Becoming Nightshade

The next night, Jason waited outside Wayne Manor, leaning casually against his motorcycle, his hands shoved into his pockets. He had never felt quite this way before—excited, sure, but also strangely nervous. He wasn't even sure if this was a date or just… two people trying to make sense of things. When Maggie stepped out, she was dressed in a way that was casual but somehow still managed to take his breath away. She smirked when she saw him, catching the hint of surprise on his face.

"Ready?" she asked, her tone light, but he could see a touch of her own nervousness beneath the confidence.

"Yeah," Jason replied, handing her a helmet.

She took it, sliding it on as she climbed on the bike behind him, her arms wrapping around his waist. He couldn't help but smile a little as he started the engine and pulled away from the manor, the cool Gotham night air whipping past them as they rode into the city. They ended up at a small, out-of-the-way burger joint Jason had found on one of his late-night patrols. It was far from fancy, but it had character, and more importantly, it was unlikely that anyone would recognize them there. Once they were seated, with burgers and fries spread out between them, the initial tension started to ease. Maggie took a fry and pointed it at him playfully.

"So… you bring all the girls to places like this?"

Jason chuckled, shaking his head.

"Nope. Just the ones I want to confuse the hell out of."

As they settled into the booth, the hum of the diner around them providing a comfortable background, Jason leaned back, glancing around the place.

"I know it's not exactly five-star," he said, a hint of a grin tugging at his mouth.

Maggie smirked, taking a bite of her fry.

"It's perfect, actually. I think the last 'fancy' place I went to had appetizers I couldn't even pronounce."

Jason laughed, relaxing a little.

"See, that's why I like this place. No fuss. Just food."

She raised an eyebrow, giving him a playful look.

"And here I thought you were all about the street food."

"Hey, I don't discriminate when it comes to food," Jason replied, grinning.

"Burgers, street tacos, some questionable pizza at 3 a.m. I'm a man of the people."

They both laughed, and Maggie took a sip of her soda, looking at him thoughtfully.

"Okay, so what's your most 'questionable' food choice? Like, one you wouldn't even tell Bruce about?"

Jason pretended to think, tapping his chin.

"Probably the time I found this guy downtown selling… I think it was a kebab? Or at least, that's what he called it. Honestly, I didn't ask too many questions."

Maggie raised a fry in mock salute.

"Brave. I don't know if I'd survive that."

"Oh, come on. Miss 'Took Down the Riddler with a Single Insult' wouldn't survive a street kebab?" he teased, nudging her with his foot under the table.

She rolled her eyes, but he saw her trying to hold back a smile.

"That was strategy, not bravery. Besides, I'd like to avoid food poisoning if I can."

He shrugged, smirking. "Hey, we all take our risks in different ways."

They fell into comfortable banter, and before long, the conversation turned a bit more personal.

"So," Jason started, glancing at her over his burger, "do you really hate some of the people at Gotham Prep?"

Maggie sighed, rolling her eyes. "Are you kidding? Half are just… well, you know."

"Entitled?" Jason guessed, raising an eyebrow.

"Exactly." She picked at her fries, shaking her head. "Sometimes it feels like they're all just waiting to see who has the best car or the most expensive bag. It's exhausting."

Jason nodded, understanding.

"Yeah. I mean, I wasn't exactly living it up before." He gestured vaguely, not needing to explain what he meant. "But even now, the whole 'money doesn't matter' thing feels like a joke when you see how people act."

Maggie's gaze softened.

"Guess that's one of the things I like about you, Jay. You don't care about all that."

He looked down, feeling a warmth spread through him at her words.

"Well, you know… just a man of the people," he joked, though his voice was quieter, almost vulnerable.

They lapsed into a comfortable silence, both working on their burgers before Maggie spoke up again.

"What was it like before you met Bruce?"

Jason looked away, fiddling with his straw, his voice a little rougher.

"Tough. There's stuff I don't really like to think about, let alone talk about. But… I guess it makes you appreciate the good things. Like this." He gestured between them, a small, shy smile on his face. "Hanging out, not worrying about… well, you know. Just being here."

Maggie's face softened, and she reached across the table, giving his hand a quick, gentle squeeze.

"For what it's worth, I like just being here with you too."

