This is sort of a healing/transitional chapter. Nonetheless, I hope you like it! Please leave a review and let me know what you think! Thanks so much to all the reviewers!
Without further ado, here is the chapter!
Chapter 7
It had taken three times to get his heart back into rhythm. If he had just stuck around to be with him, Bruce would have seen the moment when Jason became alive again. If he had stuck around he wouldn't have had to hurt that man the way that he did. If he hadn't hurt the man to the point where he couldn't run away, the bullet that ended him would never have found purchase.
The end was an indirect result of a series of irrational behavior on his part- no. Not irrational, sentimental, fatherly. Bruce sighed deeply. His son, still alive. The sentence would not leave him alone. Of course, he knew he should see how his other children were, but this seemed to take precedence in his mind. Jason lay on the hospital bed, sedated and back on the respirator. They had explained that Jason didn't need it to breathe, but it would allow the wound to heal without the common irritation of him breathing on his own. It would be removed in three to four more days, whenever Jason recovered enough that it became possible.
Looking at the young man now Bruce felt perplexed; when Jason slept all worry lines disappeared (save one in between the brows, which never seemed to relax). Right now, it struck Bruce just how young Jason was – is. Without the radiation of pain and aggression, Jason seemed so childlike and fragile; like he had always been a lost bird, waiting for his father. The thought ignited some opposition in the Bat.
He is a criminal, and before that only a soldier, a protégé, It said.
No! My son, that is all, the only title he needs. Bruce fired back.
He ceased being your son too long ago, he can never be that again.
He never stopped being my child. Never. His own voice boomed in his head, the Bat fell silent in resignation. I won't fail him this time.
The peaceful expression on his son's face faltered momentarily, the lines of stress took hold once more and Jason coughed half-heartedly at the discomfort of the tube. He turned his head as much as the bed allowed. He groaned as though in pain, then his face contorted into one of fear and anguish. He spat out half words incoherently. "Bru… no…j-joke…"
Bruce's eyes widened, Jason should not be able to dream with all the medication pumped into his system… yet here he was. His son's arms moved upwards slightly, like he was trying to block some invisible blows, flinching each time one of these apparent 'blows' struck.
"N-no… d-dad?" the words were muddled thanks to the tube, but still managed to sound so broken and childlike. They pulled at the invisible strings inside of him; Bruce felt a burst of shame. How many nights had his son spent alone and afraid, locked away in his own mind? How many times had he cried out for his father only to wake up to an empty room?
He couldn't fathom the pain.
In a moment, Bruce knew what to say. He reached up and laid a hand over Jason's forehead, smoothing the wayward strands of black there in a calming gesture.
"It's all right, son. I'm here."
At the sound of his voice, Jason visibly relaxed, though not completely. Bruce smiled. He supposed that if nothing else, as a father he could still chase away the nightmares of his children. Right, fitting, what a father should be for his sons: A source of security. He could be that for Jason.
He could be that for all of them.
….
Dick's mind kept flashing images of the shooting at him. He kept seeing Jason coughing and bleeding on the ground. He kept seeing Tim screaming in pain as he was shot. And he kept seeing Damian, downcast and a little afraid, as he was led away. His thoughts swirled around in a rotating whirlwind of memories. Each time he thought of the kidnapper in particular his blood boiled and he found himself wanting to punch something, anything, to get the anger out in a discernible pattern.
"Are you even listening to me?" Tim's words broke him out of the thoughts churning in his mind. When he looked up, his little brother was staring at him expectantly.
"I hear you talking." Dick flashed a sly smile.
Tim frowned. "I asked what we're going to do about Jason."
Dick frowned now. "What do you mean?"
The younger man sighed dramatically. "How are we going to deal with his inevitable reincorporation to the family? It has to happen, Bruce won't let him just wander away after what he did for the demon spawn."
He nodded sullenly. The events of the past few days had solidified Jason's place in the family. He was no longer considered the one that was exiled to them; he was just separate by his own choosing. "We don't need to do anything, Timmy. Jason has a choice now, and we just have to wait for him to make the right one."
Tim looked unsatisfied. He went on as though Dick had never opened his mouth, "Maybe we could cause an 'accident' in his Gotham safe houses. Then he'd have to stay at the manor. He wouldn't have a choice!"
The older man sighed, sometimes Tim just didn't think. "if we blew up his safe houses he'd know it was us. Jason's not an idiot."
"You're right; he's just overly aggressive and masochistic." Tim rolled his eyes.
"Dork."
"Ass."
"it won't work."
"It will if we leave a trail leading back to Black Mask, or Two-Face."
"Jason will still know. Like I said, not an idiot."
