Cheap Rent, At What Cost?: Part 4
°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･.☘︎ ݁˖💸°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･.☘︎ ݁˖💸°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･.☘︎ ݁˖
4.4k words, established relationship, fluff, apartment hunting, Gotham's Typical Shennigans, Jason Todd thought he got the best deal, a lot of teasing, nosy batfamily, Batkids Sleepover, Jason was right all along, Trauma-bonding
This is the longest part so far because I really love writing banter （〜^∇ ^ )〜 Anyways, I hope you guys will enjoy reading this as much as I had fun writing this ♡( •ॢ◡-ॢ)✧˖° ♡
°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･.☘︎ ݁˖💸°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･.☘︎ ݁˖💸°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･.☘︎ ݁˖💸
Hosting for a bunch of bat kids in a roach infested apartment was not one of the things F/n expected to do, but certain circumstances made it possible.
“ You don't have to spoil them y'know.” Jason grumbled, munching on one of the sandwiches she prepared for the bat kids. “ They're already sheltered in the big mansion with Alfred.”
F/n hummed, setting aside the snacks onto a tray.
“ Well, it is my way of showing that despite having nice things here, it's still a horror once night falls.”
“ Why does that sound poetic?”
“ I guess I'm catching your dramatics, Mr. Todd.”
He let out a scoff, crossing his arms.
This time, it was F/n’s turn to raise her eyebrow.
“Really.” He replied quickly.
“ One-hundred percent drama free.”
“ You’re pouting.” F/n snorted. “ Because you don’t want to share the space with the cockroaches and the Batkids.”
Jason gasped, looking offended as he pointed a finger at her.
F/n smiled sweetly, batting her eyelashes.
“ What? I’m not starting anything.”
“You know what you are doing and I know it.”
She covered her mouth, a giggle escaping from her lips.
“ You’re laughing at me again.”
“ I’m holding my sneeze.”
He let out a loud groan, running his hand down his face.
Another laugh escaped from F/n's lips, her eyes shining with unshed tears as she struggled to keep herself from completely combusting on the spot.
“I can't breathe,” she whispered.
And because she simply couldn't help herself—
Jason's expression immediately crumbled.
Laughter burst out of her as she buried her face in her hands.
“You fake-sneezed at me!”
“Because you told me to sneeze!”
Jason made a strangled noise.
“I am being bullied relentlessly.”
F/n finally started calming down, wiping away the tears gathered at the corners of her eyes with the sleeve of her shirt.
“What do you want?” she asked sweetly. “More alone time with your supportive girlfriend?”
His eyes narrowed at the emphasis.
“That doesn't answer my question.”
Jason sighed dramatically.
“And I don't want my family stealing my girlfriend.”
The smile on F/n's face immediately widened.
F/n stepped closer, smiling.
“ There is no need to be jealous. “ She poked his cheek playfully. “ I’ve always been yours.”
Jason stiffened for a moment, his heart skipping a beat upon hearing her words.
“ Then you’ll emotionally abandon me again to my family.” He grumbled.
“And yet you continue to date me.”
Jason looked personally offended.
Before he could formulate a response, another knock echoed through the apartment.
“WE CAN HEAR YOU FLIRTING!”
“OPEN UP QUICK OR THE PIZZA GETS COLD.”
“The allergies are here.”
That finally sent her into another fit of laughter.
“That's not how allergies work.”
Another knock rattled the door.
“IF YOU TWO DON'T OPEN THIS DOOR IN TEN SECONDS, I'M EATING YOUR SLICE!”
Jason was already moving before he finished the sentence.
F/n laughed as he marched toward the entrance.
Jason yanked the door open.
Immediately, Dick nearly stumbled inside.
Tim followed behind him carrying several pizza boxes.
Steph waved cheerfully from the hallway.
Cass offered F/n a small smile.
Damian walked in as if he owned the building.
Jason watched them file into the apartment one by one.
“The infestation has begun.”
“Hi, Jason,” Steph greeted.
Unfortunately for Jason, nobody listened.
The Batkids settled into the apartment as if they had been over countless times. Tim stationed himself near the electrical sockets, Damian claimed the spot by the window, Dick sprawled across the sofa, and both Steph and Cass gravitated toward the kitchen.
