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Roy looked around in bemusement as he was led further into the Watchtower, the kid who was apparently his counterpart of this world (though, he had grumped about yet another clone when Roy had appeared) looked very displeased with this situation.
“I think this is overkill,” Roy said when he saw all the heroes lined up. “Why am I even here? We already established I’m not from this dimension!”
“We don’t know that.” Ollie said placatingly, “Roy, uh...”
“Has been cloned several times,” Roy’s counterpart hissed, glaring at the man. “So, you need to be checked for programming.”
Roy ran a hand down his face. This was fucking ridiculous. “I literally showed up in front of you in a beam of light.”
“So?” Roy’s counterpart asked, quirking an eyebrow.
“Please, just,” Ollie motioned around, “Let us check it out?”
Roy rolled his eyes, sighing softly. He needed to find Jason, seeing as the man had been blasted here with him. “Whatever.” he said, and grinned, “What’s the test, you going to go through my mind?”
“Yes,” Martian Manhunter replied, stepping forward, “With your permission.”
Roy nodded his head. After a few moments, he felt the man prodding at his mind and sort through his memories. Roy only relaxed when he felt the man recede.
“Happy?” Roy muttered.
“Yes,” Manhunter said, “He’s not from our dimension, but from the one we’ve had...contact with in the past.”
Several people groaned.
“Okay, rude,” Roy said, “Nightwing and his family is crazy, I’m not.” he paused, “Well...”
“Good God,” Superman muttered, rubbing his forehead. “Should we contact them?”
“Red Robin is benched,” Roy said helpfully, “So he won’t answer. Try calling Batman.”
Everyone stared at him.
“We only have one number,” Batman said finally.
“Oh,” Roy hummed. “Well, I guess we’ll just have to wait until RR is free.”
“You’re handling this very well.” Ollie muttered.
“I don’t really give a fuck.” Roy smirked, “I just have to locate Hood. He was with me.”
“Hood?” Superman asked.
“God, how far back are you people?” Roy ran a hand through his hair, fighting a few of the knots there. “Red Hood, you know, the second Robin?”
Silence. Actually, this silence had tension.
“Oh, he’s dead still?” Roy asked.
“What do you mean still?” Batman growled lowly.
“Jaybird died when he was Robin, but he came back to life, like, six months later.” Roy explained and paused. “Wait, fuck. You need to check his coffin, because if your Jay is still dead, my Jay will be trapped in there with him.”
If Jason had to dig himself from his coffin again, Roy’s pretty sure this world would be fucked. The Pit might resurface, he might go on a murder spree, he might not even come out of that coffin and thus Roy might go a little crazy on people. Roy didn’t want to think of the possibilities.
“I could have worded that better,” Roy admitted when he saw everyone just staring at him. “I’m sorry for your loss but I don’t need my partner dying on me, okay? Please, just...check his coffin.”
Batman stared at him for a long moment before his jaw flexed and he looked over to Superman. Superman placed a hand on his shoulder and nodded before hurrying towards the Zeta Tube. Roy shifted his weight before reaching into his belt to find his spare comm. He saw the heroes watch him warily as they spoke amongst each other and paid them little mind.
“Hood,” Roy said once the comm was online. “Do you hear me?”
There was static for a moment and Roy repeated himself, gritting his teeth. It was likely that their comm system didn’t work here, or maybe he just didn’t have signal because he was in the Watchtower. Even with all the upgrades he gave their comms, it’s entirely possible that they couldn’t communicate when one of them were in space–
“Arse, shut the fuck up,” Jason’s voice cut through the static in a quiet hiss.
Roy’s chest loosened and he breathed out in relief. “Jaybird, that hurt my feelings,” he said, “Where are you?”
More static, and then, “League.”
Roy winced, “Need help?”
“No, shut up,” Jason said quietly, “Trying to hide from ninjas, Red.”
“Okay,” Roy said softly, “Call me once you’re out free or…if you need me. Okay?”
Jason hummed slightly, an agreement, and Roy reached up to end the call. He hesitated for a moment before tapping a message against his comm and heard taps in response. He quickly ended the call after. Who knew how advanced the League of Assassins was in this world; they didn’t need their call high jacked and traced.
“Good news,” Roy said cheerfully, “He’s not buried!”
I love you.
Me too.
Dick, like the rest of his team, made a face the moment they got the call of yet another dimension traveler. Yes, the last time they had dimension travelers, they saved Wally from the Speedforce, but they also made out for a solid half hour while waiting for people to come get them. Dick still thought about it, some days, and wondered if he had just done something different, he could have had that with Wally too.
But. Well. Dimension travelers just brought stress and unneeded thoughts. So, Dick didn’t really enjoy having them around.
