Chapter Text
Jason had been on worse stake outs. The sun wasn't too hot, the ledge he was sat on was comfortable, he was alone and quite honestly? He wasn't actually expecting any trouble. Yet, despite his comfortable position this had to be the worst stake out he had ever, ever been on.
Sighing, Jason ran a hand down his face and watched the see of rainbows and genuinely happy people parade their way down the street to lively, catchy music, that Jason couldn't help but drum his fingers to.
Gotham was holding its annual Pride Parade like so many other cities across the world. His family and friends were all down on the ground taking part in the event, but as of yet, he was still to see the small group of vigilantes pass by.
He dreaded to think what Dick was going to be like. All this happy, yay to love, was totally up his older brother's street. In fact, Jason was bracing himself for the horrendous sight of a rainbow Nightwing cartwheeling by with added glitter, giving free hugs because, Dick.
It wasn't appropriate for the Red Hood to be seen so openly in public. He was a criminal, an absconded patient from Arkham.
So Bruce had tasked him with keeping an eye on the event from a distance, only showing himself if things got out of hand.
'Hood, report.'
Batman's drawl came over the coms and Jason bit back a frustrated growl. Scanning the crowd he shrugged and leant back against the brick wall.
'All clear. Bored out of my mind. Don't see why you couldn't have done this B? I'm a busy man, I gots stuff to do.'
'Like what exactly, Hood? The Bat only comes at a night.'
Scoffing at Batman's pathetic excuse, Jason watched some rather impressive, what he could only describe as 'flag twirlers' dances past. Their flags swishing through the air in impossibly, hypnotic ways.
'Pfft, like that excuse works on me Old Man. Let's just face it, you're far too geriatric for his scene. You'd have heart failure.'
His only reply was a deep chuckle before
'Keep me updated Hood, and remember no live ammo.'
'You got it.'
And Jason was alone again. As usual.
A couple caught his attention. Standing on the sidewalk smiling as they sneaked kisses to one another as they watched the parade. His eyes fell onto the man with rainbow flags painted on his cheeks, which was totally what had caught his attention and not the ginger hair.
It had been 18 months since he had broken things off. 18 months and so much had happened since then, both himself and Roy had gone down very different, very separate paths.
Roy had done as Jason had said he would do.
He carried on down his path of recovery. Despite a couple of relapses, he had found his light, he had found his friends again, he was the hero he was always meant to be.
Jason's was its usual mixed bag of highs and lows, his path forever dark and as usual he had now found himself alone again, just like 18 months ago.
18 months, in a way it felt like forever, but alone at night? Jason saw the look on Roy's face as if it were yesterday, the heartbreak.
He hadn't slept in days, and he honestly could not remember the last time he had slept for more than 3 hours when he did manage to get some shut eye.
It didn't matter though. Jason was used to it, used to living like this, cold, alone and hurting. Roy was happy and if he was being truthful? That was enough for him.
He did not regret his actions eighteen months ago. It really had been for the best.
Watching the couple hold hands and wave at the passers by, Jason remembered the last time he had attended Pride.
It was in London though, not Gotham. Him and Roy had just been passing through, but their plane was cancelled leaving them stranded in the UK. So Roy being Roy had decided to enforce a mini break. Jason found the entire idea cheesy and pointless but just went along with it for a quiet life.
He hadn't known it was Pride that weekend. He didn't see the people or hear the music until Roy was grabbing his hand and hauling him to the front of the crowd.
'Come on Jaybird!'
He had griped and moaned but in the end? Jason had ended up smiling and waving along with everyone else, Roy draped around him like some sort of accessory grinning from ear to ear. For the first time, Jason had felt a part of something, something good, something good that didn't involve blood and darkness.
Love.
Hitching a breath, Jason turned his attention away and studied the crowd again, looking for anything untoward. Sure, his gun was loaded with rubber bullets, for the usual troublemakers. Any homophobes though? Well, let's just say the gun in his waistband held bullets that weren't so rubbery. The parade continued without a hitch and Jason found himself slowly beginning to enjoy himself, a similar smile to the one he wore in London on his face as his head bobbed along to the music, the sun shining down on his face.
'Hood. Hood. Come in.'
'What?'
Jason snapped, his mood slowly souring after his trip down memory lane. Memories never were pleasurable for him, even happy ones it seemed.
'Get on the ground! Now!'
Frowning at Batman's urgent tone, Jason peered down at the crowd in confusion. All was okay? The event was carrying on, everyone cheering and smiling, there wasn't even a pickpocket snaking their way through the crowd.
'Huh? Why?'
Noting whereabouts the parade was Jason groaned and should shook his head.
'No need B, the others are around the corner. Everything is fine.'
'Enough back chatting. Do as you're told and get down on the ground. Now.'
Oh for God's sake.
This was ridiculous but Jason really was not in the mood to argue. All he had to do was climb down, only to climb right back up again once he proved that everything was fine. Maybe the old man was growing senile in his old age?
Grumbling to himself as his feet hit the sidewalk, Jason straightened and spotted the float of a local gay bar he had given protection to, in exchange for a couple of drinks, that was nearly 5 years ago now. A sense of satisfaction interrupted his frustration as he watched the float pass him. He noted the pricy decorations, sound system, even a high tech screen advertising the venue. The dancers talented and beautifully dressed as they pranced on and along side the float.
The place had come far since the days where it had begged the Red Hood for protection against Gotham's scum. It pleased him to see that at least something he had done had turned into a positive. The bar was flourishing and turning over a high profit by the looks of things. Yeah, that had to be a good thing he supposed.
Behind the float he spotted Dick prancing about as Jason knew he would be, skipping up to the crowd with that grin of his, shaking hands, hugging, taking selfies. The entire charade made Jason cringe. Jesus Dick stop grinning, and please for the love of mercy stop dancing like that! Jason was mildly surprised that Dick hadn't in fact changed his Nightwing costume to incorporate rainbows, flashing lights, of even glitter, no, no wait, yup that was pink glitter in Dick's hair.
Jason decided there and then that he didn't know the bastard.
Tim was working his way along the sides, smiling graciously and shaking hands like the adept celebrity he was, Kon was by his side looking like he wanted to be anywhere else and eyeing up Dick's glitter warily.
That's when Jason noticed. All the Titans were here too, both Tim and Dick's teams, walking along grinning and waving like they didn't have care in the world. Odd. It must be a slow week on the crime fighting front or something.
Kori was there, waving manically, excitement literally sparking off her.
Roy was missing.
Not that Jason looked for him and his heart didn't sink to the pit of his stomach to see the archer missing from the group.
Before he could ponder further on it though, Damian caught his eye, God knows how he hadn't noticed him before.
The boy was filling out fast now that he had hit his teens and, in keeping with Robin tradition, with every year that past he stepped further away from being he nations little darling to hitting the hottest *enter category here* lists.
Damian walked a few steps behind Tim with a face like thunder and one look at his hair not only explained his demeanour but also Kon's wary looks. Dick had obviously succeeded in covering his homicidal little brother in pink glitter.
Jason's smirk vanished however when Damian looked directly at him and spoke into a com. Dick slowed his dancing and gave a slight nod in acknowledgement before talking into his own com.
Okay, now that, that was odd.
Before he could react a heavy hand landed on Jason's shoulder.
'GCPD. Would you come with us please, Sir?'
Well, fuck.