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1/5
Jason’s in line at his favourite coffee shop when he first caught the coiling scent of lavender as it seemed to waft by him. He looked up from the book on his phone to search for the source of the perfume, but nothing seemed out of place and no one else seemed to even notice the alluring scent.
Slightly perturbed, Jason shook his head and stepped up to the counter, where Cloey’s tight, practiced smile melted into something more genuine.
“Hey, Peter, do you want to try our new deluxe lavender latte?”
Ah, Jason thought, that’s what it was.
“Uh,” He hesitated as Cloey looked at him with hopeful eyes, “yeah, sure.” He agreed then, already missing his usual mocha latte, but Cloey’s expression brightened and he decided he didn’t miss his mocha that much.
“Great! Your usual size?”
He continued on autopilot after that, waiting with the other café patrons until his name was called, then taking his to-go mug before he shuffled out of the shop to head back to his apartment. As he walked, he sipped at the latte experimentally but, after two sips, he accepted that he wasn’t going to finish the artificial-tasting drink. It stayed in his hand though, so he could breathe in the syrupy scent.
It wasn’t the scent he’d smelled in the café; they both had a distinct lavender and coffee smell but, where the latte was too sweet, the earlier scent had had an air of musk to it, and a warmth that Jason had felt under his skin. It reminded him of something specific but his mind couldn’t find the memory, even as he held the cup close to his face and tried to focus - nothing came.
The travel mug stayed in his hand all the way back to his apartment and, even as he sat on his couch to watch old sitcom reruns, it stayed with him. Firmly held in his marred hands like a puzzle he couldn’t solve.
As noon rolled around, the drink turned cold against his skin and the sitcoms turned to bad reality shows, so he changed to the cartoon channel and moved to make himself lunch. In the kitchen, he finally poured the drink down the sink and trashed the cup, before he began cooking.
When the smell of bacon replaced lavender, Jason missed it a little, but once it was gone, his on-edge feeling felt with it. So, he breathed a sigh of relief and tried not to think about it too hard.
2/5
Roy-toy: Come clubbing? 🕺🪩
Jay-sin: At my age?
Roy-toy: I’m older than you!
Jay-sin: Exactly, you’re too old for clubbing Grandpa 🧓
Roy-toy: Bitch 😢
Roy-toy: Are you coming or not?
Jay-sin: Fine 😑
Roy only dragged Jason clubbing when he and Kori were having one of their “lover’s quarrels”, so Jason didn’t fight back too hard, even as Roy wrangled him into one his tighter button downs. He did eventually have to swap the redhead’s hands away when he produced a small makeup palette and tried to sprinkle glitter on Jason.
That’s how Jason ended up in a dark shirt and tailored pants, trying to unsuccessfully wave down the bartender. He was a lesser priority compared to the drunken bachelorette party, who were tipping the handsome bartender generously.
Jason had never liked clubbing; before he’d died he’d been too young to consider it, and when he’d gotten back, clubbing seemed like a complete waste of time if he wasn’t there to meet an informant or work a case. The smell of vodka-infused sweat and overly handsy club-goers combined to make him too focused on his surroundings to actually relax enough to have fun. He tried to focus on Roy as they danced instead. The older man moved with a tipsy fluidity that Jason was sure he learnt from too much time spent clubbing with Dick, when they were younger and still needed fake ID's.
Jason took a deep breath and another sip of his drink while he forced his tight muscles to relax more. He swayed with the music uncommittedly as the music picked up.
Eventually, the alcohol started to set in and he let his body take over for his brain, dancing with Roy like they were just drunk in some Star City dive, not surrounded by equally drunk Gothamites. He couldn’t stop the small smile that pulled at his lips, feeling the music thrum against his skin. Glitter sparkled along his arms but he couldn’t remember where it had come from; maybe Roy brought that stupid palette with him. People around him, including Roy, screamed along to Dancing Queen until their voices were hoarse. Jason laughed as Roy performed the song like it was an epic ballad, pulling Jason closer to dance with him.
~ You can dance, you can jive ~
Jason laughed harder, stumbling slightly.
~ Having the time of your life ~
Roy sang into his empty glass like it was a microphone, using Jason for support. Jason held Roy up as he joined in on the final lines of the song.
~ Ooh, see that girl, watch that scene ~
He could feel the heat along his cheeks from laughing. His whole body felt warm, actually. He could blame that on the alcohol, and he would, if he couldn’t faintly smell lavender and musk.
~ Digging the dancing queen ~
That scent. Jason’s mind tried to focus, swimming though the mix of vodka and whiskey he’d been having since they’d arrived. He breathed in a deep breath but he couldn’t get past the smell of cheap alcohol and Roy’s cologne. He felt unsteady suddenly.
~ Digging the dancing queen ~
“I’m getting another drink, want one?!” Roy shouted, too loud as the music changed to something more bass-heavy and seductive. Jason nodded without thinking, then watched helplessly as Roy disappeared through the crowd.
Alone now, Jason became hyperaware of everything around him. Every bump of the people around him felt like a shove and the music rang in his ears deafeningly. Jason’s breath came out ragged as he tried to find Roy. Why wasn’t he back yet? Had that scent gotten stronger?