Will was probably less enthusiastic about the newest counterpart than the Team was, having only showed up after Dick called him because it was his counterpart, in a way, too. Wally was already snacking on popcorn while waiting for Roy’s counterpart’s arrival.
“Why do we have to watch over the guy again?” Dick asked.
Kaldur gave him an exasperated smile, “Who else will?”
Dick rolled his eyes slightly. Maybe it wasn’t too late to retire? Even a vacation would do. Everyone looked over as the Zeta Beam announced the arrival of Green Arrow, Arsenal, and a guest. The three archers walked into Young Justice’s new base and all but one looked dead inside.
“Woah, really retro,” who Dick assumed was the counterpart said as he looked around.
His hair was long, and he was wearing a uniform that allowed everyone to see the tattoos climbing up his arm. Oddly enough, he had a trucker hat over his red locks and the domino mask he wore was the same color of red as the rest of his uniform.
Kaldur stepped forward, “I am Aqualad, the leader of the team,” he introduced, offered a hand, “It’s a pleasure.”
The counterpart shook his hand easily, “Arsenal, though you can call me Roy.” he said after sending a look at Arsenal. The teenager scowled and crossed his arms. Then Roy looked around, laid eyes on Will, and grimaced slightly, “Unless you’re Roy?”
“I’m Will,” Will said, looking sympathetic.
“Cool,” Roy replied, and then turned to Green Arrow, “Are you seriously making me get baby sat?”
“This isn’t permanent,” Arrow started.
“Damn right it isn’t.” Roy placed his hands on his hips, “Listen, I’ve been around a while, so I get it. Protocol and all that. But my teammate is out there, and you just expect me to leave him?”
“The League is handling it, Roy,” Arrow said carefully, “Right now, we want to focus on as little damage as possible.”
“Right,” Roy said, “And have you told Dick exactly who you’re searching for?”
“What?” Dick asked sharply.
Roy looked over to him and then glared at Arrow.
“That is not my call.” Arrow said, raising his hands up.
“Nothing is,” Roy replied, and then sighed. “Jason won’t even need the JL’s help. Don’t waste your time.”
Dick felt like the floor had been taken out from under him. Jason? What did he have to do with any of this? Was his counterpart here? But if he was here, and he was apparently somewhere that he needed to escape from, wouldn’t that mean his Jay was with him?
Was Jason alive?
“Sorry,” Roy said, and it took Dick a moment to realize the man was talking to him, “I didn’t mean for you to find out like that.”
Dick looked over to him and stared at the lenses that covered his eyes. “Is Jay alive?” he asked, quietly.
“I think so.” Roy replied, “Hood wasn’t able to stay on comms long, but if he’s where he is, so is his counterpart.”
“And where is he?” Dick demanded.
“Classified,” Arrow cut in, giving Roy a sharp glance.
“Whatever, Ollie, go blow your money or something.” he said dismissively, sauntering forward, “And, Dick, trust me, you don’t want to get involved. Jay’s probably pretty trigger happy right now.”
“What?” Arrow asked.
“What?” Roy repeated, smirking slyly, “Bye, Ollie. Call me when you find my partner in crime.” he paused, “Not actual crime, we work for the government sometimes. They give us, like, so much money. Tis is but a simple guy, I like money and makin’ weapons.”
“Dude, what the fuck,” Wally muttered, eyebrows raising.
“Wait, wait,” Dick waved his hand, “My brother is alive?”
“Yeah,” Roy said, and cautiously gave his arm a pat, “Don’t worry. Just...trust him. Your Jay is in good hands. Hood is like one of the best people suited for this.”
Dick leaned back, inhaling sharply. “Why do all of you like to show up and give us good news in the worst way possible?” he joked weakly.
“Dunno, man,” Roy grinned roguishly, “That’s just our thing.”
Dick returned to the base after a few hours of processing that Jason was possibly alive, cried for a bit, and then sent Bruce a few angry texts. Wally had called a few times, and Dick knew that if Wally knew which safe house Dick was currently residing in, he would’ve had his best friend there the entire time.
He’s glad Wally hadn’t been there. Hadn’t seen him like that.
Roy was lounging on the couch, looking at ease in a base full of unknown people, and tapped his fingertips idly on his knee. He looked over when Dick walked off the Zeta and gave him a quick once over, his mask off. His eyes were a sharp green and he had quite a bit of freckles over his skin.
“Sup, Wing.” He said easily, “Want to see some pictures of Hood?”
Dick didn’t know if he was ready for it. But if things went well, he’d be seeing Jason soon enough anyways. He sat next to the man and watched as he pulled a phone from one of the compartments on his suit. He put in several passwords – Dick was glad the Bats weren’t the only ones paranoid about that – before leaning closer slightly so they could both see the screen.
