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Chapter Text

Light a Candle for Me Chapter 1: Sleeping With My Enemies

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Batman does exist in this universe but not as Batman, but more a CIA police working group. Mobsters, sleeper agents sex workers and runaways. This….is a new universe previously a one shot from Sladin or Bust!!

Broken into chapters, I intended to continue this smut fest and mystery action packed thriller so….call me a sap for the drama. Dick is seventeen and as a kid when his parents died he was claimed illegally by the Talons of another assassin group. Bruce Wayne of the S.A.V.E organization in Gotham under “The Bat.” wrestled with reclaiming Dick in one of his cases and adopted him, only to be injected with rogue eco terrorist Ivy's pheromones. He was said to have assaulted Dick, yet Dick had a sleeper agent habit of “Seduction" like a second personality, they said because he was underage, Dick would have been the victim so during the assault, Dick knocked out Bruce and ran away from him for good. Or so he thought…

The escalating torment and hunger had the kid seek out a strip joint that would let him in due to them taking pity on his stare, eighteen he wasn’t allowed to do anything too crazy. Dick however has the appetite of someone much older die to his sleeper “side" and earns the adoration of Will, the son if a prominent mob boss who tries to help Dick find his home and funs it in California while carefully grooming the kid to become his sugar baby.

Turns out, the attack on Wayne was to reclaim Dick by the Minerva group and Deathstroke us Will's true code name as the next head of the faction. However, there is someone else after Dick that wanted h in the past and Will offers to protect Dick if he can learn to fight for his organization and let out the wild side when he needs to instead of wasting his time making other men hard.
In Gotham, Bruce Will uncover the real reason why Dick ran away and the rest….there is smut in this and Dick will not always be willing. Noted, in the last part he was bagged, gagged and shipped off thanks to Deathstroke tricking him. He also has an ability by a serum used on him in the military when he was overseas, so the scary part is that he has a mean way of dying if Dick ever wants out of their game. Find out!

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Takes place in a nightclub; Dick is an addict in sort of a Mimi and Rent style tale but Slade?

He’s on the run as a goon from a prominent mob family. Dick’s a runaway, so let’s try this one on for size!

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Chapter One

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Seventeen, no home. No friends.

The music pounded as such a desperate street rat as he wasn’t Richard Grayson entered the den of wolves and night walkers in tight leather.

Seventeen. And no money, no extra ways to get from here or there. No job, and his school account was cut because…

Dick headed to the bar and sat onto a stool, giving him a funny look before heading to his boss.

“You too young to be here, kid? This is an adult facility.”

“I need a job, don’t have anyone here in this city.
Nowhere ta go.”

The place lit up as women clad in cheap, skimpy outfits and even men took to the prowl for a hustle.

Dick didn’t bother. He’d lost his virginity to the same sicko who’d taken him in years ago. Ran away, because they’d never been caught doing it again.

Now, in order to wash it away, he wanted to strip the feeling bare and not be found.

He’d get out, any bit of scratch to find a hut and stay until he was back with his degree…but they’d know. He wanted a new identity. No place else would do it.

“I know the best you have. Donna.”

The bar got quiet, before the bartender cleared his throat, getting ready to escort the kid to see if he was lying.

“You know the Amazon sisters?”

“I know a few, from my old life.”

The owner rolled back his neck and sighed, waving the bartender to do it.

“Take him back and introduce the kid, just keep him out of the dressin’ rooms.”

Dick’s eyes changed with a silent flash.

Bingo. He’d show them. The small of the back room was pressed to follow.

He’d show the stage what he had to give in to, how he worked without complaint..

////////////////////////

A month later, Dick was hooked on dressing up as a dancer on that stage. He only did it to get enough for his own place, yet Donna took him in, not asking questions as he gave her a false name.

“Aoi?” ( Means blue.)

Blue, he looked nothing like some Japanese woman who was clearly a minor, but it played well to keep him out of the eye of old foes.

His father had promised to go to counseling, to get clean.
Dick didn’t care as his slender frame had been a hit beside the Amazons.

“What kind of leg exercises do you do, hun?” One woman, Queen Bee or Kerry Beecher was surely hooked on the boy’s act.

“I wanna know where you shop for your dresses and skirts!”

He felt too much like before, though.

It simply faded one night when the reminder of a broken promise returned to that dance floor.

A group of men came in, snorting and jeering, making the bartender ignore the males with a passion.

“That group wants you to dance for “Big Daddy.”

The boss came to Dick as he gulped , looking over the boss’s shoulder.

“Same as before?”

The boss put his hands in his pockets.

“They want you to strip, not all of it.”

Dick’s eyes went wide. “We do that here?”

“Oh – are you not…” The boss shook his head. “It’s a strip club! Didn’t you get any clients askin?”

“Donna…. usually.” He shook his head. “But the show must go on, right?”

“If you ain’t ready -

If you ain’t ready –

“I can do it, boss.” Dick tried to be bold. “I’m more flexible than “Mad Marcy and Daisy Dukes put together.”

“If you get into any trouble, use the signal."

Dick nodded, puffing up his pretend chest and trying to work those heels like he’d learned. That action made for more toss outs of dollar rolls.

He really needed his own place, he needed to get back to his classes.

He –

Dick was about to step over to the bar, when a face made him to remember.

A gala of his father’s, an older male with a white goatee and a single eye…

Dick froze as one hand hit the pole, waking him up.

“Yah! Wanna see that ass shake! C’mon, baby…”

The man just sat a few seats down from the dirtier talking crowd, as if saying “go for it.”

Dick left his mind awhile and just moved.

" Show us some skin, hun!"

"I wanna see your crazy ass tits. Make it hot in here!"

Limbs as vines, he decided on a belly dance style routine with a more interpretive style.

He’d been in a show as a child almost every day of every week, on the road and seeing how the greats worked on the high beam.

His legs gripped the pole as he never forgot to work in a spin so a bunch of bens hit the stage and he…

Was hooked.

///////////////

Dick came back out of his head again, and started to see a few things…

That Donna, would have blown that whistle for.

The one-eyed male was sipping his drink, the rude asshole were starting to command that he "take it all off" just as his brow started to take on alight sheen.

Dick saw the money they had, his legs hanging over in a V-split upside down as he kicked off a long boot. To the side, stockings high and loose, and starting –

Dick got upright and avoided a tear, or that just more money wasted for him.

The one-eyed male drank again, as if nodding an ok.

Who was he-

“Hey! We paid to see you dance and flash us, pretty kitty.”
The man with the biggest grin grabbed Dick’s wrist as he wrenched it free, his heart going harder from the close contact.

Just do it…

His other boot was slid off, the man taking it as Dick felt he’d never get the thing back without Bryce’s aid by the bar.
Bryce was a bouncer who just loved to beat up deadbeats. He got a kick out of his white knight syndrome the most. Dick usually made sure he was around…

Tonight, however, was his night off….

Dick paled, his hands placed round a choker encircling his throat. More whooping went on as his hips moved slower.
“Are you my granny, girlie?? Her cha - cha slide was way faster than that – hop to it! Chop - chop.”

Dick sniffed and his pants didn’t get removed, his bracelets, his…

Dignity…

He saw his reflection in the white-haired male’s glass. His face gawking at –

“You can’t do it?? Heh, then I’m not takin –

“No!” Dick stopped and dragged off his top, the bra staying as his hands caressed his sides, going lower….

Another voice not from the group had Dick falter.

“Pathetic.”

Dick looked up, the one-eyed male was finishing the last of his beer, disinterest settling as his eye shut slowly.
Dick gritted his teeth and let out a breath as his pants came down, the cup keeping his boy shorts from showing what he was to these nice gentlemen who had his ticket out. He got to his knees and spread, leaning back and nearly in a bridge as his legs swung up to grip the bar. He was safe…he’d –

The man had left, and Dick was after than near five hundred plus closer to getting a new bed. Rather than a full one-bedroom suite.

“Encore! Encore! Whoo!”

That night, he learned that just because he’d been sexually assaulted, he was still far from a pro. In his mind, he was still a damn virgin, rather than a pretty boy victim.

That, one word made his cheeks burn up.

That man, had known something he wished he did, as the last thing Dick did was go to the back for a way to get his frustrations out.

When he met, him.

There, lighting a cig and pretending not to care in the back alley...

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Chapter Text

Chapter Two: Bargaining for Time Lost

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The man was back every night for a whole week, then the month, and Dick?

He made pure gold as long as he played along.
The man had influence in the local underworld. He was the eldest son of the D'Merico ( typo) gang, a mafia family that was a big deal in this city.

Dick wondered if he’d done too much by getting acquainted with such a dangerous person, but then it came time to graduate from just pole dances and cheap thrills.

He was going to lap dance, and tonight the boy's lucky playdate?

“Willy!” (I’m killing it so Wilson is what he’s called.)
Dick ran over in a pink asymmetrical bob and high black platforms, a rubber black dress and leather cuffs. Still a bit on a wobble, yet handling it.

“Take those puppies off before you kick him in the groin, pretty thang.”

Will’s associate was to his right, so Dick ignored the man. He wasn’t interested in taking orders tonight.

“I’m better at this height this way.” He giggled while in character. “Don’t you think so too?”

“I want to see if you’ve been practicing with Donna, Aoi.”

“I was! But she is pretty tall, so I have to gain a few –

Dick was pulled full flesh into Will’s lap as his mouth, shut.
“I think you need a refresher course.” The male put a hand away to the side, as Dick got to work.

///////////////////

“How big is that ass, child?”

“Roy, he’s trying at least."

Will chuckled and leaned back, enjoying the way the kid –

Will stiffened a minute and felt…something off, moving?

“Oh!” Dick looked at his watch. “Time’s up, baby…I’m sorry. You know the rules.”

“What do I owe you this time, for thirty extras?” Will held up a couple hundreds, as Dick’s eyes followed the roll hungrily.

Dick hummed and put a finger to his lips. “About two, three if I get one more…second, on you?”

“Will really likes…those cheeks, man…” Roy bobbed his head while a young miss Archer came on by to shoot an arrow to his crotch.

“You think one more….”

“How about a kiss?”

Roy’s suggestion had the taboo sentence change as Archer gasped, her hips finding a pause.

“That’ll cost way extra.” She replied, letting Dick know he was also worth more if they co –

“Deal.” The one eyed- man pulled out his extra limit and reached for Dick’s shoulder to tug him in…

“Why don’t you let me lead...blue bird.”

Dick fumbled easily in his position as the men’s’ lips crashed, the money calling as his fuzzy senses started to fail in wanting out.

He had to do this.

Get a real job.

A real education.

A –

The man pulled back, seeing how blissfully overtaken the teen was, that smirk never dying.

“You taste, divine.” Will slashed a cocky smile with a low hum.

Dick felt nothing of those words but danger, as if he should ask to be excused.

The man let him up but not before tucking that double wad into his false bra.

“Come back, anytime…. I don’t bite.”

Like a wolf.

Dick nodded and gave the most flirtatious wink though fake, that he could. Archer was done too, coaxing Dick to the back while Will never took his eye off of the poor teen wobbling on, in platform Lolita gothic heels, with his nightly figures met.

///////////////////////

His worry increased, Will had a…

Dick took a breath, a knock on the dressing room door.
Donna stood there, worried while holding a wrapped package.

“You got another…. Aoi …. I know this is –

“I don’t want it.” Dick crossed his arms and tried to block out those…. that eye…it wasn’t right. That man had a problem, but he just…

“You’re not the only one. I had a dude here try to propose to me –

“I didn’t ask for that! I’m not…that underage!”

“You’re also running from your pedo - father, but we can’t all just put on a dress and forget that we have other lives. We still live here, in the present.” She went over to Dick and rubbed his shoulder reassuringly. “You are gonna get to your dream place. Just run through the motions and if he bites, we kick him to the curb. But you got a reg!” She smiled, her tanned skin and gold bracelets looking God like to the little ballerina.

“I, don’t know if he wants more…”

“Sex is a no in this place if you can’t. Our policy is pretty strict.”

“And money talks.” Dick sighed. “You knew; why didn’t you warn me? That, you live like tomorrow you could end up…with nothing?”

“I’ve lived this way for a long time, since after my dad passed. “She told the teen. “They’ll get Bruce convicted, and you can stay with Alf. He’s –

“Old, nearly decaying.” Dick put his head down, mascara running. “I’m going to have enough for a ticket to Scotland.” Dick sighed. “But if I try to get away from what I am, it’ll hunt me back down.”

“Then….” Donna trailed on. The mirror reflecting her as being too tied to these morals to recall anything else.
“Don’t leave until this guy is kaput.”

////////////////////////

Dick took his time, the lap changing to more tongue and then, the boss realized he was serious. Too seriously depressed.

He came to Dick to see bags under his blue orbs, knowing something was up.

“He getting too friendly with my little star?”

“I just give him what he wants.” The boy always seemed to reply. “It’s just one more night.”

However, it was HOW the boy had gotten to advance that worried the boss of the joint.

He had Donna check it out, one night after their shifts had ended…

//////

Dick wasn’t here with her as a door shut. She woke groggy to seek the light switch. Getting into quick clothing, he had to have not gone far.

It was only a few blocks. A could thing said had rattled the boy.

“I know who you are.”

That night in the back alley of the club, he'd been exposed, blackmailed.

The man remembered under all of that make up who Dick really was, and he begged the man to not go to the police with that info.

At first, it was just getting all of the attention, the kisses harder, until he'd made more demands well after dark.
“Your father would love to lock you back in that tower, he still owns custody. With all of that money, you’ll end up shipped off with him to a place where he can get his way.”
Dick had shuddered, begging that the man please not do anything brash.

In exchange?

“If I ask for it, you’ll do. No complaints and your secret is safe. Tonight…I’m going to teach you how to get me hard, little bird. The pay will increase, but you’ll still be mine no matter how many cocks come into your lap.”

Donna fought back a gasp as she saw Dick debating himself to…a mobster.

Just as he performed on that stage, no part of his liked this as Dick steeled away his concerns for this man to be touched.

“Good…a little tug, a stroke. You’ve got the knack. And next time? I want it in your mouth. Balls deep. We’ll practice….good, blue bird. Just like that –

“I'll do it now.”

Donna felt a tear to her eye, angry tears.

Duck wanted to go to his paradise one day, all the money from that man…

He took the tip and crinkled his nose at first, before his tongue lashed over the head, hand moving to cup and roll the man's testicles.

After less than a minute he went down lower on his knees, Donna’s eyes wider as he was nearly –

The man's hand went to the back of Dock's neck as the kid’s eyes flew from their sockets.

“Nice and heavy….good…you got this in….the…bag!”

The last thrust made Dick's eyes water as something thick and hot starting pooling past his abused throat. The man clicked his tongue while wagging a finger with a smart grin.

“Two thou if you swallow it, little blue bird. Come on, I know that coastal town in Cali is where you want to go. You’re so damn, close!”

He came again. Dick's reflex to swallow of choke set off by his dream being waved like a fat carrot in front of his face. Thick as this mess was, he never protested. The taste was bitter, his lips tingling as the one eyed mafia son pulled out, a strand of white linked to his cock and the boy's puffy pink lips.

“You make for quite a sight, my dear…if you were to ask me for more, I’d give you enough to move to your dream house….in fact…if you did more than oral for that extra, I’d make you never think twice.” Chuckled the man as Dick was tossed the two and a half thousand.

“You’re mine, remember not to let anyone else have you while up on that stage, little bird. I'll be by in a few days to see if we can up your training. Get those dreams to come true a lot faster.”

Dick glared over his shoulder as he headed off, not caringas long as his jar got fuller by the end of the week.

/////////

Donna refused to come quietly. She went to the one eyed man one night with arms crossed over her chest.

“You can’t see Aoi anymore.”

The man looked up from his sip of vodka and frowned. “Is there a problem, Amazon?”

“You have broken a rule in our facility.” She huffed back, gruffly. “I saw you in the alley What you are doing is purely, blackmail and to an underage dancer. I’m going ta have –
“He doesn’t seem to mind.” The man ignored the Amazon, even if she knew her rights. The boss still wasn’t so golden…he could be swayed.

“He's desperate and you’re taking advantage of that. And you know too much. You know the boy behind the stilettos.”

The man took a pause, hand through his slick snowy hair. “You don’t seem to see the big picture. Donna, he is the son of Gotham's elite and I know that despite the allegations, the man will go free. And when he does, Dick won’t get to play hooky. He's using me, as much as he's borrowed that identity to forget WHO he really is. And, being a gentleman, we made –

“You said you’d rat him out.” Donna leaned over the table as her breath was filled with spite. Dragon fire laced her every word in front of this snake in the grass.

“He wants a home, not this. He is too young and the boss thinks you’re a problem.”

“Oh, Joey and I go a ways back.” Smiled the toothy wolf. “If I want that boy in the upstairs suite for an hour, I may just ask. Not like he hasn’t been taken before –

//////////

He didn’t come back for a few days, yet he wasn’t to be stopped and the gifts got even more personal.
A cruise reservation of the Scandinavian waters. A trip to a world class spa that involved a bit extra that churned Dick’s stomach.

And no matter how many of these damned proposals he sent to the kid’s door, the boss was powerless against one of the most powerful men above him.

The last would come, Dick needed to get out of his head. Yet, he refused drugs. He refuses to numb himself. He was a child performer. He knew how to like to God or a devil in the face if he had to.

Donna couldn’t say a anything, as Dick was determined to fill up that jar and make waves in the city of Angels and sinners right beside her.

Jump. San Francisco. He wanted to finally be free, no more cock and ball torture.

A few more months, his attitude would change.

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After a jaw aching week of getting men hard for morehundreds, the real scare came when his boss stood beside Will at the front, head down as there was no …

Dick came up in thigh high stocking and pumps, a mini skirt and bra top. He’d gotten bolder and the chokers that man gave him he did use.

Some were with words, others with jewels that made his blue eyes sparkle even more while he twirled or twerked.

“Our client…. Wants a full package."

Dick didn’t know what you do as his eyes flew over to those who had protected him this long. It never would stop, would it?

“Says after this, that’d be it. You’d be home free.”

Dick swallowed. It was tempting, and inescapable to his reputation as being flexible.

“How long for.”

“TWO.”

Will smugly smiled. “Or as long as you can keep up.”

That, wasn’t good but the boss had to have dirt being used on him too.

“I'm sorry kid…two hours, Double, And I got my girls at the ready if he puts up a fight. No violence. No drugs, no toys.”
“Is he prepared for it?”

Dick had to let them know.

“Give me fifteen.” Dick rasped out a bit hoarse “I’ll be ready to go.”

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This actually leads up to some smut then the rest is plot. Read om!

Chapter Text

Chapter 3: Trade in my Soul

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Noted, Bruce poss already took Dick’s virginity so he’s not going to get too hurt except psychologically later.

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He borrowed one of Big Mertha's dildos and started to push..

The burn made him wince, but the money as he let it go in and out, biting his lip at the pain

It had to be worth the worst of it, yet.

//////

“Are you sure this is the right-

“I won’t give him a bad time…and if it gets painful, we’ll try to go slower.” Promised the mobster.

//////

Dick was coaxed into the room layered in pink and black.
“How about we strip.” The door shut as the timer was set.
He nodded, not being as open as on that stage, yet the man did the same.

Shoes, boots, socks and Dick's tight crop top.

Pants…. belt…even blazer, all ended up ready to burn upon a pyre.

“There.” Both were down to their underwear as Dick's hands clutched the sides of his lace –

“No more boy shorts, kid?"

Dick flushed.

“ Real. Actors don’t take shortcuts. The goods ones step…”
Dick flinched, feeling hands at his waist.

“Into…”

He was tugged against the man's chest. His shivering back touching hotter flesh as the boy felt something run towards his thigh, moving to go up it. To find-

“WAIT!”

“Are you going to start, or should I?”

Dick took a breath, brain unfeeling as his hands and body moved to crouch.

“I’ll do it.” With a tug, he got to work on that torture.

////

Touching was easy, but being touched?

His cock was off limits, because…

That was Bruce’s favorite spot to tear out his cries.
“I knew the night you took me for a ride, pretty bird.” The man sat on the bed as Dick got the man harder.

“That anyone with a cockier attitude couldn’t be this pretty….you had to be hiding the truth. Looks like the tabloids were wrong.” He chuckled.

“I saw Wayne today. A few hours this morning. My daddy wanted a deal but he was too depressed. Without his little song bird at his side, he’s not even a man worth negotiating prices with.’

“He was a terrible people person…” Dick rubbed the man some more as he pulled back, pre cum coating his lips.

“Bruce as a father, he couldn’t ’t open properly to even his assistant.”

“Such dishonor, and without an alibi, you’ll be free before long…you know, ah. I have a pretty nice club of my own down in San Diego. If I were to make you their star and not let a soul put a finger…in you, would you except?...Be my little ballerina and twirl where the water is warm…”

He thrust back into the boy's mouth, he wasn’t relaxing enough, making the elder make it harder.

Once he'd come plenty, Dick dreaded the last part. One hour left ….

“How about this?” The man leaned back onto the bed. Hands behind his head with a smirk, he proposed a fun wager.

“If you can get me off before I can take you to heaven, then you’ll get the money and I’ll not bother you for as long as you want. No more games. But, if you can’t make me cum in thirty minutes, flat…. I get to have you, any way that I want.”

Dick blinked, seeing the man's hips buck as he straddled down. It was a challenge for his freedom. From this home he’d been good back to, and to…. his desire to go it alone in a city that he barely recognized.

“If I can get you to come…”

“IN. YOUR ASS.”

Dick’s eyes popped.

“Not a first, right?” Will chuckled. “Bruce Wayne planted that seed, so you have to keep hiding deeper and deeper still inside your petty persona. You don’t have to keep running forever. Just, try to relax. “Slade let out a small sigh. “Use me back. And who knows? You may end up a pet it, make me pay the right way. Until I’m kaput, right, Aoi?”

“You…. won’t be too hard? And, I’d never go that far.”

“Unless you like pain, no.” The man told his pretty baby doll.

“I want you up for your next act. Not a mess on the floor, would break your poor girlfriend’s heart.”

Dick swallowed, his ass hovering over the man's…erect.

Member.

The older man cocked a brow.

“No prep?”

“I have to make it look genuine.” The teen lied; he just wanted it to be a distraction. He was pretty slick already so the before-burn would be enough.

“Here…. here I….go.”

/////////

A smooth slide was not what greeted the boy as he began to push onto the man's adult cock. It seemed to enjoy the kid's clenching and he did want to win a year away from said mobster, so Dick gave what he could of his first “real" time. Pushing away fear of Wayne's brutally frantic touches and advances, Dick fell and drove himself balls deep. To the man's shock, not a keen...no whimper as he gave a high brow to those high marks.

“You know how to detach yourself…” The man frowned.

“You can’t enjoy yourself then. It would be a win – win.”
“I’m not the one who should be coming.”

Dick grabbed the man and pulled down, picking up speed as he rose the man, hoping his attitude. Might change.
“I….know…masks….you can’t…beat me…”

He huffed and it was exercise, nothing but a little perspiration. He didn’t care. He told himself if it was for the money, he-

The man’s hands gripped as he was picked up, Dick glaring at the man with a face full of disturbed disgust. “Hey!” He tried to pry those fingers from him, but they made him bounce like a toy. Dick flushed red and groaned, not appreciating the boost.

“You were so…close!”

Dick felt it like wildfire laying at his skin. Electric as his head rolled back.

“Got you, blue bird…caged.”

He pulled up, then sank him down with a rough ache forming between Dick’s legs, a small gasp escape.

“On my cock.”

He bit down as Dick cried out, the man’s seed flying from him as he came before his client.

Pale faced and hot tears running down his gaunt cheeks, the spent bird didn’t so much as groan…

“Y- you….” His eyes watered over.

Even despite his panicked look, Dick was made to fall back forwards into the man's chest, hand in his hair and still panting for breath.

“So, good at keeping up…but a loss is a loss.” The man smiled with a crinkle in his features. So very smug and ready to claim his prize.

Dick clenched down and knew he'd not wanted THAT.

A blow to his prostate was a knife in his gut.

A killing blow. He just...

What would his asshole father do?

What would a Grayson do?

“So…. right now, I think you’ll like this new game.”

The man touched his cheek, a fleck of cum brushed away with his tears.

“You’re going to be mine, and you’ll get to have that home by the water…as long as you continue to keep on that mask. Be who you think you are for a while longer. No one else…”

//////////

He didn’t have more sex with Will.

At least, not yet. They got reacquainted outside of the bar and it was, uncomfortable.

The down – on – his – one - knee joke from Donna was starting to look pretty well…. real.

Dick did calls, to the weirdo’s manor.

Against his better knowledge, the job was keeping him away from his sugar daddy.

So?

He did what any could if their hands were tied.

“Role play?”

The man was into toys, and sometimes bondage which Dick just ignored, thinking only of his mask. He still got a what for, but never in the ass by the man…just, his toys did the majority of the work to make him come every time.
Soon, Dick started to take that as a challenge to make this man hate him. If he was deemed emotionless like his father had said, then he wouldn’t be here much longer.

Play the part, go to Jump.

As if he were truly too modest to explain why, Will gave him a plethora of gifts, collars and even dresses as if he were still not a boy to anyone.

“My pops thinks you are just a doll faced brat who wants me with her always, but we'll just keep this secret between us as far as he gets it.” The man seemed to like the lie; he wanted it going on and on, but…

Dick wasn’t sure dressing as one of the man's maids was such a good idea.

“What if they notice me? I can’t just give up –

“Kid."

The man gave a condescending friend as Dick held onto the hair piece and wig.

“You aren’t going anywhere if you stay in that city. I can get you anything you want, and I meant it. You just have to stay this way for say…another few days. It’ll be a very interesting bet. You know how Wayne was, but I’m not that uptight.”

“You beckoned me like your consort. This isn’t Ancient Rome. I have my rights.”

“Then, by all means.”

The man waved an arm to the exit. “I knew you didn’t have the gall to keep on that pretty face. What else would you have without your body to percent? A degree? Money? A house?” He snorted, Dick being a few steps from dropping the act.

“If you can’t do anything, you might as well go back to Wayne and fess up. Because, I know what you really did to him.”

That eye was rippling, toxic as Dick looked over his shoulder. Fear dotting his face. Sweat almost ready to fall. Chest beating at a memory of what…

He was.

///////

As a kid, he’d had a life lived full of what could be said as happy. He was, really.

When his parents had been murdered during an act, he'd found himself smuggled from the children's home in Gotham.

He was used for years and not for what he knew, a sleeper agent. A young killer, until Wayne…Bat~man came into the picture and took him from that life.

He was scared.

Shy, even worried he'd hurt others.

What he didn’t know was that his training included seducing his targets. He found this out as the trigger activated one night when Bruce had been attacked by an eco terrorist called Ivy. She drugged him up, and Dick for some reason made it worse. Then, then Bruce…

Took his innocence, he was blamed for it. Dick was the one who'd kissed him and then…

Beaten the man senseless, only to run away and never look back.

The kidnappers were never caught. Brice was put on trial. Then, Will….he was so, so…devious in getting what he wanted. If Dick said no, it was back avoiding the real face he kept to.

A killer, a monster.

A freak.

Bruce would come after him, beg to know what he could do to make it better.

Yet Dick had nothing to say, because they were both at fault. Toxins or no toxins , neither male had intended to listen to reason and it was going to be seen as a crime of the Gotham Billionaire’s ward.

Yes, an adopted son which made this the case of the century.

Now, an underage rich boy runaway was having “relations" with a creepy monster’s son, and he didn’t know why he couldn’t feel.

It had to be a form of brainwashing that had never left…
making it all the more upsetting as Dick's throat bobbed, while he stripped down to his underwear and began to change into the French maid outfit quietly.

Not a peep, as he did what he was told.

Chapter Text

Chapter 4: Fear of the Unknown

////////

Also in this, Dick enjoys cross dressing to an extent. So closeted. Same as Will, you’ll see.

////////////////

He was definitely doted on and it was not a bother between mobsters. Dick just looked like another call girl. He had chosen to do this ,but after his trial week was up somehow he doubted the man was selling him the whole story.

“We'll be packing by tomorrow.”

Dick looked up from his studies; Wilson had been generous enough to let him return to his course, a few more grades to pass as Dick's old self feigned being comfortable with so many things to keep him blindly away from asking.

“Why?”

Wilson put down his work; for even files on your enemies was still a secretary job, and spoke to his pretty Belle in her green lingerie.

Sheer, and all for a couple extra grand if he wore a silk thong to match with this lace set.

He had his own room, but sometimes Will would have him come by to play, only play. No sticking it in like the last time, and Dick was fine with that though…perplexed.

“I have a job out of town, San Diego.”

Dick's pure blue eyes rose to the city's introduction.” I…get to go?”

“I have a place, nice. Little older, up in the hills. Nice view for miles; you’d be taking care of it for me.”

Dick swung over the side and came before the big tough with shining orbs and a great big smile. Such a pretty face…well, except for the last part.

“Only thing is…” Will rubbed the back of his neck. “Richard? I know you think I’m using you and this arrangement is tearing you from your friends, but I do know you and I want…you to know so much more. If you’ll be mine. There, in California.” He tugged out something that spelled a bit of –

It wasn’t a ring box, Dick's eyes blinked. Just as the color left his face when Will had opened it.

A diamond encrusted collar.

He gulped.

No…this was…this was far, far worse. He had to pull –

“If you say no, then I can always get Wayne to come and get you. You two can work things out. But if he knows, US….Whatever you’ve been doing in my bed…? He'd put you out and into an institution again –

“Stop! I’m…I’ll go, but I won’t wear that. That’s slavery, and –
“You think you can just demand things without giving back?” Will slammed the box shut as Dick yelped, falling back into the bed frame.

“I….I-

“You wanted to be on easy street kid, well?”

Will splayed out his arms and cocked a grin. “You got it, it’s either me or him.”

The man warned with a sharp gleam in his one eye.
“Give me what I what, and no one has to worry…”

Will crooked out his finger, egging the kid to follow his orders.

“Come, blue bird. I think you need to be punished properly this time. “

////////

After the spanking and the teasing was over, the collar went on and everything…

Well, it got to be impossible to plan a way out now. Dick had become the pet of a monster, and as a monster he knew that one of them would have to get hurt or…die, first before anything could be fixed.

He was treated not like a maid or a princess, but something so very degrading that Dick had reason to believe that this grooming would have his trigger to go off.
Why hadn’t it then, he had to ask himself.

Bruce had made it activate and Dick was able to feel fear, while with Wilson…it was a bit more responsive to his role. He was a glorified “pet.” He was able to be fed, bathed and lounge about while going over his courses online, yet he was just trotting behind never right beside his keeper, and THAT .

Was the problem. It was as disturbing as the cases you saw on the news where girls ended up dead by the hands of demented mad men.

Wilson, was not mad. He was a greedy child, yet he had a way of staying the ever so doting caregiver.

Dick noticed signs of a possible Stockholm case and typed that away in case Wilson tried to break his promises too.

So many people he cared for had already done that. That he’d been offered to Will by an extrinsic fate such as this…

//////

The car that drove up to bring the two lovers along to the airport was a sleek, black limo. Dick was in a set of clothes today for either gender and he was about to ask Will, why as they made it out to the front gates.

“I need you not to stand out.” The man touched his toy’s gemstone heart upon the front of the boy's luxury collar, fingers tracing over it and then to Dick's throat as he bent down to whisper something of a better importance to the boy.

“My men are loyal to only me. They can’t tell what you are and I only know who you are beneath your batting lashes. AOI…”

Dick frowned as Wilson pressed at the small of his back, Dick turning before the door to the car opened. He was one foot in, before it shut, a dozen gloved hands pulled him into the back as he hadn’t time to shout at all. Eyes rolling to the side to see, before his body went limp and useless in the arms of a stranger.

Wilson had never wanted him for anything else. …

///////

“Wayne’s kid. Yeah. Good to hear from you too…we gave it a thought and if you’d still be –

Dick overheard a conversation that struck him strongly, his body moving to look up with a groan. He was tied up and gagged, while three other men kept Dick from squirming while their boss was on the line with an important client.

“Yes, yes. We are in agreement, then. See you in a few hours...”

Wilson slipped the cell back into his pocket and watched Dick's pretty eyes light up with anger.

“Let im' speak.” Will told his one goon. The gag was pulled back with a yank as the flustered runaway made sure to get his money’s worth.

“YOU TRICKED ME???” Dick exclaimed loudly.

“I’m not staying. I'll SCREAM…. HELP! SOMEONE! HELP!”
“Sounds proof, and we're on our way to do more for his case. To help your papa out a bit.” Wilson just sat back with a leg crossed, his eyes turning to the window with a chuckle.

Then. Back to his prized pet of the week...

“You coming to our city wasn’t a small reason, kid. You came crawling back, because that’s how THEY programed you to think.”

Dick didn’t believe the man as he tossed his nose up, snootily. “How can I trust what you are. You wear a mask too…you tried to make me go back!”

“Wrong, kiddo.” The man wagged a finger at the boy's face. “We got to you first, because the Organization of Minerva wants you to come home.”

He sat forward, pulling out an emblem from inside his coat.

“And I am? The one who gave them everything in a wrapped gift bag. I run it, the underworld where my dad, where the Owl's leader hides.” He smirked as Dick winced between clenched teeth.

“You weren’t just a performer, boy. You were groomed to be, a Talon. A real monster, just like me. So, you think that you getting the gig was an act of kindness?” He snorted, Dick's eyes falling to the floor.

“Donna was there to get information, just like the rest of my parroting priciest agents of chaos – but Wayne had to just….” He laughed into his palm.

Dick stared up. The truth so very thick as smog.

“You…. got him poisoned, so that I would run! You set us all up!! You! I won’t go back! I’m not a killer! No!”

“Too bad.” Sighed the one eyed male, his eye scrolling down the boy's frame as Dick was given a tighter knot round his ankles so that he wouldn’t kick.

“And I’m not Wilson, that’s my cover.” The man shrugged.

“Call me, Deathstroke. Your only friend from now until the owls come swooping in to steal back their little, baby “prodigy.”

He ignored the boy's bouts and kept taunting. “When we get to that plane, you and I can have a nice long chat.”
The man reached over to the boy and put a hand on his knee with a calming gesture. “I still want you with me on our next mission. After all.” The man put some pressure on the leg.

“You'll be the one pulling the trigger because I told you to, Dick. You’re not cut out to be a stripper. Your real talent…is in the blade you’ll wield once I’m done making you an impossible target for those birds of prey.”

Dick looked up and with the gag back over his mouth, his eyes soon got a similar blindfold as the car's jutting…. made him…sleepy.

Dick was set up. Bruce’s enemy was given that drug to ruin him. By…. Deathstroke.

And now, Dick was the lapdog of a true monster. His new owner was a superior fighter. His file not in the computer of the BAT, the alter ego of the billionaire’s.

The man that had…

Dick ground his teeth and was moved carefully from his seat, a jet engine sounding right from outside.

Sound proof my ass, he thought.

“Just a few more hours and we'll be by the water. Sun, sand and surf, little blue bird.”

The man had a hand to Dick scalp to tug it awake.
“When we get there, I’ve decided to let us christen the sheets."

Dick bit against the replaced gag. Panic rising as Deathstroke laughed off the small mouse’s murderous glance.

“You have your father’s murderous gaze. Yet, if only he knew that you cared…a, pity. Guess I get to fill that void up, have the old you become a distant memory. Say goodbye to his city.”

“Nnnm!!”

“Hush.” Deathstroke commanded with a finger to his own lips.

“Just enjoy the ride, you can do that. I want by all means to help you and your papa. You don’t want to be a killer; he doesn’t want to go to jail. If you pledge yourself to serve me, doing whatever I ask…I can pull as many strings as need be.” The man clutched the boy's jaw and whispered in close.

“Be mine, Aoi. Be mine and MINE, only and you can finally have a home to go back to…I'll make it so, if you hand over your lovely innocent self to only I, your new master…”

/////

Also, Minerva as in Athena? Her animal symbol is the OWL!!So? Whose side is Wilson really on??
IT’S long so two parter! Find out! Also, Slade is not from the Organization but an affiliate through another group that doesn't agree entirely wkth it. The Shadows, because guess who his daddy is??

///////////////////////

Chapter Text

Light a Candle For Me

////////////

Chapter 5: Double – Cross

/////////////////////

He was…..in the dark. All along.

Bruce wasn’t hos enemy. His real foe was….was…

Will, all along –

“Is he up?”

Dick shoved his head up while his arms were tied behind his back. On his belly, the dirt floor remind Dick of a military aircraft carrier.

“He’s up. Pissed too by the looks.” Will….who was he? He'd been put under before the flight . The car ride out to this place, wherever it was…

San Diego. Was….was that a lie too??

“ Where….are we –

“ On our way to your new home, as promised.” Will adjusted himself from his knees before swapping to kneeling on one knee.

“I kept a part of that promise, but…you won’t be my pretty doll forever. Under that face is that of a true threat. Did you know?”

“You….knew?”

