Chapter Text
"Pretender, hey, pretender," Jason said in a sing-song voice.
Tim knew he had been asking for it coming to Jason territory.
"Hello, Red Hood."
"Are you lost little bird? Don't you know the all the bad people hang around these parts? If your not careful someone's going to clip your wings." Jason said as he crowded closer to Tim.
Tim didn't budge from his perch. He could see activity from the warehouse, he'd be damned if he let this lead slip through his finger.
"I'm not here for a fight Red Hood."
"That's too bad because I am. Leave pretender, you know this isn't your part of town."
Tim resisted the urge to curse. "I'm busy hunting down a lead go haunt someone else."
Jason laughed "I'm not a ghost pretender."
Tim let out a thoughtful noise "No I suppose you're more of a zombie."
"As fun as this has been, it's time for you to move along. Wouldn't want daddy to know you've been consorting with criminals."
Tim let out a snort. "Go fuck yourself."
"I'd really rather fuck other people."
Before Tim could respond the warehouse Tim had been monitoring began to blow up.
Jason let out an exaggerated sigh "Well I guess you might as well stay for the fireworks."
Tim dropped the binoculars he was holding, whirling on Jason.
"God fucking dammit I needed information you fucking idiot I-"
Jason held up a slip of paper "Like information on the next shipment of drugs?"
Tim tried to snatch it but Jason pulled away. "Ah, ah, ah, information like this isn't free."
Tim balled his fist and shifted his stance ready to fight Jason for it.
"What do you want?"
"I need you to hack into an account for me."
Tim raised an eyebrow "What the big bad wolf can't blow the house down."
Jason grinned sharply "Oh trust me the little bird I blow better than anyone." Tim felt flushed and annoyed "But this needs a certain delicate touch."
Tim turned to look at the blazing fire he could already hear the sirens. "Fine. Give me the information."
"Hack first." Tim made an annoyed noise but didn't argue. "Keep up." He swung to the next building. Jason's laughter followed him.
--
Jason gave a sharp whistle "Dang Tim keeping it classy, aren't you?"
For a second Tim looked around his apartment viewing it from Jason's eyes. "Do you want the hack or not?"
"Aw come on Timmy where's your hospitality?"
"Up yours."
"Awful rude Timmy I almost feel obligated to wash your mouth with soap."
Tim was running less than two hours of sleep and the unrealness of having Jason in his apartment was getting to him. He tugged his mask off and ran a hand through his hair.
"Come on." Tim led Jason deeper into the apartment to a bookcase that his an entrance.
"A secret doorway behind a bookshelf? You must really love the cliches."
"I suppose I could do it like you and have an ever-changing safe house with rats as decoration." Tim went into the room.
"Aw have you been stalking me again?"
He settled into his chair and looked into the four massive screens from which he operated. "What account do you need me to hack into?"
"Chris Malone. I need you to empty out his money."
"Into where?"
"Pick a charity."
Tim turned to look at Jason who had already settled into the nearby coach Tim sometimes passed out in. He had a book in his hand, with his helmet discarded somewhere, stretching out languidly without seeming to have a care in the world.
"And why am I doing this."
"Well, I imagine it would be for the information I have," Jason said without looking up from his book. Tim contemplated kicking him out. It would be a setback but he could probably get it. Then Tim thought of the three months of chasing down dead ends with minimal hours of sleep. Tim turned around and started hacking.
An hour later Tim straightened out back cracking. He turned to look at Jason's mouth already open to demand the information. Jason was fast asleep book still open on his chest. It was startling to see Jason like that. He looked softer somehow. Tim refused to examine why his chest tightened or why instead of waking him he let him sleep and headed upstairs to collapse on his own bed.
In the morning Tim woke to the sound of frying eggs. With frightened horror, Tim approached the Kitchen. Sure enough, Jason was there as if nothing about this situation was abnormal. Tim stood in the doorway until Jason turned to Tim.
"I must be having a nightmare." Tim blurted out.
"Strange nightmares you're having. Might wait to go see a psychologist about that." Jason lifted the pan. "Eggs?"
Tim stumbled into the kitchen to start the coffee. That done he slumped into a chair. "It is too early and I have had way too little coffee to deal with you right now."
Jason made some type of noise but by that time Tim was already half asleep again. It wasn't until Jason put a cup of coffee next to his head that he actually started paying attention.
"Ok. I've hacked the account give me the information." He took a sip of his coffee ignoring the burning sensation.
"What charity did you put it into?"
"Anounoumous donation to Gotham's orphanages."
Jason made a thoughtful sound as he chewed on his eggs.
"The next shipment comes into the eastern dock next Monday at 2 am."
Tim took another sip of his coffee and nothing more was said until Jason finished his eggs and put the plate in the sink. He slung his leather jacket and said: "Well this was fun baby bird lets never do it again." He gave a sarcastic salute and left. Tim stared into his coffee wondering if his morning was going to get any more surreal.