"Hey kid" Jason greeted as he stepped through the window he'd just forced open, and threw his red helmet to the neat and empty bed to the right of him.

"There's a door for a reason, Jay"

"The window was more convenient" Jason responsed casually.

Tim couldn't deny that. It would've been annoying having to get up and open the door afterall.

"So what're you doing here?" The younger hero turned away from his computer to face his boyfriend.

"Because I need a reason to see my boyfriend?"

"It's ten pm and you're decked out in your Red Hood outfit. This really just a social visit?" Tim challenged.

"You're still wearing your Red Robin skin" Jason defended weakly.

"Yeah. Cause I'm about to go out. So why are you really here?

Jason shrugged, trying to make out what was on Tim's laptop "I was planning on finishing up for the night and realized that you live here and thought I'd drop in. Anything wrong with that?"

"Maybe just the fact that you showed up looking like that. What do you think someone might do if they saw the Red Hood sneaking into the home of Bruce Wayne's third "charity case"?

"What do you think someone might do if they saw Red Robin sneak out?"

"Probably not something as drastic as the potential kidnaping of a rich kid by a guy who's still generally seen as a bad guy"

Jason muttered something unintelligible in response. It was a fair point in a way "So where were you planning on going exactly?"

"I've been placing all the meeting places for someone's new drug trade onto this map. Trying to locate the base for the new gang"

"And?"

"If only your brain was as good as your looks" Tim muttered.

"Why Replacement! Was that a compliment?" Jason put on a fake and over dramatic look of surprise.

"Pretty sure I just called you an idiot. So no, it wasn't"

"But you said I was good looking, did you not?"

Tim glanced at him slyly, with a little smirk "Yeah good. Not great or brilliant, just good"

"It's the clothes, isn't it? Ruining my appeareance"

Tim didn't say anything, knowing it would annoy his boyfriend. Jason rolled his eyes and leant down.

"So what is it that my not so pretty brain is missing?" He asked, leaning over Tim's shoulder to concentrate on what he was seeing.

"Electrons, maybe even a few neurons"

Jason rolled his eyes and leant back "About this case, genius"

Tim smirked "Are you even trying anymore? C'mon figure it out! All you gotta do is look at the map! Bruce wouldn't have taken you in if you weren't smart"

"He took Damian in" Jason reasoned.

"Only because he didn't want another mass murderering assassin in this world. But even that little demon should've gotten it by now"

"Well. Maybe if you stopped distracting me" Jason huffed.

"Can't help being beautiful"

Jason rolled his eyes, a light smiled pulling at his lips. But Tim did shut up at that point, and Jason set to figuring it out. Since his replacement clearly wasn't going to tell.

"All the trade areas are set within a few miles of the Penguin's first hideout. The one he hasn't used in about twenty years" Jason finally spoke up.

"Uh huh. You're getting there"

"You think he's gone back and is now running a drug trade?"

Tim rolled his eyes "Good thing Bruce decided to let me into this business. You guys would be completely hopeless without me" He sighed, in feigned disappointment "I think the hideout is in use, but not by Penguin. Surprisingly, he's one of the smarter villains. He would only return there after a hundred years. And only if he couldn't find somewhere else"

"So. Who, then?"

"I don't know yet" Jason rolled his eyes at that "It's what I was planning to find out tonight"

"And you were calling me an idiot? Really?"

Tim smiled innocently, otherwise ignoring the remark altogether "You could come with if you want"

Jason sighed "I wasn't tired anyway" He mumbled to himself, though Tim was fully aware of the comment.

"I doubt you were" The younger put in helpfully "Don't forget your helmet" Tim had the gall to add as he shut the computer down, effectively taking out the one thing creating light in his room.

Jason reached for the identifying piece of his nighttime outfit, trying to figure out wherever everything's was in Tim's room. From dark shapes and memory he figured he'd manage to successfully get to the window without tripping over anything or otherwise doing something equally stupid.

All the thoughts of ways a simple three metre walk could end with embarassment were blissfully no longer a problem when Tim opened the window first, letting the moonlight seep in. And in reality, Jason could've just turned on his night-vision after getting his helmet on if he'd really needed it. He just hadn't thought of that at first.

"Ladies first" Red Robin smirked and extended his hand toward the window.

"Age before beauty, old man"

"I suppose it is customary for the smart ones to go first anyway" Tim conceded, though not losing his playful snark.

