Chapter Text
It was early, the day warmer and sunny than it had been in weeks. Jason’s apartment was drowned in a bright sunny lighting that made it look all the more empty. Tim dropped through the hatch in the ceiling to find duffel bags lined up on the dining and coffee tables. Jason was walking into the room carrying a pile of clothes to one of them when he spotted Tim in oversized clothes that he had noticed missing as he’d started packing. They stared at each other in silence for a moment.
“So?” – Tim finally spoke up trying to stand firm but feeling a tightness in his chest.
“...Bruce wants me out of here…”
“And that’s ever stopped you before?”
“It’s different now… It’s not just about me…” – Jason replied putting the clothes down and scratching his brow, he was expecting Tim to start arguing back.
He could’ve left in the middle of the night but it felt wrong. As much as he wished to just vanish from Tim’s life a part of him couldn’t do it.
“Please don’t go.” – Tim said looking down at his feet.
“What?” – Tim’s words surprised him, he’d expected a temperamental teenage outburst, not quiet pleading.
“Please stay…”
“Tim it’s…”
“My birthday is coming up… Stay until my birthday at least…” – He negotiated, piercing through Jason’s shell – it was thinner than he’d like to admit.
He walked up to Tim and pulled him in, holding him tightly in his arms. He hugged him for a bit in silence. Tim’s arms remained pegged by his sides at first, he was confused by the gesture but he soon felt comforted by the embrace and gave in, reaching back at Jason.
“You’re right.” – Jason said pulling away. – “I don’t wanna leave right now… I can’t, we have a mission to finish.”
He scruffed Tim’s hair and walked away sitting on the couch and covering his face. He felt nervous about the plan, knowing every contingency was never enough against the Joker, knowing no matter how much they planned… something would go wrong. He bounced his legs and Tim watched, aware of Jason’s emotional turmoil.
“Jason… can I ask you something?” – He asked moving closer to him, sitting on the coffee table next to the half empty duffel.
“Shoot.” – Jason replied pressing his thumbs against pressure points on his browbone, a headache creeping in.
“Why haven’t you killed him yet?” – Tim asked with inquisitive eyes. – “Why didn’t you kill him when you rescued me? Don’t hide behind saying you were nervous or some ptsd shit I’ve seen you fight… I’ve seen how easy it was for you to track him down and plan… this isn’t the first time you’ve done this, is it?”
He pushed the half full duffel to the side, leaning forwards and resting his elbows on his knees.
“No it’s not…I can’t decide, Tim. Nothing… nothing sounds good enough… I’ve come close to… and every time I… It’s not enough, too fast, not painful enough… too easy… But the thing is… I’ve killed some monsters, and maybe that makes me one too… but I can’t ever do what he did, not even to him… I don’t have that in me… that sickness to torture and thrive in the piss and blood… I point the gun and it’s not enough, but then I picture myself in a room with him… with a crowbar… it repulses me.”
He looked up at Tim and for a moment Tim saw a younger version of Jason looking back at him, a version of him that looked more like himself than the Jason he’d met. Jason’s torture was that he hung in suspension. Revenge would never be enough, revenge would not liberate him, it wouldn’t undo the damage that had been done, but he couldn’t move on. Tim felt a deep sorrow for Jason’s predicament, wondering what it must’ve felt like for him to rescue Tim from the Joker, to see him bruised and broken on that chair.
“That’s gonna kill you…. Living like that…” – He said quietly.
“Kid… I’m already dead…” – Jason said with a chuckle, a pained expression in his eyes. He really believed it, his life since coming back from death had been as violent as his death.
“Shut up you’re not, stop being edgy…” – Tim responded laughing.
“So your birthday’s coming up huh?”
“Yeah…”
“You care a lot about that? Your birthdays?”
“Not in the least…” – Tim responded laughing, breaking through to Jason. – “I thought it might work on you though.”
“You’re such a little shit…” – Jason replied laughing.
Jason had laughed so much in the past two weeks it came easier to him now, smiles and cracked shells and all.
-
The water had been running for some time, so long all the shaving cream was gone, the porcelain clean. Bruce didn’t notice the movement behind him at first he was so deep in thought. Water was running, purifying the sink.
“Bit too shallow to drown yourself in don’t you think?” – Dick said walking up behind Bruce and reaching around him, closing the tap and resting against the ornate counter.
“Dick… I was just…”
“Spiralling?”
“Thinking.” – Bruce said wiping his face on a small handtowel.
“Tomato, tomáto…” – Dick said grinning.
“Why are you here?” – Bruce asked moving away into the bedroom.
“Oh Dick so lovely of you to visit, I’ve missed you kid, how’s Bludhaven? Really? Wow you’re doing such a good job!-”
“Cut it.” – There was no anger in Bruce’s voice, just tired overwhelm.
“Got it…” – Dick said with no resentment. – “Alfred called.”
