It had been three weeks since Jason had become Robin and there already was a boy his age in front of the doorway. Jason thought to himself how how fucked up that was. So instead of coming up to introduce himself, which he was originally called for. Jason almost threw up instead and excused himself. He made his way towards his room. Slammed the door closed. Then went back to sleep. Curled up in a ball
Except Jason didn't want to go to sleep. He waited instead Jason waited for someone to come up to his room. Ask if anything is wrong. That never happened. Predictable.
When Jason woke up again it was dark outside. He grudgingly got himself out of bed. Used the bathroom. Then made his way to the kitchen to sneak some snacks to his room. A blanket draped around his shoulder as he went downstairs.
When Jason had arrived to the kitchen the lights were still on. Alfred was cleaning the area. Plates were scattered into pieces everywhere. A tray of food on the table. Jason mouth watered at the smell.
"What in the holy ghost happened here?" Jason said. Jason couldn't help but smile at the site. This was going to be a good story.
"Master Jason, I believe that is something I can not answer."
"Yikes. Must be bad when my gossip man can't give the drama."
"I provide only the best."
Jason laughed.
Jason helped place some of the kitchen furniture into place. The smell of the tray clogging his nose. Jason secretly hoped that if he helped out Alfred would offer him a piece.
When they finished, Alfred sat down. Jason next to him. He served one tray to Jason and one to himself. Which was strange because in the short three months of living in the mansion Jason had never ate with Alfred.
Jason did not mind the thought though. Jason actually enjoyed the idea of eating with Alfred. It felt more right. Better than with Bruce.
"I know you know something I don't know." Jason whispered. "Batsy ain't around. This fine china earthquake couldn't had been his doing."
Alfred ate his food. Cutting it up with class. Not a single uneven slice or crumble.
"It appears those guests from earlier had interesting news."
Jason stomach dropped. He remembered the boy from earlier that morning. Jason couldn't remember much in appearance. Just the fact he saw someone and got unreasonably mad.
"And what was it." Jason prepared to be reasonably mad for earlier and use the destruction of their property as an excuse.
"I believe we will be having a guest stay for a day or so."
Jason almost choked on his food. Alfred patted his back. Yes. Someone was definitely going to replace him as Robin. Bruce had found someone better than Jason to pay attention to. Jason was just another street rat.
Jason resisted the urge to panic. Instead he stuffed his mouth with more food. Not even taking time to bite the food down. Jason needed to vent with something.
"Slow down Master Jason. It would be a pity if we have someone so young die."
Jason wiped his mouth.
"Sorry Alfred. Just really hungry. So that boy is staying here. Why? " Jason already knew why. He should just sleep for the rest of his life. Sleep was good.
Alfred wiped his mouth also. Both done with their dishes.
"Bruce will explain all in the morning. Which you would have known if you did not go up to sleep."
"Don't judge me. I spent an all nightter."
Alfred took their dishes.
"I'll wash it." Jason insisted.
After so Jason went up to his room and went back to sleep. Sleep seemed like something he would do all the time but could he complain. No. Sleep was a blessing.
The morning light woke Jason up from a dreamless sleep. The mansion windows were extremely big. Jason shut the curtains. Letting the darkness consume the room. The thought of someone else besides Alfred and Bruce spending the night in the manor right now sent shivers down his spine. Was that even safe?
He took a quick shower. Put on his usual attire. A red hoodie with jogger pants. Then made his way down for breakfast. Prepared to bug Bruce with questions. Then confront the new guest nicely for their broken dishes. Yes, Jason was going to be so nice.
When he arrived to the kitchen Jason held his breath. Mentally ready.
It was only Bruce and Alfred in the kitchen though.
"Hello Master Jason." Alfred welcomed him to sit down.
Jason did just that. He stared at Bruce who was reading the newspaper like always.
"Where is our new guest?" Jason got straight to the point.
Bruce put the newspaper down.
"He does not want to come down from his room at the moment. He's scared. Jason I believe it is best that you go. Someone his age." Bruce voice sounded warm. Jason liked when it was. It convinced Jason to do whatever he wanted.
