Into the Depths – Chapter Seven

Chapter Seven
Tough Love

April 28th, 2009. Tuesday, 8:47 pm.

“Dude!” panted Beast Boy incredulously. “Are you even human?!”

There was a deep chuckle.

“I certainly appear more human than you, boy,” said Slade, his tone dry; nonchalantly brushing invisible dust from his arms. He put his hands onto his hips and looked at the six collapsed teens on the ground. Each appeared thoroughly exhausted from the fight. Slade, on the other hand – true to his prediction – hadn’t worked up a sweat.

In a few years time, he knew Dick would become great – not that he wasn’t great now. He was getting better, but he wasn’t anywhere near Slade’s level. One day, that boy would become almost unstoppable. However, at that moment, he had reached the level where he could hold his own against Slade for a few minutes, but his stamina wasn’t built enough to Slade’s standard – no one was, really. Terra was at a basic level and only a few times did Slade have to avoid getting brained by a boulder. He also noticed that she had trouble fully controlling her powers – something that needed to be worked on immediately.

The oldest teen, Cyborg, relied mainly on raw power and not so much technique. Out of all the other Titans, he did have the most experience in hand to hand combat. While he was more bulky, some strict training could make him a powerhouse. The green shrimp, Beast Boy, relied only on his transformations in the fight and that could prove dangerous for a lot of ‘two bit’ villains, but the boy needed some serious training; whether in one of his preferred animal forms or human form, he desperately needed refinement.

Raven was another one who relied mainly on her power. It had been a bit troublesome in the fight, but in the end, her power wasn’t a large threat. The reason for that was she was quite predictable in her use of her powers. If she had combined it with tactics and with some simple training, she could improve immensely. Starfire was one of the biggest threats of the team and could become a huge threat in the right hands. With her sheer power, she kept Slade on his toes to avoid getting any broken bones in the fight, but because of her lack in knowledge of extensive hand to hand combat in Earth terms, she wasn’t a threat – yet.

All in all, it’d been a decent workout for Slade, while it had been an ego massacre for the Teen Titans.

“Dad’s enhanced,” said Dick from his spot on the ground, his chest heaving. Sweat beaded his temples. “It’ll take more than this to even touch him.”

“Spill my secrets, why don’t you, boy?” snorted Slade.

“It’s really not that hard to figure out, man,” said Cyborg, groaning. Slade chuckled at the group. He had to admit, the group did pretty good against him. His mind was already thinking up training schedules for each of them, proving that each of them had what it took to impress him. He smiled lightly as he looked down at Dick.

Who would’ve thought?

Here Slade was, training the Teen Titans to become better heroes. Just a year ago, he’d been fighting against them – well, more like messing with them. If he’d been really fighting against them, they’d be dead. He had only played with them like a cat played with its prey because he’d been interested in Robin’s abilities as an apprentice.

How stunning that so much could change in so little time. Some might think Slade illogical for abandoning a name of power. Some might think Slade crazy for giving up the income of a lifetime. Some might think Slade foolish for throwing away the thrill and adrenaline rush of the job.

Perhaps he was.

Or perhaps he wasn’t.

Slade had experience. He’d seen both sides now. There wasn’t any doubt in his mind. Being a father for Dick was the most powerful thrill he could ever have. But it wasn’t the same ‘thrill’ or ‘adrenaline rush’ one would have in the moment of a fight for one’s life. It held a softness and gentleness. There was a light that brushed over Slade’s heart whenever he saw the boy smile, as if that were the sign that he was doing something right for once in his life.

It was a selfless job. There was no single deed of power in it. No one would fear his name. Well, a healthy fear of respect, in the boy’s case. There was no paycheck or income. It was simply a daily increment of caring for a needy and delightful child. It wasn’t a thankless job, however. The ‘payment’ Slade received was far superior to any type of worldly currency: unconditional love from a joyful son.

It did have its trials and issues. Slade never thought his heart could stop as it had when the boy disappeared for three days without so much as a note or a goodbye. Really, what had that naughty little boy been thinking anyway, going into space? There were rarely any disagreements between the two of them, since Dick usually submitted to his will when he knew he should. However, Slade knew Dick was a teenager – albeit, a good and obedient one – but a teenager nonetheless and like any child of that raging hormonal age, he was bound to have fits of moodiness or belligerence.

