Because, after telling myself I wasn't going to, I decided at 3p on Christmas Eve I was going to write something.
Based on that subplot I want to go into about the fireflies (based on the scene in Batman&Robin #4) and I don't write a lot of Jason. So this is kind of a Jason-centric thing that I really enjoyed doing. Also, I'm thinking of getting a tumblr, where I would post these as well, and I guess be a little more available? I don't know how to use it or how it works. But what would you guys think of that? Yay or nay?
Merry Christmas to those who celebrate, happy day and holidays to those who don't. I hope you have a happy and peaceful time with those you love the most. Be kind to someone today.
It was cold, and otherwise, he wouldn't have been out here. Or really, out anywhere. Nights like this is when Roy was an even bigger sap than normal and forced him and Kory to stay in, drink hot chocolate and be a giant heap of people and blankets on that shitty old sofa the archer insisted on keeping. In fact, this evening Roy had tried to convince him to do just so.
No, Jason wouldn't normally brave the snow and negative-degree temperatures, but it was the only night he could be one-hundred-percent sure Bruce wasn't around. At least the only night for a while. And Jason wasn't planning on staying in Gotham long enough to wait for another chance. It was kind of a now or another-six-months-to-a-year-minimum type deal.
The house would have been eerie – terrifying, really – with its dark windows and dead foliage, if only that stupid Great Dane didn't come bounding out of the back door like he hadn't seen a human being in ages.
(And, as Jason scratched at Titus's ears and cooed into his fur, he realized that, with Bruce as his caregiver, it may have been the exact truth. Poor dog. The kid would turn over in his grave if he knew. In fact, Jason had a mind to go tell him himself.)
But wait a second. With Alfred accompanying Bruce to wherever he was…how did Titus get out of the house? The butler never forgot to close and lock all doors when they went out, ever. Even if it was just to the store. After a few seconds, Jason shook his head. It didn't matter. First time for everything.
After three failed attempts to usher the dog back into the house, Jason shrugged, patted his thigh and began walking across the yard. Titus bucked excitedly and ran next to him, seemingly not bothered by the frigid air or snow clumping in his fur. Jason just huffed, zipping his jacket up further and shoving his hands in his pockets as he watched his breath disappear into the air.
He'd forgotten what a hike it actually was to the graveyard. After about five minutes, he had half a mind to turn back, break into the manor and raid the kitchen for a hot drink. After that, he'd steal the good stuff from Bruce's liquor cabinet before returning to where the Outlaws were, no doubt, waiting for his return. But no. He soldiered on instead. After all, this was a meeting that was long overdue.
When they passed the threshold to the cemetery, Titus took off around the tombstones as if it were a maze made just for him. Jason just rolled his eyes as he made his way towards his destination.
The monument was unimaginative and a little underwhelming. Just a big pointy obelisk. It didn't even get the bestowal of having a name on it. At least Martha and Thomas Wayne got that. It was just…there, like an afterthought. And for some reason, that made Jason practically furious.
"Hey, Robin."
He hadn't visited the graveyard, not really. Not since it happened. He came to the cave when he could, after he heard what Talia had done, and he saw the body. He saw Dick beside himself, trying to help the forever-brave Alfred clean and prepare their dead boy for burial. He watched as Bruce sat stoically in the manor, staring blankly out a window. But he never found Tim. The genius was there, according to Alfred, but couldn't be located.
But that was enough. Jason didn't want to go through any more. He left before the coffin was ready, and was always able to come up with excuses as to why he couldn't come back. Whenever he came back to the manor, he'd make sure he didn't even look towards the cemetery. In a way, he didn't want to face the reality of it. That Bruce didn't let it happen again. That things would be different for that fucking little brat. That being the 'real son' out of all of them would mean…something.
Suddenly Jason forgot the cold and the snow. He sat down in front of the stone and crossed his legs, staring up at it. "Nice digs you got here."
In the almost-year of ignoring the reality of it, he found himself imagining it anyway. In the recesses of his brain, he hoped that the gravestone was huge and obnoxious. Some big intricate design that Bruce oversaw first hand. Maybe, instead of the family graveyard, Damian's plot was in an area of the Wayne grounds all on its own, just to mark how special it was. How special the person it was built for was. Damian would have absolutely hated it – everything about it – but it would have shown that Bruce cared. It would have been a huge sort of proclamation, as if Bruce were saying, "This was my son and I want the whole world to know how much I loved him."
"Bruce really went all out for you, huh?" Jason sighed. His eyes landed on the remnants of a flower that was rotting on the base. "Sorry if I woke you or something. I know its damn near midnight. But I just thought I'd…I don't know, stop by. See how you were holding up out here all by your lonesome."
