Deathstroke the Terminator reentered his residence. He took a quick glance at his phone when it rang and he watched contentedly as money arrived in one of his many bank accounts. He took off his mask and, holding it with one hand, headed for his secret room.
In the process he ran into Dick who was watching television. The Talon heard his footsteps and turned, smiling slightly when he saw the older man. "Hey Slade."
Slade stopped and turned a small smile on the kiddo. "Dick." he greeted briefly. His gaze landed on the screen that was showing whatever was a cartoon he was not interested in at all and he returned to staring at the acrobat. "Are you enjoying yourself?" he asked with a small nod to the television.
In response Dick gave a noncommittal shrug and changed the subject. "How did your contract go?"
Slade by now had grown accustomed to how the kiddo asked him how his contract went every time he returned home. In a way, it had become a kind of routine of theirs.
"Good." knowing from experience that Dick would insist on further details, he continued. "This time I was hired by a mob boss in a city near Metropolis to eliminate one of his direct competitors. It was easy and without any problems."
Slade deliberately left out the detail of how on the way back he stopped in Gotham to track down Tony Zucco to make him pay for what he had done. Unfortunately he found no clues or witnesses that could have led him to Zucco.
It was as if the asshole had disappeared off the face of the earth, which was virtually impossible since he was a small-time mob boss.
Dick's golden eyes twinkled at the mention of Metropolis and his attention focused solely on his guardian, television now forgotten. "Have you seen Superman?" he asked excitedly, bouncing slightly on the sofa.
An amused snort escaped the super soldier's lips. He didn't know why but the kiddo had suddenly claimed Superman as his favorite hero after the subject of Justice League heroes had come up in a conversation between them about two weeks earlier, and since then Dick had done some research on heroes.
Should it have worried him that his protégé was now interested in heroes?
Probably but it actually amused him quite a bit.
"I've been in a city near Metropolis, not Metropolis itself." the mercenary pointed out. "And no, I haven't seen him anyway."
Fortunately.
At that comment Dick closed his mouth tightly and pouted, which Slade thought was secretly funny and cute on the kiddo's face.
When silence fell between them Slade studied Dick carefully and noticed how his golden eyes lazily roamed throughout the house and how he absentmindedly tapped his fingers on the sofa.
He understood that the kiddo was bored and he also knew why.
It certainly wasn't much fun to spend 24 hours on 24 hours cooped up in the house without doing any real activities, hobbies or whatever else the children did.
On that front, however, Slade intended to change the situation.
"Dick." he waited until he received full attention from the kiddo before continuing. "What do you think about going to school so you can socialize with your peers?" Slade suggested.
Even a man like him knew that socializing was very important for a ten-year-old.
Dick stared at him with a blank stare. "This is Wintergreen's idea, isn't it?"
The two stared at each other for a couple of seconds before the mercenary let out a weary sigh. "Yes, it is." he grumbled, making the kiddo chuckle. "How did you know that?"
"Because about last week while you were away on one of your contracts Wintergreen wanted to see what level my education was at."
Slade's mind snapped to the moment when Wintergreen (who had currently returned to his home with a promise to visit Richard often) took him aside and told him that Dick should go to school so perhaps he could make some friends his own age and also to spend time outside the home.
This was just a week ago.
Wintergreen is always one step ahead of everyone. Slade huffed in displeasure as he returned his attention to the acrobat. "Let me guess: he looked at your level on the various subjects to see how you are doing?" he was not surprised by the nod. "And what did William say?"
"He said I'm 2 grades higher than kids my age or something like that." replied the acrobat with a casual shrug.
"Are you seriously being modest with me, kiddo?" asked Slade with a flat look.
A huge smile formed on the face of the last Flying Grayson. "Maybe. I don't want to belittle your intelligence." he joked.
Slade was secretly pleased that Dick is slowly warming up to him, even with jokes about him. Until a few weeks ago this was unthinkable and Slade was happy to have come this far.
It was a very important achievement.
Slade snorted. "You can only hope to become as smart as me, kiddo."
"It doesn't take much."
Slade stared at him impassively and Dick chuckled. "If William says you're two grades above the average kid your age then it must be true." he finally said, refusing to admit that he had just been defeated by a child."I suppose you've always been educated in the circus."
"Yes." Dick nodded enthusiastically. "As we toured all over the world Mami, Tati, Pop Haly and other circus members taught me many things." his gaze grew sad at the memory of his parents and his old circus life.
Slade had to find a way to restore his good mood.
"Oh?" Slade's interest was piqued, and he looked at him curiously. "So you never went to school?"
His question worked.
"Uh uh." the acrobat nodded and a smile returned to his face. "Math has always been my favorite subject. In fact, I've solved some pretty advanced and difficult problems and calculations for my age, and Wintergreen said I'm practically a math genius!" Dick began to bounce slightly and Slade hid an amused smile. "I'm also doing well in geography, history and science!"
