Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Living on the streets was hard for anyone, but it was even worse for Omegas. Especially packless Omegas. Jason knew this fact better than most since he is a packless Omega. Not that anyone else knows that. Sure the fact he is packless was common knowledge. You can't exactly fake having a pack and get away with it for long. It was a stupid trick to pull and lead to more trouble than it was worth. So Jason never bothered with pretending to belong. Besides being packless had advantages when it came to pulling jobs. The fact he is an Omega on the other hand is Jason's best-kept secret.

Honestly, Jason should have known better. He hasn't survived 18 years in Gotham for nothing. Except he happened to stumble upon the newest Robin unconscious and bleeding in an alley. The kid is so small and doesn't look like he can be older than 10. The sight alone had his Omega seething at the thought of someone leaving a small pup in such a state. Thus Jason did something reckless and utterly stupid. He took Robin home.

Which is why what he was currently doing is so stupid. Letting out his Omega pheromones to soothe the pup while he tends to Robin's injuries. Might as well announce to the whole neighborhood that a packless Omega lives here. Jason was just asking for all kinds of trouble tonight. 

Not that Jason ever shied away from getting into trouble. He'd just prefer his secret not get out. Like at all. He really should have just left Robin in that alley. It's not like the Bats would let the kid bleed out. His Omega just wouldn't let him leave the injured pup there.

Sighing Jason refocuses on the cut in Robin's leg he has been carefully cleaning. Whatever did this sliced clean through the Robin suit as well as the skin and muscle.

"Hmmm probably needs stitches," Jason mumbles to himself as the only other occupant in his run-down home is unconscious. The problem Jason now faces is how to remove part of the suit without getting electrocuted. He's heard the rumors of those stupid enough to try getting shocked so hard their hands came away bloody and burned. Yeah, no thank you. Jason isn't doing something stupidly nice just to injure his hands. He needs those to work and feed himself.

Damian slowly comes to, which is concerning in itself. He usually wakes up fully alert from one moment to the next. So this slow swim to consciousness makes him want to panic. Yet he finds himself unable to snap himself to alertness using either panic or anger. The emotions drain out of him as quickly as he manages to gather them.

"Gonna have to try and do it with the pants on," A distinctly male voice says somewhere towards Damian's feet. Tipping over that last bit into being fully awake at the knowledge he isn't alone.

He attempts to kick at the person out of pure reflex the moment the scent of Omega registers in his mind. Only to find the Omega was actually sitting on his legs. Therefore stopping his kick before it even began. 

"Oi, if you're awake stay still unless you want crappy stitches then be my guess and struggle away," The voice from earlier snaps at Damian irritation clear in the tone.

Looking towards the voice Damian sees a dirty but still pretty enough Omega glaring at him with a Bat-worthy scowl on his face. The Omega has a needle held in a bloody hand the other holding Damian's left leg down.

"Ttch as if I'd accept stitches from an incompetent Omega," Damian scoffs stating the Omega down with bared teeth. He wasn't going to be intimidated. Mother always said when faced with a dangerous opponent you must never show weakness.

"Oh? Good to know next time I'll leave you bleeding in a fucking alley," The Omega snaps back voice sharp and cutting causing Damian to shrink back as he tries to remember what his mother told him about Omegas.

"I would have been fine," Damian retorts as he watches the Omega resume stitching up his wound with his armor still on. That more than anything else makes Damian pay closer attention. The Omega isn't holding Damian down with his free hand like he originally thought. In fact, he is holding a tear in the Robin suit as wide open as he possibly can so he can stitch up the cut in Damian's leg.

"I'm sure you would have," The Omega speaks up agreeing easily without looking away from his steady stitching. "One of the other masks would have found you and taken care of you."

"Then why?" Damian can't help but ask because he is still new to this. To being with his Father. To being in Gotham. To being Robin.

"Just couldn't leave an injured pup, simple as that," The Omega answers with a half shrug looking mildly uncomfortable as he admits it.

Damian could read that The Omega didn't like saying that out loud as if it was shameful. Which it was a little but not in the way he expressed it. He narrowed his eyes at The Omega.

"You can go once I finish patching you up. I'm not stupid enough to force you to stay or stick around here waiting for one of the others to pick you up," The Omega tells Damian rather plainly like this course of action was obvious. Damian bristles at the implication that his very presence here was offensive enough to make The Omega abandon his nest.

"Then why bring me here!" He growls at The Omega teeth now bared in a snarl at the bigger male. He honestly isn't surprised by the fierce warning growl he gets in return. It was rather befitting of an Omega as were the fangs now bared at him.

"Shut up I'm almost done," Is the only reply The Omega gives Damian before he returns to stitching up Damian's leg. The only difference is the low threatening growl that continues to fill the air.

Jason was scared. He had made his place stink he needed to leave as soon as he's done with the stitches the kid was already snapping at him. He didn't need to bring more trouble on himself. He needs to pack up his things and abandon this apartment.

The only good thing was that no one knew this apartment was where Jason lived. One of the few perks of living on the streets was finding abandoned places to live and not having to pay rent. Honestly, Jason was a little pissed at himself. This apartment was the nicest place he has lived since he became an orphan. Only to be forced to leave it cause he was too weak to ignore a pup in need.

Whatever it didn't matter anymore. Jason just needed to finish up the stitches and bandage the wound. Then Robin could leave and Jason could start packing.

"There," Jason states as he ties off the stitches and cuts off the excess. He turns only enough to grab the gaze and bandages while keeping Robin in his line of sight. Hey, the kid may be a hero but this is Gotham and Jason is packless. He isn't taking any more chances tonight.

"I can't smell you anymore," Robin speaks up sounding mildly alarmed which was a bit odd but Jason focuses on quickly and efficiently bandaging the stitches he just finished.

"Like I said not stupid," Was the off-handed reply Jason snapped back at the kid. Seriously what was up with this Robin? Everyone knows how dangerous it is for an Omega to be alone on the streets. Especially in Gotham.

