Chapter Text
Aftermath: Broken Bones
Chapter 3
In full swing of an all out gang war, there isn’t much time for communication. Now that everything had been handled the bats were all en route to the cave. Once there, everything became awkward again. The silence stretched through out the entire cave. Bruce was busy typing out his report while the four Robins stood awkwardly waiting to be dismissed. Not that it was necessary, but Alfred had just made tea. Nobody was going to turn that away.
“Good to see you all made it back in one piece.” Alfred stated.
“It was easy to handle. Wasn’t sure I was necessary though.” Jason said to Dick pointedly.
Tim huffed, “ You weren’t.”
Dick sighed. “Can we not do this?”
“Do what?” Jason asked as he leaned against the Batmobile. “ If Timmy here has a problem I’d think I’d like to hear it. It’s not as if I killed anyone.”
“If you had-“
“He didn’t” Dick stepped in. “He won’t. Not anymore.”
Jason and Dick shared a glance before the younger of the two looked toward the ground. Tim noticing this took a step forward confused. “Since when? I don’t remember hearing of a change of heart.”
Jason sighed. He didn’t think it was any of the others business. Dick was very clear about his intentions toward Jason. Their relationship would remain a secret for a while. No use getting the whole clan up in arms over it. Unfortunately, Dick felt it was necessary to broadcast Jason’s new no killing policy every chance he got. “My methods don’t concern you replacement.”
Tim’s jaw hung open for a minute before he snapped it shut. “You’re serious.”
Jason looked him in the eye. He didn’t speak and there was a long silence that followed. Damian decided this was a fabulous time to add his two cents into the conversation. “I’ll believe it when I see it.”
Jason glared at the boy. “You’re the only one who’s allowed to change his ways?”
Another long silence followed before Alfred jumped into the conversation, “It’s good to see you back.”
“I’m not some prodigal son returning home Alfred.” Jason rubbed a hand over his face. “I don’t even know what I’m still doing here.”
Damian snorted, “Then leave.”
Tim walked over to stand next to Damian. “I agree. If you didn’t want to be part of this then leave. We don’t need you here.”
That hurt. Jason didn’t even know why he cared so much about what his replacement thought regarding the situation. Part of him wondered why he was here as well. He knew of course that mostly he was here for Dick. Dick was trying to prove something. Jason could just feel it. Dick wanted to prove that Jason wasn’t the cold-blooded killer everyone thought he was. Maybe once Jason had proven himself, things could be okay. Jason wasn’t stupid though. No matter what he did, Bruce would never accept him. The family would never trust him. It was all pointless. It felt like a bucket of ice water had been dumped over him as the realization sunk in. He must have been secretly hoping this would turn things around. That he could be a part of the family again. “Fine, I’m gone.”
Dick reached out gripping his shoulder just as he was about to turn and leave, “Wait Jason-“
“Stop it Dick!” Tim shouted. “Can you not see what he’s doing? He has ulterior motives.”
“You think so Replacement?” Jason snipped back
“He doesn’t!” The oldest shouted, “Tim, stop this.”
“Can’t you see what he’s doing? Getting back in our good graces? Manipulating us?” Tim walked right up to Jason. He stood right in his face with an air of superiority as he looked up at Jason, “I don’t know what you’ve said to make Dick think you’ve changed your ways, but I don’t believe it for a second.”
Jason took a step forward so that he was chest to chest with Tim as he glared daggers, “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
“Jason!” Dick snapped angrily, “Stop stirring the pot!”
Tim spoke so quietly you would think he was trying to whisper, “Why is Dick suddenly defending you?”
“Tim.” This time it was Bruce. His voice was deep with a warning tone.
Tim grit his teeth and took a step back before turning to look at Bruce. The man was now standing up with his arms crossed as he regarded at the young men he had raised. “It’s late, you should all get some rest.”
“Tt.” Damian huffed in annoyance before storming off to the stairs and heading up to the Manor.
Dick smiled as the boy passed, “Night little D.”
