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1.
Jason was mad. Joker was out again, and Jason was ready to kill him.
He was in the Cave as his family was trying to convince him they couldn’t handle the Joker.
“You just don’t want me near him because you think I’m going to kill him and I will! Joker has to pay.”
Bruce sighed. Jason was really angry, and he will definitely go with them, and Bruce didn’t want to have to fight Joker and restrain Jason at the same time.
The others seemed as worried as him about how the situation could degenerate.
“Alright, Little Wing, what about you just let us take care of him for this time. He’ll go back to Arkham for the rest of his life, and trust me, it's worse than death.”
“How would you know about it? Did you crawl the way of your coffin too?”
“Master Jason. What about you just take a deep breath and drink your coffee before going to patrol where you’re surely going to act like an adult.”
Jason groaned but drank quickly before standing up on his feet.
“Perfect, now I’ll go kill that fucking asshole and you can’t stop me.”
Jason looked at Bruce in the eyes, with a furious glare for a second before his eyes blinked lazily as he struggled to keep his balance.
“Jay, are you okay?”
“What… what did you… I don’t…” his eyes rolled in his head and he collapsed in Bruce’s arms.
“Jason? Jaylad, can you hear me?” Asked a very worried Bruce, trying to shake his son awake.
“Don’t worry Master Bruce, I just put some sleeping concoction in his drink. You should go take care of the Joker, while Master Jason will have a peaceful night of sleep at home.”
“You what?”
“Damn, Pennyworth. That’s wild.” Damian shrieked while his father was taking Jason to his bedroom and tucked him under the covers. He kissed his hairline before joining his other sons.
When Jason woke up, it took him a while to understand where he was. The bed under him was comfortable and his head was resting on three pillows messily put in the bed.
Alfred was reading a book and sipping tea on a seat next to his bed.
“What the fuck happened?” Jason groaned as he was trying to move before noticing he was restrained to the bed. “Alfie, seriously?”
“Language, Master Jason. I hope you are feeling well, we decided to restrain you because we didn’t know how mad you’ll be when you wake up.”
“Wait… What happened? Where is the Joker?”
“Your father took care of him, he’s back in Arkham.”
“He what? Why didn’t you fucking leave him to me?”
“Alright, I guess that means I’ll wait another thirty minutes before taking off the cuffs. You should get more rest, my boy. I’ll be in the corridor if you need me.” Alfred sighed and left the room after kissing Jason’s forehead, like an apology.
“No! Alfie! I’m perfectly fine and calm just let me go!”
Jason sighed when he realized that the old butler had left. Maybe he should get some sleep.
It didn’t even take him a minute to fall back asleep.
When he woke up again, Jason was bundled up in blankets and in his father’s arms. He wanted to yell at him for what he did, but he was too tired for this. He’ll fight with Bruce another time, for now, he just wanted warmth and sleep.
2.
Fear toxin was a pain in the ass. Especially knowing that he was probably the unluckiest man in Gotham, and that of course he was the one that ended up in front of Scarecrow.
At first, he thought that his mask will protect him from the gas, but he found out right after starting to cough that his mask was broken.
“Fuck.” He cursed, but in a few minutes, hallucinations began.
“Batman, Scarecrow was seen the last time in this building, be careful. Also, Red Hood’s tracker is there too, you might want to look for his since we didn’t have any news for the last ten minutes.”
Bruce nodded even though Barbara couldn’t see it. He knew that Jason was out tonight, and knowing that he was alone with Scarecrow was worrying him.
He entered the building by the window and the first thing he saw was his son, laying on the floor, shaking like a leaf.
“Red Hood, report.” He ordered as he was slowly coming closer to the boy.
No answer. But he could hear whispers leaving the younger’s mouth: “Bruce… Bruce help me… I can’t… I can’t go out…”
Bruce couldn’t call his son by his name, because Scarecrow might still be in the building, so he just tried to rouse him gently. When he realized that his son was far too gone to understand that he was there, he asked for help in the com: “I going after Scarecrow, Red Hood must have been dosed with fear toxin and need evacuation.”
