Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“I’m sorry. I love you and Jason. I’m so sorry”

Then, silence.

Bruce’s fist left an impression on the desk as Slade spoke to Dick, “Renegade?”

Jason shook from where he stood as he saw Dick’s blank, apathetic eyes meet Deathstrokes. He felt his chest squeeze as he saw his brother’s tormenter call himself his brother’s father. Dick responded, calling him Master .

_ _ _

Ren didn’t understand what had been so different about that mission. Maybe it was the evident emotional turmoil him and Father put the Dynamic Duo in or it could’ve been the fact Ren had completed this mission with no medical mishaps. Whatever it was, Father showered him in praise, love, and attention following the reveal. 

“Okay, my little bird, I got another surprise for you” Father brought up as they both set the table for dinner.

“Another one, Dad?” Ren couldn’t help, but give a small smile as he tried to convey his appreciation.

His father walked into another room while Ren finished with the dining table and came back with a sketchbook and pencils, “I was thinking that you’d like to design a new suit”

Ren’s eyes widened slightly. The suit he used now was ideal for his combat style, but was slightly stuffy and (though he’d never tell his dad) was ugly as fuck. As Ren had grown more into himself as a person he’d realized he usually preferred a certain flair to his outfits - something which his father’s suit for him lacked. This had been an opportunity he’d be hoping for a while. 

“Really Dad?” with his master’s nod he ran over to him and gave him a tight hug, “Thank you” he whispered as he released his father, slightly embarrassed with the affection he’d displayed.

However, Slade smiled and gave Renegade, in return, a side hug, “Don’t mention it, son”

Chapter Text

Auxiliary stood tall over Blüdhaven. His master’s final test for him. After his previous mission his master had told him he was nearly ready. He was nearly recovered; he was nearly fixed from being broken. 

He stepped forward, flexing his gloves. Grabbing the grapple from his waist, he paused before aiming. He looked at the surface of the machine. A final gift from his father before this mission, Deathstroke’s colors danced across it. The grapple was truly a beauty. 

Auxiliary felt it was a great honor as he aimed the gun like he’d been taught and stepped off the building.

Soaring.

One thing his father told him hadn’t changed since the incident. He’d always loved the feeling of flying. The best part of his new suit was the ability to feel the air through his hair. He’d understood his father mandating his helmet for his previous suit. So, he didn’t complain much, but this….this was much better.

When Auxiliary was finally grounded on top of the atrocious T-shaped building in the middle of the city, he made his way for the roof access. Deathstroke, his master, had told him he’d hacked the system a while back to allow access while he was still Renegade. So he’d just have to hope the Titans hadn’t yet noticed this and enter.

The door didn’t appear to trigger any alarms when opened. Sending a small robot from his gauntlet towards the camera didn’t take much effort. Soon enough Auxiliary had a holographic feed from his gauntlet of the camera feeds from around the tower. He made quick work of the cameras, looping the footage of the camera he stood right outside the view of. Once he was sure he’d created a blindspot, Auxiliary popped the cover of the vent nearest him and entered the system.

Something felt familiar to him about the cramped space. He shrugged it off assuming he’d had previous missions infiltrating the tower. Why else would he already have access to such a secure building?

It still irked him that he didn’t feel the need to pull up a map of the ventilation system to get to his target. His skin itched as he passed rooms with familiar scents and noises. A tall, alien female, his research led to believe was named Starfire [Real Name: Koriand'r, 6’4”, Tamaran, THREAT LEVEL: MODERATE], was sitting next to a cloaked individual, Raven [Real Name: Rachel Roth, 5’4”, half-demon, THREAT LEVEL: HIGH], who seemed to be comforting her. She spoke in a language unfamiliar to Auxiliary, but that didn’t seem to matter to the other. 

Fixated on the scene, Auxiliary only stayed long enough for a green figure, Beast Boy [Real Name: Garfield Logan, 5’, shapeshifter, THREAT LEVEL: LOW], to enter and call to the two to follow him, “it’s urgent” was all Auxiliary heard as he moved onward. 

A voice in the back of his head was worried he’d yet to spot the final titan who would be at the tower. Cyborg was probably the most capable titan at discovering him and calling the rest of his team upon him. However, as he broke out of the vents and into the target room he’d quickly forgotten his worries.

