“Oh jeez I havent written anything in near a month. Someone throw some...”
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1. Tommy and Jason dating (in a good semi-healthy way?) and Tommy finds out for the first time that Jason used to do sex work on the side as a child/teenager/while he lived with Bruce (your choice) and ???
[Warning: Mention of teenage Jason doing sex work]
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“Are you gonna walk out or what?” Jason glares and crosses his arms.
“Because I wanted some details?” Tommy asks.
“Because I know where this fuckin’ leads. At first you think oh just a few guys? Poor Jason. Wait, over a dozen guys? He’s a goddamn whore.”
Tommy doesn’t respond and all Jason can think of is throwing his coffee mug right at Tommy’s head but the older man just sits there across from him casually taking a sip.
“So?” Jason asks briskly.
“I was waiting to see if you’d stop yelling.”
“I tell you the shit I used to do for a couple of bucks when I was fifteen and you pretend you don’t give a shit?”
“The number isn’t that important right now. You could’ve slept with a hundred people and it wouldn’t change how I feel for you. I’m more curious about something else. Weren’t you living with Bruce when you were fifteen?”
Jason looks down at his coffee. “Yea, so?”
“Why do it? Bruce would’ve gotten you anything you could possibly want.”
“Wasn’t about that.” He says, anger dissipating.
“Then what?”
“It’s dumb now.” He gives a flat laugh. “I was trying to save some back up money for when Bruce kicked me out.”
“But he didn’t.”
“Nope. But I was scared, every morning I kept thinking today’s the day it’s all going to fall apart. Bruce would realize what a mistake he made in bringing me in and toss me out.”
Tommy has an almost amused look on his face making Jason glare again. “I don’t mean to make light of the situation. I don’t think Bruce is capable of being angry at you for more than a few seconds. Did you ever tell him what happened?”
Jason shakes his head. “No, I lied later playing it off like I did it before he found me. I mean some of them were from before… it’s complicated.” He runs a hand through his hair and gets up. “Fuck this, do whatever you want.”
Tommy grabs his wrist before he can leave. “You love jumping to conclusions, don’t you? I’m not disgusted, now settle.”
With a gentle tug Jason lands on Tommy’s lap, an arm slipping around his waist. He rests his head on the other’s shoulder and takes in a few breaths. Their whole relationship throws him through a loop sometimes. They argue over small pointless things but when it comes to shit like this Tommy doesn’t even bat an eye. In previous relationships opening up about his past always ends in yelling and bitter words, it’s what he expects.
“So that’s it? You don’t really give a shit either way?” Jason says slightly muffled by Tommy’s chest.
“You Robins have such a flair for the dramatic.” Tommy sighs and gives Jason a light squeeze. “I care quite a lot but I have no interest in scolding you and I’m not going to baby you.”
“It’s just weird…” Jason says attempting to slip away from Tommy only to be swept up and carried to their bedroom. “What’re you doing?”
“I said I wasn’t going to baby you but I think today I can make an exception.”
Jason grins and flicks the furry pom-pom on the tip of the hat with a finger as the man across from him glares so hard his eye twitches
-x-x-x-x-x-x-
He hummed to himself as he touched down on the fire escape, a genuine bounce to his step as he approached the window frame and punched in his security code, successfully flinging it open as he awkwardly held his bags in a single hand.
“No.”
Jason grins and flicks the furry pom-pom on the tip of the hat with a finger as the man across from him glares so hard his eye twitches.
His good mood only burns hotter as he realizes that the red head had been sitting there waiting for his return.
“Aww, come on! Where’s your holiday spirit Tommy?” He snickered, trudging across the room with the bags of groceries in hand, clad from head to toe in red and black.
“Lost in the dark depths of the Gotham Bay along with my lower half!” The redhead snaps, swaying forward across the floor. “You look absurd. Please, please tell me that you did not carry out your patrol in that god awful suit... you look the farthest thing from intimidating. And think of the little hellions- do you wish to corrupt them more by letting them see St. Nick blow someone away?”
Tommy looks utterly disgusted and Jason can’t help but cackle as he slides into the kitchen and opens the fridge to deposit the night’s haul.
