Talon chapter 22

Chapter 22 - Robin + Robin vs Batman

The Batcave was never quiet, not truly. Even when no one spoke, there was always the low hum of machinery, the whisper of cooling fans, the distant drip of water echoing through stone.

Batman sat at the Batcomputer, cowl still on, cape pooled around his shoulders like a shadow that refused to detach itself from him. Jason stood to his right, arms crossed, jaw tight as he looked at the man whose gaze was so firmly stuck to the computer screen that he looked like a statue.

"I'm telling you," Jason said, voice sharp with barely-contained anger. "You can't just pretend this didn't happen, Bruce."

"I'm not 'pretending', Jason," Batman said softly, never looking away from the screen.

"Then act like it! For fuck sake's, Bruce!" Jason snapped. "I hope you realise that right now it looks like you're doing what you always do—pushing it down and hoping it won't explode later."

"Jason, watch your tone." Batman's voice grew harder.

"No," Jason said stubbornly. "That is not how this works! You don't get to pull rank right now. Not after you just-" Jason paused, trailing off as he heard a flap of wings. He looked up in time to see Hedwig fly over and land in front of Batman, blocking his hands from touching the keyboard. Jason felt himself frozen still as he saw this owl give Batman what Jason would swear was an honest-to-god reproachful look. "The FUCKING OWL is agreeing with me!" Jason burst out, gesturing wildly at Hedwig.

Hedwig hooted in agreement whilst nodding her head before she turned her gaze onto Jason and levelled him with a gaze that was not dissimilar to what Alfred often sent his way whenever he caught him swearing.

"Sorry, Hedwig," Jason found himself apologising automatically. Batman's gaze finally shifted to Jason.

"What are you apologising to her for?" He asked very slowly as if afraid of what the answer might be.

"She's telling me off for swearing,"

"Are you..." Batman paused, letting out a very, very deep sigh. "...Are you saying that because you know for sure, or are you guessing?"

"Of course, I'm guessing, Bruce! I don't speak to owls!" Jason exploded. Hedwig chimed in with a nod as if to say 'he's right'.

"That sounds awful," A voice called from behind them. Hedwig's whole demeanour lightened up; she took flight and quickly flew past Batman to land on Robin's shoulder. "Owls are wonderful companions to talk with," Robin stated matter-of-factly as he pulled his hood down, allowing Hedwig to affectionately nip on his ear. Batman turned in his seat so he was back to facing the computer. Jason's face softened as he gave Robin a fond look.

"Hey, Harry, how was the walk back?" Jason asked.

"Actually, not that bad," Robin admitted. "It was surprisingly peaceful. The only problem was this unfortunately aggressive squirrel," He added with complete seriousness as he stopped behind Batman's chair. "I wouldn't worry, Father, I made sure not to embarrass the family name. The squirrel was soundly defeated."

"Careful, little bird," Jason said with an annoyed huff. "Your dad's in his 'I'm trying not to talk because I'll explode angrily' mood."

"Usually, when I'm angry, I punch somebody. Shame he didn't take the chance when we had the clown there." Robin said casually. Batman shot out of his seat, turned with a flare that would have made Snape jealous and stared down at Robin.

"Do you have any idea what you did tonight?" Batman asked in a serious tone.

"I headbutted a squirrel," Robin answered with a matching tone.

"This is not a joke," Batman continued in a firm tone. "You didn't call for backup."

"I didn't need it,"

"You tricked Speedy into wasting his time on another ship."

"He should have checked faster."

"And you damn near crossed the line today," Batman said, voice low and quiet.

"Please," Robin scoffed. "I didn't -"

"You weren't a warrior tonight, or a soldier," Batman cut him off. "You were a child."

"You have no idea who I am," Robin glared up at him before he removed his mask. "You didn't raise me, last I checked, the League of Assassins did. Given my history, I think you should be thankful I didn't kill him in the first place. I wanted to, it would have taken me two seconds to just slice his throat, but no. I kept him alive to keep you happy."

"And if you weren't intending to kill him, then what exactly was your goal?" Batman asked, voice still as strict as before.

"If you and Speedy hadn't interfered, I would have taken both of his eyes and cut off his tongue." Explained Harry, cold and calm. "If he escaped Arkham after that, then I would have taken his hearing and maybe a limb or two. Probably would have permanently damaged his spine as well. After all of that, I doubt he'd be able to truly do much." Harry reasoned. "After that, if he somehow still managed to escape, then I'm targeting the bollocks."

"That's not for you to decide."

