Bat-Family Oneshots

I'll take the weight

Jason paused as he stepped onto the roof of the manor catching sight of his older brother sitting with his kneels pulled up to his chest sitting where the younger man usually claimed. He thought about turning around and leaving the older man to whatever was happening in his mind, but he knew he couldn't, Dick was there for everyone whenever they needed him, but rarely if ever did he ever ask for anything in return. Jason didn't understand how Dick could be the pillar that everyone leaned on, but it seemed to come so naturally to him that people didn't realise that he wasn't that happy go lucky mask he put on, but Jason knew who Dick really was, who is brother really was inside he knew the man that woke up screaming, trembling with fear of his past. He knew the types of images that flashed before his eyes on a loop.

He knew that despite the strong mask he put on, Dick really was just a scared little boy trying to make his way in a dark and dangerous city. Jason couldn't deny that his other brothers and Bruce truly cared about Dick, but they also sometimes forgot everything that Dick had gone through in his short eighteen years. You would think that it was everyone else's expectations that drowned him and perhaps it was, but it was the expectations he held himself too were far worse. Dick tared himself apart trying to live up to the standard that he believes he needs to be at and everyday he fails because they are unrealistic.

Jason might be a man that runs from emotion, but he knew he couldn't leave his brother like this, not with the knowledge that Dick would never do that to him. Taking a deep breath Jason walked over silently and flopped down next to the older bird startling him. Jason saw the moment Dick's mask began to fall back into place. He let his legs fall off the side of the roof, a smile played on his lips "Jason" he whispered. Jason could bite back the eye roll as he said "Dickhead, your in my spot". Dick looked down at his lap for a second before nodding "Sorry, I used to come out here a lot when I was younger. The view is beautiful"

Jason sighed "I suppose just this once I can let you have it". Dick smiled tightly "And I thank you for that" Jason wasn't sure how to get the older man to open up, he wasn't good at this. He wasn't good at making an emotional connection. "I heard that a little bird was thinking of joining the YJ" Jason said slowly, Dick sighed shaking his head "And I heard from another little bird that Bruce was the one making him do it says that they need someone watching them" Jason laughed hollowly "Gods Bruce is so stupid sometimes" Dick couldn't help but nod "Tim will be okay though, ill talk to B and I'm sure we can come to some sort of arrangement." Jason deeply inhaled before speaking carefully "That shouldn't be your responsibility to look after all of us" Dick gave him a side eye before speaking "Course it is Jay, I'm your big brother it will always be my responsibility" Jason shook his head "But we aren't Dickie not if it means your killing yourself in the process"

"Your being dramatic Jason" he said carefully "I love taking care of you guys and I'm okay" Jason shook his head "That's not true Dick. You are exhausted you are tearing yourself apart trying to be elastic covering more ground then is necessary. Pushing yourself to the limit." Dick closed his eyes as he tangled his fingers together "Jason" he whisper quietly "Dick, you need to take a break" he said moving closer to his older brother a throwing a arm over his shoulder pulling his closer. Dick shifted so he could hide his face in the others neck, Jason could feel his brother's shoulders trembling as he held in his tears. "It's alright Dickie, it's alright you don't need to be strong all the time, someone else can take the weight while you take a rest" and just like that the dam broke all the stress, pain and exhaustion came out in hard gasping sobs.

And Jason while he sat their rocking his older brother gently as he cried. Eventually the older man quieted down, and the tears came to an end. But he didn't move from his brothers comforting hold on him. "You know when you and I were first introduced I hated you, I hated that Bruce dotted on you, that he was replacing me and then he started training you, so I left, and he gave you the robin mantel to hurt me. We didn't speak and I never really returned unless Alfred asked me to come home and even then, I didn't really want to but the more I saw you the more I knew how much you needed me. You need a person that understood what it was like to be the kid of the great Batman and well I couldn't help it. Eventually I couldn't turn my back on you and then well...you died. You snuck out" Jason tightened his grip on the man's shoulder not really wanting to hear whatever was going to be said, he didn't want to remember that night, but he didn't stop him, he knew whatever was going to be said need to be said. That it was important. "You know I was outside the warehouse and was about to go in when the bomb went off. I was right there Jason; I was so close. I could of saved you if only I was faster and Bruce knows that. He knows that your death was my fault he knows you got out on my watch, he knows that I wasn't fast enough." The older man broke again another sob breaking past his lips "It was my fault you died"

Jason shook his head "No, Dick it was my fault I died. I was the one that left the house and went looking for the Joker, I knew how dangerous he was, and I knew I wasn't ready. I felt like I had to prove myself that, Bruce needed proof that I was a good side kick that I could help him fight the good fight or however that shit goes. It wasn't your fault dickie. I know I blamed you and Bruce when I first came back but I was angry, I was in pain, and I was lost. That pool, the stuff that brings you back it fucks with your head. Turning anything and everything in your head into bad stuff, stuff that messes you up. Makes you the worst version of yourself that you can be" Jason said carefully "but it was you Dick, not Bruce, not Alfred or Roy or any of the other little birds we have running around Gotham. It was you Dick you made me remember all the good stuff and while I might be a complete asshole most of the time. I still love you. You are my big brother the person that was there when I needed you the most." Jason said taking a breath before finishing "So let me be here for you, let me take half of the burden"

Dick pulled away, looking at him face all blushed and puffy with tear stains and glassy eyes "Jason" he whispered "I would like that" he said before looking back out into the view. Neither said anything else, there was nothing else to say. So instead they sat in silence just enjoying the harmony before having to re-join real life and face the chaos that is there life but this time Dick wouldn't be alone and he knew it.