My Boyfriend’s Brother Is The One For Me
Inspired by this post by @aryancunin
I hope this is close enough to what you were looking for!! <3
Reader does NOT cheat btw…I just thought the title was fun…and the Victorious song was playing in my head the entire time lol
Also…a lot of kissing + also making out and maybe some suggestive content but NO smut
Reader is Superman’s daughter because I like having superpowers :) also Lois is the stepmom so that you can still look like whatever you look like, if that makes sense????
Also, this is Jason x Reader in case anyone didn’t check the link!!
NOT PROOFREAD
You woke with a jolt, jumping out of bed frantically as gunshots could be heard in the alleyway right outside your window.
Right, you rub your eyes tiredly, you moved.
Deciding you won’t be able to fall back asleep, you carefully make your way towards the kitchen, once again cursing Dick Grayson for everything he’s ever done.
Except for being a hero.
But other than that? He’s the worst.
You glare bitterly at the overflowing boxes piled up in the living room, not yet having gotten the chance to unpack.
After catching your boyfriend of four years cheating on you with his partner on the force, you’ve felt like you’re living in slow motion.
Pulling open the cabinets lead you to finding no food and opening the fridge showed you much of the same. Huffing, you pulled your fluffy pink robe tighter across your chest.
Stupid Dick Grayson.
After spending the first day in your new apartment doomscrolling on your phone, you’d come across a video of someone picking a random person and blaming them for everything that goes wrong.
You quickly decided to blame Dick. Whether it’s helping or not, you’re not sure yet. But you figure you’ll stick with it a little longer, at least until you get settled into your new apartment.
It’s been three weeks since you caught him. You’d been at lunch with Cass and Stephanie when you saw him across the room, with her.
She was recently assigned to be his partner after his old one transferred.
At first you considered that they were just getting lunch on their break, but then he kissed her. On the mouth.
You had quickly excused yourself from the table to go to the bathroom. After gathering what little bearings you could, you snapped a photo of the couple and made another excuse to your friends about needing to go home.
When you returned to the apartment you shared with Dick, you wrote a very careful letter with the bare basics. We’re over, you’re the worst, you stupid cheater, I should’ve known, I hate you.
So maybe it wasn’t the bare basics, but it still left a little to be desired…you hoped.
Next to the note, you printed the photo you’d taken of them at lunch. You drew a frowny face in red marker on the border of the page, making sure he knows exactly how you feel.
After that, you’d quickly packed all your belongings and moved them to the first apartment you could find. Unfortunately that apartment just so happened to be in Crime Alley.
More shots could be heard as you sighed. You knew it was a gang fight of sorts…if it was a simple mugging there wouldn’t be this many shots fired.
Cracking your neck, you moved back into your bedroom. If you have no food, you may as well get ready for work and pick something up on the way.
It was quiet as you got ready, the fight finally having stopped. You sorted through the boxes, attempting to find another outfit to wear until you got the chance to wash your clothes.
You didn’t technically have to go into the office, your articles for the Gazette could be edited from your home, but you figure it’s good to leave the apartment…especially now that you live alone.
As you pull your door shut behind you, twisting the key in the lock, you try to hurry as you hear thundering steps from behind you.
In the few weeks you’ve lived here, you’ve yet to meet your neighbor. Every once in a while you could hear shouting coming from inside. Or the television being too loud.
But you know better than to complain in Gotham. You’ve found the people here to be a bit…trigger happy.
“Just shut up about it and get it done.”
You straighten as your neighbors door slams open.
Turning slowly, your met with a pair of widened green eyes.
“Jason?”
He repeats your name back as his mouth parts open. Glancing at his phone, he quickly hangs up the call.
He looks at you as if he’s studying you, a curious look on his face before it hardens. “What are you doing here?” His voice is tense.
You don’t miss the blood staining the side of his neck. Raising a teasing eyebrow as you point at your own neck. “I assume you had an eventful morning?”
He grunts, crossing his arms. “Nice deflection. What are you doing here?”
“I live here.”
“No, you don’t.”
“Yes, I do.”
“No, you don’t.”
“Yes, I do.”
“No, you—”
“Jason! Yes, I do live here. What is your problem?”
He scoffs, leaning back against his door. “Shouldn’t you be living with your boyfriend? What, the two of you break up?”
Your mouth drops open at his words as your mind reels. Either Dick didn’t tell anyone what happened, or Jason was choosing to be particularly cruel this morning.
“Yeah, actually. We did.”
His grin falters as his eyes trail across your stance. “You serious?”
“Yes, I’m serious. Do you think I’d be living here if I didn’t have to?” You throw your arms up, halfheartedly gesturing around the hallway.
His eyebrows furrow. “And he didn’t give you the apartment? He made you move out…to here?”
“He didn’t kick me out, if that’s what you’re thinking. Although at this point, I wouldn’t put it past him.”
He wouldn’t. You know he wouldn’t. He might cheat and ruin a four year long relationship but he’d never actively put you in danger. You’re sure if you’d stayed and talked with him that he would’ve gone to stay at the manor.
Or her house.
You grimace, a bad taste appearing in your mouth. “I have to go.”
Jason straightens, “Where?”
“Breakfast? It’s breakfast time, you know.”
