JASON: THE TIES THAT BIND

[lazarusinred]

It was not unusual for Jason to wake up a few times during his sleep. He could not be sure if any of the times were because Dirk had gotten squirmy or not. Every time he woke, Dirk was still there. Last night had not been some kind of dream.

Long after the the fingers of dawn had crept around the edges of the bedroom's blinds, and the full light of morning had lit them gently, the alarm Jason had set hours ago chimed. He had been drifting in a doze and the pull to wakefulness was easy to follow. Easy because he had planned for a slow start before they had to leave. Which meant plenty of time to laze around in bed. He still had to fumble a bit with his phone to turn the alarm off.

"Dirk," he said softly, his voice not quite as awake as the rest of him. One hand wound into Dirk's now dry hair, and Jason let the other trail down Dirk's back. "Dirk, it's time to wake up." Now his voice was operating at normal volume.

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[evenindeath]

Somehow the hold, the secure press of Jason's teeth against skin, it was even more intoxicating than a bite at that moment. It felt possessive in a way Dirk was used to extending to others, not have extended to him. He loved every fucking second of it.

"Fuck- yes-" he gasped, fingers digging into Jason's hair, eyes sliding half-lidded as he bucked into Jason's grip, the heat of Jason's length against his own driving him even further to the edge. All sleep-relaxed, it was so easy to build from that lax slow pleasure to something deeper, something hotter. "Harder," Dirk gasped, though whether he was asking about Jason's cock against his or the teeth on his neck even he couldn't be sure.

[lazarusinred]

In answer Jason bit down harder. Holding him more firmly in that way allowed him to thrust more deeply against Dirk's cock. The give of the mattress let him get an angle that would have otherwise been impossible. Harder, tighter, hotter - possessive. Jason growled deep in his chest. He had not intended to, but it pushed out of the core of him.

Before it had felt like he was being consumed with chasing something down with Dirk. In this moment it felt like they had found a place to find something that went even deeper. They weren't running, they were digging in.

[evenindeath]

That growl was a kick straight to Dirk's libido, the possessive rumble of it, fuck his hips jolted up again and a shuddering gasp was ripped from his throat. It was perfect, it was everything he could ever want, it was more than that.

Again he signaled his upcoming climax with gasping breaths of Jason's name on his lips, Closer and closer until it was a desperate cry.

[lazarusinred]

Jason pushed, drove Dirk on, his own climax only a half a step behind. That desperate cry of his name, fuck, all of it pushed him over that edge, and pushed him hard. Dirk's name muffled through teeth clamped down hard enough to break skin. Mine.

As the tightness in him eased, he ran his tongue over the mark he had made - tasing a hint of copper. "Dirk," he breathed raggedly.

[evenindeath]

The sharp sudden jolt against his neck, feeling Jason lose himself against Dirk, the way it was still unmistakably his name on Jason's tongue no matter how muffled-

When he finally caught his breath, he thought he maybe owed Rose am apology about a disparaging remark or two made about her girlfriend. Welp. Learn something new about yourself every day. His grip in Jason's hair relaxed, idly petting instead of the tight hold.

"... okay, now I'm awake."

[lazarusinred]

Jason breathed a small, quiet laugh against Dirk's throat. He shifted around a bit so he could transfer the mess they had made to the bedsheet before throwing it off - just more laundry. They had generated enough warmth that they could manage a couple minutes without it. All that so he could slide both his arms under the pillow and settle on Dirk, stretched out. A couple more moments of skin to skin contact.

"Good morning."

[evenindeath]

With Jason stretched over him, he was basically a blanket but better. Dirk slid both arms around his waist and up his back, still amazed at how easily they fit together. It sounded like this world did not run on the causality of destiny, so he tried to not think of that, but… it was difficult, especially when Dirk wanted so badly.

"Good morning~" he sang in return, voice still a little rough with sleep, the rest of him relaxed and feeling rather boneless in a good way.

