( 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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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.
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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.
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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.]