The wind whipped past Jason as he rode down Highway 8 towards Blud. He left the cave about an hour ago to clear his head but soon found himself speeding towards their neighboring city. The wind had ripped his jacket open, the cold air biting through his tactical vest and undershirt.
He was a mess, Jason knew he was a mess, they all were. Jesus, Dickie might be alive, he might not remember them, he might be biologically different, they needed Slade Fucking Wilson's help to find him, they were in a race against a secret owl cult to find him. Jason felt his eyes heating and prickling under his helmet, he couldn't believe his older brother had been held for 5 years. They had scoured Gotham and the ocean and then given up, god, they should still be looking. There was never a body found, Bruce should never have held a public funeral.
For the first time in a very long time, Jason felt shame eat away at his heart. He had left his brother to who knows what for 5 fucking years. It couldn't even compare to Jason's 1 year of being dead, he was actually dead and had to be revived with an anti-anger management green pool. He came back attacking his siblings and making their lives hell, Jason was never held against his will, staying with Talia was his choice and then staying away was his choice. Dick had been shot and taken by an organization whose existence was never actually proven true until now. Dickie must be really fucked up to not want to come back to them. He must remember them if he was staying at his old apartment. Did he blame them for not rescuing him? Did he blame Jason for giving up? If his family was connected to these immortal meta assassins, had he found a new family amongst Gotham's underground criminal world?
Jason didn't leave the cave with this intention but the longer he rode and thought about it, the more he couldn't deny his desire to see Dick. Now.
Jason took exit 24A, and quickly found himself 2 blocks from Dick's old apartment complex. This was a bad idea.
The talons could be here.
Dick might be here.
Both parties might be here.
He might start a fight, even he knew his pragmatic conversation skills were lacking.
Jason pulled into a garage and rode up to the 10th floor, parking his bike on the rooftop. He paced around, occasionally looking over at Dick's apartment skyline.
Jason sighed, lacing his fingers over the back of his neck and stretching his head up to the sky. He could not believe how much his life had disintegrated in 1 week. He unclasped and pulled off his helmet, letting it drop on the floor aimlessly where it bounced twice.
He pulled his grapple out of his hip holster and made his way over to the building across the street. He avoided Breezy Ways Apartment complex for about 30 minutes when movement caught his eye and his breath caught in his throat.
2 buildings to his left, perched on top of an old gargoyle statue overhanging the edge of the building was a strong lean figure; his frame silhouetted in the smoggy moonlight of Bludhaven. He was perched on the edge, similarly to how he and Batman would oversee the streets in the old days. His feet were on the statue's head and his back was arched forward in a way that he could lean on his hands and balance himself as well; mirroring a cat. Jason was frozen in fear, shame, anticipation, and too many other feelings to put a name to.
He took a step towards the figure and the figure tensed, feeling Jason's gaze on him. Without looking, the figure slowly crept backward and off the statue until the ledge hid his form completely. Jason panicked, hoping Dick wasn't sprinting away right now, and launched himself up and over to the new building.
His feet barely touched the rooftop when he was tackled, the air left his lungs as his chest, throat, and adam's apple were overly compressed. Jason choked out as the figure he was following forced him back to the rooftop floor. "Ugh!"
They went skidding for a few feet before stopping, Jason got his bearings and looked up, seeing a familiar face.
Dickie
His hair was pulled back at the nape of his neck again and his lips were curled in a low snarl. Dick's hands were gripping his wrists to the floor above his head, one knee was pressed against his collar bone and the other weighed down his left hip.
Jason froze and his breath escaped him. He couldn't function for a minute, his big brother was right in front of him. He had missed 5 of Dicki's birthdays, he had missed Dick's first legal shot, his first legal car, and his high school graduation party.
The figure realized Jason wasn't fighting him and cocked his head, his lips parted in slight confusion and his shoulders and thighs flexed with tension and unknown prowess.
"Dickie" Jason breathed. He forgot his arms were held up at the moment and tried to reach out for Dick.
Dick froze violently, his jaw locked and he started to breathe out of his mouth faster and in pants.
Jason tried to reach out again, "Dickie, Dick it's me. Tell me what happened"
Dick dropped Jason's hands and scrambled backward; lacking his usual grace. He was panting heavily and sat on his butt about 10 feet away. Jasons scrambled to his knees and leaned forward with a hand, "Dick, it's me, Jason. Don't be a dumbass, tell me what happened"
Dick didn't move, staring at Jason with wide eyes, his eyebrows were practically hidden in his hairline.
