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When Stiles first met Jason he was 18 and visiting a college in Gotham. The other boy ran into him quite literally and Stiles was immediately amazed at the dark blue eyes the other boy had.
Jason, himself, paused after running into the other teen and with a flirty smile asked, “Wanna grab coffee?”
Stiles, although slightly off put by the random offer was also charmed nonetheless and nodded. “Sure why not?”
So Jason grabbed Stiles wrist and with a smirked said, “I’m Jason.”
“Stiles,” the brown haired boy mumbled while being pulled along and without a doubt knew that this meeting was more important than touring a college would ever be.
While Stiles was in Gotham coffee turned into lunch and lunch turned into dinner. It was fair to say the boys were smitten.
Jason never in his life met someone like Stiles so beautiful but unaware, so clever and sharp but kind. During their time in Gotham, Stiles never once asked questions about his scars or his anger. He just let Jason be and that was all he really ever wanted.
Stiles might not have walked away with a place in Gotham University, but he did walk away with a new phone number in his phone and a boyfriend.
Stiles made his way home and stuck with a college close to home too, but it never stopped Jason from popping in for a visit. And with Scott giving him distance to ‘heal’ well Stile had all the time in the world for his new boyfriend.
Stiles favorite place was the skate park back before the supernatural uprooted his life. He used to always be at the park so now that he had some free time he took Jason there too. Jason liked it he could get his adrenaline pumping in a healthy way. Maybe it was a street kid thing but he picked it up pretty fast and soon that’s where they could be found.
And if they weren’t at the skate park or Stile’s place then they were at Patsy’s Pies and while Jason didn’t like questions or people much he was willing to brave it for Stiles specifically if it meant getting to see him smile over a plate of his favorite curly fries.
Soon they had been dating for years while no one other than the Sheriff was aware. At age 21, Stiles was the happiest he had ever been his dad was in the know, he had an amazing boyfriend, he was finally reconnecting with the pack, and he had finally graduate college while managing to find a job he didn’t hate. He had even opened his own business! Hell, he wasn’t even meaning to keep Jason a secret he just didn’t want to share his time nor did he want to explain to the pack that his boyfriend was the Red Hood and Stiles had clued him in on the more supernatural side of his life.
Stiles loved when Jason would randomly take a Zeta-Beam and pop in the visit him, but Jason random visits are what ends up exposing their relationship to the rest of the pack.
One afternoon Jason pops in slipping through Stile’s front door after picking the lock (even though he has a key) and pulls his boyfriend into a heated kiss.
Stiles smiles warmly, “One of those kind of days hu?”
Jason grins wider and pulls him into another kiss without saying a word. Stiles laughs when he pulls back and runs his hands through his boyfriend’s hair. Jason soon pulls him onto the couch and Stiles snuggles in slipping his hands under Jason’s shirt. The rough skin of a man who has been through so much doesn’t bother Stiles as he gently runs his hands over the skin before pulling the shirt off.
Jason smiles, never embarrassed in Stiles presence, “Nakey cuddles?”
Stiles feels a warmth in his chest as he nods knowing how uncomfortable Jason was in his own skin at times hating the feeling of skin touching, but being okay and willing with Stiles. So he flicks his shirt off and shucks off the rest before snuggling in with his undressed boyfriend.
They lay there silence filling the room for long minutes before Stiles pulled Jason close speaking softly, “Crime or Bats?”
Jason loved that Stiles never questioned if he was okay or if what he was doing was morally right. Maybe that’s why when Stiles did ask questions or give him suggestions he took them to heart, “Bat’s.”
Stiles nodded and pressed a kiss to Jason’s temple, “What does he want this time?”
Jason before the pit would probably of had tears in his eyes but expressed it in anger, but now he was just tired of the bone deep rage, “He wants me to be the me from before.”
Stiles brushed his hands through his lover’s black and white hair. He didn’t say anything because he knew what it was like, hell he went through the same shit with his friends and family after Void and the Ghost Riders.
Jason had always felt things in extremes, but the pit made it worse. With his war in Gotham he often felt a deep boiling rage and murderist intent. With Stiles a deep boiling love and lust filled him instead. He traced the tattoo that sat on the top of Stiles hip bone reading it softly, “We’ll never be those kids again.”
Stiles kissed his forehead again a soft understanding smile on his face, “Sometimes as humans we get a little blood on our hands.”
