Chapter 8

Dick's eyes fluttered open as lances of light pierced through the window. Today was August sixteenth, Jason's birthday. He'd be turning 18 and that would usually be cause for celebration, but...He yawned a bit, looked down to the body pressed against his own to find Jason, arms wrapped around him, holding on for dear life, his face twisted into a rather upset look. It was easy to deduce that he'd had a nightmare, the first of many yet to come. No, there would be no celebrating today...

He opted to just lay there for a while until Jason woke. He didn't want to disturb him. He sighed, scrubbing his face with his hands and leaning back on the bed. He glanced again down at Jason and tentatively touched his hair, as if to confirm he was real...after the horror of losing him, tracking him down for four months and how they found him, it seemed reasonable to be concerned. He ran his fingers carefully through Jason's hair and the teen began to stir. Jason's eyes opened and looked first to Dick.

"Dick," he said softly. Dick smiled at him, hand still tangled in his hair. He pulled away from him, pushing himself into a sitting position.

"Good morning. Sorry if I woke you," Dick said. Jason yawned a bit and sat up, looking out the window, squinting in the sunlight. Dick figured then that he probably hadn't seen sunlight since he'd been captured and got up to close the curtains, filtering the sunlight a bit.

"You feeling okay?" Dick asked, kneeling in front of him. Jason sighed shakily and latched on to Dick again.

"No," he said truthfully, more tears falling down his face as his mind came under assault from the memories of his torture. Dick could feel his body shaking, and his eyes glared at the wall, his own anger bubbling and boiling inside him. He'd never seen Jason so vulnerable, so broken, so sad before. It hurt, but it also made him angry.

"C'mon Jaybird, let's go downstairs and get something to eat," Dick said softly, drying the teen's eyes. He smiled when he looked into his eyes, catching a glimpse of the old Jason in them, just a small piece, but it was a good sign. A small piece was better than nothing at all. Jason slid out of bed and went over to his dresser, pulling out a pair of jeans and a black and red hoodie, tugging them on. Dick stayed with him, because he'd seen it in Jason's eyes. He still had a shred of his old pride, pride that would never allow him to admit, out loud, that he didn't want to be alone.

Dick and Jason walked down the hall in silence, down the stairs and into the dining room. Alfred was already preparing breakfast, impeccable timing as always.

"Ah, good morning Young Masters. Breakfast will be served momentarily," Alfred said smoothly. Dick and Jason took seats at the table and Jason just smiled, but it was far from genuine. Alfred came over minutes later, serving bacon, eggs and toast.

"And how are you feeling, Master Jason?" Alfred asked casually. Jason smiled again, another fake smile, and shrugged.

"I'm doing okay." Lie. But Alfred played along and just patted him on the head. Which kind of wasn't normal, but it seemed to make Jason feel slightly less awkward. He seemed to be making an effort to appear as if things had just gone back to normal, just like that, but in reality, he wasn't fooling anyone. Still, maybe today they could pretend, just go back to the way things were for the day, and deal with the shit another day.

Easier said than done, however. Dick noticed the way Jason flinched, ever so slightly, at the sight of a knife. He noticed when Jason would occasionally look around the room, as if expecting someone. He noticed how Jason flinched, almost unnoticeably, whenever someone would touch him. It was hard for him not to comment, not to hug him and tell him he was safe, but he restrained himself. Because just for one day, it seemed Jason wanted what they all wanted; for things to be normal.

"Where's Bruce?" Dick asked, noting the irritated look in Jason' s eyes at the mention of the man. That was going to be something they were going to have to work on. It was sick, turning someone against their loved ones with torture. But then, that was hardly surprising, from the Joker.

"Master Bruce had a meeting at Wayne Enterprises today and promised to be home by early afternoon," Alfred replied. Jason snorted derisively but otherwise didn't say a word. Dick patted him on the back and smiled at him and Jason smiled back.

"Jason, I have something for you to consider," Dick said slowly. Jason finished his meal and looked up at Dick curiously. Dick mulled the idea in his head a bit before he continued "I'd like for you to come live with me in Bludhaven. Just for a little while. Or as long as you want. Whichever." Jason's eyes lit up as if it were Christmas.

"You...want to me to live with you?" he asked incredulously. Dick smiled and gave a nod.

"I do." Jason bit his lip, staring down at the table, considering his answer. It didn't take much for Dick to figure out what he was thinking; he was afraid he'd be a burden. He was aware of the possibly...complications. Such as Jason's psychological state. No one had to say what they all knew; Jason had a long recovery ahead of him to undo the mental trauma the Joker had inflicted. And Dick was more than willing to be with Jason through all of it.

"It wont be any trouble I promise. I want you to come live with me. I wouldn't have asked otherwise," Dick reassured him. Jason flashed him a half smile and hugged him.

"I'd like that." Dick smiled and ran a hand through the teen's hair.

"Great. We'll pack some things for you later. My apartment is pretty big, so space isn't an issue." Dick gave a shrug because in actuality, he owned the whole apartment building. He bought the whole thing and converted the basement level into his own personal batcave...of sorts.

"Master Jason, today is your birthday. Anything in particular you'd like to do?" Alfred asked casually. Jason looked to Alfred, seeming a bit conflicted. Dick watched him carefully, noted that lack of desire in Jason's face. Given recent events, it was no surprise that he lacked any desire to celebrate anything.

"Not really," he replied with a shrug.

Dick elbowed him playfully and said "come on, let's you and me catch a movie in town later. Just the two of us." Jason turned to Dick and one of his smile's of old lit up his face. Dick couldn't resist smiling himself, happy to see that some of the old Jason was still in there somewhere.