Jason was getting impatient, "Dick! It's me-"
Dick scrambled to his feet, backing up even more. Jason couldn't see his eyes behind his cheap Robin costume mask but imagine Dick's clear bright blue eyes were staring back at him now.
Jason could feel doubt and anger starting to creep in. What was Dick doing?!
"Dick!" Jason started towards Dick. Dick's breath stuttered and he started walking backward to match Jason's forward progression.
The rooftop was only so long and Dick quickly found his lower back hitting the brick edge of the building, his hands unconsciously grabbed behind himself to keep steady. Jason couldn't think about anything but the person in front of him, disregarding any caution or risks, he grabbed Dick's shoulders and shook him once. "It's me! Why haven't you come home?! Where have you been? Replacement and your little demon brat have missed you!"
Dick's breath caught on every other exhale and his fingers flexed like he wanted to grab back or lash out. They both stilled, watching the other to see who moved first. Jason slowly reached up, his fingers catching on the end of the cheap mask. Dick was frozen solid, not even breathing as Jason inched the mask down, the flimsy thing was tied behind his head in a knot and caught on his nose before falling limply around his throat and Jason stopped breathing.
Richard Grayson's vividly bright blue eyes stared back at his wet green ones. His eyes were wide, his pupils jumping from left to right as if he were trying to focus on each of Jason's eyes simultaneously. Without thinking, Jason ripped his domino mask off his eyes, not even wincing when the glue pulled some of his eyebrows.
There was too much happening for Jason to comprehend appropriately. Dick was here. He was here and alive and tall and strong and ohmygodjesusfuck. Dick used to be taller than Jason, even at 17 he was a half-inch taller than Jason's quickly bulking figure. Jason towered above even Bruce at 6 foot 3 but Dick had grown as well. He looked to be about 6 foot, maybe 6 foot 1; Bruce's height. Damian and Tim could only hit his shoulder and chest if they tried to hug him now.
The sides of Dick's head were actually buzzed into a casual mohawk style, about an inch above the tops of his ears and Jason could make out a black and blue tattoo on the left side of his scalp under the new growth. His face was a bit dirty and smudged like he had only given himself a sponge bath but his jaw was firm and cut, his lips were full and ready to smile, and his hair was soft and shining; even at night. He appeared healthy but Jason knew something was amiss on the inside.
Dick didn't have his hoodie on, only thick black leggings and a long sleeve undershirt covering blatantly obvious muscles. Dick was shredded in a way his 17-year-old brother hadn't been. Most people took steroids to get to this state because working a 9 to 5 with kids and bills didn't allow them the time required to cut and bulk at once. Dick had always been strong but stayed more lean than anything due to his continuing acrobatics and cardio.
He must be the most flexible cross fitter ever, Jason thought ironically.
Forgetting that Dick hadn't spoken once, Jason reached back up to Dick's face, he went to touch his cheek, his hair, something to make sure his older brother was really back and here but the moment his fingers skimmed Dick's chin, Dick snapped. His eyes suddenly flashed the brightest gold, and Jason was too stunned to move in time.
His eyes narrowed in fear so cold it turned into danger and he tackled Jason to the floor with a snarl. He smashed Jason into the floor and used the moment of Jason's shoulders hitting the floor to launch himself forward into a front flip over Jason's head. The world rushed back to Jason and he realized where he was and what was going on. His brother was alive. Yes. But his brother was also a possible talon. Had been gone for 5 years. And may be under foreign influence right now.
The bottom line was that Dick would never abandon his family and that's exactly what he did by willfully staying away, so something bad must have happened to him at some point.
Jason scrambled to his feet and turned to face Dick with his hands raised, palms open like he was trying to calm a savage animal.
"Dick," he said slowly. "It's me, tell me you know who I am"
Dick licked his lips hesitantly, "You, are RedHood"
Jason's heart clenched at hearing Dick's voice for the first time in 5 years. His voice was deeper with adulthood and yet still just as light and pleasant as Dick Grayson's was always meant to be. Dick's eyes were still gold but dimmed slightly, it was like gold-colored contacts were being absorbed into the blue of Dick's real eyes.
"Yeeees" Jason agreed slowly. "But tell me you know who I actually am".
Dick cocked his head in response but didn't say anything. At this point, his eyes were back to their startling blue.