“No, I didn’t patrol tonight. I went shopping… and then nearly gave the woman at the children’s center down the street a heart attack. Admittedly I kind of broke in, woke her up accidentally, and dodged getting pummeled by a lamp, but you try getting a truck full of presents through a front door quietly.”
The twitching spread from the man’s eye to his lower eight limbs.
“You purchased a truck’s worth of gifts on Christmas Eve and delivered them to an orphanage?”
“Children’s Center, the kids don’t like the term orphanage, but yes…” He huffed, shoving the gallon of milk on the top shelf. “I did it last year as well. Yay for healthy traditions!”
Tommy snorted and leaned back against the wall.
“How the hell did you manage to shop and wrap dozens of toys in a few short hours on the busiest last-second retail night of the year?”
“Hundreds. Truck load, remember? Not everything was toys, I’m a practical person, and hypothetically? I may or may not have held a table full of mob underlings hostage at a table and forced them to be my not so merry elves…” He smirked and turned towards the older man as he shut the fridge. “But hey, I sent them all home in one piece so I think it was quite the compromise, don’t you?”
The red head rolled his eyes and let out an exasperated sigh.
“Your idea of a good time is horrendously unique, Todd.”
At that Jason’s faced morphed into an entirely different sort of grin and he froze as the Hood bent down for the last bag upon the floor, reached in, and retrieved a bottle.
“Yeah, but it’s still a fucking great time-“ he laughed, waggling the bottle before the man. “I figure that you and I can sit back, drink this whole thing of amaretto, and…”
“And?” Tommy rose a brow, interest peaked.
“…and you can get me out of this ‘god awful suit’.”
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.”
Jason sinks in the soapy water of the tub and watches the vidscreen across from him. He used to hate it. Some giant TV posing as a window showing daylight scenery, the manor’s garden or a balcony from Wayne Tech. His favorite though is a ridiculously cheesy looking empty meadow, a soft wind rolling through the dry tall grass while the sun rises across the screen.
“Jay?” Dick calls out from the bedroom.
“In here.”
“Are you- Oh! Sorry.” Dick enters then stumbles back.
“Quit pretending to be modest.” He rolls his eyes. “Pretty sure you’re the first one who smacked me with a towel in the showers.”
Dick pretends to look offended. “And here I was bringing you a peace offering.”
He holds up a bag of blood and Jason smirks. “I’m not mad at you.”
“You’ve been avoiding me for two weeks.”
“You live in Bludhaven and Bruce doesn’t like me leaving Gotham past the night.”
“And you listen to Bruce?” Dick raises a brow.
“Sometimes… We’ve been getting along a lot more lately and I’d kinda like to keep that up.”
While getting along with Bruce was true, save for a few minor hiccups, the real reason is it’s hard to be around Dick. None of it was even by his doing, it was all in Jason’s mind. Dick is everything he will never get to be. Jason could be a tactical mastermind and it wouldn’t matter because he’s stuck being fifteen for the rest of eternity. Dick is tall, muscled, ...he got to grow up. If he could’ve been bitten and turned at twenty instead of fifteen everything would be different.
“Well, as someone who has many falling outs and reconciliations with him I can understand. When it’s good it’s good, but-”
“Don’t expect it to last.” Jason finishes for him.
They give each other a look of understanding then Jason smiles and holds up the bag of blood. “Watch the grass with me?”
That night Jason’s zooming through the streets with Batman on his new bike, the golden R logo shining brightly on the gas tank. The city seems relatively peaceful but they both know better. Maybe Jason can read it better than Bruce now, the sense that everyone is just waiting for something to happen. It’s like clockwork when an explosion shakes the ground and smoke billows onto the nearby streets. Dozens of people are running and crying in panic, the car is stuck in place but he can weave around them.
In the beginning Jason had a hard time focusing around the busy crowds of Gotham. So many people with their heart’s beating and blood flowing through their veins, the noise of it was nearly too much. Jason remembers falling apart in the Batmobile screaming for his need. His thirst. And Bruce… gave in, pulled off his gauntlet and let Jason drink from him. He was stuck in the cave for months after that incident. Neither talked about it but the act of draining Bruce still popped up in Jason’s mind throughout the years. The heat and pure energy he could never get from a blood bag. He’d accept the substitute from fresh to bagged but knew it would never completely satiate him.
