DC: DON'T UTTER A WORD

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For double chap today, vote. Stone the corn! Stone the corn! With love, Corn.

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[Star City. March 17, 04:35 PDT.

David Lance POV]

"It's nearly dawn, David," Dinah observed as she entered my room. "Deathstroke won't come tonight. Take a break."

"I know." I nodded, my hands barely managing to make the correct signs to transmit my message. I was quite tired.

Dinah sighed, approaching my side. "David. We will be okay. The league it's keeping an eye on him for us. And even if he somehow manages to avoid the watchful eye of the league, he would have to fight us." she smiled, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder.

I smiled back at her. Trying to take her confidence to heart. But failing to do so. I just couldn't help it.

"I will take a break," I signed, giving Dinah a small hug afterward.

"Good," Dinah beamed, planting a kiss on my forehead. "Never forget. I will always protect you. No matter the cost. That's my job as your big sister."

"That and stealing my food," I retorted with a cheeky smile, after all, she had a thing for stealing my fries, and nuggets. This comment, however, made my sweet sister slap the back of my head.

"Dumbass," Dinah chuckled, rolling her eyes, before playfully pushing into the bed. "Go to sleep."

I smiled from cheek to cheek, giving her a nod as she chucklingly closed the door of my room.

—----------------------------

After a few hours of restless sleep, interrupted by constant nightmares of my first encounter with Deathstroke, and how close I had been to dying, I woke up, determined to train, harder than ever.

I had to admit. I was scared. For all my power, Deathstroke terrified me. Not because I couldn't beat him, which unless I used my powers, I was sure I couldn't, at least at the current time. But because I knew how determined he was, how relentless, and how dangerous he was when he wanted to be.

I was afraid of being unable to stop him should he aim to break me through my sister. I was afraid of him rendering me powerless through the environment, knowing well I would not use my powers to kill him if it meant killing thousands of innocents in the process.

But most of all. I was afraid of willingly using my powers to stop him. Even if it meant destroying others in the process. Because deep down, I knew I would use my voice to kill him if it meant saving Dinah, without hesitation.

I knew that there was a chance my first encounter with Deathstroke had left a scar in my mind. That almost dying was probably influencing how I was taking this.

That the events of that night were now resurfacing as trauma. Invading my thoughts and dreams in an unhealthy way. 

I knew that very well. But I also knew that what I was feeling wasn't without any base.

I believed in Dinah. In Oliver. And in Batman. 

I hadn't worked much with the League, but those in this life I trusted and cared about did. So I also believed in them.

However, while I trusted them. I would not blindly entrust my safety and that of Dinah to them. Not entirely, at least, and it wasn't because I didn't believe in their abilities to stop Deathstroke. 

But because I would never forgive myself if something happened to those I cared about while I waited for the league or others to come.

"Good afternoon sleepy head," Dinah said as she entered my room with a small tray with three sandwiches. Effectively stopping my current train of thought.

I smiled, waving at her.

"I made you breakfast," Dinah smiled, putting the tray on my bed. "You know you can talk to me. Right?"

She knew of my nightmares. 

Of course, she did. 

I had hoped the fact that I don't make a sound while sleeping would prevent Dinah from finding out.

"I know," I nodded, going through the hand signs slowly. "It was just a nightmare. Is normal for kids my age. Don't worry." I added, grabbing one of the sandwiches. I really didn't want to worry her about such things. 

"It is," Dinah nodded, her eyes softly resting on me. "When you feel like talking about these nightmares. I'm here. Remember that. Now and always. None of this is your fault."

As much as I appreciated my sister's attempts to ease my mind, I still held myself responsible for all of this. However, I would not tell her that, so instead, I nodded, offering her a seat on my bed to have lunch with me. 

"Food won't silence me, David," Dinah chuckled, taking a seat. "I'm gonna eat one of the sandwiches. But know, that I am highly offended by this bribe."

I rolled my eyes at her, to which she playfully pushed off the bed.

"That's a peculiar way to get me to open up. Child abuse. If only the masses knew how evil Black Canary truly is," I signed, giving her a mocking look of hurt.

"Good thing the masses will never know," Dinah playfully replied. "Otherwise I would be forced to become a supervillain! I even have the name ready, just in case. #000000 Canary." she added, with a fake maniacal laugh.

I smiled, inwardly chuckling at the silliness of her villain name. #000000 Canary. Which literally translated to Black Canary, with the Black part of her name changed to the Hex Code #RGB of the color Black.

"How about you join me? You could be #000000 Bolt. The terrors of Star City!" Dinah added, laughing like a stereotypical villain, the only thing that was missing was the flashlight illuminating her face.

"No thank you," I replied, grabbing a sandwich.

"Oh, Oliver could join us! And become #00FF00 Arrow!" Dinah chuckled, rubbing her hands together for dramatics. "We could become. The Hex Code Family."

"You are a dork sometimes," I replied, throwing one of my pillows at her.

"So you defy me?!" Dinah grinned, grabbing the pillow. "Very well then. Hero, come at me!" 

And so, we started a pillow war in the house. That somehow extended long enough for Oliver to arrive and join the fray.

"For my mustache!" Oliver screamed, holding two memory foam pillows in his hands.