Archive of Our Own ^beta

When Adrian had first walked into the motel room, he'd cast a look at the young girl on the bed. She had short bright red hair, though Adrian couldn't tell if it was a wig or not. Shockingly vibrant green eyes that caught the meager light of the room's only flickering light. Even if Adrian was typically not the most knowledgeable in regard to facial expressions or body language, it was obvious just staring at her.

She was stomaching her discomfort and doing her best to put on a performance. There was some makeup on her face that had been smudged a little, red lipstick that had transferred to the man leaning over her. Though her smile was stiff, she was so beautiful that it more than made up for it. Trying her best to relax both herself and her customer so nothing would go wrong.

Unfortunately, Adrian knew well enough that it didn't matter how well they performed. Some men were just terrible people through and through. The man had sounded very indignant and outraged when Adrian had walked into the room. Shirt unbuttoned and pants pushed down to his thighs. With a voice he'd learnt to gentle, Adrian told the young lady that she could leave if she wanted.

"I don't think you want to stay for this. Unless you want to. He was going to kill you, so it's only fair if you get to watch him die."

Vigilante hadn't made his move yet; he was holding himself very still. Revealing this could put the young lady in danger but he also doesn't imagine he could pull her away from this situation any easier by literally getting his hands on her and encouraging her out the door. Surprisingly, something about Adrian must be trustworthy enough or perhaps she's just been looking for an excuse to leave because she gets up.

Though it's not much, she's still dressed and stumbles her way over to Adrian before the man can reach for her. Undressed in the way he is, he's forced to awkwardly try to make himself modest again in order to chase her down. All the while he's justifying himself and making excuses, explaining that he didn't murder anyone. It's just that some prostitutes couldn't keep up.

He'd only gotten two young women killed before the news had reached Adrian. Both strangled with a twisted-up pillowcase around their neck. From personal experience, he knows very well just how delicate of a process strangling someone is. It's never as easy as people expect and is incredibly painful if prolonged and done incorrectly. Adrian suspects this man wasn't very kind about how he strangled his victims.

"Will you be okay?"

There was a hand on his elbow, trembling a little bit. Having lingered behind him for protection but not yet fleeing the scene. The young lady stood there curiously, staring up at Vigilante with a little bit of uncertainty. Given how long she'd already been in this line of work, she knew the dangers firsthand. Being protected was unthinkable, and she worried it was just some young kid with a sense of justice.

While very thankful for his help, she couldn't help but worry. Once she fled, all the man's anger would be directed to this young kid. Adrian felt a little complicated in that moment, he'd learnt the best way to smile to reassure people but found himself unable to soothe her that way with his mask on. Instead, all he could think to do was turn to face her and place his hand over hers.

Nodding his head and comforting her clumsily, "I'll be fine, I've killed lots of people before."

"Oh." Her voice was coloured with surprise but strangely enough, she didn't feel intimidated by the masked man, "Thank you, then. For saving my life."

In the eyes of the man struggling to not panic, working his clothes back up his body and shifting on his knees. Everything seemed to continue on in slow motion past that point. He watched as the two exchanged words and the woman he'd bought fleeing from the room. Rage boiled within him at the injustice against him. He'd spent his money on her, he had a right to her.

How could he be blamed for women agreeing to things and then not being able to keep their side of the agreement. Yes, his interests were a little more intense but he hardly believes it's his fault. Their struggling is inconvenient to him as well. Given his last two women weren't able to keep up, he wasn't even able to properly get himself off either time.

As these thoughts slowly moved through his head, dragging themselves through sludge. The man found himself stock-still on the bed, watching and unable to react as the masked man swung his leg towards him. It wasn't like he didn't have muscle, and there had been plenty of fights in his past that he'd won. Yet, in the face of this masked idiot, he couldn't do anything.

Frozen and utterly confused, the man was suddenly thrown back by the force of the kick. Knocked straight off the bed, hitting the wall closest to the wall and holding his stomach as the impact settled over him. Gurgling in protest, a noise of pain pathetically left him as blood dribbled from his mouth. Usually, Adrian liked to enjoy these moments where he enacted justice.

Recently though, he's just not been in the right headspace for it. Not enthusiastic about the idea of dragging this out for once, Adrian simply picks up one of the pillows off the bed and follows around the edges until he reaches the other side of the bed. The man is cowering on the floor, a mess even after just one measly kick to the side. The pathetic nature of it all turns Adrian's stomach.

Twisting the pillowcase in his hands and then bringing it down to wrap around the man's neck. Adrian didn't speak further, letting the man scramble to try free himself and spit out curses as well as apologies. Begging for his life in the same breath he cursed out the lives of those prostitutes. The man on the floor really didn't make a particularly compelling case for himself, even if Adrian was the type of person who let people go.

Compared to how those poor girls suffered, this man got off shockingly easy. Unlike him, Adrian is trained in killing and choking people to death is an artform he'd perfected years ago. Unable to let go of his training, the man was limp before long. It made Adrian feel quite bad, that he couldn't deliver the same level of pain and suffering that those girls had endured.

More than anything, Adrian just hates how distracted he's been lately. Feeling the pillow case slipping out of his hands. Adrian feels his eyes stinging under the dim lighting of the motel room, he'd been blankly staring at the wall for so long that it'd begun to hurt his head. He didn't even look down at the man he killed. Stepping away from the body, Adrian felt uncomfortable as he left the scene.

"Do you still have that bone saw?" Were the first words Adrian heard after standing outside the room for ten minutes.