“I’ll cut them off and bring them to you.” Jason says through the comm and is soon enveloped in the smoke of the building.
These robbers are amateurs, thinking an explosion will be enough to get away, Jason’s nearly got them cornered into an alleyway on his own when Batman pulls up behind him. Taking them down takes little effort, it’s all muscle memory. There’s always one with a gun and happy trigger finger but that’s a guessing game they’ve well mastered. The thing is, a guessing game wouldn’t be what it is if wasn’t random. He gets hit twice times one in his thigh and the other grazing his temple sending Jason onto his back with a shout.
The next few minutes all he can hear are the sounds of bones crunching and bodies hitting the pavement. Jason blinks a few times before he comes to his senses and pushes himself up. The robbers are laying in a heap, limbs at odd angles with Batman standing above them.
Jason gets to his feet leaning on his uninjured leg. “Batman!”
The older man is over to him in an instant but Jason shoves him back. “I’m fine! You didn’t have to do that.”
“Get in the car.” Batman says flatly. “We’re going back to the cave.”
“I’m fine.” He repeats, feeling blood trickle down the side of his head. “And I’m not leaving my bike behind.”
He can hear Bruce’s heart beat through his chest and swallows down the sudden pang of hunger. Jason’s body wants to restore itself and the only way is to drink. He turns to go to his bike when it gives a beep and locks itself down.
“What the- What did you do?!”
Batman stows a remote into his utility belt. “Get in the car.”
The ride home is silent, Bruce is probably waiting to give his lecture when they reach the cave but he’s not in the mood for it. Time and time again Jason has to reiterate that he doesn’t get hurt the way he used to, a spare blood pack and he’s ready to go. But no one sees it that way, they call him careless when really all Jason’s doing is embracing what he’s become. It’s not his fault they’re stuck in the past and he’s sick of catering to them.
Once they’re parked he out of the car and heading to his room in a flash. He can hear Bruce’s footsteps approaching and quickens his pace, he wants to be alone. If he could just get away for awhile he and Bruce can continue to work together with ease. His conversation with Dick pops into his mind ...don’t expect it to last.
Bruce grabs him by the shoulder. “Jason-”
He spins out of the older man’s hold. “Not now, ok!? I know your lectures by heart and guess what? They don’t apply anymore, I’m immortal!”
“Immortal doesn’t mean invincible, Jason.”
“You don’t trust me, do you?” His voice sounds hurt against his own willpower to remain steady.
“I’m worried about you.”
“Of course. When are you not? Poor little Jason so fucking fragile how will he ever survive?”
Bruce is about to speak when Jason cuts in. “I don’t want to hear it! Leave me alone.”
If he could Jason would stomp off to his room but his leg is aching so it’s more of a quick hobble. Bruce doesn’t follow him and that’s all that matters right now. He grabs two bags of blood and plops himself into the empty tub in his bathroom. As the blood calms the pain anger and frustration plague his mind. Jason tries to push it back, to ignore it and watch the vidscreen but even that makes him want to yell.
He’s trapped in this cave watching some scenery he’ll never be able to view in person again. What’s supposed to comfort him only mocks him and reinforces Bruce’s thoughts on how he needs to be handled. He throws a half drunk bag at the screen and watches the blood stain the grass. When he tears into the next bag and his tongue is met with the same bland taste he’s gotten used to he spits it out across the tile.
“I can’t take this anymore.” Jason drops the bag on the floor and brings himself to his feet. “I need to get out of here.”
ship: ew / nonono / maybe / ship it / aww / otp / MY HEART
Can’t really say “aww” on this one, its more of a “Ohhhh…mymymy”. I think these two just work- but in the most dysfunctional way. Each has what the other wants, unfortunately neither is *truly* what the other wants (ie: Bruce). So long as they can fufill each other’s needs (and holes) they are a pretty sexy pairing.
