Merry Christmas in all sorts of ways

Hadiyah and Jaina, his makeshift agents, messaged him too. He didn't need to do the whole Gotham's Reigner thing since he had dumped so much cum in them. They listened to him on instinct. Of course, if he ordered them to do something severely out of character, they would resist so there was still a need for the code word. What he had on hand was still phenomenal and the two were skilled enough to fulfil the missions and hyper specific tasks he assigned them.

< Hadiyah: I talked with Jace. He thinks you're my fiancée. It's how he rationalizes me rejecting him and the sex we had.

< Hadiyah: Also, I think I know when the next Tournament of 100 will happen.

< Aaron: what about the how? How will they get the people? And where will it be?

< Hadiyah: It will happen in one week. Me and Rabbit are working on the how and where.

< Aaron: Good.

The hypnosis was scary in how potent it was. They acted like themselves to the point where Jace, a genius level intellect, didn't suspect anything. Aaron swore to himself that once this was finished, he would wipe their memories and pretend the whole ordeal didn't happen. Their cunts had already been destroyed. He didn't need to go any further.

Moreover, there were pressing matters to tend to. The Tournament of 100. Fifty-two men and women would be kidnapped and **** to participate in a strange tournament, all for the sake of finding The One.

'Whoever THAT is. Hadiyah's friend, Vol, has been hacking every database in the world and has found literally nothing. I even had White Rabbit steal information from Amanda Waller. Yet…nothing.'

Amanda Waller, the crazy government lady. He learned who she was and he was all the worse for it. She was a bitch, pure and simple. Too ruthless to be a hero and too moral to be an outright villain. She resided in a shade of grey that was too annoying to define or think too deeply about.

He hoped she would never, ever discover him. So far, she had nothing. Aaron intended to keep it that way.

Amana Waller was thorough and almost as knowledgeable as Batman. However, even she had nothing on The One. Whoever this individual was, there was no modern historical basis for them.

'Wait, wait. If they're actively searching civilians, that means Leviathan also doesn't know. It's probably a legend. A myth. It could be me…'

His gaze shifted to the tiny blonde, whose attention was captured by the cartoons on the television screen.

'…or even Chloe.'

As for work, he had told his supervisor that his family emergency was still ongoing. Because he had used up all his emergency days, he was warned he wouldn't get paid. Aaron was okay with that. He had money, after all. Millions upon millions.

Through the window, he could see the moon settle in the sky. Its light gave Gotham the tiny bit of shine it needed. An aftereffect terraforming into the gothic city it was.

He and Chloe went to a convenience store to buy food. Candy, chocolate, ingredients for hot dogs and burgers. That sort of stuff. It was hardly twenty minutes.

They came home and made dinner. Aaron taught her the basics, such as how to use the stove and use a knife. Simple stuff a street girl wouldn't know. Chloe was wowed by practically everything he did.

"Rule number one?"

"Don't touch the stove while it's on," Chloe replied, eyes narrowed as if they were discussing war crimes.

"Rule number two?"

"Never leave food unattended."

"Good." Aaron sent her a satisfied smile. "Now it's your turn."

He and Chloe made pizza. It had an easy-to-follow recipe, not to mention it included the core tenets of cooking. You needed to slice, collect, and warm up. It served as an excellent introduction for the novice.

The time to taste it came. Aaron squinted as he chewed through it. Chloe watched his reactions, hands behind her, waiting with considerable anticipation.

"Pass," he said, giving a thumbs-up. Chloe jumped and high-fived him.

"Yes!"

After dinner, they returned to their regularly scheduled programming: cartoons and movies. It was fun to watch but in all honesty Aaron felt like a lazy dad. Seriously, he did nothing today besides cook, eat, and watch TV. In the back of his mind there was no concern over money or having to pay rent. It was all settled now.

The clock struck twelve.

Aaron smiled and stealthily got off the sofa. In the kitchen, in the small drawer, was a box. He picked it up and returned with it. Chloe seemed to have noticed his departure and tilted her head. He sat down next to her, brought the box out, and announced to the world:

"Merry Christmas."

Chloe blinked. Once, twice, thrice. "T-thank you." She bit the bottom of her lip. Her eyes twitched. Chloe couldn't help it. She started bawling.

This must have been her first Christmas. Her first experience of love and compassion.

"It's a phone," Aaron said, pulling her close to his chest. He placed the box in her arms. "If you ever need to contact me."

"T-thanks." Chloe sniffled and cried. Her arms cradled the box desperately, with the sorrow and pain from the ten lonely years of her existence. He let her stain his shirt with her tears. In his heart, he felt warm and fuzzy.

All those years alone. All that time wandering the streets. He patted her on the head. Was he talking about himself or Chloe? At this point, he didn't know.