Jason Todd Drabbles

by Nayuyu18

Summary:

Mini one-shots of Jason Todd from my tumblr that may be expanded on in the future

Notes:

Jason Todd has me in a chokehold, and I have lots of ideas, but I'm not smart enough to make them into proper fics (yet)

Tags will be updated as I post more drabbles :)

(will be slightly diff from the tumblr posts as I'm fixing a bit of the grammar)

Chapter 1: Disney Princess

Jason is like a Disney princess who attracts animals to him.

At first, it was just a cat, and then a dog, and then all kinds of animals.

After a few months of denial, he just accepts it; his house is filled with all kinds of animals, and his bed only has enough space to lie down in one place despite it being a king-sized bed.

Because of this, Damian loves spending time at Jason's place since he gets to spend time with a shit ton of animals while all the other bats just laugh at Jason Disney princess Todd when they see him, and a bird just lands on top of his head and just goes to sleep there.

Notes:

Thought process: Animals love good people -> animals love Jason Todd -> Jason Todd is a good person! :D

Chapter 2: Emotionless Jason Todd

Jason is hit with a spell that rids him of emotions. At first, he didn't seem any different, but as time passed, it was obvious something had changed.

He no longer tried to fit into the family, desperate for approval from Bruce. He went back to his permanent way of getting rid of scum. He did still look after Crime Alley, he still looked after the sex workers and the homeless children.

Even though Jason himself knows that something is different, he doesn't care. He looks back on his memories, the way he went non-lethal just to fit in with his so-called 'family', and he understands theoretically why, but he no longer feels the same way. He feels neither positive nor negative emotions towards them. They aren't worth it. He just needs to focus on helping Crime Alley get better and getting rid of the rogues that plague Gotham.

And Batfam is just confused, as is Jason, who made a sudden 180 and tried to talk to him about it. Jason, not wanting to be bothered, just shot at places that wouldn't hurt them too badly, but still a warning to go away.

Bruce tries to capture Jason but fails. The only reason he had managed before was that Jason was full of emotion and had held back a bit, hoping for his father to help him. This Jason doesn't have emotions to hold back, so he goes all out.

As Jason steps his foot on top of Bruce, helmet-free, he smiles. No, a real one, but as if he were an actor playing a role. The smile is so unsettling that you wish he would stop.

After Bruce was left alone, he went back to the Batcave and kind of told the others what happened. They all wonder what happened to Jason, why and how he changed so much?

Chapter 3: Death of the Clown

Jason confronts the Joker.

Joker tries to get to him, but Jason just smirks and says, “You know... you want me to lose it. Make your death something dramatic. Attention worthy. But...” he chuckles, “you’re not worth that. All you’re going to get is a bullet with no one to watch. No audience, and definitely no Batman to watch to great Joker die.”

Joker’s face frowns at that, but before he could say anything, Jason continues, “No one knows we’re here. And I mean no one. I made sure of it. So..." He pauses. "Buh-bye~” he says with a smile that’s just oh so innocent, before a loud bang echoes out in the basement the two were in.

Joker’s body falls to the ground like dead meat, and just to make sure the dreadful clown is truly dead and won’t come back, he shoots the head again and then the heart.

There was no way of coming back to life from this.

But since Jason knew he could be resurrected as he had, he poured gasoline over the dead body and up the stairs, into the house, until he was outside the house.

As he finished pouring the gasoline, he placed the bottle down and brought a matchbox out of his pocket. Taking one match out, he lights it and drops it into the long line of gasoline, watching the house and Joker’s body up in flames.

What a joyous occasion. Jason turns around and hums as he walks off to celebrate with his outlaw team after finally ridding himself of his monster.

Chapter 4: Cat Dick Grayson

Dick Grayson is transformed into a cat by a magic user during his patrol and is found by Red Hood.

Red Hood just takes such good care of cat dick that dick just can’t believe this is the guy who stuffed 8 heads in a duffle bag, but Jason had yet to take off his helmet the whole night until he decides it's time to shower.

When he gets out and is in his PJs, dick is just shocked because it’s his Little Wing, his little brother, who is supposed to be dead but somehow isn’t.

The little brother who is now built like a tank, instead of the small boy he once was, is in his memories. His eyes are unnaturally green with a hint of blue underneath, instead of his usual blue. A streak of white instead of fully black, scars litter his body, showing the hardships he faced. He feels devastated at not being able to help Jason, even when Dick knew that he didn't even know Jason was alive.

Dick sticks next to Jason the whole time he's in the safehouse; he even attempts to follow him when he leaves, not wanting to separate. He isn’t ready to realise this isn’t real. That he’s hallucinating again. But as days go by, the realisation that Jason is in fact alive is finally setting in.