"Any subjects you don't like?"
"English."
Slade was not very surprised by the instant and unhesitating answer. Each time it was a blow to his old heart when he heard Dick brutally butcher the English language, although the mercenary had to admit that his grammar was improving day by day.
He was beginning to suspect that Dick was doing this on purpose to amuse himself by seeing the two older men shudder at his bad grammar.
"I'm not surprised." Dick smiled before assuming a disgruntled look. Slade noticed it immediately and frowned. "What's wrong, Dick?"
"It's just that..." he sighed sadly. "I can't go to school. Not in my physical and mental condition."
Slade restrained himself from grimacing. Although it had been about two months since Dick had recovered most of his memory, it was obvious that his problems had not gone away and that he still had some habits that the Court had instilled in him.
For example, sometimes Dick still knelt respectfully out of sheer instinct when he saw Slade or Wintergreen, or even more often he called them Master, he would physically self-punish himself when he did something he presumed should not be done.
Not to mention the nightmares that always made him wake up in the middle of the night with terrified screams. Slade was afraid just to imagine what tortures and punishments they inflicted on Dick on a daily basis but had not asked him yet for fear that the kiddo would close in on himself.
He would ask him soon, just not now.
"Don't worry, kiddo. To hide your golden eyes we can always use colored contact lenses."
"How about this instead?" asked Dick, pointing to his own pale face filled with dark veins.
Slade stared at him for quite a long time. "Maybe a little makeup will do." he received an impassive stare. "...I'll think of something. Don't worry."
Dick huffed pessimistically. "We also have another problem. Need I remind you that I am legally dead?" he pointed out bitterly.
Slade waved dismissively his hand that was not carrying the mask. "About that I had already planned to get you a new identity since we cannot simply have Richard Grayson reappear three years after his disappearance. That and we would attract attention we don't want."
Both knew to whom Slade was referring.
The Talon nodded sadly and reluctantly, but his guardian was right. Then he became a little shy. "Shall I bear the name Wilson?" he asked softly.
Suddenly anxiety blossomed in the mercenary's chest and he resisted the strong urge to drag his feet on the ground awkwardly and embarrassedly. He cleared his throat, which had become a little dry. "Only if you want, otherwise we can always give you another last name. Either way, the situation has to look like I've legally adopted you, so eventually the other surname can always be useful."
Dick nodded meekly. "Can I keep the name Richard?"
"Of course." he agreed immediately. "After all it is a very common name." Dick nodded once more and began to reconsider. "You don't have to decide now."
Before Slade could add anything else, he was preceded by the last Flying Grayson.
"Richard Wilson."
Slade froze on the spot and it took about a minute for his brain to return to function. He ignored the strange feeling in his chest. "Are you sure?"
"You did so much for me when you had no reason to." the kiddo explained softly.
Slade hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "I don't want you to feel like you are obligated and beholden to me."
"It's not just that." assured Dick. Then, more firmly and decisively: "I'm sure."
Slade could not prevent a small but genuine smile from appearing on his face. His chest warmed with an emotion that the mercenary had not felt in many, many years and that he doubted he would ever feel again.
The super soldier felt warm inside and knew that the reason was not related to the armor he still wore. However he strongly doubted that the real reason was related to what he was thinking.
Despite his inner confusion he put everything aside and turned a slight smile on the kiddo. "All right then." he said simply.
The two fell into a silence that began to grow awkward until Dick jumped forward over the couch and launched himself toward the super soldier who easily caught him in the air. The former soldier felt the kiddo wrap his legs around his torso and rest his head on his shoulder still clad in armor.
Slade was not at all surprised by the embrace. If there was one thing he understood, it was that Dick was a very affectionate child who clung to any physical contact.
Of course, Slade certainly was not the most affectionate person in the world but he was doing his best because he understood that it helped to make the kiddo relax. Especially the hugs that were always initiated by Dick: so the only thing Slade had to do was to reciprocate and occasionally give him some (awkward) pats on the back.
He did not think he would ever get the chance to be hugged again, let alone by a child, but he was still glad that the Court of Owls had not been able to take away Richard's emotionality and affection.
Finally Slade broke the hug and stared at the acrobat. "Now I'm going to take a quick shower and then together we'll do whatever you want, okay?"
Dick brightened instantly. "Can we watch Pokemon please?" he pleaded softly.
Slade cleared his throat, embarrassed. "Sure, whatever you want."
"Thank you!" Dick gave him another quick hug before launching himself on the couch with a somersault.
Slade was not at all surprised by Dick's agility as he was showing off his acrobatic skills every day. They had initially surprised both Slade and Wintergreen but eventually they got used to them and were fascinated.
