Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Jason hated being separated from Slade. Call him codependent, he didn't care. It fucking sucked, and while he used to be the same way with Damian and Res, that had only gotten better because Jason knew that both of them where always with someone to keep them safe. Res was always either with one of his siblings, or Jason and his dad, and it was the same for Damian. If he wasn't with Jason and Slade he never had a bat or a bird too far from him.

But right now Slade was all by himself in bum fuck nowhere Oklahoma, to take down a trafficking ring posing as an underground circus. Jason and clowns do not mix well, and neither does Jason and being underground, so Slade had vetoed him coming with, and while this job didn't even really pay that well, Slade knew Jason wouldn't be able to live with himself if he knew about a trafficking ring and didn't take it down, underground clowns be damned, so Slade decided to go by himself.

Jason could have argued, forced his way along. Ultimately, Slade can't veto his bodily autonomy, if Jason wants to go somewhere he damn well will. But Jason kind of liked the idea of someone caring enough about him to bar him from going somewhere that would upset him. It didn't feel controlling, it felt loving. So Jason chose to only argue enough to make it seem like he wanted to go. He was sure Slade saw right through him, he always does. But he didn't care. Jason also kind of liked that Slade had chosen to take it down himself, just because he knew Jason would want it done. Jason didn't even have to ask, he just decided to do it.

Having that kind of unspoken control over a man as powerful as Slade was a nice feeling. Jason clearly didn't think it through though, because now he was in California with all five of Slade's kids, with no Slade. Jason wasn't even really sure what they were doing in California. Before Slade left he suggested that Jason go check on the kids, maybe bring Damian for a visit, and when he called Rose and asked her where everyone was she gave no explanation for why they were gathered at the well loved Monterey safe house. He didn't mind being around Slade's kids, hell Damian and Res were practically Jason's kids first anyways. No, the Wilsons weren't the problem. Not having a constant eye on Slade was. No way to know if he was hurt or not. He had been in Oklahoma by himself for a week now, and according to him he's almost got enough information of the inner workings of the trafficking ring to make his move, take them out, and come back home to Jason. Which was good because the separation was starting to get to him.

Jason had a dream the night before of Slade underground, a clown standing over him with a crowbar, and no back up in sight. Jason couldn't do anything but watch. He woke up the entire house with his screams, scaring the kids and forcing the Wilsons to deal with his bullshit. When he woke up his vision had gone completely green, and Rose and Joey were standing in the doorway throwing pillows and books at him to wake him up without having to get within punching range. Res was in the living room being assured by Grant and Damian. Jason felt like shit. He needs Slade to come home.

****

Ever since Rose told Grant and Joey that Jason and Slade were together, Grant has decided that it's the funniest thing in the world to “jokingly” call Jason daddy. Jason was in the middle of trying to make dinner, cutting up vegetables to go in the complicated ass stew that Joey likes so much when Grant decided to start back on his bullshit again.

“Hey daddy, how's dinner coming along? Need any extra help?” Joey asked with a huge grin from where he was perched on one of the bar stools, flicking his floppy black hair across his forehead. Jason was trying not to gag into the pot as he dropped more cut up carrots into it.

Joey abruptly dropped both his knife and the onion he was cutting, tapping his cutting board with his knuckles to get their attention. “Going to fucking posses you, you nasty bitch” He signed. For some reason lots of people seemed to think that Joey was the nice one and it was Grant and Rose you had to watch out for. Jason thinks it might have something to do with the technically mute thing, though he's not sure.

“No possessions in the house, you know that.” Jason answered exasperatedly as he grabbed another carrot. That rule was started when Slade's kids first started talking to him and each other again, and they were trying to get through an awkward family dinner together when Joey got bored 15 minutes in and decided to “spice things up” by possessing Slade and making him sing Taylor Swift in between bites of pasta. Thankfully Slade has trained himself against mental attacks and was able to break free before he finished the ten minute version of “all too well”. It's a good thing Damian was with his mom and Res wasn't in the picture yet, because if Jason wanted to cry real tears watching that, he's not sure how little eyes and ears would feel experiencing it.

Just as Grant was about to open his mouth so he could no doubt let out another dirty joke, he was interrupted by the shrill ringing of Jason's phone. It was Dick. Dick knew better than to call if it wasn't important, because if he started calling Jason “just to talk” then Jason would block his number. Jason wasn't too worried, if it really was that urgent, then he would call back later, so he continued chopping carrots.

“Uhh Jay, I think you might wanna take that.” Grant said as he leaned over Jason's phone sitting on the counter.

“Hmm?” Jason replied, then it started ringing again. He dropped the half chopped carrot and knife onto his cutting board before stepping over to the sink to wash his hands.

“It's Tim now,” Grant informed him, in a curious tone. “And it looks like you've got about twenty texts from Dick.” Jason was a little worried now. Dick was totally the double texter type, but twenty was a bit much.

