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The Healing Halls haven't changed since his last visit. Anna, the healer who had cared for him last time, smiles at him and takes him aside. Due to his recklessness the healers were used to his presence.
Oliver strips down to his underwear and sits on the cot. He's a little dizzy and tired. His left shoulder is covered in blood and Anna makes a tsking sound.
She moved across the room to stand in front of him. With deft fingers, she unbound his bandages and removed them. Oliver had bandaged it himself until he returned to Nanda Parbat. Oliver hisses as his wound is revealed.
Anna turns to a basin and soaks a rag. "How did you get this?" She asks.
Oliver shrugs and hisses again as the movement pulls at the cut. "I was careless."
"Obviously." Anna presses the rag against the wound and he winces, "You have always been reckless, Al Sahim."
Anna cleans and redresses the wound, she tells him it should heal fine but to not make a habit of it. Oliver nods and puts back on his clothes though his bandages could be seen peaking out under them. He left the hall in favor of visiting the dining hall for a quick dinner.
When he enters the dining hall it is already mostly full. A few men glance his way but no one really pays him much mind. He gets in line and is handed a tray with food.
Oliver sits in a corner at a table alone. He wondered if Al Owal was back from his long term mission. It had been weeks since he had heard from the other man and Al Owal was a close friend of his.
He ate and drank his soup quietly. It warmed him and helped his aching shoulder. The dining hall was filled with low voices and the clinking of spoons on bowls. He was about halfway done when the hall went silent.
The doors swung open and a man stepped into the hall. Oliver looked up to find Sayad, an elite assassin who worked closely with Ra's, walking through the hall. Sayad was only a few years older than himself and they had a good working relationship.
A few of the men whispered to each other and the hall was filled with an odd atmosphere. Oliver turned his gaze back to his soup and focused on finishing it. Inside his head he chanted. Not his circus not his monkeys.
After his bowl was empty and he felt warm enough he rose to leave. He was stopped by a hand on his arm.
"Al Sahim," Sayad's voice was clear and calm.
Fuck. Maybe it was his circus and thus his monkeys.
Oliver turned his head and stared at the assassin. "Yes, Sayad?"
Sayad's mouth twitched and his eyes gleamed with humor, "The Demon's Head has requested your presence."
Oh he was fucked.
"Now?" He questioned hoping it could wait until morning.
"No, next Tuesday," Sayad says and his mouth twists into a grin, "Yes, now."
Damn it. Oliver nods hiding his discomfort. He hadn't talked to Demon's Head much since he was named Al Sahim. Most of their interactions had been to give and receive orders.
Nanda Parbat is a huge and intimidating structure. It is also home and Oliver knows it better than most. He follows Sayad through the winding halls to the Demon's Head's personal study.
The door is closed and the guards standing there stare blankly ahead. Oliver bowed his head respectfully to the guards. They were members of the personal guard. They were highly trained and respected.
One of the guards turned and rapped his knuckles on the door. "Enter," Ra's's voice was low and calm.
Oliver was nervous, which was ridiculous. He was a fully fledged member of the League. No longer was he an initiate or untried assassin.
Sayad opened the door and bowed as he declared, "Master, I have brought Al Sahim as you instructed."
"Very good," Ra's stood by the fireplace staring into the flames, "Leave us, Sayad."
Oliver entered giving the man's back a low bow. He waited to hear what the Demon's Head wanted so soon after his return. Normally when they returned they were given a week to heal and regain their bearings.
"Master," Sayad bowed his head and backed out of the room, shutting the door behind him.
Oliver kept his eyes trained on the carpet and waited for the other man to speak. The air around the man seemed to radiate power and authority. Ra's was the leader of the league and deserved all the respect he was shown.
"Al Sahim," came the man's soft but firm voice, "I have heard about your injury even with a successful mission. I have noticed that this is a recurring issue. Why is this?"
Oliver raised his head and looked at his Master. Ra's wore a white button down with black slacks. The sleeves were rolled up and the first few buttons were undone. He wasn't wearing his normal robe or rings. The only adornment was the Demon's necklace. It was a relaxed look for him but Ra's still looked imposing.
"Yes," he replied in a calm voice, "I have already had it seen to by the Healing Halls. I promise to be more careful."
