summary: After you befriend Damian Wayne, the 12 year old in your pre med class, you can’t shake the feeling you’re constantly being watched. One night when you try to protect him from Gotham’s favourite crime lord ‘Red Hood’ everything changes.
Parings: Jason Todd x reader, Damian Wayne x reader (platonic), DonnaRoy!
Tags: Alcohol, cigarettes, mentions of sex, slowburn, fluffy, mentions of violence, blood, reader lwk doesnt like Jason, art creds to stefphe on tiktok!
Notes: lwk I hate this but it’s done so that counts for something. Between school and work expect pt 3 is a mystery.
Divider creds to @cephalo-fox
For the next two days Damian didn’t show up to class.
And for the next two days, you couldn’t shake the unsettling feeling in your gut.
Every time your phone buzzed with news of a murder or an attack on Gotham, you wondered if he was alright out there.
And, Thinking about Damian involuntarily led you to Red Hood.
He had left in such a rush a couple nights ago. It was impossible not to wonder if something had happened.
It just didn’t seem right. How could anyone put a child in a cape and expose them to such terror and violence on a daily basis?
You also, ashamedly, felt so much lonelier.
You really needed to work on your social life if the absence of a 12 year old boy had left a noticeable hole in your routine.
You couldn’t remember the last time you went out with your friends, or even alone for that matter. The last couple months being spent completely engrossed in labs, lectures and study sessions.
So, when your friend from your anatomy class invited you to her boyfriend’s birthday, you agreed without much thought, welcoming anything that would distract you from the mess that is your life.
“You can honestly show up whenever you want,” she shrugged pushing her long black hair behind her shoulder.
“it’s by no means a small party”
“Are you sure he’d be ok with me coming?”
She giggled like that was the stupidest thing you had ever said.
“He told me, verbatim, invite as many people as you can, the more girls the better”
You blinked.
What the hell. Maybe you got the wrong idea about their relationship, but what kind of a guy says that? Your shock was obviously evident on your face because Donna began to kneel over in hearty laughter.
“Donna-“
“Stop- no it sounds bad- but I swear”
She wheezes in between chuckles, trying to catch her breath. Before she looked at your face and started to laugh even harder.
“He’s got his heart set finding a girlfriend for one of our friends that’s all, he’s not planning some weird…I don’t even know”
“Well don’t count me into that, after the last guy, my motto is if he’s never had a girlfriend, it’s probably for a reason.”
Donna snorted, a sly grin etching onto her face
“Preach.”
-
If Damian said one more word about his stupid biology teacher. Jason was going to lose it.
After his injury, he’d kept insisting he needed to go back to school to help you.
Jason told him that he needed to rest, that that’s what you would have wanted.
Then Alfred had given the kid painkillers.
Which turned his composed sentences into incoherent babbles of your name
It was more than annoying.
Mostly because every time Jason heard it, sharp guilt twisted in his gut.
It was something he had barely ever felt.
Regret? Sure.
shame? More than he’d like to admit.
Anger? All the time.
But guilt? Barely ever.
He hated it.
He had nothing against you personally, but he just hated feeling things that he couldn’t understand. And plus, it didn’t help that lately his mind kept drifting back to the night he came into your work.
You confused him.
The way you tried to act brave, even though it was completely reasonable to be scared at night in Gotham.
The way that you had immediately trusted him after finding out Damian was his brother.
And how had you made friends with the one person that thought civilians were incompetent.
It made him wonder who exactly you were.
Damian’s babbles of your name had now turned into the most obnoxious snoring Jason had ever heard.
He was definitely his father’s son, no DNA test needed.
Bruce was lucky he loved the stupid brat, or he would be doing something way more important with his time than watching the kid.
On top of that Roy wouldn’t stop messaging him about his stupid party.
He would honestly rather patrol in one of Dick’s skin tight Disco-wing suits than make mindless small talk for 4 hours.
He barely left the house as himself. Save for a few trips to the supermarket and the bookstore. And it wasn’t like he could just show up as Red Hood.
He remembered the way you had treated him like he’d ever actually hurt his own brother. He could only imagine how a room full of drunk civilians would act.
God. Roy was lucky he owed him.
-
When Jason had finally arrived at the party he was 2 hours late.
And as soon as he walked in, he already wanted to leave. The place was unlike anywhere he’d been as Jason, colourful streamers, flashing lights, and loud phonk music that he could feel at the back of his teeth. It was all very Roy.
“Jacey! You came!”
Right on cue, Roy greeted him with a firm slap to the back of his neck. Jason gave him a playful shove in response, but Roy intercepted it, grabbing his hand and pulling it around his shoulders.
