Chapter Text
Batman was saying something, something that was probably very important and crucial to the whole job they had done today in taking down that drug bust, surely it was something very serious and dangerous by the way Batman's muscles tensed to a point that seemed a little ridiculous to him, Batman was saying something very important, but Jason couldn't care less.
Jason hadn't been very involved in crime fighting for a while now, they decided to take it easy and patrol three days a week, letting his gang take over the other days and Jason admitted it was one of the best decisions he had ever made in his life. It was something the other bats noticed immediately, at first they wrote him off as creating some nefarious plan against them or some shit, but when Jason didn't make a move against them, they left him alone.
As if Jason was going to do anything to them, he didn't have time for that anymore, he didn't even have the time to sleep properly. Besides, there was something far more important in Jason's life to even have the time to orchestrate an elaborate revenge against his family, the mere reminder made him smile tenderly beneath his mask.
“Hood” The condescending and lofty tone that was all Batman brings him out of his thoughts, making him aware that all the glares from the vigilantes in the Batcave were directed at him, shit.
Not knowing what to do and finding himself under the gaze of a bunch of paranoid people who took his silence as a declaration of war, he cleared his throat in a gesture he hoped would look casual and accompanied it with a dismissive wave of his hand to signal Batman to keep talking. Jason doesn't know how to feel about it about how he can see Batman judging him even with the cowl on.
“I asked you a question” He growls, and Jason recognizes it because it's the same growl he uses when he's interrogating minor criminals in Crime Alley, he doesn't know whether to be angry or offended by that “But I guess you weren't listening” Well, he wasn't wrong about that.
“ Nop ” He makes sure to pop the P in an annoyed snap that makes several of the bats get more tense “I wasn't. Could you repeat your question, Batman?” Yeah, maybe Jason's pushing his own luck now, Talking to Batman in a cocky way, on his own turf? Yeah, he was playing with fire, but he was never taught to be afraid of fire, so, who cares?
Batman gives him a hard look, like he was considering if it was worth his precious time, Jason didn't mind waiting and if the others minded, none of them said anything and all the better for it.
“I asked you” He repeats, it's a little funny to see his whole face contort at the discomfort of repeating his own words “If you'll be there tomorrow; we'll be taking down the last of the remaining traffic grid and I want to know beforehand if I'll be counting on your help or not” That didn't sound like a question at all, Batman was demanding that he confirm he was going to be here tomorrow, and unfortunately Jason couldn't be here.
“Mmh, I think I'll leave it to you guys, I have other things to do” and maybe he shouldn't have said that, because suddenly the already wary stares of the bats intensified, he sighed heavily, hating his stupid big mouth.
“What kind of stuff Hood?” It's Tim's quick question, trying to get bigger in his seat, as if trying to make it clear to Jason that this is not his territory and he has no power here, Jason almost laughs because that move reminds him of a damn bird from the documentary he was watching the other day at the request of his daughter.
Oh yeah, the reason he wouldn't be attending tomorrow (not that he was too keen on the idea either) and the reason he had given up his life as a full time vigilante, was his little Cathy, his daughter had come into his life in the most disastrous way a child can be acquired, some asshole decided it was a good idea to murder his wife and kids and then kill himself on the dirt floor of his apartment, but he seemed to forget the baby her mother managed to hide in a closet, where Red Hood found her.
He had grabbed her without thinking and fled, away from the bloodshed that a man who had given up and dragged his entire family with him had abandoned him.
That had been a year and a half ago, and at no point had Jason regretted his decision.
“Uh, personal plans Timbo” Jason downplayed it, he really didn't want to share that tomorrow night he was planning to have a “girls night out” with his daughter, who had gotten it into her head that girls nights out were the best thing in the whole world because of a Barbie movie, Jason now had an irrational hatred for that brand but as long as it made his daughter happy.
"Right, because plotting the downfall of the family is considered a ‘personal plan’ ” Jason furrowed his eyebrows in confusion, not understanding Damian's very dismissive tone before equally reminding himself that the bats thought he was secretly plotting their deaths, what a load of crap.
“Damian” Batman hisses, and Jason still doesn't know whether to feel angry or sad about how he called everyone by their name even in the cave, but it was always 'Hood', though he decides he doesn't give a shit and shrugs.
"It's the truth father! Everyone keeps trying to avoid the subject, but we all know Todd is planning something!".
Damian looks stressed, Jason feels bad for him because he knows it's exam time and while he's aware that Damian probably won't have any problems, it must be stressful to do a thousand papers and assignments at the same time for a short period of time. Jason lets Damian keep yelling, it's not his problem, Damian is not his son (his daughter is much worse when it comes to yelling).
Everyone avoids looking him in the eye, after all Damian wasn't telling lies, for a whole year they all agreed that Jason's behavior was suspicious and they all came to the silent agreement that what was going on was nothing new. Honestly? Jason doesn't blame them at all, when he came back he had been completely insane and had a murderous rage that was terrifying, he didn't blame any of them for labeling him as a threat (it was a little flattering that they considered him so dangerous), but just because he understood didn't mean it didn't hurt any less.
He sighs as he relaxes his whole body “Boy, the only thing I plan on right now is getting the fuck out of here” He shrugs as they all look at him again, analyzing his every move as they look for the slightest hint of violence, Jason doesn't give a shit, he just wants to go home, to his daughter and her boyfriend to call it a day.
“Hood” Now Barman hisses at him, he didn't even do anything!
"B-man, if you're done with this, and you already know they're not counting on me for tomorrow can I just fuck off? I don't want to be here and no one wants me here” Jason isn't being dramatic or playing the victim for his family's disdain, he's just stating facts and doesn't care that some of the bats look uncomfortable (The day vigilant and the purple girl, Jason can't remember their names for christ's sake).
“Go ahead” Batman growls at him (never Bruce, never his father, that was over long ago), and with a green light so he can fuck off, Jason grins as he takes an exaggerated bow and starts to walk away.
He would have run towards his motorcycle had it not been for Alfred's presence next to said motorcycle, Jason jogs slower before coming to a complete stop so he can properly meet the butler who gives him an indifferent look, he can feel everyone else still watching like hawks but ignores them to focus on Alfred.
“Master Jason, I assume you won't be staying over today, am I wrong?” Jason chuckles a little, he gives Alfred a nod and that's all the butler seems to need because he sighs disappointedly and shakes his head slowly (that makes Jason shrink into himself a little) “Then I hope you have a safe way home Master Jason”
“I will Alfie, no one is better at driving through Gotham than I am” And when he smiles, he feels as if Alfred can see it because the disappointed face transforms into something warmer and softer that has Jason strutting with joy (if Alfred is happy, Jason will be euphoric for it) “I guess I'll see you next week” He wilts a little at the reminder, but he assumes it's the price to pay for not going out every night to fight crime.
Before Jason approaches his bike, Alfred pulls him into a tight hug, cradling the back of his neck as he wraps his arm around his shoulders in a grip that's meant to keep him close and Jason melts, reaching out to wrap his arms around Alfred tightly.
“Your presence is missing from the manor, Master Jason” Alfred murmurs into the embrace, and if Jason were a weak man, he would stay over tonight and as many as the butler asked him to, but Jason has a reason to come home, he has a daughter waiting for him.
“I have to go Alfie, I need to go home” Jason swears that someday, he will introduce Alfred to Cathy, he knows the two of them will get along.
Alfred lets him go, and Jason doesn't waste another second in leaving what was once his home, a stupid grin falling across his lips as he speeds off.
He doesn't even notice the tracker on the back of his neck.