Overall, Slade found the feelings of fulfillment in his current daily job the most intoxicating and exhilarating he had ever felt in his life. There was just something more now. He didn’t need to prove anything to himself any more. He didn’t need a chemical rush to feel alive. Thin arms around his waist and the soft, childlike voice – a voice that was slowly beginning to deepen into a man – were all he needed to know that he was truly alive and that he held worth.

All that he had to do was just quietly be there for his boy.

“All right, up you go, brat,” said Slade, almost affectionately; lightly nudging Dick’s arm with a foot. “You’re coming home with me tonight.”

“But it’s Tuesday,” complained Dick, craning his neck backwards to look up at Slade. “We’re supposed to have a fun, family movie night.”

There was a low mutter from somewhere in the group about fungus not being a family friendly featured film.

“So it is. You’re still coming home with me tonight.”

“Aww, but, Dad—”

Slade made a warning sound in his throat, causing the boy to snap his mouth shut. Slade wasn’t one for extended patience at the moment. He still hadn’t forgotten Dick’s foolishness about releasing his identity to a stranger. It was one thing to train said stranger for a day, but a whole other thing to unveil your identity. Didn’t the boy know how many villains in Gotham City would pay a fortune for Batman’s identity? This could jeopardize Dick’s safety. If word got out, some of the old Bat villains might come to Jump looking for a fight – something Slade was not in the mood for, after all. Not only that, some of the smarter ones might make the connection between Richard Grayson and Bruce Wayne.

Not that Slade cared about that bat at all. It was merely the principle of the matter.

No, that wasn’t sarcasm, shockingly.

Dick sighed and rolled onto his stomach, looking up at him. His lower lip protruded outward in a childish pout as his crystal blue eyes sparkled innocently – yet there was an endless amount of mischief there.

“I can’t get up, though. Too tired.”

Slade raised an eyebrow. Long black eyelashes blinked over those glittering blue orbs. They blinked once more. Oh, the little – perhaps, slightly adorable – brat was doing it again. Just like the boy to push his luck. Without another word, Slade bent over and pulled Dick to his feet; tossing the protesting boy over his shoulder to dangle there. There was a cry of shock. Legs began to flail. Slade clamped his arm around the back of the boy’s knees while he lifted his other arm into the air with a wave, completely ignoring the gaping mouths of the other shocked Titans.

“Get some sleep, kids. You’re going to need it.”

Slade smirked at their expressions. As he walked away, Dick squirmed uselessly in his hold. Finally, he felt the boy sag for a moment, before waving to his friends.

“I’ll see you tomorrow!” cried Dick.

After that, the boy continued to twist in the iron hold that he was locked within. Slade had no intention of letting the boy go, but the protests became more insistent.

“Dad! Lemme down—the blood is rushing to my head!”

Slade chuckled, feeling the small boy wriggle, writhe, and struggle to get out of his arms. But, of course, Slade was more powerful; not to mention, he didn’t actually want to let the boy go. There was always a different solution to this problem, though.

“Put your arms around my neck.”

“I have no more strength in my stomach muscles after all that training!” protested Dick.

There was a low chuckle.

“Just do it, boy.”

There was a tired sigh, but the boy complied. When Slade felt those thin arms wrap around the front of his neck, he let the boy go; causing him to swing around the back. Slade expertly grabbed the boy’s legs on either side of himself and hoisted the boy up. Dick’s arms tightened around his neck and Slade felt his face nestle inside the nape there.

“Better?”

“Much,” murmured Dick, snuggling closer. He heard the boy draw in a deep breath. There was a moment of silence as he exhaled before he spoke up again. “But you could’ve warned me you were gonna give me a piggyback ride.”

Slade snorted.

“I’m carrying you. Never a piggyback ride. I’m not a horse nor a pig.”

Dick let out a mischievous giggle.

“Giddy up, Cowboy.”

Somehow, the man managed to let go and give Dick a firm, yet playful swat on the seat, before returning to his hold; hoisting Dick up once more.

