#ms. m

“Well, obviously, but it’s more than that,” I begin, moving to sit up. I reached over to the computer and hit the space button to pause the movie, gaining his full attention. “There are so many different kinds of chocolate and just about all of them are amazing. Chocolate is like the steadiest part of my life that’s also too good and too established to change. It’s here when I’m celebrating when I need a pick me up, or when I’m moody, it’s basically my safety net…” I trail now staring at the small square in my hand.

It’s silent for a moment as Jay takes in everything I’ve said and then he starts to laugh, cackle, really.

“Laugh all you want Todd,” I call out. “Chocolate’s my best friend,” I smirk as he shuts up.

“Sorry doll, but that’s my job,” he huffed a small pout on his lips.

“Not anymore,” I smiled taking the last bite of the delectable treat in my hand. “Chocolate doesn’t laugh at me.”

Suddenly his hands are around me and his fingers are digging into my sides. He had launched himself over the middle of the couch to be on top of me as he tickled me, causing me to lay down and squirm against his hold. Despite trying my best not to laugh, the giggles begin to spill from my lips on their own accord.

“St….sto….Stop! Stop! Jay! Please!” I wheezed out between laughs as his fingers refused to let up on their torturous ways.

“Not until you take it back, and say out loud that I Jason Peter Todd am a better best friend than chocolate can ever hope to be,” he stated with a dramatic flair to his tone as I continued to gasp for air in between my fits of laughter.

My sides now had that dull pain to them as my abdomen continued to spasm as Jay was still tickling me. “Ok!” I huffed out. “I’ll say it, just stop!” I begged.

“Gotta say it first doll,” he smirked, still above me.

“You’re better!” I squeaked. “You’re my best friend!” I panted as he slowly ended his attack, his hands still pressed against my waist, waiting for me to either finish his request or continue tickling me if I refuse to give in. “You’re a better best friend than chocolate. Jay...” I sighed as I caught my breath.

My eyes shut as I tried to get my breathing back to normal, when it had evened out enough they fluttered open and met Jason’s blue orbs. His hands were still around my waist and he was still basically atop of me as he looked at me.

“Oh god, you’re the worst,” I huffed, pushing him back to his side of the couch as I sat up, my sides still sore.

“Correction, I’m your best friend,” He winked settling comfortably on his side.

“Whatever helps you sleep at night Todd,” I smirked.

He moved towards me once again but this time to dodge him I tumbled, ungracefully, to the floor beside the couch, landing with a thud.

“Are you okay?” he laughed, he was now spread out on the couch, looking down at me.

“Lovely,” I groaned and my skin prickled with goosebumps from the cold.

While in my blanket burrito I was surrounded by warmth, plus the warmth that Jay provides all on his own, here, on the cold hardwood floors of his apartment with no power to fuel the heater, I was already freezing. Bringing my hands to support me I wobbled into a point where I was able to use them to stabilize myself as I stood up. I took the few steps that put me back on the couch and slipped into blankets beside Jason. He opened his arm to envelop me which I was thankful for.

“The fuck?” he asked softly. “You were out for like 20 seconds how’re you this cold?” his voice was shocked as my skin came in contact with his, his arm that wrapped around me pulled me even closer.

“I freeze easy,” I mutter, snuggling back into him.

“Understatement of the year,” he laughed, still holding me tight.

A smile danced on my lips as we slowly fell asleep to the sound of the rain hitting the outside.

I felt warm and content as somebody began shaking me, cracking my eyes open slightly I notice I turned while I slept last night because now I was face to face with Jason’s chest. He was the one who was shaking me slightly.

“Morning, doll,” He whispered and my cheeks burned due to our proximity. “Sorry to wake you, but uh I’ve really gotta use the can…” he trailed and I realized how I was laying partially atop of him.

“Sorry, Jay,” I hummed sitting up slightly, wobbling on the end.

“Careful, don’t want you falling again,” he laughed holding onto my hips.

“C’mon you know gravity and I have a complicated relationship,” I joke standing up.

“Better than most,” he admitted standing and walking towards his bathroom, stretching as he went, and from here I could see how his back flexed as he stretched and my cheeks burned a bit brighter as I realized I was admiring a bit more than a friend should.

Shaking my head I walk to the kitchen and check the lights, they flicker on and I smiled at the simplicity of knowing the lights were once again working. I made myself a glass of water and as I walked back towards the couch the door was being knocked on. Setting the cup down I rushed to the door and opened it. In front of me was Dick, Tim, and Damian, they all had raised eyebrows at seeing me.

