It hurt, almost, to have this. Things had never been idyllic between them, not the easy relationship he had shared with Dick, but they had found their own rhythm, and shared their own affection. Bruce had forgotten how much he missed that, and it tugged at him to stand here, their language almost playful, knowing full well it wouldn't last.
Bruce knew it was his fault. There was so much more he should have done for Jason, starting with help he should have gotten him and ending with attention he should have paid him. Maybe if he had done things right, no tried to repeat his success with Dick on a boy who couldn't have been more different, and who required so much more, he could have prevented all that had happened.
He would have given absolutely anything to have it back to do over. Or at least to have another chance with Jason to make things right. Anything... except the one thing he knew Jason wanted most. That was something he would never be able to give him, and unless he could make him understand why, it would always be between them.
Stopping, Jason's hurt and angry question a blunt instrument thumping against his heart, Bruce lowered his head, not turning around. There was silence as his hand fell away from the doorknob. It was a fair question. One he asked himself almost every day. "Right?" Bruce made a soft noise, a self-deprecating chuckle. "What right does anyone have? I lost mine... but when you and Dick came into my life, I regained something I'd thought was gone forever. The others as well, but you both were the first. You gave me someone to live for. Maybe it wasn't perfect, but it was ours."
His face turned, but his body stayed as it was. "It's still not perfect; but that doesn't prevent me from loving you."