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awhitehead17 · 4 years

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We Have Each Other

TimKon, Hurt/Comfort, Love, Hugs, Established Relationship, Fluff.

Summary: When Tim and Kon decide to make their relationship public, they both thought they were prepared for everything about to be thrown their way. It turns out that they really weren’t prepared at all.

Enjoy! :D

When their relationship first went public, Tim had originally expected the backlash. He mentally prepared himself for the comments he would hear, the scandalous ways the papers would portray him and variety of looks he would receive when he walked through the streets.

When making the decision to publicise their relationship, he and Kon had long and tiresome conversations on making sure they each knew what to expect when it happens. Really, it would have been much easier just to keep it a secret between them, their families and friends but the desire to be together in public and to act normal pushed them to make the decision.

Eventually they got on the same page and Tim sorted out their relationship reveal to the public. With Tim being a Wayne, it didn’t take very long for the news to travel around and soon enough he and Kon became the next topic of gossip.

Tim had thought he was prepared, he thought he was going to be able to handle everything that came with being in a public relationship with Kon, but he was wrong. He was so very wrong.

Their relationship got publicised just over four weeks ago and despite that time length, he and Kon were still the hot topic of gossip. Tim realised that he hadn’t been prepared, or actually couldn’t take any more of it, when he attended a charity gala with his family within Gotham.

Kon was attending his own party back in Kanas, some sort of annual summer festival that happens each year. Tim would rather be there than here that’s for sure.

They were surround by all of Gotham’s top socialites who were all dressed to the nines in ridiculously expensive clothing. News reporters and photographers were scattered around the room gathering who knows what kind of scandals. Luxurious food was spread widely on a table that stretched as far as one of the walls.

Tim wasn’t new to these things, he despised them but like the rest of his family he has to suffer through them to maintain a civilian identity. At the beginning there were photos, pictures and conversations with reporters before they were partially left along to ‘enjoy’ the gala.

It was at this point, a few hours into the gala, that Tim overs hears a couple socialites talking. He’s pretty sure he was meant to overhear what they were saying because they did not do anything to try and keep their voices low. He makes himself look busy as he watches the room, taking careful sips from his drink as he listens to them chatter.

“I’m surprised he’s keeping up the act.” One of them was saying, a lady in a long blue silk dress.

“Oh I know! I would have thought it was just a phase and he would have moved on from that hillbilly by now.” Another agrees with her, this was a man dressed in a light grey suit.

“What does Wayne see in him anyway? It’s not like he has anything to offer.” The third comments, another woman dressed in a loose, low hanging red dress.

The blue dress lady snorts into her drink, “He’s not bad looking, maybe Wayne keeps him around because he’s good in bed.”

“That must be the only reason why. It’s not like that country bumpkin could ever get anywhere in life or offer anything more to Wayne. No money, jewels, fame, hereditary. Just a nobody from nowhere.”

That was the last straw for Tim. Without meaning to the glass he had been holding smashes in his hand from where he clutched it too tightly in anger. It shatters all over him and his hand causing blood to instantly pool in his palm.

Everyone who had been stood by jumps at the unexpected sound and looks at him with wide eyes, however no one makes a move towards him. He glares at them and gently brushes the glass he can off of his palm. “Excuse me.” He says and makes his leave from the gala to find the nearest bathroom.

As Tim washes his hands, after picking out the glass from his skin (thankfully there was nothing deep and it all should heal within the next week), someone enters the bathroom and leans against the side as they wordlessly watch him. Tim pointedly ignores his older brother, focusing on washing his hands.

After a long moment of silence Dick reaches over and turns the taps off, he grabs a paper towel, takes Tim’s hands in his own and starts dabbing them dry. Tim ignores the way his hands shake in his brother’s grasp.

“What happened Tim?” Dick asks softly, looking at the little cuts on his skin.

Tim swallows and refuses to make eye contact. “They were bitching about Kon and… I just got annoyed. They’re commenting on things they don’t understand. ‘A nobody from nowhere’ those bastards don’t realise what the fuck they’re talking about!”

He takes a breath and frees one of his hands from Dick’s so he could wipe his eyes, hating the fact he’s tearing up over this. He finally looks up at his brother, “Kon’s made the greatest sacrifice anyone ever could and those… snobs have no idea what they’re on about.”

Dick doesn’t say anything, all he does is pull Tim for a hug which he instantly melts into. Having his brother here was comforting but in that moment he wanted his boyfriend. Tim wraps his arms around Dick and clings on tight. “I knew things like this was going to happen but to actually face it… it’s awful and unfair…”

Tim feels Dick press a kiss to the top of his head but again his brother doesn’t say anything which Tim is thankful for. They stay hugging in the bathroom for a long time before Tim gets himself together enough to face the public once again, hopefully they can pull some strings so Tim can get to go home early.

Unknowingly, while Tim struggles in Gotham, Kon was having similar problems in Kanas.

The annual summer festival of Kanas, a time for lots of baked goods, cheerful music, smiles, fairground rides and Kon was miserable. He was stood just off to the side behind a ‘Grab a duck’ game tent playing with his phone wishing he was anywhere but there.

Tim was in Gotham attending a charity gala with his family, so Kon couldn’t call him like he wanted to. He couldn’t even call Cassie or Bart because they too were busy doing their own things. Ma and Pa were handling their own stall full of Ma’s fantastic baked pies so they couldn’t do anything for him either.

He was just debating on leaving when his hearing picks up on a conversation a group of young adults seem to be having on the other side of the tent. Kon soon recognises them as some of the people he went to school with a couple years ago.

“Have you guys heard about Kent? How he’s now dating a Wayne?” One of them were saying.

“I know! I was so surprised to find that out. I wonder how they met.” Another replies.

“Isn’t it obvious? Kent is obviously with him for the money, simply calling Wayne a sugar daddy.” The third voice snarks.

“I don’t know, he never seemed to be interested in that sort of thing.”

“Does it matter? They’re all rich snobs who think they’re better than everybody else. They throw money away like it’s nothing and actually do nothing with their lives except look down on folks like us who have to work for a living to feed our families.”

“Kent probably doesn’t know any better. I bet Wayne’s just using him for a country fling. Something that he’ll get bored with soon enough and then he’ll be moving on.”

By that point Kon’s had enough. Before he could think better of his actions, he steps out of his hiding place and clears his throat which gains the attention of his previous classmates. They all startle at his sudden appearance and rightfully look embarrassed. They each stutter out something before fleeing.

Once they disappear from his view Kon finds himself shaking with anger. How dare they say those things about Tim. They had no right. They don’t know Tim like he does, all they see is the celebrity persona Tim has to play to hide his identity. Kon wasn’t with him for money, just as Tim wasn’t with him for a fling. Tim and his family are probably one of the down to earth families he’s ever met (despite their flaws of being insane crazy Bat’s) they genuinely care for people and their wellbeing, they do their damn hardest to try and make things right both as Wayne's and Bat’s.

A sudden crack startles him out of his thoughts. He looks down to find his phone now supporting a huge crack across the screen. Kon lets out a sigh, that’s what he gets for forgetting his superstrength, that’s the fourth screen he’s broke in the last month. He fiddles with the device for a moment and is grateful to find that it still works fine. It could have been worse.

Deciding enough was enough Kon makes his leave of the festival. He was done and just wanted to be alone, or be with Tim but that wasn’t an option. He makes a quick detour to tell Ma and Pa he was heading off before leaving the festival to start the walk back. He could fly back, make the trip quicker and easier but he needs some time to think.

He knew that coming out to the public was going to be difficult, he and Tim had long conversations about it and both made sure they were on the same page about the decision. He had thought he was prepared for it, knowing there would be comments and stares about it all. But he wasn’t as prepared as he thought. Even now, weeks later after the initial reveal, things were hard to handle.

It wasn’t fair. People make comments without even knowing anything, they’re always quick to judge without knowing the details.

As he was nearing the farmhouse his phone beeps and Kon is pleasantly surprised to find that it was Tim.

“I know you’re probably busy but can you call me when you get the chance. I left the gala early, I’m back at the Manor.”

Kon instantly goes to hit the call button but hesitates just before he does so. Calling Tim was an excellent idea, he would love to his Robin’s voice right now but there was something even better he could do.

He rushes to the farmhouse and quickly changes his clothes, he scribbles Ma and Pa a note of his whereabouts before taking off for Gotham. There’s a beauty to having flight and superspeed as powers because he makes it to Wayne Manor in record time.

He floats up to Tim’s bedroom window and taps the glass. It takes a few seconds but soon enough Tim’s face appears the other side. Kon watches with amusement as Tim’s expression changes from confusion to relief before he opens the window and allows Kon to climb inside.

Once inside he turns to his boyfriend, “So I thought I’d stop by instead. Better than calling don’t you think.”

That gets a low chuckle from Tim. “Yeah definitely.”

Picking up that something was wrong, Kon frowns, “You okay dude, what happened? Why did you leave the gala early?”

Tim looks away from him in embarrassment and fiddles with his hands which Kon is now only noticing that one of them is bandaged. He steps forward and gently grabs it with his own. “Tim?”

Tim moves their hands so they can lace all of their fingers together, “A glass smashed in my hand, caused my palm to bleed. Nothing major and it’ll heal within a couple days.”

Kon feels like there was more to the story but he doesn’t push. Instead he unwinds their hands to wraps his arms around Tim, to hold him close and rest his head on top of Tim’s because it was the perfect height to do so. In return, Tim melts into the hug and slings his arms around Kon’s sides and hugs him back.

“They were making comments about you and I got angry.” Tim admits a moment later. “They said some stuff which they didn’t have a right to and I lost my temper, I accidentally smashed the glass I was holding and thankfully Dick managed to pull some strings and got us to leave early. I wanted to see you.”

Realising how similar his story was to Kon’s, Kon squeezes him and presses a kiss to his head. “Y’know I had a similar situation just now too,” he laughs lightly, “Some people I went to school with made comments they had no right to. Making judgments without any relevant details.”

It goes quiet between them as they hold one another, basking in the comfort they can provide for each other in ways no one else can. Eventually Tim breaks the silence, he pulls away from Kon to peer up at him, “Did we make the right choice about going public? Everything is just shit since we did.”

Kon contemplates this for a moment, of course he’s wondered that himself. Hell most of the time he wishes they didn’t say anything at all. In the end he reaches up to stroke Tim’s cheek and says, “I don’t know. We could have kept going on like we were but how long until someone unwanted caught us and then outed us in the way we didn’t want? It’s just the waiting game until something new comes up I guess.”

Tim hums and leans into his hand. “Unfortunately.” He looks up at Kon, making eye-contact, “Y’know I love you right. No matter what. What they say isn’t true, I’m with you because I love you for you and nothing else. They have no idea what you’re capable of and how amazing you are.”

Kon heart swells at the pride he hears in Tim’s voice. He also wonders about what kind of comments were made against him for Tim to say those things.

“And you know that I love you to right? Not because of what your name is, or who you are to the public but because you’re an amazing person who wants to do the right thing no matter what. A person who wants to help others even if it means getting hurt yourself. You’re the guy who’s been by my side my entire life, and Bart of course, and I couldn’t imagine anyone else meaning so much to me as much as you do.”

Tim smiles at him, “They have no idea what they’re talking about do they?”

Kon grins too, “Absolutely not. We’re in this together and we’ll get through it like everything else we do. We have each other and you know what Tim, fuck everyone else.”

Everyone who doesn’t know them can comment all they want, but at the end of the day Kon and Tim have one another, they both know it no matter what. That alone is enough.

#Tim Drake #Kon-El #timkon #fanfiction #hurt and comfort #love #Hugs #established relationship #bit of fluff #they just love each other okay #dick grayson

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violetsmoak · 4 years

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Philtatos [14/?]

