Chapter Text
The city was so beautiful from way up here, Gotham was a wild nearly lawless sort of place but up here, at night, it looked much like the stars had fallen from the sky. The buildings twinkling in the distance and the sound unable to travel up to where Jon was standing, elbows resting on the carved stone railing wall around the roof top terrace and leaning forward to see the city sky line better.
He was escaping the noise and scene going on inside the top floor where the gala his father had brought him along to was going on, his dad was covering the event for the paper he worked for and sometimes he’d take Jon with him. It was fun, some of the time, but this event wasn’t one of those times. There were no other kids around his age except that Wayne kid but during the few times they had met, Jon got the impression Damian didn’t like him much. Besides, Damian wasn’t anywhere to be found, so Jon had come out here by himself to just enjoy the sights and get away from the older women who kept wanting to pinch his face.
It was pretty out there, it looked so different from Metropolis, the architecture was more art deco and gothic, it was beautiful, too bad Gotham was such a dangerous place. Luckily, it had its own heroes to look after them. Of all the times that Jon had visited he had never gotten a chance to see Batman or any of the other Bats, not even Robin! Which really was a shame, because the latest Robin, while rough around the edges, was Jon’s favorite one.
He’s seen clips and videos of Robin fighting and it was graceful, planned and brutal sometimes but it mesmerized Jon. Besides, Robin was close to his age and from the more clear pictures out there, he was pretty cute. Robin was a hero but he was also kind of a bad boy and well, Jon had a type.
Jon squinted as he saw something in the far distance and he wondered if it was a crime or maybe! It was Bat! He leaned more forward trying to see better, getting up on his hands on the outer edge of the railing and getting up to his tip toes. His center of gravity tittering over the edge of the wall he was against. Oh, was that-
The stone was worn and crumbly, it just so happened to crumble more as Jon rested his weight on it and had him tilting over the rail before he try to reel back. He went over the rail with a scream of terror, the wind deafening in his ears as he plummeted toward the streets below.
His mind swirled with millions of thoughts as fear started to drown his senses; Jon was going to die, in Gotham of all places. His father would have no idea for a while, Jon said he would be right back and now, well, that wasn’t happening. Jon’s youth was going to be cut short and he hadn’t even had his first kiss!
Jon grunted as he was slammed into bodily and snatched right out of the air, the direction of his fall switching to the side instead of going down. He dared to open his eyes and saw a flurry of color, red, green and yellows.
“Are you okay?” Robin asked, not looking down at him and Jon couldn’t speak as the shock of not dying tonight washed over him. Robin looked down at Jon quickly to check on him. “I said: Are you okay?”
“I…” Jon felt breathless and grunted as Robin landed the both of them on a nearby building’s roof top and Jon collapsed to the ground, his legs unable to support him.
Robin sank down to kneel next to Jon, grabbing Jon’s face in his hand to look him over, like Jon wasn’t a person but an object to be checked. Robin seemed to realize what he had done and coughed awkwardly before letting go and busied himself with retracting and putting away his grapple. “Are you alright?”
“You saved me!” Jon squeaked as Robin looked back at him.
“Yes.” Robin said simply. “You were lucky I was so close by to see you go over.”
“You…saved my life…” Jon repeated dazed. “I think I’m gonna be sick…”
“Please don’t.” Robin scooted back from him and Jon instinctively reached out to clutch at the other boy’s cape and Robin caught Jon by the wrist just as quickly.
“Don’t go.” Jon pleaded, feeling himself starting to tremble as what almost happened started to crash over him.
“I’m not leaving.” Robin said, carefully pulling Jon’s hand off his cape. “What’s your name?”
“Jon.” Jon said, taking in a breath and letting it go. “Jon Kent.”
“Kent?” Robin tilted his head and Jon thought maybe his eyes widened behind the white lenses, looking like he was really focusing on Jon’s face.
