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Fic Submission - Nasty Habit by Moody!anon

Forgive me for the typos y’all this was written over weeks and every-time I sit down to reread I get interrupted 😅

Jason is my absolute favorite Bat (but I love them all so much) and I just really love soft, grumpy Jason being tickled to death by anyone in his proximity! So I offer you Lee!Jason, brief Lee!Tim cameo, and Lers! Dick, Roy, Tim (briefly) and Bruce!

You can post this however is easiest! It did let me post the whole thing in here… so I’m hoping it all sends and I haven’t hit the word limit!

- Moody

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Notes from August:

Warnings: cigarette smoking, chain smoking

As usual, my gushing thoughts will be at the bottom of the fic!

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The Wayne brood have tried to get Jason to stop smoking at least 1000 times between Alfred’s constant lectures, Bruce’s bribes, and his brother’s various complaints.

Dick’s latest tactic had been to dump a glass of water on ‘the cigarette,’ ei Jason, to quote, ‘put out the fire hazard.’

He had managed to do this only twice. The first time Jason was so shocked he actually laughed, and the second time he tried to light his brother on fire, scarily close success on Jason’s part. Needless to say, Dick had not tried again.

Tim had given it a rest after too many power points had gone wasted, and Damian resorted mostly to loud judgmental quips which was his normal gig anyways so it didn’t really have the pang of guilt the brat thought it did.

So. Jason wasn’t shy about his habit. Up to almost a pack a day, more if he was particularly stressed. He made no means to hide or downplay the habit in front of anyone, save for, Alfred of course.

He took in Tim and Dick’s disgusted looks as he light up a third cigarette since they’d sat down.

It’s not like they were inside, or trapped somewhere without fresh air. They were all scattered around a picnic table outside of a sandwich shop, no other tables currently occupied.

His foot bounced, and he inhaled every toke like it was the last. He knew the detectives around him saw a giant red flag that read ‘ANXIOUS’ but he was determined to ignore whatever it was he was stressed about right now.

“Jesus, Little Wing.” Dick finally raised an eyebrow. “Long week?

Jason clenched his jaw, exhaling smoke through his nose.

“You can’t even stop to take a bite,” Tim had a judgmental tone Jason narrowed his eyes at.

“I’m not hungry.” He didn’t look down at the untouched food on the table and took another drag.

“I call his stuff when he croaks this time,” Tim shrugged casually, Dick cringed.

Jason put the cigarette out, Tim looked up like he’d won but quickly realized Jason was just freeing up his hands.

“Nonono,” he couldn’t get away fast enough before Jason’s heavy arm landed across his chest and he suddenly was stuck in a headlock. Jason had scooted down the bench to box Tim in between him and the building the picnic table sat against. “Shit,” Tim groaned pulling on his brother’s arm and finding his grip unyielding.

“You’re not getting shit from me kid, not unless it’s a hard lesson,” he started squeezing at Tim’s knee with his free hand.

“H-hehehey!” He yelped, trying to use both his hands to remove Jason’s one, but the laughter pouring out of him was depleting any strength he had. “J-Jay! Cut it out!” Tim pleaded.

“You started it,” Jason moved his attack to Tim’s ribs now and Tim lost all sense of being in public, a scream left his mouth and he was shoving hard into Jason’s side to gain a little space.

“Alright, alright, leave the child alone,” Dick was already around the table and pulling Jason back sensing he had no problem letting 911 be called on them. “Jay you sound like you’re 5 years old,” Dick smirked pulling his attention away from Tim.

It worked, Jason relented and released Tim from the hold, who shot backwards and out of range. Dick now sat where Jason previously occupied.

He had a big grin, “we’ll switch. You’re safe over there, Timmy.” He nodded his head to his previous spot, across from his current position.

Jason had the distinct feeling he was not safe over here. “You try anything any I’ll light you on fire again.” He narrowed his eyes at his Dick, who was currently switching all of their drinks and food around to reflect the seat swap.

Tim’s “again?” went unanswered by the older boys.

“Speaking of you quitting,” the perfect segue, Dick raised an eyebrow and Jason groaned, already sorry for his comment. “I think I have an idea to help you quit!” His grin had too many teeth. Jason wanted to fix that.

“That’d be great, if I wanted to quit.” He said instead of throwing a punch.

“What’s the idea?” Tim asked.

“I think I’ll wait until he lights up again. Why ruin the surprise?” He managed to sound so sweet while purposefully driving Jason absolutely insane.

“Fuck you,” Jason rolled his eyes. But he didn’t pull out his pack.

“Or you could tell us, your brothers, what’s stressing you out? Instead of chain smoking through lunch? And live to build the suspense another day.” Older brothers were so god damn infuriating, putting the choice in Jason’s hands, of course it was a challenge.

