Chapter Text
January 5th, xxx0
They took the stairs from the 13th floor to the roof, but Nightwing stopped them before they got to the roof access door.
KYLE didn’t know much about Deathstroke, maybe he should actually start reading League files and catch up, but he did know that Deathstroke coming back was not expected or a good sign.
“Torchie” Nightwing said and Kyle did not like that. He hoped this wasn't quiz time, because if it was he was absolutely gonna fail. But it wouldn’t be the first time. “In case this goes wrong, be ready to call in the other Earth Lanterns".
He had told them about what Hal, Guy, and John had said about calling them for backup if they weren’t going to call the League, and he was surprised when the others agreed without a problem and that Nightwing had suggested it now. But then again, neither Hal, John, or Guy had any interest in restricting the Titans in any way, shape, or form, so it was probably easier to ask the Lanterns for help knowing it wouldn’t be held against them.
Kyle nodded, and he followed the others up the final few steps and through the door. Deathstroke was waiting on the roof looking bored, raising an eyebrow when they got close enough.
“Took you long enough” was all he said.
“What do you want, Slade?” Nightwing asked. Deathstroke looked even more unimpressed if that was possible.
“You wanted information. I have information” Deathstroke said slowly, as if they were stupid. Maybe Kyle was, because that is not what he expected Deathstroke to say.
“Okay. Tell us” Roy said, stiff with his bow in hand. Should Kyle be more ready? He probably should uh- maybe be ready for a shield around them? Or maybe one around Deathstroke?
“Of course,” Deathstroke said. “But first, give me Joey”?
“Give you” Donna said, sounding offended.
“Absolutely not. You're lucky we even let you talk to him” Nightwing said. “Give us the information. We already held up our end of the bargain”.
“But who had the power here? I have the information that you need” Deathstroke said. “Give me Joey and I’ll give you the information”.
“No,” Nightwing said firmly. They stared at each other in silence, no one moving but everyone tense. Then, Deathstroke moved, but not to attack.
“It’s not like I was going to hurt Joey. He’s safer with me than with you” Deathstroke said as he turned around and started to walk away.
It sucked to watch their only chance at information walk away, even after they had upheld their end of the bargain. They had no idea what to do next in the case, and they couldn’t really wait to be attacked again. They had just gotten approval from the League to get back on the field and getting attacked by the Legion of Doom would totally get them pulled again. And yeah, maybe Kara and Kyle could still operate, but Kyle didn’t want Titans A to get put back on restriction
Or pull away from the League.
“It was Lex, wasn’t it” Kara called out. Deathstroke didn’t acknowledge her at all and kept walking. “You know, this case was originally supposed to be for Titans West”.
That made him stop walking.
“Joey was gonna be on this case. I know because I was supposed to be the one to supervise them” Kara continued. “Half our team got injured, we could’ve died. That could’ve been Joey. Lex could’ve killed Joey”.
“It was Lex,” Deathstroke confirmed, turning back to look at him. There was no emotion on his face. “He gave Schott money to start his business under an alias to set a trap, and got information on who would be handling that case from your League database”.
“And what about the Legion of Doom?” Kyle asked, hoping Deathstroke would continue to be in a chatty mood.
“That was just Lex pulling favors” Deathstroke waved him off. “He wanted to test his anti-Kryptonian weapons without facing any consequences. But you don’t have to worry about him, I’ll deal with it”.
His voice took a hard edge to it at the end, but his face stayed neutral. He put his helmet back on and turned away.
“Slade, wait” Nightwing cried out, but Slade already leapt off the roof. Nightwing sighed. “Don’t bother trying to look for him guys, he’s gone”.
“What do you think he meant when he said he’d deal with it?” Wally asked, eyebrow raised. Nightwing sighed.
“I don’t know”.
They made their way back down stairs in silence. Anti Kryptonian weapons. The mech had Kryptonite, the gun had red sunlight emitting bullets, and the sword was magic. Lex wanted to kill Kara and Clark, and he used them as test subjects to do so.
And Lex had gotten information from the League database? How? And what else did he know?
