Tags: Slowburn, Slice of life, female reader, Strangers to friends to lovers, Eventual smut
Dividers: chrisssiren
Ao3 / Masterlist
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Chapter 19: Oh, Lord Have Mercy
Ground hog day.
That would be how you could describe your last 24 hours:
Hospital.
Home.
Sleep
Hospital.
Home.
Sleep.
Or at least attempt to sleep.
You rolled onto your side and stared into the darkness.
You had managed three hours, maybe four.
Exhaustion made your body stiff and heavy, but your brain apparently disagreed.
Maybe you should eat.
You got out of bed, pulling on pyjama shorts. Then wandered out of your room and into the kitchen.
The apartment was once again empty.
You opened the fridge and stared at your shelf.
Nothing felt particularly inviting.
You closed the fridge door and moved to your cupboard.
“Aha,” you grabbed a chocolate protein bar tearing open the wrapper.
You leaned against the counter and took a slow bite of the bar while staring at a chipped tile.
Images of patients from the ER drifted into your mind.
You looked up at the lounge window.
It was dangerous to bring work home; it never led to anything good.
After finishing the protein bar and you tossed the wrapper in the bin.
Your legs led you to the window and you slid it open.
It was ridiculously late for you to be venturing out onto the roof, but it felt safer than letting your thoughts swallow you whole.
The fire escape was freezing under your bare feet.
You should’ve turned back, grabbed shoes and a jacket, but you were only going to be out there for a bit. So, it would be fine.
The height as you climbed still made your legs wobble, but it was less prevalent this time.
You hugged yourself tight once your feet were firmly on the roof’s gravel, it bit at your feet, but you ignored as you walked.
Today had been weird.
Online had been buzzing with questions and theories about the bombing, but you had mostly ignored it.
The city still moved and the most acknowledgement was in passing conversation.
“Did you hear about the cinema?”
You had heard that a few times while grabbing coffee before your shift and filling up with petrol on the way back.
However, at the ER the topic was mostly avoided unless necessary, and the staff were all much less chatty than usual.
“You shouldn’t be out here this late.”
A deep modulated voice made you jump; you spun to face where it came from.
“Redhood,” you breathed out. “You scared me.”
He stood a few paces back.
Intimidating as ever, the red emblem on his chest sticking out in the dark.
“You’re lucky it was me scaring you.”
You crossed your arms.
He wasn’t wrong, you knew that, but you didn’t appreciate a lecture right now.
“I’m fine.”
“Right,” Redhood stepped forward.
“Why are you here?”
“I was passing through.”
“That's convenient,” you narrowed your eyes and took a step towards him, “or do I have to start worrying about a stalker, hm?”
“Don't flatter yourself too much,” he raised his hands in a mock defense. “I’m just on patrol, doc.”
You opened your mouth but then closed it.
Your tired brain couldn’t come up with a witty enough response to that, so you turned to look out at the skyline again.
You felt Redhood move to stand next to you.
He was scarily quiet when he moved. There was no rustle of fabric, no warning, just sudden awareness of him there.
You kept your eyes fixed on a specific building in the distance, pretending not to notice how his presence pressed against your side despite the physical distance between you two. Something in you kept insisting you look at him anyway.
There were no sirens tonight, or correction less sirens tonight. The buzz of traffic was still ever present mixed with the usual occasional shout from someone enjoying their night, or very much not.
“Long day?” he asked.
You let out a dry laugh.
“Long two days.”
“The bombing?”
You nodded once.
“Me too.”
That made you look at him. You’d forgotten that while you were dealing with the aftermath in the hospital he had probably been dealing with whatever happened on site.
“Were you there?”
It felt like a stupid question, but you didn’t want to assume.
“Mhm.”
He turned slightly, the white lenses of his helmet catching the glow of a nearby sign.
You picked at a piece of loose skin on your thumb
“It was really…” you searched for the right word. “Intense.”
His red helmet tilted.
“Are you okay?”
The question had caught you off guard.
You looked back over the city.
“I don’t really know,” you admitted with a small shrug.
A car horn echoed.
“Are you?”
The distant hum of traffic filled the silence between you for a moment.
“I don’t know either.”
Your heartbeat picked up.
Redhood took another step closer.
“Do you know who did it?”
“A hunch.”
“A hunch?”
“That’s all it is right now.”
You scoffed under your breath.
“Everyone here is so stingy with information.”
“Part of the charm.”
You rolled your eyes and looked back out across the city.
Somewhere out there was Castleland mall.
Your amusement faded.
Then after a moment.
“Does it ever get easier?” you asked eventually.
“Seeing all of it, I mean.”
You pointed toward the skyline
“The violence. The deaths. People getting hurt.”
Redhood looked out at it for a long moment.
“No.”
The answer was sharp.
“It still pisses me off just as much as it did in the beginning.”
There was something in his voice that implied he had lot of history and a lot of anger behind those words.
You waited to see if he’d say more.
He didn’t.
The wind stirred between the two of you.
You wanted to ask more.
“You’re not what I expected,” you said instead.
A quiet laugh crackled through his modulator.
“Thats usually a bad thing.”
“Not this time.”
Music drifted faintly from an apartment balcony.
You found yourself looking at him, you couldn't help it.
Maybe it was because of his reputation.
“You’re staring,” he said slowly.
“You are too.” You countered.
“I am.”
That made your face warm, and you looked away first.
You became very aware of the fact that he took another step toward you.
Your heart gave a sharp, traitorous stutter.
Oh yeah, he was much closer.
You held your gaze stubbornly on a specific window.
Redhood exhaled, “Doc.”
Oh, lord have mercy.
You turned and the distance between you felt very small.
His hand slowly lifted, and his gloved hand brushed your cheek.
Cold and barely there, just the faintest graze of his thumb against your skin.
Everything seemed to narrow,
The city.
The traffic.
The wind.
All of it faded into the background.
Only him and the warmth spreading through your stomach.
His thumb moved just slightly.
Then he stopped and let his hand drop.
“Sorry,” he said quietly.
You shook your head, “No, it's okay.”
“I shouldn’t,”
“You don’t have to explain.”
His helmet tilted as he looked down at you, “I kind of do.”
“No,” you continued before you could overthink it. “I know.”
Redhood tensed.
He stared at you, or at least it felt like staring. The white lenses gave nothing away.
“You don’t know,” he said.
“You wear a mask,” you smiled faintly. “I figured that one out.”
“Doc.”
“I’m serious,” your voice dropped. “I don’t need to know.”
The wind tugged through at your hair.
“If that’s what you’re worried about,” you swallowed. “I can close my eyes.”
He clenched and unclenched his hands.
“I trust you.”
The words left you before you could second guess. If you were to second guess you would probably consider them incredibly reckless, you had met Redhood twice. He could be literally anyone. And yet you still felt this pull towards him that you couldn’t quite put your finger on. The connection between you two felt so easy.
Maybe it was utter exhaustion, but you could give less of a fuck right now.
“Yeah?” he asked.
