Chapter Text
**3rd POV**
Jason was mad, not pit rage mad, a proper boiling anger kind of mad. Fuck, he didn't even feel like killing anyone, he just wanted... he didn't know what exactly he wanted right now; but he had wanted a lot of things in his life. But tonight, tonight he haf wanted needed to feel cared for, protected. That's why he had gone to his dad, why he had asked him for vengeance, why he begged him to make his killer pay. And what had he done? His dad, no, not his dad, Bruce had chosen the Joker over him, and slit his fucking throat. The worst part about all this? is that Jason understood, he understood why Bruce had chosen that way. He had a very strict no-kill rule, and he wasn't about to break it for Jason, Jason who had died and come back broken, come back wrong; a Jason who wasn't his Jason, the excited, love-filled Jason, he wasn't Robin, not anymore. That's probably why it hurt so much, deep down he knew what Bruce would pick; but he had still, stupidly, hoped. Hoped he was still, maybe for a night, his dad's boy, his Jaylad, his Robin. But... he already had a new better robin, didn't he? He didn't need want Jason anymore.
Jason stumbled out of the bathroom of his safe house, couldn't remember which one this was, new bandages adorning his neck. What was he going to do now? He, he didn't want to be here, in this city filled with memories, the one he had given so much for; but crime alley needed him, and he had just started to make a change. Right, maybe she knows what he can do, with that thought he picked up his phone, a bit beaten due to his latest activities, and dialed a contact labeled "T 🖤". Just at the second ring the phone was answered, and as if sensing his... feelings, the woman on the other line called
—Airtafae, what is wrong?— her voice always served to calm him, make him feel better, just like Bruce's once did.
—Hey Talia— he answered —I... I don't know what to do — Jason... Jason hadn't really thought about what he would tell her. It just felt right to call her.
He must've been quiet for a while because she called back —Jason, what happened?— Oh, she was worried, really worried... like she cared "Of course she cares" a voice, so much like his own just a few years back sounded behind him. Jason turned, was he hallucinating again?
Nevermind. The voice was probably right, she did care, and he shouldn't keep worrying her.
—I went to, I went to Bruce earlier— he could already feel the tears welling up in his eyes. — I-I asked him to choose me Talia, he- god this is stupid— he couldn't stop himself from crying right now. Shit, he was a fucking mess.
—No, Jay, it's not stupid— her voice is really nice, —what did Bruce do, Jason?— right, he has to answer.
—He chose him— was all he could choke out. He was absolutely pathetic. Crying like that? Fucking stupid. After a while, Jason calmed his nerves and continued —I don't wanna be here mama, but i can't go, they-they need me—they really did, and he knew that.
—Habibi,— she called —why don't you try to delegate? You've been doing so good, why don't you take a break and control things from somewhere else? If you want, you know you're always welcome here…—
—I know— he really did. After the pits, Talia had taken him in as if he were her own. —but, I'm sorry Talia, I just... I don't think I'm ready to leave for so long just yet. I think I'll stick a bit closer, just in case.—
—It's okay, at least you're trying, that's really good.— Her voice seemed a bit lighter now — be careful, okay Jason?— He could try
—I will, bye Talia—
—Goodbye Jay— yeah.
Yeah, a small trip could be nice, he can put himself back together and come back stronger and meaner than ever. Maybe he'll go to New York, it's close enough that he's able to get back in a couple hours (1 or 2 if the speed limits become suggestions), and he could see what the whole "living the big apple dream" in his books is about.
Yeah, NY sounds good. With a quick text of thanks to Talia he started to prepare everything and everyone for his impromptu holiday.
—What the fuck?—