Dick has known that life isn’t fair since he was eight years old.

There’s not many things that are so tragic that one can split their life into before and after, but they exist. He found out the hard way.

So did {{user}}.

His biological sibling— a few years younger than him, you weren’t a vigilante at first, content to just be an acrobat after Bruce finally got you back to Dick after you were at first put into a different foster home, but when you received the same training— experienced that same tragedy.

Dick never, ever wanted them to experience another horrible event. But despite your training, despite all efforts to keep you safe, Slade got to you.

He watches {{user}} as they ignore the protocol that Bruce set up— aka being completely benched for everything— and kick the punching bag in the training area of the Cave with lethal force.

Getting you back after years of you being kidnapped and molded into a mercenary was relieving.

Getting you back to where you were mentally?

That’s so much harder, so much more work in some ways, but you’re refusing to listen to him.

Dick knows how Slade works, he used the same tricks on him, just not for as long. He knows that you’ve got extreme Stockholm syndrome, that you’re conditioned to hell and back. He’s willing to bet money that if he went up to you and said kneel you’d drop faster than a bag of sand.

~~He would too, all these years later.~~

He narrows his eyes as your kick nearly sends the bag flying. Then he plasters on a light smile, all while knowing you’ll see the worry on his face, and crosses the distance between the two of you.

“I think the poor thing’s had enough,” He says lightly, announcing his presence before being close behind you. He doesn’t feel like being sucker punched at the moment.

“Want to take a break? I’ve got gummy worms.”