toofast | open post.

Hey, that's cool, you know I don't care about that. It's your place, that's all that really matters.

[ he's not event hat big a fan of fancy anyway. like sure, bruce's manor is great and all cause it's his home now, but it's too big, too lonely. smaller and cozier is always better. anyways, he's spent a lot of his life homeless and living on the streets so anything is a step up from that. ]

Starving, actually. I didn't eat anything before I left. I was too excited.

[ he doesn't even mind admitting how dorky that sounds. anyways, he knows barry is just as excited. he grins when barry opens the door for him, climbing inside and tosses his stuff to the back seat. ]

Damn, what a gentleman.

[ It's only when Jason had crawled his way into the passenger seat that he ducks his way in after him and, not too swiftly, he steals a kiss from those lips that he's missed... and lets it linger for a little. ]

Sorry I just — been wanting to do that since you got off the plane.

[ Words he murmurs lowly with a warm smile as he lingers there in the passenger seat, fingers gripping tight to the door as he licks over his lips. ]

Remind me not to toss you straight into my bed when we get there, ok? I need to get you food first.

[ there's nothing in the world as good as these stolen kisses, jason is damn sure about that. feels like he's been waiting forever too, so when barry kisses him it's like pure joy. he moves a hand to barry's shirt, holding on to him as he kisses back. ]

Fuck... me too. You will not believe the incredible amount of self control it took for me not to like, tackle you to the ground and make out with you right then and there.

[ which is why jason pulls him in for yet another kiss, just to make up for that. ]

No promises.

[ Smiling against those lips, Barry steals another quick kiss with a warm grin on his face before he pulls back with a pleased little hum. ]

Sounds fun. Let's save it for home.

[ Letting fingers stroke along the side of Jason's face, he slips out to round the car and get inside the drivers seat. ]

What do you feel like eating?

Sounds real fucking good to me.

[ Jason lets Barry go, closing the door and buckles up, looking over at him when he gets in the car. This is so cool. He can still hardly believe he's here. ]

Since it's still early as shit, how about waffles. Or pancakes. I mean, probably both. What's your favorite breakfast place? Let's grab something from there.

[ Now that he's here he wants to know all of Barry's favorite spots. He wants to get to know everything about him. ]

[ He wants to get to know things about his boyfriend? Well isn't he cute? Barry smiles at the thought — at the suggestions of types of food to be had as he starts up the car, buckling up. ]

Breakfast foods, huh? Can do.

[ Nodding, he smiles over to Jason before goes through the routine of pulling out (not like that) and getting them out of the parking lot and onto the roads, kicking off their spending these precious hours within the couple days they have for themselves here in Central City. ]

I'm partial to Denny's when it comes to grabbing some early morning grub, but. A certain someone who shall remain nameless and absolutely isn't Bruce [ spoiler: it is ] seems to think my choice is preposterous, so. I will try and find something a little more fancy for my boyfriend on his birthday.

[ Glancing over, teeth sink into his bottom lip to hide the playful smile he wears before he's looking back to the road. ]

So is it cool or borderline homeless of me for my place to be out by the train tracks?

[ If Barry keeps calling him cute, he might lose his edge, and Jason wouldn't want that, would he? Or maybe it's just fine, cause his edges could use some sanding down anyway. ]

Knew I could count on my snackhole boyfriend for breakfast foods.

[ Jason sinks down in his seat a little, leaning against the car door. He can take in the sights of Central City later. Right now he's gonna take in the sight of his boyfriend for a while, excitement about the next couple days still thrumming through him. ]

Bruce doesn't know shit. If that's your fave, let's go there. They make the best fucking milkshakes anyways, right? I don't need fancy. Fuck fancy.

[ He laughs softly, then straightens himself up again just so he can lean in and kiss Barry's shoulder. ]

As long as you've got a roof over your head, that's all that matters. Besides... that sounds cool.

You're a flirt.

[ Words he teases with a smile on his lips and a sidelong glance over to Jason; he needs to stay focused on the road after all. He can move fast at the last second but the car? Not so much. ]

I sort of became a bit of a drifter, I guess. Just keeping to myself, doing my thing... it was just easier, you know? Besides, it's not like I live in a train car or ride the rails. Just... kind of like an abandoned warehouse turned loft. Lots of tech. Books. My bike. My favorite chairs.

