Posted originally on the Archive_of_Our_Own at https://archiveofourown.org/
works/13207923.
  Rating:
      Explicit
  Archive Warning:
      Underage
  Category:
      M/M
  Fandom:
      Batman_(Comics), DCU_(Comics), DC_Comics, Batman_-_Fandom
  Relationship:
      Tim_Drake/Jason_Todd, minor_Dick_Grayson/Barbara_Gordon
  Character:
      Jason_Todd, Tim_Drake, Dick_Grayson, Alfred_Pennyworth, Bruce_Wayne,
      mention_of_other_DC_superheroes
  Additional Tags:
      Underage_Sex, Underage_Drinking, mentions_of_drug_use, inner_turmoil,
      Anal_Sex, Past_Character_Death, Alternate_Universe, Cop_Dick_Grayson, No
      superheroes, Slow_Burn, Family_Dynamics, Top_Jason_Todd, Bottom_Tim
      Drake, Hand_Jobs, Blow_Jobs, Frottage, Domestic_Fluff, Jaytim_-_Freeform,
      Minor_Character_Death, Feelings, Depression, brief_use_of_homophobic
      language, TimJay_-_Freeform
  Stats:
      Published: 2017-12-30 Updated: 2018-01-25 Chapters: 2/3 Words: 12541
****** What's Gained Through Loss ******
by onesillygoose1551
Summary
     In an alternate universe where there are no superheroes, Jason Todd
     was just an orphan adopted by billionaire Bruce Wayne at age
     thirteen, and now lives at Wayne Manor along with his adoptive big
     brother, Dick Grayson. When Bruce's best friend, Jack Drake and his
     wife pass away, Bruce takes in their orphaned fifteen- year- old son,
     Tim. It adds a dynamic to Jason's family that he was not prepared
     for. Tim is supposed to be his new brother, but instead Jason just
     sees him as a walking temptation.
Notes
     Hi y'all! So, AU stories really used to not be my thing, but suddenly
     I'm all about these, so I hope you guys will enjoy this one.
     I will probably post this story in three parts, although, I only have
     this one written for now. Just a forewarning, the sex probably won't
     come until the final chapter.
     To those of you currently reading my other JayTim story, if you read
     my notes you'll know that I said I was going to be posting some other
     one- shots. This is actually not one of those, but I will still be
     putting those out at some time. This will not impact my other story,
     I promise, and I should have the next chapter of Terms and Conditions
     out by Monday.
     So, anyway, I really hope you guys will like this. It's really
     different for me but I decided to just go for it. I wrote this in a
     few hours and then immediately posted it, so if you noticed anything
     funky, my bad. I will go back through it and edit at some point, so
     no worries there.
     Here we go, enjoy guys! And thanks!
See the end of the work for more notes
***** Grief and Depression *****
Jason is thirteen when some dumb, crazy, rich bastard picks him up off the
street. He offers Jason a place to stay and some warm food. Jason agrees,
pegging the guy as a pedophile and deciding that a quick BJ might be worth a
full stomach. Except the guy isn’t a pedophile. He’s actually a really nice guy
and very kind. Jason can’t quite figure out what the guy gets out of it, but
it’s explained to him later. Explained to him by the other kid, Dick, that had
been taken in years before, when he was a year younger than Jason was.
Apparently, his savior had had a rough childhood. Didn’t have much of a family,
and now he was creating his own. So, Bruce (as it turns out, the guy turns out
to be Bruce Wayne, richest man in Gotham) only takes in orphans, like himself.
Maybe because he was one for so long, maybe he has a soft spot for them. Or
maybe because he sees something in the kids at the bottom of the food chain
that nobody else does. Jason doesn’t know and he never asks, but he’s grateful.
So, he stays. Is legally adopted and lives with Bruce and his new brother and
their butler. That’s right, their fucking butler, but Alfred is really cool and
he's nice to Jason. His life is good, and Bruce is patient and kind. Even in
the moments where Jason is on the brink of getting expelled from another
school. And Dick is funny and a jerk and the big brother that Jason always
wanted. He's living his childhood fantasy. The four of them all live in easy
understanding of each other and their dynamic works for them. It's comfortable.
Everything is smooth, simple. This is Jason’s life now and he’s happy.
And then somehow years have passed and Jason is turning twenty. He’s working
part time at one of Bruce’s bars, because even though Bruce had objected to
Jason working, he’d agreed as long as it was in one of his places of business.
He’s finishing up at a local community college right now, but will be starting
at university in the fall of next year at Gotham State, after he takes a year
off to do some soul searching, and Bruce wasn’t happy about that either. But he
got a full ride to Gotham State and that got Bruce off his back enough.
Dick moves to Bludhaven and becomes a cop, all shockingly- only, not really- to
Bruce’s distaste. Jason misses Dick (even if he won’t say it.) Misses having
midnight movie marathons with him, and late night gas station candy runs, but
Dick still comes home every weekend, even though the guy is in his mid-
twenties now. He and Jason remain just as close.
Then just like that it’s the spring, and something happens to Jason's family.
That something, or more accurately, that someone is the son of Bruce’s closest
childhood friend, Jack Drake. Jack and his wife die in a plane crash in the
Swiss Alps, and per Jack Drake’s will, Bruce Wayne is given full custody of the
fifteen- year- old super genius.
Jason knows nothing about him. Only what he's read in newspapers and what Bruce
and Alfred have told him. That he’s a child prodigy that’s been homeschooled
his whole life, graduated high school only one year after Jason did, and will
one day take over Drake Industries. Jason’s never even seen the kid in person
before, as he is somewhat of a hermit and doesn’t like to publicly socialize.
Not even at any of the stupid, shitty socialite parties that Dick and Jason get
forced into going to that serve expensive, fancy champagne.
He can’t really imagine what the kid is feeling when Bruce tells him the news
that Tim will be coming to live with them. Jason never really had a family
before Bruce. His dad had been in jail since before he was born and his mom
overdosed when he was eleven. The only family Jason had was the group of kids
he stole alongside and Rosa, the nice prostitute who lived in the apartments
Jason used to sleep behind that would let him sleep in her place on the nights
it got too cold. So, he can’t begin to fathom what it must be like for a kid to
lose his whole family. And maybe this is why Bruce’s family is so special.
Because he brought together people who had nothing and gave them the one thing
they needed. He gave them family.
Still, he doesn’t know what to say to a kid who’s newly an orphan. Doesn’t know
what to say to a super genius, even if Jason himself had a grade point average
far above any of his classmates. Doesn’t know what to say to a boy who has
hardly even been photographed by the media in the past few years. Jason
wouldn’t be able to pick out the kid in a room of strangers.
It’s a Saturday, when Tim moves in. Jason is heading down to the kitchen to
make another cup of tea and grab a snack when the front door opens. Alfred
stumbles in out of the rain with several suitcases, holding the door open for a
small, timid boy who walks in behind him carrying two more suitcases.
He’s not just small, the boy is downright tiny. Thin, no more than a hundred
and twenty pounds soaking wet with clothes on, and he looks even smaller in the
oversized sweater he’s wearing. His eyes are big, terrified looking and the
most pure- blue that Jason has ever seen. His hair is jet black and looks inky
the way it falls around his face, damp from the rain. His nose is red from the
chill in the air and his skin is a fair, creamy ivory. And the way he moves has
Jason’s eyes following the grace of his every step. If Jason had to guess, he
would say either gymnast or dancer. He’s so fucking beautiful it makes Jason’s
heart ache with it. Or maybe that’s just the newfound need to wrap the kid up
in his arms and protect him.
Jason might just have a bit of an attraction to his new "brother".
He doesn’t even notice when Bruce walks in the house, or when he sets down a
few more smaller bags that probably also belong to Tim. Doesn’t notice Bruce is
even standing next to him until the larger man claps him on the shoulder. He
jumps, letting out a sound of surprise that has Bruce smiling at him, rather
amused.
“Jason, this is Tim, the newest member of our family.” The kid looks crushed
and horrified when Bruce says it, and Jason doesn’t know if Bruce notices or
not, but he continues nonetheless. “Tim, this is my son Jason. My eldest will
be joining us for dinner this evening, but I think you’ve already met Dick
before.”
