Tim had always been the responsible one of the family, the no-fun one of the team. He was a model sidekick that other heroes wanted to have at their side. Years of training and combat showed though each scar. The teen was proud of his ability and rightfully so.

But that responsibility was no less heavy.

His failures were struck down harder than anyone else's because of the high standards placed on him. There was no room for failure and no one there if he needed help. Dick saw him more as an equal than a younger sibling, that is, if he was ever in town.

Bruce was protective of him, but it felt like the smothering concern of a parent of a stupid child.

But there was someone that peeled away the heavy burden, allowing him to be…

Tim stopped for a moment to think. More? Less? Neither answer seemed to fit.

The teen stood outside the theater and watched the rain pour off the awning that shielded him. An employee offered to let him inside but he wanted to stay where he was. People and cars went past at a frantic pace and it was nice to just stand still for once. He would be here soon.

An expensive car pulled up and Tim could see his reflection through the shine. The color was so rich that it looked like somebody slit their wrists to make the paint. Jason slipped out of black leather seats, his tattered jeans and a t-shirt were a stark contrast to the surrounding luxury. They smiled at each other and didn't notice the downpour.

Tim was grateful for the blockbuster movie two screens down because if left them alone and private. The theater was pleasantly dark and his tension rose, but it was not from the thriller that flickered on the screen.

A tracer, smaller than a fingernail and hidden by a color-changing patch, weighs heavily in his hand. He pretended to flinch at a scary part and grabbed Jason's wrist. Less than a second later, he pulled away, imitating embarrassment.

The older man glanced over, and Tim looked away. Jason leaned in and offered his hand like it was the most natural thing in the world. "There's nothing wrong with being afraid." He said with a smile, knowing how hard it could be to admit weakness.

Tim hesitated for a moment, wondering how much was safe to let go. He didn't expect how easy it was to lace their fingers together or how good it felt. The man's hands were rough and calloused from years of hard work that Tim couldn't place.

…

When the movie was over, it hurt to pull his hand away. It was strange being close to him because he was so…familiar. It was like reuniting with an old friend that you couldn't quite remember.

They walked out together, laughing a joke when a dark shadow cast over them both. Tim saw it first and jerked Jason back inside. The Bat's silhouette moved past just as quickly as it appeared. How much did Bruce know? He had told him he would be out with friends, but if he knew he was with Jason… Blue eyes searched the skyline for any kind of clue.

Jason gave him a nudge, saying "I think he's gone. C'mon." He took the teen by the hand and led him to the car, weapon-ready if Batman chose to reappear. In the safety of the vehicle they shared a quiet admission of guilt. The innocent didn't fear the Bat. The older man snapped the gun back into its holster, sighing "So…Big back-story time, would you mind telling me what that was about?"

Tim flinched, and thought quickly. If he played his cards right, he could get closer to Jason. Memories of why he was doing this dimmed to the background. He sunk into the soft seats, hearing the pattering of rain hitting the roof. It was getting dark. "I can't forget why I'm here."

Tim spent hours rehearsing the words, the gestures. "After my mom died, it was just me and my step-dad. He hated me." He had done the research and had written the story himself. "After a while, I couldn't take it anymore. All the screaming and hitting…and one day…" So why was this so difficult now? "I just killed him." He finished the story and felt disgusted.

Jason absorbed the information quietly, allowing it to sink in. He started the car and began to drive somewhere the teen didn't know. "No matter what anyone tells you, you did nothing wrong." He said after a few miles and Tim was shocked to hear him talk so openly.

It was the older man's turn to confess, knowing he had to give the boy something in return after a speech like that. But where to start? He was a Robin once, many years ago. He had come back from the dead but didn't know how or why. Better start talking and see what sticks. "I've killed a lot of people. Scum, mostly." Great, scare the poor kid. Make him never want to see me again, but I had to do eventually. "The entire drug war in Gotham's going to change. Dealers, makers, leaders, no one will be safe."

Tim cried out in horror, and covered his mouth like he was going to be sick. "Oh God…You can't be-! Tell me you're lying!" He couldn't believe the person next to him capable of something, or rather, he didn't want to.

Jason never turned away from the road, keeping his eyes fixed on a faraway goal. "I'm serious. I'm going to kill Batman too." He said coldly, vowing to finish the fight where it started.

The teen didn't understand any of this but he had to ask, barely choking out the word "Why?" He never saw this side of the man before and it terrified him. This person was mindlessly cold and as determined as a man looking for self-destruction.

The older man reached for a cigarette, "At sixteen, I was murdered by a psychopath. I should have been the last one he hurt."

Everything clicked into place. You're…You're Jason Todd. How can you be alive? How did you even survive? You're my hero, you always have been. You helped me and I held your hand while we- Tim had to stop, this was tearing him apart. Too many emotions were flooding his head and heart."Please…Stop the car…" He pleaded and the former Robin obeyed, pulling over to the side of the highway. The teen fumbled with the lock and stumbled out into the grass.

"Bruce has to know about this, that Jason's-!" He dug his pockets, searching for the panic button. One press and Bruce would be there and…and then what?

Jason would be arrested for the murders, not welcomed home like the forgotten son. He wouldn't forgive the boy for lying to him, would he even like the person he really was? But if he didn't, Gotham would pay the price.

Falling to his knees, he started to cry. Tim was mourning his hero a second time, along with everything they could have been.

The once-dead man followed him into the grass and knelt down beside him when the teen started to sob loudly. He wrapped his arms around the boy and held him until there were no tears left to give.

In the older man's embrace, Tim was small and helpless. Here, under the stars with him, they were safe. Free for a few warm moments from Batman, the Joker, Robin, and the GCPD. Jason ran a hand through the boy's hair and the teen lifted his head. The former Robin gave him a feeble smile as if to say "It's not that bad." But it was and things were only going to get worse.

Tim leaned forward to press their lips together.

Things were going to get much, much worse.

The kiss was needy and frantic, as teen needed him on some strange subconscious level he couldn't explain. He didn't think he could save anyone but at least he could try. "If no one else, let me have him."

Jason pulled away shocked and confused, Tim only blushed. The older man tried to defend himself, saying "Look, I'm not like that scumbag. I would never, ever force you into anything you didn't…" He trailed off at the smoldering look the teen was giving him.

Tim climbed onto his lap and wrapped his arms around the former Robin's neck. He tried it again, this time he allowed the kiss to slowly build between them. It was gentle and wonderful, and everything it should be. The older man didn't fight back this time, instead pulling the boy closer. In a way, they were two lost souls looking for company.

The teen could taste the cigarette on his tongue and felt Jason's hands on his hips. Even now, the man held him like angel he was unworthy to touch and afraid to defile. If he knew how much he was being lied to or how he was being shamelessly manipulated, they would never be this close.

The kiss broke with a wet 'pop' and Tim had to remember to breathe. "You…" Jason started exhausted, but never finished the thought. With the delirium of romance fading, they realized that the side of a highway probably wasn't the best place for this. The older man helped him up out of the wet grass and back into the car.

Jason had just been driving around aimlessly before so it took some time getting back into the city. The spent the drive in silence, unsure of what was appropriate. Tim was cold in his wet clothes and wanted a shower. The older man noticed this and pulled up to an old apartment building. The teen wondered if this was where he lived. "Come upstairs and towel off before you catch a cold."

Tim thanked him and went upstairs, leaving his taser in the car.