Connected by Colors & Shapes

Chapter 8

3rd person POV~

" Mm, Alfred that dinner was amazing as always." Jason complimented, dabbing his mouth with a napkin.

" I'm delighted that you enjoyed it, Master Jason. I do hope that Master Bruce and Miss Selina are enjoying theirs as well."

" Speaking of which," Tim said, after taking the last bite of his mashed potatoes. " When did they start going on real dates again?"

" About three weeks ago, I think."   Dick replied.

" Yeah, she's even started going on patrol with us." added Barbara.

" Ugh, don't remind me," grumbled Damian. " I nearly walked in on them fooling around last night behind a warehouse."

" Lucky. I did walk in on them last week," Duke visibly cringed. " Can't get that image out of my mind any time soon."

" Ew, gross! Now we're all thinking about it." Stephanie blanched.

Cass merely shook her head.

" Well I think it's great that the old man is finally enjoying himself for a change." Jason said before standing up suddenly. " Oh, I almost forgot that I got something for you guys, don't move." he then exited the dining room, leaving everyone silent before Dick spoke up.

" There's something wrong with him." he whispered, leaning slightly over the table.

" What do you mean?" questioned Duke, also keeping his voice down. "He seems fine to me."

" That's the problem! He's never fine." Dick exclaimed.

Duke's face contorted in further confusion.

" Ok...? I'm not following. Are you saying that he's acting a little different?"

" A little?!" Tim cut in. " Just the other day he commented on my sweater. He thinks all my sweaters are stupid!"

" Now that you mention it," said Damian. " Todd did get the cereal off the shelf for me instead of putting it higher up this morning."

" Ok so he's being nice. What's the big deal?" Barbara shrugged. " I remember Jason being pretty sweet."

" Yeah but," Stephanie leaned in. " We're not talking about nice-go lucky-robin-Jason. We're talking gloomy-rough-trauma-crowbarphobia-Jason here."

" It's not like he's never been happy after becoming the Red Hood," Cass muttered for once matching everyone's volume. " He's nice to me all the time."

" Only cause you're not easy to tease," Tim chimed in again." And yeah he's been happy before, but not this much for this long."

" Look if it's that important to you guys then just ask him." Duke shrugged.

" I've tried, but he keeps deflecting." Dick groaned.

Stephanie gasped and slammed her palms on the table.

" What if it's drugs?!!"

" Steph?!" They all yelled.

" What?!" she said back.

Barbara pinched the bridge of her nose.

" Steph, Jason is not on drugs. You're being ridiculous."

" No I'm not. His eyes have been dilating a lot lately. Drugs can do that to you!"

" Keep your voice down before he hears you idiot!" said Damian.

" You're yelling too demon."

" You want to say that again Drake!"

" Now that's enough!" everyone tensed as Alfred thudded his fist against the table. " I will not here any more of this. Whatever Jason is doing in his spare time is none of our business unless he decides otherwise. We should just be happy and supportive of him. And we are certainly not going to have another fight at the dinner table! Do I make myself clear?"

Everyone murmured in agreement, staying silent until Jason walked back in with a container.

" Sorry to keep you waiting. The dogs nearly killed me trying to get these." he then opened the container, a delicious aroma filled the room.

Alfred gasped.

" My word! Is that..."

" Yep! You're famous chocolate chip cookies. I finally mastered your recipe."

Dick grabbed a cookie, took a bite then another with pleased sigh.

" You sure have!" he said barley with a stuffed mouth.

Everyone else dug in.

" Where did you make these?" asked Barbara.

" Yeah," continued Duke before taking another cookie. " I only see you in the kitchen making breakfast and lunch. Plus I would've smelled these a mile away."

Jason grin grew even wider.

" So glad you asked 'cause that leads me to my big announcement."

Everyone, even Alfred, ceased eating to give Jason their full attention. Was this it? Were they going to find out what he's been doing?!

" I found an apartment!" he exclaimed.

Everyone not so subtly slouched, groaned or 'oh'ed in disappointment.

" Wow. Thought you'd be more excited."

" No no we are," Dick explained. "It's just that we thought something else was going on with you."

" Like what?"

Stephanie leaned to Tim and whispered "drugs", earning her a swift kick in the knee from Cass.

-------
The sun was high. Not a cloud in sight. Surprising for Gotham. The only source of coolness was an occasional summer breeze.

" So .... I've been thinking..."

Jason and I were on the roof to take a break from unpacking his stuff, which I honestly wasn't expecting much of. He had a nice collection of books that he was gladly willing to share. We were both reading one now.

" Uh huh..."

" Well," he sat up from his spot on my lap. " My family's having a barbecue this friday and I was wondering if you wanted to come?"

I nearly dropped the dogeared book from surprise and excitement.

" Really?!"

" Yeah. I think it'd be a good way to introduce you to them."

" Wouldn't you rather tell them about me first? You know. Break it to them slowly."

" I could," he leaned his head back and scratched behind his neck with a groan. " But they're already suspecting I've been up to no good. Best to tell em all at once. Rip off the bandaid."

I laughed.

"What could they possibly be thinking your doing?"

" Drugs."

" Yikes."

" Yep."

" Ok. If you're ready to tell them then I'm with you. I just hope I make a good first impression."

I honestly felt an ache in my stomach, but it left as soon as I saw Jason's smile.

" Don't worry. If anything they probably won't want you to leave."