"I'd like that."


Dick received a call from Bruce while they were out. The movie hadn't started yet and Dick stepped aside to take the call, keeping his eyes on Jason, making sure nobody got too close. Okay, so maybe he was being a little overprotective, but could anyone really blame him?

"Look, Bruce, he's pissed at you, and I'm not saying its anything you did. We both know the Joker was trying to turn him against you. That's why I offered to move him in with me. It's for the best. And you know I can take care of him just fine." Bruce was objecting to the idea of letting Jason leave the manor, and it wasn't that he blamed the man; he fully understood where he was coming from. But that manor wasn't the best place for him right now. Or Bruce. Not until Jason was in a better mental state.

Right now just watching him while he was on the phone, Jason seemed distant. He shrunk back when people got too close to him and looked back to Dick every few seconds to make sure he was still there. But some of the old Jason was still there too, and it was somewhat amusing to see him glare after anyone who bumped into him.

Dick heard Bruce sigh on the other end. The man had control issues so it was no surprise that it was difficult for the man to relent and let Jason move in with Dick. But finally, he did relent.

"Alright. Just take care of him," Bruce replied. Dick snorted.

"That goes without saying," Dick replied, hanging up the phone. He was back by Jason's side in time for the movie.

"Hey, sorry. You sure you're up for an action film?" Dick asked carefully. Jason gave a shrug.

"Yeah, I don't see why not," he replied casually. Dick smiled and led him into the theater, setting in a seat near the back. The lights dimmed and the movie began and Dick occasionally glanced over at Jason. He was hesitant to choose an action movie, considering they often had...well, torture in them.

But Jason seemed to be okay as the movie progressed. Dick would occasionally glance over at him to check on him, but he was always staring at the screen intently. That was, until the main character was captured by a drug lord. He felt Jason's hand cover his, gently at first. He glanced over at Jason with slight concern, but his expression remained unchanged.

And from there it only seemed to get worse. As the drug dealers began beating the hero with various objects, a tire iron, a baseball bat...a crowbar, Dick occasionally caught Jason flinching, but his worst reaction was at the sight of the crowbar. He felt Jason's hand tighten over his, felt the teens fingers entwine with his, squeezing. And there was that pride again, unable to admit he was scared.

"Come in Jaybird," Dick whispered, fingers still entwined with Jason's as he tugged the teen up to his feet and out of the theater. Jason too notice and blushed a bit, pulling his hand away.

"I'm sorry. I thought I could...handle it," Jason said evenly. Dick patted him on the back and shook his dead.

"It's okay. Don't worry about it. Come on, let's get back and start packing, okay? It's about a half-hour drive to Bludhaven. Jason just flashed a smile and the two of them headed back for the manor. The drive back was, naturally, quiet. Jason just stared blankly out the window and Dick just watched helplessly, wanting to help but not sure how.

Once they got back, Bruce seemed to be waiting for them. Dick got between the two of them, but still noticed the rather heated glare Jason sent Bruce's way. Bruce stopped Dick, grabbing his arm. Dick glanced over at him and quirked an eyebrow.

"I think maybe you should tell him," Bruce said smoothly. Dick blushed pink; he knew what Bruce meant, but he didn't feel the time was right. Jason already had enough on his plate without him adding to the pile.

"Bruce, I-"

"You should tell him. I think it would help more than you know," Bruce interrupted. Dick didn't say anything else and Bruce let him go. He went upstairs to his room, giving Jason a quick 'be right back'. In his room, slashed in his dresser, was a gift he had to Jason, one he bought almost five months ago, before he had been kidnapped. So maybe buying a birthday gift five months in advance was a bit overeager, who cares?

Dick returned to Jason's room to help him pack, tapping his shoulder and handing him the rectangular box.

"Hm? What's this?" Jason asked.

"Birthday gift. Open it," Dick said with a goofy grin, feeling a little excited. Jason looked up at Dick, then back to the wrapped gift, slowly tearing the packing open. His eyes went wide, mouth gaping when he saw what it was. It was a black leather sketchbook, a wolf etched onto the cover with leather wrap tie and a small silver tin with an assortment of six sketching pencils.

Jason looked up at Dick, then back to the sketchbook and pencils, then back at Dick, who was now grinning from ear to ear.

"Holy shit...I...don't know what to say. Thanks!" Jason said cheerily, hugging the elder tightly. Dick chuckled in amusement and returned the gesture.

"No prob, Jaybird. Now let's get you packed."


Dick sat in the car with Jason in the passenger's seat, awaiting Alfred. The man insisted he help and he was gathering the last of Jason's bags now. The old man came out minutes later and carefully packed the two bags into the trunk of the car. Bruce stood beside Dick on the driver's side.

"Dick, are you sure about this?" he asked again. Dick sighed, slightly annoyed, but also somewhat amused.

"I'm sure. No need to fuss over us, we'll be fine. Right Jaybird?" Dick asked, playfully shoving the teen. Jason flashed a smile at Dick, but the Dick was fairly certain he was glaring at Bruce at the same time.

"Yeah," he said evenly. Bruce just gave a nod and Dick pulled away from the manor, heading back to Bludhaven. It'd be nice to be home, after having been gone for months.

"I know it;s been hard, readjusting to normal life," Dick said smoothly, glancing over at Jason who was staring lifelessly out the window. The teen snapped back to reality to look at Dick. Dick glanced over at him again as he drove and continued "but we'll figure it out. You and me. I promise." Dick raised his hand to touch Jason's face, hoping it wasn't too much. Jason closed his eyes, briefly, leaning into the touch before scooting away and looking back out to the window.

Nobody will hurt you again Jaybird. Nobody.