Jaal: “I often messed up, too.”
Ezayne, former assassin: “I was a problematic kid myself ...”
Bruce, superhero: “I didn’t bring one villain to jail in my entire career.”
The Outside World
Another scene from the RP with @mygardenofmuses. Everyone agreeing Megaminds villain past can be forgiven because no one’s perfect, after all ~
This continues the story of ‘Something Familiar’. Ezayne, Joe and Lou belong to the fantastic @mygardenofmuses
Ezayne looked through the window once again, then checked the screen of his phone. He suspected Bruce would bring him another mutant chicken. It would be nice to give Henrietta some avian company!
He decided to send Bruce another text. [Hey Bruce, the main entrance is open. Should I open the window for you now?]
Good! Good. Bruce read the message on his phone, then looked up at the siblings. "You ... ready?" he asked cautiously. It was less a question about whether they were ready emotionally and more a question of if they were done fussing with their hair and outfits, really.
Joe brushed the skirt of their dress one last time. Seeing a younger version of their dad gave them a sense of nostalgia. "I think I am. Lou?"
"I'm OK... I think..." Lou rarely was nervous, but this time, he was. He held Joe's hand, mostly to comfort himself.
The eldest sibling smiled and squeezed his hand. Then they turned to Bruce. "We're ready. Let's go!"
"Oh, okay" Bruce replied. He send another message to Ezayne. [No window tonight. We'll be there in a sec now.]
So. Enough warning. Now ... teleporter. How again to ... "I think I need to ... widen the range" Bruce explained loudly, "And ... stay in-verse? Right ... No timetravel, and ... want to be with Ezayne." He peeked up at Joe, just to make sure.
"Stay in verse. Stay with you." Joe echoed. He understood how these devices worked. The one they owned had a button, but that was a minor detail. Classic Blue, doing slightly different designs for each one of his friends...
Lou nodded and pressed himself to Joe. As long as he landed by Joe's side, it would be fine.
Ezayne smiled at his response. "Very well, no window tonight." he mumbled out loud. He walked to the hall, wondering what could be Bruce's big surprise.
"Okay." Reassured now, Bruce sighed and took a step to Joe and Lou. Then pushed the button before he could stress about it and just make it worse. Ezayne's place. They floated, then the shift happened, and then they found themselves at the doorstep of his manor. Just like that.
Ezayne heard a noise and opened the door. The faint glow he had seen underneath let him know Bruce had used his teleporting device to come here. He guessed flying around with a bigger animal sure wasn't easy.
"Hey Bruce! Good evening!" Ezayne said as greeting. He was wearing a nice shirt and some shorts - something simple but comfortable. "How are you doing?"
It ... it worked? Bruce looked up from his wrist to Ezayne and smiled to see the saiyan. His eyes were all white with that little light. "Good" he replied, approaching. "I found something of yours." Immediately after Ezayne was in reaching range, Bruce reached for him and messed with his hair.
"Hahaha! Bruce, nooo! Not my hairrrr!" Ezayne started to laugh. Bruce messed with his hair sometimes, and it got him to laugh every time. It was one of those things that made their friendship so unique and speacial. "Does it look better now?"
"I'd say it does, but I can't see." Joe mumbled, still hidden behind Bruce along with Lou.
"Of course it does" Bruce found. He was insecure about a lot of his own skills, but making someone's hair? Not this one.
"Thank you." Ezayne smiled and straightened his position. "I think I heard someone speaking... What's going on?"
"I found your otherdimensional children. They're friends with Dae" Bruce explained, grinning cheerful now.
"W-what?!" Ezayne's eyes widened in surprise. This was a lot to take in. He did know Dae was from another universe - but he never saw coming he'd be friends with his kids. It was something heartwarming to think about. "Which ones?! Are they here!?" he was really excited to meet them.
"Yeah. Is why I say - can't squeeze them through the window" Bruce laughed. He took a step back just to be closer to the kids. "He's not gonna bite ... " he reassured the two.
Ezayne felt his knees going weak when he recognized one of the kids. One was a young man wearing a beautiful dress, with kind blue-greyish eyes and a smug smile. He would recognize those features anywhere. "C-Caín...?"
