Eliwatts22's request about Bruce becoming a father continued. (Hope you like it!) Bruce reflects on becoming Jason's Dad.

Chapter 42: The Prodigal Son

Bruce's POV

I found Jason on Crime Alley. I caught him trying to steal. He had been on the streets for a few months before I brought him home. His mother had died from a drug overdose and his father… he never really even had one.

I remember bringing him home. He didn't understand what was happening at first. He was scared, but he didn't show it, surprisingly. I can remember watching the clear tub water turn brown as Alfred scrubbed the dirt off of him. I remember the way he attacked the meal Alfred had prepared for him. I remember staring into his deep blue eyes and seeing nothing but hatred and anger. I knew the road he was starting to go down; I thought I could change him.

He was so different than Dick. They were as different as day and night. The concept of sibling rivalry was introduced to me. One minute they'd be fighting. The next they'd act like best friends. Almost everything was a competition between the two. It was a pain in the ass to deal with.

But, Jason is my child and I love him. He was so innocent back then. The way he'd call me Daddy and wait for me to get back from patrol and wrap his arms around my neck, hugging me. The way he'd crawl into my bed with that teddy bear and look up at me like I was his hero… I'm the only father he has ever known.

Jason has always seemed to find trouble or cause it. And he's never learned to control his mouth. It doesn't matter if he's been kidnapped or if he's at school; he'll smart off at anyone. It doesn't matter if he's wearing a T-shirt and jeans or a suit; you'll know if he's not happy. He's never been afraid to be himself. He does whatever he wants.

I had never planned on Jason becoming my second Robin. I had planned on keeping him away from that world, but Dick had other ideas. He gave Jason his original costume when Jason turned twelve. Dick no longer wanted to be my partner, so I agreed to take Jason on. My first mistake.

Jason was darker than Dick. He has always had anger issues. He couldn't control himself. And I chose to ignore his problems. I considered taking the position away from him, but I just couldn't do it. He loved it too much. And I loved him too much.

And then the Joker beat him within an inch of death. My baby at fifteen years old almost died; all because of me. Damn that clown. Jason spent six months lying on a hospital bed. So did the Joker once I went after him. Well, the Joker technically spent a year in a hospital bed, once Nightwing went after him the day he was released from the hospital.

Once he healed, he took the identity of the Red Hood. And that scared me. My baby was getting closer and closer to that line. And he crossed it. My child is a murderer who ran from me.

Why did my child run away from home? Why did he run from me? Doesn't he know he can always come to me no matter what? And he did come home. He's still my child. Maybe if I had done something sooner, I could have saved him from himself.

But, the little boy I brought home with me is still there. I can see it when he holds Tim and comforts him when he has a nightmare. I can see it when he wrestles with Damian and allows the younger boy to win. I can see it when he jumps in front of Dick, willing to take a bullet for his older brother. I can see it when he excitedly takes a cookie from Alfred. I can still see the little boy when he cries into my chest and begs me to comfort him. I see the darkness within vanish when he laughs.

He's eighteen now. He may not be a little boy anymore, but he'll always be my little boy.