Roy rubbed his arm in discomfort as he walked down the hall. He usually wore t-shirts and tank tops around the mansion. Long-sleeve button up with a collar…not so much. He fiddled with it again, trying to keep it from rubbing his neck. He walked into the living room where Oliver was waiting.

"Stop," Oliver said sternly. He started fixing Roy's collar.

"Do I really have to wear this?" He got a stern look and lowered his eyes. "Sorry."

"Yes." Oliver maneuvered the collar just right so that it was covering the back of Roy's neck; hiding the fingertip shaped bruises there. "While Bruce Wayne and his ward are here you are to be on your best behavior."

"Yes, Oliver." Oliver suddenly grabbed his jaw and Roy's heart started pounding. Oliver wouldn't hit him when they were about to have company? Right?

"You will not tell either of them anything."

Roy nodded. "Nothing about Green Arrow and Speedy." His winced as the grip got tighter.

"Not that, you moron. You won't tell them about how I…discipline you. Understand?"

"Yes, Oliver."

"If you do tell them then I'll-"

"What, kill me?" Roy clenched his jaw and flinched. Whoops.

Oliver's eye narrowed. "What've I told you about talking back to me?"

"I-I…I didn't mean it. Ollie please-" The door bell ringing interrupted them. Oliver released him.

"Wipe that stupid, scared look off your face. I'll deal with you once our….guests leave." Oliver left the room and Roy had to take a minute to calm himself down. He felt like he was going to throw up. He schooled his face as best as he could. He walked slowly to the front door. 'This is ok,' he decided. 'Being nervous goes well with Oliver's story about me having social anxiety.' He stopped at the top of the stairs. In the foyer stood a man who made Roy nervous. His size dwarfed the boy standing next to him. The boy shook hands with Oliver, who smiled stiffly. He glanced back and spotted Roy. "Come down here Roy." The teen walked down the stairs slowly. "Don't just stand there! Introduce yourself!"

"Come on Ollie, I'm sure he's just nervous," the other man said. He held out his hand. Roy flinched involuntarily. He saw Oliver shoot him a dirty look. He bit down his fear.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Wayne," he said quietly as he shook the man's hand. His heart pounded slightly at how much bigger Bruce's hand was than his. The boy walked right up to Roy, smiling politely.

"I'm Richard Grayson," the boy said, extending his hand. "You can call me Dick."

A smile quivered at Roy's lips for a moment. "Nice to meet you too. I'm Roy."

"Roy, why don't you and Dick go upstairs while Bruce and I take care of business."

Roy nodded. "Yes Oliver." He gestured to Dick who followed him closely. The smaller boy, seriously this kid was tiny, stuck close to him.

"Nice place," Dick said. "Is it just you and Mr. Queen?"

Roy nodded. "Just us."

"Oh. Bruce has a butler named Alfred. He's great."

"That's…nice."

"Maybe some time you can come to our house! Alfie makes the best cookies!"

'Cookies,' Roy scoffed. 'I wasn't even allowed to eat dinner last night.' He couldn't say that to Dick though. "That'd be fun."

Dick beamed at him. God, no wonder the press loved him. "Maybe we can have a sleepover so I don't have to go to a charity ball. Those things are so boring, right?"

"I don't go to those."

"Lucky! Bruce always makes me go! It's awful!"

'Oh poor you.' Roy winced internally and tried to reel in his bitterness. 'For all you know Bruce is just as bad as Oliver.' He glanced at Dick, discreetly looking for signs. 'God I hope not. This kid is so small, I think Mr. Wayne could kill him easily.' He blinked. 'Wow that's the same thing I thought about Robin and Batman. Why do all the people I meet have to be like this?' He led Dick into his bedroom, figuring it was as good as anything else to talk him. "This is my room."

"Whoa!" Dick was actually shocked. Books and magazines filled the shelves. The shelves around the tv were filled with video games and two different game systems; as well as a DVD player. There were also shelves of DVDs to match. A top of the line stereo was on a shelf with CDs. Two bows were mounted on the wall on pegs. There was a laptop on his desk and a tablet on top of that. 'He has more things than I do and Bruce is always offering to buy me toys.' Roy sat down in a beanbag and gestured for Dick to join him. "You have a lot of stuff." And a good majority of it, he was just now noticing, was unused or unopened.

Roy looked around. "Yeah, I guess."

