DIRK: [ARISE]

[evenindeath]

Of all the places to wake up, 'dumpster' had not actually been in Dirk's top thirty list. Of course, once he realized that's where he was he considered that had been an error in judgement on his part. It was where he belonged and thus should have been number one on his list.

"HAL?" he said, his voice a raw and rough croaking to his own ears, but his sunglasses skewed on his face showed nothing but the sky above, a bright night lit by a moon and too much light pollution from the city around him for any stars. He brought an aching arm up to right his sunglasses and give them a tap, the the bare bones of his Heads Up Display on them became visible, flickering in and out of focus. "HAL?" he asked again, but there was no answer. It said he was offline with no signal available.


The past - however long it was came back to him in flits and flashes, what lead them here. Him here, anyway. Finding our that what his friends went through was a beta run for the whole thing, that it had already failed once and they were an attempt to restart under more favorable circumstances. That their game was a null game too in different ways but unfortunately just enough overlap that the plan to make a working game between the two of them wasn't going to work. What was there left to try, a third attempt where they would likely once more end up with more problems and no solutions?

Dirk had been careful who he proposed the plan to and how he said it. Jake was the driven type, charismatic - it didn't matter he couldn't figure out how to pull it off himself, if he suggested it people would be more likely to listen, to try.

"Do you think there's a way to get out of the game entirely?" Dirk had asked Jake in what passed for late one night on a meteor where they'd taken refuge, time and day having no meaning.

The question had been posed seemingly carelessly, but it had stuck in Jake's mind like Dirk knew it would. Soon enough they were all working together on 'Jake's' new plan to try and find a universe beyond the games entirely.

There was no guarantee it would work. No guarantee they'd go to the same place, or even... anywhere.

But what other option did they have?


And now Dirk was here, in a dumpster.

It smelled terrible in a weirdly unfamiliar way to him. It was the kind of terrible that came from cramped living conditions of too many people in one place, and he had literally never experienced that before. When he managed to push himself up and crawl out of it (and get all the ... leavings... off of himself) just looking to the other end of the alleyway where cars went back and forth gave him pause as he thought that every single one of those had at least one person in it. Watching for just a couple minutes, more people walked by without a glance in his direction than he'd ever seen in one place in his whole life.

Wherever they'd landed, it wasn't his home. Not when he knew it.

Distracted by that utter culture shock, he managed to miss the sound of someone coming the other direction until they spoke.

"Hand over your money - anything you have on you," the gravely voice ordered, and Dirk turned slowly to see the barrel of a gun staring him down, and attached to it a man that could either be twice his age or a little younger with a hard life behind him. Dirk was guessing the second was more likely.

"Are you fucking deaf? Hand. Over. Your. Cash. Fucker!" the man repeated when Dirk just continued to stare at him.

Oh, this? He'd seen this in plenty of movies. He knew how to handle this.

"Yeah, no," Dirk said, with a careless flick of his wrist his clothing glitched and blurred into a different but similar set, his pointed sunglasses doing the same to be a fully face covering gas mask. The people who fought crime always wore masks in those stories, right? From the same place his new clothing came from he drew his katana.

He was used to enemies that put up a fight to someone on his level, and maybe would be over-estimating this guy's abilities.

Comments

[evenindeath]

The funny thing (one funny thing) was given Dirk's home; he was uniquely experienced at knowing what a shark bite looked like. He had none of his own, but that was a mix of skill and luck on his part.

"You're gorgeous, " he murmured, speaking without meaning to, still in awe to be allowed this. In contrast to his outward calm his pulse was working like he was getting ready for a fight, pupils noticeably large against the pale bright orange of his irises. He slid his arms around Jason's waist when he moved in, inviting the closeness even if he was hyper aware of every one of his own movements to figure out how they fit together as he tried to not project how inexperienced he was. Every place they touched was an inferno that threatened to leave a brand behind, and Dirk didn't really mind the idea of that, mouth gentle over the worst of the bruises he'd left on Jason's neck that was forming.

"Hotter?"

[lazarusinred]

The pulse under Dirk's mouth was palpable, not yet galloping but working itself there. Jason lifted Dirk's chin, his own pupils pushing the blue-green of his iris' back, soft flush over his cheekbones that had nothing to do with the warm water. "Hotter, gorgeous," he agreed, leaning into a kiss.