You nodded, “Yeah.”
Your heart was pounding now.
“You can take it off.”
His helmet turned slightly.
“Just for a minute,” his words came out barely above a whisper.
“I won't look,” you closed your eyes. “I promise.”
He didn’t answer.
The darkness behind your eyelids felt impossibly bright.
Then you heard it, the faint mechanical release, and your breath caught.
You became aware of every tiny thing.
The cold air on your bare legs.
The gravel beneath your feet.
The way your heart was trying to punch its way out of your chest.
You kept your eyes closed.
Waiting.
Nothing happened.
You closed your eyes a little tighter, because now all you could think about was him standing right there.
Close.
Unmasked.
Looking at you.
“You still there?”
The question slipped out before you could stop it.
You wanted to launch yourself off the roof. Of course he was still there.
You could practically feel him.
Something brushed your hand.
Fingers.
The fabric of his glove was cool against your knuckles.
“Right,” your laugh came out nervous. “Stupid question.”
His fingers nudged yours again, this time one hooked gently around your index finger.
Your pulse jumped.
Slowly, you lifted your other hand. Hesitating halfway.
“Can I…”
The question died before it fully formed, you weren’t even sure what you were asking.
A second later, his hand closed around your wrist and guided it upward.
Your fingertips brushed skin.
Warm skin.
Stubble.
A strong jaw.
The breath that left him sounded slightly unsteady, which did absolutely nothing good for your own composure.
“Okay,” your voice was almost a whisper. “Definitely there.”
His thumb swept across the inside of your wrist, before his hand slipped away and settled at your waist instead.
Your own hand drifted from his jaw, sliding down the side of his neck until your palm rested against his chest.
It was firm and solid under your hand, most likely the armour beneath his shirt.
His other hand found your cheek, tilting your face toward where you assumed his was.
You could feel his breath now.
Close.
Your stomach flipped and your fingers curled slightly against his chest.
His hand tightened at your waist in response.
Neither of you moved.
His thumb brushed your cheek again and you could feel his eyes on you.
“Red.”
The hand on your waist flexed.
You felt rather than heard his reaction and you could’ve melted on the spot. Because for all his confidence, for all the teasing and the flirting and the stupid nicknames…
He was nervous too.
Or at least it felt like it.
Either way it only intensified the warmth in your stomach.
His thumb traced the curve of your lower lip. The gesture was so gentle it nearly hurt.
You bit your lip instinctively.
What you assumed was his thumb tugged it free.
Then he leaned in.
Slowly.
Giving you every chance to pull away.
You didn’t.
His lips pressed against yours, warm against your air chilled ones.
The kiss was soft, careful, and a bit hesitant.
For a second your brain stopped working.
He was kissing you.
Redhood was kissing you.
It felt ridiculous and impossible and entirely too easy all at once.
He pulled back just enough to breathe. His forehead nearly brushed yours and you felt the faint tickle of his hair against your skin.
The hand on your waist squeezed once, it felt like a question.
You nodded.
That was all the encouragement he needed. He kissed you again, this time neither of you hesitated quite as much.
It was still soft and careful, but less uncertain.
Your hands found his shoulders, fingers curling in the leather of his jacket.
Redhood’s arm wrapped fully around your waist and pulled you closer.
Heat flooded your face and you became aware of the fact you were smiling into the kiss, which was probably embarrassing but you couldn’t find it in yourself to care.
Eventually, he broke away first, forehead resting against yours.
All you could hear was your own heartbeat and his breathing.
Warm against your cold skin.
He squeezed your waist one last time before reluctantly stepping back.
The loss of warmth was intense and immediate.
The faint mechanical click sounded again, but you waited.
A beat.
“You can open your eyes.”
Even through the modulator, his voice sounded rougher than before.
Maybe a little breathless.
You opened your eyes slowly.
There was more space between you now, but not much. You still could’ve reached out and touched him if you wanted to.
“I should probably continue my patrol,” he said.
You nodded.
“I should probably sleep.”
Neither of you moved.
“Will I see you again?” you asked.
You heard him inhale. The mask made it sound mechanical.
“Yeah,” he said quietly. “You will.”
You smiled and finally forced your feet to move.
“Goodnight, Red.”
You watched him walk to the edge of the roof and onto the low wall, the way he looked back at you.
“Night, Sweetheart.”
Then with a small nod, Redhood stepped off the building.
Your stomach promptly tried to exit your body.
THWIIIIPP
And he was gone.
You stood there for another minute, staring at the place he’d disappeared.
Eventually the cold forced you inside.
Your feet carried back across the gravel, down the fire escape, through the window and into your apartment.
Everything looked exactly the same. One of Jason’s mugs was still sitting beside the sink, and your jacket was still thrown over the couch from when you got home from work earlier. Only your keys hung on the kitchen hooks.
Nothing had changed.
Yet, it still felt different as you padded through the hallway, but you couldn’t quite pinpoint it.
You climbed back into bed, sleep should have been impossible.
Somehow it wasn’t.
The last thing you remembered before drifting off was the feeling of a gloved thumb against your cheek.
Hi there! I saw multi fandom, so which ones? Or can I just request a character? (Sorry if my english is Bad in any way, it’s not my first language.)
hi-o!! (just saying ur English is perfect)
I do have quite a lot of fandoms Im in, but the ones I would most likely consider myself a part of them are;
DC - mainly batfamity (as I havent read a lot of the comics about others) but I do understand a lot of other characters (justice league, teen titans, flash, green lantern, super families ETC.)
marvel - let’s be honest I only know Spider-Man and Tony stark.. sort of (though I do know the other avengers and such, Im just not that interested in them atm)
Percy Jackson - I can do any character from most/all (main) books (pjo, hoo, though I'm still on the first book... i have been for a while now)
Harry Potter - the og golden trio era (Ive gotten so into hp recently idk why)
also any random actors i find attractive - (I don’t really wanna give a list lol, Im afraid of judgment)
But I am in a lot of other fandoms (most of them i just haven’t finished yet) and im always looking to join new ones!! So if you have any requests for fandoms AND characters, please feel free to ask!! (So yes please give me some good fandom and characters to get into)
disclaimer!! i just wanna say that i will not promise that i will be interested in those characters, and or I won't really want to get into the fandom!! (This isn't me being mean, just kinda lazy/I'm not interested in the fandom or character.) i will obviously take your requests and research the character/fandom, but if im not interested in it dont expect me to write smth based off it. :) ty for understanding!!
Hey my lovelies! I really can't believe I’ve collected 1,000 of you.. it's actually insane and I'm so grateful for every single one of you who reads, comments, reblogs or just lurks and vibes with my little fics. To celebrate, I'm opening up "Bea's Late Night Diner" for my first ever event!
think of it as your late night diner escape. Except, instead of food and drinks, you’re ordering custom fics from me! Everything is how you like it. Event will run for a few weeks until I feel I’ve done enough. I will announce when I’m shutting the diner doors!
masterlist is underway! (Here is the first fic)
HOW TO ORDER :
- send me an ask with the menu item + the character / pairing you want.