“Uh, yea, my dad is Clark Kent?” Jon said, looking down at where Robin was still holding his wrist, it was kind of grounding. “I don’t know if you’d know him, he’s a reporter, he’s…” Jon looked back and up, he could see where he had fallen from and nearly fell back as his head lolled and things felt like they had tilted but Robin moved behind him to keep him up. “He’s…he’s up there…that was so high…”
“Are you still going to be sick, Kent?” Robin asked and offered him a plastic bag that he pulled from his belt. “Here...”
“…You just have these?” Jon asked, glancing back at Robin.
“You’d be surprised how prepared I am for things.” Robin said, getting up and pulling Jon up to his feet, Jon stumbled the whole way to the wall of a stair well access and helped Jon sit back against it and then sat next to him.
“Thanks…” Jon leaned his head back against the wall. “And…thanks for saving me…I thought I was going to die…” He mumbled the last as he stared off, the skyline wasn’t much different from here but it didn’t seem as beautiful as before.
“It’s my job, so you’re welcome.” Robin said, watching Jon’s face with interest. “Are you going to be alright?”
“I think so…” Jon mumbled then looked over at Robin. “If you have to leave…it’s okay, I can get back on my own.”
“Absolutely not.” Robin scoffed. “I am not in any hurry, I’ll stay with you.”
“You’re a lot nicer than the internet says.” Jon said without thinking and his eyes widened. “Ah! I didn’t mean!”
“I’m well aware of my reputation.” Robin said, looking unbothered. “I am aware I’m not a popular Robin, it’s fine, I’m not doing it for thanks or praise from the public.”
“You’re my favorite Robin.” Jon said before he thought it through and blushed, clamping his mouth shut, god, was a near death experience the reason he couldn’t keep his thoughts to himself.
“That’s kind, but like I said, I don’t need that.” Robin said, looking out toward the city.
“Do you think I’m lying to make you feel better?” Jon asked confused. “You’re like…the most kick ass Robin, you have sword! I’ve seen the way you fight online and the way you move like a ninja! That’s so cool and-“ Jon stopped when Robin looked at him and Jon felt his face starting to burn. “Oh my god, I…oh man, I’m so sorry for being a weird fanboy…please don’t look at me.” Jon whined and drew his knees to his chest so he could hide his face against them and folded his arms over head.
A moment passed before Jon heard Robin chuckle, it as a nice sound, it was soft and subtle but so nice. He peeked over at Robin who was pressing his gloved fist to his mouth to stifle the laughter, still looking at Jon and smiled when their eyes met.
“That’s kind, thank you.” Robin said, some pink started to dust across his sun kissed skin and he looked away. “People don’t tend to like me much because of how abrasive I can be, which is fine, but it’s…nice. I think you are nice, Kent.”
“Really??” Jon sat up straight and beamed over at Robin. “You do?!” Jon winced, knowing he was being loud. “Ah, sorry, I’m excitable, that’s what my mom says, heh.” Jon ducked his head embarrassed.
“That’s alright.” Robin said with some warmth in his voice.
Jon peeked over at Robin, he was looking out toward the city and there was a small smile on his lips and Jon couldn’t help sighing dreamily. Robin was so much more handsome in person than any picture and Jon could feel his heart go pitter patter when Robin looked at him again. There was a faint scar that Jon could see that dipped just under Robin’s jaw and it reminded him of something but he couldn’t place it.
“Are you feeling better?” Robin asked, his covered eyes seeming to be studying him when he looked back to Jon.
“Yes...I…uh, I should really get back before my dad gets worried.” Jon said and internally cursed, his dad was going to totally flip if he couldn’t find Jon. He was going to flip when Jon tells him what happened, great.
“Are you sure?” Robin raised a brow at Jon’s pained expression.
“Yes, sorry, I was thinking about my dad freaking out.” Jon said, focusing on Robin. “He’s gonna have a fit about all this, he treats me like such a little kid and I get it, I’m only sixteen but still!”
“…you fell off a sky scraper.” Robin said slowly like Jon might not realize that. “I think that’s worth a few worries.”
“Hngh, yes, okay, no, you’re right. It’s just…the rest of the time, you know?” Jon babbled, hoping Robin didn’t think he was stupid.