He scowls at you but there’s no heat behind it. “I’ve got food.” He pauses, “If you want some company. Or I can go with you.”
“I’m okay on my own.”
“Yeah, but if you want company…”
“I don’t.” You don’t look at him as you leave, forcing yourself to maintain a steady pace.
—
The second time you see Jason, is on your way home from work a few days later.
“Here, I’ve got it.” He rushes to grab the door for you. If he’s bothered by your lack of enthusiasm at seeing him, he doesn’t mention it.
“So…how have you been?”
You glance at him out of the corner of your eye. “Didn’t take you for the chatty type, Todd.”
“Back to Todd, huh? Dick messed up that bad?”
You don’t bother responding as the elevator doors open. He gestures for you to enter first, following quickly behind.
“Third floor.”
“I know.” You bite out, tightening your grip on your bag in an attempt to not strangle the man.
“I know.” He repeats and you glare at him. He laughs at the look, leaning back against the wall.
It’s quiet for several moments as you wait for the elevator to start. It only made it partway between the first two floors before it jolts, making a loud screeching noise.
You stumble, falling sideways before Jason’s arms wrap themselves around you, steadying you.
“Thanks.” You mumble, making a wide grin tug at his lips.
“Of course, princess.”
“Don’t call me that.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He jokes and you suddenly realize his arms are still wrapped around you.
Jerking away, you press yourself against the farthest side of the wall from Jason.
He doesn’t react to the movement, instead sitting down in his corner.
“What are you doing?”
“Sitting.”
“Yeah, duh. But why?”
“Usually takes a while for the elevator to start again.”
You frown at him, sitting down in your own corner as you tuck your knees to your chest.
“This happens a lot?”
“Enough to be an issue.”
You huff, “Well then why did you get on?”
“You would’ve been alone if it broke.” You weren’t sure what to say to that.
“You could’ve just told me that it’s broken.”
“But then we wouldn’t get to talk.”
“We’re not talking.” You shake your head, wrapping your arms around your knees.
“Yes, we are.”
“Well, not anymore.”
“Sure.”
You make it about two whole minutes before breaking. “Fine, what?”
If anyone asks, it’s because he’s been pouting at you for that entire time, definitely not because you’ve been so lonely the vast few weeks.
Losing Dick meant losing his entire family. And after four years together, they’d quickly taken up just about every available spot in your life. Now, you had no one.
“What happened between you two?”
“You didn’t ask him?” You frowned, finally meeting his eyes. He shook his head. “It’s stupid.”
“It’s not stupid if you’re this upset over it. If you won’t talk to anyone.”
“Well then it’s embarrassing.”
“More embarrassing than the time you took out Lex Luthor by tripping over his rolling chair and making it roll into him?”
“That wasn’t even embarrassing.”
“I assure you, it was.”
You roll your eyes, but you can’t help the smile tugging at your lips. “Whatever. He literally babytrapped my dad…I think that’s much more embarrassing.”
“I don’t know…”
“Shut up, Jason.”
“Oh, phew. We’re back to first name basis. You had me worried for a bit.”
“Would you stop?”
“Fine, fine.” He relents, putting his hands up. “What happened, though, seriously?”
You sighed, dropping your head into your knees. “I don’t know. I don’t know if I just wasn’t enough for him anymore, maybe he got bored. I’ve been busy with patrol and work and maybe he didn’t want that.”
Jason’s gaze stayed steady on you, eyes baring into yours as if you’re not pouring your heart out to him.
“He got this new partner at work. She’s pretty…really pretty. And smart. Maybe…” You trail off, not sure you can continue without crying. He’d mentioned her a lot more during the last few weeks you were with him. How long had he been…?
“He cheated on you?” His voice is cautious. You nod.
He sighs tensely, leaning back against the wall as he shuts his eyes. “He’s an idiot.”
“I could’ve tried harder. Maybe if I—” His eyes snap open, locking onto you with an unfamiliar intensity.
“It’s not your fault. He shouldn’t have cheated on you, at all. That’s it, no excuses.”
“But—” You cut yourself off at his frown.
“You can do a lot better than that idiot.”
“That idiot is your brother.”
“Don’t remind me.” He groans, only cracking a grin as you laugh.
For the first time in a month, the world doesn’t feel as heavy anymore.
—
After that day, you spent the following weekend avoiding Jason again, until he broke into your apartment to demand to have a movie night.
It was hard to deny his presence after that.
Every morning, he’d knock on your door to pester you about something or other—often what you were making for breakfast and if he could have some.
He’d then proceed to crash on your couch for the next couple hours. After the first three days of that, he started crawling through your window as soon as his patrol ended.
“Do you really need this?” He picked up your whisk—one that looked very similar to the one he’d just broken.
“You cannot steal my whisk, Jason.”
“But I need a new one.”
“Then buy one.”
“I’m poor.”
You glowered at him over the counter. “Your dad isn’t, ask him.”
He huffs, sitting down at the stool he’d dragged over from his apartment.
“Do you want to know what I think?” He spoke after several minutes of silence, filled only by the bubbling of the water you were boiling.
“No.”
“Too bad.” He grinned at your annoyed look, knowing you weren’t actually upset.
“What?”
“See? You do want to know!”
“Jason…” You warned, pointing the whisk at him.
