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theodorecanaryhood · 11 months

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The coffee shop guy and the Red Hood

Part II

Red Hood (Arkhamverse) x Male! Reader

Time had moved so slowly since Jason was captured by you in the coffee shop, now it was a dream come true that he had you beside him.

Jason was more relaxed on patrols now as before he was angry all the time, but now that he had you to go to, he had more to live for.

Jason hadn’t told you yet about his nightly activity, he was scared in case you left and Jason’s new fear was that you’d leave.

‘Morgan?’ You smiled as you walked hand in hand with Jason down the street, Jason shook his head as he laughed.

Oh how his laugh was magical and had much more meaning behind it, it surprised you the first time you heard him laugh. Jason has a deep, gravelly voice when he speaks, yet his laugh is kind of high pitched, and it is adorable.

‘No’

‘Samuel?’ You tried to guess more, Jason shaking his head.

You’d been trying to guess for almost an hour what Jason thought your name was, when he first saw you he named you in his head as something else. Until of course he found out what your name actually was.

‘Baby, you’re not getting close’ Jason laughed again, you pouted as you gave up.

Jason’s grip on your hand remained as always since the first time he took it, almost like he was scared to let go.

‘Hey look y/n, it’s the coffee shop where it all began’ Jason pointed as he dragged you into the shop.

You both sat instinctively where you always sat before, Jason opposite where you always perched yourself.

There was no number of dates by this point as too many had passed by, plus you guys had already slept in the same bed. So you weren’t worried anymore.

There was always a voice screaming in the back of Jason’s head, a voice that never went away. A voice telling Jason he’d mess up, unless he tells you right away.

Red Hood had a rough night on patrol as he seemed a little less brutal tonight, Jason was letting his guard down too much, he kept thinking it would get him in trouble eventually.

The bruises and blood told a story of a violent night, course Jason dished what he was served. The other guys were worse off than him, but he still didn’t anticipate how outnumbered he was.

‘How did this happen?’ You asked rushing into the room with a first aid kit.

Jason crawled up your fire escape as your apartment was closer than his.

‘It’s a long story’ Jason whimpered as you cleaned out the knife wound.

You had noticed before on occasions where Jason took his clothes off, of course you did. Jason had scars almost all over his body. His facial ones being the most noticeable.

He never told you about his past in full detail nor did he tell you what he did for work, people are funny like that sometimes. They don’t disclose things, not that they should if they’re not comfortable or ready, but still.

There was this conflicting silence that filled the room, a silence that was tense but you didn’t know whether to break it or not, or even how.

‘So, I’m going to guess that these wounds were inflicted the same way the other ones were?’ You finally spoke, Jason didn’t know if he should look you in the eye or not.

‘Some yes, some no’ Jason almost whispered, you scrunched your face in confusion.

‘What does that even mean?’ You finished bandaging the wounds.

‘What do you want me to say?’ Jason asked as you packed everything away and stood up.

‘Well it’s not everyday your boyfriend arrives bloodied and bruised. Not giving an explanation as to why’ you defended, not hiding your irritation or concern.

Jason huffed as he shook his head, lowering his eyes to the ground. You folded your arms over your chest, your glasses sitting on the bridge of your nose.

‘Are you a criminal?’ You asked serious as Jason chuckled, shaking his head.

‘No y/n, I’m not, I’m…’ he didn’t finish, you shook your head as you placed the first aid kit on the counter.

‘There are things about my life that I can’t share with you’ Jason explained as you raised your eyebrows.

‘Ok, fair enough’ you didn’t know what else to say, though not much else was needed to be said as Jason stood up and left your apartment.

4am, 9pm Jason didn’t know or care as he lay in his bed, mentally kicking and cursing himself for ever thinking it a good idea to turn up at your apartment.

Jason was angry beyond belief but never with you, it wasn’t your fault. Jason should’ve told you then and there. But he chickened out, and in return he lost you. Running it over and over in his head like a movie.

‘I’m sorry Jason, I know there are things in your life that are personal. I respect that. But I’m not comfortable with having you showing up like that again’

Jason ran all different things he could’ve said or done in that moment to keep you, but no use. He lost you.

It had been weeks since and Jason was a wreck without you, he was realising how much he loves you. How he is an absolute idiot who let the best man in his life leave.

Like most breakups it was made worse when Jason went on instagram, seeing you post a story with you and another guy, captioned as ‘date night’.

That was the point where Jason gave up on himself getting you back.

‘Jason? Buddy?’ A man’s voice called with a knock at the door.

‘Go away’ Jason called out, voice muffled by the pillow he had his face buried into.

‘It’s Dick, please let me in’ Dick called out from the other side of the door.

Rolling out of bed and walking to his front door, Jason saw Dick standing in the hallway. Smiling at his younger brother, Jason only grumbling.

‘Nice to see you’re alive, you’re not returning my calls or texts dude’ Dick smiled, Jason running his hands through his messy hair.

‘I’m avoiding everyone, don’t take it personal dickhead’ Jason shot back, Dick chuckling as he nodded.

‘You gonna let me in or what?’ Dick asked as Jason stepped aside letting him in.

Dick sat on the couch waiting alone while looking at the messy apartment, cleaning and laundry had been neglected.

‘So what is this about?’ Jason asked as he entered the room, sitting opposite Dick.

