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Chapter Text

“Dickie?” 

The tablet in Dick’s hands nearly takes a tumble.  He swallows, tries to calm his abruptly racing heart, and sets the very expensive, very Bat piece of technology down before turning around to face the owner of the sudden voice. 

And… 

If Dick’s heart had been beating fast before, he’s sure he’s hyperventilating now. 

Because there, standing in front of Dick, is a very familiar, Robin-clad, wide-eyed Jason Todd.  Who looks not at all like the beefcake Dick is so used to, and more like the fifteen-year-old whose Robin suit sits in a display case probably, oh, ten feet to Dick’s left.  Dick’s mouth runs dry and he’s pretty sure his hands start shaking when that fifteen-year-old version of Jason steps forward.

“Dick, what’s going on?” Jason asks and oh, his voice.  It’s just as Dick remembers it.  Sort of.  There’s a lack of gruffness to it, and the nearly scared expression on Jason’s face makes that lilt to his voice sound like fear.  Something that Dick’s Jason– the Jason that exists now– rarely ever lets out in the presence of the Batfam. 

“Little Wing,” comes out of Dick’s mouth before his brain can supply literally anything better.  He takes a daring step forward.  Jason starts glancing around the cave. 

“I don’t– what is–” Jason trails off, mouth forming around silent words.  “You look… different.” 

And Dick is.  He does.  He’s twenty-eight now, and this Jason would’ve seen him at twenty-one.  Seven years.  Dick’s Jason is twenty-two, though he acts considerably older– or at least tries to.  It’s been a long time since Jason has let himself be young.  

And seeing this young Jason in front of him, lost and afraid, like a baby bird that fell out of a nest, has Dick’s older brother radar ringing through the roof.  Dick fucked things up the first time, and he’ll be damned if he doesn’t show Jason how much he truly cares about him this time around.

“What’s going on?” Jason finally asks.

Instead of answering, Dick stares at Jason before giving in to his urge to wrap the kid in a very strong, very not-smothering-at-all hug.  Jason stills for a moment before tentatively reaching his arms around Dick and hugging him back.  Tight. 

…

…

STARS.  An explosion of warmth.  Dick’s trying so, so, so hard not to just start squealing and tossing this kid left and right.  Holy heartthrob, Batman, young Jason is so CUTE.  And he’s just– just patting Dick on the back and burrowing his face into Dick’s chest and oh my goodness gracious, Jason, what happened to you? 

Stupid thought.  Now Dick’s thinking about what actually happened to the second Robin, so he ends up hugging young Jason tighter because this is probably the last time that Dick will ever see this version of him ever again, since his Jason would rather poke his eye with a fork than admit to wanting a hug. 

“Baby Jay,” Dick coos, inhaling the smell of Jason’s shampoo like a mother to her newborn baby.  His Jason hasn’t gone a day without smelling like cigarettes in ages.  And the Jason in his arms smells like strawberries.  “I’m never letting you go.” 

“... okay?” Jason mumbles back, into Dick’s shoulder. 

And then Dick remembers that Jason was scared, and he pulls out of the hug, hands firm on Jason’s shoulder, eyes probably looking a little too wild.  Jason gapes back.  

“How are you here?” 

Jason shakes his head, blinking owlishly.  “I don’t know.  I’m– I was out on patrol with Batman and, I don’t know.  There was a flashing light.  And I got a headache, and now I’m here–” 

“A headache?  Is it still hurting?  Do you need something?  I can–” 

Young Jason shakes his head again.  “No, I’m fine.  It’s okay, I’ve had worse.  I’m…” he pauses, glancing around again.  “I’m glad I found you.” 

There, under the edges of a black domino, Dick can see the tint of a blush. 

“Oh my god,” he gasps, pulling Jason into another hug.  “It’s okay, I’ll help you.  We’ll figure it out.  Don’t worry, Little Wing.  You’re safe.” 

“I know,” Jason mutters into Dick’s chest, once again.  His arms loop around Dick’s waist and squeeze.  Dick closes his eyes, relishing in this moment, part of him praying that it never ends.  He can feel Jason shifting against him, resting his chin on Dick’s shoulder. 

Positioning his head just so that he, unbeknownst to Dick, locks eyes with a very alarmed and mildly perturbed twenty-two-year-old Jason Todd.  An older Jason Todd who, if the sweat-drenched hair says anything about him, just returned from patrol.  The presence of a suit-clad Tim Drake, looking only marginally more exhausted than usual, at his side confirms this. 

“Jason, what are you–” 

Tim’s gaze lands on the pair locked in an embrace and his jaw falls open. 

Red Hood and Red Robin watch, aghast, as sweet, innocent, fifteen-year-old Jason Todd leers over Dick’s shoulder and lets a palm “accidentally” drop, skirting over Dick’s ass. 

“Fucking pervert,” Jason whisper-hisses, his alarmed expression shifting into a glare.

Tim has trouble finding his words.  “Jason, that’s– that’s you.” 

Dick says something to young Jason and the skeevy atmosphere is suddenly gone, naivety coating his face like a mask.  Young Jason lets Dick coax him over to the batcomputer, putting on the airs of a child in a toy store, only to come to a stop behind Dick, just out of range, so he can ogle a certain Boy Wonder while he types away at some files. 

Old, revived, and angry Jason seethes.  “We gotta get this kid gone.”

“Dude,” Tim tries again.  “You– you’re talking about yourself.” 

“I know!” Jason exclaims, a little too loudly, accidentally drawing the attention of the two people at the computer.  “Fuck!”

“Jason!” Dick admonishes.  “Language!  There’s a child here!”

Jason– the twenty-something– storms over to the desk.  “Dickie, don’t even get me started, you and I both know that this fucker swears like a sailor–” 

Dick turns around to find both Jasons staring at him expectantly.  He glances between them, catches the intent in a harsh teal glare, and sighs.  “Sorry, Baby Jay.  Your older self is right.”

“It’s okay, Dickie.” 

Sighing (swooning), Dick turns back to the batcomputer, fingers flying across keys as he pulls up a map of Gotham. Red dots ping across the screen, signifying crimes from the police feed.  Whatever Dick is looking for must not appear, for he lets out a heavy breath next and turns around.

Only to come face to face with Tim. 

“Gah!” 

Tim pushes him out of the way.  “You’re looking for breaches, right?  A lapse in the space-time continuum?  You’re probably not setting the right filters.”  The third Robin squeezes into the batchair without pulling it out from the desk, curling into a ball and staring at the screens without a blink.  “Give me an hour.” 

“Bruce will be back soon,” Dick comments, like that means anything. 

“Okay,” Tim shoots back.  Which really means, I’m not giving up the computer, so don’t even try it.  “Go entertain yourselves.  Take a shower.  I don’t care.” 

Grumbling under his breath, Jason puts a hand on Dick and his younger selves’ backs, pushing them toward the entrance to the manor.  Somewhere behind them, the roar of the batmobile echoes into the cave.  Jason pushes them faster. 

~*~

Somehow, they make it through the rest of the night with Bruce not being ever the wiser.  Which, considering he had a technical security breach, is both surprising and concerning. 

Dick, nearly bursting with joy at the seams, gets Baby Jay to himself all night.  Since The Jason Todd Room ™ is occupied by Dick’s Jason, sweet Little Wing had nowhere to go (seven guest rooms to choose from).  And HE chose to share Dick’s bed!  With that cute little blush on his face!  And the whole hands behind his back deal!

Dick loaned him some old Superman pajamas and nearly had a nosebleed, seeing the way the worn clothes hung off teen Jason’s wiry frame.  He’s packed with muscle, sure, but at this point in time, he’s smaller than Dick, lean and scrappy.  

Throughout the whole getting ready for bed routine, young Jason was quiet and shy.  He asked to borrow things and put them back when he was done.  Altogether, very polite, very impressive, ten out of ten, Dick would give him a gold star if he had one to give. 

And when it was time to get to bed, poor, sheepish Jason tried to stay as close to the edge of Dick’s king as long as he could (five minutes) before he gave in and asked Dick if they could cuddle. 

Heaven, that’s what this must be.  Dick finally found a brother that wanted his bad jokes and his hugs and his cuddles.  Dang, if only he had given Jason more of the time of day the first time around.  

Then again… Dick himself wasn’t the same person that he was back then, so… 

Enough of that!  He’s got a snuggly little brother in his arms and holy cuteness, Batman, he’s going to sleep so well tonight.  If he can coax himself to sleep, that is, overcome with the sudden fear that this will all have been a dream, and Baby Jay will cease to exist in the morning. 

But no!  Luck is on his side.  Baby Jay is there come morning, looking peaceful and harmless and carefree, fast asleep in Dick’s arms.  At least, he is until Dick’s bedroom door slams open and something– or someone– takes a running leap into his bed. 

Damian’s feet land right on Dick’s stomach, literally kicking the air out of him.  Dick lurches upright and heaves, coughing on the sudden lack of air.  Damian, meanwhile, jumps once more before throwing himself down on Dick’s legs. 

“Dami, please,” Dick pleads, almost like one would with a barking dog. 

Immediately, Damian jabs a finger in Baby Jay’s direction.  “Todd told me you took someone to bed.  Reveal the imposter!”

“He’s not an imposter!” Dick argues back, but it’s no use.  Damian yanks Dick’s bedcovers to find a half-awake and not-at-all-pleased teenage Jason Todd.  “It’s Jason!”

“Dickie,” Jason grumbles, rubbing at his eyes.  “Who is this?” 

“Impossible!” Damian explains.  “I saw Todd downstairs five minutes ago.  Clearly, this must be some ploy.  I must tell Father immediately.” 

All the luck Dick had all of two minutes ago is swiftly dwindling.  Right when Damian says this, a yawning Bruce Wayne, clad in a charcoal robe and black silk pajamas, with what are probably cashmere slippers and hair too neat to be straight from a bed, passes by Dick’s bedroom door. 

“Tell me what?” Bruce grumbles.  Both Damian and Jason perk up. 

“Father,” Damian begins, launching off the bed and stalking his way over to Bruce.  “Grayson has brought an imposter into the manor–” 

“Have not!”

