Chapter Text
The sun danced across wooden floors, streaming through the slit in the curtain and rudely waking him up. Even now, after all this time, he still wasn’t used to seeing sunlight in the morning. Well, Jason did live in Gotham so it’s not like he saw it very often anyway. He used to be blinded all the time in Santa Prisca so he blacked out every window and blocked the doors. It’s not like he was there for a view anyway and the darkness felt familiar. Not necessarily safe, never safe, just something he knew.
He groaned as he rolled over, turning away from the window and facing Alfred. Wait, Alfred? Why was he here?
Jason fully opened his eyes and sat up, staring at the man. “Alf? What’re you doing here?” He asked, voice croaky and low in that early morning tone.
“Master Jason, Mr. Anderson has taken the others out to see Master Dick off whilst Master Bruce has been called into the office. You’re welcome to join them.” Alfred said.
Jason was honestly kind of offended. Dick was just gonna leave without even saying goodbye?
‘Of course he would, you did threaten him after all. Who would want to be around you?’ His inner voice sneered at him. If it was a real person right in front of him, he’d probably deck them, but that wasn’t exactly possible so he elected to ignore it.
“Yeah. Thanks. Maybe later.” Jason muttered, looking down at the ground.
“Excellent. I did have something I wanted you to do for me.” Alfred said, setting down a small black case. He opened it to reveal a syringe and three vials.
Fuck. Alfred was gonna drug him. He trusted Alfred but he’s just like everyone else. He’s going to pump him full of drugs and hallucinogens just like Harley and Joker. This was Batman’s plan all along, warp his already fractured mind to make him the perfect soldier. That’s all he was good for anyway.
Jokes on him, he wasn’t going to let anyone touch him again. He growled at Alfred, showing his teeth and everything as he leapt for the syringe. If the man wanted it, he’d give it to him. It and whatever he wanted to pump him full off. This fucker is going down, thinking he can drug him? What a joke!
Alfred held up his hands, slamming the case shut before Jason could grab the syringe.
“That is my error. I wanted to run some blood tests, master Bruce and Mister Anderson specifically. He explained that your Batman was infected with a virus. Master Bruce believed that there is a possibility you could have caught something from him. We just want to make sure you are as healthy and fit as you can be.” Alfred said gently.
Jason blinked, hearing the words past the roar in his ears. As of a fog had started to peel away from his brain he saw Alfred standing in front of him. Alfred and not a man in an alleyway or a clown in a human suit.
He nodded numbly, staring at the window and holding out his arm. If he didn’t think about it, didn’t see it, maybe he could pretend it wasn’t happening? Convince himself it wasn’t drugs, because it wasn’t, but drugs came in needles. Needles meant drugs. He couldn’t do that. Not again. He wouldn’t let himself backslide.
“Done.” Alfred said after what felt like a few seconds.
“Already?” Jason asked, absently rubbing a thumb over where the needle mark was. Alfred was busy taping a cotton ball on it. Not that it mattered anyway. He always bled a bit sluggishly and what’s one more scar amongst many?
“Indeed. You can join the others at the mall if you so desire.” Alfred said casually.
Casually, as if he wasn’t suggesting a freak like Jason walk around. In public. Without even a mask or anything to hide his well, everything.
He licked his lips, playing with the edge of the tape. “I don’t think that’s a good idea Alf.” He said quietly.
“And why not? Mr. Anderson will be there to keep watch and ensure no one comes to harm.” Alfred said as he packaged the blood.
Like Anderson could really stop him if he wanted to hurt someone. Like any of them could. Besides, it’s not like he could just show his face. Everyone would know exactly who he belongs to— fuck. Joker is still alive here. He saw the articles. It pisses him off that he’s still breathing, but he doesn’t know how Bruce lost his Jason. Maybe the kid got retribution after all. What if Joker finds him? Again. Or if he saw Harley.
No, this is a terrible idea.
“I don’t think this is a good idea…” Jason said, trailing off.
“Why not? If you are concerned about anything we do have liquid latex and I have become quite the master of makeup.” Alfred said with a slight smile. It was like he could read his mind. Jason forgot about that skill of his.
He allowed himself a sheepish smile, glancing at Alfred. “Fine. But only for a little bit and I’m leaving immediately if I don’t like something.” Jason said, standing up and walking to the closet with spare clothes. All very generic and mostly provided by Bruce. It was so weird to consider that they were almost the same size now.
It took much longer than he thought to get ready. He wasn’t going out until he was absolutely certain he wouldn’t be noticed and Alfred agreed. It took them quite a while but eventually they arrived at the mall.
The mall itself was glass, like everything in this city, with bits of gothic architecture woven in. The entrance itself was a converted church, the rest of it gone leaving only the front facade with large glass doors and stained glass sign welcoming all. The glass and brick walls looked behind that church front, stretching out on each side threatening to swallow the place whole.
Alfred dropped him off in the parking lot, and already there were too many people and too many cars around. Everything was just too loud. Fuck this really was a bad idea, he wanted to go home. And Alfred, the crafty bastard, left before he had a chance to say he changed his mind.
Fine. Guess he just had to go track down Anderson and the others on his own. It’s not like he had a phone to contact them with. Well he did, but he doubted his phone plan was multiversal. After all, he lost service walking into a store, how could he possibly have service in an entirely different universe?
It actually took much less time than he thought to find the others even though he really should have expected this. He heard them first before he saw them, hearing Damian shouting something and of course. He was in front of a pet store, trying to blackmail Anderson into buying him a cat.
