Disclaimer in first chapter.

Chapter 8:

"I need some fresh air." Jason called out later that evening.

"We're out of bread, be sure to grab some on the way back." Dick requested. The teen hummed at that, going outside and calling a taxi to take him all the way to Wayne manor. Once he arrived Alfred opened the gates for him and greeted him inside. The teen automatically went down to the batcave, finding Bruce on his batchair.

Jason very stealthily sneaked up behind, jumping in the air and planning to land a kick on his face. However, to no surprise Bruce abruptly stood up, knocking the batchair away and grabbing Jason by the ankle, leaving him to limp on one leg. Except that was harder done and he was too high in the air to stabilize himself on the ground, so he felt it—felt his muscles and body descending backwards headfirst.

To his saving grace, Bruce knelt down enough yanking his ankle forward so he could reach out and place a hand behind his skull to cushion the blow. Jason breathed hard as he noticed their positions. Bruce's hand on his ankle had now moved to his waist while his other hand was on the back of his head against the cold ground. Meanwhile Jason was somewhat on the ground, one leg on the floor and the other straddling the other side of Bruce's hip.

"You! I can't believe you! You sly, stubborn—!" Jason could hardly form words as he resorted to punching Bruce's shoulder instead.

"Jaso—"

"You had some nerve! When I already told you—!" The teen was internally amazed Bruce was even letting him use him as a punching bag, but he didn't care at the moment. He was going to take advantage of the situation. All the while, Bruce's stern expression hadn't budged at all, but he oddly enough he found the teen endearing for acting like this. Eventually the elder let go of his waist and gripped his wrist, looking him in the eye.

"Jason, that's enough." He practically ordered in his 'Batman' voice. Returning his wrist, Jason sat up, sulking, holding on to the wrist.

"I'm still pissed. Don't think you can have whatever you want, rich boy—that just pisses me off even more." The teen murmured the last bit, and Bruce ignored him. Alfred walked in with some pastries but noticed the awfully cold hostile environment around them.

"Is… everything alright?" The old butler asked.

"Jason is sulking."

The teen twitched at that. "I'm. Not. Sulking! What am I, twelve?!"

"What seems to be the predicament?" Alfred then asked setting the tray down.

"Bruce actually showed up at my house offering to pay my tuition! Pretending I saved his life or something! When I especially said no and to stay out of my business. Oh, and what did you want me to do again, an internship, was it?" The teen ranted and mocked with venom in his tone. He was out for blood. "You've been insisting on a lot of things since day one and I've been giving in. It's almost like you need to have me wrapped around your little finger all the time—is that a rich boy thing?"

"Jason." Bruce growled, finally saying something after the whole cave was echoing with the teen's exclamations. And Jason could tell he was running the other's patience thin. The younger never spoke to him like that before.

"Master Jason, please know that Maser Bruce was only thinking in your best interest."

"Well I don't want him to." With that the teen harshly turned away.

"What did I say, sulking." Bruce calmly reiterated and earned a glare from the younger at that.

"I brought some pastries." Alfred tried to lighten the mood and change the topic.

"If I can't have your cooperation tonight, then you're welcome to take the night off." Bruce made it clear. Jason scowled in response.

'Of course Bruce wasn't going to bend over back to make it up to him. What was he expecting? He must've gotten carried away by the couple times Bruce was persistent with him, flattering himself in thinking Bruce would constantly try to win him even after his 'no's'. He didn't hate it when the elder kept giving him a reason and making him the center of attention even after he would refuse Bruce's services or gifts. In reality, he secretly may have enjoyed Bruce not taking his no for an answer and showering him with undivided unprecedented attention.

The teen stood up and trudged towards the bat computer. "Who is it this time?" The elder walked over to the computer as well, beginning to debrief him in their detective jargon, like they were never arguing in the first place. 'Well this was fine too.' He wasn't really pissed anymore, he just had to vent because of his damn pride that was as high as the sky. And the rest was to give Bruce a bit of a hard time. You know, bite back a bit even if he couldn't win.

Jason was at home eating and he could feel Dick staring at him. Not daggers or anything, just staring as if waiting for him to say something.

The teen was beginning to feel self-conscious. "Um… the stew is edible." He blurted for the sake of saying something.

"Oh thanks…wait, what's that supposed to mean?" Dick momentarily fretted but went back to staring at him when he received no explanation.

'Oh now I get it.' It clicked. "Yeah, okay," He shrugged. "I'll accept it. I'll let him know, geez, now stop staring at me or else I'm gonna lose my appetite."

"Oh my God Jay, yes! I'm so glad you gave in! I was worried your arrogance wouldn't and that I'd have to make the call for you—" His elder brother leaped over and hugged his head.

"Fxck off!"