Before him stood the coveted Nightwing suits his master had wanted him to acquire. He wouldn’t admit it to his master, but this was where he froze. It shouldn’t have been the hardest part of the mission, but trying to focus his mind after a massive migraine overtook him with the visual, was the hardest part of this mission so far.

He’d only needed two. One for the bat and the other for Blüdhaven. He radioed into Deathstroke, “Master? I’m in the room. I should have the suits and be meeting you in 10”

“Excellent Auxiliary” 

His father’s pride was evident over the comms. Auxiliary spotted a bag in the room and grinned. Deathstroke had told him his lack of compartment space might hinder him in missions like this, but if he were already here to steal a priceless suit, he might as well steal a bag as well.

With the suits in his newly acquired bag, he stood and got prepared to make his escape. The alarms becoming active were an added touch to the atmosphere of his get away.

“Shit” Auxiliary checked the cameras on his holographic computer again.

That was when he spotted Cyborg exiting a meeting area with his fellow titans. They immediately dispersed and appeared to be investigating the building. Before a call was hung up, Auxiliary got the briefest flash of Batman on the screen in the meeting room. Anger boiled under his skin and settled his resolve to see this through, no matter the cost.

“Deathstroke”

“Yes Auxiliary?”

“Do I have permission to use explosions?” Auxiliary asked the question.

Deathstroke’s laugh resonated in the comms unit in response, “It’s my greatest pleasure to say, fuck them. Just…stay safe”

“I promise” 

Auxiliary attached three explosives to the exterior wall, their beeps getting faster as their countdown approached.

“Dick-” 

He turned around to face Starfire. The power that she was preparing to expel diminished as she truly took him in. Auxiliary didn’t register it as anything more than an opening as the bombs exploded and he took off into the night.

The burning embers of a Nightwing suit hanging from the flagpole of the Blüdhaven and Gotham city police stations were the last traces of the mercenary duo for a while. The ash flowing into the wind, spelling out the new start for Auxiliary.

Chapter Text

From his vantage point in the warehouse, Tim could get a clear image of Batman. His camera shuttered and flashed, but everything was drowned out with the Dark Knight’s fist relentlessly slamming into the last remaining Penguin goon. Brutal is what the composition described as Tim snapped another photo. Showing unconscious, but severely injured, bodies littering the floor around Batman.

Tonight’s battle was just another bit of evidence towards Tim’s growing case for Bruce. His case where he proved that Batman needed a Robin. That another Robin could help Batman heal from his son’s death - help Gotham heal.

Tim raised his camera to capture another angle when a sharp sensation pricked his neck. His body went rigid as he lowered the camera to see a sharp blade being held against his neck. The position of the blade kept Tim from craning his neck back and seeing the assailant. However, the blade’s intricate detail gave him some idea of who stood behind him. 

His suspicions were confirmed as Deathstroke appeared from the shadows near him, walking towards Batman, “Well, well, well, not work I expected from someone with a hard ‘no-kill’ rule” 

The hand of Deathstroke’s apprentice, Auxiliary, grabbed Tim’s arm and maneuvered him forward into the light as Deathstroke’s voice rang out. As Tim stood in front of Batman he felt the sword dig into his neck more, nicking his skin. He internally cursed as he realised the position he’d now put the bat in. Introducing oneself as a damsel in distress also didn’t have a great way to transition into being the new Robin.

“Deathstroke, let the boy go” Batman demanded in a tone Tim assumed was worried, but didn’t reveal much emotion.

“My son knows how to take care of young boys. I promise, he’s in good hands”

Batman’s hands balled into fists. Anger poured from him as Tim felt some blood trickle down his neck from where the blade held firm. 

“Say, where is your little bird?”

Deathstroke’s taunt was in the same playful tone as before. Tim knew it was bound to hit hard. Even he had been affected by Jason’s death being brought up, and he was only a fan of the boy. He knew there’d be anger from Robin’s father. However, he never expected Batman to snap.

Slade Wilson, greatest mercenary, has dealt with grieving fathers before. However, nothing would’ve prepared him for a grieving bat. No weapons touched his skin. There wasn’t a sting of a batarang, or one of his mini-explosives. It was punches, kicks, and eventually a twist.

