Chapter Text
Heavy breathing
It radiates around me, filling the air and scenery drowning out everything else
I’m in a space i don’t recognize..a scent..its familiar
I’m heavier than usual, larger too, I’m walking up a fire escape..a light coming out on of the windows…
…I feel..
Anger?
Loneliness?
Hurt?
Something stronger
Something righteous
There’s a man getting ready for the evening, undressing himself. The breath gets deeper, heavier, weighing me down..
He walks into the restroom, and I climb through the window
The scene shifts and fades
I feel him now under underneath my fingernails
Hes scratching at my skin but Im stronger, I overpower him
I feel the warmth of his body
I feel the cold of the blade
I cut
I stab
I carve him
I feel it again…welling up within me…
An exhale
Righteousness
Jason’s body forced him awake, every system within his body telling him he was in danger. It was time to fight. His eyes darted across his apartment, the same shit interior that hes always had. His back hurt from a combination of constant crime fighting and also his broken down couch that he qualifies as a bed. His chest won’t stop. He still can’t catch his breath, even after having verified that there isn’t a threat present. Sweat dripped down his body, mixing with fresh wounds and cascading over the old ones. Jason stumbled past his poor excuse for the kitchen table and rested against the countertop, grabbing a dirty glass to fill with water. Most Gothamites try to at least get some form of filtration system, but Jason stopped worrying about what he put in his mouth a long time ago and Gotham tap water isn’t going to be the thing that takes him out. His eyes closed as he downed the glass.
Exhaling.
“And here I thought you’d have red underoos too.” A voice came from the fire escape. Jason didn’t bother turning and in a flash chucked his glass towards the voice and followed quickly behind. The man caught the glass, but wasn’t able to react fast enough as Jason let out a growl and held a steak knife to his throat. Green eyes looked at him; coy, playful, friendly.
“Harper.” Jason felt the small poke of an arrowhead on his ribcage as he chuckled.
“Todd.” There eyes meet again and for a brief moment, their breath synched, neither backing down. “If you’re itching for a fight, I could use some exercise.”
Jason threw the steak knife at the opposing wall and walked back towards the kitchen.
“You really need to learn how to call first.” Jason opened up his fridge, “I hope you aren’t expecting me to feed you cause I don’t have shit in here.” Roy flopped onto the couch as he took off his heavy gray sweatshirt and combat boots. His chest, similar in ways to Jason’s, muscular and defined by years of healed and fresh scars.
“Ok first of all, don’t act like you actually check your phone. two…shit you really don't have any food? Jason turned from the fridge and looked at Roy's stupid grin.
Roy Harper but better known as Arsenal, fellow member of the Outlaws and though neither would admit it, Jason’s oldest friend in the superhero/sidekick business. He has fully reclined on Jason’s broken couch, taking up any and all available space as his hoodie lay in the middle of the floor.
“You’ve never had a problem making yourself comfortable.” Jason walked over and pushed Roy’s legs to the side.
“I didn't realize we were staying at the Ritz. I don’t know what you were expecting, I mean, you don’t even have a bed.” Roy did a full 180 and scanned the room. “Or another room..is this the bedroom? Or the dining room? Open concepts never make sense to me.”
“I got an appointment in the morning so I’m going to need your dumb ass to be quiet so I can sleep.” Jason leaned back on the cushion.
“An appointment? Alright shit don’t want to make you late fro your accountant or whatever the fuck.” Roy balled up to give Jason move room on the couch.
“Oh you definitely can’t give me shit, ward to the Queen Estate.” Roy kicked Jason’s side as he chuckled.
“Todd?”
“Yeah Harp?”
“I missed your stupid ass.” Roy smiled to himself as he pulled his hat over his face.
Jason stared at the ceiling, worried about closing his eyes again, he could feel Roy’ presence though.
“Yeah you too.”
The Next Morning
There’s a smell…
Bacon? What the fuck?
Jason rubbed his eyes and looked to the side to see a shirtless Roy Harper making breakfast.
“Look who turned out to be such a heavy sleeper! This Gotham living turned you soft!” Roy slid the food onto a paper plate and put it on the table.
“Harp, I haven’t eaten at the table since I got here. Also where did you get food?” Jason stood up and walked over, stretching his arms over his head.
“You know you can have groceries delivered right? The gig economy in Gotham is booming. I didn’t realize Daddy Wayne had his own Bat Dash.”
Jason started eating the breakfast, “Bat dash is definitely not a thing.”
Roy sat down next to him and grabbed bacon off of his plate. “Oh it definitely is.” He smiled, rhythmically tapping on the table.
“How long have you been up?”
“A hot minute. Ever since I got sober it’s like my internal clock shifted. No matter how I try I just always seem to be up early.” Roy cheesed as he grabbed toast from Jason’s plate. Jason couldn’t help but stare just a tad too long at Roy, seeing the amount of progress he’s made put a coy smile on his face. Roy caught his glance.
“Don’t you have some big boy appointment to go too?” Jason looked at his watch.
9:00 AM
The appointment is at 9:30
“Shit!” Jason threw a worn down black bomber jacket on and ran to the fire escape.
“I probably won’t be here when you get back!” Roy yelled as Jason hopped down towards his motorcycle.
He knew Roy was lying, but the thought did tug at his heart a little.
Jason doesn’t bother with Gotham traffic, as in he uses the size and speed of his motorcycle to make sure he is always moving. A state of perpetual motion. Never looking back. Never stopping. He knew the pathways and crossroads like the back of his hand, he would've made a great taxi driver in another life.
He pulled up in front of the hodgepodge building. The electrician, the plumber, the pro-bono lawyer, and a rental company.
Jason was here to see his therapist.