"Do you remember B? How about the demon brat? Damian? Your little pet project that refused to leave your hip? What about Timmy? Timbo? Come on DIck!"
Jason watched as Dick started to relax, his frame wasn't holding as much tension anymore but he still kept his arms raised and shoulders hunched in defense. His left eye twitched and his fingers spazzed for a second, "You hurt my head"
Jason drew a blank to that, was DIck referring to a fight they had when they were kids? "What are you talking about? You mean all those times I kicked your ass in sparring?"
Dick narrowed his eyes in irritation. He threw down his hands and clenched them into fists at his sides in anger.
"You hurt my head! So much red, you don't stop! The laughter and the crowbar and the funeral! You're in every dream and don't make sense!"
Dick's eyes were blazing in misunderstood fury. He was speaking in such obvious riddles Jason was at a loss. Was dick talking about Jason's murder or his own funeral? "Dick, do you remember us? Do you remember me? Are you having recurring dreams? Where have you been for 5 years? With the Court?"
Dick's ranting stopped at the mention of the Court of Owls, "You know Grandmaster?"
Jason sputtered at the first legitimate response so far, "I don't know them... but I know of them?"
Dick backed away another step, "I will not go back. Grandmaster said they were home but home isn't supposed to hurt. I…I'm sure of it!"
Jason held up his hands in a placating manner, "You're right! You're right Dickie. Home isn't supposed to hurt. The Court is not home. I'm not sure what bullshit they convinced you of in the last 5 years but I-We are your home! Bruce and Damian and Tim and Alfred and ME!"
With every word, Jason took a step and was finally within arm's distance of Dick again. Dick was always the problem solver, always the bright option or solution. Even when he needed help, he was never helpless. Now, Jason could see helplessness falling out of every pore in Dick's body. He was shaking his head, his broad shoulders trembling, and his knees quivered every now and then. Dick's unsteady mind was too deeply connected to his body and at the moment, Dick's mind was very unsure about who he was.
Jason pulled his grapple gun off his hip and dropped it behind him with a thud, "See? I'm unarmed. Let me help you Dick. We grew up together, we trained and sparred. You convinced Bruce to take me home instead of Arkham. Remember that?"
Jason desperately hoped that Dick kept eye contact and didn't realize that Jason still had his actual guns on himself underneath his jacket.
Dick's squinting and franticness seemed to have abated…for now.
Jason took another step toward Dick but refrained from touching him, "Please Dick. Come on Man. Remember me?"
Dick's eye flicked to Jason's forehead for a second before glazing over. His eyes lost their focus and his hand reached up to Jason's hair. His fingers twirled some of the right side of his helmet hair that had been smashed at odd angles.
"Yea, yea. Remember my hair? The pit bleached it a little and you called me skunk for about a month? Everyone at Gothan High made fun of me because they thought I dyed it wrong?"
Jason was starting to lose his cool, he needed confirmation and reassurance from Dick.
"The Lazarus pit" Dick muttered in concentration, his gaze still stuck on Jason's hair.
"Yes!" Jason exclaimed with a blinding smile. Dick started at the sudden outburst and dropped his hand.
"Sorry, sorry" Jason whispered anxiously. "I just want to make sure you remember me, us, everyone"
Dick focused on Jason for a solid minute, his head cocked again and Jason watched as the most amazing smile slowly started to spread over Dick's lips. It was a toothless grin that seemed to hold a bit of melancholy to it like he was remembering something in the past. "Jaybird" Dick breathed.
"Yes. Yes. Me. Jay. Yes," Jason was concerned about spooking Dick but wanted to reaffirm everything Dick said and more.
"Of course I remember you Jay" Dick replied and Jason almost collapsed to the floor. In one word, Dick had not only confirmed to Jason that their Dick was still in there, but he had sounded more like the true authentic Dick Grayson than ever.
"Jesus Dickie, where have you been? We thought you were dead and then we saw that the Court of Owls is after you and Slade Wilson popped up, saying he didn't actually shoot you-"
Dick cut him off, taking another step back, "The Court cannot take me back. Grandmaster insisted I belong with them but they can't! I didn't like them. Grandmaster Cobb insisted I was good and meant for Talon but I'm not sure. A Talon must be sure!"
Dick started to speak riddles again, but at least he was speaking to Jason like a friend who needed to rant instead of an enemy interrogation.
