Well. I am very pleased with the support the first chapter got! It's not an easy subject but it really does need to be addressed! Thank you all for the support!

"He's not here." Replacement's voice was staticky over the phone and Jason swore under his breath. He stood on the side of the freeway, his bike at his side as he watched cars pass by. He had been on his way to the manor and tried calling in advance. At least he wasn't going to waste a trip to him for nothing. Jason felt a migraine slowly approach and pinched the bridge of his nose in annoyance. Could his night get any fucking worse?

"Where is he?" He ground out and heard Tim sigh softly. He could picture the little puke sitting at his computer with his little pajamas, looking like a little asshole as he listened to the bad seed rave over the phone. Jason didn't get why Dick loved the little shit head so much...same with Demon Spawn. Dick always was the type to take in strays...

"I'm not sure. I assume he went back to the apartment." Tim finally said. Jason released a snort through his nose. He wondered if any of them knew what had happened. Surely even Bruce would have had tact. He doubted Dick ever mentioned anything to them. There were things that never could be spoken that were kept bottled up forever.

"Okay, great." He heard Tim start to speak to ask what was going on but he hung up the phone without another thought. If Dickie was back at their apartment what meant Jason had to double-time it back to Bludhaven. He was on the road towards Gotham already. Swearing again, Jason took the nearest exit, not daring to speed and get pulled over...again. One ticket in a night was enough. He drove back towards his and Dick's apartment, silently praying that Dick wasn't out on patrol yet. He parked his bike, barely securing it before he was sprinting for the staircase. It was a shitty apartment and the stairs creaked loudly with every step that Jason took. The light cast an eerie greenish-blue glow over the walls like in horror movies. He made it to his door and fished his keys out of his pockets and jammed them into the lock, turning the knob.

"Babe?" Jason called out as he opened the door. "You here?" The living room was cleaner than when he had left it. Dick must have cleaned which barely ever happened unless he was stressed.

"Jay?" Dick's voice came tentatively from the kitchen. The light was on and Jason slammed the door behind him as he walked into the kitchen where Dickie was standing at the sink, hands submerged in soapy water. The two stared at each other for a long moment, neither moving or speaking. Slowly, Dick pulled his hands from the water, wiping them with the towel.

"You're back." Dick finally spoke again, pulling Jason from his thoughts.

"Yeah," He managed weakly. "I wanted to see you." Dick set down the dish towel, frowning in concern as he looked Jason over. It never mattered how much they fought, Dick never could stand seeing Jason look so vulnerable. It didn't happen often and when it did it left Dick feeling useless.

"Are you okay?" He asked, moving towards Jason. Jason met him half way and reached for his hands, stroking his thumb over his knuckles, not meeting Dick's eyes. After a moment Jason sighed and looked at the older man.

"I was with Roy and Kory." Jason shifted from one foot to another, watching Dick' lips pull into a thin line. A day earlier-hell three hours earlier and he would have been pissed about that. It would have annoyed him that Dick acted so holier than thou whenever Jason mentioned hid friends. Now it only made him more aware of everything around him. Of Roy and Kory as people and Dick's secrets.

"I figured as much." Dick commented slowly. It was something that would normally bother me but not tonight. Dick noticed my expression and he reached to lightly touch my facd with slender calloused fingers. "Jason, what's wrong? Did something happen?" He asked and Jason nodded heavily. Dick's concerned expression darkened as he went over everything that could have happened over at Roys'.

"We were drinking," Jason began softly, still not looking at Dick. "I was complaining about you to them...like I usually do when I go there after a fight. But, I...I didn't even remember how it came up...how any of it came up." Jason chanced a glance at Dick who looked like he was trying to figure out what exactly the younger man had found out. He stared at Jason for a long moment, not getting it. "Kory told me about what happened between you two." The Red Hood moved away from Dick and heavily sat at the chipped kitchen table, listening to the chair skid slightly as he fell into it. Dick watched him go, not following.

"You already know what happened." Dick replied idly, not even pausing. He was good. He knew how to play the game better than he let on.

"Not really. Just that you cheated." Jason muttered, his fingers traced over a dent in the table and Dick frowned thoughtfully.

"And that's what happened." He muttered. There was a bitter edge under his voice. How many people had told him that? How many people had Kory gone to after the incident? How many had Mirage gone to? Had Dick been that alone after the assault? Jason was dead by this time. If he had known...what would he have said? Would he have even really understood?

"According to her. Her definition is a little different from mine." Jason's voice was stronger than he actually felt. He didn't want to tip toe around this, but he didn't want to chase Dick away either. Kory was the fuck up here. Not Dick.

