No.

Jake Grayson. 

“Oh suddenly you’re the expert on fun?” She prodded him with a grin gleaming clear on her cheeks. Poking fun was fun, and it wasn’t something Morgan often let herself indulge it. Usually she was too busy focusing on her project or the whole time travel thing. “I’m going to need a picture and a directory, you have so many Uncles Jake.” She joked with a small giggle following. “Sleep medication sounds like it might interfere with my daily coffee dose.” This time she couldn’t help but laugh and it felt nice. Her smile only hesitated when Jake showed his own hesitation. “Whats wrong with that?” She challenged. “You know, everyone deserves to be doted on once in a while.”

.

     “Suddenly?” he gave a dramatic gasp. “There is not a person that has ever met me that doesn’t immediately say Oh, Jake? He’s such a fun guy. How dare you” he couldn’t help but smirk, nudging her shoulder gently with his own. “That....actually might be for the best” he shook his head, the thought of her mistakenly calling any of his Uncles by the wrong name not being an occurrence that Jake could foresee ending well. “Switch to decaf” he shrugged lightly. He was the last person to be telling others how to take better care of themselves, and yet. “Maybe so, but that doesn’t mean that I have to like it”

Jake Grayson.  

.

Everyone had mementos to remind them of their past, of the lives they lived, the places they’d been and the memories they had made. Morgan’s problem was that mementos were the only part of the equation she’d had, without the memories or emotions to go with them. Mementos of her father and the amazing man he had been from the man heroes who’d become her aunts and uncles. Mementos of her mother, and all the amazing things Morgan was far too young to understand and even now struggled to remember. Mementos, of the girl who had been alone until suddenly she wasn’t. Until her only friend wasn’t her older brother anymore, but more. Mar’i and Jake were the first among many to become friends, they opened the door to a world beyond the boundaries Morgan had grown comfortable confined in. Mar’i was a shining light, a brightness to guide her way. Jake had been something else. His hand had been a comfort, and his light may have been dimmed but it always kept Morgan aware of where she stood. She never felt lost beside him. Not then, and not now. 

Don’t wish it, do it. It’d be easy for that stupid saying to drop from her lips but Morgan in all good conscious couldn’t bring herself to say it. It was too diluted, too untrue. There were things none of them could do, no matter how hard they tried or even wished. She would never put that strain on Jake, even if her heart wanted to hand him something to hand onto. Her eyes fell to her shoes, wondering if she’d been too brash in confronting him. Perhaps telling Mar’i would have been better, but– his hand was on hers, and soon Morgan’s eyes met his as well. “You know…” Her tone was quiet. “Collapsing isn’t a choice. The definition is to fall down suddenly because of pressure or having no strength or support.” The words felt out of her mouth in a ramble, her nerves striking at her. “There’s so much pressure Jake. On all of us. And you have so much strength but support?” He was stubborn. Preferred slinking in the back, not being seen or the center of attention. Morgan understood the impulse but she refused to, let him hide away, to let him fade. “Let me be your support, Jake.” She pleaded. 

.

     It wasn’t as if Jake could ignore that on some level all of the people that cared about him worried about him, the problem was that Jake had a habit of ignoring that there was anything to worry about or of ignoring that others cared altogether. It was certainly a hell of a lot easier than taking accountability for himself, after all. The only person that Jake wouldn’t dare to push away was Mar’i and she had a way of keeping him in check when they were together, but it wasn’t like that was all the time. “Somebody has been reading the dictionary” he teased, his tone just as quiet as her own. The words had left his mouth without much thought, a habitual deflection to her very obvious concern for his behaviour. “Sorry”.

Jake had had a support system. He would always have his older sister, but he had once had both of his parents in addition to her support. Jake had been convinced that he could go it alone ever since. After all, the less people that he let himself get attached to, the less that he had to lose. As for those that were stubborn enough to stay, he liked to get creative when it came to finding new ways to push them away or force distance between them. It was the exact kind of self destruction that she had been talking about that had tipped Jake over the edge in the first place. She wasn’t usually so brash, but then, he could understand somewhere deep beneath his pride that some conversations could simply never be light-hearted and fun. 