“Just haven’t slept much lately.” He offered, when they both met him with deep understanding in their eyes, he continued. “I’m a little jittery is all. I- I’m not avoiding sleep, but it’s not my friend right now.” Was Jason’s way of sharing that he was having nightmares. “I-I’m fine.” He looked up at caught a glimpse of Tim’s face, reading enough pity to make Jason clambered up again.

“Jay,” Dick frowned, putting a hand on Jason’s back. “You know it’s nothing to be embarrassed about. We all have… complicated lives.” Dick winced at the understatement.

“To say the least.” Tim said it for him.

“But if you think you’re alone you’re an idiot.” Dick toughened up his voice a little, because he knew which brother he was trying to rally. “We all have sleepless nights, weeks. But you have to let us know what’s going on so we can help out. Tim and I could take your patrol, no problem.” Dick shrugged.

“That’s not-“

“So you can relax. Workout. Read. Bake. Whatever. You don’t have to sleep but you need rest. You’re practically jumping out of your skin.” He gestured to Jay’s leg jostling the entire table.

It stopped, Jay let out an irritated huff.

There was a pause.

“You’re annoying.” Jay pulled out his pack of cigarettes.

“Jay!” Dick snatched the pack from his hands, quickly stretching out of his brothers reach.

“Not cool,” Jason growled about to shed blood.

“Just say you heard me and you can have them back,” Dick urged for a compromise. “Tell me you’ll let Tim and I take a few shifts off your hands this week.” He made his demands specific.

Jason’s eyes went from Dick, to Tim, to his cigarettes, back to Dick.

“Fine, now hand ‘em over,” he shoved Dick’s shoulder.

As promised, they landed in his palm.

Tim scoffed. “Some tactic.” He rolled his eyes. “He’ll be ready for a patch any day now.”

Jason had a smug look as he placed the stick between his lips.

“That was not the tactic, smart-ass.” Dick winked. “This is,” he pulled the same move Jason had a few minutes ago, using all his weight and the element of surprise to shove Jason down the bench and box him between the wall and himself.

“Fuck,” Jason let out a grunt, cig dropping to the table for Tim to reach over and snatch. He promptly dumped it in the ashtray. “Get the fuck off me,” Jason immediately started fighting for Dick’s hands, having a feeling he knew what his next move entailed.

Unfortunately, he was right. Dick’s hands were everywhere at once, pinching and prodding all over his abdomen in hasty movements. “You just said you’re jittery, let’s get your energy out, Little wing!” Dick’s enthusiasm was not matched.

Jason let out a grunt, trying to seal any laughter inside and keep a scowl planted across his face, it was not working if Tim’s smug grin told him anything. He clenched his jaw and tried to sound as terrifying as he could muster. “Don’t,” his eyes narrowed. “Not unless you’re prepared to wear your lunch,” his eyes darted to the table and Dick’s followed.

Jason made a lunge and Dick quickly changed course to shove his hands under Jason’s arms making him pull them back to his sides. Tim quietly slid all food out of Jay’s reach.

“Dihihick!” The eldest honestly couldn’t tell if he was being insulted or just named at the moment. Either way a huge grin spread across his face as Jason’s dam broke. A heavy flow of laughter carrying down the block. “Mother-mother fucker! Cut it out!” Jason’s shoulders shook, squished between his brother and the building, he had no room to move.

“This is how it’s gonna work, Jaybird,” Dick started pinching at Jason’s hip and Jason wanted to melt at the noise forced out of his throat. He was going to absolutely kill his brother. “Anytime I see you with a cigarette in your mouth, I’m gonna tickle you senseless! So really, it’s your choice,” Dick grinned slowing his attack so his brother could hear his teasing better. “If you wanna get tickled, just keep smoking away like the chimney you are!” A final squeeze of his hipbone got Dick’s point across. “Simple!”

Dick wasn’t sure if Jason was aware to how committed he was to this particular method, but he would certainly find out soon.

—

“I’m not here to socialize.” Red Hood grunted, taking his helmet off leaving him in the red domino.

“Aww, you’re gonna hurt my feelings, Hood.” Nightwing leaned against the short wall of the roof they were currently vacating. “This your way of saying you won’t be stopping by for movie night?”

Hood rolled his eyes and instinctively reached for his jacket inner pocket and pulled out his cigarettes.

Dick made no moves to stop him, no warnings at all.

He waited until Jason put the filter between his lips.

Then he pounced, he flicked the cigarette and when Jason spun to rip him a new one he tackled him backwards.

“I did tell you I was sticking with this,” Nightwing dug his hand in Hood’s armpit.