Damian blinked and felt woozy. Such a quick shut-off on scent left him stumbling. He could still smell the omega but not from the source now it was just the lingering scent. What had he meant? He wasn't stupid? Damian knew it wasn't safe to project your scent but that really only applied if.... If... If you were worried about being trafficked. And trafficking omegas was a profitable business in Gotham. Most omegas were packless and easy pickings especially in Crime Alley

Damian suddenly feels a sense of rage fill his blood making it boil. Grayson had tried telling him how different things are here in Gotham compared to what he was used to. Something Damian had reluctantly agreed to after seeing all those soft whimpering weak Omegas at a Wayne Gala he was forced to attend. Yet he forgot all about that when faced with such a prime example of an Omega he grew up learning about. Fierce, protective, quick to defend, clever, and oh so cunning.

So to learn this Omega that was so much like the ones his mother told him about was afraid of being trafficked. It made Damian furious. Worse yet that the Omega was only in danger and was likely to abandon his nest because he stopped to help Damian.

It wasn't fair. It wasn't right.

"Where will you go?" Damian can't help but ask the Omega voice tight from holding back his anger. The Omega merely looks at Damian like he asked a stupid question. Which ok, Damian can admit it wasn't the smartest thing to ask an Omega who was clearing getting ready to run.

"Go home Robin," The Omega snaps at him as he rises off Damian having finished tending to his wounds. Damian tests the mobility he has in his leg. He watches the Omega wash off the blood on his hands before quickly packing away the first aid supplies.

"I'm sorry," Damian grits out through his teeth, his gaze fixated on the floor as an apology was the least he could do, pride be damned. The Omega was now homeless because of him after all.

The laugh surprises him and he snaps his gaze to the Omega. The older male meets his gaze with an amused smirk. Oh, he has robin egg blue eyes. They are a pretty shade too but while the color is what caught Damian's eye first. The intensity of the gaze is what holds him.

"Don't. Your pity is unwanted Boy Wonder," Is what the Omega snarls before he swiftly turns away to resume packing. "Now get out of here before someone decides to drop in to pick you up."

Damian grumbles because he had grown a little attached to this Omega. He wanted to take the Omega home and make him comfortable. Build him a nest and give him every reason to never want to leave. He hated getting attached. He wasn't going to be like Father and bring home a stray. He wasn't.

Except this Omega went out of his way to tend to Damian's injuries, at the risk of not just his life but his very self. All when he didn't have to. He could have left Damian in the alley he fell into before he lost consciousness. The Omega even admitted he knew Damian would have been fine without his help.

He wasn't going to take home a stray. He absolutely wasn't. But maybe he could pay the Omega back for his kindness by giving one of the lesser used safehouses to him. Preferably one of the more well stocked ones. Damian fears under the baggy clothes the Omega wear he would be able to see ribs.

"It's not pity, I simply wish to repay my debt," Damian declares, getting to his feet properly now that he's come up with a plan of action. The Omega pauses in his packing to give Damian a look full of suspicion.

"Look I know of a place you can stay temporarily until you find a new home. It's the least I can do for putting you into this situation," Damian hurries to say before the Omega could outright reject his offer before he could explain.

Jason hesitated and then he nodded. "Fine. I'll take it on one condition. You make sure your team knows not to go there and why. I don't need capes intruding on my business."

Robin looks hesitant for only a moment before a look of determination replaces it as he nods. "I can't promise that my Father won't send someone or stop by himself to check if my claim is true. But I can make them promise to leave the safehouse and you alone after that first intrusion."

Jason stares Robin down as he processes this information. He wants to turn it down at the thought of his space no matter how temporary being invaded like that. Yet at the same time he understands where the Bats would be coming from. Cause technically he is the one temporarily invading their space.

"Fine. So long as it ain't Batman I'll accept that," Jason reluctantly agrees to the added condition simply because this is his best option not only can he leave as soon as he finishes packing. He will be heading to a safe place immediately. Dealing with a single intrusion from another cape just to confirm he isn't a threat seems like a fair trade so long as it isn't the Bat himself.

Robin looks very pleased with Jason's acceptance. Even with his refusal for it to be Batman himself. The kid even rushes around to help Jason pack. Apparently in just as much of a rush to get Jason out of here as he himself is.

Damian knew he had to work fast. Father and Drake were no joke at tracking him down, and he wanted to have the Omega moved before that happened.

If he was lucky Grayson would be the one to find them first. But Damian wasn't going to risk those odds. Thus he had to get the Omega moved before anyone tracked him down. Given he had no idea how long he was unconscious he had to work under the assumption that could happen at any moment.

Damian felt a tug at his heart when he realized that everything the Omega owned fit inside a single duffle bag. Convenient for them yes, but something Damian couldn't help but feel was wrong.

Shoving the feeling aside Damian led the Omega to the window that opened to the fire escape. "It'll be quicker if I take you to the safehouse myself, so just hold on tight."

The Omega gives Damian a quick once over before he slings the dufflebag onto his bag and fastens it tight to his body. Smart it would have been bad if the duffle bag got dropped mid transport.

"If you drop me. I'll make you regret it," The Omega threatens him lowly as he wraps his arms firmly around one of Damian's shoulders and chest. Oddly enough Damian believes the Omega would make good on that threat.

"Ttch as if I'd drop you. I'm not Drake," Damian retorts in a huff and realizes a beat too late his slip. Luckily the Omega doesn't bring attention to his name drop. Mother was right, Omegas are rather dangerous creatures.

Jason snickers on the inside. The kid was terrible at keeping their secret identities. But he felt the kid wouldn't hold back on punching him, so he kept quiet.

The initial fall after they jumped off the fire escape before Robin's grapple caught their weight, was exhilarating. Watching the capes fly over the rooftops for years had always looked like the ultimate freedom to Jason growing up. But experiencing it first hand was the confirmation of those thoughts. The few seconds Robin has them flying through the air as he shoots out the next grapple feels like everything Jason thought it would. He can't help the gleeful shouts and joyful laughter the entire trip.

