Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Jason Todd had faced assassins, mob bosses, supernatural rogues, and Bruce on a bad day.

Nothing… nothing prepared him for December 1st with his wife.

He woke to jingling. Actual jingling.

Jason blinked awake, squinting at the clock. 6:12 AM. Too early for jingling. Too early for anything.

Something zoomed past the bedroom door.

He sat up. “…What the hell was that?”

Another jingle — followed by humming.

Cheerful humming.

Violently cheerful humming.

He dragged himself out of bed, grabbed a shirt, and stepped into the hallway.

There, standing on a stepladder in red pyjama shorts, candy-cane socks, and an oversized sweater with a dancing Rudolph, was Penny.

Penny, the love of his life.

Penny, who was currently duct-taping a massive garland onto the living room wall with the laser-focused intensity of a soldier on a mission.

Penny, who spotted him and absolutely beamed.

“JAY! HAPPY DECEMBER FIRST!”

Jason stared. “…What are you doing?”

“Christmas.” She gestured broadly, as if that explained everything. “It’s here. It has begun.”

“It’s— it’s barely seven.”

“Gotta get a head start!” she chirped, hopping off the ladder. “There’s so much to do and not nearly enough time!”

Jason blinked slowly. “We have twenty-four days.”

“Exactly!” She ran past him again, jingling. “I’m already behind!”

Behind… on what?

He stepped into the living room and froze.

In the time it took him to put on a shirt, Penny had rearranged the furniture and created a floor plan with coloured tape. In the corner were three boxes labelled: TREES, LIGHT, and NON-NEGOTIABLE CUTENESS. 

She was a menace. A festive menace.

Jason rubbed his eyes. “Sweetheart… babe… when did you become a Christmas elf?”

That got her attention.

Penny whirled dramatically, pointing a candy-cane-shaped pen at him.

“I was born this way.”

Oh. Oh no.

She marched toward him, bright-eyed and ready for war.

“Jason Todd, did you not know I love Christmas?”

“I figured you liked it the normal amount.”

“Normal?” Her voice cracked like he’d insulted her whole bloodline. “I bake eleven types of cookies! I make my own wrapping paper! I have a whole section of my closet dedicated to holiday sweaters!”

Jason tried for diplomacy. “…That’s adorable?”

She gasped. “You don’t understand, do you?”

“Clearly not.”

Grabbing his wrist, she tugged him toward the boxes.

“Sit. You’re helping.”

“Babe—”

“Nope. Too late. You’re in the elf union now.”

Jason Todd, the Red Hood, sat cross-legged on the floor like a kindergartener while Penny plopped a Santa hat onto his head.

“There. You’re festive.”

“I look ridiculous.”

“You look perfect.”

Phase One: Tree Apocalypse

Penny unboxed the first Christmas tree.

Jason frowned. “…Is that tree pink?”

“Yes.”

“The second one is gold.”

“Yes!”

“And the third—”

“Is teal! Isn’t it beautiful?”

“Why do we have three trees?”

Penny looked personally offended he’d asked.

“Because one is for the living room. The second is the fun-tacky meme tree. And the third is for the bedroom.”

Jason blinked. “…We’re putting a tree in the bedroom?”

“You bet your ass we are.”

“…Can’t argue with that.”

She kissed his cheek. “That’s the spirit!”

Phase Two: Lights and Threats

Jason offered to hang the lights.

Penny said no.

Penny said she had a system.

And then she climbed onto the counter, wrapped in lights like a festive electrical hazard.

“Penny! Get down from there!”

“I’m BEING EFFICIENT!”

“You’re gonna fall!”

“If I fall, I fall in the name of Christmas.”

Jason pinched the bridge of his nose. “I should never have married you.”

“You say that,” she chirped, “but later you’ll be thankful when our apartment is the most festive place in Gotham.”

Jason grabbed her hips so she wouldn’t topple. “I’m already thankful, you menace.”

She pecked his nose. “Good!”

Phase Three: Baking… Chaos

Penny attempted cookies.

Jason attempted to help.

Neither went well.

There was flour on the ceiling.

How.

How did it get on the ceiling.

Penny stood at the counter, whisking like a woman possessed, singing loudly and off-key to Mariah Carey.

Jason leaned against the fridge, covered in flour. “Are we sure this isn’t a crime scene?”

She kissed his cheek again — leaving a powdered sugar print. “It’s festive!”

“It’s a disaster.”

“A festive disaster!”

“Sweetheart, it's green—”

Penny blinked. “…Okay, yeah something’s wrong with the flour.”

Phase Four: Ornaments & Existential Crises

Penny handed Jason a box.

“Sort these!”

“What am I sorting for?”

“Vibes!”

“…Vibes.”

“Yes! Like— nostalgic vibes, aesthetic vibes, chaotic neutral vibes—”

“Babe these are balls of glass.”

“Vibes.”

Jason sighed and did as he was told.

She happily hummed beside him.

And okay… he couldn’t deny it.

She looked beautiful like this.

Glowing. Excited. Radiant. Christmas suited her.

He nudged her gently. “You’re really adorable when you’re feral.”

She squinted at him. “I’m not feral.”

“You duct-taped a wreath to the bathroom door.”

“I WAS OUT OF COMMAND HOOKS!”

Jason laughed.

She huffed but kissed him anyway.

Phase Five: The Great Reveal

Hours later…

Jason flopped onto the couch, exhausted.

Penny stood in front of him hands on her hips.

“Ready?”

“For what?”

“The reveal! Of our perfect Christmas apartment!”

He raised an eyebrow. “You mean the thing I’ve been staring at all day?”

“No no no,” she insisted, tugging him up. “You need the proper angle.”

She dragged him outside the apartment door.

“Close your eyes.”

He obeyed.

She opened the door.

Jason opened his eyes.

And…

Okay.

He had to admit it.

It was stunning.

Warm lights, soft garlands, three coordinating trees, a perfect wreath, a glowing mantle, and hundreds of tiny details that were purely Penny.

It felt… like home.

Warm. Safe. Festive.

Hers.

His chest softened.

Penny watched him carefully. “Do you like it?”

“Sweetheart,” he murmured, pulling her close, “I love it.”

Her smile lit up brighter than all three trees combined.

Phase Six: The Mistletoe Incident

Jason leaned down to kiss her.

Penny raised a finger. “Wait.”

“…What?”

She reached into her pocket.

Pulled out mistletoe.

Held it over their heads.

“There,” she said happily. “For accuracy.”

Jason barked a laugh and kissed her soundly under it.

Later, curled up together under a plaid blanket, Penny snuggled into his chest.

“Jason?”

“Hmm?”

“Tomorrow we’re going to build a gingerbread Gotham.”

He stared at the ceiling. “…Of course we are.”

“And then decorate the hallway!”

“…Naturally.”

“And then—”

He kissed the top of her head. “Whatever you want, Elf.”

She melted into him, smiling against his shirt.

“Best. Christmas. Ever.”

Jason chuckled, holding her closer.

“Yeah,” he murmured. “It really is.”

Chapter Text

Jason Todd had seen some things in his life — terrifying things, supernatural things, Gotham things.

But absolutely nothing prepared him for taking Penny to a Christmas market.

He thought it would be cute. Romantic. Maybe they’d walk hand in hand, drink some cocoa, buy one ornament and call it a night.

He was wrong.

So catastrophically, laughably wrong.

The moment they stepped through the entrance archway strung with twinkling lights, Penny gasped so loudly people jumped. Her entire body lit up like she'd been plugged directly into the holiday spirit. Jason watched, helpless and already exhausted, as she practically vibrated in place.

“Oh my GOD, Jason— they have gingerbread people the size of my head!”

“You already had three cookies before we left,” Jason reminded her.

“Yes,” she said with the seriousness of a surgeon, “but not giant cookies, Jason. It’s different. It’s—”

She grabbed his coat sleeve.

“—Christmas logic.”

And she was gone, darting through the crowd like a sugar-drunk hummingbird, bright red scarf flapping behind her.

Jason sighed.

He loved this woman. God help him.

By minute ten, Penny had already ransacked the food stalls, clutching her prizes close to her chest. Jason was speechless as he took in the giant gingerbread person, a bundle of caramel churros, a cup of mulled wine, three samples of fudge, a packet of roasted chestnuts, and half a pretzel Penny forgot she was eating.

Jason had acquired only heartburn.

“You can’t physically eat all of that,” he said, deadpan.

“I absolutely can,” Penny replied with terrifying confidence. “Believe in me.”

Jason shook his head. “I’m trying, sweetheart, but you’re working against me here.”

She shoved a churro toward his face. “Open. You need joy.”

“Penny—”

“Open.”

He opened. Because you did not argue with Penny Todd in Christmas mode. That was a bravery level he did not possess.

They approached an ornament stall next, which was Jason’s first mistake.

Penny froze. Slowly. Reverently.

A rack of handmade glass ornaments gleamed in the lights.

Jason saw the look in her eye.

“No,” he said.

“Yes,” she whispered.

“Penny, we don’t need twenty ornaments.”

“We need all the ornaments, Jason.”

He pinched the bridge of his nose. “We literally don’t have enough branches for this.”

She was already halfway through the display.

“Jason. Jason. Look at this one— it’s a tiny knitted frog wearing a Santa hat.”

Jason blinked. “…okay, that one is kind of adorable.”

She held up another. “THIS ONE IS A TINY RED HOOD HELMET.”

Jason stared.

“…Did they get the royalties for that or should I be worried?”

Penny gasped, horrified. “Oh my god— we HAVE to buy it. It’s you, Jason! It’s your tiny Christmas spirit!”

Jason’s Christmas spirit was apparently the size of a walnut.

But he let her buy it.

He let her buy all six she liked.

He had no spine when she smiled at him like that.

Penny insisted on buying a comically long candy cane — taller than she was.

Jason stared at her. “You are five-foot-four.”

“It’s aspirational,” she said.

She turned to walk away.

Immediately hit a lamppost.

The entire candy cane snapped in half like a broken spear.

Jason’s soul left his body from trying not to laugh. Penny looked down at her broken treat with the mournful expression of someone watching a funeral.

“…I’ll get another,” she said firmly.

Jason gently steered her away before she could buy three.

They passed a group of carollers singing Deck the Halls.

Penny stopped walking.

Then she joined in.

Loudly.

Enthusiastically.

And with the chaotic confidence of someone who didn’t know 40% of the lyrics but sang them anyway.

Jason slowly covered his face with his hand.

People were staring.

But also? Laughing. Smiling. Enjoying her energy.

He peeked through his fingers and felt his chest soften.

She wasn’t embarrassed in the slightest.

She never was, not when she was happy.

And god, she was happy now.

He walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist mid-verse, resting his chin on her shoulder.

She leaned back into him without missing a beat, voice bright and unrestrained.

Jason kissed her temple.

“Jason.”

“Yes, Penny.”

“We need this.”

He looked down.

She was holding a tiny ice sculpture— an owl with a Santa hat.

Jason blinked. “It… melts?”

“Then we’ll cherish it while it lives,” she said like she was quoting poetry.

He sighed dramatically. “Fine. But if it melts on the subway, that’s on you.”

Penny beamed. “You’re the best husband ever.”

“…you say that now. Later you’re gonna be cold and sticky.”

She gasped. “Incredible! Christmas spirit in the wild!”

Jason groaned.

As they were leaving, Penny spotted something.

Jason felt the shift in her posture.

The dangerous shift.

She whispered, “Jason.”

“No.”

“Jason please.”

“Nope.”

“Jason it’s a Christmas llama wearing a sweater!”

Jason turned.

It was a Christmas llama wearing a sweater.

It was also a plushie the size of a small child.

“Penny. We do not need that.”

She looked him dead in the eye.

“But… but look at its little face.”

Jason held out for three seconds.

