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Jason walks up to the piece of paper pinned to the corkboard in the theatre break room. He runs his fingers down the paper skimming over the names till he reaches his own.
‘Todd, Jason - Atticus Finch.’
Just great. Jason Todd, Crime Lord Red Hood by night billionaire son by day, is playing the most golden retriever character in the entire play.
The universe has to be playing some sort of comical joke on him, Jason is supposed to be cold, serious and non-inviting, not happy, energetic and clingy!?
Let me- the author- tell you (!) how this happened.
.
A month earlier inside the manor's kitchen, Jason is currently hiding away from everyone, but more importantly he's hiding from Bruce. Recently he's been getting on every nerve possible, especially with him trying to be more parental towards him, Jason shudders at the thought of that.
“Master Jason, perhaps you should consider finding a place of interest outside of the manor.” Alfred says, glancing back slightly as he moves around the kitchen to make the family's lunch.
“Kicking me out already Alf?” Jason says with mock hurt placing a hand against his chest, “You wound me, you truly do.”
Alfred rolls his eyes with fond exasperation, “Now, now Master Jason I could never, you truly are too dear to me”
“Way to ruin the moment Alfred by getting sappy.” Jason grumbles dropping his head into his hands.
“My apologies, Master Jason.” Alfred says with a smile. “If I may?”
“Go ahead Alf, you don't need to ask permission, you know that.” Jason grumbles once more.
“Apologies again Master Jason.” Alfred says with a smile, “A theatre in metropolis is showing ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’. With you being such a fond boy of literature and one to be dramatic, I feel you should go and audition. You would do well.”
“Alfie! I am not dramatic, I brood there's a difference” Jason says with a mock offended gasp as he whips his head up.
“Master Jason, you are being rather dramatic at this moment in time” Alfred says, glancing at him with an exasperated look.
“Right, right the play. You say it's To Kill A Mockingbird?” Jason asks.
“That is quite right Master Jason it is.” Alfred confirms as he slides some chopped basil into the bowl.
“Yeah, send me the address and I'll check it out.” Jason says happily before hesitating slowly, “Thanks Alfie.”
“No problem my dear boy.”
A week later Jason is outside the Metropolis Central Theatre, phone in his hand as he double checks the date. God, why did he let Alfred convince him to do this again?
Jason refused to tell anyone else in his family what he was doing in Metropolis. As far as they're all concerned he's staying with his best friend- who's secretly his boyfriend, Clark who he nicknamed ‘K’.
(Author's note: Superboy Prime is Clark. NOT Superman. Jason nicknamed Clark ‘K’ due to also being called Kal-El. Just to clear this up!!!)
He glances at his phone again with a nervous bite of the lip. As he's glancing down he gets a notification.
‘My Jay, I love you but hesitating outside of the theatre will do jack shit for yourself if you wanna get a role in this play. Go in. You've got this.
-Your K ♡’
Jason rolls his eyes, of course Clark is spying on his heartbeat, listening in on how panicky heartbeat. He's not surprised, Clark is rather possessive of him and it goes both ways.
He takes a deep breath before pushing forward and opening the theatre doors. There's a good few people for the audition but he's not worried that there's not going to be enough people because the auditions are spread out over three days.
The lady who was dealing with the audience of people auditioning walks up to Jason looking bored, “Name and age?”
Jason blinks, “Jason Todd, I'm uh- 19?”
“You don't sound so sure of that. You sure you're 19 hun?” The lady looks up with a teasing grin.
“Yeah, sorry ma'am." Jason apologizes as he rubs the back of his head.
"No need to call me ma'am hun, the name Jolene. Head on over there with this script and we'll call you up when we're ready for you." The lady- Jolene says passing him the sheet.
It's labelled with blocky letters on one side saying 'Audition sheet #13 character: unspecified background.' Thank the lord for that, he doesn't want some big flashy role, he'll happily just slink to the back and only have like three or four lines.
He takes a seat near the back of the room in the corner, old habits never die hard especially when it comes to sitting in a room with strangers. His phone buzzes again, it's Clark again checking in. Possessive bastard- But Jason can't stop the smile that creeps his way into his face.
'You okay? Still at the auditions right? I swear my bee that I will drag your ass back there if I have to.
- K ♡'
Jason continues to grin even when he reads the threat, his boyfriend is just like him, he's perfect.
'Still there. Just waiting to be called on. Gotta go so I'll be radio silent for an hour. I'll call you when I get out, promise.
- J'
Jason is so happily consumed with his phone that even his instincts fail to notify him of the man not so subtly walking up to him.
"Hey man can I ask you a question?" He says startling Jason out of whatever trance he was put into.
Jason's face immediately twists back into his glum, drowning face. "Whatdya want?"
"Well- you were all alone over here and you seemed to be fairly confident so I was wondering if you could help me act because I really want to do well." He asks nervously as he rubs the back of one ankle with his foot.
Metropolitan people are way too trusting to strangers; Jason forces his muscles to tense to prevent a shiver creeping up his back
"Hn." He grunts in response, "What character are you auditioning for?" He asks.
"Oh- uh I think his name is Finch." The man answers unsurprisingly unsure. Did he not seriously know the own character he was auditing for?
"Atticus Finch, that's what his name is." Jason corrects taking the paper rather forcefully- Alfred would be disappointed in him. Jason shakes off that feeling.
"So you'll help me?" The man says happily, a grin breaking through his upset expression. Jason's going soft he swears.
"Yeah, sure, fine." Jason mumbles scanning over the text. It's majorly simple really. "It's Finch's closing statement for the end of his case."