“Nightwing to Oracle” Nightwing said into his comm. A second and then- “League database has been compromised”.
And Slade handling it- what did that mean for the case?
Joey came running in from the stairs, hair still damp and without a shirt. He was breathing heavily, his eyes wide. He signed something, his movements quick and sharp.
“It’s okay Joey, he’s gone now” Roy said. Joey rolled his eyes and signed something with a lot of emphasis.
“He said we had to give you to him if we wanted information. We said no, and Kara was able to persuade him otherwise” Donna told him. “He gave us some information, but then he left to deal with it himself”.
Joey frowned and nodded, but he still didn’t look happy.
“We don’t know why he wanted to take you, but he was stressed about your safety” Wally told him and then frowned. “Do you think something is gonna happen”?
Everyone was silent at that. They were supposed to get information, but this just left them with more questions and there wasn’t really a way to get more information. Did they just trust Deathstroke when he said he would take care of it? Was this part of a ploy to let their guard down?
Maybe all they could do was wait.
A few days later, Kyle found himself at the Watchtower. He first went to the infirmary to get his injuries looked over again and then was clear to meet Hal in the monitor room.
“There you are” Hal greeted, looking over his shoulder from where he sat in front of the main computer, his feet kicked up. “How’s your injuries”.
“I’m healing well thankfully” Kyle told him, sitting down in the chair next to him. He de-powered his ring and winced. He’d rather keep it on and be pain free, but it drained him. “I haven’t been cleared to get back on the field, but I’m back in my apartment now. I’ve mostly been doing monitor duty and looking over old cases for the Titans, but I’m free from my last case so I’m ready to start the next case with you three”.
He wasn’t going to say that looking over old cases meant that he was doing the boring task of copy and pasting old cases and profiles into the new system that Nightwing, Oracle, Vic, Karen, and Robin were making.
“Didn’t know you guys finished,” Hal said. “But then again I have been avoiding going to League meetings and sending Guy instead because Bats is pissing me off. So I think it’s fair to send Guy to piss Bats off ya know”?
“We’re still finishing the official report” Kyle said, trying not to laugh at what Hal said and failing.
Deathstroke had appeared again the next day saying their case was closed and they didn’t have to worry about it anymore, but refused to answer questions, only saying that the next time they met it would be as enemies. Both Kara and Nightwing had confirmed Lex was alive, so they had no idea how Deathstroke had handled it, but there weren’t any more attacks and the sword had been given to them. Kyle had cringed when he saw it, remembering that horrible pain that engulfed his entire body, and almost refused to touch it when it was handed to him. But someone had to take it to the Hall of Justice, and Kyle wanted to feel useful.
They were still running tests on it.
“Welp, let's put you in the system” Hal said, turning to the monitor. There wasn’t any evidence on how Luthor got in, but Batman was looking into that one. But only the Toyman case file had been touched. “What did you say your last name was again.
“Rayner. No, with a ‘y’not an ‘i’’. Yeah like that” Kyle said. Hal frowned.
“Maybe you should type this in,” Hal said. Kyle lifted up an injured hand and Hal made a face. “Oh yeah, right. Birthday”.
“August 20th”. The day he got the ring.
“What- you know what I’m smart, I can do moth” Hal said before saying a year that was one too early. Kyle was going to correct him, but then he remembered he told everyone he was 21 instead of 20. That was a later issue. “Do you know your blood type”?
“Uh no? Am I supposed to”?
“Yeah kid, that's like your social security number. Important information to know”.
“Oh. I don’t know that either”.
They filled in as much information as they could, and Kyle felt a little dumb for how many things he didn’t know. But at least they got his blood type from his medical report from getting stabbed. They put his status as on the same case as Hal, John, and Guy, and Hal said he could start now looking at the evidence and notes they already have compiled.
“You wanna hang out tomorrow? I’m free and you know Guy never has any plans” Hal offered. Kyle felt himself go red and Hal raised an eyebrow. “What”?
“I kinda have a date tomorrow” Kyle said, looking away to hide his smile because he was a loser. Hal, that bitch, laughed.
“With Donna? Your girlfriend?” Hal teased and Kyle rolled his eyes.