The landing is a little rough but Jason thinks that's his fault for suddenly wrapping his legs around Robin too. It was an instinctive reaction seeing the ground rushing up towards them. Still Robin remained on his feet and aside from a glare tossed his way the kid didn't react to his actions. So Jason counts that as a win.

"This is the place," Robin declares as he walks to the roof access door. The kid enters in a code Jason hopes he will be given before opening the door. "I'll write down all the security information you will need once we get inside." Robin states as if reading Jason's mind. Then again it was probably more common sense than a secret mind reading ability that brought Robin to the correct conclusion.

"Thanks," Jason tells Robin with a genuine smile still high from the flight through Gotham they took. He takes a quick look around before following Robin to the door and then inside. They weren't in Crime Alley anymore. Technically they weren't in any of the nicer areas of Gotham, just a decent one. But to Jason it might as well have been a five star hotel, and he hasn't even seen the inside yet.

Damian felt the back of his neck prick and he knew he hadn't been fast enough. Grayson had been tailing them but he wasn't getting any closer. He was just watching. He hoped it would stay that way until he got the Omega settled in.

Damian leads the Omega down the stairs to the door at the bottom. Typing in yet another code in the keypad next to the doorframe. He finally opens the door to the decently sized apartment with sole rooftop access. He walks straight to the kitchen island that still had a pen and pad on it, from the last time he used this safehouse.

"The doors to the roof have separate codes. A will represent the door to the apartment we just walked through and B will represent the door that leads to the roof. Please don't mix them up, you only get two chances before the codes will change themselves as a security measure. The key to the apartment's front door is located in a box on the table by said front door. The kitchen was recently stocked so you won't have to worry about food. And the same goes for all the utilities including electricity, internet, and the tv," Damian informs the Omega as he writes everything that the older male will need to know as well as everything he just said and some. Just in case. He doesn't know if the Omega has a good memory or is even listening to him.

Either way it doesn't matter once Damian writes everything down he has to leave. He doesn't think Grayson will come in, but he also doesn't want to risk it.

"I left a way for you to contact me so you can inform me when you leave and we can use this safehouse again," Damian says as he sets the pen down having finished writing down everything he needed to. He turns back around and sees the Omega doesn't seem to have been listening as he slowly looks around the room with an expression of open wonderment on his face.

"Stay as long as you need to," Damian tells the kind Omega and heads towards the door he entered from.

"Jason," The Omega states, suddenly stopping Damian in his tracks. "Thought you should know my name since you're helping me out so much, Robin."

"Thank you Jason," Damian tells him not sure what he was thanking the older for just that it felt right. Then he turns back around and leaves without another word.

Dick is right there as soon as Damian leaves the apartment building "What was that all about?"

Damian looks back at the roof access door that leads to the apartment he left Jason in before meeting Grayson's gaze.

"He found me bleeding out and unconscious in Crime Alley. Took me back to his place and tended to my injuries. I didn't make it easy so he had to use his omega pheromones to calm me and by doing so he ran the risk of traffickers snatching him," Damian states just giving Grayson the important parts of what happened to explain the situation. Thankfully it was Grayson and not Drake or Father so this kind of hurried explanation Damian could get away with.

Dick nodded "Good enough for me Baby Bird. Come on let's get you home. Although you might want to explain more to the other two. They would be … less understanding." He frowned slightly.

"I'm aware. I also have to convince Father and Drake that beyond the initial threat assignment Father will no doubt demand we aren't to use this safe house for the time being. Jason doesn't want his capes intruding on his business," Damian nods his head with a sigh. Jason wasn't aware how much he was asking of Damian when he made that a condition. But Damian would endure because he had grown a little attached and he wanted to keep Jason safe as much as the feisty Omega would let him.

Glancing back one last time Damian steels his resolve and throws himself off the roof with the destination of home in mind.

Chapter Text

As much as Tim didn't want to. He had to go closer to the demon brat's loudness to grab the case file he left near the batcomputer. Which he forgot in his latest quest to get more coffee.

"Would you rather I left him to be picked up by Omega traffickers!" Damian's voice pierces Tim's brain causing the throbbing to worsen. Despite the headache though Tim is fully focused on whatever Damian is shouting about the moment 'Omega traffickers' leaves his lips. It is a serious problem in Gotham's poor section, especially Crime Alley. Packless Omegas preferably but the traffickers will take any Omega they see alone if given the chance.

"We know nothing about this Omega. Nothing at all and you took him to one of our safehouses," Bruce replies, in a dangerously low tone. One he typically uses to intimidate. It works quite well too, just not on the occupants currently in the cave.

"What's going on here," Tim asks, deciding to make his presence known as he steps up next to Dick.

Damian's yelling goes uninterrupted and Bruce's replies to the kid's shouting don't stop either. 

Dick smirks at Tim "Little D got hurt in Crime Alley and got picked up by a Packless Omega. Said Omega stitched his stab wound together. Though in an attempt to calm Dami down, the Omega compromised his last living place via pheromones. So Damian gave him one of our safehouses on the condition that no capes were allowed inside."

Tim simply nods his thanks for the brief recap Dick gives him. He's sure there's more to the situation than what was just said. But whether Dick knows it or not is another story entirely.

"Ten bucks says Damian adopts him. In let's say two months'' Dick pipes up sounding way too amused by the entire situation.

"I'm not making an uninformed bet with you," Tim replies sharply as he watches the drama between Bruce and Damian continue to unfold. A lesson Tim learned the hard way in the past and one Dick wishes he hadn't been so quick to learn.

"Which one?" Tim asks after a few moments of simply watching the same argument be worded differently.

"Near the Upper East side the one with the sole rooftop access," Dick answers smoothly, not needing to clarify what Tim was asking about, having expected the question from the beginning.

"Damn, I liked that one," Tim grumbles no doubt thinking of the superb coffee shop down the street from said safehouse.

"At least you don't still have stuff there," Dick counters Tim's woes with his own thinking of the two duffle bags he left in that safehouse last he crashed there. One stuffed with civilian clothes and the other with some of his Nightwing gear. Not that Dick was going to tell anyone about that second bag unless he had to. He didn't fancy a lecture from everyone today.

