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“You’re like a fucking housewife,” Tim stated flatly as he picked up a cookie from the platter.
Jason tried snatching the freshly baked cookie back but the crafty bugger dodged. “Get the fuck out of here,” he said, moving the plate out of Tim's reach in punishment. “I’m nobody's fucking wife.”
Tim smirked as he crunched on his cookie. “Do you want me to replay the last 10 minutes of our convo? Because you know I record everything.”
Jason felt the retort on the tip of his tongue but swallowed it back down. He parsed back through the convo and... yeah that wasn't a good look. Something odd built in his gut as he considered Tim's words.
“Dude, I didn't mean it as an insult anyway,” Tim added. “These cookies are honestly the best I've ever had. Don’t tell Alfred.” His tone was earnest but a bit quiet– a sign he realized he possibly fucked up and was trying to clarify to save his ass.
“Well,” Jason tilted his head in consideration, “I do prefer the term household manager from you going forward.”
Tim snorted. “Noted. I'll be sure to identify you properly next time.” He snatched another cookie from the platter as he dodged Jason’s next swipe.
The thing was, Tim was entirely correct. As he thought it over, Jason realized he wasn't even upset over it all. When the change in status really happened, he couldn't say exactly, but at some point in the past year since he started dating Roy, Jason had become the primary pick up for Lian, the list maker, the grocery shopper, and the bill/budget monitorer.
Roy wasn't a lazy partner, but they'd definitely entered a status quo of Roy going to work and Jason running the house.
Jason didn't work days, only worked nights when something caught his attention, so naturally he was the first to get to the dirty dishes or the unfolded laundry. He was the one home the most to clean the bathroom and vacuum the floor.
Roy would have done it if Jason had given him a chance, but when he was home Jason wanted to spend time together. Catch a movie, have dinner together, spend time with Lian– not fill their limited time with more work for Roy.
Jason had practically become a trad wife… and he didn't hate it.
But he also noticed Roy didn't change much. Tim had clocked Jason's weird behavior after coming over one afternoon (and called him out on it before leaving with a batch of everything but the kitchen sink cookies) but Roy talked as if Jason was going the extra mile for him. Pulling an uneven favor…
“I’m so sorry you had to cook again Jason. This tastes amazing though.” Roy said one evening after Jason went all out with a pot roast, fresh mashed potatoes, and roasted carrots.
He wasn’t wrong (and Jason appreciated the praise), but it wasn’t quite right.
“Oh you didn't have to do my laundry too, but thank you.” Roy exclaimed on a Sunday afternoon as he hung up his shirts. Again, Jason could acknowledge the thank you but it didn’t scratch the invisible itch that was building.
Jason was seen and acknowledged but he wasn't seen.
He was enjoying himself. He wanted his designated family to see that he loved and cared for them. He felt appreciated, but something was missing.
Lian helped it click into place suddenly one day when Dick picked her up from school. Jason had a fresh batch of cookies coming out of the oven as the two barrelled in through the doorway and Lian torpedoed in his direction.
“Look mama!” she squealed with delight as she thrust a piece of paper at him. “The school is going to have a bake sale for new library books! Everyone that brings a baked good donation gets to take home a retired library book!”
It sounded great, but Jason was in a full blown daze– nothing but ‘mama’ ringing in his ears.
“Jason!” Dick’s voice cut in and Jason snapped back to awareness to see Lian and Dick looking at him in concern.
“Are you okay?” Lian asked softly. “You don’t have to bake the cookies, of course. It’s not that big of a deal.”
He crushed her into his arms, squeezing her tightly until she squealed for Dick to save her. Dick just laughed, but Jason’s whole world had slid into place thanks to Lian’s acknowledgement.
He didn’t just want a thank you for the tasks, he wanted the acknowledgement of the role. He was acting very much like a mother, like a traditional wife, and he craved hearing it from Roy’s lips.
Some might say it was demeaning, but Jason’s insides shivered at the thought. Lian calling him the names made him feel warm fuzzy, Dick and Tim making the jokes made him feel appreciated and seen, Roy calling him that was something else.
But Roy had never called him anything feminine.
“You can call me mama anytime you want,” Jason said as he finally released her. “I’m practically your daddy’s wife so I’d be proud to be your step mom.”
Lian perked up and a wide smile broke out across her face. “I’m proud to be your step daughter then!”
“Family!” Dick cried dramatically, wiping a fake ass tear from his face. “So beautiful, ladies.”
Jason flushed at the term and Lian giggled. Now that Jason knew what he wanted though, he just had to tempt Roy into trying it.
“You should just use your words, “Dick offered a few moments later around a mouthful of cookie. Lian giggled but Jason rolled his eyes in disgust.
“There's no way to easily say this,” Jason argued. He stood and poured both Dick and Lian glasses of milk.