“No problem, Batman. We’ll take care of him.” Answered the com and Bruce left a still shaking and crying Red Hood alone.
When he came back, Nightwing and Red Robin were above Jason, they were trying to calm him down.
“Batman, it’s not working. He’s hyperventilating and doesn’t seem to calm down.”
“I don’t have an antidote here but I have a tranquilizer and an oxygen mask in the Batmobile, we can make him sleep until we go back to the Cave.”
They all nodded and Dick carried him quickly to the Batmobile, where Bruce took the mask and put it slowly on his son’s nose and mouth.
“It’s gonna be okay, chum. You’ll be just fine.”
He could see Jason panicking for an instant before his eyes closed and he promptly passed out.
Jason woke up feeling utterly tired. He couldn’t remember when or where he did fall asleep, and couldn’t understand why he was still so tired. His whole body was aching.
“Master Jason? Are you awake?” he heard someone asking above him.
Wait. Someone was in his safehouse.
He opened his eyes and realized that he was not in his safe house, but in a place that looked way to much like the Batcave for his liking.
“Whuh… What happened?” he mumbled.
“You were dosed with fear toxin, but we gave you the antidote. You might feel sore for the next couple of days since you struggled and lot. But you’ll be perfectly fine.” Alfred explained gently.
“Thanks, Al.”
“Your father barely left your side, he was really worried about you. I had to order him to take a shower so he’ll be at least presentable when you wake up.”
Jason frowned. Why would Bruce care about him?
But then, the man entered, dark circles under his eyes and he rushed to his son when he noticed that he was awake.
“Jay, how are you feeling? Are you okay? Does anything hurt?”
Jason didn’t answer he just rasped: “Did you… Did you take care of Scarecrow?”
“I took care of him, chum. You can rest now. I… Please don’t go alone like that again. I… You were just screaming and crying for hours even in the Cave and I can’t stand it, Jay.”
Jason nodded. He was still confused and every move was painful. But his father was there and he couldn’t stop himself to think that he’ll be alright.
3.
It’s not the first time Jason was hit with a toxin: fear toxin, anger toxin, he saw them all. But this time, he knew he was hit by some toxin, but he couldn’t tell which one. He wasn’t feeling any effect. The problem is that he was supposed to eat at the Wayne Manor with his family, and he didn’t want to finally feel the effect when he was with his family.
But after a few hours, Jason wasn’t feeling any different and he needed to go. So he took his jacket and left.
Bruce was expecting his son for diner tonight. He was a bit stressed, his relationship with his son was a bit difficult these days after a fight they had last week. Jason even called to cancel the diner, but Alfred refused.
Jason’s motorbike arrived in the Cave’s parking, but Jason didn’t move from the bike.
“Jay? Are you okay?” Asked Bruce after a long minute of silence.
When his son didn’t answer, the older man approached him quietly like his son was a stray cat that would run away at any moment. But when he saw puffy red eyes and the tears running down his face, Bruce ran to his son and took off his helmet. “What happened? Baby, answer me.”
Jason never cried in front of Bruce, and seeing his son so sad was breaking his heart. It must be really serious and that was worrying the billionaire a lot.
His son couldn’t even answer, the only sounds leaving his month were heartbreaking sobs and Bruce finally decided that he’ll first comfort his son, and then ask for what happened.
“Come on, son. We’re getting you warm and then we’ll talk about it.”
Jason still didn’t answer, but Bruce didn’t give up and led him to the living room where the rest of the family was waiting for them.
When they reached the living room, Dick ran to his brother and wrapped him in a tight embrace.
“What’s happening to you, Little Wing?” He whispered, visibly terribly worried.
Like in the Cave, Jason couldn’t even answer, he just kept sobbing as his big brother was rocking him in his arms like a baby.