‘Well, your boyfriend…’

‘Ex boyfriend’ Jason corrected, interrupting Dick, who only nodded slightly.

‘Ex boyfriend has been, well, taken’ Dick revealed, Jason’s eyes shot wide as he heard this.

‘What?’

‘He was last seen by his, friend shall we say, about 2 nights ago’ Dick said, Jason knew from that the last thing you posted, your story that got him giving up, was the clue.

You had gone missing around the time of your last story, that means a 48 hour window, give or take, meaning Jason can still find you.

‘Any ideas?’ Jason asked as Dick nodded once again.

‘Yeah, but I’ll need your help’

Jason was up on his feet without hesitation as Dick smirked, pointing to Jason and his appearance.

‘Might wanna take a shower first bud, you stink’ Jason rolled his eyes at that, but he knew it was not a good idea to reunite with you like this.

Nightwing was observing from the roof while Red Hood was sneak attacking inside. They knew you had to be around here somewhere, it was where they managed to track to.

Though Jason didn’t ask as to why Dick was helping, nor did he ask as to how Dick managed to track you down. He was just glad Dick did.

Maroni had held you here for about 19 hours now without a word as to why, you were with a bunch of other people. Your new boyfriend, Zach, included.

It was deducted a simple ‘wrong place at the wrong time’ kind of thing, there was some mob hit going on and everyone in the restaurant must’ve got in the way.

‘God I don’t want to die, I’m far too young and far too good looking for this’ Zach grumbled as you sat, tied up next to him.

‘You’re not gonna die, I promise’ you reassured him. Zach just scoffed.

‘What are you gonna do four eyes? They have guns’

You seethed with anger as Zach mocked you along with name calling, a henchman came over and stuck the gun in Zach’s face.

‘Sir, please don’t, I’m begging you. I can get my father to pay you whatever you guys need’ he bargained, the gun was turned to your direction.

Zach remained silent this time as you stared down the barrel of the gun. You heard you heart racing, you had mental flashes of being with your family, fun nights out with friends. Nights out with Jason.

There was a crash and all of a sudden a guy in black and blue, and another wearing a red helmet were taking down the mobster and his men.

‘Y/n, take cover’ Red Hood called out as he lay your chair down on the ground, you resting on your side.

You were confused as you looked at the masked man, watching as he jumped into action. Not paying any mind to the others in the room.

Within a gut wrenching moment it was over and the men were all taken down, with GCPD outside. You, Zach and all the other hostages were taken outside to safety.

‘God, that was incredible, thinking I was gonna die then not. So glad I’m ok, glad you are too’ Zach said, pulling out a mirror to look at himself.

‘You really aren’t as good looking as you think you are’ you blurted out as Zach stopped checking himself out.

Red Hood watched as you stood with Zach in the street, GCPD Officers questioning everyone, including the two of you afterwards.

Jason felt a little better about himself as he woke up, coming back from the gym after a well needed workout.

Jason showered and dressed as he felt ready to take the day on, when he heard a knock at the door.

‘Hey’ you said, with a smile on your face as Jason looked stunned, but relieved to see you.

‘Hi’

You went into Jason’s apartment as you thought of how to handle the situation, you weren’t sure how to deal.

‘So, Red Hood huh?’

He studied your face to see if you were angry or not, seeing as he’d lied to you. For so long, never telling you. Seeing his fresh wounds, as well his older ones.

‘Yes’ Jason rolled out hesitantly, still looking at you. You just smiled a little, going over and taking Jason’s hand in yours.

‘I get why you lied, but please from now on, please just be honest with me’ you urged, Jason nodding with a smile.

‘Are you ok? After all of that’ he asked you as you tilted your head a little.

‘I guess, not the highlight of the week’ chuckling as you responded, Jason still held onto your hand as he looked into your eyes.

‘Hope Zach’s ok’

You chuckled again as you looked to the floor for a second, looking back up at Jason.

‘We broke up’ you informed, Jason raised his eyebrows.

‘Really?’

‘Yeah, he was just, well. Annoying for one, but I realised that day that I just can’t be with him’ you said as you squeezed Jason’s hand, him registering you both still had your fingers interlocked.

‘Should I kiss you now, or later?’ Jason asked, you laughed as you grabbed onto his face and pulled him in.

The two of you rekindled the romance as you kissed for the first time after so long, in this moment Jason was just so happy to have you again. You realising how much you love him.

‘I love you so much’ Jason spilled out when he broke the kiss, you smiled brightly.

‘I love you too’ you replied as you kissed him again, Jason lifting you off your feet with you wrapping your legs around his waist.

‘Let’s catch up on lost time’ Jason growled in your ear, carrying you to the bedroom.

The both of you back together, realising how much you both needed each other.

#red hood #gotham #red hood fanfiction #red hood x reader #red hood x you #jason todd fanfiction #jason todd x reader #jason todd x y/n #jason todd x you #jason todd #jason todd x soulmate #jason todd x male reader #red hood x male reader

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ragingbookdragon · 3 years

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Through Hoods, Through Lace, Through Hearts--We'll Find Our Healing PT.1

Jason Todd x Reader Story (Arkhamverse)

Word Count: 2.6K Warnings: Explicit Language

Author's Note: I started playing Arkham Knight again and got inspired. Who woulda thought?? Enjoy! -Thorne

Gotham wasn’t exactly safe since Batman—or Bruce Wayne—had died. All things considered, it wasn’t as bad as it used to be now that Red Hood had moved in and started tackling the criminals Batman had left behind—permanently. Killer Moth had been the first and Roman Sionis was the second to go, and while Red Hood hadn’t outright claimed it, the leftover crew that hadn’t been pumped full of lead, had said that they saw the vigilante leaving, so it wasn’t hard to put two and two together. And it didn’t stop there.