“About the Minerva sect?” Will tilted his head, “ Or when you were brought to live with Wayne as his adopted ward.”

“ The before. What they wanted. Why you’re using me now.” Snorted the boy.

“ Ah, yes. Your past. The fact that as a little terror on stage, you make an excellent killing face as well.” Will chuckled. “ I need that on my team. And the head isn’t my father, my mentor is a better word for it. I had to sell the part-

“ You work for the organization that brainwashed me, took me from the under my social worker’s nose.”

“ And I’m sorry the old organization was so cruel. Really, why did they even care?”

“ Don’t….don’t recall-

“ I think you do.” Will interjected. “ I think, you’d tell me if I gave you your own room. A warm bed, you do need to wipe off the shame of not knowing what I was after.”

“ You said, California.” Dick muttered back. “ Was that a lie?”

“ No.” Will stood up, the craft remaining stable in the air. “

It wasn’t. San Diego is a den of mafia, thieves drawn to it down in the underbelly. Our organization spans across channels, these waters part for us always. Yet, you might further widen the gap once you recover your memories of who it was that locked them away in the first place.”

////////////////////////////////

He spent a few minutes hovering before waiting off to the side. Then, Will left him with two cronies. They simply did nothing but use their phones or chat about where they’d get something to do when they’d landed.

Why not strike up a decent conversation, turn on the charm?

Flirtatious as Aoi was once, Dock still wore his stocking under his boots in this case. “ Hi, yeah um….are we close at least to a good bar? You seem tense. If you let me sit up –

“ I heard about you, lil slut, so shut it. Best dancer though…” The one goon rubbed his chin.

“ How about this. I’ll get you something to eat before we land, IF you do a little spin for us to pass the time?”

“Hem, what else can I get besides a protein bar. Maybe….a few words?” Aoi batted her eyes as the second cleared his throat. “ You can fuck around with Willy later. Here, you just get to stand up. I won’t let the cuffs go and there is no place to run…”

“ I know, why would I run when I can dance for you boys? My legs are so tight in this position.” He twisted onto his back, moved them both to work into a near split. The two men went down red as fools before Dick’s slippery grin peered over past his toes. “ Gonna help me up?”

////////////////

The clapping and applause unnerved Will as he stomped to where the trouble had occurred first.

“ DON’T tap there. I could use a partner –

“ Oh! Boss , we…”

“ Shut your mouth. Now. Out, both of you.”

“Should w-

Will directed them to the exit as the man stomped the floor, the boy’s toes wobbled as he fell first way onto his ass. “ Hey! It was boring in here-

Will rushed up to Richard and pinned him on his back. His wrists were bruised but his legs got a kick into toned abs. Just his luck to stick with a man who couldn’t get his nuts knocked around.

Well, he’d tried that.

“ You tried to seduce my family, little minx. Should we see how well you do on your back for another four hours or ten, without food or water?”

“ On my back?” Sneered the cocky brat. “ You think that scares –

“ On your head then. Here, I’ll show you.” Dick was grabbed by his legs in a weak protest and hoisted into a situation that involved Will holding his ankles. Upside down, as promised.

“ It could be a few minutes but no one can survive after that if the blood rushes too quickly.

“ Fuck. I can…”

The altitude struck a chord as Dick’s head scrunched wkth his dark brows. “ Why?...”

“ So high up too. Are you sure you want to make this longer? My legs can carry you.” Will teased as he walked, swinging Dick from side to side as the kid’s eyes twisted shut. Nausea. Fuck him…why?

“ Air travel was never your sweet spot. Not even as that million dollar baby you were a few years ago. Did it hurt that you could never have the normal life you wanted for your parents. Swinging like a pendulum, time erased. Just like now?”

“ No….I….this….” He had such a headache. It was not ok…none of it was as his eyes pickled with tears. He tried to shake them but the nausea grew ever stronger with each jut of his body. “ P- put me down!”

You hate this, because of a former life you forgot to become mine.” Will dropped him lower before letting the kid collapse back onto his stomach. “ Don’t try that with anyone else. If you were feeling particularly horny, all you had to do-

“ You….your company, framed my father…you can’t have me!”

The man let go as he walked for the door, leaning into it with a casual shrug. “ I do, and I have to. For your protection, Owlet.”

“ I only made that when I thought you were some mobster. So what? Did you know my dad’s other work-

“ That. Is classified, boy.” Smirked the mob boss's kid “ How do you know about his little section? Did you eavesdrop to get closer to me?”

“ NO.” The kid hissed, turning his neck as the blood stopped rushing. For a second before he was lying flat again.

“ How long do you intend to fight your fate from my hands? Your father is just as guilty, and I heard the mam willing to meet with us has a spot for you at his casino if you get tired of keeping my home all spic and span.”

“ Who said? You? A casino is beneath my skill level, right?”
He was hoisted higher as the world tried spinning in reverse, making the kid nauseated.

“ You’ll be at your limit I predict in ten minutes. Do you think you might have any counter offers for a gentleman giving it his all to let some slut into his –

“ I don’t fuck….I…you won me because I was forced to through a loophole. I did what I had to –

“ For money, you know why. Nine minutes.”~

Will lilted as Dick clicked his tongue in annoyance.
“ Ah, sure….damn…if you let me….down….please…”

His head would pop….he didn’t want to die,
asphyxiated….damn!

“ What…is your job….?” Dick managed to ask.

“ Same as what I did back in that rat hole of a city. Only this one is positively rife with pleasure beyond your knowing, little bird.”

“ Seven…I counted, seven….left…”

“ Should you talk now? Tell me what it is you want to pretend as in my home, in my world.”

“ G….”

He stopped.

“ Like….like you.”

/////////////////

The drop was a few hacking coughs or rough breath as Will laughed, and made the kid angry. He lunged and took every action to saddle the male to the floor. “ Tell me! Who is the sect you work for that stole me as a child?? Why should I be involved and….what about Wayne? Bruce??” what do you know that –

“ Whoa, kid. I told you to stay patient, didn’t I? The job is a front for your real one. You’re going to be scoping out bad eggs in the casino at a table for cards, nothing else.”

“ I want drag.” Dick snorted. “ You said it was below my level, this isn’t. Make me a girl and put me in those ranks to find out what you won’t say.”

“ What? You think I won’t be honest? You’re born from a family of killers, sort of. Like me.”

////////////////////

“ Born…they stole –

“ Your uncle was the head runner of the sect's best commander. He controlled the Talon Deployment troupe. A group of spies, assassins, and mercenaries while he built them through some blood, others. Skill.”

Dick pulled away from the man as they both rose, though Dic still had to have his arms tied up. “ Your relative had an interesting ability and my sect, the Minerva order wanted to know why he’s never aged. Even all these years, he has a secret that only family could share.”

“ Why don’t I remember my time being…with him?”

“ You were brainwashed, a sleeper agent or simply dormant as he wanted. Our sect is within the same group but opposes whatever tricks the Talon use to get their way. You would have been indoctrinated to their ways had Wayne's group not gotten you out. I’m somewhat grateful, yet that group got teste. They claimed you had some sort of gift, and got Wayne under fire for assault of a minor through their network. Their exact muss was that you, young Miss? You ran away, closer to me.”

“ So, I ran into your den if killers and liars, by accident?”

“ Are you sure you should be so shocked, little bird?”
Smirked the mobster. “ My father owns half of those “ dens" while I run Cali with more of a fist than he’ll get in one more year of living.”

“ So, you’re keeping me away from becoming one if them, or going back to Wayne because…”

“ They are everywhere, Dick. The Talon are in the ranks while I’ve thinned out so man members to be sure we’d be secure. This move was a strategic one to avoid confrontation. Big Bertha, she was a spy.”

“ What??” Dick’s jaw dropped.

“ But I got to Donna, told her to let me have my way.”

“ Ew, and …I made that choice.” Huffed the boy as he backed up. “ She got freaked out because you got in our faces…I have to call-

“ Too late. That den is under water if they’ve scoured it. I doubt mind control is an option but that life is done. Aoi can be reborn if you’d like.”

“ I want…Robin.”

“ Robin?” Will frowned. “ That’d be too showy. They’d know –

“ What? Do I need to be so ugly then? I like this life, not yours. Mine?” Grinned the kid “ Aoi can take a backseat. They know her, but they’ll be crazy not to know who I’m deciding on. Robin, will be it then. You can’t stop us.”

“ Us?” Will blinked.

“ Yeah? Got a problem if I decode to woo them my way? I want to be a girl but I’m a guy. That’s my choice.” He told the stunned mob son. “ Robin is gonna be….a little of both worlds so learn to love em!”

( Non binary, trans. Like my twin Ollie!)

////////////////

So….it has begun.

Chapter Text

Light a Candle For Me
///////////

Chapter 6: Sunny Skies Ahead – Who is S.A.V.E?
////////////////

He’d done it now.

All his time as a damned gem on that stage for a month had made Dick the perfect diva that everyone wanted to exposed to a sinner’s paradise. Will was, no different. Not entirely by how he had welcomed Richard to have his wrists bound in the front instead of back for the rest of his flight as a sack of raw earth.

“ We’ll be at the landing pad soon. I hate that I’d have to flaunt you when you’re clearly not mine. Yet.”

“ It’s not all why I decided to go to your boss and talk. I want to know what job he wants. What you said daddy will pay me to commit to if I’m gorgeous.” Dauntless, Dick batted his lashes to joke. “ After all, I am a wild card too. You know that I hate and love how you pamper me but can’t get-

It gets harder ongoing the way to stomach what I do, little pet. Are you sure Aoi could fare any better?”

Dick huffed and turned his head to the side, hoping the man would get the message. “ Fine. I won’t bite your goons' necks anymore. Unless I need to relieve myself?”

“ Tell me then.” Will replied curtly. “ I’m who you should run to, not them.”

“ Will try, pops.”

///////////////////////

A tug of his hair later, a sniffling hostage was out on the strip with Will dragging his still managed collar, now swapped to black beaten leather out the door and down the steps of what looked to be an air base. “Military?”

“ A way inside.” Corrected Will as he directed the boy to keep walking, finding barred doors while a secure lock was unmatched to let them pass. Someone had been expecting the goons, as they stayed outside to watch the plane.

“ Is this a pit stop, or…”

“ A bit of silence, if you’d please.” Will opened another door as it swung back easier than the first two. The rest of the room was interesting. There were big screens and a control panel as if…

Wait…

“ We’ve secured the child. Give your next orders –

~ The Talon boy is in your possession? Good. Your tasks are written in a document file that will be delivered once you’ve left the premises. Your new base if operations will be expanded for the sake of our new recruit. ~

The blonde – white haired male raised a brow. “ You do mean the boy, correct-

~ Not only he, we want to meet to discuss his history. Anything he knows about the agent we are avoiding at this moment, the better our case will be. No, you’ll be handed a trainee, a teenaged assassin that is right now on their way to the new estate in San Diego where we’ve had you relocated.~

“ Might I have a hint, hoping that this assassin is only training the boy –

~ You’ll be in charge of both, actually.~

“ Is she from overseas? Which facility?”

~ Shiva’s.~

Will mentally cussed himself as Dick had no gall and spoke out. “ I had an arrangement to train woth him though. I wanted to know more about my case too.”

~ In time, the boy requires an explanation. This is true. Our order will gladly allow this once you are settled. The casino owner can answer more of those same questions.~ The voice Dick realized was British.

A bit older, as Will seemed to adhere to the voice's commands.

“ Very well. Operative of B.L.U.D. As you wish, Commander Wintergreen.”

~ I’ll look forward to later hearing of your recovery process. Do take care. This device will –

Will grabbed the door, the boy and slammed it back as he ran, the kid not protesting as the entire console and the voice all shattered into spiraling rock, silt, fire and sound from before them.

He shut his ears as they made it through the doors, Will commanding his cronies to get them airborne as Dick was tossed in first, then Will who didn’t wait.

They were finally off the ground as by the time they’d been feet over the little fort under ground – the thing blew apart. The dynamite was astounding so that Dick was tucked into his seat to not see out any windows .

“ Another hour to go. Can you handle that, kid?”

Dick turned his head back; grateful that he was in the front and not the cargo hold , he frowned. “ I just need to not be shocked for once in my life…thanks.”

“ Any time, if could rescue you a second or third.” Smirked the mob son, who may also not be a monster…

“ Anytime I’m around –

“ Also…” Dick sucked on his bottom lip to bother asking. “You aren’t in the mafia. It’s a front. So, what is the B.L.U.D for? What does it spell, for us now?”

///////////

“ I’m a bit…complicated. A mobster is a partial ruse, a place for us through the immeasurable red tape towards our real goal.” Will explained with a hand through his hair. “ B.L.U.D is “ The Bureau for Preservation and Extermination Rights over Life and Death.”

Dick crinkled his brows easily. " What?"

“ Assassins, for the sake of people and security or profit depending on our M.O and Client’s history. We don’t card to work with Minerva but do to maintain that they won’t kill us first.”

Will paused. Taking a moment, he continued. The boy looked livid at this point.

“ S.A.V.E is “ The Secure Authority Against Various Enemy Societies.”

“ LONG AND BAD.” Dick groaned. “ Why do they both –

“ Rushed, to stop the Minerva sect. It’s why they both exist. The members were formerly associated with the Head of the sect, but S.A.V.E wants to exterminate and control all people, findings and those made into Talon to use for whatever they see fit. We just want to keep the Minerva sect from doing away with others through association with it by saving whomever we can. You won’t be meeting the man that took you. I lied about that.” Shrugged the man with an awkward grin.

“ My father is a secret agent? So are you then, that explains-

“ No. I am a part of a unit of killers, espionage and ret – con specifically. Your father is head of the S.A.V.E branch through Gotham. He runs it, Dick. He’s not going to be put away because they already let him go. But if he catches you, child of someone close to the Talon? He’d kill you or worse –

“ I’m…why was I adopted?”

“ You never showed signs yet, so suppose he waited for you to eventually snap. You ran at the right time too.”
Dick looked blankly at the floor as his hands were clammy , 8t felt….confusing to hear it. That he was only wanted because of the Talon DNA swimming in his veins by some mysterious napper from years ago when his parents had died.

“ They orchestrated the death of your parents, we didn’t have clearance to go after the group then but Wayne…he did.” Slade didn’t seem to like recounting the image in his head. “ You were a part of his family, but after the incident, do you think we couldn’t tell? Those personalities when triggered are deadly. The sex one that….that was just a front. You don’t-

“ No! I…that is just a regular stage thing.” Dick grumbled uncomfortably.” Fuck…so…so I have this, let’s call it an ability. A persona that likes to kill or that is ordered to?”

“ Sleeper. The Talon in your can also heal, like I can.”
Dick cocked his head to see Will dragging out a pocket knife from his belongings. “ When you’re learning from me, you’ll see it too. The change they left after that procedure.”

“ What…what did they –

“ Watch.” A slip across the forearm as blood began to bloom from a gash, nothing more. The magic was “how" it sealed.

Magic. Was far from alchemy. Such as this…

Dick started to breathe with less ease at the show. “ No! No…I…I.. can’t die? What was ‘-

“ Enhanced, that’s all. Taking your body for a little test run as a boy, you’d never remember. So. Why don’t I wash this off –

“ Get that away from me!!” The boy screamed as he fumbled from the seat and looked to be in another world.

"Stay….back…"

~ Keep him back. ~

~ Get him….~

“ Dick?”

The boy’s eyes tinged a little yellow as soon, his wrists snapped the cuffs as if he held a special will to never stay bound in one place.

“ Drop the blade…” Hissed the boy, his voice much deeper as he roared and went for the blade. Thankfully, this was what Will had been waiting for. As a former candidate that had escaped the examination by the Talon league, he had no desire to lose to this fledgling.

“ Watch your mouth.” Will's eye narrowed further as the missing one past the eye patch never failed to catch its ropes round the boy’s time. He stared, before coming out and blinking at Will, his shuddering a scream as Will gripped his arms and shook slightly.

“ Stop. This is you, you can use it to get back at the one responsible. What I’m about to tell you boy, must stay between us. Your father didn’t recover you, he took you from the Talon hide out in a raid. You were recovered only due to him taking pity on you. And on the man above Wayne sparing your life as a double crosser of the sect. His name, is Cobb. He is as insanely attached to the Talon as he is to you becoming a full-fledged member and killing Wayne to prove that to him. You must never submit.” Will warned. “ Do you hear me? The you deep inside wanted to kill Wayne because you were programmed to if he got too close. He didn’t assault you, he stopped you and you inflicted your fears before dashing into the world. I found out, I came –

“ You….used me, my body…what am I? How did I get…do I go free if you won’t…”

“ We are at the moment trying to work inside the last base of the Minerva sect to uncap the cure, Richard.” Will explained softly now. “ You can stay with me, where I can work with you to hone your double sword ability. Not for Wayne, not for me. But to favor you, and only you.”

“ I…you threaten me, fuck me in a contest of coming….what else did you want? Me on my knees begging to marry you?” Sneered the boy. “ I’ll take the job, the room but….but you’re going to have boundaries, Will. I mean it. If I want my space, you’ll give it to me. If I... “

He dragged at his neck and found the weight of the collar flimsy enough to slide off." If you want me as a partner, I can’t be your dog. I’m an equal, just…different. But you’re no better!”

“ You are a student. Not a college student anymore until we know Wayne is off your tail. The pet thing will be, for times when you must play some part-

“ Then let me go now. I’m not sitting down for it. I’m a fighter too, don’t forget who raised me after they were raided….they had my mind wiped.”

Dick shook his head.

" But…that had to be S.A.V.E doing that, right?”

“ No. You were saved from being discovered as a future Talon because they made you as innocent as a dove until only a few months ago. Late though, I’m shocked you weren’t triggered at sixteen.” Will wondered as he rubbed his chin.

“ So…why?” The boy hugged his legs to his chest as Will got up, hearing something fortuitous by the ability he had. His hearing and sight might then also be enhanced, decided Richard as he buried his face into his knees. “ I hate it…” Dick groaned softly.

“ Hate “ it" now less, after. Right now, we’re landing.”
Dick rose his head as Will motioned to the seat belt. “ Hang on, I’m going to see what my boys are up to in the cock pit. We’ll be free to weep like babies once we’re fed and fat. Okay, kid?”

Dick nodded in a small state. He didn’t feel much like food as rest made sense. He was turned in a monster by a man he didn’t remember meeting and it was all orchestrated so that the wrong…right side was this one, to save him? From the man he had felt no pity, he was right to grieve a bit. Wayne was a killer of what he was, while Will’s group wanted him to be an assassin with a soul and a free body to make those choices- yet there were limits. He had to pretend to be someone else to survive. He hugged his knees in tighter as the seat belt across his chest dug in just enough for him to know he’d followed orders correctly.

~ We followed orders. Did as we were told. Why are we being punished then? Why does Will get to be happy and not us? I want to talk to this boss of his right in the face…~
~ I….THINK…~

Dick now willed away voices that had come unearthed as his persona arose as hopefully himself. Multiple faces.

Many masks. What…what the hell was he to this organization, or would he be if he never tasted a freedom without cuffs and collars again?

/////////////////////

So, Will is a good guy while Wayne is playing a Waller now?? Find out!! Dick has multiple personalities from being experimented on and can become a threat if one of them is activated.

Aoi he thinks was a stage name, but to him if he goes too deep, will he forget his own name? Will is actually a bit nervous since the kid isn’t the only one he’s training. Shiva's sector of fighters has a newbie and they want Will to take her in as a protégé, while Richard just needs a room, to have money and to find out what Wayne knows about his past.

The next is San Diego but a bit differently drawn on. More lawless. Find out!

Chapter Text

Light a Candle For Me

/////////////

Chapter 7: Bought and Scolded

///////////////

The car they took to the largest hotel in Diego was nearly undetectable to the average beach going slow poke on the sidewalks to get there. Dick kept his head down as Will told the boy not to go out of line, to act like he was just a visitor with an important person. They’d be meeting their representative of the casino and hotel “ Del Mar La Luz” ( working on it) and then they’d dine there with that person. Dick felt muddled as the muggy air was dry here in May. This wasn’t winter storm season, nor had he recalled his birthday passing. Even at seventeen, he knew getting caught as a minor could be a tumultuous debt for Will go pay to get him out. If Bruce found out or this “ Cobb" that he was running around hiding a “ boy pet" in plain sight….

Boy pet, scoffed the kid as he huffed a strand of hair out of his face. The sunglasses were big enough to hide his eyes and the wig was a blonde mass of real hair over his ebony. “ Will swap later. I won’t have you fussing in that hotel.”

“ I just want to relax, think about what the next job is.” Muttered the worn-out kid.

“ You will , I gave you something of a time to dress up like you enjoy –

“ I didn’t get to pick the wig. I hate it.”

“ Keep it on, for now.” Sharply said Will, his tone dipping impatiently at the seat beside him.

“ Fine, whatever.”

Under the shades, Dick’s brown furrowed miserably. He hoped that this wasn’t his life. A damned case meant to be carted. He’d get away, find help…but, was this the help he'd wanted all along…

No. No, there were other groups. People….in this city he could locate.

Also, didn’t this crime boss say that his boss stuck his nose into every dive; so if Dick was in this city at all…in this state –

He was owned, trapped.

Swallowing his pride, he leaned into the glass window and searched it, his elbow still bruised up from twisting up into knots on the plane.

He'd get his rest, Will had even told him that the sex thing was over. He’d only play a baby doll for eye candy as his job when he had to. Right now, he felt a lot cleaner than he had at the strip club. And yet, a lot more likely to request further boundaries in a cage with some wild animal, right beside him.

They’d be in the hotel, together. Dick bit his lip and tried to stay quiet about his thoughts. He’d probably not even have his own suite. Why should he? He was…was…

//////////////////

People in the hotel lobby, were staring.

Dick hid under his beanie hat, as Will signed them on.

“ Reserved for…ah! Yes, right this way. Your suite was prepared at no haste. The manager of this establishment welcomed you and your, son?”

“ Family of a friend, I’m sitting him for today while his father is on duty overseas.”

Everyone shut up after that, as Dick pretended not to care about their stares. It was getting too cramped as the two went on up to th their room. Or, rooms by the size of what was on the man’s tab.

Will turned on a dimmer light as the room had a second room inside it, extended with a high definition television and a leather sofa that stretched across the sides for four people or more! “ Are…why is it so big? And where is the –

“ Follow.”

Will directed Richard to another room, where enclosed was a large set of king....king sized beds - but the difference being...two beds, side by side with a wide gap and a table for some strict religious married couple.

“You, have two.”

“ Is there a problem?” Will leanred over Dick’s shoulder as he shook his head. “ No, no I like that…you finally listened to me.”

“ Go, the television room.” Will pointed to the door “ Wash up, the bathroom is in the main room by the kitchenette. I need my private space –

“ What?” Richard dropped his hat with a that, taking the wig off woth it as his glasses cane last. “ I didn’t come all this way to be ordered around. Why can’t we-

“ I. Need to work.”

“ I need to know who your employer is.” Dick crossed his arms, intent on not being cast out like a kid.

“ Let me in on your plans. I want to get as much out of this stay as you do.”

“ To work it against me? My connections?” Sneered the older male. “ Out. I’ll call you to come meet my employer and to dress appropriately. Your clothes will be brought up by the bell hop –

“ They don’t have those –

“ Dry cleaning then.” Shrugged Will. “ I’m always one step ahead in the right direction. Don’t jump to any conclusions if you don’t have a reason to, boy.”

Dick pulled back the door as he nearly slammed it in protest. The TV was pretty damn big. Wayne could size up, but…

Chewing his lip, Dick saw the door to their suite, wondering if it…

He went over and turned the knob.

Locked.

Gaping and storming over to the sofa, his frustration only grew by that evening. They had clothing handed to them by a stray drone in the window. Dick imagined that could be why his answer had more than one, not as direct.

Discreet.

Dick put on the cargo pants and hated them. Too long, too last decade so, he went to find a way to make them more fashion forward. He went with the knives in the kitchen and found the knees before rips were made in each. The fabric blessedly tore as Dick grinned before moving onto the T – shirt. Crop. Definitely, he hated acting too butch as it was. He needed to stay cool anyway. It was still OK with the tank top underneath and this…was too street fashion. Not enough Gotham city nights.

The shoes were ugly as sin, but they were high tops, pricy too. His size, which made Will into a stalker. He damn well knew he wasn’t just that….but two beds.

Dick clutched the fabric and went into the bathroom to check himself out. The boxers were peeping over the pants as he fixed those two. A bit if floss and a safety pin made the perfect drawstring. Maybe. He wondered when he’d gotten into makeshift fashion so much. Half the women he worked with had less ir wore what he did. Down to clown make up on Big Bertha who had called Aoi a “seductive little lap hugger.”

Dick also, was nervous to see Will's reaction as well as proud of destroying the industries’ worst pick for their mag rag.

“ I should be on that cover. Ohh! It is so much better than what Will wanted, but who cares!” He struck a pose like in the club. “ I don’t, no. I do not.” The stuffy response to his mirror self had the boy shake his head when he was caught staring at that hand on his own hip.

He nearly fell back, seeing a problem.

“ Shit….no, no no…”

He’d never had this…this! It was safe in the club, he…was it a reaction to being cut off?

Dick tugged off his clothing and jumped into the cold shower stall, trying to get the hardness to go down. He was such an idiot! Of course talking about that blue eyed dove would make THIS.

“Aoi was fake, just a cover. Why should I care. Will….he…he…”

The cock in his grip did dwindle finally as he instead didn’t cone. The wallowing self-pity he felt killed it. That, and Will's stupid face, snorted the boy as he grabbed the closest clean towel he could find.

///////////

At supper, right before, Will had said nothing of the outfit though Dick could tell he wasn’t at all happy with the end result.

He'd said Dick could where his drag later. Well, it was later! No party dresses or tube tops. He was lean, mean and definitely not a party pooper secret agent, right?
As they made their way to the reserved table in the dining hall if the vast hotel, Dick caught a glance of the man they’d be seeing. “ Gaige.” Will grinned and was offered a seat, while Dick didn’t have an eye bat at him. The man wore what looked to be a red bandana with white eye holes in it. He had on a fine snake skin pair if soles and a grey suit to match like he would be doing underhanded dealings with this mobster, Will. Who was anything but.

“ Family?”

“ Everyone has to ask –

“ Nephew. He’s unable to understand much but we ran into…an owls message “ Whispered Will across the table.

“ Will, you know I know you like a brother. This kid, who is he really?”

“ The same, the one I need you to help me hide at all costs.”

/////////////

The clank of silverware made the fabric around Dick’s waist itch like mad.

Tiger Shark, A.k.a “ Dr. Gaige.” No one knew his real name or face, yet the tanned adult looked to have known the water, this city for a while before turning to a life of extortion, gambling and smuggling secrets around the card table.

“ What can he do?”

“ Huh?” Dick looked up from his fish fillet and gulped too soon, nearly choking on a bone as the Shark only chuckled. “ You said he worked with Joey's club? In it? How old –

“ They let him dance, but the other part was….I made sure he was never touched by anyone.”

“ I supposed you’d have to. They say his kind get feisty when they ‘ activate.” Shark pointed a fork at the boy. “ Will treating you alright, kid? You mistake thought he was sweet on you on purpose, but he’s not all that bad. Except for that Markov woman.”

“ We made sure that…” Will shook his head. “ Can you, as a favor owed, can you make him a host or a greeter.
Someone who doesn’t need to do much.”

“ My casino is probably where he’ll let himself be best. You went on stage before, kid?”

“Dunno. What kind of stage are you…proposing, Mr. Shark?”

Dick’s eyes suggested he wanted facts. Minutes and time that they had for a bit to show. “ Oh, he’s not half bad. I could have him learn to man the blackjack table. You get to wear a cute outfit?~ “

“ You had me at, table.” Grinned Dick. “ The perks, the policies. Will? I don’t want to end up in a den of gangsters to have to hold a gun-

“ Whoa, whoa! Is that what he thinks?” Laughed Shark with a tut of his finger “ Boy, you don’t know my family. We can’t get hurt, and even if one of us gets into trouble the other is gonna bail us out. Will here let’s me be as long as I don’t cross that line. You, my dear? I think you’d love being the center of attention …The stage is more like …you know those illusionists from Vegas? Those two wild men with a tiger?”

“ I…What about them?” Dick frowned.

“ Think of a stage where you can swing around on a ring bigger than this table.” He grinned. “ You used to be a Grayson, right? Wanna give my offer a whirl for one day? I can throw in a free tour and a round on the slots if he’s legal enough?”

“ He isn’t, but that is quite generous. I’d be nearby. Not far. If I could drop off my kid at any day care center, it would be a play place. For sure.”

“ You know you’re welcome in my parlor any time, big guy and oh, don’t worry about the kid. Talon ir whatever, he’s gonna go back to getting his wings in no time.” Tiger took a sip of his drink as they chatted on. Dick had the best strawberry mousse on earth as he stayed chipper throughout that evening.

“ Tomorrow, come down and we can count the stakes, talk over a deal some more. Bring the kid. I bet he could out step any of my gals in a heartbeat, huh?”

“ We will see.” Will smirked. “ You might want to keep him close, if ever Wayne or the Minerva sect comes poking around for a follow up report.”

“ I heard that, they scare the living scales off of my shoes, Will. Anyways, enjoy the suite. All extensive, you’re gonna get a townhouse or home in the valley?”

“ We have something set aside for stays like this. Longer, if the knight swoops overhead without asking to be, canceled.”

The men chuckled as Dick recalled Bruce’s mission over what Talon were. Over what….well, Will was like him. He healed differently, and Dick had this weird personality swap that made him feel like the battle in his mind was a never ending one. He was also a killer by rite. Now, he could…see it a different way, a new angle. Whoever this Tiger was, he just hoped Will knew him inside and out.
His fingers touched that glass on the table…very, suggestively…

/////////////////////

Dick’s next morning was shoving a panini into his hands as they made their way in a ride for Will and he, to a large resort style Casino just before the persist ended. Dick watched the surfers on the shore and the boardwalk seemed to stretch far being them. There were attractions, stalls and lots of music as the heat stayed outside. The cool ac was a relief as that seventy-five degrees spilled right over Richard’s brow upon his rose from the back seat.

“ Here?? It’s huuge!” Dick jumped immediately as if the lightening in that sky could strike a person on the beach.

“ You like it that much, then get ready to see inside.”
Dick nodded, less than gracefully stumbling on his way towards those pearly gates of a sinner's paradiso.

/////////////////////////

The inside was the pinging of slots, cheers at the side bar and laughter or yelling at card tables for a winning smaller fortune. Dick gazed around in a dazed awe that only existed in the center ring. This place was layered in gold, silver, bronze and reds. The blood of hungry passion ignited.

And, green.

The suit wearing Shark let himself down from a golden elevator at the farther end of the hall as everyone went about their business. “ Welcome. To Del Mar, my boys!”
Dick laughed at the luck, his brain ticking along with the machines as if this were an arcade and not run by a criminal mind in San Diego. The wanted list would be begging to have him, unless he’d bought out the police like he had Will.

“ You are gonna get the tour first, then we’ll see about that small signature if daddy approves or not –

“ Not my dad.” Sniffed the kid, changing his tune. “ I’ve changed my mind. I want to wear my things as is.”

“ No can do. I mean, if you work here, we’ll give you perks. We always present ourselves with enough class. Will? To my office, with the kid?”

“ He’s going to join regardless.” Will answered flatly.

“ Then, let’s go up, shall we?”

Shark and his body guard had them flagged into the elevator shift as that casino royal pain hit the up button too quickly.

Dick wondered why he was so eager to get started. Maybe. This wasn’t such a great idea…

/////////////////
The room was more an office you’d see in any business. No walls decorated, a lot of potted plants and some frames showing the winners of the casino off to look “ legally” decent. Half of the ones in the even bigger prints were fellow mob bosses. One had a strange set of a mug. Half scared, burned up. The other wore a grin and had dark hair in a white suit with a dozen gold rings on his fingers like fisticuffs.

The next had a man shaking the hand of him, then Mayor looking still beside the guy who had no hair. He was suave as a villain and was holding a large key to the city and a sash.

“Good time, huh? We made history in Metropolis, and Gotham? How’s it running the scummy town half the time?”

“ I can’t say. It was only a month I’d returned to link all the pieces together. Wayne was released on false charges. The boy, is still missing.”

“ To them, but your pretty face ain’t gonna be lost in the crowds forever. He’s got the eyes of a starlet! You sure he ain’t been a model –

“ I’m flattered, but this is a " day" job.” Dick snipped out, his tone clipped. “ Will? I want those boundaries here too.”

“ Indeed.” Will pulled out of his pant pocket a folded document as he unfolded it atop Shark's desk. “ A contract, that none of your staff or you yourself may order the boy to do anything without my consent. I’ll even know about it if you touch so much as –

“W- why? Why would I do that to you, big guy?” Sputtered the con man. “ I let you in! I didn’t mean to come off as being rude, you know…”

“ No, but this boy has a dark side. If it gets out –

“ He’s saying I could kill a guy, if I get too stressed out.”

The two men stared at the kid sternly as his words had them both alerted of his inability to follow the rules.

"Right. Well…Talon do that, and…then how is this gonna go?” Shark asked. “ If you go out there, you gotta be put in a box? You need to shake something or –

“ I have, one option.” Will put a hand on Dick’s shoulder, giving it a pat. “ Aoi was Dick’s old alias at Joey's strip joint. If he could wear a second skin, it might make things a little less damming. Well?” He turbed to Dick as the boy chewed his lip with a frown and a hum.

“ What to do…I want to get the jobs I want. If I need to work at the hotel half time, let me. If I want time off to get over being stuck with him-

“ I can stick him half the time when we’re moved in at my home in the valley. For the daytime, here. Evening-

“ He sleeps.” Shark sighed. “ Fine, kid. I’m gonna show you exactly what we are made of IF you lay off the added requests just because you’ve got a great –

Will cleared his throat as Shark did the same.

“ Attitude, fine! His ass is unreachable, only to you. Will, you know I’d give him right back if he gets more friends in his circle than the damned mayor?”

“ That’s not up to a minor to have that decision added. I’ve done my part to see that the police are on our side. If this job keeps him happy, you can have that permission to go on living for today.”

///////////////////

“ What. The fucking hell happened in there.”

Back at their suite, the silence didn’t last when they’d come back from a day of slot machines, magic shows and guest stars shaking hands with known criminals.

“ You saw just what goes on, yet with a filter.” Slade explained.

“ You said we could trust him.”

“ He won’t rat me out. Don’t fret over his little…-

“ He said my ass was unobtainable! He wanted to sell me off for a quick bribe…to…to…”

“ I TOLD YOU –

///////////

Slamming the door, Will didn’t come after him yet. Will didn’t get to stop him from clearing his head as Dick went to strip down and cool off in a warm shower, yet he saw the bath Jacuzzi and cussed under his breath. “ Once is fine, fuck Will's excuses.” He slid off his crop top, his eyes recalling the outfits at the casino, wondering if he’d be baring his ass like that on the first trial day.

“ I had hoped for shorts. Figures.” Dick muttered as he dipped a toe into the perfect temperature water in all of California's drought ridden existence. God, he felt like such a criminal since leaving the manor…

Though, what else was Will not telling him?

Dick threw himself in the tub as he went under. A memory so fuzzy painted behind his eyes woke him, as well as a tug from a grown man, a burly arm wrestling him from cooler waters.

////////////////

Dick fell asleep in the bath. Haha. Oh, and hell yes...

Will knew what Tiger was going to do if he didn’t wait for that show to drop. Is Dick’s ass really that good in shorts? Find out! This is underage but the personality Dick has is more feminine and a snake charming party animal in the next chapter. Find out!

Funny, Tiger Shark is a Batman and Nightwing villain. Dick isn't Nightwing in this, so this is insane. The people shaking hands were Dent, Lex, and Sionas. This casino is going to breed a lot of plot into it. Warning in next chapter for inappropriate behavior, cross dressing minor heartthrob , coarse language, vomiting, blood and flashbacks as well as gun violence in a crowded place and innuendos. Thos is not a kid's fairy tale so read at your discretion. I hate holding bsck when the going gets good.

///////////////////

Chapter Text

Light a Candle for Me

Chapter 8: Show Em What You Are , Be Who you Aren’t Really

//////////

In front of the dressing room mirror, Dick scowled at the name tag. The red buckled pants and the vest top. He hated it. They all wore stuff and he’d even asked for a long dark wig with curtain bangs. He loved the feel of it, the allure kf a few inches down his back .

All he wanted was a little leg room, so?

He found scissors sitting out and got to work. Thread, a needle later and a tuck of short sleeves, the length altered and shorts cut back to a perfect ten over his ass like a teenager, he was ready.

“ Robin, huh? She looks pretty as a damn model alright.” He snickered while adjusting his fake voice to be a bit more professional.

At the card table, he was set beside a woman popping a bubble of gum while this was a slow time frame. Eight am was soon, but the café down the way smelled like heaven. “

“Hii!! Name’s Robin, I’ll be working here today!” He waved as the unsociable red head turned back to her set up “ Practicing. Ever play?” She asked, listless.

