Archive of Our Own

The first thing he is aware of is pain, a throbbing sort of pain that echoed in his head and bounced around and around. It certainly wasn’t his favorite way to wake up.

Although…

The second thing he was aware of was a soft light behind his eyelids and when he cracked opened his eyes he saw the source from above him. There were the soft sounds of the hum of some machines nearby and when he turned his head, which made the ache worse, he saw some kind of medical equipment. So he knew what that was, he understood he was in some kind of, what, hospital room? Something in his mind said that’s not where he was and he didn’t really feel like arguing.

“Huh? Are you awake?” A voice nearby on the other side of the bed he was laying on, so he looked the opposite way of the machines to see a man getting up to his feet from a chair and leaning over him. “Oh thank god, Tim, you were out for a while there, we were getting worried.”

“Hm…” He groaned softly.

Okay. So that answered one of millions of question he, Tim, had, the rest were blanks and he had no idea how to fill them in right now. See, the problem here was, in fact, apparently Tim, himself, whoever, couldn’t remember a damn thing about himself or who this man was that was looking him over with concern.

“How are you feeling?” The man asked, picking up some kind of remote connected to the bed by a cord, calling someone maybe? A doctor?

While…uh, right, Tim, yea, seemed to understand things, words and what things were and what they were used for, he couldn’t remember anything about his life or anything he’s ever done. It was a little ridiculous if you asked him but what sort of standard does he even have for that?

Oh right, this guy asked him something.

“My head hurts.” Is that his voice? That’s what he sounded like? It was alright, he supposed, it wasn’t exactly important.

“I’d imagine.” The man laughed. “You took quite the blow to it.”

A blow to the head? Explains why he doesn’t remember anything, that could happen, it definitely explains the pain. What had he been doing that would lead to that though? Could be a million things and trying to think about them was making his head hurt more.

There was a knock at the door and an older woman in a white coat walked in, smiling softly and there was something about her that Tim found comforting, but only a little, there was also a dash of…something. Like he didn’t want exactly to be around her, not out of fear or dislike exactly. It was a complex feeling he didn’t want to explore right now, she was talking to him now, focus.

She started asking him questions, how he was feeling, if he was dizzy or feeling sick. If there was anything wrong, head injuries are complicated.

“Um.” Tim started, he had sat up by now, he looked down at his hands, foreign looking things that looked calloused and there were some faint scars that went up to what he could see of his arms. That’s probably concerning “Nothing is wrong.” He said, looking up at her.

There was something inside him that was not trusting of the people around here, something about keeping secrets and paranoia. That was probably an odd choice to make, but for right now, something inside him was telling him not to tell them he couldn’t remember anything. Besides, it’s not like he knew these people, how could he be properly sure they were good people? Safe people?

The doctor seemed normal enough but the man that was in here was built like someone who could scrap. Tim could see scars peeking out of the man’s sleeves and even at his jaw. Tim had scars too but who’s to say they didn’t give them to each other? Until he knew more, he was keeping his forgetfulness to himself. Just to play it safe.

There were a lot tests and questions, Tim passed everything the best he could with such little information. They hadn’t once asked him if he knew them, if he remembered things, weird but all the better for him.

“I want you to stay here one more day, just for observation.” The doctor said, and then turned to the man. “Dick-“

His name is Dick? Oof, unfortunate for him, Tim had to keep his face neutral to keep from laughing.

“Keep an eye on him will you? We don’t want him sneaking off and making things worse if something crops up.” She said.

Tim frowned and furrowed his brow, what the hell does that mean? How often is he getting injured? And he would sneak off? What for, that’s just stupid.

“Don’t give us that, Tim.” The man, heh Dick, said, putting his hands on his hips and giving him a stern look as he mistook Tim’s confusion for rebellion or something.

“Fine.” Tim said, why would he want to leave? Where would go without knowing who he was let alone where he might live. “I’ll stay put.”

Dick’s eyes narrowed suspiciously at him and Tim wondered if he figured Tim out. “You better.” Nope, just concerned about apparent repeat behavior. Oh boy, it was going to be difficult to know how to act around these people or else he’d give himself away.