The cold couldn't reach him in his suit, so he'd stood there while he tried to centre himself in the moment. His head felt clearer up until his phone started ringing. Looking down to see who'd called him, the instinct to pick up hadn't left him. No way of greeting or nothing despite not having seen each other for some time. Well, not properly at least.

Adrian remembers how Chris had contacted him when the Justice Gang had embarrassed him. With humiliation fuelling him, he hadn't even waited for Adrian to come into the trailer before he was pushing him up against the outside. Pressing his front all along Adrian's back, he'd been able to feel him in that moment. This was something Adrian wanted, more than anything he wished for this closeness with Chris.

Rough sex wasn't something he'd ever found himself minding. His body could keep up and most of the time, it brought him out of his head and took him somewhere else. In those moments, he didn't have to agonize about the other things he felt during these moments. Even though Adrian tried to say that maybe it wasn't a good idea, there was no real refusal as long as Chris kept touching him.

He was more concerned about Chris realizing they could be seen, freaking out and then retreating back inside his trailer. Wanting to get Chris inside of him before he could second guess his own plans, Adrian encouraged them along. Chris was a little mean in the way he talked to Adrian that night. Pushing him further against the cold outside of his trailer.

They weren't wearing their suits, so Adrian was less protected in this position. Metal and paint uncomfortable under his skin. But he finally felt Chris push inside of him again after being apart for so long. Adrian hadn't meant to, but he realized he'd started to vocalize his pleasure and encouragement. It wasn't just Adrian who noticed, as Chris' hips stilled for a moment.

"Since when do you make noise?"

Even though Adrian couldn't really tell how Chris felt about it one way or another. The question had Adrian freezing, limbs locking up as he clamped his mouth shut in an instant. Since Adrian had started having sex, he'd noticed that he wasn't particularly vocal. Despite how he is outside of sex, during sex it just didn't come as naturally to him.

However, Chris had been particularly discouraging whenever Adrian did make noises. Probably anticipating Adrian becoming more annoying to sleep with. So, Adrian had become particularly skilled in keeping his mouth shut during sex. Biting down harshly on the skin of his arm, Adrian hadn't made anymore noises that night and Chris didn't mention anything else.

"Yeah, dude." Adrian found himself sighing, though it wasn't picked up on the other end.

The call was dropped as soon as Chris got his answer. Adrian had called in sick off of work and perhaps they'd really believed him this time. All throughout the week, even the people he wasn't particularly friendly with, seemed to comment that he sounded off. They hadn't bothered him about his call and had honestly and earnestly told him to get better soon.

With the time off of work, Adrian was able to intercept the man during his early evening booking with the young lady whose name Adrian had forgotten. He felt bad about that too, usually he was better with these things. Hopefully, if he saw her again he'd notice her and she wouldn't blame him for not remembering her name. She seemed kind in the short interaction they'd had before she left.

Pushing off of the wall he'd been leaning up against. The sky continued to only get darker overhead, stars were sparse, and their light was minimal. Adrian liked being out at night, the atmosphere felt comfortable for him. With the lower visibility, people were less likely to scrutinize his expression and his behaviour. Preferring to stay away then to approach.

Opening the door to his car which he'd parked a short distance away from the motel. The radio was turned on before Adrian even settled himself into the driver's seat completely. Removing his mask and opting to wear his glasses instead. Pushing his hair back off his forehead and finally turning the car on, pulling out of the spot where he'd parked carefully and beginning to drive away.

"Now let me feel fingers running up and down my spine."

Turned up just enough to hear it in the quiet night. The song coming from the radio was the same song that had played the morning Adrian had come back from sleeping with Slade. In a bar near the hotel they'd booked, its volume was about as faded as the one playing through Adrian's speakers. Only a few people had been walking about on the streets outside in the early morning.

And the sleeping part was also in the literal sense too because Slade hadn't kicked him out. Despite usually finding it quite unsettling to sleep next to someone, he'd been out like a light. Comforted by the fact that Slade had seemingly brought him back for sex but still treated him like a person. Adrian had slept through to early morning the next day when the sun began to rise outside.

Slade had already been awake with coffee in his hand which Adrian declined when offered. Adrian had felt sheepish and a little worried, even going so far as to blurt out a preemptive apology as if he was expecting Slade to say it was a mistake. To bring up how annoying Adrian had been or that it'd been a bother. None of that ever came though, as Slade asked if he had medication to take in the morning that he needed to remember.

Neither of them exchanged numbers but Slade had told him, after walking him to the front door this time, that he'd see him around. Though Adrian hadn't taken him seriously, given they lived in two different areas. The thought alone was nice enough that Adrian had just nodded his head. Back at the hotel, the others had woken up after drinking for most of the night.

Someone had commented on Adrian's absence. It was likely Keeya; she'd turned in early as she hadn't been interested in drinking as much as the others. The 11th Street Kids who'd spent their night laughing and clinking beer bottles against each other all looked around. Economos had asked Chris if he knew, given the two of them were sharing a room that night.

Chris just couldn't remember if he'd seen Adrian last night. They spent their morning trying to phone him and receiving no response in return. Even going over to the front desk ladies to ask if they'd seen him at all this morning. When Adrian had turned back up at the hotel, he looked better than the rest of them given he had no hangover to recover from.

"Seriously Adrian, you didn't go out and kill anyone did you? We look away from you for two minutes."

"No?" It's an answer but it's asked like a question, "I don't have my suit with me. How could I have gone out to kill anyone?"