Jason flinched when hand landed on his shoulder gently. He turned, hoping to find Roy, but found a pair of piercing, pale blue eyes looking up at him through thick lashes. He must have looked like a deer in the headlights as he stared at the auburn-haired girl with his panicked eyes. She smiled at him softly then slowly reached for his hand and pushed a cold glass into it.
“It’s water.” She clarified, close enough to him that she didn’t need to shout. Jason glanced down at the glass with an analytic gaze. It was clear, with no sign of bubbles or anything that may have dissolved. Everything in him told him not to accept the drink because he hadn’t seen it be poured, but if it was drugged he knew Roy would find him before he could be lured out of the club.
With a shaky breath, he brought the glass to his lips and tipped it back. The cold water shook him from his building panic and when he finished the girl took back the empty glass and left it on a nearby table.
“Are you okay?” She asked, voice low. Something about it was familiar and sent a delicious chill down Jason's spine. He nodded densely, earning a gentle smile. “Do you want to dance with me?” He nodded again, before he was led to a more spacious area of the dance floor.
As they slowly started to sway with the crowd, her eyes seemingly studying his face before she smiled flirtatious at him and ran her hand down his chest, catching on one of the straining buttons for a moment. She then turned so she could press back into him, swinging her hips slowly so he could follow her lead.
His brain finally caught with him as he put his hands on her hips and copied her movements. They swayed together for a while, flowing with the rhythm of the music, until the girl reached back to place a hand on Jason's hip and grind back pointedly. Jason couldn't help the moan that escaped him as she repeated the motion and glanced back to smirk at him.
Seeing the challenge for what it was, Jason tightened one hand on her hip and slid the other around until it pressed against her stomach so he could pull her closer. Their swaying turned to grinding as Jason leaned in to nose along her neck.
That's when he caught her perfume, under sweat and glitter he could smell it, the scent of lavender, honeyed musk, and that something else. He took in a deep breath, practically tasting it on his tongue. The girl giggled when he pressed his nose behind her ear where the scent was stronger. She shooed him away slightly, too ticklish, before turning in his arms and wrapping hers around his shoulders.
“You smell amazing.” Jason said dumbly; he meant to say she was hot, or something along those lines. Regardless, she smiled approvingly.
“Thank you.” Her hand rubbed along his shoulder.
“You're beautiful.” He finally managed, causing her to blush.
“You should know, I-” Her sentence was cut short when the club's overhead lights suddenly turned on, flooding the dancefloor in an unflattering bright wash. Several club-goers around them cursed and groaned, and the girl ducked her head with a cringe before looking around. “I've gotta find my friends.” She moved to pull away but quickly reached up and pressed a kiss to Jason's cheek before slipping from his hold effortlessly and disappearing into the shuffling crowd before Jason could even say bye.
“Damn.” He muttered to himself, then he started looking for Roy.
The other found Jason instead, by colliding into him on his way out of the club. He grabbed Jason's shoulders to steady the both of them, chuckling as Jason shrugged him off.
“How'd it get so late?” Roy groaned when they finally stepped out of the club and into the cool, open air.
“Too much alcohol and attractive people.”
“Oh yeah, don't think I didn’t see you with that girl,” Roy said with a wink. “She was cute.” Jason hummed in agreement. As they started towards the subway to catch the last train downtown, Jason caught a glimpse of that auburn hair.
He craned his neck to see her quickly before he stepped underground. She was hanging off the arm of a familiar-looking blonde girl, laughing as they stumbled into a taxi. He thought about chasing after her to get her number, but decided against it. He wasn’t good at relationships anyways.
Roy frowned when Jason almost stumbled on the first step.
“Dude, how much did you drink?” He asked through a laugh. Jason grunted, but he gripped tightly onto Roy’s forearm for support.
“Too much, just thought I saw something.” He released his hold once they got to the platform. Roy was still laughing breathily as they hustled into the last train.
“See, man? You had a good time! And you were gonna stay home like a loser.” Roy nudged him with his shoulder, smirking at a girl across the train.
“Dude, just talk to Kori. We’re really too old for this.” Jason groaned as he smacked Roy in the face to redirect his attention.
“Yeah, yeah, I know.” Roy pouted.
“I’m gonna be hungover tomorrow.”
Roy chuckled and swung his arm around Jason’s shoulders.
“Fuck yeah, same.” He lulled his head back and closed his eyes. “Wake me when we get to the stop.”
“Mhm.”
3/5
It was a classic drug bust. Tim had been following a drug ring for the last month, waiting for them to bring in a shipment before he made his move. He’d insisted he could do it himself but Bruce had ordered him to take back up, just in case, so Jason and Cass were tagged in to help.
They crashed into the warehouse like an unstoppable force, with Cass moving quickly so no one escaped in the fray, while Jason worked with Tim to take the smugglers down.
Jason always liked working with Tim. Even though the younger man was a stickler for the rules - always Bruce’s obedient soldier - he moved with a grace that was almost deadly, like a viper striking down a foe. He'd obviously learnt a lot of his movement from watching and training with Dick, but there was a fierceness that he had developed himself. He flew through the air, hitting hard with his bow staff and sweeping down goons easily before restraining them. Jason on the hand focused on watching Tim’s back, taking down excess criminals around him with rubber bullets and quick, steady movements.
