Roy and Ollie

Roy was running around the various floors of the manor, trying to find something to do. The little boy was bored and Oliver was busy, like usual, so he didn’t have anyone to play with. He ran into the man’s office, trying to climb up his bookshelf like it was a jungle gym, before falling on the ground.

"Hey! That's not a playground, Roy." The man entered just as the kid fell.

Roy sniffled, rubbing his bruised knee. “Ollie, I’m bored.” He whined, going over and tugging on the bottom of the man’s shirt.

"Go play, there's plenty of space in here."

“Come play with me, I wanna go to the park.” Roy insisted, hugging his guardian’s leg.

"Later, I'm working right now. Go watch TV."

Roy stomped his foot, pouting. “No, I wanna go to the park!”

"I said I'm busy."

“But I wanna go to the park!” Roy wailed, sitting on the floor and crying loudly. The boy was tired, not having taken a nap, and he tended to get cranky when that happens.

"Stop with the damn tantrum or you get a spanking." Oliver was so not in the mood... He had tons of work and he and Dinah had just had a fight.

Roy cried harder at the threat. “Wanna go to the park! You never let me go anywhere.” The boy laid down fully on the floor, kicking his legs.

"One..."

Roy aimed a kick at Oliver’s shins before getting up to storm out of the room, still sobbing.

"Ow, fuck! Go to your room and stay there!" He roared just as his mother entered the room.

Roy stomped out of the room, bumping into Oliver’s mother as he did so. The boy stomped off to his bedroom, yelling about how mean the man was.

Moira glared after the little boy before giving her son a harsh look. “You have got to get that child under control.”

"He's fine, alright? Just... Bored or tired, I don't know." Maybe Roy was no angel, but no kid was, right?

“Well I’m sick of hearing his tantrums. He’s getting a bad little attitude.” Moira said. 

Roy could hear them talking about him from the other room and hated it. He didn’t like Oliver’s mom at all. The little boy got mad and started throwing things around his room angrily.

"He's a good kid, just tired. Why don't you take him to the park."

Moira immediately shook her head. “He’s you’re responsibility, I’m not going to take care of him.”

Roy left his room, cranky and bored. He went downstairs quietly, going outside to play in the front yard.

"Well, He's your grandson."

“Barely. I’m going out, you make sure he doesn’t get into too much trouble.” She said, leaving.

Roy was playing in the yard, getting dirty. It had rained earlier and he loved playing in the muddy puddles.

"Mom, just take him five minutes!"

“I’m busy today Oliver. You’re the one who wanted this child, you take care of him.” Moira went downstairs, noticing the boy getting filthy. She rolled her eyes, calling upstairs to her son, “You may need to start running him a bath.”

"What?" He got out just to find him covered in dirt and mud, "Roy!"

“Ollie!” Roy ran over to him, much happier now from playing. “Look, I found mud!” He said excitedly, showing him his dirty hands and arms.

"Yeah, I see," he sighed tiredly, "Let's give you a bath."

Roy shook his head. “Not gonna take a bath. I wanna play more.”

"You're not getting inside like that."

“Then I’ll play in the mud more instead of inside.” Roy went back over to sit in the mud. “Ollie play with me.”

"Roy, that's dirty."

“But it’s fun.” The little boy went over to him, grabbing onto the man’s pants and tugging on him. “I wanna play more.”

"Damn!" Oliver tried to count to ten on his head, "Roy, my pants!"

Roy scowled at him, bottom lip wobbling. “You’re being mean. Go away, I’m gonna play.”

"No, I'm not, but... You are not supposed to be playing there."

“But I wanna play here. You won’t take me to the park, so I have to play in the yard.” The boy stomped on a mud puddle, splashing himself more.

"No, Roy!" He had just washed those pants!

 “Quit yellin’! You’re not fun.” Roy whined, glaring at him.

"Look..." Oliver was tired, he didn't want another tantrum, and even less in front of his mother, "We can... Play for a while, but you'll have to rinse in the hose before getting inside."

Roy nodded, yawning tiredly. He splashed around in the mud for another few minutes before going over and leaning against Oliver’s pants, signaling he was done playing.