"Do you think you could act it out for me so I can watch and learn?" The man asks, sitting beside him.
"Hn." Jason grunts as he stands up. This isn't the audition meaning he can have a little fun with this right? Yeah.
Jason relaxes his shoulders and pulls his glasses out of his pocket. He doesn't need the sheet. He memorised the speech ages ago when he was younger before he died. He thought it was very inspirational especially for its time in The Civil Rights movement.
"To begin with. This case should never have come to trial," Jason begins raising his arm as if he were motioning to the court room.
"The state has not produced one iota of medical evidence of the crime Tom Robinson is charged with, it never took place." He announces pulling a frown that could perfectly match what he thought Finch looked like during this speech.
"It has relied, instead, upon the testimony of two witnesses whose evidence has not only been called into serious question on cross-examination, but has been flatly contradicted by the defender, that there is circumstantial evidence to indicate that Mayella Ewell was beaten savagely by someone who led almost exclusively with his left."
He moves his arms side to side as he talks, motioning to the space around him.
Jason pauses to take a breath and grimace as he thinks back to how black people were treated. He doesn't notice how the theatre has gone silent to watch his mini performance in the corner.
"And Tom Robinson now sits before you having taken the oath with the only good hand he possesses." He says whilst simultaneously walking a few steps and lowering his left hand, but keeping his right hand up.
"I have nothing but pity in my heart for the chief witness for the state; she is the victim of cruel poverty and ignorance." He says holding both hands over his heart with genuine pity over his face before he glances at the man he's showing how to act for and changes for sympathy to continue the scene.
"Now pity does not extend so far as to putting a man's life at stake. What she has done in an effort to get rid of her own guilt, I say kill the gentlemen because it was guilt that motivated her, she's committed no crime." He pauses, his face becoming stern and he points at the man again.
"she has merely broken a rigid and time-honored code of our society. A code so severe that whoever breaks it, is as hounded from our midst and is unfit to live with. She must destroy the evidence of her offence." He swipes his hand across the air to make his point clear despite this not being his actual audition, this is fun.
"But what was the evidence of her offence? Tom Robinson a human being, she must put Tom Robinson away from her, Tom Robinson was to her a daily reminder of what she did. Now what did she do?" He glances to his left only now noticing the silence in the theatre and the amount of people there that are just watching them.
"She has tempted a black man. She was white and she tempted a black man. She did something in our society that is unspeakable. She kissed a black man, not an old uncle but a strong young black man." He finally finishes the page of the audition speech.
Huh. Finch's was much longer than he was expecting- oh, wait... Jason didn't realise but the audition speech only went to about the end of the first paragraph, the rest he did from memory and by the silence of the theatre no one expected it.
A slow clap starts before everyone slowly starts to join in. Jason can feel the flush creeping up his neck. Maybe he got too into the role but he was enjoying himself so it doesn't matter.
"My, Jason, that was just beautiful!" Jolene squeaks happily from across the room ducking her head so she can wipe away a tear.
"You're a good actor son, what role are you going for?" The man who was sitting in front of him- the man who had asked him to show him how to act the scene out- asks.
"Oh probably just a background character or something." Jason grumbles, still rather quite embarrassed he was caught acting the complete opposite of how he usually is. A flush creeps its way up his neck from embarrassment.
He's a black cat. Atticus Finch is a golden retriever. It's a fact.
(Authors note: We all know Jason is secretly a golden retriever deep deep deep down and only for Clark- Superman Prime not Superman- and Alfred.)
A murmur of shock and astonishment falls over the crowd, they can't believe Jason is only going for a background character when he's so good.
"Your good kid, don't hold yourself back." The man in front of him stands up clapping him on the shoulder which he only just manages to hide a flinch. "Okay! Everyone! Get back to practicing, you all still have to audition!" He finally manages to shout across the loud room, silencing it instantly.
The man walks past Jason and goes to the table stationed at the front of the room by the stage.
Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck- The man he just acted for? Was the fucking producer. How didn't he notice it? The man was smirking the entire time Jason was doing the speech.
Jason walks up to Jolene, "Hey you okay? You looked like you were crying." He shrugs unsurely, he's never done well with emotions. He can only just about say 'i love you' to Clark.
"Oh, yes honey I'm fine thank you! Your acting was just beautiful- trust me the tears were happy not sad." Jolene says happily, "May I hug ya hun?"
Jason pauses, she's asking permission to hug him? To touch him? He hesitantly nods in response and Jolene slowly pulls him into a hug keeping it loose in case he pulls back at any time but he doesn't, instead he hugs her back.
Jolene smells like sweet, warm vanilla with a hint of lavender.
"You're a nice boy, hun, you could do many a great things in your life if you push yourself to do much greater things." Jolene whispers into his ear, pressing a motherly kiss to his forehead. She pulls back and wipes another tear away, "My how you remind me of my boy, he passed four years ago. My little Joey."
"Oh." Jason's face softens, "I'm so sorry.'
"Nah don't be sorry honey that's just silly. Now you run along home . I can tell you don't wanna stay much longer. I think your little performance does your audition well." Jolene reassured brushing his hair back and tucking it slightly behind his ear.
"Here Jolene, you have my number and you can message me any time. I'd love to have some coffee with you sometimes." He says awkwardly holding out a small piece of paper with his phone number jotted down.
"Thanks honey. Now off you go. Tell your partner he's a lucky one." She says with a knowing wink.
"How do you-" He asks confused. He never mentioned having a partner.
"Mother's intuition." She says tapping the side of her head, "You don't just smile at your phone like that for no reason."
