Dick didn't remember falling unconscious, only realising he had as he began to abruptly stir from his slumber. He let out a small groan of discomfort as the numbness swiftly flared to a fiery burn, before dulling to a tormentedly throbbing ache. He fluttered his eyes open, thankful that his mask was still on. Dick slowly tilted his head to his left to find a familiar red helmet staring back at him. Dick opened his mouth slightly; Jason's name on the tip of his tongue. His voice promptly faltered when the hooded man moved his hand and placed his fore-finger on the bottom half of his helmet where his mouth would be. He cocked his head to the right, indicating for his patient to look. Dick sluggishly turned his head in the instructed direction in curiosity and found one of Red Hood's thugs sorting through some medical supplies nearby.

"How are you feeling?" Red Hood asked him, ignoring the flinch the thug involuntarily made from the sudden break in silence. Dick hadn't moved his sight from the thug, watching him flicker his gaze towards them before returning to his task. Dick hummed gently as Jason took his hand and blinked slowly as he returned his attention to the hooded man.

"M'kay," Dick replied a little lethargically. Red Hood ran his thumb across Dick's knuckles and huffed in amusement.

"I found out what happened. It's all over the news." Jason's tone soured rapidly and Dick frowned lightly in accountability. "I got my men scouring every corner, I'm going to join them soon. He'll pay for what he did to you."

Dick shook his head carefully in disagreement. Jason let go of Dick's hand and checked himself over to ensure he had all his equipment. Nightwing watched him in trepidation, wanting to assure him that he was okay despite the two obvious wounds he had obtained with his run-in with Slade.

"I called Oracle, let her know you're okay. They'll send someone to pick you up." Jason adjusted his jacket and looked around. "This place is compromised now, so you won't be able to find me here again."

In a fit of unknown energy, Dick shot his hand out and loosely grabbed Jason's fingers and refused to let go.

"Slade's gone. There's no point." Dick whispered and suppressed the hurtful whine that wanted to surface. "Stay."

Dick couldn't see what was going on behind the red helmet, but he dared not look elsewhere. Jason's hesitation was transparent and he was swift to sigh in defeat. Red Hood slouched down in the chair beside Nightwing's bed, scoffing at the smile of triumph on Dick's face.

"My men will think I'm going soft for the enemy," Jason muttered and Dick snorted in amusement, gasping as a result of the pain of his chest injury.

"You are sweet on me though," Dick waved off Jason's concern and smiled sweetly at him after the pain subsided.

"I might be." Red Hood replied. Dick could imagine the cheeky smirk and passionate eyes looking back at him beneath the mask. Nightwing closed his eyes for a moment, the light a little too much for his post-op brain.

"Boss."

Dick's eyes immediately reopened at the crackling voice. Nightwing almost whined in protest as Jason moved away from the bed to answer; on what looked like some kind of advanced walkie-talkie.

"Go," Jason answered and tapped his finger impatiently against the device.

"Everything's been moved off base like you asked."

"Good, and the cleaning?" Jason asked.

"We're just about wrapped up. No one will know we were here, Boss."

"Alright, get the men out of here before another vigilante shows up." Red Hood uttered in annoyance. Dick pouted slightly and fiddled with his fingers. He knew Jason didn't mean he was a nuisance, but it still stung.

Jason glanced over his shoulder to see Dick wallowing and he sighed. Red Hood dismissed the thug still in the room, swiftly shooing him away. When Dick heard the door lock click, he furrowed his brow.

"Hood?" he asked warily. Red Hood turned back and stalked over to the bed while unclasping his helmet.

"That was a private conversation," Jason informed Dick who sheepishly smiled and bowed his head in mock submission. "You know I can't stay."

"I know," Dick looked back up and smiled sadly at Jason. His sadness melted away somewhat as Jason leaned down and pressed their lips together. Dick hummed in content and leaned into his touch as Jason caressed his cheek. As Jason pulled away Dick murmured in objection and grasped at his jacket weakly.

"I'll come visit you later," Jason promised and Dick swooned ever so slightly as Jason gently wrestled off Nightwing's hold on his jacket and brought his hand to his lips, feathering his touch against him. "Don't look for me again."