AO3 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/20101543/chapters/47690671

Blanket Disclaimer

Summary: During a patrol where Red Hood and Red Robin cross paths, Jason is infected with the blood of the Eros, the ancient God of Love, who informs them that they must track down his missing bow and arrows, or Jason will go slowly mad with an obsessive desire–for Tim. Though overwhelmed by the sudden attention being paid to him, Tim sets to work trying to solve the case, before Jason succumbs to madness. In the meantime, Jason discovers that there’s more than godlike powers at work here, as well as a legacy that reaches back through the sands of time.

Rating: PG-13 (rating may change later)

Beta Reader: None at the moment.

JayTimBingo Prompts This Chapter: #undying love #fatal flaw #jealousy

First Chapter

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What follows is a silent feud about where Jason will sleep. He tries to insist that the cot in the medbay will be sufficient, but Tim is unmoved by the argument.

“You need to be comfortable,” he maintains crossly. “The only time anyone gets any sleep in here is if they’re doped up on the good drugs, none of which will help you right now.”

“Sleep won’t help me either, you know. There hasn’t really been a difference between being awake or not for a while now.”

Tim tries not to betray his dismay at that. “It might not do anything for your mind, but it might for the rest of you. You need to keep what strength you can.”

“Then I’ll sleep on your couch.”

“That thing was brought for decoration only,” Tim counters. “I can tell you from experience that falling asleep on it causes as many bruises as a night of patrol.” He pauses to consider, and then says, “Besides, that’s where the brat’s sleeping if he stays over.”

Damian rolls his eyes. “Hilarious. I expect someone else will be here to relieve me before I ever have to endure what passes as your version of hospitality.”

“There are two bedrooms in the apartment,” Tim goes on, ignoring the boy, “Alfred was by before all this happened to change the linens, so it’s all clean. You can take my bed—”

“No. No. I can’t. If you’re going to be stubborn about this, I’ll go with the guestroom.”

“Really? You’re going to pick a fight over this too?” Tim groans. “My room is the only one with blackout blinds, which are statistically proven to improve sleep quality.”

Jason shifts from side to side, like he’s wavering, and then throws Damian an almost pleading look.

The boy huffs in irritation and snaps at Tim, “Surely even you can’t be ignorant to the implications of letting a man, who’s aroused by your very presence, sleep in your bed?”

Stunned silence meets that comment, before the horror sets in.

“Damian!”

“What the hell, kid?!”

“You just…I can’t believe you…That’s not…!” Tim may be too upset for words at this moment, not least of all because the little monster has a point.

“If this is what having a normal younger brother feels like, I’m amazed any of you make it to adulthood,” Jason growls, cheeks bright red.

The boy remains unrepentant. “I’m sure Richard has said the same thing about both of you on occasion. Now, if you’re both finished with the Victorian theatrics, I haven’t eaten yet and assuming the likely event that Drake has nothing palatable in his fridge, I intend to order something. If you don’t want to starve, you may come along. And bring your credit card.”

He swans out of the medbay, leaving the older vigilantes staring after him.

“How?” Tim mutters. “How is it the little jerk always manages to walk around my property like he owns it?”

“Because you’re a pushover,” Jason answers immediately.

Tim makes a face. “Oh yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“Tell me that when you’re not holding my hand like it’s a lifeline.”

Jason’s eyes snap downward in surprise like he didn’t notice he was doing it. If they were red before, the color of his cheeks appears to darken further now.

“Shut up,” he snaps.

Which makes Tim feel bad about teasing him.

It’s not like he has control over it.

Or the way he’s been looking at him since Tim showed up with Barbara.

It’s total disbelief, like he can’t understand how Tim was physically in front of him, and then something like shame or guilt.

The knot in Tim’s stomach tightens at that.

Is kissing me really something that bothers him that much?

“You, uh, you don’t have to take my bed,” Tim murmurs, avoiding the other man’s gaze. “It’s like you said. Not like you’re going to sleep anyway, so…the guestroom should be good enough.”

He leaves the medbay, Jason in tow.

“Why do you even have a guestroom?” the latter wants to know. “You don’t strike me as the type to want people staying over here.”

“Kon and Bart sometimes crash here.”

Jason scowls. “Aren’t they fast enough to just zoom back home in a blink? Why do they have to stay here?”

“Uh, because they’re my friends? And sometimes friends get together and do things like play video games, go see movies or just sit and commiserate about how irritating our parent-slash-mentors can be. They don’t have to stay, but sometimes it’s just fun to hang out.”

“Yeah, well, wouldn’t know anything about that,” Jason mutters.

Some of Tim’s attitude fades away. “Really? Bruce didn’t let you hang out with your friends?”

“To do that you need to have friends to hang out with.”

“But I thought—there was that girl, wasn’t there?” he asks as he opens the door to the apartment, and they head in.

I’m sure I saw pictures of her and Jason up in his bedroom.

Jason looks confused for a moment, like he’s trying to remember something long-buried, but eventually the recollection takes hold.

“Rena? Yeah, we hung out, but there weren’t sleepovers involved, and I couldn’t exactly complain to her about when Batman was being a douche,” he reminds him. “And I guarantee when we went to see movies, we weren’t actually watching the movie. If you know what I mean.”

He ends the last bit with a leer and now it’s Tim who’s embarrassed. “What about the Titans? You never stayed over at the Tower?”

“Daytrips only,” Jason replies. “B wasn’t keen on me hanging out with them. I think he still blamed them for Dick leaving and thought they’d corrupt me or something. I was rarely there long enough to bond with anyone like that.”

“Sounds kind of like Damian’s situation,” Tim says, glancing over to where the younger boy is sitting at his kitchen island with his cellphone in hand, lecturing someone across the line in rapid Chinese.

“I think in his case, it isn’t so much the lack of opportunity to make friends as the lack of interest.”

“You’re not wrong.” Tim shakes his head. “I mean, he did grow up in the League. And you…” He trails off, suddenly reminded. “You were there too, right? When you came back?”

“Sort of,” Jason allows, shifting with discomfort. “Friends weren’t high on the list of priorities then.”

“I guess not.”

Tim purses his lips as he leads Jason up the stairs toward the bedroom, wondering not for the first time what kind of hell the other man had to endure upon his resurrection. That part of his life is a mystery to them all.

And I have a feeling some of it shouldn’t be.

He recalls the blades that appeared in Jason’s hand out of nowhere, and strains his memory through the disorganization of the fight to remember what Carrie Cutter said when she saw them.

“What about the All-Caste,” he recalls out loud as he leads for Jason to enter the guestroom at the end of the hall. “Was that the same thing?”

He doesn’t have to look at the other man to notice he’s tensed up. “Sort of, yeah.”

“So, it’s another secret organization? They’re the ones who gave you those swords, right?”

“Nobody gave me anything,” Jason grunts, and skirts past Tim and through the door into the room. He pauses a moment, assessing the space as if expecting something to jump out at him—there’s the Bat-paranoia—before turning back to face Tim. “I trained for that shit, and it takes a special kind of rage to be able access the All-Blades.”

Tim leans against the doorframe, arms crossed and eyebrows raised. “All-Blades. Really. They’re seriously called that?”

Jason shoots him a look. “Problem?”

“No. I just…it’s kind of a lame name. Magic blades are usually called…Excalibur or Sword of Omens or Dagger of Time.” That earns him a disbelieving look, and Tim throws his hands up in defense. “I’m just saying.”

“You’re a goddamn nerd is what you’re saying,” Jason informs him. “And it doesn’t matter what they’re called, it’s what they do.”

“' Only show up in the presence of pure evil’. I remember. As far as powers go, at least they’re useful.”

“Not if Cupid decides to keep switching back and forth with whoever’s helping her,” Jason says. “They work against whoever that is but are useless against her when she’s human and just crazy.” Weariness radiates off him, and to Tim’s surprise, he throws himself back onto the bed seemingly without any of his prior unease, pressing the heels of his palms against his eyes. “What I wouldn’t give right now for a superpower that was a bit less finicky.”

“The fact that we have a power on our side at all is still an advantage.”

“Not as much as if I had the ability to blow shit up with my mind. Which would be kind of poetic.”

His mouth twists into a self-deprecating grin that makes Tim scowl. “Of course.”

Always with the death jokes.

Jason appears to notice his tone because when he lowers his hands from his eyes there’s a glimmer of apology there. It vanishes almost immediately, hidden beneath the veneer of humor.

“What about you?” he asks.

“What about me what?”

“If you could have a superpower, what would it be?”

And isn’t this surreal?

First, that Jason is here in his apartment, second that this isn’t some kind of Red Hood plan where he shows up to mess with Tim. And now they’re talking about superpowers? In the hypothetical sense, instead of their usual ‘someone-with-a-power-is-trying-to-kill-us’ sense.

Jason is still waiting for him to answer, so Tim thinks for a moment. “I don’t know. Something easy to hide, I guess.”

“Hide? Like from B?”

“No—well, yeah, that too. You know how he is. But I wouldn’t want something that would call attention to myself, or anyone else in the masked community. Especially not the Bats,” he says.

“Huh. Guess you got a point. If suddenly getting powers meant you develop lizard skin or wings or gills, it’d be kinda hard to hide even with all the fun Wayne Enterprises toys you’ve got.”

“And if someone like Vicki Vale could finally make the connection between me and everyone else? I think I’ll pass.”

Jason shakes his head. “There you go again, putting everyone’s needs and comfort above yourself. It’s a real issue with you, isn’t it?”

“It’s a hypothetical situation, you don’t need to read too much into it.”

“Okay, well hypothetically, if you weren’t a self-sacrificing moron, what power would you want?”

Tim ponders for a moment, and then says, “Being able to fly, maybe. Or super strength.”

“Wanna be able to keep up with Super Clone, huh?” Jason asks, voice a little tight.

Tim frowns because that sounds like a dig; not at him, he realizes a beat later, but Connor.

Why would that…? Oh. He’s jealous.

Still unsure how to deal with Jason’s newfound possessiveness, he gauges the other man’s body language, and then slowly enters the room proper to perch on the edge of the bed. Knowing how uneasy Jason is about physical proximity, he keeps a respectable distance between them for now.

Out loud, and in a would-be casual voice, he replies, “No, nothing like that. It’d just be nice to be able to go up against Bane or Killer Croc without having to worry too much about the day I’m too slow to dodge.”

Wrong thing to say, apparently.

Jason’s instantly sitting up and reaching for Tim—almost snatching at him. “You go one-on-one with Killer Croc? Are you nuts?”

“It’s an example,” Tim is quick to assure him even as he lets him grasp his hand. “I’ve never been that reckless. I’m not Damian.”

Although there was that one time, I tricked Killer Croc and Bane into going after each other instead of me, but I’m not telling Jason that now. Save that for when he’s cured and will find it funny instead of upsetting.

He tries to ignore the nagging doubt at the back of his mind that they’re even going to be able to cure Jason.

Or that if they do, Jason will even stick around.

“Thank the gods for small miracles,” Jason exhales; he doesn’t remove his hand, though.

“Also, aside from being useful the next time someone decides to drop a baby over a bridge, flying’s awesome,” Tim says lightly. “You can’t tell me your favorite thing about being Robin wasn’t jumping off tall buildings.”

“Maybe it was, maybe it wasn’t. There’s something to be said for busting collarbones.”

“You forget that I was there,” Tim points out. “I saw you taking the long way back to your rendezvous points just so you could be in the air a little longer.”

“Pics or it didn’t happen.”

“I have pictures.”

“Which you don’t show anyone.”

“Yeah, because I love reminding people of how I stalked them when I was a stupid kid,” Tim deadpans.

“Hey, you did it, own it. But I’d still like to see those pictures. I…uh…don't exactly have a lot of me from before…from when I was a kid.”

Tim purses his lips, holding back on his first instinct to babble out an agreement. This new honesty and vulnerability Jason is showing him—the increased tactility and need for proximity—it’s only Eros’ blood influencing him. Who’s to say once things are back to normal—and they will be!—Jason won’t go back to mocking and deriding Tim?

Assuming he wants to be within ten feet of me.

“Tell you what,” he says at last. “When this is over, if you still want to see them, I’ll hunt them out of storage.”

