One. Long. Day. Jason was done, he just wanted to go home and crash on the couch for the next week. Check that. More like a month.

Today wouldn't have been half as bad if he listened to Dick in the first place. "Penguin's not going to be so welcoming," the boy wonder called after him as Jason turned to leave. "If you need backup, don't hesitate to ask."

The guy was a prick, but that didn't mean letting his pride get in the way of being smart. Jason's pride did get in the way though, and it definitely cost him valuable time and bullets. Not to mention his own injuries.

It went down well though. Stopped a shipment of highly explosive chemicals from being delivered to Penguin, it just could have gone much smother with some of the other bat-street boys there. Except Damian, Damian could go to hell.

When Jason was in the elevator, a young woman came in with him. She didn't look like a threat, but kept staring at him from the corner of her eyes. It may have been because of his physical condition. Bruises and blood tend to draw attention, but she looked like she wanted to ask him something. Finally, when he got off on the seventh floor she spoke up.

"A young man was looking for you," she blurted out.

Jason stopped, keeping the elevator doors open with his hand. "Who?"

She shrugged. "I didn't get his name, but he was at the desk this morning asking for someone named Jason. He looked a lot like you so I assumed maybe,"

Jason shook his head. "No sorry, wrong guy." He let the doors shut before going to his apartment. No doubt a bat-boy would be waiting for him.

When he got to the apartment door, he kicked up the mat. The spare key he kept was gone. That narrowed down which wonder boy would be waiting inside to two. Dick and Tim were the only ones who knew where he lived, and where to find the key to his place.

As annoying as it was to come home and find Dick sitting at his kitchen table eating Jason's food, or to find Tim playing video games on his couch, it was nice to have the company and not have to fight them for once. Dick's excuse was that he was checking up on Jason, making sure he wasn't hurt from a recent fight. Tim just always said he needed to get away from Bruce and Damien so he would crash at Jason's or Dicks place. Again, Jason didn't mind it that much.

He went inside and threw his duffle bag on the floor before switching on the lights. It could have been Damian waiting for him, or even the big-bad-bat himself, but Jason doubted that. Neither knew his address (well Bruce did, but Jason didn't know that) and if they did they wouldn't have left a schoolbag propped against the wall; So Tim then.

"Drake," Jason called out to the apartment. He could hear music on but didn't see anyone. He went into the living room and found the TV playing some crappy old movie. Bird-boy was asleep on the couch, completely oblivious to Jason. Tim had apparently eaten, leaving a bag of fast food crumpled on the table with half a box of fries spilled across. There was a blanket wadded on the floor that had fallen off the kid in his sleep. Jason picked it up and tossed it back over the teenager.

"Pig," Jason murmured as he grabbed a handful of the fries for himself before heading off to his room.


Jason had woken up the next morning and wandered into the kitchen. Tim was standing behind the counter eating cereal out of the box. The kid looked like a wreck between having slept in his clothes and his hair sticking in every-which way. Jason couldn't tell whether to dub it as humorous or cute. Humorous seemed more appropriate for his adopted brother.

"Morning," Tim said not looking up from the box in his hand.

Jason muttered something in return before going for the fridge. "You realize I have bowls, and milk." He pointed out.

Tim just shrugged behind him. Obviously the teen didn't consider either a necessity. "Nice boxers," Tim commented noticing the blue bird-like symbols that decorated the pattern.

Jason scoffed trying to hide the blood that had rushed to his cheeks. "Dick doesn't approve." He shut the fridge, carton of milk in hand, and snatched the box of cereal from Tim. Shoving a handful into his own mouth he watched as Tim went to the cupboard and got out two bowls and spoons.

"Dick's seen your boxers?" Tim asked with a smirk.

"Shut up bird boy." Jason snapped kicking at him playfully.


"So what's the deal?" Jason asked picking up their bowls and setting them in the sink. "Why'd you ditch the mansion yesterday?"

Tim shrugged but kept his gaze towards the floor. "Bruce is out of town for the next few weeks. Damian's being annoying as usual. I just needed a beak." He looked back up to Jason, hoping for approval of his actions.

"How long's Bruce been gone so far?" Jason questioned.

"Eh," Tim gave a half smile. "About a day."

Jason rolled his eyes but understood why Tim wanted to get the hell out of there as soon as possible. With the bat-dad gone, Damien would think he ran the place and make it a living hell for Tim. Jason felt even worse realizing Alfred would be stuck watching the demon child.

"I was wondering," Tim scratched the back of his head nervously. "If I can't stand it there, maybe I could crash here once in awhile."

Jason felt a wave of guilt hit him. He liked Tim; he liked him more than he cared to admit. But having him staying at his apartment for who knows how long? That was a risk he didn't feel comfortable with. If something happened to him, Bruce and Dick would kill him. And no, that wasn't a joke. They would both be after him. Also, Tim was a great kid and all, but he was Red Robin, someone who fought for justice with Bruce's self-righteous morals. Jason was Red Hood, a vigilante who preferred ending a fight with a bullet to ensure it was done.

"Look Tim," Jason began but was interrupted by a knock on the door. Both boys look confused at each other before a voice called out "Jason, Tim, it's Dick."

