Thomas Blake

“How do you know that for sure, unless you tell me?” Helena challenged. It wasn’t like she hadn’t done things she regretted. Her hands were stained with blood, just like Tommy’s. Picking a side didn’t erase all the sins she’d committed from her past, but at least she was trying to atone. Her fingers absentmindedly toyed with the gold cross on a chain around her neck. “Losing the people you love makes you do crazy things and have the most insane thoughts. I know that better than most,” she said, offering Tommy a half smile as she looked at him. “After losing my family, all I cared about was vengeance. I was a little… ruthless. The heroes around here didn’t exactly like me,” Helena admitted. “I didn’t like me. So, I understand, Tommy. But if you’re not ready to tell me, that’s okay.”

“I know because I know you. At least, I used to.” She could have changed over the time they were apart. It was completely plausible. She said that she did horrible things too and he paused to listen to her. “A few years ago I was on a mission with the Secret Six,” He started to admit before he could stop himself. “When I got a phone call. The people on the other end said that they had my son. He was with his mother at the time and she’d been overwhelmed by the group and knocked out. They were holding him over the balcony saying they would drop him if I didn’t kill one of my teammates.” He recalled, “I couldn’t do that to them... so I called their bluff and instead of killing him and his mother- they stole my son and ran away. So I... I did what I always do, Helena. I tracked them down. I tortured men. Brutally murdered them without a trace of honour. And all just to find out that he’s still alive out there. Adopted by this better family that could keep him out of danger. With no sins of his father to worry about. I left him there and I lied to his poor mother. I said that he was dead and allowed her to grieve. So, are you sure you understand?”

“That would be my daughter…Lian. Her grandmother  dropped her off early. Watch out for any blade kneecap level.” She warned. Lian didn’t take kindly to strangers in the house. As she shouldn’t. Unfortunately, Jade forgot to mention strangers she let in were okay…sometimes at least. “We were supposed to have a few hours before she came home. I get if you want to get out of here.”

“You have a daughter?” Thomas asked in disbelief. He hadn’t been expecting this at all. It wasn’t like Jade told him much about her personal life. He was really just there to offer her a good time, he was sure, but still. “Were you ever going to tell me, or?” He pried. “No, it’s fine.” He didn’t have anywhere else to be, anyway. “I just wasn’t exactly expecting it.” 

“Well you’re in my apartment so I could as you the same thing. Who the fuck are you?” roy said immediately defensive. He and Jade shared the apartment, taking turns based on who’s week it was with Lian. They tried living together but it had been too…tense. Plus it was better for Lian to be in a stable environment instead of moving all her stuff week to week. At this age at least. So every two weeks, one of them stood here with Lian and the other at the safe house apartment. But he sure as hell wasn’t going to tell this guy that.

“Thomas Blake.” He answered cooly. Noticing immediately how the tone shifted. The only thing he could compare this to was when a new lion would challenge the pride’s male for ownership. The only thing was, this clearly wasn’t his pride. So he was the unintentional challenger. Damn, he really wasn’t looking for a fight today. “I’m one of Jade’s friends. I agreed to watch her kid while she was out. So, who are you? Besides apparently the owner of the apartment.” He hadn’t agreed to anything, it was just easier than telling the truth. That Jade just disappeared like the Cheshire Cat. 

Jeannette flashed him a smile. “Ah, but you should be. I did think you had good taste, and i hate to be proven wrong, Thomas.” She laughed. “That is not my only factor, you know. I also like long…” She glanced Tommy over and grinned up at him. “Legs.” She raised her eyebrows. “No, of course not,” she said. “There is far too much risk that I could break a nail. Or tear something.” She tugged gently at the hem of her blouse to indicate she did not mean a ligament. 

“You did? Honestly, that’s a little shocking.” A woman that was normally so keen on luxury calling a jungle man of sorts, someone with good taste. It was a bit funny to him. Not catching the euphemism, Tommy reached up and ran a hand through his red curls. “I guess I do have pretty long legs.” He said, smiling at her words. “I’ve seen you take down an amazonian and you’re scared to get rough with me because you might break a nail?” He teased.

