Diggle had seen a lot in his life. In Afghanistan, he'd seen many things he'd rather he hadn't. He'd become a better man for it, he hoped. Despite all this, he'd never dealt much with child abuse. When he first heard Roy on the other end of the line, he was hit by a sudden fury. He had no idea how anyone could bring themselves to harm their child. They were so pure, and innocent. He had fought in a war so that people would be safe, not so unspeakable things could happen behind closed doors. It was wrong, and it was cruel, and he knew that no one deserved it.
Roy didn't deserve it. If only they could get the kid to believe that. Diggle had met soldiers who had been hurt in the line of duty who were so screwed in the head they thought it was their own fault, that they deserved or they hadn't done enough. The truth was you couldn't control everything that happened in life. You just had to do the best with what you were given.
Digg hadn't gotten the chance to talk to Roy since that night. He noticed that Oliver and Roy had become closer, and he reflected that they'd probably talked. Diggle didn't want to push. Roy deserved that much, so he waited for his time. It turned out that he didn't have to wait that long.
Felicity's heels clicked on the floor as she headed towards the stairs, leaving Diggle and Roy alone in the cave waiting for Oliver to get back.
"You holding up?" Diggle asked Roy.
"Yeah, fine," Roy responded instantly.
Diggle's lips twitched in amusement for the briefest moment. "We all meant what we said that night in the cave, you know."
Roy stiffened slightly. There was no need to specify which night he was referring to.
"I know." Roy said.
"Just because you know doesn't mean you believe it. I just want to make sure you understand that we're all here for you if you need us."
"I don't know if I deserve that kind of devotion," Roy admitted.
"Yes, you do. Oliver, Felicity, and I already know it. And we'll stand by you through thick and thin until you realize that too."
Diggle could see the flicker of indecision on the kid's face as he struggled to come to terms with it. Roy wanted it to be true, but at the same time he was telling himself it couldn't.
"Thanks," Roy settled on finally, and Diggle nodded.
"We're with you to the end of the line, Roy."
"Same to you," Roy told him, and Diggle smiled at the sentiment.
They both looked up as Oliver entered the cave. He hesitated.
"Am I interrupting something?"
"No," Roy told him. "You're fine."
Oliver hung up his bow.
"Want to head out for dinner, Roy?" Oliver asked.
"Yeah," Roy said, "Hey, can Diggle come too?"
Diggle could see the question surprised Oliver, which in itself was surprising. Not many things could catch the vigilante off guard.
"Sure," Oliver agreed.
So the three men headed out to Big Belly Burger for dinner. (Which of course, Diggle was extremely pleased with.)
