Chapter Text
“I can’t believe you actually convinced me to do this,” Jason says, arms crossed. “Of all the things I said I would never do again, ever , you got me to do the one thing that was number one on the ‘Jason Doesn’t Want to Do This’ list.”
Jason has been saying things along those lines for the better half of the hour it takes to get to their destination. Dick rolls his eyes through most of it.
“If you really didn’t want to do it, you would have jumped out of the car already,” Dick says.
“I’m only doing it because you promised me we’d have sex in every room of your apartment and we’d try that thing where we see how flexible you are.”
“Because I mistakenly pointed out we’d already had sex in every room of my apartment,” Dick adds with a grin. He still remembers that weekend. Dick had noticed Jason staying at his place more often than he stayed in his own place. Jason had made up a few excuses, saying it was because Dick couldn’t clean up after himself and it bothered him, or that Roy was still complaining about that one time Dick and Jason had sex when Roy was there. The reality of it was that Jason had sort of moved in with Dick. Jason wanted to christen it as theirs, hence the sex marathon.
“Yeah, whatever,” Jason says as he looks out the windows like the trees on the road around them have personally offended him. “I would just like to note, again, that I don’t want to do this and that it’s a terrible idea. Tim knew about us, why couldn’t we just let him tell Bruce. Why are you insisting on all this?”
“We’re going to dinner at the manor for the first time as a couple,” Dick says. “Because even though Bruce probably knows, we should still tell him so he doesn’t get all upset and broody. You know how sad I get when Bruce is upset and broody, and I know you don’t like it when I’m sad.”
“I don’t, but why couldn’t we just hit your distress signal while we were making out or something and let Bruce find out that way?” Jason asks, hand gesturing in front of him for emphasis. “We don’t have to go to the manor, I don’t have to play nice, and we all live happily ever after.”
“But what about holidays?” Dick asks. “You know I like holidays at the Manor, and I know you miss Alfred’s pies and that we wouldn’t get any if neither of us showed up.”
“Then you can go,” Jason replies. “Alfred and I still do lunch once a week, so it won’t be like I’ll miss him. You go to the holiday celebration, bring me pie, and then we have sex at home.”
“Alfred wouldn’t let me take any pie home because he wants to see you here Jason.” Dick says and Jason looks around, hunching down in his seat when he realizes where they are.
“Why are you making me do this, Dick?” It’s a question Jason has been asking with varying degrees of seriousness since Dick proposed they go to the manor for dinner a little over a week ago. Dick refused to elaborate on a specific date so Jason couldn’t run and Jason had asked him the question in bed, in the car, and on patrol.
“Because they’re my family, Jason,” Dick says. “And I want them to meet the person I’m in a relationship with. Also because they’re your family and they miss you.”
“I highly doubt the replacement and the demon spawn miss me,” Jason replies.
Dick unbuckles his seatbelt and leans over to Jason, pulling him as close as he can in the awkward space of the car. “Alfred misses you,” Dick says as he nuzzles Jason’s cheek. “And if you really want, you can just hide with him in the kitchen the whole time. As long as you’re here, I’m happy,” Dick says.
Jason sighs and Dick knows he’s won. “You’re so lucky I love you,” Jason whispers, so quiet Dick can barely hear him.
“I know,” Dick replies as he presses kisses against Jason’s cheek. “I think about how lucky I am every day when I wake up next to you. Even if you snore sometimes.”
Jason shoves Dick’s shoulder before pulling him into a kiss. “I like waking up next to you too, even if you’re an octopus in bed.”
“It’s because you’re so warm,” Dick says. Neither of them have to point out that ever since Jason started staying over at Dick’s place, his night terrors and panic attacks have actually subsided a decent amount. Jason still has them occasionally, but with Dick wrapped around him at night, talking him through nightmares when he starts having them, he’s sleeping a lot more easily.
There’s a gentle knock on the window, causing Dick and Jason to look away from each other. Alfred is outside and he’s looking at the two of them with a raised eyebrow.