“It wasn’t your fault Thomas.” she whispered back to him. She had stopped blaming him a long time ago. Jade had hated the man in front of her for a long, long time. She even thought of removing him from this world. But as with all things, time worked it’s hands upon her. Thomas had tried to get their son back, and failed. The guilt it self was punishment enough. “Hush kitten. I know you tried your hardest to bring him back to me. I do not blame you for our misfortune any longer.” she muttered against his lips. “ I’m sorry if seeing Lian brought up painful memories for you. Let us focus on our present not past.”

She’d hate him if she knew the truth. He’d found out the possibility that their son could be out there. Somewhere in a better family. Safe. Living out his days happily in some normal suburban home and he’d rather believe that then jeopardize the thought of his safety by going to look for him. If Jade knew, she’d search for herself and bring him back into a dangerous situation. He knew what it was like to grow up with violence in any form and he knew that it tainted him. He wouldn’t have that taint their son if he was still alive. He leaned a little closer to her. Craving her comfort as she whispered to him. Things he knew wasn’t entirely true. “It did but it’s okay. I just can’t help but think about him sometimes.” He whispered out a reply. “I... just didn’t know you had another child. I wasn’t prepared.”

“You’re just as I remember you being,” Thomas whispered as he leaned in. Nearing her lips. Well away he was breaking the one rule she had set for him. Not to get touchy on patrols. But after the short mission they went on together. Stopping only to (metaphorically) lick a few wounds. He’d admired her bandaging up a small cut for long enough. Scooting closer and pressing his lips against hers. “I really missed you.” 

“I’m sorry. That I couldn’t bring him back to you.” It wasn’t something he’d brought up in a long time but seeing her with a child had only reminded him of their son. She had been completely devastated and he hated that he did that to her. Knowing he was still alive out here. In a nicer family. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” Tommy uttered out a couple more times until her lips were on his. Probably to shut him up and get him to stop blubbering over something that was long since done. They’d never have their son back and he’d made that selfish choice for them.

“I’m not flirting with you.” Thomas replied. “I doubt I’m really your type. I don’t really smell as strongly of death as Floyd does.” He joked. “I was offering you to join a fight club in a sense. Have you ever sparred? I know you’re not really the type but I’m curious.” He doubted she’d want to get all down and dirty with him in a fight but he felt like asking anyway. 

Helena stared at Tommy for a moment, considering chewing him out for asking her for help. But he was trying, and she couldn’t be mad at him for that. Shaking her head, she chuckled as she leaned against the wall. “I’m sure you’ll figure it out, Thomas,” she told him, believing that if he really thought about it, he’d know exactly how to prove it to her. The idea of forgiveness and a fresh start was enough to make most people get their shit together. “But if you’re really struggling, I guess you could come on patrol with me some nights. If you want.” Her arms were folded across her chest, and she tried to push away the fear of him possibly rejecting her. Helena kept her eyes fixed on the moon behind him, rather than looking him in the eye. Why did she want to spend time with him so much, anyway? Why was her heart forgetting how he’d let her down in the past? It was those stupid, red curls, and that charming smile. They disarmed her. Spending time alone with him, hunting down criminals, was only going to make the tension between them unignorably stronger. One of them would inevitably give into it. Was she out of her mind? For fuck’s sake, Helena. “No funny business, though, Jungle Man. You can be quite cheeky when we’re alone.”

“I’m not that worried, I work pretty well without a plan.” He told her. He was alright at improvising but this didn’t seem like something he should be improvising at all. He wanted to make it up to Helena and it didn’t seem like something he could do half-assed. She suggested that he could go on some patrols with her and he lit up. Any chance to be near her was a chance that Thomas would take. He could practically hear Floyd’s comments in his ear now. Teasing him about her. He couldn’t help being weak for Helena. It wasn’t something he could stop either. Even after all of this time away from her. All he wanted was to be closer to her. “If you want me to come on patrols with you, I’m not going to say no.” Tommy practically purred. Moving a bit closer to where she stood. Drawn in by her. Like a moth to flame. Fully aware of the weapon she was holding and how she could shoot him if he got too close and she got uncomfortable. “You really don’t trust me to be alone with you?” He teased.