The doctor spoke a while longer before she left and Dick took a seat in the chair he had been in before and Tim wondered what they should talk about, he had nothing in mind because he had no idea what the two of them would talk about. He really wanted to know where they were right now, not that it would help, he didn’t even know what city or town he was from.

“Don’t look so glum, Timmy, it’s not so bad.” Dick said, again mistaking his expression which Tim was fine with, not so fine with the nickname but let it go. “I know you’d rather be home for rest, but the Cave is the best place for you right now.”

Cave.

Dick just said cave, right? They were just…in a cave. A cave that had a medical room? What the hell was Tim into right now? His distrust started ticking up higher and higher.

“I said I’d stay.” Tim said, frowning a little. “But I want to go home once I can.” Where ever Tim live would have so many clues about who he was and what the hell kind of life he led, he really wanted to get to the bottom of it.

“Heh, I’m sure.” Dick chuckled like there was some kind of joke going on, which Tim did not get. “I’m sure your nurse would take great care of you but how about someone with an actual medical degree that doesn’t use duct tape for most things look after you for now?”

What. What the hell does even mean. What kind of person is he talking about?

Hm. Dick implied Tim would sneak off when injured, is he…talking about Tim? It was possible but it was also possible another person was at his place, did he have a roommate? He hoped not, that would just be too complicated right now.

The day passed and Tim did learn a little but not at the depth he would have liked. Dick loved to talk but he wasn’t talking about anything that Tim could follow and mentioned so many names that there was no way for him to keep up with. How could he when he had no faces to go with them? If anything he was only more confused.

Besides, the stories and things Dick said were…wild. It sprang forth waves of questions that Tim couldn’t ask if he was sticking with his plan of keeping his condition to himself. He talked about birds, bats, all sorts of things like that with weird names and acted like everything he said was another Tuesday.

What kind of Tuesdays was Tim having? It was giving him a head ache, but that was probably just his injury.

The doctor, Leslie it turned out, gave Tim the all clear and Tim weirdly felt proud how long he’s been getting away with having secret amnesia. That was probably something he shouldn’t exactly take pride in but how the hell should he know?

Tim changed into some clothes Dick had given him, had to be his clothes logically, but while the pants fit just fine, the red worn out hoodie he put on over his shirt was at least a size or two larger than him. Maybe he liked it baggy like that? Dick said it was his, so it had to be his, right?

He liked it, when he looked at himself, he was still getting used to what he looked like. It was…well. Tim thought for the most part he looked alright, his features were rather symmetrical, it was just the way he was rather pale like a ghost and the bags under his eyes that concerned him. That wasn’t the greatest, certainly he was not taking that great care of himself.

Anyway, back to the hoodie. When Tim looked at himself in it, he felt good, he liked it and there was some kind of pleasant feeling attached to it that sprung out of nowhere. He liked it so he just figured it was a good thing.

“I don’t care what you say, Tim.” Dick said as Tim came out of the bathroom from changing. “I’m taking you back to your place.”

Oh. Perfect.

Wait, should he protest? Keep in character with whatever Tim was supposed to be to this man?

“Don’t give me that look, as your big brother, I am going to make sure you keep living, let’s go.” Dick said, leaving the room and not noticing that Tim didn’t follow him for a minute

What? What? They were brothers? No, yea, that made some sense, they both did have blue eyes and black hair, they looked a little alike. Oh shit, that means Dick should know him really, really well. It was a miracle he hasn’t noticed him being different. That thought made him feel a little…disappointed.

He had guessed before this that he and Dick were kind of close, the way he stayed with Tim and tried to keep him company and all. But…

Later, right now, follow him.

Dick drove him to a rather nice looking area to an apartment building. He continued to insist that he would take Tim up to his place and might even stay with him for a while.

Tim appreciated him showing which apartment was his but he really wanted to explore it alone. It would look weird if he just started poking around everything like it was the first time he’s seen it. Which, as it was, that was exactly what it was going to be like for Tim. So Dick could not stay, not if Tim wanted answers he didn’t have to ask for.