Red Hood had started in on Penguin’s gang too. Now that Batman wasn’t around to stop the weapons and drug smuggling, it’d given the infamous gang leader a free ticket into Gotham. There were some reports about the neighboring vigilante Nightwing coming over from Blüdhaven to stop him. Rumor had it that someone said they even saw him and the Red Hood working together at one point, but it didn’t seem all to believable as the latter didn’t seem to be the partnering type.

That being said, with no one to stop him from killing all the criminals he wanted, a lot of the small-time fish got out of the business, not wanting to be met at the end of Red Hood’s handguns—it’s the exact reason she got out of the game. The money was good, and she was a damn good thief, but no amount of payout was worth her life. But somehow, trouble always managed to find her again.

***

Her file might’ve gotten deleted from GCPD’s database, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t going to take the easy way down the street and risk an officer recognizing her. She stuck to the back alleys like usual, ignoring the catcalls and sleazy comments about her outfit, but still keeping her brass knuckles around her hand—could never be too careful in Gotham.

Working an honest job sucked in her opinion, and the only thing more humiliating than working at Super-Babes was the number of tips she was getting at the end of her shift. Maybe if she smiled and flirted a bit more, they’d give her a tenner instead of a fiver. She’d half a mind to shove that five down the asshole’s throat after he ran his hand up the back of her thigh, but she was lucky that Tony had been working the kitchen shift—watching him throw the guy out on his ass was payment enough.

Even if she was managing to scrape by, working a restaurant job was kicking her ass, and something deep inside her itched for one more heist, but with the Red Hood stalking the city, there was no way in hell that she was going to risk it. The man had a reputation for leaving bodies and shell cases, and she wasn’t going to be the former. No, she was working towards a better future, getting back on track, and even if she was waitress, she was doing a lot better than most of the old crew. Most of them had either joined up with Black Mask, in hindsight, a horrible error on their part, or gotten thrown back into lockup. She was lucky—she got out during the recovery of Gotham after the whole Scarecrow and Arkham Knight deal. But that didn’t stop them from sending her the occasional request of her skills. All they received was a big ‘fuck no and fuck you’.

“(Y/N), (Y/N), (Y/N). Finally tracked you down.” Speak of the devil.

“Alex,” she sighed heavily as she turned halfway, catching sight of her old partner—and old flame, but that wasn’t important. “Figured you would at some point.” Her eyes narrowed. “What do you want?”

Alex chuckled and leaned against the wall. “No need to be so touchy. I just wanted to talk.”

(Y/N) shook her head and hiked her purse higher onto her shoulder, fingers tightening around the brass knuckles in her pocket.

“If it’s not about my next shift at Super-Babes, I don’t give a rat’s ass what it is,” she countered, glaring at him.

“That’s where you’ve been working?” he questioned, but his tone gave way to the knowingness in his gaze. “Really?”

“Not like there’s anywhere else for ex-thieves to apply, Alex,” (Y/N) grumbled. “Employers are pretty meticulous when it comes to criminal records.”

“I’m not.”

She glowered at him. “I’m not interested in whatever you want me to do for you.”

“Even if you’ll get paid?” he suggested.

“I can’t believe I’m going to ask,” she sighed, eyes narrowing at the grin that split across his face. “What are you doing?”

Alex pulled out a file and walked up to her. “I knew you couldn’t resist a big payout.”

“Fuck you,” she grunted, swiping the manilla folder from him. “Shine a light for me.”

He pulled out his phone and flicked his flashlight on, watching as she read the papers, occasionally flipping the sheets.

All at once, she paused and gaped at him. “Wayne Manor?” She blinked. “You wanna `excavate Wayne Manor?”

Alex nodded and turned the flashlight off, stowing the phone back into his pocket. “Good plan, isn’t it?”

(Y/N) breathed in shock and lowered the folder. “Are you insane?”

“I’m failing to see your issue with this.”

“You want to excavate the home of a dead man. You really can’t see the issue with it?”

“That he’s dead?” Alex offered. “Technically that’s not graverobbing. He’s been dead for like a year and a half.”

(Y/N) turned and took a step. “That’s not the issue Alex!” She spun back around and hissed, “Bruce Wayne was Batman.”

“Keyword was. Not anymore.”

“I don’t give a shit. If Bruce Wayne was Batman, then there’s a very strong chance that there’s still defenses laid around the grounds.”

“In that pile of rubble? Not likely, but that’s why I need you to help me.”

“No,” (Y/N) declared. “I’m not going anywhere near that place.”

Alex let out a sigh and crossed his arms over his chest. “And why not? You never really liked Batman. Didn’t he put you in jail once or twice?”

“Bruce Wayne was a good man that did his best to help this city whether he was dressed as Batman or not.” She affirmed. “He saved people, gave them jobs, helped them turn their lives around. No,” she shook her head. “I don’t want any part of this job, Alex. Now, later, or forever. I’m trying to do better, and you should too.”

