Chapter Text
The cave was dark, dank, and gloomy—so same old, same old.
While Jason hadn't wanted to go see Bruce, he did need to discuss what all this meant going forward. He didn't want any fucking pushback with Roy being welcome in their turf—he was a hero, an upstanding man, and more recently someone Jason sorta-kinda-really loved.
Oh, the shame of it all—feeling loved, and having his siblings see it. Roy was more affectionate than he'd thought. But the curious amused side-eyes of his brothers, sister, made him steam.
He told Roy to wait for him, and in the same breath told Tim, Dick, and Stephanie to bugger off while he talked to the old man.
Jason used the old grandfather clock entry in the Foyer, careful of the narrow steps as he walked down into the Batcave.
He could hear it, smell it, before he saw it. The electric tingling buzzed low in his skull, radiating off the cave walls in a pleased hum.
Bruce was at the Batcomputer, triangulating data for one of his own cases.
He stopped just short of the raised platform.
“B.”
“Hood.” Bruce hadn't turned yet, but he had switched to another tab with information of last night's sting. Of course he already knew. But he'd want to double-check with Jason's memory, just in case.
“Nope. Just Jason today.” He shrugged. “Am I speaking to B, or Dad?”
“That's for you to decide, Jason.” Cryptic shithead.
Jason rolled his eyes, and he stepped up to lean on the console. Bruce turned to him now, sitting back in his chair.
“Good to see you up, Jason.” There was a small smile somewhere in there.
He yearned for this peace, when they were just Bruce, B, Dad and Jason, Jaylad, Son again.
“Yeah.” He nodded. “Yeah—and I know you know what happened already. Right?” He clicked his tongue. “Dick told you too.”
“He did.” Bruce said, voice neutral, not judging for once.
“So, I dunno the point, but here's my side: I was dazed. I had a gun in my face, then there's a bear, and then the bad guys are KO’d. And then I just…” His voice softened. “I was so sleepy—er. Tired. Woke up in one of my safehouses.”
Jason shrugged. “…That's all I remember.”
“And Arsenal, in this Ursine form, saved you?” Bruce asked. “In the past, Green Arrow made us all aware of Arsenal's ‘condition’—I had never seen it for myself.” Ever the businessman.
While Bruce had probably never seen it in person, Jason was sure Bruce had watched the footage, the camera feeds from their masks, his helmet, from Babs. So it must have been quite a shock for Bruce as well.
However—Jason huffed, blowing hair from his face.
“Yeah, Roy saved me.” Jason crossed his arms. “And, fun fact, you can just ask him!—I was lightly concussed, B.”
Bruce's jaw tightened, just the slight twitch of his lips. Fighting his natural resting bitch face.
“You were, of course, checked out by a medical professional—”
“Yes—Roy has standard JLA medical training, I also have standard combat medical training…” Jason gave a toothy grin. Bruce sighed.
“Well, you've got all your faculties. Clearly.” Amused.
“Yeah, clearly.” Jason chuckled.
Bruce turned back to the Batcomputer, adding to the digital copy of Jason and Roy's operation last night. Now it included his own statement in this follow-up between them.
“You weren't… hurt?” Bruce asked without looking at him. Jason shrugged.
“Nah. Just had a bad headache afterwards—my eyeballs hurt too. But nothing a nap won't fix.”
“You're very tough—this type of head injury would have anyone laid out.”
“Oh? Including you?” Jason asked, genuinely curious. It'd been many many years between his Dad, and the Bruce here now. Dad used to take time to recover—but things had sped up too quick.
How many times did Bruce have to ignore his brains getting jumbled nightly?
Any of them really.
“Yes,” Bruce nodded, turning his head a fraction to look at him. “Even me.”
“Huh—well, obviously you'd go to a medical professional…” Teasing him.
Bruce grunted. “Yes, of course.” But his tone said he'd been caught—of course he would never see a professional.