“I’ll be fine, I’m not going to do anything but rest.” Tim insisted.

“Sure you are.” Dick rolled his eyes.

Who the fuck was Tim? Why was he like this? He was getting so concerned about this.

“Your phone got thrashed, how would even get help if you needed it?” Dick asked, standing outside of the door with Tim.

Tim wouldn’t know who to call anyway so that wouldn’t have been help anyway. Dick looked at his own phone after it buzzed and his brows went up and nodded.

“Looks like Jason is back in town.” Dick said. Okay? Good for him? “He says he’ll be here in a few minutes…so I guess it’s okay.”

Why? What? What did that mean, Jason was coming here? For what? Dammit, he had roommate after all. And it didn’t sound like he would have a lot of time to explore, better get started.

Tim found keys in his pants and unlocked the door, going inside quickly and not letting Dick follow him.

“See? I’ll be fine, thanks Dick, bye.” Tim said quickly and shut the door in his face and locked it, probably rude but he didn’t have time for manners. Dick seemed to find it normal; he just laughed on the other side of the door and seemed to leave.

“Alright.” Tim said to himself. “Let’s find out who the fuck I am.”

Tim went through the entire apartment, opening every door and finding that there were two bedrooms, one that looked well sort of plain and almost unused? Or maybe they just didn’t have a lot of stuff? Or Tim didn’t have a lot of stuff?

When he looked through drawers and the closet he found that there were things in there, clothes and tools for some reason. It all sort of screamed storage or extra to him, the closet was much of the same, it had more house hold stuff in there than personal things. Either it was an extra room or whoever used it was a weirdo.

He hoped it wasn’t him, he didn’t want to be a weirdo.

Just as he put his hand on the knob of the other bedroom he heard something in the living room, it sounding like the window sliding open. Tim frozen in place, was someone breaking in right now? Holy shit, what was he going to do? He couldn’t defend himself, he didn’t want to beef it before knowing who the hell he was first!

“Tim?” A voice called out and Tim’s thudding heart soothed and then it did something weird. It fluttered. Strange, moving on.

Tim came down the hall, peeking into the living room and went back to his someone breaking in theory because the man facing the window as he shut it was, first of all, built as fuck. Secondly, he was wearing some weird full head red helmet. Oh, and did Tim mention the guns strapped to some impressive thighs.

Wait, what?

No, guns, focus, shit, he was going die, just great.

The man did something to the back of the helmet and it unlatched so he could pull it off and he shook his head and ran a hand through his helmet hair, turning at the waist and their eyes locked.

Shit.

Like…if he had to go, at least he’d see something beautiful before he did, why was this dangerous man so pretty?

Alright thoughts, you need to calm down on that, that guy is packing heat. Tim thought that maybe this sort of reaction explained why Dick thought he shouldn’t be on his own, clearly he had no self-preservation.

That flutter made another appearance when as smile graced the stranger’s face and his thought derailed back to how handsome his would be killer was; Tim seemed to be a complicated fellow.

“Hey.” The man said and started toward Tim and Tim, stupidly, stayed where he was and the man looked down at him, shit he was tall. No wait, fuck, Tim was short as hell, well dammit.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t here for what happened.” The stranger’s expression shifted to something akin to sadness mixed with shame or something.

“It’s not your fault.” Tim said before he could help himself, it wasn’t like he was doing a lot to help himself.

“Still.” He said, cupping Tim’s face and stroking the curve of his cheek and those flutters were getting worse, just who was this man? Who was he to Tim? “Dick told me your phone met an unfortunate end, clearly he got my message if he left you here alone.

Ah, so this had to be Jason.

Wait, if Jason lived here, supposedly, why the hell did he use the window of all things? Was that something he usually did and if so…again…why?

“Are you okay?” Jason, most likely Jason, asked looking concerned. “How are you feeling?”

“My head hurts but only on the outside.” Tim answered, wait Jason was still holding his face, it felts so…normal. Who the hell is Jason.

Jason turned Tim’s head to look at the bandages around his head, his other hand checked how well they were on and if there was anything wrong with them.

