Title: Propositions Author: MojoUnicorn Rating: PG-13 Warnings: Fluff, Potty Mouths Summary: Lance had proposed to Jaya five different times in life.
- Part 1 -
August 16
"Lance, what are you doing out here?"
The teenager in question turned, cheeks hot as he looked at the birthday girl, Jaya, his teeth on his lips as he chewed them nervously. It was her 10th birthday, but it was the first birthday that she would have at the manor.
"A-air... Too many..." men, "... people."
The birthday girl looked confused, twirling a lock of dyed black hair around her finger, "There isn't that many... it's just Bruce's friends from the League, right? And the office?"
Office. Yeah. The thirteen year old wasn't sure how none of them noticed some of the crooked businessmen. Of course, they hadn't suspected Grantland Stark, either, now had they?
"I... I guess..." Lance mumbled, fingering his birthday present for her behind his back. He was also, quite honestly, embarrassed. Most people wouldn't understand this gift. But she would. She definitely would, she played the game, too.
... But mostly, he still didn't like people. He couldn't help but -
- Nope! Not today. It was Jaya's birthday, and she needed to be treated properly.
"Look... if I stay with you out here for ten minutes, will you come back in with me?" she even pouted at him.
Dammit.
Lance was nodding before he thought to stop himself, but she smiled and clapped her hands together happily, "Perfect!"
He offered her a return smile as he looked at her, heart pounding, "J-Jaya... you look really pretty today..." and she did, dressed in a pretty, green and white dress.
She blinked in surprise before flushing, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear, smiling shyly at him, "You really think so?"
"I know so! You're so pretty, I could just die!" he blurted out; but it made her laugh, so that was okay and reduced his embarrassment slightly.
"Okay, but don't die, it's my birthday and your death would so suck..."
"I didn't mean literally...!" he went wide-eyed, alarmed.
"Lancelot! Relax! It's okay, I was just teasing you~"
He flushed in embarrassment, "O-oh..."
Jaya stalked up to him, and around him, examining him, making him more nervous (accidentally).
"Lanny... what's in the box?"
Oh... duh... she was circling him, how could she not see the box?
"Um..." he shifted, holding the box in front of him, thumbs feeling along the edges nervously, "... a birthday present."
"But I already opened your present." Jaya's cheek colored. He'd made her three blankets - one crocheted, one knit, and one quilt; all in different shades of green and all King sized (and shut up, men could make things like that, too).
"I uh... I got you another... Not for anyone else to see... It's only for you..." Lance was fighting to not stutter and to not flee.
"O-oh... it's not something weird, is it?" Jaya asked as he finally passed her the box.
"That depends on your definition of weird but I don't think so..." Lance trailed off, his brow furrowed as Jaya started to carefully open the box.
She glanced at him before withdrawing a lightly beaded, blue feather from the box. The feather was a vibrant blue, and as long as Lance's hand from wrist to the tip of his middle finger, the plume was thick and undisturbed.
Jaya gasped, flushing - she knew exactly what it meant. Lance looked down, red-faced.
"L-Lance..."
"I j-just... we both like Harvest Moon and..."
"... Lance... take me to try on dresses tomorrow... okay?"
Lance paused, looking back up and at Jaya's smiling face before nodding slowly, almost shyly, cheeks hot.
"Okay..."
- Part 2 -
December 2
"Lance, what are you doing out here?"
Aforementioned seventeen year old lifted his head, pale eyes bright as he spotted Jaya, a playful, happy smile spreading across his lips, dimples showing. In return, the dyed brunette smiled just a bit wider, pecking the older on the lips.
"Just getting some fresh air~ Thinking... you know?"
"Yeah... but it's cold."
And Lance knew it was, even though he usually ran warmer than your average human being and didn't feel the cold as much... because she was pert through her shirt (and her bra, it looked like).
Though, if he told her that, she'd surely smack him, no matter how intimate they have been, especially the past year.
"Well, why didn't you bring a jacket?"
Jaya's cheeks pinkened, causing Lance to chuckle, and especially look amused as she stammered, "I... I figured you'd come inside." Lance cocked an eyebrow, lips curled in an amused smirk.
"Come inside?"
The fourteen year old colored darker and smacked his arm, "Did you just--?!"
He chuckled before shrugging his jacket off, swinging it around Jaya's shoulders. She was much more likely to get cold than he was. Almost pouting, she looked at him pointedly, brow creased curiously.