[lazarusinred]

This world did have magic, and where there was magic there was destiny and fate. Maybe not what Dirk was used to, and Jason was dubious of its existence - having been told several times that he must have one to have returned from the dead. Fate, destiny, luck, no matter the reason being with Dirk felt right.

Jason felt content for the first time in a very long time. Satisfaction and relaxation running bone deep. Eventually he lifted his head and leaned forward to kiss Dirk softly. "I'm starving. No way Alfred won't feed us when we are there, but something to hold me over. Do you want something?" he asked. A moment of considering what he has he added, "Eggs, cereal, or more of those meat and cheeses."

[evenindeath]

"Food," Dirk agreed, his stomach letting out a displeased gurgle. He'd gone a while without pause before he ran into Jason, and while the snack had held him over for the night he was well into hungry for actual food (not just Jason's body).

"Not seafood," he clarified, not caring beyond that. He'd go back to the familiarity of it eventually but for now he was happy to have a chance at a diet not supplemented by 75% fish. "Alfred's … family?"

There was a warmth in the way Jason said his name.

[lazarusinred]

Jason's stomach let out an answering gurgle, as if commiserating with Dirk's. He had eaten before going out on patrol last night, but that had been many hours and much physical activity ago.

"Yeah, Alfred's family," he answered. "He's... well it's complicated and probably best explained over some food." One more kiss and Jason moved off Dirk and up to his feet, for all the world moving like he actually weighed nothing. He grabbed some sweatpants from one of the closets next to the bed and put them on. Getting properly dressed could wait.

Scrambled eggs would be easy. He could make decent ones. It was probably the best (and only) thing he made. As he assembled what he needed he asked loud enough for Dirk to hear wherever he was, "Is the seafood thing a preference or allergy? And do you want coffee?"

[evenindeath]

Dirk stayed in bed while Jason got up, mainly so he could indulgently lounge comfortably against the mattress while he watched Jason get up, utterly shameless in his appreciation of Jason's body. Only once Jason was up and out of bed did Dirk bother getting up himself, grabbing a pair of pants from his sylladex that were a bit slinky and comfortable along with showing off his legs. Even if they weren't as impressive as Jason's. He slid his sunglasses on as he made his way into the kitchen, a habit from wearing them 24/7 for so long even when there was nothing he actually needed them for.

"Preference. No allergies. Would love coffee," he answered in order, shoving his hands in his pockets as he stood at the doorway to the kitchen. Hm, probably Texas still existed in this part of the timeline. "... I said my home was in Austin but saying my home was where Austin was would be more fitting. Gulf of Mexico flooded most of the state a long time ago, my building is basically the only structure left standing out of the water. So. Lot of fishing."

[lazarusinred]

Jason paused what he was doing for a moment of equally shameless appreciation of Dirk. Sometimes a little bit of the right clothing painted a prettier picture. That and the light of the kitchen let him appreciate the new mark he had made.

"That would explain why you know a shark bite scar when you see one," he said turning back to his work. When he set the little coffee pot to brewing it chimed a cheery song. All his appliances were like that. That's what he got for getting Dick's help picking them. On the other hand they worked flawlessly. When he moved in he had all the electronics replaced as well as the hot water heater. Part paranoia and part being able to enjoy things of high quality.

In addition to the eggs he browned some cut up sausage, cut into disks. He pulled down two mugs and set them on the counter island. The layout of the kitchen made it so that Dirk could get his own coffee or wait. "I've got the milk out, if you want it. Sugar?"

[evenindeath]

Dirk gave a wordless sound of agreement about the shark bite scar, confirming it for Jason. He was entertained at all the cheerful little chimes the electronics made, less jarring than some others. The contrast of Jason against how cute it was also helped the picture.

"Fuck yeah, thanks," he said, needing to stifle a yawn before he took one of the cups to doctor up to his liking. Both with plenty of milk and sugar, because neither were common commodities where he was from.

