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Few things can give Jason a heart attack anymore, but walking into the Martha Wayne Branch on a Saturday morning before it's opened to find Rivkah at the top of a tall ladder so she can decorate the giant whale skeleton is one of them.
He wishes he hadn't made that discovery.
But here he is, staring at Rivkah as she braces one hand on the whale skeleton and uses the other to throw a garland of paper flowers to her coworker on the other side. This wouldn't be so heart-stopping if she at least had someone stablizing the ladder, but no. She's just white-knuckling the rung in front of her when the ladder wobbles as she shifts.
Even getting up there must have been a challenge between Rivkah's leg and her general fear of falling off a ladder because it wobbled too hard or collapsed under her. Jason would be impressed by her courage if he weren't so stressed by her recklessness.
Rivkah's coworker notices him first. He's just caught the garland and tied it around a rib when he sees Jason. He blinks, looks at Rivkah, and says, "I think you've got a visitor."
"What? We're closed," Rivkah says, looking down when her coworker gestures towards Jason. She blinks, a surprised smile tugging at her lips. Her grip on the ladder relaxes some, like she's suddenly a little less afraid of falling simply because Jason is there. It's not an incorrect response; Jason would catch her without a second thought. He just wishes that weren't a possibility in the first place. "Whatcha doing here?" she asks.
"Emergency Friends meeting," Jason says, raising his voice so she can hear him. "I tagged along. What are you doing on that ladder?"
"Decorating," she replies, holding up another garland like that should have been obvious. When Jason doesn't immediately respond, she finally seems to understand what he's getting at. "Oh! We're short-staffed today. And this needs to get done. So, you know, ladder time."
"Decorating a whale skeleton isn't something that needs to be done," Jason points out, walking over and steadying Rivkah's ladder for her.
On the other side of said whale skeleton, her coworker gasps and places a hand on his chest. "I'll have you know, this is of the utmost importance," he says, "We've got a reputation to uphold here. If Wally Whale isn't properly decorated for the season, we're done for."
"Wally Whale?"
"The kids voted on it," Rivkah explains, grinning as she points to a shark hanging a few feet away. "The teens got to name the shark, so he's Sheldon Shark. Univeristy students got to vote for the school of fish, so it's collectively named Finnegans. All the jellyfish are named some variation of Jude by the staff. Judy, Judith, Jude, Judette, Judella."
Okay, that is pretty amusing. Jason will be damned if he lets on just how amusing, though. He's still annoyed that Rivkah got up on the ladder in the first place, Wally Whale be damned. "Right," he says, returning his gaze to Rivkah, "I'm still not convinced this is something that required you on the ladder."
"Ronnie asked."
Jason looks at Rivkah's coworker—Ronnie, he guess—and raises an eyebrow. "You couldn't ask anyone else?"
"Honestly, I kinda wanted to see if she'd agree," Ronnie admits, shrugging once.
"And if she'd fallen?"
"I'm gonna be honest, I probably would've laughed after calling an ambulance."
"I expect nothing less," Rivkah says, nodding in agreement and unable to hold back an amused smile.
Jason huffs, trying and failing to hold back his own amusement despite his annoyance. He's not that surprised Rivkah would climb the ladder. She's exactly the kind of person who would agree without thinking, realize what she'd have to do, and then do it despite the potential danger. He wishes she wouldn't, but it's still something he loves about her.
"How about we trade places," he offers.
"Nope. Liability," Rivkah replies, tossing the next garland to Ronnie. He catches it easily and begins tying it to the next rib he can reach. "Besides, everything's fine now that you're here."
"I could walk away."
"You could, but you won't." Rivkah looks down at Jason and flashes a bright smile that makes his heart stutter and his stomach swoop. It's so filled with trust that he doesn't know what to do with it all. "You'll catch me if I fall."
Jason wants to say he won't. He wants to try to scare Rivkah down so she'll be safe. He wants to climb up and tug her down himself. He does none of that, though, because he can't bear to make Rivkah do something she doesn't want. So, instead, he finds himself saying, "Yeah. I'll always catch you, Riv."
On the other side of Wally Whale, Ronnie groans and rolls his eyes. "Ugh, I did not come to work to watch people flirt," he says. "Get a room, you two."
"That would be incredibly unprofessional," Rivkah replies easily, looping the next garland to prepare it for throwing.