“-- and he’s claiming that he’s Todd!” 

Bruce has barely made it through the doorway by the time Damian’s tugging at his hand, dragging him over to Dick’s bedside.  Damian points again, harshly, and Dick has to lay down lest he be within jabbing distance of Damian’s hand.  Jason, however, sits upright and stares at Bruce. 

Dick sees the moment that realization dawns on Bruce’s features.  The last lingering signs of sleep evaporate the longer he looks back at Jason.  His jaw falls open and a quiet “ Jason” slips out. 

“Good morning, Bruce,” young Jason greets, face tinted red.  He clutches at the blankets covering his lap, likely feeling awkward with the sudden intrusion.   

“Good morning, Jason,” Bruce says, clearly at a loss for words.  

“This can’t be Todd!” Damian insists, jealous that the attention isn’t on him anymore.  “Todd is not nearly so… short!” 

Baby Jay frowns at Damian.  “Who is this kid?  He’s rude.” 

Dick, offended on young Jason’s behalf, gently swats at Damian.  Damian backsteps out of the way to avoid the jab.  “Damian, be nice.” 

“No, I won’t.  I don’t understand what’s happening.  Where is Todd?  Perhaps he can explain this.”  Damian bristles, hands balled into fists.  He stalks over to Dick’s bedroom doorway and starts yelling into the depths of the house.  “Todd!  Todd, come up here!” 

Dick groans and shimmies further under the covers, mourning the loss of what could have been a peaceful, cozy morning.  Beside him, young Jason sits with his back straight and eyes wide.  Bruce stares back. 

“How… how did you sleep?” Bruce tries. 

“Um, fine?” young Jason replies.  He inches toward Dick and Dick’s heart soars.  “Who was that kid, Bruce?” 

“He’s–”

“I have retrieved Todd,” Damian announces, dragging a very unhappy-looking twenty-something Jason Todd into the room.  This Jason has hair standing straight up at the back of his head and wears a black tank top and black sweatpants.  This Jason does not look pleased, at all, to see a younger version of himself in Dick’s bed.  “Todd, prove that this is an imposter.” 

Jason grumbles something that sounds suspiciously like “ it’s too damn early for this” before clearing his throat and shaking Damian’s grip off of him.  “Can’t, kid.  That’s me.” 

At this, Damian stomps his foot.  “How?”

“Beats me.  Can I go back downstairs, now?” 

“Is your coffee that important, Todd?  Are you not concerned about this… this you in Grayson’s bed?” Damian argues, moving to grab Jason’s arm again, as though to pull him further into the lost sanctity of Dick’s room.

Yet Jason steps back and shakes his head.  “It ain’t coffee that I’m drinking.”  And the guy has the nerve to sprint out of Dick’s room and down the stairs before Damian can drag him back.  Enraged by the ignorance, Damian books it after him, leaving Dick, young Jason, and Bruce alone. 

“Would you… like some breakfast?” Bruce asks. 

“Yes, Bruce, that would be great,” Dick replies on young Jason’s behalf.  “Can we meet you down there in a few?” 

Bruce stares at the two of them, eyes lost like he’s seen a ghost, jaw moving around silent words, and nods, floating out of the room without another word. 

Finally, Dick turns to poor Baby Jay and pulls the boy into a hug.  “I’m sorry, Jay.  Everyone’s just excited to see you.” 

Jason is warm yet stiff in his arms.  His fingers ( so soft!) stroke gently at Dick’s arm before withdrawing to clutch at the bedding once again.  “It’s okay.  I’m… really confused, Dick.  Can I stay here for a few more minutes?  Just… buy some time for me, okay?” 

Dick pats the teenager’s back.  “Sure thing, Little Wing.  Take all the time you need.” 

He slips out of bed, stretches, and grabs a sweatshirt, completely clueless to the devilish gaze burning into the taut muscles of his back and thighs, into the curve of his ass.  Dick spares Baby Jay a wave and sneaks out of the room, shutting the door behind him, just in time to miss that sweet, totally innocent young Jason Todd stick a hand down his pants. 

~*~

Down in the kitchen, Dick finds his Jason nursing a very large mug of something that looks like coffee.  Jason lifts the mug in cheers to Dick’s entry, revealing a partial bottle of whiskey on the counter behind him.  Raising a brow, Dick opts not to comment and turns his attention forward.

There, he finds an angry Damian punching Tim, who looks like he never made it to bed, in the ribs.

“Hey!” Tim yelps.  “What was that for?”

“Boys,” Bruce warns.  His face hasn’t quite fixed itself from the wide-eyed disbelief that possessed him earlier, so he stares ahead blankly, unblinkingly.  Dick accidentally catches the eye of Alfred, who looks as well-composed as usual.  He offers Dick a small nod while he busies himself with what looks like pancake batter.  

“We have a– a strange imposter upstairs, and your suggestion is to call Constantine?” Damian yells.  What’s with all this rage?  Dick frowns at the youngest Robin and steps forward. 

“He’s not an imposter, Dami.  We’ve been over this.” 

“And you!” The finger of accusation flings itself toward Dick, now, with Damian’s irate green gaze burning behind it.  “You just invite this strange person to your bed!”

Dick puts his palms up in defense.  “He’s not a strange person, he’s Jason!” 

“I’m with Damian on this, that’s weird,” Tim grumbles from behind his coffee mug.  Unlike Jason’s, Tim’s drink is likely (hopefully) not spiked.  Speaking of Jason, the current Jason, the twenty-something Jason, he takes a hefty sip of his coffee-whiskey amalgamation and stares ahead, looking vaguely as though he wants to die. 

“Can we not worry about that?  It was a time of crisis, he didn’t know what else to do.  I’m a safe space for him.”  Just saying the words aloud has Dick feeling on top of the world.  He wishes Baby Jay was here for him to hold hands with and spin the teenager around.  Sparkles would appear in the air and music would play, and it’d be great, and the credits would roll…

Or maybe they’d get in the batmobile and ride into the sunset? 

Or maybe–

“Boys,” Bruce says again.  His gaze has hardened, now, and he looks toward both Damian and Tim, back to business.  “Until we can figure out what’s going on, I need all of you on your best behavior.  It… may be strange, but this is still Jason.  Please be nice.” 

Unease washes over Tim’s features.  The grease in his hair tells Dick he hasn’t showered yet.  There’s a twitch in his left eye.  Yet he gestures to twenty-something Jason with concern.  “What about him?  It can’t be good that his younger self is seeing this future version of him.  Doesn’t that, I don’t know, mess with things?  With the space-time continuum, and all that?” 

“What are you suggesting?” Bruce asks. 

“It may be best if Jason– our Jason– leaves the manor until we can take care of things–” Tim begins, only for Jason to cut him off. 

“Nope, no way in hell.  Any other day, any other circumstance?  I’d gladly take the out.  But I am not leaving that guy alone.”  Jason’s expression darkens as he sips from his mug.  “I don’t trust him.” 

Pointing once again, Damian thrusts his finger in Jason’s direction.  “ See?”

“Okay.  Why, Jason, don’t you trust yourself?” Dick asks.  “He’s you.” 

Jason scowls.  “Exactly.  And I know me.” 

“The most we can do right now is research,” Tim cuts in.  “And I think we should contact Constantine.  It sounds like young Jason came through some sort of portal, and Constantine would be a good start.” 

“Who’s Constantine?” 

There he is.  Dick can’t help but beam.  Young, sweet Little Wing stands in the doorway, looking so soft in a pair of Dick’s sweatpants and Dick’s old Gotham Academy sweatshirt.  It’s like there’s a delicate, angelic glow cast down upon him, highlighting his wet hair and flushed cheeks. 

Two feet away, adult Jason narrows his eyes and takes a long, long sip. 

“Oh, there you are,” Dick greets, barely resisting the urge to smother Baby Jay.  He places a gentle hand on young Jason’s back and urges him forward, further into the kitchen and in full view of Alfred, who drops the spatula he’d been using to turn the pancake batter in the bowl.  Dick can see Alfred’s bewilderment wash over his features out of the corner of his eye.  There is a very pointed pause in which Bruce and Alfred stare at one another.  “Come, sit.  You can sit between Tim and me.” 

Young Jason tentatively takes the chair between Tim and Dick’s empty seat, accidentally ending up across from Damian, who takes advantage of the situation to glare at the newcomer.

“Who are you?  And why do you keep glaring at me?” Baby Jay asks, voice low and confused. 

“Damian.  Damian Wa–”

“--nts pancakes,” Tim cuts him off, eyes bugging out of his skull.  Dick takes the odd pause to sit down and pour himself (and Little Wing, of course) a glass of orange juice each.  “Damian really, really wants pancakes.” 

“And Master Damian shall have them, very soon,” Alfred muses.  There’s a light lilt to his voice and a smile on his face and Dick knows that it has to do with sweet Jason.  Jason was always Alfred’s favorite.  For years, Jason was the only one Alfred let in the kitchen unsupervised, which was pretty monumental given Bruce and Dick’s horrible track record with cooking-related disasters. 

Young Jason pouts at Damian.  “Well, Damian, didn’t anyone ever tell you it’s rude to stare?” 

Damian scowls, faux gagging.  “Todd, I didn’t realize you were this pathetic as a teenager.” 

“Gotta start somewhere,” adult Jason drawls.  He lingers near the counter as Alfred begins to pour, batter sizzling in the skillet.  Wordlessly, he helps Alfred assemble plates, passing them out as each dish is ready to serve. 

For a few, blissful moments, the table falls quiet as each person digs into pancakes, bacon, and scrambled eggs.  Bruce and Tim sip at coffee and Damian plucks fruit from the bowl, eying young Jason with such skepticism it could light the table on fire.  Dick tends to Baby Jay’s every need, making sure he has enough syrup, gets a refill of orange juice, eats some strawberries– the whole nine yards. 

Meanwhile, current Jason polishes off his coffee cocktail, pours himself another mug of whiskey, and then adds a splash of coffee before taking his seat at the table.  Alfred offers Jason the final plate of pancakes, to which Jason offers a quiet “thank you” before digging in. 

“So,” Baby Jay breaks the quiet.  “Who’s Constantine?” 

