Hey guys! Sorry for the delay in the chapter, had a hectic past few days. So to make up for it, I did my best to make this chapter a little bit longer! I do hope you guys enjoy it.
It seems things are getting interesting with the Wayne Clan. Can Jason survive having to deal with Bruce and the others, while being sick?
Sure hope so. For their sakes. So without further ado, I present chapter three of Warmth of Their Wings! Remember to leave those lovely reviews of yours! I do enjoy reading them.
I do not own anything/one in the DC universe. Sadly...
Hours after his little spat with Bruce, Jason was laying on his bed just staring up at the ceiling above. With his arms behind his head as he just lay there in silence. No one had bothered him all day, save Alfred who only came by to give him his dosage of medicine and something to eat. Other than that he was left alone in the darkness of his old room as he let his mind wander from thought to thought.
Which for Jason Todd was a rather dangerous thing at times. What with all the consuming darkness that lingered at the edges of his mind waiting to strike at the perfect moment and sweep the young crime lord up in all the pain and anger he battled with every day. He didn't want to be there at all. It wasn't his decision to have been brought to the god forsaken manor. It was Dick's fault. If that moronic jackass hadn't been patrolling around Jason's territory and stumbled upon him he could have avoided all of this. But you would have most likely died if he hadn't. And we both know Talia and her father wouldn't be so kind again.
A grimace made its way across the wayward birds face at that annoying little voice in his head, the one who always had to point out the obvious facts. The ones Jason did his best to ignore no matter the situation. Thank you captain fucking obvious. He thought in retaliation to the damn pestering voice. As if to add insult to injury, he knew the little voice of reason was right. Dick had ultimately saved his life because he was keeping an eye out for his little brother. Doing his part to protect the younger and try and help him any way he could. He's just trying to make up for his mistakes with me. Maybe trying to convince himself he is a good brother and not some shitty, self-centered bastard.
Teal eyes narrowed in anger as he thought about this. How the first boy wonder always tried to keep him safe and lead him down a 'better path' as he called it once. But just like Bruce, just like the rest of the messed up family of theirs, he didn't see past his own beliefs and self-righteous attitude. Their way of handling crime may have been effective at first. May have done Gotham a world of good for some time. Yet there are always going to be those out there who don't fear being locked up, who don't think twice about crossing that line and ending another's life.
It was only fair for Jason to do the same. His way was a more permanent solution. A better solution to cleaning up Gotham of crime. Ever since he donned the persona of the Red Hood and started cleaning up his city the right way, crime wasn't as bad. Sure there were a few super villains here and there. But he would leave those up to the Bat. His main focus was on the thugs who tried to run the city. With their riches and connections thinking themselves untouchable by any law enforcement. They weren't untouchable by death itself.
None of the others understood this which is why Jason didn't want to be there. Because every time he even came across Bruce, the older would try and get the lost Robin to see what he was doing was wrong. That he was just as bad as any other criminal. He wasn't a criminal. He was killing those that have already fucked up their lives beyond redemption. Just like you are doing to yourself…
That voice was getting really agitating. The sound of his door opening slowly caught his attention and snapped him out of his darkening thoughts. He kept his eyes on the ceiling above though. "Alfred, I already said I was fine on food. Not really hungry…." Jason called expecting it to be the faithful Wayne family butler who disturbed his 'peace'.
"Last time I checked, I wasn't an old English butler." Came a rather cheeky sounding voice causing the younger to groan in dissatisfaction. Slowly he sat up, careful not to move to fast in case he wanted to lose the chicken broth Alfred gave him earlier, and glared at the offender who dare trespass into his room. "Shouldn't you be in Bludhaven, dickhead?" His voice was cold and dangerous as he took in the figure of Dick leaning against his doorframe, that damn signature smile of his spread across his lips. Dick was dressed in a dark blue shirt and faded jeans. Everything about him just screamed moron.
"Nah, I got off about half an hour ago." With a raised eyebrow Jason cast a quick glance to his window to see that it was considerably darker outside. The arrival of the older Robin signified the end of his peace as well. "Good for you. Get the fuck out." He practically snarled at his brother as he lay himself back down on the plush bed and closed his eyes. The pain of a migraine starting from sitting up. "I just came to see how you were doing Jaybird." Dick's voice sounded closer as the bed dipped near where he was laying and he felt a cool hand press against his heated forehead. For a moment he just relaxed against the cooling touch then remembered who the owner of the hand was and that he hated him.
With a small growl he reached up and grabbed Dick's wrist tightly and slowly opened his glazed teal eyes to glare at the elder bird. "I said get the fuck out. Before I kick your ass." He said through gritted teeth as he tightened his hold on his brother's wrist. The elder didn't seem bothered in anyway as he easily freed his hand from Jason's grip and shook his head slowly. "Now Jaybird, you are in no condition to do any ass kicking." Was it just him or did Dick's voice hold a tone of smugness?