“What are you, seven?”
“Out of ten”!
“Gosh you're horrible. That was so lame” Kyle said sadly and Hal laughed again.
“We should go on a double date. You and Donna, me and Carol” Hal suggested. “You can watch me and Carol argue! Dinner and a show”!
“Watch you guys argue?” Kyle laughed and Hal nodded enthusiastically.
“Thats what Iris and Barry or Ollie and Dinah do” Hal grinned, “But in all seriousness, that's great kid. See how things turned out? You thought you’d always be alone but look at you now”!
Hal was right. He thought he’d always be isolated from everyone after Alex died, but now he didn’t know what he would do without his fellow Lanterns. He was a Titan now, even became friends with Wally of all people, had friends from different sectors visit him when he was injured, and he was dating Donna. His life was so different from the mess it had been in September.
“Thanks Hal” Kyle said, because where would he be now if Hal hadn’t offered him his hand? Hadn’t chased after him after he was possessed by Parallax and offered to help him stand up again, or held him as he cried in his kitchen after his refrigerator induced freak out? Hal’s eyes softened and he moved his chair over to Kyle so that he could wrap an arm around his shoulders.
“I didn’t do much, kid. Everything you’ve accomplished, this life that’s been built, that's all you” Hal said and Kyle leaned his head on Hal’s shoulder. This was nice. “So about your date-”.
Less nice.
“Need any advice?” Hal asked.
“Oh, I was told not to ask you for dating advice” Kyle winced. Hal looked offended.
“Don’t listen to Guy, he’s a dumbass and jealous” Hal argued.
“Actually it was Carol who said that”.
“Oh. Yeah no, she's right”.
-
January 9th
“Do you think the case is resolved?” Kori asked from where she laid on Donna’s bed.
“It’s more of a hope really” Donna admitted. There wasn’t really a way to verify it so all they could do now was accept it and stay alert. It felt weird to have to trust Slade of all people. “I finished and sent the report today. If the League sends it back, we’ve decided it’s Roy’s problem”.
Kori laughed, stretching out on Donna’s bed as she did, and Donna went back to doing her make up. It was too cold to put her hair up in her opinion.
“What are you getting ready for anyways?” Kori asked. Donna smiled.
“I have a date soon,” Donna told her. Silence, so Donna turned around to see Kori propped up on her elbows and frowning at her.
Yeah, Donna was used to this, but it hurt this time. Her friends always made faces like that when Donna said she was going on a date with her partner at the time. Sure she had really shitty partners, but she thought Kori liked Kyle. She had been happy when Donna told her she and Kyle were dating, what had-
“And you were going to tell me when? Like when we become old and wrinkly and can barely remember what we ate for breakfast in the morning?” Kori asked dramatically. “Details Donna! Where are you going”?
Donna relaxed with a laugh before turning back to do her mascara.
“Sorry, I forgot to mention it because I was so focused on finishing the report” Donna told her. “I don’t know where we’re going, he said it was a surprise”.
She had then asked him how she should dress and was told to dress for being outside and walking around in 60-70 degree weather. That meant that wherever they were going was probably going to be in California, which is why she was getting ready in her room in Titans Tower instead of her apartment in New York. Maybe they would explore San Francisco, or he found a place nearby he wanted to take her.
But in reality they could go anywhere. They could both fly, and even if they couldn’t they had access to the zeta tubes. He hadn't given her a location yet, but she chose to think of it as part of his plan.
“A surprise,” Kori said. “Hopefully a good surprise”?
“I think it’ll be. He took me for a walk to take pictures the other day” Donna told her as she put on some jewelry, “To like, get my mind off of the case and stuff. He insists that it wasn’t our first date though since we weren’t together. Well, that’s how we got together”.
He had been so sweet, taking her to do something he thought she would enjoy. It was thoughtful, so she assumed that thoughtfulness would continue to today's date. But she had partners before who had been thoughtful at first. Terry had been thoughtful at first.
“And why am I just hearing about this now?” Kori asked, now floating in the air next to her. Donna laughed.