Jason beams at him in genuine excitement. “Awesome.”

They gaze at each other for several seconds, before Jason seems to remember himself. His eyes dart to their hands, and he pulls back again. “Sorry.”

“You know what I’m going to say.”

“Yeah. But it’s not just about you. I’m not…I don’t do this.” He gestures. “Even when I’m not under the influence of mind-altering drugs, not a fan of handsy guys. Especially if the handsy guy is me.”

“You know, I had noticed that pattern since you got back to Gotham,” Tim says dryly. “All that busting of collarbones you were talking about.”

Jason’s cheeks go pink for some reason at that. “Uh. Yeah. Exactly.”

Before Tim can think it over, Jason shifts until he’s lying down, and then turns his back on Tim. “Think I’m gonna try that whole sleeping thing. Just for shits and giggles.”

“Okay,” Tim replies slowly, feeling as if he’s missing something. “You want me to go?”

“No!” Jason practically whirls around, winces when he realizes how fervent that was. “I mean…you can stay. If you want.” He swallows, looking anywhere but Tim. “Might help. A bit. You don’t have to.”

I hope the King of Mixed Signals thing you’ve got going on is just the infection…

“How about this,” Tim begins, bringing out his phone. “I’ll sit over here—” A respectable six inches away from Jason, “—and get to work on that list. You try to get some sleep. When you wake up, you can look it over and tell me what you think.”

He can see how Jason’s working out if that’s alright, trying to find any way that could backfire, and then he slowly nods.

“Okay. Yeah. Let’s do that.”

“And at the top of the list,” Tim says, shooting him a meaningful glare, “‘Jason Todd is allowed to hold Tim Drake’s hand’. Should I put it in bold?”

“Don’t be such a smug shit, Replacement.”

The other man still settles back on his side of the bed. It’s completely stiff at first, and his eyes remain trained on Tim like he’s afraid he’ll either vanish or wrap himself around him.

Tim pretends not to notice the scrutiny, instead sits cross-legged in his designated spot, and makes it seem like he’s wholly engrossed in figuring out a list of behaviors that they can both consider allowable. Which is a new one for him, because he’s never really considered doing this before in a regular relationship, let alone one as situational as this.

Eventually the exhaustion of the past days catches up with Jason, and the Bat conditioning of grabbing sleep wherever and whenever one can wins out. His breath evens out and when Tim does look up, his eyelids have drifted shut.

For several minutes, he simply watches, before catching himself.

Don’t be a creeper.

He turns back to his phone.

Unsure what else to add to the list (and there’s kind of no point doing this while Jason’s asleep, Tim only said he’d work on it to keep the other man calm), Tim decides to use the time to read up a little more on Greek mythology. Jason is so well-read on this subject and Tim has only a passing knowledge, if there’s any chance of thinking up new solutions for this case, it will help if he doesn’t need Jason or Eros to take the time to explain things to him.

Especially not Eros. I trust him about as far as Kon could throw him…

He never thought this sort of thing was important to know, mostly because if there was ever case involving mythology or ancient evil, Cassie generally had that covered.

Apparently, a refresher course is in order.

Speaking of Cassie, he sends her a quick text—and then one to Bart and Kon just to cover all his bases—before diving into his research.

He doesn’t have the time or the patience to read the original works of Hesiod or Homer, although he amuses himself thinking Jason probably has.

Maybe even in the original Greek.

He spares a fond look for the sleeping man beside him.

Somehow, he never expected he could look so vulnerable. And not only because that word seems incompatible for describing Jason.

After years of training, the mantra of ‘constant vigilance’ gets so ingrained in a body that it can never really relax into slumber. Tim doesn’t think any of the Robins are able to just check-out when they go to sleep.

Not without heavy sedation, or under the care of a qualified English butler.

And unlike Dick and Tim, the other Robins all led lives that were anything but safe. Being a heavy sleeper could lead to more than just bruises.

His fingers want to drift toward Jason again, want to comb through his hair but Tim is loath to disturb his fragile slumber.

He becomes aware then, of eyes on him and Jason; looking up, he catches Damian watching from the doorway, a frown on his face.

Tim tenses up defensively then, expecting a snide comment and already planning on how he’ll fight the kid if he makes a big deal about this.

Jason already feels bad enough about the whole thing, we don’t need any more comments from the peanut gallery.

“Did you need something?” he asks coolly, voice soft so as not to disturb Jason.

“I simply came to inform you that Brown has arrived for her babysitting shift,” the boy tells him, but the usual sneer that would accompany his words is absent. He lingers a further moment in the doorway, shakes his head and then walks away.

Tim frowns, not sure he wants to ask, but also knowing that leaving Damian to his own devices rarely turns out well.

Carefully, he shifts away from Jason, moving with gentleness so as not to wake him. Once he’s satisfied that he hasn’t disturbed him, he leaves the room and gently closes the door behind him.

Damian is already across the hallway, leaning against the door of Tim’s study with his arms crossed and mouth pulled downward. It’s the same look Bruce gets when he’s puzzling out a clue that doesn’t fit.

“You care for Todd.”

“Of course I do,” Tim agrees automatically. “He’s one of us.”

“No. Not like that.” Damian pauses, like he’s trying to choose his words with care, which is…rare for him. “You care about him in a romantic way. I had assumed it was one-sided due to the circumstances, but it’s not. You return his feelings.”

Tim’s stomach swoops, a lump in his throat.

First Steph, now Damian. I’ve managed to keep this to myself for almost ten years, and in the span of two weeks two of the people I’d least like to know figure it out.

Damian continues to watch him, waiting for a confirmation or a denial.

Tim chooses to side-step. “He doesn’t have feelings for me. You know that’s Eros’ blood making him act this way.”

“Perhaps. It doesn’t change the fact that at this moment, he cares for you and you care for him.”

“The key words being ‘at this moment’,” Tim says with a scowl. “Which means it doesn’t matter. It’s not real.”

“I don’t understand. This is clearly a good thing, and yet you both persist in being miserable,” Damian says, crossing his arms. “If you act on your feelings, it could allay his distress much better than your current half-measures. And in the meantime, the rest of us can work on a long-term solution.”

Tim clenches his jaw, a myriad of responses on his tongue, some more defensive and angry than others.

He’s saved from saying anything when another voice says, “It doesn’t work like that, Dami.”

Steph has made her way up the stairs; she’s dressed in comfortable clothes and the cast on her arm has been wrapped with purple tape.

“There’s no Band-Aid solution for this,” she goes on. “When this is all over and Jason goes back to wanting nothing to do with the Family—with Tim—it’s going to be heartbreaking.”

“It will be heartbreaking anyhow,” Damian points out. “You may as well enjoy it while you can. At least then, you’ll have the memories. Especially if our efforts to save him are unsuccessful.”

Which is oddly deep, for Damian.

“Memories aren’t always a good substitute for giving up that last bit of yourself,” Steph says quietly. “Take it from someone who knows from experience.”

Her expression wavers, and Tim wonders which heartbreak she’s thinking of just then. Her father constantly letting her down, having to give up her daughter, the events that lead to her breakup with Tim—

It could be anything.

“And you don’t want another schism with Jason to affect the team dynamics,” Steph concludes.

Damian is not convinced. “Please. If that were the case, we would already have seen worse consequences from you and Drake working together.”

Steph tilts her head to one side. “Okay, you have a point there. Kinda surprised you’re the one making it, though.”

“Why?”

“I always figured romantic relationships didn’t merit your attention.”

“Not unless they affect our work. Which is what Drake and Todd’s is doing now.”

“Should have known…” Steph rolls her eyes. “Still surprising, though. Especially considering your background.”

“Meaning?”

“The, uh, culture you come from. With the League and how strict they are about everything. I figured you’d have a bigger problem with two guys, you know, having feelings for each other.”

“Alleged feelings,” Tim reminds. “Alleged feelings induced by supernatural roofie. I don’t think it counts.”

“Technicalities,” Steph dismisses with a wave of her hand. “There’s still major dude-on-dude sexual tension happening here.”

Tim chokes, and Damian looks like he stepped in something gross. “Thank you for that horrifying assessment, Brown.”

“I do what I can.”

“But for your information, League law is based on skills, not who warms one’s bed,” Damian says. “Proscriptions against homosexuality were created by populations with such a low survival rate following birth that every available person had to be governed by the need to procreate. That’s no longer an issue today.”

“Really.”

“In fact, should anyone in the League develop an attachment to one of their comrades—which isn’t forbidden, by the way, it’s just looked down on—it’s considered less of a problem among same-sex relationships because it means fewer children adding to the surplus population of the world. If no one elevates their paramour above the League’s law and purpose, it is not a problem.”

“Huh. That actually makes sense. I mean, with Ra’s’ whole ‘destroy humanity to save the world’ spiel.”

“Only certain bloodlines are continued to ensure stewardship of the world,” Damian agrees. “My aunt, once she fulfilled her duties to give birth to an heir, has taken only female lovers.”

“Wait…you have an aunt?”

Damian ignores her and turns to Tim. “Were your feelings for Todd entirely mutual, it would be a smart match for the both of you. Your bloodlines would cease, ridding us of your less desirable evolutionary qualities.”

“Gee, thanks,” Tim deadpans. “I think that was almost a compliment.”

“With you and Todd unable to provide a legacy, I would be the only one to carry on Father’s bloodline,” the boy concludes.

“You do realize that adoption and surrogacy are a thing, right?” Steph asks, bemused. “I mean, weren’t you technically a test-tube baby?”

“Blood is blood,” Damian says with a shrug.

“And how do Cass and Duke and Dick fit into your little scenario here?” Tim grumbles.

“Cain has never indicated an interest in any children and given the conditioning her biological parents subjected her to, I image they ensured it would never become an issue for her,” the boy muses. “Thomas is not part of the family—”

“Yet,” Steph pipes up.

Damian makes a dismissive gesture, as if he agrees but doesn’t consider it an issue. “And Richard is not blood.”

“He’s still Bruce’s son.”

“We’re all Bruce’s sons,” Tim growls, once again growing irritated with Damian’s black-and-white view of the world.

“You retained your father’s name, as does Thomas. Todd is legally deceased. And Richard never took Father’s name, to begin with. He will have his own children—if by some miracle he doesn’t have them already—and they will likely marry into the family since he is ghayr mahram. Thus, we’ll maintain a strong Wayne bloodline.”

He nods to himself as if pleased with the assessment.

Tim stares. “Your brain is a messed-up place. You know this, right?”

“You seriously have all of this planned out?” Steph wonders, expression caught between disturbed and impressed. She looks like she might want to hear more, and so Tim interrupts.

“In any case, you guys are way off-topic—like, parallel-universe-levels of off-topic. And if you don’t stop, I’m going to start speculating about hypothetical future relationships between the two of you.”

“Oh, ew. Why, Tim? Why?”

“As if I would ever…of all the preposterous…does your mind know no bounds of depravity?” Damian sputters.

“Consider it revenge for that comment you made about Jason in the medbay.”

Damian shudders. “Point made.

“What comment?”

“Not now, Steph.”

She sighs. “Fine. I know when I’m not wanted. I’m going to finish steal some Chinese food if you don’t mind.”

She heads downstairs, and Tim shoots a glare at Damian. “You didn’t come to get us when the food got here?”

“Do I look like Pennyworth to you? It’s not enough I had to order it for you—”

“With my money, I’m guessing.”

“—did you want me to eat it for you too?”

“Like you didn’t already.”

“Semantics.” The boy turns toward the stairs as well.

“Damian.”

“What?”

“Don’t…don't tell Bruce,” Tim says after a beat of hesitation. He doesn’t like confirming any kind of perceived weakness to the younger boy, but this one has ruinous potential if not kept secret. “Please.”

Damian doesn’t immediately take his meaning, but when he does, he gives a sharp, barely noticeably nod.

“Tch—as if Father would be bothered by such trivium. But if you insist.” Tim exhales in surprised relief. “Although…”

He tenses. Should have known it wouldn’t be that easy.