“I’ll make some tea for Master Jason,” said Alfred, petting Jason’s hair when he passed next to him.
Bruce nodded and guided his son to the couch, where Steph and Tim let him sit between the two of them. They both looked worried. Actually, they all looked worried, even Damian was worried about what happened to his brother.
Jason seemed to try to talk, but he couldn’t, choking on tears and Tim rubbed his back slowly. “It’s okay, big guy. You’re fine.”
“M… ‘M sorry.” He finally mumbled and Cass shushed him quietly.
“Don’t talk, it’s fine.”
“F-Fought Poison Ivy. Then… was walking home and… and I crushed a ladybug.” Continued stubbornly Jason, as his sobs were getting stronger.
“Wait, what?”
“She… she was so small and I didn’t see her and I crushed her,” wailed the vigilante “And then… then you guys are so nice to me even though I’m so mean with you, and I’m never here because I’m scared that if I show up more often you’ll realize that the family is better without me.”
“Do you think he’s drunk?” Asked Damian, looking at his older brother with wide eyes.
“He said he fought with Poison Ivy. Maybe we should check his blood for traces of poison?”
Tim stood up to look for a syringe and Dick took his place next to Jason.
“How could the family be better without you, sweetheart? You’re our brother, and we love you.”
“Richard, I think something is wrong,” Damian interrupted, pointing at Jason. “I think he’s hyperventilating.”
“Shit, Little Wing, you need to breathe. Take a deep breath, it’s going to be just fine.”
When they realized it was not working, they started to panic a little, they were scared that the toxin was created to make people die of sadness.
“Damian, bring us a tranquilizer, and fast please.”
But Jason couldn’t really understand what they were saying, his vision was blurry and his breathing was way too short for his liking. He felt like his head was full of cotton and he couldn’t breathe.
He finally could feel a prick and is not even a minute, he was unconscious.
He opened his eyes as he was lying in a big and soft bed. He was in the guest room of Wayne Manor, the room he was usually in when he used to stay at the manor.
He tried to sit up but someone pushed him back on the mattress: “Take it easy, you just passed out.”
Bruce was there, looking at him worriedly.
“How are you feeling, son?”
“I’m… I’m fine, I guess. What happened?”
“Uh… I think it was a new toxin, it was meant to make people very emotive and you ended up hyperventilating so much we had to sedate you.”
That was why his head was hurting so much, he now remembered crying the whole evening and then passing out in the living room.
Fuck, that was embarrassing.
It was even more embarrassing when Jason realized that he was actually curled up against his father and that Bruce will probably not let him go for a while.
“But you know, Dick was right. You’re family, you’re my son. We love you, Jay. How could you even think we’ll be better without you?”
Jason didn’t answer, but he smiled softly and let his father pull him close. Warmth was not a bad thing after all.
4.
Jason hadn’t slept for almost a week. He was used to it, it wasn’t the first time. But this time, he was in the Manor, and he could see his family watching him badly every night were was still awake and looking for pieces of information on the Batcomputer or going out on patrol.
Children were in danger, were about to get sell like stupid merchandise and he couldn’t allow it. He just couldn’t.
He didn’t care if you didn’t sleep even if he knew that his body will make him pay for this.
He had a lead and he couldn’t let it go.
Every night where he wasn’t sleeping, every night he was leaving home, he could see his family looking at him with annoyed and worried eyes. He didn’t care, he won’t rest before dismantling this traffic.
“Jason, listen to me. You need to calm down, you’re not alone on this case. The whole family is ready to help you and I don’t know why you decided that it was your case and that you’ll have to do it alone. We’re here, Jason. We’re here to help you and it hurts to see you going on your own, and being so tired. You need to rest. Please.”
Jason didn’t answer, and he left for patrol a few minutes later.
When he came back from patrol, he was limping and his eyes seemed about to close.
When he realized that his father was watching him, he rasped: “I’m not staying. Just taking more weapons, I found them on the harbor.”
“Jay, you cannot fight like this.”
