Jason: *helping Alfred clear out the dinner table* You think we should’ve asked Harley to stay for dinner?
Alfred: If you wished to see Master Bruce’s hair to turn grey as you ate dessert, I don’t see why not.
Jason: *burps loudly and fans his breath away* Whoops. Sorry, Alf. Just my way of complimenting your cooking.
Alfred: *carrying the dishes to the kitchen* Then perhaps you should come here more often, Master Jason.
Jason: *following Alfred* I’d rather not cause any trouble.
Alfred: *stops in his tracks and turns to face Jason with a stern expression* And you don’t think it troubles me that you feel unwelcome here?
Jason: *takes the dishes from Alfred’s hands, sets them on the kitchen island, and pulls him in for a hug* Alf, hey… I didn’t mean it like that. I know you guys care about me, it’s just…
Alfred: *sobbing into Jason’s shirt* We’ve already lost you once… Once is enough, Jason…
Jason: *tightens the hug and gently plants a kiss on top of Alfred’s head* I know, I know… I’m back, Alf. I’m back.
>>> *** <<<
Dick and Barbara: *sitting on the carpeted floor in the study, enjoying the heat from the fireplace in front of them, going through a stack of photo albums*
Dick: *smiling fondly* Wow, these are old-old…. I should probably scan them before they crumble to pieces.
Dick: *stops at a page and points at a picture of Bruce and Jason on a boat, smiling, and holding up a tuna* Check this out, Babs… Aw, I love this one. I had a few days off from work, decided to spend it here. Somehow Jason convinced Bruce to take break from himself and go fishing.
Dick: *talking animatedly* So, there we are on Bruce’s huge fishing boat, the Bat-2-Sea – And Jason’s starting to get seasick because he’s been hanging out by the edge, waiting for a bite for hours – The persistence on that kid! – And he finally gets one! A big one, Babs – *spreads his arms* – and it was pulling down hard like you wouldn’t believe, but Jason just wouldn’t let go! – So Bruce drops the glass of wine he’s holding and runs to grab him –
Barbara: What were you doing?
Dick: Who do you think took the picture? As I was saying – Bruce, he – he – *starts to laugh so hard that he tears up* trips over Jason’s line somehow and falls into the ocean! *slapping-the-floor laughing* The World’s Greatest Detective, in his Batwaders, drenched like a wet bird… *sighs happily* You should’ve seen his face!
Barbara: *turns the page* Oh, I can see it now. Still stone-faced, but wet.
Barbara: *stops at a page and giggles* Aw… Will you look at that?
Dick: *looks at the photo Babs is pointing at and chuckles softly* That’s adorable.
Barbara: Those scaly leotards fit him better than they ever did you, Boy Wonder.
Dick: *smirks* Whatever. But I have to admit, he did look great. He looked really… happy. I wish… I wish I saw more of him in action, you know? *voice breaking* I could’ve maybe trained him the way I did Tim and Damian –
Barbara: *rubs his back comfortingly* Dick…
Jason: *walks into the study* Dickie, I took some of your –
Dick: *clears his throat and wipes his eyes haphazardly* Hey, Little Wing!
Jason: Wait, are those our old family photos?
Barbara: *pats the empty spot beside her* C’mere.
Jason: *sits down and rubs his hands together* Where’s the one where Bruce goes kersplat in the ocean?
Jason: *flips through the pages and grimaces at his photos as Robin* You’re not gonna use these to blackmail me, are you?
>>> *** <<<
Duke: *watches as his RPG character explodes for the fifth time in a row and shakes his head* You beat me again! You’re so good at this game, man.
Jason: *snorts and puts his controller down* Dude, you weren’t even trying. If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were letting me win.
Duke: What? Naaaah… That’s… Come on, why would I do that?
Jason: *gets up and shrugs, grinning knowingly* I dunno… ‘Cause you like seeing me alive?
Duke: Yeah. It’s pretty awesome, actually.
Jason: *offers to bump fists* I gotta pack up. Good game, though. See you around, bro.
Duke: *exploding-fist-bumps with Jason* You too, bro.