Alex scoffed. “Oh please, getting tips for dressing like slutty Wonder Woman isn’t doing better (Y/N), and you know it.”

She ignored the insult and shrugged. “Maybe not, but I go to sleep at night knowing that I’m not going to get shot by Red Hood or some greedy gangbanger.”

At that, Alex paused and stared at her. “Are you really afraid of that prick?”

(Y/N) scowled. “That pricktook out Black Mask and his entire operation within twenty-four hoursthen immediately turned his attention on the rest of the scumbags in this city.” Taking a step towards him, she added, “He doesn’t break bones and leave you lying in pain like Batman did, Alex. He makes sure you don’t get up again. Ever. I’m not risking my neck for anything that’s stuck in Wayne’s basement.”

The man across from her was silent for a moment, then sighed. “I can’t sway you in any way?”

She yanked her hand out of her jacket pocket and flashed the knuckles around her hand. “I’d stop swaying and start running instead.”

Alex opened his mouth to say something, but all that came out was, “Oh fuck!” then he spun around and hauled off like his ass was on fire.

(Y/N) stood there dumbfounded. Sure, she could be intimidating, but there was no way she was that scary. Instead of questioning it, she shrugged and shoved the folder into her skirt, then turned sharply on her heel to start on her way back to her apartment. Until she walked straight into someone’s chest.

She gasped as she stumbled backwards, knowing she was going to fall on her ass when strong hands grasped her upper arms, keeping her upright. (Y/N) looked up and met the very man she’d been talking about. Suddenly, Alex’s explicative and escape made perfect sense.

“Oh fuck!” she blurted out, and impulsively swung her knuckled fist at the jaw of his helmet. He caught her hand with an ease and spun her around, pressing her front up against the brick wall.

“Fuck me. Oh, fuck me,” she hissed, cursing herself for not telling Alex to stick it where the sun didn’t shine the second he found her. Now here she was about to get murdered by a trigger-happy vigilante with a grudge.

“Really? Right here? But someone could see us?” The humor in his tone drew a startled laugh from her and she pressed her cheek against the wall, so she could see him.

“I swear to God I don’t have anything to do with him. Fuck, I’ll tell you whatever you want about him and his plan if you don’t kill me.” (Y/N) sucked in a breath. “Please don’t kill me. I swear I stopped pulling heists after Halloween last year. I work a decent job. I keep my nose clean. I don’t get involved in that shit anymore. Please, God, don’t—”

“Will you stop talking for like ten seconds?” Red Hood griped, one hand leaving the grasp he had on her arms behind her back to feel around her middle.

“HEY!” she shouted, thrashing wildly. “GET YOUR HANDS OFF ME!”

He pressed her harder to the wall. “I’m not gonna hurt you. Calm down.”

“I’ll calm down when you get your fucking hands out of my skirt your fucking pervert!” (Y/N) spat, leaning on one leg to kick at him with the other.

“All I want is what’s in your skirt,” he sighed and pressed one of his thighs against the one kicking him. “Christ,you’re a handful.”

“And you’re a fucking sicko!” she retorted indignantly. “Is this how you get your rocks off? Assaulting innocent women? You’re so fucking disgu—”

“Got it,” Red Hood declared, and yanked out the file she’d shoved in the side of her skirt. (Y/N) fell silent when he held it beside her head. “See, that wasn’t so hard now, was it?”

She could tell he was smirking behind the red helmet and she scowled at him. “You’re fucked up, buddy.”

Shrugging, he flipped open the file and started reading. “Would’ve been easier if you hadn’t tried to run on me.”

“Well excuse me for thinking I was about to get murdered and having the initial instinct to haul ass.”

Red Hood chuckled at that, and despite how wrong the entire situation was, the low drawl made shivers go down her spine.

“Wanna tell me about your friend?” he coaxed and (Y/N) froze.

“He’s not my friend,” she suddenly protested. “I haven’t been around Alex since last year.”

“Really? You two seem fairly chummy.”

(Y/N) craned her neck to look at him. “We used to fuck when we worked together.”

“Mhm,” he hummed knowingly. “Lover’s spat then?”

Barking a laugh, she countered, “Like you wouldn’t believe.” She stared at him. “I got out when you started putting people down. Didn’t want to be a casualty.”

“That’ll do it,” he snickered. “So, you don’t know what Alex’s been up to since last year?”

“No, and I want it to stay that way, but he thinks that if he waves enough heists in my face, I’ll cave and run back to the money.” (Y/N) groaned and rested her head against the wall. “Look, I don’t know what he’s planning, and I don’t care. I don’t want anything to do with whatever that plan it. Honest to God.”

She gazed at him, feeling something akin to tears gathering in her vision, and pled, “Take the file. Hell, take all the money I’ve got in my purse if you want, just don’t kill me.” A single tear ran down her cheek. “Please, I’m begging you. I don’t wanna die now.”

Red Hood’s weight disappeared from her back and he murmured, “I’m not going to hurt you. I want the opposite in fact.” The honesty in his words made her body feel weak and her knees started to go out beneath her. “And there she goes.” He caught her before she fell.

Gently lowering her to the ground, he helped her sit against the wall. (Y/N) leaned her head back and let out a long sigh.

“Oh, thank God.”

He laughed. “Life flashing before your eyes?”

