Silhouettes
Chapter 4
Jason thought he didn't do anything wrong for that matter. The nickname 'replacement' had stuck with him for days right after he read the information based on Tim Drake. It was the first thing that popped into his mind as read his file. This replacement, his successor had quickly taken over his vacant spot shortly after he died. Jason wondered if his 'dad' ever mourned for him.
He didn't know how he felt about the situation. His 'dad' quickly replaced so quickly and all he could think about if Bruce Wayne—Batman only thought of him as a soldier. A soldier so easily replaced and disposable? He couldn't blame his successor, as his title was taken away from him.
Jason glanced at Tim, sensing his stare for quite some time. He smirked to himself as his 'brother' noticed and immediately looked away flush. He felt the car pull up at the front of the Ritz-Carlton and stepped out of the taxi, along with Stephanie and Tim following behind him. Jason pulled out a wad of cash from his pocket and gave the driver a solid fifty and "keep the change".
"Whoa. I wonder how he's loaded with that much cash." Stephanie whispered.
"It was a courtesy of Talia." Jason replied, gesturing the duo to follow him inside the hotel. He barely missed the baffled expression on Tim that he had stopped his trail and frowned. "Is something wrong?"
Tim opened his mouth to retort regarding Talia but decided against it until they arrived in his suite. "Nothing. Let's head to your suite." He suggested.
Jason nodded and continued his trail towards the nearest elevator. He didn't know the exact relationship between Talia and Wayne—or the al Ghul and the Batclan. His caretaker didn't elaborate on that and he was still left in the dark. But basing it on Tim's reaction, Talia's relationship with the Batclan must not be that good.
The sharp ding, indicating their arrival to their floor, he led them down the hall and soon they were standing in front of the suite doors. Just as he took out the card key, the doors were swung open and they were greeted by a shrill cry of, "Jaybird!"
The red head froze as soon his chartreuse eyes landed on the other company. He wasn't aware that his friend brought guests over and he immediately panicked. "Oh shit!"
Tim stepped forward; astonish to find Roy Harper present in the room. At that moment he only thought that Roy knew about Jason all along. Then another thought hit him and questioned the red head, "How long have you known about Jason?"
From behind Roy, another red head peeked out, her emerald orbs curiously peering to the new guests. Like Roy, she wasn't informed of guests coming over to the suite. Kori stepped aside and opened the door wider. She shot Jason a worried glance and inquired, "Are you sure we can trust them?"
"Yes. They're family." He answered. He guessed he could call them family even if it was his first time meeting them. All he knew Tim was his successor and little brother. As for Stephanie, she's acquainted with Batman and Bruce Wayne and Jason might as well call her family. Jason noted the princess's worried expression and assured her once more. "Trust me, Kori. I wouldn't bring anyone up here if I didn't trust them." He pushed Tim and Stephanie inside the suite.
The princess proceeded to stare them down as they walked by. "Yes, but this is your first time meeting them, Jason." She crossed her arms and huffed lightly. Kori didn't like this idea one bit, though she knew that her friend would be meeting his family soon, but not this soon.
Jason sighed knowing the princess's stubbornness. "I know, but they're my… family, Kori. They're the only ones who knew me."
"I don't think these are the people who you should talk to about your past." The princess retaliated.
"I'll take whatever I can get." He replied and ended the conversation by heading towards the living room.
Accepting the fact that Jason brought what he considered 'family' despite meeting for the first time, she followed them into the living room. Kori, of course, was doing this for the safety of Jason.
Stephanie fidgeted, uncomfortable of the dead silence among them. She had come here along with Tim to get the story from her newfound friend. To think she would be able to meet the infamous Jason Todd was a dream. Surely, it was, after all those years, that day when he as Robin had saved her once before. It may have happened years ago, but she still vividly recalled the memory of that day.
She snapped out of her reverie as she heard Roy inquiring why Jason bought guests over. Tim quickly explained their situation to the red head about his confusing revelation and wanted to know answers. At that point Jason purposed to tell them.
Instantly, all eyes were on Jason, waiting for him to start telling his story.
"It was five years ago…"
.
Stephanie glanced at Tim once more, registering the unemotional expression plastered on his face. It was only a few minutes ago that they left the suite and promised Jason that they would hang out tomorrow. She could only guess what Tim could be thinking of.
She knew Tim often talked about Jason, talked to Jason at the cave and caught him in the act years ago. She was aware of his late night escapades to take photos of Batman and Robin in action and even to this day, Tim still has those photos.
Then her mind traveled to other parts of the Wayne family. They knew something that not even Batman even knew and it had to do something with his dead son. Oh god. Oh god. Oh god. How were they going to tell Bruce about Jason?!
