A/N: freestanding oneshot, no warnings.
On the Roof
Robin was sitting, his feet dangling over the edge of the roof. He was in full uniform but his mask was tucked away in his belt. It was late, dark, he was far above the streets. No one would see. No one except for Slade, but the man was also unmasked. The mercenary was standing a few meters away, also gazing out over Jump City. They both looked relaxed, or as relaxed as people in their professions could look.
"It's a nice night," Slade commented, his voice having that calm, content quality which always put Robin at ease.
The teen grinned. "You almost always say that. Even when it rains."
"Well, it being night meaning you survived the day. Sometimes that's all you can ask for," the man shrugged and leaned back against a wall.
Robin pulled his legs up slightly as he turned around, looking back at the man.
"Have you ever thought you might not? Survive?"
"Plenty of times."
"Were you scared?"
The man's eye met his, searching, but there wasn't a single hint of teasing in the teen's voice.
"Of course. At least those times there was even time to realize what was happening. No one wants to die, Robin. Not even those who think they do. There is always fear."
The young hero nodded thoughtfully. "I recognize the thing about not realizing the danger," he said thoughtfully. "I've woken up a few nights, drenched in sweat, just then grasping the danger we were in… usually there's only time to act."
"That's probably a good thing. Fear is stifling. It makes you…slower."
Robin chuckled. "Well described." He knew exactly what the man was talking about.
"By the way…" Slade said and now Robin's eyes narrowed because the man's voice had turned teasing. "Happy anniversary."
The teen gaped. "Um… what?"
"It's been a year. Since that night."
The Titan quickly did his own calculations. "You're right."
"Of course I am."
"Oh, shut up… Sir," he added with a teasing grin. "Who would have thought, huh?"
"That fight was rather brutal," Slade nodded.
"I thought you would kill me," Robin admitted. "That we ran into each other… tell me honestly; was it just a coincidence?"
"It was. And in my defense I barely knew you were there before you attacked," the mercenary said, a teasing, accusing quality in his voice.
"It wasn't like I snuck up behind you, I did call your name," Robin muttered, not liking the implication that he had cheated.
"Yes, why would you do a stupid thing like that? You could have gotten a rather solid kick in if you hadn't," the man sighed, shaking his head.
"Yes, yes, I know… being noble will get me killed," the teen snorted.
"Well, you've learned since then," the man encouraged him.
"I have, haven't I?" Robin chuckled.
"You really thought I would kill you?" Slade asked, steering the conversation back.
"Yeah. I was down. Couldn't move. Your fingers around my neck, squeezing. I saw you raising your other fist. I thought that was it."
"I just wanted to prove a point. I wouldn't have done it."
"Why?" The teen got a strange look from the man but shrugged and pushed on. "I know you didn't see us as the biggest threat in the world, but we were annoying enough, weren't we?"
"You're more annoying now. Well… sometimes," Slade smirked. "No, killing you would have been… a waste."
"That's the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me," the teen snickered, but a slight heat to his cheeks revealed that it very well might be. "It made me think… you not killing me, I mean. Not even seriously injuring me…"
"Was it thinking that that led to you attacking me the next week?" Slade drawled.
"Of course it was!" Robin happily admitted.
"You wanted to test me." The man sounded like he just had realized this, and didn't quite like the idea.
"Yup." Robin shrugged. "Well, I wanted to take you down, of course," he said, ignoring the amused snort from the man, "but I also wanted to find out why you had just let me go the previous week. Instead I got new bruises."
"I believe I also gave you a lecture about protecting your left side. Physically and verbally."
"Yeah, I was so grateful," Robin muttered.
"Maybe not then, but you are now. It saved your life only a month or so back."
"You always need to be right, don't you?"
"I don't 'need' to be, I just am," the man smirked smugly.
Robin laughed, stood up and stretched. "Well, I admit you've taught me a thing or two, at least since we stopped fighting and started sparring and talking… but you have to admit that only caused more problems for you. We've stopped your plans once or twice because of what I learned from you." The teen gave the man a satisfied grin.
