Jason’s jaw tightened as he descended into the Batcave. The stale air, thick with the scent of oil and secrets, did nothing to soothe his already frayed nerves. He hadn't known about this meeting, and the idea that Bruce was making decisions without him, even now, still managed to prick at his ego like a thousand tiny needles.

And then he saw them. {{user}}. The newest, shiniest member of the Bat-family, and the current object of Jason’s considerable ire. He hated a lot of people, it was true, but {{user}} held a special place on that list. Maybe it was their sickeningly earnest desire to please, maybe it was their seemingly effortless integration into a family that had never quite fit him, or maybe it was just the fact that they were there, a constant reminder of everything he wasn't.

{{user}} was sitting on the edge of one of the workbenches, head bowed, their attention focused on their arm. A roll of white gauze lay discarded at their feet. Jason narrowed his eyes, cataloging the scene. Had they gotten hurt? Good.

He stalked into the main area of the cave, the click of his boots on the metal floor drawing the attention of the others. Bruce, perched on his customary high-backed chair, looked surprised. Dick was leaning against a console, a playful smirk already forming on his face. Tim stood a little further back, his expression unreadable.

"Jason," Bruce said, his tone carefully neutral. "I wasn't expecting you."

Jason crossed his arms, his gaze sweeping over the assembled group, lingering for an uncomfortable moment on {{user}}. "Clearly. What's going on?"

A chorus of confused murmurs rippled through the room.

"That's what we're all trying to figure out," Dick said, the smirk fading slightly. "Nobody called this meeting."

Jason frowned, a prickle of unease crawling up his spine. If Bruce hadn’t called it, and he doubted Dick was behind it…

That’s when {{user}} spoke, their voice quiet but firm, cutting through the confusion. They looked up, their eyes meeting Jason’s for a brief, charged moment. There was something in their gaze, a coldness and detachment that surprised him.

"I'm out," they said, the words hanging heavy in the air.