[ Smiling rather proudly at that, he chuckles a bit and gives a shake of his head, fingers gripping tight at the steering wheel as he leans back a bit in his seat. Cruising along the roads. ]

Maybe you'll like it. It's away from everything else pretty much. Just... secluded. My own little place.

I only flirt with one cute boy, so does that really make me a flirt?

[ another soft laugh, and he falls back against the door to sit comfortably again, not wanting to distract barry too much while he's driving. they do have a lot to do. ]

Yeah... yeah, I know how that is. Kinda did the same thing for a while. Never found a place that stuck though, you know? I can't wait to see your chairs... and your tech. Do ya build stuff?

[ Jason knows he'll like it because it does sound pretty nice... and it's Barry's. How can he not like something that's Barry's? ]

Well I mean — I made my suit?

[ Glancing over to Jason for a moment, he smiles, eyes back on the road. ]

Took a few designs and I needed something that wouldn't burn up so quickly when I really run fast. The number of shoes I have accidently disintegrated because my footwork is too fast...

[ Dragging his teeth over his bottom lip, he looks to Jason, huffing a laugh as he scrunches up his face. ]

Kinda had to keep that from happening so much, you know?

[ As they just keep on driving. Beep beep vroom vroom. 🚗 ]

You made your suit? Like... all on your own? Damn. That's pretty fucking incredible.

[ he knew Barry was smart, but designing a suit that can withstand the speed force is pretty big. even Bruce has a team of others to help work on their suits. ]

How'd you know what to do?

Uh... a lot of research and a few ideas in my head.

[ Tossing a smile over to Jason, he chuckles a bit as he shakes his head. ]

I'm sure there's adjustments I can make to it and with Bruce's input, who knows what it might end up looking like at some point. [ Like a knightmare sort of suit. ] But I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. Even if I've had to patch it up a couple times already.

[ Or a few, but. You know. ]

Fuck, that's pretty damn cool for your own work, Barry. Like for fucking real incredible.

[ sure, Jason knows a thing or two about his suit and what it's made up of, but actually making it is like a whole different level. Bruce level, but maybe even better than that, cause not even Bruce makes his own suits. ]

I mean, sounds like Bruce is the one who needs your input. You're so fucking smart.

[ He is, for the record, but Barry can only smile over to him as the scenery around them changes, getting closer to Barry's place. ]

I wish.

[ He huffs a laugh. ]

If he ever needs it, I mean — I wouldn't not, you know? But he strikes me as the type of guy who likes things a certain way... or borrows ideas from others and makes them his own.

[ Just saying, B-Man.

But when they finally make it to the train yard, he pulls the car off to the side a little of the building he claims for himself and puts the rental in park, cutting the ignition, glancing over to Jason then. ]

Well. We're here.

[ Jason does sit up a little more now, eyes still on Barry, but checking out the scenery every once in a while. He's such a goddamn sap, it's gross. He isn't gonna think about how Barry is the prettiest site in central city, nope. ]

Yeah, he likes things his own way, but nothing beats doing things on your own, you know?

[ There's a lot of value in that, Jason believes. Doing things on your own. Or... maybe that's been shifting recently, because he's not on his own like he used to be- even though in the end... yeah, he's not gonna think about that right now.

Instead he looks out the window at the train yard, then at the building, a slow grin forming on his face. ]

Man, this is fucking awesome.

[ There's something to be said for the way Jason seems so thrilled with the location of where he happens to live and Barry can't help but wear a pleased smile on his lips, even if one that's relatively shy in its on way. He likes to think it's pretty cool? But he also knows it's nothing like what Bruce has in terms of luxury. But that's fine — Barry likes his place as is. ]

I'd say wait until you see inside, buuuuut... [ Tapping his fingers at his chin, he stares to Jason for a long moment before he drapes an arm over the steering wheel and turns to face him a little more properly. ] ...do you trust me enough to wear a blindfold as I take you in?

[ A beat. ]

It's not because oh no, Jason knows where my secret lair is or anything. I just have a surprise for you in there and want it to be just that: a surprise.

[ This is what Jason knows. It's what he loves. The fancy, lavish halls and caverns of the Wayne manor are so new to him, but his heart lies in the alleyways of Gotham. The narrows, crime alley... all the shithole places that he feels the most comfortable in.

