Jason woke up slowly. He could see the dim haze of sunlight leaking through the tattered blinds. Well, however much sunlight that Gotham gets anyway. Jason made a move to sit up, but his arm was caught. His whole body stiffened, readying for an attack, but when he turned his head he saw a kid in his teens laying next to him. Suddenly, all of it came back. Finding the kid in the alleyway. Getting him medical attention and then bringing him back to his apartment before the kid freaked out. The kid hugging Jason, not letting him leave. Jason ended up sleeping in the bed with him to keep him safe when he refused to let go.

Jason stayed where he was. He was half sitting with his back propped up on an old, out-of-shape pillow that, honestly, probably had old blood stains on it. He looked down at the kid. He was laying on his side with his head pressed into Jason's side under his arm. Jason was surprised to see that his own arm was wrapped over him and placed gently on his shoulder. In the kid's hand was holding a loosely bunched-up portion of Jason's shirt. A last-ditch effort to keep him trapped here. It was effective.

Jason glanced around the room. He didn't know what time it was. He knew it was afternoon given the window it was coming through, but that was about it. He didn't keep a clock in his room. He used his phone for that. Said phone, that he left in the living room when he first heard the kid wake up and crash from the bedroom. He didn't really have anything else to do today, but he wasn't used to sleeping in.

On the other hand, the kid curled into him definitely needed sleep. He needed a lot of things to heal but right now rest was at the top of that list. Jason stared at the kid again, noticing something odd. It sounded almost like a buzzing sound at first. Jason listened closer and almost laughed when he realized. The kid was letting out a light purring noise as he breathed.

Jason tilted his head. This kid definitely wasn't fully human. Jason was betting on meta, given the collar. Most humans didn't purr or make keening sounds, but Jason didn't know that many metas that did that either. Still, there was a first time for everything. It was kind of cute though.

And the collar. Jason could feel the metal digging into one of his ribs. Jason narrowed his eyes. Who would put this on a kid? He still didn't know what it was doing to him. A green light emanated from one of the indicators, so it was definitely still doing something. Jason would have to ask him when he wakes up.

The kid shifted slightly, disturbing the mess of his dark shaggy hair. It was matted with dried dark green flecks near the roots. Jason would have to get him to take a shower or bath when he was up to it. Jason also has to go to the store and get some new clothes. Jason's stuff would make him look like a swamped kitten, and the clothes Leslie gave were similarly too big. While he was out getting clothes he should also grab some food. He'd have to find out if the kid is allergic to anything and what he likes.

Suddenly he felt the fist clenched into his shirt tighten. Jason stayed still and slowly looked down. The kid's eyes stared back up at him. Glowing green. Jason could feel that tinge of fear in the air again, but held the kid's gaze. "Hey, you're okay." Jason tried softly.

Jason slowly removed his arm from where it was resting on the kid's side. The kid hesitated for a second, looking like he wanted to run to the far side of the room. But his own hand wrapped into Jason's shirt was stopping him with his iron-tight grip.

"Don't worry," Jason tried again, "I don't want to hurt you."

The kid glanced at him up and down. Jason recognized the look as scanning for weapons or danger. "Do you remember any of last night, kid?" Jason asked. The kid stayed frozen. He looked like a spooked animal ready to jump at the slightest movement. "You seemed really scared last night. But I was there to protect you right?" The kid's eyes seemed to soften, and he nodded slowly.

Jason let out a breath, intentionally relaxing his body. The kid certainly noticed, and seemed to relax slightly in response. "Sorry if I scared you," Jason said. The kid looked down away for a moment, as if guilty. "Hey, it's okay." Jason reached his hand out and very tentatively touched the kid's sleeve just below his shoulder with his thumb.

The kid flinched at the contact. Closing his eyes and pressing in closer to Jason, almost like he was recoiling from a hit, yet looking to Jason for protection at the same time. Jason was fighting the urge between moving away and not touching the kid to make him feel safe, and bundling him up and making sure he would never hurt again and giving him all of the care he needed.

Instead, he settled on slow calming movements. He continued rubbing his thumb along the kid's shoulder comfortingly, and as he did that the kid slowly started to relax, keeping his head tucked against Jason's chest. Jason could still feel how tense the kid was. It was very different than when he was loose and snugly in his sleep.

"Kid, would you like something to eat?" The kid looked to the side. "I'm sure I have something that won't hurt your stomach." The kid stared a moment more, contemplating, but he still said nothing.

Jason nodded at the kid. "Well I'm going to make something for us and you can have some if you want… can you try your best to eat something?" Was it good to force a kid to eat when he was like this? God, why couldn't it have been Dick who found him? Or Alfred… That's it! Alfred! Jason needed to call Alfred. He would know what to do.

