The pool said, that Jason should take Dick shopping (18 to 8), so here you go :) Sorry for the wait, but my plans for the weekend got crashed and I just couldn't finish this chapter on time.

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. Jason berated himself. He knew he shouldn't just leave like that, but God, he needed a moment of respite to come to terms with the situation and the way out was just too good to not to take it. He lit a cigarette to calm down. It helped some, and he was able to breathe easier.

Okay then, he needed to find some clothes for Dick. Jason looked around in search of appropriate shop. There was none. How come there was no shop for kids around when you needed one, but other times it was all you could see? With an aggravated sigh Jason pulled out his phone and googled a location of one. Soon he made his way to the nearest one. Upon entering it he became overwhelmed by the sheer amount of items dedicated for children of various ages. He took a few hesitating steps forward, not entirely sure where to begin to find what he needed.

He didn't need to worry though. Not a minute later he was accosted by a young, brunette attendant.

"Hi there!" she smiled at him. "Can I help you?"

"Yeah, actually," Jason smiled back, relieved. "I need clothes for my… nephew."

"Alright," the girl nodded. "Do you have any measurements? How old is he?"

"He's about three feet tall," Jason frowned. "Maybe an inch or two taller. He's five as of today."

"Oh," the attendant grinned. "Birthday present?"

"No, ah," Jason thought about an excuse. "His father dropped him off at mine to have a day off to organize the party. I was supposed to take my nephew back home later, but he got all dirty while we were making breakfast and I don't have any clothes to change him into. My brother would kill me if I would bring his son to a party in dirty clothes, so I asked a neighbor to watch him and here I am."

"Yeah," the girl sighed understandingly. "Kids can get messy. You can take a look a this section," she gestured at the colorful corner of the shop filled with various clothes. "If you need help just call me."

"Thanks," Jason nodded and headed to where he was pointed.

After fifteen minutes Jason decided it was pointless. There were just too many shirts and pants Dick might like for him to choose the right ones. Not to mention shoes. Jason didn't want to buy any until he was sure they were the right size. He'll just take a plain set of clothes and bring Dick here for shopping. They didn't know for how long Dick was going to be a child and Jason was pretty sure there was no clothes his size at the manor. It would save Alfred a trip to the store. And make Dick happy to have an option to choose what he would get to wear. Besides it was his birthday after all.

Jason took a bundle of clothes to the cash register and paid for it. Then he hurried back to apartment. He was gone for almost an hour and he dreaded to think what Dick had gotten himself into in all of this time.

"Dick? I'm back," Jason called as he let himself in.

Nothing. Only TV playing quite loudly.

"Dick?" Jason said louder, a little concerned. Then he heard it. A quiet sniffles and hiccups, almost inaudible over the noise the TV was making. Red Hood immediately dropped the bag to the floor and crossed to the living room, scanning the area for danger. Finding none he turned the TV off and crouched before the bundle under the blanket.

"Dick?" he said softly, carefully uncovering the dark haired head. "What's wrong?"

The crying just got louder and more intense and Jason panicked for a second before Dick practically threw himself at him, latching onto his neck.

"Don't leave," Dick sobbed out.

Jason clenched his eyes shut as the wave of guilt hit him.

"Hey, hey, it's alright now," Jason gathered the crying mess into his arms, blanket and all, and stood, rocking back and forth and rubbing the heaving back in an attempt to soothe his crying brother. "I'm here and I won't leave you alone again."

It took some time for Dick to calm down. When his sobs died down to an occasional sniffle, Dick pushed away from him.

"So-sorry," he said wiping at his red from crying, embarrassment and shame face.

"Hey no, Dickie-Bird, you have nothing to apologize for," Jason reassured. "I am sorry. I shouldn't left you alone like that."

"You had to, tough," Dick shrugged. Too casually for Jason not to know he was still struggling.