“Hello” Jason said into the phone, now answering the incoming call from Tim.

“B’s in trouble, where are you?” Tim's voice was frantic, he sounded scared.

Jason took on an almost manic tone. “What do you mean he's in trouble, what's happened? Is he hurt?” Rose walked in from the living room with Res and the little prince.

“Akhi? Who's in trouble? Is mu'allim okay?” Jason put up a finger to silence him as Tim continued.

“Hes in Metropolis fighting aliens with the league, majorly getting their asses beat, and our zetas are down, where are you?”

“I-I’m in California, the nearest zeta is like two hours away, I can't get there in time.” Was this how Bruce felt when he realized he hadn't made it to Jason in time to save him?

Jason felt bad looking at his little prince's face while he talked on the phone. Everyone in this room except him and Damian had enhanced hearing, meaning Dami was the only one that couldn't hear what was going on. Jason put the phone on speaker as he pulled the phone from his face. Tim cursed, and Jason suddenly had an idea.

Checking his location just to make sure before he says anything, Jason quietly celebrates when he sees where he is. “Slade is ten minutes away from a zeta, I’m sending him there, can you give him access from where you are?”

“Shit, yea, but B's not gonna like this.”

“Don’t give a fuck, he can’t chew us out if he’s dead or kidnapped by aliens. I'm texting him now.” Jason gave Slade a brief run down and sent him the location of the nearest zeta. Slade sent him a thumbs up, and Jason could see that the second he sent the text Slade was on the move.

“Is Slade even going to go along with this? I mean I know B’s been nicer to him than Dick, but it's not like the two are best pals.” Jason could hear typing in the background on Tim's end.

“Hes already on the move” Jason hung up the phone and tried not to laugh at Grants quiet mummer of the words “Pussy whipped” as he stalked off to go suit up.

“Get dressed little prince, we gotta get to B, Grant I’m borrowing your bike.” Jason didn't need to borrow Grant's bike, he easily could have just used the rental he got when he flew into California, but he felt like being a little shit today.

****

Slade was in the middle of a steak out when he got the text from Jay. “Aliens in Metropolis cave zeta down you're closest go save my dad” and then a second ping from where he shared the location of what must be a nearby zeta tube. Slade sent a thumbs up as he discreetly made his way to what most closely classifies as a road down here.

The second the zeta tube doors opened it was pure chaos. Slade slowly stepped out of the fake phone booth, taking in the scene before he jumped in. The aliens looked almost like fleshy spiders, multiple legs that they were pretty quick on, they sort of reminded Slade of a smaller version of the villain from that dumb ass show Jason's been making them watch, stranger objects, or something like that. Members of the justice league were steadily taking them down, though they seemed like they were beginning to tire out, and the fleshy spiders just kept coming. There was some kind of portal in the center of the fight, huge alien ships were flying through one after the other.

Slade spotted the Bat easily, it wasn't hard to find his all black suit in a city as bright as Metropolis. The Bat was favoring his left side, and he had blood running out from under his cowl. God only knows what other injuries he's got under that kevlar cape. Slade made it across the impromptu battle field quickly, jumping into the fight right next to him.

“Hood sent me, zetas in the cave are down and I was closest.” Slade told him as he began cutting through aliens like butter.

“I don't need your help, go back up green arrow, he’s managed to break his clavicle and can't shoot.” Slade wasn’t sure why he was telling him this, like he gave two shits about Roy's dad breaking his clavicle. Maybe if Roy and Jason were still best friends he would, but Roy took off and they haven't seen him in over a year. He broke Jason's heart when he disappeared. Slade would not be backing up the guy's dad. Also the only reason Slade even came was because Jay asked him to go save HIS dad. Last Slade checked Jason did not see Oliver Queen as a father figure.

Although Jason has talked about being very close with Superman and Wonder Woman when he was kid. Neither of them are sure but they think Jason's death pushed the Bat away from his two closest friends. Jason told him that there used to be pictures of them with the family down in the cave, Dick on “uncle Clarks” shoulders and Jason on “Aunt Di’s”. But all those pictures have seemed to be mysteriously taken down, and Jason didn't want to ask. Slade decided that if either of them needed help he would do what he could without compromising the Bats safety. Olliver Queen could get fucked though.

“Don’t give a shit about Green Arrow, I was told specifically to keep you safe and that's what I’ll do.” Slade replied as he shot down an alien who was trying to sneak up on the Bat's back. The bullet didn't kill it, but it did slow it down enough for Slade to get within beheading range, so that's what he did. Its blood was electric blue and it sprayed all over Slade's ikon suit.

“I don’t need my fucking son in law stepping into a fight for me.” Slade decided he would think on that comment later, right now his main concern was how rough the Bat sounded. His voice was raspy, less so his usual smokes two packs a day and more so hasn't had anything to drink in four years.

