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TITANS TOWER
Jason sighs as the sound of the rooftop door opening reaches his ear. He'd come here to be alone, but of course that's too much to ask for.
Frankly, he's not sure what he expected. It's New Year's eve and he's on a rooftop alone, while everyone else is having a good time at the party downstairs.
He had only come because he didn't want to join Bruce at a fancy gala, dressed in a monkey suit while snubby, old rich folks stared at him like he was something out of a zoo. He'd jumped at Dick's invitation to a New Year's eve party with the Titans. They'd always been nice to him whenever he joined them for the occasional mission. However, he hadn't felt so lonely as he did right now, in the midst of people closer to his age but not quite around him.
It'll be midnight soon, and everyone is paired up for a New Year kiss. That is, everyone except Jason. It shouldn't be a big deal, this year has been good and he's come a long way from where his life was last year, but the thought of watching his crush kiss someone else on New Year is almost too much to bear.
He's focused on the stars, prepared to ignore whoever has joined him when he catches sight of a white costume from the corner of his eyes.
"Shouldn't you be at the party?" Jason asks before he can stop himself.
I could say the same to you, Jericho counters. Are you feeling alright?
"Fine, just need some fresh air."
Jericho nods like he understands and the silence settles between them.
"What are you looking forward to the most next year?"
Turning 21 and being of legal drinking age, Joey sniggers.
"Me too!"
Looking forward to turning 21 next year, Jason? he teased.
"I meant 16," Jason pouts. "I'm getting a car." Bruce promised him a car for his sixteenth birth and he gets to pick the brand and model!
Joey stares at him for a moment, with an intense look in his eyes that Jason can't decipher, before smiling so beautifully at him that Jason's chest threatens to explode.
He's thoroughly distracted from figuring it out when he's reminded of why he's up here, as the sound of the countdown to new year begins downstairs.
When he looks over at his companion, Joey doesn't make any move to leave to go find whoever will be lucky enough to kiss him at the turn of the year.
"You know," Jason starts. "It is said that if you don't kiss someone at the turn of the year, you'll have bad luck all year long."
Really?
"Superstitious nonsense, of course, but with our line of work, it's better not to take risks."
Better not take chances then, huh?
"Exactly. And since it's just the two of us here, what do you say?"
Joey doesn't say anything. Instead, he leans in, brushing his lips across Jason's cheek. Jason turns, a moment before he realises Joey's plan, causing their lips to graze as Joey pulls back.
Jason's heart feels determined to tattoo itself on his ribs, his eyes almost popping out of their socket as Joey draws back.
Either oblivious of not to the fact that he had just given Jason his first kiss, Joey smiles softly at him.
Happy new year, Jason.
"Happy new year, Joey."
LOST DAYS
The shock of blond hair is the first thing that catches his eyes when he looks around the bar. Jason does a double take when he realises who exactly it is.
He's surprised to have run into Joey of all people in such a run down pub, in London of all places. For a moment, he considers backing out of the bar before he's spotted, but reconsiders. It's poetic, he thinks, running into his childhood crush, who he had his first kiss with on this same night two years ago.
What are the chances that Joey will recognize the little Robin that once flew with the Titans? He had probably forgotten all about the kiss on Titans Tower two years ago? Jason bears very little resemblance to the dead Robin these days. He's alive, for one.
He takes the vacant seat beside Joey, tilting his face just so that the shadows fall across half of his face.
Joey doesn't look to be having a good night. He flags down the barman, orders a drink for himself and a refill for Joey. He gets a nod of acknowledgement for his effort but nothing more.
"Rough night?" he asks only to get a shrug in return.
He could guess why Joey may not be very conversational with a total stranger. He could use asl, but that might be too risky. Instead, he decides to enjoy his drink and break from training like he came here to do.
"It's almost the new year." Jason observes loudly, a few moments before the countdown begins.
Joey's response is a quirked brow.
"You know, it's considered bad luck if you're not kissing someone at the turn of the year."
At his words, Joey's eyes fly up to his face. His gaze feels hot and piercing, and Jason resists the urge to shift self-consciously. He's shrouded in enough darkness to feel safe.
"I could use some good luck this year." Jason adds, just as the crowd around them erupts with new year greetings.
With a slight smile, Joey moves towards him, placing a feather light kiss on his lips. So reminiscent of the one he'd placed on Jason's cheek two years ago.