“Brat.”

Dick giggled again, tightening his arms around the man’s neck. He breathed in deeply, letting the faint scent of his father’s cologne waft over him in a comforting wave. It had faded with the day, but it was still there. Even when faint, Dick could still recognize the fragrance. He loved it. Was it strange that he loved it? Naw, of course, not. He loved everything about this man that was gently carrying him home.

He was thankful for Slade’s sacrifice today. The man hadn’t been required to come spend a day training the Titans. Yet, he did anyway. Yes, Slade was retired now. But that certainly didn’t mean he had to train a bunch of kids – especially when some of those kids didn’t even like him or were suspicious of him.

And yet, the man came and spent the entire day with them – with a bunch of teens. Slade could’ve spent the day with someone else his age; heck, he could’ve even gotten himself a date. The man was handsome enough to get a good woman if he wanted.

Although, the thought of Slade dating made Dick’s stomach turn slightly. Whether it was an uncomfortable thought, or a worry of being forgotten, or even just plain jealousy of anyone taking the man’s attention away, Dick wasn’t sure. He’d been jealous and worried before when he thought Slade was going to replace him as his apprentice with his biological daughter, so Dick wasn’t arrogant enough to rule out that possibility.

However, even through the twinge of possible jealousy, a part of Dick hoped that Slade would find someone that could become his second half. He didn’t believe Slade’s ex-wife would ever come back to him, even with his retirement. There seemed to be too much bottled hate and anger in her heart – at least from the few moments that Dick caught a glimpse of her. Slade had brought such happiness to his young life, just from being his father, that Dick hoped the man could obtain a little happiness in return.

Because Dick loved this man. How funny was that? He went from hating him to loving him in a short amount of time. The human heart was an amazing thing, wasn’t it? Dick wouldn’t have it any other way. He was bonded to the man – this man that was a father to him. He very much appreciated him.

Of course, Dick’s heart was still that of a child’s – though, there was no way he’d admit it. As with any child, he was bound to make mistakes. Hopefully, he wouldn’t make too many of them, but there was one thing he knew, his father was going have a long talk with him tonight. He truly hoped it wouldn’t end up being a painful one for his hide, though.

“I’m still furious with you,” said Slade, after a few quiet minutes – but, contrary to those words, there was not a drop of anger in them. Dick smiled lightly, knowing full well that the man wasn’t saying the exact truth.

“No, you’re not,” said Dick, his voice soft.

“Aren’t I?”

“Nope.”

There was a gentle snort.

“You know you’re in for a long lecture, do you not?”

“Pretty much, but I know you’re not angry with me any more.”

“Oh?”

“You love me too much to stay mad at me forever,” whispered Dick, nestling his face deeper into the back of the man’s neck. His eyes slipped closed; his breathing deepened. The rhythm of the man’s steps was melodic to his exhausted mind and body. He was safe inside his father’s arms; therefore, it was too easy to allowed himself to rest. His mind vaguely heard a small chuckle, before a gentle word lifted into the air.

“Imp.”

The boy’s breathing was soft against Slade’s skin. He could feel Dick’s arms slackening around his neck. Slade could only smile as he carried the boy down the pathway. The night had fallen considerably; the sky darkened with the sign of dusk. The ocean waters were gentle as they washed against the edges of the island. Slade boarded the boat with ease, careful not to jostle the boy awake. He carried him down below deck and placed him on the bed that resided there.

The boy barely turned in his sleep. The little imp must’ve really exhausted himself today.

Dick slept through the entire boat ride and even the car ride back to the haunt – didn’t wake once as Slade picked him up again. The car ride was peaceful; traffic was a minimum this night. Once Slade parked the car in the garage next to the empty warehouse, he turned off the ignition and unbuckled his seatbelt. Then, he looked over at Dick. The boy was still sleeping soundly. He was curled slightly onto his side, his chest lifting slowly in his deep sleep.

Slade reached out and gently carded his fingers through the raven black hair. The boy didn’t move as he continued to sleep.