She gave a half-hearted smile. “You’ve got no idea.”

This time when he laughed, it was dark, and it made her stomach churn. “Actually, I do.”

An uncomfortable silence fell over them, then he knelt in front of her, handing her purse back to her.

“Here.”

(Y/N) took it with a nod and stared at him. “So, what happens now?”

He was quiet for a moment, then he waved the file. “I go stop your friends from digging around Batman’s home.”

“Good luck,” she replied, starting to her feet when he tutted.

“Ah-ah-ah.” He motioned for her to sit back down. “We’re not done yet.”

She grunted at him. “What do you want?”

“Information on your friends.”

(Y/N) felt her brows furrow. “Can’t you find that out yourself?”

Red Hood shrugged. “I could, but I’m always looking to make my job easier.” He observed her for a moment, then reached into his pocket and pulled out a roll of hundred-dollar bills.

Waving it in front of her, he said, “You tell me what you used to do for them and what all they’ve got going on, and you can have this.”

(Y/N)’s jaw went tight as she stared at the roll. That could pay rent and bills for at least two months. She needed the money. Her eyes darted to the mask and she swiped for the roll, but he raised it out of her reach.

“Nope,” he ribbed. “Info first.”

“Ass,” she grumbled, but conceded with a sigh. “Fine. Have it your way.” (Y/N) clambered to her feet and dusted off her tacky skirt, watching as he did the same.

“Follow me to my apartment.” Before he could say a word, she thrust a finger into his chest. “And do it from the rooftops so people don’t see you.” Her face set in a glare. “I don’t need any unwanted guests trying to get in because they saw you following me.”

She started off when Red Hood grabbed her forearm, not harshly, but firm enough to make her stop and stare at him questioningly.

“What’s your name?”

She blinked, not expecting that. “It’s (Y/N). (Y/N) (L/N).”

He nodded. “And what did they call you when you worked as a thief?”

(Y/N) huffed. “Not everyone has an alias, Red Hood.”

Chuckling, he retorted, “Yeah, but someone as pretty as you no doubt had one.”

She felt her stomach flutter at his flirt and her cheeks warmed as she looked away and replied, “They used to call me, ‘The Lady in Lace’.”

“The Lady in Lace?” he repeated, then stood next to her and pulled out a grappling gun. “Have a matching outfit, Lady Lace?”

(Y/N) shoved him in the side. “Wouldn’t you like to know.”

“I think I’d rather see,” Red Hood flirted and pressed the button, shooting off towards the roof of the building.

It was gonna be a long night.

#jason todd x reader #jason todd x reader imagines #jason todd x reader imagine #jason todd imagines #jason todd imagine #red hood #red hood x reader #red hood x reader imagines #red hood x reader imagine #dc comics #dc imagine #dc imagines #batman arkham knight #arkham knight #arkhamverse

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lananiscorner · 6 years

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How would Comics!Jason react to Bruce-Jason relationship in IWGA? Because comparing things that happened to Comics!Jason and (1)Compendilum!Jason makes me think, no insults to your writing intended, Compendilum!Jason is just whiny. I mean, he thinks Bruce will put him into Arkham just because he glide kicked him in the shoulder(and I accept this is a terrible thing) and tried to lecture him about killing people is wrong. But he showed zero intensions to put Jason in the jail.

(2)I'm sure Bruce was just going to lecturehim and let him go. And even I think planting jammers in the Manor is aterrible move, he just wanted to see Jason. He only wanted to see his seriouslyinjured son! Even if I understand Jason misunderstood Bruce's intensions in theIWGA(and Bruce being a massive jerk didn't help so much), after thinking aboutwhat PostCrisis!Batman and Rebirth!Batman did to Jason...

(3)...(throwing a batarang to his throat,beating the crap out of him right after he lost Artemis and Bizarro etc.) Iwant to say "Shut up Jason! Just shut up! You have one of the best Batdadsin the Multiverse, and you still think Bruce is going to put you in jail forsome reason when he didn't do it and offered you help when he had the perfectopportunity to do so!? I know another Jason(refers to Comics!Jason) who woulddie for a Batdad like you have!

(4) Just stop jumping on conclusions andtry to be grateful because this Bruce cares about you and he would cut his bothhands rather than putting you in a jail, okay?"

Thanks for your ask, Anon. I feel like there are two questions in your ask. 1) Should Compendium!Jason be less salty and wary towards Bruce, and 2) what would happen if he were to meet comics!Jason.

First, we’re getting into the wonderful difference between the omniscient 3rd person POV and the character-based 3rd person POV (there are probably other terms for this in English, but I can’t be bothered to search for them right now).

The thing is... objectively speaking, comics!Bruce has been much, much worse to Jason than Arkham!Bruce (because my Compendium is an extension of the Arkhamverse) has ever been. I’ve actually done a series of comparison post about this before, which I can’t find right now. However, perspective is key here. From the outside, the difference is very clear and might seem infuriating, but consider that Compendium!Jason does not HAVE the knowledge of how fucked up the relationship between the Jasons and Bruces of other universes is. All he knows is that Bruce:

is, as confirmed in Arkham canon, a frequent and manipulative “mission first” jerk who is not above lying to the people closest to him, including about really important things such as fellow batfam members having been kidnapped or even being dead,

couldn’t find Jason when Joker kept him captive in Arkham Asylum of all places, which Batman visits probably every other day, for more than a year, begging the question of whether he even cared that Jason was gone,

got himself a new Robin within less than 6 months of Jason disappearing,

ditched the family by pretending to be dead without letting anyone know what’s up (and took Alfred with him, too),

came back to Gotham and STILL didn’t tell anyone (this is where we start getting into Compendium-only territory),

opened his first 1-on-1 conversation with Jason by assaulting and criticizing him,

broke the trust the family had extended to him by letting him spent Christmas at the manor by undermining their security network.

