IMAGINE:Dick, bumping Jason out of the way (as Bruce watches on) the second he hears Alfred arrive from a grocery run, knowing there’s a fresh batch of cereals with him.
Jason: *helping Alfred clear out the dinner table* You think we should’ve asked Harley to stay for dinner?
Alfred: If you wished to see Master Bruce’s hair to turn grey as you ate dessert, I don’t see why not.
Jason: *burps loudly and fans his breath away* Whoops. Sorry, Alf. Just my way of complimenting your cooking.
Alfred: *carrying the dishes to the kitchen* Then perhaps you should come here more often, Master Jason.
Jason: *following Alfred* I’d rather not cause any trouble.
Alfred: *stops in his tracks and turns to face Jason with a stern expression* And you don’t think it troubles me that you feel unwelcome here?
Jason: *takes the dishes from Alfred’s hands, sets them on the kitchen island, and pulls him in for a hug* Alf, hey… I didn’t mean it like that. I know you guys care about me, it’s just…
Alfred: *sobbing into Jason’s shirt* We’ve already lost you once… Once is enough, Jason…
Jason: *tightens the hug and gently plants a kiss on top of Alfred’s head* I know, I know… I’m back, Alf. I’m back.
>>> *** <<<
Dick and Barbara: *sitting on the carpeted floor in the study, enjoying the heat from the fireplace in front of them, going through a stack of photo albums*
Dick: *smiling fondly* Wow, these are old-old…. I should probably scan them before they crumble to pieces.
Dick: *stops at a page and points at a picture of Bruce and Jason on a boat, smiling, and holding up a tuna* Check this out, Babs… Aw, I love this one. I had a few days off from work, decided to spend it here. Somehow Jason convinced Bruce to take break from himself and go fishing.
Dick: *talking animatedly* So, there we are on Bruce’s huge fishing boat, the Bat-2-Sea – And Jason’s starting to get seasick because he’s been hanging out by the edge, waiting for a bite for hours – The persistence on that kid! – And he finally gets one! A big one, Babs – *spreads his arms* – and it was pulling down hard like you wouldn’t believe, but Jason just wouldn’t let go! – So Bruce drops the glass of wine he’s holding and runs to grab him –
Barbara: What were you doing?
Dick: Who do you think took the picture? As I was saying – Bruce, he – he – *starts to laugh so hard that he tears up* trips over Jason’s line somehow and falls into the ocean! *slapping-the-floor laughing* The World’s Greatest Detective, in his Batwaders, drenched like a wet bird… *sighs happily* You should’ve seen his face!
Barbara: *turns the page* Oh, I can see it now. Still stone-faced, but wet.
Barbara: *stops at a page and giggles* Aw… Will you look at that?
Dick: *looks at the photo Babs is pointing at and chuckles softly* That’s adorable.
Barbara: Those scaly leotards fit him better than they ever did you, Boy Wonder.
Dick: *smirks* Whatever. But I have to admit, he did look great. He looked really… happy. I wish… I wish I saw more of him in action, you know? *voice breaking* I could’ve maybe trained him the way I did Tim and Damian –
Barbara: *rubs his back comfortingly* Dick…
Jason: *walks into the study* Dickie, I took some of your –
Dick: *clears his throat and wipes his eyes haphazardly* Hey, Little Wing!
Jason: Wait, are those our old family photos?
Barbara: *pats the empty spot beside her* C’mere.
Jason: *sits down and rubs his hands together* Where’s the one where Bruce goes kersplat in the ocean?
Jason: *flips through the pages and grimaces at his photos as Robin* You’re not gonna use these to blackmail me, are you?
>>> *** <<<
Duke: *watches as his RPG character explodes for the fifth time in a row and shakes his head* You beat me again! You’re so good at this game, man.
Jason: *snorts and puts his controller down* Dude, you weren’t even trying. If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were letting me win.
Duke: What? Naaaah… That’s… Come on, why would I do that?
Jason: *gets up and shrugs, grinning knowingly* I dunno… ‘Cause you like seeing me alive?
