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The whole thing started out at an accident really. Neither of them really thought much of it, you know? Just a part of the job and all.
Red Hood needed help on a case and Red Robin was happy to oblige. Tim swooped in, content to do some technical work and give some support on a trafficking ring. Jason was slowly coming around again, Bruce insisting on the whole “no killing” rule. So Red Robin wasn't worried.
The job was quick. Get in, get out, explode the building, tie up bad guys.
Red Robin was handling a bigger good when Red Hood snorted from beside him, “Need some help there Replacement?”
Tim shot him a glare from behind his mask, “I'm perfectly capable of handling it on my own thank you very much.”
The good scoffed and Red Robin kneed him.
Hood snickered, “Well I know just how much you like my help from last Sunday.”
Tim flustered, “We do not talk about that! That was a private moment!”
Jason just cackled as he riled Tim up.
The goons they'd tied up exchanged shocked glances. There was an implication… well…
What they didn't know was that last Sunday had been family game night, a new event that Dick had demanded they all participate in for ‘family bonding'. Tim had been winning Mario Kart. That was until Jason, who was very begrudgingly there, had sabotaged him via ice down his shirt. It had been a huge loss for Tim, absolutely decimating his winning streak. A fight had broken out and some blood had been shed.
-
Jason hated galas. Always had. Stuffy rich snobs would always come up and pinch his cheeks. The real shitty ones would try and come on to him. Of course now that he was legally dead and was there for a ‘work’ related thing most of the rich people avoided him on the premise of him being mere common folk. Which suited him just fine.
Until one Tim Drake-Wayne cozied up to him.
Tim slipped his arm into Jason's and leaned into him, batting his eyelashes up at him lovingly. Jason leaned against the bar's counter and played along.
“Hey babe! I was wondering where you ran off to!” Tim laughed lightly.
Jason gave an easy going smile, “Just wanted a drink darlin’, you know how these events make me feel.”
Tim laughed in a perfect replica of how the rich did. Fake and ingenuine. Jason mused he'd learned how when his parents were still alive and well. Janet had never been the type to accept mediocrity.
Under the guise of Tim feeling Jason's arm up he tapped out morse. Jason relaxed a tad as Tim privately explained that some old bats had gotten handsy. They all had done enough undercover work to be comfortable playing a role. Jason didn't mind being arm candy for a hot date just to spare Tim from the vultures that were Gotham's elite.
-
Tim thrashed in his restraints. Rope was cutting into his wrists and ankles and Tim was sure that he was going to be changing bandages for at least a week after this was over. He had been leaving work. Then he'd gotten cut off and ran off the road by some thugs who had then proceeded to extract him from his vehicle and kidnap him.
Hooray for Mondays.
The thugs refused to talk to him though he had tried. Carrying on about how his dad wouldn't let them get away with this, Batman would save him, the cops would arrive soon, how much did he have to pay them to let him go, and all sorts of taunts and jeers. Everything one could expect from a rich kid. The men had called Bruce earlier and made demands to which Tim had gathered that Bruce had played up the part of a traumatized father.
A window burst from above and shattered glass rained down from the heavens making the warehouse he was stuck in feel a little more magical. He rolled his eyes as combat boots, leather, and the faint scent of cigarettes arrived. Red Hood took down the kidnappers swiftly and soon he was back to untie Tim.
“Was that an eye roll I was just now? That's no way to treat your savior.” Red Hood teased.
Tim scoffed, “Savior is a vast overstatement. Princes don't kiss ruffians like you.”
Red Hood made a dramatic hurt noise, “Aw c'mon princess! Your knight in shining red armor deserves a kiss for his valiant efforts!”
Tim smirked and gave the red helmet a peck where Jason's mouth would be. Hood sputtered and floundered. Tim just cackled. They bantered until the police arrived and Red Hood had to go. The kidnappers were thoroughly bewildered by the time it was over.
-
Roy was visiting and Jason was happy to see him. His best friend was always a riot to be around and ever since he'd returned to Gotham Jason hadn't had a ton of chances to see Arsenal.
Currently, Roy was kicked back on his apartment couch ranting and raving about the hottest gossip in the heroing community. The guy was a sucker for some good drama and though you wouldn't think it, loved a good soap opera or telenovela.
“-and it turns out they were sleeping together! Can you believe that? Right under his wife's nose too! I mean, I know lanterns are… well you've met Kyle, but still, the wife? Really? I- are you paying attention?”
Jason looked up from where he'd been cleaning one of his guns, “Hm?”
Roy snorted but then grew a shit eating grin, “Y’know… I've heard some pretty interesting rumors about Red Hood too.”
He perked up, “Gonna elaborate on that or?”
Roy snickered, “Word on the street is that Red Hood is two timing Gotham's elite and one of the Bat's birds.”
Jason choked, “What the fuck? I am not!”
His best friend cackled, “You should see the look on your face Jaybird!”
He glared at Roy, “Who is it.”
Roy wiped tears from his eyes, “Tim Drake and Red Robin! Can you believe that? As if you could ever pull either of them! And keep it a secret from Red? Yeah right!”
Jason bristled, “Okay. For starters. I could totally pull either of them.”
Roy smirked, “Oh yeah? So the rumors are true?”
Fuck, he'd walked right into that.