As they flowed amongst the goons, Jason was surprised when he caught a whiff of that deep, lavender scent. He slowed, searching around them. Was it a drug? It would make sense why he’d smelt it on the girl at the club, but not the coffee shop. Distracted, Jason failed to block a punch that landed against his sternum. Most of the attack was absorbed by his body armour, but the brunt still sent him stumbling into Tim, who growled at him with annoyance.
“Hood!” Tim’s harsh voice cut through his brain fog as the younger vigilante shook him off. “Get it together!”
Jason grunted in response before he launched at the goon that had punched him, immediately taking him down.
But he could still smell it, even through the filter of his helmet, the coiling smell of sweetness and warmth. He could feel it in his chest, beside his heart, beating rapidly with adrenaline. He tried to shake the distraction from his mind and refocus on the mission
Even with his renewed focus on protecting Tim, he didn’t move fast enough to stop a goon from throwing a partially-opened bag of cocaine directly at Tim’s face. The bag split completely open with the collision, covering Tim in the white powder as he gasped, then started coughing.
Tim stumbled back, sputtering as he wiped frantically at the powder that had covered his whole face. Jason quickly tackled the goon that had thrown the bag then joined Tim at his side. The younger man was dusting himself off and levelled Jason with a murderous glare as he came closer.
“What the hell was that!?” Tim demanded, shoving at Jason.
“Sorry, I got distracted-”
“No shit!”
“Come on, we gotta get you to the cave, you got two minutes before you feel really good, then really bad.” Jason grabbed at Tim’s powder-covered arm, earning a growl from the other.
“I can take myself to the cave.”
“No, you fucking can’t.” Jason couldn’t see Tim’s eyes beyond the white lenses, but he imagined his pupils were already starting to dilate as the drug seeped into his system. Tim tried to yank his arm free but only managed to stumble sideways. Jason caught him at the waist quickly as Tim let out a shuddering breath and shook his head like he was trying to force his brain to work.
“Fine,” He finally gritted out, “just drive quickly.” Tim turned his hand so he was holding onto Jason’s arm for extra support.
4/5
Jason let himself take a moment to breathe in the fresh air high above the city smog. He’d finished his round of patrol and was only on standby duty, which meant he was allowed to relax for a few minutes without any interruption.
Beside Francis the Gargoyle, he watched the illumination of city lights through the smog, they let off a faint hum that he could hear despite being so far above it all, lulling him into a temporary peace. As he took off his helmet, he breathed in another deep sigh, expecting the smell of soot and moist stone, but instead he caught the unmistakable scent of lavender, with hints of amber and vanilla.
His eyes shot open before he looked around, finding no sign of anyone but him and Francis. How the hell could that smell have followed him to one of the tallest buildings in Gotham?
“Hey, man, what're you doing up here?”
Jason didn’t manage to hide the flinch that snapped through him before he spun to find Dick behind him. The older man jumped back, caught off guard by Jason’s surprise.
“Shit, sorry, I thought you’d noticed me.”
Jason glared at him.
“What are you doing here?” He questioned, turning back to the city. Dick shuffled closer until they were shoulder to shoulder.
“I was looking for Red Robin but he must have gone down town already.”
‘Why would Red be here?”
Dick shrugged. “He likes to be up high.”
“A bat that likes heights. Shocker.”
Dick laughed lightly.
“Good point.” He finally allowed a beat of silence as he followed Jason gaze to looked over the city, taking in the glow and hum of the lights. Only a beat though. “You two seem to be doing better.” He said carefully.
“Uh… Yeah. It’s less tense now. I mean he’s pissed at me now for the last mission, but that’s fair.” Jason shrugged, feigning disinterest. Truth was, he felt awful for the mess up. Tim had been drugged before but this time, the stuff had been laced with other shit, leaving the younger man shaking and jumping between emotions as he sweated it out in the med bay. Jason had wanted to help but seeing someone he cared about coming down from a high had sent him reeling and running for a safehouse.
“He’s more angry at himself. He hates messing up on a mission.”
“The kid just needs to unwind.” Jason knew that wasn’t far, like all of them, the shame of a failed mission always hit personally, no matter how long they’d been a mask. Regardless, Dick laughed and nodded in agreement.
“You still… Got a little crush on him?” Dick immediately raised his hands defensively when Jason levelled him with a deadly glare. “Woah! I’ll take that as a yes.”
Jason sighed, rolling his shoulders. “It’s nothing, it’ll go away.”
“Y’know, if you just talked to him about it… I think you’d find you two have a bit in common.”
“No offence, Dicky, I’m not taking advice from someone who fumbled his chances with Kori.”
Dick guffawed. “It was an amicable breakup!” He planted his hands on his hips firmly. “Here I am, trying to be a supportive big brother! And you’re just being rude!”
Jason chuckled, rolling his eyes. He knew Dick wasn’t genuinely offended, he was happy with Wally, but he also liked any chance to be dramatic.
“Alright, drama queen.”
Dick relaxed with a grunt, smiling again when Jason leaned over to nudge their shoulders together.
“You really think that conversation would go well?” Jason asked, suddenly feeling too exposed. Dick - thank God - remained calm despite the teasing look he shot Jason.
“Yeah, man, I think it would.”