Jason nodded before closing his eyes laying his head against Stile’s chest. The rhythm beating stead and strong. It was enough to send the bone weary man off to sleep. Stiles gazed at him affection leaking from every pore. He would let him sleep for now Stiles thought as he gently leaned his head back and closed his own eyes.
***
Morning came too soon and with it a text from Scott about a pack meeting.
Stiles had a strange feeling in his gut as he walked into said pack meeting. Scott was sitting with Lydia and Liam on one couch Derek and Malia taking up the back wall while the others gathered around loosely forming a half circle around the other couch. Stiles was getting a feeling like this was an intervention of some kind.
Taking a stance behind the seat instead of sitting down Stiles looked over his pack a sharp look in his eyes.
Scott gave him an inviting smile, one Stiles could see was forced, “Come on man take a seat.”
Stiles raised an eyebrow, “What is this an ambush?”
Scott flushed slightly, “Look man we just gotta talk?”
Lydia rolled her eyes, “Look we saw someone break into your apartment and you have been hanging around some shady areas.”
Stiles actually rolled his eyes, “Really, where I hang out or who I let into my house is a concern now?”
Malia huffed, “They smell like guns, rage, and leather. And you lock your windows now.”
Scott butted in, “And they drive a motorcycle!”
“You drove a dirt bike Scott!” Stiles replied completely irritated.
Scott yelled, “But I’m a werewolf.”
Stiles felt a pit of rage form in his stomach, “So anyone who isn’t a werewolf isn’t allowed to have friends or love ones outside the pack? They aren’t allowed to ride motorcycles or god forbid have a career that has them handling guns?”
Scott spurted, “You aren’t safe!”
Stiles rolled his eyes, “I’m saver with Jason you know my boyfriend of three years than I am being in a pack based out of the fucking Hellmouth!”
Lydia gripped Scott arm to keep him from rising while the rest of the pack looked at Stiles in shock. Liam asked softly, “Three years?”
Stiles looked at the younger member seeing himself just a little in Liam, “Yeah three years.”
Lydia asked softly hand still gripping her boyfriend arm tightly, “Why didn’t you ever tell us?”
Stiles snorted, “When would I have? When Jason and I were first dating you all were giving me space to heal. Then now that we have reconnected. So what you could judge him? Or ambush us into meeting here or something?” Stiles shook his head, “No matter what I say or how you meet Jason you won’t like him.”
Derek, eyes hooded, “Why?”
Stiles felt the anger slowly subsided and said almost sadly, “Because he’s an outsider to you.”
They all heard his heart beat true and continue to as he said softly, “Just like you don’t trust me because I’m an outsider in a way too.”
Scott stood now ignoring Lydia’s hand, “You are a founding member of this pack.”
Stiles looked at his once best friend softly, “I was and now I’m a pack adjacent human. I’m fine with that.”
Lydia looked at him closely, “You aren’t going to fight for more?”
“I don’t feel the need to fight for my place in anyone’s life anymore.” Stiles said heart still beating true.
Liam looked from Scott to Stiles, “But I thought you guys were best friend? Like forever?”
Stiles gave the beta a soft smile, “Life changes and it moves on.” He turned back to the whole of the pack a bit more steel in his voice, “If you want to meet Jason you can, but he can be a little jagged with too many edges that just rub people the wrong way.”
Scott looked at the man who was once the boy he followed into the woods looking for a dead body and just nodded, “Yeah that would be nice.”
Stiles smiled a true and genuine smile, “Then I guess I will see you at Patsy’s tomorrow at 11.”
***
When Scott arrived he had Lydia and Malia with him. Derek was waiting leaning against his car Liam at his side. He shared a nod with the former alpha before they all head to the door.
Stiles and his (boy)friend were already in the back in a large booth sharing what looked like the biggest pancake stack any of them had ever seen. Smiles were on both their faces and Scott noticed Stiles eyes were bright unlike the last time he had seen them.
He lead the pack back to the table a stiffness to his step. He took the last step with the largest face smile he could muster, “Hey man.”
Stiles eyes darkened a bit and his companion lost his smile an edge taking over his features. Stiles nodded in greeting before waving his hand over the empty seats, “Welcome I guess.”
A young waitress came to their table a slight skip to her step, “Hey boys, need any refills? And what can I get you all to drink?”