He didn't feel stupid talking out loud. For one, it kept Titus close. Whenever Jason would start speaking, he'd see that goofy dog's head pop up behind a different marker, as if he was just making sure Jason was where he left him. For two, in all of Jason's years, he'd talked to worse inanimate objects than a grave. Besides, for some reason, he felt like someone was listening, and hardcore judging him with fierce disbelief.
"Ran into Tim about a month ago," he said, trying to shake the feeling. "Was asking me some weird-ass questions about when I was dead. He even asked if I was a ghost at some point. And the funny part? I answered him on it, because no one's ever really asked me about it."
Titus appeared between two headstones, rolling back and forth in the snow. Jason pursed his lips, thinking of how he would have to clean the dog later, if he didn't want there to be any evidence of his visit.
"But he believed me on it." Jason mumbled, looking back up at the monument. "Little bastard believed me on every word I said. And it just…I guess got me thinking of you, you little shit. Wondering where you are, if you're some vengeful little thing like I was or if you're actually resting in peace. I doubt you're the latter, because that's just how awful the cards dealt to you were, huh?"
Out of the corner of his eye, Jason thought he saw movement behind Titus. As he went to glance over, Titus suddenly jumped up and started running around the cemetery again, only this time barking loudly. He didn't seem to be actually going anywhere so Jason tuned him out.
"But…if you are here kid? Don't waste your time on your dad. I know you looked up to him like nobody's business and all…and I know he loved you and all that but…" Jason stumbled over his words. It was hard to concentrate with Titus echoing across the grounds. "And I'm not saying give up on your dad or anything. But Dick, he…he needs you, man. More than I've ever seen him need anybody. You were a little asshole but for some reason he loved you. And you dying tore his heart out, and I don't know how good he is at picking up the pieces."
Titus ran up next to Damian's grave and jumped up against the stone, still barking. Jason continued to ignore him, merely raising his voice. "And Bruce has a support system, as much as he won't admit it. He's got Clark and Diana and everyone else in that stupid satellite they all hang out in. Tim's got his Titans and I've got Roy and Kory. But Dick's got nobody. So if you're around still, which I bet you are, and need something to do, go find your stupid older brother and-"
Titus finally paused in his barking and stared up at the sky. It was clear, with the bright moon filtering behind a few displaced clouds and stars sprinkling around it. Jason sighed in relief as Titus pushed off from the monument and returned to having all four paws on the ground, and opened his mouth to continue speaking.
Suddenly Titus let out a long, joyful howl and took off out of the graveyard, towards the line of trees that bordered the grounds.
"Jesus Christ," Jason spat, leaping to his feet. He glimpsed at the stone as he ran by it. "Your dog is crazy, do you know that?!"
Jason ran after Titus and what made Jason even more frustrated was that Titus seemed to know it, too. The dog kept slowing down, glancing over his shoulder to make sure Jason was still there. When it was confirmed, he'd flash a lopsided grin and speed up again.
"I'm going to kill you, you mutt!" Jason shouted as he lost his footing in the snow multiple times. And he meant it, too. Maybe not explicitly kill the dog, but kidnap him and force him to deal with Roy being all touchy-feely for a week or wear those stupid dog-sweaters, then Titus will wish Jason killed him.
The snow got the better of Jason, then. As soon as he closed the distance between himself and Titus, he reached out to grab the dog's tail and promptly fell on his face. As he struggled to get up, he heard Titus give a little huff, and swore to any holy being there was that the dog was laughing at him.
When he finally righted himself, Titus had disappeared. Since this wasn't a mission or anything of the sort, other than his guns, Jason had nothing on him. Luckily the moon was bright enough that he could clearly see the dog's path laid out in front of him. The trail led him into the woods, where he heard Titus bark. He couldn't have been more than ten yards away, but the further in Jason went, the darker it got. Soon, he lost track of the scent, and stopped, trying to decide his next move.
Suddenly there was a wet nose pushing against the palm of his hand. Even in the darkness, when he looked down, he could see Titus's beady eyes staring happily up at him. Jason didn't realize he was slightly panicked until he felt it begin to melt away as he pet the dog's head.
"Damian would be so proud of you, you little turd." Titus's tail began waving wildly at the mention of his master. Jason turned back towards the forest's edge. "Now let's get you back before…"
Jason trailed off as Titus refused to budge. He looked back down at the dog's eyes; they'd become stern and serious. Jason was about to lean down, make sure the dog hadn't injured himself when Titus bounced off again, in the direction he'd been going before.
"What is it, Titus?" Jason drawled. "Is Timmy trapped in a well?"