Jason: *pats Ace the Bathound’s head as he exits the game room*
>>> *** <<<
Steph: *examining Jason’s face* You look really pale.
Cass: *pointing at various spots on his face* And you have a lot of… scars.
Jason: *sitting on a stool in front of Cass’s vanity dresser, staring at himself in the mirror and absentmindedly running a finger over the shirt-covered scar on his chest* Yeah? That bad, huh?
Steph: *grins* Nothing a little makeup can’t fix.
Jason: *rubbing his chin* You think so? I mean, I just came here to borrow a few weapons from Cass, but if you think I need a makeover…
Steph and Cass: *look at each other and squeal in delight*
>>> *** <<<
Tim: And this *holding up a minuscule gadget between his fingers for Jason to see* generates a force field over your entire body. The more the impact, the greater the energy generated. Schway, huh?
Jason: *nodding his head appreciatively as he takes the gadget and sticks it on the lapel of his leather jacket* Schway.
Tim: *proudly shows Jason a Bat-shaped breastplate * Now, this – You’re gonna love this – It can turn you invisible to the naked eye for roughly 34.5 seconds, giving you time to do all kinds of offensive or defensive stuff. They won’t know what hit them, Jay. You’re basically gonna be invincible and Joker… Joker, he’s… he’s not… not gonna… *drops the breastplate unceremoniously*
Jason: *places a hand on Tim’s shoulder* Thank you, Timbo. Really. But I’ll be fine out there. You don’t have to worry about me.
Tim: Yeah? Can you promise me that? Because I don’t think I can live through another one of Bruce’s meltdowns.
Jason: *chuckles softly* Aren’t they the best?
>>> *** <<<
Jason: *staring at an empty grave layered with concrete in the backyard*
Jason: *rolls his eyes* I know you’re there.
Bruce: *comes out of the shadows and stands next to Jason*
Jason: Why’d you keep it?
Bruce: Because I’m a sentimental old fool.
Jason: This is just… creepy. Even for you.
Bruce and Jason: *stare at the empty grave in silence*
Jason: I’ve forgiven you.
Bruce: *glances at Jason, who could’ve sworn his adoptive father’s eyes were bloodshot*
Jason: You know that, don’t you? I mean, I know we’re always going to disagree about Jok– about him, and a few other things, but… You’ll always be family Bruce. My family.
Bruce: *looks at Jason, smiling wearily*
Jason: *grinning back at Bruce*
Bruce: *puts an arm around Jason’s shoulder* Thank you… Son.
Jason: *pulls Bruce in for a tight hug*
Bruce and Jason: …
Jason: Hey, remember that time you went kersplat in the ocean?
>>> *** <<<
Damian: *knocks softly on Jason’s bedroom door* Todd.
Jason: *stuffing a duffel bag with clothes, homemade snacks, and weapons* Hey, kid, come in. I’m just getting my stuff ready –
Damian: These came from Mother. *drops a pile of books on Jason’s old desk*
Jason: *picking one after the other up excitedly* Tolstoy, Machiavelli, Sun Tzu, Shakespeare, Marx… No way…
Damian: They’ve been with me for a while. But since you rarely come over, they’ve been collecting dust and taking up valuable space in my room. -Tt-
Jason: *wiping the dust off with his shirt and hugging each one* She kept them… These were my friends back when I was in the League…
Damian: I didn’t realize we had more in common than just being my Father’s sons.
Jason: Wow. I have no idea how I’m supposed to bring all of these home. I mean, I got here on roller blades, for Bat’s sake–
Damian: *thrusts a piece of paper into Jason’s chest* This is for you.
Jason: *gingerly uncrumples it, revealing a painting of him and Damian*
Jason: *reading the writing in calligraphy underneath* “The Second Chance Robins”… *looks at Damian, feeling the tears well up in his eyes* You made this?
Damian: *looking down at his feet* When it’s my day… M-my d-day… Will you come over, too?
Jason: *gets down on bended knee to be at eye level with his little brother* Hey, buddy, look at me. Damian, look at me. Of course. Listen, we’ll do whatever you want. We’ll, um… We’ll take bad guys down together! Pull pranks on Tim! You name it, I got you.
