Not Just Roommates
Finally, Jason lets you meet his family.
~5k words
Part 1
For weeks following Jason and Dickâs conversation, his family tried to convince Jason to let them meet you. They each had their own tactic.
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Bruce tried invitations to family events and galas.
âYou know, it would be really nice if you brought this girlfriend of yours to dinner this-âÂ
âNice try old man. Not happening, you really think Iâm gonna bring her here just so you can interrogate her? Absolutely not.â Jason didnât even look up from his bike in the cave. Bruce was dejected at the harsh rejection before perking up, ready for another suggestion. âNo, sheâs not coming to the gala next week either. Donât expect me to be there either; itâs date night.â He was quickly cut off with even more rejection.Â
âCome on, Jaylad, why not? We just want to meet her, make sure sheâll treat you right,â Bruce tried to reason. That definitely caught Jasonâs attention properly.Â
âLook, Bruce, Iâm twenty two years old and Red Hood. Tell me honestly, and to my face, that you think I would willingly stay with someone who doesnât treat me right?â Jasonâs voice was entirely flat, if a bit condescending.Â
âAlright but at least introduce me before you decide to get married to her.â
â
Dick tried to invite himself to Jasonâs through various scenarios.
âHey, Little Wing. Mind if I swing by this weekend? Iâd love to spend some quality bonding time together but I know the manor is a mess at the minute with all the preparations for the gala.â Dick had just landed on the roof next to his brother. Seeing Bruceâs direct attempts failing, he decided to take a more sly approach, disguising it as just coming over once or twice to spend time with him and hopefully, at some point be there at the same time you were. If the two of you even lived together. If it didnât work, he would at least still be able to spend some time with Jason which was always a win in his books.Â
âSure.â Jasonâs response made Dick absolutely light up with anticipation. Maybe he actually had a shot at being able to meet you. â If you can figure out where I live.â Immediately, his hopes were dashed. The entire family had put in quite a bit of effort into finding out where Jason lived but so far, they couldnât find a single trace of him. Not even a name on any leases or deeds to any place of residence in the entire city, likely under a fake name.
For a while, Bruce was worried Jason was just living somewhere on the street but that was put to rest from some defensive and highly indignant yelling from Jason about how he has an entire apartment that is clean and tidy and that he sleeps in every single nightâ well, morning.Â
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Tim just avoided going through Jason and decided to figure out who you were all on his own.Â
It wasnât like Jason would give him an answer anyway, might as well skip the trouble and go straight to internet sleuthing. Unfortunately, all he had so far was Jasonâs phone number with no social media attached to it aside from an empty instagram profile that wasnât following anyone and was only followed by family and Jasonâs teammates.
He tried Damianâs to see if he followed anyone out of the ordinary. No luck there either. Damian only followed a handful of people. If only Tim had your name, he could do so much more. Although, he supposes, if he had your name then the entire family could have a much easier time meeting you.Â
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âI hate my family sometimes,â Jason sighed, laying beside you as you sat in bed. He pushed his face into your waist and curled into a ball as well as he could. Your hand rubbed his back, resting on the back of his neck after a moment.Â
âWhat have they done this time?âÂ
âWonât leave me the fuck alone. God, why canât they just mind their own business?â You breathed a laugh at his whiny tone.Â
âWell, maybe theyâre just happy for you? I mean, come on, when was the last time you had a partner?â You teased, pushing his face away from you to look at him properly.Â
âI donât know. Didnât really have the time for anything when I came back. All anger and revenge yâknow? Not much time for love and care like I have with you.â He ended the sentence with a kiss on your hand.Â
âWell arenât you just a sweet talker? I love you, Jay.âÂ
âI love you more, sweetheart.âÂ
â
You and Damian were sitting on the sofa, so engrossed in your conversation and entirely ignoring the movie in the background. Meanwhile, Jason was pacing back and forth in the kitchen. He was chewing his thumbnail as he went around in circles in his head debating with himself whether it was a good idea or not.Â
âJaylove? Can you put the kettle on please?â He stopped and looked up at you, leaning over the sofa with a soft smile on your face. He felt his cheeks warm at the sight of you. You were absolutely gorgeous, the love of his life. He nodded resolutely, turning to fill the kettle up before turning to the bedroom.Â
âIâll be back in a minute, itâs cold as hell.â It was not. In all honesty, it was actually pretty cosy but he could get away with wearing a jumper for a bit. He watched as you got up behind him, mugs in hand to replenish drinks for all three of you. Jason took the chance to message Damian while you werenât sitting directly next to the kid. Not that you would read his messages but he wasnât risking it.