"If they're hanging in front of me, then they're fair game," Harry declared. "Besides, this is not about brutality. You've broken your fair share of bones in the past. This is because you think I would have killed the Joker. Which is stupid because I didn't even try to kill Deathstroke, and he kidnapped my mum! This is not about what I did; this is about you not trusting me."

"That's not true,"

"Isn't it?!" Harry hissed, fists clenching together. "I thought you were different. I thought that you wanted to do what was right. To help people. Instead, you're just another man focused on controlling me and making me dance to your tune like a good little pawn. Everywhere I go, I get somebody trying to tell me who to hit and how to do it!"

"This is not about you," Batman responded. "We have a code."

"I didn't sign a contract,"

"Doesn't matter, if you're working with me, then you follow my rules," Batman said firmly. "I'm not trying to control you, Son, but right now, I am worried about you."

"I'm fine, my only problem right now is you thinking I'm not," Harry glared up at him. "What I did to Joker was far less than he deserved. He KILLED Jason!" Harry said furiously, gesturing to the boy in question. "It's a miracle that Joker hadn't got rid of him permanently. I could have killed Joker, but I didn't. The fact of the matter is that he escaped your prisons more than once. He has not shown any sign that he is willing to change! He wasn't even a bit upset about killing his girlfriend! He is not redeemable, he is not changeable. And even if he was, I'm not going to risk innocent lives waiting for him to do so. You value life. So do I! It might surprise you, but I am sick of killing!" Harry stopped, taking a deep breath as his whole body shuddered. "I hate it. Every time. So, if you don't want to kill, I don't have a problem with that. But don't think for a second that I'm letting an orphan maker run freely with all of his bones intact."

"That's not your call," Batman replied.

"Oh, so only the mighty 'Batman' gets to decide who gets what? Why? Last I checked, you weren't deputised. I have as much authority in those streets as you do."

"That might be, but you need to remember one thing. You are my son," Batman said in a hard voice. "I hoped you'd remember that. Remember that you're not just Ra's Al Ghul's grandson."

"What do you want from me?!" Harry exploded. "I didn't even kill Deathstroke when he kidnapped my mother. I've followed each and every rule you put out. I did everything you wanted."

"You lost control tonight."

"I was in complete control."

"And that's what worries me," Batman said, taking in a small breath. "You're young, angry, dangerous. I can't have you loose on the streets."

"You mean to say that you can't have me operating out of your control," Harry growled, staring at Batman with a look of anger and betrayal. "I was stupid. Stupid enough to hope that you weren't just another man who thought that he knew best. Another man who thought he could control me. You're just another in a list of people who want to control me."

"I don't want to control you, Harry," Batman glared at him. "But I won't have you going out and acting like you have been tonight. Until further notice, you are not to go out on patrol."

"Are you kidding?!" Jason exploded at him while Harry's face turned hard as stone as he glared up at the man. "You're benching him?! For what?! Doing his best to stop -"

"I've made up my mind, Jason," Batman cut him off. "This is not up for discussion. Is that clear?"

"Crystal," Harry said in an icy voice as he turned and walked off.

"Harry," Jason called him. "Harry, stop. He just..." Jason paused as Harry had already entered the elevator. Once Harry was gone, Jason turned his attention back to Batman, who had sat down in his chair. "Bruce, what the hell is wrong with you?!" Erupted Jason.

"I'm doing what's best, Jason," Batman said softly.

"For him or for you?!" Demanded Jason. "He's got a good point. He could have killed Deathstroke, and yet he didn't try to. When he and I escaped the league of assassins together, he actively stopped me from killing anyone. He's not like you; he doesn't need a stupid code to tell what's right from wrong. Why would you bench him?"

"I already said why, I -"

"Damn it, Bruce!" Jason hissed, cutting him off. "Take off the damn mask and answer me properly. What's the real reason?" Batman narrowed his eyes at him, sending him a look that would have made even the most hardened of criminals nervous. Jason didn't back down, staring right back at him. He had always been just as stubborn as Batman.

For a while, Batman didn't answer.

Slowly, almost reluctantly, Batman removed his mask. Jason's gaze softened somewhat as he stared at the closest thing he had to a father. The man looked tired, as if he felt old. It didn't make sense to Jason to see a man who had fought alongside god-like beings look so tired.

"I already buried one son," Bruce said eventually. Jason stiffened. If Bruce noticed, then he didn't comment on it. "I don't want to bury another."

"Bullshit," Jason said flatly. "You've seen him in action. He's better than I was at his age. More trained, and that's not mentioning his powers. This isn't about protecting him."

