Archive of Our Own

Two weeks. Not that Dick was savoring every single day since he and Jason had gotten together or anything. Not like he was in awe each day he woke up and still got to live in a world where Jason Todd was his boyfriend. Not that he was kicking himself wondering how many more weeks it might have been if…well, if they had been entirely different people without their emotional hang ups and the secretive nature of being heroes. 

No, it had taken as long as it had because they were Dick and Jason and while he was willing to blame himself for possibly keeping them apart when they could have been happy together, he couldn’t bring himself to want to change anything about Jason.

But when Jason had confessed his feelings (and honestly, Dick was still reeling from the shock and joy of that moment), he had insisted that they take it slow. Dick had readily agreed, because it was a completely reasonable request for what he had thought was one of his wildest dreams to become reality (and if he ever allowed himself to think about it too hard, he would have to admit that there were at least a few entirely unreasonable requests he still would have agreed to). 

The only problem was that Dick’s heart didn’t really understand “taking it slow.” He was a passionate person who loved with his whole self, who fell harder than was probably wise, and who never completely stopped loving those who had stolen his heart. Dick was well aware of this. His heart was sometimes his greatest asset, but right now, he was terrified of scaring Jason away.

Which of course meant that Dick was overthinking almost everything.

And Jason was very aware of it.

A casual observer might have thought they were fighting because Dick was less touchy with his boyfriend than he had been back when Jason was still pretending to merely tolerate it. And Jason truly appreciated that Dick was trying so hard. 

Except that Jason had made the request more as a warning than as something he needed Dick to change. He just didn’t want Dick to be disappointed when Jason wasn’t ready for the next step and then maybe the one after that and probably the one after that too. He wasn’t a virgin, but when he thought of his experience compared to Dick’s, he almost felt like one. 

Jason knew how Dick loved, had seen how Dick loved, and while his late night fantasies were full of excitement for being loved so completely, he just wasn’t sure he could keep up. He didn’t know if he could offer what Dick needed.

And so they were circling around each other with hesitant looks, awkward smiles, small, significant touches, and a heat that coiled tightly within each of them. And it was nice. It was good. It just wasn’t quite what either of them had been expecting.

And then it snowed.

Jason had spent more time in the manor lately than he strictly preferred to, but when Dick said things like, “It’s almost Christmas,” and “Alfred misses you,” and “We can leave the moment Bruce says anything out of line,” Jason had a hard time saying no. And it had been surprisingly pleasant so far. Bruce seemed to have accepted that the price for having the entire family together was to not pick at the lingering issues between them, and while it didn’t erase all traces of awkwardness between them, it also didn’t feel forced or fake. It just felt (and Jason would never admit this out loud) like family.

But it was strange when, early one morning, Jason couldn’t find Dick. They weren’t sharing a room, obviously. They hadn’t even told anyone that they were a couple yet. They were taking it slow. But Dick still usually managed to find Jason almost as soon as he ventured out of his room, certainly by the time he was done with breakfast.

So Jason was watching the door instead of watching the snow fall beyond the dining room’s enormous picture windows that led out into the garden. Alfred must have caught him because he leaned close as he refilled Jason’s mug from the teakettle. “If you are looking for Master Richard, you’ll find him on the roof.”

“The roof?”

“But of course.” Alfred gestured to the window with the kettle. “Today is Gotham’s first snowfall of the year.” 

Jason nodded, as though that meant anything at all to him. He grabbed the mug from Dick’s untouched place at the table, and, while Alfred filled it for him, Jason hastily stuck a few bagels into the pocket of his robe. Alfred raised a brow.

“What? They’re for Dick! He shouldn’t be freezing AND hungry, should he?”

Alfred sighed, but pushed the plate of bacon in Jason’s direction. Jason grinned as he wrapped a few of the best looking pieces in a cloth napkin and added it to his stash. 

“You’re the best, Al.”

“So they tell me.” Alfred may have outwardly been all formal British stiff-upper-lip, but Jason could see the amusement in his eyes. “Do take Master Richard his coat, as I am certain he is still in his pajamas.”

Alfred said the word “pajamas” with hesitancy and scorn, as though that was not what he would call them, but he was too polite to say otherwise.

Jason wasn’t entirely sure how he was going to carry a coat along with two full mugs of tea, but he nodded anyway.

“And your own coat, Master Jason.” Alfred’s tone left no room for argument.

Jason began to walk backward out of the room. “Are you getting a raise this Christmas? You should ask Bruce for a raise. Or, better yet, a vacation!”

“Perish at the thought,” Alfred said in a classic deadpan. 

“Aw, come on, Al! You deserve it.”

“Indeed.” Alfred had retreated to the sideboard where, since he would soon be alone in the dining room, he was pouring his own cup of tea. “I fear it would be the lot of you who would be perishing without me.” 

Jason laughed as he headed for the coat closet. He was going to guilt Bruce into giving Alfred a vacation later. Dick would help. Between Jason’s accusations of being an out of touch elitist and Dick’s disturbingly effective guilt tripping disguised as innocent requests, there was no way he could refuse.

It was largely due to his Bat training that Jason was able to make it all the way to the roof, with Dick’s puffy coat stuffed under his arm, while the tea was still warm, and without spilling more than a few small drops (why, oh why, did the manor have so many stairs?).

Jason resisted the urge to kick the roof access door open (because he would not be making more work for Alfred). Which meant that he was left with the challenge of turning the knob using only his elbow (and the power of cursing). When he finally succeeded and opened the door, he was greeted by a rush or cold air along with a rush of internal warmth at the somehow always stunning sight of Dick Grayson.

Dick was casually looking out over the estate and beyond. His posture suggested he was somehow unaware of the freezing temperature he was enduring in nothing but boxers and a T-shirt. The idiot hadn’t even put his robe on!

There was a hint of concern or confusion as Dick turned to see who was joining him, but when he saw it was Jason, his smile glowed like the sun itself and Jason hoped to all the gods he knew that he wasn’t blushing. 

Dick hurried over to try to take one of the mugs, and it took a bit of struggle and “Stop,” “No,” “The jacket, take the jacket!” before they returned to the waist high ledge along the edge of the roof to enjoy their tea, with Dick now slightly more appropriately dressed.

When Jason pulled the food out and set it on the ledge between them, Dick looked shocked.

“Alfred never lets me take food from the table!”

Jason rolled his eyes. “Oh hush, he gave me extra when I said it was for you.”

Dick held his mug close to his face, enjoying the warmth. “Don’t act like you’re not the favorite.”

“I’m nobody’s favorite.” Jason could feel his boyfriend giving him a look at that comment, but he knew if he turned to acknowledge it, there would be no stopping his blushing, so he just smiled and quietly said, “Shut up.”

They ate in a comfortable silence for a while, enjoying the company and the view.

