Chapter Text
Jason Todd was nestled comfortably on the window seat of the third-floor library in Wayne Manor, fully absorbed in a well-worn copy of "Persuasion" by Jane Austen. This book had become a beloved companion for him, one that he returned to time and again. It had been almost four hours since he immersed himself in the world of Austen’s characters, undisturbed by the outside chaos that often surrounded him. The tranquility of the library, with its towering shelves lined with books and the gentle sunlight filtering through the tall windows, was a striking contrast to his usual frenetic life as a vigilante.
Just as he was about to turn the page and lose himself even deeper in the narrative, the stillness was shattered when the door burst open. In strode Tim Drake, his younger brother and fellow vigilante, with an energy that seemed to fill the entire room. Jason raised an eyebrow, surprised by the abruptness of Tim's entry. It was odd to see his brother's expression so neutral, especially considering that Tim was notorious for battling insomnia, his eyes often betraying his lack of sleep.
Without a hint of hesitation, Tim declared, "I want a bone-breaking hug."
The peculiar request left Jason momentarily speechless, his confusion growing as Tim elaborated. “I want somebody to crush me as they hug me, I want to be smooshed really tiny and someone hold me in their hand and just… squeeze.”
Jason blinked, trying to process the randomness of his brother’s words. He considered how little sleep Tim might have gotten that week, but before he could voice any concern, Tim locked eyes with him, cutting straight to the chase. “Hey, do you think I’m touch starved?”
Before Jason could formulate a response, Tim suddenly fell forward, collapsing flat on his face as if a switch had been flipped and the power went out. It was a surreal sight, and Jason let out a deep, defeated sigh, smacking his forehead with the palm of his hand. The strangeness of Tim’s request was unfathomable, yet he couldn’t ignore the underlying truth: Tim seemed to genuinely crave physical affection, something that Jason had failed to notice until that very moment.
As he looked down at his brother, Jason couldn't remember the last time he had shared a hug with Tim—or even anyone for that matter. With a twinge of guilt weighing on his heart, he gently scooped Tim up and made his way to his room. He laid Tim down softly on the bed, ensuring he was comfortable, watching as his brother's face relaxed into a peaceful expression in sleep. In that moment, Jason felt a wave of remorse wash over him for not recognizing how much Tim needed that basic human connection.
From that day forward, Jason resolved to change that. He made a conscious effort to express more affection towards Tim, to ensure that he never felt touch starved again. While Tim never explained the bizarre request for a bone-breaking hug, it was clear that it had had a positive impact. After that day, Tim seemed more at ease, his demeanor brighter, as if he had found a little more peace in the world around him. It became a turning point in their relationship, one that gave Jason a newfound appreciation for the power of a simple hug.