Looks like I'm on a roll lol. And Happy Birthday Timmy~! (July 19th)

Disclaimer in first chap

Chapter 22

Jason woke up to the light shining through their old blind curtains. He rubbed his nose and creaked his eyes open to find himself in his room, body a touch sore from last night. When he shifted the teen found a weight over his waist. He turned back to find Bruce hugging him from behind, still asleep. Jason's heart did a mini drop before he contained himself.

'He's normally a pretty straight sleeper—this is unusual. Bruce holding on to him like this…' Jason didn't want to get up all day now. The ravenette touched the other's arm that was over his midsection. His triumph was short-lived when he heard a rumble from Bruce's chest.

"You awake…?" Jason croaked. It took Bruce a second to realize the position he was in, looking mildly stunned how close the teen's face was. To his surprise, Bruce didn't feel like moving away. That was a novel feeling. Even after his one night stands, Bruce never felt the urge to cuddle. The discordance made the elder detach himself and lay on his back without a change of expression. Jason left it at that and climbed out of bed first.

After his trip to the bathroom, Jason made his way to the kitchen and began frying some eggs. He was starving. While those cooked, he also placed some turkey slices on the side and opened the fridge for some milk. 'Bruce likes his coffee black. I wonder if he has work today…he's normally up sooner.'

As if on cue, a presence found itself behind the teen. "What are you making? You could've ordered." Bruce told as he reached for a glass of water.

"Nah, it's fine. I was too hungry to wait." 'Plus he felt like cooking for them. It's not everyday he gets that opportunity.' Sometimes it was nice to be domestic, just the two of them like this, in this small apartment, making breakfast together. "Are you going to brew the coffee?"

"Sure." Bruce volunteered. Jason finished up on the breakfast while Bruce brough the coffee to the living room. They began eating in silence. "Just so we're clear you're off the case."

"Oh for fxck's sake Bruce, way to ruin the morning. You can't just go around commanding people at your will."

"That's exactly what you signed up for."

"You're unbelievable and fxckin' controlling as hell." Jason complained. 'Why the hell do I even love you?' "I'm finishing what I started."

"Jason."

"No negotiations. It's the least I can do. Come on, B."

"No."

"Fxck." The younger cursed and dropped his fork on the plate. "I don't have an appetite anymore."

"Jason, sit down and finish your food. Don't starve yourself." Needless to say, ever since the incident, Bruce was extra protective of him.

"You're annoying."

"There's no need to jeopardize your health."

"Whose fault is that? You're always so stubborn—why can't you yield just this once—"

"I already did. I gave you a chance."

Jason gritted his teeth with no comeback to that. 'Fxck. Should he change his tactics of persuading?' "Bruce, please…?" He put emphasis on his name, grabbing the other's attention. "This is the only mission I've conducted by myself, shit happens, but I have to see through with it…how'll that make me feel if I just quit—I won't be able to sleep at night…"

Bruce studied him. Jason seemed serious about it, he realized. However he couldn't go against his instinct to protect him either… "I understand the pride of—"

"It's more than just pride too!"

"Let me finish." Bruce reminded.

"Mh," Jason toned it down a notch, continuing with his passive act.

"I'll accompany you. If you so insist on finishing this case. I'll respect your ambitions but this will be the only time."

Jason rolled his eyes, holding back an "ugh" at the tip of his tongue. 'Well it was better than ditching the mission all together…' "Really…fine…hmph, control freak."

Bruce let that one slide.

"Well?" Bruce stood arms crossed waiting for Alfred's prognosis. They stood in the batcave, while Jason lay flat on the table. Alfred performed an ultrasound after an MRI of his guts.

"I see the small encapsulated pill. Aside from the tracking device, I can't seem to find anything that will cause internal damage. I am still unsure of the construct but I will be looking into that." Alfred reassured. "Please inform me if you notice anything out of the ordinary Master Jason."

"Uh huh." Jason sat up, still shirtless as the butler took his leave. "I mean I don't feel any different." He told Bruce.

"Get ready. We're going to finish this."

"Someone's impatient." Jason climbed off, reaching for his suit.

"The sooner it'll be off your mind." Batman muttered, which the younger couldn't understand how to decipher. Either way, he obliged and hopped into the car.

"I've tracked Black Mask down. I looked through the files you've collected and it seems he is indeed the instigator to all this."

"You looked through my files?" The ravenette echoed.

"He's currently at the warehouse located under the bridge. We'll charge in at my signal and take them down. The most important aspect is to apprehend Black Mask." Bruce continued without even addressing his remark.

"How nice to have the final say after I put in all the work." Jason sulked.

"…don't sulk." Now Batman was exploiting him, even if his tone didn't change.

"Who's sulking?!"

As according to plan, they barged in, kicking the doors down and instantly shooting batarangs. Black Mask was furious and shocked to say the least. He was in the middle of another huge trade, which was now bombarded by the bat family.