"Screw you" Jason sent back, rolling his eyes and fighting away a smile.

"Wouldn't you just love to" Tim basically mocked before exiting the window completely and climbing to the rooftop.

Jason followed quickly, surprisingly ger to be on a case like this. It sort of reminded him of his Robin days, memories that were actually really nice and calming even. Sure, there were some bad ones too, but being Robin... That'd always been fantastic. Bringing down bad guys, helping out good ones, living with Bruce and Alfred, Alfred's food. Secretly, Jason really just wanted that back. But since his unnatural revival and minor brainwashing which created some bitter feelings, not to mention the awkwardness Bruce already showed toward him and the blatant hatred Damian had for him, it was really a matter best left alone.

And of course, Tim and Dick, the two that got along with him best, both had moved out of the manor. Going back wouldn't fix anything. Wouldn't even be as nice as his memories made it. All the more reason to leave it be. Memories were enough, even if it felt like a hole kept growing in his heart whenever those memories came to him.

Didn't people say that those types of memories, the ones that hurt, were the best ones?

Not that it mattered.

"Hood?" Tim figured this was the millionth time he'd said that in the past minute.

"What?" Jason asked casually, zoning back in without ever realizing he zoned out.

"What?" Tim repeated "You've been quiet for nearly three minutes and now it's just what? Cause that's exactly what I'd like to know!"

"Just got lost in thought is all" Jason defended.

"Lost in thought with what?" Tim's voice had lost its edge, sounding concerned instead.

"Nothin'" Jason said a little too quickly, but to Tim's credit, the younger didn't push the matter.

"Okay" Tim relented, locking away his curiosity.

They were here now anyway, there was little point in trying to pry information from the older boy when they had a mission to focus on. He was conceited enough without a reason to shift the subject, a task like this just gave him the perfect escape route.

The hideout that they stood outside just a minute ago had seemed like a grand mansion, made up of dark coloured bricks that the weather hadn't been easy on. The inside definitely had a different feel to it. It was certainly very large, and practically empty save for a few scattered and mostly decayed objects like pots and tables. But it was the massive bird cage in the centre that really caught theiir attention.

The bars seemed to have gained a little rust, but were stil tough. Inside the cage, plants had gone absolutely wild, reaching out of the spaces and curling around them, like they were trying to find a way out. It was a little unnerving. The door to the cage was locked, so Tim set to stepping over that stone.

"Blasting it would be faster" Red Hood muttered.

Red Robin rolled his eyes "Yes. But we don't want fast, we want quiet. Don't twist that out of context" He quickly added.

Jason's shoulders slumped, letting Tim know he was a little dejected, but Tim didn't doubt he was smiling under that ridiculous helmet. The lock opened and Tim quickly pulled the large door to the oversized and overgrown aviary. Inside the grassy cage, there were no birds, barely any noises, only the crunching of the green beneath them. And occasionally little cracks.

From the bones of dead birds.

It made Tim feel sick, but he brushed the feeling off. Jason didn't really care, he liked animals and it was sad, but it was also just how life worked. He knew exactly what it was like to be a dead bird, afterall.

"I'm pretty sure this place is abandoned. Looks like you were wrong Little Red"

Tim gave him a brief look "Don't call me that"

"Why not? It suits you just fine. Maybe you should permanently change your name to it" Jason gasped quietly when Tim's elbow connected with his side "Ow!"

"Oh you poor, sensitive little baby!" Tim remarked with a patronizing tone.

Jason felt like punching his obnoxious little boyfriend out. But decided against it.

"Still. There's no one here. And I doubt anyone would want to be here. Except maybe Ivy. But she's clearly not or we would already be dead"

"You really are a pessimist, aren't you?"

"Well you try dying and coming back to find out the world barely misses you"

Tim went to say something, but stopped. Jason had heard the little breath that signified he wanted to be heard, and was confused when Tim didn't speak. But he didn't bring it up. He knew to wait for Tim to be ready to say it.

"How about we go back now?" Jason asked, a little flirty. But only Tim would've noticed that's how it sounded if they were in a crowd full of people.

Tim sighed "It's a pretty big area and there's probably a few actual rooms in this place. It is a mansion, after all"

"You're overworked and stressed. How long have you been working on this case?"

"A few weeks"

"Your definition of 'a few weeks' could be fifty two. How many months?"

"Maybe. Two? Little more"

"Tim!"

Tim turned and growled "Identities!" He whispered.