"And flirting isn't?"
"It is, but we aren't open, yet."
"Can you just not flirt while we're doing this?"
Rivkah hums and looks down at Jason again. She studies him for a moment, winks, and then looks back at Ronnie. "Sorry, but I'm actually legally required to flirt whenever my boyfriend is around. It's a new law and everything. I could go to Arkham for breaking it," she says.
"Can confirm," Jason says, happily playing along. "There was a press conference and everything. Surprised you missed it."
Ronnie's face scrunches in disgust and he raises his hands in defeat. "Know what? I can finish this later, actually. I'm not subjecting myself to this," he says, resolutely descending his later. "In the meantime, I'll be complaining to HR."
"Really?"
"Yep. Dear HR, my co-worker Rivkah Folger is a little shit who subjected me, your favorite employee, to obnoxious flirting with her boyfriend. Please fire her."
Rivkah snorts and waits for Ronnie to reach the ground before starting her own descent. "You're definitely not their favorite employee," she tells him.
"I am, but you can keep lying to yourself."
Jason lets out a relieved breath when Rivkah reaches the floor. She gently bumps their arms together—the most she'll do in front of a coworker—and sticks her tongue out at Ronnie. He returns the gesture before folding up his ladder and carrying it off.
"Would you listen if I asked you to never climb this ladder again?" Jason asks, already knowing the answer.
"No, probably not."
"Yeah, I figured."
Rivkah glances at him, looks around to ensure they're alone, and quickly kisses the corner of his mouth. "I'm sorry for worrying you," she says, her voice soft. "It will happen again."
Jason laughs, unable to help himself. "Undoubtedly, yeah."
"So," Rivkah says, drawing the word out as she starts coiling the remaining garlands for later, "what really brings you here?"
Honestly? Jason had been thinking about the night he met her brother. It'd only been a month ago, but he couldn't forget what he'd been planning to tell Rivkah before Yaakov had interrupted by swinging a bat at him. If anything, that disruption has just made him nervous. He keeps getting in his head, the momentum lost and the words constantly getting stuck in his throat whenever he sees Rivkah.
Who knew it would be this hard to say he loves her?
He'd joined Bruce last-minute, thinking he could say it if he didn't let himself think about it.
Maybe he won't freeze this time. He just has to say it. And maybe this isn't the most romantic spot, but he can make that up to Rivkah later. He could treat her to a fancy rooftop dinner or rent out the planetarium so they can picnic under galaxies. And then he'll say it again, easier this time because he's already done it once.
Jason looks at Rivkah, taking in her soft, expectant smile. She's leaning slightly towards him, like he's got a gravitational pull that she's helpless to fight against. Despite the extended silence, she hasn't said anything, yet. She's just waiting, endlessly patient, and the words die on Jason's tongue before he can get them out.
She'd be happy to hear Jason say he loves her right now, but Jason won't. For something like this, a step that's particualrly significant to him, he wants the setting to match. Maybe it's just him chickening out again, but he's not going to admit that.
"Just, uh, wanted to see if you'd be interested in a pool party. At the manor. Everyone's in town and between missions, so Dick suggested it."
There is no pool party. This is a blatant lie that he's going to have to make truth. He can do it, though. Alfred will support him because he likes Rivkah, Bruce will support him because he likes when everyone spends time together, and everyone else can suck it up and swim in the pool if they know what's good for them.
Rivkah blinks and perks up, undeniably excited. "Really? I didn't know the manor had a pool," she says.
"Oh, yeah, a fancy one. Got a lazy river and everything."
"What day?"
He should give them a few days to throw this together. Jason should probably say it's going to be next week. But Dick is heading back to Bludhaven on Monday, Tim and Cass are going on a two-week mission starting Wednesday, and Duke has an overnight field trip with his class on Friday. For everyone to be there, it would have to be tomorrow.
He could come clean right now. He could just admit there's no pool party, just a desire to invite Rivkah over to go swimming. Jason knows she'd just laugh, reassure him that she'd have agreed anyway, and ask when he's picking her up.
Jason is not, however, thinking properly. He's already dug a hole, and instead of realizing he could easily step out of it, he buries the shovel in the dirt and keeps going. "Tomorrow afternoon," he says. "It's kinda last minute."
