It's Bruce's birthday! So naturally I had to include it in the story.

Disclaimer in first chapter.

Chapter 14

During the ride towards the city, Jason texted Roy to meet him at the arcade. ASAP.

"Where?" Bruce asked again.

"The corner of 3rd street. There's an arcade." The teen looked up from his phone as they approached the destination. "I'm going to meet up with Roy." Bruce quietly agreed.

Alfred parallel parked in front of the arcade and Jason reached for the door but a hand gripped his arm. "I'll be waiting for you right here. Be careful." Bruce stated.

"… Thanks." The teen smiled. "You said two hours right? I'll be back before you know it. But are you sure you wanna wait here? That'll be boring."

"I'll be fine." The elder released his grip and sat back into his chair, crossing his arms. The younger nodded, stepping outside with his crutch, running into Roy in no time who approached him from the other street, and threw an arm over the ravenette's shoulder. Bruce watched them enter into the neon lit arcade doors and disappear into them.

"They get along well. Must be nice to be young." Alfred commented as he watched the pair bicker. Bruce made no comment to that.

The teens played almost every game there was for old times' sake and time flew by before they knew it. "We should get some food too while you're out." Roy suggested, moving on to the next stall. Just as he was about to take a seat, someone else jumped in last minute and fixed themselves in front of the monitor.

"Hey! I was about to take that." The redhead complained.

"So? Suck it up." The stranger, who couldn't have been any older than them taunted.

"What the? He touched it first—we don't have all day like some hooligans." Jason spat from the side.

"You wanna say that again? You already on a crutch, I'd watch that mouth—or is that how you got there in the first place."

Jason frowned, the crutch holding him back from lunging at the guy. It had been a while since he got into a fight or vented his frustrations. Except it didn't hold him back and without even thinking Jason whacked the other with his crutch in one swift motion.

"You fxckin punk!" The stranger jumped up punching the teen straight in the jaw. The teen forgot the raw vehement feeling of getting squared, and frankly he missed it. It rekindled the fire and adrenaline in him. The teen had enough ability to dodge the second punch, locking the other's arm in defense but fell victim to a kick from behind.

'Shit, I forgot there was more than one of them…' Jason thought, losing his balance and falling onto the ground. At this moment, his actions were also beginning to catch up to him and the more he thought about it, the more he realized how much trouble he was about to be in—from Bruce. Roy jumped in as well, defending him.

Meanwhile Bruce glanced at his watch. 'He is late.' Bruce would allow him five more minutes before he barged in. Punctuality was an important discipline. There was no excuse there.

Roy threw another punch before one of the guys grabbed him from behind, locking him in place.

"You really think a crippled idiot like you can win against me." The first stranger bullied, earning a glare from Jason who was kicked on the floor, not given the chance to get up.

"Bastard!" Roy called out while the ravenette held his leg in pain. Before the guy could slap him, a firm strong hand landed on his shoulder. He looked past his shoulder to find Bruce standing behind him.

"What is going on here?" The stern voice demanded, eyes glowering down at them. Roy and Jason both turned their surprised gazes towards the elder as well.

"Fxck—who the?!" The guy cursed until Roy spoke up.

"Bruce Wayne?" the redhead announced.

"Huh? B-Bruce Wayne…" The guys backed away.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you, young man." Bruce warned, loosening his grasp and shoving past him to the teen on the floor who was looking up at him meekly. "That's enough. We're leaving."

Jason gulped. Bruce wasn't happy. And Jason knew he fxcked it up. The teen attempted to stand up but his leg shuddered and he collapsed to his knees with a wince. Roy rushed over to him, shrugging off the other guy's hold on him. "Jay, you okay?!"

Bruce didn't waste a second longer and effortlessly hoisted himself up, after handing him his crutch. He glanced at the redhead in acknowledgement before he stormed out the doors. The elder presumed his friend could look after him but it seems he placed too much trust in the other.