"Well, yes. Unfortunately you don't have enough sense to join the right side yet, kid," the mercenary sighed. "You don't even have enough respect for your teacher to back off when you're told to."
"I can't. You know that." Robin was suddenly a bit more serious again. "I can't turn my back and let you commit crimes in my city. Not if I find out about them, at least. I really enjoy… this…" Robin made a vague hand gesture to the both of them, "but I'll always be a hero first."
"You've proved as much. Don't forget to be you, though. To live a little."
"I'm not!"
"That date of yours the other night…?"
"There was an alarm!"
"It was a minor thing. Your team could have handled it. Hell, even the police could… that guy looked sad after you bailed."
"Stalker."
"Well, I had some business in the area, but I had to admit that I stopped to watch just as you got the call. You didn't tell me you had a date." The man sounded somewhat disapproving.
"Didn't get a chance. He asked me out the day after we met last week… I wasn't trying to hide it." Robin's voice was defensive.
"Hmmm…"
"I wasn't!"
"Very well. Are you going out again?"
"Yeah… I mean, I owe him a rain check, I guess."
"Oh, you sound so smitten and enthusiastic," the mercenary drawled.
"It's not… I mean..." Robin sighed and his shoulders slumped. "He asked out Richard."
"Then date him as Richard."
"Yeah, but… I mean… the 'civilian' part of me is so small nowadays. I'm almost all Robin. Robin is who I identify as. I barely know who Richard is anymore. And I can't share that part of my life with him… not unless I know I can trust him."
"I'd ask if you want me to do a background check on him, but knowing you, you already did," Slade chuckled.
Robin's guilty expression was answer enough.
The man snorted. "That was a smart thing to do, not a bad thing."
The teen shrugged. "Maybe. It still feels kinda crappy."
"You have to protect yourself."
"And that feels kinda crappy too!" Robin complained. "I just want to be with someone, you know? Someone who knows me. All of me. And understands."
"Date Speedy," Slade suggested with a smirk.
"Heh… I would, although I'm sure he'd look more at himself than me." Robin snickered. "But enough about my nonexistent love life. How's yours? Weren't you going to hook up with that agent?"
"She turned out to want information."
"Aw. Sorry. Guess it's not easy for you either, to know who to trust, huh?"
"Still fucked her."
"Of course." Robin's voice was bone dry.
"Got her number for when I'm in Washington next."
"You're loving to rub it in, aren't you?"
"That's what she said," the man leered.
"EW! Slade!" Robin burst out laughing. "Anyway; happy for you. You're always a bit mellower after getting laid.
"It will be interesting to see if you will be."
"Hey!"
"Well, did I miss the big event?"
"…"
"Thought not."
"I'm too damn old to be a virgin!" Robin growled, throwing out his arms in frustration.
"Don't rush, boy. You have plenty of time to worry about STD's, premature ejaculation, performance-"
"Yes, yes, thank you for trying to cheer me up."
"My pleasure."
"Maybe we should hook up?" Robin didn't know where he got the courage from, but the words just burst out of him.
"Really now?" the man in from of him came closer, tilting his head to the side like he was watching something curious.
"Well… I'd… just… because… because I know you hook up with guys too sometimes!" Robin blurted out like some sort of defense.
"Tell you what, kid… if we're having this conversation again in a year or so, with you whining about being a virgin, I'll throw you a pity-fuck." The man had a shit-eating grin on his face and Robin just couldn't get angry at him.
"I hate you," he still snorted.
"You'd hate yourself if we actually did it." The man looked serious once again. "Could you imagine? You'd question your morals, your allegiance… question if you let me 'get away' with things because we're lovers… it would be a mess."
"Hey, how did a pity fuck turn into lovers?" Robin teased.
"I expect you to be too good for just one time. And once I start training you, you'd be too amazing to share." The man almost looked serious when he said it.
Robin full out blushed this time, and then his communicator beeped. "Back to work, the guys are missing me. Same time next week?"
"Of course. Say hello from me."
"Sure I will," Robin said sarcastically.
"I'm glad it stopped bothering you though… our meetings," Slade said as the teen walked up to the ledge, about to jump off. "And them being secret."