- you can add a short prompt or vibe if you want (e.g angst with happy ending, fluff, post mission.. etc)
- i'll then write a little drabble / blurb / headcanons based on what you "order' - EXAMPLE: I want to order a coffee, Jason Todd post patrol fluff. Or even give a more specific prompt!
- keep in mind who I write for! Mainly DC and JJK!
MENU :
coffee — drabble of your choice (300-600 words)
milkshake — longer fic of your choice (1-3k)
pancake stack — bullet point headcanons (10-20)
mystery pie — surprise trope! I pick :3 (you pick the character)
buy one get one free — two characters (or ship), one prompt
late night special— a more ‘after hours’ fic. only order this if requesting smut!
restock request — continuation or sequel of one of my existing fics! (even if it already has parts)
(Menu item + character + scenario/trope + your fic!)
RULES :
one order per ask (can submit multiple asks)
No smut unless you order the late night special
DC and MARVEL characters only for this event
I’ll work through them as fast as I can, but please be patient!
No deadline — the diner stays open until I’ve served everyone I want to
I reserve the right to decline if something doesn’t vibe with me. I wont post anything about it if I decline, so if I don’t answer, assume it’s declined!
Tag your request with ‘my order’, so I can separate it from other requests in my inbox
So come on in! The booths are worm and the drinks are fresh and I’m so excited to treat my lovelies.
Thank you again for 1k followers in just about 2 months. It’s bonkers and I never imagined this many people would read my stuff. Come and grab a late night snack and let me spoilt u a little… <3
okay, i know this image depicts jason with selina (the intention of this post isn't to romanticise the pair of them or ship them) BUT!...
i would really like a fic where you are selina's double (she took you under her paw the same way bruce did to see what the fuss over a sidekick was about, and either you are her little kitten sidekick - preferably keep y/n cat-related, please - or she trains you to be capable of impersonating her when she's injured) and during the day/when you're not leading your double life, you and jason (whom you don't know is redhood) live next door to one another in the same apartment building.
the plot of the fic can be whatever really:
either some fluff of jason crushing over his cute neighbour who he doesn't know he's fought against and rejected the flirting of because his heart is set on his quiet, nerdy, book-loving neighbour.
some more 18+ banter mid fight (this can be against one another, or you guys teaming up).
maybe some slowburn where your double lives isn't the main focus, but rather the apartment building has become momentarily faulty (electricity won't turn on, water is now cold, etc.) and one of you guys is forced to knock on your neighbour's door for one reason or the other and you guys get to know each other.
if i've inspired you, please, once you've posted your fic just tag me so i could read it. i would appreciate the credit too! have a lovely day, reader :)
Hellooo!! I'm absolutely starving for pjo content☹️ can I request a walker or Percy fic inspired by drop dead by Olivia? I would love it if you sprinkle it with angst but w a happy end! TY I LOVE UR WRITING SO FAR!!
omggg THANK YOUUU💗literally there has been a drought of pjo content. and, yes yes yes, I can do that!! I have not gotten a chance to write angst yet (honestly scared) I’ll for sure add that to my to do list :D and this gives me an excuse to listen to the song like a million times👀👀
hi ! could you maybe write connor stoll/cabin 12!reader? preferably male reader but you could make it gn👀 thank you🥹🥹
heyoooo!! This is my first request (tysm🥹), I honestly love writing for Connor and ofc I will make some more for him!! just to warn you, I CAN NOT write male reader. Idk, I just don’t think I can write someone a man THAT well… But honestly? I want and is going to try. Again, tysm for my first request and this will probably be the only male reader I write.😭😋 so… that will be put on the to do list!
to join, add a comment under this post or any fic I post! Please be specific if you want a specific person/fandom. :)
TAGLIST FANDOMS!! :
DC (specify what character or just in general DC)
PERCY JACKSON (specify what character, from show or books, or just in general PJO)
WALKER SCOBELL
GENERAL TAGLIST (you get tagged in everything, no matter the fandom. look at my other works to see!)
———
I do have other fandoms these are just the ones I’m really liking atm, and I could use with a new fandom to write!! sooo if y’all see any good fandoms that I could write about drop a comment!
ALL MY FICS AND UPCOMING ONES!! + more fandoms to be added
WALKERSCOBELL
DANCER || chapter 1 + 2 … 3 (WIP) youre a dancer, yet you join the cast of Percy Jackson after you found a gift for acting. || w.s x reader
———
BALLET RECITAL || one-shot (WIP) walkers little cousin, Phoebe, has a dance recital, your little sister is there too. After your sister froze nervously on stage you decided to do something about it. Walker is captivated. || w.s x reader
MORE COMING SOON…
DETECTIVE COMICS
DONT STOP THE MUSIC || one-shot.
once Jason’s spots you from across the bar. It’s captivation from there. || j.t x reader (includes d.g)
——-
NO NAME YET!! give me ideas || based on this idea from @v1nsxurmum (WIP)
you both live double lives, unknowingly. Fighting almost every night, friendly smiles in the morning. || j.t x cat!reader
(the person who came up either this idea has wayyy more good ideas on their page so make sure to check em out!)
MORE COMING SOON…
PERCYJACKSON (and friends)
CAUGHT (ALMOST) + (DEFINITELY). after sneaking around for a while you and Connor decide to just settle in your cabin. Bad idea. || c.s x cabin12!reader
———
CABIN 11 AND 12 || headcannons (request!WIP) some connor x male!cabin12!reader headcannons!! (ik the request didnt say they wanted hc but idk how to make it into a fic)
———
DROP DEAD || oneshot (request!WIP) collage!au || I need to actually plan this one. So no summary yet!! Based on the Olivia Rodrigo song || p.j x reader
heyooo everyone!! I’m super sorry the third chapter to DANCER (I’m working on the name) is taking so long🥲😣 I’ve been moving houses, and travelling mixed with A LOT of missed work from school and all nighters (I need to fix my sleep schedule). I promise it will be out by the 1st of may (hopefully), if not I give you my permission to write it yourself (kidding). I have been online and updating my blog a lot (so don’t worry, I’m not abandoning yous😭) Thank yous all for understanding😚
my taglist is open if you wanted to be notified for the next chapter!!
update!: sorry for changing the deadline so many times……. I’m procrastinating so hard and I’ve replenished started writing other fics😭😅 I’m gonna push through and hopefully get it out by the 1st of may!!!
01. DANCING QUEEN — small backstory of you’re life as a dancer and actress.
02. SUDDENLY I SEE — you and walker hang out in the dance studio you practice at. Things get awkward.
yall, I am genuinely so unmotivated to write this😅😅 I know! I know! It’s been weeks since the second chapter, and I don’t wanna leave y’all hanging. I really need to just sit down and focus for literally like an hour. IM SORRY FOR SUCH A LONG WAIT!! I really need some motivation bros😭😣 I’ve literally scrapped the deadline, so I really don’t have a clue when I’m gonna start writing. Again, I’m sorry for making y’all wait (I literally feel so lazy ong) I hope it’ll be out soon.
thanks to everyone who’s read my fic and is now waiting for the third chapter!!