“Yea, I bet.” Jason said and turned Tim’s head back to look at him. “Fuck, I’m so glad you’re alright, I got back as fast as I could.”

“Don’t worry about it.” Tim hadn’t even known Jason existed, what he did he care if Jason wasn’t here sooner? But Jason seemed to care about that a lot, his fingers tensing against Tim’s face.

“It’s not some trivial thing, Tim, you were out for days. You scared the shit out of me, don’t play it off like another Tuesday.” Jason insisted; his hand dropping from his face and Tim missed it.

Huh, that’s funny, didn’t Tim just think that Tuesday joke earlier? Maybe they were close, he seemed pretty worried about Tim, so that had to mean something.

“I’m sorry.” Tim said when Jason still seemed to be upset.

Jason sighed and ran his hand through his black hair with a bit of white streak in the bangs, that was odd but Tim liked it for some strange reason. What a style for a guy like Jason to have.

“No, it’s, I just want you to be careful out there.” Jason said as he dropped his hand and looked at Tim with such an expression of softness and a few other things that Tim couldn’t read.

“I’ll try better.” Tim said. Why was he so compelled to ease Jason’s peace of mind? It wasn’t just manners, there something here and he wanted to know it.

“Thanks.” Jason’s smile was soft and just a touch amused. “Now, shouldn’t you be resting? What have you been up to, hm?”

“Nothing really.” Tim shrugged, he was in the middle of searching for answers, that he hadn’t been able to find.

“Sure.” Jason scoffed playfully. Seriously, why is the reaction people had about him? If he ever remembered his life he is changing that, for sure. “Go lay down, I’ll make us something to eat, okay?”

“Huh?” Tim cursed internally as the noise got out of him. “I don’t need to lie down, I’m fine.”

Jason rolled his eyes like he expected the answer. Oh, so Tim’s just like this, it was such natural reaction to Jason’s request. That would explain how he and Dick were reacting then.

Ah, wait, he could check out that other room if he had to go rest. Hm, but wait, was that even his room? Would Jason notice if he went in there and that was just Jason’s room? Dammit, now he couldn’t go lay down even if he wanted to.

Jason rolled his eyes again as Tim internally debated what he should do and Jason clearly took this as stubbornness . He put his hands on Tim’s shoulders, turned him around and started herding him down the hallway. He took Tim through the room he had yet to explore, score, and made him go to the bed.

“Lay down.” Jason said firmly, pointing at the bed. “Now.”

“Fine, jeez.” Tim muttered and laid down on the bed. “Happy?”

“Ecstatic.” Jason shook his head fondly. “Just rest up this once, head injuries are no joke, babybird, I’ll just be a few minutes.” He said before he left the room leaving Tim alone.

Hold on. Babybird? What sort of nickname was that?

Something to unpack later, he didn’t have a lot of time to look around if Jason was only going to be a few minutes. He got up and silently moved around the room, going through the night stand first. He opened the draw and shut it quickly.

Awkward. But that stuff had to be his, he shouldn’t be awkward about it, but to just have sex stuff in his nightstand, seriously, with another man living with him. Jason could just see lube and condoms and who knew what else if he was looking for like batteries or something. Maybe they didn’t go into each-others rooms, that would be normal right? Ugh, moving on.

He moved to the closet and on one side he found more clothes that sort of looked like what he was wearing but at the end there were some pretty nice suits, also in his size. Did he wear those for work? Must be, all of his other clothes look so casual and kind of worn out.

At the bottom of the closet there were several pairs of different sort of shoes and even some boots, as he looked down the line of them he noticed at the other end they got bigger. Weird. He looked at his feet then at the larger boots, he didn’t think that would fit him at all.

Jason was big burly hunky man.

Hunky.

Tim needed to stop thinking shit that like, it was weird, probably, that was his roommate, don’t be creepy.