"I'm tired." Dick suddenly stated, voice steady. "I think I'm just going to go to bed." He was trying to get away from the conversation. He didn't want to talk about it anymore. But someone had to. Someone had to tell Dick it wasn't his fault. As they should have years ago. Jason watched as Dick turned to leave, standing quickly and taking a step away from the table.

"Dick, Roy told me about Tarantula." The words were out of his mouth before he could stop them. Dick stopped walking at this. Jason could see the tense lines in his back. He watched as Dick's fingers twitched at his side.

"What?" Dick's voice was chilled, almost too soft to hear. Jason chanced another step closer to Dick who hadn't moved.

"He told me what she did to you." Jason admitted softly. Dick's head turned slightly so Jason could see his nose and the curve of his lips.

"We had sex." Was all he said and Jason shook his head, prepared to call bullshit. Not allowing Dick to think that anymore. It didn't matter that he was a guy and it was a woman who took advantage. Rape was rape and both Mirage and Tarantula were monsters.

"No Dickie," He breathed. "You didn't." The words held an odd amount of finality and Dick flinched, but Jason was not about to back down now. "She had sex with you up on that roof, but you were hurting. You were in shock from what she had just done to Blockbuster...you just wanted to go home." Jason could see an eighteen year old Dick Grayson, finally settled in his own city and trying to live up to the legend Batman was. He could see his indecision when it came to Blockbuster. The man was a monster, but there was a code that could not be broken. Tarantula would have no such code and when Nightwing didn't stand in her way, she took the law into her own hands and ended a madman's rampage. Then she would turn on Dick, and-

"I told him that in confidence." Dick's voice pulled Jason back and he blinked once, meeting Dick's lost expression with a vulnerable one of his own.

"I know." He assured his lover. "Christ, I know. It wasn't consensual Dickie-bird. Neither time was." Mirage and Tarantula were both the phantoms between them. Dickie's usually tanned complexion paled dramatically. He turned away again, shoulders hunching and looking far too vulnerable.

"He laughed in my face." Dick whispered weakly, not facing Jason. "I told him and he laughed...said I had all the luck..."

"He doesn't know what he's talking about. He's a fucking hypocrite." Jason moved forward, steps loud so Dick knew he was coming. He reached out for Dick's hand, relieved when he didn't flinch away. Jason slowly pulled Dick around to face him, hands moving up to cup Dick's face. "It wasn't your fault, Dick." Jason assured him softly. "None of it was." Dick gulped, eyes wet and adam's apple bobbing. He licked his lips, eyes overly bright.

"No, I should have realized it wasn't Kory...when we slept together...Kory liked to take charge. She liked to be on top and she liked to hold me down... we liked trying all sorts of things. There was nothing too taboo or weird for our tastes. We liked the thrill of trying something new; it was our thing, you know? But Mirage...Mirage liked control too. Kory never left bruises, Kory never bit to draw blood. I thought it was just one of our new things. I thought it was something she wanted to try, so I liked it. It hurt, but it was a good hurt..." Dickie trailed off but Jason didn't dare cut him off, not yet. This was a window into a world Jason had never known. A young Kory and Dick, exploring their likes and dislikes, both teenagers and both so eager for each other. Kory had always been a take charge woman. He had noticed this with the dynamic she had with Roy. It only made sense that it had been much them same with Dick, seventeen and eager to please.

"You know, Kory liked to wear strap ons..." Dick admitted with a nervous laugh, not looking at Jason. "I was nervous the first time, heh...she was a strong woman...she had always been bigger than me. (1) But she was gentle. I liked being controlled...I still do. I liked it when she would use the strap on. She never hurt me. She liked to take care of me. When it was Mirage...I should have noticed something...it had hurt with her. Kory always prepared me. Mirage just went for it...and I ended up liking it. I liked the pain, but I shouldn't have been so fooled." Jason shook his head, anger simmering.

"No, Goldie," He breathed. "It wasn't your fault at all. Mirage took advantage of your love for someone and Kory refused to get her head out of her ass. You are not to blame for that." He touched Dick's cheek and the younger closed his eyes tightly. "Neither of those times were your fault." Dick shuddered a breath, looking away from Jason to stare at the dingy kitchen window.

"I didn't want her." Dick breathed out weakly. "I told her no and she wouldn't stop." Jason's chest ached and he moved before he could think of it, pulling Dick into a tight hug.

"I know babe, I know." Jason's voice was muffled against Dick's dark hair. Dick hugged back, clinging to him. "None of it was your fault...I just wish someone had told you this earlier."