“I would caution you against making your feelings about Todd very obvious around Richard,” Damian suggests. “Considering the way he has been compromised, should he discover the truth it won’t remain a secret for you to tell.”

He departs then, leaving Tim standing in the hallway, feeling bizarrely wrong-footed.

⁂

The horizon over Susa is dark but for a thin strip of pink, the last lingering trail of Apollo’s chariot. As he heads out of the feast chamber and onto the balcony, Jason—no, not Jason. He is Alexandros, scion of gods and heir to kings—breathes deep the spicy sweet-smelling air and tries to dispel his melancholy.

His mind is a million miles away from the festivities within. He can hear the raucous shouts of his men and their new wives, the music and the dance and the drink. He should be in there with them, but his mood for celebrating feels false—false like the entire charade he’s just engaged in for the sake of peace and politics.

His feet are itching to take off at a run for who knows where, and yet he remains stubbornly and painfully grounded.

There is a hand suddenly upon his—brown, callused and familiar. He looks down into dark, burning eyes and sees concern there, and so forces a smile.

“This is your wedding night, you know,” he reminds. “You should be spending it with your brides.”

“And you with yours,” Tim—no, Hephaestion—replies, trying for teasing but it sounds more brittle than anything else.

“The duty will keep. There is only one I would spend this night with.”

Alexandros leans into the other man, presses his forehead head against the smaller man’s hair.

“I’ll be sure to notify Roxana to expect you,” Hephaestion murmurs.

Alexandros reels back with a scowl. “Very funny.”

“I thought it was.”

But there’s a lack of his usual wry humor in the words.

Alexandros sighs, knowing the reason for it. “Are you still angry I insisted you wed Drypteis?”

“How can I be? The weddings were my idea.” And they were—a brilliant and necessary political maneuver meant to forge ties between the ruling houses of Perses and Makedonia.

“One you suggested without expecting you would have to endure yourself,” he points out. “Policy works better when those in power lead by example.”

“Is that what it was? Here I thought you were simply tiring of the rumormongering of your other vassals,” Hephaestion says darkly. “It’s no secret they would have me banished or dead to take my place.”

“There is no one who ever could,” Alexandros assures him, worried about the sudden insecurity. “And my wish that you wed had nothing to do with what anyone else thinks. There is a grander hope in my heart than that.”

Hephaestion raises an eyebrow; it’s the first he’s heard of this.

“Do you not see? In having you marry the sister of my own wife, you and I are now bound even more closely together than before. We are family in more than just bond now—as closely as nature will allow—and no one can argue it,” Alexandros explains fervently. “And one day when I have a son, and you a daughter, they can wed. We will share descendants, and they will cement the dynasty and our bloodline in perpetuity.” He crosses his arms. “So my other vassals can bay at the moon as much as they want, there will never be another who replaces you in my esteem.”

Hephaestion’s expression is surprised at first, then pleased. A small smile curls at the edge of his lips, cheeks darkening. But a moment later, something troubling and uncertain enters his eyes.

“What is it, philtatos? Does that future displease you?”

“It’s a pretty dream your words weave, but if someone sticks a knife in your back or poisons you before you father an heir, it’s nothing but a dream.”

“There is time enough for that yet. And in that task, I am not alone,” he teases. “Your line also has yet to be so blessed.”

But Hephaestion does not rise to the bait. “You have already achieved so much. As great as—greater still—than your father before you.” Alexandros clenches his fist at the mention of his father; the man is dead twelve years and yet still casts a long, damned shadow. “What could you lose, hanging back for a year or so? Spend some time running the empire you’re building instead of marching constantly to war.”

“What would be the point of that?” he dismisses, putting some distance between the two of them. “You do that job better than I do, with your shrewd plans and shadowy plots. I am quite content with you keeping the works running while I conquer us a legacy that will last millennia.”

“I have already made the point as to why that might be problematic.”

“Nonsense. Don’t you see? This is why our empire will last longer than any other—because instead of one man grasping desperately to hold the reins of power, there will be two.” He grasps the shoulders of his beloved. “For you, Hephaestion, are Alexandros as well. My second self.” He reaches to cradle his chin, brushing his thumb across the other man’s lips. “Have I not said so a thousand times?”

Hephaestion’s eyes lose some of their strain, though he looks away. “And yet you are king, not I. This was never meant to be my domain. The gods chose your line, not mine.”

“Perhaps not yet,” Alexandros allows. “But one day it will be. As I said before.”

He has no doubt about that.

There are several long moments where he waits, expectant, and then Hephaestion sighs. “As always, I will serve your will.”

Alexandros nods in approval. “Good.”

“I still worry, though, that your utter certainty in your will may someday be misplaced.”

“Nonsense. I am a god, remember?”

“In your own mind, perhaps.”

“Blasphemy,” Alexandros says with affection, curling his fingers into the hair at the name of Hephaestion’s neck and pulling him close. “You have called me god on more than one occasion.”

Whatever the response to that might be is cut off as he fits their lips together, and then he knows nothing but the taste of his beloved.

He startles awake, the ghost of lips upon his own.

His skin tingles and burns, like it’s been stretched around an ill-fitting frame, and there’s a throbbing pressure behind his eyes.

“Where…?” he murmurs, examining his surroundings in confusion for a moment. The room is a far cry from the frescoed rooms and silken furniture he is used to, and the incense-thick air now replaced with something floral and false.

Worse than the disorientation is the fact Hephaestion has vanished.

Only as he jumps out of the bed where he was laying does reality return, hitting him like a crowbar to the head.

He’s not Alexandros—not anymore. He’s Jason, and this is Tim’s guestroom, and Tim is—

“Not here,” he realizes, whatever panic might have been brewing about his previous lives blurring with his current one vanishing with the realization. It’s like a vice clamps around his lungs, and unless he finds Tim, it won’t release.

Instantly he’s stumbled from the bed and across the room, throwing open the door in a hurry. He bursts into the hallway, frantic eyes flitting wildly until he spots Tim standing at the other end. He is framed in a doorway, deep in discussion with—

Blondie is on the stairs beside him—too near, way too near!—and Jason’s already moving.

Before he’s even aware of it, he has Tim wrapped in his arms, has his face buried in his neck and breathes in the scent of him that is somehow so different and yet so similar to how it once was beneath blood and sand and time.

Tim stands stock still, bearing up under the sudden onslaught remarkably well. Jason is a full five inches taller than him and considerably bulkier; Jason can feel him bracing himself beneath him.

“Sorry,” he says immediately and pulls away.

“Don’t be,” Tim says, clearly working to keep his voice level and pretend he is unaffected. He clears his throat. “It’s on the list.”

Jason rubs the back of his head, uncomfortable. “Guess I should probably take a look at that then maybe.”

They’re both trying and failing to avoid each other’s gaze until there’s a cough beside them.

Jason suddenly recalls Steph’s presence—which comes along with a long-buried piece of information that’s never bothered him until now. Namely that she and Tim dated.

On the tails of that fact is irrational anger, because in this time, she has a prior claim on him. And she’s never made any bones about disliking him. Who’s to say she isn’t here to take Tim away from him in the name of protecting him?

Which is both exactly what he wants and also ground for him to rip her throat out.

His lip curls reflexively and he looms closer to Tim. “Problem, Blondie?”

“Yep,” she says easily, the forced calm of someone trying to negotiate a hostage release. Her mouth is pulled into a sharp smile, eyes cool. “But not the one you think I have.”

“What the hell does that mean?”

“It means you’re both being ridiculous,” Tim interrupts, a shade too loud and with a glare in Steph’s direction. That, more than his words, causes Jason to relax a little; if Tim’s annoyed with her, he’s less likely to let her drag him off somewhere. “Jason, I’m sorry I wasn’t there when you woke up. I had to speak to Damian, and then Steph showed up…” He shakes his head in apology. “Did you at least get some rest?”

“A bit,” Jason says though it’s a lie. “Speaking of the bat brat, where is he?”

“Went back to the manor.”

There’s a lot more relief in his voice than the usual that comes with Damian making an exit.

There’s a sudden blare of music from Steph’s pocket, some pop thing that Jason’s probably heard on the radio or in a movie or something. Digging it out, she barely glances at the number before her previously hard expression blooms into a smile.

“It’s Cass,” she tells Tim. “Mind if I step into the other room, or do I have to worry about wandering hands while I’m out of earshot?” she drawls.

“Very funny,” he grumbles as she does just that.

Jason’s brows draw together, wary; it almost sounds as if Steph is…joking about all this. Not getting ready to split them up or say something disapproving that might hurt Tim. Which…is not what he was expecting.

“Did I miss something while I was asleep?” he asks.

“No!”

“Yeah, that was a little too quick to be believable, baby bird.”

“We just established a few things is all. So if you’re worried about Steph, don’t be.”

“Meaning?”

“Meaning she won’t say anything. She’s an ally.” At Jason’s derisive snort, Tim glowers. “She covered for you—for us at the Cave. So no one else knows.”

Jason stares at him without comprehension for a moment and then remembers, and his neck and cheeks warm.

The kiss.

“Right.” He swallows. “Guess Bats wouldn’t be too comfortable with us hanging out if he knew about that, huh?”

“I don’t care if he’s comfortable or not,” Tim says with stubborn venom. “The particulars of this situation is no one’s business but ours. It’s enough B’s keeping us benched, he doesn’t get to dictate this too.”

The fierce expression is the same one he wore earlier in the Cave when he was standing up to Bruce, and Jason once again experiences that overwhelming need to pull him close and continue playing out the scene of his dream in real-time.

This time he’s able to rein it in, but it’s a tenuous thing.

“Consider this whole thing’s about us, I have no intention of staying completely out of the investigation,” Tim goes on, thankfully unaware of the direction of Jason’s thoughts. “If anyone’s going to figure all of this out, it’s going to be us.”

“Well, you’ve got me convinced,” he says around the dryness of his mouth.

“Not that that takes much lately right?” Tim quips, lightly teasing in a way that makes Jason have to fight down an embarrassing sound in his throat. “Anyway, on that note, there’s food downstairs if you want to eat. Then I want to get back to the mainframe and do some more research for the case.”

“I’m fine,” Jason says, even though his stomach feels like a bunch of razor blades scraping around inside.

He distantly recognizes the feeling from many sleepless, hungry nights on the street, but somehow it doesn’t really bother him just then. It’s the same way the lack of sleep has felt like an afterthought until Tim forced him to lie down. His interest in anything seems to have become directly proportional to what Tim thinks about it.

Which the other man seems to have figured out as well because he narrows his eyes and indicates Jason should follow him down to the kitchen and the table with several brightly colored containers of Chinese take-out.

“Eat,” he commands.

Jason bristles. “You know, just because I’m slightly obsessed with you right now doesn’t mean you get to boss me around.” Tim raises an eyebrow, and there’s that reflex almost-whimper building in his throat that he must cough to get rid of. “I’m eating because I have a girlish figure to maintain and no other reason.”

“Of course,” Tim agrees, clearly knowing different.

The food, like the nap, doesn’t satisfy the way it usually might; there’s no relief in it, even though Jason knows it will help keep his strength up and not just because Tim said so.

He’s always felt a need to keep Tim happy when he was Patroklus and Hephaestion, but it was never under the compulsion he is now. There was always the freedom to refrain from something he disagreed with or stand up to schemes he didn’t agree with.

As pissed off as he is about Eros infecting him and ensuring his over-the-top fixation with Tim, it could be a lot worse. At least Tim would only take advantage to ensure he’s taking care of himself.

Which is ironic considering how bad he is at taking care of himself.

On their way back to the Nest, Steph returns from her phone call.

“So what was your uber-secret phone call about?” Tim wants to know.

“Lots of things I’m not telling you or your overgrown puppy there,” she quips with an irreverent grin. “Also, she’s flying in as soon as possible.”

“To help us, or help you mock the situation?”

“Why can’t it be both?”

Tim groans. “As if things weren’t bad enough…”

“Oh, relax, Ex-Boyfriend, if you can’t laugh at a situation, what can you?”