Messy curls and fading prints from the bedsheets he'd been snuggled up in. There was a mix of reactions coming from the others. Harcourt had asked where he'd been, a tinge of worry to her tone as she gave him a once over. Chris had knocked him on the shoulder and said he'd made all of them run around looking for him all morning. A note of exasperation in his voice as he asked why he didn't just pick up his phone.

"I told you about what happened to my phone." Adrian's voice was plain.

Shrugging his shoulders, Chris asked, "Yeah?"

"Well, how am I meant to answer my phone if it doesn't turn on? How would that work?"

"Dude, just get a new one."

In instances like this, Adrian would usually have the energy to go back and forth on a topic. Tirelessly eager to make his point clear, making sure the other person understands his perspective and agrees with him in the end. Standing there in last night's clothes with a soreness rubbed into his thighs. Adrian just couldn't find it in him for once and shrugged his own shoulders in return.

Adebayo had looked at him with a funny expression, but she didn't say anything. All of them sorted themselves out and got ready for the day before entering into two different cars. Even though Chris left him to ride in the same car as Economos and Harcourt, Adrian was still stuck in the backseat. That time, he hadn't even had someone next to him to entertain him.

It became clear very quickly to Adrian that he didn't like the backseat for a number of reasons. Firstly, the air in the backseat felt different and nausea rose in him no matter how he shifted or settled himself. Secondly, nobody really prioritizes conversation with the person in the backseat. He joined in the conversation Adebayo and Keeya were having where he could but often felt himself interjecting just to be sidelined.

Before they'd gotten to where they were going though, Adebayo had finally looked behind in the rearview mirror and spoke to Adrian, "So, Adrian, how are things between you and Chris?"

That question had haunted him ever since that moment. He watched as he was pushed out of the way whenever Chris wanted to stumble over to Harcourt, just to be dragged back into him whenever things didn't go well with Harcourt. At first, Adrian was able to stomach this kind of relationship. It got him exactly what he wanted, a very real closeness with Chris Smith, the Peacemaker.

Getting that was very important to Adrian and sometimes he felt like he was using Chris for his own sake. So, really, he couldn't find it in himself to blame Chris for how their relationship functioned. Eventually though, it just wasn't enough for Adrian and that was a fact that was hard to stomach. Adrian wanted more. The more he found himself wanting, the more desperate he seemed to appear.

His desperation at cementing himself in Chris' life must've been grating. Chris seemed put off the more Adrian tried to establish himself as a constant in his life. A best friend, a partner in both justice and more. It seemed like more and more, Chris was making it clear how Adrian didn't fit into either of those categories. Though Adrian tried turning a blind eye to it, it had been gnawing at him.

Walking up to Chris' house with his tools and things. Seeing Adebayo sitting on the steps in front of Chris' house with him, Adrian couldn't break his stride nor the calm exterior he'd put on before leaving his car. However, he could feel the way his heart stuttered in his chest. Adrian hadn't actually been in Chris' father's house yet, well, Chris' house now.

As Chris tried to change his life around, it seemed like he was moving things into separate categories. Making himself feel better about the layout of his life. Adrian belonged to the trailer Chris had lived in, the forest where they took their emotions out on the appliances Adrian hauled over there. As Chris pulled back from all of that, he pulled back from Adrian as well.

Tempering himself, Adrian tried not to sound mad when he walked through Chris' house and saw everyone inside. People he'd considered before he'd ever considered Adrian first. All these random people he'd allowed into this house when he'd never allowed Adrian into it. He didn't control himself well enough because Chris picked up on his tone but they didn't dwell on it, they never do it seems.

So, they continued on and Adrian put his best foot forward. For the first time in a while, he actually found himself enjoying himself. Standing across from Chris after all this time, Adrian felt a little giddy even if they were hacking away at an alternate version of Chris himself. Adrian wanted to badly to meet another version of himself. Wondering how the two of them would be different from each other.

His thoughts were mostly restrained to the safety of his mind. As Chris shut down his line of thought. Adrian thought he shouldn't be too upset about it, Chris did just kill another version of himself so he's probably a little sensitive about the topic for now. Shaking it off, he decided to concern himself with other things, like thinking about the get together they were planning on having.

11th Street Kids getting together wasn't something they'd done for some time. Even though Adrian had talked with Economos on the phone regularly, he hadn't seen him in all that time. More energized than he'd been feeling lately, Adrian had bounded up to the rooftop to meet with Harcourt and Economos. He thought Harcourt was very kind for hosting them all at her place.

They didn't have to wait long for the other two to arrive but by the time Adrian spotted them he felt his smile twitch and his face fall a little, "Did you two come together?"

"We met in the stairwell."

"Oh, okay then."

Mustering up his usual jovial nature, Adrian blew right passed those concerns and inserted himself into the party atmosphere. Once again Adrian reminded everyone that he could only drink a little, and he'd been nursing the same bottle of beer he'd grabbed initially. As things got livelier though, he was encouraged to drink more. He saw the smiling, encouraging faces of his friends.

Unable to say no to them, Adrian continued to drink. It gave him the same feeling as the one he gets when Chris has sex with him. Even when the others stopped pushing drinks into his hands, Adrian kept reaching for them anyway. Not allowing a single stray thought to linger in his mind for too long. Adrian gave himself over to the feeling of not feeling much at all.

In some ways, it felt good but in others, he ended up sticky and covered in beer. He liked it when people seemed to enjoy being around him. At his own expense, Adrian kept pushing himself to entertain, just for as long as people remained interested in him. Feeling important or valued was a temporary feeling. Who knew this more than Adrian himself, but he let himself drown in it.