Titus growled, lowering his ears. Jason held up his hands in surrender, walking up to him. Titus took it as agreement, turning and walking forward. Jason took the small victory of Titus not running away like a kid on a sugar high and followed. After a few seconds of walking, he felt himself look down at Titus's tail. He was about to question what drew his attention when a small light blinked at the tip of it. The light suddenly moved upwards, floating up and away from Titus's body. After a short time of watching it, the light landed softly on Jason's nose.
It was a bug.
A firefly.
Jason would have stopped to consider the oddness of it; Lightening bugs are strictly midsummer creatures, and he'd already seen a few in mid-autumn. Would have, if he didn't run smack into Titus, who had suddenly stopped.
"Alright, dog. What the hell is going on?" he snapped. Titus just looked up at him, before turning his gaze back in front of him. Ahead, Jason could see a faint glow leaking from between the trees. He narrowed his eyes, slowly walking forwards. Titus, relieved that Jason was finally listening, jogged quietly beside him.
The glow got stronger as Jason got closer. The wall of trees opened into a small meadow, where Jason couldn't keep the gasp from falling out of his lips. There were fireflies everywhere, illuminating the place as if they were, collectively, a light bulb. Some hovered around contently, blinking slowly, while others adorned the trees that hid them, making them look like the Christmas trees that currently occupied every park and home from Gotham to Central City.
"This is some kind of fairy-magic shit, right?" Jason breathed, slowly taking steps into the clearing. Titus huffed in amusement again as he trotted past the man. Jason watched while Titus moved to the middle of the meadow and looked straight up. A few of the lightening bugs landed on his nose in steady succession, as if giving him gentle kisses in greeting.
Titus barely even glanced over when Damian appeared next to him. "Todd is right you know. You are crazy."
The dog flopped his tongue out, giving Damian his best grin in acknowledgement.
"Why would you bring him here, of all people?" Damian asked, watching as Jason continued to inch into the area. Titus, paying no heed to his boy's complaints, laid down, eyes still glued to the insects around them. Damian exhaled in annoyance, plopping down next to him. "…I don't see why you'd waste your energy anyway. These stupid insects follow me wherever I go. I was already in the cemetery with Todd and you were already calling to them. If you'd have just waited long enough, they'd have shown up, like they always do."
If Damian didn't know better, he'd have said Titus was smirking. Instead, Damian sighed again, wrapping his arm around Titus's back, scratching at his fur absently. Titus looked over to where Jason was finally approaching him and gave a little whine, gently leaning his head against Damian's knee.
"Beautiful," Jason nodded, coming to a stop at Titus's side. He stuffed his hands in his pockets, watching as cloudy breaths mixed in with fireflies. Like with Titus, a few of the bugs felt the need to brush against his face or land momentarily on his head. "Weird as all hell, but beautiful."
Titus gave another little whine and reached his paw out to slap at Jason's foot. Jason took the hint, chuckling as he sat at Titus's side, opposite of Damian, rubbing his hand across the dog's head. They sat in silence for a few minutes, all watching the fireflies dance above them.
"Make sure to get him home before he freezes," Damian said dreamily, neck craned as a bug tried to steer itself onto his nose. "He's too stupid to leave on his own. Most times, anyway."
There was a soft click. Damian and Titus glanced over to see Jason lighting a cigarette. Jason peeked down at the dog as he inhaled. "You mind? 'Cause I don't think the bugs do."
Titus huffed, but let it go, snuggling his head against Damian's knee, giving a little whine once more. Jason, of course not realizing Damian was there, stared at the dog sadly.
"It's okay, bud." Jason whispered, patting Titus's neck before rubbing his head. He took another drag of his cigarette, exhaling slowly. "I miss him too."
Damian stared at him a moment, then nodded. "I…miss you too, Todd."
Jason suddenly grinned, tapping a finger against Titus's noggin. "Now, don't you go telling Damian I said that, pup. Got it?"
Titus just wagged his tail.
Jason laughed again, leaning down to give Titus a quick peck on the head. "I knew I always liked you." Jason leaned his cheek against Titus's fur, turning his head so he could still look up at the scene above them.
"Here's to you, kid." Jason murmured, taking one last drag of the cigarette, snuffing it in the snow and pocketing the butt. He had a feeling Titus wouldn't be letting him leave if he littered. Jason closed his eyes, but could still see the warm glow the lightning bugs produced. Could somehow feel the warmth that they weren't. Must be one of those things that's all in your head. But it was all right. Jason was okay with it. The moment, right now, was nice. Strange, but nice. And he hadn't really had nice in a while.
Tomorrow. Yes, tomorrow he'll talk to some members in the costumed community about the out-of-season insects. But for now, he'll just…enjoy it.
"Yeah." Jason sighed, opening his eyes again. The bugs twinkled brighter than the stars above them and Jason felt a stupid smile plastered on his face. "Here's to you, Damian."