Tim nods, but he isn’t making eye contact. He’s not even really looking at
anything at all, gaze flickering back and forth, directed at the floorboards.
And just when the hell would Dick have met Tim? And why didn't the asshole tell
him about it? Jason will have to ask him about that later.
“I realize it’s been a while since you’ve been here, Tim, so feel free to look
around and get yourself fully acquainted with the house. Jason can answer any
questions you might have. His room is right across from yours.” Bruce gives his
shoulder a squeeze at that. “But in the meantime, let’s let Alfred show you to
your room. Would you like us to get you anything?”
Tim looks like he mouths the word “no”, but Jason can’t hear it. Wonders if
even Alfred can, who's still standing just inches from Tim. Jason, however, is
still standing several feet away and is busy staring at the petite boy and
wondering when he was here last. It had to have been long before Jason had
started living here.
“Alright. Well, I’ll have Alfred come fetch you when it’s time for dinner. You
just get settled in your room.”
Tim’s eyes linger on Jason even as Alfred starts walking away with his bags.
Both are surprised when their eyes first meet, but still neither looks away.
Jason can’t quite identify the look he’s giving him. Somewhere between curious
and terrified. He doesn’t think the kid realizes he’s still staring, and is
proved correct when Alfred calls out to him and a blush paints the kid’s
delicate cheekbones.
“Your brother should be here soon for dinner.” Bruce says to him once Tim is up
the stairs and out of sight. Jason jumps again, eyes staring after the smaller
boy. “Jason, I really need you to help Tim with this transition. I’m sure you
remember how strange and scary this was. He’ll need a friend, his new brother,
to help him through this. Dick will be helping, as well. He offered to move
back in a for a few weeks so Tim can get to know all of us. Hopefully that will
help to put him at ease some. But you’re closer to Tim’s age. I need you to
step up and be there for him. Can you please do that for me?”
Jason nods, considers his next words carefully. He thinks about telling Bruce
about the way he couldn’t keep his eyes off the kid’s hands. Or about the way
he just had three different fantasies about Tim shirtless during their brief
first exchange. Instead, he settles on words he uses rarely, but never fail to
make Bruce happy.
“Yeah, sure. No problem, Dad.” And just as Jason thought, the words have Bruce
beaming. It’s a much better alternative to the look he was likely to get if
he’d told Bruce anything close to what he’d really been thinking.
Bruce squeezes his shoulder once more and wanders away. If Jason didn’t know
any better, he would say Bruce had had unshed tears in his usually stern,
cobalt eyes.
Jason goofs off on his laptop in the kitchen until Dick arrives. The eldest
Wayne child sneaks up behind him, scaring Jason so bad he considers smacking
Dick in the head for it, but instead he gets wrapped up in Dick’s embrace and
hugs him back equally as hard.
When Dick pulls away he ruffles Jason’s hair, getting his forehead flicked in
return. It’s become somewhat of a ritual for them when Dick comes home.
“So, you heard all about it then?” Jason asks as he runs fingers through his
hair.
Dick nods, looking somber.
“Yeah. Can you imagine, Jay? Poor kid.”
“Uh, yeah, I can. Seeing as how I’ve been through it. And so have you! What?
Because he’s rich that suddenly makes it more tragic than what you or I went
through?”
Suddenly Jason is so angry with Tim Drake and his presence here.
Fuck this kid. Spoiled brat. He just went from one wealthy home to the next.
Poor rich boy? Yeah right. It should make no difference to him. He’s still
rich, if not richer, than he was before. Not like Jason, who went from
literally nothing to having the world laid at his feet on a silver, diamond
encrusted platter. And fuck him for making me still pity him, regardless.
Dick gives him his best stern big brother look.
“Don't be an asshole. You know that’s not what I meant, Jason. And you really
need to cut the kid some slack considering what he's going through. All I’m
saying is that I remember how hard it was for me and I was younger than Tim. I
couldn’t process it until years later. But Tim? He’ll never forget the feeling
of finding out the news that he won't ever see his parents again. Never.”
Jason remembers when Dick first told him about how his parents had bit the big
one. John and Mary Grayson were your typical middle- class couple. Happily
married for a long time, with one child, Dick. It had been a normal night for
his family, and they were driving home from dinner, Dick in the backseat, when
they were hit head on by a drunk driver. Dick had survived somehow, but was not
unharmed.
Bruce had been driving by and saw the whole thing. He’d pulled Dick from the
wreckage and called 911. Even rode with Dick to the hospital. Bruce had stayed
there with him for days until Dick had finally woken up. Dick, having no other
family, was alone in the world. And that’s when Bruce stepped up. He paid for
Dick’s medical bills. Paid for his physical therapy. Paid for him to go to
doctors and psychiatrists while Dick was in a group home so that he could
recover from what happened. After six months, Bruce applied to the state to
adopt Dick. And at only twenty- six, Bruce had become a father.
But none of their stories were quite as horrendous as Bruce’s. Nobody talks
about it often, even though Bruce speaks happily of his parents and his
childhood frequently. If it were Jason in Bruce’s shoes, though, he knows for a
fact he wouldn’t have turned out to be such a nice guy. Jason wasn’t even close
to his parents and he acted out violently for years after his mom’s death. But
Bruce? He was the complete opposite. He watched his parents get gunned down at
eight- years- old, right in front of him, and he became the nicest, most
charitable man Jason has ever met. He started out volunteering at the age of
ten, and now at the age of forty, and the CEO of one of the world’s largest
companies, Bruce donates millions every year to numerous charities globally.
And Tim? Well, if the kid hasn't been photographed out in public, not even once
in the past five years, then he's got to be pretty goddamn lonely if he was
cooped up in his house all the time. "Poor kid" is right.
“I guess you’re right.” Jason agrees with Dick.
Dick ruffles his hair again and moves Jason’s laptop aside so he can take out
some things for dinner.
“Come on. Let’s help Alfred with dinner. You peel the potatoes and I’ll make
the salad.”
Dinner is quiet, even with Bruce trying to start light conversation here and
there. He asks Tim where he’d like to go to college. Asks if he’d like to take
his college entrance exams in a high school, "maybe Gotham High?" or if he’d
prefer to continue studying privately. Asks him what some of his favorite meals
are. He never gets a single answer out of the kid.
Throughout the meal, Tim's eyes never leave his plate. He doesn't look at Dick
or Bruce, or even glance up each time Alfred enters the dining room bringing
another course. Jason tries to keep his own eyes from straying, and succeeds
for the most part. But if he didn't know any better, he would say he could feel
Tim's stealthy gaze on him from under long, thick lashes from across the table.
When the salad and soup have been served and eaten (after several long minutes
of waiting for Tim to hopefully take a bite of something,) Alfred serves the
main course, even though Tim hasn’t touched a thing. Tonight he served Jason's
favorite: pot roast.
Not even ten minutes later, the small boy finally speaks up.
“I’m so sorry. I hope I don't seem rude, but I’m just not very hungry. May I
please be excused?” Tim still won't look at them, and his voice is so small and
weak, almost like he hasn’t used it in some time. Jason wracks his memory.
Tim's parents died two weeks ago. He hasn't spoken in two weeks?
Bruce nods at Tim, a sad smile on his face.
“Poor kid.” Dick chirps up when Tim is definitely out of earshot.
“Hey, Dick, Bruce said you’d met Tim before. When was that exactly?” Jason
studies him closely, anxious for an answer.
Dick’s eyes drift, like he’s remembering a half- forgotten memory, and then he
smiles fondly.
“Wow, I’d forgotten all about that. Damn. That would’ve been about ten years
ago. Jack brought Tim over for a playdate, even though I was already fifteen.
Tim spent hours just trailing along after me. I finally got him to stop when I
took him to the game room and let him loose. I think I played air hockey with
him for forty- five minutes straight. I let him win every time and he was so
happy.”
Everyone is smiling listening to Dick’s happy memory, and then the secondhand
joy fades, and they’re left with the dark reminder of why Tim is here.
Later, when Jason is upstairs in his room, he hears the soft creak of a door
while he’s re- stringing his guitar. He sets it back down on its stand and goes
to open his bedroom door. He finds Tim in the hallway, frozen and staring at
him with saucer sized eyes, like a deer caught in the headlights. Jason gives
him a soft smile, mutters a shy “hi”, but then Tim whirls around and hides back
in his room with a slam of the door.
