[center][img]https://static0.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/santa-claus-dc-covers.jpg?w=1200&h=675&fit=crop[/img][/center] [hr] [b][color=28b0f3]Gotham City[/color][/b] [color=darkgray]Christmas Eve[/color] [sub]Collab With: [@ThatDeercat] [/sub] The drive home from the Asylum was mostly quiet. Thomas found himself deep in thought and Dick could tell. He could tell that Klaus's words were eating away at him. No one had caused him to question his path or ideals like he did. Not even the police. If Dick were being honest, he was glad that Thomas was starting to question who the Batman was or was becoming. It's the whole reason he became Robin. He wanted to show him there was another way. As they entered the cave Dick broke the silence by asking Thomas, [color=28b0f3]“So… Do you think they took down the fake Santa and saved the real one, yet?”[/color] [color=darkgray][b]“Hmm?”[/b][/color] Thomas asked as he was brought back to reality. [color=darkgray][b]“Maybe. You'll have to go to sleep if you want to find out.”[/b][/color] [color=28b0f3]“Awww, man. This early?”[/color] Dick groaned. [color=darkgray][b]“You do need to start adjusting your sleep schedule back for school.”[/b][/color] Thomas answered as they parked. [color=28b0f3]“Ugh. Fine. You're right.”[/color] He relented as he hopped out of the Batmobile. In the back, tucked behind the seats carefully out of the line of sight from the rear view mirror, Jason almost felt bad for eavesdropping. The guilty feeling quickly faded, though, when he reminded himself how long he’d been waiting for this opportunity. What better way to prove himself to the Batman than sneak up on the stealthiest guy in Gotham? It certainly wasn’t easy, but after one failed attempt that sent him scurrying for the shadows before he got caught, he’d learned the Batmobile’s security system had only been tuned to recognise adults as a threat and not kids. Probably a safety measure meant to keep it from reacting to Robin, but a flaw was a flaw. Exploiting said flaw while Batman and Robin were thoroughly occupied by Evil Santa Claus was a piece of cake now that he knew how to avoid triggering any of the security measures. As Robin opened up and hopped out, Jason finally stretched out from his hiding spot, [color=FCD030]“Jeez- It took ya long enough. Hey, you guys know there’s a major security flaw in the Batmobile, right?”[/color] Thomas whipped his neck around so fast that he almost snapped it. He couldn't believe that he hadn't noticed the kid this whole time. How long had he been hiding back there? Was he near the Asylum or had he been hiding ever since they confronted Klaus? Was he that out of it tonight? He was about to yell at the kid when he recognized his face, but mostly that red head of hair. His name was… Jason. Selina had been watching him for a while. He remembered saving his mom from her abusive drug dealer. Dick did a one-eighty twirl upon hearing a new voice coming from the Batmobile. It was a kid a few years younger than him by the looks of it. He was scrawny and looked like he was in need of a good meal and some new clothes. He glanced up at Thomas to see what he was going to do or say. [color=darkgray][b]“I do now.”[/b][/color] Batman finally answered. [color=darkgray][b]“I hope you enjoyed your ride. I'm taking you back home.”[/b][/color] [color=FCD030]“So…couple of flaws in that plan: 1) I know the streets of Gotham like the back of my hand. There’s no route you could drive me that I wouldn’t be able to find my way back here, and 2) gotta have a home to take me to. I’m kinda your problem now,”[/color] Jason shrugged, already climbing out of the car and into the cave. He looked around, eyes wide as he took it all in. [color=FCD030]“Wow….Cool!”[/color] Turning on his heel, he looked at Robin who seemed thoroughly puzzled by the situation and at a loss for what to do. Jason stuck out his hand in a friendly offer to shake, [color=FCD030]“Jason Todd, street rat extraordinaire.”[/color] Dick looked at Jason's hand and then at Jason's face. He was a nice kid at least. He extended his hand and shook his. [color=28b0f3]“Dick Grayson of the Flying Graysons. Nice to meet you, Aladdin.”[/color] [color=darkgray][b]“Robin!”[/b][/color] Batman called out in a deep voice to intimidate both boys in this situation. [color=28b0f3]“What? You heard him. He probably knows who we are already. Plus, I've always wanted a little brother.”