“Well tough shit I’m here now.” Slade could now make out the sounds of the Bat’s team mates on his comm, some asking who Slade was (Superman and Wonder Woman), others asking how Batman knew him (Green Lantern).

The battle went on for another hour before Green Lantern was finally able to get the portal shut down, then it wasn't long before all the aliens left behind were dead.

“You're looking a little winded, Batsy, don't tell me a few aliens can get the best of you.” Slade was laughing at his own joke, and Batman's glare, when Wonder Woman cut in.

“We have been battling these creatures for over 16 hours now, and as far as I know Batman is only human.” Slade shut his mouth. Slade can see now why Jason seems to have so much awe in his voice the few times he feels like talking about the figures of his childhood. Wonder Woman, or “aunt Di” is clearly an imposing figure, she's as tall as Slade and carries herself exactly as the warrior-princess she is. Slade suddenly found himself fighting the compulsion to apologize to the Amazon.

Strangely there weren't very many JL members here, only the core seven, and they were all eyeing Slade curiously. The Bat opened his mouth, maybe to give more orders like he had been doing for most of the battle, maybe to explain Slade's presence. He wasn't sure because before he could get any words out, the arm of a nearby (and presumed dead) alien shot up and stabbed him in the shoulder with some kind of metal debris. It must have come off one of their ships, not something from earth because it went straight through the Bats suit, sticking out of the other side.

It was honestly a lucky hit. The alien either didn't know much about human anatomy or was just too hurt to aim correctly. It would have been a kill shot if it had gone just a couple inches to the left. Before the Bat could even grunt the alien's head was on the ground and Slade was putting one of his blades back in its place on his back. The bat's head was still bleeding and due to the shallow breaths he was letting out, even before he got stabbed, Slade was pretty sure at least a few of his right ribs were broken. None of his team mates were saying anything, just watching him, like he was just going to walk away from a hit like this. Maybe he normally did, but right now the cave zeta was broken, and Bruce was not going to make the three hour drive from Metropolis to Gotham, Slade didn't even have to ask about a civilian hospital. Looks like the watchtower med bay it was.

“Come on Batsy, let's get you to the watch tower before you keel over.” Wonder Woman didn't seem to like that comment.

“Batman, why does this,” Her eyes cut from Slade's eyes to his feet and back up again, “Man, know about the watch tower, who is he to you?” That seemed to be the question they all wanted to know the answer to. Everyone's eyes kept cutting from Slade to the Bat and Slade had a feeling that some of them were getting the wrong impression, but he had no time to clear it up.

The Bat began to list sideways, and suddenly Slade was supporting most of his weight with an arm around his waist. “Don't worry Bat, by the time you wake up from all the drugs they're about to put in you most of the other bats and birds should be with you.” Batman simply grunted as Slade walked him towards the zeta he arrived in.

Chapter Text

When Barry first noticed the blur of orange and back on the battlefield he was worried the guy might have been another enemy, or an idiot civilian. But the more glimpses Barry caught of the guy, the more he saw that neither of those things were true. He was taking out all enemies that got within a 10 foot radius of Batman like some kind of sword and pistol slinging guardian angel. The guy was definitely trained, and was for sure there to keep someone safe, although it seemed he only had one someone, and that someone was Batman. The guy seemed completely unconcerned for the safety of the rest of the team. Barry even heard Batman trying to get the guy to help Green Arrow on the comms. Barry wasn't sure what his reply was but he never saw him leave Batman's side for the duration of the battle.

The guys fighting style was both ruthless and flawless. He was quick and efficient in all his kills, and whatever he had going on with those double swords looked like an art. By the time the fight was over he was completely covered in electric blue alien blood, much like most of the team. By far the strangest thing about the mystery guy was how he talked to Batman. Sure, the stranger seemed plenty intimidating, but this was the damn Batman for God's sake, and here he was, making jokes to the man about being winded after fighting aliens for 16 hours. Batman didn't even seem that mad, granted he was injured, but still. He would have never tolerated that kind of ribbing from another member of the team, especially after a battle. Well maybe from Wonder Woman or Super Man, but the trio hasn't been that close in years. They had some kind of falling out around eight years ago and have never been the same since. No one in the JLA knows what happened, but they all know not to talk about it. Not even Hal will ask, and Hal has no boundaries.

The guy even knew about the watchtower, which is not at all public knowledge. After Batman was stabbed they all expected him to just walk himself to the nearest zeta and go to the infamous “Bat cave” to be patched up by whoever it is that does that for him. (There were bets on "agent A” being anything from a wife to an AI robot to a bat-humanoid, so far no one had an answer, and no one was dumb enough to ask Wonderwoman or Superman.) But instead, when the rest of the team got to the watchtower, they could see the orange and black clad stranger supporting Batman's weight as he walked them towards the med bay with directions from the Bat himself. The strings from the stranger's mask blew behind him as he walked and Barry was just now realizing that his mask only had one eye hole. It definitely was not the strangest thing about the situation so he chose not to point it out.

