Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It was a flurry of events that led to Jason Todd's eventual confinement at the Wayne Manor. Or simply said, he was grounded there until his injuries healed.

Of course, the real reason he was on house arrest was because he hadn't exactly seeked his family's help when he got hurt. In fact, he did the opposite.

When face to face with the psychopathic serial killer Victor Zsasz, he should have expected to be stabbed by the villain who enjoys stabbing his victims.

It was a misstep, and that is all it took to catch Jason off guard. Stabbed right in his shoulder, not very far from his chest, wasn't something Jason wanted to happen. Still, he was able to overcome the mad man, disarm him, and leave him tied up for the Gotham PD before the adrenaline wore off.

But when it did, the searing pain in his shoulder caught him off guard. It hurt like fuck! 

He had enough energy to find his way to one of his safe houses, staggering into the apartment on shaky feed. It was weird, a stab wound wouldn't normally make him so dizzy. It was like he could barely stand up.

Nonetheless, he grabbed a bottle of tequila from the fridge. He took a swing and used some to douse his wound to sterilize it. With trembling fingers, he wrapped his wound in bandages.

Then he had collapsed into his makeshift bed, a pile of blankets in a corner of the room.

At some point, he recalled distant voices trying to speak to him. They were familiar, but he couldn't get through the foggy daze he was in to respond. Then everything silenced and he fell into a deep sleep.

That is all Jason remembered before he woke up in his old bedroom in the manor.

Dick walked into the room after gently knocking. He sighed in relief, a smile forming on his face as he saw his brother was awake and okay. He walked over and sat down next to him, hugging him gently, making sure he wasn't doing it too tightly.

"Jason! You're awake!" He exclaimed. "Are you alright?" He asked, pulling away to look him in the eye. All of the batbrothers had blue eyes. Dick's eyes were baby blue, while Jason's were more of an icy blue; very complimentary to their personalities, funnily enough.

Dick felt very protective of Jason as his older brother, and he was worried sick when he had found Jason passed out on his apartment floor.

Dick had gone over to visit Jason and bring him a nice home cooked meal that he had made for dinner following a new recipe he found on the internet, unbeknownst to Jason.

The poor 21 year old was so exhausted that he didn't even lock the door behind him, making entry quite simple for his brother.

Dick, panicked and worried sick, immediately called Leslie. Long story short, Jason had been stabbed with a poison knife by a criminal, and was most definitely going to die, had it not been for Dick paying him a surprise visit.

That fact alone chilled Dick to his core.

Jason groaned as he tried to sit up, the movement bringing him breathless and in near tears as a sharp pain radiated from his bandaged shoulder. 

"Uhhh...why does it hurt so much?" Jason groaned. "I've been stabbed a billion times before and it's never hurt as much as this."

Dick gently helped him, leaning him back so he could relax his back. "Hey hey, easy now. Your body is still tender after being stabbed." Dick said, resting a hand on his shoulder.

He was properly safe now, as Leslie had been able to properly extract the poison before it was too late. However, he was going to need to take it easy for a while.

Suddenly, Dick's face became serious, eyes full of concern. "Jason, you almost died today. You were very, very close." He said.

Jason tried to sit up again, despite Dick's trying to keep him laying down. "No, I'm fine. It was just another serial killer who got lucky. A stabbing is nothing. I'll be fine." He insisted.

Dick's eyes immediately hardened into stern big brother mode. "Jason." He said sharply. Dick was not happy with his brother's decisions, and he wasn't going to put up with his stubbornness right now. 

"Fuck off, Dickhead," Jason scoffed as he swung his legs to the side of the bed and sat up. Suddenly, he blinked as black spots appeared in his vision and he fell back, gasping as the searing aching pain shot through his body.

"Jason!" Dick cried out. He ran over, immediately getting him into a more comfortable and relaxed position like before. He gently cupped his brother's cheek, looking him over in concern. He then glared at him.

"You aren't leaving this bed until you are cleared by Bruce and by me." He said sternly. "You got stabbed and then instead of calling for help, you tried to fix it yourself. After you were stabbed with a poisonous knife, at that! You were mere minutes away from dying, Jay! This is very serious, damn it!" He exclaimed, emotions overtaking him as he stood to his feet, eyes locked on his brother.

"Why are you so concerned, Richard," Jason spat out as he glared at brother's face. "I fucking died once already, so what does it matter if I die again?!" He exclaimed.

Dick's face went blank. He stared at his little brother silently, thinking and contemplating.

"...did you seriously just say that, Jason?" He said in a low, bonechilling tone. Dick almost never sounded like this. Stern, serious Dick was quite rare.

Jason flinched, having never heard that tone from Dick before. But he wasn't gonna back down now.

"Yes, I did and I'd rather die from a stabbing than be here with your overbearing ass. And I don't need you to watch over me like a baby. Give me like an hour and I'll be out of your hair, Golden boy."

Then, a lightbulb went off in Dick's head. He didn't do this often, but this time? This was serious.

He already knew Bruce would be on top of Jason's discipline soon enough, but Dick had his own lesson to teach Jason right now. So, that was what he was going to do.

"You may not be a baby," Dick rolled up his sleeves, revealing his muscular arms. "But you will be taken care of. Starting with this."

He sat down on Jason's bed, grabbed a pillow, and laid it next to him. Then, he grabbed Jason up from under his arms and laid him right across his lap. He rested his hand on his back, keeping him firmly in place.

He made sure Jason's front rested on the pillows, not wanting to give him any unnecessary stress on his body. He was going to be very careful; but it helped that Jason was in a comfortable position.

Unfortunately, his bottom wasn't going to be able to say the same.

Jason is startled as his body lands on the pillow, cushioning the slight tinge of pain for moving. He tries to squirm away, but his body is too tired from his wound and the aftereffects of the poison to be able to get away. "D-DICK! DON'T YOU DARE!"

