The Manor was quiet for a Saturday. Too quiet.
Rain streaked down the tall windows of the study, blurring the endless green of the grounds into a wash of gray. The fire crackled low in the grate, casting long shadows across the leather chairs.
Dick lounged on the sofa, one leg thrown over the armrest, scrolling through his phone with his free hand absentmindedly tossing a coin. Tim sat cross-legged on the floor, a tablet balanced on his knees, occasionally glancing up at the stairs. Duke perched by the window, half-watching the rain, half-listening to the others.
The silence was heavy with expectation.
Dick Grayson
He said he'd be down for dinner.
Tim Drake
He's been down for dinner three weeks in a row now. That's a record.
Duke Thomas
turning Is that... a bad thing?
Tim Drake
For Jason? Yes. Usually we have to bribe him with Alfred's pie just to get him to show his face.
Dick caught the coin mid-air, a grin spreading across his face.
Dick Grayson
You know what this means, right?
Tim Drake
I know what it doesn't mean.
Dick Grayson
It doesn't mean he's happy.
Tim Drake
deadpan Right. That's exactly what it doesn't mean.
A creak on the stairs. All three of them froze, turning toward the door. The footsteps were light. Unusually light.
And then Jason Todd walked in.
His hair was damp at the ends like he'd just showered. His shirt was clean. Untorn, even. He had a book tucked under one arm, and he was humming. Humming.
Duke Thomas
whispering Is that... The Lion King?
Tim Drake
whispering back He's humming Hakuna Matata.
Dick Grayson
hoarse Oh God.
Jason Todd
stopping, eyeing them What?
Tim Drake
Nothing.
Dick Grayson
Nothing.
Duke Thomas
Weirdly nothing.
Jason Todd
frowning You're all staring at me like I've got a bomb strapped to my chest.
Dick Grayson
Do you?
Jason blinked. Then, instead of snapping or snarling or throwing something, he just... laughed. Short. Quiet. But a laugh.
Jason Todd
shaking his head You're all idiots.
He settled into an armchair by the fire, flipping open his book. For a moment, there was blessed, beautiful silence.
Then the front door slammed.
Stephanie Brown
from the foyer IS HE HERE?!
Dick flinched. Tim hid a grin. Duke looked at the ceiling like he was praying for strength.
Stephanie appeared in the doorway, still in her rain-slicked jacket, a determined gleam in her eyes. She locked onto Jason immediately.
Stephanie Brown
Jason Todd.
Jason Todd
not looking up Steph.
Stephanie Brown
You've been acting weird. Happy, actually. And you smell like—
Jason Todd
snapping the book shut I don't smell like anything.
Stephanie Brown
You smell like Victoria's Secret. And wear your collar low for a reason?
Jason Todd
a slow, dangerous smile What do you want, Brown?
Stephanie Brown
grinning back Just a friendly conversation. About that. points at his neck
And there it was. Just below his ear, a faint red mark. A bruise, soft and fresh. A hickey.
The fire crackled. Rain hammered against the glass.
Dick Grayson
quietly, to Tim She's going to die, isn't she?
Tim Drake
matching his volume Probably.
Stephanie Brown
So. Who is it?
Jason Todd
Who's who?
Stephanie Brown
Don't play dumb. It's insulting to dumb people.
Jason Todd
standing I'm going to get food before Alfred's pie disappears.
He moved toward the door. Stephanie stepped into his path, arms crossed.
Stephanie Brown
Not until you tell me.
Jason Todd
leaning down, voice dropping You really want to know?
The room went silent. Even the fire seemed to hold its breath.