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]

"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."

[lady-kane.livejournal.com]

Quick amused look through my lashes, but I do not say what I am thinking: divorce or not, Slade had thought of himself as my husband from the moment I slid a ring onto his finger until the moment I had died.

And, apparently, after.

[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 looked up at Wintergreen again after a few moments of his cheek pressed to his wife's shoulder, her words in his ears, and studied Wintergreen, wondering what made him look so...

[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...

[lady-kane.livejournal.com]

Slade does not entirely believe me, I know. That is all right. How could he be expected to be aware of the research I had done, once it was made clear just how significantly altered Slade was?

I can make myself immortal again, if I choose.

His mouth on my shoulder makes me bite my cheek to keep from tilting his head up to kiss him, despite the fact that I can still smell his tears in my hair.

[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.