Three.

Then sighed. “Fine. We’re adopting the llama.”

Penny cheered.

Jason accepted his fate.

On the train journey home, Penny was curled into Jason’s side, her head on his chest, hugging the giant llama as if it were a sacred relic. Her pockets overflowed with ornaments. Her scarf was dusted with sugar.

“Jason?”

“Yeah?”

“Best date ever.”

He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Yeah, sweetheart. It really was.”

She hummed happily.

He watched her, soft and warm and glowing in the dim train lights.

She looked up at him with sleepy eyes.

“Jason?”

“Mm?”

“…Do you think they’ll have Christmas ferrets next week?”

He stared.

“Penny. Baby. My love. Absolutely not.”

She giggled into the llama’s head.

He was doomed.

But God, he wouldn’t trade this for anything.

Chapter Text

Jason Todd was a man who had survived pits, bullets, explosions, Gotham, and the entire Batfamily’s collective chaos.

But nothing—absolutely nothing—could prepare him for being jolted awake at 2:04 a.m. by his wife whisper-shouting directly into his face:

“JASON. JASON WAKE UP. IT’S AN EMERGENCY.”

He sat straight up, instincts firing, reaching for the gun in the nightstand—

—only for Penny to grab his wrist and hiss, “NO! You can’t bring a gun to this emergency!”

Which was… alarming.

“Penny,” Jason rasped, voice sleep-rough, “is the building on fire?”

“No.”

“Is someone breaking in?”

“No.”

“…Did Dick send you a meme again?”

“No. It’s worse.”

Jason blinked through the darkness, heart still thudding, brain still foggy.

“Okay,” he exhaled. “Hit me. What’s the emergency?”

Penny inhaled dramatically, bouncing on her knees like a five-year-old on Christmas morning—which, to be fair, she spiritually was.

“IT SNOWED.”

Silence.

Jason stared.

She smiled.

He stared harder.

She wiggled excitedly.

He scrubbed both hands down his face. “Sweetheart… that’s not an emergency.”

“It is,” she corrected, tugging on his sleeve with both hands, “because we have to go outside right now and build a snowman.”

“Penny,” he groaned, “it’s the middle of the night—”

“Snowman, Jason.”

“It’s freezing—”

“Snow. Man.”

“We have work—”

“I’ll call in festive.”

“That’s not a real thing.”

“It should be.”

Jason fell back on the bed with a dramatic sigh. “Can this wait until morning?”

“No,” she said immediately, as though he’d suggested something morally reprehensible. “The snow will be stepped on by people, cars, dogs—dogs named Meatball specifically—and then it won’t be pristine! We need pristine snow for optimal snowman construction!”

He stared at her again.

She stared right back.

Her eyes were big. Bright. Sparkling with Christmas energy. The hood of her red Christmas pyjama onesie (with little reindeer antlers) had fallen halfway off her curls.

And she looked like she might actually combust if he said no.

Jason Todd was, in many ways, a stubborn man.

But he was also a man in love with a woman who viewed snowfall the same way some people viewed religious miracles.

“…Fine,” he muttered.

Penny gasped happily. “YES! SUCKER! GET UP!”

“Did you just call your husband a sucker?”

“Move your gorgeous ass, Todd, the snowman awaits.”

Five minutes later, Jason stood in the cold, wearing sweatpants, boots, a hastily thrown on jacket, and a beanie Penny jammed onto his head with zero mercy.

Penny, meanwhile, was decked out in a full snowsuit—bright red with white fluff trim, looking like Buddy the Elf’s hyperactive cousin—as she practically sprinted into the courtyard.

The snow sparkled under the streetlights. It was quiet. Peaceful.

Or… it was supposed to be.

Because Penny dropped to her knees with all the elegance of a drunken seal and yelled:

“BEHOLD! THE SNOW!”

Jason pinched the bridge of his nose. “Baby, you’re gonna wake up the whole building.”

“They should be awake. It’s beautiful.”

“They’re New Yorkers. They hate beauty.”

“We’re in Gotham.”

“Worse.”

She popped up on her feet, scooping snow into her arms like she was gathering treasure.

“Jason, help me. We need three balls. Big one, medium one, baby one.”

“You want me to roll the big one, don’t you?”

“You’re so smart and strong,” she said in the same tone she used whenever she wanted him to do something stupid.

Jason huffed a laugh and knelt beside her. “You’re lucky I love you.”

“I know. Start rolling.”

They worked in comfortable silence for a minute.

Well—Jason worked.

Penny narrated.

“Okay! This is great! Good job! Bigger! No, bigger! BIGGER!”

“Woman, this snowball is already the size of a compact car.”

“Perfect! He needs presence.”

Jason rolled his eyes but shaped the giant base. Then the middle. Then Penny placed the top.

And then she immediately began fussing over it like a stage mom.

“His posture is so good,” she murmured, patting the snowman’s side. “A very distinguished gentleman.”

Jason chuckled, brushing snow off his gloves. “Alright, what’s next? Carrot nose?”

Penny pulled something from her pocket with pride.

A carrot? No.

A mini plastic Red-Hood mask.

Jason’s mouth dropped open. “When did you—Penny. No. No.”

She grinned. “YES. WE MAKE HIM A LITTLE RED HOOD.”

“We’re not giving a snowman my mask.”

“We are,” she said sweetly, “because I love you.”

He opened his mouth to argue—

—then she added quietly,

“And also because I bought a tiny gun for him.”

Jason choked. “YOU WHAT?”

“It’s foam!”

“THAT DOES NOT HELP, PENNY.”

She proudly stuck the foam gun into one of the snowman’s stick arms and then placed the mini Red-Hood mask on its face.

Jason stared at the final result.

“…This is the most intimidating snowman in Gotham,” he admitted.

“That’s the goal.”

Once the snowman was complete, Penny sat back on her heels and sighed happily.

“He’s perfect.”

Jason wrapped his arms around her from behind, chin on her shoulder. “You happy now?”

“Very.”

“Good. Because I’m freezing and going back inside—”

A cold, wet slap hit him in the back of the head.

Jason froze.

Penny gasped dramatically, pointing at him with mittened hands.

“OH NO. SOMEONE HIT YOU WITH A SNOWBALL. WHO COULD IT HAVE BEEN.”

He slowly turned.

“Penny.”

“Yes, darling?”

“Run.”

She shrieked in delighted terror.

Jason took off after her, scooping armfuls of snow.

Penny sprinted, laughing so hard she nearly fell face-first into the snow. Jason caught her at the waist, spun her around, and dumped a mound of snow over her head.

She let out a muffled noise of betrayal. “I HATE YOU.”

“You started it.”

“I REGRET NOTHING.”

She tackled him into the snow, and he went down willingly, arms wrapping around her as they collapsed in a flurry of snow and laughter.

They lay there for a moment, breathless, warm despite the cold.

Penny nudged his nose with hers. “Best emergency ever, right?”

Jason kissed her forehead. “Yeah. You win.”

“You always tell me that.”

“And you’re always right.”

As they walked back inside—Penny covered in snow, Jason carrying her boots because she’d somehow lost them mid–snow fight—she leaned into him sleepily.

“Jase?”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you for building a snowman with me.”

He scooped her up bridal style when she nearly faceplanted on the stairs. “Thank you for waking me up at 2 a.m. for snow crimes.”

She yawned against his chest. “It wasn’t a crime. It was art.”

Jason glanced back at the courtyard through the glass doors.

Their giant, Red-Hood-themed snowman stood proudly, looking like he was about to tell crime to get off his lawn.

Yeah. Art.

He smiled softly.

“C’mon, elf,” he murmured. “Let’s get you to bed.”

Penny hummed sleepily. “Okay… but tomorrow we make him a girlfriend.”

Jason groaned.

But he was already smiling.

Chapter Text

Gotham’s winter wasn’t gentle — it rarely was. The wind bit through coats, the snow piled in grey-slushed corners, and the city’s usual gloom was softened only by twinkling strings of holiday lights that someone, somewhere, decided were worth the trouble.

Jason Todd wasn’t a “holiday guy.” Not really. He didn’t do crowded malls, fake Santas, or overly cheery carollers. But for Penny?

He’d do just about anything.

Which was how he found himself walking beside her, gloved hands tucked into his jacket pockets, on their way to Gotham’s Central Ice Rink — one of the rare places in the city that didn’t smell like gunpowder or motor oil.

Penny was practically bouncing beside him, the faint crunch of snow under her boots accompanying her excited chatter. Her scarf — striped and far too long — trailed behind her like a cape. The white puff of her breath rose in front of her every time she spoke, which was often.

“Okay, so, full disclosure,” she said, turning to him with a grin. “I haven’t done this since… ever. But I’m so ready to embarrass myself spectacularly.”

Jason chuckled, brushing a few snowflakes from his hair. “You, the girl who can fight five armed thugs blindfolded, are nervous about ice skating?”

“I didn’t say nervous,” she corrected, wagging a finger at him. “I said spectacularly embarrassing. There’s a difference.”

He smirked. “Uh-huh. Sure. Just don’t expect me to catch you every time you fall.”

“Oh, please. You’ll catch me. You always do.”

Jason’s chest warmed despite the cold. He looked away before she could see the faint flush on his face. She had that effect on him — always did. The way she could say something so casual and somehow make it sound like a confession.

When they reached the rink entrance, Jason stopped dead in his tracks.

Penny had started unzipping her heavy winter coat, revealing what she’d been hiding underneath. The second he saw it, he groaned.

“Penny…”

“Ta-da!” she said proudly, throwing her arms out. “What do you think?”

The sweater — bright red and cosy-looking — had the unmistakable Red Hood symbol knitted across the chest. Below it, in glittery thread, were the words: “My Favourite Hero.”

Jason dragged a gloved hand down his face. “You’re kidding me.”

“Not even a little bit,” she said, grinning wide. “I made it myself.”

“You made that?”

She nodded. “Well, technically I made it with the help of the world’s nicest old lady from the craft store who took pity on me after I accidentally glued my fingers together with fabric adhesive.”

He blinked. “You… glued yourself together?”

She beamed. “Twice!”

Jason couldn’t help it — the laugh that escaped him was loud and genuine. “You’re ridiculous.”

“And adorable,” she added, standing on her tiptoes to press a quick kiss to his cheek. “Don’t forget that part.”

“Never do,” he murmured.

The rink itself was surprisingly peaceful. Soft music played from hidden speakers — something jazzy, faintly festive. Kids wobbled and laughed nearby, couples clung to each other for balance, and every so often, someone went down in a heap of laughter and flailing limbs.

Jason laced up his skates like it was second nature. Penny, on the other hand, was giving hers the most dubious look he’d ever seen.

“These,” she said slowly, “are knives. For my feet.”

He smirked. “Yeah, and you’re usually fine with weapons.”

“Yeah, but my feet aren’t trained assassins.”

Jason laughed. “Come on, sunshine. You’ll be fine.”

She shot him a mock glare. “You call me that when I’m about to die, don’t you?”

“Every time,” he said, offering her his hand.

To her credit, Penny lasted all of twelve seconds before nearly face-planting.

“Okay,” she said, gripping Jason’s arm with both hands as she regained her balance. “New rule. You’re the anchor. I’m the chaos.”

He steadied her easily, amusement flickering across his face. “That’s not new, Penny. That’s just… us.”

She laughed, clinging tighter as they took slow, careful glides across the ice. “See? We’re already killing it.”

Jason arched an eyebrow. “You’ve almost killed yourself three times.”

“Semantics.”

A kid zipped past them in a blur, and Penny yelped, throwing herself into Jason’s chest to avoid falling. He caught her instinctively, arms wrapping around her waist.

They stayed like that for a moment — her breath warm against his collar, his hand splayed against her back, the world quiet for a beat.

