is that Jackson?

 I push my popcorn off and run to my room. I see there's ten messages from Mark. I knit my brows.

STFU MARK: ok so i went to jinyoungs place

STFU MARK: i mean like at his job and the place is super packed and he looks super miserable i feel so bad i wanna help him woth the register

STFU MARK: Where are you even???? I swung by your place

STFU MARK: LOL RIGHT UR SUGAR BOYFI IS UR WITH HAHAHAH

STFU MARK: man this lady ordered ten burgers and i wish i could do that on the regular

STFU MARK: ok imma talk to jinyoung and order lunch too i hope he doesnt kill me cos if he does he'll lose his job too and i dont want that

STFU MARK: OKAY HE TOOK MY ORDER AND PRETENDED I WAS NO ONE BUT A CUSTOMER I DIE WHAT DID WE DO

STFU MARK: HE EVEN SMILED AT ME LIKE AN ACTUAL GENUINE PERSON HE LOOKS SO TIRED I FEEL SP BAD HELP MEEEEE GET OUT OF YOUR DATE RIGHT NOW

STFU MARK: ...... r u hetting paid again omg???? Also jinyoung wouldnt poison my food right

STFU MARK: I WANTED TO TALK TO JINYOUNG COS IT LOOKED LIKE HE WAS GONNA CLOCK OUT BUT YUGYEOM TOLD ME TO SCRAM WHAT IS THIS HE SAID JINYOUNG IS SUPER TIRED AND NOT IN THE MOOD

 I wipe my forehead and cuss.

I give a quick reply to Mark, saying that I'll try to contact him. I then proceed to call Jinyoung. I call him five times before giving up and sending a text.

I open my conversation with Jinyoung and send three messages.

Me: Jinyoung

Me: i know like im legitimately dumb for not knowing what angered you, but mark and i arent mind readers

Me: please call me back and tell me whats wrong

 I sigh and pull my phone to my chest. I walk back out to continue watching my show. My heart leaps out of my chest and I squeak when my phone starts vibrating. I smile widely when I realize it's Jinyoung calling. Except it's not. It's Jackson. He's gonna pick me up.

  ---

My feet is clad with a golden pump. My dress is cascading with hundreds of delicate white beads upon bright violet fabric. I feel like a dewy star with the glowy makeup all over my skin. My hair is pulled back to make room for a crown-like headband and curled perfectly behind me.

While Hani did my makeup, part of me wondered why I looked so dressed up, when, as far as I knew, I would only be meeting with Jackson's mom. But then I realized it was Jackson's mom; she was probably born drenched in gold. This probably looks pathetic to her.

Hani was so kind and so enthusiastic as per usual, and she made me look like a princess with her magical touch. 

 We didn't take as long as I hoped we would, for now I am holding onto Jackson's hand as we walk down this large lawn, lit with garden lights and lights from fountains. The sun had just set, and so the residual sunshine in the sky made it look both orange and lilac. On my other hand, I  held a bouquet of violet flowers that strangely reminded me of the day I met Jackson.

As we drove here, I thought at first we were going to Jackson's house, or his parents, but as it turns, her mother is checked into some extra hotel.

Automatic doors opened, and a beefy but kind looking security guard greeted us, and Jackson by his name.

The place reeked the finesse of a museum. It was so large and spacious that I started thinking maybe it was a hidden museum of some sort. The minimal pieces of art make me think otherwise.

There were very few people going about, and most of them were wearing white.

I fell conscious after. Was this hotel themed in white? I moved closer to Jackson. The echoing of my heels against the marble floors only magnified my fumbling mind. Okay... maybe this wasn’t a hotel.

We walked and walked down this seemingly never ending hall, up until we reached room 19.

 Jackson released my hand and turned to me. Clearing his throat, he asked, "How do I look?"

He looked like a billionaire. His body was given complete justice in his velvet suit that matched the color of my violet dress. His shoes were shiner than my future. His skin was more flawless than my grades. Jackson looked like he always did, handsome and charming. But his big brown eye seemed nervous.

"You look amazing, like always," I offer with a smile.

Jackson lets put a soft sigh, "I'm glad you think I always look amazing."

I nod at him, not because I agreed but because he seemed like he had something much more to say. Though he was trying to play off this worry by joking, it was too clear he was worried.

He inhales sharply. "You may hate me for not telling you sooner, but..." Jackson points to the door of room 19 and screws his eyes shut.

I bit my lower lip and think about what Jackson could tell me next. He was agitated. This place makes him agitated. Well, everyone here is wearing white. Everything is quiet and spacious. His mom was staying here. I don’t think it’s a hotel anymore. Was this a spa? A wellness center?

... or was this a clinic? A hospital?

Why didn’t I just ask?

"The main reason why... I hired you is because of my mom." Jackson turns to his side then back to me, "She's... not doing so great. Not in a long time."

My jaw slacks once I realize my guess was right, "Your mom is sick?"

He sighs, "terminally ill if you need the right term."

"And... you want her to think... we're together?"

Jackson purses his lips, "It's all she wants from me now.”

 A shiver runs down my spine. I clench my bouquet. Part of me can't help but feel betrayed. He had all these chances from then til now to speak up but he was nothing but silent. All Jackson told me I was here to push away his nosy relatives. I huff in frustration. Really though I was here to lie to a dying lady.

I scoff at my own thoughts.

That very thought made my heart clench.

How hard must it be for Jackson to talk about this?

I want to wipe my face so badly, but I didn't want to ruin Hani's hard work.

"How could you only tell me this now?!" I heave sharply. "Do you know how wrong and messed up this is?"

"I know, I know," Jackson sighs. He takes a step forward and grabs both my hands, pushing the bouquet in the middle, "but please, you're my only hope. You're the only woman I've ever brought to my mom." He closes his eyes and raises his hands, shaking it around, "It's not as bad as it is. I made her think that I'm still pursuing you and so you're not really my girlfriend."

I knit my brows at that. Jackson steps even closer, "then I'll say it didn't work out because you like Jinyoung from..." he thinks and scoffs, "your Algebra--business math class."

His mention of  Jinyoung makes me chest contract. I look at our hands then Jackson's expression. The flowers seemed a lot less pretty to me now. I wonder what they think about my predicament.

 "Please, you are honestly innocent in all this. No matter what happens it's on me. Please. My mother doesn't get to meet new people. You won't even have to say anything, I'll do all the talking."

I want to throw the flowers at him and run away. But I don't.

I want to tell him all the reasons why this so called solution of his isn't a solution. But I don't.

I want to offer his comfort and give him another way. But I can't, cause it would take too much time and the clock, I can feel it ticking.

So what I do say is, "alright."

Jackson's face brightens. He repeats, "Alright," and with that wastes not time in going inside.

 "Finally!" a voice exclaims into the high ceiling. There is a large bed with a woman in the center. “I thought you’d never come.”

Jackson, hand holding mine, walked towards the woman and smiled, “Mama. I’m sorry we’re late.”

Once we’re close enough, Jackson lets go of me to hug and kiss the woman on the cheek. I was close enough to see how pale and dry her skin was. She was thin and had her thin hair combed behind her. It was plain to see that she really was sick. But the way she smiled and greeted her son, made you think otherwise.

Jackson pulls away and turns to me. Her mother does the same. I take this moment to give her the flowers, “Mrs. Wang.”

“Oh, are these for me? Thank you so much, darling.” She smiles ear to ear and gets the bouquet from me. “You may be wondering why you were forced into violet. Well, it’s my favorite color.”

I nod, “Jackson told me that.” At the very least.

“Have you eaten, mama?” Jackson asks as he sits next to his mother.

“You silly boy. You know I don’t have an appetite at night.”

Jackson narrows his eyes and shakes his head, “Mama... the nurses told me you had an apple for lunch.