He’s definitely Jason, his Little Wing, his brother. He’s still the book lover he was, always reading a book after his crime lord business and all that jazz. He’s also still a clean freak; he was such a clean freak when he was staying in the manor. A smile makes its way on his face as he remembers those fond memories from before Jason died.

Jason also cooks! Somehow, Jason managed to find a recipe that allows cats to eat it as well, and holy shit, it was absolutely delicious! He meows for seconds; it's just that good, no one would be able to resist either.

Now then... When will he turn back into a human, and what’ll happen then? Does he need to get someone to reverse the spell, or is waiting good enough?
More importantly... How will he get Jason to come back to the manor?

What’s close to a sigh comes out of his cat's mouth as he lies on Jason's lap. Purring as Little Wing’s hand pets him.

Chapter 5: Talia is using me?

Bruce finds out that Jason does missions under Talia and tells Jason that she’s using him.

Jason just shrugs; he already knew that and is freely choosing to go along with it.

He gets praise and approval from it, so why wouldn’t he?

Bruce never did that. Him and his ridiculous morals. What, with his no kill rule, despite putting people in comas or indirectly killing people.

All Bruce does is reprimand and scold him for somehow screwing something up. Always at fault somehow. Never treated the same as other family members.

What a hypocrite.

Plus, a woman being badass? Of course, he’d support it! What is he? Sexist?

Definitely not.

So seeing a badass that has kind of adopted him as a son, of course, he’d do what she wants!

Plus, he gets to spite Bruce is doing so. Win-win

Chapter 6: In loving memory

Jason Todd, who's been told over and over again about how much Bruce Wayne had grieved him. But when Jason visited the manor, all he saw was a home that erased his existence.

There were no photos of him on the walls despite everyone else being there. There was no evidence of the person 'Jason Todd' having ever lived here, except for the locked door with a J on it.

Even down in the cave, all there was was the dreadful memorial case.

[IN MEMORY OF JASON TODD -ROBIN- A GOOD SOLDIER]

When he first saw it, he froze as something grew in his stomach. He felt sick seeing it.

He was reduced to a soldier. Not a son. No. A fucking soldier who was apparently 'good' despite his reputation as Robin being continuously tarnished and trampled on. Even to this day, it was trampled on, reduced to nothing but a cautionary tale.

He couldn't understand. How could Jason accept Bruce's grief if it stripped the essence of what makes Jason 'Jason Todd'? How could he accept it when he was reduced to nothing more than a soldier from the man who was supposed to be his 'father'?

How could all the others tell him that he was being too harsh on Bruce when Bruce had done this to him? Had made him nothing but a warning for little birdies about what not to be. 'Don't do this or you'll die like Robin II' or 'follow orders, otherwise you'll get yourself killed like Jason's and so on.

How could they trample on his name like that? Every other Robin disobeyed orders, but of course, it's only Jason whose named as the disobeyer because he died. What defence can a dead kid do right?

At this realisation, Jason quickly picks up anything swingable and throws it at the memorial case before picking it back up and swinging it at the glass. Shards falling, some scratching him, but he doesn't notice. His mind was moving on autopilot, overwhelmed with intense emotions, too much for him to bear.

He pants as he finishes, rushing out to where his motorcycle was parked before hopping on and driving away.

It was a mistake. He never should've trusted them. Should've never trusted Nightwing's words about how much Bruce grieved him. Never should've trusted Tim's words on how he's Bruce's son.

Because he's not. He's Batman's Robin. A good soldier. Not Jason Todd. Not Bruce Wayne's son.

He doesn't know where he's driving, but all he knows is that he wants out. Out of the manor. Out of Gotham. Away from the bats. He never should've trusted them.

Chapter 7: Jason Todd and his father

Jason is in the Batcave during a debrief, much to his displeasure. Suddenly, a portal appears right under Jason, and he falls through it. Closing as soon as his head passes it.

When he hits his ass on the ground, he takes in the image of the Batcave. But not the same as his world's one. There are similarities, but there are also differences. Some are placed in different spots, new items are added, and some things are gone.

As he continues to look around, he sees Batman with his cowl down, looking at him, surprised.

"Jason?" At this, Jason just nods, not knowing what to do under Bruce's staring eyes.

After a while of staring, Bruce stands up from his seat and walks over, calling him to come sit down to help him go back to wherever he came from, a small smile itching his face as he takes in Jason's appearance.

 

Jason is... Perplexed.

It feels odd. As if he's gone back in time to when Bruce was truly his father. The man who would skip patrol to watch a movie with his sick son.

He didn't know he missed that feeling. Of receiving the look of love and appreciation.

So it was a big surprise to find out that Bruce had never done anything bad to this world's Jason when he came back. He had simply communicated with Jason instead of fighting him. He had listened to Jason during his cry for help.

He didn't kill the Joker, but it was as close to death as Bruce was willing to go. He had sent Joker to the Phantom Zone.

