Work Text:
Jason liked to think he was a strong man. He'd been through some shit during his life, the type of shit that made weaker men crumble. Something that big, strong Jason Todd hadn't managed to escape? The flu.
He was sick and it was all Damian's fault, at that.
The baby bat was easily receptive to the flu once the winter in Gotham set in. Every year like clockwork Damian would get sick. All bats aside from Dick and Alfred would steer clear of the boy. Dick was like a damn superspreader of sickness once he got anything, and once two bats were down it was inevitable the rest would crumble so Jason tended to just avoid contact for about a good month. This year Damian had managed to get Jason sick before he could even attempt to run from it.
It begun last night, patrol kickstarted with a headache that by the end of the night had grown into a migraine. His body was aching but he hadn't even come across anyone who really needed their ass handed to them, therefore there was no kind of hit to blame the aches on. Then there was the damn sore throat that no amount of tea could take away.
As much as he hated to admit it, he was not a strong man when it came to the flu. He was a miserable whiny mess, when he was younger it had been acceptable for him to be that pouty kid who fought off medicine or soup. Only Alfred's stubborn could outwit Jason's.
Despite not being that same kid, the whiny stuck to him through and out the grave. He hated the body aches and chills. He hated the stuffy nose. He hated the heavy sensation of congestion spreading in his chest. There was nothing that would take that from him, rather than spread his sickness and bad mood he took to skipping family dinner to try to sleep the fever off.
Somehow Jason had managed to drag himself to his apartment after patrol last night. No safe house could provide him with what he needed. Warm water, a stocked up kitchen, and a heaven sent memory mattress with all the pillows Jason could dream of. This apartment was well loved, bits and pieces of him evident, it was the home he'd been building for himself for years now.
It was from his pile of pillows and blankets that Jason heard his bedroom window being tapped on. At first he ignored the tapping and blamed the fever fog on him imagining things. Earlier he'd imagined a harmless pigeon on the fire scape to be an enemy, poor damn pigeon had managed to get out the way of a throwing knife just in time.
Yet, the tapping became knocking that he just couldn't ignore.
With a grunt and sniffle, Jason squinted his eyes to make out a figure on the fire escape outside his window. Midnight black hair tied into a sloppy bun with strands falling into the eyes that proved to be the bluest pair of eyes that Jason had ever seen in his life.
He'd recognize those eyes anywhere and through anything, that he knew for a fact.
Dick.
Jason swung himself out of bed, despite the ache in his back and the chill in his hands, and padded over to the window to open it. "Tha hell you doin here Dickie?"
The congestion and sickness was evident in Jason's voice. He hadn't spoken since last night so his tone was as rough as his throat felt. Dick was dressed in sweatpants and a dark blue hoodie, he jumped into Jason's room with ease. Despite the weight of his sneakers that looked new, he landed quietly.
"You skipped family dinner and you weren't picking up your phone, I was worried." Judging by the worried look on Dick's face and the furrow of his brow, Jason was not getting rid of him anytime soon. Dick was either the world's biggest mother hen or the world's best escape artist. There was no in between and tonight's roll of the dice just happened to land on one big Dickiebird.
"Okay, why didn't you come through the front door?"
"Well I knocked a bunch but you didn't answer," Dick said with a roll of his eyes and hands on hips.
Jason blinked in Dick's face.
"Well, here I am safe and sound. I would twirl but I don't think my head could handle that."
Dick's frown deepened and he brought a hand up to Jason's cheek, "you're warm, more than your usual amount." Despite the observation Jason felt anything but that. Dick's hand was warm though, causing Jason to press his face into it, not caring about the intimacy of it all.
That was a lie. He cared. He cared so much because he wanted it so badly.
He'd continue blaming it on the fever brain though.
Dick's hand grew firm under the weight of Jason's face, "did Damian get you?" Jason hummed lazily but drew himself upright from Dick's grip, snapping out the fever for a quick second. "Doesn't Alfred get the kid vaccinated? How the hell has he managed to go this long?"
Dick laughed, his face finally scrunching up in glee rather than concern. Jason could seemingly always appreciate Dick's beauty. In his smiles, in his sporadic anger, and even in the sadness that swam in his eyes when sometimes the world had just been too much.
There was unrelenting beauty in Dick Grayson.
Jason would never fail to catch it and wish to hold it tight.
"The aches already set in for Tim, he's been pissy about missing patrol tonight. When's the last time you ate?" Jason returned from his thoughts to truly ponder Dick's question. "Er ... yesterday afternoon?"
"Medicine?" "Mmm ... don't got none?"
Dick's eyebrow shot up while his face settled in disapproval, all joy and giggles gone.
With a hard look and a huff he brushed past Jason leaving the bedroom door wide open in his departure. Jason sighed and threw a sweatshirt over his head before padding over to the kitchen, following the sounds of the cabinets being opened.
"You're not cooking shit Dickie. I do not trust you to burn this whole place down and I actually like it here." The bright lights were on making him frown, the damn pain his eyes from the headache was not fond of light.
He turned to find comfort in the dim lighting of his living space, but was met with one Alfred Pennyworth tidying up scattered tissues.
Jason turned to Dick, who was stood at the stove, "ya snitched me out?"
"Alfred had a feeling you'd gotten sick. He was waiting outside the front door with soup and medicine while I checked on your ass." Dick was stirring what looked like broccoli cheddar soup in a pot, "he made the soup I'm just reheating it, so I won't be burning your beloved apartment down .... hopefully."
"I'm watching Master Richard, he's had no issue so far," Alfred spoke gently as he approached Jason.
"Oh thanks Alfie! Not like I'm a grown man who knows how to work a stove or anything." Dick mumbled something else but Jason was being taken into Alfred's warm embrace and well, he'd always loved a snuggle when he was sick.
"How about a shower Master Jason? You're a bit too warm for my liking, I'll run the water for you?" It was a trick and Jason knew it. He'd make the shower sound so enticing, but the water wouldn't be burning hot like Jason liked it, it would be lukewarm at best.
Yet, Alfred's warm embrace and gentle words convinced him anyway.
Plus he'd made Jason's favorite soup.
So he nodded his head and threw a glare to Dick when Alfred left to start the shower.
"Couldn't handle me without backup?"
"If we'd done this my way, I would've had you in the shower five minutes ago little wing. Just you and me under that water, figured you couldn't handle that." Dick winked and Jason blamed the fever for his immediate blush. He threw the finger before following the sound of running water.
The shower wasn't that bad. Alfred had even thrown in a eucalyptus shower steamer which worked wonders on the tightness in Jason's chest.
