Your Presence That Comforts
Word Count: 3,015
Relationship(s): Rodimus | Rodimus Prime/Jason Todd, Artemis of Bana-Mighdall & Bizarro (DCU) & Jason Todd, Drift | Deadlock & Rodimus | Rodimus Prime, Roy Harper & Koriand'r & Jason Todd
Character(s): Jason Todd, Rodimus | Rodimus Prime, Drift | Deadlock, Koriand'r (DCU), Roy Harper, Artemis of Bana-Mighdall, Bizarro (DCU)
Fandom(s): Red Hood and the Outlaws (Comics), Batman - All Media Types, The Transformers (IDW Generation One), Transformers - All Media Types
Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Crossover, Crossover Pairings, Post-Comic: Red Hood and the Outlaws v2 25 Starting or Ending, Interspecies Relationship(s), First Meetings, Getting Together, Light Angst, Fluff, Ambiguous/Open Ending, In the sense that the fic could continue following the comicsbut it's not, Artemis and Bizarro are only mentioned but are a significant part of the fic
Summary: Jason hadn't expected the odd stranger that wormed his way into his life, not so soon after losing Artemis and Bizarro. Rodimus was a welcome surprise. The fact that he was an alien robot wouldn't change that.
Notes: Takes place after Bizarro and Artemis disappear in RHATO #25 (though pre-RH:O (so he still has the helmet)). I haven't read about Jason in a while, so if his character seems a little off, I'm so sorry! I got inspired when reading 'veto_power_over_clocks''s fic on ao3, and got hooked onto this rare pair.
Find it on ao3 and wattpad, and find more of my works here!
Jason didn't expect this friendship he had gained with Rodimus. It was nice, being able to turn at his side and meet someone else's eyes rather than the cold spot of the ground. Rodimus's eyes were nice to look in too, the inhuman bright blue meeting his Lazarus-stained green.
They had met when Jason was patrolling as Red Hood, thankfully not being tailed by a black or red shadow, a sight that has unwillingly become the norm for him.
He had been doing his usual rounds, though he allowed himself the satisfaction of seeing an empty chair when looking into Black Mask's office. Any day without seeing Roman's face, mask or otherwise, (especially after what he attempted to do with Bizarro) was always a good day.
He had perched himself on the corner of a building, looking over an alleyway common for its lack of surveillance, one of the reasons for its high-crime rates. His attention had drifted when he spotted a flash of red when a figure passed under a street light. His eyes thinned, taking in the stride and posture of the man.
With his clean clothes and shiny hair, the man looked fairly out of place in the dark streets of Gotham, especially around Crime-Alley. His demeanour was joyful almost, a sight much more suitable for Metropolis or Central City, not so much for the miserable city Jason called home.
He looked like a beacon for crime; Jason wouldn't be surprised if he had 'rob me' smeared across his forehead. It would be less obvious than the wealth he flaunted, accidentally or otherwise.
So, after his brief scan over of the man had deemed him non threatening, Jason scaled his way down the building to warn the guy, or at least ask him what the hell he was doing in a place like Crime Alley.
When his boots silently touched the ground, he realised the bright haired man was nowhere to be seen. Jason cursed, he had made a rookie mistake and now when he saw him again, the man would be bleeding and bruised behind a dumpster
...okay, maybe a bit extreme, but Jason wasn't taking any chances.
"Uhm, hi?" A voice asked from being him. Jason had to forcefully stop the full-body flinch he instinctively started, not having sensed a person behind him. He really was acting like a rookie.
He turned around quickly, one hand reaching for the gun in its holster on his hip. His finger rested on the trigger, the others at the ready to draw the weapon if necessary.
"I, uh, sensed- I mean, saw you up there, y'know, looking at me? Wanted to know what that was about?" The stranger asked, looking unsure of himself. He stood in one of the only working streetlights in the alley, though it flickered occasionally, sending them into darkness each time.