“You know,” Dick said, his mouth not entirely free from the bacon he was munching on, “I’d never seen snow before my first Christmas with Bruce.”

Jason had not known that. For him, it was impossible to think about Gotham winter without snow, and almost as impossible to think about Gotham without Dick. Dick was such a huge part of the city that it was still somehow shocking to be reminded that he wasn’t originally from here.

Jason sipped his tea as Dick continued. “The circus liked to head south for the winter, less travel delays and risks of being snowed in and having to cancel shows. There was the occasional flurry that was gone with the sun, so I knew what snow was. I’d just never really seen snow like this .” He motioned out toward the grounds and the soft white blanket that covered everything.

He chuckled. “I remember that first snow, my first snow in Gotham, I woke up and just sat at my window and stared. It was just so mesmerizing and beautiful. When Alfred came to check on me, because I didn’t come down for breakfast, and told me I was going to be late for school, I just stared at him because I didn’t understand how people could go out and do normal things when there was all this snow .”

Dick looked almost shy, like he was afraid Jason would judge him for his naïveté. “I know it's silly, and I’ve been here long enough that I know snow and cold are a terrible nuisance, especially since no one is out salting the rooftops or plowing the back alleys where we do most of our night work. And I hate the mounds of frozen gross from the plows that just sit and refuse to melt, even after all the nice snow is gone. But,” he sighed, “there’s still just something special about the first snow of the year.”

“Storybook snow.” Jason said softly.

Dick turned toward him. “Hmmm?”

“Storybook snow,” he repeated, louder this time. “It’s what my mom called it. In picture books, snow is always fluffy and untouched and beautiful. But real snow doesn’t look like that, at least not for long. So, I get it. You have to enjoy it while it's still storybook snow.”

Dick absolutely beamed and looked at Jason in a way that made him feel entirely too seen. “Yeah, that’s exactly it!” He looked back out at the winter wonderland before them. “Storybook snow.”

Jason sipped his tea and followed Dick’s gaze. Gotham looked softer under a blanket of freshly fallen snow. Gentler. The illusion would be shattered soon enough, but for now, it was a pleasant fiction, a dream of what perhaps could one day be. After all, if he could summon the courage to admit his feelings to Dick, and Dick could actually reciprocate, well, it certainly seemed that anything was possible.

“So,” Dick’s smile had turned mischievous, “you wanna go somewhere later? Get out of the manor for a bit?”

“God, yes!” Jason’s response was so enthusiastic that he almost dropped his mug. He cursed quietly as some tea sloshed out onto his hand.

Dick took Jason’s mug and set both mugs down on the ledge, then wiped at the remnants of liquid with his coat sleeve and took Jason’s hand in both his own. Then he, very slowly, raised Jason’s hand and gently pressed his lips to Jason’s knuckles. 

Jason didn’t pull away (although he was very aware that Dick was giving him the opportunity to), but he did draw in a sharp breath when Dick’s lips touched his hand. The warmth from Dick’s lips was a completely different heat from the tea, but against Jason’s cold hands, it seemed to burn in its own unique way. But this burn was a fire deep inside of him, nowhere near the source of contact, and it threatened to make him lightheaded.

Jason realized suddenly that he was staring at his hand, still held in Dick’s, and that Dick was staring at him shyly, snowflakes caught in his eyelashes, seemingly looking for reassurance. Jason swallowed and smiled, squeezing Dick’s hands. He was fine. More than fine. He wasn’t sure he would ever get used to this kind of attention from Dick. But he certainly didn’t want it to stop.

Dick let their hands drop, but didn’t let go and continued to run his thumb along Jason’s knuckles. There was no visible burn to soothe, and the movement wasn’t vigorous enough to be for warmth. It was just contact, a shared moment of touch that Dick seemed to crave so much. And Jason welcomed it.

“I knew I’d kept you cooped up here too long,” Dick said, and it took Jason a moment to even remember what they had been talking about.

“It’s fine.” And it was. “I’ve missed Alfred’s cooking. It’s been…nice. But I could use a change of scenery.”

That mischievous look was back in Dick’s eye. “It’s a date then. Should we go get ready?”

Jason laughed to hide his nervousness. There was absolutely nothing to be nervous about. He’d gone out with Dick plenty of times before. It was just that none of those times had been a date with his boyfriend. “Are you done staring at snow already?”

“No.” Dick looked longingly back out at the view. “But I may be somewhat regretting my haste to get up here this morning.”

They both looked down, and Jason realized for the first time that on top of not actually wearing pants, Dick was also not wearing anything on his feet.

“Yeah, I’d prefer our date not be to the hospital because you got yourself frostbite. Let’s get you inside and warmed up, pretty boy.” He shooed Dick ahead of him back toward the manor as he gathered the remnants of their breakfast and took one last look at the soft scenery of snow covered Gotham.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“So where are we going, exactly?” Jason was feeling increasingly suspicious about this date.

It was after lunch by now (someone had to make sure Dick didn’t race back out into the cold without ensuring he hadn’t already hurt himself) and they were gearing up in the front hall. 

“You’ll like it. Trust me.” Dick was laying on the charm, and while Jason wasn’t entirely immune to it, he was also inherently suspicious of secrets.

Dick handed Jason a hat and gloves that probably belonged to Bruce, although judging from their pristine appearance, they had probably never been worn. He resolved to take them home with him if they fit worth a damn.

When he looked back up at Dick, his breath caught in his throat for a moment. Dick was wearing a scarf Jason had given him a few Christmases ago. Most people gave Dick things in black or blue, sticking to the brand, secret identity be damned. Jason knew Dick would wear the scarf no matter what color it was, even if it was baby puke green, because Dick had an appreciative heart. So he had bought Dick a red scarf, to be funny. 

What Jason had not anticipated was what the sight of Dick draped in Jason’s colors would do to him. And now, with Dick smiling at him and the knowledge that there was at least some tiny part of Dick that Jason could claim as his; well, it had literally taken his breath away.

He was buying Dick a matching hat for Christmas.

Dick must have caught him staring. “What? Are you okay?”

Jason tried to clear his throat but just managed an awkward cough. “I’m fine. I’m– Yeah, I’m fine.”

“Okay…” Dick didn’t sound entirely convinced but didn’t push. “You ready to go?”

Jason motioned toward the door. “Lead on, O man of mystery.” 

When Dick unlocked his own car in the garage Jason couldn’t help but comment. “Seriously? We have our pick of Bruce’s overpriced fleet and we’re taking your beat up rig?”

Dick cringed. “Yeah, I really don’t want to walk home, so we’re better off not taking a fancy car.”

Jason slid into the passenger seat. “So we’re going somewhere we are likely to get carjacked. You truly take me to the nicest places.”

“I mean, fancy cars are an easy target in like 87% of Gotham.” Dick frowned. “But we can just stay here, if you want.”