Slade truly didn’t want to wake the child. They both had a long day – though, it’d been more trying on Dick’s body. The boy was exhausted. He probably wouldn’t be able to listen too well anyway to what Slade would say. But he couldn’t let this go and he certainly didn’t want to lecture the boy at the start of a new day. It would only dampen Dick’s spirits – especially if Slade decided a round of discipline was needed to deter the boy from making such a poor decision again.

That was simply not the way to start a new day.

Tough love.

That was how the term went, didn’t it?

Slade was going to have to apply that now, wasn’t he? He wasn’t a stranger to it. When he’d been involved with his other children’s lives, he had been strict with them – loving in his own way, of course. But he didn’t allow them to do foolish things. There was just no way he’d allow that. They were his children – there was no need to make certain mistakes while their parents were around. However, Joey hadn’t been one for that and Rose had been too young to even comprehend the fact beyond that of a little child.

No, it had been Grant that had been the reckless one. He’d been the teenager, after all. He had been just like Slade in that manner – almost a carbon copy sometimes. If Slade had known what was to occur, he would’ve stopped that boy in his tracks. It was true, he had wanted an apprentice and had hoped that Grant would be the one to fill those shoes, but Slade certainly hadn’t wanted the boy to start going out on contracts at such a young age.

But Slade hadn’t fully trained the recklessness out of Grant. In some way, he had allowed some of it, because it had reminded him of his days as a young man. Had he indulged the boy? Not quite. He had still required perfect obedience and perfect respect. Nothing less was accepted. But had he permitted the reckless behavior?

Just a bit.

Slade couldn’t do that again; he couldn’t make the same mistake twice. Look where it had led – the boy was dead; his first born son was dead. He wasn’t coming back. Slade couldn’t allow that to happen to Dick – he just couldn’t. He couldn’t bear to lose Dick. No matter how unpleasant, Slade would have to apply some tough love here – because he loved this boy and he wanted to see Dick to adulthood. How far he’d have to go with the tough love remained to be seen, however.

Slade honestly didn’t want to end the day with punishing Dick, not after such a good day. Dick had been so happy. Sometimes being a father wasn’t enjoyable, nor easy, nor fun – at least in a case like this. Slade truly hoped that the boy had enough common sense to have a good attitude through the impending lecture – for his hide’s sake, in the very least.

With a tired, resigned sigh, Slade gently patted the boy on the cheek.

“Dick, we’re home now. Wake up.”

Long, black eyelashes slowly fluttered open, revealing a pair of very sleepy eyes. The boy yawned deeply, twisting in his seat to sit up. He stretched somewhat, his arms halfway clenched at his sides as his stomach arched. Once he was done, he glanced around the car dazedly, before looking up at Slade.

“Where…?”

“We’re home,” supplied Slade. “Can you walk?”

“Mm, I’suppose so,” murmured Dick, his words slurring together slightly.

With another sigh, Slade got out of the car, careful not to slam the door too hard. He went around the car to Dick’s side and opened the door. The boy was still looking tiredly at the dashboard. Slade bent down and unbuckled the seatbelt; easily scooping the sleepy boy into his arms. Dick didn’t protest and rested his head against the chest provided there, causing Slade to smile lightly.

Yes, this was going to be difficult.

Slade closed the car door with his foot and walked to the entrance that resided in the abandoned warehouse. With yet even more carefulness, Slade managed the bundle of boy in his arms as he put in the code. The door slid open as the orange light clicked in response. He walked into the main room; hearing the creaking gears above.

A moment later, he was opening the door of the kitchen and setting the half asleep Dick into a chair at the table. Wintergreen was also at the table, reading a book – as usual – when he gave them a warm, welcoming smile.

“You two are pretty late,” said Wintergreen, standing up. “I can warm up some dinner, if you’re hungry.”

Slade only smiled as he sat down at the table; sighing deeply as his body settled into the chair. He shook his head.

“The children wanted pizza. I believe the only thing Cyborg and I agreed on during the entire day was – and I quote – ‘the all meat experience’.”

Wintergreen chuckled, giving Slade a knowing smile.

“It seems you had quite the eventful day.”