“I thought you weren’t going to come to the most important night of the year!”
Jason scoffed.
“And miss this? Also, you sent me 47 messages, and called me 19 times.”
Roy leaned in, trying to hear him over the loud music, and Jason could smell the alcohol on his breath. That checks out
“My favourite message was ‘stop kicking and get licking’ very convincing, pretty poetic too.”
Roy barked out a laugh, giving Jason’s shoulders another shake.
“What can I say? Give me some liquor and I become Shakespeare.”
The pair fell into their usual bickering, and Jason began to regret coming. Roy normally was barely tolerable, but Roy on alcohol was a whole other plane of annoying.
It got 10 times worse when he had gotten reminded of something and stilled, a serious expression taking over his light features.
“I have a mission for you tonight, Jason, it’s the real reason I threw this party”
Jason had known him long enough to tell by the first word that whatever he was going to say was going to be a badly thought out joke.
“Your mission tonight soldier, is : socialise, pick up some chicks and most importantly”
He leaned closer to Jason’s ear, stabilising himself on his shoulder before whispering.
“Get laid”
Jason let out a scoff but it was so pained it sounded more like a groan.
“Do you accept your mission soldier?”
Jason put his palm on Roy’s face, pushing him away.
“Fuck off”
He walked away Roy following closely behind; maybe too closely for his liking.
“Cmon! Perk up! I invited heaps of girls”
he whined, stretching out the ‘ee’ sound.
Jason couldn’t suppress an eye roll.
“How exciting”
“I think one of them’s perfect for you”
Jason’s eyes found Roy’s only to find a wistful expression on his face
God, He was already planning the wedding.
“Roy-“
“Shes right over there, stunning girl really.”
He guided Jason’s vision to a tall blond-headed girl. She was good looking, that’s for sure. Dressed in a light blue dress that clung to her skin.
“Annnddd best of all she has all her organs!”
Jason let out another scoff, it felt like the 10th time in the past minute.
Roy really was the idiot.
“As enticing as that sounds Roy I’m not-“
Before Jason could even finish his sentence, Roy was calling her over.
This was going to be a long night.
-
When you had arrived at the party you were immediately blasted by the strong aroma of alcohol.
You texted Donna telling her you were here. After a couple minutes of no response you made your way to the bar to get a drink.
It wasn’t long before you were approached by a red headed boy you assumed was Roy.
“Hi, you must be Roy!”
He side eyed someone in the crowd a sly grin inching over his face.
“Donna’s friend, right?”
“Yep.”
He looked you up and down, like he was mentally checking boxes in his head. His pupils were huge. Definitely drunk.
“You single?”
You sipped your drink.
“You better be asking for a friend.”
He chuckled. His grin widening.
“Hmm, you got some fire in you, I like that, that’s good ” he said, his eyes searching for someone behind you.
“Leave the poor girl alone, Roy”
You grinned, Donna, your saviour.
“She needs to meet Jason-shes perfect”
Well if he says it like that you had to meet the guy.
Nothing says true love like meeting at a crazy frat party while drunk on enough alcohol to sterilise a lab.
Donna gave you a hug, rolling her eyes at Roy.
“You’ve pushed like 50 girls on him in the past hour, the guys done more socialising tonight than he’s ever done”
Roy’s friend started to sound very familiar.
Maybe you should be the one socialising.
While the couple continued to bicker back and forth you decided to skim the crowd finding anyone else you knew.
Before you felt a stare on you.
When you turned around your eyes locked.
A man.
A beautiful one at that.
Strong jawline
Dark, thick hair and eyebrows
Scars littered across his face and body.
And if he wasnt blessed enough, he was absolutely massive.
The kind of guy people crossed the street to avoid.
Not you though, he was the perfect kind of giant that you wanted to climb like a tree.
Tall, with muscles for days that were still noticeable under his baggy clothing.
You were checking him out and you weren’t ashamed. I mean he was the one that was staring at you.
You were so entranced with this random man that you didn’t realise that the couple beside you had stilled.
When you sheepishly turned back to them, Roy was giving his girlfriend a look that said ‘see’
“Is that Jason?”
God you needed another drink.
Donna nodded and Roy smiled so big you would’ve thought Donna had proposed.
“I am the smartest best matchmaker, and you need to apologise for doubting me”
It was either that or you were the most desperate woman in Gotham. You hoped it wasn’t the latter.
Roy was vibrating with excitement and you went to look back at the man, only to realise he was gone.
Great.
Either he'd seen you staring and fled, or you were so touch starved you’d hallucinated a hot man that was interested in you.
“I’ll go find him, stay here”
-
After 1 drink and two shots, you still hadn’t met Jason.