"You're lucky I won't be pressing charges but if this happens again, I won't be thinking twice." Bruce proclaimed before officially stepping out the door, the others in the room completely silent.

Jason passed Roy a look of 'sorry man—I'll text you later.' Roy partially nodded, taken aback by the sight. The elder sat the teen inside the backseat before climbing in and the rest of the journey back was in scorching silence. The unspoken words between them basically confirmed Bruce's internal argument of how this was a bad idea and he regretted going along with it. Jason couldn't defend himself either against that one.

Alfred dropped Bruce off at his company first. "—Bruce." Jason urgently called out. "er, thanks for accompanying me …"

"Mh." Was all Bruce hummed before coldly walking out.

That stung. Bruce wasn't a man of many words but that pierced his soul.

Next Alfred drove him back to the manor, helping him inside and looking over his leg. It was red and mildly swollen but nothing an ice pack couldn't fix.

R: talk to me man—u ok?

J: yea, wbu?

R: swell

R: but damn your daddy looked pissed

R: u sure yr ok? No spanking?

J: ?

J: STFU, don't call him that—what the hell

R: no but seriously, wat did u do to hv THE Bruce Wayne wrapped around yr finger like that

J: u good? It looks nothing like that! I think u gotta get yr brain checked. Probably knocked it

R: im good. U didn't see his face when he was glarin at them. AND he's not even related to u.

R: I know yr staying at his place and whatnot …but holy shit …

R: wait

R: ITS NOT THAT RIGHT?

J:?

Roy wasn't aware that Jason was robin and that's how he got into his accident. He lied to the redhead saying he got into a car accident and the car was Bruce Wayne's. Hence, the billionaire felt obligated to take care of him until he healed. Thankfully, Roy believed it, brushing it off as one of those rich people things.

R: u selling yr body to him?

J: U! I'm gonna fxckin smack u the next time I see u, I swear to God

J: Who do u think yr talking to! Not all of us go around sleeping with ppl!

R: OK OK I was mostly just joking—hey are u calling me a whore?! I don't sleep with everyone!

J: yr dumbass is giving me a headache. Stop texting me now.

Jason sighed as he tossed the phone, taking the chilling ice pack off his leg and laying on his back. His thoughts automatically rolled back to Bruce while he stared at the ceiling. Feeling restless, he flexed back up, this time leaning forward, digging his chin in his elbow. 'How was he going to make it up to Bruce…? Dammit, how was I supposed to know I was going to get into a fight under two hours?'

Man, he really was a trouble magnet. Ugh. Now Bruce was never going to let him go outside after this…

'He looked really pissed.' Roy's text floated in his mind once more. The ravenette averted his gaze, his cheeks warming. 'Why did he like that? He really shouldn't…' No one wants to deal with a provoked Bruce but his chest was inflating with the fact that Bruce got so angry for him. It was flattering.

He wanted to see him. He was going crazy. Jason thought, ruffling his hair. What was wrong with him? Why did he have to feel that way towards Bruce? He was going to ruin their relationship. How would B even react—a fxckin eighteen year old confessing to him. A broke teenager with nothing. Bruce would never take him seriously. And here he was thinking of adopting him as a son.

If that wasn't a rejection then he didn't know what was. At least he nipped these feelings in the bud before he could totally become smitten. 'Well, whatever.' Speaking of which, he still hadn't responded to Bruce regarding the adoption thing….

However, in all seriousness, Father or lover, did it matter? As long as they were together… he didn't care.

So, in the spur of the moment, he decided to accept the proposition. At least that way they'd be tied together on paper and be family regardless of the relationship. After all, why bother labeling themselves? When they could enjoy each other's company right now?

At least that's what he thought. But little did he know he would jolt awake from a wet dream of him Bruce and him kissing. Blame his ruminating thoughts the night before but for god's sake did he really have to dream about that?

The teen dashed over to the bathroom with his crutch, splashing cold water on his burning face. Maybe he needed to get laid? He was a hormone driven teenager after all with growing urges... violence was usually his outlet but now…

Jason ventured to the dining room where his siblings and Alfred were, instantly noticing Bruce missing from his chair.