“ Um, saw a game or two, but…”

The girl dropped her head and straightened herself up. “ You’re new, and you didn’t get a person in this joint ….Jade!!” She yelled to a dark haired Asian woman with a green dress on.

“ She’s a maven, you could play her.”

“ What? Shark didn’t dump them on me!” Jade scoffed.

“ Are you the new pretty face we all wanted to meet? Well?”

Robin nodded bravely, the cat’s face and the wolf beside him had the teen feeling cornered already. They were much taller, that plus his boots not being as thigh high enough…it bummed him out!

“ I’m not that new, I mean…what do I do? Deal a hand?”

“ Funny, he thinks he knows.” Both women snorted as Jade faced the table, a mercilessly harsh glance hitting Robin in the chest as she let her hands drift to the side of his cheek. A thumb pressed over his side, the hair falling out of its part as she smiled sweetly and cruelly back.

“ Fix your hair, sweetie. It’s only breakfast for kids that don’t belong at the grown-up table.”

Dick turned red and realized that Robin was a shame if this was how rusty he’d gotten in the whole week.

“ Set me up. I’ll play.” Robin’s blue eyes flashed back as Jade's obsidian orbs smoked dangerously, with a curious interest in what the wannabe show gal would do to her sister’s reputation.

“ It’s like you’re shakily holding up a pistol to my forehead, sweetheart.” Jade smartly cooed, watching as Dick recalled a memory of how the cards got worked. It was a miracle his mind even went as far back as one of his….wait…

“ Cold feet there? Should we send you back up to the boss for a little re – evaluation?” She would have liked her lips to see him squirm as Dick flapped his lips no less.

“ No. I got this, wait.” Robin stammered before it all came together.

~ This…way?~

“ Hey, are you alive in there?”

“ Y – yeah.” Robin mustered. “ Sorry, slowed down. Not much to eat. Was pretty –

“ Nerves get no coin in your pockets. Try to be a bit more hyper like before, you get thrown in a car with some psychos and we can’t do anything to help them along.”

Dick froze. “ What ….about being a sister?”

“ You?”

Jade pulled up her hand as she laid it down. “ You haven’t earned it yet, doll face.” She laughed into her palm.

“ House, full.”

“ Damn! You are insane with those. Like you can read minds …” Arte gasped.

Dick looked at her wrist, then at something on the table.

~ Not minds.~ He swore in his head.

~ A few lucky guesses? Yeah, right up her alley.~

“ You both are…royally….”

They looked back, seeing that Robin was smiling wide and louder than them both.

“ Look again. Flushed!!”

“ WHAT THE HELL??”

The red head nearly had his arm as Jade put up one of her own. “ No, Artie.” She told the bigger woman. More Amazon as she growled at Dick’s hand. “ How did that happen? Did you cheat your way in-

“ I know a deck of cards. Grew up in a big top.”

~ Those blue eyes turned icy as Dock forgot how to stay afloat. He saw himself in a mirror as the face staring back, was Aoi again…no. Way….wait…~

Blinking, the wig was adjusted as she turned up her eyes to Jade, who was fighting a reason to pull out a hidden weapon from her boot.

“I’m Robin the effin’g Hoodlum, and you’re gonna bow to me when I finish off every hand you’ve got till this dive opens its doors. Come on!” Robin grinned like a devil coated in red life and eternal bloodlust.

“ Come at me with every trick ya' got!”
/////////////

The doors opened as summer summers poured over and into the establishment with one thing on their minds.
Win big. Go home an immortal.

Robin had gotten so many tips as Arte came to collect, her hands out as Robin hoped to swipe it back later. “ Aww, did you come here with that to show me? You boys had better ante up! You know what I used to do for a living before working in this house of sin? I was….an acrobat! So if you wanna be flexible too, you need to keep your eyes on –

“ Hey, table needs you. Low uptick. Can you?”

A younger staff member, a woman in a red outfit with a pleated skirt put on a puppy dog face for Robin to protest.

After only a few short hours in, they wanted them all over!
“ Sure, but let me finish this last hand.”

“ We have to find out what you were gonna say, miss.”

“ Oh? That? I talk when I get excited! You can see me at the craps table. Poker is fun though too. You might win big against Cissy over here.”

The blushing blonde was a year different by being older but not as open as the few others until she seated herself. “ Cass. Not. Cissy.” She corrected. Her eyes turned back to Robin, shooing them off with a manicured set of pink nails. “ I’m fine now, you go. Bye bye!~ “

///////////

After a relieving piss break, Robin found that being on a trial basis wasn’t as bad as it seemed. Then, the headaches started.

In the bathroom stall, they scrunched into a ball, the fuzzy image of an event in their past…whose? Aoi?

Robin….Rich…Richard –

The next thing they heard, was a cell going off in the stall next to them.

“ Yo, ah…hell no I’m not leaving any earlier….Wah…You need to take MORE responsibility for-

THANKFULLY….Dick held his breath. Yes. He was Dick Grayson, not Aoi. Not Robin. Robin wasn’t real. He waited until the phone carrying worker had left, then he followed suit by going over to the sink to rinse off.

Wait.

Dick looked around.

Why was he in the women’s bathroom??

( I support gender unbiased bathroom set ups in public places as far as this is concerned. Dick blacked out a bit so that is why he’s confused. Rest will be clearer later.)
( Also, Arte is Red hood and the Outlaws’ Artemis, Jade is Jade Nguyen, Cass is Cassie Sandmark ( typo) and Richard is Robin in the casino. This Robin is female though and not like the boy wonder. Noted, very low profile here so yes. Not done yet! )

////////////////

His shift was up in thirteen as Dick played one more round before being taken to the side by one of Shark's goons to meet the boss.

Upstairs, Will was there in a seat as Shark watched the kid walk in his shorts and long-haired pride. “ How’d it go? Did you have fun?”

“ Too much, I think.” Dick chuckled nervously.

“ Thought this was gonna be an issue, but you’re hired!”

Dick blinked. “ You…you were watching? The whole time?”
“ Jade is tough but not a real pain. I told her to give you a crash course. You know them cards well. Every time you stole the show.”

“ It must be a suppressed part of your memories, Dick. Hoe did using your persona go? You were off the floor for a bit earlier.”

“ Stomach. Butterflies, I guess.”

“ Robin was a hit with the patrons and we’d love to have her here, whenever you need a rush without the strip part. You did that outfit good “ The leech tried not to habe Will's eye on him. “ Ehem. We should make it a trademark thing.”
“ Can I have the rights to the design, then?” asked Dick.

" It’s not a favor if its mine.”

“ You get to keep it. Course, we can pay you for more if you wanna give the gals something they’d like to strut in. Guys too.”

“ I like dresses. I hate ling pants. Flare is so out.” Snubbed the teen. “ I’m in. I want a full look of the wardrobe room and a work area.”

“ Done. You can do it on your free time or get in earlier. Have a table set up.”

“ Richard, just remember not to slip up.” Will warned softly. “ Your wig was crooked she said.”

He put a hand to his skullas that pride soon vanished down the toilet. “ I…thought she was teasing me? Was I that rusty….damn it…”

“ Practice makes perfect, kid. You did a good job. As promised, you’re free till I need ya by. Say, tomorrow? Run around and I’ll even show you the stage.”

Dick beamed back, a memory of warm lights hitting the ground fluttering high up in his cerulean eyes.

“ YEAH! I –

“ Won’t be able until the next day after." Will cut them short. “ He is supposed to see the new house, with me.”

“ Why? I mean….this was fast.” Dick saved with a pout.
“ All good news for ya both, and for my finances! You got a lot of men broke today, am I ever proud of this one.”

Dick beamed, partly that from the praise and the fact that he wasn’t in some seeder place with a cock up his ass.
The feeling from before, had almost completely vanished, his breath softly lowered as the boy thanked his benefactors.

“ Let’s get you back. We’ll be sleeping in the suite one more night before I run out of a reason to keep us cozy.”
Will chuckled, seemingly less a danger than the man who had told him off and had him suck….

Dick shook his head, touching an itchy palm. “ Thanks, have a good rest if the evening. Mr. Gaige…” Waved the teen, as they set off back to the hotel in a moment of calm judgement.

//////////////////

Dick was up a bit later than Will as he couldn’t stop toddies and turning. The bed, the itch in his hand. Was that hand familiar?

~ You used it in the club. Don’t you remember? Aoi liked to suck her left while the right did all the work.~

Dick flushed as he got up to pee, afraid to care that Will might hear him grinding his teeth as he forced himself to quit thinking.

Back then...

Was….

What did he do with that hand?

Too dazed to think, he left the seat up and went. The stream was dark enough to say he needed more fluids. Off to the kitchen he went as some cups were out on their last stay that weren’t expensive crystal.

He sipped some from the pitcher as the TV came into view.

Maybe….he could just…

///////////.

Will woke to a crack in the door and a light streaming out from different fractions. Dim to light, indicating that the television was on. What time was it? He checked to see; two in the morning.

“ Dick?” Whispering softly, Will overheard noises that made his ears talk.

His feet moved slowly across the floor as a sleeping boy had on the worst of pay per view.

And it was when the woman had to climax, while Dick’s was…

He ran to find a blanket. He’d promised the kid no peeping toms were coming, so he didn’t want to bring a talon's wrath down so soon.

The kid would run to Bruce and then…then…

Thankfully, he found a towel and covered the kid's unclothed crotch from any wandering eyes. He found the remote and shut the shut off, knowing that this couldn’t be only a teens release. He’d had the same concerns the first time they’d arrived. On the plane, the boy looked tortured by the news. This job…

Will shook his head and got some water from the tap , being quick to piss, then return to bed before the boy's talon nature reawakened again.

He knew hunger. He knew virility at the rate it would be…should that kid come close to letting his demons run loose, Robin wouldn’t be just a piece of his heart. It would replace him, like Aoi thankfully had not tried to.

//////////////////////

Chapter Text

Light a Candle for Me –

/////////

Chapter 9: By the Water

///////////

The drive up was in a sedan that Will actually owned. He’d told Dick about his various purchases, knowing the time would arrive when they’d end up , well…together.

Dick questioned a couple of things on the drive up into the hills, the valley. This part looked very suburban alternative; the wealthy must live next door – or a movie star!

Dick poked his head through the window as he let down the glass for the first time, glad to not have spies up his ass as the air smelled…somewhat , of sea salt?

“ Are we up higher, or…-

“ I told you in the club.” Will drove them to a spot that dipped into a rocky, off beaten path, dusted with sand and earth.

“ This is actually only steps from the same; I told you, it wasn’t far from a good dip. If you’re behaved, we can visit. Ira a secluded spot. No walking back to the job, you will have to learn to drive there.”

“ How will I learn?” Dick frowned, poking his head back in with down turned brows.

“ I’ll teach you, of course.” Will expressed as they made a turn farther along, the bumps ending with pavement and stones.

“ A few more seconds…look!”

Will pointed as Dick viewed it with a wide gasp.
A house, overlooking the most beautiful Clifford to the sea.

“ They say a famous film crew shot a couple of takes in this villa. There was a collection of those ’dvds left by the previous owner who was in the film.”

“ CAST ….Aside.”

Will perked up an ear. “ You know of it?”

“ Yeah, the love interest…was pushed from a cliff, after evading her stalker.” He stomach got hotter as the correlation of facts had Dick nervous for himself again.

“ I’m gonna need to –

“ We’re here. Toilet?”

“ Yes.” Dick uneasiness put a hand to his jaw, the sweat not from stress but altitude sickness he was later told.
He knew it was fear, not stress as Will told him where to vomit his tension into a porcelain masterpiece – worth more thousands than he had made from sucking the man off in Gotham city.

/////////////

After the nausea had passed and a drone had flown in Dick some ginger flavored pills, the rest settled with his doubled over tension.

“ The thing was, I thought you’d approve.”

“ The history of this place is what got to me.” Dick grunted, taking a sip of water slowly. “ You never said a ….a movie with a murderer…?”

“ Not a real one, boy. Can’t you just enjoy your good fortune? You were drooling over it a couple of seconds ago.”

“ That was…” Dick bit his tongue. “ What will it take to get my own place, finance - wise?”

Will blinked, grinning with a chuckle, then laughing. Gaping up at his protective guard, Dick stood with his back in a mild arch before adjusting; as unhappy that his emotions were being deflected.

“ Am I?? I can’t just stay –

“That was the agreement.”

Will rubbed his chin, his eye sharp as Dick clung to the sofa cushions. “ No…no , I’m not indebted to you like…like I belong –

“ How else can I watch the talon in you come out?” Will turned his head, seeing the tremor in Dick’s pause.

“ T…talon?”

“ Yes. The very creature you pretend never happened. Dick? I’m not just protecting you from the outside world and Wayne’s advances, but you. Yourself.” The man leaned over as Dick's breath caught in his throat. “ I….I don’t control that part. But…I deserve some freedom-

“ At seventeen, you’d be in a dorm, not an apartment complex, kid.”

Dick’s sorrow was engraved over his very orbs as he shook his head. “ I can build it, my future!” He professed, pridefully.

“ How. What? Is this any better, the pay you’ll get for a few days of gambling another’s fortune?” Scoffed the elder.

“ No, but…I do know what you could do to add to your, account –

“ No sex.” Dick growled . “ I told you-

“ No, no. That part is unneeded.” Will wolfishly looked over his partner's frame. He was wearing more masculine clothing today, yet still looked to young in them by a few years. Baggy pants just added to what he’d never live up to. Tight, however…

Flowing skirts?

“ You know, I’m putting into hiring a housekeeper. Decent pay, a extra bed is already provided and it would be at certain hours that are, flexible for the working mother type.”

Dick tensed.

“ Wait, maybe…you could try your hand? I mean, you’ll be living here a while. And my conditions aren’t very strict. This place, you can break a vase and I won’t bat a lash. I’m easily capable of having a counterfeit made for each and every corner if the villa's space. You could even go to the beach when you’re done. What do you say? You almost took my offer before?” He leaned im a bit closer, seated nearly on the arm of the large leather sofa.

“ I…back then, you and inwere different people.” Dick said softly.

“ Yes, you had a lust for the spotlight. Now, you don’t have to show a soul your perfect body. You can just take care of this, can’t you? Repay me for being in my good graces, and I’ll try to see in the future come your release from our protection, if I can’t pull a few strings.”

“ You’d….You’d do that??”

“ Yes, only one thing though.” Hummed the con man as he turned to rise up. Dick grabbed his wrist as he demanded to know. What was he asking? Was it lewd, stupid and shocking?

“ What? What is it you want? “

The man sneaked in a stray smile as he tipped up the kid’s weak chin. They’d have work to do, boy oh boy…

“ All of my maids have to look the part, to deter unwanted guests and, they need to know how to defend the home front. In a fight. With guns and ammo.”

He grinned with his teeth flashing slyly at his caught little bird. “ Lots. Of . Ammo.” He repeated in a husky whisper. “ And they would be rewarded once then, and only then. The best gifts money could ever by. As my body guard first, my …ornament, second.”

////////////////

Maiden, martyr.

Dick paced his way into the wood as he stayed in his new room, all displaying the charm he’d peeped at in magazines. What he’d told that man, had come true. Dick gritted his fists, realizing the sad truth. That man…

He looked out at a wide, giant pool with a wall between it and the sea.

Wanted a maiden, not a maid. And, maybe a partner if Dick was good enough to shoot a man dead in the eyes.
He groaned and sat down. He needed some conditions of his own, he decided.

~ Trade something better.~

That inner voice sounded impatient as Dick laid down and put his hands over hemisphere ears.

“ Let me think….”

~ You’ll take too long and then he’ll grow too tired of our company. Suck it up, you baby. If you want to add to your pay grade, let me take his monster cock in MY mouth and earn ourselves a plane ticket for’fucks sake. Anywhere but this mafia hole. We could go to Brazil, Italy? Oh – oh! Or Paris! Who has mafia by the Louvre anyway?~

“ Shut. Up.” Dick took a pillow over his face and screamed into it.

~ Party pooper. Here he is, giving up everything you wanted in a small package and you fucking aren’t relaxing?? Well , don’t get used to it. He’s up to something. He wants us to get so attached that we won’t ever leave. Even if Wayne fesses up, you’renot going back there.~

“ The" Dick bit his lip as his fingers fisted through the sheets. “ What do I do?”

~ Easy. ~ The voice was grinning as Dick felt dizzy from it sounding like Aoi. ~ You get good in a fight or two. Then, you kill the bastard and take over his bloody empire. Go after the dumb fucks that stole your life and gave me to you. Only then, will you ever get to leave, Richard. I know you, because I live in your head. I know what fears you’ve always had of falling. ~

Dick rested his eyes before taking in a solid breath. “ So, please him. Without it being too much…”

~ For the cash.~ The self, recited. ~ For a way out and then? We fight like he’ll to get our way, even if we have to climb this tough guy's ladder to do it.~

( Ladder is basically his ego. Cock, etc.)

/////////////

“ The basics are. When you should wake up, try to be punctual. The kitchen is the first place you’ll be besides the toilet. Breakfast will either be prepared or stored in the fridge if I’m out coming back from a job. There’s no lights out, though it is encouraged you get to sleep at a reasonable hour. I’ll show you how to clean the pool, and there is one other staff that comes by twice a month to inspect it.”

Dick paid attention as he wondered what that even meant less of the time. The pool sounded, important to this man. Was it that valuable?

“ The floors, shelves and steps needs to be done as they are. Vacuumed, dusting, mopped. You’ll find out how. I have a cleaning person who will be taking care of the spots you miss, not to burn you out early.”

“ How kind.” Dick deadpanned. “ What about a uniform?” He asked.

“ Ah, you were going to ask I thought, eventually. So, I’ll tell you what.” Will got out a catalog that was summer Lolita themed. His eyes dig into it as it was placed on his lap.

“ For now, I want you to be cooler, comfortable and unnoticed. You’re to act as if you’ve had no basic training in front of the staff. You’re not to ask too many personal details as they have a language barrier at times. Miguel is from Ecuador and Jessica is from –

“ Is that really necessary ? Knowing where they come from, I can always ask. And I know Spanish. A few languages I learned as a Wayne. Or, did you forget?”

The boy raised a brow as Will acknowledged him with a sigh. “ Ever the spoilt prince, Grayson. I yield, but not a thing about our predicament. There could be a chance one of the Minerva or S.A.V.E's agents will contact them, or you.”

Dick froze up. “ Me?”

“ You’ll be a staff here too, and at times, play many roles. Put on more masks than you can keep up with. You won’t have time to NOT be forever vigilant. After all, we are both wanted men.”

“ Damn it…you never said we were being watched this soon?”

“ Shark keeps me in the loop. If they do show their faces, I have security measures just in case. This house was also a spy thriller’s dream; they modified a few traps into its
construction that have been upgraded over the years.”
“ Great, so is that pool actually housing a sixties spy car then?” Chuckled the teen.

Will never gave him an answer as they soon moved on. The idea of snooping outside one night to see if a hidden switch was by the pool, sounded like a good plan. It could really help in his mad getaway.

One could only picture such a chase occurring.

/////////////

The one uniform Dick chose thankfully had under shorts that hugged but did not sweat. He chose something airy, more classical to a Japanese attire in an inn. “ I’ll be Aoi here, as this person.” He pointed to the catalogue, not all the same as what was in his head. “ I also want my own sewing room –

“ Oh, I didn’t show you, did I?” The man ushered them up as Dick followed to wgere a stream of light beckoned on the sun's warmth. A cool breeze led to the view of the water as a vent system streamed air into the closed room. “ This was going to belong to you once you came. You made so many alterations on your outfits back in Gotham that the stitching didn’t look similar to the pieces I had picked. Who knows? You might have to switch to a design school instead of what you’ve been previously studying.” He pointed to a computer set up in the corner. All for him. All to keep him locked inside his own little daydream.
~ Bastard.~ The voice cursed right along to his suspicions.

“ I….don’t know what to say.”

“ Day it’s fine, ok even. You can make the changes you want and by tomorrow, you’ll have this.” He waved a hand over the room, then back to the catalogue in Dick’s hands. “ I’ll support that, if you can learn to fight by my side. My Renegade.”

_///////////////

~ What . Was….that??~

The voice was off its rocker as Dick paled while biting his nail in sheer shock. He…had that been something more? A declaration? Was he even going to replay back??

~ It’s a trap. I knew it. The first time you slept with that man, he was trouble.~

“ Stay calm. He’s not going to touch us, that’d be on …my terms.”

~ FOR NOW.~ Sniffed the other self. ~ Before long, you’ll be serving him cocktails and looking right down at his fucking cock!! You should have fussed more, made him angry or renegotiate-

“ I did my best to stay…” He stopped. “ What’s happening to me? Why won’t you go away?” He eased out as the panic swept over his skin as a bucket of ice crystals.
~ I’m here to help you stay out if any crazy contracts. If you meet me…the guy whoever brought me to “ life" then one mission and using him as a stupid money bags is all he’s good for.~

“ Until?”

~ Oh, right…. Well…we can skip the foreplay stuff for when we want a lot. Like. A yacht. Or-

“ Shut up.” Dick moaned and tried to adjust his hair as he patted down himself, seeing he was present. Where then, would Aoi be?

///////////

The night came and Dick ate like a prince. Will was a decent cook, yet he venerated his lessons need be monitored for future lessons in caring for guests ever in this home. Or any other, which Dick nodded to with a buttoned lip.

“ You can clear these while I prep the upstairs. Your dress will arrive by the earliest tomorrow and you’ll be at your other job with Shark.”

“ Why?” Dick put down his fork as he went to gather up the other plate on their table; his only issue was why in the world was Will giving him anything….anything HE wanted! He’d tried to…

“ Do…I deserve it? And what if they –

“ I won’t allow you to go missing, Dick.”

“ How can you promise something like that?” Dick stood up. “ How can you promise when you said I’ll be at my job…are you at yours, because it sounds like I’m being baby sat while you go off and I…what about getting back at those, Minerva?”

“ In time.” Will told the kid, looking disappointed that he’d said anything. Had to.

“ It will be a local job. One town over.”

“ How about getting home?”

“ We made on your behalf, some arrangements. If you don’t get to come back, I won’t have you by yourself. You’ll either stay in the casino in a spare room set up in the boss's pent, or You’ll get your own guards and key for this house. A safe house if necessary.”

“ I’m not a prize, I’m supposed to fight with you. Aren’t I?”
“ Let me clear this quota, just this one. After that, we can discuss a training schedule to work around your odd jobs. Even there, they can help you learn everything about being a spying sort of assassin. Half like Jade are formerly employed, by the way.”

“ She’s used to training rookies, like me.” Dick sat back down. “ Them, so…promise you’ll tell me each time you do find out more, what you know. It’s a condition-

“ We'll talk the day after, child.”

Will put up a finger as Dick gritted his fists.

“ Please, when I do get good enough, I’m going on a mission with you.”

“ I kill people for a living, kid.” Will quirked a brow as Dick didn’t flinch.

" So? Some people are dirt bags that don’t need to make more problems for society. Wayne was no saint. He did things, probably like that.”

“ You poor unfortunate.” Will shook his head with a tut – tut of his tongue. “ Well, you’ll find out; Wayne is no saint as you say, but not like me. Never.” Will left the kid to clear the room fir the sink as he grumbled over this new information.

“ He’s…I’m going without him, to Shark…” Fighting that aching concern that he should be cautious about how his persona was around the boss, Dick looked at the scrapings of food bits as he went over to the garbage disposal first. It whirring to life while the kid wondered what he’d wear for day two. Or night two.

Was it during the day? …

As the dark took hold, Dick settled into his new bed, new pajamas and had his eyes on the windows, the doors. He didn’t know, but to him it was all making him worried that an owl would climb into his bed, rip him from his nightmares.

//////////////

So in this, Dick isn't shy on pulling a Red Hood. If he has to keep those he cares for safe from monsters, they can't be alive yet Will isn't telling him just what SAVE actually does compared to BLUD. Find out!

Chapter Text

Light a Candle For Me-

///////////

Chapter 10: Illegal Selves

////////////

Dick took his time the next morning to wake up to the sound of birds at his window pane. Will had said last night that a house keeper and staff extra would be stopping in for the morning shifts, he’d even have breakfast already stored in the fridge to reheat if need be.

Dick tore off his night cloths and yawned over to the large vanity mirror by his dresser. Will had prepped his stay accordingly according to his every interest, which…made that inner self inside of Richard very jumpy for the first night he’d slept in a warm oversized queen bed.

His last bed really had been at the club and with Bruce…he’d lived with his parents until their death and the circus had forgotten he was still here, willing to reach back out to his roots. His Romani blood did not discourage his desire to dress finely, it was a part of who he was now and hopefully, once that brain bug was out?

He’d be able to adapt much better without any mobsters and wecret society thugs on his tail. If he could only reach out to Wayne, ask him what really-

~ You’re hungry, kid. Quit babbling before someone gets nasty.~ The voice nudged him to wash, dress and head for the stairs and then, the kitchen. A woman in the attire simply of a staff had on thin gloves and a white face mask as she dusted the room with care. Dick realized that could be the woman who only knew a language or two to communicate by.

“ Hola? Buenos Diaz.”

“ Buenos diaz Sen…Ricardo?”

“ No, Richard. Gracias..” Blushed the kid. He was after all in his uniform to her. “ You are here…for the job?”

“ Si.” Dick nodded, not trying to hide his discontent.
“ Oh, making, come, come. I will make you something. Here, don' be shy.”

Jessica was about fourth two with three children she had staying in the city. The went to a funded private catholic school thanks to the kindness of Mr. Will.

“ What is his last name, do you know it?” Dick sat over some eggs he’d tried to not burn before she’d made some minor... tweaks to the liquid ratio in the recipe. “ No, he’s been here about one year and I was in his last town house helping to tidy it up. I speak well now but back when I was still new? Oh, like you! So nervous, mafioso - type of men are intimidating as well.” She giggled while Dick and she later cleared the space and went over a list she’d put on a white board there Will had set aside. “ Chores are divided by what can be done well and takes longer. The shorter tasks will be the very ladt and then tour job…you have one in the city?”

“ Y – es, entertainment.” Dick nodded.

“ You must tell me how you came to know Mr. Will.” She smirked playfully back, setting her apron over her hips as sge ushered Dick to follow her for a proper tour of the foundation.

“ The pool is handled by Miguel. He won’t be here until later after lunch. The kitchen must always be my territory, Nino. You could ruin or hurt your dress. It looks very lovely.”

“ I’d love to make you something, I sew. Well…I’m somewhat decent?” Dick pushed out as Jessica gave him a warm smile, a hug later to follow would be a possibility.

“ Ah, you are so kind! I will have to invite you by to meet my family! They would love to see the newest member of this small group – ah, I’m being silly!” She waved, making Dick wonder what she’d meant by a group…

“ I don’t think where I work is child friendly, sadly…” Dick confessed, earning a hug from the woman and a gasp. “ Dios mio! You aren’t a prostitute ate you? No, no! I must find you a better job, nino…Should I-

“ No, I mean it involves a lot of construction! I work in the back with production crews. It’s not a safe environment. I’m sorry! No, I like this sort if outfit. It’s a part of who I am.” He explained as she simply nodded, agreeing with a supportive stance.

“ Ah, so sorry, I was worried when you’d said – oh! We should get started. Will you begin by picking what you’d like to do so we can polish on your skills today?”

How…did she have psychic powers?

“ Sure, mopping up the bathrooms, and…the trees. I can –

“ Gardeners come here. We are strictly inside. It’s got plenty of Air conditioning, so be grateful, Nino.” She laughed, getting a new set of gloves and a mask as Dick readied for half of his new life, until sundown.

//////////////
He took to doing the glass sliding door windows to the living area that connected to the pool. By noon, he was finished with five tasks, all assigned based on skill level.

“ You polish well enough but you cannot always rush the work. Mr. Will always compensates for those that are new and training yer you may be the first in a while to replace Aditya –

“ Aditya?” Dick had a berry smoothie and a sandwich from the grill press that Jessica made two of for them for lunch. “ She was young, didn’t know how to work and came over looking for more money. She ended up trying to steal from Mr. Will and was fired quickly after a week kf her trial time…it was very disappointing. We never did see her afterwards. He said she was here illegal and if she had only asked, he would have paid for her Visa like he has for my children.”

“ He…did that?”

“ He is a good man, never flaunts but is a simple person with dreams of a place he can return to. His work we know is violent yet in my country in Guatemala, there is a lot of that sometimes in the city, sometimes where jobs are hard to find. I am saving up for a home that is bigger than where we’ve made for ourselves and I want my sister to come stay there to go to college in California. She wants to be an engineer. It’s not a fin job, like your job. It would pay well however, it’s very useful to have them in these times.”

Will…was being kind as a cover. Dick finished his delicious drink and the best damned paining press food he’d wheaten since leaving that dumpy bar behind.

“ Does he know anyone else here, beside you, me and his clients?”

“ He is still young enough but acts older in his years so, si. Maybe he has a secret life outside of what we know he does.” She pensive bit the rest of her food and cleaned up, Dick following to wash with her by the sink and swipe it dry. “ It’s almost four. You’ll be stopping then for today.

I’m leaving after I’ve checked the house to pass you your first grade. We will work on what we can. I hope you are having a very nice time?”

“ It is better than my old life. I’m originally from a city in the North East.” Dick told the woman, who paused over her clean dishes. “ Really?” She turned to him, a bit more curious than earlier. “ Were you in school, Nino? How did you end up here, so young?”

“ I…had a very dangerous person after me, hurting my family so Mr. Will is helping me. He’s a friend of my father. But I can’t go back. It’s complicated.”

“ No, no, Nino…you are doing okay, okay?” She clutched his hands right away to reassure the teen who was remembering the wrong things about now. “ Miguel never showed.” Dick swallowed.

“ He was supposed to have been here…hum. Something must have happened. I hope it wasn’t troubling to be only with me today?”

“ What about any other staff?”

“ George is in tomorrow while you are at your other job, he guards the home. I clean three times or more a week and also keep note of anything that changes.”

“ You, do extra work like that for Will?”

“ He pays and it is like…being a boss.” She smiled. “ I’m good with my own children, so watching like we didn’t with the last hired staff was important. I am a very diligent person, no? Haha!”

She was loyal. That could only mean that she wasn’t the enemy, maybe she was testing him for Will. She knew, because she’d report back to him. Dick nodded, thanking her as the vacuumed and did some more laundry before placing it back upstairs in the hall closets or designated rooms.

“ Five thirty. Are you ready to end for today?”

Dick nodded. “ Good. Mr. Will I must confess to you assigned me to grace your performance. Pacing is important yet you a built to do the work well and never complain. He also has your first paycheck-

“ Huh?” Dick’s jaw dropped open. “ Pay? I live –

“ I know, but you are a teenager with your hobby and it will teach you how to use money for yourself. I think….five hundred for one day, I usually-

“ You get almost 2000 in a whole week??”

“It is actually four to five days and it can be flexible. I make a max of three thousand if I have no other jobs. Large houses like this one require more care... He even helps my cousin Mateo to find work when his job is slow in construction. The AC is very good for his health. ” She explained. “ Did you not hear?” Laughed Jessica. “Mr. Will was very clear to tell you that you are not a prisoner here. Your needs will be taken care of and you will have two jobs to keep you busy. You want to continue a college degree, it was what he mentioned?”

“ Ah, yes. I was going to go into law school. Had some under my belt until I moved in.”

“ Continue, Nino. You can always have a suit designed by your hands for the courtroom. If I ever need or a family does when you dinky have your dream come true, I will recommend your services to all of my family!”

“ I…don’t know what to say.” Sniffled Dick as he smiled with a sappy look to his features.

~ Puss, you’d cry at anyone’s funeral, baby brat wonder.~ Snorted hid inner voice.

“ I’ll be sure to have you as my first client! Thank you, Jessica…”

///////////////////

At the end of the night, Dick rewarded himself with his catalog and Will helped him set up an online account for the first amount he’d have to limit.

That word…

“ YOU’RE PUTTING A LOCK ON MY FINANCES??”

“ I’m only addressing the spending to savings distribution. Think of me as your co – advisor, boy.”

Dick bounced his leg under the dining room table as Will checked for the spots Jessica had mentioned Dick was going to clean next time.

“ Tomorrow, your job is an evening work out until ten. You won’t be going alone. I will be having George escorts you, to and from the casino.”

“ How, kind…why are you like this?”

“ Responsible, you mean?” Will turned to the kid. “ I think there is some sorbet Jessica made and left in the freezer the other day…Want a cup?”

////////

His meal consisted of a salad and a hearty fish chowder. The desert was light as Dick went to bed at the time he’d need to clean up, do some more work with the college in advance and Will even gave him free run of the pool and jacuzzi. Dick couldn’t completely say no, so he shook the man’s hand and made a suggestion.

~ Every first day check goes into an account that I can touch. The other is to add up with my pay from the casino for my tuition-

“I’m divesting your stubborn ego of that. Not until you graduate, young man. It’s a gift.~ Will had concluded, cheating his charge not partner out of half of his earnings. ~ You’ll see. I can manage your accounts while you get your bearings together. Next week, I’ll teach you a few steps into becoming what I am to protect your dignity. If that helps, I can pay you for your time , extra credit included.~

So that was out.

Dick rolled over and read the clock. Next morning….he had…work to do…

///////////

He slept until seven, eating lunch with Jessica as he showed her the catalogue and what he wanted to see with a chunk of his earnings. She showed him a skirt that was embroidered with lace at the edges and had the most delectable red palette. He was sold and got down to learning the craft. He’d get out the door by four and arrive to settle in by 430, getting himself dressed for a 5pm shift and the end would be ten at the latest. He was more a volunteer, taking his time until PTSD drove him out of the building yet Dick was no quitter in Gotham. How would this be any less – minus the strip teases and clothes flying off into a crowd?

He’d prefer shuffling the decks around, throwing chips instead of pouring drinks on random guys’ laps while in character as he called it.

The new uniform was super cute as Dick brought in the next few days a finished prototype. His new boss Tiger was too busy admiring him in it to focus on a yes or no. That, made it a good and bad thing.

“ I got some job that my gals also wanted you to try at. We need a stage hand, a helper for an act that involves a magician. Says he’s Mumbo – Jumboni the Magnifico .
Some hack I hired but he’s ok when he warms up.”

“ European?” Dick stumbled over his words as he put his hands to wrap round him, looking way too innocent in the get up that involved a metal stud diamond jacket and denim shorts. His wig this week was a pig tailed blonde with curtain bangs swept to the side.

“ Yeah, maybe.” Tiger got up from his seat and snapped his fingers as two of the female staff tottered out to grin and giggle at Dick, one being a red head Dick had seen before as she went to refill Tiger’s drink herself.

“ He’s gonna do a rehearsal in a few hours tomorrow afternoon. Ya wanna wear a real dress again, doll?”
“ I…” The other women pulled out her cell and showed the sequin design as Dick’s face lit up.

“ Y…yes! Heck, yes! I’ll do it! When is the show officially on?”

“ Tomorrow at seven. You’d be working a double shift. Think your boss can handle having you away for a few extra seconds?” Tiger purred as Dick chewed his bottom lip. “ I’ll talk to him. If I need –

“ We have ta get you to have your moment, I know you live fer it. The spotlight, kid.” The Tiger said with a sly tilt of his skull, his head in his fist as he watched the faux blonde make him too happy to be alive. ( I do not condone objectified women in this business so it’s really dramatizing on the topic because of this. Will , what will he think?)

/////////////

Will came back home about a few minutes earlier as Dick walked in with George. The bodyguard was greeted and then asked to give Will a moment as Dick went to open his mouth –

Only to receive a slap on the face from the rather assertive master of the home. Dick shook, looking up as his lip trembling, he didn’t check the clock and mouthed a “why?” Even when he knew the answer.

He'd made negation behind the man’s back without his consent. Tiger was an ally, only until his claws were sharp enough to cut and claw at the carpet without Will's poo – pooing.

“ You should not have told him anything. Do you want to be taken out by the wrong party?”

“ So..sorr-

“ No, get yourself washed up and we’ll talk when you are more relaxed. I raised my hand to get you to think, Richard.”

~ That stunt you pulled was dangerous, Dick! What if you had gotten seriously hurt?~

Bruce sounded like that once too.

“ I will, then.” Dick was waited for in the kitchen, the sink gleaming back as they’d left it. Will however had a glass in the sink that he’d just emptied. He went to the fridge and filled up one with ice for the boy, hoping it would have him in a better state. He was in sweatpants that had a split leg design cut and a loose fitting tee. The pants looked well tailored, showing the kid had altered them in his spare time.

“ Your performance over the two week period was satisfactory until this.” He pulled out a page online on his cell from his own pocket of an event. The face of the assistant on stage was a blank box while Mumbo wore a magician's top hat and wand. He did in fact look cheesy as a birthday clown at a children’s event. Why they’d say he was “ good after warming up" made Dick curious to see just how the looks compared.

“ You weren’t in the room alone with him?”