“We actually have a lot to talk about actually,” Donna said. Kori hummed in thought.
“Well, I’d say we should have a post date debrief tonight where we can talk about everything, but why do I have the feeling you’ll be busy tonight” Kori teased. “Tommorow then? After your post case debrief”.
“Perfect,” Donna said. Kori was going to kill her when she found out she and Kyle had sex and Donna didn’t tell her.
Kyle texted her an address to meet him at about 10 minutes later, and she was surprised to see it was in LA. Then again, Kyle had been born and raised there, so he probably knew that area the best. Donna landed in a more secluded area before walking to the coffee shop Kyle said they would meet at. She was surprised to see him waiting outside, cap pulled low over his face.
Sad. She wanted to see his face.
“Hey!” he smiled wide when he saw her, meeting her halfway. “You look great”!
“I’m in jeans and a sweater, Kyle,” she told him. He shrugged.
“You still look great” he said and she laughed, grabbing his non injured hand. “Ready to go”?
“Go? We’re not staying here?” she asked, looking at the coffee shop behind him. Kyle paused, following her gaze.
“Oh, I just wanted to meet up here since it would be less crowded,” he said, before turning to her quickly. “But we could totally get a coffee if you wanted before we go”!
“That’s fine. I’m excited to see what you have planned. Lead the way” she said. He grinned and they started their walk.
It wasn’t too long of a walk, but they did have to go at a bit of a slower pace due to his injuries. She didn’t mind though, she just liked spending time with him. She had a feeling they were getting close when she saw more and more people crowding around. Then she saw the sign.
“An art festival?” Donna asked, eyebrows raised in amusement.
“Yeah” he said, laughing nervously. She couldn’t see his face well since he was wearing a hat, but he was playing with her hand that was still in his. “It um- I used to come here every year with my mom. And I know they always have a really cool photography section and carnival games. I thought you would like it”.
Donna melted a bit, getting a bit closer to him and adjusting his hat so that she could see his face a bit better. He looked amused and made no move to move his hat back.
“I think it’s great,” Donna told him. “Show me around”.
He paid for both of their tickets, even when she insisted that she would pay since he couldn’t work because of his hand. He told her he budgeted for this so they would be fine.
They skipped the art section completely, him leading her straight to the photography section. She was gonna make him turn around and go back, but then she actually saw the showcase and gasped. They went to every stand, Donna talking his ear off about different photography things the whole time. He never once interrupted her or tried to change the topic, instead just asking questions about what she was talking about. His eyes were filled with so much love for her, and she felt so special and important in a way she hadn’t in a while.
Donna would never admit it, but she had struggled a lot these past few years, first with Terry and Robbie, and then with everything that had happened this year. For the first time in years, she felt a sense of normalcy, just talking about photography with Kyle. It was like a light at the end of the tunnel, not just because of Kyle, but he certainly helped. Everything had hit her back to back without a chance to really breathe, cases and tragedy constantly looming over her. But their case was done, they made peace with the League for now, all of her friends and family were okay, she had a boyfriend who looked at her like she hung the moon and the stars while she talked about her interests-
Life was looking good.
“I wanna look at the art section now” she told him as they got to the end of the photography section.
“You sure? We could play some games first, get something to eat” he suggested. She pretended to think about it.
“I’m thinking we grab a some food, we go to the art section so I can see you nerd out over art stuff, and then we can play some games” she said.
“Sounds perfect” he said, and they walked over to where the food stalls were.
“What did you usually get here when you came with your mom?” Donna asked, looking at all the food stalls.
“I’m gonna be so honest with you, I’ve never tried any of the food here” he told her. “We uh- we didn’t have a lot of money growing up so festival food was never really in the budget”.
“Then what’s something you always wanted to try?” Donna asked. His eyes lit up.
They grabbed their food and made their way back to the art exhibit. He talked about the pieces, and his memory of the festival he had growing up. He looked adorable and excited, and Donna always wanted him to be this happy.
Oh she was in so deep already.
It was a bit scary actually. She had felt similar to this before and things didn’t work out then, and she really wanted things to work with Kyle. He was such a nice guy, but did Donna really deserve nice things? Did he deserve better than what Donna could give him? But he looked so happy right now, and Donna liked to think she was partially responsible for that.