After doing that, this world's Jason had apparently accepted that as enough and had managed to calm his anger, slowly returning to the manor, but not after a bit of struggle and hesitancy.

Jason could only internally laugh. He just had to be the unlucky one, huh? His father refused his cry for help, slitting his throat instead. Beating him to a pulp for shooting Penguin at point-blank range. Taken to the place of death to help his 'son' come back from the dead by reliving his death. Being implanted with a failsafe that can't even let him feel adrenaline without dear coursing through his veins...

What a joke.

This world's Bruce must have noticed something because he asked Jason what was wrong.

"Nothing... You're just so different from my Bruce, in a good way."

Bruce just raises his eyebrows, as if asking for more to satisfy his curiosity, but not pushing it if Jason doesn't want to elaborate.

Jason was grateful. It felt weird, but he had this gut instinct telling him that it was safe to tell this man about what Bruce had done. And so he did.

This Bruce was horrified, boiling with anger at his alternate self. He couldn't believe what that man had done to Jason. He was a failure of a parent and mentor.

It was unacceptable.

Bruce swore right then and there that he would do his best to help Jason in any way possible. To rid him of his failsafe. Did the other Bruce not think about the consequences? How is adrenaline an everyday occurrence? Jason would be plunged into fear daily, if not all the time. It's a miracle he isn't right now, honestly.

Feeling devastated at what Jason underwent, he urged the young man into his arms, giving him a hug while stroking his hair gently.

Jason just collapses into this Bruce's arms, tears forming and threatening to escape. He missed his dad's arms. He missed his hugs. The way dad's hand would stroke his hair, as if he were something special.

After a few minutes, Jason falls asleep. Bruce just looked down at the young man, and a sad smile made its way onto his face. If the other Bruce didn't appreciate Jason, maybe he didn't need to find a way to send him back. He's sure his Jaylad would be willing to help the Jason in his arms. Dick would be ecstatic to have another Jason as well. All of them are willing to protect him from anyone who might take him away.

No one was going to take his precious son away.

As he continues stroking Jason's hair, thoughts of how this Jason would interact with his kids, the sad smile turned into a small, joyful one. A hum makes his way out as he continues to caress Jason's hair as he carries him to his room, so that he can sleep in a more comfortable position.

He will rid his son of his failsafe and help Jason feel appreciated and loved if it's the last thing he'll do.

Notes:

Wrote this one cause I felt bad for always making Bruce/Batman a shit person, but it's not possible to justify any of his actions in canon, so the next best thing is if he never did those things in the first place (because fuck DC writers for making Batman abusive when he's supposed to be the opposite)

Chapter 8: Upholding Justice

Batman and Red Hood are fighting again after Jason goes too 'far', so Batman, upholding justice, beats the living daylights out of him.

He then threw one of those batarangs that blow up. This resulted in Red Hood's helmet being broken.

Little did Batman know that Jason was wearing one of his helmets that had a bomb in it.

So when the batarangs blew up and broke the helmet, it resulted in Jason's head being blown up with the helmet.

Batman stands frozen, seeing Red Hood blow up, no head in sight, as his bloodied body collapses onto the ground. The walls and floor around Red Hood are splattered with blood and brain matter.

Batman didn't mean to do that.

He didn't know Red Hood had a bomb in his helmet.

It's not his fault.

It's...

It's not.

It's Red Hood's fault for wearing a helmet with a bomb in it. He should've known better than to wear it.

Somehow, Batman had stumbled his way back to the Batmobile, riding back to the Batcave.

Nothing happened.

No one died tonight.

He didn't kill anyone.

He...

He didn't kill his...

His son...

Red Hood isn't his son.

He was a criminal.

All he did was uphold justice.

...

He has to make sure no one finds out.

And thus, he scrubs footage of his 'interaction' with Red Hood off the cowl footage from the computer.

No one knows where Jason went. They all wonder why he doesn't respond to their message. Even when they asked the outlaws, they found nothing. He just disappeared. Everyone is worried, scared that something happened, but they can't find anything.

Chapter 9: Jason Todd the Angel

A spell that turns the person either into a demon or an angel, depending on their soul. So when Jason gets hit, everyone expects him to turn into a demon.

Instead, Jason turns into an angel, all shiny halo and angel's wings, all that jazz.

Everyone is shocked, more so the bats who joined after Jason's death. They thought he'd be a demon without a doubt because of what others, especially Bruce and Alfred, said about him. And the way Tim would sometimes speak about him?

He was a reckless and violent person. How they shouldn't/wouldn't be like Jason.

It would only make sense for Jason to be a demon.

But the fact that he's an angel?

There had to be something wrong.

Maybe the spell was wrong. Maybe it didn't depend on the person's soul? Like a coin toss?

But Zatanna had confirmed it was based on the person's soul...

