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Tim was a little early for their meeting but he doubted Jason would care. Jason had told him he wouldn’t be doing anything except possibly dying of boredom today, so helping on Tim’s case would be a welcome reprieve. Thankfully Jason was at his safehouse on Laughton Ave, Tim could walk from his apartment.
Tim was about to stroll up to the door, he had crossed some back alleys to end up at the little gravel private parking lot behind Jason’s building, when he got a really bad feeling. He tucked himself behind the dumpster quickly, he wasn’t sure why. Just a very bad feeling he’d learned early in his tenure as Robin to listen to.
He only waited a few seconds before trouble materialized. Deathstroke the Terminator strode out of Jason’s apartment, with Tim’s brother thrown over his shoulder. Jason was tied hand and foot, with a gag tied over his mouth.
“Have to do everything the hard way,” Slade was grumbling. He opened the back door of his dark sedan and dumped Jason in the backseat with surprising gentleness. Tim was shocked to stillness. He knew he wasn’t a match for Deathstroke especially if he was trying to rescue and keep Jason safe. He needed backup and fast. Tim was smart though, he knew Deathstroke would notice if he stole one of Jason’s bikes and followed him.
Instead he took out one of the trackers he kept on hand at all times, and once Deathstroke went back into the apartment he ran as fast as he could and placed the tracker under the bumper and ran back to his hiding place. He did his best to calm his ragged breathing so Deathstroke wouldn’t hear.
He needn’t worry, Slade seemed fixated on other things. Tim could see Jason struggling in the backseat, and prayed his brother would keep making it difficult for Deathstroke, maybe he’d save himself. Jason was resourceful. As soon as Slade backed out Tim took out his communicator.
“We have a problem, I am at Hood’s apartment, Deathstroke was here, he kidnapped Hood. I managed to get a tracker on the car.” Tim informed the team.
“Good work Red Robin, do not engage alone, Nightwing and I will pursue, send the tracker data.” Batman said. Tim did so then went into Jason’s apartment to change into his uniform, which was in his bag. Jason’s place showed signs of a struggle, books knocked off the shelves, glass shattered on the floor, the couch knocked back off kilter. Tim hurriedly changed and hotwired one of Jason’s bikes and started following the tracker’s signal.
Why would Deathstroke want Jason? They had never met as far as he knew, and Deathstroke had always seemed more obsessed with Dick than any of the others. Had Jason crossed swords with him, so to speak, on a case? Shit was it the case Tim was working on, he had sent Jason some of the files earlier, had he intervened already? Was this Tim’s fault?
Nightwing flew through the streets on his bike, he had to reach Little Wing before Deathstroke could enact any of his nefarious plans. He didn’t know what Slade wanted with his little brother, he had never mentioned Jason at all in their past altercations. Deathstroke had been suspiciously quiet recently, no taunting the Titans, no running into Nightwing to threaten or cajole, he hadn’t been seen around Gotham at all. What could this possibly be about if not another sick game of Slade’s to get to Dick.
This was all Dick’s fault.
Batman sped through the city following the tracker data, it seemed to be heading to the outskirts of town. The question of what Deathstroke could possibly want with his second son pounded through his mind. Slade had always been focused on Dick, ignoring the others for the most part. The assassin’s presence never meant anything good.
Bruce should have been more alert, he should have noticed Slade entering Gotham. This was all his fault.
Robin sat tensely beside his father, this was not what he had planned for his Friday afternoon, he’d wanted to go to the Zoo and sketch the new lioness they had just received. Instead he was in the Batmobile chasing down a crazed assassin who had kidnapped Hood. Damian could admit, to himself, that Hood was a formidable opponent, and for Deathstroke to get the upper hand he probably had to drug Hood. He wondered what state Hood would be in when they went to rescue him, would he be capable of fighting?
No matter, between Nightwing, Batman and himself they could subdue the assassin. Drake would probably be of no help.
