Chapter Text
Jason searched for the new Robin in the Teen Titans Tower, zeta tubes blocked, doors and windows locked. If Bruce wanted to replace him, fine! Jason was just here to send a message. He'd paint the tower with the Replacement's blood, see if Bruce got any better at training his Robins. Maybe even silt the kid's throat for good measure. That is, if Jason could find where the Replacement's hiding. Jason searched high and low, under and over any piece of furniture.
"Where are you, Replacement..." Jason singsong from under his Red Hood mask.
A crash came from the entrance of the Tower. Oh, so the Replacement finally wants to show himself. Jason slowly followed the source of the noise, weary of any ambushes or surprise attacks.
"Red Hood!" A familiar voice called out. Jason spun around, Nightwing running towards him. Batman was trailing after him, yelling some kind of warning.
"Little Wing!" Dick slammed Jason down, entrapping him in a tight hug.
"My god, it's you! It's you," Dick sobbed.
"Nightwing!" Batman growled. Dick gave Jason another squeeze before letting go and sitting up.
"It's Jason, B! He- he's here!" Dick cried, sniffling and wiping away his tears. Jason stood up, grumbling and dusting himself off.
"You! Where's Robin?" Jason pointed a gun towards Bruce's head. Dick stopped his ugly crying. Bruce visibly froze, breath caught in his lungs.
"Tim...he...he died a while back, Jay." Dick put a hand on Jason's shoulder when he stood up.
"What?" Jason pulled his helmet out.
"He died some time ago," Bruce explained.
"Why didn't nobody tell me? You knew that I was going for Robin's head!" Jason frowned. it was just too bad that he couldn't kill the replacement himself. Whatever, at least the pest's out of the picture.
"I'm sorry, Little Wing. I-"
"Shut up and gimme a hug, you crybaby," Jason interrupted, pulling Dick closer to him. Dick was frozen for a while, before sagging his shoulders and hugged Jason back.
"You can live with us, Jay. I want you to live with us," Dick mumbled, his grip on Jason becoming tighter.
"Relax, Dick. I'm not going anywhere any time soon," Jason huffed, patting his brother's back.
"It's your choice, Jason. But if you want-"
"You think I would miss a chance of missing Alfred's cookies?" Jason grinned at Bruce.
"Of course not, Little Wing! I'll tell Alfred that you're moving in," Dick pulled away, wiping his tears. Jason belonged there, surrounded by his family.
It's been a few days since Jason moved into the Manor, which turned colder than he remembered. He's also been having these nightmares that are too vivid, too real to be called a dream. Jason shuddered as he pulled the blanket closer, walking to the library.
"Hey, Alfie," Jason greeted the old butler, who was dusting the vases.
"Good afternoon, Master Jason. Would you like some warm tea?" Alfred asked.
"No, thanks. I don't remember the Manor being this cold," Jason clattered his teeth. Alfred slowed his pace, but didn't stop all the way.
"Ah...yes, the Manor has gotten increasing cold," Alfred agreed.
"See you, Alf." Jason waved at him, continuing his journey to the library. He's been getting nightmares, deaths and dreams of a little boy who dresses too much like Robin. The Wayne library definitely has books on ghosts and the supernatural if it has first edition ones. Jason sighed, lounging in one of the armchairs of the library and creaked a book open.
Jason read the lines, his eyes getting more and more tired. Jason rubbed his eyes, stretching in his seat. This was probably his third book or so. A nap wouldn't hurt, right? Jason fought against the force that lured him to sleep. Jason surrendered to the force, his breath evening and muscles going lax.
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"Please- help me, Jason! He-he'll find me! He'd kil-kill me!" The Robin pleaded near his feet. This time, he had rips and tears on his suit. The Robin had more gashes, deep and shallow, a never ending flow of blood. His domino mask was torn, but never revealed his eyes.
"Jas-" Robin gurgled, choking on his own blood. Robin held his throat with both hands, his face downward to the floor. A gun shot banged, making Jason flinch. Robin stopped his noises, arms flailing to his sides. His body dropped, blood pooling around his mouth and body. Jason took a clear look at the Robin.
His cape torn away at the seams, claw marks on his pants, cuts and bruises littered his pale skin. Footsteps echoed, making Jason wildly turn his head to the source.
"Who's there?!" Jason screamed. A gun pointed at Jason instead.
"Sweet dreams, Jason." The person pulled the trigger, aimed straight for Jason's head. The shot echoed with the gun slowly lowering don. The pain traveled throughout his body, seizing and freezing him on the spot. Jason's knees gave out, forcing him to kneel. Why wasn't he dead yet? Robin dying, the gun, the shot, the pain-
Jason woke up in a cold sweat, panting as his eyes surveyed his surroundings. Jason was still at the Wayne library, the book on his lap falling to the ground. Jason gripped his hands on the armchair. Bruce entered the library, two mugs in his hands.
"Hey, champ. Everything all right?" Bruce asked, sitting down next to Jason. He placed one mug on the table, closer to Jason's side.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Jason picked up the book on the floor. Bruce hummed, cradling his mug.
"Researching on ghosts, huh?" Bruce looked at the title. Jason puts the book on the table, taking the mug.
"Mhm. I've been having nightmares, lately," Jason explained. Bruce nodded, taking a sip of his coffee.
"Do you need-"
A thump interrupted Bruce. They both whipped their heads at the window. There was a dead American robin, blood splattered everywhere.
"Jesus Christ! That's the third robin that crashed on the window," Bruce sighed, raking a hand through his hair.
"I'll call Alfred about it," Jason stood up.
"No, no, it's fine. Just sit here and relax, okay? I'm going out, anyway," Bruce stopped Jason, guiding him to sit back down.
"Good luck on your ghost hunting, champ." Bruce said as he walked out the library. Jason hummed, looking at the window. The robin dropped, but the blood and some organs stayed on the window.
Strange...in his dream there was a dead Robin and the bird died at the window, too. Jason peeled his eyes off of the window and began putting the books back. The coincidence was just too much, too similar. It's like the solution presented itself, right then and there. Whatever, it wasn't rare for birds to crash into windows.
Jason sat back down on the armchair, nursing his mug of hot chocolate. This chair was further than the one that had the robin's blood. Jason looked out the window, clearing his mind and unwinding.
What he didn't see was a pair of glowing eyes staring at him. The black cat was perched on a tree, clawing its way down when Jason left the library.