The stranger walked Batman into the med bay and laid him down clinically on the bed. The league nurses began to walk in, and one of them announced that any one who has not signed the medical privacy contract must leave. (The contract was created by Batman himself for anyone with secret identities, if a hero gets hurt and the medical staff has to unmask them to help, then J’on erases their face and any other identifying information from their minds once the hero in question is stable.) To his shock, the stranger stayed, and Batman made it a point, despite his seemingly steadying worsening condition to tell J’on not to try to mess with his mind because he already knew who he was.

Just as Barry walked out the door he could hear a quiet mummer from Batman to the stranger. “Slade, why wasn't Hood with you, is he okay?” Barry figured he should make it a point not to eavesdrop so he just kept walking.

****

Jason and Dami made it maybe an hour and a half in tense driving down the highway before they had to stop for fuel. While the tank was filling up he checked his phone for any updates.

From: Slade
Your dads fine, he got stabbed in the shoulder. It was a through and through flesh wound. I brought him to the watchtower for medical attention. They just brought him out from surgery. He's on a lot of drugs so he's pretty loopy but the doctors said he did great and will be fine. Don't panic okay? Love you.

“Shit” Jason muttered.

“Akhi, what's wrong?” He handed the little prince his phone to read as he put the gas pump back in its place. Jason wanted to ask if Clark and Diana were okay too, but he held back. B must have told them about him coming back and Jason received no visits, no texts, no calls. They both clearly loved little Jaylad, but Jason the crime boss was obviously not fit to be someone they cared about, so he wouldn't care about them either.

By the time the two of them were stepping into the watchtower from the star city zeta, Jason was so keyed up he thought he might dissolve into a shaky puddle. Diana, Clark, Oliver, Barry, and Hal were all sitting in the waiting room outside the med bay. Hal stood to walk towards them and Damian pulled out the sword at his hip, brandishing it at Hal like he was about to engage in combat.

Diana and Clark both stood in hesitantly defensive positions. Barry stared in curiosity and Oliver looked mildly entertained. Jason was sure that he knew who both of them were through Roy, which kind of pissed Jason off. He lost his best friend but his annoying ass dad still gets to look at him like he knows him. It sort of made Jason want to shoot his stupid face, but he chose to de-escalate instead.

“Woah little prince, chill. I’m sure that green lantern here was just about to escort us to the med bay to see our DAD,” Jason nudged Damian to put the sword down and follow his lead. “Yes, my father is injured and I’d like to see him right now.” Damian added, sword now lowered but not holstered.

“What the hell man, Spookys already got a whole damn circus in there, what's two more.” Hal mumbled before walking off, presumably to the med bay. Clark and Diana were still eyeing Jason wearily like they didn't know who he was or what he would do. Jason refused to let his eyes well up at that.

He and Damian followed silently behind Hal. As soon as he walked through the doors Slade was out of his seat to greet him.

“He's okay, he's in and out of consciousness right now, they put him on a lot of drugs but the doctors said he'll make a full recovery.” Damian locked the door to Bruce's room before tugging on Slade's arm, his own way of saying he wanted to be picked up. Slade was quick to comply, and both him and Jason stepped to the foot of Bruce's bed. Cass was in the bed next to him, her head pillowed on his chest. It made a funny looking sight, as she was in full black bat gear, and all Bruce had on was a hospital gown and his cowl, which must have been put back on after surgery. Dick was in the chair opposite to the side Cass was laying, Duke and Tim both next to him. Steph's chair was on Casses' side of the bed, she was leaned forward with her forehead on Casses’ hip, seemingly fast asleep.

“Slade, why are you covered in blue goo?” Jason asked. He hoped it was all dried by now because he really didn't want it getting all over Damian, though if he minded he wouldn't have asked Slade to pick him up.

“Alien guts” He mumbled with a weary sigh before leaning forward to whisper in Jason's ear.

“Your family's irritating as shit, and half the Justice League thinks I’m your dads secret boyfriend.” Jason laughed as Slade stood back up right with an annoyed expression.

Bruce started to stir, opening his eyes briefly. It seemed as soon as he saw Jason he was waking right up. “Jaylad, you're here?” His voice sounded awful, like he's been gargling gravel, and Jason had to hold back his heart from jumping out of his chest at how pleasantly surprised Bruce seemed that he came.

“Yea B, it's me, and I brought Dami.”

“How do you feel, father?” Damian asked from his spot on Slade's hip.

