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Life in the manor had... adjusted. And for Jason, who'd already had to go from being an only child to the youngest of two, it had been a change he underestimated.
Everyone had their routines and Jason had developed his own. He was Robin, the main focus of Bruce while he trained and he enjoyed it. Enjoyed the steady life he'd gotten. His relationship with Dick was good, the two of them sparring and spending time together as brothers do despite Dick's busy schedule. Their relationship had started rocky, Dick feeling conflicted about someone else taking his title but it worked.
Everything was good.
Well, until he died. Jason's life got flipped on his head in every way possible. A lot had happened since he came back but now he was his own hero, helping people on his own way, not Batman's way. He eventually formed somewhat of a truce with Bruce. Their bond won't be the same as it was but there was small improvements. Then he met Tim. The new Robin seemed to make it his mission to replace Jason. Always being there on patrols. Always asking questions when Jason was looking for something in the cave. Always being present whether though his gadgets everywhere or sitting there, staring at Jason.
It was weird, the thought of gaining a younger brother always interested Jason. Someone he could play with and teach his own skills to. The idea of having a small person he could help. But the reality was far different.
Perhaps it was because he was so used to being the youngest, the centre of attention. Or because he simply felt jealous. The thought made him laugh. Jealous of a young teenager in tights? Yeah, no way. But deep down, he knew he was. And it was a hard pill to swallow.
Jason was tired of it. The whole thing was frustrating. It was dumb, he knew it was. Of course the anruce had a new Robin. It's what he does, he needs a sidekick. Logically, it made sense that Tim was always present but that didn't make it any easier. A part of him wished he was younger and got to be Robin again so Bruce would pay more attention to him. But that wouldn't be fair.
Bruce was trying hus hardest with Jason, he really was. Time and time again he tried connecting to his second oldest and was being pushed away. He felt as if he had let Jason down again.
"Stupid Bruce. Stupid Tim. He has a new kid to focus on now so no more Jason! It's just like what happened with Dick, his perfect boy wonder, this is what he does. I'm not as interesting as the new one so I'm getting forgotten again."
"Jason."
That wasn't Jason's voice.
Jason snapped his head around, guns drawn, as he stared at Bruce. He didn't look happy.
"Old man."
"Put those down, we need to talk."
Jason mumbles something under his breath which gets muffled by his helmet, following Bruce to the edge of the rooftop and sits down with a huff. Bruce stands next to him, his cape waving softly in the slight breeze.
"You feel like I don't care, that I want to replace you?" Bruce asks, eyes intense as he studies Jason's demeanour.
"Yeah," Jason mumbles, "I just don't get you anymore. Why is he so important that you've moved on from me? Did my death not matter enough? How long between me dying and him becoming Robin was there?"
Bruce sighs, "I'm not replacing you, son. Tom became Robin on his own. I didn't recuit him as you seem to think. I didn't want to put another child in danger like I had with you."
"So it took me sting for you to realise that?" Jason finally meets Bruce's eyes, "I've had enough of you acting like this isn't a big deal. It is, to me at least. You couldn't even avenge my death but you could put a new kid in that costume. Don't act like you couldn't take it away from him. You're a grown man!"
His hand fidget, becoming more wound up as he talks. He missed his old life. The life he tried desperately to hold on to but got thrown out the window when he died. It made him stressed, trying to find a new way to handle the change but every day was a reminder of what he lost, felt like he couldn't rely on anything and that was one of the worst feelings to Jason. His complete lack of stability.
"Why didn't you speak to me?" Bruce asks, Jason can see the mix of emotions behind his cowl, the way his brow creases with concern. He's become hyper aware of everything goikg on sround him. The cars on the street below were too loud, Bruce breathing too heavy, his leather jacket made his skin itch. It was too much.
"You wouldn't get it."
"Then help me get it." Bruce reaches out and puts a hand on Jason's shoulder, steady, grounding. Jason tenses but the hand remains.
Okay. Help him get it. That's not hard, right? Wrong. Words were becoming harder to say, to put together. He could do this. He could explain. Could he? He was getting overwhelmed again. Shit.
"Jason. Look at me."
He shakes his head.
"Jason, that's an order"
Jason's head snaps up on instinct, his subconscious responding to the Batman voice Bruce used. It did help ground him, put him back in the room better than anything else could.
"Talk to me."
"I've had enough of being forgotten. The Robin that failed. The little soldier you didn't save. I want to go back to how it was!"
Bruce stares at him with sympathy. Or pity, Jason couldn't tell right now. The sound of a police car siren cuts through the air making Jason wince.
"Ignore it. They will handle that. It's just us here right now."
Jason nods, shoulders slowly relaxing.
"I understand how you're feeling, I do. But I haven't replaced you. You're still welcome at the manor. I know seeing Tim wear that costume is hard but it's been years Jason. Things change and the mantle got passed on. You need to understand that we didn't think you'd come back. Your death was hard to handle, Tim helped me through that, gave me something to focus on again."
Jason stood up, tense and silent.
"Where are you going, Jaylad?"
"Don't call me that." His voice was sharp and cold.
"Talk to me." Bruce says, almost pleading
"I've heard enough," he turns and walks the other way, disappearing into the maze of building that fill Gotham's skyline.