They've been fucking for three weeks when it happens.

He's admittedly way too excited when Jason drops by his apartment for a visit. Jason's a good fuck, that's for sure, but… There was something different about him. Different than any other of his toys. But then again, the man was hot as hell, probably one of Dick's most attractive partners. That had to be it. His bruised face is all smiles when the other quietly slips in through the window.

Jason yawned and dropped a bag (no doubt filled with guns and ammunition) on the floor, followed by the Hood. No doubt he was back from patrolling, his movements heavy, though he hadn't found much trouble if the lack of bloodstains were anything to go by. But as always, he was beautiful, even with the bags under his eyes and his hair slightly damp with sweat. He grinned slightly on seeing Dick, but then froze, a sudden frown overtaking his features.

(He didn't know why, but he hated that expression on Jason's face.)

Dick strided over to the taller and wrapped his dark arms around his neck, fingers entangling into dark strands as he leaned up. He might as well change it the best way he knew how.

"Hey, hey, you aren't jealous are you?" Dick murmurs against his lips with a slight smirk. "If it makes you feel better, you're my only sexual escapade at the moment." Jealousy is something he understands well, has seen often in this possessive game of cat and mouse. In the heat of the moment he can feel it in his bones, that need when their lips clash so desperately and he wants this to be his alone, selfishly wants no one else to know Jason the way he so intimately does.

(But he's not delusional enough to think that he was the man's only. He's played the game long enough to know the rules.)

Instead of accepting his advances like usual, Jason gently pushed him away, brow furrowed. Annoyance rose in his chest at the action. He's almost angry then, because what the hell? If he didn't want sex, why was he here-

"Where'd you get those bruises?" At the other's sudden words, his train of thought is completely derailed. It gets so much worse when Jason moves to actually touch his face. Dick freezes at how soft the fingers on his swollen skin are, freezes because he's not quite sure how to deal with such a caring action. Freezes because he's trying so hard not to read into the obvious rage in Jason's tone. But after a moment Dick huffs in disbelief and the spell is broken as he steps back.

"What, that's your problem?" He almost wants to laugh. The next words come out slow and mocking, really more than the words warranted but whatever. "Listen, I live in the bad part of Gotham, Todd. I try my best to state outta trouble but shit happens. It's true that I could probably beat the shit out of those stupid thugs, but I do that, and suddenly I have a price on my head. I keep my head down, take the punches like a big boy, and no one bothers me. If you don't like damaged goods, then don't look in the clearance aisle."

(It's not like he really cares.)

"Dick. That's bullsh-"

"Don't." He almost hates how icy his voice sounds, and his fingers go to push up on his own dyed blue tips in frustration. His tongue piercing clinked between his teeth as his jaw clenched. For someone who liked to lay low, he was rather flashy- but that was the point. Individual enough to seem like he isn't hiding- but also smart enough to take the punches when necessary.

Something Red Hood didn't seem to understand.

"Look, if you want me to go, I'll go, but don't act like I'm an asshole for caring! Jesus, you make this hard."

Some part of him knew that yes , he was being frustrating, and it was stupid he was reacting so childishly, but he wasn't the only one being rude. Somehow that was enough of an excuse for his behavior to continue it.

(He wasn't dumb. He wasn't going to fall for that like some love struck teenager)

He huffed in disbelief. " Sure , that's the reason. Stop trying to bullshit me. I'm not exactly the kinda person people get all lovey-dovey with. I'm the mistake people make at three in the morning at bars! A fling a wife has because she's sick of sleeping with the same boring asshole for ten years! Not someone's cute, sweet little boyfriend that they'd die for. That's not me, and if that's what you want you came to the wrong apartment. Try one of those stupid dating sites if you want someone to protect from the monsters under the bed." Really, he's half expecting Jason to hit him. God knew how many times his mouth had gotten him hurt, and the anti-hero wasn't exactly known for his calm temperament.

But instead Jason's face just crumbles in something (Anger? Annoyance? Frustration?) and so suddenly Dick's mouth is dry. This is what you wanted, right? Some part of him hysterically giggles. To push him away. You should be happy it worked.

"You're an ass."

But he isn't happy, isn't at all as Jason storms off, isn't at all as he's left alone again.

"Good job, Grayson," he murmurs to himself. It's better this way , he tells himself. It's better he's alone. Besides, it's not like he really cares about you.

His fingers ghosted over the faded cigarette burns on his arms. No one truly cares about people like him. Everyone always had motives; everyone always wanted something. It was a hard lesson he'd learned at nine years old from his various foster parents, and one he would never forget.

You're better off alone.