“Fuck no. Just some goons spreading rumors for the fun of it.” Jason sneered.
Roy rolled his eyes but nodded, “Yeah sure whatever you say Jay.”
-
Tim typed away at the computer, downing another mug of coffee. Alfred was close to confiscating the coffee maker so he needed to drink it while he could. He needed the caffeine, he hadn't slept in forever. Just one more case and then he'd be done… just one more.
“Hey Tim?” Dick appeared looking nervous at his side.
Tim jumped but kept his eyes on the computer, “Yeah? What's up?”
Dick fidgeted a bit, “Just wanted to say I'm happy for you and Jason.”
“Huh? Oh yeah, thanks Dick.” Tim mumbled as he continued typing.
Dick seemed to be better, nodding with a smile and leaving.
It wasn't until way later that Tim had actually processed what Dick had said. He'd just woken up from a 36 hour nap when his eyes shot open and he replayed the prior events. Dick had nervously come up to him, said he was happy for him and- oh dammit.
It wasn't like he didn't like Jason. It was just that Jason didn't like him. Jason was quite hot, and Tim could freely admit that between all the Robins that had ever donned the mask, he did have a bit of a bias… but it was just a childhood crush! Nothing serious or anything like that! Tim couldn't help being drawn to Jason. He was a smart-ass sure, but he was also attractive. So what if Tim maybe spent a little too much time thinking about Jason and so what if those thoughts weren't the kind to be shared out loud! It was just a bit of infatuation. Nothing more. It would go away.
-
Jason sat on the roof thinking about what Roy had said.
Replacement and him weren't in a relationship. Let alone Jason two timing Tim and Tim in some weird love triangle bullshit that made no sane sense. Sure, Jason might have overly exaggerated his ability to ‘pull’ Tim and Red Robin.
Okay maybe he'd definitely over exaggerated.
Tim was… well Jason did think he was the better Robin. He was seriously fucking smart. Super competent in the field and he couldn't deny watching him work a handful of times. Jason loved getting Tim worked up. Teasing and taunting the younger until Tim got that angry blush that Jason loved to see.
When Tim got cocky and gave Jason's bullshit right back it was beyond attractive. That time that Tim had kissed his helmet? Jason spent twenty minutes on a nearby rooftop panicking over the definitely-not crush. The time Tim hung off of his arm and gave him the sweetest look? Jason had practically bombed his own mission because he had spent too long in the bathroom trying to get it together.
He just… he knew Tim wouldn't feel the same and Jason had just started working with the family again. He wasn't about to ruin that by coming on to Tim. Maybe Roy had a point about not being able to pull either of them…
-
Red Robin dropped down onto the roof, making enough noise to let Red Hood know he was there. He slinked around in the shadows before stepping out of them and into Hood's view. Tonight Jason wore the domino mask instead of the helmet.
He leaned on the ledge of the building they were on, “Slow night?”
Hood shrugged, “Could be worse.”
Red Robin nodded in understanding before becoming a little nervous. Jason must've picked it up in his body language cuz he shifted to fully face him, tilting his head and raising an eyebrow.
“What crawled up your ass and died?”
Tim snorted, “You.”
Hood made a choking noise before regaining composure, “Seriously? A death joke?”
Red Robin smirked, “You seem to be fond of them.”
“Got me there. So what's up?” Jason conceded.
Tim went back to being anxious, “Dick visited the other day, thought we were dating.”
Jason froze and Tim laughed nervously, “Weird right? Us? Dating?”
Jason got a little defensive, “Hey what's so wrong about that? I ain't that bad of a guy.”
Tim sputtered, “No! No, not at all! I just meant- er- uh-”
“Aw c'mon, just say it, we both know you're way out of my league.” Jason said with a snort.
Tim gave him a bewildered look, “Me? Out of your league? If anything you're out of my league! I mean look at you, you're like- the hottest guy I've ever seen.”
Due to the lack of helmet Tim watched as Jason's face grew red with a blush. And oh how Tim longed to see more of it.
Jason recovered, “No way. You're just saying that.”
Tim shook his head, “No I mean it, you're super attractive. I wish I had a shot with you y'know?”
Then Jason gave him a funny look, “Who says you dont?”
He rolled his eyes, “We just covered this, I'm way out of your league.”
Jason scoffed, “Well I think you're attractive too, idiot. So as far as I'm concerned, I don't give a damn what league you think I'm in.”
Tim felt himself buffer, “You think I'm attractive?”
Jason sighed, “Fuckin’- yes okay? I just don't wanna ruin this whole thing we got going on y'know?”
Tim nodded in perfect understanding, “Okay but what if I want to ruin it too.”
“I don't think you know what you want,” Jason said with narrowed eyes.
Tim shook his head, “No I do. I know exactly what I want.”
Jason must've seen the hunger in his eyes because the blush returned in full force. They watched each other for what felt like too long before Tim abruptly gave him a quick peck on the cheek.
“I got to go, mugging up on parkway drive. Dinner tomorrow?” Tim asked with a blush furiously spreading on his face
Jason nodded, stunned, “Yeah, dinner would be nice.”
Tim dropped off the building with a wink and a shout, “I think you're hot!”
Jason put his head in his hands and smiled. He was so screwed. Roy was right. He was fucked. Tim thought he was hot. Fuck.