Jason nodded slowly but didn’t say anything else, just let them sit in the gentle calmness of the rooftop, still overlooking the city lights. He pulled in a slow breath, catching the lavender scent again, fainter this time. Without thinking, he leaned towards Dick and sniffed him as subtly as he could. No lavender came, only sweated kevlar and his honey-scented hair gel.
“Did… Did you just sniff me?” Dick turned to look at Jason, a smirk playing on his lips. Jason blanched and looked away quickly.
“Psh, yeah, you fucking stink.” Dick gasped, then sniffed himself self-consciously.
“I smell delightful, screw you!” Dick hopped onto his feet, scoffing. “We were having such a nice bonding moment, and you insult my very person.” Dick proclaimed theatrically, smiling despite himself when Jason chuckled. “I’m going to find RR, that boy owes me intel.”
“Bye, Dickhead.” Dick flipped him off before he fell backwards off the roof’s edge and shot a line, swinging towards downtown Gotham in his search for Tim.
Jason smiled to himself then picked up his helmet and pulled it back on, before he also slipped off the rooftop to get back to work.
5/5
As Jason stepped into the cave to steal some of Bruce’s gear for his bike, he was halted by Steph’s voice shouting across the cave.
“Jason, spar with me, I’m on a roll!” She called from where she was bouncing on the sparing mats, sweat glistening along her skin and a big, proud grin on her face. Both Tim and Duke were sitting to the side, rubbing at their new bruises.
“Dude, she’s got too much energy,” Tim warned. “Please kick her butt.”
Jason laughed while Steph frowned at Tim.
“Traitor.” She hissed at him, earning a shrug. Jason rolled his shoulders as he removed his jacket and tossed to the side unceremoniously. Once he was at the mats, he removed his boots as well, and sat them beside each other on the mats’ edge.
“Alright, blondie, let’s see what you’ve got.” They both squared, both raising their hands in anticipation. Jason smirked as he circled Steph, flexing his biceps. “You sure you can go another round? I’d hate to embarrass you in front of B1 and B2.”
Steph just mirrored his smirk, eyes sharp with determination and the thrill of another win. “Big talk for someone who’s about to get their ass kicked.”
They closed in, and Jason moved first, fast and confident. He shot for her legs, aiming to take her down in one clean move, but Steph twisted out of reach, catching his arm as he leapt forward. She pulled him sideways and swung her leg at his side, landing a solid hit that had him grunting. He stumbled back but righted his stance quickly and jabbed at her. Steph blocked the hits easily, stepping back with each one until she neared the mats’ edge.
On Jason's next punch, Steph ducked around him lightning fast before she wrapped an arm around his chest and tugged him back. He fought against her then elbowed into her side. She cringed and jumped back, putting space between them.
“Where’d you learn that?”
“Been training with Cass.” Steph replied as she panted.
“Yeah, I bet. Training.” Jason said teasingly, Steph poked her tongue at him but still smiled. Jason lunged at her again, but Steph saw it coming. In a blink, she slipped into his space, grabbed at his shoulder and shifted her weight in a sharp twist. With a final sweep of her leg, they hit the mat with a hard thud. Jason landed on his stomach as Steph followed through smoothly.
“Damn it!” Jason grunted, trying to roll free, but she had already pinned him down with her knee pressing into his back and a hand locking his wrist against his spine.
“What was that about getting embarrassed?" She asked, her triumphant grin could be heard in her voice.
Jason groaned, the fight bleeding out of him. “Okay, okay, you win.” With his face pressed against the mat, he took a deep breath and immediately tensed.
Lavender.
The scent was almost nauseatingly strong, mixed with musk and sweat, and the powdery floral of Stephanie’s deodorant. But it was unmistakable, the same scent at the café, at the club, at his gargoyle, on a goddamn mission. He panted to breathe in the scent again as Steph removed her pressure on his back.
“Dude, I didn’t break your old-man body, did I?” Now standing beside his head, she folded towards the floor to look at his face, raising an eyebrow. He hadn’t even noticed her stand up.
Jason’s face suddenly felt too warm to blame on just sparring.
“N-no,” He coughed and quickly stood, head foggy. “No! And I’m not old, I’m not even thirty.” He shoved her away, no real malice behind the push.
“Well, I’m gonna go get ready for date night. Spar with Tim, he needs the practice.” Steph stuck her thumb towards Tim accusingly, who let out an offended noise as he flipped her off, while Duke laughed beside him.
“Fuck you, Brown.”
Steph chuckled as she stepped off the mats and moved towards him. He hissed at her dramatically when she pressed a kiss to the top of his hair with a loud ‘muah!’.
“Come on, Duke, I need help finding the dress I want to wear.”
“Just because I can make light doesn’t mean I can magically find anything in your messy-ass room.” Duke countered but still climbed to his feet and started following the blonde.
“That’s so rude, I have a process!”
“The process is ‘hope Alfred cleans it’.”
Steph gasped, offended, pushing him sideways as he laughed again. Tim watched them, smiling and shaking his head as they made their way into the cave’s elevator.
“You wanna?” Jason’s voice snapped his attention back to the mats.
“Huh?”
“You wanna spar?”
“Oh, um, yeah sure.” Tim climbed to his feet before stretching his arm over his head and leaning to the side. Jason grimaced when several cracks sounded as the young man leant the other way. Satisfied, Tim stepped onto the mats to take up Steph’s previous place.