“You’re welcome to stay the night, Master Dick.” Alfred spoke up, “There are more than enough rooms in the manor after all”
Dick rubbed the back of his neck, “I don’t know…”
Bruce nodded, “You did good work tonight, all of you.”
Three sets of Blue eyes widened. Bruce was not one to give compliments often. He was making a point. It almost sounded like he was trying to give Jason a chance. Dick smiled knowingly, “Well, I guess I should rest here for the night. My loft is on the other side of town anyway.”
Bruce nodded. Jason watched as everyone left the Cave. Dick followed after Tim heading up the stairs to go to the manor. Jason wasn’t sure what to do at this point, but he didn’t think the invitation to stay was extended to him just yet. Not after one night of proving he wasn’t going to kill anyone. He took his helmet off his bike and was about to put it on when he heard Bruce walk up behind him. “Jason.”
Sighing Jason turned around to meet the intense gaze of his former father figure. “Bruce, I-“
“You don’t have to explain yourself.” Bruce said seriously, “Earlier, The file I shouldn’t have-“
“Don’t.” Jason said angrily. “Don’t apologize if you don’t mean it.”
Bruce pinned him with a look of annoyance. “I wasn’t going to apologize.”
Jason scoffed, “Of course not. Whatever. It doesn’t matter.”
“You should know.”
“What?”
“The file. You have a right to know what was on it.” Bruce said “But breaking into the cave in anger and lashing out at Alfred was not a way to handle it.”
“Ar-Are you scolding me right now?” Jason asked incredulously. He laughed rubbing a hand over his face. “I can’t believe this is happening.”
“I want to trust you Jason.”
The words almost sounded sincere. There were times when he’d worked under Bruce in the past, changed his code momentarily and became a temporary member of the team only for things to go back completely to normal. Jason knew what he did was necessary. It may not be the noblest cause, but it worked. He protected the streets of Gotham in his own way. That was all Jason ever wanted to do as Robin. Protect Gotham. On his terms. He only hoped he could give up that side of himself. He felt selfish for it. In a way that nobody else would understand. Jason felt selfish for deciding to change his ways based on one person. Was Dick worth it? Jason looked into Bruce’s eyes intensely for a moment before finally speaking, “But you can’t.”
“So give me a reason to.” In a rare moment of honesty, Bruce dropped his mask, the one that held his emotions in check. Jason could see exactly what was on Bruce’s mind without words. Bruce wanted to trust Jason. He needed to trust Jason and believe that his way was worth a damn. Redemption needed to be possible.
Replacing his helmet back on his bike, Jason nodded, “Goodnight B.”
The Cave was silent as Jason walked back up to the manor. The silence didn’t change as he walked through the halls. It wasn’t eerie. Yet; somehow, it was a bit unsettling to be walking through these old corridors and rooms once more. Not even paying attention, he managed to make it to his old room from pure instinct alone. A long moment passed as he looked into the space he had once lived. There was no dust like he expected. Alfred was too good for that. The man had a way with cleaning that Jason had never been able to master.
Thinking long and hard about what his next move would be, Jason decided not to enter. This wasn’t his room anymore. This room belonged to someone who was dead, a troubled boy from the streets who had been given more opportunities than he deserved. A kid with no dreams for the future and no aspiration other than becoming just like his mentor. Too many memories had already been stirred up as of late. This needed to be sealed away and forgotten to time. He closed the door and turned down the hall until he found himself slipping into Dick’s room.
“Jason?” Dick said rolling over sleepily.
Jason moved closer stepping out of his shoes and kicking them to the side. “Hey Dickie.”
Dick smiled and sat up, “You stayed.”
“We didn’t get a chance to finish what we started earlier.”
Dick’s eyes widened, “Jason, we’re in the manor. This isn’t-“
Jason cut him off with a kiss as he crawled over onto Dick and pushed him down into the sheets. Trailing kisses down the pale skin in front of him, Jason let out a laugh, “Don’t be a prude. This place has seen more than it’s fair share of night time activities.”