Forehead pressed against the cold tiles of Harcourt's shower. Adrian let the beer wash off of him. Brain lagging and thoughts temporarily staticky in his own mind. A feeling of hesitance around reaching out to touch on any of them. Given he hadn't even bothered to turn on the hot tap at all, Adrian was shaking by the end of his shower. Removing his wet underwear and reaching for his pants which had managed to stay dry the entire night.

Things were winding down for the night. Knowing that he would only make people upset with him if he tried to insert himself anymore into their evening. Adrian settled himself on the reclining chair in Harcourt's lounge room and tried to make himself fall asleep. He wasn't following everything going on around him. He thinks that at some point Chris left but for once, Adrian didn't feel compelled to follow.

Lately, all Adrian had been feeling was guilt over one thing or another. As he dragged himself with assured self-confidence, through a conversation with Adebayo and Harcourt the next morning. He wasn't blind to way the others looked at him, how they reacted when he got excited about a topic that interested him. It makes him want to be around them less and then he feels guilty for that.

Not wanting to blame them, Adrian understands that he isn't the easiest person to be around. Knows that they're probably doing their best to keep up with him. None of them are even required to care about him. He wasn't even meant to be on the team in the first place and his position as a member of the 11th Street Kids was tentative at best. Pressuring them to accept him wasn't something that sat right for Adrian.

Though at the same time, he also couldn't help how he was. Wished it was simpler for people to just accept him. Adrian can be careful but most of the time, he doesn't have that lull in thought where people consider things before hand. He's usually in the middle of doing or saying something when he actually realizes that something is wrong. Choosing to speak first and then realize that people want him to be quiet.

Following after someone or trying to get involved, before realizing they'd prefer if someone else was with them or if it was nobody at all. Adrian had spent a lifetime of trying to adapt himself to others needs but it didn't always work. After all that effort, he felt it was justified to wish, just once, that someone would try to adapt to his needs or behaviours.

But then the guilt kicks in for treating his friends unkindly even just in his mind. Acting like they owe him anything, and that they're falling short of some sort of good friend status. It's why Adrian tries not to approach any of them with his feelings or concerns. Knowing that it isn't fair on them to expect them to carry any of his burdens, while also fearing that they just wont care at all.

After dealing with low level crime for the past few weeks. Something that usually keeps Adrian going, fuelled by his sense of justice. Adrian is actually excited for a mission to come through that requires them to face something bigger. Brought to Metropolis to handle one thing or another. Adrian somehow managed to convince everyone that he needed the passenger seat in the van.

Economos humoured him for most of the drive. His hands on the steering wheel and his attention split between the road and Adrian's facts. They were back on the topic of owls because Adrian was more confident this time around. He struggles with remembering things a lot of the time, even if he has an interest in a topic. Quizzing himself is his way of strengthening his memory recall.

"You actually knew that one." There's a slight note in Economos' voice that makes him sound impressed.

Adrian was beaming, "I remember reading about it because it made me think about the movie Elf. An elf owl is the tiniest owl in the world, which is the complete opposite of buddy the elf, who seemed to be the biggest elf in the world."

"Yeah?"

He was continuously impressed by Adrian's ability to recall information in the most unusual way possible. Shaking his head and moving his eyes back to the road ahead of them, there were signs along the road showing just how far out they were from Metropolis. Mentally calculating just how many bird facts they'd have to get through between here and Metropolis made Economos sigh.

Except after that comment, Adrian went completely silent. Turning his attention away from the road again, Economos saw Adrian was silently staring out through the car window. His usual smiley expression was subdued, and his expression was plain. There was an odd tiredness to his posture and the light shining down from above made him look paler than usual.

"Doing okay over there, Adrian?"

"Hm." The response was distracted while Adrian's attention was still caught outside.

For the rest of the trip, the mood in the van was on and off. Without Adrian filling the space, there were more stretched out silences than usual. Economos spoke from the front of the van and Adebayo joined in. Even Harcourt mentioned a few things, bringing them through the plan once again even though they'd been through it no less than ten times already.

Chris seemed to be staring at Adrian's back. He didn't say anything to Adrian though. Their seats were so far apart with Adrian at the front and Chris sitting on the other side of Harcourt. Arriving in Metropolis felt like it took far longer than it was meant to. Thankfully though, from the time they parked, they were forced to get into the right headspace to focus on nothing but their jobs.

The mission was simple and Adrian hadn't focused his attention on any of the large moving parts of the operation. Instead, listening in to what was expected of him and then acting out those instructions. There was minimal chatter through their comms and everything happened just as they'd outlined. Everything falling into place with the right amount of deaths.

None occurring on their side of course. Adrian making sure that everyone's backs were covered the entire time. While also focusing on what he'd been instructed to do. They didn't exactly need to operate under the cover of darkness but evening was falling upon them anyway. As the sun was setting, the sky lit up with an array of red, orange and yellow's.

Adrian took a moment to appreciate the sight as Chris came to stand next to him, "What's going on?"

"What?"

"You seem off."

A confused tilt of his head indicated Adrian's confusion. Then realizing that he hadn't been maintaining a particularly good facade today, burst into a smile under his mask and lightened his voice. Dismissing Chris' concerns and telling him there's nothing to worry about. Though Chris looked a little disbelieving, ultimately he took a step back and stopped prodding at Adrian.