"What's his name though. Why is he here. Why did our kitchen became a tornado victim." Jason's mouth flooded with questions.
"His name is Joseph Wilson and he is here as our guest until he is safe from harm. You should go meet him."
"hmm...I'll consider it after I eat."
The breakfast was chocolate pancakes with toast bread. Orange juice on the side. Jason noted that Alfred had prepared one more tray. For the new guest obviously.
When Jason finished he excused himself. Alfred handed him the plate.
"Joseph may be hungry. Bring him some food."
"By myself."
"I believe it is for the best. He seems scared of the site of us." Alfred informed. A worry in his voice compared to Bruce warmth.
Jason nodded. They told him what room it was. The second floor near the end of the hallway. Far away from the other guest rooms. Near where Dick used to stay. Basically far from everyone.
When Jason stood in front of the door. He signed. He mentally prepared himself for another thing today.
He balanced the tray in one hand. Then knocked on the door.
There was no reply. He knocked again. No reply also.
"I got you some food. Bruce and Alfred told me to bring it."
There was no reply a triple time.
"It's chocolate pancakes."
Footsteps could be heard from the other side coming towards the door. That then opened.
A burning light consumed Jason. The boy, Joseph, basically was a bright mess. He had platinum blond hair. Pale skin. The brightest green eyes stared back at him. Jason shivered.
"Couldn't resist Alfred's special dish could you...can I come inside?" Jason asked.
The boy seemed to ponder for a bit. He looked Jason up and down. Then seemed to argue to himself for a bit based on facial expression. Finally nodding his head.
He opened the door fully. Jason stepped inside.
The room wasn't that different than his own. Most of the rooms weren't. With the exception of the batcave. The sheets were a mess. The boy was probably sleeping. The curtains drawn. Equally as dark a Jasons.
Jason put the tray down on the desk. He pulled the seat for Joseph to sit.
Joseph seemed confused for a moment.
"I'm just telling you to sit. Eat some food."
Joseph slowly made his way towards the seat. He sat down. Then stared at the food. As if questioning it.
"We didn't poison it. Alfred would never do that. Unless he is a clone made by some supervillain who thinks we wouldn't notice." Jason said earning a smile from the boy. Jason couldn't help but smile back.
Joseph took the fork. Took a bite and face lit up. Taking more bites.
"Isn't it delicious."
Joseph nodded.
They stayed in awkward silence as Joseph continued to eat. Jason took that chance to inspect the room. He kinda froze at the sight of a whole luggage at the corner. This was obviously more than a few days stay. He would have to annoy more answers out of Bruce or Alfred. Jason spotted a guitar also.
"You play?" Jason asked.
Joseph looked at him then nodded.
"I can play too. But only a couple of useless emo songs and other songs that the others find inappropriate to the ears."
Joseph chuckled. Jason felt braver to talk more.
"They hate when I play music in the mansion. They say it would ruin my ear drums and make me want to die. Like that's my dream."
Joseph laughed a bit. Though shockingly it was silent. But Jason didn't care because. Wow, he was supposed to hate this boy. Yet, this boy gets his dark sense of humor so maybe he could hate him less.
"Can you talk. You haven't made a sound since I got here." Jason questioned. Instantly regretting it when the boy made a terrified face.
"Oh shit. I didn't mean to."
The boy made movements with his hands. Jason had no idea what that meant.
"Sorry. What are you doing? I don't know what you're doing. Just tell me."
The boy eyes wandered around. Hands dropping. He headed towards the bathroom. Then closed the door. Jason could hear the door lock.
Jason knocked on the door. No reply. Just like earlier.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to upset you I just didn't know." Jason caught himself. He had let his accent slip during the end of the sentence. Terrified also.
"I'm leaving."
Jason left the room. Then headed towards his. The sheets of his bed seemed inviting. Yes, another nap was rewarding after that havoc.
Jason fell asleep. Unknowing of the interesting turn of events in the future to come.
So I had this story planned out for over three years and never wrote it. So now I am. Hope this is a good read.