She shouldn’t be so nervous. She was Troia, a founding member of the Titans. She’s helped stop alien invasions, fought the world's top villains, saved the world multiple times- a boy shouldn’t be making her nervous. But he did, because things you cared about were supposed to make you nervous, and she really did care about him. She had once been cursed to live hundreds of tragic lives, reincarnating every time to another miserable life. The Titans had helped her out of that, but what if she was doomed to live one more tragic life, what if she was going to drag him down with her?
“You wanna hit some of those games now?” he asked her, then paused. “You okay”?
“What? Yeah I’m fine, let's play some games!” she said quickly, pulling him over to where the games were. It was just like her to spiral when things were good and ruin it, but she refused to get in her own way this time. She needed to get her head in the game and have a good time.
When they got to the games section, Donna gasped when she saw that game where you hit something at the bottom hard enough for it to reach a bell at the top. It was a test of strength, and if she could do anything, it was pass a test of strength.
“Let’s play that one” she insisted, tugging him over to it. “I’ll win you something, so start picking it out now”!
She grabbed the hammer and swung it down with enough force that it hit the bell, but didn’t send it flying. She was about to turn around to look at him but-
Fuck. She ran into this one before thinking.
First of all, she forgot to pay the man at the booth, and she was pretty sure she saw Kyle scramble to pay for her out of the corner of her eye. Why did she make him pay for it if she said she was gonna win it for him? Totally defeated the purpose and it was rude.
Second of all, why did she have to show off her strength when she knew guys hated that? All the guys she dated before hated it, and while she never really cared what they thought before, she really, really liked Kyle. He wasn’t like any of the other guys she’s dated before, and she really didn’t want to ruin this. But of course she got too excited and acted before she could think.
“Well you heard the lady. Which one do you want”?
“The penguin please!” Kyle said enthusiastically. She turned to see him receiving a medium sized plush penguin with a smile. She walked off to the side so the next person could take their turn, and Kyle met her there.
“Check him out,” Kyle said with a laugh, making the penguin wave at her. “I- what’s wrong? You can’t change your mind about letting me pick now”!
“I- yeah you're right” she said with a soft smile. “How much was it, I’ll pay you back”.
“Pay me back? Why would you do that? Besides, I got a penguin and a show! That was hot” Kyle said with a wink. Or well he tried to, it was hard with his injury. Donna couldn’t help but laugh. “You should bench press me after I recover. That would be fun”.
He really wasn’t like the guys she dated before, and she felt herself relax. This wasn’t a repeat of how things were before, this was new, and different, and exciting. She didn’t need to be afraid of things repeating again.
“What should I name him?” He asked. “You get to choose”.
She thought about it, dramatically getting close enough to the penguin so that her nose was almost touching his beak. Kyle moved him forward so that they touched, and she almost broke.
“He looks like a Bobo Blue to me” she said as she stood up straight again in a serious tone. Kyle turned Bobo Blue in his hands.
“You’re right he does” Kyle agreed with a serious nod. “Welcome to the team Bobo Blue”!
They both looked at each other and laughed, and he moved his hat around so he could briefly touch his forehead against hers and kiss her.
Bobo Blue spent the rest of their time at the festival snuggled in Kyle’s arms. When they got to Kyle’s apartment after the festival finished, Bobo Blue was given a spot in a chair in Kyle’s room. Donna would have to remind herself to find him a new spot next time, since she didn’t want to traumatize him the next time she spent the night at Kyle’s.
They ended up on Kyle’s couch, a movie on that neither were actually watching as they ate takeout. She sat with her legs over his as she told him stories about her childhood on Themyscira, and he told her about his time on Oa and his friends.
“-like two ranks above me, so technically the others can’t tell me to do push ups right? Like, only the Guardians and Salaak can, but the Guardians aren’t gonna do that and Salaak is always busy so I thought I was safe” Kyle explained, failing at picking up a dumpling with his chopsticks several times. “But anyways, he told us 50, 50, so I start and he pauses and looks down at me and asks me if I know how to do push ups. In front of everyone! Sodam had to teach me”!