“Kure, an apple a day keeps the doctor away,” she speaks in a light tone. Jackson breathes in heavily, clenching his jaw. He looks like he wants to go off, but at the same time, he looks really tired, like he doesn’t want to have this conversation again. And so I frown deeply.

“Mrs. Wang, you should really eat more than that... Jackson is really worried about you.” I speak for the upset man.

His mother turns to me and beams, “Ya, has Jackson been talking about me. That’s a first. Honestly, I still can’t believe your here! My Jackson always claims to have a girlfriend, but this time around... he really does.”

“Mama... she’s not my girlfriend, I told you.”

“Aiya!” she says, “you should try harder, then!” The woman gives her son a scolding look, then turns to me in a completely different manner, “Mianhe... ... My brother told me he had his men follow you to see how real you are just earlier today. I’m really sorry about that.”

“Mama,” Jackson says slowly.

She tuts her son. With a breath, she looks at me, “Oh, why are you still standing, please sit on my bed. It’s quite big enough for all three of us.”

With this I smile, nod, and sit down. She then slides to the far left side of the bed, where Jackson sat facing me. Mrs. Wang pulls me by my arm, and so I hop over to come closer to her.

Her hand is still on my arm when she pouts into a pleased smile, “You are far more beautiful than Jackson let on.”

My brows raise and my lips pull into an awkward smile. I nervously laugh and shake my head. She shakes her head too, “He won’t shut up about you!”

“Mama,” Jackson says, placing his hand on his mothers, releasing her grip from me, “That’s because you keep asking me about her.”

“Well how can I not, child! The most exciting thing that happens around here is when a new patient comes along and that’s horrible to think of considering this place is a hospital.”

Jackson once again feels and looks so defeated.

“Mrs. Wang,” I say to divert her attention.

“Oh, please, call me Mama. All of Jackson’s friends do that.”

I clear my throat and turn to Jackson for a split second. Nevertheless, I obey, “Mama... do you happen to watch k-dramas?”

Both Wangs seem to be surprised by my sudden question.

“Why of course! What else am I to do but watch all those dramas?” she chuckles.

“Did you happen to watch The Heirs?”

She gasps, “Of course I did! Lee Minho and--”

“Kim Woobin!” I squeal. “Ooooh, he is so good looking and I wanted him to get the girl so bad!!!!!”

Jackson pulls his head back at my words. Da hell is Kim Woobin? His mother laughs in glee. Once she catches he breath, she begins to fuel our talk. From then on, we begin our long conversation about wanting ‘the other’ love interest get the girl in the story. It escalates and the next thing Jackson knows he’s no longer part of the conversation, nor existent in the room.

He watches as the two women interact and laugh, making his heart clench. Mama had neither been this talkative nor cheery since Bambam visited and got drunk on champagne, and that was months ago.

I throw my head back in laughter. Jackson can’t help but laugh as well, even though he honestly didn’t follow the conversation anymore.

Mrs. Wang turns to his son and smiles, seeing how concentrated he was in the one thing in the room. She nudges him, and Jackson panics, turning to his mother with wide eyes.

Catching this, I settle down and turn to Jackson’s nervous expression. His mother breaks into a soft laugh. I knit my brows, “What happened?”

Jackson turns to me then to his mom. The latter speaks up, “Oh. Jackson’s just really lucky to have you that’s all.”

Part of me expected Jackson to whine in protest again. But when there’s only silence among us, I feel awkwardness envelope me.

Mrs. Wang coos and caresses her son’s cheeks, “Your handsomeness won’t be put to waste.” She then turns to me and pinches my cheeks, “You’ll have beautiful children.” 

My cheeks immediately burn upon hearing this.

Jackson breath hitches when he sees my reaction. I turn to him and gives me an awkward smile.

Jackson scratches he back of his nape when it dawns to him that he is utterly fucked. Why? Because he likes the idea his mom presented. The man mutters a curse word under his breath and stands, “How about we get some food, yeah?”

[ltoliviabenson]

2. A Yellow Bird Builds a Nest

Ch. 2 Ice

“Welcome back to Central City!” Felicity is the first one to rush Barry for a hug when he picked them up at the airport. She nearly falls on her face running to him, and she would have if not for him being the fastest man alive. Well fastest on this earth anyways. Him and Supergirl might have had a competition on Earth 38.

*** Barry takes a deep breath. “Well technically,” he starts trying to hold his pride together, “I’m still the fastest Man on earth, just not the fastest person.” He hears snickering behind him and turns to find Maggie and Lena attempting to squash down some laughter, while Alex looks at them and shakes her head. “What?”

“He doesn’t know, does he?” Lena snickers out

“Know what?”

Lena looks at Kara for permission and when she receives it she tells Barry, “Kara has an alien cousin who is just as fast as her…a Male cousin.” Maggie and Lena burst in to laughter when they see Barry pout and start to mumble about how he was still fastest on his Earth.

“Sorry Barry, you’ll just have to settle for third place.” Lena and Maggie laugh even harder when she tells him, and his pout grows even bigger.

***

They flew in on Nyssa’s private Jet, because Sara, but mostly Nyssa, are on every no fly list. They also needed to be able to bring their weapons. They located some lower level League Assassins in Central City, and while they don’t need their big guns so to speak they still need some weapons. While Oliver and the rest were surprised about the private plane, Sara wasn’t all that surprised. She knew Nyssa’s father was a wealthy man. He liked to flaunt it, I mean have you seen his rings and necklaces. Even after everything that had happened with the league, the parts Sara knew at least, Nyssa still walked away with a fortune. However, she has never been one to be flashy about money like her father, even when she was the heir. The only real luxury items she obtained were ones based in necessity, like a private jet.

“Hey Felicity,” Barry says warmly after he lifted her back to her feet. He ignored her red face and turned to the rest of the crew. Oliver, Dig, Lyla, Thea, Roy, Laurel, Sara, and Nyssa started to unload their stuff. “Hey guys! Welcome back!” They all exchange their pleasantries and hop in the cars to head to S.T.A.R. Labs. They arrive to find HR on a Segway, apparently he had been waiting for them quite enthusiastically.  

“THE ARROW CREW…” he starts to yell until Barry speeds over and cuts him off with a hand over his mouth. Barry releases him a few moments later and he finishes in a quieter voice, “is here.” They look around, but luckily no one has really overheard or paid any attention to that very loud slip. They follow HR back into the secret Flash part of S.T.A.R. labs. Everyone else decided to wait for them back there knowing it would look suspicious for all of team Flash to greet team Arrow. Even if no one really knew, its better safe than sorry.

“Caitlin! Iris!” Felicity squeaks. She is clearly overly excited to be back with the Flash crew as she runs over to them. She manages not to fall on her face this time. She engulfs them in a crushing hug, which they gladly return. Then moves on to each of the other members of Team Flash. The rest just watch fondly and wait for their turn to hug the others. Finally, they all get their turn for hugs and hellos. When Laurel makes a move to hug Cisco he freezes and lets out the highest pitch squeak. Both teams start snickering, while Laurel ignores them and hugs Cisco. He has the happiest grin on his face and Barry pats his back murmuring way to go man.

“Besides just missing us what brings the Arrow crew to Central City?” Cisco asks after settling down from his fan-girl moment with Laurel. And yes he has their picture hanging in his room; and yes, there is a smaller print in his wallet.

“The League of Assassins” Oliver provides.

Barry just sighs, “Again?”

“Wait. What do you mean again?” Sara looks curiously at Barry “I didn’t realize you had been there when Oliver took down Ra’s al Ghul.”

“Oh,” Barry starts “I wasn’t there for the final battle. I rescued… everybody… after…” He slows down to a halt after noticing not one but three people were glaring at him. He looks back to Sara who is waiting impatiently for what he has to say.

