Chapter Text
After learning about Dick and her father, Rose swore she would take the secret to the grave. Being in her father’s good graces - to at least some extent, as he was incredibly disappointed that she didn’t choose the mercenary life - was important. Being in Dick’s good graces, even more so.
Joseph could keep a secret though. Honestly, it wouldn’t have been as easy for her to leave their father’s side if he hadn’t been active under the moniker Jericho. Though eventually the pacifistic nature that had led him to heroics also led to the end of his heroics.
I have something important to tell you!!! In private! She texted him, having changed out of the robe. The excitement of her discovery was enough for her to ignore the utter embarrassment of her actions. Not that she was the type to wallow in embarrassment. The anger that would usually have followed would never come. Not with this new piece of information.
Having a phone that was more than a burner was a new and very welcome change from mercenary to heroics.
? He texted back. Followed by, im at moms.
Rose frowned. It wasn’t that she didn’t like Adeline. The older woman, although incredibly spiteful towards Slade, had never let it leak into her relationship with Rose. She always came off as invested in Rose and her life. Rose wondered if it was altruism, a want for a daughter, or if her attachment to Rose was built purely to further spite Slade.
Rose tried not to think too hard about it and vowed never to rely too much on the woman.
It's about father though. Not for her ears. She replied.
uhhhh how importunt ?isitsomething bad? ?
Rose grimaced at his sloppy text style. The lack of capitalization. The misspellings. The asinine space before punctuation. No one could be this unintentionally bad at texting.
Wow. I can only imagine the illegibility of your work reports. She messaged.
Work of course meaning the Teen Titans.
;p
Oh, he was so doing it on purpose.
>:( Anyway it's important but it’s not imperative. I can’t talk about it with anyone else though. It’s supposed to be a secret. And I reallllllly need to share it with someone.
u canttell any1 els ? not even d?
Rose knew Joseph tried to keep Slade out of his life as much as possible. The only time he heard anything about the man was because he would indulge Rose when she talked and updated him. The bad relationship between her brother and father was a point of contention. It would make her happy if they could meet maybe a couple of times a year together and just pretend to be a normal family. Just her, her brother, father... And Dick.
She thought maybe Dick might be the key to this fantasy of hers. She could easily see him there, laughing at something Joseph had signed. Her father's hand resting casually on Dick's shoulder. Dick's pretty blue eyes sliding to her, mirth dancing in them like light refracting in water.
Yes. She was sure of it. Dick was central.
If she let her fantasy linger the image morphs. To her and Dick holding hands. Her father and brother's approval.
She shook her head; physically jarring that line of thought from her mind and replies to Joseph.
It involves him.
o not gud :/
No! Rose typed furiously, It's really good. :)
if u say sooo :p
Setting her phone down she took a deep breath. If it had been anyone else, barring Joseph, Rose wouldn't have set aside her feelings. Rose would have fought. Tooth. Nail. Her last remaining eye. Whatever it would have taken. Her devotion knew no bounds.
It's what her mother had taught her. Her mother had died for her. Had worked body and soul for her. Had only done right by her. Even when she was strict. Even when she had kept Rose's father from her. It had all been for Rose. To keep her safe, to keep her healthy, and for her to grow up and be whoever she wanted to be.
Her phone buzzed.
It was Joseph. din @ my plce?
Rose grimaced. Absolutely atrocious.
So, what do you want to tell me? Joseph signed. Looking both interested and put upon.
Rose smiled toothily at him over her plate of chicken parm.
"So..." She said, dragging the word out, "I found out..."
He made a get on with it motion by circling his hand around.
"The identity of father's soulmate."
Joseph froze in shock. Then his hands started signing fast and frantic.
"Woah, woah Joseph." Rose raised her hands, not physically stopping him from signing but hovering them over his.
Why are you telling me this? He signed slower after she lowered her hands. Wait you said D had something to do with this...
Wait.
Wait.
No.
Rose tell me it's not true. Tell me I’m wrong.
Rose was taken back.
"Y... yeah. Isn't it great?"
Joseph slammed his fist into the table.
Great? Joseph threw his hands up in exasperation. Then he slapped an open palm down against the table. The table jumped. The plates rattled. Rose flinched. Rose this is awful! I can't...
Violence was never amiss in Rose’s life, not since she found out Slade was her father. But from Joseph? The pacifist? His angry outburst was so uncharacteristic as to be frightening.
Rose watched as sadness, anger, and fear flashed across his face. He sighed and lowered his head to cradle it.
"I... I don't understand..."
I know you don’t. He signed head still bowed, I know, I know.
"I don't..." Rose tapered off again.
No wonder D rejected me when I kissed him
"You what?" Rose squeaked.
Why didn't he tell me? Joseph made a face, wait no I mean, I get it.
"Wait wait wait. Back up. You kissed Dick?"
They stared each other down.
Yes? He signed.
Rose blinked, "Huh. I guess it runs in the family."
Wait... have you kissed D?
"Noooo. But I might have come onto him. Just a little?"
They stared each other down.
I guess it does run in the family.
Rose rolled her eyes at the smirk Joseph gave her in the middle of his emotional crisis.
How did that go?
"Not bad. Got rejected. He told me dad was his soulmate."
Joseph grimaced at the mention of father.
Poor D.
"What? No, Joseph, it's great. They're perfect for each other!"
Rose. No. You weren't there.
Rose frowned and crossed her arms.
Joseph shook his head.
Slade was obsessed with D. He hurt him. He hurt others to get to him. He was controlling. It was bad. Really bad.
"Yeah, but it never worked. Dick makes dad... better."
No. D deserves better.
"Like you?" Rose spits out.
Joseph smiles sadly at her, Or you.
The fight bleeds out of Rose.
"I just care about you guys. You, dad and Dick so much."
I know.
"I just want us all together. Like a family."
I'm sorry Rose.