#jaytimweek day 2

[bi-bats]

Tim snatches Jason’s helmet from him and treats him to a taste of his own medicine, standing on his tiptoes to reach up and push it onto Jason’s head. “Get on the bike, sweetheart,” Tim throws back in his face.

And fuck, is he glad that Tim didn’t say that last bit until the helmet was over his head, because whatever Jason’s face just did can’t have been normal.

He’s so surprised he can’t even think of anything to say. He just stands there blinking like a fucking idiot under his helmet as Tim’s eyes crinkle in the corners, the way they do whenever he’s winning.

“Oh, look at that, you’re blushing down to your neck,” Tim says, and Jason doesn’t need to be able to see his mouth, he can hear the grin on Tim's lips.

-

Day 2's fic for Jaytimweek is up! If you've seen the snippets about Tim's beloved mochaccino in the jaytim tag, this is the fic those are from!

[r-misa]

JayTimWeek 2: Monsoon/Summer Storm

Here, there is not a lot of prompts, however I hope you like the story anyway. Sorry ;.; You can see the day 1 here Day 3 Here

[krizariel]

Jaytimweek 2023: Day 2 - Urban Fantasy (part 1)

Based on Consumed by Shadows - Collab with @glaciya

Full uncensored pic here

Part 2

[yasmindifference]

jaytim week 2023 masterlist

I’m very proud of the roll I’m on with jaytimweek, so I’m just gonna stick all my fics here ♡

Day 1 - identity porn - they call me king here - Jason is the king of Crime Alley. It’s not his job to check in on every new resident, but the kid in the alley gets his attention anyway.

Day 2 - urban fantasy - just like a tattoo - The morning after a spectacular (and spectacularly ill-advised) night with Jason, Tim has some regrets...starting with his tattoo, which has relocated itself to highlight an inconveniently placed hickey. [Betrayed by his own tattoo. Unbelievable.]

Day 3 - reluctant soulmates - part-time soulmate, full-time problem - Tim sighs and stands, ignoring the way pain shoots up his ribs. Looks like it’s time to save his soulmate from himself. Again. 

Day 4 - arranged marriage - (don’t) make me a match - Jason's engaged and he is not happy about it. Maybe Tim can change his mind.

Day 5 - amnesia/only one bed - wake up with amnesia - Tim wakes up in a strange bed, being spooned by a strange man. Neither of them know who or where they are. It only gets weirder from there.

Day 6 - time shenanigans - memories i never can escape - Things just keeping getting weirder for Tim and Jason. [A sequel to Day 5!]

Day 7 - free choice - hold me (like a grudge) - Jason gets shot...and Tim, distracted by the pain in their bond, gets stabbed. [A sequel to Day 3!]

[ladytauria]

inspiration saturday

tagged by @generatorcat! thank you~

this is actually from part of my fic for day 2 or 3 of jaytimweek 2022 ^^;

i think i may have shared snippets of this in the past but! this is from the most recent part:

He turns to the prizes on offer, squinting at them. There’s no small amount of superhero-themed plushes on offer, and it’s with barely repressed glee that Tim picks out a large black dog wearing an old version of Diana’s Wonder Woman.

“For you,” he says, presenting it to Jason with a slight flourish.

Jason couldn’t suppress his grin even if he wanted to. “Why, thank you.” He takes the dog from Tim, tucking it underneath his arm. They wave to the man, who still looks faintly poleaxed, and move on.

“That’s the last time I go down without a fight,” Jason says affably. “I hope you’re ready to test your skills, princess.”

Tim snorts. “Whoever wins the other the most prizes wins?” he asks, just as affably.

Jason nods, and holds a hand out. Tim shakes.

“You’re on.”

tagging… @hardlycats ; @bi-bats ; & @the-alice-of-hearts. no pressure!!! pls feel free to ignore~

[ao3feed-jaytim]

Now Kiss

read it on the AO3 at https://archiveofourown.org/works/48158206 by BiBatBoy Tim’s hand grips tighter on the coffee, more determined to keep his hold on that than his phone or keys, and thank god, he doesn’t drop the drink. But the rest of it slips through his fingers, and the guy he just slammed into has some seriously great reflexes, because he manages to snatch them both out of the air before they can hit the ground. “Oh, god, sorry—” Tim starts to say as the guy straightens up, and then he stops. A set of amused green eyes look down at him over a wide grin. You’ve got to be kidding, Tim thinks. “Got somewhere to be, sweetheart? Oh, now that’s a pretty shade of red you’re turning—” “I’m late,” Tim snaps, snatching his keys and phone out of Jason’s hand. “I got lost four fucking times on my way here. If this city was a person, I would throttle it.” - (Jaytimweek day 2, prompt urban fantasy) Words: 16278, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English Series: Part 2 of bibatboy's 2023 jaytimweek fics Fandoms: Batman - All Media Types, Batman (Comics), DCU, DCU (Comics) Rating: Mature Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Categories: M/M Characters: Tim Drake, Jason Todd, Bruce Wayne Relationships: Tim Drake/Jason Todd Additional Tags: Sentient Gotham City, Urban Fantasy, Friends to Lovers, Mutual Pining, Getting Together, Confessions, Teasing, Pet Names, one bed read it on the AO3 at https://archiveofourown.org/works/48158206

[sweet-sammy-kisses]

Thunderstorms and You

Pairing: JayTim

For the @jaytimweek day 2 prompt Monsoon/Summer Storm Rating: Teen Word Count: 529 Summary: Jason and Tim enjoy a summer storm together and in bed.

