Meli-Mel150-I lived. For better or worse.-J.T.
EchokittyCat-Yeah, that guy's skeezy for a reason, and not just because I don't think he's bathed in thirty years. And yeah, if I'm remembering correctly it was an illusion, but BRUCE BELIEVED IT ANYWAY. And who knows, maybe they've retconned it into canon, that seems like the sort of thing they'd do.:/
"I DON'T WANNA BE ROBIN!"
Bruce doesn't know what happened.
He'd found the boy pickpocketing a couple and remedied that, intended to feed him and take him somewhere safe (Leslie, not the cave, he doesn't adopt every child he trips over, Alfred). Unfortunately, it…hadn't worked out.
And by hadn't worked out, Bruce means that the child is kicking, screaming, and generally being very uncooperative.
And confusing.
"You aren't going to be Robin." Where did that even…? "I'm going to get you something to eat, that's all."
Two things happen. One, a red blur drops out of the sky. Two, Jason takes one look and bursts out laughing.
"Jeeze, B, what'd you do?"
Don't help, Jason.
"Nothing," he grinds out. The boy in his grip kicks him in the shin and shouts, "Kick his ass, Red!"
What is happening. What is this.
"S'all right, Marco. He's not gonna hurt ya. Let 'im go, B. Now."
He does. Grudgingly. Marco darts behind Jason, latches onto his jacket, and whispers, "You're not gonna let him make me Robin, right? I don't wanna be Robin, Red, I don't wanna live in a cave and eat rats and—"
Bruce is beginning to think this is somehow Jason's fault. The continued chuckling is not helping.
"Trust me, kiddo, you're not gonna be Robin. He's got one already."
"Robin doesn't live in a cave," Bruce points out. Marco's expression is comical, in a terrible sort of way. "And he doesn't eat rats."
"Bullshit!"
"Shh." Jason reaches back and gives him a shove. "Go home, brat. He won't come after you."
Marco vanishes with a speed that makes Bruce a little bit jealous. But right now, he needs an explanation.
"What was that."
Jason sounds like he's grinning under that helmet when he says, "It's a valid fear, B. I mean, I stole tires, got adopted, became Robin, got tortured. Then you got another one! Can you blame kids for being a little wary? You go through us like a Wii remote goes through batteries."
Another day, he will corral his children and straighten things out. But that day is not this day.
"What have you told them."
"Why is this my fault?" He presses a hand, fingers splayed, against his chest. "Ouch. That hurts. Hits me right here."
"Hood." The urge to de-cowl and rub his face is strong. "We both know you've told them scary stories."
"Yeah." Jason cracks his neck and swears. "Aww, man, now I gotta be you, God dammit."
"What."
He makes a few exaggerated turns, keeping his head and neck immobile, and growls, "I am the night."*
"Hood."
"Hey, it's your own fault for scaring people. Come on, B. Kid touches your car and is never seen again? That kinda thing gets around."
Why, Jason. Why are you Like This.
"Really."
"Yup." He gives Bruce a queen-wave. "Leave the alley kids alone, B. Next time I'll have to kick your ass to keep my reputation."
And then he's gone, leaving Bruce with a nagger of a headache.
THE END
*Lego Batman Family Matters gives us an example of Jason's Bat-voice. It's precious. It cleared my acne and everything.