“See?” she murmured, looking up with a smirk. “Told you you’d catch me.”

Jason’s lips curved into a rare, soft smile. “Guess I did.”

Somehow, Penny found her rhythm — in her own chaotic, Penny way. Her skating wasn’t graceful, exactly, but it was enthusiastic. She twirled once, wobbled dangerously, and Jason swooped in to steady her again, shaking his head.

“You’re gonna give me grey hair,” he muttered.

“You already have grey hair,” she teased, poking his temple. “It’s distinguished. Very broody vigilante chic.”

He rolled his eyes. “You’re lucky you’re cute.”

“I know,” she said brightly, skating backward for three whole seconds before nearly crashing into the wall. “I’m also lucky you don’t let me die.”

Jason barked a laugh, reaching to pull her back upright. “That’s debatable.”

They kept skating, sometimes side by side, sometimes hand in hand. Penny waved at random strangers, complimented a kid’s snowman hat, and even stopped to help someone untangle their scarf. Every time Jason looked at her, his chest felt lighter — like she brought a little bit of warmth wherever she went, even in Gotham’s freezing dark.

Eventually, they called for a break and shuffled off the ice, laughing as they traded their skates for shoes. Penny’s cheeks were flushed pink from the cold, her hair messy under her beanie, and her eyes brighter than any holiday light.

They grabbed hot cocoa from the rink café, Jason insisting on paying despite Penny’s exaggerated pout. He handed her the cup, steam curling into the air between them.

“Extra marshmallows,” he said.

Her whole face lit up. “You do love me.”

“Yeah,” he said softly, almost too quiet for her to hear, “I really do.”

She looked at him then — really looked — and the grin softened into something tender. “Good,” she whispered. “Because I love you too.”

They stood there for a moment, shoulders brushing, cocoa warming their hands and each other warming the rest of them. It wasn’t grand or dramatic — no rooftop, no chaos, no crime to fight — just them. Normal. Peaceful. Perfect.

On their way back to the car, Penny spotted a pile of fresh snow on the sidewalk and immediately crouched down, forming a snowball.

Jason groaned. “Penny. Don’t.”

She grinned wickedly. “Penny do.”

The snowball hit him square in the chest.

He blinked. “…You just declared war.”

“Oh, I declared victory.”

He scooped up a handful of snow and lobbed it back at her. She dodged — barely — laughing so hard she nearly tripped. Within seconds, it devolved into full chaos: snow flying, laughter echoing, Penny darting behind a park bench as Jason advanced like a hunter.

“Mercy!” she yelled between giggles.

“Nope,” Jason said, grinning as he cornered her. “You started this.”

“Fine, fine!” she said, holding her hands up. “Truce! Truce!”

He hesitated. “Promise?”

“Promise.”

He relaxed — and immediately got a face full of snow.

She cackled. “Never trust the spider!”

Jason wiped snow from his face, shaking his head. “You’re lucky I love you, sweetheart.”

They walked hand in hand through the softly falling snow, the city lights reflecting off the pavement. Penny leaned her head against his shoulder, the Red Hood symbol on her sweater catching faintly in the glow of passing streetlights.

Jason glanced down at her and couldn’t help the faint smirk tugging at his lips. “You really wore that thing out in public.”

“Of course,” she said easily. “You’re my favourite hero.”

He scoffed. “You’re married to me. That’s bias.”

“Nope,” she said, eyes twinkling. “It’s truth.”

He tightened his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close against the cold. “You’re trouble.”

“And you love it.”

He smiled, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead as they kept walking. “Yeah,” he murmured. “I really do.”

It wasn’t a rooftop or a battlefield. No danger, no mission. Just ice, laughter, cocoa, and love in the middle of Gotham winter — the kind of night that reminded Jason Todd that, somehow, even in a city full of ghosts, he’d found his home.

Her name was Penny Todd — and she was still his favourite miracle.

Chapter Text

Wayne Memorial Hospital looked softer under December snow.

The children’s ward—normally a quiet, lonely wing where time passed far too slowly—was buzzing with excitement. Their annual holiday volunteer event was happening that afternoon, and the nurses were whispering to each other about two very special guests.

One in a Santa hat.

One in an elf dress.

Neither officially sanctioned.

Both very, very Gotham.

But before the chaos arrived at the hospital, it began, as always, in Jason and Penny’s apartment.

Jason stared at her.

Penny stared back.

She was already wearing the elf dress.

Bright green skirt. Red bodice. Candy-cane striped stockings. Little golden bells that jingled every time she shifted her weight. And she was pulling the elf hat over her Spider-Woman mask like she’d been born to do this.

“Jason,” she said solemnly, hands on his shoulders, “children need joy.”

“I know.”

“They need hope.”

“I know.”

“They need Spider-Elf.”

“…I cannot believe I’m married to you.”

She grinned. “Bet you can.”

Jason tried so, so hard to keep a straight face, but watching his wife adjust her elf dress over her armoured suit… it was over.

“Fine,” he sighed, reaching for the bright red velvet hat she’d bought him. “But if anyone takes a photo of me in this thing—”

“It’ll go viral,” Penny chirped, already webbing a sack of presents closed. “Smile!”

He didn’t smile.

She kissed his cheek through her mask anyway.

The second they walked through the entrance to the children's ward, a chorus erupted:

“SPIDER-WOMAN!”

“RED HOOD!”

A few nurses froze, unsure whether to treat them as heroes or security risks.

Penny solved this instantly by announcing:

“MERRY CHRISTMAS, MY LITTLE SNOWFLAKES!”

Jason had expected her usual charm. He had not expected her to sprint down the hallway at full speed, skid dramatically into the playroom, and announce herself like a professional wrestler.

“WHO’S READY FOR PRESENTS?!”

Every kid screamed.

Jason pulled the Santa hat lower over his eyes. “Oh, this is gonna be a day.”

One kid pointed at Penny.

“Why are you dressed like an elf?”

Penny put her hands on her hips. “Because Santa outsourced half the holiday. Inflation. You understand.”

Seven-year-old Jonah nodded with grave seriousness.

Another little girl tugged at Jason’s gloved hand.

“Are you the real Red Hood?”

He crouched to her level. “Yeah, sweetheart.”

“Why are you wearing a Santa hat?”

He jerked his thumb toward Penny. “Ask the elf.”

“It’s festive!” Penny shouted from across the room as she handed out gifts with the speed and efficiency of a caffeinated Amazon fulfilment centre.

While Jason was patiently helping a boy unwrap a toy car, a chorus of giggles rose behind him.

He turned.

Penny was hanging upside down from the ceiling handing out candy canes.

“Spidey,” he said slowly, “what are you doing?”

“Enrichment activities.”

“For who?”

“Everyone.”

Jason rubbed his forehead. A nurse walked by, took one look at Penny dangling like a deranged Christmas bat, and whispered:

“I’m… not paid enough for this.”

Even with the chaos, Jason was in his element.

Kids gravitated to him like magnets—especially the shy ones, the scared ones, the ones who felt small.

He knelt at every bedside.

He asked about their toys, their books, their favourite superheroes.

One little boy whispered, “I’m scared for my surgery tomorrow.”

Jason reached out and took the boy’s hand gently.

“Being scared doesn’t mean you’re weak,” he said softly. “It means you’re brave enough to understand what’s happening—and you’re facing it anyway.”

The boy exhaled. “Will you… be here tomorrow?”

Penny swung down from the ceiling beside them, landing lightly on the bedrail.

“He will,” she promised.

Jason glanced at her, startled.

Penny nodded at him once.

They’d make it work.

No matter what.

Penny clapped her hands.

“OKAY, WHO WANTS A CHRISTMAS SHOW?!”

Every child screamed in delight.

Every adult screamed internally.

Penny grabbed a handful of paper ornaments, webbed them to the ceiling, and created—well—a trapeze?

Jason muttered, “I’m gonna have a heart attack.”

Penny launched herself upward, flipping through the air, bells jingling, skirt spinning like a peppermint tornado. She swung from ornament to ornament, making it look effortless.

The kids lost their minds.

Jason lost several years off his lifespan.

When she flipped down and landed perfectly in front of him, she asked:

“How’d I do?”

“You’re insane.”

She beamed. “That’s a yes!”

The kids gathered in a circle while Penny and Jason handed out presents.

A tiny girl named Mia gasped when she opened her box, clutching the little plushie.

“A Red Hood!”

Penny leaned over. “I made sure they gave him a little grumpy face.”

Jason looked at the plush.

It did look grumpy.

“…I’m gonna pretend I didn’t hear that.”

Another kid ripped open his gift to find a Spider-Woman action figure.

He held it up proudly. “She looks awesome!”

Penny dropped into a pose. “That’s my influence.”

Jason muttered, “We are absolutely creating a generation of menace-loving children.”

Hours passed.

Penny read stories.

Jason helped build Lego sets.

They both signed autographs.

But eventually, visiting hours ended.

A little girl grabbed Penny’s hand. “Will you come back?”

Penny crouched down, mask-level with the child’s eyes.

“Always.”

Jason squeezed her hand.

She squeezed back.

Snow fell thick and soft across the city as they left the hospital, the sack of gifts empty now, bells on Penny’s dress chiming with every step.

Jason slipped an arm around her waist.

“You were incredible in there,” he murmured.

Penny leaned into him, tired and happy. “So were you.”

He kissed her forehead gently. “Think we made their night?”

“I hope so,” she whispered.

Silence settled between them, warm instead of cold.

Then—

“Spider-Elf?” Jason teased.

She elbowed him. “I will web your shoes together.”

“You’d miss.”

“Oh really?”

They bickered all the way home, hand in hand, leaving footprints in fresh snow.

And somewhere behind them, in a warm hospital ward decorated with cheap tinsel and fairy lights, a dozen children clutched their new toys and whispered to each other about the night Spider-Elf and Santa-Hood came to visit.

It was a good Christmas.

A chaotic one.

A Gotham one.

The kind Penny lived for.

Chapter Text

Snow whispered against the windows of the Todd apartment, flakes drifting down in slow, lazy spirals under the warm glow of the street lights. Inside, the world felt impossibly cosy — gentle Christmas music hummed through the speakers, the tree twinkled in soft whites and golds, and the kitchen smelled like vanilla, butter, and cinnamon.

Penny stood in the middle of it all like a living Christmas spirit, wearing fuzzy red-and-green socks and an apron that read “Baking Spirits Bright!” in glittery letters. Her hair was tied up in a messy bun that threatened to fall apart every time she bounced even slightly on her toes.

Jason leaned against the counter, arms crossed, pretending to be unimpressed — but the little twitch at the corner of his mouth gave him away.

“Okay,” Penny announced, slapping her hands onto the counter with an unnecessarily dramatic thud, “we’re making three kinds of Christmas cookies, two kinds of cupcakes, and gingerbread. Minimum.”

Jason blinked slowly. “Minimum?”

“Yes.”

“Penny.”

She leaned in, squinting up at him. “Yes, Jason?”

“I love you. I need you to know that before I say the next part.”

She narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “Continue.”

“You realise we do not live in a bakery, right? We are two people. Two.”

She paused. Considered this.

Then shrugged. “Alfred likes treats. Bruce likes treats. Dick eats like a raccoon. Tim will inhale anything with sugar. Cass loves gingerbread. Steph is powered by cupcakes. Duke likes the chocolate ones. Damian pretends he doesn’t but then eats half a tray when he thinks nobody’s looking—”

Jason sighed, defeated. “Okay, fine, we’re baking for the whole family.”

Penny grinned sweetly. “As God intended.”

The kitchen quickly descended into the kind of chaos that could only be classified as “festive.” Penny measured sugar with precision… and then poured in an extra handful because “the recipe clearly underestimated our Lord and Saviour: flavour.”

