Chapter Text
"I thought we talked about you not wondering of".
Bruce stared down at the young boy disapprovingly through the cowl and started walking closer to Jason. It was a quiet patrol night with all the major players either behind bars or still cooking up new schemes, all that was left to do was chase leads and stop some small-time crooks. It was cold and wet and boring--- Gotham at its finest.
"We did", Jason admitted.
"And?"
"And… I got bored and stopped listening."
Jason was perched on a gargoyle that hung from one of the city's many neo-gothic skyscrapers. Bruce stood behind him glaring down obviously frustrated by both the slow night and Robin's restlessness, but Jason couldn't help it, nights like these were so foreign in Gotham that it was discomforting.
Gotham wasn't a nice city to grow up in, not that Jason knew any different. Poverty covered the city like a thick blanket, that even its famous architecture couldn't distract from. The main parts of the city were the ones with fancy designs and embellishments. The further you strayed from the wealth the more Gotham resembled a concrete jungle. If it wasn't raining it was about to. If it was sunny, it wouldn't last long. Jason often wondered if all the grey was natural or if the weather just reflected the contents of the city itself.
The rain fell heavy onto the concrete of the road and sidewalk creating streaming rivers leading to storm drains Most people were smart and kept warm in their cars which were speeding past sending floods of water flying up onto the sidewalk. The sky was grey with thick clouds that occasionally thundered with sharp bursts of lightning, the darkness of the sky reflected on the streets below. Street lamps were lit, and the only other light came from shops that remained open and apartments whose little square windows helped paint the skyline of the bustling city. Gotham had grown accustomed to its solemn look and embraced it, all the high-rise buildings were built with grey stone and had elements of gothic architecture in their gargoyles and statues. It would be a hard job to call Gotham in the rain beautiful, the streets were currently littered with old trash because a labor dispute had caused the garbage men to go on strike again and many streetlamps flickered with bulbs that hadn't been replaced in years.
Bruce continued to stare Jason down with an exasperated look on what could be seen on his face. "What?", Jason asked.
These were the kind of nights you could look out across the Gotham skyline and see nothing at all. No thump of distant music or the wailing of police sirens, tonight the city was still. They had been to upper Gotham and found nothing more than a mugging or two. Then they moved down to the upper east side. Bruce had gone to check a lead and asked Jason to wait for him. Jason didn't trust quiet nights. When you grow up surrounded by constant noise it's difficult to trust the silence. So, he wandered off.
Jason leaned back onto the ledge and pulled himself up looking back at the looming figure of Bruce that was made only larger and more intimidating by the jet-black armor and the cape that swayed ominously with the wind. Jason could understand why criminals were so afraid of him, if Jason didn't know better, he would be too.
"I asked you to stay put while I was gone. That wasn't a request that was an order, Robin."
Bruce had only been gone for around 15 minutes and it wasn't like Jason had gone far. Okay, maybe he was further down a block or two, but it hadn't mattered that much because Bruce was able to find him within minutes. Jason was just looking for a better view, one where he could look out and see the main hub of the city, where he could still see the lights of hundreds of streetlamps glittering along like little stars contrasting against the dark sky and rows upon rows of unlit tenement buildings where the residences were sleeping safely in their beds.
"I know and I'm sorry but it's not like I went far, just like two blocks over".
"three", Jesus, Bruce was twitchy tonight.
Jason cracked a smile and bounded over grabbing his arm and swinging himself around him, so he was around the other side of him facing away from the 'picturesque' skyline. Jason laughed and started walking further down what was left of the patrol route with Bruce hot on his heels still mad but not mad enough to yell at him.
"Find anything interesting while you were gone, B?
"Nothing to complicated, we should be finished with patrol in around an hour's time."
The wind picked up as the night went on blowing down the streets and alleys and by the time, they packed it up for the night, the rain was horizontal. It was forecast to rain throughout the night which made Jason thankful for the early end to the evening for them.
As amazing as it was to fly through the streets as Robin, heavy rain always left Jason cold and stiff and longing for the warmth of the manor.
Jason had stuff to do at home anyway.