Lacking any need to cover his own inexperience, he was less aware of his motions than the feel of skin on skin as he pressed firmly into Dirk. His own mass being a second point of stability to the wall.

[evenindeath]

Kissing, at least, Dirk knew. Jake and him and done quite a bit of it, extensively, and Dirk was quick to use his experience there. Holding Jason close, alternating the pressure between deep and intense and soft and almost chaste, bringing his tongue in right away to coax Jason's out as well. Even focusing just on that, it was impossible to miss the other ways his body was showing interest this close, but forcing himself to wait was part of the fun.

[lazarusinred]

It was part of the fun. The frantic escalation before had not allowed for such a through exploration of what could be done with lips and tongue. Jason was a quick learner and with an experienced teacher he was starting to feel like he was learning to anticipate the shifts between intense and soft. It was all very thrilling to him, impossible to pick one expression over another. All of which creating a growing interest that was equally difficult to hide or ignore.

At a point where there was a gentle lull he pulled away just far enough to say, "You really are amazing."

[evenindeath]

It felt juvenile, but it really did make Dirk feel tingly all over - 'amazing'! Sure he had been wanting to impress Jason, but he'd barely done anything worthy of being impressive.

"And you're a fast study," he replied, the corners of his lips quirking up in a small smirk. It was mildly worrying that he would continue to be such a quick learner that he would come to understand how little experience Dirk had sooner rather than later, but it wasn't quite enough yet to make him care enough to pump the breaks. "How'd you get bit by a shark?"

Well, ok, THAT he was a little too curious about to leave be.

[lazarusinred]

Jason's assertations of awesomeness went beyond anything that Dirk had done and into things that he could not completely see yet. It was an instinct, and his instincts were the sort you could rely on.

A smile crept up on Jason half from the praise and half from Dirk's curiosity. "Mm this," he said leaning back enough that the scars in question could be seen. Semicircle of rows of slightly triangular raised marks, only slightly more pink than his skin. "That was King Shark. He's a ten foot tall shark man. Stopping a ten foot tall fucking shark man was a bit of a challenge. He managed to bite me and shake me around like I was a god damn chew toy. Before flinging me what felt like half the length of Lake Gotham. By the time I swam back the fight was long done. Which is why the bastard is still alive." The armor had taken the worst of the damage, and as he had been sailing through the air was when he had the idea to put a taser in the armor. Hitting the water had made him second guess that idea.

[evenindeath]

Dirk's eyebrows slowly rose at Jason's explanation of King Shark and getting thrown across the city by him. Yeah, that would leave a mark for sure. He let a hand drift back down to trace the scar again, circling each raised mark that was left behind with deliberate care.

"Are there a lot of ten foot tall shark men around here?" Dirk asked, like that was a normal question. He hadn't seen any, but maybe they were all... in the water or something?

[lazarusinred]

The care expressed in Dirk's touch sent a flutter through Jason's chest. He wanted this as much as he had wanted all the other ways Dirk had touched him. There was so much he wanted to experience new and experience again.

"No, just the one," Jason replied and settled his hands on Dirk's hips, letting Dirk take all the time he wanted. "Plenty of other weirdness. People with inhuman powers, people who made themselves part animal, other animals made human-like. Some people who put on costumes to work out their issues. Bit of a mess."

[evenindeath]

Dirk had gotten to feel up Jake's chest a few times, and Jake had gently pushed him away enough that Dirk felt certain that Jake was at least okay with it the times that he'd allowed it. Still, he didn't seem to revel in it the way Jason did, didn't look like he was enjoying Dirk touching him just as much as Dirk was. He couldn't stop touching Jason, couldn't get enough of the feel of his skin.

"Is that why you put on a costume? Got issues to work out?" Dirk asked, coy. He laid his palm flat against Jason's chest once he was done tracing the scar, thumb brushing against Jason's nipple.

[lazarusinred]

There was moment where Jason wound up with some kind of deflection, shrug it off with a half smile and sarcasm. But he had not been lying before when he said he wanted some kind of connection with Dirk, something more than the physical one they had established with wild abandon.

"Actually, yeah," Jason admitted, "and I bring death to those that deserve death. Is that going to be a problem?" He ran his thumbs over Dirk's hip bones, eyes full of challenge and desire in equal measure.