(Also lol I said replenished for some reason at the bottom of my first update, I meant literally😭 don’t know how that happened)
you're out way past curfew, darling ;; timothy j. drake
˚˖𓍢ִ໋ in which. . . tim drake was a hardworking man, and you were on a mission to break that diligence and pry him away from his work for the weekend.
꒰ contents ꒱ tim drake x fem!reader. best friends to lovers. use of profanities. pre-established relationship. domestic fluff. mutual pining. jason todd.
✎ᝰ. a letter from jj : this one shot is set in the same universe as @dhazefawn’s jason fic that she posted a couple days back, and her mc sweetheart!reader is featured briefly here. a big thank you to kore for brainstorming together with me and giving me motivation to finish this fic! and to my readers, i hope you enjoy🤍
The slow ding of the elevator went off as you reached your destined floor, stepping through the silver doors as soon as they parted open. The clicks of your heels on the marble left an echoing trail in the nearly deserted hall.
It was late. The hall was dimly-lit and quiet at this hour. Most of the other employees, board directors had clocked off some time during the evening to enjoy the rest of their weekend.
Most of them.
You were supposed to stop by earlier today, already had your plans written down to go out with your best friend today since weeks ago. He said he’d call you when he's done with work—you both had agreed on 5 o'clock.
It was now 11:15 PM and he still haven't called.
So, now you were here to haul his pretty, overworking ass out of this place for the weekend.
Reaching the far end of the hallway where you were faced with Tim’s private office, you gave three short raps on the door, pushing it open when you were given no response from the inside.
The view of Tim’s office welcomed you. The dimmed room illuminated in the pale yellow glow from each floor lamps stationed on each side of the room. Giving off a certain warmth that the rest of this floor seemed to lack.
You hadn't been here a while, but the space still remained the same, for the most part. The bookshelf still stood at the wall by the velvet couches, the clock still ticked consistently.
The air swirled with notes of coffee, freshly printed paper, and the lingering traces of his cologne melded together to a scent that's so significantly him.
The place was familiar.
However, to your utter displeasure, so were the grating starkness of the blue lights, which are unfortunately, the key parts of this room. Else it wouldn't be an office without the horde of screens, now, would it?
“Hey,” you announced quietly. The taps of your heels softened by the large rug beneath your feet as you approached the desk where—lo and behold—the man was seated on the chair behind it, his back hunched like he hadn't moved for hours.
Tim’s eyes stayed glued to the monitor, his fingers flying across the keyboard like a dance he's mastered the steps to. “Hi.” he mumbled, a quiet acknowledgement. Bloodshot and tired eyes squinting behind the rim of his glasses.
He looked disheveled—his hair fell over his forehead messily, his tie had loosened and crooked over his wrinkled dress shirt, sleeves rolled up to his forearms. Your eyes flickered to the backrest of his chair, where his blazer was draped over and left abandoned.
You sighed in disappointment at the sight.
It seemed that he took the hint, because he quickly said, “I just need to finish up this report, Bruce wants it done by next week.”
You rounded his chair, and walked over to the window behind him, looking out at the view below you. Even in this time of night, Gotham was still wide awake.
“When?” you asked, still admiring the city from above through the window.
“On Tuesday.”
Today was Friday.
“Tim.”
“I know,” he rushed out, pausing his typing and swiveled around in his chair to finally find your gaze, stifling a yawn with his palm. “I’m almost done with this, then we can go home.”
You tried to ignore the weird flutters that erupted in your stomach at the words ‘we can go home’
Snap out of it!
You shook your head to dispell the uninvited butterflies, and try to focus on the more important matter right now.
Because you were angry at him, for, again, disregarding his health for the sake of work. You never minded that he's very hardworking—in fact, that's one of the things you admired most about Tim, and you knew you could not be angry for that.
What you did mind was how he always puts everything else besides himself first, how he would often regard his well-being as an afterthought.
And you hated how you had to remind him of it over and over again. Sometimes, it'd even come to a point where it would lead to an argument. Maybe you were just paranoid, but still, you couldn't help but worry.
That's why you planned on lecturing him. Again.
But the look he's giving you was not helping at all.
The city lights outside reflected in his eyes, clearly, so blue that you would've spent hours memorizing the exact shade.
And you were getting off-track.
“You’ve been holed up in here all day.” you stated, and you knew your guess had been right.
Tim sighed, running his hand through his hair, taking off his glasses, and you tried your best to not let your eyes linger too long. “I’m sorry.” he said, meeting your eyes, “For bailing on you. I know we've planned this out since weeks ago. I swear I’ve even pinned it in my calendar, but things came up, and I didn't have time to check my phone—”
He was rambling, and it took you a second to catch up.
Oh.
He thought you were upset because of that.
“Tim-” you tried to get his attention, but he kept on rambling.
“—and I know that's like, a really shitty excuse, and you're probably mad at me right now—”
“Tim.”
“—but I promise to make it up to you when I have the time—”
“Timothy.”
His mouth snapped shut, cutting his rambling off short.
The room went silent, and that was when you took your chance to speak. “Can I talk now?” you asked rhetorically, lips slanting to a slight smile, taking a few small steps closer to where he was sat. In return, you saw him tensing, posture rigid on his chair whilst he looked up at you. You caught the way his palm flexed on the armrest of the chair. “Right. Okay, yes. Thank you,”
“I am upset,” you expressed honestly. His expressions fell and you felt a twinge of guilt before you went and continued, “But not ‘cause you bailed on me.”
You gestured for him to swivel his chair around with a finger. He looked confused but obeyed anyway, turning around to face his desk again.
“But because you overwork yourself too much.” You put your hands over his shoulders and started massaging the knots and kinks off his tense muscles, which made him groan quietly and relax more into your touch. “Have you even had a proper meal at all today?”
“I had coff-”
“Coffee doesn't count.”
Tim scoffed, “You, out of all people, can't be talking.”
Unfortunately, you couldn't help your case on that subject.
“Yeah, but this isn't about me.” You brushed him off with a snicker, hands still focused on kneading his back, shoulders, and the back of his neck. “Try again.”
He sucked in a breath through his teeth. “…I had half a bagel this morning?”
You blinked, staring at the back of his head, a little bit dumbfounded. Was he serious? “You’re fucking hopeless.”
“I’m sorry…?”
You sighed again, failing to form a response that didn't include the words ‘you’re an idiot’ or anything else that would've remotely counted as an insult.
A few minutes went by in silence, the sound of the clock ticking the only thing breaking the quiet, as you were deeply focused on giving your best friend a massage— which you were quite decent at doing.
“Wrap it up,” you whispered at last, nodding at the monitor that was still on. “We’re going home.”
He turned his head, catching your gaze. “But-”
“You’re literally two seconds away from passing out right now, don't argue with me.” you snapped exasperatedly, fixing the man a heated glare. “You’ll get your report done faster when you're well-rested—which right now, you are not.”
