Chapter Text
Jason was the only pup that was truly his.
Not that the others weren't but he couldn't call any of them just his own, all of them having responsibilities elsewhere, having ties to someone else. Dick was an Alpha and they usually took toward their Alpha mentors. Dick had grown into Talon and was now one of the most vicious forces on this side of the globe. Bruce was proud, so proud but Dick would always be more Thomas then Bruce, no matter how much the young Alpha hated the older Wayne.
Damian Al Ghul and Helena Kyle-Wayne were his little miracle pups. Born as fraternal twins and sired by two different Alphas. However, Helena was, again, an Alpha. And while Selena was much more lenient than any other Alpha about Helena being with her omega bearer, Helena was an Alpha and would naturally gravitate toward her Alpha mother. Damian was an omega but he was the heir to the League, so really, Bruce was lucky that Talia had stood up to her father, otherwise, he might not have gotten to know the little pup at all.
Tim Drake was another little pup he had held close, much like Dick, except that Tim's loyalty was to his parents. He was the only omega child to an alpha father and a beta mother. There were many parents that chose to have heir child mentored by another person if their designation didn't match and the Drakes had chosen Bruce to mentor theirs. Tim would always come to Bruce first with his achievements and grievances but it wasn't the same.
Cassandra was already trained in a certain manner by her biological father, one that Bruce did not agree with but could not change. He supported her when he could and completely adored her but she was a flighty dancer and had come to him while she was already grown.
Stephanie, Harper, Cullen, Barbara, more protege than children and really that was how it was always going to be.
But Jason. Jason was all his. He was a crime alley omega which meant that none of the Alphas around would take him under their wing and no one in Bruce's circle wanted to 'taint' their blood with an omega mate from the alley. He was Bruce's to raise, to cherish and to hold close. Bruce's to teach and mould.
It was Bruce's job to make sure the omega pup made it to the top of the world and he would do a damn good job of it. Their world bowed to the powerful and strong and he would make sure that Jason was the best.
He has told Jason that much when he has taken the little pup in.
"There are two types of omegas that make it in our world and especially in Gotham. There are the ones like me that wrap Alphas, Betas and even other omegas around their finger, make them dance to their tune. You will not be that omega. You are too brash and forward to it. You will be the omega that goes ahead with the sheer force of will. They will respect you and if they do not, they will fear you,"
Jason had nodded, listening to him with rapt attention.
"And remember, if any of them think they are worth you, make them prove it no matter than their designation. Do not ever settle for less than what you want,"
These days he was really wishing that he hadn't driven the last point very hard.
Because really the dead bodies were getting a bit ridiculous.
XXX
The first sign of what was to come had come when someone had asked Jason to the Halloween dance in his sophomore year.
"Hey B," said Jason while expertly hitting every target with his blades, "I need a costume for the Halloween dance,"
"Huh," said Bruce, "Don't you already have one? The pirate one?"
"Oh yeah, but I got asked to the dance by this really cute alpha girl and we're matching so we're doing Zorro,"
Bruce grinned at the young omega, "So someone asked you huh? How? Did they present you with a gift?"
"Yeah," said Jason, throwing the last knife and heading to where Bruce was standing, "Wanna see?"
Jason took out a small wooden box. Inside, nestled in velvet was a small white ring. Bruce had to admit it looked quite nice, strong and well crafted, the light barely touching-
"Wait," he said, "Is that made of a human finger bone?"
"Yeah!" said Jason, "Cool isn't it. We were talking about people keeping trophies from their kills and I said making something pretty out of it would be the best insult since they're still serving you in death and she gave this to me today and asked,"
"Huh?" said Bruce, not knowing how to feel about the thing, "It's an interesting gift,"
"Right," said Jason, "Some other people asked me too but hey all gave boring gifts so I ignored them,"
"Boring?" wondered Bruce
"You know. Flowers. Candies and stuff," said Jason, "This is much cooler. Now about the costume,"
Bruce shrugged as Jason started listing supplies for his costume. It was just a bone ring. Nothing to worry about.
