Whoa, whoa, sorry guys, how on earth has so much time gone by? A whole month? I guess when you start working and start counting the weeks, it doesn't seem too long until you look back. But I'm here, and glad to be, so lets get to it.
Replies to Reviews:
Bloodyloveless: Aw thank you thank you ~! Yeah well said. I can also imagine subtle lightning striking between Dick and Bruce haha. I hear you, the tension/chemistry is building, and this is the part where we all get restless and want them to kiss badly already. But unfortunately cant just force it and they still have a long way to go *sweats* I have a picture that I drew of them kissing tho—as some fanservice ;p, which I will upload with the next chapter (can be viewed on AO3 since FF doesn't have that feature). Bruce is just trying to bring Jason into the family and with the age gap, plus the adoption/family registry process, that's the only logical way he can see it—adopting Jason as somewhat of a son. I mean Jay may have discovered his feelings but Bruce isn't there yet. Thanks for the review!
Disclaimer in first chapter
Chapter 13:
Batman swerved into the batcave, shifting it into park mode, before hopping out. He took a few steps before instantly registering another presence in the cave.
"Yo~ Welcome back." Jason was chilling on the bat-chair facing him, his crutches leaning somewhere against the main table shelf of the computer. The elder trudged towards him with no change in expression.
"Jason." Bats acknowledged in his gruff deep batman voice. "What are you doing here?"
"Nothing," The teen shrugged a shoulder with boredom. "Just missed being here that's all." It had been a couple months since the whole incident, and he hadn't come down to the cave since then. Mainly because it took him a while to get use to walking with crutches, and all the uneven ground of the batcave was dangerous for him. Furthermore, since he was granted a break from his vigilante activities, he had no purpose of being there.
"I see."
"So how was patrol?" The younger asked watching Batman approach the bat-computer. "How's patrol on your own—you miss me yet? It's gotta be harder without someone watching your back constantly, no?" Jason joked. He swore he heard Batman let out a minor mocking scoff at his naivety.
"I've been on roaming these streets on my own way before you arrived, Jason."
Jason rolled his eyes, realizing the truth of that statement and it stung superficially. "Yeah okay, whatever." 'Great, now he felt like an invalid.' It looks like Bruce really would be okay without him. It was a tad annoying. "You wanna go over cases? I'm bored anyways."
"You already performed your therapy?"
"All of it."
"There isn't too much to go over." Bruce leaned over the keyboard beginning to type away and unlock the files. The teen rotated his chair so he was now facing the monitor as well. "There appears to be a copy-cat of one of the criminals from Arkham."
"Copy-cat?"
"Yes, the villain has already been apprehended in Arkham Asylum." Bruce began debriefing him on the powers and the younger was listening avidly until the elder's lips were moving but nothing was reaching his ears. The teen scowled when he noticed this. It was soon accompanied by ringing in his ears and a sharp headache creeping on to his side. It was distracting and debilitating at the same time.
Jason averted his face, pressing a hand to his right temple. "Jason?" He heard Bruce call out to him.
"My bad, I just got a headache outta nowhere…"
"Head back upstairs. I'll call Alfred to make you a tonic." Batman immediately declared.
Jason sighed. 'Now he really did feel useless.' "This is irritating. When is this shit gonna be over?"
"Patience Jay."
"At this point I'm gonna need tolerance." The teen huffed, reaching for the crutches, but accidentally overshooting and hitting it with his finger, knocking one of them to the floor. He groaned in exasperation. "Just fxcking great."
However, the elder walked around him and fetched the crutch for him from the ground. Jason bitterly took it, standing up and sauntering to the elevator. Batman had a hand on his lower back for support but the younger swatted him away with an ungrateful attitude. Bruce didn't pay it any mind, he understood where Jason's frustration was coming from after all.
"You finally made it, God you're not punctual at all." Dick scolded as soon as he saw Wally enter the manor.
"Sorry sorry—I can never seem to get out of bed on my day off—then I realized I couldn't come empty handed." The redhead chuckled, showing the huge fruits basket and flowers in his hand. "Where's the legend?"
"In his room. Follow me." Dick gestured. He led him to the teen's room who was on the bed, with Tim lounging on his laptop next to him on the sofa.
