Bruce and lil Robin!Jason, "Ssh, you're safe. I won't let go of you."

Anon I got your message about platonic, just so you know! c:

Bruce watched as Jason jerked back from Crane, the boy giving a scream so strong into the night it felt as it the air around them shattered. Behind it, Crane’s laughter could be heard, but it seemed to fade. All of it did, really, as Bruce honed in on Jason, who had spun, was looking wide eyed, terrified behind his mask, at the street.

Bruce tossed the man who he had been fighting to the side, crossing the space between him and Jason in seconds, reaching out for the boy. He grabbed his shoulders with his large hands, squeezing.

“Robin!” His voice cut, deep, and Jason jerked his head up, staring at him. The color had drained from his cheeks, leaving Jason looking ghostly, as if his freckles were nothing but ink droplets on a blank sheet of paper.

He pulled away from Bruce a moment later, shuddered, glancing around them, reaching up to tug at his hair. He pulled, so hard Bruce was sure he pulled some out, before he fell down to his knees. Behind him, Crane had turned, was leaving the scene towards a car, hurtling towards them down the street.

Bruce had the option to chase him. Pursuit would end his capture, he knew. He could beat Crane, in that moment, to the car. If not, he could latch on, pull himself up onto the roof and handle it from there.

Instead, he went for Jason again, grabbing the boy and pulling him into his arms, pressing him against his chest.

“Robin!” he called again, and as the boy gave another muffled scream, a softer, “Jason. Jason, it’s okay.” Bruce squeezed, felt Jason surge against his body, hands clawing at the suit, until they pressed against the Bat on his chest. He looked up, lip quivering.

In that moment, he didn’t look like the young teen Bruce kept by his side every night on patrol. He looked a small child. Endlessly small, as if he could fit in Bruce’s palm.

Bruce fell down to his knees, found it easier to hold him that way. He rubbed at his back, and Jason began to relax, arms reaching up to go around Bruce’s neck.

“You’re safe,” he whispered, one hand finding Jason’s hair, stroking gently. “I won’t let got of you.”

Jason did relax, then. He hiccuped his breath, a broken sob at the end of it. Bruce had no idea what he was seeing, even behind closed eyes- but they wouldn’t move until the waking nightmares were gone, if need be.