A/N: Please enjoy!
Jason gets a text from Roy around two that afternoon. "Found him. We're going back to my apartment. He's safe." Jason sent out a string of responses, starting with a demand to know where they found Dick, and ending with just some swear words when he didn't get an answer.
The day had been tense. Bruce was brooding in the training room. Tim took refuge at the computer, muttering about security. Damian disappeared upstairs, and had spent a few hours outside with Titus, failing to hide his increasing anxiety. Jason went back to his room, determined but unsuccessful in taking a nap.
Jason hefted himself up, stomping down the to kitchen, pausing just long enough to grab a set of keys to one of Bruce's nicer sports cars.
Alfred caught him, the older man just glanced at the key in Jason's hand and nodded once in approval. He indicated Jason to wait, causing the younger man to shift from foot to foot. Alfred disappeared into the kitchen, then returned with a familiar container of cookies. "Please let me know if any of you will be returning for dinner," he requested, passing the container over.
Jason nodded back, slipping into the garage with Alfred's approval, and took off before anyone took notice. He had a party to crash.
Jason didn't actually know what to expect when he arrived at Roy's. He knew the two were friends long before he met Roy, but he never actually spent time together as a group. Jason and Dick were together as Bats, brothers as Robins. Roy and Jason were together with the Outlaws, a team. Roy was his best friend – even if Jason felt awkward and childish for thinking it. Roy and Dick were together with… Jason paused on his way up the stairs realizing he didn't know for sure. They both talked about Young Justice and the Titans, but the details were vague and he never asked.
He found himself at Roy's door. Taking a deep breath, he let himself in with the key Roy gave him ages ago. Dick and Roy were spread across the couch, the TV on a video streaming search screen. They glanced his way, neither surprised before turning their attention back to the screen.
He flashed back to the family's concern that morning: Tim and Damian's panic, Bruce and Alfred's argument. Now, the kid was just sitting there like nothing happened. A surge of irritation flashed through Jason, "You can't just vanish," he snapped, tossing the container of cookies on the closest armchair. His jacket followed up a few seconds later.
Dick cocked an unimpressed eyebrow in his direction, doing nothing for Jason's temper.
Roy snorted, "Been saying that for years," he muttered mostly to himself. Dick just flashed the red head a smirk, full of mischief.
"Stop that!" Jason growled, pointing a finger.
Dick huffed, crossing his arms over his chest with a small pout, "Why does everyone keep saying that?"
"Because we know you," Roy advised with a small eye roll, then turning his attention to Jason. "Gab a beer and sit down, were about to start the movie." He nodded towards the kitchen. The TV paused on the intro to one of the newer Star Wars movies.
"I want one," Dick announced, before Jason could respond.
"No." Both Roy and Jason said at the same time.
"Older you is lame," Dick complained, "I don't like responsible Roy."
"Hey," he cried, aiming to smack Dick in the back of the head, but the younger man ducking out of range easily. "I've always been responsible.
"Walmart," Dick drawled, with a knowing look.
"You say that like I had any control over you." Roy argued.
"A responsible adult could keep track of me," Dick advised, the gleam eye saying otherwise.
"Bruce-"
"Bruce isn't a responsible adult." He stated it like it was obvious. Jason couldn't help but snort out a laugh. Dick flashed him an unreadable look, turning back to Roy just as fast. "Alfred is the responsible adult and he has his hands full with Bruce."
"He's got a point," Jason found himself saying.
Roy held up his hands in surrender, looking amused, "Jason, you going to sit down or what?" he asked.
Jason nodded to the kitchen, stating he was going to grab a drink. Roy stood to follow, picking up an empty bottle and plate from the coffee table as he went.
"Can I have a soda at least?" Dick called after them.
"You can have a low sugar juice box," Roy countered. A soft "lame" drifted as a response. "Or water." Roy added, the threat hanging in the air.
"Juice box please and thank you." Dick called, turning around to look at them over the couch with wide eyes.
"Brat," Roy muttered, shoving Jason the last few feet through the kitchen door.
Jason turned to him with wide eyes, "What the fuck?"
"What?" Roy cocked his head, leaning against the counter after putting the dishes in the sink.
"What do you mean what? What was that?" Jason pointed a finger at the door, jabbing it a few times in Dick's direction.