Duke: Yeah. It’s pretty awesome, actually.
Jason: *offers to bump fists* I gotta pack up. Good game, though. See you around, bro.
Duke: *exploding-fist-bumps with Jason* You too, bro.
Jason: *pats Ace the Bathound’s head as he exits the game room*
>>> *** <<<
Steph: *examining Jason’s face* You look really pale.
Cass: *pointing at various spots on his face* And you have a lot of… scars.
Jason: *sitting on a stool in front of Cass’s vanity dresser, staring at himself in the mirror and absentmindedly running a finger over the shirt-covered scar on his chest* Yeah? That bad, huh?
Steph: *grins* Nothing a little makeup can’t fix.
Jason: *rubbing his chin* You think so? I mean, I just came here to borrow a few weapons from Cass, but if you think I need a makeover…
Steph and Cass: *look at each other and squeal in delight*
>>> *** <<<
Tim: And this *holding up a minuscule gadget between his fingers for Jason to see* generates a force field over your entire body. The more the impact, the greater the energy generated. Schway, huh?
Jason: *nodding his head appreciatively as he takes the gadget and sticks it on the lapel of his leather jacket* Schway.
Tim: *proudly shows Jason a Bat-shaped breastplate * Now, this – You’re gonna love this – It can turn you invisible to the naked eye for roughly 34.5 seconds, giving you time to do all kinds of offensive or defensive stuff. They won’t know what hit them, Jay. You’re basically gonna be invincible and Joker… Joker, he’s… he’s not… not gonna… *drops the breastplate unceremoniously*
Jason: *places a hand on Tim’s shoulder* Thank you, Timbo. Really. But I’ll be fine out there. You don’t have to worry about me.
Tim: Yeah? Can you promise me that? Because I don’t think I can live through another one of Bruce’s meltdowns.
Jason: *chuckles softly* Aren’t they the best?
>>> *** <<<
Jason: *staring at an empty grave layered with concrete in the backyard*
Jason: *rolls his eyes* I know you’re there.
Bruce: *comes out of the shadows and stands next to Jason*
Jason: Why’d you keep it?
Bruce: Because I’m a sentimental old fool.
Jason: This is just… creepy. Even for you.
Bruce and Jason: *stare at the empty grave in silence*
Jason: I’ve forgiven you.
Bruce: *glances at Jason, who could’ve sworn his adoptive father’s eyes were bloodshot*
Jason: You know that, don’t you? I mean, I know we’re always going to disagree about Jok– about him, and a few other things, but… You’ll always be family Bruce. My family.
Bruce: *looks at Jason, smiling wearily*
Jason: *grinning back at Bruce*
Bruce: *puts an arm around Jason’s shoulder* Thank you… Son.
Jason: *pulls Bruce in for a tight hug*
Bruce and Jason: …
Jason: Hey, remember that time you went kersplat in the ocean?
>>> *** <<<
Damian: *knocks softly on Jason’s bedroom door* Todd.
Jason: *stuffing a duffel bag with clothes, homemade snacks, and weapons* Hey, kid, come in. I’m just getting my stuff ready –
Damian: These came from Mother. *drops a pile of books on Jason’s old desk*
Jason: *picking one after the other up excitedly* Tolstoy, Machiavelli, Sun Tzu, Shakespeare, Marx… No way…
Damian: They’ve been with me for a while. But since you rarely come over, they’ve been collecting dust and taking up valuable space in my room. -Tt-
Jason: *wiping the dust off with his shirt and hugging each one* She kept them… These were my friends back when I was in the League…
Damian: I didn’t realize we had more in common than just being my Father’s sons.
Jason: Wow. I have no idea how I’m supposed to bring all of these home. I mean, I got here on roller blades, for Bat’s sake–
Damian: *thrusts a piece of paper into Jason’s chest* This is for you.
Jason: *gingerly uncrumples it, revealing a painting of him and Damian*
Jason: *reading the writing in calligraphy underneath* “The Second Chance Robins”… *looks at Damian, feeling the tears well up in his eyes* You made this?
