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No matter how many times he went on missions all around the globe and even off-world, there was always a certain thrill to running along the rooftops of Gotham. It had been the first place outside the circus Dick had earned his wings, the place where he had become Robin and then worked his way out from under Batman’s shadow. Some of his worst memories had been born in Gotham, and so had some of his best. And very few were better than running across roofs and leaping between them, closing the larger gaps with a grapple when his jumps and leaps were not quite enough.
It had been a delightful game when he was little, a roundabout way to train both his movement skills and knowledge of the city without making the exercise too tedious for an endlessly restless child. As he grew older there had been more competition, between him and Bruce, him and the new Robins each in turn, even him and the less homicidal villains on occasion. Each kind of chase had its own kind of thrill, its own way of getting his blood pumping.
There was a very particular edge to the current chase, an excitement beyond just the challenge of keeping up his pace and balance on the rain-slick rooftops and fire escapes, of staying just a bit ahead of his pursuer. His pulse was racing with anticipation as much as with the exercise and excitement of the moment, a grin on his face as he just barely managed to put a bit more distance between himself and his opponent.
He got cornered through a stupid mistake in the end, taking a daring leap to the next roof only to botch his rolling landing. It wasn’t enough to injure him, but the fractions of a second lost in getting back to his feet and regaining his momentum were just enough for his pursuer to close the distance between them. A hand closed around his wrist, the surface of the leather glove sliding along the sleeve of his costume for just a moment before the firm grip caught on his hand. Dick had to redirect his movement, spinning around the hold on his arm to crash against the person behind him. He was caught by another arm closing around his waist, firm and safe.
“Caught you,” Jason murmured, his lips nearly brushing against Dick’s. If he hadn’t been wearing his mask, Dick was sure he would have seen a hint of mischief in the teal eyes. As it was, he had to go by the tone in Jason’s voice, breathy and teasing in a way that made heat pool in the pit of Dick’s stomach.
“I guess you did.” Dick leaned back a little, smirking up at Jason. Even with years to get used to the change he still hadn’t quite gotten over the thrill of Jason being bigger than him, wasn’t sure if he ever would. Dick was not a weak man, had the benefit of a thoroughly honed physique and plenty of experience, and he was quite used to dealing with beings far beyond the limits of human potential. However, this adult Jason never failed to make him feel protected in a way that nothing else quite could.
These arms could probably break him like a twig despite all his own strength, or carry him away no matter how he tried to struggle. He had no desire to fight, though. He’d been caught fair and square, and it was only right for Jason to claim his reward.
The rain fell from Dick’s hair down to his face, rivulets running down from the edges of his mask. However, he couldn’t even feel the chill as Jason pulled him closer, the hand that wasn’t at his waist sinking in his hair as he was drawn into a burning kiss.
Jason kissed like a drowning man seeking air, all but devouring him, and Dick was all too happy to be consumed. Jason always ran a little hot, had done so ever since his return to life, and against the background of the cold rain of a Gotham fall he was downright burning. Which was just fine, because Dick was melting, pliant and soft in Jason’s arms. He was caught up in the sensations of the moment, in the chapped lips and warm hands and the cold rain all, the way Jason’s hand slid down the side of his neck. There was a teasing tug at the zipper on his costume, not enough to draw it open but just enough for Dick to groan into the kiss, a cold line of water snaking under the neckline, and Dick was —
The rain was battering him without mercy, warm hands ghosting over his body, a contrast with the cold concrete under his back. There was a voice in his ears, whispering sweet words that he could barely hear over the pounding rain. He could definitely feel the weight over him, though, pressing him down, and while he should have been able to shake it off with ease he found himself trapped instead. He couldn’t move himself, could not even lift his hands to protect himself, not even when someone tugged at the zipper of his costume.
He said no, he was sure he said no, but he couldn’t stop her, couldn’t do anything as she pulled the zipper down and touched him, hands hot and ceaseless and he kept saying no but all he got in response was more rain washing over his face and her touch, always her touch —
“-wing? Wing!” The voice broke through to him, frantic and almost desperate. Someone was shaking him, too, hands larger than hers, stronger. He couldn’t feel the concrete anymore, either, wasn’t lying down under the insurmountable weight of his own inadequacy, he was on his feet and the rain was running down his back now as he slumped towards the hands clutching onto him, all strength leaving him.