Jason has no idea what just happened and lingers in his doorway for several
minutes, staring at Tim's door while he tries to figure out if he imagined that
or not. When he finally snaps himself out of it, he heads to the kitchen and
finds Alfred cleaning up for the night.
“Master Jason.” The Brit says in surprise.
“Alfred, I really wish that after all this time you would just call me Jason
and stop with the ‘master’ bullshit.”
“And I really wish that after all this time that you would cease with your
vulgar profanity, Master Jason, but we don’t always get what we wish for,” the
man teases. “How may I help you, sir?”
Jason can feel his face go pink and runs a hand nervously through his hair
before rubbing the back of his neck. He’s pretty sure he picked up this
particular nervous tic from Dick.
“Um, actually, I was just grabbing a snack for Tim.”
Alfred mostly succeeds at hiding a smile at that.
“Well, then, don’t let me impede you, young sir.”
Jason waits until Alfred is gone before he starts making Tim a sandwich. He
also grabs a box of cookies, an apple and a bag of chips, along with a glass of
Alfred’s amazing lemonade, putting it all on a tray and carrying it upstairs.
He sets the tray down in front of Tim’s door and knocks once, not waiting for
an answer as he heads down the hall to Dick’s room.
He doesn’t bother knocking. Dick has never locked his doors, not since right
after Jason officially moved in and he decided Jason could be trusted to not
steal any of his things. He finds Dick sitting at his desk, reading something
on the internet. He shuts the door, flops down on Dick’s bed, rifling through a
book Dick had laying there before tossing it aside and sprawling out on his
back.
“That was a library book, little brother.” Dick grits out between clenched
teeth, annoyed in the way big brothers always are with little brothers.
“Hey, I was just trying to help. You do too much reading with that tiny brain
of yours and it’s bound to explode, Dickiebird.” Jason teases, using the
nickname Bruce had given him years ago when he said Dick was like a bird;
hopping around and never landing anywhere for long.
Dick spins around in his chair.
“Why are you such a brat, Jason?”
“Why are you such a dumbass, Richard?”
Dick picks up another book that was sitting next to him and hurls it at Jason’s
head, narrowly missing. Jason, ever the child, tilts his head back so Dick can
see and sticks out his tongue. It makes Dick laugh, though, and he spins back
around in his chair, going back to whatever he was doing on his computer when
Jason entered.
“Maybe one of these days you’ll grow up, Jay,” Dick says to his screen, still
chuckling.
“I'm still taller than you, Dickie.”
It’s quiet for a moment between them, but certainly not uncomfortable. They’ve
been around each other far too many years for that.
“Movie night tonight?” Jason asks after several minutes.
“Sure,” Dick says without looking at Jason. “Action or comedy?”
“Horror, bitch.” Is Jason’s response, which doesn’t actually earn him one from
Dick.
He thinks about knocking on Tim’s door again, but this time waiting for him to
answer. Thinks about inviting Tim to movie night, because a horror movie in
Bruce’s home theater is magical. He thinks about picking the scariest movie out
right now and having Tim cling to him under a blanket while someone’s guts get
torn open on the big screen. He stops his daydream at the point of him walking
Tim to his bedroom and Tim asking him to come inside because he’s scared to
sleep alone.
Jason shakes his head to snap himself out of it.
Several more minutes of silence pass between them until Jason sighs deeply, a
question he’s burning to ask right on the tip of his tongue, but he just can’t
bring himself to ask quite yet.
“Hey, Dick?” Jason starts, still staring up at Dick’s plain white ceiling,
identical to every other ceiling in the house.
“Hm?” Dick responds.
“What are you reading?”
“An article about a case I’m working on. Missing chemical waste from a factory
in ‘Haven.”
“You’re pretty smart. How come you never wanted to be a lawyer or something?
Why a cop?”
“Don’t know,” Dick is still staring intently at the computer screen. “Probably
something to do with Bruce. He raised us to always want to help people in need
as much as we can. Pretty sure being a cop is, like, the epitome of that.”
Jason shrugs. That hasn’t always been true in his experience. At least, not
with the cops he grew up with in his part of Gotham. The ones that bought drugs
and girls just as frequently as all the other sickening johns. But Dick is
nothing like them. Dick would jump in front of a train to save a puppy. The guy
is practically a superhero.
“Dick?”
“Hm?” Dick says again.
“You were a gymnast once. You think Tim might be? He kinda looks it.”
“I have no idea, man. It’s kinda hard to tell just by lookin’ at someone.”
“Not if you're lookin' at the right things,” Jason mutters under his
breath. “Hey, Dick?”
“What?” There’s aggravation creeping into Dick’s voice now.
“Am I bugging you?” Jason asks with a smirk.
“Yes!”
Jason laughs, lets the silence settle over them once again for a little bit.
The question he stopped himself from asking earlier still burning in the back
of his mind. He knows he shouldn’t ask, but he so desperately wants Dick’s
opinion. They’re close. Have been close for years, like real brothers. He can
trust Dick and knows the older boy has his back, just as he has Dick's. And he
reallyneeds some advice. Dick can keep a secret. Mostly.
“Hey, Dick?” Jason asks one last time, sitting up on Dick’s bed.
 “What?!” Dick doesn’t quite shout, closing his computer and turning around to
face Jason, knowing it’s not likely that he’ll get any more work done tonight.
“Have you ever, I mean," Jason isn't even sure how to begin asking his question
"being a cop and all, have you ever wanted to do something you especially
couldn’t?”
The irritated look immediately falls from Dick’s face, his eyes zeroing in and
only focusing on Jason. He looks concerned, maybe a touch fearful as he cocks
his head in curiosity.
“What do you mean, Jason?”
Jason swallows, thinks of the fifteen- year old illegal boy just a few doors
down, doing Jason can only imagine what in the privacy of his own room.
“I mean, shit, I don’t know. Have you…” Jason starts and pauses, running his
hand through his hair several times in a tic that is most decidedly Bruce. He
has to do this carefully, can’t give anything away. Dick is his brother, but
he’s also a cop, and the only person Jason knows that might have a bigger
conscience than Bruce. “Have you ever wanted something, or wanted to do
something really fucking bad, but you know you should never do because you were
a cop?”
Hopefully his question was clear enough without being too specific that Dick
won’t ask for further detail. Or potentially, why Jason would even ask in the
first place.
“You mean, like, trying an illegal substance? Which, little brother, I know you
do on occasion.” Dick wags a finger at him but there’s a playful smirk on his
face.
Jason shrugs again. “A little weed once in a blue moon never killed anyone. But
yes, kind of like that.” Jason grabs at his opportunity and holds on for dear
life. “Have you ever wanted to do drugs even though you know you could get in a
ton of trouble? Or use your badge to steal things and tell people it’s for
evidence?”
It’s Dick’s turn to shrug.
“I mean, drugs have never really interested me. I’ve seen first- hand what they
do to people.” He gives Jason a sad, half- smile and Jason considers flipping
him off; an involuntary reflex. Instead, he swallows and sits patiently,
waiting for Dick to finish, knowing his older brother wasn't saying it to hurt
him. “But yeah, I guess there have been times where I thought about using my
power to get something I wanted. When I started looking for Babs’ engagement
ring last year, I thought about doing just that after seeing the price tag on
some of those things.”
Babs is one of Jason’s favorite people in the whole world. A take- no- shit
computer whiz who took Jason under her wing just the same as Dick had. And it
was always fun to watch her out- whit Dick.
“But sometimes there are other smaller things. Sometimes I kind of wish I had
the option to get into a fight with someone. Just because. Or have a single
beer, even if I know I have to drive home. You just have to weigh the pros and
cons, you know? It's like with anything. Is doing something you know is bad
going to be worth the trouble if you get caught?”
It’s good advice. Solid advice. Exactly what Jason was looking for, if not
exactly what he was actually hoping to hear.
He mulls everything Dick says over, thinking about his next words very
carefully before speaking again.
“I hear you. But, okay, what about if the thing you wanted to do wasn’t going
to hurt anybody? What if there was no damage or no profit lost? What if you
didn’t want to do anything bad to anybody, but actually something good?”