Tim fell silent for a moment, letting your words sink into his head. It surprised you when he suddenly chuckled, quiet, but his eyes flickered with amusement. “You sound like Alfred.”
You huffed out a small laugh at that, admittedly feeling a bit of pride swell in your chest at the, in your humble opinion, compliment. Replying pointedly, with a slight smirk, “And he's always right, so he'd definitely agree with me.”
“Unfortunately.” The man shook his head, lips tipped to a grin.
Finally, you let your hands fall from his shoulders. Then snached his blazer off the chair, and tossed it on is lap before starting towards the door, not before turning on your heel and pointing a finger. “If you don't get your ass off that chair in the next five seconds, I will personally manhandle you out of there.”
He mumbled something under his breath as he shrugged on the blazer, but you didn't catch the words, having already stepped a few feet away from him.
“What was that?” you hummed distractedly, shortly glancing his way while you grabbed his coat off the hanger by the door.
“Nothing.”
You frowned, brows knitted in confusion, but quickly shrugged it off. He'd tell you if he wanted, and if he didn't, then you won't push.
Taking off his glasess, Tim placed it inside his desk drawer. His eyes catching onto the small Polaroid picture laid next to it in the small trinket tray you gave him, and he couldn't help but pause to admire it.
It was of him and you in Paris when you went there two summers ago. The Eiffel Tower lights shone behind the two of you as you faced the camera with matching beaming smiles. Your hands were folded atop his shoulders, his arm was wrapped around your waist while his other hand was occupied with the camera.
Your eyes were closed from the bright flashes of the camera, but he was looking right at you.
“Did you bring the car?” he asked finally after closing the drawer shut. Stretching in his seat for perhaps the first time in hours, groaning tiredly. Standing up after he'd switched off the computer, lazily throwing on his blazer, and approached you.
You made a face; you were stubborn, not stupid. Anyone that takes a cab this in Gotham is either very optimistic and brave or a is newcomer. Most of the time, either one of those scenarios would end up unpleasantly. “Duh. Contrary to my constant rants about hating life, I still would like to live it some more, thank you very much.”
You handed him his coat, watching him put it on. It looked great on him. But you averted your eyes before he could notice you.
Turning your head over your shoulder, you said, “You're sleeping for the next ten hours, by the way, nothing less.”
He sighed a worn-out “Yes ma'am,” and did a mock salute. Good. You were going to make sure he gets enough rest and enough food in his system, too. Since he's apparently shit at doing those things himself.
He opened the door and let you exit first, following hehind you as you made your way back to the elevator.
Cold night air swept back your hair the second you stepped out of the building with Tim in a tow, the rustling of trees mingling with the sound of vehicles honking not too far away from here.
You let your feet lead you to your usual parking spot as you fished out the keys out of your jacket pocket.
Tim held out his hand, silently asking for the keys. For, usually, he's almost always the one who would drive your car whenever you're out together.
But not tonight.
“No,” The vehicle unlocked with a beep. You jutted your chin towards the passenger’s side as you walked towards the driver’s one. “You’re being the passenger princess this time.”
The man was quite literally dragging his feet in exhaustion. So, for the sake of both your safety, it would be best if you drove.
Besides, you found driving to be relaxing, despite not being the best at it.
He stared at you. You stared back, almost expecting for him to insist, as he usually did, but you inwardly cheered when he didn't and complied.
You hopped in the car, throwing your bag haphazardly to the backseat while Tim sat back comfortably, a weary sigh drifting past his lips. “Fucking hell.” The sound of your seatbelts clicking in sync followed after.
“Yeah,” you hummed, starting the car, the engine revving to life, “That’s what happens when you don't enough sleep.”
For half the ride, the car was filled with muteness when you told Tim to get some shut-eye; and he did for a few minutes, but you could see that he wasn't very comfortable and was failing to sleep.
So, now, quiet random conversations filled the silence, slowed songs playing quietly in the background from one of the shared playlist he had picked out.
Purposefully avoiding the night traffic on your normal route—you were too tired to deal with all of that. You just couldn't wait to cuddle with your cat soon— you took a shortcut that would lead to a street just a couple blocks away from your apartment.
Was it a sketchy route? Absolutely. But who cares?
“Oh, we're not going to the manor?” he asked mid-conversation, probably after noticing that you didn't make the turn.
You kept your eyes ahead, “No, I’m taking you to my place.”
You knew him enough to know that if he was at the manor, the man would just get his hands on the Bat-computer and get his nightly business done.
Yeah, that's not happening.
He wasn't on patrol duty tonight, and you'd help him make better use of his time. Like getting a proper ten-hour sleep. And eating well without skipping meals. And anything else that doesn't involve work.
The silence on his end made you turn your head, and you were met with a smirking Tim Drake; the kind of smirk that told you he's on the verge of saying something dumb.
“To your place, huh?” he drawled out, cocking a brow, and you narrowed your eyes, flickering between him and the road ahead. “At least buy me a drink first.”
There it was.
Your jaw slacked, and choked out a shocked chortle. Unbelievable.
Was he flirting with you, or were you also equally as sleep-deprived and highly delusional? Your bet was on the latter.
But boy, was he in for a surprise.
You reached out—eyes still locked on the road because you valued your life and his, too—and opened the glove box, taking out the unopened bottle of water and offered it to him with a matching smirk on your lips.
A wheezing laugh rumbled out of his chest after he started at the bottle in your for a few seconds. The sound, in turn, making you laugh even louder.
“Unbelievable,” He shook his head, grinning ear-to-ear as he unscrewed the cap of the bottle and took a large swig. “You just had to pull the Uno reverse on me.”
“Expect the unexpected.”
“Fair.”
“Uh-huh, so can I take you home, now?” You asked, feigning eagerness, then frowned when the green traffic light flashed red. Bright light spilled through the glass, coloring your surroundings a deep scarlet tone once you hit the brake.
A few other vehicles, as expected, ignored the lights and continued to drive away anyway.
The sight had you pursing your lips. You sort of wished you weren't such a rule follower.
“Sure.”
You quickly brightened up at that. “Yay! You yielded surprisingly fast.”
“You literally pestered me to,” he said blankly, his words threading through a yawn once more, scratching an itch on his forehead with a finger, “If I hadn't, you would've waited on the couch until you fall asleep. Couldn't do that to you.”
You glanced over at him, eyes softening for a fraction of a second.
That was sweet, but why were you even surprised at all? Tim has always been sweet. Not in the flowery proses kind of way, but in an absolute way that had you knowing that he's always there for you, even without him needing to say it out loud.
A certainty that kept you afloat, even through the worst waves of your life.
The thought made you smile.
“You’re smiling.” Tim observed, and you failed to notice how his eyes were locked on your lips.
“What I can't smile now?” you asked lightly, watching as pedestrians crossed the road.
“You can,” he stated, nodding his head. “I just wanna know what's inside that pretty head of yours that's making you smile.”
