It was a good thing he didn't really fell asleep again, only dozed lightly half aware of his surroundings, as he was thrown suddenly into full consciousness by Dick practically jumping on him. Jason grunted, hands going to kid's sides to steady him as opposed to flipping him off and killing him.

"Wake up, Jay," the little shit sing-songed, very much aware that Red Hood wasn't really sleeping.

Was Jason being tested? Most likely, but he couldn't blame Dick for that. He couldn't fix years of rejection of affection just by one hug. No matter how much he and Dick wished that was the case. Besides it was good to find and establish some boundaries right away. But first a little revenge wouldn't hurt.

"Well, aren't you chipper all of sudden?" Jason drawled lazily before he tightened his hold on the child and flipped them over, trapping Dick underneath him, careful not to crush him.

Dick yelled in surprise at the sudden move, wide stunned pools of blue looking up at Jason warily. Jason smirked back and attacked.

Dick let out a high pitched squeal and started trashing, trying to get away from Jason's merciless fingers poking and tickling at his sides.

"Jay… st… stop," Dick managed to plead between peals of laughter his little brother was forcing out of him, pushing at Jason's chest uselessly.

"Hmmm," Jason hummed, grinning, "I don't think I will."

"Pleaaase," Dick begged.

Jason let him crawl away a moment later, Dick's breathless laughter dying down to occasional chuckle. Pleased with himself, he watched propped up on his elbow as Dick tried to get his breathing under control.

As soon as Dick was out of Jason's reach, he was launching himself back at Jason with barely a break. Letting out a battle cry, he barreled into surprised Red Hood, rolling him onto his back and sitting on his chest triumphantly. He immediately put his fingers to work, while he still had the advantage. Jason barked a laugh and went to retaliate. Dick ducked, rolling to the side, laughing merrily at Jason's unsuccessful attempts to catch him and coming back at Red Hood with his own attacks.

If Jason really wanted, he wouldn't have any problems with caging the little bird again. As it was, he was rather enjoying Dick in his natural state of being. Happy, energized and doing acrobatics. Dick used his skills to full advantage. He was fast and twisted and bend at impossible angles to dodge Jason's attacks. If Jason was any less trained, he wouldn't stand a chance.

By the time they declared a truce the bed and them both were a mess. Jason flopped down onto his back with a groan, covering his eyes with his arm for a moment. Who would have thought, that playing with a child was as much tiring as a good workout. That, or he was just getting old, he decided as Dick crawled to him with a wide grin and settled on his chest. The kid's hair were plastered to his forehead with sweat, his face was red from exertion, but obviously he was still full of energy.

Jason smiled when it became apparent that Dick was content to just lay down for a moment instead declaring sudden tickle war again. He carded his fingers through the sweaty black hair, down kid's neck and back, then back up, settling to idly rubbing Dick's back.

"Did you turn the alarm off?" Jason asked, wondering if they were late for the party. Assuming they could be late, since there was no party without the birthday boy.

"I woke you up early," Dick replied.

Jason hummed, closing his eyes, warm and comfortable. Shit, he needed to move or he will fall asleep.

"Hey, Jay?" Dick prompted after a minute of silence.

"Mhmm?" Jason forced his one eye open to peer at Dick, who became very interested in Jason's shirt. The kid was suddenly subdued and Red Hood wracked his brain for the cause.

"You can ask me now," the child said quietly, "about what happened."

Oh, that. For Dick to talk about it was him admitting his need for affection from family who was allergic to those things.

"I know," Red Hood answered, never stopping his soothing motion up and down Dick's back.

The expectant silence stretched. Finally Dick looked up at him with a frown.

"You aren't going to?"

Jason sighed.

"I know what happened, Dick," he clarified.

"Oh," Dick's jaw dropped slightly in shock. "How?"

"The Fairy lady and I had a little chat," Jason shrugged. The alarm on the phone went off and he reached for his cell to turn it off. "C'mon, up you get. We have to shower and put that damn car seat into the car."

Jason went to shower first, then filled the bathtub with warm water for Dick and placed a towel within his easy reach. Then he invited himself to Dick's closet in search of something to wear, promising himself to bring some of his own clothes to stash for emergencies. He eyed the pile of Red Hood's gear beside the bed and decided it would be better to take it with him. He pulled a bag from the bottom of the closet and packed it. Then he added everything he thought they would need for the trip.

After they were ready and Jason wrestled the car seat into required position they made their way to Gotham. The drive was uneventful. Only after they were nearing the manor Jason started to be nervous. And by the look of it, Dick too.

"You don't have to stay, if you don't want to," Dick, the ever self sacrificing idiot, smiled reassuringly at him from the back.

Jason just grunted, steeling his resolve as he parked the car in front of the entrance. He exited the car and opened door for Dick, patiently waiting for him to free himself from the seat.

"I swear," Dick muttered angrily. "They are so not worth the hassle."

Jason snorted and picked him up, which brightened his mood a little. Jason shut the door and locked the car, then he made his way to the entrance. He barely made to the front door, when Dick leaned forward in his arms to reach the doorbell. Jason shook his head in amusement and adjusted his hold on the kid when he was done.

Then the door opened to the familiar face of the old Wayne family butler.

"Hey Alfie," Jason greeted.

"Master Jason," Alfred smiled warmly. "It's good to see you." He looked at Dick, apparently not a bit fazed, that Jason appeared at Wayne manor's doorstep with a child. "And who that may be?"

"Hi, Al," Dick waved slightly.

Alfred's eyebrows shoot up in recognition.

"Oh my," the butler exclaimed, "Master Dick!"

"I know, right?" Jason commented, walking in. "Where's everyone?"

"They're waiting in main dining room," Alfred answered, still in awe. "What happened?"

"Long story," Jason hedged, not liking the way Dick was eying banister and chandelier. Thank God he made a rule earlier for Dick to not do any of his acrobatics unless someone was watching him. Dick wasn't overly pleased at that, but he was reasonable. "The important fact is that he is perfectly fine, just child sized."

"I see," Alfred nodded. "Well, you shouldn't keep the others waiting, then."

"Right," Jason swallowed. "Here goes..."

They went to the appointed room. Jason stopped before the door and put his hand on the doorknob.

"Ready?" he asked quietly.

Dick squeezed at his neck tighter and nodded. Jason took a deep breath and opened the door.

A loud, cheery "Surprise!" sounded, followed by stunned silence.

"Uh," Dick smiled sheepishly, pressing closer to Jason. "Surprise back?"

I almost didn't make it today, because I got my hands on Batman: Arkham Knight :