Work Text:
Thanksgiving Dinner at the Wayne Manor has been the same as it was every year. Of course, with the exception of the monstrosity of a pie Dick and company made that is. Not that it helped Alfred’s cooking list considering that the pie’s “secret ingredient” (it wasn’t even a secret, the celery itself was already poking out of the pie) made it all the more unappealing to eat. But other than that, the rest of the food was as sublime as it was every year thanks to Alfred’s cooking and baking skills.
“I can’t believe that one of the few people Alfred trusts in the kitchen didn’t even help out with cooking duty when he was away.” Stephanie partially whined at Jason.
Currently in dish washing duty, Stephanie is careful not to get her top wet as she rinses the plates. Jason on the other hand has the sleeves of his top rolled to his elbows, his jacket tied around his waist, as he haphazardly scrubs the pots and pans with a bubbly sponge.
“It’s Thanksgiving,” Jason said as if that’s enough of an explanation but continued knowing that it won’t satisfy Steph. “Blondie, I’d rather rest up before coming over than help make the meal for one of America’s biggest holidays that further encourages capitalism.”
And not just capitalism. So, so, so many turkeys (delicious turkeys mind you, and honestly Alfred’s stuffing recipe is to die for which is kind of a literal sense for the birds) get killed. Damian even did a presentation about it so they can adopt one. But Bruce reminded him that they have Batcow. So that was a ‘temporary decline of request’ according to the boy.
“But Alfred trusting you in the kitchen is like,” Steph raised her wet arms for a moment to flail them for emphasis, “an actual honor.”
Jason’s shoulders shook as he rumbled out a low laugh. “Blondie , you’re included in that list.”
“Yeah but like,” Steph let out a disapproving whimper. “Your cooking is so good though.”
Jason’s nose scrunched up at the compliment. “There’s like,” Jason made a quick gesture to the dining room. “Fifty people in this house.”
That made Steph snort and Jason continued. “I’m not gonna put in that much effort for just one family dinner.”
The blonde let out an appreciative coo, “You said familyyy.”
Jason good-naturedly rolled his eyes and shook his head, proceeding to return his focus to finishing his part of dish duty. “Whatever, blondie.”
Stephanie grinned wider. “And not even a smidge of denial!”
Someone by the entrance of the kitchen audibly cleared their throat, causing Jason and Steph to pause and look behind them to see who it was.
“The two of you would have significant progress with cleaning the dishes if you talked less and cleaned more.” Damian told them as he dropped more dirty plates in the sink.
“We’d have progress if you stop bringing more stuff every time we’re almost done.” Jason grumbled, which made Steph giggle. But as soon as the comment left, the two swiftly went back to cleaning.
Damian subtly tilted his head in mild curiosity. He was about to leave the kitchen but stayed a few more moments to observe the pair. Taking note of the obvious ease the two are currently in at the presence of the other. Something oddly domestic in the air between them.
“It is strange to see Todd openly enjoy someone’s company, considering that it’s Brown’s for that matter,” he stated the observation out loud – which easily gained the attention of the two. “But I must admit, I had a sneaking suspicion after my birthday celebration.”
Jason scoffed, no malice – just his usual I-don’t-care-just-finish-what-you-need-to-say-already, “And that matters… why, exactly?”
“Strange as it is,” Damian took a quick second to formulate his honest response and straightened his posture. “I find that your personalities are quite compatible. I approve.”
Voicing his piece, the boy turned around and left the kitchen. The pair was still looking at the spot where Damian was just standing, Steph’s mouth slightly opened from her mild shock at the boy’s admission.
After a pregnant pause, Jason faced Steph. “Did we just get some type of friendship blessing? And from Damian, of all people?”
Stephanie fondly pouted at Jason and feigned a sniff, “It’s a Thanksgiving miracle.” Then she raised her voice, enough for Damian to hear assuming he’s not three rooms away. “Damian really cares about his big brother!”
There wasn’t a response from the boy, but there was a loud awww that came from Dick. Neither Steph nor Jason contemplated if Dick thought that Steph’s little announcement was about him or if he recognizes that it’s about Jason considering he’s the only ‘brother’ inside the room Damian just left. They just laughed in unison at the genuine giddiness that came from Dick’s reaction.
“Well that makes it official,” Steph said after she laughed. “I’m even more glad to be here considering I got to witness that.”
And it’s so touching, it really is. Because that’s basically an equivalent of an ‘I’m happy for you’ when it comes to Damian. And the kid means it. Jason can admit it to himself that after coming back from the dead, he didn’t expect much. He knew that he needed to take care of some things on his own, he knew that Bruce disapproves with a lot of things he has done – which ultimately meant that he wouldn’t be accepted back to the circle any time soon.
But he’s here now. Hard as it was to believe, he’s here and so are they and none of them would be leaving again. It seems highly unlikely for that to happen again any time soon and that fact sinking in brings a relief he never knew he would ever feel.
And Steph’s wording also reminded him that he hasn’t given his “full” thanks for the day’s celebration just yet.
“And uh,” Jason quickly cleared his throat when he caught on that his voice was uncharastically timid. “I’m glad for you.”
Steph looked at him, eyes searching and expectant for more, but still ever so patient and never pressuring him.
“It’s uh,” he took a quick breath to center himself. “Nice to have a new friend. And I’m glad it’s you.”
He broke off the eye contact and immediately went back to scrubbing the plates, beyond embarrassed at allowing himself to be so vulnerable. But in a way, he’s still glad to let that out. To finally acknowledge it – even if it’s just between the two of them.
And maybe Damian. And Cass too. Possibly Tim as well… also Roy.
If Jason wasn’t strictly keeping his eyes on the dishes and would just lessen up in his own anxiety, he would have seen how Steph’s pure happiness absolutely poured out from her smile. How her eyes got so soft out of appreciation of the small confession.
But that’s no small confession to her, and she’s beyond glad that she got to hear it. Even though he obviously had difficulty admitting it, not that it offended her, it was quite endearing to see him fumble a little bit anyways.
And Steph knows he’s gonna keep on avoiding eye contact. That’s enough mushiness for the day for him. So she took it upon herself to wrap up the conversation.
She playfully bumped his hip with hers before proceeding to rinse the remaining plates. “I’m glad to finally have become friends with you too.”
It took Jason a second and his eyebrow quirked up in curiosity, “Finally?”
“Hey, it’s us,” Steph nonchalantly shrugged with a somewhat smug expression on her face. “Bound to happen eventually.”
And he thinks he understands. Cause that’s what he feels too.