"We're not going to tell anything, Stephanie."
It took her a moment to register Tim's words. "Wait, why not? Bruce deserves to know!"
Tim lets out an exasperated sigh. "I know that Bruce deserves the truth, but we swore to Jason. Eventually he's going to reveal himself soon."
Stephanie nibbles her lower lips nervously. She honestly didn't know how to handle the situation as of now. She knew the other family should know of this information, they deserve to know. It was something that could lift their grieving hearts lift from the long time loss. "Can we at least tell Babs about this?"
"No! What part of 'keeping him a secret' don't you understand?"
"I understand everything, thank you very much. Babs is bound to know and we should at least tell her. She could help us deal with this situation until Jason walks up to the manor asking for Bruce."
Tim shook his head, still denying the idea. "We should respect his decision, Stephanie. It won't be long that the others will notice."
Stephanie huffed as she pouted slightly. There was no use to argue with him any longer. "If you say so."
.
"So, when are you going to introduce yourself to the other family?" Roy plopped on the couch nearby as reached for the controller on the coffee table. He flipped through the channels, checking any morning cartoons that might be on. His two halves soon joined him. "I could just imagine Dick's face after seeing you." His face plastered on a silly grin, thinking what could happen.
"Richard would be so happy to see you again." Kori added a hint of a small smile.
Jason hummed a bit. It had been two weeks since he met Tim and Stephanie at Gotham University. It was pure coincidence that he had the same classes with the bubbly blonde. His days in GU were more interesting now, hanging out with her and later with his little brother. "I'm planning to go sometime this week."
Roy turned to grin at him. "I can't wait for the family reunion." He sighed, musing.
Jason rolled his eyes and decided he wanted to think. He informed his friends that he was going to get some latte from the café across the street. He needed to get something hot to drink in this cold weather and he didn't trust Roy making hot chocolate. He shuddered, just thinking about it. Never. Again.
He grabbed his coat by the rack and headed out to the elevators. In no time, he reached the lobby and he was out of the hotel. Just right across from him was the café he liked; for all of its latte goodness.
Just up at the skyscraper, two heroes overlooking the city by the ledge of the building. It was a slow night for Nightwing and Robin. Crime seemed to take a day off and Nightwing thought it was a good idea to get some rest. He glanced at his partner noticing the scowl plastered on his face.
"Grayson, we've been here for an hour." Robin snapped, not liking the idea of taking to take a rest. There could be some crimes out there that could be happening because Nightwing and Robin decided to ditch crime fighting for drinking hot chocolate.
Nightwing waved his little partner off, smiling sheepishly as he did so. "Taking a little break once a while is not bad." He stared off into the sky; his mind drifting to the ghost of the past. He constantly thought of him at quiet nights such as today. What if's continuously runs through his head about what would it be life be like if he was still alive.
He gave it a lot of thought as years gone by and pictured different scenarios in his head. Dick glanced at his little brother and snorted to himself. He would've been a great brother to Damian, maybe to Tim even. He just wished he spend more time being a great brother back then, but the constant arguments with Bruce and feeling betrayed that he'd been so easily replaced…
Dick heaved a heavy sigh as he runs his hand through his raven locks. He tore his gaze from the sky and down below, peacefully watching people doing their business as time pass by. Though one person caught his attention and he got a perfect look of his face. Funny. That man would've look like him if he was still alive.
He never took his eyes off the man; as it felt like he was seeing his Little Wing again, but all grown up and nicely dressed. Minutes of staring at the man, he shook his head, rattling the thoughts out of his head. What was he thinking imagining some random man that would have looked like Jason all grown up?
Dick breathed out heavily again. He suddenly felt it was six years ago again, seeing his dead brother's ghost wandering about Gotham. He was seeing him again in this older man that eerily looks like Jason.
If only it was him.
He could set things right, make up all those times he neglected the boy when he needed him the most. Dick also took fault of his death. If only…
"Sir? It would seem Scarecrow escaped Arkham again."
"Tt," Robin scoffed. "Finally, let's go." He straightens up as he took out a grappling gun from his utility belt.
Nightwing stood up and before taking off; he took one last look at the man before disappearing into the night.
Next Chapter: Jason looked at him with such uncertainty that Dick thought his Little Wing must hate him so much. What startle him when his Little Wing took out a little notebook from his pocket and flipped through the pages until he stopped. His aquamarines glanced down and up and asked, "Richard Grayson right?"
Ohh. Guys, so sorry for the delay update. It's been like three-four weeks. GOd. My finals killed me and then I hit a writers block and I kept changing the situations on the chapter, ugh. I will try to update next week as well, before going back to school. So please look forward to it~