By the time he'd gotten out of the shower, his bed was stripped of its usual dark red sheets, probably in the wash, and replaced with dark gray ones. All of the tissues scattered through the room were also picked up and his bedside table neatly wiped down, Alfred was quick unsurprisingly.
Jason dressed himself in a tank top and some pajama pants, Alfred had warned him against anything too warm of course and he didn't want to upset the older man who had come so late in the night just to check on him.
Dick was serving soup in a bowl on the countertop when Jason returned to the main space, shivering and pushing wet white locks out his face. When he settled himself on his couch he had a sneaky suspicion that Alfred had hidden all of his fluffy blankets.
A quick observation around the room proved him right. The older man had left only a thin dark blue one draped around the back of his creme colored couch.
Dick gave a laugh at Jason's slight frown as he brought the bowl of soup over. "C'mon Jay, you gotta eat so you can take some medicine."
Jason glared at Dick before turning his head away from the soup bowl to look out the window. "You brought him here and he took all my fuckin' blankets."
The childish refusal earned him a scoff.
"Are you ... I'm not above feeding this food to you like a goddamn child." Jason turned to level him with a glare, something like you wouldn't dare written in his eyes, and Dick's own eyes blew open in disbelief.
It made Jason smile just a bit. Dick got the biggest rep for being a diva, which he frankly could be, but Jason had his moments.
Gently Dick placed the bowl of soup on the coffee table before sitting himself down. Despite Jason's weight, Dick turned the hench man to face him easily, limbs spread out but not for long because Dick swung his legs right on top of Jason's meaty thighs. The acrobat plopped right down on Jason, tightening the grip of his legs around Jason's waist so that even if he stood Dick was stuck like glue.
He should know better than to challenge Gotham's biggest diva.
Dick was way too close, his ass was practically sat in Jason's lap for fuck's sake, and he was not a bit bothered by it. His bun was coming undone a bit, more locks falling into his face that was close enough for Jason to know Dick had shaved recently. Even through the congestion he could smell hints of amber and sandalwood.
With one hand, Dick gripped Jason's chin and with the other he brought a spoonful of soup close. His eyes were narrowed and a little evil smile played on his face, "do I need to airplane this into your mouth or are you gonna be good and open up for me?"
Suddenly a coughing fit felt like it needed to erupt from Jason's chest and not because of his sickness, but from Dick's words.
From behind Dick, Alfred emerged with a raised brow and an expecting look written on his face.
They were evil together truly. Two of the most efficient people at getting Jason to stop being so stubborn.
Jason opened wide and in came the soup. Alfred hummed happily.
"I must take my leave now. Master Damian has a recital tomorrow evening and his suit needs to be steamed." Jason swallowed his second spoon of soup from Dick, "damn baby bat living his best life while I suffer."
Alfred shot Jason a smile before coming to place a hand on his cheek. "I have left medicine in your bedroom for you to take after you've ate. Master Richard, I am more than sure you're capable of making sure it's taken?"
Dick beamed a smile brighter than all the damn lights on in Jason's apartment, "of course."
After a pat to each of their shoulders Alfred was off into the Gotham night and to the manor.
Jason allowed Dick to keep spoon feeding him, after being fed the first spoon he could've done it himself but he was tired and Dick was warm. He also blamed the sickness on his lack of hesitation to wrap his arms around Dick's waist, bringing him closer to him.
"Alfred said you'd be stubborn. I didn't expect you to be worse than Damian or Tim." Jason shrugged, the movement jostling Dick a bit as he scooped soup. He had no excuse for it really.
Ten minutes later the soup was complete and after a shot of Theraflu, Dick was herding Jason to bed. Settling into the cold fresh sheets brought Jason chills, not even the thin blanket Dick draped over him eased it a bit. Apart from the chills though he was satisfied.
His space was clean, he'd showered, and his belly was full.
He'd never admit it out loud but Dick and Alfred had helped more than they probably thought. Christmas was coming, he'd get them really nice Christmas gifts as thanks.
"Ya heading out?" He asked through bleary, tired eyes.
"Can I trust you to take more medicine tomorrow morning and to eat? Alfred left a few days worth of food in your fridge." Jason rolled his eyes and let them fall shut as he snuggled into his pillows.
"Whatever keeps you happy bluebird."
It sounded a lot more profound than Jason had intended, so he didn't dare to open his eyes to catch Dick's reaction.
"I'll check on you tomorrow after patrol and I'll take video of Dami's music recital for you."
"You were gonna take video anyway. That kid is the apple of your eye."
A soft kiss came down to Jason's cheek and hair tickled his face. "But you're my favorite little wing, you know that don't you?" Dick's fingers rubbed at Jason's jaw slowly.
"Damian would fuckin' castrate me if he caught word of this, let's hope B hasn't bugged this place."
Dick's quiet laugh filled the dark and his fingers paused their movement against Jason's skin for a brief moment before they were back at it. "I won't let Dami touch you Jay," he turned to face the room, "you hear that Damian? If you're listening, no castrating Jason!"
Jason managed a chuckle that lead to a wet cough.
Dick smoothed his damp hair behind his ear, "sleep now little wing, I'll see you tomorrow." Another kiss to the cheek, this one much closer to Jason's lips which made him jump a slight bit in surprise. Jason could've sworn his reaction produced a smirk out of Dick.
The sound of Jason's bedroom window being opened and shut was soon after that. Despite the chilly Gotham air rushing into the room in the brief moment of Dick's departure, Jason remained warmer than he'd felt in a while.
<<__>>
The front door of Wayne manor, the most ominous home in Gotham, was decorated with tinsel and fairy lights. On the door itself was a large wreath with a dark red bow pinned in the center. Thanksgiving had came and left, leaving the people of Gotham with leftovers to be reheated and rain to accompany them throughout their days.
This was one of the wettest times of the year, patrols were longer, criminals got antsier. Something about the holidays caused an eerie time slowing bliss that even the evil of Gotham couldn't resist fighting against.
Jason's flu had gone with the Thanksgiving festivities. He'd endured a week of Dick dropping in and out his apartment, checking on him or updating him on what was going on in the streets. If it hadn't been for Dick's frequent check-ins, he would've thought that night in his apartment was some sort of elaborate fever dream.
He enjoyed it far more than he should have. They were closer now. Close enough that Dick's flirting felt a little too real and their touches too intimate. Dick had now taken to the habit of not only greeting Jason with a kiss on the cheek, but when he'd leave Jason he'd press a kiss to his forehead or his cheek as well.
It was entirely domestic and intimate. It made Jason's skin tingle.
He'd taken to longer nights on patrol, more cracking down on crime, all to distract him from his complete adoration for Dick Grayson.
Still, Dick lingered, of course.
