The Equivalents

50. Scars Part 1.

Batman, Iron Man, Superman, Thor, Hawkeye, Green Arrow, and Wonder Woman had decided it was time for them to get back in the game. They were happy their friends and family were safe, but they needed to stop the men who almost killed them. None of the villains had shown their faces since they tried to kill Jason, Peter, and Bucky. They were sulking in their misery. Angry and furious with their failures. So instead of continuing with their plan, they took a few days to just do some crazy stuff.

Because they weren't going out and making a scene though, they weren't leaving behind any clues. Which meant that it was a slow day for Batman and friends.

Tim woke up that day and was kinda happy to have a slow day. His face hurt really bad, but he wasn't quite sure why. Well, at least not until he looked in the bathroom mirror and saw a Cassandra sized foot print on the side of his head. That's when things started coming back. The yelling, the coffee machine, the threats of sedatives. Cassandra kicked him in the head.

Did she mean to knock him out? Probably not.
Did she? Yep!

It wasn't the first time this had happened either. It was usually her or Jason that accidentally knocked him out while he was trying to get coffee. Then there was Damian that did it purposefully. But either way, he was upset. Not because his face stung a little, but because he had no coffee. He had to resort to sleep to cure his exhaustion. Like an animal.

He went to the kitchen to look for some coffee, but couldn't find any. It was very suspicious. Not only did the Avengers have their own, but Tim also brought some with him from Gotham because of course he did. But there was nothing there. And he knew the person who took it.

He went to find Cass and saw her go into the med bay.

"Where is it?" Tim asked, calmly. Well, as calmly as he could at the moment.

Dick, Cass, and Jason all just stared at him.

Tim didn't know Jason had woken up yet.

"You're awake." Tim smiled.

"Yeah, I woke up last night." Jason said, confused.

"I wouldn't have known. Someone kicked my head into the wall." Tim looked over at Cassandra who was trying not to giggle. "How are you feeling?"

"Like I just got hit by a bus." Jason deadpanned. "Been worse though."

"Just because you've been worse doesn't mean you can't feel pain." Tim pointed out.

"He's stubborn. What did you expect?" Dick asked.

"I'm fine guys." Jason stated.

"Are you sure?" Tim asked.

"Yes. The Joker's been trying to ruin my life for years. There's nothing he did to me that he hadn't already done." He lied. "I'm fine."

Tim was hesitant at first, but then left the room. Cassandra right after him. Dick left a few minutes later.

Once they were all gone, Jason saw a mirror on the table next to him and picked it up. He took in a deep breath and then held it up to his face. He hated what he saw. The J. A mark that would forever be with him. One that reminded him his life was not his own. He looked at the mark and tried to keep a straight face, but he couldn't. His eyes teared up.

"Let me show you just how much I care about you." 

The Joker's voice started ringing through his head.

"I want everyone to know you're mine."

And it wouldn't stop.

"Tell me, do you think Batman is coming to save you? All you have to do is say yes, and I won't do this. But you have to be honest. I know when my little birdie is lying."

Jason tried to get it out, but he couldn't. It pierced through him like a knife.

"So? Do you think Batman is coming to save you?"

He remembered the words. And then he remembered his response.

"No."

Jason screamed. Both Bruces ran in a few seconds later.

"What's wrong?" Bruce B asked.

Jason couldn't say anything. Bruce W knew what that meant.

"Could you give us a minute?" He asked.

Bruce B nodded and left the room.

Bruce W went over and sat down by Jason.

"What happened?" Bruce asked. "What did he do to you?"

Jason remained silent.

"If you won't tell me for your own good, then consider it a mission report." Batman popped in.

"He made me snap. They made all of us snap." Jason whispered. "I tried to kill Peter, Peter tried to kill Bucky, Bucky tried to kill both of us. They tortured us to our breaking points. Physically and mentally. Made us think that they controlled us. They wanted us to kill each other and then use the strongest of us to destroy the rest of you. Luckily, Peter snapped out of it and made me come to my senses. Then I talked Bucky into his."

Bruce hugged his son. Something he had been doing a lot of lately. It shocked Jason. Bruce had hugged him more in the past day then he had in all the years since they met. But Bruce was trying to be a different man now. A man his children would look up to instead of despise.

"I'm not fine, Bruce." Jason whimpered. "I don't think I ever was."

"I know. And I haven't been much of a help either." Bruce admitted.

"Nope!" Jason laughed. "But I can tell you've been trying lately."

"Good." Bruce smiled. "And you don't have to pretend you're fine. Not now at least. Talking about it might help."

"That's what Peter said." Jason replied. "He really helped us get through it. What they did to us."

"It helps to know you weren't alone." Bruce said.

"That's not entirely true. We almost escaped and then they split us up." Jason explained.

"You're safe now. That's what matters." Bruce reassured him. "Are you hungry?"

"It's been awhile since I've had real food. I'm not sure what I could keep down." Jason replied.

"We'll start small. Gradually increasing into larger amounts." Bruce nodded. "That also means bland food."

"Does a cheeseburger count as bland food?" Jason joked.

"No."