“Quite,” said Slade with drawling ruefulness. There was another aged chuckle, then Wintergreen glanced over at Dick. The boy was half asleep, his head bobbing up and down as he blacked out every few moments; only to pop his head back up and blink with bleary eyes, before restarting the procedure again.

“Shouldn’t Richard be in bed?” asked Wintergreen, eyeing the boy with a fond expression as the boy began to droop back down.

“Yes, but I’m afraid something has to be addressed first,” said Slade, feeling weary about the impending lecture he had to impart and further on, the possible discipline he would have to apply should the boy be difficult about it. “He did something dangerously stupid today and I have to talk to him about it.”

“Oh, Slade, are you sure it isn’t best to leave that for tomorrow?” asked Wintergreen, looking over at Dick with a worried glance. The boy was at the blinking with bleary eyes stage at that moment.

“It must be tonight,” said Slade with a shake of his head. “It cannot wait until morning.”

“But…”

Slade looked at him; a soft, tired expression filling his features.

“Will, please.”

That was all that was needed for the old man to relent. He rarely intervened with Slade’s parenting – only to push in the right direction when it was needed. It was obvious that Slade was taking the moment seriously. Wintergreen nodded, giving the boy one more sad, almost pitying glance. Then, after a moment, the old man gave Slade an encouraging squeeze on the shoulder, before leaving the room without another word.

Yes, it wasn’t going to be easy, but the boy needed to learn never to do this again – even if it meant forgoing needed sleep. Being a parent wasn’t easy. This much Slade knew perfectly well. He wanted to do what was best for Dick in the long run. Best to keep him alive, than let things slide. This boy still had a long life ahead of him, and Slade was bound and determined to see the imp through it.

No matter what.

Thus, Dick didn’t fully understand what was happening around him. He was vaguely aware of voices around him. He was so tired. He just wanted to sleep. Why wasn’t he asleep again? His senses slowly began to awaken as he realized something in his stupor. His father had been planning on talking to him. The man was going to lecture him about something.

What was that something?

Oh, yeah. He gave away his identity. That was serious. Very serious. But he trusted Terra for some reason. What was the reason? Oh, yeah. She had a good heart. That was good, right? No harm done.

Yeah, he was really tired.

Something cold touched Dick’s cheek, making him snap his eyes open in surprise. The chilled nature of the object brought more wakefulness to his person. He glanced upward to see that Slade was smirking at him, tapping his cheek once more with that cold thing. Dick pulled back to see it that was a lemon ice pop. He took it slowly, while giving the man a confused look.

“I thought I was in trouble.”

“Oh, you are,” said Slade with a chuckle. “No mistaking that, boy. But you look like you’re about to fall over and I rather you conscious when I lecture you.”

Dick smiled, unwrapped the treat, and gave the ice pop one, good lick by sliding the entire thing into his mouth; letting the tart, yet sweet flavor flow over his tongue. His mind slowly began to work in its normal order. He was still extremely tired, but he was beginning to function better from the sugar and tartness. Besides, if Slade was giving him a treat that had to mean he wasn’t in that much trouble. He continued to eat his sweet as he glanced down at the kitchen floor. He wasn’t looking forward to this conversation. Slade was going to scold and reprimand him, no doubt about that. Whether or not his hide made it out alive was a whole other thing to worry about as well.

They weren’t in his bedroom, so that had to mean that maybe Slade wouldn’t wallop him over this. But that certainly didn’t mean that the man wouldn’t ‘move’ the conversation when he was done with his lecture.

Hopefully, Slade would warn him…

Ugh, the uncertainly was going to kill Dick.

“Dad, are you gonna… you know…?” Dick trailed off and gave Slade that questioning look, unable to contain the squirm in his seat. The man snorted, chuckling deeply.

“Maybe I won’t tell you and let you worry about it, hm?”

Somehow, this man always knew what Dick was thinking.

“Awe, but that’s torture, you know.”

“I am well versed in such things and I assure you, this is far from ‘torture’, you silly child.”

“But still…”

Slade sighed deeply, rubbing a hand over his face. Then, he gave Dick a serious look, but there was a gentleness inside of it.

