We're Back. Happy 2022~
Replies to Reviews:
TheBlueMoonRose: Thanks!
Bloodyloveless: Yeah lol, I don't think Jason connected the dots yet, but he probably could—not that he'll need to (you'll know what I'm talking about soon). No lol you're fine! It's just that I think I remember you from my inucest fics so I was just taken aback to see you here as well. Coz you know different fandom and stuff—but glad you are~ Thanks for reviewing!
Disclaimer in first chapter.
Chapter 3:
Jason turned around to pull on a clean shirt and zip up his hoodie. While he was turned, he heard Batman shuffling and also changing out of his clothes. 'He's Bruce Wayne, I'm sure he made it out fine—Imagine if something happened to Gotham's biggest heart throb.'
'Wait.' Jason paused. 'Batman was changing?' He was dying to take a peek.
"Is that so?" He then heard Batman's voice but much more smoother and less threatening then usual. The teen swung himself to find Batman standing still in his bat suit but no cowl, exposing his face and neck. "I heard you were concerned?" There was a mild sense of amusement in his tone now as met eyes with the younger.
Jason stood staring at the man speechlessly, pointing up at him but words unable to form. 'Bruce Wayne was Batman?! No, Batman was Bruce Wayne?' "What the—?! Since when—Ugh! You just made me look like an idiot—why didn't you just fess up?!" the teen said begrudgingly, completely humiliated and trying to mask the faint blush on his cheeks with agitation.
"I was waiting for the right time."
"Hmph right time my ass. You're more slick than I thought." The younger never would've imagined that.
"Now that that's out of the way, you're more than welcome to come upstairs, and meet Alfred." Bruce took off the upper part of his costume, divulging his shredded muscular body to the world.
"Who?" Jason looked past the envious body and asked instead.
"The person who takes care of your diet." The elder said with a smirk, pulling on a black T-shirt and turning to the elevator, insinuating him to follow. They made it past the secret passage way and took the elevator to Wayne Manor. As soon as Jason stepped outside into the light, he instantly recognized it as everything he would have imagined the Wayne Manor to be. Colossal. With nothing but rooms and more rooms, paintings on walls and ceilings as high as the sky.
They came across an old man in a butler uniform who automatically greeted them.
"Jason, this is Alfred, a very old and dear friend of mine and the person in charge of virtually everything you see here." Bruce introduced.
"Hey," The teen flatly said.
"Alfred, this is Jason."
"Ah yes sir, the ward you've been talking about. It's a pleasure to finally meet you Master Jason."
The teen momentarily twitched at the honorific. He certainly wasn't used to that kind of treatment. It was a tad unnerving. "Just Jason is fine." The younger told and the butler nodded.
"Would you be joining us for dinner?"
"What? No. I couldn't." Jason was appalled by the question. 'Plus, that'd be kinda awkward. He wasn't a socialite like Dick, or tactful like Tim. He wasn't a fan of these kinds of get-togethers at all. Furthermore, he had no intention of getting all familiar and touchy-feely with Batman anyway. He was here to learn and grow. That's it.'
"Alfred has a habit of overdoing it and most of the time cooks too much food for two people. So, you're welcome to stay."
Jason stared at him. Albeit, a part of him was curious to see what a billionaire ate on a day to day basis. Despite his previous convictions, his stomach was about to start rumbling any moment.
'Would it hurt to stay just once…?'
And…he ended up staying. And man, his stomach didn't regret it. The food was genuine. It was great and so professionally done. Plus, there was no holding back. Jason ate like he would at a buffet. He also texted Dick, telling him he'd be later than usual and to not make him dinner.
"Wow, this is so good." Jason casually blurted in between bites, until he slowed down, straightened his back and pretended to act graceful. This is why he hated this kinda stuff. It wasn't his personality.
"I appreciate the compliment Master Jason." The teen was quick to realize that neither Bruce or Alfred cared about his table manners. Nonetheless he still attempted to 'slowly' chug down his food.
"No need to hold back Jason." Bruce calmly stated from his side of the table.
"I'm not…" Jason averted his eyes.
"Okay."