Oliver barely contained an annoyed face. "Let's get you inside."

“I’m hungry.” Roy complained, lifting his arms up to be carried.

But Oliver didn't pick him up, instead he took the kids hand and started walking towards the garden hose. He preferred having to mop water than ponds of mud.

Roy pouted at the hose, trying to tug his hand away. “No, it’s gonna be cold.” He whined.

"It's not," the man lied and turned it open before further complain.

Roy started wailing when he was hit with the cold water. “It’s cold! You’re a damn liar!”

"Watch your mouth," was the only reply Oliver bothered with while spraying the child from all angles until he was soaking wet and completely clean.

Roy sobbed and shivered. “You’re being mean.” He cried, teeth chattering.

"I'm not, it's just water," he replied, closing the hose and gathering the child in his arms.

Roy cuddled close to him to get warm, sniffling. “It’s cold water.” He mumbled. “I’m hungry.”

"We can eat after you take a bath," Oliver started walking towards the house entered with caution, he didn't wanna slip or something.

Roy shook his head. “No bath! You already made me use the hose.”

"That was to get you clean and with cold water. If you don't take a bath, you're going to get sick."

Roy shook his head. “Not taking one.”

"Not asking."

Roy squirmed in his arms, trying to get down and away. “I said no, Ollie! No bath!”

"I don't care, Roy! You have not listened to anything today, what is going on with you?"

“You’re being bossy and mean today.” Roy accused. “I want lunch, not a bath.” He wailed, starting up a tantrum. Moira watched the two of them, giving Oliver a slightly judging look.

"No bath, no food."

Roy started crying, kicking his legs against Oliver. “No fucking bath!”

"Hey! Watch your mouth" the man gave him a light slap in the mouth.

Roy sobbed harder, kicking and squirming more. “You’re mean! Mean mean mean!”

"You know what? I'm sick of this," he put the kid down and took him to the corner by the hand, "Stay here, and whenever the hell you feel like taking a damn bath, you can get out."

Roy kicked the wall before flopping down to sit on the floor. “Not gonna take a damn bath!”

Oliver made him stand and face the corner.  "You'll stay there a long time, then."

Roy leaned his head against the wall, sobbing. “Ollie, I don’t wanna be in time out.” He whined, rubbing his eyes tiredly.

"Then quit the tantrum and let's go, you have to take a shower or you'll catch a cold."

Roy whimpered, but nodded, turning around and lifting his arms once more to be picked up. “Fine, I’ll take a freaking bath.”

Oliver rolled his eyes. They could deal with the language later. "And you need to take a nap after lunch, you're impossible when cranky."

“Not cranky and not sleepy.” Roy grumbled. “Can I have my rubber duckies in the bath?”

"Yes, whatever, but don't take long because it's lunch time already."

Roy nodded, running off to the bathroom to take his bath. The little boy filled it with lots of bubbles and bath toys, getting in the warm water.

"I'm serious, Roy, don't take long. We have a meeting with the League later."

Roy rolled his eyes, making a beard out of bubbles. “Go away.”

"You have five minutes." At least the reuion was going to be in Bruce's house on their civies, in order to not rise suspicions. It was something not so urgent, so there was no point in going all the way to the Watchtower.

Roy scowled at him, but finished up in the bath and got out, wrapping himself in a towel. “Ollie, I’m done.” He announced, leaving the bathroom.

"We already talked about putting your clothes on in the bathroom."

Roy rolled his eyes. “I like my towel, it’s got fishies on it.”

Oliver took some time to think about what to say. He really liked the kid, but he didn't look like such of a brat when they first met.

"Put these on," he showed him some clothes, "So we can go eat. I think Thea brought you ice cream."

Roy smiled at that, putting his clothes on. “Are the other kids gonna be at the meeting today?” He asked, going over and hugging the man’s leg once he was dressed.

"They are supposed to," he picked him up. The boy was kind of cute, no one could deny that, he was just a little difficult sometimes, "I mean, I don't see why not, Bruce's backyard is huge, like a forest."

“Can I play in it? I wanna climb trees.” Roy said happily, leaning his head tiredly on his guardian’s shoulder.