“Dick, you do realize why you would be in trouble over this, don’t you?” asked Slade, his tone sounding tired. There was an entreating nature to his voice as he continued to speak. “This isn’t an infraction of obedience, nor is it an act of disrespect. I’m talking about you not putting thought into your safety. You hoarded your identity last year. There was a reason for it, was there not? It was for your safety, not just your preference. There’s a reason for the masks, which you know all too well. What I can’t understand is why you so easily disregarded this, when in the past you knew this.”

“It wasn’t that I was being careless, Dad,” said Dick, unaware of how dismissive he sounded. “I knew what I was doing—”

The gentle expression that had been inside the man’s features faded away immediately. Anger flashed in Slade’s eye and he slammed his hand onto the table, causing Dick to stop midsentence and flinch back. The man pointed a sharp finger at him.

“You do not know what you’re doing!” snapped Slade, all previous softness in his tone vanishing in an instant. “You better cut that attitude that’s slipping into your tone if you want to get through this conversation unscathed.”

Dick gulped and nodded, looking down at the floor. There was an exasperated huff through the nostrils.

“Tell me, as much as I loath to bring him up, but what would that bat say to something like this, hm?” Dick glanced up, his lower lip slowly tucking in beneath his teeth somewhat. “Isn’t Bruce Wayne a hoarder of his identity as well? Didn’t he drill such a concept into your head? Why are you acting as this is a new concept?”

“I’m not…” whispered Dick weakly.

“Yes, you are. You cannot give me a good answer as to why you divulged your identity so easily. Listen to me—Look at me when I’m speaking to you.” Dick’s head popped back upward as the man’s tone turned sharper – since he had been ducking his head yet again as the man continued speaking. Slade leaned closer and clasped a hand on Dick’s chin. A terrible light entered his visible grey blue eye. “Men kill for the identity of their enemy—”

“I know that!”

The hand on Dick’s chin tightened.

“Do not interrupt me,” hissed Slade, his eye widening in warning. “If you know that, then you would have acted accordingly. Knowledge of a hero’s true identity – or a villain’s, for that matter – is power. Grant is dead because of that knowledge.” Pain flooded through Dick’s entire chest at that. “The boy bragged about being the son of Deathstroke. Perhaps he even mentioned more, since they went after the rest of the family. If your enemies know who you are, then they can go after your loved ones. They can get you when your guard is down; they can get you where it hurts the most. This isn’t a game! If you want to continue to be a hero, if you want my allowance on this – because, trust me, I will revoke the right if you do not obey this – then, you better think about the ramifications that might occur from allowing just one person to know who you are.”

The hand withdrew from Dick’s chin, leaving the flesh there feeling cold from its removal. Slade leaned back in his chair as he continued to eye Dick sternly.

“I’m not telling you these things to be mean. Although I honestly don’t care about your personal feelings on this matter. The only thing I care about is the fact that you learn from this and avoid making such a risky choice in the future.”

Dick swallowed, nodding once; the ice of his popsicle melting, so that it slid down the stick onto his fingers. He wanted to lick it away, but he didn’t think that was a good idea. He glanced down at the tiled floor, his stomach flopping nervously. He wasn’t sure what to say now.

“Are you gonna… wallop me for this?”

Slade growled lightly, slapping his hand again onto the surface of the table loudly and causing Dick’s head to snap up in a flinch.

“Blast it, Dick, I should! I really should, since that’s all you’re thinking about it through this. You’re not even hearing me. I ought to spank you—yes, spank you—” Slade sharply reiterated the term at Dick’s wince. “—like the petulant child you’re being right now. Your flagrant attitude about this is pushing me to the edge. You have yet to offer me anything that sounds like possible remorse or repentance – forget humility – and at this point, you still might not be off the hook.”

Slade let out an annoyed huff and folded his arms, staring at Dick with a severe expression. Dick placed the melting popsicle onto its wrapping, his appetite gone. He grabbed a napkin from the table and wiped his hands, clasping them inside his lap once they were clean; staring down at them as they twisted themselves there.