With a sigh Slade headed for the bathroom having only one thought in mind.
The world's most dangerous mercenary watching a cartoon for kids. What the hell is this kiddo doing to me?
"Dick! Where are you?" called Slade aloud once he had finished his shower and had not found the acrobat in the living room.
He was greeted by silence, and anxiety and restlessness began to blossom in the mercenary's chest as he began to become paranoid. "Dick!" he shouted spinning around the house.
Once again silence.
Slade began to panic but kept it hidden as his steps quickened. Eventually he noticed the door to his office open and he froze, sure he had left it closed.
Eventually to little surprise he discovered that Dick was inside, his back turned and staring at something Slade could not see right now. The mercenary was pretty sure the kiddo had heard him because of his enhanced hearing.
"Dick." Slade called out to him, ready to ask what he was doing in his office.
He wasn't pissed off, just genuinely curious.
He suspiciously narrowed his eye when Dick gave no sign that he had seen him. He doubted that Dick was ignoring him, so the reason was surely another.
Slade advanced until he had a view of what the kiddo was staring at and froze in place.
"Oh."
Dick stood in front of Slade's laptop and was staring at all the research the man had done on Tony Zucco.
The mercenary looked away from the computer and aimed it at Talon who had wide golden eyes and was too still and rigid.
Slade may have known Dick only a short time but he had learned that the kiddo had virtually infinite energy and was always on the move.
Always.
Slade hesitated before putting a hand on the shoulder of Richard who jerked violently at the physical contact. Dick began to stare at the mercenary who read several emotions in his golden eyes that he did not like at all.
He knew that he owed Dick some explanation, so he did. "I started researching Zucco to locate him and to punish him for what he did to you and your family." the kiddo merely stared at him with a blank, absent look and Slade ran a hand through his white hair, struggling with words. "...I know I should have warned you because you deserved to know what I was doing but-"
"You'll never find him."
Slade stopped abruptly at the sudden voice and to his horror saw tears on the kiddo's face. "Damn it, don't cry Dick." he murmured softly not knowing how to continue.
This time there was no William to help him.
He squatted down to Dick's level and fixed him with a look that he hoped was kind and reassuring. "Why do you say I'll never find him?" he asked softly as if he were talking to a wounded animal.
"Because I killed him." Dick began to sob loudly and covered his face, ashamed of himself.
"You have nothing to be ashamed of." Slade immediately intervened and rested both hands on the kiddo's shoulders. "It's not your fault and you know it."
Dick drew slight comfort from the man's action but was still in a kind of shocked state to realize it. "No! You don't understand!" he shouted hysterically, staring intently at Slade.
"Then explain so that I can understand." Slade spoke in a calm voice, completely impassive in the face of the Talon's outburst.
"It's my fault!"
"No-"
"BECAUSE I KILLED ZUCCO AS DICK GRAYSON! NOT AS TALON!"
Slade was caught off guard not by the scream but by the shocking revelation. "What?"
Dick's sobs increased as did his tears. "Before they turned me into Talon... they had taken Z-Zucco... they gave me a knife and I... killed him without remorse!"
Slade thought he was beginning to understand what the real crux of the matter was. "Did you want to kill him?" he asked abruptly.
"W-what?" stammered Dick taken aback.
"You wanted to kill Zucco?" repeated the mercenary.
There was a long pause. "Yes."
"Do you regret killing him?"
Dick hesitated briefly before answering after pulling up with his nose. "No."
"Would you do what you did again?"
"Yes."
"Case closed then." Slade received a blank stare and continued. "You wanted to kill him because the bastard killed your parents. You had every reason to do it and no one can blame you for what you did."
Dick tried to wipe away his tears but was overwhelmed by more sobs. "My parents would be so disappointed in me."
"That's not true." the retort was so abrupt and immediate that Dick raised his head sharply to stare at the former soldier. "They would be proud of you because despite all the inhumanities you have gone through, you are still alive. You are much stronger than practically all the people on Earth."
Although Dick accepted the praise as if it were gold, it was clear that he was still uncertain and unsure. "I basically betrayed all their teachings."
"You did what you thought was the best thing to do, and frankly you had every reason in the world. Now the world has one less bastard." Slade smiled slightly when he heard him chuckle. "And you know what?" Slade's grip on Dick's shoulders tightened slightly. "I'm proud of you."
Dick gasped. "A-are you?"
Slade gave a small smile. "It takes courage to take a person's life, and you had it. I know it might seem wrong, and it probably is, but in your case you had every reason in the world to kill the bastard. No one is perfect and no one can judge you for the choice you made."
Dick leapt forward and hugged Slade tightly, burying his head in the mercenary's chest. Hesitantly Slade slowly returned the embrace and felt the kiddo sobbing again, though less than before and he regarded it as a small victory.
And they remained so, for a long time.