'Damn Bruce for always being so sharp. But this was definitely a once in a lifetime privilege.' Jason couldn't wrap his mind over the fact that he was nonchalantly dining with Bruce Wayne, who also happened to be the Batman. Speaking of which, that would now be a huge secret for him to carry on his shoulders. He had to be extra careful not to let it slip out of his big mouth.
"Thanks a lot for the meal. I should be heading back now." Before Bruce could ask him to stay, Jason spoke up first and turned to Alfred.
"We have plenty of leftovers Master Jason, allow me to package those for you."
"Huh? Uh, okay, if you want?" He hesitantly agreed and waited in the room with Bruce while Alfred returned to the kitchen.
"I'll see you tomorrow for training then." Bruce spoke.
"Actually…I might not be able to do tomorrow…I have this lame project. If I finish early, I'll let you know, but no promises…"
"I see." Was all Bruce said. It was impossible for the teen to decipher if he was disappointed, annoyed or unbothered by it.
"I have the food Master Jason and I'll go start the car."
"Okay, be right there." Jason nodded in appreciation before glancing at Bruce again. 'Ah, almost forgot.' "Hey." He caught the other's attention. "Since you're … Bruce Wayne now, I might as well just say it." Bruce raised an inquisitive brow, not following. "Thanks. For you know, all those times. I shoulda said it a long time ago but, meh." He shrugged, fidgeting back and forth on his feet a bit. "Anyways later." He quickly added and dashed out. God, he hated these cringey moments.
The elder sat by himself in the silence, reflecting on what just happened. As far as he could remember, he'd been living alone with Alfred for what seemed like forever in this dead mansion. So, all of a sudden, Jason's reactions were refreshing to see and interact with. He acknowledged the feeling this time.
Something told him, the batcave would feel empty and quiet during training tomorrow…
Two Months Later
"Master Jason, I've brought tea." Alfred walked over with a small tray and teacup.
"Ugh not that aga—I mean, thanks a lot Alfred, you're the best." Jason corrected himself when he looked up at the butler's stoic expression. The teen was in the batcave by himself, sitting at the desk, going over files and highlighting common denominators. He was still new to this whole detective stuff but he had an adept teacher, so he was picking up cues real fast.
"It's a great anti-oxidant, ideal for healing and reducing inflammation." The man said.
"Also, I said you can just call me Jason."
"Right."
'He always says that but never ends up listening, oh well.' Jason internally thought.
"How is the costume coming along?"
"The what?" Jason took a double take.
"Well surely you don't intend to roam around the streets, fighting crime in jeans and a T-shirt?"
"…No?" the younger feigned innocence. Alfred sighed.
"You need the proper equipment and fabric to assist in agility and durability. Not to mention, appropriate protection."
"Ah yeah…that makes sense…"
"I can help you pick out the right material."
"That sounds epic." Jason was slowly getting excited at the idea now. After that Alfred stuck around and aided the younger in designing a costume, something that could be affiliated with batman at the same time.
"What's going on here?" Bruce walked into the batcave after work, and spotted Afred and Jason busy in their own world.
"I was simply assisting Master Jason in his costume."
"Costume, huh." Bruce repeated.
"Yeah, something like that." The teen told. "We got the design down, I'm thinking black for the color? Or maybe a little red here and there—I don't care too much."
"Hm. Not black." The elder declared.
"Huh?" Bruce was the last person he thought would say that, since his entire persona was dark and black. "Why not?"
"You can't use your costume to hide."
"Who's hiding? I don't want something colorful." The teen spat.
"Not yet."
The younger gave him a sour look. "…You know I really hate following every whim of yours sometimes. Is that an order too?" He rebelled, earning a frown from Bruce. Or possibly a glare. "Okay, fine. I'll add red." 'Maybe he could add a black cape? That'd match batman—wouldn't look too bad…' he hated how much he was enjoying this, like a little kid. All that was left now was a name…
"If that's taken care of then, lets spar. Afterwards, I want you to show me what you figured out about the current criminal case we were previously discussing." The elder told.
"Looks like that's my cue." Alfred hoisted the tray and went back upstairs. The teen nodded and lifted himself off the chair, walking over to the sparring arena.
"…What's with that face? You look constipated." Dick gave him a stare and asked while he walked out of the kitchen and sat in the small living room.