The man on the screen looked like he was in the middle of laughing, his teal eyes scrunched up as he looked over to the camera. His hair was all wild curls that he remembered Jay having, though the white streak in the center was new. There was a scar running down the right side of his face, but it only seemed to add charm.
He looked alive and he looked happy. Dick can’t even remember how his laugh sounded.
“Wow,” Dick breathed.
“Yeah,” Roy smiled, and swiped the screen.
He looked at the video for a moment before pressing play, and Dick watched as the screen zoomed in on an annoyed looking Jason. There was a woman with fiery hair standing next to him, and she looked deeply amused.
“Jaybird,” Roy’s voice came from the phone, “Don’t get all pouty on me, Baby!”
Jason sent a glare at the camera, “Go suck a dick.”
“You offering?” Roy asked.
The woman by Jason’s side burst out laughing, covering her mouth as red blossomed over Jason’s tan cheeks. Jason reached into his jacket, pulling a gun out. Roy’s laughter ended in a screech as the camera jostled and he rushed to the side.
“Jaybird, I’m teasing, I swear!” Roy yelped.
“Get your ass over here, Harper!” Jason yelled.
The video ended with laughter and Dick found himself laughing slightly. “Does he always carry guns?”
“Oh, yeah,” Roy nodded, and scrolled through his camera roll for a moment before selecting a photo.
It was of a man in grey armor, several holsters on his legs and thighs, guns and knives easily seen on his body. He wore a leather jacket that had the sleeves rolled up slightly, and he had a red helmet braced between his arm and hip, his other arm supporting a girl with darker hair and a wide smile.
Jason had died when he had been small, barely reaching his growth spurt with a voice that cracked with puberty. It was odd, seeing Jason like this. Tall and muscular instead of scrawny. His voice was deep, and his face was angular, no baby fat to be seen.
“Is he happy?” Dick found himself asking.
“I like to think he is,” Roy replied, smiling at the screen with something soft in his eyes, “He’s not great, obviously. He died, that kind of shit lingers. But...he’s good.”
Dick leaned back, “Where is he?”
“I think you already know,” Roy replied, grinning slightly.
Dick let out a breath, “The only way he could come back is from the Lazarus pits.”
“Well, you’re halfway there.” Roy said, “The Pits healed him, but he woke up in his grave. He doesn't really know how; I don’t think he really wants to.”
Dick cursed and planted his face into his hands.
“Hey, what’s done is done.” Roy said, “All you can do now is do your best to make sure he’s loved. Make him know you care.”
Dick didn’t like the warning that was in Roy’s voice, wondered what the hell happened in the other dimension. But he nodded, nonetheless.
“Is that Lian?” He asked, nodding to Roy’s phone, “In that last picture?”
Roy beamed, “Yeah! Oh, you have to see all the pictures I have of her, she’s such a sweetheart!”
“Did someone say Lian?” Will asked, poking his head out of the kitchen.
“Hell yeah, man,” Roy waved him over, “Come look at my daughter!”
Roy was in the middle of telling a story from an early Titan’s mission when the Zeta went off, announcing ‘Robin’ followed by a code. Seeing as Tim, who was Robin here, was currently in the base, and by how everyone tensed and shot wary looks at the Zeta, it was Jason.
Roy stood, watching as a bulky form appeared out of the light, a boy standing by his side. Jason stepped into the room, pulling the kid with him, and his helm angled towards the group.
“Sup, Jaybird,” Roy said, “I thought I told you to call.”
“Comm was smashed,” Jason replied, voice cracking with his voice modulator in a way that showed that the device was probably not in great condition.
“Could’ve found a pay phone, Jaybaby,” Roy replied. Jason angled his helm in a way that usually translated to ‘really’.
“Sup, Dickhead, take your Jason,” Jason said, nudging the boy further. His eyes were a little dull, and when he looked over to them, there was something off about his movements.
“Gray...son,” He mumbled, voice hoarse.
“Yeah,” Jason said. There was a soft, almost hurt tone to his voice. “It’s Grayson.”
Dick was up and out of his seat within seconds, wrapping his arms around Jason’s counterpart and hugging him as if he’d disappear in a blink of an eye. Little Jay’s arms rose after a long moment, and he muttered Dick’s last name again.
“He hasn’t been in the pits.” Roy said softly once he made it to Jason’s side.
“No, he hasn’t.” Jason replied.
Roy observed him for a moment, saw the tense posture and the way he looked ready to pounce. He looked like a cornered animal, and in a way he was. Roy reached over and grabbed his hand, squeezing it slightly as he looked up at his lover, and smiled.
“Thanks for making it in one piece,” He murmured.
Jason’s breath was shaky, “Always.”
“Uh, so.” Wally said awkwardly, “How long will you guys be here?”
“Until RR stops being a little bitch.” Hood replied, voice menacing and scratchy.