He held his hands up in mock surrender—a habit he’s picked up recently…or maybe he just has a habit of upsetting you.
“I think you should join my book club.”
“What?” You blink. That’s not at all what you thought he was going to say.
“I’m kidding. I think maybe you shouldn’t be as torn up about this as you are.”
“What?!”
“Relax, it’s just a suggestion.” He leans forward a bit. “You spent almost half a decade with Dick, even more time was spent being in love with him. Maybe, you’ve built up this idea in your head about how great your relationship was, but you really don’t have anything to compare it to.”
Your mouth parts slightly as your eyes run over his face. He’s actually serious.
“I said I didn’t want to hear what you thought.”
He doesn’t bother with a response, simply smiling and turning back to the plate you’d slidden in front of him.
—
Despite your initial annoyance at his unsolicited thoughts, you couldn’t help the way his words repeated in your mind.
Maybe, you’ve built up this idea in your head about how great your relationship was, but you really don’t have anything to compare it to.
Was he right? You worry, he definitely wasn’t wrong.
You glance towards the calendar on the wall, it’s been months since the break up, and almost every day of it was blank of personal events, made obvious by your color coding system.
There was only one date marked with something pink, and that was the day you’re going back to the farm.
But you think you’re going to cancel that one. You’ve already been fielding your parents’ calls, only offering the bare minimum information before hanging up with some excuse or another.
You still haven’t told them about the breakup, mostly because you knew they’d try to help and you couldn’t stomach that right now.
Kon would probably try to beat up Dick if he knew or if he didn’t, actually. Jon would just send you sad songs to add to a playlist he’d insisted you make, titled; :(
You’re not even sure what your parents would do. Likely write a slam article about him before never posting it. Maybe that’s what you should do.
Or maybe you should try going on a date like Jason suggested…
—
It shouldn’t be too hard to get a date in Gotham City. There were plenty of people, too many really. And there were plenty of places to find them.
You started with a bar, because that’s what you’d always seen in tv shows.
You didn’t even have to try before you bumped into a familiar face.
“Jason.”
“What?” The man turned around to glare at you before recognition crosses over his face. “Oh, hey.”
He scooted down in his booth, making room for you to sit beside him.
Roy Harper raised an eyebrow at you from across the table. “Huh.”
You glower at him, “What?”
“Where’s your boyfriend? I hadn’t realized you and Jaybird here were so close.”
Jason downs his drink quickly, eyeing you apprehensively as you tense up.
“Can you be sworn into secrecy?”
Roy coughs, setting his drink down as he smacks his chest.
“Sorry, that’s not at all what I thought you were going to say.”
“What did you think I was going to say?” Your brows pinch together again as you lean back against the cool faux-leather seat.
“Doesn’t matter. But sure, yeah, I can be sworn into.”
“He cheated on me.”
Both men’s mouths dropped open at your words, for entirely different reasons. Jason hadn’t thought you were going to tell him and Roy had no idea.
“He what?!” The redhead screeched, leaning towards you. Jason pushed his shoulder back so you’d have more room.
You smiled tensely, ignoring the stares of the other patrons. “Cheated on me?”
“Why would he do that?!”
“I don’t know—”
Jason frowned at you, elbowing your side. “Don’t start.” Now speaking to Roy, “Because he’s an idiot.”
Roy whistled lowly, leaning back again before sending you an apologetic smile. “Sorry, I just never thought he’d be the type…and he seemed so happy with you.”
Jason frowned at his friend’s phrasing but didn’t comment on it. You waved him off.
“Yeah, I thought he was happy too.”
The table settled into silence for several tense minutes before Roy started hiccuping really aggressively.
You and Jason looked at him and then each other, then back at him, before promptly bursting into a fit of laughter.
Once again the subject of the other guests’s glares, you try to shush Jason. But that only works so well until Roy falls out of the booth in an attempt to get away.
You groan tiredly, watching the man make his way to the bathroom. “What just happened?”
“I don’t want to think about it.”
You giggle, leaning against his side as you lay your head on his shoulder. “It was funny though.”
“Yeah, it was.” He mumbles, voice muffled through the tin of his drink. He lays a hand around your shoulder, keeping you close. You smile at the warmth.
“What’re you doing here?”
“Same thing you are, I guess.”
“You’re plotting Roy Harper’s murder?”
You pinch his side, bustling closer. “No, dummy. I’m here for a date.”
He coughs, jerking away from you. You blink at the sudden distance as he turns his entire body to face you. “What?!”
“Well, I was thinking about what you said, and you’re right. Maybe I should date someone, that way I can have something to compare my relationship with Dick to.”
“That is not at all what I said!”
“It kind of is…that I have nothing to compare it to? That sounds like I should find something to compare it to.”
“Well, that’s not what I meant.” He huffed, running a hand through his hair tiredly. “And if it was, the bar is the last place you should be for that.”
You raise an eyebrow, not glancing away from him, even as Roy slides back into the booth.
“Crisis averted,” he starts before you can speak, “And what’s the bar the last place to be for?”
“Finding a date.” He snorts, knocking over his drink before sighing loudly.
You finally look away from Jason, giving Roy a once over. “You’re a mess, man.” Handing him several napkins as you attempt to pat the table dry yourself.
He sighs, “I’m not sure I’ve slept in the past three weeks.”