Tim immediately tensed up and shook his head violently. "I was never here." He whispered threateningly to Jason. The threat made his stomach do back flips. Not from fear, but from the way Tim had said it almost like a dare. Before he asked why Tim didn't want Dick knowing he was here, the teenager had run into another room.

When Jason opened the door Dick Grayson stood on the other side, glare already in place. "Where's Tim?" he demanded.

Jason shrugged. "How should I know?"

Dick looked unimpressed and pointed out "His backpack is right there Jason,"

"I tried," Jason called out to the apartment as Dick pushed past him.

"Tim," Dick yelled as he ran looking in each room. Jason sat back and watched impatiently. Dick disappeared into Jason's bedroom and he could hear yelling from both Tim and Dick and what sounded like a window slamming shut.

They came out of the room, both glaring at Jason. Oh great so now it's his fault.

"He was trying to use the fire escape," Dick explained before turning his attention to Tim. "Why the hell didn't you tell Alfred you were here?" it wasn't fury, not like Bruce would have been. It was asked like a question to an adult and Jason had to give Dick credit for that.

"Alfred would have told Bruce, and we all know how pleased Bruce would be finding out I was sleeping at a felons place." Tim replied calmly, and then looked over to Jason. "No offence."

"None taken."

Dick looked a little defeated at that but added, "At least tell me next time, alright? Alfred thought maybe you got hurt, or worse, after last night's incident. He had me looking for you for hours. "

"Wait," Tim said. "What 'incident'?" he asked puzzled.

"Penguin had a shipment of explosive chemicals coming into Gotham last night; someone set them off early. Smugglers who survived the explosion were all shot." Dick explained, focusing his attention on Jason.

"Wonder who that could have been," Jason muttered with a smirk.

Tim called Alfred after that, apologizing and swearing to make sure Alfred or Dick knew where he was on future occasions. When Alfred had asked where Tim had been, Tim simply said 'friends house'. Jason wasn't sure whether the kid was sincere, but he kind of hoped Tim was.

When the call ended Dick had announced he was going home to sleep after spending the entire night hunting down Red Robin, plus whoever had cause the explosion. Jason really didn't care. He was just glad Tim wasn't leaving yet.

The rest of the day was spent playing video games together. Tim was considerably better then Jason, and wasn't modest about it. It eventually escalated to Jason nearly beating Tim with the controller.

"Suck it Jay!" Tim shouted as Jason's character collapsed dead.

Jason sent a glare. "This game's retarded," was his poor excuse for loosing.

"We're not changing games again." Tim said firmly. Every time Jay lost a game he had insisted they play a different one. That would be the fifth time.

"You're such a cheater." Jason muttered before tossing the controller onto the counter.

Tim rolled his eyes before checking his watch. "You realize it's already five o'clock?" he asked.

Jason stood up and stretched his back and arms. As much fun as goofing off playing video games was, his loosing streak was getting old. Plus his hunger was starting to make itself bluntly obvious with growls. "I'm gonna' go get food. You coming?" he asked.

Tim nodded and grabbed his jacket off the floor. "Where too?"

"Take out probably,"

Jason regretted that decision. The two of them sat in Jason's car in and empty parking lot, the car filled with fast food bags. Most of them were Tim's.

How a Robin, who's physical shape was supposed to be in top notch at all times, could eat so much crap and not gain weight was a mystery to Jason. The teen had eaten two burgers, a box of fries, and a milkshake. No seriously, who the hell orders two burgers? Who the hell can eat all that crap and not be overweight, let alone fight criminals?

Tim. Apparently.

Jason sat studying the kid for a while. Mostly wondering where the hell all that fat went but the longer they sat eating and chatting, the more Jason wondered about Tim's shape. The kid was obviously fit, even for a child crime fighter. Jason was curious if maybe Tim went through the same training with Bruce as he had. Jason and Tim had fought before, mostly during Jason's whole 'vengeance' deal, but at the time Jason didn't take much note on whether Tim used the same methods of fighting as Dick or Jason. He'd have to remember to pay attention next time they fought. Jason hoped that wouldn't ever happen, again.

"So," Tim said whipping his hands on a napkin. "Can I stay with you, when Damian gets on my nerves?"

"When is Damian never on your nerves?" Jason pointed out.

Tim shrugged and waited quietly for an answer. Jason sighed and rubbed his eyes trying to think about this sensibly. Having Tim over today wasn't unpleasant, but Tim being at his apartment for another two weeks could cause tensions. Jason preferred privacy and Tim might not appreciate being ignored by Jason on a regular basses. But then again, the kid had lived with Bruce for the past few years, and everyone knew how loving Bruce could be.

"Alright," Jason finally answered, still unsure if he was making a good decision. "On the condition that you first tell Alfred that it's me you're staying with, if he say's it's fine then you can stay every once in a while."

Tim tried to hide that he was beaming but nodded in understanding. "Thanks," he finally added.

Jason sighed and handed Tim what was left of his fries. "I'm not buying you dinner every night either. I don't want Bats' blaming me when you get fat."

Tim rolled his eyes but accepted the fries.