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Earth-66, The Playground
Late afternoon
The reception was going perfectly. Drinks and laughs were shared as everyone was finally able to unwind after a long twenty-four hours of worry and stress. Logan, Thor, and Bucky were sharing drinks and war stories as Cisco, Harry, Stein, Bruce and Tony were having a conversation about some kind of technology no one else understood. Scott, Sam and Clint were laughing as they shared a drink as Sara, Sif and Natasha were having an animated discussion about weapons. Hope and T'Challa were having a casual discussion about the politics of Wakanda as Thea and Jax sat next to each other, silently drinking, neither in the mood for celebrating.
Oliver was standing next to Steve and Caitlin, halfheartedly listening to Steve tell him about what's been going on when he saw someone slip from the room.
"Excuse me," Oliver said hurriedly before quickly making his way after them.
Oliver caught them in the hall, heading out.
"Planning on leaving without saying goodbye?" Oliver called out and Roy turned around to face him.
"Never was one for long goodbyes," Roy said blankly. "There's nothing for me here Oliver."
"What about Thea? I know you still love her, you wouldn't have been so worried about her if you didn't," Oliver challenged.
"Of course I love her, I will always love her. That's not the problem. Nothing has changed Oliver, our situation is exactly as it was before she was taken," Roy said with a sigh. "Thea and I have said everything we need to. It'll kill me, but she can move on, fall in love again, start a family. Have everything I can't give her. Go back inside Oliver. You have everything you want, not everyone is so lucky."
Roy then pulled out an extrapolator and activated it. A Breach opened up right in front of him and Roy walked through it. It closed behind him and Oliver stood, silently staring at the spot where Roy had vanished.
"Hey," Oliver looked over to see Barry walking over. "You alright?"
"Roy just left," Oliver said by way of explanation and Barry understood.
"And he and Thea didn't patch things up," Barry said knowingly and Oliver nodded. "You can't control what he does Ollie. All you can do is be there for him if he lets you be."
"Maybe," Oliver said thoughtfully before grinning. "When did you get so wise?"
"Probably around the time you stopped being so broody all the time," Barry joked and Oliver couldn't help but laugh. "Seriously Ollie, you can't control Roy. Whatever he's going through, he's gotta work through it on his own. Focus on what you can control rather than on what you can't."
As he and Barry reentered the room, Oliver's gaze wondered over to Sara, a thoughtful look on his face.
Later, after everyone had left, Steve and Caitlin were in their room, having changed out of regular clothes.
"Well, it could have gone worse, all things considered," Steve noted as Caitlin stared off to the side, deep in thought. "Cait?"
"What?" Caitlin asked, seemingly startled out of her thoughts.
"Are you okay?" Steve asked as he looked at her with concern.
"Yeah, I'm fine. There'd just…there's something I need to tell you," Caitlin said as she turned around to face him, nervously wringing her hands together. "I should have told you this earlier, but I wanted to wait until after the wedding and then with Hydra and Apocalypse, I just wanted to wait until it was all over and we had a moment to ourselves."
"Caitlin, what's wrong?" Steve asked, beginning to grow worried about his wife.
"That depends on how you take this," Caitlin said with a weak smile before continuing. "I'm pregnant."
For several long moments, Steve stared at her with a blank expression and Caitlin's heart froze in panic. Then Steve's lips turned into a broad grin and he took Caitlin into his arms. She relaxed as she lad her head on his shoulder. She had hoped that he would take this well, but still, she had been nervous.
Steve's thoughts were a jumble. He was going to be a father. While he would have preferred this to happen after the Apocalypse, he couldn't deny that he was overjoyed. Whatever happened, he would do whatever it took to protect his family, he promised himself.
Earth-1, Star City, one week later
Afternoon
"Thanks for being here with me," Oliver told Barry as they walked along the grounds of the former Queen Mansion.
"I wouldn't be anywhere else man," Barry said as he placed a hand on Oliver's shoulder.
Oliver smiled weakly as they came upon a gathering of their friends. Towards the front, Thea waited with a minster, dressed in a beautiful black dress. William and Samantha were nearby, along with Logan and Laurel. Oliver walked to the minister, shaking his hand before turning to Thea.
"You okay with this?" Oliver asked.
"Just because Roy and I can't get our happy ending doesn't mean you shouldn't. I'm happy for you Ollie, really," Thea said honestly.