And yes, objectively, none of that is worse than what comics!Bruce did to Jason, but again, Arkham!Jason does not have this perspective. Those bullet points above are all he has to act on, not to mention Joker spent more than a year torturing and manipulating him and Jason then spent several years alone with his trauma (and digging himself deeper into the mess in the process).

Things like that don’t just leave you over night. One “I’m sorry. We can fix this together” does NOT fix that. IWGA is essentially the story of a very traumatized young man (barely old enough to be allowed to drink alcohol!) trying to regain the ability to trust anyone after years of physical and emotional abandonment and a childhood characterized by years of abuse and CPTSD. Building trust in a situation like that doesn’t just come over night. It takes lots of dedication and especially lots of patience and cooperation from the people one wants to build trust with, which is also why my Compendium!Jason gets along so well with Barbara. She’s known about his survival since the Halloween of Arkham Knight, but she has consistently respected his boundaries. (So has Tim, but that’s entirely different beast of a relationship, because Jason and Tim had no prior history.)

Contrast how Compendium!Bruce approaches Jason vs, how Dick approaches Jason. Both start out in roughly the same place (affirming that they care about Jason upon finding out that he’s alive). Both fuck up royally the next time they try to directly contact him (Dick by invading Jason’s privacy with the surprise birthday party in A Normal Life, Bruce by assaulting Jason and instantly critizing him). But Dick LEARNS. From that point onward, he’s much more respectful of Jason’s boundaries. Doesn’t mean he doesn’t (un)intentionally push and poke them every now and then, but he learns to back off and respect Jason’s emotional priorities, whereas Bruce stubbornly remains focused on his own priorities (which nearly cost Jason his life). From the perspective of Compendium!Jason, Bruce has a LOT of ground to cover on this road to repairing their relationship, but by the end of IWGA, they are slowly getting there. SLOWLY. That was the entire point of that story.

Now for question number 2. If Compendium!Jason and comics!Jason were to meet (either New Earth or Prime Earth), I’m sure comics!Jason would definitely go: “Dude, do you have any idea how LUCKY you are that your family even still loves you at all? Because here’s some shit my dear old man has pulled...” And I’m sure that would give Jason a lot to think about. I think he would definitely feel sympathy and even empathy for this other Jason, who’s family situation is so much more fucked up, but on the other hand “don’t whine - other people have it much worse than you” is an INCREDIBLY unhelpful approach for any trauma survivor, because it downplays the trauma suffered by the “better off” party, but truth is that the damage is still there. To take an example that’s not mental/emotional: If you’ve got the mother of all migraines and somebody else tells you “well at least it’s not a brain tumor” that won’t make the migraine any less painful. It will only make you feel guilty for complaining about it and ashamed of asking for help. This kind of (un)intentional guilt-tripping would be incredibly damaging for Compendium!Jason, who is still very much in the process of recovering from his trauma.

So while I do get the gut reaction of wanting to go “Compendium!Jason, if only you knew what’s up with the other Jasons of the multiverse!”, it’s not a thought I would ever want to propagate in my writing, because it would be incredibly unhelpful and unhealthy for Compendium!Jason.

#asks #Anon #Batman: Arkham Compendium #comics!Jason #Arkham!Jason #Compendium!Jason #Ill Weeds Grow Apace #tw: trauma #tw: PTSD #tw: guilt-tripping #outside POV vs character POV #these tags are ridiculously long #I could put so many more #but it's almost 4am and I'm tired

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calichardonnay · 6 years

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Laughing Scars

(A while back, I found this fanart of Jason Todd shirtless with three “laughing” scars over his side that read “HA HA HA.” I loved the concept so much that I included it in my RP version of Jay, who hails from the Arkhamverse, specifically. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find the art again to reblog with the writing. The below was written off the cuff for a chat RP session.)

...I don't know how long I had been in Arkham by that point. Time had become a chaotic waste for me, seasons and hours and days kinda just jumped around and melded together. I just know it had been long enough, apparently. Long enough to be numb to it. I was always in pain, so I stopped noticing pain. I was always scared and crying, to the point where it didn't even matter anymore. Just...blank. Empty. My heart had died. Robin had died. I ...I had... reached a point where I would do and say anything asked of me.

I had long given up on Batman to save me. And I was just... tired. Drifting. I didn't want to be rescued anymore, or even try to escape. I just wanted to stop. Wanted to die. I had nothing in me to fight for anymore...a broken doll...and Joker knew it all too well. He set me up in front of a camera, started asking all sorts of questions. Easy at first. "What's your name?" I answered. "Who do you hate?" I had been made to believe that Batman was the reason I was here, that he was the reason I had to suffer... so I answered. I hated Batman. Even through the numb...it hurt... to admit that...because I knew it was truth.