“…’ason?” He could barely even hear his own voice, wasn’t even sure if it left his lips at all. It must have, though, because he heard a muttered curse, and then he was pulled forward against a firm chest. He was pretty sure the hands now running down his arms were shaking, though he couldn’t quite figure out why. Maybe Dick was the one who was shaking, his entire body trembling so strongly it made Jason’s steady hands feel shaky in comparison.
“Fuck, Pretty Bird,” Jason murmured, breath warm to the point of scalding where he buried his face in Dick’s rain-slick hair. “Say something? You’re scaring me.”
“‘rry.” Dick let his head fall forward against Jason’s shoulder, inhaling the familiar scent of leather and kevlar and a hint of cigarette smoke. No gunpowder, not tonight, which was good. Dick wasn’t sure he could handle the smell of gunpowder right now. “Just…”
There was a moment of silence, perhaps Jason expecting him to continue, before the chest he was leaning against moved with a shuddering breath. “Right. We’re done for tonight.”
Dick wanted to disagree, wanted to say it wasn’t necessary, wasn’t wanted. However, he could barely even think the words, never mind speak them. All he could manage was a weak shake of his head, still resting against Jason’s shoulder.
“Sorry, no protests. I’m making the executive decision of calling things off for the night. You’re in no condition to be out.” There were hands on his arms, gentle but firm, and Dick let his arms get pulled up around Jason’s neck. Then there was an arm around his waist again, and Jason’s voice in his ear, telling him to hold on.
That was fine. Dick might not have had much strength left, but he had no intention of letting go.
***
“Right.” Jason checked the last of the traps at the safehouse perimeter, one hand to his communicator. “We’re signing off for the night. Cover our asses with the old man.”
“No worries.” Tim sounded like he had plenty of worries, but that wasn’t Jason’s problem. It wasn’t his fault if the kid couldn’t trust him to look after Dick. “If you need anything —”
“We won’t.” At least, it would have to be pretty dramatic for him to turn to anyone else. It was bad enough he had to notify Tim so nobody would worry about Dick not returning to the Cave, and that Oracle no doubt had an eye on the whole mess. He didn’t want to make things any more complicated.
Not when Dick was curled up on the safehouse couch, shaking like a leaf.
Jason headed back to him now, shedding most of his gear on the way. He wasn’t about to entirely disarm himself, not until he knew the situation, but with the place locked down he could at least get rid of most of his weapons and armor. Dick would probably want some cuddles once he was back to himself, and while the body armor was helpful when dealing with criminals it did not make for great hugs.
“Dick?” He stepped into the living room, eyes immediately flying to the curled up form on the couch. Dick was curled up into a seemingly impossibly small ball, hugging his knees to his chest. His ducked head was hidden under the drape of a towel, a fluffy blanket covering his shoulders. Jason would have preferred to get him out of the suit and into a warm shower, but even trying to reach for the zipper had made Dick freeze up again. Which did not exactly make Jason feel better about any of this, and in fact raised several more questions he wasn’t sure he wanted answered.
There was no response, so Jason sat on the couch next to Dick, reaching an arm around his shoulders. Dick all but fell against him, towel-clad head resting against his shoulder. “…Jason?”
“That’s me, Dickie.” Jason kept his voice low, not wanting to spook him again. “You’re safe. I’ve got the place locked up nice and tight. Nothing’s getting in here.”
A shudder ran through Dick’s entire body. “But… we’ve got patrol.”
“Like we were doing fuck all about that earlier.” Jason snorted. “Don’t panic, I called it in, Red’s covering for us. Didn’t want anyone accusing me of kidnapping you.”
“Right. I… guess that’s fine.” Dick sighed. Still, the curled up form loosened, if only a bit. “Sorry.”
“No apologies. Like I’m going to complain about an early night.” Which was entirely false in this particular case, but he figured at least one of them should try to keep his shit together.
“Still. I… ruined our evening.”
“I’ve got a feeling you didn’t have much of a choice in it.” Jason hesitated for a moment, then decided honesty was the best policy. He couldn’t exactly expect answers if he wasn’t willing to talk, himself. “…You did kind of scare me there.”
“Right.” Dick shuddered again. “It’s… not your fault.”
