This was it. Escape. What he had been working towards since he had first inadvertently landed himself in this god-awful place. Jason looked at Fahim, and the old man gazed back at him intently.
"You got something you wanna say?" Jason asked, after a suitable stretch of time.
"You know what I'm going to say, boy." Fahim muttered quietly - he looked earnest, sincere. "I just want the best for you. For me too. I'm telling you, your boyfriend is toxic, he's wrong."
"He's not my boyfriend, he's my brother." In retrospect, he probably shouldn't have said that, as Fahim had seen them kiss at least once and was not unaware of Dick's feelings for him. One of Fahim's eyebrows climbed so high, Jason was momentarily concerned it might escape off his face.
"Interesting relationship for siblings."
"Yeah, well, its complicated - but the bottom line is that he's family, and he's coming with us. No arguments."
Fahim nodded, although he still looked vaguely scandalized. Then he took one of Jason's hands in one of his own gnarled fists. "I know you care for him Jase, I know you have history. I wont get in your way, but I implore you to listen. This is the best chance we'll have. Knock him out, and leave him here."
Jason didn't even bother answering. He just narrowed his eyes. He wasn't going to leave either of them here, even if he had to drag them both through the tunnel kicking and screaming.
He would rather do it the easy way though, so he squeezed Fahim's rough hand and looked him in the eye. "What ever happens, I owe him a debt. I owe him a ticket out. The three of us work together to escape, get out, stay ahead of the bad guys and I promise I will listen to you. What ever you got to say, whatever your magical soul-seeing eyes observe. I will listen - when we're out. Deal?"
Fahim took a moment, apparently weighing that up, then he slowly nodded. "Deal."
Dick shuddered as the chip was drawn from his skin, and Fahim watched him with an expression that was almost pity, if a little mixed with revulsion. Jason was sure the old guy was wrong, it was obvious he was getting a bit muddled in the mind, but he was going to listen to what he had to say. The things that the Anathema had shown him, what they had told him or done to him might be important. There were a number of things that had rung alarm bells during his last exciting trip to the labs, and although he knew Fahim was deluded, there might be an edge of truth to his paranoia - and that was worth looking into.
Then it was time. They left poor Pete with their microchips in his body, safe and warm, and one by one slid into the tunnel.
And this was the bit Jason was dreading. He really didn't like tight spaces that much, and knowing he was in an enclosed space under ground? That was almost enough to push him over the edge.
There was no doubt he was going to go though the tunnel though - there was nothing that was going to keep him from freedom - but at the same time he was not enjoying the experience. As they crawled though the tunnel, it was clear that the walls were holding on a prayer and could collapse at any moment, and the tunnel itself was at least a decade old. They were though the blockage, but the old walls were held up with nothing but tightly packed dirt and a few bits of wood.
Dick was first, holding the flashlight, but in the semi dark, Jason found it easier to crawl forward with his eyes closed, focusing more on touch; the cool of the dirt, the heat of his own anxiety-flushed skin.
It was horrible, but bearable, right up the point Jason's shoulders got stuck. Then his eyes flew open, reality hit him and he couldn't move.
Jason was in the dark, restricted, restrained, and with the world above about to crumble down on his head. Despite himself he panicked, struggled against the earth surrounding him. He forced his eyes open, Dick was disappearing down the tunnel, taking the light with him and after all these years, Jason really shouldn't have felt so desperate, so afraid.
He zoned out for a moment, but then there were gentle, callused fingers on his face, strong and firm.
"You ok?" Dick's voice floated out of the fear, "You ok, Jason?" The bendy bastard had found a way to contort himself enough to turn around, so they were face to face.
Jason couldn't say anything, he just panted and struggled. There was a part of him, detached and hateful, that knew he was going to die of shame after this. The rest of him couldn't stop thinking about all that mud and dirt above him. He wanted out, he wanted to be at home drinking a beer or safe in someone's arms.
It was Bruce that flashed though his mind then. He had never felt safer than those few, short years he lived at the manor, even if he hadn't felt secure, he had been safe.
What a joke.
"Shhh, Jay, you have to back up. Even I didn't try to get though this bit head on, and you're wider than me - just back up and I'll guide you through." There was some shuffling, and Dick started gently pressing on his shoulders. Jason attempted to use his legs and edge backwards. He might have kicked Fahim in the face in the process, but there was a weird rushing in his ears and he was struggling to focus though the grayness encroaching on his vision.
Dick was still muttering at him. "Stupid man, you really should have mentioned this issue before now! Never mind, I got you – going to get you though." Dick's voice was soft, even though his words weren't always that flattering. In fact Jason preferred his snark and censure. It was oddly grounding.
Dick maneuvered him back, his voice keeping Jason steady, keeping him calm. Then he was free, back in a wider space and Dick grabbed his arm, pulled it forward and guided him sideways though the narrow gap. He wanted to lash out, to struggle and refuse to go further. He wanted to breathe fresh air again and straighten his shoulders, but he didn't. He closed his eyes and followed his brother's lead.
He felt Dick push the flashlight into the neck of his jumpsuit, making sure they had light despite Dick's awkward position. Then Dick drew him forward, his fingers entwined with Jason's. They felt rough with calluses, but his grip was gentle.
He edged further along, fighting himself, his past and his future shame. It was a blur, a horrible, muddy blur, but he struggled forward for an eternity. He was vaguely aware that Dick was shuffling backwards through the tunnel, leading him, coaxing him, in spite of his own discomfort.
Jason's heart beat hard in his chest.