They stayed that way for a moment, their hands lingering until a laugh broke through from the table next to them, jolting them back. Maggie blushed, pulling her hand back, and they exchanged a look, both smiling awkwardly but happily. Maggie wiped a smudge of ketchup from her lip, and Jason found himself smiling without even realizing it. She caught his gaze and raised an eyebrow.

"What?"

He shrugged, taking a sip of his drink.

"Nothing… this is nice."

"Yeah," she agreed, her expression softening. "It is."

As they left the diner, Jason glanced over at Maggie, a glint of excitement in his eyes.

"Hey, I want to show you something," he said, motioning toward his bike.

Maggie raised an eyebrow, curious but intrigued. "What, a food stand with questionable kebabs?"

He laughed, shaking his head. "No, better. Hop on."

Once they were both seated, Jason navigated through the winding streets of Gotham, cutting through hidden alleyways and taking paths Maggie hadn't seen before. The city lights blurred around them as they climbed higher, moving away from the crowded streets below. Eventually, they reached a quiet hill overlooking the city, an old fire escape leading up to a rooftop that seemed tucked away from the chaos below. Jason parked the bike, and they climbed the short staircase to the rooftop. Once they reached the top, Maggie was taken aback by the view. The city spread out beneath them, Gotham's twinkling lights contrasting with the dark waters beyond. It felt peaceful, like a hidden oasis in the middle of all the city's noise and shadows.

"Wow," Maggie murmured, looking out over the expanse. "This is… incredible."

Jason leaned on the ledge next to her, a small, proud smile on his face.

"Yeah, this is where I come to clear my head. No noise, no chaos… just Gotham, in all its messed-up glory."

Maggie nodded, taking in the view.

"I can see why you like it here. It feels… different. Like the city's showing a side of itself it doesn't let just anyone see."

Jason looked over at her, his gaze softening.

"Exactly. It's like… a reminder. That even in the worst places, you can find something good, something worth protecting."

They fell into a comfortable silence, both of them just absorbing the quiet, the rare peace they'd found together. After a moment, Jason spoke, his voice softer, almost hesitant.

"I never really showed anyone this spot before. I… wanted you to see it."

Maggie glanced at him, a warm smile spreading across her face.

"Thank you for bringing me here."

Caught up in the quiet beauty of the city and the warmth of Maggie by his side, Jason found himself leaning closer to her, almost without thinking. His gaze drifted from the skyline to her face, taking in the way the city lights danced in her eyes. Maggie looked up at him, and he could see a softness there, something that made his heartbeat just a little faster. Before he could second-guess himself, Jason leaned in, closing the distance between them. His hand found hers, fingers lacing together as his lips met hers in a gentle, tentative kiss. Maggie, without a second thought, leaned back in, this time with a boldness that surprised even herself. She closed the distance, kissing him hard, her hands moving to his jacket as she pushed him back against the wall. Jason's back hit the brick, but he barely noticed, his arms instinctively wrapping around her as he returned the kiss with equal intensity. The initial hesitance faded, replaced by a kind of urgency, both of them caught up in the moment. Her hands slid up to his shoulders, pulling him closer, and he responded in kind, holding her tightly as if letting go might shatter the spell they'd fallen under. He brushed a stray strand of hair from her face, his thumb gently tracing her cheek as he spoke, his voice soft but certain.

"Maggie… would you go out with me again?" he asked, his words carrying the weight of everything he'd been feeling but couldn't say until now.

Maggie's eyes softened, a smile spreading across her lips as she searched his face. She nodded, her voice barely above a whisper but filled with conviction.

"Yeah, I'd like that."

Jason couldn't hold back any longer. He leaned in, capturing her lips in another kiss, this one slower, deeper, as if savoring every second. His hands rested at her waist, pulling her closer, and after a moment, he moved to kiss her neck, his lips tracing soft, lingering paths along her skin. Maggie's arms wrapped tightly around him, anchoring herself in the moment, her breath catching as his closeness sent a shiver down her spine. But before they could lose themselves any further, Jason's phone buzzed in his pocket, the sound jarring in the quiet night. With a sigh, he pulled back, giving Maggie a regretful look as he checked the screen.

Barbara's voice came through, all business.

"Jason, you're due back in ten minutes for patrol. Don't be late."

Jason groaned, glancing at Maggie with a wry smile.

"Duty calls," he muttered, a hint of frustration in his tone.