When the Batmobile rolled into the Batcave. Jason leaped out of the passenger seat, b-lining for the showers, shouting some brief excuse to Bruce as he went. Jason was determined to get some food and some reading done before being forced to go to bed. He knew he left the copy of Little Women that he had been reading on his desk, in his room. The book was one that he had received from Alfred for his 1st birthday in the manor, as Robin.
The old oak wood grandfather clock in the hall started to chime as Jason darted passed. Jason listened to each sound as it did in an attempt to figure out just how long he would have. It was 3am. Not the worst.
If he missed dinner, he could probably finish the book.
No, Alfred would so kill him for that. "A growing boy must have the right nutrition, master Jason."
Jason continued down the long hallway decorated with unknown faces in ancient portraits. Wayne Manor was unlike anywhere Jason had ever been. Where Jason had come from the older something was the more it lost its value, it decayed and rusted, but not here. The manor's age made everything an antique, finery, age gave things a value that was evident by their display. It was strange at times, walking the halls of somewhere you have no connection to, Jason didn't even know who half these faces belonged to.
"What you lookin' at?" Jason said to one particularly beady-eyed painting before continuing down the hall and up the staircases to the bedrooms.
Bruce's room was the very last door on the hall opposite where Dick's old room was, Bruce was paranoid like that. Jason's was on the other side a few doors down. Jason hadn't actually picked the room; it had been empty and prepared when he arrived. Apparently, it had just been an unused guest room before Jason had arrived, one of the many rooms upkept by Alfred without any occupants, that man really deserved a holiday. It was larger than any bedroom Jason had ever seen, and he was still adjusting to the idea of it actually belonging to him.
When Jason had lived in Crime alley, when his mom was alive, he had old posters and magazines covering the walls to distract from the mold and the stains. He couldn't do that here, he would be allowed to, Bruce and Alfred had both told him he could decorate in any way he saw fit, but that would be a commitment. To personalize the room in that way, to mess it up, would tie Jason to this place forever. He still wasn't really ready for that. Jason still kept a to-go emergency escape bag under his bed, waiting for the day Bruce didn't want him anymore. It has been a slow process of getting comfortable but he's getting better with it. He even put a picture frame of him and Bruce on his nightstand.
He reached the door and swung it open, closing it behind him as he entered like he always did flicking on the light switch, not thinking to look behind him as he did, and boy did he regret that. Jason turned around intending on walking up to his bed reading some of his books and then returning downstairs to Bruce and Alfred for 'dinner'.
This was when Jason noticed two things. The first thing that hit Jason was the breeze that hit the back of his neck from the open window that he could have sworn wasn't open earlier. The second had Jason just about jumping out of his own skin when he finally caught sight of the window, or rather what was coming through it.
Strong arms pulled a soaking wet body up to hang halfway through the window. The intruder was hanging with their head down bent over the windowsill clearly frozen in the position they realized they had been caught in. They very slowly raised their head up to peer at Jason. That's when Jason realized, he knew that face.
The intruder, Dick Grayson suddenly broke out into a relieved smile and finished hoisting himself through the window and landed on his feet with a graceful bounce, water droplets spreading everywhere,
"Thank god, kid. It's just you. I thought for a second you were B or Alfie."
All Jason could do was stare, well glare, at the older Robin. What the hell was he doing here? And why scale the side of the manor into Jason's window? What the hell?
"You're Jason, right?... uhm… I'm Dick, by the way." He said straightening out his jacket, shaking off some of the water, and gazing around Jason's room before giving a low whistle.
"Suits you."
Dick stopped looking around and looked back at Jason. Sizing him up and thinking of what to say to him next. The awkward silence didn't last long because before Dick's brain had the time to think of an excuse for mission impossible-ing his way into Jason's room there was a thumping noise coming from the stairs like someone was climbing up. Jason started talking in loud whispers so as to not alert the rest of the manor's inhabitants to the presence of the ex-Robin.
"What the hell are you doin' here!"
The noise was getting closer and no doubt coming straight for them. Bruce would probably want to take Jason downstairs for dinner. Great.
"Hide me!"