Jason's eyes drift shut for a moment, and when he opens it again, Joey is gone.
"Happy New Year, Joey." he whispers to the empty seat.
Downing the last of his drink, he drops a few notes on the bar and heads out into the streets.
GALA
*May I have this dance?
Jason calls up all of Ducra's lessons to maintain his calm, while ignoring Talia's smug, knowing look. He's not a kid anymore. He shouldn't still be harbouring a crush on his childhood crush.
Ignoring Talia, he gives Joey a polite smile, he says, "Sure."
He lets Joey guide him back to the dancefloor he had just vacated with Talia only a moment ago and they sweet around in a waltz. He has to admit, Joey is an excellent dance partner. He rarely ever dances at these things, besides his obligations to Talia but when he does, he appreciates a partner who won't step on his feet.
Out of the corner of his eyes, he sees Talia and Adeline talking over a glass of champagne but he's distracted by the sound from the bluetooth mic attached to Joey's suit.
"You look good, Jason."
Jason doesn't blush. He doesn't. He's not the kid with a crush, seeking for every scrap of validation from Joey anymore. "I suppose I do look different from the kid I used to be."
"Hmm. Certainly healthier than the guy I met in London two years ago, too."
Jason stops, frozen on the spot. "How?"
Joey shrugs. "Was I not supposed to know? It didn't seem like you were trying to hide it."
Of course he recognized Jason. Joey is far from stupid. "You didn't say anything."
Another shrug accompanied by a sigh. "I know enough about family drama to recognize something that's none of my business."
At that, something wells inside Jason and he feels overwhelmed.
Around them the countdown begins.
"It's almost midnight." Joey whispers.
"'S bad luck to begin the new year without a kiss." he parrots back.
Joey's arm around his waist is warm and probably the only thing keeping his feet on the ground. His heart threatens to beat out of his chest as they join the countdown to New Year.
Five
Four
Three
Two
One
Like two opposite ends of a magnet, at the count of one, their faces draw close and their lips slot between each other's.
Happy New Year, Jason. Joey signs when the kiss ends.
Jason feels dazed. "Happy New Year, Joey."
MISSION
Prettier than any fireworks.
"What can I say, only the best for you." Jason grins up at Joey where he's hovering, as Joey lands beside him on the rooftop, overlooking the harbour.
Oh really? You saying I'm that special? Joey's arms circle around Jason's waist.
"I don't blow up a ship load of heroin for just anyone, you know. And on New Year's eve too."
I guess I'm the luckiest boy in the world.
Jason is grateful for the helmet that hides his blushing face. They've been together a year now, but Jason still feels like the kid on the Titans tower.
Before the thought is complete, Joey grabs said helmet, fingers disengaging the locks with practised ease before pulling it off. Jason returns the favor, pulling Joey's costume down to expose the rest of his face.
The sounds of bar patrons counting down to the new year begins. As one, Jason and Joey turn to face each other.
Their lips meet as the clock strikes midnight, sliding against each other as their tongues settle in the dance that has become second nature to them.
Joey looks soft and sappy as they part, the same look Jason knows is reflected in his eyes.
"Happy New year, Joey." Jason grins.
Happy New year, Jason.
WEDDING
"I now pronounce you husbands, you may now kiss the groom."
Their lips meet halfway, just as the fireworks goes off outside in celebration of the turn of the year.
Happy new year, husband. Joey grins when they pull back.
"Happy new year, husband." Jason returns dopily.
How mad do you think everyone is going to be to find out we eloped?
"Who cares?," Jason as they make their way out of the Chapel and into the cool night air of Las Vegas. "If they didn't want us to elope, they shouldn't have turned our wedding planning into a pissing contest."
Joey isn't concerned about their feelings, so much that he's interested in the reactions. He really wants to be present when Batman finds out about the elopement. It'll certainly be quite the show. Slade definitely expects something like this, but Wayne is too controlling to expect it.
That means being careful for the next couple of days while they enjoy their honeymoon before the main thing.
He steals a glance at his new husband as they join the crowd of tourists on the streets. He can't believe how far they've come from their first kiss six years ago.
He tugs Jason closer and kisses him again. The press be damned.
I love you, he says, delighting in the light blush that dusts his face whenever Joey tells him that, and the way he swallows before he responds.
"I love you, too."