Dick tried to sit up again, but Jason placed a hand on his chest. Dick made a move to pull Jason back up to his lips only to have Jason slip his hands around the older man’s wrists. He then lifted them up to the headboard with one hand as his other trailed it’s way down under the sheets. As soon as his hand made contact with Dick’s growing erection, Dick sighed.
“Don’t be too loud. We wouldn’t want anyone coming into check on you would we?” Jason then pressed his lips to one of Dick’s nipples lightly before biting down with the tiniest amount of pressure. Dick bit his lip trying to muffle his moan. Jason’s free hand drifted further until it was under Dick’s boxers stroking him with ease. He kissed Dick again and smiled. “Now I have you at my Mercy.”
“J-Jason. That feels-“
Jason made a shushing noise, “I don’t want to have to gag you.”
Dick moaned again, “Take off your clothes for me Little Wing.”
Jason smirked, “Not yet. I want to get you nice and hot. Make you beg. Then you can take off my clothes with your teeth.”
“Please!” Dick almost shouted. It was more than enough noise to alert someone, and alert someone he did. The door abruptly opened to show Bruce’s looming figure.
Both Dick and Jason’s eyes go wide in terror.
“Shit.” Jason states.
“What are you doing?” Bruce demands in an only slightly calm voice.
“I’d think that’s obvious.” Jason says at the same time Dick says, “I can explain.”
Dick glares at Jason and Bruce steps forward. “What are you two thinking!? You’re brothers.”
Jason holds up his hand in a pause motion, “Adopted brother technically. Not to mention I’m officially dead on record so you won’t have to worry about the scandal.”
Bruce ignores Jason, “Dick, What are you doing?”
Jason chimes in with a quiet laugh to himself, “Me obviously.”
Bruce moves toward Jason only to have Dick rise up on the bed and insert himself between the two. “Jason, shut up. You aren’t helping.”
“He’s a criminal.” Bruce states matter-of-factly.
Jason snorts, “Right. Guess that chance you were going to give me-“
“You blew it.” Bruce hisses.
“Bruce, He’s not-“
“a murderer.”
Jason begins putting his shoes on as he speaks. “Right, well I guess I’ll jut take my law breaking homicidal ass out of here then.”
“Jason wait!” Dick shouts as he puts a hand on the younger man’s shoulder. “Don’t leave. Let’s talk.”
Jason sneers, “About what!? Obviously redemption doesn’t mean shit. Not in the Batman’s eyes at least.”
Bruce visibly tightens his fists. “Get out of my Home.”
“Fine. Never felt like home anyway.” Jason begins to walk away again only to have Dick pull at him again. Jason smiles and gazes into Dick’s sad eyes. “Don’t worry babe. It’s not you I’m leaving.”
They can hear Bruce’s knuckles popping from the pressure of his tightened fists and Jason doesn’t have it in him to not push his last button. He grabs Dick by the waist pulling him into a long and sultry kiss right in front of Bruce’s face. He doesn’t get to enjoy it for very long as he’s abruptly pulled back and thrown into the hallway and against the opposite wall. The sheer amount of force that was used to throw him creates a large dent in the wall.
“Don’t touch him!” Bruce shouts.
Two doors down the hall open simultaneously to reveal Damian and Tim respectively. Both are staring wide eyed at the scene. Jason coughs and looks up to Bruce. “Rather do that yourself right?”
Bruce grits his teeth pulling Jason up by the collar. He then punches Jason with enough force to split Jason’s cheek. Dick shrieks as Damian calls out, “Father!”
Alfred suddenly appears on the opposite side of Damian and Tim, “Master Bruce!”
Jason sighs and looks at the damage before speaking to the old British man. “Sorry about the mess Alfred.”
“Nothing to worry about.” Alfred states simply before looking at them all. “What in heaven’s name is going on?”
Dick looks sheepish as he speaks, “I-we, I mean Jason and I-“
“Are sleeping together.” Jason finishes for him.