Tim clears his throat.  “He’s a friend.  Specializes in the unusual, I guess.  Magical stuff.  It’s… not something we really deal with often, so he’s the one we call.  Not that this stuff happens often.  Like, at all.  I think we’ve only called him a handful of times before–” 

“We aren’t sure what caused your portal to open,” Bruce steps in, deep voice soft and careful, so kind.  “Constantine might have some answers that can help us get you back.” 

Young Jason scoffs.  “Right.” 

Sensing the discomfort, Dick throws himself up as a shield, turning to face Baby Jay and putting a hand on his knee.  “Hey, what’s wrong?  We just want to help, that’s all.” 

“No, I know.  It’s okay, Dickie.  It’s just– things here are so nice.  It’s really tense in the manor right now, where I’m from.” 

“What’s happening right now?” Dick asks, pretending he doesn’t feel Tim’s burning gaze in his back.  Space-time continuum, so what?  This is the future– surely young Jason can talk about things that have already happened here, right?  

Little Wing hums.  He glances up at Bruce, unsure, then lets his gaze fall to his plate.  “Oh, it’s fine.  B and I aren’t really getting along.  You’re off-world, Dickie.  I, uh.  I have some stuff I need to do.  On my own.” 

Silence. 

What young Jason has described sounds all too familiar.  It’s the recipe that caused Jason to die.  Dick wasn’t around for this part, but his Jason caught him up to speed years later, once the hostility had washed away and Jason started getting psychiatric help. 

Dick’s throat tightens, and his heart pounds.  This is the moment that could change everything.  If someone, anyone, were to speak up and tell young Jason not to do it, he could live–

“Do it,” adult Jason says.  “Whatever it is you need to get done.”  His expression is dark, yet knowing.  Dick gapes at him, fully aware that Jason has just condemned his younger self to die. 

“Thanks, future me,” Baby Jay jokes.  “Not like I needed your permission or anything.” 

“No, you don’t,” Jason shoots back.  “Let’s just say it’s important that you do this thing, though.” 

Young Jason purses his lips.  “How important?” 

Dick is too occupied staring at adult Jason that he misses the very pointed, very blatant look that the younger version throws in his direction.  Adult Jason narrows his gaze and shakes his head nearly imperceptibly.

“Ugh,” Baby Jay says.  “‘Kay.” 

“I’m sorry, what just happened?” Tim blurts.  “Are you two developing a psychic link or what?” 

Both Jasons balk.  Adult Jason speaks up.  “Fuck no.  Remember, Timbo– this guy is me.” 

“Somehow,” young Jason snorts. 

Bruce holds up a hand.  Dick scoots his chair closer to Baby Jay, suddenly feeling very protective of the young soul next to him.  

“After breakfast, I will call Constantine.  Until then, let’s… proceed as usual.” 

Dick throws an arm around Baby Jay’s shoulders and pulls him into a one-armed hug.  His poor, sweet little brother!  Who knows how much time they have left?  Suddenly, he’s desperate to give young Jason a good memory to bring home.  Maybe they can go to the arcade, or a movie, or out for milkshakes.  Something… fun, and normal.  Something Dick should have done the first time around. 

“Let’s go out,” Dick says, breathless with imagination. 

“Don’t you have work?” Tim asks. 

“I’ll call off,” Dick insists.  Baby Jay sinks into his embrace and Dick is swooning, falling and swooning, heart soaring.  “Whatever you want to do.” 

“Yeah.  That sounds fun, Dickie.” 

Adult Jason speaks from behind his coffee mug.  “Not alone you aren’t.  Damian, go with them.” 

“You thought I was going to let them go alone?  Todd, you underestimate me.  Of course, I will go with them.  To monitor, of course.” 

“Perfect, thanks.” 

Okay, this is fine.  Dick loves spending time with Damian, so he’s not bothered by this, but he is bothered by the continuous rude attitude that Damian has to throw Baby Jay’s way.  Maybe they can go to the zoo to appease Damian’s rough exterior?

Wait, no, it’s still closed because of the Penguin incident there last week…

“Aren’t you going, too?” Tim asks adult Jason.  “You seem… like you want to.” 

Current Jason very much looks like he would not.  He laughs into his drink, startling several people at the table, before saying, “No way in hell.  I can’t do this sober.” 

Crossing his arms, Tim leans back in his seat and looks for a moment like he’s going to pass out.  Only a moment later, he turns to Bruce, a strange expression taking over his face.  Tim asks, “Aren’t you concerned about this?” while gesturing to a clearly tipsy Jason. 

“No, let him.  This is one of few things I’m actually privy to.” 

“Accidentally,” adult Jason comments.

“Accidentally,” Bruce ensures. 

“I have no idea what that means and I don’t really care enough to find out.  You three can enjoy your little hangout today.”  Tim waves toward the end of the table where Dick, Baby Jay, and Damian sit.  “I am going to go to do some research.” 

Tim takes one last bite of his pancake before rising from the table.  He takes his plate to Alfred and tops off his straight black coffee before wandering in the direction of the cave entrance. 

“Thank you for the wonderful meal, Alfred,” Bruce says, following suit.  After handing his plate to Alfred, who stands at the sink ready to clean, he wanders off in the direction of the cave.  “I have a phone call to make.” 

Dick, Damian, and Baby Jay take turns thanking Alfred.  Baby Jay offers to help clean up.  Alfred shoos him off with a small smile.  The three venture out from the kitchen, leaving adult Jason to nurse his drink at the table.

Or so they think.  As Dick brings up the rear, Jason calls out, “Hey, Dick.” 

Dick stops and turns around.  Damian and Little Wing carry on, heading upstairs to get prepared for whatever outing Dick decides to take them on.  Only when they’re alone with Alfred does Jason speak. 

“Don’t– don’t trust him,” Jason warns.  “I mean it.  Don’t get too close.” 

Dick frowns, feeling wrong-footed.  “Why?” 

Jason shakes his head, casting his gaze aside.  When he shifts his attention back to Dick, he says, “He’s not used to you like this.  The wrong kind of attention might make it… hard for him to go back.  You know?” 

Guilt rises like a tidal wave and washes over Dick, coating him in shame.  He steps back into the kitchen and rounds the table so he can stand beside Jason.  Pausing just a moment, Dick lets his instincts take over. 

He leans down, slides his arms around Jason’s shoulders, and presses his cheek against Jason’s hair. 

“I’m sorry,” Dick whispers, breath tickling Jason’s ear.  “You deserved better than who I was, back then.  I didn’t treat you the way I should have.” 

Jason lets out a shuddering breath but doesn’t move.  “We all make mistakes, Dick.” 

Dick holds him for a moment more before patting Jason’s chest once and standing.  “You sure you don’t want to come today?” 

Jason doesn’t respond right away.  His hand hovers around the handle of his mug and he bites his lip.  Then, “Nope.  I’m good.  Have fun, wherever you go.  Just… be careful.” 

“You’re a sweet kid, Jay.  Trust yourself.” 

Dick hears Jason snort into his drink as he walks away. 

~*~

Dick has a whole on-the-spot agenda planned for the day.  It came to him in a whirlwind while he was getting dressed, staring at the wall to give Baby Jay, who was changing into a pair of Dick’s old jeans, privacy.  Weirdly enough, the whole thing felt like a sleepover.  

Would Little Wing play Would You Rather with him?  Dick kind of missed out on that chapter of his teenagehood, too determined to grow up too fast.  He didn’t have many sleepovers and the parties he had with the Titans were… well, they weren’t like that.

When Dick turns around, smile on his face, he finds Baby Jay already staring at him.  Poor Baby Jay, maybe Dick was taking too long to change, lost in thought with all the fun ideas he has in store. 

“Okay, so this is what we’ll do today.  We’ll go to the bookstore, like you like, the one near the university.  Then we’ll get milkshakes, then we’ll go to that arcade we went to that one time.  You know, also near the university?  And if we have energy after that, we can go to the movies.  And you can go home knowing you’ve seen a movie from the future.” 

Young Jason smiles all sweet at him, nodding along.  “That sounds great, Dickie.  I’ll do whatever you want.” 

UGH, if he isn’t the sweetest!  Dick slips on his shoes and grabs his wallet.  Once he and young Jason are ready to rumble, Dick throws an arm over Jason’s shoulder and guides him out of the room. 

Damian is waiting for them in the hall.  He’s scowling again, arms crossed, looking like he’s been waiting for hours… or like he wants them to think he’s been waiting for hours.  He kicks off the wall once he sees them and audibly scoffs.

“Took you long enough, Grayson.  Where are we going today?” 

“We’re starting off at a bookstore,” Dick reveals.  Damian picks up the pace so he can walk just a step or two in front of them.  Young Jason lifts an arm and wraps it around Dick’s waist.  “The rest, you’ll have to wait and see.” 

Damian grumbles under his breath, but obediently leads them out of the manor toward the garage.  Jason’s hand on Dick’s waist slips under Dick’s shirt by accident, and he squeezes at the skin he finds there.  Dick squeezes his shoulder back. 

As Damian wanders off to retrieve keys, Baby Jay leans into Dick’s shoulder and asks, “Are you and I close?  In the future.” 

Dick hums.  Little Wing's head feels so nice on his shoulder, warm and comforting.  “We’re closer than we used to be.  We didn’t always get along.  But yeah, we’re close now.” 

A pause.  Baby Jay angles his head so he can look at Dick’s face.  “How close?” 

“Well–” 

“Keys have been located.  Get to it, Grayson.”  Damian throws a set of keys at Dick and Dick has to let go of Baby Jay to catch them.  Clicking the keys unlocks a sleek black sports car on the other side of the garage.  “Shotgun!” 

“Damian,” Dick warns.  

“It’s okay, Dickie.  I like the back seat.” 

“Thanks, Jason.  Let’s go.” 

~*~

About an hour later, long after the unlikely trio has left, Bruce Wayne, feeling both on top of the world and as though the world is crashing down, seeks out Alfred and his Jason, both of who have yet to vacate the kitchen.  Tim is right on his heel. 

