Return of the Wayward Son
Chapter 3: Don't You Just Love A Happy Ending?
Alternating POVs
Jason levelled the gun at Bruce's back.
Neither moved. Bruce could have unarmed him if he tried. Deep down, they both knew it. Instead, he remained facing the broken window overlooking Crime Alley.
Jason's chest ached in suppressed grief. Bruce was turning away from him, leaving him behind. Again.
Alone.
Afraid.
No. No, this couldn't be happening. The darkness in the back of his mind whispered to him. A sweet siren song. Pull the trigger. It would make it all better. He doesn't want you. He doesn't care. He never loved you.
Such a disappointment.
Such a failure.
His grip tightened, just for a mere moment.
"It was always you." Bruce began. "You're my son. You have been since they day I brought you home and you always will be. Nothing in this world could change that and no one is more important to me than you and our family." The words were soft, shaky. So uncharacteristic of the man speaking them. A part of Jason was intrigued. Another part hated the underlying grief in the infliction. He wasn't sure if that hatred was aimed more at himself for putting it there in the first place or his father for acting like he cares. Because it had to be an act, right?
But what if it wasn't?
"I'm sorry I couldn't save you from all of this. I'd have given anything to have been able to protect you that day, to spare you from all this suffering, but I couldn't. All I can do is try and save you now."
Jason froze, the blood in his veins turning cold. Bruce still faced the window. Jason couldn't be sure if he was trying to make it easier on himself or Jason. The young vigilante just wished he'd turn around and face him. Give him a sign of what to do. He was so lost. The fog in his mind ever present, clouding his thoughts in a haze of anger and resentment. If his father wanted to save him so badly, why couldn't he just do what he'd asked?
Bruce finally turned back to face him. Even under the mask, the open wariness and sorrow was apparent. "I'm saving you the only way I know how. You want me to make this choice for you because you think it will fix everything you went through. Killing him, killing me, won't change anything. I know it feels like it will be trust me son, it won't" Jason visibly flinched at the word son, driving another spike of grief straight into Bruce's heart.
The Joker chose that moment to speak up, a shark-toothed grin with blood-stained teeth smiling gleefully at Batman. "Save him? Huh! Zombiebird over here is long gone Batsy. I broke him! You really think…."
It was Bruce's turn to take a swing at the clown. He punched him straight across the face with everything he had, knocking the man out cold. He wasn't going to let the psychopath stop him from protecting his son ever again.
The Dark Knight took a step away from the downed body and towards The Red Hood. Jason raised the gun higher on instinct, pointing it straight at Bruce. He didn't waver in his steps though, continuing as if he was never interrupted. "Killing him won't turn back the clock."
Jason grimaced, eyes flashing. "Shut up."
Bruce ignored him, getting closer. Jason stepped back reflexively. "It won't change what he did."
"Shut. Up." Jason gnashed out through gritted teeth. He could feel his pulse racing and eyes watering. He didn't want to hear this. It wasn't true. It couldn't be. This was going to change it all. Would it though?
Bruce faltered slightly at his obvious stress but kept on going. He needed to. "It won't stop the memories."
"SHUT UP!" Jason bellowed, the gun quivering in his hand now. He couldn't hold back the torrent of emotions much longer. The green haze was still there but it was slipping fast. He wasn't sure anymore if he wanted it back or not.
"Revenge is an empty victory, Jason. If you kill The Joker it may get rid of the rage but all that'll leave you with is the rest. The stuff buried underneath that you're clung so hard to vengeance to avoid. I know letting go is scary, but you don't need to do this alone. Please, just put the gun down. Come home. You don't have to do this alone anymore Little Wing. Let us help you."
Jason pondered that, his breath starting to hitch. Little Wing. It had been so long since he'd heard that nickname…..
He shook it off, perhaps not as effectively as he wished.
It wasn't true. It was all lies.
Are you sure about that?
Stopping The Joker would…
Wouldn't stop the nightmares.
…would mean he wouldn't have to watch his back, fearing the lunatic was waiting around every corner.
Or the panic attacks.
Stop!
"What would you have me do then, huh? Just let it all go? According to you, letting go of revenge would leave me in the exact same place as killing the piece of shit would. So, why not make the world a better place huh? If I'm screwed either way I may as well do everyone else a favour."
Bruce just shook his head. "Because killing him would make a difference. It wouldn't make you any better than him or any of the other criminals we face. You're better than him. I know you are." It was a low blow, but it was all he had left. It still made him feel awful to see Jason rear back as if struck but he knew it was necessary. Jason's starting to come round. He can see it.
