Chapter Text
Dick Grayson was entirely lost in thought, tapping fruitlessly away on the Batcomputer,
so fully entranced that when a tiny voice spoke up from behind him he was startled near out of his skin.
“Dick?”
He spun around in the chair on impulse, half ready to jump up and fight for his life, but all he saw was his little brother, Tim, sock-footed and pajama’d up and looking vaguely miserable. “God, kid. You scared me. What’s up, baby bird?”
Tim frowned. “I’m not a little kid anymore, Dick. I’m nineteen. You can stop calling me that.”
Dick smirked. “Nineteeeeen is a baby, as far as I’m concerned. Even if it wasn’t, when you’re fifty-two, you’ll still be my little brother, so get used to it, kiddo,” Dick said, drawing the “nineteen” out in a silly and exaggerated version of Tim’s whine, and emphasizing the “kiddo”.
Tim just rolled his eyes, crossing his arms over his chest.
“For real though, what’s up? Thought you were taking an early night tonight?” Dick asked. Tim had taken the night off, citing not feeling well and a desperate need for sleep. This had allowed Damian to take over his entire patrol route in addition to the route he patrolled with Bruce, and he’d been pleased as punch about it, posturing around authoritatively in a way that left Dick feeling more sure than ever that they were going to have a baby alpha on their hands soon. “Still not feeling good?”
“Are you going out tonight?” He asked instead of answering.
Dick sighed, gesturing to the computer. “I’ve been out, but I’m not going back. Trying to make sense of this lead.”
“I need your help,” Tim requested, softly, and Dick shifted his full attention back to the boy. “I can’t sleep. I really need to, and I can’t.” Tim looked around uncomfortably as he spoke, avoiding Dick’s eyes.
“Ah, you need a bite, sweetheart?” He offered. Every once in a while since his last heat, Tim had broken down and come to him, seeking a submission bite to help him sleep. It worked well, and Tim seemed to like them. For some reason, he was a bit hesitant to actually ask for them, even though he obviously knew they helped.
“Yeah,” Tim said, a relieved sigh falling from his lips at the confession
“When’s the last time you slept, honey?” Dick asked, making his voice as non-confrontational as possible, not wanting to scare Tim away.
Tim winced, shifting nervously and continuing to avoid his brother’s eyes. “Well, technically, I’ve been sleeping every night…”
Dick looked at him dubiously, raising an eyebrow.
“Well, okay, I have, but no more than two hours at a time, max. It’s been over a week, I feel like crap, nothing is working.” Tim pressed his palms over his eyes in frustration.
“Oh, Tim, honey, why didn’t you ask me sooner? No wonder you’re feeling sick, C’mere.” Dick held his arms open and Tim came over to him without hesitation, sitting in his lap and curling against his chest with a small whimper.
“I don’t want to be like, dependent on it,” Tim huffed, “you’re not always here,” he said, voice small.
“Bruce would do it too, if you asked. You may have to sleep in his bed, cause I know it’s scary for you to be alone after being scruffed or bitten, but it’d be worth it, for some sleep, yeah?” Dick stroked his brother’s back, slightly worried about his despondence. He was practically limp in Dick’s arms. He pressed a hand to Tim’s forehead, just in case, but no fever.
“I don’t want him to think I’m like, you know,” Tim’s voice dropped even smaller on the last word, “needy.”
Ah, there it was. Dick sighed. “Timbit, baby. We’ve talked about this. There’s a difference between needing things and being needy. And even if you were ‘needy’ that would be alright, because we’re your family, and you’ve had a hell of a year. Presenting late is wreaking havoc on your body and everything else in your life even if the scary part is over, and all we want is to support you, kid.” He squeezed his brother to his chest gently.
Tim sighed, saying nothing but pressing his head into Dick’s chest.
“Can I get some form of acknowledgment, Timbo?” Dick asked, softly. It was very important to him that Tim understood this.