"Actually, Joseph. Joe Moriarty. Hi... dad." The young hero answered, and without a second though, he went to hug him.
Ezayne felt his eyes tearing up of happiness. The same warmth, the same smell. It was his child, no doubt. "Hahaha... oh gosh... the child of one thousand names... Joe... my little Joe..." he whispered, hugging him tightly. He looked up to Bruce, smiling from ear to ear. "Thank you. Thank you so much."
Lou was feeling a little shy. Should he move now, or wait until Joe's moment was over?
Bruce couldn't stop smiling. He was so happy that Ezayne was happy, too. "I like this one, too" he added. "Is smaller, but so nice. You'll like him! He was sure. Bruce pat Lou's head with his wing again. Poor thing seemed a little lost and like it could need the reassurance.
Ezayne released Joe and looked at the child, his eyes wide. He hadn't recognized him, but... if Caín was alive under another name... this only could mean that his other child... could this be even possible?
"L-Lucas? Is it you?" he whispered quietly.
Lou looked at Bruce one last time for reassurance before he walked toward Ezayne. "My name is Louis Moriarty. Lou for short." he answered, rubbing his arm and looking down to cover his shyness.
Ezayne covered his mouth in surprise. "Louis was the second name I had thought for you back then... Oh gosh, it's you!" Without hesitation, Ezayne hugged him super tightly. How wonderful it was an universe where his children had survived and grown to become such handsome, young men. He was so happy!
Lou felt his eyes turning glassy. "D-dad, you're going to make me cry, fuck..." he whined, though he was, too, hugging Ezayne as if there was no tomorrow.
Joe joined their hands before their chest, feeling the warmth of the encounter filling their whole being. They turned to Bruce, smiling. "You were right, Mr Bruce. We should have done this ages ago."
"They were too shy to approach" Bruce explained to Ezayne, now joining Joe's side. "I wonder where they got that from" he said louder, and laughed. "Let's get them in?" he suggested Ezayne.
"Awww... they got that from me, for sure. Gosh. You two are so handsome." Ezayne hugged the two of them at once. "My children..." He looked up at Bruce's comment. "Oh right! We can't risk you catching a cold or some crap! Let's get you inside!"
The singer encouraged them to go into the manor. Then he turned to Bruce, with the warmest smile you can imagine, and hugged him without hesitation. "Thank you, Bruce. When my children died, I felt a part of me died with them. And now they're here... it's amazing. Thank you for making this possible. Thank you."
"You're welcome" Bruce said, hugging Ezayne back using both arms and wings. "So they really are ... ?" he started asking. Joe brought up Cain again. Ezayne had two dead children. They visited them at the cemetery.
"Yes. Joe is Caín, no doubt. I'd recognize his face anywhere. As for Lou... it took me a moment, because his hair is dyed blonde. Bet he's hiding black hair underneath. And those eyes... they're clearly Ezzy's." Ezayne whispered, leading him into the manor. "It's a pity Neela and the kids are already in bed. I'll have to introduce them another day, though I'm very tempted to wake them up." he chuckled lightly.
"Looks like this place hasn't changed much. It's like visiting our own home." Lou commented, looking around.
"Little by little" Bruce recommended. "They seem to know me from that other dimension as well" he said and let Ezayne go.
"Good advice, thank you." Ezayne nodded. They had plenty of time for presentations. "They do?"
"They do! They say I'm cool" Bruce said, a hint of price of his voice. "Now ... what now? You want a tea?" Bruce figured.
"You've been always cool in my book, my friend." Ezayne winked him an eye. "And a tea would be nice. This is something big... I have so many questions..."
"If you want, dad, I can prepare it. If this place is anything like the manor where I lived with the other you, I know exactly where is everything." Joe offered himself, when a cold, ghostly hand rested on his shoulder.
"No way. When we've got guests, we gotta do our duties." the ghostly woman appeared and smiled to the visitors. "Hello, I'm Morgana D'Lueq, ancient owner of this manor and currently main lead of the ghost service." she said as presentation, and smiled to Bruce. "Mr Kent, you look very handsome tonight! So good to see you again!"
"It's so good to see you, too!" Bruce replied happy. She didn't even scare him to death, this time. "And I don't know ... Let they help when they want to help. It will make them feel as part" he figured.