"Are you crazy?!"
The footsteps had entered the hall and were nearly at the door. Jason scanned the room throwing the book at his bed before lunging towards the wardrobe and motioning Dick inside. The older Robin leaped in silently holding his bag, squashed up against Jason's clothes, Jason's blue hoodie cushioning around his head. He gave Jason an amused and hysteric smile and was about to speak before…
"Jason, are you in there?"
Whatever Dick was going to say died on his lips because there was now only one wooden door separating them from Bruce. He had come to check on Jason and was about 30 seconds past catching his estranged adoptive son scaling the walls like a damn cat.
"Yeah!... just a second!" he shouted before glaring at Dick one last time and quietly slamming the doors in his face. Jason rushed towards the door, tripping up slightly in his rush. He pulled the door back, sliding himself between the door and the frame to stop Bruce from entering. "Everything ok B?"
Bruce looked down at Jason, his smile wavering slightly. "Of course, I was just wondering when you were coming down for something to eat."
"sorry, I just wanna get some reading done right now. I'll get some later, promise."
Jason stood like a guard at the door. Bruce and Jason didn't always eat together on patrol nights, so this isn't that unusual. Jason momentarily mused over how screwed he would be if Bruce discovered Dick in the wardrobe, over what he would say.
"I'm sorry B, but he climbed through the window, so it was that or I through him back out".
It put Jason on edge knowing that he was attempting to fool the world's greatest detective, that if Bruce caught one sniff of Dickie's cologne the jig would be up. it was kind of exciting.
"It's ok, just make sure you eat something Jay-lad." Bruce said clearly sensing Jason was uncomfortable about something but had decided not to press. Thank god.
Jason smiled innocently up at Bruce hoping he had said enough to convince his pseudo-father that everything was fine. Sure enough, Bruce reached over and tussled Jason's hair with a fond smile before retreating back down the corridor inevitably to his office. Once the sound of Bruce's footsteps had echoed out into a distant part of the manor Jason took one last look each way before swinging his door closed and pressing his back against it. He looked down at his feet and let a breath of relief escaped him. Jason lifted his head when he heard the noise of muffled laughter and the shifting of clothes.
"Thanks Jay-Lad. Wish I could say that was the first time I've had to hide in a closet to escape a disapproving father.", Dick teased, "First time it's been my own."
Now that the panic and adrenalin had mellowed out Jason was able to get a good look at his predecessor climbing out of the wardrobe. Dick was taller than Jason by a good few inches, which made sense considering Dick was 4 years older than him. He was dressed in loose grey sweats and a black hoodie, also sporting his signature floppy black hair that Jason had tried to recreate when he was first shown images of the original Robin, trying to be more like him.
"I'll ask again, what the hell are you doin' here?!"
Dick glanced over at Jason, his wide smile staying but now with a hint of something more reflecting a cross between sincerity and smugness. He was now fully removed from the wardrobe and was now perched on the windowsill he had climbed through, legs pulled up and parted.
"You lied."
"What?". Jason hadn't lied to Bruce, he had just neglected to tell him about the 5"10 Dick-bag hidden in the wardrobe, is all. Bruce would still have him grounded for it despite the technicality if he ever found out that is.
"You didn't tell him I was here."
"yeah, and remind me again, Asshole. why are you here?"
Jason had his arms crossed and was attempting to stare down the older Robin who was now pulling something out of the bag he had been holding onto. Dick pulled out a thin case file and thrust it toward Jason. "What's this? your memoirs?". It had the official Bludhaven PD stamp across the front and was far too thin to be a complete case. Jason accepted the file and reached over to the chair at his desk, pulling it out and taking a seat before opening the file.
"Big word for a short kid.", Dick shot back. "It's something I've been working on in 'haven. We're building a case against the guy."
"wow! Some good honest detective work, the pigs must be so proud" Jason quipped, a smirk across his face. "Did they give you a sticker?", Dick frowned at Jason. "Maybe a lollipop?"
