“Nope, though she was cocky enough to draw that conclusion, too.” He shook his head. “But it’s not pragmatic to get all buddy buddy with someone you might have to throw into a wall hard enough to break her spine.” He shrugged. Maybe that was callous, but Cassandra was Dick’s family, not his. Slade’s family was right in front of him. While Slade wouldn’t go out of his way to make a problem with the Waynes for the sake of his relationship, Dick had told him that he would love him no matter what. And Slade couldn’t help but think that eventually that was going to get tested. Again. It was just how shit went, wasn’t it? It had been going that way Slade’s whole life.

“What an astute observation,” he offered back, no venom in his voice as he sipped his beer. “It’s hot,” he added as he slid the bowl of stew across to her before taking his own. “And probably. I don’t exactly need their approval, though.” 

Taking a bite of the stew, he chewed thoughtfully before raising a brow. “But you didn’t answer my question. What do you talk about?”

“Sure it’s just cockiness?” Rose muttered under her breath. “Her training’s better than mine. Keep your enemies closer, right? Not like I’m looking to get on their bad side.” The relationship she had with them was always up in the air. It depended on whatever was going on at the moment. Plenty of situations could put them at odds with each other, but she would rather work with them if possible. They were powerful allies. Getting on their bad side just wasn’t smart.

JOEY: I’m already home and don’t plan to go anywhere else.

JOEY: Is someone after you again? Do you need me to do anything?

“Guess not. She wanted to train with me. So she could watch me with her beady little eyes most likely. Not a chance in hell.” He wasn’t letting the family savant take a crack at him on his own turf after watching how he trained. He was confident that he could outsmart her in the field, but he wasn’t interested in giving her any ammunition. 

“A lot in common, huh? And why’s that? Because she’s got an assassin for a parent, too? Or because you both were to soft to cut it in my line of work so you went hero?” It was blunt, and unfair. Slade knew that he had passed her to Dick and that he hadn’t made it easy for her even when she was with him. He shook his head, softening up a little bit as he looked at her. She was the most like him. By a landslide. His favorite, maybe, if he were to be pressed. Parents shouldn’t play favorites. He knew that. But he was a shitty parent, anyway. She knew that. He let out a breath, trying to come back from the comment. “What do you talk about? Girl talks like she’s slow, but I’m guessing looks are deceiving?” Rose wouldn’t hang out with a retard, would she?

“I’m only in with Dick. The rest of them hate me and I imagine it’ll stay that way.” It was something he had earned for himself. “Maybe not Talia’s kid. Damian.” Or maybe he hated him extra for the bombing of the headquarters last summer. He didn’t know and he didn’t really think about it.

Slade had made stew. Hearty, healthy, and filling. There would be leftovers for Dick and Grant when they came home, but he hadn’t anticipated that Rose would want to eat with him. And yet, she had. Several times now. And it was weird but he… didn’t hate it. Not at all. It wasn’t like he had suddenly turned into father of the year, but they could talk now without leaping for each other’s throats–usually Rose had done the leaping, but now she did it less. Slade wondered how much of this he owed to Dick, either directly or through how it was changing him. He couldn’t deny that it was, and there was no use fighting it. So he was simply allowing the chips to fall.

“She was, yeah. Waited for a while, but you never showed up.” He handed her a beer without much thought, picking up the spoon and stirring through the stew as he spoke. “David Cain’s kid, huh? You two best pals now? I know you and Dick are. And you and Drake, too. You trying to get in good with the Bat’s family?” At his feet, Roscoe waited, wondering if Slade would offer him anything. Slade didn’t feed him from the table, but sometime meat and gristle found its way into his bowl.

It was good food. That was something Rose kept telling herself. This was all an excuse to sit herself at her father’s table like nothing were wrong. Taking a passive approach to it was more than the typical disdain she reserved for moments like these. Rose didn’t think too hard on why she’d changed her mind enough to be here, and give him a second chance. Or maybe this was the fifth, she couldn’t be sure. Part of her held onto that hope that things could be different. If anything he seemed willing to try. That was more than Rose ever expected from him anyways.

Please like this post if you’d like a starter from Rose! It would help to specify if you have more than one character!

Slade: I called you an idiot because I had hoped if I made you aware of the situation, you might stop wasting my time with filler like ‘you’re bossy’. 

Slade: He’s not. Hence the confusion. And Dick’ll live. He always does. One of the few fuckers besides me who got shot in the head and walked it off.

Slade: You’re an idiot. I’m giving you my plan. You can choose to show up or not.

Slade: Who? Wintergreen or Dick? Because Dick’s off with daddy trying to square up to NOVA.

ravagingyou​:

Slade: I’ll be home in fifteen. Pack up the dogs and then go to the weapons cache in the master room. It’ll be in the walk-in behind my extra uniforms. Clean it out. 

Slade: Wintergreen will arrange transportation that leaves at 11. The docks. We’ll squat until the city’s clear. I’m not betting my ass on the Justice League even if Dick’s on it.