Jason is looking at Dick, but his eyes are no longer seeing him. Instead
somewhere far away where he can picture Tim’s sweet face, so hurt and in so
much pain from the loss he’s suffered. He thinks about how he could make Tim
smile. And a few, less wholesome ways he could maybe make the both of them
smile.
“What do you mean? Where is this coming from, Jay?”
With a shake of his head, Jason enters reality again, realizing that he may
have given Dick too much information after all.
“I don’t know. Never mind, forget I asked.”
“Well, if you’re asking, hypothetically of course, if you should do something
illegal, then my answer is obviously no. Now, I know you, so I know you would
never intentionally do something malicious. So, as your brother, I say as long
as it’s not a felony and you won’t get yourself caught, then go for it.
IF,”Dick stresses the world, “and only if it’s for a good cause. Why, Jaybird?
Did you have something in mind? Gonna steal the Hope Diamond to feed the
needy?”
“Shit! You’re onto me!” Jason jokes, dramatically rolling off the bed and
running to the door. “And actually, I was going to hack Bruce’s bank account to
feed the needy. It’s probably worth more than that rock, anyway.”
Dick throws his head back and laughs, full and bright, the sound echoing off
his bedroom walls. Jason smiles, opening Dick’s door and waiting for him to
catch his breath.
“So, movie in ten?”
Dick nods, “be right down. And get the popcorn and drinks. I’ll bring the candy
and the alcohol.”
Jason mock gasps.
“Officer Grayson, supplying alcohol to someone under the age of twenty- one?
What would your captain think?”
Dick shrugs, a carefree smile on his face
“Who cares? I’m not on duty.”
It’s Jason’s turn to laugh, loudly, real happiness and ease in the sound as he
closes Dick’s bedroom door.
On his way back down the hall, he passes Tim’s room again. The tray is
conspicuously missing from where Jason set it in front of his door. He pauses,
just for a moment, a smile on his face as he raises his hand and prepares to
knock on Tim’s door. But he doesn’t, instead letting his hand fall and pressing
his ear up to the wood. He can faintly hear the sound of running water and
knows Tim is in the shower, probably left the bathroom door wide open.
He considers walking in. Just turning the knob and making his way into the
bathroom, getting a full view of Tim, bare and wet, surrounded by steam. Skin
flushed pink and malleable to Jason’s mouth if he wanted to press his lips to
Tim’s elegant, slender neck. Or down his slight, small torso.
And right when he has that thought is when he knows he needs to walk away and
listen to Dick’s advice. Not the latter portion of it, but the good portion of
it. The smart portion. The cop portion. The portion that will keep Jason out of
prison. Because living under Bruce’s roof, there’s no way he won’t find out.
And Bruce loves him, he knows that, but does Bruce love him enough to not press
charges if he finds out his adult ward is having sex with his minor ward? Is it
worth jail time?
While he and Tim are only five years apart, it’s still illegal. A fucking
felony, in fact. Because Jason is a grown ass, twenty- year- old man and should
know better than to be perving on illegal, fifteen- year- old boys. He knows
this, but it’s too late. He’s already in too deep for the pretty, quiet boy
just down the hall. He's a monster.
He’s safe for now, though. As long as he doesn’t touch Tim, he’ll be fine. So,
he makes himself a promise not to. As much as he wants Tim, he can’t go to jail
because his dick wants a taste. He won’t touch Tim. Not now, not ever. Because
people don’t fucking fall for their adoptive brothers.
Fisting his hands, Jason turns away and practically goes sprinting toward the
home theater. But first, he slips on his boots, making his jeans bunch up
around his ankles. He grabs his leather jacket from the coat rack and throws it
on over his solid black t- shirt. He steps out onto the porch and lights a
cigarette, hoping Dick won’t lecture him about it later and then tell Bruce
like he did when Jason was sixteen and Dick first found out Jason started
smoking.
He lets the toxic smoke fill his lungs and calm him down. He smokes two
cigarettes before he’s calm enough to head back inside and start prepping his
and Dick’s snacks. Dick doesn’t say anything about the smell of smoke when he
sits in a chair next to Jason, passing him the bottle of whiskey. Jason takes a
long pull, knowing he’s going to need it to get through the rest of this night.
***** Anger and Bargaining *****
Chapter Summary
     Jason can't adapt to Tim's disruptive presence in his home. So, in
     Jason fashion, he deflects and puts up a wall. Until he can't.
Chapter Notes
     Hi everyone! I'm back with chapter two. I hope you all enjoy this one
     as much as you seem to like the first. I cannot even say how much fun
     I've had writing this story! It might be my new favorite piece of
     mine. Not even because I think it's that good, but because the whole
     process has been so enjoyable for me and has been nearly stress-
     free. I can't ask for anything more than that.
     I wanted to talk briefly about the couple of comments I've gotten
     about how people enjoy this story because of the family aspect to it.
     Well, I started writing this story because it was going to be about
     Jason getting off on fucking around with his new brother, (especially
     behind Bruce's back, and no, I'm not sorry about that kink) but then
     this ended up being more of a piece about another fantasy of mine.
     The one thing I truly love more than anything in Batman comics is the
     brief moments when these four act like a real family. When walls are
     down and Bruce gets to be a father and the boys get to feel like
     their life is just a little bit normal for just a moment. So that's
     what this story became. A story about family. What I want to see more
     than anything during times when their world goes to shit. That's what
     this is. My wish for the Batfamily. With some in your face subtext
     and feelings and porn.
     So, after that long winded explanation, I hope you guys will enjoy
     chapter 2! Also, like this chapter, I have no idea when the final
     chapter will be out. It will be the longest, it will be full of all
     sorts of goodness, and it will probably be after I finish Terms and
     Conditions, but keep an eye out!
     And one last thing, thank you so much to everyone who has read this
     story!
See the end of the chapter for more notes
Tim spends most of his first month at the Manor locked away in his room. He’s
like a shadow that Jason only catches glimpses of here and there. It bothers
Jason. Makes him feel like his whole family has to walk on eggshells just to
appease a stranger, when he’s the one acting like a dick in the first place.
He’s also somewhat grateful, as it helps in his determination to stay as far
away from the boy as possible.
He does what he can, where he can, though. Picks up more shifts at the bar and
hangs around downtown Gotham more often. Stays after class at school and
studies, even though it’s entirely unnecessary because he’s never studied for
anything in his life. Basically, he does anything he can to avoid going home.
It doesn’t go unnoticed.
“Jason, I had just hoped that you would be willing to spend more time at home
right now. Tim really needs this time to acclimate and get used to our
presence. I know he’s shy, but he’ll come around. So, I need you here more so
he doesn’t feel like you’re avoiding him. And besides, I miss spending time
with my son.” Bruce says to him one evening before he heads out for his shift
at the bar.
Bruce’s honesty always surprises Jason. Even after seven years, it’s hard for
him to believe that he is now surrounded by people in his life that care about
him and want him around. People who are straightforward and don’t just tell him
what he wants to hear in order to get something from him.
So, maybe Bruce’s words are a bit of a cheap shot, they still work just the
same.
“Alright, Bruce. I’ll tell Oliver tonight that I have to cut back my shifts
again at the club. Happy now, Dad?” Jason says with a smile, and Bruce’s
returning one is as bright as it always is.
“Thrilled, Jaybird.”
Jason gives his shoulder a playful push.
When Dick’s leave of absence is up, and the day comes when he has to go home to
Bludhaven, he hears Tim and Dick talking in the hallway on his way to his room.
He hides around the corner, not wanting to have to come face to face with the
kid, even if this is the first time he’s heard Tim’s voice in almost two weeks.
“Can’t you just call in sick for a few days?” Tim’s meek voice asks in what is
practically a whisper.
“I’m so sorry, Tim, but I can’t. It doesn’t really work that way, kiddo. And
I’m working on a really important case right now that I have to get back and
wrap up.” Dick says in his cop voice, calming and reasonable.
“But Bruce is always so busy. And your brother… he always looks like he’s two
seconds from hitting me. He hates me.”
The kid can’t even be bothered to say Jason’s name? Not like he’s living just
across the goddamn hallway from him or anything.
“He doesn’t hate you. He just doesn’t know you. And he’s your brother now, too,
Tim. Give him a chance and I swear you’ll love him. Jason’s great.”
