Rushing Forward without looking back (Timminette)

Chapter 5:

Jason sat in between Bruce and Tim. He rolled his eyes. They hadn't talked about anything besides work yet. Bruce had drained 2 cups of scotch already. Jason decided to cut in.

"So, why exactly did you want to come here Bruce?" The older man shifted in his seat, uncomfortable by Jason's bluntness, but used to it.

"Well, I wanted to apologize. To both of you, for separate reasons. But first, Jason, I want you to tell me everything that happened. I promise, I won't interrupt you. Tim's friend is right. I hadn't been a good father. I should have looked past what you had done, in favor of having my son back, and for that, I am truly sorry." he looked down at the empty cup. "Sir, can I have another scotch? On the rocks. Thank you."

Jason tried to find words, but couldn't. He turned to Tim.

"Replacement, please tell me I'm dreaming." Tim snorted.

"I could punch you in the face if you want, it might wake you up." Jason playfully hit him on the arm. Bruce watched his sons interact, seeing how well they get along. Jason turned to look at Bruce.

"This is very hard for me to talk about. I've only spoken to this dork here," he pointed to Tim, "And Roy about this." Bruce nodded.

"I'll stay quiet." Jason took a shaky breath and began.

"After the explosion, about six months? I have no idea how long I was in there, but I woke up in complete darkness. I was a scared kid Bruce, I had no memory of anything. Eventually, I started to go insane. I ran out of oxygen. I tore through the casket and clawed my way up to the Earth. I then woke up in some place. This blindfold was ripped off my face. There were guards and this one woman. She said her name was Talia al Ghul. She pointed a gun to my chest and told me to jump. There was this pit, of boiling acid, or something. I later knew it as the Lazarus pit. When I refused to jump, since I was weak and injured, she pushed me in. It felt as if my skin was being seared off. Memories overflooded my senses, and I was like some monster under the Pit's influence. I wanted blood Bruce. I thought of nothing but killing people. After that, I was trained for a while by the League of Assassins, and a couple other people, and I don't really remember much of it. I took the mantle of Red Hood, an old alias of the Joker, and went out to clean up the streets. I was so excited to see you. I missed my father. But when I found out that that absolute asshole was still alive, I went crazy. I thought you would have at least killed him for me. I thought you fucking loved me Bruce." he spat, looking at the bar. He took a deep breath.

"When I saw you swing, from the grapple hook, with some other kid, wearing my colors, that only angered me more. I was angry that you fucking replaced me. Without another thought. I attempted to murder Timbo here a few times. He said it's fine, but it's really not. Anyways," he shrugged,

"I talked to him, got to know him, and even befriended him. I'm proud to call this sleepless idiot my brother." Tim smiled at his empty beer bottle, and said nothing. He reached behind the bar and grabbed another, dropping a ten dollar bill by the sink.

"Look, I'm not asking for your forgiveness, and honestly, I could give a flying fuck about what you think. But," Bruce rose a brow. "Bruce," his voice cracked, "I still don't get why you wouldn't kill him." Bruce sighed and Tim's eyebrows widened and he looked at the other side of the room. The place was empty. Bartender included. "I would have gone as far as possible to kill him, for you. Did you ever care? Or was I just another damned kid you led to their death. You went to the other fucking side of the goddamned universe to bring that brat back to life. Did you do that after you learned what happened to me? No," a tear ran down his cheek. "You let the bastard go. You let me go." Bruce closed his eyes, tightly, while Jason wiped away the wetness on his face. Bruce stood up, and turned away.