Jason backpedaled immediately. “No no no no no. Uh-uh. You promised to get me out of the manor and there are only like three places in this whole city I wouldn’t prefer to being here right now.” He sighed and looked seriously at Dick. “I do trust you. Just drive, Dick.”

Dick nodded, but still seemed to be doubting himself. Nevertheless, he put the car in gear and headed down the freshly plowed driveway and toward the city.

For most of the drive they talked about nothing important. They argued over the radio station, sang along to songs they both knew, and chatted about their family and their friends and their rogues and the traffic and the perpetual construction and the city. 

But Jason felt his trust waver for a moment when he realized that they were headed for Park Row. His heart rate picked up and he was feeling a bit breathless and uncomfortable. Shit.

It wasn’t that Jason was a stranger to the area. He’d grown up there. It was where he’d met Batman. He patrolled there more than anyone. He’d done plenty of business there, both of the legal and not so legal variety. He had a safehouse there (one of many he bounced between, because he just couldn’t seem to stay anywhere for long).

But it was also an area that had caused him a lot of pain. He hadn’t actually had specific locations in mind when he joked to Dick that there were places less desirable to be than Wayne Manor, but he could think of at least two places in his old neighborhood he really didn’t want to revisit right now. 

It wasn’t just Park Row. It was a combination of things. Jason’s brain had identified a threat. He didn’t know where they were going. He was not in control of where they were going. And now it seemed possible he was headed somewhere he did not want to go. Any former kid superhero had been kidnapped enough times for their brain to recognize those signs as screaming “DANGER”. But he wasn’t Robin, or even Red Hood, right now. He was just Jason. There was no danger, but his brain was sending his anxiety into overdrive.

God, he really didn’t want to have an anxiety attack on their very first date.

Logically, he knew that Dick wouldn’t take him anywhere that would cause him distress. And that helped, a little. He tried to force his body to relax. He fought to keep his breathing under control. He’d caught it early, now he just needed to–

“You okay?” Dick had noticed, of course he had.

Jason swallowed but couldn’t keep the creeping panic out of his voice. “Where are we going, Dick?”

Dick seemed to realize his mistake and responded immediately. “The library. Sorry, I didn’t–”

Jason felt his anxiety start to uncoil, but it was quickly replaced by very loud confusion. “Why the hell are we going to the library in Park Row?”

Dick pulled the car over. He looked gutted. His hands fidgeted on the steering wheel. It was far from the easy confidence he usually carried. “You told me once that you hated winter, hated snow.”

Jason nodded slowly, letting his breathing even out and grounding himself with the sound of Dick’s voice. 

“You told me about how you never knew if you’d have heat at home and how you never knew what state your dad would be in because jobs are rarer in winter, even for criminals, but the booze never seemed to run dry.” Dick sighed. “And you told me that the one place you could always go, the one place where you knew you would be safe and warm, was the public library.”

The pieces were clicking together. Everything Dick had said had been true, even though Jason didn’t actually remember telling Dick about any of it. It wasn’t some big secret. Everyone knew he was a poor kid from the bad side of town with an abusive father. He wasn’t exactly surprised he’d told Dick about it, probably on patrol one night when he was doing his best to counter Dick’s persistent positivity. Dick had probably said something about how nice snow was and Jason had shot that sentiment down with the cold hard reality of his life.

Thinking back to this morning, it was no wonder Dick had never shared his love of the first snowfall with Jason before. Jason had made his opinions on the weather perfectly clear, and Dick hadn’t wanted to dredge all of that up again.

“So,” Dick’s voice wavered, “I thought we’d go to the library and pick out books for each other and curl up by a fireplace and drink Alfred’s cocoa and read.” Dick squeezed the steering wheel hard for a moment till his knuckles went white. He sounded so broken. “I’m so sorry, Jason. I wasn’t–”

Jason closed his eyes. “Shut up.”

“Jason, I’m trying to apolo–”

“No. Stop.” Jason turned back toward Dick, because he wanted to be sure Dick wasn’t going to doubt the truth behind what he said next. “Stop apologizing. That’s seriously one of the sweetest fucking things anyone’s ever tried to do for me. We are doing that. I want to do that. With you.”

Dick gave him a small smile but didn’t seem entirely convinced.

“The surprise part was maybe a misstep,” Jason conceded. “I’ve got a lot of bad memories here. But that’s one of the good ones and I want to share it with you.” He looked back down at his lap. “I don’t even remember telling you about any of that.”

Dick chuckled. “Does it surprise you that much that I listen when you tell me things?”

“Yes.” Jason could feel an embarrassed blush creeping up his neck. “Not you, specifically, but yes, it does tend to surprise me when people listen to and remember things I say.” He looked back up to Dick. “Except Alfred. I’m pretty sure that man somehow remembers everything anyone in this family has ever told him and also several things he wasn’t even in the room for.”

They shared a laugh at that, and the mood in the car eased. 

Jason ran a hand through his hair. “I mean, I told you that before we were even…before we started…” Jason didn’t know why it was still so hard to say that part out loud, even when they were alone, but it was.

Dick reached over and took his hand. “Would you believe that I cared about you long before you told me how you felt?”

Jason smiled and squeezed Dick’s hand. “I’m trying to.”

They stayed like that for a moment, open and vulnerable, but still somehow okay.

Then Jason took a deep breath and said, “Okay. Take me to the library, nerd.”

Dick grinned and put the car back in gear, his smile easier, even if his confidence still hadn’t fully recovered.

Dick did most of the talking for the rest of the drive, which Jason appreciated. Focusing on Dick made it easier to keep the bad memories at bay. Helped distract his brain from dark places.

They parked near the entrance and headed toward the building.

“I guess we’ll have to get library cards,” Dick said suddenly. “Paperwork is romantic, right?”

Jason rolled his eyes and pulled out his wallet. “Amateur.”

Realization dawned and Dick’s eyes widened. “No way.”

“Always be prepared, right?” Jason proudly produced his up-to-date library card.

Dick shook his head. “Jay, you didn’t even bring your own gloves with you in December.”

Jason shrugged. “I’m prepared for the important things.”

Dick took the card and realized it wasn’t under an alias. “How do you even have this?”

“Seriously?” Jason looked sideways at him. “Do you think the Park Row Library cancels your card because of a little thing like technically being legally dead?” He shrugged. “Besides, they know me here. To them I’m just a local kid all grown up, not Bruce Wayne’s long lost delinquent son.” He plucked his card out of Dick’s hand and led the way inside.

It was sometimes amazing how things in Park Row never seemed to change. In many cases, that was a negative thing, but the familiar warmth that Jason felt upon entering the library was only partially due to the central heating. 