"Jaya~" Lance murmured on a coo, a loving smile on his lips as he pulled both sleeves of his jacket, pulling Jaya closer to him. He saw a look of worry flitter across her features, replaced by curiosity once more.
"Lance? We're in the garden..."
"Shhh... relax..." he chuckled, shaking his head, "We'll save naughty time for later~" the very words even had Lance himself blushing.
Even as Jaya rose her voice in a hushed whisper, "L-Lance...!"
"I'd apologize but I'm not sorry~" he chimed, chuckling as he got down on one knee. It seemed to take jaya a moment to get some kind of idea of what he was doing...
- before she smacked him lightly, "No, you pervert! Bruce is waiting inside for us..."
Apparently the wrong idea.
"No no no - hold on, I was just..." Lance laughed, fishing around in his pocket for something. Did she have no idea? She didn't expect what he was doing... perfect~
"Just... what? What are you doing, Lance?" Jaya asked skeptically, voice lowering.
"Jaya... I've loved you... ever since I first laid eyes on you. Since we were kids... through the good and the bad... fighting with and against each other... I'll never stop loving you." Lance glanced back up, holding a small, green velvet box in his hand, "I never want to be out of your life... and I need you in mine. I will always do anything for you. Anything."
He watched as Jaya lifted her hands to her face, teary eyed and red-faced, sleeves of his jacket dangling.
"And of course... I'll stand by your decisions... I'll support you... I'll do whatever I can for you. As much as I'd love to be your only one... I'll understand no matter what you choose..." he flipped open the box, taking one of her hands as she lowered the both of them - but only briefly as she lifted one hand back up to press her fingers to her lips again.
"OhmyGod..."
"Jaya Todd, will you accept this promise ring? With the promise to one day marry me? To one day have our own family? To love one another, even after death?" there, Lance's voice cracked - but could you blame him? He was pouring his heart out to her, putting his hopes and dreams into this pair of rings, holding so much confidence even though he partly wanted to hide.
"OhGod - Lance --"
Would she say no? Just like that, that brief thought deflated his ego.
"Yes - yes, of course!" there was a bounce where she stood and a couple tears that she quickly wiped away. The smile returned to Lance's face as he smiled, pulling the ring free and sliding it onto her finger, just before she dropped to her knees, hugging Lance's neck for dear life.
"Oof -- h-hey, it's okay, Jaya... just breathe, okay?" he knew they were happy tears, but he still didn't want her making herself sick. With a soft chuckled, he wrapped his arms around her protectively, hoping she hadn't hurt her knees when she'd dropped to them.
"I kn-know that, dummy..." she sniffled, face pressed to his neck, "You... you have one, too, right?"
"Huh? Yeah, you know... just in case you'd said yes..."
"Of course I'd... oh, just gimme the ring, you dork." lightly, she papped him upside the head, still hugging him even as he retrieved the second box; from his coat (which she was still wearing, of course). Quickly, she swiped the box from him, popping it open with her thumb and fiddling with the box.
"Ah - you fiend!" he laughed, shifting a bit to hopefully make it easier for her to do what she wanted, only to pout as she pulled away and grabbed his hand, slipping the thicker, matching titanium band onto his left ring finger.
"Oh shush, you love me." she laughed, slapping his shoulder lightly.
"Well... that's true." he chuckled, enveloping her in another embrace, standing with her as Jaya burst out into a fit of giggles, hugging Lance's neck.
"I love you, my Lancelot~"
"And I love you more, Jaya."
"Pfft, you wish!"
"Oh, I know so! I'm older, see, so it totally counts!"
"Cheater! It doesn't even work like that~"
- Part 3 -
October 15
"Lance, what are you doing out here?"
Red Hood turned, hearing his name, lips formed into a small frown under the helmet, "Names, Jaya."
"Oh, relax... what are you doing outside my room?" she asked, rubbing her wet hair with a towel, brow creased. Reaching up, the twenty-five year old stepped into her room, removing the helmet and tossing it onto her bed, before turning to the young woman.
"I... sorry, I didn't want to wait until day time and Bruce is in the city right now and your window was open and Alfred gave me a cookie..." and there he went again, as usual, babbling away nervously.