"It doesn't make it right," Jason countered. "I'm sorry," he leaned forward and smacked a kiss on Dick's forehead. Dick blinked at him in astonishment, but he ignored that, "I got you something to wear. Nothing fancy, just something to tie you over until you choose whatever you want when we go shopping in a minute. I tell you, kids have all the cool stuff. It's not fair."

"Uhuh," Dick agreed as Jason carried him to where he dropped the bag.

Jason bend down to pick it up and then went to bathroom. He disposed Dick on the toilet again and stuck a piece of toilet paper under his nose.

"Blow," he said.

Dick scowled up at him and snatched the paper from him. Jason chuckled, ruffling his hair. While Dick was blowing his nose, he ran a towel under warm water and then gently wiped Dick's face clean. Dick grumbled at him in displeasure but allowed the handling. After that Jason started handing Dick his new clothes. Underwear, pants followed by socks, shirt and a hoodie. When Dick finally adjusted the hood how he liked he looked at Jason expectantly and wiggled his toes pointedly, raising his eyebrow when no shoes made an appearance.

"I wasn't sure which ones would fit you," Jason grinned ruefully, presenting next pair of socks, "so I got you another pair of those. Extra warm."

Dick rolled his eyes.

"And how I'm supposed to get to the store?" he asked, putting the socks over those he already was wearing.

"I'll carry you," Red Hood shrugged.

"All the way?" Dick gaped incredulously.

"You barely weigh anything," Jason teased. "Besides it's not that far once you know the way."

"If you're sure," the kid allowed uncertainly.

"I am," Jason stated firmly. He folded the blanket and put it in the bag. "In case you get cold on the way," he explained at the questioning look. "And you will tell me if you get cold, got it?" Dick nodded. Jason smiled and opened his arms, "C'mon then."

Dick eyed the barely foot separating them and adjusted his posture slightly. His socks had anti-slipping surface on the soles, so he leaped at Red Hood without any problems. Jason grinned as he caught him, helping him to get comfortable on his back in piggyback position.

"All set?" Jason checked.

"Yes," Dick replied.

So they went. Jason noticed, that Dick was careful to not get closer than necessary while holding onto him. And when he jostled the kid once and again for fun, he just grumbled his disapproval, though Red Hood knew he enjoyed it. Even drawing Dick into a conversation was a chore. Jason was saddened by how reserved and listless Dick was being. The knowledge that they were the cause of this just made Red Hood grit his teeth in helpless anger. If some thugs were the cause of Dick's behavior, he would just beat the shit out of them or kill them. But the Batfamily was responsible for this and Jason couldn't in clear conscience take it out on them, not when he was also source of the problem.

"You weren't kidding," Dick whispered to him as they arrived at the store and Jason walked towards section he was before with a basket. He let go and started slipping down with the intention to look around.

"Whoa!" Jason caught the kid and maneuvered him so he was in front of him. "Shoes first."

Dick sighed pursuing his lips, but nodded.

Twenty minutes later Jason was dutifully carrying Dick around, so he could get a closer look at the items he wanted. He had to admit, that little Nightwing was fast. They already had three pairs of shoes and pants and now Dick was browsing the collection of superhero themed shirts. Not that Jason was telling Dick what to wear, but he couldn't help to add a shirt with Superman's logo to the pile. Dick threw him a 'I know what you did there' look at that, but was far from protesting. Jason looked away as Dick reached Batman's section on the rack and sighed, searching around for something he could persuade Dick to get to irritate Bruce some more. He felt Dick still suddenly.

"Jay," the kid said excitedly. "I want this one!"

Jason turned back to see what version of Batman's symbol warranted this reaction and his jaw dropped. Because among the black and yellow bats there was a red one. A red one belonging to Red Hood.

"Can I have that one?" Dick asked, suddenly uncertain.

"Whatever you want," Jason repeated his little mantra, because apparently Dick couldn't get through his thick skull, that Jason would buy out the entire store just to make him happy.

"Black one, blue one and white one?" Dick requested.

