[Just like that, Dick understood exactly what his place was and Slade grinned as he used the grip on J's arm to draw the younger man back. Pulled that lanky, half grown form tight back against his chest so that he could keep eye contact with Dick while he buried his nose into J's curls. The kid smelled like sea salt and fear and the older man gave a low, rumbling chuckle as he let go of the kid's arm to instead wrap his arm around Jay's waist.]

Your boy smells scared, Richard. Tell him it's gunna be okay. Look into those pretty eyes of his and tell him that you're going to behave so that I have no reason to hurt him. Go on. Promise him.

[For his part, J made a small, disbelieving sound. He had no idea who the man who had him was, but he knew Dick. He knew Dick wasn't going to bow to someone just to protect him. Not again. Not after everything that Roman had done to them just because Dick had tried to help him.]