"Jason! My man! I heard what happened! Sorry it took me so long to visit!" Wally cried out dumping the basket next to him before giving him a friendly handshake.
"You're good." Jason nonchalantly retorted.
But then, Wally pulled him in closer, hand still in hand, whispering into his ear. "So you're the one and only robin, huh?"
The redhead was close, but Jason still attempted to turn his gaze towards him. The way the other said it, held more familiarity than what Dick could have possibly informed him about.
"Why do you…"
"It's me. Kid flash."
"What—wait you're—" Jason didn't dare repeat it since Dick and Tim were still in the room and it didn't seem like Wally's hero identity was out yet. He may have run across Kid Flash once or twice during League meetings but never would have imagined it to be his elder brother's best friend, so close to home. Wally only nodded and backed away, acting like his usual self again.
"So are you feeling now?" The redhead smiled.
"Way better than before."
"That's great news! You can power through it—you are the hard-headed one after all."
"What the hell does that mean…?" Jason deadpanned.
"Dick was worried sick about you—you should really stop making him stress like that, he's gonna get grays real soon."
"Hey." Dick reminded them of his presence.
Yeah I know." The younger answered.
"Anyways do you want something to drink? I'll bring you." Dick offered.
"I'll come with you." Wally volunteered, willing to follow him like a puppy. "Nice seeing you again Jay, take better care of yourself. Be sure to eat a lot."
"I'm not you haha." Jason shooed him away.
Wally followed the other to the dining room table, puling out a seat. "You want coffee or some fancy soda?" Dick asked.
"Oh~ I'll take the soda." Wally took a seat while Dick brought him a tall glass, placing it in front of him. "Thanks~" The redhead grinned while Dick settled in right next to him on the edge seat.
"No problem."
"So how are you putting up?"
"Much better. How is your work?"
"Same old." Wally sipped. "Wow this is good. Man I'm envious, living in such luxury."
Dick only shook his head, ready to make a remark but noticed the other's wrist wrapped in bandages peeking through his sleeves. "What happened to your wrist?"
"Huh? Oh! This? Ahaha nothing, just a small accident." The redhead dismissed with a sheepish wave.
The raven haired eyed him suspiciously. "Really, you're such a clutz." He sighed, buying his lies.
"Yeah, you know me~" Wally covered it up. 'That was close.' "So what are your plans for the rest of the day?"
"Well…I do have to head back to the apartment to grab a few necessities and work-related documents…I wasn't planning on our stay to become so long."
"Okay cool, when are you going?"
"Why? Wait, you want to come with?"
"Sure!" Wally grinned. "I don't have anything better to do anyways."
"Okay, if you say so..."
The pair made it to the apartment, entering after Dick unlocked the door for them. After fetching the documents and stuffing some of their clothing in a duffel bag, Dick turned to the kitchen. He ran through the cabinets once to make sure he didn't leave anything rotting and lo and behold he found a cake mix sitting in the back of the cabinet.
"Oh great. This is almost expired…what a waste." Dick held it up, turning to the expiration date.
"What is it?" The redhead soon joined him in the kitchen.
"Cake mix…should I just take it to the manor? But then Alfred will insist on making it and I don't want to create more work for him…"
"Then you wanna make it right now?"
"What?"
"Does it take long?" Wally asked, not following the other's surprised tone.
"I mean…no, it doesn't but I just wasn't expecting that…"
"Hey, I haven't cooked or baked anything in a long time, I think it'll be fun." The redhead grinned nonchalantly, like a child trying out something new.
"What is wrong with you?" Dick chuckled at him. "Fine, grab me that bowl, I'll get the mixer." He should dismiss the carefree other, but a part of him didn't mind playing along, especially when Wally looked so excited. Meanwhile, Wally was simply eager to spend more time with his old friend. With work and his hero activities, plus Dick being busy with Jason, they hardly spent too much time together. Nothing like the old days.
Speaking of the old days, this reminded him of when he would stay over at their apartment now and then.
Wally entered the new apartment that Dick just managed to lease. They recently graduated high school, and the redhead had already been accepted to a college. Dick had saved up enough money from his part time gigs to afford the place and to keep them there until he found a proper job which he was actively scouting. The redhead stopped by the apartment with some snacks and a bag of his sleepover necessities.
