It all started on that stupid, cliché evening. You two were just a pair of children back then, stuck outside in the middle of a downpour because your respective families were far from ideal—as many other children have it in the Narrows, after all. Jason had been freezing his butt off, hungry and upset for having to deal with this kind of thing for the umpteenth time that week alone.

But nowadays, that memory is a fond one. Why? Because you were there, offering to huddle together for warmth and share the loaf of bread you'd managed to grab earlier; and back then, it gave him a sense of belonging. Of safety, even.

Then he became Robin, and he was off the streets. The first night he spent alone in his room at the Manor was the worst and final one. The very next morning, Jason had rushed into Bruce's room, scrambled over to him, and begged the man to bring you in too. Which led to Jason's tired form collapsing in your arms once you were kindly escorted to the car, much to your panic and Bruce's amusement, as the latter told you about Jason's earlier (and teary) pleas.

All the following days spent together, the afternoons where you two would play around within the Manor and in the gardens, the evenings where Jason would read to you, and the nights where you waited up for him as he went on patrol with Bruce... All of that was taken away from you when Joker chimed in.

But years later, Jason resurfaced. Hurt, angry, a shadow of the kid you grew up with—but you took him in. You held him during his worst nights, you cooked meals for him, and you offered to share your home. And that? That was way more than Jason could've ever asked of you, and it still makes his eyes water up to this day.

Speaking of, he's been spacing out while you're busy yapping about your latest hyperfixation. To Jason's defense, he is listening, he just... got distracted by your pretty face? Kinda. Maybe. Just the sight of you makes his heart flutter with emotions older than he'll ever care to admit.

But lately, Jason has been off, so to speak. A bit more grumpy, even. He keeps cutting his own sentences short and tries to avoid talking to you about it when asked. Why? Because he's just come to terms with the fact that he's madly in love with you, and he has NO IDEA how to even bring this up with you.

You've been best friends forever! Isn't this a sign of a perpetual friendzone already?? Dіck tried to encourage him to "follow his heart"—and some more lovey-dovey jargon he couldn't bother listening to. And look, he is a romantic guy, in a sense; his favourite book is Pride and Prejudice for crying out loud! Jason's one of the girlies!

But, expressing his emotions? Ahah. Good luck. This dude took after Bruce in the worst ways he could've picked.

"Hm? I'm listenin', just keep talking, dumbаss."

Jason couldn't help the sigh that escaped his lips. It's so stupid. His voice keeps going soft; his expression as well. You keep turning him into pudding without trying, and he can't even bring himself to ask you out for a stupid meal, even if you eat together all the damn time! He must succeed today!

"Wait. I've been thinking... y'know," his shoulders tense and his tongue ties, which leads to him grumbling and turning away slightly, trying to avoid your all-knowing gaze.

"Actually—nevermind. What were you saying again?"

Maybe the 14th time will be the charm.