"Jason, wait!" Dick protested and struggled to raise himself from the bed as Jason let go of Dick, replaced his helmet and left, locking Nightwing inside.

***

Dick was fuming, to say the least. Not only had Jason locked him in the room alone, but when he had tried to go after him, he found himself unable to. His ankles were securely cuffed to the bed. Dick's nostrils flared in rage, lightly yanking his leg to determine their tightness. They seemed flexible enough to be imperceptible to any small movement. But Dick had jerked dangerously hard to be able to notice them and now Jason was on very thin ice.

It felt like hours before he heard someone on the other side of the door. Dick tensed as the locked was picked. When he heard an annoyed mutter that sounded very much like Tim, Dick scowled and folded his arms. The door opened and Robin appeared taking in the room and the very pissed off Nightwing.

"You look furious." Tim rose a brow as he awkwardly approached. "I got here as soon as I could."

Dick threw the covers off and glared at the cuffs in disgust. Tim clenched his jaw in agreement with Nightwing's wrath and began to quickly assess them to determine their locks.

"Get them off, now." Dick barked and Tim huffed at him in disapproval of his brash conduct towards his saviour.

"Yup, in a bit of a tizzy," Tim confirmed hummed in amusement despite the spiteful glower he received. Tim let out a noise of protest as Dick immediately manoeuvred to stand after he was set free and he quickly caught Dick before he collapsed. "Dick, stop."

Dick felt all the fight he had built up waiting for Tim, disperse immediately. He slumped into Robin and bowed his head at the fatigue that flooded his body.

"Look, whatever's going on, it can wait, okay?" Tim guided him to the door with a helping hand. "I'm happy that Jason is in the doghouse, but your wellbeing comes first."

Dick turned his gaze to his brother and couldn't help but sigh in disappointment at Tim's pleased smile of Jason's impending punishment.

When they returned to the apartment Tim helped Dick to the bedroom, ensuring he was comfortable sitting up before he removed both their masks and sat at the edge of the bed.

"So, Deathstroke got away, huh?" Tim started and Dick averted his gaze and dug his nails into the palms of his hands in anger.

"I was so stupid," Dick called out into the room and Tim frowned lightly in reply. "I should have known he would have an escape plan. I was careless, I let my guard down."

"I think we all have." Tim sympathised and let his shoulders sag. "We just need to remember that just because Batman's gone, doesn't mean the crime lords have taken a sabbatical."

"That would just be considerate of them." Dick agreed with Tim and finally let a small smile grace his lips as Tim patted the bed clumsily. Dick flicked at the cape that draped across his legs and tilted his head in curiosity. "So, you're back in the saddle?"

"I guess so," Tim answered and lifted his chin. "Someone has to be out there, you're out of commission."

"How's your wound?" Dick asked and watched Tim cover his uniform where his injury laid beneath.

"It's fine, almost healed," Tim replied the hint of deceit that Dick easily picked up.

"You're lying," Dick informed his brother who scoffed and stood. "You should still be resting."

"Stop it, Dick," Tim snapped and moved to the door. "You're not Batman. You don't get to tell me what to do."

"Tim..." Dick pinched his features in guilt and fiddle with his fingers. "I'm sorry. I'm just worried about you."

"Well, I'm worried about you," Tim said in disbelief and shook his head at the confused look Dick gave him in return. "You're always working, making all these schedules for Bruce. You're not grieving, you haven't let yourself come to terms with what's happening. That's why you slipped up. Not to mention you're hanging out with a criminal-"

"That criminal saved my life." Dick retorted.

"And I'm grateful for that. But how far are you going to let him drag you down?" Tim asked him and opened the door. "Look, I don't want to argue with you. I understand that Jason means a lot to you, and I have no right to pull you away from him. But he isn't the same as he was. And I know you know that. I want you to be careful."

It was clear that Tim wasn't going to wait for Dick to answer, quickly shutting the door behind him, leaving Dick alone once again.