"Mr. Queen must give you a lot of presents."

"Well, he's rich so…I'm sure Mr. Wayne buys you a lot of stuff too."

Dick stood up and walked around the room; seemingly admiring it. "Yeah, but not this much." It was weird. If Oliver apparently hated Roy so much, why would he spoil him with presents like this? He ran his hand along a shelf, making it look like he read book titles. "That's really nice of Mr. Queen though." He discreetly slipped a small device from a hidden pocket in his sleeve and put it on the shelf where Roy was certain not to find it. The books were all covered in dust, so Dick doubted Roy even touched these books. He paused in front of the two bows. "You like archery?"

Roy nodded. "I do. It's a…hobby."

"Cool. I'm an acrobat."

"Cool."

Dick noticed one of the bows looked older and more worn than the other. Something in his gut told him the older bow wasn't a gift from Oliver. He slipped another bug under the desk. "Bruce told me you don't go to school, that's cool."

Roy nodded stiffly. "I….uh….I have social anxiety and Oliver just tries to protect me…"

"What's social anxiety?"

"It means people scare me."

Dick liked back at him as he slipped another bug to the back side of Roy's lamp. "Do I scare you?"

Roy blinked. 'Yes. You being here makes it way more likely that I'll do something to slip up.' He cleared his throat. "No, I guess." Dick smiled at him.

"Good." He sat back down across from Roy. "So, what'd you want to do?"

Roy glanced around, as if unsure of something. "We could….we could play a video game." That wasn't a bad idea actually. He would actually really like to have someone to play with. "Do you play?"

Dick nodded. "Sure!"

Roy got up and searched his games. 'I'm going to assume the 10-year-old isn't allowed to play games that are really violent.' He finally found one of those soccer games and held it up. "How about this?"

"Sounds great."

Roy nodded. He avoided games like these since they weren't the same with only one person. He set the game up and grabbed two wireless controllers. He handed one to Dick and sat down in his bean bag. "You know how to play?"

"Play? Please I don't play, I dominate."

A smile tweaked at Roy's lips. "We'll see."

— —

It took every ounce of self-control Bruce had not to strangle Oliver. He'd watched the man shaking Dick's hand carefully. Then he saw Roy and his stomach had shriveled up. The teen was withdrawn and nervous. It was obvious that he was scared of Oliver, and of Bruce himself. He definitely caught Roy's flinch when he put his hand out. Luckily Dick stepped in and diverted attention away from him. Then there were the dark bruises on his face. It was disheartening to see. The boys left and Bruce followed Oliver to his office. As they walked through the mansion, Bruce began to feel doubt about his plan. He'd known that Roy was isolated, but actually seeing Oliver's mansion situated on the edge of Star City and this huge, empty house where Roy only had Oliver to talk too…. He was starting to think the teen's relationship with Oliver might be a bit stronger than he'd originally accounted for. It would make things easier if they could just confront Oliver about it now. It would be so easy.

All Roy had to do was tell Dick something in confidence. All Dick had to do was react like a normal kid and come running to Bruce. He knew it wouldn't happen though. Roy would never tell Dick what was happening. He was willing to bet Oliver had threatened the teen before he and Dick had arrived. For his part, Dick wouldn't overreact like a normal kid. Bruce had spent hours going over not only how to plant the bugs without being seen, but how to act and what to say so that they didn't tip their hand. So he was stuck following Oliver Queen, unable to teach him a lesson. As he passed a fireplace, he grazed his hand along it, planting a small camera under the mantle. He cleared his throat. "Roy seems like a nice kid."

Oliver grunted as he sat down behind his desk. "He can be a handful."

'I'm sure.' Bruce sat down across from him. "Really? He seems so quiet and polite." Because you beat it into him was really hard not to add.

"That's because I'm strict with him. I have to be to keep him in line."

Bruce had to remind himself not to punch Oliver. "I'm sure he's not that bad."

"Teenagers are a lot harder than children. You can give yours a toy and it'll occupy him for hours." He started looking through papers, so he missed the look that Bruce was giving him.

"Maybe Roy wouldn't have as much energy if he got out of the house more."

Oliver shook his head. "I can't do that. He has severe social anxiety-"

"I've heard. Aren't there professionals that can help him?"