Jason had arrived to the manor by bike and a pretty decent rain storm had caught him. The only thing spared from the rain had been his hair which was messy from his helmet.
The Christmas decor on the front door was either Alfred or Dick's work, but judging by it being only November 30th, Jason figured this was all Goldie. Alfred preferred to begin his decorating a week after Thanksgiving but Dick was big on Christmas.
Jason patted at the pockets of his cargos in hopes to hear the familiar jingle of his keys, Bruce had just changed the locks recently and Jason's key had arrived through delivery from the baby bats. The big Batman being too emotionally constipated to deliver it himself of course. It still made Jason feel all fuckin warm and fuzzy inside anyway.
They were working through their shit in their own way.
Before that jingle could make its way to Jason's ears, the front door sprung wide open and there was one Tim Drake standing on the other side. The teen looked exasperated, his subtle blue eyes were stark against his pale skin. It was eerie how much Tim resembled Bruce at times, despite their lack of relation, the eye bags the teen was sporting were Bruce written all over them. Jason wondered if Tim had been sleeping enough lately.
"Thank fuck you're here, it's a miracle."
"I'm not Jesus Christ Timmy," Jason sang back with a sharp smile. Tim waved his hand in dismal of Jason's humor but before the man could make it past the door hinge a pale hand was in his face. "Ah ah. Alfred just had Damian mop the entryway and he'll freak if you bring wet marks inside."
"Who? Alfred or baby bat?" "Both of them."
If Damian had mopped it was because he had caused the mess and Jason did not want to make that same mistake, he'd done his time when he lived in the manor.
So he stepped back to wipe his shoes on the doormat, expecting the usual dull gray mat Bruce had picked out when the last one was ruined by snow, but was met with cartoon elves and ass.
Down below him were three elves with their asses out for Jason's feet to be wiped upon. "There's some Ho-Ho-Hos in this house" was sprawled out on in white curvy font on top of the elves.
"Not even the Batman can resist Dick's puppy eyes," Tim offered in response to Jason's hesitancy to wipe his feet.
"This one's got an ass almost as good as Dick's," he mumbled as he dragged his feet on the ass belonging to the middle elf.
That earned him a snicker from the teen as he worked his way towards the main room of the manor. Tim followed closely behind Jason which he found strange seeing as Tim was usually the best with respecting his boundaries. He figured he'd let the kid slide, letting the sound of voices and Christmas music guide him deeper into the manor.
"Red and black, or black and silver?"
"Is there really to be this much discussion on ornaments Pennyworth?"
"Master Richard takes Christmas extremely serious." Jason allowed himself a smile at Alfred's dry tone, feeling that strange nostalgic comfort as he got closer to the voices.
"Every year?"
"Every year Master Damian."
A scoff. "Alright fine, thanks for the help Dami. Red and black it is."
As soon as Jason stepped foot into the main room, he turned on his heel to leave.
Unfortunately Tim was waiting right behind him to shove him right back in.
Sneaky kid.
Smart kid.
It was a goddam Christmas extravaganza. Ornament containers covered the couches, lights were in piles on the floor, and there was a tall ass lit Christmas tree in the corner of the room near Bruce's favorite recliner.
Jason's eyes found Alfred first. The older man sat on the only available couch and was sorting through stockings. He greeted Jason with a warm smile before taking note of his slightly drenched clothing with a frown.
"Did Santa come early? Looks like someone barfed up Christmas in here."
"More like Dick did," Tim coughed out before stepping over some clutter to take a set at Alfred's feet. Damian laughed a bit at Tim's joke causing Jason to take note of where he was sat on the floor by the fire. It was the only part of the floor void of any decoration, Alfred the cat was in Damian's lap on his back, belly being softly rubbed by Damian.
Finally, Jason allowed his eyes to wander to where they truly wanted to.
Dick was setting up a ladder near the tree, dressed in pajamas and fuzzy socks. His hair which was coming close to his shoulders was tucked behind his ears. He looked straight out of a damn Hallmark movie. Jason's heart settled its erratic beating at the sight of Dick's smile. "Damian and Tim haven't been much help in decorating, it's just been Alfred and I putting in all the work. Like always."
"Not true. We hung the garland on the fire place."
"And it looks like shit," Dick shot back with a pout and that voice he got when he wasn't getting his way. Jason found it annoyingly endearing.
He was so fuckin soft, maybe Santa would knock some damn sense into him for Christmas.
To be fair the garland did look like shit. There was too many lights on one side, it was a bit tangled in the center, and it was unevenly placed causing one side to hang off the mantle awkwardly.
"Language," Alfred hummed.
Jason's eyes trailed from the ugly ass garland back to Dick who of course was still looking at him, now with puppy eyes and that damm pout. True blue, the sweetest blue Jason had ever seen, and the deadliest blue he'd ever come across.
Jason was wet and uncomfortable. He wanted to change into some warm clothes and eat whatever Alfred had prepared for dinner tonight. He didn't come to be apart of Dick's two man Christmas decorating committee.
"Jay? The faster we get the tree done, the faster we get to eat dinner. Alfred made pot roast."
With a sigh, Jason was shrugging off his coat.
Tim snorted. "The big bad Red Hood falls into the trap." Dick clapped his hands together while jumping on the balls of his feet. His smile was radiant under the dim lighting.
Jason threw Tim the middle finger despite Alfred making a sound of disapproval. "Alfred's pot roast is a fuckin delicacy Timbers. I'm not waiting longer for it than I have to."
It wasn't a complete excuse. Alfred was a damn wizard in the kitchen.
"Uh huh, whatever you say." Tim left the room with a smirk on his lips. That damn know it all kid.
Alfred stood from his spot. "Master Damian, would you mind fixing the garland and hanging these stockings for me? A change of clothes for Master Jason seems appropriate."
Damian had been giving Jason an odd look as if he was trying to understand what Tim had been getting at. Jason was grateful to Alfred for the distraction.
"Of course, then we will check on my puff pastries?" Damian looked to Alfred like a child looked to his parent. It was the same way he looked to Bruce and sometimes Dick. He'd really settled since his first arrival to the manor, finally appearing to fall into the nature of a kid his age. Sure he had his moments, you could take the boy out of a league of assassins but not so much the other way around.
Yet, Jason could see the differences in him now.
"Of course sir. I will meet you in the kitchen when you are finished here." With that Alfred was motioning Jason to follow him.
After a change of clothes, Jason found himself sorting through ornaments for Dick who stood at the top of the ladder. "Thanks for helping me Jay." "Mhm, I'll pass the ornaments and you can put them where you want em."
They worked easily together. Dick humming as he worked his way through the tree. Once they went through the box of red, Jason scooped up the black ornaments and they continued going.