[evenindeath]

It wouldn't be like Dirk could blame Jason if he'd deflected - Dirk probably would have. Would have had a whole appealing story crafted and ready to go that managed to satisfy while saying ultimately nothing at all. One of his specialties.

The shameless honesty though, the way he looked at Dirk like the words themselves were a challenge to be met, fuck.

"Only in that you keep doing shit that turns me on," he replied in turn. "That could be a problem I guess."

[lazarusinred]

"Not for me. Not in the slightest," Jason said with a small, breathless smile. "I have another confession. I am disappointed I'm not your first. I want to experience things the first time with you. It doesn't change how I feel about you, but it's there. I knew before and I wanted you and I want you now. It felt... not right to not say something." He hoped this amount of shameless honesty was not going to upend everything, but if it did maybe it was better now than later.

[evenindeath]

This was when Dirk was annoyed to not have his sunglasses. Not that they would have hid the way the blush crept up from his neck, but it could have at least hid the slight widening of his eyes at the confession, the way he had to look away first. His words were frozen in his throat as he tried to figure out which was the better angle, the truth or maintaining the lie. If he kept up the lie - Jason already wanted him, was already okay with not being Dirk's 'first'. It wouldn't put him in a worse position. He hadn't technically said how experienced he was, just mentioned and ex and let Jason figure the rest out himself. Not clarifying now would involve an active lie though that he could be caught in later.

On the other hand... he could clarify now. He didn't like admitting to a lack of experience in anything, but - if that was what Jason would actually want, maybe..?

This weighing of options was done in seconds, rapidly doing his own mental math as if relationships were equations that could be solved for the best possible outcome.

"... All Jake and I ever did was kissing. A lot of kissing. And a little over clothes groping," Dirk finally confessed, a decision reached, even as it put his back up to admit to a lack of experience in something.

[lazarusinred]

Jason watched the micro expressions play out on Dirk's features. Unlike some tv shows would suggest, just knowing how to read them on people did not always give you the full picture. However, Jason had many years of experience watching someone who did the exact same calculus all the time. What Dirk was weighing was invisible to him, but the process was the same.

There was still tension in Dirk that he could see, Jason hoped it would ease. "That's still more experience than I had. I'm pleased to be your first for everything else, because it is the kind of experience that occurs once ever. We will both get to have that together." He moved his hands to lay his palms flat on Dirk's stomach.

[evenindeath]

It was a stupidly intense declaration considering they didn't even have a full twenty-four hours of knowing each other, but damn if it didn't make Dirk's stomach flip as it appealed to his own intense obsessive nature. That it was okay to want this, that Jason wanted it just as much, too... They had committed to slower and more careful this time, but Dirk couldn't stop himself. He reached up to thread his fingers through Jason's hair and pull him into a kiss that was all open-mouthed need.

[lazarusinred]

'Stupidly intense' would in fact be the way that people who did know Jason would describe him. That they both wanted this should be enough, right? Maybe the 'rules' that other people lived by did not apply to people like himself and Dirk. Anyway people did far more with far less emotional engagement every day.

Yes, they had committed to slower this time, but up to this point it had been slower. Missing a few potential steps here was not missed. At least when Dirk kissed him like that. Jason met need with need, pressing Dirk into the wall with it. His hands slid down with enough hesitation for the question of now or wait, which was all that remained of his willpower.

[evenindeath]

His mouth against Jason's muffled the groan that escaped when his back was further pressed against the wall. He was well into overcome with the need for the moment, for Jason's touch, so that ever so slight hesitation that was the question of how far was answered by Dirk's hips pressing forward against Jason's.

[lazarusinred]

That was the last bit of agreement Jason needed, pressing back in answer before sliding his hand down between them. He wrapped his fingers first around Dirk's dick, giving him focused attention and taking the chance to feel his lover in his hand.

A few doting strokes and Jason shifted his grip to include his own dick. Braced against the wall and Dirk he found a rhythm with his hand and hips that was not as frantic as earlier. The need that consumed him wanted the feel of Dirk against him, in his hand, everywhere he could still touch for as long as he could - while it howled to drive as fast as possible to that sweet edge. At the very least he could push Dirk to that edge first.

[evenindeath]

Every time they had to part to breathe, Dirk swore a blue streak until they were kissing again. Jason's hand around him felt incredible, all the more so in that he didn't have to pretend this was anything other than wholly new to him. He bucked hard into Jason's grip, swore harder when Jason took up the both of them because fuck if it didn't feel incredible to press his cock against Jason's.