Jason cracked eggs one-handed with ridiculous competence — until Penny kissed his cheek mid-motion and caused him to drop one on the counter.

“You’re distracting,” he muttered, though his smile said he wasn’t complaining.

“Good,” Penny said cheerfully.

They fell into an easy rhythm — she whisked, he stirred; she prepared piping bags, he rolled dough. At one point Penny ended up standing on tiptoe to steal a kiss, smearing a little flour on his jaw, and Jason retaliated by dabbing frosting on her nose.

“You monster,” she gasped, looking dramatically betrayed.

“You started it.”

“A war crime, Jay.”

“Crime? Baby, that was tactical frosting placement.”

“You’re unspeakable.”

“You married me.”

She grumbled, wiping her nose… then flicked a bit of flour directly at him.

Jason choked. “Did you just—”

Penny grinned, wicked and victorious. “Consider that a warning shot.”

In no universe was Jason going to let that slide.

Seconds later, they were in a full flour war.

Penny dodged like she was still in her Spider-Woman suit, twisting and flipping over the counter in ways no civilian should be able to.

Jason gaped. “You can’t use acrobatics in a kitchen fight!”

“Don’t start nothing, won’t be nothing!” she yelled back, giggling as she launched a second attack of flour.

The two of them looked feral when the timer finally dinged — hair dusted white, faces smudged, clothes speckled like they’d rolled in snow.

And yet… they were laughing.

God, they were laughing.

Cookies cooled on racks, the tree lights glowing golden behind them as peace settled back into the apartment.

Penny moved to transfer gingerbread cookies, but Jason gently caught her wrist.

“Hold on.”

She blinked up at him.

Without a word, he took her waist, guiding her into a slow sway right there in the middle of the kitchen. No music change, no dramatic moment — just the soft carol playing in the background and the snow falling outside.

Penny melted instantly, arms sliding up around his neck.

“You’re romantic tonight,” she murmured against his jaw.

Jason kissed her temple. “You’re covered in flour and frosting, and somehow still the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen.”

Her cheeks flushed a warm, rosy red.

They swayed like that for a long moment — slow, gentle, warm — the world quiet except for the soft hum of music and the wind outside.

“I love this,” Penny whispered. “I love you.”

Jason rested his forehead against hers. “Yeah? Good. Because I love this… and you… more than I know what to do with most days.”

She smiled, soft and crooked. “So you dance with me in the kitchen?”

“Exactly.”

Once the last batches cooled, they decorated together. Penny made intricate designs — tiny snowflakes, little holly berries. Jason tried… he really did. But his candy cane looked like it had been run over, his gingerbread man resembled a crime scene, and his Christmas tree cookie was leaning like it needed immediate medical attention.

Penny gently took the massacre of a cookie from his hands. “Sweetheart… what is this?”

“A tree.”

“A… tree?”

“Yes.”

“Is it dying?”

He glared. She cackled.

But she decorated the next cookie with him, guiding his hand, showing him the technique — her chest pressed against his back, her chin resting on his shoulder.

Jason would never admit out loud how much he loved that.

By the time they finished, the kitchen looked like a mess but the counter was filled with treats. They collapsed onto the couch with hot cocoa, legs tangled, Penny tucked into Jason’s side like she belonged there.

The snow outside thickened. Their apartment glowed with soft lights and warmth.

Penny hummed contentedly. “Today was perfect.”

Jason kissed her hair. “Yeah. It really was.”

“You know what would make it even more perfect?” she asked.

“Hmm?”

“Cookies for dinner.”

Jason snorted. “Penny, no.”

“Penny, yes.”

He looked at her — at her bright eyes, her flour-dusted hair, her smile that could warm a whole damn city.

“…Fine.”

Penny cheered victoriously and shoved a gingerbread man into his mouth.

He laughed so hard he nearly choked.

And the apartment, filled with light and warmth and snow outside, felt like the safest, happiest place in the world.

Chapter Text

It was supposed to be a normal mall trip.

In Jason’s head, “We’ll just browse a few stores” translated to a calm afternoon: smelling overpriced candles, maybe buying a new leather jacket, grabbing coffee, and leaving before the Gotham Mall Santa inevitably got into a fistfight with a shoplifter.

He should’ve known better.

December brought out a very specific version of Penny — The Feral Christmas Elf — who operated purely on sugar, serotonin, and the jingling of sleigh bells. She could resist crime, she could resist danger, she could resist Jason shirtless and smug after a workout… but she could not resist Christmas joy.

Which was why, the moment they turned a corner and the Santa’s Grotto came into view, Penny gasped with such force that three nearby parents jumped.

“Jason!” she squeaked, clutching his arm with both hands, eyes wide and shimmering. “Jason, look! It’s SANTA!”

Jason blinked, stared at her, then stared at the giant sparkly display: fake snow, twinkling lights, a candy-cane archway, and a surprisingly professional-looking Santa on a massive red throne.

“Oh no,” he muttered. “Sweetheart—”

She whipped toward him with the expression of a woman clinging to the last shreds of her mortal soul.

“Please. Please. Please let me go see Santa.”

Jason rubbed his face. “Babe, you’re twenty-five.”

“I waited in line behind six-year-olds at the hospital last week so they could talk to me about Spider-Woman. I deserve this.”

“…fair point.”

“And I’ve been VERY good this year—”

Jason raised a brow. “Have you?”

She didn’t hesitate. “I’ve been good adjacent.”

“Penny.”

“Jason.”

He sighed.

Her eyes widened.

“Oh fine,” he groaned, pulling her gently toward the line. “Let’s go see Santa.”

Penny squealed.

Several kids looked over, confused about why a grown adult woman was vibrating like she’d just consumed an entire bowl of sugar.

Jason just shrugged at them like, She’s happy, leave her be.

Penny rocked on her heels in the line the whole time. Jason could practically hear the jingling in her soul.

“Jase. Jase. Do you think he’ll know what I want for Christmas?”

“Probably.”

“Do you think he’ll judge me?”

“Definitely.”

A kid ahead of them tugged on Penny’s sleeve. “Are you one of the elves?”

Jason snorted.

Penny gasped. “Sweetheart, that is the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.” She crouched down. “But nope! I’m just really excited.”

The girl nodded sagely. “My mom gets like that about wine.”

Jason had to turn away so Penny wouldn’t see him laugh.

Finally, Penny reached the front of the line.

The man playing Santa looked up — and his eyes twinkled like he’d been waiting his entire mall-career for someone like her.

“Well ho ho ho!” he boomed. “Someone’s in the festive spirit!”

Penny beamed, glowing brighter than the entire grotto. “Santa! Hi! Hello! It's so nice to meet you! Oh my god, I love your boots. Are they comfortable? They look comfortable.”

Behind her, Jason muttered, “Here we go…”

Santa chuckled. “Why don’t you come take a seat, my dear?”

Penny practically launched herself onto Santa’s lap with all the grace of a caffeinated kitten.

Jason pinched the bridge of his nose. “Be gentle—”

“She’s fine,” Santa assured him, patting her arm like he did this daily. “Now, young lady… what would you like for Christmas?”

Penny gasped dramatically. “Santa. I. Want. A—”

Jason leaned forward, horrified. “Penny, if you say tank—”

“—KITCHENAID MIXER.”

Jason blinked.

Santa blinked.

The entire line behind her blinked.

Penny nodded earnestly. “The red one. With the special attachments. For science.”

Jason let out a breath of pure relief. “Yeah. Okay. Cool. That’s… yeah, that’s fine.”

“But also,” Penny continued, “if you did have a tank—”

“PENNY.”

She giggled.

Once Penny had her fill of chaos, it was time for her to have a picture taken to commemorate the moment.

“Alright!” Santa grinned. “Say ‘North Pole’!”

Penny threw her arms up cheerfully.

Jason, dragged into the frame at the last minute, barely had time to react before she kissed his cheek right as the flash went off.

The picture printed.

It was adorable.

Santa held it up. “You two make a lovely couple.”

Penny practically glowed. “We’re married!”

Jason slid an arm around her waist—part love, part making sure she didn’t wander off to hug the animatronic reindeer.

Santa laughed. “Ah, newlyweds?”

“Four years,” Jason replied.

“Four years of pure Christmas magic,” Penny added.

Jason gave her a look. “Babe, we spent one Christmas hiding under a table while Scarecrow dumped fear gas on 5th Street.”

“And it was magical.”

Jason couldn't argue with that.

As they walked away, Penny bounced at his side.

“Jason! Did you see? Did you see??”

“Yes, sunshine, I saw you impress the hell out of a mall Santa.”

“Do you think he’ll really bring me a mixer?”

“…Considering you make cupcakes for half the Bats, he might.”

Penny hummed, leaning into him. “Thank you for letting me do that.”

Jason kissed the top of her head. “Anything for you, Elf.”

She gasped. “JASON TODD. HUSBAND OF MINE. DID YOU JUST GIVE ME A CHRISTMAS NICKNAME?!”

“No—”

“You did!!”

Jason groaned, walking faster.

Penny chased after him, giggling.

“ELLLLLF! CALL ME ELF AGAIN!”

He grabbed her hand, tugging her close, unable to hide his smile.

“Come on, Elf. Let’s go get peppermint cocoa.”

She stopped dead in her tracks, eyes wide.

“I love you SO MUCH.”

He kissed her forehead. “I know.”

Chapter Text

Snow drifted lazily past the windows of the Todd apartment, thick and soft, muffling Gotham’s usual growl until the whole city felt… quiet. Peaceful. Like someone had pressed pause on the world.

Inside, the living room glowed with warm golden candlelight, little flickering flames reflecting in ornaments on the Christmas tree Penny had decorated within an inch of its life. Jason swore the thing had more lights than Times Square.

But he wasn’t complaining.

Not when Penny was curled up against him like this.

Jason sat on their couch wearing ridiculous red-and-white Christmas pyjamas Penny had bought on Black Friday (matching, obviously). A snowflake-patterned blanket was draped over their legs, and Penny was tucked into his side, head resting against his chest. Her hair smelled like the gingerbread shampoo she’d switched to for “festive reasons”, and he pressed a lazy kiss to the top of her head whenever the urge struck him.

Which was often.

Penny had a mug of mulled wine cupped in both hands, sleeves of her pyjamas pulled over her palms like a kid. Her eyes were half-lidded, watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas on their TV with the softest, sleepiest smile.

Jason didn’t even pretend to watch the movie.

He was too busy watching her.

Penny shifted, snuggling closer, practically melting into him like she was trying to fuse ribcages.

“You comfy?” Jason murmured, brushing his knuckles along her upper arm.

She hummed. “Mmhmm… warm,” she mumbled, making no move to lift her head. “You make a good radiator.”

He huffed a laugh. “That’s me. Big, strong, emotionally-available heating unit.”

“Mm,” she agreed into his shirt, “my favourite kind.”

Jason tightened his arm around her waist. His thumb brushed slow circles into the bone of her hip — a slow, tender rhythm he didn’t even realise he’d started until Penny sighed happily.

“You okay, sweetheart?” he asked softly.

“Soft,” she whispered, as if that answered everything.

And somehow… it did.

The candles flickered gently against the walls, casting golden halos around the room. Snow piled on the balcony outside in a thick, fluffy layer. Every few minutes Penny would lift her head just enough to peek at the snowfall.

“It looks like sugar,” she murmured.

Jason’s lips twitched. “You wanna go outside and try to eat it?”

A pause.

“…yes.”

He laughed and pulled her closer. “We’re not going outside. You’re too cosy.”

She cuddled right back into him like that had been the correct response. “You’re cosy.”

Jason’s heart tugged in his chest.

God, he loved her.

At some point Penny wriggled an arm free from the blankets and reached blindly up toward his face. He leaned down instinctively.

Her fingers brushed along his jaw, gently tracing the faint stubble.