“Shouldn’t have.”
“Were you gonna tell me Tim was taken at all? Ask for help?” – Dick said following him. – “What about Jason? Were you gonna tell me he’s around? That he took Tim in?”
Bruce stared at Dick, his silence was loud.
“What are you doing?” – Dick asked.
“Trying to keep Tim safe, and failing.” – Bruce admitted sitting down and rubbing his eyes. – “He’s not going to take no for an answer, I don’t want to fight…”
“Then don’t… Bruce… I know you worry, how could you not? But Tim chose this, he stepped up to it and that suit means everything to him… He went through something awful and you fire him Bruce? Come on…”
“It was Jason… he got through to me… he…”
“He’s not Tim, Bruce…” – Dick said leaning against a doorframe.
“Tim convinced him to stay in Gotham I think…”
“What are they planning? Alfred said they’ve been working together.”
“The Joker, of course…”
“Yeah, but what?”
Dick’s words echoed in Bruce’s ears, they rang loud and sharp. But what indeed…
-
Jason watched the little red dot going further and further away into the tunnel – further from the entrance point into the dark. He counted the distance as he watched Joker’s goons loading huge vats of a new horrible concoction the man planned on releasing over the city. The Joker would fail his plan tonight, but he didn’t know this as he pranced around the warehouse with giddy joyfulness.
25 meters… it’ll take him at least 3 minutes to reach the other exit… another 1 and a half to break through when he realises his explosive foam gun is jammed… it’ll be enough… it has to be enough.
Jason thought as he pressed the button, setting off the first explosive that Tim had planted days ago – trapping him inside the tunnel. Jason set up a sequence of explosions next, casting the warehouse into darkness.
Tim had heard the explosion while crawling, stopping for a moment, incredulous.
You asshole…
He thought picking up the pace. He’d navigated through these tunnels before, he knew where to go. It wouldn’t be easy, he knew he’d just been sealed in. He heard the sounds of fighting all around him as he crawled, struggling to hold back a smile and laughter.
You fucking asshole!
Jason took down every man in the warehouse within the span of two minutes. The Joker of course had begun running away, but Jason had planned for it, he’d booby trapped every exit. By the time the Joker reached the a door Jason shot him on the back of the leg, sending him falling over a wire, tripping on it and setting off flames. Hidden canisters blasted fire upon the Joker and he screamed in pain. Tim heard it, trying to use his explosive foam gun and failing to do so.
One time wasn’t enough huh? You wanna die twice?
He thought picking up his contingency explosives and attaching them to the wall.
I’m not gonna let you kill yourself you asshole!
Jason kicked the Joker through the door. His frail body flew outside to the dock area, the fire on his clothes slowly putting itself out against the wet asphalt. He laughed manically and Jason walked towards him slowly, each step forward heavy and hesitant. He reached for the man’s shirt and pulled him up, punching him repeatedly. The Joker had a hidden blade up his sleeve, he stabbed it against Jason’s side. He groaned in pain and broke the Joker’s arm in response. It was a long blade, he felt it scratching the inside of his body and was filled with rage.
“You piece of filth!” – He shouted pegging the Joker down on the ground and punching him repeatedly.
He heard an explosion not too far, snapping him out of it.
No! That was too fast! Goddamit kid!
He was distracted by the blast, by the thought Tim had managed to get out in almost half the time he’d planned for. In his distraction the Joker kneed him in the nuts and pulled Jason down against the floor with considerable strength. His helmet hit the wet asphalt and his vision went blurry for a moment, his world spinning around him.
“I did wonder when you’d show up again little bird…” – He said removing the blade from Jason’s side, twisting it as he did.
Jason reached for his neck and pushed it down but the Joker only laughed, stabbing Jason again, aiming for his lung. It scratched his rib and Jason shouted in pain, Tim heard it and he wasn’t the only one.
The Joker kicked Jason back so he could wiggle away from him. Jason fell back and clutched his side. He tried to catch his breath for a moment while the Joker stood up before him. He reached for a metal bar he found on the floor and began walking towards Jason – his stomach tied into a knot and his heart speeding up so much he felt like he would have a heart attack. The Joker looked like a twisted demon, impossible to kill, a relentless ghost, his torment. He didn’t notice Robin swinging towards them, only catching sight of him when he landed a perfect kick against the Joker, pushing him away from Jason.
“Robin!” – Jason tried shouting, his voice hoarse.
“Shut up!” – Tim responded landing and immediately throwing a series of smoke pellets towards the Joker.
Tim tripped the Joker for a few seconds, getting some good hits in and hiding in the cover of smoke until he was hit on the side of the knee and ankle with the metal bar.
“Oh goodie! 2 for one!” – The Joker celebrated.
Jason saw the hit coming and had mustered every bit of strength in his body to get up. He ran towards the Joker and shot at him, two hits. He collided against him and continued hitting him. The two moved further and further away from Tim, who was trying to get himself up – the bones in his knee and ankle shattered.