Then Dick squawked and dropped, yanking at Jason's hand for a moment before he lost his grip. Jason's eyes flew open, fear sweeping though his veins, but by the cussing wafting though the tunnel Dick hadn't fallen far. Jason edged forward; Dick had plunged about five foot down, and landed ass first in dark, unpleasant water.
It looked like the room opened up here – the light was poor from their flickering flashlight, but now he was free of the confined space and the intensity of his fear, he realized it fucking stank. They had hit the sewage system. And Dick was growling at him, sitting in a puddle of shit.
Jason suddenly felt a bit better.
"Alright down there, Golden Boy?" he rasped, embarrassed by the scratchiness of his voice, while being rather pleased that he could actually string a sentence together.
"Super, thanks." Dick grumbled, he was wrinkling his nose in disgust at the stink, and his throat was working like he was trying to fight down a gag.
"Alright Jase?" Fahim asked behind him, his hand was warm and solid on Jason's ankle, helping to drive away the shadows still threatening to engulf him. For a moment he was overwhelmed with the fact he had people who gave a shit about him, friends. Even if one was a nutjob and the other one was suffering from amnesia and actually hated him. It was still something that he relished, that touched him and made him strong.
God he was turning into such a sap. Clearly Dick's fault, maybe sentimentality was catching.
The post panic euphoria was making his head spin, but he slid down into the sewer, landing with a splash. Dick touched his arm, big blue eyes all intense and concerned.
"You ok, Jay?" he asked quietly. And Jason could help staring at him. Was this how Dick would really react to him? Or was this 1457? It was weird that he had to make the distinction, but after Frosty's forays though his mind, he had begun to suspect his view of Dick had been a bit skewed by teenage emotion and his own feelings of inferiority. He didn't like having to examine himself too closely, and he didn't like being wrong about shit – who did? But he was as honest with himself as he could be, and it was still a puzzle.
Dick was leaning towards him, even in the dim light, his eyes were hooded, and Jason had a sudden desire to lean forward to kiss him – and he was sure he wouldn't be rebuffed - but as he took that extra half a step forward he realized Dick had shit water on his face and smelt like something horrific. He really couldn't keep the oh-my-god-no expression off his face.
"Oh god you stink, Dick!" He got out around the urge to puke.
Dick looked like he agreed. "You better get used to it Jaybird, this is the way forward I think." He gestured into the deep dark of the sewer.
And he was right, although Jason felt all turned-around by the use of that nickname. Fahim splashed down beside him, and he fell to one knee as he dropped. Jason felt a sudden flush of shame – he had been so wrapped up in Dick he had forgotten to help the old man down from the ledge.
"Alright?" he asked.
Fahim pulled himself up, gagging. He nodded, and nothing in his face or body suggested any upset with Jason's oversight. That just made him feel worse.
"Come on." Jason said, taking hold of Fahim's arm and carefully guiding him into the murky, nasty water.
"No!" the old man whined, his voice high and panicky "I can't do it! I couldn't do it then and I can't now!"
"Can't do what? Go into the water?" Jason asked. That would explain his reluctance to leave the prison via the tunnel, before the Anathema.
"Can't swim, can't bear the feel of it! I'll go back."
"The hell you will, old man." Jason snarled at him. "We can swim, and we're gonna look after you, make sure your safe and secure, right Dick?"
"Sure thing." Dick said and held out a hand. Dick was well aware of Fahim's new found dislike of him, but he never seemed to be upset with him about it – although Jason got the impression it made him sad.
"We don't have much time," Jason hissed. "I got though that fucking tunnel, now you're going to get through this river of shit." He turned to Dick, ""How is it my life, that I'm giving a pep talk to someone about the benefits of immersing ourselves in water full of poo?"
Dick snorted and took a light hold on Fahim and together the three of them edged into the water.
It was one of the most disgusting journeys he had ever made. Jason's feet never left the floor, but Dick was shorter than him, and Fahim was shorter still. Swimming for them was easier and Jason had so much nasty ass water in his mouth he would never be clean. He didn't think he would ever stop smelling this stuff, and although it never seemed to happen in Bond films, there was a lot of gagging and puking between the three of them, which just added another layer of disgusting to the whole thing.
All in all, it was a horrific four and a half hours of shit, and vomit and desperation.
But when they saw the end of the tunnel – literally and figuratively - it was the most incredible feeling.
They came out by the sea, and a distant part of Jason registered that as important. They could use it to navigate follow the ocean long enough and he was sure he would be able to find somewhere he knew, somewhere to work their way back to Gotham.
And the sea would wash them clean.
Jason helped Fahim up. The old man was exhausted, sick and dehydrated after the horrible journey they had just endued. Dick had waded into the ocean; he seemed overwhelmed with it all, and Jason realized that Dick was, in a way, seeing this for the first time, seeing the world outside of prison bars for the first time. Dick sunk into the waves, cleansing himself as much as he could, and for a moment he disappeared from Jason's view. Then he shot up, exploding out of the water with a shout that was pure joy. It was infectious and Jason scooped Fahim into his arms and hugged him tight.
"You came though for us it the best way, old man!" Jason said, and he was loving Dick's happy whoops as he splashed about. "We're only here because of you!"
Fahim grinned up at him, although he looked exhausted and drawn out. "And you Jase!" he said. "You made this possible for me. I can't believe it!" He sunk to the ground, and started running the sand through his fingers. 'I never thought to see this again!"
Jason stood in waist deep, in slightly shitty seawater, and he felt stronger than he had in weeks, in months. He knew they had to move, it was almost dawn, and they had to be as far away as possible. But damn the free air smelt good!
Although it would probably smell better away from the sewage pipe.