Damian: *looking down at his feet* When it’s my day… M-my d-day… Will you come over, too?
Jason: *gets down on bended knee to be at eye level with his little brother* Hey, buddy, look at me. Damian, look at me. Of course. Listen, we’ll do whatever you want. We’ll, um… We’ll take bad guys down together! Pull pranks on Tim! You name it, I got you.
Damian: Don’t make promises you can’t keep, Todd.
Jason: I promise that I’ll do my best, okay?
Damian: You could stay the night, you know. You’re home anyway.
Jason: *ruffles Damian’s hair and grins* I’d like that. As long as you hang out here with me. And I promise I won’t tell anybody because it’ll ruin our reputation.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
If truth be told, @wingedskyes , Jason makes himself available on his Death Day. Because even if neither he nor his family and friends mention it, he knows that they need him just as much as he needs them.
Thank you for this Ask. It was both fun and just a tad bit heartbreaking to write.
Jason: *helping Alfred clear out the dinner table* You think we should’ve asked Harley to stay for dinner?
Alfred: If you wished to see Master Bruce’s hair to turn grey as you ate dessert, I don’t see why not.
Jason: *burps loudly and fans his breath away* Whoops. Sorry, Alf. Just my way of complimenting your cooking.
Alfred: *carrying the dishes to the kitchen* Then perhaps you should come here more often, Master Jason.
Jason: *following Alfred* I’d rather not cause any trouble.
Alfred: *stops in his tracks and turns to face Jason with a stern expression* And you don’t think it troubles me that you feel unwelcome here?
Jason: *takes the dishes from Alfred’s hands, sets them on the kitchen island, and pulls him in for a hug* Alf, hey… I didn’t mean it like that. I know you guys care about me, it’s just…
Alfred: *sobbing into Jason’s shirt* We’ve already lost you once… Once is enough, Jason…
Jason: *tightens the hug and gently plants a kiss on top of Alfred’s head* I know, I know… I’m back, Alf. I’m back.
>>> *** <<<
Dick and Barbara: *sitting on the carpeted floor in the study, enjoying the heat from the fireplace in front of them, going through a stack of photo albums*
Dick: *smiling fondly* Wow, these are old-old…. I should probably scan them before they crumble to pieces.
Dick: *stops at a page and points at a picture of Bruce and Jason on a boat, smiling, and holding up a tuna* Check this out, Babs… Aw, I love this one. I had a few days off from work, decided to spend it here. Somehow Jason convinced Bruce to take break from himself and go fishing.
Dick: *talking animatedly* So, there we are on Bruce’s huge fishing boat, the Bat-2-Sea – And Jason’s starting to get seasick because he’s been hanging out by the edge, waiting for a bite for hours – The persistence on that kid! – And he finally gets one! A big one, Babs – *spreads his arms* – and it was pulling down hard like you wouldn’t believe, but Jason just wouldn’t let go! – So Bruce drops the glass of wine he’s holding and runs to grab him –
Barbara: What were you doing?
Dick: Who do you think took the picture? As I was saying – Bruce, he – he – *starts to laugh so hard that he tears up* trips over Jason’s line somehow and falls into the ocean! *slapping-the-floor laughing* The World’s Greatest Detective, in his Batwaders, drenched like a wet bird… *sighs happily* You should’ve seen his face!
Barbara: *turns the page* Oh, I can see it now. Still stone-faced, but wet.
Barbara: *stops at a page and giggles* Aw… Will you look at that?
Dick: *looks at the photo Babs is pointing at and chuckles softly* That’s adorable.
Barbara: Those scaly leotards fit him better than they ever did you, Boy Wonder.
Dick: *smirks* Whatever. But I have to admit, he did look great. He looked really… happy. I wish… I wish I saw more of him in action, you know? *voice breaking* I could’ve maybe trained him the way I did Tim and Damian –
Barbara: *rubs his back comfortingly* Dick…
Jason: *walks into the study* Dickie, I took some of your –
Dick: *clears his throat and wipes his eyes haphazardly* Hey, Little Wing!
