Smother (3)
Pairing: Eventual Tommy/Jason (possible Bruce/Jason) (Jason/Dick if you squint)
Notes: Stuck at fifteen vampire!Jason
Warning: Jason isn't in the clearest frame of mind in some of this please be wary of this if you are sensitive to that kind of situation. Also Tommy is just a giant jerk. He brushes his teeth every morning and stares at the mirror like "Who's the biggest jerk in all the land? Why yes, mirror, I know it's me." and he gets toothpaste on the mirror and it's gross. ...Anyway!
Previous: 01 | 02
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“Welcome to casa de Grayson.” Dick welcomes him into the apartment.
Jason wants to roll his eyes but stops himself. “Thanks. Sorry for the short notice.”
“It’s not a problem.” He assures. “I take it things back at the manor aren’t so great?”
He looks away past Dick and out to the pre dawn sky. “Sun’s coming up soon.” “Terrible dodge, Jason. But my bedroom has blackout curtains so you can stay there.”
The teen gives a little nod and follows the other down the hallway. He’s kind of surprised to see Dick in some shabby apartment especially when having the option of living in whatever place he wanted. It’s his way of feeling normal though, almost like Jason’s vidscreen “windows” in his room.
“Well… You have a bed.” Jason glances around the bare room.
“It’s all I need. I’ll see you in a couple of hours, ok?”
Jason tries to sleep for a few hours, tossing and turning in the overly plush bed, but it’s no use. He didn’t tell Bruce he was going he just left. Though Jason was kidding himself if he didn’t think Dick hadn’t already informed Bruce on his whereabouts. He could feel less guilty about taking off and focus on the more important aspect of still being pissed at Bruce for treating him like a child.
“Immortal doesn’t mean invincible.” He mimics Bruce’s stern voice then exhales. “Maybe I should tattoo it on my chest. Too bad I can’t fucking see my reflection.”
Another hour of staring at the ceiling passes until he can’t take it anymore and rolls out of bed. His hand’s on the doorknob before he realizes the light burning through the crack at the bottom. Jason jumps back hissing at his burned toes. Of course Dick would only have curtains in his bedroom. He lands back onto the bed, glancing at the newly forming blisters. Great.
He’s tired and annoyed at the entire universe. So to soothe himself Jason bundles himself up in blankets and pulls out a tablet from his bag. What’s oddly comforting is Dick’s scent lingering on the fabric surrounding him. It’s a nice presence that isn’t asking anything of him while making him feel just a little less alone. Unfortunately that thought is immediately followed by the constant reminder of how alone he actually is.
And there he is five minutes later looking at search results for Thomas Elliot. A surgeon, a highly rated one at that. It doesn’t take long to find his office number and suddenly he’s sweet talking and name dropping the assistant on the other line until he’s transferred over. It’s careless but as far as Jason sees Tommy already knows what he is.
“Now why would you be calling me at this hour?” The older man’s voice is smooth with a hint of curiosity.
“Couldn’t sleep.” He tries to sound mostly uninterested but ends up yawning instead. “What’s it like out there?”
“Go to a window and see.”
“Har har. So you’re some high class surgeon, huh? The hell were you doing in that grimey ass diner?”
“Nicer restaurants have the dullest people. Not a single vampire in sight.”
Jason gives a tired laugh. “Their coffee tastes like oil.”
“You had hot chocolate… with marshmallows.”
“Cause their coffee is terrible.” He repeats, smiling.
The line goes quiet for a beat and Jason begins to wonder why he even called in the first place. Insomnia? Frustration?
“Why did you call me?” His tone is a little more serious but the same interest as before is still there.
“I don’t… Less than a handful of people know who I am and now you’re one of them.”
“Should I be pleased or worried?”
“You don’t sound like you’d care either way.” He stretches out on the bed.
Tommy makes an amused noise on the other end. “You should rest.”
“I’ve had enough people telling me what I should do.” Jason grumbles into the pillow.
Another beat of silence. “Meet me at the diner at ten.”
“What for?”
“You called me, remember? I’ll see you there.”
Dick doesn’t ask many questions as Jason heads out, he understands the need to breakaway. Maybe part of Jason’s jealousy with him is how Dick did just that and how Jason still lives in the fucking cave like some sad science experiment. How can he demand independence when he slinks back to his room every morning? By the time Jason reaches the diner he as flustered as when he left the manor.
“Are all vampires pouty or is it just you?” Tommy asks as Jason approaches.
Jason rolls his eyes. “Whatever. So we sitting here all night?”
“Not all night.” The older man responds sipping at his coffee while Jason takes a seat. “How were you turned?”
“Seriously? That’s your first fucking question?”
Tommy shrugs. “It’s as good as any.”
“Bad timing. That’s all. What’s with your obsession?”
“You’re hiding in plain sight, it’s fascinating.”
“Gotham is filled with all kinds of people, I’m no different.”
“Except that you drink blood.”
“I’ve never bitten anyone.” Jason quickly replies. “I just drink from bags.”
Tommy quirks a brow. “Really? Four years and you’ve never bitten anyone?”
“...I did once. But- I can’t just go around biting people, don’t need Batman chasing me down.”
“Who knows maybe he’d take you home with him.”
Jason’s jaw tightens by a fraction. “You’re gross, you know that?”