Alfred busies himself with polishing silverware that they haven’t used in months, reluctant to leave adult Jason’s side.  Adult Jason is not faring so well– he is on his third cup and is thoroughly on his way to getting very, very drunk.

“What’s his deal?” Tim asks Alfred.  Alfred shakes his head, opting not to respond. 

“I’ve just talked with Constantine,” Bruce announces.  He places his palms on the back of one of the several kitchen chairs.  “He’s got some guesses as to what the cause may be.  He said he’s going to make some phone calls.  If he runs out of leads, he’ll fly here.  It sounds like this issue shouldn’t be difficult to solve.” 

“The sooner, the better,” Jason grumbles. 

“Yes,” Bruce agrees, looking particularly conflicted.  “Unfortunately, time is of the essence.  So, we must enjoy this time with young you while it lasts.” 

“Bruce.”  Here, Jason lifts his head and meets Bruce’s gaze.  “I need this to end.  Fast.” 

“I know, Jason.  Just… be patient.  We can only move as fast as we can.” 

Alfred sets aside his silverware and approaches the table just to put a comforting hand on Jason’s shoulder.  Jason drops his head and slumps forward. 

Tim coughs into the strange, solemn air.  “I’m–sorry, but did I miss something?” 

Jason shakes his head, avoiding eye contact with everyone in the room.  “Yes, no, who knows.  Just leave it, Tim.  Leave me to die.”

“Woah, hey now–” 

“Do you remember, like, anything?  From when we met the first time.  We didn’t spend like, a lot of time together, but… we did meet, then,” Jason rambles, “I was stupid, back then… painfully obvious… and I’ve buried this, so I need him to stay buried, because I’m going insane.” 

Tim didn’t think Jason was that drunk but the more he speaks, the more lost Tim becomes.  Maybe it’s the sleep deprivation.  It’s probably a combination. 

Shaking his head, Tim steps back from the table and begins scanning the room for non-whiskey spiked, virgin coffee.  “Uh, okay.  Yeah.  I’ll just– just go back to what I was doing–” 

“No more coffee, Master Timothy, I’m afraid,” Alfred says, holding a full pot and topping Jason’s drink off.  “Perhaps you’d like to finally go to bed?” 

“You know, maybe that’s not a bad idea.”  Tim’s eyes blink when they burn.  Burn when they blink?  How long has he been awake?  “I think I’m going to go to bed.  I’ll catch you guys later.”  He lifts a hand in a wave and wanders off, presumably in the direction of the stairs. 

“Alfred, could you–” Bruce begins. 

“Say no more, Master Bruce,” Alfred interrupts, beelining out of the kitchen to ensure that Timothy Drake does, in fact, find his way to bed and not to, say, the batcave.  Again.  

Bruce rounds the table to stand next to Jason as Alfred had.  He pats a hand on Jason’s shoulder.  “You going to be okay, bud?” 

“Yeah,” Jason says, small and tired.  “I’ll be fine.  Always am.” 

~*~

Damian steps aside from the counter with his chocolate shake, already sipping at the drink as he wanders over toward young Jason Todd in a booth by the diner window. 

In Damian’s opinion, they had spent far too much time at the bookstore.  This “Todd imposter” dragged Grayson around the store, eagerly picking up books that he’d never have the time to read.  Grayson, of course, whipped as he is, carried around Todd’s endless list of romantic classics and bought them all.  Damian, feeling left out, picked out a book about animals.  Grayson bought nothing for himself. 

There’s something weird about the way this version of Todd handles himself around Grayson.  The Jason Todd that Damian knows, the twenty-something one with his plethora of issues, is far too paranoid with a constant chip on his shoulder to be this… this… slack-jawed.  It’s almost embarrassing.  But then again, Damian has seen the way Drake acts around that half-Kryptonian, so maybe Todd’s little boy crush isn’t so bad. 

Because that’s what this is, isn’t it?  A silly little crush.  Damian has never had a crush but he recognizes the signs.  He is the son of the world’s greatest detective, after all. 

However.  As he is the son of the world’s greatest detective, and as a detective himself, he finds himself… bewildered by the way Grayson receives the affections. 

It’s almost as though Grayson has no idea, and is fueling the fire just with his enthusiasm to have someone who appreciates his stupid jokes and wants his physical affection.  But there’s no way that Grayson, the world’s second-greatest detective, would have no idea of this young Todd’s intentions. 

… unless? 

Damian decides to observe.  He slides into the booth across from young Jason Todd and sips at his drink, watching, waiting for Grayson to return.  Todd also looks eager for Grayson to return, chewing on the edge of his straw as he drinks a strawberry milkshake.  As Grayson nears, holding a mystery shake full of chocolate bits Damian can’t identify, Todd sits up straight and puts on the most impressive show of puppy eyes that Damian has ever seen. 

Grayson, inevitably, slides into the booth beside Todd, and props his arm up against the back of the booth.  Todd, obviously, falls into the space Grayson has created, cuddling up to his side, smug as a cat.  If he could purr, Damian is positive he would. 

“This milkshake is real good, Dickie,” Todd says, smirking to himself.  “Can I try yours?” 

“Sure thing, Baby Jay.”  Grayson slides his milkshake over, not even thinking twice.  Young Todd takes the shake, smiling to himself, looking a weird kind of victorious.  He takes a sip and nibbles at the straw, gaze devious. 

Suddenly, it all makes sense.  Adult Todd was right!  No wonder this harlot cannot be trusted.  Clearly, there is some hidden chapter to Todd’s backstory that he has not revealed that makes him act in such a way.  All… affectionate and… sultry, of all things, toward Grayson.  This is not just a crush. 

But… is Grayson not the adult, here?  Surely he sees what Todd is doing.  Surely, he must know Todd’s questionable past.  And yet… he is not putting a stop to this behavior.  He is feeding into it. 

Something very ugly rushes to the forefront of Damian’s brain.  Out of nowhere, he finds himself pitying Todd, allying himself with the plight of the pathetic.  Clearly, this is Grayson’s fault for grooming Todd to act in such a way! 

Damian sips at his milkshake in silence, glaring at Grayson as he talks about the arcade they’re scheduled to visit next. 

“-- different since you last were there.  Or, well, it’s different from your time period.  Or, whatever.  You get what I mean.  But the one pinball machine you like is still there!  So maybe we can play a few rounds on that, then the Ms Pacman machine you like–”

Todd hums along, chewing on his straw, nodding with each thing Grayson suggests.  He looks all too cozy next to Grayson, as though he’d rather perish than be anywhere else in the world.  

Uncaring as to how rude this may look (he’s been feeling like a third wheel all day, anyway), Damian pulls out his phone and sends a text to Todd, the one he knows. 

You were right.  He must go.  For his own sake. 

Adult Todd replies alarmingly fast. 

thanks, dami.  not sure what you mean by that but I’m glad we’re on the same page. 

Bristling, Damian pushes his milkshake aside, distracted by the phone. 

Did Father get in touch with C? 

He can see adult Todd typing, typing, typing.  Yet no response comes.  He starts typing again only to stop.  Irritated, Damian pockets his phone and decides to get this show on the road. 

“We have wasted too much time here,” he announces, tired of feeling left out.  “Where is this arcade, again?” 

~*~

The visit to the arcade is a success!

Dick feels giddy just thinking about it.  Baby Jay clung to his side the whole time, wanting to share each special experience with Dick.  They took turns on the pinball machine, Dick cheered Jason on while he played Ms. Pacman, Jason stood on the other side of the claw machine as Dick tried to get the stuffed dog in the back… all with eighties hits playing in the background, making Dick feel as though he was back in a moment from seven years ago. 

(Please note, the eighties were not seven years ago.) 

Damian was there, too, and Dick thinks he had a good time.  Damian particularly liked trying to get the stuffed animals from the claw machines, so he ended up putting a pretty dent in Dick’s wallet trying to get this ugly plush cheetah from the depths of one of the machines.  Luckily for everyone, Damian was victorious, which meant they didn’t need to listen to him complain the whole ride home. 

When they got home, it was early afternoon, with just a bit of time before dinner, so Dick asked Baby Jay what he wanted to do.  

“Can we go spar?  I want to make sure I’m ready to go when I go back to my time.”

Dreams do come true!  Dick claps his hands together in victory.  “We can absolutely go spar!  Damian, do you–” 

“No, I’ve had enough.”  Damian declines the invite with a palm up, hurrying off toward the study in pursuit of Bruce, most likely. 

“He’s a weird one,” young Jason comments. 

Dick laughs.  “He is, but he’s kind.  You’ll learn to like him when you’re older.” 

“If you say so, Dickie.” 

After changing into workout gear, they stroll through the manor in companionable quiet, listening to the sounds of the house.  Damian’s low voice joins Bruce’s in the study.  In the library, adult Jason Todd sits in the corner, cradling an old book.  Alfred keeps him company, dusting some shelves.  Jason looks… tired, sniffling as he turns the page of his chosen tome. 

Accidentally, Dick catches his eye.  Jason holds the contact until he can’t anymore, as Dick moves past the library doorway, out of sight. 

Dick feels, oddly, like he’s missing something. 

But!  Miss what he may, there’s only so much time he gets to spend with Baby Jay, so he better make it last.  Whatever’s going on with Jason can be tended to later. 

… Sooner would be nice.  He makes a mental note to track his Jason down sometime after dinner. 

Up ahead, Little Wing unlocks the grandfather clock, revealing the door to the cave.  He holds the door open for Dick (such a gentleman!) and follows Dick down the stairs into the cave depths. 

Surprisingly, no one is down here.  Dick shrugs and heads toward the training platform, Baby Jay on his heels.  The rush of the waterfall is soothing, but it’s almost too quiet in the cave.  Dick turns to his young companion just as Jason asks if he can put on some music. 

“Go for it!  You pick the songs, Jay.” 

Jason picks Physical by Olivia Newton-John. 

“Great pick, great song,” Dick compliments, already feeling his step fall into rhythm.  He gets into position and braces his body for hand-to-hand, watching Mr. Lean and Scrappy do the same.  “Let’s go.” 