“You’re handsome,” she said softly.

Jason felt the warmth rush up the back of his neck. “Yeah?” he murmured, only a little embarrassed at how his voice dipped.

“Mmhmm.” Her thumb brushed the corner of his mouth. “So handsome. My big soft cosy husband.”

He swallowed. Hard.

“You keep talking like that,” he muttered, brushing her hair back from her face, “and I’m never letting you out from under this blanket.”

She smiled — the kind that hit him square in the ribs, soft and sleepy and full of unguarded love. “Promise?”

Jason cupped the back of her head, guiding her gently against his chest again.

“Yeah, baby,” he breathed. “Promise.”

He pressed a slow, lingering kiss to her forehead, letting his lips rest there longer than necessary. Penny hummed in delight and curled a hand into his shirt over his heart.

Penny wasn’t fully awake anymore. She was drifting — warm, comfy, content — and Jason rubbed her back through the blanket, keeping her grounded.

On the TV, the Grinch began stealing Christmas.

Penny mumbled, “He just needs therapy…”

Jason chuckled. “You diagnosing him from my chest, sweetheart?”

“Mhm… maybe a hug…”

He brushed her hair behind her ear. “Not everyone’s getting hugged by you. I’m not sharing.”

She made a drowsy, amused noise. “Possessive.”

“Absolutely.”

After a while Jason stood up, gently setting Penny upright. She blinked sleepily as he held out his hand.

“C’mere.”

She took it without hesitation.

Jason pulled her into a slow, swaying dance right there in the candlelit living room. No music — just the faint sound of wind outside and the soft crackle of the Christmas tree lights.

Penny rested her cheek against his chest again, arms around his waist, content in a way only winter peace could make her.

Jason ran his fingers through her hair. “Y’know,” he murmured, “I didn’t think I’d ever get a Christmas like this.”

She tilted her head to look up at him. “Is it good?”

“It’s perfect.”

She kissed him. Soft. Slow. Warm.

When they parted, Penny snuggled into him again.

“Love you,” she whispered.

Jason held her with both arms, resting his chin on her head.

“I love you more than anything.”

They settled again under the blanket. Penny tucked her feet under Jason’s legs for warmth, and Jason rubbed her calves absentmindedly.

The snow outside grew thicker. The candles burned low. Penny’s breathing softened as she drifted right into sleep on his chest.

Jason pulled the blanket up to her chin. He kissed her forehead again.

His voice was barely a whisper when he spoke, soft and honest and full.

“Merry Christmas, sweetheart.”

She didn’t answer — she was already asleep — but she smiled in her dreams.

And Jason held her like she was the whole world.

Chapter Text

Jason had been in gunfights less stressful than Christmas shopping with Penny.

He had been in explosions less chaotic.

He had fought aliens who were easier to reason with.

And yet—here he was, willingly following his wife through a packed Gotham mall on a snowy Saturday, because she insisted they needed “the perfect gifts” for everyone in the Batfamily.

Penny wore a red knit beanie with a fluffy pom-pom, her hair in soft curls beneath it. Her coat was dusted with snow. Her cheeks were pink from the cold and her eyes sparkled with a terrifying mix of joy and focus.

Jason knew that look.

He was married to a woman on a mission.

“Okay,” Penny said, clapping her gloved hands together as if preparing for battle. “We start with Dick. He’s the easiest.”

Jason snorted. “Since when is Dick the easiest?”

“Since he has extremely predictable Golden Retriever energy,” Penny replied, pulling Jason toward the escalators. “He likes soft sweaters, comfy blankets, candles, workout gear, anything that screams ‘I need comfort after fighting crime all night.’”

“…That’s literally all of us,” Jason muttered.

“Exactly! So it’ll be easy!”

She marched them into a high-end boutique before Jason could protest. Five minutes later, she picked up a ridiculously soft navy sweater.

Jason rubbed it between his fingers. “…This is nicer than anything I own.”

“That’s why he’ll love it.” Penny shoved it into Jason’s arms. “Carry our loot, handsome pack mule.”

Jason raised a brow. “Excuse me?”

Penny stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “Please?”

“…Fine. But only because I’m weak for you.”

“I know,” she chirped.

Next up was Tim.

“We are not buying him coffee,” Jason said sternly as they walked toward a gadget store.

“Right,” Penny agreed. “We’re buying him something that encourages him to sleep more.”

They stared at each other, realising how impossible that task was.

Penny gasped suddenly. “A weighted blanket!”

Jason blinked. “That… might actually work.”

“Of course it will. Tim loves feeling like he’s being crushed. It’s comforting.”

“That’s concerning.”

She shrugged. “He’s like a weighted anxiety burrito.”

Jason sighed. “Fine. Weighted blanket it is.”

Penny dragged him to a colourful accessory shop next.

“For Steph,” she said thoughtfully, “we need something sparkly.”

Jason followed her gaze to a lavender leather jacket with a golden star on the back.

Steph would scream.

Steph would ascend.

Steph would never take it off.

Penny held it up triumphantly. “This?”

“That’s literally her in jacket form.”

They high-fived.

For Cass, Penny selected a beautifully bound book of poetry and a set of satin scrunchies. Then she added a small bag of her favourite candy.

“She pretends she doesn’t like gifts,” Penny whispered conspiratorially, “but she totally melts on the inside.”

Jason chuckled. “She’s gonna hug you.”

“She always hugs me.”

“Yeah, but this one will be an extra hug.”

Penny beamed like it was the highest honour.

They hit a streetwear shop for Duke.

Penny browsed for a while, humming to herself and shaking her head before she finally held up a sleek yellow-and-black bomber jacket. “He’s going to look so cool in this.”

Jason had to admit she was right. “You really nailed everyone.”

“Of course.” Penny shrugged. “I love them. They deserve nice things.”

Jason kissed the top of her head. Her cheeks turned pink.

Damian required strategy.

“Something educational,” Jason muttered.

“Something dangerous,” Penny corrected.

“Something he won’t use to stab someone.”

“…Okay, that narrows it down a bit.”

After fifteen minutes of debate, they found it.

A handcrafted wooden chess set with pieces shaped like little carved animals.

Damian would pretend not to like it.

Then he’d play Penny with it every day for the next three months.

Bruce was harder.

“What do you get a billionaire who broods professionally?” Jason asked.

Penny tapped her chin. “What does he need?”

“A nap.”

“Therapy.”

“A vacation.”

“A spine replacement?”

They both sighed.

Then Penny spotted it—an elegant framed vintage map of Gotham from the 1800s.

“That’s perfect,” Jason murmured. “He’ll love that.”

Penny smiled proudly. “We did good.”

“You did good.”

Alfred required no debate.

Penny marched straight into a tea shop and selected an expensive imported black tea blend Alfred had once mentioned liking.

“And cookies,” she added, grabbing a tin of traditional shortbread. “He deserves cookies.”

Jason nodded solemnly. “The man is the glue holding the entire universe together. Give him cookies.”

With all the bags in Jason’s arms, Penny suddenly gasped.

Jason nearly dropped everything. “What?!”

“I forgot the most important thing.”

“…What thing?”

She pointed at a holiday photo booth in the middle of the mall.

A holiday photo booth with fake snow, cardboard reindeer, elf hats, and a sign that said Couples Christmas Photos — $5.

Jason’s soul left his body.

“No.”

“Yes.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

“Penny—”

She grabbed his hand, eyes sparkling.

“Jason. Please.”

He melted instantly.

“…Fine.”7

They squeezed into the booth.

The first photo was cute—Penny smiling bright, Jason kissing her cheek.

The second was Penny wearing reindeer antlers while Jason looked at her like she hung the moon.

The third was Penny shoving a Santa hat onto Jason’s head and kissing him full on the mouth.

The fourth?

Chaos.

Penny stuck her tongue out, Jason flexed dramatically, and the fake snow machine blasted them unexpectedly.

Penny laughed until she wheezed.

Jason looked at her—snow in her hair, eyes shining, cheeks pink—and thought:

I’m going to love this woman until the end of time.

Snow drifted softly around them as they left the mall, hands linked, bags rustling.

“That was perfect,” Penny sighed happily.

Jason squeezed her hand. “Yeah. It really was.”

She leaned her head on his shoulder.

“You know,” she said softly, “Christmas is more fun with you.”

Jason kissed her hair. “Everything’s more fun with you.”

Penny’s eyes sparkled like Christmas lights.

“Wanna get hot chocolate on the way home?”

Jason smiled. “Lead the way, Mrs. Todd.”

And with their arms full of gifts, snow falling gently around them, and Penny humming a Christmas song under her breath—they walked home together, warm despite the cold.

Perfect despite the chaos.

Exactly as they always were.

Chapter Text

Snow fell in thick, soft flakes over Wayne Manor, layering the vast grounds in pristine white. It looked serene, peaceful, something out of a postcard.

And then Jason and Penny arrived.

Jason barely got the front door closed before Penny gasped, pressed her face to the window like an overexcited golden retriever, and breathed:

“Jason. Jason. Jason. It’s perfect snow.”

Jason groaned because yes — he knew exactly what that meant.

Bruce entered the foyer, adjusting his scarf. “You two made good time—”

Penny whipped around, eyes blazing with determination.

“BRUCE. SHOES. SNOW. OUTSIDE. NOW.”

Bruce blinked once. “...Ah.”

Jason sighed and tugged off his coat. “Babe, we literally came over to help wrap gifts—"

Penny grabbed his hand like they were in an action movie and yelled back toward the house:

“EVERYONE GET YOUR BOOTS ON! WE’RE GOING TO WAR!”

There was a beat of silence.

Then, from somewhere upstairs, Dick’s voice rang out:

“SNOWBALL FIGHT?!”

Followed by several thuds, a scream, a crash, and the sound of someone sliding down a banister.

Tim stumbled into view wearing mismatched boots and no coat. “I HEARD SNOWBALL—wait, why is my foot wet already—DAMMIT.”

Cass floated down the stairs with stealthy, assassin-level precision.

Steph shoved past her yelling, “MOVE OR LOSE A VITAL ORGAN, THIS IS MY TIME TO SHINE.”

Duke arrived, already wearing gloves and a hat, smug. “Been waiting all month for this.”

Damian marched out of the kitchen. “Todd, if you hit me in the face again this year, I swear—"

“Promises, promises,” Jason shot back.

Alfred appeared with a tray of hot chocolate like nothing unusual was happening. “I will prepare towels. And bandages.”

Penny stood on a small ottoman like a general addressing her troops.

“Okay listen up! Snow quality is optimal. This will be a full-scale, household-wide snow engagement. No alliances, no mercy—”

Jason gently lifted her off the ottoman. “No merciless war speeches indoors, gremlin.”

Penny grinned up at him. “Fair.”

Bruce folded his arms. “We need teams.”

“No,” Penny said gravely. “We need chaos.”

Jason smirked. “Free-for-all it is.”

Dick cheered. “YES!”

Damian cracked his knuckles. “Finally, a battle worthy of my skill.”

Tim yawned. “If I die, bury me with coffee.”

“TIMOTHY, YOU’RE NOT GOING TO DIE,” Bruce said, exasperated.

“We’ll see,” Tim whispered dramatically.

The moment they stepped outside onto the snowy lawn, Penny vanished.

Poof. Gone.

Jason blinked. “...Where—”

A snowball nailed him directly in the back of the head.

Steph pointed upward, shrieking: “SHE’S IN THE TREE! SHE’S IN THE TREE—”

Sure enough, Penny was perched on a branch like a smug little spider gremlin, dual-wielding snowballs.

“TREMBLE BEFORE ME, MORTALS!”

She launched an attack on everyone at once.

Bruce took a snowball directly to the clasp of his expensive winter coat. Dick screamed as he slipped and fell into a snowdrift. Damian cursed in Arabic. Duke yelled, “WHY IS SHE SO FAST?!”