Jason: Wait, are those our old family photos?
Barbara: *pats the empty spot beside her* C’mere.
Jason: *sits down and rubs his hands together* Where’s the one where Bruce goes kersplat in the ocean?
Jason: *flips through the pages and grimaces at his photos as Robin* You’re not gonna use these to blackmail me, are you?
>>> *** <<<
Duke: *watches as his RPG character explodes for the fifth time in a row and shakes his head* You beat me again! You’re so good at this game, man.
Jason: *snorts and puts his controller down* Dude, you weren’t even trying. If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were letting me win.
Duke: What? Naaaah… That’s… Come on, why would I do that?
Jason: *gets up and shrugs, grinning knowingly* I dunno… ‘Cause you like seeing me alive?
Duke: Yeah. It’s pretty awesome, actually.
Jason: *offers to bump fists* I gotta pack up. Good game, though. See you around, bro.
Duke: *exploding-fist-bumps with Jason* You too, bro.
Jason: *pats Ace the Bathound’s head as he exits the game room*
>>> *** <<<
Steph: *examining Jason’s face* You look really pale.
Cass: *pointing at various spots on his face* And you have a lot of… scars.
Jason: *sitting on a stool in front of Cass’s vanity dresser, staring at himself in the mirror and absentmindedly running a finger over the shirt-covered scar on his chest* Yeah? That bad, huh?
Steph: *grins* Nothing a little makeup can’t fix.
Jason: *rubbing his chin* You think so? I mean, I just came here to borrow a few weapons from Cass, but if you think I need a makeover…
Steph and Cass: *look at each other and squeal in delight*
>>> *** <<<
Tim: And this *holding up a minuscule gadget between his fingers for Jason to see* generates a force field over your entire body. The more the impact, the greater the energy generated. Schway, huh?
Jason: *nodding his head appreciatively as he takes the gadget and sticks it on the lapel of his leather jacket* Schway.
Tim: *proudly shows Jason a Bat-shaped breastplate * Now, this – You’re gonna love this – It can turn you invisible to the naked eye for roughly 34.5 seconds, giving you time to do all kinds of offensive or defensive stuff. They won’t know what hit them, Jay. You’re basically gonna be invincible and Joker… Joker, he’s… he’s not… not gonna… *drops the breastplate unceremoniously*
Jason: *places a hand on Tim’s shoulder* Thank you, Timbo. Really. But I’ll be fine out there. You don’t have to worry about me.
Tim: Yeah? Can you promise me that? Because I don’t think I can live through another one of Bruce’s meltdowns.
Jason: *chuckles softly* Aren’t they the best?
>>> *** <<<
Jason: *staring at an empty grave layered with concrete in the backyard*
Jason: *rolls his eyes* I know you’re there.
Bruce: *comes out of the shadows and stands next to Jason*
Jason: Why’d you keep it?
Bruce: Because I’m a sentimental old fool.
Jason: This is just… creepy. Even for you.
Bruce and Jason: *stare at the empty grave in silence*
Jason: I’ve forgiven you.
Bruce: *glances at Jason, who could’ve sworn his adoptive father’s eyes were bloodshot*
Jason: You know that, don’t you? I mean, I know we’re always going to disagree about Jok– about him, and a few other things, but… You’ll always be family Bruce. My family.
Bruce: *looks at Jason, smiling wearily*
Jason: *grinning back at Bruce*
Bruce: *puts an arm around Jason’s shoulder* Thank you… Son.
Jason: *pulls Bruce in for a tight hug*
Bruce and Jason: …
Jason: Hey, remember that time you went kersplat in the ocean?
>>> *** <<<
Damian: *knocks softly on Jason’s bedroom door* Todd.
Jason: *stuffing a duffel bag with clothes, homemade snacks, and weapons* Hey, kid, come in. I’m just getting my stuff ready –
Damian: These came from Mother. *drops a pile of books on Jason’s old desk*
Jason: *picking one after the other up excitedly* Tolstoy, Machiavelli, Sun Tzu, Shakespeare, Marx… No way…
Damian: They’ve been with me for a while. But since you rarely come over, they’ve been collecting dust and taking up valuable space in my room. -Tt-
Jason: *wiping the dust off with his shirt and hugging each one* She kept them… These were my friends back when I was in the League…
Damian: I didn’t realize we had more in common than just being my Father’s sons.