“I understand.” Robin nodded. “My father does the same, despite my capabilities or maturity; he doesn’t often see more than a child. Perhaps is just what fathers do.” Robin shrugged.
“Exactly!” Jon said grinning excited that Robin understood. “Heh, I’m sure it’s worse since your dad is Batman! Must be hard having a superhero parent, even if it seems kind of cool.”
Robin’s mouth pursed slightly and he cleared his throat, getting up to his feet and offered his hand down to Jon who happily took it.
“Would you be okay with going up on the grappling hook? Or I can take you the pedestrian way?” Robin said.
“Grapple!” Jon said excited, no thought, only feeling. He couldn’t pass that up and besides…that would mean Robin would have to hold him. Gah! He would love that but he had to keep it together and not be weird about it.
“If you’re sure.” Robin said sounding amused. “You’ll need to hold on tight, okay?”
“I can totally do that.” Jon said and smiled nervously as Robin looked slightly confused.
Jon held Robin as he was instructed and Robin tightly wrapped an arm around Jon’s waist. This close to Robin, gah, it was making his heart rate go wild in his chest and hoped Robin couldn’t hear it.
“Are you ready, Kent?” Robin asked, turning his head slightly and their faces brushed and Jon held back a giddy noise.
“Yes.” Jon squeaked and gasped as they shot up into the air, clinging tighter to Robin and feeling the warmth of the other boy where they pressed together.
The thrill of flying and being held by his celebrity crush was almost overwhelming, not as big as falling off a building but Jon swore it was a close second. They swung up and over the ledge where Jon had fallen from and Robin landed them on the terrace.
Robin moved his hands to Jon’s waist as the boy wobbled and made sure he was steady, even when he clearly was, Robin’s hands stayed on him.
“Are you good?” Robin asked.
“The best~” Jon hummed and kept his hands on Robin’s shoulders as well, they sort of looked like they were in a dance position. “Heh, this has been…well awesome and terrifying.”
“Awesome?” Robin snorted out the word, it wasn’t exactly something he would use when almost plummeting to his death.
“Heh, well, meeting you was at least.” Jon laughed sheepishly.
They both glanced over at the double doors that led back to the gala when there was a loud round of applause for something they couldn’t make out from whoever was speaking on the stage. They both seemed to sigh at the same time and Jon found that strange but he really couldn’t drag this on any longer, his dad was gonna start to notice he was gone soon.
“I…I have to go back.” Jon said, feeling Robin’s hands drop from his waist and he held back a disappointed sigh, he really needed to get a grip, it was dumb to have a crush over someone he didn’t even know.
Jon’s fingers grasped the cape at Robin’s shoulders as he thought, well, sure, but it wasn’t like they’d ever see each other again and…he could indulge a little, right? He decided to go through with it before he over thought it too much, Jon quickly pulled Robin toward him to quickly kiss his cheek.
“Thank you so much for saving me! You’re really cool!” Jon said quickly, letting go and bolting away from the stunned hero before he could react and he didn’t stop till he was inside and ducked through the crowd.
Oh god, oh god, he actually did that! Ah! He kissed Robin’s face! Jon wanted to squeal behind the plant he was hiding next to, he covered his mouth with hands to muffle himself as he got giddy. The butterflies in his stomach made him feel like he could just float away; it was totally worth the risk he took.
“Jon!” The boy looked up startled hearing his father’s booming voice. “There you are! I’ve been looking for you for over twenty minutes!” He scolded as he came over to the boy’s hiding spot.
“I’m sorry, dad.” Jon said, he sounded wistful and his face was pink he just knew it. “Ah, see…okay, you’re not gonna like it…but clearly I’m okay, right?”
“Jonathan Samuel Kent.” Clark said in a firm voice, his eyes narrowing behind his glasses. “What did you do?”
“Well…”
~ ~
“WHAT!?”
“Dad, don’t scream, come on!” Jon hissed quietly after he explained what had happened and smiled awkwardly when people looked over at them.