Anyway, Jason, he was tall, like a head and some taller than Tim and really muscular, just completely built. Tim was completely confident that Jason could probably bench press him without breaking as sweat-

What did we just talk about, brain? Stop being creepy and thirsting over Jason, fuck, yes, he’s hot, yes he’s built like a shit brick house and Tim seemed to be into that, but it’s find out who Tim was not find out what Tim liked in men. Oh, so he liked men, that was something. What about women? Hm, no one came to mind but he settled that yes, women too. Alright so one thing was learned about himself, let’s find something a little more useful though.

Tim slide the closet doors over to the other side and found very different clothes on this side and below there was most boots and some shoes which were on the bigger size, as were the clothes. This closet was clearly shared, but…the clothes in the other room were about this size as well, so…what did that mean? Did they share this closet because of over flow or…

“Tim.” Jason’s exasperated voice startled him so much he jumped as he turned around, knowing he was looking like he was doing something he shouldn’t. Jason just shook his head and gave him a very pointed look; at least he didn’t think it was more than just disobeying the lay down rule.

“I was just looking for something.” Tim said, shutting the closet and going back to the bed, sitting down at the head of it. “Fine, fine, I’m on the bed.”

“You are impossible.” Jason sighed, bringing the tray was carrying over to the nightstand to put it down. Tim stared at the drawer, oh no, there was no reason for Jason to open it but it didn’t stop the nerves. Jason noticed him looking and then they locked eyes. “No.”

“What?” Tim asked honestly startled, no what?

“Eat your food.” Jason said firmly. “You are in recovery mode until further notice. So for now, you are going to have dinner, you’re going to rest and we are staying in until we know completely that you’re alright.”

“You don’t have to watch me.” Tim said, he needed to see more, he found out so little so far.

“And yet I am going to.” Jason said, going out of the room and from where Tim could see he had gone into the other room, unholstering his guns as he went, oh shit how did Tim forget that Jason was just toting around guns?

Well, that was a dumb question from a man with amnesia.

He could hear some sounds from the other room, Jason removing things and putting things away. Did Tim miss something in there? Probably, he wasn’t exactly looking for a gun safe or anything like that.

Tim didn’t think Jason was dangerous, not to him anyway, they seemed plenty friendly, if Jason’s doting actions were anything to go by. He was surprised he wasn’t acting too suspicious around him, Tim was sailing by so far just like he had with Dick. And just like with Dick, he felt sort of disappointed by that. He couldn’t fathom why, it’s what he wanted right now, but, as he thought about it, that probably meant that they just accepted any kind of behavior from him and didn’t notice when it was off.

Tim looked over at the plate of food that Jason had brought him, it was a grilled sandwich with what looked like burger meat, eggs, cheese and bacon in it. What is this, breakfast? But it looked good and Tim might as well do what he was told for now.

Fuck, that was delicious, this was definitely his new favorite food, well, his first favorite he supposed. Oh who cares, this was bomb and that’s all he cared about right now. There was something about the way it tasted and had something pop in his head that Jason was the only person who could make eggs taste good and that was odd, he shouldn’t know that but maybe it was memory worming its way back.

“Tim you better be-“ Jason, now dressed in sweat pants and regular tee shirt, paused at the door catching Tim mid stuffing the sandwich into his mouth cause it was awesome thank you very much, don’t judge.

Jason’s face scrunched and before Tim could wonder why Jason started to dissolve into laughter, bending over and holding onto the door frame to support himself. It was loud and boisterous and Tim…delighted in hearing it. What was with Jason, he was becoming as big a mystery to him as himself.

“Oh my god, Timbers, are you that hungry?” Jason laughed, straightening up, wiping at his eyes as he slowly started to settle back down. His laughter started up again when Tim flipped him off, it was an instinct. “Dude, chew at least.”

“I am.” Tim mumbled after swallowing a bite. “It’s good, I like it. Thank you.” Tim said and there, finally, was something on Jason’s face that said there was something funny about Tim.

“My pleasure.” Jason chuckled, shaking his head fondly and went over to the other side of the bed and plopped down on it, spreading out and relaxing. Probably to watch him.

“Aren’t you going to eat?” Tim asked, taking another bite and hummed delighted, he hoped Jason cooked for him often, this was great.

“I already ate, unlike you, I know when to feed myself on a regular bases.” Jason said, he was observing Tim and Tim was getting nervous that he was starting to catch on.

