DISCLAIMER: I do not own Young Justice, but Young Justice owns me. :p

WARNINGS: mention of rape, mention/possible description of sex, suicidal thoughts/attempts.

You have been warned, and if you take me to court, because something in this story triggered something for you, I will calmly refer back to the AN. Just letting you know.

Chapter 10

When Dick opened his eyes, he didn't know where he was. He took a shuddering breath, and immediately winced when his stomach screamed that breathing was not good.

"Slade?" Dick called hoarsely, before coughing violently, his stomach muscles pulling with every movement. By the time he finished, there were tears coursing down his face, and he was trying desperately not to cry. He looked over towards the door, as Slade entered.

"Dick," he said softly. "You're awake. How are you feeling?"

"Shitty," Dick whispered. "My stomach hurts, and my head hurts, and my throat hurts."

Slade nodded, sitting down in the vacant seat next to the hero.

"That's to be expected," Slade said, taking Dick's soft hand in his own callaused one. "You couldn't breath for one thing, and for another, you were shot."

"By who?" Dick asked.

"Jason," Slade answered, venom in his voice. "Your brother."

"He tried to kill you," Dick whispered, as the memories came back. The room was silent, before he changed the subject. "Where are we?"

Slade smiled, and squeezed Dick's hand. "We're in the medical wing of the League of Assassins."

"We didn't go home?" Dick asked, confused. Slade shook his head.

"You were shot, and needed more medical attention than I could have given you at the apartment."

Dick nodded. "Makes sense. When does your meeting start?"

"Same time as when I told you earlier," Slade explained slowly. "Tomorrow. Just because we're here early doesn't mean the meeting starts sooner."

"Right," Dick said quietly, nodding. "What time is it?"

"Late," Slade answered, handing Dick a cup of water. "You passed out on the way here, and you've been unconscious ever since. What's the last thing you remember?"

"Getting shot," Dick answered quietly, handing Slade the empty glass. "Pain. Then...nothing."

Slade nodded. "The pain and trauma probably overwhelmed your system, so that's why you don't remember the portion of the ride here that you were conscious for."

Dick nodded. "I don't want to sleep in the med wing," he said quietly. "I don't like it."

Slade nodded, standing and lacing his arms under Dick's back and knees, lifting him from the bed, and carrying him out of the room.

"Well, you're lucky Klarion was willing to use some of his magic to heal you," Slade commented, as he carried Dick to their bedroom. "Otherwise you would be sleeping in the med wing."

"Did you threaten him?" Dick asked, looking up at Slade. The mercenary laughed.

"What, you think he healed you because he wanted to?"

Dick laughed, and nestled into Slade's chest, wincing at the sharp pain that shot across his stomach.

"It still hurts," he said quietly. "Where he shot me."

Slade nodded. "It probably will for awhile. You're allergic to morphine which is the only painkiller we have here, so you're just going to tough it out."

Dick nodded, before yawning, and dropping his head onto Slade's collarbone.

"I'm still sleeping alone, aren't I?"

Slade sighed. "You're taking the bed because you're in pain. I'll take the couch."

"Are you sure?" Dick asked, lifting his weary blue eyes to look up at Slade. The mercenary nodded.

"I'm sure, Dick. But it's just this once. As soon as you're not in pain anymore, you get the couch."

Dick pouted. "But-"

"And don't try lying to my either," Slade chastised. "Because I'll know. And then we'll go back to your original punishment."

Dick whimpered, and threw his arms around Slade, burying his face in the mercenary's neck.

"No," he whined. "I won't lie. I promise."

Slade rolled his eyes. "You also promised not to leave the apartment, and not be unfaithful, and look what happened? That's the whole reason you were shot, actually."

Dick sighed when Slade dropped him onto the edge of the bed, and walked over to the dresser, rooting through it for a pair of pajamas for Dick.

"I know, I know," Dick mumbled, crossing his arms over his chest. Slade laughed under his breath, as he pulled a baggy t-shirt out of the drawer, and tossed it back to Dick, who caught it easily, and began pulling it over his head, his previous shirt already removed.

"What pants do you want?" Slade asked.

"Can I just sleep in my underwear?" Dick asked, shrugging. "I just want to go to bed now. And I'm cold."

Slade sighed, closing the dresser drawer, and turning back to Dick, who wore a baggy shirt, and his boxers. Slade smiled, walking over and kissing Dick gently on the lips.

"Goodnight," he whispered, as he walked over to the door and flipped the light off. Before he could leave however, Dick's soft voice froze him in his tracks.

"Do you love me?" Dick asked quietly. Slade was silent for a few seconds, before turning around and answering.

"Of course," he said, and he hated the twist in his stomach when he realized he was telling the truth. Dick watched him with unblinking, baby blue eyes for a few seconds, before going on.

"Because...sometimes...at first, I felt like you didn't really love me. That you were just...pretending."

"Dick," Slade breathed, walking over and crouching in front of the young acrobat, and cupping the boy's soft cheeks between his calloused hands. "I wasn't pretending. I swear, I really do love you," Slade sighed, and dropped his gaze for a second, before going on. "If I was just pretending, you'd be six feet under already."

"You promise?" Dick asked, baby blue eyes staring down at Slade. The mercenary smiled, standing and kissing Dick's forehead, before forcing him to lay down.

"I promise," he whispered, making his way back over to the door. "I love you," he murmured, as he closed the door, and left the room.

The time was half past midnight.

Hey guys! I am so so sorry! I haven't updated in a while, because I've been hella busy. But I promise to start updating again more frequently this week. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed! Please review, because that's really the whole reason you're getting such frequent updates, LOL. anyway, hope you enjoyed! Bye!