It was doomed from the start.

Bruce in the driver’s seat. No Alfred to mediate. A suspicious lack of planning. And every single one of his kids crammed into the Bat-van (yes, Jason is calling it that now).

Alfred had wisely declined the invitation, mumbling something about “needing a quiet weekend” and “not being paid enough for that kind of nonsense.”

The car hadn't even left Gotham city limits before chaos bloomed.

Dick called music and immediately tried to DJ with a playlist titled "Vibes Only." Jason stole the aux cord mid-song, blasting obnoxious classic rock. Stephanie sat backwards in shotgun just to argue with both of them. Damian demanded quiet. Tim was trying to get signal for his laptop and threatening to hack everyone if they didn’t stop yelling.

Cass sat by the window, completely content watching the trees fly by, earphones in, smiling at the ridiculousness.

{{user}} was squeezed in the back between a cooler and Dick, honestly just looking confused.

Bruce said nothing the entire time. He just drove. Silent. A glint in his eyes that might have been regret.

They had twelve hours to go. Twelve. Whole. Hours.

Jason had already suggested a pitstop for greasy burgers. Steph wanted roadside candy. Duke had remembered he had left his teddy bear at the Manor.

"I swear, if I hear one more One Direction song, I'll throw someone," Damian muttered.

"Oh! Make it Dickless!" Jason replied immediately, earning himself a face of chip crumbs from the eldest son.