Jason led Maggie back to his bike, helping her with her helmet before they both climbed on. The thrill of the night, of everything that had just happened between them, lingered in the air as they sped through Gotham's dimly lit streets. Neither of them spoke, both caught up in their thoughts, in the quiet excitement of what had just begun. As they neared Wayne Manor, Jason slowed down, eventually pulling to a stop in the shadows just outside the gates. He took off his helmet, glancing over at Maggie with a soft smile.

"Thanks for coming out with me tonight," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Maggie smiled back, her hand lingering on his arm.

"Thanks for showing me your favorite spot. And… everything else," she added, a blush creeping up her cheeks.

Jason chuckled, reaching out to brush a stray hair from her face.

"I'll see you soon?"

She nodded, her gaze lingering on him before she turned to walk up the driveway. As she looked back one last time, Jason gave her a small wave, watching until she disappeared inside. With a sigh and a grin, he put his helmet back on and sped off into the night heading towards the Batcave entrance to report to duty. As Jason rolled into the Batcave, he pulled off his helmet, barely managing to hide the slight grin lingering on his face. Barbara and Dick were already waiting, leaning casually against one of the tables, watching him with knowing expressions.

Barbara raised an eyebrow, smirking.

"So… how'd it go?"

Jason shrugged, attempting to play it cool as he hung up his helmet.

"It was… good," he said, trying to keep his tone nonchalant, but the smile creeping onto his face gave him away.

Dick crossed his arms, eyeing Jason. "Just 'good,' huh? That's it?"

Jason rolled his eyes, but he couldn't help the smirk.

"Yeah, well, maybe better than good. You happy?"

Barbara laughed, shaking her head. "I'm just glad it went well."

Jason nodded, feeling a warmth spread through him. "Yeah… me too."

Dick's smirk quickly faded as realization dawned on him, and he let out an exaggerated groan, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Wait a second… so this means you and Maggie are dating now?"

He looked at Jason, his expression shifting to something far more serious, the older-brother instinct kicking in full force.

Jason rolled his eyes. "Here we go…"

Dick stepped forward, crossing his arms as he looked Jason up and down, his expression stern.

"Listen, Jason, Maggie's my little sister. You might be part of this family, but that doesn't mean I won't kick your ass if you mess with her. Understand?"

Jason held up his hands in mock surrender, though a hint of a grin played at his lips.

"Alright, alright, I get it. Believe me, I don't want to hurt her either."

Dick wasn't satisfied yet.

"Good, because I'll be watching you, Todd. Any sign you're messing with her, and you'll have me to deal with."

Barbara, watching the exchange with barely contained amusement, finally stepped in, patting Dick on the shoulder.

"Alright, big brother, let's not scare him off after his first date." She turned to Jason with a smile. "Just treat her well, Jason. That's all that matters."

Jason nodded, his expression softening. "I will. Promise."

The next morning, Jason caught a moment alone with Maggie in the hallway near the kitchen. Feeling daring, he leaned in, catching her off guard with a quick, playful kiss. Maggie's eyes widened for a second, but she smiled, clearly enjoying the surprise. But then Jason's gaze dropped to her neck, and he smirked, noticing a faint red mark just beneath her collar.

"You, uh… might want to cover that up," he murmured, his voice full of amusement.

Maggie's eyes went wide, and she instinctively lifted her hand to her neck, a blush creeping up her cheeks.

"Oh my god," she whispered, half embarrassed, half amused. She quickly adjusted her collar, giving him a mock glare.

"This is your fault, you know."

Jason just grinned, leaning against the wall, looking far too pleased with himself.

"Worth it."

She rolled her eyes but couldn't help smiling back.

"You're impossible."

"Yeah, but you still like me."

He gave her one last grin before disappearing down the hall. As Maggie hurried down the hallway, following Jason toward the garage, she felt a sudden, unmistakable presence nearby. She froze mid-step, and Jason turned to see what had stopped her—only to spot Bruce standing just a few feet away, arms crossed, looking as sharp and collected as always despite his clear exhaustion just getting back from the Justice League mission.

"Good morning," Bruce said, his voice calm but with that familiar edge of authority.

Jason cleared his throat, putting on his best casual face.

"Bruce. You're back early."

Bruce eyeing them both with a raised eyebrow. His gaze flicked from Jason to Maggie, his expression unreadable.

"Heading to school?"

"Yeah," Maggie answered, trying to keep her tone light. "We're, uh… not trying to be late."

