[A/N: As clearly seen, Jason is kinda my favorite character. So here it is, Jason's Christmas.]
[A/N: AND MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE]
Jason sat there pondering. He stared at the letter of invitation. Not an online text from his replacement, nor someone coming up to him and asking for him to join their dinner, Dick. But this was a motherloving letter. This was Alfred's communication style, well, one of which Jason recognized. The seal and handwriting, all Alfred.
Jason couldn't help but smirk as he ran his fingers over the smooth paper, feeling the weight of the words within. Alfred always had a way of making even the simplest messages feel like they belonged to another era, adding a touch of class to everything he did. Jason unfolded the letter carefully, revealing Alfred's elegant script.
"Master Jason," the letter began in its timeless font, "I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. I invite you to join the Wayne family for dinner at Wayne Manor this Monday evening. Your presence would be most appreciated and would bring us joy."
Jason's brow arched slightly at the mention of "joy," wondering if Alfred had a secret motive behind the invitation. But then again, Alfred always had a way of keeping things under wraps until the right moment.
The invitation continued, detailing the time, dress code, and the promise of a delightful menu curated by the Manor's esteemed chef, Alfred. Jason couldn't help but feel a mix of curiosity and nostalgia. He hadn't been to Wayne Manor for such a gathering in a long time. The family's dynamics had shifted over the years. Jason often found himself on the fringes, balancing his ideals for justice while working with someone whose justice methods he disapproved of.
As he pondered whether to accept the invitation, memories flooded back — of training sessions with Bruce, late-night conversations with Alfred, and the camaraderie he once shared with Dick. He wondered if this dinner was an olive branch, a subtle attempt to bridge the gaps that had formed over time.
Jason's thoughts were on that singular letter for two nights and three days. During patrol as Red Hood and crime-fighting with the other Bats, his thoughts were on that letter.
Everybody wanted him to come so that everybody felt like a family again, or as much of a family as they could be. Nobody brought it up, having assumed that Jason was thinking about it based on his distraction while fighting.
Alfred was undoubtedly the second young master's favorite. Alfred had not been honest with him, believing he could think for himself and make wise choices. He was wrong only once.
On the third night, with the letter still clutched in his hand, Jason decided. He wasn't going.
Jason's decision not to attend weighed heavily on him as the days passed. The letter now crumpled and creased in his pocket, felt like a physical manifestation of his internal conflict. The memories of the family he had once been a part of clashed with the reality of his current path as Red Hood.
He didn't want to go; he didn't want to face the people he had been so against accepting him again so easily. He knew he wouldn't, so why were they?
He knew deep down he wanted to be a family again.
As Monday approached, he became even more restless. Just then, he heard a loud shout outside his door. "Surprise!" The woman's voice was filled with cheer, happiness, and hopefulness, which did not suit Gotham. They weren't from here. That voice wasn't close to his door. Was it Nina and Percy? Percy was out, did Nina need help?
"Mom? Paul? Estelle?" he had heard her exclamation, with joy and disbelief in her voice. He was certain he heard an 'oof' somewhere. Nonetheless, he resonated with those emotions in her voice. A surprise visit from Alfred would make his day, maybe even his week.
"We thought we'd bring a bit of holiday warmth to Gotham. And we come bearing gifts and snacks." A male voice spoke after. Gifts, snacks, oh, how much he missed Alfred's snacks.
"Merry Christmas, Nina!" A child's voice this time. This wouldn't be how Damian would sound like. He, as a person, was increasingly broody, including his voice. Jason assumed it was a side effect of being Broody Bruce's son.
"Ah, schnitzels," Jason says, now aware of how much he was thinking about his family.
"My sister's so cute!" he had heard Nina shout shortly after.
Jason listened to the laughter and chatter next door, conflicted about whether to join the Wayne's. It lasted an hour until he heard footsteps walking up the stairs. They were very familiar. The weight and sound created were abnormal because footsteps usually helped understand the size and weight of the person, but these didn't. Honestly, he had gotten used to them enough to recognize Percy.
