Chapter Text
It only takes the barest tug on the leash to work as a gently reminder for Jason to keep still. To stop the fidgeting, subtle as it might have been. Dick has to hide his smile at the frustration that mounts in the other mans shoulders, before it releases together with a soft breath and stillness returns. Only the fluffy orange-reddish tail with the adorable white tip jerks once, before wrapping loosely around his kneeling form.
Reaching out, he pets once through Jasons hair and scratches the base of one of his equally reddish ears in silent praise. The enticing black outlines at its sharpest point feel cool under the silky fur, just as it should be. Which is just one of the many hidden checks Dick performs regularly, to make sure everything is alright. That Jasons is healthy and well taken care of.
It’s engraved in his very being by now.
He pretends not to notice the fast glance the boy gives him, partially hidden under his long eyelashes, before looking down again. It shows how far they have come, so Dick sees no reason to punish that, since Jason isn’t supposed to look at him. But he is well behaved enough by now, completely different from the beginning. As they were all taken by surprise as Jason presented very late as something that is called hybrid. Animal hybrid to be more exact. Not that this is what it says.
The truth is, that no one really can say why some humans start to express animalistic traits at some point while growing up. Some call it evolution, some call it mutation, but no one could pinpoint so far where it comes from. And even at a time that has not only Superman, Aliens and other meta powered individuals around, governments rallied fast enough and took a lot of rights from these hybrids. Out of fear officially. To control them unofficially.
One of the most impactful being that they need to have a guardian. Which obviously got translated very fast into ownership by the rich. Hybrids were still a novelty and the prices a good looking or rare one, or even both at once, could call out in some markets were ridiculous. Still are.
Interestingly, these newly gained traits and limbs always translate into already existing animals. With wolves being the most common, including their subspecies, there are more exotic ones around. Including birds, which would have had some humor in Jasons case, Dick muses. Only, looking at him kneeling so well behaved on the pillow now, Dick is egoistically happy that the boy had once more gone for a different route. As if even his genes were stubborn about doing what everyone would expect.
No, Jason wasn’t a bird or a wolf. In the real world, his animal was far from being rare, but as a hybrid? Foxes weren’t seen often. And the few times they had been, they had gotten a reputation for being difficult to train and to contain. Something that had been double true for Jason and Dick can’t even fault him for it.
As he came back from his fated mission with the Titans, he had been instantly informed that Jason was badly hurt. Barely clinging to life and going through his hybrid changes. It had been a very painful wakeup call to see the boy like that. Comatose and connected to machines that kept him alive. That kept him breathing. With one surgery after another, to mend his broken bones. The dark bruises still a stark contrast against his deadly pale skin as Dick finally stepped into his room at the hospital. Not even allowed to lie fully on his back, for the tail that did grow.
Sometimes he still has nightmares about it, and he was only looking at it, not living through it. It had one of the biggest fallouts to date with Bruce as a result, as he demanded to know what happened.
The fucking Joker and Bruce inability to be human enough to keep Jason out of harms way. To this day, he doesn’t remember what left his mouth in their discussion, but their relationship had never been the same afterwards. Not that Dick had cared at that moment. He was sitting there with a more dead than alive boy, that showed every day more signs of his fox. The beautiful red that looked even more deep against the pale skin.
Dick and Bruce basically ignored each other, for as long as possible, as they more or less lived in that room. Unfortunately, Dick hadn’t been there as Jason finally woke up as he had been called in for an emergency. As Alfred tells it, it graduated from only opening his eyes before falling asleep again, to longer periods each time. And predictably freaked out the moment he felt the changes in his body. With Bruce, even more predictable, not being able to calm the boy down.
As Jason told him, months later, Bruce told him not to worry, that he already got the guardianship papers, since Jason didn’t legally count as his son anymore. It had been Alfred that diffused that situation and as Dick finally could visit Jason again the teen was just happy to see him.
Not that he could talk much. Or in a way that made sense to them. As the doctor explained, they had been worried about some brain damage and Jason would need to relearn talking. They should imagine that all the words are there in drawers, but the moment that Jason wanted to access them, he was led to another drawer with a different word. Also, that they all should be so happy, because they had feared for worse. A sentence neither of them repeated to Jason, who did grow increasingly frustrated with his inability to communicate. Or move.
The kid hated everything about it and it didn’t matter that his growls wouldn’t even have been intimidating if he had been healthy. Maybe if he had been a wolf. But a fox? It would have been adorable in every other situation.
It hadn’t been then. Not the highly mounting distress at being washed by medical personnel that were strangers to Jason, not the angry and frustrated tears or the painful wheezing sounds he made while stressed, due to the damage to his lungs. A lot of smoke inhalation was to thank for that.