Tim was in shock, his camera only didn’t crash to the ground due to the strap around his neck. He felt bile rise in his throat as Deathstroke’s head rolled to his and Auxiliary’s feet. For a beat, there was silence. Then a scream tore from behind Tim.

Shock, that must’ve been why Tim’s head got spared (unlike Slade’s). He was lucky that Auxiliary didn’t hurt him as he launched himself at Batman. A sword clashing against the protective armor of the bat-gauntlet. 

He watched the dance before him. Batman’s ability to take offense seemed to have worn out after dealing with Deathstroke. He stayed on the defensive, whispering things to Auxiliary that Tim couldn’t pick up past the ringing in his ears.

Batman, the Dark Knight, the no-kill rule superhero - not anymore. During the time that Tim disassociated, his conception of Batman - shattering, Auxiliary must’ve run off. He became more aware of his surroundings as Batman approached him.

“Are you okay? Did they hurt you?”

Tim shook his head, unable to vocalize that he’d only been nicked. The Dark Knight must’ve been out of it himself as he didn’t follow up on any other question. Batman started to walk further away from Tim.

“Stay here, police are on their way and will make sure you get back home safely” Batman finished saying before making exit.

Tim didn’t stay around long enough for the GCPD to find and help him. He took a photo of Deathstroke and knew he had his final piece of evidence to become Batman’s third Robin.

Chapter Text

Ren swore as he hid from Batman. His arm kept spasming and he feared another seizure coming up. He slipped into an abandoned apartment and laid on the ground, hoping the seizure would pass.

The moment passed. However, as his arm stopped spasming, his lungs started. He heaved heavy sobs. Trying to keep quiet, still scared of the bat on his tail. He crawled into a corner of the apartment and curled up on himself. 

When calmed, he hardened his resolve. He made his way to one of their safe houses. Trying not to break down at the sight of their shared space. God how he missed his father. He started packing his bags. He knew he needed to leave this damned city. He knew this was the location of his initial incident and now, all he could think about was how much this city stole from him.

As he was about to leave, he caught a glimpse of one of his father’s suits, tucked under the bed. Quickly, he crossed the room and held it close. He let a few tears fall before packing that along with his other clothes. And he left it all behind.

___

Happy Harbor was the first city he made his mark on. He’d heard of a new team of teenagers, fighting for justice. So, donning his father’s mantle, he laid siege to the port town. The teenagers, not yet prepared to take on Justice League level threats, were left bloodied as a warning. 

Deathstroke took the bleeding wound of the kryptonian and dragged it along the ground, leaving streaks of blood behind. He drew the sign of the bat and left. Batman would know who did this. He would know what his actions had caused. He would suffer.

However, those actions didn’t only bring on Batman’s watchful eye. As Ren learned quickly after being attacked by two assassins. Although their attacks were non-lethal, Deathstroke didn’t meet them in kind. 

After having slaughtered them, a voice spoke up from the dark, “As I would expect from someone following in Deathstroke’s footsteps” Ren didn’t bother with a verbal response, instead he raised his blade at the shadow that spoke out, “I have a proposition for you, Renegade” Talia al Ghul announced as she stepped towards the blade, letting it pierce a bit of her neck with no reaction.

Having known of the al Ghuls from his father, Ren sheathed his blade. If Talia had let him live after killing her assassins, she was being truthful in having an offer, “And that is?”

“I have a student who I believe would blossom under your teachings”

Ren narrowed his eyes at her, curious, he responded, “And who is this student?”

Talia hummed before responding, as if checking her statement before replying, “A fellow enemy of the bat”

Ren bristled at the mention of the bat, but heard her out, “So, you want me to teach someone to take revenge for me? I’m sorry, but Batman will die by my hands” He emphasized before he turned away.