Dick just hoped the Omega wouldn't go digging for anything. He probably wouldn't but one could still worry.

"You can send Grayson or Drake to interrogate him if you must, Father, but once you do that's it. He doesn't want us interfering with his life while he stays there," Damian declares hotly having saved this as a last resort. He had been hoping to get Father to agree just to leave Jason alone completely but the man refused to budge.

"If that's the case it'd be better if I-" His Father begins to say but Damian knows exactly where he is going and cuts him off fiercely.

"Jason said anyone but you Father. He implied he'd run if Batman showed up and that would ruin everything," Damian stares down his Father's infamous Batglare refusing to back down on this. He gave Jason shelter and food. Along with the hope of not scraping by to survive for a while. He refused to take it away from the Omega so soon.

"Very well," Father finally relents and Damian feels a rush of triumph, elation, and satisfaction from having kept his word to Jason. "But I'll have whoever I send record the encounter."

A small price to pay for Jason to be left in peace. "That is acceptable," Damian agrees with a nod honestly having expected that to be the case from the beginning.

Damian felt off kilter. He'd fought with Father before but he'd never felt so strongly about something never needed to get his way like this before. It left him feeling wrung out. And sides his leg still really hurt from where he'd been stabbed and he'd been standing the whole time.

"Now that you have settled that matter. Master Damian please come with me so I can check your wounds," Alfred states walking towards the Cave's medical ward as he does. Damian complies easily with the old Beta. Knowing that he must be worried sick over the condition of his injuries. Even Damian is worried he might have accidentally aggravated some during his argument with Father.

He wasn't exactly taking it easy while he fought to have his way, after all. He only hopes Father sends Grayson to and not Drake to interrogate Jason. His eldest brother is by far the best at reading people out of all of them. Father included. He also knows Grayson can be the most gentle out of all of them as well. Unlike Drake who will simply do whatever he thinks he must to get the answers he is looking for. Damian doesn't want Jason to feel he's in danger just by staying in the safehouse.

Damian watched Alfred look over the stab wound and the old beta looked a little surprised but relatively happy. "That omega did good work Damian."

The sudden rush of pride at hearing Alfred's claim was a bit unexpected. Pride in someone else's work wasn't something Damian had much experience with. Even so he was happy that Jason's medical skills passed Alfred's inspection.

"His name is Jason and from what I gather speaking to him he's been on the street packless for several years now," Damian tells Alfred knowing his grandfather figure will always listen to whatever any of them have to say.

"I see that is concerning. Did you manage to figure out how old Jason is?" Alfred inquires simply as he walks over to get new bandaging. Damian freezes in removing the armored pants. The question is so simple and obvious Damian is a bit ashamed to admit the thought never crossed his mind. He not once stopped to consider Jason's age beyond the fact he could tell the Omega was older than him.

"No I didn't. I was only able to determine he is older than me. I just assumed he was around Drake's age but I don't know for sure," Damian admits as he starts to remove his armored pants once more. Alfred needed to put the bandages on his skin after all.

Alfred hummed in thought for a moment "The boy could be closer to Master Dick's age. If he's living on the streets he won't be the correct size for his age." He came back to apply the bandages.

"An age range of 15 to 22 huh," Damian muses as he watches Alfred apply the bandages over Jason's stitches. He hoped his first assumption was correct and Jason was indeed closer to Drake's age than Grayson's. He didn't like the idea of Jason suffering the consequences of living so poorly for the rest of his life. Having the development of one's body be stunted so permanently is saddening.

"Or slightly older than Master Richard you can never really tell with those who grew up on the streets of Crime Alley," Alfred states calmly as he steps back to give the finished bandages a quick inspection. Once satisfied that they were done as expertly as always Alfred meets Damian's eyes. "You did well giving young Jason a safehouse to stay in Master Damian."

Damian preens a little under Alfred's approval. Father and Drake may not be happy with what Damian did but at least Alfred and Grayson approve.

Chapter Text

The apartment Robin left Jason in was breathtaking. The only reason Jason didn't flat out reject the place upon seeing it is that Robin gave off rich kid vibes. So Jason was positive the kid thought the apartment was small or just decent. Which it most definitely is not.

The apartment was huge. It had a nice big open kitchen with a connected dining room. The living room was even bigger with a couch big enough for someone 6 feet tall to sleep on, a love seat, a reclining arms chair, a very nice coffee table, and a fucking 58" flatscreen TV mounted on the wall opposite the couch. The apartment had its laundry room with a fully functioning washer and dryer inside. There were even two bedrooms, one with its bathroom and both of which were bigger than the apartment Jason just ran from. There was also another complete bathroom next to a room that was filled with workout equipment. Honest to god fancy workout equipment.

It was the nicest place Jason was likely to stay in his entire life. This is why he wasted absolutely no time taking advantage of what was available to him. Taking a shower in the master bedroom's bathroom was a divine experience. Getting all the dirt and grime off took time but for once Jason had that time. And after finally getting the cleanest he's been in years Jason wasn’t keen on putting any of his clothes back on until they were washed. He also didn't feel like walking around the apartment in just a towel.

So he started to snoop around the apartment in the slim hope that one of the capes left some clothes here. Jason doubted he would find anything that would fit him but something was better than nothing. The duffle bag filled with clothes he found in the workout room was like striking gold. They smelled strongly of an Alpha and would be too big on Jason but beggars can't be choosers. So he just rifled through the bag picking out a pair of gray sweats with drawstrings he could tie and a blue shirt that was made of the softest material Jason ever felt.

Dressed in the oversized clothes Jason adjusted the pants but didn't bother with the shirt before making his way to the kitchen. Robin had said it was recently stocked and Jason was looking forward to having a fresh home-cooked meal.

Dick had been asked by Bruce to check out the ome-Jason as soon as possible. He was watching him move around in the kitchen in... his clothes. Huh. Fair enough. He probably didn't have enough clothes to have two changes. Dick decided entering through the front door and knocking was probably superior to coming through the window unannounced.