"Look at him," Dick whispered to Tim, his eyes following Jason as he helped F/n clean up the pizza boxes and leftover food. "He's living his best life."
Tim glanced up from his phone.
"He is recharging his domesticity meter."
"I'm betting five years."
Tim pointed toward the kitchen.
"Weekly chore assignments."
"Weekly chore assignments."
"There are labels in the pantry."
Dick looked genuinely shaken.
Tim zoomed in with his phone camera.
Across the room, Damian slowly lowered the book he'd been pretending to read.
"You two sound ridiculous."
Dick immediately pointed at Jason.
"He's folding cardboard boxes."
Because Jason was, in fact, enjoying it.
Steph leaned against the counter.
"You know what's really getting me?"
Steph pointed toward the refrigerator.
"There are grocery lists."
Sure enough, a grocery list was attached to the fridge.
Below it sat a smaller note.
Remember to buy more coffee :)
Another note was stuck beneath it.
Only if you stop stealing my hoodies.
Steph clutched her chest.
The Batkids watched as Jason flicked a droplet of water towards F/n, grinning as she let out an indignant laugh.
“ I'm literally just cleaning up!”
“ Sounds like a skill issue.”
Without saying a single word, she raised an eyebrow as her fingers dipped back into the sink.
Jason’s confidence immediately evaporated.
F/n flicked water at him.
“ Hey!” Jason jerked back. “ Traitor.”
F/n rolled her eyes, resuming washing the dishes. “ You started it.”
“ Oh yeah?” He stood closer, hovering beside her. “ I'm not letting you win that easily.”
He bumped his hip to her side, making her jump in shock.
The grin on his face widened.
The Batkids exchanged looks.
“ I'd say six months if he has wedding plans prepared.”
He slowly turned towards his siblings, eyes narrowing.
“ What are you guys discussing?”
“ Oh nothing…” Steph sweetly batted her eyelashes. “ Just how happy you are with F/n.”
Dick grinned as he leaned closer, resting his chin on his palm.
“ We were just making observations. That's all.”
“ Uhuh…” Jason muttered, still eyeing them suspiciously. “ Observing what exactly?”
Tim adjusted his glasses.
“ The domestic behavior?”
“ The domestic behavior.”
Jason let out a scoff, “ There's nothing remotely domestic about–”
“ You literally hip-bumped her after she flicked water at you, Jay.” Steph cut him off.” That's so domestic-coded.”
“ And you were smiling while doing it.”
Jason glared, crossing his arms.
“ Not voluntarily.” Dick pointed out.
“ I do! I'm just surrounded by– What are you typing?”
Jason immediately clocked out Tim typing away on his phone, his attention only half on the conversation.
“ I'm making a spreadsheet.”
“ And what is that for….exactly…?” He whispered.
“ The approximation of your union in marriage.” Damian bluntly replied.
F/n paused, nearly dropping a plate.
"The approximation of my WHAT?"
Tim adjusted his glasses.
“ In fairness, it started as a joke."
“ Well, it was a joke until you started documenting everything with graphs.” Steph pointed out.
Cass nodded, raising her phone to show a picture of Tim typing in the background while F/n and Jason shared a pizza slice.
“ Oh my god,” F/n whispered, her cheeks turning as red as a tomato.
Because now he could actually see the photo.
The picture wasn't even focused on him and F/n.
It was supposed to be a picture of Tim.
Yet somehow, there they were in the background.
F/n holding a pizza slice.
Jason leaning over to steal a bite.
Jason immediately recoiled.
Cass grinned, still holding up her phone. “ Cute.”
"A shared pizza," Tim corrected.
"THAT DOESN'T MEAN ANYTHING."
Tim looked down at his phone.
“ I’m updating supporting evidence.”
"There is no supporting evidence!"
Jason groaned, running a hand through his face for what seemed like the hundredth time.
“ Umm, you know what–” F/n let out an awkward laugh as she set aside the plates.” We should start setting up for the movies.”
“MOVIE MARATHON!” Steph screamed, shaking Cass beside her.
