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“Again!?”
“Jason-”
“No! Every time, Bruce, every time!”
“We can reschedule Jason, it's not the end of the world.”
“That's what you said last time. And the time before. And the time before that too!” When Bruce didn't reply Jason continued. “Every time I want to see my big brother you both have to start a fight. Can't I have just one dinner with my family?” Bruce winced.
“I'm sorry Jason but you know how it is. Dick and I aren't exactly on the best terms at the moment.” Jason didn't have to break down any walls to notice Bruce's solemn expression. Right now, he's not Batman lamenting over his ex-partner, he's a father with his seventeen year old son living with his friends because he fucked up.
“Figure your shit out.” Jason hissed. “I'm having dinner with my brother one way or another. I'll be at the Titans tower.”
“Jay-” He was cut off by the front door slamming. He's going to get an ear full from Alfred later.
Grappling across cities is far faster than walking, thank goodness, but he still ended up exhausted by the time he reached jump city. Now in theory he could've just asked Bruce for a ride, but it would defeat the purpose of his dramatic exit.
He made his way closer to the island where the tower was located and with one final sigh, crossed the bridge to get to the tower. He rang the doorbell (for such an impressive tower it feels odd that they have a normal doorbell) and the millisecond he took his finger off, a flash of red greeted him, Flash PJ set and all.
“Hey there, bud. You need something?” Despite him being fourteen years old, Dick's friends insist on treating him like he's seven. (He doesn't mind, but don't tell them that.)
“Yeah. I'm staying here tonight. Dickface decided to bail on dinner so I'm seeing him whether he likes it or not.”
“Aw, I'm sure he'd be happy to see you.” Wally ruffled his hair and he held back on biting his hand.
It's been a while since Jason's been in the tower, but it's just like he remembers. “Jay!” Someone shouts from the living room. He assumes it's Kori or Donna considering they're both looking at him like he's their son who just came home from college. “It has been so long since your last visit” Kori flew over to him and gave him a quick hug.
“Hey guys, just came for some good old sibling bonding since someone decided to cancel.” He did nothing to hide his frown.
Donna and Kori shared a look. “He's in his room. Pretty pissed at the bat. I'm sure you'll cheer him up.” Donna tried to give him a reassuring smile. God, Jason was so done with Bruce and Dick's fights.
“Thanks Donna, see ya later.” With that he turned on his heels and made his way to Dick's room, making no attempt to respect his privacy as he swung the door open.
He was met with a confused “Jay? What're you doing here?” from Dick, followed by a much more casual “hey Jay.” from Roy.
Oh Roy is here? He can definitely be normal about that. Dick didn't seem to be pleased though and Jason looked down to see a half drunk bottle of vodka in Dick's hand. “You're too young for that.” Jason chides. When Dick didn't react, Jason took a breath and decided to continue. “You didn't come to dinner, but I- Uh..wanted to hangout anyway.” that seemed to make Dick smile.
“Aww, Jay, you wanted to spend time with me” his earlier irritated expression was replaced with a playful grin and sing-song tone as he pulled Jason into a hug. That would've made Jason happy if his brother wasn't drunk. “Me and Roy were just complaining about things anyway.”
“By ‘complaining about things’ he means getting black out drunk while talking about our daddy issues for the third time this week.” If that statement wasn't so concerning, Jason would have laughed.
Instead, he folded his arms. “That's not healthy, jeez. Actually it's illegal, you're superheroes for God's sake.” Dick grimaced while Roy just chuckled and ruffled his hair.
“That's why we don't tell anyone obviously.” Roy was much too dismissive for Jason's liking.
“Shut up Roy.” Dick shoved him off the bed, earning an ‘ow’ from Roy. “I'm gonna have a movie night with my brother now.”
Roy huffed and began to exit. “Fine, I'll just entertain myself tonight.”
“Don't do anything stupid!” Dick called out. “So? I'll get us some snacks from the kitchen, you set up a movie?” Dick shoved on a bright grin to cover his clearly swaying movement.
“Drink some water while you're there.” Jason was still frowning, and guilt washed over Dick's face.
“‘Course,” Dick said as he left the room.
The minute Jason was sure he was alone, he began to snoop. Was it wrong, yeah sure. But was he concerned for his brother? Obviously.
The room was fairly boring, random gadgets and posters littered about. As well as straight up mess (Alfred would have a heart attack), but nothing unusual. He strolled over to the desk and picked up an escrima stick that Dick left on the table and stared at it. The smell of alcohol was still in the air, making him nauseous.
Ever since he could remember, Jason hated alcohol. His family had always abused it and it led to them becoming bad people. Bruce was responsible with his alcohol, never let himself get too drunk around him and Dick, kept his drinking nights to a minimum, never let himself become an aggressive drunk. Meanwhile his family wasted all their money on cheap booze that they drank all day. Jason knows when someone's drinking casually and when they've got a problem. He just hopes this is a fluke after a bad fight, but he's got a sinking feeling in his gut after what Roy implied about how often they drink.
Just then the escrima stick zapped, making Jason drop it, he must've turned it on accidentally. As he went to pick it up, he noticed something under the bed. There were multiple empty bottles of cheap booze and a half finished bottle of antidepressants. This made Jason freeze, he knew pills and liquor don't mix well. He also knew that having these things under your bed means it's being hidden. What Jason didn't know was that his brother drinks frequently and is diagnosed with depression. He feels his breathing stagger and his throat closing. He was adopted to get away from this life. Why is it haunting him now?
The door swung open and Jason jumped up. “I'm backkkkk” Dick said, a large selection of snacks in his arms. No matter how delicious the snacks, Jason wouldn't be able to stomach them with the smell.
Dick dumps the snacks onto the bed and turns to face an upset Jason. “You ok? You seem sad.”
“why wouldn't I be?” Jason mumbles.
Dick sighs and opens his arms, which Jason reluctantly accepts. “I'm sorry, I promise I didn't know you were coming.”
“You know it's not that you bailed on dinner.” Jason hissed
After a moment Dick replied “What do you mean, Jay?”
“I want you to be ok. If you're drinking like this you're not ok. I don't want you to end up like my parents.” Jason half whispered.
Dick stiffened. “I'm alright, Jay, it’s just been a rough night.”
Jason pressed more against Dick. “Don't bullshit me. I saw under your bed. I'm gonna tell someone. I swear, Dick, I will, you and Roy need help.”
Dick pulled away from Jason and turned to face him. “You can't. Bruce will kill me, besides it's just to take the edge off-”
“That's exactly what an alcoholic would say! You can't try to Dick Grayson this by putting a smile on and gaslighting everyone into thinking you're ok.” He stopped for a breath only when he noticed his voice begin to shake. “I've spent my whole life dealing with this shit. Don't you think I would know how it works?”
Dick at least has the decency to look a little guilty, though it's not for doing this to himself but for making his brother upset, which makes Jason want to shake him. “I'm sorry I made you feel this way, really, just- please promise you won't tell Bruce? I really can’t deal with that right now." Dick urged
“this isn't about how I feel, it's about you not dying from liver failure at seventeen.” he hissed. “And I don't give a shit what's going on between you two, but if there's any chance Bruce will pull you out of this grave you dug for yourself, I'll take it.”
Dick ran a hand down his face. “I can't just- can't just stop.”
“Thats why you're going to get Roy and you're both going to tell the Titans about your little activities. Because your friends actually care about you believe it or not.”
Dick pulled Jason back into a hug and smiled slightly. “You're a good little brother.” Dick says
“I know” Jason smiles as he grabs a bag of marshmallows and turns the movie on.