He knew perfectly well what this position entails. “I’ll dare as I damn please, Jason.” Dick said firmly. He tugged Jason's pajama pants and boxers down before lifting his palm and landing it across Jason’s pale bottom with a sharp SMACK!

"AHH!" Jason yelped as his backside was attacked. He squirmed and wiggled, not liking this one bit. "STOP IT!" He shouted.

Dick snorted. “Stop? After what you’ve done today? Not happening.” 

He landed his palm with even more sharp smacks this time. 

SMACK SMACK SMACK SMACK

SMACK SMACK SMACK SMACK!

He was going to make sure this hurt like h.e. double hockey sticks. “Jason, I never want to hear you say that again.” He said firmly. His palm didn’t cease with his words. In fact, they only brought his hand down even swifter.

"OWWW! AHHH!" Jason wailed as his bottom was turned into two fireballs.

He couldn't even move anymore, body exhausted at his attempt to squirm away. Yet his voice still worked. "I CAN SAY WHATEVER THE FUCK I WANT!"

Dick lifted his knee, focusing on his brother’s sit spots. “Let’s see how that goes for you, hm?” Dick said calmly, his palm raining hell upon poor Jason’s upper thighs

Dick was going to make sure Jason was ready to listen before he launched into his lecture, and he could wait until Jason stopped the stubborn act. He was in no rush at all.

SMACK SMACK SMACK SMACK SMACK!

Before long, his whines died down as the spanking continued. Jason's backside was one big ‘OWWW’.

Just lying there, taking each smack in without being able to move or kick his legs was torture.

Soon, he was crying into the comforter of the bed balled up under his face, much too spanked to protest anymore.

Dick’s hand got all over Jason’s bottom. He supposed now was the time to talk.

“Jason, you mean everything to me. Not just me, either. Bruce, Alfred, our brothers. You can’t just makeshift and bs your way through injuries, especially serious ones like this. You were reckless, and had I arrived a second too late…” Dick trailed off, gritting his teeth as a lump formed in his throat.

He was getting choked up just thinking about it. So, his hand did the talking for him now. He alternated from each cheek to each sit spot in a pattern, his palm hard and painful. 

Jason cried even harder into the comforter, tears rolling down his face. The spanking and Dick's words were getting through to him, having not realized how much they cared about him.

“You aren’t ever going to do this again, Jason. Getting wounded, hiding it from us? Refusing to ask for help? It ends now.” Dick scolded, smacking his sit spots.

He then stopped, breathing heavily as he caught his breath. He was so upset with Jason right now. 

They almost lost a baby bird. He had already died once, and he was able to come back. Now? He wasn’t going to let Jason throw away his life by being reckless. He sat Jason up on his lap, gently rubbing his back and stroking his hair.

“I love you, Jason. So, so much. I can’t even tell you how much I care about you and want you to be successful in life. I refuse to let you die again over something so stupid and pointless.“ Dick said, getting teary eyed as he held him.

Jason hugged him back with his good arm, trying not to jostle his wounded one. He sobbed into his shoulder. "I'm sorrrrryyy, Dick. I-I-I didn't mean it. I don't wanna die either. I-I love you too."

Dick scooped Jason up into his arms, gently rocking him as he walked around the room. He stroked his hair, gently hushing him and resting his chin on his forehead.

He knew Jason hated being babied, but right now, it was what he needed.

He needed that loving support system he didn’t have back at the apartment. That he didn’t have when he got captured by the joker. That he didn’t have when he died. 

Bruce refused to let him go through anything like that ever again, and Dick was the exact same.

Alfred as well, who would take his old leather strap to Jason’s rear if he saw just how horrible the conditions he was living in were. 

Jason hasn't been held like this in a long time and to be frank, he liked it. Of course, he'd never let Dick know this, but he didn't protest right now, as his backside burned like a hot furnace.

He clung on to Dick with one arm as the remainder of his tears trickled away.

“I love you so so much, Jaybird. Don’t ever scare us like that again.” He whispered softly as he rocked him.

He sat back down on the bed with Jason in his lap, continuing to just hold him and hug him. It was as if he were afraid he’d disappear if he let him go.

Jason whimpered as his sore bum touched Dick's hard thighs, as he continued to be held. Then a thought came to him and he looked at Dick with teary eyes.

"Is...is Bruce gonna-" he couldn't bring himself to say it. “Oh, he definitely is. Tomorrow, though. I’ll convince him to wait until then since I just gave you a sore bottom myself.” He gently patted Jason’s sore behind.

He gently lifted Jason’s chin to look him in the eye. “I’m serious about this, Jason Peter. I’m not burying my little brother.“ He said firmly.

Dick would whoop Jason’s ass every night for a month before he’d let him get away with this.

“Even if it means I have to give you bedtime spankings.” Dick threatened.

 Jason was already sobbing, knowing Bruce was gonna spank him on top of what his bottom already felt like. 

Looking into Dick's eyes, Jason whimpered at how stern and bossy he sounded.

His stomach flipped at the idea of bedtime spankings, every night over someone's lap. "N-not bedtime spankings."

“Shh sh sh…you are lucky that Bruce is going to heat your rear up again tomorrow, or else you’d definitely be getting some.” Dick said, gently guarding his hands through Jason’s dark hair. 

He kissed his brother on the forehead, holding him and rocking him in his arms.

He gently rubbed his back as well in soothing circles. He then gently rubbed his sore spot on his shoulder, soothing the numbed pain. 

Luckily, it would heal soon, Leslie said. He needed to be bed bound until then, though.

If he needed to use the rest room? Bruce or Dick would carry him the way there and would wait outside until he’s done to carry him right back to bed. They weren’t letting him do anything physically taxing. 