That’s when Talia placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, spun him around to disorient him and grappled Ren. She then leaned her head in and whispered, “He will respect that wish. So long as you allow the Joker to fall at his own hands”

Realising struggling was futile, as she held his arm in a precarious position, he huffed slightly before acquiescing, “I will teach this student of yours. So long as I hear him say that verbatim” 

She released him with a slight shove before helping him steady himself and brushing him off like a small child, “That will do” She picked up one of his dropped blades and returned it to him, “Tomorrow, 2340, there will be a helicopter atop the hospital” her eyes glanced in the direction of the aforementioned location, “be there and I will take you to him”

Deathstroke nodded as he placed his blade in the proper compartment. Seeing her leave, he sighed and tried to card his fingers through his hair, but only hit his father’s helmet. If only he knew what his dad would do. Did he make a mistake? Was he unworthy of holding up his father’s mantle?

Ren gritted his teeth as the thoughts kept pouring in. Telling him he was worthless and unable to complete his mission, but then he felt a soft sunray hit him and snapped out of it. He headed towards the safety of his base to pack for wherever the al Ghuls wished to take him.

___

While the helmet was something he usually hated, he did appreciate its ability to dull the sounds around him. The helicopter blades were booming even with the helmet, but he knew it’d be worse without it. A rope was thrown down by the familiar figure of Talia from the helicopter and Deathstroke climbed it.

He hadn’t expected to meet his pupil in the helicopter. Nor did he expect to recognize him. Before him stood the presumed dead, Jason Todd. As his own eyes flung open in shock, under the hood, so did the younger man’s eyes.

“No, no. Not him. Anybody, but him” Jason turned to Talia and demanded.

Talia kept quiet as rage visibly grew in Jason. Ren, not knowing how to react, stood there. Jason then stood up and tried to approach Deathstroke in the cramped helicopter.

“You- you can go and jump right out of this copter you motherfucking-”

As Jason took a few steps, trying to make an attack, the helicopter made a turn and he lurched forward. Ren caught and steadied him before forcing him back into his seat. Then he took his own place across from both Talia and Jason. 

Deathstroke narrowed his eyes as he studied the dead Robin, “Anger. A powerful tool, but a double edged sword when not under control” He tried to mimic his father’s voice and mannerisms as he echoed a statement he remembered being told by him himself.

Jason’s eyes twitched a bit at hearing his voice. Renegade didn’t know if he caught on to who he was beneath the suit, but he didn’t care much as Talia spoke for the first time in the ride.

“Now, I do believe that this will be a very promising apprenticeship”

Chapter Text

Jason was leading Deathstroke through Nanda Parbat. He felt disgusted with himself for the first time in a while. Rage had filled him so much that seeing his brother’s…killer? Kidnapper? Abuser? Fath- Killer. Dick as he knew him was dead. With that reminder, all the disgust he’d felt when he’d crawled out his grave and found out about his “father’s” lack of actions came crashing back over him. 

“Here” Jason turned abruptly and pointed to the room that was reserved for his teachers, “This is where you’ll stay”

Deathstroke seemed to study him for a beat. A chill crawled up his spine as flashes of memory of what that mask took from him flooded his mind. Then, Deathstroke entered the room, no further acknowledgment of Jason.

Jason leaned against the doorframe. He knew better than to leave his teacher without dismissal. So he stood and watched as Deathstroke the Terminator unpacked his belongings. He wished he could hear Deathstroke’s voice again. It unnerved him and he wanted to put his finger on it.

However, he didn’t need to hear Deathstroke’s voice to understand what part of it resonated with him. Deathstroke unlocked the clasps of his helmet and Dick Grayson started back at him.

“Robin” was the first thing he heard his brother say to him. A spark of hope flickered in his chest before he remembered that even as Deathstroke’s apprentice he’d known their secret identities, “I thought the Joker had his way with you”

Jason flinched at the coldness in Dick’s approach to his death. If he still had his brother, his brother wouldn’t have said it like that…right? Jason wished he could remember Dick properly, but all he could do was immortalize him as a perfect idol. Someone to live up to. Someone who wasn’t this.

“It’s the al Ghul’s” Jason feigned nonchalance as he responded, “they got the whole pit thing going on”

Dick studied him again. His gaze analytical and lacking the love he remembered from it, “Odd” was his one word response. Jason made a confused noise and Dick continued, “I thought that was reserved for Ra’s”

“Yeah, well, Talia snuck me in for a dip”

Jason could swear he heard the ghost of a Grayson™ chuckle. He smiled for a minute as he thought of his brother and him joking on patrol. The smile faded as Dick turned back to him and he was reminded of who he was now.