“It’s not that easy...” he sighed. “Half of the time I don’t even realize that I’m being an ass until it’s too late..” his fingertips drummed gently against her knuckles as he tried to find the words to articulate what he felt, something that Jake was often shortcoming with. “I can try” Letting her in would never happen overnight. “If you’re going to insist”

-

Peter jumped a little as Jake called his name, pulling him from his concentration on the reports he had in front of him. “Oh, you did?” he said, smiling as he stood up to greet Jake. A soft snort fell from his lips as Jake went on, a faint smile still lingering on his lips. “That definitely counts, thank you,” he said. He paused, smiling again. “So what happened?” he said. “If you were baking brownies that were supposed to taste so good, it’s hard to be upset, that means something went wrong. Are you okay?”

.

     Jake only grew more eager when his friend actually acknowledged his presence, bounding over to his desk and slumping comfortably into the seat the other side of it with an uncharacteristically large grin. He’d woken up in an inexplicably great mood and somehow Jake had deduced that Peter was the least likely of their group of friends to make a thing of it. “Oh no, no, nothing’s wrong. I’m just saying that when you bake its like magic, or whatever” he clarified, shaking his head. “I guess I was just...baking very badly” he snorted. “So what are you doing?” he asked, as if the answer wasn’t very obvious.

.

We must be the weirdo our group wanting to return back to our time” Lian mused but in truth, they’d gotten used to where they lived. Life was different but it was still their life and when Mar’i had this idea part of her wanted to go so badly yet she’d long since broken hope out of her system at a young age. “You know he would get one for me, after all my sword skills are better than most” she teased him a bit given how close their families had become even though she had little knowledge of where she’d come from. “Never fear, where Mar’i and myself are concerned we’ll never leave you behind, after all, I need someone to make faces to when things get too happy”

.

     “I think everybody secretly wants to go home...there are just things that we’d all like to change about our time” he sighed. He knew that something this delicate would take time, but he couldn’t help feeling as though they were wasting some precious time here. He didn’t want to put any more stress on Mar’i, though, of course, so Jake wouldn’t dare to voice such an opinion. “Did he teach you? Cause if not I’m sure that he would disagree with that solely out of principle” Jake snorted, knowing that he was right. “Thanks. I’ll be making the same face back, I got you” he teased, nudging her shoulder gently with his own. 

Jake Grayson. ​

“Oh there’s a list?” She couldn’t help a giggle from leaving her lips. “You’re gonna have to show me this list sometime, do I get to approve of them or are they all nicknames I don’t get a vote in?” She joked, her smile bright upon her cheeks. “No it’s okay, playing favorites is fine as long as no one being played knows.” She never met them personally, but had heard great things about his aunts and uncles. “Lucky you.” She said, not without teasing. “Wish sleeping well was a teachable thing, I would study it til I aced it. But alas.” She stunk at sleeping well. “As a Jake you might not be allowed entry, I’ll have to check it over with Mar’i.” She joked. 

.

     “A list that I shall carry to my grave” he couldn’t help but chuckle at her excitement. “No, they’re less fun that way” he teased, smirking widely. He didn’t really have that many, but they were all great in his opinion. “...True” he nodded. Nobody got hurt that way. “You should probably talk to my Uncle Damian...he has this sleep meditation thing that he does” Granted, he had never known Damian to sleep for very long either, but from what he could tell the sleep that he got was good. “I’m not sure I’d want to enter, honestly...that’s-” he shook his head. “That’s too much attention for me”

Jake continued and Mar’i gave him the look. “Jake.” Mar’i wasn’t usually the serious sibling, even when she cared for Jake. But now and again, the generations of royal blood pumped through her veins surfaced, and her tone and demeanor changed into one that was not to be trifled with. It was a rare occurrence, but it was one that was never contested upon.  She sighed as he pouted, placing a hand on him softly. “I know it doesn’t seem fair. I miss them too. But even though they’re our family…they aren’t. Not yet. We have to wait until we can be more positive about the effect this would have.”

.

     “Okay, okay” Jake held his hands up, unwilling to counter that look. Jake knew that his sister would never actually harm him, but he was wise enough to know not to test her when she looked at him like that. Rather often it was the only thing that could stop Jake in his own stubborn tracks. “I know” he sighed, placing his hand ontop of hers for a moment. “I’m just grateful that I have you” He never let anybody else close enough to see such vulnerability from him but Mar’i was family. She was all that he had. “Can we talk about something else?”