“Neither has she.” Jason snorts, pointing his thumb towards you.
Roy hums before a wicked grin crosses his face, “You know, I was going to say you’ve been doing pretty good at the bar so far. You and Jason could just date, but maybe you and I should go out instead.”
It’s Jason’s turn to choke on his drink. He curses under his breath, “What are you talking about?”
“Well, don’t think I didn’t notice how cozy the two of you seemed earlier. Plus, you’re obviously still talking after the breakup. But maybe it’s better if you don’t date, seeing as he’s Dick’s brother. So that leaves the two of us.” He grins again, leaning back in his seat.
Your stomach flips at the implication of dating Jason. You couldn’t, wouldn’t. But…wouldn’t you?
He makes you feel safe and cared for. He brings you flowers when you’ve had a bad day and he always texts you when he’s done with patrol—something Dick’s never done.
Shaking your head suddenly, you laugh. “First of all, if I was going to date anyone at this table, it would be Jason. Because you’re a mess, Roy.”
He squawks, clutching at his chest dramatically. “How dare you?! You try having a four year old that’s having nightmares after watching Monsters Inc. It’s been three weeks, I’m thinking about asking Oliver for help.”
You and Jason both laugh at that.
He narrows his eyes to study the two of you. “Are you guy’s dating?”
“What? No!”
“Absolutely not.”
You both spoke multiple denials at the same time, moving as far apart as you could in the booth.
“Uh huh.” Roy hums before rolling his eyes and quickly launching into a story about how he took down an entire drug cartel with only one arrow.
You and Jason spent the rest of the meal avoiding the other’s eyes.
—
It’s late when you hear a knock on your door. You know it’s Jason, you’ve began to seek out his heart beat, isolating it from all the other noises.
So what if it made you feel better to know he’s okay? And is it so bad if you need to hear it to be able to fall asleep?
You yanked the door open, wiping your hands down your apron.
“Hi.”
“Hi.” He repeated back, voice tense with an emotion you can’t make sense of.
“What’s up?” You shift awkwardly before stepping aside, allowing him to come in.
You can feel his eyes trailing you as you walk back to the kitchen. He follows, leaning against the counter with his eyebrows pinched together.
“Jason?” Your voice is soft, confused as you look up at him. “What’s going on?”
His heart was racing frantically, but you couldn’t see any signs of injury.
“Would it be so wrong?”
“What?”
“For us to date. Would it really be that bad?”
“Jason.” You gasp, leaning back against the counter. He follows. “What are you talking about?”
His arms land on waiter side of you, closing you in against the granite. “Roy said we shouldn’t be together because I’m Dick’s brother. But does that matter?”
You’re speechless, eyes darting back and forth across his face.
“I don’t know…” You trail off, leaning forward slightly. Your entire body is pressed against his now as he stares into your eyes.
“Could we—”
He doesn’t get the chance to finish before you’re leaning your face closer to his, lips barely brushing. “Move if you don’t want this.”
You barely finish speaking before he’s pressing against you harder, lips connecting with your own.
Your hands reach up to tangle in his hair as he lifts you onto the counter. He pulls back, gasping slightly as you follow his lips. He grins wickedly as you pout. “C’mon baby, give me a minute. Not all of us have superpowers.”
“I thought the Lazarus Pit was supposed to fix you.”
He growled, pressing his lips to yours once more. You grinned against him, pulling back to press kisses along his jaw.
He sighs, hands settling on your hips. You legs were wrapped around his torso, ensuring you were as close as possible.
“Sweetheart.” He mutters, pressing a kiss against your forehead. “Let me give you something to compare it to.”
It’s not a question, more of a plea, and you can’t help but smile. “Okay.”
He smiles back, resting his forehead against yours as he breathes heavily.
You jump with a start, spinning him backwards so you can untangle your legs from him.
“What—”
“The cookies! They’re burning!” He bites back a laugh at your worried tone, finally casting a glance around the apartment.
The counter is covered in several used dishes, measuring cups and bowls, even the whisk he’s been trying to steal for weeks.
He quickly snatches it from the counter and sticks it in his pocket. You pretend not to notice.
You pull the pan out of the oven, not even bothering to use oven mits—not needing to due to your Kryptonian physiology.
Jason immediately reaches for one but you smack his hand away. “It’s hot.”
“You’re hot.” He grinned, leaning back against the counter in what you assume is an attempt to look cool.
Rolling your eyes, you push him away from the pan with your hip. “Whatever. So, what’s your plan?”
“My plan?”
“For wooing me?” You raise an eyebrow as he flushes.
“I think I just did.”
You shrug, a wicked glint in your eyes. “I don’t know, it left a little to be desired.”
He gasps, picking you up again as you giggle. “I’ll show you a little to be desired.”
“I’m not sure that means what you think it means.” You laugh as he presses kisses across your cheeks.
He tugs you down to sit on his lap on the couch.
“I’ve heard it both ways.”
“In what scenario could you possibly have heard that in? And twice, no less.”
He groans, dropping his head against your shoulder. “Just kiss me already.”
“Bossy bossy.” You hum, pecking his lips. “So…do you have a plan?”
“What about dinner? There’s that place you’ve been wanting to try.”
“Sure, I’d like that.”
