Work Text:
Neal just knew it was going to be a shitty day as soon as he walked out of his apartment. Wally had already left, and Neal was already tense from the little fight they had that morning. Wally was happy; no longer being a mainstream hero, only popping in when the world was ending, but Dick not so much or err Neal. Sure, he was taking a small break from being part of the action every night, now that he was working as Neal fulltime, but he still missed being Nightwing. Nightwing was something he had built from the ground up after recovering from being Talon, becoming Dick, having Robin taken from him, being forced to become and lose himself as Agent 37, and leaving behind Renegade. Even so he took a deep breath before swinging into Peter’s car, a Neal shaped smile taking over his features. The carefully built mask firmly in place and what was Dick was carefully pushed down.
Peter’s expression was pinched, and it only made Neal that much tenser still Dick was trained well enough not to let it show, “What’s wrong boss man?” Neal teased even as the tension between Peter’s eyes got more profound. The carefully built instincts within Dick were humming and he felt something thick in his stomach.
Peter sighed, “Look someone showed up at the office looking for you,” Peter paused as if collecting his thoughts, “They are saying you owe them a favor?” More questions were on the tip of Peter’s tongue, but at this point he had learned it was easier to let Neal tell him what he wanted rather than push for more information.
The act of Neal was barely even present as Dick ran through all the possibilities of people, he owed favors too and only a few popped in his mind about who would be dumb enough to show up to his workplace where he was undercover. Sadly, he couldn’t quite rule out one of his brothers or sisters as they had been biting at the bit to get him home. See as he hadn’t gotten a text or call from Bruce, yet he was leaning more towards a random supe or antihero. Still Dick summoned his best preppy joking voice and rolled his eyes, “Did they say what kind of favor?”
Peter only pinched the bridge of his nose and speed the car up leaving Dick to ruminate within his own thoughts. It wasn’t long before they reached the FBI headquarters and Dick was making his way up to the bullpen. An anxious wild feeling flowing through every part of his body as it did every time he was preparing for a fight. The Talon that was forced in him was peaking its head as he strained his hearing for the heartbeat of the one, he owed the favor too.
Diana grabbed his arm as soon as he made his way up the steps to the conference room where the person in question was waiting Peter only a step behind him. If he was less trained, he would have startled, but instead he only narrowed his eyes. Still the women hissed, “How the hell do you know Deathstroke the Terminator?”
Every part of Dick froze as the realization of what was about to happen ran through his body and mind. Shit, he knew that Slade would come to collect one day he just didn’t think it was Slade’s style to invade his workplace. Damn this must be serious. Still, he took a deep breath and summoned his best Neal smile, “It’s a long story and he doesn’t like to be kept waiting.”
She gripped his arm for a few more seconds before letting him go after one more squeeze her eyes still on him. Peter was sputtering behind him, “Deathstroke?”
Dick only shook the tension from his shoulders and let go of the Neal act. Slade would never let him get away with being anything other than deadly. He pushed open the door and just as Diana said there sat Slade motherfucking Wilson. The man gave him a warm smile, “Little Bird?”
Dick rolled his eyes, “Slade.”
The man only smiled, and guffaw laugh fell from his lips, “Never change, Little Bird” Dick looked and saw Jones’s face look slightly ashen from his place across from Slade.
Still Dick could only ask the question that was burning within his stomach, “What is the favor you need Slade?” The part of him that was once Renegade cringed from his usage of the man’s name.
Slade smirked his lips quirking up, “Well, you know that little favor I did for you a few years back when you were having some problems with some little owls well, I’m having a few problems with a certain client of mine and I think he could use your brand of justice.”
Dick hissed out eyebrows drawn together, “My brand of justice?” Out of all the roles and people he had been in his life justice had always run through his veins each with their own definition, but Dick’s definition was something of a mix of them all. It was tinted by his time as an assassin and mercenary but built from injustice and Batman. Still, it was odd that Slade used that particular wording. Even then Dick knew he had to say yes, not only because he owed the man a favor, but also because of the curiosity that got his heart pounding.