Oliver smiled, leaning down and kissing her on her cheek. It was at that moment that they all sensed a presence. Looking over, they saw Quentin, walking down Sara, who was dressed in a white gown, a veil over her face. Oliver's heart skipped a beat as he saw.
"You okay sweetie?" Quentin asked as he noticed the tears around Sara's eyes.
"Yeah. Just wish Laurel was here," Sara said with a strained smile.
"Wherever she is, she's watching this and she's happy for you, for both of you," Quentin said with certainly as he turned his head back towards the front, where Oliver was waiting.
Not another word was spoken between father and daughter as they reached Oliver. Quentin handed Sara off before stepping back into the crowd. Oliver and Sara joined hands before facing each other as the minister started speaking.
"We are gathered here today to witness as Oliver Queen and Sara Lance are joined in Holy Matrimony. I believe they both have prepared their on vows," the minister said as he turned to them.
"Sara," Oliver started, trying to find the words. "I've spent the better part of a week, imagining what I would say in this moment but nothing really seems right. We've been torn apart so many times, by death, by evil, even by ourselves. But somehow, we always found our way back to each other. You know me in a way that no one else ever has. Someone told me once that love was about finding the person who was already the right fit. But I've decided that love isn't about how you fit with someone. It's about how you support and accept each other, flaws and all. And I will always support you and love you for who you are, no matter what."
"Well, that's a tough act to follow," Sara said with a slight smile before starting her own vows. "We've been through a lot together, you and I. We've literally been to Hell and back. We lost each other for a while but somehow, fate or life or whatever you want to call it brought us back together. I haven't always been the best partner to you, I've been hostile, I've been argumentative, I ran when the going got tough. But for some reason, you never gave up on me, even when I was begging you to. I never felt worthy of being loved by you, but what I never realized was that it wasn't about whether I felt worthy if your love, it was about whether I was ready to accept it. And I'm ready now, for the good, the bad, all of it."
"Do you Oliver, take Sara to be your lawfully wedded wife, happy to hold, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?" the minister asked.
"I do," Oliver said as he smiled lovingly at Sara.
"And do you Sara, take Oliver to be your lawfully wedded husband, happy to hold, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?"
"I do," Sara said with a smile.
"Do we have the rings?" The Minister asked.
Barry, the best man, and Thea, the maid of honor, each handed Oliver and Sara a ring respectively. Oliver and Sara put the ring on each other's fingers.
"Then, by the power invested in me, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride," the minister told them.
Oliver and Sara shared their first kiss as husband and wife and the witnesses all clapped. And their journey was only starting, Logan thought with a smirk.
The funny thing about women was, when they were expecting, they gave off a scent that grew stronger the further along they were. And from what he was getting from Sara, she was less than two months along, she probably had no idea she was even pregnant. This should be fun, he thought.
Barton House
Night
After the kids had all gone to bed, Clint was doing the dishes but he was obviously deep in thought.
"Clint?" Laura called out and Clint looked over at her. "Are you alright?"
"Fine, why?" Clint lied.
"You've washed that plate three times," Laura said blankly and Clint looked down at the plate he had been drying. "What's wrong? Is this about what happened at the wedding? You've been…different since you came back."
Clint opened and closed his mouth several times, but no words came out. He wouldn't even begin to know how to explain it, how to tell her the truth he now knew in his heart.
Before he could even try to explain himself, he felt the air shift and his hair stood on end. Someone was here, he realized quickly.
He put the plate down and grabbed a nearby knife off the counter. Sensing the change in her husband, Laura realized something was wrong. She was silent as, without a word, Clint exited the kitchen, walking out into the living. Not seeing anyone, he frowned in confusion before he felt someone behind him. He whirled around, attempting to stab them with the knife but stopped short as he saw who it was.
"It is time," Mar Novu told him ominously.
Clint lowered the knife to his side, a great weight settling onto his shoulders as Laura emerged at the sound of the voice.
"Clint? What's going on?" Lara asked as Clint remained silent.
"You should tell her. She should understand why you must do what comes next," Novu said and Laura's confusion turned to worry.
"Clint? What's happening?" Laura asked, desperately hoping her husband would have some kind of explanation for all this.
"When I put on the helmet after the other me died…I saw a lot of things. Bits and pieces really," Clint finally said after a moment, his voice soft. "I saw our future, along with possible futures. One thing I saw…I told myself that it was a mistake. Even when Novu said that an Apocalypse was coming, I told myself it wasn't true. Because I didn't want it to be true. But when Thor told us about Apocalypse…I knew I had been living in denial."