“I only wanted to extend an offer of trust with Terra,” whispered Dick, a lump beginning to form inside his throat. “I know you’re mad. But I really didn’t feel that Terra was untrustworthy. I just felt that she needed something that would give her the nudge to open up. I wasn’t doing it to be risky or anything. I wasn’t trying to be careless. I’m sorry, Dad. Really I am.”

Slade sighed angrily, unfolding his arms and resting his chin in one of his hands to look away, while his fingers drummed on the table.

“I don’t know what to do with you,” whispered Slade, almost as if he were speaking to himself. “Your intent, as you say, wasn’t trying to be careless, but nonetheless you were.” Slade placed his face into his hand, shaking it lightly. Dick heard a whisper, one that was faint, “What am I to do with you, you foolish child?”

Dick swallowed once. “Don’t you think…” he began, before he could stop himself, “…that maybe I’m a little too old to be… uh, to be spanked? I mean, I’m fifteen, that’s a little too old for a kid’s punishment. I, uh… um, don’t you think?”

Slade froze.

There was a long moment where the man didn’t move at all. Dick suddenly wished he hadn’t opened his mouth about this – especially in the moment. He should’ve waited when the man wasn’t angry at him. Slade lifted his face to stare at Dick, amused fury whirling inside his grey blue eye.

“A little too old?” repeated Slade, his low voice slow and deliberate. “For a kid’s punishment? Excuse me, but I don’t see anyone else in this room who isn’t a kid – discounting myself, of course. If you’re not a kid, then what, exactly, are you? A teen? A teen is the same as a kid or a child. There’s no difference here. Don’t you dare think there is. Until you can act and think like a competent adult – one I don’t have to fear for, one that maintains control over himself – then, you are a child. Age doesn’t matter. Children are guided, instructed, loved, cared for, and disciplined. You are at this stage in your life.

“But—”

“Grant was fourteen when he disobeyed me for the last time – before his death, obviously,” said Slade, changing the subject abruptly. His tone was still sharp, but emotion began to seep through it. “I caught him sneaking out in the middle of the night to go to a high school party that I had specifically told him he could not go to – where I knew would have nothing but bad influences for him at such a young age. He knew not to go, yet he attempted to do so; knowing full well what would happen if he were caught.”

Slade gave Dick a slightly amused, yet bitter look.

“He went to bed with a smarting backside, that’s for sure. His age had nothing to do with it and I assure you that if he had come back alive the same thing would’ve happened.”

Then, Slade sighed, sounding far older than he actually was. Dick’s eyes began to burn. He had to swallow back the lump before it built even more.

“I treat you like you’re my own, like you’re truly my blood son. It seems that, in a way, I’ve been treating you like my own long before you even signed those papers.”

Dick’s lips trembled as he tried not to cry. Hearing the man say that was more than he could bear and he had to avert his gaze. To hear the man admit to something like that was striking to Dick’s heart in the most touching way possible.

“But it seems that you’ve forgotten the purpose of those papers, the purpose of an adoption.”

Surprised and caught off guard, Dick looked up at the man.

“What do you mean?”

“You’ve forgotten what it means to be a son again,” said Slade softly. At the sight of shock and indignation on Dick’s face, the man put up a hand. “Don’t misunderstand me. It’s normal. You’re being chastised right now for a foolish mistake. It’s not pleasant for you. It’s uncomfortable. You’re a teenager who goes off protecting the city like an adult. It causes you to forget that you’re called to follow certain guidelines that are set for you. Signing those papers meant that you agreed to someone putting restrictions over you.”

It reminded Dick of what he had thought the previous night. He wanted this. He wanted someone looking out for him. He wanted someone to protect him. He wanted someone to worry about him. But he didn’t want to be scolded and he certainly did not want to be punished, one way or another. Who did?

And then, conflicting feelings of the highest level caused his heart to accept those things as well. By accepting the stern censure that the man was laying on him at the moment meant that Slade truly cared for him. He was loved and protected. Someone was affected by his choices, whether good or ill – he wasn’t alone any more.

No matter how much he really disliked being subjected to Slade’s severe and strict discipline, he knew that if the man didn’t do that, Dick would eventually feel like Slade didn’t care about him any more. This less pleasant side of having a father was needed just as much as the soft, comforting side. He needed both to complete the vision of father.

