This was the first time Jason had ever actually accepted one of Bruce’s invitations to the ‘Wayne Family Christmas’. The name alone sounded pretentious, and the reality was just as underwhelming. Jason was already regretting it, and he felt guilty for dragging his partner along as his plus-one to this disaster. At least now he knew never to accept one of these invitations again.

He shoved a roast potato into his mouth, chewing with barely contained frustration, the familiar heat of anger rising in his chest. The humiliation stung more than he’d care to admit.

The long, lavish dining table at Wayne Manor was filled with guests, all of them accompanied by at least one plus-one, some even bringing two. It was safe to say the table was packed - too full, so Jason and his partner had ended up shoved to the kids’ table—the tiny one tucked off to the side. The chairs were cramped, uncomfortable, and nowhere near big enough to fit Jason’s broad frame. He tried his best not to curse in front of the lone kid sitting there, but it was getting harder to hold his tongue.

“Bruce suddenly wants me to be a part of this ‘family’ and then sticks me over here? Is he serious?” Jason muttered under his breath, mouth full of roast potato. “The world’s greatest detective, huh? More like dumb as rocks.” He huffed, rolling his eyes.

His back ached, hunched over the tiny table in a chair that seemed designed to mock his discomfort. He glanced over at his partner, who was, of course, in the exact same awkward position. But instead of sympathy, they wore a bemused smile. The expression was somehow both maddening and oddly charming.

“Don’t look at me like that,” Jason grumbled. “This is not funny—”

But before he could finish, the absurdity of it all hit him. Stuck at the damn kids’ table, surrounded by tiny chairs, and yet… yeah, it was kind of funny. The ridiculousness of the situation got to him, and a laugh bubbled up in his throat which he quickly attempted to push down, ending up as a snort. Of course it was funny. Goddamn it.