He didn't want Jason to feel his current residence could be invaded at any time any more than he probably already did. So Dick broke into the building through a hallway window and made his way over to the door and knocked firmly. Dick could hear the rustling inside indicating Jason moving about. It was only a few short moments after he knocked that the door opened. The look of confusion on Jason's face shifted to one of open surprise before the guy schooled his expression to a more neutral one.

"I was expecting you to just barge in through a window or something," Jason states as he steps aside to let Dick enter. Which he happily does with a sheepish laugh.

"Most of the time I would but I felt it would be better received if I knocked at your door," He tells Jason with an easy smile as the door shuts and locks behind him. Dick can't help but notice how small Jason looks, especially in his clothes. The sweats are rolled up at least three times and his shirt slipped off one of Jason's shoulders. The 5 or 6-inch height difference between them doesn't help with the image either.

"Should have just come in through the window," Jason retorts as he heads back towards the kitchen and Dick hadn't expected that. "It's fucking insulting to change how you do things. I ain't no damsel omega in need of reassurance. I know damn well what I agreed to when Robin told me one of you would be dropping by." Jason snaps at Dick’s words heated and angry and yeah Dick hadn't expected that either.

"I meant no offense. I just didn't want to give you the wrong impression since after I leave tonight we won't be dropping by here uninvited again. For the entire duration of your stay," Dick attempts to soothe the other with his words and voice alone. It must have done something because Jason's shoulder relaxes as he continues to move about in the kitchen. Dick takes a seat at the island to simply watch the other cook.

"Oh. Well, thanks I guess. But honestly opening the door to find Nightwing standing there was a lot more unsettling than you just showing up," Jason states, and huh Dick never thought of how it might appear outside of his intent behind the action. Any of the others would have taken the gesture in stride. But Jason is a civilian who grew up on the streets. Thus Dick could see how his little break of routine and expected behavior could come across as unsettling to Jason.

Jason sighs softly and goes back to the stove where he was cooking. He glanced over his shoulder "So did the big bad bat send you? I can't imagine the brat would. He seemed honest. A little naive but honest."

Nightwing gives a fond smile at that as he decides to lean on the island between them.

"Yeah, Batman sent me to interrogate you. I apologize in advance for some of the questions I will have to ask you," Nightwing answers smoothly which was nice Jason didn't need someone attempting to intimidate answers out of him. This blunt straightforward approach Nightwing seemed to be taking was very much appreciated.

"Alright might as well get the obvious stuff out of the way then," Jason states as he stirs the vegetables around the pan. "My name is Jason Peter Todd. I'm 18 years old and I've lived on the streets by myself for the last 9 years. Before that I was taking care of my drug-addicted Mom and who the hell knows what happened to my father. I steal, fix things, and do other odd jobs to survive."

Jason lets Nightwing take in the information he just dumped on the man, as he adjusts his cooking to be for two rather than just himself. He has no idea how long this interrogation will take and he isn't going to be rude and eat in front of Nightwing without offering him food first.

Nightwing was staring at him so intensely it was giving him chills. "Well, that eliminates most of my questions. Any gang affiliations or affiliations with our local Arkham lovelies? Anyone hunting you?"

"When I was younger I was forced to be a mule once for one of the gangs but Batman and the first Robin took them out and I was able to get away. Beyond that I just sell them some stolen goods from time to time and fix up their cars cause they pay well," Jason begins to answer the questions honestly. This is a good setup he has stumbled his way into. He isn't going to mess it up by lying. So he'll tell the truth no matter how uncomfortable it is for him to do so.

"As for the 'Arkham lovelies' Harley saved me from being raped when I was 12. After that, I'd find random stolen goods or just plain cash left for me with notes from Harley, Ivy, and Catwoman. It only happens once or twice a year though and I haven't had any in-person encounters with them after that first one. They never left them where I live. Just somewhere I could find," Jason continues though this truth was a bit harder to get through.

Admitting he had somewhat friendly ties with three of Gotham's notorious villains was stupid on a normal basis. Admitting it to the Bats was beyond dumb, but Jason felt it'd be worse if he didn't tell and they found out later. Cause Jason had no delusions that Batman wouldn't uncover every dirty secret Jason had if the man wanted to. Probably even ones Jason himself didn't know. Nightwing just keeps up that intense stare as Jason reveals everything.

"Ehem yeah to my knowledge no one is hunting me unless someone clues in that I was the one living in my old apartment no one would even care if I disappeared," Jason finishes answering the questions at the same time he finishes the simple stir fry he made for a very late dinner.

Dick nodded he wasn't worried about his relationship with Catwoman, Harley, or Ivy. They were okay by bat stats. He blinked in surprise at the food being set on a plate in front of him. "Thank you???"

The glare Dick receives from Jason in response to his surprised gratitude was impressive. Though it also let Dick know he somehow offended the younger. So he just starts eating the food set in front of him before it gets taken away. It was the right move cause Jason stopped glaring. Plus it was delicious.

The appreciative moan was earned in Dick's book. This simple dish was on par with Alfred's cooking and Dick doesn't make that comparison lightly. The sudden soft scent of pleased Omega was worth the small slip of Dick's control. Cause it made him realize starkly how little he could actually smell from Jason until that exact moment.

Then just as suddenly as the scent began to flow it cut off abruptly at the source. Leaving behind just faint traces of a happy and pleased Omega.

"You're a really good cook," Dick compliments Jason, choosing not to comment on the teen's frankly amazing scent control. He still makes a mental note to tell Bruce about the ability though.

When he finished his food he remembered his bag of stuff that he'd left. He won't take his civilian clothes but he should take his Nightwing stuff. He should also probably inform Jason where extra weapons and first aid supplies were just in case.

"Well, that's all I had to ask," Dick declares as he stands up from his seat with a satisfied grin on his lips. Jason looks up at him briefly before he gathers their dirty dishes and goes to wash them immediately. Man Alfred would have loved Jason if Bruce had taken him in.