“You didn’t know how to do pushups?” Donna asked him and he made a noise of protest.
“Okay one, that’s not the point of the story! Two, I could do them! My form was just kinda off, something about hands too forward or back I dunno!” Kyle defended himself and Donna couldn’t help but laugh a bit.
“Do some now. Let me see your form” she challenged. His face dropped but then he quickly looked proud of himself.
“Nuh uh!” He said, holding his injured hand to her face proudly. “I’m hurt”!
She took his hand and gently held it to her face, and he ran his thumb slowly over her cheek, eyes only on her.
She had no idea why they didn’t go back to his room, but they ended up sleeping together on his couch. She woke up warm, with her head against his chest and their limbs tangled. She could feel the bandage on his stomach against her skin, and his injured hand on her lower back.
At least Bobo Blue wouldn’t be traumatized.
Today.
She didn’t know how long she laid there listening to his breathing, listening to his heartbeat, when his hand twitched. She would feel him stretching out his fingers with a wince, and she ran a hand up and down his arm.
“Oh, did I wake you up?” he asked softly, both arms wrapping around her.
“I’ve been awake, I just like to be close to you” she told him and he hummed happily, putting his chin on her head.
This was nice. They could take all the time in the world. There were no world ending scenarios they had to take care of, Kyle wasn’t jetting off into space where she couldn’t follow, she wasn’t going to Themyscira where he couldn’t follow, and her boys (no matter how much she loved them) weren’t banging on the door yelling at her to wake up.
It was perfect. Yeah they had that debrief, but that was later.
They laid there for a long time, just happy to be with one another. But then, Donna had an idea. She slipped out of his hold, leaving him laying there with only the throw he keeps on his couch covering him. A shame really, he’s absolutely gorgeous in all aspects.
He looked up at her with a frown before his eyes went lower. And lower. And-
She turned around and walked towards his bedroom without saying a word.
“Donna”?
“Come on” she said as she entered his bathroom and turned on his shower. He was quick to follow, closing the bathroom door behind him.
Bobo Blue didn’t need to see this either.
They were not late to the meeting, but Wally was. He zipped in five minutes late, looking embarrassed.
“Late”!
“Shut the fuck up Roy”!
“Now that everyone is here” Bird said, trying to hide his laughter as Wally sat down. “Our report was approved by the League, so we are officially finished with this case”.
“Any news on Luthor” Wally asked. “Is he really gonna get away with this”?
“We have no incriminating evidence against him unfortunately. Him giving Schott money for a business and the weapon being made from a metal he has access to isn’t enough. And Slade’s word won’t hold up in any court” Bird said. “So that's it. It’s over”.
“That was anti-climatic” Garth frowned. It was unsatisfying too, but Donna would rather them not get attacked again so she would take what she could get. SHe hoped this didn’t come back to bite them later.
“But the League did give us a new case,” Bird said brightly.
“Is it bad?” Wally asked and Dick made a so-so motion. Donna sighed.
“Well you guys have fun with that. I already started working on something with Clark” Kara said, only looking a bit sympathetic.
“Yeah, I’ve started my new case with Hal, John and Guy too, so it’ll just be you five,” Kyle said.
“What case?” Kara asked. “I didn’t see anything in the database”.
“And you’re still injured,” Garth pointed out.
“It’s from the Guardians, it’s not a League case” Kyle explained. “And I won't be on the field yet. I’m helping with the investigation portion for right now. Lots of research and ideas”.
“So what I’m hearing is that it’s a sucky case, but it’s the five of us” Wally said excitedly/
“And I also have something lined up for us, but I’m finalizing something for Titans West first” Bird said. They cheered.
It would be the five of them on a case, just like old times. The last case they had been on before the League had become over protective of them was the one in space, but that had been a Titans mission with Titans A and B, Kara and Uncle Clark. But an actual mission just the five of them? Not since before Donna and Terry had gotten married.