It’s quiet for a long time. So long that Jason can’t stand to stay still any
longer when he has so much rage bubbling through his veins. He takes the last
step around the corner and comes face to face with Tim and Dick. They both look
surprised to see him, Tim especially so. His cheeks are flushed and his eyes
are huge. He’s mortified. Too bad he still looks cute as hell.
“Oh, hey. Don’t mind me. You’re just standing in front of my fucking door.”
Jason spits at them.
“Jason,” Dick starts, trying to placate Jason while simultaneously warning him
about his attitude.
“Better stay away, Dick. You never know when I might hit you!” Jason shouts and
slams his door. He can hear Tim’s squeak even through the solid wood.
Who the hell does that brat think he is? Fuck him. Fuck him for ruining my
family and fuck him for making me ever want him in the first place.
Bruce is in his room later, lounging on his bed reading when Jason barges in.
“I can’t stand him, Bruce! I really can’t! He’s such an entitled little shit!”
“Language.” Bruce chides sternly.
“I know Dick and I were never like that. What is this kid’s problem? And to say
that he thought I was gonna hit him? Like I’d waste a punch on that little
runt.”
He’s still pacing in front of Bruce’s bed when he hears the telltale sigh,
meaning that Bruce is about to give him a lecture.
“Jason, he’s afraid. He doesn’t know us and it will take time before he’s
comfortable with all of us. He’s still recovering from the death of his family.
Give him some time before he’s ready to make a new one. He will come around.
Just let him come to you. And when he does, you two will get along great.”
Jason takes a breath, gets ready to go on his own tangent about how wrong Bruce
is when he realizes that he’s actually probably right and there isn’t really
any sort of argument here. Sure, part of him calls bullshit. When his parents
had died, he coped with it by stealing, joining a gang of teenagers and causing
minor mayhem in Gotham’s narrows. He’s coping now, with Tim in the house and
testing Jason’s will every second of every day. He drinks a little more often,
gets stoned a little more often. Chain smokes until his lungs hurt. He’s barely
able to keep control of himself some days.
But these things are his choice. Tim didn’t choose to lose his family. Didn’t
choose to be alone and in pain. Jason can be mad at him all he wants, but Tim
isn’t to blame. He can’t change what’s happening to them. Can’t change the
position they’ve all found themselves. So, Jason knows it really isn’t fair of
him to hold anything against Tim. He’ll just have to wait for Tim to come
around.
He feels even worse about his rant to Bruce once he’s walking back to his room
and can hear Tim’s sobs through his bedroom door. The tears almost seem to be a
nightly routine for Tim now.
The next day is rough. The house feels cold and suffocating. Like Tim’s sadness
has started to bleed through the walls, permeating everything and everyone
within the walls of The Manor. Everyone seems to be in a somber mood. Jason
even overhears Bruce talking to Alfred about his grief in the privacy of his
study. He really shouldn’t, but he can’t help but eavesdrop.
“I don’t know what I’m doing wrong, Alfred. I feel terrible. The child clearly
wants nothing to do with any of us. I don’t understand it. Jason and Dick had
no problem adapting here. Why isn’t Tim? What do I need to do?”
Jason watches Alfred pat Bruce’s shoulder.
“You’re doing nothing wrong, Sir. No two people on Earth are the same, Master
Bruce. Not even children. You managed to learn to navigate this twice before
and I am positive you will succeed in doing so again. Master Timothy is
grieving and learning to cope in his own way. He needs his space right now.
Soon things will be better for him, but we mustn’t rush him.”
That night at dinner, when Bruce is looking particularly dejected by another
refusal of his dinner invitation by Tim, Jason gets an idea.
“Hey, Dad,” Jason starts, because nothing cheers Bruce up quite like that, “how
about a family game night? It’s been a while since we’ve gotten to do one. I’ll
call Dick, tell him to come over. We’ll invite Barbara, too! It’ll be a big
thing. We can do it Saturday. I’ll make cookies-“
“You most certainly will not. Not in my kitchen,” Alfred interrupts when he
comes to refill Bruce’s water glass.
“Okay, Alfred will make cookies, we’ll have popcorn. It’ll be great.”
Jason can’t help but think what his thirteen- year- old self would say if he
could see him now. Probably make fun of him endlessly for being such a domestic
geek. He’d probably spit in Jason’s face for taking up house with some rich
person. The kind that used to pass Jason on the street and hardly spare him a
second glance when he was begging for a few bucks, just enough to buy himself a
sandwich. But Bruce is nothing like those men. He’s been good to Jason and has
taken care of him. Jason owes his life to Bruce, because who knows where he’d
be if the guy hadn’t taken him in. Probably in jail or worse. So, the least he
can do is play Stepford son and try to cheer Bruce up.
And that’s exactly what he does. Jason hasn’t seen Bruce smile that big in
weeks.
“That’d be great, Jason. We’ll invite Tim.”
Jason’s own smile falls at that. The whole point of his plan was to make them
forget about the kid voluntarily hiding away from them upstairs. Jason opens
his mouth to say as much when Alfred walks back in to refill Jason’s water
glass, coughing loudly in an obvious signal to Jason that it’s time to shut up.
“Yeah. Okay. I’ll invite him.”
“With tact, please.” Bruce implores. “Remember, he’s a part of this family now,
too.”
The next morning, in the brightness of the sunlight, Jason knocks on Tim’s
bedroom door. He tries to keep his frustration out of it.
Tim answers after a few annoyingly long minutes. He stares up at Jason with
same blush and terrified look that he has since he got here.
“Hey, um,” Jason falters as he takes in the sight of Tim’s room. It’s the first
time he’s seen inside since Tim’s moved in and decorated the space as his own.
There’s books everywhere, miniature statues of life sized pieces of art, a
computer sits open on the bed. There’s maps hung all over the walls of all
sorts of different countries and one of the Irish country side that Jason had
seen in person three years ago during their family vacation.
When Tim realizes Jason’s looking he closes his door just the slightest bit
more, obscuring it from Jason’s view. He flushes again and looks like he’s
about ten seconds from slamming the door in Jason’s face.
“Sorry,” Jason says nervously, scratching the back of his neck as a flush of
his own finds its way to his cheeks. “Anyway, promise I’m not here to hit you
or anything. Just wanted to invite you to family game night on Saturday. You
don’t have to come, but it’s usually pretty fun. Barbara, er, Dick’s fiancée
will be there. And Alfred’s making some amazing homemade cookies and some other
shit. Is there any particular snack you’d like?”
Tim nods but doesn’t say a thing.
“Right. Okay then. Good talk.” Jason is turning on his heel to leave and
pauses, can still feel Tim watching him from his bedroom doorway. “Also, just…
you know, if you like books, you should check out the library attached to
Bruce’s study. He never minds it when we borrow his books. He’s got thousands.
And maybe you should try to make it out to the garden sometime. There’s some
pretty cool statues out there that Bruce buys from local artists. In case
you’re interested.”
Tim gives him a strange look. Not quite the shocked look he’s been getting
lately, and there’s no blush on his cheeks this time. He can’t describe it.
Doesn’t even know Tim well enough to begin to guess what the look is for or
what Tim’s thinking. But Jason can’t help but flush again under that true- blue
gaze. He coughs awkwardly before turning away again and heading back downstairs
to watch television in the den.
He catches Tim in the library later that night, may or may not secretly leave a
mug of hot cocoa on Bruce’s desk for Tim.
When he walks into the kitchen the next morning for breakfast, he nearly runs
smack into Tim, who is on his way out. This time he receives that same
horrified look again, the one that Tim seems to have reserved specifically for
him. He ignores it to the best of his abilities before walking past him and
sitting at the breakfast bar, making himself a plate of some amazing looking
French toast.
“This is great, Al. Your best French toast ever, I think.”
Alfred smiles conspiratorially as he wipes up some powdered sugar next to
Jason.
“Thank you, Master Jason, but I am not the one responsible for this meal.
You’ll have to thank Master Timothy. He was in the kitchen even before I was
this morning. Spoke a whole three sentences to me. One of which was a question
about your favorite meal to have for breakfast. I offered my assistance, but he
rejected it. He was the sole creator of this breakfast. I simply squeezed the
juice.”
Jason eyes the bite of cinnamon-y cooked bread on his fork, studies it like
it’s going to tell him the secret to unlocking Tim. Did the kid do this for
him? And if he did, what exactly was it supposed to mean? A peace offering,
maybe? But then why did he run off again when he saw Jason?