Iâm doing it. Scram.
Actually can you record it? Wanna keep the memory.
If I must.
Youâre far too sentimental.
With everything sorted, Jason pulled his jumper over his head and felt around in his pockets. Good, it was still there. As he made his way out to the kitchen where you were, he spotted Damian leaning over the back of the sofa, much like you were just moments ago except now with his phone in hand, clearly in sight with the camera pointing at you making hot chocolate. Real subtle. Thankfully you were too lost in your own world to notice.
âHey sweetheart,â Jason spoke softly, spinning you by the waist. âGot a question for you.âÂ
âIâve got an answer for you.â You put your hand over his where it rests on your hip before he pulled away again, both hands in his pockets. Jason pulled them back out again, just a moment later only to bend down to the floor on one knee.Â
âYou are my soulmate. The love of my life. My everything. I know weâre young and I know we talked about waiting until after we graduated but I want you now and forever and I donât think I could wait to ask you any longer.â His words were heavy with nothing but adoration as he looked you in the eyes. âWill you marry me?â Immediately, you dropped to the floor with him and dragged him into a tight hug. It was short lived as you immediately pulled back, kissing every inch of his face.
âYou know damn well I will. Absolutely Iâll marry you, Jason Todd.â His joy overwhelmed him completely, his eyes shining and crinkling in the corners, his smile stretching as far as it could. He took your hand, sliding a simple ring on your finger as the gemstone in the middle reflected the kitchen light. A bright laugh bubbled up as Jason lifted you in the air to spin around, kissing you deeply the moment your feet touched the floor once again.Â
âCan we return to the movie now?â Damian piped up from his position in the living room, done recording and already in the process of sending the video to Alfred.
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The next day, everyone had made it for the monthly family dinner, even Steph and Babs were in attendance. Jason was last in, running late as a result of the rush hour traffic. Nothing he could do when he had classes to attend still. Alfred was the first to greet him as he made his way to his seat at the table.Â
âCongratulations on the excellent news, Master Jason.â It was just one sentence offered as the butler returned to the kitchen to finish bringing dishes to the table. A momentary pause rang through the room as everyone turned to look in curiosity. What news would Jason have that would be excellent?
âWhatâs new with you then?â Dick poked, hoping he wouldnât be immediately brushed off. He was not very lucky.
âNothing really, just finally managed to get something done Iâve been meaning to for a while now. Nothing that concerns you.â He was more focused on getting food on his plate. Despite not wanting to directly fuel his familyâs incessant need to be in his business all the time, he was still excited to show off. And so, he was very deliberate in using his left hand to reach across the table for each platter. With a family full of detectives, it was not long before at least one of them caught on.
âJason.â It was Bruce that caught it first, afterall he was really the only person sitting to the left of him. âIs that a ring on your hand?â It was a calculatingly calm tone. One that was almost perfect in hiding Bruceâs emotions.
âYeah.â He didnât want you to be the only one wearing a ring. Sure, it wasnât the most traditional thing for him to be wearing a ring himself but he wanted everyone to know that he was a committed and taken man, even if you werenât his wife just yet.Â
â Please do not tell me you got married and didnât invite or even tell any of us.â Bruce had dropped the calmness and replaced it with tired exasperation.