He smiles, biting that corner of his lip in an attempt to stop his grin. You quickly kiss that part of his mouth, smoothing out the bite mark.
“I’ll make reservations.”
“That’s hot.”
He snorts, pushing you off of him. “You’re such a loser.”
“Well, you just kissed this loser and unfortunately, I think it’s contagious.” You gasp mockingly, “Oh no! What if I got it from you?”
“I don’t know, maybe you should kiss me again and see if you can get rid of it.”
“I don’t think that’s how contagious diseases work, Jay.”
He shrugs, pressing a quick kiss to your lips as he stands up.
“I need to go, got some mission reports to finish.”
You smile softly at him, forcing away the unsettled feeling in your gut as he walks towards the door.
You pop up behind him as he opens it.
“Oh and Jason?”
He turns around as you tug him closer using the loops of his jeans. “Yeah?” His voice is breathless as your lips brush his.
Before he can kiss you, you snatch the whisk from his pants and push him out the door with a wink. “Pick me up at seven.”
As the door shuts, you can hear him groan softly from the other side. You smile to yourself, grin widening when you use your X-Ray vision to see him pump his fists on the other side.
—
In the few hours you have between Jason leaving and Jason picking up, you use most of that time to allow your thoughts to spiral.
He’s Dick’s brother, should you really be doing this?
But he makes you so happy.
And Dick cheated on you, so does that mean it’s okay?
But you were with Dick for four years.
Is this going to ruin their relationship?
You hadn’t asked Jason about him, about whether they’ve talked about you or not. You weren’t sure you wanted to know.
And Jason’s been on better terms with his family recently, you didn’t want to be the one to mess that up.
But Jason makes your heart race, something you admittedly haven’t felt in months—even before your break up. He makes you giggle and smile and kick your feet.
But what if he turns out to be like Dick?
He made you feel all those things before…why would this be any different?
—
Two knocks against your door break your train of thoughts.
More like train crash of thoughts. You think, before deciding that’s stupid.
“Coming!” You pull the door open with a grin, eyes widening as a bouquet of flowers is shoved in your face. You laugh, taking it from his hands. “Thanks, Jay.”
“Of course.” He says it like it’s final, like there’s not another option. Like getting you flowers is expected.
You shoot him a look over the base you just filled. “So, where are we going?”
“It’s a surprise.”
You huff at his words, pouting slightly and he relents. “Okay, it’s the ballet.”
You gape at him, eyes widening. “But they’ve been sold out for months! They never have tickets available night of!”
“I’ve had them for a while.”
You raise a curious eyebrow, “I didn’t realize you were a fan.”
“Depends on the show.” He doesn’t elaborate on why he has two tickets to the ballet, just offers you his arm.
You accept it skeptically and he relents. “Okay, Cass loves ballet. I was going to take her but I think this is a better use for them.”
You snort, batting at his arm. “I don’t want to take her ticket!”
“She doesn’t even know about them, plus, she’s patrolling with Bruce tonight…they’ve all got a big stakeout.”
“Shouldn’t you be there?”
“Not until the last possible second.” He sighs, guiding you towards his car.
You raise an eyebrow at him, “I can just fly us, you know.”
“Would you let me use my car to impress you? Honestly, woman.”
You gasp, sticking your nose up indignantly before laughing. “Fine, if you think you need to. But,” you trail a finger up his arm, “I already find you impressive.”
The wind gets knocked out of him for a second before he shakes his head. “Don’t say stuff like that.”
“Why not? It’s true.” You tilt your head with a small smile tugging at your lips.
He barely spares you a glance before he’s backing out of his parking space. “We’re gonna be late.”
—
The ballet was beautiful, so much so that you cried. Although, you think part of it was just your mess of emotions from earlier.
Jason handed you his pocket square, to which you sent him a confused glance before quickly taking it to dab at your eyes.
You were definitely gonna make fun of him for it later. What kind of 23 year old carried a pocket square? And you were definitely telling Roy.
“You hungry?” His voice was low as he whispered in your ear, hand pressed firmly into the square of your back as he lead you through the crowded forum.
“I almost ate your pocket square.”
“Oh stop, it’s not that weird. Plenty of people have them here.”
You glance around the room, eyes the multiple geriatric men throughout. Jason just sighs tensely and tells you to forget it.
You press further into his side, allowing him to wrap his arm around your waist.
The man at the valet eyes you appreciatively, making you curl into Jason even more. He glowers at the man, making him gulp nervously as he hands the car keys over.
Jason snatches them, putting himself between you and the man as he opens your door for you.
“Thanks, Jay.” He kisses you possessively, probably a bit longer than was appropriate for public, before making sure your dress was out of the way and shutting your door.
You bite back a laugh at the smug look he send she valet, who looks like he’s going to pass out.
“So…Bat Burger?”
“Yes please.” You breathe out a sigh of relief. The idea of being stuck in a stuffy restaurant that would cost more than you could afford made your stomach churn. But Bat Burger? Easy choice.
—
“I’ve got it.” Jason murmured, pushing your hand down as you tried to pay the man at the register.
“I can pay for my own food, Jason.”
“I know, but let me. Please.”
“Jason…”
“I was planning on paying more at a fancier place, but you looked like you would’ve cried at the idea of being somewhere like that again.”
