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The bedroom is massive, fitting for the heir of a multinational company. Two figures sit in the California king bed, relishing in post-coital bliss as the green haired one smokes a cigarette and the black haired one reaches for a drink.
“You want a glass?” Bruce asks Jay, gesturing to a bottle of brandy.
Jay huffs out a cloud of smoke before sighing. “Nah. I gave that shit up years ago.” The cigarette in his mouth is half finished when he pulls out a box of menthols. “What about you? You still a smoker?”
Bruce shakes his head. “I try not to be.” He sips a bit of his drink before making his way back over to the bed. His face turns to Jay, who is now donning his infamous shit eating grin, still holding up the box of cigarettes. He groans as he takes one from the box, holding it between his fingers waiting for a light.
“There ya go, Brucey.” Jay says with that coy lilt he saves for one person and one person only. “Smoke one and ease up a bit, you’re so fucking tense.”
The two lovers, if you could even call them that, sit in silence as they finish their cigarettes. After one particular long sigh, Bruce finally speaks up, speaking silently but clearly.
“I want to meet him.”
The declaration catches Jay off guard. The smoke in his lungs is pushed out by a few desperate coughs, attempting to catch his breath.
“I’m sorry,” he says, slamming his chest with his fist to aid his breathing. “You wanna what? ”
“I want to meet Jack.” Bruce says, more confidently now. “He’s my son and I want to be there for him.”
Jay’s lips curl into that devilish smile Bruce remembers fawning over so long ago. A deep chuckle emits from him as he puts his cigarette out.
“Why? Why now? After all these years?”
Bruce runs a hand down his face in exhaustion. “Because I lost my parents at a young age. It fucking ruined me. I loved both of my parents. I want Jack to know he’s got someone else in his corner, always there for him.”
Jay shakes his head, begrudgingly reaching for another cigarette. “He’s got plenty of people there for him, Bruce. We may not be a traditional family, but we’re a family. That counts for something.” He takes a long drag of the cigarette before considering his next words. “You can fuck around with me all you want, I don’t care. But how do I know once you meet him you’ll want to actually be involved?”
“Because I will be, Jay.” Bruce says firmly. He reaches over for Jay’s hand, gently squeezing it, causing Jay to grumble. “I don’t doubt he’s being well taken care of. I just want to be a father to him, to be there for him. And you.”
Flashbacks of Jay’s childhood flashed before his eyes. His mother leaving him at such a young age, his drunk abusive father taking out all his rage on him. Deep down, he could relate to Bruce. He knows what it’s like to long for two loving parents. Begrudgingly, he looks over to Bruce with a fierce, paternal protectiveness in his eyes before speaking.
“Meet us at the lake in the center of Gotham Park this Saturday around twelve. We go there every so often to watch the boats sail. So help me God Bruce, if you’re even a minute late, don’t even think about wanting to see him ever again.”
Bruce nods his head fiercely before swallowing. “I understand. I’ll be there.” He leans back against the headboard, mind all over the place about his upcoming date this Saturday before the corners of his lips turn upwards into the tiniest smile. “He likes boats then?”
An amused smirk and deep chuckle emits from Jay as he looks up at the ceiling. “Loves ‘em.”
Saturday rolls around and Jay is currently sitting on a bench at the park by the lake, keeping an eye on Jack as he plays by the water. A huffing sound creeps up on him from his left, as he notices Bruce running to meet him, dramatically collapsing on the bench.
“You’re here early.” An amused Jay smirks at the disheveled Bruce, who is currently donning dress pants and a fancy navy button up. “A little formal for a park date, don’t you think?”
Bruce takes a swig from his water bottle before wiping his brow and answering. “I came straight from work. My last meeting was running late so I tried getting here as soon as I could.”
Jay hums to himself, feeling a bit guilty for ever doubting he would be here on time. But of course Bruce arrived with five minutes to spare. That’s just the kind of guy he is.
“Where is he?” Bruce asks.
Jay points down to the mouth of the lake, where his five year old son is currently giggling and feeding frozen peas to a few ducks. “He’s down there.”
Bruce takes a look at the young boy and his heart stops. He could tell right off the bat that he was definitely his child, his son. They have the same exact hair, eyes, hell even the same smile. He smiles a bit before sniffling and wiping away a tear.
“Hey,” Jay whispers, bringing a hand up to Bruce’s shoulder. “You alright?”
