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August 16th
Jason awoke only when the sun was too bright for even his closed eyes to handle.
He groaned and rolled out of bed to close his blinds. He glared at the sun from behind the window.
He groaned again when he saw that it was only 9:07. He started to scowl when he remembered what day it was.
August 16th. His birthday.
Jason grinned, the brief moment of grumpiness passed. He was officially 15 years old. Next year he would be able to drive. And in 3 years he would be an adult.
There wasn't anything big for a 15th birthday, but it was his day regardless.
Jason raced to get dressed and brush his teeth then he flew down the stairs. Spotting Bruce at the end of the entrance hall he flung himself into his dad's arms.
"Ooff." Bruce grunted when he caught his teenager. "Well, someone's excited." Bruce remarked.
Jason giggled. "B, you know why I'm excited."
Bruce pretended to be confused. "Do I? Hmm, is today special for some reason?"
"Yes." Jason grinned, finding amusmant in the fact that Bruce was acting like he was stupid.
"Could it be someone's birthday today?" Bruce asked.
"Yes!" Jason exclaimed.
Bruce adjusted his grip on Jason so he now wrapped his legs around his waist. It was slightly childish but Jason felt comforted in the fact that Bruce could still carry him as easily as when he was a tiny midgit.
"Happy Birthday lad." Bruce whispered into his hair.
Jason beamed and clung on tighter.
"Where's my birthday buddy?" Jason asked.
"In the kitchen." Bruce said. "He still insisted on cooking breakfast, as usual."
"You can try to take the butler out of the kitchen but you can't take the kitchen out of the butler." Jason quipped.
Bruce chuckled softly as he walked them into the dinning hall.
"Alfred!" Jason screeched when he saw the man. He jumped out of his dads arms and ran toward his grandfather.
Giving him a shy hug he beamed up at Alfred."Happy Birthday Alfie."
Alfred smiled down at the young boy. "Thank you, and happy birthday to you as well Master Jason."
Jason smiled again. Dick would be over later today for a family dinner. Barbara would probably stop by as well. Today would be a day filled with laughter, spoiling, and fun.
August 16th was one of Jason's favorite days.
August 16th, a few years later.
It wasn't that Jason disliked his birthday. It was just that it was simply another day for him.
It's not like he was expecting anything either. Last year no one awknoledged it. He was fine with that. He wanted to be alone anyways.
Birthdays like the ones he had at the manor were gone. They were dead. Just like Jason was. Should be right now.
He paused outside the manors gates. If he didn't care, why was he here? What was he thinking? His family probably forgot it was his birthday.
He looked back at the present he had strapped to his motorcycle. It was those nice pairs of oven mits Alfred had been eyeing the last time Jason had seen the man.
He just hoped he didn't already have them.
He should leave, only, he wanted to see his birthday buddy again.
Jason sighed and punched in the code. Riding up the outragelessly large driveway his heart clenched in anxiousness and anticipation.
He parked his bike and grabbed the present. Marching up to the front door he took a deep breath and knocked.
Aftet a few moments, as Jason was wondering if this was a mistake, the door opened.
Alfred looked the same as he always did, the only difference was that he was starting to look his age.
Alfred smiled warmly at him. "I was wondering if you would eventually make it through the gates."
Jason chuckled. "Gates are difficult to figure out. "
"I suppose they are." Alfred said dryly. "Would you like to share the cake with me?"
Jason's heart gave a leap of hope. Alfred would say that every year they celebrated together.
"Yeah." He cleared his throat. "Yeah, I would like that."
Jason stepped through the door and was met with lively voices. He smiled a bit. The manor used to be a lot quieter. Not today.
He stepped into the dinning room and the chatter stopped, only for a moment. Then-
"Jaylad." Jason turned. Bruce stood behind him. "I wasn't sure if you were coming." He hestiated before going to capture his adult son in a hug. "Happy Birthday."
Jason flushed." Thanks B."
He sat down next to Tim who clapped him on his shoulder. "Happy Birthday asshole."
"Tim!" Bruce repremanded.
"What? Not like I'm wrong."
Jason laughed and he looked around at his family. What had he been scared of?
Dick brought out the cake, lit with way to many candles for even his and Alfred's age put together.
As everyone sang happy birthday Jason was elated.
This day wasn't broken after all. It could still be his favorite day of the year.
He caught Alfred's gaze and beamed. Yeah, still his favorite day.