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Jason knows he is neglecting his duties by hovering, but he can’t help it. Every time he tries to put a bit of distance between himself and Tim, he is filled with anxiety. This trip was supposed to help the both of them heal, and he refused to let the past control the rest of their life. He was just glad the rest of his siblings decided to join them on the short trip to the castle. He would never admit it but, their presence was the only thing keeping him from clinging on to the young dragon every minute. The reassurance of having extra eyes on Tim let him have more moments to relax, though he knew he was far how he acted before the incident.
But, how could anyone blame him for wanting to stick close to the second youngest prince when they just got him back a few months ago? It still sickness him that every time he rides along the back of Tim in dragon form, he’ll have to see the tears of flesh missing in his wings. One result of the many months of torture the dragon had go through while waiting for his family (for Jason) to find him. All because he was a stupid brat who was full of himself.
When he met Tim, it had been less than a year since he started living in the castle, still getting use to becoming a prince after being adopted by King Bruce. He spent the summer with his other siblings at the neighboring kingdom and came back to a new sibling living in the space he just got use to calling home. A new sibling who quickly caught up to Jason in etiquette lessons and seemed to fit right in at the court.
Instead of welcoming Tim into the family like his other siblings (well Dick and Cass at least, Damian still was a bit cold) he pushed him away any time he reached out. Just seeing his face made Jason feel like a failure of a prince.
Then he learned Tim’s secret. Hiding in the doorway when Tim was confessing his fears to Bruce, that a half breed dragon didn’t deserve to be a noble, let alone a prince. Jason burst in the room, angry beyond belief. How dare he think that about himself? Telling the younger boy if a street rat like him could be one, what difference does being a half breed make?
It was then that he was finally able to push aside the petty jealously and pledged his undying loyalty to the dragon (it didn’t take long for Tim to promise to do the same). However, after traveling with the dragon and losing him. He understood that the loyalty was wasted on someone like him.
He was lucky that he found him again (alive no less), but the damage was done. The dragon had many scars from Jason’s failure to protect him. The worst being the brand on the dragon’s arm. The brand looked worse in his human form, it was an unwanted signal to the world around them that he was a magical creature. Now he had to cover it up if he wanted to blend in with a crowd and to avoid discrimination for being a “beast” to more conservative court members.
Jason knew better now than to go around and take flights outside the castle lands. Convincing his little brother that sneaking out to ride into town wouldn’t do any harm if they weren’t caught. Too bad for them, some slave traders were in town that night and overheard Jason talking about how amazing Tim’s dragon form was. It wasn’t long before they ambushed them and his family coming too late to help.
It took months of asking around to get the information on the correct black market and Bruce having to put his pride aside to ask for help from King Clark. The other King had a few inside connections and was able to find out where “beasts” were sold in the land.
Tim survived long enough to be found by his family, and Jason couldn’t be any more prouder than when he found out how much of a fight the dragon put up. The slavers thought Tim was nothing more than a beast. A dragon that was tamed to become a mere weapon or means of travel. They thought they could make easy money on the half breed, not understanding that he wasn’t Jason’s pet but a prince.
After the royal family rained hell on them, they knew better.
Soon anyone connected with the slavers would know better too, and Jason couldn’t wait to see them all suffer. This is why he couldn’t let his fear distract him from what he needed to do today. King Bruce and King Clark were working with the neighboring kingdoms to help bring down the rest of the slave markets. The event today was to get the rest of the kingdoms to pass an official law banning the mistreatment of any magical creature.
He would make sure nothing like this would ever happen to Tim again. He couldn’t help himself, finally giving into his protective big brother instincts and made his way to the dragon to check in with him one last time. His eyes lingered on his arm, the brand making his blood boil as usual. However, it takes one smile from little brother to ease the anger, he needs to put this behind him. He can’t let himself be the reason the dragon isn’t able to move forward or heal from this.
He is brought out his thoughts by a pressure in his hand and he realizes that Tim is squeezing it tightly and he’s slightly trembling. “What’s wrong?” he all but demands, but the dragon just smiles at him sadly.
“Nothing, I just needed to make sure this was real for a second. I know this is to help stop people from getting hurt like me and I’m glad to be a part of this. But, I’m still scared that it’s all a dream, that I’m still with those-,” he pauses as his voice chokes. “I still feel like I’m there.”
Jason frowns at him and leads him away from the crowd, “Hey you wanna ditch this? We all know Dick can talk enough to cover all of us. If you’re not ready to share your story we can leave. They have enough evidence to get the law pass without you speaking.”
Tim shakes his head, and gives him a determined look, “Thank you, but I think I just needed a moment. It’s almost time for the speech, ready to go change the world?”
Jason feels nothing but pride and flashes him a fierce grin. “Let’s get this over bureaucratic nonsense over with so we can get out there and give them hell.”