Jason Todd

If you're gonna take me any time soon, Lord, take me now.

A tall boy was glaring at his own reflex. Dark circles under cold blue eyes and a toothbrush hanging from the side of his mouth. The frothy mass of foam dripped down the marble vessel and his mind wondered if he was having a déjà vu but he knew he wasn't. It just happened that the pair of jumping heads beside him made things fairly tricky for him to think otherwise.

Those galling little-

His unsaid thoughts were cut as he narrowed his eyes and spat the remnants of toothpaste. His little brothers, Tim and Damian, were so lousy. Their routine consisted in elbow-fighting themselves for the second sink of their bathroom. Plus, trading impossible dares to each other. Their bickering was all he could hear from the moment he got up till he went to bed again. Seven days a week. Non-stop. If only they could shut up for a straight minute.

"Silence."

A voice clear as a bell spoke for him and broke the couple's 'banter'. It was Cassandra Cain, the only female of the family, and a blessing for all of them. She stepped through the door almost without touching the floor, feet sliding in a ghostly style, and they all froze.

Cass was undoubtedly Jason's favorite sibling, but she was also a spooky one. Face unreadable. He had no idea of what was she thinking, but he was grateful she stopped them before he did because he lacked her subtleness.

Meanwhile, the 'little' boys stood still, cheeks reddened and hands entwined in their endless battle.

Jason scoffed at the sight and fixed his eyes on the mirror. Cassandra was… happy? He caught a glimpse of a smile curling up on her lips before he could exit the room and smirked back at her. The day had begun as any other but this one sure was something special.

Last night Jason stood up late so today would be one small step for man, one giant leap for him. His after-school project, a 'massive reconstruction work' as Alfred pointed out, was finally over and he couldn't wait to get into his new car and escaped from the dynamic duo and Dick's granny-driving skills.

Speaking of the devil…

If there was one thing he'd learned over the past six years of being in the family, it was the importance of going unnoticed by Dick 'hugger' Grayson.

The elder ward was in front of him, black feathered hair brushed back at the sides. He was whistling a stupid tune, eyes closed and hands drumming in the air.

Whatever song it was, Jason did not wait to find out. He moved backward, to avoid eye contact and hoping to retreat in success but a loud crackle betrayed him.

What I'd give for Cass's ninja reflexes.

Dick Grayson

What a wonderful world!

The skies were clear, the sun was rising, the birds were chirping, and he was raring to go to school and share his happiness. Normally he would have faked his enthusiasm but after what happened the last night… Well, he would never be the same. Just recalling it made him jump with excitement. And he found himself dancing in his way to the kitchen when a remarkable voice caught his attention.

"Shit!" Jason cursed and Dick's heart skipped a beat. Last night his not-so-little brother was in the garage only meters away from where he was with his guest and- a shiver ran down his spine as the big picture became clear.

He'd heard us. He knows.

The thought crossed his mind and by the look on Jason's face, his deepest fears were confirmed ipso facto.

It felt like a punch in his guts. So much was expected of him. The older sibling, the perfect big brother. He should set an example and match his actions to words, yet his behavior last night was the greatest evidence of his flaws. But the worst part of all wasn't the 'sin' but the witness: Jason 'reckless' Todd.

Everyone knew that their nonexistent relationship was a sensitive subject. Yeah, they didn't get along; they never 'bond', neither showed any regret or intention to change it in the near future and despite how it sounded, it worked for them -most of the times. But there were some occasions where they just 'screwed the other for their own sake' and last time the buck-passing game backfired badly for Jason, so odds weren't good for Dick now.

He knew what was about to happen. Jason would tell the others what he heard and possibly saw. He was gonna tell everything and Dick could only imagine Bruce's disappointment face and subsequent lecture. The shame and the embarrassment. Everything.

He was about to say something when Jason charged against him and ran away. His body a blur of black from head to toes.

"Gosh, is he fast," he muttered under his breath and chased him through the corridors and down the stairs, smashing the walls in their way down and shaking the old pictures with each step. They looked like bulls running and none of them slowed down until they stormed into the kitchen and Alfred's frame came into sight.

The evasive Jason halted instantly and Dick took the opportunity to lunge him against the fridge with a crunching tackle. It was vital for him to stop Jason and to do so he lifted him, arms wrapping around his and tightening his grip but, heck if he was succeeding. Jason's body had become hard and heavy during the summer, and Dick's 'oh so powerful' arms perished in comparison.

Begone those days when I was the tallest and strongest…