Also on AO3

To say that Tim wasn't a big fan of thunderstorms was an understatement but given that he had grown up in the Drake Manor mostly alone he had no one to run to when thunder rattled the roof and windows, he had no one to sing to him or hold him telling him that things would be alright so it was understandable.

Jason, on the other hand, loved them. He loves the fresh smell of rain in the air and the way the lightning lit up the sky.

But most of all he loved wrapping himself around Tim and holding him close, making up for all those times he had to brave a storm as a child.

Snuggling deeper into Jason's embrace Tim let out a happy sigh, "This is heaven." Tim mumbled and he could feel Jason's chest rumble with laughter.

"Damn right it is pretty bird, I got you in my arms, naked might I add and that is always a bonus, we are in bed and no one is around to disturb us until Alfred calls us for supper. This is the life." Jason murmured as he ran his hand up and down Tim's bare back feeling the scars there, tracing each one as they serve as a reminder that his pretty bird had survived so many horrors and still came back to him each time.

Of course, when it came to Tim it didn't take long before his hand drifted lower and he cupped that perky ass that drove him wild.

Pulling back enough so he could tilt his head up and look at his ridiculously tall boyfriend Tim raised an eyebrow and gave him a knowing look, "I should have known that you had plans when you dragged me into bed naked."

A devious grin appeared on Jason's face as he shifted so that Tim was under him, "Would I trick you pretty bird?"

"Damn right you would," Tim grumbled up at Jason but there was a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

Hovering above Tim Jason lowered his head and pressed a teasing kiss on the corner of Tim's perfect mouth, "I just want to make sure that you are comfortable during a summer storm. I want you to feel safe with me."

Wrapping one arm around Jason's neck Tim lifted his head and pressed a kiss against Jason's lips, "You always make me feel safe. But since we are naked and in bed, it would be a shame to waste this chance."

Looking at his boyfriend who looked like sin and lust come to life Jason growled as he claimed that pink mouth. "We are going to see who is louder us or the storm. And I promise you that it is going to be us."

+******+

From the way, Dick wailed when Jason and Tim joined them at the dinner about Jason taking his Timmy's innocent it was clear that they won.

Grinning wolfishly at Dick Jason couldn't help but inform him, "Bold of you to think Tim has been innocent for a long time."

Tim's face turned a bright red as Dick pulled him into his arms and cried.

[ao3feed-brucewayne]

Now Kiss

by BiBatBoy

Tim’s hand grips tighter on the coffee, more determined to keep his hold on that than his phone or keys, and thank god, he doesn’t drop the drink. But the rest of it slips through his fingers, and the guy he just slammed into has some seriously great reflexes, because he manages to snatch them both out of the air before they can hit the ground.

“Oh, god, sorry—” Tim starts to say as the guy straightens up, and then he stops. A set of amused green eyes look down at him over a wide grin.

You’ve got to be kidding, Tim thinks.

“Got somewhere to be, sweetheart? Oh, now that’s a pretty shade of red you’re turning—”

“I’m late,” Tim snaps, snatching his keys and phone out of Jason’s hand. “I got lost four fucking times on my way here. If this city was a person, I would throttle it.”

-

(Jaytimweek day 2, prompt urban fantasy)

Words: 16278, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Series: Part 2 of bibatboy's 2023 jaytimweek fics

Fandoms: Batman - All Media Types, Batman (Comics), DCU, DCU (Comics)

Rating: Mature

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: M/M

Characters: Tim Drake, Jason Todd, Bruce Wayne

Relationships: Tim Drake/Jason Todd

Additional Tags: Sentient Gotham City, Urban Fantasy, Friends to Lovers, Mutual Pining, Getting Together, Confessions, Teasing, Pet Names, one bed

source https://archiveofourown.org/works/48158206

[atasteforsuicidal]

A few days late, but here’s my submission for free day of @jaytimweek ♥

[onehaleofanadventure]

Rating: General Audiences Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply Category: M/M Fandoms: Red Hood and the Outlaws, Red Robin - Fandom, DC Comics Relationship: Tim Drake/Jason Todd

Summary:  There are a lot of things Jason doesn't like about his life. The side effects of his resurrection are the worst.

Jason officially hates everything. Everything. The disgustingly smoggy Gotham air, the overcast sky. His life, his death, his resurrection. His annoying, asshole of a neighbor who has been blasting 90’s Boy Band Pop music for the last six hours! He just wants to suffer in peace, is that too much to ask!

More than anything, though, Jason hates how easily he sunburns. One of the many—many!—side effects of his little dip in the Lazarus Pit; the damn things makes no sense. Slightly boosted immune system, decreased body temperature. Stronger and denser muscle tissue, increased fatigue. Not to mention the irrational phobia of drowning to top off his claustrophobia—he can swim damn it, he won’t drown.

---

The point is, Jason knows better than this. He knows better than to trust the overcast skies to mean no chance of sunburns. Really, though, he had no need of being on the rooftop shirtless. He is supposed to be laying low while he finished set-up for the big reveal, not accidentally tanning.

Now, though, now he needs to shrug into his—far too—many layers: the newest little bird is back from his latest trip to San Francisco.