Though the light did offer Jason a closer look at the man. His eyes were blue, one of the first things that he spotted, and he swore he could still see them glowing in the darkness. His hair was a mix of red and orange, giving an almost fire-y look to it. His face was speckled with freckles, scattered at his cheeks but closer together around his nose. He looked clean and lively, an oddity for Jason.
"Uh, hello?" The stranger asked again, and Jason realised he hadn't said anything. He wanted to facepalm, he'd never acted like this around a pretty face, and he's friends with Kori.
"What are you doing in Gotham?" Jason demanded, ignoring all of the man's questions. "You stick out like a sore thumb, it's like you're asking to get mugged."
The stranger muttered something under his breath, a puzzled look on his features, but then shook his head. "I live here?" The man asked. He sounded very unsure for a man who supposedly owns a property in the city.
It's times like these where Jason curses himself for choosing a helmet, as the stranger can't see his expression. He's heard a lot of lies during his time, but this one just tops the lot.
"Okay, fine," the stranger sighed, kicking one foot out in such a childish manner that Jason briefly questions his age. "I don't know why I'm here, and I'm lost."
"Here as in the alley?" Jason asked, confused. He sure didn't look lost when Jason was looking at him, he looked comfortable if anything.
"No, here as in Gotham," the stranger emphasised, "I don't know why I'm in this city, I woke up in a field somewhere and drove myself here."
"You have a car?" Jason asked, opting to ignore the rest. He was not qualified to deal with someone with amnesia, he was at his wits end with Bizarro, and at least he knew of the clones deal back then (and he had Artemis (though her help at the time was questionable)). This stranger is foreign territory.
"...yes," the stranger answered, "i do, i can show you?"
Jason wanted to tell him that the chances his car was in one piece was slim, but decided not too. It wasn't his issue if some oblivious outsider was too naive to think of this stuff. So, with a sigh that for sure sounded glitched with his voice-changer, he allowed the stranger to walk him to his car.
For someone who was adamant they were lost, the stranger seemed to know his way back to his vehicle. With every determined step he took, Jason became more and more suspicious. Perhaps the stranger was the bait to lure him into some obscure trap, and Jason was just too blind to see it earlier?
His thoughts were scrapped once they reached their destination, instead replaced by shocked wonder at the shiny red sports car in front of him. There wasn't a scratch or a dent on it, each of its components (even the tyres!) were still intact, and all but gleaming.
"A beauty, right?" The stranger grinned (Jason wouldn't know that Rodimus complimented himself, a fact that made him grimace when he thought about it, until later). "My names Rodimus, by the way."
"Red Hood," Jason offered distractedly, then snapped himself out of it. "Look, because I don't want to see you dead in some alleyway, I'll guide you to the nearest station, where you can get a map and get the hell out of here."
Jason had proceeded to do just that, making sure Rodimus didn't get robbed as he drove, and followed him all the way to the border of the city so he could make sure he left.
Though much to his disappointment, Rodimus would be back, in that same alley, with his car parked in the same spot, the next week, and the week after, and so forth. Jason thought he was crazy, returning back to a city famous for its crime, but Rodimus kept surprising him by coming back.
Somehow, their meet-ups became a common occurrence, something that Jason looked forward to (though he did force Rodimus to start parking in the more safer parts of the city).
Rodimus brought an unwilling companionship that Jason had been scared to make for a long time.
He had it, all the way back with the original Outlaws. Roy and Kori were unexpected, but two of the most profound friendships he had made. Roy occasionally knocked on his door unannounced for an impromptu hang out, and Kori, even if she had joined back up with the Titans, joined them occasionally, though she has a tendency to send him silly animal videos. He wouldn't admit it, but he cherished each message.
Artemis and Bizarro were a more recent duo, though no less important. Each had carved their way into his life in such a short time that it shocked himself. Their time together was brief, but Jason was determined to get them both back. Maybe introduce them to Rodimus if they wanted.
Rodimus filled in the gaps of his heart that he didn't realise were there, healing the loneliness that he once found comfort in, with his alien mannerisms and quirks. He can be too literal at times, taking common sayings seriously when he shouldn't. It reminded Jason an awful lot of Kori when he first met her on her Island all that time ago.