“I’m fine chum, only thing I can feel right now are the alien guts that got in my hair when they took my cowl off.” Bruce answered with a fond smile, making everyone but Cass and Steph laugh. Now that Jason was really looking he was pretty sure that Cass was also asleep. Before the laughter even died out, Bruce seemed to be falling back unconscious.

Slade suddenly stood up straighter than before, the amused expression on his face dropped, and Jason's hand was quick to go to the pistol in his waistband. Every other awake person in the room seemed to notice it too. The room was held in tense silence as they all waited to see what Slade was hearing.

Slade's posture dropped and he let out a sigh, "It's just Selina.” Chuckles were heard here and there, and Jason walked back to the door to unlock it and let her in. Instead of Hal it was Diana that walked her in. If Jason's spotty childhood memories were correct, the two were semi close when he was a kid. There were plenty of times they would gang up on Bruce together to make fun of him for various traits of his character, which of course gave 12-15 year old Jason great amusement.

Selina was quick to give Jason a hug. “Thanks for sending your boyfriend to watch over him, sorry he was our only backup option.” She stood onto her tip-toes to kiss the same part of his head she always did when he was Robin, now covered by a white patch of curly hair.

“Yea yea, don't mention it.” Selina rolled her eyes at his quick attempt to brush off public emotions.

Diana shut and locked the door behind her, which no one seemed to mind so Jason chose not to say anything. “Selina, who are these men?” She asked, gesturing towards Jason and Slade, and Jason swears he felt his heart break into a million pieces all at once. All the happiness Jason felt at seeing Bruce's expression when he noticed Jason's presence drained away.

“He didn't tell you I was back?” Jason asked as he stepped towards her and pulled his domino mask off. “Its me aunt Di.”

Jason's pretty sure he heard someone saying “holy shit” behind him, maybe it was Dick, maybe Tim. He was too preoccupied to focus on that.

Diana's hands flew to her face and tears sprang to her eyes. “Jason?” Her voice broke, and Jason was a little disturbed, he had never seen her this vulnerable before, “Is it really you?”

“Yea, I figured he would have told you guys by now.” Diana pulled him into a hug so fierce Jason thought his ribs were creaking. He didn't care though, he held on just as tightly. Diana didn't hate who he was now, she just didn't know he was back. He could have gone to her at any time and instead he sat around and made assumptions about what Bruce would or wouldn't do. Jason felt like an idiot as Diana's tears rolled into his hair.

They stayed that way for a moment longer before Jason turned back to everyone else in the room. Duke looked confused, and Selina was just silently watching. He stepped towards Dick with an accusatory look. “Did you know that he never told them?” He turned back to Diana, "I'm guessing Clark doesn't know either?” Diana shook her head and swiftly stepped out of the room, presumably to bring Clark in here. “What the fuck Dick? This whole time I thought they just didn't want to see me and they didn't even know I was back?”

Dick stood from his chair, sending it hurdling back into the wall. “Well it's not like he told anyone when you died, why would he tell anyone you came back” He yelled, waking Cass from her slumber.

“He didn't tell you when I died?” Jason screeched. Cass seemed content with just tensely watching. According to Damian she never had much to say when an argument broke out in the manor.

“You didn't know that? Why do you think Clark and Diana never come over anymore? They had a huge fight over him keeping it to himself.” Tim shouted

“How the fuck am I supposed to know all this shit that happened when I was gone if no one fucking tells me?” Jason yelled back

The door swung open and there was Clark in all his kryptonian glory, crying in the doorway like a six foot kid. “He waited until after your funeral to tell us.” He said through tears as he pulled Jason into a hug. He sniffled into his hair for a moment before pulling him back from the hug, holding Jason out by the shoulders. “Rao, Jason you’re so tall, and your eyes are green now.” One of his hands briefly left his shoulder to run his fingers through the white patch of Jason's hair before pulling him back into a hug. “I’m so sorry I wasn't there Jay, I never should have gone on that mission with the titans, they didn't need a chaperone that bad, I should have been here, looking out for you.”

Jason pulled away again, not wanting to get snot and tears all over the S of his suit. “It's not your fault Clark. You guys really didn't know?” he asked, looking back and forth between Clark and Diana. “I figured he would have told you by now and you just didn't want to see me.” The twin expressions of heartbreak on both their faces was not something Jason ever wanted to see again. Jason turned back towards the still unconscious Bruce in his hospital gown and cowl.

“I, I can’t be here, I have to go,” He turned towards Damian, still on Slade's dried alien goo covered hip, “Little prince, are you staying with the bats or are you coming with us?” Damian slid out of Slade's hold and walked towards Jason, putting his little hand in Jason's palm. “I’m going back with you akhi.” Jason didn't care how much of a little bitch he looked running out the room right now, he didn't even care about how much comfort he was receiving from a ten year old. He should have stayed, stuck around to have some more emotional conversations with his stupid family, or at least encouraged Damian to stick around with his hurt father. But he didn't, and honestly, Jason didn't care about Dami’s dna, Jason will always think of Slade and himself as Damian's primary parents.