A heavy sigh left Jaya's lips as she held her bathrobe tightly shut around her frame, letting the towel settle on her shoulders. Lance babbling was never a good thing. She had learned that a long, long time ago. "Lance. Focus."
"Huh? Oh... right... uh... I don't actually know if you still want to..." he fished around in his pockets, going towards her and kneeling down on one knee.
As soon as the twenty-two year old saw the gunner's hands disappear in his pocket, Jaya could feel her heart speeding up. Lance getting down on one knee had her cheeks colored a bright red and her mouth already open in shock, "Lance...?" Oh God, what was he doing?
"I uh... before you... were gone... when we were teenagers..." Lance smiled fondly, "I asked if you'd... if you'd marry me when we were older..." his cheeks colored, hot and red, his pale blue eyes showing his obvious nervousness, "and I was just wondering... if you'd... if you'd still like to..." he withdrew a little, dark red, velvet box, thumb rubbing it a moment before offering it up and flipping it open, presenting her with a titanium band, a peridot shaped heart in the center with three, small diamonds lining a curve on either side of the heart, "To marry me?"
That smile... the smile alone already had her choking up with emotion, nevermind being reminded about the fact that she had been promised to him. Tears stung her eyes as he continued and her hands flew up to cover her mouth. He was proposing?! Now?!
"O-oh..."
When he opened the ring box, Jaya couldn't contain herself. The tears started flowing instantly and she found herself nodding. Bruce could shove it. She was still in love with the man before her... Nothing either of them could do or say would ever change that. That smile... that smile still grabbed her.
"Yes... Yes, Lance..."
Relief flooded his features as she accepted; honestly, he'd been prepared for her to say no, even if they'd promised themselves to each other years ago. He'd been so used to things not going his way, or in a good way, that he'd forgotten what it was like to legitimately feel good.
However, she'd said yes. She'd said yes, to him. Even though she lived with Bruce, she said yes... to him.
Shaking slightly from nerves, he pulled the ring from the box and took her hand, slowly slipping the ring on before standing and cupping her cheek, "I love you, Jaya..." a relieved smile rest on his lips.
Laughing softly, tears escaping down her cheeks, she looked at the ring settled on her left ring finger, her nose burning and tingling from trying not to cry. The titanium was like a dark, gunmetal color, a strong metal. It definitely wasn't silver, it was too dark, too hard. But... it had a peridot, her birthstone, in the very center, as a heart. The diamonds accentuating the peridot and making it look more vibrant.
Then she remembered that Lance's birthstone was diamond.
The ring... was it how he felt?
The titanium was a strong foundation... housing the peridot heart, the center - her... with himself.
Swallowing hard, she tugged him up off his knees, flinging her arms around his neck. Maybe she was imagining things, but she probably wasn't. He was always sentimental and thinking with his heart first (despite the trouble he usually ended up in).
Lance wrapped his arms around her, lovingly, sighing in relief over her shoulder as she shifted, "You better have a ring, too."
Giving a light chuckle, he nodded a bit, "Mm... in my jacket pocket, yes, I do..."
Shifting to sneak a hand into his jacket, her knuckles brushed one pistol, and another she actually didn't know he had there before finding a small bulge in a pocket. Sneaking her hand into the pocket, she retrieved the velvet box, pulling it free and holding it between them, running her thumb over the material. Humming lightly, she thumbed the box open, pulling herself free to grab his hand, tugging the glove off his left hand after undoing the strap holding it in place. Carefully, she slipped the ring onto his finger, grabbing his hand and ducking her head to peer at the details. It was a simpler version of hers - thicker band, no curves, the peridot was still a heart, three diamonds in a line on either side in uniform.
She didn't even notice Lance lift his other arm, not until he jerked her towel back over her head and rubbed the towel at her scalp. She eeped, released his arm (as it joined the other), and held onto his hips, letting him.
"I still... I still have my promise ring, Lancelot." she voiced, which seemed to cause him to stop. Jaya reached up, pushing the towel from her head again.
"I thought... it was lost when... you were overseas or..." she knew he was trying, almost desperately so, to not say she died, but she knew what he meant - he was talking about the explosion or being buried.
"I hid it in my room before I left..." her memories were pretty scrambled, but she remembered that. The ring felt... safe, "... so I didn't lose it."
She chanced looking up at him; his brow furrowed, lips parted, eyes surprised.