Jason sighed as he relaxed into Dick's body. He didn't want to be spanked again, but he knew he had no choice in this manner.

He relaxed as Dick massaged his shoulder, soon falling into a relaxed sleep, uncaring if his pajama bottoms fell off at some point.

Dick just held him for a while, both of them falling asleep eventually in that position.

Bruce eventually walked in to check on Jason, only to find him and his eldest cuddled together on his bed with Jason in Dick’s arms.

Alfred walked in behind him, resting a hand on Bruce's shoulder. "He's safe and home now, sir. Try to get some rest as well." He said.

He couldn’t help the smile that formed on his face. He gently stroked Jason’s hair and pet Dick on the head before wrapping a blanket over them. 

Then, he left and closed the door behind him. He sighed in the hallway.

“Jason is going to be the death of me.” He facepalmed. “Tomorrow, that boy’s ass is grass.” He said quietly to himself.

And that was a promise, not a threat.

Chapter Text

Jason awoke to a delicious smelling breakfast of waffles, eggs, bacon, and oatmeal. Courtesy of his Grandpa Alfred, of course.

And guess who was sitting at the end of his bed? Not just Bruce. Oh, no no no. Two other curious sets of eyes as well.

“Jason’s awake!” Tim exclaimed.

The 15 year old was worried for his brother, even though it seemed like Jason hated his guts sometimes. 

He was still his brother, after all. They had heard that he had gotten stabbed via eavesdropping on a phone convo Bruce was having.

Damian was there as well, sitting next to Tim. He was grumpy, but that was nothing out of the usual.

Jason didn't hate them per say. At first, he did hate Tim because he felt Bruce replaced him just like Dick felt.

But, once he heard Tim made his way into the batfamily through force and not being replaced, he accepted him easier. Though he still called him Replacement as a teasing nickname.

Also, apparently the kid loved him as Robin and he couldn't hate him for that.

As for Damian, Jason knew him very well. In the league of assassins, he had held him as a baby.

Talia trusted him and in his mindless state, before he regained his consciousness, he found himself seeking the little toddler. It was like he knew he was the son of Bruce.

"H-hey there, Replacement and Demon child," He joked as he tried to sit up. He onced as his arm jostled and he was sitting on his sore bottom. "How's it hanging?"

Bruce was immediately by his side, gently easing him up against his pillow so he could rest comfortably. “Are you okay??” Tim asked softly out of concern.

“Of course he’s not, he got stabbed by a poisoned stake, Tim. Keep up.” Damian rolled his eyes. Tim narrowed his eyes at the boy.

“Whatever, demon spawn. Don’t you have some abcs to learn or something?” He asked.

Bruce sighed, massaging his temples. Here they go. 

“Boys.” He said firmly. 

"Hey, stop arguing at my bedside," Jason even surprised himself as he scolded them.

"Damian, cut the attitude and be respectful. Tim's your older brother too. And Tim, be nice. Just because he talks to you like that, doesn't mean you should let yourself fall for his egging you on. I might be injured, but my other arm works just fine, you brats."

"But he-" They both began to argue, but shut their mouths at Bruce's stern glare. "Okay, you got to watch him wake up. Now, go finish your breakfast." Bruce said firmly.

Tim and Damian grumbled to themselves, bantering and arguing as they left the room and closed the door behind him.

Then, Jason was left with his daddy. His angry daddy. Jason's heart sank as he was alone with Bruce now.

Maybe they should have stayed. "Uhhh...hiya Bruce." He said sheepishly.

Bruce held the fork with the piece of waffle on it, dipping it in syrup and holding it to Jason's lips.

"Open." He said. "I can feed myse-" Jason was cut off as the piece of waffle was stuffed in his mouth.

“Chew.” Bruce said, wiping his mouth with the napkin. Slowly, Jason chewed the food in his mouth. He swallowed it.

This continued in silence, Jason too concerned to  do much but let himself be fed.

He knew Dick said Bruce would spank him today, but he didn't want to mention it. His bottom ached at the thought of another spanking.

Once Jason had finished and had drank his orange juice, that was it. Bruce and him now needed to talk. He set the plate aside on his bedside dresser. 

“Jason, we need to talk, son. What you did last night was absolutely irresponsible, as well as extremely dangerous. You could have died had Dick not paid you a surprise visit. You’ve been gone, and we wouldn’t even be able to be having this conversation right now.” Bruce said sternly, looking Jason in the eye.

Jason felt a burst of indignation in himself at Bruce's words, as if the other didn't think he was capable. 

"And whose fault is that? You're the one who doesn't like my methods nor want the others to go into Crime Alley. If you had actually taken care of that serial killer, perhaps he wouldn't be going around stabbing people. He won't ever walk again with the injuries to his legs, but other people he stabbed and countless others are safe now. Who's responsible for that now?" Jason countered angrily.

Bruce sighed. “Jason, what he did was wrong and I’m sorry that it happened to you.” He started empathetically.

“However, as Batman, you need to know that I will not support murder. There are other methods to stop people like him.” He said before clarifying.

”I’m not saying that what he does is right, it’s cruel and disgusting. However, there needs to be a line that separates you, and a killer. When you intentionally kill someone, you cross that line into ‘killer’ territory, and I never wanted you boys to get a taste of bloodlust like that. Killing people…it changes you. Even if they are lowlifes.” Bruce said thoughtfully, being careful, but honest with his words.

He took Jason’s hand in his. “He isn’t going to see the light of day again. Not if I have any say in it, and I certainly do.” Bruce said sincerely. 

"I hadn't killed anyone in months!" Jason defended himself.

"And those I did, when I first returned to Gotham, were assaulters and other murderers, those who killed and have done disgusting, despicable things. We both know my blood lust is from the Lazarus pits and I didn't-I never asked for this. Or that. I spent months in this anger filled fog...and you couldn't help me." He said.