Jason noticed a few custom ornaments had already been placed around the tree. A few years back, Alfred had purchased a bunch of customized ornaments with different photos of the family on them.
One of Tim and Dick was hung near the top of the tree. The pair was working on a bike, Dick handing Tim a wrench. A bit below was one of Damian and Dick. The younger boy was glaring at the camera while Dick smeared cake on his nose, but Jason could make out the faintest smile on Damian's lips.
Jason's eyes bounced around the various ornaments and memories they held. One of himself, Alfred, and Bruce caught his eye for just a second. On one of the leather sofas in the manor's library lay Jason with a book cuddled to his chest, Alfred and Bruce sat a few feet away on another sofa with a bit of a wistful expression on their faces.
Jason's chest tightened. He'd never seen that picture before.
He remembered that day. He'd been tired of bouncing around from safe house to safe house. The manor had finally felt inviting and comforting enough for him to crash there, so he'd shown up like some kind of lost puppy. Alfred had fed him, dotted on him, lectured him for how tired he looked, and shoved into the library.
It had always been Jason's favorite spot in the manor to nap.
He remembered waking up from Alfred's gentle hands as he draped a blanket over Jason. He didn't know Alfred had stayed. That Bruce had found him and stayed too.
Jason looked away from the ornament after a few blinks.
His eyes focused on an ornament that was placed right smack in the middle of tree. The picture on it one he had also not seen. One of him and Dick.
They were in the manor's library, Jason found amusement in that, he really did love it there. Dick was sprawled out like a starfish, of course, on the floor. Dick was the embodiment movement. When he was awake, when he slept, even when he was sick or severely injured. The man could just not stay still.
But right on top of Dick's stomach laid Jason.
That damn unmissable streak of white hair making him easy to recognize.
Jason's head lay on Dick's lower belly with his arms tucked into himself. There was some kind of bandaging on Jason's foot but it didn't seem to bother his former sleeping self. Despite Dick's starfish pose, an arm was secured tightly around Jason, like if Dick had been worried Jason would slip away.
They looked content. Safe.
Jason couldn't exactly tear his eyes away from the photo as quickly as he had hoped.
"Do you like? Or is it too much?" Dick's voice brought Jason back to the present. The older of the two was looking from Jason to the tree, waiting for Jason's approval.
The tree looked fantastic. Maybe Jason was inclined to favor it due to the color scheme, but whatever.
"Do you really need me to tell you it looks great?" A quick nod from Dick made Jason laugh before he gave an earnest smile. "Looks amazing Dickie."
Dick's grin spread from the praise. "It's just missing one thing ..."
Before he could ask, the gold star topper was in Jason's hands ready for Dick who smiled at him sweetly. "Of course you know little wing, you always know what I need don't you?"
Jason swallowed dryly. Dick could be as intense as a hurricane. His gaze disarming and his words consuming. He had always been this way in Jason's eyes, but Jason figured he'd grow out his silly little teenage crush.
Not even death could take it away from him.
Dick Grayson was everything. He always had been and he always would be.
Under the weight of those eyes, of that tenderness that he could not fathom, Jason felt small.
Dick's smile was as gentle as his hands were when they took the star from Jason. He leaned a bit on the ladder, to the tip of his toes, to reach the top of the tree where the star was to be placed.
Dick was not a small man, the damn tree was just big.
"Where the hell did you guys get a tree this big? I swear the tree last year was not this huge.... god - give me your fuckin' hand, you're gonna fall."
Dick huffed out a laugh, "as if." He'd come out of the womb as a damn near trained acrobat. A ladder was not going to sway Dick's balance, especially not when he spent his nights flying off some of Gotham's tallest buildings.
But, Dick's hand shot down to his side for Jason to hold on to anyway.
"What would it matter if I fell anyway? You'd catch me wouldn't you?"
This time Jason huffed. Well no shit.
"I'd rather not have to catch your heavy ass."
"Mmm, you're right. The weight of this ass just might send you into a second grave."
Jason pinched the hand in his, "real funny Dickie."
Dick was fiddling with the star, getting it to stand just right. Once it sat where he liked it he turned his face to Jason and smiled.
"I'm a star, aren't I?"
With the soft lights of the tree reflecting against Dick's golden skin and that stupid ass smile, Jason couldn't disagree.
<<__>>
Year after year, Dick Grayson spent the weekend before Christmas gift shopping for his entire family in Blüdhaven. It was inevitable. He was the world's biggest procrastinator and he paid for it in long checkout lines.
This year he'd finally learned his lesson. All of his gift shopping had been completely by the middle of December, his apartment littered with gifts which meant locking windows and doors so none of his family members could get any kind of peeks.
The door and window locking unnerved Dick though. He liked being a point of comfort for his family, sure the late nights could really slow a guy down, but he knew he wouldn't trade it for anything.
During the holidays he resided in Gotham more. This made the trip to Blüd harder some nights, but holidays meant family so he was willing to compromise.
The next step of gift giving that slowed Dick down was gift wrapping. Since he'd gotten his gifts so early this year he needed to wrap them up as soon as possible.
So after a night in Blüd, and with knowledge that all bats were on deck patrolling in Gotham, Dick broke out with wrapping paper galore.
He'd been keeping his apartment more tidy these days, tired of the bad rep he was getting for being just a tad bit messy. He was a busy guy, sue him for leaving dishes in the sink for a while.
A cheesy Hallmark movie was playing in the background as Dick moved furniture around to get his workspace fully functional. His pile of presents in front of the TV, waiting to be wrapped and delivered to the manor.
He was in the loosest pair of sweatpants he owned, which to be fair were probably Bruce's because Dick did not do loose, and a cropped tank. His hair was only getting longer and longer, his buns getting heavier and heavier. After the holidays he'd chop it all off so he could have some sort of fresh start sense going into the new year.
He was a few gifts and a cup of coffee in when there was a knock at the front door.
Only a select few amount of people were knocking on his door at four thirty in the morning. In fact outside of his family, Dick only had one frequent visitor and that was his neighbor who was an elderly man named Tommy.
Tommy from time to time liked to share dinner with Dick, but he always arrived by 6 o'clock in the evening if Dick was home and cleared out Dick's apartment by seven thirty.
Dick padded over to the door, checking the peephole to be met with two heads of dark hair, one with an all too familiar streak of white going through it.
Dick swung the door open, leaning against it with a smile as he took in his visitors. Jason was holding a few plastic bags which probably had takeout in them, he'd most likely just finished his rounds for the night. He was dressed casually and his hair looked damp. Tim was stood behind Jason with damp hair as well, sweats, and an oversized jumper which Dick could have sworn was his.