No answer, Jason just left the Cave to join his bedroom.
Bruce turned towards Alfred, who saw the whole scene: “Alfred, we need to do something. I won’t let my son fighting alone whole traffic when he’s in this state.”
Jason was ready to leave again when his father held him back again.
“Please, at least eat something before leaving. It will reassure me a lot.”
Jason sighed but realized quickly that his father will not let him leave and nodded.
“Alright, but quickly.”
The food was as good as usual, even if he couldn’t understand why Bruce and Alfred were looking at him so intensely while he was eating.
Once his food finished, he quickly stood up, intending to leave when suddenly his whole body collapsed backward.
“What…” his voice sounded so weak it took him a while to understand it was his own.
Bruce caught him easily as if he was expecting it to happen.
“It’s okay, chum. You’re okay. We’re taking care of them, just rest.”
Jason wanted to argue, to scream, but he was already losing consciousness.
Jason regained consciousness slowly. It took him a few moments to realize that he was sandwiched between Tim and Dick and that Bruce was sitting next to the bed, reading a book.
Dick seemed to notice that his brother was awake and smiled: “Hey, Little Wing! How are you feeling”
“The… The children…”
“They’re safe, Jason. We took care of them. They’re safe and the traffic has been arrested. Damian, Steph, and Cass are taking them back home. Everything is fine, you should keep resting.”
Jason looked at his siblings and father around him. He was mad, he wanted to end this alone. But he also knew that he couldn’t have made it in the state he was in.
“We told them that you were the one who gave you their emplacement but you couldn’t come because you were hurt. So one of the kids made you something.” Tim explained as he was handing Jason a piece of paper.
Jason could see drew on it a small version of Red Hood knocking out villains. He was surrounded by a lot of hearts and “Thank you Red Hood!!!!! You’re the bestest!!!!” was written above the drawing. Jason smiled. He gave the drawing back to Tim who puck it on the nightstand and closed his eyes again, letting his family take care of him for the moment.
5.
He didn’t care about being hurt, he needed to help his brother. Dick was facing the Penguin, alone.
Jason was strong, he could still fight with a few bullets in his guts. But his family didn’t seem to agree with him.
“Hood, you’re hurt, you can barely walk normally and you’re going to tell me that you’ll jump from buildings to buildings, fight on rooftops, avoid bullets…”
“I am trained for that, B. I can do it.”
“I refuse to see you bleeding out and risking your life to help your brother that probably doesn’t even need help. Red Robin and Robin can do it. You’re coming back to the Cave with me.”
“I won’t. I’m not your sidekick anymore, you can’t just order me around.”
“I am your father, I think that allows me to make you go back home when you’re injured.”
“I am an adult, for fuck sake. I know the limits of my fucking body and I think I can just—
He couldn’t finish his sentence, suddenly the world was tilting and his vision got blurry. He couldn’t understand what was happening to him.
“Sorry, Jay. You didn’t leave me other options.” He could hear faintly above him.
Wait, above him?
He didn’t even realize that he was on the ground, and the last thing he saw before passing out was Bruce taking him in his arms and carrying him towards the Batmobile.
Jason woke up as someone was gently petting his hair. He was warm, he felt safe and he couldn’t feel any pain in his body. He groaned as he opened his eyes, blinded by the lights.
“Jay, hey. Careful, you’re injured.”
“What the fuck.” He mumbled, trying to wake up properly.
“You are okay, chum. Alfred patched you up, but you need to stay still so you won’t open your stitches.”
Suddenly, Jason remembered everything.
“The Penguin! Dick! They—
“Calm down, they’re fine. Dick took care of him perfectly, and I sent Damian and Tim to help him in case something went wrong.”
“You drugged me.”
“Yes. And I’ll do it again if you try to fight when you’re in no shape to even move, Jason.”
Jason trying to hold his father’s glare, but he couldn’t. He just sighed and closed back his eyes, deciding to go back to sleep.