When Chris turned his head back to see the others approaching them, Adrian was facing ahead of himself and caught sight of something. Floating mid air was a man in an almost entirely white suit. His hair was being moved by the light wind, and he was staying in place staring down at Adrian and the rest of them on the ground. Whoever it was seemed to just been monitoring them.

They were standing out the back of a building that had been used to smuggle some things. Everyone inside the building had been taken out already and they were coming together out the back to run through everything. No cops had been alerted so they didn't need to immediately flee he scene. Harcourt was the next to notice the person floating above them and aimed her gun upwards.

With their attention brought upwards, they didn't think to look down ahead of them. Economos who'd gotten eyes on them asked over the comm's with something just shy of fear in his voice, if that was Deathstroke. Adrian wanted to say that no, obviously that wasn't Deathstroke, his uniform was orange not white but then Adrian heard the sounds of someone approaching and he had to take back those thoughts.

The man in the sky lowered as Slade stepped towards them and spoke, "Told you'd I'd see you again, Adrian."

Chris seemed to freeze up as he registered the fact that whoever this man was, he openly referred to Adrian by his real name and not by his secret identity. Whatever anger or annoyance he'd expected to come, didn't come at all. Apparently, for the first time in his life, letting go of all concerns around his secret identity and happily responding to his real name.

"You operate outside of Gotham?"

"I was in Gotham for a contract. I'm not restricted to one area." Slade spoke with confidence, as if by moving around he knew his chances of coming across Adrian had been pretty decent.

Sizing up the people before them. The unnamed other man gestured to Slade with his hands, and Slade watched until he was finished before shaking his head in response. He seemed to consider this before saying nothing more with his hands and choosing to just stare. He wasn't giving off a particularly intimidating aura but he seemed cautious of the situation.

In the comms which the other two arrivals didn't have access to, Economos' voice sounded concerned, "Guys? Get out of there, Deathstroke isn't someone to be messed with."

"What did you guys come here for?" Adrian asked not like an interrogation but as if it was the most normal thing in the world, to question a mercenary like Deathstroke on his plans.

"The wife of the man running this business contracted us to hunt him down and ask him about the whereabouts of their daughter. Daughter's been missing for a few weeks and the mother hasn't been able to locate her. I assume he's been taken out?"

Shockingly, there was no accusation to Slade's tone. Genuinely just asking a question, the rest of them watched on as Adrian seemed to sigh and nod his head. He hadn't meant to make things difficult for Slade, if he'd known he was coming, perhaps he'd have held himself back. Apparently though, this didn't seem like a major setback in Slade's eyes as he shrugged the matter off.

Looking at Slade in this version of his suit. Adrian couldn't decide how he felt about it. There was something attractive about Slade's Ikon suit but the white and black of this uniform was pretty cool as well. Unable to stop himself from staring, Adrian considered the uniform from all available angles. There where no straps on Slade's thighs in this suit so Adrian considered it to be the lesser iteration.

"We can help her another way." Slade seemed to look over each and every one of them as he spoke, posture relaxed and seemingly completely in control despite facing off against a higher count of opponents.

Though he made no indication that he wanted to fight any of them. Honestly, as Economos commented through their comms, he seemed more agreeable than Economos had ever known him to be. The few interactions he'd witnessed through Waller getting Deathstroke involved weren't particularly happy memories for Economos. From his viewpoint, he watched as Deathstroke's eyes lingered a little longer on Adrian.

Feeling Slade's eyes on him even through the mask. Adrian couldn't help but shiver, and Chris standing next to him seemed to be paying particular attention to the interaction going on between the two of them. He whispered a quick 'what the fuck' but didn't say anything else. They couldn't afford to turn this into something that would garner the attention of cops.

"See you around."

Even though Slade didn't direct his words towards anyone in particular, Adrian felt like they were for him alone. As Slade's eyes lingered on him just a moment longer, only then did the two finally turn away to leave. Adrian felt flushed and hot all over. Thankfully going unnoticed by the suit covering him from head to toe. Unlike how he'd felt earlier, there was a liveliness to him once again.

Ignoring the outstretched hand Chris had put out to reach for Adrian. He moved away without a second thought, not even registering Chris as he bounced over to Harcourt to ask about how he performed. Eyes shining bright behind his mask. Harcourt gave him a simple review of her assessment and he seemed pleased enough with the results. Congratulating himself on his performance.

The others seemed to share a look behind his back. Not something uncommon for the lot of them, communicating with each other about Adrian. But Adrian seemed to be either completely unaware or utterly unbothered by it. Returning to the van to ask Economos if he'd seen him choke that one guy out with his thighs while he shot another guy in the throat.

With no intention of driving back at this time, they looked up at the darkening sky and booked themselves a hotel. Up and down the streets of Metropolis were all clean and there was minimal foot traffic at this time of night. A few construction workers were exiting a small bar holding each other up. A woman was sat on the steps that lead up to an office building with her phone pressed to her ear.

Adrian wasn't able to escape Chris' scrutiny in the car though, "Who the hell was that?"

"Deathstroke?"

Confused by the question considering Economos had already pointed out who it was earlier. Adrian watched as Chris' expression twitched with annoyance, but Adrian had no idea where he'd managed to slip up. The question was very simple and it'd already been answered. Why was Chris asking him again and then getting frustrated when he answered it plain and simple.

"Obviously, idiot." There was a huff before Chris pushed on, "I meant like, why did he know your name? He was acting so familiar with you, dude!"

Throwing his hands up in the air as he answered, "That's an entirely different question! You could've just asked that instead."

"I just did."