Alfred doesn’t look shocked at all. Tim gasps putting a hand over his mouth while Damian just makes his annoyed ‘Tt’ sound. Leave it to the old man to always be in the know. “Congratulations; however, that is not what I asked.”
Jason nods, “Right. Well, Obviously B-man has a problem with his favorite Boy Wonder boning an enemy, so I’m leaving.”
“Jason, wait. I’m coming with you.” Dick says as he grabs a pair of pants and shirt from his room.
“Dick!” Bruce growls
Dick points a finger in Bruce’s face, “No! Don’t you dare! You don’t have the right to tell me who I can and can’t be with. I’m not a child anymore Bruce. You don’t own me.”
“You leave now and you will no longer be considered part of the team.” Bruce ground out.
“You know what Bruce? I don’t want to be part of your Team.” Dick sighed heavily. “I used to believe in this whole crusade of yours. Putting people behind bars because that is Justice, but you know what? I don’t even think you believe in your own methods anymore. I think you’ve forgotten what it means to be a part of ‘this’ Team.”
A heavy silence filled the hallway as everyone stood in shock. Nobody jumped to defend Bruce and nobody tried to deny Dick’s words. Bruce looked at all the men he had raised and closed his eyes slowly. When he opened them once more there was fire in his eyes. He looked straight into Dick’s blue eyes and spoke in a scarily calm voice. “Get out of my home. Get out of my City.”
Dick nodded before turning around and leaving the Manor.
Jason stood on the balcony of Dick’s apartment with a heavy feeling in his chest, and it wasn’t the cigarette he was currently smoking. He was in Bludhaven, with Dick, working on moving some of his things into the other’s apartment. They were officially living together. A series of very long talks and conversations regarding the new aspects of their relationship had preceded their new housing arrangement. The kind of talks that had Jason craving nicotine every five minutes. When all was said and done, they had decided to be a real thing. A real couple, as weird as that felt.
Jason wasn’t entirely sure about this whole arrangement. This was all happening so fast. He loved Dick. He’d been in love with him for as long as he could remember, but he’d never been in a relationship before. This was all so new and scary. He took the last drag of his cigarette before tossing it off the balcony and heading inside. Dick was just hanging up his phone.
“I order some Korean BBQ from this place just down the road. It’ll be in here soon.”
Jason nodded.
Dick frowned, “What’s the matter?”
Jason shook his head. He wasn’t sure what to say. He didn’t want to tell Dick how insecure he was feeling about this whole thing. Usually he was all mouth and no filter, but he didn’t want to disappoint Dick. After all, the older man had given up quite a bit in the last 48 hours.
Dick gave him a once over before speaking softly, “Is this about Bruce? Because you know I don’t really care-“
Jason shook his head. “No. It’s – It isn’t about Bruce. It’s just, you don’t think this is all just so sudden?”
Dick pursed his lips and looked away. “No. I mean, we talked about this didn’t we? This is what we wanted.”
“No. We didn’t really talk about it. I mean, kind of, but I just recall you making most of the decisions here.”
Dick looked at him confused, “I’m…I’m sorry Jason. I guess I just got carried away.”
Jason sighed, “Dick…”
“No. I mean, you’re right.” Dick leaned against the counter and crossed his arms. He looked away from Jason. “I guess was just riding the high of telling Bruce off.”
Jason laughed softly, “I understand that feeling.”
“But Jason.” Dick looked back up. “I do really want this to work out for us.”
Jason nodded, “I do too. I just think this is all super fast.”
Dick looked away not saying anything.
“Tell you what,” Jason began. “If this thing between us, If it keeps going strong. We’ll move in together. In a month.”
Dick perked up. “Okay. That sounds good.”
Jason sighed with relief, “But I’m totally staying for the BBQ because Korean is my favorite.”
Dick nodded and started getting the table cleared off. Jason watched him with a smile on his face. He wasn’t sure how things would turn out between him and Dick, but he was going to try. Dick had given up a lot for Jason. There was no way Jason could just turn his back on what they had. He wasn’t going to run away scared this time.