He decides to worry about it later and finishes his breakfast.
On his way out to pick up groceries for Alfred, he passes by Bruce’s study
again. He pops his head in for only a second, just long enough to see Tim in
the bay window again, already reading a different book than he had been last
night.
The next day has the whole Manor in a buzz much more than usual. Dick had come
home early so he could hang out before game night. He and Jason play basketball
out back before coming in and having lunch. Its Alfred’s cooking this time.
Bruce is still at work for a meeting, but he’d promised to be home in time for
tonight’s activities. While they wait, both boys shower in their respective
bathrooms before heading to the home theater to kill some time and watch a few
cheesy eighties action movies.
Barbara arrives later in the evening, bringing the takeout she offered to buy,
to Alfred’s displeasure. Bruce finally makes it an hour later. Jason goes up to
Tim’s room to take him a plate of food and knocks on his door to invite him
down, but the kid never answers so Jason gives up.
He heads back to the den, they divide up their teams (even though they are
uneven) and play.
Two hours later when everyone needs a breather and heads to the kitchen to
replenish their refreshments, Dick, Babs and Jason are halted in their endeavor
when they see Tim descending the staircase.
“Hey, Tim! Where have you been hiding?! We’ve been wondering if you would join
us. Jason and Bruce could really use your help in the next round.” Babs says
cheerily, keeping the mood light.
Jason and Dick both turn to her in complete shock.
“Hi, Barbara. It’s good to see you again.” Tim mutters quietly, a small smile
on his delicate features.
Jason can’t help but notice how he looks slightly less thin than he did when he
first came to live with them, and his eyes look brighter, have more color in
them. He looks less gaunt, more alive. And something strange about that has
Jason feeling satisfied. Maybe because it’s a sign that he actually has been
eating the food that Jason’s been leaving at his door.
“Wow, you’re all grown up! I haven’t seen you in, gosh, it’s probably been four
years!”
“Uh?” Dick says, rather unintelligently.
“Oh! That’s right, I never told you. Dick, Tim’s dad and my dad met at a
charity- function years back. I used to babysit Tim for a while. Back when he
still needed help with algebra homework.” Babs says with a beautiful,
effortless smile and a wink, earning her a smile from Tim that’s almost as
heartfelt.
Jason’s heart squeezes in his chest. It’s the first time Jason’s seen him
smile, really smile, not just look like he’s wincing, since he got here. It
makes him a little bit jealous of Babs. It also makes him hate Tim that much
more for making him weak in the knees. Not to mention the fact that even after
all they’ve done to make Tim feel welcome, he’s never once shown a smile like
that to them.
Jason’s not sure what this kid’s aversion to the Wayne family is about, but he
can certainly play that game, too.
“You know, guys, I think I’m good on that drink for now,” Jason grits out,
turning his back to Tim as he makes eye contact with Babs and Dick. “Do you
guys mind if I join your team this round? Alfred and Bruce can have him.” Jason
doesn’t even bother to say Tim’s name, just nods his head behind him where Tim
is still standing.
“That’s fine, Jason,” Barbara assures him, trying to soothe the tension in the
air. “Tim, you’ll do great. Come on, grab a drink and join us!”
And Tim does. Not after Jason had invited him to, not after Bruce had asked,
no, but now he sure as hell does.
After an hour, they switch to a different game, and Jason watches as Tim picks
at some of the cookies that Alfred had baked.
“Okay, this game is in pairs. Dick, you’re with Bruce. Alfred, you’re with me.
And Tim you’re with Jason!”
Jason gives her a look that says he’s not going to speak to her for a week if
she does this, and Babs gives him a look right back that says she’s going to
pop him one if he doesn’t agree and stop being rude. Jason concedes in the end.
“Alright, everyone, grab a stack of cards,” the redhead instructs.
It takes only fifteen minutes for the group to break out into a disagreement.
It’s practically anarchy as Dick accuses Alfred of cheating and all but throws
a tantrum, acting like a small child. Barbara is in Dick’s face, telling him to
be quiet if he’s smart. Alfred is trying to talk her out of injuring Dick and
Bruce is looking slightly anxious as he asks if they can simply play another
game.
Tim and Jason are sitting next to each other on the couch, but with an entire
couch cushion between them, both staying clear of the drama. Out of the corner
of his eye, he can feel Tim looking at him and turns his head. This time the
boy blushes but meets his stare and doesn’t look away. He raises his eyebrows,
tilting his head towards the chaos. Jason is so caught off guard that he almost
forgets he’s supposed to respond.
“Yeah, I know. But it’s not always this crazy. I promise. Dick is just a sore
loser. It’s because he knows everyone in this room can kick his ass at just
about everything. He likes to try and get a win in where he can.”
Tim laughs at that. Honest to god laughs! It’s more of a giggle than an
outright chuckle, but Jason will take it. The sound is like a wind chime, like
an ocean breeze. The most beautiful and soothing sound Jason has ever heard.
And his smile is doing all sorts of crazy things to Jason’s vitals.
He manages to smile back at Tim, feeling like butterflies are trying to
actually fucking claw their way out of his stomach. And that’s all it takes for
Jason to forget about how angry he was at Tim.
Jason takes the liberty to scoot just a bit closer to Tim.
“Do you… do you like this game?” Jason wonders if he sounds like he’s prying,
because he absolutely is.
Tim shrugs, soft smile on his lips.
“First time playing it.” He says faintly.
“Dick always picks it, but clearly we need to stop letting him.” Jason jokes
and Tim hums a laugh, smile still in place. “What do you like to play?”
“I don’t know, really. I haven’t played many games like these before. I can
play poker. And chess. A few others. That’s really about it. I tend to like
strategy games.”
And that just won’t do.
Jason slips two fingers into his mouth and whistles loudly, gaining everyone’s
attention.
“Okay, enough of that bullshit. Now we’re going to play my favorite game. Same
teams. Babs, get the timer. Just watch and learn, Tim. You’ll pick up on it
quickly. Don’t worry, you’ll do just fine.”
Jason ends up catching Bruce’s eye, and the look his adoptive father gives him
makes Jason sure of the fact that this is the only family he’s ever wanted to
be a part of.
Tim does do great, he and Jason winning handily throughout the several rounds
they play. Somewhere around midnight, Bruce suggests they settle in for a movie
while Alfred cleans up.
“You wanna watch with us?” Jason asks, turning to Tim with a hopeful expression
where he now sits practically right next to Jason. He hopes he doesn’t sound
too desperate.
“Oh, um, maybe in a bit. I was actually going to take a look around the garden.
I wanted to see the, um, statues you’d mentioned before.”
The cute blush of his is back, and Jason is transfixed by the way Tim is
gnawing at his bottom lip.
“Mind if I join you?”
Tim looks almost as surprised as Jason feels, but he shakes his head in
affirmation.
“Hey, guys, you coming? We’re about to start the movie.” Dick informs them as
he grabs his drink.
Tim looks lost. Not knowing how to politely decline the invitation.
“We’ll be there in a bit. I wanna show Tim something real quick,” Jason
intervenes.
“What?” Dick queries, nervous and curious at the same time. He eyes Jason
warily.
“Richard! Don’t pester them! Let’s go!” Barbara urges, winking at Jason and
grabbing Dick by the arm, dragging him away.
Jason shakes his head, a pitying smile on his face. Dick is in way over his
head with Barbara Gordon.
“She winked at you.” Tim states bluntly once it’s just them, gazing adamantly
up at Jason.
“Yeah. She probably thinks I’m gonna try to hit you.”
Tim’s eyes widen and he takes a step away. He looks not so much scared as
immensely embarrassed.
“Shit. That was supposed to be a joke, sorry.” Jason laughs pathetically,
hoping it’ll relax Tim. It doesn’t. “Um, anyway, I can head down to watch the
movie if you’ve changed your mind about wanting me to come. I won’t be upset if
you’d rather go alone.”
Tim stares at him for a moment like he’s debating. It feels like forever and
Jason seriously considers just walking away, utterly embarrassed, when Tim
finally answers.
“You can come. Besides, what makes you think I couldn’t handle myself if you
did try to hit me?” And Tim walks towards the back door just like that.