Bruce's gaze lingered for a moment, and Maggie felt the heat of embarrassment rising, especially as she remembered the faint mark, she'd been so desperately trying to cover up just minutes ago. She tugged her collar slightly, hoping Bruce wouldn't notice, but his eyes didn't miss much. After what felt like an eternity, Bruce gave a small nod.

"Right. Be safe. And don't forget—training session after school."

Both nodded, offering quick "Yes, sir" responses, hoping to make a quick exit. As they turned toward the car, Bruce's voice stopped them once more.

"And Jason," he said, his tone carrying a quiet warning. "We'll talk later."

Jason winced slightly but managed a casual nod, and he and Maggie made a swift exit toward the car. As they reached the car, they found Alfred waiting for them by the driver's door, his usual calm, knowing smile in place. He opened the back door with a courteous nod.

"Good morning, Master Jason, Miss Maggie. I trust you're ready for another day of academic excellence?"

Jason grinned, sliding into the backseat. "Something like that, Alfred."

Maggie followed, offering Alfred a warm smile. "Thanks for the lift, Alfred."

Alfred took his seat behind the wheel, and as he guided the car smoothly down the long driveway, he glanced at them in the rearview mirror, his eyes twinkling with that ever-present knowing look.

"It seems the two of you have grown… closer," he commented, his tone light but unmistakably perceptive.

Maggie felt her cheeks warm, and Jason cleared his throat, glancing out the window to avoid Alfred's gaze.

"You could say that," Jason muttered, trying to sound nonchalant.

"Ah, young love," Alfred said, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Just be sure not to give Master Bruce too much cause for concern, hmm?"

Maggie chuckled, meeting Alfred's eyes in the mirror. "We'll try our best."

They drove the rest of the way in comfortable silence, the unspoken support from Alfred reassuring them both. As they approached Gotham Prep, Alfred pulled to a stop at the curb and turned to face them.

"Enjoy your day, both of you. And remember," he added with a slight, knowing smile, "discretion is key."

As they made their way through the school entrance, Maggie pulled out her phone, smirking as she typed out a quick message to Barbara and Dick:

*FYI, Bruce knows. And it's totally Jason's fault. 😂*

She hit send, glancing over at Jason, who was completely unaware of the message she'd just sent. He noticed her smirk and raised an eyebrow.

"What's so funny?"

"Oh, nothing," she replied, sliding her phone back into her bag with an innocent grin.

Moments later, her phone buzzed with responses. Barbara replied first:

*LOL! Can't wait to hear how that talk with Bruce goes later. Hang in there!*

A second later, Dick chimed in:

*Jason's fault, huh? Classic. Good luck, Jay—he's gonna need it!*

Maggie stifled a laugh, and Jason, suspicious now, narrowed his eyes.

"What did you do?"

"Just letting Dick and Bab's know you may have stirred up a bit of trouble," she teased, giving him a playful nudge.

Jason rolled his eyes, though he couldn't help but grin. "Great. Now I'm never going to hear the end of it."

Maggie shrugged, still smiling.

"Guess you'll just have to deal with it, 'Master of Trouble.'"

As Maggie makes her way down the hall, Maggie's friends, Stephanie and Emily, were the first to spot her, and Stephanie's eyes immediately zeroed in on the faint red mark peeking out from under Maggie's collar. Jason left Maggie to meet up with his friends.

"Maggie!" Stephanie whispered, her eyes widening as she leaned in closer. "Is that…? Oh my god, what happened?"

Maggie's cheeks turned a little pink, and she tried to shrug it off casually.

"Oh, that? Nothing, just, uh… probably just a scratch."

Emily raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on her lips.

"A scratch, huh? Right. That explains why Jason looks like he's in the best mood ever."

Stephanie's eyes widened in sudden realization. She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper.

"Wait… does your *dad* know?"

Maggie tensed slightly, giving a sheepish smile. "Um… yeah, actually. He kinda… caught us this morning."

Both girls gasped, a mix of shock and amusement flashing across their faces.

"And you're still alive?" Emily teased, stifling a laugh. "What did he say?"

Maggie shrugged, feigning nonchalance.

"He just… gave us 'the look' and said we'd talk later. But Jason's the one who's really in for it. Bruce even told him, 'We'll talk.'" She mimicked her father's serious tone, rolling her eyes.

Stephanie covered her mouth, laughing.

"Oh, wow. Poor Jason. But hey, if he's still smiling like that after a brush with *your dad,* he must really like you."