"We've just met before. Though I wasn't masked up, he must've remembered me and something tipped him off."

Chris had more questions to ask about this, and there was frustration clear in his voice. Even though Chris couldn't place what exactly was bothering him about this. He kept pushing he issue. It was only made worse as Adrian stopped answering his questions. Caught up in his own thoughts, considering what it was about him that had Slade guess it was him so quickly.

Maybe he'd heard his voice or something. That's how Adebayo had figured him out, with his voice sounding so similar to Vigilante's voice. Since then, Adrian hadn't even considered it and realized he should probably figure out how to change his voice just enough to allow for doubt. Shaking his head, not for the first time, Adrian considered how hard it was to keep up secret identities.

"You shouldn't hang around people like that. He's bad news."

"How do you know?" Adrian shot back with, although he didn't have any heat to his tone.

Almost mirroring Adrian's earlier action of throwing his hands in the air, Chris said, "I just do, it's obvious that he's not a good guy. Even if he said he was trying to help someone find their daughter, he probably had ulterior motives!"

"Why does it matter?"

"Because you're like a kid! Someone like that can take advantage of you and we can't trust you to be sensible on your own. Just stay away from him."

In Adrian's head, he could still hear the way Slade had spoken to him for the first time 'you climb up here on your own, kid?'. For the rest of the night on and off, Slade had referred to Adrian in such a way. Instead of feeling demeaning, it had an almost endearing quality to it. the stark difference between the way Slade seemed to see him and Chris really set in.

Sitting in the passenger seat of the van, Adrian considered how he felt about how Chris was speaking to him. Usually, he didn't give it much thought. They had a particular dynamic going, and Adrian found his comfort in that. But their usual banter was missing and Chris was just talking to him as if he was someone he didn't like. It made a frown pull at Adrian's features.

"Can you stop the van?"

His voice was eerily quiet. To the point that Economos almost missed it, but he turned to stare wide eyed at Adrian when he registered it. There was a conflict going on inside of Economos as he stared at the look on Adrian's face. He knew that even if he didn't stop, Adrian would throw himself out of a moving vehicle with no regard for his well being.

Doing what he thought was best, despite not wanting Adrian to leave in this state. Economos slowed the vehicle down as he pulled off to the side. Not before reaching out a hand and telling Adrian to call him if he needs to be picked up. Emphasizing that no matter the time and no matter where he is, he'll pick him up. Adrian seemed to smile at this before unbuckling himself and leaving the vehicle.

From the back of the van, people seemed to be saying different things. The van lingered in its parked position for a while even as Adrian disappeared into the night. Adrian didn't see how long they sat there, perhaps hoping he'd turn back and get into the van. Adrian doesn't know much of anything else, as he stumbled around the streets of Metropolis.

Confusion clinging to his consciousness. Adrian felt like he was going to work himself up into some sort of panic attack. His skin felt uncomfortable, and he rubbed at his fingers to try regulating himself. For some reason, Adrian couldn't find comfort in the streets of Metropolis in the way he could back in Gotham. After seeing Slade again, Adrian couldn't help but feel his body wanting for more.

But he didn't have any way to find Slade. Not in a big city like this and not even in general, they'd ever exchanged numbers, and Adrian didn't know what areas he operated around. As if brought together by fate itself, Adrian blindly bumped into something solid. Raising his line of sight until he was staring at the front of Slade's unfamiliar white and black mask.

"Hey kid, let's get you off the streets."

The streets were dauntingly quiet around them and Slade appeared in front of Adrian like a guiding light. Adrian couldn't help but feel himself gravitating towards Slade, taking the hand offered to him and pulling them closer. Both of them had masks on so Adrian couldn't pull Slade into a kiss, but he held their bodies close together like he was desperate for it.

Slade didn't have an apartment set up in Metropolis the same way he had one in Gotham so a hotel was their alternative. They couldn't fumble their way through the ground floor so they had the room booked through other means and Slade got the two of them to the room in one piece. An immediate press of lips against lips the second their masks were taken off and cast aside.

It was soft in the way their lips felt but harsh in the way that their teeth found each other. Breath hot against one another. Blind to it, Adrian didn't even pick up on the way he was clinging to Slade. Gripping onto him like a lifeline. As if fearing that Slade was going to pull away from him, disappear from his sight if he didn't cling to him tight enough.

Blood and gore stuck to the Vigilante suit. Not wanting Slade to be covered in it and made a mess of, Adrian was stripping down to his underwear before he could even think. Body bared for Slade to see as he removed it piece by piece. Toned muscles and skin flushed from how worked up he'd gotten himself over just one kiss. Sweat was already clinging to him from his earlier activities.

Behind them in the room, the bed was massive. Momentarily distracted away from Slade after undressing himself, Adrian laid himself out on the bed. Enjoying the feel of the bed's softness underneath him. Long legs shifting over the sheets, rolling onto his front to press his face in the pillows. Then, Adrian's head popped up and he looked over his shoulder at Slade.

Without his glasses, which he'd left in the van, Adrian couldn't see very well. But Slade was standing a short distance away just staring at him, taking in the sight of him spread out before him. Feeling a little flustered, he hadn't meant to make such a display of himself but Slade seemed to appreciate it all the same. Clothes coming off before Slade joined him on the edge of the bed.

Leaning over Adrian's body, Slade started kissing down from the back of Adrian's neck. Lips gently as they pressed against one of his shoulder blades. Continuing down his back, Adrian felt himself jolt as Slade got to his hips. Biting the skin there just hard enough to make Adrian shudder. Slade pulled himself away from Adrian's flushed skin, sticky with sweat.