In fact you hadn’t even left Donna’s side. You trailed closely behind her as she checked on party guests and introduced you to some of Roy’s friends.
But it wasn’t long before she got pulled away leaving you alone in front of a dance floor full of strangers.
You decided the best course of action would be to sit back down and scout out the crowd.
But when you tried to make your way back to the bar you were shoved into another random man, and before you could even apologise, you felt icy liquid soak down your front.
You looked down.
Great.
Your white shirt had become a very poor choice.
You mumbled an apology to the man as you hugged your arms around your body, trying to preserve whatever dignity you had left.
If you had any.
It all became too much after that.
Your head began to pound.
Between the music, the lights and the amount of people, your brain had met capacity.
Two seconds without Donna and you had already made such a fool of yourself.
God. You wished you were home. In bed, maybe sipping some tea instead of cold and wet.
Maybe you weren't built for parties.
Or maybe you'd just forgotten how to be around people.
Whatever it was, you needed some air.
Stumbling outside you took a couple breaths, closing your eyes and just letting yourself focus on the feeling of the cold wind against your face.
But when you opened your eyes again, you realised you weren’t alone.
There was a man next to you.
Roy’s friend. Jason.
He looked you up and down lazily and you were suddenly very self-conscious of yourself.
Oh my god this attractive guy could basically see your bra. You’re basically naked in front of him.
Like he could hear your thoughts his eyes flitted down to your boobs, before he looked you in the eyes.
You shivered, trying to internally quell your freak out.
“Y’good?”
Blowing out smoke from his cigarette, you couldn’t help but stare in shock that he was talking to you.
“Y-yep- yeah I’m fine”
You leaned up against the wall next to him, wiping your sticky hands on your skirt.
“Your Roy’s friend right? He was telling me about you- well he was telling everyone-but.”
He scoffed like he hated that you brought it up. Lord, why did you do that? He can socialise without Roy. You had probably just insulted him.
“Yep, I can’t tell if this is his birthday or tinder in real life.”
You giggled.
Okay, not bad he was joking with you, maybe you could be friends.
“He told me you’ve spoken to every girl here tonight ”
He rolled his eyes again.
Dammit, the sass on this man
“Against my will, I couldn’t get a second to breathe.”
Should you be giving him that. Were you in his way? You continued despite the thoughts.
“He seems..enthusiastic.”
Jason snorted
“that’s one way to put it”
Silence stretched between the two of you, while you thought about what to say and he thought about, who knows what. This whole interaction would be so much easier if you could only just take a peek into his brain and see if he was pissed or not.
Because right now you couldn’t tell if he wanted you to buzz off or stay.
You decided to test the waters.
“So how do you know Roy?”
“Unfortunately.”
You giggled.
“College?”
Jason shook his head flicking the but of the cigarette to the floor and stamping on it with his shoes. You could barely hear the sound with the loud bumping of the party music.
“Mutual friend”
You nodded as you stared forward.
“Lucky you?”
He huffed. It almost sounded like a laugh.
“Depends on who you ask”
The silence settled again after that
Right
That was your cue to leave.
“Well it was nice to meet you…”
You knew his name you just didn’t want to seem like a creep.
Which you kinda were with the way you wanted to take him home.
When he said his name you told him yours with a shy smile.
And for a second you could’ve sworn he cringed. But it was gone before you could fully acknowledge it.
“Right..”
No wonder Roy tried so hard setting him up.
He was impossible to talk to.
It’s almost like being intimidatingly beautiful can only get you so far.
Not like you were any better, but at least you put in some effort.
Maybe the real reason you were so annoyed is because you wanted him to like you so bad.
It was kind of pathetic, but you wanted a turn with love. And you kind of hoped for it in every interaction you had.
Maybe you were desperate.
You clutched your purse to your body as you pushed the heavy doors of the club open, the loud booming of the music drowning out your thoughts.
As soon as you walked in you noticed Donna, stood next to a boy who looked strikingly similar to herself. Tall with thick black hair and blue eyes.
He was very attractive no doubt. But your mind couldnt help but compare him to Jason.
“What happened to you?”
She said, trying, and failing to stifle a laugh.
“It’s not funny, drunk people have no spatial awareness”
The comment made you sound like Damian. You cringed at the thought, wanting to take it back.
The man next to her smiled at the comment, a tinge of reminiscence in his eyes.
Did you know him or something? You would’ve remembered someone who looked so similar to Donna.
“I’m sorry! I haven’t introduced myself. I’m Dick! It’s nice to meet you..”
parents will really name their kids anything these days.
You gave him your name and a grin turning to Donna and putting an eyebrow up.
“Your you guys related? You look crazy alike.”