But the implications of that would mean...

It meant that either Bruce, Alfred, or Tim lied, defaming an innocent boy. Or, God was on his side and didn't think his actions were worthy of hell.

Jason just looks uncomfortable, watching the others shocked, trying to understand that the 'big bad' Red Hood was more of an angel than a demon.

Like, he gets it, his reputation is in the gutters, his achievements as Robin disappeared into smoke when people started blaming him for his own death, with no one to defend him.

But the fact that everyone was surprised? It made him hurt in a way he didn't think possible.

He wants to run.

Run away from their scrutiny. Run away from this awkwardness. Run away with the fact that no one thought he was a good person deep inside. That, despite having twisted morals, his goal of being a vigilante is to help people.

And somehow in his mind, information on how to fly is just there.

Having had enough, he takes off, looking back once to see everyone's shocked faces that he can fly with his angel wings.

He flies off into the distance.

-

(if he goes to Nanda Parbat)

He arrives at Nanda Parbat.

Somehow, Talia had sensed he was coming as she welcomed him back. Taking in Jason's wings and halo, it's only a second before she smiles in sudden understanding.

She figures out that Jason had somehow turned into an angel and that all the bats were shocked. What idiots.

Jason's heart is made of gold. How could he ever be a demon?

"Come Habibi, shall we go drink some tea?"

Jason just nods, following Talia, who had started walking inside, grateful for her understanding as tension slowly eases away the further in he is.

The two go into a room, and Talia sits down.

Without hesitation, Jason occupied the space next to her and leaned down so that he was now lying on her thighs, facing towards her stomach, and he placed his arms around her waist.

Not questioning Jason's actions, just hums, caressing his head and gentle strokes as an assassin comes in to place tea on the table before leaving.

-

(if he goes to Outlaw's island)

Jason lands in the sand and looks around, and spots Roy tinkering away, making a new weapon that most likely could end the world.

He steps closer and calls out in a small voice, "Roy..."

Roy jumps, not expecting to hear Jason's voice, or anyone's really, but when he turns around, he sees the new addition to Jason.

He's shocked for a second, but then looks at Jason's body language, the way his face is downcast and awkward, his shoulders full of tension. His angelic wings tick in, as if to make himself smaller.

This alarms Roy, ideas of what happens floating in his head. But first things first, he needs to comfort his Jaybird.

He gets up and rushes to Jay, not crushing him in a hug yet, but placing a hand on his arm, asking what's wrong. Showing Jay that if he wants space, he'll give it to him, and if he wants a hug, he'll also give it to him.

Jason just leans forward, resting his head on Roy's shoulder.

Roy takes the hint and shifts so that he's hugging Jason, stroking his head in soft movements, telling Jason that he's okay and that he can call the others if he wants. Jason just nods, shifting so his head is further in Roy's neck.

Roy just chuckles, asking if Jay is a koala with his clingy he's being. Jason just snorts at him, saying he wishes.

After a few minutes, Roy suggests going inside to a very comfortable bed instead of just standing outside.

Not responding, Jason hurries the two inside and flops onto the nearest bed while Roy messages the others to come quickly.

Soon, the Kori, Artemis, and Bizarro arrive.

They see Jason cuddling with Roy, less tense than when he first came back, but still looking downcast.

It breaks their hearts to see Jason like that, and so they hurriedly approach the bed and climb onto it, making sure to surround Jason enough so he knows that they're there for him while not overcrowding him.

Except Bizarro.

Bizarro goes straight to Jason and cuddles the other free side, asking, "What's wrong red him?"

Jason just responds with 'family stuff', to which the gears in their heads turn, now understanding his reaction, putting together what happened based on the fact that Jason now has an angel's wings and halo.

Artemis remembers the time Jason mentioned he's never been to Hell, a common misconception one might have. But the fact that his own family misunderstood him? She felt anger. How could they do this to Jason? It may not be as bad as she thinks it is, but the fact that Jason is like this says enough.

Kori, hearing Jason say the cause of his sadness is because of his family, makes her livid. She's learnt of how the bats reacted to Jason's return, something she still gets angry at today, but they're still like that? All that's different is that Jason had wings and a halo; Jason is still Jason, and nothing changes that. Oh well, if they want to make Jason sad, it's only right that people who actually care about Jason make sure he's alright. She just hopes their cuddle session is improving his mood and making him feel better.

 

After a whole day of comforting Jay, he no longer looks as sullen, a small smile playing on his lips. The others just sigh in relief, not yet getting up so they could savour this moment. It wasn't often they saw Jason's genuine smile like they are now.

Notes:

This one was inspired by the fact that Jason was canonically in Heaven after his death, and yet, the way he was talked about would make people assume he'd gone to Hell instead.

Chapter 10: The boy who died

Jason Todd, who died as a teenager.