How do you tell your best friend of your whole twenty-one years of life that he was the main attraction in your mind, and that he was the reason why you were smiling without spilling out the contents of your heart and potentially ruin your friendship?
Yeah… no.
Instead, you asked, side-eyeing him, “You saying you only caved in for me, Timbelina?” Your fingers drummed impatiently on the steering wheel.
He took your hand from the wheel, squeezing it tight once, “For your poor, ill-postured back, actually,”
The addition had you scoffing incredulously in offense, even so, you couldn't help but cackle. “I’m sorry, but last I checked I wasn't the one who was practically draped over my computer like a hunchback. Don’t compare my perfect posture with your atrocious one.”
“Whatever helps you sleep at night, honey.”
You felt your cheeks burn at the nickname, despite the familiarity of it, the endearment never failed to have you flushing.
You leaned back in your seat, waiting for the lights to turn green, glaring at the street light like it would change if you do it hard enough.
It didn't.
“You’re so concerned about me all the time,” You started slowly, answering his earlier question with an omission— a truth, yet not the one on the front of your mind. Your little hand holding had somehow escalated into a lazy round of thumb war. “I wish you'd act the same way for yourself.”
He was winning, but you're not one to give up so easily. “But then you won't be scolding me anymore if I did that.” he said quiet and casually, his thumb dodging yours.
“Is that you saying that like it when I scold you?” You raised a brow, a crooked grin forming on your mouth, wide eyes clashing with his, red tinted from the lights ahead of you.
“That’s exactly what I'm saying.” His grin was sharp as he finally managed to pin your thumb down.
“Masochist.”
The car had gone quiet, and you hardly noticed it with Tim’s deep blue eyes pinning you in your place, hand still woven loosely with yours.
He didn't look away.
You didn't look away.
Not to wander around to his other features, not to the dark circles around his eyes, not to the strand of his hair that fell over his eyes.
Just to your favourite shade of blue.
It might've been the trick of light, or you might've imagined it, but you saw the way his gaze dropped to your lips for a split second, before it returned to your eyes again just as quickly.
The sound of a loud horn honking from the car behind had the two of you jolting, hands ripping away from the other’s, it was only after a hot second you realized that the traffic lights had finally turned green.
“Oh, shit.” You choked out, straightening awkwardly in your seat, heart racing as you hurried to drive again with the driver behind you honking more rapidly in impatience. You didn't do well under pressure.
When your heart rate had slowed, neither of you talked again for a good fifteen minutes after that… whatever that was.
A while later, only a few minutes away from your apartment, you ran into a surprise.
From a small distance, you saw a familiar motorbike parked in front of a small convenience store; the owner of the said motorbike leaning against it with a cigarette hanging off his lips, not-so-subtly stealing glances at the person who was behind the cashier inside the store.
Oh, you knew that look, even from here.
Sharing a look with Tim, who had also spotted the man from a distance—the tension back at the stoplight had dissipated, you were glad—you pulled up by the curb just outside the store, right in front of Jason. You returned his scowl with an innocent grin as you rolled down your window, while Tim gave a brief, mocking wave beside you.
“Well, what do we have here?” Your eyes darted between his sharp, glaring green ones and the very questionable bright purple PEN sign on the glass door behind him.
Was this some type of an erotica shop? you thought suspiciously. But what was Jason doing here?
Embarrassingly, you had to squint for a good few seconds to realize the fact that it was actually a sign that said OPEN, but the lights was burned out of the one singular ‘O’ letter.
*Not an erotica shop, then. Just a normal convenience store. Yeah, that makes more sense
“Your mom,” Jason snapped instantly, a wrinkle forming in-between his dark brows. Removing the lit cigarette from his teeth, smoke wafted out of his lips when he added, “Get out of my face.”
Tim took the words out of your mouth, the amusement heard clear as day. “No, no, no, I think we'll stay for a bit,” Your breath hitched when he leaned over the center console to peer behind his brother, most likely to assess the person at the cashier.
He was really close.
Driven by the sudden nerves, you took out your phone, unlocking it and… did nothing with it. It looked stupid, so you just clicked on a random app— the camera app, specifically. And just let the phone hover in your hands, hoping it would distract you and dispel the heat in your cheeks.
“The fuck do you want, huh?” Jason bit out sharply, though when his eyes connected with yours, there was a knowing glint there.
You turned your eyes away.
You breathed easily when Tim leaned back again, but your phone slipped from your hold and drops under your seat. You ducked down awkwardly in the cramped space, struggling as you tried to find it in the dark.
“Why are you out here,” said the younger of the two brothers, gesturing silently with his hand, eyes flickering to you. “staring inside there? That's a bit stalkerish of you, Jay,”
You heard Jason chuckle dryly. “That’s rich coming from you.”
You snorted, still trying to find for your phone, that was so much more difficult to do in the dark, plus, it was starting to feel a little claustrophobic. “He’s not wrong, Timmy,”
“You’re supposed to be on my side, honey.” You could hear the frown in his tone.
“I’m on no one’s side. I’m on the side where the truth is- yes!” you exclaimed cheerily when you finally found your phone.
Sitting upright again, puffing out a relieved breath, you turned your head and saw Tim, and he was oddly pink in the face. Which made you glance towards Jason, who had a smug smirk on his mouth.
You blinked in confusion. You were definitely missing something.
“…anything you wanna share with the class, boys?”
Jason looked away first, coughing a small “Nope.”
Tim cleared his throat, suddenly observing out the window and not meeting your eyes. “Uh, no.”
You slid your gaze between them, trying to gauge their expressions. That ended up being a fruitless attempt now that they've both looked elsewhere.
“You're being weird.” you told them, catching Jason glancing back at the store again. He looked a bit longing. It was kind of pathetic, to be honest. Now you were sure that he was looking at the cashier. You’d been unsure earlier.
Briefly, you see the pretty cashier glance out at him, you were sure that they were smiling shyly from inside the store.
Oh, so it’s like that, huh?
Your sight went back to Jason, and that he was smiling. Smiling! It was a small twitch on the corner of his lip, but there's no mistaking that it was actually a smile.
But before you could point that out, Tim piped up, “I’m not, but I did just caught Jason yearning—and that smile, too, and I took some pictures.” He lifted his phone which showed the exact scene you've just seen, and now it's caught on camera.
You marveled at the pictures as though they were some priceless art. “Oh my gosh, I freaking love you.”
He froze for a moment, then cleared his throat again. “Sending those to the group chat, by the way.” And he did just that. Sending the pictures with no context whatsoever.
For now, you just have to wait until the others see it and chew him out with teases.
He hid it well, but you knew the tells of a panicking Jason Todd, and right now is the perfect example of that. “Do that and I'll rip your faces off.” he threatened gruffly, but his voice held an almost imperceptible strain.
Cute.
“You smiled, Jay. And I have the perfect twenty-twenty vision.” Tim pointed out, now he's the one who's looking mischievous.
"I don't, but, yeah, I agree with him," The two men snorted, you ignored them. You went on, equally as smug as your counterpart. “That was a smile, Todd, I didn't know you could do that.”