“I get around to it.” Tim said, not that he knew that or if that was the right response. Jason snorted and rolled his eyes, clearly that was the right one. “I do.” He insisted.

“Sure.” Jason laughed.

The night went on and soon it was time to go to bed, it would be the perfect time for Tim to look through his room when Jason went to bed. Plus, there was a bathroom attached to the room he really wanted to explore, bathrooms could have medication with his last name on it, not that it would give him that much information but he’d like to know it.

The thing was, that Jason was not leaving even when it started to get late. They just hung out on the bed, talking about this and that, Tim was able to keep up with him just like he had with Dick. Except Jason wanted more back and forth than Dick did, Dick was happy to drone on but Jason wanted Tim’s input and thoughts, which was…nice but difficult for him to keep things sounding like he knew what was going on.

Tim liked talking with Jason though, he liked how Jason thought about things, he liked the way he would laugh so suddenly at something Tim said and his smile. He was so handsome and it was giving Tim so many flutters and he didn’t know if it was because of the physical attraction or if there was something else.

Was Tim like pining for his roommate? That might be something that was going on, current Tim could totally understand the motive. What wasn’t to like?

Jason clearly cared about his wellbeing, he cooked for him, made sure he was taking care of himself, which apparently isn’t something Tim was good at. Jason was funny and definitely charming, not Tim thought he was trying to be, and of course there was the whole gorgeous face and stacked body things going on. Tim was even a little into the whole bad boy thing with the guns which he felt he should be disturbed about but was more disturbed that he wasn’t.

This was all so distracting and when Jason yawned he thought they’d finally part ways, he needed to focus on finding out who Tim was because he had a lot of questions. Some slightly concerning thoughts at this point.

“Bedtime?” Tim suggested and it seemed like the wrong thing when Jason looked at him baffled. Fuck.

“Heh, voluntarily wanting to go sleep?” Jason said amused, seriously what kind of person was Tim? “I’m not looking a gifted horse in the mouth, yea, bedtime.”

But Jason didn’t move from his side of the bed. He just continued to lay there all comfortable but then raised a brow at Tim.

“You want to sleep in your clothes?” Jason asked, that slightly look of finding Tim off showing up again.

“No.” Tim said and he got up.

Wait. Where does he keep his sleep clothes? He had no idea, if he just started digging around that would definitely tip Jason off and Tim was sort of committed to this secret thing at this point.

“Are you alright? Are you dizzy?” Jason was up on his feet and at Tim’s side in an instant, his hand resting on the small of his back. Tim liked the touch.

“Got up too fast I guess.” Tim mumbled, it wasn’t true but a good excuse, not that he had one for why he was leaning into Jason.

“I’ll get your pjs, just sit down, alright?” Jason suggested, guiding Tim back to sit on the bed.

Oh no, the drawer! Oh, wait, good, Jason went to the dresser, obviously, who’d look in a nightstand for clothes? Ha. Fuck.

Jason put the soft clothes in Tim’s hands then he brushed Tim’s bangs out of his face as he looked at him so tenderly, Tim leaned into Jason’s hand that cupped his face. Tim’s heart was starting to beat faster as Jason looked down at him and Tim clutched the clothes tightly trying to control his face to not look how he was feeling right now.

If there had been something between them there would have been some evidence by now, right? So Jason was just good dude and taking care of his injured friend. Tim looked elsewhere and the hand fell away from his face.

“Are you alright? Still dizzy?” Jason asked concerned.

“I’m okay, I’m gonna go change and get ready for bed.” Tim stood up and moved quickly to the bathroom; at least he had the excuse to be in there for a while.

“Tim.” Jason caught Tim’s arm as he passed. “What’s wrong? Tell me, you can’t keep shit to yourself like this.”

“My head doesn’t hurt like before, it’s fine.” Tim said and pulled out of his hand, pushing out a smile as he looked back Jason. “I’m fine, I mean it.”

Jason did not look convinced at all but not at all surprised either.

“The faster I do this the faster I get back to bed, okay?” Tim said and that at least seemed to soothe Jason a little. “I won’t be long.”