---

Jason has been sitting on this rooftop for the last three hours, watching the Replacement flit around the surrounding blocks: punching muggers and helping little old ladies cross the street. Batman has definitely gone soft on the new Robin.

Jason has seen all he needs to, he knows he is more than prepared to take down the little bird before going after B.

He pushes himself up to standing, twisting slightly to loosen the tension in his back from prolonged stillness. That turns out to be a very ill-advised movement, considering the mother-of-all sunburns he is still sporting. The pain is so unexpecting, jarring and immediate that he cannot help the gasping yelp and twitch of movement that sends him sprawling onto the fire escape below.

Huffing softly, slightly embarrassed at the intensity of his reaction from a damn sunburn, Jason take a deep breath, before pushing himself to standing once again. Prepared, Jason makes no noise from the sudden sting. As he turns to slink off to his current dump of a safe house, an anxious feeling settles over him; one that he remembers—intimately—from his paranoia-fueled street rat days.

Outwardly, Jason shows no signs of his knowledge that little Timmy is creeping closer to his turned back. Jason counts the four—hears the slight scuff that marks the Replacement comings to a stop, and the soft inhale of air that means he is getting ready to speak—and lashes out. Tim barely sees the punch coming, leaning slightly and bringing his hands up, at the last second, to protect his face.

---

“Woah. Dude, I’m not going to hurt…. you.” Tim stalls, taking in the guns strapped to the guy’s thighs, and the shiny red helmet hanging from his left hand.

Tim puts on what he calls his Robin voice—modeled after Jason’s tough guy voice, though he will never do the other boy justice—and demands, “Who are you?”

The man tilts his head, considering, and rolls his shoulder like he might be prepping for a fight—not a bright idea against Robin, but the shadier people in Gotham tend not to care—the wince is unexpected. The grunt of pain that follows is even more surprising—typically people decked out in weapons and armor don’t show pain unless it is intense.

“Are, umm, are you okay?” Tim asked, concern lacing his voice.

“Hmmm, no. Fine, kid. I don’t need your help” The mystery man replied.’

“Okaaaaay.” Tim drawled, obvious in his doubt, but not willing to push the guy for no reason. “So, who are you? And what are you doing here?”

The man huffed, “Ain’t none of your business kid, who I am or what I’m doing.”

Against his better judgement, Tim let the man go, but followed from a safe distance.

---

Jason knew the kid was following him, but wasn’t terribly worried about what the little good-two-shoes would do with the location of one of Jason’s less preferable safehouses.

Jason makes a sharp turn—not necessarily trying to lose the kid, but showing that he doesn’t really want hi there—and ducks into his one-room, run-down safehouse.

While the kid is outside, obviously debating the pros and cons of following Jason into a confined space. Jason begins shedding armor—leaving the guns strapped to his thighs and easily accessible—while he waits for the Replacement to decide to come in.

---

Tim follow the man into his—disgustingly, tattered hole-in-the-wall single—room apartment. When he stops gawking at the room, he finds the guy lounging in a charge, leering like some sort of predator. In the low light of the lamp next to the guy, Tim can make out the harsh, bright red skin of an intense sunburn across the guy’s—broad—shoulders and high cheek bones.

“If I’m about to help you through what has to be an awful sunburn, I think I should at least get to know your name.” Tim states, far sassier than he should be with some guy he doesn’t know. After a few moments of no reply, Tim continues with “At least a first name, I can’t keep calling you mystery man in my head.”

The man barks out a surprised laughed, “Mystery Man, huh? I kinda like it. Names Jason. But I don’t need a nurse, Nightingale.”

Tim smirks, “Too bad Jason, I’m already Florence."

[bionerd2point0]

2020 Creator Wrap

2020 Creator Wrap: Favorite Works

I was tagged by the lovely @irolltwenties!

Rules: it’s time to love yourselves! choose your 5 (or so) favorite works you created in the past year (fics, art, edits, etc.) and link them below to reflect on the amazing things you brought to the world in 2020. tag as many writers/artists/etc. as you want (fan or original) so we can spread the love and link each other to awesome works!

-

I had to go look, because I really don’t check my stats all that often, but guys. I wrote and posted over 111,000 words this year. /o\  I’m seriously astounded, because it certainly didn’t feel like that much (mostly because all of my big projects are still in my docs ;P). I’ve met a ton of great people this year, and look forward continuing to get to know everyone. I don’t really have any big resolutions this year (besides to finish Honest Men 😂) but I have hope that 2021 will be a brighter year!!

(As a side note for anyone who follows these links to a fic they haven’t read yet, please be sure to read the tags. I’m not mentioning any warnings below)

-

1) Feelings of Life

What else would I be putting as my #1? XD Honestly, this series still means so much to me. I wrote Safety on a whim over the course of 4 days, and through it I met @feriswheel who is the best beta on the planet, and has become a very good friend. She pulled me into fandom (reading fic is vastly different than talking to people, and I’d never done the second one before then lol) and set me loose on the poor unsuspecting people there (let’s be real. I just lurked and screamed “WHAT DO I DO?!” to her every time someone said hello lmao). This series has a special place in my heart, and I was so happy that so many people liked it too!