“Uh-huh.” Jason nodded to himself. “Right, right.” Bruce was always the most delightful hypocrite.
They lapsed into silence; the two of them sharing the quiet, wanting to speak but unable to cross their own lines in the sand.
Bruce was looking anywhere but Jason himself.
“I'm glad you're okay.” Bruce spoke up after the pause.
“From the camera feed it looked very…” he continued.
“Bad?” Jason offered up.
“Less than ideal.” Because that was the truth for all of them.
“Just glad I can think straight.” Jason shrugged, pushing off from his leaning on the computer console.
“Also—this doesn't change anything with Roy being in Gotham. Hear me? He's welcome.” Even if somehow Bruce got to be the be-all end-all de facto decider for who dared step foot on Gotham soil. Somehow.
“So long as Arsenal continues to remain as a lack of threat, he will be." Bruce said. "If he does not, then he won't be welcome.”
“Sounds about right — “ a spike of rage coiled through him like a snake baring its fangs.
“Oh yeah — My hands are fine too B. Can fire a gun again — it's wild how long it takes to recover when your hands are busted to fuck. Can't even feed yourself.”
How dare Bruce. How arrogant!
And if Bruce was going to be outright hostile like that — well, two could play that game.
That got Bruce turning toward him again. “Jason–"
"I don't wanna hear it.” He shook his head. "But I'll tell you this: Roy is under Hood’s protection. I hear you Bats try anything? – I'm comin' for you." Jason frowned, chin tilted just so – just like Bruce – mouth drawn into a thin angry line.
“Understand?" He asked.
Bruce stared, and stared, before he gave the world’s most pitiful nod. Yes, I do.
"Good.” Jason began to walk away.
He got to the stairwell leading upstairs when he stopped feeling eyes on him. Jason sighed to himself.
It'd been a nice conversation too – right up until they both showed their asses.
But that's just… how it was now, between them. He guessed.
“See ya out there B." Dad.
“Hood." Bruce's voice could always cut through him so cleanly – professional dismissal when they both wanted to hug it out? Say goodbye like they'd be glad to see each other again? – but it wasn't. And they didn't.
And that's how it was.
He walked upstairs quietly, slowly swallowing and digesting that usual ball of hurt inside. He knew Bruce was doing the same – a dark part of him wanted Bruce to choke on it.
“So, I take it everything went… good?” Dick asked as soon as he stepped over the threshold from stone floor the cave stairs to the dark wood manor floor.
Jason groaned. “Yes. Everything went fine.”
“I was just asking, that's all. Little Wing.”
“Yeah I know whatever — where is Roy?” Jason asked as he walked past Dick, pulling his phone out of his pocket.
“He got some–wait up Jason–he got some food, and I think he said he'd go sit outside on the back deck.”
So why was Dick still following him?
Outside, Jason saw Roy sitting at the fine filigree wrought iron patio table.
He had his heels kicked up on a chair, letting his long legs breathe. A glass of water and bowl of discarded strawberry tops sat nearby.
The archer looked at peace, idly scrolling on his phone. He smiled and Jason’s breath caught, his heart skipping a beat.
Then Roy's eyes flicked up, face brightening in a smile seeing him and Dick walking toward him.
“Hey Jaybird, Dickie. Talk to the big bad Bat?" Roy laid his phone down on the table.
"Oh, you know it.” Jason shrugged. “Sunshine and rainbows — and I definitely didn't need to threaten him or anything.”
“Jason—” Dick frowned. "Damn it—”
"Jaybird, that's not necessary. Not on my account.” Roy sighed, brows knitting together now. Jason shook his head.
“Listen, I told him that you're under my protection." Jason glanced back at Dick, then looked back to Roy. "Might've reminded him about a few things he's done too, but—”
"Jason!” Dick groaned loudly.
"That's neither here nor there — ready to head out? Now.” Jason said, clapping his hands together. “I'm feelin' itchy."