"Language." Tim reminded somewhere in the background. After the brothers settled down, Jason picked up his phone and typed in a quick text.

I'll accept it but don't get too used to this.

…Thnx

He hardly put the phone down when it buzzed again right away. Bruce responded back.

Wise choice.

"Hmph." Jason pouted, looking away awkwardly. "Smug." Dammit. A part of him wished he said it in person to see Bruce's unfiltered reaction. He could just imagine his lips tugging upwards in triumph right about now. "How'd he even reply that fast?" Jason said out loud.

"Hn?" Dick glanced in his direction.

"Nothing," The teen reassured, taking another spoonful in his mouth, rolling the contents on his tongue, internally smiling as well.

The ravenette was walking outside when a smooth black limo pulled up beside him. He recognized the car instantaneously. "Posh." He said, never getting used to it, while he pulled open the passenger door and sat inside. Bruce's presence already gracing the interior. "I'm glad you accepted the offer."

"Oh, stop looking so smug already—it's annoying. Not like you were gonna get off my case anyway." Bruce smirked and Jason rolled his eyes. They drove back to the batcave to finish the rest of their mission.

The summer break went by fast for Jason between hanging out with Roy, bantering with his brothers and then spending the rest of the time with Batman as Robin. They had just stepped into August and his birthday was in two weeks. He would be turning eighteen and his college classes were scheduled to start the week after.

"A party?" Jason repeated while he was hanging out at the manor.

"It's a convention, similar to the one you attended a while back as a stock worker. It's a great opportunity to network and my presence is highly requested."

"And you want me to go along?" The teen's brain was still lagging in processing all this.

"The criteria of the party is to bring a plus one. I'm not quite in the mood to find a random beard or ex, and I think it'll be a great chance for you to socialize in a more business-casual setting."

"I really don't know about that…"

"It'll be fine. Do you have a suit?"

"But what makes you think…"

"Then, I'll have Alfred prepare one for you."

"Bruce, I don't want to…I'm already getting goosebumps just thinking about being in a room full of rich people, watching over my shoulder every minute and pretending not to fxck up. Its way too nerve-wrecking."

"That's all the more reason you should attend to overcome that anxiety. I want you to be more proficient with communicating with people as well and not as Robin." Jason still looked a little hesitant. "There will be heaps of exquisite food." The teen felt swayed now.

"You'll be there the entire time, right?" The younger asked.

"Yes. Right by your side."

"Okay…fine…I guess just once won't hurt and then I can tell for sure if I never wanna be a part of those again."

"That's right. So for now, just enjoy it." Bruce assured, internally smiling. He was aware Jason never attended events like that and he felt like spoiling the other. He knew for a fact the teen would enjoy the food. However, their relationship was vague, he wasn't sure how he would introduce the teen at the party.

"I can just wear the suit from graduation."

"No, we'll buy a new one. You can never have too many suits." The elder made it final.

Jason only gave him a flat look. "For you maybe…"

Both Jason and Bruce were fitted in a matching black three piece suit for the party. Alfred dropped them off at the hotel lounge and right off the bat Jason recognized so many rich people exiting cars, flexing their wealth with their accessories, clothing and large grins. It still made Jason sick but he had to blend in for tonight. He also recognized the men and women they hired on their arm to accompany them for this party. He knew because he'd seen those kinds of interactions on the streets. Normal lovers wouldn't hold their partners like property they owned—if Dick's romance dramas were any reference he could use.

They took the elevator to the top ball room floor and instantly the teen was amazed at the how elegant it looked. It was decently decorated, food and wine sparkled the tables and people mingled about. It didn't seem like a terrible atmosphere—a bit suffocating with all the fake smiles, but doable, he supposed.

'Maybe Bruce would have been better off bringing a woman after all.' He thought as he picked at the food on the table. But then again, Bruce didn't want someone fawning over him the entire time. That was probably tiring. 'Man this stuff is good. I wish Dick and Tim could taste this.' He was at the food booth, placing items on his plate for the second time. The teen stood to the side and enjoyed the desserts until he tossed his plate and decided to look for Bruce who was greeting some other officials the last time he checked. He didn't want to be on his own for too long either. It'd be troublesome if someone started asking him questions.

The teen found Bruce almost immediately, walking over to his side, who stood with a glass of wine in his hand. However, before he could exchange many words, a shorter chubbier man walked up to Bruce with a cane.

"Bruce Wayne, what a sight to see~"

"Mr. Cobblepot, you as well." Bruce expressionlessly retorted.

"And who is this fine young man?" He directed his gaze to Jason, extending a hand. Jason stared at the hand awkwardly at first before glancing at Bruce for an okay or something, ultimately shaking it back.