"Sure," it only made sense since they had agreed to have the meeting outside, "But you need to eat first."

“Can I have ice cream for lunch?” He asked, always having had a strong sweet tooth

"You can have some after lunch, not as lunch." She may not be an expert about children, but It was almost obvious that he couldn't feed them just ice cream and pizza. Roy was a good kid, and a very skilled archer, he was given plenty capable of surviving on his own for a while, but he needed way more discipline and training.

Roy pouted. “But I don’t want any food other than ice cream.” He squirmed to be set down on a stool at the kitchen counter.

Oliver rolled his eyes. Speaking of discipline. "I told you, eat first or you won't have any."

“But we don’t have any good food. Just gross stuff.” Roy whined, hopping down from his chair to go search through the snack cupboards.

Oliver put a plate on the table and looked unhappily as the kid discovered Thea's secret stash of candy.

"Don't you even think you are going to eat any of that," he grabbed the boy's hand and lead him to the table, "Just sit, Thea and your grandma have been waiting for us to start."

“But Ollie, there’s gummy worms!” The boy exclaimed, pointing at the cupboard. He wrinkled his nose at the food set out on the table for dinner. “Ollie, there’s salad, gross.”

"There's also pasta and meat. Just eat, and don't be rude, your grandma cooked today."

Roy scowled slightly, but sat down at his chair and picked at the plate of food put in front of him. “Thank you, grandma.” He mumbled.

"You're welcome, Roy." But she shot Oliver a displeased look. She had told him he was too lenient with that child, and maybe she wasn't the best parent ever, but it wasn't a contest either.

Roy took a small bite of the pasta, wrinkling his nose at it. “I don’t want the vegetables, Ollie.” He said, picking at a piece of broccoli.

"You are not getting up until you finish it all. You need to eat well if do you want to do the fun stuff, like climbing trees, swimming and running."

Roy pushed his plate away, crossing his arms. “Daddy, please no vegetables.” He whined, calling him ‘daddy’ like he does whenever he wants something out of the man.

"Well..."

"Oliver!"

“Daddy, I’ll eat the pasta, but I don’t like broccoli.” Roy leaned his head on the man’s arm, giving him puppy eyes while Thea laughed quietly at them.

"Thea, don't be intrusive." Moira said. Oliver finally wanted to impose some respect to that little kid and she started laughing?

Oliver stroke the kid's hair a little, he was really the cutest kid ever.

"Eat everything or there's no ice cream."

Roy whined, giving him a small glare. He grumbled while picking at the rest of his food, taking small bites and avoiding any green food. He’d soon eaten everything except his vegetables. “Daddy, I really don’t want them.”

"I guess you don't want ice cream neither, then."

Roy gave a frustrated wail, kicking his feet against his chair. “Daddy! They’re gross!”

"Don't call food 'gross', boy, 'cause you'll even eat stones if there is a time you feel real hunger."

Roy rolled his eyes, huffing. “Well it is gross. It tastes icky.”

"Fine, don't eat them, but those are going to be on your dinner plate."

“Ollie I wanna have ice cream.” Roy whined. “Can I please have some?” He tried using some manners.

"No, because you didn't listen when I told you to eat the vegetables."

Roy burst into angry tears, pushing his plate away. “Not fair!”

"Stop being a brat and throwing tantrums for everything, Roy." Oliver tried to warn him.

Roy ignored him, getting off his seat and moving to sit on the floor to wail. “You’re being a jerk!”

Oliver ran a hand through his face, trying to remember some of Dinah's advice. Maybe if he just ignored him?

Roy cried harder, laying fully down on the floor and burying his head in his arms, tiredly. “Want ice cream! Daddy’s an asshole!” The boy had learned how to curse from his guardian who seemed to rarely watch his own language around the kid.

"That's enough! Go to your room, you're not going to Bruce's house later!" He stood up and got Roy off the floor by the arm, "I won't take an spoiled, rude and disobedient child anywhere."

Roy sobbed louder, trying to tug away from him. “No! I wanna go to the meeting!” The boy’s face was bright red and tear stained from all the crying.

"And I want you to behave. Go to your room now."

