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Music blasted through the speakers as Tim tapped on the tablet in his hands. Jason had asked him for help testing out some new non lethals.
Dick and Babs had left the Belfry to grab an early dinner for everyone before patrol.
Alfred decided to take the down time and retire upstairs for a short nap before the evening began.
Jason finished loading his gun, double checking the weapon.
“Good?” Tim questioned. Jason nodded, cocking the gun.
“And… go!” he said, keeping his eyes down at the screen.
Jason lifted his hands, gun extended and started firing off shots at the training dummy. Tim winced, holding a hand to his ear.
The dummy jerked with each shot that pierced through its white shell. Tim frowned as the tablet beeped rapidly.
On the screen was an outline of the dummy, small circles showing each bullet hole. Some of them were bright red, signaling a fatal shot.
“These loads are pretty hot Jason, are you sure the velocity isn’t too high?” Tim asked with slight concern, turning to see Jason spin the gun around as he inspected it happily.
“It’ll be fine,” Jason resisted the urge to roll his eyes. “Sides, not like I won’t be shooting anyone who doesn’t deserve it.”
Tim watched Jason bring the gun up to the dummy again. “You’re at the upper safety limit, doesn’t leave you a lot of margin for error.” he stepped in front of Jason showing him the screen, pointing at the red circles.
“Tim, you’ve seen some of the armor these assholes wear.” Jason gently pushed Tim out of his way. “We can’t afford to play nice! Not anymore.”
Jason planted his feet, firing another shot into the dummy. A smile played on his lips as he turned to the small table beside him, unloading the empty magazine.
“Not all of them wear armor Jason!” Tim quickly pointed out.
“Uh huh,” Jason mumbled, seeming to ignore Tim as he grabbed a full magazine, reloading his gun.
Tim glanced up at the ceiling puffing his cheeks out. He did a double take looking at the dummy, tossing the tablet on the table. “Fine, you know what. If you believe that these rounds are safe.”
Jason cocked the gun turning to point it at the dummy again only to pause seeing Tim stand in front of it. He blinked, finally hearing Tim’s words.
“Then shoot me.” Tim held his arms out before dropping them at his side.
“Tim, this isn’t funny.” Jason frowned, staring at the other. “Move.”
Tim stubbornly shook his head and repeated, “No, if you think these are safe then shoot me and prove it!”
Jason’s hand started to shake, he pointed the gun to the ceiling before dropping it down, sighing softly.
“Okay fine, maybe they’re a little too hot.” Jason threw his head back in annoyance. “Ya happy?”
Tim brought his hands up to Jason’s cheeks pulling his head down. “Every time you admit you're wrong, absolutely!” he smiled, brushing his lips against Jason’s.
Jason smiled back wrapping his arm around Tim’s waist, his other hand set the gun on the table before moving to grasp Tim’s ass.
Tim giggled, slapping Jason’s hand away. “Stop that.”
“Alright then smart ass,” Jason slapped Tim’s ass for dramatic effect. “Why don’t you tell me what the right load should be?”
Tim took a step back picking the tablet up. “For that, we’d need to try a different type of gun.” he teased with a short wink.
“Don’t start something you can’t finish boy wonder.” Jason growled in warning, his eyes darkening.
Tim licked his lips, tapping at the screen. “We should start by looking at polymer volume and composition.” his shoulder knocked Jason’s as he moved closer to the taller man.
Jason hummed, taking the magazine out of the gun, listening to Tim continue to talk. He glanced up, a smile spreading on his face seeing Tim enthusiastically point out everything.
Half of what the other was saying sounded like gibberish but he enjoyed it when Tim got lost in his ‘nerd talk.’
“Decreased velocity will impact expansion,” Jason paused trying to keep up with Tim. “Maybe if we tweek the gel compound?”
Tim quickly looked up nodding for a second, his fingers tapping the screen wildly. “Huh?” he grinned, showing Jason the screen again.
Jason's eyes scanned the new blueprints. He pulled Tim into a side hug, his lips pressing against Tim’s forehead. “I love you.”
The tablet dropped on the table suddenly, shaking the gun parts and loose rounds. Tim froze slowly looking up at Jason. “You… you love me?” he blinked rapidly, confusion written across his face.
“I-” Jason swallowed hard watching Tim take a step back. “Well… I mean, yeah of course.”
Tim ran a hand into his hair, opening and closing his mouth. Jason wasn’t sure what to make of the looks Tim was giving him.
Something tightened in Jason’s chest, shame sent heat to his cheeks. They had only been dating officially for less than six months. What kind of idiot says something like that so soon.
“Jason…” Tim’s voice came out small, his sneakers squeaking against the concrete floor.
“Just forget it Tim, I understand. Ain’t no way anyone could love a monster like me.” Jason bit back his anger as he grabbed the magazine roughly, reloading the gun again.
“Jason,” Tim said softer, one hand resting over Jason’s to hold the gun down, the other cupping Jason’s cheek forcing him to look at Tim.
Tim’s sapphire eyes were bright in the afternoon sun. “I love you too. I loved you before the pit, I loved you after it, and I love you now. Just as you are.”
Tears stung the corner of Jason’s eyes. He shook his head pressing his lips into a tight thin line. Tim pulled Jason closer.
Jason tightly hugged Tim, his forehead on Tim’s shoulder. Their height difference had Jason hunched over but he didn’t care. Tim’s fingers idly played with the baby hairs at Jason’s neck.
“You truly mean that?” Jason sounded unsure of his own question.
Tim squeezed Jason’s shoulder in reassurance. “Every word Jason. You’re not a monster, you never were.”
Jason stood up straight, his eyes scanning Tim’s again. Tim smiled, raising an eyebrow. “I don’t deserve you, Tim. I don’t deserve any of this.”
“You deserve the world, despite how cruel it’s been to you. You’ve overcome everything that’s stood in your way, even death!” Tim held Jason’s face again, his thumb swiping the tears that escaped.
Jason nuzzled Tim’s hand. “I love you Tim.”
Tim smiled wide again, “I love you too Jason.” he kissed Jason, poking at Jason’s lips with his tongue. Jason sighed, opening his mouth, letting Tim deepen the kiss.
All the fear or self doubt Jason had left his mind as he focused on the way Tim’s lips moved against his, the fine lines of his body pressed tightly to his.
The smell of the cheap shampoo they were all being forced to temporarily use. The faint taste of coffee that lingered on Tim’s lips.
Tim turned away keeping their foreheads pressed together. “Wanna finish up here then go test them out?”
“I think I’d rather test out that different type of gun you mentioned.” Jason grinned, kissing Tim hard. His hands slipped behind Tim’s thighs, effortlessly lifting the other up.
Tim squeaked, locking his legs around Jason’s waist. Jason nipped Tim’s throat as he walked them to his room.
Jason’s phone dinged with a text notification. “They’re on their way back, fifteen minutes.” he dropped Tim on the bed reading it out loud.
“Guess we better hurry.” Tim snatched the phone, tossing it on the floor. He yanked Jason down by his shirt collar sealing their lips together.