“Ah, ya, you know… after things. I rescued them after things,” Sara rolls her eyes. “So,” Barry continues in a higher, squeaky voice, not unlike Cisco’s a few minutes earlier. “let me get your bags for you.” Sara is about to interrupt him and demand he finish what he was going to say, but Barry super speeds away with all their bags. Sara looks back towards the three whose glare’s stopped Barry from what he was going to say (Nyssa, Oliver, and Felicity), but none of them meet her eyes. Sara sighs in frustration and huffs away towards where Barry put their bags. I’m tired of being treated with kiddie gloves because of… well I don’t know why! No one has the balls to tell me. She continues to sigh with frustration as she makes her way to the room she’s going to be staying in.

Sara gets to her room and starts to unpack her weapons. She really only brought her Bo and some of her throwing knives. Twenty. Twenty throwing knives. The simple things. As she finishes unpacking, she can feel Nyssa’s presence behind her without having to look up. “I just wish you trusted me enough to tell me what’s going on.” She senses Nyssa moving closer. When she feels a hand on her shoulder she turns to find Nyssa’s dark eyes waiting to meet hers.

“My love I do trust you.” Sara just shakes her head. She may trust me but not like she used to, Sara thinks.

“Then tell me what’s going on.” Nyssa looks away from her and Sara sighs. She is really starting to miss the way they used to be. Nyssa used to always hold her gaze no matter what. Even when they fought. It used to drive Sara crazy because Nyssa always had such good control over her emotions when Sara never did, but now she just wishes she would look. Just wishes they were back to where they had been before. She wishes she didn’t have to ask Nyssa to look at her. “Please?” Sara pulls her chin back to face her. “Please don’t look away from me. I have been waiting for years to see dark brown eyes and to have them match my blue ones. It hurts when you look away.”

“I’m sorry habibti, all I want is to limit your pain, but all I seem to be doing is adding to it.”

“Nyssa, I know I hurt you and I know you don’t fully trust me…”

“You’re wrong Sara” Sara just looks at her confused, “I trust you with everything, my life, my heart, my soul.”

“Then why won’t you tell me what is going on. Nyssa? Please? The lies have to hurt worse than the truth. Right? Why won’t you tell me?”

“BECAUSE I’M ASHAMED!” Nyssa all but screamed. Sara took a step back. That isn’t what she had been expecting. She assumed that like before Nyssa hadn’t wanted to burden Sara’s shoulders with her pain. In fact it was the opposite. Nyssa wasn’t trying to hold all the pain herself, she believed it would actually cause more pain to both of them if the truth came out. Sara slowly reached out to cup Nyssa’s cheek. The kind action made a single tear fall from Nyssa’s eyes. Nyssa pulled away, like the kindness was hurting her. Like she thought she didn’t deserve that kindness. Sara had never seen her so broken. Nyssa doesn’t show emotion like most people do. Her single tear is like a gushing river for everyone else. Sara just wiped her tear and pulled her back close. She honestly didn’t know what to say to her. How could she comfort her if she didn’t really know what was wrong. But seeing how broken Nyssa was how could she push and risk breaking her further.

Sara had been expecting to come back here and be the one who had to make up for what she broke. She still believed there were things to be made up for, but clearly Nyssa thought there was something she had to make up for too. Sara just wished she would let her in, so they could heal each other.

“Baby,” Nyssa looked up at her from her place in Sara’s shoulder. “I don’t know what happened…” Nyssa stiffens, “and I wont push you to tell me” she relaxes again, “but you never have to feel ashamed around me. No matter what it is I’ll always love you, and no matter what you say that won’t change.”

“I don’t deserve your kindness, Beloved.”

“I know you think you don’t, but kindness is mine to give freely. I only hope that I will be lucky enough to receive it in return.” Sara holds up her hand when Nyssa moves towards arguing that she has nothing to forgive. “I know you think you have things to be sorry for, but so do it. I love you Nyssa, and I’m sorry if I made you question that with my actions but I will always love you Nyssa.” Nyssa didn’t say anything back, just let herself be pulled back into Sara’s embrace. Whatever it was, it doesn’t matter, Sara thought, all that matters is that I put her back together so she can be happy.

They decided it was best to just order in Pizza, that way they could work on a plan to deal with the League while they ate. If they were out in public they couldn’t really discuss their night jobs and risk being overheard. Felicity had made a point to stop Oliver from going to talk to Sara when her and Nyssa hadn’t come back for awhile. That would have been like pouring Gasoline on a fire. However, they eventually came back when the pizza arrived, seeming better. Felicity could sense that they seemed closer, like important things had been discussed. But when she caught Sara’s eyes, she could see that there were still secrets in the air.

Damn, Felicity thought, I thought they would have worked it all out. I hate when there are secrets between us all. Well except when its happy secrets, like mine and Sara’s. Well no secret is really good, but I feel like everyone will be ok with this one. I mean it is awesome… and damn I’m still staring at Sara… who is now looking at me like she knows I’m rambling in my own head. Frack!

Sara just shook her head amused by Felicity’s thoughtful and rambley look, obviously she was just rambling in her own head. When she looked over at Nyssa she just smiled sadly. Nyssa still hasn’t told her, but Sara has resigned herself not to push. Nyssa will let her in when she’s ready.

“Ok, but do we all get to see the super awesome ninja headquarters this time?” Cisco asked excitedly. Sara chuckled and Nyssa just shook her head.

“Like I’ve said Mr. Ramone we are not Ninjas. We are a secret order of highly trained assassins.”

“So basically Ninjas,” he murmurs getting a glare from Nyssa. “ok, ok, not ninjas. And please call me Cisco, Nyssa. Do we at least get to see the super cool castle thing this time. Last time Barry was the only one to see it,” Cisco starts to pout.

Oliver steps in before Nyssa can roll her eyes, “No, we are just going after some who are stationed here in Central City. We need to figure out what the bigger game is and what better way than to beat up the lackeys. They will lead us to the bigger players.”

“Question?” Sara starts and Oliver turns to look at her already a sigh on his lips, “are you going to go all ‘Blah Blah you have failed this city’ (she mimics his voice) because that is your go to move, you really seem to like to do that.”

Felicity jumps in helpfully, “he does like to do that doesn’t he?!? And nice imitation! You know once he said that about an omelet I made. He was trying to be all cute, but I honestly just think he missed saying it in that deep ominous voice.” Oliver sighs and looks at Nyssa who just shrugs. He knows those two are on a roll now and no one can stop them.

“Oh! What if he coaches your kids’ sports teams. After a bad game he’ll be all like ‘you have failed this court’.”

Felicity snorts, “ya or can you imagine him as a teacher! Every student who gets a bad grade, he’ll be like ‘you have failed this pop quiz’ or ‘you have failed this coloring book” Sara and Felicity continue to giggle uncontrollably while the rest just move away to talk about the actual mission. Its simple: capture the low level assassins and find out what they know.

“So Nyssa,” Barry asks, “do you think using your title will work? I mean do you think they will just stand down in the face of the true Ra’s al Ghul?”

“I guess we will see wont we.”

They did not stand down. In fact, Nyssa trying to invoke her authority seemed to have pissed them off even more. They fought harder and harder against them. All ten of the League lackeys, as Nyssa called them, were gunning for her. It was a move however, they had been anticipating incase her authority didn’t work. Sara, Thea, Laurel and Roy surrounded her while Oliver, Dig, and Lyla went at them one on one. Nyssa wasn’t happy that they were “protecting” her, but she let it go. Barry ran around the group to make sure none got away, and to contain the area they were able to move in. That meant they were more one on one instead of them regrouping and attacking. He also picked up and stored the ones they had taken down. They didn’t want them waking up and attacking again before they could bind them.

