Chapter Text
“IT’S MY TURN TO SIT NEXT TO TODD!” Jason heard Damian growl from the living room.
“NO ITS NOT!” Tim yelled back, “MOVE!” There was some scruffling and then a loud thud.
He sighed, turning off the oven before taking out the tray of cookies. He didn't know when the Bats decided that they wanted to include him in things but Jason would be lying to himself if he said that he didn’t like it.
He wanted to ask what changed, but he was scared he’d break it by saying anything.
Jason walked out the kitchen, maybe he was just being greedy. He found a family with Talia and now he had the Avengers too. That should be enough but his heart wants more.
He wanted to be part of the Bats too.
He briefly hesitated before walking out.
“Cookies!” Dick’s eyes brightened, his eyes tracking the sweets as if they’d disappear if he blinked.
“They’re still hot.” Jason warned as he put the tray down. “Be careful.”
Dick’s hand shot out anyway, snatching a cookie before anyone else could react. Jason didn't bother trying to stop him, used to Dick’s shenanigans by this point.
Like clockwork, just a second later, Dick hissed through clenched teeth, bouncing the cookie from one hand to the other as if that would help.
“Told you.”
But Dick, stubborn as ever, shoved a bite into his mouth. He struggled to chew, face scrunching, but still managed to choke out, “They’re great, little wing. Just like Alfred’s.”
Now, Jason wasn’t the only one throwing him an unimpressed look. All the others were too.
“Can’t say, he didn’t warn you.” Tim said, “Now,” He threw Jason the remote, “Let’s watch.”
Jason hovered at the edge of the couch before sitting down. He pressed himself against the armrest, leaving space just in case Damian didn’t want to touch him.
Turns out, it didn’t matter because Damian leaned against him. There was a sketchbook on his lap and a pencil on his hand.
The other Bats were lounging around the living room. Dick and Tim were sitting on the same couch as them. Duke was chilling on the armchair, wearing Jason’s hoodie.
Jason gave up on trying to take it back because they always end up stealing it again anyways. He’s accepted it by this point, even if he really didn't understand what’s so special about his clothes.
Peter and the others love to steal them too. Mumbled a lot about how they were comfy and warm. When Jason pointed out that they could just buy the same hoodie from the same brand, Peter just huffed and said it wasn’t the same.
So Jason just left it alone.
He didn’t expect the Bats to start stealing them too. At this point, he should probably start buying more. He was going to run out.
He’ll buy from a different brand this time. So he can actually have enough clothes for winter.
Cass and Steph were on the floor, their pillows and blankets sprawled out on the carpet. The first time they did that, Jason told them that he could sit on the ground and they take his spot on the couch.
The two girls just laughed and waved him off.
It wasn’t until Duke off-handedly told him that those were the girls’ designated spot during family movie nights.
Jason didn’t know that. Because y’know, he hasn’t been invited to a single one until recently but he didn’t want to kill the mood so he just kept the thought to himself.
They also really liked his carpet for some reason. Apparently, it was comfier than their beds. Jason would’ve told them where he bought it but Tony was the one that designed this safe house.
He did make a note to ask Tony where it’s from though. Maybe the company sells mattresses too.
Jason pressed play and halfway through his eyes grew heavier. Damian shifted the blanket so Jason had more but before he could argue otherwise, everything was engulfed in darkness.
He ended up missing the rest of the movie because when his eyes adjusted to the light, the TV was turned off.
Damian was still sketching beside him. The girls were passed out on the floor, Tim and Dick were both scrolling on their phones, and Duke looked five seconds away from passing out.
Jason’s eyes caught the table, the cookies were gone. He was happy they enjoyed it.
They hadn't noticed that he was up yet so Jason just enjoyed the moment while he could. He was never too sure how long the peace between him and the bats were going to last.
One wrong move, and this would all be gone.
Jason will take what he can with them though. That’s what he’s been doing for years after all.
Damian glanced up at him and frowned when realized that Jason wasn’t sleeping anymore. “How long have you been awake? You should get your rest. You have not been getting an adequate amount of sleep.”
Jason just laughed. He couldn’t help but ruffle Damian’s hair, ignoring how Damian’s cheeks flushed red. “Don’t worry bout’ me baby bat, i’ve just had a lot of things to do recently. Been pretty busy ya’ kn-“
Damian crossed his arms and if Jason didn’t know better, he would say that Damian was pouting. “Yes, believe us. We know how busy you have been. Along with your contacts’ increase in asking for your help due to… emergencies.” Damian scrunched his nose at that word, “You know akh- Todd. I believe that these contacts of yours are incompetent. Tim performed an analysis and the results show that your time in Gotham has decreased by a total of-“
Before Damian could continue, Tim defended himself. “Don’t listen to Damian, Jay. He’s talking nonsense. I don’t know what he’s talking about.”
“Do not lie, Drake. You made a slideshow presentation.”
Jason just looked at the two of them, confused, before scrunching his eyebrows. “What the hell are you guys talking about?”
Tim yelled, “NOTHING!”
And at the same time, Damian said “Drake’s research.”
