Chapter Text
It all started on a random Saturday, Dick had stumbled out of bed, exhausted from last night's patrol and almost fell down the stairs due to how tired he was. It seemed like his siblings were in the same predicament as he saw Tim apologize to the wall for bumping into it. Stephanie was clinging to Cass who too surprisingly looked tired.
It became serious when they all sleepily sat down at the dinner table and Alfred looked like he too was having trouble staying awake. That was a major red flag for Dick who tried to slap himself more awake.
“What-- why am I so-” He yawned as he splashed the water in the cup on his face, it helped a bit as he rubbed his eyes. It was worse than he thought, Alfred was pretty much barely holding up as he stared at his siblings, Damian and Cass had given themselves a small wound in order to be awake. Stephanie and Tim slapped each other to be more awake. Duke was thrown water by Tim.
And Bruce was slumped on the table, out like a light.
“What-- what’s going on?” Tim asked as he and Dick went to lay Alfred on one of the seats, making it more comfortable.
“Did we get dosed with something?” Duke asked as he rubbed his eyes. “It’s so hard to stay awake” he yawned again.
“We’ve got to investigate. Make sure if it’s just in the Manor and not the whole city” Dick frowned causing them to frown and nod as they each began to get things ready.
“You think Jason got dosed too? You think it’s just us?” Stephanie asked as she reported that everything outside looked fine, people were walking down the street and talking amongst each other, not sleepy, like they were.
“So that means it was just us-- do you think they targeted us in particular?” She asked Dick who got his phone out as he was calling his brother. But he soon realized he didn’t need to, as Jason came down the batcave in full gear and anger as he held up a letter in his hand.
“Can anyone explain to me why we all look like we’ve been given sleeping pills, and why Bruce and Alfie are slumped at the dinner table?” He asked, no more like seethed.
“We are trying to figure that out, we were going to call you to ask you if you were also having trouble staying awake.” With that Jason took off his helmet, he looked better than the others.
“I didn’t fall asleep” he started as he clutched the letter. “But at around, I think four in the morning, there was this strange light, and I couldn’t move, and no matter how much my eyes wanted to sleep, the pit.. It wouldn’t let it, "he said. Tim had a thoughtful look on his face.
“So something happened at around four in the morning which might be the cause as to why we feel so tired” He yawned causing a ripple effect. Jason grunted.
“There was also this” he held the letter up for them to see as they all came closer Dick raised an eyebrow for him to explain.
“It appeared out of thin air as I laid there, so I thought it was important, but all it said was ‘open with family’ and well” He shrugged, causing Dick to smile fondly at his brother. Jason was getting better at calling them family, it was a hard road but it was getting better. Jason was coming to the Manor more and was smiling more.
“So then let’s read” Stephanie said as she motioned for Jason to open the letter, he did so and there was a light that came out of it, causing them to brace themselves. After that light, surprisingly they felt better, they weren’t yawning anymore.
“Odd,” Dick said as his siblings and Stephanie nodded.
“Alright what does it say?” Duke asked and Jason began to read.
If you’re reading this, I want to say I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.
Jason looked at his siblings confused but they shrugged asking him to continue reading, and he did.
You must be feeling tired and not in your right mind, and I’m sorry. I know you asked me not to do it, begged me even, and I am sorry you had to do that. I really am, I would never want you to beg like that, at least not to me. But I had to. I had to do it, for your sake and the world. But mainly for yours. If you weren’t in danger, I would have left it all alone, but you were, and I would choose this a million times more than letting you all get hurt. Not after I promised I would care for you. Especially after I told you all that no one is worth begging.
And it’s selfish of me to even leave this letter, given what I’ve done, but there’s a selfish part of me, a part of me that doesn’t want you to completely forget. I don’t want to be forgotten. It’s selfish isn’t it? But if I had one selfish wish, it would be this, to have you guys at least remember, remember me. And remember the happiness that we shared, even if after these letters you will be left with nothing but pain. I’m the worst aren’t I? Don’t worry, I know I am a hypocrite. A huge hypocrite.
And maybe I shouldn’t write this letter but as I glance at you all sleeping so soundly as the movie plays, I feel so lost. And happy at the same time. I feel so at peace with my decision, even with all the consequences that are to follow. As long as you are okay, I think that’s all the assurance I need.
I’m glad I was able to spend time with all of you before this. And I’m so lucky to have seen you all smile .
Jason stopped reading. “Who is this?” He asked but his siblings shrugged, they were all invested in the letter, but there was an uneasy feeling that was settling at the pit of each of their stomachs.
I am so glad I was able to spend my time with you all. I am so proud of you all. And now I realize you might all be a bit confused, of course if everything went well you would not have any recollection of me or the time we spent. I don’t know if it’s a curse or a blessing.
But really it doesn’t matter, I should really start from the beginning. So that your father doesn’t accidentally open a new can of worms.
They glanced at each other, the feeling getting bigger, the person knew Bruce and they knew that he was a dad. Jason continued reading.
Well if I remember correctly, it all started when I found Red Hood and Batman arguing on top of my roof, and I ended up cussing Batman out for being so emotionally constipated. That was the first interaction I had with your dad, me calling him an ‘emotionally constipated prick who thinks his morals are above all’ and throwing him my brush. Of course he dodge it, that fucker.
Not my best moment, I admit,but the story, it makes you all giggle, and now that I think about it, it was pretty funny.
You guys are about to wake up, so I’ll write later, please expect more letters in a couple of minutes and open them in order. Again, I’m so sorry.
And I’m so proud of you all.
Love, Mom
“MOM?!” Was a collective screech.