Tommy stands from the table with a grin. “You said that when we met but here you are.”
Jason gets up to follow. “I think you’re interesting. That doesn’t stop you from being gross.” "So you're following me without asking where we're going?"
"I'm bored." Jason says plainly.
Tommy stops at this and looks the teen up and down, sizing him up.
"What?"
"I know a place."
Jason crosses his arms. "That doesn't sound creepy or anything."
"You can- What was it you said last time? Rip my throat out if I’m leading you astray.”
Soon enough they’re entering a club where the beat’s so loud Jason can feel his skull vibrating. Lights are flashing everywhere, distractions from all directions try to pull him away but it’s the center that has his attention. People dancing, grinding, touching. It’s all one giant heartbeat. He’s hit hard with yearning and sudden hunger but his legs refuse to move.
Tommy laughs beside him finally tearing Jason’s attention from the crowd. “Your eyes are dilated.”
“It’s dark.”
“Does the dark explain you drooling over them?” The older man gestures to the dancers.
Jason glares right at him. “Why’d you bring me here?”
“You were bored. I doubt anyone dances at Wayne galas.”
“...Not like this.” Jason’s voice is barely audible above the music as he glances back at the crowd.
“Go on then.”
“It’s not safe. They’re all so… alive.” It hurts to say it. He wants to run out of the place but Tommy’s moved in close.
“I’ll pull you away if you get too- excited.”
“You think you could?” Jason asks in challenge.
Tommy doesn’t respond but nudges him toward the crowd and suddenly his legs are working again. Seconds later he finds himself in the middle of it all, the beat thumping through his body, the warmth of so many people so close. It’s overwhelming and he loves it. This is what he needs, to be so consumed in feeling that his mind shuts down any other thoughts. But his fangs begin to ache and the crowd’s heartbeat overtakes the music in his head until it’s all he can hear.
Jason stumbles backward into someone who he thinks is Tommy but it isn’t and he’s nowhere in sight. “...Where?”
A strong arm wraps around his waist and gently pulls him away from the swarm of people. His senses are going into overdrive, all he has to do is taste the air to know it’s Tommy holding him. The teen relaxes and lets his head rest against the other’s chest.
“I’m hungry.” He says in soft voice.
“We could crash a blood bank or…” Tommy moves one of Jason’s hands to his neck letting him feel his pulse.
Jason gasps at the sensation. He shouldn’t but he’s never had a craving this bad in his life. “This. Now.”
He pulls Tommy closer to his height and sinks his fangs in receiving a satisfying hiss from the older man. It doesn’t need to be perfect it just needs conquer his thirst. And damn does it ever, it’s amazing. Better than he remembered. The heat pouring into him with each gulp making his skin tingle in ways he’d forgotten. Tommy’s grip on his hips tighten in warning but Jason needs just one more drink. One more taste at what being alive feels like.
Jason licks his lips as he pulls away. “You taste good.”
The next few hours to Jason are a blur. Faint memories flash by of running through Gotham then Bludhaven. Screaming, laughing, feeling warm. He must’ve told Tommy where he was staying as Jason’s standing outside of the apartment building. It’s a little scary but a sense of euphoria is still dancing through his system. He never knew it could be like this.
“Dick? You here?” Jason calls out entering the apartment.
“Kitchen.” He answers. “Might not wanna come in.”
“Set something on fire again?” The teen chuckles to himself and walks into the kitchen.
There’s a gash in Dick’s arm that he’s carefully trying to stitch up and all Jason wants to do is laugh.
“I could help clean up.” Jason grins.
“Jason.”
“It wouldn’t even be biting.”
“You should go into the other room.”
Jason glares, a sudden pulse of emotion surges through him. “I’m not a fucking kid! I came here cause I thought you saw past my fucking face! I’m not fifteen anymore…”
“I know that.” Dick says in a calm voice. “Also I don’t think it’s all that sanitary for you to be licking my arm.”
“You’re no fun.” He sighs.
Dick tilts his head to the side. “You ok, little wing?”
“Yea. Better than. I just feel a little… We should put on music. It’s too quiet.” Jason turns and quickly leaves the room.
Jason doesn’t pay attention to what he puts on just that there’s something he can sway to. Dick steps out later, bandage around his arm and staring at Jason inquisitively.
“Don’t wanna dance?” He holds out his arms.
“Sun’s coming up soon.”
Jason frowns. “I don’t wanna be cooped up in that room all day by myself. Stay with me?”
“I have work.”
“Call in sick. Just for tomorrow.” He whines.
“Just for tomorrow.” Dick repeats with a nod.
The following afternoon Jason finds himself in bed stretched out beside Dick who’s on his laptop typing away. He lays there awhile simply listening to the click clack of the keyboard and Dick’s breathing. Then there’s fingers toying with his hair and he gazes up to the other smiling at him.
“How long you been awake?” Dick asks.
“Just a bit.” He mumbles. “Have you slept yet?”
Dick shakes his head. “You were acting strange. Wanted to make sure you were ok.”
“I don’t need another knight in kevlar.”
He laughs and further ruffles the teen’s hair. “And what is it that you need?”
“I don’t know,” Jason shuts his eyes and takes in a long soothing breath, “but I think I had a taste of it last night.”