Castle Of Glass | B. Wayne

[09]

"For the hundredth time, Jason, you are not going to say that."

Richard was on a video call, giving Jay last-minute instructions not to mess anything up during patrol. And so far the family's biggest concern was to convince Jay to not use the catchphrase of Bye Bye motherfucker.

Jason had finally gotten his opportunity to be Batman in Gotham for one night as Richard had to go to Bludhaven. Currently, he was dressed in the Batsuit, complaining about how heavy it was after every two minutes or so.

But at the same time, he was admiring his reflection in the mirror, about to put the cowl on. 

"Todd, quit your whining. You wear a bomb on your head as a helmet and yet complain about how heavy a simple suit is," Damian tutted in annoyance, knowing already that night's patrol was going to be a disaster.

"A simple suit? This is... I don't know what... How many tons of Kevlar exactly?"

"Ninety pounds," Tim quipped, making Jay's eyes go round as saucers.

Richard was shaking his head, questioning his life decisions at the moment, "Jay, please stop being dramatic. It's not that heavy."

"It is! Fucking ninety pounds! Have you worn it?" He exclaimed but then paused mid-speech, "Oh, wait... You've been wearing it ever since Bruce left so you would know all about it. You should agree with me here but you're taking the other side."

Tim too had suited up by then and was checking his utility belt had everything he needed, "asking Jason to stop being dramatic is like telling him to stop breathing. You know that's never gonna happen, Dick."

"Why am I even here?" He sighed wearily again, appearing every bit as exhausted as a single father looking after chaotic triplets.

But at that moment, Barbara came to their rescue. She had been hearing all the commotion from the dressing room so she drove her wheelchair there and saw Jason complaining about the Batsuit.

"Is he going to go out on patrol or not?" She asked Steph who offered her some popcorn as if they were watching an entertaining TV show together.

"He will eventually. But that too is an issue. Everyone is worried that he will do something outrageous and that will make the press think Batman died and got replaced," she replied though she seemed very unaffected by the entire situation, "they will make it a front page story and publish it without any delay and then Joker would go ballistic."

Barbara knew exactly how to handle Jay's crises, "don't worry, leave it to me."

Jason had spotted her by then and came to her to tell her about all the issues he had with the suit.

"And to top it all off, these people won't let me talk on patrol because I will expose that I am not the real Batman," he grumbled, folding his arms defiantly, "like how are they gonna know? I sound exactly like him when I do that voice."

Cassandra nudged Tim who was trying to keep a laugh in. He remarked, "Well anyone would know if you say anything like you usually do even if you sound like the Bat."

"Shut up Replacement or else I will fire you."

"No one is firing anyone," Richard began but of course, he wasn't heard amid the commotion.

Tim rolled his eyes as he replied to Jason, "I don't even work under Batman, how would you fire me? I'm an independent vigilante, bro."

Barbara wanted to laugh at the raging antics as well as the disappointed look he had given her. But then she spoke up, "Jay, do you remember your drama club days?"

He paused, not knowing what connection there could be between the current situation and something he had done years ago. "Yeah, why?"

"You were excellent in manifesting the characters you played," she resumed and Richard instantly realized what she was doing, a relieved smile taking over his face as he knew it would work. Barbara was always such a lifesaver. "Just imagine that now you're given the role of Batman and you have to play it really well. Just like Batman himself."

His eyes widened slightly in realization, "oh..."

"Yeah, so you have to give your best performance and be the broody Batman Gotham knows instead of the cool person you usually are."

"You think I am a cool person?" He asked, obviously only registering that part of the line.

"Yes," she replied, shaking her head lightly, "and you are yet to give your best performance. Be Batman just the way he is, okay? Now go, Gotham needs you."

Damian rolled his eyes, turning to Cassandra who was also watching the scene intently. "Todd is such a child," he mumbled in a low voice and she nodded, "such tactics are used with clueless little idiots."

Thankfully Jason did not hear him or else that would have ensued further drama. 

That motivational speech seemed to have done the trick at last as Jason announced Lights, Camera, Action, then put on the cowl, the smirk wiping off his face in an instant.

Out of them, Jason was the one who closely resembled Bruce in physical build so with the cowl covering his features, it was hard to tell that it wasn't Bruce himself standing there. The only other difference was that Jay was two inches taller than Bruce; a fact that he was extremely proud of.

"Robin," he spoke in a gruff voice, imitating the way Bruce talked in during vigilante mode, "you're not driving."

"Father lets me drive," he replied but didn't object as he got into the passenger seat of the Batmobile shortly after, "don't crash."

Jason had turned to look at Barbara before leaving and she gave him a thumbs up. Seconds later, the Batmobile sped out of the portal.

"Come on, we have to leave too," Tim spoke up so the remaining three vigilantes left as well.

Barbara picked up the laptop where Richard was still on call and she laughed, seeing the awestruck expression on his face. 

"God... I love you, Babs," he remarked in relief, "no one could have made Jason agree to behave well other than you."

"You know what, you guys wouldn't last even a second if it weren't for Alfred and me," she remarked, going back to the Batcomputer so that she could connect with the vigilantes.

"Very true and we are most grateful to have you two around," he replied, "now I won't disturb you as you help the others out. And I promise I will be back tomorrow at the earliest."

"Sure. Take care," she replied as she adjusted the headset connected to the Batcomputer.

"You too," he smiled at her before disconnecting the call.

It was going to be a long night, she knew that, but with Jason out there as Batman, it was guaranteed to be a fun night.

***