Bruce’s eyes showed sadness at his son’s words.

“Jason, I cannot force you to adopt my perspective of my ‘no kill’ rule, you are an adult now. You make your own decisions out on the field.” He said, sitting up straight.

“I am sorry that I wasn’t able to be there for you, Jason. I wish I could have, I really do.

However, that’s not what happened, and I’m sorry. I’ve apologized multiple times, I’ve beaten myself up about it, and I am so, so sorry that this happened to you. I’d do anything to get that time back, and I’d probably take away your Robin title for a while if I had the chance to do things differently.” Bruce admitted.

“I know you would have hated that, and despised and resented me for it, but I would take that fate over what happened in a heartbeat, and I’m sorry that I wasn’t able to be there for you when you needed me most.” Bruce said from the bottom of his heart.

He then sighed, knowing they had to address what had happened.

“However, I am here to take accountability for my actions, just like how you are about to.” Bruce said, rolling up his sleeves, a feat Dick had clearly learned from him.

Jason felt his heart shutter at Bruce's words, feeling as if the other actually cared for him for once in his life.

Then he was reminded of the promised spanking Dick had mentioned and he tried to scoot back in the bed, but there was nowhere left to go. 

"T-that isn't necessary! Dick already spanked me for this, I'm already so soreeeee!" He whined.

“Jason, you are a big boy, or so you’ve told me. 21 years old, yes? You can accept the consequences of your actions as such.” He said. 

“Apart of me taking accountability includes not letting this reckless behavior continue. You getting stabbed and poisoned, trying to patch it up yourself instead of calling for help, your apartment not having food in the fridge, you not having a bed?” Bruce gave him a pointed look.

Dick had told him everything. And Bruce was not happy that his son had been living like that. He looked to Jason for an explanation, crossing his arms.

"I don't need a bed nor food in any of my safe houses," Jason answered back, though truthfully that revealed how lowly he thought of his needs.

He couldn't even call any one of his apartments his home, just a safehouse to use. 

"I ate out when I wanted to, and I spent more time out then sleeping, so I don't need a bed!" Jason protested stubbornly.

"And I always take care of myself, why shouldn't I do those things alone?"

Bruce narrowed his eyes at his son sternly. “Listen here, Jason Peter Todd, and listen well. You aren’t going back to that apartment. It is garbage, and you don’t stay in garbage. If you want to get a better apartment in a better neighborhood, then fine. We can arrange that at a later time. However, I will be coming with you to pick it out, number one, and I will make sure you have furniture, food, and the basic necessities. You will never be in a situation like that again. I have more than enough money to help you, Jason. I know that you want to do all of this by yourself, and I would commend you for doing your best as a 21 year old living on his own for the first time if you didn’t have the funds or resources, but you do have them, and that is why…” Bruce paused, knowing that Jason was going to hate this next part. 

“We are terminating that contract you signed for the lease, and you will be staying here until I believe you are ready to move out on your own.” He said.

Bruce waited for Jason’s outraged reaction, knowing it was coming.

"It's my apartment and I'm not going to live anywhere except in Crime Alley! It's not my fault I was born and raised there!" Jason yelled.

"I got enough money to afford multiple apartments and I do have multiple! You can't make me stay here like a prisoner. Like a caged rat!"

“I can, and I can assure you, you are not here like a ‘caged rat’, Jason. Living in the manor will not kill you. In fact, many others would love to have that as a ‘problem’.” Bruce said, giving him a reality check.

“If it’s not about money, it’s about pride, and quite frankly, I don’t care regardless, because you aren’t going back there.” He said.

"Exactly! Many would love it here, but they don't have the same opportunities as you do. You ignore Crime Alley because that's where your parents were killed. But that's exactly where many others live in worse places. If I can't protect them, then more children will be lost! I run safehouses, I have programs for battered women, I even donate to the theater that you like to pretend doesn't exist!" Jason ranted angrily. 

"Listen to me, Bruce Thomas Wayne. You can try to keep me out of Crime Alley, but you can't get the Crime Alley out of me. I'll do anything to protect my people and you can't stop me. I'll run away before you keep me down like a caged bird! I'm not a fucking lil robin you can clip my wings. I'm Jason Peter Todd and you can't change me." Jason stated.

Bruce was listening…until Jason full named him. That was where he stopped. He glared at the young man.

“…Jason, you aren’t going to full-name me. You are not the father in this situation; I am. You will remember that, and you will respect me before we even continue this conversation. Do you understand me, young man?” He demanded in a low, steely dad voice.

He was trying to remain calm and collected, not wanting to lash out in anger. However, Jason was already on thin ice, and he needed to remember who he was talking to. If it was one thing Bruce didn’t put up with from his sons, it was disrespect.

Jason shifted at his stern tone, but Bruce was actually listening to him for once. And he knew full-naming him was a step too far.

"Understood."  Jason said through gritted teeth. 

Bruce nodded. “Good. Now, I understand where you are coming from. Believe me, I do. I know that you can defend yourself and the city, as you have been trained to do. However, as of right now, you are going to be home with me until you are completely healed, and you aren’t going to go back until I deem that you are capable of taking care of yourself, so you are going to need to prove that to me, Jason.” Bruce said.

“I know that you don’t want to hear me say that, and I know that you feel like this is unfair.” Bruce said, gently stroking Jason’s hair. 

“However, this is for your own good. I can’t trust that you will be able to properly take care of yourself right now. You are only 21, and maybe I was at fault for letting you leave home so soon without checking in on you more. I thought that giving you space and privacy was the right way to go because I wanted you to be able to get that sense of freedom that you wanted so badly, but that was clearly a mistake as of right now.” Bruce said.