“G’morning boys,” I smile moving aside so they can all enter.

“Hey,” Dick hugged me coming in.

“I was about to cook some breakfast, you guys hungry?” I asked walking back to the kitchen.

“Always,” Tim smiled heading for Jay’s coffee machine.

“Doesn’t that t-shirt belong to Todd?” Damian asked suddenly and I nearly dropped the carton of eggs I pulled from the cooler that Jay had set up for perishables last night.

“Yes it does,” Jason called walking back into the room and spotting his brothers, also saving me from embarrassing myself anymore.

“I got this if you want to shower,” he said grabbing the eggs from me.

“M’kay,” I hummed walking off, ruffling Damian styled hair as I went, receiving a “tt” in response.

I walked into Jay’s room and opened the bottom drawer, pulling clothes that I’d left on numerous occasions. Before heading into the bathroom. I was in no rush but nor did I dilly dally as I went, I used Jay’s shampoo and then my conditioner, another item I had long since brought but Jay seemed to be the one who’d restock on it every now and again. As the shower shut off I could hear the boys in the kitchen.

“-she practically lives here!” you heard Dick argue.

“And?” Jay asked as if expecting more from his brother.

You paused, you knew they were talking about you. What other female lived in Jay’s apartment more than you did, nobody. Still, you held your breath curious about what they were discussing and how it concerned you, it probably wasn’t smart. To eavesdrop on them but then again you knew they were talking about you.

“And?” Tim questioned back. “And what? She’s just your best friend?” he mocked.

There it was, the topic was your relationship to Jay, it’s been something everybody’s been pushing. And there was something there, after years of being best friends after dealing with his death and then his return from the grave nobody in the world could compare in your heart to Jason Peter Todd.

“Don’t mock me, kid. And drop it okay, (y/n) and I, whatever we are. Best friends or something else it’s up to us. Me and her, everybody else can back the fuck off,” his voice was tense as if this were a reoccurring thing.

Babs, Steph, and Cass had all prodded me earlier this week asking about our relationship and now I could see his brothers were doing just as his sisters had with me. Shaking my head I ran a hand through my damp hair as I exited the room and walked back to the boys.

Breakfast was basic, Dick had come over, more to check on us than anything else. Both of Jason and mines phones had died last night and we had been unable to charge them. He had also been the one to drag Tim and Damian along. After we ate we lounged around his apartment. I talked animals with Damian, and a bit of politics and news with Tim as Dick and Jason sat at the kitchen island discussing something. Every now and again my eyes would flick to Jason, about an hour later Jason made eye contact with me and I sent him a small lazy lopsided smile, one that he returned.

His brothers left a bit after that and I began getting my stuff together, I had an evening event for work tonight that I had to go get ready for.

“Hey, where you going?” Jason asked as I picked my bag up around 3 in the afternoon.

“Home, I have a work thing later on,” I told him grabbing my jacket.

“What thing?”

“Some charity gala, I’m positive Bruce’ll be there,” I smile.

“Oh…” was all he said.

“See ya later Todd,” I bid him as he hugged me before I left.

A few hours later I was all decked out, a stunning (f/c) dress was wrapped around my figure paired with matching heels. My makeup was minimal as I so preferred it to be, my hair fell in big loose curls in a high ponytail with a few loose, face-framing curls. Stepping out of my car I flattened out my dress and gave myself a once over in the camera of my phone before slipping it in my clutch and heading to the elevator. Using my FOB I got up to the top and started doing some last minute touch-ups. Soon enough guests started to fill in and then the ballroom was packed. People were schmoozing other people out of checks and donations. I spotted Mr. Wayne early on but only was able to send him a smile and a wave before another cluster of people surrounded him.

Eventually, people had drifted apart and I was left alone, collapsing back at my table my hand went down to rub my ankles. The shoes I had chosen, while pretty, I was beginning to regret as my feet began to ache into pain.

“You know you could ditch the heels, doll,” A voice said sitting down beside me and a smile played on my lips, he was the only one who ever called me that.

“You know what they say, Jay. Beauty is pain and shit,” I laugh humorlessly while glaring at the shoes. “I thought you hated galas?” I ask looking back up to him.

“I do, especially when all the rats climb out of the sewer to slick back their hair with oil and try to schmooze money from each other with lies,” Jason's eyes narrowed as he scanned the crowd.

“Gee, thanks. It’s not like I spent months putting this together,” I sighed, slouching into my chair.

“But…” he trailed, gaining my attention once more. “I like you more than I hate these things,” he winked.

