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Jason had been living in the manor for almost two years now, and it never ceased to amaze Bruce how much the boy managed to come out of his shell. The first 5 months were some of the hardest of Bruce’s life, in terms of emotional vulnerability.
At first, Jason would run at the slightest hint of conflict, keeping his fraying backpack by his window. As if he was going to bolt before Bruce had the chance to kick him out.
Now Jason will talk his and Alfred’s ear off, typically about the books he’s reading. Jason will sit in whichever room he is occupying, simply to enjoy the presence of another person.
But most surprisingly, Jason will tolerate the occasional touch. Bruce ruffling his hair, Alfred guiding his hand in the kitchen, and on the rare occasion accepting a hug. He’s beginning to trust them.
All this to say, Jason is nervous. He’s been jumpy all week and hiding in his room more often than not. Bruce had no idea what to do; If he came off too strong, Jason would bolt. But doing nothing could mean letting this behavior fester.
Bruce decided that If Jason did not start to act normally by Friday before patrol, he would sit down and talk with him.
~~~
Maybe giving himself a hard deadline was not the best idea. Bruce had been sitting in his office all day, going over every possible scenario. Every scenario, except the actual one.
Typically when Jason came home from school he would come to Bruce’s office to do his homework. But, everyday for the past week, once Jason got home he would go to his room to do homework. Walking slowly through the manor, as if walking to trial.
Bruce startled as he heard rapid footsteps getting closer to his office, yelling for him with so much joy, he could already feel the smile forming at his face.
“Bruce! Bruce!” Jason yelled as he pushed the study door open with so much force Bruce would have to check the wall later. He was clutching a stack of papers in his hand
“Yes, Jay?” Bruce could feel the excitement bubbling from Jason as he bounced on the balls of his feet, waiting to divulge whatever good news he had to share.
“I got the part, B.” Jason’s smile is so wide now it must hurt.
“That's great, Jaylad.” Bruce was thinking of everything Jason had mentioned to him recently about “parts,” he came up with nothing. “But what part are we talking about?”
“Remember, like, a week ago when the school was doing auditions for the drama club?”
Bruce remembered Jason bringing up wanting to be in a play, around the time they had started watching theater performances of Shakespeare and different musicals. Jason had been so entranced by them that he had read every play Bruce had in the manor library. But he never remembered Jason telling him that he had auditioned to be in a play at school.
But Jason continued on, ignoring the confusion written across Bruce’s face. “Well, I’ve been waiting to hear back from them all week” Jason was running up to Bruce’s desk now shoving the stack of paper into Bruce’s hands.
Bruce examined the paper, It's a –most likely shortened– version of Shakespeare’s Midsummer night’s dream. The names of different kids next to different characters, with Jason’s name written next to the character Puck.
Jason was watching Bruce, waiting for his reaction. Despite his excitement earlier, Jason was nervous now. He came up here wanting Bruce’s support, but he was still scared that Bruce may not give him that.
“This is amazing, Jaylad.” Bruce made sure to look Jason in the eyes as he said it. To ensure that he knows he means it. “I’m very proud of you.”
Jason looked down at his shoes “It’s not even that big a deal. I haven't even gone to any practices yet.”
Bruce sighed, he had been working to get Jason to trust him. Not only as Batman, but also as Bruce. Jason needed to trust Batman to protect him, but he needed Bruce to be a father.
“That doesn’t matter to me, Jay.” Bruce ran a hand through his messy curls, “I’m proud of you either way.”
Bruce let out a huff as Jason jumped into his arms, burying his face in Bruce’s neck.
~~~
Ever since Jason got the part, he was the happiest Bruce and Alfred had seen him. He would read his lines every chance he got. Bruce or Alfred filling in for the other parts.
But Jason wasn’t only happier at the manor, his teachers contacted him saying that Jason was more open in class, making friends with the other students in the drama club, all while keeping up his grades.
When Bruce brought this up to Jason, his son blushed and hid his face behind his hands. Bruce reached forwards, slowly pulling Jason’s hands away from his face, hoping his face would convey how proud he is.
“Now, why don’t we run through your lines again? Your play is soon, right, Jay?”
“It’s in two weeks.”
~~~
The week leading up to the play Jason was still talking non-stop. Staying after school for practice, especially during Tech Week, and eating lunch with the friends he made in the club. Jason was insistent that Bruce and Alfred attend.
But before Jason was about to leave for the night, he was anxious again. Waiting by in the foyer, looking at the door like it personally offended him.
“Jaylad, are you sure you don’t want Alfred and I to come early?”
“No, No B. I got it.”
“Alright Jay, Break a leg”
Bruce would have sworn his heart stopped at the sight of Jason’s smile.
~~~
Bruce and Alfred showed up at Jason's School at exactly 6:45. His play was supposed to start at 7, but Bruce wanted to get there early, before a crowd could make him late. They chose seats towards the middle, close enough that Jason could find them, but not in the way enough to catch the attention of the press.
All of the kids did an amazing job. However, Bruce thought Jason performed the best – Alfred says that may be a father’s bias. Every time Jason comes on stage Bruce’s focus remains entirely on the play.
As the play continues, Jason becomes more confident. He speaks clearer, louder. His hands become more animated. It was clear to anyone watching that Jason loved this.
Jason had the last line in the play, and it was the line Jason had always been the most worried about. He had lamented to Bruce that if he messed up that line, he’d mess up the whole play. Despite Bruce’s assurances that that would not be the case, that line remained a hurdle to Jason.
As the end of the play approached, Bruce was hanging on Every word, waiting for Jason to prove to himself that he can do anything he sets his mind to.
When Jason comes on stage for his last scene, Bruce can see the war of nerves and joy going on in Jason’s head. But as the rest of the cast moved off stage, leaving Jason to deliver the final line. His grin is so wide that his dimples are on full display.
Bruce doesn’t think he’s ever been more proud of Jason than when he stood on stage, delivering the final line. Watching Jason’s confidence grow as he moves through the speech.
“So, good night unto you all. Give me your hands, if we be friends, and Robin shall restore amends.”