âOf course not.â Jason spoke with faux offence. âDamian was there.â Dick slammed his hands on the table and stood up with such speed his chair wouldâve fallen if not for Cass catching it as it tipped backwards.Â
âAre you kidding me!? You got married and I wasnât even invited? How could you, Little Wing, I thought we were brothers?â Dick was tearing up, the hurt evident in his voice as he sank back into his chair defeated.Â
âWorry not Grayson, he has yet to marry, they are merely betrothed.â Damian spoke up. âThey agreed that they would not get married until the two have achieved their degrees.â Without even thinking, he added more fuel to the fire.Â
âWait a minute, degrees? The two? Jason, youâre getting a degree?â Tim jumped into the conversation now, entirely baffled at the concept of Jason pursuing higher education.Â
âUh, yeah? Iâm in my final year dude, been studying literature for a solid two years now. What do you think Iâve been doing all day?â Jason asked, acting as if he hasnât kept almost every aspect of his life to himself since he came back.Â
âTo be honest? I assumed you were just sleeping all day.â Tim shrugged.
âI thought you were working a part time job somewhere.â Dick chimed in.
âI was under the impression you were continuing operations as Red Hood during the day with the other Outlaws.â Bruceâs conception was the most accurate considering he did still hang out with Roy some weekends.
âWell, youâre all wrong. Iâve been going to Gotham University to study literature. Donât know if Iâll do anything with my degree since, yâknow, but itâs always there for me to fall back on anyhow.âÂ
âSo, now that youâre engaged, will we be meeting this fiancee of yours any time before the wedding?â Bruce pushed.Â
âMaybe.âÂ
â
Maybe came just over two weeks later.Â
Jason was out for the day, helping Roy with a case he was struggling with and so it was just you at home. Well, for the morning anyway; Damian had said he would be over in the afternoon to watch the next movie in the series. (How this boy had made it so far in life and had seen neither The Hobbit nor The Lord of the Rings was beyond you but you were rectifying that and so The Battle of the Five Armies was on the watchlist for this evening.)Â
Taking a long look in the cupboards and through the fridge, you sighed and pulled your shoes and coat on. Grocery shopping was long overdue. Now that you had used the last of the milk in your coffee this morning, you took it as a sign that it was time for the bi-weekly shop.Â
As you wandered around your usual grocery store, you turned a corner to be met with a familiar scowl.Â
âDamian? This is an excellent coincidence, I was just about to call and see if you wanted any particular snacks for movie night tonight.â You smiled as you approached further only to come face to face with an older man you vaguely recognised. âAh. Hello.âÂ
âDamian, you know this woman?â Dick asked, turning to look at the young man in question. Damian sighed with annoyance.Â
âTodd will be most displeased. Grayson, this is Toddâs betrothed.â He then turned to you with an equally stern look on his face. âI would like that toffee popcorn you bought last time. It was pleasant.â Dick turned to look at you with utter surprise and unadulterated glee.
âOh my God, youâre the fiancee!! It is so lovely to meet you finally, Little Wing has been so insistent on keeping us from meeting you. Besides Dami, here of course but theyâve got their own weird connection that Iâm not even sure where it came from.âÂ
âItâs nice to meet you too, Richard.â You offered a smile. He grimaced at his own name.Â
âPlease, just Dick is fine.â He insisted, almost desperate.Â
âSure, Dick. Anyway, it has been lovely to meet you but I have shopping to bring home. Damian, Iâll see you later?â He nodded and waved goodbye as you headed for the tills to pay.Â
â
Jason didnât come home until the credits of the movie rolled and Damian was slouched over, snoring quietly.Â
âHey Love, how was your day?â Jason stooped over the backrest of the sofa to press a kiss to your temple.Â
âPretty alright, got some washing done, went grocery shopping. You will never guess who I came across today though.â You smiled, pushing off the sofa and gathering empty bowls and cups to take to the kitchen.Â
âWho? Charlotte?â He guessed, settling a blanket over Damian and turning off the TV.Â
âBetter. Dick. Ran into him and Dami in the shop. Stopped to say hi and get acquainted. I mean, gotta meet the in-laws at some point, right?â You shrugged, stacking the dishes in the sink to be done at a later time. At least when Damian was awake and wouldnât be disturbed by the rushing water. A muffled groan came from Jason as he slumped onto the sofa with his head in his hands.Â
âGreat. Just great. Now theyâre not going to leave us alone. This is just what I needed.âÂ
âIâm sorry, I didnât realise it would be an issue. I mean, it was bound to happen eventually and itâs not like heâs Black Mask out to get you.â Jason sighed and reached for you to pull close.