Oliver had taken down two of them, which Barry scooped up and tied away from the action. Roy and Thea were still fighting one, while Sara and Nyssa moved in sync to take out three of them. Dig and Lyla incapacitated two just in time for the final two to attack, but this time they had Laurel for back up. She came swinging in just as Dig and Lyla were finishing their guys. Barry was busy tying up others, which gave one of the assassins fighting with Nyssa and Sara a chance to run.

“Coward!” Nyssa yelled as she went after him. She knew Sara could handle two just fine, and Thea and Roy were there as back up since they finally took down their guy. Nyssa crept silently after the final Assassin. The warehouse they were in was huge, but she could sense where they were. Just as she was approaching a shot rang out. Nyssa froze, waited for the hot searing pain but it never came. “A cowards weapon that you can’t even aim correctly,” she snarled.

“Oh, but I did aim it well and true.” He muttered before Nyssa knocked him out.

As she turned back she heard a scream, had felt it too. She was so pumped up on adrenaline her line of sight seemed distant, like a dream. She could swear Sara is in front of her kneeling. Wait, she is down on her knees. Her vision is finally seeing the blood pouring out of her leg. That scream, it had been mine. She realizes. Her body had sensed her Canary’s pain before she did. She ran over to Sara, who then collapsed in her arms.

“Sara!” No, fate couldn’t do this again, it couldn’t take her from me. No! NO! no! She picked her up like she weighed nothing, and felt for a pulse. Beneath her fingers she could feel a strong thump. Hold on Sara. Baby hold on.

With the bullet removed from her hip, Sara would be just fine. The bullet had lodged in her hip, but luckily not done a lot of damage. The only real damage was the amount of blood she had lost. It made her look more pale than she already was. They had drugged her up to get the bullet out. While her and pain have an understanding, Nyssa would still rather her Canary be comfortable. She was still asleep when Oliver came in to check on her. Nyssa hadn’t left her side, and everyone else was coming one by one to check her condition. As Nyssa and Oliver sat by Sara’s bedside waiting for her to wake up, she thought about her and Sara’s conversation earlier and turned to the only person who would fully understand, Oliver.

“Why am I so scared to tell her what happened?” Oliver turns to her, brief shock flitting across his face. He hadn’t realized they had become close enough to the point of confiding in each other. Although, they shared the experience that she is speaking of, so it really isn’t confiding. More like dealing with it together. “I have moved past it, but when I look in her eyes, they look so clear and so light. Mine our clouded with grief, death, and darkness. I never wanted to drag her back down with me. I keep telling myself I’ve moved past what happened with us. And I understand why you did it Oliver, and I accept your choices” Oliver drops his head. He knows Nyssa has forgiven him for everything that happened before, during, and after, but he will never forgive himself. “and I’ve honestly let it go. But when I look at her, I feel nothing but shame for not being strong enough. I look into her eyes and I am reminded of being in that place, grief and weakness holding me still as I am forced to be bound to you in all ways.” Oliver looks up with regret in his eyes, and Nyssa gives him a comforting smile. “I am not ashamed that we are bound Oliver. You have ended up being, to my surprise, a friend. I am ashamed that I didn’t have a strong enough will to stop it while it was happening. To stand up to my father for both our sakes.”

“Nyssa, I’m so sorry.” Nyssa starts to wave off his apology. “I know you’ve said you’ve forgiven me, but I will never stop apologizing. And I will never forgive myself, and I fear that Sara wont either. You say you wished you were strong enough to stand up for us, but the truth is, it’s my fault. I should have been the one to find another way, but I didn’t.” Both know he is right, and that there is nothing left to say. Nyssa grasps Oliver’s forearm in what she hopes is a comforting gesture as they look at each other with forgiveness and regret. They are too caught up with themselves to notice that Sara stirring.

Sara opens her eyes. They still haven’t noticed. She turns to look at Oliver and Nyssa, who are still looking at each other. They still haven’t noticed. No light or warmth shone in her eyes. Just ice. Deadly ice, and they are about to find out that she is awake.

[tvip11-fics]

.spartacus love theme

A/N: AU. Warnings: Pregnancy, Smoking, Language

x

The sky is a radiant orange and the sun touches the tops of each skyscraper as it bids it goodbyes for the day.

Goku was never particularly good at those, thinks Bardock to himself in their small kitchen. But then again, he wasn't too good at those himself.

Maybe he gets that from him.

He certainly got Gine's eyes and her lean frame, but that hair…

Bardock runs his hands through his hair and lets out a huff.  Yeah, he got that hair from him.

Bardock looks out the window, out toward the street where everything was loud and bright and too much for him. He never liked this apartment; it was nothing like the house he and Gine bought when they first got married. Sure, it had only one room and Raditz' crib was right in his face, but still, it was homey. Gine made it homey with her stupid obsession with pillows and the quilts she had brought from her mother's house.

He should take a quilt to her. He should do lots of things for her. Say I love you a thousand times, kiss her a thousand times, make her smile just one more time....

His hand twitches. He should smoke.

He goes out onto the balcony and pulls a pack of Marlboros from his sweats. He takes a few tries to light it (he hasn't done this in a long time; he shouldn't be doing this, because what would Gine say?)

It's a bit chilly out on the balcony; a thin layer of frost covers the railing, but Bardock doesn't mind. He takes a long drag from his cigarette.

Bardock hears noise from down below and he looks down to the sidewalk. He watches as Goku passes his scarf to the girl that he'd been dating for years now.

Red stains her cheeks as she tries to push the scarf away but Goku doesn't let that happen. He then wraps the scarf around her neck for her and Bardock watches as her whole body turns bright red to match her cheeks.

Bardock blows out a ring of smoke and smiles to himself. To be young and in love…

xi

Goku was thirteen and he was seventeen. He remembers because how could he forget- that smell is still in his nose, it still burns his lungs. (And he had to walk out because she looked so weak and fragile and the smell and the smell and the smell-)

Raditz opens his apartment door, peeling off his jacket and slipping out of his shoes. He throwing his bag on the ground, hoping that it crushes his stupid Agriculture textbook so he'll never have to read about plant propagation ever again.

(Note to Goku: Don't pick a major while you're drunk.)

Raditz swings open his fridge, eyes scanning the empty shelves before remembering that he has no food.

He sighs and throws back on his jacket and shoes.

iv

Gine looked stunning in her wedding dress. Made of cheap lace and paid for with money they managed to scrape together, Gine and Bardock got married in a small church with only a few friends around. For the reception, they ate a store-bought cake and got drunk to a song that he can't remember.

Goku's tiny hand brushed against the film of the polaroid. He was ten at the time and had taken an interest in looking at old photos to see "what Dad looked like before he got fat."

Gine had guffawed at that.

The gym that Bardock opened finally hit its five-year anniversary. It was the first good thing that had happened in a while and would be the only good thing for the next few years to come.

Bardock snatched the photo out of Goku's hand and placed it back in the box of photos. Goku pouted. "Dad, I was looking at that."

"Well now you're not." He pushed Goku toward the bathroom. "Come on, kid, go wash up."

Goku latched onto the frame of the door and held on tight. "No," he whined as his nails stripped away the varnish of the frame.

Bardock frowned. "Come on, brat. Mom spent a lot of time on dinner and-."

Glass shattered in the kitchen and Bardock scooped up Goku as if he didn't weigh a ton. Raditz had made it into the kitchen before them, stepping on the glass to catch his fainting mother.

At that moment, Bardock had yelled at him for being stupid, but at night he still thinks about how lucky they'd been that Raditz had been quick enough, that he didn't hesitate.

That night the house looked like a murder scene with the blood from Raditz's feet staining the carpet and linoleum floors. The glass didn't get cleaned up until Gine awoke and her boys were sure she was fine.