Slade smirked and stood dusting off his lap, “I’m glad to hear you’ll do it Little Bird. I would have just hated it if you had said no.”
Dick’s eyes narrowed as Slade pulled something out from his coat and laid the package down on the table before winking (if that’s even possible) at Dick before walking out. He called over his shoulder just as his foot landed on the first step, “And don’t keep me waiting little bird, we wouldn’t want anyone to get hurt, would we?” Dick felt an almost fond smile pull to his lips at the man’s threat, sure he knew Slade meant it, but it was also his way of covering Dick’s ass with the FBI. The curiosity that drove Dick to follow through would be hidden behind the use of threats.
Peter strutted out, “What was that Neal?” Dick ignored him as the ringing rose in his ears as he gently unraveled the package Slade had left for him. As Peter ranted in the background, but the ringing in Dick’s ears only got worse the object was almost warm in Dick’s palm. It fit almost too comfortable as if it was made for his hand. The handle was a sharp gold that although old was clearly well taken care of and still almost glowed in the light. The blade was black to hide the blood that often was meant to stain it. As it was meant to be it was sharp and deadly.
Jones cleared his throat and carefully touched Neal’s arm, “Hey what is that?”
Dick swallowed the harsh feeling in his throat as he answered the man, “It’s the past.” His grip tightened around the knife made for him by the Court of Owls. One that was passed from generation of Talon to generation. A weapon he was literally born and bred to hold in his hand. The very weapon that many once thoughts would be his destiny, but Dick believed in many things; Destiny was not one of them. Still a small part of him felt protective of the object as was trained into him.
Diana gasped as she finally caught sight of the object, “Is that a knife?”
Neal felt his grip tighten uncomfortably around the hilt of the blade unconsciously as she reached for it. Peter demanded for Neal to give it to him, but Dick could only shake his head and hiss out, “You heard him. If I don’t do what he wants he’s going to hurt someone.” Dick knew he would too because Slade was many things, but a liar was not one of them. Besides for him to use his favor… Dick knew something interesting was going on with this job to say the least.
Peter grabbed his friend, “We can protect you, Neal.” Peter had a plea in his eyes. One that made Dick’s heart just a little bit heavier. Still Dick knew how this would end if he backed out of the favor.
Dick let out a rough laugh so unNeal like, “From Deathstroke? I think not.” He shook his head, “No I owe him a favor and I can’t go back on my word.”
Jones quietly asked surprisingly serious, “What type of favor could you owe a man like that?”
Dick only shook his head again, “Not a very good one.” He turned on his heel turning as he reached the doorway, “I’ll be back.” His heart clinched as he felt their trust fracture, but still he pushed forward after all this was for the greater good. It was to keep them and his family safe.
Peter reached to grab for the man, but he was already down the stairs and almost to the elevator. Slipper and silent just as he was trained. “Damn its Neal,” fell from his lips before he turned to face his team, “We need to pull up tracking data and try to intercept him before…”
Diana nodded already reaching for her phone to call tech personal as to track their friend. It wasn’t long before the dot that was Neal started circling around one location. Peter was off like a shot grabbing cuffs and after a moment’s hesitation grabbing his gun too. He didn’t know if the man he was going to apprehend was his friend or not.
***
Dick moved with the grace born of his bloodline and with his contacts out his sight took in his target from buildings away. The man, although Dick knew his name it was always easier just to simplify them, had guards. Still Dick was not worried he was after all trained better and by more than most people ever would. He crept closer keeping the newly arrived Peter in his sights. His training leads him easily into the building from the fifth floor, one below the man. Dick’s movements even in the suit made for Neal were silent. The movements were that of Robin, Nightwing, Talon, Renegade, Agent 37, and most importantly Dick.