Maggie's blush deepened, and she couldn't help but smile back.

"Yeah… I think he does."

As Jason made his way down the hall, he spotted his friends Kyle and Mark waiting by their lockers. The two of them noticed him before he even reached them, exchanging a look as Jason approached, an unusually relaxed grin on his face. Kyle raised an eyebrow.

"Alright, what's up with you, Todd? You're… smiling. That's not exactly your style."

Jason shrugged, trying to play it cool.

"What, can't a guy just have a good day?"

Mark snickered, crossing his arms.

"Yeah, but you don't usually do 'good days.' So, come on—what's going on? Did something happen with Maggie?"

Jason shot him a look but couldn't hide the faint smile creeping back.

"Maybe... Maybe not."

Kyle smirked, nudging Mark. "So, that's a yes. But don't worry, we'll let you keep your mystery. Just… don't go getting all mushy on us, alright?"

Jason rolled his eyes, laughing under his breath. "Trust me, wouldn't dream of it."

They headed down the hall together, his friends still throwing him curious glances, while Jason kept his cool, feeling the quiet thrill of the night before settle into a comfortable, contented confidence.

In the quiet hum of study hall, Maggie sat with her friends, Stephanie and Emily, textbooks open in front of her as they reviewed notes. She tried to focus, her eyes skimming over her notes on calculus, but it was no use. Every few moments, she found her gaze drifting across the room to where Jason sat with Kyle and Mark, his head bent over his own textbook.

Emily nudged her, a knowing smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

"Earth to Maggie. Did you even hear a word I just said?"

Maggie blinked, snapping her attention back to her friends, trying to look innocent.

"What? Yeah, I heard you."

Stephanie snorted, rolling her eyes. "Right. Then why are you staring at a certain someone instead of your notes?"

Maggie felt her cheeks flush, and she quickly turned back to her book.

"I wasn't staring. Just… thinking."

"Uh-huh," Emily said, grinning as she exchanged a look with Stephanie. "Sure. You just *happen* to be looking in that exact direction every few seconds?"

Maggie shot them both a playful glare, whispering, "Could you both *not*?"

Meanwhile, on the other side of the room, Jason was facing similar teasing. Kyle had noticed Jason's wandering gaze, nudging him with his elbow.

"Dude, you're supposed to be studying, not staring."

Jason quickly looked back down at his book, a small smirk tugging at his lips.

"I am studying. Just, you know… taking a break."

Mark snickered, leaning over to see what had caught his attention.

"Right. And by 'break,' you mean you're trying to see how long you can stare at Maggie before she notices?"

Jason shrugged, trying to act casual.

"Look, she just happens to be in my line of sight. Not my fault."

Kyle and Mark exchanged a knowing look, grinning. "Right, totally not your fault."

For the rest of study hall, both Maggie and Jason found themselves stealing quick glances across the room, each pretending to be focused when they were clearly distracted. Every time their eyes met, a quick, shared smile passed between them, sending little sparks through the quiet room. It was almost like they were the only two people there, sharing a silent, secret conversation that neither of their groups could understand.

When the final bell rang, Maggie and Jason made their way to the front of the school, weaving through the bustling crowd of students. They spotted Alfred waiting by the car, his usual composed demeanor giving nothing away. As they slid into the backseat, Alfred gave them a brief nod in the rearview mirror.

"Good afternoon, Miss Maggie, Master Jason. I trust your day was… productive?"

Jason snorted, leaning back. "Something like that."

Alfred raised an eyebrow, his gaze lingering on Jason for a moment before speaking.

"Master Bruce asked me to remind both of you that, after you've completed your homework, you are to meet him in the training room, as he stated this morning."

Maggie and Jason exchanged a glance, and Jason couldn't help but chuckle, though there was a hint of nervousness in his voice.

"Well, I guess I'm a dead man."

Maggie elbowed him lightly, grinning. "Oh, come on. He's not going to kill you. That's his number one rule. No killing."

Jason grinned back, but there was a mock-solemn look in his eyes.

"Yeah, but I think he's going to make me *wish* he would."

Alfred's lips twitched in amusement as he drove, clearly enjoying the banter.

"I'm sure Master Bruce will be… fair. Though, Master Jason, you may wish to prepare yourself all the same."