Jason trusted him, so much so that he revealed his identity to him. One day, whilst they were talking in one of his hideouts, he just took the helmet and mask off and smiled at the rambling redhead.
It seemed to knock Rodimus off-guard, because he stuttered through his sentence and openly stared at him, before continuing. Jason was glad that he didn't make a big deal out of it, but was surprised to see the small frown Rodimus had for the rest of the day.
Jason was brave enough to admit that he had fallen for the strange man. All of his quirks, his smile and his weird love for monster trucks drew him in. He couldn't help it, Rodimus just brightened up his life in ways that he was hesitant to stop.
He felt guilt, sometimes, when he thought about Artemis and Bizarro and where they might be. He hadn't stopped looking for them, his days without Rodimus full of travelling and research, but he'd been thinking about them less with him around. Some days Jason was tempted to take Rodimus and go to find them with him, but he knew that was a fools errand. Rodimus didn't have the experience Jason did, and he refused to put him in any danger, not whilst he could help it.
They got together on a random Wednesday, hanging out in Jason's apartment, playing a video game that Rodimus had convinced him to buy. It was a normal day, with the normal routine, but for some reason, when Jason looked at Rodimus when the redhead had won against him once more, he had the urge to kiss him.
So he did.
Rodimus's lips were soft against Jason's chapped ones, the sensation almost weightless when they pressed against his own. Rodimus had been mid-victory, arm raised with the controller in his hand, until he threw it onto the sofa and wrapped his arms around Jason's neck, pressing into the kiss firmer, a change in direction that Jason was willing to comply with.
In the morning, when they woke up on the sofa, legs tangled with Rodimus's head against Jason's chest and the game still running on the tv, Rodimus was quiet.
When Jason went to make a drink for them both (with Rodimus's strange additive that he couldn't name), Rodimus still had yet to speak. When he placed their drinks on the coffee table and sat beside Rodimus, the man took his hand and held it, then looked into his eyes with an expression Jason hadn't yet seen before.
"I have to show you something," he said seriously, his grip on Jason's hand tightening. "It will explain a lot of things, and it might make you mad, it might make you hate me, but I can't go on like this keeping secrets from you."
Jason had only nodded, kissing Rodimus chastely and reassured him. He was complacent when Rodimus pushed him into the passenger seat of his car after they had drank their drinks, letting the redhead drive them out of Gotham and into some woodlands. Rodimus drove them along the path until he came to a stop amongst dense vegetation; it was a miracle his car could even squeeze past the trees.
"Going for a hike?" Jason asked, one eyebrow raised. Rodimus huffed, unbuckling his seat belt and exiting the car, looking at Jason until he did the same. "Okay, okay, I get it, it's serious," he said, climbing from the passenger seat and onto the grass.
They stood silent for a few moments, Rodimus glaring at his car as if it did something to purposely offend him. Jason let him, never seeing Rodimus so troubled before.
"Okay, I'm going to tell you, then show you something, and you have to promise not to freak out," Rodimus said, looking Jason straight on for the first time in minutes. Jason nodded his head, looking into the redhead's eyes to show his serious he was.
"Good," Rodimus huffed, then breathed in. "Okay, so, don't interrupt me until I'm finished, okay?" He waited until Jason nodded, then continued. "Okay, so, I'm not a human, I'm from the planet Cybertron and would be an alien robot in human terms, I crash landed here with one of my friend after separating from my crew, and wound up a few miles from Gotham without my friend. I'm telling you this in the hopes you aren't mad because, well, you're friends with aliens, and you had your secrets too, so, now we're even?"
Jason had to think over Rodimus's words for a while, before blinking. "Wait, an alien robot?" He asked, then gave Rodimus a once-over. "I wouldn't say you look robotic, nor alien-like."
"This is my holoform used to help us disguise as humans to blend in," Rodimus explained, "actually, my real form is over there." He then pointed to his car, sitting inconspicuously on the grass.
"You're... a car?" Jason asked, not impressed.