Cass allowed herself to be shaken.
“ I HAVE DIBS TO SIT BESIDE F/N!”
“ No, you intruder, you don’t get to–”
Steph immediately latched onto F/n’s arm and steered her towards the couch.
"Cass, secure the other side!"
Cass obediently took F/n's other arm.
“ Oh, okay…” F/n murmured, immediately being dragged by the two enthusiastic Batgirls.
"TRAITORS." Jason looked like he was ready to throw hands.
“ Woah, easy there Romeo.” Dick immediately stood up, blocking Jason’s path. “ You have to let her socialize.”
"You called them intruders."
“ We may be intruders, but you’re the one losing, Jay.” Steph stuck a tongue out at him.
He pushed past Dick, stomping toward the couch with singular focus.
Without another word, he squeezed himself into the tiny space between F/n and Steph.
F/n let out a startled squeak as he suddenly appeared beside her.
At least that's what he thought.
Then Steph leaned forward.
"So you're admitting you're jealous?"
"You literally crossed the room."
"I was coming over here anyway."
Dick, still standing where he'd been displaced, looked offended.
The room erupted into laughter.
Meanwhile, Jason settled deeper into the couch, looking entirely too pleased with himself.
"You quite literally have a face, Todd."
Tim looked up from his phone.
"...What are you writing?"
"Direct intervention to reclaim proximity."
"Subject appears satisfied with outcome."
F/n was shaking with laughter now.
"You think this is funny?"
The betrayal struck deeper than any bullet.
Steph leaned around him to look at F/n.
"See? She agrees with me."
Jason immediately leaned the same direction, blocking her view.
"Did you just physically block me?"
Dick pointed dramatically.
"HE'S RESOURCE GUARDING."
Jason looked ready to launch himself through the nearest wall.
Unfortunately for him, the movie still hadn't started.
The movie marathon was chaotic, to say the least, as expected from a family full of detectives and vigilantes.
Dick was surprisingly quiet, completely absorbed in the story unfolding on the screen. Meanwhile, Tim and Damian spent half the movie throwing facts and opinions at each other.
"That's not how that works."
Steph had long abandoned any interest in the actual movie.
Instead, she continuously attempted to scoot closer to F/n.
Every single attempt was thwarted by Jason.
A finger flick would immediately land on her forehead.
"I'm literally moving two inches."
Cass, meanwhile, had claimed a blanket on the floor and was quietly taking pictures of everyone whenever they weren't looking.
Every few minutes, her camera roll gained another candid photo.
For once, it felt... normal.
The apartment buzzed with quiet conversations and occasional laughter.
Even Jason found himself relaxing.
The evening winded down with the Batkids slowly drifting off on their respective sleeping bags, the once chaotic energy now settling into a comfortable hum.
“Good night, everyone.” F/n whispered, switching off one of the lights, casting the room in a dim glow.
“F/n…” Steph whined sleepily. “ I wanna sleep with you.”
“ Maybe next time, Steph.”
She pouted, trudging towards her sleeping bag before collapsing on it.
“ I will win… next time.”
“That's exactly what I'm about to do.”
Steph pointed at him from her sleeping bag.
“It was over the moment you got here.”
Dick let out a tired groan from the couch.
"Please stop flirting and let me sleep."
"We're not flirting," Jason replied automatically.
A collective chorus of doubtful noises answered him.
F/n snorted, taking his hand in hers as she gently guided him towards their room.
“ Just let them pass out,” She whispered to him.
Jason shot one last glare toward the living room.
"They're lucky I love them."
"No, they're lucky you love me."
Behind them, Dick immediately pointed.
"See? See? That's evidence."
The apartment erupted into muffled laughter.
F/n giggled as she tugged Jason into their bedroom before he could launch another argument.
The door clicked shut behind them.
Or at least as much peace as one could expect from an apartment currently hosting half the Batfamily.
Jason let out a long exhale, some of the tension leaving his shoulders.
“ Finally.” He flopped onto the bed, the mattress sinking under his weight. “ Alone time.”
F/n snorted, sitting beside him, tilting her head towards his direction.
“ Alone time?” She echoed.
“ Should I take my leave?”
