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“Oh man, what'd he do to you?”
Jason wiped the sword clean on the slaughtered demon's shirt, ignoring the voice above.
“Hmm wait, is this the guy who snatched that little girl… Surprised actually you gave him this clean of a death.”
Jason rolled his eyes and looked up.
The figure was hanging upside down from the fire escape above. Blue eyes glowing and smirk showing just a bit of fang.
“What are you doing here?” Jason asked exasperated.
“Oh you know me, can't resist a good vengeance kill. They call to me.” The demon dramatically placed his hand to his chest.
“Just because I can't figure out what you've done, doesn't make you innocent.” Jason reminded him.
At that the demon flipped upright on the railing before launching himself backwards towards Jason.
Jason didn't flinch at the others' antics and sure enough the small demon caught himself with his dark wings.
“Oh don't be like that Jay. I tell you all the time, I'm an innocent victim of circumstance.”
The shorter male looked up at Jason through his eyelashes as Jason resisted the urge to smile back.
“What are you doing here, Tim?”
“I told you. Anytime you get all hot and bothered about vengeance, it calls me. I'm not one to resist impulses. Demon yaknow?”
“Well I'm perfectly calm and collected now. Are you going to reap his soul or feast on his carcass?”
Jason finally gave into the brewing laughter at the disgusted look Tim shot him.
“Alright alright, I'm done here.” Jason strode out of the alley and the scavenger shadows finally descended on the corpse.
Tim followed.
“If you like vengeance so much why follow me around instead of Bruce? He's like the epitome of vengeance angels.”
Tim had given up trying to keep up with Jason's long strides and instead floated beside him using his innate magic. He scrunched his nose at the observation.
“Bruce is like… Constant without peaks or interest. It's like dog food next to a fine cuisine comparing you two.”
The odd compliment caused Jason's face to burn. Most of the community saw the situation as the exact opposite.
He repeated the same sentiment he'd given Tim time over time… “You are a strange little demon.”
~
The first time Jason saw Tim, he'd been covered in blood and righteous fury.
Jason had become trapped in a situation he couldn't escape from in the clutches of a soul crusher. He had tracked the monster to an abandoned district, and knowing his mentor wasn't far behind, engaged.
He was young, adult wings not even fully formed, and did not have a clear plan. The soul crusher had decimated his growing plumage, clearly preferring to play with its food. Jason had seen its victims, or the pieces that remained, so he should have known what to expect, but he hadn't expected the betrayal and delay of rescue.
The burnt smell of his flesh lingered all around as the creature cackled and taunted him.
There was fire and light and the next thing he knew, he was screaming, every nerve ending raw and exposed, fury coursing through him.
Blood coated him as he destroyed the soul crusher from existence with a devastating strike.
Not until much later did he find out that the final fire he felt and the retribution he dealt were actually two separate events spaced out by months.
It took even longer to question why a young demon was present, small black wings puffed to protect himself from heat and a strange aura of innocence surrounding him.
~
“Son, we exist to help the souls. Our job is to find those that hurt and help them reset to the right path. Anger has no place in our work.”
Jason pulled his small pale wings close around him. His guardian was strict but fair… that didn't make him any less scared of being punished though…
Bruce seemed to sense his line of thinking. He sighed and wrapped the small boy up in his enormous snowy wings. “Jaylad, there is no punishment for your mistake. I just know you have the potential to be the best of us.”
Held in the cocoon of his mentor's arms and wings, Jason felt that all the realms could implode and he'd still be safe right here.
~
“It'll be alright.” A soft voice assured him.
Jason shook in pain and fear. He'd just purged a living creature. It went against all his training, and yet the scariest part was how right it felt.
The soul crusher would never again harm another young one or tear anymore families apart.
The vengeance Jason wrought was final.
Final… No redemption…Jason fell to his knees and heaved.