“I-I’m gonna fucking kill you!” Jason swung the arm that wasn’t pinned down up and tried to knock Dick right in the side of the head.

Luckily for Dick, he saw it coming and planted his hands before quite literally cartwheeling away and off of the roof.

Jason didn’t see him the rest of the night, coincidence or not that he never pulled out another cigarette.

—

And on it went. Whether he was standing on his own balcony, sitting at his favorite coffee shop, or patrolling crime alley, Dick seemed to make himself available almost every time Jason pulled out a cigarette.

It was ruining the few he had managed to finish. He looked over his shoulder and tensed up the entire time, it wasn’t exactly relaxing.

He also didn’t seem to give a single shit what Jason was doing, or who he was around, which meant several people were now in on Dick’s ridiculous little game.

—

Roy and Jason were stationed at one of Jason’s safe houses. The closest one to a factory they had been staking out. Nothing more was going on tonight, they’d just collected all the information they could for a particular shipment and decided it was time to call it a night and pick up takeout.

Roy hadn’t complained when Jason dragged him to a Thai place not far from the safe house. They stood outside while they waited for the food since the place was crowded, Jason leaned against the wall of the building and Roy could see him eyeing every corner of the street. Every angle, every shadow.

“What?” Roy furrowed his brow, not sensing any danger himself.

Jason just flicked his eyes to him in silent question. “You’re tense… like really tense? What are you looking for?” Roy pressed.

Jason tried to fight the heat rising to his cheeks, and when he felt it rush up anyways he ducked his head, fumbling with his jacket pocket.

“Nothing.” He pouted. Roy watched him curiously as he pulled his cigarettes from his jacket pocket and removed one, as well as a red (duh) lighter.

Jason looked up and down the street once more, searching the rooftops, before finally placing the cigarette between his lips and cupping his hands to light it.

He heard the creak of a fire escape above him and his every muscle twitched.

Roy had zero chance to react before Nightwing swung down from the ladder above them, doing a back flip in the air and landing on his feet.

Roy couldn’t place the grin below his domino mask, but something about it read as predatory, he was glad the gaze was fixated on Jason and not him.

“Fuck!” Jason gave no explanation before tossing the cigarette directly at his brother’s face and taking off down the alley they were in.

He made it a handful of steps before Dick was shoving him roughly into the bricks, back first.

Roy felt a bit like he was having a fever dream.

No words had really been exchanged, other than Jason’s cursing, the pair just stood there for a moment. It seemed like each was daring the other to make a move. Jason in his Civvies. Nightwing in full gear, it didn’t exactly seem like a fair fight. Then again… it didn’t really seem like a fight?

“Uhhh, Nightwing?” Roy found himself asking.

“Yeah?” Dick looked over expectantly, not glancing back to capture Jay’s right hand when he went to throw a sucker punch at him.

“What the hell is happening?” Roy raised both eyebrows.

Jason clearly wanted Dick to let go of his hand, he aimed a second punch with his free one, and Dick responded by once again shoving him into the bricks, and baring his forearm across Jason’s chest.

“Just a little brother bonding!” He smiled before using his free hand to pinch at Jason’s ribs.

“Y-you’re such an asshole,” Jason grunted trying to keep his laughter at bay. “Get the fuck offa’ me,” he shoved roughly.

“Is this… is this because of the cigarette?” Roy put two and two together.

“Shut up.” And “yes!” Were both handed back to him.

“Ooooh! I get it.” Roy grinned, he trailed closer, Jason eyeing his every step. “Want a little help?”

“No, Roy! I- no!” Jason spat. “Don’t you dare,” he clenched his jaw.

“That would be great!” Dick continued like Jason wasn’t there. “Can you grab his- yeah! Perfect.” Roy held Jason’s right arm against the wall and Dick kept a grip on the left.

“I swear to god, Roy!” Jason yanked on his arms and found them firmly in place.

Maybe Roy noticed that Jason could have pulled a little harder.

Maybe Dick knew that Jason would never have let him throw him into the brick wall if he actually wanted to get a way.

Maybe neither of them said anything anyways.

“Tough talk, Jaybird. Especially when I know all I have to do is poke riiiiight here,” Dick pressed his index finger into Jason’s third or fourth rib down, and he sucked in a deep breath. Lips quivering at the reaction he was holding back.

“Oh I wanna try!” Roy mimicked his motion on the opposite side and Jason jerked away from the touch, letting out a strangled laugh.

“Jay’s been up to a pack a day lately, so I’m just trying to help him relieve a little stress!” Dick was talking to Roy like Jay wasn’t wheezing and gasping for air between them as Dick thrummed all his fingers against Jason’s ribs.

“All your stress relief is gonna give me a fucking ulcer,” Jay snapped.

