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"Jay, sweetheart," Dick tried as he reached the pile of blankets that likely held his boyfriend. Admittedly, it was a little hard to tell just judging by the lump under the duvet, as the guest bed was also Jason's go-to place to store all his gifted blankets, pillows, and stuffed animals that he'd compiled over the year of Dick dating him.
He couldn't help it! Jason was adorable and deserved gifts that were just as cute as him. His boyfriend had finally given up on convincing him not to because Dick was just as stubborn as him, a required Robin trait, and they both knew he liked the comforting textures and weights and fluffy faces even if he claimed otherwise.
A few of the little stuffed creatures had made their way around the apartment, tucked into little corners for easy access and love. Dick was not above handing one to Jason in passing when he walked by him in the hall, or tucking one in his hands when he went to pick at his nails. Jason, of course, tried to retaliate, but admittedly, he tended to fluster when he tried to hand over one of his gifts.
"I don't wanna be rude," He pouted at Dick's soft laugh. "You gave them to me."
So, instead, he'd hit him lightly on the arm, then cuddle up against him like his own teddy bear. Never let it be said that Dick wasn't strong! He worked out for the sole purpose of holding his boyfriend's weight when he'd decide to rest on Dick's shoulder or hug his back like he wasn't the taller of the two.
Today, most of the stuffed animals were also hidden from view. Walls of extra pillows and carefully arranged blankets made a sort of nest that only showed a tiny bit of plush fur and what was either the fluff of another toy or a bit of Jason's hair peeking out from his hiding spot.
Dick was just proud that Jason was visible at all. For someone of his height and stature, he was able to fold up into tiny spaces quite well. Early arguments afterwards left Dick searching for Jason, who was scared a disagreement would make Dick leave for good. He still had the instinct to tuck himself away when things got overwhelming, but Dick was happy he let himself be found easily. It meant that he was at least willing to let Dick try and make things a bit better, or that he would accept silent comfort even if not Dick's mouth chattering away.
"Baby," Dick sat on the edge of the little makeshift blanket fort. He could just barely see Jason flop over underneath the covers to hear him a bit better. Well, that was a good sign, at least. "Can I see your face?"
The bump moved again, but this time a little whine came from it. It was muffled by the blankets, but they moved down to show the red and teary-eyed face of Dick's boyfriend. As much as Jason hated to admit it, he was a crier. He cried at everything, every movie, every fight, every intimate moment, every emotion.
There was no quicker way to piss him off than telling him to calm down or calling out his tears when he was already angry. Unfortunately, it also made Dick's scale of knowing when his kitten would scratch a little bit unreliable. But there was one thing Jason loved, no matter why he was crying, and that was easily given.
"Oh, Jase," Dick sighed. He held up a knee, just above the pillow wall, and waited for Jason to scoot back. When he did, he pulled his boyfriend into him, doing his best to wrap his limbs entirely around the other. Jason was shaking, but he melted into the contact and whined against Dick's neck instead of the wet pillow.
It was easy for most people to forget, or conveniently ignore, that Jason was starved for attention. Every kind, really, as much as it pained Dick to admit. He went from a home that couldn't afford to spoil him the way he deserved, to no fault of the Todd's, to the streets, to being the spoiled child of an obsessive father, to being purposely isolated. Hell, Dick had even assumed when Jason started to hang around more that the other wouldn't want to be touched. It took a very judgmental stare and explanation from Roy to get his head on straight.
It was after a surprisingly easy Outlaws mission that Dick had been invited on. Nothing too stressful, but enough movement and action that it left them pleasantly aching without any real injuries, just that muscle and brain exhaustion that left them unwilling to get up off their hotel beds after they slumped onto them.
Jason stared at Roy with pleading eyes until the older man laughed. "Alright, you big baby, I'm coming." He practically squished Jason into the mattress, something that Dick was immediately jealous and confused by. Because Jason didn't complain. He didn't hiss or bat away the archer, but instead tried to hide under Roy's limbs, curling up so he was an easier target to weigh down and hold. He was snoring in seconds, the way any vigilante did after having their nose reset a few too many times.
"What's that look for?" Roy huffed. He squeezed Jason a little tighter, and Dick wanted to growl. "You know how touchy Jaybird is."
Dick gave a reluctant nod. "Yeah, I guess I just assumed that changed. Dunno why." He did, though. A constant series of accusations and fights and betrayals that left Dick second-guessing everything he knew about Jason and what the other man was actually like.
"I mean, as Robin, apparently, there was a time he stopped mid-chase to return a hug." He gave a soft, fond huff at the memory, but quickly lost the smile at Roy's sudden glare.
"You're the one who told them that?" He bit out, and Dick leaned back slightly. He didn't think Roy would actually attack him, not with Jason in his arms, but it seemed like he wanted to.
"What?"
Roy shifted slightly away, putting himself further between Jason and Dick, which stung more than he wanted to admit.
"You told that story to the other bats? Because that's how Robin stuck a dagger in Jason a couple months back. He didn't even do anything to warrant it, not by our rules, and not by Bat rules."
That was, unfortunately, a bit of a wake-up call. Jason still desperately craved affection and attention the same way he did as a tiny child. He practically fell into any sort of comfort offered, but he had been hurt so many times by supposed affection that he wasn't the type to accept it easily.
It was almost painful to watch how badly Jason's body needed support and kindness, but his brain refused to accept it. It took months of careful words, even more careful gestures, in a way that didn't feel dissimilar to gaining the trust of a cat. But now that he had it? Dick took every chance he got to remind Jason that he was there.
"I've got you, baby." He kissed the top of Jason's head and squeezed him tighter. He rearranged the blankets to cover them back up and wiggled a soft lamb toy into Jason's arms to stop him from digging his nails into his arms. "You can cry if you need to. I'm here."