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“Dick?” Barbara’s voice crackled through the comms. “I’m gonna patch you through to Tim, he needs to talk to you, okay?”
“Okay.” Dick furrowed his eyebrows.
“Big bird, hey.” Tim panted over the comms.
“Red Robin, hey, what’s going on?” Dick sat up in his chair in front of the monitors, getting ready to go and rescue them if it came down to that.
“Hood got hit with something…” Tim trailed off. “I – I don’t know what it was but it – he’s different. It’s hard to explain, I –”
“Take a deep breath.” Dick instructed, even though his heart was racing, having heard Jason was in potential danger. “Easy now, baby bird. You got it. Okay… now tell me what he got hit with, slowly. Don’t rush through.”
“Okay.” Tim’s voice was lower now. “Spoiler’s with him now, so don’t – don’t worry. Um… so we were chasing this guy and he turned around and blew some sort of dust? Powder? At Hood, and he went down. I wanted to keep chasing but he disappeared and… and then i turned back to Hood and – and he was… small.”
“Small?”
“Yeah. like… he wasn’t twenty year old Hood anymore? He… he looks younger. Way younger. He’s unconscious so I don't know if it affected his mind too.” Tim sighed.
“And you’re sure it’s not time travel or something?”
“Definitely not. He’s dressed in Hood’s clothes. He literally shrunk. I didn’t even know what happened till Spoiler got his helmet off and we saw how young he looked.”
“Okay.” Dick exhaled heavily. “ Okay . Can you and Spoiler get him back home?”
“Yeah, we can.”
“Bring him back. I’ll call Black Bat and Robin back too. Cut patrol short for the night.”
“Alright, be there soon. Thanks big bird.”
Dick leaned back in his chair after the communicator crackled off and buried his face in his hand. “Dickie, everything alright?” Barbara’s voice filtered through, breaking him out of his little moment.
“Babs, hey.” He sighed. It was safe for the two of them to use their real names because neither of them was out on the field and with Barbara’s skills, there was no way their communications were going to be hacked. “I don’t know if alright is the word I'd use.”
“What happened?”
“Tim says Jason’s small. Younger. He got hit with something and he’s changed now. Physically. Not sure about memories because he’s knocked out.”
“ Shit .”
“Yeah, that’s about how I'm feeling right now too.” Dick huffed out a tired laugh. “God, Babs – if his memories are changed? If he’s younger fully? I –”
“He’d only remember you. And Bruce.”
“Yeah.” Dick nodded. “And if it’s permanent? What do I do then?”
“I’m sure it won’t be.” Barbara said gently. “Hey, I can call Zatanna in and see if she can do anything.”
“Barbara Gordon, I don't know where I'd be without you.”
“Probably six feet under.” The redhead giggled. “I’ll call her for you, boy wonder. Take a break.”
“Thanks Babs. patrol’s off for the night so you’re free to clock off after if you want.”
“I might come over and see this for myself, if that’s okay?”
“You’re always welcome here.” He murmured.
“Okay, see you in a bit. Don’t lose your mind, Dick.”
“I’ll try not to.” He smiled at the screen softly before Barbara’s line went silent and he was on his own again. With a heavy sigh, he pushed himself up off the chair and wandered towards the infirmary section of their version of the Batcave, which they should really find a name for. He only had to wait a little while before the second, secret, elevator they had in the headquarters dinged and there they were.
Dick’s eyes zeroed in on the small figure held up between Tim and Steph and he swore his heart stopped for a second, scanning over features he hadn’t seen in years . Young Jason, fifteen year old Jason, Jason before he died and was tossed into the Lazarus Pit and then trained in the League of Assassins by none other than Talia al Ghul.
“Jason…” Fell out of Dick’s mouth without him even realising he had made a sound. He practically stumbled forward and took the boy from Tim and Steph, lifting him up into his own arms and carrying him to the bed in the infirmary and laying him down. He peeled the domino mask from his face and his breath hitched once more.
“That’s Todd?” Damian asked, conscious about lowering his voice.
“Yeah.” Dick replied hoarsely before he cleared his throat and tried again. “Yeah. This is Jay before… before – this is Jay when he was fifteen maybe.”
“Fifteen?” Tim’s voice rose slightly in alarm and Dick met his eyes. “So, this is when –”
“Yeah.” Dick nodded.