“You’re lucky I have a busy night, but it seems like Roy will be my eyes for me! I’ll catch you guys later!” He suddenly lifted his hands, pulled out his grappling hook and disappeared.

“Not a fucking word.” Jason grumbled shoving Roy off of him, holding his rib cage where the phantom tickles still resided.

Roy just grinned, happy to help Jason kick the nasty habit.

—

Jason stood outside the patio doors at the manor. He’d been home for 5 hours and 13 minutes. He was dying for a cigarette.

Dick had been eyeing him since he came through the door, waiting for Jason to reach for his pocket.

But Dickhead had headed to the shower a mere two minutes ago, and Jason was on borrowed time. He checked over both shoulders and looked up and down before taking the pack from his jacket pocket.

Nothing.

He looked around again, taking in his surroundings once more before pulling a cigarette and his lighter from the pack.

He tentatively put it to his lips and closed his hand around it to block the wind.

He took in a deep exhale and sighed, tension melting from his body.

Then he felt it, the shift in the air, the eyes on his back, he started to spin around at the same time a small mass thrust into his abdomen, taking the wind out of him and sending him to the ground with the mass landing on top of him.

“DICK! HE’S SMOKING AGAIN!” He recognizes Tim’s voice even if he can barely see the kid in the dark. Jason’s cigarette once again lost in the shuffle. One of the only lights he can faintly see around them cames from the burning tip, sitting in the concrete feet from them now.

Accessing, he’s laid flat on the pad, Tim clinging to him with a grip that says he’s not going anywhere, and incoming Dick Grayson. Not good. Very bad.

“Get the fuck off me, little tattle tale brat,” He shoving and pushing at Tim’s arm’s and he eventually find the kid’s wrists and manages to break his grip pretty easily.

“DIIIICK!” Tim shouts again at the first sign of danger. Jason has rage and irritation in his eyes, after all.

“What’s the matter little birdie, come in without backup?” Jason grins flipping over with a single hefty shove and squishing Tim beneath him.

Tim didn’t respond, just grunts and shoves exchanged between them for a few moments. Jason’s weight is enough to keep Tim pinned, he lets him keep his hands for now, shoving uselessly at Jason’s thighs like he might actually be able to gain any traction.

“What the hell are you doing?!” Tim sounds scandalized as he tries his best to get his eyes to adjust to the dark. He could swear-

“Jason!” Tim growls when Jason’s face is suddenly a light above him, looming like a horror poster. He’s got another cigarette between his lips, and he’s using one hand to light it, the other planted in the middle of Tim’s chest to keep him from swatting it out of his mouth.

“Listen twerp,” He mumbles around the foreign object. “I’ve sat through dinner, a board game, and a fucking movie,” he narrows his eyes. “I’ve earned this, so I’m gonna smoke the whole fucking thing while you sit quietly. Or else.” Jason exhaled and Tim could feel his whole body relax. It unfortunately made him feel even heavier too.

“Jay, I can barely breathe,” Tim groaned. “You’re too heavy.”

“What the hell did I just say?” Jason sighed, eyes squeezing shut in frustration. “If you can talk, you can breathe. So shut up.” He took another drag.

“Ugh, god I’m gonna smell like smoke now asshole! Bruce is gonna kill you,” Tim complained, clearly not taking Jason’s warning to heart.

“You know, if I wasn’t worried about attracting attention, you’d be in tears by now.” Jason set his jaw.

“Sure I would,” Tim rolled his eyes. “You know you’re not as scary as you think you are, you’re ju-”

They both froze when the hallway light flipped on in the house behind them.

They both glanced from the door, to each other before Tim opened his mouth wide. “HE-mffffmmm!” Jason’s hand immediately clamped down over Tim’s mouth.

Jason couldn’t even risk shushing the kid, just praying the light behind them would flip back off.

No such luck.

“Jason Peter Todd.” Jason wasn’t sure if he should be relieved or on guard hearing Bruce’s disappointed voice rather than Dick’s.

“Yeah?” He asked casually, glancing up at Bruce who had also flicked the light to the patio on. Illuminating the scene in front of him. “It’s not what it looks like?” Jason offered with a shrug, his voice somewhat muffled based on trying to keep the cigarette intact. His hand was still snug in place over Tim’s mouth.

“It looks like you’re sitting on your little brother and covering him in cigarette smoke.” Bruce raised an eyebrow.

“Okay,” Jason shrugged again. Bruce moved forward to grab him. “Maybe it is what it looks like,” Bruce’s arms were under his own and he was hoisting him up like a toddler on the run and not a 240 lbs (former) crime lord. “It’s not like I was blowing it on him.” He rolled his eyes.

“What on earth possessed you to do that?” Bruce was a little stumped on this one.