"It is not your lack of caution I am worried about, Al Sahim, "Ra's voice is warm as he steps closer to Oliver, "it is your disregard for your own safety. Your missions are dangerous and the risks you take are not necessary. This has been happening too often."
Oliver is confused by the turn the conversation has taken. What was he talking about? This was how he had always been.
"Master," Oliver begins cautiously, "this is the first time anyone has made note of such things. Why is this an issue?"
Ra's is quiet for a moment considering him then he said, "Because I worry, Al Sahim."
The words shook him.
"You do not have to." He replies, "I have never had a problem and I won't start having one now. It was a minor injury. Nothing I haven't survived before."
Ra's expression darkened, "I am well aware of your injuries, Al Sahim."
"Of course," he agreed bowing his head, "forgive me, Master."
He shouldn't have pushed his Master's patience. Ra's was known for his calmness and level head. But to anger him would be stupid.
Ra's nodded in acceptance. He turned away from him and crossed the room to the small liquor cabinet. Ra's poured two glasses and returned to him holding one out to him.
Oliver took the glass with a quiet thanks and sipped it.
"I know you are a capable warrior," Ra's said calmly, "but I still worry. Even a minor injury can turn fatal. We cannot afford to lose you, Al Sahim. You are too valuable to us. I have watched you grow since the day Nyssa brought you back from that island. I know you are more than capable. I just want you to take better care of yourself."
Oliver was surprised by the speech. Ra's rarely spoke like this and to have him speaking this way about him was a shock.
"Yes, Master." He murmured lowering his head and looking at his drink.
Ra's set his drink on a side table and cupped Oliver's face gently. Oliver looked up to meet his eyes and froze. The expression on the older man's face was one he had never seen.
"I care for you," Ra's said quietly, "and I do not want to lose you, not now and not ever. I have lost a lot, Al Sahim, I can't lose you too."
Ra's leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss to his lips. He was unsure of how to react. This wasn't the first time an older man had kissed him. That was Slade on the island before the Mirakuru.
"Master," he murmured after the kiss ended, "what was that?"
"A kiss, Al Sahim," Ra's chuckled his eyes shining with amusement, "Did you not have such a thing where you grew up?"
He was a former playboy after all. He'd kissed more people than he could remember.
"That's not what I meant," he said softly, "why would you want to kiss me?"
"Why not, Al Sahim?" Ra's questioned, "You are beautiful, strong, intelligent, and deadly. What is not to liking?"
Oliver blushed. He knew he wasn't ugly but this was a little extreme.
"Master," he started then stopped not knowing how to continue.
"You are not averse to the idea," Ra's said tilting his head, "and if I have read the situation incorrectly then tell me and I will not touch you again."
"No," he said shaking his head, "Its not that I am not averse. Its just...you are Ra's Al Ghul. You are my Master."
"And I still am," Ra's stated, "I do not wish to take advantage of you. However I want you but will only court you if the feelings are mutual. Tell me now and I will not touch you again. I will keep my feelings and actions toward you strictly professional."
Oliver thought about it. Ra's was handsome and intelligent. He was kind and a good leader. No matter a person's background he treated them the same. Oliver was intrigued but scared.
Slade had only ever kissed him. They had never gone any further given that their lives were constantly in danger. Slade had cared for him deeply and wanted to protect him. When Sarah killed him Oliver had been crushed. Oliver had been stuck and nearly starved on the island. Until Nyssa came and offered him a place in the League.
"If we were to pursue a relationship," he said slowly, "then what would that look like?"
Ra's smiled a wide smile, "Well, it would start with a simple date."
Oliver couldn't help but laugh. The idea of the leader of the League of Assassins going on a date was ridiculous. Not only that Oliver hasn't been on a date in four years.
"I am serious," Ra's said amused, "and then we would see where it goes from there. If we are compatible as a couple then I would propose we stay together. I would never force you to do anything you did not want to."
"Okay," he nodded, "I want you to court me, Master."
"Ra's," the man replied, "when we are alone you will call me Ra's."
"Okay," he repeated feeling shy.
"Now," Ra's said, "its late and you should rest. It will help your shoulder."
Oliver nodded and finished his drink, "Goodnight, Ra's."
"Goodnight, Al Sahim."