"Mine's in the picture frame of us beside my bed." he blurted out - then blushed, hard, embarrassed. Jaya blinked, then giggled, covering her mouth with her fingers a moment.
"I know... I saw~"
Lance grunted, blushing still as he remained embarrassed, wrapping his arms around Jaya, "I love you, my Queen~"
"Not as much as I love you, my King~"
"You wish~"
"Oh, I know so~"
"I'm older, so I love you more~"
"Pssh, what~eeeever~"
- Part 4 -
December 2
"Lance, what are you doing out here?"
The twenty-six year old jerked, temporarily choking on his own air intake and pounding on his chest, startled. Spinning around, brow furrowed, looking up at Jaya half-dangling from the window accusingly.
"Air. Why are you hanging out the window? I'm not supposed to see you for a few more minutes."
"You act like it's bad luck..."
"It is! You said so!" Lance protested.
The twenty-three year old bride laughed, shaking her head, "Oh - gotta go, see you in a few minutes, Mr. Bruner~"
Lance blinked, tilting his head, then smiled, "Very well, Mrs. Bruner, I love you~"
She giggled, blowing him a kiss, "I love you, too~" she withdrew, pink-faced, just as Dick flung the door open, grabbing Lance's arm.
"Bear! You were supposed to be inside ten minutes ago!" Lance half-flailed in protest, mostly letting Dick drag him inside unhindered.
"Stop callin' me Bear, we aren't kids anymore...!" Lance audibly protested, embarrassed as he was dragged past the guests to the altar.
It was odd, people he used to call 'friend' were there, people from before Red Hood... and they weren't trying to apprehend him (besides Dick, apparently). Even Bruce was there - except Bruce looked the most proud, oddly enough. Lance was sure Bruce wouldn't have shown, was sure most of the people who were there wouldn't have shown. And why would they?
But there was Clark and Lois, and their adopted son, Chris was standing, but only momentarily before he zipped over to sit with the kids his age - Damian, Lian, Irey, Jay, Nell, little miss Sin Lance...
Of course, it looked like Tim was having a hard time getting his friends, Bart and Conner, to sit still. Behind them sat Wally and Linda, Iris next to her nephew, and Barry on her other side - even Jay Garrick and his wife, Joan, were there. Across the aisle from Jay was Alan Scott, jibing across at Jay even as Hal literally poked at Alan. John Stewart's hand was pressed to his own face as Carol Ferris and Guy Gardener argued with each other on either side of him. Kyle looked like he was drawing on something and...
Lance jerked as he heard the cheesy chiming of "Here Comes the Bride", looking immediately towards the double doors where Bruce (unsurprisingly with his magical Bat-teleportation powers) was hooked to his stunning bride by the arm. The blonde's breath caught in his throat as his heart took off like a squirrel on a sugar rush.
Everyone seemed to fade out; their voices, their presence...
The only thing he saw, the only one he saw was Jaya.
His bride, the love of his life, the one he would do anything for. No matter what.
Jaya. She was his... and he was hers...
Watching her walk down the aisle in such a perfect, accentuating dress that she complimented was... difficult and agonizing. He wanted, so badly, to make love to her right on the pedestal (but that wasn't such a great idea, now was it?) He felt chilled, but he knew it was from nerves.
As Bruce brought her up, Lance finally looked away from Jaya's smiling, beautiful face, only briefly and only because he felt Bruce's gaze bore into him. Except when he looked at him, a small smile spread across his adopted father's lips - which felt weird, so he immediately looked back at Jaya, red-faced.
He turned to follow Jaya, watching her step up next to him at the altar and facing the priest (well, it was J'onn, really, just in case some super villain tried to crash the wedding).
The proceedings came as a blur, Lance and Jaya facing each other, holding each other's hands - standing far closer than most people did at their weddings.
His beautiful, beautiful bride... with her pretty smile, and her electric but ghostly blue eyes that used to be teal... her dimples were evident and her natural rich skin was only put more on display by her wedding dress. Her burgundy hair held a beautiful shine and bounce to it...
She really didn't need to do much, she was already beautiful and perfect. But what she did so... left him breathless.
Honestly, he never expected this day to come. He'd given up on marriage, love, a family... happiness... when she'd died. In a way... he'd died with her... with their child...
But now she was back... she was alive... she may not be able to have children, but they could adopt or something.