"I'm alright, I'm alright," she whispered, rubbing Raditz' and Goku's backs as they squeezed her tight. "Everything's fine."

v

"Everything's falling apart," she'd cried almost two years later. They were alone in their new apartment, half of the boxes barely unpacked. Goku and Raditz had gone down the street to a Chinese place to grab some dinner so they could all eat.

Gine's arm shook as she leaned against the counter, hands covering her face and cupping her tears. "Nothing’s working anymore. They said they've done everything they can but-."

She swallowed the lump in her throat. "We moved out here for nothing."

Bardock placed a rough hand on her back. "Don't say that."

She turned around quickly, anger possessing her to move faster than she had in the past few months. "It's true!" she yelled, her hands flying in the air and revealing her puffy eyes and gaunt face. The skin around her eyes were yellowish-brown and her lips were dry and for the first time ever she'd looked sick to him. "It's true. We sold the house, your gym, Raditz' car, for nothing!"'

"This isn't nothing."

She stared at him angrily. "Then what is it?"

"It's...it's something," he fumbled. He was never good with words and he still isn't to this day. "Didn't you always use to say that something was better than nothing?"

i

Bardock frowned at her. "What?" asked Gine. "It's true!"

Their house was absolute shit. The bedroom was small, the kitchen was small, the bathroom was small. It was like someone made the house for ants or something.

Gine latched onto his arm. "Imagine it, honey. We can put a couch right there and I can get Mom's old table and put it right in that corner."

"I fucking hate it."

"Oh come on," she said, playfully swatting his arm. "We're doing pretty good for a couple of broke newlyweds. Once I get that promotion at the Auto Shop we'll be rolling in money and we can start saving up for a bigger, better house."

Gine let go of his arm and twirled around the living room. She'd lost her lilthe figure from her teenage days due to working at the Auto Shop, but she still managed to look graceful in Bardock's eyes.

"Let's make this work for now, okay?"

xii

Goku and Bardock no longer eat at the table. It feels wrong without her there to nag about their serving sizes and go on about her college classes.

Now, they sit on the couch while watch whatever's on TV and make small talk with each other. Without Raditz, dinner's a bit quieter. Not that Bardock minds…

"Dad?" asks Goku with his mouth full of leftover lo mein. "Can...Can I ask you something?"

Bardock stuffs his mouth full of potstickers. "You just did."

"Something else?"

"Go ahead."

"You know Chi-Chi, right?" Bardock nods.

"Can I bring her to the hospital? To meet Mom?"

Bardock swallows and then pauses. He blinks a few times before his brain can actually catch up with what his son said. "To meet Mom?"

Bardock turns his head slightly, brow raised so high he swears it's gonna fly off. "What?"

"I-I mean, I can just tell her no-."

Bardock raises a hand. "No, don't do that. Your mother would be pissed."

"So...bring her?"

"Yeah, bring Chi-Chi."

vi

"Who is that?" questioned Gine as she stared out the balcony glass door. This was the first time she'd been home in almost a month. She was looking a bit better and moving around a bit more, which made Bardock feel better about the whole thing. On top of that she was talking about going back to school since she wasn’t working anymore, which everyone thought was a great idea.

"Hm? Oh, her." Bardock pointed his thumb in the direction of the tiny Chinese girl standing next to Goku. He gave her small box with a necklace that he'd begged Bardock to buy a week ago, before running into the apartment complex, leaving the confused and blushing girl in the middle of the side walk. "That's Chi-Chi."

Gine's nose wrinkled. "Chi-Chi?"

"Yeah, but don't worry, I think it's just a crush."

vii

The nurse closed the curtains and left them alone. Bardock had pulled a chair up to the side of the hospital bed and grabbed her hand. He gave it a squeeze and she squeezed back weakly, the sound of her strangled breathing hurting his ears.

His whole body shook when he first heard that she'd passed out on campus, that she was being rushed to the hospital. It felt like he couldn't drive fast enough.

He'd cried on the way here, but he'd never tell her that.

"Don't tell the boys," she whispered. "They have more important things to worry about."

"Like Chi-Chi," he quipped.

She gave him a weak smile. "Yeah. Like Chi-Chi."

viii

The first time, when they first arrived, the boys didn't know what to do. They'd never been in a hospital before and everything smelled too clean and everything was too white.

When she first saw the boys, a flurry of emotions went through her. Anger at Bardock for bringing them; relief that they weren't starving to death (which meant Bardock had actually read a cookbook); happiness at the fact that she was seeing her babies again; sadness at the fact that they had to see her like this.

They should've never seen her like this.

Goku and Raditz held each other’s hands as if they were children again. Raditz looked the most stunned; his brown eyes wide and wet as he stared at his mother's haggard form. Goku just twisted his mouth together as if all his words were poison.

Bardock pulled up a chair and pat the hard cushion. "Come on, boys, sit here."

Goku moved forward, but Raditz stayed glued in place. Goku tugged at his older brother, but Raditz didn't budge.

"Come on, son," Bardock grabbed his shoulder, "Don't make this any harder."

Raditz' eyes finally left Gine and he looked up at his father.He started shaking his head. "I-I....M-Mom-" His voice began to crack.

His arm flew up to his face and he ran out.  Bardock called out after him. "Raditz! Raditz!"

He turned to Goku. "Stay here," he said before running out into the hall to find their son.

Goku stood in the middle of the room and played with his zipper, deciding that it was better to focus on that than his dying mother.

"Goku, sweetie."

Goku stopped zipping. Gine pointed to the chair. "Come sit next to Mommy."

Goku sat down in the chair and wrapped his hand around his mother's. "I miss you. A lot."

"Baby, I miss you too."

xiii

"You're bringing Chi-Chi?" asks his other brother who'd arrived to the apartment an hour later looking for food. "Why?"

Goku finishes drying the plate that was in his hand. "Cause Mom's never meet her officially."

"But why now?" asks Raditz with his mouth full of grilled cheese.

"Because we have to."

iii

Gine slapped Bardock on the back. "Your turn," she grumbled in her sleep.

Bardock growled and put his head under his pillow to cover his ears from Raditz' loud crying. "You do it. He likes you better anyway."

"No."

Bardock sighed and got out of bed, picking up the chubby baby from his crib. "Come on, son," said Bardock, "stop crying."

Raditz ignored his father's plea. Bardock rocked him back and forth, but it did nothing to stop his crying.

"Is he hungry?" asked Gine after a few minutes passed without him stopping.

"He shouldn't be," said Bardock. "It hasn't been three hours."

Gine sat up and rubbed her eyes. "Lemme hold 'im. Go make some milk."

Bardock passed his over to his wife and Raditz immediately stopped crying. Gine looked up at her husband in awe. "Told you he liked you better," said Bardock.

ix

Bardock found Bardock in an empty room, arms wrapped around himself as he cried his heart out.

He'd always been a Momma's boy.

Bardock approached him slowly, brown boots making a loud sound against the white tiles. "Son-."

"Why?" he asked through pitiful hiccups. "Why? Why didn't you tell us it was this bad? That she was going to die?"

Bardock shook his head. "Your Mom isn't dying."

Raditz looked up at him, his anger boiling over. "You look at her and try telling anybody else that she's not dying!" he hissed.

"I can't!" yelled Bardock. "I can't! But damn it, I have to tell you boys something and I don't want to tell you that!"

His chest heaved up and down as looked over his son. "You think I like lying to you two? You think I like pretending everything is alright when I know damn well it's not? Your Mom didn't even want me to bring you two here, but I did."

Raditz looked at him with surprise but kept his mouth shut.

Bardock's hand twitched and ire washed over him. He was done for the day. "I need a smoke."

ii

Gine hit him with a rolled-up newspaper. "Shit babe, I almost dropped my lighter," said Bardock as he rubbed the back of his head.

Gine pointed at her stomach. "Don't."

"Sorry, sorry, I'll take it outside."

Gine knocked the cigarette out of Baradock's hand. "Don't do it at all," she hissed.