Once I am better I am kicking his ass. It was a vow he intended to keep once his health was back to normal. Though how long he would be sick for was the ultimate question right now. Alfred said he had been out of it for three days and before that it had been a week. Ten straight days of feeling like complete and utter shit. He hoped no thugs have tried anything while he was out of commission. Maybe the cold weather and shit ton of snow kept them within their dark holes they crawl out of every once and while. That would make his job much easier for the remainder of the winter.
Yet there was also the problem of his rundown apartment where he had been staying the past few months. Did he really want to go back and risk getting sick again? Beats being here. He thought with a small grimace. Though if he did fall sick again he would just end up back in the manor being nursed back to health. It was a cycle he seriously didn't want to continue.
"Earth to Jason." Jason blinked his eyes to see Dick's concerned face hovering above him with one hand shaking his shoulder gently. "Oh good, you are still with us. You just spaced out there for a few minutes. I was calling your name." A scowl was directed at the elder who smiled widely in return. "What are you still doing in here jackass?" He asked as he used his free hand to shove his brother's face away and sat up. "Well I asked if you wanted to come watch a movie with me, Tim, and Damian."
Silence ensued as Jason just stared blankly at his older brother. "You want me to come watch a movie with you, the replacement, and the demon spawn?" He snorted and decidedly rolled over on his side and closed his eyes.
"Thanks but no thanks. I would rather be fed to the bats in the cave than watch a movie with you three." The younger sneered as he waited for Dick to up and leave. "I don't think the bats would find you very appetizing. You would be so bitter." Came the chirping reply as he felt two arms slither their way under his shoulders and heave him up and out of the bed. "Whoa what the fuck! Damn it put me down!" Jason let out in a raspy yell as he began to struggle against the older bird who was dragging him towards the door. Yet in his weakened state all he could do was meekly wiggle from side to side in a vain attempt to free himself. "You need to get out of this dark room and interact with others! It may help you get better. Plus we are watching a horror movie so that will be all the more fun!"
Jason's cries of anger and deadly threats went unheard as he was slowly dragged down the hall. He may have lost some weight due to being sick but that didn't mean he was going to be much lighter. Especially since he was naturally taller than Dick himself. "Do you want me to carry you down the stairs or can you finally walk?" The elder smiled as he leaned forward to meet Jason's scowling expression.
With a small grunt he jerked from Dick's arms and slowly stood up, swaying slightly as a rush of nausea hit him. Once it passed he began to carefully descend the stairs with Dick just a few steps ahead of him in case he fell. Soon enough their path led them to the main living room where he was met with the sight of blankets and pillows piled up along the couch and the floor before it. Snack foods and sodas were laid out on one of the coffee tables and all the curtains were closed on the windows making the room darker. The TV offered a faint glow into the room with the starting menu of some horror movie Jason didn't care to remember.
Tim and Damian were in the center of the large pile of blankets and pillows bickering over the volume of the movie it seemed.
"Just because you are afraid Drake doesn't mean the volume must be lowered. It is a horror movie for a reason." The demon spawn spat out as he reached for the remote which Tim jerked out of his reach easily. "It's not that I am afraid, it's that you want it at a volume that would shatter ones ear drums." He retorted as he glared at the youngest Robin. "You are just weak Drake." Damian snapped before pouncing on Tim and began to wrestle him for the remote.
Dick beamed at Jason who just raised his eyebrow at his older brother before the elder made his way into the main room and plucked the remote free and held it high. Instantly both boys pulled apart and looked up at Dick who held their prize aloft. "Took you long enough Grayson." The younger said with a grimace as he sat back and glared at Tim. Said teen noticed Jason leaning against the doorframe, rather shakily, staring at the far wall and avoiding eye contact with any of them.
"You actually got him to come." Tim said rather surprised as he looked up to his eldest brother who was turning the volume to a proper setting between being loud enough and not so loud that dogs in the next city over would start barking. "I can be very persuasive." He wiggled his eyebrows playfully.
"Actually he can be very annoying." Jason spoke up with a bitter look towards the elder. "He dragged me out of bed by force. So I am down here against my will." And I won't be able to make it back up the stairs on my own. The unspoken message was clear amongst the other robins but none of them spoke on it.
Slowly Jason made his way towards them, careful with where he put his feet and using objects around the room to keep himself upright. Once he reached them he slumped down on the couch and stared expectantly at Dick. "Well we going to get this over with or what?" He rolled his eyes in annoyance as he let out a small puff of breath. Still unbelieving at the fact that he allowed himself to be dragged into this. "Almost." Dick grinned and turned towards the door. "Alfred! Bruce! Come on! Movies going to start!" He called towards the kitchen as he pressed play and the movie began to slowly play.
