Chapter Text
There aren't many omega prisons, as the caste makes up such a small portion of the population and an even smaller portion of the criminal population. They're lucky to have one only 3 hours away. Dick can save up enough money for gas to take the trip out there once every other week to visit Jason. This week is different, it isn’t just a visit, Jason is getting released. But, of course, it's on an inconvenient day and Dick had to take off work. Which has really made him stressed. Dick can't afford to miss work for even a day. They need the money as they're barely scraping by. But hopefully now with Jason going to be home, the younger man can get a job and make up the difference and contribute to the household income. Hopefully now things will be better with their pack omega back home. But most likely not. Just another person in their well overcrowded house for Dick to feed and worry over.
___
Among their family, there is Cass who is 19 years old and a beta and an absolute sweetheart. However, she has many problems that limit her from interacting in society and going to school or getting a job. She grew up with a condition that made her feral and now because of that she has trouble speaking and not getting overwhelmed and stressed out around new people. Makes it a bit hard to go out in public. She stays home most of the time and does online schooling and speech therapy and has slowly been improving. It's been very slow progress. Frustrating for Dick, though he tries not to show it. She always tries her best. He loves Cass. Plus it's not too bad having someone at home who can watch Tyler while Dick is at work and everyone at school. That way they save money on not having to pay for child care. Dick really appreciates her helping out in that way.
There is Tim who is 15 years old and a beta. The kid is wicked smart. He just needs to apply himself. Dick is still proud of the boy. If one of them is going to make it out of this life, it's Tim. Dick doesn't know how, because they can't afford it, but he's gonna find a way to send the boy to college. And hopefully Tim will graduate and get a good job as maybe a rich accountant or something and will make enough money to move and live life far away from this mess. That’s Dick’s dream for the kid.
There is Damian, he's 10 and an alpha. He's got some... behavioural issues. He was only 4 years old when Bruce died. Losing their mother was hard on all of them in the family for different reasons and in different ways. But Damian is the one most out of all of them that still hasn't been able to get over it. He was just a pup. His mother got taken away much too soon. It's not good for a pup's development to be without a mother. Dick tried to step up as a parental figure, but he's an alpha, it's just not the same. And Jason refused to step into the role of omega for their family. And Dick gave up on pushing it because Jason was a kid himself at the time, only 12 years old. Jason didn't need that burden. Dick shouldered it all himself. It was his duty as the oldest. As the alpha of the house. Dick tried his best. But still Damian longs for his mother. He acts out violently. He has an unhealthy obsession with being the absolute best at everything. His inferiority complex is deep. He has abandonment issues and always thinks he needs to prove himself. Sometimes it’s exhausting dealing with and Dick often feels lost and dismayed on how to help the kid. He does his best to try and connect with the young boy and support him in better handling his emotions in a more healthy way. He feels like he makes barely any progress with the kid. There always ends up being some kind of set back. Just like with everything.
There is Jason who is an 18 year old male omega. He's... He used to be such a happy kid.
Then there is Dick himself. 24 year old male alpha. He was 18 years old and so technically and legally an adult when Bruce passed. And so was thankfully able to get custody of his siblings. Which is much better than them all getting separated in the foster system. He was still so young back then, he had to drop out of high school with only a half year more to go and get a second job, and the burden was a lot. A disabled younger sister and 3 younger brothers. At the time, he had to prioritise certain things, and he focused most on caring for the youngests Damian and Tim. And Cass because she needed more extra help than the others. He maybe should've been there more for Jason. Jason was a tough kid, Dick figured he'd be fine. But... Jason slowly got worse and worse. He was in and out of juvie constantly. At some point Dick gave up on him. Dick shouldn't have done that. Jason got pregnant at 16. Dropped out of school. Dick blames himself for that. But getting arrested almost as soon as he turned 18 and became a legal adult, now that was Jason's fault completely, and Dick is still pissed about it. 5 months that asshole has been locked up in a real adult prison doing real time, no more short juvie stints and kiddie gloves now that the teen is an adult. Maybe the teen has finally learned his lesson, but it’s not likely at all. He’s getting released early from the prison for "good behavior." Dick will believe it when he sees it.
