Work Text:
Continuous shuffling could be heard from Jason’s bed as he flipped from one side to the other every couple minutes. He didn’t even know what time it was, only that he should be tired enough from patrol to fall asleep. But instead he found himself wide awake, no sign of sleep anywhere. Jason turned over once more in his ruffled blankets before opening his eyes to stare at his blank wall.
Out of his peripheral vision he caught a glimpse of yellow light outside his window. A confused look crossed his face and he decided he might as well investigate. He sat up and threw his legs over the side of his bed before making his way to his window.
Jason used his hand to push aside the flimsy see-through curtain to take a better look outside and his eyes widened when he realized it was the Bat-signal cutting through the darkness. Why was it on at such a late hour he wondered? Would Batman - Bruce - even be awake to see and respond to it?
A grumble made its way past his lips and he slammed the curtain shut. Nonetheless, he quickly moved around his room to put on his suit and mask. Jason knew how stupid it was to answer a call that was not meant for him but he couldn’t just stay put knowing someone could possibly be out there needing help.
Only minutes later from when he initially saw the Bat-signal, did Jason burst out from his hideout and onto his motorcycle to find the location of the light. The signal shone bright in the night sky, guiding him down alleyways and to a tall brick building. One he visited all the time in his Robin days.
Jason grappled his way to the top of a nearby building, too cautious to head directly to signal right away. He took out a small pair of binoculars from his jacket so he could take a closer look at who was calling for Batman at such a concerning hour.
To his surprise, it was the man himself, Bruce Wayne. He was all alone standing by the Bat-signal and looking out into the night. The reason he was there was still unclear. It didn’t seem like he was wearing any of his gear or visual enhancements because he most definitely should have noticed Jason looming around by now.
Jason decided on staying hidden for the time being, wondering why Bruce came all the way up here, so late into the night, just to use his own signal? It was nonsensical.
Many moments passed and Bruce only seemed to be getting more antsy and worried as it went by. The way he slightly shifted from one foot to another and clenched his fists as he looked out into the city with a worrying look, was a dead giveaway.
When it seemed that no one else was coming to answer the call, Jason used his grappling hook to swing his way to the lit up rooftop.
“What the hell are you doing out here?” Was all the greeting he gave as he steadied his footing on the new ground. With a click, Bruce shut off the Bat-signal now that it was of no use.
Even with the moon being their only source of light, Jason's glare was blaringly obvious. However, this didn’t deter Bruce from taking a step forward and looking him in the eyes with determination.
“I want you to come over this weekend.” Bruce said with certainty. Not like he just requested his estranged son to come home for the holidays.
Jason looked away and scoffed in disbelief before looking back at Bruce. “You know it’s not fair to ask that of me.” Jason retorted.
“I know.” Bruce spoke solemnly.
A silence fell over them as Jason mulled over the proposition. A part of him, the little boy inside of him, was still holding onto the memories of his previous years of spending Christmas at the Manor. Back then, the whole month of December was dedicated to Christmas.
Bruce would bundle him up, along with Dick, in the most comfiest (and expensive) winter coats before they headed out into the town.
They’d go searching for the perfect tree along with presents while also taking time to check out the many different light events Gotham held. Jason was always excited to go no matter how tired he felt or how cold it was outside. During his earlier childhood he never had the chance to experience those things, so when he was Bruce and Dick, he enjoyed it with all his heart's content.
Sometimes there would even be a Christmas parade that they’d intend, only with the greatest view of course. Bruce would never let his kids have any less than the best. Or that’s what he thought.
Jason shook those thoughts out of his mind, he couldn’t be blinded by nostalgia and forget the whole reason why he was out on the streets fighting for justice. Bruce didn’t even understand what he was asking of him. Jason wasn’t the same person he was all those years ago and it’s not like they could just sweep everything that has happened under the rug.
“Don’t use that-” He pointed to the Bat-signal “if it’s not something important.”
