Shattered Glass

Part 2

Content Warning: Drug usage, mild language, violence, BL

Rating: T

Characters belong to DC, sadly, but don't plagiarize the content below.

The next morning, though heavily laden with clouds, was bright enough to glare through the windows' bare curtains. Although it was dim, the light was enough to make Roy shift away, pulling a blanket over himself. Light was dizzying, and he had no mind to wake up before evening. Hell, he'd already been fired from his last job so there was no rush to get going anywhere. As the alarm clock sounded at 8, Roy smacked it in a slight rage of half-sleepy half-annoyed grumbling.

He could remember last night. It took him a lot of alcohol to get truly drunk, and even then he drank like a fish. Roy instantly regretted remembering his encounter with Oliver and reached for the nearest bottle of beer he could find. There was no way he wanted to deal with this today. He'd go out on patrol tonight.. maybe... depending on how he felt.. What did he care though? The Justice League handled everything nowadays, and even though they were considering accepting him, it really was Oliver's presence that swayed the League's influence. Sure this was huge for Roy but if Oliver was involved... he really would have his doubts.

He sighed then nuzzled the pillow from underneath the huge mass of blankets he'd accumulated. Maybe he needed a different kind of lift. It was early in the day but he knew if he called around, he could get some company for the night coupled with the only real influence he desired. The thoughts of planning for the night turned back into dreams as he lightly slept until the desire for a shower was enough to pull him out of his escape.

By the time that Roy got out of the shower, it was about 9:30 (he'd fallen asleep a few times in the shower). Pulling on the closest clean-smelling pair of pants he found, Roy stepped back out into the studio apartment, feeling more like a wet dog rather than his usual alert and awake self. He grumbled as he scrubbed his auburn hair with a towel but stopped halfway as the scent of food wafted through the kitchen. Pancakes. He'd know the smell anywhere which meant-

"SHIT," Dick yelped as he burned his hand for the umpteenth time that morning, pulling away as he slid the pancakes onto the plate before nursing his tender hand. He was wearing something really formal for the occasion of just a simple visit: a dark blue blazer, white long sleeved shirt, matching tie, shoes and pants. Roy walked into the other room, perking his eyebrow. "Dick? What are you- ... come here." The redhead grabbed his hand and pulled him to the sink, thrusting it under running cold water. Upon further inspection of the initials G.A. on the blazer, he'd first thought Green Arrow but quickly reminded himself that Dick was a student at Gotham Academy. Last night's encounter kept showing up in his mind no matter what he did, so it seemed.

"Sorry about that," Dick said apologetically, "Meant to keep quiet..."

"Well, you failed," Roy said quietly until the sting was out of Dick's hand. "What are you over here for? Isn't Robin supposed to be somewhere else?" With Kid Flash, he mentally added, looking for a roll of bandages.

"Isn't Red Arrow supposed to stop drinking?" Dick shot back, wrapping his hand up and looking around as he turned the stove off. "Seriously... Your apartment is a mess but it's only because of the bottles here." It was the truth. Roy's apartment was a little larger than others, but because of the location it was cheap. You could house two bodies here with comfort, but the only other entity that seemed to live there was alcohol. There were even defined paths where you could see the beige carpet underneath, leading to the bed, the bathroom and the kitchen between laundry, used bandages and alcohol. He'd been OCD before but lately he wasn't home because of work.

Roy picked up the plate of pancakes and a carton of orange juice before walking to the table on one of the paths. "I didn't recall asking you for advice on how to live my life," he said curtly, scoffing.

Dick grabbed two glasses and sat down next to the redhead. "Well, you don't work with the team much anymore so... Wally and I get to wondering about you. ... That and Oliv-" Roy cut him off with a glare, saying, "I. Know." He shoved a bite of pancakes into his mouth, chewing it, "Don't remind me." After swallowing he added, "I'm an adult, I can take care of myself, Dick."

The younger boy pouted beneath his raven-black bangs as he poured some OJ into a cup. "Fine but...You really should take care of yourself... Or at least get a roommate."

Roy perked an eyebrow at what that could have implied. "What, you offering to bunk here with me?" Dick wasn't necessarily untrustworthy, and Roy had slept over at the mansion on several occasions previously. Pillow fights usually ensued but all in good jest. He had a likeness for the kid.

"I'm only 16, I can't leave my house yet. Plus I'd hate living in a pigsty. It's unlike you which is weird."

"Hmph... I can clean. I just ..." He remembered his stupid boss firing him yesterday and sighed, "...Recently got more time to do so. But back to the housing, I think its because Bruce doesn't like you being around me. Something about me being a bad influence?" Dick elbowed Roy in the side hard with a glare.

"No, it's nothing like that. Just actual legal reasons. Then again, if I'm 18, I'm not sure he'd like to hear that I'd be bunking with a heroine addict."

"Fine fine," Roy waved him off with a less than thrilled look as he sipped the juice. After some chewing he looked back at the younger teenager, "Well then... who *do* you recommend?"

Dick shrugged. "I don't know... Maybe you could put out an ad? Or at least wait two years, I'll consider it then... As long as you don't drink."

Roy rolled his eyes. "Yea yea whatever... Although I doubt looking around for a roommate will be fruitful."

"Well then you might not want to put "addicted to heroine, sex and alcohol" on your flyer then," Dick said, standing up after downing the rest of the orange juice. "Maybe actually attempt to not do that around them would help too."

"What, leaving so soon?" Roy looked up at him.

"Yea. Unlike some of us, I don't plan on dropping out before high school ends. See ya." Dick waved before leaving Roy to the silence of his empty home.

AN: I realize that the last time I posted any of my work was during last year or at least earlier this year. Due to other things on my plate, I had lost track of what I was working on until now. Additionally, I'm not sure how long I'll be able to keep this work going since I've lost my original plans for this fiction, however, I'll see what I can do and if I can find the rest of it. I'm just not as confident a writer as I used to be and things have changed for me during this past year. Maybe working on this fiction will ease my mind off of things. In the meantime, I'll be doing a re-haul on my profile page so things will change then as well.