He was going to lose, he knew it before Jason moved into a starting stance. He was tired from WI work and lack of sleep, not to mention he’d lost to both Duke and Steph already, leaving him sore and slow to react. Despite that, he still righted his clothes and lowered into his preferred stance.
Jason lunged at him predictably, but he leapt away before striking between Jason’s shoulder blades and watching the muscles temporarily tense against his will. Jason hissed as he arched and forcefully relaxed his muscles.
“The fuck was that?”
Tim laughed. “Nerve strike." He quickly dodged Jason’s right hook.
“Thanks, I hated it.”
Tim made to slip past Jason again but didn’t move fast enough; Jason grabbed him around the waist and lifted him completely off his feet.
He gasped as he flew through the air and landed solidly against the mats. The wind knocked out of him as Jason slid over him to frame Tim’s hips with his legs and pin him into place.
“Three, two, one.” Jason said with a smug grin, even though he didn’t need to count down; Tim was well and truly pinned. He wriggled viciously under Jason, trying to throw him off but Jason only laughed. He repositioned Tim’s arms from above his head to spread out on either side of him before he leant in closer, still grinning. “I win.”
(1)
“Yeah, yeah, you big oaf, you win.” Tim gritted, then tried to free himself again. Jason sucked in a breath to continue laughing but choked on the air as the scent of lavender hit his senses, stronger than it had ever been. He looked down at Tim, sudden realisation washing over him before he ducked down and pressed his nose against Tim’s throat.
Tim let out a surprised squeak when Jason’s nose made contact with the side of his neck, as the older took a deep sniff along Tim’s pulsepoint.
“Jason, what the fuck?!” Tim wriggled again, more desperately this time, as his skin grew hot everywhere Jason was touching him. “Ja- ah!” At the feeling of Jason’s tongue on his skin, Tim shoved at his chest roughly, dislodging him and pushing him off so he could scramble across the mats. He looked back at Jason, who was already watching him with a hungry gaze.
Tim felt like prey under his gaze. Jason was panting, more in a desperate need to smell the air than from exertion, and suddenly years of trust and the secret crush he’d been harbouring moved to the back of his mind as his brain screamed one word at him.
RUN.
Tim jumped to his feet in the blink of an eye and bolted away from the other man. He ran towards the cave’s manor exit, hurrying up the stairs to the salvation of the elevator. He didn’t miss the distinct sound of Jason following fast behind him but he didn’t risk looking back until he jumped through the threshold of the elevator and slammed his hand against the ‘close doors’ button.
Jason was making his way quickly up the stairs as the doors started to shut, and Tim pressed himself to the opposite wall, watching hopefully and helplessly. Jason was five steps away when the doors finally closed and the elevator started the move. Tim jumped when a loud SLAM echoed through the metal, signalling Jason’s fist hitting against the lower level.
Tim panted while he was transported towards the manor. Despite the slight adrenaline coursing through him, there was still a thrill of excitement, and his body was confused between reacting to fear and reacting to excitement. He focused on the fear and rushed out of the elevator when it opened into the parlour. He was half thankful, half regretful, that the manor was empty, Steph and Duke were already gone, Alfred was on his yearly vacation and the rest of the family off doing their own things. The elevator shut behind him, descending to retrieve Jason.
Tim moved out of the parlour and headed blindly for his old room. Far behind him, he heard the elevator return and release Jason like a hound from a cage, his heavy steps an indicator to how close he was. As Tim neared his room, he suddenly realised Jason would probably expect him to go there. He paused, looking up and down the corridor. He could hear Jason striding in his direction.
“Timmy,” Jason suddenly called, a playful tone in his voice that managed to eased some of the tension from Tim’s shoulders. “I’m gonna get you.” He sang, like a child playing hide-and-seek, and Tim couldn’t help the laugh that escaped him before he slapped his hands on his mouth.
He froze when Jason appeared at the end of the long corridor, grinning like a mad man.
“Hey, Timmy.” He said, voice husky.
“Jason,” Tim took a cautious step back. “Let’s consider what is and isn’t acceptable behaviour.” He tried, even as Jason started to stalk towards him slowly. He stepped back further. “J-Jason, c’mon, you’re acting insane.” Tim raised his hands like he was trying to calm a wild animal.
“I think you like this,” Jason accused, still advancing. “You’re trying not to but I can see it.”
Tim swallowed thickly and glanced at the shortening distance between the two of them, then turned on his heels and bolted. Jason’s laughter echoed behind him.
He zig-zagged through the halls, slipping multiple times on the carpeting, but, based on the occasional thud behind him, Jason was as well. For moment, Tim thought he’d make it to the library with enough time to lock the doors behind him but, when he turned into the corridor connected to the library, a solid weight hit against his back, sending him stumbling sideways
Jason’s hand shot out as Tim lost balance. The younger man yelped as he was easily manoeuvred until Jason could trap him against a wall and press his face into his neck again, taking in a deep breath.
“Jason, what’s gotten into yo- ngh!” Tim choked on his sentence when Jason moved closer into him, shoving a leg between his thighs to close the gap further. His thigh pressed against Tim’s growing erection.
