Work Text:
Slade relaxed against the wall support and ignored the collected babble of regional dialects as he watched Adeline's plane through the heavy glass window. It would take a couple more minutes for the plane to be properly lined up with the passenger boarding bridge and a few minutes more for the passengers to disembark.
“How long does Adeline intend to stay?” Slade pulled his gaze from the plane outside and turned to face the cultured British voice that had spoken to him.
“At least two weeks. I'm hoping to convince her to stay longer. I don't have any business lined up for over a month and this would be a good chance for us to spend some time together.”
“It would.” Wintergreen smiled slightly and shook his head. The elder man knew how much Slade preferred Kenya's open countryside to the stuffy caged in life of Adeline's home in Britain. “I assume you think that Dick will like it as well?”
Slade laughed softly and shook his head. “That kid will love it down here.” It had taken a little convincing but Adeline had finally agreed to bring the little boy down to visit. The child's fifth birthday would fall in the middle of the two week long vacation and Slade intended to take Dick out on the Savannah for a three day camping trip. It seemed only appropriate to mark the child's first birthday with them by doing something special.
The trip would also serve a dual purpose by giving him another chance to observe Addie's interactions with the little boy. He was still not sure how well she was handling his choice to bring the child into their family. His wife seemed to like Dick now but he and Addie had fought, rather loudly, about the decision when Dick had first joined them. The kid was winning her over though, just as he had hoped.
The first passengers were exiting the gate and Slade turned his attention to watching them as they disembarked. He spotted Addie first and noted the amused look on his wife's face as she was partially led, and partially dragged, through the gate by a very anxious four year old. Dick stopped as soon as the pair had cleared the gate and nervously looked up at Addie. The young woman glanced around the bustling terminal and Slade waved to her. She returned the wave with a slight nod and lead Dick to the side so there was a clear line of sight between where they were and Slade's position near the wall.
Slade waited for a moment and smirked as he watched Dick's eyes dart around the busy terminal. The little boy chewed on his lip nervously and Slade was about to call out to them when Addie knelt beside Dick and tapped his shoulder. The boy followed her finger as she pointed. Slade knew the second he had been spotted by the grin that spread across Dick's face.
“Slade!” The man shook his head in amusement as the kid shouted his name and broke away from Addie to dart through the crowd. As he got closer Slade knelt down to scoop the little boy up. Dick rocketed into his arms and Slade lifted him up into a tight hug. The kid arms wrapped around his neck and Slade whispered a quiet hello against the boy's ear before shifting Dick to one arm. The little boy kept a secure arm around his neck and rested his head on his shoulder. When the child yawned Slade smirked.
“You tired kid?” Dick nodded and Slade chuckled as he shifted the little boy into a more comfortable position and rested his cheek against the child's soft hair. As Addie approached them she gave Slade a warm smile and Slade tightened his hold on Dick to keep the child from slipping as he pulled Addie into a one armed hug and leaned down to kiss her. “How was the flight?”
“Long.” Addie reached up to tuck a lock of hair behind Dick's ear and smiled softly as the little boy turned his face further into Slade's neck. “I think somebody needs a nap.”
“He didn't sleep on the plane?” Addie shook her head.
“A little, he was too anxious to see you I think.” Slade glanced down at the boy in his arms and tipped Dick's chin up.
“Did you miss me?” Dick's arm tightened around his neck and the child shyly buried his face against his throat. The elder man chuckled softly. “I see.” He had expected as much. The five days he had spent completing a contract and getting the manor ready for Addie's visit had been the longest he had been apart from the little boy in the two months since he had brought Dick home. “Wintergreen, would you take Addie's carry-on so we can head down to the baggage claim?”
“I've got it Slade. Thank you anyway Wintergreen.” Slade nodded once and started to lead his wife towards the baggage claim terminal where her luggage would be arriving. When the bags had been collected Slade led Addie out into the parking garage and approached the jeep.
As they got closer to the car Dick shifted nervously and Slade realized that the little boy was not going to let go of him without a fight. Wintergreen seemed to sense that as well because the elder man moved alongside him and offered to drive. Slade handed over the keys and managed to get Dick loose from around his neck long enough to get the two of them settled in the back seat.
The manor house he had bought years earlier was over an hour and a half drive north-west of Nairobi and Slade noted with amusement that Dick had curled up beside him and gone to sleep within minutes of being situated. The first half an hour of the trip passed in comfortable silence until Addie spotted a herd of Zebra off the left side of the dirt road they had been traveling along.
“Aren't you going to wake him?” Slade looked down at the little boy and petted a hand through the child's hair.
“Not right now. He's exhausted. It would be best to let him sleep when he can. Besides...” Slade continued to brush his fingers through the soft hair under them. “He'll have plenty of time to see them when we take him camping.” Addie nodded and twisted in her seat to more easily watch the two of them.
“He's missed you.”
“I can see that.”
“He's going to be upset when you don't come home with us.”