He was far from the only person who found sanctuary in the library. A number of people, in various states of not being dressed warmly enough for the weather outside, were milling about, and Jason noticed that many of them had paper cups of coffee from the pot that normally lived in the staff room. A librarian was helping a mother of three with something on the computer, probably trying to find her a place to stay for the night. Lots of people were loitering, but some were reading books or magazines. It wasn’t a silent place, but there was a gentle hush to the conversations, which let him know that Edith was working today.

As if summoned by the thought, a small gray haired woman stood up from the front desk. “ Jason Todd .” She said his name like an accusation, and she slowly but deliberately made her way over to him. When she got closer she put her hands on her hips and peered over her spectacles, looking him up and down. “You’ve gotten fat.”

Jason laughed. “Nice to see you too, Edith.”

“It’s been a while since you’ve graced us with your presence.” The hardness in her expression broke as she smiled. “It’s good to see you, Jason. And I see you’ve brought a friend?”

“Yeah. This is Dick. Dick, Edith.”

Dick offered a friendly wave, but Edith came over to shake his hand. “Dick was my second husband’s name, although he wasn’t nearly as handsome as you. I’m sure you’re quite the catch.”

The familiar Dick Grayson charm came roaring back. If there was anything Dick had practice with after years of galas and charity balls, it was conversing with flirtatious old ladies. “Oh, well, my boyfriend will be thrilled to hear you say so.”

Edith sighed and patted Dick’s hand before releasing it. “The good ones are always taken.”

“Says the woman who was married six times,” Jason said, crossing his arms.

She didn’t miss a beat. “Well, yes. Sometimes they were taken by me.”

Just then, a group of what looked to be middle school boys started to get excited about something, and thus, started to get loud. 

Edith smiled, sweetly. “Excuse me a moment.” She turned and hissed, “Boys!” and the glare she shot them still made Jason shudder. The effect was immediate. 

“Sorry Miss Edith,” came a hesitant chorus of voices. And the hush of the library was restored.

Edith turned back to Dick and Jason. “Terribly sorry about that. They’re good boys, just lacking in direction. They remind me a bit of you, Jason. Although they’re not as bright as you were.”

Jason shrugged, deflecting the praise. “It's too bad I peaked so early.”

“Oh, you.” She swatted his arm with her hand. “Don’t think you fool me for a moment, young man. Now,” she looked between them, “what can I help you with today?”

Jason smiled down at her. “We have come for some snow day reading. That is, if you haven’t canceled my card.”

“Never,” she said, as though even thinking it was a scandal. “Looking for anything in particular?”

“I think we’ll just browse the stacks for a bit.”

She nodded, the chain on her glasses swinging slightly. “Well, you know where to find me if you need anything.”

“Always.”

Edith smiled and headed back toward the circulation desk.

Dick leaned closer to Jason. “I like her.”

“Of course you do. You like everyone.”

“No, but I really like her. She’s a firecracker.” Dick was grinning.

Jason shook his head. “She called me fat, and you handsome. Of course you like her.”

“Oh, Jay.” Dick’s voice dropped lower in volume and tone. “You are not fat. You are perfect .”

There was a moment of electricity between them. Then, all at once, Dick pulled away, looking embarrassed and unsure again. 

Jason debated for all of two seconds before grabbing Dick’s hand and squeezing. There wasn’t a lot he wanted to say in a crowded library, but he also couldn’t stand for Dick to doubt himself every time he acted like Jason’s boyfriend. Yes, he still wanted to take things slow, but he also didn’t want them to be moving backwards. They needed to talk later. They would talk later. But for now, he looked at Dick, hoping his eyes would convey what words couldn’t right now. 

Dick smiled and Jason realized he’d been holding his breath. He let go of Dick’s hand and let his breath out slowly. “Okay, good luck finding something I haven’t read yet.”

Dick laughed. “Like I don’t know you’ve read Anne of Green Gables at least six times.”

“Gee, a book about an enthusiastic, talkative, likable orphan. Who on earth could that have reminded me of?”

And Jason wasn’t entirely sure, because they were both still a bit flushed from the cold, but he could have sworn that now Dick was blushing. Was he embarrassed or flattered? Jason raised a brow, hoping Dick would enlighten him.

“Really? Anne reminded you of me?” Dick was very pointedly not looking Jason in the eye. “She was probably my first literary crush.”

Jason snapped his fingers. “Of course. She’s a redhead.”

Dick buried his face in his hands and groaned.

Jason stroked his chin in thought. “Or was she the start of the redhead thing? Have you forever been chasing the high that is Anne Shirley?”

Dick muttered something into his hands that Jason thought might be, “Oh my god.”

“Hmmmm, yes. This clearly requires further thought.” Jason had to fight to keep his tone mock serious. “This was truly a wonderful idea, Dick. I’ve already learned so much about you.”

Dick put his hands down. The color in his cheeks had increased significantly. “I’m going to go wait in the car.” But it was a hollow threat and they both knew it.

“Come on, Gilbert.” Jason took Dick’s hand and led him toward the shelves of books. 

“That was his name!” Dick muttered excitedly as he followed Jason dutifully.

Jason eyed him suspiciously. “Let me guess, you never read the rest of the series?”

Dick, bless his heart, looked shocked. “Wait, you mean there’s more than one book?”

“It’s like an eight book series. She grows up and has a family.”

“Oh.” Dick beamed like Jason had just given him an early Christmas present (and come to think of it, Jason might need to look into a series box set, along with the previously decided upon red hat, of course). “Does she marry Gilbert?”

“Nope, not doing the spoiler thing with you. You’ll have to read the books if you want to find out.”

“Come on!” Dick pouted. “You know I could just look it up on my phone.”

“You could.” Jason did his best imitation of Alfred. “But then I would be very disappointed in you.”

“Uggggghhhhh!!!” Dick made a very undignified sound. “Fine. You win. No spoilers.”

“As God and Gotham intended.” Jason said smugly.

A chorus of voices from behind nearby shelves repeated back, “As God and Gotham intended.”

For the working class of Gotham, the phrase was used to make a point or emphasize something the speaker thought was an obvious truth. Those within earshot would often echo the phrase back, to show their agreement. Between his time with Bruce and his travels abroad, Jason had grown used to uttering the familiar Gotham mantra without the expected response. 

Both boys stopped cold for a second, and then Jason burst out in giggles. “Man, sometimes it's nice to be back home.”

“I always forget that that’s a thing…” Dick said, warily looking around at their unseen companions.

“That’s because you spend too much time around the ‘Gotham Elite.’” Jason added the air quotes with his fingers to emphasize his disdain for the supposed “elite.” He motioned broadly around them and grinned. “But these are my people. The real soul of Gotham.”

Dick smiled fondly. “It’s fun seeing you like this. You’re…I dunno. More comfortable somehow.”

Jason smiled shyly. “Well, you’ve just gotten used to seeing me constantly on my guard against Bruce. And it's your own fault since you’ve had me cooped up there for days.”