"Two little birds outside my door step, can I help you fellas? A bit late for some Christmas caroling." Tim and Jason shared a look, why the hell do we bother, and Dick cackled softly.
"I smell something sweet in whatever you guys got there. Get inside, it's cold."
Tim beelined for Dick's gray sofa, sinking into the cushions with a content smile on his face. Dick followed Jason to the kitchen space leaving Tim to most likely switch his Hallmark movie to the news.
As soon as Jason set the food down on Dick's countertop, Dick was leaning into Jason's space to plant a kiss on his cheek. "What's for dinner this morning sweetheart?"
He watched Jason blush as he began to pull food out.
Jason Todd, the big bad Red Hood, did not mix too well with flirting. It made him shy, made him a stuttering mess of sarcasm to deflect from not knowing how to take compliments.
Dick was a flirt at heart, it came easy to him really, but there was something about flirting with Jason that was different. The validation he got from making Jason laugh or blush, it wasn't to make himself feel nice although he loved being the reason behind his rare smile. It was all for Jason. All to make him any bit happier, any bit more loved.
Only until a few weeks ago, when Jason had gotten sick, did Dick realize this.
The kissing in greeting and farewell was admittedly not something Dick was planning to make a habit, but once he'd began he could not stop. Jason didn't seem to mind it, in fact last week when Dick had nearly forgotten to kiss Jason goodbye, he could tell the younger man had almost gotten upset about it.
It was adorable.
Dick wanted more.
He thought of Jason more than anything. What would Jason have thought about that drug bust? What would Jason had told Bruce during this argument? Would Jason have liked that movie? This song feels like Jason. This cologne smells like Jason. Was Jason okay? Did he eat today? Was he sleeping enough? Did he want to see Dick?
Jason, Jason, Jason.
Dick had a long list of lovers but none of them as infatuating as Jason. None of them comparable to him. Dick wanted to hold him, to kiss him whenever he pleased, and to listen to Jason's day at the end of the night when the sun was coming up. He wanted it all.
Dick Grayson, the man seemingly always chasing after someone's heart, was stuck in Jason Todd's everything and he was not looking for a way out, only for a way deeper inside.
"Went to that little buffet that's open 24/7. They'd just whipped up a fresh batch of honey sesame chicken."
Dick's favorite.
That part when unsaid but definitely not unheard.
Dick made grabby hands for the medium takeout container of sweet chicken. Jason handed him what he wanted along with fried rice, some egg rolls, and a serving of broccoli drenched in black bean garlic sauce.
It was apparent to Dick how loved and understood he was by Jason. Who'd taken the time to not only get all of his favorites but from his favorite spot? It made Dick sigh wistfully as he sat on the countertop, ready to dig into his food.
"Don't look so glum bluebird. I didn't forget your weird ass grapefruit soda."
Bluebird.
Grapefruit soda
He knew Jason loved him. Maybe not as much as Dick loved him. But that was okay. He'd make up for it in any way he could if Jason let him.
And if Jason would just open his beautiful stupidly oblivious eyes to Dick's affections, of course.
That process seemed to be a slow one though and Dick was an ever moving ball of energy with patience issues that Alfred could just not get rid of, but Dick waited.
It'd be worth it.
Dick put a smile on his face. "You had me worried for a second." Jason rolled his eyes before heading over to the couch to hand Tim whatever he'd ordered, it looked to be like some kind of soup. The younger boy whispered his thanks to Jason hurriedly. He was already fixated on whatever the news anchor was going on about.
Jason returned to stand next to Dick, his waist brushing against Dick's knees while he opened his container of broccoli beef.
"Did Santa set up workshop in here?"
Thankfully both Tim and Jason's presents were wrapped already. He'd gotten Tim this pair of retro headphones he'd been wanting. For Jason, customized pistols, grips, and a cleaning kit. Had he maybe gone overboard? Definitely. Did he care? Not one bit.
"Figured I'd avoid procrastinating this year," he said with a shrug. Jason whistled lowly. "No more procrastinating? And your place is squeaky clean? Dick Grayson, you're a changed man."
"By Bruce and Alfred's standards I can marry now." It was a running joke in the family that the day Dick managed to keep his apartment clean he'd be able to tie the knot.
"You in the market?" "Why? Are you interested?" Dick wiggled his eyebrows at Jason who laughed. "Cook me a nice home cooked meal and I'm all yours baby."
Baby. Baby. Baby. Dick had to physically keep himself sat despite how bad he wanted to leap across the space between them and kiss Jason senseless.
He hunkered down and shot Jason a sultry smile instead, "you're on big boy."
They continued eating with each other while keeping up casual conversation and banter. After finishing his meal Jason went to the fire escape for a smoke break, Dick promising he'd join him outside to keep him company after he cleaned up their plates.
Changed man. No more dishes in the sink.
Before heading out, Dick turned off the news and the TV altogether, Tim was passed out on the couch on his side. Curled up in fetal position, he looked his age. It made Dick's heart clench in his chest.
Behind all those brains and wit, Tim was still so young. Dick wished he could protect him and Damian from the world. Wished it wasn't them protecting the world instead.
They were damn good at it. His little robins. There wasn't a skill issue that made Dick feel that way. It was simply his protective nature washing over him yet again.
After Jason's death, Dick had sworn to himself to be there more whatever kid Bruce was bringing into the fold. A guilt ridden decision, but a decision nonetheless.
Despite Dick's mother like tendencies that seemed to come naturally to him, it was hard to find his footing as Nightwing in Gotham. As a brother. As a father figure in the times where it was almost like he had joint custody with Alfred and Bruce.
He had left to be his own man, but coming back who was this new Dick Grayson when it came to his family?
It was worth it though. So worth it. He'd found joy in mentoring Tim and Damian. Joy in being their point of comfort when they couldn't find warmth in the manor. Joy when Jason finally came around.
It had been a rocky road, but a road worth enduring.
Dick made sure to place a pillow underneath Tim's head after slowly pulling off his sneakers and covering him in a cozy blanket. Safe and sound, sleeping peacefully like he deserved.
Jason was nearly done with his cigarette when Dick joined him outside in the chill air with a blanket.
"You know you just got over being sick. Smoking in this weather? Your poor lungs."
Jason hummed lazily in return. "Not breakin' the habit anytime soon Goldie. Tim?"
"Out cold on the couch. Long night?"
Jason nodded his head while he stared into the city lights. "Yeah, you could say that."
Dick pressed himself closer to Jason without care for the smell of the burning tobacco. He was cold despite the blanket wrapped around him and Jason's hunky body was radiating warmth.
"City just opened a little skating rink down in Robinson Park. Bruce rented it out for a night next week for the family. Even Alfred is coming ..."