2) Redfish

Can I just say holy shit???? This was my “I am ignoring politics in November” fic that was inspired after I bawled my eyes out to Bear’s fic and needed a Free Willy-type rescue op. In no way did I anticipate the level of feedback I received for this, but it made me absolutely giddy to know that it touched so many people, especially since animal cruelty and misunderstood creatures are one of the topics I care a whole lot about. Mandy was also an absolute joy to work with, and the way this fic just came together finally convinced me to put more effort into outlining other projects. XD Who woulda thought? haha

3) Operation Tim

This one started as a “WTF am I supposed to do?” for the casefic prompt for JayTim week, and turned into a super self-indulgent kid fic. I’m still surprised that it’s my most popular fic by kudos, cuz kid fics are one of those tropes that people usually find pretty cringy, but I had a ton of fun writing it. XP It’s angsty and fluffy and I had a blast letting Tim get angry not to mention the revenge on Ra’s in the sequel. It was a bit of a research project too, since I’m not a canon buff and it’s set in a canon divergence AU, but it was really nice to learn some of the smaller details from Snow that wifi likes to gloss over.

4) High-Flying Bird

I’d always wanted to do some kind of urban fantasy AU, and this idea was the one that made me want to participate in JayTimWeek. Building this world and creating background characters like Gerry was just so much fun, and let’s be real, Jason ranting about the lack of standard units of measure is definitely my own pet peeve with most magic potion-type stuff. XD It’s the chemist in me stewing about how everything is different sizes and materials and there’s no specifications!! Anywho, this one was a joy to write during an otherwise very stressful time.

5) Of Souls and Solitude

Last, but certainly not least, my daemon fic. This is probably my least popular fic by both hits and kudos, but it’s only been out for two weeks and is a ficlet, so that’s to be expected. It’s probably my favorite of the fills I did for my promptathon, and it was really interesting to learn about what daemon AUs are (I think I’ve actually avoided them in the past, because I thought it meant demon AU, and that’s not usually my jam). I’m very glad that Bear sent it my way, and I definitely need to read the series that created the idea! It’s just a truly interesting concept (and I got to kill the Joker so, you know, I’m a happy camper XD).

-

There’s so many people I could thank for encouraging me and helping me get this far, it would probably double the length of this post and it’s too long already. So instead, I’ll just put out a general, though heartfelt, Thank You. You guys have been amazing, and I look forward to whatever the coming year holds!

No-pressure-tags: @bearly-writing, @silver-snow-77, @themandylion, @generatorcat, @chibinightowl, @elyreywrites, @marudny-robot, @elareine, @glaciya, and I’m gonna stop there before I tag everyone I know XD 

Happy New Year everyone!

[bi-bats]

OMG, I'm SO looking forward to your food, can't believe you are really doing EVERY SINGLE DAY OMG you madman, ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!!! I'm just doing 2 days like a grandma 🤣🤣🤣🤣! But at least wanted to bring some offerings for the banquet since everyone is bringing so much food , I'm excited 🥹💖

Anyway! Ok word: breathing

WHY WOULD I DO EVERY SINGLE DAY??? Madman is so accurate I am so unwell about them 😭😭😭 but people keep telling me they're looking forward to it, so that's probably why I'm doing it 😂😂😂

THANK YOU FOR COMING TO THE BANQUET WE APPRECIATE YOU!!!! I'm JUST as excited to see whatever you're cooking up, too!!!! And honestly don't feel bad about only doing two days, I am NEVER DOING THIS AGAIN!!! (<- lying, probably, because I've spent the last 3 months telling myself i don't have to write something for every day and yet... here we are.)

Okay, prompt time! I think I haven't shared any from my saturday piece either, which is just... they're so into each other. They want to kiss so bad, honestly, it's distracting.

He tried not to imagine it, the warm feeling of Jason’s skin against his own, the way it would make heat light up in his chest.

Jason raised an eyebrow expectantly at him, like a challenge, like a dare, and Tim’s eyes dropped to his lips for what felt like the millionth time.

What had they been talking about again? Oh, right.

“You still could’ve caught up,” Tim repeated, and his voice sounded wrong again. There was a flicker of something like disappointment in Jason’s eyes for the briefest moment, before it disappeared. 

Tim cleared his throat, a little smirk crawling back onto his lips. “Besides, I thought you’d have their heads in a bag within 10 minutes.” 

Jason scoffed, shattering the tension in the air between them, and Tim suddenly noticed how abnormal his own breathing was. “That was one time, you know. A guy does something one time, and no one ever lets him forget about it!”

Thank you for the ask!!!!! 💕💖💚

(Send me an ask with a word and I'll post a snippet from one of my jaytimweek fics with it)

[r-misa]

JayTimWeek 1: Mermaid AU

For this JayTimWeek I wanted to do an experiment: connecting every day to a different prompts. I don't know if I can do it, maybe some parts will be forced but I hope you like it. Day 2

[krizariel]

Jaytimweek 2023: Day 2 - Urban Fantasy

Part 2

Based on Consumed by shadow by @glaciya

Part 1

[jaytimweek]

JayTimWeek2020

Hey there RedHeads! 

It’s HEEEEERE! JayTimWeek starts tomorrow, Monday, and runs from June 1st to 7th! 

We’re looking forward to everyone sharing their amazing talents and can't wait to see what you’ve all worked so hard on! 

 To ensure your entries are captured, please use the “JayTimWeek” and/or “JayTimWeek2020” tags. We also respectfully request that you tag works with sensitive or mature content as such, to ensure that everyone has the ability to filter their consumption. Thank you from the mods! <3

Here are the prompts again for those of you curious and considering participating, have fun!