"So you were related to Batman?! I knew it! You no good lying brat!"

"Hey old man, don't give yourself a heart attack now." Jason twisted his pinky in his ear, unfazed. Batman swung over and kicked Black Mask while he was distracted with RedHood. The pair worked together and in the end successfully arrested the criminal, before contacting the police to ship him to Arkham. Batman allowed Jason to do the honors. All drugs and sales were abolished, along with arrests for other merchants were summoned as well.

"Yes~ Finally~!." Redhood cheered, as he leaned against the Batmobile outside.

"You've had your fair share of fun now." Batman's voice interjected as he approached the vehicle as well. "Lets go back." He entered the batmobile before the teen could say anything or protest.

After they washed up, Jason went up to the manor and high fived Tim the moment he saw him, in good spirits. Tim knew what he was up to so just uttered a small "congrats and leave me alone."

Before going to bed, Jason went down to the batcave when he realized Bruce was still down there. The teen was also too hype for anything close to sleep and wanted to rub it in Bruce's face some more. He had just finished his first mission—even if Bruce had to interfere in the end, at least he got to carry through it. There was overconfidence in every step he took.

"No rest huh?" Jason called out as soon as he walked into the cave, finding Bruce typing on the bat computer. Most likely wrapping up, the teen thought. Bruce didn't respond and merely acknowledged his presence. "Come on, say it, I'm waiting~" Jason arrogantly crossed his arms. "I still haven't heard a congrats yet. And who said I couldn't handle the enemy alone?" The teen was tooting his own horn.

Bruce glanced his way with an incredulous look before saying. "I helped you Jay."

"Shush shhh, last minute doesn't count, I still did ninety percent of the work and put myself on the line."

"I see…very recklessly at that."

"Dammit B, are ya gonna praise me or shame me?" Jason frowned.

"Congratulations." Bruce was forced to let out in a monotone voice. Even if it was coerced, warmth trickled in Jason's chest. However, at the same time he wasn't fully satisfied and wanted the recognition he deserved. The teen puckered his lips, gut pushing him in a certain direction which he had been avoiding for the longest time. He must have been feeling the rush from earlier because his head wasn't thinking straight and he marched up to Bruce's chair, spinning him 90 degrees. The teen's hands were pillared on each side of the arms of the chair as he stared straight into Bruce's eyes, face hardly a few inches away.

"…Can I help you?" The elder raised a puzzled brow.

"Yes, yes you can. You can start by acknowledging my efforts. And say that I'm more than capable working solo."

"No."

"What? What the hell Bruce?"

"I already warned you. And do I need to remind you again that you barely managed to finish this mission. You also would've lucked out had it not been for Deathstroke."

"Che." Jason averted his face annoyed. There it was, Bruce coming back with the receipts.

"Now if you'll—"

'There was no winning.' Jason wanted to confess after his mission, to prove that he was equal to Bruce but the other was only making him feel worse. Bruce attempted to move away but the younger didn't budge. The elder looked up at him, noticing Jason's eyes were lowered but they weren't focused on him at all.

"Jason?"

The teen's eyes readjusted on him, studying those entrapping deep blue lakes, down to his perfect sculpted jaw and finally those stern lips. Jason's eyes lingered on the other's lips before he insensibly grabbed his face and smacked his lips on top.

The elder's eyes widened at the teen's abrupt gesture. All his muscles stiffened as he vividly felt every curve of Jason's lips against his. He was further in shock when his conscious didn't find it repulsive and none of his muscles made an attempt to move the teen away. The so called kiss didn't last long. Jason was quick to move back to get a sense of reaction or consent to keep going or not. His heart was beating a million beats per second and his face was mildly flushed, even if he tried to appear composed.

Bruce, still shell shocked, looked into Jason's enchanting turquoise eyes who were filled with overt passion. A passion and gaze that even the teen couldn't hide from the other. It stunned the words out of the billionaire to not have ever noticed it before. The first thought that crossed his mind was 'since when?' Bruce still had a difficult time believing all this. Surely, this had to be another one of Jason's wild jokes?

Bruce could feel all his morality shattering in that instant as he studied that young face. He wasn't entirely revolted—was it because it was Jason, who was special but still…

The teen bit his lip. "Is that a …yes?" He leaned in closer again, face tilting. 'Was Bruce really okay with this?'

"What do you think you're doing?" Bruce finally found his voice again.

"…You know what…You're a grown man—playboy, even—you know what this means. I don't have to explain it."

This was wrong. Jason was supposed to be like a son to him. Bruce held the teens shoulder back. "No Jason. We can't."

"Can't? or don't want to?" He had the nerve to say.

"…You're young and an attractive man, you're looking in the wrong place." Was the fastest response Bruce's mind could conjure.