"What? I've been smoking since I was like twelve!"

"And now I want you to stop." Gine turned to the side so her bump was more obvious. "We've got a baby on the way. We need to make some changes."

Bardock rolled his eyes. "Fine, I'll stop smoking. But let me finish this last pack."

"No."

xiv

Chi-Chi wrings her hands together, her face grey with fear. Goku nudged her. “Relax,” he whispers in the tiny elevator. Goku wraps his arm around her waist and Chi-Chi blushes as Raditz glances at the two of them.

The elevator dings and they all get off. Bardock leads the way to Gine’s room and Chi-Chi death grips the bouquet of flowers she brought for his mother. This is bad, this is bad, this is bad-.

They enter the room one by one with Chi-Chi going in last.

“Hey sweetheart,” says Bardock as he bends over to give her a kiss. “We brought a guest today.”

“A guest? Is it the owner of Capsule Corp. waiting to give me a million dollars?” asked Gine playfully.

Bardock smirked. “Better.”

She’d never seen Gine in person before. Goku has showed her pictures of her from the time when she wasn’t sick, but other than that she had no reference point to go off of.

So she’s a bit surprised when she finally sees her; her black hair that was just as wild as Raditz’ , her brown eyes just as luminous as Goku’s. She’s a bit thin, but that was to be expected, along with her paleness and the bags under her eyes.

Chi-Chi wonders if any of Gine’s genes will transfer over. Will he have hair as wild as hers or eyes a bright as hers? Or will he get her-.

“Mom,” says Goku, interrupting her thoughts. “This is Chi-Chi, my girlfriend.”

Chi-Chi steps forward and gulps. “H-Hi, Mrs. Son! It’s so nice to finally meet you. Goku’s told me so much about you.” Chi-Chi looks down at the flowers in her hands.  “I brought you some flowers to brighten up your room.”

Chi-Chi hands them over and Gine gives her a loving smile. “Thank you so much. They’re beautiful.”

“So tell me about yourself, Chi-Chi,” says Gine.

“Well, I, of course, go to school with Goku. I enjoy cooking a lot and I help out at my Dad’s restaurant.” She looks down at her feet instinctively. “I-I wanted to go to culinary school but-.”

“What’s stopping you?” asks Gine.

Chi-Chi’s face grows warm. “I-I…” She was stuck in a tough spot. To tell or not to tell; either option could result in something as wonder as curing Mrs. Son’s sickness or something as horrid as killing her on the spot.

Goku decides for her. “Mom, Chi-Chi’s pregnant.”

Bardock and Raditz look at the pair. “What?” Bardock glares at his son. “When the hell where you planning to tell me?”

“Today,” says Goku simply.

Chi-Chi’s whole body turns red. “Mr. and Mrs. Son, W-We didn’t mean to be so irresponsible-.”

“Pregnant?!” interrupts Gine. She rests back on her pillow. “Dear god, I haven’t heard that word since I was twenty-five.”

“You two haven’t even graduated yet! What the hell are you gonna do?” yells Raditz.

“I haven’t gotten there yet?”

Raditz crosses his arms. “Then what have you got?”

“Telling Mom.”

“Oh God,” says Bardock as he drags his hands over his face. “I need a smoke.”

Chi-Chi bows her head a bit, tears staining her cheeks. “Mrs. Son, I’m so sorry.”

“Sorry? There’s no need to be sorry,” explains Gine. “You messed up. Me and Bardock did the same thing. Twice. And now we’ve got two wonderful boys.”

Gine grabs Chi-Chi’s hand and gives it a squeeze. “Maybe you’ll be just as lucky.”

Chi-Chi smiles. “Maybe.”

[minhecate-blog]

THE POWER OF POTENTIAL ⇨ ROSALINE.

date: December 28th time: 13:35 / 1:35pm location: phoenix & turtle cafe availability: @rafaellacapulet

Signora Rafaella Capulet,

Hello, I hope the day is going well thus far. Make sure to eat breakfast. Anyway, I suppose you might feel the situation is odd, seeing this letter unexpectedly on your dresser. Alas, I don’t mean to startle you. I simply have a request. An invitation, if you will. Your company would be much appreciated at the Phoenix and Turtle Cafe, on the eight of December. I will expect you at 1335. There’s no need to be astonishingly early, but don’t be late. No dress code necessary. I’ll be off then.

Hea Min.

  Hands too soft to be suitable for who they belonged to set down the quill pen, and their cold eyes quickly gazed over neat, cursive handwriting. When they noticed nothing wrong, they nodded in approval, though no one was there to see. They never smiled. The enigmatic nature of the letter went unseen in Hea’s eyes, though if they had noticed, they weren’t sure they would have altered it in the slightest. Their intent was not to intimidate Rafaella into arriving where they wanted her to, though. Such an essence came almost too naturally to the second witch, so much so that they didn’t even notice how it would appear to other eyes. All they did was date it ( written December 27th ), and have it delivered to her bedchambers. They didn’t dare enter her home themself.  They had their ways, secrets only for them, Cinead, and Mallory to be aware of. The saying, ‘a little birdie told me’, amused Hea to no end. In that scenario, the witches owned the entire zoo. They wondered if she would notice the lack of stamp, and if it’d be alarming to her. The only mark on the envelopment was her name, and just below it, a cat sticker. It was too sinister to be meant for children; all it featured was a brooding cat, just staring with its wide, almost dead eyes. That was Hea’s signature. Fitting.

  Hea had contacted the cafe early in the morn, to make sure there would be seats available for them. They knew it was uncustomary for a cafe to be so occupied as to not have any room, but it wasn’t about that. Hea wanted to confirm they’d have a hidden, corner seat. A lack of attention was ideal. They definitely weren’t afraid by how suspicious it would be for the neutral witch to be conversing with a Capulet. They had nothing to prove. By how the event had turned out, and Hea’s face afterwards, they were positive no one was going to inquire about it. But what about the choice of location? Capulet’s territory. While it was known that Hea much preferred their own locations rather than the influenced ones, they had settled on the Phoenix and Turtle Cafe. They’d seldom been before, and when they had, it was out of kindness for their siblings. They preferred their own brew, but their entire manner had been described as abnormal, so what if their tastes did, too? Nevertheless, the cafe was a perfect choice. They assumed it may cause their company to be more relaxed, but such an altruistic reason could not be the only one. Not for Hea. They thought back to the gun. Capulet. It was a small chance, and not exactly their singular purpose, but any information they could find would be satisfying enough.  They hated being puzzled.

  It was 1:35 pm exactly when they entered the building, like clockwork. There were few people, and yes, they stared, but Hea paid them no mind. What, or who, were they to them? An employee rushed to their side, recognizing them immediately. They smiled  — for the first time since the 26th  — when he knew better than to touch them. They allowed themself to be guided to the booth. Their first thought when they spotted Rafaella involved wondering what her reaction was when the employee ushered her into the concealed booth. It caused the smile from earlier to remain on their face. After arriving at their desired destination, they quickly shooed away the employee without so much as a thanks. Being friendly with one Capulet was enough, they didn’t need to befriend every single one of the lot. They wondered how the opposing mob would react to even this meeting, if they would even hear. The group would, Hea knew, but they didn’t care. They appreciated what they had with Rafaella, whatever it could be classified as. Not quite friendship. An acquaintance, mayhaps. Labels are so restricting, they mused, what use are they, truly? Their first thought when they spotted Rafaella involved wondering what her reaction was when the employee ushered her into the concealed booth. It caused the smile from earlier to remain on their face. Once he had taken his leave, Hea’s eyes flickered to their company. They gave a slight bow before settling into their seat. Settling, to them, likely appeared to any other as prim, and perfectly-postured.

