It was as if everything in the world had shuddered to a halt. Tim could be lying to him, his mood swings had been more erratic lately, but Jason had chalked it up to the holiday season and more family members being forced to interact when they usually wouldn't have to. His and Tim's relationship hadn't always been the best but Jason didn't think that this would be the thing that he would joke about.
"Wha-how?" Jason swallowed "It-it makes sense now that you're telling me but I still can't seem to wrap my head around it. Dickie is Bruce's favourite how could he just not be adopted, Dick is the one who showed Bruce how to be human."
"Like I just told you it always weighed heavily on Bruce that he never adopted Dick, he-Dick I mean confided in me pretty soon after my father was killed. He was convincing me that I should let Bruce adopt me, that I wasn't replacing my own father, and that Bruce cared about me. He told me that if I was uncomfortable that we could get adopted at the same time. I had no reason to doubt him so I let Bruce adopt me, I never thought to check the records before but when he died Bruce was in no condition to go through his records change everything, and file everything that needed to be changed and that's how I finally found out." Tim's voice was steady as he just shattered Jason's entire worldview.
Jason was unsteady on his feet shaking as he made his way to Tim's open office chair and sank down. Tim gave him a dirty look probably for taking his chair but relented when again caught the stunned look on his face. "Ya know." Jason started "This whole thing gave me a stupid idea, and I need your help. I finally know what the perfect gift for Bruce would be. I know that we haven't really ever gotten along but you need to help, if not for me then for Bruce and Dick."
Tim still standing in the open doorway gave Jason a dirty look, his stony expression not betraying what was going on in his head as he processed Jason's words. Finally after what felt like ages he spoke.
"What did you have in mind" Tim spoke slowly "It better not be something against Dick, I know that you hate him, but he loved you more than you could have ever known."
"It's not please trust me." Jason said looking up at Tim imploringly "I–I need you to hack into and change some records. You said that Bruce always regretted that he never adopted Dick right, so I just had this intrusive thought that maybe you could change Dick's records. And before you say anything against it hear me out. I want you to change his records to say that he was adopted by Bruce when he was like ten or something. I know that me and Dick never had a really close relationship and I now know that it stems from the fact that I was adopted by Bruce first, and also I know Bruce regrets that too. So if you hack Dick's records to say that he was adopted before I was even remotely in the picture I feel that that would have a bigger impact. It's the only thing that I can think of that would make Bruce stay and celebrate with us this year. So…. What do you think?"
Tim gave Jason an incredulous look "You want me to hack into a dead man's records and change them just to benefit Bruce? Do you have any idea how stupid and crazy that sounds?! Dick spent the majority of his life trying to separate himself from Bruce and Batman, trying his best not to become a Batman 2.0. When Bruce was lost in time and he pushed me away as well as taking Robin from me in favour of Damian he came so close to becoming just like Bruce and now you want me to change his records to say that he's Bruce's again?" Tim spat
"Hey I think it's a great idea, Dick always wanted to feel like he was truly Bruce's son, the papers mean something to him, right? You told me that Dick never really felt like he was a true part of the family because of the papers. So it's a great idea to hack Dick's records and change everything. If you don't think it's a good idea why don't we go and ask Alfred? He knows both Bruce and Dick really well so if anyone would know it would be him!" Jason growled
"I never said anything about adoption papers and Dick feeling like he wasn't a true part of the family, you're just projecting your own insecurities onto him, but fine let's go and ask Alfred. You can't seem to figure out what to do on your own, just another example of how you're never going to be Dick Grayson. Dick managed Bruce's moods just fine but you can't and now you want me to cause more turmoil by hacking into and changing government records in a pathetic attempt to make Bruce happy again." Tim yelled
Both Tim and Jason thundered down the stairs looking for Alfred. The racket they were making drew the rest of the family to them as Tim and Jason tore apart the Manor. So engrossed in their search they didn't hear the telltale sound of the clock opening and closing until Alfred's voice rang out.
"What is going on here? Who is making all that racket and tearing apart the house?"
Alfred walked into the hallway and noticed Jason and Tim fighting. "Why are you fighting, yelling, and running about tearing apart the house?"
Tim interjected before Jason could get a word in "Jason has this stupid hair-brained idea about what to get Bruce for Hanukkah. It's even worse than his usual ideas."
Jason cut in pushing in front of Tim "Alfred we were looking for you. We-I need to ask you a question."