He really should have thought better.
XXX
There was a box at his doorstep.
And it was dripping blood.
That could not be anything good. Someone had actually gotten close to their door to leave this here and from all the blood the message could only be a threat.
Bruce carefully opened the box and-
-found a perfectly cut heart inside with a note.
'Be my valentine?'
Bruce sighed.
"Jason!"
Jason came running down and grinned when he saw the box.
"Oh god, he actually did it,"
"Explain," said Bruce, having some idea where this was going.
Jason laughed, "He asked what it would take to get my heart and on a whim, I said 'a heart' and he actually did it,"
"Is the same person that asked you out with patches of tattoed skin?"
"Nope, new guy,"
"Of course," Bruce sighed
"Anyway Valentines tomorrow," said Jason, grabbing the box, "I have an outfit to get ready,"
"Watch for the blood!" he called out but Jason was already gone
"Human bone jewellery, tattoed skin patches, an actual bloody heart," muttered Bruce, "What's next? A severed head?"
He really shouldn't have asked.
XXX
There was a severed head in the box, eyes still open and tongue sticking out of their mouth.
The words 'Prom?' were carved into its forehead.
Bruce heaved a sigh and decided to take the box to Jason himself. He found the young boy sitting in the library, reading a book.
"You have an invite to prom," he told the omega
"If its another cake, I don't want it," said Jason, not even looking up from his book
"It's a severed head,"
That got his attention.
"Oh?" said Jason, "Who's is it?"
"See for yourself," said Bruce, handing his son the box
"Ah," said Jason, looking at the head, "Jeffery. He likes to mess with younger omegas. Or well 'liked' I guess,"
"Did he do anything to you," asked Bruce, the protective instinct rising inside of him
Jason snorted, "No. He wouldn't have had the balls to. Anyway, I like to deal with my problems on my own,"
"Right," said Bruce
Jason hummed and then looked at Bruce, "Do you think I could wear a dress to prom? I'm still pretty slim and it would look nice with my developing curves,"
Bruce looked from the head to the bright smile on Jason's face and resigned himself to seeing bloody gifts in the future.
"Sure Jay, you can wear a dress,"
XXX
Once Jason graduated high school, he got into Princeton and stayed there for the next four years, barely showing his face in Gotham. People started to wonder if he would ever come back.
Bruce knew better though. He'd seen his son's plans, the fire in his eyes and the blood behind his teeth.
Jason was a Gothamite, born and bred.
He would come back.
And come back he did.
Red X rose through the ranks of Gotham's underbelly with a viciousness that even surprised Bruce. The people of crime alley and the narrows worshipped him and those that opposed him feared him. He made everyone bow to him and his meetings with the rest of Gotham's big players, including the elite, were a sight to behold.
Really, Bruce couldn't have been prouder.
His son's newfound popularity also meant that there were a lot more people trying to gain his favours. And while Jason no longer lived with Bruce, he, however, did come to visit often.
And bring his gifts along.
"Look, Bruce! It's a torture wheel. Still has a bit of blood on it,"
"Here! Look! it was used to decapitate the rogue gang a couple of months ago. I think I might spend my heat with this one,"
"Another heart Bruce! You'd think I'd be over getting hearts by now but really, never gets old,"
"Dad! Dad! A skull!"
"Remember that Beta we were talking about, someone cut off his fingers for me. I think I'm gonna meet them,"
"Why can't he like normal gifts?" Bruce wailed, "I liked normal gifts,"
"I brought you stolen jewellery Lover," said Selina, running a hand through his hair
"And I brought you blades," said Talia, "There were flowers too but mostly weapons,"
"Still normal gifts!" insisted Bruce, "This one likes actual human hearts, and fingers and skulls!"
Talia laughed and gave him a kiss, "He's happy, Beloved. That's what you want for him, right?"
Bruce sighed. She was right of course. He wanted his son to be happy. He could put up with a few torture devices and clean body parts.
And then Roy fucking Harper happened.