I have to say, I really liked doing this one. I hope you like it too!
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Alfred's POV
Poor Master Jason. He tries so hard to fit in and be normal. Every day he has me apply the proper creams and powders to make him appear as human as he truly is. He is terrified that Bruce will find out that he is not normal. The reverence with which he says the word is saddening. I know how much he wishes to be what others consider 'normal' to be. Their normal is not his normal. At least his real skin is not sensitive. It is rather thick, thankfully. He does not get injured as much as the others. I hope that, one day, he will find the courage to show Master Bruce who he really is.
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Jason's POV
Alfred's left for a three week-long trip two days ago. He's never been gone that long since I've been here! The longest he's been gone is a few days! I know he taught me how to apply the make-up, but what if I do it wrong?! What if Bruce finds out? He'd kick me out for sure!
I paced in my bedroom before glancing at the clock. 3:48 a.m. I haven't been able to sleep since Alfred left. I'm just too nervous! Bruce hasn't noticed anything different yet, so I guess I'm doing something right.
Do you know what? Screw this. I slip out my window and drop into the backyard. Bruce and Alfred know I sneak out sometimes, so they set the security to detect me, but let me pass. I run through the bit of woods before I get to the old, abandoned sewer pipe. The pipe was originally used for the batmobile, but now that we have better ways to get the batmobile out, it isn't used for anything but storm drainage and an emergency escape route. I walk into it and keep going until I reached the place where all of the storm drainage pipes empty their water into a large pool of muddy, murky water. To anyone else, it would be disgusting to even think about going in. I don't care.
The water splashes up as I jump in to the clouded water. Before I went out, I'd applied the un-waterproofing spray that Alfred gave me to let the make-up wash off when I got wet. Light, skin-colored make-up clouded the water right around me before it faded as the dirty water mixed with it. I could hardly see my legs and arms; my scales almost match the color of the water, but my scales have a bit more green. It feels good to swim, but it feels even better to finally get all of that make-up off. Honestly, how do girls stand it?!
I swam for several hours, lost in my thoughts, before I realized that it must be late… well, early. Climbing out, I began making my way back to the Manor. My scales and clothes dried while I walked back. I'm so glad it's summer! My scales are thick enough that temperature doesn't affect me too badly. Cold just makes me grumpy and heat makes me lazy.
When I got back to the Manor, I easily scaled the tree next to my room, jumped on the roof, and climbed inside. After a quick shower, I went to bed and, for the first time since Alfred told us he was going on a trip, I slept well.
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Two Weeks Later, Jason's POV
Bruce still hasn't found out my secret. Every few days, I go out to the drainage pipe and swim for a while. It definitely helps me sleep better. Tonight was one of those nights.
I lazily swam through the water before breaking the surface. I've been out here for a few hours, so I decide to head back to the Manor. Halfway home I hear the sound of a fight. I ran a few more feet to see Bruce fighting a lot of Ra's ninja assassins… and losing, badly. He needs help!... but Bruce can't see me like this! One of the assassins hit Bruce in the head, slightly stunning him, when I couldn't take it anymore. I jumped into the fight, taking the ninja out like I was trained to. Pressure point here, kick that guy's legs out from under him, punch that one in the face. Some of the assassins shrank back so I used their fear to my advantage, bearing my teeth and claws while snarling, growling, or roaring. The few that weren't unconscious left. They'd known they lost.
I heard a shuffling sound from behind me and turned to Bruce, who had gotten up and was now looming over me. My shoulders hunched and I flinched back. Here it comes… "Jason?" Bruce asked, looking me over with a look I've only seen when he had to do something fatherly.
"Yeah." I replied, looking down.
"How…?" Bruce trailed off.
"Born with it. I think some doctor Miss Evans took me to called it epi-derm-ly-something hyper-something-atosis." I said, remembering the nice old woman from Crime Alley that made sure I had food and a place to sleep every few days. I also went to her whenever I got beat up.
"You mean epidermolytic hyperkeratosis?" Bruce asked.
I shrugged. "Sounds right."
"That's what Killer Croc has. Why didn't you ever tell me?" Bruce asked.
"Because of Killer Croc; because I'm a freak; because I'm a monster; because I was scared you'd kick me out. Lots of reasons." I said.
Bruce put one hand on my shoulder and used the other to tilt my head up. "You are not a monster, do you hear me? And I'd never kick you out. You're my son. Now, come on and let's go home." He smiled at me and we walked back.
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The Next Day, Bruce's POV
"Out of curiosity, how do you hide your scales?" I asked Jason.
"Make-up. I'm not sure where Alfred gets it." Jason replied, not really paying attention while he was flipping through TV channels before settling on Animal Planet. Of course. Alfred would know about this… and Jason would watch Animal Planet. He's always loved animals. Today was Saturday so I was off of work and we were on the couch, flipping through TV channels.
"Doesn't it get uncomfortable?" I asked.
"I don't really know that it's uncomfortable until I take it off." He replied, turning to face me. "Why all the questions about it?"
"If you don't want to wear it, you don't have to." I said.
He looked surprised and insecure. "You wouldn't mind?"
"Of course not! Why don't you go take it off now?" Jason grinned and ran upstairs. I smiled slightly, then turned back to the TV to watch some guy get bit by a snake and be rushed to the hospital. Yep, definitely Jason's choice. I can't believe he hid this for so long… I can't believe he thought he was a monster. At least he doesn't have to wear all of that make-up around here anymore. I wish there was more I could do to help him see that he's not a freak…
When Jason came back, it was slower and he looked doubtful as he stood at the doorway. "Come on." I said, gesturing to where he'd sat before.
He smiled and sat down next to me. "What'd I miss?"
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Three Days Later, At Night, Alfred's POV
Ah, finally home. As good as it was to see my sister again, it is even better to be back home. I opened the door and went into the living room, expecting to see a mess. Instead, I found the man who is like a son and the boy who is like my grandchild, curled on the couch while the TV played. What was even more surprising was that Master Jason did not have his make-up on, but was still lying against Master Bruce's side. Master Bruce's head was slumped back and one of his arms was hold Master Jason against his side. It appears that Master Bruce had more success than I trying to convince Master Jason that he doesn't have to hide himself. I smiled at the sight and put a blanket over them before bringing my luggage upstairs and going to bed myself. Master Bruce managed to convince him that he is not a monster and does not have to hide. I couldn't be more proud.
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The End! I hope you all liked it!