"Fuck- yes - yes- Jason-!"

With all that slow buildup, with Jason's determination, it didn't take long at all before Dirk was gasping out Jason's name as the ecstasy overtook him.

[lazarusinred]

It was with sheer determination that Jason clung to not succumbing, not just yet. The feel of Dirk's climax shuddering through him, that Jason wanted to feel without distraction. Through hand and cocks pressed together - it had been incredible before, but fuck if this wasn't even better.

"Yes-Dirk-fuck yes-"

Gasping Dirk's name Jason thrust hard against him and was lost in his own wave of ecstasy. As the wave receded he gave a last little rock of his hips before simply leaning against Dirk. "You feel so good."

[evenindeath]

Dirk was floating in the aftermath of it, dimly aware of Jason, just enough to revel in every sense of him he had. The solidness of him, the heat of him, the way he looked when he came undone. Dirk wanted to devour him completely, to be devoured by him. This was going to be an obsession that would requite careful monitoring to make sure it didn't go sour. He could already tell.

The water that made its way between them was taking care of the slow work of washing the mess off even if they didn't actively take a hand in cleaning up. Right then Dirk was content to slide his arms around Jason's shoulders, to just hold him close and take in the sight and scent of him. The sound of his heavy breathing, so like Dirk's own.

"S'better than I imagined."

[lazarusinred]

Jason had always had a strong ability to read people and situations. It was after all what had brought him to becoming Robin. Since his death and return to life that ability had reached what might be considered preternatural. It could simply be a natural talent shaped by all the experiences of his life, or it could be like some of his other physical talents that had been pushed beyond human ability with his exposure to the Lazarus Pit.

What he saw in Dirk was a heart shaped as a blade. You could step carefully and not get cut by all the sharp edges, but then you would never understand it. You would never be able to stay close to it. Jason wanted to be cut to the bone by it. Laid bare and bloody by it, because then he could be understood in return. He never imagined he would ever find someone like this, in such a pretty package, who was also not on the wrong side of his wrath.

Dirk really did have a wonderful body. He turned his hand in the water to clean it a bit before sliding his arms around Dirk's waist. Holding him close while they both caught their breath and let the water do the rest of the work. "Much better," Jason agreed, and leaned forward to press their foreheads together.

[evenindeath]

Dirk let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding when Jason slid his arms around him again, and it felt right in a way that was so unfamiliar to someone who had dealt with wrong his whole life.

"Wanna show me your bed after this?" Dirk asked, his forehead pressed against Jason's. Even feeling that was letting his mouth sign a check his body couldn't cash, it didn't come out as solicitous as he'd intended when he spoke the words. He hadn't slept for days, and all this shocking comfort had him feeling it creep up on him.

[lazarusinred]

Jason was not exactly sure when the last time he slept was. It wasn't yesterday, that was for sure. So the solicitous words with the lack of matching tone, matched how thoroughly his body was done with him.

"I very much do. For many reasons," Jason replied, his own tiredness creeping into his voice. He gave Dirk a bit of a squeeze. "I do need to message a few people to get things going for you meeting with the JLA. Wouldn't take longer than, say, getting a load of laundry going. Unless you want me to wait." Just collapsing into bed was a viable option.

[evenindeath]

"No, that'd be a big help. Thank you," Dirk said. He wasn't in the habit of thanking people often, if only in that he usually tricked people into doing what he wanted and what he thought was best for them. He leaned in and kissed Jason again, softly this time, like that first kiss when he was giving a chance for Jason to decide if he wanted more or if that was enough.

It was perfect for then, a little moment of gentleness was about all Dirk was capable of. Sooner or later someone cut themselves on him.

"Let me help you out a bit," he offered. Yes he was aware Jason had already done a shower without help before even with his injuries, but it gave Dirk an excuse to keep touching him and in truth he needed the help. His shoulder ached hard enough that moving it in certain directions was rather painful. He could push through it - there was little he couldn't - but it felt gloriously indulgent to have help.

Dirk had to wring his hair out a bit once they were out, the short clumps of it - thick as it was it could take forever to dry otherwise. The water had turned it a dark honey color and he felt more tired by the second.

"What's your stance on pajamas?" he figured he should ask before he decided what, if anything, to sleep in.