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Jason didn't feel pain as the bat bot's fist slammed into his head. There was instant darkness, which faded into bright light. A familiar male silhouette then emerged.
"Dad?" It came out like a question, but Jason would know that face anywhere. Willis Todd, his deceased father, before him once again. "Jason," he breathed. Willis placed a hand on Jason's face. "You shouldn't be here," he told his son. "Death and I are pretty acquainted at this point," he replied. "But regardless, I'm not gonna be here long before I return to the living- long story."
"Dad..." Jason struggled to find words. Surely he had thought about what he'd like to say to his dad if he could talk to him again. Yet whatever that may be escaped him. He felt a thumb brush under his eye and realized he was crying. He threw himself into his dad and gripped him tight. His dad matched his embrace and tucked his head under his chin like a protective papa wolf.
"Before you go, I want you to know how utterly proud of you I am," Willis said. Jason shook his head vigorously. "No, no, you don't know-" he started. "I do, I am. I've seen every part of you, and I'm so proud," he swore. His dad's words washed over him like a healing salve. "I'm glad I got to see you," Jason said.
Everything started to turn fuzzy, including his dad. "I need to help my other family. I love you," he said. "I love you too, kid." Those were the last words he got before it all went away.
He came to with a gasp. He was greeted with the sight of Dick, Tim, and Damian hovering above him. Dick and Tim each extended a hand to help pull him up. He couldn't bring himself to shrug them off. He took their hands and got off the ground. He appreciated how they had been there for him lately. After what he just experienced, he was glad he had them there at all.