“Didn’t think so.” Though it was a relief to get the confirmation, considering the circumstances. “No matter how messed up my brain is, I’m pretty sure I’d remember if I’d kissed you into a panic attack before.”
Dick made a wounded sound. “No! I just…”
“Rain got anything to do with it, by any chance?”
Dick lifted his head, now, eyes peeking out from under the towel. “How did you…”
“Told you I called it in. Red wasn’t too surprised, said you have bad nights sometimes, and it always rains when you do.” Jason paused. “Makes me wonder how terrible a detective I am if there’s a clear pattern here and I never picked it up.”
“Tim and I have… a deal.” Dick sighed. “He’ll cover for me when I need to call off patrol, and in return I tell him when I need a break and don’t try to push myself. It’s usually not this bad.”
“Keeping secrets from dear old dad, huh?”
“If Bruce doesn’t know, he at least suspects.” Dick shifted, tucking his feet under Jason’s thigh. “And really, I can’t remember when I last had an episode this bad. Usually it’s just a matter of knowing it’s not a good day, so I don’t go out unless I absolutely have to.”
“So the reason I never noticed is because I don’t pay attention to your schedules unless we’re meeting up. Gotcha.” Jason nodded slowly. “And bad days happen to have something to do with rain, I’m guessing.”
“It’s one of my main triggers, yes.” Dick’s lips twitched a bit. “Not enough on its own, though. Couldn’t exactly be a vigilante in Gotham if I couldn’t handle a bit of rain now and then.”
“Makes sense.” Jason paused. “So. You wanna talk about it? Or just tell me it’s none of my fucking business, that’s fine too, though I’d at least like to know what to avoid in the future.”
“It’s…” Dick’s throat moved as he swallowed. “I think it was the zipper.”
Jason’s blood ran cold, but he fought to stay calm. “Makes sense. I tried to get you out of your costume when we got in, but you pretty much froze up.”
Dick winced. “Right. Sorry.”
“Told you, no apologies for shit you can’t help.” Jason pressed a soft kiss to Dick’s forehead. “So, feel like you could manage a shower and change of clothes now? I’ll make us something to eat, and then we can just watch something brainless on TV until you calm down enough to sleep.”
“Right. I think I can do that.” Dick drew a deep breath. “You’re staying, right?”
“Not going anywhere.” He stole another forehead kiss. “You’re stuck with me until you kick me out, Pretty Bird.”
“Good.” Dick’s hand clutched onto his arm, tight enough to bruise. “I — I don’t want to be alone right now.”
“You’re not. I’m not leaving you.” Jason hummed in thought. “Want me to keep talking while you shower? So you can be sure I’m still here?”
“Please.” Dick’s voice was little more than a whisper, entirely unlike his usual cheerful and confident self.
Once Jason found out who had done this to Dick, he was going to fucking destroy them.
***
Dick wasn’t sure he was ever going to stop shaking.
He was feeling much better now, at least, warm and dry and dressed in a too large set of Jason’s backup sweats, draped over Jason’s lap like an overly affectionate cat. Jason for his part didn’t push him to talk about it, about anything, just wrapped him up in a blanket again and handed him a bowl of some surprisingly good stir fry because of course Jason would keep his safehouse stocked with actual cooking things. The TV was tuned to some kind of a sitcom, providing just enough background noise that Dick didn’t have to focus on his own thoughts just yet.
Jason didn’t seem to want to let go of him, not that Dick wanted him to. He was quite content to stick as close as he could, resting his head against Jason’s arm. Nothing was going to get him as long as he was in Jason’s arms, not even his nightmares.
There was a hand combing through his hair, slow and patient. Dick let his eyes fall shut, enjoying the sensation. This was good. This was safe.
Jason shifted, jostling Dick, and he made a protesting sound in response. Jason chuckled at that, his chest moving with the sound. “Calm down, Dickiebird. I’m just setting the empty dishes aside.” Indeed, a moment later he was leaning back into the couch again, his hand returning to its obviously all-important task of combing through Dick’s hair. “Feeling any better?”
“Much.” Dick sighed, drawing up his knees so he could fit more of himself in Jason’s lap. “This isn’t what I was hoping for from tonight.”