Day 1: College AU  OR  Chef/Baker AU 

Day 2: Fairy Tales/Disney Princesses  OR  Book Inspired AU 

Day 3: First Love  OR  Role/Robin Reversal 

Day 4: FREE DAY 

Day 5: Casefic/Detective Tim or Jason  OR  Office Romance AU 

Day 6: Space  OR  Cyberpunk/Android/Robotic 

Day 7: Pirate/Desert Island  OR  Vikings AU

[emotionalcello-makefanfics]

Summary:

“When did the mark show?” Jason asked.

“I got it when I was born, they must’ve been older than me.” “That must be.” “Do you want to have a soul mark too one day?” Jason doesn’t hesitate, “No.”

or, Tim has a soul mark, Jason doesn't.

Click the title to read on AO3, and click Keep Reading to read here~

Chapter 2

Chapter 1 

Word Count : 4k

As a 12-year-old boy, Jason should’ve been in bed by now. But being a 12-year-old boy on the poor side of Gotham, rules like that don’t apply to him.

Meeting fellow kids roaming these streets doing suspicious things is common, but none of those kids actually fortunate enough to have a camera that pristine looking. That’s when Jason spots a little boy, can’t be older than 10, snooping between the alleys. Clothes too tidy and smelling too nice to be a kid from around here.

On the little boy’s sight is –holly mackerel- a batmobile!

“Hey, you’re gonna swipe that?” Jason says to the boy, who jumps a foot back right away, holding his camera protectively.

“I can’t give you this camera!” the boy stammers.

“I don’t steal from other kids, I was talking about that,” Jason nods to the fancy car’s direction.

The kid looks at the fancy car, then at Jason, then at the car again then at Jason with even a more twisted look like Jason’s crazy.

“You’re about to steal the batmobile???”

“Nah, just the tires.”

“Wha—No!”

“Well, I gotta eat, and you can’t stop me.”

“Wait! It’s armed, you could’ve gotten hurt.”

“Hm, armed huh? If it’s a vigilante’s car, then at least it got motion sensors.”

“Yo-You’re right, it’s about around two-meter radius,” he informed.

Jason looks at the little pip-squeak in a smirk, “Now you’re helping me?”

The kid is just as surprised, then he mulls over it before shrugging.

“It’s not deadly, it’ll just send a signal to Batman. Plus, I bet he must have a lot of spare tires. So, get that bread,” the kid nods, then smiling mischievously, “If you can.”

Jason scoffed, “Oh, it’s on.”

Jason grabbed his box of tools and walks in, moving his feet quickly and stops, then another feet then stops, mimicking the movement of a mouse, and Jason knows exactly how those nightmare rodents move. The sensors can’t possibly alert every movement, not in this part of the city where small creatures and rodents are an epidemic.

When he finally reaches the car, no alarm triggered and alive. He quickly works with the tires and takes it off in record time. He walks back to the little alley with the heavy and sweet tire on his shoulder. He drops it beside the kid’s face who has a hanging jaw. Jason bows and waves his hand.

“Thank you, thank you, I’ll be here next week!”

“Will you?” the kid asked excitedly.

Something about the little kid’s cute face, his face is clear and pale, making the blush on his face pops out... that it makes Jason smile.

“Of course, since it’s my turf, but first, you’re gonna tell me why a rich toddler like you doing in this part of town.”

“Toddl- wha- I’m 12! I’m no toddler!”

Jason is perplexed to hear that too, “There’s no way a small kid like you is the same age as me!”

The kid lands a punch on Jason’s arms, and it only felt like a flutter more than a punch. His cheeks puffed angrily and Jason feels like he could squee, the kid looks like a little hamster.

“I’m twelve!” the kid declared again, now in fury.

“Alright alright, you’re twelve,” Jason raise his hands in surrender, “Still, you’re not from around here, are you? I don’t think you should be here.”

Because with that cute itty bitty face, soft-looking hair and big blue eyes, predators or human traffickers or pedophiles would kidnap him in a flash.

Not that Jason never brushed against the risk, not that he feigns ignorance from the disappearing of fellow pickpockets around his age.

“Well, you can’t stop me! I’ve been going here since I was 9! And I’m fine,” the kid counters with puffed chest and confidence.

Jason doesn’t hide his mortified awe for the little kid. Nine fucking years old around these parts, alone, in the middle of the night, and still alive. That is idiotic and suicidal, but he’d be lying if he doesn’t admit that this kid is a mad lad with balls of steel.

Other privileged kids wouldn’t even walk these roads in daylight just by the sight of the hobos, prostitutes, drug dealers, drug users passed out on the streets, and the smell of something that just died.

“Stop you?” Jason chuckled, “Nah, if you been doing this since you’re 9, you earn my respect.”

He put an arm around the small frame, his fresh smell of baby powder feels comforting and a stark difference from the stench around him.

“Now, you gonna tell me what you’ve been doing and how you’ve been doing it, because I don’t believe in miracles that you survive here that long.”

++++++

The kid’s name is Tim, Tim Drake, that Tim Drake as in the millionaire. A millionaire kid going to the most crime-infested part of town. If he had met someone other than Jason, man, Tim with that cute face would’ve been kidnapped as soon as a predator sets eye on him.

It’s not that Jason cared, but he told Tim that Jason should accompany him when he’s out on crime alley... To steal more tires, of course for the tires, in case Tim ever bumped into the fancy car again.

Somehow that’s not the most shocking thing about Tim.