“Well come on then, Slade lets go.” Slade silently followed behind Jason like the well trained man he is. Jason was a little surprised to hear Duke of all people convincing everyone to give him some space as he walked out the room. It's not like he knew the guy very well, but he appreciated it none the less. The half teary, half murderous look on his face must have been all the encouragement Hal and Barry needed to not try to speak to him on the way out. Oliver seemed to be having a very tense phone call and Jason didn't care enough to wonder who it was with.

“I got to swing by Metropolis to get my bike, and then I can zeta to Star City and the three of us could head back to the house where the kids are at right now?” Slade asked as they walked back through the long halls to the main zeta tube. Jason nodded tensely.

“Who are you riding with, little prince?” Slade asked Damian. Jason already knew the answer as soon as his hold on Jason's hand tightened. Damian never liked seeing either of them cry. They always made it a point to not break down like that in front of him, so he's not used to it all. Whenever it does happen he tends to refuse to leave their sides, he stays glued to whoever was upset like white on rice. He's not very good at emotions, so he rarely tries comforting with actual words, but the weight of his hand in Jason's was plenty enough. The entire two hour ride back to the house was spent in complete silence.

****

Slade knew better than to ask Jason to let Damian drive Grant's bike. Even though he looked like he was in no condition to be traversing winding back roads and occasionally the interstate, Slade knew him well enough to know that suggesting he let Damian drive over him right now would absolutely get him shot, or if he's lucky, put on the couch for a couple weeks. So when pulled his bike out of the star city zeta and next to Grants, he simply kissed Jason on the forehead and told him to drive safe. Jason had a thing about feeling incapable when he was vulnerable.

Slade wasn't sure if it was a robin thing or a street kid thing, but what he did know was that Jason didn't like to acknowledge it. So Slade kept it to himself, just like he kept the envelope Dick gave to him when he first got to the watchtower to himself. It was just the two of them alone in the room with the unconscious Bat, and Dick walked in a little frantically, asked how Batsy was doing, and then handed Slade a thick manilla envelope.

“Don’t open it in front of Jason, skim through it before anyone gets here if you have to, but don’t tell anyone I gave it to you, especially Jason.” Slade looked through the first few documents and it just looked like some guy that was arrested for embezzlement. It was a hefty sum, but not something that would interest Slade, Jason, or any of the other Bats.

“Why does this matter to me?”

“Flip ahead to the bat report, it's a thicker paper with a bat symbol in the top left corner.” Slade kept his comments on the name to himself. As soon as he began reading the report he froze.

“Why would you give this to me? You know what I’m going to do with this”

Dick looked at his feet, shuffling in place. “Yea, and you better keep it to yourself. No leaving your mark at the scene, this needs to be a mysterious death.” He said to the ground. Slade nodded, tucked the envelope into his leather jacket and took a seat to wait on Jason.

Slade sort of felt a little bad for Dick getting the brunt of Jason's anger at the watchtower. Neither of them actually had anything to be mad at each other for, but it's not like Jason could stand there and scream at his unconscious father, and no brother would let a sibling scream at him without screaming back. Slade may not have as many siblings as Jason, or any actually, but he does have one annoying ass cousin, who he would never take that kind of lip from without retaliation.

When they finally got back to the house the kids were silent. They must have been able to sense Jason's tense mood because nobody said a word to him. Damian took a seat with everyone else sprawled across the living room, and Jason went straight to his and Slade's bedroom.

“What the hell happened to him?” Rose asked as soon as the door clicked shut.

“Is dad-bat okay?” Joey signed.

“Hes fine, apparently the bat never told Clark and Diana that Jason was back. It got pretty emotional, Jason got mad and we took off.” Slade was glad nobody asked because he wasn't willing to answer follow up questions. He went to the bathroom to “wash up”, in other words stash the envelope in a vent, change out of his alien goo-covered suit, and then follow Jason into their bedroom. As soon as he shut the door he could hear the sounds of Rose and Grant corralling everyone to change and get in her car so they could go get ice cream. Slade guessed he was grateful for the privacy.

He was sitting on the foot of the bed, it was unmade which wasn't unusual for Jason, and he still hadn't changed out of his red hood gear. He had that look on his face, like the way Damian describes him when he first came out of the pit. Numb, unseeing, like he wasn't in his body, only he must have been feeling something because he was shaking like a pine tree in a hurricane. Slade stepped in front of him and put both hands on his shoulders, trying to get Jason to come back a bit. Jason always describes these moments as cold, and when he and Jason first started telling each other shit like this Slade always thought he meant it metaphorically, but he's known for a few years now that he means cold literally.