Roy stomped upstairs to his room, still crying hard. “I hate you, you mean asshole!” He slammed his bedroom door, throwing himself down on his bed to wail.

Oliver barely contained an annoyed grunt, picking up the plate and putting it on the freezer. "I need one of you to take care of him this afternoon," he said to his mother and sister.

“I’m not watching him while he’s having a fit like that.” Moira immediately said. “I’ll take care of him.” Thea said quickly, wanting to avoid her family bickering.

"Come on, Thea, you can't even take care of yourself," her mother replied. That was ridiculous!

“It’s fine mom, he’s probably just going to nap most of the day anyway, he seemed tired.” Thea assured her. “You should tell him you’re going, though, he’ll be upset if you’re just gone when he wakes up.”

"I already told him I was going."

“Well, go say goodbye because I’m not dealing with the tantrum that’s gonna happen when he noticed you’re gone.”

"He's not staying, Oliver! Thea doesn't know how to take care of a kid, and she's not dealing with your responsibilities."

"So, what am I supposed to do? Just take him after I said I wouldn't?"

“Either take him or stay yourself.” Moira said firmly. “Thea’s not the one who decided to take in a child. Not to mention he’s been a little hellion all day, we’re not dealing with tantrums.”

"I can't stay, mom, it's an important reunion."

“Then take him.” Moira said. “Because you aren’t leaving him behind.”

Oliver cursed under his breath. "Fine, but you are making me look like an idiot in front of my son."

“Give him a different punishment or something.” Moira said, shrugging.

"Well, thank you for your support, then."

Moira rolled her eyes, heading up to her own room. Thea gave him a sympathetic look before doing the same.
Upstairs, Roy was still crying tiredly into his pillow.

"Come on, Roy," Oliver entered the boy's room not really willing to, "We're running late."

Roy sniffled, raising his head. “You said I couldn’t go.” He rubbed his eyes with a fist.

"I can't leave you here, there's no one to watch you."

Roy sat up, holding his arms up to be carried. “Can I play on the trees when we get there?”

"If you behave, yes, but one more tantrum, just one, and you'll see." He couldn't think of anything specific to say, but figured that'd be enough of a threat for the child to behave.

Roy nodded, yawning. “I’ll be good. I wanna play with Jason and Kyle.” The three boy’s always seemed to wind up getting into mischief together, which was lots of fun for them and less so for their parents.

"Fine, go watch your face and let's go," he didn't pick him up, it's not like he was pretty happy with the boy.

Roy pouted at the man’s tone, going to his bathroom and washing up. He came back out and hugged Oliver’s waist. “Daddy, I’m sorry, don’t be mad.”

Oliver mumbled something that sounded like 'You always are', but to put his hand on the kid's hair. "Let's go already."

Roy nodded, putting his shoes on and hurrying downstairs, excited to get to see his friends. Oliver did the same and headed downstairs decided to give the situation the seriousness It deserved. However, it wasn't easy to stay mad at Roy for long.

Roy hopped out the door, getting in the backseat of the car. “Daddy how late are we staying?”

"All afternoon, I guess. Why?"

Roy shrugged. “I wanna have lots of time to play with my friends. We built a fort in the woods last time that we wanna play in.”

"Well, I don't know about that. You see, only children that behave have permission to go play with their friends."

Roy gave him a small pout. “Daddy I said I’ll be good.” He whined. “I wanna play with Jason and Kyle.”

"The thing is that you can say anything you want, but you keep throwing more and more tantrums every time I say no to something."

“Well you were being all grumpy and mean earlier.” Roy complained. “I’ll be good if you’re nice.”

"Fine, but you have to listen or else I'll have you sit with me the whole afternoon."

Roy frowned at that idea, which sounded very boring. “I’ll be good and listen, don’t worry, daddy.” He promised.

"I hope so. Well, try to get some sleep, I'll wake you up when we get there." Oliver knew for sure the kid was excited, he was a little excited himself. Thanks to his years on the island, he had become really used to the woods. He had been camping actually when he first met Roy.

Roy nodded, closing his eyes and drifting off fairly quickly. He was very excited to get to play with his friends outside, he hated being cooped up indoors.