Damian: Don’t make promises you can’t keep, Todd.
Jason: I promise that I’ll do my best, okay?
Damian: You could stay the night, you know. You’re home anyway.
Jason: *ruffles Damian’s hair and grins* I’d like that. As long as you hang out here with me. And I promise I won’t tell anybody because it’ll ruin our reputation.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
If truth be told, @wingedskyes , Jason makes himself available on his Death Day. Because even if neither he nor his family and friends mention it, he knows that they need him just as much as he needs them.
Thank you for this Ask. It was both fun and just a tad bit heartbreaking to write.
Jason: *helping Alfred clear out the dinner table* You think we should’ve asked Harley to stay for dinner?
Alfred: If you wished to see Master Bruce’s hair to turn grey as you ate dessert, I don’t see why not.
Jason: *burps loudly and fans his breath away* Whoops. Sorry, Alf. Just my way of complimenting your cooking.
Alfred: *carrying the dishes to the kitchen* Then perhaps you should come here more often, Master Jason.
Jason: *following Alfred* I’d rather not cause any trouble.
Alfred: *stops in his tracks and turns to face Jason with a stern expression* And you don’t think it troubles me that you feel unwelcome here?
Jason: *takes the dishes from Alfred’s hands, sets them on the kitchen island, and pulls him in for a hug* Alf, hey… I didn’t mean it like that. I know you guys care about me, it’s just…
Alfred: *sobbing into Jason’s shirt* We’ve already lost you once… Once is enough, Jason…
Jason: *tightens the hug and gently plants a kiss on top of Alfred’s head* I know, I know… I’m back, Alf. I’m back.
>>> *** <<<
Dick and Barbara: *sitting on the carpeted floor in the study, enjoying the heat from the fireplace in front of them, going through a stack of photo albums*
Dick: *smiling fondly* Wow, these are old-old…. I should probably scan them before they crumble to pieces.
Dick: *stops at a page and points at a picture of Bruce and Jason on a boat, smiling, and holding up a tuna* Check this out, Babs… Aw, I love this one. I had a few days off from work, decided to spend it here. Somehow Jason convinced Bruce to take break from himself and go fishing.
Dick: *talking animatedly* So, there we are on Bruce’s huge fishing boat, the Bat-2-Sea – And Jason’s starting to get seasick because he’s been hanging out by the edge, waiting for a bite for hours – The persistence on that kid! – And he finally gets one! A big one, Babs – *spreads his arms* – and it was pulling down hard like you wouldn’t believe, but Jason just wouldn’t let go! – So Bruce drops the glass of wine he’s holding and runs to grab him –
Barbara: What were you doing?
Dick: Who do you think took the picture? As I was saying – Bruce, he – he – *starts to laugh so hard that he tears up* trips over Jason’s line somehow and falls into the ocean! *slapping-the-floor laughing* The World’s Greatest Detective, in his Batwaders, drenched like a wet bird… *sighs happily* You should’ve seen his face!
Barbara: *turns the page* Oh, I can see it now. Still stone-faced, but wet.
Barbara: *stops at a page and giggles* Aw… Will you look at that?
Dick: *looks at the photo Babs is pointing at and chuckles softly* That’s adorable.
Barbara: Those scaly leotards fit him better than they ever did you, Boy Wonder.
Dick: *smirks* Whatever. But I have to admit, he did look great. He looked really… happy. I wish… I wish I saw more of him in action, you know? *voice breaking* I could’ve maybe trained him the way I did Tim and Damian –
Barbara: *rubs his back comfortingly* Dick…
Jason: *walks into the study* Dickie, I took some of your –
Dick: *clears his throat and wipes his eyes haphazardly* Hey, Little Wing!
Jason: Wait, are those our old family photos?
Barbara: *pats the empty spot beside her* C’mere.
Jason: *sits down and rubs his hands together* Where’s the one where Bruce goes kersplat in the ocean?
Jason: *flips through the pages and grimaces at his photos as Robin* You’re not gonna use these to blackmail me, are you?
