Archive of Our Own ^beta

Red Hood paced in front of the child that was tied on a chair that was in the middle of the room. He was becoming inpatient. Phones were becoming unanswered. This wasn’t meant to happen. Bruce was meant to be here about the little birdie kidnapping and acting fast, not just ignoring the phone.

"Hood," a small voice piped up.

"Shut the fuck up." Red Hood snapped more with frustration than anger.

"But-" 

"I'll hit you," Red Hood growled.

"No, you won't," 

The kid was right. Red Hood didn't hurt kids.

Red Hood sat heavily on the ground. He did actually have plans after this. He was going to get some takeaway, watch a movie while eating it, and then read a book before going to sleep. Then, this fucking kid had to ruin it.

"No one isn't going to answer."

Red Hood finally looked at the kid since the first time, bringing him. He didn't want to look at him since he actually may feel bad. Looking at Tim Drake, he did.

Red Hood sighed and got off the floor. He grabbed a knife and cut Tim out of the ropes that connected him to the chair but kept the ropes that were tied around his wrist on.

"Come on," Jason said, lifting him to his feet.

"Where are we going?" Tim asked.

"None of your business," Jason sneered.

He was happy that Tim didn't ask any more questions.

Grabbing the rope, he dragged Tim with him towards the front door where he placed Tim in the passenger seat and locked him in with the seatbelt.

They sat in silence as they drove. Jason wasn't stupid; he wasn't going to drop Tim off in the middle of the street. Jason reached over and turned on the radio. He was surprised that Tim was so quiet. Maybe he finally got the message to shut up; it's too bad it was too late. Only if Tim got that message before.

The silence was broken by soft snores. Jason looked over, shocked to see Tim fast asleep. His bound hands were in his lap, head was tilted back and a bit to the side, so he was facing the window. If it wasn't for the snoring, Jason would have just guessed Tim was looking out the window.

Jason reached over and turned the radio down, not wanting to wake up the kid. It's not because he cares; it's because if the kid wakes up, he will start talking and not shut up again.

Jason finally arrived in the middle of nowhere. Okay, it wasn't the middle of nowhere. It was the woods near the Wayne manor; you just couldn't see it from where they were. Jason wouldn't dump Tim somewhere he could die. He was an asshole not a monster.

Reaching partly over Tim to the glovebox, Jason grabbed out a small pocket knife. Opening it up, he carefully cut the middle of the rope that was wrapped around Tim's wrists.

Using his free hand, Jason reached over and pushed Tim harshly, making him snort when he woke up.

"Where a'e we?" Tim mumbled as he looked around, noticing the trees surrounding them.

Jason reached over to Tim and opened the door.

"We are in the middle of the woods. This is where I'll be leaving you," Jason told him.

Tim whip his head around now facing Jason.

"You can't do that," Tim complained.

"Oh, I can, and I will. Think of it this way. I caught you, and now I'm releasing you," Jason told him.

Tim frowned, "I'm Batman's sidekick, not Aquaman's. You can't catch and release me," Tim explained, as if Jason didn't know this.

"But you can also do that to birds." With that, he undid Tim's seatbelt and pushed him out of the car.

Tim landed hard on the ground.

"Good luck, Baby Bird." Jason closed the door and drove away.

Jason drove to a random burger joint where he grabbed a hamburger, a drink, and some fries.

Not bothering to get out, since he was still in his Red Hood get up, he just went through the drive-thru.

When he got his meal, Jason was happy. Knowing that at home was waiting a book and a couch where he could happily read and eat his burger in the comfort of his own home.

Pulling up to his apartment, Jason couldn't help but think if Tim noticed that he was right next to the manor or if he even made it out of the woods in the first place.

Jason shrugged to himself. The kid was smart, plus he knew when someone got back from whatever they were doing, they would hunt down the birdie and find him.

Jason entered his apartment, whistling lowly to himself.

"Wow, this book sucks," a voice commented.

Jason would never admit it, but he shirked.

"Calm down, it's just me." Jason turned to see Tim lying on his couch, reading his book.

"How the fuck did you get back here?" Jason asked.

"Ubers will do anything if you give them enough hush, hush money," Tim said, smirking.

"Cool," Jason said, not sounding impressed at all, "now do that and fucking leave me alone."

"Hmmmmm. No."

"Why not?" 

"I'm bored and hungry. Feed me?" Tim asked, with a pout.

"No, get your own food," Jason clutched the bag closer to his chest.

"Please, Jason. You dumped me in the woods. I'm starving. Pretty much wasting away," Tim clutched his stomach.

"It's only been a few hours since I did that. I think you'll be fine," Jason said, placing the bag of food on the table.

Tim let out a groan. Jason just rolled his eyes and opened up the bag to get his food out.

"Jason," Tim whined, he rolled off the couch, hitting the ground with a thump.

Jason looked over to Tim, who was now wobbling his bottom lip, looking like he was about to cry.

Jason let out a sigh.

"Fine, we can share," Jason told him.

Tim let out a little yay as he got off the ground and ran to the table, bouncing on his feet as he waited for the food.

Jason couldn't help but feel bad that he only got a burger and hot chips.

Grabbing out the burger first, Jason cut it in half, giving the bigger half to Tim. They sat at the table and began eating.

Jason sneakily pushed the hot chips towards Tim when he wasn't looking.

"So, why wasn't anyone answering?" Jason asked, his mouth full of food.

Tim waited until he swallowed his food before speaking, "Bruce is off planet. Alfred is on a week holiday, and Dick was meant to look after me, but his team needed him."

"Wow, what a shit time to get kidnapped," Jason teased.

"Mmhmm," Tim hummed, with his mouthful.

Jason watched Tim finish his half of the burger and then moved onto the hot chips.

This was only meant to be a kidnapping, but Jason decided that he could babysit the little gremlin while he waits for Dick to get back.

Hopefully Dick will message Tim when he is on the way. So, they can get Tim back to the manor before anyone noticed Tim was gone. Jason didn't want word to get out that he cared about the new Robin because he didn't.

"Thanks for the meal!" Tim said.

He walked back over to the couch and sat back down. Tim grabbed the book and started reading it again.

Jason shook his head. Tim really knew how to make himself feel at home.

THE END