They shared an amused glance, like that had triggered some sort of inside joke.
“You’re not the first person to ask”
Dick said with a smile.
“You at GU as well?”
You asked
“Nah I’m a detective, skipped school altogether.”
You weren’t surprised at that. Dick looked like what a policeman should.
He was kind, warm, and had this energy about him that made you feel incredibly safe. You couldn’t help but picture him helping a cat out of a tree, or reprimanding young juveniles.
The thought made you internally chuckle.
“I won’t hold it against you”
He scoffed.
“Hey I’d like to think im trying to better the system, I’m one step in the right path”
“That’s exactly what all police say, dickhead”
Donna chimed in.
The nickname shocked you, but she spoke it with such ease that you brushed it off. You wonder how long they’ve known each other.
In reponse Dick ruffled Donna’s hair, the thick strands sticking up in response.
“Shut up, your literally dating Roy”
You chuckled at that, and she gave you a playful shove in response.
“You’re supposed to be on my side, girl code and stuff remember?”
Any feeling of remorse you had for your laugh died when you saw the grin on Donna’s face.
“It was a laugh of admiration, Roy seems… loveable”
Dick let out a loud laugh at that.
It was true, although he was extremely high energy, you can tell how much he cares for the people close to him, especially Donna and Jason.
“Your just mad Jason ran off after your little staring contest”
Dick’s eyes widened.
“Jace is here?”
He turned his head from side to side before he continued.
“So he shows up for Roy’s birthday but not mine what an ass.”
Dick knew Jason? Does everyone here just know each other?
Gosh maybe it’s time you make your own friends. Your mind involuntarily drifted to Damian. Gosh. He could be dead and you were out partying. You needed to get home.
You waited a while, for Dick and Donna to finish bickering, chiming in here and there, before you spoke.
“Anyways Donna, I came to find you because I need to get home.”
She looked nervous, like she had made a mistake.
“Already? Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, I think I’ve had enough partying for tonight, or maybe ever”
“I’ll drive you”
She started digging in her purse before pulling out her keys and dangling them in your face.
You snatched them from her hands repeated her gesture.
“You’re drunk I called an uber a bit ago it should be here soon.
“I’ll walk you”
Dick interrupted
That was honestly the last thing you wanted. You barely knew the guy and you didn’t think you could handle any more small talk.
“You don’t have to I-it’s fine”
“It’s Gotham. And I’m a police man. It’s my legal duty.”
You couldn’t really argue with that, especially because he looked so proud at the statement, like he was really doing some good.
It was so cute you had to tease him.
“Fine but I might have to record, power imbalance and all”
He groaned and clutched his heart like it hurt him.
“Low blow”
The night air was blissfully quiet compared to the pounding music inside.
You let out a breath you hadn’t realised you were holding.
“I swear I’m not usually this awkward”
So you were lying now. And to an officer. This night did not end how you planned it.
He grinned like he could see right through you. But for some reason it didn’t bother you.
“You seem fine to me”
You raised an eyebrow at him.
“I walked over wearing a drink and making fun of your job, all while Donna’s talking about how I’m planning on macking on your friend, and then fled outside.”
The corners of his mouth tilted up like he was suppressing a laugh.
“Okay, maybe a little” he considered it.
“But only because you said it”
You gave him the warmest smile you could muster as you tried to focus on the street signs.
But when you looked back over at Dick his eyes were fixed across the street. It had your heart racing in fear
“seriously…?”
You followed his gaze.
Jason was halfway across the block. Hoodie up, and hands stuffed into his pockets, disappearing into the night without so much as a goodbye.
“He always leaves parties like that?”
Dick smiled but it seemed more fond than amused.
“If Roy wasn't impossible to say no to, Jason would've stayed home.”
You watched Jason disappear behind the corner eyes fixed forwards.
“Yeah” you murmured. Trying your best not to leave any lingering glances.
“they seem pretty close, you can tell Roy cares about him a lot”
The zooming of a car interrupted your thoughts.
Your uber
Time to go home alleluia.
You said your goodbyes to Dick, as you hopped in the car. Digging in your purse to find your phone.
As the city blurred past the window you could only think of one thing. Damian.
You just hoped-
Your phone buzzed.
BREAKING NEWS: Gotham’s ‘Blackgater’ gang reported taking hostages in Bristol, Vigilantes sighted responding.
Please be okay.
-
Damian was already out of bed.
“Absolutely not”
Bruce crossed his arms standing in the preteen’s way.
Love how everyone’s in agreement that DonnaRoy, DickRoy, Dickkory, and DonnaKory aren’t mutually exclusive ships AT ALL (but DonnaDick obviously never has and never will exist in a romantic capacity)