“Fine.”
You relent, ignoring the indignation in your chest. Now is not the time to be a control freak, you chastise yourself, plenty of time to be an independent woman later.
But part of you warms at the prospect of him paying. Not that Dick didn’t always insist on paying…but maybe that’s why you wanted to.
Just in case things go poorly…
You shake your head. Now’s not the time.
—
Dinner was nice, if a bit fast. But you didn’t mind the rush, wanting nothing more than to change into comfy clothes and sleep for several hours straight.
“So…?” Jason trails off, rocking on his feet nervously as you look at him.
“So…what?” You question, tilting your head slightly.
“So, what did you think?”
You can’t help the laugh you let out as he flushes. “Sorry, Jay” You smooth a hand down his arm. “You just make it sound like you were mh Uber Driver.”
He grimaces, “Yeah, I guess can see that. Sorry.”
“But, for what it’s worth…definitely 5 stars.”
He smiles softly as your lips brush his. “Is that out of five? Or out of ten? Because if it’s out of ten, I’d like the chance to improve my rating.”
“Well, that almost makes me want to make it out of ten.” Your voice is low as you meet his eyes, grinning mischievously.
He grins back, pressing you against the wall as he kisses you. You smile against the kiss before he pulls back suddenly, phone beeping in his pocket.
He groans as he reads the message, looking at you apologetically.
“It’s okay, go save the city, hero.”
“I’ll make it up to you.” He presses a kiss against your lips.
You kiss his jaw, “I’ll hold you to that.”
—
Things had been going well with Jason. Good even. Great maybe. But a part of you felt…weird.
He’s still Dick’s brother. Regardless of if that’s even okay, you didn’t want Jason to worry that you’d be comparing them. Or that you were using him to replace Dick.
Sure, maybe you got a little caught up in the beginning. But…when you thought about Dick, your heart didn’t burn and you didn’t feel the need to throw up anymore.
That’s a good sign that you’ve moved on, right?
But…what if you haven’t yet? Are you rushing into things with Jason?
You’re snapped out of your thoughts by your phone ringing. A glance at the Caller ID shows Dick’s contact flashing on the screen.
You huff, picking up the phone to stare at it. You haven’t changed the contact photo yet, and you obviously hadn’t blocked him.
Maybe that’s why he started calling.
Maybe you should block him.
But he didn’t call after you’d left that note and picture in his apartment, and part of you wanted him to beg for you to come back. You’re still not sure if you would’ve.
You dropped that hope a while ago.
He only started calling a couple days ago, almost immediately after you’d gotten back from that dinner with Jason.
Why? You aren’t sure. And you don’t think you want to know.
Should you tell Jason? You didn’t want him to fight with his brother, which you know he would. But you also don’t want to lie to him.
Is hiding things really lying?
Yes. You squeeze your eyes shut, attempting to stop the voice inside your head.
Deciding to tell Jason over dinner, you set to work making pizza dough.
—
You hear the door crack open first, then the sound of his boots being thrown at the wall.
Sighing, you peek over the back of the couch to look at him.
“Hi, Jay.”
“Hi, doll.” He stomped over, ignoring the shouts of your downstairs neighbors as he pressed a kiss to your forehead.
“How was work?”
“Long. Don’t worry about it.”
You frown, “I made pizza dough, I thought we could make heart shaped pizzas together but we don’t have to.”
He sends you a bewildered look as his hands drop to your waist. “Why wouldn’t I want to do that with you?”
“You said you had a long day.”
He sighs, dropping his head into your shoulder. “Not that long.”
A smile tugs at your lips as you run your hands through his hair. “You sure.”
“Course.”
“Okay, I’ll get another apron for you.” You hop off the couch, leaving his alone as you head for the kitchen. He groans at your departure.
“Fine, but it can’t be the frilly pink one.”
“Oh, it’s going to be the frilly pink one, baby. That’s my only spare.”
He sends you a betrayed look, “I’ve seen at least five others.”
You only justify his words with a wicked grin.
He shakes his head, sighing dreamily, eyes following you as you move around the kitchen.
—
He could get used to this, he thinks. Arms elbow deep in soapy water as you dance beside him, using the spatula he just cleaned as a microphone.
“Oops baby, I love you.”
He shook his head as you sang along to the small speaker he’d gotten you for Christmas the year he died. A part of him is surprised you still have it, but the two of you have always been friends. Even before Dick stole you away.
He was going to ask you out before he died, was going to tell you how much he liked you. But life threw a wrench in his plans, or rather, the Joker threw a crowbar.
After he came back, you were different. And he thought he didn’t feel the same anymore either, that it was just a passing childhood crush. He made himself believe that. He wasn’t going to ruin anything else with Dick after just barely fixing things.
You were kind and he was distant. You grew distant too.
Maybe it was better that way, at least it let him ignore the way his heart clenched every time you smiled at Dick.
But after the anger faded, the guilt set it. You were dating his brother, he had no right to feel anything for you. Not anymore. So he pushed it down, ignored it.
But after the breakup, after you didn’t speak to anyone in the family for three weeks, after Dick stopped coming by the manor…he couldn’t ignore it anymore.
Your phone was ringing but you’d wandered off, paying no mind to the unending buzz.