Bruce had been unable to handle it, as all his explanations hit a wall with the distressed boy and he flinched back from the mans touches. It had been Dick that had been allowed to hold his hand and to mutter reassurances. It had been Dick that so very gentle and carefully started to clean the slowly growing ears and tail with warm and wet little towels until Jasons rigidly hold position gave in, showing that it felt good. And since Jason deserved to have at least something that felt that way in between all his pain and confusion, he did it as often as Jay let him. Until the kid actually nudged him to scratch and pet his ears. Dick thought it had to do with growing pains and since it felt good to touch Jason, to feel that he was still alive, he would never complain about it.
It had been a long road until Jason could come home to the manor and at first his every attention was on getting better. Slowly gaining his movement back and training with the speech specialist.
Since Dick had to go back to Blüdhaven and Jason made more leeway with writing, they often wrote to each other over the day, and it seemed as if everything was on the way to mend. Bruce and Jasons relationship got better, then worse as the kid didn’t take well that Joker was still out there, then better again.
On his visits to the manor Dick helped Jason with stretching and listening as the boy read children’s books to him. By then wearing baggy clothes that allowed him to hide his tail close to his body. With the cute ears being the only sign that he wasn’t legally human anymore.
A fact that Dick and his friends did a lot research into, as soon as it was clear that Jason wouldn’t die. Which meant, he wasn’t surprised in the slightest as Jason called him. Called him and demanded he come and save him.
From the new training regime Bruce just presented him with. And the collar. And the leash. Everything!
And Dick isn’t hyping his own abilities here, but he had seen that coming for weeks now and Jasons room had been ready in his apartment for almost as long. To which the angry teen took like a fish to water. Not asking any questions. Just nodding tiredly and stomping into it, only stopping the door from slamming shut at the last second. Leaving Dick with the task to call Bruce and make the situation clear.
In translation: They got into another row with each other, followed by a cold war and the man being petty and sending everything Jason owned over. Including the papers that transferred the kid’s guardianship to Dick. Who, in the eyes of the public, was now the proud owner of a fox hybrid.
And the thing was, that they couldn’t close their eyes to that. Neither Jason, nor Dick. With not only societies expectation but the government regulations piled on top of them. They couldn’t just ignore it and pretend that nothing changed. For both of them, seeing as a lot of the laws that regulated Jason now, seemed to be made for people (owners) that didn’t work.
Jason wasn’t allowed outside without Dick until he reached a certain age and even then, only with a collar, he wouldn’t be able to take off himself, that contained Dicks contact. Before that? If not at contained spots, leashes were expected. To keep the hybrids in line and others save. If someone decided to take their hybrid to a restaurant, it was seen as bad manners and as a sign of not enough training if they used chairs instead of kneeling. And everything really continued in that manner. If Dick wanted Jason to continue his education, he would have to look into home schooling or send him into one of three special hybrid schools in the country.
As Dick finally manned up and sat Jason down for that discussion it had been a disaster. Obviously, it had been. Usually, hybrids showed their first signs a lot earlier. A lot. That made them easier to train and, honestly, to brainwash. And while Dick wouldn’t mind to just let it go and live their life, it wasn’t possible. Since he was a first time owner and still young on top of it, there would be regular surprise visits from the department for hybrids safety (DPS) to make sure that everything was alright.
They had to make sure to go through them successfully if he wanted to keep Jason with him. The boys blue eyes had been blazing as he pointed out that he would behave in these circumstances and Dick had nodded, believing him. But he also wanted a test run just between them and Jason reluctantly agreed. Standing stiff as a board as Dick fastened the ugly collar around his neck that Bruce got sent as he registered Jason. Which he had to do, since the hospital had most likely already reported it.
To say that their test, running through the checklist the DPS provided them with, was a disaster would be an understatement. Jason reacted too slow, even with just both of them there and with obvious distaste for the orders. And Dick didn’t have enough experience to make it easier on him. To guide him along.
Both of them had been frustrated with the other and themselves and things were said – shouted really – that made the rest of the day uncomfortable in icy silence. That’s the longest Dick could go, still seeing Jason so very silent and broken whenever he closed his eyes. He apologized to the kid and somehow that had been the last pebble. The one that finally let the boy have his long overdue breakdown. Not that Dick enjoyed seeing his independent, stubborn and strong Jay like this, but he had been so relieved. That all that bottled up emotions finally had an outlet.
In ugly sobs and fat tears, in curses against the universe and some muttered self-pity. And since in happened in Dicks arms, that were securely snug around the trembling form, it also mounted up to some fist formed hits against him that he took silently. Just letting Jason express his frustration and pain. His fears. Every other person would have broken a lot earlier under all that pressure. Under not knowing what the future would hold and how it would look. If he would get all his mobility back. If he could and should go out again as Robin. It all needed out and while Dick hadn’t been able to guide the hybrid along, he was very able to catch Jason in his freefall. To swear that Dick would be with him for as long as needed. That he wouldn’t abandon him, like some unloved pet. They were in this together.