Roy frowned, "A compromise? Because I'm not giving him anything with too much sugar. He'll be happy with a juice-"
"No," Jason interrupted, "Why is he here?"
Understanding flashed across Roy's face, "Because I invited him. I wasn't going to leave him on the beach by himself, and I wasn't going to send him with Wally after the argument," Roy pushed Jason lightly out of the way to get into the fridge.
"You could have sent him back to the manor."
Roy pulled himself out of the fridge to send Jason a look he didn't understand. "No Jay, I really couldn't." He held out a beer to Jason, waiting for him to accept before ducking back into the fridge. "He wasn't ready."
Jason frowned at the drink in his hand, "Ready for what?"
Roy pulled out a beer and two juice boxes all wedged in one hand. The fridge door closed with a small thud, "Think about it from his point of view." He began, "Imagine waking up one day to find out you lost ten years of your life. I know you know what's it like to find out you were replaced by a stranger," The knowing look Roy sent him, hit Jason a little close. "Dick was replaced by three."
Jason swallowed, his throat dry. He cracked the beer, chugging half of it down.
Roy waited for him, face sad and a little apologetic. "If anything, the kid is handling things way better than I would have."
"Better than I did," Jason muttered, voice rough. He avoided eye contact.
"You had extenuating circumstances." Roy advised, and Jason just shrugged.
Silence fell over the room, lasting for only a few moments. "Are you done talking about me yet?" Dick yelled.
"Almost," Roy called back. He turned back to Jason with a small, amused smile on his face. "D needed some familiarity, I offered."
"A port in a storm," Jason mused, pretending it wasn't a feeling he understood.
"Exactly," Roy nodded.
Jason fidgeted under Roy's knowing gaze.
"You're my best friend," He announced, catching Jason off guard.
"I'm – You're – same." Jason struggled.
Roy smiled in understanding, knowing what Jason was trying to say, even if Jason didn't. "Come on," he nodded towards the living room, "We're watching the new Star Wars movies, because Dick has the opportunity to see them again for the first time." Jason followed him out, still feeling awkward in his own body. Roy dropped down on to the couch, Dick bouncing a few times. "We'll order pizza and charge it to Bruce's credit card." He added.
"Already done," Dick advised, looking up from Roy's cellphone, Jason's wallet was open on the coffee table. The credit card Jason stole from Bruce, the one they both pretend he doesn't know about, in his hand.
Jason was too surprised to comment, just watching Dick casually slip the card back into its hiding spot and sliding it across the coffee table in Jason's direction. "I didn't take anything," he added, avoiding eye contact with Jason while fiddling with Roy's phone. "I only used the Bruce card."
"What'd you order?" Roy broke through the tense atmosphere.
"You had a usual order, based on the website order history. I got that, plus a few things." Dick shrugged, "I hope you're not vegetarian." He added towards Jason. He was significantly more stiff and awkward compared to the Dick from yesterday.
"Na," Jason tried to force a smile, resisting the urge to swipe his wallet off the table and shove it into his pocket. "I'd rather die again then give up meat." It was an old joke made out of habit, but the flinch from Dick left a sour feeling in Jason's stomach. "Demo- Damian, is," he continued, stumbling over the correction. "Vegetarian." He ignored Roy's judgey eyebrows, knowing his friend was laughing at him.
Dick shot him a quick look, thoughtful and thankful at the same time and let out a small huh noise, "Good to know."
They returned home the next morning after a tense but enjoyable night at Roy's. The drive l was silent except for a soft hum of the engine. Dick didn't seem to mind, leaning his head against the window. Jason used the time to think over what Roy had said the night before.
They arrived at the front gate, it opening without prompting, no doubt Bruce was informed when they were within the city limits and was now waiting for them. Dick and Jason shared a look of resignation, creeping slow up the drive. Bruce stood at the front door, face dark and arms crossed.
Jason let out a long breath, putting the car into park, and uncurling his tight grip on the wheel. He shot a glance at Dick, who was looking grim. "This will be fun," Jason muttered.
"Think I can just live in the car?" Dick mused, he glanced around the car interior, bouncing in the seat testing it for comfort. "I could sleep here."
"Alfred would never allow it." Jason pointed out.
Dick deflated slightly, looking at the still scowling figure of Bruce at the door. " Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more."
Jason barked out a laugh, "Or close the wall up with our English dead."
