It started that summer

His Protectors.

I plopped back into my seat at the table, greeted by a wave of familiar faces, all lit up with joy. The tension that had gripped me just before started to melt away, replaced by the comforting warmth of family. They were huddled around a scrapbook, flipping through pages brimming with colorful memories and goofy snapshots, laughter bubbling up as they reminisced. "Okay, who's ready for some prime blackmail material?" Dick declared, a devilish grin spreading across his face as he held up an absolutely cringe-worthy picture from his senior year. His hair was styled into a ridiculous, oversized poof, and he was rocking a bright Hawaiian shirt that practically blinded you.

The room erupted into laughter. "Wow, no one could possibly think you were Bruce Wayne's kid looking like that! Did you find that shirt at Goodwill?" I chuckled, feeling lighter with each burst of laughter.

"Seriously! Did you raid the costume section at Party City?" Steph snorted, doubling over. "I didn't know fabric could be that neon!"

"Hey! I was a trendsetter!" Dick shot back, mock offense in his voice. "I loved that shirt!"

Tim snatched the scrapbook, flipping to a page showcasing his middle school graduation. "Look at this," he said, pointing at a picture of himself trying to look cool in oversized sunglasses and a horrendous jacket. "I can't believe I thought I was cool in that."

"I don't understand. You still look like a nerd," Damian quipped, a smirk creeping onto his face.

"At least I didn't wear a costume to my school pictures!" Tim shot back, arms crossed.

"Costume? You mean my cloak?" Damian gasped in horror. "It was a statement! I grew up with assassins—cloaks are practical in stealth missions! Additionally, they make for dramatic entrances!"

"Dramatic entrances or not, it looks like you were auditioning for a vampire movie," Dick teased, leaning back with a laugh.

Damian rolled his eyes. "You just do not understand fashion, Grayson. It's about more than stupid trends! It's about practicality. A good outfit can give you an edge in a fight—like a cloak for stealth or armor that doesn't impede movement!"

"You're forgetting one thing," I smirked. "Because Dicky loves his suit to go up his ass!" I burst out laughing.

Duke shot Dick a side-eye, trying to hold back his laughter. "Hey! I can't help it, okay? My body just always looks this good~"

Babs gave him a playful slap on the shoulder. "Yeah, but it's hard to take you seriously when you're strutting around like a peacock in that getup!"

Bruce cleared his throat, a playful twinkle in his eye. "If we're sharing embarrassing moments, I think we need to talk about that time I thought I could impress a date with my dance moves at the senior prom."

"Oh no," Babs said, covering her mouth to stifle a laugh. "Please tell me you have video evidence of that!"

"I wish I didn't," Bruce said, chuckling sheepishly. "Let's just say, I spent more time on the floor than on my feet."

"Can you imagine? Batman, master of stealth, tripping over his own feet," Steph teased, laughter spilling out of her. Damian reluctantly joined in, flipping to his own page, and the room erupted into laughter. Joy washed over me like a wave, and I couldn't remember the last time I'd felt this free—this accepted. The laughter swelled, and I leaned back in my chair, soaking it all in. I realized just how much I had missed this—being part of something so wonderfully chaotic and real. At this moment, we were all just kids again, despite the chaos and challenges we faced. It was a beautiful reminder that I was home, surrounded by family who loved me. I couldn't help but smile, it felt good to let go and just be Jason for a while. Alfred brought out a colorful platter of parfaits and cupcakes, each topped with vibrant frosting. "Oh, Damian, can you imagine if you had kindergarten pictures?!" Steph insisted, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Aww, I bet you'd be the cutest in that little cap and gown!"