“I hear you. It’s just…hard. I’m still scared.” Sadness clouded his face and he pressed into Dick even harder. “I’m trying,” he said in a tiny, insecure voice.
Dick felt guilt flood him for not affirming Tim’s attempt to clue him in on what he needed. Tim was already so in his head about this stuff, a lecture without first praising the effort wouldn’t make things better. Telling Dick late was better than telling him never, and praise was one hundred percent needed to reinforce the behavior. “I know, I’m so, so proud of you, thank you for telling me you needed help, Tim.”
Tim seemed to relax, some invisible tension Dick hadn’t been aware of leaving his body. “Thank you for making me feel safe,” Tim said, his voice still small but sounding less heartbroken.
Dick thought for a moment. “If it’s easier for you to come to me than Bruce, I could move back for a little while. You could practice being open about your needs with me and I could help you learn to feel safer going to Bruce. The commute to Bludhaven for patrol isn’t too bad,” he offered. It wouldn’t be the first time Dick had lived at home for a sibling. The transition from Dick raising Damian to Bruce taking back over had been done entirely on Damian’s time. It had been months before Dick was able to fully move back to Bludhaven, confident that Damian felt safe and secure with Bruce stepping back into the role of being his father.
Tim stiffened slightly against him, an unpleasant uncomfortableness taking over his face and scent. “I’m not scared of Bruce,” he said, insistent and serious.
“Oh honey, no, I know you’re not. That’s not what I meant,” Dick reassured, squeezing Tim closer to his chest briefly. “I just meant because Bruce is your dad, the dynamic there might remind you of your parents.” Tim and Bruce were close, they understood each other, and their iteration of Batman and Robin was the most efficient, well-oiled machine out of any of them. With how much family mediating Tim did, he spoke Bruce almost as well as Dick himself. Dick didn’t see a universe in which Tim could truly be afraid of his father, not in that way.
Tim hummed his acknowledgment. “No, I don’t think I need you to move back. I’ll be better. I’m just so…” he trailed off for a second, turning his head to look at Dick. “tired.” The fight had gone from his eyes as he remained slumped in his brother’s arms.
“Well, let’s help you get some sleep, yeah? We can talk more about this later.” Dick ran his fingers over Tim’s neck, checking that it was fine for a bite, and that he didn’t have any old ones still healing. The skin was clean and unmarred. “I’m gonna have to get you pretty good so it sticks, make sure it makes you sleepy. We should do it in the medbay so I can clean and bandage it.”
Tim sighed, burrowing slightly deeper into Dick’s chest. “‘Kay. Will you be able to carry me up the stairs, though?”
Dick snorted. “You’re a shrimp, kiddo. Yeah, I can carry you. Don’t worry anymore, let me do the worrying now, okay? It’s time for me to take over.” He pushed Tim’s hair off his forehead, pressing a soft kiss there as Tim nodded his assent. “You want me to carry you to the medbay? Your socks will get dirty down here.” Dick gestured to Tim’s socked feet. Upon closer examination, Dick noticed that they were two different colors. He smiled softly to himself.
Tim pushed himself up out of Dick’s lap. “I’ll walk. I already walked down here in them, it’s fine.” He stretched as he stood, wobbling slightly.
Dick caught his elbow to steady him. “Careful, buddy. Steady,” he said quietly, silently providing Tim help balancing as they made their way to the fully equipped med bay.
Tim hopped up onto one of the tables as Dick rummaged in some drawers for the supplies he needed, an alcohol wipe, a small rinse, a bandage, and some ointment. He was thorough about caring for bites, even though they were unlikely to get infected, as their bodies were wired for them. Still, better to be safe than sorry in Dick’s mind. Mouths held an awful lot of bacteria. Dick approached the cot, laying his supplies by where Tim sat. “You ready?” He asked.
Tim nodded, eyes falling closed a bit and swaying.