"Roy is very withdrawn, as I'm sure you've noticed." Bruce clenched his fist. "Besides, given who I am, it's better if he stays out of the spotlight. How many times has your ward been kidnapped in the past two years? Five?"

"Three." Three times too many.

"I keep Roy out of the spotlight so things like that don't happen. It's for his own protection. You know how things are. Nothing about our lives are private. I take him to a professional and the next day the headlines are saying he's a psycho or something."

It killed Bruce inside, but he had to agree with that. "I can see your point." He slid a file across the desk to Oliver. "You have to know people talk when they haven't seen him since you took him in."

"Let them talk. Besides, he has more gadgets and things to keep him busy than any kid could ever want. He's perfectly happy living the way he is."

Again, Bruce had to keep his face composed and his body calm. "I'm sure."

Oliver frowned as he looked over the papers Bruce brought. "Why are you so interested in Roy anyways?"

"Just making polite conversation Ollie."

"Don't call me that. We're not friends." Bruce agreed with that. "We're barely associates. You don't see me questioning your parenting."

"I'm not questioning you." He was lucky he wasn't getting beat to death. "I'm just being sociable and trying to understand why Roy hasn't been to any social events or been seen at all really."

"So you're spying on me?"

Bruce laughed. "Come on Oliver. I'm just asking questions."

"What happens between me and Roy is no one else's business." Bruce resisted the urge to point out how self-incriminatingly defensive that sounded.

"Even if we're not friends, it might do Roy some good if he and Dick become friends. All teens need friends, no matter how shy they are."

"Yes…because my 14-year-old ward wants to spend time with your 10-year-old ward. You know, they have so much in common."

"Sarcasm is really beneath you."

"Shows how much you know me."

'I know there's very little that's beneath you at this point.' He took a deep breath. "I was just making a suggestion. If you're this hard to talk to, it's no wonder this deal hasn't been signed yet."

Oliver glared at him. "You're the one who kept changing the terms."

Bruce smiled. "I'm also the one with all the cards."

"It's my mine!"

"But they're my factories and my distribution."

Oliver mumbled something under his breath. "Let's just stay focused on business."

"Of course." That lasted for a few minutes before Bruce decided to make Oliver squirm a little bit. "I noticed Roy has some bruises on his face."

"And?" Oliver didn't even look up from the papers he was looking over.

"What happened? Looks like it must've hurt."

"He was horsing around while I was at work."

"Really?"

Oliver nodded. "Like I told you, he's a handful."

Bruce was glad he was reading the papers and not looking up so he could glare at him. "I'm sure."

— —

"Yes!" Dick cheered. "I won again."

Roy rolled his eyes. "I let you win."

"Did you let me win all 8 times?"

"You didn't win 8 times! You only won 6. I won the first 2."

"Whatever." Dick noticed Roy pulled at the sleeves of his shirt again. The teen had been doing it the whole time the two of them played. "Are you hot?"

"Huh?"

"You're wearing long sleeves. It's kind of warm in here."

"I'm fine."

"You could roll the sleeve up."

Roy knew he could, except for the finger-shaped bruises on his wrists. "I'm fine, really. This shirt is just scratchy."

"Then why don't you change?"

"Because I don't want to! Jeez, are you always this nosy?!"

Dick blinked. "Sorry. I'll stop." Roy sighed and rubbed his head. Dick glanced over. He spotted a dark spot that was mostly hidden by Roy's collar. 'That's why he's wearing the shirt.'

"Let's just go back to playing."

"Ok. Are you going to let me win again?"

"After this? In your dreams."

Dick decided to press Roy a little more. "Why do you have those bruises on your face?"

Roy didn't even blink. "I fell."

"You fell?"

"Yes. Now stop asking." Dick let the issue drop, remembering Bruce's instructions to not give away anything.

The two were halfway through the game, Roy was up three points when Oliver and Bruce came in. "Time to go Dick," Bruce said.

"Awww," Dick moaned as Roy paused the game. "Really?"

"Mhm. You still want to go to the zoo, right?"

Dick jumped to his feet. "Of course!"

Oliver chuckled. "I'll show you out." Roy followed, figuring he should say bye to Dick. He and Dick lagged behind Oliver and Bruce on the way to the front door. Bruce and Oliver shook hands once they got there. "Nice doing business with you Bruce."

"Likewise," Bruce replied. "I'll get the papers to my lawyers first thing Monday morning."