Rivkah hums softly, thinking for a moment. From the way her mouth is tilted and her eyebrows furrow, Jason knows she's mentally checking her calendar for the next day. "That's fine," she says after a moment, her expression relaxing into an eager smile. "I'm meeting Stel for breakfast, but we'll be done by the afternoon. Are you picking me up, or should I just come over?"
"Come over," Jason says. And then, because he can't stop himself, he adds, "Bring Stel, too. There'll be plenty of food, and maybe she'll stop bluescreening at Cass."
Rivkah laughs, covering her mouth to try stifling it. That doesn't work but Jason isn't ever going to complain about hearing her laugh. "Sure, I'll see if she's available," she says once her shoulders have stopped shaking so hard.
Jason can't help smiling, ignoring the upcoming challenge of organizing a pool party in less than 24 hours in favor of watching Rivkah push her hair out of her eyes and fail at controlling her smile.
For having less than one day to throw together, the pool party looks good. It's all thanks to Alfre playing unrelenting drill sargeant to get everything ready. Jason, Babs, and Duke helped in the kitchen, Dick and Cass cleaned the pool, Bruce and Damian inspected the pool equipment, and Tim and Steph gathered and washed all the beach towels.
It worked. A last-minute pool party that looks genuinely thought-out is taking place.
And Jason nearly called the whole thing off when Rivkah showed up—Estela in tow—in a swim skirt and bikini top that rendered him speechless. It's not like he hasn't seen more of Rivkah. Something, however, about the red top and black skirt combo just takes him out. He wants to grab her hand and drag her away and kiss until they're both stupid. He wants to feel her hand in his hair and her skin under his palms and—
"You're drooling."
It's a testamanet to how entranced he was that Jason actually checks to see if Dick is lying. He is. Jason's hand comes away dry. "Not funny, asshole," he mutters when Dick starts laughing.
"C'mon, it's a little funny," Dick says, throwing an arm around Jason's shoulders. "So, be honest, you never seen your girl in a bikini before?"
"I have," Jason says, still unable to tear his eyes away from Rivkah. She's definitely noticed his staring by now, but she's too busy greeting Alfred and introducing Estela to do anything about it. "Usually, it's pink."
"Oh, gotcha. Fair. I'm the same whenever Kori wears my colors. Just something about it."
It's the possessiveness, Jason thinks, but not the usual kind. This feels more like Rivkah is claiming him than the other way around. He didn't ask or tell her to wear red. She didn't ask if he wanted her to. Rivkah did it all on her own. She chose to wear his colors, just like she's chosen to love him despite every valid reason to turn away from his shit-show of a life up to that point.
The choice—the active, undeniable choice—is what makes Jason feel his rationality slip just a little. He'd return the favor if he could. If Rivkah had any signature colors or logos, Jason would wear them. Just to see how she reacts.
"Yeah," he finally says to Dick. "It's the colors."
"Always is. So," Dick says, drawing the word out like he's half-expecting Jason to punch him in a few seconds, "You gonna tell her already?"
There are only so many things that question could be referring to, especially since Rivkah knows about Red Hood and Robin. He's probably going to regret this, but he still asks, "Tell her what?"
"That you love her." Dick's tone implies that much should've been obvious.
Jason tenses, glaring at Dick and absolutely regretting asking. "Just fucking shout it, Dickhead," he hisses. "I don't think the whole city heard you."
"C'mon, man, it's not that hard to figure out. Especially with how you're staring."
"At least everyone else the good sense to mind their fucking business."
"They do not," Cass says, her voice coming from behind them and making both men jump. "There is a betting pool."
"Make some noise next time, Cass," Dick says, looking like he's coming down from a heart attack.
Jason recovers a little faster, focusing on Cass's words. "The fuck you mean a betting pool?"
"Tim started it, Duke spread the word, and everyone has joined, including Artemis and Bizarro."
Jason is going to murder his friends. And his family. It'll be just him and Rivkah left, and maybe then he'll get some damn peace for ten minutes straight.
"And when did Dick bet?" he asks, suddenly suspicious. Well, he was already suspicious, but Jason appreciates a valid reason for the feeling.
"We are past his bet," Cass says.
"I figured your anniversary, but we would've heard by now if you said it then."
Considering their anniversary was a few months ago, that's fair. He'd been building up to it since then. Hell, he'd been ready to say it a few weeks ago, but Yaakov's surprise visit stalled things. Ever since, he's felt nervous.