Dick caught him. “Whoa, okay, I’ve got ya.” He pushed the hair away from Tim’s neck, determining the best spot for maximum effect, while still being far away from his mating gland. Finding a good spot, he tore open the alcohol pad, cleaning the skin. Then, he held Tim’s head to the side, leaning in and latching his teeth into his neck, clamping down hard and holding it.
Tim suddenly went completely limp with a whine. He started to fall backwards, but Dick caught him, releasing his neck gently so he wouldn’t tear the skin.
“There we go, there it is. I’ve got you. You’re okay, Tim.” Dick slowly, gently lowered Tim down until he was lying on his side on the cot. He wiped the blood from his face as he reached for the first aid supplies. He was methodical in cleaning the wound, crooning softly to soothe Tim’s whines. As he worked, he noticed Tim’s eyes were slightly foggy and distant, but that was fine, just the bite doing its job.
Finally, he secured the bandage to Tim’s neck. “Okay, kiddo. All done. You did so well.” He leaned over Tim, shifting to easily lift him into his arms. Despite being complete deadweight, Tim’s size was easily manageable for Dick, at least over short distances. He tucked Tim’s head by his shoulder so it wouldn’t lull uncomfortably, using his arms to physically hold Tim’s legs around his waist, since Tim wouldn’t be able to hold them there himself.
Tim chirped and weakly nuzzled his head into Dick’s neck as well as he could.
“That’s right, Tim. Good job, you’re doing well. Here we go. Gonna go snuggle in a nest, yeah? Do you have one set up?” He asked, walking out of the med bay and towards the stairs with his little brother.
Tim nodded slightly. “Mmmhmm. My bed.”
“Perfect. We’ll cuddle up in your bed, and you’ll be asleep in no time. I’m glad we upgraded your mattress, there’s plenty of space for us both now,” Dick mused. After Tim presented, Bruce had bought him a king bed, plenty big enough for a nest with space for cuddling packmates.
They came to the foot of the stairs, and Dick shifted Tim slightly, carefully stepping up, being extremely cautious not to drop his brother or trip over the stairs trying to climb.
Halfway up, Tim’s stomach growled loudly, and Dick chuckled softly.
“Hungry, kiddo? Did you eat enough today?” He asked.
Tim pressed his head into Dick’s neck as hard as he was able to, hiding his face even though Dick couldn’t see him. Dick didn’t like that. He hesitated, pausing on the stairs.
“You have eaten today, right, Timmy?”
Tim shook his head weakly. “No. Sick.”
Dick sighed, and Tim whined his displeasure.
“You’re not in trouble, Timbo, but you gotta eat. Even when you don’t feel good.” Dick told him, continuing his climb as Tim started to get a little heavy. “Okay, slight kitchen detour. I’m sure we have something you can eat even if your stomach isn’t feeling great. I’ll feed you, then we can go to bed, okay?”
Tim nodded just as Dick made it to the clock separating the cave from the house. He let them in, sealing it behind him with one hand. He carried Tim into the kitchen, surprised to see Jason there instead of Alfred. He was fiddling with the oven.
Jason looked up at them as they entered, his eyes snapping to Tim and his face creasing with a look of…stress, maybe, before he carefully concealed it. “You bite him?” Jason asked, turning back to fiddle with the oven some more.
Dick stared at him, trying to subliminally communicate the message that he needed to be chill. “Yep. He needed some help getting to sleep. Thought you were still patrolling?” He said breezily, looking around for somewhere he could set Tim while making his food and coming up empty.
“I finished. Alfie needed help with an oven repair. Think it was a rouse to get me in the door, this oven is fine.” He patted the door before walking away from it, coming to rest his elbows on the island, staring at Dick and flinching again when his eyes flicked over Tim’s limp form. “What are you guys doing in here?”
Dick sighed. “Someone didn’t tell me that he hadn’t eaten today until I had already bitten him. I was gonna feed him, there’s some soup in the fridge I can heat up, I just don’t know where to put him.”
“Sit, I’ve got it,” Jason directed, walking to the fridge.
