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Amid all the chaos of the League, anti-heroes, and villains arguing, Dick is trying to concentrate on the papers before him. His attention is already poor and he is really trying not to snap at all the people around him. He’s known to be calm and collected. Right now, he feels like he is on the edge of a Lazarus Pit Level breakdown.
It doesn’t help that young heroes keep asking him questions or hanging around him. He usually doesn’t mind, but his guard is so far up right now that he jumps at every small thing, like a pencil falling. His eyes track the letters on the paper. He’s supposed to lead a small group of people who are considered to be a little more gray. Bruce told him that he wants reliable heroes with the villains in the upcoming mission so that the League has more control in the situation.
“Hey ‘Wing?”
Dick turns his head without keeping his eyes off the words. “Yeah, BB?”
“We’re wrapping it up.” Gar says.
The other man does look up then and sees people go to the big table in the middle of the room. “Thanks, kiddo.” And he stands up while he gives Garfield a ruffle through his hair. Gar grins slightly at him before he skips to Rachel.
Dick smiles at the girl, she nods back but he can see the twitch of her lips. He grabs his papers and walks further in the room while gazing over all the occupants. Steph, Cass, and Duke are standing with Tim and Young Justice. Jason is with his Outlaws. Surprisingly enough, Rose, in her Ravager uniform, is walking in their direction. He recalls her ranting about Jason a while back, so maybe it isn’t as much as a surprise. Dick searches for her brother and finds Joey next to Victor. He smiles towards them, they smile back. Helena is standing with Dinah.
There aren’t any other Gotham vigilantes. Kate, Luke, and Harper are keeping an eye on Gotham. All though, they are all back-up. Babs is communicating and helping with both sides. However, Dick notices Catwoman in a corner. He doesn’t see any other Gotham criminals at the moment.
Wally is gesturing wildly towards something, Barry is nodding next to him. Donna is there, too, talking to Garth. Bruce seems to be annoyed with Clark, for some reason. Diana is explaining something to the both of them. Damian and Jon are a few steps behind the trio. Dick’s eyes quickly skip over a few others who aren’t that relevant to him but are good to keep in mind where they are.
His thoughts go from the people in the room to the room itself. They are in a big warehouse at the outskirts of Central City. A few months ago, they found out that a world not so far in their universe has been planning to invade Earth. When they had the information about their army and general population, they recognized that the League wouldn’t be enough to stop the invasion. Not only because of the size of the army of the creatures but also because of their skill.
After a long debate, they called in the help of anti-heroes and villains. They weren’t proud of it, but they rather have an Earth to still fight on the next day than die because of their own pride.
They have had three meetings already. The first had been for the most part a lot of arguing, debating, and fighting. They went home with a sketch of a plan and people accepting their roles. The second had been solidifying the plan and roles, making teams, and checking in on the progress of various aspects and groups. The third had been addressing the changes of roles (some people left, some were unavailable, some were added), going over the plans to find any faults, and adding things here and there.
This was their last meeting before it actually happened. They mostly went multiple times through the plan, made minor adjustments, and checked if the group dynamics wouldn’t cause any trouble. The last bit could only happen in this meeting because the people in this room would be for sure the people that would be involved, that hadn’t been as certain in the last meetings.
“Let’s go through it one more time. If anyone wants to make any changes, you can say it when your part comes in. We’ll do it chronologically.” Clark looks everyone in the eye before he turns his attention to Dinah, who will be the first group to take any action.
Dick listens to everyone with an uncanny focus. He doesn’t want to be the one who messes up anything, they only had one shot at this after all. He notes the timing in his head for when his team comes through and he makes plans for anything that can go wrong while he pays attention to all the things that the other groups do.
When it comes to Flash’s team –Barry, not Wally– they stumble upon a problem. “-but we were going through the expected amount of opponents we will have to face while I will steal the thing and found out that we won’t be able to keep up with them. Besides, it seems like the timing won’t be ideal either, I can be at the meeting point and steal the thing but I won’t be on time for the next phase. Or I can do the next phase, but won’t be able to steal it.”
Bruce, Clark, and Diana share a look. “Will you be able to do it with another person on your team, they can steal it and bring it to the place so you can pick it up? They can also help with the army.”
“That would take some major readjusting at such a short notice,” Bruce growls to Clark.
“But it won’t be an issue if it’s someone that can be missed in another group. Will that be all right to you, Flash? It will take some weight off your team and will be less of a risk to take.” The last part is directed to Bruce, who doesn’t disagree outright.
Barry nods fast. “Yes, that would be great, Supes! It will have to be someone who can work with Deathstroke and Chesire, they also should be–”
“What about Nightwing?” Deathstroke interrupted.
Dick looks up from his papers. He hadn’t been aware that Slade was on that team.
“I suppose,” Barry says warily.
“Nightwing is capable enough to steal it and has fought against Chesire so he will be able to recognize her style,” Diana voices. “But I was unaware that he has experience with fighting Deathstroke, or with him.”
She narrows her eyes, Bruce’s mouth tightens, and Clark looks from Deathstroke to Dick.