Dick tried to keep his tone light but Jason was already side eyeing him with a knowing look. "You're not telling me this for nothing, are you Dickie?"
Dick feigned innocence, "well ..." Jason huffed and threw his cigarette bud on the ground, stomping it out with one single crunch of his boot.
He leaned his back against the railing of the fire escape, arms crossed while he looked at Dick with an unamused expression written all over his face.
Dick gave a little pout and stepped further into Jason's space. "C'mon Jay, please? The baby birds want you there, I want you there. B bought everyone a pair of skates including you."
The slight softening of Jason's face gave Dick more hope for a yes.
"You know you can't keep pouting at me like that so you get your way." "But it always works?"
"Are you trying to say I'm soft or somethin'?" Dick bit his lip. "Just a little bit, but it's cute."
Jason's eyes snapped away from Dick's. He stared at the brick behind the top of Dick's head while a blush settled on his face.
He rubbed his face with an all too familiar defeated look. "Alright, alright. What time?"
Dick let his pout drop into a full on grin. This time he didn't refrain himself from jumping onto Jason and wrapping his arms around the bigger man. The blanket was encasing them both in warmth.
Jason sighed and wrapped his arms around Dick's waist, his head dropping into Dick's. "I'd be shoving you off me if it wasn't cold as shit out here."
Dick hummed and closed his eyes as he rubbed his cheek on Jason's shirt. "Sure Jay, sure."
<<__>>
"A snowman?"
"Uh huh. A snowman. You've had to have seen one by now sweetheart."
Despite Damian's complaints against the sweet nicknames Jason would occasionally lend out, he didn't really truly mind them. By now he'd gotten used to them and was able to go about conversation easily.
"How does one go about building a snowman?"
Jason's cheeks tingled from the cool crisp winter air.
In the front of the manor he stood alongside Damian in the snow. Both of them had been bundled up in damn near every sort of warm article of clothing Jason could find.
"It's simple. How about you show me where you think he'd fit best?"
Damian surveyed the front yard strategically. His green eyes bright against the snowy landscape. It was nice to see him planning for something less sinister than a take down with Batman.
When Damian had first arrived to the manor, he was this hellbent demon brat with a superiority complex. Blood son this, blood son that.
Beneath all of the exterior he put on though, he was still a child. A child who craved love and acceptance more than he'd like to admit.
Jason found a secret love for the unraveling of Damian's hardshell. Love for his childlike behavior and his curiosity that he used to hide out of embarrassment. So yeah, Jason had a thing for getting Damian to do normal kid things. Things he should've been doing when he was training to lead a league of assassins.
"I want it there," Damian said with a point and decisive nod. Jason followed the boy's finger to a spot underneath the large oak tree that overshadowed part of the driveway. Jason looked back to the manor, Titus' head was visible from Damian's bedroom window, watching Damian like he usually did.
Titus was sensitive to the cold like Damian, funny enough. Otherwise he'd be out here at Damian's side.
After grabbing a shovel from the side of the manor, the pair set off to the spot Damian picked.
"There are three layers to a snowman. A big ball. A medium ball. Can you guess the last one?" Damian elbowed Jason, "a small ball. I'm not an imbecile Todd. I want the snowman to be as big as you." Jason's hip took the elbow gracefully.
"How about you start rolling the bottom layer and I'll pack snow onto it. We're gonna need a good base if you want a beefy ass snowman."
Damian got to work, chewing at his lip as he moved, a habit of concentration he hadn't grown out of yet. Jason shoveled snow in a pile near Damian for him to use as he worked. Once he felt like there was enough for the large bottom layer, Jason began to help pack the snow on and form the ball shape.
"'M surprised Dick hasn't tried forcing you into building a snowman yet, he loves this kind of shit." Damian hummed absentmindedly as he worked alongside Jason, sculpting carefully. "Perhaps he has and I was just too stubborn to indulge him." Jason barked out a laugh into the cold.
Another perk of Damian's mellowing out, his ability to recognize when he's being bratty.
Damian paused his sculpting to look at Jason. That same look he'd given him a few weeks ago before when Jason helped Dick out with the Christmas tree.
"What? I got somethin on my face?"
"What is it between you and Grayson? Why does it feel different?"
Jason began to pack snow quicker to avoid Damian's curious gaze. "Different how?"
"You, Timothy, and Grayson. As much as it used to irritate me to admit, I recognize you three as my brothers. I can recognize your bond with Tim. I understand our relationship, the little things you think I don't notice like how you indulge childish activities for me. But ... it is different between you and him. It feels different .."
This time it was Jason's turn to pause and Damian's turn to work. This is how they worked. They were able to have these conversations. Each other understanding when the other needed to stop, when the other needed to go.
It was odd for Jason to find a bit of solace in Damian who was so young and naive, but at the same time so adult like.
Where they used to clash, no longer affected them. Damian was headstrong just like every other member of their family. It took learning him to be able to have this relationship.
"Am I wrong?" Damian's voice was tinted with insecurity. "No .. no, Dami."
"Should I have not asked?"
Jason simply shrugged and shook his head.
"I just don't have an answer for you."
"Do you ... love him?"
Jason zeroed in on the movement of Damian's small hands. So small.
"Yes .. no ... but maybe more than I should?"
A hum in response.
"Is that weird?"
"Mother used to say there was no logic to the matters of the heart. Father's lonely called out to hers, his soul sung to hers," Damian had a quick frown on his face. "Or at least that's what she said."
Time from his mother changed Damian. There was love for her but there was also questions and doubt.
Jason understood though. He understood more than he should have.
To Damian's surprise, Jason scooped the younger boy up in a hug.
"You're a damn smart kid baby bat." Damian's body went a little loose in Jason's hold, his face nestled in Jason's neck, cool little nose tickling Jason's skin. "Put me down Todd." No bite.
"Gimme a second, you're warm."
<<__>>
Jason had never truly adapted to the attention he received due to his being Bruce's son. Even after he reappeared in public with the credibility of half truths to explain his disappearance and appearance.
The damned Prince of Gotham.
Brucie Wayne was as much of a mask as Batman was, and sometimes Jason Todd was one too.
"I thought Bruce rented the place out? No cameras?"
In the parking lot attached to the ice rink that Bruce had rented out for the family were a few reporters with cameras staring hungrily at the car Jason, Damian, and Tim were sat in.
Jason was in the passenger seat holding a warm cup of hot chocolate that belonged to Damian. The boy had nearly spilled it on himself on the ride over so Jason had snatched it from him before it could spill and Tim could throw a fit about it ruining his seats.
