*gapes* What's this? What's THIS? Another chapter? So soon? I think yes! *squeals* All the views on this story, the favorites, the follows, and the reviews (especially the reviews!) Has driven me to get the next chapter out quickly.

Can you believe, this is my first ever long running story. I am so proud of myself. So freaking proud jfc. I want to thank all of you who have been encouraging me along the way to keep this thing going! Without you none of this would have been possible!

Without further ado I present chapter 6 of WoTW. Please do enjoy and remember to leave those amazing reviews! I appreciate every one of them!

I do not own DC in any way/shape/form.

Rain splattered the large windows of the library where Jason sat curled up on one of the many chairs just watching the rain. The young boy had a single blanket wrapped around him as he watched the storm roll on for what seemed like forever. It was rather late in the night and he should have been in bed. Should have been resting after a rather long day he had. Especially at school which was always hard for him what with him not being used to being in a school.

But he found sleep couldn't come to him that night as he had lain in bed for a few hours just staring up at the ceiling as thoughts swirled around his head. Deciding that he wasn't going to be getting any rest that night he grabbed an extra blanket from his closest and slid his way quietly to the library to watch the storm.

Unknowingly tears tracked down his eyes as he thought about the day's events and all that took place while he was at school. All the students were abuzz about the newest exploit by Batman and Robin. Jason at first had felt pride that he was being widely talked about. That is until he overheard a group of older students.

"Of course it's a different kid. I mean it's been a few years since Robin came along. Batman needed a new one after all. The first Robin must be like, seventeen or something." One kid pointed out to his buddies. Jason was hiding behind a corner nearby listening to them talking.

"Yeah and this Robin seems to be more brash than the first. Remember that video footage? He was bashing heads left and right. Not flipping and flying as much. Totally different." Another one, this one female, offered as the conversation dragged on.

"I personally don't like this new Robin. The first one was better. This one is just a sad replacement." Said the third voice belonging to another boy. Jason's heart clenched as he heard this but stayed put. Maybe he was the only one to think that way.

"Originals are always better." The first voice confirmed. "Batman was probably desperate for a new Robin and picked the first sap he could find. I don't know who I feel worse for. Batman for coming across such a kid or the new Robin for being led along like this. Just a replacement of the first."

He had heard enough. At that moment the young boy quickly left fighting back the anger and tears that threatened to consume him. No, he wouldn't cry. Not here.

The rest of the day he had been silent and withdrawn from everyone. Even when Alfred came to pick him up from school. Especially when he got home to the manor. First and foremost he had gone to his room and shut himself away. Not even coming down to dinner which worried Bruce and Alfred. What had happened to make the young boy wonder so upset?

Now here Jason was sitting on the chair with so many emotions filling his heart and mind as he watched the storm which seemed to understand just exactly what he was feeling.

"You should be in bed." At the sound of the familiar voice the young boy jolted and quickly wiped at his face before turning his head to see Bruce standing at the large arch way of the library. Arms crossed loosely across his chest and face expressionless as he studied the younger in the chair.

"You should be too." Jason quickly countered as he sat up straighter and smirked at his caretaker coolly. The older raised an eyebrow and let a fond smile slip across his face before he made his way over and sat in one of the chairs next to Jason and watched the storm as well.

Silence stretched between them before-

"What's wrong Jason?" Blue eyes trained on the younger who quickly adverted his gaze back towards the window. Nothing ever got past Bruce.

"Nothing's wrong. Just couldn't sleep is all." He said fiddling with the edges of the blanket nervously as he watched the rain fall. Reminding Bruce once again that even though he fought criminals and was constantly putting himself in danger, Jason was first and foremost a child. And every child had insecurities and fears.

"You were rather quiet since you came back from school and skipped dinner. That doesn't seem like nothing's wrong." The elder man spoke softly as he gazed at his adopted son a while longer before turning to watch the storm again. "Did something happen at school?"

When the younger shifted uncomfortably Bruce knew he was on the right track. He didn't push though, knowing if he did Jason would just recede farther into his shell and it would be even longer before the young boy confided in him. That was one of the very first things he had learned when it came to dealing with Jason.

After a long five minutes Jason finally sighed and sat up straighter in the chair as he watched a trail of raindrops on the window.

"There were some kids talking about Batman and Robin…" He began softly as a strike of lightning flashed and lit up the room. Briefly he cast a glance at Bruce who was watching the rain but also listening intently to what the younger had to say. So he continued. "They…. They were talking about how this Robin was different from the first…"

Almost immediately the elder understood what was troubling his son. Even after being Robin for a year he still got upset whenever someone compared him to his predecessor, Dick Grayson. Jason tried so hard to strike out on his own and show everyone he was just as good as Dick. That he held just as much potential as his brother. No matter how hard he tried he would always be compared to the first boy wonder.

"At first I didn't really care… I am always compared to Dick… But… But what was said next…" Finally Jason turned and their eyes met. Teal eyes full of hurt and grief. "One of them said you only chose me because you were desperate for a new Robin… That I just happened to be where I was at the right time…." That was when the tears started to burn his eyes as he grew angry. "They think I am just a sorry replacement… Something to fill the hole in your heart after Dick became Nightwing."

Bruce's heart clenched as he saw the pained look on Jason's face. How could he ever think that such words were true? To him, Jason held so much potential. More so than Dick at times really. He didn't pick him up off the streets because he wanted a replacement for his first boy wonder. Far from it. Seeing Jason and hearing his history he knew he would do whatever he could to help the boy. Save him from becoming one of the common criminals of Gotham.

Jason just stared silently at his hands with a few tears falling. His heart deflating pathetically. That is until he felt a warm hand on his shoulder and found himself staring into Bruce's blue eyes.

