I was weak.

For coming home, tearing my dress off, throwing on some pyjamas and crawling under my dark red covers to hide from the world.

Jason came around midnight, knocked on my windows for around an hour with every apologetic word under the sun.

When I shouted that I wanted to be alone, he left. Not before reminding me. Before saying those three words as a last chance.

"You want to harvest them, or destroy them?" My sister's voice snaps my from my reverie. She grins, munching on her chips.

I look down at my garden, where I am clearing the frost off of the leaves. They're a little bit maimed because I'm so angry.

"Sorry plants," I murmur, standing up and ditching my gloves at the ground. I storm back into the living room with Gin dawdling behind, shutting the door.

"What time are you picking Menoly up from the airport?" She asks, collapsing on the couch.

"Not until around 11:00 tonight. Why?" I answer, reaching for the wine bottle.

"You're driving to the airport at 11:00pm, on New Years, in Gotham?" She specifies.

"Yes. I have no choice. It's when the plane gets in."

Gingers grins to herself, "It's funny dad doesn't trust me enough to pick up Nolly from the airport."

"If dad asked you it'd still be me going, because I'd get a call from Nolly an hour after you were supposed to pick her up," I reply, walking over to the kitchen.

"You and dad have little faith."

"With reason," I snap. She grins.

"Let me tell you a story about the worry wort and the sceptic," she throws her usual line at me, putting more food into her mouth. I begin working on lunch for myself when the elevator buzzes. I unlock the lobby door without checking who it is.

Which, I realise in two seconds, was a bad idea.

The doors slide open to reveal Jason standing there, hands in his pockets. Damian is with him. He walks straight in, making a bee-line for Kira and Levi.

Ginger looks at me, standing frozen like a deer in headlights.

I'm not a child. I'm old enough to sort out my problems. 

With a heavy sigh, I jerky my head to the balcony and Jason nods, walking across the kitchen and living room, outside.

I glance at Ginger, before following him, sliding the door shut behind me.

I fold my arms tightly and turn towards him. I can see panic in his eyes and he looks like he's grinding his teeth.

"I'm sorry," he gets out softly. I don't say anything. I don't move. I don't even blink. He rubs the back of his neck, taking a step closer to me. "There's this shipment, coming from Arabia. There's something in there meant for me. Only Talia knew where it was. I knew I needed to act a certain way to get the location out of her."

He looks guilty, staring at the floor.

"Then you tell me," I say quietly, before my volume builds with my anger level. "You tell me that because that's what people in relationships do," I say, unfolding my arms to place them on my hips. I know he doesn't understand this type of stuff though. "I know your new to this. But Jay, in the future, tell me things. Communication is the most vital thing."

His arms drop to his sides and he glances at me nervously.

"She said horrible things to me. Told me I wasn't strong enough to be with you. Accused me of being close to her son because I can't have one of my own."

This reaction is different entirely. His head snaps up and he stares at me in shock, anger deep in his eyes.

"She what?"

I fold my arms again, more or less battling the pain of her statement. 

"Must have looked me up. Found out-"

For someone his size, he moves fast. He takes the few steps between us and wraps one arm around my waist, the other hand going behind my head.

My surprise is overcome by the desire to be held by him. I place my hands on his chest, closing my eyes as he nearly breaks my back hugging me, like usual.

"I'm sorry," he repeats in whisper, forehead resting on the top of my head. When he pulls back to look at me, he looks determined. "I'm going to deal with her," he says, turning to the door.

"Jay don't," I say, grabbing his wrist. He looks back at me, confused.

"She never should have said that to you. Or anything else for that matter. Let me fix this," he says, fully turning to me.

"Fix it by staying here instead of leaving me alone again," I reply. That seems to snap him out of it. He glances at the door again, before taking a deep breath.

He looks at the outdoor love seat we're both familiar with, then tugs me over, sitting us both down.

"I should have defended you. I should have introduced you as my girl. I shouldn't have believed her. I should have danced with only you. I shouldn't have yelled at you about the pretty boy. I should have held your hand the whole night... Right?"

I grin, "right." 

He sighs, as if relieved. We were bound to have our first fight soon.

"I'm sorry."