Oh god, Tim was not the badass rebellious prince from the city of lights that Jason had originally thought. Because why else a Drake would go wandering about at night at the most dangerous place of the most dangerous city? Jason admired Tim because he was a goddamn rebel despite that cute little innocent face and his privileged background.

Turns out the kid is just a furry fanatic.

“Batman is not a furry!” Tim screamed, bet he wakes up the whole neighborhood with that shrill voice.

“He dresses up a part animal and part man, that’s anthropomorphic enough to be considered a furry!”

Jason likes to mess with Tim, likes to see him flustered like this. All pouty and blushing. When he smiles, it’s like looking at a baby giggle. Soft, round and dangerously adorable that’ll make any person melt.

Tim takes off his jacket suddenly, for whatever reason it was. Maybe the exhaust from the air conditioner’s condenser on the rooftop they’re hanging out on is too warm for him.

A strange mark on his shoulder peeking through the neckline of his shirt, and Jason feels his heart hammered against his ribs.

“You... You have a soul mark??”

“Oh, this,” Tim looks over his shoulder, “Yeah, I do, you?”

Jason shakes his head. He looks at Tim meekly, “Can I see it?”

Tim looks taken back, and it makes Jason wants to retract his request, but then Tim pulls his neckline sideways till the base of his shoulder. The mark on Tim’s shoulder is a red outline of a diamond and a bird silhouette on the inside. It’s pretty big for a soul mark, almost as wide as a clenched fist.

A soul mark means that you have someone that’s destined for you and suppose to be perfect for you. That someone has the same soul mark in the same position as yours. Not everyone has them, but sometimes you don’t have them because they’re not born yet, or they had died.

“When did the mark show?” Jason asked.

“I got it when I was born, they must’ve been older than me.”

“That must be.”

“Do you want to have a soul mark too one day?”

Jason doesn’t hesitate, “No.”

+++++++++

Jason looks up to the sky that night, waiting for someone. The stench of oil still stuck on his body and mostly his hand even though he washes them clean. A vigilante drops to the ground in front of him. Dressed in a black and red bodysuit, and ‘R’ logo on his left chest, and a fluttering black cape. His black domino mask covered the eye area, perfectly following the silhouette of his face, it’s the new Robin.

“You’re not fooling anyone,” Jason said amusedly, and see the masked vigilante flash a cheeky smile.

“I suppose not.”

He’s still so little, but look at him go. With that smug smile, cart-wheeling like a champion gymnast, parkouring from building to building without fear and beating crimelords twice his size. Jason knew Tim was a badass the moment they met.

“You ready to go?” Tim asked.

“In your costume? Is your boss gonna like that?”

“Fuck Batman,” Tim suddenly snapped.

“Whoa, Timmy you good?”

“I’m fine!” Then two seconds passed, “I’m not,” he said softer this time.

Jason pressed his lips and frowned thoughtfully.                              

“You don’t have to tell me anything, let’s just eat?”

Tim lights up right away. He knows Tim is just as happy as him to hang out again. It’s been months since they see each other. They haven’t met for a while after Tim said he needed to be Robin.

They bought sloppy joes from Jason’s favosite stand because the vendor sells it dirt cheap. Tim, with all the new strength on his lanky arms, wrap Jason’s torso and lifts both of them up with a grapple to the top of the roof. Tim smiled smugly when Jason was surprised, amazed, and incredibly in disbelieve how Tim can just lift Jason up.

Jason is a bit bigger than Tim, though undoubtedly Tim must’ve gained strenght from the intense training, Jason is still heavier.

After sharing Jason’s awe to Tim and letting Tim boast about it, they sat by the edge of the roof. It takes Jason back to sit on the roof with Tim.

“I was worried about you,” Jason stated between bites, and it makes Tim stop and darts a look at Jason, “Scared the shit out of me the entire time you’re gone after you’re off to be... that.” Jason nods Tim’s way, looking at the entire suit.

“You? Scared? I never would’ve thought, you’re a pretty ballsy kid too,” Tim bites in the sloppy joe, and the filling spilled over to the side. “You didn’t look scared when I told you back then.”

“Because I know it’s pointless to try to stop you. You’re so dead set on it. Besides, you’re free to do whatever you want. Your life, your decisions, who am I to stop you?”

Jason muses to the time when Tim told him he wanted to be Robin because Batman is not ‘stable’ after the first one become Nightwing, whatever that means. Jason doesn't know why Tim should care about stuff like that, but Tim did, and that’s basically all there is to it for Jason to know.

Ever since Tim said he needed to be Robin, Jason was worried but mostly doubtful. But Jason has seen the glint in Tim’s eyes, filled with determination and resolve. Saying anything against it would’ve hurt Tim. So, Jason pretends that he’s not bothered by it.

“That’s the first time I heard that,” Tim said.

“Heard what?”

“Someone telling me to do whatever I want.”

Jason then hit by a realization that only struck now, becoming Robin must’ve been the one thing he wanted to do. Jason knew about his parents being strict about the family business and all, and how they often not in the house. Leaving little Tim alone in that big fancy house.

Well, technically Tim is not that little Tim he met the first time anymore. They’re grown up a little.

“Batman’s gotta be more chill though, right?”

“Ugh, he has even more rules for me to follow.”

“What? The rule-breaker himself? What a joke,” Jason playfully scorned.

