Chapter Text
“Why didn't you tell me?” Dick’s voice is like a knife, his eyes locked on the scar on Jason’s throat.
“Why didn't you tell me it was Bruce who did that?” He says sharply.
Jason takes a short breath in, looking anywhere but him.
“Dick—”
“Don't you dare try and lie.” Dick stops himself. “Jason, please.” His voice softens. “Tell me what happened. I’m— I’m sorry for yelling.”
Jason’s hand rests on his scar, sitting down on the couch. He gestures for Dick to as well. Thank god Roy and Lian are on a trip.
Jason takes a second to collect his thoughts, thinking about how to say this. Dick doesn't say anything, but he's clearly impatient. His leg is bouncing.
“Okay. Did Bruce tell you about me trying to kill Joker? Before I actually did it.”
Dick looks up at Jason quickly. “Yeah, a bit. He didn't say much, just said you were holding Joker hostage and you both got away.”
Jason sighs. “Yeah, he told you just enough so you wouldn't question anything. That's the jist of it. What he left out was the part where to stop me killing the Joker, he threw a batarang. It… It obviously got my throat.”
Dick chokes. “Jay.”
“I’m not done. Please, let me just say everything.”
Dick nods slowly, and Jason continues. “He left. Joker ran off, and he–” He clears his throat, hands digging into the couch cushions. “He went after Joker.”
Dick stares at him, wide eyed. “I didn't want to say anything. Look, I already have a complicated ass relationship with him. I hate him. But he’s your dad. Tim’s dad, Damian’s, and Cass’s. I didn't want…”
Jason struggles with the words, but Dick understands. “You didn't want us to be angry.”
The younger nods in response. Dick is shaking, and he quickly wraps his arms around his brother. Jason distantly realizes that Dick is crying.
“I thought maybe if he just hurt me, then you guys could keep your dad.”
Dick breaks down at that, his sobs echoing through the otherwise quiet house.
“Littlewing.” He chokes out, and Jason can only rub his back.
“I’m alive. It's okay, Dick. I’m alive, i’m here.”
“He could've killed you! You're his son, you could've died again and I wouldn't have even–”
Jason holds his brother for a while, not entirely sure of what to do. He's not the best with this kind of stuff, so he grabs Dick’s hand and presses it to his wrist.
“I’m alive. You can feel my pulse. Just– it’s in the past. I’m okay.” Saying he’s okay may be a lie, but it's certainly not the worst lie he's ever told. It's for a good cause.
Dick slowly relaxes, but he doesn't let go of Jason.
“Do you– Can I stay with you tonight?” Dick’s voice is hoarse.
“Yeah, sure. Roy and Lian are gone for a few days on a trip.”
Dick nods absently.