Once Tim was on his feet, Jason was giving him a hard glare; clearly Tim was to keep his mouth shut about Dick’s antics.

Tim’s grin grew Cheshire, Jason tensed.

“Dick has a new method to get Jason to stop smoking,” Jason side stepped Bruce to grab his little brother. “Hey!” Tim ran around Bruce, trying to keep him between the two of them.

Bruce was very much unclear what he’d walked into… a fight? Sparring? Teasing? But he was pretty sure he should be keeping Jason from getting his hands on Tim at the moment, so he let Tim pass him again, and then stepped into Jason path with arms quickly catching his wrists. He first plucked the lit cigarette from his son’s mouth and squashed it beneath his slippered feet.

Jason let out an audible whine.

“Jay.” He scolded. He nodded his head to Tim. “New method?” His eyebrow quirked.

“Every time he catches Jason smoking he tickles the crap out of him.” Tim could barely contain his laughter at Jason’s head to toe blush. “He’s like, building a Pavlovian response.”

He could not look at Bruce. The older man had a grip on him that he very much wanted to shake loose right now, but it seems Bruce had other plans.

His eyebrows shot up, and a rare smile graced his features. “You know,” his grip tightened, Jason’s eyes finally snapped to his dad, glare heavy and murderous. “That seems like fairly sound logic to me?” Jason was immediately fighting for his hands back, pulling with most of his considerable strength.

Bruce was stronger. “Nonononono!” And then Jason was flat on his back. “Ugh,” all the air pushed out of him as Bruce sat down on his midsection, just like Jason had done to Tim. “Okay, Old man, you’ve made your point. Now get the fuck off me,” Jason growled, planting his hands into the concrete and trying to throw Bruce off.

He did not budge.

Bruce didn’t even wiggle. “My point is far from made, Jaylad.”

Jason balked a bit, he was used to fighting with his brothers, or anyone smaller than him. Bruce still had a good 20-30 pounds on Jason, and he would never let him forget it. “God, what the hell have you been eating?” He shifted as much as he could, he found himself firmly stuck.

“Now Jason,” Bruce tutted. “Are you sure you want to be inquiring about my weight while you’re in a position of disadvantage?” Bruce raised an eyebrow. “Tim,” he looked to his younger son, “did you hear him call me fat? Because I’m not sure how else I could interpret such a comment?” Bruce looked to Tim expectantly.

“B,” Jason groaned trying to interrupt whatever little game the Old Man was starting.

“I heard it too, Bruce! He definitely was calling you fat.” Tim nodded solemnly like he was hurt for Bruce.

“So, not only were you out here smoking, on top of your little brother,” he made sure to add. “But you’re insulting me as well? I simply can’t stand for it Jay.” Finally a smile took over Bruce’s face, and Jason started kicking his legs trying to reach anything, or dislodge himself somehow.

“Come on, B! Get the hell off of me,” he grunted trying to yank his hands free. “It’s not funny!” He cringed as the words thoughtlessly tumbled from his lips.

Bruce planted Jason’s hands firmly on the ground before pressing his knees over them to keep them in place. “Don’t worry, it will be in a second.” Bruce winked.

Jason threw his head back and groaned, both at what was about to happen and the small knot he’d probably just given himself.

“I’m gonna kill, Dick,” Jason mumbled out. “Stupid fucker,” he muttered to himself as Bruce raked his eyes over him, trying to decide how best to take his son apart.

“Where does Dick usually start?” Bruce asked Tim.

Jason was not amused. “B!”

“I’m just trying to be thorough, I’m not sure if Dick’s method contains specific requirements?” He sounded incredibly serious.

“Hmmm, no usually Dick goes for wherever he can reach honestly.” Tim thought it through before he gave his answer.

“Alright, dealers choice then.” Bruce smiled down at his son.

“You’re sick. There’s something wrong with you.” Jason glared up at him. “You take pleasure in torturing your kiDS!” He yelped when Bruce seemed to have grown tired of his complaining, and tasered into his side at the bottom of his rib cage.

Jason immediately tried to clamp his mouth shut, holding a bark of laughter at bay, he was clenching his teeth as hard as he could.

Bruce wouldn’t have it. It wasn’t the first time he’d deigned to tickle Jason since he’d reintegrated. But those had been little pokes and subtle jabs in their more light hearted moments. And each time Jason had turned a shade of red Bruce hadn’t seen in years.

He never pushed further than that, not sure if Jason would be comfortable or not. But he’d seen Dick tickle him to pieces enough times lately that he knew Jason didn’t mind it as much as he pretended to.

Plus he really did hate Jason’s smoking habit.

That being said, he was about to show Jason who taught Dick to be so ruthless.