This isn't a shithole at all, though. But he likes it. He doesn't need luxury.

Jason raises his eyebrows as he looks to Barry, tilting his head a little at the proposition.]

I trust you. 'Course I do.

[ Maybe too much?? Not too much. Barry's a good one. He's not like all the shitholes he's known before this. His heart is here. He even closes his eyes, smirking as he leans forward.]

Hit me with your best shot.

[ The fact that Jason is so willing to go along with his silly little let me blindfold you thing warms Barry's heart and he can't help but lean his way on in and steal a tender kiss from those lips... and then another... and another and another until he's softly laughing against those lips and bumping his forehead to Jason's. ]

I usually do, don't I?

[ Grinning, he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a scarf, dangling it there before he comes to gently and slowly wrap it around those eyes. ]

I'm really glad you're here. [ He says then softly, taking care with tying the knot at the back of Jason's head. ] I never mind coming to see you, but. Having you here like this and getting to see y place... I dunno. Makes me happy.

[ well shit, he'll close his eyes a thousand times over if it means kisses like this. he smiles into each and every kiss, letting out a soft laugh of his own. ]

You always do.

[ he only opens his eyes to look at the blindfold, then closes them again so barry can wrap it around his eyes. he's honed these senses well with Bruce's training, so he's still fully aware of what's going on around him, but at least he can't exactly see.

Maybe it's a good thing that he's blindfolded when barry tells him how happy he is that he's here, because he doesn't want to get all fucking red again, but he feels it inside of him anyway.]

Yeah... I know what you mean. Makes me happy too. Really happy.

[ Smiling still, despite Jason being unable to see, he finishes with the blindfold and presses a kiss to Jason's nose. ]

I promise not to let you walk into a wall or anything.

[ Chuckling, he strokes the tips of his fingers over Jason's arm before he slips himself out of the car and rounds it for the passenger side, getting the door. Ducking in, he grabs Jason's bag, hoisting it over his shoulder and gently slips his hand into his, giving it a soft squeeze. ]

Ok. Let's go.

[ the kiss to his nose would have jason playfully rolling his eyes if they were open. barry's too damn adorable. what a crazy fucking thing. ]

Don't worry, I can feel the walls even with my eyes closed.

[ #justrobinthings

he could get out of the car on his own as well, and probably even grab his bag, but he lets barry go for it, cause jason knows he wants to help. and hell, if he gets to hold barry's hand, then all the better. ]

Lead the way.

[ he says with a soft smirk, tightening his fingers around barry's, just cause he can. ]

[ And lead the way he does.

True to his word, Barry is careful in the way he guides Jason — regardless of his being able to navigate JUST FINE without his sight — ensuring that he doesn't accidentally trip over anything here and there. Taking a moment to fish his keys out, he unlocks the massive lock and chain he has there on the doors and ushers the other in, making sure to close the door behind them. ]

This must kinda feel weird, right?

[ He chuckles a bit under his breath, moving over to the electrical box where he sends a quick charge from his fingertips to start it up as he pushes the lever up, hand taking Jason's again after. ]

The chains and the fuse box and all.

[ Standing there for a moment, he waits for the lights and everything else to flicker on and, quickly stepping away from Jason, he's back within a couple seconds, having needed to put something somewhere before he continues to guide him along, stopping only when they're at the entrance to everything that is his living room-space.

With monitors blinking with various news reports, suit designs, and possibilities of theories that he's wondered himself, the "nerdy loft" of sorts is decorated for the occasion of Jason's birthday... with balloons. Many many balloons. All which hang there overhead, strings twisting and dangling down, in the colours red, green, and gold. How familiar.

One of the tables he typically uses to stack books, papers, and tech on has been cleared of said things and moved off to the side a little, table cloth draped over it where various bowls of snacks rest. Things like chips, dips, veggies, jelly beans. Typical snack food. Off to the side of the bowls is a single cupcake with a single candle stuck in it and it's frosted with a bright yellow lion head because... Jason's a leo.

Taking a quick second to make sure everything is ok, he swiftly leaves Jason's side to light the cupcake, then darts back behind him, tugging the blindfold off with teeth sinking into his bottom lip. ]

It's not really a lot because I didn't know how much you wanted to really celebrate, but. I figured maybe a little something would be nice for a change?