“Sure, you say: Roy can we play–”
Jason clapped a hand over Dick’s mouth with a furtive glance at Lian.
She giggled again, but didn’t call them out. “Mama Jay needs an apron. Then Papa will see you're the prettiest.”
The new name sent a rush of happiness through Jason and he couldn’t help but smile at her. She was an amazing kid, they were definitely doing something right.
Dick moved his mouth behind Jason's hand and he reluctantly pulled it back. “The prettiest Jay,” Dick practically giggled at the same pitch as Lian.
Jason couldn’t help but blush. “Hush or no more cookies for either of you,” he ineffectively scolded.
“You make the best cookie Mom!” Lian was definitely teasing now but having too much fun for Jason to scold her.
“An apron huh?” Jason mused. “What color should I try?”
At Dick and Lian's bright encouragement Jason bought something very indulgent and frilly. At first he tried to go practical but Lian's cheers of ‘make it pretty like you!’ and Dick's blatant reminder that this wasn't the time to be subtle pushed him to order the ruffled pink creation.
Jason pulled it on and tied it carefully behind him. He’d already prepped dinner, so he wasn’t actually going to get it dirty, he just wanted to see if it would get a reaction.
Lian smiled as she saw him walk out in it and gave him a thumbs up before turning back to her school work. She sat at the kitchen table, and was soon reabsorbed into her work. Roy walked in the door just as Jason pulled his casserole out of the oven.
“Hey you two,” Roy greeted after nudging off his shoes. “It smells amazing in here. What have you been up too?”
“Mama Jay baked cookies for me to take to the school tomorrow,” Lian helpfully supplied. She’d been adding the name in front for the past couple of days, but other than a checking glance at Jason, Roy hadn’t said anything about it.
“Oh that’s nice.” Roy dropped a kiss on top of her head then headed in Jason’s direction. Jason flinched and the smoothed out his expression. He was so nervous and knew it was silly, but he couldn’t quiet look Roy in the eye.
“Thanks for helping with that Jason,” Roy stated and then pressed a kiss to Jason’s cheek. He didn’t say anything further, didn’t grab on Jason’s ass, tug on the frilly apron, or acknowledge its existence. Just turned to the sink and began washing his hands and whatever else had gathered.
“I’ll get that later,” Jason called over. “Let’s eat dinner while it’s still hot.” His face still burned at the unknowledged apron and he fidgeted slightly with the hem.
“Doesn’t Mama Jay look pretty today Papa?” Lian called over from the table, watching the interaction with her bright eyes.
Roy stiffened, shut off the water, shot a glance at Jason out of the corner of his eye and then faced his daughter. “Yes, Jason is very handsome, Lian.”
She scrunched her face and the two entered into a Harper standoff off as both refused suddenly to blink. The tension in the air jumped up as Jason shifted nervously. This was definitely not the outcome he’d wanted.
“Mama Jay is pretty.” Lian over enunciated each word as she stared her father down. “You should–”
“Lian that’s enough,” Roy’s voice was harsh. “Pack up your stuff for dinner.”
She huffed and shut her laptop screen as she gathered her supplies. She shot another look at the two of them, clearly uncertain what she should say, but Jason waved her off. She retreated to her room, leaving the two men alone for a moment.
Roy’s shoulders immediately drooped down low. “Jason I’m so sorry. I guess she picked that out for you and guilted you into wearing it for this ‘mama’ bit. She must be going through a phase or something I just–”
“No,” Jason interrupted the soft ramble. “I bought it.”
“I mean it’s nice of you to cater to her but you really don’t have to go this far.”
“I mean it was her idea,” Jason admitted trying to explain how they got here, “but I wanted it.”
Roy finally looked up at him, but Jason immediately knew that he didn’t get it. His eyes were tired, no understanding fleck, no interest showing. “You are spoiling her whims.”
“More like she’s spoiling mine,” Jason sighed, still unable to state the words.
Roy shot him a confused look but Lian was walking back in and Jason already decided this wasn’t going the way he wanted. He moved the freshly baked casserole over to the table and grabbed some plates. The fruit salad he’d prepared earlier came out of the fridge and in just a few moments they were sitting around a perfectly made table.
“Thanks Jason, this looks amazing,” Roy praised with a smile. Jason shot him a half-hearted one back.
He was going to have to try something else. Or else… he was actually going to have to talk about what he wanted instead.
“You should just talk about it,” Tim unhelpfully replied to Jason’s woes.
“Stop being rational and get me one of your fancy murder boards.” Jason buried his face in his hands, trying not to sound as desperate as he felt.
“Because you want to murder Roy…” Tim mused, intentionally obtuse.
“Shut up,” Jason groused, swatting at Tim. “I want to seduce him.”
“Even though you share a bed?”
“Tim, are you going to help or not!?”
Tim stared, blinking slowly and offering nothing.