The second you hear his phone buzz in one of those many pockets, you started the engine, readying your escape.
“You little shits-!”
And that was your cue to leave.
You stomped on the accelerator, yelling out the window: “Bye Jason! Tell your sweetheart we said hi!” and drove off, leaving a disgruntled, and possibly freaked out Jason alone at the wake.
After greeting a small “Hi,” to Walter, your doorman, you and Tim dragged your feet over to the elevator, pressing the button on for the seventh floor.
Your best friend slumped on the mirrored wall across from you once the doors had closed, head lolling down, sighing quietly.
“Don’t sleep yet,” you told him in a murmur, watching the numbers ascend from G. “Have some food, at least, I’ll cook something up.”
He muttered your name in protest “It's midnight.” That single sentence held so much disagreement by his tone alone.
You shrugged, “So?” The doors slid open, and you walked out, carefully so your heels wouldn't make much noise, heading for your unit—Unit 710.
Your keys jingled as you took it out of your pocket, then heard the muffled pitter-patter of paws scratching on the other side of the door, and you took a deep breath before pushing it the door open.
As expected, a very chunky and feral ball of pretty black fur attacked you with a very loud yowl, tiny sharp claws dug into your pants.
You barely stepped a foot inside.
“I left you for an hour.” you deadpanned, frowning down at Clover, your cat, as you removed your jacket and hung it on the coat rack, then removed your shoes and slipped on your slippers before you ambled in.
No dirty shoes are allowed inside your place. God knows whatever gross germs had touched the soles of people’s—including yours—shoes.
Tim did the same behind you, laughing quietly. “Let her be. She has abandoned issues,” He picked her up as soon as he slipped on his sandals and went further inside with her practically purring in his. hold.
You watched with a sour look, you could've sworn she looked smug when her beady green eyes were on you.
That little traitor. You were the one who feeds her everyday, takes her to the vet, bathes her, give her treats, and yet, she still preferred her absent dad.
“You spoil her. Now she hates me.” you huffed, turning off the harsh light of the room, and instead, went around to turn on the small lamplights you have around.
“She doesn't hate you,” he insisted, watchful eyes following you as you circled around the room, leaning against the wall. “She just likes me better. Don't you?” He kissed Clover’s head, petting her fur softly and put her down again.
You decided that you weren't going to ridiculous and be jealous of your cat.
“Asshole.” you laughed, scrunching your nose at the Clover when she trudged towards you, big eyes observing you at your feet. You tilted your head over to the hall where the bathroom was, all while you sauntered over to your bedroom to go change. “Wash up. I’ll see if I could cook something up really quickly.”
Tim pushed himself off the wall and called after you, “You really don't have to.”
You closed your bedroom door without an answer, leaving him at the living room.
And he acquiesced afterward, raising his voice a tad so you could hear him from your bedroom, groaning, “Fine, but I’m washing the dishes!”
Wonderful.
About fifteen minutes of your fabulous skincare routine later, you exited your bedroom; hair thrown up carelessly, now clad in a large shirt and a pair of sleep shorts.
You headed for the kitchen, fetching a few ingredients from your fridge and pantry when you're there. As well as your appliances whilst you settled on cooking a one-pot pasta with a recipe you've found on the internet a while back.
Clover was acting as a little helper—as in, she helped clean your floor by eating the parmesan that you had accidentally dropped—and just hover by your feet as you hobbled between the kitchen island and the stove.
“No,” you drew out in warning for the third time, distractedly stirring the pot as your cat jumped on the counter and start sniffing the spices again.
She had been doing that repeatedly.
Clover sniffed again and recoiled, dashing away, sneezing. You felt terrible when you couldn't stop your snort. “I told you.”
Turning off the stove when you finished cooking, you transferred the pasta onto the two plates you've prepared, eyeing the pot approvingly when you saw you measured the portions perfectly this time.
That was when Tim walked in; hair mussed and damp from the shower, clothed in a white t-shirt and sweatpants.
He stopped short in his tracks.
And just stared at you like he was stunned.
You put the empty pot on the sink, amongst the other dirty dishes and utensils that you've used earlier. “Hey, come here,” you ushered, pulling out your stool on the island and sat down. “I made pasta. Not as good as Alfred's but this is way better than those cardboard-like frozen pizzas you like.”
You looked up when he didn't say anything. He was still standing in his place. “Hey… you good?”
He blinked, shaking himself out of his you-induced stupor. “Oh, yeah. I’m fine.” He strolled in and took a seat on the stool next to you. “Thanks for making this.” he whispered, and your heart warmed at the sincerity in his tone.
“Yeah, of course,” You flashed him a soft smile in return.
And you both ate your food, occasionally talking over mundane topics. And once you finished your meals, as Tim promised, he volunteered to wash the dishes, whilst you just sat on the counter by him, accompanying, if you will.
By the time you start to feel tired, you both migrated towards the couch after brushing your teeth, Tim reminded you of how bad it was to sleep right after dinner, so you both agreed on doing calm activities to pass the time.
That was alternating between reading and conversing to avoid sleep for at least an hour.
“Oh my god, why is he here?” Tim gaped in surprise, reading over your shoulder. He wasn't much of a reader—much less a romance reader—so his every reaction to the stuff you read are always amusing to you.
And somehow, you've successfully roped him into reading one of your romance books with you. And he's enjoying it, too, which was a rare occurrence.
“He broke his engagement, and travelled six hundred kilometres just to be with her, isn't that so sweet?” You were raving, yes, you were aware of that. But you also couldn't help but to gush over one of your favourite books.
“Damn,” He whistled lowly, turning the page. You let him, even if you hadn't finished reading that page; you've read this book a good ten times more since you read it the first time.
He finished reading a few more chapters when he noticed you yawning. It was nearly two in the morning, and you were starting to feel tired: not enough for you to sleep yet, but enough for you to fully relax.
“Hey,” Tim whispered in your ear. “You tired?” He closed the book, putting it on the side table. Then he shuffled to lay next to you, pulling you in to his chest.
You curled yourself up in his arms instantly, sighing at the warmth that enveloped you once you did. “Kind of,” You confessed in the same gentle whisper. “Talk to me. About anything, so I can sleep.”
He cocked a lazy brow, his voice a low rasp. “How does that work?”
You closed your eyes, “I don't know. Your voice just puts me to sleep.”
“You basically just called me boring.”
“Yeah, I did.”
A pause.
“Your lack of hesitation hurts me.”
“Deal with it.”
His chest heaved as he let out a long sigh. “I'm sorry.”
Those two words made your eyes snap open, and sought for his in the dim light. “For what?” you asked, mouth pulled to a frown.
“For bailing on you,” he said again, and you almost objected when he continued on, “You've been planning that outing for weeks. And I told you I had time, but then I forgot about it. I don't know, I just feel so guilty.”
You waited to see if he would say more, when he didn't, you began, “Tim, don't apologise,” You gaze aligned with his. “I’m not mad. Or- well, I was, at first. But mostly at myself. The reason I suggested those plans in the first place was actually for you.”