The man in question glances at his papers again. Jason has experience as a leader, but is too trigger-happy to lead this particular team. Arthur definitely has leadership skills, he will probably have the patience, too. “If Aquaman wants to lead my team and if Hood fills in some of my duties, I could switch from team.”
“Well,” Clark starts, but Bruce interrupts him. “Will you be able to fight together?”
He adds a small angry glare to Deathstroke and a concerned look to Dick after his question.
“Will we be able to do that, Little Bird?” Slade drawls. The nickname is a surprise in such a public space, but Dick can play by the same rules.
“Depends. Are you feeling like killing me today, Soldier Boy?” He asks.
It’s just a fun taunt, he knows he won’t kill him. Not when he’s needed, at least.
Dick loathes Slade with a passion, and Slade gladly returns the favor. For Dick, it started when the man went after his team without mercy. For Slade, it had already begun when, in his eyes, Dick had caused the death of his eldest son. From then on, it was just moment after moment that made the two hate each other more. Even if Dick had been his apprentice for a while. Even if Dick was, and still is, friends with his youngest son and has trained, and partly raised, his daughter. Even if Wintergreen took a liking to him. Slade still despises him. All though, Dick muses, those things could be reasons why the man does so.
Obviously, Dick doesn’t like him either. He sees him as everything he doesn’t want to be. Slade has all the bad qualities of Batman and none of the good. Yet, something about the man is intriguing and Dick would lie if he said that he didn’t respect him in some way. It, maybe, helps that Slade always saw him as his successor. It makes Dick feel worthy, but also sick to his stomach.
Their fights, when they are on opposite sides of each other, are brutal. And if they are working together, they work like a machine. Quick and efficient. For some reason, they help each other almost as much as they hurt each other. Once, Slade had mentioned that if Dick would die, it would be by his hands. And Dick could confess to himself that he would hate to see Slade die, even if it would bring him major satisfaction.
To make it short, their relationship is complicated.
And it seems like not many knew it even existed.
Slade makes it evident to everyone around them that he’s eyeing him up and down. “Were you the one that taught her that?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Dick feigns confusion. Of course he knows what Slade is talking about. Dick had teached Rose the exact ways to sneak up on her father and what all his blind spots were. She has been having a blast with this knowledge. From what he’s heard from Wintergreen, Slade is getting quite annoyed. “Maybe you should ask the one who has custody over her?”
Slade doesn’t seem to be angry, but he sits up a little straighter. Only a little. “You haven’t–?”
“Of course not.” Dick smiles. “But I could.”
“Don’t you dare.” Comes the small reply.
He is pretty sure he hears a quiet “what the fuck” from somewhere in the room. He ignores it.
Dick only tilts his head in response. “I meant Randy, by the way.”
Slade sighs. “He has been the one that has taught you, hasn’t he?”
He’s right, like always. Wintergreen did teach Dick all the blind spots, out of concern, mostly, and spite. Wintergreen and Slade may be friends, doesn’t mean that they always agree with each other.
Dick only shrugs. “Feel like killing me yet? I could help you lift the gun if you have any problems.”
“I am quite capable of shutting you up when I need to.” It’s a threat, Dick knows, doesn’t mean he gives a shit.
“Oh?” He questions. “I haven’t seen you succeed yet.”
Before Slade can do anything, like, actually kill Dick. Clark puts a stop to their banter. “I take it that you two will be fine with the new arrangement?” The two of them nod without breaking eye contact. “Chesire? Are you okay with this?”
“Sure, it will be fun,” She says. Dick can hear her interest in something, he doesn’t know for sure what.
“Then this is settled.” It’s both an end of the conversation and a warning to Dick and Slade.
They continue with the meeting. Dick gives the papers to Arthur, who nods at him. When it all comes to an end, Dick walks towards Barry to grab his papers for the mission. He will be able to prepare himself for the last minute change. He knows all the basics, of course. He has listened. But it feels good to read it all again.
On his way, he passes a few heroes who give him some concerned looks. He scans their bodies, not finding any origin of their concern. He shrugs it off. When he sees Jason, he quickly grabs him.
“Hey, I need to tell you what you–”
He’s very rudely interrupted. “Pause it, Dickiebird. What the hell was that ?”
Dick does pause. He scans Jason’s body like he did by the others. He’s clenching his fists and breathing heavily. Annoyed then, or angry. Maybe he’s a bit worried. “What was what?”
“That–” He throws his hands up. “That thing with Deathstroke, Deathstroke. Of all people!” He turns his head. “I know you’re stupid, ‘Wing. But taunting Deathstroke the motherfucking Terminator ?” He ignores Dick’s “language”. “That’s the peak of stupidity!”
“It’s fine,” Dick says, completely relaxed.
“He will kill you!” Jason retorts.
“He won’t.” He’s sure of it.
“But he can.”
“He will have to fight me before he can.”
Jason stares at him, long and hard. Dick can feel it through the helmet. “ Great. He has to fight you. You.”
“That’s what I said.” Dick is getting confused now.
“I–” Jason turns to Tim, standing a few feet behind them.