Father was being even more terse than usual, worried for Hood, he always got like this when Hood was in trouble. This was all Hood’s fault.
“The tracker has stopped, they are at a private airstrip, you should hurry, if he gets him on a flight we might never find them.” Oracle’s voice sounded in his ear. He pressed the gas pedal to the floor. Soon enough they made it, Nightwing and Red Robin roaring into the air strip with him.
Batman bound out to the Batmobile, and ran to the hangar. He immediately spotted his targets. Slade was sitting on a couch waiting for the plane to be ready, baggage next to him, Jason still trussed up was positioned on his lap. The gag had been pushed down leaving his mouth free.
The position was creepily intimate. Batman immediately threw Batarangs, aiming for Slade’s other eye. How dare he. Slade shifted quickly, sliding Jason from his lap and moving to cover him.
“What the hell?” Jason stuttered out from beneath Slade’s bulk.
Nightwing pressed the advantage and sprung to attack. Engaging Slade with his escrima sticks to Slade’s blade. Red Robin immediately went to Jason and started sawing at his bonds.
“Thanks kid,” he heard Jason say before he sprang up. Robin had joined the fight and Bruce was simply picking his shots. Making sure not to hit his sons.
Jason himself then sprang into the fight, Bruce knew he’d want vengeance. Except Jason didn’t attack Slade, he started fending off Dick.
“Calm down Goldie, this is all just a misunderstanding.” Jason tried to placate, Dick was furious and it took him some time to stop even with Jason in the way. “Hey fucking stop already.” Jason bellowed, which caused Dick to drop his arms.
Everyone looked at him in confusion.
“Oh god, thanks babe, now I have to explain all of this.” Jason sighed, babe? “I know how it looks but Slade didn’t kidnap me, well he kind of did.”
“Not helping,” Slade interjected.
“You’re the one who wouldn’t take later for an answer and trussed me up like a Sunday roast asshole, you earned these consequences.” Jason told him with an arched brow. Bruce was feeling more and more confused by the second.
“Explain,” he growled. Jason huffed out a breath and started to do so.
“I’m dating Slade,” Bruce changed his mind, he did not want an explanation. “Slade was being a thoughtful boyfriend,” he continued. He really needed to talk to Jason about what was acceptable in relationships if he thought kidnapping was thoughtful. “He arranged for us to go on vacation, I resisted because I told Red Robin I’d help with a case, Slade may have gotten a little overenthusiastic about making the plane on time.”
“You mean you’re a workaholic who needs a well deserved break and I was making sure that happened.” Slade interjected.
“So, like thanks for the attempted rescue, but totally not needed.” Jason finished up.
Dick finally seemed to break himself out of his stupor, “You’re dating Deathstroke?” He said in a very shrill voice, he hadn’t hit that octave since he was in short pants.
“Yes,” Jason said shortly, “we’re very happy together, so keep your opinions to yourself.” Bruce was having a hard time computing. His precious son is dating Deathstroke, the assassin, the very bad guy.
“No,” Bruce said, “I can’t allow this to continue.”
“You don’t get any say,” Slade said. Jason nodded in agreement.
“What part of we’re very happy together, don’t you get?” Jason asked.
“He’s using you, probably to get to me.” Dick interjected. Slade threw back his head and laughed.
“Not everything is about you,” Slade said, pulling Jason into his side. “I happen to love your brother.” Jason looked a little shocked at the revelation, but smiled gently. Bruce would normally love the idea of his son being in a loving relationship, but not like this.
“Now if you don’t mind, hell even if you do mind, our plane is ready, I’m taking my boyfriend on a well deserved vacation.” Slade told them, bending down to grab their luggage.
“You can’t go,” Tim basically pleaded with Jason.
“Yes, I can, I’m going to enjoy the ocean at a private beach with my lover, we can have this argument when I get back.” Jason said. Bruce was still in too much shock to stop him as he followed Slade onto the plane.
“Well Hood’s judgment is just as impaired as always,” Damian commented as the plane took off.