("When do we leave?" William asks, without consulting his boyfriend, or letting his father and stepmother even know he's volunteering himself. Because she is going, than so is her brother. He can help, especially if a team is involved. He knows what she lost.
"Hold on," Oliver says. "This is coming together fast. Do you know the guy with a plan? Do you know the plan?")
In his defense, not knowing the guy with the plan got me where I am now.
I do not know the guy with the plan but I do know parts of the plan. Wes' mom is going to get us on the boat, we're going to kill all the vampires who aren't our friends, and then we're getting off the boat.
[The details in between she doesn't have yet, but she's sure she'll get them when she gets to Mississippi.
Then she turns back to her brother.]
You don't have to come. I'll be back by the end of the weekend.
[Fine, that is better. She nods, because she gets it.]
I'll text Faith, see if there's room for one more.
[And then she'll turn back to her father.]
I will be safe. I will be careful. And even if I don't know one hundred percent what I'm up against, I do know most of the people I'm going with and they will have my back.
("As long as it's most," Oliver relents, like he has a choice. He does exchange a 'Scarlett O'Hara' look with his wife, sighs dramatically. "Say goodbye this time."
And with that, he leaves the kids and his wife in the kitchen and finds his best friend and his wife by the fire place. Don't mind if he fills up his glass.
Back in the kitchen William takes Cooper aside to explain, and ask if he wants to take a field trip. Mickey gives Mia a thumbs up. That went great. And then he makes small talk with E2.
Oliver leans, arm resting on the mantle, his mother's picture above them. She's overseas, of course, not that he'd involve her. Penny for Oliver's thoughts? )
( He wouldn't change it, but he's getting too old to worry. At least that's how he feels right this second. Maybe he'll feel different five minutes from now. )
Mia and William are leaving again, just for the weekend, but - it was an abrupt decision.
She left. She disappeared, threw her entire life away and only resurfaced because her brother ran into her.
( He knows the circumstances, but they still hurt. And he's still mad at Barry. And William. And at slayers. )
She's still Mia, but, she's -- she remembers something else. And I can't save her from it, or help her, or do anything at my age for any of this. So, I just - watch.
[Laurel's face softens as she steps closer, resting her hand on his shoulder.]
You may not be able to help right now, but you prepared her the best you could. You trained her, you helped her, you educated her. Sometimes it's not about what you do in the moment. Sometimes it's about all the steps you took to get there.
( It wasn't said before, but as soon as things got a bit... emotional, Tommy definitely saw himself out to see his niece and nephew, especially if they're going to be leaving town.
Back to one.
Steps he took to get there. Laws broken. Cities bombed. )
What if something I did made her a slayer. Some decision I made in some other universe, that she had no choice in the matter. What if I did that.
[She takes a deep breath before squeezing his arm.]
Oliver, you have done a great many things, and I don't know much about magic so you'll have to ask Constantine, but I don't think that even you could step on a butterfly that would affect your daughter's mystical destiny.
( He's calmed down though. He takes his glass from the mantle, rejoining the party. )
Before everyone scatters to their corners, I'd like to make a toast. To two geniuses, who are smarter than their father, and in better shape than him, but who blow him away every single day by the people they're becoming. I'm proud of each of you. And everyone in this room is lucky to have them in their lives. Here here.
[Mia tosses her brother a smirk, clinking her glass against his as the "here heres" course through the room. Glasses clink together and the room is filled with the warmth typical of a Star City holiday at the Queens.
As the conversation resumes, JJ slips out the back door, a familiar file burning a hole in his pocket. He has work to do.]
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bravebartender) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
everyonelives2025-03-12 08:39 pm
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You keep me sane on my more restless nights. Still drinks me under the table.
( "Alright, Mickey," William says, laughing, changing the subject.
And then Mia does it for the both of them.
"Mississippi?," he then asks. )
You get to go on the Riverboat?