They've all got the same mom. Bruce Wayne, male omega, deceased. But all different sires, in various states of absent parent or unknown. Things were difficult on Bruce as a single mother, he struggled financially, but he always did his best to try to raise them all. He gave them things much more important than riches, a loving home and family.
Oh and there's Stephanie Brown. She's not related to them, but she's still family. Nice girl. 16 years old and a beta. Tim's longtime on and off again girlfriend. She's been living with them for years because her father is a piece of work. It is safer for her to live with them. Dick doesn't mind because she carries her weight and helps out with cleaning and cooking and stuff.
And of course there is Tyler, Jason's pup. Almost 2 years old. Adorable little boy. No idea the sire, Jason refuses to talk about it.
Together they're all crammed into a little 3 bedroom house in the rough south side of the city. It's falling apart, but they make it work. Cass gets her own room because she's the only girl. Though Steph sleeps in there too. Because Dick is most definitely not letting Tim and Steph share a room. Dick does not want to deal with another teenage pregnancy after Jason. And Cass doesn't mind sharing a room with the other girl because she and Steph have become friends. Then the boys Tim and Damian share a bedroom. Which unfortunately and unavoidably leads to many conflicts and fights because the two do not get along at all. Dick, as the oldest, has his own bedroom, Bruce's old room to himself. Well Tyler is in there too with his crib. The baby wakes Dick up at least 3 times a night with random crying. They make it work, because they have to.
___
Dick picks up Jason from the prison and the car ride home is awkward. Dick is not sure what to talk about with someone who has been locked up for the past couple months. He tries for small talk but when Jason doesn't participate he gives up after a while. Fine. Jay can be a moody teenager like he is. But when they get home, there is going to be some serious talks that Dick isn't going to let Jay get out of. A lot has changed in the almost half a year he's been gone. Jason is going to have to get with the program. But for now Dick will leave it be, that can all be discussed once the omega is back home and settled in.
Dick pushes open the front door. "Hey we're home!" He calls out, walking inside followed by Jason.
The living room is in its normal disorderly state. The TV is playing some kids' shows about spelling and words. Sitting on the couch is Cass who looks up at their arrival. She's got Tyler on her lap who's still engrossed by what's on TV.
Jason stops in the entryway.
Cass gets up, kid on hip to walk over. "Jay!" She exclaims, excited at seeing him. She goes for a hug but Jason takes a step back. Cass pauses and gives Jason some space. She understands not wanting to be touched or have social interactions everyone just expects you to. She's still obviously a little upset. She was looking forward to her brother being home, and he doesn't want to even hug her it seems. But then she sees where his eyes are locked on. Tyler. Jason's eyes look uncertain but longing.
But Tyler only has eyes for Dick. "Daddy home!" He squeals, holding his arms out happily to Dick who takes Tyler into his own arms.
Jason had been shocked to see how much his little boy had grown up in the time he was gone. But Jason was happy and excited, especially when Tyler spoke, the boy hadn’t been able to before Jason left for prison. Jason’s heart dropped when he registered that it was Dick who Tyler referred to as “Daddy,” and Dick didn't bother to correct it. What all did Jason miss, when was this decided? He understands it was probably easier and more convenient to go with than to explain to the 2 year old that Dick wasn’t the kid's father, but an uncle, and the kid didn’t have any parents because his real parent was in prison and his real sire not in the picture. Jason knows he failed to give Tyler a dad. But that doesn’t give Dick the right to step into that role. Jason’s heart breaks further at Tyler choosing to reach out to Dick over him.
"Hey buddy. You have fun today with Aunty Cass?" Dick asks.
"Yes!" Tyler says enthusiastically, his puppy scent lighting up.
Jason holds back a whine.
Tyler seems to finally notice the large man next to them. Eyes looking over the new person. He clutches Dick a little tighter.
Dick explains. "It’s Mommy, he’s home. You want to say hi to Mom? Give him a hug?" Dick goes to pass Tyler off to Jason but the puppy grips tightly onto Dick. "No!" He whines in a sound that is distinct fear.
Jason, concerned for his distressed pup, steps forward to him. But this just makes Tyler break out into crying.