[/color] Thomas sighed. Both boys were unfortunately right. It'd be a lot more trouble playing the game Jason undoubtedly was willing to play of sneaking his way back here every time he was dropped off. The streets of New Jersey were also cold this Christmas and he didn't feel comfortable leaving him to fend for himself in this kind of weather. [color=darkgray][b]“Fine.”[/b][/color] He relented. [color=darkgray][b]“You can stay here for now. It's Christmas after all. Dick, can you take him upstairs and show him to a room and bathroom so he can get cleaned up and ready for bed? Also, send Alfred down, please.”[/b][/color] Dick nodded. [color=28b0f3]“You got it. Come on, Jason!”[/color] If Jason was being honest, he did [i]not[/i] expect it to be this easy, but apparently bullying the Batman and making friends with his kid sidekick was all it took. Jason did a little fist pump, hissing triumphantly, [color=FCD030]“Yes!”[/color] And then, thinking better of it, [color=FCD030]“Thank you, Mr. Batman.”[/color] Admittedly he didn’t actually know their secret identities already, but he decided that was probably a fact better kept to himself for now. As he followed Dick upstairs, his head was on a swivel the entire time. The cave was jam packed with gadgets and gizmos and training equipment, but the upstairs was more opulent than anything he’d ever seen before. Most of all, it was [i]warm[/i]. He shuddered, relieved to be off the Gotham streets for at least a night, but hopefully more. He felt a little bad that his mom was still out there, probably sprawled out on a dirty mattress in some run down old drug den out of her mind. But maybe, just maybe, he could better his own circumstances and, in turn, do something to better hers. Thomas watched the two run upstairs and sighed before finally getting out of the Batmobile. He walked over to the Batcomputer and called out to it. [color=darkgray][b]“Batcomputer. Call Selina Kyle.”[/b][/color] Dick watched Jason as they entered the mansion. He remembered his first time in the mansion. It was a huge culture shock for him as well, having only lived in a trailer at Haly's. But Jason had even less than that. He hoped that Thomas would let him stay for good. They were meant to save lives and make sure the people of Gotham were safe and happy. He knew it was unrealistic for them to adopt every kid who lived on the streets, but not every kid could sneak around and catch Batman and Robin off guard. He saw Alfred before they reached the stairs leading to the second floor and introduced him to Jason before telling him that Thomas wanted to see him down in the cave. Alfred was surprised at the sight of Jason and that Dick was still running around in his costume in front of him. It looked like he was going to have one more mouth to feed and that left him warm inside. He missed cooking for a family of three, but no matter how many joined their family he still missed having Martha and Bruce at the dinner table. Before he could get dragged down memory lane he made his way to the Batcave. [hr] [color=darkgray][b]"Alright, Selina, but if he ends up putting himself or identities at risk I'm dropping him off with you."[/b][/color] Thomas said before hanging up with a sigh. He was not planning to adopt another kid, but having known Jason's situation he felt like he had no other choice. He didn't want to feel like he was using these boys as a replacement for Bruce. It was already hard enough trying to convince Dick that that wasn't the case. Alfred came from behind him and placed a saucer and a cup of tea on the desk next to Thomas. [color=D1B49F]"Planning to get rid of him already, Master Thomas?"[/color] Thomas picked up the cup of tea and turned around in his chair. [color=darkgray][b]"No, I don't know. I just wasn't expecting to adopt another kid for Christmas. But he has no one. His mom... His mom's not suitable to raise him and Selina informed me that he's run away from every home that's taken him in since the state took him in. Plus, Dick's already treating him like his little brother. I just don't want to bring another kid into this war. I already struggle with letting Dick be Robin."[/b][/color] [color=D1B49F]"No one says that you have to let him take part of your war on crime. Just let him enjoy the life of luxury."[/color] Thomas gave Alfred a look before sipping his tea. [color=darkgray][b]"No kid raised by the Batman would want to just sit out. Look at how persistent Dick was."[/b][/color] [color=D1B49F]"You're the adult, yes? Your say goes. Don't give in until you believe that he's ready."