With a tilt of their head and a never-ending closed smile ( one Hea themself couldn’t classify as either genuine or bogus ), they finally spoke, ‘‘Saluti. Have you ordered yet?’’

[simminghippie]

Better Than This

Ep. 3:  (Valentine's Day Special)

 *Cass wakes up*uses bathroom see note*

Note:

Didn't want to disturb you while you slept. You looked so beautiful. I can't wait to meet my OUR kid.

Got something special planned tonight

A.B called, having dinner with her and Cory

There's a surprise in the kitchen

Go the bank and take out however much need.

Don't worry, its from an account that not even my grandparents know about.

You deserve the best that life has to offer && I promise I won't sleep until I give you that!

See you tonight! I Love You!

Beck

 Ca: I wonder what he left in the

*throws up*

Kitchen

* goes to kitchen*sees Valentine's Day décor*see car keys on table*goes outside sees a car*

Ca: Oh my Gosh it's beautiful && *screaming*

 *Goes outside to car*calls A.B*

 Ca: *excited* Good Morning!

A.B: So I guess it's safe to say that someone got their gift.

Ca: You knew!

A.B: Yeah! Core and I wanted to get something for you and Beck. You’re about to be parents and since you both have your license you'll definitely need one or two!

Ca: Thanks sissy!

A.B: I only paid for them. Beck picked them out. He said that you were talking about one of them for months.

Ca: Them?

A.B: Yeah we brought two

Ca: Well he must have one.

A.B: He not there!

Ca: No he said he had a lot to do today so we can have the evening and night to ourselves.

A.B: Awww, That's cute.

Ca: Well listen the one outside is not my dream car but it's definitely a back up dream! & I still love it!

A.B: That's all I wanted to hear.

Ca: Where is this dinner suppose to be.

A.B: I wanted to go to the new rooftop diner in the city.

Ca: Mi Amour

A.B:Yeah

Ca: That's an invites only restaurant and its hard to get an invite. Unless you just do happen to be dating the owner!

A.B: I thought you didn't know what kind of business he had.

Ca: He just told me last night.

A.B: Well meet at the salon by noon. We have a lot to do before this evening.

Ca:Why can't we go now

A.B: I have to take the kids to mother’s Child of Mine Valentine's Day Brunch.

Ca: Good thing I don't have participate in that

A.B: You will next year  *laughing*

Ca: Not funny but look I'm let you go because I gotta go to the bank.

A.B: Mom, doesn't want you taking money out of that account.

Ca: Who says it my account.

A.B: *laughing*

I'll meet you at the salon

Ca: Kk

*Calls Lo*

Ca: Hey

Lo: Hey

Ca: Did you still want that spa day with me?

Lo: Yeah it won't be a full spa day…Being Valentine's Day and all

Ca: Understandable I have my own night planned.

Lo: Okay where am I meeting you because we definitely need to talk.

Ca: The spa/salon I go to in Windenberg.

Lo: Girl you know it's going to be packed

Ca: It's not because my parents rent the salon out every Valentine's Day for A.B and I.

Lo: Not gonna question that but what time.

Ca: 12

Lo: See you there.

Ca: Bye girlie!

 *cass goes upstairs and does morning routine*goes to bank*

*Pampering day*

Ca: Wassup

Lo: Bitch guess who showed face last night

Ca: Who?

Lo: There's only two people who can make me happy then piss me tf off

Ca: Braxton or Ken’Dell

Lo: Ken’Dell

Ca: Girl what happened.

Lo: We did karaoke together and then shit went left when Bo kissed

Ca: Did he have him in some type of choke hold

Lo: Yeah how you know

Ca: He's extremely protective of whoever he's dating

Lo: && you

Ca: he kinda has to. He's my nan…manny

Lo: Huh?  you trying to steal my man

Ca: Girl I don't want him back. A manny is a male nanny

Lo: Oh!

Ca: What happened after the whole choke hold situation.

Lo: We got put out

Ca: Which karaoke did y’all go to

Lo: The new one that opened Willows Creeks

Ca: How is he going to explain that to my parents?

Lo: What are you talking about?

Ca: You got a helicopter ride, right?

Lo: Yeah

Ca: That helicopters is  only to be used in extreme emergencies, like when you went into anaphylactic shock after eating apples and honey.

Lo: Bitch that was the worst day of my life.

Ca: I bet. Who drove the helicopter Edwin or Timber?

Lo: Timber

Ca: Okay we may have a little wiggle room.

Lo: You dated him too!

Ca: No that would be A.B!

A.B: What? What did I do.

Ca: Dated Timber

A.B: Yeah when I 16 and he was 19. Our relationship got him fired. I never knew he was back.

Ca: We had some trash ass pilots after him. So Mom hired him as long as did was gone whenever you come around and never talk to you again.

Lo: You two are the worst

Ca: How

Lo: Anybody that knows y'all can’t help but to love y'all and use that to manipulate them.

Ca: They can say no

A.B: Exactly but listen I seen him today

Ca: Timber?

A.B: The other T name

Ca: Tex!

A.B: Shhh…. But yeah

Ca: What happened!

A.B: He wants to meet up one day and have lunch

Lo: Anna the only time I've ever seen you really happy was with him. Your not happy with Cory just content.

Ca: She right sis

A.B: I  like them for different reasons

Ca: Hey Lo are you thinking what I'm think

Lo: I think so… count of three

Ca: (speeds) 1,2,3

Ca & Lo: Chart it!

A.B: Chart It?

Ca: You make a chart of things your love and don't love about both Core and Tex and chose from there.

A.B: Whose bright idea was this.

Ca: Originally yours…it was in your diary!

A.B:  You looked through them

Ca: Yup

Just try your own method and if doesn't work I have some methods we can try.

A.B: We'll try it your way for the first three tries and then I'm taking matters into my own hands.

Ca: Deal!

A.B: Perrier!

Perrier: (French accent) coming coming

How you ladies getting your hair

Ca: I want to go short!

A.B: I want some extensions

Lo: just straighten mines out

Perrier: (French accent) I want miss Logan River first, then miss Cassandra, and ms AnnaBeth last

*2 hours later*

Do you like?

A.B, Ca, & Lo: We love it!

Perrier: (French accent) Tell your parents I send the bill for you three.

Lo: No just those two? Here 1,2,3,4,5

$500 for mines right

Perrier: (French accent) Thank you

A.B: Bos must going all out for you. He said he has a few surprises for me

Ca: Have fun

A.B: Not too much fun

Lo: I had a nice day with you guys and we have to do again soon. See y’all later.

Ca & A.B: Bye

*car poses*

A.B: Did you tell her

Ca: No

A.B: she's your best friend

Ca: But Beck wants to tell her. They broke up not long after Winston and I

A.B: You broke up there relationship

Ca:*upset*  First off I didn't

Second thing if he really loved her there nothing that could have broken that up.

In my opinion he only dated her because…

A.B: You were physically and emotionally unavailable.

Ca: How did you know

A.B: Because when your in relationship you love and love hard. But what you have with Beck is something that was foreseen when you little.

Ca: Really?

A.B: Yeah That's the real reason you was sent to live Ms. Imogen.

Ca: Mom didn't want us together

A.B: Mom doesn't really want us to be happy.

Ca: Look there are things about her that you know and that I'm need to make sure I'm understanding correctly. So we're going to their house tomorrow.

A.B: Cass that's a bad idea how about this Sunday while they're at church we hurry and look

Ca: Deal!

A.B: I'm getting dressed at your spot

I want to see what y'all have done to my aunts house in four days

Ca: okay

* arrives at aunt jo’s*

A.B: You guys are making this your own

Ca: we are going be here for three or more months. So why not?

A.B: I like it but listen Aunt Jo is coming over tomorrow to talk to Beck you and myself.

Ca: Did you tell her?