Jason squinted up at her, impressed. “Seriously? You climbed a tree for this?”

“Yes!” she yelled joyfully. “And I regret NOTHING!”

Jason wasn’t about to let his wife terrorise the family unchecked.

He scooped a giant snowball — practically a boulder — and hurled it with perfect aim.

It hit the tree branch.

Penny fell.

Well— Penny dropped gracefully, flipped once mid-air, stuck the landing, and immediately tackled him into the snow.

“BETRAYAL!” she yelled, half-laughing.

“You attacked me first,” Jason reminded her, wrestling her gently into the snow.

“I attack because I love.”

He snorted. “That’s not how that works.”

She kissed him quickly. “It is today.”

Then she shoved snow down the back of his shirt and cackled as he screamed.

The second Jason and Penny were locked in battle, the rest of the Bats went feral.

Dick executed a perfect somersault and dumped snow on Damian’s head.

Damian retaliated by launching five snowballs simultaneously like a tiny icy machine gun.

Tim built a barricade and yelled, “RESEARCH SAYS DEFENSE IS THE BEST OFFENSE—AHH WHO HIT ME?!”

Cass silently appeared behind Duke and smashed a snowball on his shoulder.

Bruce moved like a tank, calm, unstoppable, snowballs bouncing off him uselessly.

Alfred came outside for one moment, saw the battlefield, sighed deeply, and went back in.

At some point, Dick, Duke, Tim, and Damian teamed up against Penny like cowards.

“THIS IS AN UNHOLY ALLIANCE!” she shrieked as they all fired.

Jason shouted from across the yard, “BABE, JUST RUN!”

“NO! I WILL FIGHT UNTIL MY LAST BREATH!”

She dodged, flipped, launched two snowballs at once—

All four still hit her.

She dropped to her knees in dramatic slow motion.

“Jason… avenge me…”

“You’re not dying,” he said, half-laughing, pulling her upright.

She blinked at him through snow-covered lashes. “I tasted ice. It was bitter. Like betrayal.”

Jason kissed her forehead. “You’re such a menace.”

Penny suddenly gasped. “Jace.”

“What?”

“I had an idea.”

“Oh no.”

“It’s a good one this time!”

She whispered her plan.

Jason’s eyes widened.

Then he smirked. “I like the way you think.”

Together, they gathered snow. Packed it. Rolled it. Until they created…

A MASSIVE SNOWBALL THE SIZE OF A MOTORCYCLE.

Dick’s eyes bulged. “WHAT— HOW— THAT’S ILLEGAL—”

Bruce actually shouted, “DON’T YOU DARE—"

Penny yelled, “CHAAAAAAAAARGE!”

She and Jason rolled the giant snowball downhill, straight toward the rest of the Bats.

Tim attempted to flee but tripped.

Steph screamed, “WE’RE GOING TO DIE!”

Damian stood his ground like a warrior facing doom.

Duke dove out of the way.

Cass laughed as she jumped over it.

The snowball exploded on impact with a tree, sending the entire yard into a blizzard of loose snow.

When the air cleared, everyone looked like powdered donuts.

Everyone trudged inside, dripping and exhausted.

Alfred had towels waiting.

Bruce looked at Penny, breath visible in the cold air. “Next year… we establish rules.”

Penny beamed. “No rules. Only vibes.”

Jason wrapped an arm around her shoulders, kissing her temple. “A tiny snow demon.”

She grinned. “Your tiny snow demon.”

Bruce muttered, “I regret giving you both hot chocolate privileges.”

Chapter Text

Snow tapped against the apartment windows like impatient fingertips, a soft crackle and hush against the glass as Gotham settled into a rare peaceful winter evening. Inside, the apartment glowed warm with golden lamplight and multicoloured Christmas fairy lights Penny had enthusiastically wrapped around anything that could reasonably hold them... And several things that probably shouldn’t have.

The small dining table had been overtaken by craft supplies — glitter, markers, fabric glue, tiny jingle bells, pom-poms, sequins, stencils, stray scraps of felt, googly eyes, and at least three pairs of scissors Penny insisted she needed for “different artsy vibes.”

Soft Christmas music played from Penny’s phone in the centre of the chaos, currently crooning about chestnuts and open fires.

Jason watched her with fond amusement as she hunched over a red stocking, tongue poking out in pure concentration, wearing candy-cane patterned pyjama pants and one of Jason’s hoodies. Her hair was pulled into a messy bun that was already holding two tiny candy-cane clips and at least one stray sequin.

Jason, in his matching pyjama set (because Penny insisted), sat across from her with his own red stocking laid out in front of him. He eyed her glitter-bomb crafting area suspiciously.

“Okay,” Penny declared without looking up, “before we carry on, rule number one: no judging creative process.”

Jason snorted. “That rule exists for you, not me.”

She lifted her head and locked eyes with him. A single jingle bell was stuck to her cheek.

“You say that now,” she warned. “But you haven’t even seen the vision yet.”

Jason leaned back in his chair and smiled. “I’m terrified. And strangely excited.”

She beamed. “Good. Now let’s make magic.”

Jason tried to take his decorating job seriously, but it was hard when Penny had a habit of narrating her arts and crafts like a Discovery Channel presenter.

“And now,” she whispered dramatically, “we approach the elusive glitter glue in the wild. Observe… the careful precision… the absolute commitment…”

A glob of glitter glue shot across the table and landed on Jason’s stocking.

Jason stared. Slowly. Carefully. Deliberately.

“Babe... What the hell was that?”

“Creative process!” she argued immediately.

“That was attempted murder.”

“It was an accident! The tube burped!”

“Glitter doesn’t burp.”

“You don’t know that.”

He gave her a flat stare.

Penny cleared her throat and wiped glitter off her cheek. “Okay, maybe it burped aggressively.”

Jason flicked a single sequin at her. It stuck to her forehead.

She gasped. “Assault!”

“Self-defence.”

Despite making fun of the situation for the last twenty minutes, Jason was quietly putting real effort into Penny’s stocking.

He’d stitched her name neatly across the top, added a delicate snowflake pattern down the side, and was currently gluing a tiny felt spider wearing a Santa hat to the front.

When Penny finally glanced up and saw it, she froze mid-action.

“You’re… you’re good at this,” she whispered, betrayed and impressed.

Jason shrugged, cheeks faintly pink. “I used to make crafts with Alfred when I was a kid. And… well. I wanted yours to look nice.”

Penny stared at him, lip wobbling like she might cry.

“Oh no—” Jason panicked.

Too late.

She launched herself across the table and hugged him so hard they both nearly toppled over.

“JASON TODD,” she cried into his shoulder, “you are the sweetest, most perfect human being to ever exist!”

“You’re getting glitter in my hair.”

“It’s where it belongs.”

Jason went back to his own stocking, feeling weirdly shy under Penny’s glowing smile. Meanwhile, Penny continued her chaotic masterpiece with the intensity of a mad scientist.

She added countless jingle bells, multiple pom-poms in every colour she could find, and the shiniest Christmas tree sequins. Little spider stickers gathered in clusters, surrounded by bows and googly eyes. But the best part of her masterpiece was the sparkly cursive writing reading: For my favourite grumpy husband.

Jason looked up. “Penny. That thing is going to jingle every time a breeze exists.”

She shook a bell at him aggressively. “Festivity is non-negotiable.”

“It looks like Christmas exploded onto a stocking.”

“It’s called aesthetic.”

“It’s called overkill.”

“You’re overkill.”

Jason laughed. “I married you. That tracks.”

At some point, Penny “accidentally” dropped a handful of loose glitter onto Jason’s lap.

Jason did not believe it was an accident.

“Penny.”

“…yes?”

“Why does my thigh look like a disco ball?”

She winced. “I—uh—creative—uh—process?”

Jason slowly scooped glitter into his palm.

“No,” she whispered. “Jason, no.”

He blew it directly at her.

She shrieked as the cloud engulfed her.

“YOU MONSTER!”

“You started it.”

“You look like the villain in a Christmas movie!”

“You look like you lost a fight with a craft store.”

They devolved into chaotic glitter combat until both were shimmering like enchanted goblins.

Eventually — and miraculously — both stockings were completed.

Penny proudly held up Jason’s stocking: a glittering, jingle-bell-covered, festive monstrosity. “Your stocking is PERFECT.”

Jason held up hers: neat, thoughtful, beautifully done. “And yours isn’t going to haunt my dreams at all.”

Penny gasped. “It is ART.”

Jason leaned forward and kissed her forehead.

“You’re art.”

Her cheeks flushed scarlet — and not from the glitter.

After cleaning up the glitter (a hopeless task), they hung both stockings on the wall.

Penny wrapped her arms around Jason from behind, stretching up and resting her chin on his shoulder.

“They look good together,” she murmured.

Jason rested his head against hers. “Like us?”

“Exactly like us. One chaotic and feral—”

“Hey—”

“—and one beautiful and composed.”

Jason snorted. “Which is which?”

Penny kissed his jaw. “Take a guess.”

He turned, pulled her into his arms, and kissed her soft and slow.

Snow fell outside. Fairy lights twinkled. Their stockings jingled faintly as the heater kicked on.

It was perfect.

Chapter Text

Bruce Wayne did nothing by halves.

Gotham’s annual Winter Wonderland Charity Gala was proof of that—an entire ballroom transformed into a glittering, shimmering snow-covered dreamscape. White drapery hung from the high ceilings like frozen waterfalls. Thousands of tiny lights twinkled like stars caught in ice. Blue and silver crystals dripped from chandeliers, catching every glint of movement. Fog curled along the floor like gentle winter mist. Soft orchestral renditions of holiday classics drifted through the air.

It was elegant. Majestic. Classy.

The perfect disaster waiting to happen, considering Penny and the rest of the family would be in the same room.

Jason arrived first, hair slicked back, suit tailored to fit broad shoulders and narrow waist, looking infuriatingly good. He tugged at the collar, resisting the urge to rip it off. Fancy galas were not his thing. But Penny loved them. And for Penny, he’d do anything—even tolerate Gotham’s upper crust.

He scanned the ballroom, eyes subtly tracking entrances, exits, suspicious figures. Then he checked the clock.

She was late.

She promised she wouldn’t be late.

He exhaled, half-fond, half-exasperated. Right. It was Penny. She could swing in on a web wearing pyjamas and still look perfect.

A murmur suddenly rippled through the room.

Heads turned. Gasps followed.

Jason didn’t need to look to know she had arrived.

He did anyway—and his brain promptly blue-screened.

Penny descended the marble staircase like some ethereal winter sprite. Her usually wild curls were pinned up in soft, intricate twists, tiny crystal snowflakes woven throughout her hair. Her gown was floor-length, pure white with an iridescent shimmer that shifted from pale blue to silver as she moved, clinging in a way that was elegant rather than revealing. A faint dusting of glitter highlighted her cheekbones, her eyes bright and expressive in the soft lighting.

She looked… unreal.

A hush fell over the gala as if the ballroom itself forgot how to breathe.

Jason certainly did.

Penny’s gaze swept the room until she found him, and when she smiled—warm, bright, a little mischievous—it was like someone lit the entire gala from the inside.

She reached the bottom step and crossed the floor with that characteristic bounce in her step, half-graceful, half-chaos, entirely Penny.

Jason managed only one word:

“…wow.”

Penny giggled. “Hi, handsome.”

He leaned in to kiss her cheek. “You’re gonna start fights tonight looking like that.”

“Only if you start them first,” she teased, linking her arm with his.

Across the room, the siblings whispered like a pack of gossiping hens.

“Holy crap,” Tim muttered. “She looks like she walked out of a snow-globe.”

“She looks like royalty,” Duke added.

“Like a goddess,” Steph said, fanning herself dramatically.