“Oh, thank you. You’re a lifesaver,” Dick said, exhaling his relief. He sat at the breakfast bar, shifting Tim until he was more comfortably cradled in his arms. Dick could tell from his breathing that Tim wasn’t fully asleep, but he was on his way there. His eyes were closed. Dick stroked a finger down the side of his cheek, causing him to flinch a bit. “Don’t sleep yet, kiddo. We’re gonna eat.”
Tim whined, a pupish sound, and Dick smirked. He hadn’t heard that in a little while.
Jason laughed from the counter where he was currently transferring soup from a Tupperware container into a bowl. “Oh, someone really is tired, huh?”
Dick chuckled in response, as he jostled Tim a bit. “Come on, Tim. I know you’re tired. You’ve gotta eat. Just a couple more minutes.”
Tim huffed, opening his eyes to stare at Dick, though they remained heavy-lidded.
“There’s those baby blues. Good job. Just a bit longer,” Dick encouraged as Jason put the bowl into the microwave.
“This feels like a crime. It really should be reheated on the stove. You’re lucky I love you enough to do this fast, Tim, because it feels wrong,” Jason groused as he punched the numbers on the machine.
Tim grinned lazily. “Jay.”
“Yeah bud, I’m here. How are you feeling?” Dick could pick up on the slight anxiety in Jason’s voice, but Tim just hummed in a half reply.
“Does it feel nice, Timmy?” Jason asked, slightly more insistent.
“Yeah. Sleepy. Warm. Safe.” Tim sighed, nuzzling into Dick’s chest. Dick smiled, rubbing his wrist over Tim everywhere he could reach, thrilled that he made the omega feel safe in something so vulnerable.
“Mm, that’s nice,” Jason answered wistfully, stirring the soup as he brought it to Dick. “Careful, it’s probably hot.”
“We’ll let it cool down a minute, thanks. Tim, tell your brother thank you,” Dick encouraged as Jason leaned over the breakfast bar, resting his elbows on the counter.
“Thank you, JayJay,” Tim sing-songed.
“You’re welcome, TimTam,” Jason replied in the same cadence, smiling softly. His scent pumped brother, cute, happy through the room almost as strongly as Dick’s own pack, protect, safe, love. Jason glanced over at Dick then, scent souring for a second. “You do that to him a lot?” He asked.
Dick bristled, not liking the implication that this was something he chose to do rather than something Tim asked for. His displeasure must’ve shown on his face or in his scent, because Jason rushed to clarify.
“I meant, does he ask for that a lot?” He asked, holding his hands up in surrender.
Dick relaxed slightly, still on guard. Jason was acting kinda weird, and Dick knew he hated stuff like this. He didn’t want him to make Tim feel weird for liking it. Still, he answered lightly. “Nah, just every once in a while. Especially when he can’t sleep. He asks to be scruffed more, that’s less strong, wears off faster.” He picked up the spoon, filling it with soup and gently blowing on it before feeding it to Tim, who was honestly 2/3 of the way asleep at that point.
Tim stirred, slurping eagerly at the spoon and making a pleased noise.
Dick laughed. “Slow down, your stomach hurts, remember?” He teased.
Tim made an agreeable noise and drank the next spoonful slower, his bond and scent screaming his pleasure over the food, unrestrained.
Dick smiled softly. “I guess the microwave was fine,” he told Jason, continuing to feed Tim.
Jason scoffed, but didn’t say anything. Dick could feel the weight of his stare on them though, could almost hear his disapproval, knew it was over the bite.
Dick sighed. “What, Jason? If you’ve got something to say, just say it.”
“He likes it?” Jason asked, his voice uncharacteristically small.
“You can ask him yourself tomorrow, but I wouldn’t do it if he didn’t.” Dick felt defensive, off balance. He hated feeling like he was being criticized for helping his omega packmate in the only ways he knew how. It felt like being rejected as an alpha. If Tim liked it, why should it matter how Jason felt?