Jason: Wow. I have no idea how I’m supposed to bring all of these home. I mean, I got here on roller blades, for Bat’s sake–
Damian: *thrusts a piece of paper into Jason’s chest* This is for you.
Jason: *gingerly uncrumples it, revealing a painting of him and Damian*
Jason: *reading the writing in calligraphy underneath* “The Second Chance Robins”… *looks at Damian, feeling the tears well up in his eyes* You made this?
Damian: *looking down at his feet* When it’s my day… M-my d-day… Will you come over, too?
Jason: *gets down on bended knee to be at eye level with his little brother* Hey, buddy, look at me. Damian, look at me. Of course. Listen, we’ll do whatever you want. We’ll, um… We’ll take bad guys down together! Pull pranks on Tim! You name it, I got you.
Damian: Don’t make promises you can’t keep, Todd.
Jason: I promise that I’ll do my best, okay?
Damian: You could stay the night, you know. You’re home anyway.
Jason: *ruffles Damian’s hair and grins* I’d like that. As long as you hang out here with me. And I promise I won’t tell anybody because it’ll ruin our reputation.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
If truth be told, @wingedskyes , Jason makes himself available on his Death Day. Because even if neither he nor his family and friends mention it, he knows that they need him just as much as he needs them.
Thank you for this Ask. It was both fun and just a tad bit heartbreaking to write.
Red Hood: *taps his foot impatiently while he checks his watch for the nth time* Come on, come on, come on. Make the drop, you guys.
Red Hood: *sighs in frustration as he disassembles and reassembles his pistol in 15 seconds flat for the nth time* Let’s get it over with.
Red Hood: *peeks from behind a stack of crates for the nth time* I don’t have all day. I promised Alfred I’d make it to dinner on time –
Red Hood: *stares at his ringing phone with narrowed eyes*
Red Hood: *picks it up* Roman.
Black Mask [on the phone]: *chuckling* Jason, my dear boy! How’ve you been? You look healthy. Very much alive, even.
Red Hood: *spots the tiny, hidden camera attached to a steel beam above him (How in the world did he miss that?) andcocks both his guns* Where are your men, ugly face?
Black Mask: Don’t you speak to me that way, you little rat! Before I make you a very D-E-A-… Hm. Forget I said that.
Red Hood: What?
Black Mask: The point is you’ve wasted your time waiting for nothing. So get lost!
Red Hood: Don’t lie to me! I’ve been tracking your every move for weeks and this warehouse reeks of your poisonous, criminal stench –
Black Mask: *lets out a drawn-out sigh* Listen, just go home, kid. The carnage you were looking forward to today? Newsflash: It ain’t happening!
Red Hood: You don’t tell me what to do, you sick son of a –
Black Mask: I tell you what: You go home tonight – and I mean home – I’ll forward you the coordinates of every illegal shipment to and from Janus Cosmetics within a hundred mile radius. You can blow it all up for all I care. Deal?
Red Hood: And if you don’t? If you lie to me?
Black Mask: *growling* You’ll find them anyway, you always do!
Red Hood: Why?
Black Mask: Hm?
Red Hood:Why?
Black Mask: *plays a vinyl record in the background, sounding more relaxed* Because there are better days to dance our tango, Jason… Da-rum, da-rum, da-rum da-ra…
Red Hood: …
Red Hood: Did Batman put you up to this?
Black Mask: *crumpling a piece of paper near the phone speaker* You’re breaking up! *click*
>>> *** <<<
[Safe house, undisclosed location, 1815 H]
Red Hood: *fumbling as he enters the wrong passcode to the steel door for the third time in a row* Crap! Crap! Crap! I’m gonna be late!
Lock: Password incorrect. Initializing Code Red Protocol in three, two, o–
Red Hood: Override the stupid passcode! Activate voice recognition!