“I cannot in good faith allow you to go back there right now, Jason. I..understand that you are an adult by law. I do, but I would never, ever forgive myself if something like this happened again and you went back to sleeping on a pile of blankets in the corner, and not having real food to eat. I can’t trust you to live alone right now, I’m sorry son. That is just how it is going to be for a while until you can prove to me that you can handle it.” He said, his hand gently running his hand through his son’s messy black soft hair.

Bruce knew Jason wouldn’t like that response, but frankly, he had to put his wellbeing before everything, even if that meant Jason resenting him for a while.

"I'll stay until I'm healed and then I'm leaving," Jason said. His eyes flashed with something. Fear.

He couldn't be caged again. He woke up caged in a coffin, dug his way out with his bare fingers until they bled. He didn't wander long before the League of Assassins captured him. After that, it was a haze of pit anger and hatred in him that grew as he stayed captive there. And now here, he couldn't have his freedom locked away. He'd go mad within these walls.

Bruce felt a pang of frustration in his chest. He just wanted to keep his baby bird safe, and that baby bird was very stubbornly refusing to let him.

“JASON PETER TODD WAYNE, ENOUGH! I’M NOT GOING TO KEEP GOING BACK AND FORTH WITH YOU ABOUT THIS! YOUR HEALTH AND WELLBEING ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS RIGHT NOW, AND I AM NOT GOING TO LET YOU GO BACK TO LIVING IN WHATEVER SHITHOLE APARTMENT YOU WERE LIVING IN! YOU ARE MY SON, I AM YOUR FATHER, AND I DON’T GIVE A DAMN HOW OLD YOU ARE, YOU WILL-“ Bruce’s loud lecture was suddenly brought to a halt when he felt a gentle hand on his shoulder.

“B, you should go cool off.” Dick said in a calm tone.

He heard his dad shouting from down the hall, and knew that things had escalated. He wasn’t thinking logically like he normally did, no.

Bruce was emotionally charged right now, and he didn’t want to say something he would regret later. So, he took a few deep breaths, looking down at his eldest.

Dick gave him a calming, empathetic look. He didn’t know all that was going on, but he could tell that a sore subject had been touched upon. Bruce took a deep breath, before turning and leaving.

“I am going to blow off some steam. Stay in that bed if you know what is best for your stubborn ass.” Bruce said, walking out of the room.

It took everything in him not to slam the door. He went downstairs to the gym to busy himself with a workout, walking past Alfred who had a concerned look on his face.

He simply went to the elevator, not saying a word. He didn’t feel like hearing Alfred lecture him, he didn’t even want to talk about what had just happened.

He went down and changed into some workout clothes before throwing himself into heavy exercises and training.

Dick looked at Jason, sitting next to him. “You okay?” He asked, placing a calming hand on his shoulder like he had done to Bruce.

When Bruce blew his top, Jason automatically ducked his head down as if blows were going to be exchanged.

Even in his current condition, he would have fought back if he needed to. But when Bruce's voice rose, he couldn't control how he reacted.

His body moved instinctively. Making himself as small as possible, Jason was frozen.

His ears buzzed and his brain stopped working as fear took over him.

He didn't notice anyone else entering the room or Bruce leaving. He didn't hear his threat to stay in bed.

Memories flashed through his mind. His father's neglect and rare times of abuse. How his birth mother tricked him into being captured by the Joker.

The countless hours of torture. Dying and waking up in a grave. The green lazarus pits and then the red bloodlust that controlled him for months. He was lost in his own mind, triggered by Bruce's yelling.

Suddenly, a cool hand touched his bare shoulder where his shirt slipped down and pain radiated down his arm.

Jason gasped as he came back, as if he was gasping for air after drowning. Dick's familiar voice rang into his ears as the buzzing dissipated.

The pain steadied his thoughts as he recalled where he was and what happened.

"D-dick?"

Then without warning and uncharacteristic of him, Jason broke into sobs. Dick immediately moved Jason to sit in his lap like he had last night.

Normally Jason would protest this under different circumstances, but he was going through a lot right now.

Dick gently hushed him, stroking his hair and rocking him in his arms. “Hey hey, shhh. It’s alright, Jaybird. It’s okay.” He whispered.

He rested his chin on his head, soothingly rubbing his back. “Shhhh sh sh shhh…” He cooed softly, tenderly comforting him.

“It’s okay, Jason. It’s okay, I’ve got you. You are safe and sound, okay? It’s alright…” He said softly.

Jason sobbed into his chest, clawing at his clothing until he could grip it with his hands, needing to hold on to something to ground himself. His vision was blurred with tears, but he felt safe with Dick.

He cried and cried until there were no tears left, letting out all his distraught sadness until he was empty and tired. He leaned against his older brother's body. "W-why... am I so broken?” He asked softly.

Dick gently stroked his hair. “Oh, Jason. You aren’t broken, you are just hurt.” He said, gently wiping Jason’s tears away.

“I think you would do well with some sessions with Dinah.” Dick said, continuing to rub his back.

"I'm...I'm not crazy," Jason tried to defend himself.

He knew Dinah, aka Black Canary, was a common therapist other heroes went to. She was discrete and kept everything private, as any other mental health professional would. 

“No, you are not. Not at all.” Dick gently shushed him, rubbing his scalp with his fingers to relax him. That always felt soothing. 

“Therapy isn’t about being ‘crazy’, it’s about receiving help from a professional that can help you with your mental health. A lot of people go, including heroes and vigilantes. It’s healthy and completely confidential. I think you should try it.” Dick explained.

"I'll...try it," Jason replied. "But I'm not going to stay here after I heal. If Bruce is going to try and lock me up like a criminal here, I'm out of here." He said.

Dick sighed and continued to hold him. He had a feeling Bruce was downstairs getting a talk with their grandpa about things in contrast to this.

Bruce bench pressed heavy weights, working out his frustration. He heard the elevator door open and sighed, setting the weight down. 