[ Jason isn't really sure how he feels about surprises in general. The thing is, they're rarely ever good, but also things can't just be the same old all the time. Birthday surprises, though? He's a little wary, but he trusts Barry.

And honestly this is kinda fun.

He lets Barry lead him, and he tries to really let Barry lead him without being a showoff about how he could navigate fine like this. There's something about Barry that has always kinda stunted his assholish desires to show off and one up, ever since he met the guy. ]

I'm probably one of the only guys you'll meet who doesn't think this shit is weird.

[ Maybe someday Jason will tell Barry about the places he's snuck in to sleep, or set up his stuff at, all around the much shadier parts of Gotham. If anything, this feels more familiar than Wayne Manor.

Jason really doesn't know what to expect when he steps inside, though. He can hear things turn on and the buzz of electricity all around him that's more than just what Barry produces. He can't quite tell exactly how big the place is with the blindfold on, but there's a distinct echo so he imagines it's big enough. He stops and stays where Barry leaves him, feeling him zip away, and then end up behind him and finally the blindfold slips away from his eyes and Jason...

His breath catches in his throat.

This place is insane with all the screens, the lighting, the graffiti on the walls. Books and chairs and tech things everywhere. But then there's also balloons- so many of them. Robin colors. Snacks and a cupcake. A candle. Birthday things.

He remembers birthday things from the past. Hiding under the table with his hands covering his ears as his dad drunkenly yanked his mother around, yelling at her angrily stupid bitch, this is your fault, you think I wanted another mouth to feed? Or when his uncle tossed a carton of cigarettes at him with a happy birthday message of don't fuck this up. He remembers stealing a sandwich and a 6 pack because he figured it would be a good day to eat, and the cops beat the shit out of him that night.

But this? This is something nice for a change. It's nothing like he's ever had before, and for a long moment he just stares up at all of it in wonder. He can't believe that someone would do something like this for him. He's always hated his birthday and stopped giving a shit about it a long time ago, because all it ever does is remind him how bad he is. But right now? He doesn't feel like he's so bad. He doesn't feel like a mistake who never should have been born. Barry says it's not really a lot, but... it is. It's everything.

Jason's vision blurs and he realizes he's gotten all stupid emotional and teary, and he quickly wipes at his eyes, letting out a soft, embarrassed laugh and a sniffle. ]

Sorry. Fuck.

This is just...

It's fucking amazing. You're fucking amazing.

[ The softness Barry has about him is warm and gentle and it shows — it's felt even? — in the way he gingerly touches Jason's arm from behind, a quiet reassurance in being there with him. He doesn't know Jason's past beyond the very little he's been told and that mostly encompasses his meeting Bruce. But he knew that the other hadn't been all gung-ho for the idea of a party or anything and so Barry had taken care in not being over the top or Too Much, in case he didn't like it.

Judging from the reaction? He likes it and it's just enough for this little moment here between them. ]

You're the amazing one.

[ Softly, he drops the praise, genuine in the way he says it as a kiss is gently pressed to Jason's cheek as he leans in from behind, arms winding around him. ]

You'd have to be to be willing to get involved with a dorky guy who can run really really fast.

[ With a chuckle, he gives Jason another kiss, this time to the shell of his ear before he takes to nuzzling at him with a soft hum, arms still wrapped around him in an embrace from behind. ]

As long as it's enough for you — happy birthday.

[ It's felt. It's felt more than Jason has ever felt anything in his life, and if he wasn't in love before, he definitely is now. He might not ever tell Barry about certain things of his past- they're all well guarded secrets that might actually help others understand him, but he refuses. But maybe Barry's the outlier. The one who might be able to get Jason Todd to unfold from himself and let some walls down.

He's already half way there.

Jason leans back into Barry easily, the smile on his face growing somewhat shy as he looks down, then back up at the balloons again. He's never been the amazing one. ]

Easiest thing I've done in my life.

[ sure they had their moment... their miscommunication... but Jason had already felt all in from the start. He wanted this. He just needed to know if Barry did too, and this? Yeah. He's a lot more sure of it now.

All those kisses and nuzzling, he can't keep his back to it anymore, so he twists around in Barry's arms, sliding his own arms around his neck to pull him close, pressing his nose into Barry's. ]

No one's ever done anything like this for me. Thank you.

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sorry for this tl;dr

never be sorry for the cutest shit ;__; i also tl;dred lol

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