“You…Jon!” Clark exclaimed, gathering the boy in his arms nearly crushing him in hold. “Oh my god, I…how could I have…Jon, I’m so happy you’re alright.” Clark’s voice cracked, Jon had never heard him like that and he tried to hug back as tight to assure him he was alright.
“It wasn’t anyone’s fault, dad, come on, it’s just bad luck, but… I guess it was good luck Robin was around!” Jon said, floundering.
“I…” Clark pulled back and held Jon’s face, looking so conflicted and it made Jon so confused. “Please don’t do that again.”
“Heh, don’t gotta tell me twice!” Jon said and grinned when his dad started to smile a little.
“Clark?” The Kents looked over to see Bruce Wayne walking over to them, holding Damian by the scruff of his suit, the boy looked furious and was clawing at his father’s grip. “Is everything alright?”
“Ah, Bruce…”
After they explained Bruce seemed shocked and had clapped a hand over Jon’s shoulder with a sympathetic expression over his face.
“My, I’m so glad the worst hadn’t happened.” Bruce said and Jon just tried to nod politely, Bruce was sort of his dad’s friend and he didn’t know how to interact with him.
“Robin was amazing though, he just snatched me right out of the air.” Jon said when Bruce took his hand back, the older man’s other hand on Damian’s shoulder, keeping him there Jon figured. Damian didn’t like these things much more than Jon did, probably got caught trying to ditch again.
“Oh?” Bruce said, tilting his head with interest and Jon swore a bit of amusement.
“Yea, he’s way nicer than people say.” That seemed to genuinely surprise Bruce and Damian seemed to have stiffen a bit. “I had always wanted to meet him but not like that, heh, he was so nice to me, made sure I was alright and brought me back up here.”
“Is that so?” Bruce asked, exchanging some kind of look with Clark. “So, your father mentioned that he’s your favorite Robin, is that true?”
“Totally!” Jon grinned, bouncing on his toes a little. “He’s amazing! The way he fights is so beautiful and precise with this kind of deadly grace…plus he’s got a cool sword! He’s around my age and he’s just…I dunno, since he showed up, I’ve just loved learning about him.”
Jon blushed when his father ruffled his hair a little and he realized he had just been gushing, he ducked his head embarrassed, man Damian heard all that too. He was probably going to tease him like he usually did; Damian was always calling him childish even though the other boy was only a year older.
“People tend to like the other Robins more.” Damian said and Jon looked up at him, the boy had glanced at Jon for only a moment and Jon swore that Damian’s face was a little pink.
“Yea, I know, they’re popular and whatever, but the current Robin could kick all their asses.” Jon said.
“Jonathan, language.” Clark scolded.
“Sorry!” Jon squeaked and blinked when he heard Damian chuckle, he was sure he’s never heard him do that or even smile really and now he was doing both. It was…strangely familiar.
“I wouldn’t have expected that of you, farm boy.” Damian said, looking Jon in the eye as he tilted his head amused and there was…something about Damian just now.
Jon pursed his lips slightly as he studied Damian a little more and felt like something was just about to click when Damian looked away. Jon tilted his head now and then held up his hand so it would block the view of the top half of Damian’s face, seeing a faint scar that just disappeared under his jawline and it stuck him with a gasp.
Clark snatched Jon’s hand and forced it down, looking over at Bruce who looked grim suddenly before looking down at Damian who was frowning and crossing his arms tightly. Wait, if that was true, then Bruce would have to be!
“Ah, I think it’s time we stepped outside.” Bruce suggested, giving Clark a look and herded Damian out the nearby doors that led out to the terrace that Jon had fell from.
“What! Ah!” Jon gasped, his breathing was increasing as things crashed over him, how could that be true, but it had to be!
“Jon, shh.” Clark said, hurriedly following after the Waynes with Jon in tow, trying to keep his son calm.
Once they were all outside and the door secured, which was freaking Jon out really, they moved far from the party and toward the railing which Jon was going to keep distance from thank you very much. Damian detached from his father and hopped up to sit on top of the stone railing, one foot up on a lower decorative rung and left the other dangling looking so at ease. Bruce was tense and serious; it was an odd contract when things usually were the other way in Jon’s experience.