Jason growls at the words, earning a startled glance from Steph. Tim catches on quick, because he says, “You might want to watch your words for a bit, Steph. I don’t think Jason’s got the capacity to interpret certain jokes just now.”

“Yeah, no kidding,” she agrees with a frown.

“Also, unless you intend to be useful, maybe go away,” Jason suggests with false cheer.

“Jason…”

“No, he’s right,” Steph interrupts, mouth thinning. “I’m just here to keep an eye out, but I didn’t sign up to be abused. If I wanted that I could’ve stayed in the Cave babysitting Dick. I thought you guys would at least be more fun.”

“Steph, it’s not his fault—”

“This week,” she accuses. “What’s his excuse for the rest of the time?”

“Lingering trauma.”

Tim groans at Jason’s retort, and Steph rolls her eyes. “And we’re back to the death jokes. Get some new material, Zombie Boy.”

“Would you both stop it!” Tim demands. “This is even less amusing than it usually is.”

Jason’s shoulders hunch; he feels instantly reprimanded and terrible for upsetting Tim. Steph doesn’t look quite as abashed, but her tense stance relaxes and she sighs.

“Fine. This is me, letting it go. For now.” They pause in front of the secret door as Tim reaches for the panel. “I’m going to commandeer your training room for a bit. See how much range of motion I still have.” She moves her injured arm gingerly. “Keep the comms open so if there’s any trouble I know to come help.” She jabs an index finger at the two of them. “And no smooching noises.”

“Why? Jealous?” Jason jeers.

“Hardly,” she snorts. “Remember, I’ve kissed him more than you have.”

A film of green fury seems to pass across his vision and Jason lurches forward. His fist is already flying toward her, missing it’s mark only due to the fact that Steph has excellent reflexes and because Tim’s wrapped his arms around him from behind.

“Jason, no! Stop it!”

“Come on, Tim, this time she deserves it,” he whines.

“She deserves…something…” Tim grunts, trying to dig his heels into the ground. “But you…don’t hit…women…”

Something icy slides down the length of Jason’s spine in realization because…Tim’s right. He doesn’t hit women—at least, not unless he’s in a life or death situation facing off with a rogue or unscrupulous woman like Suzie Su who can take the hit. And he’s never lashed out at a woman just based on his own fury.

How could he forget something so fundamental to his principles? All because of a bit of teasing he’d probably just answer with snark on a normal day?

It’s getting worse, isn’t it?

His stomach twists, and he suddenly wants to throw up every bit of food he just ate.

Jason sags back on his heels, kept up only because Tim is still bolstering him from behind. As the inexplicable rage vanishes to be replaced by guilt and shame, he sees that Steph now looks trouble.

“I’m sorry,” she says, voice subdued. “I didn’t realize it was that bad.”

“Neither did I,” Jason croaks. He wants to flee—to stalk off and get away from everything about this situation. But the warmth of Tim’s arms around him is a more convincing argument against that, countering every one of his normal coping mechanisms.

And as comforting as it is to know Tim is there to support him, Jason can’t help feeling utterly trapped.

⁂⁂⁂

I want to know what you think of my story! Leave kudos, a comment or if writing comments isn’t something you’re comfortable with, as many of these (or other emojis) as you want and let me know how you feel!

❤️️ = I love this story! 😳 = this was hot! 💐 = thank you for sharing this 🍵 = tea spilled 🍬 = so sweet and fluffy! 🚔 = you’re under arrest! the writing’s too good! 😲 = I NEED THE NEXT CHAPTER 😢 = you got me right in the feels 🤯mind blown 🤬god damn cliffhanger 😫 whyyyyyyy?!?!?

To Be Continued

#jaytimweek2019 #jaytimweek #jaytim #jaytimbingo2019 #fanfiction #jaytim fic #batfic #tim drake #jason todd #damian wayne #stephanie brown #angst #drama #undying love #fatal flaw #jealousy

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sassycassie-s-writing · 6 years

Text

Dating Drama - Part 4: The Aftermath and Conclusion

By: SassyShoulderAngel319

Fandom/Character(s): DC, BatFam, SuperFam - Jason Todd/Red Hood, Conner Kent/Superboy

Rating: PG

Original Idea: Part 3 was too much of a cliffhanger so a Part 4 had to be written.

Notes: (Masterlist)(By Character)(About Me) And thus concludes the Dating Drama Saga! And just like any good book saga, this one is literally twice as long as parts 1 and 2 and, like, one-and-a-half times as long as part 3. @welovegroot @batboys-and-other-messes, couldn’t have done this without you two! So thank you! This is a little late because I needed a little help going over it and making sure the pacing and content felt right.

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

^^^^^

I drove all night—or maybe I didn’t. I don’t even know. I was subconsciously making my way toward Metropolis—following the familiar route I’d taken dozens of times. Gotham and Metropolis weren’t terribly far apart—maybe an hour or two?—but I was so distracted that I didn’t notice that time even existed or how long I’d been in my car.

I came to a stop in Metropolis outside a familiar building. One I’d seen and been in hundreds of times.

I got out of my car, grabbed my backpack, and locked it behind me.

“Hello young lady. Been a while since I’ve seen you here,” the doorman said.

I smiled politely. “Yeah. Nice to see you again, Mr. Kane,” I replied.

He seemed to notice the smile was a little forced and my eyes were probably still bloodshot. “You alright, miss?”

I shrugged. “You know, I don’t know. Is Conner Kent home? Do you know?”

“I… am unsure. I don’t believe so. Mr. Kent left earlier but I don’t recall if he’s returned yet.”

“Well, may I go check?”

“Of course.” Mr. Kane pulled the door open for me.

“Thank you,” I said, still grinning, as I ducked into the apartment building.

“Miss!” Mr. Kane called after me. I turned, eyebrows up. “He hasn’t been the same since the last time I saw you here, you know. He’s not as… bright. Less cheerful. Not like the days when you two would run in here large as life, hand-in-hand, and smiling like you were the only two people in the world.”

I wasn’t sure what to say to that. “Right,” I settled on, glancing down and walking backward toward the stairs.

“Whatever your purpose, young lady, I wish you the best of luck.”

“Thank you, Mr. Kane,” I said. I turned as he closed the door again and ran up the stairs.

Before I knew it, I was out of breath from the climb and standing in front of a door with a familiar number and chipped paint. I licked my lips—my whole mouth was dry. Closing my eyes with a sigh, I lifted my hand and knocked. “Hey Conner,” I said at a normal volume, knowing he could hear me if he was home.

There was a heartbeat of silence.

The door opened. “Hey Stars,” Conner greeted, looking somewhat surprised. There was a towel around his neck over his Superboy T-shirt and water glistening in his hair.

“Hi,” I replied. “Sorry to drop in like this. I… I didn’t know what else to do.”

He opened the door wider. “Come on in,” he said, a concerned expression on his face. I stepped over the threshold into an apartment where I spent dozens of nights over three-and-a-half years watching movies. “Have a seat,” Conner invited, gesturing to his sofa. He pulled his towel up over his head and shook it vigorously to dry off his hair before throwing it into the bathroom. His hair stuck out at odd angles, fluffy and significantly drier than it had been moments before. “Can I get you anything?” he called from where he was walking to his kitchen.

“Just water would be great. Thanks,” I replied.

He filled up a glass, brought it over to me, and passed it to me. I accepted it as he sat down on the other end of the sofa, perched on the edge as if ready to jump up at ay moment.

“What’s up?”

“Jason and I got in a fight earlier.”

He licked his lower lip and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “I, uh, I know. I heard it.”

I snorted with bitter humor. “Why am I not surprised?”

“I heard him say my name in the back of my ears. I just wanted to make sure he wasn’t going to hurt you.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle. “So you heard what happened,” I stated.

“… Yeah.” Hesitantly, he patted my knee, almost as though he was wary to even touch me.

I nodded. “And what did you think?”

“Huh?”

“What did you think? Did we sound ridiculous and out-of-line?”

“Not really. You both made points and you both said things that seemed like you were trying to hurt the other. Even if you weren’t, that was how it sounded. Both of you crossed lines and neither of you were entirely fair. But emotions were running high and I know how anger feels more intimately than almost anyone and fairness isn’t always a player when emotions are high,” he said thoughtfully.

“Okay,” I said.

“How’s the infection?”

“Mostly gone. I feel healthy… physically. Alfred gave me some more antibiotics and I think I’ll be back at one-hundred-percent in a couple days. I’ve had a lot worse.”

“So how are you feeling?”

I shrugged. “Fine. A little achy and weak maybe, but that’ll go away soon.”

“Not exactly what I meant.”

“Oh. Then what did you mean?”

“Now that the fight’s over and you’ve had time to think about it. How are you feeling?”

I thought for a moment, trying to fathom my thoughts into words. “Lost. Confused. Still a little frustrated but the anger burned off a while ago. A little dumbfounded. Like, I didn’t think breaking up with your soulmate was even allowed.”

Conner snorted. “Well, Jason never was one for playing by the rules, was he?” he joked.

“Mmm. Fair point,” I said. I took a sip of water.

“Stars, listen, I know you still care for him. You don’t just leave your soulmate with… no emotional consequences. But part of me can’t help but hope you still care for me too. And even if that interest isn’t romantic, I want you to know I'm here for you, no matter what. Okay?”

I glanced up and met Conner’s eyes. They were a darker blue than Jason’s—more ocean-colored than Jason’s ice. I sighed. “I do still care for you, Kon. But I'm going to… I don’t know. Need time to… sort myself out, as Jason put it. And… I don’t know if I'm ready to just go running back to you. I mean, maybe I’ll just move to Bludhaven for a while and get away from everything. I don’t want to move back to Metropolis but I don’t really want to stay in Gotham either.”

“I understand. For now, can we still be friends?”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“I mean, can we still be friendly? No dancing around each other like we’re both bombs waiting to explode. You have a much more playful and cheery personality than anyone else I think I’ve ever met—except maybe Nightwing. I don’t want you to feel like you can’t be happy around me when something good is happening, like maybe we watch The Incredibles with Tim some night in the future, because you’re still conflicted about what happened with Jason.”

I took a deep breath, staring into the depths of my glass of water and thinking. “Yeah we can be friendly,” I decided.

“Thank you. Because I miss your smile.”

That made me smile. He was still kind.

He patted my knee. “There it is,” he said. “That smile could light up a city. It’s full of stars.”

I chuckled. “Thanks. I feel a little better now.”

Conner got to his feet. “You should get some rest. It’s too dark to drive anywhere and I think you could use some sleep.” He paused. “Feel free to take the bed. I’ll be out all night.”

“Where are you going?”

“I have a Metropolis to look after.”

Oh right. Duh. I rubbed at a scab on my knuckle that hadn’t healed from the last time I went out and fought bad guys. “Thank you, Kon. You’re being really nice to me.”

He shrugged. “Just doing what any… friend would do,” he said with a grin. He rested a hand on my shoulder. “I’ll be back in the morning. Get some rest.”

“Thank you,” I said.

He grinned, went to the window, and flew out. I sighed and shut it behind him. I’d done that more than once—a time two years ago when I got sick and couldn’t go out and fight with him sprang to mind.

I went to one of his cupboards and pulled out a few blankets. I wasn’t sure whether or not I’d sleep, but at least I could close my eyes, still feeling a little burnt from the salt of my tears. I snuggled down on his sofa and heaved a huge cleansing breath. A wave of tired washed over me. I closed my eyes, already drifting in and out of consciousness.

^^^^^

Starbeam was curled up against Conner’s chest, his arm thrown over her shoulders. They’d been watching a movie but switched over to the news on a text from Tim.

“—other news the superhero duo commonly nicknamed SuperStar by internet bloggers comprising of Metropolis’ own Superboy and Starbeam of Gotham took out the Green Rink Gang last night. The pair have been in some form of a business partnership for the last three years and have helped the city’s crime rate drop fifteen percent in that time with some degree of permanency. They left the Green Rink Gang tied up at the crime scene…”

“We did good,” Conner said, stroking her hair. Starbeam grunted tiredly in agreement. “It’s funny that they haven’t figured out that we’re in more of a romantic partnership than a business one. I mean, we don’t do much to hide it.”