"Jason, you are not a replacement to Dick and I didn't choose you because I was desperate for a new Robin." Bruce began, mulling over his words carefully. "You were a kid living alone on the streets. Stealing to survive and taking care of himself. Many adults can't even do what you did. Surviving like you had." Jason just stared at him silently as he continued.

"I took you in because I saw the potential in you. The fierce need to survive. The untapped strength you held. I would rather you use that for the good of Gotham than for the bad." The younger blinked at him as he took in his words. "Yes others are going to compare you to Dick. Yes their words will sometimes cut deep… But just know that, whatever some people think, isn't what everyone thinks. To me you are more than the second Robin. You are my son."

At those words Jason's heart seized with so many emotions. Silence filled the air with both staring into each other's eyes. One searching while the other revealed all he thought about the younger. Finally Jason leaned forward and carefully hugged Bruce who instantly returned the hug.

"Thank you Bruce." He mumbled into his clothes with a small smile as he closed his eyes. Bruce closed his eyes and smiled as well.

"Of course Jason."

The memory had hit Jason like a freight train as he trudged his way through the snow closing in on the city. His fevered mind had been processing many thoughts and emotions during his struggled walk when the memory surfaced and played vividly in his mind. Pain struck his heart as he remembered every little detail of it.

It's been so many years since that night and he had pushed most of those memories towards the back of his mind. Yet in his declining state he struggled to keep back the memories that constantly wanted to flood his mind. Grunting softly he made his way to the closest building with a fire escape and began to clumsily clamber his way up. Once he got to the top he stood there for a few moments and let his labored breathing fill the air. The cold air did nothing to help relieve the ache in his chest as he closed his eyes.

"Damn it Jason! Just listen to me!" Dick said angrily as he grabbed his younger brother's arm but the younger just jerked in his grip and turned to glare at the masked man before him.

"I don't care what you have to say dickhead. It's the same broken record Bats keeps saying and I am sick of fucking hearing it." He snarled to his elder brother as he began to head for the edge of the building ready to take off. But his brother was always one to be persistent and gripped his arm tightly once again.

"Jay please…. Just… Just hear me out?" He could hear the emotions swelling in his brother's voice and stiffened slightly. Part of him said to just leave. Just get out of there before it got worse. Another part, the one that still clung to the hope that the others actually did care about him, reasoned that it would hurt to just listen to the poor bastard. Nothing he said could make up for any of what happened to him anyways. With a small roll of his eyes he turned to face his brother and pulled off his helmet in the process. He ignored the hopeful look on Dick's face that the younger hadn't just bailed.

An awkward silence stretched with both of them just staring at each other before the elder finally spoke.

"Look….. I know things have been a little… Tense… Between everyone." Jason snorted at that. Tense was the last word he would use to describe the situation between him and the Batfamily. "But you are still family Jason… We truly do care about you." He tried to reason with his adopted brother who just raised an eyebrow skeptically.

"I can really feel the care. Every time you guys track me down and try to beat the shit out of me." Jason's voice was cold and unforgiving causing Dick to wince a little.

"We are only trying to stop you from delving further into this self-destructive path you have set yourself on." The younger's jaw tightened at his words but he just continued. "We want to help you Jason…. Sure we aren't completely aware of what happened to you after you came back to life… But we want to understand. We are your family." His voice was full of sincerity as he tried to break through to the lighter side of Jason.

"I don't have a family." Dick's heart plummeted at how dark Jason's voice had gotten. "Bats proved that when he let the Joker live and me die." He sneered to his brother as he began to turn around and away. "You are wasting your breath every time you try to talk me back into the family Dick. I don't belong with any of you and never will."

"Jason-"

"Save it. I am done talking." The younger muttered as he pulled his helmet back on. Without another word he launched across to the neighboring building and took off into the night. Ignoring the heartbroken look Dick had as he got farther away.

They weren't his family. His family died long ago.

Then why do they keep trying time and time again?

Jason gasped and gripped his chest as he was pulled free from another memory. This one taking place a few months before actually. It was one of many attempts to bring him back to the family. He grimaced and closed his eyes tightly as he tried to even out his breathing. But the ache in his chest wasn't just from the cold. But from the emotions of each memory.

Carefully he settled himself down on the ground of the building as the snow cascaded around him. Teal eyes tilted up to the heavens and just watched the large fluffy flakes fall from the clouds above. His body trembled from his exertion of leaving the manor. Part of him realized just how fucking stupid he was to have left the manor. He was in no condition to go anywhere but he just had to leave.

They don't care about you! It's all a ruse! An attempt to reach the boy they once knew!

But they had seemed so true and sincere.. Maybe they really do care?

Haven't you learned your lesson? Trust no one. After all, your own fucking mother handed you over to the Joker. If the one who birthed you betrayed you so easily, the ones who took you in can do it just as well.

Maybe they won't… Maybe they-

Bruce let the Joker live. After your life was taken away. A child. Killed by a murderous maniac. He doesn't care about you.

Jason's eyes grew cold as he was reminded of this damn fact. He let the Joker walk away scot-free. Let him still breathe in precious air while he was buried six feet under.

No parent would let their child's murderer get away so easily.

You were never a son to him…

Anger built up in his heart as he glared up at the sky. The fact that he let himself delve into the foolish thought that the others cared about him made him feel completely fucking stupid. He was just desperate to be a part of something more that he let himself be blinded by the lies. I shouldn't have trusted any of them! They don't really fucking care!

"Jason."

Suddenly there was a prick in his neck and he hissed angrily as he reached a hand up. But there were black dots at the edge of his vision. The darkness was creeping upon him quickly as he lazily turned his head in the direction he had heard the voice. All he saw was a shadowed figure a few feet away before his eyes slipped close and he slumped forward in the snow.