"Hey! Who's up for a game night tonight?!" Wally announced the moment he walked into the apartment. Both Jason and Tim cheered in approval, high fiving the redhead after he set his bag down. "I brought snacks too~."
"Wow, you're really all prepared. Don't you have any sense of worry?" A voice chimed in.
"Worry about what? Not here—I left that at the door." The taller teen grinned at Dick, who came out from the bedroom joining them in the main living space. He turned his gaze to the raven haired, who wore a simple half-sleeved T-shirt with plaid knee length shorts. He was as slim as ever, slightly taller but still a few inches shorter than him, and his hair was still short. He hadn't started growing them out yet.
Wally's warm smiles were a breath of fresh air. Even when times were tough or when Dick was stressed internally, Wally's grins always eased his worries, made him believe everything would be okay. It was a great feeling. "I made dinner, you want to eat first?"
"I wanna play first!" Young Jason called out first, already situating himself in front of the TV.
"You'll have plenty of time to play all night. At least eat first." Dick nagged.
"Dick's right, let's eat first guys." Wally reinforced, eventually winning the other two over. Dick appreciated. It was nice having a friend who was so supportive and had his back. He couldn't have imagined his life without the redhead now. It would be a white and black montage.
"Okay, Jay, Tim, help carry the dishes." Dick instructed. "Wally."
The redhead turned to Dick. "Hn?"
"Wally." Present day Dick called out once more.
"Er, yeah?" The redhead snapped out of his flashback.
"Why are you spacing out? You're supposed to be helping here." Dick criticized with a frown.
"Oops, my bad. I was just…reminiscing. Reminds me of when I used to stay over and we would be so loud that the neighbors had to bang our door hahaha."
The raven haired paused and stared at him, before averting his eyes, also missing those times. "You were always so carefree, well you still are." He scoffed. "Anyways, here, mix this for a bit while I get the pan ready."
"Uh huh." Wally absent-mindedly nodded, taking and turning the mixer unintentionally all the way to the last speed. "Oh crap!" He shrieked when the batter began spraying outside the bowl and all over the place.
"What are you doing?! Turn it off!" Dick instantly leaped over to him, swiping a hand over the other's and forcing the machine off. The batter stopped spiraling around and the men looked up at each other, faces merely inches apart, noses almost bumping.
"Ah…haha… that was close?" Wally chuckled, wiping off a spot of batter from the ravenette's cheek and licking it off his finger.
Dick found himself blushing at that—he had no idea why and he involuntarily backed away. "Can you at least take something seriously?"
"Sorry, sorry, I will."
"Now clean up this mess." Dick ordered.
"Yes boss…"
"Is it almost done yet?" Wally whined.
"How old are you?" Dick looked up from his magazine as the two waited in the living room. "I think any minute now."
The redhead sighed until his phone began ringing obnoxiously. It was from the Justice League. "Hello?" He answered and listened for a long minute to the person on the other end. "Huh? No way! Right now?! But I'm off today~!" He wailed, to which he received a 'Justice never takes days off.' "Hagghhh, okay, it can't be helped…what timing …ughh… I'll be there."
"What happened?" Dick automatically asked.
"Sigh. Work. They need me. it's urgent." Wally pouted. "I'm so annoyed…"
"I think the cake should be ready, have some before you go at least. Or else all that effort would just go to waste."
"Oh yeah for sure! I'm not leaving without eating that!" The redhead's spirits were uplifted again. Dick went back to the kitchen and took it out, letting it cool for a moment before he poured some chocolate syrup on top. Bringing it back to the living room, they enjoyed the sweet dessert before Wally had to rush off.
Jason was staggering through the manor with his crutches and noticed Bruce and Tim in the living room, sitting across from one another. The teen paused, observing them. Tim had his laptop on his lap and they were having an insightful conversation about stocks and the market. 'They're getting along…' He noted, not that he was complaining. It was nice to see his brothers getting along with Bruce. Well Dick was holding a momentary grudge against him, but…he was hoping the other would get over it soon.