“Perhaps the two of you should stay then.”
“Slade...” His wife's tone held a note of warning that Slade calmly ignored.
“At least think about it Adeline. Grant and Joseph will not have a long enough break to return home until Christmas and they will not be home full time until late May. You know I spend more time here then I do in England. Keep an open mind for the rest of the visit.”
“I'll think about it.”
“That is all I'm asking.” Dick unconsciously tensed against his side and Slade soothed the boy before he could wake up. “How are his nightmares?”
“He had a couple bad ones this week. The poor kid woke up screaming on Thursday and I could not get him back to sleep. You tend to have better luck with that then I do.”
“I'll talk to him.” Addie nodded and looked a little relieved.
“You made the decision to take him in Slade. He's trusting you to take care of him.”
“I will. It's only been two months Addie. He's going to have nightmares for years, especially after what he has been through. Hopefully he will enjoy his birthday present and it will help for a while.”
“It should.” Addie reached back to brush the little boy's bangs from his face.
“Are you going to come with Wintergreen and I when we take him out?” Addie nodded.
“Good. I was hoping you would.” The conversation lapsed after that point and Addie turned her gaze back to the dirt track and the abundance of natural wildlife that passed around them. The rest of the drive passed with only occasional conversation and the sun was starting to set as they reached the ranch.
“You can take your bag up to the suite and I'll take Dick and his things to his new room.” Addie laughed softly and shook his head.
“You are going to spoil that child.”
“Giving him something of his own is not spoiling him Addie. It's proving to him that he has a place where he belongs.” Addie fell silent and watched the little boy for a few moments.
“I suppose you are right.” Her lips then quirked into a small smile. “How big is his new bedroom?”
“Rather large.” Addie laughed and shook her head as she moved to open her car door.
“Get him settled and let him sleep then come find me.” Slade nodded and moved out of the jeep before setting about waking the little boy who had been curled beside him. He gently tickled the child's ribs and watched in amusement as the four year old stretched and squirmed away.
“Dick?”
“Hmm?” The child turned his face into the leather of the seat and moaned softly.
“Let's get you into an actual bed so you can get some real sleep.” Dick blinked at him sleepily and nodded as Slade scooped him up. Slade cradled the child close and carried him into the house. As they moved through the building Dick started to wake up a little. Slade used that wakefulness to point out rooms such as the kitchen and living room. When they reached the second floor he clearly pointed out his bedroom and made sure that Dick realized the proximity between their rooms. Dick's nightmares made such a distinction necessary.
When he had gotten Dick changed into pajamas and gotten the boy settled he waited and made sure that Dick had drifted back to sleep before he headed down the hall to the master suite. Addie was stretched out on the massive bed and Slade stretched out beside her.
“You are exhausted.” The woman nodded and Slade moved closer to brush her hair back from her face and kiss her. “Get some rest. I'll see you in the morning.”
“Aren't you coming to bed?”
“In a couple of hours. I'm going to make sure the first floor is secure and then open up some windows on the upper floors. Wintergreen and I have been having some trouble with hyenas and I don't want to take the risk of a particularly brave one coming into the house.” Addie nodded and Slade slid off the bed. “Get some rest and don't worry about waking up so early in the morning. Wintergreen and I will handle breakfast and watch Dick when he wakes up.”
“Are you sure the two of you can handle him?”
“I'm quite sure that two grown men will be able to keep an eye on one four year old boy. Get some rest and I'll see you in the morning.” Addie nodded and rolled onto her stomach as Slade moved to shut off the bedroom lights and was pulling the door closed when Addie stopped him.
“Slade, chocolate pancakes.”
“What?” Slade stuck his head back into the bedroom and watched his wife in confusion.
“You said you were making breakfast in the morning. Dick likes chocolate pancakes, he's addicted to the damn things. He'll eat a dozen of them if you let him.” Slade laughed softly and shook his head and laughed harder when Addie sat up and held her hands in a small circle. “He likes them about this big and he's very picky. He'll tell you if they are too big”
“I'll tell Wintergreen. He's the one cooking not me.”
“Lazy.”
“More smart then lazy.” Slade was stopped from saying anything more when Addie gestured at the door.
“Go check the house and come to bed.”
“Yes ma'am.” Slade pulled the door closed before she could respond and headed downstairs to find Wintergreen. He found the elder man in the kitchen and relayed the message about Dick's breakfast preferences before checking the house and setting the security. When he finally returned to the bedroom he found that Addie had already fallen asleep. He changed quietly so to not disturb her and then lifted the blankets long enough to settle beside her.
It felt like he had barely fallen asleep when his enhanced senses picked up the shift in the mattress as extra weight was added to it. He cracked his eyes open, noted that it would be dawn soon, and glanced down towards the foot of the bed. Dick was sitting near the foot-board and Slade could see the child nervously worrying his lip between his teeth.