Jason doesn't think Rivkah will reject him. He knows she wouldn't; it's one of the few things he's sure of. He's nervous about himself. He can't explain it, but Jason knows this is big. It's a huge step in a direction that has previously only known baby steps. Telling Rivkah he loves her is inevitable but terrifying nonetheless. Everything and nothing will change, and Jason is as ready for it as he can be.
As though they could sense his thoughts, Dick pats his shoulder and Cass bumps their arms. "Take your time," Dick says, flashing a reassuring smile that does, miraculously, make Jason feel a little better.
"Even if you don't say it," Cass says, "she already knows."
"What, you can tell?" Jason asks.
She shrugs and watches Rivkah get distracted by Steph and Damian. Whatever they're talking about, she's immediately invested while Estela groans at the distraction. Based on Rivkah's expression—her raised eyebrows and interested smile and the way she waves off Estela's complaint—Jason would bet they've approached her with a riddle.
"In the way Riv stands," Cass finally says. "And how she looks at you. She already knows, so don't rush yourself."
Jason nods as Rivkah glances over and catches his eye. Her smile softens, and Jason suddenly can't stand the idea of waiting anymore.
The Wayne manor pool is impressive. It's Olympic-size with a quarter-mile lazy river that wraps around a pool house and mini island garden before spilling back into the main pool. Upon seeing it, Estela had whistled lowly and whispered to her, "Think I can convince Mamí to get a pool like this one?" Rivkah snorts at the question.
From what Rivkah can see, the deep end is nearly 14 feet, more than enough room for the trick diving contest Duke and Tim seem to be playing. She's sure Dick will join them any second now.
"Okay," Steph says with a slight frown, "How about this one? What has branches but no leaves, flowers or trunk?"
"I know the answer is a bank, but libraries could also fit," Rivkah replies.
"I got that one, and I'm not even good at riddles like Riv," Estela says, grinning when Rivkah huffs out a laugh and lightly elbows her in the ribs.
Steph nods in agreement that it was an easy one. Next to her, Damian looks particularly proud, like he's the one who's been answering every riddle. Steph looks ready to give another riddle when Jason inserts himself into the group, arm slipping around Rivkah's waist.
She leans into him without a second thought, very much appreciating the exposed muscle she gets to admire thanks to his swim trunks. Rivkah has seen it all before, but she never tires of the sight. Her eyes linger—for less than a second, but still—on the Y-shaped scar that climbs up his stomach and branches off at his chest to reach his collarbones. It's long-healed, but she still wants to place a soothing kiss at the crux of the Y.
"Welcome to the party," Estela says, nodding to him before gesturing at Steph. "We're apparently trying to stump Riv with riddles now."
"And you thought you could succeed?" Jason asks, raising an eyebrow at Steph.
"I mean, I thought I had a chance, at least," Steph replies.
"Well, your chance is over. I'm steling my girlfriend now."
Steph blinks, pouting at him. "But I had more riddles," she says, crossing her arms.
"I'll answer them later," Rivkah promises, "Have Estela help you think of harder ones or something."
"You are still disrupting our conversation," Damian says. His arms are crossed over his chest as he continues, "This is, unfortunately, not surprising for you, Todd."
"Yeah, yeah," Jason says before Rivkah can offer any reassurance or consolation. "I'll bring her back, ya gremlin."
"In one piece, I hope," Estela jokes, completely ignoring the way Jason makes an offended noise at the implication.
"Yes, Todd, in one piece," Damian agrees, not looking entirely satisfied but not arguing otherwise.
That seems to be Jason's cue to leave before they get roped into further conversation. He leads Rivkah towards the pool without another word to his siblings. "So, what are you stealing me for?" Rivkah asks, stepping into the water when they reach the steps. She shivers at the sudden chill but keeps going, figuring she'll acclimate soon enough.
"I wanna show you something," Jason says. It's a vague answer. Combined with the slight flush climbing up his neck and the way he's avoiding eye contact, Rivkah knows it's making him nervous. "Nothing bad, though, I promise."
Rivkah hums softly, letting Jason lead her into the lazy river. They pass the small pool house, and a few yards down, he pulls her into a branching stream. It ends in a small, circular pool that comes up to her hips and has a stone bench set into its walls. A garden is planted around the pool, colorful flowers hiding them from view and filling the space with a light floral scent.