Jake Grayson.​

“You saying that doesn’t negate my worry. Actions speaking louder than words and all that.” And his actions were all she saw, the ones that made her worry, and no amount of his attempt at dissuading would convince her otherwise. It would take a lot more. “I really can’t help it Jake, I care about you too much to let it go.” She admitted. It would be a lot easier if Morgan could turn a blind eye, but she couldn’t. “It doesn’t have to work like that. If you’re taking care of everyone else then who’s taking care of you?” Morgan asked, her eyes big with clear concern. “You take on so much, too much. What happens when you collapse under it all? I don’t want you to collapse Jake.” The thought scared her. He needed to be able to unwind, let himself be unburdened. At least for a small bit. 

.

     As somebody that had deliberately let himself fall into the background of every room that he entered for years, it had never made sense to Jake that Morgan had always seen him, even the parts of himself that he liked the least, it appeared. He hadn’t always been this way, but after losing his mother everything that he had felt consumed and overwhelmed him. He hadn’t known how to process them at the time and he barely did now. Jacob Grayson once resembled his older sister, Mar’i, whom he had always idolised, so closely that strangers would mistake them for twins. The Jake that sat beside her today was a result of trying to protect that child. He’d meant to keep him safe but he had lost him somewhere along the way and while Jake did what he could to cover it up with sarcasm, he was a lost cause. 

“I know, but I wish that it would” he sighed. “I know” he said again, nodding slowly. He’d always held a certain softness for Morgan that he couldn’t explain. She wasn’t immune to his usual pessimism, but it was diluted to say the least. “Hey” he frowned, turning to reach for her hand, willing her to look at him. “I’m not going to collapse, okay? I’m not going anywhere” he promised, his stare intense. “I’m not going anywhere”

.

Lian chuckled softly “it’s gotten rather sentimental back here, I’ll admit I miss our fucked up future” she mused honestly before nodding her head with him “Fine just this once I wont allow Mar’i to pull into another scheme, but then again I still want a tiger, I’d call it Camilla” She smirked before laughing “Well I would never dream of taking your job away so if any zoo breaks happen I’ll be sure to call you first.”

.

     “Right?” Jake shrugged gently. It was bittersweet to see his parents; Jake had to fight himself constantly because half of him wanted to spend as much time with them as possible and the other knew that Mar’i was right. That it was neither safe nor fair to put the weight of this on them. “If you want a tiger just ask Damian when we get home” Jake rolled his eyes playfully, shaking his head. His Uncle acted tough but he would do anything to make his nieces and nephews happy, really. Especially Mar’i. “Thank you. I just want to be included” he teased dramatically. 

Jake Grayson. 

She’d known Jake for a long long time, it almost felt like forever. He’d always been someone Morgan could rely on, but being close to someone also meant you were privy to their innerworkings. Or to be more accurate, what didn’t work. And what didn’t work for Morgan was watching him self-destruct like he did. It broke her heart. Remembering this is what spurred her on to continue the discussion. “As fun as figuring out ways to piss you off would be,” She spoke dryly, not meaning the words (her mom once said she was just like her father when she tried to be funny). “It’s actually coming from concern, Jake. I’m-” Suddenly her throat felt dry, Morgan pushed through anyway. “I’m worried about you… sue me.” She added the two words softly, trying to break the tension somewhat.  

.

     He looked up when she mentioned that her motivation had come from a place of concern, guilt pooling in his stomach. She was looking at him like his sister often did, like she wanted to help him but she wasn’t sure where to start. “I told you before...you don’t need to worry about me” He didn’t meet her eyes, but there was a softer edge to his voice now as Jake began to pick at a loose thread in the sleeve of his sweater. “I take care of other people, that’s how it works” It was the only way he had let it work for years. “What are you so worried about?”

Jake Grayson.  

She hit his shoulder without any real strength behind it, more of a tap. “I was kidding J, you could call me Sleepyhead.” He and Mar’i were truly cut from the same cloth, people who were just so innately good. Morgan could only wish for the goodness they had easily ingrained them. Her mind was more prone to sharpness and not-so-good thoughts. “You have so many uncles.” She mused, not that Morgan had a small amount herself though. “Yeah you know me and sleep, not very great friends.” Vaguely Morgan remembered going on about something more sleep gripped her in its cold slimy clutches. She chuckled at his words. “Well guess that’s makes us two fans of your company, probably a third is out there too. We could start a club.”

.