"I didn't say it very loudly, calm down. And besides no one's here. Now, obviously you've been working hard on this, but you'll never close this case if you stick to a broken lead"

"But! Ugh" Red Robin's shoulders slumped.

"Not to discourage you, but they could be holed up on the other side of the city. Maybe their leader is based in Metropolis. Hell, the leader could be in Alaska! The fact that this is a good place to hide in, doesn't mean it gets used as a hideout"

"I suppose" Tim muttered, not believing himself to be wrong. There was some sort of feeling that had really driven him here, and now it was pestering him to stay "Well if it's empty, what's the harm in searching a little?"

Jason internally groaned. The kid actually sounded heartbroken at the idea of leaving. He was using his pleading voice. Jason was about to mutter a "fine", when someone cut him off.

"Have a bit of an infestation, do we?" A raspy voice spoke, seeming to bounce off the iron bars "I think we'd better fix that"

"Scarecrow" Tim whispered angrily "I hate the fact that it makes sense!"

"Yeah but he said "we". Who else is here?"

"Be a dear, and get those two for me" Scarecrow ordered the mystery partner.

"Who the hell is he talking to?" Jason whispered.

The two heroes spun around, hearing the grass and bones get crushed.

"Bane, apparently" Tim answered.

"Yeah. Got that, genius" Jason shot back.

Bane cracked his knuckles "Looks like two little birdies have come to play" He smirked "Who's bones should I break first?"

"Told you" Tim glanced at Jason, hoping to read his body language. He got nothing.

"Yeah, yeah. You were right. What's new" Jason muttered the last part to himself. Didn't stop Tim from hearing it and smirking, though.

Scarecrow sighed "Bane. I need them to be intact"

"Fine" Bane grumbled, charging at the two.

Red Hood sidestepped the incoming man, but Red Robin just stood there. Jason didn't protest. He knew Tim could handle himself, that he knew what he was doing. He waited until the last few seconds before jumping up and onto the strong man's back. He sliced the tubes of venom to prevent Bane from activating them at any point and then planted a minor explosive on his back before jumping off.

"Will that bomb even do anything to him?"

"He isn't on venom, so it should knock him out"

The blast went off and Bane stumbled to the ground. Tim was about to say,"See?", but never got the chance when Bane began rising up.

"Dammit!"

"Good job Little Red. You've made him even angrier"

"Well at least I've given him some damage! What have you done!? Sidestepped the human bulldozer! Good job!" Tim yelled, even as he had to dodge Bane's fists.

"Well sorry for giving you more credit than you deserve!" Jason started shooting at the brawny man.

"You two sound like an old married couple!" Bane grunted, continuing after Red Robjn even as the bullets broke through his tough skin.

Aheh. So hi... yeah this is that rewrite I said I was gonna start some time ago... Mm. I said I'd do it, though right? And I did. That counts for something right?

Now you better enjoy this cause it took some effort

Tim was clearly about to say something, when his reactions played up just a little too slow and Bane managed a lucky hit. Tim went flying until he hit a few of the bars and dropped back to the ground with a cry. Jason inwardly cried out in rage, though Tim was mostly fine. His body had taken most of the shock. And he was already trying to force himself back up.

Jason focused back on the enemy. With so much of him and no venom, he was an easy target. A tough and stubborn bastard though. Trails of blood leaked from the numerous wounds in the numerous areas the bullets had hit. Jason felt as if he would run out of ammo before the guy even felt the need to rest. He stopped using his guns at that point and switched to some shurikens. When they proved just as ineffetive, he pulled out his taser.

But he didn't get the chance to use it.

His attention was stolen again by Tim. More so, by the blue-grey whisps of smoke that exploded by him. Jason went to run over and try to help, completely forgetting about Bane in the process, but was instead pulled back suddenly. Bane was smiling smuggly, his grip showing no sign of fading anytime soon. Jason struggled helplessly, not keen to see what that gas might do to his boyfriend.

I do believe this is a fine place to leave it for now.

So yeah finally got this out... heh. How long has it been? Seriously I am so unreliable. But hey its here, there's a chapter. There'll be more... at some point. (I really am sorry)

Please review so I know if this was worth the effort I put in. It's like 11 at night so Imma sign out here.

Side not: Minus my useless babbling this chapter is exactly 2630 words! That makes me feel complete. Kay, night #) (yes face masks are now hashtags. I have decreed it as so)

-Gg