Boy, isn’t this great!  Sparring with Baby Jay is like sparring with a younger version of himself.  Dick put a lot of effort into teaching young Jason all his signature Robin moves– more than he transferred to Tim, Steph, or Damian later on.  He’s impressed with the speed at which Baby Jay gets him on the ground.  He grants young Jason this moment of victory, sitting on Dick’s abdomen, flushed with pride, before pushing Jason up and handing it right back to him. 

And Baby Jay goes down way too easily.  Like, that was hardly a fight.  Dick has young Jason pinned to the training ground, hands on his shoulders, legs between Jason’s. 

“Did you even try, that time?” Dick teases. 

Jason beams up at him, a little winded, a little pink.  “You’re just too good, Dickie.”  Casually, Jason bumps his raised knee against Dick’s hip.  “Wanna go again?” 

Dick’s about to say yes when a throat clearing catches his attention.  He shifts his attention away from sweet teenage Jason Todd to the fully grown, less than impressed yet equally pink in the face Jason Todd, and raises a brow. 

“Oh, hey Jason!” Dick greets, pushing himself upright.  “What’s up?” 

“Dinner’s almost ready.  Little me, go upstairs.  I gotta talk to Dickhead here.” 

“Yes, sir,” Baby Jay says, shimmying out from under Dick and speedwalking away from the training platform toward the cave exit. 

Dick takes the opportunity to stand and stretch.  His Jason, gruff and buff, waits until he’s done before he speaks. 

“Dick, I told you,” Jason starts, and oh, this isn’t going to be a fun conversation.  “You’re getting too close.” 

Frowning, Dick crosses his arms.  “Jason, what’s the harm in entertaining him?  He’s you!” 

“Yes, and I know me,” Jason reiterates.  An echo of this morning’s conversation rings through Dick’s mind.  “You’re fueling it.” 

“Look,” Dick says, “I know I was a shit brother to you the first time around.  Is it so wrong of me to try and make things right?  I feel guilty enough about everything that happened, I just… I just want him to be happy while I can help it.  Is that okay?” 

Jason sucks in a deep breath.  For some reason, he’s having trouble looking at Dick.  “Yes, that’s– that’s not the problem, Dick.  And you have nothing to feel guilty about.  We’re past that, okay?  This– it’s not about that.” 

“Then what’s it about, Jason?” Dick is at a loss.  He takes a step closer to his Jason and lowers his voice.  “It’s clear something’s bothering you.” 

“You’re spending too much time with him.  You’re– he’s going to get ideas.” 

That something Dick felt like he was missing earlier, when he passed by the library doorway, comes back in full force.  He’s missing a piece to this puzzle, and Jason’s got it, tucked away.  What it may be, he has no idea. 

“Ideas about what, Jason?  That we can have a good relationship?” 

“No!” Jason bites back.  “That he has a chance!” 

Dick shakes his head, still confused, struggling to make sense.  “A chance at what?” 

“Fucking you!” Jason blurts, face erupting in flame.  “He just wants to fuck you!” 

Radio static.  Dick blinks.  Was– did Jason just say what he really said?  Did Dick hear correctly?

There’s no way… no way that fifteen-year-old, has definitely hit puberty, sweet, innocent, baby Jason Todd would… would want… 

No, there’s no way. 

“How do you know that?” Dick asks, voice sounding hollow and far away.  “He’s just a kid.” 

“Dick,” Jason says, finally looking him in the eye.  “He’s me.” 

“And?” 

“And,” Jason repeats, looking once again like he’d like to eject himself on a one-way ticket to the moon.  “I wanted to fuck you, too.”

Silence.  In the distance, the waterfall roars. 

“Or, well, for you to fuck me.  It didn’t– it didn’t really matter.  Either way, whatever way.  You were… a main character in my fantasies.”  A pause.  “I was not subtle, back then, like, at all.  Bruce and Alfred caught on, like, really quick.  It was probably for the better you were kind of a bitch back then.  Kept your distance.  Because, right now, you’re… really putting young me through the wringer.”

Is the world spinning?  Really fast, for anyone else? 

“So, I’m just– really paranoid that he’s going to out me.  Like I just did, just now.  Because I like to think I’ve done a damn good job at pretending I don’t feel this way about you, and here this jackass is, putting me on blast.  But I guess it doesn’t matter now.  Sorry.  You probably hate me.” 

Dick can feel his heart beating in the back of his throat, in his fingertips.  Things are moving very so quickly. 

“... it’s weird, right?  Okay, think of it objectively.  You’ve seen yourself in the mirror, right?  You’re… anyways.  And then I come in, and I’m young, hitting puberty, and you’re… leaping around the manor in spandex and a low-cut v-neck and you’re really cool even though you’re kind of mean and it just… got me going.”

When Dick blinks, he sees a flustered Jason Todd in front of him, eyes wide with panic, mouth moving a mile a minute. 

“Sorry, that’s… way too much information.  Did I mention I’ve been drinking most of the day?  This has been very hard for me.  Like, to see, you and him, like this, because I know how he’s taking it.  And he’s… you know, going to die soon, so it’s just like… sad, because he’s going to go back to his world to a Dick that’s not as nice as you are and he won’t even be there to see him die… wow, that’s depressing, ha…” 

Dick takes a step forward and feels like he’s going to fall over.  

Things are making a lot more sense, now. 

“Oh, and one last thing,” Jason blurts, clearly on a mission to ruin things for sober Jason later.  “While I’m tipsy enough to say this, I’m just gonna get this out there.  Just, rip it off like a bandaid.  And then you can never talk to me again.” 

“Okay,” Dick says, mouth moving slow around the singular word, mind running a mile a minute. 

“Dick Grayson,” Jason says, voice steady despite the antsy energy about him.  “I’ve been in love with you since I was fifteen.” 

Chapter Text

“Oh god.” 

The moment crumbles like one of Dick’s first attempts at making cookies and he lurches forward just as Jason starts to sway. 

“I’m going to be sick,” Jason says. 

“Please don’t,” Dick fights back, weak.  He grabs Jason’s arms to steady him and Jason slumps forward into him, dropping his head against Dick’s shoulder.  The batcave seems to swirl around them.  Dick swallows against a dry throat.  He’s falling apart, inside, but he can’t let Jason see that. 

“I shouldn’t have said anything,” Jason blurts, rambling, breath warm against the skin of Dick’s neck.  “I’m sorry, Dickie.  I ruined everything.” 

Dick shakes his head, stilted.  He’s shaking.  “No, you didn’t.” 

“I totally did.”  Jason sounds small and sad and for a moment, Dick sees that fifteen-year-old boy back in his arms.  “You’ll never talk to me after this.  I should’ve taken it to the grave… again.” 

Lightheaded, Dick’s lightheaded, suddenly nauseous with the implication.  “Jason, don’t.  Let’s get you some water.  We can talk when you feel better.” 

But now Jason’s laughing at his own bad joke and Dick realizes, sourly, that Jason had more to drink than he thought.  Dick shifts him so Jason’s leaning against his side and he braves a step forward, Jason following suit. 

“Yes, we can talk about how this didn’t happen,” Jason snorts.  “And then I’ll disappear… maybe I’ll go west…”

Jason talking about leaving him has Dick’s heart skipping in the bad way.  He tugs at Jason, arm tight around him, guiding him forcefully toward the medical platform.  When Dick speaks, his voice is tight.  “You’re not going anywhere.” 

“You’re right.  Couldn’t stay away even if I wanted to.”  A dry laugh.  “I’m pathetic.  Ha.” 

Heat prickles at the back of Dick’s eyes.  He… can’t say what he wants to.  He doesn’t know what he wants to say, but he needs to say something.  He’s going to lose his mind if he doesn’t say anything.  

Yet no words arrive.  They linger there, at the back of his throat, just out of reach.  

Despite his clear inebriation, Jason has no trouble making it to the medical platform, which means Dick loses his excuse to touch him far faster than he would like.  Jason throws himself down on a cot and groans, covering his eyes with an arm to shield against the bright light in this corner of the cave. 

Dick… needs to do something.  He itches to touch, to soothe.  But he resists, unsure how to proceed with himself in this moment with the knowledge he now has. 

I’ve been in love with you since I was fifteen. 

Jason Todd, the second Robin, the second Red Hood– someone who Dick, at this point in his life, would die for– someone with a troubled past but a heart of gold, who would do anything for those he loves– someone who Dick considers a friend, a brother, an ally… 

… loves him. 

Feeling suddenly faint, Dick lets himself skirt a hand through Jason’s hair once before stepping away. 

“I’m… going to get you some water.” 

Jason nods into his arm.  Dick braves a journey to the batcave supply room and grabs a bottle of water.  He’s gone for less than a few moments, yet when he returns, Jason is gone. 

~*~

The next morning grants the Wayne household a special kind of chaos, for Stephanie and Cass have returned from Barbara’s. 

Somehow, the Batgirl Getaway ™ coincided with literally all of the crazy things that have taken place over the past… what, thirty-six hours?  So when Steph and Cass arrive in the kitchen, they’re both quite taken aback by the sight of a semi-unfamiliar boy wearing Dick’s clothes. 

“Ooookay, hi,” Steph greets, eyes wide.  “Am I supposed to know him?” 

Tim, having actually gotten sleep for once, is less prickly than usual.  “That’s Jason.” 

Stephanie balks.  “It most certainly is not!” 

“I’m from the past,” Baby Jay says in lieu of greeting, waving a hand hello.  Beside him, Dick sits stiffly, staring unblinkingly at the salt shaker in front of him.  He’s hardly said a word this morning.  Most people have assumed this has to do with Baby Jay’s imminent departure. 

Which… yes, that has something to do with it, but… it’s not everything, and like hell Dick is going to admit to the real source of his stupor! 

Damian is equally on edge, though for other reasons entirely.  He eyes both Baby Jay and Dick skeptically, brows permanently furrowed.  He spares Cass a very curt greeting as she sits next to him, not bothering to shift his attention away from the two people in front of him. 

“That makes a little more sense, but also, no it does not,” Stephanie says.  She offers a wave.  “I’m Stephanie.  Guessing I can’t say any more than that, can I?” 

“Please do not,” Tim warns. 

“Jeez, okay.”  Stephanie takes the seat opposite Tim, where adult Jason had been yesterday.  She pours herself some juice and flicks a grape at Tim.  “So, lots has happened, then?” 