.....

"So, as we were saying..."

"Ooff..." Oliver grunted when Roy suddenly leapt on him. He was sitting on the ground with his back against an enormous tree, and maybe he was way too relaxed to be in a meeting, but he couldn't help it, having their reunions there instead of down boring hall in the Watchtower was the best idea Bruce had ever had.

“Daddy, me and Jason and Kyle found a creek in the woods and we wanna go play in it.” Roy exclaimed, climbing all over the man.

Oliver laid on the ground and balanced the child on his feet lazily as if the boy were a plane.

"A creek? Yeah, sure."

Roy grinned and squirmed down from the man’s hold, running back to the other little boys. They all went back into the woods to the creek, which was more like a small pond, and started splashing around in it, swimming out in the deeper ends.

"Where are the boys?" Bruce put his phone away in order to look at Oliver.

"They found a creek or something."

"A what?! Damn it, Oliver! Jason doesn't know how to swim!"

Jason had been playing in the shallow end, but soon went in a little too deep and was over his head. The boy spluttered, trying to swim. Roy tried helping and pulling him out, but it was difficult for him to carry another kid and soon they were both being pulled under water. Kyle started yelling for the adults, trying to help as well.

Jason was starting to panic. He couldn't get out and the water was pulling harder every minute...
Just as his chest was starting to beat faster, something pulled him out from the back of his shirt.

"Roy, you said it was a little creek," Oliver took Roy out just as Bruce got Jason. That thing was not little, it was a huge pond!

“I didn’t say little, I just said we found a creek.” Roy mumbled after he caught his breath, clutching onto Oliver. “We just wanted to swim.”

"Daddy!" Jason was way more scared. Maybe Roy had been pulled by the water too, but Jason didn't know how to swim, "I don't wanna get in the water anymore!"

Bruce rubbed Jason’s back, holding him tightly to his chest. “You’re not going anywhere near the water, Jay.” He promised.

Roy sniffled, hiding his head in Oliver’s shirt. “Daddy, I’m cold.”

"I think the kids should take a shower," Hal suggested, "And then head home. They're cold and scared, I mean, the meeting can wait."

"I want my mom!" Jason was ignoring Dick and Bruce's attempts to calm him down expertly. He was way too scared, Kyle and Roy had said swimming was easy, but it hadn't been.

Bruce sighed, rocking the boy and trying to soothe him. “I know you do, but how about you come take a warm bath instead. Then you can take a rest.” He suggested.

“Daddy, I don’t wanna take a shower, I wanna go home.” Roy‘s bottom lip wobbled.

Oliver sighed, incredulous of his own stupidity.

"Oliver, Hal, your kids can borrow some of Dick's clothes, let me show you where they can take a bath." Bruce answered for him before apologizing with the others.

Roy shook his head, hugging Oliver’s neck. “Daddy, not gonna take a bath. I already had one.”

"Thank you, Bruce," he hold his little boy tighter. He knew Roy could swim and everything, but maybe he should have gone to see that 'Creek' before telling him he could get into it.

Roy squirmed, tugging on Oliver’s shirt again. “Daddy, are we gonna go home?” He asked, shivering a little with the cold.

"You are taking a shower first."

“But daddy, I already had one. I don’t wanna take another.” Roy complained. He hated taking showers and baths.

"Doesn't matter, the water was freezing. Then we are going home and you are getting in bed." The last thing he needed was the boy getting sick.

Roy pouted. “I’m not gonna take a bath, I’m not that cold.” The boy said, despite his teeth chattering.

Oliver held him closer and started following Bruce inside. "Are you ok?" He ignored the boy's statement, he was not going to discuss at a moment like that.

Roy nodded, holding up his elbow with a little scrape on it. “I’m okay, but I got this.”

"I'm sorry, kiddo," he stroke the child's arm a little, "Does It hurt?"

Roy shook his head, snuggling back into Oliver’s chest. “No, doesn’t hurt. Can’t I just have a bath at home?”

"You wanna get sick?"

“Not gonna get sick.” Roy grumbled, fiddling with a button on Oliver’s shirt.