Remembering something, Adrian asked, "Where's the other one who was with you? I didn't know you knew people who could do that."

"That's my son, the one I mentioned." Answering easily enough, "Joseph came with me to represent team Defiance for this contract. I trusted him to handle the rest of it on his own. He's capable."

"Oh." Adrian sighed out as Slade slid a hand underneath his chest.

Working Adrian back until he was on his knees, back pressed against the hard lines of Slade's front. Adrian couldn't help but squirm a little as Slade felt up his chest, fingers massaging and pinching along the way. With so much attention on himself, Adrian didn't know what to do. Desperate, Adrian pushed himself back further against Slade's body.

"You can- you can go all the way with me. It's okay. This- I can take it."

A little frantic with his words, Adrian tried to get his point across. He needed Slade to do something, and he was desperate to put out of he could feel more of Slade's body against his own. Weighed down by the pressure of him until all noise faded from his head. Adrian gasped as Slade squeezed his hip, patting it reassuringly before moving their bodies apart slightly.

"I like you're enthusiasm, kid." His words were spoke so close to Adrian and he could feel Slade's hand pat at his hip reassuringly, "But I don't think we're getting there tonight either. You're not in the right headspace for it anyway."

"What do you mean?" There was a frown back on Adrian's face but he wasn't angry, just worried about how Slade was seeing him.

Instead of answering directly, Slade asked, "Do you trust me?"

"Yes." It was an immediate confirmation, Adrian didn't have to even think about it.

Out of sight of Adrian's blurry eyes, Slade was grinning down at him. Though their interactions are limited, Adrian's already become so soft on Slade. There's nothing Slade likes to see more than this. Using the hand supporting Adrian's chest, Slade slipped it up until it cupped his neck and used it to tilt Adrian's head back. His eyes were mostly unseeing, but they were wide and trusting.

"Then we do something else tonight."

Feeling himself deflate a little, despite the odd sense of relief that floods his system, Adrian asks, "But you won't be getting anything out of it."

"Sex is still sex no matter how far we go. It doesn't have to end a particular way just for my sake."

Blinking his eyes, Adrian let Slade move him about as he pleased. Moving until Slade was resting against the headboard of the bed with Adrian awkwardly on top of him, fumbling around with his limited sight. Slade reached over to grab something that had a familiar sound to it. They'd come to an expensive hotel and Adrian had tried to feel worried about the cost but he'd been so desperate to get close to Slade.

When he'd voiced his concerns, Slade had expectedly dismissed them and comforted him. Telling him that they should just make the cost worth their while. These thoughts came back to him as Adrian realized Slade had grabbed a glass of wine. When he didn't hear the sound of glasses and only the sound of the wine being opened. Adrian cutely tilted his head to the side.

"Let's have some fun, kid."

Poured down the lines of Slade's chest and across his stomach. The wine was mildly visible to Adrian who felt a little dizzy. He desperately wished he could see everything clearly but still leaned down. As Adrian licked across the mess that had been left across Slade's skin, he felt Slade reach down between the two of them. The mess had already made its way down Slade's body.

With them both in hand, the wine was used to slick the both of them up. Adrian jolted and pressed against Slade further. Panting open mouthed already, he'd never had someone hold the both of them in hand like this before. The heat of their bodies came together and the slickness of the wine was an unusual sensation. It felt better than when he'd had beer poured over him.

Though the wine hadn't ended up so high on Slade's body, Adrian still licked and bite against the skin of Slade's shoulder and along his neck. Not yet feeling too overwhelmed by the wine. Slade let him do as he pleased and made sure Adrian knew he had full access to Slade's body. To do as he wished with it. Adrian heard that and felt immeasurably happy.

Muscular, thick bodies are his favourite. Though, he's so rarely allowed to feel them up that he simply can't pass on this opportunity. Ever sensation felt heightened without his glasses on, and the sensation of Slade's body beneath his hands made Adrian harder than ever. Slade didn't let up his pace as he worked the both of them, the pressure just right.

Using his other hand, Slade poured some more wine on himself for Adrian to dive down to taste. Some of the wine was being licked up by Adrian while the rest was left to trickle down Slade's body, falling to his stomach and his hips. Where Slade collected it to use to work over themselves. Adrian was still high-strung from earlier and felt like he wasn't going to last very long.

The usual empty-headed feeling during sex wasn't present. Adrian could still think for himself and with Slade positioning him on top, for once he felt a little more in control of them moment. Capable of moving his hips and also tasting Slade's body as he pleased. Adrian thought he would've flinched away at this level of awareness during sex but Slade had a way of lulling him into it, making it so alluring and tempting.

Just like their firs time, Adrian finished before Slade did. Spilling between the two of them and over the fingers Slade had gripped around the both of them. Adrian was willing to fight the overstimulation to allow Slade to keep going for his own pleasure. However, Slade didn't push him any further than that. Gently and carefully rolling Adrian off of him, Slade put Adrian on his back.

Panting and coming down from his high. Eyes struggling to focus without his glasses on, he was forced to just trust in the sensations he could feel. Slade was leaning down to kiss him again, feeling the wine in his mouth shared into Slade's. As if he was trying to lick clean Adrian's entire mouth. Their kiss was wet, and Adrian felt dizzy, wing clinging to them.

"If you still want something more," For a while, Slade just let those words hang in the air around them. "I can open you up on my fingers. Let you get a feel for it."