Jason dried his hands, smoothing them against his pants before picking up your phone.
Dickie <3 flashed across your screen, along with a photo of the two of you at the beach. A photo he knows is from the trip you took for your anniversary last year.
Dread settles in Jason’s stomach as he stares at the screen.
Why was he calling you? Have you been talking to him again? Did you ever actually stop?
His eyebrows pinch together as he sets the phone down. He needed to leave, needed to get out of here.
He knew he shouldn’t be dating you. You’re his brother’s ex girlfriend! The last person he should be with is you.
You were humming happily as you returned to the kitchen and Jason quickly goes back to the sink, pretending he hadn’t seen anything.
You pick up your phone before carefully tucking it into your pocket.
“So, are you staying for a movie? We can rent that old—”
“I actually have to go.”
You reel back, shock evident on your face and he has to stop himself from reaching for you. “Oh, okay. Where?”
“Patrol.” He didn’t have to patrol, he just has to leave.
“Oh. Well, do you want to have breakfast tomorrow? I just got strawberries so I can make the crepes with the cream filling and…stuff.” Your words die out at the end as he avoids your gaze.
“Is something wrong?”
“No, I just have to patrol.” He repeats, pushing away from the sink as he heads for the door.
“Okay, well, text me when you get home.”
“Sure.”
He doesn’t kiss you as he leaves.
—
He doesn’t kiss you as he leaves.
You’re left staring at the door to his apartment, successfully blocking you from reaching him.
A frown tugs at your lips as you think back to if anything had happened.
He did stay he’d already had a long day.
Maybe you should’ve ordered something to eat instead.
But he seemed so happy to make the heart shaped pizzas, he even made one in the shape of a bat.
You sigh, finally shutting your door after you hear his window slide open and slam shut.
Your eyes land on the soapy water filled sink and you groan. Of course he’s upset, he’d already had a long day, and then he had to make dinner and do the dishes.
But you’d offered to do all of that and he’d insisted on helping.
But maybe he felt obligated to.
You huff, deciding to leave the rest of the mess from dinner out, instead opting for go out for some air.
Halfway through your flight to Metropolis, you realized that you hadn’t even gotten the chance to tell Jason about Dick calling you.
Ugh. Maybe you can tell him tomorrow.
If he shows up.
—
“The prodigal son returns.” Dick claps, unamused as Jason’s bike skids to a stop in the Cave.
Jason glowers at him as he pulls of his helmet. “What’s your problem?”
“My problem? What’s your problem, Jaybird? Can’t get a girlfriend so you have to go around stealing mine?” He sneers at the younger man, eyes glaring with obvious fury.
“I was under the impression that you’d broken up.” Jason clenched his fists, trying as hard as he could not to smash one into his brother’s nose.
He ignored the confused noises of their other siblings as Dick scoffed.
“So you’re after my sloppy seconds then?”
Before anyone could stop him, Jason had lunged towards the older man, gripping his collar tightly as he slammed him into the hood of the Batmobile.
“Don’t talk about her like that.” He growled, not budging as Dick tried to push him off.
“Oh, come on, Jay! You always liked her, don’t think I didn’t notice the way you’d stare at her whenever you thought I wasn’t looking. And you decided this was your chance, huh? I mess up one time and you think you can take her from me.”
“I’m not taking her from you, she’s not yours.”
“But you want her to be yours, don’t you? Because you love her?” He emphasized the word, leaning closer.
The cave is silent for several moments as everyone watched with bated breaths before a solid crack rang out through the air.
Blood dripped down Jason’s hand as his knuckles smashed against Dick’s nose, effectively breaking it in one hit. His body fell to the ground as Jason peered down at him.
“Don’t bother getting up.”
Dick grunts, jumping up with the flexibility that only an acrobat could obtain. “You really think she could ever love you? She loves me.”
“It’s been seven months, Dick! She doesn’t care about you anymore!”
“How do you know that? Really, how can you be so sure?” Dick wiped the blood from his nose, glaring smugly at his younger brother.
Jason narrowed his eyes, blood boiling more and more with each word that left his mouth.
“Well, she didn’t seem to care too much about you when she was kissing me.”
—
After spending half the night flying over the East Coast, stopping only to help the Metropolis Police take down an army of the undead, you finally returned to your apartment.
You barely bothered opening the window fully, only sliding it just enough for you to fall over through it. Sitting up with a groan as you slid it shut.
After checking your phone 17 times during the flight—and dropping it twice—you decided to just come home and see if Jason’s back yet.
You needed to tell him, needed to apologize for whatever you’d done to upset him.
Using your superhearing gets you nowhere, only revealing that he hasn’t returned to his apartment yet.
So you decide to get ready for bed while you wait.
After drawing out your nightly routine for an hour longer than normal, you finally hear his heavy breathing.
Walking across the hall, you quietly open his door. Peeking through the doorway, you scan the dark room. Opening it further as you enter the apartment.
You cringe at the offensive smell of blood and gunpowder that filled the air. Shaking your head, you moved towards the bathroom.
Soft curses can be heard as he rifles through cabinet. You peek through the doorway, meeting his eyes as he freezes.
Your track your gaze down across his body, frowning at the blood stains coating his suit. He’s leaned against the bathtub, two empty first aid kits piled at his feet.