With Jason busy, Dick takes this moment to quickly go grab the duffle bag with one of his extra Nightwing suits from where he hid it. It honestly didn't take long to pick the bag up from the hidden compartment in the workout room.

Jason is still waiting for him with crossed arms when he returns to the common area. He is leveling Dick with such a suspicious stare that Dick honestly feels like a creep under it.

"Not snooping, just taking the extra suit I left here," Dick explains, holding the duffle bag up as proof. That thankfully seems to reassure Jason and he gives Dick an understanding and as he drops that suspicious look.

"Would be pretty stupid to leave that laying around with me here," Jason declares with a smirk, and ok that attitude of his was definitely a sign of where he grew up. As most civilian Omega wouldn't dream of giving anyone such sass let alone someone that is widely acknowledged as a strong fighter like Nightwing is. Dick can definitely see why Damian took a liking to Jason.

"Here let me show you where all the hidden first aid supplies are and weapons are just in case," Dick tells Jason and gives his own smirk at the surprised look that briefly crosses the younger's face.

Jason was a little bit relieved that Nightwing would show him where the first aid and weapons were. He likes having supplies on hand and a way to defend himself.

Nightwing led Jason to the bathroom next to the workout room first. He revealed a hidden compartment behind the mirror that had a very impressive range of medical supplies within. There were several packs better stocked than Jason's own measly first aid kit.

The weapons revealed were even more impressive as they were hidden throughout the apartment and ranged from bo staffs to even one of Nightwing's own electrified Escrima sticks. It soothed Jason's Omega to know he had such a wide variety of options to choose from if they need to defend himself ever arose.

"Well, it was nice meeting you, Jason. I do hope we meet again," Nightwing tells Jason before slipping out a window and flies into the night. It is an utterly gorgeous sight to behold Nightwing mid-flight as he runs and flips across the rooftops of Gotham.

Shutting the window Jason can't stop the smile as he adds another Bat to his list of ones he wouldn't mind seeing again. Turning away from the window Jason decides it is about time he washes those filthy clothes he never got the chance to truly clean before.

Man Jason really was going to miss living in such luxury when the time came for him to leave.

When Dick got back to the cave Tim and Bruce were waiting to receive the recording.

Sighing Dick hands it over without a word. Knowing it would only make things worse if he didn't. Jason was just a packless Omega who did what he needed to without selling himself to survive on the streets. He also couldn't shake the feeling that Jason knew he was being recorded the entire time too.

"What was your impression of the guy," Tim asks as they watch Bruce get the recording loaded up on the Batcomputer to watch from every possible angle.

"Jason is a good guy who just did what he needed to survive. He's got an attitude but nothing we haven't encountered from other capes. And I'm pretty sure Alfred would adore him," Dick replies simply knowing Tim would watch the recording too and form his own opinion with or without his input.

"Anyways I'm going to sleep it's 3 a.m. and I have a 7 a.m. shift at the PD," Dick declares, patting Tim on the shoulder before he heads to the Cave's showers to shower quickly and change out of his suit. Alfred was very adamant about his no suits and masks in the manor after all.

Tim nods and puts in the recording. He feels Bruce standing behind him waiting to watch it with him.

Tim watches the video blandly and he wasn't surprised by the info about the three local ladies. They were fond of supporting strays from crime alley. He was surprised by the food and snickered softly at Dick. Jason didn't seem like a threat, just a kid from Crime Alley. He was a little surprised by the kid's age though. He was expecting Jason to be his age, not eighteen.

Judging from the utter lack of reaction from Bruce behind him. Tim could tell that the man came to the same conclusion they all seem to have. Jason wasn't a threat. Though when he glanced back at Bruce he couldn't stop the amused smile from spreading on his face. He's seen that expression before.

It was the same look Bruce gave him and Cass before he adopted them. It was the look he gave Dick when he stayed at the manor longer than a day. It was the look he gave Damian when the Demon Brat acted his age. It was the look of a pack Alpha watching over a member of their pack.

Poor Damian, he's going to be fighting Bruce more in the immediate future.

Chapter Text

Jason had gotten settled into his new living arrangements quite nicely these last three weeks. He's happily taken advantage of everything being paid for and some digging revealed that groceries get delivered here once every month. So he didn't have to worry about eating all the food and leaving nothing behind like an ungrateful brat.

He's gotten into a habit of showering every day. Which led him to change his clothes every day. That led to the habit of wearing the Alpha's clothes he found his first night here when he had to wash his four changes of clothes. He's pretty sure the duffle bag of clothes belongs to either Red Robin or Nightwing he just hasn't figured out which yet.

As such Jason has gotten rather familiar with the Alpha's scent. Thus when he smells a fresh wave of that scent not coming from the clothes he is wearing. Jason takes notice. He looks around the coffee shop to see if he can spot the source of the scent from where he stands in line.

Unfortunately, luck doesn't seem to be on Jason's side this time. Glancing at the five people in front of him Jason debates the merits of stepping out of line to hunt down the source of the scent. When out of nowhere a hand lands on Jason's shoulder causing him to jump and turn towards his attacker.

"Well look what we have here," A fucking cop states gleefully as she looks down at Jason like Christmas came early. Jason's first thought is to fucking high tail it out of there but he firmly reminds himself that this isn't Crime Alley. He isn't in immediate danger and acting like he is guilty of something would lead to the trouble he is trying to avoid.

"Excuse me," Jason snarls back, allowing himself to look as annoyed as he feels. Just because he is in a nicer area doesn't mean he has to be nice to someone who randomly approaches him.

"Now where has he been hiding a cutie like you," The woman nearly sings, completely ignoring Jason as she drags him out of line and towards the shop's door.

"Hey my tea and pastries," Jason can't help but whine as he is quite literally physically dragged away from the line and his desired mid-day snack.

"Oh, Sweetie I will pay for all that and more just come with me everyone is going to flip," The woman reassures Jason as she speeds up their pace. And well Jason isn't one to turn down free food, no matter how nice his current situation.