“Me neither, but hey, I got my hands on you anyway. That’s the main part of my plan accomplished.” As Dick snorted, Jason pressed a kiss to his hair. “Next time I’ll just get you indoors before I start undressing you.”
Dick swallowed. “It wasn’t your fault.”
“Wasn’t yours either.” Jason held him just a bit tighter. “I’m just glad I could help, at least a little.” Even as he spoke, Dick could hear the frustration in his voice.
“You are helping, so much.” Dick worried his lip for a moment, weighing his options. If he avoided the topic, Jason would let it slide. They were both safe and sound, there was no pressing need for conversation. At the same time, well. Jason knew now that there was something wrong, even if he didn’t know the details. He would worry, whether he admitted it or not. “…What do you know about Blockbuster?”
“Just the basics. Tried to take down Blüdhaven to get at you, ended up with a bullet in his brain.” Jason’s voice was the kind of careful calm that meant he was cataloging every detail for further inspection as needed. “Guessing you weren’t the one who put an end to him.”
“No. But — I was there.” Dick swallowed, squeezing his eyes shut even tighter. “He was threatening me, said he would destroy my life. Tarantula was there, too, said she’d take care of him for me. All I needed to do was step out of the way.”
Jason tensed, murmuring a curse under his breath. However, he didn’t stop petting Dick’s hair. That was all he needed right now, that small reassurance that Jason didn’t hate him.
“I shut down. Couldn’t move, couldn’t think. Couldn’t resist when she dragged me to the roof.” Dick paused, drawing a deep breath. No doubt Jason could already tell the main point of the story, but he wanted to get to the end. Needed to say this, for his own sake as much as Jason’s. “She — she raped me. Up on that roof, in the rain. I blamed myself for so long, for not fighting, not stopping her.”
“It wasn’t your fault.” Jason’s voice was fierce, leaving no doubt that he meant every word. “It never could have been.”
“I told her no,” Dick murmured. “I know I did. She didn’t — didn’t care.”
“Wouldn’t matter even if you hadn’t. Clearly you weren’t into it, and she knew it damn well.” Jason’s hand stilled in Dick’s hair, but only just long enough for him to press another kiss there. “Wasn’t your fault, none of it. Not what she did to you, or what she did to Blockbuster.”
“It’s kind of hard to believe that, still.”
“I know. Which is why I’ll say it as many times as you need to hear it. A thousand times a day, every day for the rest of our lives, if that’s what it takes.”
“Don’t make promises you can’t keep.” Even if it did make him feel slightly better.
“I never do.” Jason nuzzled closer. “I told you, I’m not leaving you unless you kick me out. That also goes for this… whatever the fuck it is we’ve got going.”
Despite himself, Dick found his lips curving into a smirk. “Relationship isn’t a dirty word, Jason.”
“Duh. Like I’ve ever had a problem with dirty words.”
“You’re impossible.” Dick snorted. “…I don’t want you going after her.”
Jason was quiet for a while. A long while, in fact, enough so that Dick started to wonder if he should repeat his request. Finally, Jason sighed, the hand that wasn’t in Dick’s hair sliding down to grasp one of Dick’s hands. “I will not go hunt her down.”
“Jason.” That was a bit too specific for his comfort.
“I won’t hunt her down,” Jason repeated. “However, if she ever comes anywhere near you again, I will end her. I know you don’t want me to avenge you or what the fuck ever, but nothing’s going to stop me from protecting you.”
Dick felt a shudder running down his spine. Still, he couldn’t help but squeeze Jason’s hand. “…Deal.”
“Thank you. You know, for trusting me. You didn’t have to tell me, but I’m glad you did.”
“I’m just glad you don’t hate me.”
“Never. Especially not for something like this.” Jason ran a thumb over the back of Dick’s hand. “Think you could manage to sleep now?”
“As long as you’re there.” He’d barely finished his sentence when Jason shifted his hold, scooping Dick up in his arms. “Hey!”
“Was never going to let you go alone.” With that, Jason stood up, walking towards the bedroom as though Dick was a little child and not a grown man with a lifetime of vigilante muscles on his frame. “I’m gonna keep you safe, Dickiebird. From rain and nightmares and anything else.”
“Careful, you’ll lose your bad boy reputation at this rate.” Nevertheless, Dick found himself relaxing in Jason’s arms.
Right now, this was the safest place in the entire world.