"You said that." Say it.  Say the three words. Say it and I'll forgive you.

He seems to get the idea and turns to me, releasing my hand to touch my cheek. I smile lightly as he leans in, to whisper in my ear.

"You're cute when you're mad."

I pull away and whack his arm, laughing.

~

Jason comes with me to the airport to pick up my sister. Caelan, I was accustomed to calling her now. She had to get used to calling Gin and I Venus and Ginger, instead of Sky and Dani.

Caelan never liked her real name, Menolly. My father extracted it from one of his favourite books, Dragon Song. Menolly is the main character's name.

The whole idea of name change confused Jason. I simply needed to point out that Skyler, Danielle and Menolly Salvore are memorable names of the mob boss, the Don, Salvore. Sticking with Venus, Ginger and Caelan Meadow was safe.

First I spot my sister's hair. Dyed blue, white and black to create a pretty ombré look. For once, I like it. She grins at me when she spots me and approaches.

Yep, this is definitely my sister. She's dressed in what I would have worn in disguise back when the Brotherhood and the Sons were after me.

"Ven!" She squeals, jumping on me and holding me like a vice. Between her and Jason my bones might literally break.

I hug her just as tightly though, placing her back down gently.

"I've missed you," I smile, grabbing her face and pulling her in, kissing her forehead. She giggles and pulls back, looking at Jason. "This is my boyfriend, Jason," I say.

Caelan smiles at him, greeting him and shaking his hand. Just as I begin to think that their introduction was painless, my sister decides to do a... 'Ginger'.

"Got any hot brothers?"

Oh my GOD.

On the drive home, Caelan asks all the details about Jason and I. She gets along with him well, as I do with Tim, Dick and Damian.

I notice she tiptoes around certain topics, worried Jason doesn't know things. I simply intervene and she gets to continue telling stories about me as an awkward teenage slut.

Traffic is slow from New Years Eve, but eventually we get home. Jason takes Caelan's bags for her, which does in fact make her blush, before she bolts into the elevator.

"C'mon c'mon c'mon," the 17-year-old chants excitedly. Jason gives me an odd look.

"Puppies," I say. He grins.

The doors ding and Caelan sprints in like a maniac, spotting Levi on the sofa. My baby doesn't get a chance to run, before my sister scoops him up.

I roll my eyes and Jason laughs, taking Caelan's bags to the room, before I drag her in behind me.

"This apartment is huge Sk-Venus," she says. I chuckle at her continued failure to use my name, and open up the draws and closet for her to unpack.

"Why Caelan?" Jason asks, leaning against the door.

"Well, since my dad named me Menolly after a character from his favourite book, I named myself after a character from mine. Skuldugger Pleasant," she answers.

"Idiot," I murmur.

"Hey. You named yourself after a sex goddess okay?" She replies. She may be the only one who can out-quip me.

Her phone suddenly goes up, blinking and buzzing like crazy. She lifts it up, then grins.

"One minute until midnight!"

I look at Jason at the doorway, before taking his hand and leading him out. I quicken my pace and reach the balcony, opening it and stepping out.

Jason wraps his arms around me from behind, leaning down to kiss my shoulder.

"One more time?" He whispers. I sigh, rolling my eyes.

"Last time."

He takes a deep breath, before leaning to my ear. "I'm sorry."

Sixth time he has apologised for the Talia thing. I turn in his hold to face him, wrapping my arms around him. Smiling, I lean in for a kiss.

"Ten, nine, eight, seven..." The chant comes from the distance as lights fill the city with the countdown.

I move my hands to his face, grinning.

"...Three, two, one, happy new year!" I surge forward, pressing my lips to his hard and moving to wrap my arms around his neck.

Talia can get fucked. Jason and I are perfect for each other. And that's all that matters.

~

In Australia the countdown is celebrated inside because it's SO HOT!! I hope you liked this lil tidbit. I'm delirious from writing because it's 1:30am and I can barely see. 

•My ball dress arrived. 
•My bae Mark was in the YouTube rewind for a long time. 
•I'm now training to become a nurse. 
•I have hellfire planned for this book that will DESTROY YOU ALL. 

Love you all,

Stay magical! Be safe. -Kaido Xx :3