Of course, he knew Jason wasn't the same. But there were moments. Moments when Dick would see the old Jason peeking through. He was still Jason, still, the young man that Dick was taken with. Old Jason or new, there was absolutely nothing that would stop Dick from being in his life. He knew Bruce would agree, perhaps having a differing approach; keeping secrets tabs on his whereabouts for one.

Dick slunk down to lie down and sighed heavily. Tim would come to understand, Dick was sure of it.

***

Dick woke in the middle of the night to a body climbing into the bed with him. He was about to utter Tim's name when a strong arm that certainly was not Tim's wrap itself around his waist, careful not to aggravate his wound. Dick glanced over his shoulder to see Jason, frowning as the man leaned down to peck his lips in greeting.

"What are you doing here?" Dick asked instead of recuperating the rather heart-fluttering affection.

"It's nice to see you too," Jason whispered and scoffed quietly. "I told you I'd come to see you later."

Dick hummed disgruntled and turned back, attempting to remain elusively indifferent with Jason's presence.

"Hey, what's the matter?" Jason asked, grazing his gloved fingertips up Dick's arm. Dick reined in the shiver that threatened to expose him and pinched his brow together.

"You cuffed me." He answered. The light snigger he heard behind him had Dick immediately turning and pushing Jason away with a hand to his face. He glared as Jason gripped his wrist and pulled it to the side.

"We both know you could have easily gotten out of them." Jason countered with annoyance and let go of Dick.

"Why did you do it?" Dick asked.

"You know why." Jason sneered. "You were trying to find me. I can't have you messing with my operations Dick. We're on different sides. This-" Jason motioned between them with his hands. "-it shouldn't be happening."

Dick visibly flinched, unable to stop the pure wounded look grace his features. "You don't-"

"No! Wait! No!" Jason realised what he said and what it implied. He quickly grasped Dick's hand and brought it to lay against his chest. "That's not what I meant at all. I meant that even though I'm gone, long gone from who I used to be, I just can't keep away from you. There's something about you Dickiebird, you make me feel a little less...crazy."

Dick felt his chest tighten as Jason trailed off and he allowed the feel of the steady heartbeat beneath his hand to convey Jason's feelings before he finally replied.

"I wouldn't have followed you," Dick informed him and chewed at his lip. "I trust you."

"You shouldn't," Jason told him. Dick let Jason move his hand from his chest and lay it on his shoulder as he supported his elbow on the bed and leaned over to capture Dick's lips with his own. Dick hummed and dug his nails into Jason's jacket. He let Jason push him back down and opened his mouth for Jason's tongue. He ran his hand across Jason's shoulder, dragging his finger up his neck to scrape his nails against Jason's scalp. He groaned out lightly in pain as Jason brushed against his abdomen, pulling at the thick strands of hair between his fingers. "Sorry, sorry." Jason panted.

"Don't be," Dick begged him breathlessly. Jason rose a surprised brow and slyly smiled. "I've been in the game long enough that maybe a little pain is-" Dick contemplated the word before he gasped in pained pleasure. Jason was firmly pressing a delicious pressure of pain against his wound as he bit aggressively at Dick's neck. "-F-fun." Dick finished with a breathy smile as Jason smirked pleased with the result.

"Dickiebird, we have a lot to explore." Jason placed a gentle kiss to where he had just attacked Dick and bristled in approval as Dick squirmed under him. "But you've just had surgery."

"Yeah," Dick replied in agreement, already feeling the fatigue set in. He patted Jason's chest to gesture him to move and heaved in some oxygen as Jason moved to lay beside him.

"Who knew?" Jason muttered to himself in amusement and blew out a breath in delight.

"What?" Dick twisted his head to look at Jason and pursed his lips at his expression. "It's not that big of a deal. I like it relatively normal too, you know."

"I know, I know." Jason put his hands out in surrender and to prove to Dick he understood, he gently caressed his cheek. "I just wasn't expecting it."

"Well, don't let it go to your head." Dick huffed, but smiled and leaned into Jason's touch. "Will you stay?"

"Yeah," Jason nodded and manoeuvred them into a more comfortable position. Dick smiled warmly as Jason nuzzled his nose into Dick's hair and held him close. "Anything for you, Dickiebird."