A small cool hand stroked across his brow. “It'll be alright now.” They said again. “You are going to do amazing things and help so many others. Your whole future is ready for you. Time to become what you are meant to be Jason ”
~
When Jason was a young winged one, he was mostly on his own. His parents were the lowest tier of peasants in the realm, and focused more on their own survival than his. Jason, like everyone else, looked towards the leadership tiers with awe.
When rumors started flying about that the top vengeance angel had taken an apprentice, he followed the story of Richard just like all others. A lowborn winged rising through the ranks to become a high tiered angel was the stuff of fairy tales and dreams.
However after he lost his own parents he found himself in a similar tale with the opportunity to learn and grow. He gave it his all.
He followed the teachings perfectly. Understood and mirrored his teacher's manifest that all souls should have a chance for redemption. They never purged, only purified.
Like any young one, he had opportunities for improvement but he found only encouragement in his mentors.
Until Jason emerged from his first ritual slaying of the soul crusher.
He'd been confused how months had passed in seconds. He'd returned to his mentor and been renounced due to the slaying. Jason found himself lost and adrift without direction.
In a final show of rejection, Bruce had already accepted a new apprentice in Stephanie.
~
“This isn't going to help anyone.” The blonde spat blood out on the ground.
Jason wiped his own blood from his face where she had landed a strong hit from her left fist. “It'll help me feel better.” He growled out at her.
Stephanie’s wings fluttered in agitation. “Look, if you want to keep kicking the shit out of each other, fine. I just want you to know he's not going to care. He's not going to look at either of us.”
“It's not about him!” Jason shouted as he lunged at her again.
She dodged his tackle and swung a booted foot into his back, knocking him down. “Fine, let's do this.”
~
Jason became known as the executioner guardian. His victories were purgings that no soul was redeemed from. He often found himself conflicting with his previous mentor over it, but also found plenty who supported his endeavors.
Tim was a constant presence in those early days. He'd follow Jason about with random information, clearly trying to make himself helpful.
Jason had tried to chase him off, no success.
~
“Why are you always following me? Seems like a dangerous game for a demon to follow a known purger around.”
“I haven't done anything that triggers you.”
“You exist, Demon, it's only a matter of time before I find out why.”
“Maybe you just don't know enough about demon lore.”
Jason scoffed. “I know you are made, not born. You started as a winged, and you decided to fall.”
It was strange that someone so young looking Fell.
Tim sent him a smile. “Glad to know you care.”
“I don't. I am saying I know you did something and one of these days you may be my target.”
“You are correct though” Tim acted as if he didn’t hear the last bit. “I did choose and I don't regret it.” Tim smiled brightly at Jason before pushing up into the air.
~
Though Tim became a common sight for Jason, the demon didn't appear around everyone. This led Jason to suspect that Tim was a figment of his own imagination until Stephanie interacted with him as well.
Stephanie had become another failed disciple after she and Bruce had a falling out. She was quick to stand at Jason's side when he fought against Bruce's morals but had found her own path to walk for redeeming souls. They were easy comrades though and she'd spar with him till they were both bloody, grinning fools.
When Tim appeared before them, Jason was surprised when Stephanie acknowledged him… With a swift kick to the head. Tim had hit the ground hard, staring up dazedly and blushing, as Jason guffawed out uncontrollable laughter.
The two became fast friends after that, and seemingly followed Jason everywhere. Jason had to admit they were a good team. Steph didn't have his talent for hearing the cries of victims praying for vengeance but she was better at finding the ones still alive that needed help.
Soon Stephanie found her own path with a wraith partner. Wraiths were neither angel nor demon but a third thing all feared and Jason was confident in his little sister's safety.
Jason remained Tim's preferred stalking target though.
When you get used to something that is always there, you begin to subconsciously take advantage.
Tim had turned into that at some point for Jason. The demon was smart and Jason used that to his benefit to work out plans. He'd bounce ideas off Tim and give him missions to gather information.
When Jason got in over his head, the demon had even saved him a few times.
~
The blast flew over the crate that Jason was ducked behind.
He heard the cackle, barely giving him warning to dive behind new cover. The old crate shattered.