( "I'll probably regret asking, but, Riverboat," her father asks. )
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[To be clear it is very personal, and she will be making it personal for them in return.]
Buffy says she knows a guy with a plan, so I'm going to go help.
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"Hold on," Oliver says. "This is coming together fast. Do you know the guy with a plan? Do you know the plan?" )
In his defense, not knowing the guy with the plan got me where I am now.
no subject
[The details in between she doesn't have yet, but she's sure she'll get them when she gets to Mississippi.
Then she turns back to her brother.]
You don't have to come. I'll be back by the end of the weekend.
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Wes. My boyfriend.
( A beat. )
His mom is Scarlett O'Hara. It's - yeah, it's a whole thing.
( Super pointed, long sip.
"Okay. I know I don't have to. But I want to. Better?" William asks, the silence drawing out. )
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I'll text Faith, see if there's room for one more.
[And then she'll turn back to her father.]
I will be safe. I will be careful. And even if I don't know one hundred percent what I'm up against, I do know most of the people I'm going with and they will have my back.
no subject
And with that, he leaves the kids and his wife in the kitchen and finds his best friend and his wife by the fire place. Don't mind if he fills up his glass.
Back in the kitchen William takes Cooper aside to explain, and ask if he wants to take a field trip. Mickey gives Mia a thumbs up. That went great. And then he makes small talk with E2.
Oliver leans, arm resting on the mantle, his mother's picture above them. She's overseas, of course, not that he'd involve her. Penny for Oliver's thoughts? )
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The joys of being a parent?
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( He wouldn't change it, but he's getting too old to worry. At least that's how he feels right this second. Maybe he'll feel different five minutes from now. )
Mia and William are leaving again, just for the weekend, but - it was an abrupt decision.
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[Which she knows Oliver knows.]
I think you all know as well as anyone that sometimes you have to make those kinds of choices.
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( He knows the circumstances, but they still hurt. And he's still mad at Barry. And William. And at slayers. )
She's still Mia, but, she's -- she remembers something else. And I can't save her from it, or help her, or do anything at my age for any of this. So, I just - watch.
no subject
[Laurel's face softens as she steps closer, resting her hand on his shoulder.]
You may not be able to help right now, but you prepared her the best you could. You trained her, you helped her, you educated her. Sometimes it's not about what you do in the moment. Sometimes it's about all the steps you took to get there.
no subject
Back to one.
Steps he took to get there. Laws broken. Cities bombed. )
What if something I did made her a slayer. Some decision I made in some other universe, that she had no choice in the matter. What if I did that.
no subject
Oliver, you have done a great many things, and I don't know much about magic so you'll have to ask Constantine, but I don't think that even you could step on a butterfly that would affect your daughter's mystical destiny.
no subject
I walked my own road, and because of that, my entire family will live with that legacy and those decisions.
( And he lost Felicity.
Also, Oliver may not be there for all creatures great and small, but. He has limits. )
I wouldn't step on a butterfly if I could help it.
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[Her tone is softer there, more of the intimacy of two people who have known each other a very long time.]
And for what it's worth, I think you did a great job with those kids. Legacy or not.
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( that tone helps. he takes a slow, thoughtful sip. )
Have you or Tommy done any research into slayers? Constantine doesn't concern himself with them, preferring to stay in one war at a time.
( or one time. )
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Ray invited us to dinner, though. Want me to see if I can pick Nora's brain?
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( Even if it comes from Nora Dahrk. )
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I'll let you know what she says. Usually she's more helpful than Constantine.
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( He's calmed down though. He takes his glass from the mantle, rejoining the party. )
Before everyone scatters to their corners, I'd like to make a toast. To two geniuses, who are smarter than their father, and in better shape than him, but who blow him away every single day by the people they're becoming. I'm proud of each of you. And everyone in this room is lucky to have them in their lives. Here here.
no subject
As the conversation resumes, JJ slips out the back door, a familiar file burning a hole in his pocket. He has work to do.]