"If you really think pulling that trigger will change a damn thing, then do it. Just make sure you mean it son." Bruce whispered, knowing it was all in Jason's hands now and willing to accept whatever choice he made.
Jason choked back a whimper, watching as the Batman mask was pulled away and he stood face to face with his father once more. They were inches apart now, only a gun with two bullets and a life-changing choice between them.
Jason realised no matter what he did, no one was going to do this for him. He had to decide for himself.
Vengeance or justice.
Murder or mercy.
Red Hood or Robin.
Right or wrong? Wrong or right?
Alone or family.
God, he just wanted to go home!
He wanted it to be over. He wanted to feel safe again; happy, warm, loved. He wanted his family….
But it was too late, wasn't it? It had to be….
After all he'd done. After all the agony, fear, hatred and bloodshed could he really just let it all go?
He'd already been replaced, hadn't he?
"Robin."
Bruce tilted his head, confused. "What?"
Jason's grip on the gun steadied. "You replaced me. Only two years and you had a new Robin. Or was it sooner than that?"
Bruce's blue eyes widened ever so slightly as he caught on "No, no Jason that isn't what happened."
The teen growled. "Don't lie Bruce! I saw it in the papers. You replaced me."
Bruce shook his head insistently. "You really think I could ever replace you? No one could ever take your place, just as you could never take Dick's. Tim figured out who we were. He knew I was on a downward spiral after what happened to you. He knew Batman needed Robin. He would have gone to the GCPD if I didn't let him help. It wasn't long after that though that I realised Tim was being neglected at home. I took him in because he needed me, needed a family that would actually support and care for him. He may have become the new Robin, even my third son, but he's not you."
The gun trembled.
Jason thought over the words, thought over everything that was said this evening. It had all come crashing down around him.
Maybe that's a good thing?
Finish it.
Let go.
Shoot him.
Please….
You're almost there.
I don't…
The gun clattered to the floor.
...
Bruce's POV
Bruce had nearly come to terms with the fact he was going to lose his son. Again.
He could see that part of Jason that so desperately wanted to let go of all this. The miserable, exhausted and frightened part that wanted things to go back to the way they were. However, something kept pushing back against it and he found himself once again faced with the spiteful and bloodthirsty Red Hood.
It was a tiring and vicious cycle that Batman was determined to break but wasn't sure he actually could.
When Jason finally dropped the pistol Bruce could have almost collapsed in relief. It was far from over. He knew they had a long way to go but the first step was done and damn it if he wasn't going to consider it the victory it was.
As is with all good things that happen in Gotham City though, someone had to try and ruin it. During their conversation, neither noticed Joker grab the detonator from within Red Hood's pocket. They did however see him come to after Bruce knocked him out. The billionaire quickly put the cowl back on as the broken and bloody body began to stir.
The Joker's bloodshot eyes crept open, noticing the guns scattered on the floorboards and the two men standing together. "No, no you have got to be joking!" he raged, clumsily scrambling to his feet admits his injuries. "This was all going so well! How dare you ruin the greatest punchline of them all!"
Bruce went to step forward, but the suited man withdrew a detonator from his pocket, clicking the button before anyone could make a move. Behind him, in the crumbling fireplace, were several explosives connected to a timer counting down from 20 seconds. Bruce heard a sharp inhale to his left. Glancing over his shoulder he noticed Jason back into the wall, shaking with glazed eyes. He was going into shock, Bruce was sure. He needed to disarm the bomb and get them out of here.
He lunged for the fireplace, ignoring the hysterically laughing Joker. Big mistake. "NO!" Batman was tackled to the ground, his arch enemy's hands curling around his throat. "I'm the only one who's going to get what he wants tonight! Yes! Bing, bang, BOOM! We all go out together! Don't you just love a happy ending?" The Joker's laughter mingled with the ticking to create a horrific symphony. Batman snarled, yanking an arm free and clocking the crazed clown in the jaw. He didn't stop to check if he was knocked out or not. There was no time.
Racing back into the hall, he saw Jason curled up on the floor, trembling like a leaf but face no longer frightened. Resigned, remorseful, broken. Bruce yanked him up by the arm, not having any time to be gentle about it. He slung the boy's arm over his shoulder and began making their way as far from that room as possible while Bruce counted the seconds remaining.
4
They moved through the hall, passing the kitchen.
3
They weren't going to get out in time.
2
Bruce didn't have to think on what to do next.
1
He pulled Jason to his chest, shielding his body the best he could.
0