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[I][color=red]September 17[sup]th[/sup], after the debriefing[/color][/I]


Dropping off Metamorph’s mask at the Watchtower had taken more time than Viktor wanted, leaving him with no other option than to walk onto the obstacle course in his gear. Being late was not an option, even if he wasn't sure Will would show up to meet him. Removing his helmet as he approaches one of the stacks of large tires, Viktor revealed his ever-stoic visage. 

From behind Viktor, a voice rang out.

[Color=9e0b0f][b]“An obstacle course was not the setting I had pictured for our first fight, I’m not interested in racing you on the monkey bars.”[/b][/color] His comment caused Viktor to make a slight and brief smirk.

Quiver, the clear outcast on the team, had entered the obstacle course from the other end. He was collapsing his bow back into his shoulder case as he spoke.

He was looking around, taking in the memories he had of the training sessions the team went through here. He hadn’t been here since he had left his Talon persona behind.

[Color=9e0b0f][b]“If you invited me to talk, I don’t have much in me at the moment, I’m afraid. Some of your friends are upset I’m unwilling to give the League or Metamorph the benefit of the doubt, and my punishment was the implication it was my fault for leaving the team when I did.”[/b][/color]

[Color=silver]“And they're wrong for saying that.”[/color] He set his helmet down in the grass. [Color=silver]“Leaving the team was clearly something you needed. Maybe the others haven't noticed but… you've changed. Perhaps that's what you needed. You weren't in a coma, and your body wasn't destroyed, but you required healing, yes?”[/color] He cocked an eyebrow as he asked.

Quiver could feel Viktor looking at him - really looking at him - and had to avert his eyes. His brow furrowed and he looked irritated, but he wasn’t really. It was the frustration of the exposure. Or maybe it was just the person he wasn’t expecting was the one to see it. 

[Color=9e0b0f][b]“Everyone here talks a big game about growing and trying to get better. Was it so wrong that this wasn’t the place for me to do it? Casper and Daphne were the only teammates that tried to connect with a version of me that wasn’t able to. When they were gone…let’s face it. I was just in the way. Even if Black Canary says we’re a team, I didn’t feel that way. And I’m not sure how to feel even now.”[/b][/color]

While Quiver was talking, he felt himself fiddling with various pieces of equipment nearby. 

[Color=9e0b0f][b]“You think it’s worse to have someone on the team with my attitude or someone on the team who almost killed 2 of us?”[/b][/color]

Viktor frowned and crossed his arms at the question presented to him. It was so easy to admit that the latter was worse. It was clearly the correct answer but he didn't like the idea of choosing between such a thing. But if he had to…

[Color=silver]“The latter is worse… but KJ isn't just someone and neither are you. I won't justify what he did that night, and that is why I agreed to have him benched… But that moment doesn't define the person I know he is. And your moment of anger doesn't define who you are either.”[/color] Viktor shook his head as he walked toward Quiver’s position. [Color=silver]“Do you remember what happened here? Our first time. Do you remember what happened to you?”[/color] He made a quick glance toward the large gap crossing on the obstacle course.

Quiver looked over. Absent-mindedly rubbing at his throat.

[Color=9e0b0f][b]“Green Arrow would say that there are worse things to happen to you than a beautiful woman choking you.”[/b][/color] His mentor’s sense of humor may have made its way out, but Quiver knew what Viktor was getting at. 

[Color=silver]“I don't blame you for your anger toward him or the League even… I felt similar when everything seemed to go wrong all at once.”[/color] Viktor furrowed his brow upon remembering what he considered the lowest time for the team. [Color=silver]“So, I won't tell you how to feel. I can only tell you that I want you and KJ on the team. I will see that you recover, and not alone. And I will confront the one who attacked our team and ensure the incident at the docks never occurs again.”[/color] He balled his right hand into a fist. Not in anger but in frustration in not knowing what he would do when that time came. [Color=silver]“And I know what I say next may not change anything but I apologize that ever had to happen to any of you.”[/color] Viktor averted his gaze with it being his turn to feel vulnerable.

Quiver was surprised to hear the things coming from Viktor. The apology, feeling as earnest as it was, sort of came out left-field. Or at least it just felt like that. Since the two of them had been on the team, there was an animosity based primarily on Quiver’s own toxicity and Viktor’s seriousness. Of everyone on the team, these two were the most similar in terms of their training and their abilities, and it didn’t take a therapy session with Black Canary to know that undoubtedly this was cause for a jealous rivalry, even if it just seemed one-sided. In truth, Viktor’s idea of their rivalry had changed into something healthier. Competition, without the animosity. The two could both learn from each other and in time, improve upon themselves while ensuring complacency was never a factor.

Part of Quiver got pissed all over again. Viktor being so considerate of his feelings. When all Quiver has been wanting this whole time from him was the chance to beat him in a fight? It was preposterous. But Quiver knew that that was irrational, and to disregard Viktor’s olive branch at face value when he had taken the time to hear him out and even agree with him on some of his points would be incredibly petty.

[Color=9e0b0f][b]“You know I’d have thought you and I would have broken out into a fight sooner. That we’re heading straight to a collision that climaxes in some bloody confrontation.”[/b][/color]

[Color=silver]“You’re completely alone with that thought. This. I think this was better.”[/color]

Quiver turned around and headed for the exit, while Viktor walked over to retrieve his helmet. He’d stick around for a moment. He did leave this conversation with something- no. He left this conversation with [I][color=F4320C]someone[/color][/I] to think about. 

[Color=9e0b0f][b]“Next time, then.”[/b][/color]

[Color=silver]“We owe that to each other, so yes. Next time.”[/color]