• February 09, 2017 (A Deal At The Devil's Hour) •

Tim was nervous about the entire ordeal even though he was trying his best not to let it show. The location Jason had sent him was an underworld boxing ring and to be honest, Tim didn't want to be there for even a second.

He was at a clear disadvantage on many levels. Firstly, he was alone. Secondly, he was a minor with the sort of physique that screamed that he would be very easy to take down in a fight. And thirdly that he knew the fake ID he had procured at the very last moment would most definitely rat him out.

Still, he was there at the given location, five minutes prior to the deadline Jason had set.

The only reason he was enduring it was the deal he had struck up with the elder, the outcome of which was Jay returning to the family and Tim being able to go back to Gotham. The main incentive was that if Bruce and Richard couldn't persuade him through their ways, Tim would do so using other means.

So far, he had managed to contact Jason and convinced him to hear him out for one last time after which he would leave the decision in his hands. But Jason was a tricky person and as he didn't trust Tim, he was making him work hard to prove himself worthy and get his way.

Calling him to such a dangerous location was part of Jay's plan to scare him off but little did he know that Tim was neither Bruce nor Richard. His determination was on a level Alfred but his recklessness soared to a much higher category that was reserved only for him.

He decided to take the risk up a notch and sneak in rather than get himself caught by showing the fake ID at the entrance. Initially, his plan worked as he was quite flexible and discreet, hiding away in a trolley that was pushed in. He rolled out once he was inside and away from the entrance but took the caution of staying in the shadows so that he wouldn't get found out.

Unfortunately for him, in a place full of the underworld thugs, he stood out strikingly like a white feather over a dark background.

His only chance was to find Jason as quickly as possible and stick near him to avoid any mishap.

But he didn't have to look further as a callous hand landed heavily on his shoulder, making him turn to his right in alarm. He caught sight of a tall muscular man in a khakhi jacket and grey pants, his hand still gripping Tim's shoulder in a somewhat threatening stance. The most striking aspect of him was the white streak upfront in his dark hair and the piercing bluish-green eyes that looked down at him in a chilling stare.

Tim forgot to speak and nervousness hit him hard. There was no mistaking that man was Jason and Tim's brain had pulled off the emergency breaks making him go into a state of frozen admiration.

And fear.

There was something about Jason that radiated anger and an instinctive warning for everyone else to stay out of his way or suffer consequences otherwise.

"You're on time," Jason spoke up, steering him off to a table in the corner.

Tim knew the boxing ring was connected to a club and Jay had intentionally told him to get in through the ring's section in order to make him anxious. Right then, he had steered him away from the madness of the thugs cheering for the fight to go on.

The table he had taken him to was secluded and people stayed away from them probably due to the same vibes that Tim had gotten from Jay not long ago.

He retrieved his hand from his shoulder at last after pushing him towards the chair in front of him, "sit."

Tim gulped as he sat down, eyes cautiously observing his unpredictable companion.

Jason looked very roughed up as if he had stepped out of an explosion not long ago. Burn marks, cuts and scratches littered his skin yet he wore them with the pride of a warrior.

"I don't have all day, kid. Get to business."

"Y-yes, Sir."

Jay raised an eyebrow skeptically at the reply but said nothing, waving his hand over to the bartender who poured two shots and one of the waiters brought the tray to the table.

Tim looked rather queasy as he eyed the drink but Jason didn't leave him time to think as he downed both quickly.

"I know you're a minor," a teasing smirk tugged upon the elder's face, "that wasn't for you."

"Thanks nevertheless," he decided to get over with the task as soon as possible, "you know I helped you out in your whole revenge fiasco for a reason, right? If it weren't for me, you would never have used Sionis to lure J out and nothing would have clicked together for you."

"I know. Just one objection though, don't refer to that pathetic psycho as J. That's my initial too and I get offended."

"Oh yeah, sorry, what else am I supposed to call him then?"

He thought for a while then spoke up, "dipshit would do for now."

Tim nodded, "okay then, in simple terms; without me you wouldn't have gotten to Mister Dipshit."

Jason almost laughed at the blunt remark but controlled it. "I know that. And I also know you must have a price like everyone else. Name it."

Tim took in a deep breath, bracing himself for an outburst as he replied, "I want you to come back home."

Jason stared at him as if he had not heard him correctly in the chagrin of the nightclub. But the boy's wide blue eyes and reassuring features told a different story.

Why would his replacement want him to come back home?

"What's the catch?" His tone had turned colder as he spoke up.

"There's no catch," Tim replied, "I just want you to come back. That's all. That's the main reason why I helped you out too. Because we're family."

Those eyes sparked in a warning and Tim shut his mouth up immediately, "the family I knew didn't include you."

"Well... A lot can change in five years, right?"

"I didn't appreciate this change nor am I willing to accept it."

"Jason, please?"

Jason noticed the almost trembling hands that were clasped together and the nervous shift in his blue eyes. He could see that Tim was trying his best to stand his ground but was scared of him at the same time.

Or perhaps he wasn't scared of him but of how he could react in a very drastic manner if his words somehow angered him.

"You are pushing your luck," he remarked coldly, "I'm not going back."

"But if you don't then I'll have to stay in Metropolis forever!" He whined, a childish pout creasing his features, "I've already been away from Gotham for almost two months and I can't take it anymore."

"Oh, so my replacement is selfish too? That's a new thing I learned about you today."

"And I'm also an irritating piece of shit that won't stop pestering you until you agree."

He shrugged as if that didn't bother him just yet, "be grateful I've taken you off my hit list, that's the only favour I can do in return for your help in my plans. Now fuck off."

"I wouldn't exactly call it a favour," Tim mumbled but Jay heard him nevertheless.

"Wait what?"

"Here's one more thing you should know about me then. I'm constantly looking for reasons to die so that I can leave this hell of a life for good. Lately, you were my biggest hope. But you took my name off your hit list and that hope just evaporated."

Jason glared at him in shock. "Are you out of your mind?"

"Yes and no. Back to what I was saying, if I'm asking you to come back home, it's not that I'm selfish and have something to gain from it. The truth is no one can take your place. You're still just as important to Bruce, Alfred, Richard and all of us. And we all want you to come back and be a part of the family once again."

Jason turned silent and a frown was evident on his face as he pondered over Tim's words. The boy was looking at him hopefully as if waiting for him to answer in affirmation.

But he didn't want to give in too soon. Even if it was hard to say no to the hella persuasive young boy in front of him.

"I'll think about it," he stood up and Tim did the same, "no, you stay here. I'll come back to fetch you. Don't blame me for the consequences if you leave this table on your own."

Tim looked around cautiously. "You haven't set me up to be assassinated, have you?"

Jay shook his head, "don't get too excited. If I ever have to kill you, I'll do it myself. Maximum torture."

Tim let the words sink in then remarked immediately, "I'll look forward to it."

"Don't."

***