“She looks perfect,” Cass whispered with a tiny smile.

Dick grinned. “Jason is dead. He is deceased. RIP little wing.”

Jason pretended he didn’t hear any of that.

The music shifted to a soft waltz.

Jason held out a hand. “May I?”

Penny beamed. “Yes.”

He led her to the floor, placing one hand on her waist, the other lacing with her fingers. She settled easily into his hold, moving with surprising elegance for someone who usually tripped over air as a civilian.

They swayed, glided, spun.

Penny laughed quietly. “You’re really good at this.”

“I wanted our first dance at the wedding to be perfect,” he said softly, an explanation for his gracefulness.

Her expression melted. She pressed her forehead to his jaw. “You’re perfect.”

He swallowed because holy hell this woman…

When the music slowed further, Penny shifted closer, laying her head against his chest. Jason tightened his arms around her, swaying them gently.

Then a voice cleared.

“…may I cut in?”

Bruce Wayne.

Penny’s face lit up. “Of course!”

Jason rolled his eyes but let her go, muttering, “Don’t step on her dress.”

Bruce gave him a long, dry look. “I raised four acrobats. I can manage.”

Penny giggled and placed her hand in Bruce’s.

Bruce danced carefully, gently—like she was precious.

“Well?” Penny teased. “On a scale of 1 to 10, how proud are you right now?”

“Eleven,” Bruce said without hesitation.

Her eyes softened. “Bruce…”

“You look radiant,” he added. “May would be proud of you. Ben too.”

Penny’s breath hitched, and she leaned in, hugging him tightly mid-waltz. “Thank you… Dad.”

Bruce froze.

Then very carefully—very softly—held her just a little closer.

Jason watched from the side-lines, heart twisting at the sight.

Dick sidled up next to him. “You okay, Jaybird?”

“Yeah.” Jason smiled. “Yeah, I’m good.”

Because Penny deserved this. Deserved a father figure who loved her. Deserved the world.

And Jason got to watch her get it.

Of course the wholesomeness couldn’t last. Not with this family.

Hours later, after fancy dancing and polite mingling, Steph found the DJ’s aux cord.

And that was the beginning of the end.

“NO—” Tim lunged too late.

The speakers blasted Mariah Carey’s All I Want For Christmas Is You at full volume.

The entire Wayne family groaned.

Except Penny.

Penny shrieked with joy.

“MY JAM!”

She grabbed Jason by both wrists. “Come on!!!”

“Penny—no—Penny—”

Too late. She dragged him into the centre of the dance floor as the music swelled. Jason resigned himself to fate.

Penny launched into a full dramatic routine—twirling, belting out lyrics, hair pins starting to surrender. Steph and Cass joined her, dancing wildly. Dick leaped in. Duke too.

Tim tried to escape. Penny snagged him with one hand without missing a beat. “YOU’RE PART OF THIS FAMILY GET OVER HERE—”

Even Bruce, after five minutes of stubborn dignity, let Penny pull him into a ridiculous little side shuffle that had paparazzi choking on their champagne.

Jason laughed so hard his stomach hurt.

Then the DJ played Jingle Bell Rock.

And Penny’s chaos intensified.

Dick and Penny tried to recreate the Mean Girls dance. Cass joined, performing the moves flawlessly. Steph kicked over a decorative reindeer. Penny cackled. Duke nearly slipped on artificial snow. Jason caught him by instinct.

The wealthy Gotham elite stared in open-mouthed horror.

The Wayne family didn’t notice.

They were having the time of their lives.

Later—much later—Penny and Jason sneaked onto the balcony. Snow drifted lazily from the sky, catching the blue lights spilling from the ballroom.

Penny’s makeup had faded slightly, a few curls had fallen loose, and she’d danced so hard she was slightly breathless.

Jason thought she’d never looked more beautiful.

She leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder. “Best gala ever.”

“I think you made it that way,” he murmured, kissing the top of her head.

“You danced,” she teased. “Willingly.”

“For you? Always.”

She snuggled closer. “I love you.”

“I love you too, doll.”

They watched the snow fall in comfortable silence, warm despite the cold.

Then Penny whispered:

“…I have a thought.”

Jason stiffened. “Oh no.”

“No—I swear it’s a good one this time.”

He sighed but kissed her temple. “Alright. Hit me with it.”

Penny grinned at him mischievously.

“We should steal one of the giant crystal snowflakes.”

Jason smiled slowly, wickedly.

“…yeah. Okay.”

Penny beamed.

And the night continued—wholesome, chaotic, sparkly, and unmistakably theirs.

Chapter Text

It began, as most of Penny Todd’s schemes did, with absolute innocence.

Jason stood at the kitchen counter of their apartment, sleeves rolled to his elbows and a bowl of royal icing in his hands, fully believing tonight would be simple. Just two married idiots decorating a gingerbread house while snow drifted outside the windows and music crooned from the speakers.

Domestic. Peaceful. Wholesome.

He should’ve known better.

Sugar, Spice, and a Mild Sense of Foreboding

Penny was already perched cross-legged on a stool, hair up in a messy festive bun with a tiny candy-cane clip sticking out of it, wearing an apron that said Baking Spirits Bright. She wiggled excitedly as Jason set down the gingerbread pieces.

“This,” she declared gravely, “is our masterpiece in the making.”

Jason leaned in and kissed her forehead. “As long as you don’t try to engineer it with web-fluid, we’re fine.”

Penny gasped dramatically. “How dare you— I’ll have you know my web structures are structurally superior—”

“Babe.”

“I know.”

They both laughed, and for a moment the world was soft edges and warm light and the smell of cinnamon.

The Construction Phase (AKA: Jason Thinks Everything Is Normal)

Jason worked methodically: icing along the seams, walls held firmly, roof attached with surprising precision for someone known for blowing things up.

Penny hummed beside him, carefully piping shingles onto the roof. Perfect little scallops, one after another.

Jason felt a warmth swell in his chest.

His wife… happy, cosy, glowing like a Christmas star… it never stopped hitting him how lucky he was.

He reached over, swiping a dot of icing onto her cheek.

She gasped. “Jason Todd—”

“You look cute.”

Her eyes softened. “You’re lucky you’re adorable.”

Then she reached out and smeared icing across his nose.

“Penny—!”

“You look cute,” she said smugly.

Jason grinned. “Truce?”

“Truce.”

The moment they shook hands, Penny discreetly tucked her free hand behind her back, shielding something from view.

Jason didn’t notice.

Oh, sweet, trusting fool.

The Detail Phase (AKA: Penny Begins Her Crimes)

Jason was focused on lining gumdrops along the walkway, so he didn’t see Penny pipe something onto the back of the house. Nor did he hear her muttering, “Heeheehee— perfectly balanced as all chaos should be.”

He only turned when she said, “Hey babe, can you pass the mini candy canes?”

He did.

She kissed his cheek.

He melted.

He never once wondered why she needed eight mini candy canes.

The Reveal Phase (AKA: Jason Realizes He Lives With a Menace)

When the last sprinkle fell and the Christmas music faded into a soft instrumental, Penny bounced off her stool.

“We’re done! Step back and enjoy our masterpiece!”

Jason crossed his arms proudly, ready to admire their adorable gingerbread cottage.

He looked.

He blinked.

He froze.

“…Penny,” he said slowly, “what is that.”

Penny beamed, practically glowing. “Art.”

The front of the house looked fine— cute, even. Wreaths. Frosting snow. Gumdrop bushes.

But the side—

The side had a tiny gingerbread man wearing a perfect little red fondant helmet and leather-jacket icing design.

“…Is that me?”

“Yes,” Penny said proudly.

The roof had an intricate white icing spiderweb spanning the top like a frosted trap.

“…Is that a spiderweb.”

“Mhmm!”

And the back—

The back featured a gingerbread figure upside-down, legs bent impossibly, sticking to the fake wall.

“…Is that you?”

“Obviously! Look at my little gumdrop eyes! So accurate!”

Jason stared.

Penny rocked on her heels, pleased as punch.

Then he turned the house slightly and choked.

“Penny. There is a… is that a tiny fondant crowbar—”

“Symbolic!” she said, chipper.

“And this— is he holding a tiny cookie mask?!”

“YES! Gingerbread You fights crime!”

Jason dragged a hand down his face, fighting a smile he couldn’t keep away.

“You ambushed me.”

“I enhanced the narrative.”

“You turned a gingerbread house into a vigilante diorama!”

Penny wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her cheek against his chest.

“You love me.”

“…Yeah,” he said, kissing the top of her head. “I really do.”

“And my gingerbread chaos?”

He sighed dramatically. “…That too.”

She grinned like a misbehaving Christmas angel.

“Good. Because I made icing nun chucks for the next one.”

Jason groaned. “I should’ve seen this coming.”

“You really should’ve.”

The Aftermath

They settled on the sofa with hot cocoa afterwards, gingerbread house proudly displayed on the kitchen counter like a chaotic shrine.

Penny curled into Jason’s side, head on his shoulder, legs thrown over his lap.

Snow fell softly outside and, inside, the tree cast warm coloured lights over them.

Jason looked down at his wife— his brilliant, chaotic, Christmas-obsessed wife— and felt his heart ache in the best way.

“You know,” he murmured, “I wouldn’t change a damn thing.”

Penny smiled sleepily.

“Good. Because I’m already planning our gingerbread vigilante village for next year.”

Jason kissed her forehead.

“I’d expect nothing less.”

And in the glow of twinkling lights, amid the smell of gingerbread and cinnamon, Jason Todd couldn’t remember a single Christmas that had ever felt more like home.

Chapter Text

Snow had begun to fall in soft, slow flakes by the time Jason and Penny stepped out of their apartment building. The air was crisp, cold enough that each breath seemed to sparkle, and the city had pulled on its glittering December skin—fairy lights strung across balconies, glowing wreaths in windows, the distant hum of carols rising from streets below.

Penny clutched Jason’s arm excitedly, bundled in a puffy white coat with a red scarf wrapped twice around her neck. Her curls peeked out from under a knitted beanie covered in tiny embroidered holly leaves.

Jason, in a dark coat and thick gloves, couldn’t stop watching her. Not the lights. Not the snow. Her.

“Look!” Penny gasped, pointing up as they reached the main street. “They put the giant star up this year!”

Jason smiled softly. “Yeah, I see that.”

“You’re not looking,” she accused, squinting at him.

“Oh, I’m looking. Just not at the star.”

Penny’s cheeks warmed pinker than the cold could justify, and she playfully nudged him with her shoulder.

They walked slowly, the world muffled by snowfall, the city glowing in golds and reds and icy blues around them. Penny’s hand slipped into Jason’s without a word, and he tightened his grip, brushing his thumb over her knuckles.

They passed the bakery on the corner—gingerbread displays glowing in its windows—and Penny hummed happily at the smell. A little further down, a row of townhouses had synchronised lights blinking to a carol. Penny stopped dead, jaw dropping in wonder.

Jason laughed quietly. “Every year, you act like this is the first time you’re seeing Christmas lights.”

“Every year,” Penny said, eyes shining, “they’re still magic.”

He tugged her gently back to walking pace, though he didn’t dare rush her. Watching her take in the lights was half the joy of the season.

They turned toward Gotham Square, where the biggest tree in the district towered over the skating rink. The tree shimmered with a thousand lights, snow catching in its branches like tiny diamonds.

Penny slowed again, leaning into Jason’s side.

“It’s perfect,” she murmured.

Jason looked at the tree.

Then at Penny.

Then back at the tree.

“It’s nice,” he said.

Penny snorted. “You’re impossible.”

“And you’re adorable,” he countered, shifting his arm around her shoulders and pulling her close enough that her head fit under his chin. “And freezing.”

“You’re warm,” she replied, rubbing her cheek against the soft fabric of his coat. “This is strategic.”