Jason could read the calculating looks, he knew he was being systematically logged. Bruce was categorizing every ticklish spot he knew of and making a plan to hit them all. This would be the death of him. And Jason would make sure Tim quickly followed suit.

“B-BRUCE NO!” Jason heard himself yelling before it really registered, Bruce had picked a spot and he was sticking with it, Jason squirmed and thrashed whenever he could as Bruce’s fingers worked in sync on either side and methodically pinched every inch of his lower ribs, not quite his hips yet.

He held firm for approximately 9 seconds before he burst like a dam, giggles and shrieks leaking from him like air in a balloon. He was clearly trying to pull an insult together but either couldn’t form the thought, or the words. Which one, Bruce wasn’t sure, but it definitely made the older man grin.

Tim managed to shove his hoodie under Jason’s head right before he smacks it into the concrete, uh uh. Injury will not stop him from this punishment, Tim will make sure of it.

Bruce winks at Tim, he’s sure Jason hasn’t even registered the peice of fabric in this state.

“Now where do you keep your pack, Jaylad?” Bruce asked slowing his fingers, but not stopping.

Jason’s eyes shot open in an incredulous glare. “Not. Telling.” He huffs out, unable to say anything else for fear the giggles will start spilling out again.

And there it was, Jason had spat in the face of the ‘out’ Bruce had just offered him. Hand over the pack and this will be over quickly… but Jason held firm. Bruce felt his heart warm a whole degree.

“Hn.” Bruce raises an eyebrow before lifting his hands and sorting through Jason’s jeans’ pockets and coming up empty.

“They’re on the inside of his jacket.” Tim handed to Bruce.

“I’m gonna shoot you so full of fucking holes you’re gonna look like swiss damn cheese, Replacement!”

“Is that before or after I die of second hand smoke inhalation.” Tim sneered from safety behind Bruce.

“Don’t threaten to shoot your brother.” Bruce let his hands fall on Jason’s jacket. Just the outside of it. “I wonder which pocket?” Bruce pretended like he was patting Jason’s side for the box, but already knew it was in the top left.

He didn’t miss the way Jason sucked in a breath like it would keep Bruce’s hands from reaching him. “You’re not- you can’t just-“ Jason wasn’t even sure what point he was trying to make, all he could focus on was Bruce’s stupid hands, his fingers twitching every few seconds making Jason think he was starting.

Bruce finally smiled, actually smiled down at his broodiest kid. “I am.” He corrected. “And I can.” And his god damn hands were moving, squeezing, tasing, into Jason’s sides and stomach, all over the place and Jason turned to putty.

He stopped thrashing, only trying to curl in on himself now. No more giggles, just loud, booming laughter flew from his mouth. “B!” He managed in between, “B!” Another scream. “I-I can’t breathe!”

“If you can talk, you can breathe.” Tim stuck his tongue out at him, not that Jason could see it. Tim was pretty sure his tone got the point across.

“Fuck you!” Tim could barely make it out through the tears streaming down Jason’s face.

“Ah ha,” Bruce pulled his attention back. Jason’s eyes snapped to Bruce, like if he looked hard enough he might be able to see what the old man had planned. “Found them.” Bruce poked into Jason’s chest only to be met by crinkling cardboard.

“Th-those are mine! I’m a grown adult! I paid for them!” Jason seethed, panting as Bruce pulled them from his pocket and slid them into his own waistband. “Give them back!”

Tim wished he had his phone so badly at this moment, “You know you sound like Damian right now, right? Pouting like a little kid.”

Jason’s heavy glare landed on his little brother once again, teeth bared. “You know I’m gonna hold you down and- NOHOHOHO!” Jason’s threat was cut off when Bruce decided his break had been long enough.

Bruce was just being mean now, squeezing and digging his thumb into Jason’s hipbone.

Tim had never seen him laugh so hard, tears of mirth building in his waterline and spilling over his cheeks, face scrunched up so hard he was barely recognizable. Tim was starting to thank the universe that Dick was the most frequent tickle monster in his life, and Bruce only dabbled lately. After all, who stood a chance against Batman?

“Tim, would you come over here?” Bruce snapped him right out of his thought process, he once again slowed down his movements, letting Jason take in large gasping breathes while still lightly prodding his hip.

Tim looked visibly nervous, eyes going from Bruce, to Jason who was furiously shaking his head back and forth, although he’d given up on trying to look menacing. He could feel the grin that had taken over his face by force, after all. The multiple threats Jason had yelled at Tim flashed through his head.

“You’re sure he’s secure?” Tim asked.

“I’m sure.” Bruce nodded. “Plus he’s weakened from all the laughing.” He mused.

“Am not,” Jason glared at Bruce and yanked on his arms trying in vain to free them from under Bruce’s bulk.