Jason smirked, “Refill me you can sweet cheeks.”
The waitress laughed swatting his shoulder.
Stiles from his place beside Jason smiled, “Ignore him as always, Sierra, and I’ll have a refill as well when you get a chance.”
She winked at Stiles, “Sure thing boss!” Before turning to the ragtag group who all smashed into the opposite side of the booth.
The pack ordered quickly and soon she was on her way. Scott turned back to the couple in front of him, “So Jason was it, how old are you?”
Jason raised an eyebrow, “Not sure I was dead for a while so like probably 21 but maybe not.”
The pack listened for a tell tale sign of a lie but his heart remained steady. Lydia asked next ignoring the protest on Stiles face, “What do you do for work?”
Jason shrugged, “Crime lord by night and well day too. It’s a full time gig.”
His heart remained steady once again and Scott spurted. Stiles rolled his eyes, “Jason works undercover in crime.” The funny part was his heart was also steady. Jason just shrugged.
Malia stated, “Normally coming back from the dead chills people out or at least that’s what happened with Peter I guess.”
Jason got a sharp almost cruel look in his eye and for the first time the pack noticed the J shaped scar under his eye. Lydia before the man can say anything snorts, “Kinda condescending to get a J under your eye isn’t it, Jason.”
Jason’s whole body tensed and it was Stiles that exploded, “That’s enough!” He then turned and motioned for the waitress, “Check please.”
Jason taking in Stiles expression moved himself out of the booth so Stiles could go and check them out. As Jason turned to leave a tense definition to his shoulders a hand reached out and gently grabbed his wrist. Jason was about ready to yell, punch, kick or kill whatever it was until he looked at the big blue eyes of the young pack member and he hesitated.
Liam softly asked, “You love him right?”
Jason gave the kid a soft smile, “Yeah kid I think I do.” His heart was steady, but it was the soft look that came over his face that made the statement true.”
Liam nodded, “Good he deserves it.” Liam then let go of the other man’s head and gave him a nod. Jason took his cue fingers twitching for a cigarette.
***
Stiles was finishing stocking the last of his book orders when the bell chimed signaling someone had entered his shop turning to stand Stiles couldn’t say he was surprised to say it was Lydia.
She twisted a finger gently through her hair, “So I did some research and it seems you are dating a member of the Wayne family.”
Stiles gave her a half smile and kinda shrugged.
Her eyebrows crinkled in annoyance, “You couldn’t have just told us that?”
Stiles felt just the tiniest flash of fury enter his belly, but only stood and took his place behind the counter.
A hint of anger flashed a crossed Lydia’s features, “Aren’t you going to answer me?”
Stiles sighed, “And say what Lydia? That you would only like Jason because he was adopted into a rich family? Because that seems more true that anything! I like Jason without all the money and the name so why should you only be concerned with that?”
Lydia narrowed her eyes, “That’s not what I meant and you know it!”
“Isn’t it though?” Stiles asked head slightly tilted to the side.
She shook her head and snorted, “I thought you were better than this Stiles! I thought the pack meant more to you.”
Stiles looked at her softly, “The pack meant everything to me, but I found other things in my life that mean more now. We can’t always be those crazy kids running after the next creature praying we live next week. We are adults now Lydia and you guys are my friends, but you don’t get to chose how I spent my life. If that’s with a guy you hate and you can’t stand me because of it then you aren’t a friend I need in my life.” He paused, “I love you guys, but sometimes I don’t like you all very much.”
Hurt spread across Lydia’s features before she schooled them into nonchalant, “Well if that’s how you feel then I will just have to take my leave.”
He gave her another sad smile and shrugged, “Goodbye Lydia.”
She turned hair thrown over one shoulder before marching her way out the door a single tear sliding down her face. Scott caught her when she made her way around the corner.
He paused gently smoothing a hand over her hair, “He’s different now isn’t he?”
Lydia let the tears fall down her face but shook her head, “I think we are all a little different now.”
Stiles from his place in the shop let his shoulders sag. He didn’t want to ruin his friendships, but he didn’t want friendships that relied on the beat of his heart and how much he was willing to give. He didn’t want friendships that expected support but gave none in return. He just wanted trust and acceptance.
Stiles hand slide down to his phone and typed out a melancholy message to Jason about losing friendships.
Jason only replied with, “Maybe those weren’t friends.”