"That's all well and good Master Jason but that doesn't answer why you and Master Tim thought it was a good idea to ransack the Mannor looking for me," Alfred said tersely. "You both have a question you need to ask fine, but you will both clean up beforehand, then you may ask me what you need to understand?"
Both Jason and Tim nodded in affirmation and walked off to clean up the disaster they had created while looking for Alfred.
"This is all your fault!" Tim spat at Jason "Everything would have been fine if you didn't spout off your crazy ideas, you made me react that way."
"It's not my fault that you can't regulate and manage your own emotions! I'm trying to do something nice for once and you're just ruining it." Jason yelled back with vengeance. "You act as if Dick was the perfect kind and caring big brother, well he wasn't. That isn't him, he has deep-seated anger issues that manifest in outbursts of violence. I just thought that since Bruce was so messed up about it and not adopting him when he definitely should have that we could do this for him. This isn't about Dick believe it or not but about getting closure."
After Jason's outburst, Tim and Jason finished their cleaning in silence and made their way to the front hall where Alfred seemed to be waiting for them. "Now that you've both calmed down, what was it that you needed to discuss?"
"I have an idea what to get Bruce for Hanukkah." Jason said hurriedly "I just found out that Dick was never adopted by Bruce so I thought that we could change Dick's records to say that he was adopted by Bruce when he was like ten or something. I know that Bruce has so many regrets regarding Dick so I wanted Tim or someone else to hack Dick's records to say that he was adopted before I was even remotely in the picture I feel that that would have a bigger impact its the only thing that I can think of that would make Bruce stay and celebrate with us this year. So…. What do you think?"
The silence that stretched between them was palpable. Alfred's stoic expression didn't betray what Alfred was thinking. Finally, after a while, Alfred spoke "I know that you mean well Master Jason, but do you really think that is the best idea? It's not wise to rock the boat now, especially in this tumultuous setting."
"That's exactly what I was thinking! It's a stupid idea that won't solve anything except rocking the boat." Tim cut in
"I really do think that this is the best course of action. It would solve a problem that Bruce has. I know that Dick's dead, but could it be possible that he may come back to life one day, just like I did." Jason said
Taking a deep breath Alfred said "If you really think that's the best course of action, I have also noticed that Master Bruce has been more depressed lately, spending more time in the cave than usual. I know that he had many regrets regarding Master Dick, I myself have enabled bad habits on both sides for a long time this is a step in the right direction."
"Are you fucking kidding me!" Tim cut in "I still think that this is a stupid idea and I won't be a part of it! How are you going to change the record without me huh Jason? Bet you didn't think about me not helping, did you? What are you going to do." He said with feigned sympathy.
"I can help with that little issue." Alfred said with a small smile "Who do you think helped to run everything before you and Mistress Barbra came along?" No, I think our biggest problem will be to get Master Bruce to comply with our request of joining us for the eight days of celebration or at least make him attend the last day."
"Don't worry Alfred I got that covered," Jason said with a smile finally happy to have someone on his side. Tim stalked off angered and muttering darkly under his breath.
Jason followed Alfred into the family dining room, where he bend down to open a locked cabinet where he retrieved an old golden Menorah. "I know that it's a bit late to be starting celebrations but, we've only missed the first four days. We can celebrate the rest together as well as prepare our special gift for Master Bruce."
"I knew that you'd be on board with my idea!" Jason exclaimed. "Wow, I haven't seen you pull that old thing out for years."
"Yes, well it is a rather special occasion is it not? I think that it would be fitting to use the Wayne family or rather the Kane family Menorah for this celebration." As if sensing what Jason's next question would be Alfred answered "As the oldest in the family Mistress Martha was passed down the family Menorah, which fell to Bruce when they passed. I thought it fitting to pull it out again."
"I'm just glad that we can do something for Bruce, I don't have the best relationship with him and I'm not exactly looking to improve it now, but-"
"I understand how you feel Master Jason, the relationship between you and Master Bruce as well as Master Dick was not the easiest thing to maneuver. I just hope that I can change the documents in time.
Walking down to the cave was a more daunting task than thought it should be. Facing a grieving Batman and trying to get him to spend time with the rest of the family for the last day of Hanukkah would be monumentous. Not wanting to 'sneak up' on Bruce Jason called out "Hey Bruce! We're going to be celebrating the holidays this year and you're going to join us." Not hearing a reply Jason continued on until he was in the Batcave facing Bruce. Turning around to acknowledge him Bruce just grunted in response. "Come on Bruce you've been holed up in the cave for a long time. You are going to spend at least the last day of Hanukkah together with the rest of the family, we've got a surprise for you."