Dick didn't bite, he simply rolled his eyes, but Jason could tell he was getting frustrated. If he wanted easy, he shouldn't have come to Jason. The file was on a man named Marcus White. In the notes, it showed he had links to drug trafficking and violent assaults spreading through both Gotham and Bludhaven. His mugshot showed a grown man around 30-40, with a shaved head that complemented his scorpion neck tattoo and a scar down the side of the left of his face.
"If this dude didn't wanna look guilty, then he shouldn't 'ave made himself look like such an obvious bad guy."
Dick chuckled and watched Jason as he inspected the picture closer. "Neck tattoo, scars, the Nazi looking buzz-cut… that all just screams "I run a drug cartel, come get me"".
The rest of the BPD file wasn't much but someone had added surveillance pictures taken from high-vantage points, pictures of shipments, and meetings all taken by Bludhaven's resident circus boy.
"This doesn't exactly explain why you broken into the manor through my window like a creep."
"In my defence, I didn't know it was your room", Dick shook his head before adding, "anyway, look at the file, it's half empty. White left business in Gotham after Batman shutdown the operation he was working for Black mask moving drugs. He found his feet in 'haven where he's set up a ring, problem is before he left, he paid off someone in the GCPD to wipe his files meaning this", Dick pointed at the BPD file. "is all I've got."
"And you think B's got more than you do?" Jason stated while continuing to flick through the case. Marcus White born 4th of November 1973, white male… incarcerated 2 previous times on drug-related charges… grew up near the Bowery area…previously employed by multiple different crime families, and more recently black mask.
"Yeah, I do, which is why I was gonna just slip in and take them without having to deal with Bruce." Dick remarked taking the files back from Jason and flicking through the pages. Jason gave the older boy a curious look, clearly not understanding why all of this warranted Dick climbing through the window. "Look, I think he's started moving more than just his regular drugs and if I get this guy, I can get to all the other scumbags he's worked with. I know you won't get it, but I don't want Bruce's help on this case, I wanna do this on my own but he's got the materials I need… make sense?"
Jason nodded his head dismissively before adding "I get that but why the window? Forget your keys on the way out the door?" It was kind of unnecessary, but Dick was the one that had left Gotham. He had left Bruce. And when he found out that he had a younger brother he had never made the effort to show up, and get to know Jason. Dick had made it clear he wanted nothing to do with the new Robin, so why should Jason be the one to be nice.
Dick gave a soft sarcastic laugh before saying "Whatever you think happened kid, you're wrong." He looked so sincere, but Jason wasn't fazed by the pain leaking through his words.
"I really don't care, Dick."
Dick had his eyes locked on Jason, reading him. Jason shifted uncomfortably under the gaze. Dick didn't look judgemental just intrigued, if not slightly pissed off by Jason's standoffish attitude.
"I think you do."
The observation hung in the air between them, Jason couldn't find it in himself to deny the fact that Dick was right. Of course, he cared. This was supposed to be his new family and he had no idea where he fits in. All Jason knew about the older Robin was what he had been told by other people, Bruce had compared every move he made as Robin to Him, and Barbara had told him that he would 'never be Dick Grayson'. Jason had explored Dicks old room and was endlessly curious about his predecessor, the perfect son.
Jason had thought it would be easy to hate Dick Grayson when he finally met him, he had thought he would enjoy berating the golden boy and poking fun at him. Except now that Dick was sitting right in front of him, sitting in his room, he was struggling to see what he was so bitter for. It was so easy to be Jealous of Dick but so much easier to be charmed by his presence. Maybe it was the hair.
"I hope you had a backup plan." Jason stated leaning back in his chair. "For getting those files."
A wicked smile appeared on Dicks face when he said "Well, now you mention it I think I might just have a new plan." Dick slid off the windowsill and stood up facing Jason. "But I need your help, you would be messing with B and if you get caught, you'd probably get benched for life, but if you do help me, I finally get this guy behind bars and I promise I'll-"
"ok."
"What?"
"Let's do it.", Jason thought for a moment before responding "How'd you expect me to help, exactly? he's Batman he'll know somethings up."
"Oh, little Jason. That's the thing, Batman has no weaknesses, but Bruce Wayne is a big fat sucker for his little orphans." Dick stated with both a fondness and a bitterness to his voice.