“Guess I’ll just have to take you out more often, then.” Dick licked his lips anxiously, as if he still wasn’t completely sure that being flirtatious was allowed. 

Jason felt more at ease than he’d been in ages. He felt safe, and there was nothing he wanted more than to flirt with Dick Grayson.

So he leaned in closer to Dick, and, with the most courage he’d felt since telling Dick his feelings, he said, “You’d better.”

Dick’s smile was radiant. Jason had once started calling him Golden Boy because of misplaced anger at Bruce, but when Dick smiled like that, all Jason could think was that he really was like the sun. Golden and warm and bright and precious and blinding and completely and utterly necessary for life. Was the sun, was sunlight, usually considered golden? Jason didn’t care. His was, and that was all that mattered. That, and seeing that smile as often as possible (and hopefully occasionally being responsible for it).

They began to browse the shelves, but found themselves a bit reluctant to move too far from each other, occasionally bumping shoulders affectionately. For a while it was all, “Check out this cover,” “Have you heard of this one before?” “What’s that one about?” and “This copy has seen better days.” Light and cozy.

All at once, Dick straightened up. “I know what I want to get you. I need to talk to Edith.” And Dick was off, back out of the stacks toward the front, only pausing at the end of the row to loudly whisper back, “No peeking!”

Jason held up his hands. “Wouldn’t dream of it. No spoilers, remember?”

Dick grinned and vanished around the corner, leaving Jason to seriously contemplate what he was going to pick for Dick. He didn’t have a single good idea. He wanted to pick something thoughtful, something meaningful, something that showed his appreciation for this stupidly wonderful date idea. 

But for the life of him, Jason’s brain couldn’t think of anything he knew Dick liked. 

He likes you, apparently , his brain offered unhelpfully.

He sighed, feeling frustration start to cloud his thoughts. That was even more unhelpful, but here he was, in his element, and he was still blanking. He ran his fingers gently along the book spines as he headed to the shelf of staff recommendations, hoping something there would spark an idea (and since he couldn’t seem to find any inspiration of his own at the moment, trusting librarians seemed like a good call).

He scanned the display, each book propped up on a stand with a little card from the librarian who had recommended it. It was the holidays, so he expected mostly feel good books, seasonal classics, and romances but was surprised to see true crime, horror, and dystopian fantasy also represented. Clearly they had a diverse group of readers running the place. And then, a single word in one of the book titles caught his eye. 

Oh. That was perfect.

He picked up the book before he could second guess himself and glanced at its card. “Thanks, Naomi.”

He headed slowly back toward the front, wondering exactly how they were going to exchange books. Knowing Dick, he would want to make a big production out of the whole thing. How exactly Dick was planning on accomplishing that with them both presumably using Jason’s library card was the question.

He shouldn’t have worried. He had forgotten the amazing power of Dick Grayson’s trademark charm. Dick was very good at finding people to help him do things, and when he had a goal in mind, it was near impossible to stop him from getting there.

Jason turned a corner out of the stacks toward the front and saw Dick standing over by the computer area. He was on his phone, but wasn’t talking and was staring at the ceiling. He was probably on hold or maybe listening to his messages. When he saw Jason, he smiled and waved at him with a hand that held…a wrapped present that was suspiciously book shaped.

Jason tried very hard to conceal his chosen book, while also trying to not appear like he cared all that much about hiding it (it was a delicate balance, but he had an image to maintain). He approached the front desk, and there was Edith, resting her chin on her hands and staring at Jason over her glasses again. 

She looked like the cat that ate the canary, and seemed very pleased to be in on a secret. “Your friend has explained that you are choosing books for each other, and has enlisted my aid in ensuring the secrecy of the selections.” She held out her hand for Jason’s book.

Jason was suddenly very self-conscious. He had expected to just drop two books on the counter, banter with Edith some more, and walk away. But now his choice was going to be evaluated by an outside party. And while he didn’t think Dick had spilled that they were more than friends, he was still somehow worried that his choice in book would somehow give it away. Or that Edith would disapprove for some reason. And while Jason had learned to, at least outwardly, ride the high of Bruce’s disapproval years ago, he didn’t want Edith to think poorly of him. Even over something as stupid as a book choice. It wasn’t like he’d never checked out a terrible book to read before, but this time it was for someone, and that somehow made it different.

Jason sighed and tried to deflect a bit. “Sorry about all this. He’s very…dramatic about these sorts of things.”

Edith raised a brow but did not retract her hand. “Oh? The boy who grew up in the circus is somewhat of a showman? Who would have guessed?”

That made Jason do a double take. “How did you–”

“Jason Peter Todd,” Edith scolded, “I may be getting up there and my eyes might not be what they used to be, but you must think me a fool not to recognize Richard Grayson when he walks into my library.” She looked over to where Dick was now talking animatedly into his phone. “That boy is as pretty as his pictures, and those pictures have been all over Gotham since he was in grade school.”

Jason ran his hand down his face. Of course. Dick was basically a local celebrity. This may be Jason’s old neighborhood, but there weren’t many places in Gotham they could go where Dick wasn’t likely to be recognized. And with the very public death of his parents all those years ago, Dick’s background was equally well known, and the media (and several especially snobby elites) loved to bring it all up whenever possible. Jason could blend into the background almost anywhere, but Dick was always threatened by the spotlight of recognition.

“Now,” Edith’s voice was dropping into her stern tone, “hand it over.”

Jason complied almost automatically and waited for her response. 

Edith took one look at the book and smiled. “Oh, that seems entirely too appropriate.”

Jason shifted from one foot to the other. “You don’t think it’s too on the nose?”

Edith’s hands moved swiftly as she scanned the book and typed into the computer, completing the checkout process without even needing Jason’s library card. “Perhaps for some, but he seems the type to appreciate it.”

Jason smiled, relieved. I certainly hope so , he thought. 

Edith pulled out a roll of wrapping paper from under the counter and started wrapping the book. “Have you read it?”

“Yes, but it’s been a while.” Then Jason asked the obvious question. “Edith, why do you have wrapping paper behind the counter?”

“Because we are doing a Secret Santa later and Connie is just going to bring her gift in whatever plastic bag she bought it in and that is absolutely no fun to unwrap. Your friend noticed it and asked if I would indulge him, which of course, I am very happy to do, since he asked so nicely.” Edith wrapped with the practice of many years and handed Jason the neat bundle with a smile. 

“Well, then,” Jason leaned on the counter conspiratorially, “if I ask nicely will you tell me what he picked out for me?”

“Absolutely not.” Her smile dropped immediately, but Jason could still see the twinkle in her eyes. “I like you far too much to ruin the surprise.”