“He said it’s for my own safety, but I don’t know, sometimes I think he’s just doesn’t trust me, or maybe I’m not as good as the first Robin and—Eek!”

Jason quickly gets a hold of Tim’s arm before his friend can finish that sentence. He’s glaring, but not at Tim nor is he the cause of it.

“You are, the most badass little brat I had ever met, and you’re scary smart and also a fast learner. If anything, maybe he’s afraid you’ll outsmart him!” Jason doesn’t mean to compliment, love him or hate him, he’s spitting facts.

“Yeah right,” Tim dismissed it, but his sheepish smile and the pink tint on his cheeks means that Jason’s words serve its purpose.

“Just give it time, Tim. You’re one strong-ass fucker,” Tim chocked on his bread and spits out a chunk from his mouth, but Jason continued, “And I bet he’ll see that soon, and he’ll be wrong to ever handicap you.”

Tim clears his throat. Now his face is all red, almost like his suit, “Wow, I didn’t know that’s how you see me.” Tim cracked a smile and bumps his shoulders with Jason’s

“Just saying the truth.” Jason glance away, chomping down on his joes.

“I think you’re cool too, Jay.”

Jason feels his ears burn at the nickname, it’s really been too long since they have met. Jason never forgets that name, but he never knew that he missed being called that name, how familiar it sounds with Tim’s voice, like a friendly call home. Nostalgic, safe, and so dear to him.

The night feels warm.

“Oh, I’m cool huh?” Jason accepts it, he knows he’s pretty cool.

“Mhm, at first I wanted to ask you to be Robin.”

“Me?” Jason says incredulously, “No way.”

“But it would’ve suit you so well! You’re strong, you’re street smart too.”

“Then why didn’t you ever ask me?”

“Because it’s not just a whim. It would’ve meant asking you to be a vigilante, risking your identity and adapting into a different life entirely. And it’s dangerous, and life-threatening, I don’t want to ask you to sacrifice yourself because of my wish, so, I did it myself.”

Tim puts it out simply, flatly, like a friggin’ walk in the park. But not to Jason, it hits him like tons of bricks from the fiftieth story that’s he should’ve seen coming. What Tim does is dangerous. Those supervillains won't see him as a kid, but an enemy. As strong and agile as Tim is, those monsters can easily snap Tim in two.

A shudder runs down his spine.

“If it’s that dangerous, then I should’ve stopped you too,” Jason beats himself over it.

“C’ mon, don’t say that now, you were so supportive a minute ago,” Tim joked.

But Jason snaps, “But you could’ve died! You could’ve gotten an injury and then...”

Stupid. Jason is so stupid sometimes. Why bother with that now? Why even say those things to Tim? Of course Tim knew the risk before taking that damned mantel.

Jason looks at Tim, his face is so young but his resolve and stubbornness of his choice makes him look way more mature than his age should’ve allowed. It’s not fair.

There’s nothing Jason could’ve done. This is the path that Tim chooses, along with many others that he will take. It’s a path different from where Jason is walking. It feels like that one day they’ll walk even further apart until they can’t see each other across the road anymore.

But what can Jason do?

“You better not die, or I will dig your grave, revive you, and then kill you myself.” Jason is joking, but mostly serious. His hands feel cold and clammy at the possibility of finding Tim’s death on TV.

Tim wraps his shoulders with a strong arm and a firm squeeze.

Tim doesn’t say anything, he’s just there. His pretty little head perched on his shoulder. His raven black hair is damp and smell of sweat, but there’s the faint smell of baby powder, and Jason feels calm because of it. They lean on each other until the night is too cold and Tim had to leave.

That itself speaks volumes.

Again, Jason couldn’t do anything to what Tim has chosen for himself, even though it will inevitability mean that they’ll be walking separate ways.

++++++++++++

“Boss, need anything else from me before I go?” Jason pulls his head from the car’s hood and closed it, seeing his boss just walked out of her office.

“No, you go ahead boy, I know it’s Friday,” she giggled knowingly.

The owner of the car repairs is a friendly old woman that looks like she would bake you cookies with milk while hearing your stories and give good advice. Mrs. Knope is not that at all.

She’s a capable mechanic with magical hands that can revive any vehicle there is. Jason learned a lot from her, also indebted to her a lot for giving him a place to stay and a place to work for the last two years and counting. She also can’t cook for shit, so Jason’s cooking might’ve earned him the job and place more than his skill.

Jason nods in gratitude her way and runs upstairs to his room to change into something cleaner.

Every Friday, he would meet with Tim, whether it’s as Red Robin or Tim Drake-Wayne, doesn’t matter to Jason, Tim is Tim no matter the alias and last name.

Tim bailed on him for a month now because of a case. Today is different though, Jason has to meet him today. It’s Tim’s birthday. Jason got a present for him that he’s been keeping for a while.

They met mostly at nights, maybe it’s a force of habits to do so.

But Jason doesn’t mind. He gets a bonus of Red Robin sometimes, and the night is quiet, fewer people would recognize the famous Drake-Wayne. They got their time for themselves.

“Hello stranger,” Tim snoops behind him when Jason is on the way to their usual diner. He’s getting good at quietly snooping around quietly.

“Hello yourself stranger.”

The diner is quiet at this hour. It opens 24 hours and it’s their favorite place to eat breakfast food at night because they serve breakfast lunch and dinner no matter when you order them.

Jason ordered a burger, Tim ordered pancakes with coffee.