Jason gives her one last hug, this time he initiated it before running off out the theatre.
.
That leads to what happened about a month later. Jason's eyes widen in shock, he aims to become a simple background character but no. Fate had it different. He was chosen to be one of the main characters. He was chosen to be Atticus Finch.
He should be proud, he was sure that several people had auditioned for him but he got him for just showing how to act? That confused him.
It was on his mind the next day when he was in bed with the warm body wrapped around him with his t-shirt back to his bare chest.
"Babe. You're thinking real loud, what's on that mind of yours?" Clark asks, hiding his face in the crook of Jason's neck, keeping his eyes closed and pressing a quick, soft, kiss there as well.
"Just confused, that's all." Jason mumbles in response leaning back in response to the warm touch.
“Anything I can do babe?” He asks sleepily against him.
“No… I don't think so.” Jason responds by fiddling with his hands before pausing, could Kar actually help though? Maybe if Jason asked he would help him act and prepare for the character. “Hey K?”
“Hey Jay?” He mirrors back like a mockingbird, “What's up?”
“Do you think you could… like help me prepare for this character?” Jason asks hesitantly, he knows Clark will help him but Jason has trust issues so he needs to hear it verbally.
“Of course I will, baby. We can practise once we get up.” His boyfriend mumbles into his shoulder pressing another kiss there before drifting back into the half awake and half asleep state.
It's peaceful for a moment, then the clatter of nails clicks down the hallway as the great caucasian shepherd comes running down the hallway. Jason instinctively tenses as his dog jumps onto the bed spreading himself over the pair.
“Morning to you too, Fenrir.” Jason says as he scratches behind Fenrir's ear warning him a growl in greeting. “You hungry boy? Is that why you came to get us, huh?” Another growl in response to Jason's question, Fenrir is a vocal dog after all.
“Babe. We havta get up, dogs giving us commands.” Jason says twisting his body around so he's facing Kar instead of having him be spooned.
“Five more minutes..” Clark mumbles wrapping himself around Jason even more.
“If you don't get up now I'm stealing Fenrir and he gets to stay at the manor with me for a week.” Jason threatens- he knows Clark can only stay away from Fenrir for only three days in a row before he comes to find him so it's a suitable threat.
Clark immediately whips his head up from Jason's neck and flares down at his face, Jason smirks and presses a quick kiss to his lips before sliding out of bed.
“Oh you don't get to threaten that and walk away!” Clark says loudly groaning into the pillow as Jason walks through the doorway into the kitchen with Fenrir following behind him.
Clark soon gets up and follows him into the kitchen holding him from behind as Jason preps Fenrir's dog bowl. He places his mouth on that one sensitive spot Jason has at the base of his neck and starts to press a dark hickey into his skin.
Jason unconsciously tilts his head so Clark can have a better access to his neck as he pours in some water to the dry kibble.
Clark pulls back just as Jason goes to set the dog bowl on the floor. Clark grins proudly at himself for marking up what's his, and it only widens when Jason grumbles a swear after looking in the mirror.
.
A day later when Jason's returned to the manor to tell Alfred the news about how he's been casted for the play, he's walking through the hallway to get to the kitchen when he runs into Dick.
“Hey Jay, where’ve you been these past few days?” He asks cautiously, eyeing him up and down, he always looks like he's ready to take Jason down if he's done something bad, Jason hates it. He wishes they could just trust him to do something without a crime being involved- well unless gay sex was a crime then he didn't do anything illegal.
“Out.” Jason replies with one word as he brushes past him. Dick's eyes widen in surprise at the dismissal but trails after him anyway.
“Out, where? Come on Little wing, I'm just curious.” Dick tries again.
“Out with a friend, Dickhead. Now leave me alone” Jason says not caring to glance at him. He just wanted to go to the kitchen in peace and talk to Alfred. Why was that so difficult?
“But-” Dick's interrupted.
“Master Dick, Master Jason has politefully tried to leave the conversation multiple times.” Alfred buts in, opening the door to the kitchen with a stern look in his face. “I suggest you run along now Master Dick.”
“Yes Alfie.” Dick concedes before walking off down the hallway.
“Thanks Alf.” Jason says almost instantly relaxing as he steps into the kitchen and takes his usual place at the counter.
“How did the audition go my dear boy?” Alfred asks with the curious look in his eye.
“Well it went … good I guess?” Jason says phrasing it in a way because he is unsure, after all he got a role he didn't even audition for.
“Do elaborate won't you, Master Jason?” Alfred asks serving a platter of biscuits and tea before joining and sitting himself next to him.
“I got one of the main roles- Atticus Finch.” Jason reluctantly admits.
“Ah that is quite pleasant Master Jason.” Alfred says, taking a sip of his cup of tea before placing it down on his placemat.
“Is it Alf- I mean me? The crime lord by night, who's mean and kills people, is playing a sunshine character who looks after two kids and is a lawyer!” Jason exclaims as he bites into a biscuit, “I mean, seriously! Fate has doomed me!” He says dramatically waving the half eaten biscuit in the air.
“Now now Master Jason, You are being rather dramatic. You are much alike to Finch, more than you know. Red Hood may not be like Finch, but Jason Todd is.” Alfred corrects, raising a blatant eyebrow at Jason's dramatics.
“You really think so?” Jason asks, confused.
“Yes lad I'm sure. You will be an amazing Finch.” Alfred reassures, “If you want Master Jason I can help you with your practice. As well as your boyfriend will be doing, I'm sure.”