So he follows the lady-cop out of the shop without another complaint. She leads Jason to a group of five other Officers of the GCPD.

"Hey, boys look what I found!" She shouts gleefully and Jason is still confused until the scent hits him. It's the same Alpha scent as the one on the clothes he's wearing. Jason snaps his gaze to the source of the scent and meets bright azure blue eyes.

Huh looks like the duffle bag of clothes was Nightwing's after all, cause the hot cop before him, is too tall to be Red Robin. How the hell did these capes manage to keep their identities secret for so long?

"Who's the kid?" One Officer McKinley asks as he looks up at Jason and the woman Officer's arrival. Jason can feel the gazes of the other Officers on him too but he can't tear his gaze away from the blue eyes of Nightwing. And damn Jason is going to have to come up with a nickname for the guy so he doesn't slip that tidbit.

"I don't know, why don't you tell us who this little cutie is Officer Grayson," The woman croons placing both hands on Jason's shoulders and he can't repress the flinch fast enough for his liking. The woman seems oblivious to Jason's discomfort. But the name Grayson rings a bell. Richard 'Dick' Grayson the circus boy Bruce Wayne adopted. Oh. Well, that gave Jason a bit more than a nickname to think on.

"Hey Jason how've you been," Nightwing asks him instead of answering the woman behind him. Jason shrugs her hands off his shoulder and steps closer to the hero disguised as a cop.

"Been really good the new place is amazing," Jason states with a cheeky smile on his lips as he looks up into those very blue eyes. He sees Nightwing smile in return and can't help but want to stir up some mischief.

"You been eating good or does the sight of a proper meal still surprise you?" He can't help but tease the older male and wow that slight blush looks nice on that golden skin. The laughter of the other Officers tells Jason that his words might hold more truth than just a hint to their first meeting.

"Aw come on Jaybird don't you hound on me too," Nightwing's immediate response has Jason's Omega rearing its head in concern.

"Like I'd ever stop, you need to take proper care of yourself Circus Boy your work is important," Jason snaps at Nightwing getting in his space with such a look of angry disapproval the older man actually looks properly scolded.

"Oh god, this is better than I thought," Jason hears the woman comment from behind him, but he doesn't look away from Nightwing for a moment.

Nightwing looks flustered and he grumbles hunching his shoulders and crossing his arms like a scolded child. "Doesn't mean you have to treat me like I only eat fast food and coffee."

Jason raises an eyebrow and crosses his arms.

"I don't!" Nightwing insists but Jason just keeps staring at him expression unchanged. The man squirms under his gaze and it's very amusing but Jason isn't letting this revealed bit of information go. Nightwing is a hero of Gotham he refuses for the man to go down simply because he isn't eating right.

"Sorry man I don't think cereal counts," One of the Officers speaks up and Nightwing shoots him a betrayed look.

"Palouza!" Nightwing snaps sounding as betrayed as he looks. Jason just gives Officer Palouza a sweet smile before turning back to Nightwing and pulls the man down to his eye level by the collar.

"Take out, cereal, and coffee seriously?" Jason lists off utterly appalled by such a diet. Especially for someone, he knows has a physically demanding lifestyle. He looks Nightwing directly in the eyes silently daring the man to try and defend his horrid diet.

"Okay, I'll do better I promise. I'll stop by home more often for healthy home-cooked meals," Nightwing relents placing a hand on Jason's waist and the other on the hand currently fisted in the man's collar.

"Dick likes 'em young huh," Jason hears someone attempt to whisper behind him but he ignores it in favor of staring Nightwing down.

"Alright," Jason relents once he determines Nightwing means what he says and releases his hold on the Alpha's uniform.

Jason smirks "Maybe for good measure I should tell your youngest brother. He seems like someone who would vehemently disapprove and would make sure you come home more often." Most likely at sword point.

"Oh bringing Damian into the mix someone isn't afraid to play dirty," The woman Officer states gleefully obviously enjoying this entire situation. Jason wouldn't be surprised if she turned out to be Nightwing’s cop partner with how invested she is into this. He also silently thanks her for yet another bit of Bat information. No matter how unknowingly it was given.

By this point, Jason can confidently say he knows the identities of the entire Batfamily. Not that he'll say anything. At least not until he has a reason to show the Bats he knows. He doesn't miss the quick glare Nightwing gives the woman either.

"No need to tell Dami Jaybird I'll send you proof I'm eating how's that sound," Nightwing offers in an attempt to weasel out of this situation but Jason won't let him.

"I'm afraid my old phone broke during the move. Had to get a new one, sim card, and everything. It happened so suddenly I didn't get a chance to save my contacts, and you know how bad I am at remembering numbers. So be a dear and give me your number again," Jason states sweetly as he gives Nightwing his most endearing smile. The one he uses to weasel himself out of trouble with cops and similar trouble. He's been told it makes him look innocent and sweet.

Jason looks around "Anyone have a pen we can borrow?" 

The lady cop looked all too eager to hand over a pen. He handed it to Nightwing and held out his hand.

Nightwing looks Jason in the eyes with a calculated gleam in his bright blues. After a brief moment, he takes hold of Jason's hand and carefully writes a number on it.

"Don't lose it this time kay," Nightwing whispers to him with a wink, and Jason hadn't expected that. He silently curses his pale complexion as his cheeks heat up with what he has no doubt is a blush.

"You know where to find me if I do Circus Boy," Jason purrs back in an attempt to get back at Nightwing for the sneaky flirting earlier. And he swears the Alpha's eyes darken briefly before he closes them in a bright smile.

"Why Jason is that an invitation?" He asks tone downright gleeful and Jason realizes too late his error. He refuses to take his words back though. It'd feel too much like backing down from a challenge with Nightwing staring him down like he's already won.

"I suppose it is," Jason hums out before he turns away from Nightwing to face the lady cop glancing at her name. "Now Officer Sylar I believe you owe me tea and pastries."