“So.” Bruce started.
“He figured us out, let’s not tip toe.” Damian snorted.
“Oh god.” Jon breathed, so it was true! Bruce was Batman and Damian was Robin!
Jon froze in a wide eyed stare, oh god, Damian was Robin! That means! He! He had kissed Damian’s face! AH! Oh no, Damian was probably furious, he might just push Jon right off the roof to let gravity finish what it started. Jon dropped his blushing face into his hands. He had gone on and on to Robin, then to Damian, who is the same person, oh man, maybe he’d let Damian push him off the roof.
“Jon.” Clark startled Jon when he touched the boy’s shoulder and got him to look at him. “You can’t tell anyone-“
“I would never!” Jon piped up, his voice was far higher than he intended. “I know that, I won’t, I promise.”
“Sure you can keep your mouth shut, Kent? It doesn’t seem to be your strong suit.” Damian lightly teased, looking amused.
“I can!” Jon frowned and crossed his arms. “I know what’s at stake, I’m not dumb.”
“We’re sure you will keep this quiet.” Bruce said before Damian could speak again. He looked over at Clark and raised a brow at him.
“It’s as good a time as any.” Clark agreed with a sigh.
“I can’t believe Batman is like literally your dad, having a superhero parent, must be wild.” Jon shook his head still kind of dazed by the whole thing.
“Hm, well, I’m sure you’ll know for sure soon enough.” Damian smirked, nodding his head toward Clark.
Jon looked back at his father who had removed his glasses and unbuttoned his dress shirt to reveal the Superman uniform that was hidden underneath.
“I never knew when would be the best time to explain this to you, but you are far old enough to know and well…since everything else came to light.” Clark explained. “I never intended to keep this hidden, son, but this life is dang-“
“AH!” Jon nearly screamed. “You! You’re! My dad is-“ His mouth got covered by a tan hand clamping over it because he was getting far too loud.
“Yes, Kent, please keep to your promise to not blab if you would be so kind.” Damian said from behind him also grasping Jon’s upper arm, basically speaking into Jon’s ear and he couldn’t help shudder a little.
“Damian, that’s enough.” Bruce warned and Damian let go of Jon but stayed near him.
“Huah…I …This is a lot…Is it spinning up here?” Jon mumbled, he was overwhelmed, it was so much to take in and he stumbled when Damian’s hand on his arm made him move to sit down back against the stone fence railing.
“Do you still have the sick bag I gave you?” Damian teased but there was that soft worry like from before again.
“I’m…I’m not gonna.” Jon said, leaning his head back against the wall and closed his eyes. “What a night.”
“It’s a lot to learn in one night.” Clark said. “Just let things sit for a while, Jon, we can talk more about it later, I’m sure you have questions.”
“Am I an alien???” Jon’s head snapped up and it made him dizzy but Damian kept him grounded where held his shoulder.
“Uh, well, you have my DNA but as far as we have ever noticed, you are mostly human.” Clark explained.
“Boring.” Jon muttered and his head fell back against the wall. “Having powers would have been cool.”
“Heh, so you could be what, Superboy?” Damian chuckled. “Being human’s not so bad, all of the Bats are human, myself included.”
“Yea, true.” Jon looked over at Damian who was watching Jon carefully, meeting his eyes when he looked over.
“So now that you know.” Damian said, he shifted slightly. “Have you changed your mind? On your favorite?”
Jon blinked slowly, his blush was spreading across his face again and he would be so much more embarrassed if Damian had said it in a more teasing way, but he seemed earnest.
“No, I haven’t changed it.” Jon said, shrugging a little. “I know you don’t like me, but I always thought you were cool too, you and Robin…or I guess that’s all just…you.”
“You don’t plan to be a reporter too right?” Damian teased. “Your way with words…Mm, leaves a bit to be desired.”
“You were nicer as Robin.” Jon grumbled, pouting and he didn’t even care he was, Damian didn’t need an excuse to tease him.
