Chapter Text
Jason's introduction to Gotham high society came months after his adoption. Bruce said he didn't want to overwhelm him - galas could be a lot even for someone who'd grown up going to them. Now that he was at his first, he was grateful for the delay.
They (Bruce and Alfred - Jason had been there for the discussion but hadn't given much of an opinion because of his unfamiliarity) decided that it would be best for his first to be a Wayne event, and the end of the year held the perfect occasion: the Martha Wayne Foundation charity gala. It was hosted to help fund the orphanages the foundation created - the upkeep, the staffing, the supplies.
And since the gala was all about supporting children, Bruce made sure it was a child friendly event - not just that children were allowed but that entertainment for them was provided. While the main hall held a band and dance floor for the adults, several adjacent rooms had various activities set up - board games, video games, even a room for coloring.
But of course, as the host's son, he had to hang around with Bruce and meet people for a bit before being allowed to enjoy it. Some people mostly ignored him, others actively engaged with him - one woman held a fascinating conversation with him over A Christmas Carol, which he'd read at school just before winter break. It was a nice change of pace from the woman prior, who'd mostly just been interested in chatting up Brucie.
Which was also a new experience for Jason. Sure, he'd seen Bruce's public persona in the news and whatnot, even when they went out in public sometimes, but this was that turned up to 12. He was more smiley, laughing and making airheaded comments, flirting freely with anyone who was receptive.
Thankfully with this being a family-oriented event, most of the flirting was lighthearted and joking, though even that wasn't happening much.
Jason gave a sigh of relief when he realized they were being approached by a family - most parents had sent their children off to play right away, but now a couple were approaching with their son in tow. He looked to be a few years younger than Jason, maybe nine, but he didn't think it would matter - this gave the perfect excuse for Jason to finally head to one of the game rooms instead of having to hang around with Bruce and meet donors.
"Bruce!" the woman exclaimed as they neared, arms raised. Bruce met her halfway, pressing a light kiss to her cheek.
"Janet," he replied, an easy smile on his face. "A pleasure to see you."
"And you," she said as she pulled back.
"Bruce," the man chimed in.
Why he felt the need to repeat it was beyond Jason, but Bruce matched the energy, giving a warm, "Jack," as he clasped Jack's hand, bringing him in for a half hug rather than the handshake the man clearly expected.
"And you remember our son, Timothy," Janet slid back in, arm around the kid's shoulders.
"Timmy!" Bruce exclaimed, holding his hand out. Timothy took it, giving what appeared to be a surprisingly firm handshake for his age. "How old are you now, 12?"
Jason nearly snorted at what he thought was a vast overestimate, only to be surprised when Timothy responded, "Eleven, sir. Though I am in seventh grade."
"That's right!" Bruce exclaimed, slapping his own forehead lightly. "I always forget you skipped a grade! Just a year below my Jason." At that, Bruce clapped a hand on Jason's shoulder, and Jason smiled tightly. "Have you had the chance to meet yet?"
"No, sir," Timothy told him, holding out his hand. Jason eyed it for a second, confused, before realizing Timothy meant to shake his hand. "Pleasure to meet you," Timothy said as Jason finally took it.
"You too," Jason said, though his tone gave away his confusion over the boy's behavior. He hadn't expected a kid so close to his own age to be so… formal.
"I'm surprised you haven't seen each other around school," Bruce added, looking between the two - Tim being in seventh grade meant he was only a year below Jason.
Janet cleared her throat before explaining, "Timothy goes to a boarding school just outside Gotham. We've heard Jason here attends private school in Gotham."
"That's right!" Bruce boomed, hand once again landing on Jason's shoulder. This time he used it to pull Jason tight to his side, "My boy here got top scores in English and History this semester." Jason's face flushed, as it had any time Bruce bragged about his grades.
"And our Timothy got top scores in science, math, and an elective photography course," Jack retorted. "Even got in the newspaper for winning a school-wide science fair." Timothy ducked his head, clearly embarrassed by his father's bragging just as Jason was of Bruce's.