He had to get away from here before these vultures splayed his guts on the ground — picked his bones clean, tried to force him "home," open and vulnerable again.
"Yeah, we can head out if you want Jaybird.”
Roy set his feet on the ground, standing with a grunt. He stretched out, Jason's eyes zeroing in on the sliver of tanned skin peeking out above his waistband.
“Jason, please don't… I'm not the enemy." Dick crossed his arms, glaring into his back. Jason rolled his eyes. “Believe it or not, Bruce isn't either." Even Dick could admit Bruce and Jason's relationship was...
Less than ideal.
"Yup.” Jason turned toward Dick, crossing his arms as well.
He could hear Roy's sigh, expecting a battle.
While normally Jason would gladly give Dick the business — he really wanted to get back home. And he considered that alone to be a sign of character growth that he didn't want Roy to see him and Dick fighting — because it always ended there somehow.
"So, we're gonna head out.” Jason shoved a thumb toward the long driveway where Roy's truck was parked.
It was… kinda nice being passenger princess for once — Roy had even put his big strong hand on his thigh as he drove!
Dick looked nervous — why wouldn't he be? Jason had made his opinion on Roy and his "condition” very clear: it changed nothing. He did not fear the Bear like Dick did.
Granted, he hadn't been on the receiving end of that unique terror — but even that didn't matter to Jason.
What's the worst that could happen? — he'd get killed?
Oh please. Been there done that.
The drive back into the city was nice.
Roy had, once again, put his hand on Jason's thigh, giving it a squeeze. He let his gaze linger on Jason's profile.
Jason felt his heart in his throat like it’d strangle him, tied up in the thick emotions that nearly overtook him. Good feelings, yes, but feelings that felt so strange but almost-familiar.
“Hey Jay – quick question: can we grab somethin'?" Roy asked at a stoplight.
"Sure – what did you need to get?” Jason asked, looking up from his phone.
“That." Roy pointed through the windshield, toward a restaurant—one of those build-your-own sub sandwich joints. “I’m really cravin’ something crunchy."
“But didn't you just have a snack?" Jason asked, curious. He could've sworn Roy had grabbed something while at the Manor.
Roy's cheeks turned red, embarrassed, and he darted his eyes away. "Yeah, I – I should wait.”
“Is he hungry?" Jason asked, referring to the Bear.
Roy snorted, rolling his eyes. "He's always hungry. But humans can't eat like bears.”
“What, like deer? Meat?” Jason asked. Roy shook his head.
“Oh, no, calorically. I mean.” Roy continued: "And yeah, Bears are Apex Predators, but not carnivorous. Lots of berries, vegetables — it's fine Jay, I'll wait.” Roy smiled at him, dismissive.
"Besides: if I ate like how he wants to eat? – I'd be fat as hell.” Roy chuckled—tinged with bitterness.
"Lil’ too early for that,” Roy muttered.
What did that mean? —Jason would file that away for later.
Jason set his hand on Roy's arm. “We can stop. They do have great cookies there."
“You want a cookie?" Roy asked softly, brows raised. “You don't have to…" His cheeks still red, flushed, ashamed.
“Yeah, I do.” Jason confirmed with a nod. “And might as well since we're here?"
And if Roy was hungry, then he was hungry. Simple.
Roy merely nodded and when the light turned green, turned to pull into the parking lot.
Inside, Roy took some time to consider his order, scenting for the fresher vegetables, meats—even the bread. He was visibly filled with joy when a rack of freshly baked loaves was rolled out.
“Run it through the garden my man! – By the way, is the salmon only for your bagels?" He asked, pointing to an ad for their "Mile High Salmon Lox”. The employee, confused, confirmed with their manager and Roy was allowed to have it.
The sandwich was a certifiable zweihander of vegetables, salmon, and sauce. “This is excellent! Thank you so-so much.” Roy grinned.
Jason had his extra-large chocolate chunk cookie waiting on the counter, Roy paying for their food.