[/color] [color=darkgray][b]"That'd probably be easier said than done, but you're right. Can you get him a fresh tootbrush and a pair of Bruce's old pajamas? I'll see to getting him some more clothes later."[/b][/color] Alfred nodded before turning to head back upstairs. [hr] Dick led Jason upstairs until he reached his room. [color=28b0f3]“This is my room. You can take the one next to it. There's a bathroom with a bathtub and shower that connects the two. I'm not always home so you'll have it to yourself mostly if you end up staying. You'll probably find a fresh pair of clothes in your room once you get out of the shower. So, what do you think so far?”[/color] There were so many doors to so many rooms that Jason was honestly glad Dick gave him the one next door to his. This was the kind of place he thought he could get lost looking for the bathroom. The concept of this much wealth was virtually unfathomable to Jason - they even had a butler, something that seemed so impossibly out of reach to him. Shoving his hands into his pockets, Jason spoke candidly, [color=FCD030]“Honestly? Didn’t really think I’d get this far. This place is a little overwhelming; I dunno what I was expecting, but I don’t think it was this.”[/color] Curiously, he peeked into the bathroom and his eyes almost fell out of his head. It was so [i]clean[/i]. It was nothing like the showers at the shelters - sparkling white tiles, two sinks, and a completely separate shower and bath. [color=FCD030]“Whoa. You [i]live[/i] like this…every day?!”[/color] He tried not to sound so starstruck, but he couldn’t help himself. Never in his wildest imagination did he think he’d step foot in a place like this. And then shame kicked in. Sure, he played the proud street rat with all the bravado of Aladdin, but there was a level at which he knew he was dirty and dressed in rags that made him undesirable to most people. He didn’t belong in a place like this, but he’d come too far to turn back now. [color=FCD030]“I’m kinda a mess - you sure it’s okay I use this bathroom?”[/color] he asked sheepishly. Dick shook his head. [color=28b0f3]“Not every day. When I'm not out patrolling or on break, I stay at Gotham Academy. But of course it's okay for you to use the bathroom. You heard the big man downstairs. When he adopted me I still smelled of elephant poop and blood. You're not judged on how you look or where you come from here.”[/color] He understood Jason's reservations. This was all overwhelming to him when he got here as well. He hadn't expected to live anywhere besides the circus and then he was thrust into a mansion in the wealthiest part of town. It was a huge adjustment. Damn, Jason thought to himself, a private prep school, too? Dick really has landed on his feet after the massacre at Haly’s Circus. Jason wasn’t expecting any of that from Thomas, but he wanted to help the Batman just like he’d helped Jason’s mom. Returning the favour, as it were, or maybe just trying to do something more worthwhile with his life than scrounging for scraps. [color=FCD030]“Right, yeah, duh,”[/color] Jason laughed dryly. He opened the bathroom door a little more and stepped halfway in, [color=FCD030]“I guess I’ll see you in the morning?"[/color] Closing the door behind him, he took a moment to get his bearings before grabbing a fresh towel from the shelf and making a beeline for the shower. For the first time in his life, he didn’t feel rushed. He took his time scrubbing the dirt from under his nails and actually getting his hair clean. He felt a little bad for having to use what he presumed were Dick’s toiletries, but it’s not like he’d brought his own. By the time he stepped out of the shower, the bathroom was full of warm steam. On the counter, someone had sneakily left out a fresh toothbrush for him; he hadn’t even noticed anyone entering, he was so caught up in how good the hot water felt. In the bedroom, Jason found a set of what had to be the nicest pyjamas he’d ever seen. He traced his fingers over the plaid pattern of soft flannel before getting dressed for bed. He was honestly grateful the bed was just a regular twin and not some grand canopy bed or something - that might have been too much to be swimming in a sea of plush. Jason yawned as he crawled under the thick comforter, immediately settling into a calming sense of safety. Years of exhaustion from hypervigilance seemed to come crashing in on him like one giant tidal wave, sending him straight to dreamland where visions of hot showers and fresh clothes danced in his head.