Surprising everyone, Baby Jay is the one who answers.  He really dials it up, leaning against Dick’s side, acting all bashful.  “Hell yeah.  Dickie took Damian and me out and we got milkshakes.  Dick’s was really good.” 

The man in question is too occupied with his racing thoughts to respond, so the conversation carries on without him.  Baby Jay loops an arm through Dick’s and fidgets with Dick’s shirt sleeve.

Squinting, Stephanie nods along.  “Was it, now?” 

“Yeah,” Baby Jay says.  “And Dickie bought me a bunch of books, and we went to the arcade.  And he won me a stuffed animal.” 

Dick thinks about all those tiny moments from seven years ago, eight years ago, when he took his Jason out to the same places.  He tries to piece that Jason together with the Jason he knows now.  Back then, Jason was… prickly, and defensive.  Not quite shy, but it took him some time to warm up to Dick.  Then again, Dick was not super friendly himself, and it took a couple of tries for them to right their initial wrong impression.  

He thought they were cool.  Just decent enough terms for Jason to look up to him and Dick to accept that Bruce had elected a new Robin.  They were friends.  “Brothers” would have been a strong term. 

Then… everything bad happened.  And when Jason came back, it wasn’t like they just picked up where they left off.  It took time for them to be “cool” again.  The past couple of years have been really nice. 

So when, oh when, did young Jason Todd find the time to fall in love? 

What did Dick do to make him love him, despite the multiple missteps between them? 

And how on earth is Dick supposed to feel now? 

How does he feel now? 

Of course, he loves Jason.  Dick loves Bruce, and Tim, and Babs, and Steph and Cass and Damian and Alfred, and everyone important to him.  Dick loves easily.  This is not the issue. 

Jason had said… yesterday… that Baby Jay wanted to… to… 

The fact he can’t even admit it to himself should say enough.  Dick makes the very bold move to try to picture adult Jason in a romantic (read: less savory) way.  He lets himself think about Jason’s strong arms, toned chest, thick thighs, tight ass… 

Well… but… it’s Jason!  Who he thought, up until very, very recently, of as a brother. 

Dick is so wrapped up in his own racing thoughts that he misses the bulk of whatever conversation is carrying on around him until he catches Stephanie say: 

“Well, looks like Dick’s had a field day with his boytoy.  Jason Jr., thanks for coming by.” 

“Oh, it’s been fun,” Baby Jay says, just as Dick cuts in with, “He’s not… that.” 

Steph raises her brows at him.  “Not what?” 

“He’s not…” Dick struggles to say the word.  Boytoy.  “He’s… Jason!  He’s my… dear…”  Can’t say brother, now, not with the knowledge he knows.  “He’s my dear Jason.  And he’s a kid!” 

Damian narrows his eyes at Dick and scowls.  “That he is.” 

“Chill, Dickie,” Baby Jay tries to soothe, patting Dick’s arm in solace.  “It’s just a joke.  I’ve had a fun time hanging out with you.  Thanks for making my stay nice!” 

“You’re welcome.”  Dick wants so desperately to sound genuine, but he’s not sure his voice is fully committed.  It has been nice, dammit, all new discoveries and weird tension aside!  He’s going to miss Baby Jay snuggling up against him and being such a warm presence at his side. 

But… just because Baby Jay is gone, that doesn’t mean that he has to lose that, right? 

“Where’s Jason?” Dick asks, rather abruptly.

“Patrol ran late,” Damian explains, sitting up straight and haughty.  He bristles with pride at being the new Jason Todd expert.  “Todd has asked me to stand guard for him.” 

It is at this time that Alfred beckons Cass over to help him serve a hearty breakfast.  Eggs and toast and sausage, for those who want it.  Fresh fruit as per usual.  It’s a full table, apart from adult Jason and Bruce, who is mysteriously absent.

“Guarding what?” Stephanie leans forward, reaching across Damian to grab some toast. 

Huffing, Damian crosses his arms and leans back in his chair, opting not to reply.  Baffled, Steph makes a face at him before striking up a random conversation with Tim. 

As if possessed by the God of Concern itself, Dick chews the corner of his lip, feeling as though his skeleton is going to claw itself out of his body and his skin will melt to the floor.  He’s bouncing his right leg, a habit he struggles to knock.  The food in front of him smells amazing but he can’t find it in himself to be hungry. 

He really, really needs to find Jason. 

Beside him, teenage Jason Todd takes a bite of his eggs before shifting in his seat to face Dick.  There’s a steely resolve there that Dick hasn’t seen before, not since Baby Jay’s arrival in the modern world.  

In a low voice, soft and secretive, Jason asks, “He told you, didn’t he?” 

Dick observes Jason out of the corner of his eye, jaw wired tight.  “Told me what?” 

Jason huffs a little laugh.  “Yeah, he did.  You’re taking it better than I thought you would.”  He reorients himself entirely to face Dick, cutting Tim off from their conversation and piquing Damian’s suspicion in the process.  Cass, thankfully, maybe recognizing their need for privacy, reaches an arm in front of Damian and jabs his ribs with her other in an attempt to distract the boy.  

It works. 

“I mean, this isn’t like, the ideal outcome, but it’s better than getting punched in the face,” young Jason continues.  “It’s very… you.  At least, this version of you.  I think, if I told my Dickie, he’d sucker punch me and ignore me for a couple months.” 

“What?” Dick asks, appalled. 

“I don’t know!” Jason blurts.  “He’s kinda… you know.”  Dick opens his mouth to respond but before he can, little blabbermouth keeps talking.  “I mean, it’s hot.  I like it when you bully me.  In the funny way, not for real, you know?” 

Mouth running dry, Dick finally turns to look at Baby Jay and finds… not his sweet, innocent companion from the day before, but the sharp gaze of a scheming teenager.  This is more along the lines of the Jason he remembers, from all those years ago.  

“Does it make you uncomfortable?” Jason asks, point blank. 

Blinking at him, Dick lets the first word he can think of spill out of his mouth into the air between them.  “No.” 

“Good,” Jason says.  “For his sake.  What do you feel?  Don’t tell me, obviously.  This is enough for my spank bank for the next few weeks.”

Dick doesn’t know what he feels.  He can say one thing for certain: he does not want to lose Jason.  His heart is still trying to make sense of the confession. 

His mind ends up going for a ride, too, when young Jason speaks next. 

“You know, I was like, weirdly hoping that by being here, I wouldn’t have to die a virgin, but I guess this is the best outcome.” 

… 

…

What?

Jason laughs.  “I’m just kidding.” 

Dick’s eyebrows shoot up into his hairline.  “I–” 

“I’m not a virgin,” Jason admits. 

… WHAT?

“Wh–what are you saying,” Dick breathes. 

Young Jason claps a hand on his knee like this is the funniest joke.  When he speaks next, his eyes are wide, a tiny, cynical smile playing at his lips.  “Dick, I know I’m going to die.  Well, it’s just a suspicion.  This thing I need to do… I know I’m going to put myself in danger.  Danger is not unfamiliar to me.  So, when I stepped through the portal, and saw you, I don’t know, I guess I just thought I’d see where things took me.  I didn’t know that this would be the future.  It could’ve been an entirely different universe, and maybe it is.  But it just felt like it appeared at the right time, too perfect.  I needed an answer and I got one.”  He knocks his knee into Dick’s.  “And I got to spend time with you in the process, so thanks for that.” 

“Y–you don’t need to thank me.”  Dick feels hollow, like this is a dream, and his mind is going to float away.  He is in this moment and he is watching it from afar, simultaneously, trying so hard to make sense of anything.  “I missed you, Jay.” 

But Jason shakes his head.  “I’m still here, Dickie.  I came back to you.  I’m just… a little different.  Aren’t we all?”  He jerks his chin toward their tablemates.  “This… all feels really nice.  You guys seem happy.  I’m excited to be part of this when it’s time.” 

There’s heat behind Dick’s eyes, licking like a flame.  His vision blurs.  “You’re a good kid, Jason.  I may not be the best to you, in your time, but just… I’ll be here when you…” come back, he wants to say, but he bites his tongue.  “When you need me.  Okay?” 

Jason nods and smiles at him, for a glimpse, looking all sweet and innocent like he did at the start of this strange journey, but then that sweet turns sickly and his gaze turns devious.  “Don’t worry about being mean.  It’s hot.  It works for you.”  He claps a hand down on Dick’s knee one last time and stands.  Stretches, in the same way Dick had down in the cave the night before.  “You cool if I head out?” 

This last phrase is uttered loud enough for the table to hear.  The kitchen comes to a halt around them.  Tim squints at Jason as though he’s staring into the sun.  “Bruce hasn’t said the portal back was ready yet?” 

Shrugging, Jason grins, nice and sharp.  “I’ve got a feeling it’ll be ready soon.” 

~*~

Saying goodbye to Baby Jay takes less time than everyone had expected, partially because the portal opened faster than anticipated and had started closing during the middle of a Bruce goodbye speech. 

Both Bruce and Jason– their Jason, Dick’s Jason– had been tucked away in the cave during breakfast, working through a few resources that Constantine sent over, along with some brief yet insightful directions.  Constantine watched through the Batcomputer camera as they wrapped everything up and he uttered the incantation necessary to open the portal.  Bruce shared later, after all was said and done, that this was an easier task than others that Constantine had given.  

They had all taken turns saying something to young Jason.  Bruce started, of course, and then the rest of them tumbled.  Most goodbyes were relatively short due to the limited interaction and Tim’s incessant warnings about the space-time continuum, whatever that meant. 

When it was Dick’s turn to part ways, second to last, Baby Jay turned to him and engulfed him in a hug.

“It’s been nice, Dickie,” his Little Wing whispered into his chest.  “Thanks for hanging out with me.” 

“Anytime, Jason,” Dick uttered back.  He wanted, in that moment, to hang on to Baby Jay forever.  Yet time was of the essence. 

Pulling away, Jason turned his attention then to his adult self.  The two regarded each other for an odd moment in silence.  Then, adult Jason stuck out a fist. 