Tim pushed at the other’s shoulder half-heartedly.
“It’s you.” Jason all but growled between breaths. “Why do you smell so fucking good?” Tim squawked when Jason’s lips parted along his skin to take in his scent deeper. He quickly shoved his hand between his neck and Jason’s mouth, then shoved roughly to dislodge the larger man. Jason let himself be pushed away but, when his eyes landed on Tim, they were an unnatural shade of bright green, thinly ringed around his wide-blown pupils.
Tim shivered under the animalistic gaze.
“It’s just a new cologne.” Tim reasoned, when he could finally speak again.
“Nah, that shit’s unnatural.” Jason slowly moved back into Tim’s space, fingers still securely wrapped around his wrist. Without thinking, Tim took a step back against the wall again, which only allowed Jason to pin Tim’s arm to the wall with one hand and cage him in with the other.
“I- I made it.” Tim said quickly as he firmly pressed his free hand to Jason’s chest in an attempt to keep some distance between them.
“You made it?” Jason echoed, unconvinced.
“Y- Yeah, it’s just lavender and amber, and - oh, shit.”
“What?” Jason leant in close to sniff him again. Tim shivered.
“It has… Lazarus water in it.”
“You made a cologne with lazarus water.”
“It was the best compound choice and got rid of the artificial smell!” Tim countered defensively. He was very proud of his concoction, he’d worked on it for months, trying to balance both the masculine and feminine scents together.
He froze when Jason suddenly started laughing. His grip on Tim’s hand loosened slightly but didn’t let go as he leant forward and rested his head on Tim’s shoulder, still chuckled.
“You’ve been driving me mad for weeks, Babybird.” He turned his head slightly to be closer to Tim’s neck. “Fuck, why does it smell so damn good?”
Tim swallowed thickly at the rumble of Jason’s voice.
They were still for a moment, just breathing between each other. This close, Tim could smell Jason’s natural musk, sweat from sparring mixed with the industrial soot of Gotham, and even deeper, the electric scent of Lazarus that had always clung to him since being brought back. It was subtle and Tim could only identify after experimenting with the liquid for so long.
It should bother him; he’d grown so used to the scent hanging thick in the air when he’d worked with Ra’s, like a mix of sterile chemicals and slow rot, but on Jason, it was different, like crisp winter air laced with adrenaline
“Wait a damn minute.” Tim tensed as Jason pulled back to look him in the eyes. “At the club…”
“Oh… Yeah. That was me,”
Jason tilted his head confused, waiting for more explanation.
“I went out with Steph… Sometimes, I like to be… Pretty.” He looked away as a deep blush spread across his cheeks and down his neck. He wasn’t ashamed of his fluidity, but suddenly confessing it to Jason felt like baring his soul for the older man to judge and draw a verdict.
He jumped slightly when Jason’s hand came up to gently cradle his jaw, and turned him back.
“You were gorgeous… Are gorgeous.”
Tim’s face burned under his intense stare. He had to be dreaming; he’d hit his head while sparring with Steph and now he was out cold on the mats, dreaming all this and blissfully unaware of his new concussion.
“You still with me, Babybird?” Jason asked, smiling teasingly.
“Y-Yeah.” He nodded shakily, watching Jason’s tongue poked out to slide across his lips as his eyes dragged down him.
“You always look so good in red.”
Tim’s breath hitched, he could feel the scorching heat along his skin, betraying him. Jason spread his finger along Tim’s jaw, half on his neck while he ran a thumb over Tim’s blush.
“Do you want me to stop?”
Even though Jason was so close, touching him at multiple points along his body, Tim hadn’t once told him to stop, and he knew if he had then Jason would have complied immediately. The chase would have ended - wouldn’t have even begun. If he said it right now, he knew Jason would pull back, and they could both pretend nothing had happened.
But he didn’t want that.
“No.” His voice was barely audible, said in a breath as he looked up at Jason through his lashes, the same way he had at the club. He was rewarded with Jason leaning in and catching his lips in a searing kiss.
Tim moaned into the kiss, pushing forward to wrap his arm around Jason’s shoulders and pull him impossibly closer. Jason growled approvingly as he released Tim’s other hand and reached for his hips instead. They both groaned as their hips met and Tim pressed up for more contact. They mapped out each other's mouths messily, both frantic to be closer, despite there being no space between them anymore.
When they separated for air, they panted, breaths mingling as they stayed clinging to each other.
“We… We should probably move.” Tim suggested, while Jason tucked his face back into Tim’s neck. This time he didn’t hesitate to attach his mouth to the skin there and taste what he now identified as distinctly Tim. He hummed, the low rumble vibrating against Tim’s chest.
“Do you know where my room is?” Jason asked. Tim nodded and felt Jason grin. “You wanna run?” His heart jumped at Jason’s understanding tone - he nodded again. Jason’s eyes had darkened again when he pulled away to look back at Tim. “When I catch you… You’re mine.” Tim swallowed thickly to hold in a moan. Jason gave him a knowing smirk and took a full step back, completely detaching from him “Run.”
Tim bolted.
Jason’s room was in a completely different part of the manor to his, but he knew how to get there perfectly, had mapped out the corridors when he was Robin. However, knowing what was waiting for him and the thrilling threat of Jason behind him, he couldn’t help but take a few wrong turns, stumbling when he heard Jason chuckle darkly.