With that, he took his grappling hook and swung out into the night. His mind was racing with memories of both his childhood and later death. Along with that, thoughts of how different his life could have been overtook his mind.
Bruce frowned dejectedly and stood in the same spot for a few minutes, hoping that by chance Jason would come back and accept his offer. Though he couldn’t blame him for leaving. After all, this was only a fraction of the hurt that Jason must have felt.
••●━━━━━━●••
When Jason arrived at the outside of his hideout, straightaway he pulled the keys out of his motorcycle and practically burst through the front door. After shucking off his suit and throwing his mask somewhere around his room, he put on an old pair of pajama pants and loose shirt.
With a shaky exhale, Jason sat down on the edge of his bed and put his head in his hands. Just when he felt like he was finding his footing in this new life did Bruce have to come along and shake it all up again. He let a few tears well up in his eyes before he scrubbed them away and got up once more but this time to grab a beer from his shitty fridge.
“Fucking asshole.” Jason muttered.
He sat back down on his bed with his drink in hand and took a long swig. Fuck. He had a long day and it probably would be best to just go to sleep and forget about everything. Jason tilted his head back to rest on the wall and shut his eyes.
In the quietness of his room, his thoughts began to wander back to the conversation he and Bruce had. By all means he didn’t want to spend another Christmas alone but would it be any better to spend it with someone he felt betrayed by?
The hand that wasn’t holding his beer, went up to his face to feel the scar on his cheek. His fingers felt the deep scarring of the letter ‘J’. That bastard, he made sure Jason would never forget about the torture he endured and it succeeded.
His hand fell bad to his side and with the other he lifted the beer up to his lips and took another long drink from it. Tonight was gonna be a long one indeed.
••●━━━━━━●••
Jason had officially lost his mind. It was the only plausible reason why he was currently standing outside the Wayne manor. He was even dressed in a Christmas sweater that he picked up from the local thrift store. He truly lost his mind.
Jason brought his fist to the front door, hesitant in a way he usually wasn’t. Though before he could psych himself out and pretend he was never here, the hand he was holding up banged against the door before returning to his side. Jason winced as he heard how loud his knocking was, way harder than necessary but right now he could barely even keep his hands steady due to his anxiousness.
Silence. There was nothing on the other side of the door and he could feel himself getting sick. Why did he even decide to come here in the first place? Just because Bruce asked him to?
It seemed like forever that Jason was just standing there in the harsh winter air. He was just about to head back towards his motorcycle, before he heard footsteps coming closer to the door. Jason stood up straighter and looked down at his attire for what felt like the hundredth time that night. Suddenly, he felt silly for wearing the Christmas sweater.
When the door opened he was met with Alfred's familiar presence. It was strange seeing him again, after all they haven’t had the chance to catch up after Jason's death or resurrection.
“Come in, my boy. You must be freezing wearing only that.” Alfred's eyes filled with warmth and Jason was immediately ushered into the manor like he was a long distance family member instead of a criminal..
As they walked down the halls (that were fully decked out in garland and incandescent lights) Jason couldn’t help but look around and take in everything he could lay his eyes on. Nothing much has changed from the time he was here last, except maybe more family pictures hanging around. Undoubtedly, it brightened up the place but it only served to make Jason feel more outcasted.
Alfred peered at him with sad eyes, not out of pity but instead because he missed him just as much as Bruce did. He saw Jason grow up from being that little kid, so excited to have the chance to go out on patrols as Robin, to a man who fell victim to circumstance.
Despite the perplexing interior of the manor, they found their way to what Jason could only assume was the same room that he saw everyone in last time. His heart rate sped up and he clenched his fists as a means of grounding himself. To be completely honest with himself, he was terrified that he had changed too much, that they wouldn’t want him back anymore. Once again he felt the urge to turn around and book it back to his hideout. He still remembered every hallway, room, and exit in his mansion so that wouldn't be a problem. However, Jason stayed put and took a deep breath to calm himself down.