When Jason gets really worked up like this it's like the pit fails him, his heart rate plummets, his temperature drops, his eyes get a blue shine to them, and his Y scar gets all red and irritated, like it happened a few months ago and not nine years ago. All of this of course scares the shit out of Slade so he does his best to get him out of it as soon as possible.

He pulled Jason's head towards his stomach and tried not to lose his shit when Jason just moved with him. He was so docile when he got like this, like a little lamb. Most people tend to take one look at Slade and Jason's relationship and assume that that's what Slade wants. A docile, easy to control, pretty twenty something. And while sometimes Slade doesn't mind it, likes it even, when Jason's tired, or in the mood for soft and slow sex, yea that doesnt bother him, but he likes Jason best when he's his usual fiery self.

The first time Jason truly beat Slade in a fight, he had to find some quick and shitty excuse to leave the room so he could hide how hard he was. He likes when Jason fights back, he enjoys his stubborn and crazy as fuck personality. When Jason gets pissed and ruins their mission plan to do whatever the fuck it is he can’t stop himself from doing, he always expects Slade to be mad at him, but he loves it, most of the time he plans for things to go a little wrong and he wouldn’t have it any other way. So yea, this docile thing really tended to freak him out.

“Talk to me kid, how are you?” He hummed into Slade's compression shirt, which wasn't a terrible sign, but still not a great one. Slade tangled one hand into the hair at the nape of his neck, leaning his head back so Slade could look at his face. He needed to get Jason talking soon or this was only going to get worse. The first time this happened Jason had some kind of flashback during sex. They stopped immediately of course, but Slade thought the best way to handle it was to let him come back in his own time. Jason didn't speak for over a month. He never did tell Slade what he was seeing in his head that night, no matter how many times Slade asked. After looking at that envelope, and hearing about his worries when he first moved into the manor a few weeks ago when Tim showed up with all those photos, Slade was starting to get some idea. Slade was hoping that this wouldn't be as bad as then, but really there's no way to compare the stress of the two situations.

Slade went back to gently tugging Jason's head backwards to look him in the eye. His hands were still sitting flat on the bed by his thighs, and his eyes rolled open like he was passed out drunk or something. “Look Jay, I know this shit with your family is rough, Bruce is an asshole-” As soon as he said the Bat's name, Jason's eyes went back to green and his face snapped into recognition.

“Bruce? You wanna talk about Bruce? The person I sent you to protect and when I got there he was getting out of surgery? That Bruce?” Misplaced rage wasn't exactly what Slade had hoped would be the thing to get him out of this, but for now he’ll take it.

“It’s not like I can show up and wrap the guy in bubble wrap, Jay.” He stood, and Slade took a step back to give him some room. A fight seemed like exactly what Jason needed, and Slade would always be happy to give him what he needed.

“You’re Deathstroke the fucking Termintor, how God damn hard can it be to show up and watch a guys back?” Jason was stepping into Slade space now, squaring his shoulders and planting his feet, all the tell tale signs that he wanted to punch something, and that something might be Slade. He didn't think Jason would get that far in this little one sided fight, but if he did Slade would play along.

“All you had to do was watch my dad,” his shoulders dropped, and Slade almost felt a little bad for predicting him so accurately, “Just watch my stupid dad,” his eyes were welling up now, and Slade wanted to try to hold him, but that didnt seem like a good idea just yet, “My stupid dad who didnt even tell my pseudo aunt and uncle that I’m alive, and didnt tell anyone when I died, and didnt invite anyone to my,” He stepped forward again, with his hands raised to Slades chest, “stupid” slap, “fucking” slap, “funeral,” before he could get a third hit in Slade pulled him into his chest. He collapsed into him like an uprooted tree.

“He didn't tell Dick or Diana when I died,” He sobbed into Slade's shirt, his palms still splayed across his pecs. Slade's arms tightened around his shoulders, pulling him impossibly closer to him. Slade thought that they probably looked a little silly like this, Jason in full gear, missing only his helmut, and Slade, barefoot, in sweats and a compression shirt.

“Im so sorry baby,” he whispered into Jason's hair. “We could kill him together if you want?” Slade half joked with a hopeful tone.

Jason pulled back just far enough to look Slade in the eyes. “Dont kill my dad” He wailed, tears still running down his face, and for sick moment, it kind of reminded Slade of when Addie was three months pregnant with Grant and he offered her a pickle off his plate, promptly making her burst into tears because “pickles didn't smell right anymore, so she could never eat one again”. Slade felt horrible for unconsciously comparing the two situations. Jason's family, no, his dad, putting him through hell was not the same thing as his ex-wife's pregnancy hormones making her emotional.