“I guess this is it, huh?” Jason asks. “No turning back now?”
“Not even if you tried,” Dick says as he pulls away, letting Alfred open the door for him. “Sorry we’re late.”
“Better late than never, as Master Bruce always says.” Alfred has a faint smile on his face and Dick knows how much it means to him that Jason is finally at the Manor again.
Jason gets out of the car, closing the door behind him. He comes over to Alfred and pulls him into a hug. “Good to see you, Alf,” Jason says.
“Good to see you as well, Master Jason.” Alfred has a smile on his face as they part. He starts walking up to the manor and Jason freezes in place.
“It’s okay,” Dick whispers in Jason’s ear as he links his arm with Jason’s. “Remember, you can hide in the kitchen or you can even hide in one of the bedrooms.”
“I know,” Jason replies as they start walking. Their progress is slow, but they finally make it over the threshold. Jason is incredibly tense, like he’s about to run if he hears a noise that’s too loud, but Dick relaxes as he takes Jason’s leather jacket off and hands it to Alfred.
“So what are we having for dinner tonight, Alfred,” Dick asks as he takes off his own jacket.
“Sunday Roast,” Alfred says as he starts walking them back towards the kitchen. Dick wraps an arm around Jason. “And to celebrate Master Jason being here, I also made apple pie with a pumpkin pie on reserve for you two to take home.”
While Jason doesn’t say anything, Dick can see the excitement in his eyes over the idea of having Alfred’s pie. Things are going well so far. Jason hasn’t run off yet and they haven’t seen anyone other than Alfred. If the rest of the night goes like this, things will be perfect, but of course, something always has to happen.
“I have been instructed to prepare drinks for the two of you while you talk to Master Bruce in his study. I believe he’s waiting for you there.”
“Fuck,” Jason says and Alfred doesn’t even bother scolding him, he just raises an eyebrow. “Do we have to?” Jason asks Alfred.
“I believe you do,” Alfred replies.
“It’ll be quick,” Dick says as he tugs on Jason’s arm, partially so Jason won’t run, and partially because Dick wants something to hang on to. He might be the Golden Boy, but that doesn’t mean Bruce will be happy with him regarding their relationship. Yeah, Bruce will be mad at Jason, but he’ll be more upset with Dick for letting all of this happen. “Like a bandaid.” He tugs Jason out of the kitchen and into the hallways leading to Bruce’s study.
“I can’t do this, Dick,” Jason says as he starts pacing in the hallway. “I can’t talk to Bruce and the family and not act like all of this is weird. You guys were trying to put me in jail a few months ago and now we’re acting like everything is normal or something. I thought we agreed we weren’t trying to do normal.”
“We’re not trying to do normal, Jason,” Dick says as he wraps his arms around Jason’s waist and pulls him close. “But we are trying to bring you back into the family so you can feel like you belong.”
“I already have a place where I belong,” Jason says. “I’m fine with it just being you, I don’t have to do all of this.”
“But all of this is a part of being with me,” Dick tells him. “Please, Jason, it’s not going to be bad. I promise.”
“Fine,” Jason says. “But one condition,”
“What?” Dick asks.
“All the rooms in the apartment,” Jason says. “That flexibility thing, and that Red Hood and Nightwing thing I was talking about.”
Dick flushes. “You mean the one where you’re-”
“Yes,” Jason says, not looking at Dick.
“And I’m-”
“ Yes ,” Jason says again.
“Okay,” Dick says, cheeks still a little pink.
Bruce’s study door opens in that moment causing both Dick and Jason to freeze.
“Boys,” Bruce says in his Batman voice and Dick knows this isn’t going to be a fun talk. Not at all. Dick grabs Jason’s hand and holds on for dear life. “Why don’t you come in and we’ll have a little talk?”
As they walk to the study, Jason leans down. “I thought you weren’t scared?” Jason hisses in Dick’s ear.
“I never said that,” Dick replies. “I didn’t want you freaking out more because I was freaking out.”