>>> *** <<<
Duke: *watches as his RPG character explodes for the fifth time in a row and shakes his head* You beat me again! You’re so good at this game, man.
Jason: *snorts and puts his controller down* Dude, you weren’t even trying. If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were letting me win.
Duke: What? Naaaah… That’s… Come on, why would I do that?
Jason: *gets up and shrugs, grinning knowingly* I dunno… ‘Cause you like seeing me alive?
Duke: Yeah. It’s pretty awesome, actually.
Jason: *offers to bump fists* I gotta pack up. Good game, though. See you around, bro.
Duke: *exploding-fist-bumps with Jason* You too, bro.
Jason: *pats Ace the Bathound’s head as he exits the game room*
>>> *** <<<
Steph: *examining Jason’s face* You look really pale.
Cass: *pointing at various spots on his face* And you have a lot of… scars.
Jason: *sitting on a stool in front of Cass’s vanity dresser, staring at himself in the mirror and absentmindedly running a finger over the shirt-covered scar on his chest* Yeah? That bad, huh?
Steph: *grins* Nothing a little makeup can’t fix.
Jason: *rubbing his chin* You think so? I mean, I just came here to borrow a few weapons from Cass, but if you think I need a makeover…
Steph and Cass: *look at each other and squeal in delight*
>>> *** <<<
Tim: And this *holding up a minuscule gadget between his fingers for Jason to see* generates a force field over your entire body. The more the impact, the greater the energy generated. Schway, huh?
Jason: *nodding his head appreciatively as he takes the gadget and sticks it on the lapel of his leather jacket* Schway.
Tim: *proudly shows Jason a Bat-shaped breastplate * Now, this – You’re gonna love this – It can turn you invisible to the naked eye for roughly 34.5 seconds, giving you time to do all kinds of offensive or defensive stuff. They won’t know what hit them, Jay. You’re basically gonna be invincible and Joker… Joker, he’s… he’s not… not gonna… *drops the breastplate unceremoniously*
Jason: *places a hand on Tim’s shoulder* Thank you, Timbo. Really. But I’ll be fine out there. You don’t have to worry about me.
Tim: Yeah? Can you promise me that? Because I don’t think I can live through another one of Bruce’s meltdowns.
Jason: *chuckles softly* Aren’t they the best?
>>> *** <<<
Jason: *staring at an empty grave layered with concrete in the backyard*
Jason: *rolls his eyes* I know you’re there.
Bruce: *comes out of the shadows and stands next to Jason*
Jason: Why’d you keep it?
Bruce: Because I’m a sentimental old fool.
Jason: This is just… creepy. Even for you.
Bruce and Jason: *stare at the empty grave in silence*
Jason: I’ve forgiven you.
Bruce: *glances at Jason, who could’ve sworn his adoptive father’s eyes were bloodshot*
Jason: You know that, don’t you? I mean, I know we’re always going to disagree about Jok– about him, and a few other things, but… You’ll always be family Bruce. My family.
Bruce: *looks at Jason, smiling wearily*
Jason: *grinning back at Bruce*
Bruce: *puts an arm around Jason’s shoulder* Thank you… Son.
Jason: *pulls Bruce in for a tight hug*
Bruce and Jason: …
Jason: Hey, remember that time you went kersplat in the ocean?
>>> *** <<<
Damian: *knocks softly on Jason’s bedroom door* Todd.
Jason: *stuffing a duffel bag with clothes, homemade snacks, and weapons* Hey, kid, come in. I’m just getting my stuff ready –
Damian: These came from Mother. *drops a pile of books on Jason’s old desk*
Jason: *picking one after the other up excitedly* Tolstoy, Machiavelli, Sun Tzu, Shakespeare, Marx… No way…
Damian: They’ve been with me for a while. But since you rarely come over, they’ve been collecting dust and taking up valuable space in my room. -Tt-
Jason: *wiping the dust off with his shirt and hugging each one* She kept them… These were my friends back when I was in the League…
Damian: I didn’t realize we had more in common than just being my Father’s sons.
Jason: Wow. I have no idea how I’m supposed to bring all of these home. I mean, I got here on roller blades, for Bat’s sake–
Damian: *thrusts a piece of paper into Jason’s chest* This is for you.