“Thanks, Edith. Thanks for…” Jason held up the present, but Jason had a lot more to thank her for than that. He had years and years of moments, big and small, he should be thanking her for. He dropped his arms to his sides and just smiled. “Thanks for everything.”

She would understand. She always did.

“Your books are due back in two weeks,” she reminded him. “I hope to see you again when you return them.”

Jason grinned. “Wild horses couldn’t keep me away.” He really would have to try to come by more often. Was it weird to hope that he and Dick could make this a somewhat regular thing?

When Jason turned back to where Dick had been standing, he found no trace of him. Jason walked over to the computer area where he'd last seen Dick when one of the younger librarians waved him over. 

“Your friend is outside. I didn’t think people like him really existed, but my faith in humanity has been restored a little. Please thank him for doing what we couldn’t.”

Jason nodded even though he was clearly missing some pieces here.

The librarian’s brow creased in thought. “He looks so familiar. Is he a model or something?”

Jason started walking backward toward the door. “He just has one of those faces. Thanks and have a nice day.”

The cold stung Jason’s cheeks as he left the protection of the library, and, as he headed down the steps, he finally spotted Dick down at the curb. He was with the mother and her three children, and Jason suspected that the cab that had just turned down the street was intended for them.

The mother looked to be on the verge of tears, but the smile on her face was almost as bright as Dick’s. The two smaller children were busy throwing snowballs at each other and trying to catch snowflakes on their tongues, but the oldest boy, who looked about twelve, was standing a little ways off with arms crossed and was staring daggers in Dick’s direction. 

Jason knew that look. He knew this boy, even though they had never met. He knew the resentment that came from needing help and the stubborn insistence to refuse it at all costs. Because accepting help could make it feel like every horrible thing you’d ever heard about yourself and your family was true. Accepting help was admitting that you couldn’t do it yourself, and that butted against everything pride told you to stand for, and sometimes pride was all that was left.

Jason approached the boy, who started a bit when Jason addressed him. “He get you guys a place to stay?”

The boy’s glare turned to Jason, but he answered anyway, thinly veiled hostility dripping from every word. “He booked us a hotel room. For a week.”

That was Dick Grayson alright. He wasn’t going to let kids be cold for Christmas if he could help it. Jason suspected they might be doing some Santa shopping later as well.

“You don’t want his help, right?”

The boy looked surprised that Jason would say the quiet part out loud, but he gave a small nod.

“Look, I get it. I’ve been there. This is my block too.”

The boy took Jason in skeptically. His stuff wasn’t as nice as Dick’s, but he still looked a bit too polished to be seen as a local.

“You don’t want the help, but I know you can see that you need it right now. They,” he eyed the boy’s younger siblings, “need it. Your mom needs it.”

The boy looked at the ground but didn’t say anything.

“So here’s what you do. You accept the help. You don’t have to like it, but you take it. Then you focus everything you are feeling right now into taking the next step forward. And then the next one. It might take time for things to feel alright again. But when they do, you can look for ways to pay it forward.”

The boy still looked unsure, but he was at least looking at Jason again.

“You probably won’t pay back the people who directly helped you. A lot of them won’t need it.” He motioned toward Dick. “He doesn’t need it. But someone else is going to need your help, maybe someone you know, maybe a stranger. Maybe it's helping your sister with her homework. Maybe it's doing extra chores for your mom. The things you do might not feel like much, but that’s how things get better. That’s how communities get better, by people doing small things to ease the burden others are carrying.” 

Jason pulled off his hat and gloves. “It might mean that in ten years you come back to the neighborhood and pass on a hat and gloves to someone who needs them more.” He held them out to the boy. “That’s how you show that not a bit of the help you received was wasted. That’s how you throw every lie about being lazy or worthless or unmotivated back in their faces. You pass it on once you don’t need it anymore.”

The cab had stopped and the mother had ushered the younger two inside as Dick gave the driver directions and paid him in advance. The boy looked at his mother and Dick and then back at Jason. He took the hat and gloves without a word and headed toward the cab. Jason stuck his hands in his pockets and watched him go. The mother was thanking Dick again, and Dick was urging her to get in the cab and out of the still falling snow.

Jason didn’t walk over to join Dick until the cab door finally closed. The cab started to pull forward, but only made it about a car length away when it stopped again suddenly. The back window rolled down and the boy leaned out. He was already wearing the hat.

“Hey,” he called back, “thanks.”

Jason nodded and the kid disappeared back into the cab. 

“I had a feeling those weren’t going to make it home with us.” Dick said quietly as they watched the cab rolling down the street and he waved as it turned the corner out of sight.

Jason paused. “You had a feeling I would be giving my clothing away?”

“When I planned to take you to Park Row in a snowstorm? Yeah.”

Jason laughed. Dick really was something else. “Is that why you gave me Bruce’s stuff?”

Dick shrugged. “I thought you’d enjoy it more that way.”

Jason wanted to argue that point, but found that he could not. “You know, I did. I was going to take them with me anyway, so in my head they were already mine to give.”

Dick shuffled nervously. “Was the kid worried about my intentions with his mother?”

“Nah, you were too public about the whole thing for that. Sleaze isn’t usually that brazen.” Jason took a moment to decide how honest he wanted to be. But it was almost Christmas and he wanted to let Dick in. “He was just upset that you could do something that he couldn’t.”

Dick almost laughed. “Pay for a hotel room?”

“Make his mom smile.”

Dick paused, his face turning thoughtful. “Did he tell you that?”

“He didn’t have to.”

Dick nodded and was quiet for a minute. Then he looked up from the snow at their feet and said, “Do you think we could get the kid’s shoe sizes from the prints in the snow?”

“Yes, almost certainly. But we’re not doing that.” 

Dick frowned. “Why not? It’s Christmas and I have Bruce’s black card.”

“First of all, it’s entirely likely that those kids have already outgrown the shoes they are currently wearing. Getting them new shoes in the same size wouldn’t necessarily solve anything. Second, you don’t know those kids from Adam. You don’t know what they like, what they hate, if they prefer velcro to laces, anything. With any luck, shoes will last a long time, and I know you’d prefer them to actually like the things they need.”

Dick listened and nodded. “Okay. That’s fair. So what can we do?”

“We buy gift cards.” Jason could see Dick’s hesitation immediately. “I know, ‘gift cards are impersonal.’ That’s the entire point, Dickie. We buy gift cards for places mom actually needs to shop at, and let her have control over buying the things her family needs. That way, she gets a say in prioritizing their actual needs, and is able to pick out things they will actually enjoy.”

“I hadn’t really thought about it that way.”

“We can still buy a few things. Small things, like hats and gloves, socks, maybe some candy. School supplies like pencils and paper. But we keep it small and we don’t make it an extravagant affair. Instead, we give the mom the resources to make the best choices for her family herself.” Jason sighed. “And if you really want to help, you find the mom a job.”