They enter the study and sit down. Dick tries his best not to fidget, but as soon as he stops his fingers from tapping against his thigh, his leg starts shaking, and as soon as he stops his leg from shaking, a foot taps. He lets his leg bounce up and down and hopes it won’t drive all of them crazy. Dick looks over at Jason and he knows Jason won’t mind his fidgeting because he’s not even looking at Dick. His arms are crossed and he’s slouched just a little bit in the chair, but his muscles are coiled and ready to run.
Bruce stares at them for what feels like eternity and Dick is so tempted to start talking in order to fill the silence with something, anything. But he can’t. The one time Dick starts to say something, Bruce holds up a hand to stop him and Dick is silent.
“How long has this been going on?” Bruce asks.
“Eight months,” Dick replies, unable to stay silent during Bruce’s questioning. “We officially started a relationship about two months ago, but we’d been seeing each other before that.”
“Are you living together?”
“Sort of,” Dick says. Bruce raises an eyebrow. “Jason still has his own place and still has a few things there but we’ve been living together in my apartment for, what’s it been now,” Dick turns to Jason. “A few weeks?”
“About a month,” Jason replies, not looking away from Bruce.
“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
Jason shifts in his chair and all Dick can think is here we go . As Jason leans forward slightly. “Are you serious with that question?” Jason asks. “At what point did you think I was going to be comfortable enough with you to saunter on over here and tell you I was in a relationship with your pride and joy?” Dick puts his head in his hand. “Was I just supposed to get over all the shit between us so I could tell you I, the family fuckup, was dating your favorite kid? And don’t tell me he’s not your favorite, I mean look at him,” Jason said. “How can Dick not be your favorite when he looks adorable even when he’s ashamed of me for reaming you out.”
“Jason,” Dick scolds. He doesn’t know whether he should be flattered because somewhere in that rant there was a compliment, but this is definitely not helping their situation at all.
“I see your point,” Bruce says. “But I wish you felt comfortable enough to tell me these things.”
“That’s not going to happen for a long time,” Jason said. “If it weren’t for Dick, I wouldn’t even be here. What I want to know, is how long
you
knew.”
Dick looks at Bruce and he can see Bruce calculating how to answer the question in a way that won’t make Jason freak out, which means that Bruce has to have known, “Since the beginning,” Bruce said. “One day you forgot to disarm one of the functions on Dick’s suit and I almost intervened before I realized there wasn’t any harm happening.”
“Oh my god,” Dick says from where he is. “You knew the whole time?”
“I thought it was something you two should work out on your own,” Bruce said. “And while I don’t agree with everything that’s happened, I’m glad you two worked it out.”
“The whole time?” Dick asks again before putting his head in his hands. “The whole time. He knew the whole time. Of course he did, he’s Batman .”
“Are we done?” Jason asks. “Because as fun as it is watching Dick freak out, I’m the one that was supposed to be freaking out right now.”
“We’re done,” Bruce says as he stands up. “You two have my blessing.”
“We weren’t asking for your blessing,” Jason says as he goes over to Dick. “Come on DickieBird, let’s go get you some alcohol.”
Dick stands up. “Thanks Bruce,” he says, grinning when Jason wraps an arm around his waist. “It means a lot.”
“One more thing,” Bruce says before Dick and Jason can leave the study. “I know you two can get...caught in the moment. I don’t mind that, but please make sure you turn off your comms and make sure you don’t hit any distress signals. You’ve traumatized Tim on more than one occasion.”
“Oh my god,” Dick says as Jason drags him out of the study. Bruce follows them out and right before they get to the kitchen, Dick tells Bruce to go in without them. As soon as the kitchen door shuts, Jason presses Dick against the wall and kisses him.
When they part, Dick presses his forehead to Jason’s. “That wasn’t so bad, was it?”
“I think parts of it were worse for you than they were for me,” Jason says with a smirk. “So if we come here for Christmas, how many rooms of the manor do you think we can have sex in?”