Cobblepot stared at him unnervingly, like he was scrutinizing him. Jason appeared very young compared to everyone else in the convention and at the same time rough around the edges with his own charms.

"Jason Todd… " The younger introduced without thinking. 'Shit, should he even give his real name?'

"You're a new face. Are you representing a company?"

"He's with me." Bruce interjected for Jason.

"How privileged, but wasn't the requirement to bring a partner? My, I didn't know Mr. Wayne swung both ways—"

Jason picked up on the ambience and frowned. 'Great now what? Were they going to turn this into a scandal? What was Bruce going to say?' Bruce was in a tight spot. The city already knew he could have any partner he wanted, so for him to bring a random guy with him—they would blow this up before the sun rose tomorrow. He had to do something. Looks like it was time to put some of his observations from the streets to use—no matter how much he would cringe afterwards.

The younger swallowed thickly and bucked himself mentally before throwing an arm over the elder's shoulder, leaning his head on it. "Looks like my secret is out daddy~ I'm sorry, it's my fault." Jason then smiled to the other gentleman. "Mister this has nothing to do with swinging the other way. I approached Bruce Wayne first and he was generous enough to help a struggling poor person~" It was also believable with how young and boyish Jason was.

Even Bruce stared at him stunned and speechless at his sudden smooth talk. The elder collected himself and placed a hand on the younger's waist possessively. "I just have an eye for certain things."

"Aw thanks~" The younger tipped him down a bit to smooch him on the cheek, grazing the tight skin and breathing in the fresh aftershave. Bruce practically froze at that, and Jason could feel the tension. The teen smiled at him. Yes, that was a bit unnecessary, but he didn't entirely regret it.

"Hey I don't discriminate. I personally have both as well." Cobblepot grinned, believing it. Jason wanted to leave this topic already.

"Daddy." The word was barely out of his mouth but Bruce had his full attention on him. The poor guy looked hypnotized almost and Jason found it secretly amusing. He could bet Bruce was fighting whatever moral inside himself right now. "Are we done here?"

"Mh." The elder nodded and turned to their guest.

"Please, don't stay on my account. Enjoy the night gentlemen."

With that Bruce led them away, and Jason was biting back an undying laughter. The elder stared at him when he choked on a chuckle. "Sorry, you look like you're about to run to the docks and elope from here." Jason finally let out with a cackle. "I just—I don't know, I thought it'd make the most sense since no one knows me. But hopefully tomorrow's newspapers don't have headlines like 'Bruce Wayne is bi.'"

The elder exhaled. "That hardly matters." He huffed under his breath. "I'm sorry that you were put in that position. This wasn't why I brought you here—I should have thought this through."

"It's fiiineee Bruce." Jason hadn't realized he was still holding on to Bruce's arm, whose hand also moved from his waist to the small of his back, guiding him.

"No you should never have to degrade yourself like."

'Jeez, this guy. Get over it. He hasn't seen some of the shit I've been through.' Jason thought. "I told you already, I'm fine, daddy~" Now Jason was trolling him, blatantly laughing, earning a glare from Bruce who didn't appreciate it. "Should I blow you another kiss to make you believe me?"

The elder removed his hand on Jason's back in seriousness and the teen did the same. "That's enough. Why don't you have some more desserts, then we'll call it an evening?"

The ravenette shrugged, acting normal again. "Sure. You want something?"

"I'll pass." He went back to his wine glass, chugging the small bit remaining in one go. The teen wordlessly walked away towards the food court. 'It was fun while it lasted but it seemed Bruce felt uncomfortable. I mean even though this was Bruce, who was a known player, he still wasn't into guys.' And even if he was, Jason was sure rough tempered street rats weren't his type.

"Hey B, mind if I run to the bathroom real quick first?" Jason asked before they left.

The elder nodded. "It's to the left after you turn this hall."

The younger followed the directions and did his business. 'Fancy bathroom.' He noted with no surprise. God, this place was blinding. The teen washed his hands, while another person walked in and used the urinals. The said person then walked over to the sink, while the ravenette pulled paper towels out to dry his hands.

He couldn't help but feel eyes on him even as he so desperately tried to ignore them. "I recognize you…" The man spoke. "You're that kid with Wayne."

"So?" Jason gave him an eye roll without turning his way.

"He probably pays you well, lemme guess, he probably dressed you from head to toe himself, accessories included—"

'Well he wasn't wrong,' Jay mused. 'But not with the intention the other was implying...'

"—Just to undress you himself later I bet." The taller man eyed Jason while licking his lips.

To Be Continued…

Yes, cliffy, forgive me haha. But dammnn Jason is so slick, i see u over there haha. I'm sorry i couldn't help myself, esp with their dynamic and the fact that Jason is always accused of having daddy issues. Hehe

Plz review~!