“That is funny. You know what else is funny? I thought you were going to say ‘domestic partnership’ for a second there and I was like, ‘Isn’t that like a legal term for marriage?’” Starbeam joked.

Conner shrugged. “Maybe one day our romantic partnership will be a domestic one.”

“Mm. I'm not ready for that,” Starbeam said.

Conner’s eyes flicked to the cupboard where he kept his movie collection. It was too high for Starbeam to reach without getting on a kitchen stool, so he’d hidden the black velvet box containing a ring there where she wouldn’t find it. He’d had it for nearly a year but never felt ready enough or brave enough to ask the question. It could wait a little longer.

He looked back at the TV. Starbeam hadn’t even noticed he’d looked away from it.

^^^^^

Conner shook his head to clear it, twisting his body to bank around a skyscraper. Last he checked, that ring was still there and she still wasn’t ready.

That’s okay, he thought. Give it time to see what develops. Maybe things will change. And if they don’t, respect her decisions.

^^^^^

I woke up to clanging noises nearby, on a surface that was soft but decidedly not my own bed. My vigilante instincts kicked into overdrive. I’d been kidnapped and they were breaking out the torture equipment! Escape!

I tried to leap up into a fighting stance, but got tangled up in two or three different blankets. “Whoa!” I shouted, tilting dangerously and falling to crash on a coffee table I caught sight of.

“Op! Look out!” a familiar voice exclaimed. There was a whoosh and familiar arms were steadying me. Conner’s eyes searched my face—for signs of what, I wasn’t sure. “You okay? You hurt anything?”

“No. I'm good. Thanks,” I replied. “Sorry. I just… it was unfamiliar surroundings to wake up to and my mind… overreacted.”

He shrugged. “You’re a Gotham vigilante. You reacted according to appropriate threat levels in your situation,” he commented casually, helping me untangle from the blankets. “I was going to move you to my bed when I got in and saw you on the couch since it’s more comfortable, but I didn’t want to wake you up. Sorry. You looked so peaceful and I didn’t want to disturb you.”

“Thanks,” I said.

“Right. So… Breakfast?”

“Love some. What can I help with?”

“Nothing. You can relax and let me finish making pancakes in peace,” Conner said, patting my shoulder before going back to the kitchen. “How’d you sleep?”

I pushed my messy hair out of my face. “Okay. How about you? How was Metropolis?”

“Eh. The usual. We’re not as bad as Gotham so I’ll never complain much,” he said, casting a playful grin over his shoulder.

His phone started to ring. He pulled it out of his pocket. “Hey Tim, what’s going on?”

Tim was in enough of a panic to be yelling, because I could hear him. “Dude! Starbeam is missing! She and Jason got in a fight yesterday and she just drove off and none of us even saw her leave and her phone’s GPS has been deactivated—” Did I deactivate my GPS? I didn’t remember. “—and she’s not answering her phone and her suit is still here in the cave so her homing device isn’t with her and we have no idea where she is and—”

“Tim!” Conner exclaimed to get his best friend to pipe down. “Calm down. She’s right here with me.”

“Hi Tim!” I called, hoping he could hear me from across the apartment. Conner passed me his phone and went back to stirring the pancake batter. “Hi Tim,” I repeated quieter.

“Starbeam! What the &*$% you can’t just disappear like that!” Tim shouted. “Do you have any idea how worried we’ve been?”

“I'm surprised anyone’s noticed me enough to be worried about me in Gotham, to be honest,” I admitted. “Jason’s still mad at me, probably, and the rest of you tend to be too focused on your own cases and projects to really pay attention to my comings and goings.”

“Fair point but it’s not like the entire house just listened to you fight and then didn’t care to check up on you. Dick went to your room with some cookies and ice cream and you were just gone and your backpack and some clothes were missing and your car wasn’t on the drive. We searched the entirety of Gotham for you all night! Why didn’t you tell anyone where you were going?”

“I needed some time alone, Timmy. And I didn’t need an entourage of bats following me.”

Tim was quiet for a second. “Okay,” he said. “Are you okay, though, Starbeam?”

“Yeah I'm fine. Conner’s taking real good care of me. Promise. He’s making pancakes right now.” I didn’t ask the questions I wanted to—how was Jason? Did he look for me?—because it felt petty.

“Okay. I'm… glad,” Tim said.

“Tim,” I said. “I know this last little while has been hard on you. With… me and your brother and your best friend and stuff. And I am sorry. Really. Hopefully one day everything will get sorted out and you won’t have to be so caught up in the middle of the drama.”

“Thanks Starbeam. That… means a lot. I, uh, I'm gonna go tell Bruce that I found where you are.”

“Okay. See you later, Tim.”

“Bye Starbeam.”

I hung up the call and set Conner’s phone off to the side. He glanced over at me.

“So, good to see you seem to be feeling somewhat better,” he said.

I sighed quietly. “Yeah I guess,” I said. “I mean, I'm not gonna feel, like, really good till like next week but my brain and heart aren’t as much of a hurricane as they were last night.”

“That’s something, at least,” Conner commented, making a pancake in a frying pan.

“Yeah,” I agreed. “Yeah it’s something.”

We had breakfast and then cleaned up, talking about superficial stuff like Metropolis’ weather compared to Gotham’s and whatever weird stuff we’d seen on the news lately. Once everything was put away, we stood in the kitchen. I felt better, but still not great. I perched on the arm of his sofa.

“Thank you, Kon. You’re being really kind to me,” I said. “This must not be easy on you either.”

He shrugged. “It’s not the easiest thing I’ve ever done—emotions aren’t my strong point—but I’m trying and I still care about you and your emotional well-being so I'm doing what I can,” he said. “I mean, am I dying a little inside knowing that someone I care about is hurting? Yeah. But sometimes we have to put aside our own feelings to be someone else’s anchor.”

I rocked back and forth on my heels. “Can I… can I hug you?” I asked tentatively. “If this was happening with my parents closer to me… I’d ask them for a hug.”

“Of course.”

It was a very awkward, distant hug—so unlike any I’d ever shared with him even when Jason and I were together the first time and Kon and I were just good friends. Despite what he said about us being friendly rather than dancing around each other like we were bombs, that was exactly what we were doing. Just dipping our toes into the water rather than diving into the deep end.

Despite the awkward distance though, I felt comforted. Safe. Being so small and wrapped in someone else’s arms always gave me a sense of security.

He patted the back of my head. “It’s going to be okay, Stars. I promise,” he vowed. “Everything will work out alright in the end.”

I nodded. “Thanks Conner. I hope so,” I agreed before pulling out of the hug.

His deep blue eyes searched my face. “It will. You’re strong and you’re smart.” He sighed. “Well. You’re welcome to stay here for a couple days till you figure out what you want, you know that right?”

“Thank you, Conner. But I… I can’t. Not yet. I just need to be by myself until I work out my heart.”

Conner looked hurt but tried not to. “Tha-That’s okay,” he said. “I’ll always be here for you.”

I stepped closer to him and set my hands on his elbows. “Thank you,” I said sincerely. “For everything.” I tilted up onto my tiptoes, hesitated, and placed a soft, halting kiss of gratitude on his cheek. Once I was back on solid ground, I turned on my heel, grabbed my backpack, and went to the door. I reached for the handle and turned around. “I’ll… I’ll let you know when I sort everything out.”

“Okay.” He quirked a small crooked smile.

“Goodbye, Conner.” I turned back to the door.

“Hang on!” he called before I could leave. I turned. There was a whoosh and he was in front of me. He gave me another hug. As he pulled away, he pressed his lips to the top of my head. “For luck,” he explained. “So you can figure everything out.”

I backed out the door. “Thank you, Conner. I’ll, uh, I’ll see you soon.” I shut it behind me.

^^^^^

One Month Later…

Knock-knock! “Hey Kon,” I said.

The door opened once again. “Hey there,” he replied with a little smile. “How’s Bludhaven been?”

“Oh. You know. It’s been Bludhaven. Doesn’t change.” I shrugged. “Dick comes over every couple nights to share stories and gossip about rogue’s love lives. Big brother Dick stuff.” Conner nodded understandingly. Everyone in our life who’d met Dick Grayson knew his caring, big brotherly nature.

“Seen Jason?”

“Nope. Last I heard, he and the Outlaws were somewhere in Colorado.”

“You okay with that?” Kon asked, opening the door wider to let me in. I stepped over the threshold and gave him a friendly side-arm hug.

“Yeah. He can do whatever he wants with his life. I figured out what I want with mine.”

“And what’s that?” Conner asked.

I hesitated, rocking back and forth on the balls of my feet. “If… if you’re willing, I’d like to try us again,” I admitted. “I still love you, Conner Kent. And I miss you.”

His face lit up. He pulled me into a delicate hug that grew stronger when he figured out how much strength wouldn’t crush me. “I would like that more than anything, Stars. I still love you too and I am completely willing to try.”

I grinned slightly. “May… may I?” I asked, eyes flicking down to Conner’s lips. He bit his lower one for a moment as a grin tilted up the corners.

“You may,” he replied, bending down.

It was soft and careful—nothing forceful. Neither of us grabbing onto the other and yanking for all we were worth. No. This was cautious. Hesitant. We were testing the waters and making sure this was what we both wanted.

Our last mission together—the one that caused my world to flip upside-down—shot through my head.

^^^^^

It was supposed to be a simple in-and-out mission. Run in, grab the package, and get out. Simple. No alarms triggered meant we could be in and out in ten minutes, tops. We’d spent the evening before casing the compound from the outside and slept not too far away from it, but far enough that their security wouldn’t find us.

But of course something had to go wrong and we breached an alarm when extracting the package from its containment. I wasn’t even sure what the package was. Batman just said it was a dangerous bioweapon and needed to be destroyed.

Conner grabbed my hand and started pulling me out of the facility. He was a lot faster than I was so I stumbled along behind, trying to secure the package in my utility belt with one hand.

I lost count of how many guards we knocked out after five and how many bullets we dodged after three. Conner nearly yanked my arm out of its socket at least twice pulling me out of the paths of stray bullets.

We cleared the compound and security guards opened fire even more than they had inside. Conner snatched me around the waist and took off into the sky. I shrieked in surprise as we shot out of range. Conner looked down at me, concern all over his face. “Package secure?” he asked. I put one hand over my belt. I could feel the vial that had the bioweapon in it.

“Yup!” I called over the wind.

We touched down several miles away from the compound where my ride—a miniature version of the Batwing—was waiting for me. My heart was still pounding from the fight and the moment I could have sworn I saw a bullet in slow-motion as it whizzed right past my eyes. Once my feet were back on solid ground, I sighed in relief that we were out of the situation, my lips quirking up into a small smile.

“Whoo! We made it!” I exclaimed. I whirled and grabbed Conner’s shoulders as though to give him a celebratory kiss—the way I would have done back when we were together.

I froze.

“Nope. Never mind,” I said, mortified. “Force of habit. Sorry. Forget it ever happened.”

“Forget what?” Kon asked, agreeing.

“Exactly.” I got in the Baby Batwing and jetted off before I could make a bigger idiot of myself.

^^^^^

No more of that. Kon was here, with me, now. And there wasn’t a Red-Hood-sized elephant in the room.

When we pulled away, Conner searched my face. “Okay?” he asked.

I nodded. “Okay.”

“Think we can do this again?”

“I think we can try.” I felt a grin pull on my face. There was a sense of rightness, wholeness, to the atmosphere of Conner’s living room, emotions thrumming between us. I had a feeling Conner and I would be just fine.