He couldn't get close enough to use his sword and he felt his magic straining with over use. Rather tricky, but he'd gotten out of worse scraps before.
There was no warning this time and the crate shattered around him. He lay back stunned. Well this would be a stupid way to go.
Darkness suddenly fell around him. The sorcerer he was trying to exterminate screamed before all went silent again.
The lights returned and Stephanie smiled down at him. “Thought we told you to ask for backup.”
“How'd you find me?”
“Tim, of course. He cut the lights.”
Speak of the devil, Tim appeared over him as well.
“You good?” Tim offered his hand out. Jason pulled up and observed the sorceror was out cold with the wraith hovering above.
Tim's hand was dry and soft in Jason’s. “Thanks.” he said looking about the team.
Stephanie smiled brightly at him. “What are friends for?”
~
Stephanie was the heart of their little team, and Jason would like to think he was the muscle, but that was definitely the wraith that followed Steph's bright aura around. Tim was the brains and Jason, well he was something.
He never felt like he quite fit until he admitted this outloud to them one time. Steph had laughed at him, “you're the mom friend.”
“She means you are the protector. You've always been the protector Jay.” Tim had smiled softly at him.
~
As time moved on Jason found he generally adapted to and counted on Tim’s continued presence. The little demon was just an infallible presence since his resurrection.
Jason wished he'd held on tighter to those moments. Losing Tim was a shock to his literal soul.
The day started with everything feeling off kilter. Jason couldn't initially pinpoint what was different, Tim did leave him and visit Steph or do other little tasks. But as the day went on there was an overwhelming blanket of wrongness smothering down.
He found Steph, but no Tim.
~
His wings were silky absolute black feathers but small like his growth had stunted when he was young. It was a sign how young he'd been when he Fell.
Jason's wings were comparable to his large size. Easily thrice his width and creamy white like early morning snow.
The first time Jason had wrapped his adult wings around another, it'd been Tim.
The rain had caught them unaware and Jason didn't hesitate to wrap them up. It was strange to be suddenly in their own small world, sharing the same air.
Tim had looked up with a small smile and luminous blue eyes. “Thanks Jay.”
~
Jason felt his hackles rise when Bruce appeared. The older angel stared silently looking over his former apprentices.
“Jason,” he finally spoke. “I heard you've been looking for a particular fallen.”
Stephanie stepped in front, forcing Bruce to acknowledge her existence. “We've been looking for Tim.”
Bruce spared her a glance before focusing on the one he used to call son. “Demons don't appreciate when their own kind helps the enemy. He's gone.”
Stephanie gave a gasping sob but Jason was focused on Bruce.
“What are you not sharing, Bruce? Existence doesn't end that easily. He wasn't evil, and I would have felt it when he cried for vengeance.”
“Not every soul cries for vengeance, Jason. He was a fallen, he made his choice long ago.”
Bruce didn't offer any further information before he left. Jason turned to comfort Stephanie's sobs, but he knew she believed.
Jason didn't. There was no proof, no indication of what happened.
Then the dreams started. Jason dreamed about memories, darkness, and souls.
~
There was a clashing of thoughts, disjointed around him, like two different souls being forced together. Fire burned, then darkness reigned.
Sadness, silk and determination filtered through the dark.
Determination, feathers and pain came through as a dawn broke on the horizon.
A warm hand grasped his, but no he was warm and it was cool, soothing… a tug on his arm, he pulled on a heavy weight.
It hurt, so much pain but comfort too. Strength, resilience, he knew they must move forward.
Together they pushed toward the light ahead. Heaving, straining, guiding and leading.
Like diving too deep and then hitting air again, Jason gasped awake. The memories of pain and fire were outweighed by the feeling of comforting hands and resolute devotion.
~
The unrelenting dreams were the final trigger. He found himself in front of Bruce with more questions than answers.
Bruce sighed at him. “Did you ever figure out how you came back?”
Jason glared at the question.
“Let me rephrase. Did Tim ever tell you?”