Jason Todd, who came back from the dead, was only to be catatonic for two years.

Jason Todd, who's suddenly an adult and is expected by everyone to act like one.

But how does one act like an adult if they've never learnt how?

How can he when he died and missed two years of his life that are crucial for transitioning into adulthood?

How can everyone blame and scorn him for his actions when no one bothered to help him, a traumatised teenager? How can they say he should know better when no one was there to guide him after literally coming back from the dead?

How can everyone be like that, not understanding his development was stunted the moment he died and lost two years of his life? Forever.

How could they ever possibly understand what it's like to be a teenager one second, to an adult the next?

What hypocrites.

They're 'heroes', but they never were for him. They never bothered to lend a hand to a boy who so obviously has trauma, his actions screaming it.

And yet, they turn a blind eye, expecting him to be the bigger man.

An adult.

But he's never learnt how to be an adult the way others do, and it's hurting him.

Why can't anyone understand and help him?

Even just one person would be enough for him.

To know that he wasn't a mistake, that he shouldn't have stayed dead.

Chapter 11: Victim Blaming

Summary:

Victim blaming: "Justifying inequality by finding defects in the victims of inequality” (William Ryan, 1969, p. xiii)

Jason Todd was always implied to have caused his own death. For being too stubborn, angry, violent, and reckless. For not following orders.

It was never the fact that he grew up in an environment where crime was the norm. Where even the police hesitated to enter, with how dangerous it was.

It was never the fact that he had to resort to crime in order to live. To survive.

It was never the fact that, despite living in Crime Alley, the only crime he committed was stealing car wheels. Not things like selling drugs or running errands for the rogues.

It was never the fact that he saw criminals get off scot-free despite the irreversible harm the victims faced.

It was never the fact that crime was a daily occurrence; as if stuck in a mixtape, replaying a sentence over and over again. Beat up a criminal, hand them to the GCPD, and they escape and commit more crimes. Rinse and repeat.

It was never the fact that he was a boy the loved learning. A boy so passionate that he'd stay up just to study more. A boy; despite being homeless for a few years and thereby not being able to learn anything during that time, managed to get As when he started learning again.

It was never the fact that he felt empathy for victims of crime. Becoming Robin to help those in need, those that justice fails to protect in comparison to all the other Robins (revenge, Batman's need of a Robin, and birth right). He felt angry that victims only received injustice, just because they're from the lower class. Not worth giving justice.

It was never the fact that he was just a young boy searching for a mother who might give him love. Especially after the man he thought was his father told him that he 'didn't need a teenage rebellion' and that he wasn't his son.

It was never the fact that he thought his mother was in danger so he disobeyed Batman and told her he was Robin so that she'd believe he could help, only for her to betray him by giving him to the Joker.

It was never the fact that he died a hero despite being betrayed by his mother; he still tried to protect her from the bomb with his battered body.

It was never the fact that all the other Robins had disobeyed Batman at least once before.

It never was his fault for dying. He didn't know the Joker was still there. He didn't know his mother was a backstabber. He didn't know he'd be locked in with a bomb ticking down.

It was never the fact that if the justice system actually worked, there would be no need for vigilantes. No need for Batman. No need for Robin.

It was never the fact that if Joker had been killed or imprisoned in an inescapable place long ago like he deserved, he wouldn't have died.

And yet...

Bruce. Batman. He shifted the blame from Joker, the thing that killed him, the cause of his death, onto Jason.

It's his fault for being in Ethiopia. As if Bruce never told Jason that he wasn't his son and benching him from Robin; making Jason believe he was finally going to get kicked out. Running to Ethiopia at a chance that his mother would love and accept him.

It's his fault for betraying orders, going after Joker. As if he didn't think his mother was in danger, the one last chance that someone in this God forsaken world loved him. As if he knew the Joker was there and decided to 'confront' him to prove his worth.

It's his fault for beating up criminals harshly. As if they didn't deserve it. As if the criminal justice system would actually work for once. As if they'd get the retribution they deserve. As if the victims get the justice they deserve. As if the prisons weren't revolving doors.

Yes. Of course Jason Todd caused his own death, no one else but him.

The other Robins that have also died before? It's not their fault. There was something else that played a part in causing their death. It was not their fault and never will be.

Notes:

Ryan, W. (1969). Blaming the victim. New York, NY: Vintage Books.

Using what I've learnt in Victimology to further my education ❌
Using what I've learnt in Victimology to understand Jason Todd✅

(fucking hate DC for victim-blaming a literal child for their death and twisting his Jaybin era to make him into someone he wasn't)

Also fun fact! The term 'Victim Blaming' came from William Ryan's book, Blaming the Victim and is essentially the shift in blame from societal inequality (that allows a crime to occur) onto the individual/victim, especially if the victim has the least social power.

