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Jason watches the skyline from one of the few towering buildings near the old Monarch Theater, near where it all began. His helmet off, and the wind ruffling his hair and caressing his cheek as if a gentle mothers touch. It's mid summer, and the sky is shockingly clear for once. A gift, perhaps, from Lady Gotham. All of it. The moon was high in the sky, not a cloud was in sight, and criminal activity nonexistent. The cities lights blinked like stars twinkling below. The old cities offering of peace for her lost boy on his birthday.
Beside him, a figure lands near-silently and moves to sit with him, leaning into him and wrapping an arm around him and holding firmly as if to say he will never let go, never again. The visitors head rests on his shoulder and his other arm wraps around him as well. The way those same arms used to, promising to always have his back. Flashes of blue as Jason stares, seeing things as though he was sitting there in a decade past, almost seeming to see through the world around him. His head rests on the other boys shoulder. But neither of them were quite boys anymore, not really, were they?
A second figure joins them, silent if not for the rustling of a cape that once was a beacon of safety and a symbol of home no matter where in the known universe he may have been. A promise of protection and security that was forever left broken; Jason alone in a land so very far away, a figure that even when he had returned caused him nothing but pain and grief. Becoming a sign of danger nearby, a taunting opposition to the security of his childhood. The last figure approaches the two boys. His boys. Always.
He sits in front of them, somehow managing to encompass the both of them in his cape and his arms. He promised them always. He had broken that promise time and time again but he has decided no more. He can't keep hurting his boys. Because they are just boys, to him. His boys. His sons. Always.
“We're here, little wing. I've got you.” the first voice says softly, squeezing his midsection tightly. He knows that name. His brother gave him that name. But his brother wasn't there, was he?
“Jaylad…” the second voice, low and steady. Home. His dad. Safety and warmth. “You're safe now. I'm here. We will get you home.” His dad…. His dad wasn't there either. He really wants his dad. Tears well up in his eyes.
Jason's breathing comes in quick terrified gasps as he suddenly starts to sob. His heart feeling as if it were about to explode out of his chest. He wants his dad, or his brother, anyone, someone. Arms squeeze tighter around him and a familiar hand starts carding through his hair, humming a song he remembers from his childhood.
Childhood. That's right. He's older now, not a kid anymore. Not there anymore.
His breathing starts to slow and grow steadier, heartbeat calming.
He wraps his arms around his brother and squeezes back tightly, still crying softly as he calms down.
His dad keeps gently carding fingers through his hair, and after singing that song for the third… or maybe fifth? Time, Jason’s not certain, Bruce leans down and kisses the top of his son’s head. Jason releases one last shuddering breath and his breathing fully evens out.
“I am never letting you go again. Not as long as you still need me.” Bruce says softly. “I have failed you both, moreso than the others, too many times. I promised you always, Jay. And I mean that more than you could possibly know. You will always be my son.” He says seriously. Jason shifts, and rests his head against him, instead of Dick. Breathing for a moment, listening to that steady heartbeat that once would lull him into the tender peace of a safe sleep even on his worst nights. After a moment, he slowly disentangles himself from the both of them.
“Yeah. Whatever, old man.” He says quietly, his words devoid of all the bite that used to accompany every word said to him. He looks at them both for a second and sighs. “Thanks, for coming. Or whatever.” he shrugs, refusing to meet either of their gazes.
Dick nods. “Of course, little wing. You're my brother, I've always got your back. Besides, I was headed this way anyways.” he grins. “Here.” he slips free of Bruce's cape now too, retrieving a bag from a few feet away and pulling out a plastic packaged quarter of a chantilly cake, undoubtedly purchased from the 24 hour grocery store a couple blocks away. He opens it and pulls out two Wonder Woman themed number candles and pops them on top.
Then, he lights the candles. “Make a wish, Jay!” he grins widely.
Jason scoffs, sniffling lightly and wiping his face. “I… yeah, sure, Dickwing.” he chuckles, and looks at Bruce and then out to the city. “you bring plates or forks or anything to go with this?”
“Duh, right here!” He pulls out three forks.
One for each of them.
Jason takes a deep breath.
And so, there on that roof top, Jason makes a choice for his wish of the year.
The night grows late, the day almost over for wish-making.
Looking at his dad and his brother, a soft smile on his face, sitting so near to where his life changed forever…
He makes his wish as he blows out the candles.