Noticing his nervousness, Alfred gave him a reassuring smile and comforting pat on the shoulder before he opened the living room door and gently ushered the boy in. Jason awkwardly stepped in, not knowing what or who to expect. The room that was previously bustling with noise and commotion went dead silent.
Jason scanned the spacious room quickly, a skill he acquired from the years of training under Bruce and then later on as he continued on his own path of vigilantism. It looked like the tree was complete with all its dazzling ornaments and even some diy-ed ones. There was a ton of garland and lights hanging up but what was really eye-catching was the numerous stockings pinned up on the wall. Each one being just as unique and the person it was meant for.
Said people were scattered about the room in a way they could do their own thing while still being in the presence of family. Stephanie and Cassandra were sitting on the rug by the couch, seemingly talking about who knows what before they looked up due to the silence of the room.
Nearby sat Damian and Titus close to the fireplace, he held a steaming mug of what Jason assumed was hot chocolate in his hands. Tim was sitting in the comfy recliner but now there was an addition of another man sitting on the arm rest. His black hair and punk vibe made it seem like someone he’d get along with. They both held mugs of steaming hot chocolate in their hands as well.
Lastly, he saw Dick and Bruce sitting together on the large sectional couch. Dick’s eyes widened when his gaze fell upon Jason, his little brother who was no longer quite so little anymore. He must not have been told about Jason coming over. Though nobody knew he was going to drop by, not even Bruce.
Who funny enough was the first one to break the silence as he stood up from his spot and approached Jason with a smile.
“I’m glad you could join us for Christmas." Bruce pulled him into a crushing hug that would be a bit painful if he could even get over the fact that Bruce was hugging him in the first place. Jason’s arms stayed in the air for a few moments before hesitantly wrapping around Bruce and accepting the affection offered to him.
“I missed you, son.” Bruce muttered as he squeezed Jason harder. It was so relieving to feel his steady (albeit fast) pace of his heartbeat after countless nights of Bruce being reminded of how cold and lifeless Jason was after the explosion. He wasn’t sure if he’d ever be able to let him go again.
Just like that, the feeling that was slowly building up in Jason broke and he couldn’t help the tears that fell from his eyes. His hold on Bruce tightened into a death grip and he hid his face, not caring about the itchy fabric of Bruce’s sweater or even the other people in the room who were most definitely staring.
Almost everyone was confused besides one person. Dick looked like he was moments away from shedding some tears himself as he stood nearby with his arms crossed. Like he was physically stopping himself from jumping in and hugging Jason as well.
After what could only be a few minutes, Jason recollected himself and stepped away from Bruce. He was about to wipe the tear tracks away before Bruce beat him to it. With gentle fingers he wiped them away and for a second his thumb lingered on the ‘J’ shaped scar. Jason could feel himself subconsciously lean into his touch. Years of being all on his own truly made him touch-starved.
Bruce frowned sadly but still stepped aside for everyone else to greet him as well. That’s when Jason saw Dick staring at him with a look that could only be described as remorseful and longing. Though this wasn’t the time to be sad, he was seeing his baby brother again! Before any tears had the chance to fall Dick wrapped him up in a just as crushing hug as Bruce's.
“You haven’t changed a bit” Jason let out a little huff of amusement.
“Shut up and just let me hug you, jerk.” The nickname didn’t have much heat behind it especially when Jason could hear Dick holding himself back from getting too emotional. This time he was less hesitant to accept the hug. It lasted shorter than the one Bruce gave him but not any less meaningful.
“Okay, enough of that! We have so much time to make up for and I know exactly how we’re gonna do that!” Dick exclaimed once he pulled away from the embrace. Jason couldn’t help but let the smallest of smiles grace his face as Dick caught him up on everything and everybody he missed. Maybe this Christmas wasn’t going to be so bad after all.