Jason is left stunned, staring after him, and then quickly recovers and
follows, trying to make it look like this boy doesn’t already have him dick
whipped.
The two of them walk in even strides, side by side as Jason takes the lead down
his favorite garden path. It’s dark out, but being this far from Gotham City
means they have the light of the stars and moon to guide them on this clear
night.
It’s quiet between them, only slightly awkward as they make their way to the
heart of the multi- acre garden, where Bruce’s statue collection lies.
“Wow,” Tim gasps, completely awed.
He runs delicate fingers down bronze legs, plaster heads, copper arms, steel
torsos. Jason sits on the nearest bench and watches Tim, absolutely entrancing
in his own right. The small boy is beautiful, breath taking as he all but
dances in enjoyment from one statue to the next in the moonlight.
Jason quietly gets up, heads a short way down another all too familiar path,
and comes back with a surprise for Tim, who hadn’t even noticed he’d left.
“This collection is really incredible. Oh. What’s this?” He asks when he sees
what’s in Jason’s hand.
“A blue rose. Bruce created them himself. Engineered and bred the right
flowers, planted them when Dick came to live here. It’s his favorite color.” He
holds the rose out to Tim, an offering. Might as well be his fucking heart.
“When Dick and I were younger, and we used to fight really bad, I’d come out
here and rip these off their bushes until my hands bled. Dick would be furious.
But Bruce never did get mad at me about it. Just helped clean me up. Even
though I’d been a spiteful little shit.”
Tim looks up at him, eyes wide, but not in fear this time. In wonder.
“So, Bruce Wayne really is as smart and kind as they say. And here I thought it
was all hype.”
Jason laughs hard at that, loud and hysterical and probably obnoxious. Tim
looks confused, like he couldn’t have possibly said anything funny, but smiles
just the same.
“You’ll have to tell Bruce that. He’ll get a real kick out of it.” Jason
watches Tim closely and the smaller boy is watching him right back. “You know,
Tim,” he says, taking a step closer, “we don’t want to replace your family. We
just want to invite you to also become a part of ours. We’re happy we have you
here.” Jason swallows, remembers about the promise he’d made to himself, pushes
it aside for just a moment and takes another step closer. “And… I-“
Tim yelps, drops the rose and hisses as he stares down at his hand. There’s
puncture marks on his fingers and in his palm from the thorns, like Tim had
been squeezing it. Like he didn’t realize that he’d even been doing it at all.
Like he was nervous. Somehow forgot the thorns were there. Was distracted,
maybe, by… something else.
Jason cups Tim’s petite hand gingerly in his own. It’s so tiny, bird bone light
and a little clammy.
“Fuck, man. Are you alright? Ouch, this looks pretty bad.” Jason asks, still
staring at the wounds on Tim’s hand.
“I’m fine,” said shakily. Tim gently slides his hand out of Jason’s, licks at a
drop of blood on the tip of one finger. It leaves a pink stain on his bottom
lip that Jason can’t take his eyes off of.
Suddenly, Jason feels an interested twitch from his dick and physically shakes
himself, decides it is definitely time to head back to the Manor before he
actually does something stupid.
“Uh, what do you say we head back? We’ll get you cleaned up and then see what
movie they’ve got going.”
Tim nods, and he looks almost frustrated. Not with Jason, though. He won’t even
look at Jason. Maybe he’s angry with himself? Jason isn’t sure. But Tim glares
at his palm even as he cradles it as he follows Jason up the path back to the
house.
As promised, Jason helps him get cleaned up and disinfects his wounds. Maybe
goes a step overboard and wraps Tim’s whole hand in a bandage just to be safe.
He just wants to make sure the small boy is completely taken care of.
They swing by the kitchen, grabbing drinks and a bag of chips (or an apple in
Tim’s case), and head to the theater. There’s some cheesy ninety’s romantic
comedy playing that Jason is almost sure Barbara selected. Even in the dark he
can see her lips moving as she quotes it. Still, he makes himself comfortable
in the last row of seats and is more than surprised when Tim chooses the seat
right next to him.
Jason considers moving seats, getting himself as far away from Tim as possible
after his reaction in the garden. He needs space. Needs to get himself under
control. To breathe. To fucking think. Still, he stands up, digs through a
basket against the wall, and comes back to his seat, covering himself with a
blanket and offering the second one he’d grabbed to Tim.
Tim takes it, thanks him, and that look of wonder is back in his eyes. Jason
isn’t really sure why, but he isn’t all that upset by it.
Once the movie is over, Jason looks over to find Tim asleep in his chair. Bruce
and Alfred had excused themselves long ago and are already in bed. Jason is
half asleep, himself. He’d thought Barbara and Dick were, until they stand up
and turn around to take in him and Tim.
“Poor thing. He looks exhausted.” Babs says.
“Thanks for helping him relax a little, Babs. I’m glad he had fun tonight. He
deserved it. Hey, Jay, what happened to his hand?”
“Roses.” Is Jason’s simple explanation.
“Hm,” Barbara says, smirking at him. “Hey! How about next time we invite your
friend Roy, Jason? He’s funny! I bet Tim would love him!”
Dick scoffs at that.
“We want him to have fun with us, Barbara, not scar him for life.”
Jason laughs at that.
“Should we just let him sleep here?” Babs wonders aloud.
“Nah. I’ll carry him up.” Dick offers.
“That’s okay, Dick! I can do it!” Jason quickly volunteers and hopes it doesn’t
come across as needy as it sounds to his own ears.
He follows Dick and Barbara up the stairs, cradling Tim in his arms like he’s
something precious to be cared for. And honestly, it kind of feels like he
weighs about the same as one of his miniature statues would.
Dick lends a hand and opens Tim’s bedroom door before he and Barbara bid Jason
goodnight.
Jason lays Tim cautiously on his bed, not wanting to jostle him or cause him to
stir in anyway. It’s too hard to pull back the covers one handed, so he ends up
grabbing Tim’s throw to cover him up. He stares at the innocent, less troubled
sleeping face. He looks so young. As young as he is, and Jason is reminded of
just how impure and wrong his feelings for this boy are. He’s gorgeous, yes,
but it doesn’t make him any less youthful.
So, Jason chooses to do the most innocent, and yet, most satisfying thing he
can do right now. He brushes a hand over Tim’s face, pushing back the dark
silky hair, and plants a kiss right in the center of Tim’s forehead. He lets
his lips linger for a moment. Feels Tim’s heat, takes in the scent of sweat and
Tim’s shampoo.
After just the simple gesture, it’s instantly not enough for him and Jason
knows immediately he’s made a huge mistake. Of course he’s made a huge mistake.
He knew it would be a mistake even before he did it. He should walk out of
Tim’s room right now and leave The Manor altogether. He knows this. He should,
but he won’t. He needs to take this just a little bit further. Take a slightly
bigger bite of the proverbial apple. For his own sanity.
So, he presses his lips to Tim’s neck, gently. He’s been obsessed with the
absolutely gorgeous, pale column since Tim got here. It’s beautiful, slim,
truly exquisite and almost willowy in its smooth curve from the way Tim has his
head tilted back pliably. The skin there is flawless and Jason wants to lick
it. He doesn’t.
Still not enough for him, Jason allows himself one more private sin and presses
his lips softly to Tim’s. Tim doesn’t budge. There’s no pressure to the kiss,
no dampness, hardly any heat. Just a feather light touch that soothes Jason
while also making him twinge with want. Jason forces his mouth to remain closed
just as Tim’s is. He wants more. God, does he ever want more. But he won’t
allow himself to take it. He won’t. And it takes all the strength in his body
to make himself end the strange kiss.
He backs away before he loses all sense of self- control and closes Tim’s door,
heading back to his own room where he hops in the shower, washes off the night,
and jerks off quickly and methodically to relieve at least some of the wound-
up tension in his body.
It does nothing for him. He’d kept his fantasies fairly clean and as far away
from Tim as he could, but his orgasm isn’t very satisfying. He dreams of Tim
that night. Wakes up the next morning harder than he’s ever been in his life,
with flashes of a naked dream- Tim fluttering temptingly across his eyelids.
He takes another shower, this one cold, and refuses to touch himself.
He heads down for breakfast, finding everyone already awake and enjoying
waffles.