"What are you saying?" Laura asked, her blood running cold.
"He must leave you and your children to come with me," Novu said and Clint looked anywhere but at Laura as she looked like the world had bene swept out from under her. "I require his assistance in order to prepare for Apocalypse's arrival."
"And why him? Why do you need my husband?" Laura demanded.
Novu held out his hands and, to Laura's shock and horror, the Helmet of Fate appeared in his hands.
"Because only he can wear this helmet without losing his sanity or becoming corrupted by the power," Novu explained.
"No, absolutely not. That thing drains his life the longer he uses it," Laura said immediately.
"Laura-" Clint started, looking pained.
"No! I am not letting you go on some kamikaze mission to get yourself killed," Laura said angrily.
"If he does not, millions will die, including the ones you know as Natasha Romanoff, Barry Allen, and Wanda Maximoff," Novu explained and Laura's blood ran cold. "The multiverse needs Doctor Fate once more."
Argus base
Same time
Roy was alone in the gym when he sensed a presence behind him. Roy turned around, finding Apocalypse standing a few feet behind him. Apocalypse smirked as Roy stared blankly, the symbol of Apocalypse appearing on his forehead.
Earth-66, a week earlier
As Roy continued to punch Alexei, he suddenly gasped as he felt a burning sensation on his forehead. If he could look in the mirror, he would have seen the symbol of Apocalypse now on his forehead, claiming his mind and soul for Apocalypse.
Now
Roy got down on his knees, bowing before Apocalypse.
"How may I serve you, Lord Apocalypse?" Roy asked obediently, a soldier awaiting orders.
Barton house
Same time
Clint looked in on Cooper, sleeping before closing the door behind him. Walking over to Nate's room, he opened the door. His four and a half year old son was fast asleep as he walked into his room. He started down at his son before leaning down and placing a kiss on his forehead. Nate stirred slightly but didn't wake. Clint smiled sadly before exiting his room. Clint then walked over to Lila's room. Opening the door, he walked inside and over to her bed. He stared down at her for a moment before he turned to leave.
"Dad?"
He froze, looking over his shoulder. Lila was sitting up in bed, looking up at him sleepily.
"What's wrong?" Lila asked sleepily.
"Nothing's wrong," Clint lied as he turned around to face her. "I just wanted to check on you. It's a dad thing. If you're ever lucky enough to have kids of your own someday, you'll understand."
"Okay," Lila said sleepily, laying her head down and going back to sleep.
Clint stood there, watching her for a moment, wanting to tell her everything. But that wasn't fair to her. This was already difficult enough without him adding more to it. Clint turned and walked out of her room, shutting the door behind him.
Making his way downstairs, he found Laura waiting for him. Novu had stepped into another room, giving them a chance to say goodbye.
"In the closet in our room, in a grey box, there are letters for the kids. Make sure they get them, so they can understand why I had to do this," Clint said lowly as he reached her.
"You've known, all week you've known," Laura said and Clint didn't deny it. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"I didn't know how to. Or maybe I was in denial, hoping this was all in my head, I don't know," Clint said with a sigh. "Laura…I have to go. This is bigger than either of us."
"This is bigger than any one person, any one world," Laura agreed. "I know, I understand. But why does it have to be you? Why can't it be Barry or Steve?"
"I don't know why it has to me; I just know that it is. I know I promised you that I was out, that I would just focus on our family…but Nat, Wanda, and Barry are my family to," Clint said gruffly and Laura let out a sound between a laugh and a sob.
"I wish I could say I don't understand…but I do. Just…come back to me," Laura said tears freely running down her cheeks.
"I promise, I will do whatever it takes to come back to you and our kids," Clint said as he took Laura's face in his hands.
They two shared a tearful, sloppy kiss before, reluctantly, Clint broke it. Feeling like he was ripping out his own heart, Clint walked away from Laura and met Novu in the living room.
Silently, Novu held out the Helmet of Fate. Without a word, Clint took it and put it on once more. In a flash of light, Doctor Fate stood in the room, radiating power.
"We have work to do," Fate said and Novu nodded.
A blue portal opened up and the two powerful being walked through it. Laura stared silently, tears running down her face as the portal closed behind them.
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If you enjoy please support me on my patreon Future 80+ chapters at patreon.com/Phoenizbeelze
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