âItâs not that. I just wanted to keep you to myself for a little longer. They can be really overbearing and they love nothing more than to be all up in my business as though it were their own. I hate it a lot. I just donât want them to come and ruin the peace I have here with you.â You rubbed his hand before pressing a kiss to his knuckles as reassurance.Â
âThey donât have to know where we live. I am more than okay with meeting them at the manor or even in a restaurant somewhere. It doesnât have to be all in. them getting to know me doesnât have to mean them getting to know every single aspect of our lives.â You tried to comfort Jason, convince him that meeting his family will not be the end all be all of your peaceful life together.Â
âYeah but I know that as soon as they have even something to go off of, theyâre going to do their shitty detective work and find out as much as they can. Hell, I wouldnât be shocked if either Tim or Bruce ran a background check on you the moment they learned your name.â He sighed, rubbing his hands over his face. âIâll think about it. I know theyâll have to meet you eventually, especially since weâre going to be getting married and then you will literally be part of the family. I just⊠I need some time to consider.âÂ
And so later that evening, once Damian had returned home, Jason surprised you by having a shower and coming back to the bedroom dressed inâ not his usual nighttime outfit of leather and kevlar, but instead cotton and polyester. He was sporting the Hello Kitty pyjama pants you had gotten him as a joke one day. It wasnât often Jason joined you so early in bed but tonight, he seemed to be having the night off.Â
Wordlessly, you shifted to sit more upright and opened your arms in invitation. He crawled over the bed and settled his head on your chest and curled the rest of his body around you. Soothing circles were rubbed into his back as he closed his eyes in thought.
âYou really want to meet my family?â Jason shifted to rest his chin on you and look directly into your eyes. You pushed his hair back and kissed his forehead.Â
âJaylove, you know I love you. I will not marry you before meeting your family and I refuse to meet them at our wedding. So yes, I really want to meet your family. I can tell, despite all your grumblings about them, that theyâre important to you. So I would love to come to the next family dinner and finally have a meal made by Alfred that hasnât been microwaved in tupperware.â He sighed and went back to pressing as much of his face against you as possible.Â
âI love you more. Alright, next family dinner Iâll bring you along. Unluckily for you, thatâs this Friday.âÂ
â
Friday rolled around and the manor was as it usually was for family dinner: loud, chaotic, and full of bickering and teasing. Most of all, it was warm and everyone was honestly just there to have a good time. Even when there are grudges being held and long term disagreements that have yet to be settled, everyone calls a truce for the monthly Friday night dinner. It was Alfredâs rule and no one wanted to cross Alfred. There were no exceptions.Â
Naturally, Jason had only informed Alfred of your company for the night since he would need to set an extra place at the table. Not even Damian knew because he hadnât been over since movie night for you to tell him and Jason certainly wouldnât. So when Jason walked in with a woman holding his hand? Silence.Â
âOh my God. Sheâs way too pretty for you.â Steph was the first to snap out of it and was immediately on her feet, snatching your hand from Jason and holding both close to her chest as she leaned close to your face. Her face lit up with a mischief that Jason dreaded to see. âSo whatâs he like at home? His room here is always so messy with books and clothes like everywhere. Heâs barely ever here nowadays so I donât even know how he keeps it so messy.âÂ
âHonestly? I donât mind the mess, itâs not like heâs dirty anyway. Jayâs got like the cleanest hygiene habits of anyone I know for the most part. My favourite evenings are definitely our self care spa nights.â You giggled behind your hand, leaning in as though you were telling her a secret.