“Jay…”
“Hey doll. Mind passing me that first aid kit?” He nods towards the cabinet.
You move quickly, pulling the container out as you kneel in front of him.
“I’ve got it.”
“I can do it.” He insists, reaching for the kit as he avoids looking at you.
“Jason,” His eyes finally meet yours, “let me help you.”
He nods tiredly, letting his head fall back against the bathtub.
“What happened?”
“Dicks a…well, his name fits.”
You smile softly at that, pressing the cloth against his cuts. He winces at the feeling but nods for you to continue.
“You’re here.” His voice is tight, forcing himself to speak to stay conscious.
“You’re not going to scare me off that easily.”
His eyes narrow cautiously, studying your face. “Why?”
“Because I’m in love with you.” Your voice is soft, but steady.
He blinks, dropping his head back against with a groan. “Tell me again in the morning. Just in case I forget.”
“I’ll tell you as many times as you need to hear it.”
—
Jason blinks, rubbing a hand down his face as he sits up with a groan. “What happened?”
His eyes land on your sleeping form, curled up at the foot of his bed. Seriously, what happened?
The last thing he remembers is the Cave and then—
Oh.
Dick.
“You’re awake.” He can hear the surprise in your voice as you sit up to face him.
He nods slowly, eyeing you wearily. “What happened?”
“Apparently you and Dick got into a fight. I texted Tim afterwards and he confirmed that that’s what happened.” You nod towards the bandages on his hand. “Looks like you got a pretty good hit in.”
“He had it coming.”
“I’m sure he did.” It’s quiet for a moment as you stare at him. His skin burns beneath your gaze and he forces himself not to move. “Are you hungry?”
He steadies his breathing, meeting your eyes. “Can you make some crepes?”
“Yeah.” You nod quickly, rubbing his shoulder as you stand up to leave. “And then we can talk over breakfast.”
Jason swallows nervously as you close the door behind you. He hears the front door open as you go to get the ingredients from your apartment.
He leans back in the bed with a groan, already dreading the upcoming conversation.
Doubts seep in as he remembers the photo do you and Dick, smiling in the beach, on your phone last night.
But then he can hear your voice in his head, and he can’t help the glimmer of hope that spreads earth throughout his body.
Because I’m in love with you.
Finally.
—
When Jason finally managed to pull himself out of bed, you could hear him whispering a pep talk to himself as he left the bedroom.
Meeting his eyes, you send him a soft smile. “Almost done. Unless you want the first one…but it’s kinda ugly.”
“I think I’d eat just about anything right now.”
“Even a human arm?”
“No,” he wrinkles his nose as he looks at you incredulously, “why would you ask that? That’s so weird.” He mutters the last part under his breath as you set a plate in front of him.
“Just trying to get an idea of where you draw the line.”
“Cannibalism. Cannibalism is where I draw the line.”
You hum, carrying you own plate over to the couch as he follows close behind. “We have to eat here, your stool is missing.”
“You stole it.”
“You brought it into my apartment, I didn’t steal anything.” He grinned at the way you huffed.
It’s quiet for a few minutes as the two of you eat in silence. Both of you unconsciously scooting closer to each other until your elbows are bumping.
His unbandaged hand grips the plate tightly, as he looks at you. You can hear his breathing pick up in the moments before he speaks. “Dick called you.”
“Is that why you left?” Your eyebrows furrow as you think back to his quick departure. “Of course it is. Honestly, I kind of thought you were upset about having to do the dishes.”
He grimaced, looking at you with concern. “Why would I be upset about helping you? I even offered to do it.”
“Yeah, that’s why I was confused.”
He grunts, shaking his head. You tuck your knees against your chest, wrapping your arms around the tops of them. “He’s been calling the past few days—since we went to the ballet. I didn’t think much of it at first, but he patrols there a lot, maybe he saw us.”
Jason laughs lowly, shoulders relaxing as he leans into you. “He definitely did.”
“That’s why he beat you up?”
He frowns at your words, shooting you a betrayed look. “Hey, I beat him up, okay? Really, you should see him, he’s a mess.”
“Alfred said you broke his nose.”
“He had it coming.” He muttered bitterly, jaw clenching as he remembers the way he had talked about you.
“So I’ve heard.” You nudge his arm, laughing lightly.
He can’t help the way his stomach twists at the sound. You sigh, leaning into him as he wraps an arm around your shoulders.
“Do you remember what I said?” You swallow nervously after a few moments. His eyes lock on your lips, more specifically, the way you’re nervously biting it.
“You love me?” He grins widely, voice taunting.
You huff, attempting to pull away but his arms settle on your hips, tugging you into his lap.
“That’s what you said, isn’t it? That you love me.”
You scowl at the smirk on his face, wanting nothing more than to remove it. “Maybe.”
“I also remember you saying something about telling me as many times as I need to hear it?” He tilts his head, eyes locked on yours as his grin softens. “I think I need to hear it again.”
You roll your eyes, shifting in his lap as you set your hands on his shoulders. His breath hitches as you lean in, lips brushing against his ear. “I love you, Jason Todd.”
He turns his head, capturing your lips with his as soon as the last word left your mouth. Your fingers tangle into the hair at the base of his neck, tugging him closer to you.
He smiles against your lips, “You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting for this.”