Jason's gaze returned to the two, particularly Bruce. He was wearing a button up dress shirt, hugging his broad muscular body, with the first two buttons undone and his sleeves rolled up to his elbows. 'He looked so good…'
His stare was eventually caught as Bruce's bright eyes flickered up to his, shifting away from the papers he was holding. Jason's heart abruptly skipped a beat at that, throwing him off guard for a second and almost tipping him over. Stupid crutches.
"Jason?" Tim questioned when he just stood there.
"Yo." The ravenette waved once. "Don't mind me." He just walked off, reprimanding himself later. 'Man why do I have to be so awkward about it?' Bruce silently stared after him.
'That's it. I can't take this anymore.' Jason gloomed. He was sick and tired of being indoors—in the confines of these four walls. Even if the manor was huge, he had already walked through the whole place twice in the last week. He knew the insides and outs of the front and backyard—the greenhouse, statues, everything. Bruce hardly let him near the Batcave for crying out loud, so there was no way he'd be allowed outside anytime yet.
The teen was beginning to feel like an institutionalized patient at this point. It had been months and months since he was last outside, which was when the accident took place. It was difficult to keep track of time but it had to be at least six months now in total.
Jason studied his surroundings. Dick was at work, Tim was somewhere deep in the mansion, while Alfred was chauffeuring Bruce at work. 'Now would be a good time as any…' He resolved. Sure, the place had surveillance all around but it's not as if the cameras could physically stop him. With that in mind, he walked outside. The teen was slowly healing and becoming less reliant on the crutches, only using one now. He made it to the front gates, unlocking the passcode and cautiously venturing outside.
The Wayne manor was situated on higher ground, with a single road leading them all the way down the mountain. It would certainly be a long long walk before he made it to the bottom. The path to the main gates crossing the front yard was long enough already. 'Why does he need so much space…?'
Jason's eyes were graced by the beautiful never-ending scenery from the higher angle, the busy city beneath him, the pale skies above him and the cool breezes gushing past him. He wasn't blessed to enjoy the sight for too long until a familiar honk startled him making his heart jump. 'Fxck.' Jason didn't even want to bat an eye, but he did. Bruce's limo turned the corner and braked some ten to fifteen feet away from him. 'Sigh, you've gotta be kidding me!' He barely even journeyed outside, past their residence.
The side door opening grabbed his attention and the billionaire stepped outside. "What are you doing?"
"Sheesh." Jason clicked his tongue. "What does it look like? I haven't even done anything yet."
"Why are you outside?" Bruce practically demanded, face expressionless.
"I got tired of being caged." Bruce frowned at the way he worded it.
"It's for your own safety." The elder slowly approached him. "And how do you possibly expect to make it down the road walking like that?"
"Look I don't know, I just wanted to get out okay? Get some fresh air, I didn't really care how I did it." The teen rolled his eyes with attitude. "Why are you even here—you ruined a good chance."
"I saw the camera footage."
"What?!" Jason couldn't believe his ears. So much for the camera's not stopping him… "You have that much time at work?"
"I was notified by Alfred." Bruce sternly debriefed. "Regardless, I had a feeling you would try something like this sooner or later, knowing you."
"Urk…" 'How well does he know me…?' Jason knew Bruce was perceptive but he didn't think he'd care to the point of watching him. "Che." The younger pretended to be annoyed.
"Now let's go back inside."
The teen sighed out loud. "Didn't you hear a word I said? I'm sick of being inside! I don't wanna go back in—especially not when I'm already out." He whined and didn't care if he sounded childish or selfish.
The billionaire was silent for a long second and Jason was anticipating being dragged back by him. "Then what is it that you want?" However, to his surprise Bruce caved in for a change. "Where do you want to go?"
"I don't know… anywhere. Even the streets are fine at this rate. I just want to walk around a bit." The younger shrugged. "Maybe I should call Roy."
Another pause. "… Alright, I'll accompany you. Only for a few hours since I must return to work."
The ravenette immediately lit up but hiding it in his expression. "Yesss." He rejoiced in victory.
"Get in." Bruce ordered, mood slightly icier than before most likely petty from losing. But Jason didn't care as he hopped into the backseat, Bruce closing the door after him before settling in from the other side.
To Be Continued…
Hehe Jason is finally getting some leverage haha. And we got to see some WallyDick. Anyways hoped you enjoyed the slightly longer chap~ I'll be out with the next one sooner this time, since nothing major really happened here.