His eyes narrowed at her.
A smile tugged at her lips.
She slowly rose up from the bed, testing the waters.
A startled yelp escaped her as an arm suddenly wrapped around her waist.
Before she could react, Jason tugged her backward.
She landed unceremoniously on the mattress beside him.
Jason looked entirely too pleased with himself.
The smugness radiating off him was almost tangible.
Jason simply tightened his hold around her waist.
As if ensuring she couldn't attempt another daring escape.
"What if I have somewhere to be?"
"You literally live here."
She shook her head, unsuccessfully trying to hide her smile.
Jason's expression softened.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
The apartment beyond their bedroom door had gone mostly quiet.
The Batkids were finally settling down.
Or at least pretending to.
The peace lasted approximately five seconds.
A muffled voice drifted through the wall.
Jason immediately groaned.
F/n buried her face into Jason's shoulder to hide her laughter.
Meanwhile, Jason looked ready to fight a crime.
"THAT SOUNDS LIKE A YOU PROBLEM!"
Then Steph's sleepy voice floated through the apartment.
"F/n, if he gets too annoying, you can sleep beside me."
The immediate response from the living room:
Somewhere, a phone keyboard clicked.
"...He's updating the spreadsheet again, isn't he?"
F/n laughed so hard she nearly fell off the bed.
Jason tightened his hold on her, looking betrayed.
“ You’re really enjoying this aren’t you?”
She looked up at him, smiling.
He rolled his eyes, grumbling about how he was bullied the whole time.
“ Hey, at least you had fun.” She whispered, pressing a kiss to his cheek.
His grip loosened slightly.
Like his entire system had just stuttered.
“That thing you just did.”
She tilted her head, still smiling.
“And you can’t just—” he gestured vaguely again, struggling to find words, “—do that and expect me to function normally.”
“Don’t repeat it like that.”
She hummed, clearly entertained, shifting a little closer.
“So what happens if I do it again?”
“ You probably want me to kiss you somewhere else.” She teased.
Jason narrowed his eyes on her immediately, but his ears turned red.
“It was absolutely a denial.”
She shifted slightly closer, clearly enjoying herself now.
Jason pointed at her like it was a warning.
“I didn’t start anything.”
F/n smiled, looking at him as his face slowly turned red.
“ I’ll be the respectful gentleman in this relationship.”
“What?” She snorted. “ I’m not gentlemanly?”
“ Far from it.” He grumbled.
F/n gasped, pressing a hand to her chest like she’d been wounded.
“And I was so ready to give you a kiss to show my unwavering loyalty and respect.”
His expression dropped immediately.
“The manipulation thing.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Jason leaned back slightly, suspicious.
“That voice is how I know I’m about to lose something.”
“Sounds like a personal problem.”
“It is emotionally honest.”
“Emotional honesty is dangerous in this house.”
“Your house is already dangerous.”
F/n leaned in slightly again, softer this time.
“…You’re doing it again.”
“You’re not just asking.”
“I’m respectfully asking.”
Jason stared at her for a long moment.
Jason muttered under his breath.
F/n didn’t tease him for it this time.
She just smiled softly and reached up, cupping his cheek.
Her thumb brushed lightly over the scar that cut through his skin.
Like even his breathing had decided to pause out of respect.
Close enough that the noise of the apartment faded behind the door.
Close enough that it was just them now.
Her breath brushed his nose as she tilted her head slightly.
For once, there was nothing defensive in his expression—no sarcasm, no guard, no bite ready at the edge of his tongue.
“…You’re staring,” he murmured, quieter than before.
“You’re not complaining.”
That earned the smallest shift at the corner of his mouth.
F/n’s thumb traced his cheek again, gentler this time.
“You always do that thing,” she whispered.
“Like you’re waiting for people to leave.”
Jason’s gaze flickered for a second.
F/n’s expression softened even more.
“Well,” she said quietly, “I’m not going anywhere right now.”
Something in his shoulders finally eased.
“…Good,” he said after a moment.
And leaned in the rest of the way.
A kiss that wasn’t a joke this time.
When she pulled back, Jason didn’t speak right away.
Just stared at her like he was recalculating the entire evening again.