Chapter Text

Jason is out on a jog in his own clothes this time when he encounters the Drake boy. The kid is sitting on a bench working away on a laptop muttering to himself. Everyone in Gotham knows who Timothy Drake is, the sole heir of the Drake fortune after his parents died and the adopted son of Bruce Wayne.

Honestly, Jason would have normally left the kid be. But that was before he found the joy of messing with capes when not in costume. Thank you, Nightwing. Even over text on his fancy new smartphone Officer Grayson was a joy to tease. Just another gift the Bats threw at him. Though this one felt more like Nightwing taking away his excuse not to contact him. As the man's number was preprogrammed into the phone.

So Jason decided to engage the working teen.

"Hey, kid whatcha doing on a laptop at the park? Isn't the whole point of coming to such a place to get away from technology for a while," Jason speaks up pretending not to have a clue who he was talking to in terms of what isn't common to the public. After all, Jason has a feeling neither Robin nor Nightwing fessed up on their identity slips to any of the others. So Jason will happily play ignorant.

"Yeah well I come here to get some work done undisturbed," The younger teen snaps not even looking up from the laptop an obvious dismissal. One Jason happily ignores as he makes himself comfortable on the bench next to Red Robin.

"Sounds to me you need to seriously relax some," Jason muses out keeping his tone thoughtful while his eyes dance with mischief. He wonders how much he can mess with the birdy without giving away what he knows. Jason wants to leave the kid wondering if he knows or if his comments were just a little too close to home.

Jason allows silence to prevail between them for a good while. He simply watches the younger teen out of the corner of his eye. Once the kid relaxes though Jason purses his lips and lets out a very distinct whistle.

Peeeek tuut tuut

A low-grade warning call of the American Robin otherwise known as Red Robin. It is used to warn others of potential danger from an unlikely source. Jason only knows this cause Nightwing sent him a bunch of bird calls to use if he ever needed to subtly call for help.

Red Robin's finger falters on the keyboard for just a second but Jason catches it. Knows he has the younger’s attention focused on him. So he licks his lips and lets out the long musical notes of a happy Bluejay. He switches between bird calls for a while but every time he does several robin calls in a row Red Robin gets tense.

Jason can see Tim grumble and squint at his laptop. He could tell he was getting too much on the kid's nerves. "Sorry, am I getting on your last nerve?"

Tim settles a glare on him that might have flayed him alive.

Jason just gives the young Alpha a sweet smile in the face of that glare. Pulling out his phone just to demonstrate he wasn't going anywhere. The younger teen just grumbles louder in response.

Jason just opens up his contacts and selects another preprogrammed number in his phone. Man Jason could kiss Nightwing right now. Or any time really, the man was very attractive. But right now he gave Jason a perfect method to screw with the Red Bird.

Hey, Red Bird should I expect a meeting with you as well?

Hitting send Jason simply opens up another app to read an ebook while he waits. He sees Red Robin sigh out of the corner of his eye before he pulls out his phone to read the text. He knows immediately when Red Robin finishes reading it as he feels the young teen freeze next to him. He even feels the scrutiny in the stare leveled at him but dutifully ignores it all.

Tim was suspicious and narrowed his eyes more. This was Jason at least he was pretty sure. The omegas face had filled out. At least him staying in the safe house had done some good. He didn't know for sure but he was pretty sure that if this is Jason he has them figured out.

Still, it didn't pay to jump to conclusions. There was only one way to find out for sure. So Tim connects his text message to his computer before putting his phone away. Opening up the app on his laptop he fires a reply to the message he received to see what he will uncover.

How did you get this number?

He watches Jason switch apps on his phone and the Omega openly snickers as if he wasn't aware the person he was texting was sitting next to him. The reply comes soon enough though.

Found this phone with this number and a few others already programmed in it. They are all conveniently labeled too. Figured it was your cape way of keeping tabs on me.

That wasn't what Tim was expecting but it made sense. And it was a move anyone in the Family would pull. Tim is actually a little peeved he didn't think of it himself. Still, he had to be sure.

And you are?

Tim hits send and the scoff from Jason is immediate. He watches the older teen tap his chin clearly thinking how best to reply. The smirk that splits his face doesn't bode well for him though.

Why the Batfamily's pet Omega of course! XOXO 

Tim barely manages to hold back his choke at that reply but the blush that heats his cheeks was unavoidable. He swiftly shuts off the app on his laptop and doesn't have to try too hard to feign annoyance as he packs up due to Jason's loud boisterous laughter after sending that text.

Taking out his phone Tim quickly draws up the encrypted group chat that Dick had set up for everyone in the family to use to discuss mask things that weren't urgent. Over time it devolved into a typical group chat though Tim tried to use it for its original purpose. He felt that this situation was an exception to that self-imposed rule. Thus Tim doesn't hesitate to send off a text to the others.

RR: Who gave Jason a phone!?

N: I did. Why?

R: Are you just finding this out?

O: He messaged me a few days ago asking me to test for tampering on some photos.

N: Wait, YOU were his source? Babs how could you?!

O: I think it's sweet how he is forcing you to eat properly.

A: Ah so young Jason is the reason for Master Richard's improved eating habits.

R: Yes he certainly has more effective methods than the rest of us but he refuses to tell me what they are.

RR: Why didn't anyone TELL ME!

B: Honestly I thought you gave him the phone.

Tim makes a frustrated noise as no one else seems to be taking this situation seriously before he sends a screenshot of the text Jason called himself the Batfamily's pet.

RR: And HOW DO YOU ALL FEEL ABOUT THAT

R: What?! Jason isn't our pet! Why would he think that?!

N: Relax Baby Bird Jason was just teasing our Red Bird

RR: Oh no don't you pick up on that nickname too!

N: If the shoe fits

O: Well he isn't exactly WRONG though. We are paying for everything while he stays in that safe house.

R: Yes but I do not doubt if any of us seriously referred to him as such he'd run and never stop

RR: You guys are seriously fine with this?!

N: He was just teasing Red Bird

O: Don't look into it too much. You'll start seeing things that aren't there