They backed away from Robin in a deadly dance until the Joker pulled out the blade once again from Jason’s body. Jason moved back, grunting in pain and dodging further attacks from a smiling Joker until he had enough. He heard Tim whimper as he tried to lift himself up and knew what he had to do. Behind him he saw Gotham, the beautiful skyline and the sound of waves crashing. He ran with all his power towards the Joker, blade in the man’s hand be damned and tackled him into the water.
Tim saw Jason dive into the ocean, carrying the Joker with him and disappear in a loud splash. He screamed a loud shriek, his voice breaking and tears streaming down his face. He began crawling, calling after Jason, praying he’d soon surface from the depths. He was almost at the edge when he saw a dark shadow dive into the water: Batman. He continued crawling until he felt hands pulling him, stopping him.
“No! No! Jason! Jason!” – He screamed as Nightwing pulled him back away from the edge.
-
Jason had fought off the Joker’s attacks with his blade once underwater, punching the man repeatedly as they sunk into a dark nothingness. He couldn’t see anything, he could only feel the Joker’s hands reaching, grabbing, hurting. He hit back with all he had until he started running out of air. He felt alone just before he lost consciousness – alone again in the dark void, enveloped in a depth so scary he squeezed his eyes shut. He shut his eyes and his last thoughts were that he hoped Tim would make it, that he’d done enough to make sure Tim would make it home tonight.
-
“Let go! I need to save him!” – Tim shouted as Nightwing held him back.
“Stop! Robin, stop!” – Dick pleaded, his muscles tensed and his eyes fixated on the water.
Come on Bruce… come on! – He thought gritting his teeth and cradling Tim’s face against his chest.
It had taken Bruce 4 seconds to spot Jason, his red helmet looked like a small beeping red dot against the light his cowl was emitting. He didn’t see the Joker anywhere, only Jason’s body quickly sinking to the bottom – lifeless. He dove as fast as he could and grabbed Jason, pulling him up with him. His body felt weightless in the water, moving up as though he weighed as much as a feather.
He surfaced and was able to haul Jason up to the wet asphalt with him. His body was limp and slumped against the concrete, blood beginning to pool around him.
“No!” – Tim shouted seeing how unresponsive he was, still being held back by Nightwing.
Bruce removed Jasons’s helmet, and began doing chest compressions, Jason’s lips turning purple, his mouth hanging slightly agape.
“Don’t do this Jason… Don’t go dammit!” – He couldn’t help pleading as he pressed against his chest, the movement making the cuts bleed profusely.
There was an uncomfortable silence broken only by the sound of the compressions and Tim’s crying.
“You promised… you promised you’d stay until my birthday…” – He whimpered on and on as he looked at Jason’s body.
Bruce tilted Jason’s head back, blowing air into his mouth and resuming the compressions. It had been too long already, he felt panic rising and his hands were growing numb. He did it again, he breathed life into Jason’s fading body and he jerked back in response, coughing up water and gasping for air. Bruce quickly turned his body to the side.
“That’s it Jason… breathe… breathe son…” – Batman said rubbing his back, stimulating him to breathe normally again.
Jason looked at Tim and Dick and smiled, his eyes were half open but he smiled seeing Tim safe by Dick.
“Sorry bout that kid…” – He managed to say with some difficulty. Tim responded by smiling despite his crying, his toothless smile making Jason have to stifle a laugh. He closed his eyes, the pain of the stab wounds making him frown.
“Jason don’t go…” – Bruce said shaking Jason, urging him to stay awake. – “Please don’t leave…”
“Not going anywhere old man… ughghmm…” – He frowned in pain. – “Get me on my back again please.”
“Status… Status, Robin…” – Bruce said helping him back on his back now that he was breathing normally again.
“Two incisions, bottom right abdomen – he twisted the knife real good… and second ribcage down up on the left… didn’t reach the lung I think… possible concussion…” – He turned his head towards the water, wanting to catch another glimpse of the city, feeling a sleepiness creeping in.
Robin, Nightwing, and Batman followed Red Hood’s eyes and looked at the water. A few meters further into the canal they saw it surface – the Joker’s lifeless body floated away from them, dead. They watched in shock and Jason grunted in pain again trying to lift himself up – he couldn’t believe it, he was just as surprised as the rest.
He didn’t know if he’d killed him, he didn’t know if he’d beat him to death or if he’d held him down in the water long enough to drown him. He didn’t know if he’d done it, but the Joker was dead, floating away in the water that Jason had surfaced back from. Jason sacrificed himself to save Tim, fighting with everything he had knowing he was seconds away from death. He watched the body float, the green hair unnatural and out of place in that beautiful view and he breathed out slowly from solid ground. Jason didn’t know if he’d killed the Joker or not, but it didn’t matter because he was free.