“That’s not what I’m asking. It’s not about you. I just-….I hate that I’m not able to have that and not be scared anymore, and I think I’m gonna have to try it again soon,” Jason said, anxiety spiking sharply through their bond.
“Huh? What do you mean? You don’t ever need to do something you’re uncomfortable with.” Dick had misunderstood Jason’s staring and questions as disapproval, but now that he was fully focused on his brother, all he really felt coming off of him were nerves and….Dick would say longing, if he didn’t know better. “Jason, what’s going on?”
Jason started at the counter, obviously attempting to form an answer.
Tim chirped pitifully, and Dick realized he had paused feeding him the soup. He resumed, giving Jason time to figure out what he wanted to say and keeping Tim happy.
“I think….I think I don’t want to spend my next heat alone.” Jason finally gave voice to that deepest, scariest desire.
Dick’s scent blossomed loud and thrilled all around the room, and he started to rumble softly, much to Tim’s delight. At the look of pure overwhelmed panic shot his way by Jason, though, he struggled to reel it in. “Sorry. It’s no pressure, but that would be wonderful, Jason. You know you’re always welcome here,” he said evenly, focusing all his attention back on Tim to give Jason space to breathe.
“I think I’m tired of suffering through it alone. It hurts. I’m not weak, but it hurts,” Jason said softly, haunted.
“Jason, you could never be weak. You’re the strongest person I know. Wanting to be with your pack during your heat doesn’t change that. It’s pretty damn brave, actually.” Dick continued to feed Tim, whose eyes had gone entirely glossy now. This conversation was far from him, this was just between Jason and Dick, like old times. “I’ve gotta know, how do you even handle them right now?”
“Do you really want to know?” Jason asked, and Dick…hesitated, for just a second.
“Yeah. It’ll be good to know, so we can make a plan,” he finally said.
“You can’t be mad at Roy,” Jason blurted. “He’s only doing what I ask. You have to promise.”
Dick froze for a second, bristling, spoon halfway to Tim’s mouth. “Why would I be mad at Roy?”
Jason didn’t answer, white knuckling the countertop now.
“Jason.”
“It’s not his fault. He doesn’t want to do it.”
“Jason, come on. Tell me,” Dick insisted. Tim seemed to start to pick up on the tension, shifting a bit, uncomfortably, in Dick’s arms and refusing the next bite of soup he was offered.
“You have to promise. There’s too much history there and I don’t want to be involved in mucking things up again.” Jason crossed his arms over his chest in finality.
Dick thought for a moment, making low noises at Tim to settle him. “I promise to do my best not to get angry, and if I do get angry, I won’t act on my anger. That’s as good as you’re getting when it comes to your well-being.”
Jason sighed, uncrossing his arms and coming to sit by Dick on the other barstool. “I get a little…feral, because I’m not with my pack,” he started.
“Right.”
“It’s not safe for me to be around him. I don’t recognize him.”
“I mean, yeah. I kinda figured he left,” Duck said uncertainly, confused as to where this was going.
Jason took a breath. “As soon as my preheat sets in, I get all the food and drinks I’ll need, and store them in my room. I can’t have free rein of the house, because I’ll destroy things, and there are weapons. Because I might leave. So…Roy locks me into my room, and he leaves. There’s padlocks on the door.” Jason looked away from Dick, staring at the wall across the room intently.
Dick gasped, a low growl emanating from his chest, causing Tim to cry out in alarm. Tim bared his throat with a whimper, submission pouring off of him in waves.
“Shit, sorry, Tim. It’s okay, I’m not mad at you, you’re okay, angel.” Dick soothed, tucking Tim’s head back into his chest and crooning at him until he calmed. Taking the time to console Tim gave him a second to breathe and think it through as he looked at his brother. Jason looked about ready to bolt. “That….isn’t safe,” Dick said, calmly.
“None of it is safe. It’s the best option.”
“How do you go to the bathroom?”