"Good morning Master Jason, how is your leg?" Alfred asked.

"Mh, not bad." Jason joined them at the table. Bruce came back late yesterday so they didn't see each other and it seems he woke up too late to see him in the morning. The teen was a tad disappointed to say the least. Well, at least it spared him from apologizing right away.

"What happened to your leg?" Dick automatically questioned with a frown.

"Nothing. Just hit it accidentally." Jason dismissed.

That night Bruce retired to his chambers, mildly stunned to find his door ajar and the dim lamp light from his room bleeding into the hallway. He opened his bedroom door to find Jason on his bed reading a book.

"Oh, welcome back." The teen greeted.

"Jason. Why are you still up?"

The ravenette shrugged. "Just felt like reading."

"Here?" Bruce challenged while he stepped to his closet, peeling his dress shirt off and changing into a V-neck. Jason secretly stared at his back muscles flex with every moment.

"So?" Jason questioned back. The elder didn't have a comeback to that, instead he changed into his sweatpants and walked over to the bed. There was silence while Bruce climbed into bed, leaning against the headboard.

"How long do you plan to read?"

"Mh…I'm pretty much done." The younger shut the book and placed it on the nightstand. Another pause. "Look I'm sorry—I don't know why I'm apologizing since I didn't ask for that fight but if that'll appease your anger then…"

"I'm not angry."

"Could've fooled me."

"I don't know why I'm vexed either…"

"Didn't you just say you weren't angry?"

"Sleep Jason." Bruce lowered himself under the sheets, laying on his back. "I'm not avoiding you, rest assured."

"Fine… if you say so." Jason settled, not a fan of how the other would shut him down like that. The ravenette shut the lamp and joined him, laying on his side. After about ten minutes of laying in utter dead silence, assuming the other was asleep, Jason gingerly scooted closer, cuddling close to the warm broad shoulder. The teen's eyes shut and Bruce could feel his soft steady breathes. He was taken aback by the tender gesture, knowing full well Jason would never carry out such a move if they were awake.

April 17th

Bruce left for the office early again and the household was normal as ever until Jason spotted Alfred in the kitchen with heaps of ingredients on the shelf. "Wow what's going on? You about to feed a whole town?"

"It's for Master Bruce's cake." The old butler soberly replied.

"His cake?"

"it's his thirty-sixth birthday today."

"Oh okay," Jason processed. "Wait what?!" He gawked. "Today?! His birthday?! Are you for real!"

"Very sir. My apologies, I may have forgotten to inform since Master Bruce isn't one to celebrate. Though, it seems Master Bruce hasn't shared that information with you either."

"How could you forget something so important?! And forget Bruce—he hardly says anything!" The teen reprimanded. "Great what am I gonna get him now? I don't even know if I have time for anything."

Alfred watched him pace around the kitchen deep in thought before disappearing into the hallway. Jason now no longer needed his crutch and had regained most of his function.

'Dammit what can I possibly get him… what can you get someone that has everything…? Ugh, I only have half a day to figure this out.' The teen chewed on his nail while he treaded straight to Dick and Tim.

"Yo! We need to go shopping!" Jason announced, practically demanded.

"What?" Tim looked up at him like he was so random.

"Why?" Dick asked.

"It's Bruce's birthday. We have to get him something."

"Aren't you grounded?" Tim, always the self-righteous one, annoyingly reminded.

"Shut up, this is important." Jason disregarded. "Plus he won't know if no one tells." Tim and Dick shared an incredulous look between themselves. "Come onnn~!"

"Alright, we'll go." Dick said. "But you stay and help Alfred."

"What?!"

"We'll buy whatever you want." His elder brother told. "You should just rest."

"I don't even know what I want yet."

"Then what were you planning to do outside?" Dick asked.

"I don't know, look around—duh."

"But what can you possibly get him? He's likely already going to receive many expensive gifts today." Tim rejoined the conversation.