Robin paused. "I guess I just… need this," he said, shrugged, grinned at the man over his shoulder, and leapt.
"Hi!" Robin landed softly on the roof, addressing a shadow a little bit away.
"Hello, Robin."
The teen felt a tremble go through him as he heard the greeting. It was still exciting, in a way, to be on somewhat friendly terms with the mercenary. He knew Slade was dangerous and the man didn't hold back when they met outside these appointments. Well. Robin was now somewhat sure the man wouldn't intentionally kill him or even any of his team, but that could change. Those were the rules.
"So the date was a bust… he was boring and so damn immature at the same time," the teen sighed. "What's up with you?"
"I'm leaving."
Robin blinked.
"When are you coming back?"
"I'm not. Not according to my plans anyway. Not to stay."
"Is… I mean…" The teen suddenly felt very empty. "Is wherever you're going… dangerous…? Is that why you don't think you'll be coming back?"
"No more dangerous than other missions. I was contacted the other day, I'm needed outside the US for a while and I have more clients lining up. It's time to start working again."
"And what has this been? Vacation?" Robin snapped.
"In a way." Slade's voice was impassive. "I needed to lay low for a while. It turned out to last longer than I had planned. I've made a living in these years, but now it's time to add to my retirement fund." The tone of the man's voice told Robin that he wasn't really serious about the last part. That only pissed the teen off more, however.
"So you're just leaving?! Just like that?!"
"Yes."
"Fuck you!"
"I'm touched you care so much." Slade looked a little amused but there was a serious touch to his expression and voice.
Robin realized that his reaction might have said too much. The strength of it had surprised even himself, as did the feeling of… betrayal…? grief…? he now felt.
"I don't!"
"Of course not. A main villain will leave your city. You should be ecstatic."
"I am!" Robin hissed and then turned around. He wanted to leave, but at the same time he knew he would regret it if he did.
"When?" he asked.
"A little over a week from now."
"So one more meeting?"
"If you want." The man's tone was short, but his voice had a hint of softness to it, almost, but not quite, like someone apologizing… Meekness? Robin almost chuckled. Slade being meek. Yeah, that would be the day.
"Why don't you think you're coming back?"
"Business is better on the East Coast. Connections to the rest of the world too."
"Oh."
"Did you think it was personal?"
"What? No. No I didn't. I… where are you going?"
"Confidential."
"Oh."
"Did you expect me to tell you?"
"No, not really." Robin sighed. He ran his hand through his hair. This... sucked! And he wasn't quite sure why… at least now why it sucked this much! "Can we… stay in touch?"
"Wanna be pen pals?" the man teased him.
Robin whipped around. "Dammit, Slade! If this-" he gestured to them both "-doesn't mean anything to you, then just leave already! But I thought we- I thought…" his voice trailed off. "I thought we were friends. Kinda."
The mercenary half sighed and half snorted. He took a step or two forwards, up to the hero, who's heart beat a little bit faster from having the man towering over him. Old habits, old reactions. The man's hand landed on his shoulder, and again, the teen's first reaction was to turn, shrug it off and get out of reach.
"Robin," Slade started. "I wouldn't have come here, week after week, if you meant nothing to me. But whatever this… relationship… is, it can't stay like this forever. I do have to go. I hope you understand?"
The hero swallowed. "Yeah… I mean… yeah. I understand. So… no contact?"
"I'll try to get in touch now and then, but if there's one thing the CIA actually does well, it's communication surveillance."
"You expect the CIA to be after you?" Robin gaped.
Slade smirked. "I expect everyone to be after me."
"Hm… I might have to stop you from leaving…. sounds like you're going to do something really bad…" Robin wasn't completely joking, his brow furrowing as he looked up at the man, the heavy, warm hand squeezing his shoulder a bit.
"I can't tell you anything, of course, but you won't regret 'letting' me go," the mercenary told him dryly.
"Maybe if you say 'please'…" the teen smirked.
Slade chuckled. "Please."