Messing with Bruce and working with Dick Grayson to catch a bad guy. "Where do we start then, Brother-Dearest?"
They were both grinning as they planned a play-by-play strategy to get Bruce out of his office and Dick in without getting noticed by Bruce or Alfred. For someone who he was meeting for the first time, Jason was putting a lot of trust into Dick. call it a Robins intuition but he didn't feel any regret as he followed Dick's instructions and wandered out of his room to go speak with Bruce.
Jason tip-toed down the stairs to Bruce's office where he could see the slight glimmer of light flooding out from under the door. Bruce did this most nights, he would sit and comb through case files or deal with his company's official business. He would still make time for Jason, take him out for ice cream, or watch movies with him but most of his time at night was spent behind his desk, either in the cave or in his study.
The door was made of dense wood and was varnished a dark emerald color, Jason wondered if it was designed this creepy on purpose. Jason crept towards the door and grabbed the large doorknob, giving a silent prayer to every god he could think of before turning it and swinging it open. The old door creaked slightly when opening, giving way to Jason's entrance and spoiling any chances of him being able to turn back.
Bruce was sitting at his desk facing the door. He looked up at Jason and gave him a slightly worried smile before saying, "You still up, chum?"
"Yeah, sorry." Jason muttered, before walking through the large door into Bruce's office. He swayed on his feet awkwardly trying to think of what he had planned on saying, but the words were caught in his throat. It wasn't lying but it was still deception. Jason didn't like deceiving Bruce, he trusted him, and Bruce should be able to trust him back.
"What's wrong?" Bruce asked voice full of concern. "You seem upset."
"I… uhm… is there still dinner there?" Jason asked putting on an Oscar-worthy performance for a lost little boy. "I know I missed it but- well- I'm kinda hungry."
Jason had a kicked-puppy look on his face. He had tilted his head up at Bruce who had already gotten up from his desk and started walking up to Jason. This was going surprisingly well, all things considered.
"Yes, of course, Alfred left it in the kitchen for you. You'll have to heat it up but I'm sure it'll still be fine." Bruce explained. Bruce reached out and ruffled Jason's hair again, attempting affection.
"Can you eat with me?" Jason requested, his tone hopeful. Dick better give him a medal for this one. It wasn't hard for him to play the role of desperate son; it was half true anyway.
Bruce's face flashed with an expression Jason couldn't identify, it was gone before it was even there. "Of course, I can," Bruce said placing a hand on Jason's shoulder before walking back over to his deck and grabbing the files, tidying them up, and putting them away in his filing cabinet. Jason quickly scanned the 'W' section catching a glimpse of 'White'. He hoped it was all Dick needed. Bruce returned to Jason's side and guided him towards the door. As they walked towards the kitchen Jason's paranoia doubled, the fear that Bruce knows that he was lying and the fear of Dick getting caught kept playing and replaying in his head. Which was annoying, why should he care what happens to Grayson?
Bruce flicks on the kitchen light as they walk into the kitchen. The light illuminated the room, showing off the clean organized kitchen. On the worktop was Jason's dinner covered in cellophane, a simple and very Alfred steak meal. Jason strode over to the plate preparing it and putting it in the microwave. Bruce watched and pulled out two seats at the kitchen island for them. Bruce moved around Jason and picked out cutlery from the drawer before moving for glasses filling two with juice from the fridge.
"What were you reading?" Bruce asked Jason, sitting himself down at the kitchen island. The microwave bleeped as he was speaking.
"Huh?"
Jason pulled the meal out of the microwave and turned and sat down across from Bruce. "You said you wanted to do some reading, what were you reading?" Bruce repeated.
"Little Women, the one Alf bought me for my birthday," Jason explained, cutting into the meat that had been toughened by the microwave. Bruce looked pleased, maybe it was because Jason was eating or maybe because of how glad he was that Jason appreciated the gifts he had been given. Bruce considered himself very lucky for having the chance to be a father to a kid like Jason.
