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Recently Jason has started going to more Sunday family dinners. There was once a point in his life that was a recipe for disaster. But now he's in a better place with them. He loves his brothers even though they can be annoying, he isn't as lonely with them. Jason's accepted that he and Bruce won't see eye to eye on everything, but that doesn't mean they can't have a relationship.
which is why when Bruce asks him to come to dinner this week he said yes. If Bruce is trying to make a connection with him the least he can do is meet him half way. But when he accepted the invitation he didn't expect to have a bullet put through his gut the day before.
Now he finds himself walking up the stairs to the manor with a poorly stitched and most likely infected bullet hole. When Jason got back to his safe house last night he barely had time to make sure that he wouldn't bleed out before he passed out.
Unfortunately he couldn't say he just changed his mind and not go, otherwise his family would assume he's dying - which he's not - and go check on him. All he has to do is make it through one dinner without tipping anyone off. Shouldn't be too hard; it's not like he's about to enter a house full of detectives analyzing his every move.
letting out a deep sigh Jason goes to knock on the large wood doors. Slowly one of the double doors opens revealing Alfred and his pleasant demeanor he carries with him.
“Ah, master Jason. I'm quite glad you could join us.”
Stepping inside Jason throws him a quick smile.
“Thanks, Alf."
Something must be off in his voice because the butler that Jason has always seen more as a grandfather is giving him a concerned look.
“Are you quite alright, my boy”
Shit
It isn't too late he can still play this off.
“Yeah Im okay, just tired”
Alfred looks like he's about to say something more but suddenly there's a crash from the hallway.
“Get off me fucking demon brat!” someone who sounds a lot like tim shouts.
Thank god for his insane brothers.
Quickly he and Alfred make their way over to the ruckus. Aggravating the pain in Jason's right side, making him dizzy. He tries to casually lean against a wall to stabilize himself. Once he gets his version back Jason looks up to see what the fuck Tim's complaining about that's making his headache worse.
Tim's on the ground this Damian on top of him trying to bite him like the little demon he is. There's a smashed vase and somehow a completely turned over side table next to them.
“Stop, I didn't fucking take it!”
“Language.” Stephanie says from where she’s standing off to the side recording the mess that's happening in front of them.
“Really that's what you're worried about right now, he's about to bite my freaking face off!”
“Thank you.” Steph replied with a smug smile.
“ugghh.”
“I shall go get the broom. You may want to find your father.” Alfred said directed towards Jason.
“I believe he's in his study”
As soon as Alfred’s out of sight, Jason carefully makes his way over to the stairs. And slowly starts making his way up. After conquering half the steps he looks up to see Dick coming around the corner. If his fever wasn't so high Jason would probably make a joke about how Dick hair looks like a bird's nest. But right now he's too focused on trying to stay up right that he doesn't care. And that's saying a lot, Jason never misses a chance to make fun of his older brother's hair.
“Oh hey jay, … are you alright?”
“Wha-”
His brother starts stepping towards him.
The last thing he remembers is the floor becoming a lot closer than it was a second ago.
— — — — — — — —
Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, Dick starts rounding the corner to the stairs. When he looks up to see Jason making his way up the steps.
“Oh hey jay,”
Jason slowly looks up and now getting a better look at his face, dick realizes he's really freakishly pale, his cheeks flushed with fever, and his whole body slightly trembling.
“Are you alright?”
“Wha-”
“Jay?”
Dick quickly moves toward Jason when he starts listing forwards.
“ Whoa!”
Dick jumps to catch him, but Jason's head ends up hitting the side of the stairs. Now holding him Dick can feel the heat radiating off him, making him even more concerned.
“DAD!”
Checking his head Dick can see the excessive amount of blood leaking from the base of Jason's skull. Head wounds bleed a lot he knows that but it's still not good. Hearing his dads hurried footsteps Dick looks to him with a panicked expression.
“ What happened?” Bruce asked, his usual stoic voice laced with worry.
“I-I don't know. He was looking really bad an-and then he started falling, I tried catching him bu-.”
“ Dick, breathe.”
Dick inhaled not knowing when he started hyper ventilating. He helps people that are hurt and in need every night. But it's different when his brother, especially Jason. It's one thing to worry about little brother and another to have Jason pass out in front of him.
Carefully, Bruce starts moving Jason to check for other injuries. That's when Dick sees the dark spot of blood showing through his shirt.
“Dad, look.” Dick nods his head in the direction of Jason's side. Bruce follows Dicks eyes and goes to lift the soaked piece of fabric. They give each other worrying glances when gauze covered in red is revealed. Slowly pulling it back Bruce winces at the distinct smell of infection
“Oh Jaylad, why didn't you say something.”
— — — — — — — —
Jason comes back to himself floating in warm comforting darkness. Unfortunately it's ruined when someone starts calling his name and reminding Jason of his blinding headache.
“Jaybird? Are you awake?”
Rolling his head to the side Jason looks up to see Dick sitting in a chair by his bed.
“Dickie?”
“Hey. You gave us quite the scare there- whoa!”
Dick hand shoots forward to Jason's chest softly pushing him to lay back down.
“Careful, you still have a pretty high fever. You're not going anywhere for a while, you'll be lucky if Bruce lets you leave within a month at least.”
Great he going to be stuck he forever
“ “hat happen”
“Well, someone decided to get shot and NOT tell anyone. Then proceeded to show up to pass out and give himself a concussion.”
“Oh…sorry.”
*Sigh* “it’s-”
*knock* *knock*
Slowly the door opens and Bruce pokes his head through.
“Hey,” Bruce says after he noticed Jason awake “I thought I heard voices”
Entering the bedroom, closing the door behind him, Bruce sits on the edge of the bed near Jason's hip. Bruce brings his hand up to his forehead, Jason instinctively leans into the cold touch of his father. Sighing Bruce moves his hand to rest on Jason's cheek and tenderly kisses his forehead.
“How are you feeling, Jaybaby.”
“Tired, m’ head hurts.”
“Dick, will you go get more meds please.” Bruce asks speaking softly to be mind full of Jason's concussion not wanting to make the pain worse.
“Yeah, I'll be right back Jay.”
“mh” was all the response dick got before he left.
Gently taking Bruce's sleeve Jason starts pulling him closer.
“Do you want me to lay with you?”
Instead of answering Jason slowly shuffles across his bed making room for his dad. As soon as Bruce is next to him Jason snuggles impossible close, setting his head on Bruce's chest to hear his heart beat.
Bruce pulls the covers up to cover up his son and starts rubbing his back trying to make him feel better. There's nothing worse than having your kid in pain and not being able to do anything to take it away.
“Dad?”
“Yes, Jay?”
“I'm sorry for not telling you.”
“I know, I forgive you. Just please tell me next time before things get this bad.”
“I will.”
“Dad?”
“Yes, Jay?”
“I love you.”
“I love you too, so very much.”