Chapter Text
“Hey, you ready for this weekend?” Dick asked him while brushing out Nightwing’s tail.
Jason scoffed, “Course I am! It's my big debut!”
His brother snorted, “Okay Mr. Hot Shot. Just do me a favor and try not to get your shit rocked by a bull, ‘kay?”
“Careful dickface I might think you care about me.” Jason said with an eyeroll as he tossed his tack into the bed of the truck.
Dick shook his head but continued to brush his gelding's tail out. Jason wasn't worried. Bruce had been coaching him plenty. He'd practiced with the equipment, ridden steers, and even rode a few practice bulls that Bruce had gotten for him. Never once getting more than a sprain or a couple bumps with bruises. Jason was more than ready. He was taking home the win this weekend he had no doubts about it. Eight seconds of glory and he'd be the name in everyone's mouths.
Jason finished packing his bull riding supplies up and noted that Dick had finished with his horse, Nightwing, and had begun packing Nightwing's tack. Saddle, bridle, and the like making it's way to the trailer with the rest of their supplies. It wasn't just Dick either.
Cass’ supplies was laid neatly out in preparation to be loaded. Meanwhile she was in Black Bat's stall, brushing her gelding down. The quiet gelding simply stood there, occasionally nosing at his rider. Cass smiled and patted him affectionately. Jason smiled and shook his head. Those two had a weird bond but it worked for them.
It was just Dick, Cass, and him competing this weekend. Tim, Steph, Duke, and Damian weren't out of the high school division just yet. With Tim and Steph being the closest to being aged out. Their resident city kid, Damian, was just starting in the high school division as well. Duke was also just starting despite being a sophomore. He was a new addition to their little family and despite Bruce's insistence that Duke wasn't going to be adopted they all knew better. Duke was their new brother, they all agreed on it.
Jason thought back to how each of them came to the Wayne ranch. All the way back to when it started. Obviously it had been a story told to him, since he hadn't even been born yet. When he was still a kid those stories had meant everything to him.
And now he was going to live it.
He grinned. Fuck yeah.
“Whats got you so happy?”
Jason smirked, “Just lookin’ forward to breaking your record old man!”
Bruce chuckled, “I'd like to see you try Jay-lad. All packed?”
He nodded towards the mess of tack in the truck's bed. Bruce sighed in exasperation upon seeing the mess that was his tack. Jason shrugged as Bruce gave him a pointed look.
“I told him to organize it! He didn't want to!” Dick called from inside Nightwing's stall where he was giving the horse pellets and hay.
Jason glared at him, “Fuck you Dick! You're such a goody-two-shoes. Don't you have something better to do than making useless commentary?
Bruce could be heard sighing.
“Oh I have plenty to do, but I just love my favorite little brother Jason so much that I had to make sure he didn't forget his tack! Sue me for giving a damn!” Dick shouted back.
“Hey I thought I was your favorite?” A voice called from the end of the barn.
“Tim! Tell Jay to load his tack properly!” Dick called from inside the horse stall.
Tim scoffed, “Hey it's on Jay if he forgets his tack not me, and I certainly am not going to give him mine if he forgets his.”
Jason made a hurt noise dramatically and held a hand to his chest, “Timmy! How could you! Here I thought we were brothers!”
“First off, we don't even compete in the same event nor the same division so my tack would be worthless to you anyways. Secondly, you stole my cowtails last week.” Tim said flatly.
He wrinkled his nose, “You're still stuck on that? I told you I'd buy you more.”
Tim rolled his eyes, “Still haven't.”
Jason huffed in annoyance. Tim was such a stubborn little shit. He hadn't meant to forget about replacing the candy he ate… it just slipped his mind. That was all. A simple mistake.
“You are all imbeciles.”
Dick laughed, “Damian that wasn't very nice!”
Tim gave Dick a flat look, “Dick he's never very nice.”
Jason snorted and laughed as Dick tried to refute it. Damian simply scoffed and walked off to go ride and practice with Robin.
Jason smirked as he called out after his youngest brother, “Remember you actually sit on the horse city boy!”
Cussing could be heard from Robin's stall. Jason snickered and Tim was also covering his smile with a hand up. Dick and Bruce gave them a disapproving look each. He shrugged and walked out of the barn and towards the house, leaving the rest of the family to either pack tack or do chores with their equine. He made his way past the pasture where some of their horses grazed. Out in the arena he could see Duke practicing with some calves on top of Signal's back. Steph was out of town and would be back in time to go with them to the competition this weekend, so her mare Spoiler was out grazing.
Jason stepped up on the porch and went through the screen door to the kitchen, “Hey Alfie, what's for dinner?”
Alfred Pennyworth, their grandpa in every way that mattered and the coolest man Jason had ever had the pleasure of meeting turned and smiled kindly at him, “That is for me to know and for you to find out.”
He laughed, “Aw, c'mon not even a hint?”
Alfred tutted as he continued mixing a bowl of what Jason hoped was cookies. He'd ride fifty bulls if it meant he could have a box of Alfred’s cookies to himself.
“Do you have your gear packed for this weekend?” Alfred asked idly.
Jason nodded, “Yeup, all packed and ready to come home with a new belt buckle!”
Alfred chuckled but his voice held sincerity in it, “My boy, do be careful. Bull riding is especially dangerous.”
Jason scoffed though he didn't mean to blow Alfred off, “Tim does bronc riding, Dick does steer wrestling. All of it is dangerous.”
“Yes. But bull riding is different, my boy. You know as well as I do that it's what took Bruce out of the ring.” Alfred said with such gravity that Jason couldn't help but nod.
“I know Alfie. I'll be careful I promise.” Jason said earnestly.
Alfred nodded in acceptance and put a tray of cookies in the oven. All that was left to do was make it to the weekend.