Work Text:
The unpleasant copper taste of blood invades Jason's mouth staining pearly white teeth. It trickles consistently far steadier than his pulse.
His muscles however ache as his body incessantly screams at him. Senses shrill in their urgency as they cry out begging him to do something- anything to free himself from the brutal treatment being dealt to him at his body's expense.
He can't. Jason's tried more than anything. It's just no use.
Jason attempts to even out his breathing as much as he can short erratic and pained gasps escaping as his head rests gently against the marble. Frustration clouds his senses and whether it's directed towards himself or someone, anyone else he doesn't know. His forehead lays slack against the chilled material Jason's unbruised eye cracking open at the single pleasant sensation.
Jason can't help but feel grateful for the ounce of relief he feels. Cheek resting -or more so- smashed onto the floor while his thick ebony threads of hair lay strewn across the floor.
The relief seems to be short-lived as blood-speckled gloves wrench Jason upwards by his hair. The once pure white gloves darkened with crimson, his mindlessly spilled blood.
Nobody's coming Jason realizes for the umpteenth time. Replaying the fact over and over in his mind. Confirming frighteningly enough that he's in this alone. All alone.
But isn't that what he'd wanted? To prove that he could do this all alone. That if Bruce wouldn't listen to him - that if Bruce wouldn't spare some time- even for a moment that he could do this alone. That he'd been able to find his mother alone just fine.
No- no this isn't what he'd wanted though. Jason hadn't wanted things to wind up this way or to end in the form of that damned clown.
Jason pondered over his thoughts forlornly. This had all been proven to be a trap, his mother, had even been in on it. And now Jason was ultimately paying the price the slight dark spots that began hazing his vision were proof of that. A telltale sign that he was dying. That he inevitably would die if he didn't get himself out of here.
Had Bruce been right in underestimating him? Had his father thought him to be weak enough to fall for this trap?
The crowbar reigns upon him once more and Jason winces. While his features contort in pain.
Momentarily he clicks his tongue against the roof of his mouth willing himself not to make a noise. Forcing himself not to give the vile man the satisfaction of seeing him in pain - of getting a reaction out of him. Instead, he busies himself in restlessly testing and tugging at the material that keeps his weary limbs bound. Try as he might it's no use there's no way to work his wrists free all. If anything all that Jason is managing to do is aggravate his skin that's already pinched uncomfortably beneath the cuffs. Disheartened as another kick is sent fleeting into his chest Jason doubles over curling further into himself as maniacal laughter resounds. Distractedly Jason slides his tongue over the sharp edges of his teeth being sure to test that each one is still intact after the brutal blows from the crowbar.
Luckily enough they all are.
Jason wants his father. Needs his brother.
Would Bruce even come for him? Would Dick or anyone come?
-Wait, did anyone even notice that he was missing, or would it be too late before anyone noticed?-
The morbid thought had Jason shuddering more than the crowbar or even the after-effects of the blows dealt to his body had.
Disgusted at the copious amount and taste of the liquid Jason spits it at the sinister clown. The reaction is immediate as he finds a sharp kick jostling his agonizing body. Grating painfully at the injuries
A sea of crimson liquid coats the floor beneath the slender form.
The Joker creeps closer looming over him haughtily. Tutting softly in ridicule.
Desperation takes over as Jason tries to crawl away- figure slack and slick with blood. Trying to scramble away is a last resort but Jason can't bring himself to care. He's on his last whim with nothing else to lose. Footsteps trail after him.
The steps stop trekking behind him at the sudden appearance of Nightwing. His brother was here.
Dick had actually come for him-
Jason can't help but sigh in relief taking notice of the elder. Suddenly aware of the way Dick's eyes fell upon his crumpled form. Shame coated Jason's cheeks the moment his brother began scrutinizing him. His noirette brother's brows furrow together, face pulling together in unhappiness.
Jason frowns.
If he'd only been stronger - if he'd only of listened maybe he wouldn't be wallowing pathetically in self-pity. Still addled under the delusion that nobody was coming for him.
The elder's eyes narrowed as they tapered over the series of injuries dealt upon his once pristine skin. Jason at that moment knew without a qualm that his brother was fuming. Practically erupting in animosity and contemptuous desire.
Dick's eyes snapped to the jester's irises undeniably hollow as Dick's self-control wore thin. Even behind Nightwing's mask, Jason knew of what was to come.
Menacingly Dick steps forward. Inducing The Joker to take one step back.
''Take your fucking hands off of him," Dick practically snarls. "Now."
The Joker only sneers in reply, wretchedly and undeniably wicked. Crudely painted lips parting before the murderous clown's fingertips grace Jason's jaw mockingly. Dick's eyes slit behind the mask. The Joker however eventually ceases the uncomfortable display in favor of wrenching knobby gloved fingers into Jason's ebony hair. Jerking him up by the grip. Putting him on display.
Jason flinched. Dick's fists clench unfurling within a moment's notice.
And that was what Dick had been waiting for. The hero's face twisted into the epitome of fury before the elder stepped forward. Deliberately trudging forward slowly almost in warning of what was to come. The clown only gleamed with pride as Jason winced. His brother took the bait immediately Escrima's sticks poised.
Jason blinked and that was all it took as they whisked forward, flying out with such purpose and smacking into the assailant's gloved hand.
The sound of shattering bone was enough to make anyone blanch- even Jason.
There was a groan, an outroar, and then the room erupted into a frenzy. Movement, weapons clashing, yelling, and-
''It wasn't optional.'' Dick seethes.