Robin's knees buckled a little and his cheeks turned red. "Well, alright…" he muttered. "But you're still coming next week, right?"
"I sure hope so, I'm stopping by Washington."
"Oh god!" Robin grunted in disgust although laughter was bubbling beneath the surface. He pushed the man's hand away. "You horndog."
"You make sure to get laid while I'm away, now," the older man told him.
"Well, as you're never coming back, I sure hope so too," Robin snorted.
"Never said never, but to work…? No, I don't think so."
"You're welcome to be a law abiding tourist here any time."
"As long as I can spend time with one of the main attractions."
Robin blushed again. "Well, that's a requirement for the invitation," he braved, trying to meet the man's eye confidently. Slade's smirk told him that he wasn't quite successful, but the mercenary didn't call him on it. "Anyway, so a few months ago you were reminded of a story but you said you'd tell me when I'm older," Robin continued. "Guess what? Time to spill the beans."
"Oh, that one. It's from the war, kid, I still think I should wait until you're twenty five or so."
"Younger people than me probably fought in that war," the teen snorted.
"You're right there… alright." The man actually sat down, something that was very rare, and Robin quickly sank down opposite him, like an eager child waiting for a bedtime story. It turned out this story was to prevent sleep, though.
Ten minutes later Robin was a bit green in the face.
"So… inside the stomach?"
"Yep."
"And he… god… why didn't anyone do something?!"
"It was war, kid, nobody cared."
"God…" Robin repeated numbly.
"Told you that you should have been older."
"I'd never be old enough for that," the hero muttered.
Something in Slade's belt beeped. "I have to go." The man stood up fluently and Robin followed suit.
"Next week then?" the teen half reminded the man, half asked.
"That's a date." The man set off.
"You wish!" the hero called after him.
The roof felt very cold and lonely after the man had left. The sense of loss came flooding back, but Robin pushed it out of his mind. He'd see the man next week again, and who knew, maybe he had changed his mind by then?
"You haven't changed your mind about going, have you?" Robin asked as a greeting a week later.
The man looked surprised at the very notion. "Of course not. However," Slade continued and frowned, drawing himself up until he looked quite threatening, "explain to me why I have these vague feelings of guilt for leaving."
"Because I've been a really good influence on you for the past year, reminding you that you are actually human, and because you like me?" Robin grinned.
"It was supposed to be the other way around. Influence wise, I mean," the man snorted, still looking a bit disgruntled.
"I wore you down," Robin smirked. "So…" he looked down for a bit. "I'll miss you, you know?"
"You'll have more time with your friends, taking down huge weird blobs."
"Well, there's that." The teen chuckled.
"For what it's worth I think I'll miss a certain annoying little hero too."
"That's sweet! I'll tell Beast boy that from you!" Robin looked innocent as hell.
Slade snorted and then lifted his hand. Robin, who expected it to land on his shoulder, was caught by surprise as the man's fingers instead curled around his neck and he was pulled close.
"Something to remember me by," the man purred just before their lips met.
Robin thought it would be a joke kiss, a quick one, but no. Something inside him said 'last chance', so he wrapped his arms around the man and kissed back. When they parted the teen needed to catch his breath.
"Never seen you this wide-eyed," the mercenary chuckled.
"Never been kissed like that," Robin admitted freely. As a reward for his honesty he got another kiss. When the man's hands cupped his ass, however, they both seemed to feel like things were getting out of hand and they drew apart.
"Bad idea," Robin mumbled.
"Yes," Slade agreed. "Not enough time to see it through."
"Unless you stay?"
"Unless you come with me?"
They looked at each other and then both grinned and shook their heads.
"So this is goodbye, then," Robin stated.
"I think that's for the best. For both of us. Can you imagine a future where we are together?"
Robin thought about it for a moment, trying to make it work, but then sighed and shook his head. "No. Not unless it's in secret and only now and then… and that's not enough, is it?"
"My pride won't let me be someone's dirty little secret, no," Slade smirked.
"Little?"
"Watch it."
"Well, you've kinda been my dirty little secret for a year already," Robin reminded the man.
"This is different," the man claimed, but didn't explain why any further.