“ What? No, no he…he knows I’m trust-

“ Dick.” The man gave his own blue a stare right to their centers from overhead. “ He’s our target.”

Dick blinked. “ W…wait…” He shook his finger and head warily as he went to refill his water glass. “ I…you mean?”

“ He’s a messenger of the ones you want to find. I set you up to meet on purpose, but he won’t realize –

“ You basically used me as bait!”

“ No, no. You are getting him to stay away, but do that. Keep an open eye if he tries anything like this,” Will snorted and closed the screen with a sneer. “ Again. You come to me; because where any stray owls start to roost, the bats will find out. One bat you are trying to avoid coming too close.”

“ R- right. I’m not ready to talk to him yet, if he is a threat to us both.” Dick filled up his glass as the ice cluttered round, clinking to calm him when it was sipped down. “ I’m gonna go to bed soon. Will you tell Tiger that I’ve changed my mind?”

“ You bet. He was strictly told to come to me first. I can’t have my bad apples rotting up the rest of my purer batches, now can I?”

Dick stopped sipping at the words “ bad" and “purer.”
“ Y...eah.” He swallowed and let his eyes settle on the next day he’d have to shrug off having wanted to, well, wear that dress.

“We can arrange something else, but no stage access or lack of attire. You at least wear a full set in the casino, one piece is far too…easy to remove.”

“ No one is allowed to touch me.” He felt the rug burn from Will's palm. He didn’t know if it was necessary, yet he didn’t like being in the same room. Too much like he was before…before leaving his last home.

“ They don’t care. It makes you look easy, so you can’t wear a dress. End of story.”

Dick didn’t even gawk at the words. He knew it. He was going to need to try harder to get into this person’s head, one way or another.

“ I will make sure he knows my feelings, about it. Sir. Thanks.”

//////////////////

The night was quieter than the first time he'd arrived as Dick rested atop a new shag pillow that he’d sewn up by hand. Each little tassel made him wish he could at least have a dress like the classic Monroe styles.

He’d seen his tati wear one before. It was, well…more for a Halloween thing. That made him smile as he smothered himself in it with sleep and some hope that one day, he’d wear a blue sequin dress like a real fashion maven should once in their life.

He would get the dress, because ?

Heck, he’d make one from scratch. From memory.

Chapter Text

Light a Candle For Me
/////////////

Chapter 11: Beauty Queens and CIA Agents on the Scene
/////////////

Dick got to work with his plan. His fabric came and when he was half done by that night, he stashed it in a spot he’d not have anyone peep into. His drawer of underpants for one and socks.

Lain in a blue sequin even with a bsck as touchable as lace and silk thongs, he was quite proud that Aoi at least would get her damned wish. The last piece…

He'd ordered a week before a long curtain bang hair wig with that brunette style no hot blooded gangster could gawk as long at. His heels were not dirty, not racy yet very feminine in the pump style. Excitedly, he stashed those even deeper under into the sleep pants drawer.

The day came. He started work at five, yet Will had warned him to stay away.

Had, was the word. Dick however, would not be abated.
Aoi kept her coat on as the rainy breeze on the water gad that day at its coolest. If he had been a woman, his coverage would need to be thicker.

Luckily, he came wkth silicone and a bit if that for the ass. All you wanted was online these days, and Will kept him in charge of his things like always. He would come tonight and Dick would show Tiger that he didn’t need to play easy – does – it by the casino table anymore.

He missed the spotlight as it bound itself to his persona. The talon – nature of his curse could very well be the reason, yet to wear a hand made gown and show off a loud, lousy act of the illusionist's perspective?

Well, who could let up giving these heels a test run!

“ Ah, there’s ya are.” Tiger was wowed even before the coat came off. “ Hair looks good, pumpkin. Ya gonna make Mumbo look good up there?”

“ Why not.” Aoi giggled as they slipped down into the demeanor of a true damsel with a shot gun attitude.
“ I’ll get the press but not the extra bite. My intention is to make this dress a real eye catcher. Maybe a sale?”

“ Hmm….such a smart cookie you are. I might have ta agree with you there, babe.”

Babe-

“ It’s time, “ baby doll blue eyes.” Cass rolled her eyes with a clip board in hand from behind the curtain. “ We are ready to start, boss.”

“ No need to keep the public waiting.” Dick grinned as Aoi walked on, Mumbo's ears flipping and his eyes big enough to burst with a pin tip.

“ R – Read…..ahem! To get started, sweetheart?” He composed himself and put out a palm. Aoi looked at it, knowing the steps since childhood in the trapeze.

So nice, but if only they’ known the real him. Aoi smiled and let her hand be taken as the show was soon to start.

////////////////////////

Will walked in the door in muddy boots as no one was in. He ran to the kitchen. A note?

~ Out to buy food for supper. Was going to prepare Mister Richard's favorite, call if anything comes up. Number is on this paper.~

He checked it, called and heard only the dial tone.

Not good.

Will made sure to call Dick next. Another no show. This wasn’t it. He growled and went to see if his hunch was right.

It would be after five thirty. He’d forbidden one cross dressing brat from leaving the house to go….

The door slammed hard as Will headed for his black sedan.

Brat….always, the brats in his way…

He didn’t know what he was up against!

////////////////////////_/__///

“ For my next trick, my lovely assistant will….be sawed into two equal parts!”

The laugher in the room took Dick back to his circus days. Tiger was clapping in the front row, hopefully keeping it all professional. “ Atta gal! You got them hooked.” He gave an “ ok" sign, Aoi's blush as cute as Dick’s persona could spit at.

~ Stop running away. You’re in too much danger doing this! I told you. He could –

“ This, box? Aoi spoke in a higher voice as the crowd laughed at how dumb the question was.

“ Yes, my dear. Don’t worry. I’m not a trained professional for anything else! Sign this waiver while you’re at it.”

They laughed still as no one saw an unknown stranger walking in the back with his fedora turned down to cover his seedy gaze. Or a sneaky one.

Will stomped up to the door of the casino and saw a big attraction listed as “ Amazing Mumbo.”

Her growled and didn’ stop until Jade had him in her sights.

“ What is he doing here? Should we…”

She listened to her co workers. This man was heavily over protective of their new girl. Sge wasn’t to be messed wkth and neither was this club. Jade notified Tiger as he looked at his cell message. “ Damn. Ok, okay….” He got up, crouching low to not disturb the guests.

“ I’m gonna handle-

“ Are you the owner of this establishment?”

The man on the brimmed hat stopped Tiger as he tried to talk his way out, only to be led away.

Jade clenched her fist as Will was looking out, and Aoi was still in the box. Laughing along with the audience.
“ And……one sheer “nick” to go. Are we all ready?”

Will huffed to the steps as the stage was guarded by staff, woman mostly from Dick’s division. “ Are you a celeb or something? No one’s allowed up without –

“ That’s not your call. Where is your boss?”

“ He had to talk to someone else. Sorry. Can I take –

Will turned around and looked to the floor while seeing that the crowd was aghast. He shoved his head around, walking with a steady tread to see that Dick was….

OK.

Shit.

Tiger however, was holding his head down, hands clapping at the doe eyed heroine as another man whispered in the casino boss's main ear.

/////////////////////

Will clenched his fists and waited for the show to end. Aoi was ecstatic until she saw that Tiger was there with a hug, chaste. “ You been at this before?”

“ I told you, I was….hehe! I was an –

“ Aoi.”

Dick flipped his hair as he let go of Tiger's arm quickly.

“ Will! Ahem, this isn’t-

“ You’ll be talking to me once you’re out of that drag. Come.” The faux - mob boss ordered.

“ I’m still on the-

“ Not anymore.”

Dick balled his fists to his sides as a heel went to stomp a no, with his mouth coming out to voice the same. “ I’m staying. This is my –

“ It’s a job that doesn’t pay, especially when you still don’t think you’re giving those men an eyeful. Get off the stage.”
“ No, I am meant FOR this place, this….you can pick me up at ten. I’m getting the best time out of doing what makes me, well, me! See?”

He swished his gown as Will snorted, turning around. “ I’ll send one of my own into this building to drag you out by that exact hour. If you dare go over a second –

“ Even to tinkle?”

Cass snickered at the jab, before a bouncer came to usher Will out of the casino. “ Remember. All eyes on you could be your last.”

Dick nodded, he knew it. He knew….that there was something he still had to finish doing. Tiger put a hand on the kid’s shoulders as Jade watched from a wall the events taking place. While they were busy, she went to the women’s rest room and locked the door with a spare key she had nabbed from the custodian. Good ole “ Anthony.”

She opened up her cell, now the popular Razr – flip style and started to punch in some digits. A voice came on after the dial tone, her heart returning to normal as she changed her cool girl tone to something more stoic and to the point

“ Come in, I’ve concluded in my investigation of the missing “ Talon.” She finished up. “ Tiger is working for them. I repeat.”

~ Well noted, we’re sending the footage through the casinos rooms where the evidence is to headquarters.~
“ Are you an idiot!? That could take weeks. Contact…no, send the video of the fist fight to….head operative: The Bat.” She smiled sharply as the caller seemed to sense how gleeful this reveal made the undercover S.A.V.E agent.

“ Send it under the file, labeled “ Grey - Son recovery plan.”
///////////////

Focus. This was a plan. He knew, ever since Will had told Dick at the table about Tiger knowing Minerva's higher ups. If he knew them, then Dick could get back a chunk of answers.

He'd arranged to meet Tiger in his office in a better outfit of black jeans and a black tee. He hated the cling…there were some improvements as Tiger beckoned Dick into the room. The talon in his eyes stayed side by side with Grayson. Aoi slept on.

“ So, I’ve been thinking.”

Tiger went to a seat hat wasn’t his desk seat. Open, as Dick gingerly took steps into the room from beyond those glossy doors.

“ You know I gotta keep my eye on you for Willy. I can, but I am so sure you let the cat out of the bag, kiddo.”

“ Was the wig on wrong? I literally did all I could t-

“ Shush, shh.” The man got up, comforting the false – anxiety this little spy was pulling off. Wool and all over the eyes, Dick batted his blue as if he had no choice. Trust would get him the answers he wanted.

“ Listen, I think you did alright. We all loved the jab at our job. I mean, I loved it –

“ Then, where were you?”

Tiger went stiff as he let go. “ K, had a client that showed up.”

“ Was I not that important, Mr. Tiger?” Dick leaned down to look at his host, the kid’s bangs falling halfway over to cover his face. His lips had a touch of gloss still pushing out. “ I mean, I dressed up just for you. Made that dress…all by myself. Will never found out. I didn’t wanna ruin the surprise, you know…” He scrunched his hands into the older man’s dress pants. His fists showing the band aids, the blisters of a hard sewing job. His very first.

“ It was so you, but that’s why, doll.” He cupped Richard’s cheek tenderly. “ You’re cooler than hot down on that platform and I want….to watch you always. As long as much as job goes…Willy said to take extra special care of his ‘Aoi.” Do, you wanna be my personal assistant? I can always use a little extra of your talk in my ear?”

Dick made a smile wide enough as he leaned in closer to whisper a “ yes.” Before behind held another second.

“ You’re gonna like it here. But I think, it’s time to get a move.”

At the door, was Slade’s supposed guards man to the princess. “You’re being escorted on schedule.”

“ Party’s over, and nothing hap –

He turned back to Tiger as his hands slipped away slowly, seductively or soft enough to seem innocent.

“Another time. And I accept the position, sir.”

“ I’m sure you are gonna try.” Tiger said through grinning, sharp teeth.

“ Until your next shift, Aoi.”

/////////////////

“ I want to stop here.” Dick pointed to a gas station as he held his wallet and couldn’t get the hands on his fucking face off. Each time, they felt stickier in this environment. “ Please, I feel like I’m gonna throw up. You…you can watch?”

“ My job is to do that.”

They stopped on the side of the road as Dick wretched out of disgust. He’d fucked Will to win a bet. He’d lost, he knew the same….same…

“ Sir?”

Dick vomited a second time as he was coaxed to lie still in the back, the rolling wheels and his nausea done and through by the time they’ made it back to Will's home.

/////////////

So, Will does not know the real reason why Dick made him beat it. Or why he’s thinking of being “ closer" to Tiger to get in on whoever that man was who was talking to the casino owner in the corner of the room.

Will our Willy take on the idea as risky or a good thought? And Jade is undercover for S.A.V.E?? Find out!

Chapter Text

Light a Candle For Me

//////////

Chapter 12: Bitch Slapped Successors
//////////

This one hits hard, emotionally.

///////////

Dick was groggy when he awoke to his bed in the town house – the sun streamed through a thin curtain to dust hime over like pixie essence.

He woke, walked to the door and could hear down there a battle of will calling out. As a child in the manor at Christmas, it all returned as he witnessed the staff he’d left to take the blunt, be sent out. Her words drawn in as Will pointed for the door. The second was the male Dick had assumed took to the pool and guarding them as well. Both nodded and it didn’t look official.

“ I’ll need to confirm the effects of this as well. Take care of yourself for the time being.”

“ Do keep us in reach, senor.”

“ Of course.”

Dick bit back a sigh as the downstairs door shut, Will’s words bouncing up those steps.

“ Meet me in the kitchen.”

He walked off to that destination as Dick was in some bare minimum of cool sleep clothing, his breath was the only error as he went to drown the taste of vomit in Wintergreen and spearmint before joining his caretaker in the kitchen as well.

The two faced each other; Dick stood while Will was seated but facing the room. “ I cannot count over how….you’ve pushed this operation back, do you understand?”

“ I….hear me out though.” Dick put up a finger. “ I know how to find our targets –

“ Why bother?” Will tossed up his hands. “ There were agents on both sides , watching YOUR performance.”
Dick’s featured cooled too quickly for it to be coincidence.
“ I’m going to try and use him, to get us in. Tiger you said is one if them, right? “

“ The Minerva weren’t who came to see me. Not that I know.”

“ How can you tell….look. I can do it. I dressed the part –
“ And I found out, so why can't he? Why won’t one of the ones in secret working in your casino, Dick?”

“ Aoi works and I want her in deep cover a while longer.”
Will didn’t wait as his palm soon swung out while Dick was preoccupied with his plan to strike the boy's face. The stunning brought something back as his eyes flickered to a talons before vanishing. “ That, is why.” Will pulled back his hand. “ Aoi is just the operative made for the job? A talon in drag, Grayson.” Will snorted, sitting back in his seat. “ Tell me, with your track record, could you kiss and keep your mouth shut? Could you suck off the boss and remain chaste to your coworkers for more than a few months? Could you avoid being abducted if –

“ I know I can, because he’ll be watching.” Dick told Will, a hand to his face as he went to find a wet piece of ice or a bag of peas for his burning cheek. “Just, trust me. I need to do this.”
“ Aoi does, you just want “ the Bat" to listen. He’s not going to listen, like I’ve told you.”

“ He cared, once.”

“ Is that what this is? A way for sympathy from the man that wants you dissected??”

“ No! I…he can listen, screw that but I want the Minerva to tell me how to get rid of it. That other, voice. I…”

Dick put a hand to his temple. “ Is it really a persona or am I just crazy?” He laughed softly with a shake of his skull. “ Did I have this crazy in me at birth, or did the Court put it there?”

“ Wayne may be then that very thing you’d like to avoid. He won’t tell you the truth.”

“ Would you?”

Will seized up at the question. “ Have I lied for longer than need be? You wanted to train in what I do –

“ Then espionage. Train me to do it right.” Dick told the older male. “ Teach me so I won’t get caught. So, so I can find out what I am before I lose my chance to know. What they know…”

“ You won’t like what you find, that I can bet based only solely on rumors of both parties, they will know too much."
“ Then, make me the one they want to talk about.”
“ Why?” Will crinkled at the idea of this voyeurism getting out of hand. Dick had the balls to push out his chest and….

No, no. Wait.

“ Tiger won’t do much where he is, but I can guess that we can find our way in if you stick to him. Discover what I’d be unable. But-

Will put up a warning hand. “ If at any chance your cover is blow, run back here. We can try over and use our resources to remain undetected.”

“ I’m pretty sure I’ve got that covered.” Dick grinned as he winced at the bruise. “ I can use this now, gain their pity. It’s perfect. A victim of violent culture, and a man who can’t be trusted. You know, Tiger even offered me a room in his casino that only is there for those who end up working off a debt. I saw Cass there, so she probably is in it.”

“ Do it.” Will told the big, boy - wonderful.

“ Be a runaway and run off into danger, treat me like poison and watch him fester with pride, my dear.”

/////////////////////!

“ So, our staff friends are on….standby?”

Dick was driven to work by Will who had to work out hiring his decoy while his two trained staff took to protecting themselves from two opponents in the city. The owls had roosted, and the S.A.V.E bastards were already so close as well.

“ I’ll drop you off a few blocks from the casino. You have the script memorized?”

Dick took his jean covered ass and grinned at that note.

“ Got it in my database, boss. Wow, so….I run up with a story, tell them you literally threw me out. What if they go after you?"

“ You say you don’t want that. That he’s dead to you and means nothing or something stupid that Tiger can process.” Will shrugged. “ You’re a decent up and coming actor, a star, right? This isn’t your first rodeo, kid.”

“ Aoi thinks I’ll screw it up, or get screwed.” Dick grumbled. “ I’ll make sure it remains professional.”

Will didn’t say anything as he knew one thing that Dick didn’t. Talon could and would sleep with a target to kill them or have them keep a secret.

“ Don’t get mad with power. He’s still top dog, and I’m not letting you run wild fir the fun of it.”

“ I’m a glorified secretary.” Dick huffed, opening the door as he got his things from the trunk and back seat. Two bags. His new life as…. As a working assistant to a casino boss and possibly smuggler of humans. Had he been this careful before? No. No. Will was going to be trying to act as the slu one. He just…had to put on a bold look. Dick made his make up run, the little bit of pressure as the cheek boldly was painted red enough to hold someone accountable.

He couldn’t wait for the sparks to fly as Dick trudged up the slope to the walk where that glowing monstrosity was calling out.

He saw a guard at the door as the saw him and opened the door, a look seeming almost sympathetic springing from that stoic expression that fighters had.

He carried a suitcase and dragged that with a very oversized gym bag to the main lobby. “ I need to speak to Mr. Tiger. It’s urgent…”Dick shifted from tears to a bleeding resolve that melted hearts.

The conclusion was a cooing and supportive arm of Tiger as Dick was ushered in warmly by those he’d hoped to use, trust and exploit. The sane as what they’d do to him.
“ Doll, my oh….what happened?”

“ Will…he snapped. I….I can’t stay. I have to get away and I don’t want his men to find me…please? He said I’m just some two bit drag queen with a king – complex for attention whoring myself out to men. I…this…”

Cass took out her sleeve and wiped her tears onto it as Jade watched, seeing a pattern.

She went to the room a few floors up, a broom closet and contacted her inside agent. “ There is a situation…” She waited as the agent brought on a voice that sent her to still her resolve a bit. “ Sir, W…Wayne. We have him here. Yes, something about running ….I can, yes. Sure. You’re-
She blinked.

“ Oh, he is...” Her ears popped as the message made her feel that her usefulness wasn’t up yet. “ I will stay at my post. Yes, you can be sure you’ll meet. I’m sure Will is waiting to make the right move.”

////////////

Dick would be staying with Cass who had just financed her 8wn place with her new boyfriend. Half of the staff including Tiger didn’t like the guy, but he seemed serious about getting her out and into a better line of work one day.

She smiled and hugged a heart shaped pillow in her rolling on the bed cliché position; the excited woman in love.

“ James is super-hot and he has a movie deal in Los Angeles. Did you know they had riots there in the nineties?”

She was so interested in his life yet from what she’d told the staff, her mother was thrilled there. Maybe at all. Her father had been ex-military and brutal. She was a sweet without him lording into her territory and Dick hoped like himself, she’d never have to go back. But her boyfriend would be a stepping stone that if sge did end up stuck, they’d pull her out. Same as the club. People watched over each other.

“ I'm not gonna be eighteen for much longer. I mean, you’re what? Seventeen or something? You glow like a goddess. Like Artemis or something romantic!~ She poked fun as Dick grinned back and tossed a pillow her way. “ I promise not to freak you out with my guy problems. Scout’s honor.” He held up that palm in a solemn vow as she gripped his hand and curked it into hers. “ Just, be careful with Mr. Tiger….he is really pretty good but at times, he hates to see people not care or get lazy.”

Frowning, Dick changed his position on the second bed to shift closer between them. “ He and I….I can’t promise I won’t try to ask him to treat me really we. Ill6earn the title and you can join us in the bar when you’re a little more….you know?”

“ Dude!” She gawked and laughed in his face. “I’m not the baby, here!”

The truth was, minors were in this casino. The mask of a registered life on them was a forever dangerous one. Dick too, as he tried to sleep and dream that tomorrow his life would not change too quickly.

///////////

So, the casino has illegal practices but Dick is getting in to shit it down really. He knows that it’s a haven for these women but in the same sense, it’s similar to them having backstreet where they were handpicked to fight. Not to flee

Remember, this reality is lawless and the casino is like a damned Walmart with workers living on the grounds. It’s a shitty thing but this is the premise. Will is more worried that Tiger will try to do something to Dick before he can act. Why is he allowing a closeted Talon the honor? Find out!

Chapter Text

Light a Candle for Me

///////////

Chapter 13: Teen Runaways

///////////

Warming for underage groping, grooming and angst or belittling adults. Flashbacks.

/////////////

That night, he dreamed of the circus tent where his world had changed forever.

~ They said it was attempted murder. But…pops wasn’t gonna comment.~

~ Richard? What about wgetr he’s going to stay? They sant to take him away from us!~

~ I don’t wanna go-

~ Under the law, you have no other choice. Mr. Cobb and Vanessa are both hoping to do the right thing. Don’t make them wait.~

~ I’m sorry, Dickie. You can come visit us, I’ll be sure to send via passes. It’s okay, kiddo. This is the way things are…~

~ Pops…we’re all family! You ….you promised! I was supposed to be with you until I took over like mom and dad? What…~

~ What’s going on! No! Let me go! I don’t wanna go in there! No!!~

//////////

Cass shook him awake at midnight, his hair a sipping mess against the new pillow case he’d laid out. A silk one to deter tangles, the extra money was wasted on something other than a wet dream, but a memory that brought Dick closer to what lay forgotten.

“ Is this gonna happen every night, Aoi? I’m literally gonna nick name you “ Aoi – vey from now ( ashkenazi jew here) if you keep this up.” She stood over him with her hands on her hips in a pair of comfortable shorts and a baggy tee with a lightening bolt on it. He had no idea she liked that. Though , it could be from her boyfriend, hence “ boy friend" teed being a thing. He shook his head up at her then rolled over to his other side to face the angry blonde.

“ Sorry, I’m just not used to this yet…”

“ Running away makes you like that.” She frowned apologetically back, a hand homing to his forehead as she pushed back so dark messy locks while hoping his eyes would shut soon. “ It’s cold and you don’t feel too warm. Not a fever?”

“ No, I’m.. just remembering my old home. My parents.”

“ Did you really come from a circus?” She pulled back her hand and sat on her bed across from his.

“ Yeah, we were great. I had others…who had my back always. Learned to be a star since I could walk.”

“ Wow.” Cass was impressed by the way her eyes lit up past the dreaded sleepy haze behind her lids. She yawned and brought her arm to block the sound. “ Well, I hope I did something good. You had better not go in sleep drunk tomorrow on the job.”

“ I was used to this life at night for a long time, I used to dance for a friend’s place. It’s why…”

“ Aoi works for you.” Cass's brows softened as she went to lay back down, having a commitment in leaving the city to fund her own dreams. In her dreams, she never had to cry again or worry for want.

“ Night, Cass.” Dick smiled into his sheets as she waved an arm back with her back to her new roomie. “ Nighty night….” She said back, sleepily.

/////////////////

( woke up at 9pm after sleeping off auto immune flare up since 6pm. Hoped this was a gentle bit of fluff. )

////////////

His shift wasn’t until noon as Dick got to sleep in until at least seven. His eyes opened softly to the sound of a gentle buzzng in his bag.

Bag.

Buzzing.

His eyes popped right open as his drooling skull left the silk pillow case.

Oh no.

//////////

Dick rustled through his things as he saw that Cass was snoring and have covered, having tossed her pillow to the foot of the bed in her slumber.

He went down the hall and to the bathroom there for the residents. Most were still sleeping. Otherwise, the rest were prepping everything from food to the register or simply outside on a jog.

He hoped Jade wasn’t an early riser too.

Dick looked at tge called I.d and turned his device on as low as he could.

It rang for about five seconds before ac voice came on.
~ Good morning princess. I hope I’m not disturbing your rest.~

“ Will.” Dick seeped in the breath. He made sure to whisper as much as possible. “ I could be as safe as ever, or else he might know that I’m…”

~ You said a name. Change your dialogue. First rule on the job, act the while like the part you’ve chosen to play. Even if your sitting on the crapper. It all counts.~

“ Ah….where is he? Oh. Sorry. No….yes yes.”

Will chuckled as Dick pretended to back up whom he was calling and whom he was now inquiring.

~ Good boy. The trick now will be to be as close to Tiger fo make him talk. I’m investigating also another leak, a possibility of another spy showing which may prove danger-

“ Ah, yes, sure. Where did you say?”

~ Right, they may be why you were almost contacted or why I was pushed away from the stage. My guess was that the agent is in your group. Fikd the mole, report them to me as soon as you’re sure kf who it may be.~

“ Ah, what about this weekend?”

~ Wayne is definitely in connection. I can sense that, and the Minerva are keeping tabs on that casino like sharp beaked falcons overhead. It’s so obvious that I’m sure I’ll train a second sight into you sooner or later, kid.~

“ Next week it is, then. Okay, thanks. You too. Bye , now.”
~ Stay alert and dor God sakes, Grayson? Don’t let that Tiger pull you too long by the tail. Got that?~

“ Bye.”

With one click and a drop onto the seat to use the toilet properly, he put his hand to her face and dragged it downwards with a groan.

“Great…” Dick couldn’t be happier. All of his enemies and allies, all in one place to get him to submit once more.
Fuck his life right now. He flushed, washed up and as soon as the door had shut, he saw a new face that he’d never expected to fall head into.

A red haired star from the entertainment line.

Kori Anderson. A beaming goddess as she walked by in her sheer purple robe with a small yawn.

His face turned redder than it had in a month. His hands sweating as Dick side stepped to not be in the way.
She had green eyes that sparkled with sleep.and a hint of restful bliss. Her long slender frame had a perfect ratio and she looked to be latina and maybe mixed islander by her skin tone. It had a strong orange tan as well that made it look a pigmented orange. Golden, as he simply didn’t mind the fact that he was acting ridiculous around a co- worker.

( Kori is actually an escaped race of alien that SAVE tried to put a cap on. She is a part of the story and will break Dick’s heart.)

“ Oh.” She blinked as he’d missed his chance to slip away. His mouth dry as sge approached with her swaying flare pants bellow a lace sleep bra top and atop that, the sheer, swaying ovwroat – like robe. She smiled and put a hand to brush back a part of her long, firey head of hair. It looked too natural to be fake as Dick prostrated himself and nervously tried to make some friendly banter.

“ Hi, no. I’m new actually to the residence. I work with the main floor division. Ah…you, I’m sorry!”

“ No, you are fine. Please.” She put a hand to her well endowed chest and smiled warm as a sun beam into his hazy blue orbs. “ I am called, Kori. You must be this Aoi everyone eagerly wishes to meet. My floor is called “ The Hall.” She told Dick. “ Our top paying clients are only permitted on this floor so I fear no outsiders might also include those from the gambling floor and the restaurant floors.”

“ How is your rank higher though? I mean, there is a system or something?”

“ Tiger found my charm to be enough.” She said, somewhat distracted as a lock of her hair was twirled in thought. “ He can pull the strings of one’s time here if you are careful to ask correctly for what you desire.”

“ Ah, I don’t start until noon. Are you the same?”

“ My time begins after dark.” She smiled sweetly again before passing his arm to the restroom. “ You must then join my division when we are not all clocking in.” She said with a crinkle of her small nose. “ I will listen strongly of your accomplishment again in the meantime. We will become friends through experiences such as this.”

“ I’d love to impress you more – I mean! It was fun. Dressing up is something I enjoy often. It’s what I know…”

“ Never be ashamed of what is truly beautiful and good. Take care, Aoi.”

She drifted off, her voice smooth as a sillen bath of honey and floral essences.

He turned and sighed happily all the way to his room. She was…so lovely that he felt energetic bursts of vigor light up from a deep place. Right. At ten, he’d find Tiger and ask a few things. Get some parts of the job crossed off his list, and.

Learn more about those extra floors in the casino. How legal that really were.

/////////////

Borrowing this concept from Monkey Man film with the many floors. Amazing film with a complex, political spark of revolutionary afterthought. Sigh…hopefully it’s going to get a watch again this summer. Be it my cardio gastric does not misbehave.

Also. June is pride month!! Yay , Aoi! Dick is unquestionably Bi In this so heads up. He also cross dresses because like the first chapter, it became a passionate desire to do so very well. That’s why he’s no stranger to the life. Good for him but Will uses that and says the Talon in him is like a second personality. It is somehow why Dick has his persona or is that all them?

//////////////

She did sound as if she’d come from a whole other world. Her caution and a lack of accent….

Dick couldn’t put his finger on it as he was able to serve himself in the main lunch area where Jade was taking care of a brunch for the many in her squad of scoundrels.
There was Garrett, a tall and dark eyed heartthrob that Cass had to resist poking fun at for dying his hair white for some reason.

Artie was the red haired body building Amazonian wen he who clung to Jade all the time. The first time they had butted heads, Dick had thought she’d really come down hard on him. Since then, she’d turned out to be a total teddy.

“ Greece was cool and all. People there and my family are the best, but we were not staying when times got tough. I ended up hearing about some naval stuff and didn’t get here by accident.”

Turns out, she was smuggled into the country after being caught by black market dealers. Tiger and Jade had showed up and had freed her out of a kindness, which made as little sense as how Tiger might be running his own trafficking ring.

As for anyone else, Cass as Dick knew was still eyeing her cell, waiting for her boo to ring her.

“ He’s got a demo in like, two days. He always works on that….ugh!”

“ Artists always go for broke in this state. It’s like it’s their job to disappoint their mamas.”

One other staff was a little older but ran around during the same shift hours as Kori. Dick would be doing evening runs eventually now that he was paying his way to get on Tiger’s good side.

Vixen or Mari, had a short buzz cut and was wildly given this name due to the fact that her lineage dated back to an African Queen with supernatural powers. They even thought she could read minds at one time. Turned out, she was actually just really good with animals as a kid. Drunkards would talk.

“ Jade, hon? You gonna sit already with us? I can smell how hungry you’ve gotta be.”

Jade rolled her eyes at her senior as sge shut off the stove and folded up her apron to put it onto the counter top for an item swap.

“ We’ve got a lot here. Garret?”

“ Whatever you say.” He was a passive person unless provoked about his county. He’d come to the states as a child and was lost from his mother at a young age. Going through the foster system, a few bad times and then running way, he had found himself by the water as if carried to shore. He was a tough in strength and it showed under his tight black top. “ Must I always suffer the abuse of your cruelty?”

“ Dick is a fragile flower. Unless he grows another set of pecs that don’t scream “ ballerina,” sure.” Snickered Jase to her co worker. “ You’re in charge of that part. At least then you both can secretly –

“ Enough of that, please.” Mari put up a hand. “ Jade, not before we eat. I’m never up this early as is…” Groaned the oldest.

“ Um, I could lift some weights. I’m actually not as weak as you think.” Dick scratched his cheek, seeing the group raise their eyebrows to his comment.

“ Uh….how, exactly?” Artie sniffed out.

“ In my old job as an acrobat, you needed lean muscle. See?”

DDock flexed as the lean build still was pronounced enough to nor be a hoax. “ Whoa. ..Bruce Lee's kid?? Are you his long lost son with some ed – Hollywood star??”
Cass was up and bouncing like a tween at the table. “ Omg! You never to me you worked out before coming here?”

“ Some things, nature gives us that we never forget to protect.” Grinned Garrett as he set down an assortment of cheese, pickled foods and meats and fruit for the whole group to enjoy. “Give me some bread, puleease!” Cass whined as Jade handed her a slice with some cream cheese and strawberry jam. “ That’s why your abs won’t grow big enough, Cassandra.” She warned. “ I’m being too lenient-

“ Hey.” Dick looked up at Jade as he was forced to put down his sourdough with a soured expression. “ She isn’t eye candy. What gives?”

A butter knife returned to the jar as the room became quiet.

“ Um, you…..don’t-

“ They didn’t mean –

Jade pulled back her seat abd walked. Her feet made it to the door as it slammed shut behind her.

“ You should NOT correct a senior, Aoi.” Artie shook her head and grabbed some turkey bacon from the platter.
“ Why not? We get paid to work, not to look good for no real reason.”

“ Actually….”

Cass darted her eyes as Garrett frowned at how she’d deflected the thing that would have cleared her conscience.

“ Looking “ good" is in her contract. She’s a host here and …when the time comes, she’ll need to keep her presence up. Her abs looking good is why her clients return to her. Jade is only –

“But, but that’s like –

“ Like sex work, you were gonna say?”

Dick went silent to Mari's words.

“ Don’t look too much into it. Staying healthy is all it really means. Appearances for actors are mandatory. Thank the gods you were blessed to be so pretty.” Mari smirked back. “ Thank then indeed, but looks like anything else are only a part of a sale. How we fold or handle a customer coming again regularly-

“ Like a host club.” Dick had read about those in Japan. That they were legal under the law to an extend yet a brutally competitive field to take on for extra cash.

“ In order to avoid being only eye candy, some of us do the casino and the lounge. Upstairs is a bit more…” Cass bit her lip.

“ What?” Dick turned to Mari.

“ What do they do up there? I can handle it, I was in a strip club too. Remember?”

“ H –

Mari had Cass interrupted as she spoke up. Being the oldest, this wasn’t like a basic run down shack. It had standards.

“ Up there? The wealthy go to unwind and use anyone they can for a hefty sum. The staff get paid better than we do, but the risk is all you can bare. You ever had sex before, child?”

“ I…was assaulted by my adoptive father. Will, he saved me I guess.”

“ BOTH GUYS. ARE CREEPS.” Cass gasped. “ You are so sweet to tell us all that, Dickie!! Ooh ,come here!!” She hopped over and hugged Dick with a herculean grip. He had to bat her a couple of times until she’d let go. “ Sorry! Don’t know my own strength! Haha….”

Indeed, that was….

Deadly?

“ Then, earlier. I saw Kori. She works in the Hall. Is that –
“ A den of sinners.” Garrett’s hand gripped his coffee mug as if he’d throw it gains the ground in a fit. “ She was abused in a facility that illegally wanted to harvest organs. She was saved then ran away because of her illegal status. Tiger saved her on the streets, so…”

She had sex to earn her way out of this city. Dick felt dizzily hollow as he put a hand to his brow and got up.
“ You ok, kiddo?” Artie went to help steady him as Dick shook his head. “Blood sugar maybe, just had a bad thought.”

“ We all did the first time. Your story brought tears to my eyes.” Artie patted Dick on the shouldwe as the rest grinned around him. “ What about Jade?” Dock finally had the moment to ask.

“ She just showed up one day. No real memory or even talk about her past. Said she remembered a while ago that she was looking for her kid or something.”

She had….a child?

“ Did Tiger promise her any help? Did-

“ We don’t pry over her, it’s kind of a thing.” Cass rubbed the back of her neck. “ Mari may be the oldest, but she’s not staying."

“ I have family that is waiting in Kenya for me to live side by side. Tiger has already set out the paperwork and I’m about ready to pass on the crown to a new leader after me. Jade seems to want that title more thank anything, and she should earn it well.” Mari and the rest nodded
“ What if….I coukd work with her? Get her to open up? I mean, we all did and sge has no real personality. I think.”
“ Sometimes, seeming and staying small are best for one that leads and does not follow.” Garrett said over his half drunken cup of coffee. “ She observes everyone’s actions and keeps us safe. She kept Will from coming towards you. Don’t you remember? She warned us and Tiger.”

“ She…she did that?”

“ Like a cat, she gets it.” Nodded Cass as she ripped into her bread like a carb freak.

“ She also acts like one too. Needs her space to be alone.”
Artie's last sentence had Dick to urge himself to not think that he could change how this place was dun overnight. His job was to get in, find out what Tiger was hiding and to get out as soon as he was safely a few hundred feet of this pleasure palace on earth.

Cass is sixteen going on seventeen, Dick is seventeen, jade is about eighteen, Artie is actually Nineteen, Mari is twenty three or four which is why she’s so done, Garrett is eighteen or Nineteen but looks like he’s buff as a twenty year old. Tiger is thirty sox or seven, Bruce is around the same, will is’the oldest by thirty nine.

