12 Interlude: Sons
My bones ached, muscles burned, and my head pulsed from exhaustion. For a moment, I thought about giving up, letting my body rest. But then I would see them, a bloodied boy in a tattered green and red costume, then a young man in a burnt black and blue suit.
Both stared at me with varying expressions, the boy a hopeful expression. Like his entire world mattered on what I would do…it did a long time ago. The young man on the other hand had a pitying look. At least that was what I could make out with his face being burnt deeply. I used years of experience in examining microexpressions to tell. It was wrong to see anything other than a smile on his face…but he couldn't smile anymore.
Looking at them only fueled the fire deep within, at least what was left of it after being stomped on so many times. A combination of anger and guilt burning churning deeply. Releasing a deep groan, I took a step forward, pulling the weight behind me. It was heavy, something I could have easily done a year ago, not now though…not after that night. My steps were shaky and uneven, legs still growing accustomed to being used so heavily after so long.
I need to do more. They deserve more from me, they deserve everything I have left. It's the least I owe them after everything they've given to me.
I stepped forward, then my legs buckled. I fell forward onto my knees, palms against the floor. I tried to stand up, but my legs only gave out again. I didn't need to look up to know that they were standing over me.
Once more, the anger came back in full force. But as quickly as it came, so too did all of the exhaustion. Falling to the side, I saw two pairs of blue eyes staring at me.
…
"Don't you think you're going a little hard on him Bruce." Dick looked at me with a judging look, then turned his eyes once more to Jason performing acrobatic exercise on the test course. Jason ran forward towards a wall, leaping a second too late, causing him to barely have the height required to grab onto its ledge. A skill that would be needed when traversing the varying rooftops of Gotham.
"No, I'm not going hard enough. Jason needs to be ready, he didn't have any of the years of conditioning his body like you did." I focused on Jason, as he now came across a wall that couldn't be jumped, he would need to climb. Grooves in the wall are placed to allow for its traversal, it's on Jason to figure out which path is the correct one.
He stared at it for a moment before choosing a particular area to climb, already I saw the outcome. Jason fell backwards till he hit the floor with a thud, Dick moved to go help.
"Don't." I held him back, instead nodding back to Jason. We both watched him pick himself back up, only to attempt another area on the wall. Again, he fell, then got back up. He repeated this process two more times before finally pulling himself onto the platform, collapsing on it with exhaustion.
"Jason may not have your athletics, but he's tenacious." I smirked, a proud feeling welling deep within my chest.
"Fine, you win. But remember to let him rest once in a while, he still needs to be able to get out of bed. You don't want Alfred to be upset that his youngest ward doesn't show up to breakfast."
"I know…how long are you here for?"
"Just a day or two, can't stay away from the team too long."
"I see, well then you can spend that time helping Jason."
Dick rolled his eyes, but still jumped from the edge we were watching Jason from. His movements were graceful, flawless even. He dropped right next to Jason, causing the lad to shout in surprise followed by cursing at Dick for scaring him.
This moment of respite felt good, within a few months Jason would be ready. Then Gotham would see Batman and its new Robin. He'll be ready, I'll make sure of it.
Author's notes: Guess who, just wanted to stretch the old finger muscles and brain with this little chapter. It's been a solid minute, I know. But I always come back. So, yeah. I have plenty of free time Tuesday and Wednesday, so that means time to write.
I'm not going to make any promises, but I'll try my best not to disappear again for like the tenth time or something.
Anyway leave a comment and let me know how you guys are liking it or what directions you'll think this will go in.