Tim is usually very tired when they meet, hence the habit of always ordering coffee. But he’s been awfully gleeful since they walk in here.

“Okay, spill it out,” Jason said, rolling his eyes.

“No! You first,” Tim rejected, and his doe eyes open wide in anticipation.

What face is Jason making now that Tim said that? Well, not that he minded.

“Happy birthday, Timmy,” Jason pulls out a flat rectangle from the inside pocket of his jacket and slide it in front of Tim.

Jason thought Tim knew about his birthday, thought it was the reason why Tim is all giddy. But he froze in surprise to see the blue striped box laying on his part of the table.

He turns those clear blue eyes at Jason, who feels nervous now.

“Oh, damn, it is my birthday, I forgot!” Tim cheered and tears the wrappers to pieces.

Jason’s heart thumps when Tim finally sees inside the box, bracing for any reactions at all. Any.

Tim takes it out of the box. Those powerful fists that had cracked some bones unclench and lifts what’s inside and hold it out preciously.

It’s an old comic book. An old series that’s long discontinued. Tim had all the volumes, except one.

“Volume 16 Yu Yu Hakusho...” Tim whispered under his breath, and opened it not too wide, careful not to crease the area near the binding. Tim’s face went from disbelieving to a tearful smile.

Jason doesn’t understand what’s about the manga that Tim likes so much. It’s about a middle school student who died and came back to life and became a supernatural detective. Okay, he understands why Tim likes it, but not to a point to obsess over it enough to make his eyes all glassy in tears.

“How?” Tim says in overdramatic mirth, “How did you get this? I went far and wide and auction to auction but never got it.”

“Coincidence. I moved into my boss’ place, his grandson used to come over for the summer and left a bunch of stuff. I was tidying things up when I found that thing pressed between neglected homeworks. I asked my boss about it, and I bought it from the grandson.

“Oh man,” Tim hugs the comic book to his chest, “Thank you, this is awesome.”

Tim gave him the happiest gummy smile. It’s been a while since Jason gets to see Tim that way. He’s been drinking too much coffee and getting too wrapped up in his nightlife. Jason got a little heart attack whenever there’s a villain on the loose or an alien attack and see Red Robin pops in with young justice.

It’s no easy feat being a vigilante, Jason knew, but Tim’s a perfectionist, and that’s what Jason worries the most. He keeps his grades up, and somehow, now at 17 years old, he’s working at Wayne Inc. And then have a night job protecting people of a city with one of the highest crime rates? Unbelievable.

Tim is amazing, but Jason knows Tim is spreading himself too thin.

“You know...” Tim says, finally looking away from his comic, “My birthday is tomorrow actually.”

“Yeah, but I didn’t get to meet you tomorrow.”

“Why is that though?”

Oh yeah, why is that? Huh.

“Let's meet tomorrow and hang out then! Meet when the sun is out once in a while, sounds good?”

“Just the two of us?” is the air conditioner working? It suddenly feels warmer, damn global warming.

“Yeah, it’ll be fun!”

Jason didn’t plan this, but his mind is already listing places he wants to take Tim tomorrow. He can’t help the smile creeping upon his face.

“Cool,” Jason says uncoolly.

“So, where do--” “About my--”

They said and stop simultaneously.

“Your turn, what about your news?” Jason rests his face on his hand, enjoying the blushing Tim all excited. His blue eyes twinkle like sunlight on the sea waves. Smiling carelessly with excitement showing his perfectly tidy teeth. Tim looks as happy as if he’s twelve again. Before the vigilante life, before adulthood, before his parents died. It makes Jason happy to see Tim happy.

Tim bites his lips and leans forward, putting his palm on the side of his lips like he’s about to say the biggest secret he has.

“I found my soulmate!” Tim cheered in a secretive whisper.

“Oh, dude that’s awesome! When?”

“Like a few weeks ago on this mission I just finished, it’s... but you have to keep it a secret okay?”

“I’m no tattletale, I’m bringing this to my grave, c’ mon spill so I can judge this person.”

Tim smiled offendedly at Jason’s joke, and leans forward even closer across the table and whisper to Jason’s ear.

“It’s Superboy.”

“That’s... You mean th-!”

“Sssh! Keep quiet,” Tim giggled like a lovestruck teen, wait, he is.

“How did you find out?”

“When we’re fighting a pack of robots, and his shirt torn open. And I was... gosh I think I froze for a second. We’ve been partners for years, we also had met at a gala when Bruce adopted me, multiple times! I practically knew him forever. I confessed right away. Bruce doesn’t like it for some reason, but whatever.”

“You took my advice huh?”

“Yup! I can do whatever I want. I like Superboy, he’s cool, and we get along well, and we’ve been dating for a few days now. And... he’s just really great.” Tim’s face melts into a blushing soft smile.

Jason smiles too.

“You look happy, Tim.”

Tim looks at Jason with his sincere blue eyes, with that bright smile directed at him, but not for him, “I am.”

They chat some more until Tim has to go home.

Then they walk to separate ways. Tim towards the city, and Jason to the dark alleys.

Jason waits for two hours. Text Tim that he can’t meet him because his boss needs him to work tomorrow urgently. Says his apologies. Says one more happy birthday. Says simple best wishes.

Then Jason lay on his bed. For a long time, he doesn’t fall asleep. Despite how tired he is, his mind cruelly up all night long, thinking of things he can’t change.