Work Text:
Jason sat on the bathroom vanity counter. The corner of the cabinets to his right slightly digging into his ribs as he leaned back against them. His head resting uncomfortably on the dark wood of the antique offering little cushion as he swung his legs back and forth, his socked heels lightly tapping against the drawers below as he continued to watch.
He had come in here because they were supposed to go out to the fair today. Bruce had never told him a time, said that they would ‘head out in the morning’. And, well, it was morning. He had never been to the fair and actually been able to do fair things. He had snuck in a few times but it wasn’t the same thing.
Bruce was standing beside him at the basin of the sink. He had changed into a pair of jeans but still had his sleep shirt on.
“Why are you using a knife,” Jason asked as he pulled one leg up onto the counter, pulling his knee to his chest as his other leg continued to swing below.
Bruce had his neck extended and angled to his left, towards Jason, as he looked at what he was doing in the mirror. “It’s not a knife,” Bruce explained as he rinsed the blade off in the sink. “It's a straight razor. It gives you a better shave with less irritation.”
“You look like your gonna slit your throat,” Jason admitted as he continued to watch with infatuation.
“I won’t” Bruce promised as he removed another stripe of the shaving cream that adorned his face.
A warm silence settled over then, Jason continuing to watch as Bruce continued his routine of personal hygiene.
It was domestic.
Calm.
“When do I have to start doing that,” Jason asked quietly as he adjusted. The corner of the cabinet now became slightly painful as he continued to lean his weight against it.
Bruce was silent for a moment, doing short quick swipes as he cleared his upper lip before wiping away the foam and hair. “Facial hair is a part of puberty,” Bruce explained hesitantly.
Bruce leaned forward, turning on the water and cupping his hands underneath to clean his face as Jason sighed, “no duh.” his tone gave away that he was slightly annoyed as he began to swing his legs with new found vigor. “But like, when? Leslie said I’m behind on milestones because of living on the streets. So when am I going to have to worry about going through puberty and shaving?”
“Hmmm” Bruce exclaimed as he rubbed a towel over his face, removing the excess water before looking over his work as he leaned closer to the mirror. “I don’t know,” Bruce admitted as he took a step around Jason, reaching into the cabinet he had been leaning against the entire interaction. He grabbed a small, dark blue bottle before returning to his station in front of the mirror. “It will likely be a year or so after the expected range,” Bruce explained as he put a few drops of the product on his fingers before rubbing the finger tips of both hands together. “So anywhere from now to 16 years old would be expected,” Bruce explained before bringing his hands up to his face, patting the product that Jason had come to associate with Bruce all over his freshly shaven face.
“You ready to go,” Bruce asked as he finally turned to his youngest son.
“Yup,” Jason exclaimed happily as he scooted off his perch. He began to leave the bathroom before catching himself. He turned back, asking, “can you teach me how to shave, when I need it?”
Bruce smiled down at him, “of course Jay,” he promised as he ran a hand through his son’s curls.