As Bruce opened his mouth to reply Jason tugged on his sleeve. When Bruce looked down Jason gave his best pleading eyes, asking, "Can I show Timothy here to the entertainment rooms? I doubt he's gotten the chance to see them yet." He shot a glance at Timothy, surprised by the clear shock on the boy's face before he schooled his expression back to neutral.
Bruce glanced up at Jack and Janet before giving Jason a small smile, "As long as it's okay with Jack and Janet, I don't see why not."
Jason was a little surprised by the tightness by Janet's eyes when she responded, "Of course not! It would be an honor for the host's son to show him around."
Tim nodded. "I appreciate the opportunity," he added.
"Go ahead, son," Jack chimed in, raising his glass to motion the boys away. "Have fun, we'll find you when we're ready to go." Timothy nodded again.
"Yes sir," he said quietly before turning to Jason once more. "Where to?"
Jason grabbed him by the wrist so he wouldn't lose him in the crowd, "Bruce has all sorts of games and stuff set up - video games, board games, puzzles, coloring. What do you want to see?" At that he looked back, once again catching a bewildered look on Timothy's face before he schooled it back to neutrality.
"I'm alright with wherever you want to go," Timothy assured him.
Jason huffed. "I've already seen it all," he told the other boy. "B had me check everything out to make sure it was stuff kids would actually like. So c'mon, what'd you wanna see first?" Jason paused at the edge of the room, squinting at the boy. Timothy squirmed under his gaze. "You seem like a puzzle guy," Jason decided, resuming his dragging - this time into the hall.
Timothy sputtered, "I - what - how do you know I like puzzles?"
Jason shrugged, not looking back at him. "Your dad mentioned photography, and for some reason puzzles felt like a safe bet from there."
He went through the door to the puzzle room, unsurprised to find there were only two other kids in there, talking quietly as they put together a small Wonder Woman puzzle. Jason was happy to see it getting use from someone other than him.
Timothy immediately locked in on a puzzle of the Gotham skyline - one Jason had actually intended for any teenagers that may be forced to attend, given its complexity, but if that's what Tim wanted, he didn't see a reason not to do it. "Gotham caught your eye?" he asked, causing Timothy to jump slightly.
"We can do a different one, if you'd like," Timothy replied instead. Jason's brow furrowed.
"Like I said, B had me help choose all this stuff - I'm cool with whatever," he told Tim.
Instead of grabbing the puzzle like he expected, Timothy sighed. "You don't have to be nice to me just because you offered to show me around," he murmured. Jason's eyes widened in shock. "You can go do whatever activity you want, and I'll still tell Mr. Wayne how kind you were to show me around, and how good of a time we had together."
Now Jason's brow furrowed again, this time in anger. "This something that happens to you a lot?" he asked quietly. He saw Timothy shrink and couldn't help but regret his tone.
"I'm not exactly… well liked," Timothy explained, eying the girls whispering over their puzzle. Jason looked over at them, catching them looking away quickly. "Skipping a grade, speaking how I do… other kids don't like it. And I get it!" He tried to assure. "I'm awkward and weird and can be uncomfortable to be around. It's better for everyone if I just… say it was a positive experience than try and fail to actually have a positive experience."
Jason huffed, reaching out to grab the puzzle that had caught Tim's eye. "Fuck that," he said emphatically, causing a gasp from one of the girls. The other shushed her, but Jason still glared at them lightly before focusing on dumping the puzzle out on the table. "Are you a little formal? Sure. But you seem like a nice enough guy - so you and I are gonna do this puzzle, maybe raid the snacks table at some point, and try out any other games that catch your eye." When Timothy just stared at him, wide eyed, Jason added, "Sound good?"
He got a quick nod in response, Timothy's face flushing. "Now lets look for the edge pieces, Timothy," Jason said, focus shifting to the puzzle.
"Tim," the boy corrected quietly. Jason hummed, paying more attention to picking out the pieces. "I prefer Tim."
Jason looked up, unsurprised that Tim was looking down, pretending to be focused on the puzzle but clearly nervous about having contested Jason.
"Alright, Tim then," Jason agreed.