Jason obediently selected the appointed shirts in the right size, all three with red bat logo. He still couldn't believe it.

Dick choose two more shirts, Nightwing and Robin themed, before he decided to move onto hoodies. He didn't have anything Batman themed so far. Jason frowned at this. Dick didn't want it or was he avoiding anything Batman related because of the Red Hood?

"Dick," he started, "if you want something with-"

"That one," the kid pointed at the red hoodie with zipper and large Batman logo across the chest.

Yep, Jason didn't need to worry. He helped Dick to try it on and insisted he pick one more just in case. Next they moved on to jackets. Jason wouldn't budge until Dick got one, the little shit insisting he would be warm enough in his hoodies. Then Red Hood let Dick go to select some underwear, while he picked more socks. Dick didn't care about the pattern, so Jason took some plain ones with colors matching the pile of clothes.

Jason was mentally checking the shopping list when Dick appeared next to him lugging a pack of black boxers and white set of pajamas. A white pajamas with printed red and blue pattern all over it. Jason squinted, trying to see the shapes.

"Look what I found!" Dick grinned, presenting him the set of sleepwear. Yep, Jason could see clearly now. The blue was Nightwing symbol, the red was Red Hood's.

"The hell?" Jason muttered, stunned.

"I'm not putting it back," Dick clutched the pajamas defensively.

"Of course not," Jason agreed picking him up. He took the pack of boxers from him and tossed it in the basket. He didn't try to touch the pajamas. It was the first item Dick got really possessive of.

"I think that's it," he announced. "Do you have everything you wanted?"

Dick shook his head.

"There's one more thing we need to get," he stated.

"Oh?" Jason was intrigued. He was convinced he thought of everything. Even stopping on the way to get something to eat for later.

"A car seat," Dick revealed.

"A car seat," Jason echoed. Then frowned. "Aren't you too old for a car seat?"

"It's a requirement for all children under the age of twelve," Dick explained.

"How do you know this?"

The kid gave him a look.

"I'm a cop."

"Riiight," Jason sighed, but went to get the damn car seat.

When they finally got back to the apartment Jason was exhausted. He didn't know how actual parents managed. He had to carry tons of bags, a car seat and keep a careful eye on Dick, skipping next to him the entire way. Granted, Dick was an adult and he wouldn't just run away stupidly, but still Jason was stressing out over protectively.

Now at least, away from the prying eyes, Dick kicked out his shoes and was helpfully dragging bags with his clothes to the bedroom.

"You want something to eat?" Jason asked him.

"Maybe later," the kid replied.

"Okay," Red Hood carried food to the kitchen and put it away while he ate a banana. Chores done, he turned to leave the room and find the kid, but he was already there.

Dick was watching him clad in his new pajamas, leaning against the jamb and yawning widely.

"Tired?" Jason smiled.

Dick nodded sleepily.

"Let's go take a nap," Red Hood suggested. "We have a few hours before we need to get going."

"'kay," Dick mumbled and shuffled back to the bedroom.

Jason followed him. He undressed to his shirt and shorts, while Dick settled under the covers on the bed. Jason laid down too and frowned. Dick was lying on the other side of the bed facing away from him. That just wouldn't do.

"Come here," Jason reached forward and pulled the kid to him. Dick squeaked in surprise.

Red Hood shifted onto his back and tucked Dick into his side, putting his arm around him to keep him in place. It took heartbreaking long for Dick to completely relax against him. To not tense every few minutes expecting to be pushed away. Jason pulled him in tighter, regretting times he rejected any kind of affection from his older brother.

"I know I don't show it," he whispered barely audible into mop of black hair when he was fairly sure Dick was almost asleep already, "but I missed you. I love your hyperactive, affectionate, clingy self. Don't ever change."

Dick smiled at Jason's words, warmth filling him all over. So that's what it felt like, he realized. He was too comfortable and tired, though, to have a conversation. He will tell Jay after he'll wake up.