I made them younger so they had a more steadied dynamic. Will has white hair because of his falling with the Minerva sect. Bruce is a punisher and was the reason why Kori us working as a sex worker in a high end suite. She’s actually a sleeper agent as well, while Dick is a sleeper agent with the Talon mind as his double self that he’s put in a box unless it tries to talk to him. Cass’s father had been experimented on by the BLUD organization’s old staff before they’d scrapped a super soldier project.

Her inheritance was the strength and her dad who was let go abused her out of rage, so she was forced to knock him out a vanish. She kept her name bwcause she is new and still naïve to the world in a way. She had an ex military dad. A real pain.

Jade’s past is that her father was an ex assassin without a sect and he used to train her to follow in his footsteps until she turned her back in him to join SAVE and stay in their protection program. She is actually looking for her younger sister, while she tells everyone that she had a child, not letting them know that her father has taken on her sister under the nine Cheshire as his new student.
She is aiming to take her sister back and stop her lunatic father while giving Wayne all the dirt he needs on other operations going on in San Diego's finest casino and lounge or resort.

Garett's father is still alive but hos mother isn’t. He was actually saved from his father who turbed out to be a major crime lord who took hold of port towns in Morocco and parts of West Africa. He was sent to live kn the states and only has a scattered memory of what happened due to the trauma. He learned to fight while in the children’s home while he was there until they couldn’t keep him since no one came. He was found stealing equipment to sell by Tiger who offered him a job due to his perfect build.

Artie was from a family that was nomadic in parts of the county. The were on wheels since she was a kid and has some Romani ( changing) and Greek until she found out why. Her family were outlaws because they’d scammed the people with a ( similar ti Madoka and Kyoko) story of how God would save them through the “Great Scarcity.” It had scared so many, that the funds began to pour into until they’d been channeled for fraud. Artie escaped juvie in her state at one seven years old and for some reason, ended up taking a boat all the way to a port where she was held by smugglers and SAVE was the first response. As first, tgat was good but then they found out about her parents and she fled again at age eleven.

She found a mentor in New York City and started up boxing as a result, getting so strong that her new persona won her some acclaim. She went to a tournament in California at sixteen and Tiger gave her work. She was unable to go home, until he told her she could travel and visit as long as she showed up in time to work. What Artie left out is that she was blackmailed by Tiger that he’d tell the feds about her history which is why she cannot leave.
Anyone else we’ll get to that soon enough. Find out!

Chapter Text

Light a Candle for Me

/////////////

Chapter 4: Greetings, from Lady Luck Herself!

///////////

Aoi flattered even herself as Dick hummed and swapped agendas by three p.m. Tiger had called the kid to his office to negotiate their little arrangements a bit better, and Dick was going to lay it on his daddy long legs that he was in. Or would be. He’d imagine a steep competition with Jade, who if she wasn’t a good person, could be working for two different groups that wanted Dick kept silent.

He put on his small mic so that Will could listen in on their conversation. It was a set if red lady bug earrings as Dick’s theme tonight was lady luck in red and gold. He wore a tight fitting dress, red thigh high platforms and a lady bug themed hat with a newbie boy style brim to hold for a great execution. The very was a bit extra in bronze gold and matched the earrings with had red with gold spots, and the boy’s wrists had twin sets of bangles in red as he jangled down to the elevator floor where Tiger would be waiting.

False lashes were a no, but a star on the cheek was fine with a bit of gloss. Dick had his feminine side down pat and the lithe frame he’d inherited made it undeniable proof that he could pull this off.

Though he’d hate to stain the lace boy shorts with his own stench or Tiger’s manly musk, Aoi blushed at the thought while Dick checked his compact for any white heads from the small amount of foundation that Cass had let him borrow.

The sixties vibe was in right now as Dick turned to see the door and a crack in it, only for him?

He tip toed and heard a giggle, the boy's eyes lowering as it opened woth one push. Dick found himself flying for the knob to keep from wobbling over in his tall as sin boots. Tiger was already was already eying him, medium rare.
With Jade at his side, touching the older man’s arm.
“ Oh, new outfit looks fab, doll! We had a proposal and Jade just stopped by ta see how all is. She’s a witty kitty, I know. Off, shoo.” He let her off with a wave as she purred in response. Was that…

Tiger talk.

“ Alice got lost on her way to see the queen, but the king is in for today.” Teased Jade as she smiled haughtily at their company. “ The night’s beginning in thirty more minutes. Don’t keep her too long?”

“ Never planned for that ta be a trouble, love.”

////////

He was.. confused.

“ Ah, how do I put this….Aoi, that’s you, right now?”

“ It could be.” Pouted the character sitting feet away as Tiger made his feet walk instead of sit at his desk. This was a business act, but he looked…reluctant to get started.

“ You ran away from a very powerful mob boss's kid. If I so much as-

“ I don’t belong to anyone. It’s my body, and I don’t need you to pity me. I can handle that stage and he’s just throwing a fit. I’m going to get my way, but you’re helping out. He trusts you.”

“ He also trusts I won’t lay a finger on ya around the staff ir in private.”

“ He’s not here now.” Smirked Aoi, sneakily pulling out a little bit if the man’s favorite candies. “ You like dark chocolate tortugas, wanna share a couple?”

Tiger looked at the invitation as Dick knew he was in hot water. But…he needed to do his job. “ I in turn, want that position to be your side arm secretary. No sex unless it’s willing. And believe me.”

“ You’re making rules in my office? Is that why daddy pulled the plug on your performance? And the candies are super wmsweet. Who told you which were my favorite, doll?”

“ I think….I heard it around the lunch table. Too tired to recall names.” Yawned the little starlet. “ If you’d rather I just be a sitting duck and never get any air time, I can do that. You gave me a home and I want to make things right.”

“ You gotta get that mangy animal off my back.”

“ Will?” Blinked Aoi woth a head cocked at the anxious predator.

“ He’s not so warm and fuzzy. You see it as that cause he may be crushing, but listen. He’s wild, and you shouldn’t have to go back. I could keep taking care…we could sign you as my-

“ My…?” Dick went into the box and pulled out a chocolate shaped turtle. Melting around his digits as Tiger slipped a hand over to sweeten the softest touch.

“ Yeah, you could be mine, not his but. First you gotta give me permission to chase him off. Or, could you do it?”

“ Do what?”

Dick blushed, the other hand going to trace a finger over his lips as they parted. The chocolate made its way over, their eyes still unmoving. “ You’re tell me to tell him off, or…I don’t fuck my enemies for fun you know. What do you know about me?”

The finger with the chocolate ended up being tasted as Tiger made the little princess’s legs fidget at the feeling. They left with the chocolate taken in, a swallowing gulp of light and soft chewing filling the room while Tiger stood up and went to grab a tissue. 

"Alright. You can stay here. I got one more thing you should know. If you wanna work for me, I gotta switch the job on you. How about I put you on Spa duty? A spot up in the resort. We got extra pay, maybe you can rise up in rank and we’ll get to see how easily you’ll swim fir the opportunity. Show me how well you help out our clients, and the job as my personal “best" is all yours.”

Dick’s lips formed a wide grin as he excitedly stood up to thank Tiger, no doubt making him a host to some ugly rich pigs a floor up for conditioning of the role. After all, as a secretary, he wouldn’t just be going over documents in private. No, no.

Dick had heard that many failed this role. Jade must have blackmailed or even weaseled up the ladder, since she didn’t hit the floor as much since he’d arrived. She was definitely going to beat him if Dick didn’t scoot along.

“ Question… How many other floors does your little play place have. I met a woman on the main floor who was from some place called, the Hall?”

“ You won’t be going there. Too much action. The spa is good practice. I need a good set of hands in my office and it will keep your mind off of Will until we know what he’s gonna do next. You say he’s done, but I know that piece of work. He’s worse than a gangster.” The male warned with a huffed sound. “Go get ready and by tomorrow your trial officially starts.”

( THE TOWER , HE CLIMBS. THE LEVELS , DENY. )
/////////////

~ A trial?~

“ A fricking trial! I’m in!” Dick squealed on the toilet as he made sure that he was on the lowest volume. “ If this works out, I won’t need to hide that you’re waay gone, I mean –

~ He said he is either deathly afraid of my position above him, Dick.~

“ But, he’s literally-

~ He’s tried to so this before. Do you remember the ransom by a Dent about two years ago? They found a woman who was severely burned and stuffed inside a closet in some run down location?~

“ H….y- yeah? Why are you bringing that up?” Dick had a feeling but let the man speak. It made his hairless skin bristle either way.

~ That woman had worked before being abducted at this casino. I told you. Those that work there go missing and if he’s the one, then watch what you say. Nice smear by the way. Did you get all of the chocolate from your allowance to seal that deal?~

“ What can I say? He’s a genuine sweet tooth and I made the right call. Give me a little tap on the ass, please!” Giggling, Aoi washed up as she left to start her new job as an annoyed and run around host. Her theme was lady luck and she was going to play a game that Tiger and Will had to keep watching.

“ Tonight in San di, we are going to get very lucky, folks! I’m going to visit every table and leave a clue. It could be a winning card, coin or even a note and YOU have to answer what is on the token to claim some fabulous prizes!”

The hoots and cheers were met with some whistles as Dick beamed with joy in his go go boots. “Alright! First up, the slots have four different max – output winners! Can anyone try to find a red coin with a lady bug on it? Only tonight, only for our lucky guests! All night, try your luck. Find that lady!”

///////////////

The first winner over by the poker table received a crystal shot glass set with a few hundreds and a winner's kiss on the cheek. Heck, if anyone even knew the truth? He couldn’t help but watch as his staff held in grins back.

The second wasn’t until ten as the blackjack table had a certificate to the spa upstairs for a full two hours.

Dick was starting to want a drink, but his feet wanted a swap out much sooner as they began to wrestle with the time on his wrist.

The third was at the slots corner and two winners at ten fourth five were given gift cards for a boutique that was worth quite a bundle.
Dick hummed a tune as the night raged into overdrive. One last winner. Where….?

He saw at the corner of his eye a face that looked to be Jade’s as she took off. He wanted so badly to….ugh!

“ Aoi?’

Artie had a tray in hand of special drinks that was looking very stable. Aoi chuckled and turbed back, Artie frowning but trying not to cause a scene.

///////

“ The last winner is….”

Dick pulled from hos own hat the slip to end the night as the men and women there all gathered with drinks in hand.

“ Carlos Santiago! Come on down, Carlos!”

HE was a little drunk but as giddy as ever with his arms waving as if dancing to the beat of those gold stars. “Wow, wow! Lady luck was on my side, and you can tell she’s pretty nice, am I right?”

The clapping had Dick grinning at the turn out as he handed Carlos a V.I.P pass to the top floor, where….

The Hall was.

God. He was forbidden, but why then did that make it sound so right to try and find out more?
The man was given a peck and sent on his way as Dick had lost the taste of his own tongue. Rough like a kitten's, he was spent as the cleared the room, getting the place near ready for another busy night tomorrow and afternoon.
“ You…were a hard act up there to beat."

Dick looked past the waves of his own primped scalp to see Kade looking over his with her arms crossed. “ If you wanted to know, I got promised a new spot on the floor up from here. Something about a someone quitting. That’s why I came to watch how the lower end feeds its ego. Did you have fun, Aoi?”

“ Very.” Dick frowned and sat up. “ I saw you there with him. –

“None of your business, princess.” Jade turned away, definitely covering her ass. “ I’ve known Tiger as long as everyone else, but you’ve only gotten his help as long as you have because Will is your way in. Isn’t he?”

“ Was.” Dick cracked his neck, bored with the question or simply acting that part out. “ I don’t talk or do shit or have anything to say to him anymore.”

“ Even on the shitter, Dickie?”

Dick froze up. “ I’m not talking –

“ Who was that? Your significant other? No, no. You’d be dominated by any big cock that took you. If you think you stand a chance with his, get that thought out of your slutty little skull because I know.” She hissed. “ I know you’re just some two-bit piece of ass that thinks it can walk in and steal the spotlight. Well? Tiger is watching but he’s not gonna give you the time of day. Even if you work in that office, you’ll be as dry as a damned tortoise. Slow like one, too.”

She was cruel enough that Dick squinted up at her. She was too pretty, half Vietnamese and well built to last. He was a few years apart and still growing. What if his days of the feminine kind…

Dick felt his knuckles shake. Fuck. That wasn’t the point. He had a job to do. It was his promise, not…not eating the Tiger’s face off in a swallowing contest!

“ You’d better stay down here like a good little bitch and play with your real chew toys. Leave the big toys to the professionals. Catch me, baby- cakes?’ She taunted, making Dick want to deck her right there. No one but the janitor- the camera. Damn. He refrained. From his intel, Jade was a martial arts prodigy under her asshole father.

“ Let him call you doll, or let Tiger eye you like yesterday’s steak right off the platter that nobody wanted. Just, don’t get in his pants. For me, sweetie?” She walked away swiftly, the lights going dimmer as the custodian didn’t know how to unheard what he could of that conversation. The janitor put a hand to Dick ‘s chair back as he motioned to his broom. “Dios Mio…. poor child. Don’t mess with that one. She gives us all trouble. Tell your boss tomorrow. Good night, Nino.” He sighed and got ready to finish up, leaving on one light so that Dick wouldn’t be left in the dark.

All his hard work, and Will was listening to every blurred slur he’d never speak again once her post was compromised.

///////////////////////

So, Dick is…..getting the gist and there are other floors, other levels of professions that don’t just get you paid but laid. Where though is Jade on those floors? Find out!

Chapter Text

Light a Candle For Me

////////

Chapter 15: Never Kiss and Tell – Wet’ n Wild

///////////

The next morning, Dick was nudged at nine A.M by Cass with a groan over his head. “ You got a note! Wake up! Read it! See what it says!”

After turning to his side and seeing her sweet face upon fully awakening, Dick couldn’t contain his thanks either as he tore into a hand stamped envelope with the seal of a “T" in red on the back. “ Is it a date? It looks super fancy, huh....well? Open it!”

“ Hand me a lighter.”

“ Huh?” Cass gawked and pulled from the bed. Dick looking at her flatly with a lopsided snort and smirk. “ To melt the wax? Come on.” He watched her mutter back his words in mockery as he found it silly. Not as bad as teasing Will of course. Will didn’t do sass.

She returned from Libby's room or "LiveWire's" who worked in a place she hadn’t told Dick about yet, she only was a messenger between halls at that point. Who was lil old Cassie to even " dare" to rain on Aoi's parade?

“ Is that for them?”

In the hall also, was Jade, as Cass clutched the note and stuffed it under her sleep shirt. “ No. It’s from Sio.” She shook her head. ( see?)

“ You should cut ties with that creep.” Sneered Jade as she waved off Cass's poor nature if being taken advantage of. So she’d realized that this “ Sio" had Cass wrapped around his finger like putty.

Cass returned with the small cigarette lighter as Dick took it to the other side of the room and over a bowl he’d found from a cereal run to the kitchen. The red wax dripped as Cass watched in anticipation over whether this could be “ that" letter. She’d heard of them, letters to those that were top class here at the resort. If Tiger was really serious, then Dick had made his mark in a shorter time than it had even taken Jade to advance in her status here at the casino. She was maybe about three floors up according to the rumors. Garret was actually two floors ready and Artemis chose to stay since new staff needed training here all the time.

“ What? Open –

“ Wait – ow!”

Dick let the letter fall as Cass grabbed the lighter that had nipped at Dick’s real skin, not his dolled up fake nails or anything like that. “ I’m so sorry! And you ok?”

“ Fine, get me a wash cloth. Rinse it under cold. Burn ointment is in the bag I have there.”

Maybe, for stunts? She didn’t question and ran down the hall to find the first aid under the sink and his wash cloth as well.

“ Cassie?”

The girl turned to see Artie with a hairbrush in hand. “ What’s wrong?”

“ DICK….GOT A LETTER!” Blurred out the messy haired blonde. “ He …I made him pinch his finger…on a lighter!”
That was the end of that as Artemis took over ripping the thing instead. Cass was still afraid to hurt Dick as she was told not to worry a dozen times before it sunk in. As if…stalling.

“ You’re summoned a few floors alright. The spa.” Artemis read the thing quickly, then passed it over to Dick. “ You’d better tell the boss not today though. Your finger is gonna be a problem otherwise.”

Dick’s eyes sank as those words came out. “ He…can I hold out a day though? I need this to heal up! This –

“ You wanna get a bad mark on your first day? No way. If you do, he might demote you and everyone could know about it. I don’t want you to go through with it.”

“ But , it’s just a burn –

“ HANDS work here, not people.” Artie left them with that as Cass whimpered off towards the bathroom to change, taking her cell with her.

Dick pulled out his once he was alone, shutting the door as Will’s voice came calling through. ~ Good morning, run into some earlier trouble?~

“ So…um, burned my thumb and l...got invited a new floor up. Said they’d demote me if they see it. The time in the letter said two. We have time. Can y –

~ The serum you can drink. I’ll send it with a person or a drone if you so prefer?~

“ I’d kiss you id I didn’t think you’d fall for me. I owe you. An....no side effects, right?”

~ You might need to eat something for the acid, unless you’drather sleep it off and use a topical version of the stuff instead?~

“ That would be longer. No. I…I need two p.m.”

~ Topical; has less side effects. Did I mention your stomach might suffer? I’ll send it by around ten so be ready to greet the carrier.~

“ Wait! How will I identify-

~ They’re not exactly hard to spot. You might even have a chat to have things se, natural. She comes and goes outside of the building you’re in. I think, Libby, was whom that ditz of a roomie called her?~

/////////////

Dick had a feeling that by brunch, he’d be eaten alive in the kitchen. No one however as there, save for one moody teen who wore light blue, black and had a beanie cap on in near July. “ Hi….?” Dick took his meal to the table, seeing as he had to be on this floor to find if Libby would talk.

This wasn’t her, right?

She had black eye liner, a Mohawk buzzed to the side and a set of black lipstick over a lighter complexion that blended with olive and gold even.

“ Hey. You’re Aoi, right?”

Dick looked down as her eyes motioned to her other hand. “ Take it. I wanna be left alone.”

Dick waoted until his meal was done as he went back to his room and checked the bottle. “ Serum quan…I guess, topical. He cares so much. One drop is….two hours?”

Black market healing cream made from this man’s fortified plasma. Right. Metas were a nasty bunch with red tape, so Dick bit his lip and wrapped up his finger before putting on lace gloves, a dress with a bit of lift to it and a summertime set of heels. A sun hat never hurt as he made sure to dust his cheeks with glitter and his shoulders. He was already gaining a good ounce of gold yet his family’s side had a lighter health die to his mixed DNA. The Romani were not all of one thing, yet Czech and Hungary, a bit of British. He felt bronze under those lights at least!

“ I’m gonna get a real tan this year. Has to be a damned pool. “

He muttered, then double checked the label.

Drowsiness may….

Dick cussed as he plopped onto his sheet and groaned.

“ Will, you fucker….” He set his alarm for one hour, hoping by then that whatever this marvelous stuff was, it didn’t make his face blow up or his kidneys explode. He laid down his head and dreamed for a short while.

By one thirty, his eyes had fluttered back to life. He zipped over to the bathroom with his hair brush, lip gloss and his do as well as the wrapping now coming off to show….

It was gone!

“ Ah….I gave it my all, now what-

“ Shit!” Dick cussed at the time. “ Almost two. I’m gonna need to rush it.”

//////////////

The workout to the floor had Dick swapping out his heels to a peep toed lace up boot as he held the heels in his small summertime tote for the rest of the day. It was tall enough to fold this disaster into as he gripped the knob and turbed it. “ Fifty – five. Sorry –

“ Ah.” Tiger turbed with a glass of scotch in hand, eyeing his beauty in the flesh. “ You made it five before, prompt. Ain’t ya, kiddo?”

“ I was once someone that never missed a rehearsal. Dressed or undressed.” He teased with a smirk. “ Now, you said that you’d look at my grades and tell me; did I do avoid job yesterday night?”

“ You?” Grinned the thug as he pointed by his gaze at the fact he was a little light on his feet. “ You, are a star. I can have tou double time the floor if I had a shot to give you the credit- I would do it. Your name, in lights! But, we had a request from the mug that won your contest, my dear.”

“ Oh? Which one, the V.I.P –

“ The spa, and their big request was to have you up there with em.”

Dick took a step back. “ I…we talked about my choices.”

“ It’s all professionals!” Reminded the slug with his drink glass clinking. “ I told em, your time is important and that he isn’t that kind of man, we hope. He assured that all he wanted as a massage from lady luck. Nothing else. Uf you do that, I can upgrade your suite. Have that and we had a good idea going. The online boutique the resort set up sells some swanky ass shit. Your clothing ,I mean? You could make a few pieces to sell at high marks. I’d give you thirty percent of everything you make –

“ Fourty – five. If, that’s ok?”

“ Oh, negotiates too?” Slyly grinned the slug to the bird. “ I like you today, so fresh as a daisy and looking super hot too. You never disappoint, sweetie.”

“ Please, about the soap? Is it only one day?”

“ It would be on occasion if he likes how you handle the situation. And a guest is important if they can pay their way. He’s a senator in the house who’s got tons to throw at us. We can’t give him anything less than perfect. Alright, doll?”

Dick nodded. “ I’m going in as Aoi. He has no idea and I can keep my identity there safe?”

“ Of course. I think Garret runs with the towels up there and the spa staff. He’s good in the water; you should see him swim around-

“ Speaking… “ Dick wound a finger to twist it in thought. “ I think, I’m going to wany a light color on these cheeks of mine.”

“ Tiger gulped hos drink down the wrong way as Dick his a small smile behind a gasp. “ Sorry! I meant, Will had a private home pool. I barely got to go in it…I was hoping –

“ I can do you one better! If you get this right on the money, hun. You and the gals, staff can all go down to the pier where you can stay out for the entire day. This Thursday.”

“ Really??”Dick grinned as he went up to the tiger, his act working wonders. Get what he wanted, check. Have what he needed to expose this mastermind as a body snatcher? Double check!

“ Oh, that would be so great! Thank, you! That means Cass and the my team? What about –

“ Jade?”

“ No, actually….her name is Kori, I think. Could you pass on the invite, I don’t know her number.”

“ Let me.” Tiger took out his phone as Dick bounced around, long enough for his lace underwear to have Tiger flisyer on cue. “ Oops! Uou didn’t have to see that. So unprofessional!” Laughed the kid as Tiger chuckled along, not thinking the exact same at all.

“ You’re doing fine, doll. Better than you realize. She’ll be contacting you by later tomorrow. You’ve got time so if you do one thing off, it just docks the pay. No big deal. I’d never dely you a little bit of paradise.”

Oh, no…stakes? Dick felt a bit weird that he had a sugar daddy if he stuck along too soon. “ Time’s up!” Tiger finally broke off the staring contest between them. “ Go get into your uniform there and the staff will notify when you’ve arrived. The man of the hour will be in by four, so really excited to see lady luck in all white.”

That meant something, as Dick thanked his benefactor despite the leering acts and his skin being about ready to peel off of his body.

Dock shut the door as he was encouraged to take the elevator up and was handed a small pin to put onto his dress. “ This will get you into the “ Oasis.”

The staff whispered before giving him a signal as a “good luck” one.

Oasis …so, a massage parlor that probably had other services. Dick frowned. He was only doing amazing rub, no tugging involved as this place snarled long enough that he’d need blinders the next time he was summoned here.

/////////

Garret met Dick within the white marble hall with the largest fountain baths of Roman interest that he’d ever seen!

The carved workings and moldings littered the Oasis top to bottom as this, must have cost a future of gold coins to build…

“ Hi!”

Dick turned to see a red headed kid with freckles coming up to him. He wore light sea green scrubs and had a few rolled towels in both his hands. “ Gary told me to take you to the dressing areas. Come on. You can’t work here in heels, idiot.”

Grinning nervously, Dick thought he looked so very….plain, was it?

Light blue was given for Dick to try on yet it was tighter, his panties sticking in place as he made sure to wear an A cup for support and to create the allure of his androgynous self even further than usually done.

“ You’re really much flatter in person.” The dummy ginger pushed past the dressing room's curtain as Dick put his hands over his chest. “ Do you mind?”

“ Humm…you sure?”

“ I wear a push up.” Falsely admitted Dick, as he wore silicone like a pro. Damn, this amateur! “ So, what?”

“ Name’s Wallace. Everyone here calls me “ Walls.”

Dick frowned. “ Charmed. I have work to do, so…?”

“ OH!” Wally slapped his own forehead and let the curtain flap back into place. His silhouette was way too close as Dick cleaned his throat until the dummy got the picture. ( Wally is younger and I won’t tell you his story yet.)

“ Right. I’m like just a fifties - hospital staff here.”
Grumbled Dick as he got right into the whole, tight blue dress. It fit, sure, though it looked too professionally put together.

“ One final touch.” He didn’t take off the gloves as Dick let his lace hands suffer to not show off the burn. If it was gone, it could though knowing Will, be a temporary save. Just in case.

//////////////

“ Wowwy -wowzay!” Walls's jaw fell as Garret and one more, Shara, a middle eastern American twenty-year-old shooed away those onlookers quickly. “ Aoi? You were the one he called up? Oh, okay, so listen. This guy is a bit of a big deal. He keeps the permission of ours to use this much water, legal.”

“ OH.” Dick put a gloved hand over his mouth. “ That…no one said –

“ Senator?” Shara raised a brow, her dark curls in her face - impatience wrought upon them. “ He told you that much. This place is full of eco – waste but we have to be one their good side to get a job at all. So, don’t screw this up. We can cover a few wrong pulls but I’ll be showing you for two hours how it’s not done. Got it?”

“ She means well-

“ Shut up, Garret.” Shara snapped. “ Look, Aoi is considered a perfect shiny princess om the easy level, but this is an intermediate business, so try and keep up?
Okay?”

“ I won’t let you down.” Dick relented, seeing her eyes change as a hand came out with one palm curled in question.

“ Good, first off? No gloves. Hand em over.”

//////////////
Horny teen Wally and Dick literally can’t tell him off yet.
Garret is dominated by his elder staff Shara who is actually on the side you’d not think.

Cass actually purposely burned Dick to stop him from going, but why?

Jade was pissed because if Dick gets a higher rank, the bat will eat her for breakfast.

Dick has a crush on Kori. Obviously.

Tiger is either faking his flirting with Dick or actually has a crush. Why else would he not punish the kid? Go find out.
Will is super nice but tricky and didn’t tell Dick that by tomorrow, the burn will be back . As long as he’s not asked to stay until closing!

Dick is a diva and vain as his cover, so a tan would also help for his undercover appeal to avoid the Court and S.A.V.E.

He also likes to look amazing.

Dick isn’t afraid of wearing bras and the like because he’s aware of how to use them to his advantage. Gloves are a staple of his charm, yet what does he have against touching a body? Trauma.

His other side didn’t pop out. Noticed? Artie is like the older sister to the teams below, while Shara is the same but has a rougher appearance and approach. Wait until she teaches Dick how to do a Swedish massage! Haah.
Cass's Sio is a big clue, and he likes to keep tabs on his smaller assets. Jade is also watching, and later….?
Find out! The fur will fly!

Chapter Text

Light a Candle For Me

////////////////

Chapter 16: Midas Touch

////////////

Dick’s first lesson within the Oasis spa was to never drop your form or what you were doing or acting on; peeling off a mask had become commonplace within the building, the job however was not the first one Dick had done in order to keep a smile and appear cheerful to hopeless strangers in need of some comforts.

Shara at times would readjust his grip, push him out of the way of a relaxing form of one “ subject" as well as point to points on the back, arms and feet where the pressure was best noticed.

“ Okay, you’re done.” She pulled off of the person they’d been working with as this younger blonde college drop out rolled her hardened shoulders and sat upright on the table. “ Am I good , Shar?”

“ Go, Mel. I’m here with Aoi.” She shooed the kid off as Dick was tugged with a curled digit to stand beside the older worker. “ You’re going to have to memorize a lot more. I saw that grip. Have you done this? Tiger never said he’d send an ametuer, so you must be pretty aware of the human body…”

“ I, had some practice bit massages were not a special gift or anything.”

“ Your hands, though. Not flawed, I see…” She saw the now healed calluses of the old Grayson as her eyes scanned over his arms, toned down and less defined despite having held some bulk once. His face was now more narrow, naïve but awake to what he was doing here.

“ You’ve done it. I can read your body.”

“ I used to have, my character entice and get drinks for me. My body was …into dressing up and…” Dick stopped, not knowing why he couldn’t just tell her. “ I used to strip. For a living when, when I left my old life behind.”

“ Explains less the calluses.” She wondered. “ Did you do the high bar….ah, never mind. I had a cousin in grade school that excelled in gymnastics.”

“ Oh.” He acted mildly impressed as she had to hum a bit by his posture. “ Maybe, the stripper pole. I’m not sure-
“ It’s already starting to fade so I doubt that.” Shara pointed out the fading lines against his flesh as Dick curled up his hands, hiding the past despite having adored who he was now. To a point.

“ Even so, I don’t know why Tiger keeps you as so exclusive. We may just have to work you a bit harder to find out.” Her small smirk had Dick wondering if this was all a part of Tiger’s test.

“ Alright. One hour. Go eat, wipe off the sweat and come back by six to see your client.”

“ What about the introduction-

“ I can tell you’re going to be a natural.” Smiled Shara as she turbed to leave and do herself some good by washing her own palms off. “ Remember. Come right back; you’re to remain for four hours until the section is closed off for clearing and cleaning up. I expect you to behave , and if you should be one second off?”

“ I won’t be.” Dick thanked Shara as he saw it was after four. He had less time as is as he sped off to find his clothing and got ready to locate the mess hall on the lower level.

“ You wanna eat in our wing, dude- ah, ette?” Wally popped around the corner lightning fast. Dock barely had time to open his jaw as Wally instead dragged Dick to the locker rooms and went in to return him the items he had stashed inside an oversized summer tote bag. “ Let’s go.”

“ Wait, Wa…Wallace, I’m not even dressed –

“ You can just wear the same stuff. The dress is practically rubber on glue.” He tugged at the fabric as the smudged remained impossible to spot. “ I’m a professional, so no thanks.” Dick snatched up his bag and stuck up his nose, going directly for the lockers, all while Wally scratched his head and shook his ginger skull at the other male's attitude. “ What’s up with him?” He muttered to himself, waiting on Dick to stop playing dress up and to head off to the better food of the tiers in this building.

Only seconded by floor two, seven and five. Seven , as in the sins of this place.

Gluttony wasn’t here yet Dick later had been told that some floors fulfilled a kink that could represent that same desire perfectly.

Lust was where Kori was at near midnight.

Envy….was, that had to be competitive, something to do with anger, right?

Greed was his floor, the gaming den.

This had to either be sloth or something else entirely.
Wrath could do with punishing the staff, someplace in this building?

And pride ….was that, that could be ownership. It had to be Tiger’s adoration for his “ dolls.”

Dick seriously had no desire to convert anytime soon. The Romani way was different from the teachings traditionally used in nations where he’d been exposed to the religious views of others. Here in the states, it didn’t seem to apply in the same manner. Such was Wayne, who had a devout area that bordered on pathetic.

Pulling himself through the draped-up doorway, there was a cluster of seated workers, a pool table, a dart board pinned up, a fridge, sink and stove as well as a microwave on the same floor. A few workers were on their phones or on break chatting and eating or remaining silent. Dick saw the silence clearly when he’d walked in the door. Was this, envy in their eyes?

“ We have a vending machine for snacks, and if you have things to eat into tonight’s shift, a fully stocked…” Wally sped over, ignoring the stares of a few patrons, including a pink haired, almost grey – skinned woman who was slim as a dancer. “ Can you not be so loud, “ tez pair?” Her accent, of the grey girl sounded south Asian as se pulled out a book titled “ Divine intervention in the modern era,” a title that layer would impact Dick greatly, as Dick waited for Wally to get a clue and apologize. “ Sorry, Aline.” ( Aline Haden I read is her comic name.) Wally rubbed his neck and shifted to seem smaller.

“ You’d better not mess up this me time I have before my client’s foot massage. Tubs need filling and I need a drink.” She signed a “ bird" left the table and muttered to herself as Aline left the room in a bad mood.
“ Sprry, that’s my soon to be beu, Allie.” Grinned Wally . Frowning at the seat, Dick took it upon himself to sit down while Wally went to the freezer to pull out a popsicle.
The others by their meals snickered as rumors had spread of Dick’s dangerous side.

“ What flavor is that?”

“ Some cherry, artificial. All they put.”

“May I get a cup for it, if you’ve got?”

Dick’s question had the voices stop.

“ Super prude alert.” Wally chuckled and handed Dick a plastic cup from the cabinet and the artificial poison to cool him down. “ In the future, if I get a shot here, I’m bringing a home cooked meal.” Dick laughed as he bit of the tip of the treat, not recalling his teeth would not like hitting hard wood as the stick made his jaw jump back. Wally laughed at the face Dick made while Dick made sure to clean up. “ Is it dirty?”

“ I think he’ll last maybe, an hour before –

“ Dude!” Wally gasped. “ Crap, crap! Here.” He didn’t wait as Dick was forced to have Wally steal his apron, dragging it to a place out those doors, while Aline had her book half opened as he ran, watching that damned idiot play the pining pooch again.

This boy, was taking a lot of attention up. Hopefully, Shara would quiet this. She walked off with a humph as Dick groaned into his hand, wondering if he should stay and check the fridge for anything else to eat that wasn’t marked or wouldn’t spill on his uniform.

//////////

In less than fifty minutes, Wally was back as Dick had been leaning over his wrist. Another staff member “ Chloe" had taken pity and had offered a hand made trail mix with a few slices of turkey. She glared up at Wally from beside Dick as her finger went up. “ Can you explain this, moron?”

“ Yes and….maybe….? He got it dirty-

“ You left a goddammit newbie without supervision.”
“ Fuck….!” Wally stomped his foot as Chloe rolled her bright blue eyes. “ Don’t listen to him. He’s a bit aloof at times. Anyway, you’re Lady Luck!”

“ Ah, who?” Dick didn’t know that this place has flies in every corridor, and one weasel had gracelessly tackled telling every employee up to the last floor about the show down on the first. Tiger could be one thing, but he didn’t snitch that well.

“ You, and you dress up here too? Shara must have made it difficult on your first day up the ladder. Oh! Is he on shift soon?”

“ I was washing it. See? I’m not a creep!” Wally showed the ro Dick’s apron and cover, as his dress was as all high necked, a cross over in a hi – fang style that made him look far too docile to be left alone. His dark hair and blue eyes now had many of the staff talking behind the boy’s back. Aoi was a hit, yet this floor had to be envy, not sloth. The dining hall, maybe.

“ Hand it here, he’s got to go back. Don’t let Shara keep you down. You’ve got a lot a luck.” Assuring as a parent on a child’s first day at a new school, Dick nodded and went to clean up and get himself outfitted.

//////////

Tonight, was a show of capable angles and hands as Jade’s little trick in Tiger’s office picked up a video chat he’d started with a voice modulated individual. She was able to get a good i.d of the man as her eyes narrowed to painful arches.

“ You…..pig!”

“ Jade?”

The woman turned as she pulled her device to her lap with her change of clothing for the Risk V.S reward floor. Ut was a round or more of those they were searching for. Gladiator duals, and he would be there while nimble fingers took the flesh of another traitor to heaven in the Oasis.

~ Do you know how to activate his trigger?~

Trigger? That…

“ Jade! I need the toilet!”

Cassie was banging at her wall as Jade’s one reason was to find her sister, who’s name wasn’t listed on the trafficked teens being taken through the railroad of brothel owning scumbags.

Skull, or what was her deal?? She wanted to tell Cass that Sio, her BF…-

“ I need to pee!! Come on!!”

“ ONE SECOND!” Jade barked as she held the knob in hand.

“ Go, go!! Get out, thanks!” Cass shoved Jade out of the way as sge zipped in with a black set if fishnet and a tube ruffled dress for some sequin inspired drama. How would they do without their leading lady, that Lucky Dickie?

It wouldn’t matter as Jade went someplace more private to get her ears cleared of squeaking prom queens and unstable mangers with baby – daddy issues.

“ I hope they make him do a rub down. That might shock you little princess. This place isn’t really nice and clean the higher you go…”

Her words, all but muttered, she even believed it herself.
She believed with all if her steely heart iced over, that love was a construct and it could be manipulated at will. By people who didn’t know love, that didn’t know family or good will. Only the airy temptation that was the sins of the flesh, gold and debauchery beyond mortal conception.

////////////

Jade’s ears listened , as did the file sent to S.A.V.E. Here, the call thrown to Barbie G, or Gordon's kid for titles, let her eyes scan over the data before she had her finger over the mouse.

“ And….hope he sees some improving his mood! B, you’ll like this….our own got the dirt that Sionas is inside the lounge tonight, he’s also visiting the Rooftop Hideaway. The one we’ve been after for close to four months.” She noted down that Jade was closer to Tiger than even the other rescue they were looking to catch. A fledgling out of the strip joints, Richard Grayson. Also, a connection to The Bat here at S.A.V.E as she clicked and typed away a report to her head of department.

