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It was 3 am when Jason returned “home.” Home being Dick and Barbara’s house where he’d been crashing the last 2 months offer his apartment burnt to the ground.
After changing clothes, he decided to go downstairs and find a snack before heading to bed. What he didn’t expect was for his brother and sister-in-law to be waiting for him in the kitchen
“Hey, Jay,” Dick spoke
Jason nodded continuing to the fridge, grabbing a juice box and yogurt to have as a before-bed snack. One perk of living with young kids was having access to such snacks.
Barbara stood from the barstool she’d been sitting on her hair wet indicating she’d just gotten out of the shower. Must of been her night to patrol. She exchanged glances with Dick as she passed him. Holding a tablet in her hand. Oh no they had a plan. He knew that look. When the two of them exchanged that look it meant they had planned something
“Jason. Were you in Jump City tonight?”
Jason shrugged “So what if I was” he took a bite of the yogurt
She flashed him the tablet with a headline that read “Child trade rink taken down by masked hero. 10 child predators dead all children saved.”
Jason smirked “Man the press works fast.”
Dick stood “Jay this is serious. Do you know how dangerous that click of people are? You killed not just one but 10 of them. There is no doubt a bounty on you now.”
Jason rolled his eyes “First of all there’s a bounty on Red Hood's head-not Jason Todd, second, there’s a lot of bounties on Red Hood's head for killing members of groups who are not good people. Third Those kids are safe now Dickie! Sure I could’ve done what you guys would have and had them arrested but what good would that have done? There are 10 less disgusting humans in this world now.”
Barbara sighed “Jason I see your reasoning- I do. But what if any of these people somehow figured out your identity? What if they tracked you down to our house? Dick and I we can protect ourselves but we have a baby and a 3-year-old to worry about .”
Jason threw the yogurt cup away. “so what you’re saying is you want me out? I’m trying to find a place but if you want me out so bad I’ll figure something else out and be out of your hair by tonight.”
Dick groaned “Jay that’s not what we’re saying. You’re welcome here as long as you want. I don’t care if you take up residency here! Our kids love you. What I do care about though is you putting them in danger of a home invasion due to your recklessness”
“All we’re saying Jay is maybe….. don’t kill the bad guys while you’re living here,” Barbara said softly
Jason pinched the bridge of his nose “You’re accusing me of putting your children in danger? Have you taken a look at what you guys do? Then you come home. What Bruce does? And yet you let Alfred babysit them at the manor. If any of you guys covers got blown they’d be in danger too. Heck, they’re the grandchildren of the commissioner and Bruce Wayne if that doesn’t scream hostage for money I don’t know what does.”
“That’s enough Jason! It’s not the same and you know it. Having people put in jail and killing them is different.” Dick spoke
Barbara rested a hand on Dick’s shoulder in an attempt to soothe him
Jason looked between them and rolled his eyes. It’s too late for this. I’m going to bed.”
He assumed Barbara and Dick let him go because they didn’t follow or call after him. On his way to the guest room though he hears the slightest babble coming from his niece's bedroom.
He sighed and pushed the door to the nursery open. His 13-month-old niece standing in her crib, wide awake. She smiled upon seeing him
Jason couldn't help but smile back “Hey Rugrat,” he bent down beside the crib, ruffling the girl's red hair
“Hope you're parents don't come in here and think I woke you up.”
He sighed picking the baby up he walked and sat in the rocking chair with her “Leah tell your Uncle Jay something am I a hazard for you?”
Obviously, he wasn't met with an answer, but the baby leaned back against his chest
“Your parents seem to think I'm reckless. Heck everyone probably does. Even Roy. He's got a kid and basically does the same things I do.” Jason shook his head “Don’t they all know I’d never do anything to put you or your brother in harm's way? “
Leah began to slowly run her hand up and down Jason’s forearm arm
“Not sure if I’ll stay here or not. Nothing against your parents I know they’re coming from the right place it’s just- accusing me of putting you two in danger? I would never. Guess that accusation is what fired me off at them. But now- sitting here with you. I can see where they’re coming from. But they should know I’d NEVER put you in danger.”
They rocked for a few moments in silence “Yeah kid my life’s sorta messed up at the moment. I mean you’re 1 year old and probably my best friend.”
“Leah?”
He leaned forward to see the baby had fallen back to sleep. Carefully Jason stood and layed her back in the crib. He tip-toed out of the room, pausing when he saw Dick standing outside the door, waving a baby monitor in his hand.
Jason groaned “You heard everything didn’t you?”
Dick nodded “Yup, and we are right. What you do could put the kids in danger .”
Jason rolled his eyes and attempted to walk past his brother but Dick stepped in front of him “But you’re right too. We all put them in danger not just you. “
Jason nodded “Yeah and I get what you’re saying. Tonight though - when I raided that house. Saw those kids and those monsters of adults. All I could think about was those 2 Rugrats of yours. Imagining someone kidnapping them and doing something like that to them. It drove me to make sure those MFs never harmed a child again.”
Dick nodded “Then to come home and hear me and Barbara accuse me of doing something like put them in harm's way. It hit a fuse, Huh?”
Jason nodded “Yeah those kids, they’re not mine but they’re as close as it’ll ever get ya know.”
Dick smiled “Those kids. My kids. The kids Barbara and I created. They’re a dream I never thought would come true and the thought of anything ever happening to them. It scares me to the point where I could see myself murdering. That’s how strong of a drive they have over me. If anyone ever harmed my kids or Barbara I would kill and that- that scares me.”
Jason smiled “They are pretty great. I’ve enjoyed living here- seeing your family…..don’t tell anyone I said that.”
Dick held his hands up “As long as you don’t tell anyone I could be drawn to killing if someone hurt my family.”
Jason smiled “Deal.”