[lazarusinred]

For his own coffee Jason added plenty of milk and no sugar. Milk had also been added to the eggs, which made them fluffy. In short order they were plated up with the sausage.

"Not much, but it'll do," Jason said when he handed Dirk his plate. A simple and passable meal.

There were stools on the far side of the counter, but Jason ended up leaning against the island counter to eat. "So. Family. Uh first thing, almost all masked types have secret identities that they protect. Something something protect loved ones. I don't exactly have an identity to protect, but I don't go around advertising. The man who adopted and trained me is fucking committed to protecting his. He's who we're going to meet with and it'll be super weird to only call him Batman, but that's what I'll do until hopefully he comes around. Alfred is... to call him Batman's butler is a disservice. He's that and more. He helped raise me and my brothers. Adopted older brother, was Robin now Nightwing. Adopted younger brother, Robin now Red Robin. Batman's biological son is the youngest and current Robin. Yes I was a Robin too. It's a whole fucking theme. Whole weird ass family. Alfred is our rock." He cocked a smile at Dirk. "I'm sure he'll like you."

[evenindeath]

Anything that didn't come prepackaged that he didn't have to make for himself was honestly a gift for Dirk, and he wasn't exaggerating or being sarcastic when he said "S'great," between bites of food. With that, it was easy to just listen quietly while Jason explained... even if at times his eyebrows did raise a bit. Specifically at the everyone being named Robin thing. He supposed it made it easier to not have to redo anything that needed a codename.

His mouth was full of the last of his eggs, which also stopped him from his knee-jerk response of 'nobody likes me' - which was also not an exaggeration or sarcastic. He did not extend an effort to be likable, so few to none liked him. Sometimes even when they were together he wasn't sure Jake even liked him much. He knew Jane and Roxy preferred Hal to him. The others he hadn't gotten to know, really, but he had no reason to believe it'd be different.

"... Like Robin Hood or Robin Redbreast?" Dirk asked finally, when he swallowed.

[lazarusinred]

If Alfred could forgive Jason for everything that he had done and help him and Bruce come to something passing a familial relationship, Alfred would like Dirk. At least that was Jason's reasoning along with desperately wanting his family to accept Dirk. He didn't understand the shape of what he wanted, but he knew that was a piece of it.

He shoveled some more of his food in his mouth before answering. "Robin redbrest. The bird. It's a whole flighted animal theme. Even Nightwing and Red Robin have altered their identities as they grew up to fit."

The last of his own eggs prevented him from wondering out loud if he would have if things had happened differently. If they had more time, then- well, maybe they would have more time. Maybe they wouldn't.

[evenindeath]

Dirk gave a little hum of agreement. That made sense, even if he didn't know of any specific birds called a nightwing. There was the common nighthawk, but... different realities, or even if not it was still clearly a flighted animal thing as the theme going on. Fit in. Matchy-matchy.

He took a sip of coffee.

"So what about Red Hood then? You just a huge fan of Sam The Sham The Pharaohs? Hey there Little Red Riding Hood, you sure are looking good, you're everything a big bad wolf could want~"

The last part he did, in fact, sing.

[lazarusinred]

Jason did smile at the song. It was perhaps more than a little flirty and he could play along or-

He looked away and back, thinking over the truth of it. Truth had gotten him this far with Dirk. "It was the first identity of the man who killed me."

[evenindeath]

Huh.

Well, that was not an answer Dirk had been expecting, and he was a little concerned that his flirty teasing had been a bit ... stepping in it, so to speak. Jason had smiled at the song, though. Didn't seem to hate him for it.

"... You kill him back?" he asked, after finishing off his last bite of sausage.

[lazarusinred]

Different dimensions. Best to not assume anything. "When people die here, they usually stay dead. I only know part of why I'm not still dead. When I came back I- no, I need to back up more."