Lock: Activating voice recognition –
Red Hood: The Handsome Robin! The Handsome Robin!
Lock: Welcome, Jason Todd. Opening door n–
Red Hood: Hello, Safe House! *squeezes himself in the still-narrow space, then trips over his weapons, armor, and garments as he hurriedly strips himself of them en route to the bathroom*
Red Hood: *abruptly stops in his tracks* What the fuuhhh…
Red Hood: *watches as bubbly, green fluid oozes out of his bathtub*
Red Hood: *picks up the rolled piece of parchment beside his Batshampoo, unties the ribbon around it, and spreads it open*
Note: “In case you needed more. [signed] The Demon’s Head”
>>> *** <<<
[Crime Alley, 1903 H]
Red Hood: *groans as he realizes that his motorcycle just ran out of fuel*Seriously?
Harley Quinn: *rollerblading into view* Hey, Baby J! Need a lift? *holds up an extra pair of roller blades*
Red Hood: Yeahhhh no.
Harley Quinn: Come on! It’ll be fun! And I promise I won’t bite cha. *winks*
Red Hood: Oh, what the heck. *grabs the roller blades* So you really just carry around an extra pair of blades, huh? *proceeds to put his on*
Harley Quinn: Nope! But I’ve had this with me for a while now. *takes out a tiny package from the pocket of her shorts and hands it to Jason*
Red Hood: *examines it* Hm.
Harley Quinn: It ain’t poisoned or nothin’! Pinky swear! *holds out her pinky*
Red Hood: *frowning* What is it?
Harley Quinn: *claps her hands excitedly* Open it! Open it!
Red Hood: *gingerly unfolds the bubble gum wrapper and holds up its minuscule content* … A tiny crowbar?
Harley Quinn: Yes! You can open envelopes with it! Stir coffee with it! Hit tiny Mistah J’s on the noggin’ with it –
Red Hood: *chuckles and puts the gift in his jacket pocket* Okay, okay, I get it. Thanks, I guess.
Harley Quinn: *holds her hand out to Jason* Come on! You’re gonna be late! Alfie ain’t gonna be happy!
Jason: *groggily opens one eye as he feels the foot of his bed dip*
Jason: *hears a small noise from the kitchen as both his eyes begin to adjust to the darkness, the soreness of his battle-weary body returning*
Jason: *quietly reaches under his pillow for one of his guns, his finger ready to disengage the safety switch at a moment’s notice, but is abruptly stopped by.. Voices?*
Artemis: *whispering* The man just clearly came from patrol. The considerate thing to do would be to let him rest, Arrow Boy.
Arsenal: *angrily whispering back* Listen, lady, I’ve known Jaybird far longer than you have, so don’t tell me what I should or shouldn’t do –
Starfire: *hissing* Roy, that’s enough –
Artemis: *in a booming voice* Don’t you “lady” me, you mortal –
Jason: *feels his heart speed up when the glint of a familiar axe catches his eye and attempts to get up and stop whatever war is unfolding before him, but loses his balance as his entire bed moves*
Bizarro: *shifting his position at the foot of Jason’s bed, excitedly yelling* RED HIM AM AWAKE! RED HIM AM AWAKE!
Arsenal, Starfire, and Artemis: *immediately stop bickering and look at Jason with fondness*
Jason: *rubbing his eyes tiredly* Why’re you all looking at me like th– hHUrrkK!
Bizarro: *hugging him tightly* BIZARRO AND PUP PUP AM MISS YOU SO MUCH!
Jason: *gasping for air as Bizarro lets him go* I miss you, too, big buddy, but I’m pretty sure you just pulverized my broken bo– mMPh! Mmm hmmm…
Artemis: *releases Jason from their kiss and smiles shyly* Forgive me…
Jason: *grins dreamily at Artemis* You’re forgiven…
Starfire: *softly places a hand on Jason’s shoulder* It’s so good to see you.
Jason: It’s good to see you, too, Kory… All of you… But, um… What’re all of you doing here at *glances at the clock on his night table*… two in the morning?
