Unexpected

Chapter 13:

(6) Five times Jason surprised the Avengers and one time they surprised him

Jason thanked whatever gods existed that he had his helmet on right now because then, the bats would be able to see just how surprised he was with that invitation.

"Sorry, what?" Jason asked as casually as he could, continuing to look at the city below. It didn't matter how many times he saw the view, he was never going to be tired of it.

"Are you heading back to the manor with us?" Batman repeated.

Jason blinked. So he did hear it correctly.

He turned around just in time for Dick to insert himself into the conversation, bursting with excitement. "It's my turn to pick the activity but if you want, you can ask me superrrrrr nicely and I'll let you pick instead."

Jason doesn't know what to say and with the way the bats were watching him, he knew that they were waiting for an answer.

He glanced down. This tradition that the family had was created around a year and a half ago. He knew that there were several nights each month when they'd cancel their plans so they could hang out after patrol.

Jason also knew that he never had to set days aside for said nights because he'd never been invited.

"Soooo..." Steph said, dragging the word before pausing for dramatic effect. "Are you coming or are you coming?"

Well, that told Jason what the bats expected his answer to be. At least Steph's smile was wide, assuring him that she was genuine about her enthusiasm.

"I- uh." Jason scratched the back of his neck, "I was planning on leaving the city for a while y'know. Go off the grid n' all that."

Jason didn't mention that he had plans with other people. If he did, then the bats would become suspicious and follow him around until they found out the who, what, when, where, and why.

And just because Jason had the ability to evade them for as long as he needed to didn't necessarily mean that he wanted to go through all that work.

"But you just got back!" Tim exclaimed, "You only came back a few weeks ago and we barely see you outside of patrol."

"I've been busy," Jason replied, even though he wanted to argue and say that that's how it has always been.

He doesn't remember a single day that he's hung out with any of the heroes outside of missions and patrols. The only exceptions were when they crashed his safe house for a movie but even those were rare.

By now, Jason knew that just because he worked with them didn't mean that he was one of them.

But when he looked up and when he saw their crestfallen looks, he couldn't help but give in at least a little bit. Because maybe, just maybe, this was their olive branch for the argument in the cave.

Maybe this was their olive branch for everything.

No one apologized when Jason was back on their radar. Not that he expected them to. Instead, things went back to exactly how they were before- awkward and tense, with a plate full of distrust in the air.

It was so much easier with the Avengers.

"Look," The bats perked up the word, their eyes filled with hope that Jason would cancel his 'off the grid' plan. "Just let me know when your guys' next- um... bonding thing is going to be. I'll make sure that I won't do anything after patrol."

And just as fast as it appeared, their hopeful looks faded and were instantly replaced with disappointment.

He shifted awkwardly. It's been a moment too long and it's not like he was stupid. Jason knew they were having a silent conversation in front of him. They weren't even being slick! It's like they forgot that before everything, he was one of them. Jason knew what the heals tilts and taps indicated.