Chapter Text
It was around 10 in the morning on Jason's birthday when he finally decided to get up for the day. He rolled out of bed and walked to his kitchen grogily. He made a pot of coffee before he walked into the living room and immediately grabbed one of his guns and shot at the figure sitting on his couch. He heard the metal clank before he realized who it was. It was Artemis, his girlfriend. She looked a little dressed up. She wasn't wearing her usual crop top and sweat pants or her hero suit. Instead she was wearing Black satin camisole with delicate lace trim, a red leather skirt that went to mid thigh, a leather jacket, a gold necklace Jason had got her a few months ago, and some knee high boots.
“Good morning to you too, Jay.” She said playfully.
“Shit.” he muttered under his breath before smiling and walking over to the girl. “Mornin’ Artie.” He placed a kiss on her cheek. “Not that I'm unhappy to see you here, but what are you doing here?”
“I wanted to take my boyfriend on a date as it’s his birthday and he deserves a break. Can I do that?”
“That sounds great, just let me drink my coffee and get dressed.”
“Good.” Jason starts to walk away but is stopped again when Artimis says, “Oh,and Jay.”
He looks over his shoulder at the girl, “yeah?”
“Happy Birthday.”
“Thanks Artie.”
She smiles as Jason once again takes off to get his coffee which had finished brewing and get dressed for the day. He wasn’t sure where they were going but he knew he wanted to look nice just in case. He settled on some noise black jeans and a black with little grey striped button up. He also added a chain necklace to his look to add some casualness to the look. He then put on some black combat boots and walked out.
The two then made their way out the house and to Jason’s bike. They hopped on the bike and began to drive to Jason’s favorite restaurant. It was a hole in the wall Italian place that was on the edge of Gotham. The exterior was roughly plastered with a white cement that had seen better days as in many parts brick was showing. Not to mention it was covered in dirt. However for Gotham it was a pretty nice place to go. The two walked in and immediately got sat as Artemis, thinking ahead, had got them reservations last night.
They were sitting in the corner at a small two top table that had a lit candle in the middle as well as a cream colored table cloth. Their waitress got there almost immediately to take their drink orders. The environment was peaceful. The soft music playing as the candles that lit the place flickered around them. It was nice, just an intimate moment for the two. “This is really nice, thank you.” Jason spoke with a gentleness not many people heard.
“Well you deserve it, you work so hard all the time you need a good break every once and a while and as your girlfriend if i can give that to you im sure as Hades gonna try.”
Jason chuckled at the response. “You’re almost makin’ me sound like I'm special or somethin'." he teased, earning a soft punch from Artemis.
“It’s the or something.” She teased back, only making Jason's smile grow.
The waiter then returned with their drinks and took both of their orders for food. The two kept a light comfortable chatter flowing between them. It was a rare sight to see especially in public for the two, but today was about Jason, so for today, and only for today, nothing else mattered.
When the food came out they began to eat the pasta they ordered. Jason had chicken fettuccine alfredo, his favorite since he was a kid, and Artemis got spaghetti with meat sauce. They enjoyed their food and their shared wine. They both felt like they could spend the whole day on this lunch date, but Artemis had other plans for her beloved boyfriends special day so after they finished the complementary birthday dessert and paid, the two hopped back on the bike. Artemis drives this time with Jason blindfolded on the back holding on tightly to Artemis’ waist.
“So where are we going exactly?” he asked.
“It’s a surprise hence the blindfold.” She responded in a playful tone.
“Yeah, yeah, I should have guessed that.” He responded, his voice dripping in sarcasm making the two laugh.
“Trust me you are gonna like it, I promise.”
“Okay, I trust you.”
They drove on for miles and miles before finally stopping. Jason still had no clue where he was as Artemis helped him off the bike and began to lead him to the location. He heard movement and light laughter and chatter as he approached. When the two finally stopped Artemis removed the blindfold and a group of formula faces screamed, "SURPRISE!"
Jason looked around to see lots of friends and family waiting for him with smiles on their faces. They were at the nicest park in Blüdhaven, coincidentally the one Joey and him had taken the kids to months ago. There was a banner hanging between two large trees that had ‘Happy Birthday Jason’ written on it with paint and was nicely decorated, presumably by his youngest nephew, Damian as he was a talented artist and the only one in the group of people with a single creative bone in his body. There were also three tables with white plastic table cloths covered in food and drinks. There was also a pile of presents to the left of the furthest left table and balloons and fairy lights were hung everywhere. Overall it was beautiful.
Jason laughed as a couple tears fell from his eyes. It was the nicest thing anyone had ever done for him in a long time, and the first one to ever feel real instead of forced. His tears were almost immediately noticed by his team, as they had been with him through many breakdowns before, as they all pulled him into a tight group hug. Roy to his side, Bizzaro in the back, and Artemis to his other side. They held him till he calmed down and then the party began. Dick came up to him with Kori and gave him a big birthday hug. There were tears in Dicks eyes which was nothing new for him. “Hap[py birthday little wing, your getting so old.”
Jason laughed and hugged Dick back.
“Yes, happy birthday Jason.” Kori said politely, pulling herself and her husband away from the hug as Dick would hold on to Jason the whole time if he could.
“Thanks Kori.”
Jason made his way through the crowd, Artemis never leaving his side as everyone there said their happy birthdays. The gathering was small but perfect for Jason. It only included those who really cared. His girlfriend, his team, Jade, Lian, Dick, the kids, Kori, and the Wilsons. The people who had stuck around when things got rough. His true family. Jason could have not asked for a better outcome on his special day.
