Now Jason gets a turn to reminisce on a memory.
"What do you mean you didn't tell him the whole thing?" Jason asked, irritated.
"I gave him what he needed to know." Bruce stated. "He didn't need to know about his assault, the entire context of the situation, or my original response. He just wanted to know if he killed someone."
"And what are you going to tell him when he remembers any of that? Not to mention him unintentionally killing Tarantula?"
"Not important right know."
Jason and Bruce were going at it for several minutes. As much as Jason appreciated Bruce's help, the fact that Bruce withheld parts of what Dick remembered infuriated. He was not only supported the idea, but was under the assumption, that they would fill Dick in with everything they knew about the memory.
Thankfully, Dick wasn't present. Having him there during their argument wouldn't be a good thing. He and Damian were hanging out.
"I can't believe Bruce lets you have so many pets." Dick noted, hugging Titus. "Titus, Alfred the cat, and Bat Cow."
He and Damian were sitting on some chairs in the backyard. Damian brought Titus out so the Great Dane could exercise. However, he seemed more interested in hanging out with them, as his attentiveness to Dick proved.
"It was originally supposed to teach me some humanity and control my aggressive impulses." Damian admitted. "And I rescued Bat Cow."
"Wish Bruce would have let me have a pet."
"Well, what about Ace? I doubt he was just father's dog."
"Yeah, and I love Ace to death, but you know, I would have loved to have a pet that felt like was all mine. Then again, I doubt we'd have the room for Zitka, or so Bruce said, and Tony the tiger was 'too dangerous'."
Damian scoffed at Dick choices. Of course he'd want something so wild.
"You're such a circus freak Grayson."
Dick chuckled, an amused smirk on his face. He couldn't deny that, it was in his roots after all. The air went silent as Titus pranced over to Damian, lying at his feet.
"How are you?" Damian asked. "You're memory, I mean?"
"Alright." Dick answered. "Nothing's really come back. Just a snippet from a while ago."
Damian wasn't sure if that was good or bad. He had some memories that Damian appreciated.
"Wouldn't it be great if the Lazarus Pits could fix this?" Dick contemplated, half joking.
"It can do a good many things. Theoretically, it could. Jason may know more about that though, given his time hanging around them."
Dick glanced at him confused before staring off. Damian noticed it, curious as to what he might be thinking.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah."
Jason found Dick in front of the fireplace. The warm glow reflected off of him as he sat in the chair. Jason joined him, sitting in the chair across from him. Dick was intently staring at the flames.
"Everything okay?" Jason asked.
"Yeah." Dick sighed, looking over at Jason. "I think I remembered something."
Jason was impressed. He wasn't expecting Dick to remember anything at the moment. However, he was glad that he was and was willing to help clear the confusion.
"Care to elaborate?"
Dick seemed embarrassed. He didn't respond right away, trying to find the right words.
"Did you die?"
Jason flinched. He'd have choked if he was drinking water. He wasn't expecting Dick to pop that question so soon.
"Damian and I were talking," Dick elaborated, "and as a joke, I questioned if the Lazarus Pit could restore memories. I didn't expect him to say that it was a possibility. Nor did I expect him to mention you. After that, I had a revelation that I at least heard that you died."
The explanation was sound, but whether or not Jason was going to have a serious talk with Damian depended. Jason just hated that Dick seemed to be remembering negative memories. He remembered his promise to be open with Dick as much as he could and he knew that was all that mattered.
"Yes." Jason admitted. "I disobeyed Bruce and went on my own. I got trapped by Joker and beaten before the warehouse blew up and everything went black. I was revived with little to no memory of my life. Talia helped me recuperate and used the Lazarus Pit to help me. I was a lot more aggressive and bloodthirsty, but those effects have since subsided."
Dick was a little disheartened. Jason could tell that he didn't want it to be true. Jason didn't know what was worse, retelling it or Dick's discomfort hearing it. Dick seemed almost hurt.
"Even though you and Bruce were at war with each other, you at least made an effort to be there." Jason stated. "You did give me your number after all. You were just pissed at Bruce and you hated the idea of him taking on another Robin."
He looked at Dick, whose expression changed from a horrified one to a sympathetic one. Dick slowly got up and walked over to Jason. Jason responded by standing up. He was a little surprised when Dick wrapped his arms around him. The slightly shorter stature of Jason's elder was oddly satisfying as he returned the hug.
"I'm sorry." Dick apologized.
"It's okay." Jason comforted.
Jason appreciated Dick's sentiment. Though it may not have been as intense of a reaction as he expected, he knew Dick was feeling sympathetic for his death. They relished in the moment for a little before a yawn emerged from Dick.
"Someone's tired." Jason noticed, releasing Dick.
"I guess so." Dick chuckled.
"Why don't you get to sleep, I've got a Boy Wonder to talk to."
"Don't be too hard on him. we were only conversing."
Dick made his way up the stairs. As he reached the second floor, he gazed outside the window. The night's dark blanket covered the manor grounds and it was kind of peaceful. However, something unusual caught his eye.
A dark figure was barely noticeable by the fence. Dick wasn't sure what to make of it and as he blinked, the figure seemed to disappear. Figuring that it was just his eyes playing a trick on him, too tired to think straight, Dick went to his room.
Yeah, I had him remember Jason's death. Now, I don't think I'll have Dick remember as frequently, since I'm moving along plotwise. There could be times where I have him remeber stuff, but it's not going to be an every chapter kind of venture.