Work Text:
“You and your boyfriend are weird.”
Slade lifted a bored eyebrow at his daughter, the two of them seated together in his apartment, both cleaning off their guns from a case they’d worked together. Not something they did often, but rare enough that they were able to actually tolerate each other.
“I’d prefer not to use that word.”
“Right, sorry.” That got Slade’s full attention, having not expected Rose to give in so quickly. Of course, he should have suspected that ease and was given good reason to when she corrected herself, “You and your boyfriend aren’t the average couple.”
Slade rolled his eye. “I meant boyfriend.”
“Why? That’s what he is, isn’t it? I mean, it’s fucking weird , but that is what he is.”
“Get to the point, Rose,” he demanded.
“Just think about it for a second,” Rose requested. “Grayson and Wilson. Nightwing and Deathstroke. Dick and Slade. Someone who won’t kill for anything and someone who will kill for everything.” She raised an eyebrow. “You two are polar opposites.”
“Is there a problem with that?”
“Well no,” Rose replied. “It’s just, you guys are so different and yet you’re a perfect match for each other.”
“Elaborate that point.”
“Come on, dad , don’t tell me you missed the class on color theory in fourth grade! It’s staring you right in the face! Blue and orange are complementary colors! Please tell me you’ve noticed that before!”
Slade just blinked at her. “Don’t say a word of that to Richard.”
Rose stuck her tongue out at him. “Why not?” she taunted. “Afraid he’s going to start gushing over it?”
Slade’s reply was deadpan. “Yes.”
“I thought you liked how emotional he was,” Rose said, before gasping. “There’s another way you’re opposite.” She crossed her arms over her chest and leaned back in her seat. “How do you two stand each other? Do you have anything in common?”
“We have enough.”
“Name one thing.”
“No.”
“That’s because you have nothing in common.”
“That’s because I refuse to be bullied by a sixteen year old,” Slade corrected. “We have enough in common to enjoy each other’s presence and to like spending time with one another.”
Rose blinked at him. “That might be the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard you say,” she remarked. “How come you never say stuff like that about mom?”
“Because I hate your mother’s guts.”
“That’s fair.” Rose shifted. “So when are you going to propose?”
Slade scowled at her. “We’ve been seeing each other for a month.”
“You can just say dating, you know?”
“I’d prefer not to.”
“You’re so old .”
“No, I am attuned to the age difference between us and do what I can to avoid reminding anyone of that.”
“Mom’s gonna shoot your other eye out when she finds out.”
“Your mother doesn’t even know where I live.”
“Not at the moment.”
“If you tell her, I’ll shoot your other eye out.”
“That’s rude.” Then, “Also child abuse.”
“Get out of my apartment.”
“You’re the one who wanted me here.”
“And now I want you out.”
Rose just rolled her eye but stood and gathered up her weapons. On the way out, she paused and said,
“I really am happy you found someone you like.” Then she left before Slade could soldier following through on his promise.