"As part?" Morgana blinked in confusion. "Are they family?"
Ezayne smiled and walked to her. "Morgana, remember the story of two children I lost before I came to live here?"
"Oh yes, darling. Such a tragedy." The ghost lady nodded, and looked up to their guests. "Are they related to them...?"
"Actually... they are the children I lost. The versions of them that still live in another universe." Ezayne explained to her. Morgana covered her mouth in shock, before she floated toward them with her arms open.
"I'm... I'm so, so glad to meet you at last! Call me aunt Morgana! Your brother Amil already does..." she said, wrapping them in a hug.
"Some things never change." Lou smiled happily. He turned to look at Bruce. "This is amazing! It's so similar to our actual home!"
"As I say" Bruce started. "When I met Dae, it just ... clicked. You belong, whether that be here or in another universe" he found, watching Joe get a ghostly hug from Morgana.
"You're very right. It feels so good to meet you again." Joe gave Morgana a nuzzle, then took her hand into theirs. "Let's go prepare some tea, auntie. Lou, do you think you can answer Dad's questions?"
"I think I can try... Uh, shall we go to the living room?" Lou suggested, looking past Ezayne. That room should be over there.
"Sure thing." Ezayne nodded and smiled to Bruce. "I kept that room actually in the dark the moment I knew you were coming. The only light in there are a few candles. Hope that's fine for you?"
"Thank you" Bruce said, pointing at Ezayne. That was so considerate!
"You're welcome. Anything for my best friend!" Ezayne said, beckoning him to follow his steps. He guided them to the living room. If one paid attention, they would notice he was slightly floating, so happy he was!
Bruce just chuckled. It was nice of Ezayne to mention.
"We should celebrate. With cake or so. Belle's good at that" Bruce thought aloud.
"This is so sudden, I don't have a cake, what am I gonna do?" Ezayne blushed, a little embarrassed. "Not to mention, the rest of the family doesn't know yet, it wouldn't be cool to make a party without them..."
"That's ok, Dad!" Lou reassured him. "We can make a party any other day, and make sure to bring Dae, and Belle too. Besides it's pretty late! Not the best time to celebrate one, anyway."
"Would you at least accept some candy?" Another ghost floated through the wall. It was Jeeves, Morgana's husband. He was carrying a dish full of candy. "As soon as I heard Mr Bruce was coming, I rushed to gather some! I hope you like these, sir." Jeeves bowed a little, showing his respects to the superbat.
"Oh it's an honor" Bruce said to Jeeves, matching his movements. "And I meant not NOW. But sometime" he assured Ezayne, picking one of the offered treats in the meantime.
"Yes, yes, yes! Sorry, I'm so excited right now, I barely can think clearly..." Ezayne laughed, putting his hands on his cheeks. "And I haven't smiled this much since the birth of the triplets! I'm so happy!"
"Also, sir, you're floating." Jeeves pointed out with a chuckle.
"What? Oh my!" Ezayne descended, his cheeks red. "Sorry, my powers get of control when I experience very strong emotions..."
"That's fine, Dad. Your "other you" has this issue as well." Lou reassured him. "He has a bigger control over it, though. But's that's OK." he turned to Bruce. "Both of you are older in that universe, too."
"Ten years?" Bruce figured, grabbing two more sweets before he went to find a seat to sit down. "It's 10 years for Dae" he gave his two cents.
"Yes, I think so. Time sure gets weird when jumping from one universe to another." Lou rubbed his chin in thought.
"How did you two arrive to this universe? Why did you come?" Ezayne asked, wanting to learn more about them.
"We used a teleporting device, like the one Mr Bruce has." the kid explained. "Dae had vanished from our universe. Apparently he touched a prototype of a teleporting machine and boom, he got here! We waited to see if he'd be able to come back on his own. When he didn't, Joe was panicking! They were so worried!"
"Wait a minute, 'they'?" Ezayne asked in surprise.
"Oh, right. Joe didn't come out as genderfluid pansexual until they were 15. I think they didn't live enough in this universe to tell you, uh?"