Oliver ignored that blatant lie and kissed the scratch on the child's arm. He had never thought the 'creek' would be an almost lake!

“Daddy I’m sleepy, I wanna go home not take a bath.” Roy tried to get out of his shower once more.

Hal had taken his kid to one of the many bathrooms in the manor while Bruce did the same with his son.

Oliver entered the bathroom his friend had shown him and started running the bath before taking the kid's shoes off. He was really lucky Alfred was in England those days, the elder man would have had his head if he had known how Oliver risked the children.

"In you go." He put the kid under the shower with his clothes on.

Roy immediately tried to get out of the shower. “Daddy, I don’t wanna!” He wailed.

Although the water felt cold at the beginning, Oliver knew it was warm and It was just the cold water of the pond rinsing from the kid. "You can take your clothes off now." It was the same as taking them off before entering the shower, but Oliver hadn't wanted to risk another tantrum.

Roy shook his head, pouting. “No! Not gonna take them off, I wanna get out!”

Oliver started 'helping him' while holding his arm so he wouldn't fall. In no time, Roy was again under the water and Oliver sat on the edge of the bathtub. That had been a long day...

Roy burst into tears, tired and upset about the whole ordeal. “Daddy, you’re being mean!”

"Just wash yourself, Roy, then we can go home."

Roy quickly washed up, lifting his arms up to be taken out once he was done. “I wanna go home.” He sniffled.

Oliver wrapped him in a towel and picked him up to help him. Not like he could blame Roy, he wanted to head home too.

"I wanna go home too, but you have to get dressed first." Oliver put him down and passed Jim the clothes Bruce had left them.

Roy got changed, still a bit teary eyed. “I hate baths.” He complained. “And I hate that pond.” The boy went over and hugged Oliver’s leg. “Are you mad at me for swimming?” He asked hesitantly.

No, he was mad at himself for being so stupidly irresponsible. "No, kiddo, I should have gone to see where did you wanna to swim first... You could have told me it was a pond instead of a creek, but I'm just glad you kids are fine." Oliver picked him up. Bruce had lend them clothes, but Dick's shoes a weren't the same size as Roy's and the kid was barefoot.

Roy clung to him, snuggling closer. “We should go to the beach, I liked swimming.” Well, he’d liked it up until he’d been pulled under. He’d always loved swimming in Arizona.

"Maybe we could go soon, but right now we should just go thank Bruce and head home." Part of what had called his attention about the kid was how he appeared to belong in the woods and just there be who he really where, just like him... But maybe he should keep in mind, that even then, Roy was still a kid, and he certainly needed supervision.

Roy nodded, yawning and rubbing his eyes. ”Thank you, Bruce.” He mumbled when they came out of the bathroom. Bruce smiled fondly at the boy, ruffling his hair. “Goodnight, Roy.”

"I'm really sorry... I thought they had found a little creek. And it never occured me that Jason couldn't swim." Oliver had to apologize. It had been pretty irresponsible from him to let him go without even knowing where to.

“It’s fine Oliver, I wouldn’t have thought anything of it if I didn’t know that the creek is really a pond.” Bruce assured him. “The boys are fine so that’s all that matters.”

Oliver nodded and say goodbye to everyone, still feeling somewhat stupid the entire way home.
When they arrived, his mother and Thea were just sitting to have dinner.

Roy squirmed down from his parent’s hold, running over to his aunt. “Aunty Thea, I went swimming and Daddy made me have another bath.” He said the last part with an accusatory look at his father.

"Did you swim at Bruce's pool?"

“Nope, there was a pond and we went swimming, but Jason can’t swim so he went under and I tried to help him but then I got water over my head.” Roy happily shared the events of the day.

"WHAT?! OLIVER!"

"Give me a break," he felt bad enough already, "I thought it was a small creek, not a huge lake." Oliver went to get his and Roy's plates, putting the reheated veggies in the kid's plate.

Roy saw the vegetables and shook his head, going over and tugging on the bottom of the man’s shirt. “Daddy I don’t want those.”

"Quit it, I told you you'd have to eat them sooner or later."

Roy shook his head. “No, I don’t want them. Not gonna eat them.” He said firmly.