“She has an interview three days after Christmas,” Dick said quietly. “Childcare provided.” Dick was watching the snow again. “I know it's not quite the same, but Christmases were usually pretty lean in the circus. I still remember what it was like.”

Jason kicked at the snow. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make it sound like–”

“No, it's okay.” Dick took off his scarf and wrapped it around Jason. “I follow your lead on this.” The scarf was warm from Dick’s body heat and Jason found himself fighting a blush again as Dick gently straightened the ends. “As God and Gotham intended.” 

Dick was clearly waiting for approval on if he had used the phrase correctly and Jason grinned. “You really think both God and Gotham want you to follow me? That seems dangerous.”

“Where you lead, I will follow.”

“Okay, now you’re just quoting Gilmore Girls at me.”

“It’s a good show!”

“I never said it wasn’t!” Jason buried his face in the scarf to keep from laughing. “Okay. You win, Goldie. I take the lead.”

Dick raised a brow, waiting.

Jason rolled his eyes. “As God and Gotham intended.”

Dick beamed victoriously, and Jason was lost in it for a moment, until Dick said, seriously, “No peanuts though.”

Jason blinked. “I’m sorry, what?”

“No peanuts. For the kids. The littlest one is allergic.”

Jason just stared at him. How on earth did he possibly know that?

Dick pointed at his wrist. “He had a medical ID bracelet.”

Of course. Jason shook his head and muttered, “Ever the detective.”

“Okay.” Dick hunched up his shoulders and shivered. “Do you want to lead me to the car so we can get back before the roads get really bad?” He held up his wrapped book and smiled. “And then we can open these.”

Jason shook his head as they turned and started for the car. “I still can’t believe you managed to get them gift wrapped. In a library.”

Dick leaned against him gently as they walked. “Sometimes things just work out.”

Jason bit his tongue to keep from scoffing. That certainly wasn’t his experience. But he didn’t want to bring down the mood. And he didn’t want Dick to stop believing in the best of the world just because Jason couldn’t. He didn’t want Dick to stop believing in him.

The drive home was uneventful, filled again by easy chatter. The warmth and motion of the car was starting to lull Jason toward sleep when they started down the overly long driveway toward the manor. 

He got out of the car and stretched, only to realize that Dick was watching him. “What?”

“Nothing.” Dick’s smile was shy. “I just like watching you.” He immediately looked embarrassed and tried again. “It’s just, whenever I look at you, I’m excited we’re doing this. That we’re together.” He shrugged, like he was afraid he'd said too much.

Jason walked slowly around the car and stood in front of Dick. “Whenever I look at you, I feel safe. Always have.” He leaned down slightly and touched his forehead to Dick’s. It was probably the most intimate contact Jason had initiated, but he was ready. Slow didn’t mean frozen.

He took a deep breath, just enjoying the proximity and the lingering scent of Dick’s shampoo. Then he slowly pulled back and placed Dick’s scarf back around his neck. “It looks better on you.”

Dick raised a brow. “Isn’t red supposed to be your color?”

Jason cocked his head slightly. “Why do you think I bought it for you?”

Dick looked a bit taken aback. “Oh.” The corner of his lip turned up. He looked like a lovesick puppy.

Damn, Jason could get used to being on the receiving end of that look.

Jason took Dick’s hand and pulled him lightly toward the house. “Come on, Goldie. I believe you promised me cocoa.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jason reluctantly let go of Dick’s hand before they entered the manor. He could think of worse things than the others finding out right now, but he was enjoying having a secret with Dick, at least for a little longer.  

After they had put up their coats, they headed to the drawing room. The library had the coziest chairs, but was also far more likely to be frequented by other members of the house. The drawing room was cozy but seldom used, so Jason was surprised to find a fire already crackling in the fireplace.

“I asked Alfred to get it ready before we left,” Dick confessed, passing his book off to Jason. “Cocoa should probably be ready too. Settle in; I’ll go grab it.”

Jason sank onto the end of the sofa closest to the fire, setting the books on the end table.

Dick returned in short order with a silver serving tray loaded up with two enormous mugs of cocoa, a small bowl of mini marshmallows, and what appeared to be four freshly baked chocolate chip cookies.

“I’ve been sworn to secrecy,” Dick said before Jason could ask. “They were just coming out of the oven when I popped in, but, if anyone asks, we stopped at a bakery on the way home.”

Jason scooped up the books so Dick had a place to put the tray. “Because lying to a house full of detectives always goes so well.”

“Well then,” Dick smirked, “we’ll just have to hope that no one finds us for a while.”

Jason hoped that very much.

They loaded up their cocoa with marshmallows and happily devoured the cookies. There was nothing on this earth like Alfred’s freshly baked cookies.

“Was today okay?” Dick asked between sips of cocoa.

Jason held up the still wrapped books. “That depends entirely on what’s in this.” He was joking, but he could tell that something was bugging Dick. “Hey, today was really special. Even if I find out you have terrible taste in literature, it was more than okay.”

Dick frowned. “You said I make you feel safe, but I almost gave you an anxiety attack earlier.”

There it was. Jason shook his head. “No. My brain responded badly to a potential trigger and almost gave me an anxiety attack. You can’t protect me from my own brain, Dick.”

“I’m sorry,” Dick said again. “I just really don’t want to screw this up.”

Jason laughed darkly. “I’m pretty sure there is no feasible scenario in the multiverse where you are the one to screw up this relationship.”

Dick’s frown deepened. “I wish you wouldn’t do that. Trust me, I am more than capable of ruining a relationship.”

Jason started to say something, but stopped himself. This wasn’t the time for sarcasm. This was time for communication.

“Point taken.” He took a slow breath. “I’m just worried I’ve already set us up on the wrong foot.”

“How so?”

“When I asked to take things slow–”

“Jason, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to take things slow.”

“I know, and I do, but I don’t think I was clear about what that means for me.”

Dick was watching Jason intently, but waited for him to continue.

Jason took another slow breath. “When I asked to take it slow, I didn’t mean that I wanted less of you. I didn’t want us to go backwards. I was only able to tell you how I felt because I was already comfortable with you. With us.” He looked back down at his lap. “I didn’t mean to make you second guess every time you touched me or tried to be close to me.” He forced himself to meet Dick’s eyes again. “Today was so nice because it was comfortable again. It felt like we were getting back to where we were before. But even then, I could feel you pulling back. And that was never what I wanted.”

Jason breathed out heavily. He’d come this far, he just needed to get to the end.

“I only asked to take it slow because I’m not as experienced as you. And I don’t know how quickly I’m going to be ready to move forward and I didn’t want you to be disappointed.”

Dick set his mug down on the floor and reached out to take Jason’s free hand. He didn’t hesitate the way he had been for the past two weeks, and Jason squeezed Dick’s hand gently. 