Jason huffed, crossing his arms over his chest. “Fine! I'll bake cookies if you help me scheme.”
A bright grin broke across Tim's face. “Deal.”
Jason should not have taken that deal.
Now he had Tim glaring murder as Jason was forced to purse his lips and hold still and Dick twirled around the room playing with the dress he brought over.
“Dresses are fun,” Dick mused as he held the bright red fabric up against himself. He twirled it about, letting it swish just slightly.
Jason started to open his mouth to respond but Tim's grip and glare held firm.
“I think we should all try them.” Dick stuck his head through the skirt and started to force the fabric down. Jason twitched violently and finally Tim lost his patience.
“Dick, put it down before you tear a seam! It has a zipper on the back. Jason, if you cause me to redo this eyeliner I will stab you in the eye!”
He released Jason's face for a moment and Jason reeled back affronted. “I don't even know why either of you are here anymore!”
“You asked for my help,” Tim replied primly.
“To plan!” Jason exclaimed. “Shouldn't you have brought in Steph or Cass for this part?”
Tim rolled his eyes. “Honestly Jason, who do you think does their makeup?”
“Timmy does!” Dick interjected brightly. “Mine too. He knows what he's doing.”
Jason shot Dick - who was still trying to pull the dress on over his clothes - a glare. “And your excuse?”
“Moral support!”
Jason continued glaring and Dick relented. “I'm just the delivery boy,” he said sadly. Then perked back up. “But I still want to try this dress! I never get fluffy petticoats in my disguises.”
“It’s not a disguise,” Tim blandly stated before Jason pulse muster a response. Dick flushed and Jason took pity. He knew Dick was being purposefully over peppy to lighten the mood.
“Its fine, Dickhead,” Jason answered quickly before it could grow out of hand. “I don't even know if this is going to work so I appreciate the support. Not everyone would help their brother seduce their partner via encouraging crossdressing roleplay."
Dick smiled and finally set down the dress. “Of course. In fact, how about I pick up Lian from school and take her for the evening?”
“You'd do that?” Jason returned the smile gratefully.
Dick nodded. “Timmy can do his thing with scheming and make up, but Uncle Dick will take kiddo for Dick time!”
Tim arched an eyebrow and Jason felt his own do the same.
“Yeah I hear it,” Dick said dismissively. “ You know what I mean though. Now, can I please try on the dress?” He pleaded at Jason. “We are close enough in size!”
Jason nodded before Tim grabbed his face and resumed the make up session.
“I’m not doing your makeup,” Tim shot over his shoulder. “You hold still worse than Jason.”
Jason stood in front of the mirror and spun to see the hem of the dress lift up. It was a solid red (of course) fit and flare silhouette with a thin black ribbon tied into a bow around the waist.
There was also a small black petticoat to fluff the skirt, paired with dark stockings and silken panties.
Tim offered heels but Jason went with flat ballerina slippers since he needed to move and finish cooking. The dress and make up were more than enough
Tim had not given him a disguise; Jason still looked like himself, but it was softer. Enhanced in a way and he felt pretty.
Tim was packing his makeup kit and Dick had already left to get Lian from school. Roy was due home in barely an hour and Jason had an invasion of butterflies in his stomach.
He had prepped several baked lasagnas, before getting dolled up. One was sent with Dick to be reheated with Lian, another one was for Tim to say thanks.
The last one was in the oven now, waiting for Roy to return. The brownies Jason had baked for dessert were cooling and just needed to finish the salad and warm the bread.
He packed up Tim's lasagna and a plate of brownies as the younger man approached with his supplied packed. “Well you do clean up nicely Ms. Todd, or should it be Mrs. Harper?”
Jason flushed. “The second one,” he mumbled, feeling embarrassed at how right it sounded.
Tim grinned in return. “Good. I know Dick already threatened bodily harm at Roy and Roy is great but Jason for real, if this doesn't go the way you want you know that's not on you right?”
“Yeah it'd be your fault for the makeover,” Jason teased. Tim glared and Jason shared a soft smile. “I know Tim and, seriously, thanks for this.”
Tim returned the smile, gave one last adjustment to Jason's curls, and finally headed out the door, shooting off a dorky last minute salute.
The door shut behind him and Jason was alone with his thoughts. He was worried. Not really about Roy being dramatic, but in fact the opposite. Jason was spiralling on possibly missing the mark again on explaining what he wanted.
He pulled the baked pasta out of the oven, just as the lock disengaged and Jason could hear Roy in the entryway..
Jason pasted on his best smile as Roy rounded the corner, bare foot and dressed casually. “Hey Jay, the school texted that–”
Roy stopped and the way his eyes widened was … pleasant? Jason hoped.
He fiddled with his hem again before remembering to hold his posture confidently and smile. It felt like he was standing on thin ice and he could hear it cracking.