Right now... here they were... her hair in curls and waves past her shoulders, a diamond brooch of a hair clip keeping her hair from her eyes - simple and complimenting of her dress. A white, strapless dress, leaving her shoulders bare; a lace and rhinestone flower-patterned slip over the main dress, covering her feet and spanning behind her in a circle, but falling in front of her in waves, and a diamond brooch following the curve of her neck and collar, dangling from several strands of pearls braid together.
So simple... but so amazing.
There was so much more work put into her outfit than his; he was dress in a black suit, his tie purple, his cufflinks silver, shirt white and the vest under his jacket was purple as well - at the request of Jaya.
Jaya. She did so amazingly well with the wedding arrangements. She had him pick a day, and she did the rest... and Bruce offered to pay for it.
So here they stood in a grand hall, white and decked in silver and purple; helitropes, sweet peas of purple, pink and white, scarlet poppies, and a mess of red, purple, and white roses littered the hall and accented wrists, lapels and the ends of benches.
"Dear friends and family, we are gathered here today to witness and celebrate the union of Jaya Todd and Lancelot Bruner. In the time they have been together, their love and understanding of each other has grown and matured, and now they have decided to live their lives together as husband and wife."
Lance swallowed thickly, returning Jaya's nervous smile.
"Through their time together, they have come to realize that their personal dreams, hopes, and goals are more attainable and more meaningful through the combined effort and mutual support provided in love, commitment, and family."
Lance pet his thumbs over Jaya's hands, his touch lightly, Jaya's head tilting slightly as she smiled more proudly at him.
"To all present I say: We are gathered here, not to witness the beginning of what will be, but rather what already is. We do not create this marriage, because we cannot. We can and do, however, celebrate Jaya and Lancelot the wondrous and joyful occurrence that has already taken place in their lives, and the commitment they make today."
Jaya gave a small, weepy little laugh.
"True marriage begins well before the wedding day, and the efforts of marriage continue well beyond the ceremony's end. A brief moment in time and the stroke of the pen are all that is required to create the legal bond of marriage, but it takes a lifetime of love, commitment, and compromise to make marriage durable and everlasting. Today you declare your commitment to each other before family and friends, your yesterdays were the path to this moment, and your journey to a future of togetherness becomes a little clearer each day."
Lance felt his stomach flip - the vows were coming, his was a list of what he thought of her but... maybe he could just...
"If I understand, the bride and groom have... written their own vows. Jaya, would you like to go first?"
"Ah - yes, I would... <Jaya's vows>."
Red-faced and biting his lip, Lance eyed Jaya, so much love and affection in his gaze, and the barest hint of tears in his eyes. He smiled at her finally, trying not to sniffle (she'd kill him, because then she'd start crying, too).
"Lancelot. It's your turn..." J'onn's voice was smooth, warming, inviting - almost like Bruce's used to be, and that was nearly the straw that broke the camel's back. But he persevered (he was not a crybaby, screw you).
"Right..." Lance cleared his throat, inhaling deeply and looking a bit embarrassed, "Jaya... I don't know how many times I tried to write out how I... felt... but I didn't succeed. However..." he licked his lips, looking apologetic at her momentary look of disappointment, "... I'm pretty good at talking as I go. Jaya... I have loved you since the moment I met you. Since that moment Bruce brought you home to the manor and Alfred let us all stay up together and have milk and cookies."
There were a few chuckles around the room and from Jaya as Bruce gave a soft huff and Alfred just looked proud of himself in his very English manner.
"I didn't know it was love at first, though. I'd just turned thirteen, and Dick was twelve, and you were nine... I just knew I wanted to spend all my time with you. It was weird, because I didn't much like most people, but then you came along, and I wanted to spend time with you. Even to do dumb things like spend an hour arguing over the last slice of pizza, only for Dick to come steal it." Lance grinned as Jaya laughed and nodded, and he assumed that even if she didn't remember that at least it was funny and made her laugh, "And that love... for you... only grew from there and over the years no matter if we spent time together or apart... I always thought about you. Even when you were gone and I was... alone... I only thought about you..."
Everyone hushed and Jaya looked saddened; but it was true, drunk or not, every plan of his involved revenge for Jaya and their child, even if the opposing had nothing to do with their deaths.
"But then you came back. I'd been lost for so...so long... with no real purpose or aspiration and nothing but hate... but you came back... and just seeing you again reminded me what love was... Jaya... you are my heart... you're my very soul."