Aware of Percy's protectiveness of Nina, Jason opened his door. "Merry Christmas, dude." He says, showing the old man that he was being casual. Moving on, he reassured Percy that his sister was fine. "I'm pretty sure your family's in there. Have fun." His eyes widened at his news. So, his family being here was a genuine surprise for both siblings. Good to know.
Bidding his goodbye, Jason went to close the door. Percy's, however, asked a question on impulse there and then. "Do you want to spend Christmas with us, Jason?"
Surprised, Jason smiled and answered without thinking. "Thanks, Percy. But I'll spend Christmas with my family this year. Thanks." As he was about to close the door again, his eyes landed on the metal box on the shoe rack. Opening the door once more, he spoke to Percy. "Oh, right." Stretching out his hand from the door, not fully leaving it, he handed Percy the Alfred recipe cookies. "For you and your family. Your sister has wanted these for a while now."
"Thank you, Jason. Merry Christmas," Percy says as he turns back to his door. Jason does the same.
When he closed the door behind him, he slid down and groaned. Why did he say he was spending Christmas with his family? He wasn't really planning on going.
Yes, he wasn't planning on going.
The next morning, it was Christmas. Jason grabbed an ironed shirt and pants, not caring for the shoes and jacket he wore as he went to the Wayne Manor.
Standing outside the entrance, the grandeur of the Manor never failed to impress him, and the memories it held echoed through its halls.
Alfred welcomed him warmly with a smile, "Master Jason, I'm delighted you could join us. Your presence is a gift in itself." Jason nodded, acknowledging the butler's sentiment.
"Merry Christmas, Alfie," Jason says with a smile.
Alfred reciprocated that smile even more brightly. "Merry Christmas, Master Jason."
The atmosphere was filled with the warmth of Christmas decorations and the comforting aroma of holiday delights.
As he approached the gathering, the family members noticed his arrival. He was then surrounded by familiar faces, more so familiar voices, from his nightly activities. Duke as a signal, Stephanie as a spoiler, Cassandra as Black Bat, Barbara the woman behind their operations, Bruce the man he hated, Dick the good older brother, Tim his okay replacement, and Damian, the blood son of Bruce and Talia.
Dick, always the one to break the ice, slapped Jason on the back with a grin. "Look who decided to show up for Christmas. I was starting to think you got lost in the snow, Jay."
"Couldn't resist the charm of spending Christmas with us, huh?" Tim added with a smirk.
Jason rolled his eyes but couldn't suppress a small smile. "I was promised cookies. Couldn't let all the sugar go to waste on you guys."
Stephanie chimed in, "Oh, you mean Alfred's cookies? They're legendary. You're in for a treat, or should I say, a Christmas miracle."
Bruce, observing the interactions with a subtle nod, addressed Jason, "Glad you could make it, Jason. Christmas is about family, after all."
With his usual aloofness, Damian merely nodded, but there was a hint of acknowledgment in his eyes. Cassandra, who rarely spoke with words, flashed a quick smile in Jason's direction, a silent welcome.
Alfred, ever the gracious host, directed everyone toward the festive dining area. "Shall we enjoy this delightful Christmas feast?" he announced.
As the family gathered around the table, the air was filled with the clinking of cutlery and lively conversations. Despite the complexities that defined their relationships, there was a genuine sense of unity and connection.
The night progressed, and the echoes of Christmas carols filled Wayne Manor. Terrible singing, horrifying even, but fun with the blending of the joyous laughter of the family. It was a Christmas that none had expected to happen, a moment of unity for everyone, without anyone missing, dead, or just not there in the midst of their unconventional lives.
Jason raised his glass in a silent toast when he felt it was the right time. The acknowledgment of family, flawed and unconventional as it may be, resonated in the quiet of the night.
"Merry Christmas, everyone," he muttered, his words drowned in the collective cheers of everyone. The dinner had gone surprisingly well. Neither he nor Bruce picked a fight with each other. Neither understood how it went so smoothly, but they didn't complain