E.g. a poor person who is blamed for their poverty and not society, which made them poor.

Or in the case of 'The nagging wife flirting with murder' -> the blame is shifted onto the wife for nagging her husband, instead of the husband killing his wife (and society just normalised it, made it normal that husbands would kill their wives for nagging them).

Chapter 12: Honor

Jason, looking over Bat Cave footage and finds a clip where Bruce tells Damian that his memorial case wasn't to honour him. It was a reminder, never again.

He just scoffs at that. Of course, it would be like that.

Who would actually mourn him? He should've known better. Should've learnt his lesson the first time his parents failed him.

His dad, Willis, gone to prison, never to come back.

His mum, Catherine -because she was the one who raised him- chose drugs over him.

His biological mum, Sheila, betrayed him and gave him to the clown.

And obviously Bruce, the man who had adopted him. But in reality, Jason was just a charity case; a replacement for the golden boy who decided to fly away from the nest.

He should've known better than to expect anyone to love him. It's not like Bruce had put any effort into their broken relationship anyway.

It was always Jason who had to compromise.

He had to break his morals, putting up with the knowledge that even if he's stopping crime, it won't be permanent. That there will always be new victims that could've been avoided if only he hadn't desperately wished to fit in with a family that had outlasted him, the day Bruce had told him he didn't need a teenage rebellion.

It's not like after he died that his achievements disappeared like smoke, that his personality was warped beyond recognition, or anything like that.

What does he do with this new realisation?

Chapter 13: Proof of Love

Ever since Jason reintegrated into the Bat Family, he has been seen carrying a broken dagger.

Without fail, whenever someone sees him, they will see the dagger. When one of them suggested that he take it off since there's no point in carrying a broken dagger, he gets defensive. He snarks at them to mind their own goddamn business as he walks away.

One time during patrol, when Jason and Dick were working together, Jason just froze, hands patting down his body, trying to search for something that wasn't there.

Dick notes that the dagger isn't on Jason.

Jason starts acting like he's in a frenzy, whipping his head left and right, trying to locate where it had gone.

In the distance, he managed to spot a thug bending down to pick up his dagger, inspecting it before throwing it away like it's garbage.

But it isn't. It's Jason's treasure. Proof that someone loves him and would do anything for him.

Not thinking, body moving on autopilot, Jason rushes to where the thugs are, much to Dick's dismay.

He beats them all up with efficiency, being dead silent in his beat-up, not cracking a single joke like he usually would.

When the last one goes down, he scurries to where the thugs threw the dagger and picks it up with such gentleness, as if it were a fragile item that could break with a hint of strength. He then pockets it, back to its usual place, slowly calming down now that he's been reunited.

Dick is just baffled by what he just saw. The only thing he can say is that he's proud that his Little Wing didn't use any excessive force or maim anyone. But he seriously needs to know why the dagger is so important to Jason, so much that he's obviously shaken up when separated from it.

After days of pestering Jason, Dick finally got his answer.

The dagger was Damian's, back in the league. Damian had used it to protect Jason during one of their missions together. The reason why Jason is so protective of the dagger is that it showed just how far Damian would go for Jason, using his dagger to protect him even when it broke.

Dick looks back at the times he's seen Jason and Damian interact. Sometimes like enemies, sometimes siblings. By the end of the day, you could often spot the two in the library, leaning on each other as they read a book.

It all makes sense now, and that just fills Dick's heart with tenderness. It's nice to know that even when Jason wasn't with them, there was someone to protect him, and vice versa for Damain.

Chapter 14: Real Fear

Scarecrow escaped Arkham and is making his new toxin concoction. Jason arrives before the other bats and tries to capture Scarecrow.

Unfortunately, one of the thugs Scarecrow hired managed to inject Jason with a liquid version of the fear gas.

It works instantly. Jason stumbles, clutching his helmet as he tries to steady his swaying body, telling himself that anything he sees isn't real.

And just then the bats arrive. But not to help take down Scarecrow.

No. They walk up to Jason, displaying a range of expressions on their faces, from a smile to a scowl and a look of disappointment.

Nightwing starts talking, "You know, I don't get why you're part of the team if you can't do anything right? I mean, you even failed to capture Scarecrow!"

"He's right, you were and always will be the worst Robin. So incompetent, unable to do anything right," Robin exclaims.

"Realistically, it's better if you were gone. You're only a burden, not of any help to us," Red Robin sighs out.

"I regret taking you in and making you Robin", Batman snarls.

Jason just collapses onto the ground, shaking his head left and right. As if the notion will make whatever is happening stop.

He keeps trying to tell himself that it's not real, that it's the toxin. But something deep inside, a small voice says otherwise.

That this is what they truly think of him, and were just waiting for this moment to reveal their thoughts.