Jason blinked twice, biting his lip before tapping his fingers against his thigh underneath the blanket.
“Is this-“ he gestured at the room, “-you guys trying to butter me up and tell me that you need my help on a case.” He forced his voice to stay calm, not wanting to let them know how hurt he would be if that was the case. “Because if it is, then I hope you guys know that all you had to do was ask right. You guys don’t need to force yourself to invite me and you defi-“
“Jason!” Dick sent quick glares to Damian and Tim. Damian pushed himself closer to Jason. “That’s not- you have it all wrong. We don’t need your help on a case. We’re all here because we want to be here.” Dick looked at him with the most earnest eyes. “I promise.”
“And Tim’s little presentation?”
“Drake is a stalker who likes to know every little detail about everything. He is like Father in that aspect.” Damian piped up.
Jason was still suspicious but he stayed quiet. He didn’t want to start a fight. He liked this safe house, he doesn’t want to burn it to the ground just yet.
He just forced a smile, “Fine. I believe you.” His fingers tapped against his thigh even faster.
He didn’t miss the relieved looks Dick and Tim sent each other.
“Uhm- I know it’s bad timing now to ask this but what are you doing next weekend.”
He narrowed his eyes with suspicion, “Why?”
“It’s not about a case, I swear.” Tim quickly said. “It’s just- we were wondering if you wanted to spend dinner with us on Sunday.”
Jason bit his tongue. He didn’t exactly want to go but they’ve never invited him to the manor before. He was only allowed at the Batcave and even then, that’s when he’s strictly invited.
Plus, whenever all the Bats wanted to hang out, it was at Jason’s safe house or takeout on the rooftops.
“Let me check.” Jason shifted, being careful so he doesn’t accidentally ruin Damian’s sketch. He pulled his phone out.
Tim’s eyes were drawn immediately onto the device, “Is that a Stark phone?” He squawked, “Why do you have that?”
Jason wanted to laugh at the disgust in Tim’s voice. He forgot that Wayne and Stark Industries had a weird rivalry.
He opened his Google Calendar app. Ever since the Avengers convinced him to get his GED, he did not need much convincing, just one word and he was signed up, Jason’s schedule was packed.
He had his work as Red Hood to do- with occasional cases with the bats. Not to mention he still had to watch over the Crime Alley rehabilitation project that was going on. And then, he was helping Tony finalize the one in New York.
It was just a lot.
The color-coded calendar helped a ton though.
And… that weekend was colored red, meaning he was going to New York. He realized the date- August 16 - that’s his birthday. What a coincidence.
He made a small reminder in his head to greet Alfred that day.
“Yeah, I’m sorry.” And he actually was. This was probably Alfred’s birthday dinner! He turned his phone off, putting it back in his back pocket. He’s not worried about how Damian was trying to sneak a glance on his screen. Tony programmed and created that phone himself. He doesn’t know the works but Jason is a hundred percent sure that what was on screen was only seen by him. “I’m off-grid that weekend.”
He ignored the “of course you are” that Damian mumbled under his breath.
“I’ll go to the next one…?” Jason doesn’t know who he’s trying to convince. Himself or the bats. From the look of their faces, they’re thinking the same thing. “Look.” He said, trying to convince them that he’s not lying. “I really do have plans that weekend.”
“No- no, little wing. We believe you. I swear. We know you’ve been busy lately. We’ll let you know when the next dinner is, okay. And hopefully you can go.” Dick smiled, wide and cheery but still too tight at the edge.
“Jason,” Tim pressed, not letting it go. “Is. That. A. Stark. Phone.”
“Wha- yes?” Jason exclaimed, not understanding why it was important.
Tim frowned, “If you needed a phone, you could’ve asked us and we could’ve grabbed you one for free.”
There was also a chance it would be bugged. Jason didn't mention that though.
“Is this about the rivalry between the two companies?” Jason asked, “Because if it is, I didn’t buy it. It was handed to me and it was just convenient to keep it okay.”
Thankfully, by the end, Tim’s shoulders loosened. Jason was proud. He didn’t even lie. He just… bent the truth a little bit.
Tim apologized, “Sorry. I guess I’ve just been worked up lately.”
Yeah, Jason believed it. Tim only slept when he was on his last fumes and he consumed Tony-levels amount of caffeine. Which definitely was not healthy because Tony was an adult and Tim was a munchkin. He must be under a lot of stress.
Jason bit his lip before deciding. “Scooch over a bit, baby bird.” He told Damian.
Damian did.
Jason patted on the now empty space on his right. “Come here, Timbo. Maybe you just need some sleep.”
Damian frowned but he didn’t say anything. Just huffed and turned back to his drawing.
Tim leaned next to him and closed his eyes. “You’re warm.” He mumbled, cuddling closer.
Jason’s eyes met Dick’s, who was looking at him so softly. Jason turned away, “You joining us or what?” He asked. “There’s space next to Damian.”
He felt the dip of the couch when Dick sits down and he could feel the smile sent his way.
He still didn't believe any of this would last, but for tonight, he could let himself pretend.