#Dating Drama #Part 4 #The Aftermath and Conclusion #Dating Drama Part 4 The Aftermath and Conclusion #Jason Todd #Jason Todd Imagine #Jason Todd FanFiction #Red Hood #Red Hood Imagine #Red Hood FanFiction #Conner Kent #Conner Kent Imagine #Conner Kent FanFiction #Superboy #Superboy Imagine #Superboy FanFiction

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awhitehead17 · 4 years

Text

Everything’s Out Of Control

Chapter 6 / Previous Chapter

Also on AO3

Enjoy! :D

Miraculously Tim makes it through the night. Fortunately it hadn’t taken him long to drift off to sleep despite Kon’s warm body right beside him.

When morning came with the sun shining into their bedroom through the window, Tim didn’t hesitate to get up. He grabbed fresh clothes from the pile on the desk before making his way to the bathroom. Upon coming out moments later he hears movement from the kitchen and decides to explore only to find Magnus pottering about in a rich blue silk robe and red silk pants.

The older man doesn’t hesitate to greet him when he sees Tim standing in the doorway. “Morning Timothy, sleep well?”

“Uh, I did, thank you.”

Magnus hums and turns his attention to the cooker. “Breakfast will be ready about fifteen minutes if you’re willing to wait.”

Tim now becomes aware of the sweet smell scenting the room, he wonders what Magnus is cooking up. He steps further into the kitchen. “Is there anything I can do to help?” He’s still perfectly capable of being a polite houseguest after all, plus if Alfred ever caught wind of him not using his manners then there would be consequences and Tim really doesn’t want to go down that road if he can help it.

“No, I have it all handled, thank you dear. Help yourself to coffee however.”

Tim does exactly that and once he’s sat down at the table, Kon stumbles into the room looking barely awake. Magnus greets him just as cheerfully as he did with Tim, however unlike Tim’s response Kon simply hums and slumps into a spare seat at the table. The man doesn’t take offense and simply laughs at Kon’s actions.

Soon enough Magnus serves them breakfast which turns out to be a wide spread of various of foods, something similar to what was laid out the other morning. Tim then works out that the source of the sweet scent in the air is pancakes.

The three of them eat in a comfortable silence and they stay that way for a while until the door to Magnus’s apartment opens up. Tim and Kon look over their shoulders at who it could be while Magnus doesn’t even acknowledge it.

There’s a few thumps after the door closes and a loud sigh that follows. Tim and Kon watch the space like hawks until Alec appears in the doorway. Tim’s eyes widen when he sees what state the man is in. He's covered in some kind of black stuff, it’s all over his clothes, plastered in his hair and even smeared across his face. Tim also picks up that Alec looks exhausted. It reminds him of what he or one of his family members would look like after patrolling Gotham’s streets all night.

Magnus finally looks up and openly studies Alec for a moment. With elegance, he gets up from the table and glides over to the other man. Being careful to not touch him, Magnus hovers his hands over his partner’s body, blue magic seeming to pour out of them and over the shadowhunter.

“Are you hurt?”

“I’m fine Magnus. Maybe one or two bruises but nothing that an iratze can’t fix.”

Magnus hums and the blue light stops. “Did it go well?”

“We took down a couple nests throughout the night and then I had to go to the Institute to report, that’s why I’m back so late. Thankfully I don’t have to go back until tomorrow which means I’m going to spend until then in bed.”

“Very well darling, I have errands I need to run so I wouldn’t be able to join you even if I wanted to. Now why don’t you go have a shower to get that disgusting ichor off you, grab something to eat and then go to sleep. You need to wash up because you stink.”

That makes a small smile appear on Alec’s tired face. “If you think I’m bad you should have seen Jace. He got it worse than I did.”

With no more words, Alec leans down and presses a kiss to Magnus’s cheek before turning around and disappearing from sight like he was never there in the first place. Tim has to hold in his laugh when he sees Magnus pulling a face and wiping the black stuff off with his hand.

It hits him again at how at ease the two of them are with one another. It’s a kind of comfortable that can’t be replicated, one of which takes time and trust to build up. It makes him long for something like that, makes him question if he could ever have that with Kon. They already have a sense of familiarity with one another but not to that amount of intimate affection.

After removing the black stuff from his skin Magnus joins them at the table again. He leans on his elbows and looks between Tim and Kon. “Unless there’s an absolute emergency Alexander will be sleeping like a rock until this afternoon, it’s usually what happens after his late night patrols.

As I said, I have errands to run, clients to see and most of all I’m going to see if I can collect everything you need to take back with you for this spell. This means I will be out for most of the day.” He looks between them seriously, watching them with narrowed eyes. “I’m giving you free reign of my apartment apart from the locked doors and my bedroom where Alexander will be sleeping, I’m hoping I can trust the two of you to not do anything stupid.”

It suddenly feels like Tim is a small child whose parents are leaving him alone for the first time. Not that he can actually relate to the feeling. Tim’s biological parents left him alone when he was no more than 5-years-old for months at a time, not just a couple hours.

“You can trust us,” Tim comments, making sure Magnus knows he means it, “we really appreciate your hospitality. We certainly won’t disturb Alec either.”

“Thank you for your word Timothy, I will be holding you onto that. However, if you wish to leave the apartment to go for a walk in the park then the wards I have up will allow you to come and go as you please. If you choose to go out I insist you make it a short trip and stay local. We don’t want to risk anything happening.”

Tim and Kon nod in understanding. Though Tim is surprised Magnus has said they’re allowed to leave considering the circumstances but he certainly isn’t going to question it, it’ll be nice to go out for a walk.

“Perfect,” Magnus announces as he stands up once again. He waves his hand and suddenly a credit card appears between his fingers, he passes it to Tim. “Use this if you wish to grab some lunch on your outing or even if you order take out. There’s no limit so don’t worry about that.”

Not waiting for a response, the warlock wonders out of the room leaving Tim and Kon in silence and with breakfast on the table.

An hour to two later Tim and Kon leave the apartment, the two of them agreeing to wanting to get some fresh air. Also because Kon wants to get some actual sun, not just beams of sunlight through a window. They choose to walk through the local park and Tim finds it refreshing. The park isn’t too busy, but there are a variety of groups of people out and about enjoying their time together.

He and Kon walk side by side down the pathway and Tim’s mind is reeling, trying to come up with something to say to his best friend. For a moment he wonders when and why this awkwardness has come about, he used to be able to talk endlessly to Kon about anything but now he can’t even think of a sentence to say.

“Magnus and Alec are a cute couple.” Kon comments out the blue, breaking Tim’s train of thoughts.

He shoots his best friend a questioning look because of the topic, that’s something Tim had not been at all expecting. “Uh yeah, I guess…” Tim agrees lightly, “they make it seem so easy.”

“Yeah I had similar thoughts believe it or not. I wonder what their story is, not that it’s our business but it’s probably interesting considering what and who they are.”

Tim shrugs, not really having any ideas on where this conversation is heading to. “As every couple does, I’m sure they have their ups and downs.”

Kon hums in agreement and falls silent. Tim blinks and shakes his head at the random topic of conversation and at how short it had been.

They walk together through the park and Tim watches Kon from the corner of his eyes. He seems to be looking better, certainly more awake than earlier that morning, but actually healthier too. “How are you feeling? Is the sun helping?”

Kon takes a deep breath and lets it out, he turns to Tim and sends him a smile. “Much better now we’re outside yes. I can actually feel the sun charging me up, it’s energizing. What about you, how are you feeling?”

Tim refrains from rolling his eyes, now back to this conversation again. “I’m fine. Happy to get out and stretch my legs. As interesting as Magnus’s apartment is, nothing beats an outside open space.”

Well a lot does actually. The vigilante part of his brain is screaming that wide open spaces are bad, it makes him more vulnerable and open to attacks. Tim chooses to ignore that voice and focuses on Kon instead. He needs them to get out of this awkwardness loop they seem to have fallen into. He invited Kon on this mission with him because he hasn’t spent much time with his friend recently, this is literally the perfect opportunity to catch up.

“So what’s been happening in Kansas recently?”

The morning and early afternoon goes by as they spend it outdoors in the park and in a small café they find. It seemed like they were able to break the awkwardness cycle after all because once they got talking about nonsense it was like nothing had ever happened, they were laughing and cracking jokes just like before. It helped to relax Tim and he enjoyed their time together even more because of it.

After a few hours they head back to Magnus’s apartment, well aware of the warlock’s warning to not be outside for too long. They enter quietly, being mindful that Alec would most likely still be sleeping. Magnus wasn't in so they settle down in the living room and turn the TV on, after working out how to use it and where the remote was hiding.

That’s how they spend the rest of the afternoon, sharing the same couch and watching a couple movies, ones of which actually existed in their world. Sometime later Alec makes an appearance and crashes down onto the love seat, watching the TV with little interest as he nurses a cup of coffee in his hands. Neither Tim nor Kon try to engage with him, choosing to let the man have his peace.

When even more time had passed, heading towards the evening now, Magnus returns home. He immediately heads over to Alec, bending over to place a kiss on the man’s head before leaning back and considering the TV. He glances at Tim and Kon on the couch before looking at Alec again, “I’m surprised you’re watching this darling, it’s not something you usually do.”

Alec shrugs. “It’s adequate, at least for mundane entertainment. I’ve been doing paperwork too though.”

At his response Tim resists the urge to roll his eyes. He knows Alec’s only hung around because he’s keeping an eye on them. It hasn’t been said out loud but it doesn’t need to be. As annoying as it is, Tim can’t deny he doesn’t blame him. If roles were reversed, Tim would do the same.

“How’s your day been?” Alec asks Magnus after a short pause. He’s looking up at the man with wide eyes and a soft smile on his face.

Magnus sighs tiredly. “Busy. I’ve had to deal with very picky and annoying clients today. No matter how clear I make things they still don’t listen and then get stroppy when their desired outcome doesn’t always happen.”

Alec huffs a laugh. “Sounds rough.”

“You don’t know the half of it Alexander,” Magnus comments patting his cheek lightly. He turns and faces Tim and Kon on the couch. “I have good news for you both.”

That sentence instantly gets their full attention. Together they sit up straighter from their slouched positions and focus on Magnus.

“I’ve been able to collect everything needed for the spell, turns out it wasn't as difficult as I suspected it was going to be. I’ll be sending you both home in the morning.”

Tim and Kon stare at the men before looking at one another, sharing a pleased and relieved smile at the news. It’s exactly what they’ve been wanting to hear. Tim can’t wait to get back to his own world where everything makes sense, he’s pretty sure at this point he would even take a psychopath of a clown who runs around killing people over what they call demons on this world.

“How will you be sending them home? Through the Seelie realm? Would the Seelie Queen even allow that?” Alec questions Magnus now frowning.

Tim raises an eyebrow, he has no idea what a Seelie is but he’s sure he doesn’t really want to find out at this point, especially after the other encounters with this world’s creatures.

“The Seelie’s gave me a way to pinpoint Timothy and Conner’s dimension through a portal. Along with a spell and some of their DNA I should be able to send them home with no problems.” Magnus explains to them all in the room.

Tim shoots the warlock a look, having picked up on the ‘should’ in that sentence. ‘Should’ implies that something could go wrong. Next to him, Kon picks up on something else.

“I’m sorry what?” His best friend exclaims looking a little frantic. “DNA? Why do you need our DNA?”

Tim reaches over and places a hand on Kon’s shoulder, giving it a squeeze to provide comfort, as well as keeping him from getting up off the couch. Of course Kon would have issues with the DNA part, anyone would, but with Kon’s background of cloning and being cloned makes his issues understandable, not that the men opposite would know that.

Magnus picks up on it and momentarily looks a little guilty before he’s sending them a comforting smile. “Oh no nothing like that! Just a strand of hair will do.”

“Oh.” Kon settles back down on the couch and Tim could feel him relax a little. He gives Kon one more squeeze before letting him go.

“So tomorrow morning?” Tim prompts. He doesn’t say it but he’s hoping they would do it now, the sooner the better.

The man opposite him picks up Tim’s unasked question. He takes a breath and sends Tim an understanding look. “I know you want to get home and I would do it today however I have been using my magic all day and I have depleted it. The amount of magic to send you home is more than what I have now so I’m afraid you’ll have to wait until tomorrow when I am rested and recharged.”