That night, the Batkids didn’t fall asleep right away, their ears tuned far too closely to the muffled sounds coming from the bedroom.
“They kissed for sure,” Steph whispered, hugging her sleeping bag tighter as she fought a yawn. “Todd is surprisingly quiet.”
From across the room, Tim didn’t look up from his phone.
“That’s consistent with post-affection behavioral silence.”
Dick, half-asleep on the couch, raised a hand slightly.
“I think we should respect their privacy.”
“…But yeah they definitely kissed.”
Cass, already curled up on the floor, gave a soft nod.
Damian huffed from his sleeping bag near the window.
“You’re smiling,” Steph whispered immediately.
“You are literally smiling right now.”
“I am not participating in this conversation.”
Tim tapped his phone again.
“Audio levels in the bedroom indicate reduced verbal conflict.”
“Oh my god. That’s worse.”
“It means they’re calm,” Dick said.
“No,” Tim corrected. “It means they’re engaged in non-verbal communication.”
Steph buried her face in her blanket.
“I didn’t need to hear that sentence.”
From the bedroom, there was a faint sound—too quiet to catch clearly.
Steph sighed dramatically.
The room slowly settled again after that, the Batkids finally drifting toward sleep one by one.
The apartment dimmed into silence.
Dick shot upright with a yelp, hand flying to the back of his neck.
“Okay…” he said slowly, squinting into the darkness. “Who threw something at me?”
“I was literally asleep,” Steph muttered.
Cass blinked in the dark but said nothing.
“Grayson, if this is another one of your theatrical—
Dick slowly reached behind his neck.
Fingers brushing something small.
He pulled his hand forward.
Sitting calmly on his fingers like it belonged there.
The room went dead silent.
Dick stared at the roach.
It casually lifted its wings.
The room erupted in chaos, the Batkids all scrambling in different directions.
Inside their room, Jason bolted upright.
Then slowly turning his head toward the door.
F/n, already half-awake beside him, sat up slightly.
“…That sounds like panic.”
“That’s not panic,” Jason muttered flatly, swinging his legs off the bed. “That’s war crimes.”
Another scream echoed from the living room.
“I SWEAR IT JUST LANDED ON ME!”
“That’s Dick,” F/n said softly.
He cracked his knuckles once.
Jason grabbed the door handle.
“I leave them alone for ten minutes.”
“JASON! IT FLEW INTO THE AIR AGAIN!”
Tim’s voice, fully panicked:
“It is no longer following predictable movement patterns!”
“This is why I prefer blades.”
Cass, completely calm but holding a shoe:
Jason stepped into the room.
Everyone turned to look at him like he was a messiah.
Jason pinched the bridge of his nose.
“I think it’s enjoying this.”
A single roach sat on the wall.
Jason rolled up his sleeves.
“…I’m ending this tonight.”
The roach sat on the wall.
Jason cracked his knuckles once.
From somewhere behind her—
Tim adjusted his glasses.
“I can assist with containment strat—”
“Do NOT assist,” Jason snapped.
“I can open the storage drawer for quicker access.”
“No one touches anything except the bug spray.”
“…Tim,” Steph said slowly. “Why is it… moving?”
Something inside moved back.
Jason turned his head sharply.
A small wave of movement erupted from inside the drawer.
Damian stepped onto the couch immediately.
“I am leaving the planet.”
Cass, still calm, blinked once.
“I think that’s the family.”
Jason stared at the drawer.
“I didn’t know it was a nest.”
Jason turned slowly toward F/n.
Jason took a slow breath.
“EVERYBODY STOP SCREAMING AND BACK AWAY FROM THE DRAWER.”
“YOU ARE STILL SCREAMING.”
Like something was waking up.
Jason grabbed the nearest object—didn’t even check what it was—and pointed it at the drawer like a weapon.
“…This apartment is cursed.”
“I miss the single roach.”
“I think that was the scout.”
Because at that exact moment—
the drawer fully gave up pretending it was furniture.
𖦹 *٭ 𓆣 𖢥 𓆣٭ * 𖦹 𖦹 *٭ 𓆣 𖢥 𓆣٭ * 𖦹