The words were clipped and jeering and Jason shivered involuntarily. He watched, uneasy and breathless, as Nightwing's fist made Joker's nose spurt blood, Escrima sinking down on the other's outstretched arm with a sickening snap.
Although Jason's captor hardly seemed phased much to Jason's astonishment. The lunatic met the blows with grins, insults, and provoking comments, hardly even giving attention to the brutality dealt to the man's lithe body.
Jason couldn't bring himself to understand - didn't quite comprehend The Joker's indifference to pain while he himself had not been.
He did have an understanding of his brother's temper though. Something the neon green-haired man did not.
Dick's temper was a force to be reckoned with which was something he knew all too well. Yet he'd never seen it to this extent.
Jason felt Dick's silence like a sheet of ice slicing through him. His brother's strikes were intense and severe- cruel even.
Jason tugged helplessly at his restraints. He didn't understand this and he needed to help.
He was still unable to break free. Unsurprising really. Nothing had changed since before.
He tensed and gulped and watched, dumbstruck, as Dick did more than just disarm. His brother was fighting with such vigor and intensity that it was enough force to actually damage. It was impressive really, or it would've been.
It would've been- If it had been anyone other than Dick. This however was so uncharacteristic of Dick, temper or not that it left Jason reeling. This felt wrong- this wasn't his brother.
Jason stared as The Joker hit the concrete, a few teeth most likely missing from the Chesire cat grin. Eyes hazy, bruised in more places than not, and blood trickling. Cackling laughter sprouted from the feeble man's body and Jason stifled a whimper at the noise alone. Dick nonetheless pinned the man down not seeming finished just yet.
His brother's arm pulled taunt readied to deliver another blow. And Jason made his decision-
''N'ghtwing'' Jason slurred ''Enough''
Sure, the guy deserved it - that went without question. But he still felt uneasy watching his brother so violent. And Jason wasn't stopping his brother for The Joker's sake but for Dick's.
''Yeah, okay,'' Dick finally relented. Voice begrudging as his brother's arm dropped. The Joker's head sagged as the clown lost consciousness. The noirette merely let the man drop to the side. ''I'm sorry.''
It took a few moments for Jason to take notice of the fact that his brother was now beside him. Grasping him as the elder gathered him into gentle arms.
''Everythings alright, let's just-..let's just get you out of here Little Wing.''
Dick's words went unnoticed seeing as Jason was already lulled into the hushed comfort of unconsciousness.
__________
Little by little Jason regained shreds of consciousness, realizing that he was very much alive. If the pain was anything to go by. He was breathing as well.
Incredibly sore and not without difficulty but still breathing.
Jason allowed his stormy teal eyes to flutter close comforted at the thought. Before his head sagged to the side.
Reality hit him harshly and suddenly. Entirely at once as did the recollection of memories.
He was in a room of an apartment, one that he knew all too well Jason noticed. It was his brother's apartment, his brother who had saved him and looked after him.
Dick came into view, offered him a small smile, and sat beside him on the bed.
''You're awake,'' The elder says with ease. ''Good I -god you have no idea how good it is to see you awake.''
''You came,'' Jason murmured simply unable to keep the disbelief from coloring his voice.
''Of course, I came, Jay,'' Dick said softly before dawning a sullen look. The elder reached down to brush his hair away from Jason's eyes. And Jason still had half the mind to roll his eyes and blow teasingly at the hand as Dick laughed. ''Is that what you thought- that I wouldn't?''
Silence. Jason didn't really have an answer for his brother.
''Jay hey,'' Dick soothes. ''It's okay-''
Instantaneously the reassurance reduces Jason to nothing short of a blubbering mess.
''Didn't think anyone was coming,'' Jason finally bursts interrupting his brother. Dick tenses. Going silent before sucking in a breath.
''I thought - I didn't think anyone had noticed that I was gone. Or that maybe someone had but just didn't care because I ran off. Was so sure I was going to die Dickie.''
His brother goes rigid at the statement. Before Dick decisively decides what to say.
''I'll always be there when you need me, Jay. You couldn't pay me to stay away if you were ever in danger.'' Dick responds sincerely. The conviction within the elder's voice has Jason melting. Dick's fingers continued carding through his hair as Jason allowed himself to go pliant beneath them. Instead of batting them away.
''Why did-''
''Are you asking why I was so angry? Or why I beat The Joker the way that I did?'' Dick questions.
''Well,'' Jason begins ''Both I guess.''
''I wasn't angry I was beyond that. Little Wing I was livid. Because he almost took my little brother away from me. The bastard had it coming,'' Dick admits voice tinged with bitterness. ''Fuck, when I first saw you Jay you looked half dead. Hell, I thought I'd been too late. And then I saw the crowbar- and I - I just snapped.''
His brother had done all of that on his account? The Golden Boy had almost beaten somebody to a pulp because the man had almost taken him from Dick?
''Oh,'' Jason says quietly a little stupified ''Oh I'm sorry''
Astonishment pulls at Jason's senses. He'd never known just how much Dick valued him much less that the elder genuinely saw him as a younger brother.
''You have absolutely nothing to apologize for Jason,'' Dick laments fondly. ''If anyone is sorry it's me. I shouldn't have lost control like that especially not in front of you. And you should've never of been left wondering if anyone was coming for you.''
Jason nods before yawning. Dick only snickers before nudging his shoulder.
''You're safe,'' Dick assures azure depths gleaming with honesty. ''It's okay to rest. I'll be right here when you wake up.''
''I know'' Jason murmurs sleepily. Lids pulling to a close.
However, he's most surprised to find out that he genuinely believes in his older brother's words.