Tim feels slightly guilty for the selfish thought. He nods respectively at Magnus’s words and doesn’t comment. One more night won’t hurt.

“With that out the way, how about we order some dinner?” Magnus asks looking at them all expectantly, waiting for an answer. After some debate, the four of them end up eating Thai take out.

Dinner goes by mostly without a incident, the most interesting thing that happened was how Alec’s sister called him and once again tried to let him convince her to meet Tim and Kon. It was amusing to watch Alec argue with his sibling and for him to put his foot down against her wish.

“We have no problem if she wants to meet us you know.” Tim says after he hangs up the phone.

Alec sighs and shakes his head. “No, it’s just best we keep this between as little people as possible. Nothing against her or you two.” Tim shrugs it off, not feeling offended, next to him Kon seems to be in the same boat.

Once they had finished eating Alec clears the dishes up. Once he’s out of the living room Magnus perks up from his seat and snaps his fingers. “And now for desert!”

Both Tim and Kon jump when food suddenly appears on the coffee table in front of them. Tim stares wide eyed at it because it’s literally come from out of nowhere. He shares a bewildered look with his best friend before glancing at the warlock who simply leans over and grabs a plate.

After a moment the two of them settle and observe what’s in front of them. There’s a variety of slices of cakes, a couple bowls of ice-cream and a few slices of brownies and millionaire short bread.

“What the hell? Where did this come from?” Kon asks, unknowingly voicing Tim’s question too.

Magnus waves his hand and slyly smirks at them. “Magic.”

Kon opens his mouth to speak but is interrupted by Alec coming into the room again. “Really? Again? Magnus you have to stop conjuring up food.”

As Alec settles on the couch next to his boyfriend, he leans over and picks up a slice of cake, seeming not at all affected by the magical food. Tim has a feeling this happens on a regular occurrence and Alec’s just learnt to go with it by now.

Kon reaches out and grabs a bowl of ice-cream and a brownie. He takes a careful spoonful of the frozen desert before humming. Glancing at Tim he says, “This is really good Tim.”

Tim watches his best friend take another bite of food and tries really hard to not distracted by the way Kon licks his lips afterwards. He immediately feels himself heat up at the action and turns away quickly, trying to cover up his embarrassment he trusts Kon’s word and grabs the second bowl of ice-cream.

After his first bite he instantly agrees with Kon, it’s good. Nice and smooth, little bit creamy and enough of a taste which wasn’t overpowering to the tastebuds. As he eats, it gets Tim thinking. “Magnus, if you can magic up food, why cook like you did this morning? Surely this would always be easier.”

“Well Timothy, as easy as it is to just whip up food, sometimes there’s delight to doing things the mundane way. Simple acts like cooking can help ground someone or even take your mind off of things even just for a moment.” The warlock explains, there’s no bite to his words but Tim still gets the feeling he’s answered that particular question many times in the past. It makes sense he guesses, obviously he doesn’t relate to it but it’s understandable.

By the time they finish up it’s dark outside and getting late. To Tim’s surprise, it’s Kon who calls it a night first. Tim asks if he’s feeling okay and his best friend responds with that he's simply tired. Tim could easily read between the lines, while Kon may actually be tired, he actually would like some time to himself and retreating to the bedroom early will give him some space.

After bidding him a goodnight, Tim watches him exit the room, almost longing to go after him and actually make sure he's alright. He doesn’t move from his seat though, knowing that personal space was a good thing to have. He’ll check-up on Kon later on.

Tim turns back to the men who were engaged in their own conversation and his earlier thoughts make a reappearance. The two of them are so at ease with one another, in each other’s space. As Tim said to Kon earlier that day, no doubts that they obviously have their ups and downs but in the short amount of time Tim’s spent with them, he could see how devoted they are to one another.

Tim wouldn’t say he’s lonely, he has more enough friends and family surrounding him to know that he isn’t, but for a while now he's been longing for something more with Kon. For his best friend who he would sell his soul for (in a way already has done so). But does Kon feel the same? Tim doesn’t want to make a mistake and end up losing Kon altogether.

“You’re going to end up giving yourself a migraine if you keep thinking that hard my dear.”

Tim snaps out of his thoughts and blinks. He finds both Magnus and Alec staring at him with almost concerned looks. It’s then that Tim realises he had been staring at them while deep in his thoughts. Feeling embarrassed Tim turns away, muttering a ‘sorry’ and tries to get his head straight again.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” Tim quickly replies. How was he supposed to explain that he's thinking about their relationship and wanting something more with his best friend? It’s easier to not saying anything.

“I know we don’t know one another Timothy, but something is clearly on your mind.” Magnus says. Tim turns back to him and sees him stand up. Magnus walks over to the corner of the room and Tim sees him pouring some drinks. The warlock then strolls back over and places one glass down on the coffee table in front of Tim before sitting back down, he hands one to Alec and keeps the last one for himself.

“Uh no thank you.” Tim says frowning. He’s not a big drinker, he would occasionally drink with his brothers or show off a glass of campaign at a gala he’s forced to attend to but he doesn’t drink otherwise.

“Nonsense,” Magnus comments, with a wave of his hand the drink disappears from the table to only end up in Tim’s hand. He startles at the sudden object in his hand and thanks to his reflexes he's able to stop any liquid from spilling. “Have a drink and talk to us. We may be able to help.”

Only if, thinks miserably to himself. Not looking up he fiddles with the glass in his hands, watching as ripples are created in the clear liquid with every movement he makes.

“Is it something to do with a certain black-haired blue-eyed boy by any chance?” Magnus asks knowingly.

Tim’s head snaps up at that and he scowls at the man, silently and unintentionally confirming his question. Had it been that obvious?

“Throughout my lifetime I have seen many friendships turn into romantic relationships, ones where they had fallen in love with each other.” Magnus comments looking mindful, as if he’s recalling past memories.

Next to him Alec rolls his eyes. “Magnus, don’t traumatise the kid.”

Magnus blinks and shoots Alec a pointed look. “I'm not traumatising him, I'm stating a fact.”

“Yeah, your old, we get it.” Alec deadpans with a smile.

The warlock gasps in pretend hurt. “Is that anyway to treat your elders Alexander?”

Their light banter does the trick and breaks the ice, somehow it makes Tim feel a little more at ease with the situation. A sigh escapes his lips and draws the attention of the men. Tim glances at them before looking away again, “I am – I mean I do have… feelings for Kon. Ones that go beyond friendship. It’s stupid really…”

The men sober up and watch him earnestly, clearly seeing how this is a struggle for Tim.

“I see how easy you both are with each other and it makes me want to have something like that with Kon.” Tim continues, trying to put his thoughts into words. “We’re best friends, teammates, we’d do anything for each other, but I don’t want to put that at risk because of how I feel. I can’t see Kon feeling the same way I do, how -”

“But he does.”

Tim sharply looks up at the blunt interruption. Alec’s staring at him like he doesn’t see what’s wrong with Tim’s predicament. “What?”

“Your friend feels the exact same way as you. It’s obvious.” Alec shrugs and takes a sip of his drink.

Magnus rolls his eyes and crosses his legs as he looks at Tim. “That’s putting it bluntly, yes. Timothy dear, anyone could see that you both have chemistry, something that goes deeper than friendship. He wants you just as much as you want him.”

Tim could feel his heart pounding. That couldn’t be true could it? By god he wants it to be true and real but he couldn’t get his hopes up. He shakes his head in denial. “Sorry but no. Not possible.”

“Why is it not possible?” Magnus questions him.

Tim feels himself heat up, both at the question and the attention. He waves one hand around uselessly, “Because…. Well just because…”

That gets both men rolling their eyes at him and Tim suddenly feels very judged. It’s not his fault he’s having a crisis! He didn’t ask for it!

“Is the problem because you’re both male?”

Instantly knowing the answer to that, Tim shakes his head. “No.” And it wasn’t a problem. Tim had publicly come out as bi sexual to all of Gotham last year, seeing it as an opportunity to help those in the LGBTQ+ group in Gotham and start up a support system for those who need help or whose who need a safe space in the city. He’s comfortable with his sexuality.

Kon, on the other hand, has never hid his attraction to guys as well as girls. He’s even recalled many stories to Tim about the guys he hooked up with while in Hawaii back in his days as ‘The Kid’ and how much he actually enjoyed it.

Neither of them have ever dated guys before, only girls, but being attracted to guys was not an issue for either of them.

“Okay so that’s a major factor out of the way. What’s stopping you from pursuing him? He is after all a rather attractive young man who has a kind honest soul and also cares deeply about you.”

Tim could feel the heat pouring out of his cheeks. Even Magnus has noticed what Kon is like! “We’re teammates and best friends, what I have with Kon I don’t want to lose. I can’t live without him and if I lose him by expressing how I feel then I wouldn’t be able to cope. It’s better to keep him as a friend and keep my feelings a secret rather than tell him and push him away.” It’s dark but it’s the truth.

“That's the worst thing you can do Tim.” Alec tells him, moving to sit forward. He places his drink down and clasps his hands together, his elbows resting on his thighs. “Trust me. I spent years keeping secrets, hiding who I really was because I was scared of what I could lose. When everything did come out into the open, those who cared stayed by my side and supported me. Even if they didn’t at first they came to accept it in the end.

Now with Conner, he won’t push you away because he’s feeling the exact same way. The only way you’re going to lose him is by not telling him how you feel. Be true to yourself and let yourself be happy. It’s hard to get past your insecurities, no matter how big or small they are, believe me I know.”

Tim listens to his words, taking them in and repeating them. He could tell this was a big thing for Alec, obviously this being something major that he went through in his life. Tim watches as Magnus reaches over and takes one of his hands, interlacing their fingers together and sharing a supportive yet comforting smile.

When Tim next speaks up, it’s in an almost whisper. “How can you say that? What if it all goes wrong? He may not feel like that at all.”

“With the way he looks at you when you’re not looking? I very much doubt it.” Magnus says smiling knowingly. “When you and Alexander were training the other day, Conner could not keep his eyes off you Timothy, he was practically drooling from where he was sat. Then there’s the closeness you have anyway, just for example you’re already sharing a bed, neither of you had even bothered to ask for another so you could sleep separately. How many friends simply share a bed together like you both are doing now?”

“A lot of people share beds like we do,” Tim comments not seeing his point, “we wouldn’t want to inconvenience you either.”

Magnus tuts but before he could respond Alec speaks up again. “When we first saw you we honestly thought you were together anyway, we were surprised to find out you were only friends.”

Tim blinks, unsure on what to make of that comment.

It falls silent between them and Tim is left thinking over their conversation. Both Magnus and Alec seem so sure that Kon wants him in the same way as Tim wants Kon. But can he trust them?

It makes Tim think of their recent interactions, how many times they’ve been caught staring at one another, the closeness between them, how Tim’s wanted to kiss him and that time they actually leaned towards one another. How Tim felt when he saw Kon’s dying body lying on the ground and unable to help him.

“What do I do?” He asks in the end. This whole world is making Tim feel so useless, and unsure on everything. This whole situation is just adding to that list.

“Think about it.” Magnus replies easily. “Get some sleep, think on it and then once you’re back home you can make a choice. Trust us when we say that nothing will go wrong between the two of you.”

Tim takes a deep breath and simply nods. He’s had enough. It’s been a long, emotionally and mentally challenging day. Time to call it a night. He places his drink, completely untouched, on the table and stands up stretching.

“Uh thank you,” Tim says looking between the men. “Sorry for dumping my problems on you I guess but thanks for talking and listening.”

They both smile at his words and bid him a goodnight. As he walks away he knows he still feels conflicted about his situation but he has to admit their words have given him some hope.

#Everything's Out Of Control #Tim Drake #Kon-El #magnus bane #alec lightwood #timkon #malec #shadow hunters #DC comics #fluff #friendship #emotional conversations #pining #fanfiction #comfort

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