“Yes, Alfred? Did you need something?” Bruce asked, wiping the sweat from his brow and looking over at him, hands on his hips. 

"Yes, sir," Alfed said as he walked deeper in the cave. "I'm here to discuss your recent discussion with your son." He said.

Bruce sighed. “Alfred, is this seriously necessary?” He asked.

“I’m fine, Jason’s fine, and he’s going to be staying here with us until I deem him capable of being on his own. Even if that means until he’s 70 years old and I’m dead.” Bruce said, turning and walking over to the treadmill.

"Yes, this is most certainly necessary," Alfred continued.

"Young Master Jason may be physically okay or at least will be as his injuries heal, but his mental health will most certainly not be if force him to stay here. Do you really want to repeat the past? You did the same when young master Richard was shot and what did that result in, remind me again?" Alfred asked, lifting an eyebrow.

They all knew the story. Robin, aka Dick, shot by the Joker and Bruce forced him to retire, growing widely overbearing until Dick ran away.

Bruce and him refused to talk for months, and even when they began to talk again, it ended in multiple arguments until they finally reconciled after Jason's death.

No one wanted a repeat of that, nor Jason regaining his previous hatred of Bruce.

Bruce paused, freezing in his tracks as he heard this. He then turned around to look at his father figure.

“Jason’s apartment barely even has furniture, Alfred. Hell, he barely even has food.” He said.

“He needs to be here, at home. Not…there.” He said, referring to Crime City.

“He’s gone and gotten himself hurt, and that was the last straw. He needs to be here so I can keep an eye on him and keep him safe. I refuse to let him die again, Alfred. He was so….so close this time.” Bruce swallowed the lump in his throat.

Just thinking about it made him emotional.

“He got stabbed and poisoned. I wouldn’t have been able to do anything about it. I already lost him once, I’m not going to do it again! And if that means keeping him here, and having him resent me for it, then so be it!” Bruce exclaimed.

The man wasn’t thinking logically like he normally did. He was being very overprotective and he knew it.

However, he just couldn’t allow himself to accept Jason leaving and going back after what had happened.

“What if this was a sign, Alfred? A sign that he just isn’t ready to be on his own and I ignore it, only to have him seriously hurt again in the future with me not able to do anything to help him!” He shouted.

Bruce took in a shaky breath and exhaled, running his hand through his hair.

“Alfred…I’m just…I can’t let him go. Not again.” Bruce said, feeling himself become emotional once more. Alfred stepped forward and hugged Bruce tightly.

"I understand, but just like how I couldn't keep you at home when you traveled the world to learn multiple disciplines of various arts to become the Batman you are today, in the same way you cannot keep Jason at home. I know him just as well as you do, and if he's stuck in one place for too long, his mind begins to spiral. If it wasn't for you letting him be Robin, he would have never been happy resigned to a life as just another privileged child.” Alfred gently stroked Bruce’s dark hair as he held him comfortingly in his embrace.

“He cares for the people of Crime Alley, it's where he was born and raised. We can't make him forget his roots." Alfred said.

Bruce rested his head on Alfred’s shoulder in a rare moment of weakness. He couldn’t hold back the tears that escaped his eyes this time. 

He cried, knowing that Alfred was right. He just didn’t know how to bring himself to be okay with it. “He’s my baby…” He said, voice cracking with emotion, trailing off.

Although Jason was an adult now, he would always be his little jaybird.

Bruce knew that this wasn’t so much about Jason not being ready as much as it was himself not being ready.

He knew that he and Dick would easily be able to help him move more furniture in, he also knew that they would always be an available shoulder to cry on.

Hell, he even knew that Jason would learn how to cook more intricate meals and keep the fridge stocked.

However, he didn’t know how he was going to let his baby bird fly and leave the nest again.

It would be even harder this time around after all that had happened recently, but he knew that realistically…he would have to. And that fact tore him apart.

"We'll figure out a plan together. I'll teach the young master how to cook. We'll visit the farmers markets when he's feeling better. I'll make him frozen meals and restock them every other week so he has something when he's tired late at night.” Alfred explained.

”Young sir Richard would be more than happy to redecorate his apartment, young Timothy would set up extra security for him, and young master Damian would more than likely find a puppy for his brother.” Alfred continued.

“We both know he's trained Ace, Titus, Alfred, Goliath, and Batcow to be service animals. We'll help him heal physically and mentally...enough that he may choose to stay longer, even if it's a few more weeks."

Alfred knew it would break Bruce's heart even with all this planning, knowing he would have to let Jason go again.

However, he swore to himself that he wouldn’t let his son, nor his grandson, stray too far from their families. They'll figure this out...together.

Bruce nodded, sniffling. He stood up straight, wiping his eyes. “Thank you, Alfred. You are right.” He said. 

He felt guilty for how he had yelled at Jason, now. He lost his cool and had exploded. He sighed, massaging his temples.

He was going to have to finish their talk, as well. Jason did still have a spanking coming, after all. Oh, yes. That was definitely still happening regardless.

“I guess I should go ahead and get this over with.” Bruce sighed.  

"No more yelling," Alfred said, aiming a warning glare at the closest one he had to a son.

"You should know better than to shout. Everyone knows no matter how much he shouts, yelling at him in anger scares him. Young master Richard probably spent a great deal of time calming him down. You raise your voice again, and I'll have to remind you about controlling your temper with a discussion of our own. Are we in agreement, Master Bruce?" He demanded more than asked.

Bruce blushed bright red. He knew Alfred wasn’t kidding around and he would absolutely go through with it.

“Yes, Alfred. I understand. I will make things right.” He said.

He walked into the elevator with Alfred, both of them going up.

Meanwhile, Jason had gone back to laying in his bed in his room, with Dick now folding his clothes in his dresser.

What? They were unfolded! Somebody had to do it, right?