The car fell into a comfortable silence as they headed back to Wayne Manor, each of them mentally preparing for whatever awaited them in the training room. Jason kept up the bravado, but Maggie could see a bit of anticipation beneath his smirk. Whatever Bruce had in store, they'd be facing it together, and that made it just a little less daunting.

Once they were back at Wayne Manor, Maggie and Jason settled into the study room to tackle their homework. But, despite the textbooks spread out in front of them, neither seemed in any hurry to get through their assignments. Maggie flipped through her history book, her eyes barely skimming the paragraphs as she took extra-long to highlight sections, even ones that didn't really need it. Beside her, Jason was tapping his pencil on his math workbook, glancing at the clock and then back down, clearly more focused on stalling than solving equations.

"So, uh," Jason said after a while, breaking the silence, "what's your excuse gonna be for taking this long to finish up?"

Maggie smirked "Easy. I'm 'thorough.' Just making sure every detail is covered."

Jason chuckled, doodling on the edge of his notebook.

"Right, totally reasonable. Me, I'm just giving these math problems the *respect* they deserve. Gotta make sure I don't rush and miss, you know, the intricacies of…Trig."

Maggie laughed, tossing her pencil down.

"We're doomed, aren't we?"

A familiar presence appeared in the doorway. Both she and Jason froze as Bruce stepped into the room, arms crossed and expression unreadable.

"Save your work," he said, his voice firm. "Get changed into your training clothes and meet me in the training room in five minutes. No more delays."

Maggie and Jason exchanged a wide-eyed glance, caught in their stalling attempt. Jason gave a faint, sheepish grin, but Bruce didn't soften.

"Five minutes," he repeated, giving them one last look before turning and leaving the room.

As soon as he was gone, Jason groaned, leaning back in his chair.

"We really are doomed."

Maggie sighed, closing her notebook.

"No arguing with that."

They both rose from their seats, resigned but determined, and headed to get changed.

Maggie and Jason entered the training room together, the large space feeling more intimidating than usual under Bruce's watchful eye. Maggie had done her best with a bit of makeup to cover the faint red mark Jason had left on her neck from the other night, hoping Bruce wouldn't notice—or, if he did, that he'd let it slide. Bruce stood in the center of the room, his arms crossed, his expression serious as he watched them approach. He looked over each of them, his gaze lingering on Maggie for a moment longer than she would've liked, and she couldn't help but resist the urge to tug at her collar a bit, hoping she'd done a good job with the makeup. Jason, meanwhile, did his best to look nonchalant, though his usual confidence seemed to falter slightly under Bruce's scrutinizing stare.

"Good," Bruce finally said, breaking the silence. "You're both here. Now, considering recent… developments, I think it's time we review a few things."

He gestured toward the training mats, signaling for them to step forward.

"Your personal lives can't interfere with your responsibilities or your focus. As long as you can maintain that balance, I have no objections. But I need to know you're ready to handle this."

Maggie exchanged a quick glance with Jason, both of them nodding as they stepped onto the mats. Maggie and Jason took their positions, standing side by side as Bruce watched them with that calm, unreadable expression he wore so well.

"If you're serious about this, then show me you can work together—even when it's difficult."

Jason shot Maggie a quick smirk, his eyes flashing with determination.

"Ready to take him down?"

She smirked back, rolling her shoulders in preparation.

"Let's do this."

They both lunged at Bruce, their movements synchronized, an unspoken understanding between them. Maggie aimed a swift kick toward Bruce's left side while Jason came in from the right, throwing a punch aimed at his shoulder. Bruce moved effortlessly, dodging Maggie's kick and deflecting Jason's punch with a calculated block.

"Together, huh?" Bruce's voice was calm, challenging, as he sidestepped, forcing them to adjust.

Maggie and Jason exchanged a quick glance, recalculating their approach. They knew they had to be sharper, faster, if they wanted any chance of catching Bruce off guard. Maggie shifted to Bruce's left, circling him, while Jason mirrored her on the right, closing him in. Maggie made the first move, her fist shooting out in a feint to his midsection. Bruce moved to block, and that's when Jason struck, aiming a low kick at Bruce's legs. Bruce had to choose, and for a brief moment, he was forced to pivot. Maggie saw the opening and went for it, landing a solid hit to Bruce's side before he swiftly countered, sweeping her arm aside. She barely had time to catch her balance when Jason followed up, pressing forward with a series of quick jabs that forced Bruce to stay on defense but wasn't done. In one smooth motion, he caught Jason's arm and spun him around, forcing Maggie to step in and break his hold with a sharp jab at Bruce's forearm. They worked in sync, moving with a sense of timing that was almost instinctual, each one covering the other's weak spots. Bruce gave a slight nod, acknowledging their teamwork, but didn't let up. He pushed them harder, dodging, countering, and forcing them to adapt. After several intense rounds, Bruce finally stepped back, raising a hand.