Dick reached the room of the man and pressed a careful ear to the door, chatter spoke of human trafficking kids, women, and even men. A cold heat filled Dick’s chest both fondness and hatred. Dick felt just the slightest bit fond of the man he once called Master and lover for Slade knew how much Dick hated human traffickers. Although Dick was much happier without Slade in his life in any term, he still couldn’t help but respect the man for using his favor for a mission Dick actually didn’t mind doing. The hatred came from the human traffickers themselves as much evil as Dick has seen and even justified this was one, he could never. It crossed a line Dick had firmly build in his psyche. Dick wasn’t worried for he knew blood would be spilt and it would not be his tonight.
He swept silently into the room grace in every one of his movements and a sharp expression crossed his features. Dick moved with the righteous fury from the victims long lost but contained by his very will. Still Dick did not regret a single action as his knife, the knife of his past, slide across the man’s, who had costed so many their lives, throat.
As the blood pooled and sprayed out of the man’s neck, Dick backed away silently slipping into the shadows seamlessly. Before the blood had even begun to cool Dick was back on the street and far away from the crime scene. The knife still felt warm in his grip, but the cold emotion of the owls filled his stomach. At time like this Dick feared that the training left the Owls never left, but as soon as the wind flew through his hair, he knew just how little it was. Dick felt joy and love something the Court never allowed their Talons to feel.
Peter spotted him as Dick move silently away. Part of Dick wanted the trust from his friend and so he let Peter caught up to him. Peter’s face read of anger and his body was tense had ready to reach for his sidearm. “Neal what the hell was that?”
Dick couldn’t fake a small even if he wanted too, his emotions were drained from the task forced appoint him, still he owed his friend even just the smallest expatiation. With a tired smile that didn’t reach his eyes Dick answered, “Quid pro quo.”
Peter’s eyes narrowed, “Bullshit.”
Dick shook his head as the coals of anger flared in his stomach, “You don’t just owe someone like Deathstroke a favor and expect to pick and choose when he wants you to fulfill it.”
Peter throw his hands up, “Well clearly because I don’t owe anyone like Deathstroke a favor. And neither should you!”
Dick throw his hands up, “Like hell. You don’t know anything about my life only what I let you see. I didn’t just owe him a favor for shits and giggles and I didn’t fulfill it for funnies either I did it to keep you and my family save. Not everyone can be a hero all the time Peter.”
Peter’s eyes flashed with angry, “I should drag your ass back to prison and throw a murder charge at you as well.”
A deep laugh could be heard off to the left as Dick clenched his hands. Dick spun eyes narrowed, “Slade.”
The man although his face was covered had a smirk laced crossed his features, “I’m just enjoying the show.”
Peter narrowed his eyes at the man, “I should arrest you as well.”
Slade chuckled again, “I would like to see you try besides there isn’t a prison that could hold me for long now,” He turned to Dick a fond smile hidden from his features, “Or our little bird here would have locked me up long ago and thrown away the key.”
Dick felt himself fall back on the familiar banter, “I still could take out your other eye like I promised your ex-wife I would if you ever fell out of line.”
Peter looked between the two before mumbling, “That’s how he lost his eye.”
Dick snorted, “Damn straight it is and if there is anyone who scares me in this world it’s that woman.” He remembered meeting her first as the friend of Joey then later as the mentor of Rose, and finally as Slade’s partner. For every interaction that woman left more than an impression on Dick. Like most women in his life, she was scary, but secretly sweet under all the bullshit the world had thrown at her.
Slade rolled his remaining eye and with a slight smile replied, “I see you completed your task, Little Bird.”
Dick felt a slight chill go up his spine as he nodded. Dick had long ago lost the ability to hide much from Slade. Still, he felt the need to ask, “Why someone like him? The job was easy.”
Peter flinched at his friend’s words and his hand floated down to his side arm once more. Slade only leaned back a gruff laugh bubbling out of his lips and with a smirk replied, “I was over booked.”