"I see." The teen smiled but then felt that tug of sadness again. He sighed. "Well, look me up when you can and… send a post card or something now and then, okay?"
"I'll try."
"Good." The hero turned around and walked up to the ledge. "Be good, Slade."
"Horrific thought. And you'd be careful. And get laid already!"
"I'll try," Robin echoed the man with a short laugh. "Bye!" He jumped. As he fired his grapple hook he decided it had been for the best to cut the meeting short. He didn't want to get emotional, and it had been damn close. He also wanted to be the one who left. Maybe that was a bit childish, but… yeah. This had been a rather strange chapter in his life and now it was over. He'd deal with it like he usually dealt with loss; throw himself into his work.
He immediately knew who the shadow on the roof was. He grinned, his heart beating double for a moment, and he launched himself into the air, landing on the same roof as the shadow, but a safe distance away. You never knew; the man might have come for business.
"Hello… Nightwing." The mercenary purred.
"Long time no see," Dick grinned. "It's been what… two years?"
"And a bit. Did you get my latest postcard?"
"From Cambodia? Signed 'your greatest fan, S.' as usual? Yup, the Titans forwarded it to me."
"Good of them."
"You knew I had moved, then?"
"Yes. I just didn't want to give that away. Wanted my visit to be a surprise," Slade said and stepped closer, removing his mask as he did. "You grew up a bit."
"Got laid too," Dick smirked, removing his own mask.
"Maybe that's what did it? The extra protein."
"Ew!"
"Well, you never know," the man chuckled. "Glad to see me?"
"Depends. Are you just here to see me, or do I have to stop you from something?"
"I'm taking a few personal days," the man claimed, making the hero feel warm.
"Let's get off the roof for once, then," he said, "Follow me. If you can keep up, old man?"
Slade didn't really need the incentive, and the young hero heard a sort of growl before he more or less fled.
Dick landed on his own roof, opened his skylight and jumped down. Slade followed suit just a second later.
"What was that about 'old man'?" the mercenary asked.
"Old man? You must have misheard me," Nightwing said, his eyes innocently wide.
"I will pretend I did," Slade snorted.
"Aww! You like me!"
"Robin." The voice had a warning tone, but it was playful at the same time.
"Nightwing," the hero claimed.
"You'll always be my Robin," the man growled and then he grabbed the younger man, pulling him in for a kiss.
The teen, because he technically still was one although not for much longer, was delighted to find that they were more evenly matched in height now, though Slade was still half a head or so taller. It made kissing easier, though, and more pleasurable somehow.
"Picking up where we left off?" he panted as the man let him breathe for a moment. "I thought it was a bad idea?"
"I got tired of being sensible. Beside, you're here, all on your own," Slade purred. "No one to get in our way."
"I'm on the east coast too, I hope you notice?" Dick grinned.
"Was that on my account?"
"Not solely, no, but I thought it would increase the chance of you dropping by… as business is better here and all," the hero admitted.
"Aww! You like me," Slade echoed teasingly.
"Maybe a little bit," the teen sighed and rolled his eyes. "So… do you want to have something to eat, or…?"
Slade had never quite let him go and now the man's grip tightened as the mercenary looked around. Then he started walking, dragging the hero along. "This way to the bedroom, I assume?"
"That answered my question, I guess," Dick chuckled.
Dick had no intention of being inactive and just let Slade do whatever he wanted to him, although that idea was tantalizing on its own, so as soon as they reached his bedroom he started undressing the man. His own clothes were hitting the floor with equal speed and as they both were wearing their uniforms there weren't much to take off.
"Can't believe we're doing this," the teen gasped as he felt the man's naked body pressed against his for the first time.
"Need proof, do you?" Slade chuckled and guided him firmly towards the bed where he naturally ended up on top of the younger man.
"Proof is essential for belief in my world," Dick grinned and then moaned as the man grinded carefully against him. "Just don't prove your point too hard, will you?" he added, a bit of worry in his voice.
"No more than you're used to," the mercenary calmed him.