A few fat bees lazily buzz over the flowers, and Rivkah has to ignore her instinct to jerk away from them. They aren't bothering her. She isn't planning to bother them. It's a mutual act of non-bothering.
"Did you want to show me the flowers?" she asks, turning to look at Jason. He's frowning at said flowers. With the way he's glaring, Rivkah almost wants to ask if they're in cahoots with the Joker. She thinks she knows what this is about, though, so she doesn't.
Instead, she moves to stand in front of Jason, smiling when he immediately looks at her. "You seem like you want to tell me something," she says, offering her hand. When Jason takes it, she rubs her thumb across his knuckles. "Whatever it is, take your time. I'm not going anywhere. I promise."
"I didn't think I'd be happy when I came back to Gotham," Jason says, the words spilling out before he has a chance to think about them. Even he seems surprised by their suddenness, but he pushes forward. "Satisfied, maybe. Avenged, of course. But not happy. I thought I'd lost too much I could never get back fro that.
"But it somehow worked out. There was a lot of fighting, granted, and even more therapy, but still. I was happy. Content, I guess. And, I mean, it's not like you're the only reason I'm happy—"
"Good," Rivkah says, nodding her approval, "I shouldn't be your only reason."
"Right, yeah, but…you compounded it. Like, I was having a brownie and discovered there was ice cream to put on top," Jason explains.
Rivkah blinks and laughs. She leans closer and drops her head onto Jason's chest, shoulder shaking. "You're doing great, babe," she says, "I mean that so genuinely."
"I know." Jason's smile is audible as he places a hand on her waist. "As I was saying, you just make everything better, Riv. You're my favorite person."
"Poor Roy."
"He'll get over it," Jason says easily. "Your laugh is my favorite sound. Your eyes have become my favorite color. Seeing you smile makes my day better. The way you look at me, like I'm something incredible instead of deeply flawed, leaves me breathless. I could listen to you complain about James Patterson for the rest of my life."
"Is that an offer? I can make that happen. You know I would," Rivkah says.
"Yeah, I know," Jason replies, his voice soft and smile a little dopey. "The point, Riv, is that I…I, well, I…"
Rivkah smiles softly when Jason trails off, looking like he's choking on the words. She reaches up and cups Jason's jaw, thumb brushing gently along his cheek. "Do you want me to say it first? Or we could wait," she offers, keeping her voice gentle.
Jason huffs and turns his head, kissing her palm. "No, I just…need to work up to it," he says, clearly determined. "I love the way you smile. I love your jokes and sass and sarcasm. I lvoe how understanding you are. I love how easily you get along with my family. I love that you make me feel cherished. I love that I feel like me when we're together. Not someone back from the dead. Not a former Robin. Not Red Hood. Just me, just Jason.
"I love talking about books with you and arguing syntax. I love when you make me stuff in your programs. I love how stubborn and reckless you can be, even if it does give me heart attacks. I love your confidence and how good you look right now. I love that you wear red for me. I love you, Rivkah. I just…I really love you."
By the time he's done, Rivkah is smiling like a fool. "How many times did you write out a whole confession just to abandon it in the moment?" she asks.
Jason grins, looking relaced despite how vulnerable he's been. "At least five."
Rivkah nods and leans closer, only stopping when their noses brush. All she can see if the blue of his eyes and the little flecks of green within them. "I love you, too, Jason," she whispers. The words are only for them, hidden by the lapping water of the pool.
She feels more than hears Jason's relieved exhale, like she's given him permission to continue breathing. And then he kisses her, leaving Rivkah breathless as she kisses him back.
Later, Jason learns Alfred won with terrifying accuracy. He'd entered the pool the previous day, right after Jason had announced the need for a pool party. Not only had Alfred predicted the day, but he also guessed the location and exactly how long it would take for them to rejoin the party—42 minutes.
When Dick asks how he knew, Alfred simply smiles and says, "A magician never reveals his secrets, Master Dick."
Jason might be more upset if he weren't so enamored by the way Rivkah is dissolving into laughter with Estela at Dick's flabberghasted expression. As it stands, he's more inclined to taste the laughter on her lips while ignoring Steph and Damian complaining about their disgusting PDA.