Ugh, sometimes Dick really hated his analytical and logical brain.

“On top of all this,” continued Slade, his voice rising. “You refuse to come to me when something’s been bothering you for so long. Last night, you told me that you’ve been having this same nightmare for a whole week. When I asked you yesterday morning why you were up early, you lied to me when you told me it wasn’t a big deal.”

“Wait, I didn’t lie!” cried Dick, horror pouring through him at the thought. Just what he needed; more trouble.

“Telling me something isn’t a big deal when clearly it is very much a big deal is a lie,” snapped Slade sternly. “I am to be the judge if something is a big deal or not. These nightmares are infringing on your sleep, which will in turn affect your health. Your judgment here isn’t developed enough to take your own needs in consideration. This is why I’m here. Is that not it?”

“Yes, sir, I understand. But I wasn’t lying,” insisted Dick. “Honestly, I wasn’t trying to. Please, believe me.” Honestly, last thing he needed was yet another misdeed to nail down his coffin. He truly hadn’t been trying to lie to the man. “I just… I just didn’t want you to worry, all right?”

The man’s expression softened.

“I understand you weren’t trying to lie – something you sure better not do with me or you will greatly regret it – and I understand you are always thoughtful of others before yourself. But there’s something you’re forgetting once again.” Slade leaned forward and pressed a gentle finger against Dick’s chest. “You are my sole priority. My only job is you. If you need to take up all my time, then so be it. I’ve resolved myself to this responsibility. I want to do it. I want you to take my time. But don’t cause me additional and unnecessary worry by trying to keep things to yourself. That’ll only make me more concerned. It’s my job to be worried over you. What did you think my retiring meant?”

Dick found his voice locked and unable to respond to that. He felt touched that Slade was so devoted to being a father now. He didn’t have to be, but he wanted to be. Dick wasn’t his biological son; therefore, this was all voluntary. It caused emotion to build up inside Dick’s chest and thus, he found that he couldn’t speak. So, he stuck with the tried and true method – he shrugged lightly.

“Shrugging isn’t an answer, Dick,” chided Slade, yet his tone was still soft. “You know that and you know the right answer. Tell me.”

Dick looked away, trying to figure out how he was going to speak with the growing lump in his throat. A hand reached out and clasped his chin gently, slowly forcing his gaze to look back at Slade. His eyes glanced downward to avoid that piercing grey blue eye – no matter how soft the light was inside there.

But Slade didn’t say anything. He just held Dick’s chin with a soft, warm pressure from his large hand. He didn’t require Dick’s eyesight, for which he was grateful. Dick found himself drawing on the warmth and comfort from the hand that was gently holding him. After a moment, he finally was able to speak.

“To raise me…” whispered Dick, feeling shy as he said that. “You retired for me, to spend time with me, because… because you love me.”

The hand on Dick’s chin squeezed tenderly.

“Exactly,” responded Slade, his voice in a perfect whisper. Dick’s eyes managed to look back at the man. There was such a gentleness there that it almost unraveled him. “Don’t you forget that.”

Dick nodded as the hand withdrew. He found himself looking down at the floor yet once again. There was a glow inside his chest at the moment. He didn’t like making mistakes and he wondered if he truly had made such a grievous one with Terra. He understood his father’s stance on it and he agreed; Slade was right. He’d been too careless without even realizing it.

If he’d known the outcome, would he have done the same thing? Would he have risked his father’s anger on this to try to gain Terra’s trust? It was very possible. If, in the end, everything worked out, then he probably wouldn’t stop himself from revealing his identity to Terra.

But would he do it again with another person?

No, he would not. Dick wanted to obey Slade, not only because the man was correct, but because he didn’t want the man to be unhappy with him. He wanted to please Slade – because he respected him, because he loved him.

He couldn’t bear it if Slade were disappointed in him. He wanted to do all he could to please this man, to listen to him, to obey him – to demonstrate that he respected Slade enough to comply with his wishes.

Unfortunately, even with the truest intentions, one’s actions sometimes contradicted such things – as Dick would prove all too soon.

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