“He broke his arm in two places,” Roy said helpfully, “He’ll probably un-bench himself in like a week or two.”
“Three,” Hood said, “He has the clone, speedster, Bruce, Alfred, and Dick breathing down his neck.”
Roy’s eyes rolled, “As if he hasn’t faced worse odds.”
Hood’s shoulders shrugged slightly, “You know how Dickhead gets when Wally’s off on missions.”
Roy made a face. “Dude, stop reminding me. I have to deal with his texts.”
Hood made a crackling noise, and it took Wally a second to realize it was laughter. “Just ignore him, Arse.”
Roy pressed a hand over his forehead, dramatically gasping. “Jaybaby, are you telling me to ignore family? That’s Lian’s uncle!”
Hood paused, and Wally saw how his muscles grew taught. Roy stared at him for a moment before his face flushed slightly.
“I mean, the entire Team is like family to her an-and me, obviously!” He stammered. “You know you’re like family too her, too!”
Wally had a bad feeling. He looked over to Dick and saw what almost looked like horror on his face. Batman seemed to pull Jason closer to him.
“Shut up, Roy.” Hood said.
Roy licked his lips, and after a moment he reached over and grabbed Hood’s hand. “I’d like you to be her family, too.” he said softly.
Hood was silent for a long moment. “Is this you proposing to me?”
“I mean, I had like this whole plan, and I made a ring and everything.” Roy said, his face growing a bit red. “But. Will you marry me?”
Hood reached up, and for the first time since his arrival yesterday, he ripped his helm off. Roy looked a bit startled, but grinned when the mask was dropped, and hands dug into his hair.
“That a yes?” he asked after a long, uncomfortable moment of everyone watching them kiss.
“You’re stupid,” Hood said, his voice deep and gruff yet fond, “I expect a romantic proposal when we get home.”
“You’re gonna love it,” Roy said and kissed him again.
“Why do they always end up kissing?” Conner asked, looking up to the sky for answers.
“I don’t know how to handle this.” Will said. “I’m going to head out.”
Dick looked at the scene in front of him in horror, “Now I have to keep two little brothers away from potential love interests.”
Tim looked at him, “I’m not going to date Conner.”
“You tried to kiss Impulse!” Dick said, aghast.
Tim frowned at him, “I’m fifteen, Nightwing!”
Dick rubbed his palms into his eyes. Wally awkwardly looked over to the dimension travelers and grimaced when Hood moved to pick Roy up and start towards the rooms.
“Good God,” Wally mumbled. At least his counterpart hadn’t gone to fuck Dick’s counterpart, that would have been awkward as hell.
But, Wally thought, them being married and in love was still a little awkward.
Artemis and him had even broken up after a while, realizing they weren’t what each other needed. Wally still wasn’t sure how he felt about Dick, but he knew Dick didn’t love him. He didn’t look at Wally like their counterparts had.
“God,” Dick agreed, “I’m going to go take a nap.”
Batman followed after him, Jason still in his arms and Tim laughed as he followed.
Nightwing showed up in a flash of light that had become normal around the base. He ruffled his hair as he sent them a grin, “So, where’s my Little Wing?” He asked no one in particular.
“Uh,” Dick said. “With his fiancé.”
Nightwing paused. He observed them for a long moment before he frowned slightly, “I thought Roy was going to propose over dinner. I helped him set everything up!”
“We’re still going through with it!” Roy called as he appeared in the doorway, “Jaybird likes romance.”
Hood grunted from behind him, turquoise eyes piercing. “What took you so long, Dickhead.”
“Tim buried his comm under all his paperwork,” Nightwing complained, “It took us forever to find.”
Hood rolled his eyes. Roy laughed easily. “Well, you won’t find us complaining.”
“We’re complaining.” Conner said, grimacing, “Trust me.”
Nightwing laughed. He sauntered over to the other dimension travelers but paused by Wally before he could get far. He smiled. “You doing okay, KF?” He asked. “I know life after the speedforce is a bit difficult .”
Wally opened and closed his mouth for a moment before he nodded, “I’m doing good.”
“Good!” Nightwing said and pressed a kiss against his temple. Wally flushed red and sputtered slightly, and Dick felt envy bubble in his chest.
“Anyhow, it was great seeing you all again, per usual.” Nightwing sent them a sly grin, “But we need to go!”
“So soon?” Hood teased, “Was I just an inconvenience to you?”
“Jay, I love you,” Nightwing said, “But Wally’s going to be home in like five minutes and I can only hold out for so long.”
“You disgust me,” Hood said.
“Rock on, Dick!” Roy replied. “How many days are you two taking off.”
Nightwing snickered and wound his arms around their waists, “Until we’re satisfied.”
“So, you’re never coming back,” Hood said.
Nightwing’s laugh was the last thing they heard before the dimension travelers disappeared in a flash of light.