“Now, if it’s my turn to question you” Dick motioned for him to continue and Jason had to snub out the anger that rouse at being motioned to speak, “I expected Slade Wilson and not his wannabe side-”

He was unable to finish his sentence as Dick turned and slammed him against the wall. Dick pressed his forearm into his throat, “Do not bring his name into this” Jason tapped his arm in submission and he was released from his hold, gasping for breath he heard Dick continue, “It was your Batman” Dick spat the name like a slur, “who took him from me”

“Arkham?”

Dick shook his head harshly, “Dead”

The breath that Jason had been trying to catch left him quickly, “He what?!”

He spotted Dick’s eyebrow raise for a second, confusion dawning on his face before switching back to the neutral face he held, “He killed him. The Bat killed my father”

When Jason could breath again, it came in quick and shallow. Bruce killed? He killed Deathstroke? What about his killing rule! Did that mean that Joker could be dead? Did Bruce finally realise that he could rid the world of evil if he just killed?

With hope, Jason asked Dick, “Did he kill the Joker too?”

Dick looked at Jason with pity, “No. The Joker lives”

With Dick’s words, Jason’s hope shattered, “I- I thought…I thought he loved me” was all Jason could get out as he sobbed on the floor.

Awkwardly, Dick paced a bit before kneeling down next to him. He put an arm on Jason’s shoulder before moving to rub his back gently, “Batman is a cruel man” as Jason nodded in agreement with his statement, Dick continued, “He doesn’t deserve to be anyone’s protector if he’s to let monsters roam free and families die”

Then, with no regard that whoever this was, was no longer his brother, Jason threw himself into a hug with Dick. It took a minute for Dick’s arms to wrap around him, but they did, and they were comforting. The most comforting thing he’d felt since the last time Alfred cooked for him and he felt himself warm like he would eating Alfred’s chicken noodle soup after a particularly cold patrol.

“I will help you kill him” Renegade whispered to him as he stayed curled up in his embrace. A statement his brother, the golden child, would never have uttered.

“The Joker?” Jason asked quietly, muffled by Deathstroke’s suit.

“And the bat. They both deserve to pay for your pain and mine” 

Jason wished he could attribute those words to his older brother. He desired for someone to love him enough to avenge him. However, wearing his brother’s face, Ren would do.

___

It was standing beside Deathstroke the Terminator that Red Hood debuted. They stood above the very city that they’d both left behind months ago. Deathstroke stood still, glaring across the city. Red Hood, however, looked much more excited to be back in his city. He smiled under the hood as he turned to see Renegade. They’d planned this out expertly and he was excited to see their plans come to fruition.

“I can get the first four on the list, do you want to get the last four?” Deathstroke asked after they’d compared their map to the city layout to double check their concept of locations.

Red Hood nodded before sharply taking in a breath of air. A familiar caped crusader could be spotted hopping across rooftops across the way. It took Renegade putting a calming hand on his shoulder for him to be able to respond, “I- I yeah…I got that” As he saw his father disappear into an alleyway he felt anger bumble in his chest.

“That part of the plan will be ready soon. We just-”

Jason interrupted Renegade as he saw a smaller caped figure follow Batman into the alley, “He got another damn Robin?!”

Renegade got in front of Jason and analyzed him through the cold eyes of the Deathstroke mask, “I can get all 8 of their heads” Red Hood started arguing, but Renegade stopped him, “double edged sword. I need you to relax”

Jason took in deep breaths until Renegade was satisfied and let him go. Looking away from the alleyway where the bat and bird disappeared, he spoke up again, “I can get my own heads. It’ll be good for me”

Deathstroke waited a moment before nodding, “If you believe so” and he turned to leave and take care of his own heads.

Eight heads?!, Black Mask Attacked, Red Hood: New Drug Lord, Deathstroke: Is He Back? They were all popular titles in Gotham and even Louis Lane of the Daily Planet wrote about the newest crime spree in Metropolis’ neighboring city.

Jason had taken to hanging up each one on the safe house’s wall. Ren let him. While he didn’t feel the pride that Jason did looking at it he understood it. They were running circles around Batman and Robin. It was truly a spectacle to witness. 

