Work Text:
“Jason Peter Todd, what are you doing?”
With an unwavering hand, Helena aimed her home crossbow at Jason’s chest. She’d had a long day and the last thing she expected to find was her boyfriend wedged under the sink playing plumber. When she didn't hear the drip...drip...dripping of the insistent leak from the kitchen, she suspected an intruder. Hence the crossbow.
“Hel, can you point that thing elsewhere? I don’t fancy a bolt to the chest.” With his head and shoulders still within the confines of the cabinet, Helena couldn’t see his face, but she could hear the smirk in his voice. “If we end up in the emergency room, it will be a heck of a story for why you’re hunting the most dangerous game.”
Rolling her eyes, Helena set the crossbow aside on the counter. “Geek.”
“And proud of it.” Jason extracted himself from under the sink and stood. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he pulled her in for a quick kiss. “Welcome home.”
“What are you doing here? I could have shot you.” Now that she wasn’t on intruder alert, she spied Jason’s holstered gun on the counter and his boots tucked away beside the door. His leather jacket hung beside her own on the coat tree. It really had been a long day. Seventh grade English was not her favorite subject to teach and this year her schedule was weighted towards middle schoolers. Oh joy.
He shrugged. “I had some time and thought I could take a look at that leak you’ve been complaining about.”
“I do have a landlord, Jay, and he’s not some uninterested slumlord ignoring maintenance requests. I simply haven’t gotten around to telling him yet.” She reached up and brushed back the white streak of hair.
“Hrrmph,” he grunted. “Well, now you don’t have to.”
“All right, all right.” Sagging against him, she let out a long slow breath. She knew she was being short with him and it wasn’t fair. He’d done her a big favor—saving her sanity if nothing else. The insistent dripping of the leaky faucet had nearly driven her up the wall. “Thank you. I really do appreciate your help.”
“Com’ere, babe.” Jason clapped his hands over her shoulders and spun her around. With expert skill, he kneaded the knots from her back. Helena moaned as the tension drained from her body.
Jason pressed a kiss to the crook where her neck and shoulder met. The kisses progressed up her throat and along her jawline. His arms slipped back around her waist and pulled her flush to his body. For someone who claimed he was numb to feeling things, he certainly put a lot of emotion into his kisses.
“Go unwind,” he whispered as the kisses came to an end. His breath whispered over her ear. “I’ll make dinner.”
“With what?” Between teaching and Birds of Prey business, she hadn’t much time for the more mundane things of life—like grocery shopping. “Last I checked I had like a half gallon of milk and some leftover takeout.”
“Don’t forget the three slices of fake cheese,” he added with a shudder of half real and half affected disgust.
“Jay…” Helena escaped his embrace and opened the fridge. The formally empty appliance was now full. Her exasperation melted away at the sight. “You didn’t have to.”
He was standing immediately behind her with arms back around her waist and rested his chin on her shoulder. “I know. I like taking care of you.”
“Thanks.” She kissed his cheek. “Do you want help?”
“Nah, I got this. Go on. Don’t come back 'til it’s your bones keeping you upright and not the tension in your muscles. I’ve crashed into more malleable brick walls than your shoulders.” He gently redirected her to face her room.
“Yessir.” She gave him a cheeky salute and scampered from the kitchen.
The scent of pasta bolognese drew her from her room an hour or so later. While she showered, Jason had not only made dinner, he’d set the table. He dimmed the lights and lit several candles to illuminate the dining room with a warm glow.
“Smells good.” She drifted into the kitchen as Jason put the finishing touches on a salad.
“Feeling better?” He handed her a glass of red wine.
She sipped the wine. “Yeah. Thanks.”
“Good. Have a seat and I’ll be right in with dinner.”
——
After dinner, Helena cuddled on the couch beside Jason. She snuggled under an afghan and rested her head on his lap. It didn't require much attention to follow along with the middle episode of the five hour “Pride and Prejudice” miniseries. It was a comfort watch for both of them—especially Jason. He mumbled a running commentary under his breath while he combed his fingers through her hair.
A yawn escaped before she could stop it. Without realizing that she was doing it, her eyelids grew heavy and it was getting harder and harder to keep them open. Everything was just so cozy. Domestic, really. She almost regretted that they’d both need to head out on patrol soon. Though patrol was definitely more fun these days as Huntress could run her investigations parallel to Red Hood’s. They should do something…
“Hel. Helena. Wake up. C’mon, babe.”
Helena batted grumpily at the hand incessantly shaking her.
“G’way,” she mumbled.
“‘Fraid that’s what I need to do.” The scent of bolognese sauce and leather filled her senses as he leaned down to kiss her cheek.
Jason.
Suddenly sitting upright, Helena narrowly avoided smacking him in the face. Now fully awake, Helena grabbed his wrist and held fast. “Don’t go.”
“Sorry, Hel.” He brushed strands of wayward dark hair away from her face. The pad of his thumb ran along the shell of her ear. “I’m meeting a contact in about an hour and I’ve got to go change first. I’ve already stayed too long.“
It didn’t escape Helena’s notice that if he didn’t need to run across town in one direction before retracing his steps, he could stay longer. She bit her lip. There was a solution to this. She’d been thinking about this for a while now. Maybe it was time to broach the subject.
“Why don’t you move in with me,” Helena offered.
“What?” Jason froze. His face twisted in a confounded expression.
She cupped her hand around his jaw. “Move in with me. Please.”
A furrow creased his brow. “Are you certain that’s a good idea?”
“We’ve been dating for over six months now and I think it’s time.” She caressed the inside of his wrist. “I like coming home to you after work and spending evenings curled up at your side.”
“Crossbows nonwithstanding?” He quirked an eyebrow as though this was all some sort of joke.
“I’m serious Jason. This place feels more like home when you’re here.”
His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed hard. “Home?”
“Yes.” Giving his hand a tight squeeze, Helena pulled him close. She knew that it had been a long time since Jason had felt like any particular place could be called home. While Wayne Manor was starting to feel more welcoming to him, and Dick and Babs’ house was always open to the both of them, Jason lived from day to day in a rotating series of safe houses. She wanted to offer him a place which he could consider home. A home for both of them.
Jason nodded slowly. “Okay. Yes, I’d like that.”
“All right. We'll work out details later.” Helena smiled brightly. “In the meantime you should probably head out for your meeting. I’ll see you on patrol.”
“I’ll see you soon.” He kissed her quick and hard before slipping out the window into the night.