Chapter 4
“First and foremost I would like to thank you all for coming.” Bruce's eyes glanced around the room, being sure to avoid a certain someone's gaze.
It was mainly teachers with a few PTA members who had been gathered. Bruce had wanted it to be more of a formal board meeting but after more thought he quickly realized that the PTA wouldn't be able to override the principal’s vote if it came down to it. So he gathered as many teachers as he could to come to Jason's defense. It wasn't all that difficult considering most teachers loved Jason.
“Can we get this over with already? I have places to be.” Asked Slade, who showed no interest in being there. It was a well known fact he and Bruce didn't get along very well despite them both being members of the PTA.
It wasn't necessarily Bruce that Slade didn't like, instead it was his children. More specifically Dick and Jason.
It started with Dick and Jericho (Slade's son) having a fling that ended just as quickly as it started. Then there was Jason and Rose (Slade's daughter) who have a more than friends type of relationship in the words of Slade.
Disapproving, Slade told Bruce to keep his kids away from Rose and Jericho. Since then Slade has had it out for all of Bruce's children, especially Dick and Jason.
"We have a lot to discuss, Mr. Wilson. If you wish to leave you may." Clark spoke up. Slade grumbled something under his breath restraining from any more complaints.
Clark nodded, being satisfied, turning towards Bruce. "Mr. Wayne, would you like to start?”
Bruce glared at Clark. If he thought defending him from Slade was going to get him back into Bruce's good graces then he was sorely mistaken. He was the reason they were in this whole mess.
Since the first time Bruce met Clark he learned rather quickly he was difficult when it came to kids misbehaving. Always giving them harsher punishments than deserved. Clark would claim it was nothing more than “responsibility”, but Bruce knew better. Anytime a kid slipped up Clark became extremely rigorous. It was all about his image rather than the kid's welfare. If it wasn't for Bruce there would be a lot more angry parents coming for Clark's head.
“I’m sure you all know why I called you here,” Bruce spoke sternly, earning a few uncomfortable looks. “My son, Jason Todd, has been unfairly punished for reasons Mr. Kent claims are ‘out of his control’.”
“It wasn't as simple as that.” Clark protested.
Slade raised his hand. “Isn't this the same son who drew graffiti on the school sign last year?” Bruce looked towards Slade, sending him a glare.
"That is not of any relevance."
“I’m sorry, how is that not relevant to this discussion?" Slade raised an eyebrow.
"What are you getting at Mr. Wilson?" Barry spoke up, narrowing his eyes at Slade suspiciously.
"I'm just confused as to how you all see this as Clark’s fault when, clearly, Bruce's children have some behavioral issues.” Slade said, wearing a smug look. "If you ask me, he made the right decision."
“I disagree,” Diana Prince, Jason’s World History teacher, intervened, “I don’t think ‘behavioral issues’ are the main problem in this situation. I've been working here for a while now and from what I've seen most of the staff members seem unwilling to work with students to help create a better environment for them to learn. I can only assume this unwillingness is a result of seeing their boss show such resistance against helping the students when he should be working with them.” She spoke sternly and clearly, looking everyone around the room in the eye.
Bruce held back a smile seeing both Slade and Clark become speechless. He and Diana have always been on good terms, especially when it came to helping the students. She seemed to be the only person in the whole school building capable of forming an intelligent thought.
“Exactly,” Bruce spoke up, staring Clark dead in the eyes. “Maybe if you didn't feel the need to always punish the student's and make yourself the bad guy then perhaps there would be less behavioral issues."
Clark's face was torn between a scowl and shock as he stared back at Bruce head on.
“There’s no need to be throwing around accusations. I get your anger but what you're doing is highly unprofessional. I do not punish students without reason.“
"I'm unprofessional? I'm not the one who gives out undeserved punishments. You may have reason but your punishments don't fit the crime." The room grew tense waiting for Clark to respond. He never did. Instead Bruce took that as his cue to continue his presentation.
He explained that while he knew what Jason did was wrong, it clearly didn’t deserve such an extreme punishment. Jason was only standing up for someone who was being sexualy harrased. As he continued never showing a moment of hesitation or doubt the room nodded along with him or kept vacant stares waiting for him to finish. He then finished his presentation with the question: "If you want your students to feel safe wouldn't you want them to know sexual harassment wasn't allowed?"
Bruce looked around making mental notes of everyone's reactions. Most seemed surprised having only know that Jason had been supsended for breaking a kids arm. They hadn't known the context.
Barry gave him an encouraging smile accompanied by a mouthed 'good job' when he looked at him. Bruce would never admit it to Barry's face but he’s glad to have him here right now. When first meeting Barry he found him very annoying. Over time he's grown quite fond of him. He supposed he had Dick to thank for that.