Jason sighed. "That's what I'm tryna figure out. What are you guys thinking of getting him?"

"A book on parenting." Was Dick's immediate spiteful response.

"You're never gonna get over that huh?" Jason deadpanned.

"Hmph."

"I was thinking a custom sweatshirt? He doesn't have anything fun… or a hoodie? I've never seen him wear that. I have a design in mind and we can add our signatures to it." Tim suggested.

"Hm…corny but unique." Jason admitted. "Ugh that leaves me with nothing."

"Anyways we should get going then, shopping can take a while. Call us if you change your mind or think of something." Dick proclaimed, standing up and leaving to get ready.

Jason was pissed. That wasn't fair. He roamed around the manor, eventually ending up at the fireplace, staring at the large portrait of Bruce's parents. In the same room was a tall showcase, with many antiques and decorations behind the glass doors. He never paid much attention to it before but the teen loitered around it, with nothing better to do. The younger gazed at the various century old objects, until he noticed a watch—in relatively well condition—hiding behind a tea cup.

"What is this thing doing here…" The teen carefully retrieved it from behind. 'Some one must've forgotten it here…wonder how long it's been there? Bruce's?'

Jason took the unworking watch to Alfred who studied it. "My my, isn't this a distant memory from the past? This belonged to Master Thomas."

"Bruce's dad?"

"Yes. It seems the battery needs to be replaced."

That's when an idea stuck him. There was no doubt the watch was expensive, but it was also priceless because it belonged to Bruce's father. It held more meaning than any expensive gift. Bruce must have forgotten about it by now. What if he were to fix it and give it to him? That'd certainly stand out right?

Though, he did hope Bruce wouldn't think of it as a re-gift or something. "Thanks Alfred." Jason took the watch and went back to his room, giving Dick a call. "Hey! I know what you need to buy for me." He claimed as soon as the call went through. "It's a battery."

"A battery?"

"Yeah for a watch. I'll text you the model and the picture." The ravenette cut the call and sent the message. Now all he had to do was wait. He went ahead and lent Alfred a hand in the meantime. The place lacked any birthday decorations but he knew Dick would return with balloons and confetti—at least, if not to just throw at Bruce. He internally laughed at the thought.

That evening Alfred went to pick up Bruce from work and returned with a large pile of gift boxes and gift bags in his arms, obscuring the butler's face as he carried them. The old man dumped them all on the living room table. They were a mix of flowers, desserts, perfumes and whatnot.

"Wow, someone's popular." Jason remarked, joining Tim and Dick in the living room.

"This is only half of the stuff, the rest is at the office." Alfred told.

"I don't need them. You can do with them as you please." Bruce loosened his tie.

"Damn, playboy." The teen muttered.

"I'm surprised you're back at all tonight—I was sure you'd be dragged away by the city." Tim curiously commented.

"Some famous personnel have collectively hosted a party for his birthday tonight." Alfred briefed.

"But I excused myself early, indicating that I'd much prefer to spend some quality time with my family." Bruce claimed, finally surveying the room and all the balloons tied to the pillars. He also noted a large vase with fresh flowers in it.

Meanwhile Dick, Tim and Jason all felt touched by his statement. They all did feel like a family at this point. They were supportive, reliant, enjoyed each other's company, and Bruce was also a great backbone. Even though Dick still diligently worked, he was grateful for Bruce's support on everything.

"Okay let's move this aside," Alfred transferred all the gifts to an empty couch. "I hope you like the change in scenery." He referred to the mild birthday decorations around the room.

"This is…unnecessary." Bruce retorted.

"It's a special occasion, I think you'll live." Tim snorted.

"That's right, happy birthday~" Dick busted one of the birthday poppers with multicolored confetti showering and landing all over the billionaire. They all laughed at the sight.

To Be Continued…

There's more to that, we'll continue that in the next chapter lol. Thanks for reading and plz review~

Also that image o kissing is on my deviantart - Zerocooldemon. ;]