Jason goes pink faced, his hand immediately flying up to his neck to cover the hickey. “Shit, I forgot about that.”
“I would've guessed so, Master Jason. May I suggest an idea with your role? One you may quite enjoy as it involves your family.” Alfred says with that kind smile that Jason portrays as mischief.
“What's your idea?”
.
It's been a month since Jason has been casted for the role of Atticus Finch, his family is none the wiser he's doing a play and Alfred's plan is fucking genius. He suggested method acting! Why didn't Jason think of that? It's definitely confusing his family after all.
Jason giddily walks into the dining room, he's once again been invited for weekly dinner at the manor and for once, Jason has decided to come.
“Afternoon.” Jason says cheerfully, sliding into his seat beside Damian at the far end. He ignores the look of shock on many of his family members' faces.
“Hey Little wing!” Dick chirps happily, he's glad to see Jason being in such a good mood… He's glad he's actually joining in with the family. “What’ve you been up to lately?”
“Well I've been doin’ a helluva lot.” Jason begins, “I've been taking my dog- Fenrir out for a walk most days and meetin’ up with my friend for coffee. He loves my dog and I swear he's just using me for him.”
“You have a dog Todd?” Damian asks, perking up as much as a trained assassin does when showing what little emotion.
“Yup! I do!” Jason proudly boasts, "He's a Caucasian shepherd, you wanna see a pic Dami?”
“Can I?” Damian asks, despite it being offered. He's acting more like his age for once, something in Jason can't help but soften at that despite the method acting, Jason is happy to see Damian actually interested in Jason's life.
Jason's response is to whip out his phone and open his gallery, if he's honest most pictures of Fenrir are stupid ones or semi-normal but with Clark. That might be confusing to explain but Jason doesn't care, he's method acting. He settles on a picture of Fenrir sitting on top of Clark acting innocent.
Jason can see Damian struggling to contain his coos and awes. “The Dog is acceptable Todd. I must meet him soon.”
“Awh Jasonnn.” Dick whines from across the table, “You can't show the demon brat pictures of your dog without showing me! I didn't even know you had a dog!”
“None of us did Dick.” Bruce says suspiciously. He's peering over his clasped hands at Jason as if he's directing him piece by piece.
Jason turns to Dick ignoring Bruce because he doesn't care about his comment. “Sure Dickie,” Jason passes his phone over the table to Dick. He leaves his phone completely unlocked, to the point Dick could exit and go through all of his messages with anyone.
Dick seems to glow with the nickname, and when Jason hands him his phone unguarded it's as if the sun had entered the room. Dick glances up at Jason and grins at him and is surprised to get a grin back.
“Fenrir is so adorable- by uh who's this?” Dick asks flipping the phone to point at the man in the photo with Fenrir. “Why does he look like a younger version of Clark?”
“Oh that's ‘cus he is Clark- It's this whole thing he's Clark from another universe and he's known as Superboy Prime. He's like my best friend! He looks after Fenrir for me when I'm here in Gotham!”
“Moving past that,” Tim tiredly says rubbing his temples, “Jay I have this literature essay I've gotta write, I was wondering if you'd help me?”
“Sure! What's it on, kid?” Jason asks.
“I think it's The Great Gatsby.”
“Oh I loved that book! Total favourite but it doesn't beat Pride and Prejudice or To Kill a Mockingbird!” Jason exclaims happily, he doesn't even realise the fact he's not method acting anymore he's just genuinely being himself, being who he was … before he died.
Dick notices this, Alfred- who's been in the corner notices this. More importantly Jason is actually happy and settling in with his family once more, despite all of this supposedly being for show.
The family dinner isn't as quiet as it would be with Jason there, instead it's louder. It's full of laughter, and storytelling- mostly from Jason.
Alfred even managed to crack a smile when he sees Jason taking part and being the most talkative person there.
Tim- well he's attempting to take part in the conversation but he's half asleep and more or less slumping against Jason. About halfway through the dinner Tin ended up moving to sit on the other side of Jason.
Dick seems to be the one taking part with talking to Jason the most, seeing as the youngest there Damian is rather happily situated with Jason's phone looking at pictures of his dog.
It was picture perfect, apart from the brooding bat at the head of the table who is glaring daggers that seem to scream 'i don't trust you' at Jason.
Jason doesn't care, he ignores him because he shouldn't blame Dick, Tim and Damian for the shit that Bruce put him through. For the batarang that sliced his throat open.
Maybe just maybe he'll be able to have a normal relationship with his brother's, if they can even be considered that after Bruce disowned Jason.
Footsteps come running down the hallway, the frantic sound of sneakers alerting the whole room to an incoming Duke.
"B!" Duke shouts sliding past the door into the room before backtracking to run in, "Police found a crime scene, Gordon said something about it looking like a Code Red and to get you."
The room tenses, everyone there- minus Duke and including Jason knows what a Code Red is. It means that he killed someone, he being Red Hood or Jason.
Tim slowly stands up, he's eyeing Jason cautiously as if he is this fragile object that might lose it's grip on sanity if it's looked at wrong. Tim pushes back his chair and moves to stand on the opposite side of the table behind Dick.
Damian soon follows.
Jason just sits there frozen, his hands paused on his legs. His hands in fists gripping at his pants to keep himself from hurting someone, or himself.
"Jay..." Dick says quietly standing up from his chair, once he's standing he positions it so Tim and Damian are positioned better behind him.
"Just don't." Jason rasps pushing his chair backwards. He shouldn't have come, "I shouldn't have come here. It was a mistake and it'll never happen again. Sue me for wanting one born family dinner without Bruce glaring at me the whole time."