Jason was resting in bed when Bruce walked in. His body reacted automatically, looking away and tugging his covers higher, as if he could hide. After their last talk, Jason didn't know what to expect.

“Richard, could you leave Jason and I? I want to speak with him privately.” Bruce said calmly.

He had gotten all of those intense emotions out. He was calm enough to speak to his son now without shouting, he was back in a logical state of mind.

Dick looked over at Jason with a soft, reassuring nod. “Okay, I’ll go check on Damian and Tim to make sure they aren’t killing each other.” Dick half joked before leaving and closing the door behind him.

He could see that Bruce had calmed down and had a handle on his emotions, so he felt safe leaving him alone with his second eldest without a screaming match happening. Bruce looked down at Jason, walking over and sitting on the edge of the bed.

“Jason, can you pull down the covers, son? I want to chat with you.” He said in a much more gentle tone than he had started with previously.

Jason sighed and peaked his head out, lowering the covers so his face could be seen. But he avoided Bruce's gaze.

Bruce sat down on the bed next to him. “Jason, can you look at me, please?” He said, voice gentle. He wanted him to see him when he said this. Jason's icy blue eyes slowly looked up until he met Bruce's sky blue ones.

“I am sorry for shouting at you. I shouldn’t have reacted that way, even if I did disagree with you. I should have kept my emotions in check, and I apologize.” He said sincerely.

Bruce meant it from the bottom of his heart. He didn’t want Jason to be afraid of him or for there to be this thicker tension between them. He loved his son, and he didn’t want to ruin the relationship they had.

So, he had to start with this apology to clear the air before continuing.

“I just wanted what was best for you, and I ended up, letting my emotions overtake me rather than listening to what you wanted. You are so precious to me, Jason. I wouldn’t know what to do with myself if something serious had happened to you, and I was afraid and sick to my stomach when I received the call from Dick that you had been found unconscious and poisoned.” He said.

Jason felt his heart slow down as he realized how sincere Bruce was being. And he started to feel bad when he realized how worried he was about him. 

"I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have disrespected you. I just... get nervous about being forced to do things that make me uncomfortable like being confined to the manor. I won't change my mind unless I want to without any other influences, but I'm willing to stay an extra week after healing. For Tim and Damian, of course. They probably like to hang out with me." He didn't mention how he hoped he and Bruce could get over their remaining differences during that time.

But like all his hopes in life, he kept them to himself.

Bruce took in a deep breath and then exhaled with a soft sigh. He could see that Jason had made up his mind.

“Well then, you’ve made your decision. Although I wish you’d stay longer, there is nothing I can do other than support you and be there for you as your father.” Bruce said with a nod

His heart broke as he heard Jason’s words, all of it becoming too real.

He felt like he had just got Jason back again, like this was his second chance at having live there again with him. Bruce knew, however, that this was quite selfish of him, so he wouldn’t say how his heart truly felt about it.

Jason was an adult at the end of the day, and Bruce couldn’t force him to stay in the nest, no matter how hard he wanted to. It just wasn’t fair to Jason.

Jason felt his tensions wash away as relief filled him. He relaxed, not even realizing how worried he was about this conversation until it was clear Bruce was respecting his decisions.

It made him feel much better about staying here. Perhaps he would extend his stay if needed. He wouldn't mind all the motherhenning as he healed, after all, he has no issues with receiving such attention. 

It was just the need of being accepted as an independent adult that made him more willing to let down his walls, even if the attention sometimes was not the most fun to accept.

More times than not, it was the attention on what Dick referred to as the 'naughty actions' then the good attention, though they usually came after the other one. "Thank you for respecting my decisions. I actually feel better now," Jason replied.

Bruce nodded. “Well, I hate to burst your bubble…but you are going to feel a lot worse after this next part of our talk.” He said, his face growing stern now.

Jason felt his face blush, as he recalled the original reason why Bruce had come into his room that morning before all the drama. The so-called promised spanking Dick mentioned the night before.

"Do we have to?" Jason whined uncharacteristically. "Dick already spanked me a lot."

Bruce was unwavering. “Indeed, we do. I won’t let you get away with what you did, Jason. You still have a spanking coming.” He said.

“Don’t worry, it will be bare anyway so I can see what I’m doing.” He told his son, though it did nothing to ease Jason’s fears.

Jason groaned and covered his face with his good arm.

"That's what I'm afraid of. Alright, old man. I won't fight...probably because I'd hurt myself more, not that I don't want to."

Bruce took slight offense to the ‘old man’ comment. He wasn’t that old! He wasn’t even middle aged yet!

Putting that aside, Bruce smirked slightly. “Good choice.” He pulled the covers off of Jason, helping him to his feet.

He then grabbed a fluffy pillow and put it next to his lap, before gently pulling Jason over his knee. He let him relax his top half against the pillow so his arm wouldn’t have any extra stress on it.

He rested his hand on his son’s back, pulling his boxers and pajama pants down with the other hand.

“You are lucky that Dick already got to you first, or else I’d wear your behind out with my belt.” He said.

Jason let out a small whining sound, Bruce's words making him blush. The steady hand on his back steadies his nerves even as his backside tenses.

He could still feel the tender ache Dick left behind on his still blushing bottom. "I don't think that this is luck..." Jason mumbled.

Bruce gently rubbed his back. “Unclench your bottom, Jay.” He said softly. He didn’t like spanking them when they did that.

He didn’t want to make it hurt anymore than it had to. Slowly, the soft hand rubbing his back relaxed Jason even more until his bottom gently distressed.

Bruce then lifted his palm and landed 2 sharp smacks, one on each cheek.

He then began landing swift, repetitive swats all over his backside. They were loud and effective. SMACK SMACK SMACK SMACK SMACK!