His heart was hammering in his chest by the time he managed to make it to Jason’s room, fumbling the handle for a moment before he tumbled inside. He tried to slam the door shut but Jason’s hand appeared, lightning-fast, and stopped it an inch before it could close, before he muscled forward and stalked into the room. His skin burned under Jason’s hungry gaze. He backed deeper into the room while Jason took slow, deliberate steps towards him.
Tim shrieked when Jason suddenly jumped forward, catching him around the waist before lifting him off the ground and throwing him over his shoulder. He gasped as one of Jason’s hands slid to his ass and squeezed a cheek through his sweatpants. Jason moved them through the room until they reached the bed, then threw Tim down, watching him bounce with another gasp.
“Fuck, you look so good on my bed.”
Tim looked up at him through his thick lashes as his chest rose and fell quickly. “Are you going to come get what’s yours or not?”
Jason grinned before he crawled onto the large bed as Tim moved further up. He crawled until he was situated between Tim’s legs, an arm on either side of his chest as he hovered over the younger man, who watched him with his own burning desire. He leant down to kiss him again, opening up immediately and curling his tongue behind Tim’s teeth, earning a moan. Tim arched into the kiss, pulling Jason down so he was almost crushing him. Jason hummed and rolled his hips, sliding their clothed erections together and causing them both to moan at the friction.
“Fuck,” Tim cursed when they broke for air. “I need you to be wearing so much less.” He pawed at Jason’s shirt desperately, feeling it cling to his sweated skin.
“Ditto.” Jason pulled away to tug his shirt up and over his head, while Tim quickly shucked his off then wriggle out out his sweats so he was only in a pair of black briefs, his cock straining against the fabric. Jason took in the picture of Tim sprawled out on his bed, chest flushed and legs spread wide to accommodate Jason’s size.
He obviously took too long to admire because soon Tim was grabbing at his waistband with an impatient whine. He laughed and quickly rolled off the bed to shuck off his pants, underwear going with them into a pile on the floor. Tim stared unabated as Jason climbed back between his legs.
“Like what you see?”
“I’ll like it a lot better when it’s inside me.”
Jason couldn't help the laugh that came before he leaned over to reach into the bedside drawer. They both groaned when Jason’s cock slid against Tim's clothed one. He riffled through the drawer quickly until he pulled out a bottle of lube.
“You keep lube in this room?” Tim questioned, surprised. None of them still regularly used their rooms at the manor, which meant Jason had had a reason to need it recently.
“Yeah, Roy and I used to mess around when he was in town to hang out with Dick.” Jason said casually, but didn’t miss the way Tim suddenly hesitated, absently-minded closing his legs, only to bump them against Jason’s sides. “Relax, Babybird, we haven’t since he started going steady with Kori.”
“At the club…”
Jason leant forward to catch Tim in another kiss. The younger man immediately melted into it, reaching to hold Jason’s face as they pressed against each other.
“We were just hanging out,” Jason clarified once he pulled back, running his hands down Tim’s sides as he moved. “Nothing else.” Tim shivered when Jason’s fingers caught on the waistband of his boxers. “Is that okay?” Tim nodded, answering two questions at once. He lifted his hips while Jason pulled at the waistband until he could discard the boxers with the rest of their clothes.
Tim moaned when Jason’s hand immediately wrapped around his flushed cock and stroked him slowly.
“How do you want to do this?”
“Like this, wanna see you.” Tim panted as Jason continued to stroke him.
“God, you’re a dream, Babybird. You look so good like this, all blushing and breathless. Gonna look even better on my cock.” Tim moaned again, pressing his head into the pillows as he arched into Jason’s hand. Jason picked up speed eagerly.
“Fuck, Jay, I’m gonna cum if you don’t slow down.”
“Yeah, Babybird? Think you can go again if you cum now? Bet I can have you screaming my name before we’re close to done.” Jason curled forward to kiss along Tim’s chest as he twisted his wrist with practised ease, earning a stuttered whine from the smaller man. This close to him, Jason could smell his cologne clinging to his skin again, he breathed in the scent before his tongue poked out to lave over Tim’s nipple. He felt Tim's moan rumble through his chest and against his lips as he worked his hand faster. “I bet someone's gotten home by now - do you think they can hear you getting all hot and bothered, think they’ll hear you begging for it while I make you mine?” Jason bit into Tim’s pec to emphasise his point, making him arch again with a groan. “C’mon, Baby, let me hear how pretty you sound when you cum.” With another twist of Jason’s hand, Tim moaned high in the back of his throat as he came against Jason’s stomach. Jason stroked him through it until he whined from overstimulation, before he pulled back to look at Tim properly.
The younger man’s chest heaved as he looked at Jason with lustful eyes, his face flushed a deep red that reached all the way down to his chest, where Jason’s teeth had left a distinct mark around his nipple. Jason didn’t miss the way Tim’s eyes dragged down his body, taking in the mess he’d made. He grinned as he ran two fingers from his stomach to his chest, running them through Tim’s spend, before he pressed them between his lips and curled his tongue around them. Tim groaned and pulled his arm across his eyes as his cock started to twitch again valiantly.
“Fuck, Jay, please.”