“For me?” He seemed confused.
“Mhm,” you nodded, “You've been so busy these past few months, I thought that maybe it'd be nice for you to take a break for once, even just for a weekend.”
His eyes softened as he looked down at you. He was speechless, as if your words had completely thrown him off-kilter.
Then he laughed. Soft, and sweet, and beautiful. For some reason, that made you laugh too.
He tucked an unruly tendril of your hair behind your ear, and for the first time, the butterflies didn't leave you flustered, just comfortable. “What am I gonna do with you, huh?”
You nestled under his chin, words dampened by his skin. “I don't know, maybe you should keep me around.” And in your heart, you knew this was what home felt like. Maybe one day you'll be brave enough to say it out loud. But in the meantime, you'd tuck this little secret to yourself.
He breathed deeply, arms tightening around you like a blanket.
“Maybe I will.”
❀ honorary mentions to my lovelies @livlocus @yuunarii-arii @your-mommy-ems MWAH ily all so much🫶🏻
warnings — drinking, club setting, reader has a job, they’re over the legal drinking age, cute Jason, no use of y/n, mention of long hair ONCE
a/n — hellooooo for the people waiting on the third chapter of my walker fic, it’s coming soon PROMISE. This is my first time writing Jason #dontjudge. If anyone has any problems with the way I wrote Jason please tell me (I cant with miss characterising)
to master list >>
Jason was NOT a party guy.
When I say he was NOT I mean it.
He rather stay home reading or out on patrol punching someone’s lights out. Simple things really.
So to say this wasn’t his element was an understatement.
Dick had cornered him, saying he needed to get out more. It took an hour until Jason finally agreed.
As he’s sure glad he did.
They’d been there for close to an hour.
Jason near the bar, nursing some random drink dick ordered for him.
Dick, though? In the middle of the dance floor giving it all he’s got. And he’s got a lot.
The bartender tried to make a little bit of small talk, asking about the white in his hair, his scars (very hesitantly), but Jason wasn’t really having it.
That was until he glanced to his side, looking for dick.
Though the sea of heads he spotted a face. A gorgeous face.
You.
You were just promoted in your job and your friends has took you out to celebrate (drinks on you, of course.)
Jason was awestruck from the moment he saw your long hair cascading over your shoulders as you danced.
It sure was a sight for sore eyes. And Jason’s had very sore eyes.
Dick had finally decided to actually pay his brother a little attention by walking up to him, noticing his gaze was somewhere else.
Dick clapped a hand around his shoulder, making him flinch. He never flinched. It was almost like he wasn’t paying attention to his surroundings, for once.
“What?” Jason snapped, quickly averting his gaze off you and onto dick.
Dick raised his hands in mock surrender. “Nothing, nothing! I brought you here, I wouldn’t just abandon you.”
“Sure,” Jason mumbled, earning an eye roll from dick.
“So who’s the girl?”
“What?”
“The girl? The one you were looking at?” Dick questioned. Fuck, he was good at reading people.
“I wasn’t-“
“You flinched when I touched you.”
That shut Jason up, his gaze already searching for you in the crowd.
Dick followed his gaze and let out a low whistle. “Yeah, makes sense..” he mumbled, basically to himself if the music wasn’t any louder
“Well I wasn’t gonna-“
“you should talk to her.”
Jason immediately cringed, he can’t remember the last time he actually wanted to talk to someone willingly. Let alone someone so.. you.
“Earth to jaybird,” dick nudged
“Yeah, no.”
“Why not!?”
Before jason could even open his mouth, dick was gone.
Gone, meaning: speed walking through the crowd to find you.
Jason Immediately shot after him, sticking an arm out to try and grab him but missed. “Dick no-“
Too late.
You had barely felt the tap on your shoulder due to the amount of people pushing onto everyone, yet you turned, having to look up at the random man smiling at you.
“Hi?” You glanced around confused on why his guy was smiling at you like you were his next project.
“Hey,” the guy said, a bit too cheerful. You kinda liked the energy he was giving off though.
“Uh-“
“I’m dick!”
“Dick..?” You raised a brow. “Unfortunate.”
His cheerful smile softened a tad. “Yeah, I get that,” he mumbled, rubbing the back of his neck just as Jason stopped behind him.
You were even more beautiful up close. Like he could stare into you radiant eyes all day.
You glanced at him with a small smile behind looking back to.. dick before taking a second look.
“This is my brother.” He moved back a bit, letting Jason take the spot light. And damn was he fine.
The dark hair in contrast to the white streak in the middle. The teal eyes you could stare at for ever. Yeah, damn.
He gave a small wave, very awkward, might I add.
He was never awkward. Dick was gonna use this to his advantage later.
“So, what’s your name?” Dick asked, trying to start a conversation for Jason to continue.
As you said your name time might as well be slowed down. His eyes flicked down to your lips before even saying a word to you.
There was a pause for a moment, no one really talking, all waiting for Jason to.
Dick nudged him. “So, dude..” he flicked his eyes towards you to get his silent words across. ‘Talk to her.’
He cleared his throat and stood straighter. “Jason, names Jason.”
Dick smiled and said something about drinks.
Honestly you both didn’t care.
“So.. you come to parties often? I mean, I saw you standing over there looking.. really bored.”
“Nah, not really my thing.. I’m more of a home guy.” A home guy? Really, Jason?
“A homebody, eh?” You smile slightly. “Honestly fair, but I do appreciate a good club now and again, mostly to relax and stuff.”
The conversation flowed naturally between you two, like running water on a river bed. Joking about dicks name, asking about book recommendations, sipping on the drinks dick got you two then swiftly left again.
It felt natural, like you’ve been talking to this guy for ages.
It had only been like an hour.
And in that hour you had convinced him to join you on the dance floor.
More like dragged.
Cuz Jason was the most stiff, awkward guy you’ve ever seen. It was honestly adorable.
You’d started trying to grab his hands to twirl you or just jumping around hands in hands. It was fun.
He didn’t know what to do, but it was fun.
It was fun watching awkwardly move around to the music while you dance around him.
Fun having his company.
Fun having him.
“Are you having fun?!” You yelled over the music.
It may have not looked like it, but Jason was enjoying himself. Enjoying you.
The corner of his mouth tilted up. “Yeah, you’re great— it’s great! it’s great..” Jason could feel the corner of his ears heating up.
“Yeah? Well you’re great too!” You shouted, then smiled.
The floor was packed.
Packed to the point you were basically chest to chest.
“I’m not really a dancer.”
“No one here is,” you joked, glancing to where dick was giving it all he got (again). “Most people,” you corrected.
When you looked back Jason wasn’t laughing or joking back. He was just staring.
It made you freeze for a second.
You never really thought there was anything to stare at.
First hand it hand.
Then chest to chest.
Now face to face.
this is most definitely a one-shot. I don’t really know what else I’d add if I made it into a series, but I hopped you liked it :D
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