Jason: *gingerly uncrumples it, revealing a painting of him and Damian*
Jason: *reading the writing in calligraphy underneath* “The Second Chance Robins”… *looks at Damian, feeling the tears well up in his eyes* You made this?
Damian: *looking down at his feet* When it’s my day… M-my d-day… Will you come over, too?
Jason: *gets down on bended knee to be at eye level with his little brother* Hey, buddy, look at me. Damian, look at me. Of course. Listen, we’ll do whatever you want. We’ll, um… We’ll take bad guys down together! Pull pranks on Tim! You name it, I got you.
Damian: Don’t make promises you can’t keep, Todd.
Jason: I promise that I’ll do my best, okay?
Damian: You could stay the night, you know. You’re home anyway.
Jason: *ruffles Damian’s hair and grins* I’d like that. As long as you hang out here with me. And I promise I won’t tell anybody because it’ll ruin our reputation.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
If truth be told, @wingedskyes , Jason makes himself available on his Death Day. Because even if neither he nor his family and friends mention it, he knows that they need him just as much as he needs them.
Thank you for this Ask. It was both fun and just a tad bit heartbreaking to write.
Bruce: *steps out of the Batcave and into the Manor after patrol*
Bruce: *pauses*
Bruce: *sighs wearily*
Bruce: *in a loud, deadpan voice* Where, oh, where can my eldest child be?
Dick: *covered from head-to-toe in body paint, blending in with the wallpaper in the library*
Dick: *yelling and giggling* You’ll never find me, Bruce! I took the tracker out of my arm this morning!
>>> — <<<
Batman: *working on the Batcomputer* Were you able to get the stuff I needed from GCPD like I asked you to?
Nightwing: *carries an evidence box and drops it on the table beside Bruce* Yup! Yup, yup, yup. Just like you asked.
Batman: *opens the box* Hn.
Batman: *takes a heavy book entitled “Batman and Robin: The Golden Age” out of it and glares at Dick* What’s this?
Nightwing: Gee whiz! How’d that get in there? I’ve been looking all over for it!
Batman: *handing the book over to Dick* Take it –
Nightwing: *already slowly backing out of the Batcave* Come to think of it, how about you and I read it before I sleep? It really helps take care of those gosh-darned nightmares! *running out* See you later, Bruce!
Batman: Hrrrrn. *wiping dust from the yellowing cover* See you later, chum.
>>> — <<<
Red Robin: Are you serious right now, Dick? I’m already dressed. And I’ve been tracking our mark for three weeks now.
Nightwing: Yeah. Batman said so.
Red Hood: Let me just run that by everyone again. *inhaling deeply* Bruce said we couldn’t go on patrol with the two of you tonight…?
Nightwing: Um-hmm. Sorry, guys.
Robin: Grayson, that doesn’t even make sense! It’s family patrol night.
Nightwing: Yeah, well, maybe the rest of you can just –
Nightwing: *hears the Batmobile revving up* Gotta go!
[In the Batmobile…]
Batman: *activating the tracking device and backing out of the Batcave as Dick gets into the passenger side* Where’s everyone?
Nightwing: Huh?
Batman: *stares at Dick suspiciously* Your siblings. Are they ready?
Nightwing: *shrugs* Oh. They all said something about this other mission that they had to take care of or whatever. Hey, mind if we pass by Bat Burger real quick?
[Three hours later…]
Batgirl: *passing the binoculars to Tim*Called it.
Red Robin: *looks through it and watches in amusement as Bruce and Dick eat Batburgers atop a gargoyle from three buildings away*Well, I’ll be darned. *passes the binoculars to Steph*
Spoiler: *looks through it* Ugh! This is making me hungry.
Robin: *grabs the binoculars from Steph* Let me see! Let me see! *looks through it for a good two minutes, then passes it to Duke* -Tt- That traitor.
The Signal: *looks through the binoculars for moment, then passes it to Cass* It’s almost like he’s a kid again.
Black Bat: *looks through it and sighs happily* It’s adorable.