“Uh...” Thomas got out the moment he opened the door. Suddenly glad he had the rare foresight to put his pants on. He wasn’t expecting to see a child at all when he opened Jade’s bedroom door. She was standing there looking grumpy before immediately booking it on tiny legs down the hall. “Okay, bye?” He called after the child before looking back to the bed where Jade was. “Did you know you have a little gremlin running around your place?” 

“You shouldn’t want the whole truth. It’ll change your opinion on me.” Thomas replied. Not entirely eager to go over all of of the sins of his past with her. He had done things that haunted him. If anyone knew the full extent of what he was capable of, he doubted they’d like him very much. That wasn’t something he wanted from Huntress. “Things got a little dark after my son’s disappearance.” He admitted. 

“You think I’m a sociopath?” Thomas asked. Jade had stepped out for a while and Tommy decided to stay. He couldn’t just leave the kid alone and he figured Jade knew that and took it as an opportunity to get some things done without having to worry about her kid. It wasn’t like he was going to let something else happen to one of Jade’s children. Not after their son’s kidnapping. He hadn’t been expecting some other guy to come over. The kid’s dad? Probably. Still he had to check. “What are you doing here? The lady of the home is out.” 

Helena’s stomach filled with flutters at Tommy’s words, and she tried her hardest to fight against the way he was making her feel. It would be weak of her to grab him by his shirt and kiss him. She’d be giving him exactly what he wanted, without him putting in any hard work or effort. He asked if she wanted to trust him, and she felt her heart sink. Of course she wanted to. Tommy meant a lot to her – losing him had devastated her more than she’d ever let on. She had an image to maintain, and being upset over a man wasn’t part of it. “I do. I wouldn’t be standing here talking to you if I didn’t want to believe what you’re saying.” She should’ve known better. He was going to try and she was going to build up her hopes, then he’d inevitably shatter their relationship again by doing something stupid. Tommy would always stray from whichever side he picked. But maybe, just maybe, he would be worth the hurt. “Any idea how you’re going to do that?” Helena asked, smiling at him. He might’ve been fast on his feet, but he certainly wasn’t the fastest thinker.

She made a point. Helena wasn’t one to stick around and endure shit she didn’t want to. She would have been gone if she didn’t want to see him and the realization that he really had a chance to gain her affections again hit him like a truck and left him breathless. He’d always cared about Helena. He’d held onto her even when he was supposed to let go. Keeping her close to his heart. Which had been complicated since he hadn’t seen or spoken with her in so long. In her absence, he started developing a soft spot for Jade the occasional times he would see her. Despite how messy and bad the relationship was for them both. It wasn’t just about the sex anymore, it became a little more complicated than that once they lost their son. Not that he’d ever admit that to anyone. She asked him how he planned on earning her trust again and his expression went blank. It was a great question. One he hadn’t even really thought about the answer to. “Uh...” He said, reaching up and scratching red curls. She caught him. He didn’t have any plan at all. “I’m sure I’ll figure it out, but maybe you could toss some ideas my way for good measure?” 

Larry felt himself sighing, why did he even bother coming out to Gotham City? Maybe because Rita and Gar were here and he was horribly worried about them?  That was definitely part of it, but what he should’ve realized is what holiday had just passed before he even thought to arrive. “Yes I know Halloween is over…No I’m not dressed as fashion failing Mummy for the hell of it.” He sighed trying to resist the urge just to run back to the manor and leave this city in the rearview mirror. @fallengothamstarters​

“Okay, I’m just checking.” Thomas replied, leaning back in his spot. “I’d hardly blame you for redoing Halloween, though. It was a bit of a shit show this year.” He stated before taking a drink from his soda. “So, what’s the real reason for the bandages if you don’t mind me asking? They’re quite the statement.”