-

The bats arrive at the scene, empty except for Red Hood, who's on the floor, cradling himself, shaking his head, mumbling something.

They try to talk to him, but he doesn't respond.

The closer they get, the clearer the mumbling is,

"I'm sorry...", "I'll do better", "Please don't abandon me", and so on.

The bats are shocked, they would've thought that Jason's fear would be the moment of his death, not... This...

Dick tries to go up and soothingly touch his arm, but Jason just jerks up and throws a punch before saying "I'm sorry" over and over again.

The others try to call him down as well, but it doesn't work. Jason is too worked up, unresponsive to outside cues, and attacks anyone who gets too close.

They need to find a way to administer the antidote, but they don't know how.

The bats look at each other, eyes communicating a plan, and then they nod as they get into position.

Nightwing and Red Robin wrap around his arms so that he can't swing them around. Robin wraps his body around the legs.

As the three try to hold Jason still, he is thrashing around, hitting Nightwing and Red Robin in the face and body.

Luckily, Batman managed to inject the antidote into the side of Jason's neck that is uncovered.

At this, Jason slumps down, as if the strings to a puppet were cut.

Nightwing takes Jason's helmet off, grateful that Jason always has a domino mask on. But looking at his face, it's clear that Jason had been crying, and not just a tear or two, but a stream of tears.

They don't know what they're going to do when Jason wakes up, but for now, they get him back to the cave so he can get medical care.

Chapter 15: Pit Madness

Jason, who has Lazarus Pit madness but calms down when he sees Damian, and is even more effective when holding him.

It first started when Jason was catatonic. Damian would spend his time looking after Jason. Sometimes, when Jason was sitting, Damian would sit on top, reading a book to him. All Jason did was stroke Damian's hair, as if he were a fragile thing.

They got so close that as soon as Jason spotted Damian, he would hover towards the little boy until he was hugging him.

At first, Damian was annoyed and tried to resist saying that it's inappropriate for the demon heir to be treated like this. But then, after countless attempts, Damian slowly stopped resisting and even leaned into the hugs, only mumbling a complaint.

After Jason was dunked into the neon green unholy water, he became more active, more talkative.

But despite that, his habits from when he was catatonic were still there. Whenever he spotted Damian, as if his body was on autopilot, he'd walk towards Damian and pick him up into a hug when he got close enough.

Jason didn't understand what was going on, but he liked it. It felt comforting, therapeutic in a way.

And then, for the first time since coming out of the mountain dew, he was seperated from Damian and had his first session with the Pit madness, green taking over all his senses.

He went full on crazy, killing everyone in sight. All the assassins in the LOA who were notified of what happened tried to stop him, even Talia came at one point. But nothing he did seemed to make the green go away.

Until finally, in the corner of his eye, he sees little ol Damian. As if Damian were a calming agent, Jason felt his body lax, slowly trudging towards the little boy. The green in his eyes was receding after hours of glowing.

Talia stepped in front of Damian, eyes narrowed in suspicion at what Jason would do next.

Jason just ignored her and continued walking towards the one person who makes him feel safe.

Damian, who arrived in the middle of Jason's bloodbath, stares as he walks closer, but then snaps out of it. He knows his akhi would never hurt him; if anything, he'd hurt himself rather than let any harm befall him.

And so, he takes a step out of his mother's protection, "akhi?" Damian asks in a small voice, unsure.

"D- Damian", Jason stutters out, the distance between the two lessened, and now, they were within touching distance.

In the next second, with extraordinary speed, Jason squeezed Damian into his embrace. His shoulders, which were so full of tension, started relaxing. He rubs his cheeks on top of Damian's head, saying nothing while everyone who survived stares.

Talia was bewildered; she never thought there'd be something to calm the Pit madness, certainly nothing for his father.

So if Damian can calm the boy down, it'd be best to leave them together; they're already close, so they probably won't decline the opportunity to stay close to one another.

Chapter 16: What Death Meant

Jason, who constantly jokes about his death.

Jason, who's been told repeatedly by his 'family' to get over it.

Jason, who's breaking down in his safehouse, where no one can see him break.

He doesn't understand how they can just tell him to get over his death.

It's not the fact that he died, but how he died and what his death should've meant.

He died a hero, saving the person who betrayed him. He died in an explosion after being beaten black and blue by a clown Batman refuses to get rid of.

His death was turned into a cautionary tale. Told every sidekick not to be like Jason. "Don't be reckless, you'll get yourself killed like the second Robin", "Think before you act, otherwise you'll get yourself killed like the second Robin", and so on...

His death didn't do anything. It didn't reduce crime rates. Batman didn't help the people Jason would. If anything, Batman beat them up into comas and sent them to the ICU.

Too riddled with 'grief' that he became violent towards thugs, and not towards the rogues who deserved the beating.

Even after countless deaths, his death meant nothing with how the Joker still lived.