"I'm not gonna argue anymore."

It had been a difficult enough day already.

Roy stomped his foot, still upset and tired from all that had happened today. “You can’t make me eat them. They’re gross.”

"Roy, either you eat them yourself or I'll give them to you. I don't care if they're gross or not."

“No! I’m not eating them!” The boy stormed out of the room, going to the living room and flopping down on the couch.

"Get back here right now or you'll get a spanking, I'm too tired for this shit."

"Oliver!"

"What? I am."

“I’m too tired for this shit too!” Roy yelled back at him from the living room.

"If I have to go get you, you can say goodbye to ice cream forever."

Thea giggled at the threat that she knew her brother would never follow through with.

“I’m not eating the damn vegetables!” Roy hollered.

Oliver got up and went over to the living room, where he landed several sharp swats on the little boy's backside. Enough was enough, and that kid threw fits for everything.

Roy started crying at the swats. “Daddy! That’s mean!” He wailed, covering his bottom with his hands.

"Disobeying your parents is meaner. Are you gonna go back to the table on your own or not?"

“I don’t wanna eat the veggies, daddy. They taste bad and it’s not fair.” Roy cried, sitting up and pouting at the man.

"It's not fair to waste food."

“Well, then you eat them.” Roy sniffled, crossing his arms. “You always make me do not fun stuff, I never had to eat vegetables when I didn’t live here.”

"You do live here now, and I'm fun enough. But since you won't listen..." He sat down and started pulling the child on his lap.

Roy started sobbing louder at that, trying to squirm away. “Daddy! Stop it!”

"Are you gonna listen or not?"

“I don’t wanna spanking, but I don’t wanna eat the veggies.” Roy whimpered.

Oliver rolled his eyes. A No, then. Without further warning, he let his hand fall over and over again. They both had had tiring afternoons, but the tantrum thing have been going on for a while, and he wasn't going to bare it anymore.

Roy sobbed hard, kicking his legs. “Daddy, stop!” He hollered. “I’ll be good!”

Thea heard what was happening from the kitchen and frowned, hating when Oliver punished Roy.

"Are you gonna keep disobeying?"

Roy shook his head. “Nuh-uh! I’ll eat the veggies.” He promised, squirming.

"And if not?"

“You’ll spank me?” Roy hid his head in a pillow, shuddering with sobs.

Well, wasn't the answer he was expecting, but it still worked. "Let's go have dinner and then you can go to bed."

Roy got up, crying hard and rubbing his bottom. “Mean, daddy.” He whimpered, running off to the kitchen to get a hug from his Aunt who pulled him onto her lap for a cuddle.

Sure, whenever he didn't do what Roy wanted, he was 'Mean'... Oliver was starting to hate that word.

Roy gave his parent an upset look from where he was cuddled against Thea.

Thea rubbed the boy’s back for a minute before saying, “Go give your daddy a hug, buddy, I’m sure he hates when he has to do that.” She urged him. Roy hesitated before shuffling over to the man and hugging his waist, still crying.

Oliver gave up and picked him up again, holding him tighter but carefully before kissing his head. "It's okay, kiddo."

Roy hugged his neck, crying into his shoulder. “Sorry I was bad.”

"You weren't bad," he took a seat beside his mother, "But you need to eat. If the veggies weren't good for you, you wouldn't need them."

Roy nodded, still pouting. He reluctantly picked up his fork, taking a few small bites of his vegetables. “Do I have to eat all of it?”

"Yes," duh?

Roy frowned, trying to eat the vegetables as fast as he could so he wouldn’t really taste them. He finished, making a grossed out face and drinking his water to get rid of the taste. “All done, daddy.”

"See? Wasn't that hard," he hugged the boy against him, it was one of the few times Roy had actually listened to him that day.

Roy turned and pressed his face against the man’s shirt, hiccupping from all the tears. “They’re still icky.”

"They're not. Come on, say goodnight to Thea and your grandma." He hadn't even started his dinner yet, but he just wanted to put Roy to bed already.

Roy mumbled a goodnight and gave each a small wave before going back to clinging to his father’s neck.