“Good luck, kid,” Jason warned.  “It’ll be hard, but you’ve got it.” 

Baby Jay bumped his fist against his adult Jason’s and smirked.  “I think I’ll manage.” 

And that was that.  Young, sweet, not-so-innocent Jason Todd stepped all too casually through the white, swirling light of a portal.  The mist enveloped him and vanished instantaneously. 

“ Well, this was nice and all,” Constantine grumbled through the speaker.  “ Til next time, Bats.” 

Everyone began moving all at once, resetting themselves on their natural course of the day.  Dick stood stock still.  When he finally found himself again, he looked for Jason, the adult version– his Jason– only for no Jason to be found. 

~*~

Dick finds Jason in four minutes. 

Weirdly enough, Dick had this strange compulsion to go knock on Jason’s bedroom door.  He resisted the urge, his brain telling him that would be too easy, so he initiated a lap around the lower floor before realizing that was stupid and he should just listen to his instincts. 

Which, hey, he is glad he did.  The manor is quiet behind Dick when Jason opens his bedroom door.  Jason, much like yesterday, looks a little rough around the edges.  It’s unclear whether he found time to sleep last night between returning from patrol and working on the portal with Bruce. 

“Hi,” Jason speaks, and wow, there’s Dick’s answer.  That voice, low and tired, drips like molten lava down Dick’s fried nerves, burning whatever anxiety he had about this moment into nothingness. 

“Hi,” Dick says back.  Hands at his sides, he fumbles with himself, rocking back and forth on the ball of his feet.  “Can we talk?” 

An obvious reluctance flashes over Jason’s features, yet it fades away as fast as it came.  “Uh, sure.  Come in.” 

Jason steps away from the door.  Dick follows him in and locks the door behind him.  

Jason does not notice.  He, like Dick, is distracted– consumed with the something that swims between them.  Absentmindedly, he paces by the foot of his bed, looking everywhere around the room except at Dick. 

Desperately, Dick wants to ask Jason how much he remembers from last night.  Wants to hear that raw honesty once again, pick apart Jason’s words until they click into place in Dick’s puzzle of a mind.  Though, in this moment, his heart convinces him to act otherwise. 

“You busy?” Dick asks. 

Jason blinks at him.  “No.” 

Nodding toward the bed, Dick says, “Lay with me.” 

Like a man possessed, Dick saunters over to Jason’s bed and crawls onto it with intent.  He collapses onto his side, head on Jason’s pillow, and stares at Jason, patting the space next to him.  Jason lets out a shaky breath before obeying.  

And… how had Dick not noticed this before?  Maybe it’s because of Jason’s t-shirt and his grey sweatpants, but Jason looks particularly soft and vulnerable despite all his muscle.  Dick bites his lip.  That urge– the need to touch– it roars. 

Jason lets himself lay down next to Dick and faces him, expression blank, expectant. 

“Closer, Jay,” Dick teases.  “I don’t bite.” 

“Dick,” Jason warns. 

“I know what I’m doing.”  Dick offers a tiny smile in comfort.  “Only if you want me to, that is.” 

Jason shifts forward in response.

Tentatively, Dick reaches forward and pushes Jason’s shoulder gently, gently, until he lays on his back with Dick’s arm across him.  Dick inches closer until his chin rests against Jason’s shoulder.  He strokes his hand across Jason’s clothed chest. 

“Did you mean it?”  Dick asks.  “What you said, last night.” 

A beat.  “I say a lot of things.” 

“Baby Jay admitted to it,” Dick pushes forward, fingers dancing further south, searching for the ridges of Jason’s abs.  “Wanting to fuck me.” 

“Of course he did.”  A scoff.  Jason sounds a little choked up, a little out of breath.  “What’d you tell him?” 

The real, true answer is nothing, because Dick had been thrown so far for a loop that he struggled to find his way back to earth to give a proper response.  Instead, he had glossed right over it at the time, locking it away for later. 

Later is now. 

“I told him to wait until he was older,” Dick teases.  Absentmindedly, his hand fiddles with the edge of Jason’s tee, fingertips skimming the skin he finds there. 

Abruptly, Jason grabs at Dick’s wrist, halting his movements.  “Dick, if this is a test for you… I can’t do this.” 

“It’s not,” Dick says. 

“Prove it,” Jason bites back.  

In a beat, Dick grabs Jason’s jaw, pulls his face toward him, and goes in for a kiss.  Jason’s lips are so soft and pliant against his.  Dick licks into Jason’s mouth and reaches a hand into Jason’s hair, tugging, stroking, teasing.  Jason lets out a soft moan and melts underneath him. 

Dick’s obsessed.  He tilts his head to the side, slanting his mouth against Jason’s, and clutches at Jason.  He’s got one hand in Jason’s hair and another sliding up underneath Jason’s shirt, fingers dancing across muscles.  Dick pulls away from Jason for a moment to climb on top of him and when he looks back down, his attention freezes on Jason’s dazed expression. 

Pink cheeks, glossy lips, heavy-lidded eyes.  Jason gazes up at Dick like Dick is his entire world.  Dick swallows, heart swelling so, so big, and dives back in for another kiss. 

Jason tastes like cigarettes and strawberries and something forbidden.  His hands grab at Dick’s head, pulling him closer, closer, until there’s no room between them.  He kisses Dick like a man starved.

Tingles of arousal rippled through Dick’s body and he lets out a soft moan, withdrawing from the kiss to mouth at Jason’s jaw and neck.  The urge to claim pounds at the back of his mind and he obeys, teeth nipping at the soft skin beneath Jason’s ear. 

“Dick,” Jason breathes.  “Dickie.” 

And oh, doesn’t that do something?  Dick feels his cock twitch in his pants.  He hums against Jason’s neck, biting, kissing, slowly, slowly, traveling down until he hits the neck of Jason’s shirt. 

Tugging at the fabric of Jason’s shirt, Dick sits upright, gazing down at his sweet, submissive Baby Jay and smirks. 

“Wanna take this off for me, Little Wing?” Dick asks, keeping his voice pitched low, thick with arousal.  

Wordlessly, Jason nods and shifts beneath him, shucking off the t-shirt before laying back against the sheets and gazing up at Dick.  He bites his lip when Dick moves to remove his own shirt, utterly enraptured with the reveal of Dick’s skin. 

“You’re so hot, Dickie,” Jason whispers, this little secret between them.  “Fuck.” 

Reveling in the compliment, Dick leans down and smirks against Jason’s skin, sucking a bruise into Jason’s clavicle.  His hands grope at Jason’s waist, squeezing into the muscle as though he needs to keep Jason in place, right where he belongs underneath Dick.  Dick lavishes at the skin a moment longer before shifting his attention to Jason’s impressive pecs and those pretty pink nipples. 

Is he suddenly overcome with the urge to suck at Jason’s tits?  Absolutely.  God damn, no wonder Jason fills out his suit so well.  The guy is thick, all muscle ready for Dick to grab.  Dick bites the skin right next to Jason’s left nipple before teasing the pink flesh with his teeth. 

And oh, Jason moans so pretty, so deep and rumbly and Dick can feel it reverberate through his chest, can feel Jason’s cock pressing against the knee Dick has between his legs.  Jason’s hands fling to Dick’s head, fingers thrust into his hair, hanging on for dear life.  

Dick shifts over to the other nipple and plants a kiss against the soft bud, right as he lets go of Jason’s waist and sticks a hand down Jason’s pants. 

“You’re doing so good for me, Little Wing,” Dick breathes against the damp skin, warm and heady.  “My Baby Jay.” 

Jason squirms beneath him, letting out a needy little “ Dickie, please,” as Dick teases at his pubes. 

“How often have you thought about me like this?” The question comes unbridled, spilling out of Dick’s lips.  He stares at Jason’s flushed face, at his open mouth and soft lips.  “How often did you touch yourself thinking about me?” 

Dick’s hand is nearly there, just a touch away from grazing Jason’s cock, and it’s driving Jason insane. 

“Dick, please, Dickie,” he begs.  “Please…” 

“Answer me first, Little Wing.  How often?” 

“All the time,” Jason gushes.  He throws an arm over his eyes, embarrassed and turned on and oh, he’s twitching against Dick’s knee.  “Almost every night.  When… whenever I… it’s always you.” 

“Good boy,” Dick says, finally giving him and wrapping his hand against Jason’s cock.  Jason whines beneath him.  “Got yourself all hot and bothered for me, didn’t you?” 

“Yes, Dickie.” 

Dick gives Jason’s cock a few tentative strokes, thumb lingering at the top and pressing at his tip.  He’s already wet and leaking.  

Pushing at Jason’s sweatpants and the boxers underneath, Dick pulls the offending fabric out of the way so he can get a good look at Jason’s throbbing cock.  And… wow.

It’s not like Dick didn’t think Mr. Muscles here wasn’t packing, but it’s another thing to see it, to have the weight in his hand and at his mercy.  Jason is hard, stiff and dripping precum, flushed a pretty pink.  Dick tugs at the sweatpants just a bit more so he can glance at the curve of Jason’s ass underneath him and oh, Dick wants nothing more than to get up in Jason’s business. 

“Lube?” 

With his other arm, Jason blindly grapples in the direction of his nightstand.  “Top drawer.  Somewhere.” 

Dick shifts so he’s hovering above Jason’s flushed face.  He tugs the imposing arm out of the way and plants a kiss against Jason’s lips.  

“Don’t tell me you’re going to hide that gorgeous face from me,” he teases. 

Jason offers a tiny grunt.  “Dick.” 

“Jason.” 

Dick waits until Jason opens his eyes just to glare at him.  “Can you continue, please .” 

“Just wanted to see you, that’s all,” Dick says, then adds, “before I wreck you.  Obviously.” 

Jason curses under his breath as Dick fumbles in the nightstand drawer, withdrawing the bottle of lube with urgency.  He kisses Jason again, sticking his tongue in Jason’s mouth and licking against him.  Once Jason starts to moan and whine again, Dick pulls back and refocuses his attention on the throbbing heat beneath Jason’s legs.  

“You’re so sexy, Jay,” Dick breathes.  “So good for me.” 