"Oh god."

Feeling his lower body twitch and react to those words alone. Honestly, Adrian didn't know how he was going to get through Slade actually putting his fingers inside him. Despite any level of apprehension he could feel, it was something Adrian wanted to badly. It'd been a while since someone carefully fingered him open, and with no expectation to get anything out of it, it sounded unbelievable.

Yet, Slade got Adrian on his front with his hips elevated, "Keep these in the air for me."

Nodding his head against the sheets, Adrian felt as Slade's hands rubbed along his ass. Feeling him out and just getting a good look of him, and Adrian had never been watched this closely before. It should feel humiliating or embarrassing, but all Adrian could feel was how his body was steadily reacting. Slade was able to do things to his body that he'd never experienced before.

Back turned to Slade, he could do nothing but feel the sensation as wine was poured across his ass. It made Adrian giggle a little, completely blissed out and just feeling whatever sensations Slade gives to him. He feels floaty but in a better way than usual, not mindless but something more comfortable. Secured in the moment. A grunt leaves him as Slade finally puts a finger inside of him.

Even Slade's fingers feel like too much. It's honestly impressive how much bigger than Adrian, Slade is in every single way. It has him drooling all over the sheets. He can hear the sound of the wine inside of him and the noises Slade finger makes. One of Slade's hands is on his hip, keeping it there almost like a reassurance of his presence, as if Adrian would've thought anyone else would be with him in this moment.

Only then, Adrian's phone starts ringing. Thoughtless, he doesn't think twice before fumbling around for it and finding where he'd thrown it aside earlier. Clicking the option to pick up the call, Adrian could only hope it wasn't his mother. A noise that sounded higher than anything Adrian's ever made slipped from him right before the call picked up.

"Dude? Adrian, where are you, seriously? We're worried about you. You know the address to the hotel we booked right?"

Opening and closing his mouth a few times, finally able to get out a simple, "Oh, yeah."

"Look, I'm sorry about earlier. I don't know what happened, I just got heated. You know me."

The last few words were spoken with such a soft tone that it made Adrian's stomach twist. He wasn't completely drunk, but he was certainly inebriated enough that he could feel it. Forming words felt difficult, having to speak felt like a mission. For once, Adrian just wished to be quiet. But he knew that Chris would be upset if the other end of the call dropped.

Even though it's been done to Adrian no less than fifteen times in the past few months alone. Slade did something with his finger right as Adrian opened his mouth to respond, and the noise he made was clear and obvious. With the phone so close to him, it wasn't something that could be misheard or misinterpreted. The other side of the call went dead silent.

Now Slade had two of his fingers inside Adrian. His voice as quiet enough not to be picked up by the call, but he continued to reassure Adrian. Maintaining his presence at Adrian's side. Adrian relaxed further into the feeling, he doesn't think being opened up like this has ever felt so good. That and the fact that he doesn't think anyone's ever been so attentive about it.

Having never just been for the purpose of getting Adrian off but preparing him for themselves. Adrian was panting and whining, squirming but trying to not get out of the position Slade had put him in. He wanted to behave well for Slade. Only then did he remember that Chris was still on the other end of the call and he hadn't said anything for a while.

"It's okay." Adrian was able to get out, he wasn't bothered about earlier anymore and he didn't feel so bad. "I'll come back."

For the first time in his life, Adrian was the one to hang up the call. Usually, when he had sex, all the complicated feelings he was escaping from would disappear for the moment and then hit him full force afterwards. But as Slade brought Adrian to his second orgasm, and then as Adrian lent Slade a hand for his first. The atmosphere didn't feel suffocating or oppressive at all.

Adrian was actually feeling good, enjoying the pleasure. Getting himself cleaned up and clearing his head a little. He couldn't help but be thankful once again that Slade didn't go all the way with him. Despite being eager to and willing to offer himself up again if it's what Slade wants. Adrian is glad that he doesn't have to deal with a physical ache on top of his mental ache.

Clearly more familiar with these types of hotels. Slade pays for a fresh set of clothes to be sent up so that Adrian can get changed before he leaves. Freshly cleaned from the shower and allowing himself to recalibrate himself. Adrian watches Slade walk out with a towel around his waist. Opting to spend the night here, he still follows Adrian downstairs to help him find the taxi Slade had called for him.

"Let's not leave it to fate this time." Slade says once he's gotten the taxi door open for Adrian.

Unbeknownst to Adrian, Slade managed to put his number in Adrian's phone. Slade reminds Adrian to text him or at least calls to let him know he got over there safely. The said that no matter what it's for, Adrian is free to contact him in the future. Adrian asks if that includes things like, and he takes on an over-the-top whisper even though the driver isn't listening in to say, secret identity things.

Not being able to see didn't stop Adrian from hearing the grin in Slade's voice as he answered, "Even that. I'll look forward to seeing you in that suit again."

The comment was innocuous enough and not obviously alluding to anything else. Adrian can feel the fact that he's grinning at Slade. Finally, the pair of them part and Adrian is sent off towards the hotel the others had booked. Still, Adrian feels guilty about leaving Slade behind after what they did. But he also felt a gnawing pain at the idea of worrying the others and not coming back to them.

For the first time, Adrian was leaving after sex without being kicked out. He was making the choice to leave, and Slade hadn't pressured him, didn't make him feel bad for having to leave either. Smiling the entire taxi ride over, Adrian couldn't believe his luck. Still with the lingering bliss of their earlier activities, Adrian couldn't help but let his mind wander. Thinking about the future.