I wouldn't care if you did Joanne has a weird way of getting the truth out of you

A.B: I did

Ca: Fine by me. You get in the shower first I'm going to get me something to snack on and

A.B: Water

Ca: Eww.

A.B: Think  about the baby.

Ca: Fine

*Beck comes in*

B: There's my baby

*picks up Cass*A.B in doorway*

Ca: I missed you

B: I missed you more

Ca: A.B is here and she wants to have dinner at Mi Amour

B: Sure we're doing a showing of Fifty  Shades Darker though.

A.B: Fine by me but quick question. Mi Amour means my love is this for sister or mines

B: Mines ! Amour got sick when she was like 5  and we never thought she would get to be this old.

But enough of the sad shit.

A.B I want you to see this.

Cass do you trust me?

Ca: beck stop playing

B: yes or no

Ca: with my life

B: put this blindfold on please

*cass has a blindfold* takes her to her own dance studio*

B: you've always had dream and even though you are now carrying my child doesn't mean that you can't dream anymore.

*cass takes off blindfold*

Ca: Oh My Gosh!

Thank you baby

*kissing poses*

B: First time I seen you dance I knew you had something special.  Your was… ummm…light skin lady with new York accent.

A.B:  When was dancing under ms trundle.

Ca: Like 6 years ago. When you snuck into the dance studio.

B: You remember

Ca: Yeah it was the first time I ever thought about dating you.

B: it was the day I knew I was destined to be with you. You dance the same way I paint. That to me is beautiful.

But we now have like 2 ½ - 3 hrs to get dressed and out of here.

A.B: I'm first. Promise I won't be long

* everyone gets dressed *

B: We look good

Ca: *doorway pose* yeah we do

A.B can you Corey and tell to meet us there

A.B: Should be …..

*doorbell rings*

That should be him

*Corey comes in*

Co: Damn! We look damn good!

B: && we need to leave its opening night  at the restaurant.

*other car seen*

Ca: OMG! My dream car

B: you can drive it only until your second trimester after that your driving the 4 door

Ca: Whateve’s lets go

 *at Mi Amour *Beck gives speech*

 B: Good Evening everyone.

Every since I was 7 years old I always wanted to own my own restaurant. Although my grandparents and and father didn't understand why they never stopped me from pursuing my passion. I learned to cook complicated dishes by the age of 9 and was completely immersed into all types of culinary shows. It was my passion fueled with my grandparents and father’s belief that I could achieve my dream. It is named mi Amour. After my little sister Amour  who became ill at the age of 5 and although she doing much better. The thought of something happening to her scares us both. She has one the keys to my heart and she a constant reminder to always live life on your own terms. I would like to thank my grandparents Mr & Mrs. Echo Brooklands for footing my dreams and to my girlfriend Cass for being my best friend and believing I could bring my dream to reality.

Thank you!

I now present to you Fifty Shades Darker!

Enjoy your Evening

 *Valentines night plays out*

 A.B: Thanks Beck! Your going to do so well with the restaurant.

Co: Yeah if anything never hesitate to ask Anna or myself.

B: Question what is the earliest we can start getting those things

 *core looks confused *

 A.B: 5 or 6  

Personally for paint we did between 4-8. I wanted help

Co: Now I feel dumb I just realized what we was talking about

B: yeah remember my grandparents and dad don't know

C: don't know what

B: that Cass is letting me borrow her car since mali… I mean mom won't let have mines at the house

E: good thing you corrected yourself

B: I know gramps

C: speaking of your mother where have you been staying

B: at a friends house

C: your mother worried

B: she needs to stop stressing

C: she can't when she always worried about your wellbeing

B: Then her baby going to be a premie

C: What baby

B: she due in like 4 months I think.

E: that would explain her oversized clothes and her appetite.

H: Echo stop you never cared for her anyways

Baby you did such an amazing job with the opening of this restaurant

*gives Cass hug and has a premonition* dazed look*

C: mom what's wrong

H: Beckett Cassandra can I speak to you in Beck’s office…please

*goes to becks office *

H: how far along is she

B: huh!

H: BECKETT COLE ALEXANDER BROOKLANDS HOW FAR!

Ca: Beck!

B: She knows!

Ca: How

H: I have the gift of premonition. You know I can see into the future.

Ca: Really!?! So you what I'm having ?

H: but I can't tell you because it could altered future in ways unknown.

B: We will find out sometime within the next couple of days to weeks.

H: whose idea was it to keep this a secret

B: Ours! Her parents don't even know yet. Grams I never ask you for anything but can you please keep this to yourself.

H: I will only until her second trimester

B: I can live with that

H: who else knows. Her parents are Krammers they own the medical scene. So who doing your checks ups?

Ca: My sister boyfriend

H: Corey Frandez

Ca: Yeah

H: Beck tell Corey and AnnaBeth to come here

*beck comes back with a.B and Corey*

H: Where are you doing her ultrasound and check ups at? Yeah I know

Co: Um…my house

H: no your going to be doing them at the Brooklands Estate

A.B: We can't our families don't get along

H: either we do it this way or I go see your parents and tell them our that we arranged Null and void

B: What arrangement? Is this one anything like the one between my parents

H: no this was an arrangement for you two. To  never be in any kind of contact until your 18 birthdays.

Ca: why?

H: I wouldnt know I married into family

Ca: Mrs. Hayden how much do you know about my family.

H: what do you want to know

Ca:did I absorb my twin?

H: are you a twin?

Yes

Did you absorb it?

No

Your parents put him up for adaptation.

Just know he's doing well and you might have already meant him.

A.B:  why would they lie to me about me about

H: your parents are from the breed one era. Look it up. If you any questions come pass my house or call me. Corey I need you to come pass in like a week so you can setup the room for Cassandra medical use.

Beckett I am disappointed but I still love and there are a million ways to turn this into a positive situation.

I love you all. Now go enjoy the rest of your night.

By the way leave out the back because beck never told his father what friend he was staying with and he won't let him go until he tells him.

B: thanks grams

H: well discuss the rest later.

*goes to there cars *

A.B: have a good night

Ca & b : you too

B: put the blindfold back on I still have surprises for you

Ca : okay

 *takes cass to spotlight*

 Ca: where are we it looks a little strange

B:What did you always tell Lo and I about dancing

Ca: that I always wanted to join or own a underground dance team

B: come on

I want to show you some

goes into studio

Ca:Wait you got me an underground studio

B: That’s what you heard me talking about the other day when I said starlight. I had no choice but to give the restaurant name so you wouldn't question it anymore!

Ca: Thanks baby come I got one more surprise before we go home.

*Cass puts blindfold on * her to there first play date spot*

B: take it off and tell me if you remember being here

Ca: It's the place I first met!

We had be what like 8

B: actually 7

* kiss*

Ca: thanks babe only thing could make this night amazing

B: I can think one but …

Ca: I know blindfold

* takes her to there house*

Ca: no way…when?

B: I have some friends that live around here they did it for me while at the restaurant.

Ca: it beautiful

B: it going there more

*walks out back to picnic type setting with a telescope *

*stargaze poses*

b: can finds stars based on coordinates

Ca: yeah

* whispers coordinates *looks for it

Ca: What's special about

B: did you find it?

Ca: yeah

* looks at beck* beck holds name of star paper*

B: Because it does matter if we have a boy or girl as it's healthy and has this word somewhere in there name.

CA: Why Pandora

B: well take a look at the kids in our lives. Amour definitely has my attitude and independent spirit

Ca : the twin have my smart mouth and curiosity.

B: Lisa is going to have your fashion sense and cj might have your heart breaking ways

Ca: and these aren't even our kids and we've rubbed off on them.

B: which is why I like Pandora. Having child is like opening pandoras box. We just have to take the good, bad, and down right uncomfortable.

Ca: I love it

B: good I have one more surprise

* Goes in house* sex poses* sleep poses*

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