Roy returned the smile but it was slightly strained, “Hey sorry, I was saying that the school said Dick picked up Lian. Everything okay?”
Jason dropped through the shattered ice and submerged in a frozen lake. His face locked into his smile but now it was more like a gritting of teeth and he fisted the fabric in his hand. Was Roy really ignoring him and all the work he'd done to make it clear?
Roy wasn’t even looking at him, his blue eyes were darting around the room carefully, studying for something that Jason wasn't privy to.
“Yes,” Jason finally managed to grit out. “Remember date nights are a thing?”
Roy’s eyes snapped back to him, alert, observant. Jason felt a blush rising as he knew Roy was *finally* cataloging each bit that Jason had done. The hair, the makeup, the dress. He was desperate to hear the compliment from Roy’s lips, was drowning–
“You cooked dinner for us?”
Jason let the water overtake him and drowned. His shoulders dropped and he dropped the hem of the stress as he sagged under the weight. Roy was truly refusing to acknowledge the transformation, refusing to acknowledge *Jason*.
“Yeah,” he intoned, fully disheartened. “There’s some food. I heated up a lasagna and baked some brownies. The rolls and salad are ready too.” He reported each item factually, keeping his eyes off Roy and gesturing to the food instead.
“You didn’t have to–”
Jason pivoted with a snarl, “No shit, I didn’t have to. I wanted to.”
Roy swallowed, throat bobbing. “And you wanted to do it in a dress?”
Anger and sadness clashed within Jason but he remembered his brother's support and pulled back his shoulders to stand firm. “Yes, and I wanted to have a date in a dress.”
Roy’s face didn’t turn in disgust, didn’t twist in confusion, sadness or anger. It was unreadable as he stepped back and pivoted away.
“Where are you going?” Jason asked, ignoring the pricks of hot tears.
Roy paused, almost back to the door. “I’m starting over. I wasn’t sure if I was dreaming or hallucinating a vivid fantasy but I just decided I don’t care if I am. I’m going to restart this conversation so I can tell my beautiful partner–”
“Wife?” Jason chimed in hopefully.
“Fuck,” Roy stumbled, flushing and pinning Jason with dark eyes. “Fuck,” he repeated, “That's–” his voice cracked, “so hot. Yeah baby? Really? You're not teasing me? You want that?”
Jason blushed with the intensity of Roy's attention, but nodded. “Yeah, I want to be your wife.”
“Fuck,” Roy breathed, “its been hard to behave with Lian around calling you mama but my wife? Damn Jay, how do you always know exactly what buttons to press? How are you so perfect?” Roy didn't approach closer, but Jason could feel the heat of his gaze across the room as he finished, “The perfect, gorgeous wife.”
Jason flushed, shaking, the spin of emotions had been hard but now he was hard, so aroused, his whole body ached for touch.
Roy spun around and stalked to the threshold of the entry way. He shook himself off, then turned back to Jason. He smirked and winked. “Hi honey, I'm home.”
Bubbles of happiness fizzled inside Jason's chest. “Hi Sweetheart. Welcome home.”
“What a good wife,” Roy praised, crossing the space between them with long strides. “You look very pretty today, dear.” Anticipation built low in Jason's gut as Roy's hands cupped his face.
“I've got dinner on the table,” Jason whispered but he was unable to pull back to the food.
Roy’s eyes were focused, crinkled in happiness and Jason could feel the warmth from his body. “Dinner huh? Can’t imagine anything that would taste better than you right now.” He closed the last bit of distance between them, delivering a soft kiss to Jason’s lips.
“What do you say we wait on dinner for just a few moments?” Roy offered as his hands ran down low over Jason’s dress. He cupped Jason's ass through the material and dragged them flush together. Roy's strong arms bracketed Jason in exactly where they both wanted to be.
“I worked hard on that–” Jason half-heartedly protested, sharing a teasing smile.
“No worries love,” Roy tightened his grip, rubbing them together for a moment before losening his hold just the slightest bit. “All I want is a little dance.”
Jason felt dazed. “A dance?”
Roy’s phone appeared, and, after a few quick taps, a sultry jazzy tune sang out. He sat the phone down on the counter and pulled Jason back into his arms. “Yeah, I seem to have forgotten what we danced to at the wedding, Mrs. Harper. Maybe you can spare this love struck fool another dance?
Jason shivered at the name, and then melted into Roy’s strong arms. “Just one dance, then dinner.”
“One dance, maybe dinner, then definitely dessert.”
“Oh I baked brownies, your favorite,” Jason shared excitedly as they swayed in step to the music, moving further away from the kitchen and into the living room.
“My wife seems to have forgotten my actual favorite desert.” Roy's tone and handsome smirk knocked the breath from Jason's chest.
“What?”
“You.” Roy drew him in for another sweet kiss. “And I think I do need a taste of dessert before dinner.”