"No, not really..." Ezayne rubbed the back of his neck. "This is incredible." he looked up to Bruce. "Did you learn new things from Damien when Dae came into your life, too?"
"Uh, sure" Bruce answered. "I didn't know Damien would ever smile like that" for one thing. "Dae doesn't tell me about the other universe, though. I know he came here to protect his girlfriend" was all. His girlfriend that vanished by now. It was sad to think of.
"Ah, yeah. I heard about it from Joe." Lou nodded. "Thing is, Dae didn't want to leave this universe just yet... and then Joe found a reason to stay here, too..."
"I'll take the story from now." Joe said, walking into the room with a tray with four teacups. "Who wants tea~?"
"Ezayne does. You don't hear but he's super excited actually" Bruce said. He could hear his friends heart beating quickly.
"Thanks Bruce. And thanks Joe, and Morgana too." Ezayne wrapped an arm around Joe, inviting them to sit with join the group, while Morgana and Jeeves simply floated in the air. Taking one of the cups, Ezayne took a good sip. Joe and Loy picked up some cups for themselves as well.
"I was telling Dad you found a reason to stay here." Lou winked an eye to Joe. The eldest sibling blushed deeply.
"W-well, yeah, it's true." Joe whispered, a little flustered. "I have a boyfriend. His name is Shred and he's very cute. I'm planning to make him meet Dae soon, so all of us can celebrate my birthday together."
"The more the merrier" Bruce found, sipping from his tea as well.
"They're too sweet together. Half of the time I get outta there, or they'll give me diabetes!" Lou didn't miss the chance to joke.
"Oi! Show me some respect, I'm older than you!" Joe retorted with a smirk.
"Talk to the hand." Lou chuckled. "No way in Earth you'll see me doing such things."
"Oh, is that so?" Ezayne laughed at such display of sass. "So you don't like anyone, Lou?"
"I'm about to be 14, Dad! Cut me some slack! I have yet to met anyone I find good enough for me." Lou answered. "I'm very, VERY, VEEEERY demanding and picky!"
"Maybe you are actually an alien and you only like people from your planet, hahahaha!" Joe smiled mischievously.
Ezayne shook his head and covered his mouth before looking at Bruce. "You have no idea how much I've wanted to hear them doing stuff like this..." he whispered to him.
"Nothing like hear your kids fight" Bruce agreed. It was heartwarming, really.
"Much agreed." Ezayne nodded, as he watched Lou and Joe bicker and tease each other. It was actually a fun image. "Should we stop them?"
"Before one of them gets hurt, yeah" Bruce agreed.
"Good we agree." Ezayne said, before he touched both Joe and Lou's shoulders. "Alright boys, enough bickering for tonight, yeah?"
"Aww, we were just getting to the best part, where I actually can get him to do the puppy face!" Joe whined.
"We'll save that for another day, Joe. I want to hear more about your current situation in the city." Ezayne inquired, aiming for important things.
"I'm working in a hotel by day as waiter, and as hero at night. Oh, and I'm living in that hotel, too. It's pretty cool because i get to eat and live there for free - though I like to pay them, as if it was some kind of rent." Joe explained. "Lou lives with me and Shred. I've tried sending him to school..."
"A place I hate, I must say. It's sooooooo boring." Lou nodded.
"He goes to school" Bruce gasped, so happy about that. "Damien does, too. Did you meet?" he wondered, before rememnering that Ezayne should have dibs on asking the questions. "Sorry - " he apologized. He was just so excited, too.
"I'm not sure." Lou rubbed his chin. "I barely talk to anyone, to be honest. Last time I talked to someone, he seemed bat-like, but with a big head..."
"It's OK." Ezayne whispered to Bruce, then thought about Lou's words out loud. "As far as I can remember, Damien's head was normal... do you have any other kid I don't know of, Bruce?"
"Errrr ... I don't know either." There was a time he was sure about the number of kids he had. Then Damien appeared. Then Dae. Then there was this whole bunch of universes with their endless possibilities. "Belle has more babies. Mars has a big head. But I only saw him on pictures, so far." He seemed busy. All the time.
"Mars..." Lou rubbed his chin. "Maybe that guy was Mars. We didn't talk much." Lou shrugged. "I wouldn't mind having more minions... err... more friends!"