"Oh shut up, I'm thinking." Jason retorted, watching him grab one of his daily digests and flip through the pages.
"What about?"
The younger hesitates but then asks. "If you had to pick a name, what would it be?"
Dick looked away from the magazine and back the at teen in confusion. "Well, what exactly are we trying to name here…?"
"It doesn't matter—just like a nickname or something."
"… Jason, just to be clear, we're not keeping any pets."
"Duh! I know that."
"Okay, okay… just making sure..." Then at last, Dick glanced up to the ceiling and thought hard about it. He opened his mouth but closed it and Jason thought he saw sorrow transiently dance in his eyes. "Wow this is random, but you just kinda reminded me…I don't think I ever mentioned this but when I was younger, my parents used to call me Robin."
"Robin? Like the bird? What the? Thats lame."
"That's what I thought too initially but then my mom explained it. When she sees me up there, it makes her think of a little robin. So free, so graceful, flying through the sky. Plus, I was quite small too—." The elder was cut off by his phone ringing. He ditched Jason in the living room while he went to answer it.
"Robin? Nah…"
Jason was zoning out in class, ultimately looking out the window. School was his least favorite part of the day. Not to be confused, he enjoyed learning, but school was just…school.
While he was gazing outside he spotted a bunch of sparrows flying past the window, small brown birds frolicking away. 'Robin huh…' It was certainly unique…for a superhero name. No one would really name themselves that. His thoughts were distracted by the small communicator device from batman buzzing in his pocket. Instantly taking it out, he read the message.
'We're training outside, in a different location today.' It read.
'Interesting. He probably wants to incorporate environmental factors and real life scenarios into the training. I like that.' Jason was always up for a challenge.
Soon the bell rang and he began shoving his books into his bag, ready to dip any moment. However, a dead weight dropped on his shoulders before he could escape anywhere. "Yo! Jason! My man! You, me, tonight? Whaddaya say?" An all too familiar voice rang in his ears, literally three inches away from him. Roy Harper.
"You're too loud, I swear," Jason shrugged him off.
"So? Whatchu say?"
"Uh…" The teen glanced down at his buzzer once. "I can't today."
"Whaaaat?" the redhead whined. "What is been up with you these days—you got a job? Or wait—no way, a girlfriend?"
"Hell nah." The ravenette cringed at him.
"You're always running away!"
"This weekend." Jason quickly said as he gathered his bag and threw it over his shoulder. "Let's hang out this weekend—I'll make it up you!" He was already at the foot of the classroom door as he called out.
"Hah. Better!" Roy exclaimed back, watching him run out of the door in high spirits.
"Did you decide on a name Master Jason?" Alfred asked as they were back in the batcave, mending the injuries and cuts they've gotten from the combat.
The teen hummed. "…Robin?" Both Alfred and Bruce stared at him inquisitively.
"Like the bird?" Bruce reiterated.
"Don't ask." Jason deadpanned, not willing to get into it. He was already unsure of himself after saying the name out loud. Though thinking about it, based on his suit colors, Red Jay or Cardinal would probably suit him more…nah. Robin it was.
Maybe a part of him wanted to continue Dick's legacy or carry something from the elder with him, especially after everything Dick had done for them.
"Well, I also have some good news. Your suit was finished this afternoon. Would you like to give it a try?" Alfred brought over the uniform and held it out. Jason blinked, and he could feel subtle annoying butterflies in his stomach. Shit, he did want to try it out but at the same time didn't want to appear too excited.
The teen ended up trying it on and stepped out into the cave again. It was still super odd to dress in a skin tight costume but he felt less self-conscious about it since Bruce also wore one. "What do you think…?"
"Not bad."
Jason stared at the mirror. Wow it really outlined his figure all the way. It also made Bruce realize that the teen was much slimmer than he thought, since normally he always dressed in loose hoodies and sweats.
"Yeah, it still feels weird but it turned out pretty okay. The cape doesn't look half bad either." The younger opinionated.
"Mn." Bruce agreed.
"Man I wanna put this to the test!"
"Later. We have to collect files for this criminal."
"Che~" Jason unwillingly obliged.
To Be Continued…
Aw Jason is cute. The robin outfit I'm referring to is the one he wears in "Under the Redhood" Movie.