They made their way to a little side street strung with lanterns and softly glittering icicles. Quiet. Peaceful. Almost untouched by the usual Gotham bustle.

Penny slowed again—this time not for the lights.

This time, she slipped both arms around Jason’s waist and leaned fully into him.

Jason stopped walking immediately, wrapping her up in his arms without question.

“You okay?” he asked softly.

“Mhmm.” Penny’s voice was muffled in his coat. “Just… happy. Really happy.”

He rested his cheek on the crown of her head, closing his eyes for a moment. Snow landed on her curls and melted instantly from the warmth of his breath.

“You make it easy,” he murmured.

Penny tilted her head back to look at him, her green eyes reflecting the glow of nearby lights. “Christmas?”

“You,” he corrected.

Her expression softened—gentle and unguarded in the way she only ever was with him.

“Jason Todd,” she said, cupping his cheek with a gloved hand, “you are the sweetest, sappiest menace—”

He kissed her before she could finish, slow and warm in the cold winter air. Her hands fisted lightly in the front of his coat, pulling him closer, and the snow fell quietly around them as if the city itself decided to give them privacy.

When they pulled apart, Penny’s breath puffed in little clouds.

“More?” she asked, hopeful.

He chuckled, brushing a snowflake from her eyelashes. “Always.”

They kept walking, fingers intertwined, wandering through neighbourhoods lit like tiny constellations. Penny pointed out every inflatable Santa, every window light display, every wreath with sparkles or bells. Jason pretended to make fun of her for it, but he never once looked away from her.

By the time they circled back toward home, Penny was humming a Christmas tune under her breath, swaying into Jason’s side with each step. The snowfall had thickened, glittering under the streetlamps.

“So…” Jason said casually. “This Christmas-light walk—is this a tradition now?”

Penny beamed. “Of course! Every year, forever.”

Jason’s chest warmed at that word. Forever.

He squeezed her hand.

“Yeah,” he said quietly. “Forever sounds pretty damn good.”

They paused at their apartment entrance. Penny looked up at the falling snow, cheeks rosy, nose pink, eyes sparkling like she’d swallowed the Christmas lights whole.

Jason took her face gently in his hands, brushed his thumbs over her cheeks, and kissed her again—soft, slow, with a kind of affection he didn’t bother hiding anymore.

When they finally stepped into the warmth of the building, Penny whispered against his shoulder:

“Best night.”

Jason smiled, guiding her inside.

“With you?” he said softly. “Every night is.”

Chapter Text

Snow drifted down from the Gotham sky, dusting the fire escapes and street lamps in a soft white glow. Penny and Jason were just returning to their apartment after an evening walk — the kind filled with warm laughter, shared mittens, and Penny pointing out every single Christmas decoration like she’d never seen one before.

Jason unlocked the door and ushered her inside, brushing snowflakes out of her curls.

“Home,” he murmured, leaning down to kiss her forehead.

Penny beamed up at him… then froze.

Her eyes widened. Sparkled. Glinted with unmistakable mischief.

Jason felt the sudden surge of danger. “What.”

“Jaaaaason,” she sing-songed, stepping deeper into the apartment.

“No. Absolutely not. Whatever’s happening in your head? Stop it.”

She didn’t stop it.

Because perched right above the doorway — where Jason absolutely, definitely did not remember putting anything — hung a sprig of mistletoe. Bright, fluffy, tied with a tiny red bow.

Jason blinked. “That wasn’t there earlier.”

Penny clasped her hands behind her back. “Weird.”

“Penny.”

“Coincidence.”

“Penny.”

She grinned. “Magic.”

He dragged a hand down his face. “You climbed on something you definitely weren’t supposed to, didn’t you?”

“Maybe.”

“Did you use your powers?”

“Perhaps.”

Jason exhaled. “Of course you did.”

Then she wiggled her eyebrows. “Anyway! You see the mistletoe. You know the rules.”

Jason fought a smile — and failed. “You put that there solely so you could kiss me.”

“Correction,” she said, stepping closer and grabbing the front of his jacket. “So you’d have to kiss me.”

He raised a brow, cupped her cheek, and kissed her slow and warm, the kind of kiss that melted winter right off her skin. When he pulled back, she was breathless and flushed.

And smirking.

Jason narrowed his eyes. “You’ve got more of them hidden, don’t you.”

“…No.”

“Pen.”

“…Inconclusive.”

“Penelope.”

She darted away — and Jason knew that was his answer.

“Penelope!” he called, stomping after her.

She squealed and ran, only for him to catch her in the hallway, pinning her gently to the wall.

Hanging above her?

Another mistletoe.

She grinned smugly. “Funny running into this one, huh?”

Jason shook his head, a laugh rumbling out of him as he leaned in and kissed her again — messy and playful this time, her giggles warm against his mouth.

When they pulled apart, Jason said, “Okay, where’s the rest?”

“…the bathroom.”

“…the kitchen.”

“…the bedroom.”

Jason stared at her, resigned. “How many did you buy?”

“A reasonable number.”

“How many?”

“…Twenty.”

“TWENTY?!”

She shrugged. “They came in a pack. It was economical.”

Jason groaned into her shoulder. “I married a menace.”

“That you did,” she chirped happily, grabbing his hand. “Now come on! We’ve got nineteen more kisses to get through.”

“Nineteen? You kissed me twice already.”

“No, no — that one was a bonus. Doesn’t count.”

“Oh my god.”

But he let her drag him anyway.

Because she was glowing with joy, and he’d follow that brightness anywhere.

Even through a minefield of mistletoe.

Even when she proudly pointed at one hanging from a ceiling fan and said, “Look! If we stand here and turn the fan on high, we can get SEVEN kisses in one spin!”

“Penny—no.”

“Yes.”

“You’re going to kill yourself.”

“Worth it.”

“Jesus—”

And then she pulled him in by his sweater and kissed him again, warm and soft and entirely too sweet.

Jason melted — as he always did.

“Fine,” he mumbled against her lips. “Lead the way, elf.”

Penny beamed and tugged him toward the next trap.

He let himself be dragged.

Because it was Christmas.

Because she loved it.

Because he loved her.

And if she wanted twenty mistletoe kisses?

He’d give her twenty.

And then some.

Chapter Text

Wayne Manor had survived many things—villains, explosions, demons, alien invasions—but nothing could have prepared it for Penny Todd armed with mistletoe.

Jason had already endured the ambush earlier (and loved every second of it), but she had promised:

“I’m gonna spread the festive love to everyone. Even Bruce.”

Jason had wished them luck.

He’d meant it genuinely.

Dick — The Acrobat vs. The Spidery Speedster

Dick was walking through the Manor humming Christmas songs, balancing a stack of presents on one arm, when Penny dropped from the ceiling like a cheerful holiday bat.

“DICK! HOLD STILL!”

He yelped and nearly dropped all the gifts.

“WHY—Penny, WHAT—?!”

She held up a sprig of mistletoe.

He sighed dramatically.

“Ah. I see. I have been targeted.”

Penny leaned up on her toes—Dick bent down without hesitation—and she kissed his cheek brightly.

“Happy holidays, big brother!”

He blinked, then grinned so big his dimples appeared.

“Awwww, Penny! You’re adorable. Did Jason get one?”

Penny smirked. “He got many.”

Dick whispered, eyes wide with mock horror, “Is he still alive?”

“For now!”

Tim — Too Tired to React Properly

Tim was at the kitchen island, hoodie on, cup of coffee in hand, eyes only 30% open.

Perfect target.

Penny approached, mistletoe dangling above her head.

“Tim,” she said gently.

“Mm?”

“Look up.”

He obeyed… slowly… then stared at the mistletoe without a flicker of emotion.

“Oh,” he said flatly. “Affection ambush.”

She kissed his forehead.

Tim blinked slowly, then sighed contentedly.

“Nice. Thanks. That was great. Good job.”

“…Are you going back to sleep?” Penny asked.

Tim nodded.

She draped a blanket over him before he slumped forward onto the counter.

Damian — The Warrior Who Pretends He Isn’t Soft

Damian was brushing Alfred the cat when Penny tip-toed in.

She held the mistletoe up.

He narrowed his eyes immediately.

“Woman. No.”

“Yes.”

“No.”

“Yes.”

“Penelope Todd—”

“Damian Wayne—”

She moved faster than his reflexes anticipated, planted a kiss on his forehead, and dashed out of reach.

Damian sat frozen, offended at his own inability to dodge… yet unmistakably pink-cheeked.

Alfred the cat meowed approvingly.

“Tt. Et tu, feline?”

Cass — The Silent Acceptance

Cass noticed the mistletoe before Penny even entered the room. Her eyes sparkled with amusement.

“You want a hug?” Cass asked softly.

“I want holiday affection,” Penny corrected.

Cass stepped forward and pressed a gentle, warm kiss to Penny’s cheek before Penny could even raise the mistletoe properly.

Penny melted into her arms.

Cass hugged her tight, rocking her slightly.

“You warm,” Cass murmured.

“You’re perfect.”

Cass smiled.

Stephanie — Chaos Meets Chaos

Steph spotted the mistletoe and immediately shrieked:

“MISTLETOE ATTACK!! EVERYONE SCATTER!!”

She tried to run.

Tried.

Penny web-yanked the back of her sweater (just a tiny line, nothing visible), pulling her backwards into a laughing heap.

“Mwah!” Penny kissed her cheek triumphantly.

Steph dramatically threw herself onto the floor.

“I’ve been MISTLETOE-ED! I'm too beautiful to die!”

“You’re ridiculous,” Penny snorted.

“Jason married a gremlin.”

“He sure did,” Penny said proudly.

Duke — The Most Calm Reaction

Duke was adjusting lights near the staircase when Penny approached.

“Mistletoe?” he asked dryly.

“Mistletoe,” she confirmed.

He leaned down.

She kissed his cheek gently.

Duke smiled—soft, warm, genuinely pleased.

“You’re like… holiday cheer in human form.”

Penny beamed. “Thank you!”

“Don’t tell Jason I said that.”

“No promises!”

Alfred — The Gentleman’s Courtesy

Penny hesitated before approaching the butler.

“Is this allowed?” she whispered.

Alfred smiled that warm, fatherly smile.

“My dear, I have survived the family’s holiday shenanigans for decades. A kiss on the cheek is hardly the most shocking thing.”

Penny bowed dramatically, holding the mistletoe high.

Alfred leaned in, let her kiss his cheek, then patted her hand.

“Most delightful, Mrs. Todd.”

Penny blushed.

Being approved by Alfred was always the ultimate win.

Bruce — The Final Boss

Bruce was reviewing paperwork by the fire when Penny stood before him with the mistletoe.

He lifted one eyebrow.

“Let me guess,” he said. “Holiday tradition?”

“Holiday affection!” Penny chirped.

He sighed like a man with 50 years of vigilante trauma.

“…Very well.”

She kissed his cheek delicately.

Bruce froze.

Silent.

Processing.

Then softened—just slightly, but enough to be seen.

“You’re family,” he said quietly.

“And you’re stuck with me,” she grinned.

Jason, leaning in the doorway, muttered, "She got him. The mistletoe demon got him.”

Bruce glared. Penny giggled.

Later that evening, Penny dropped onto the couch, exhausted from spreading love like a festive menace.

Jason sat beside her, arm around her.

“You done terrorising everyone?"

“Mmhm,” Penny hummed. “They are all kissed.”

“Good,” he whispered, pulling her into his chest. “But I’m still your favourite.”

“Always.”

He kissed her nose.

She kissed his jaw.

They cuddled under a soft red blanket as snow fell outside Wayne Manor.

The family bustled around them—warm, loud, chaotic, safe.

And Jason watched Penny glow in the firelight, thinking:

I married the holiday spirit itself.

And he wouldn’t have it any other way.