Bruce just raised an eyebrow at his tugging, as if to say ‘oh really?’ Jason just flushed even darker and looked away.

“Sit right here, Tim.” Bruce patted the ground next to Jason’s waist and Bruce’s thigh.

“B!” Jason whined and threw his head back into Tim’s sweatshirt again.

Bruce ignored him as Tim crouched down where he was told.

“I’m gonna hold Jason’s arms, and you’re going to focus here,” he pinched the hip closest to Tim, Jason let out a yelp. “And here.” He leaned forward and dug his finger between Jason’s arm and chest earning another choked noise.

“You-You’re seriously twisted,” Jason complained as Bruce started lifting his knees and one by one capturing Jason’s wrists. “Sick in the head.” He continued. “People think you’re a good dude, taking in strays and donating a couple bucks, I know the real you. Pure fucking evil. And spreading it to said strays.” His glare turned to Tim. “Timberlina! There’s still time for you, you don’t have to listen to-“ Tim cut him off by using both hands to squeeze the hip he was closest to.

Jason went near silent again, a few choked shrieks leaving his throat but silent laughter was taking over his face.

Tim felt like he had more power than God in this moment. Jason, immobilized below him. Unable to fight back and already cackling, this was like the best Christmas and Birthday present rolled into one.

He quickly remembered the other spot Bruce mentioned to him.

His father watched with a grin, holding Jason’s wrist steadfast to the ground on either side of his son’s head. It made his arms bend so that Tim had unlimited access. Bruce watched as Tim systematically poked every part of Jason’s under arm and watched for his reactions.

“Oh my god, you’ve already infected him with it!” Jason sputtered out. “Little evil genius!” He cursed throwing his head back once again, he made Bruce work to keep his arm in place with how hard he was trying to clamp it back down.

“Now Jason?” Bruce spoke while Tim continued, moving his fingers down Jason’s side. Grinning at all his brother’s different noises and faces. “Do you have a craving? A an itch to buy another pack?” Bruce asked.

Jason was red in the face, tears pooling in the corners of his eyes, and yet he looked lighter than he had in a long time. “No!” He blurted out when he had the breath. “No! Never again!” He was promising before his brain was registering anything beyond ‘he’ll stop if I say no.’

Unfortunately, luck was really not on Jason side tonight.

“Awww!” Dick’s whine cut through the air. “No fair, you guys are tickling Jay without me?” There was a distinct pout to his brother’s voice that made Jason wanna roll his eyes no matter how hard he was laughing.

“He was smoking!” Tim’s grin was ridiculous as he shrugged to Dick and Damian while he scratched around Jason’s belly button.

“Tt,” Damian shook his head. “Of course he was.”

Dick’s face light up, “you enlisted Bruce to the cause? Nice job, Timmy,” Dick was ecstatic to not only have another person added to his dedicated cause, but to have facilitated such an adorable moment as well.

“Alright,” Bruce kept his grip tight around Jason arms but stopped pinning them to the ground, letting him pull them down to his sides and his forearms crossing over his stomach to cover as much as he could. “I think that’s enough,” his concession didn’t seem to ring in Tim’s ears, he was focused on driving his little nimble fingers under Jay’s sides, skittering over the backs of his ribs. Jason tried to roll over and crush his fingers but the little Red Robin was fast and knew to anticipate it.

“I didn’t even get a turn yet!” Dick stood indignantly by Jason’s side.

“Tim,” Bruce channeled something slightly deeper and his son retracted his hands, looking at him expectantly. “I’m gonna let him go now.” He gave the warning that it was and Tim nodded before getting to his feet and standing behind Dick.

“You know I abhor your smoking, Lad,” Bruce said softly before patting Jason’s chest. “I’m happy to help you kick the nasty habit, any time.” He finally let go of Jason’s wrists and started to get up. He offered Jason a hand.

Jason didn’t even bother to smack it away, he just curled in on himself, rolling onto his side. “I hate you so much.” He squeezed his eyes shut trying to shake the feeling running across his skin, and hide the panting he was still doing. Breathing in sweet, sweet air.

“Come on,” Dick sounded a lot closer than he was a second again. “It was my idea,” Jason’s eyes shot open. “I deserve a turn,” Dick’s hands were grabbing for him and he was about to reach out and… and maybe break his brother’s hand with how overly sensitized he already felt.

Bruce of course sensed this, “I can assure you, we did a thorough job on your behalf.” He had Dick loosely by the collar and pulled him away from Jason to let him continue to reform thought and reality.

Bruce handed Dick the cigarette pack, possibly definitely as proof to keep his eldest’s bloodthirsty at bay.