Jason downed a good mouthful of coffee. He held the mug in both hands as he talked. "The original Red Hood- well I made the costume better damn it, but he was criminal and got into it with the Batman. There was some accident with a chemical plant, and the Red Hood became the Joker. The Joker is unstable and murderous, but the Batman only keeps catching him and trying to force him to get help he doesn't want. When that fucker killed me, I thought that the man who had called me his son would finally put him down. He didn't. I tried to make him choose... So no, the man who killed me continues to draw breath like a fucking cockroach."

[evenindeath]

Regardless of what was normal here, Jason had very clearly returned to life himself. Unless he was a particularly cunning kind of undead that was still fully capable of everything the living did.

Fully capable.

"That's fucked," Dirk said, because there was no other answer for it. "My brother killed the guy that killed me with this one."

He pointed to the array of marks that looked like thin lances - the exit wound on the back no bigger than the front making it a strange kind of bullet if that's what did it.

He'd had to kill Dirk with it right after bringing him back, but Dirk had basically demanded it of him to stop that fuck. Who was... kind of jester themed after a fashion? Huh. Weird symmetries. "Your Joker dude never went by Jack Noir right?"

[lazarusinred]

Dirk was close enough that without thinking Jason reached and touched the marks he had pointed to. The warmth that Jason's fingers had picked up from the mug made Dirk's skin feel cool. It was all very fucked.

"I don't think so. But, hell, that sounds exactly like a name he would use. Even if black is not in his usual theme."

[evenindeath]

Dirk shivered a bit - Jason's fingers were so warm against his skin.

"Fuck had plenty of names, so - had to check," Dirk explained, though his voice had gone soft. Even as he mentally filed checking up on this 'Joker' character as soon as he could into his to-do list, he took Jason's hand to draw up to the scar around his neck as well, the solid line of it.

"Two decapitations, only got one scar out of it though. I think I've died... five times? Maybe more. Depends on how you count it. And now it doesn't matter because it won't stick. At least, couldn't in our universe. Maybe not here. Guess I'll find out."

[lazarusinred]

The softness in Dirk's voice and his hand guiding Jason's- it was very distracting. Pleasantly distracting. He ran his fingers along the line of the scar, noting the marks he had made as well.

"Try not to rush in to find out," he said, leaning toward Dirk - his own voice gaining its own softness. Whatever else he may have said or done was interrupted by an enthusiastic chiming from the bedroom. He scrunched up his nose apologetically and said, "That means we have to leave." It was physically painful to move away from Dirk.

Dishes into the sink, alarm turned off, get appropriately dressed.

When all was said and done his armor still needed to be repaired. He had been interrupted in the middle of that. Not that he would complain even a little. So, he was simply dressed in a hoodie, jeans, and his usual coat - which he had managed to fix. He had pulled a more mundane helmet from one of the closets since it seemed he was going to be going dressed like a normal person.

"Do you need a helmet this time?" he asked.

[evenindeath]

Maybe drawing attention back to Jason's mark as well had been the intention. It was easy to get distracted by him, to keep wanting - and the alarm that went off to stop them was, he knew, for the best. Didn't mean he had to like it. Dirk was an expert at denying himself his wants for the next need though, and tempting as it was to let his friends fend for themselves for a little bit ... this was also his responsibility. He could choose to let them fend for themselves when and if he found out what kind of trouble they were in first. Muggers sounded like the least of his worries after some of Jason's story.

Dirk dressed in more of the same from what he had been wearing yesterday - he didn't have much in the way of cold weather clothing, he'd never needed it before. Even his set of the magic pajamas had short sleeves. A quick browse through his sylladex on his HUD of his glasses though and he gave a small nod after a moment.

"Yeah, don't have one myself."

Which was probably stupid and reckless given he did have a rocket powered skateboard and wasn't always immortal, but he had left off how many of those deaths were directly by his own doing. 'Reckless' was hardly the worst he'd done to himself.