That was why, today, over dinner, Ren brought up Step 2, “I think we’re ready. We’ve gotten Black Mask out of the way. You’ve made your point about violence and its ability to solve problems. I think it’s about time to shove it in his face”

From the salad he’d been pushing around, Jason perked up, “You really think so?” Ren nodded, “Should we-”

Renegade felt pins and needles starting to prick at his legs. He stood up in a hurry, “Sorry Hood. I- let’s table this discussion for later” While Jason gave him a weird look for a second, he shrugged it off as another abnormality his former brother had developed.

Ren had barely made it into his room, locked the door, and safely got on the ground before the seizure started. Leaving Jason in the dark in the next room. A part of him argued he did this for his own safety, not wanting to let the trained assassin in the other room know of a weakness, hoping he’d forgotten it from their last encounter. Another, traitorous, part of his brain, one that came with headaches and whispers, just didn’t want the younger man to view him any less.

So, he dealt with it by himself. He took a few moments afterwards to recollect himself. Before he slowly stood up. He breathed before exiting back into the main room, “I left your salad on the table, but I’m reheating your soup!” Jason called from the kitchen.

Renegade walked over to the table and started eating the salad, almost mechanically. When the soup was done, Jason set it in front of him and watched as he continued to eat. Jason sat himself across the table from Ren and waited patiently for him to finish.

“So…” Jason started, casually, “Step 2?”

“Step 2” Renegade nodded, “I believe we’re ready. Thoughts?”

“I’ve been ready since Nanda Parbat”

Ren smiled at seeing the other man’s excitement, “Alright. I will ask again, are you sure you want me to wait until Step 4 for-”

“Yes, yes. I want Bru- B- Bruce” Jason tries correcting himself before remembering that Ren already knew both of their identities, “To be there for when we kill the Joker”

“In that case, I guess this can stay a 4 step plan” Ren nodded and let Jason have his way with the plan. Originally, he didn’t understand why Jason had wanted to play with Batman before killing him. He just wanted the bat dead as soon as possible. However, the longer he stayed with Jason, the more it reminded him of being with his father - his family. He just wanted to see the boy smile.

“So, how early are we going to start the plan?” Jason asked as they both got up and started doing dishes together.

Ren hummed, a habit he’d picked up from Talia, as he thought it over, “It’s up to you. I’m okay with confronting him tomorrow if that’s how you want it”

Jason nodded before responding, “Tomorrow would be too early. I want it to be perfect. I’ll look everything over, make sure it’s perfect, than we can decide a date”

Renegade looked over at the calendar, it was currently mid-April, “How about the 27th” Jason flinched at the reminder, “Make it hurt”

It took a second, but then Jason nodded, “I think it’s perfect”

___

Deathstroke was there to observe and to step in if the bat crossed the line or if Robin jumped in. So, that’s what he did. While Red Hood played a twisted game of tag with Batman, Renegade took care of Robin. As he handled the boy, seeing Red Hood and Batman disappear over the roofs, he was reminded of one of Jason’s mantras, No More Dead Robins.

So, mercilessly, Ren left Robin alive. He was knocked out, with some superficial cuts, and was then tied up by Deathstroke. After leaving Robin to get brought down by GCPD or Batman, whoever got their first, Renegade ran to make sure Jason was okay.

That’s when he heard an explosion. Ren’s eyes widened as all his worst fears hit him. He ran towards the noise, but was stopped from jumping into an alley by Jason crawling onto the roof - helmetless. Renegade helped him up and held him close, not realizing until then how much he cared for the younger man.

“R- Ri- Ren” Jason mumbled.

“Yes, Hood. Yes?” Renegade asked, worriedly.

“I wanna go home” and that’s when Renegade heard it, a sob tore from Jason. 

Renegade picked him up gently, “I’ve got you. You’re going to be okay” Ren whispered, shushing Jason slightly.

Unlocking the safehouse’s window, Ren brought Jason towards the couch. He set him down gently and brushed his hair out of his face. He pulled off his helmet and knelt on the ground next to him. He didn’t know what came over him, maybe it was the memories of his father’s love or something else, but he felt the urge to give Jason’s forehead a kiss and he followed through. 

“Sweet dreams, Jason” Renegade whispered before getting up to close the windows and prepare for their next step after Jason recovered from confronting his father.