Bruce just turned away and resumed typing away at something on the computer. "What could be so important that you're ignoring me for, what could be so important that you refused to come out of the cave for days! I know that Dick's death hit you hard but it's hit all of us hard too. You stay down here with your memorials mourning 'what could have been'. Alfred sent me down here to get to join us, everyone is here; Tim, Barbra, Damian, Stephanie even Cass came back to celebrate but instead of spending time with your remaining family you'd rather spend the rest of your days wallowing in guilt and plotting vengeance." Jason yelled
Finally speaking Bruce said "I know that I haven't been the most receptive lately but that is no excuse to come and yell at me for no good reason. I'm busy I have work to do and celebrating frivolous holidays means nothing."
Alfred's voice cut in "If you two are quite done, I believe Master Bruce that we have a celebration to attend upstairs. You will be coming up immediately after changing out of that suit. Master Jason if you will come up with me now." His voice left no room to argue as he turned around and proceed up the stairs again leaving Jason and Bruce and silence. Turning to follow Alfred up the stairs Jason turned and said "We'll be waiting for you when you finally decide to pull your head out of your ass and decide to be a real father."
Gathered around the dining table was a golden Menorah with eight unlit candles in the holders. Small piles of gifts were in front of each batfamily member waiting to be distributed. Tim was still glaring at Jason, he seemingly hadn't forgiven him yet. They waited in silence for a few minutes no one was talking to each other when they heard the telltale click of the wall clock opening and Bruce emerged sans Batsuit. Still looking as if he would be anywhere else he sat down at the head of the table, which had been laden with a few platters of potato latkes with sides of applesauce and sour cream. Small bags of gelt were placed around each tray, more for decoration than anything else, it wasn't as if everyone didn't know the meaning of charity, they were vigilantes.
Deciding to try and take the lead Jason spoke up "So, now that we're all here it's time to light the candles it's well after sundown so who would like the honor of lighting them and leading the prayer? How about you Bruce, we haven't had anything to celebrate in a long while so I think it's fitting that you bring us back together like you did when you brought us all together."
Still looking like a surly teenager forced to interact with their family, Bruce complied with the request. Taking the matches he lit the center candle and then proceed to light each of the eight candles from left to right and lead the prayer.
"Now," Jason said continuing "I guess we give each other gifts now?" Everyone could see how uncomfortable Jason was but no one wanted to shift the spotlight to themselves so they just sat in uncomfortable silence, until Stephanie spoke excitedly "Hey, Tim since we're giving presents I want you to give me mine first. So, what is it what did you get me?" Caught off guard Tim started but handed over a rectangular package and then distributed the rest of the gifts.
Following his example, the rest of the family followed suit leaving just a large yellow mailing clasp envelope in front of Jason that had yet to be distributed. Standing up Jason took the envelope and placed it in front of Bruce. "This is a special gift that Alfred and I cooked up for you, it's special."
Curious Bruce opened the envelope and slid out adoption papers. "Jason, do you have a new identity and you want me to legally adopt you?" Bruce said gruffly a hint of annoyance in his voice.
"NO!" Jason interjected, "Look at the name on the top, this isn't about me it's….. it's about Dick." It was as if all the air had been sucked out of the room everyone turned to look at Jason a look of incredulity present on their faces. Bruce looked back at the adoption papers and they indeed said that Richard John Grayson had been adopted by Bruce Thomas Wayne at the age of ten years old.
"It's the only thing I thought would genuinely make you happy again. I know that not adopting Dick had put a strain on your relationship with each other so Alfred helped me change the records. Look we even changed his name see." Jason pointed to the line that said Richard John Grayson-Wayne as his new name after adoption. "Well, do you like it?" Jason said sheepishly.
Bruce looked at the papers for a long time, then finally looking up there were tears in his eyes. "I love it, I-I did always regret the deterioration of my and Dicks relationship, this is perfect. Thank you, Jason, and Thank you, Alfred this-this is—"
"You don't have to answer Master Bruce, it was nothing, quite easy with our combined skills. Now, why don't we eat this is supposed to be a happy holiday a celebration." Alfred said walking into the dining room again this time holding a plate of brisket.
Jason looked at Tim across the table who was still in shock. "I told you that it was a good idea, Timmy, maybe next time don't doubt my ideas it's not like I'm gonna beat you up again." Jason then tossed a packet of Gelt towards Tim "Go buy yourself something pretty. Next year will be different." Next year would be different but for a drastically different reason neither of them knew that thought, but for the moment they could pretend it was