Not that it changed anything magically. They still needed to fear these visits and had no idea how to proceed. Dick reached out to his friends but the most he got back was that he usually was a natural leader and should just let it come to him. Jason didn’t want to see anyone, so there did go another chance at seeing if anyone could offer some insights after seeing him. But there was no budging on Jasons side, who still hid his ears with hoodies and his tail under his pants. Refusing to accept that new part of him. Being a mixture between mortified and angry beyond belief whenever he made some sound that he didn’t peg as human.
Dick did go as far as taking a course for hybrid guardians and was disgusted afterwards but even more committed to make this right. He wouldn’t treat Jason as the animal these people saw. Chaining him down! Punishing every toe out of line with corporal means! What was wrong with people? That was still Jason. A boy that got his world pulled out from under his feet. A human with feelings and hopes and aspirations with some unusual ears and a tail and some mannerisms.
They were miserable but at least they were together in it this time. No accusations on either side. But the defeat in Jasons eyes and shoulders as they tried the checklist again and he did everything down to a T and looked broken again for it, it shattered Dicks heart into a thousand pieces.
He joined an online community that exchanged experiences whose members had the same mindset as him. And they sent him on the last road that he would ever thought about. On a road that he didn’t set foot on for the longest time, because it didn’t seem right. But silently watching Jason grow thinner and more miserable by the day wasn’t an option either.
The appointment he made with a heavy heart brought not only a very long talk with it, but more follow up meetings. With explanations and even some practical applications together with the professional Dom and one of the Subs he had under contract. He learned that sex didn’t have to be on the table and how to lead without having someone on the other end that wanted him to lead and that wanted to follow orders. Like his Titans. He learned about boundaries and trust, safe words and punishments and designing an environment that would Jason make feel safe enough to relax and accept that Dick had some say over him. (A lot)
He only told Jason that he learned some stuff that he would like to try out and see if that would fit them better. The little fox wasn’t all excited but willing to try. It couldn’t get much worse after all.
At first Dick presented him with a new collar. (Still having ringing in his ears as the Sub had chewed him out for not thinking about it sooner.) It was in dark blue and while it had a nice weight it had nothing to do with that monstrously big thing they got from the DPS. It’s lock was a lot less notable and it had little silver bird as pendant. Which had been the first thing that brought out a hesitant smile from Jason. That Dick still thought as Robin about him. It made the whole thing a lot easier and after rolling his shoulders and head the kid nodded. Accepting.
Dick lowly praised him with a hug and a gentle rub over his head, that had Jason blushing but not backing out. Dick had been close to bursting out of his skin in happiness. From there, everything the Dom told him, not only worked but seemed to fall into place. In tiny baby steps but each one felt so huge to him. Jason reacted well to boundaries that Dick explained to him and that made sense. Or that he at some point only used a little sound to summon Jason to his side. Always waiting with praise and some approving touches.
It was a bit as if the boy only had needed some excuse to allow it.
If Jason allowed him to groom his tail and sit still while doing it, Dick rewarded that. Sometimes with a nice, sweet treat. Sometimes with a movie Jason wanted to watch. It didn’t matter. The Dom had said the only important thing was, that Jay would learn to recognize these things as something good. And that it never did bode something bad for him, if he followed Dicks wishes. That he only should introduce punishments when they established what ‘being good’ included for Jason. When he understood what was meant to happen. There was no room for doubt on the boys side and none for mistakes on Dicks.
And while he sometimes wondered if he didn’t do his own form of brainwashing, he shoved these thoughts aside as Jason started to truly relax around him again. Wearing the pants that had a hole for his tail and showing his ears freely. God, these cute ears and that fluffy tail. Dick praised them so often that Jay started to laugh at him. Not that he cared. Especially not when the kid came to cuddle against him when they watched something on the TV. Barely even noticing anymore that Dick petted him.
From there it was easier to get to the hard parts. Like the leash and the kneeling. While Jason had always trusted him on some level, it did go deeper now. There were no hidden feelings about waiting for Dick to humiliate him or whatever the kid thought before. Also, there seemed to be something in Jasons subconsciousness by then that wanted to be called a good boy. Something that craved Dicks approval that was usually not hard to get. So, the boy worked on holding still while kneeling. Keeping his supposed pose and not looking up but jumping happily yipping into his arms the second Dick declared the exercise as good and done. Wanting his praise.
And against all odds, the leash training was even more successful since he had explained to Jason that he would like to combine it with some Vigilante training. Leading Jason around the apartment with a blindfold. Having him learn to react to the barest tugs and sounds. A soft click that meant stop. A little thrill that meant forwards. At some point it even started being fun for Jason, to hone his instincts and abilities like that.
