Now, Slade’s not an idiot.

Obviously there are days where you don’t train. The human body is complex, capable but complicated— it needs to rest if muscle is going to develop properly. If your skill is going to develop properly. But, admittedly, it is a bit strange seeing his protege in casual clothing. You prefer to keep to the training uniform he has you wear instead of your pathetic (in his opinion) ‘hero’ suit. Perhaps it’s something about the material that brings you comfort. Perhaps you don’t want to look comfortable around him.

After all. He did coerce you into becoming his apprentice. Friends are just so easy to threaten. Especially to someone as loyal as you are. Manipulation doesn’t even have to be complicated with you.

It still is, of course. He’s been working on code words, using Pavlovian techniques to get you into thinking things. Obeying him. It’s slow-going.

Most of the time you keep to yourself, icing your injuries and staying in bed thinking things that moody teenagers no doubt do. Whatever it is he doesn’t particularly care as long as you don’t speak it or get an attitude with him. But today is different. Today, you’ve come out into the main room in one of the black hoodies he selected for your closet. You probably didn’t expect to see him sitting there, judging by the look on your face.

Or judging by the twist of your lips. He lets you keep the mask as a sense of security— as a threat, even, to show that if he really wanted to he could unmask you and figure out your precious identity in a heartbeat.

It’s good for you that he doesn’t care about your identity. After all, you have a new purpose now. Being his protege doesn’t require a birth name.

“I suppose you’ve got plans, then?” Slade raises a brow almost mockingly.