Chapter Text
As soon as he heard the front door open, Jason Todd ran out of the kitchen to greet his father. The 10 year old was bursting with excitement at the thought of telling Bruce his new career plans.
“Bruce! Bruce! I’m going to be the Librarian” he said as he hugged his father hello. There was a moment of silence as the two continued to hug and the words processed. He picked Jason up and walked them back into the kitchen.
“Whatever you want to be, I’ll support you kiddo. I’m sure you’ll be a great librarian with your love of books!”
He set his son down and greeted Alfred, who was busy making dinner for the three of them. Bruce washed his hands in order to help with the food preparation, while Jason sat down at the table to finish the drawing he was working on before Bruce’s arrival interrupted him.
As he drew, Jason began to recount his adventures while Bruce was away. He told his father all about the books he read, the games he played with his friends at school, and what he learned in class.
“We went to the museum, and my teacher was proud of me for knowing so much,” Jason said as dinner was set down in front of him. “Also, thanks dad! My Robin training will come in handy when I become the Librarian. I can’t wait to look for artifacts!”
Bruce laughed and smiled at his boy. He was glad to hear how passionate Jason seemed at his new dream. It was always refreshing to hear his son so excited about something.
“I don’t think most librarians do that, but perhaps Selina would like to help teach you about some artifacts and taking care of them.”
Jason looked up from his plate and nodded quickly. He swallowed and said, “Yes! Ms. Selina knows so much. Can I also talk to Ms. Zatanna and Ms. Diana? They’d be able to teach me all about magic and mythology! I have to learn about that kind of stuff if I’m going to keep magic away from bad guys.”
There was a pause while Jason’s words sank in. Bruce was happy to let his son learn from Diana and Zatanna, but what was this about learning magic? Being a librarian couldn’t be that dangerous.
Bruce sat down his knife and fork, looking his son in the eye. “Kiddo, why would you need to learn magic to be a librarian?”
“Because the Librarian finds and stores magical artifacts to save the world. They have to know magic and mythology and facts to keep everything safe. Ya know its like you and me put together!”
Alfred saw the puzzled look on Bruce’s face and chimed in, “If I can alleviate any confusion, the young Master saw a film on television a few days ago called The Librarian and the Spear of Destiny . Much like the Indiana Jones films you loved, this film followed the adventures of one Flynn Carsen also known as the Librarian. Young Master Jason was very taken to this character.”
Jason nodded vigorously in agreement. Ah, that made much more sense. Bruce resumed eating and said, “Of course, whatever you want to do in life son.”
“Great! Now I just need to get 22 degrees so I can start my journey!”
Bruce laughed before seeing the serious look on Jason and Alfred’s faces. Oh boy.
Thirteen Years Later
Things with Jason had been tense since his resurrection, and more often than not, he didn’t get along with the rest of his family. Bruce especially was hard to talk to now. That didn’t stop him from blowing up the family group chat though.
Jason: Unfollow Me Now.jpg
Jason: They made a tv show of the Librarian and its amazing
Tim: That came out like three years ago????
Jason: first of all,
Jason: fuck off and let me enjoy this
Jason: second
Jason: actually thats all
Dick: Isn’t that those movies you used to watch as a kid?
Jason: maybe, whats it to you
Dick: You were like in love with that guy. I never got it but to each their own Little Wing
Tim: You liked him??????
Jason: i was 10 and confusing romantic love with paternal love
Jason: also i have great taste in men which is why im dating Kyle *and* Connor bitch
Tim: Whatever
Stephanie: can yall shut the fuck up? i have a final tomorrow
It was weird seeing something from his childhood turned into something new. There were so many new characters and storylines to explore, and Jason loved every minute of it. He watched each episode with rapt attention, much to the chagrin of his boyfriends.
Jason: okay so you know how ive been watching Librarians
Kyle: no really?
Jason: babe ily but die
Jason: anyway
Jason: watching it i realized i am the kids???
Connor: I can kind of see it.
Connor: You’ve got a similar thing with death and magic like Cassandra
Connor: You’re a literature and history nerd like Stone
Connor: Plus almost everything about Ezekiel is you
Kyle: babe dont encourage him, hes gonna talk about this forever now
Jason: i cant believe i only have one boyfriend???
Jason: anyway yeah
Jason: im all the kids so why havent Eve and Flynn adopted me yet???
Kyle: i mean bruce and selina are kinda similar
Jason: kyle why are you so insistent on betraying me tonight
Connor: :((((( Stop fighting
Kyle: love you both
Kyle’s comment about his adoptive parents really stuck with Jason. Selina was a relatively new addition to his life, but Bruce had been there for a long time.
He loved Bruce as a kid, practically worshiped him as Robin. Everything changed when he died. Jason was so angry when he came back; it felt like the whole universe turned its back on him. Sure, he wasn’t expecting the red carpet to be rolled out, but it would have been nice to not be plagued by that twisted smile everywhere he went.
Finally he got the two of them in a room together, just to get answers. It didn’t end well, but at least the danger was over. Jason had been so scared he’d be pushed to the side again, instead Bruce hugged him for a long time. They never really talk about what happened, however Jason knows he made the right choice.
Jason: picture of flynn.jpeg
Jason: why cant you be more like Flynn?
Bruce: Jason its 4am, you need to sleep
Jason: hypocrite
Jason: you never sleep
Jason: i bet Flynn wouldn’t make me go to sleep
Bruce: He’s not even around that much in the show
Bruce: Plus I’m more like Col. Baird anyway
Jason: you watch the show??????
Bruce: You’re my son. I want to know what you’re interested in
Jason: youre getting soft in your old age
Jason: whatd you think about that Jenkins reveal?
Jason: omg does this mean Alfred is Jenkins?????
Bruce: Go to sleep kiddo. We can talk about this in the morning
Jason: it is the morning
Jason: but fine
Jason: gn dad
Bruce: Goodnight Son
They weren’t perfect, but they were a family.