"Not exactly, but that's what I wanted to show you!" Rodimus exclaimed. "I mean, can I show you?" At Jason's doubtful nod, Rodimus grinned and disappeared, much to the vigilantes surprise, only for his attention to be strayed when the car started to transform.
He watched, mesmerised, as each component of the vehicle bent and stretched in a strangely beautiful action. Wires extended and connected, seems folded until they merged, and a tall red robot stood in its place.
It grinned, and Jason was struck with the thought that yes, this alien really was Roddy. That was only amplified when the robot- Rodimus knelt down, and Jason could map out each and every one of his partners features.
"Surprise..?" Rodimus grinned, though it faltered with the insecurity lacing his tone.
"Wow," Jason breathed, causing Rodimus was laugh. " I have to say Roddy, I didn't expect this, consider me surprised."
"You're not mad though, right?" The Cybertronian asked, helm decals drooping in sudden fear.
"Of course not," Jason argued, then reached up to touch Rodimus's face. He hesitated, but the alien leaned in, so he placed both hands on his cheeks and stared into his eyes. "It's still you, and nothing will change that." He then tilted his head, then grinned, "you ever kissed a human like this?" Rodimus shook his head. "I can arrange that for you, if you want?"
Rodimus nodded seemingly speechless, and Jason leaned in to touch his lips against Rodimus's once more. His lips were metallic, but they were warm and oddly soft. He could feel the pressure of lips against his more this time, and Jason was hit with the realisation that of course a hologram wouldn't be as solid as the real thing.
He pulled away when Rodimus made a whirring noise and his face became a blue hue. "Sorry," he squeaked, "just excited."
Jason smirked, but then something that Rodimus said struck him. "Wait, you said you were with your friend? Where are they?"
Rodimus froze, then relaxed when he realised it was just curiosity. "Yes, Drift, the ship broke after we entered your atmosphere and we separated, I'm not quite sure where he went, I've been looking for him when I'm not with you."
Jason was quiet for a second, "I've actually been looking for my own friends for some time now," he admitted, "Artemis and Bizarro, they went missing during a mess with a quantum doorway, and both of them were caught in the blast. I'm not sure where they are."
"We can look together?" Rodimus offered, "I mean, two minds is better than one, right?"
"Right," Jason nodded.
They found Drift first, the Cybertronian hiding someplace in Japan, disguising himself as a white Nissan. His holofrom was of east-Asian ethnicity, with flowing white and red hair pulled into a ponytail, cheeks decorated with two red lighting bolts connected to the underside of his eye. His face brightened when he spotted Rodimus, and the two friends hugged like they haven't seen each other in a lifetime.
Jason was glad for his partner, but he couldn't help but feel a sense of jealousy, each day without finding Artemis or Bizarro only increased his frustration and decreased his hope of ever finding them.
Drift's first instinct at meeting Jason was to surprisingly give him a hug and a whispered thank you against his ear. He pulled away, and Jason spotted Rodimus's sappy smile when looking at them both.
The white-mech (Jason had seen Drift's true form when he decided to spar with Rodimus) was surprisingly good with a sword. He enjoyed testing his skills against Jason in his holoform, learning about Earth's combat techniques as much as Jason learned Cybertrons.
Meeting Rodimus's best friend made Jason realise that he had yet to introduce him to Roy and Kori. So, during one evening where both of his ex-teammates were free, he, Rodimus, and Drift met up with them in a cafe in one of the wealthier areas of Gotham. Drift had came home with them both, and seemed unwilling to separate from Rodimus now that he had him back. Jason couldn't blame him.
The meeting went well, both Kori and Roy giving a short talk to Rodimus at the beginning, but the evening was spent with laughter and bonding. Jason was overjoyed that his partner got along with his closest friends.
The only way this could be better was to have Artemis and Bizarro with them.
Later, at Jason's apartment, with both him and Rodimus cuddled on his bed, Drift deciding to stay in his alt mode to 'recharge' (as he said), Rodimus kissed Jason softly with one sentiment in mind:
"We'll find them, Jay, I promise," he said. And with that much conviction, Jason believed him.
He had too, for his own sanity.