A smile came to my lips at this, bad boy Jason “I came back from hell” Todd came to gala because he liked me more. “So how long till you duck out and leave?” I smirk knowing he won't last long.

“Depends, how much of this shit do you still have to do?” he countered.

“I think I’m actually done, at least, until somebody calls for me to fix whatever crap they messed up,” I puffed, blowing one of the big curls out of my face.

“You’re done?” he repeated.

“Basically,” I smiled.

“Go on a date with me,” he said.

It wasn’t a question and it didn’t have to be, not at this point. At this point, the only ones who weren’t aware that Jay and I whatever we may be were more than friends, was Jay and me.

“Just like that?”

“What more do you need. I got you and you got me. Let’s go, right now. We can get some dinner and head back to my place for movie night, maybe dessert,” his eyebrows wiggled at the end and a loud laugh slipped passed my lips.

“Have you no shame, Mr. Todd?” I smiled.

“Not with you, doll,” he winked.

“Okay,” I nodded. “Let’s go.”

He stood up first and offered me his arm as we slowly slipped from the center of the room towards an exit.

“(Y/n)!” I heard someone shout and Jason stared at me as I stared into the crowd.

“Run,” I whispered pushing him, hastily, towards the exit.

“Woah, Woah, Woah. Wait, doll. You plus running in heels will only end badly,” he said stopping me.

One hand came up to his shoulder as the other slipped to my ankle and pulled the tie loose. Quickly I undid the other and as I let go of Jay I heard my name once more.

“Run,” He agreed to grab my hand and pulling me along.

We weaved through the remaining crowds before we got to the door. As we went through Bruce made eye contact with us before raising an eyebrow. My name was shouted once more and Bruce sent me “go,” as he stepped towards the source. I felt like a teenager all over again as Jay and I ran, we were a laughing mess as we stumbled into the elevator.

Catching our breath we faced each other Jay’s hand was still firmly grasping mine. Looking up into his eyes I found him staring at me. “Is this for real?” I asked watching him carefully.

“You and I have always been real, (y/n),” he muttered as a thumb brushed against my cheekbone.

“Is this date for real?” I restated.

“Yeah…” he whispered. “Yeah, it is.”

A smile broke my lips as the elevator dinged. We stepped out and I saw Jason’s bike, “Oh hell no,” I said stopping him.

“C’mon you’ve ridden on my bike before,” he teased.

“Not in an expensive dress,” I counter.

“I’ll pay for your dry cleaning,” he winked sitting down on the bike.

My teeth sunk into my bottom lip before I felt myself give in and get on behind him. He handed me his helmet and my arms wrapped around his torso, holding tight onto the edge of his tuxedo jacket. He didn’t have to ask and I didn’t have to offer where to go, we went where we always go. Maeve’s Dinner on 4th avenue, Miss M was the nicest lady you’d ever meet and her husband Joe was just as wonderful. Jay and I had stumbled into their dinner years ago when trying our best to avoid the rain that had suddenly started dumping.

Jason pulled up into a parking spot and together we walked in, the small bell ringing as Jay opened the door for me.

“I’ll be with-” Miss M began before catching sight of us. “Oh, you two, go ‘head your tables open,” she waved at us.

“Our table,” I mused aloud.

“Honestly, nobody eats here as much as we do. And we only ever eat right here, in this booth,” he smirked sliding across from me.

“True,” I laughed.

A few minutes later Miss M came by and gave Jay a beer and me an iced tea, the same thing we always ordered.

“Thank you, Miss M,” I smiled up to the kind old lady.

“Anything for you two sugars, I sent your orders in already, anything else?” she asked and Jay and I shared a look. We both had made our way through the entire menu together before deciding on what we like the best, it soon became our “usual”.

“Nah, I think we’re good,” Jay answered.

“Alrighty,” she laughed before walking off.

I turned back to Jason and saw he was once again staring at me, I could only stare back.

“(Y/n), you know I wasn’t trying to be demanding when I-” he began as if he owed me an explanation, but I cut him off.

I leaned across the table moving our drinks out of the way before grabbing his tie and pulling him closer.

“Just kiss me,” I whispered as we got close enough, and he did.

After everything the two of us had been through, after years of being in love with each other and years of simply being there, this was the only step left for us to take.

However, off by the kitchen counter, the two didn’t know but Joe and Maeve had watched the interaction, had seen the kiss.

“Lord at last,” Joe laughed, shaking his head.

“Hush, now baby. Let the sugars enjoy their moment,” She smiled at her husband. “And make ‘em a milkshake on the house.”

“Yes ma’am, what flavor?” he asked tapping the counter.