Tim growled in frustration, throwing his hands into the air. He was still on bed rest with his leg propped up. Dick sat back in the wheelchair he'd been forced to use to get around. 'hospital policy' or whatever.
"There has to be a way to bring him back into the fold…"
Dick sighed. "there very well may be, but if Jason doesn't want to come back then all our efforts will be wasted. He has to want this."
A shaft above them sprang open and a little assassin popped out, hanging from the ceiling somewhat awkwardly. The two brothers below watched with something akin to amusement, as the little boy slipped out and landed on his feet like a cat. Damian ran his hands over himself, patting off the dirt and grime left there. "Finally, Grayson. I've been looking all over for you. I never suspected you would be consorting with such a lowly individual."
"I'm sitting right here, Damian!" Tim practically shouted.
"An irritation we are all well aware of." Damian rolled his bright blue eyes and Dick had to hold back a chuckle.
Their middle brother growled and glared at their youngest, "Brat!"
Damian smirked, but then turned to Dick, completely ignoring the existence of the third Robin.
"I feel obligated to ask how you are doing." He paused for a beat. When Dick did not respond, he continued. "How are you doing."
A statement, not a question. Dick let out a small laugh. "Oh, just enjoying the light-hearted raillery between my two brothers." Dick rolled his shoulder slightly, only just managing to hold back a wince. "The shoulder's healing up fine too."
Damian grimaced at the first part, but only nodded at Dick's last words.
Tim let out an annoyed huff. The door to their room was opened with only the slightest of knocks in announcement. The Birds of Prey had arrived. Cassandra, Stephanie, and Barbara entered silently, apparently having just come from a serious talk.
Barbara spoke first. "Boys." They each nodded. "I wanted to let you know that the Birds will be patrolling this week."
Stephanie stepped past Oracle momentarily, nodding. "We'll take care of everything, so just focus on getting better." She smiled sweetly.
Dick could practically feel the drool running down Tim's mouth. For a genius, he was such a ditz sometimes.
Cassie smiled in the background, but offered no speech.
Dick nodded again, "Thanks, ladies." He offered Barbara a stunning smile that was just about the best he had in his arsenal.
"Please, Grayson, your affections are disgusting." Damian hissed.
"Hey! I'm not the one drooling all over himself!"
Tim started from his stupor, "I'm not drooling!"
"I never insinuated that it was you, idiot!" Dick fired back.
"-Tt- I grow weary of this foolish struggle."
The girls laughed -even Cassie- and smiled brightly. "The whole bat brood together in one room. Seriously, what's the chances that the world has ended?" The original Batgirl asked.
"It is a high possibility," Damian snapped.
"Boys." Everyone in the room turned in attention of the new speaker. Bruce stood in the doorway as the girls stepped aside in welcome. He looked… like… shit. His hair was tousled, his eyes bloodshot, and the hint of shadow hugged his chin. This was the first time they had seen the older man since the incident.
Bruce walked confidently up to Dick first, embracing him fiercely despite having to lean down to reach the young man. Dick returned the hug before his father moved on to Tim. To his surprise, Damian shifted closer to their father so they were almost touching.
When their father backed away from Tim, he merely placed a hand on Damian's shoulder. "I'm sorry I didn't come earlier, I…"
"It's all right, Bruce," Dick interrupted. "Cass told me you were with Jay… How is he?"
Their father's expression fell. "He's… he's doing as well as can be expected."
"That's not what I meant."
Bruce averted his gaze. "He's been in and out, I don't know if he will stay with us or not, but he should come off the respirator in a matter of days. We will all talk then."
Tim shifted to make himself more comfortable in the pile of pillows at his head. "So… long story short, it's the proverbial 'only time will tell' response?"
Now it was Dick's turn to avert his gaze.
Barbara rolled her chair forward to enter herself into the conversation. "I think what you all need to consider is where he will fit in with this family. Jason… Will need space," she pointedly stared at Bruce, "Are you willing to give him that?"
"I'll give him all the space he needs, but I can't outright abandon him."
Barbara nodded. "well, in any case, the Birds will be patrolling for however long you need." With that, the young woman left, Stephanie and Cassie trailing after her.
Left alone the four huddled closer to each other. "I'm glad you're all doing all right."
Tim and Dick nodded. To their surprise it was Damian who spoke, "I want to ask Jason a question. I think I will visit him soon."
"I think it would be best if we all paid him a visit." All four sat in silent agreement.
If they could just show Jason that he meant something to them… Well, the young man had already proven that he still held familial ties to them. In that room, Jason had displayed a sort of yearning to be a part of the Bat family again, Dick just hoped that Jason wouldn't be scared away by some stupid misstep in between.
He hoped Jason would come home with all of them and be safe.
Horay! The word count is more than usual! 8D
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