Jason slowly started moving, before making eye contact with the kid again. "Do you want to come with me to the kitchen? Or would you rather stay in the room?" The kid glanced down at the bed again. "If you come with me to the kitchen I can make sure you're safe." The kid's eyes flickered up to Jason's again before biting his lip and giving a curt nod.

Jason was surprised the kid wanted to leave the room and go with him. And what sparked the kid's sudden change to trust him last night? Maybe he just saw that Jason truly wasn't trying to hurt him…

Jason slowly swung his legs to the side of the bed and the kid hesitantly released his grip on Jason's shirt. Once Jason was standing next to the bed he turned back to the kid. "Can you stand?"

The kid's eyes shot to the floor when Jason's attention was on him again, but he nodded. He slowly climbed off of the bed and stood unsteadily next to Jason. Jason thought a breeze would knock him over at this point.

Together, they slowly made their way to the kitchen. Jason held the bedroom door open for the kid and let him walk through first. The whole time they were walking the kid kept giving Jason nervous glances. Like he was unsure.

"You can go back to the room if you want?" Jason offered. The kid simply shook his head and tightly gripped his forearm. Just slightly above a scar across his wrist, like there had been clamps used to strap him down. The pit boiled in Jason at the sight of it. The kid noticed and quickly put his arms behind his back, as if he felt the change in Jason's demeanor.

Jason focused inward and toned it down, before glancing away from the kid. "You can sit on the couch or one of the chairs if you want," he said, gesturing towards both options. The kid glanced at Jason before slowly walking towards the couch in the open-plan living room/kitchen. He looked like he was trying to make sure Jason wasn't angry about him going over.

Jason sighed and ran his hand down his face. What to do now? His eyes caught sight of his phone that was sitting on the counter. Right, Alfred always knew what to do.

"Kid." The kid's eyes snapped up at him suddenly and he pulled his hand away from the puzzle box Jason kept on the coffee table, as if he was caught doing something wrong.

Jason chuckled. "It's okay, you can look at it. One of my friends got it for me. It's pretty interesting." The kid glanced at the box again before slowly reaching out and taking it. "I just wanted to let you know that I'm making a quick call." The kid nodded and then turned his full attention to the puzzle box. His eyes glinted with interest.

Jason smiled, then picked up his phone, scrolling through his minimal contacts. He found Alfred immediately and pressed the call button. Jason could always look to Alfred for advice, no matter what situation he was in. Even if there has been a big fight between him and Bruce or any of his brothers. Alfred was always there for him.

The call picked up. "Master Jason, a pleasure to hear from you."

"Hey Alfie," Jason ran his hand through his hair. "I'm in a bit of a situation right now and kinda need your help."

"My dear, what seems to be the problem?" Alfred responded. His tone changed ever so slightly to worry.

Jason glanced up at the kid who now seemed entranced with the puzzle box. "Do you know what to do when a kid has been starved? I know when I was brought to the manor you made up some food, plan, chart, thing, for me… but I don't quite remember."

Jason could feel the man's eyebrow crease on the other side of the line. "Well, I did make up quite the meal plan for you when you arrived, Master Jason. I would be happy to help. You'll want to start light… I would, first of all, recommend oatmeal of some kind. It can be quite easy on the stomach."

Jason walked over to the cupboard and started looking through, pinning the phone between his ear and shoulder. "I've got a packet of the pre-made stuff." He pulled it out and turned it around to look at the label.

"That will do for now. But I shall make up a meal plan for you later today and come by your apartment with the needed items." Alfred stated.

Jason placed the packet on the counter. "Alfie I don't…" He glanced up at the kid. The kid who so far has been so skittish and terrified of Jason in the first place.

"Is there anything I should know about who I am preparing for? It could help with proportions and the plan itself."

Jason sighed. "Its a kid, he's about thirteen, maybe fourteen. Hasn't eaten or been fed regularly in a long time. He also seems to have been through a really traumatic experience and might have unknowns in his system… But Alfie I don't think it is a good idea for you to come over. The kid is terrified. I don't know what he'll do if I just bring in another person." Jason pinched the bridge of his nose

Alfred hummed in acknowledgment. "I know what to do, Master Jason. I'll bring the food and see to it that he feels safe. If you think it is best I can leave the plan and items at the door for you."

"Thanks, Alfie."

"You are welcome, Master Jason. See to it that you call me if you have any more questions or complications in your endeavor. I shall see you soon."

Authors notes

Beta Read by gamma_radio, thanks again!

Poor Danny he's been through so much, and Alfred is coming over! Alfie always knows what to do we love him. And Jason is trying his best with what he has. Thank you so much everyone for your support on this fic! I am so happy to be writing it even if the chapters take a little while to get out, ill try and work on that!

Please tell me what you thought of this chapter and if there are any shenanigans you want to see in future chapters! Love you all, your comments are my inspiration to write!