“Perfect.” Bruce says with a sniffle. “He’s so perfect, Jay.” He turns to Jay with red, teary eyes, swallowing before he speaks up. “I’m so nervous.”
Jay gives Bruce a reassuring smile and a pat on the back for good measure. “Don’t be. He’s a sweet kid, you’ll be fine.” He stands up and gestures for Bruce to follow him as they make their way down to the lake.
Jack is in the middle of tossing a handful of peas into the water before Jay sneaks up behind him, wrapping him in a hug and attacking his face with kisses. The young boy drops the bag and turns around, giggling while his father squishes his chubby little face with every kiss.
Jay gets to eye level with Jack, and takes both of his hands into his. “Jack, this is a special friend of mine I want you to meet. This is Mr. Bruce.”
Jack’s neck cranes up, staring at Bruce with big, beady eyes and a surprised face. “He’s so tall.” He says nonchalantly.
Bruce laughs and then bends at the knees to meet Jack’s eyes better. “It’s really nice to meet you, Jack.” He says with a kind smile. “What were you doing just now with the peas?”
“Oh, I was feeding the ducks!” Jack says with a bright grin. “Did you know bread isn’t good for ducks? So giving them frozen peas is much better than feeding them bread?”
Bruce’s eyebrows raise as he hums. “No, I didn’t know that.” He grabs the bag of peas from the ground before handing it back to Jack. “You’re a smart kid, aren’t you?”
“The best in his class.” Jay says with a smile, ruffling Jack’s hair. “Why don’t you and Mr. Bruce feed the ducks together?”
“Actually,” Bruce interrupts before reaching for his briefcase. “Your dad told me you like boats, so I got you something.” He pulls out a neatly wrapped gift and hands it to the young boy whose eyes are currently as big as the moon.
“What is it?” Jack asks with a large, toothy grin.
Bruce shrugs his shoulders and smirks. “I don’t know, open and find out.”
For a five year old boy, Jack is surprisingly gentle as he unwraps the paper, making sure to not leave a big mess. He gasps in awe before smiling wide.
“It’s a boat!” He says loudly, gazing at his new favorite toy.
“It’s not just a regular boat, put it in the water.” Bruce says before pulling out a joystick and moving it, causing the toy boat to move as well.
Jack watches in amusement as he sits next to Bruce, watching him direct the boat with the remote. “Can I try?” He asks politely.
“Of course you can.” Bruce says with a smile before handing Jack the remote. He sits and watches Jack in awe as he plays with the boat for what seems like forever. He doesn’t mind, though. He could sit there with him forever.
Some time later, the trio are sitting at a picnic bench with some hot dogs, courtesy of the local hot dog stand. Jack finishes his and runs off to the playground while the two adults watch him from afar.
“You did well, Jay.” Bruce says.
Jay’s lips curl into a small smile. “He’s a good kid isn’t he?”
“He is.” Bruce sighs. “All thanks to you. Really.”
Jay begrudgingly turns his face and makes a shooing gesture. “I had some help.”
“That may be so, but you're still the one who’s raising him.” Bruce says with a grimace. “I just wish I was there to raise him with you.”
“Bruce…” Jay says sympathetically. “It’s not your fault. We were both so young and in fucked up positions in our lives. We both fucked up.”
The two sit in silence for what seems like light years before Bruce speaks up again.
“What made you want to keep him?”
Jay sighs. He’s not mad Bruce asked that question, pretty much every one he knew asked him the same thing. Why would a transgender teenager keep a pregnancy to term, let alone raise the kid by himself?
“I wanted something that was my own.” Jay says. “My whole life, I always felt like something was wrong with me. With my mom leaving and my dad abusing me, I felt like a shell of a person. When I found out I was pregnant…. I thought that maybe this would be a chance to have someone that belonged to me. To protect and love the way I never was.”
Bruce looks over to Jay with sympathy in his eyes. He’s a lot stronger than he gives himself credit for.
“I love him, Jay.”
Jay smirks and leans his head on Bruce’s shoulder. “I had no doubt about that.”
“And if it’s not too much to ask,” Bruce swallows and releases a shaky breath. “I’d like to be involved in his life. If that’s okay with you.”
Jay sighs before contemplating his answer. “I’ll think about it. Okay, Mr. Bruce?”
Bruce chuckles and kisses the top of Jay’s head. “Thank you.”