Instantly Jason stiffened and glared at Dick. "You lied to me." He practically snarled catching Damian and Tim's attention as they turned to watch the fight that was sure to ensue. If Jason's reputation gave them any warning of what was to come that is.
Dick held his hands up in a peaceful gesture, that stupid smile still on his face. "Now, I didn't lie to you. I said Damian and Tim were going to be watching the movie with us. But I never said it was going to be only them. Besides, you never asked." He explained calmly to his violent little brother. With a small growl Jason began to shift to stand up but was pulled back by a wave of nausea. His eyes glazed over before he closed them tightly and took a few deep breaths to prevent himself from vomiting all over the place.
Once it passed he glared venomously at Dick and settled back on the couch. He didn't need to say anything because the elder got his message loud and clear. I will kill you later for this. The elders smile became wider as he settled himself down on the couch as Bruce and Alfred entered slowly. Jason was stiff as he stared straight at the TV and ground his teeth together in a clear display of anger. His adoptive father settled himself on the same couch right next to Dick, a few feet from Jason, while Alfred settled on one of the many armchairs. Damian and Tim seemed contended with sitting against the couch and staring up at the large TV as the movie finally started officially.
Two long hours later the movie finally came to an end when the main character chopped the head off the psycho who had been tormenting her for so many years. Not even half-way through the movie Tim had passed out fairly easy and was snoring softly on the floor with a pillow bunched under his head and a blanket lazily covering him. Damian lasted a little longer having made it more than half-way before he finally conked out as well.
He was lying on his back, having rolled over in his sleep, with a blanket wrapped around him from the action and a few blankets acting as his pillow. Alfred had fallen asleep a short time after that with a blanket covering him, courtesy of Dick. Golden boy all the way through. Jason thought as he glanced over to see Dick was also out as well, when that happened he had no clue.
The eldest was leaning his head against Bruce's shoulder with a blanket covering both of them, probably Dick's doing, and was snoozing just like the others.
Well except Bruce and Jason who both sat in silence as the credits rolled by on the movie. A light music playing to accompany it. Neither spoke as they just sat there while the rest of their small family slept soundly around them. There was a slight tension in the air from the earlier outburst and the hateful words that had been said by the younger.
Finally, "You should get some sleep too. We both know you need it." Bruce mumbled softly to Jason who shot a quick look to the older man before turning to face the TV screen again. "I'm fine." His tone was rather defensive as he sat up straighter. Only for his body to betray him as he yawned widely from the exhaustion he was feeling. Out of the corner of his eye he could almost swear he saw a small smile spread across Bruce's face before it disappeared. "Sure you are. Just rest. It's not like it will do you any harm." His voice was rather soothing to Jason, remembering all those times he had ever been sick or injured and Bruce had been there to soothe his worries and fears. Who helped him rest peacefully and easily.
Begrudgingly Jason grabbed a blanket and covered himself with it as he got comfortable on the couch before closing his eyes to try and get some sleep.
Even if he had a small fear of the nightmares that would surely plague him the moment he succumbed to the darkness. Which may have been the reason why he found sleep eluded him and why he felt as if the couch was uncomfortable and began to shift to find a better spot.
Finally after a few minutes of awkward shifting and frustration of not being able to get comfortable he growled and snapped open his eyes. He hit the couch's arm rest out of anger blaming all his problems on it. Faintly he was aware of Bruce's eyes on him as he sat there breathing heavily after beating the couch as best he could. Thinking the elder was going to ask him what was wrong, he was rather surprised with what came out of his mouth instead. "It's more comfortable over here." Jason turned his head slowly to see Bruce was gesturing the spot next to him.
His vibrant blue eyes held a small twinge of worry and sadness as he gazed at his adoptive son. The one who lost his way and kept pushing his family away with all he had. Jason just stared at Bruce with an unreadable expression as he contemplated the offer. Bruce believed his son wasn't going to take it when suddenly Jason shifted closer, rather hesitantly, and settled beside the older man.
A small fond smile crossed the ebony haired man as he turned his head back towards the TV and he felt his heart warm up as the wayward robin actually lay his head against his shoulders much like Dick.
Jason felt his eyes grow heavy as he settled beside Bruce. The warmth of his blanket and the older man was rather comforting and the spot he had claimed was comfortable, as Bruce had said. For once he wasn't really worried about the nightmares that may be waiting for him on the other side of unconsciousness. Maybe he could even sleep peacefully tonight. Within moments he had his eyes closed and drifted off to sleep.
Bruce moved both arms to wrap them around Dick and Jason carefully. With the fond smile still on his face he closed his eyes slowly as well and allowed slumber to claim him. It's been too long since he has had his second son back with them like this and he intended to enjoy it while it lasted. Because for the Wayne family, nothing good lasts forever.