"Enough."

As they caught their breath, Bruce turned his gaze toward Maggie, his expression softening just slightly.

"Maggie, go finish your homework. Jason and I need to have a talk… in private."

Maggie blinked, glancing between them, sensing the shift in tone. She shot Jason a quick, concerned look, but he gave her a reassuring nod, signaling that he could handle whatever Bruce was about to say. Reluctantly, she nodded, picking up her water bottle and towel. With one last look at Jason, she left the training room, closing the door quietly behind her. As soon as they were alone, Bruce turned his full attention to Jason, his face unreadable. There was a pause, and then he spoke, his tone calm but serious.

"Jason," Bruce began, "I need you to understand what this means. Being with Maggie—it's not just about the two of you. You're not just any teenager. "

Jason nodded, trying to hold Bruce's gaze. "I get that, Bruce. I know things are… complicated."

Bruce's expression softened slightly.

"I'm not here to stop you. But I need you to be honest with yourself about what you're getting into. Maggie is strong, but she's also my daughter. I trust you, Jason, but I need to know that you're thinking about the consequences—both for her and for yourself."

Jason took a breath, feeling the weight of Bruce's words.

"I know. I've thought about it. And yeah, I care about Maggie a lot. I'd never want to put her in danger. I'd do whatever it takes to protect her."

Bruce nodded, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully.

"That's all I need to hear, for now. But remember, if things ever get complicated or if you're unsure, you come to me first. Understood?"

"Understood," Jason replied, his voice steady.

Bruce held his gaze for a moment longer before finally giving a small nod of approval.

"Good. Now, go finish your homework."

As Jason left the training room, Alfred appeared in the doorway, his expression calm but with a hint of curiosity in his eyes. He stepped in, glancing at Bruce with a faint, knowing smile.

"Did everything go well, Master Bruce?" Alfred asked, his voice gentle but perceptive.

Bruce exhaled, crossing his arms as he considered his answer.

"As well as it could, given the circumstances," he replied, his tone thoughtful. "Jason understands the stakes. I think he genuinely cares about Maggie, and he's willing to be responsible."

Alfred nodded, his eyes twinkling with a hint of amusement.

"Young love often brings out the best—or the most reckless—in people. Though, in this case, I'd say young Master Todd seems more focused than I've seen him in some time."

Bruce gave a small nod.

"Yes, he's… growing. They both are. But that doesn't make it any less dangerous."

Alfred nodded thoughtfully after saying "Indeed," then tilted his head slightly, studying Bruce with a discerning gaze. "If I may ask, Master Bruce, do you believe Miss Maggie is ready to go out on patrol? I've had her suit prepared for some time now."

Bruce hesitated, a flicker of vulnerability crossing his otherwise stoic face.

"She's ready," he admitted quietly. "She's been ready for a while now."

Alfred nodded, recognizing the weight in Bruce's voice, but he remained silent, allowing Bruce to continue. Bruce sighed, running a hand over his face.

"But… I'm not ready. Watching her train, knowing she's capable—it's one thing. But sending her out there, putting her in danger… it's different."

Alfred's gaze softened, his voice gentle. "I understand, sir. Allowing a child to follow in your footsteps, especially on such a perilous path, is no easy decision. But Miss Maggie is resilient, determined, and, if I may say so, has a certain… spark."

Bruce managed a small, bittersweet smile. "She does, doesn't she?"

Alfred nodded. "Perhaps, when you feel the time is right, you might find that sharing this part of your life with her will give both strength. After all, Miss Maggie has been raised to face challenges head-on."

Bruce took a deep breath, feeling the weight of Alfred's words. "You're right. I can't protect her from everything. But I can make sure she's as prepared as possible."

Alfred placed a reassuring hand on Bruce's shoulder. "She'll be ready when you are, Master Bruce."

Bruce nodded, a glimmer of acceptance in his eyes as he considered the future—and the path Maggie was ready to walk beside him.