"After hearing what everyone has had to say I've come to the conclusion I may have been a bit rash when deciding to expel Jason." Bruce scoffed. A bit rash? I think the word you're looking for is absurd.
"I've decided Jason will be allowed back to school in two weeks. And as for the other student once there is evidence that they sexualy assulted that young girl they will immediately be expelled and never allowed at Justice Academy again. For now they are only suspended." Clark spoke sternly.
The room made no movements as they stared at Clark. Bruce was especially taken back. Was this really it? After everything he was just going to let Jason off with suspension for two weeks? From the beginning Bruce had suggested suspension and Clark made it very clear he had already made up his mind. There's no way this could be the end. He was surrendering like it was nothing. Like he hadn't put Jason through tremendous stress and guilt.
Barry's the first to stand up clasping Bruce on the back. “Well, I don’t know about you guys, but I see this as a tremendous win! Now why don't we all just go home and relax. Like I've been wanting to for that last couple of hours.” He mumbles the last part under his breath, just loud enough for Bruce to hear.
"Now hold on-" Bruce begins but is immediately cut off.
“No, I've made my decision.” Clark stands, pushing in his chair. "You can now go home. I thank you for your time and input here today."
With that said everyone began filing out of the room as Bruce just stood there trying to comprehend what just happened. He expected many outcomes but not this. He expected to go to war today.
"Bruce just take the win before I change my mind." Clark said, beginning to grab his stuff heading for the door. He stopped turning towards Bruce.
"I'm sorry I didn't listen to you before all of this got out of hand. You were right. I didn't want to risk the school being sued and- no. When it came down to it all I really wanted to do was protect my own image. For that I'm truly sorry." He looked defeated as he turned walking out the door.
Bruce stood there for a few minutes staring with his mouth slightly opened. He certainly didn't expect that either. He finally blinked as he began functioning again heading towards the exit.
-
"I can't believe Jason was expelled!" Dick said, pacing up and down the hallway of the school. He and Wally had been waiting outside the meeting room Bruce had entered for only two minutes and he was already losing it. Jason had barely spoken any words when Dick and the other's got home after the news of his expulsion. He hadn't even wanted to come to the meeting today to help plead his case.
The only ones who did come were Dick and Wally. The others decided to stay at the manor to watch over Jason as Dick waited to give them an update on what happened in the meeting room. At least that was the plan. Once he got to the school Bruce told him he had to wait outside in the hall. His exact words were: "I have this handled Dick. Stay out here with Wally." It was infuriating.
As Dick paced back and forth ranting on about how this was all unfair Wally grabbed a snack. He knew there was no calming Dick down and unless he wanted to get his head bit off he would keep his mouth shut.
When he had heard from uncle Barry that Jason had been expelled he'd immediately called Dick to know what happened. Dick explained everything saying how Bruce was planning a meeting and how Jason looked like a ghost. He also didn't leave out the important detail that he just wanted to punch Clark till he was begging for mercy. Wally quickly advised against that saying if he wanted to help Jason the best way would not be punching the principle.
Later on when Barry informed him he was heading to the meeting he asked if he could come along. Barry obviously understood why Wally wanted to come so he let him.
Now here Wally was currently munching on some vending machine chips as he made his way back over towards the still raging Dick Grayson. Sliding down on the ground he stuffed another handful of chips in his mouth watching Dick pace back and forth like it was a movie.
"Would you stop munching so loud!?" Dick snapped, stopping his pacing to look at Wally.
"Sorry I'm hungry." Wally grabbed another chip biting it. Dick glared at him walking towards him to snatch the bag of chips.
"Hey I paid for these! Back off!" Wally quickly stood doging Dick's attempt of thievery.
"Then stop munching so loud!" He made another attempt to grab the chip bag, failing. Instead getting a handful of chips thrown at him.
"Seriously!?"
"You started it!"
Wally and Dick stared at each other for a few minutes, not making any movements. Dick huffed angirly, turning around resuming his pacing. Wally looked at him sketicually expecting him to come at him again before cautiously walking back over to where he'd been sitting.
The next two hours went on in pure silence with the exception of Wally's snacking. It was hard seeing Dick like this. He wished there was more he could do but if he tried comforting him before he was ready it would only make things worse. He just had to wait for Dick to come to him.
It Wasn't like he didn't get where Dick was coming from. He's known Jason for a while now and when Dick said he'd been expelled it felt like the whole world had flipped upside down. He had wanted to go straight to the principal's office himself and give Clark a piece of his mind but he knew that would only make things worse for both himself and Jason. And he really didn't think Dick could handle him being expelled too.
But enough was enough.