“On with it,” Jason urges.  He’s all twitchy beneath Dick, pink and soft, body tense with need.  

Dick leans down and kisses the tip of Jason’s cock.  Mouths at the shaft, at his balls.  “You get so pretty when I tease you.”  Jason’s hips twitch at the praise.  Dick licks at Jason once, twice, then swallows that hard length as deep as he can.  

Jason bucks, letting out this long moan that will play on repeat in Dick’s head for months, his cockhead hitting the back of Dick’s throat.  Dick swallows around it, reminding himself to breathe through his nose, and begins to bob his head.  He moves slow, sensual– making a point to make a mess of Jason’s cock, tongue at the slit, sucking and worshipping the length like Jason so deserves. 

And Jason is a mess beneath him, breathing out a mantra of “ Dickie, please, it feels so good” that plays like music to Dick’s ears.  Dick hums around the cock and Jason runs a hand through Dick’s hair, gripping with desperation. 

Once he’s got a good rhythm going, Dick pauses, cradling the weight of Jason in his mouth, and uncaps the lube. He lifts his head and sucks at the tip, then pulls off entirely.  Gazes down at his Little Wing with reverence and spills some lube onto his fingers, rubbing the liquid between them to warm it up. 

Jason gazes back, winded and red, eyes glued to Dick.  Dick tugs at Jason’s sweatpants and boxers and Jason kicks them both away, the bundled fabric ending up abandoned on the bedroom floor.  Once he’s free, laid out nude in front of Dick, Jason brackets Dick between his legs and waits. 

“Think you can be good again, Little Wing?” 

Nodding, Jason lets out a shaky breath and watches Dick.  “Anything for you, Dickie.” 

Dick rewards him by leaning down and biting into the meat of Jason’s thigh right as he slides two fingers into Jason’s waiting hole.  Jason lets out a bark of a moan and immediately clamps a hand over his mouth.  Dick gazes back, amused. 

“Oops,” Dick teases.  

“Shut up,” Jason hisses. 

They both pause for a moment, listening for the sounds of the house.  When quiet responds, Dick resumes, easing three fingers into Jason and sliding that heavy cock back into his mouth.  Fingers massage at Jason’s walls, easing further in, further in, until Jason fully relaxes, right in time for Dick to finger at that special spot inside of him. 

“ Fuck, Dick–”  The hand is back in Dick’s hair, but instead of gripping, it’s pushing, frantic.  “Dick, I’m gonna–” 

But Dick keeps sucking, fingers teasing that little spot mercilessly, and Jason spills down the back of Dick’s throat.  Dick sucks him through it and once Jason’s done, he immediately pulls back and coughs.  Swallows what he can and spits the rest into his hand, pushing at his own pants with haste and giving himself a few strokes with Jason’s cum. 

“Dick, you’re going to kill me,” Jason gushes, propping himself up on his elbows to watch.  He watches Dick jerk himself off, entranced, and spreads his legs. 

“I hope not,” Dick jokes.  He’s not going to last long, but fuck, he wants inside Jason and he wants inside now.  “Just a little wider, Little Wing.” 

Jason groans and obeys.  “Inside, Dickie.  Now.” 

Dick lines himself up and carefully pushes in.  He takes his time finding his place buried within Jason, easing in as gradually as he can.  Once he’s fully sheathed, he leans down and sticks his tongue back in Jason’s mouth.  Jason moans into the kiss, cupping Dick’s jaw. 

Between kisses, Jason whispers a “ move” and Dick does.  Jason’s legs come up to cling to Dick’s sides as he rocks into Jason’s body, all muscle and hard but so soft and warm inside.  They kiss until they can’t, both running short of breath as Dick nears his orgasm. 

“Wanted you forever, Dickie,” Jason breathes, another little secret for Dick and only Dick.  “You feel so good inside me.” 

Dick pants against Jason’s shoulder, mouthing at the skin.  When Jason squeezes around him, he comes with Jason’s name on his tongue, mind filled with thoughts of the man beneath him. 

~*~

In the quiet moments after, when they lay in bed next to each other, on their sides and breathing the same air, Jason speaks. 

“I think you proved it.”  

Feeling all sorts of magical inside, Dick blinks at Jason.  “Did I?”  His hand rests in the space between them.  Jason takes it. 

“You mean so much to me, Dick.  In more ways than one.”  Jason’s voice is quiet, voice shaky, like he’s trying not to cry.  “I need to know how serious you are about me.” 

“I…” Dick starts, then pauses, fumbling for words.  “You’ve felt things for me for years that I… I hadn’t considered.  You mean so much to me too, Jay.  I feel something for you now.  I can’t say it’s as strong as what you do, but I want to try.  With you.” 

Jason nods, offering Dick a tiny smile.  “Yeah, I’d like to try, too.” 

Dick smiles back and leans forward to give Jason a quick kiss.  Of course, Jason pulls him in, deepening the kiss and leaving Dick short of breath. 

When they part, Jason snickers. 

“What?” Dick asks. 

Jason shakes his head.  “Just… thinking about everything that happened. This wasn’t on my bingo card for the year.  I mean, what are the odds that a version of me from the past comes through a portal?” 

“Slim to none,” Dick jokes. 

“You know, I was thinking, though,” Jason adds, voice turning solemn.  “You know how Tim’s all pressed about the space-time continuum?”

“How could I forget?” 

A snort.  “Right.  Well, if… if I were to travel into the future, or, say, past me travels to the future… wouldn’t I remember that?  Like, wouldn’t it become part of the cycle?” 

This very strange, very specific feeling of doubt creeps in and nestles deep within all the elation that consumes Dick.  “What do you mean?” 

Jason looks very shy for a moment.  “Okay, like.  Think about Harry Potter.  The third movie.” 

“Okay, I’m thinking.” 

“At the end, they use the time turner to go back in time.  And when they catch up, they walk into the room that they’ve just time-traveled into the past from.  And it’s like they’ve witnessed the cycle resetting, and it’s bound to continue.  Because they see themselves using the time turner to go back in time, again.” 

Dick looks at Jason very seriously.  “I think I follow.” 

“Right.  So… if history is bound to repeat itself, if an action then resets the course of the timeline… I would, then, hypothetically remember going into the future a few days before I died.” 

Slowly, Dick nods.  His brain is breaking just a bit trying to follow along something so intense right after mind-blowing sex, but he’s doing his best.  “Correct?” 

Jason frowns.  “So then why don’t I remember anything?”

“... you don’t?” 

Shaking his head, Jason confirms Dick’s suspicions.  “No.  I remember things from my point of view, me now… but I don’t remember anything that young me experienced while he– I– was here.” 

Now, Dick frowns too.  He plays with Jason’s fingers as he thinks.  “So, the timeline split.” 

“Unless it had been split already,” Jason suggests. 

“You think that version of you was from a different timeline?” 

Jason shrugs against the sheets, his shoulders speckled with bruises, courtesy of Dick.  “It wouldn’t be the first time that we encountered something like that, right?  I mean, Flash deals with this shit all the time.  At least I think he does.” 

“Sometimes, sure,” Dick says.  There’s something at the back of his mind that feels very pertinent here, but for some reason, he can’t grasp it.  “You were… a little different than I remember.  The you that was here.” 

Humming, Jason rolls onto his back and stares up at the ceiling.  “Yeah.  A bit.  I don’t know.  Just food for thought.” 

“Yeah,” Dick agrees.  Whatever it is his brain thinks he should revisit, surely he can later, right?  “Speaking of food, you wanna grab some lunch?” 

“Didn’t you just eat breakfast?” 

“You didn’t!” 

“... maybe in a bit.”  Jason tilts his head to smirk at Dick.  “Kinda want to make out with you again, first.” 

“Yeah, that sounds good.” 

~*~

In a parallel universe, (or perhaps, not so parallel), young Jason Todd steps through a portal into a quiet Batcave. 

This Batcave is a few years behind the one he visited most frequently– seven years behind, in fact.  He glances around the large cave and finds the absence of additional suits, confirming that he is back in his own timeline. 

Baby Jay lets out a sigh and stretches.  What a weird couple of days.  He had a lot of fun playing with Dickie and causing his older self stress.  Kind of a mean thing to do with one’s older version, but hey, he was taking forever to do something about Dick, and Baby Jay just wasn’t having it.  Or maybe, as he ponders Dick's obliviousness... it was the other way around? 

For a few, silly moments, Jason snickers to himself, recalling some of his favorite moments from the past forty-eight hours.  He approaches the batcomputer and moves to sit down so he can catch himself up on all that Bruce has been up to when a sudden voice causes him to halt. 

“Where the hell have you been?” 

That… is not Bruce.  Jason whips around, eyes wide, and stares at a twenty-one-year-old Dick Grayson.  A twenty-one-year-old Dick Grayson who should not be here, and who should be off-world with the Titans. 

“Dick,” Jason greets, at a loss.  He has no way of knowing what the next few days will entail, but he can tell, at his core, that this is not supposed to happen. 

Dick looks… not as friendly as the one he’d been spending time with over the past couple of days.  This Dick Grayson, Nightwing costume-clad, looks… yes, very hot in his spandex and low-cut uniform… but he also looks very, very mad. 

“Is that my sweatshirt?” Dick asks with an edge. 

Jason gapes and drops his gaze to look at his clothes.  Sure enough, he left the other world without changing into his original clothes.  Which means he looks awfully intrusive, wearing Dick’s clothes and shit, missing his Robin uniform.  He must’ve left it behind– 

“Y– no,” Jason says, starting to panic.  “What are you doing here?” 

Dick scowls and steps forward.  “Bruce called me back because you were missing.  For what, two days?  Where’d you go?” 

Jason shakes his head.  “You’re supposed to be off-world.” 

And yet Dick steps closer, again, that mean glint in his gaze knocking Jason off course.  “You think I’d let my Little Wing go missing without looking for him?  Silly boy.” 

For a moment, Jason’s heart stops beating.  He stands, frozen in time, as the man he thought would never give him the time of day cocks a smirk. 

“Running off and not telling anyone… such a bad boy,” Dick says, sickly sweet.  “I may just have to punish you before B gets back.” 

In this moment, Jason knew: he fucked up.