“Not mine,” A voice pipes up from next to them and Jason freezes. Tim is standing in the hallway in a pair of boxers and a t-shirt, hair mussed up and dark circles under his eyes.
“Hey Tim,” Dick says with a grin. “Did you just wake up?”
“Yeah,” Tim says slowly, looking between them. “What time is it?”
“Right around five thirty,” Dick says. “What time did you think it was?”
“I thought it was still early in the morning because it was dark outside,” Tim says with a frown.
“You’re about ten hours off, Timmers,” Jason says.
“Alright then,” Tim says. “I’m going to go get dressed. And if you do the sex in the manor thing, please leave my room out of it.”
“Will do, Tim,” Dick says, watching Tim disappear down the hall. “Alright, I think that’s the worst of it. Telling Damian probably won’t be so bad.”
-
Damian finds out about Jason and Dick in the middle of dinner. Jason asks Dick to pass the potatoes and Dick not only passes the potatoes, but he kisses Jason’s cheek.
“Oh come on guys, not at the table,” Tim says.
“You’re just jealous, Timbo.” Jason says as he takes Dick’s hand in his own.
“Wait,” Damian says. “Grayson and Todd are in an intimate relationship?”
“You mean you didn’t know?” Tim asks, looking at Damian. “Are you serious? You claim you’re smarter than me and you didn’t even know these two were in a relationship? It was obvious.”
“Not that obvious,” Jason says.
“For once I agree with Todd.” Damian says. “How long has this been going on?”
“We’ve been seeing each other for eight months,” Dick says. “It became a serious relationship two months ago.”
“Father, did you know about this?” Damian asks.
Bruce is doing his best to hide his amusement over the situation. “Yes I did, Damian.”
“And you approve of it?”
“I do,” Bruce replies.
Damian shakes his head and looks at Jason, eyes zeroing in like a predator hunting prey. “I demand a fight, Todd, for Grayson’s honor.”
“Damian you don’t need to fight Jason for my honor.” Dick shakes his head.
“Jason’s already won it,” Tim replies and Dick kicks him under the table.
“Todd! You and me, right here!”
“As much as I’d love to fight you, Demon Spawn, I’m sorry, but you’re a little late to fight me for Dick’s honor.”
“Jason, do not say what I think you’re going to say.”
“I tarnished it a long time ago.”
“Come on , Jason,” Dick blushes.
-
“That went well,” Jason says as he gets in the car at the end of the night, arms full with leftovers and other food Alfred’s made them.
“You started a food fight,” Dick says. “In the middle of dinner. With a ten year old.”
“It was for your honor,” Jason said. “And I was winning before Alfred came in and stopped us.”
“I’m surprised Bruce didn’t intervene,” Dick comments as he starts the car and pulls out of the driveway. When he turns his head to look behind him, Jason can see a bit of potato in his hair. Jason doesn’t say anything about it.
“I think he was too busy laughing his ass off,” Jason says.
“Well, now I don’t have to bribe you to get you at the Manor for Thanksgiving or Christmas,” Dick says. “I never thought I’d see Alfred punish someone by telling them they have to celebrate the holidays with their family.” Dick sighs. “But I guess you’re sort of right, it could have been worse.”
Jason reaches over and takes Dick’s hand, lacing their fingers together. “So when we get home we’re doing the Nightwing and Red Hood thing, right?”
Dick’s cheeks go red and Jason smirks. “Fine, but I’m showering first to get the potatoes out of my hair. And so are you.”
“Shower sex and the Nightwing and Red Hood thing, wow, Christmas must have come early.”
“Shut up,” Dick says and Jason laughs, kissing their hands.
They sit in comfortable silence for a little while and Jason takes that time to reflect on how happy he is compared to how he was a year ago. He never thought he’d get to have a relationship with someone. He never thought he’d get over what happened to him or that he’d wake up from his nightmares to someone telling him it was okay and that they loved him.
“What are you thinking about?” Dick asks.
“I’m thinking about how much I love you,” Jason replies, unafraid to be honest about it, because the smile on Dick’s face makes everything worth it.