"Ok stop." Wally stood walking towards Dick standing in front of him.
"What are you doing?" Dick's voice came out irritated.
"You have been pacing back and forth for two hours. 𝑇𝑤𝑜 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠. You need to sit down before you leave permanent footprints on the floor."
"Wally-"
"No. I've been giving you your space and I will continue to do so but only after you sit your ass down on the floor." Dick looked at Wally sighing. He knew when Wally got like this there was no arguing with him. No matter how much he wanted to.
Dick walked over towards the wall sitting down, raising his knees up as he rested his head against them. Wally walked over sliding down next to him.
"I don't know what I'm going to do." Dick spoke softly.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean if this doesn't work. If Jason stays expelled. He can't- he won't make it." Dick closed his eyes, taking a deep breath.
"Jason tries so hard to do the right thing, to make Bruce proud. If he stays expelled I know he won't be able to forgive himself." Wally looked over at Dick putting his hand on his shoulder.
"Jason is tougher than you think. And this will work out. Bruce will make sure of that."
Wally knew that wasn't going to be enough to even come close to convincing or comforting Dick but it was the truth. Jason was a tough kid and Bruce was a very protective parent who would stop at nothing to keep his kids safe. Wally's been on the receiving end of so many death glares that he's half expecting Bruce has put a curse on him. Bruce cared was Wally's main point. Even if he wasn't the best at expressing his emotions.
Wally leaned his head back against the wall taking a deep breath. He wished he could make Dick feel better and take away his doubts. But he's the oldest of six kids. He's basically their second parent. The one that always had to be strong and keep everything together. To look out for the others and be there for them when they needed him. Wally only wished he would just for one moment let himself be free. To pass some of that weight to him instead.
The click of the door opening immediately drew the attention of both Wally and Dick. They stood up quickly as they saw everyone leaving.
They both leveled a glare at Clark as he walked out.
"How’d it go?” Wally asks nervously as Barry comes walking towards them.
"Where's Bruce?" Dick asks before Barry can even get a word out. He looks around before he sees Bruce walking out of the meeting with an interesting expression spread across his face. It kind of looked like he was constipated.
"No, don't tell me… It went badly didn't it?" Dick felt his heart drop.
"Is that true?" Wally asked looking towards his uncle for some kind of confirmation. Bruce's unique look quickly turned to a frown, having forgotten the redhead was still here.
“It went well. Jason got off with a two week suspension." Barry spoke up grinning. Wally laughed looking towards Dick.
"Did you hear that!? Two week suspension!" He punched his fist up in the air. Dick laughed, never imagining he would ever hear Wally sound so happy about a suspension before. But just as quickly as he laughed he turned to Bruce with a confused look.
"If Jason's now only suspended for two weeks why do you look so pissed?" Dick narrowed his eyes suspiciously at Bruce. Bruce sighed trying not to look towards Wally in hopes of not giving away his distaste for the young teen.
It wasn't anything Wally did per say, it was just the fact that he was probably the most insufferable person on the entire planet.
For as long as anyone can remember it's always been Dick and Wally, Wally and Dick. Where there was one the other was sure to be near.
No matter who Dick’s dates or flirts with, it's been made clear that he’s only ever had feelings for Barry’s nephew. Even if he doesn't realize it. And it drives Bruce insane.
Bruce doesn't know if it's the way Dick looks at him, or the non stop flirting he and Dick do. Whatever it is it just rubs him the wrong way.
But no matter how Bruce might feel about the situation it's been made clear the redhead isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
"Bruce?" Barry calls waving a hand in front of his face. Bruce snaps out of his thoughts looking at Barry.
"Sorry I was just thinking."
"About..?"
"About how that was too easy. It just doesn't sit right with me."
Barry sighed. "Look man just take the win. What matters is Jason isn't suspended anymore."
"Yeah, I guess you're right." Bruce said hesitantly. He looked over towards Dick.
"We should head home to tell the other's the news."
"I could just text them, you know."
"Dude, don't you think this is something you should tell them in person?" Wally chimed in holding a candy bar. Where did he get all this money from? When did he even walk over to the vending machine?
"Yeah I guess you're right."
"I'm always right." Dick scoffed, shoving Wally.
"Your B in social studies says otherwise."
"Hey! It's not my fault the teacher doesn't know the right answers." Dick laughed, shaking his head fondly.
"You really are one of a kind West."
"You love me, admit it." Wally winked jokingly.
"Nah I hate you." Wally gasped, placing his hand above his heart in mock offense.
"Ok you two let's get going," Barry said, grabbing his nephew's shoulder.
"Fineee." Wally sighed.
"I'll be seeing you around Grayson. Tell Jason I said hi."
"I will."