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There was something wrong with Bruce.
Okay, Jason had always known that. The guy called himself Batman and beat up other dudes in masks seven nights a week. He was never gonna be a normal person. Still, something about how he was acting as of recently, though, was extra odd.
Jason had tried to ignore it, but the more he tried to not think about it, the more he couldn’t stop thinking about it. Bruce was always making excuses to not be around, and he spent all his time on the phone with someone in his office, when he thought Jason was busy with homework or whatever.
It was worrisome.
More than that, it was suspicious .
One night, while Jason was sneaking down the hallway, he overheard Bruce talking on the phone. He was talking pretty softly, but Jason had always been a good listener.
Or a sneaky, nosey little shit, depending on who you asked.
Pressing his ear against the door, Jason strained to hear what Bruce was saying.
“I’d really rather get this sorted out soon,” Bruce said. Whoever he was talking to must have said something in reply, because Bruce responded. “I understand the need for due process, but I’m afraid I can only wait so much longer.”
Wait? Wait for what?
“No, Jason doesn’t know,” Bruce continued. “I think it would be easier if he found out once the paperwork had already been handled. I don’t want him to feel forced into accepting this, but it’s the best option we have…”
Jason had to try really hard to keep his breath steady.
“I’m willing to pay more to have the process expedited,” Bruce added. “Though I do ask that you remain discreet. If the press finds out about this, we may have a bit of a media circus on our hands.” He sighed. “I’m aware he’s been in my custody for some time. I don’t see why that should change anything. He’s fourteen, not eighteen.”
After a few moments, Bruce’s voice turned irate. “My decision on this matter is final. I will not take any further questions. I am the head of this household; my opinion should be enough for you. Get the paperwork sorted, and I’ll break the news to him later this week.”
Bruce hung up the phone, placing it down on his desk. His heavy footsteps made their way towards the door, and Jason ran back to his room before Bruce even had his hand on the door handle.
Jason turned over Bruce’s words in his head that night, lying awake in bed.
I’m afraid I can only wait so much longer.
It would be easier if he found out once the paperwork had already been handled.
If the press finds out about this, we may have a bit of a media circus on our hands.
Get the paperwork sorted, and I’ll break the news to him later this week.
Jason had heard that sorta thing before, when people were talking about getting rid of him. Bruce had said they were partners, and that he’d always have a home with him.
Was that all a lie? Jason felt nauseous.
He had until the end of the week, if that. It just wasn’t enough time.
What had he done wrong? Why didn’t Bruce want him anymore?
The rest of the week went by in a blur.
Jason kept his clothes in his backpack by his bedroom door, so they’d be easily accessible. He stole a couple of silver forks from the cutlery drawer too. He felt bad about that, but he’d need it if he ran away from foster care again.
He had a sock full of change that he’d been accumulating over the last year. Whenever he found some coins down the back of the couch or Alfred let him keep the change when they went shopping, he put that money into the sock. Sure, Bruce gave him a weekly allowance, but all that money was in a bank account under Bruce’s name. The old man would probably want it back when he gave Jason back. He had a fair amount, though, so he’d be good for a month or two.
On Friday night - close to the end of the week - he’d been so preoccupied with wondering when Bruce would break the news to him, that he misjudged the angle of his grappling hook and almost fumbled off a building.
Batman had to catch him, and in that moment, Jason just couldn’t take it anymore. He broke down into sobs, and kept crying, even as Batman bundled him back into the Batmobile.
“Robin… is something wrong?”
Jason shook his head instinctively.
“Are you certain? If there’s something wrong, I’d like to know. I could help you .”
“Why do you care?” Jason asked, voice tiny. “ You’re the one who wants to get rid of me.”
Batman went very quiet, hands stiff on the steering wheel. “What?”
“I heard you. On the phone. You were talking about me. You wanna give me back. You don’t want me anymore.”
And I don’t know why. What did I do wrong?
“Jaylad, I don’t… I don’t understand,” Batman said slowly. “That wasn’t… I’m not returning you.” Not that there was anywhere to return him to . “You’re not some object.”
“Rehoming me, then,” Jason said, slumping in his chair. “Call it what you want.”
“… I don’t know what you think you overheard, but that couldn’t be further from the truth,” Batman said. After a moment, which Jason knew was just time for him to calculate his next words, the Dark Knight continued, “I was on the phone with your social worker, but not for that reason. I want to adopt you.”
“… really? You already had custody of me, though.”
“Yes, but you aren’t a Wayne in the eyes of the law… not yet, that is. I know I’m not exactly… the best father, but I…” Batman looked away. “I thought you wanted this. Thought you needed this. In a way Dick never did.”
Jason stared at Batman for a long moment. “So… you’re not kicking me out?”
“ Never , Jay. As far as I’m concerned, you’re stuck with me for the next four years. At least.”
And Jason knew it was his attempt to make a joke, or at least make Jason smile. Maybe he had been spending too much time with his dad, picking up on his rare and weird sense of humour, but he thought it was pretty funny.
“If you kick me out, I’m gonna sick Dick on you,” Jason joked back.
Bruce pulled a face. “I do wish you two saw each other more often…”
“I’ll see if he wants to be there when I sign whatever I need to sign, then.”
And in spite of everything between him and their dad, Dick was there.