Dammit.

Now he didn’t have a lot of time in the bathroom, he shut the door behind him and locked it, just cause. He changed first just so it wouldn’t be weird if things took more time.

The bathroom was tidy, much like the rest of the apartment, there were two sinks with a rinse cup and tooth brush at each sink. Weird, why would he need two? He opened the medicine cabinet and found very little in there, nothing with his name on it at least. There was a bottle in there with someone else’s name though, who the hell was Alvin Draper? Not helpful.

He started brushing his teeth with the red tooth brush instead of the green one as he continued to look around for something, there were so much stuff for first aid under the sink, like what were they expecting? Well Jason might get into shit if he was going out strapped and climbed though windows wearing weird helmets.

This was disappointing; honestly, it only brought up more questions and little answers. He finished brushing his teeth and ran a hand through his long black hair, looking at himself in the mirror, still disorientated by his own reflection. Tim pulled at the shirt he was wearing that was at least two sizes too big, certainly a thing with him, and the weird red bat that splayed across the chest. It looked familiar but he couldn’t place why, not a lot was coming back to him and he so badly wanted anything to make sense.

Jason was still on the bed when he came back out but he was on top of the blankets so Tim decided that was probably fine. Jason was watching him rather intently as Tim went to toss his clothes in the hamper by the door, feeling Jason’s eyes on him was unnerving.

Before Tim got under the blankets, Jason got up and had Tim sit up on the bed. Jason held his face again, turning it to look over the bandages for his injuries.

“I’m gonna change this first, okay?” Jason said before going into the bathroom, returning with the first aid stuff.

Jason changed out Tim’s bandages and tended to his wound with practiced hands before he let Tim get into bed properly. Jason made sure Tim was comfortable but then he returned to his side of the bed, getting under the blankets with Tim.

Wait. Wait….hold on.

Was Jason going to sleep in here?

Jason, using some kind of remote, turned off the lights and settled down next to Tim.

Okay, okay, well, Jason was worried about him, maybe he was just staying here to make sure was alright during the night, yea. That could be it.

That would not explain the arm that draped over Tim’s middle and then dragged him over the middle of the bed until Tim was nestled into Jason’s side. His warm comfortable side and Tim couldn’t help snuggled into, oh shit, was, were they?

Lips made contact with Tim’s temple and his heart thudded hard in his chest, go Tim with memories, bitch, did you land this hunk? Insane and honestly he hoped he wasn’t misreading this right now.

“Goodnight, babybird.” Jason hummed as they settled into each other.

“Goodnight, Jay.” Tim whispered, his mind rapid firing questions and he wasn’t sure how much sleep he would be getting.

~~

In the morning, Tim realized he had in fact gotten some sleep and he also realized that Jason was gone when he felt around. That was disappointing and also made him question last night, was that real or a dream cause he couldn’t stop crushing on his roommate? He couldn’t tell and with his head injury it was totally possible.

He got out of bed, padding out of the room to look for Jason, he wanted to know where he was before he did any snooping around. Tim paused in the hall, hearing Jason’s voice from outside. He could see Jason just out the open window on the fire escape, leaning against the railing and he was on the phone.

Tim pressed against the wall so Jason wouldn’t see him if he looked over and listened hard.

“I’m not saying that, there’s just something…off?” Jason said to the person on the phone. “Are you sure nothing was wrong with his scans or anything?… No, nothing like that, at least not that he’s said but you know how he is, he’s just got this look on his face all the time like he’s trying to figure something out. Yea, I know that’s normal, but he’s not working on anything, it’s just when we’re talking about normal stuff.”

Well the jig was up, it seemed, Jason definitely noticed something. Tim wondered if he should just fess up, what was the worst that could happen? Sure, with Dick and that doctor he had felt this sense of mistrust, but Jason was a far more clear danger and Tim still trusted him for some reason.

“I’m worried.” Jason’s voice made Tim’s heart clench. “If something is wrong, really wrong…No, I know, I know, I can’t help it, that’s all.” He sighed.