"He's hella spoiled. Lou has the makings of a little supervillain in him." Joe whispered to Ezayne.
"I heard that! You wanna fight?" Lou leaned forward, always up for a second round of bickering.
"No, no, not tonight." Joe shook his head with a laugh.
"That doesn't have to be a bad thing" Bruce murmured and got up then. "You'll handle alone?" he wondered, his gaze on Ezayne.
"I think I can handle." Ezayne said, pulling both of them into his arms. He'd never get tired to hug them. "They are my children, after all."
"Call me when you change your mind" Bruce allowed. He was smiling. It was good to Ezayne be so happy.
"I'll remember that in case I need help!" he laughed openly. Ezayne rarely laughed this much. It was an open, fresh laugh that voiced clearly how much joy and peace this encounter had brought to his soul. Getting up, Ezayne gave Bruce another hug. "Thank you, Bruce. This means a lot to me."
Very soon, Joe and Lou got up to hug him as well. "Thank you for encouraging us to meet our father here, too." Joe said with a warm voice. They were really thankful.
"Now there's three of you" Bruce laughed. How was he supposed to leave when he was being hugged from all sides. "I'm glad." He put his wings on Lou and Joe in a pat, hugged Ezayne back and tried to get out of the pile.
When he noticed the movement, Ezayne gave him some pats and released him. "Alright, kids, give him some room to breath, he might be soft but he's still the powerful superbatman watching over us." he said, leaving one of his hands on his own hip.
"I could be snuggling him for hours if you let me. He's got such a soft fur!" Joe commented with a giggle.
"I'm nooot ... " Bruce insisted. He was fearsome and scary. The comment made him laugh. "Get your kid a pillow. I will ... catch up with you tomorrow. Rest well" he wished the three, withdrawing.
"You too, Mr Bruce! And thank you!" Lou called out, waving his hand.
"Sweet dreams! Give a hug to Dae from me!" Joe requested, before they forgot to say it.
"Sleep well, my friend! Good night!" Ezayne said, waving him good night like everyone else. He was still deeply touched by his friend's gesture. Definitely, Bruce had found him tonight the best of lost things. And thanks to him, his heart found a new way of healing. What a night to be alive.
There they stood. It looked so good to have Ezayne not alone, but surrounded by Lou and Joe when he went home. "You're welcome. And good night" he wished them, too. He used the traveller to get back home. Just a push on a button, the feel of gravity decreasing ... and Bruce was gone.
Ezayne gave him a friendly pat on the shoulder. "Thank you for helping me with the cabaret, Bruce. my customers love your violin performances, and so do I. You're really good at this!"
“Thank you." He knew, but it was nice for Ezayne to point out. “I like when there’s applause. Humans make a way better audience than bats.”
Send a symbol for my muse to respond to your muse ☾ - Taking a nighttime walk with them
“You were doing really great today” Bruce said, walking right next to Ezayne on the ground. He found it wrong lately to take any position that was higher than his. “I could only hear you slip up what ... 5 times?” he thought aloud. He’d always find something to complain about the way Ezayne was playing an instrument. Though it was nitpicking, really, and he guessed that both of them did know.
Ezayne sat close to his friend. "Hey Bruce, did Belle and you got any plans for Christmas?"
“Actually. I want to give some Christmas themed candy away to anyone who’s outside at that time. Oh, and I have to do some paperwork now that the year is ending. The ... store” he explained. There was a lot of work that came with it, that had nothing to do with making candy at all. He knew what he got himself into, though, so Bruce didn’t mind one bit.
Ezayne leaned against the door. Knowing Bruce, he knew exactly why he had taken the bathrobe out of all things. His voice didn’t sound accusatory - it was more like a worried one, with a hint of pity.
“Several times, with this softener with vanilla smell.” Ezayne answered. “But if you like this bathrobe, you can keep it. I have a few others, so it’s all good.”
His voice was quiet. “No it’s not” Bruce replied. He knew it. With his shoulders drooping from disappointment, he got the robe off again with ease. He caught it with a wing to prevent it to fall down and folded it lightly in his hands afterwards. “Sorry” he excused himself, feeling he was being terribly rude, but ... he didn’t want it.