"Same." Oliver smiled and shook Dick's hand as well. "Very nice to meet you, Dick."

"Nice to meet you too Mr. Queen."

Bruce shook Roy's hand. "Nice to meet you, Roy." He kept his face schooled. He wanted so badly to tell the teenager that they were going to get him out of this prison.

"You too Mr. Wayne," Roy replied.

Dick waved at him. "Bye Roy." He did his best to sound upbeat. He hated having to leave, knowing what was going to happen once they did. "Next time we play video games I'll get you."

Roy snorted. "You wish kid."

Bruce chuckled. "Come on Dick." Bruce put his hand on Dick's back and led him out.

Oliver shut the door after they left. He sighed and looked at Roy, all sense of happiness gone from his face. "I have work to do in my office. I don't want to hear a peep out of you. Is that understood?"

Roy nodded. "Yes, Oliver."

"Go." Roy started when walking away, but stopped when Oliver said his name. "And Roy? Come to my office after I eat dinner tonight."

"Yes, Oliver." Roy went upstairs, dread building in his stomach. 'I,' he thought bitterly. 'He said I. Guess that means no dinner for me. Again.' His stomach growled. He hadn't eaten lunch either, so he was going to be starving in the morning. He got back to his room and shut the door, trying to be sure Oliver wouldn't hear him. He put the second controller away. 'At least now I can get this shirt off.' Once he'd put on a loose tank top he spent the rest of his afternoon sitting nervously around his bedroom, trying to keep his mind off what was coming. 'Stupid,' he thought, carefully unstringing his longbow. 'I'm so stupid. Why would I talk back to him?' He restrung the bow. 'I'm so stupid.' He could probably go down to one of the empty halls and shoot, but he didn't want to risk making Oliver angry. So he settled for restringing his bows and pacing nervously. Eventually, he glanced at the clock and sighed. "He's probably done eating." His feet dragged as he left his room. His heart was pounding. He wanted more than anything to just go and hide. Which he had once, but it ended up being worse for him. He stopped outside Oliver's office and hesitated before knocking.

"Come in," Oliver said. He was standing by the fireplace when Roy walked. "Shirt off."

"Ollie please, I didn't mean-"

"Shirt off."

"Ollie-" A glare was sent his way and Roy swallowed his plea.

"Shirt. Off." Roy nodded and pulled his shirt off with shaking fingers. "Kneel." Roy got down on his knees. He closed his eyes and gripped his knees. "This is for your own good." The muscles in his back tensed involuntarily. Pain slapped across his back and he gripped his knees tighter. He flinched every time the belt cracked against his back. Pain sliced into the muscles and radiated through the area. He eventually couldn't hold back a cry of pain, and it was impossible to stop it at all after that. Deep down he knew Oliver didn't care if he screamed because no one would be able to hear it, but he couldn't help but think it was making his guardian even angrier. After a few minutes, he could feel blood running down his back. This felt like it was going on forever.

"Oliver please!" he gasped. "Please- ah! Please stop! I'm sorry!"

When Oliver finally stopped, Roy had to take a minute to take a deep breath. He stood up on unsteady legs, wincing as blood dribbled over the new welts; grabbing his shirt as he did. When he turned around Oliver grabbed his jaw and looked him in the eye. "Do not talk back to me Roy. I won't take attitude from an ungrateful bastard like you. Understood?"

Roy nodded. "Yes, Oliver."

"And for the record, you will never tell anyone what happens here. If you do, then I might kill you." Roy wanted to hide. "Or, maybe I'll throw you out on the street, and tell every piece of scum in Star who Speedy really is. Got it?" Roy nodded. "Say it."

"I will never tell anyone what happens in here."

"Go to bed. I don't want to deal with you anymore." Oliver shoved him away and Roy left quickly.

He went upstairs and shut his bedroom door, desperately wishing it had a lock. He went to his bathroom and turned on the shower. The pain was embedded in his back, making its way through his body. He stripped and turned around, looking at his back in the mirror. He winced at the open welts that dripped with blood. It really made the scars stand out. He stood in the shower, letting the hot water run down his back. He cried out a little bit and flinched, but it was the easiest way to clean his back. He was suddenly exhausted and sat down, curling up into a ball. He stayed like that, letting the hot water run down his back until it was cold. He took a shaking breath. "I will never tell anyone what happens here. I will never tell anyone what happens here."