[It was painfully obvious that Dick and this stranger had a history and J gasped at the blatant insult. To speak like that to someone who was plainly a passenger was something that didn't register in J's brain. He'd been onboard long enough that the indoctrinations had a tight grip on his sensibilities, something that was encouraged every time he looked in a mirror.
Still, he let himself be pulled back behind Dick, confusion clear on his features as he looked between the two men. He wanted to ask...but Dick pushed him away and Slade let him take a few unsteady steps before he reached out to close that large hand around J's upper arm.]
Don't be stupid, Richard. The lights gone green. He goes out by himself now... [He wasn't lying. The soft, LED running lights that lined the corridors had shifted from red to green, signaling to the passengers that the ship had officially crossed into international waters. Right on cue, there was a shrill, pained cry from somewhere on the crowded deck below them, followed by a chorus of laughter from passengers who were apparently watching.
J flinched, dropping his gaze to the deck as a muscle in his jaw twitched.]
Unless you're willing to sacrifice him to save your secret, of course.
[ Just like that, the whole ship got permission to enact their sickest, most twisted fantasies, and the nightmare started again. Except this time, what would happen to J was completely his fault. Dick turned to Slade when that tight grip yanked J back. Seeing the way J flinched had his stomach dropping like a rock.
Still, the stars stretched above them, watching, still bathing the three of them in a strange, cool glow. ]
I'm not saving my secret, I'm saving him. [ There was a harshness behind his voice, a sharp edge he'd never shown J before as his hands splayed at his sides, palms open. His greatest weapon, all those years of honing martial arts, was of no use here. He was at Slade's mercy, at the mercy of this ship. Fight and he'd instantly lose his life. J would lose his life. ]
You miss me so much you tracked me down? Wouldn't be surprised if it was all the way from Gotham. It's me you want. Let him go.
[ He looked at J, something breaking in his gaze, something pained and sorry. ]
He'll survive. He's survived years of this without me.
[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.]
[ Tension pulled hard through his jaw when Slade pulled J back against him, and anger had him lowering his hands, balling tight into fists at his sides. His eyes slid from Slade to J, who looked confused and scared and bewildered at the same time. His reply didn't come right away, not because he wasn't willing to behave, but because he needed a moment to gather himself away from doing something rash.
Like surging forward to rip J away from Slade's claws, because J was his (a dangerous thought). Or sock Slade in the jaw before knocking him out and tossing him overboard (dangerous and stupid). He knew what this place was. Any of that would land them both dead.
A slow, resigned sigh had his lips parting for a beat of hesitation before the words came. ]
I...promise. [ his eyes went to Slade's arm around J's waist before up to those green eyes again. ] It's gonna be okay, Jay. Slade's not gonna hurt you--I'll do whatever it takes.
[ And to Slade: ]
Your word's questionable integrity is the only thing you've got going for you. Don't disappoint me now.
[ This wretched place could take everything from him, but he would still do anything to protect those he loves. With a blaze in his eyes, he slowly sank down, lowering to his knees one after another before he looked up at Slade. ]
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no subject
Still, he let himself be pulled back behind Dick, confusion clear on his features as he looked between the two men. He wanted to ask...but Dick pushed him away and Slade let him take a few unsteady steps before he reached out to close that large hand around J's upper arm.]
Don't be stupid, Richard. The lights gone green. He goes out by himself now... [He wasn't lying. The soft, LED running lights that lined the corridors had shifted from red to green, signaling to the passengers that the ship had officially crossed into international waters. Right on cue, there was a shrill, pained cry from somewhere on the crowded deck below them, followed by a chorus of laughter from passengers who were apparently watching.
J flinched, dropping his gaze to the deck as a muscle in his jaw twitched.]
Unless you're willing to sacrifice him to save your secret, of course.
no subject
Still, the stars stretched above them, watching, still bathing the three of them in a strange, cool glow. ]
I'm not saving my secret, I'm saving him. [ There was a harshness behind his voice, a sharp edge he'd never shown J before as his hands splayed at his sides, palms open. His greatest weapon, all those years of honing martial arts, was of no use here. He was at Slade's mercy, at the mercy of this ship. Fight and he'd instantly lose his life. J would lose his life. ]
You miss me so much you tracked me down? Wouldn't be surprised if it was all the way from Gotham. It's me you want. Let him go.
[ He looked at J, something breaking in his gaze, something pained and sorry. ]
He'll survive. He's survived years of this without me.
no subject
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.]
no subject
Like surging forward to rip J away from Slade's claws, because J was his (a dangerous thought). Or sock Slade in the jaw before knocking him out and tossing him overboard (dangerous and stupid). He knew what this place was. Any of that would land them both dead.
A slow, resigned sigh had his lips parting for a beat of hesitation before the words came. ]
I...promise. [ his eyes went to Slade's arm around J's waist before up to those green eyes again. ] It's gonna be okay, Jay. Slade's not gonna hurt you--I'll do whatever it takes.
[ And to Slade: ]
Your word's questionable integrity is the only thing you've got going for you. Don't disappoint me now.
[ This wretched place could take everything from him, but he would still do anything to protect those he loves. With a blaze in his eyes, he slowly sank down, lowering to his knees one after another before he looked up at Slade. ]
Please. Just let him go. I'll do anything.