"It is a small part of why I made my decision," Bruce assured him. "I never wanted Harry to join me as Robin. I figured his life had already been too focused on fighting. But I knew there was no stopping him, and I knew that he could handle himself. I allowed it. I'm still not fully sure why." He admitted. "Maybe because I thought he'd make the mission easier, maybe I missed having a Robin by my side. But still, I let him join. That doesn't mean I don't worry. You, Dick, Harry, I will always worry about you."

"But that's not all, is it, Bruce?" Jason asked impatiently. "Why bench him?" Jason asked, staring at him. For a long moment, it seemed like he wasn't going to speak. Jason opened his mouth to let him know exactly what he felt about that when Bruce finally spoke.

"He scares me," Bruce admitted. Softly, slowly, reluctantly.

"Why?" Jason could see it in Batman's eyes, the kind of fear that wasn't for himself, not really. It was something deeper, older, heavier. Something that clawed at the edges of every mission, every decision, every moment he'd ever allowed himself to hope things could go right.

"He's… capable," Bruce said quietly, almost a whisper. "Maybe one day even more than me. Stronger, faster, smarter. He thinks as I think, but he doesn't have my restraint. He sees the mission, the target, and the outcome, and he will act. Without hesitation or compromise. And if I can't control him..." His voice broke slightly. "I can't guarantee that no one else will get hurt. Not just him, not just the enemy. Innocents. You, Jason. Anyone in his path." Jason exhaled sharply as he digested his words.

"So," Jason said, tone quieter now. "You're benching him because you're scared of him?"

"I've faced monsters," Bruce said with a humourless chuckle. "Gangsters, robbers, murderers. I've stared down the worst the world has to offer. But him...Yeah, I'm scared. I don't know all of what Ra's had taught him. I'm scared about what my son could end up being."

"And for that, you bench him?" Jason asked coldly. "The kid who didn't try to kill Deathstroke, the kid who was willing to spare Joker, that death-worshipping piece of garbage, for you."

"Jason," Bruce began. "I...it's...it's more than that."

"I don't want to hear it, Bruce," Jason interrupted before he could say more. "Harry's right, Joker killed me! You don't want to kill him in return, fine, I don't like it, but I understood at least. But then Harry was about to hurt him, permanently, reducing his ability to hurt someone else, and you stop him because you're scared? Because you don't trust your own kid? The kid I vouched for, the boy I trust, the one who helped me escape the league. I...Harry's right, this is not about doing what's right. It's about you not liking to be in control. How many more people are going to die because of that?!" Jason spat angrily.

"Jason, please..." Bruce trailed off as Jason had already turned and stormed away.

Bruce considered getting up and going after him, but he realised that it probably wouldn't work. Past history told him that Jason's temper was explosive, and it was futile to try to talk to him when he was in such a mood. Bruce dropped his head, and his fingers came up to rub his eyes. Rarely did he feel as tired as he did right now. His whole body felt heavier as he realised that he might have just permanently damaged his relationship with both of his sons.

Looking back on the conversation, he realised that he could have handled it better. Truth be told, he wouldn't have minded if Joker somehow ended up paralysed for life. It would have been one less recurring headache for him and would have made his life much, much easier. Heck, he'd probably throw a party if that happened. But the possibility of Harry doing more than that had scared him deeply, much more than the gunfire and thugs he dealt with on a regular basis. Jason himself could admit how dangerous Harry could be. Yes, Harry had so far obeyed him and followed his code, but it was more than possible for the boy to one day decide it simply wasn't worth the effort. Bruce wouldn't be able to forgive himself if he let another killer loose on the streets of Gotham. Harry had the potential to be Gotham's saviour, but he could also be its destroyer.

And that was all without mentioning what Zatara had told him. Harry's soul had been touched by death itself. How? Had he taken a dip in the pit like Jason and Ra's had? Jason, since coming back, was quicker to get angry. Jason assured Bruce that it was a normal part of coming out of the pit and would eventually go away. What if Harry had also been dipped in the Lazarus pit? Had Harry died before? It burned him with rage, the mere possibility that somebody had hurt his son so badly that he had to be revived with Ra's infernal pit.

Bruce didn't know much about souls, admittedly, but what little he did know assured him that a soul revealed a lot about a person. How could Bruce trust Harry completely if his soul was like that?

(.)

A.N: Hi guys, hope you liked the chapter.

Yeah, things are tense in the batfamily and it's not going to be an easy fix. I'm not sure if this chapter will be recieved or not, but I'm hoping you guys like it.

The next chapter will be fun to write for me because it'll have one of the best things I ever received from DC.

DICK

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(Grayson)

Anyway, thanks for reading, feel free to leave a review.