Dick pulls the pup closer against him and places his little nose against his neck scent gland to calm him with comforting alpha scent. "Hey it's okay baby. You might not recognise him cause he's been... away for a little bit but this is-"
The world has faded out to Jason. He stands shell shocked. He feels heartbreak so deep within him. His puppy doesn’t recognise him, his puppy is scared of him. He thinks he's going to break, to collapse, to fall apart. He needs to get out. He needs to leave. So he does. He turns right around and walks out of the house.
Dick watches the door shut behind Jason in disbelief. Almost half a year of being gone and he walks out as soon as he gets home. Jason and avoiding his problems. Typical. Whatever, Dick can’t care about that right now when he needs to focus on calming a still crying Tyler.
___
It’s late when Jason gets back home. The sun has set and everyone in the house has gone to bed. Except Dick, he stayed up to make sure Jason got home. He watches the man walk in the house, a little unsteady, possibly drunk.
Dick assesses Jason in the poor lighting of the kitchen. It’s weird to be properly seeing the kid in front of him instead of behind prison visitation glass after almost half a year. Dick notices Jason has got a "lovely" new prison tattoo of barbed wire wrapping in a band around his right bicep and something written across his knuckles that’s too messy to be legible from where Dick is standing.
Dick motions to the new ink. "Cute." He says sarcastically. Ya having tattoos across the knuckles is really gonna help his omega brother succeed at life after jail and find a job that will hire him.
"Was bored. Probably was a mistake to let my cell block buddy, Glaslov, tattoo me." Jason shrugs, not caring.
Dick is gonna pop a blood vessel. An omega with knuckle tattoos. Great. No one could ever mistake his brother for a thug. Cause it wouldn't be a mistake. It seems to be true. Does Jason not care at all about getting a job or a mate? Those are things he should be focused on as a single mother with a pup to feed. That should be the priority over anything.
Dick breathes and calms himself. He’s well past trying to control Jason, he gave up on that years ago. Dick instead tries to find something nice to say. "You look good. Healthy."
Jason snorts. "Ya not much to do in prison except workout." He brushes past Dick to trifle through the fridge.
As he passes, Dick can really get a gauge on just how big Jason has gotten. He used to be such a tiny little kid. That is until he hit some growth spurts as a teen, then he was all tall and lanky and awkward. He's filled out his broad shoulders well. To be truthful, Dick didn't think omegas could put on this much muscle. Dick was being honest earlier though, Jason looks good. It fits him. You would never guess by just looking at him that he had a baby just 2 years ago. It looks like he might have abs under his shirt.
Jason pulls out a beer from the fridge.
Dick gives him an annoyed look. "You're not old enough for that."
Jason looks at him weirdly. "When have you cared?"
"I care." Dick protests.
"Whatever." Jason shrugs it off, otherwise he's gonna start a fight. He expertly opens the bottle against the edge of the counter and then brings it to his lips and drinks. Drinking is nice. He hasn't had alcohol in a while, obviously there is no alcohol in prison, and before that he was pregnant and then nursing so he couldn't.
Dick finally gets to it, ripping the bandaid off and addressing Jason walking out and just leaving earlier. "Where were you?"
"Getting cigs."
"And then after?"
"Doing stuff."
"What stuff?"
"None of your business."
Dick growls at his unruly pup.
Jason snorts. "That don't work on me. You ain't my mother."
Now Dick growls deeper. He's been the closest thing to a parental figure that Jason has had for the past 6 years.
Jason growls right back.
Dick knows that Jason can rumble and growl as deep as an alpha. Dick was prepared for it and to fight against it. But this sound was different. This catches Dick off guard. It was an omega growl, specifically a sound only a mother omega can make. It fucks up all of Dick senses. It’s a sound he hasn’t heard directed at him since Bruce was alive. It sends his brain on fritz. It's a cruel trick from Jason. Makes his alpha feel guilty for growling at an omega, and makes Dick hurt and yearn for his mother back.
Jason brushes past Dick. "I'm going to bed."
Dick just lets him go.
Jason stumbles his way up the stairs in the dark and into his room. He just kind of assumed things would be the same, but he finds that things have been moved in his room. He's too tired to figure things out. He flops down in his bed that seems to have a sleeping Tim in it. He scoots the younger boy over till he has enough space. It's a tight fit in the twin. But Jason is too tired to care, it’s been a long turbulent day, he falls asleep instantly.