"Grandmaster Cobb? Does he lead the Court? We won't let them near you Dick. I know Bruce can really fuck up sometimes, he did with both of us dying on him but it'll be fine I swear"
Dick stumbled back another step, "No, no Bruce can't see me. He doesn't allow murderers, he won't like me anymore. I was built for something outside of justice"
Jason was becoming frustrated. He had confirmed this was Dick and that there was some semblance of their old Dick in there, now his mind was spinning with possible plans and next moves. Jason knew he needed to get Dick back to the cave where it was safe and monitored. He didn't have anything on him though, no tasers, sedatives, or cryo freeze that crippled him at Starlabs. He only had a gun and was a bit hesitant to shoot his brother after his last experience with a gun.
"No Dick, it'll be fine I swear you just have to come with me, and we-"
Jason was cut off as Dick's eyes tracked something behind him and he froze in horror. His eyes widened and his irises flashed an off hue of dark gold for a second.
In the moment it took Dick to whisper, "Little D" Jason had spun on his heel and spotted Damian across the rooftop. He was frozen, the Batarang in his hand fell to the concrete with a thud. Jason cursed internally, the little shithead had followed him; at 4 am?!
Damian's mouth was parted in shock and he looked like he wanted to throw himself off a ledge and run to Dick at the same time.
"Grayson" Damian said thickly. Any moron could see how close to tears Damian was. "Grayson" Damian managed to gasp out, taking another step towards the pair.
Dick took a step backward, but Jason grabbed his hand firmly, "Dick, it's fine. You remember Damian? Dami? Demon brat?" Jason was listing as many nicknames as he could think of while keeping his tone of voice soothing.
Dick looked from Jason to Damian and back again, so fast it looked like he was just shaking his head in denial.
"Grayson, is that you?" Damian cried. Damian had abandoned all bat policies and ripped his mask off, tears gathering in his eyes.
Dick swallowed heavily, and gripped Jason's hand back so firmly he winced. What the fuck Jason thought, my hand is gonna bruise.
"It's me Dami" Dick responded in a low uncertain voice.
Damian had finally approached the pair and the moment he was within arms distance, he lunged at Dick. His arms caught Dick around the middle and his forehead crashed into Dick's chest.
Dick didn't let go of Jason's hand and clenched tighter. Jason gasped, out, "Fuck" in a whisper as his knuckles grinded and popped against each other.
Dick was hyperventilating now, staring down at Damian as he tried to curl his upper body around Dick's unpadded larger torso.
Slowly, Dick brought both hands down to wrap around Damian. One hand lay on the back of his head and the fist still clenched around Jason's fingers pushed against the back of Damian's uniform, pushing him more snuggly into Dick's front.
Jason kept silent but struggled to stay balanced and standing as his arm was yanked down to press against Damian's back in a possessive hug.
'These 2' he rolled his eyes at the position he was forced into.
Dick said nothing but his arms kept tightening, contracting around Damian's smaller body in a firm and unbreakable hug. Jason wouldn't be surprised if Dick was slowly realizing who he was actually hugging.
Jason thought he heard a single sob emulate from Damian's face pressed firmly into Dick's chest and bicep.
Dick still had not taken a breath and stared down at Damian like a jewel thief who had just been given the princess diamond with no strings attached.
His gloveless fingers were pressed against Daminan's head and clenched the dark hair there as if he feared Damian would dissipate if he didn't hold every inch of him tight enough. Eventually, Dick took a shuttering breath and leaned his face forward to lay in Damian's thick dark locks.
They stood there in a strange hug and handhold for about 10 solid minutes, ignoring the biting chill of the Bludhaven skyline in favor of their first real contact with their big brother in 5 years.
Fuck Wilson, Jason thought. Screw him and his, 'your reunion won't be happy' bullshit.
Suddenly Damian's communicator went off at his hip. The beep was loud and abrasive compared to the utter silence they had all been existing in. Dick stumbled back violently.
"Robin. Come in. You were not approved for independent patrol". Dick's knee shot out hitting Damian in the gut and launching him away, sending him onto his back and head before rolling to a stop, he flipped backward away from both of them. Jason cursed and ran forward to check Damian on the ground. Damian groaned and blinked his eyes open blearily and Jason breathed out in relief. He looked over his shoulder to see Dick suddenly launching himself off the roof.
"NO!" Jason yelled. He sprinted forward and had enough sense to remember his grapple gun was still on the floor 30 feet away. He reached the edge next to the statues and leaned over, frantically scanning the streets below.
Dick was gone.