“Come on Jaylad, let's just stick to the protocol and come down to the cave.” Bruce stands up calmly pushing his chair back.
“Fuck protocol.” Jason practically growls, “I came here to be social, I was finally getting comfortable. I showed you my dog. What a mistake.”
Bruce moves to walk around the table towards Jason, “Jaylad. We'll sort this out. Just come to the cave and let us keep an eye on you.”
“Keep an eye on me!?” Jason scoffs, “You just want to fucken’ lock me up! You think I'm a monster- a- a mistake! You're right Bruce I'm not your fucken’ son!? I'm just the failure in your eyes, I'm always going to be the failure… Fuck you. Fuck you and this shitty family.”
With each word Jason steps towards Bruce and jabs a finger into his chest. Then Jason steps around him quicker than anyone can react and storms out of the room. Everyone's still shocked at what Jason actually said to move and chase after him.
Alfred is walking down the hallway as Jason storms out, he calmly placed the tray of teas into the side table, “Master Jason?”
“Not now Alfie. Code Red, I'm doing a runner- it wasn't me you gotta believe me.” Jason mumbles his head dropping, a habit he picked up when he would attempt to hide the way his eyes are glowing green from rage.
“I quite frankly believe you Master Jason, you have been working rather diligently on your performance of Atticus Finch to have enough time to be murdering people.” Alfred reassures placing a hand on Jason's shoulder.
“Thanks Alf.” Jason drops his head onto Alfred's shoulder, acting his age of just nineteen for once, “I'm scared Alf, I've been worken’ so goddamn hard. They keep looking at me like that.”
“I know lad, I shall distract them whilst you call that boyfriend of yours to pick you up,” Alfred reassures. “You will stay in Metropolis until your play and then you can come back. I shall keep them off your track until then. You deserve a break Master Jason.”
“Thanks Alf, you're the best.” Jason concedes, “I know I don't say it enough but I love ya Alf.”
“And I, you, Master Jason.” Alfred pulls away, “Now off you pop to Metropolis, your boyfriend is outside waiting for you.”
“Uh- how?” Jason asks, before he glances outside and sees Clark with his big goofy grin waving at him from outside. “Oh that's how…”
“Have fun Master Jason, use protection.”
“What the fuck Alfie!” Jason immediately flusters before running off in shame and embarrassment.
When Jason is out of the manor and presumably on his way already to Metropolis, Alfred picks up his tray and begins his walk to the dining room once more.
That is once more interrupted as Bruce comes walking out of sed room, “Alfred have you seen Jason?”
“You just missed him, Master Bruce.” Alfred says feigning confusion at the question. “To what could he be of assistance?”
“It was a Code Red Alfred, you shouldn't have let him go.” Bruce partially snaps at Alfred which in response Alfred tuts.
“Do not snap at me Master Bruce, I have you know I raised you therefore you should treat me with respect.” Alfred chides before walking past him.
“Do you at least know where he's disappeared off to again Alfred?” Bruce reluctantly asks despite the telling off. Alfred simply ignores him and continues to walk into the dining room with his tray of tea.
.
“B I literally cannot find him anywhere, he hasn't shown up on any cameras in the surrounding area and Red Hood hasn't been spotted on patrol in weeks!” Dick shouts pacing in front of the batcomputer. He's been attempting (and failing) to track Jason and see where he is.
Tim rolls his eyes from his perch on the desk, “Pacing isn't going to do anything Big bird. Can you please sit down? You're making me dizzy from just walking back and forth.”
“Sorry Tim Tam.” Dick apologised wincing in sympathy as he pauses his pacing to sit on a desk chair.
Cass taps on the side to get their attention, ‘Maybe he doesn't want to be found.’ She signs slowly making sure everyone got what she was signing.
“Yeah but Cass, he needs to be brought in. He killed someone and went back on our agreement. They were the rules.” Dick argues back quietly.
‘But what if he didn't kill? He acted pretty shocked when Duke came in and said Code Red?’ Cass signs once more, arguing in side of Jason.
“Enough.” Bruce's booming voice echoes through the cave as he steps forward from leaning against the batcar. “No matter whether he did it or not, he refused to partake in what the protocol needed. Therefore he still needs to be taken in. It doesn't matter that it's been a month since he's disappeared and the murder was a month and three days ago he failed to partake so he must face consequences.”
“I believe Father is right, In the league punishments were taken seriously.” Damian unnecessarily adds on to Bruce's statement.
“May I suggest we stop arguing for a moment sirs?” Alfred walks in with his tray with teas and biscuits on.
“Heya Alfred.” Dick greets with a two fingered salute.
“Pennyworth.”
“Good evening Alfred.” Bruce greets, he and Alfred have been rather sour with each other since Jason ran and was put in hiding.
“Good evening all.” Alfred greets back placing the tray down and motioning for everyone to grab a cup of tea and some biscuits, which everyone with due diligence does.
“Now that we all are in the same room, might I suggest a break for this manhunt to do a family activity?”
“What would this family activity be Alfred?” Dick questions with a tilt of his head.
“I suggest we all go watch a play, there is one in Metropolis I have been fancying to see and what a perfect opportunity for when you all need a break from a case?” Alfred suggests with that twinkle in his eye.
“A play is for children Pennyworth and we are not children,” Damian remarks, going to pick up a case file from beside Dicks seat.
“Dami.” Dick chides gently, “Plays aren't for kids, Usually it's adults who go to these sorts of things.”
“Tt.”
“Sounds like an excellent idea Alfred, When is the play?” Bruce asks, placing the cowl onto the table.