Slade's hand went to his hair and he guided Jason's head back to his chest. “I was just kidding, baby, I would never do that.” Slade so would do that, but not without asking first. Jason didn't like Slade trying to fight his battles for him. It's honestly the only reason the joker’s still alive. If Slade presented his head on a platter to Jason like he's wanted to do basically since they met, Jason would probably shoot his dick off. Its the only reason he was excited to be presented this envelope from Dick with all this sick fucks informaton. Slade could test the waters with this one, and if Jason doesn't make him sleep on the couch (or even worse, shoot his dick off), then Slade would be trying his luck by killing the joker. It was a perfect plan, but one he would have to think on later.

“How about we get you changed into some pajamas and then once all the kids get back we can all sit in the living room and watch that dumb ass zombie pride and prejudice movie?” That got a little smile out of him that Slade's not ashamed to admit went straight to his cock. Sue him, he liked seeing Jason's post crying face, he was a beautiful cryer, and although this was absolutely not the time, Slade can't help but think of the first time he saw Jason all teary eyed underneath him. There would be other times to focus on that though, right now he wanted to focus on making his baby feel better. This safehouse was the kids favorite whenever they wanted to hang out at the beach as it wasnt too much a drive from here, while still conveniently placed in the middle of bum fuck no where. This meant that Slade had some clothes left behind in the drawers that he could give to Jay to wear.

He was in the middle of looking for softest things left behind, especially for a top, Jason's Y scar was surely irritated, even if the “Maya Angelo moment” as Jason tended to call them didn't last long. (And God how did Slade not put the pieces together sooner, Jason had talked about that book many times, she stopped speaking after being sexually assaulted. He had suspected for a long time but all the evidence was right there in his face.)

Slade was pulled out of his thoughts by Jason speaking. “Where did the kids go?”

“They all left to get ice-cream not long after we got back” He answered as he pulled out a grey cotton hoodie with a fleece lining. Slade had been wondering where this got left, it was one of Slade's (and consequently Jason's) favorite hoodies.

Suddenly Slade heard the dial tone of a phone call being made. He looked up from the dresser and Jason was standing in the middle of the room, half way undressed, with his phone to his ear. The line clicked and Slade could make out the sound of Rose saying hello on the other end.

“Are you guys still at the ice-cream shop?”

“No we already left, and yes we got you a to-go neapolitan, and yes we got a large because we know dads gonna say he doesn't want any and then steal bites off of yours.” Rose didn't seem the least bit surprised that Jason was calling, clearly anticipating that Slade would have had him calmed down before they made it back to the house.

“Thanks!” Jason said cheerfully before hanging up.

Slade stood with a fond smile on his face, and handed him the hoodie and a pair of his own black sweats that he found. He put both hands on the back of Jason's neck, trying to gauge his temperature with the pretense of being clingy. Jason saw right through it though.

“I’m fine Slade.” He said as he shrugged both of his hands off his neck, and stepped into the sweats.

“You're still a little cold, and your scar’s as red as a tomato.”

“Well I’ll put some lotion on it before I go to bed.” He grumbled before throwing the hoodie over it. Slade wanted to offer to put it on himself, not for any sexy reasons, but just to be a clingy bastard. But Jason didn't like him directly touching it. He hated that the scar was numb, it freaked him out to see Slade running a finger across it and not being able to feel it at all. He welcomed Slade running his hands along the direction it went, up his ribs and across his chest, as long as he wasn't actually touching it.

“Now come on, I want to have the movie queued up by the time everyone gets back.” He called over his shoulder as he walked out the bedroom door.

****

Slade can’t say he was shocked when Jason fell asleep not even halfway into the movie, with an empty bowl of ice-cream in his lap. Slade also wasn't shocked when not half an hour after everybody went to bed, Res and Damian came knocking on their door because they “had a nightmare” coincidentally at the same time, and then woke up at the same time, and instead of either of them thinking of going to any of the other three authority figures in the house, they both decided to go to Jason and Slade's room. Res climbed in between the two of them, facing Jason. Damian climbed in on Jay's other side. Jason had conveniently rolled over onto his back in his sleep, and while Slade knew he couldn't let Jason sleep like that much longer or he'd be waking up with coffin induced nightmares, the sight of both of them cuddled into his chest was too adorable to put an abrupt end to.

“You gotta let me roll him over on his side in a little while okay? He can't sleep like that all night.” Damian, as usual, had a look on his face that seemed too wise for his years. Res looked a little confused but seemed content with not knowing.

Not even twenty minutes later when Slade went to roll Jason onto his side, both boys had already fallen asleep. It's a good thing Res is sturdy enough to take the weight. In the morning when Jason wakes to see he's been flopped onto his ten year old sort of son, he'll be horrified, but for now Res actually seems a little content with it, letting out little hums in his sleep and wrapping his arms around Jason's shoulders. Maybe they should consider getting him a weighted blanket.

In the morning Slade needs to call his dumb ass cousin and give him all the details of the trafficking ring so he can take it down himself, but for now he's content to just lay here, with Jay, and their sort of kids.