“Brucie~” A voice called from the doors and a woman who helped put on this gala was beckoning the man while Clark super quickly fixed his clothes. “Come on, it’s time for the big speech.”
“I’ll be right there.” Bruce called over to her and then looked back at the boys. “We can talk more after the gala has ended, really have time and space for this sort of thing. Damian, will you keep an eye on him?”
“Fine.” Damian said like it was boring task.
Clark had to go back with Bruce, his day job was still something he had to keep up with after all.
“Are you good?” Damian asked and without looking at him it was easy to imagine it was Robin asking him again.
“I will be…” Jon sighed. “I…uh, I wanted to…apologize…for being weird, you know, before…”
“I don’t mind it.” Damian assured him, looking forward as they sat shoulder to shoulder. “But…”
Jon looked nervous over at Damian as the older boy paused before finishing his question, looking at Jon as he asked.
“Why…did you kiss me?” Damian asked puzzled.
Jon knew he was red, he’d been red in the face for a while now and it might just stain his face at this rate. “I, uh, well, it’s just…I didn’t exactly think I’d see you again…cause, you know, I didn’t…anyway, I uh…well, you’re…really handsome and uh, well, I sort of, on Robin that is, have kind of a silly sort of…” Jon rambled, looking away. “Crush.”
“A…” Damian’s voice sounded like it had gotten caught in his throat. “I…see…” He said quietly as seemed to think over this information. “But that was just…for Robin.” He repeated, disappointed?
Jon looked over at Damian and before the older boy looked away Jon caught the down trodden expression and felt his cheeks burn. Did…did Damian like him? Why? All Damian ever did was make fun of him when they saw each other and even if they did get along a little it never felt like Damian was interested.
“Ah, Dame, do you…?” Jon asked as saw the boy tense up a little. “Oh my god, but…I thought you didn’t like me, like…at all.”
“I find you entertaining company.” Damian said, still keeping his gaze elsewhere. “I am not…good at being social, especially with people my age. I suppose it would come off that way.” He mumbled the last, his shoulders sagging.
“…can I kiss you again?” Jon asked and nearly laughed with how fast Damian’s head whipped over to look at him. “Please?”
“Ah…why?” Damian asked bewildered. “You…you only like Robin, it’s not…the same.”
“I liked you too.” Jon admitted with a shrug, his cheeks starting to sting with how hot they felt. “But…since I thought you didn’t…well, I mean, it’s weird sure but…I’d like to kiss you, if that’s okay?”
Damian still looked dumbfounded and Jon thought he was even cuter the way he was blushing. Damian nodded stiffly and he looked so nervous, it gave Jon butterflies. They both leaned in closer to each other and it was clear that Damian expected another cheek kiss so Jon reached over to hold Damian’s face and turn it so he could softly brush his lips over Damian’s. The older boy’s eyes widened but he didn’t resist or pull away so Jon let his eyes flutter shut moving in to press a proper kiss to Damian’s lips.
Damian pushed toward Jon and it was clear neither of them knew what they were doing, Jon had never kissed someone before so he just did what he thought he should. He felt Damian just follow his lead and ugh, it was amazing if not weird. Kissing Damian Wayne was never something Jon expected do and at the same time he was kissing Robin which was a thrill from two different fronts that made him shudder.
As they parted Jon saw the soft way Damian’s expression had changed and got another wave of butterflies swirling in the pits of his stomach. His beautiful green eyes nearly sparkled or Jon was lost in the romance of the moment, but it couldn’t be denied how gorgeous Jon thought Damian’s eyes were right now set in a daze before he blinked back into focus.
“That…was awesome.” Jon sighed dreamily and smiled wider when Damian laughed.
“Was it worth falling off a skyscraper?” Damian asked amused.
“Mm, I don’t know.” Jon hummed.
“The perhaps we should make it so.” Damian said, leaning back into for another kiss.
It was so very much worth falling off a skyscraper to get kissed by Damian, by Robin, by this boy that Jon had a double crush on for the longest time. He wouldn’t be going off roofs anytime soon but if he did, he had a feeling he’d have someone out there to rescue him again.