“Morning, Jay.” Tim greets him quietly.
His heart skips a beat at hearing Tim’s voice, sweet and alluring as he uses
Jason’s nickname.
“What’s this? You made breakfast again? You just cooked for us yesterday.”
Jason states dumbly, like he’s missing something profound.
“Yeah, but I just wanted to thank you all for the fun I had last night. For
giving me another chance and forgiving my prior, utterly unacceptable behavior
and for pushing me out of my comfort zone and in the right direction.” He
smiles at Jason, and Jason can feel the moment his own carefully constructed
smile falls apart into something hopeful and dopey and a little bit love
struck. “Anyway,” Tim continues with a shake of his head, focusing on the
waffles once more, “I asked Alfred what else you liked for breakfast and he
said waffles, except he said you guys never eat his. So, I decided I’d give it
a try with my own recipe and they seem to be a hit so far.”
Jason takes a bite of his and practically moans his agreement around the bite
in his mouth. Of course Tim would be a great cook, too. How could Jason not be
into this kid?
“Don’t get too comfortable behind the stove, Master Timothy. The only person
regularly allowed in this kitchen is me.” Alfred teases, earning himself one of
Tim’s smiles that are becoming less and less foreign by the minute.
“You should take his word for it,” Bruce chimes in with a laugh. “The last time
I tried to help for a few days was when Alfred sprained his wrist, and I had
hot rolls thrown at me for my trouble.”
That makes everyone laugh, except for Alfred, who is remembering that incident
perfectly.
“I don’t mind helping. I actually really enjoy cooking. I always kind of have.”
Tim doesn’t look at them when he speaks, his attention currently focused on
some fresh berries he’s slicing up.
“Well,” Alfred throws an arm around Tim, and it’s the most affection Jason’s
seen him give anyone in a long time. “Then you are most welcome in here any
time you like, young sir.”
Tim smiles hugely, his smile nearly blinding. Jason's almost certain his heart
is going to give out.
While Jason helps Alfred clean up once everyone is done, Tim finds his way back
to the kitchen to help as well.
“Um… Jason?” Tim calls to him as he puts the leftover food in storage
containers.
Jason will never get used to, nor stop loving the way his name sounds in the
soft lilt of Tim’s voice. Nor will he ever get used to watching Tim’s elegant,
yet strong hands work so decisively in everything he does.
“Yeah?” He doesn’t look up as he starts loading the dishes into the washer, not
wanting to risk meeting Tim’s eyes and have Alfred catch him struggling to look
away. Or worse, see the true emotions roiling behind Jason’s eyes.
“Um… I just… I wanted… thank you for carrying me to my bed last night. I’m
sorry you had to do that.” Tim blurts out in a rush.
Jason does look up, then. Has to, and he isn’t disappointed when he sees that
blush on Tim’s face again, his new favoriteblush.
“No problem. It was no trouble at all.” Jason gives him an easy smile, hoping
there’s no hint of a predatory look in it. “I mean, you hardly weigh a thing,
so it’s not a big deal or anything.” He has not a single idea when Alfred
managed to slip himself out of the room unnoticed.
Tim rolls his eyes, says, “I’m not that light.” Jason might just be more in
love than ever after seeing this newfound sassy side of Tim’s.
“Tim, I carried you. I knowhow light you are. What do you weigh, like, a buck?
A buck ten?”
The scandalized look Tim gives him almost makes him crack up.
“I weigh just over sixty- one kilograms, thank you, or one hundred and thirty-
five pounds.”
“Bullshit!”
“Entirely true! I do work out, you know! And muscle weighs more than fat.” Tim
states matter of fact, and punctuates his knowledge by sticking his tongue out
at Jason, a proud little smile on his face as graceful hands are placed on
slender, cocked hips.
Oh my god, I am so fucking in love with this kid.
“Whatever you say, Timmy.” Jason surrenders.
Tim nods and crosses his arms like he’s won something.
Later, when Jason finds him in the library again, he gives Tim the hot cocoa in
person. And before he has the chance to leave, Tim invites him to stay and read
with him. Only too eager to accept, Jason picks up the first book he sees, a
“how to” on regulating a pond, not that it matters. He doesn’t look at a single
page, too caught up in carefully staring at Tim over the top of the book as he
sits across from Jason.
Alfred stays true to his word of letting Tim help in the kitchen. It helps the
kid come out of his shell even more, and he always looks happy when Jason sees
him with some kind of cooking utensil in his hand. He’s an amazing chef, almost
as good as Alfred. He cooks breakfast practically every morning now, and Alfred
lets him help with most dinners, too.
Jason’s learned that Tim’s favorite thing to do in the kitchen is bake, and he
truly excels with any and all types of desserts.
The Manor starts to feel warmer after that. Almost normal again. Almost like a
home again. Not quite cozy, because no house with as many bedrooms as The Manor
can really ever be called cozy, but the closest thing to it.
Tim begins to interact with them regularly. Watches television with them. Eats
meals with them semi- regularly. And on the nights when he doesn’t join them,
Jason still goes up to his room to invite him down. He never does manage to
actually make himself extend the invitation, though. Because on those nights he
can hear Tim crying through the door again, and he decides it’s best to leave
him be.
When Tim isn’t cooking (and Jason isn’t keeping him company as he does so), he
and Jason take walks in the garden, or read in the library. Every now and then
he even works up the courage to come to Jason’s room and watch him fool around
(poorly) on his guitar. Eventually Jason talks him into checking out the game
room and Tim loves it once he finally acquiesces to Jason’s suggestion. Jason
is trying to help introduce him to other new, normal things that he obviously
never took part in in his old life. He and Tim now watch a cheesy action movie
every single day before bed, and it’s not quite like it was with Dick, but it’s
still absolutely perfect.
He agrees to start working out with Tim in the gym, and he was right,
definitely a gymnast. Tim is graceful as he moves, lithe, but he’s stronger
than he looks, too. However, it all almost ends up being a complete disaster
when Jason watches him one day on the beam. There’s sweat dripping down Tim’s
neck, his thin t- shirt becoming translucent and sticking to his chest, his
hair matted to his forehead. Jason gets so hard that he nearly falls to his
knees. He tells Tim he’s running to the bathroom and doesn’t end up coming
back. After that, he only works out with Tim while wearing an athletic cup. And
Jason doesn’t dare ever offer to go swimming with Tim in the heated basement
pool, and forget the idea of sitting in the hot tub with him. The last thing he
needs is to see Tim completely shirtless, fair skin flushed with the heat of
the water as droplets drip down his lean body.
He starts inviting Tim to hang out with him in the garage while he works on
some of Bruce’s old cars. Jason doesn’t know if he’s actually interested in it,
or if he’s faking it, but he seems to enjoy it.
The two of them become practically inseparable, one of them always following
the other around. They get along well, and conversing and socializing with each
other becomes easy. Just being in Tim’s presence makes Jason feel lighter.
That also doesn’t go unnoticed and Bruce brings it up one day while Jason is
caught reading in the library.
“You and Tim seem to be very close now. I wonder who could’ve seen that coming
when he told you to wait for Tim to come around on his own time,” Bruce tugs on
Jason’s ear playfully.
Jason swats him away, rolling his eyes.
“Yeah, yeah. Fatherly wisdom, right? You know all and see all.”
“And don’t you forget it!” Bruce commands, teasingly smacking Jason in the back
of the head.
Jason stands and tries and fails to get Bruce in a headlock, and the two rough-
house until Alfred comes in and admonishes them, demanding they sit and drink
their afternoon tea like civilized human beings. Tim joins them as well a short
time later, talking cheerily about his upcoming college entrance exams.
The newest Wayne son is hardly sad anymore. He’s hardly quiet anymore. He
hardly locks himself away anymore. Jason isn’t sure what brought on the change
in Tim’s attitude, but he is more than grateful. Even if he can’t ever have Tim
in the ways that he wants him, he knows that Tim is now one of the best things
to ever have happened to his life.
 
Chapter End Notes
     For anyone interested, the titles of the chapters are actually based
     off of the five stages of grief.
     Thanks again you guys! I so appreciate each and every one of you.
     Love to you all!
End Notes
     I really hope you guys like this and will stick with it and see how
     it ends! We'll find out together! Thank you all for giving it a
     chance!
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