Alfred [on the Comm Link]: I’m afraidMaster Dick’s been competing with all of you for Master Bruce’s attention for so long that he’s… regressing.
Red Hood: *chuckles* If he wanted to spend some alone time with the old Bat that badly, he could’ve just said so.
Bruce: *steps out of the Batcave and into the Manor after patrol*
Bruce: *pauses*
Bruce: *sighs wearily*
Bruce: *in a loud, deadpan voice* Where, oh, where can my eldest child be?
Dick: *covered from head-to-toe in body paint, blending in with the wallpaper in the library*
Dick: *yelling and giggling* You’ll never find me, Bruce! I took the tracker out of my arm this morning!
>>> — <<<
Batman: *working on the Batcomputer* Were you able to get the stuff I needed from GCPD like I asked you to?
Nightwing: *carries an evidence box and drops it on the table beside Bruce* Yup! Yup, yup, yup. Just like you asked.
Batman: *opens the box* Hn.
Batman: *takes a heavy book entitled “Batman and Robin: The Golden Age” out of it and glares at Dick* What’s this?
Nightwing: Gee whiz! How’d that get in there? I’ve been looking all over for it!
Batman: *handing the book over to Dick* Take it –
Nightwing: *already slowly backing out of the Batcave* Come to think of it, how about you and I read it before I sleep? It really helps take care of those gosh-darned nightmares! *running out* See you later, Bruce!
Batman: Hrrrrn. *wiping dust from the yellowing cover* See you later, chum.
>>> — <<<
Red Robin: Are you serious right now, Dick? I’m already dressed. And I’ve been tracking our mark for three weeks now.
Nightwing: Yeah. Batman said so.
Red Hood: Let me just run that by everyone again. *inhaling deeply* Bruce said we couldn’t go on patrol with the two of you tonight…?
Nightwing: Um-hmm. Sorry, guys.
Robin: Grayson, that doesn’t even make sense! It’s family patrol night.
Nightwing: Yeah, well, maybe the rest of you can just –
Nightwing: *hears the Batmobile revving up* Gotta go!
[In the Batmobile…]
Batman: *activating the tracking device and backing out of the Batcave as Dick gets into the passenger side* Where’s everyone?
Nightwing: Huh?
Batman: *stares at Dick suspiciously* Your siblings. Are they ready?
Nightwing: *shrugs* Oh. They all said something about this other mission that they had to take care of or whatever. Hey, mind if we pass by Bat Burger real quick?
[Three hours later…]
Batgirl: *passing the binoculars to Tim*Called it.
Red Robin: *looks through it and watches in amusement as Bruce and Dick eat Batburgers atop a gargoyle from three buildings away*Well, I’ll be darned. *passes the binoculars to Steph*
Spoiler: *looks through it* Ugh! This is making me hungry.
Robin: *grabs the binoculars from Steph* Let me see! Let me see! *looks through it for a good two minutes, then passes it to Duke* -Tt- That traitor.
The Signal: *looks through the binoculars for moment, then passes it to Cass* It’s almost like he’s a kid again.
Black Bat: *looks through it and sighs happily* It’s adorable.
Alfred [on the Comm Link]: I’m afraidMaster Dick’s been competing with all of you for Master Bruce’s attention for so long that he’s… regressing.
Red Hood: *chuckles* If he wanted to spend some alone time with the old Bat that badly, he could’ve just said so.
Alfred: *throws hands up in exasperation as the five-course dinner he prepared grows cold* Well, the boys are off. I wonder where they went.
Bruce: Out of town.
Alfred: How do you know, Master Bruce?
Bruce: I told them not to.
Jason: *oblivious to the remnants of the scrumptuous five-course meal he just devoured hanging off the corner of his mouth as realization dawns on him* Son of a bat…
Dick: Right?
Tim: It didn’t seem suspicious to you? At all?
Damian: -Tt- Reverse psychology. I wouldn’t put it past Father.
Duke: Or is it reverse-reverse psychology… ?
Alfred: *grinning smugly while placing a slice of homemade blueberry mousse in front of each of them* Does it really matter, young masters?
incorrect-batfamily-quotes 