“Please what, Baby? Tell me what you want.” He knew, but he wanted to hear Tim say it. He’d imagined it so many times, and now he would have it.
“Fuck me, Jason, please, god, I need you!” Satisfied, Jason quickly snatched up one of the spare pillows beside Tim’s head and slipped it under his hips in one fluid motion, then grabbed the bottle of lube before he poured a generous amount over his fingers. He used his clean hand to lift Tim’s thigh and place his leg over Jason’s shoulder, before he touched one slicked finger against Tim’s hole, rubbing teasingly before he pressed in slowly. Tim moaned against the sensation as he tried to breathe evenly. It was far from his first time but, like the rest of him, Jason’s fingers were thick and felt amazing as he pushed a second finger in and scissored them experimentally, causing Tim’s breath the hitch.
“You’re doing so good, Babybird, taking me so well.” Tim whined at the praise, focusing on Jason's voice as he added another finger and curled them until they rubbed along that spot that had Tim seeing stars. “There we go.” Jason bumped against Tim’s prostate over and over until he started to leak pre against his stomach and rambling in begging breaths.
“Jay, please, fuck, ngh!” Tim’s hand curled into the sheets while the other held onto the headboard as he tried to fuck himself on Jason’s fingers desperately. “Fuck me, Jason, come on, wanna cum on your cock.” Jason groaned this time, palming at his own cock.
“Okay, Baby, because you asked so nicely.”
Tim whined when the fingers inside him disappeared. Jason repositioned them slightly, pulling Tim halfway into his lap so both his legs were hooked over Jason’s shoulders, before he felt the head of Jason’s cock nudged against his hole. He held his breath with anticipation before Jason began pressing in slowly. They both moaned when Tim was finally fully seated against Jason’s hips.
Jason held still, allowing Tim to adjust to the intrusion before he gave Jason an urgent nod and a rushed ‘please’. Jason pulled back slowly, watching with ramped interest as Tim’s muscles fluttered around him, before he thrusted back in with a sharp snap of his hips. Tim cried out in pleasure as Jason quickly set a brutal pace, fucking into with barely held back force, pushing him up the bed with each thrust of his hips.
Tim held both his hands against the headboard, using it as leverage to meet Jason on every thrust, drawing out more moans between them. Jason drew closer, practically folding Tim in half as he latched onto his nipple again and worried it between his teeth. Tim let out a guttural whine as he ground against Jason’s hips desperately.
Jason moved further up, breathing in Tim’s scent and dragging his tongue along Tim’s chest into his nose bumped against the crook of Tim’s arm, where his scent was strongest, sweat mixing in with his cologne, and Jason could practically smell the lingering adrenaline from their earlier chase. Without thinking, he licked a line along the sensitive skin there as he pushed in with a rough thrust.
“Fuck!” Tim came with a shout, adding to his earlier mess. Desperately, Jason continued thrusting, rhythm becoming uneven, before he growled and bit at Tim’s skin again as he came with a final thrust, burying deeply into Tim’s heat.
For several beats, neither of them moved, only able to pant as they both came down from their highs. Jason rolled his hips slowly, earning a weak whine from Tim.
“Ja-ay, too sensitive."
Jason mumbled an apology and kissed along Tim’s flushed skin, before he gently pulled out. Tim whined again at the feeling as his fingers scratch lightly against Jason’s arm, trying to pull him closer. Jason did as silently told and flopped down next to Tim before wrapping his arms around the smaller man and pulling him close, they both cringed as their skin squelched together.
“We should shower.” Tim mumbled drowsily.
Jason liked the idea of a shower but considered that showering would mean Tim would smell more like soap than his cologne, or like Jason himself. He pulled Tim closer and pressed his nose into the other’s hair.
“In a minute.”
“Mmm, Jason, it’s the middle of the day, someone’s gonna come looking for us.”
“You really believe they’re gonna think either of us are in my room in the manor?”
Tim thought about it for a moment, then relaxed into Jason’s chest. “Good point.”
Later they showered, jerking each other off under the hot spray of water until they were both boneless again, then dried off between kisses, unable to be apart for more than a few minutes. Once dressed again they stripped Jason’s bed of the soiled sheets and dumped them in the same pile as their clothes. Tim dressed in Jason’s clothes, tying the drawstring of a pair of sweats tightly around his waist and rolling up the hems slightly, then threw on a hoodie that fell well past his hips. He barely finished dressing before Jason was trying to sneak his hands under the hoodie, something possessive forming in his mind at the sight of Tim in his clothes.
“Jay, I literally cannot go again.” Despite his words, he could feel his body trying to participate as Jason’s hand reached up far enough to tweak a nipple. He moaned but pushed Jason back gently. The older man pouted. “I can’t go toe-to-toe with lazarus stamina.”
“You could try.” Jason countered, no real conviction behind his words.
“I need a nap.”
“Your room?”
Tim nodded then grabbed Jason’s hand and led them from his room towards Tim’s. Once in there, they immediately crawled into his bed and pulled each other close.
“Should… Should we talk about this?” Jason asked hesitantly. Tim hummed, wiggling in slightly so he could kiss gently along Jason’s jawline.
“Tomorrow.”
“Okay… Sleep well, Babybird.” Jason kissed his forehead.