Tim's car, a 1984 Celica Supra, had been a gift from Bruce when Tim received his drivers license. A blacked out exterior of course with restoration work done on the interior, it was Tim's baby. Contrary to popular belief, Tim was not big on modernity, he saw its benefits but also its downfalls. Where he could go old school he did.
Tim sighed from the driver's seat. "Bruce promised the press a few photos of Gotham's Princes. They'll be out of here after they get a shot of each of us." "Let us make this quick. We don't have a lot of time to skate before patrol." Damian was already unbuckling himself, waiting for Jason to exit the car so that he could push the passenger seat forward and get out.
The afternoon air nipped at Jason's cheeks and nose when he stepped out the vehicle. His leather jacket was providing ample warmth but he tugged it closer out of habit. He did a look over Damian and Tim, both dressed like little Abercrombie models, before allowing Tim to lead the way to the vultures.
The trio walked side by side with Damian in the middle of Tim and Jason. They truly played their roles well for the camera. Damian, the small child shying closer to his brothers and not fond of cameras, which he truly didn't like his photo being taken. Cold green eyes boring into any lens that looked his way, that stare Bruce coded in so many ways.
Tim gave a small smile to the cameras but did nothing more than walk forward through flashes. Jason on the other hand did not put in any effort to smile. He moved with a glare in his eyes, threatening anyone to come any closer, and kept a blank expression on his face. He watched both Tim and Damian carefully. These reporters were hungry bastards with history of invading personal space for the perfect shot.
"That wasn't so bad huh?" Tim's smile was more genuine once they were out of earshot of the photographers. The path to the ice rink was lined with trees which had lightbulbs strung through them, soft light lit their way forward and brought a cozy feeling to the environment.
"Nah, think I scared a few of em though." Jason's size truly could not go unnoticed. "Thankfully they usually save all the chatter for Dick. Cameras love him." Damian hummed in agreement as he skipped forward.
The rink was outdoor of course. Lights were hung from poles, stretching across the rink and illuminating it. There were also speakers on the poles letting music flow out into the air. Jason was hit with odd comfort as he took in the space. He found Dick and Alfred already on the ice skating arm in arm while chatting amongst themselves.
"Boys," greeted a familiar gruff voice. Bruce sat on some metal stands unzipping his pair of dark brown boots. Damian greeted his father with a quick hug before zipping off to get his skates on, Tim doing the same. Jason watched them go with a scoff.
Bruce had a question in his eyes, dull gray-blue orbs narrowing with hesitancy, like they usually did around Jason. He used to take offense to that look when he first returned, it made him feel like some sort of specimen under a microscope or like one of Bruce's unsolved case files.
That wasn't what the look meant though. Bruce just didn't know how to talk to Jason. How to approach him without causing any harm. He chewed over his words, restructuring them again and again until he felt they were just right. He wasn't unsure of Jason, he was unsure of himself.
He settled on not saying anything, rather he opened his arms as if to say, do you want a hug?
Jason shuffled forward awkwardly and into Bruce's grip.
They shared lean and muscular body types with Jason on the more bulkier side. Despite his extra bulk though, he felt like his former self in Bruce's hold. Little and believing that Bruce would protect him from any cruelness that awaited him.
It took about ten seconds in Bruce's arms for Jason to tense up and move away from the older man. Bruce didn't take any offense to it, in fact he looked pleased which made Jason pleased as well.
That was enough for them for now.
"Have you been well?"
Every week Jason would find the shadow of the Bat looming nearby watching over him. If he was visited during one of his patrols, Bruce never intruded. If he noticed the shadow on the way to his apartment, Bruce never neared. Every week Bruce was there, in his way, checking in.
Jason never mentioned it and neither did Bruce. They never discussed the nod he'd give Bruce in acknowledgment or how sometimes Bruce lingered a bit longer just to really make sure Jason was okay.
This was the game they played. Their secret. Their understanding of each other.
"I was feelin' pretty good until that photo-op, think I might feel a headache coming on." Bruce cracked a dry smile. "Should I call Alfred over?" Jason glared at the man, "don't you dare. Hand me my skates old man."
Tim dragged Jason and Bruce to the ice once Jason got his skates on, they fit perfectly of course. Damian was doing his own thing, spinning and twirling on the ice once they arrived.
Jason took a few spins around to warm up before one Dick Grayson was skating at his side with a small smile playing at his lips. Dick was being a show off by skating backwards as Jason moved forward.
"You came little wing."
Jason shrugged his shoulders. "Couldn't disappoint you, could I?"
Dick's smile widened before he halted and turned his body so that he was skating forwards like Jason. "I'm happy you're here Jay. Everything's complete with you."
Jason could feel his gaze on the side of his face as they skated forward. What could he say to that? I'm happy I'm here too, you make everything complete for me too.
His ears picked up on the music playing above rather than allowing his mouth to run free.
"Ooh baby
Let's, let's stay together
Loving you whether, whether
Times are good are bad, happy, or sad"
Oh for fuck's sake he could not escape the romantic tension at all. The oldies tune of Al Green's 'Let's Stay Together' only made the tension between Dick and Jason more strained. What the hell happened to the Christmas music anyway.
Dick nudged Jason with his elbow. A little laugh came out his mouth accompanied by a knowing look in his eyes. "Alfred's waiting on you take him around the rink. I'd get to that if I were you."
An out.
Jason surprised himself by leaning forward to press a sloppy cold kiss to Dick's warm cheek.
"Save me a spin Goldie."
Dick had stood in pure shock in response to Jason's quick kiss.
It was the first time Jason had taken to any sort of affection of that kind and in front of their family nonetheless.
Dick's brain was shorting out and restarting over and over. The air was cooling his cheek where Jason's lips had pressed themselves, the air making that area tingly.
Suddenly Dick's arm was being taken by Tim who had a smirk playing on his lips. He pushed Dick back into motion. "You okay?" "Er - yeah, yeah. Why? Are you okay?" The laugh Tim let out echoed throughout the rink, it was full of fondness while a childlike amusement spread over his face.
"Dick?" "Yes?" "When are you going to tell Jason you're in love with him?"
"Wha-" "Or is he going to tell you first? I hope not or Dami and Alfred are gonna win the bet ..."
Weeks later, Dick would remember Tim mentioned this bet between himself, Damian, and Alfred.
"How did you figure it out?"
Tim drew himself closer to Dick with a sigh. "I mean, Dick he slept at your beside in the manor for weeks when you got that concussion remember?"
Tim Drake was not an idiot. He'd like to think he was the second best detective in this family so he was not blind to whatever the hell Dick and Jason had going on. In fact he had caught onto it months ago.
Dick was insufferable when he was in love and Jason was too nice. It was weird and it kinda freaked Tim out. The sooner the two bozos figured it out the sooner things could find their balance.