“ I’m so getting promoted we get those kids freed. Yikes…that is….-

~ The set is all there? What about those twins I wanted? The ones with some strange link? The owls were expressing their utmost thank you from my last drop off...and speaking of birds –

~ None, here. I saw maybe two fly before we roped em in I do think though that your mole needs to be less of a waste of the eyes. Why did you send the brat?~

~ Cool it, Tiger. Cassie is my ear on the ceiling to this whole operation she even said, we may have an agent snooping around. As far as birds go, you see one Twitter my way? Shoot it down, cage it. Maybe we might get to meet before it gets cooked.~

Cannibal. Roman Sionas; the most brutal mutilator of bodies and chastised teen runaways since the serial abductor of 85 Main. Barbie looked at the file, then took her headphones off. “ I’m gonna, go get lunch….shit. I hope Jade gets out alright…” She left her desk and set her watch to a time to return. Today was bagel day and by damned if they replaced her blueberry with plain to keep it busy around here.

////////////////////

Dick was a bit more nervous now that this didn’t feel like his usual calm environment- the slots, the music and smoke lounge. That was replaced by curtains and the sound of running water, aromatic scents from far away fantasy lands- all of it, felt like the first time he’d ridden Will to make it here, to California.

“ HANDS are for washing, rubbing and pulling skin, but for this little exercise? You can’t be too afraid to see a human in their own skin, away from the mask.” Shara led Dick as Aoi to a room that was given a real dreamy appeal. Music waited to coax you into a big state of bliss. Water to one side, a table to the other. “You’ll be wearing….”

She pulled over to the hidden compartment by a pool shower head the strings of bikini and the top, well.

It was cut for boys to wear.

“ I told him and he said as long as you look this way, you’re still getting the job. You can charm a room, my friend, so?”

She grinned and showed him the table, her mood far brighter than around others. Richard noted the aroma and was able to discern a more illegal toxic essence.

Something to keep you like a rag doll, but not so. He was more than agitated as Shara showed Dick the table. “ He’s going to be directed here and I’m having my gals stand guard to aler-

“ Why? Is this –

“ He’s in a big area of government and we need this.” She shushed the teen. “ You’ll be totally fine. The guy is just a giggly thing. I know his type.” Her devious gaze at the door told Dick tgat there guest would be arriving. The rock pool and the table stayed in his memory as Dick was pulled to stand and go change behind the shower door. “ No sex…” He sighed out very softly. “ Not again, I’m a professional ..”

~ Aoi wouldn’t hesitate though.~

That dark side was shooed as Dick moved within the bikini, trimmed and shaven as he’d realized was important for his model status. He had very little due to a genetic issue , yet this came in handy.

“ May we present to you, Lady Luck!” Shara smiled as Dick clutched his hands to his front together, seemingly as docile as a lamb about to be killed and carved.
The man wore a towel and a peeling of swim trunks hung over his shoulder. He wasn’t as fat as in that suit, so Dick knew he wouldn’t be more that 209 pounds at best glance.

“ Ah, so you’ve won the package and you get to stay with our dear sister! Noted; we do not disclose or allow anything that is not listed in the fine print.” She went on as the male government official nodded, talking to Shara once she’d allowed him a second to debate her concerns.
“ Are we ready then to get started? Aoi? Show our guest ti the pool. You can ready the table with me so he’s not forced to wait on anyone.”

“ Yes, of course.” Aoi was soft voiced, docile and could be a quick wit like with Tiger. She wanted to do this right, get that beach day, get the perks and find out about the men who had framed Bruce.

Made him into a freak overnight.

The adult make watched from his poolside before drifting off, Shara moving over as sge coaxed Aoi to follow her into the water. She disrobe to have a suit on as well, a two pieced banded, while Dick had on a cold shoulder and boy shorts that hugged his still under – the - line – for - his - age, ass.

It felt dead wrong, all of it. This was a service and they were washing the guy like in those sorts of hot springs. No one spoke, so it was purely a treatment as the man’s back was only done. After about thirty minutes, he was tugged by Shara as she told Dick by her eyes to have the man shower off and dry. He did this without complaint as Dick was feeling his fingers itch by so much contact. This man was almost if not older than Will. The red flags dropped as he was whisked over to the table while Shara had Aoi help her get the man to lay on it. His face in the hole, the foam supporting even a man this wide, Aoi went to wipe her grow, yet Shara reached out and gripped the teen’s arm with a stern shake of her head.

“ Don’t.” She hissed.

“ Sorry, should I lay flat, like this?” His towel almost shifted as Shara expertly put it back in place, Aoi turning a pretty peach, despite having seen one much bigger and misshapen before at the club.

“ Don’t worry, we are doing this for you. Lay back, like the front. Ok….now, Lady Luck will be ready soon.”

Shara again, pulled Dick over to whisper into his ear. “ Do what I do. But better.”

Dick stood back as Shara climbed onto the table and let herself partly drape over the mam, her ass in her suit not looking the least bit offensive to anyone.

“ We’ll start with your back. Your favorite spot, am I wrong?” Her husky timbre even had Aoi shiver as she mentally took notes. This. Was wrong.

////////////

Feet, scalp, arms and under, the glutes couldn’t have been a worse enough trial as Shara gave Aoi all the time they ’d need to present themselves as a pro.

All f those fibers if flesh, misshapen or poorly handled muscle thus man had wasted in himself. The sea of sweat, dependent on the elastic band that was a pulling motion., as a cat to its bedding or a dog to its crate and blankets upon rest.

This mam, was in love with this room by now, Aoi simply breathed, staying soft, then deep in her pressure. The last part after one hour and fifty minutes was to smooth out the tone, topping it with a few chops, pressed of the gut, as Aoi climbed onto the table, cock held in by their shorts.

“ Oh….Lucky. ….so, lucky…” Moaned the man, his arms going up as Shara had a fine line over her lips. She was there, processing as Aoi finished lastly with a face massage, patting the man’s cheek and climbing off with legs of a stork. Still upon landing, the deed was over. ( This is my damned interpretation of a massage by this sort of thing. I do not condone the illegal practices so please, let this be a reason to protect workers not exploit.)
Dick’s hands were vibrating and raw by the time he was dismissed. The man was given a towel, a peck by Shara as she had her girls lead him out in their two pieced similar white bandeaus.

Dick stated frozen as he took in a breath, Shara turning with her eyes on the pool, then the table. “ Clear it, Dari, Shane.” She pointed to the two women as they’d returned quickly on their small legs. “ Aoi? You’ll be with us a moment more. We have a call to complete.”

////////////////

It was….and wasn’t. Was he doing that again?

“ Tiger, this is the Oasis’s main supervisor. Shara? I have your princess here. She’s passed.”

There was a pause as through the call on the side wall phone , a crackle turned into a chuckle of joy and relief from the old dog. ~ I knew she could. Send her back to her floor, let her clan up if she wants. You’ve earned your first gold star. You got two floors now. Use em well.~

“ Th- thank you, Tiger! I had a brand-new experience, a lot different than wearing a dress in the casino hall.” Dick pierced on a smile as most of the staff had swapped to have some very cookie cutter women and men coming in, stark faced and resting. This had to be the cover Will was talking about. Brainwashed, definitely.

~ Keep that up and oh! Tell Shara about your outfits. We got a catwalk and boutique for the dolls that come here, so thought they’d like to give a service to her. She’s very talented.~

“ You give me too much praise, sir. Shara was a wonderful teacher.” Dick felt his mouth fill with cotton candy as Shara didn’t acknowledge the buttering of her boss. She’d straighten that out soon.

“ We’ll send Richard back soon, it’s late enough. By tomorrow, they’re yours again, Tiger. Good evening.”

~ Stay to clean up then get some rest, Shar.~ Tiger purred, seeing that the dynamic wasn’t so sweet. ~ Have a great rest of yer night. Heading in.~

The call died as Shara glared unexpectedly at Dick.

“ You’re playing into his bullshit. Cut the crap. You said you used to sit on laps? Stroke cocks?” She snorted. “That is one cock you should put a red line across, sweetie. He’s going to eat every last inch until you get the full picture. Get out of my sight, and be thankful that Garret will see you out.”

//////////////////

Chapter Text

Light a Candle for Me

////////////////

Chapter 17: Shortcomings

////////////

Dick pulled out of his room that night and slipped into the bathroom. Cass was not back yet, stating her “boo - boo" Sio had invited her to stay the night at his rooftop penthouse.

An up and coming artist with money….

Dick shook his hair free of sweat, horribly disconcerted in how his hands still tingled. It was kid's play, he…he knew that.

But that man had looked at him, had seen only her.

Aoi.

Stripping off his clothing and finding a shower right there, he took the liberty of doing more for his body than Shara had been kind enough to allow. Had he really made her mad at him? Who knew? Everyone?? He sat on a couple guys and got them drinks, so what? He never, Will was the only man or of men in that club that could have told him something so…

Dick shoved his clothing over his face and muffled a load groan, almost screaming into it. Shara was what? Little miss perfect? Aoi –

~ We up- staged her, that’s all.~

Dick turned to the mirror by the sink as a face eyed him back orange glowing eyes, dark hair diwn to her shoulders, and skin as light as downy feathers. Feathered was her dress, of a dark dark brown and black. ~ Are you even aware of what our real purpose was? You could rule this entire sin – den if I allowed it. Or…if you let me come out and show them –

“ Hello?”

Dick turned with a gasp to the door.

“ It’s three a.m.….who the hell is in there?”

Dick turbed to see the feathered temptress fading out, his heart caught in a sad place as the door finally opened to show Dick, a bit worn on the eyes as Artie took him to hug the poor dear out of whatever they’d been through.

“ What’s wrong? You’re not…”

The water was running in the shower as he was let go to shut it off. “ It….I don’t know how far I went….I pushed myself, like always.”

“ We’ll talk to Tiger tomorrow. I’ll go with.” Artie pursed her brow as she looked on the floor at the dress Dick had worked on while living with that scumbag, Will “ You don’t have one, here?” She asked, rubbing her chin a moment.

“ A what?”

“ A sewing station, a machine. You need to take a break when you get like this. It’s not a first getting exposed to the other floors. I failed the fine dining floor miserably.”
Dick looked at Artie, trying to imagine her in a hat too tall and with her spatula as a whip against her underling staff. He suddenly had to choke back a laugh, Artie joining in while not waking the others. “ Do you still need to rinse off? I’ll stand guard.”

“ Sure. I want do too much night prep. Tomorrow is a day off, right?”

“ Monday is a slow day, so yeah.” Sighed Artie as she took hold of the knob. “ Good in here now?”

“ Yup, I’m back to my sleepy – eyed old self.” Dick grinned as she smiled in reply. “ Good, then wash up and come to your side of the hall. You got jams?”

“ In my bag.” Dick nodded, keeping the towel around his waist.

“ I’ll give you that privacy now.” She nodded and shut the door as Dick went to turn on the shower, his skin light with sleep and fatigue. The rinse a perfect way to drown in what would be a well rested tomorrow.

//////////////////////

Dick didn’t hear his buzzing cell going off as a knock at his door made all the difference. He’d not thought much about it, yet it was locked. Everyone thought Cass would be going right to her other shift at the pier.

There was a restaurant she helped out at to get free drink cards. The more you went, the fatter your chances of getting a Mama – cita – Margherita on a Friday.

The pier was well to do, minding the odd ball fishermen that told old tales to scare tourists. Dick was unaware of the call, though Cass found a key in her pocket and undid the locked to yell at the sleeping midday lump that was Richard Grayson.

“ HEEEY!! SURF'S UP!!”

Dick yelled, yapping as he tumbled off his bed, tangled in sheets and his boxers had pulled down, mooning the poor blonde.

“ Sorry! Y –

“ You….you….really are an ass!!” She growled out as he ducked and went for a pillow to barricade himself. She walked across the room and dug through his bag, tugging out the phone and shoving it into Dick’s frozen hands.

“ Keep this here from now on. We’re all waiting.”

“ Wait…ing –

“ Ah! The beach ?? Today??”

“ Yu- huh. At least I asked to push our vacation up a week. You get a chance again next two weeks. Do you have a suit?”

Dick recalled he’ nearly finished one at Will’s yet that dream was dead.

“ You don’t? Ok, same…as….as Jade.”

Dick blinked. “ Wanna cross dress or trunks it? Tell Mama – Cass.”

Dick bit his lip. “ Ah….today, I want to be present, so trunks are fine.”

Cass frowned and picked out her cell, hitting some buttons quickly. “ Yes, Gar? Grab one of his. Uh – huh. I know I lost the bet! Dude….ugh! Just be downstairs before up. Yup, thanks.”

She shut the call off as Dick stared back, perplexed.
“ The spa has extras. You’re on loan and Tiger wants you in his office when we get back tonight. He said you’re impressive, and he wanted to see your “ ideas?”

“ Ah, the boutique. Right.” Slapping his forehead, he’d forgotten about that. “I…I don’t.” Dick regarded his sacred space, how it was still waiting hopefully once he was back with Will, telling him a few nears or fars of the plot going on in these walls.

“ Look , how is your…you know?” Cass pointed to his finger as Dick looked it over. “ Fine. Fine, I….I healed quickly. The suds must be magic. Or I slept-

“ You’re not immortal, are you?”

Dick quickly shook his head. “ No, what? Imm- why would I be getting into the safe zone then? I’m fine, Cass.” He smiled as she frowned over how late he was making them both. “ Go get washed up. Garret has the goods so you can change on the beach. I’m keeping my eye on you, newbie.”

“ I’m not new!” Dick groaned. “ Cass, relax. I’m just a bit tired, that’s all.”

“ So are the test of us, but you acted like you were up. And you’re holding a towel. See?”

Dick’s discarded towel for his hair was still by the pillow. Messily left overnight to sip into his sheets.

“ Laurie’s got that. Go. Get you’re ass decent and Garret has your trunks, so boring! I am so seeing you in a thing next time. It’s gotta be an origin, for your Lady Luck.” She chuckled at him as Dick rolled his eyes, waving her out while he collected his beach wear. He’d gotten shorts in the bag, a tank and a sun hat that screamed “ afraid of tans.”

He would not stick out, not at least today…

~ You wanted to wear that little creation too. Maybe Will can send a drone to deliver it?~

Dick ignored the voice in his head as she, this figment that was supposed to be a more androgynous minx in his skin, littered his mind with questions of self worth. Of acceptance, and of his past.

He remembered a flock of them, swift and without sound.
And then, a great , big bat.

////////////////////////

People looked not at Dick, that to his strong wish was granted for their guest, Kori. Her favorite spot was opened back up by a cliff that stretched a bit further out, closer to a spot where the stars were much farther away at night. She and Dick got along so well in fact, that Jade only stood back, permitting this play acting while Cass, Garret, Wally, Artemis, Mari, Aline, and one supervisor- a tactics used as if they were teen celebs and adults out and about San Diego without protective cover ups.

Jade stared through her shades at the water, a hand to her ear as she softly told her staff at S.A.V.E that her belief was that no one could be trusted. “ Wally sort of showed up. Is he ours? Do you know?”

~ Can’t reveal anything unless you break him first, kid. If any, you need to watch the others. Garret may be a B.L.U.D spy. I know Kori is being blackmailed to stay here. She looks…~

Jimmy Olsen brought his face closer to the camera screen. “ Dunno exactly, but keep her pegged maybe. Bats is well, kinda on his own with the Wilson case load. He said he’s nearly cracked it so far.”

~ How far, and what about this “ Will” fellow and the boy- lucky?~ Jade flicked her eyes to Dick as he sat in the sand while Kori tried to make her sand castle. The water kept coming in, drawing them closer and closer together. Both had smiles and drew in the same energy of the sun as Jade wondered how her partner was holding up on his mission to locate her sister's keeper.

“They may not have her, but many are in this building and Tiger is just the middleman for a much more competent creep running this circus.”

~ What about that Aoi, person? She can get pretty down deep into his pants for us? Ever think of timing it to team up?~

Jade let her mouth curl into a grin. “ Jimmy, you’ve earned yourself my thanks once I’m back at the base. It’s perfect timing any sooner than today. I’ll mentor that kid, make her see the truth and use what I can. Aoi will work for us, because it might be the right way to go…”

///////////

“ Ball’s to you, Dick!”

Dick didn’t see it coming until he turned, earning a fist into the beach ball as it made a horrid sound. Dick stumbled back on gamily legs as his eyes went doubled, his flurries memories rewriting themselves as he saw masked men with tubes and wires all around. ~ Can it defend itself?~

~ That it must, right? Our Gra-

/////////

“ Holy- I’m so, so, such an –

“ Walls, shush.” Jade was by Aoi as Kori watched the dark-haired woman do CPR, Dick fighting fir breath as it seemed silly until his eyes popped to see her staring down at his limp form. “ Hiya, you literally fainted.” She waved up, Cass pretending to hold back tears unless it wasn’t an act, while Wally rushed over and begged forgiveness.

“ Dude!! I so, so never meant…we gotta get you to go get cooled off –

“ Wally…it’s ok. I’m just, was a bit of shock, that’s all.”

“ Shock could in fact cause such things to happen.” Kori added, her knees in the sand with her bikini revealing too much chest in his face. Jade was not as endowed yet she didn’t have to be. Her frame was athletic, toned. “ He can rest in the car. Come on. It’s time to eat in the hall and you and I, can go get you that clothing deal? How bout that, hum?”

Dick nodded, his fatigue not as natural if it had been from a simple thought in the back of his mind. To Dick, it was something he found out rarely occurred. Why now, though?

What had triggered a memory of, that…?

////////////////

Will was not contacted right away as he awaited what Dick would encounter upon entering the room to see Tiger. He’d been aware that Tiger had bosses, he also didn’t like how nice all of a sudden Jade was being as her eyes never left the room or its occupant.

A white suit wearing monster, today he was letting his dark hair down as the man’s sharp, clean-shaven jaw eyed the gorgeous pair. Dick was in a y2k pair of pants with his midrif showing and had a pair of foam platforms to match the decade. He’d gotten such a burn on his shoulders from not applying much, that Jade was careful feeding this info to their guest, right beside Tiger, who looked to be bristling sooner than planned.

“ Hello, who’s this….ah, you’d like to introduce yourself?”
He was talking about Dick, as Jade went to speak, missing her shot. “ It’s Richard. Sometimes Aoi in stage. I supported you had business before us, I apologize –

“ None taken.” The man put a big palm down to his pant leg again as Jade clutched Richard to push herself into the conversation. “ He was here to ask on behalf of Tiger’s generous offer. The ensemble of our girls on the first floor is all thanks to Richie's sewing habit.” She beamed, hoping to make this innocence last.

“ You? Is…what was that offer, Tigger?”

Tigger, the happy go lucky idiot as Tiger tried to swap his dismay for one of surprise. “ Oh! Yeah, the boutique job. I asked Aoi here if they had some cute pieces they could design, and we could sell a ton in the shops. They are class to racy, lemme tell you.”

“ Ah, not like this?”

“ Just thrown on. We were in the water all day. My design binder and supplies are still being shipped over from my old home.” Dick nervously replied. “ I’m sorry. It was so soon, I thought to wait a bit –

“ You’re fine, doll. Jade? We need a sec –

“ I won’t cause trouble. They are af-

“ She’s fine.” The sleaze in white stopped her, Dick trying to be brave.

“ She can stay. We’ll talk after. Ok?”

Jade nodded, a cold fear washing over her as this steel eyed soul blazed over her own confidence too quick to rebuke her own thoughts. “ Of, of course…I’ll come back when you’re done with Aoi. They are my family here, for this time after all.”

“ Loyal as she wanna be, that’s our lovely Jade.” Smiled Tiger, his teeth looking sharper than his usual pair.

////////

Tiger stayed absolutely still as the looking demon in white coaxed Dick over for a firm second. “ Your not brand new,but why are your pretty patterns gonna sell, tell me?”

Dick fumbled before pulling out his cell to show them the images of posing , primping and the sheer pleasure of what his time alone had allowed every night.

“ For a few months, I was on literal fire. I actually got some pieces delivered to play with and most is hand made…” Dick blushed, Tiger looking cautiously at a smiling, sly suited male. “ Well, well. I’d love to see you up there, modeling with the mannekins sometime. You never told her, did ya?”

Tiger curled his fists and muttered a “ no.” The man at the desk grinned at Dick and then picked up a floor above. “ Cat Walk City. We got it all here. This resort was designed to entice. We can move you up, you can see what you want, be who you want. I heard you bad a reputation back in Gotham. Is it true? Aoi, the kid Joey had –

“ I…I was, then my benefactor and I broke it off. I came here, needed work. Missed the spotlight.” Dick held his phone like a broken thing, the two having different images of what was being presented to them. “ You’re gonna get your wish. In fact, you and one other of my gals could do a quick hustle and you’d have your studio. I saw it first hand, at your little magic show.”

Dick stung with guilt. He’d been td by Will not to do it, and here he was. Up close with the real owner of this casino and sinners’ paradise.

“ I want you to dance and sing, I want you to get your ass back.into show biz. You know about that, right? We aren’t the bad guys like you see on t.v.”

Tiger looked ready to step in, yet Dick surprised them both “ Actually, first I was here to become Tiger’s new assistant. Which would you say is the better option? Should I do both?”

The male in white grinned as Tiger faked a laugh. “ You got some diva in you, kid! I like it! So, you’ll be like I said, suited up and you can even give the catwalk stylists a lesson or two. Or, they can school you. Think of it as an unpaid internship, only you get paid for every piece sold and your room and board will be on another floor. More room, no roommates to stay in and make ya waste that talent.”

Dick nodded, his eyes popping open as the man smiled, his hand coming out to cup the boy’s jaw. “ Aoi, blue. Like those eyes. I’d love to have them every day…” The cannibal in this man’s very mannerisms had Dick pause, his breath stilling as if spellbound to not resist.

“ Come up to the ‘Walkway” tomorrow. It’s a day job, bit the assistant thing is a night time deal. You want the work? Be sure you don’t tire on me. You’re going up, that’s a promise. “

“ Well done.” Tiger seethed. “ I’ll have to get on moving your things.”

“ And I can’t wait to see you really dressing up. Just fir me.” The man in white left his skin like ice, his heart pounding upon his leave from the room. He was grabbed and a hand thrown over his mouth as the hand turned out to be an ally. Or one that could become one. “ Ah, Dick….Gross, look. I –

“ Who…who the hell was that?” Dick gasped as he choked on his own breath.

“ That, was the boss of this shitty place. Each floor has a service that isn’t available to those that didn’t earn it. The elites come here and to this I have to give you a warning if Shara didn’t-

“ Shara?”

“ I told her to watch you, that you where yourself out for attention but don’t trust those men. Don’t trust anyone here.”

“ Jade? What’s wrong? You’re the one w-

“ I never thought he’d show up. It explains why Cass was back…”

“ Cass….?” Dick turned his head, eyes wandering back to Jade as she darkly replied. “ That, is Sio. Or, Roman Sionas, a crime lord in this city. He’s the boyfriend Cass is sleeping with. But, it’s not why you think. He takes from you, dangles options while Tiger lets him despite wanting us for himself. They fight over us by dividing us up, keeping a lid on our pasts. You’re in trouble because they know where you came from. “

“ How does he know that??” Dick panicked. “ Will cut us off from Joey…how…what’s this place really?”

“ As I told you. Elites come here, taking in strays and beggars that want that subliminal happiness, only to replace it woth their own kind of enjoyment. Those staff in the Oasis after dark? Why a guard came with us to the beach? Why Will left you here?”

“ Will didn’t leave, I…he’s still.”

Jade grasped his shoulder despite the burn, her eyes narrowing. “ Who do you work for?”

“ I, I can’t tell you that.”

“ You work for Will, it’s obvious that you pulled that script from some shitty soap. But what if I told you that half of those here have been recruited by organizations during it out over territory and something else. Kori, did you notice how she acts?”

“ Ah, nice?” Shrugged the teen.

“ No, alien, as in as if she’s not from around here. I have sources that say she escaped a fa-

“ What are you talking about??” Dick retorted in a hiss. “ Jade, I’m not playing around. I want this. If I need to do whatever I can to get close enough, that is m-

“ It’s not, Richard.” Jade took an earpiece out from behind her long dark strands and sighed, her voice changing.
“ Contact agent “ Dark Knight. Immediately. OVER.”

~ Syncing you over to his line. Over.~

Dick gasped, falling into the wall as Jade let the crackle speak for itself.

~ Is…is it him? Jade? Jade?~

“ No….you….you’re not ….”

Dick pulled away, head shaking as he recalled barely all of his fake father’ face.

~ Dick, I’m sorry. I have to explain everything. You’re not safe. You can be –

“ You…you work, for him? For the ones who…”

“ I’m currently being recruited as a S.A.V.E agent, and you. Dick Grayson, need to come with us if you want to avoid recapture by the Minerva Sect.” She said, his mouth gone dry already.

//////////////////////

Chapter Text

Light A Candle For Me

/////////////

Chapter 18: This Double - Sided Soul

//////////////

Dick ran to his room. There was no way he’d just jumped in. Aoi…that was him. All him. He was frantic. He stole to look at his phone, he had to call, had to excuse himself.

~ Dense.~

She showed up on his phone as he dropped it by the side of his bed. “ Don’t come out! Why-

~ I’m you, don’t you get it?~ Scoffed the owl maiden with glowing eyes. ~ You don’t need to strut. Just lift and talk the talk, while I can do the nitty-

“ No way.” Dick seeped out his nose. “ I’m disbanding. This is…isn’t-

~ It’s just like then?~ Hummed the copy on the screen. ~ You, on a stage for fuckers who need a good slap. And of course, Tiger is buying into this to stay in his petty throne room. Were you gonna rub him one up if you said “ okay?~

“ I….I was going to play the long game, stall if I had to.”

~ No, you weren’t, Dickie.~ Aoi wagged a long finger. ~
You want to be the expressive little shit you never got to be before. I have the power to kill off those men, because guess what? They want us, Dickie. Aoi is bigger, better. I have the power to save us both.~

“ No, I said you don’t exist and you…you’re just some left over side effect c-

~ Dickie?~ The beautiful demon blinked bsck, batting false lashes. ~ I am the part that wants to be set free. I have the ability the owls left, but we don’t need them. We can use anyone. Our power, is corruption, my sweet!~

“ Quiet!”

The phone started to ring as Dick saw who it was.
“ No…what do I…” His hand clenched to the cloth of his top as he scrambled to get the button pressed, to get this info out

“ Problem…you…you heard ?” He breathed out, hoarsely.
~ I heard, and we have to keep it quiet. Jade might be useful. Even on an opposite team, Dick. Why…~ He stopped.

“ What? What, I’m-

~ How is Aoi.~

Dick snarled back, his fists gone white.

“ She’s still the most irritating bitch on the planet, thanks! And now she has a face! Okay, fuck! You…you were right…”
~ About the personality. I see.~

“ Fuck…” Sobbing, Dick had to pull himself from the floor. His knees were going to bruise.

~ What is their next task? You’re going to make those outfits, right? I’ll try to send funds for a new machine. That should arrive by tonight.~

Dick looked at the clock. “ How late? I have to get back ….I think…”

~ Tell them you’re under the weather. ~

“ I’m not going to get to.” Dick muttered. “ Tiger gives, That sicko Sionas expects a tradeoff. A willing soul for fame and glory.” Dick groaned. “ Fuck it…can’t I just ask to demote myself?”

~ This is your chance and Wayne’s holding you hand, helping us. I’m sure Jade will end up getting him to be a part of a bust later. You should stick around. The sex won’t come. Your little Aoi is very protect-

“ She’s just a slut!” Dick spewed. “ She talks big but if she gets hurt, I get hurt and she only calls it a setback. She’s going to throw me at them, gift wrapped!”

//////////////////////////

She was he, and that stung. He took a breath, apologized to Will as the man instructed him to try to keep a cool head, observe and keep his mic on at the perfect and only times to expose a weakness.

Tiger liked him, wanted him to be on his floor. To be his partner in crime even, even if he was too nice at times.
Silas wanted a toy, a pretty one with clipped wings and no resistance to his charms.

Will was, protective. The question was…why?

Guilty was to Bruce, who was trying to take Dick back and shelter him. Fixing them both, the owls had borne a dear rift into their relationship ever since…

Ever since –

“ Richard?”

The coo of a dove as Dick’s cow girl white boots, star studded hat and blue denim fringe dress had him turn to see her. The girl he’d not wanted to leave for that Hall.

Ever again.

“ You are dressed so lovely!” She swooned sweetly over his new bang-up outfit. “ Are you show casing this piece for the shops?”

“ I might. This was a bit of an upscale project.” Dick was holding in his tote a book of designs and a swim piece was one of those. A monokini, green with a cut out on the sides of yellow color blocked sun bursts. “ Ah, what did you have for the evening? A fancy dinner?”

She had on a warm colored green sequin dress that looked as soft as velvet. Her shoes were dangling green with gems at her toes, as if marked like a prize.

“ You…look amazing.” Dick swallowed.

“ At only my age, there us a chance to do well. Where I was born originally, dressing to reveal skin is not frowned upon. The sun gives us strength, so as does the moon.”
~ ALIEN.~ Aoi teased, recalling Jade's warning.

“ Ah, was it on….I mean, what place? I’d love to discuss-
“ It us t…classified at the moment. Oh, I am running now, late.” She pulled out a compact as her eyes batted into its surface. “ You will be alright finding your floor? We are only one apart. Come.” She took his wrist as they went to the elevator together.

“ The lunch I will be tending to requires that I dress according to the scene I must create. Mr. Sionas wishes to stay for the week, he says that you will be on a trial basis.”

Dick swallowed and nodded, his palm going hotter.

“ Ah, Kori?”

They stopped at the elevator door just as she’d pressed the button to go up. “ Yes, Richard?”

“ You…you don’t think I’m a little, you know?”

“ You are a beautiful person, and …for one, you did not kiss Jade, did you?”

He beat his own heart to quit pattering. “ “ N – n- no! She….I had no idea, was fuzzy…”

She giggled with a laugh like tinkling glass . “ Oh – ho! I was never aware that you swim in that direction, is that why?”

“ No, no. I don’t. I’m still attracted to …to women to, and I don’t know.” Dick scratched his wrist. “ Sorry, Kori. Could we stop talking about….my , interests….sorry...”

“ Oh, I….I truly am. You were so as they said “ fluid.” She apologized. “ It was hardest to tell if you were a woman to be seen or simply because you enjoyed doing so.”

“ The second.” Dick answered. “ I like the flow. The patterns and do I look good? I think Wally thought so.”

Dick laughed with her as he was given a push out the door and a peck on the cheek for good luck. He swore he’d have her for a fancy lunch one day. The smile to the main floor’s doorway was stunning, yet her smile in the back of his mind?

Priceless, as his work had begun.

//////////////////

So, to explain now:

Dick was promoted to make the outfits and design for a catw alk floor an DC will that be legal or the other thing after dark?

Kori wanted to know his sexual orientation? Wow.
Dick is gender fluid. Non binary, not only trans, only because of his alter self he likes to use as a cover. To him, he thinks she’s trying to take over. To Aoi, she is his escape and savior.

Dick might use Jade to get closer to Sionas's pleasure hall, the one place that could unmask their very expected suspects of a smuggling ring run by owls. Dick us a sleeper for them and a trigger is how he awakens. So far, Cass has been “ dating" Sionas which means she is either brainwashed or blackmailed as Jade said. Anyone at the casino and resort that wasn’t seem again had to be on Sionas's favorite floor.

////////////////////////

~ They call it the King’s Door. One set of ten rooms or more, all for the highest of high prices - and guess who gets to work until they are discarded or sold off?~

Dick had heard of no such place, not from the staff, but yet, Will and Jade seemed to recognize the dirty deeds of this perfectly insincere scope of sanity.

“ HI!”

The smiles in the room were of a dozen or so models, or they looked to be. Perhaps some never made the cut of a perfect ten. Never came here to stay, yet found it a comfort from those streets of evil doers.

These ones paid up front, extra if the show was a hit.
Dick took his courage, his paper and grinned back with a wide smile. “ I’m here to work! And, wow. Sorry? Where is the supervisor on staff?”

“ That would be, me.”

Dick had thought no women resided here to look older than twenty five. She had to be thirty two, yet her eyes told him she had scars at a tender age. Her sleek black outfit swept the floor with a style of hair that combed over her ears, her possessive stance and hand to her hip as like Shara, sge eyed over her newest worker bee.

“ You’re here to design for my models?”

“ I – I am. I have –

“ Tiger told me you weren’t coming in out if a vintage shop. What is that?”

She pointed to the outfit. His pride would have been dished out and served to this spitty witch had he not taken to trying a different tactic. “ That is exactly why I came. To learn from the best, miss….-

“ You’ll respect me by called me Miss Kyle. The gals here are busy throughout the day and our night crew hates to stall and break a finger.” Herself, she had claws as he saw she was half white by her appearance and her eyes alone gave away a deeper ire for her job.

“ Ah, of course! Miss…Kyle, I’m here to create and observe. Only if you need –

“ Can you style anything else besides that rag?”

She continued as Dick mustered up his inner diva, his lady boss bitch material needed work.

“ I can and cannot fail. I’m Lady Luck, after all. People are depending on me to keep the cash flowing in each department since I’ve come out.”

One other red head by the stage had a white set of long flare pants, a asymmetrical green top and a strange tan to her skin that looked almost, green?

“ Selina. Let me handle the newbie. You’ve got a catwalk to supply attention to.”

Selina sighed and turned away. Not even acknowledging Dick’s stance, he was sent over yo follow the tall red head as her peep toe heels had to make such a racket.

/////////////

“ You want to design? Selina is a former model so you’ll have a few ground rules, kid. Sit.” She pointed to a chair by the back of the room, the hall beside them having multiple doors and dressing rooms. It felt like a maze – made studio. A catwalk is only what we showcase to the elites before they take our talented girls to give them a shot – if that works, they…”

She stopped, pausing as her eyes looked over to tell if she was heard or not. “ You sew. You fit them. You do what you can to stay cool, calm and not collapse on us got that? This us not just a resort, it’s a start back up. Half of these woman took the path that screwed them up, so we have the means to feed them back that love of their passion for it. Call it therapy, but we don’t let our names slip. Seriously, though?” She turned her head as Dick feigned being a tad bit short of concern.

“ You did this before Tiger said you had a stage life too, am I wrong about that?”

“ It, was as a kid. Acrobatic. Circus. When I ran away from my foster father after my parents were…fell, I had run away. It was maybe, seventeen, like –

“ The last years of high-school. What got you onto another stage? I heard you dressed up, didn’t hold back. It’s not legal here as much-

“ Gotham.”

She blinked at the answer.

“ The only place it is. Sort of.”

//////////////////////////

“ Name is Ivy, well. That’s my working name. You need to be careful using your name the higher you go up these floors. Miss. Kyle only let’s those she really trusts call her by her on a first name basis. I’m giving you a fake name, so you’re Aoi, I take?”

“ Richard, or Dick is my real name. Aoi is the person I am when I’m in outfits. Was this really-

“ She’s not a fan of rustic. More so, you are aware of high fashion, right?”

Dick chewed his lip, not thinking it a truly big deal to be that fabulous. He wanted everyone to have a chance not just the rich. They could pay extra , yet he was a giver.

Naturally, Aoi backed this.

~ It’s the same as selling bodies in a bag.~ Snorted the aspect in his head.

“ I, want to be reasonable and still have my designs, not sell them unless it’s something I want.”

Ivy looked at his eyes; blue and not pure, yet unabashed by who he was at this point. Tiger must have kept Dock in the dark far longer than any of his other favorites.

“ It depends. If they want it, you patent and sell. That way, they can’t touch your creations. But to warn, the higher you go, the higher the cost. Did he say he’d give you a new room? That’s rent, kid.”

DDickopened his mouth to say that it wasn’t true, that he’d not spent a dime since coming here, though avoiding favorites here was a must to survive. He thought against it. “ I understand. I’m still making a swimsuit line, sun dresses. That is not my goal, a gown –

“ You’ll need to study hard. Ever thought of getting out if here and taking a few courses?” Ivy asked. “ Why not talk Tiger down a cost of tuition? He’d be glad I bet –

“ I’m going to be his assistant though.”

Ivy paled.

“ What??”

She pulled Dick down the hall, into one ymof the vacant dressing rooms.

“ Tell him fucking, no. Do you hear what I’m telling you?? Why else did you get up here? I…I don’t…” She put a hand to her temples. “ Don’t impress them. I’m giving you a solid set here to work with –

“ No way, Sio gabe me a plus on this and I intend to do a decent job. I’m not a newbie like everyone-

“ Stop it. Just…” Ivy dropped her eyes. “ When I came here, I was on the streets. Selling anything I could. The only reason they looked at me, took me in, was to act more than pretty. I had this, ability to get people to stay by me. I used them before they could use me, and you think you gave that much skill? I was fourteen, Dick. Fourteen and I had nothing, but you can’t think this show of kindness doesn’t make you….confused? I’m fuming, and you –

“ I’m not messing with that dress.” Dick shook his head. “ I'm going up that ladder. To the top. And , I’ll tell Sio what I think then.”