Stiles could only sigh partly because maybe Jason was right and maybe because it did hurt.
Without Stiles needing to send another text Jason replied again, “It’s okay for it the hurt tho.”
A little smile flickered a crossed Stiles features and his heart warmed just a little.
****
Jason was in the Batcave with the whole fucking family looking over these strange kills when he sighed rather loudly.
It gathered the attention of the rest of the Bat’s in a way Jason generally didn’t want, but it worked nonetheless.
Dick, eye’s soft, asked him, “You okay, Little Wing?”
Jason rubbed his eyes glancing over the idiots he calls his family, “I might know someone who can help. He deals with this kind of stuff all the time.”
The Batman himself eyes his second eldest son warily, “And how would we include him in this investigation without risking our identities?”
Jason gave them all a once over. Dick looked curious, Tim generally tired as usual, Damian angry (also as usual), and Bruce was apprehensive to say the least. Jason stretching up avoiding eye contact, “He might already know.”
Dick blanched, “Our identities?”
Jason nodded still avoiding eye contact gently ghosting his fingers over his gun.
Bruce immediately started squeezing that spot between his eyes like he always did when one of his children did something stupid and Tim only just looked sick. Damian looked annoyed still. Dick surprisingly was the hardest to read, but Jason could almost see his disappointment eyes coming through (the ones that made Jason want to change every life decision he has ever made).
Jason sighed rolling his eyes, “Please like I’m the only one who has told someone. Tim told the Superman mini and Dick told Wally of all people. Oh and don’t get me started on you Bruce which women did you fuck and not tell?”
Dick gave him slight puppy eyes, “Jayyy.”
Jason waved his hand, “I didn’t even tell him anyway he figured it out on his own. Now do you want my help or what?”
Bruce with a resigned look gave him a nod and Jason was off.
***
Stiles entered the Batcave and was kinda freaking out inside (man Erica would have loved this) but before he could feel too overjoyed he noticed the not so friendly faces of the batfamily.
He leaned into Jason a slight smile curving over his features, “Is this your way of me meeting the family?”
Jason only elbowed him and snorted before speaking up, “This is…” He raised an eyebrow at Stiles as if to ask real name or fake one.
Stiles gave him a nod approving his real name (chosen) to be used. Jason gave him a wink, “Stiles.”
Dick came forward first a grin a crossed his lips, “I’m Dick!”
Stiles smiled about to say something when Jason grabbed his wrist and pulled him to the computer. Stiles only sent Dick an amused shrug.
Stiles eyes snapped to the computer quickly taking in all the information, “Whoa…”
Tim rushed raised an eyebrow coffee in hand, “Whoa what?”
Bruce was giving Jason a raised eyebrow while Damian was tensely watching the young man. Stiles snorted, “You guys got like a huge werewolf problem.” He pointed to the different marks on the bodies, “See these are from their claws ripping into the skin when they are shifted plus that would make sense with the human footprints leaving the scene. Plus if you check the bodies for hairs I’m sure you will find wolf instead of human.” He spun again pointing to another body, “See this is clearly werewolf fang marks on their throat.”
Jason cleared his throat interrupting his partner’s flow, “So best way to take care of the problem?”
Stiles shifted his weight so he was facing the family but he was looking at the ground thoughts clearly on his mind, “Depends.”
Dick leaning forward asks, “On what?”
Stiles settled, “First off are they feral? Or just psychopaths? Who are they killing are they hunters because that’s pack business? Who’s the alpha of the area? Which pack are they from?”
Jason nodded, “Can you find these things out?”
The rest of the family looked at the violent member surprised he was taking the young man’s advice into consideration.
Stiles shrugged, “I can find out local pack alpha pretty quick and maybe which pack they are from, but the rest I’m not so sure. I can call some friends in the hunter community see if any of theirs are dead, but honestly it’s going to take me a few and I don’t know if we have time.” He then gave a slight nod, “I’ll see what I can find now and get back to you ASAP.”
Jason nodded again and before asking, “Anything we can do now?”
Stiles without looking up from his phone, “I would use scent blockers like you would for hunting and order wolfsbane and mountain ash in bulk.”
Jason clapped looking at the other slightly dumbfound members, “Well you heard the man.”
**
Stiles took a couple of calls and was messing around on his phone for a few hours with Damian watching him the rest of the batfamily either out on patrol or around the room.