Then he asked me for his name. Batman's name. And I...I didn't hesitate. Not for one fucking second. Like a good little boy, I started...I complied...and he shot me... right here...before I could sound out the first letter. I remember him standing over me, shoving the camera in my face and laughing...always laughing...and I just wanted to slip away. I welcomed death but...but did it have to be recorded? I couldn't pass out fast enough...even my death wouldn't go unviolated ...it just... wasn't fair...

I was sure I died. And that wouldn't have been so bad had I not woken up again in the same room, my arms tied and hooked above me, my chest throbbing. I... completely lost it. I thought I couldn't feel anymore and yet I fell apart.

I was in Hell.

That had to have been it. I might have died a long time ago and this was my punishment.

I couldn't even understand why. Why this was fucking happening to me! I was a good kid! I thought I was! I studied hard, I trained hard - I thought I had become something when Bruce Wayne took me as his own. That with him, I had finally escaped the harsh gravity of Gotham. And that was it, it hit me...it was all because of him. I was condemned because I trusted in him. And look where that fucking got me!!

...look where it fucking got me...

I wasn't strong. I didn't feel strong. I just felt alone.

Neither Death nor the Devil would have me, but the Joker would keep me without a second thought.

I hadn't died.

Joker had me patched up after I passed out, and strung me up again. Called it his "showstopper" to have it look like I had been killed on camera, and he kept... praising me for playing my part so well. That I had done exactly as he had taught me. That we'd...we'd ...we'd get back at Batman. And as much as I hated Joker, I hated Bruce even more. The thought of vengeance for all the lies I had been fed was...was more than a temptation. I had been shown so many horrible truths...I hadn't exactly been lied to, not really, and I didn't...I didn't want to accept anything else at that point. Joker had torn away the curtain, and let me see what the Dark Knight really was. I was scared, angry... very angry...but my head was far beyond the grounding and logic of my training with the Bat. I was no longer Robin. I was...whatever husk Joker had hollowed out and filled up with hate and rage.

I told him...I wanted to kill Batman.

He told me, "And now you're in on the joke" and wanted to commemorate the occasion.

I don't remember how or when he picked up the knife, but honestly, Joker always had some tool or weapon in his hands around me. He hollered for Quinn, stated we needed a witness. I turned away as best I could...I thought he was going to carve into my face again, where he had burned me. But for once...I don't know if it was a particularly sharp blade or I had reached a point of numbness that it didn't matter, but for once I didn't feel it...no pain, just...cold steel. Warm blood. Dripping....down my side.

He had Harley do the next set. She...seemed upset. Angry. She stabbed her first line into me. I screamed and tried to twist away. Joker clubbed her in the back of the head and told her to do it right. She did. Glaring at me the whole time. And I just...watched.

Joker snatched the knife from her as soon as she was done, shoved her away...and cut one of my wrists loose from where he had them tied above me. I felt like my arm was going to fall off completely.

He told me...it was my turn, and shoved the knife in my hand.

Harley kept going on about how I was just gonna off myself right there, and Joker grabbed one of her pigtails and yanked her head down, still with that fucking grin of his. He told her...that I knew better. That if I really wanted to kill Batman, I'd be part of the joke rather than the punchline. I just...stared at it for a while.

My head went...quiet. Just static.

I wouldn't be the punchline anymore.

I closed my eyes ...held my breath...and started cutting.

#my writing #jason todd #red hood #arkham knight #tw torture #tw abuse #joker #harley quinn #jaysads

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addicted-to-dc · 7 years

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Jason Todd/Red Hood X Reader- Criminal (Song Fic)

Here’s the song fic!! I really am not that great at them, but I hope you guys enjoy!! I’d like to thank the awesome @abigailredgrave for helping me out with this. Also, this is in the Arkhamverse if it confuses some people. I recently have had some Arkham Knight feels and I needed to get it out of my system.

Warning: Blood, fighting, guns, horrible nicknames, etc.

It was a rather expensive and elegant gathering that Jason somehow got himself involved in. All of the guests were either in suits or dresses that costed more than what most people in Gotham made in a year combined. Jason himself was in a suit that was way cheaper than the other men’s formal wear, but they never spared a glance to him. Many of the women had sauntered up to him and tried to have a talk, but he turned them down as politely as he could. He wasn’t there to socialize, but he was there to find one of Joker’s leftover weapons from the old days. It was relieving to know that the crazed Clown Prince was dead, but his old buddies thought it would be a great idea to sell off his possessions. He knew that Harley was somewhere in the sea of guests, but this time she wasn’t after him in particular. She was after the heads of the ones that had her old lover’s belongings, and he wasn’t going to allow anyone to use those weapons again. All he needed to do was sabotage the gear and get out, but he was prepared to fight his way out of it was necessary. Stealth was one of his many capabilities, but even he had his limits. He weaved through all of the guests until he reached the door that led to Joker’s weapons, entering the hall full of more doors. The hall had about twenty doors, ten on each side, but that didn’t stop him from heading towards the correct one. Once he accessed the room, he froze as soon as he saw what they were selling.

“I’m telling ya, boss, this isn’t a good idea,” a sharply dressed man said, pacing around the room. “My guys saw Quinn enter the building and I don’t want to mess around with that crazy bitch.”