“Today at nine, get ready sirs. I expect you in tip top shape in the next-” Alfred checks his watch, it's currently six forty five, “thirty minutes, then we shall be off to Metropolis
“Metropolis!?” Dick squarks, almost falling off the desk before catching himself.
“Quite right Master Dick, run along now, Gotham will survive a night without you.” Alfred says, ushering everyone out of the cave.
When everyone is out Alfred smiles up at the camera, knowing that from the clock tower Barbara is watching.
“Hello Ms Barbara.” Alfred speaks aloud before waiting for a response.
“Hey Alfred,” Babs voice comes through the speakers before her symbol appears on the batcomputer, “I know what your doing by the way.”
“I would expect nothing less Ms Barbara.”
“The idiots really need to communicate better, keep an eye on my robin won't ya Alfie?” Barbara asks the concern lacing her voice, “Jason… he's stubborn but he's opening up to me and you and his boyfriend. He needs to trust the rest of the bats- and they need to trust him too.”
“I know Ms Barbara, keep an eye on Gotham whilst we're gone. I've granted Spoiler and Signal permission to patrol if anything goes wrong.”
“Okay, have fun Alfie, don't let them eat eachother!”
.
Okay, to say Jason is nervous is one thing, to say he's excited is another.
He's vibrating backstage chatting to the children who are supposed to be Dem, Scout and Jem and sneakily passing them sweets.
To say he's grown close to the cast is definitely an understatement, they're their own dysfunctional friend group who are a lot of nerds that spam classic novel references in a group chat.
"Curtains up in five- Last preparations!" Jolene shouts from behind a curtain before stepping out in a drop dead gorgeous dress. "Run along kids to your respective adults me and big Jay are gonna talk." She says ushering the three kids glued to Jason's leg off to their parents.
"Hey Jolene." Jason murmurs softly, looking at the women who's always treated him right.
"Hey hun, how are you feeling? I know you've been working your ass off for this." Jolene asks passing Jason a water bottle, she knows he gets easily dehydrated.
Jason gulps down half the bottle, "I'm- uh I'm definitely nervous that's for one."
"That's normal hun," Jolene reassures, "Hey you mentioned a boyfriend right?" She asks and when Jason hesitantly nods in response she continues, "Why don't you get him up behind curtains, you're not on the first scene so it should be fine."
"Really?' Jason asks shocked, he knows that Jolene- to keep crowding at a minimum- had told everyone that family members, unless you were a child, had to stay away from backstage.
"Of course hun, you need him. I can tell." Jolene reassured once more.
"Thank you so much Jolene, I owe you one." Jason grins happily before running off to a corner so he can call Clark, he may look funky because of his old styled clothes and his pointed shoes but he doesn't care.
"K? Babe, are you here?" Jason calls out to the empty space, within seconds a rush of wind breezes past and in the space of the air Clark stands.
"Hey my love, what's going on?" Clark asks pulling Jason into a hug, not waiting for permission because Clark shows his love by physical touches.
"Jolene said you could stay backstage and be there the first bit of the show until I'm ready to go on. Would you mind waiting with me?" Jason quietly asks, glancing up at him just slightly being hidden by Clark's chest.
"Of course! I would happily do that, you don't even need to ask!" Clark says happily, he picks up Jason and dramatically spins him like they were in some cheesy one shot.
"Fuck, I love you Clark." Jason murmurs, pressing his lips to his boyfriends.
For that one moment the rest of the theatre and the backstage doesn't exist. All either one of them can focus on is each other and the feeling of their bodies pressed against their own.
Clark threads his fingers through Jason's hair pulling him closer, Jason gasps into the kiss at the contact and Clark takes the opening to kiss him deeper.
Jason is the first to pull back and grab Clark by the hand, "Cmon I wanna introduce you to everyone!" He says happily, dragging Clark around the props.
.
Bruce has been biting his tongue the whole way to Metropolis, he is quite frankly pissed that he cannot continue to track down Jason and demand the answers they need as to why that man was murdered- and why many more have died with a similar MO to Red Hood's.
He doesn't like the fact they're going to watch a play in a theatre, yes he may have gotten over his fear of theatres when he was younger but that does not mean they don't bring up sore memories.
Bruce doesn't notice when but at some point Damian- of all his kids- had slipped his hand into Bruce's clutching his hand just as tightly as Bruce is clutching his. Seems like they both have matching feelings to this whole thing.
This isn't even mentioning how suspicious Alfred is acting, he was very adamant that they all come to this exact play. The play in question being 'To Kill A Mockingbird' which coincidentally happened to be one of Jason's favourite books.
Dick seems genuinely excited for this, he doesn't know what the plot of 'To Kill A Mockingbird' is so he just wants to enjoy the drama. He's bouncing as he walks sort of in the middle between Bruce and Alfred
Cass is quiet and is just dirt drifting alongside Alfred, her footsteps not making a sound but Bruce can tell she's rapidly signing stuff to Alfred- who's signing back.
Last but not least, Tim. He looks brain-dead. He's twinkling along behind Alfred but in front of Bruce and Damian. He's looking three minutes away from passing out into Dicks hand before Dick sneakily passes something into his hand. Bruce catches the movement, of course he does he is the one who trained them after all.
Alfred collects their tickets from the front desk before ushering everyone into the room with the seats, he takes off his jacket before folding it nearly and draping it over the back of his chair.
Dick, Tim, Damian's and Cass seem to follow suit almost immediately to Alfred all taking their perches in their previously claimed seats. Bruce reluctantly sits on the farthest towards the middle seat as he was 'banished' there by Dick because he said 'his bad vibes will ruin the show'.