Dick looks around and sees most criminals leaving. It seems like the meeting has officially ended. They will fight together tomorrow. Hopefully, they will succeed and then they can go back to fighting each other. Slade is already gone, Dick hadn’t expected anything else. Rose and Joey are talking and looking at him. Dick feels like he will be confronted soon.
“Tell him.” Jason is back with Tim in tow.
Tim sighs. “‘Wing, you can’t stop Deathstroke from killing you just because he has to fight you.”
“Eh.” Dick shrugs. “It depends who has a better day, really. Otherwise it’s fifty/fifty.”
Jason and Tim stare. Well, Jason glares.
“How–how do you even know that? How?” He seems to be imagining Dick’s grave.
Dick answers, “Because we have fought? Multiple times?”
“When?” Tim is analyzing the situation now.
“Gee, I don’t know. A lot of times. Started when I was seventeen, I think. I’ve fought him before that in Gotham, of course. Since I was twelve, or so. But the real deal was at the end of time as Robin and throughout my time as Nightwing.”
Jason seems to have given up and has walked away. Dick doesn’t know if it’s out of disbelief or worry. Tim is looking at him for a long time. “So you can beat Deathstroke.”
“Not sure if I can when he really wants to kill me, but right now I’ve the benefit of him not wanting to kill me. So, yeah, I would be able to beat him if he isn’t actively killing me.” He’s pretty confident of that. He has the scars to prove it.
Tim nods. “Alright, if you say so.”
Dick grins and hugs him. “Knew you would believe me, Baby Bird!”
In the end, they won the battle. The aliens left with a peace treaty and the Earthers were left with few casualties and many injuries. Luckily, none of Dick’s friends were killed and only distant heroes or criminals he didn’t really know. However, Steph and Damian will be bedridden for weeks. Jason should be too, but he doesn’t really care. Dick will make sure that Alfred makes him rest for at least two weeks. Duke, Cass, and Tim are relatively unscratched. Bruce seems to have a broken ankle, but he walks on it out of spite.
Rose, Gar, Rachel, and Jon are all right. Dick has checked in on every single one of them and they only have the adrenaline crash in their future. Vic needs to have a new arm, but he will be fine. Joey has been hit in the throat, but he uses sign language, anyway, so isn’t really bothered by it. Kori has a new hair cut by a fire she hadn’t seen and is downright pissed about it. Donna seems to want to help her style it, so hopefully that shitstorm will calm down soon.
Wally has broken some bones, but they’re healing nicely. Roy has a strain in his arm, but is otherwise glad that it’s over. Garth has some burns, for some reason, and has already treated it. Dick himself has a sprain in his wrist and gotten a hit on his bad knee. He’ll be limping for a few days again.
So, for him. This all went rather well. He is sad about the deaths, obviously. It’s always a tragic event to experience but he will be fine.
After the debrief, people just started to gossip about the fight. Dick is only half listening. He’s treating Damian’s leg, which is broken in two places. But he does listen when his name is involved. He isn’t surprised that people talk about him, they do that often, but he is surprised about the name that accompanies it.
“Did you see that flip Nightwing did off his shoulder? It was insane! Deathstroke didn’t even stop shooting!”
“They didn’t even speak, lots of people needed to at least communicate, but they didn’t!”
“I didn’t even know they knew each other. What the Hell.”
“Can we agree that the jump Deathstroke made over Nightwing’s back to shoot his attacker in the head was cool? I mean I know he killed them, but it was so cool!”
“So, now that we’re talking about Deathstroke and Nightwing. Can we talk about Nightwing and Ravager? Those two were nsync! It was insane. They were like the Bat Siblings! Come on, you know the Bat Siblings–”
Steph turns to him. “Hey, what is Deathstroke to you? I know you’ve fought him before, Tim told me. But what is he exactly? I mean, everyone is talking about you.”
Dick is immediately aware that his whole family is listening, and probably some friends too. He thinks about his answer. Their relationship is complicated, but that won’t satisfy his siblings. He can’t say they are friends. He’d rather die than say that. They aren’t exactly enemies either. Bits of both, maybe?
“I guess you could say we are frenemies.” He shrugs.
“Oh,” Steph sounds disappointed. “I thought you were gonna say that he’s your murder uncle or something. Something really insane.”
His eyebrows shoot up. “Murder uncle?”
“Yeah!” She nods excitedly. “Like he murders people for you but isn’t actively in your life.”
Dick prods a bit at Damian’s leg. He hisses. “Sorry Dames,” He mumbles.
Dick thinks about Catalina, who was murdered in prison without any trace left of her murderer and a few others in his past who have been killed out of nowhere. He thinks of all the times they’ve fought together, side by side. Slade has definitely killed some people then when Dick hadn’t seen them coming. No, he does not agree with his methods but he can’t deny that they have saved his life. Multiple times.
“I mean, he has killed for me before. I suppose.” Dick grins at her. “But he has also taken multiple contacts to kill my friend and killed his son. All though, that last thing was out of love, or something. But then again, I was his apprentice for a while. I do not recommend it. I give it a three out of ten.”
“What the fuck–”
Dick leaves it at that and doesn’t answer any question verbally anymore.
They will figure it out themselves. They are Bats, after all.