“ But, Dick?” Rasped Ivy with a shake of her head. “ No one ever has made it that far before. They won’t let you. They play with your gifts until they can’t care less and then…”

“ Why are you still here?” Dick frowned, conflicted. She wanted to save him, yet here they were. Holed up in the dressing room from God knows how many camera angles.

“ I, made a deal a long time ago. I got my way, my gift could have done more but…it failed, so I’m here as a punishment to those I couldn’t save. Including…”She turbed her head back around.

“ Harley was my girl. We were so close… and even got to wash dishes in the same kitchen. I put a frog in the clamps chowder once! I think she never let me live that down. Both rejects of society, but so damned perfect… It started out fun, then…she ended up making people smile. A lot, kind of like you. Before I knew it, she wasn’t coming back. They took her and I know she’s not dead or drugged up in some other brothel. This place was built by mobsters and I’ll be damned if I become one.”

“ I don’t think you could.” Dick professed , softly keeping his tone even. “ I’m here to help someone myself. A couple if reasons even I can’t tell….I’m going to help out where I can. But, you need to trust me. I’m not going to give up. Never have.”

“ You…you can’t be ser –

“ I am, because…I’m wearing a mask too. Just like these men on the highest floor. I’m there to rescue everybody.”

Dick grinned. “ Watch, and don’t take your eyes off of Aoi!”

/////////////////////

Dick is taking the world on his shoulders?? Ivy was left with dealing with Sionas after her bestie Harley disappeared? There is a “ legal" fashion catwalk on this floor and Dick is gonna be like in “ smile down the runway??” Oh boy. I can’t stop now, so keep watching!

Chapter Text

Light a Candle For Me

////////////

Chapter 19: Stray Cat Strut

///////////////

The stick in her hand was a ruler.

More of a yard dtick; similar to Sunday school sessions that any catholic child could recall.

And a whip, at Selina's hip had Dick try his hardest to make them approve.

Four days. It was a mess of ribbons, lace, and silk.
“Redo the seams.” His fore hand was reduced to a red palm as the others sewing beside him had their heads down.

This didn’t feel right, better yet, it was unethical.

Well, they got to eat the same, bathe and relax….

Though, this was a tough room to beat.

By day four into five, there were less bandages on his hands as they kept the whip warrior away.

“ Ivy? Why.”

Selina picked up a skirt with Ivy trim running up and down the sides. The person who had crafted it was named Julie. She had red pigtails and freckles, dressing plainly with a Midwestern accent.

“ I saw this on a princess in the Faire once….it woukd be, magica-

The scene before Dick made his needle poke at tender flesh.

She rose shakily, Julie’s freckled cheek marred by a red line from the long ruler.

“ I didn’t ask to be so family friendly with these designs! You’ll pack up or fox this now. It’s not going to see the light of day.”

Julie wept as her things for that project were replaced with scarlet and black. “ Try elegant of pretty, sweetie. This won’t do.”

Selina turned to the other by their mannequins and sewing machines, including Dick.

“ If men won’t clap and women won’t throw a dime into our basket, what will you do come tomorrow ? This is not some child’s day dream. It is art!” She cracked the whip for the others to turn, machines going at clockwork , neck and neck speed of their competition.

“ If you were to see which of you in this room could impress me the most, tell me? Would a contest get you amped up for the next curtain call?”

///////////

From the hall, Ivy frowned and clicked her tongue at Selina, the whip going away while the two met again back stage. “ You’re trying the wrong angle to get them to create, I loved that design –

“ What invests better? Fairy princesses , or ….?” Selina took one look into her purse to pull out a case of cigarettes in a metal clamshell. “ Come join me a minute, would you?”

////////////////////

“ You ok?” Dick couldn’t help it. At the end of their shift just as everyone had been shuffling out to head to their main floors of residence, the crying Julie had given her face a dab. She held a discarded scrap, a template she’d saved in hand. On it she drew up her design, folding the thing into leather a messenger bag.

“ You’re Lady Luck, Ain’t cha?” She had a Texan tone as her blue eyes made him think of Roy, a boy he’d grown up with in class at Gotham Prep.

“ I can be, at times. I’m sorry…are you…”

She held her cheek, the mark fast and fading softly away. Her blush crept in, making Dick softly apologize with a throat to clear. “ Ah – em…..I, what she did –

“ Here, it’s worse if you had someone not care about how you’ll work. I had my daddy beat me for years because I hated the clothes we got wear. I even tried to chop up my skirt fir school. Mama beat my ass so hard!” She sniffed while laughing, the memory of a forced and strict code had Dick want to reach out even more.

“ I can talk to Tiger for you –

“ No!” She put up a hand. “ They’re right. My time’s where I make pretty, but here is glamor, style and perfectly sewn. Hon? You make cute and flashy, but I see in you something wild. You saw that too. All the girls and guys here have a favorite style, even me.”

“ Knights and dragons?” Dick smiled calmly. “ I’m a fan of Lolita and Gyaru – kind of a satire collection.”

“ Y’all have ta wear it well, but to make it? You can’t wear everything, cause its not yer set a stripes. Hon, I gotta head to floor C. It’s getting high time for grub, and I got floors to sweep as punishment if I’m late.”

“ What….is floor-

“ I make what you eat, hun. This was my ticket to better things ahead. It takes time, bruises even.” She shrugged off the blush, his own deepening by how proud she was.
And that he’d eaten her food, only a floor or two down from the casino.

“ I’m on floor D, I think. The casino, and the rooms up…-

“ You got that far already? I heard about that, but right now, soup’s on, kay? Come down and we can talk later.”
She to her phone and pulled up a number on the screen.

“ Got one on?”

“ Oh, one sec!” A skip of paper and pen after, Dick held her number in hand, while Julie went to clear up and start another job. Dick at least hopes she was treated a lot better than today had gone.

“ Aoi?”

Julie was waved away as Dick ripped himself from his thoughts to seek out, Miss. Ivy.

She ran a hand through her stronger auburn locks and with a bitten lip, was going to speak. “ Can we talk, in the back?”

The dressing rooms were deserted, the only time to lose. Dock was waiting on his stomach to growl, yet those straining beats in his chest were a good distraction instead.

Ivy put a hand to the vanity table, the mirror image looking back with a gloomy expression. Makeup was minimally erased, the only smear that the lip showed was from chewing it all day.

Dick braced himself for some bad news, just by how drained the red headed older woman looked.

“ You have to know something, about why we chose people like Julie, like you.”

“ It’s to mold us into what you’re expecting.” Dick recited. “ That’s why I said I’d get to the top. I’m trying –

“ That’s…” She took in an inhale, the harsh words to come had her lungs expel air that would certainly damage her air ways.

“ This place like any other floor, collects broken people. Selina was a victim of an abusive home, living on the streets like some common alley cat. I was there when we got here, to this place. Julie, she was from a father who was a Corporal. He didn’t like how free spirited she was, tried to drown her in debt to teach her a lesson and it backfired. She and her mother ended up running from him, never stopped. She’s on her own since, her mom not mentioned a lot, if you ask about ant positive memories she’s had…they all end with getting hurt.”

“ So, she understood why Selina…but it was cruel. She could have been seriously hurt.” Dick said. “ And ….and how are they? Like me? Under-

“ No one is here, mostly. Only your level, the weaker links that start up. You age here, but Never die.” Ivy forced out. “ You’re the youngest next to Cass, and yeah. I know that from the headcount. No one here is under twenty one. Julie is twenty three. I’d have told you if you’d just asked.”

She put her hands to her hips as Dick hung his head.
“ There us no debate, then why this talking, why to you?”

“ You’re the one out of line for talking to your competitors. Selina wanted to say it but left early.” Ivy turned back to the mirror, Dick’s eyes still not meeting her warnings directly. “ I won’t be a sore winner. There….if I don’t make it, I just can go back. Right?”

“ If your review from Tiger is favorable, we can get you to that King’s Door.”

Dick blinked, eyes looking up. “ How did you know about….you know what they call it? I just figured it was where Kori went all the time.”

“ That show boat of an illegal?”

“ SHE’S-

“ She came here without a visa.” Ivy corrected. “ Everyone here is either regretting sonwthing or willing to do what it takes to reach that door. The one below it is where I heard you stay if you don’t pass in through that King’s room.” Ivy warned, a bitter expression wrought with pain clouding her emerald green eyes.

“ My issue with this place is that it took someone from me, so I swore to stay and wait. Wait until we were able to find someone. To discover what’s really up there.”

“ You want me to win.” Dick swallowed. “ Was that person, family-

“ More than that.” Ivy shook her head. “ They were my soulmate.” She replied, quietly in the room.

/////////////////////

Dick got to the last floor for his meal, only to see the staff cleared out. The food out for their last callers of that night, including that Jinx person with her Gothic boots in the way. “ Here.” Her arm came out with a note in it. “ Got yourself a redo, bad timing.”

“ I was in a discussion with my other boss.”

“ How many, I wonder?” Smirked the pink contact lenses back, their artificial gleam had Dick back up a step. “ What’s it for? Did you read it?”

“ I didn’t have to.” She kept up this trying with her prey, her eyes slips with glee at the secrets she kept. “ I’m like you by the way. My other sides are not as fun, and you have one too – though, it isn’t real. Name is Dana.”

She held out another hand. Dick understood.

Jinx had two other personalities. Gloomy, and impish, like this Dana.

“ Who is real, was s-

“ Dunno.” Shrugged the pink haired young adult. “ I know the other note was up in your room. You didn’t kiss your other teddy, “ good night.”

/////////////

Dick tossed and turned all night. He had to show up at Tiger’s to apologize. His palms were clammy at the thought of throwing on more make up than a Parisian lady in the seventeenth century. If ever they didn’t go “au naturale.”

He checked his phone and kept it charged, just for tonight. Not to mention that Will had not called him once. It made it feel planned, unexpectedly strange…then again, he could be out collecting money and scaring witless mafia to death to not blow his cover.

Dick turned back onto his pillow, not seeing that the door was opening even a sight or that he’d not noticed that Cass had been out late.

She was sobbing softly onto her white feather boa, caked in what looked to be dark specks. Dick only peeped before watching from under the sheets as she took off her bralette, leather skirt and fishnet stockings. Her heels clipped off of the bed as she fell into it, barely ready for tomorrow, sobbing.

He was tempted to see if she needed anyone to be there, then, he heard something. Something he was furious about that next day.

/////////////////
All that time.

Dick stomped in silver flare pants and tall back boots beneath with a black leather jacket, earrings and coming crop top beneath.

Silver was never golden as he came storming into Tiger’s office.

“ Sir.”

“ Aoi?”

By that arm chair, there was a man with slicked back hair, dark and shining like his brown eyes.

“ Take a second with yours, eh?”

Tiger nodded, grumbling as he listened to whoever had gotten here first.

“ What happened to Cass last night?” Dick turned his head to this slicker than a seal of a white suited mobster.

“ Cassie? How could I -

“ Her last words before she cried herself to sleep…I heard them. She’s been staying in , with you.”

Dick’s eyes pointed at the white suited upper helmsman of this establishment.

“ You, for starters, don’t call me “ you.” The male stated. “ I’m Roman, and that kid was only serving me a drink. She slipped and my guys got tough so I told her to head back up. Not to bother.”

“ She was bruised. I saw the blood.”

Tiger pulled at his collar as Roman, this man, put up a palm to speak. “ You work with Cass in the casino hall, right? She’s fine. A bit startled, but that Blood was cause I decked the men trying to start a brawl in my space. You don’t know Mt face, so I tell it to you. I own whatever Tiger is helping to watch when I’m out and hustling up new “ attractions” and ideas. You’re…AH.” He snapped his fingers. “ Yeah! You’re thee, Lady Luck, am I right?”

“ I get that a lot. But Cass was more than scared. Can he prove that, or can we get down to how this wasn’t-
“ It’s a bar, she wanted overtime pay so I let her stick her nose around. Her energy is always welcoming, and you could always take her spot…unless she tells ya no?”

“I've got the Cat walk floor, thanks.”

“ I know. Tiger told me.”

Dick straightened at this knowledge. Of course, he knew that, yet most bosses never read what was on their desks and have a damn.

This one….was attune to everything going on around him. Just as dangerously a friend or foe.

“ I wanted to ask.” Dick took himself a minute of finding some composure. “ How is she allowed in the bar when she’s no older than I am?”

This was him. All of those signs pointed to who had made Cassie so red for days.

~ Sio is so cool! He never dresses down as much as some other guys and we do all the shopping we want…I can really relax, ya know? No evil dads, but…~

“ She’s protected, and I had to let her go. Can’t be less of a gentleman, and she is perfectly aware. Go ask her yourself when she wakes up.”

“ Wakes-

“ I think it’s time fer your shift, Dick.”

Dick, not Aoi.

Dick was sure he’d lost the race. There was nothing to do now. Tower or no tower to climb.

“ I, understand. I’m sorry, I’m-

“ Go on, champ. It’s all good. You care, that’s all it is. Right, Tiger?”

The snake skin boots that Tiger wore almost shriveled inwards as the monster’s question.

“ Y- - yeah, we’re all family. Whatever! You go make the dress ya want. Come back in uh, by seven.” Tiger smiled through his teeth as Sio watched the whole thing.

“ See? We ain’t meanies or nothing. Cass is gonna take some time to calm down. Those guys are all taken care of. I did the rest.”

Dick nodded. Taken care of was dead. It had to be.
She’d witnessed a murder, not a brawl.

“I’ll be back.” Dick told Tiger with a nod much more responsive than before. He wasn’t Aoi right now. That showed plenty.

“ Seeya around, Lady Lucky.” Sio waved innocently.
Dick didn’t hear is as he was ushered out by his worst fears, yet the spray of blood on his mind…he knew he’d be back, watching as Tiger licked his in wounds.

The hunter, not him any longer.

Yet a VILE collector of the rarest breed of “exceptional.”

//////////////////
So, Sio is like a predator and Dick and Jade think that Tiger usually brings those he’s told to pick up to Sio to “ test” while it actually means either pass or failing them as his “ objects.” Anyone that didn’t make the cut either goes to a lower caste like the spa women and men, or like Kori, where they rose in rank and stay to have more freedoms. Pimp, mainly.

The question now? Should he have ever met the man, and is he in even more danger while under this creeps scope?
Technically, he called Cass a kid because she is a year younger than Dick, making what sge was doing in the bar of the hall illegal, yet Sio said he only let her stay a second out of compassion- then it got ugly so he made her leave.
That isn’t OK and from what Cass said in that flashback, it sounded like a sugar daddy situation, that shedding more. Yet she had bruises which meant it wasn’t OK, and that the harassment was covered up. Just as Cass was given time to calm down, Sio does not seem shaken.
However, the foreshadowing of the blood spilt is a reflection of how Tiger stays good only by these heinous efforts of what he gains in turn. He wanted Aoi and was doing all he could to groom them into becoming close, yet now? Sio saw Dick and might be a bit more obsessed. Maybe worse. As we know, the Sionas I’m using is from Birds of Prey film, the one that goes after Cassandra’s parents. She is blonde in this but she is Sandmark.
Jade is back tracking while Jinx is revealed as a multi – personality disorder kid. She has Dana, her real name, and Jinx is the third. She is the aggressive side to Alli’s personality. So, now Dick is depending on not getting picked too soon while Ivy really wanted to say that Dick going up the ladder might give him reasons not to BE picked. Or the other way around. Find out! Cass’s story won’t add up so darker tone in next chapters.

Chapter Text

Light a Candle For Me

////////////

Chapter 20: Dress Down

/////////////

The mission was involving a silent auction in Los Angeles area. Some big wigs and celebs had to speak on the events going on in in their state; while there at the gentleman's club were faces hidden. CIA and SAVE. The organizers there, even the heads of the group including not to name a few, Black Bat.

She was silent as a swan in her grace, or act in her agility. Sticking to the one she’d come here with, the Bat.
He sipped his tumbler drink peacefully and watched, an unreadable look in his darkened blue eyes. ( blue not green)

“ Cass, come back.”

She nodded from a few feet off, a note stashed in her dress padding as she fixed her hair while he read what she’d discovered.

“ Any luck, B?” She signed, being muted by a long trauma that kept her on her toes either way. If not, better than any spy in their industry.

“ A shipment of what we’ve been searching to stop. Tonight. Eight P.M at the port in –

//////////////////////

Seven.

Seven.

It was six- forty-nine as Dick was jumpy after leaving Roman and meeting his match. Two. Two of them, working to keep the help…

Quiet.

Picking up his cell, Will’s number was listed. He took a deep breath, finally hitting the buttons numerous times to call. After all, this burner had the ability to explode in the wrong hands. Courtesy of an agent of B.L.U.D.

////////////

Slade’s eye was on promising to protect a shipment that he’d be resting assured would never make it to port.
It had so many of the things that his organization had wanted under surveillance for moths. Funny, because that was close to the casino…

His cell wasn’t handy on this mission so he’d left it back in the car he’d grab if this thing went and blew up in his face. The kid was fine. After all, those drug lords were after useless, not useful. If Dick did his dirty work proud, he’d finally have a job he’d stick with. No more S.A V.E. No more Bat.

//////////////////

The phone rang for far too long as Dick groaned and ended the call. “ Fuck, I really…” He thought. Well, he didn’t have to look that snatch – worth, right? He was a stinking officer staff to Tiger. Yeah. He could….

He went to his clothing stash and took a few pieces out to suit his foul mood. “ Long flare, big platform creeper – janes….A y2k….”

He nodded. “ That should do it for tonight.” He decided, stripping out of his more male oriented style.

////////////////////

Tiger looked down and checked his watch.

Seven , nearly. Five more minutes.

He had installed special cameras upon Roman’s request after he’d taken a good look at cure lil Aoi.

A spy, he said? Well, no one could put it past Slade ( he has a real name and Will is a cover) to not drop off trouble at his door. They were only tight through, forced bonds, connections

to a greater criminal underwood that involved the nitty-gritty of an aging industry’s example.

If Aoi – Richard was a spy, he didn’t want Willy getting wily at him fir making her like being here more than with that freak. The Minerva court had said “ not to let any of the product leave unsupervised.” He’d given them a beach day for God sakes! Earned a teal rip down his arm thanks to be “ nice.”

Aoi had this, magic.

It wasn’t in the look, no. It was the spice. The confidence.
Richard? Like they were two entirely different people.

“ Maybe Willy went too hard on the kid, but owls say –

There was a knock as Tiger straightedge up, dancing along to his started tune while peeling off the scowl to smile again. Ah, Aoi was here to work all night for him. He was truly blessed as he opened the door….

What, was she wearing?

////////////////////

Jade took out her mic and was where she had to be. Cass was missing from her room after she’d gone to check on the girl after a shift. She was still in tears. Miserable by what she had seen.

Following her to a floor she’d assumed was eighteen or so, it had the image of an owl at the frame, a golden and silver lock that didn’t have a key.

This was getting weird, as she pulled onto her mic and whispered into it.

“Oracle. Come in. I’m sending images of where they might be sending their “ victims.” She pushed onto the side of her glasses; ones built for attempts in collecting info like she was , as a spy of S.A V.E.

If it meant finding her daily, she didn’t care how many walls she had to bust through.

“ Hold on a second….a…key? Can you replicate something that, I guess…old?”

/////////////
Red head were actual glasses and drank a ton of coffee on the daily – yep. She had the I.Q of Hawking, almost and took pride in her many degrees. Even when S.A.V.E’s Mr. Wayne had come to her after graduation day on that field, she'd leaped at the chance to….not solve puzzles all day.
A pen to her lips, coffer the size of a big glue om her right and the official eye bags of a diligent agent of justice, she threw her head down with a loud groan.

“ Two weeks.”

She pushed back the glasses from the rim of her face. “ IF you stay out of trouble that long, I can replicate an exact match. But, for God’s sake, Jade…don’t get caught!”

~ I’m quick as a cheetah, mom.~ Chuckled Jade as she took off, unseen as a figment of some male’s midnight dream.

That door, if Artemis was behind there, being brainwashed with…her eyes watered as she pretended not to think about it.

She vowed to save those people, and shut down Roman and Tiger for good for all they had done to find her so pissed off.

///////////////////

Behind those doors, was a waking Cass in a seat she didn’t want to be in. Beings in cloaks and white barn owl masks held up strange optically harmful objects as she kept sleeping, kept hearing a voice saying she was safe. That nothing was going to gapped. That she could go back to doing what she loved.

Serving her masters.

( not sexual!)

///////////////////

Dick walked in, a strained sigh as Tiger saw his get-up and…

It was over.

“ You playing it safe tonight, sweetie? That’s ok, bit that hair us way too much.” He chuckled, heading back to get a drink by a private bar. “None for you. I run a proper business so lemme explain the rules of your new role. If you choose to be Aoi, that comes with a hefty price of Mt affections around those who tryst me to keep up an image. If you are Richard, I might not act the same as with her, might even be a bit cruel at times.”

It sounded sexist, because it was. He could die... as Richard, yet Aoi…

He could never really see her bleed on the floor, could he?
“I came dressed as her, so I want to be her when I’m I’m this room, sir.”

“ Call me Mr. Tiger.”

Aoi nodded as her clogging shoes never scraped the tile. “ Where do I….do I stand, sit?”

“ You’re human, ain’t ya?” Tiger poured amber liquid into a short glass, taping a swish as the pitcher was placed down. “ I’ve got water in the cooler. Nothing else until later.”

“ Ah, but I thought I had to , you know? Paperwork or –

“ Oh, ok!” Tiger slapped his cheek with a laugh. “ I see! You wanna work. OH, dear. You’re my eyes, Aoi. That’s all. I get people through those doors, you watch um. Hands, eyes. You’re my body guard, sweetie.”

//////////////////

“ Is….what about your other assistants?” Dick swallowed. So it was true. They were human shields. Double – fuck it!
“ They graduated. Left. Some didn’t wanna come back. You can always go back to the spa if this –

“ No.” Shaking her head, Aoi,he wasn’t here rigjt now – Aoi, refused to go. “ If doing MY job. But for the record, I want a little appreciation. You’ve got fans from Lady Luck in that door begging for her to show her face. Would be pretty lousy if anything happened to her?”

“ You….you making demands at me?"

“ I know you like her, Tiger. I love her, love what she does to you. Which he could do the same…” Behind those eyes, the truth revealed what Roman had known all along.

Two faces, one body to share.

In shame.

In lust.

In fun and mischief.

“ Can I sit here? With you?”

Tiger’s hand went to his jaw, his face frozen as he tried to speak. That tiny top, those bell bottoms, that set of baby blues….fuck.

He still wanted what he was supposed to give to the owls.
But maybe….

“ I can do one better.”

~ Aoi….you prom –

~ Shut up. Mama’s working. ~

“ What would that be, daddy?” Aoi strode forwards, undoing her top, letting it fall with two perfect mounds of false silicon beneath.

“ You could, sit on daddy’s lap while he works.” The man crooked a finger as Aoi smiled easily to the request.

“ You gotta be more straightforward, daddy. I didn’t even have desert, ya know?”

His eyes saw the belt go, the blue panties below, peeking out.

“ What else can you offer me to stay? It’s on the tip of your tongue-

“ I can really. ..” Dick let his blonde wig hair swish over his tanned shoulder, the swap to the floor, crawling and dying to take the winner’s seat.

“ Really, really….I want that lap for one, I do. But you don’t have much move to give me, do you, Daddy?” Letting her lip pout out, Tiger put down his glass, scooping up the queen of his nightmares and heading backwards into the rolling chair.

“ Stay. You know I do, sweetie.” He had help with his belt as her hands found his briefs, plucking up his large adult member to graze the sides with tiny teeth.

“ Mmm…delish….thank you, daddy.”

/////////////

He’d done this, this was enough. Aoi was up the ladder if she made him come. A hand in false hair, legs up on the desk to keep the kid on Tiger’s lap like a dipped sofa.
One bare knee later, Aoi kneaded the man’s sack as he heard a forced moan.

It was a relief. It meant Tiger wasn’t long for this world as Aoi finally tugged a bit harder, lips tickling off the tip while being later sprayed with the white stuff.

Not like the club. Worse. It was….

///////////////

Tiger’s office had a shower and bathroom set up behind one door as on a hook after the hottest rinse, Dick found his clothing amiss.

In its place, was a cute red French Maud outfit. No shoes.
Only white stockings.

/////////////

( Dick has had sex before as himself. That is why Aoi takes it all in now, because he distanced himself from his old persona at the club. This aoi is on its own, bit he won't come to pieces until he finds out who he's really protecting.

So, Aoi took over and had Dick suck off and tug Tiger’s cock to get into his trust circle. That was OK only because it was not sex, yet Dick will wake up sore. Ego and all.

Jade and Oracle work together through Bruce and Cass is a bit older in this. About sixteen, masked as eighteen. Cassie Sandmark is being made to forget what she really saw. Truth is, she was hurt by Roman so he wanted to silence her. The cargo Slade is watching is a different reason than Wayne’s to find it. Later though, they will bump by simple coincidence and Slade will not reveal his name right away. Or his true reason for not picking up that phone.

Tiger is not supposed to fall in love with his targets, but in this case, he is worse than Roman who has no real connection. He is a pure sadist while Tiger is a bit….unstable.

So, what comes next?

I left a foreshadowing of a couple of things. One being the red and white maid outfit that Aoi has to wear and the implications of being a boy toy all over again. Find put what trouble brews in chapter 21!

Chapter Text

Light A Candle For Me

////////////

Chapter 21: My Tea Party, Rocks

////////////////

( THERE IS NO FORMAL SWISHING, WARMING THE CUP BECAUSE TIGER IS NOT THAT CLASSY. I EVEN KNOW CERTAIN TEA STRAIN AND POURING METHODS MYSELF, BUT NOT EVERYTHING US LIATED IN HERE. ONLY THAT DICK IS ALSO A NOVICE THANKS TO ALFRED AND ZENIBA WHOM I HAVE BORROWED FROM SPIRITED AWAY FOR FUN.) ( * ALSO, BECAUSE DICK IS IN CHARACTER, HE WAS NOT API WHEN HE TOOK HIS PUNISHMENT IN TIGER'S ROOMS. NOTED, NO SEX ONLY ORAL HAPPENED. THAT IS WHY HE'D RATHER HAVE AOI SOFTEN THE BLOW YET MISSED HIS SHOT.)

//////////

When Richard was still a tyke, his good family friend Madame Zeniba ( borrowed) had a tea set that he sometimes spent a good while observing when she had it out for guests. The coating of golden burns and white porcelain looked as old as time. And every time, the tea had tasted just as perfect. For years as an acrobat’s child, Richard had drunken remedies to calming formulas at the end of the day by both his desire to steep with her and for she to tell him fortune with one look at his palms.

“ You may one day find great purpose in the trials that complete you, dear Robin. And when you do, I shall give you a gift should you return to this tent.”

“ Return? Madame Zeni-

“ Shush – shush….the ancestors tell me a lot, but you need to listen better, dear child. The time when it is cannot be taken away. For thus is fate, your fate, written line by line as I believe…”

“ Could I really have some big universal prophecy or something?” The seven year old knew words as Zeniba only smiled and took out her lovely tea pot and matching cups for them to share.

“ Tea, would give you reason to not think it over until the spirits wish it so.”

/////////////////////////

That trip was before their deaths, and in his fate under the strange court of Minerva, how Dick wanted so badly to push ahead and attack now... yet Tiger could become more aware as he’d taken his shirt, himself the next morning to rest.

Tiger called that night, a look on his face as Richard entered as he was instructed to.

“ I was gonna test ya when you slept off the hard on, kiddo. But we’re gonna start yet training tonight. Go under the bar shelf and pull out a large wooden box fer me.” Dock got up to do so, then wax stopped as Tiger pointed a finger.

“ Not in that rag, sweetie. I got you a better outfit to serve it up in.”

/////////

Dick bunched up his legs at the pinch of lace between his thighs and the slight lift this maid dress made for him to reveal his toned ass to a living pedo.

“ Ya look the part, so we’re gonna try your balance out for size. Go get the box, rinse, fill and and next ta that is a metal tin of my favorite tea. Mmm, my momma used to love that blend so much that I had to swap it from her recipe box for myself when she passed.” Richard got into Aoi's skin as she slipped away to cautiously not flash her employer out of habit. The box was a Japanese or traditional craftsman’s import with two cups and a short handle and spout to pour the contents with. Aoi found the tin right on the same row of shelves as the lifted the box out onto the bar countertop.

“ Good girl. There should be a wheeling cart on your left side. Yeah, for the good drinks. Perfect.”

Tiger sat in an arm chair while a table would be provided upon the rolling cart for him. The way Tiger spoke was a mother’s coo in Aoi’s ear and truthfully, she wanted to spit in his cup for that. Instead, working to find out where the missing workers had gone to was the best move, as Aoi got a steep timer that cane with the box and let hit water bubble in an electric kettle in the kitchenette area of the bar. Ten minutes, and the water was done.

“ I like it slow and steady, makes a good heat.”

Aoi scrunched their nose as they focused on the task at hand. ( pronouns here.) The steep was done similarly to how the Wayne’s butler built a good cup. Professional, a standard well obtained by training the ear, nose and senses attune to the right heft of liquid.

Was it too thin?

Too strong smelling of caffeine?

Did it need less time or more or..less dare he say it, heat?

The timer went as Aoi brought the cart and removed the leaves upon that right time, seeing a big “o” shape where Tiger’s mouth should have been.

“ You...are amazing as Id'a pictured, doll.”

“ I hope you’ll enjoy –

“ A- bu- bup!” Tiger put a hand up as he pointed to the handle.

“ It’s rude to not serve the guest first. In this case, I want you to finish with a perfect pour into each cup. No spills or we’ll start over.”

Starting over meant…. A grade lower than average. Dick didn’t DO below, so he did the only his mind could come up with. He mirrored a friend’s movements as if this were second nature. The posture if an athlete and a dancer of a tightrope in his blood, Aoi smiled by this victory – short as it was, the task was done flawlessly to the last drop.

////////////

“ I’m gonna show you technique off next office meeting. My skin flint client from Gotham loves all kinds a’ tea, but he has robots serving it because no one will touch him.” Laughed the mobster.

“ Aoi, go sit and drink a bit. You’ve earned it. I’m keeping you on, full –

“ Ah, is that really wise with the others, sir?”

Tiger had the cup halfway to his lips as Dick went to grab a napkin from the tray beside their tea pot party.

“ I’m sorry! That was un- 

"They don’t need to be told nothing. You don’t owe um, kid. You owe me, Willy ,and my pal Sionas.” 

"He is the boss, not you? But you get along so much better with the staff...?....”

Aoi smiled with a bat of long lashes over their cup. “ All that and I think it should be a bit hotter.” The cup soon was left , scattered on the ground as Tiger pointed to the mess.

“ First lesson. Look good, And, do good, don’t try to mish with the client. Clean it up.”

///////////

After the floor was swept and done right by his youthful stamina, Richard was treated to an iced tea and the remains of what he'd find were his punishment. 

"I only did that to show you that one wrong cup, and ya spill the whole tray. Eyes go around in this room. I don’t just have my tea parties for fun. So every time u says “ keep it hot” you?” 

"Make it hotter, for you sir.” Grinning, that earned a ruffle of Richard’s real hair.

“ Kid, we are gonna get along , I can tell. But don’t tell nobody about being gone. I’ll take care a’ that. It’s eleven on the nose. You did a four-hour shift to warm up, and tomorrow will be midday. I got it.”

////////////////

“ Does Tiger pick favorites before he makes them, d'you know?”

Slade thought over that a second, knowing this kind of his castle only had loans, not bargains on his “ to do” lists.

~ He does that , buy I think from what Jade has told me that he gets assistance. Makes it truly look like an accident. Just keep your legs together and don’t give too much away. The most I can do is coach you, yet we did find a door up near the floor where something is brewing out of reach. You’ll have to try harder; look into events and be his arm candy, anything to keep you from being dropped.~

“ Don’t remind me! Cass came back and said she’s fine, but I know Sio is the one. I just need to get –

~ If Sionas ever asks, you say “ I’m happy here, sir.~

” Ah…may I ask, why are you so worried all of a sudden, Will?” Raising his ear to the door, his room was safe while Cass was still washing up next door.

~You are the run away child of a billionaire that would gut me if he caught on this quick. Jade is no double agent yet she us against just staying quiet over her sibling going missing. It even turns out, she went to the upper echelon and didn’t come back.~

/////////////////

The morning came and Dick went to look into a bowl if fruit and things for a flater tummy. If he was going to Don the tights today, he had to not skimp on any details. Down in the kitchen, code named “

Jinx,” that same goth girl from the other floor had a phone in hand and was barely paying any mind towards how distressed Richard was in the background. “ Got a secret?”

“ No.” Dick blurted out just from getting a napkin by the counter. “ How could you not guess; your stance us wickedly obvious.” She droned.

“ What about you?” He turned and leaned against the counter, eying the thing in her hands.

“ Hexing my opponents. Comes in handy during a battle Royale. Any new leads on what Kori is up to?”

Dick turned red and put up his hands in defense of her questioning. “ N – no! She’s way too….um….where is this going?”

“ You’re being too weird.” She finally put down her game, hold up and her eyes masking concern. Or trouble.

“ I wanted to take on a new post and did. The one upstairs is...” 

"OH.” She bobbed her head, turning to return to her death battle game of witches and cursed swords. “ Have fun in all suds?”

“ Not that bad.” Frowned the other teen. “ But Wally was-

Richard froze.

“ He, was what?”

“ HIII!!”

Around the corner, Cass waved and pulled Dick to her. “ He’s not very bright, mind us. Kay?”

“ You owe me a secret for making my rank go down.”

“ There is a pint of sorbet that is all yours in the freezer! Thank youuu!” Richard was pulled from the room as Jinx quickly went back to her battle in LA la land. It didn’t take long for the two of them to catch a breather.

//////////

“ What did you do??” Hissed Cassie to his face.

“ I…Wally saw me changing, and it got…”

” Shut. UP. THIS was exactly why I should have gone too! Wally is annoying, at best.” Cass pouted.

“ How are you, after –

“ I shouldn’t talk right now. My shift was off until five A.M. Today I get to sleep and pig out!” Cass grinned as Dick had a shift from seven to midnight. His latest one yet.

“ Ah, when you have a sec, I wanted to ask you about Sio.”

Dropping her cheery mood, Cass pretended to not pay mind before gazing up at him.

“ Why?”

“ I’m working in a role upstairs and he sometimes visits...Mr.. Tiger.”

Her eyes went wider even than the time he’d seen her in her room. Then, she shook her head, panic rushing as she rose to grip his shoulders.

“ What did you try to do?? You can’t be like Jade…she lost! Didn’t you hear?”

“Jade let me have the job and it’s not just for me. I’m looking for something in this place. I don’t know what.”

“ Then stop looking and go home.” Sniffled the blonde youth.

“ Before you get seriously hurt. You don’t know…anything about these people. They could b –

“ I know enough that if I dig to deep, I’m going upstairs where I might find my answers, but you need to keep it mum. Kay? I heard from a lot of people that Tiger isn’t so sweet on his least favorites. He even told me not to tell anyone yet.” 

"SO,…” She started to hyperventilate. “ He could find out that you did it! Aoi!?” Cass whined as Dick had no choice left.

“ Cool it. I know what to do.” He held her as she nodded with a run of snot down her face. “ It’s okay, Cassie. Don’t worry about me.”

////////////////

The spanking was something as Tiger did find out. He was light to say it, punishing Dick for talking when he needed to wait his turn. By the end of his shift, there was a cock in his mouth and a hair full if God knows that got showered off before his last call to the hour.

“ This wasn’t fun for either of us, but ya gotta learn ta take orders. You already took my cock, sweetie. Learn from that. They don’t need to get nosy. If they do, yah come to me. Got it, babe?”

Sitting in his suit still, pants back in order, Dick felt so used up. Like a college prof had to have a boner and had excused them both from the last class to get bent.

Dick nodded, wiping the last of the spit he could from over the sink in the kitchenette. 

"Y- yes sir…” Dick nodded briskly, picking up his clothes and out the door he went. Chest hurting, eyes shut.

“ Fuck….” He heaved, going back to his room, showered and without the evidence of that punishment round in his dark locks. Not a drop of cum left to parade around after midnight.

Not to mention that he'dbe standing tomorrowall day. As if Tiger’s plan had been to keep him moving and obedient.

Dick wanted to go to bed, call Will first....tell him, that like Jinx, he was a weird one.

////////////////

Chapter Text

Light A Candle For Me

//////////////

Chapter 22: Sun in My Eyes

/////////////////

In the end, Will called him.

Cass was crashed out , flopped belly down on her bed while Dick had a hand lain over his eyes, gazing shut up towards the headboard, groaning off a weird night.
The phone rang right inside of his large gym sized bag as he rolled over, not even thinking…until a click sounded as he slept.

/////////////////

Dick groggily got up an hour after Cass's body had left to use the shower. He rubbed his eyes and with a big yawn, the ringing had resumed.