“When… when what?” Steph looked back and forth between the two.
“I – I can't –” Dick shook his head.
“I’ll tell them, it’s okay.” Tim patted his older brother’s shoulder.
“Thanks Timmy. Uhm… I – Babs called Zatanna, so I think she’ll be over soon to check on Jason.”
“Okay. I'll send her over if she gets here. Take it easy.” TIm led everyone out of the room and back towards the main part of the penthouse, leaving Dick staring down at his little brother. He reached a hand out gingerly to brush the dark locks off his forehead gently, holding back a sob at how young he looked. He wished he could have seen Jason stay this young for a little while longer, and seen him get older. But instead Jason died and he was ripped away for four years , coming back completely changed and older. Dick loved him no matter what but he wished he hadn't missed out on so much of his life.
He was content to just sit there by Jason’s bedside and wait. He didn't even have to wait too long until Zatanna was shown into the room by Tim and he lifted his head to meet her gaze. “Dick.” She greeted with a smile.
“Hi, Z.” He managed a smile himself. “Thanks for coming.”
“Of course. Anything for an old friend.” She placed a comforting hand on his shoulder before turning her attention to Jason. “I see.”
“Yeah.”
“Unfortunately, I cannot tell if this spreads to his memories as well, but it is not permanent.” And Dick breathed a sigh of relief. “I do not have a timeframe but it will wear off in the next few days.”
“You can’t reverse it?”
“No, I am afraid not.”
“It’s alright. Thank you, Z. Truly.”
“No need to thank a friend.” She assured him. “Take care, boy wonder. Let’s catch up soon, alright? Bring the Titans.”
“Sounds like a plan.” He nodded. She waved and left the room, leaving Dick once more alone with Jason. How would he even begin to explain this to him when he woke up?
Dick stood and left the room with the door slightly ajar. He headed to the main part of the penthouse and was relieved to see Barbara had joined his siblings. They were all changed out of their costumes and gathered on the sofas. “Hey.” He greeted them.
“Dick!” Tim sat up. “Is he –”
“He’s fine.” Dick leaned against the wall in front of them. “Zatanna said she doesn't know if his memories will be affected but she said it’s not permanent. Should fade in the next few days.”
“Phew.” Steph fell back against the sofa cushions.
“Little brother okay?” Cass asked.
“Yeah, Cass. He’ll be okay.”
Just as he said that, there was a loud crash from the infirmary and everyone, except Barbara, was up and running. Dick lagged behind because he was the furthest away but he pushed through his siblings when they entered the room to find Jason off the bed and standing in the corner of the room, holding a scalpel out in front of him, looking terrified .
“Jason –” Tim called, his hands held up in surrender.
“Back!” Jason yelled, his voice sending Dick for a loop because he sounded so young. “I – I don't know who you are! How do you know my name? Where am I? How did I –”
He didn’t remember any of them. Well… except Dick.
Dick walked forward, manoeuvring through the bodies around him and stepped in front of Tim. “Jaybird…” He called, his voice soft and gentle. “Hey, kiddo. Hey… it’s me.”
“ Dickie ?” Jason sounded disbelieving and his arm wavered. “How – you –”
“I probably look older than you remember.” Dick kept approaching slowly. “I’m sure this is probably really confusing for you and I promise I'll tell you everything but first I need to know what the last thing you remember is?”
Jason’s eyes brimmed with tears and the scalpel fell to the ground with a loud clatter as he wrapped his arms around himself protectively. “I – I was in Ethiopia.” He ignored Dick’s sharp inhale. “And – and I found my mother but she betrayed me and – you weren't answering my messages but I figured out it was Bruce… he – he messed with the comms! And I was so alone and I was in this warehouse and – and the Joker was there… he – he was hurting me. Dickie –”
“Oh, Jason .” Dick’s heart sank. “Jaybird –”
“Dickie – I was – I was so alone!” Jason was sobbing now. Heart-wrenching sobs wracked through his little body, his shoulders quivering and his fingers digging into the large jacket wrapped around his frame.
“C’mere, kiddo.” Dick murmured, opening his arms and stepping closer. “I’ve got you.”