Arsenal: Kory and I got here first!
Artemis: *rolls her eyes* Your immaturity continues to astound me.
Jason: Okaaay… *reaching for his phone* What day is it, anyway?
Bizarro: It am Apr–
Arsenal: *covers Bizarro’s mouth and chuckles nervously* It am doesn’t matter! Is what he meant to say.
Starfire: *gently pushes Jason back to bed, covers him with a blanket, and tucks Pup Pup under his arm* We can talk later, okay? Go to sleep. And when you wake up, we’ll be here.
Jason: *yawns and lets the darkness overtake him once more, uncertain whether seeing his closest friends all together was just a dream or not, but grateful either way*
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
@wingedskyes, let’s just say that the 27th of April tends to be a long day for the people who care about him. And it’s only just begun.
Red Hood: *taps his foot impatiently while he checks his watch for the nth time* Come on, come on, come on. Make the drop, you guys.
Red Hood: *sighs in frustration as he disassembles and reassembles his pistol in 15 seconds flat for the nth time* Let’s get it over with.
Red Hood: *peeks from behind a stack of crates for the nth time* I don’t have all day. I promised Alfred I’d make it to dinner on time –
Red Hood: *stares at his ringing phone with narrowed eyes*
Red Hood: *picks it up* Roman.
Black Mask [on the phone]: *chuckling* Jason, my dear boy! How’ve you been? You look healthy. Very much alive, even.
Red Hood: *spots the tiny, hidden camera attached to a steel beam above him (How in the world did he miss that?) andcocks both his guns* Where are your men, ugly face?
Black Mask: Don’t you speak to me that way, you little rat! Before I make you a very D-E-A-… Hm. Forget I said that.
Red Hood: What?
Black Mask: The point is you’ve wasted your time waiting for nothing. So get lost!
Red Hood: Don’t lie to me! I’ve been tracking your every move for weeks and this warehouse reeks of your poisonous, criminal stench –
Black Mask: *lets out a drawn-out sigh* Listen, just go home, kid. The carnage you were looking forward to today? Newsflash: It ain’t happening!
Red Hood: You don’t tell me what to do, you sick son of a –
Black Mask: I tell you what: You go home tonight – and I mean home – I’ll forward you the coordinates of every illegal shipment to and from Janus Cosmetics within a hundred mile radius. You can blow it all up for all I care. Deal?
Red Hood: And if you don’t? If you lie to me?
Black Mask: *growling* You’ll find them anyway, you always do!
Red Hood: Why?
Black Mask: Hm?
Red Hood:Why?
Black Mask: *plays a vinyl record in the background, sounding more relaxed* Because there are better days to dance our tango, Jason… Da-rum, da-rum, da-rum da-ra…
Red Hood: …
Red Hood: Did Batman put you up to this?
Black Mask: *crumpling a piece of paper near the phone speaker* You’re breaking up! *click*
>>> *** <<<
[Safe house, undisclosed location, 1815 H]
Red Hood: *fumbling as he enters the wrong passcode to the steel door for the third time in a row* Crap! Crap! Crap! I’m gonna be late!
Lock: Password incorrect. Initializing Code Red Protocol in three, two, o–
Red Hood: Override the stupid passcode! Activate voice recognition!
Lock: Activating voice recognition –
Red Hood: The Handsome Robin! The Handsome Robin!
Lock: Welcome, Jason Todd. Opening door n–
Red Hood: Hello, Safe House! *squeezes himself in the still-narrow space, then trips over his weapons, armor, and garments as he hurriedly strips himself of them en route to the bathroom*
Red Hood: *abruptly stops in his tracks* What the fuuhhh…
Red Hood: *watches as bubbly, green fluid oozes out of his bathtub*
Red Hood: *picks up the rolled piece of parchment beside his Batshampoo, unties the ribbon around it, and spreads it open*
Note: “In case you needed more. [signed] The Demon’s Head”
>>> *** <<<
[Crime Alley, 1903 H]
Red Hood: *groans as he realizes that his motorcycle just ran out of fuel*Seriously?