Blinking, he nearly scrambled to grab it.

“ S- shit! Look, I-

~ You shut off my calls. ~

“ I slept through them…” Dick seethed guiltily. “ Sorry…but look, I –

~ I have information you might want, yet isn’t today your morning off?~

////////////////
Dick had three hours to come back to the casino, ready his next dress up idea, one till Tiger called him for a preview of his next lesson. Gods knew what lesson it wasn’t, the tea piece leaving his skin boiling…

As they sat at a coffee shop table, the glass making sure that Slade’s disguise didn’t give away the boy’s trip out of the area, they spoke. Of Jade’s alliance and of the Bat’s snooping.

“ Did he touch you?”

The coffee almost spilled as Richard grabbed a napkin to clear up the drops from his hand. Thankfully, it was burn free with his fingerless gloves today. His emo punk ensemble and swept hair wig made the idea of Aoi being social with a stranger , Aoi being straight with a stranger to anyone that looked their way.

“ W- what?” He stuttered and looked up with an incredulous glance at the older male.

“ Did. He cross any lines, Richard?”

“ Not…not really-

“ Don’t lie to me. What did you let him –

“ I’m not a damned amateur..” Dick scoffed and crossed his arms over his chest. “ What? Was he going to say yes to a seasoned idiot? I was –

“ HE is not safe to open up to. You have to pull back. I heard things…”

Dick turned a bright red, his hooded sweatshirt going up. “ Damn it! Keep it do-

“ No. You have to hear; you made the first go –

“ S- so what?” Laughed the kid. “ I’m in ! He loves me, Aoi, I mean-

“ He’s infatuated, Dick. Watch yourself.”

“ He’s lying about that.”

“ If you get too close, make one step out of what he’s expecting…”

Will cut the kid off.

“ He could send you to Sio to be “ fixed.” Still, remember all of these missing assistants?”

Dick froze up as his hands left his cup. Damn. He knew it was undeniable….he’d done something irreversible.

“ Jade’s sister Arte, she was picked once and they thought she’d gone pro really. Turns out, that upstairs “ hall” is where the best and worst go. If you lost this job, he’d send you there I bet. For reconditioning. You’d never see your father the-

“ Not true.” Dick shook his head. “ Because Tiger may like me enough to keep me. Heck, I’ll get him to propose when I’m done.”

“ Sio won’t like it.” Hummed Will as he sipped again.

“ Want a new drink, kid?”

“ Oh…Yeah…? It, kinda got gross now.” Dick shrugged with a grin as Will raised a hand, getting up to go order a hot cocoa for the trouble of coming out.

Only to get burned “out” by your elders.

One thing; how did Will know about what Aoi’s first taste of Tiger???

////////////////
When Dick got through the doors again by the time his hands had quit staying clammy, Tiger of all folks had been by the lobby, his watch on and pointing to it.

“ Dress rehearsal, kid?”

Dick blinked before looking at the time.

It was forty to…..

“ I….am so sor-

“ Easy, easy.” Tiger hushed with a smooth flow to his voice. “ Get prepared. You got this. Bet you going out before I had ya was a bit …eh, you know I don’t wanna see you out in the cold. So, work come first. Okay?”

Dick nodded, stupidly feeling threatened by those words.
~ He could do it …throw me out right now.~ Gulped the boy.

“ But, I ain’t cruel like that. Do you see me shouting?” He chuckled and patted the kid’s shoulder before “ gently” nudging him towards the elevator. “ I’ll see you on your shift, pup. Wear something you feel proud of.”

Saluting the kid, Dick Dumbledore nodded back, lips half curled once the doors had shut.

Oh, this….this meant he could also have just a teensy bit of fun fawning over his new boss. Will could be right, true. Mobsters were monsters, human and crooked as they came.

Yet…

Smirking, Aoi decided to just hit the podium. Tell it like it was to his face.

That sooner or later, he’d cross that lime and open the way to where all of those missing , discarded staff were currently held.

And where a part of his memory would return. Why the Minervan sect wanted him so badly enough to drug, frame his pseudo pops as a rapist and then…then, have Dick run right back to them.

Tiger was watching him, always. So was Will. If Will was even on his side, Dick would need to step extra carefully.
In he popped to pull out of his room a something. A suit, pencil skirt and heels just a bit less kitten than cat. He took up his hair with a costume pin and made it seem as if this were an airline line and not a mobster’s calling. It didn’t work so plan be Hi- fang style dress and heels. He dipped into a bit of eyeliner, just a touch and some chap stick to seem less call girl and more….more professional grade assassin. Heck, if Tiger ever asked him to kill the competition or-

“ Ah!”

Dick spun round to see Cass hugging the wall and huffing...

“ When did you –

“ No time.” She frowned, pulling her hair tie out and shoving off her shoes. Under her bed was a set of boots in black with glossy gold logos on them.

“ Are you going out?”

He didn’t get an answer as the one thing he saw was her wrists.

She was not okay.

They were sore, under a set of red leather cuffs, they were grabbed by someone.

“ Cass?”

She sighed past him, not paying mind as if anything else had her attention at the time.

“ Cass!”

She was out the door with more patent leather and a look that didn’t suit the old her.

He got his stockings on and cussed under his breath.

“ Fucking, Sio again….” Dick clicked his tongue, Starling the name as it tasted foul. Too foul. If he ever, ever got his hands on that pig?

He'd gut it.

Out the door, up the elevator, and one knock too soon, Aoi pushed back a lock of hair to see more guests.

One being the man he’d sworn to curse.

And Jade.

/////////

Tiger had Dick in his little China dress today, Jade was wearing cargos and a tube top with a green army cap on. She did look army ready as her boots exhibited the fashion sense Richard had grown to admire while leaning away from trad wife norms in his situation.

The dress, was skin tight as he hugged a tray from their tea pot to his chest and waited. Lips cherry red, hair cropped up in a fun bun, Sio was not a fan of waiting. Today was coffee, not tea as Jade stayed with it off of her breath. Dick imagines he’d have a sip later.

“ So, Jade didn’t get into your arms first?”

“ She looks to like you best, brother.” Tiger countered.
“ I see your little assistant likes to play pretend.” Sio leaned in, eyes all but amused with Jade being colder than Dick had ever seen her act. She was on their side. He had to remember what Will had said.

“ You’re gonna take em to the ball, Tiger? Show off the spoil sport to Cobby?”

Dick blinked, seeing Jade’s façade slightly chip.

“ Too impressive if I don’t, but if I do…they have to have the right appeal ta not turn heads. I’m sorry, this was about –

“ Right. We have a six fourth that was interrupted. Got a mess with somebody we recognized asking about the clean up. “ B.” He calls himself.”

Dick grippe the plate until Tiger shoots the kid off to let the adults talk. Jade as well, the two told to go into a different drawing room past the rest room area.
Finally, Jade shut down the silence with a hiss at her competition.

“ I didn’t ask for him, how do you think this makes me look? You know what Will told you, right?”

“ B? D- do you –

“ Little rich boy’s daddy gets blamed for assault and a humble assassin picks up the slack to help find the ones responsible for planning the set up on Mr. Bruce Wayne.” Huffed Jade. “ I do, and he’s looking. But I’m not in on this. I want my sister back, period. Sio knows where she is.”

“ Cassie then…did he –

“ He’s possibly a follower of that stupid sect that took Artie. My younger sibling.” Jade cleared her throat.
“ What ball are they talking about?” Dick pulled his bun down to fix it. Hair sticks placed on a small table to his left. “ Why are they talking so much about it?”

“ It’s a socialite’s playground and usually Tiger introduces his newest squeeze. That one would be you, Richard Grayson Wayne.”

/////////////

“ How much did you figure out? Will?”

“ CODE NAME.” Jade snipped, trying to stay quiet. “ Shush it. They are not as deaf as you think.”

“ Meta?”

“ No idea. …insane, possibly.”

“ Why did you…and Sio?”

“ Roman Sionas.” She said. Dick’s jaw dropped. “ That?” He gasped. “ Him? Oh no…”

“ The face ripper from four years back. And Tiger is just a patrol man for him to push around. You’re not really his, but Sio’s property. That’s what they’d rather happen hut I know Tiger. He’s too clingy. The last game was with a girl named Annie who ended up stitched to her cloth –

“ What the hell??!”

“ Shut. Up.” Jade slammed him into a walk, hand over the mask of lipstick as she tore them from the room towards the bathroom sink and mirror there. “ Will actually goes by the code name Deathstroke and his real name is classified. He only told you a fake one.”

“ O …..OK….But then Sio is –

“ Didn’t he tell you not to do too much? What? Were you a sex worker in y…” She stopped. “ What did you do with Tiger already.”

“ I….I sucked him off. That’s all –

Jade pulled vack, slapping a palm to her brow with a groan. “ You…fucking moron! That us code for “ keep me longer.” Now you can’t ever get him pissed off! He did say to cut this crap out, didn’t he-

“ Will sent me here to get answers. I’m close enough tgat I can be Aoi and play this game to the finish.”

“ Not you.” She pointed to his reflection as Richard swallowed upon seeing himself smeared by her palm. His eyes going to the mascara already running. “ My –

“ You are and were a mess before coming here. You can’t finish if he cracks the right chord and makes you fucking immobile. I know Artie has to be a damned drooling mess of worse, she was taught by out dad to resist torture like I was…”

“ Who…was your dad you said?”

“ I didn’t.” Jade sat on the toilet seat. “ Another time. Fix your face and we’ll join them once I get a ping.”

“ He communicates with you? I just have my work schedule.” Dick pouted. “ No fair.”

“ I told you, copycat.” Snorted Jade smugly. “ You’re not able to get into the deep end like the pros. Keep trying and you may drown without a little pull up.”

//////////////////

Dick came out fresh as a weathered daisy while Jade looked unruffled by their talk. It showed in how Richard as Aoi had a long way to go. His emotional side was a nuisance, while she had no emotional side to ruin her cover yet. Only in the bathroom with a broken mirror, he guessed.

Sio leaned into his fist as he grinned at the two, dressed to impress and impressed by how Jade was always so mature around the younger staff.

“ Did you too get ta bond a bit?” He dared ask her.

Jade nodded as her lips moved freely in response to the main mobster’s question. “ Yeah, Sio. She’s still kinda shy. I think Aoi has a shot though. If you need any pointers, don’t be afraid to ask the seniors here.” She Winked at Richard, who coyly smiled as if it were hard to express a true thanks back.

After a talk like that, it was hard to look at Tiger and not think of poor Annie….

Or what Sio did to Jade to get her to stay by his side.

///////////////

“ It’s tough.”

Dick was already back in his clothing to return to his rooms as Tiger sighed at his desk, lamenting to the only other person within the room at that time.

“ Sio’s been the big wheeler by a mile and here I am, stuck a few feet below the top echelon of….if course, you may make em see different. Aoi?”

Duck looked at his attire. Wait….he was-

“ Aoi, sweetie? One good bye kiss? All I ask a ya?”
Dock flushed red a second before choking down the fact that he...

Clingy. Oh.

That was what she meant.

Dick softened himself up a bit and walked up to Tiger’s desk. An arm reeled him in, around his waist as he was dragged to sit in the lap of his boss. The man’s face inches as he was tilted to have their lips both part.

It felt. Uncomfortable to allow this.

The rush of adrenaline turned to frozen fear as Tiger anticipated that too. “ Here.” He pulled back, a bit of the same coffee that Richard’s mind had wanted from the very start “ High price stuff. Don’t waste.”

He took the cup and thankfully, it still retained some heat as Tiger backed off a bit.

This…was strange. Why didn’t he throw himself farther in?

Why-

“ Jade said you’re a shy one, so a taste is all I get to give. Eventually, you’ll be okay with more than this, doll.” He petted Richard’s spine as the coffee slowly warmed all the rest. Sip by sip.

“ After all, being abandoned more than once has gotta hurt. B ain’t on your mind even once, lil bird?”

////////////////////

Chapter Text

Light a Candle For Me

////////////

Chapter 23: Found Out; Utterly Dumbfounded
///////////

Dick’s spine stiffened as Tiger pulled his hand back away.

“ All okay up there, doll?”

“ No.” Dick shook his head, trying to slip down from Tiger's lap, yet he was caged in, cooed too softly.

“ Hey, hey now…what’s wrong? You didn’t have a look in your eyes before…”

“ You…know Aoi, buy how did you know about Me? About, him? That…that was –

“ Will never told ta, sweetie?” Sniffed Tiger ashe let Dick get up to un crumple his tight dress.

“ Will said something? Does anybody else –

“ I don’t want the Bat here, and you don’t either. Can we just leave it at that?” Tiger pointed to the phone on his desk. “ I could call up Will if you wanna. I know you cane here on cue because he told ya to and I’m actually glad.”

“ Are…you gonna do what I think-

“ No.” Shaking his head, Tiger looked calmly back. “ You’re here to look for something you ain’t never gonna find. I’m having fun leading you on, Aoi, or Dick?”

“ I….” Taking a minute, he didn’t know. It all felt, offf and out of place. “ Call him. I wanna talk.” Dick swallowed.

“ Will could make things worse.”

“ He’s why I can’t touch you the way I want, actually. And I wanna get my ends straight with you. This is a business proposition. If you stay here, you live by the rules. He knows that. Why the hell do you think I didn’t tell you about us being so tight, huh?”

Dick frowned at the hand hovering over the cell, moments from show time.

“ Please. Tell him what I didn’t know.”

“ Good kid. Wait over there.” Tiger smirked pointed with his chin to a seat across from the desk, where Sio had seated himself moments ago.

////////////////

~ He isn’t fit for this case. ~

“ Kid was a natural to me.” Tiger shrugged as Will groaned low into the line. ~ Dick? Is this really what you want? Tiger hired us if you were wondering because Sio had brought business that wasn’t to his fancy. Whatever you heard about bodies being f tossed out, that was Sio. I, may have embellished some details.~

“ Jade?”

~ For now, she believes them. It was to keep that “ talon” some in you from taking hold –

“ Wait a second!” Dick threw up his arms in protest. “ That’s why you made Tiger hold….oh…my God. You cock blocked Aoi??”

~ In a way, yes. ~

“ But….but i….thought –

~ I told you. You never had to be so drastic. Tiger will get you up to the highest floor AS LOMG as you only put on are to his guests, nothing more. He was an ex-agent of a group called Spyral and his instincts were dead on. Sio actually owns the upper levels but someone else is above him. That is why the Bat took a sniff and is in thus city. We want you to get your justice, yet Sio is our problem.~

“ So….you weren’t my enemy, you’re just –

“ I was as sweet to you as much as my ego can take. A part of me kinds enjoyed making you fidget. Hehe.”

Tiger smirked, Will grumbling something that was unheard by either. ~ Back to the matter of his, ascension?~

“ Right. So? You said Talon, which means Minerva is back for seconds. Those bozos in while are definitely something Sio would dig his meaty paws into. I know.
Under the time they took me in to work, I was watching every one of my assistants be carted up a few flights. A few days later, accidents began to gapped and I confronted the fucker about it.”

Tiger sighed. “ Dead girls, a boy too. No homes, no parents. Missing limbs. I saw way too much. Actually thought about alerting Spyral but they would make this place a crime scene more than it us. It’s why I left, got this job to fish up some reason to still do sone good…”

“ You don’t, sell... them to Sio?”

“ Heck no! He stole from me behind my back and those lives are in my hands, including you if you let him string you with his pretty bribes. No matter what he asks, sells, don’t buy it. It’s nad enough that Jade got his hands on her. She meat be quite the hard core woman to force her way to his doorstep.”

Frowning, Tiger sat back and pondered everything else on his plate. “ Dick? You van touch my arms but hands off the piece. That is not a thing we do when a case is on UNLESS.” He stopped. “ Unless, lime I said, you got in. That was something that had gone wrong far too fast. I…”

~ It was under your watch.~~

“ Do talon….hypnotize?” Dick asked. “ Like owls, can they?”

“ Could I have been?”

~ I’ll look into the why’s, you two….stay feet apart. My partner is still only seventeen and that would add to a record neither of you want to see.~

“ Yes, quite true. You heard daddy bear, Dickie.”

“ I heard.” Sighed Dick. “ Then, thanks, I guess?”

~ Anytime, sport. If she acts up again, we can look into a way to dampen her a bit. I know she has the part down, yet going in too deep….I can’t lose you yet, kid.~

“ Again, thanks. I think.” Dick rubbed his shoulder nervously as Tiger stretched in his seat, yawning as the night light of their lamp dimmed the entire scene in a serene glow.

“ It’s about time he waddled off ta the cot. Promises are made, so don’t you fret.”

~ I shouldn’t have to.~ Will replied. ~ My reputation us a bit muddled as it is. After all, I was the kid’s second or perhaps…?~

Tiger’s ears perked up, hos whole body leaning angrily over the call.

““ What did you-

////////////
“ When you said you had experience…?”

“ He was, the one that kidnapped me in a way from my old haunt.” Dick dropped his head.

“ But you danced, and…oh shit.” Tiger sat back down.

“ It’s okay! You were a lot more sincere than him, really.”

Tiger looked up out of his palm as Dock didn’t seem insincere himself. “ You better not bat at too many folks, kid. I’m not the only one the Bat could peg to a wall. Bed. Go.”

“ R- right…” Dick nodded, thanking Tiger as he was let go.
Had he only known that Tiger was blushing when he’d left the room. That….that could be a problem.

“ Sio and Slade ain’t gonna lay a hair on you kid.” He growled once the boy was down the hall. “ I gotta promise something if Sio is quicker than me this time….”

/////////////

By the morning, Richard had a fat text on his cell, his cell, from a number with devilish looking hearts attached to it.
His guess? Jinx was up to a trick or two.

/////////

Sleeping on her ass as he got into his Hoodia and jeans was Cass. She was for once I’m decent pj’s with no damn smell if alcohol, meaning she wasn’t in any real danger since last night’s talk on the line. Sio was the problem, but Tiger was another ally? Will had to tell him more as Dick slipped out the door, hoping not to have Cass wake to ask where he was off to at seven in the morning.

///////////////////

Two women, not one.

Jinx was playing her game down in the kitchen which still was empty today – the other woman had dark black hair, tanned skin and brown similar to Kori’s. She wore a mod tight dress in black and long boots, akin to her height that was about five six at the least. She looked to be twenty or so.

“ Kamara, dearie.” The woman smiled with black glass across her lip at him. “ Oh? Don’t I look anything like my twin? Jinx, tell him."

“ Kamara? This is Richard; A.k.a : Lady Luck. A.k.a , Aoi from the main floor that night, blade- blah, whatever.”

“ You? You were that everlasting spectacular woman on that stage??” Gasped the dark-haired diva. “ My sister was blown away by how you could charm a crowd. She works smaller ones, more expensive than way.”

" Ah, are you from her same floor? Sorry, I saw she has a high rank compared to me.” Dick added. “ She even had the model figure ….I was on Selina’s floor room. The catwalk.”

“ Ah, no no. I’m in one just two floors up from that. I’m sort of the….manager of it. But you don’t need to hear me talk this much. About you, though? How mysterious…having a double alter ego. What us it like, hum?”

“ Fun, for a bit until you get lazy.” Nervously chuckled the kid.

“ Modest and shy in real life? The true signs of a genius!” Grinned Kamara. “ If you ever do end up in the “ play room?” She flipped her hair as Richard’s ears bled hot.
“ You know I’d be happy to show up, just for you, sweetie. Maybe Tiger can bring you on a little walk over?”

“ We are strictly business, sorry. It’s not like that at all-

“ You sure about that, Rich?” Jinx put up her phone screen as a stream of live faces and words poured out of it.

“ Tiger is your sugar daddy. How do I clear that up for you.”

“ Who us responsible-

Dick bit his lip. “ Shut it down. I’m doing important work and this, it’s all lies!”

“ Not to be a bulldozer , but...ehem, hun?” Kamara cupped his jaw as she baby talked her way into his thoughts. “ Anyone you know here that’s old enough has slept with the producer. Sorry, but you’re nothing special. That forum just watches out for abuses, scandals and crimes that the bosses don’t talk about. We use it to bring ourselves justice, if you know what I mean.”

“ You….evidence?”

“ Yes!” She patted his head and let go. “ You’ve got it! Kori, about a month ago was nearly grouped and the uproar on here had the man banned and put away for a little tip will gave. Even false, the internet is a powerful tool in punishing criminals.”

The glint in her dark eyes made Richard wary as Kamara was too regal in her high heels to call herself an anarchist yet.

“ Well? Tell me; did you get a good wall in those heels yesterday? Remember. My door is always open if Tiger lets you back out of your shell to play with me.”

She fluttered her eyes, waving back. “ I’d even properly introduce you to my sister. She’s she around boys because of the job she was given – all thanks to my doing. Ta - ta, and lovely to chat with you too!”

/////////////

Jinx was sure that she’d gotten Richard thrown off the boat with that little stint.

“ Who….is watching Tiger’s cameras? Can you find out, Jinx??”

“ I already did and, nobody remotely. It’s done via whatever computer they have. And that same guy, Will is in on it?
Why, Aoi?”

“ That….please, can you keep a secret.” He begged.

“ Like Pandora herself.” Jinx nodded. “ Lay it on me.”

“ I’m here to get to Sio now, because he knows who tried to frame my father. Will was helping me get closer, and I used to be an important person to the group that –

“ Wait.” Jinx put up a hand. “ You want…that floor??” She shook her head. “ Do you know what the playroom is?? It’s one below the Coliseum. And THAT is like a sex –
gladiator myth that no one EVER wants to get sent to! If you’re in with Sio, good or bad performance, he can do what he wants. Stick by Tiger. Do what Will-

“ Will us going to make me wait years. I need to hurry. My dad…he’s out there, looking for me, and I want my memories back.”

“ Dick….”

Jinx put down her game. “ You are close already, so stop trying to prove that you’re not. We’re not the enemy here…Kamara? Maybe? Jade? She works with your old boss, but –

“ You set up the cameras.” Dick snapped his fingers.

“ I didn’t send the tweets though.” Jinx replied. “ I was hacked. So was Tiger.”

“ You really are a bit cursed, ya know that?” Snickered the boy as Jinx had to laugh at that too “ My auntie knew some dark magic back in Mumbai. I could curse you too, you know?”

“ PLEASE.” Dick presented to wilt. “ Have mercy!”

( KEPT HER FROM INDIA LIKE THE COMICS AND SERIES.)
//////////////

Floors in order

( HAVE TO FIX EARLIER NUMBERS. GOT SLIOPPY.)

1( lowered to highest) : The casino and bar ( down a flight is the mess hall , kitchen) ( always empty around seven but fills up later when everyone is awake) Bar opens at noon and no underage are allowed beyond this point. On other floors, limit us eliminated and illegal acts of hostesses are introduced behind closed doors)

2: the baths or spa ( Wally works here) ( involves sexual acts to higher paying customers after dark. Shown that most staff were already brainwashed)

3: the catwalk and boutique ( Selina and Ivy are here and run the station. Richard’s clothes are sold in the boutique and online, yet partly the labor is forced behind closed doors)

4: the hotel loft and rooms for residents/workers ( Cass, Jade, rest , live and stay here)

5: the offices , Tiger den ( Tiger lives and works here yet has other homes in Cali outside of casino.)

6: unknown

7:unknown

9: unknown

10: the play room ( Kamara works and runs this floor)
11:the coliseum ( sexy fighting arena) so cliché, I know
12: the ( pleasure) hall ( Kori works here because Blackfire made a deal with Sio)

13: The roost ( Minerva main floor meeting rooms and resident area, off limits)

Outside: a pool out back for residents and the beach is by the walk for the staff on their days off.

Dick is paid by the hour so he makes the same as a full-time bus driver working evening hours till midnight or less depending on the task. He never has morning shifts.
Richard has more clothes either delivered by air maul drone or through their system and from Will. He tends to wear incognito outfits on his days off to avoid bringing attention to himself. He us a viral hit in the community he works around.

Will has to cock block Aoi because she is very persuasive; another reason why he doesn’t want Dick to get too deep into this case without his help. Richard has no idea what lies ahead yet he’s more afraid that the Bat will shut down their work and learn the truth too soon. He also knows that he had sex with Slade and the rest that followed was of his decision to clear the Bat’s name and get some of his lost memories back that the Minerva order took from him regarding the incident.

His name, who Aoi really is as a split personality or a spectrum otherwise known – what lies ahead? What about Jade’s warning? Was she really unaware of Will’s lie about Tiger?

Does Tiger actually have a crush on his assistant?
Will Slade be able to reveal his real identity to Dick, eventually

Find out!

Chapter Text

Light a Candle For Me-

///////////

Chapter 24: Say it Ain’t So!

_////////////

The hacker is revealed  …dun...Dun!!!

///////////

/////////

Dick went about his day the next day, going over documents. Seeing a new client to speak with Tiger; a bird's beak twice as narrow and eyes all too beady.

“ Ozzy!”

That went as well and Ozzy was the typical wannabe gentleman figure you’d see in old books. Top hat style without the hat and a grip as slimy as mafia could be.

When done in that room, Tiger told Aoi to go to their next gig which was on Ozzy’s floor. It involved a lot of…something.

With a bow , Aoi got into further character abd slipped away to see Jade and Sio. Both were by the elevator up to Ozzy’s floor Tiger had said, so Aoi stayed partly shy and shut their mouth the entire ride up.

Jade took down notes as if she had eagle eyes glued to them, the heeled boots going south as Ozzy’s staff retrieved the group.

To the top, wasn’t much a fuss yet it turned out to be a comedy club with a more theater set up. On stage, was a wonderful jester of a soul. His hair greased back and dark, his skin as icy and sweaty white while the make up had to be caring by now. He had an assistant with a nasally voice in two pig tails.

“ And the pig said to the rhinoceros, “ are we still talking about the same dame, because that works be….my wife you had in your bed last time!”

The crowd laughed Loyd into the ceiling as Aoi had missed the punchline. The woman worh her voice was cooed over as she hung onto the greasy cartoon character while they stopped to see Sio there with Ozzy. “ The Icy Lounge is no snore fest tonight, airtight right, Puddin?”

“ Oh, for sure, doll face. Go get an autograph with Desmond over there. He’s been aching to say his, while we big boys…talk awhile.”

////////

The back offices were not Ozzy’s theme but a purple and green decore that screamed “ from the nut house.”

“ Jared.” (  using Gotham name for this kid.)

“ Right as illever be; lay it ohh…who are you, my dear?” He gasped at Aoi’s steampunk design today. A little more street smart mixed in to make it less, Victorian by design..

“ Tiger’s newest helping hand.” Sio said as soon as Aoi was about to make their acquaintance. “ Yes, Mr….?”

“ Jared. But you can call me the Clown Prince in this birdcage, my dear.” He took their hand as if to kiss it, only to shake it a bit more delicately as Richard pulled away with a smile and a nod. “ Oh, that joke you told? We missed the entire set, came from the first floors below you…what floor is the Ice Lounge? Is this it or an –

“ You sure want to know these grounds a bit , but Tiger had orders ta introduce you ta Harleen.”

Dick blinked.

~ She was taken by them….and I will find out the truth.~

Your….assist-

“How rude! My partner, kiddo.” Laughed the clown prince. “ She wanted you to see how things are run. You and your fancy dresses. She’s in need of her close up and we thought you’d be the perfect soul to hire for a wedding gown?”

“ Oh….I’m….really, I-

“ Selina has staff here too. They work on the sets, do a lot of fun projects. You could do the same. And to design the nest – only the right one will do…and those hands tell me you can?”

Oh…that was why.

“ I could, for the reason of making her look amazing. My skills are still not as good as you’ve heard-

“ But. I want you to do it. So, will you then? Aoi - chan?”

/////////

In the end, he was put towards drawing up designs of a more visual intake. Getting her measurements,  her likes and seeing a former gymnastics all – star also weeping.

“ Harle-

“ Go away!”

Days into the process, Aoi swapped suits and came in about a few minutes later, sans wig. Sans make up.

She gawked with tired eyes as those blue sparkled into view and pulled a hand up to see for itself. “ I’m not Aoi today, so…talk to me. What’s troubling the lucky miss before she goes down the aisle?”

//////////

He heard it from her, a foggy recollection of someone missing as Richard noticed the same look as Cassie had upon returning home. Was it connected to the Minerva sect’s secret here at the resort?

“ I…she was not like me at all. We loved each other, but I swore my life for this man. I…I know I did…right?”

“ Do you love him as much as you know, or what do you really feel ….want me to put that into your dress?”

“ I want….I don’t want ta do this for him, or for me. Somethin’ ain’t right.” She shook her head with tears flowing over. “ I wanna be able to know what this feeling is!”

“ Love, longing. I didn’t own it until a long time ago.” Richard said in a softer voice. “ You saw my face,  but what can I tell you that you can’t already…oh!” He put a hand to his hip as a face betrayed a thousand longings.

“ There is, something….”

///////////////

Humming his way to the showers, Richard purely bumped into Cassie as she’d been in to change for her late shift. Her lips were looking fuller these days. Her age betrayed those looks as her sunny, ditzy features were replaced by someone willing to lose themselves on that dance floor.

“ Hey.” Dick waved to Cass as she reapplied her make up and took out a compact in his view. “ What is it?” He pointed to his face, poking it as if a zit had hatched overnight. “ Is it my face? Come on –

“ You should go rinse off, forget you saw me tonight. I’m busy.” She let the compact click shut before turning to leave. The shower room and mirrors making her anxious.

“ Cass-

////////////////

“ How was the meeting fir you, doll?”

“Still in character,  right.” Dick cleared his throat as Tiger’s espresso was sipped amid their conversation. “ Well, I’m helping make up a wedding dress for Jared’s….partner, bit she is having conflicting emotions over…..going through with it. I think.”

“ Can’t be her.” Scoffed Tiger. “ That pup dropped from a high tower and made contact before she could be turned away. It was love at first sight…”

“ She said someone is missing, not Jared.” Dick interrupted.

“ What did you figure out, lil’ Sherlock?”

“ That she loved someone else before him.” Dick sipped hos coffee, the aroma speaking of forbidden lovers hidden in plain sight.

“A rumor, nonetheless.” Grunted Tiger. “ This place has stories to tell. You have a ton to tell to me, I think?”

“ Maybe, or maybe you have some for me?” Dick batted his eyes as the cup nearly rattled in Tiger’s hands. “ Don’t go playing games, sweetheart.” He reprimanded playfully, cautiously. “ You know it turns on the beast in men.”

“ Harleen wants out, and it isn’t just that.”

“ STOP.”

“ She has no idea why-

“SHUT UP!” Tiger threw the cup down, throwing himself at the seat as Dick ended up caged with their cups spilled. The night, quiet aside from his muffled voice.

“ You  …can’t talk about it, I’ll tell – you gotta remain low , remember?” Hissed Tiger into his assistant’s ear. “ I don’t wanna indulge the moment doll. Let’s just say that…” He pulled up a pen from his pocket and began to wrote on the boy’s palm one word.

“ That she made her bed by going to him fir the job if a lifetime. One that however long it took, she’s stuck around. No more asking. Not to my face.”

Richard waited until Tiger was on his knees, eyes masking his worry as Dick nodded back up, eyes straight as two points to the center of infinite possibilities. “ Right, sorry….I won’t ask again.”

“ Good.” Toger helped them both up as a palm went to Richard’s face, a finger to his lip as it was pulled down a little to tease, to watch the reaction. “ I know you can bite, kitten. If you do, someone else might think this ain’t playtime for us no more.”

~ Sio.~ Dick’s eyes lit up a bit in suspicion. Tiger was giving him the real hacker’s identity??

“ Go on. Night is up. You’re on dress duty tomorrow for a couple hours with Jared’s crew.”

Sio….who did he send to spy on his enemies?

/////////

“ Hack back.” Dick brought this information to Jinx, who was looking under the weather with an even bigger zombie- Kuma hoodie on.

“ Why?”

“ He is the one want to be after. I know it.”

“ SIO?” She hid under her hood as her game made the worst stress induced buzzing sounds. “I’d be suicidal then, Aoi –

“ Look, right now…we may have a death coming if you DON’T step up and help me –

“You gonna do this right and give me what I want, sparkle pants? Cause if –

“ I have…money for your new game. If you want it. Ut won’t hurt me. I’m going to be fine, but the person I need to help? They won’t.”

“ Who says you can trust anybody in this dump?” Huffed Jinx as she sat crossed legged and played that annoying device for the last….

Dick cooled himself off. “ I need you and you want the new release? You’re wearing the mascot for –

“ Bamganrompa is so insane, of course!” ( Danganronpa, typo.)  “ You think I ever miss a single piece of glorious merchandise when it goes to get sold here, after a release in Japan?? He’ll no, but give me a few hours…a day.”

“You can then?? Oh! I’m getting you double –

“ Don’t guss it up, idiot!” She hissed as an overly – loved house cat. “ I’m doing this for poor Ivy. She and this person sound like they are the same from her stories. Toyally.”

“ They have to be, and the owls.” Dick looked at the fading, inky message on his palm of one word.

“ Court.”

“ Sio is one of em.” Dick fought to keep that to himself, hie voice extra a whisper in case they were not alone. “ I can get in from this tool, dude.” Dick blinked as the device with that obnoxiously violent game became a camera into Sio’s rooms.

“ I take it back…you…Are….amazing!”

////////////

Jade was there too, looking into the sounds of a groan coming from the room as the blonde woman in his bed rose and frowned her sorrows in a glass of scotch by the bedside. An arm snaked over her as the serpent pulled her down, swiftly as she placed the glass to not land on the bed.

“ Babe…you are up this soon ? Still not being good to me,”

“I….have to use the restroom, Sio…I feel weird.”

He stopped, rummaging through his stash in the drawer as it popped out. “ Go. Piss and tell me.”

The blonde whimpered and grabbed the stick from him as she wanted, damn well she knew this was fucking wrong…

She hung her head in tears as the door opened.

“ Cassie. …Cassandra –

“ You did this it me!” She screamed accusingly. The stick had a symbol that had Jade look away from her screen. “ No…no…shit…damn you, idiot!”

“ Oh….you think I wanted you laying your hands on me? I was given hours as a present for saving your fucking life. You wanna go out in that bar. Use your fucking body and claim it was all my baby I popped into your fucking cunt?? Huh??”

“S – s- sio…I…I can’t be…it needs to go.”

“ IT will, when we talk to them about how you got onto all fours for somebody else, slut.” He dragged her kicking to the bed and proceeded to let her strive as the tape the gag and a phone and set of smokes came out. It was horrific as he straddled her while calling his people.

“ Good news. They want the kid as much as you don’t, so we’re gonna get it outta you as soon as you lie still.” He came back with a vial of liquid in a large syringe as she squirmed, screaming through the gag and halfway off the bed in barely anything.

“ You want me to do what I did to my last partner, baby? You won’t have a face to kiss that dead fetus with.” He taunted, pulling her legs apart as he dragged her back into the bed with a needle ready. “ Strike one. We need you in a chastity belt for me, next time…”

////////////

Dick let hos eyes sag, anger fueling them. “ I’m going to Will and –

“ No!” Jinx shook her head. “ We saw it, we know but guess what? You still have nothing to prove. This video has to go viral, Dick.”

“ You…said my name?”

“ No shit.” Rolling jer eyes, Jinx set up a fake account on another server as the video was uploaded quickly. Returning to her game, Artemis showed up to grab a snack through the doors of the kitchen. “ Hey, you…is it your break too, Aoi?”

“ Off duty until one. I have the dress design to wait on. Took one measly break…because I had drawing crampy, hands.”

“ Then, Jinx? You got a cold?”

“ No. My new game is out. We are going to pick it up this week, right Aoi?”

“ Yeah…you did tell me you wanted to indoctrinate me to the franchise the first month I was in this place.” Chuckled the young cross dresser.

“ Did anyone touch my pound cake??” Artemis snorted at the big chunk taken behind her back. “ Fuck! If that was Wally again, tell him to ask next time, kay?”

“ Why should I tell him what to do? He’s not my kid-

“ He’s your BF and has zero sense of decorum.” Corrected Garth as he stood behind Artie, his eyes on the big bitten piece of cake as well. “ I’ll have Anthony bake another. Be cool, Arte.” He reprimanded his friend. “ Aoi? Are you still coming back to us? You might even learn a thing or two from-

“ Not my cuppa , sorry!” Apologized Dick ad he flew from the kitchen with a shiny apple and nothing else. “ Jinx! Next day off is….a day from today? We still good?”

“ Super, wonder brat.” She gave him a thumbs up before returning to her game.

“ Where are you off to, Aoi?” Garth wondered from the doorway.

“I have to get back to work, you’re right. That dress won’t design itself!”

He turned, biting his apple as Cassie's frightened wails filled him until her appearance the next night…

/////////////

Big evil Sci fi that says that life is very useful but do not take seriously!! Sio is a sociopathic, narcissistic sadist! Cassie is confused, brainwashed and going to swap if she cones to realize the truth. Dick saw on one camera, and Jade the other which meant that Sio is not the hacker. Someone else was.