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Jason has had a pretty shitty day. His body has done nothing but ached, the rain reminding him of wounds he forgot he had. And of course, Roy noticed. He didn't mention it, but he noticed. It made Jason’s skin crawl, the way he just looked at him like he knew.
He hates being so known. He hates how easy it is for Roy to decipher him, how he practically reads Jason’s mind.
“Stay home from patrol tonight.” Roy says. They’re lying in bed, Roy on his laptop. Jason looks up from his book.
“What?”
“Stay home tonight. You need it. I need it.”
Jason stares at him. “Jaybird, please. The city will be safe for just one night. They’ve got the Bats.”
He doesn't want to, but he also knows that sometimes, he has to compromise with Roy. So he agrees.
“Thanks.” Roy is quiet, like he's holding something back.
“Okay, I can't do this anymore. You’re obviously in pain. Can I help?”
Jason stiffens. “Help how?”
“I’m good with my hands. How about a massage?”
Jason looks at him incredulously.
“Come on, you just look so damn tense all the time. I can't stand it anymore. Just let me help.”
Roy sounds so exasperated, literally pleading with Jason. He can't help but feel bad.
“That sounds nice.”
Roy lights up at the words, his eyes practically sparkling. Despite himself, Jason’s heart skips a beat.
“Alright, do you wanna undress at all?”
Jason pauses, his brows furrowing. He’s still getting used to Roy seeing his body. He’s not necessarily insecure, he actually quite likes his scars— what he hates is when people start to pity him, treating him like some fragile little doll; but he has to trust Roy with this, give him a small part of himself. They're dating now, he's gonna see it eventually.
In lieu of a verbal answer, he stands and shrugs off his shirt. He undoes his belt next, letting his pants fall, but leaves his boxers on. He expects Roy to be looking, sure, but he's caught off guard by the pure admiration in his eyes. No pity, no disgust, just admiration. Love.
Jason suppresses a shiver. He feels so seen, exposed in ways much beyond being half-naked. Roy looks at him like he’s worth something— worth everything— his pupils slightly dilated, and that's what scares him.
He lies down on the mattress, his stomach pressed against their sheets and face pressed into the pillows. It’s a vulnerable position, and Roy seems to recognize that, if the way his breath hitches is any indication.
He hears Roy rummage through his nightstand, wondering what he could possibly be grabbing. He hears the distinct noise of a cap clicking and cranes his neck. He smells it before he sees the bottle, vanilla, cloves, cinnamon.
“You have massage oils?” Jason’s brows furrow. He didn't know Roy really even did massages before today.
“Yeah. Gotta take care of my hands somehow.”
Jason blinks, lying his head back down. It makes sense. Roy’s hands always smell nice, he just assumed it was some hand-soap or something.
He’s pretty sure he's tense. He always is, but probably more so now. He trusts Roy more than anything, truly, it's just instinctual. Roy doesn't seem to notice, or if he does, he doesn't comment. Hopefully that means he isn't offended.
“Want me to tell you where I’m gonna touch before?” God, Roy knows him too well. He hates how observant he is sometimes. Jason nods anyway though, because it's a good idea.
“Alright. Anywhere in particular you want me to start with?”
Jason lifts his head so Roy can hear him. “Top to bottom is fine.”
Roy nods, then realizes Jason can't see him. “Yeah, that's perfect. Gonna start with your neck and shoulders.”
He lets Jason lie his head back down before his hands go to Jason’s shoulders, gliding to the back of his neck. He tenses for a moment, but slowly relaxes the longer Roy’s hands are there. After around half a minute of letting Jason adjust, he starts to knead the scarred, olive skin.
Jason all but melts into the mattress as Roy massages his neck and shoulders. There's an occasional twinge of pain, then pure relief as the knot slips away. It's amazing. He worries absentmindedly that he might get addicted to these massages.
“Gonna move my hands down.” Roy’s voice is soft, a bit of that huskiness it usually has seeping through. Jason shivers, but he nods in consent.
The ginger’s hands do exactly as he said, trailing downwards to his back and working the knotted skin there. Jason bites back a noise, and Roy notices (because of course he does.)
“You can make noise. S’ fine, I really don't mind.”
Jason takes a small breath. He nods, but they both know he probably won't listen. At least Roy tried.
Despite his best efforts, Jay can't hold back a groan as Roy hits a particularly tight knot. The ginger pauses for a moment, but he continues without a word. Thank god.
One of Jason’s favorite qualities of Roy’s is that he knows when he can tease and joke, and when he should shut his mouth. This was one of the ‘shut his mouth’ times.
Jason feels pleasantly light. The oils melt into his skin, surprisingly not agitating it at all. He bites his cheek when he feels another noise threatens to spill out. Roy’s hands feel so good on his skin, it's so cheesy— but it feels right.
Jason is broken out of his haze as Roy speaks. “Movin’ to your legs.” He hums in response, nodding his head. Roy takes it, his hands moving to his thighs.
Maybe Jason’s imagining it, but it feels like Roy is taking his time with his legs. Kneading particularly… Jason can't find a word for it, but it's almost reverent. He spends more time on his legs too. It doesn't take a detective to deduce why that is.
He smirks faintly against the pillow. “Like my legs?” Roy pauses for a tiny second, but Jason notices.
“Who wouldn't? You look amazing. I feel so damn lucky.”
Well, Jason was expecting that, but it still makes his chest warm. He knows Roy likes him, they're dating, and Roy makes it very clear– but it always made him feel ridiculously giddy. And undeserving. He tries not to think about that part too much.
“Gee thanks. Didn't think my legs would get you feeling all sappy.” Jason snorts, and Roy laughs.
“Yeah, guess so. It's just like– these are all mine—” Roy squeezes his thigh, as if to emphasize his point– “and I feel like the luckiest bastard when I see you. I also just really like your thighs.”
Jason knows he has nice thighs. He worked hard for his physique, he literally died for it, and he has to maintain it too. But, he kinda wants to know why. So he asks Roy.
“Really? Why’s that?”
“Jeez Jay, gonna make me write a persuasive essay over here?” Jason rolls his eyes at that, but Roy continues anyway.
“They suit you. Your scars are badass looking. And–” Roy takes a breath in. “You're such an asshole for making me say this, but I don't mind the thought of being crushed in between them.”
Well. Yeah, Jason kinda set himself up by asking why.
“I also don't mind that thought. Let's shelf it.” Roy grins, looking giddy at the idea.
“Alright, I'm done.”
“You’ve been done for like 10 minutes. You just like my legs.”
Roy grins, somehow looking smug and sheepish simultaneously. “Guilty as charged