     “It wasn’t going to go on the list of favourite nicknames for you or anything, don’t worry” he chuckled, relieved that she clearly didn’t mind it. “I really do...I’ve always liked my aunts better if I’m being honest. They’re total badasses” Jake grinned. He’d always preferred hanging out with Donna, Cass or Steph but he got along fine with all of his uncles too. “Can’t relate. Once I’m asleep there’s little that can wake me up” Jake was a night owl just as much of his family was but he was grateful to sleep well whenever he eventually did at least. “A We love Jake club?” he teased, raising his brows. “Cute”

randomized starter for @ncghtwinged​

❛ Truths do not always set one free. Only a fool who has spent their entire life being fed lies believes that. ❜ Mar’i said to her brother when he asked her about telling their mom who they were. “It is bad enough we’ve had the contact we had. And you know that. Knowing who we are could place a burden on our parents that is not ours to place.”

.

     “They do sometimes..” Jake countered, although he knew that he was being childish. Mar’i was right, it would be selfish to unload such an emotional burden onto their parents just to make themselves feel better. It just felt wrong to be dishonest with them, even if it wasn’t technically lying. They were simply withholding the truth. “I don’t like it when you make points that make so much sense, you know” he pouted. 

.

Lian looked at the other if anything she could see that something was bugging him something that he didn’t want to outright have to spell out to someone. She’d always found between the two siblings while Mar’i was like sunshine Jake held a darker element to him much like herself. “Well lucky for you my tastes aren’t expensive though if you ever do get your hands on that card again I’d enjoy being taken out by one of  Gotham’s elite wealthy” She teased him nodding her head “I take Sunshine would enjoy a prison break if we did? I can’t say I blame her, I’ve always wanted a Lion or a tiger what do you think it goes with my aesthetic right?”

.

     “I definitely hope we’ll be back home soon, so yeah, dinner’s on me” he chuckled. Jake was a pessimist at best, but he couldn’t afford to be negative about this. He had to believe that they were going to make it back. “Again. No zoo with Mar’i. Ever. Under any circumstances. You’ll only encourage her and Uncle Damian is bad enough..” Jake sighed. “Plus, that’s my job” he playfully pouted. 

.

     Jake began to roll his eyes, wincing as the gauze was pressed against his wound. “I’m just not one to make a big deal out of nothing, I guess” At least, not when it pertained to him. “He’s at the precinct being processed...I made sure that they gave him first aid too. He’s fine” Jake explained. “I’m not a complete asshole, you know...just...half of one” he smirked. 

.

Lian looked at the other for a moment, in truth she was doing an expert job of avoidance when it came to her father. She could see how curious he became when she’d finally introduced herself and being Daddy’s little girl, she wouldn’t be able to lie to him for long. “The Aquarium? I suppose I could if this trip also includes food” She mused moving to grab her jacket before smirking “That’s Jake speak for you love me, and sure I’d love to see a fish in a bowl with you, maybe we can release a squid or something” She winked at the other whatever was causing the other to need a distraction she’d gladly lend a hand

.

     Lian had told him once that if he ever needed to talk that she would be there for him, an offer that Jake had brushed off at the time considering that he never wanted to talk about his feelings. He’d always been better at avoiding them, but then why would he have to avoid them alone? “It could include food” he chuckled, shaking his head. “Just as long as it’s nothing too fancy. I don’t have a Wayne Enterprises card in this timeline, remember?” he reminded her. “I’m glad you’re fluent” he smirked, not denying it. “Please, and I’m begging you, never go to a zoo with Mar’i”

“Sleepyhead’s my name now? And here I thought it was Morgan.” She joked despite remaining somewhat sluggish. She leaned her head against the couch, still undeniably sleepy. She tucked into the couch, snuggling into the blanket that was atop her. “I feel as well rested as I’m capable of being.” She told him. Morgan wasn’t the best when it came to sleeping schedules, it was a truth among them. Well rested wasn’t a term she knew closely, Even five hours felt like a lot to her. “Thanks for letting me sleep out here.” Not everyone would have been as kind to allow her to remain resting in public space.

.

     “Oh, right. Sorry, Morgan it is” he nodded. “You sound like my Uncle Tim” Jake snorted, shaking his head. “It’s good that you got some rest, though. You clearly needed it” He left out that she had fallen asleep mid-sentence, not that it was really anything new. “It’s no big deal. When you’re a fan of your own company you get pretty good at finding ways to keep your friends occupied” he teased, smirking softly.