My Father is Death

Chapter 26

Up early because I have shit going on tomorrow from dawn till dusk.

Slade stumbled into the Haunt, trying and failing to be silent. The chair slipped under his hand, clattering to the floor. He muttered a curse, knowing someone would have heard that, hoping no one actually did. His other hand pressed into his abdomen. Red, hot, blood ran through his finger tips, dripping to the floor. Something else clattered to the floor and he cursed himself again.

"Dad?"

Slade whirled around in his tracks. Dick was in the standing in the middle of the hall, door left open to his room behind him, and stuffed elephant clutched in two small arms.

"Go back to bed." Slade growled, "Now."

"I can't get to sleep." Dick shuffled his feet, looking down at his toes, "Dad? Is that blood?"

"No. Now got back to bed. I'll check in on you in a little bit."

"But-"

"Now! Richard!"

Dick jumped clear out of his skin, scrambling back into his room and shutting the door with a hefty bang. Wintergreen's door startled open just moments after, wide eyed, and hair messy.

"What? Slade, your hurt."

Slade groaned, "Thanks for pointing out the obvious. Now are you going to help me or just watch me bleed out here?"

"I get to choose?"

Slade growled as Wintergreen chuckled. The older man helped the bleeding man to Slade's bathroom sink. Shedding clothing and armor. Wintergreen poked and prodded at the deep, oozing gash.

"Fuck. Stop that." Slade growled.

Wintergreen hummed, "Might I ask who, you pissed off this time?"

"I had a run in with Robin Hood." Slade deadpanned, "He clicked his heels three times and got an arrow in my side."

"I think your mixing your fairy tales."

"There a fairy tale right? Can't be too far off."

"... I think the blood loss is going to your head." Wintergreen pulled tight on the bandages, "You sure it was just an arrow?"

"It might have been two... or three. I also might have yanked them out...."

Wintergreen sighed, "You going to tell me why I was awoken by a door slam?"

"I may... or may not have... scared Dick into fleeing to his room...."

Wintergreen slapped Slade upside the head none too gently, "I'd punch you too but you have work to do. Now go check on that kid. You could have sent him into a panic attack or maybe even a low point." The older man shoved Slade out, "And if I hear one word about you cleaning the carpets tomorrow, I swear."

"Yeah, Yeah. One threat at a time please." Slade grumbled, half stumbling down the hall to Dick's room. Knocking, Slade entered the dark room slowly, "Dick? You here bud?" He called softly.

There were a few sniffles before a soft, "Yes."

Slade padded over to the bed and sat down with a silent sigh, "Hey, kiddo. I'm sorry."

"It's ok." Dick sniffled again.

"No... No it's not." Slade reached out to run his hands through the soft ebony hair, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have yelled at you. Or lied. Yes, it was blood."

"You're hurt!" Dick cried, springing up, eyes wide.

"Yes, but I'll live. It'll take a little less than a nuclear bomb to kill me. And even than I don't think it'll be enough." Slade thought over what he could do or say, "How about we watch a movie. You said you can't sleep, and I'm not going to sleep anytime soon"

"YIPPY!" Dick bounced off the bed and all the way down the hall to this Haunt's den.

Slade sighed once more before slowly, making his way to the Den and claiming his chair. Wintergreen didn't take long before bring in hot cocoa and pizza.

"Will, it's midnight."

Wintergreen only glanced at Slade before seating himself on the couch, "That's why it's pizza. I'm not going to make an hour meal or take so much prep time for a sandwich. And I know you and Dick will want something to eat."

"I never-"

"Don't give me that. Last time you got shot I had to restock all the cereal we had."

"It was quick and right there!" Slade barked in protest.

"An entire bag? Not a box. A. BAG."

"And you went though an entire salad bar in a day."

"At least I didn't gain ten pounds from it."

"Shhhh!" Dick hushed, making more noise than the two were, "It's the good part."

Slade glanced at the screen to see Scooby Doo and Shaggy, running from a vary fast walking Frankenstine. It was over soon enough and another was put on.

"Dick, do you like mysteries?"

Dick glanced back Slade, "What that?"

"It's what Scooby Doo falls under. I can find you a harder challenge to pick out the bad guy if you want."

"Really! Yes! But after this episode."

"Yes Sir." Slade saluted, with his piece of pizza, "You are the boss of the hour."

Dick got a giddy grin, "Yes!"

Comments? Vote! Share.