Bruce Wayne stood in the door way of the master bedroom at Wayne Manor, staring at the empty bed and feeling empty without the Joker. Because before the Joker moved in, his parents had been the last to sleep there. He could never bring himself to sleep in it. Not until J. And now that he was gone, Bruce finds sleeping in it impossible.
The Manor was so quiet without the Joker and Lucy's laughter. He'd gotten so used to them being there. Used to curling up next to J at the end of every exhausting night as Batman. Feeling his warmth. Hearing him breathe. It just wasn't the same home without him.
But deep down, Bruce saw all of this coming. He knew J would eventually put two and two together. He knew he would find out about Jason. He just didn't see it coming so soon. And now that he's faced with the pain of losing J, he doesn't even want to be at the Manor. Perhaps he should take some time to himself at his lake house. Not that it could fix anything that he was feeling.
Alfred can't help but notice Bruce as he hesitantly walks up the grand staircase. He knew he was hurting. But he didn't have the slightest clue of how to comfort him. "Master Bruce?" He hesitantly approaches him.
"I can't get over how quiet the Manor is without them," Bruce softly says, more to himself than to Alfred.
"It is quiet without them," Alfred sighs, "Sir, Master Jason is here to see you. Should I tell him that now isn't a good time?"
Bruce looks down, "No. Heaven knows when he might visit again. I'll be right down," he tells Alfred.
"Sir, need I remind you, he is wanted by the authorities, and the Joker has a contract out on him," Alfred says hesitantly.
"I'm aware Alfred," Bruce sighs, "but he's also my blood. I'm seeing him as Bruce, not Batman," he turns to Alfred.
Alfred slightly shrugs, "Is there a difference?"
Bruce only looks down and starts down the stairs. Jason stood at the bottom, his Red Hood rested on his hip as his arm dangled at his side.
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"Jason," Bruce nervously says his name.
"Bruce," Jason awkwardly nods. Then a deafening silence managed to make the whole situation more uncomfortable. Both wait in the hope that the other would say something. But for an eternal beat, no one did. But finally, Jason parts his lips to speak, "Look, I'm not here to turn myself in. I'm not here to ask you for anything."
Bruce glances up at Jason, "What brings you?" He gives him an awkward smile. A smile that even a blind person could see was forced.
"There's going to be some changes," Jason tells him. "Big changes. But they won't really change a damn thing."
"Jason, what are you trying to say?" Bruce stands just a little bit straighter.
"It's already in the works and there's nothing you can do about it," Jason looks down and draws in a deep breath. He forces himself to look into Bruce's eyes. "I'm going to kill the Joker and take his place."