"Roy didn't even...he didn't care. I had to tell someone...I felt like I was drowning and I was scared. I couldn't go to Bruce and Wally was...Wally was gone...I thought Roy would help...he used to always help me. He told me he always would...he just laughed." Jason didn't say anything, only hugged Dick tighter. Dick didn't cry. He just held onto Jason as desperately as his adopted brother held him. "I'm the hero bicycle remember? Everyone's had a ride." Dick's voice was bitter and Jason went still in horror. How many times had he heard that particular quip? He pulled back slowly, Dick watching him in confusion. Jason stared at the older man, barely breathing.

"I...I made jokes about it." Jason finally managed to mutter. Dick shook his head, reaching for the younger man. He knew where this was going.

"Jay-" Dick tried to speak but Jason shook his head. He barely felt Dick's fingers on his chest, pulling away without looking at him. Dick was the pretty one. Dick was the flirt. Dick had eyes bluer than blue and a body and ass to die for. He should expect people to make comments.

"I called you names...made shitty fucking jokes. I'm not saying Dick's a slut, but his ass should be in the NFL Hall of Fame for greatest wide-receiver." He had said this to Tim at one of Kon's parties. Tim had look mortified, looking from Jason to Dick who only smiled. He always smiled and laughed it off. Just like everyone else who heard. Sometimes they joined in the jokes too, because Dick was good for it. Dick had a reputation. Dick didn't mind.

"Jason-" The younger continued speaking. There were jokes on how Dick had dated and or fucked nearly everyone in the friend group. But hadn't he? He and Roy use to have a fling. He had dated Kori and Barbara and they had ended badly. Dick and Wally had always tip toed around each other. Dick was a flirt-

"I'm not saying Dick's easy, but he's been turned more ways than Rubik's Cube." He had laughed about that joke with Roy while Dick was with them one night. Nights with Roy and Dick were always awkward and tense. Jason used shitty jokes to lighten the mood. Roy had sniggered and joined in with his own jokes while Dick had made himself scarce.

"Dick's been under more sheets than the KKK." Roy had once said and now Jason whispered it weakly starting at Dick who had gone pale. All those damn jokes and the shitty comments that would never be said in polite society but Dick didn't need to get so offended, Dick needed to learn how to take a fucking joke...

"Jason," Dick's voice was sharper than before causing the younger man to pause. "I'm not upset about it. They're just jokes. I know you don't mean anything by them."

"It doesn't matter if I mean anything or not. I still said them and I still laughed when I heard them, and even if I don't that doesn't mean that everyone else who says shit think the same." Jason bitterly pointed out. He wished he had his guns on him. He wanted to shoot something. How could he be so stupid? He was hear whining about Dick's treatment while he had been the one joining in on all the shitty jokes.

"It doesn't matter Jay." Dick murmured and Jason shook his head. It had to matter. It couldn't not matter. Not anymore. Not with everything that Jason now knew.

"Doesn't it bother you though? All the comments everyone makes? They talk bout you like you enjoy the comments. I talked about you like it was a joke. You've got to hate it." Jason questioned and Dick sighed, leaning back against the stove, arms crossed over his chest. He looked up at the bare kitchen lightbulb as if it held all the answers Dick could want.

"Of course I hate it." Dick finally admitted, voice painfully raw. "The slut shaming and jokes? I can't even count how many times I've been grabbed or groped both in and out of my suit. But I'm expected to laugh it off. It's nothing malicious. I need to stop being so offended and learn how to take a joke. My ass is nice and the suit shows it off, so I should expect it to be grabbed. I've had sex with a lot of people so I shouldn't be upset when it's constantly brought up by my friends and family. Why am I complaining about Tarantula fucking me? I love sex. Sex with her should be no different. I had all the luck. Any guy would love to have been in my position." Dick forced out a bitter laugh. "I'm the punchline at every party. I'm the cautionary tale that gets told to the newbies when they meet me. Don't look at him too long, you'll end up fucking him. My name is literally a joke. I'm barely a person when everyone gets on a roll. I'm the Meta slut." Dick lifted his hands at this into a devil may care gesture of amusement. "I'm the heartbreaker and shameless flirt. I'm a man-whore. Why are you acting so surprised Dick? You have a reputation Dick. How can you be so stupid, Dick? You're a detective! You should have realized she wasn't me!" Kory's old words hung in the air.

"Dick-" Now it was Dick on a roll and he wasn't stopping for anything. He had been listening to it for too long. Rape culture was built on the premise that the victims were somehow to blame. A person who enjoyed sex should not be surprised when they are raped. As if consent is a privilege for the chaste and not a right to everyone.