Harley Quinn: *rollerblading into view* Hey, Baby J! Need a lift? *holds up an extra pair of roller blades*
Red Hood: Yeahhhh no.
Harley Quinn: Come on! It’ll be fun! And I promise I won’t bite cha. *winks*
Red Hood: Oh, what the heck. *grabs the roller blades* So you really just carry around an extra pair of blades, huh? *proceeds to put his on*
Harley Quinn: Nope! But I’ve had this with me for a while now. *takes out a tiny package from the pocket of her shorts and hands it to Jason*
Red Hood: *examines it* Hm.
Harley Quinn: It ain’t poisoned or nothin’! Pinky swear! *holds out her pinky*
Red Hood: *frowning* What is it?
Harley Quinn: *claps her hands excitedly* Open it! Open it!
Red Hood: *gingerly unfolds the bubble gum wrapper and holds up its minuscule content* … A tiny crowbar?
Harley Quinn: Yes! You can open envelopes with it! Stir coffee with it! Hit tiny Mistah J’s on the noggin’ with it –
Red Hood: *chuckles and puts the gift in his jacket pocket* Okay, okay, I get it. Thanks, I guess.
Harley Quinn: *holds her hand out to Jason* Come on! You’re gonna be late! Alfie ain’t gonna be happy!
Jason: *groggily opens one eye as he feels the foot of his bed dip*
Jason: *hears a small noise from the kitchen as both his eyes begin to adjust to the darkness, the soreness of his battle-weary body returning*
Jason: *quietly reaches under his pillow for one of his guns, his finger ready to disengage the safety switch at a moment’s notice, but is abruptly stopped by.. Voices?*
Artemis: *whispering* The man just clearly came from patrol. The considerate thing to do would be to let him rest, Arrow Boy.
Arsenal: *angrily whispering back* Listen, lady, I’ve known Jaybird far longer than you have, so don’t tell me what I should or shouldn’t do –
Starfire: *hissing* Roy, that’s enough –
Artemis: *in a booming voice* Don’t you “lady” me, you mortal –
Jason: *feels his heart speed up when the glint of a familiar axe catches his eye and attempts to get up and stop whatever war is unfolding before him, but loses his balance as his entire bed moves*
Bizarro: *shifting his position at the foot of Jason’s bed, excitedly yelling* RED HIM AM AWAKE! RED HIM AM AWAKE!
Arsenal, Starfire, and Artemis: *immediately stop bickering and look at Jason with fondness*
Jason: *rubbing his eyes tiredly* Why’re you all looking at me like th– hHUrrkK!
Bizarro: *hugging him tightly* BIZARRO AND PUP PUP AM MISS YOU SO MUCH!
Jason: *gasping for air as Bizarro lets him go* I miss you, too, big buddy, but I’m pretty sure you just pulverized my broken bo– mMPh! Mmm hmmm…
Artemis: *releases Jason from their kiss and smiles shyly* Forgive me…
Jason: *grins dreamily at Artemis* You’re forgiven…
Starfire: *softly places a hand on Jason’s shoulder* It’s so good to see you.
Jason: It’s good to see you, too, Kory… All of you… But, um… What’re all of you doing here at *glances at the clock on his night table*… two in the morning?
Arsenal: Kory and I got here first!
Artemis: *rolls her eyes* Your immaturity continues to astound me.
Jason: Okaaay… *reaching for his phone* What day is it, anyway?
Bizarro: It am Apr–
Arsenal: *covers Bizarro’s mouth and chuckles nervously* It am doesn’t matter! Is what he meant to say.
Starfire: *gently pushes Jason back to bed, covers him with a blanket, and tucks Pup Pup under his arm* We can talk later, okay? Go to sleep. And when you wake up, we’ll be here.
Jason: *yawns and lets the darkness overtake him once more, uncertain whether seeing his closest friends all together was just a dream or not, but grateful either way*
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
@wingedskyes, let’s just say that the 27th of April tends to be a long day for the people who care about him. And it’s only just begun.
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