"Well… that's the thing…"
"I thought you said you weren't a virgin anymore?" the man asked.
"I'm not! I just didn't… bottom."
Slade sighed. "And how did you think topping would prepare you for me?" he chided the young man.
"Hey, I didn't have sex for your sake!" Dick snorted.
"Well, too bad for you. Guess you're getting a crash course now, then. Try to keep up."
"Will there be an exam later?"
"Yes, an oral one."
Nightwing rolled his eyes but then smirked. "Well, I'm sure I'll excel at that one."
"I will expect nothing less," the man smirked back.
"You're too much."
"You better hope not."
Dick realized that he wouldn't get the last word and might as well silence the mercenary by kissing him. The man's lips were soon nibbling at his neck, however, which made the young man moan again. His hand patted his bedside table, found his old trusty clock radio and turned it on.
"In the mood for music?" Slade asked, temporarily stopping his endeavors to give the young man a permanent hickey.
"Thin walls," Dick explained with a blush.
Slade reached over and turned the radio off. "I want them to hear you. I want them to hear you getting thoroughly fucked and enjoying every second of it." When the young man's hand moved towards the radio again, Slade caught it in a firm grip. "No," he simply said, so much authority in his voice that the hero gasped. "Obey."
"I'll be too self conscious!" the teen objected.
"I'll make you forget everything else but us," the mercenary promised.
Dick just told himself to keep it down, but that wasn't easy when Slade attacked his nipples. In pure self defense the younger man started kissing and caressing the mercenary, but winding his legs around the man's hips was a big mistake. Friction was heaven. And boy, could Slade provide a lot of friction. Dick couldn't hold back his moans completely, though he still tried. Slade's hand wrapping around his length didn't help the sound control.
"Wait, don't! Gonna come!" Dick groaned.
"You need some stamina practice. Might take a few extra days off just for that," Slade smirked. "Once I've had you edging for a few hours…"
"I'll be dead," Nightwing snorted.
"So how do you want to do this? If more foreplay will make you blow…?"
"Just fuck me. Lube's in the drawer," Dick said and gestured.
"Just what I was hoping for…" Slade's grin widened as he reached for the drawer. When he retrieved the lotion inside, he gave the young man a look. "We need to talk about quality at some point, kid."
"I think it's good enough to make do," the hero snorted.
"Hopefully." Slade lubed up and got in position.
"What, no prep?" Dick asked.
"A moment ago you were too damn sensitive to touch, so… no," Slade told him. "Don't worry. I'll go slow."
Dick gasped at the ever increasing pressure. It felt good, he wanted it, but he was still a little bit nervous and he didn't quite like feeling so… helpless. Slade leaned over more and kissed him, which made him feel better and suddenly-
"AH!"
"Oh hush, you're not the one with deep nail scratches on your shoulders," Slade told him.
"Well you will heal!" the young man hissed.
"You're not injured. Relax."
"I have a damn arm up my ass!"
"Not yet, but we can work up to it."
"I should just throw you out," Dick sulked, but hummed a bit as Slade kissed him again, especially when the man moved down to his neck. He didn't even notice that the man had started to move inside him until the movements turned to actual thrusts. "Sneaky…. bastard…" he gasped, but he had to admit it felt good. So good, in fact, that he forgot about keeping the volume down.
He was so close. So incredibly close-
"KEEP IT DOWN IN THERE!" The wall by his head shuddered by loud knocks. Not that it didn't shudder already by the bed banging into it.
Dick couldn't help it. He had been too close. He came while internally both apologizing and screaming at sweet little Mrs Krugovitz next door. He'd have to move now. For sure.
One round wasn't enough for Slade though, and he soon convinced Dick of that as well, although the young man insisted on changing locations. That led to them breaking the dingy sofa and enraging the neighbor on the other side. Going for "best out of three" there was only one place to go.
"Well…" Dick panted, being completely spent in all of the ways. "Not bad."
"Not bad at all," said Slade, who actually would need some recuperation time by now and was secretly impressed with the younger man. "But we're in our element."
"Yeah…" Dick grinned. "You and I always did great on the roof."
The End.