Chapter Text
Chapter 3
Jason woke up in a bed. It wasn't the bed he had at the manor, it wasn't the bed on the island he shared with Kori and Roy, it wasn't a bed from any of his safe houses. He opened his eyes. The wooden ceiling of the farm house roof stood above him. He rubbed a hand across his eyes with a sigh, The sun was just peeking through the window warming the room. He looked around, the room was empty. With a huff Jason sat up and stretched, the joints in his shoulders popping with loud clunks. He let out a soft humm and closed his eyes.
From below he could hear the bustling of Martha Kent in the kitchen, Jon playing with krypto in the yard, Kara on the phone with The birds of prey. Jonathan was in his room playing his radio. Clark and Match were talking softly to one another at the dining table, The smell of coffee and the sound of the cups being set back onto the table gave them away. Jason tossed back the covers and stood, quickly remaking his bed and sliding into the slippers that had been left beside his bed before making his way to the stairs. At the bottom of the staircase appeared Ma Kent, she smiled up at him and waved him down. He returned her smile and made his way down, glancing at the photos on the wall, photos he hadn't seen the night before. Once at the bottom he was ushered to the dining table and given a glass of orange juice.
Ma Kent picked up a small gold bell from the counter and rang it, three sharp rings, and the dining room was full, everyone was seated and their places set. Jason rubbed at his ears.
Wow, if only that was how his siblings were, would save Alfred a lot of trouble. Jason thought to himself. He glanced about, taking in the house now illuminated by the sun. Natural light shining on the cream colored walls, white trim freshly painted. It was warm, cozy, a real home. He felt a small pang in his chest. Conversations floated around him, words seemed foreign, oddly shaped sound. There were small hands covering his ears. He glanced over, Jon was looking at him, a small smile on his lips and an understanding look on his face. He removed his hands.
"Better?" He asked and Jason sighed slightly in relief. He smiled at the boy and nodded. His eyes widened and he let out a soft squeak as a pair of hands pushed into his hair.
"Oh dear, i'm sorry darling, Was it the bells? I hadn't thought about your ears, you're not used to it yet." Ma Kent cooed pressing a quick kiss to the top of Jason's head. Jason blushed and dipped his head. Kara leaned back in her chair glass in one hand smug smirk on her face. Conner was avoiding eye contact and Jonathan had an amused look on his face. Jon beamed from beside him.
"Dad says he's gonna have us show you a couple things today. I can show you how to use your eyes!" Jon chirped he stood in excitement. Across the table Conner snorted his drink. Jason raised an eyebrow at Jon. Jon realized the implications of his words. He froze and began to babble.
"Not that you can't see or that you dont know how to use your eyes, I just meant we could work on your lasers and stuff." Jon deflated sitting down, his eyes lowering and a blush covering his face. He began to fidget in his seat, embarrassment obvious. Jason let out a chuckle. Jon's blush darkened. Jason's eyes narrowed. does this kid? He thought and shook his head before looking back to the table. The plate of eggs toast bacon and mini pancakes. Martha Leaned over and slid a small bowl of fruit towards him. Jason smiled.
After breakfast they talked about league. Clark turned sharply. Jason heard a scream, he was moving before he could think. He stood in the middle of a burning building a little girl in one arm, her father in the other. He blinked, he was outside a group of men and women and children at his feet crying and holding one another. Jason blinked he was in the building again, pulling an infant from its crib, its mother crushed under the rubble nearby. her heart no longer carrying a beat, the babies father collapsed nearby.
Blink
Jason was outside again the woman in his arms and Clark at his shoulder.
Blink
Jason turned, A Child screamed for help, a man whispered to them for silence, the child was muffled. Jason was there, The man was on the ground The little boy in his arms sobbing. Clark was there again he was talking and Jason was trying to hear him but there was too much noise. He blinked, He and superman were in the clouds again. He was being held, He was warm, Clark was still talking and Jason couldn't help it. He clung onto the Kryptonian.
"Its so hard." He whimpered.
"I know, I know, you did good, you're okay, everyone's okay. You did good." Clark murmured into his hair, Jason sunk deeper into the man, Bruce never held him like this. He doubted he ever would. Jason Let himself be pulled along, There were hands everywhere, large hands, small hands, thin hands. The Kents.
He Blinked.
The were on the ground, an empty field around them. Jason Heard the dull roar of a plane, A very quiet plane. There was nothing in the sky yet, but Jason knew, The Bats. They would have seen it all. They wouldn't let him stay, not after the scene he'd caused. Instincts, messy and overwhelming as they are, they seem to be the only thing Jason can use of himself anymore. Now even that's out of control. Jason clenched his eyes shut, he grit his teeth.
"You're reckless, violent, and deadly, Hood. I can't trust you. Not around any of the others. You beat Tim half to death, You shot Damian, you broke Richards leg, and it could have been much worse if he'd been anyone else. You're benched Jason, i dont want to see you out on patrol, if i see you even touch the suit, i'll have to take you down." Batman Growled. Jason watched him turn and disappear into the cave. Even after trying, after compromising everything for Batman, Batman still wouldn't compromise too. He wasn't willing to give an inch, he only wanted to take the mile. Jason felt something in him break. His hope, in Bruce, his father, The Batman. Trust was built on respect, and when they weren't mutual, then who can you trust.
He opened his eyes, He heard the wind ripping behind him.
"JAYBIRD!"