"You know they have polls out," Dick's voice was heavy and Jason stared in confusion. "Who's the biggest slut among the heroes? Who has the yummiest ass? Even in my civilian life, Dick Grayson is at it again. Perhaps he should keep his namesake in his unitard." Jason remembered reading that in the gossip column. He had sniggered, finding it all harmless fun. This harmless fun was dangerous. It was toxic. This led to attacks. This led to college age girls not coming forward in fear of reprimand. This led to mothers staying in bad situations with significant others and men to never speak up because it was never talked about. Men should be stronger. Men can't be raped... "Livewire felt me up once and called me Tightwing. (2) What did I expect with a costume so tight?" Jason's throat felt parched. His fingers curled into tight fists.

"Fuck..." Jason couldn't even find the words. He would find these people, and he would kill them. It didn't matter who they were or who they knew. They would pay for what they did.

"I've been told I shouldn't act surprised when someone gropes or kisses me. (3) It's my fault of course. I need to stop acting like it shocks me." Dick shrugged, looking far too calm for someone who just unloaded all that shit. Dick was no stranger to shitty comments and jokes. It had been happening for years.

"Who told you that?" Jason whispered. Dick shook his head, expression closed off.

"It doesn't matter. None of it matters. No matter what anyone says about me. They don't know anything. If I slept with 2 or 102 people, that is no ones god damned business but mine. I know my worth and it's no reliant on how many people I've been with." There. There was the spark. There was the reason that Jason Todd had been head over heels in love with Dick since he was a kid. Richard Grayson was not ashamed of his sexuality. He was not ashamed of loving anyone. Mirage and Tarantula had not broken him. Jason reached for Dick who offered him a tired smile.

"You're better than all that, Goldie. You deserved better...and I'm sorry for not seeing it. Mirage and Tarantula...what they did to you is on them. Not you. No matter what Roy or Kory or any other asshole out there says. No matter what I had said before. I'm sorry for the shitty jokes." He wanted to apologize for Kory and Roy, but that was all on them. That was their issue. They needed to step up. Dick smiled, baby blue eyes practically glowing.

"I forgive you, Little-Wing." Dick assured his lover who in a rare show of open affection moved forward to kiss Dick, hands cradling his face delicately. He brushed his thumb over his cheek, barely breathing.

"I love you, Dick. Don't ever doubt that." I love you more than anything. I would gladly kill for you, I'd die for you. He didn't have to say this. Dick already knew and he smiled once more, face tender.

"I don't...and I love you too. Angst and all." Dick pressed a kiss against the visible patch of skin on Jason's neck. "Now, take me to bed." It didn't mean anything sexual. It was just a moment where the two of them could just lay together and forget the world. Dick held out a hand in offering and Jason took it, brushing his lips over the Romani's knuckles.

"Mi amor." (4) He breathed against Dick's skin and the older man offered him a playful smile. He moved forward to press a kiss against Jason's forehead.

"Inima mea." (5) He murmured back and allowed Jason to lead him to their shared bedroom, lightly closing the door behind them. The next morning, both men slept in for the first time in forever. In the living room, a new message flashed on the answering machine. The dim green light flashed lazily, lost in the sunlight that filtered through the room.

"Hey, Dick," A familiar voice spoke up on the answering machine. "It's ahhh Roy...Roy Harper...you know who I am, who am I kidding. Listen...I'd really like the chance to talk to you...in person. There's a lot of things I've gotta say, but nothing I can say over a machine...maybe if you want we can meet up for lunch sometime...maybe that old pizza place we used to go to? Only if you want, I-..." There was a long pause as Roy breathed. "I messed up Dickie...I really messed up this time and I...I just-I'd like to see you...if you want...okay...bye Dick."

Jason and Dick slept on, undisturbed, legs entwined and completely at peace with each other. Light filtered in through the window over their faces. Dick was tucked against Jason's side and the younger man had one muscular arm still holding Dick against him in sleep. Neither one were getting up anytime soon and if Jason had already sent out a bounty on the locations of Tarantula and Mirage that was nobody's fucking business now was it?

(1) Canonically Kory is 6'4 compared to Dick's 5'10.

(2) Look up the comic interaction between Livewire and Nightwing. Yikes. I'm sure there are even more examples out there.

(3) I can't remember where exactly I read this, but I did at some point. If anyone knows the exact source I would love to hear it! Thank you!

(4) Mi amor-My love

(5) Inima mea- My own heart