“Jason, your comfort matters. It will always matter to me. I’m sorry I didn’t check in to make sure I knew where your comfort level was, but you don’t have to worry about it matching mine. I’m excited to be here with you, where we are now. I’m not on the next step waiting for you to catch up. If we move forward, we do it together or not at all.

“So where are we? Comfort wise. You said you were fine where we were before. Tell me what that looks like.”

“You being you. Casual touching. You invading my personal space. Flirting. Hugs.” He squeezed Dick’s hand again. “This is good. And before, in the garage and on the roof. More intimate but not…”

“Sexual?” Dick guessed.

Jason searched Dick’s face for judgment, but couldn’t find any trace of it. He nodded.  

“Okay.” Jason was worried Dick would sound disappointed, but if anything, he sounded relieved. “And is there anything we aren’t yet doing that you think you’d be comfortable with?”

Jason didn’t try to hide his blush. “I’d really like to kiss you.” His heart was pounding in his ears.

Dick was beaming again. “I would very much enjoy that.” He squeezed Jason’s hand again. “I’ll do my best to stop pulling away, as long as you promise to tell me if I’m making you uncomfortable.”

Jason nodded. He could do that. The trust had to go both ways.

“Okay.” This time Dick just sounded happy. “We’re okay.”

“More than okay,” Jason confirmed.

“Okay,” Dick said again, and they both laughed. “Should we finally open up our books?”

Jason handed Dick’s book to him. “Should we open them at the same time?”

“No way. I want to see your face when you open it. That’s like half the fun of it. You go first.”

“Why me?”

“Because it was my idea!”

“Fine! Fine.” Jason gently removed the paper from the book to reveal the cover. 

The Secret Garden .

It was a good choice. Jason smiled.

“You’ve read it before, haven’t you?” Dick only sounded a little disappointed.

Jason nodded. “Yes, but it’s been a really long time.”

Dick sighed, but leaned forward closer to Jason to look at the book. “I didn’t want to take a chance on something I hadn’t read, in case it was terrible, and I’ve always liked this one.”

Jason’s smile grew. “Because there’s a robin in it?”

Dick laughed. “It’s the story of an orphan who goes to live in a big house and finds something wonderful hidden there.” He pursed his lips and added, “And yeah, because of the robin.”

“I am very excited to read this again. Thank you.” Jason shoved Dick playfully back to where he had been sitting. “Now open yours.”

Dick tore into the paper immediately and read the title out loud, “ The Night Circus .” Dick looked back to Jason. “The cover is beautiful.”

“It’s about a mysterious circus and two magicians who are set to compete against each other, and how they very inconveniently fall in love.” Jason shrugged. “I enjoyed it.”

Dick was smiling and that helped to chase away Jason’s fears that a love story set at a circus would be too much. “This sounds really lovely.” Dick looked back up at him, eyes sparkling. “Hey, Jason.”

“Yeah?” 

Dick leaned closer, and his voice was almost singsongy. “You got me a looooove story.”

And, Jason was blushing again. He looked away and tried to ignore Dick, even though he could feel Dick leaning in closer. 

Dick’s voice was getting softer. “That’s because you looooove me.”

Jason rolled his eyes and turned to say something back, undoubtedly something witty and cutting, probably with a death threat of some sort, but it wasn’t until he turned that he realized exactly how close Dick had gotten. He was literally a hair’s breadth away. Their noses were practically brushing. He froze for a moment, his brain bluescreening at the sudden proximity, and then he realized that Dick wasn’t moving any closer. He was just waiting, grinning at him, his eyes soft and welcoming. Safe. 

“I can’t wait to read it,” Dick whispered.

Jason leaned in, his eyes closing as their lips connected. It was a gentle kiss, a foundation that they would build upon, steady and sure. Jason could taste the cocoa that lingered on their lips with a hint of something that was uniquely Dick. He was smiling as he pulled back and realized that Dick was too. They both chuckled, high on the newness of it all and basking in the promise of things to come. 

Dick leaned in again and stole another quick kiss before resuming his place on the couch, and Jason felt a warmth that had nothing to do with the fire. 

He grinned at Dick again. “Don’t think I missed you quoting Doctor Who earlier.”

“Oh, shut up. Amy and Rory’s love story is iconic.”

“Of course. Another redhead.”

“Bold of you to assume that Amy’s the one I prefer.”

Jason filed that information away for later. He held up his book. “Shall we?”

Dick nodded.

“Well, then, let’s get started.” Jason set his mug down on the side table and started to open his book when one of the accent pillows came crashing down into his lap. 

Dick laid on the sofa, his head in Jason’s lap and beamed up at him. “You said you wanted me to invade your personal space.”

“So I did.” Jason put his arm down to rest across Dick’s chest, and Dick snuggled into it. “Cozy?”

Dick nodded. “Oh, yes. Very.”

“You’re going to fall asleep like that.”

“I am not. I have a very important book to read.”

Jason found a comfortable way to balance his book on the arm of the sofa, and they both settled in to read.

But as Dick opened his book, something fell out from the pages. “Hey, wait. What’s this?”

It was a bookmark, one that was normally blank, a freebie from the library, but this one was no longer blank. Jason picked it up, holding it so they could both read it, and was surprised to see Edith’s familiar handwriting. 

Dick, please take good care of Jason. I’m sure you already know, but he’s not as tough as he pretends to be. I’m glad he’s found someone like you who clearly makes him happy. Don’t be a stranger!  –E

“How did she…” Jason began.

“I didn’t tell her!” Dick defended.

And then they both saw the post script.

P.S. Tell Jason that I knew the moment you two walked in the door. Love is easy to recognize when you’ve seen as much as I have. And the two of you were nearly bursting with it.

“I knew I liked her.” Dick said fondly.

Jason sighed. And here they thought they were good at keeping secrets.

“Huh…”

Jason looked down at Dick inquisitively.

Dick bit his lip. “It’s just…You mentioned earlier that Alfred knows things he hasn’t even been in the room for. And if Edith pinged us as a couple after like, a minute…”

“Then there’s no way Alfred hasn’t figured it out with us having been here for days.” Jason sighed. “Yeah, that checks out.”

Dick offered a toothy smile. “I’m sure he’ll pretend to be surprised when we tell him?”

“No he won’t.” Jason scoffed. “He’ll just say something like, ‘Very good, sirs. Would you care for some more tea?’”

Dick laughed. “Do you think that’s why he made cookies?”

“And let me take food up to the roof? Probably.”

“Well, at least we can assume that means that he approves.”

“Yeah, I guess.” Jason smiled. If both Edith and Alfred approved of the relationship, then he must be doing something right. “Okay, less talking, more reading.”

The snow continued to fall outside the window, but neither paid it much attention. Dick loved the first snowfall in Gotham, and if they made this a tradition, Jason could see himself learning to love it too.