Jason practically fell into Dick’s arms, fisting his brother’s shirt in a tight grip and burying his head in his chest. Dick wrapped his arms around Jason protectively, running his fingers through his hair. “ Dick –”
“I know, I know.” Dick hugged him tighter. “Trust me I know.”
Jason went silent, pushing himself even closer to Dick. The oldest looked up to see everyone else still in the room and he gestured for them to go back to the living room. Tim nodded and ushered everyone out. “Why do you look so old?” Jason mumbled.
“Little shit.” Dick shook his head with a fond smile. He pulled back and cupped Jason’s face with his hands, brushing his thumbs under his eyes and wiping the tears away just like he used to do years ago. “Are you sure you’re ready to hear this? It’s kind of a lot.”
“Hit me.” Jason nodded, a determined look crossing his face.
“Come sit first. I don’t want you passing out, I still don’t know the full effects of what happened.” He nudged Jason over to the bed he had previously been lying on and sat him down before he himself sat on the chair beside the bed.
“Talk.” Jason demanded.
“Okay. You’re not actually fifteen… or well, you weren’t like an hour ago. You’re twenty and you were out on patrol with Tim and Steph and you got hit with some pollen, dust whatever – you got hit with something and it changed you back to your fifteen year old self, memories and all. I had Zatanna come check up on you and she said it’ll only last a few days and then you’ll be back to how you were before.” Dick explained.
“ Twenty ?” Jason’s eyes widened. “What – what happened in Ethiopia? Did you come get me –” He stopped when he noticed the absolutely devastated look on Dick’s face. “Dick…?”
“Jason… you – you didn’t make it. Joker – he… he beat you up and blew up the warehouse. I never got your messages until it was too late.” Dick shook his head. “Bruce brought your body back and didn’t even tell me. Alfie told me. He buried you in the cemetery at the manor.”
“I died?” Jason whispered. “Then… how – you said –”
“Talia. Lazarus pit. You were gone for four years. At the League of Assassins. You only came back like two years ago.” Dick managed to get out, his voice choked.
“Oh.” Jason sat there, no tears running down his cheeks but it seemed like he was still processing it all. “But… I'm okay?”
“You are now, yeah.” Dick cleared his throat. “It wasn’t easy what you went through, from what you’ve told me. But yeah… you’ll be okay.”
“Then it’s okay.” Jason decided, hopping off the bed and wrapping Dick in a hug once again, his head tucked into the crook of Dick’s neck. “And you’re there for me when I come back, right?”
“Always.” Dick swore, hugging Jason back.
They hugged for a while before Jason pulled back. “Who… you mentioned Tim and Steph. And there were people in the room earlier. Who are they? Where’s Bruce? Where are we?”
“Do you want to meet them? We can explain some more after?” Dick suggested, standing up.
“Are you sure?” Jason’s voice lowered. “What if they don’t like me?”
“You’re older than all of them. They already like you. They live with you.” Dick assured him, holding his hand out for Jason to take, which he did. “Come on.” Dick tugged him out of the room and towards the living room where everyone was once more gathered on the sofas. Jason lagged a little behind, his eyes scanning his surroundings and then the people in front of him.
“Richard.” Damian was the first one to notice and he straightened up, bringing everyone else’s gazes towards the approaching pair.
“Hey. I explained a couple things to Jason.”
“A couple things as in…?” Tim raised an eyebrow.
“As in what happened to him basically.” Dick explained. “Thought we should get him introduced to you all before i explain anything else. You wanna sit, Jay?”
“Sure.” Jason mumbled, half hidden behind Dick. The older shook his head fondly and sat on the sofa beside Damian, leaving space for Jason on his other side.
“None of you ever knew Jason at this age so I'm sure this is a little weird.” Dick ruffled Damian’s hair, to which the youngest scowled, batting his hand away. “Who wants to go first?”
“Me!” Steph bounced in her place. “I’m Steph, or… Stephanie Brown.” She put on a formal accent. “But you can just call me Steph. I’m Spoiler!”
“Spoiler?” Jason questioned.
“Yeah! That’s my alias.” She nodded. “I go by Spoiler because my dad’s sort of a villain and when I first started out, I spoiled his plans so you know, fitting name.”
“Cool. And I'm… older than you?”
“Yeah. Only Dick and Cass are older than you, and Cass is barely older. She likes to hold it over your head though.” Steph pointed at Cass who smiled, curled up with her legs pulled up to her chest on her favourite armchair.