She watched as Wally and Roy tried to pry information out of Bird about the case, not even trying to ask about their League assigned case. Kara and Kyle were talking about Kara’s mission and Garth shot Donna an amused look. She smiled back.
It wasn’t like it was before, maybe it never would be. She locked eyes with Kyle, who winked at her.
Maybe they were building something better.
-
Jan 6th, xxx0 (4 Days ago)
“Report for Project KR” Lex asked as he and MERCY stepped into his penthouse after the last meeting of the day. She handed him her tablet with the report.
“Cadmus has agreed to house the project, but they have some conditions” Mercy said and Lex sighed, shaking his head. Both of them knew that Lex could get them to easily drop their conditions, it was useless for them to even try really.
“And the samples should-” Mercy continued as they walked towards Lex’s home office when the system rang out.
“Outdoor area activity: Deathstroke”.
“Not our usual visitor” Lex sighed.
Sitting in a pool chair in Lex's outdoor area was Slade Wilson. Lex had been pulling favors from several Legion of Doom members to properly test his anti-kryptonian weapons. Mercy knew about Deadshot, Vandal Savage, Psimon, and whatever member Lex had chosen to deliver the suit to that girl in Dallas, but she wasn’t notified about Deathstroke.
It was more annoying than anything. Lex told her a lot, but not everything, and things were so much easier with a heads up. But the other three weapons had been tested already, and they worked, so what would Deathstroke even help with? There was nothing he could do about project KR, that was in very earlier stages still.
“Anything you forget to tell me,” Mercy asked.
“He’s not here on my invitation” Lex responded. Wonderful.
She pings for Hope and Charity quickly, Hope for backup, and Charity as an extra set of hands. Lex and Mercy go outside with Hope, and Charity stays inside ready to be called on. She didn’t have the technological enhancements Hope and Mercy had, and she had little fighting experience. Better to keep her inside and away from the danger. The door was barely shut behind them when Deathstroke has his blade pressed to Lex’s throat, and Hope and Mercy have their arm cannons to his temples.
“What the fuck, what the fuck, what the fuck” Charity cries out over comms.
“Hello Wilson. Nice of you to drop by” Lex says, looking bored. He is bored, this doesn’t affect him in any way.
“This thing you're doing, the anti Kryptonian weapon bull shit. It’s over” Deathstroke says. Lex laughs.
“No”. Deathstrokes eyes narrow.
“You could’ve killed my son,” Deathstroke said. Mercy knows who he’s talking about, the blonde boy that worked with the Titans. Lex shrugs.
“What’s another dead child to you, Wilson”? Everything is quiet for a moment, no one moves. Then, Deathstroke laughs, sheathing his sword as he takes a step back.
“I don’t take that lightly” Slade said with a smile. “One day, you’ll know my pain. That’s a promise”.
Lex freezes at that, and Mercy tries to catch his eyes to understand the situation, but he was avoiding her.
“What do you want?” Lex asked. Slade laughed again.
“I already told you. And I want the sword too” Deathstroke said. Mercy scoffed. They had done a lot of work on that sword, it was the best weapon they had out of the three, there was no way-
“Charity, bring the sword”. Mercy stared at him.
“Lex-”
“Not now Mercy”. She didn’t understand it.
Charity brings the sword and Lex takes it from her to give to Deathstroke, He attaches it next to his own before walking to the edge of the outdoor area.
“I haven’t changed my mind Luthor, but I consider myself fair. I’ll give you a chance. Do your best with it”. And then he was gone.
Lex spent a long time just staring at where Deathstroke had been, and Mercy put her arm down, allowing it to go from weapon to appendage. She had so many questions, so many thoughts, but she knew Lex wouldn’t answer her.
“Pull the Anti Kryptonian project” Lex said. “And put a pause on project KR for now. Then you all can go home. I expect you to be here bright and early tomorrow”.
The three of them stared at Lex as he went back inside, Charity huddling closer to them and shivering due to having left her jacket inside in her hurry. Hope pulled off hers and put it around Charity’s shoulders.
“What was that?” Hope asked, glancing at Mercy. Mercy sighed.
“I don’t know,” Mercy told them. “I guess we’ll have to wait and find out”.