“Don’t you already have a cat?” Anderson asked with arms crossed.
“Yes but I don’t see the relevance of that.” Damian replied, matching his stance.
Anderson sighed and glared down at him. “Okay but you don’t need another one and I’m not your father. I can’t authorise you bringing home a pet. Besides, I don’t have any money. How were you planning to buy the cat?”
“I… surely father gave you funds for such a trip?” Damian asked.
Jason snorted. “Why would he give him anything? Anderson is a stranger. You should be grateful he’s even allowed to stay at the manor.” He said as he walked over to them.
“Preposterous! Anderson is not allowed to vacate the manor. He must stay.” Damian said.
Jason chuckled and looked over at Anderson. “You okay with that? Never leaving the manor?”
“I would like to leave eventually but I’ll stay if you want me to, kid.” Anderson said with a grin, ruffling Damian’s hair.
“Do that again at your own peril! I will not be liable for any loss of limbs.” Damian hissed.
Anderson knelt down and whispered to him, “I was gonna do that to Jason but he’s too tall for me. You’re the unlucky victim now.”
Damian glared at him then turned his ire upon Jason. Great. Now he had to deal with the brat too. But if Anderson really did do that to Jason, he would definitely lose a hand or at the very least have a few broken fingers. If anyone touched him they’d have a knife to the gut, thank you very much.
Speaking of, Dick squealed his name and launched himself at Jason, wrapping those freakishly strong arms around him. “I will stab you if you don’t let go.” Jason growled into his ear.
Alfred already frisked him for any hidden weapons, finding two guns and five knives, but he missed the two hidden in his belt and the bottom of his shoe. He was already reaching for the one in the belt when Dick let go, looking sheepish as he backed away.
“Sorry it’s just I’m not used to seeing you! And out in public! I’m just so happy you’re with us.” Dick said with a huge smile.
Jason fought the urge to roll his eyes, but not very hard and rolled them anyway. “Whatever. I’m only here because Alfred asked me to come.”
“No one can deny Alfred.” Duke said as he came over to join them. “Guess who I found?” He asked them. That was when Jason noticed the person trailing behind Duke. Well kid was more accurate. This guy looked like he was about 17. Sure Jason didn’t have much grounds to stand on, being 19 himself, but that didn’t stop him from seeing anyone younger than himself as a child. God sometimes he felt so fucking old.
The kid waved at them, he had black hair and blue eyes and an all too familiar face.
‘Oh fuck me. That’s Tim Drake.’ Jason thought, staring at the guy. Wasn’t he supposed to be on some kinda mission?
“Wait. Tim fucking Drake? Isn’t he supposed to be away or something?” Jason said aloud, then winced as everyone turned to look at him.
“I was but I’m back now. It was a work trip but it ended up being pretty easy. Who are you?” Tim asked, arms crossed and shoulders hunched, raising his head to meet Jason’s gaze. God he was so young here, just like Dickhead.
“I, uh…” That really threw him even though he should have been expecting it. Of course Tim would want to know but what does he say? Hi, I’m Jason Todd from another universe that tried to kill you several times, glad you’re not dead? Yeah that would go down a treat.
Thankfully Dick answered for him.
“Tim! It’s Jason!” Dick said, grabbing Jason and wrapped an arm around his shoulders.
“I mean it, I will break your fucking fingers.” Jason growled, glaring at the man. How many goddamn times did he need to bring up personal space and boundaries?
“Wait a minute, Jason Todd?!” Tim squeaked, staring at him with his mouth open.
Oh great. He had a fan.
“Yeah? And what of it?” He challenged, crossing his arms and glaring at the kid.
“Aren’t you supposed to be dead?” Tim asked. Which was quite a question.
“Tim, you can’t just ask people why they’re not dead.” Duke stage whispered.
Thank you Duke. He was liking this kid more and more every day.
“Yeah well I never died.” Jason said curtly. Anderson was glaring at him but what did he want him to say? He technically wasn’t lying. He never did die. Not in his universe anyway.
“Really? What happened? Where have you been?” Tim asked, seemingly genuinely curious.
That didn’t stop the temperature in the atmosphere dropping a few degrees. Was it just him or did it feel like everyone was staring at them? There was probably people listening. Someone just desperate to get their hands on this little bit of information.
That’s why Tim was asking. Not curiosity but blackmail. It had to be. He probably had some weird device around to record it all so he could sell it or give it to Joker. Fuck Joker probably knew. He had to know. He was coming for him again. He had to be.
Did the floor always look like Arkham’s tiles? He could hear the laughter now. Which punishment was it today? Or treat as Joker liked to say. He would always tell him he was rewarding him, giving him little treats to fix his sanity. Make him better. Was he better? Was he still sane?
“Boss.” Anderson’s gruff voice came. Jason forced himself to look at him and then at the kid whose neck was in his hands. Fuck. He had his hands wrapped around Tim’s neck. Fuck! He had his hands around the kid’s neck!
He immediately let go and stammered out an apology before turning and fleeing the mall. He ignored everyone’s shouts. He could have killed Tim today and wouldn’t even have realised. Goddamn he didn’t even know this replacement. Was he a replacement here? He didn’t know anything.
But he walked along the sidewalk, pulling up the hood of the red hoodie he found in the manor. It was a little small but it was better than wearing a stupid suit.
He kept walking, not knowing where he was going or where he was.
And that’s how he ended up in crime alley, staring down a man with a gun.