Jaya but her lip, bringing a hand up to her nose and mouth as a soft sob left her, and Lance's eyes widened, his nose and eyes burning as he tried in vain to not let tears fall.
"H-hey, Jaya... i-it's okay..."
"Y-you jerk..." she laughed lightly, sniffling as she used her pointer to catch the tears before they ruined her make-up.
J'onn cleared his throat, "Do you, Jaya, accept Lancelot, as your partner in life, to support and respect him in his successes and as well his failures, to care for him in sickness and in health, to nurture him, and to grow with him throughout the seasons of your life together?"
"I do." Jaya half-whispered, looking intensely into Lance's eyes as he looked back at her.
"And do you, Lancelot, accept Jaya, as your partner in life, to support and respect her in her success and as well her failures, to care for her in sickness and in health, to nurture her, and to grow with her throughout the seasons of your life together?"
"I do." Lance spoke louder than Jaya, giving her hands a gentle squeeze.
"The rings?" from Lance's side, Dick stepped forward long enough to hand the small, white velvet adorned with silver metal, with purple velvet inside, to Lance, and Babs leaned forward in her chair to give Jaya hers, both groom and bridge turning to face each other again, removing the rings and giving the boxes to J'onn, who passed them both back to Dick and Babs respectively.
"You have for each other special rings - symbols that love -"
"With this ring, I thee wed..." Lance murmured, taking Jaya's hand and slipping a Celtic carved ring made of titanium onto her finger as J'onn spoke. The style was called "Lancelot" after the Knight of the Round Table. Which still made Lance blush.
"- is the most precious element in your life together." J'onn continued, undisturbed, "The ring has no beginning and -"
Jaya took Lance's hand, slipping his Celtic carved titanium ring on, entitled "Guinevere" before she cleared her throat, "With this ring, I thee wed..."
"- no ending, which symbolizes that the love between you will never cease. You place these rings upon each other's fingers as a visible sign of your vows this day, which will make you husband and wife."
Jaya and Lance both laughed very softly, holding each other's hands, looking at each other lovingly.
"And now, by the power vested in me by the planet of Earth, I hereby pronounce you, husband and wife. You may now kiss."
Lance was already moving before J'onn was even finished, cupping Jaya's cheek as he kissed her lovingly.
"Family and friends, I present to you, for the first time, Mr and Mrs Bruner."
They, Jaya and Lance, more heard than saw everyone shuffling to stand as they applauded and cat-called... only because they were busy in an innocent-turned-heated kiss.
After another moment, Bruce cleared his throat, "Ah... Jaya, Lance; everyone's still here."
Lance took another moment before pulling away, licking his lips, satisfied; however, Jaya...
"Oh please, you've seen us much worse, Bruce."
"Ooooh! Burn!" Wally called, half-cackling, causing several people to snort and some to laugh and Lance and Jaya to both smirk proudly. Surprisingly, Bruce threw a playful but smoldering look at Wally - who eeped, flushed, and rubbed at his neck.
This time, J'onn cleared his throat, "Now... if everyone would meet at the dining ha-"
CRRRASSHH
"Well, well, what do we have here - a rich kid wedding. Everyone get down and put your valuables in the bag; do that, and no one'll get hurt."
There were dual growls of irritation from bride and groom alike, and suddenly, Bruce, Dick, and Tim were nowhere to be found (briefly, of course), and there was a glint of something metal in Damian's hand -
- wait, did Damian bring his sword to the wedding?!
Well, needless to say, robbing a superhero slash antihero wedding wasn't the brightest of ideas (not that the robbers knew that).
"Wow~ Maybe we should steal the bride~"
Anger and unbridled rage filled Lance as a disgusted scowl spread across Jaya's face - well, only momentarily, as Bruce jumped on the leader and both Dick and Tim jumped down on two each... taking care of all five.
And severely upsetting a now-pouting Damian.
With a giggle, Jaya tugged at Lance, reaching up to hug his neck, "You'd think people would learn to not rob anything when the Wayne name is involved."
Sighing, Lance wrapped his arms around her, letting their guests resume as if nothing had happened and proceeding to an equally decorated dining hall, "You would think... but they didn't seem too bright."
"I would've been very upset if they'd interrupted earlier~" there was a menacing tone in her voice, despite the loving, beautiful smile on her lips.