“Thanks again guys – here Jaybird.” Roy held out the cookie, then took his own wrapped prize.
“Wanna stay here or head back?" The archer asked, smiling.
Jason shoved a thumb outside. "Let's sit outside. Need to get some sun.”
"No kiddin’—” Roy muttered as Jason turned away.
"What was that?” he asked, opening the front door, bell chiming.
"N-Nothin’, Birdy!” Roy followed him, nearly banging into the door swinging back on him. Jason smirked.
They sat on a low wall opposite the shop that framed the parking space, close to the walkway.
People passed them by. Jason picked off chunk after chunk of the chocolate chips and ate them individually. Roy was enjoying the sub sandwich, humming to himself.
"Oh, yeah,” Jason turned to him, sitting butterfly style on the top of the barrier. "What did you mean in the car?”
"Huh?” Roy blinked, brows raised. His nostrils flared, taking in the scent of his food.
“You said ‘too early for that’. What did you mean?” Jason tilted his head slightly, brow raised.
Roy finished the bite and sighed: "I was talking about, y'know,” he shrugged. "Hibernation."
“You hibernate? — how do you sleep all winter?” Jason asked, now picking pieces of his cookie off to eat.
“It's not sleeping. Not really. It's low power mode. Lights on but no one upstairs." He laughed.
"For me, I'm just chilling at home lazy as hell – you notice how I don't do winter ops?" Roy licked his fingers off, sauce dripping into the napkins in his lap.
Thinking on it, Roy was right. He was always suspiciously away from late Fall until after the spring thaw - even then it wasn't until late spring Roy was active again.
But wait –
“We've been in cold places, remember when we met? – Switzerland?” back when he was Robin, and Roy still Speedy. Their costumes certainly didn't help against the cold back then.
“Yeah, but that's just cold. Not Winter.” Roy wagged a finger at him, grinning.
Jason wanted to refute, call Roy out on some bullshit, but he found he couldn't.
"Fine, y'got me.” Jason laughed softly.
They finished eating in comfortable quiet, shoulders brushing on the low wall. Roy’s sandwich wrapper crinkled as he balled it up; Jason dusted cookie crumbs from his lap.
Neither spoke much—just the city hum, cars passing, Roy’s occasional contented hum.
Back at Jason's, they moved slow, tired in the best way.
And tonight Jason didn't want to go on patrol. The idea he might run into Bruce sooner than he wanted to, was shored against, made him feel defiant.
So tonight they would stay in. If duty called, it did, and they would respond - but they weren't actively preparing.
After a shower, and nightly routine finished, Jason crawled into bed, already half-gone. Roy slid in behind him, chest to back, arm slung heavy over Jason’s waist like it belonged there.
Jason felt Roy’s breath even out against his neck. For once the world stayed quiet.
Until it didn’t.
The phone buzzed on the nightstand—sharp, insistent. Roy stirred, reached over Jason, fumbled it to speaker before it could wake him fully.
Dinah’s voice came through, tight, no preamble.
“Roy. You need to come home. Now.”
Roy sat up fast, sheet pooling around his waist. Jason’s eyes snapped open, instantly alert.
“What’s wrong?” Roy’s voice was rough from sleep.
“Lian had a dream, Roy. A weird dream.” Dinah paused, like the words hurt to say. “She said she was in a—” Dinah sighed.
“Dinah?” Roy’s hand clenched the phone so hard the case creaked.
“She—damn it, she had a dream about a bear.”
Roy's eyes widened, biting his bottom lip hard.
“Roy—she said the bear looked just like her. That it was looking for her.”
Roy's mouth hung open, unable to speak, afraid his voice would betray him.
“Roy?" Dinah asked.
The archer blinked away a tear. He inhaled sharply, closing his eyes, face twisted in pain.
"Yeah — I–I know.“ Like his voice was punched out of his chest. Roy opened his eyes.
Roy’s voice shook, already heart-broken. Jason had never heard Roy so afraid.
“I know."