He expects a group of strangers to sit in the seats beside him; what he doesn't expect is the entirety of the Kent's to join them and sit there.
Clark (Superman) throws Bruce a cheeky grin sliding into the seat beside him as Lois, Jon, Conner and even Kara all sit beside him.
Bruce grimaces, this is strange, why are two of The Big Three from the Justice League found in the same exact theatre to watch the same exact show.
It's suspicious.
What's more suspicious is when Dianna walks in, taking up the last space in the row that both the Wayne's and the Kent's were sitting on.
This can't be a coincidence, all three of The Big Three are now sitting in the same theatre watching the same play as it's about to start.
Bruce glances at his kids and then Alfred. His kids look completely normal, if not antsy waiting for the show to start however Alfred. Alfred has the look of mischievousness in his eyes. Bruce knows that look anywhere.
Alfred has intervened, intervened with what? Nobody can ever guess but if Alfred intervened then you know it's serious.
Bruce's paranoia becomes obvious as he watches Alfred silently convene with Dianna through looks and very loose hand gestures.
"Clark, what are you doing here?" Bruce finally relents asking Clark.
"Oh you know, me and the family wanted a night out and this seemed just perfect." Clark replies, his tone implying that he's hiding something. Bruce has known Clark too long for him to be able to lie to him.
Clark definitely knows this because beads of sweat appear on his forehead, that is before Lois stands up and switches seats with him.
Wimp, Bruce thinks, hiding a smirk behind his hand. Maybe this won't be so bad. If all three of The Big Three are here that means literally nothing can go wrong.
"Okay Ladies and Gentlemen!" A voice echoes through the speakers as a stubby ginger walks out from behind the curtain. The theatre goes quiet at her command.
"I would just like to thank all of you for coming! My name is Jolene and tonight is a night for the volunteers who are acting tonight! All donations go towards multiple charities, our main one being Cancer Research. 50% of the income from the drinks and food bought will go towards the charities!
Next on the agenda is the classic safety protocols I have to go through otherwise I get fired by Andrew!" Jolene says with a cheeky smile towards a man standing by a door marked as a fire exit.
Jolene then proceeds to point out all fire exits, first aid places, bathrooms and other safety protocols that the theatre has.
"Okay! We ask that you are respectful to our actors! That means and is not limited to no photos or videos, we politely request that all phones be kept off and on Do Not Disturb until the end and you are given permission to turn them on, secondly please don't shout or throw things at them, you may cause one of them to get distracted and hurt themselves! It is not appreciated!
That is all, thank you and enjoy the show!"
.
The beginning of the show is normal, well as normal as it can be. It's going along the lines of adult Scout and Jem opening it with an argument.
The big game changer is when the flashback starts, and the story really begins.
It's easy for Bruce to get sucked into the plot line. Sue him he likes plays just not when they're about bats or parents being killed or both of them.
Then the actor for Atticus Finch comes out, his lines being perfectly prehersed, in the flesh Jason Todd.
The son who's been missing since the last Code Red was called. Bruce has half a mind to lunge out of his seat there and then to apprehend him but a hand on his arm from Lois and a stern look from Dianna silently telling him, 'If you ruin this for my favourite nephew I will end your life.'
Bruce forces himself to relax his tensed muscles and continue to watch the play, he'll have to apprehend Jason afterwards. Preferably without all the civilian witnesses.
Bruce doesn't know when Jason notices all his family and extended family in the crowd but he powers on like a true Wayne and ignores him. Bruce can't help the small spark of proud that flickers in his chest when he sees the pure joy on Jason's face as he acts.
.
What the fuck. No Jason's not panicking worse he doesn't know what anyone means.
He doesn't know why he just finished a scene and is currently freaking out because his family is in the crowd watching his act.
And it's not just his family, Clark's (Superboy prime) family is there too! As well as Dianna- no but seriously why is Dianna here? Doesn't Wonder Woman have better things to do than watch Jason act.
He's downright confused and doesn't notice the man standing behind him, "Babe you need to breathe before the pit breaks what perfect mask you have glued on today." The reassuring voice of his boyfriend reaches his ears.
"I am, thanks K. Just give me a moment." Jason breathes out practicing the meditation techniques he was taught by Talia before the whispers of the pit eventually quieten.
"Okay, you're on in a minute. I love you and you're doing amazing." Clark whispers, pressing a kiss to Jason's forehead before stepping back, Jason barely takes note of the way his boyfriend is shuffling and fiddling with a box-like object in his pocket.
.
The okay stretched on forever in Bruce's opinion, ever since he saw Jason being Finch he hasn't been able to zone back into the plot and becomes enticed. Instead he's become anxious and fidgety.
"I want to thank you all so much for coming to our Show!" Jolene- if Bruce remembers correctly announces, "We hope you had fun- Now one last thing!"
Bruce is thankful the play is over, he just wants to go home and out into Gotham to patrol and get his mind off this but of course fate had different plans.
"Could Jason Todd please come onto the stage?" Jolene calls out into the backstage.
.
"Could Jason Todd please come onto the stage?" Jolene calls out into the backstage.
Jason freezes when he hears his name, he was halfway through chugging a water bottle and half a dozen pills of pain medication and his boyfriend was nowhere on site.
This is a nightmare level scenario for Jason.
He hesitantly places his water bottle down and walks onto the stage past the curtains.
Jolene offers him a warm smile which he finds himself easily returning despite the concern lacing his heart and his veins.
