Note: Dami's pet cow is a real thing. Tattoo above. Take note of Ginger's words here. I love you all.

-Unedited-

~

"These are tomatoes. Those over there are lettuce, beans, sweet peas and carrots," I tell Jason, planting some chillies.

"The grape vine's wicked," he says. I smile at him over my shoulder, glancing up at the vine above my head.

I stand up and pull off my gardening gloves. It's a beautiful Saturday morning, just barely passed 9:30. Jason had stayed over last night.

He wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me down onto his lap. I laugh and fall into him, laying my head back on his shoulder.

"I like seeing you like this," he whispers against my neck.

"Like what?"

"Casual. I'm used to seeing you in work clothes, skank-disguise clothes, pyjamas...nothing." I laugh as he kisses my neck, moving to lay down on the outdoor love seat and pull me with him.

He's right, I suppose. I'm wearing yoga pants, a halter neck top and flats. Definitely not my usual style.

"Are you nervous about tonight?" He asks, as I settle between his legs and lean my cheek into his chest. He's so warm.

"Tattoo or dinner?"

"Dinner."

I shrug, "Who'll be there again?" He breaths slowly. I rise as his chest does.

"You, me, Wayne-ker, Dickhead, replacement, Wayne-ker junior, slut, Babs, Steph," He answers slowly, fingers drumming on my back.

I laugh into his shirt. "Wait wait, let me guess. Wayne-ker is Bruce. Dickhead is obviously dick. Replacement?"

Jason stiffens for a second and I worry I've crossed a line. "Yeah I'm meant to relent off that one. I mean Tim," he explains. I remember him mentioning his rocky relationship with Tim.

"Okay... Wayne-ker junior is Damian. Now, slut is where I get confused." Jason laughs, jostling me with his chest.

"Sorry, but I meant your sister." It was my turn to laugh.

"Right, of course. How could I forget," I grin. Jason's judgement of my sister is not misplaced. "Who were the last two?"

"Barbra Gordon and Stephanie Brown."

"Gordon...Jim's daughter? Dick dated the Commissioner's daughter? And Gin will be there- that's awkward," I finish in a whisper.

"I know. It's going to be great," he chuckles. Maybe anyone else would have found it sadistic that he would say that. I could only agree. Maybe this 'Barbra' could tear Gin a new one.

"She tried to sleep with my fiancé, you know?" I suddenly let slip. Jason looks down at me in surprise. I let out a small laugh and shuffle further up, leaning into his neck.

"No offence, but I've been wondering what Dick sees in her," he admits lightly. I grin.

"Me too."

We stay like that for a long time. Me, curled into his side, face buried in his neck. His arm is holding me to him wrapped around my back. It's beautiful.

I notice that when I'm with him my mind is off work, the streets, my family, the gang...everything bad.

He makes me think about what I appreciate and who. And we've barely even been together for more than a week!

The common belief I suppose is if you have a connection, a moment with that person should feel like you've had a year with them.

"Tell me something," I whisper. The sun is streaming onto my large balcony, shining on us between the gaps in the vines.

"What?"

"Anything."

Jason laughs softly. Just that simple action makes my heart tingle. How he could be so utterly different in certain moments stumps me.

"I speak Arabic," he throws in. I pull back and gawk at him.

"Why didn't you tell me that before?" I tease with a grin. "That's awesome."

"Learnt when I...came back." Wait what. Oh shit. Of course, Al Ghul and the Lazarus Pit. Arabia.

"You go," Jason nudges me gently. I swallow the guilt down.

"Oh, uh. I speak a little Japanese, very badly. Your turn," I add. He laughs again, quietly.

"I hate taking medicine when I'm sick."

"I think cockroaches are worse than spiders."

"I once threw up in the Batmobile," that makes me snigger for a few seconds.

"I own a Superman bra."

"I know," Jason grins. I look up at him. "May or may not have seen you changing a few nights ago."

"Jason!" I snap. He's laughing as he sits up, pulling me with him.

~

That night, I stand in the middle of my wardrobe looking for a dress to wear. There is plastic wrapped around my leg, from my tattoo.

Jason came with me to get it. It's on the outside of my right thigh; a spiky flower. Right now it's only an outline. I'm going back next week to get the colour filled in.

"I need something loose. All of my dresses are tight," I murmur to myself. Jason is behind me, silent, but decides to close the gap between us.

"You say it like it's a bad thing," he whispers, sliding his hands over my hips. I laugh and lean into him, folding my arms.

"It is when you don't want something pressing against your freshly tattooed skin," I smile, eye skimming over my clothes again. "Oh, there it is."

I step out of Jason's hold and instantly regret it, because it's cold and scentless. I grab the pale blue dress and throw it over our heads, before walking straight back into his arms.

"Something wrong?" He asks, concerned as he wraps his arms around my waist. I press my face into his collarbone and inhale, my fingers joining behind his neck.

"No," I say, enjoying the feeling of being with him.

I'm in too deep already. Haven't known him for that long and yet I feel like I could say it. Those words. I don't know why.

We take his Lancer up to the manor. As we drive, I notice that he drums his fingers along the steering wheel. I use my ability to read it as nervousness.

I continue observing him closely. He's clearly distracted from driving. His lips are in a tight line and he keeps gripping and releasing the gearstick.