He finally looked up blinking, “I might have got something.”
Jason who had stayed close hits the call button for the family as Stiles reads off his info.
“It’s not hunter they are killing and they aren’t with the local pack. The alpha wants nothing to do with this whole thing basically.”
Jason smiled softly at the man, “Thank you.”
Stiles smiled back eyes soft, “So how are we doing this?”
Bruce grumbled through the comms, “How would you recommend?”
Stiles shrugged, “You can do it Jason’s way, a clean wolfsbane bullet through the scull, or you can catch them and send them to Eitchen House.”
Jason grinned a gleam in his eye before Tim cut in, “Eitchen House it is.”
Stiles nodded, “Once you catch them Jason you should go with transport since you know the area.”
Jason nodded; the Batfamily was off.
**
Later while Jason was on transport Stiles was left with the rest of the family.
Alfred came down the stairs a smile on his features, “Master Stilinski, nice to see you again.”
Stiles smiled and pulled the older gentleman into a hug, “And it is lovely to see you, Alfred.”
Dick from his place perched on the arm of the couch asks, “You have met before?”
Alfred nodded, “Oh yes I was a witness to Master Todd’s and our dear Stiles wedding.”
Tim snorts his coffee, “Wedding?!?”
Stiles laughed nodding, “Yeah wedding, Jason and I got married after we had been dating for almost 5 years it was a couple of months ago now.”
Dick waved his hands around, “And your okay with the whole shot first ask questions later thing?”
Stiles sighed looking over the family, “I understand Jason better than most.”
Bruce silent up until this point asks quietly, “How?”
Stiles leans back in his seat slightly, “Sometimes when you die and come back something sticks with you. You won't be able to see it, but you'll feel it. Every day, for the rest of your life. It'll be a kind of darkness around your heart. And permanent, like a scar. Sometimes people see things or people they shouldn’t, they lose control, or they lose part of themselves.” Stiles paused for a minute eyes wandering over each of them, “Some people recover and are who they were before while other people, perhaps the darkness is a little heavier for them, they can never be that person again.”
Dick nods, “Jason is one of those people isn’t he?”
Stiles nods, “It’s like you are waiting for a person to come back, but they can’t because they died. It’s no use waiting around for them, you can either get to know the new them or lose them forever.”
Damian in a soft tone uncharacteristic for he isn’t talking to the animals he holds dear asks, “And you know this how?”
“There are still people waiting for me to come back,” Stiles answers softly.
Dick pulls the younger man into an embrace, “I’m proud to call you my brother now that you are part of this crazy family.”
Stiles looks up to him with slightly wet eyes, “Thank you.” Stiles speaks softly so only Dick can hear him, “And thank you for always being there for Jason even when you don’t always agree. He really does look up to you even if he doesn’t show it.”
Dick pulls away eyes now wet too and gives a slight nod to Stiles a proud smile on his face.
Bruce smiles lightly and while they wait softly tells a story of Jason when he first came to live with him. The other join in, not so much talking down the other man, but gently retelling some of his, finer and not so finer moments.
When Jason comes back a teasing grin crossed over his features and a hand on his hip, “I know I’m handsome but you don’t all have to talk about me you know?”
Stiles laughs and grabs his arm pulling him down for a kiss. Dick cheers laughing while Bruce and Tim roll their eyes and Damian ecks in a high class tone.
When Jason pulls back and throws something in Stiles hands; a cape with a hood both red.
Stiles raised an eyebrow, “What’s this?”
Jason shrugs, “If you are part of this crazy family you need a costume. Besides I’m sure we could use someone with a little more supernatural background.”
Stiles smiles looking over the family. Bruce has a smile in his eyes and a slight approving smile on his face while Dick is beaming. Tim has a smirk and raised eyebrow.
Damian with a quick quirk of a smile, “You got to earn your place in this family Stilinski.”
***
After training rigorously for months almost nonstop with all of the bat brothers, sisters, and random other members (why the fuck is there a starfish?) Stiles (who was really only going to work on research and information) joined Jason on the rooftops.
Stiles quirked an eyebrow, “Why am I up here again?”
Jason smiled, “Want you to look at this crime scene with me something’s funny about it.” Jason much like the first time they had met grabbed Stiles wrist and shot a smile over his shoulder, “We look pretty intimidating this way, don’t we Mischief? Plus we sure do look good in red.”