"Someones been here."

Jason had been patrolling the city during every dark hour that night, such is his routine, duty, hobby, or obsession (no need to specify). Upon his return to his closest safe house, he noticed his ex bat-cycle was missing and someone had rummaged through his things. At first he didn't believe it. But after a solid minute he accepted that he had been robbed. "How in THE HELL did I get robbed?" He paced along the cheap sofa cursing. Wanting to know, needing to know who did this to him. Once he realized his pace had grown into a heavy-footed jog he stopped. "fuck." Pissed at the intrusion of his space. The audacity this person had to steal from him and think, for a second, that they could get away with it. He went to his surveillance feed and saw nothing. He checked his motion sensors and found no error. "how dammit, and WHO? I'll find my man, I always will." He chewed out as he picked up his phone and started to dial Dicks number. "He's not the best detective but, he's damn close." However, when jay went to call, he couldn't. "I just started proving myself to them, if I ask for help now, would i be weak willed? I'm so used to working with him, we could figure this out together… No it's too easy to let things go back to how they were, even though it will never be like it was before. It can't be." Jason threw his phone somewhere across the safe house and slumped onto the wall. He relaxed and heard Dick in his ear giving him his golden child advice.

Breath jay, don't let your temper reduce your skills to basic instincts.

Jason chuckled. Remembering the lessons he received from Dick during his childhood was bittersweet. And every memory Jason had of that blinding smile chipped at his heart. He wanted to forgive Dick, he wanted to be with him like he was years ago, but Bruce's reign stood between them. Jason could not forgive Bruce, and Dick would always go back to Bruce. Jay didn't fit in.

Shaking his head, he came back to the present. He looked towards the now, empty space and saw a thin spot of dampness. Jay crept over and saw the faintest boot print. "Well size 9, you're officially fucked." A smile with questionable intent crept onto his face but stopped abruptly. "I'll admit it though, I should cool down more often. I would have picked up on this clue instantly if I wouldn't have started to flip shit."

"True".

Jasons eyes went wide under his domino mask, instantly recognizing the smooth voice sliding in through the kitchen window. He turned around as the nimble figure twisted into the room off the window sill. The moonlight dancing on his broad shoulders only intensified the drastic curve of his muscular waist. Was Dicks suit always that tight? Jason rolled his eyes and wanted to look away to avoid entrapment in this mans spell. He couldn't. So he spoke, arrogantly.

"What did I do to deserve this encounter with Gotham's favorite sidekick, Nightwing?

"Don't be like that Jay bird, youre a close runner up". Dick teased

"Geewillikers Nightwing that's good to know!". Jason rolled his eyes after and did his best robin impersonation earning a fit of laughter from Dick.

As he held his stomach from the intense laugh Dick leaned against the counter and rubbed at his eyes beneath his mask. Jason studied Dick. He noticed the scuff on the rib of Dicks suit, the tare by his knee, and the slick appearance of his suit. Was it a new design? Or was dick wet?

Dick saw Jasons studying look through his laughter and collected him self to ask, "How have you been? We've been worried about you." Jason removes his mask so that dick can see his eye roll. "oh, really? I would be too, ya know, since the guy who killed me is still playing marco polo with Bruce." Jason spat out bitterly. Dick flinched at his words. He knew the intensity of the grudge that Jason held against bruce. This pain and anger within his family had been the source of his years' worth of sleepless nights. Dick sighed, he wanted to hug his little brother, to tell him that he and bruce were sorry for failing him but, he couldn't. Jason wasn't a child anymore, that time has long passed. The time for apologies had also passed, no matter how many times he tried to convince Jason that bruce didn't choose the clown over him it ended in an argument.

Dick stood in thought, subconsciously sinking into his hip and mindlessly playing with his hair. Jason couldn't help but love it. Love him. but, it hurt like hell. The perfect robin, the annoying, nimble, caring, talkative, but ridiculously lovely, Dick Grayson. Jason oogled for a minute then noticed the drops of water on the floor around Dicks feet.

"You are wet."

Dick smirked, "how could you tell? You're staring a little too hard." he wondered if Jasons eyes would get sore from the repeated sassy eye rolls. He noticed the slight blush on his face too.

"My cycle is missing, you wear a size nine, know where my safe house is and are wet. Why did you take my cycle?"

Dick leaned back into the counter, "I took it because you don't listen Jason. I needed to get your attentio- Have you gotten taller? We're the same height now. "

"you could have called idiot. And yea, I grew."

"Would you have answered? That's like a whole three inches"

"Nope and yep."

Another sigh left diciks lips. They weren't getting anywhere. Jason tapped his foot to show his impatience. Tired of his conflicting feelings, tired of being near the most precious thing he cant have.

" Ok jay, I get it, you don't wanna talk yet. But Ill be here for you when you do." Dick spoke with downward eyes. "so please come to me if you need anything because..." He stepped toward Jason, reached out and pulled him into a warm hug. Dick spoke softly into jasons neck "You're still my little bird."

Jason blushed and felt his chest tighten as if his heart might stop. He felt his cheeks burn and hands go cold. He couldn't think of a response, so he just stood in dicks arms. It felt like ages but when dick went to let go Jason grabbed his waist and pulled him back in. Jason knew it was strange and that dick would surley tease him but he couldn't help himself.

Dick was surprised at the sudden affection from Jason but immeadiately found comfort in his brothers arms. Dick hoped this was the beginning of a new bond, a strong one. Excited with anticipation, he spoke. "Jay, you can rely on me, I wont let you down-"

"So don't let go." Jason mumbled out, barely audible.

Dick internally giggled at how cute Jason was, thinking back to when he was still that fired up kid in red and yellow. "I wont let go." Dick leaned back and gave Jason a kiss on his forehead.

Jason stiffened, dick hadn't done that in years. Does dick feel that way about me? Looking into his sky blue eyes Jason saw dicks warmth and love. Without thinking Jason leaned over and passionately kissed Dick. After removing his lips he stared at dick, trying to read his thoughts.

Dicks eyes were wide for a moment, registering what just happened. But then, he laughed and a suggestive grin grew on his face.

To be continued