"Never read it myself, is it good?" Bruce asked. He always took an interest in what Jason was reading. Jason had a talent for finding the best books and interpreting them in creative and insightful ways. For a kid who had troubles with early education, Jason took to academics like a duck to water. Bruce was relieved education was so rewarding for Jason. It had always been an uphill battle with Dick, he lacked focus and hadn't found the same joy in learning that Jason had. It had been frustrating for Bruce as a father, but he always had faith Dick would land on is feet like the boy so often does.
"It's great, but I'm going to have to move on soon, something new coming up in class."
Bruce hummed in agreement while taking a drink, "Any idea what it is yet?". Jason had Bruce fully up to speed on his studies and they had already discussed the novel Jason's class had just finished, Animal Farm. Bruce and Jason had disagreed on the stories meaning somewhat, but both agreed enough to help annotate it together.
"No clue, yet. I think it'll be a play; we haven't done one of those before." Jason replied, wolfing down his meal. He had underestimated how hungry he was before sitting down to eat.
"That should be good." Bruce said a little suspect. Bruce stared at Jason lowering his brow and watching, waiting. "Are you sure there is nothing wrong."
Jason almost choked on his food, "No, nothing's wrong. What makes you say that?" Jason offered to try desperately not to look too much like a deer caught in the headlights.
"You're rubbing your left arm; you only do that when you're nervous about something," Bruce stated accusingly. Jason mentally cursed himself before adding a curse for Dick, he told him he'd notice something. Jason had to think of something, anything to get Bruce off his case. A very good, very convincing lie. Remember what Dick said…
"Well… I was just wondering…" Jason trailed off. All of his thoughts circled back to the older teen that had climbed through the window, all he could think was floppy hair and a blue hoodie. "Dick Grayson. I saw a picture of him earlier and I was just wondering… what happened between you two?"
Bruce swallowed loudly and sighed. He stared into his drink collecting his thoughts. He drummed his fingers against the island marble counter, dragging them across before settling. "That's not really any of your concern.".
"I know, just wondering that's all." Jason added before Bruce became too defensive. "He's sort of like my brother, but I've never met him." Liar.
Bruce hummed in acknowledgment before sighing and saying, "Dick and I have had our disagreements in the past, but he'll be back when he needs me, and I'll welcome him when he does."
If only Bruce knew the lengths Dick had been willing to go through to not ask for his help, how much Dick fought against the idea. Jason knew, a part of him wished he didn't.
Jason nodded satisfied with Bruce's excuse. Jason finished off his meal, dropping the empty plate in the sink. He would be lying if he said he wasn't slightly bothered by Bruce's words. He wasn't sorry, just frustrated. Upset that Dick had chosen to leave but no clear reason as to why Bruce thought Dick left in the first place. And the arguing, Jason and Bruce argued. Would that get worse? Would they be like that one day, running around each other because of disagreements? No, Jason wasn't Dick Grayson, that wasn't going to happen to him.
Dick had given Jason an approximate time for how long he would have to keep Bruce in the kitchen. Jason had almost doubled that time.
"I'm gonna go up to my room, read some more, and try and get to sleep," Jason said, smiling slightly at Bruce to try and snap him out of the thoughts he had gotten trapped in.
"Night, Jay-lad." Bruce said, glancing at him before looking back down at the counter lost in thought. He looked like he was trying to remember where he had lost something.
"You should talk to him, give him a call or something. Might be nice to have someone new round here more often." Jason said before exiting the kitchen, not bothering to look back at Bruce as he did.
Having Dick around wouldn't be too bad, maybe Bruce would lighten up a bit. Wishful thinking.
Jason made his way back upstairs to his bedroom, past the beady-eyed paintings covering the walls, and straight to his room. When he returned there was no intruder, just an empty open window. Jason walked over and shut it, cutting off the freezing cold air and drops of rain. He fixed the closet doors and the clothes inside, pulling the blue hoodie free.
Jason turned to his bed where he noticed a piece of paper resting on top of his pillow next to the discarded book. Jason sat down on the side of his bed and opened up the paper.
I got it. Thanks, little wing. :)
– DG
Next time Jason was going to drop-kick him out the window.