“Come here kid.” Slade patted the extra pillow between he and Addie and watched as the little boy crawled up the bed to settle between them. When Dick was high enough Slade lifted the blankets and let the child slide beneath them. Dick curled against him and Slade loosely wrapped his arm around the child's waist. “Are you alright?” Dick nodded and shifted, obviously trying to get comfortable. “Did you have a nightmare?” Dick shook his head and Slade continued his whispered inquiry. “Not used to the house yet?” Dick nodded reluctantly and Slade tightened his arm around Dick's waist in an improvised hug. “The first couple nights are the worst. You can stay here tonight okay?”
“'kay.” Dick rolled onto his side to face Addie and Slade pulled the little boy back against his chest and keep a loose arm around Dick's waist as the child settled against him.
“Try to go back to sleep, and make sure to lie still so you don't wake Addie.” Dick nodded and Slade realized that the boy was already drifting back to sleep. When he was sure the child was sleeping he allowed himself to fall back asleep as well.
When he awoke again he found the bedroom filled with sunlight. Addie was leaning against the headboard with a book in her hand and Slade was almost positive that Dick had not moved from the position he had fallen asleep in.
“Morning.” Addie's eyes never left her book as she addressed him and Slade tried to stretch without waking the boy beside him.
“How long have you been awake?”
“Almost an hour. I was surprised you were both still asleep. What time did he wander in this morning?”
“Around 5 or so.”
“He hasn't moved since I woke up.”
“I told him to stay still so he wouldn't wake you.” Addie put down the book and glanced over at them.
“You have that child wrapped around your finger. He won't even sit still for me.”
“He was exhausted Addie, I think that has a lot to do with it.” Slade brushed a lock of hair back behind the little boy's ear and smirked as Dick shifted. “I'm going to go check and see if Wintergreen has breakfast ready before I wake him up.” Addie nodded and Slade shifted Dick away from him and onto the bed before moving to stand. The little boy remained asleep after he moved and he left the child in Addie's capable hands.
The scents of fresh coffee and cooking sausage reached his senses long before he reached the kitchen and he found Wintergreen well into his breakfast preparations. The elder man nodded to him as he entered the room and moved to pour himself a mug of coffee.
“Is Dick awake yet?” Slade shook his head and sipped at the hot liquid as he waited for it to cool.
“He's asleep in my bed. I wanted to see if you were awake before I woke him.”
“Everything should be ready in a few minutes if you want to go get him up. Neither he nor Addie ate last night. I'm sure they are hungry.” Slade nodded and took a long drink of his coffee before placing the mug at his place on the table and heading back upstairs.
Dick had rolled into his spot on the bed and Addie had an amused smirk on her face as he entered the bedroom.
“I think he knew you were gone.” Slade laughed and shook his head as he dropped down onto the bed and shook the little boy's shoulder.
“Dick? Wintergreen made breakfast.” The little boy leaned into his touch and blue eyes fluttered open.
“Pa-pancakes?” A yawn interrupted the child's inquiry and Slade laughed as he reached out to ruffle the child's hair.
“Yes pancakes. Chocolate pancakes.” Blue eyes widened and Dick pushed himself up onto his elbows.
“Really?” .
“Let's go downstairs and you can see for yourself.” Almost before he had finished speaking Dick had scrambled out from under the covers and was moving into his lap. The man chuckled in amusement and lifted the little boy into his arms before standing and turning his attention to Addie. “Are you coming down to eat?” His wife nodded.
“As soon as I shower and change. Go ahead and start without me.” Slade nodded and tightened his hold on Dick as he turned towards the door. As he walked into the hall he heard Addie moving around the bedroom. He carried Dick downstairs and reentered the kitchen just as Wintergreen was moving the serving dishes to the table. At the sight of the food Dick tried to wiggle out of his arms; rather then set him on the floor Slade dropped the squirming boy onto one of the chairs before dropping into his own chair and picking up his coffee cup.
“Is Addie coming down to eat?” Slade turned his attention towards Wintergreen as the man entered with the serving tray of pancakes and nodded.
“She said not to wait.” Wintergreen set the plate down in the center of the table and Slade turned his attention back to Dick. The child's eyes were attentively fixed on the platter and Slade reached across the table to move the dish out of the boy's reach. The kid's face twisted into a pout and Slade quickly moved several of the smaller round pancakes onto a plate and added a couple pieces of sausage. Before handing the plate over he poured syrup over the pancakes.
Dick grinned as the sticky pile was placed before him and Slade relaxed back into his chair as he watched the child dig into his meal.
“He's going to be hyper all day.” Wintergreen had seated himself in the chair across from Dick and Slade laughed softly at his old friend's comment.
“I told Addie that the two of us would watch him so she would not have to.”
“Wonderful.” There was just a hint of sarcasm in Wintergreen's voice and Slade turned his attention to Dick.
“You won't be that much trouble, will you kid?” Dick paused long enough to shake his head. Slade sighed before picking up his own plate and filling it larger pancakes. It looked as though it would be a longer day then he had anticipated.