Marvel & DC Oneshots

Catch her

(Father! Mentor! John Constantine x daughter oc)

It wasn't often that events like these happened — where the Justice League members all gathered, along with their sidekicks. But it'd been seen as a way for the younger generation of heroes to meet and make connections.

At least, that's how John put it earlier, cigarette hanging from his lips.

The Hall of Justice was alive with activity — conversation and laughter from old friends catching up and mentees goofing off when their mentors weren't looking.

Some of them were easier to recognize than others, really. Such as Tim Drake, dick Grayson, Barbara Gordon, and Stephanie Brown — all part of Batmans brood. Conner Kent, Supermans clone. Wally West, Kaldur, M'gann, Zatanna, Roy, Raven, Garfield, Starfire, and Jamie. All sidekicks. some clustered together, others roaming.

Emmaline respectably close to their adoptive father — John Constantine.

While John talked with a few of he other adult heroes, he'd also take the occasional glance in her direction, ensuring she was behaving and not making any trouble.

But otherwise, the two simply observed the adult heroes taking turns to speak as the various sidekicks chatted or wandered about.

She gently tugs on John's sleeve and silently offers him some chips from the bag she had made appear in her hand. The action was subtle enough to go unnoticed by those around them, and John glanced towards her, eyebrow raises in amusement.

"Thank you, dear." He dipped his hands into the bag and took some chips for himself, his gaze softening as he gave that warm smile.

A small, barely noticeable, happy hum comes from the pale, ice-y blue-eyed girl, as he thanks her.

The two went back to watching things, John's smile remaining, before he glanced back at her.

"So, you enjoying things?" He questioned, knowing full well she had not left his side the whole time being there.

She nods softly and makes shadowy black tendrils wrap around the bag of chips and disappear in the shadows before reappearing in her hands again.

John watched as the shadow tendrils wrapped around the chips before they disappeared and made the bag reappear once more. He couldn't help but be impressed by just how adept the girl was with her newfound powers. He chuckled to himself. "Keep at it, kid. You've got a knack for it."

The dark-haired girl preened at his praise but flinched in fright and moved closer to him at the loud noise from the other sidekicks laughter.

John felt her flinch and move close to him, and while she did, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders to steady and support her. A protective gesture that, while subtle, was a good indicator of just how important she was to him as he watched her nervously flinch at the sound of the other sidekicks laughing.

"Loud," she mutters, her voice barely a whisper as she curled into his side as if trying to hide from the noise.

"It is, I agree." John muttered, his voice soft. "But we've gotten used to it over the years." He continued to hold the girl close to him as he watched some of the sidekicks interact, some laughing too loud for her tastes as she continued to hug him close.

Emmaline absent mindedly wiggles her fingers, making the shadows around them dance and start forming shapes.

John glanced at the shadows, noticing them form into various shapes and figures as his eyes lit up in amusement.

"Careful now." He muttered playfully. "Someone might try to give you a raise for the little shadow puppet show you're putting on."

She silently giggles and lets the shadows fall back into place.

"But, really." He continued. "I'm still impressed by how easily you've picked up on controlling the shadows. You're a natural, really."

Her pale skin covers with a slight blush at his compliment and discretely pointed at the other sidekicks.
"Why loud?" She questioned, her voice soft and almost whispy, like a shadow

"They're excited." He replied with a small shrug. "The older heroes have all reunited to meet the sidekicks they've all recruited over the years. A party like this is exciting for them."

He took another chip from the bag and popped it into his mouth. "You've just gotta build up some noise tolerance." He added on, with some humor in his voice as he ate the chip.

She huffs, her cheeks puffing out as she does while she pouts slightly, "noisy," she grumbles and makes a can of pop appear in her hand

The old mage snickered slightly, amused at just how much the girl was reacting to the noise. It was clear he'd have to help her work on her noise tolerance sooner rather than later.

"Alright then, I hear you." He murmured. "Want me to tell them to tone it down slightly for you?"

"No," she shakes her head, "said they're having fun, leave be." She replies, her words not forming full sentences seeing as she rarely ever speaks.

Her words also showed some maturity to her thinking — a sidekick who cared more about others rather than herself. It's a good sign.

"Are you sure?" He questioned, as some of the other teen heroes continued to get rowdy and noisy. "If it's too loud for you, that is."

"Home soon?" She questions when they're going home as she redirects his attention to a different question. John blinked in surprise at her question before nodding.

"Soon, don't worry." He reassured the girl. "If you get too overwhelmed, then I'll bring you home — even though I would like you to interact with the other heroes and make some friends. But if it gets too much, then I'll bring you back." His voice softened. "I promise, okay?"

She nods and smiles thankfully at him before hesitantly walking towards the other sidekicks, looking over at him every few seconds for reassurance

John kept a watch over her as she walked towards the other sidekicks, making sure to check in on her to make sure she was alright. He noticed she constantly checked in with him, clearly needing his assurance to ensure she was doing okay.

John kept an eye on her, making sure she was okay as he spoke to some of the other adults.

She sits down quietly beside one of the sidekicks who is talking loudly to the people around him, who she recognized as wally west.

John watched the situation unfold, glancing in her direction and watching her sit down beside Wally West. She looked like a little shadow that had fallen beside the talkative hero.

Hopefully, she wouldn't be too overwhelmed.

But if she was.

Like always, he would be right there to catch her.

●~~~●~~~●~~~●
1120 words