RP post, family, wintergreen storyline

[sylph_fics]

There had surely been moments that he had been in a more uncomfortable position than currently being unable to trust either of the people he loved most (for justified suspicions on both sides), but, sitting on his couch with tension through the entire East Side penthouse, he couldn't think of a single one.

Wintergreen in the bedroom that had always been his, likely still on the phone, Adeline braced in the space between the bedroom and where he sat, Joseph hovering worriedly in the echoing space between the three of them... quite the situation for the little Martian telepath to come into.

Especially because his composure was barely a pasted-over thing on actual his mental state.

But they needed the girl's un-biased ability to test minds, to be sure that neither of them held a poisoned kiss without knowing it.

Comments

[tm-wintergreen.livejournal.com]

He made it to the lobby, then felt the pain threaten to consume him. He had cleared the field to the woman Slade had long ago placed ahead of himself...but he could not truly bring himself to leave fully. Breathing deeply, a hard catch in his throat, let him clear his mind some, but he still balked at leaving.

Instead, he headed up again, to use the other apartment Slade's paranoia insisted on, the one below the penthouse, so that he would be near.

[masked-merc.livejournal.com]

Under this level, and above the one above, state of the art soundproofing and baffles protected their privacy.

In this level, set up as it was to be bait and first-level of trap, those protections would have been worse than useless. These rooms were set up for Slade to be able to hear below... which, unfortunately, meant that someone who had reached them--and not set off the warnings--would be able to hear above, as well.

[tm-wintergreen.livejournal.com]

Wintergreen made it in...and froze as the noises from above penetrated his hearing fully. The instinct to go, to aid warred only briefly with his resolve to let Addie have a clear opening.

He was upstairs in heartbeats, and coming back through the door he'd left minutes before, coming to kneel in front of Slade and his ex-wife with remorse.

"My dear boy, I never wished for hurt to come to you like this." He ignored Addie for the moment, as his hand came to rest on Slade's leg.

[lady-kane.livejournal.com]

I had seen Wintergreen enter, and it was another bolt of fury that he had left only to return after he had already broken Slade. I do not move yet, waiting to see if he will make it necessary to injure him now, or whether I will wait.

The near-apology is enough to make me bite my anger back again, shift in Slade's lap so that Wintergreen can touch Slade more easily. Apologize.

[masked-merc.livejournal.com]

Tension in Addie, felt despite the shaking, despite belief half-deafened by blood and breath, a sound that wasn't her over both--//no... he left...// touch. Adrenaline flared strong enough to taste, but--

Hard, strong, known hand against his leg, and Addie didn't strike first... He lifted his head, just slightly, enough to scent more than his tears and Addie's hair, and Wintergreen's scent met his nose, shape there... //What?//

He dipped his head enough to use his shoulder to force the tears away--trying, again, for some control. Wintergreen's shape was still there when his eye cleared for the moment.

[tm-wintergreen.livejournal.com]

"Slade." Strong hand going up to lay against the jaw of the stricken man, pain flaring anew in brown eyes. "I only wished to make it clear...I know your heart where your wife is concerned."

[masked-merc.livejournal.com]

Pull away, push back, stay still... Impulses flared back and forth as he struggled to pull his lungs under control, to be able to breathe, speak, anything but just push into Wintergreen's hand and try to think.

//He know--I don't know!! I don't know what to do, how can he?//

"I--" he tried to speak, and it failed, and one hand went out to tangle in Wintergreen's shirt, clinging.

[tm-wintergreen.livejournal.com]

"Forgive an old fool?" Wintergreen whispered, making himself entirely too vulnerable where Addie could hear...but the future was largely hinging on the two of them finding some way to coexist.

[masked-merc.livejournal.com]

Slade finally dragged his body under enough control to be able to speak, and nodded, looking at Wintergreen's eyes through his own still-hazy one. "...you forgave me, didn't you? I do--I just... please don't go..."

[tm-wintergreen.livejournal.com]

"I am, as I have been for decades, still yours, Slade." He looked at Addie, his eyes searching hers. //Both, he needs both...//

[lady-kane.livejournal.com]

Perhaps I will refrain from punching Wintergreen.

I am still angry, and it is obvious he sees that in me. But it will wait.

I had always known Slade needed Wintergreen. I have grown less sure that he needs me.

[masked-merc.livejournal.com]

Slade looked at Wintergreen, and he cocked his head, "Did you put that possessive right?" Low, soft voice, as he held on to Wintergreen's shift, his other hand still wrapped close around Addie's body and waist.

"I don't know what to do. but I can't lose you. Either of you. Not like this. Not have you there, but not-there again, Addie, Wintergreen, please..."

Only complete exhaustion could ever have made him be that obvious.

[lady-kane.livejournal.com]

He, on the other hand, apparently remains convinced. "I." Careful breath, weighing this, but I know my decision was made the moment Slade begged. "I will stay for as long as you want me." Perhaps longer. I cannot let him go again.

[tm-wintergreen.livejournal.com]

"Addie...that is a long time...our boy here does not let go, once he chooses to love."

[lady-kane.livejournal.com]

Snort of a laugh through my throat. "Name me one person who would know that as well as I do."

[tm-wintergreen.livejournal.com]

"Me."

[masked-merc.livejournal.com]

Slade closed his eye, clinging to her harder, "In a thousand years, I will still want you here, Addie..."

[lady-kane.livejournal.com]

There are steps that can be taken to arrange that. I have not taken them. I have previously felt no need to. "If you are alive, so will I be."

[tm-wintergreen.livejournal.com]

Wintergreen stays silent.

He's now in the position to do just that...if he can take the deaths. Africa, as long as he is buried there, will not let him die now.

[masked-merc.livejournal.com]

Slade just closed his eye and held on to her, kiss pressed hard to her shoulder. Little chance of that being true, but if anyone could force it to happen, it would be his Addie...

[tm-wintergreen.livejournal.com]

Wintergreen refocused on Slade's face. "My dear boy...I made it clear years ago my opinions on monogamy...so the choice must be hers."

[lady-kane.livejournal.com]

I have had my share of open beds in my time. They have never involved a man I genuinely (say it, Adeline, you have said so a thousand times tonight) loved.

But Wintergreen's departure tonight had brought Slade to tears. What more would it do to have Wintergreen depart again, this time at my hand?

I do not *want* to share Slade.

[lady-kane.livejournal.com]

I do not speak, simply forcing my breathing to remain even, keeping my hands on Slade. Calling Wintergreen to the carpet for upsetting Slade so will wait. Bend my head to press a kiss to Slade's hair gently, angling so that he can see Wintergreen despite my movement.

[masked-merc.livejournal.com]

Shift back into her touch, self-aware enough, now, barely, to have a trace of shame at so much weakness... but he needed her there too badly to do any more than shift his hold on her a little in response to her movement.

[lady-kane.livejournal.com]

"It's all right, Slade." Quiet, and in a less fragile moment the words would be verging on a command. I will *make* it all right, Wintergreen or not.