"Jason, you have been such a big inspiration for us all in the group, so we all thank you for helping us do all of this" Jolene thanks, pulling Jason into a hug which he gladly returns.
"Now before you all leave, I shall leave the mic open to a certain special someone to Jason." Jolene announces once more with a cheeky grin that Jason knows just means chaos is about to happen.
Jolene holds out the microphone to a person behind Jason and he turns to see who's coming up from behind him. His jar nearly drops to the ground as he sees Clark walking up the stage in his slightly fancier everyday clothes and a nervous look on his face.
He glances at Jolene again who gives him a reassuring look. Once Clark manages to take the microphone Jolene scatters off to behind the curtains leaving the stage to them.
"Jason Peter Todd, I am so thankful to be your boyfriend and I hope you know that," Clark says into the microphone and Jason flushes instantly.
"I am so goddamn lucky to be able to arrive at my apartment every day and find your adorable face passed out tired on my couch cuddling with our big rat Fenrir.
I couldn't have asked for a better boyfriend, I have literally broken through time and universes for you and I would do it a thousand times again if it'd mean I'd get to see your face light up with that smile I goddamn love.
I have a past with you, I have you now in the present but I'd like to ask," Clark pauses to get down on one knee and kneel before Jason, he pulls out a velvet box and opens it to reveal a beautiful silver ring with small diamonds encrusted in it all the way around. "Will I get to spend my future with you as well?"
Jason lifts a hand up to his face to wipe away a tear, wait when did he start crying. Fuck, he didn't know people actually cared enough to do this for him.
"Jay?" Clark asks quietly, not in a pushing manner but in a way to ground Jason- it being exactly what he needed because Jason immediately nods his head.
"Yes," He whispers, "Fuck yes I will." He says loudly, pulling Clark up to immediately hug him.
Cheers erupt throughout the entire room, most of the audience on their feet clapping and cheering, Dianna is crying- Wonder Woman is crying because of Jason. The Kent's all look ecstatic- but Jason can't bear himself to look at his family.
Clark manoeuvres himself to be able to slip the ring onto Jason's finger.
"Bastard," Jason managed to whisper at Clark, who just grinned in response before capturing Jason's lips in a kiss he couldn't escape even if he wanted to.
.
Bruce doesn't know how to feel, he just watched the son- the son who's been on the run from him for the last month- get engaged to a man that Bruce didn't even know he was dating let alone that Jason even liked men and now he's just expected to cheer? No, he has questions.
Bruce glances at his children sitting next to him, Dick is crying into Alfred's shoulder who seems to also have glistening eyes. Tim is wide eyed and shocked but also grinning because he's happy for Jason.
Fuck, Jason's engagement also gets Damian to smile.
Alfred the sneaky bastard probably planned this all out with the other Clark. Also Bruce would like to point out that he's really concerned about two men being called Clark Kent.
Nevermind that- Bruce has so many questions, so. goddamn.many but the loom Alfred sends his is enough to stop him from storming to the stage and demanding answers.
After the theatre seems to clear out, the Kent's, Wayne's and Dianna make their way to the stage to congratulate Jason and Clark despite Jason still crying and Clark laughing exponentially at him despite being his fiancée and probably the one at fault for excessive crying.
"Congratulations Jason, you have made me very proud," Dianna congratulates, pressing a kiss to Jason's head and then moving out the way as Dick comes tumbling through the crowd and into Jason.
"I'm so proud Little wing," Dick cries into the shoulder of Jason hugging him tightly to his chest, "I am so sorry please don't ever leave me again I can't handle it!" He whined as Jason rubs circles into his back with his left hand clearly to run it in Because face that he has a fiancé and Bruce never even figured out he had a boyfriend.
Clark is talking to Clark whispers which gives Bruce the perfect opportunity to interrogate Jolene about where Jason has been at the time of the murders, to each date Jolene would respond with the same thing, they were practicing for the play.
.
It's a month after the engagement and Bruce after a week if the cold shoulder finally relaxed and decided to throw a party for them all to celebrate his sins engagement.
He wasn't expecting Jason to show, not really but he did anyway and Bruce is forever grateful for that.
This time Jason didn't only bring Clark with him but his dog as well which Bruce can assume is called Fenrir from the sheer amount of times Damian has complained about not meeting the dog.
"Hey B." Jason says walking up to Bruce, stepping away from his fiancé and dog to talk directly to him.
"Hey Jace." Bruce resounds attempting to not sound awkward.
"Can we talk please? In private?" Jason finally asks motioning to an uninhabited part of the garden, Bruce nods in response and moves there simultaneously with Jason.
"What's wrong Jace?" Bruce asks.
"Before I start I just need you to listen, and then you can scream and shout or whatever, understand?" Jason asks and when Bruce finally nods in response Jason continues,
"B, I am- was really pissed at you. You stopped treating me like I was your kid, you were planning to kick me out and then I ran away and got murdered by the Joker.
I know that fight wasn't your fault; I wasn't exactly the greatest kid to have to deal with and I admit that.
I know I came back to life and started killing people, but since then I've changed. I made an agreement with you and I have yet to break it no matter what you think.
If you believe me then I want to request that we start our relationship over as father and son?"
Bruce doesn't know what to say in response to that, he's just frozen there shocked. Jason didn't say I love you, or I forgive you or I'm sorry but he said all of them in his own special way.
Bruce pulls Jason into a bone crushing hug to hold him close just for a minute.
"Of course I'd love to be a better father-
I hate the fact I can't take back what I said but I love you Jaylad. I always did and always will."
"Good, because I need you to hand me off to Clark