“There’s an en-suite,” Jason smirked, his amusement at that being Dick’s first question clear.
“Okay, and what if there’s a fire or something?”
“There’s a window. I think I would be lucid enough to break it in an emergency. Listen, it’s not so bad. Roy checks on me once a day until it’s over, and when it is, he helps me shower, and he cleans and treats my injuries,” Jason placated, holding his hands out towards Dick in an attempt to calm him.
Dick flinched. “Injuries?” He asked, not wanting to know but having to.
“I don’t…I don’t exactly know what happens. I come to pretty torn up. I’m guessing I do it to myself out of stress,” Jason answered softly.
Dick took a breath, trying to calm his inner alpha screaming in dismay and displeasure, attempting to get a handle on his scent to avoid freaking either omega out. “Okay, so. You’re not doing that ever again. We need a new plan.”
“I know. Seeing Tim freak out, well…I don’t want to do that to myself anymore. Roy and I have been thinking of another plan. I just-….I’m not sure how safe it will be for me to be around you guys. That’s where the bites come in,” Jason explained.
Dick, lost in thought, offered Tim another bite of soup, but he refused again, turning his head stubbornly. Dick sighed. “Okay, I’ve got to get him to bed before this wears off. I stay while he sleeps in case he wakes up. We’re not done talking about this, though. Come with us?” Dick offered.
Jason nodded, standing up and grabbing Tim’s soup. He brought the bowl to his lips, drinking the little bit that remained before carrying it to the sink.
While Jason washed the bowl, Dick focused on how to haul Tim’s limp form up while standing, trying to keep any of his body parts from dangling uncomfortably. He managed to shift him slightly over his shoulder, but not enough for the blood to rush to his head. Once standing, he adjusted him into a more comfortable position. Dick looked up triumphantly, catching Jason watching him with an amused smirk.
“Nice one, Boy Wonder,” Jason sniggered.
“Haven’t been Boy Wonder in a long time,” Dick replied with a soft smile. “C’mon, he says he’s got a nest in his bed, think we’ll crash there.”
Jason raised an eyebrow. “We’ll see if you can find his bed in the mess. Lead the way.”
Dick carried Tim carefully up the stairs and through the hall to his room, Jason following behind. When he gestured for Jason to open the door, they were surprised to find the room in fairly decent condition, all messes cleared away with a pretty decent nest taking up space in his bed.
“Huh. Is this the right room?” Jason joked.
Dick laughed. “It’s his room alright. He probably fell into one of his cleaning binges when he couldn’t sleep, poor thing.”
Jason clucked sympathetically as Dick brought Tim into the room, laying him gently into the bed.
Tim whined a bit as Dick stood. “Dickie.”
“Hang on, Timmy. I’m not going anywhere, you’re okay.” He arranged Tim’s limbs more comfortably before turning to Jason and pointing at a plush throw blanket crumpled in the chair at Tim’s computer desk. “Can you bring me that? It’s his special blanket.”
Jason smiled softly as he retrieved the blanket, scenting it subtly as he handed it to Dick.
“Thank you.” Dick scented the blanket as well, tucking it around Tim. He pushed the hair back off his forehead, kissing it gently. “You’re doing so well, Tim. It’s bedtime now, okay? I’m gonna get in your nest with you and watch over you while you sleep.”
“Mmmmkay,” Tim answered, blinks growing slow.
Dick climbed into the nest, propping up some pillows to lean against before bringing one hand to Tim’s head, stroking his hair. “Turn off the light?” He asked Jason gently.
Jason did, flicking the lamp on Tim’s desk on instead and dragging the desk chair to his bedside.
“You can get in. I know he can’t really tell you that right now, but he won’t mind,” Dick offered, but Jason shook his head.
“Nah, I’m not staying. Just wanted to know what you had to say.”
Dick examined Tim while he gathered his thoughts, realizing that his little brother was already fast asleep. He smiled fondly. “He’s out cold.”