When he turns left without indicating, I reach over and hold his hand. Instantly I feel he is shaking.

"Jay," I say, leaning forward a little. He huffs out a small laugh.

"Sorry. Don't tell any of them this, but I get nervous," he replies, squeezing my hand gently. He tries his boyish grin but I don't buy it.

"That's understandable," I smile, not releasing his fingers. He glances at me with an expression I can't read.

We pull up outside of the manor. Every time I come here it's magnificence stuns me. It really is a beautiful piece of architecture.

Jason sighs heavily, shoving his hands in his pockets. I shuffle through the small layer of snow, around the car to his side.

"It's fucking cold," I complain, tugging my jacket over my dress tightly. Jason laughs softly and puts his arm around my waist.

I close my eyes and enjoy the embrace, before we walk to the front door. Jason keeps taking deep breath like he's trying to calm himself.

"Hey," I whisper. He turns his head towards me and I kiss him, gently. Whatever tension he held previously seems to disappear.

The door opens and I pull away coming face-to-face with Alfred Pennyworth.

"DA Meadow, Master Jason," he greets with a smile.

Jason talks to him for a minute. It's like a new side to him. Gentle and sentimental- not the kind when he's with me. A grandfather-like one.

I could honestly write a book on the different sides of himself he shows to different people. It'd be called 'The Many Faces of Jason Todd'.

"It's not quite right to leave a Lady in the cold for so long," Alfred suddenly draws attention to me. I realise we've been standing in the doorway with the snow behind us.

"Oh, geez, it's freezing," Jason acknowledges. I grin, laughing softly as I step over the threshold.

"Have you forgotten your manners?" Alfred chides.

"Of many things," I throw in and he laughs.

Alfred takes my coat. I slip my hand into Jason's, as he leads me through to the dinging hall.

"That's rare," a light voice giggles as we step in. A pretty girl with blonde hair and a large grin strides over to us, Barbra Gordon in tow.

"Ven, this is Steph. Steph-" His hands tightens over mine, "-My girlfriend, Venus." Sadly I want to squeal in excitement.

"Nice to meet you," I grin.

"And you! Thank you for everything you do for the city!" She cheers. Before I can say anything, Barbra steps forward.

"We've seen each other before," she recalls. I resist the urge to snort.

"Yes. Barbra?" She nods, holding her hand out. I shake it. "I owe your father a lot."

"My father would say the same of you." That makes me laugh. Jim Gordon owes me a fraction of what I need to return to him.

"We'll help Alfred!" Steph drags Barbra over to the Butler, who is carrying things from the kitchen.

"I have met you before," an obviously young voice says. I turn around, coming face to face with Damian.

Or rather, I'm looking down on the eleven year old.

"Damian. It's nice to see you again," I smile. He actually blushes and looks down, murmuring something that sounds like 'same to you, Meadow'.

"Eyes off kid," Jason says under his breath. I give him a sharp look, squeezing his hand gently.

"I hear you and I have something in common. Eating habits," I say, bending slightly to his level.

"I am a vegetarian," he raises his head again.

"I'm vegan."

"I, however can not stand tofu."

"Really? Neither can I. Has this weird after taste," I agree.

"Plastic... I also have a pet cow."

Wait what. "A cow?" I question. Jason sighs and spaces out. "You'll have to introduce us after dinner."

Damian nods, red face fading slightly.

"And she gets in with the family," Ginger's voice rings across the room. I frown, straightening up and looking at her. Damian walks away.

"Told you no one can stand her," Jason whispers.

"It's been like that since she was born," I fire back. He chuckles quietly.

We are seated to dinner then. Bruce is at the head of the table. Barbra sits to his left, with Steph to his right. Beside Barba is Jason, myself and Damian. Across from Damian is Dick, with Ginger and Tim.

Alfred serves a roast chicken with a vegetarian dish for Damian and I. There isn't much talking, but Steph quickly fixes that.

"Venus, Jason; how did you two meet?" She begins. I open my mouth to tell her, but my sister cuts in.

"Let me tell you a story about a bitch and man-whore-" She begins.
"Ginger," I snap.

"What? Title fits the two of you perfectly!" She grins. Seriously Dick could do much better. I tell Steph the story. Apparently she was unaware of my knowledge. She then begins telling me her story.

Obviously she has a little something something or Tim. It was almost adorable.

"How is the August case going?" Barbra starts.

"Are you allowed to disclose information like that?" Dick counters. Barbra tries to hide her irritation.

"Seeing as you guys aren't shy to a case, it doesn't matter. I've seen a lot of these go down; the rich get away with murder. That was my time as an ADA though. As DA, no one has ever gotten away with killing someone... This case however feels like it's going South."

"I still can't find much on this August guy," Jason murmurs.

"Asking the wrong type of people, perhaps?" Bruce adds in lightly. The offence takes a moment to sink in.

I feel Jason's rage rise and instantly reach out, touching his hand gently. His shoulders unlock, relaxing as he moves further back into his seat.

At that moment I can literally feel everyone gawking at me for being able to calm him with a touch. It's both embarrassing and heartening.

"Thanks," he whispers, lips ghosting over my cheek as everyone goes back to their own conversations. I smile at him.