Jason wanted to ask what Tim had to do with this line of conversation, but the question alone was validating to the lingering dreams.
“How'd you let this happen?” Jason felt the tears fall down his face.
Bruce heaved a shaken breath as he looked away. “I ask myself that everyday. He was a brilliant winged one. Several guardians had their eyes on him. When I lost you and he fell…well laws were changed. Good has come from the sacrifice.”
“Where is he Bruce?”
His former guardian looked tired. “His Contract came due. It's not worth trying to track him, son. He's bound to serve the Hell Prince he signed his soul to.”
Jason furiously wiped at the tears still flowing. “Why now? He's followed me for years and it's been fine.”
“It was probably a time based agreement. Demons enjoy their games, the more he was around you, the faster time went.”
~
Bright and sparkling blue eyes met his and Jason struggled to hold onto his anger as he pushed his dripping wet bangs out of his face.
“What's wrong Jay?” The little demon smirked at him. “Can't handle a little precipitation?”
Jason dove at him but the slippery demon danced away, laughing. He found a begrudging smile breaking across his own face as he watched Tim.
His feathers ruffled and stretched as he leisurely prowled after the smaller wings.
This time, his larger frame helped as he caged his adversary in his arms. Tim was still laughing even as he struggled to escape.
“Okay I'm sorry! No more water bubbles I promise!”
Jason summoned his own bubble filled with water and floated it over Tim's head. He smirked, “I think just one more is the perfect amount.”
Tim's shocked face was worth the splash.
~
Not knowing where to direct his anger was the worst part. Jason's marks were normally well planned and justified. The uncontrolled fury combined with denial and an insatiable thirst for vengeance left a trail of bodies in his wake.
Steph called it heartbreak but even she was forced to let him burn.
Jason felt the pull to Fall strongly but there was a bind to his soul that cut through anytime he became too lost. It was like a shot of clarity in the haze of pain. It righted him, let him continue to finish what he started.
…and then he'd realize it was the remnant of Tim, and he'd fall to pieces anew.
Months passed to years as his rage finally burnt to a simmer around him when Stephanie appeared again. He was lost and adrift, just as he was after his revival. The pain was chronic, but he'd learned how to better manage.
She smiled, her unblemished kindness shining through like a golden light as she offered her hand. “Ready to find him?”
~
The wraith, who now was called Cassanda, was the one who'd discovered the lead.
Entering the demon realm, Jason thought he'd feel his powers diminish; Steph had warned him her’s did. Instead he felt a different part of his soul light up. After years of fighting demons in the mundane realm, maybe he should have been fighting here all along.
~
Steph had found a young halfling captured by demons. They'd purged the crew of captors and reunited her with her family; her family being a tall, handsome demon.
Jason recognized the fallen before him. He was a devotee at the same time as Richard. His wings were blood red, clashing with his long red hair and designating him as an incubus.
He flung a sultry smile at them “Thanks for the assist. How can I thank you?”
Cass's eyes narrowed as she wrapped Steph up. Steph swayed for a moment before giggling and burying her face in the wraith's chest. “Oh crap, that's a powerful aura. No thanks needed friend!” she waved him off.
Jason met his golden eyes and felt the pull of magic. It was enthralling. Then the tugging bind that kept him sane when he was lost to grief flared inside him and Jason smirked.
The incubus smiled back, misunderstanding as he stepped closer. The allure increased and Jason felt his soul thrum violently in retaliation. He gave into his bubbling laughter and the incubus halted his advance in confusion.
“Sorry” Jason chuckled. Cass met his eyes and grinned. She always knew.
“Any good with a weapon?” Jason smiled brightly. “We were actually tracking a different target when we found your girl. Could use some backup.”
The demon let out a startled laugh at his own failure. “Sure man, I'm pretty good with a bow.”
“Alright cupid, lets go,” Jason swung a companionable arm around his new friend.
~
There were plenty of injustices in this realm. Those that were wronged or rebelling against their demon overlords, flocked to the team. They soon amassed a following of others behind them and became known and feared by their adversaries.