Dick seemed to register just how disheveled and pink his little brother was, the grin returned to his cheeks where to belonged. “Alright, I trust you, B. You are the original Tickle Monster, after all.”

Jason finally found the gumption and strength to get to his feet. “I can’t feel my face,” he grumbled. “You two better count your fucking days,” he glared at Tim, and Dick.

“You know he has another pack upstairs?” Damian raised an eyebrow, almost sounding uninterested.

Jason’s eyes went wide, and he quickly glanced to Bruce to gage his reaction.

The Old Man was already reaching for him. He managed to dodge the first swipe, but in doing so ran right into Dick. “Wait! I- I forgot! I swear!” But Dick was already grinning and his hands were wrapping around the back of Jason’s ribs.

“My tuuurn!” Dick sang. “Finally!”

He hadn’t even properly caught his breath from the first attack, needless to say he folded like a house of cards.

“Fuck off!” He was howling with laughter, he folded at the waist, barely able to hold himself up. “Y-you can have them!” He shoved weekly at his brother.

“Aww,” Dick cooed. “You guys really broke him, he’s not even putting up a fight.” He squeezed into Jay’s hipbone just to hear the squeaky yelp it earned him, before removing his hands. He turned to his youngest brothers, “first one to bring me Jay’s pack gets to drive the BatMobile with-“ Tim and Damian were through the patio doors before Dick could finish sweetening the pot.

Bruce grunted in, maybe disapproval, Dick didn’t seem to care. “You know Damian is liable to take a limb for the chance to drive.” He offered instead.

“Yeah but Tim’s faster. It’s anyone’s game,” Dick grinned.

“How many packs do you have in your apartment?” Bruce’s question made Jason’s blood turn icy. He grinned at the pale face he’d earned and shook his head. “There will be no more tickling tonight,” Bruce raised his right hand. “I swear.” He assured him. Jason felt his muscles jellify beneath him. “I’m just curious if Dick’s little experiment works when we aren’t around?”

Dick looked just as curious and Jason found himself blushing yet again. He could lie, of course.

Except he was a terrible liar, especially after being tickled brainless for the last 20 minutes.

“I-“ he stopped himself and rephrased. “I’ve been buying as I go.” Instead of by the carton like he’d been doing.

“YES!” Dick actually started jumping for joy, clapping his hands like he’d just won the lottery. “I knew it would work!”

Jason rolled his eyes, turning his best to fight the smile that seems to keep making its way across his cheeks. “No, you didn’t.”

“Well I had a hunch.”

“Whatever.” He huffed. “You and the Replacement better watch your backs. I’m gonna make you cry.” Jason glared.

“Might come across a bit more threatening if you didn’t just have tears rolling down your cheeks, Little Wing.” Dick barely avoided the punch to his shoulder.

“What if I started picking apart your habits? Huh? What then, Dickface?” Jason asked following Bruce inside. They could hear the beginning’s of an argument starting upstairs.

“Good luck.” Dick shrugged. “I’m perfect. But maybe I could mention this to Alfie and we could take care of your potty mouth next.” Dick stuck out his tongue like the mature adult he was.

Jason opened his mouth, then promptly closed it realizing that a particular curse word was on his lips. He settled for reaching out and punching Dick hard in the shoulder, landing solidly this time.

“Alright, let’s go see which one of the brats found my hiding spot.” Jason jogged ahead of Dick before he could retaliate.

Dick hissed at the contact but watching Jason skip ahead of him, he was practically floating. Light and airy, just like his little brother should be.

Dick was more than happy Jason’s cigarette habit was slowly but surely being wiped away, but he was definitely going to have to pick another habit to break, it was just too perfect of an excuse to tickle is much too serious little brother.

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August's Thoughts:

sjdfhjsdfh Moody omgggggg im JKSDFHJSDHFJKSDFHJSDH this is so good oh my god thank you for sharing

Dick just practically stalking Jason to see when he's smoking and stop him is so funny sdjkfhdsf and the fact that he got so many people in on it lol, like Roy and Tim and Bruce

Tim is SUCH a tattle-tail, and rightfully so sdkjfhsf if this wouldve worked on my older brother (august lore drop, i have an older brother. but you can probably tell that anyways because i exude middle child energy by the gallon dskjfhsf) i wouldve done it YEARS ago lol. As it is I totally tattle on mine when i catch him vaping (because at least he finally switched to that instead) inside when he visits home, I'm right there with you Timbo lol

but yes i absolutely love the end where Tim gets Bruce involved and Bruce goes full-blown tickle monster lol. Give him an excuse to treat Jason like his son again!!! He's too awkward to do it by himself!!!! And him getting Tim to have a go is adorable lol

This was so cute, Moody!! Thank you so much for sharing it with us!!!

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