“Don’t worry, I’ll stay with you. I know you don’t like to be alone in the Cave.”
Jason tried not to smile: he was still angry, but he was happy to see that his father remembered this and that he’ll stay with him.
“Come on,” continued Bruce. “Make some room for me.”
Jason moved to let his father join him under the blanket. He let the adult pull him against his warm torso and sighed in relief. In a few seconds, Bruce’s fingers were back in his hair, pulling him back to sleep.
“No, sleep Jaylad. When you’ll wake up, you’ll make sure that Dick is fine if you want to. But for now, you need to rest and heal.”
+1
They were all on a mission together. Everything was fine until Jason took a knife in the shoulder. He started to bleed out in just a few seconds and Bruce ran towards him, totally forgetting the enemies and his mission. He needed to save his son. He couldn’t let him die again.
The cut was way too deep for Bruce’s liking and he pressed the wound, trying to ignore his son’s pained gasp.
“It’s okay, breathe. Stay awake and focus on breathing, please. You’re gonna be okay, chum.”
Jason was gasping for air, blood bubbling from his mouth.
“I said: stay awake.” Bruce started panicking. He could hear Dick calling Leslie behind him and Cass helping him to stop the bleed, but he was only focused on his son’s already too pale face.
“Batman, Leslie is waiting for us, we need to take him to the batmobile.” Mumbled Dick next to him.
Bruce nodded, before taking his son as gently as possible in his arms to carry him to the car. Jason let out a pained whine as he was moved, and Bruce mumbled soft apologies.
Tim was driving the car as Bruce was in the backseat with his son, trying to keep him awake. During the few minutes it took to join Leslie’s clinic, Jason was way paler and was struggling to stay conscious. And by the time they brought him to Leslie and put him on the cold operation table, he had already passed out.
Jason woke up a few times, but only for a few seconds. Just opening his eyes, closing them back as he was blinded by the light, mumbling incoherent things before passing out again.
When he finally woke up for good. His head was clearer and he waited a bit before opening his eyes. He might have let out a small groan because he could hear someone next to him asking: “Jaylad, are you awake?”
Jason groaned again to agree. He didn’t want to talk, and his throat was hurting.
“Alright, don’t move too much. Dick, please call Leslie and tell him your brother is awake.”
He could hear someone leaving the room and what must be his father’s hand took his own, pressing it gently.
“It’s gonna be okay, sweetheart. You’re fine.”
‘What happened’ he wanted to ask, but his throat was parched.
He finally opened his eyes. It took him a few seconds to realize that he was in Leslie’s clinic and not in the Cave. Bruce was there, and he was a mess. His hair was messy, he had dark circles under his eyes and he looked like he hadn’t slept for days. But when he saw his son’s eyes opened, a bright smile appeared on his face.
“You scared the shit out of me, lad.”
Jason smiled weakly at his father, then the door opened on Leslie and Dick.
“I’m glad to see you awake, Jason.” The doctor started, while give a bottle of water with a straw to Bruce so he could help his son to drink.
The feeling of fresh water on his throat was like heaven, and he let out a content sigh.
“Now, how are you feeling?”
“Okay, I guess… Just very tired, and my shoulder is numb.”
“Yeah, that’s probably the painkillers I gave you.” Agreed the woman before turning her attention to Bruce: “You’ll have to make sure that he takes his painkillers and antibiotics twice a day, and with food, so it won’t hurt his stomach. He’ll have to stay at home and not do anything tiring for the next few days.” Then, she looked back at Jason, “You’re lucky that your family brought you here so quickly, you lost a lot of blood and I had to put you on blood IV for a whole night. But you should be fine now. Don’t take it personally Jason, but I don’t want to see you over there anymore.”
Jason nodded happily, he didn’t want to show up there either.
Bruce took him back to the Manor in the afternoon.
“Good news is, Alfred is going to pamper you for the next few days.”
Jason smiled. He could accept being pampered by Alfred.