Chapter Text
He’d ran through burning buildings with kids strapped to his chest. The flames had licked at his wounds, crackling around him like smoke. He was no stranger to pain. After all Jason hadpractically raised himself before Bruce came in. Hell, he’d been brought back from the dead!
“So a little stomach pain,” Jason said, glaring at his reflection, “isn’t gonna slow me down.”
For the most part it hadn’t. The ebbing chill of earlier had run dry. His skin no longer felt like ice. Barring the occasional sharp pain in his side. Jason grit his teeth as he stepped out of his uniform. Christ. He must have overdone it last night.
Jason doesn’t make a habit of sleeping in his uniform. He knows the dangers of combining work and his personal life. He knows it better than anyone.
But that’s not the point, Jason reminds himself, as he stares at his bare chest. The point is some little shit hit him last night. He hates to admit someone got the drop on him, especially someone he can’t remember. Jason’s brow furrows over the eyes that would never again be blue. His skin isn’t blue either.
He sucks in air at the next stab of pain. Jason’s voice is pried from his lips. He grabs at the mirror, breathing in slowly. He’s fine. He’s fine. Dog barks in the background, protesting. He needs to get it together and quit scaring her. He turns away from the mirror, pain forgotten.
“I’m okay, girl,” Jason smiles.
The pitbull crosses his apartment in two jumps. Her short, brown tail thumps against the mirror when she arrives. Pleased, she shoves her back into the mirror and her head into his hand. Clearly, she disagrees. Jason runs his hand up and down her smooth fur. He’s rewarded with a smile and a happy bark.
“Really,” he insists, laughing. “I’m okay!”
He is okay, Jason repeats. Dog continues to bark, waiting for her walk. Well, waiting is a nice word. The pitbull keeps looking at him, her eyes wide. She huffs when Jason heads to his dresser instead of the door. He slips on a t shirt and the world is swallowed by white cotton. Dog whines, ready for her walk.
Jason grins and throws on a leather jacket. Dog’s eyes widen and she stands up. She gives a loud yawn, as if she’s slept a hundred years. In reality, they went for a walk yesterday. But she can never be down for long. He grabs her leash from the counter, pain forgotten in Dog’s excitement.
“You ready?” He coos.
Her tail wags a mile a minute, as if to say she’s been ready. And could Jason please hurry up? She has squirrels to chase, dogs to sniff. Not to mention they’re supposed to meet Roy at the park.
Roy isn’t punctual. Not that Jason can judge. Or, he could, but Roy would just call him out for something and Jason doesn’t want to start that conversation. So when he and Dog reach the park and Roy isn’t there, they wait.
The park is for everyone, sure, but Jason likes to think he and Dog have a claim on this bench. It’s a miracle it was still open. Usually, the green seat is the first to go. Dog rests her head in his lap. She stares up at him. Dog’s tail rests at her side, her ears low and her eyes wide. She’s the picture of betrayal.
“Hey girl, it’s not my fault,” Jason says. “You know we can’t just come to a park full of dogs and expect Roy to find us. We gotta stay here. Otherwise he’d find another dog to pet and we’d never see him again.”
She isn’t impressed. Go figure. Jason shakes his head at the stubborn pit and looks around the park. There are plenty of dogs and kids running around, parents following close behind. But no Roy. Where is he? Jason crosses his arms, growing irritated. Dog whines when he sinks further into the seat and crosses his arms.
Until his phone rings. The repetitive tune buzzes away as Jason pulls it from his pocket, frowning at the caller ID. It isn’t Bruce. Satisfied, he answers the call.
“What’s up, Roy? Get distracted by a collie again?”
“Please,” Roy says, his laugh crackling over the phone. “You think I’d be calling you if there was a dog with me?”
Jason glances at Dog. She stares back imploringly. He sighs into the phone.
“Then where are you? Find something better to do?”
A crash echoes over the phone, adding to Jason’s list of questions. Jason holds back a groan. Why can’t he have any normal friends?
“Aw, don’t be like that, babe,” Roy laughs. “I’m just doing my civic duty.”
Jason frowns and folds further over the phone. All six feet and two inches of him. A ridiculous sight to everyone else at the park. His next question is a whisper.
“You kicking ass, Roy?”
“Uh, yeah? It’s what we do.”
Jason scoffs. “And you didn’t invite me?”
“I thought you were on bed rest, Jaybird.”
“Bed rest?” Jason jumps to his feet. “Who told you that?!”
“Easy big buy. Bruce said you turned in pretty late last night.”
“Son of a -“
Jason closes his eyes. His mouth slips into a scowl as his arms cross. He wishes Roy was here so he could degrade him properly. Instead, he pictures Roy in front of him. His stupid face offers a wobbly smile that Jason ignores. Fake Roy won’t meet his eyes. Good.
“The hell are you doing talking to him? And what would he know about how I’m doing anyways?” Jason grumbles. “He never even comes to visit.”
“He called for that very reason. Heard you were in a bad way and wanted me to talk to you.”
“And you agreed? I thought we were getting together to take Dog around the park!” Jason rolls his eyes. “Do our morning strolls mean nothing to you, Harper?”
“Of course they do, Jaybird! You know I love Dog.”
Jason’s mouth becomes a stubborn line. A rare treat and, typically, a sign that something was wrong. He scoffed. It wasn’t even ten in the morning and Bruce had soured his day.
“Whatever,” Jason scoffs.
He meant it to sound dismissive, angry. But it comes out petulant. This stomach bug is turning him into a real bitch. Or Bruce into an overbearing helicopter parent. Probably the latter.
“Come on, Jaybird,” Roy hums.
The twisting red hot need to fight settles in him. Jason sags against the bench. His stomach is in knots and suddenly his leather jacket is too hot in the cool morning air. Dog tilts her head at him and rests her head on his leg. He offers a smile, but even Dog can tell it’s weak.
“I thought if anyone would understand wanting to get away from family it’d be you, Roy.”
“He’s just asking for you,” Roy replies.
His voice is soft, like he knows how gently Jason needs to be held. Jason hates it. He loves it. He’s sweating in spring weather. He runs a hand through his hair and pretends Roy is with him again. It hurts that he isn’t here.
Jesus Christ. What the hell is with him today? At this rate he might as well call Bruce himself and - Jason sucks in a tight breath. Well, that isn’t right. He’s never willingly called Bruce. Maybe he was hit a lot harder than he thought. Nothing else would explain the hot flashes he’s getting. Cold sweat runs down his face and he feels sick. He pushes his face in his hands, groaning.
“Jaybird?”
“What?”
He’s expecting a fight, but Roy doesn’t give it to him. Dog is whining and Roy’s voice is soft. His stomach churns, reminding him of another problem. The next question catches him off guard.
“Are you okay?”
Roy isn’t here, so Jason shakes his head. Dog whines again, disapproving. He wipes a sweaty hand over her head. She stands up and barks, a hammer against his growing headache.
“Mm, I’m fine I just…” Jason covers his mouth. He takes a deep breath and begs his stomach to wait. “I think I just need to lay down. Must have gotten hit harder than I thought.”
“Jaybi-“
“Well I’ve gotta go, Roy,” he lies, plastering on a grin that no one will see. “Talk to you later!”
He hangs up.