Work Text:
It didn't take them long to notice once Jason started hanging around more. The whole thing started with Dick because he was the only one who really sought Jason out. The rest of them, them being Tim and Bruce, tended to avoid the man. Jason had instilled fear into Tim and Tim was keen on not provoking Jason again even if Jason was ‘better’. Bruce however was more of a subconscious case. Likely not wanting the walking reminder of his failures nearby. So Dick was the first to notice.
Dick saw Jason at the other end of the cave, “Hey Jason, what're you doing here?”
Dick had expected a snarky comeback from Jason about how he was allowed in the cave unless they didn't trust him anymore. Yet all he got was silence and he watched as Jason worked on a motorcycle. Dick began walking over.
“Hey,” he said abruptly and watched as Jason jumped, “Are you ignoring me?”
Jason looked to him and his face fell into a familiar scowled, “No? What the hell? Why'd you sneak up on me?”
Dick frowned, “I didn't. I just asked what you were up to. You didn't have to be so defensive about it.”
“Well sorry, I'm a little jumpy because you snuck up on me!” Jason snapped, putting emphasis on his sarcastic apology.
Dick sighed, “Whatever. Forget I asked.”
And that was that. It wasn't until much later that Dick really processed what had happened. The cave echoed and just about anyone could hear you anywhere at volumes above a whisper. They all knew that, they had all grown up in the cave. Dick hadn't exactly been the most quiet in anything he had done. Yelling to Jason the first time, and while walking over to his younger brother. Sure, he could have been stealthy and hidden his movements but there was no point because they were trying to make friends with their estranged family member, not push him away. It was supposed to be a sign on trust. Yet Jason had seemed to ignore him till Dick was practically standing over him. Then he had blown up on Dick. It was like he hadn't heard a thing Dick said.
The next to have a similar experience was Tim. The teen had been in the cave working on the computer when a motorcycle roared in the tunnel leading to the cave. The cave's security system hadn't flagged it so the rider was likely safe. Still, Tim had paused his work and waited to see who it was. In sped Red Hood and he stopped abruptly and threw his leg off of the vehicle and moved towards the medbay. Tim stared.
“Hi Jason.” He tried.
No response.
Tim frowned. Maybe Jason hadn't heard him?
He tried again but louder this time, “Hi Jason!”
Nothing.
Tim watched, confused, as Jason paid him no mind and kept on rummaging for something in one of the medbay's cabinets. Then, once the older man found what he was searching for, Jason stuffed it in his jacket pocket and turned on his boot heel and began walking back to the motorcycle. He spotted Tim on his way back.
“What? No hello?” Jason called as he slipped his helmet back over his head.
Tim stared blankly as he processed it. Jason clearly hadn't heard him. Though he should have. Tim's brain worked overtime as he pieced the information together. Jason left before Tim could find his voice and ask.
It all came to a head as Bruce invited Jason to dinner. Rather, Alfred had invited Jason after catching Bruce brooding.
So there they were. Three Robins and a Batman. Sitting at an expensive wood dining table eating the dinner Alfred had graciously prepared. Quietly. Despite Jason being on their side now, the mood was strenuous at best. Hostile at worst. Dick was the one to break the tense silence.
“So… how was everyone's day?” Dick asked slowly, like a bomb could go off at any moment.
Tim hid his smile by taking a sip from his water. Bruce let a soft sigh out, indicating his fondness. However Jason's brow furrowed.
“What?” Jason asked boldly.
Dick hummed, “I just asked how your day was.”
Jason's face twisted a little before gruffly replying, “It was fine.”
Dick nodded, “That's good, mine was rough. Though Bruce had to sit through a board meeting so could be worse.”
Tim observed as Jason's face betrayed his confusion.
Then, “Jason, are you- do you have hearing issues?”
The oldest and youngest turned to look at Bruce, surprise on their faces. However Jason reacted much more poorly. His hands slammed on the table and he stood, seething.
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” He snapped.
Bruce folded his hands, “You seem to miss hearing things when said at normal volumes.”
Jason sneered, “So what?”
Dick intervened, “I think what Bruce is trying to say is that he's worried about you.”
Bruce frowned but Dick quickly shushed the older man so that he couldn't dig the hole deeper. Jason crossed his arms.
“Sure has a shit way of saying it.”
Tim snorted before he could stop himself. Jason's gaze fell to Tim. The youngest held up his hands in surrender.
“Hey it's funny cause it's true.” Tim defended.
Tension eased in Jason. As if a bomb had been successfully defused. The zombie turned to Bruce.
“The pit couldn't fix it.” Jason said, his voice dripping with hate. Though it wasn't directed at any of them.
Bruce exhaled deeply and Dick made a wounded noise. Tim simply looked away.
Jason sighed, “My hood helps.”
Tim curiously looked at Jason, “You could get hearing aids. We could probably use Lucius to help make something more discreet for when you can't wear the hood.”
Jason shrugged, “Sure, whatever makes you happy.”
Though that was Jason-speak for ‘that'd be nice’. It was enough.