Everyone enjoyed chatting and snacking as the kids played around with each other. It was peaceful yet chaotic at the same time. It was so genuine and true. Eventually it was time for presents:
Roy got him a “Red Hood and Arsenal” custom leather jacket with Jason’s symbol on one shoulder and Arsenal’s quiver emblem on the other, half as a joke and half as a real gift. Jason put it on immediately and said, “THis is gonna be my new look, thank you roy.” Making the whole group laugh.
Jade got him a rare, high-quality throwing knife set. She phrases it as “for when Roy inevitably gets you into trouble.” Which indeed made Jason laugh.
Lian got him a bracelet she made with colorful beads with the words ‘Uncle Jay’ on it separated by a star charm. Jason found this incredibly adorable and sweet and squeezed the life out of lian for a good minute as she laughed and screamed to be free.
Bizzaro got Jason a handcrafted, slightly crooked wooden sign that says “JASON IS GOOD.” It looks clumsy, but Jason still hung it up in his apartment when he got home.
Dick got him a motorcycle helmet — painted matte black with a subtle red bat emblem. He also includes a heartfelt note about how proud he is of Jason. Jason thanked Dick for it with a straight face but busted out crying hugging it when he got home.
Kori Gave him a star patterned warming and cooling bracelet. She later explained that she got the blanket for him because ‘she knows how bad the ac and heater is in his apartment and wanted him to be comfortable to sleep at night but also have something fluffy to cuddle in year round’ Which made the gift all the more sweet.
Tim got him a journal (Tim’s own idea of a perfect gift) with Jason’s symbol embossed on the front. He nervously explains, “Y-you can write plans in it, or… you know, thoughts.” Jason is actually touched. Jason later opened it to find a note on the front page that read:
I find it hard to say my emotions at times and I think you do too. I think this will help you right down your thoughts, i also remember dad telling me you like to write poetry so now you have a place to put it if you so choose. I love you so much. Thank you for everything you do for me and my family. Especially for making that one kid pee his pants.
-Tim
Damian made him a painting of Jason and him riding on the motorcycle from when Jason saved him that said ‘my hero’ on the top of it.
Joey gives Jason a custom guitar he’s been working on for months; it was a sleek black and red, with ‘scar twins’ carved into the wood. Joey then signed “Because music saves people too.” Jason smiled and laughed.
Rose got him a new pair of combat boots that were black and red with buckles that could hold guns or knives or just be for style reinforced for Jason’s style of fighting. She shrugs it off with, “Figured you’d ruin your old pair soon enough.” Jason thanked her for them and they became a staple for him to wear after that day as he found them sick and practical as hell.
Slade got him a refurbished, high-grade firearm Jason once admired years ago but could never get his hands on. Along with it, Slade includes a rare book of poetry (because he knows Jason secretly reads) with a handwritten note: “Strength comes in many forms. Don’t forget yours.” Jason wasn't sure how Slade knew he would like these things but he didn't care. He thanked them man profusely for both gifts and the message.
Artemis got him a custom-made dagger, engraved in Themysciran script with something that translates to “For the one I trust with my back” . To which earned lots of cuddles and kisses and sobs from Jason when the two got back to his apartment. Jason also carries that dagger with him everywhere he goes.
After presents they went to the cake which was a one tier cake. It was red velvet with cream cheese icing and black in a black curvy font it said ‘worlds most okayish leader' on it. Roy and Artemis had shit eating grins on their faces and Bizarro was also smiling, presumably unaware.
Jason laughed and pretended to cry, “This is so sweet guys, I love y'all so much.”
“Of course, man, only for you.” Roy laughs.
The group laughed as they began to sing happy happy birthday, and Joey played it on his guitar. Jason groaned having always hated the song as it was embarrassing and annoying. They then cut the cake and ate it while chatting with each other. Mostly Dick and Roy teaming up on Jason with embarrassing stories of his past.
Later in the party Roy, Bizarro, and Artemis pulled Jason aside for a private conversation. “So you are having a good party, birthday boy?” Roy asked
Jason smiled, "Yes I am.”
“That's awful.” Bizzaro said with a smile on his face.
Artemis nodded in agreement.
“I think this calls for a group hug.” Roy announced before pulling them into a bone crushing hug, the group laughing and smiling. Dick noticed and took a picture that he sent to Jason later.
Once the group rejoined the fun they took multiple ridiculous photos so they could remember the day for a long time. Some of Jason's favorites included:
One he took with Slade and got mysteriously set to Bruce with the caption of ‘he may not be my dad but he is the best dad -Jason’
Once with him and giving Roy a piggyback ride and Jade rolled her eyes in the corner and Dick seemed to be in some type of worried dad mode.
But his person favorite one was of him clinging on to Artemis while she playfully caught him off sending them both falling to the floor laughing their asses off.
Overall it was an amazing time. When it got late everyone gave their hugs and goodbye and Jason and Artemis headed back to Jason's apartment. When they arrived they got changed into something more comfortable cuddled up in the blanket Kori got them and sat on the couch holding each other while watching ‘Pride and Prejudice’.
As the two grew quieter Jason kissed Artemis on the head and said in the softest most loving voice Artemis had ever heard from the man, “Thank you for dragging me around today. It was amazing.”
She smiled and looked up at him and said in a voice laced in honey, “no problem.”
The two then fell asleep in each other's arms, the movie becoming a background sound in the peaceful night.