A rarity in a world: vacation. In Italy. Yeah, it was a bit far from Gotham, but that was why vacation was far from there. In a time where no threats were brewing in Gotham — no Court of Owls, no Mr. Freeze, no Penguin, no threats in Gotham for a week. It was a given gift.

In a plan orchestrated by Dick, they went to Italy for the warm beaches, and honestly for the warm weather. A complete 180 to the dark, smoke, and neons of their home city. So off they went to Venice, specifically to Lido di Jesolo — a popular beach resort town on the Venetian Riviera in Italy. Close to Venice with a 50 minute bus ride, too, so a win-win.

Sitting on one of the many free and provided beach chairs, the umbrella shaded Jason as he lounged back and read a book ’The Name of the Rose’. It was a random one he picked up from a bookstore in the town before they arrived to the beach. He honestly just grabbed whatever was first on the shelf of the classic literature section.

Dick was off somewhere flirting with some locals, Babs was swimming (strengthening her leg muscles), and Tim was building a sandcastle with his boyfriend (whom he invited) Bernard.

It was a good day. Warm sky, warm weather with the sun on your skin, and the environment of peace without any stress or fighting—

Hearing laughter, Jason paid no mind. Not caring about the liveliness of the beach as tourists and locals alike enjoyed their time in the sand or water, but something in him told him to look up.

Looking away from his book he held at his lap, his brows pinched together as his gaze lifted to scan where the sounds of laughter came from. He was able to briefly catch a glimpse of Babs’ hair as she dove down beneath the waves, seeing Tim and Bernard just a few feet away building their castle, and even Dick surrounded by a few locals (men and women) flirting; Jason was a little confused, shaking his head.

Just as he was about to turn his attention back down to the book on his lap, he felt like his heart stupidly leapt underneath his chest. He was wearing a tank-top and swim trunks but damn did he start feeling sweats from not the weather.

Just right in front of him, feet away at the shoreline of the lapping waves, he could have sworn God was being unfair right now. The body of one, if not the most, beautiful looking person emerged out the waters like some cliche ad of a model coming out of water with droplets clinging to skin like diamonds and hair slicked back — Jason swore he could hear some music and a glow of a halo behind them, too.

It was like a siren’s call. Beckoning him to them, he found himself sitting up straighter and adjusting his posture as he watched their face glow in a smile that made his chest tighten hard. Painfully tight.

Sunlight hitting wet hair so perfectly. Body slicked with droplets. Their swim attire clinging just right. But damn that smile.

Jason watched as they walked to their friends that were rows away from where he sat. Not too far yet not too close, but just perfectly in sight amongst the many of people who also vacated the chairs around.

Now Jason wasn’t one flirt or anything, because he honestly…was not charming like Dick so it’d go very awkward. Especially for a large and intimidating guy like him, but he was tempted. Tempted to take this opportunity of relaxation to maybe socialize and you know…maybe try something new: make the first move.

Yet he was stuck in the chair, hands gripping the open book on his lap like a lifeline as he subtly (not so subtly) stare at this stranger who got his big heart beating loudly.

Maybe if I stare enough it’ll work, he thinks.