"What the fxck?" The teen spat, feeling humiliated suddenly. "Look just say you don't like me. or this, whatever this is, but don't patronize me." Jason laid off the chair a bit. "I can't help if I see you that way—you think I wanna feel like this? Towards you?" Bruce only stared at him with a solid unwavering expression. "Shit—" Jason about turned and headed out of the cave in an instant.

'Goddammit.' Jason cursed. He really needed to stop acting so impulsively. But there was no going back now. The cat was out of the bag. 'Perhaps he could try talking in a civil manner later…and hope his emotions don't get the better of them again.' He stressed. 'But boy was that a horrible first confession. Not how he imagined it. Way to go Jason.' Well in his defense, romance was never his thing and probably the only field he lacked the most experience in…but he'd try. He'd have to unless Bruce outright rejected him.

'Man…that'd be awkward…' How would be live in the same house after he was rejected? However, that was no surprise from the beginning. He was aware their relationship could never be the same if he ever confessed his feelings—which is why he bit his tongue for so long.

The next day, Bruce was in the middle of a conference, but his head was elsewhere. The elder reminisced about the kiss from the night before. He gently grazed his lips. 'What was going on?' He was very perceptive when it came to many aspects of his life, career, and the people around him, but he could have never predicted that. Yes, him and Jason were very close but… was Jason possibly confusing their closeness with something else? After all, the teen never had a father figure in his life or someone to guide him like this…

Who was he kidding? Bruce knew that could be a possibility but at the same time was aware it was more than that. Jason wasn't stupid and he certainly wasn't naïve—he wouldn't just fall for someone for those reasons alone. In fact, the teen still refused his help sometimes and had always hated to accept financial support from him.

Bruce sighed. How was he going to answer to him? How serious was the younger? Perhaps they should talk…

In that moment, a sickening feeling pierced the elder's gut when he realized and was reminded that he didn't hate the gesture initially. The way their lips touched and how desperately the teen was pushing against his face—was undeniably adorable. Jason, who was once a skinny roughed up boy with an incessant glare to now a charming young man almost his height. He was irreplaceable.

The billionaire shut his eyes at the mere thought. He was disgusted with himself. 'I haven't been out much. Perhaps I'm pent up…my mind is going in the wrong directions.' Bruce decided in the end that he would call one of his routine hook ups and spend the night outside. The first person he reached out to was Selina, who agreed.

Around 1 AM, Bruce climbed out of the bed without his sex partner and stepped in to take a shower. He exited the bathroom in a bathrobe before he changed into his work clothes from the same day.

"How unromantic~" Selina whined from the bed, under the covers. "Just stay the night and leave tomorrow."

"I have to be at work early tomorrow. It's best if I go home." Bruce lied.

"It's always work, honey."

Bruce paid her no mind as he fixed his tie and stepped towards the door. "The room is paid until morning, feel free to stay." He said one last word before heading out, finding Alfred waiting outside. The butler drove him back home.

Jason was sitting on the living room couch, legs up, staring idly at his phone until he heard the engine outside. 'Damn he's so late.' The teen thought, tossing his phone aside, and waiting for the elder to walk in any minute. His heart was pounding like he was about to stand before court or something. 'Calm down, geez.' He told his nerves.

The door opened and Bruce expressionlessly walked in, not anticipating anyone.

"Hey…welcome back…" Jason bashfully greeted, still feeling embarrassed from the night before but willing to work things out. "You're kinda late."

Bruce stared at him for a good second, taken aback to find the teen waiting up for him, but brushed it off. "I'm back…Were you waiting?" The elder stepped towards him, as he loosened his tie. Jason got off the couch.

"Uh, look Bruce, I just wanted to say sorry for yesterday…I may have acted…" The ravenette trailed off briefly when he caught a whiff of strong perfume from the other's suit when he came closer. 'What was that strong fragrance? Perfume?'

"It's alright." Bruce ushered but was startled when Jason came closer to sniff him.

"Where were you? Why does this smell like women's perfume?" The teen mouthed but already figured out the answer. "Were you sleeping with someone just now?" The answer was straight forward but the words never came out of Bruce. "Seriously? After I just told you about my feelings?" All the butterflies and nerves in the teen's stomach from earlier were all gone now. He let out a heavy exhale. He couldn't believe it. "Is this your answer then? You know you could've just told me!"

'Shit, what did he say about not letting his emotions get the best of him.' Jason backed away, hurt.

"Jason wait,"

"Just fxck off." The teen was pissed. "And here I thought we were more mature than that. Did me kissing you remind you how badly you wanted to fxck some woman?"

"Jason." Bruce growled but the younger was already stomping away and slammed his bedroom door behind him. He was acting childish but screw it. It freaking hurt. Well at least he knew the other's response now.

Bruce was exhausted, mentally more than physically at this point as he dropped on to the couch. His intention wasn't to hurt Jason. Far from that. He was just ruling something out…

To Be continued…

Well, it finally happened. What a rollercoaster. Way to go Jason. Lol. Great, what is Bruce going to do now?