Why oh why is that clown still alive? Has he not taken enough lives? Batman himself didn't need to be the one to kill him. But making sure others don't?

How is that justice? What is justice if a hero saves a villain who's killed hundreds of not thousands, of people, including his own goddamn son, and has no chance of rehabilitation?

Where is the justice in that?

So how can he get 'over' his death, when what he wants is not for people to know he's died, but what his death didn't mean, what it didn't change.

Being told to get over his death by the people who should understand trauma responses sure does hurt. You'd think they'd understand where he's coming from, but he guesses it's because it's him speaking and not anyone else.

How can he get over death when it also fundamentally changed him after he came back? He can't be the naive, innocent boy he once was. He was beaten to death by a clown.

As the tears slowly stop flowing, he gets up and flops on his bed, curling into a fetal position. As if to make himself the small boy he once was.

Chapter 17: Jason the Non-Ideal Victim

Jason will never be considered a victim by society. This is because you must meet six criteria from the Ideal Victim Theory to be considered an 'ideal' victim (Christie, 1986).

1. They must have real or perceived weakness - Jason was Robin. Robin is not weak.

2. They must be carrying out a respectable task - Jason had run away from Gotham to 'prove' himself to Bruce. This is not respectable.

3. In no way can they be blamed for what happened to them - Jason can be blamed. He was blamed for his own cause of death. He shouldn't have run away if he didn't want to be killed. His life was twisted into a cautionary tale.

4. The offender was big and bad - The Joker is bad, but he isn't big. Too slim to be considered big.

5. The offender must be unknown and not in a relationship with the victim - Jason, who is Robin, knows the Joker. The Joker knows Robin. Though Joker is Batman's rogue, by being Batman's sidekick, Joker is Robin's enemy.

6. The victim must be strong enough to claim victim status and make their case known - Jason died. He was not able to defend himself. He wasn't able to make his case known. His 'father' was the one who made sure of it.

Jason is a non-ideal victim. A victim who isn't noticed or sidelined by society, not treated as a 'real' victim. It is easier to look the other way; he doesn't fit the stereotype of a victim after all. It is also so much easier to ignore all his suffering, his victimisation, his death, than it is to take accountability for how society and the systems had failed him and played a hand in his death.

Notes:

Christie, N. (1986). The Ideal Victim. In: Fattah, E.A. (eds) From Crime Policy to Victim Policy. Palgrave Macmillan, London.

Chapter 18: Bonding

Tim finally acknowledges that Jaybin was not who Bruce or Alfred made him out to be and decides to visit Jason as his safe house.

After disarming the window, he slides in through it in civvies. As he puts his last leg in and rearms the windows, he spots Jason reading a book, sipping a cup of hot chocolate.

Jason does nothing but raise his eyebrow, asking why Tim came to him.

Tim just walks over to Jason, flipping right next to him before saying he's sorry.

"What's all this about, Timtam?"

"Just... I wanted to apologise..."

"Huh? What for?" Jason just looked at Tim, puzzled at the sudden apology.

"For everything. For all the wrongs I've done to you. For 'replacing' you, even though I didn't mean to. For saying bad things about you after you died. I- I've come to realise that you aren't that kind of person and it was wrong of me to say or even think that." Tim said as he buried his face in his hands.

"Hey, you did nothing wrong, Tim. You were just a kid; I don't blame you. Heck- I literally tortured you! I should be apologising for that. I could have killed you for fucks sake, Tim! And yet here you are hanging out with me like it was nothing. If anything, you should be blaming me for what I did, for what I could have done! Or you could even blame Bruce and/or Alfred. What they said about me twisted the way you saw me; it's no wonder you'd think of me the way you did, with what they talked about. Plus, you realised you were wrong and apologised for it instead of not saying anything like them." Jason says gently as he gives a reassuring touch to Tim's arm, a small smile on his face, one full of appreciation and gratitude.

"The fact that you even apologised is enough for me to forgive you, Timmy. Don't go wallow in self-doubt now, okay? That's Dick's coping mechanism, even if it isn't healthy and all that shit."

Tim just snorts, grateful for Jason's lightheartedness. He leans his head into Jason's shoulder.

Jason just wraps an arm around Tim in a comforting manner, slightly changes position so that they're leaning against the back of the couch, so that they're in a more comfy position to watch TV.

"It's movie time, Timberly, and you have no right to refuse" Tim rolls his eyes, snuggling even closer to Jason.

After they get comfy, Jason turns the TV on and plays a movie.

By the end of the fourth movie, Tim is fast asleep on Jason's lap. Jason just smirks as he grabs a pen and starts drawing on Tim's face, snapping pictures of his masterpiece after he finishes.

After all that, he starts running his fingers through Tim's hair softly, humming a song his mum taught him before she overdosed.