Some days Jason even felt like they were making a positive difference in the world.
~
Their latest lead found them at the Al Ghul palace. The high ranking demon family was one Jason remembered from his time apprenticing with Bruce. As they moved through the compound, Jason's soul pulled. Entering the actual palace, there was a brilliant ping on his heart he hadn't felt in years.
The battle surged around him, but Jason only had eyes for one figure. The demon general blocking entrance to the Al Ghul throne room was lithe and dangerous. His dark wings were pulled back tightly but as he fought they became extensions of him. The bo staff in his hands was brutal against his assailants, able to knock back multiple targets at a time, and icy magic crackled around, freezing anyone that managed to get up close. He was clearly a force of magic and control, and Jason felt the yearning of his soul.
The wings had finally grown Jason observed as he felt his heart sing. He knew exactly what was under the mask but wondered if his face had matured like those iridescent dark wings.
Maybe this wasn't the optimal greeting but Jason didn't care. Too many years had passed since he felt this glow. He signaled to his team and without waiting for a response, engaged.
The fight was bloody and brilliant. Jason had a knife in each hand and the general blocked his attempts easily with the staff. Ice flared but Jason effortlessly burned through it. They pushed, punched, kicked and fought like hell cats. Bloody knuckles and split lips but Jason had never felt stronger. The hits came quicker but he could sense them before they landed and shoved onward to back the general into a corner, caging him in.
They were both heaving as Jason reached forward and the other flinched back. Jason didn't care, he grabbed the other's chin, and yanked forward. The mask came off and Jason was momentarily distracted by the blazing blue eyes. They were wide and afraid. Jason felt the fear and trepidation himself but he'd waited for this moment for far too long. He dove down to share a bloody open mouthed kiss.
The bond sang to life, magic surged and light filled Jason's being.
Soul bonds were funny things. Most winged ones never had a soul bond as it required a great sacrifice of soul. Sacrifices of soul were the ultimate taboo and the easiest way to Fall.
When a young winged one had made his choice years ago, some would say he'd ruined his life. He’d perverted that precious gift of soul into a bargaining chip for his own selfish reasons. He'd known though exactly what he was giving up. Better, he knew what he was giving the world in return.
The revived Jason became the ultimate guardian of vengeance. The innocent lives lost cried to him and he avenged. He did so without prejudice for the victims' circumstances. All were welcome to use his name as a curse to those who wronged them. He was the executioner of the wicked and protector of the innocent. He wasn't hung up on other guardian's desires to redeem, his justice was swift and final.
Binding his soul to a demon was surprisingly easy. Tim's wings didn't turn white but the contract he'd made to save Jason all those years ago shattered. No other demon could maintain a hold in the face of Jason's burning, possessive rage.
Tim panted back into his mouth, blue eyes teary as they met Jason's.
The bond thrummed with love.
~
Jason wrapped his wings around his demon partner as fire blazed around. His magic expanded around creating a barrier to the heat, but the wings served as a barrier to the world. He cupped Tim's face, gently tipping it up. “I've missed you.” He felt scraped raw and vulnerable.
“Sorry Jay.” Tim smiled at him before pressing up into a soft kiss. “I didn't want to leave you.”
Jason felt mesmerized by the moment; at feeling his soulmate in his arms. He looked so much like the young demon that followed him for years and at the same time so different. Jason felt the years separated hadn't been easy or kind to his partner. Tim had muscle packed on his lithe frame, his baby face had melted into one of sharp beauty and scars dotted along his exposed hands. His eyes, still a fathomless blue, had gained a little weariness.
He pulled him closer, wishing he could go back and change it all. Give Tim everything he deserved, protect him from the evils.
“Jay, it's alright.” Tim's cool hands rested on Jason's cheeks and he realized he was crying. Tim wiped the tears away.
“You have done so many amazing things and helped so many others. Our future is still in front of us. We'll find the path forward together.”
Jason lifted the demon up in his arms, letting the soul bound speak for him as he kissed Tim deeply.