“I am Cass.” Cass waved. “Words… sometimes hard, so sometimes I sign. I am Black Bat. You are little brother. Actually small now.” She grinned.
“Am I not small? I never thought I'd bulk up.” Jason asked Dick but Tim was the one who answered.
“Might have been the Pit’s effects but when you came back you were buff. Like… super buff, taller than Dick even.” Tim laughed at the put out look on Dick’s face.
“Taller than Dick?” Jason gasped, looking up at his big brother. “Am I?”
“Yeah.” Dick grumbled. “You are. It’s upsetting.”
“That’s awesome!” Jason cheered.
“I’m Tim. Tim Drake.” Tim introduced himself.
“You’re the neighbour's kid!” Jason realised, eyes widening.
“Yeah!” Tim nodded. “I am. I’m Red Robin but I was Robin after you, against Dick’s wishes.”
“I still don’t think Bruce should have let you be Robin. Especially after – especially after what happened to Jason.” Dick lowered his voice. “It wasn't safe.”
“He didn't share that sentiment.” Tim snorted.
“I know.” Dick glared at the coffee table in front of him darkly. “He never learns.”
“How was I allowed to be Robin then?” Damian asked.
“You’re Robin?” Jason looked over at Damian. “Aren’t you really young too?”
“Damian was… a special case. Him and Cass were less of a concern because of how they grew up. I knew they were trained and I knew they could handle themselves. Jason and Tim were not. They were young and untrained. Steph was a little older so it was a little better but she was untrained too.” Dick sighed. “This is Damian, Jason. He’s Bruce’s biological kid with Talia.”
“What?” Jason’s eyes widened. “No way!”
“Tt.” Damian crossed his arms over his chest.
“How did that even happen?” Jason asked.
“I didn't ask for details and I never will. Partly because that's gross and partly because I'm not in the business of speaking with Bruce for any unnecessary reasons.”
“What happened with B?” Jason nudged Dick.
“What didn't happen?” A heavy sigh was heard. “Must have been a little over a year ago that he went off on an off-world mission and put all his responsibilities on my shoulder. Put Damian, who had only come to live with him a few months before, in my care and dipped. I bought this penthouse with his money, you all moved here, I adopted Damian and when Bruce came back we essentially told him to fuck off because no one wanted to come back to the manor with him. So… we live here now. Alfred comes over sometimes. The Titans come over too. Diana, Clark…”
“That was like… a lot.” Jason blinked.
“That was the cliff notes version too.” Tim said brightly.
“What the fuck. So… we live here ? And Wonder Woman comes over?”
“Yeah. She's cool like that.” Steph grinned. “Nice to see the crush on her has been going for years .”
Jason spluttered, his cheeks flushing red as he tried to hide his face behind Dick’s arm who laughed fondly, ruffling his hair.
“Dick and Wally.” Cass added. “Together.”
“No way!” Jason instantly forgot his prior embarrassment. “You’re dating KF ?”
“Why do you sound so surprised?” Dick asked, his tone amused.
“I – I just always thought you and Babs would get back together.” Jason shrugged.
“That’s sweet of you to say, Jason.” Barbara appeared from one of the rooms, rolling her wheelchair over. “It’s nice to see you so little.”
“Babs!” Jason’s eyes widened.
“Jason!” She laughed softly. “Dick dated Kory for a little while after me. Him and Wally is a recent thing though.”
“So you have a thing for redheads?” Jason deadpanned, looking back at his brother.
“You know what, I never even realised that.” Dick burst into laughter. “Oh my god, I even had a crush on Roy at some point.”
“ Speedy ?” Jason’s tone turned into pure indignation. “You can do so much better!”
“He doesn’t go by Speedy anymore, Jaybird. It’s Arsenal. And yeah, I did. It’s gone now, of course. He had a kid, you know? Mother’s out of the picture but the girl, Lian, she’s the sweetest little thing. She loves you.”
“He
has a kid
?” Jason screeched, sending everyone into hysterics. Dick leaned back against the sofa, smiling softly. He had missed his version of Jason, the one so unmarred by future events. He did miss
his
Jason, but he would cherish these few days of a Jason he didn't get to spend nearly enough time with.