"Plus, you're lighter when you're in love. The weight that you carry on your shoulders, the weight of the whole world, it doesn't weigh on you so badly."
Dick looked away from Tim at this. It was no secret that Dick Grayson was at constant war with his feeling of overwhelming responsibility, but his inner dilemma getting noticed never got easier.
If Tim had caught on to them, Bruce had definitely caught on which was just perfect.
How would Dick even begin to explain himself?
"Hey B, I'm like totally in love with Jason who I know is supposed to be like my brother but I never saw him like that and then he died and came back as this man who I'm obsessed with and cannot get out of my head. I hope you can understand!"
"Hey," Tim's slight raise of voice and frown shot Dick out his thoughts. "Don't start with your worrying and obsessing. An explanation for B or anyone beside Jason does not come first here."
It was hauntingly comforting how well Tim knew Dick.
"I don't know how to tell him honestly. I don't wanna scare him off."
"I don't think you could do that Dick. You don't see the way he looks at you."
Jason knew every part of Dick, good and ugly. It went vice versa. There was no hidden cards to still be revealed, nothing that could tear Dick away from Jason aside from Jason himself.
"Shouldn't I be the one giving you advice on your love life? How did we get it the other way around? How is that boy of yours, Kon?"
Tim turned a dangerous shade of red in seconds and Dick snickered causing the younger boy to smack his shoulder while he choked on words. Damian skated towards the pair with a confused but intrigued look on his face, "why are you hitting Grayson? Has he done something to you Timothy?"
Damian looked genuinely concerned which made Dick want to just scoop the boy up and press a dozen kisses to his face. He'd come a long way in his relationship with Tim, not only was it endearing to witness but it was all Dick had ever wanted.
Tim's eyes narrowed at Dick before he shook his head. "No Dami, Dick's just being himself."
Damian frowned in confusion but before he could ask anything else Dick plucked him right off the ground. "Grayson, I am not a child put me down!" He was in fact a child and Dick would not be putting him down, instead he brought Damian's body to his chest and held him tighter.
Damian hit at Dick with his little fists but there no kind of force behind his attacks, he was such a little actor sometimes.
"I'm going to go make sure Bruce isn't on a work call," Tim mumbled with a slightly fading blush before skating off quickly.
Dick watched him go with a smirk before looking to Damian who'd gone still in his grip.
"Wanna see how many spins I got in me before we get dizzy?" Damian's smile in response was all Dick needed to see before he held onto the boy and began spinning.
<<__>>
The Batman and Co. ran a tight ship during Christmas time. Patrol was always longer and god help anyone who dared to make Christmas night more sinister than it ought to be.
Jason had already received a stern serious of texts from Alfred about Christmas festivities. Earlier he'd ran into Bruce and was advised again as well. This time though it was not mere suggestion, but rather an order. Sometimes Bruce's firm attitude could be the most irritating thing ever to Jason. Other times it was incredibly endearing. When Bruce was making a point out of something, there was no sort of leftover confusion.
No confusion on Jason's part that Bruce wanted and expected him to be at the manor bright and early Christmas morning for the festivities.
Around 11:30 the night of Christmas Eve patrol hit a bit of a dead period. With the bats out tonight there was nowhere for crime to hide. Jason was up on the rooftop of an apartment building, resting with his legs dangling on the edge, and his helmet sat next to him. He'd just finished his cigarette which was perfect because snow was beginning to fall softly.
He was high enough for the snowflakes to stick to his skin for a little bit longer until they melted.
The city was quiet. He could make out various Christmas decorations and lights from below him.
Gotham, in all her nefarious shit, was beautiful.
"It's freezing up here, you know."
Jason hadn't heard him of course. Dick's feet as light as snowfall.
Blue and black dropped down next to him.
"You just make it back from Blüd?" "Yep. Nothing major going on over there luckily, figured I'd come back early." Jason hummed.
He leaned back into his arms making his elbows support his weight as he eyed Dick.
In the snow Dick's skin flushed nicely. His domino was removed and some of his hair was being folded behind his ears. Dick made an irritated noise at its length when it took a few times for the hair to remain in place.
Jason loved how long Dick's hair was. He knew it frustrated Dick when he'd lost all his hair ties but luckily Jason paid attention. He fished a black hair tie out one of the pockets of his cargos.
"Here."
Dick blinked in surprise. As if he couldn't believe Jason paid that much attention to him.
"Thanks Jay."
Jason waved a hand. With his hair tied up, Dick's sculpted face was on display. It was distracting.
Dick's head leaned to the side a bit as he stared back at Jason.
"You've got snowflakes in your eyelashes. It's cute."
It was just him and Dick, the quiet of the night, and falling snowflakes.
Jason looked away from Dick and back to the cityscape. Everything bright in it was calling to Jason like the brightness of Dick's blue eyes. There was no more escaping this call.
Sweet, true blue.
"I love you bluebird."
It came out exactly how it felt. True. Profound. Like there was nothing else to it. There wasn't, really, anything else to it. Jason loved Dick like he breathed air. A natural and persistent habit.
He looked to Dick who for the first time in his life was frozen still. His gaze stuck on Jason who stared back steadily. Unmoving.
It took another moment of stillness before Dick's cheekbones rose under the pressure of his growing smile.
"You love me?"
"Dick-"
"You love me .." He repeated this time more to himself than Jason.
Dick blinked a few times mumbling something to himself. Then he was coming into Jason's space, like the moon unable to free itself from the sun's gravity, with his hands coming to cradle Jason's face. The pressure of his gloved fingers was nice against the cool snowflakes landing on Jason's skin.
"You love me." Dick's voice was full of warmth. His face drawing closer to Jason's, noses brushing together making Jason want to sniffle. Dick's breathing was a bit heavy, when his eyes closed shut Jason figured Dick was trying to steady himself.
"Yes," Jason's lips were brushing against Dick's as he spoke. "I love you." This time hopefully it stuck. If not, Jason would repeat himself for however long Dick needed.
He didn't have to though because Dick's lips were finally on his, eating up any words Jason could've said and taking the breath right out of him.
It was late nights and Chinese takeout. It was cheek kisses and whispered words. It was arguments and words they'd apologize for later. It was guilt and anger that found itself coming home. Everything and more.
When Dick pulled away, Jason decided to give him one last out before he kept him forever.
"'S freezin' up here, ya know?"
Dick chuckled as he took in Jason's wistful eyes. "No little wing, I didn't know."
Jason was giving him that rueful smile of his.
That one that just screamed this is me, this is all I got.
And it was more than enough for Dick.
"Do you know?"
"What?"
"I love you."
Jason's smile grew soft and he nodded.
"Kinda hoped so Dickie."