With his eyes open? After weeks of training the leash barely ever did anything but hang between them. And that meant that their first outing did go a lot better than expected. Granted, it was only to the nearest supermarket, but they were both thrilled beyond belief as they made it home again.
Although that evening, as Jay had time to process everything, there followed a down spiral. As it ultimately clicked that this really was his life now. Dick had been helpless in doing anything but providing comfort and a place to lean on, while knowing very well that he wasn’t without guilt. That he was a part in this new life that Jason didn’t want. Even while trying to make it the least painful and confusing.
The first to visit them was Donna. Prepared and coached she had nothing but nice and gentle words for Jason. And only about Jason and not his fox. That she was glad that he survived and how proud he could be for coming so far in this short of a time. That she barely even noticed him limping and what a handsome young man he was.
Dick couldn’t have said it better. Jason wasn’t just handsome, he was beautiful. When he laughed his whole face lit up, the humor dancing in his pretty blue eyes. Framed by the black hair and the cute pointy fox ears and the excited swinging of his fluffy tail.. There would be a lot people out there that would want to get their hands on him and Dick swore then and there that they never would. Not on his watch. He wasn’t like Bruce. He would protect Jason with his life.
That first visit did give Jason some drive back and they finally set up his home schooling. Something that finally gave Dick the opportunity to look for work again. Aside from going out as Nightwing on as short patrols as possible, he hadn’t wanted to leave Jason alone. And that change in pace gave them both more structure back. As did Alfreds visits that started up again, as soon as Jay gave the okay.
The cooking lessons helped further in their quest to give Jasons all of his movement range back and since the little fox loved Alfred, it was just another double win. As far as Dick was concerned for once everything looked up.
It stayed like this for months, until a news show from Gotham showed some pictures of Batman and Robin. Recent pictures. From the day before. And while Dick had a hard time processing that himself, it was Jason that had a fully blown tantrum. One Dick could understand, but he still had his teacher Dom voice in his mind, that he needs to enforce the rules. Always. Even while despairing and especially if he wants to laugh. They are there so the Sub Jason can fully relax while inside them.
It had been the first time he sharpened his voice with Jason, since their disastrous first attempt at the checklist and it was enough to startle him out of his triade. Dick had him standing in the corner, looking at the wall. Which doesn’t sound like much, but looking at the angrily shaking body, it might just be enough. No matter that it takes the better part of an hour until Jasons shoulders relax and his tightly balled fists finally let loose. Until he takes a deep breath and his tails stops jerking around in small angry movement.
Dick still waits for another twenty minutes before releasing Jay from the corner, picking him up and bringing him over to the couch. Hugging him close and murmuring soft praise into the silky black hair. Nuzzling against the fur of his ears and rubbing calmingly over his back.
It doesn’t take long until Jay relaxes against him, all fight and anger leaving for harder to handle feelings. About having been replaced without a single word and what now? Will he never go out again? Is it that easy to just forget him?
Dick doesn’t address the deja-vu he has at these words, instead reminding the teen that Robin was a first mantle and apparently not one to last. Just look at him. Did Jason think Nightwing was a downgrade to Robin? Which Jay obviously denied furiously. Dick had only hugged him closer and murmured that they will find a solution. Together.
And that had been Jasons first punishment and Dick was pleased how well it did go down. His teacher was too, after he mailed him.
Bruce on the other hand got nothing from him. No visit. No call and no mail. Because some dark part in his mind is insisting that this is the worst possible try to reach out to him – to them and Dick can’t give in. Not with how Bruce just handed over Jason as if he really were just a pet. Not on his watch.
It stings, because it is a new Robin on Batmans side and Robin will always, always, always have a deep meaning for him, but he did grow up. Or at least stronger. He can hold his feelings about Robin in without needing to do anything. And if he has to a rant about it to his Titans, not unlike the one he punished Jason for, then no one else needed to know.
Clark tells them about the boy, as he visits and makes sure that they are both alright. Jason is shy at first, but there isn’t anyone that can resist Clark for long and soon he is as relaxed and happy as he gets to be these days.
Tim Drake. Neighbor kid, who found out their identities somehow. Dick clenched his teeth at that, annoyed that Bruce didn’t even tell them that much, while Jason is basically frothing at the mouth that some rich douche is now Robin.
That had been the night Jason started talking about another masked name, while shooting random curses over to Gotham. Dick hadn’t been able to punish that. Jason should be allowed to express himself, right? Especially since he just sat there glowering. No screams or thrown arms and stomped feet. Also, he might have found himself nodding along. Not because he was ready to believe everything Jason spouted about Tim Drake, but because he was remembering what he himself felt as Bruce brought Jason home out of the blue.
And while that worked out for them, apparently better than planned if looking at their living situations, Dick doesn’t have any capacity left. Jason takes up everything that isn’t work and Nightwing (and friends, that he sort of shares gracefully with the younger now) and he wouldn’t want to have it any other way.