Hello, everyone! This story is based on my love for Jason Todd and the Batfamily. It's supposed to extend from what I imagine was Jason's high-school days to the events of Under the Red Hood. It might not follow everything to detail from the movie, based on the involvement of other characters. Each chapter title is based off of a song that I thought matched the mood of the chapter, or a song that I listened to while I wrote it. :)
Disclaimer: Jason Todd and all other DC characters do not belong to me. I only own my OCs.
"Shit. This fucking sucks." Was the first thing Sophie ever heard him say. Quirking an eyebrow under bangs that were overdue for a trim, she watched wide-eyed as the figure uttered more profanities under the pouring rain.
She'd just been exiting the public library with a backpack full of new books. Realizing that the sunny weather in the morning had decided to leave and give birth to the beginning of a hellish summer rain, she'd placed all of them in her backpack in order to open her umbrella. By the time she'd made it down the Gotham Public Library steps, her sandal-clad feet were soaked from the drizzle, but the rest of her was still snugly dry.
That was when she'd heard him, cars zipping past as he muttered angrily about the rain. He had not come prepared. If she had known him better, she would not have been surprised.
Peeking at him out of the corner of her eye, she realized with a start that she recognized him from Gotham Academy. Abruptly her posture stiffened, her cheeks turning pink under her long bangs. Pursing her lips nervously, she looked to the side again under her hair. Yes, she was certain. Not too far from her stood Jason Todd, ward of billionaire Bruce Wayne and one of the most notorious kids at her high school.
Impulsive, handsome, and edgy were some of the words used to describe him at school. She remembered that he often got into fights with others if provoked. Girls loved him and guys either respected him or were scared shitless of him. The fact that his adopted father was a billionaire was enough to make him desirable for many girls at Gotham Academy. He was not in any of her classes, despite both of them being juniors. And she liked to keep to herself.
Sighing exasperatingly loud, she watched as his tall figure sat down frustratingly on the edge of a bench at the bus stop, the rain getting heavier as it soaked through his black hair. Leaning back on the bench, he huffed and closed his eyes. She noticed he wasn't taking off his jacket and wondered why. The leather jacket would be more than enough to cover his head until the bus came. Moreover, why would Jason Todd be waiting for the bus?
Subtly, she raised her hand and checked her blue watch. Satsuki Kiryuin* on the clock face ticked back at her, showing her it was nearing four-thirty. She was waiting for the bus at a quarter to five, but there was another bus that would arrive in about four minutes. As if reminding her of the situation, the rainfall increased.
Biting her lip, she weighed her options. She didn't want to stand there with an umbrella when he was the only one at the bus stop near her. It would be rude, and if it were one of her friends, she wouldn't hesitate to offer to share the umbrella.
But this was Jason Todd.
Her gloved fingers clenched around the handle of the umbrella, her heart beat thumping nervously against her chest. What would she say? She didn't want to sound awkward. Oh God, what if she spoke so quietly that he got mad at her?!
She shook her head furiously at her own internalizing.
No! Just try. Besides, it's the right thing to do.
Slowly, feeling as if she had a rabid Tasmanian devil in her stomach, she approached the boy on the bench. Without saying a word, she stood next to the bench and shakily extended the umbrella over the both of them.
Seeming to realize that the rain wasn't hitting him anymore, Jason Todd opened his eyes to see a purple umbrella hovering over him. Blinking in surprise, his gaze turned to focus on the girl holding it, her gloved hands subtly shaking. Subconsciously she watched as he pushed his sopping wet bangs to the side so he could see her better.
Why is she wearing gloves? Was the first thing that came to his mind.
Despite her nervousness, she tried for a smile. "I thought you'd like some shelter." A pause, "From the rain." She clarified.
She waited nervously for a response. Oh crap, did I say it wrong? How could I say it wrong?! Does he think I'm being weird? Shit!
Instead, he blinked again, "Thanks."
She shook her head vigorously, feeling embarrassed. "No, it's no problem. I just figured since we're both waiting for the bus..."
He nodded, unzipping his jacket. She watched as he pulled out a library book from under the rain-speckled leather. "I was just trying to make sure it wouldn't get wet." He explained. She was too consumed by the idea that she was actually talking to him to notice the title of it. So that was why he wouldn't cover himself with the jacket. Huh.
She watched a droplet of water drip down the side of his face past his cheekbone. He was lovely.
She blinked out of her reverie by the sound of the approaching bus. Both of them turned to look as it screeched to a stop in front of them, its doors opening with a creak and a hiss of air.
Jason fluidly stood up from the bench, his height easily passing the top of the umbrella. She quickly maneuvered it out of the way to let him pass, her feet shuffling as she tightly gripped the handle.
This wasn't her bus, so she didn't follow. She watched him quickly climb the stairs, reaching into his pocket to withdraw some coins. Realizing she was staring at him to long, she shamefacedly looked down at her sandals and watched the drops hit the ground.
"Hey."
She jerked her head up at the sound of his voice. He was holding onto the metal pole nearest to the driver. The sides of his mouth were tipped up. "Thanks again."
Stunned, she could only nod again, her cheeks pink as the doors shut. The bus drove away, and left her with her first impression of him.
She felt breathless as the pitter-patter of rainfall clouded her senses.
Shit.
* Satsuki Kiryuin, from the anime Kill la Kill. 3
