Bloody Reunions

◇□ Chapter Ten □◇

A gasp of air filled his lungs. His chest burned, his throat was dry and scratchy. His body fully ached, his head pounded, he tried opening his eyes but didnt seem to get very far. Everything was blurry, the room was dark, he knew that. He must have been laying in his bed, his sheets felt fimilar. He tried sitting up but screamed in pain. A figure ran over to his side, he could only make out the blonde long hair.

"Steph..." it was quiet, the words left his mouth.

"Yeah, it's me Jason." She ran her hand down his severally beaten and swollen face. She gently pushed the white streak of his hair out of his eyes.

"H- How-"

"Alfred called me. You've been out for a couple of days. I was worried about you." She spoke softly. It was silent for a couple of moments, Jason's eyes seemed to get wider, but it was hard to tell since they were almost swollen shut.

"Dick?!" He gripped on to her wrist. Stephanie stood trying to calm him back down.

"Relax, he's fine. Everyone's fine." She fell quiet for a second. She took a deep breath before she went on. "Jason..." She paused, unsure of where to go, "You have to tell me what the hell is going on." Jason sighed,

"Steph-" He started, his hand moving towards her. She stood abruptly, pacing the floor.

"You told me your brother was dead. H-he died three years ago. How is he here, right now?! A-and how do you move like that? Both of you, you were like freaking ninjas, jumping and kicking around!" She but her lip out of anger. "Start talking."

"Steph- it's hard to explain, and it's rather a long story." Jason answered.

"Trust me. You aren't going anywhere soon, so we have plenty of time." Steph smirked taking her seat. Jason sighed, taking a breath before he began.

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Tim looked up at the ceiling as the loud voice echoed through the mansion. He brought his attention back down to his cereal.

"Jason must be awake." He said, shoving the spoon in his mouth.

"Yeah, I wonder how he's going to tell her." Damian thought out loud, from across the kitchen table.

"Probably a long drown out story about his life and struggles, he'll probably be over dramatic as well." Tim guessed. Damian sort of chuckled but that was it. They went back to eating their breakfast in silence, neither of them speaking a word, once in a while one of them would glance at the other only for them to quickly look away. The two of them had never exactly been close to one another. Their had always been a mutual hatred, that came from both ends. Neither of them knew why, it kind if just formed, and stayed. Tim liked to blame his hatred towards him on his attitude, or personality. Damian always walked around like he was so perfect and never did wrong, sure it was kind of true but still annoyed the crap out of Tim. But, he had another reason for resentment, it was the fact that Damian left. He left the manner, he left them, he left Tim to deal with Jason by himself, he left Tim to patrol by himself. He just..... left. Sure, Tim would never say that out loud, or to his face, but it was okay to think it.

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Barbara strained her neck, closing her eyes as Alfred examined it. It still hurt, alot. She sat upon a table, her legs dangling off. Alfred stood back up, playing his flashlight on the table.

"It's still a little swollen, Miss Barbara. But I think you can do with out the brace for now. Continue to take the pain killers, tell me if there is any further aggravation." He said politely.

"I will, Alfred. Thank you." He nodded his head as he left the Batcave. She hopped off the table, her steps slowly leading to the glass. Her reflection stared back at her. Her messy bun, her swollen cheeks, blood shot eyes. But he vision came into focus, as she looked through the glass. She hand went to her neck, she could feel the prints of his hands. She quickly took a step back, turning her head away. She closed her eyes, a tear slipping down her cheek. She took a deep breath as she turned away. Her hand slid up the railing, her steps were slow. Barbara stepped into the study, closing the clock behind her. She looked up to see Tim at the doorway, a little surprised by his presence.