Lance laughed, bowing his head as he kissed her, "Would've been a shame to get blood on the decorations~"
She pouted a bit, "You promised no more killing unless it was absolutely necessary..."
"I wasn't talking about me~" he gave her a look, amused, "I love you, Jaya..."
"Mm... yes... but I still love you more~"
"What? We've talked about this~ I'm older, so I love you more~"
"That has nothing to do with anything~"
"Ah - you--"
"Hey, you two! It's too early to start fighting!"
"Go away, Roy!" they chorused, smirking at each other.
- Part 5 -
December 2
"Lance, what are you doing out here?"
The older gentleman turned his head, sleepy and lazy, but a happy smile on his lips as he spotted his wife.
"No particular reason~"
The woman pushed at Lance, laughing. Bother their hair was streaking white rather than gray, but both their eyes were still full of playfulness and jovial humor, the electricity in their eyes still vibrant and ghostly, but wisdom evident. For their age, they were still fit and didn't have too many dramatic wrinkles.
Bat-tradition. Looking good for their age.
Not that they minded. It may be more taxing to fight but... if needed, they still did.
After all, they had children... grandchildren... and now, even great grandchildren, left to worry about.
Now, if they could only figure out how they lasted to seventy-six and seventy-three respectively. Hell, how'd they even get past forty?
It was probably Bruce's fault; they old man was probably laughing at them from beyond the grave.
What an ass~
"So you're out here, in the cold, in Gotham, in the middle of the night, for no reason?" Jaya challenged, sounding amused.
"Wellll..." Lance turned to face her, wrapping his arms around his (still) oh-so-lovely wife, causing Jaya to laugh and hug his neck, "... maybe I had something naughty in mind, Mrs. Bruner~"
"Oh, you dirty old man~" Jaya teased, kissing him with a smile. Lance returned the smile, then the kiss.
"Or maybe I got excited about midnight hitting just before you came out here~" he cooed, "Let's see... sixty-four years since we met~ sixty years since we promised each other... fifty-one years since I officially proposed~ and... fifty... years... since we married~"
Jaya's cheeks were flushed as she laughed, "Mm, and a happy anniversary it will most definitely be~"
Lance looked at her, determined, but smiling, "Did you know that I chose December 2... because -"
"- that was the day we promised each other." Jaya intervened, voice soft and loving, much like her gaze, and her smile.
"Hey~!"
"You only tell me that every year, love~"
Lance chuckled in response, amused, "You ruin my run~"
"Do I? Whatever shall you do?" Jaya teased.
Just as she asked, Lance pulled back, withdrawing a small, purple velvet box from his pocket as he slowly knelt (with only a little trouble). Jaya looked positively surprised as he flipped the box open.
"Mrs. Bruner... would you do me the honor of marrying me again for our fiftieth anniversary~?"
She laughed, then hummed, "Well..." and actually pretended to think about it, evoking a pout from Lance.
"Jaya!"
"Oh, I'm just kidding~ don't get your panties in a twist~" she laughed, amused as he beamed and simple slid the diamond plated, black titanium ring onto her right ring finger. She examined it thoughtfully before giving him a look, "Lancelot, you better have one for you, too."
"I do... just..." he got up again, slowly, groaning lightly, "Ugh, I'm getting too old to do that..."
Jaya giggled, reaching into Lance's jacket to locate the other box, removing the ring, and sliding the exact same ring onto Lance's right ring finger.
"You are such a butt~"
"We both still have nice butts~ You're a GILF - Granny I'd Like to Fuck~"
Jaya shook her head, smacking his arm with a smile, "You are terrible~ Just horrible~"
"It's not my fault you stir my loins like no other~"
That earned him another smack and a laugh.
"You aren't going to propose again if we reach our one hundredth anniversary, are you?"
"Of course I am~"
"Lance!" Jaya laughed, shaking her head.
"What? We'll be heads in jars, like Futurama."
"No." she laughed, giving him a look.
"Aw... well... I love you anyway. Even if you're going white~"
She smacked his arm, laughing, "You were going white first!"
"Yeah, but I'm a sexy Grandpa~"
"Oh reaaally? What's that make me?"
"The sexiest Grandma ever~" no hesitation at all.
"You are such a butthole~!"
"But you love me~"
"For some reason or another~"
"It's because I have awesome hair, your nipples are hard, and you want my pe- ow, mmph...~"
