2nd Resurrection. Video.

[crossestheline]

[Even when Jason is filled with Christmas cheer, he still has a devious streak about him. When he turns on his communication device, he flashes a huge grin into the camera.]

Who wants to have some real fun during the best season of the year? I haven't been in there yet, but I've heard the CES room can change into whatever natural landscape you want. Imagine a landscape with huge hills covered in snow. Lots of opportunities for sledding and snowball fights. Maybe do wardens versus inmates or we can mix the teams up.

We could round up some hot chocolate and other snacks when we're all done. Fun, food, and teamwork; what's not to love?

Comments

spam;

[crossestheline]

[Raises his head to taunt Bruce in return and ends up getting nailed in the face with one.]

Yeouch!

spam;

[theonlyresponse]

[From where he is, Bruce simply laughs, holding a snowball in his hand.]

spam;

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I'm gonna tell Alfred on you! Laughing on someone who is down on his luck! [Jason mockingly threatened Bruce and heaped some more snow at him.]

spam;

[theonlyresponse]

[The snow hits him; his smile fades, a little. Alfred's been gone a long time... in fact, he'd have loved to see this.

But he's with Jason, and they're doing something normal, something he's desperately wanted to be able to give his son, so he brightens.] What happened to "seeing what I was made of"? [And another snowball comes hurtling Jason's way.]

spam;

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[Jason caught the brief sadness in Bruce's smile. He'd like to see Alfred again too. Even though he hadn't been around the whole gang back home in a long time, "the family" didn't feel complete without him.

He didn't want the mood to sour, and he knew the perfect thing to make sure Bruce's smile stayed on his face.]

I didn't know you were secretly a Grinch underneath! Yule be sorry you teased me! Santa keep tracks of this stuff, you know.

spam;

[theonlyresponse]

[And it does, hearing their old banter, it's so easy to fall back into the pattern where they're together again and there isn't that vast chasm of their deaths between them.] Why, do you think he'll send me coal with batsymbols on them for Christmas?

spam;

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He'll send you whole heaps of coal. [Grins at him.] Don't worry, I've still got your back. I'll make a charitable donation to a car restoration place in your honor. I'm sure donating a few tires will boost your karma with Santa.

spam;

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Planning to steal them off the other Batmobiles?

Spam;

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I do like a good challenge.

spam;

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Sure you're up for it? [There's a wicked twinkle in his eye.]

spam;

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Do you secretly have the Batmobile stowed away somewhere or something?

spam;

[theonlyresponse]

If there's a library the size of half the ship, why not? [He doesn't, but oh well.]

spam;

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Because you and I are on Santa's naughty list. We don't get nice things.

spam;

[theonlyresponse]

His list is unreliable. [He throws another snowball at Jason.]

spam;

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[Spins around on one foot and kicks the snowball with the other foot, causing it to explode.]

You'd put us on the nice list? [Snickers.]

permaspam;

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Why, you wanted to get there first?

permaspam;

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I have a father again, so it doesn't really matter what list I'm on. I have what I wanted most. [Smiles at him.]

[theonlyresponse]

I -- [He drops the snowball in utter disbelief, and looks away.

Yes, it's what he so desperately wanted to hear, but that's so different actually hearing it; he thought he'd feel lighter, but he doesn't.]

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[Jason pauses, witnessing the emotion that comes over Bruce. The holiday spirit is fueling his emotions that he usually keeps buried inside.

Moves over to him and wraps his arms around Bruce, giving him a solid hug.]

[theonlyresponse]

[This isn't like what the mistletoe compelled him to do. To hear that- Jason doesn't think I failed him.. maybe, just maybe, I can be there for him this time before it cuts off, replaced by how could he think that I left his side and he died alone in that warehouse-

He hesitates. He's never trembled this much. But he responds to the embrace. How else does one deal when your son effectively just tells you he loves you?

Say something.

How could you forgive me so easily I'm so sorry I will be always be here for you I'll do it right this time You mean so much to me

Finally, Bruce speaks, his voice cracking with emotion:] I'm glad you're here, chum.

[crossestheline]

[The sentiment in Bruce's voice brought on a new wave of emotions in Jason. For so long, he had wrestled with the idea that Bruce didn't give a damn. He desperately wanted to reach out to Bruce at times, let him know how much he misses him, but then he's reminded of the cruel grin that took him away. After that, all he can see is red, and all he can hear is the macabre laughter that echoed off the walls.

In this moment, here with Bruce, in his arms, he can finally see past the pain. Unfortunately for Jason, his pain and suffering will resurface because there's still so much for him to work through, but he can have this moment. His fingers clutch onto Bruce's sweater, crumpling the material. In place of the vengeful Red Hood, is the boy who cried out for Bruce when he clawed his way out of his coffin. Back then he had felt so alone and terrified, in dire need of the one person who trusted. Now he has that person with him, and he feels safe enough to let his walls down for a few moments.]

Me too

[theonlyresponse]

[Bruce tries to take deep, steady breaths. He can imagine what his other self must have thought when he saw Jason alive again. Shock, probably. And then horror, at his willingness to kill. The same reaction Dick had, the first time Bruce had boarded the ship. You're just as bad as them, when that wasn't true.

He can hear his own voice saying that, to the person he failed, as a father, and as a hero, and his hand cradles the back of Jason's head.

Nobody will take his son from him again. Nobody.]

[crossestheline]

[Even the literal holiday magic can't stop Jason's demons from roaring to life. He knows deep down inside of him there's extreme instability and chaos. He's got it under control for now, but for how long?

As long as the Joker in his world lives.

Jason slowly pulls away from Bruce so he can look up at him. There's a flicker of conflict inside of him and he looks and sounds defeated.]

I'll never be okay.

[theonlyresponse]

[It hurt.

His sons had been his hope, his light. Things would always be better for them... because they could overcome where he hadn't been able to. He hadn't been strong enough. But Dick and Jason -- they were so much more resilient.

It cut straight to his heart. It hurt.

He pulls Jason close again and murmurs:] I'm here.