"Well, we messed up." Tim leaned back against the marble counter, throwing his head back as he sighed.

Jason fell into an arms-crossed, hip-cocked pose, tilting his head toward the ceiling. "It's a talent that runs in the family."

Tim scrubbed at his eyes, groaning. "How could we have been so stupid? I just… argh, I just hope we didn't mess him up too badly…"

"Wouldn't bet on it."

Tim picked up his head to glare at Jason, who met his gaze levelly. "We just should've seen it sooner. Dick isn't our Dick. He can't be! Why would… we shouldn't have tried to make him anything he isn't…"

"There's nothing wrong with wanting him to get better…"

"But he won't be the same!"

"Maybe I wasn't trying to make him the same, maybe I was just trying to help!"

"We were all trying to help, Jason!"

"Oh, so you think I'm on your side now?"

"What? I… Jason, you're bringing this up again? Really?"

"It's not like it's gone anywhere. You know, maybe you're right. You sure took over when Dickie had his breakdown; maybe you know what's best!"

Tim narrowed his eyes and pursed his lips as Jason ranted.

"I was standing there, and Dick was falling apart, and you just swooped in and started changing everything… and I didn't stop you. I didn't stop you because I just knew that out of all the people who could possibly have been with Dick at that very moment, I was at the absolute bottom of the list. I don't have any business playing therapist! I'm… I'm a murderer, Timothy. I'm a murderer and a liar, and a bunch of other stuff Dickie couldn't even wrap his head around!"

Jason jerked his head away, staring at the ground. "I was the wrong person, so I let you take over. And maybe I just shouldn't be here at all. Things changed again. I… you're smart. You've got a plan now. I don't deserve to be here. I shouldn't be here."

"That isn't true. We need you. Your-"

"Connections? You need my connections? You need me to map out the underworld for you just in case?"

"... No. Fine. I was deflecting when I said that. Needing Red Hood to protect us was an excuse. The Red Hood is fine but we need… Jason Todd. We need you to be Dick's support right now. Something… reliable."

Up went Jason's eyebrow, and Tim pursed his lips.

"I mean it. Don't think I don't know how people see Red Hood, Jason. He might be brutal, but he protects people. He sticks up for the little guy; people rely on him. They look up to him. I don't know how many kids in the slums I've heard telling stories about you - so wild that even Booster Gold would blush if people thought so highly of him.

Red Hood is terrifying but… he isn't like Batman. Batman focuses on the criminals to save his own idea of civilians. Red Hood fights for real people; real places he knows like the back of his hand, and he does it against his idea of criminals.

People rely on the Red Hood because they know he cares about them. And Jason… that's what's going to make Dick rely on you too. That wholehearted way you devote to someone when you want to, the way you don't leave any doubt for how you feel… You can't let him doubt that. He doesn't want you to leave. Or I… I don't want you to. We don't want that."

Jason turned away, shoving a hand over his face and fingers through his hair.

"You know? This is stupid. I already decided to stay. Like, a bunch of times. I shouldn't need to keep doing this. Can't I just make a stupid decision one time?"

Tim ducked his head, shifting almost imperceptibly, uncomfortably. "It's not stupid. It's a hard decision to make. Of course you're going to be divided about it. Want to change your mind on whatever you choose at any excuse."

Jason growled, narrowing his eyes. "Well, I'm making up my mind. I'm staying, I'm staying; I'm doing whatever I can… I… no one's getting rid of me, alright? Including me. I'm staying and I'm going to make sure Dickie's got his head screwed onto his shoulders until we get outta this excuse for a reality."

Tim smiled. "Even if it feels like a bad idea?"

Jason glanced away. "If I'm sure it's a bad idea… I'm still leaving. But if I'm anything less than sure… I can just run it by you, right, Boy Genius?" Jason looked up at Tim with an imploring vulnerable look that had Tim's throat dry in a second.

"Of course."

Jason looked away again, shoulders tightening awkwardly. In, perhaps, Damian's only convenient appearance in his life, the 4'5'' assassin barged into the room.

"Todd! Your services as chauffeur are required!"

Jason straightened, hand migrating to his hip. "What for, Brat?"

"Titus and Alfred! The other iteration of me has left them in a kennel! We must retrieve them without delay!"

Tim unstuck himself, making a conscious effort to hold himself naturally and loose. "Of course we do. Do we know which kennel…?"

"Super Paws Kennel. It is in Onondoga County, on Fabius St."

Jason and Tim exchanged glances. "...Super Paws?" Tim repeated, a smile already stealing over his mouth.

Damian scowled. "It has a five star rating."

"Oh, yes," Jason grinned. "I'm sure it's absolutely… super."

Damian threw a knife at Jason's head. It was a cathartic experience.