They exited the car, Dick dragging his feet up the front steps. Jason dropped the keys off in Bruce's awaiting hand. They lined up, on instinct for both of them. Bruce closed the front door, with a measured hand. "Jason, you're dismissed." He said, eyes falling to Dick and staying there.
Jason glanced between the two of them with a frown. Dick was scowling at his feet, hands in fists at his sides. Bruce's face was hard and eyes thunderous. Jason shook his head, "Nah, I'm good."
"Jason," Bruce growled.
The man in question just crossed his arms over his chest and cocked an eyebrow, unimpressed.
Bruce let out a deep grumble, but turned to Dick instead. He stood tall, double the size of Tiny Dick and looming in a way that made even Jason uncomfortable. "Richard," He growled, "Where have you been?"
Dick glanced up from the floor, face soothing out blank, "Out."
Bruce's hands flexed in a way that usually meant danger when dressed as Batman. "Where?"
"With Roy."
"Richard."
"What?"
Jason's gaze bounced between them like a game of tennis.
"Enough with this attitude," Bruce demanded, "I made it very clear, you are forbidden from leaving the manor. Yet, you went against a direct order. It's dangerous for you to leave, we don't know who might find you."
Dick rolled his eyes, "I can take care of myself, you know that." Dick argued. "It's not like I wore a sign that said I was Robin and went yelling for the Joker."
"That's not the point," Bruce argued, voice raising in volume. "The world has changed –"
"I'm aware," Dick interrupted. "A lot has changed, Bruce." He paused, glancing at Jason then back at Bruce, "I might be de-aged, but you don't actually have any authority over me anymore. Because as a reminder, I've aged out."
Jason was lost, but Bruce seemed to understand what Dick wasn't saying. An emotion passed over Bruce's face, too fast and unreadable to Jason.
"Not that it mattered to you," Dick spat, arms shaking in anger.
Jason found himself moving between them, from the floor above, Tim and Damian came running down the front stairs. Jason reminded himself to find out where they were hiding once this was all over.
"Enough," Jason demanded, breaking eye contact between the two. The moment was surreal, usually Dick was the one getting between him and Bruce. "Dickie, Bruce is right, it's dangerous for you to leave without telling someone. And Bruce, " Jason turned to the older man, the memory of his conversation with Roy floated through his memory. "There has to be a compromise. I can go with, or drop him off, or some shit."
"I don't need a babysitter." Dick grumbled from over his shoulder.
Jason snorted, "And I'm not offering, there isn't enough money in the world. But I can give you a ride."
Bruce's jaw clenched, "I will consider it."
"Fine."
"Fine."
Alfred cleared his throat from the dining room doorway. "Lunch, sirs, is ready."
Lunch was tense to say the least. Neither Bruce or Dick made conversation. Jason could feel Dick glancing at him, but ignored it. The meal was barely served before Dick asked to be dismissed. He looked to Alfred for permission, though it was Damian who spoke, pointing out that Dick barely touched his food.
Dick shrugged him off with a plastic smile, "Not hungry." He said, "Ate before coming back."
They didn't, but Jason wasn't going to call the kid out. If he wanted to leave, Jason wasn't going to be the one to stop him.
Alfred had a pinched expression, but no reason to disagree. "Master Bruce has an announcement first, then you are excused."
Dick nodded, tight and stiff, pushing his mostly full plate away. He refused to look at Bruce, but cocked his head slightly indicating he was listening.
Bruce took his time, pulling the napkin from his lap, cleaning his face and hands then folding it into a neat little square before finally speaking. "I have called in Cassandra to assist in the current case." He glanced around the table, "Cassandra, " he began, eyes falling on Dick, "is – "
"I know." Dick interrupted, "Daughter of Shiva and Cain, trained assassin from birth. Expert in reading body language, and primary source of communication is ASL. Current alias is Black Bat. Working out of Asia, on assignment. Only adopted daughter of Bruce Wayne. Up and coming dancer in the Gotham ballet." He rattled off, ignoring the looks of surprise from his younger table companions. "Anything else."
Bruce's jaw was clenched again, "No," he grunted. "You're dismissed."
Dick was up and out of the room in seconds.
A/N Please review, it gives me motive to continue! I'm thinking of removing the crossover listing for the story, as I'm wondering away from the YJ premise I was originally planning.