Jason hid behind one of the metal tables, slightly shuddering when he touched the familiar metal. He had no idea how they had gotten this from Arkham, but this brought back too many painful memories. Squeezing his eyes shut, he tried to calm his breathing and listen to the man on the phone.

“Alright, but it’s your head when she finds out it’s you behind this,” the man said and ended the call, throwing the phone in anger. “Dammit!!”

Knowing the man was distracted, Jason pulled out his gun and aimed it at the man. He pulled the trigger and watched the man crumple to the ground, blood already seeping from the gunshot wound. After he dealt with the man, Jason shakily picked up a gasoline can and started throwing it across the room, covering all of the Joker memorabilia. When he finished, he set the can down and activated the explosive he brought with him.

“Hey, you!” a guard shouted and fired a large amount of bullets in his direction.

Jason threw the bomb at the guard and threw his weight against a glass door that led to a balcony. He quickly jumped from one balcony to another until he was surrounded by more armed guards, including the one that originally shot at him. When he saw a gun pointed at his torso, that’s when he lost it. He pulled out his gun and shot at the guards while he remembered the torture and agony Joker had inflicted on him. Bullets, knives, electricity, crowbars and even heated metal pokers were used to make him who he was, but he wasn’t going to let any Joker sympathizers repeat that for him. “Heads up!” a new voice shouted before he was pushed down a small flight of stairs.

Jason groaned when he stopped rolling down the stairs, but stood up when he heard footsteps approaching him. When he finally stood up, his eyes met with (E/C) ones. You were wearing a stunning blood red dress that hugged you in all the right ways, but still allowed you to move without any problems. You chuckled and held out a hand, which he hesitantly took and stood up.

“We gotta go,” you said and dragged him away from the building. “Did you finish planting the bomb?”

As if on cue, an explosion went off inside the building, screams following it.

You laughed, “I guess there’s my answer.”

“Where are we going? Who are you?” Jason asked, trying to wrap his mind around what happened.

“Oh, I’m the person that just saved your life,” you replied and released his hand when your motorcycle came into view. “Now, do you want to get out of here or get killed by those Joker fanatics?”

Jason sighed and climbed onto the motorcycle with you, “I swear if you try to kill me I’ll kill you.”

“I could’ve let the bullet sink into your brain,” you winked and shoved your helmet on, handing him one before zooming off to your current hideout. “So, what’s your beef with the Joker?”

“Long story,” Jason stated, grabbing your waist tightly as you made a turn. “Where are we going?”

You turned down another road, “Some place safe. Do you normally ask a lot of questions?”

“Only when I’m awake,” Jason responded.

You laughed once again, “You got a sense of humor! It’s nice to meet someone that doesn’t have a stick up their ass.”

When he was about to respond, you took a sharp turn into an old alley and parked the motorcycle in a rundown garage. You took off the helmet and placed it on the handle. Jason took off his as well, but placed it on the seat when he got off the bike.

“Welcome to my humble abode!” you said with a smile.

Jason looked around the garage, “So why did you help me?” You shrugged, “I’m a criminal. What did you expect me to do, help the guards kill you?”

“What kind of criminal?” he asked.

“Well….” you drifted off. “I’ll share my backstory if you share yours.”

“Fine, but-”

“If I try anything, I’m dead.” you interrupted. “Trust me, I wouldn’t want to kill you, beefcake.”

You walked out of the garage, leaving a stunned Jason Todd behind. He looked over to the garage door, deciding whether or not to leave, but decided against it and followed you.

“Beefcake?”

“Yeah,” you explained from another room. “Have you seen your muscles? I think you could crush a human skull with those thighs.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment,” he said and slid his bloodstained suit, examining for any wounds.

“It is,” you stated and walked into the room in another outfit. “Here’s some clothes to change into, but first I’m checking for wounds.”

“I’m fine,” he said and took the clothes.

You raised a brow, “I highly doubt that, mister. I can see the blood on your shirt.”

“I can handle it,” he said.

“Here I am being a nice host and you won’t even let me check if you’re alright!” you shouted and threw your hands up. “I’m not trying to see you shirtless, even though it would be nice.”

He sighed, “Fine, but you better not call me ‘Beefcake’ again.”

“I make no promises,” you smiled and helped him out of the bloodstained shirt.

“‘I’m fine’ my ass. You have a bullet wound on your back and glass embedded in your skin.”

“I’ve had worse,” Jason told you. “Just hurry up.”

“Alright, alright,” you said and grabbed your medical supplies. “So, what’s your story?”

“There’s nothing to tell,” he said quietly.

“Seriously, with all of these scars, I think you have a lot to tell.”

He flinched when your hand traced the scars on his back, which made you remove your hand. He heard you sigh and stand up. You walked in front of him and furrowed your brows, your hand wiping away the makeup that covered the scars on his face. You stood up once again and grabbed makeup remover from your bathroom, and returned with the bottle and a rag.

“Here,” you said and held the rag out. “I did tell you that I’ll share mine of you share yours.”

Jason gave you a confused look, but took the rag from your hands. You grabbed his hand and raised it to your face, making him wipe away your makeup. His eyes widened when he saw the scars that littered your face.

You smiled faintly, “You’re not the only one with a story to tell.”

#Jason Todd #jason todd x reader #jason todd imagine #red hood #red hood x reader #red hood imagine #arkham knight #arkham knight x reader #DC comics #dc imagine #dc x reader

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