“Bullshit,” fell from Dicks lips before he could stop himself after all he knew Slade better than that. Slade was careful about the contracts he took and when he took them, he simple would not overbook.
Slade’s lips curled under his helmet, “Just consider your debt paid, Little Bird.” The older man spun on his heel and disappeared into the shadows before Dick could force him to answer. Dick watches the man go and for all the words that he once considered the man the only one that still fit was overdramatic and maybe that’s why they worked so well together.
Now Dick was forced with only Peter. Peter, his friend, who he knew he would have to tell some form of the truth to if he ever wanted to regain even a fraction of the trust they once had. Dick sighed letting any piece of a mask fall from him.
Peter watched as the sharp lines fell from his friend as well as the fight. Finally, as the last one fell Dick took a deep breath, still out there on the street a mere mile away from the crime scene dried blood still on the blade of the knife, he began, “I have been many people in my life some good some bad. The truth is that Neal as you know him as never truly existed. I am an undercover agent for the Justice League. I’ve been working to weed out moles within the FBI as well as work to strengthen connections between the two agencies. While that does not change that I killed a man tonight I hope it does help you have some trust in me going forward.”
Peter looked at his friend with shock lacing every one of his features. Dick reached forward and gently took Peter’s arm, “I’m sorry, but I had to do this tonight.”
Peter after several moments of silence let out the breath that had been trapped in his lungs, “What’s going to happen now?”
Dick looked at the man with curiosity in his features, “It depends while my work is not done if I can no longer work with you then the alias of Neal Caffrey will be destroyed, and I will move on so to speak or if you allow it I will continue to work with you at White Collar and we can work together.”
Peter cleared his throat and with clear and focused eyes asked with an almost smirk, “And what do I can you if not Neal?”
Dick smiled, a real and genuine smile because even if Peter could be a pain in the ass, he was a real and true type of guy, “I have gone by many different names,”
Peter huffed, “Oh cut the crap.”
Dick rolled his eyes, “But I happen to find that Dick is the one I most answer too.”
Peter for all the stress and wildness of the evening stsrted laughing, “Dick really?”
Dick found himself whining, “It’s only funny to English speakers.”
Peter looked at the man with new eyes and nodded a question in his voice, “So I will see you on tomorrow?” The man had already started walking towards his car.
Dick smiled, “You better be there to pick me up.”
Peter nodded as he pulled the door open, “Good.”
Dick as he started walking and Peter slide into the car, “On Peter, and I would expect to see some members of the JLA in the office tomorrow to help clear up this whole mess.”
***
Wally was cooking dinner was Dick made his way through the door after he had come inside, he wrapped his arms around the man, “You know I love you right?”
Wally smiled leaning back into the man he married, “I know.”
Dick nuzzled the other man’s neck, “I also want you to know that I understand why you want a normal life. I know I can’t always give you that and I’m sorry I really am, but I am going to try to be the best husband I can.”
Wally sighed, “Baby… I don’t want a normal life I want a balanced life. Not one where I can’t have a job I love and be a superhero. Babe what brought this on?”
Dick held him just a little bit tighter, “I owed Slade a favor he came asking for it today while I was at work. Peter ended up finding out more than most. But I think I’m beginning to understand how you could want a more balanced life I sorry it took me so long to figure it out.”
Wally nodded, but still only teased, “Well I have always been a bit faster than you.”
Dick snorted, “Says the man that was literally late to every important event in his life.”
Wally pushed Dick playfully, “Half of those were Barry’s fault.”
Dick presses a kiss to Wally’s cheek and blew a raspberry, “Yeah keep telling everyone that.”
Dick was happy and maybe all the people he had been and maybe will be all helped him to reach this point. A point where he can dance and tease his husband without worry of being judged and where he can hopefully go to work tomorrow to a job he really likes while still being a superhero. What more could a guy ask for?