Jason snorted. “I’m shocked he managed most of his dinner.”
Dick sighed. “Me too. Wish I’d known he didn’t eat before he asked for the bite. He’s not the best at taking care of himself.” Dick glanced up at Jason. “Sounds like someone else I know.”
Jason shrugged placatingly. “Why do it ourselves when you’re so good at it?” He teased, causing Dick to crack a smile.
“Alright, so what do submission bites have to do with your heat?” Dick asked, finally getting to the point.
“I’m not exactly sure how my omega will react to you guys during a heat. It should be safer than with Roy, you’re still my pack, but I just don’t know. I haven’t tried,” Jason explained.
“I’m sure it will be fine.”
“Hopefully not dangerous, surely difficult, but I’m making a plan to ease in slowly. Still…I need a contingency.”
“Spoken like a true bat. What do you mean?” Dick shot.
“I need to know you guys could subdue me in an emergency. If you think you’re gonna traumatize me, you’re gonna hold back.”
“Jason, no. I wouldn’t bite you because you were scared. That’s not right,” Dick emphasized.
Jason leveled him with a stare. “This is what I mean, you’re too soft. I need to know you’d do it if you had to. What if it was the only way to protect Tim or Damian?”
“You won’t hurt them, Jason,” Dick empathetically stressed.
“I wouldn’t, but it’s not me, Dick,” Jason tried to explain urgently. Jason sighed. “I went after Lian, once. My first heat after moving in with Roy. We didn’t know how dangerous it was yet. I didn’t hurt her, but she got in the nest while I was sleeping, caught me by surprise and I got scared. Roy subdued me. That’s why I still spend them alone. I’m scared. I need to know I won’t hurt anyone.”
Dick was shocked. Lian was young, younger than Damian, a true puppy. If Jason’s omega was blinded enough to go after her, it wasn’t the best sign. “Okay. Say there’s an emergency, and I had to stop you. I would. But there has to be another way.”
Jason leaned back in the chair, pensive. “That’s why I want to practice. If you knew it wouldn’t retraumatize me, you might not be so hesitant. Hell, if I knew that I could handle it, I’d feel a lot better too. I want you to bite me, Dick.”
Dick recoiled. “What? No, you hate it. Jason, you didn’t like that even before you died.”
“I liked it before my mom died. Before I was on the street. It got…problematic, after that. I think maybe if I were safe, if it was you, it might be…tolerable, at least. I want to try.” Jason shrugged.
“Are you sure? What if I scruffed you instead? That way, if you freak out, you won’t be stuck too long?” Dick was hesitant, nerves shot to hell at the concept of forcing his traumatized brother to submit.
“Already tried that, unfortunately. Doesn’t really work on me anymore. I can shake it off way too easy. I need something more hardcore.” Jason glanced at Tim. “When I see him like that, I honestly miss it, the security it provides. I want to feel safe, cared for, like that again. I want to try, Dick.”
Dick looked at Tim, peacefully snoozing pressed into his side, his face painted in a blissful calm. If he could provide that for Jason too, he would. He could at least try. “Okay. Not tonight, though. My focus needs to be solely on Tim right now. I couldn’t split my attention between you both, if he woke up. He needs me.”
Jason smiled softly. “No, not tonight. This weekend, maybe? You could come over. Roy won’t be home, and it gives me time to mentally prepare.”
“Sure, Jason. This weekend. If you change your mind though, or have any hesitation, just tell me. You don’t have to do this,” Dick emphasized.
“I know. I want to. It will be okay,” Jason said, smiling reassuringly at his brother as he stood.
“Okay. And, Jason? If this doesn’t work? We’ll find something else, I promise. You don’t have to be alone anymore,” Dick said, gently.
Jason smiled wistfully but didn’t answer, crossing to the side of the bed and pressing a gentle kiss to Tim’s temple before leaving.
Dick took a breath, scrunching the blanket below his hand. What had he just agreed to?