Jason yelped from the get go. His backside was already tenderized, so it didn't take much to make him cry out in distress. "OWWWWWW! AHHHH!" He wailed.

“You’re damn right ‘oww’.” Bruce’s large hand landed soundly across both cheeks.

“You had me worried sick, Jason. I was so afraid that I had lost you again. All I could think was ‘I should have stepped in sooner and now it’s too late’.” He said, thinking about the moment he had received the call that Jason had been stabbed.

“You were only a few moments away from death, Jason. Do you understand that?” He attacked his upper thighs sharply.

“Do you understand how destroyed I’d be if I lost you again, Jason Peter? Do you?” He asked, hard swats never ceasing.

"I...didn't know!" Jason replied between his yelps and slight squirming across the lap he was on. Bruce's hand was way harder than Dick's was. 

“Well, I’ll make sure to show you.” Bruce said, alternating between the left side and the right side with sharp smacks. 

SMACK SMACK SMACK SMACK SMACK!

SMACK SMACK SMACK SMACK SMACK!

SMACK SMACK SMACK SMACK SMACK!

He sure showed Jason. And he sure felt it! All anyone could hear even rooms away were the sounds of a through spanking and a very sorry sounding crying.

All the batboys in the residence winced in sympathy for Jason. Alas, his ass was grass. "AHHHHHH!" Jason screamed as his ass was now thoroughly roasted.

Bruce hardened his heart as he heard Jason’s cries. He never liked disciplining his sons this way, but he did what he had to do in order to keep them in line.

“I love you too much to let you go back to that apartment in that condition, Jason.” He told him as he swatted.

 “I will make sure that your fridge is stocked smack, that you have a real bed smack, and that you will remember to call and ask for help when you need it.” He said the last part pointedly and firmly.

Jason’s bottom was now a shade of pink as the swats added up. Bruce wasn’t going easy on him.

"I'll f-fix it-OWWWWW!" Jason said mid hiss as the painful swats continued. "I swear I will-aHHHH! NOT THERE!" He hollered.

“We will be helping you with that, Jason. You are no longer going to do this all by yourself. Your brothers and I will help you move in furniture and I will make sure you pick out the best quality things for your apartment.” Bruce said firmly.

He lifted his leg, smacking Jason’s under curve sharply.

Jason wasn’t going to be laying comfortably on his back for a while, unfortunately for him. Hopefully that would be enough to send an efficient message, then.

"OKAY!" Jason agreed as Bruce reinforced his persuasive argument, more like order, clear across his bottom.

He arched his back and squirmed as his sit spots were smacked into a crisp. "I'LL LISTEN! I'LL DO BETTER! AHHHH!"

“I will hold you to that, son.” Bruce said. He decided now was the time to finish up.

He reached next to him on Jason’s bedside dresser, grabbing his wooden hairbrush. He patted Jason’s bottom with it, resting it there.

“Alright, Jason. We are almost done. These are going to be extra sharp, but you will get through them. Remember what we talked about while I finish up.” Bruce said.

He then lifted the hairbrush and landed it with a loud smack!

Jason's cries paused as if he was taking it in. It was like the world froze around him as he took in the sound of wood meeting skin, the spot where it was applied felt a rush of heat, and then the pain registered as the hot, fiery burn resounded deep into his skin.

Then everything sped back to speed and he reacted accordingly as any well spanked brat getting their bottom hair-brushed would.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Jason wailed. 

Bruce deafened his ears to Jason’s cries, keeping track of the number of smacks he was landing. His bottom was a nice shade of red now. He spread the swats out, keeping them swift and hard.

Then, he focused the impact directly onto his sit spots, turning them just as red his cheeks.

It was all too much. Yet it was enough. Being spanked so thoroughly, being reminded how loved he was. And how Bruce was not giving up on him.

That was enough, alongside the harsh hairbrushing his bottom was receiving, to push him over the edge. Jason lay there, over his father's lap, and began to sob. He finally let himself release all those emotions.

Bruce landed 5 more swats before setting the hairbrush aside. He then fixed Jason’s boxers and pajama pants before sitting him up in his lap, careful of his arm.

He gently rubbed his back and held him in his arms. “It’s over now. It’s alright, Jason. You’re alright.” He cooed softly.

Jason sobbed in his hold, smushing his head on to Bruce's shoulder.

The soft soothing words and the warmth he felt in his heart soon calmed him down until he was quiet.

Bruce held his son for a long while, allowing Jason to soak up his father’s tender comfort.

“I love you, son.” Bruce said, kissing him on the forehead and gently stroking his hair.

Jason held on to Bruce tightly, letting himself enjoy this tender moment with his father. "I love you too," he whispered softly into his shoulder.

They stayed like this for a while, just enjoying each other's presence. During the upcoming weeks, Jason was thoroughly taken care of; eating his prepared meals, taking his medicine, getting his rest.

After (and only after) he had completely healed, Jason moved back into his apartment, only this time there were a few changes.

He had a great, comfortable king sized bed, a fridge and pantry filled with food, and Bruce's favorite change: He visited the manor for Sunday family dinners, every Sunday.

He also made sure to stay over every now and then to spend time with his brothers, and Bruce and Alfred, of course.

This was an arrangement Bruce was happy about, and they had both come to a good compromise.

If anyone asked Jason, he would firmly deny enjoying any of the changes in his life. He was coerced, forced even, he would say! But anyone who knew him very well, could see how much healthier and happier Jason was.

While he often found himself tucked in a corner or folded over a knee, Jason was just as well spanked as some of his younger brothers. Though Jason didn't whine too much about that. 

No, if anything, his whining wasn't even serious as he always ended up cuddling with family afterwards, sipping hot tea in the library or in the garden or just in the living room.

If you asked him if he would want change anything about the laundry list of events that landed him back into the comfort of his family, he would tell you to fuck off cause he wouldn't change a thing.