Tim moved out of the hall and his movement caught Jason’s eyes and he quickly ended his phone call and stepped back into the living room.

“You’re awake.” Jason said and his voice was still tight like before and Tim hated it so much.

Before Jason could say whatever else, Tim went right up to him, he didn’t know what possessed him to do it, but he grabbed the collar of Jason’s shirt and yanked him down to his level. Tim kissed him like it was the end of the world, sliding his hand behind Jason’s head to keep him in place as he put anything and everything into the kiss. He didn’t have much, currently, but it was all he had to offer right now.

He was completely startled and delighted when Jason pressed right back into the kiss, his hands finding Tim’s waist and pulled them flush against each other for the most part. Tim might have a made a bit of a moan as their lips danced in what had to be a familiar way, god, he was so happy his suspicions were right. Jason was more than just his roommate.

“Fuck.” Jason panted lightly after they parted. “What was that for?”

“I love you.” The words tumbled out and Tim’s pulse was going a mile a minute.

“I love you too, Tim.” Jason said softly, familiar, and rested his forehead against Tim’s.

Oh wow, what a development. Well, okay, seriously, it was time.

“So.” Tim started, humming when Jason pressed in another kiss. “Here’s the thing…”

~ ~

“This is so typical of you and you don’t even know it and it sends me to such a place, I swear to god.” Jason said slightly aggravated, they were back at the Cave at this point after Tim spilt the beans.

Tim was strapped to wires and other shit as they were running more tests on his head and he was not having a great time. Every single person that had come through had lectured him about his choice, most of all Jason. Who was completely baffled by the whole thing.

“I’m sorry?” Tim said with a shrug.

“So, let me get this right.” Jason said, still trying to understand. “You thought were just going to coast on like this?”

“I guess.” Tim shrugged again. “It was just instinct.”

“To not trust us?”

“I trust you.” Tim said, no hesitation.

“But not Dick?” Jason asked bewildered.

“I don’t know, I just didn’t know if I could, everything was weird. Dude, we are in a bat cave…with bats.” Tim said.

“You love Dick.” Jason said, still confused.

“That doesn’t sound right.” Tim muttered, luckily the man in question was not around. “I thought we were in love.”

“That’s not what I- We ar- Look.” Jason sighed and rubbed his forehead to banish the start of a headache. “Dick is like a brother to you, you’ve said that.”

“He said we were brothers…are we not related?” Tim tilted his head confused.

“No.” Jason said. “It’s…complicated to get into everything right now. So, wait, you trust me more than him?”

“Yes.” Tim said.

Jason shifted a bit and Tim could tell that secretly pleased Jason and Tim liked that a lot.

“I can’t believe we’re dating~” Tim grinned. “You are so hot, you know that right?”

“Tim.” Jason blushed, glancing away.

“I think it’s awesome.” Tim continued. “I had been trying to figure it out since I first saw you, cause my first instinct was to basically jump you.”

“Tim!” Jason said getting embarrassed.

“I mean, I shouldn’t have thought that first, since you were packing heat and all, but I was like, well if I gotta go, at least I’ll have a pretty face as my last sight.”

“Oh my god, stop it.” Jason ran hand down his face.

“How long have we been dating?” Tim asked, mostly ignoring Jason’s embarrassment.

“Eight months.” Jason answered, looking like he was thinking something over and then focused back in. “You said you loved me before, are you…was that..?”

“It felt right to say it.” Tim shrugged. “I meant it if that’s what you mean, I feel like I did.”

Jason rubbed the back of his head and was looking rather bashful.

“You’re so fucking cute, come here and kiss me.” Tim said, reaching out a hand but Jason just laughed.

“You are ridiculous.” Jason said. “Even with no memories, still so ridiculous.”

“Even without memories I fell in love with you again.” Tim said then felt that was a little too cheesy but Jason’s blush was so worth it. “Kiss me. Now.”

“You are impossible.” Jason moved over to the bed Tim was on and leaned in. “You don’t even know me right now.”

“I know enough.” Tim hummed, holding Jason’s face and guiding them into a kiss, it was soft and sweet. “I know all I need to.”