âWait, you guys have spa nights? Thatâs so cute. And it honestly makes so much sense now. No wonder his skin is practically porcelain despite wearing his goddamn helmet all the time!â You now shot her a confused look, head tilting in question.
âHelmet? What helmet?â Stephanie panicked as she looked to the other family, each also showing varying degrees of distress. So you didnât know? They would have to be careful.
âUh, well, his⊠his motorcycle helmet! Yeah, his motorcycle helmet. I mean, he rides around on his bike everywhere, itâs practically his kid yâknow?âÂ
Jason was sat confused, there was no way you didnât realise she meant his Red Hood helmet, right? As you came to sit next to him, you gave him a saccharine smile. âI didnât know you rode a motorcycle, Jay! I guess even after being in a relationship for over two years, there are still things to learn about each other.â Oh. You were going to mess with his family. This is why he was going to marry you.Â
âSo, itâs nice to finally meet the woman my son has decided to commit his life to. Bruce Wayne, a pleasure to meet you.â Bruce nodded politely with an even expression, cutting into the conversation so dinner could finally begin.
âItâs lovely to be able to meet Jayloveâs family, heâs told me so much about you all. I mean, Tim! Itâs so impressive that youâre running a company while still attending school. I bet you definitely sleep well at night.â The boy in question shifted uncomfortably, suddenly aware of his prominent eyebags and the red bull heâd poured into his glass for the meal. The fact he had barely slept more than ten consecutive minutes in the past few days also flashed to his forethoughts.Â
âYeah. Definitely eight hours every night.â He awkwardly shifted in his seat.Â
âOf course, Iâve heard about you Dick and all the hard work you do as a police officer over in Bludhaven. Truly an admirable line of work.â Dick sat up straighter now that he had been directly included in the conversation. Finally, someone around that wouldnât admonish him and berate him for his day job.Â
âThank you, it can be tough sometimes, especially considering the high level of crime around but growing up here in Gotham, it really isnât much different working over there. Yâknow? Besides, I have help.â You nodded along solemnly, a serious expression on his face as he talked about the struggles of his line of work.Â
âIndeed. Incredibly honorable and very inspiring to see someone willing to follow protocols and the correct way to do things. Unlike those good for nothing âvigilantesâ that run around Gotham at night.â At that, everyone stiffened up and shot disbelieving glances across the table. The only ones seemingly unaffected were Jason, Damian, and Bruce. Jason was muffling his laugh with a mouthful of mashed potatoes, Damian was pretending he couldnât hear anything as he pet Titus under the table. Bruce, commendably, didnât even so much as twitch as he looked on thoughtfully.Â
âInteresting. Care to elaborate?â It wasnât often Bruce got to hear the honest and unfiltered opinions of Gotham citizens on his familyâs nighttime operations. Sure, there were forums where people would discuss them but oftentimes, they were exaggerated or just trolls looking for entertainment by spouting hate.Â
âOf course. I mean, thereâs no way I would ever let my kids go out at night in kevlar speedos to beat people up. Granted, the robin costumes have gotten better over the years, the first two really shouldâve had a bit more common sense. No. Actually, Batman really shouldâve been more responsible. Heâs the one who trained them to go out there in the first place, he couldnât at least educate them on wearing safe and proper clothes on the job? Like, come on dude, so not a safe working environment.â That earned a few giggles around the table.Â
âIs your grief with them just their costumes?â Barbara asked. Your answer came a brief moment later.Â
âHonestly? Yeah, I think so. I mean, there have been some good choices made lately. The current Robinâs newest outfit is definitely my favourite. Red Robinâs cowl moment? Atrocious. Bowling ball. But like, straight into the gutter, you wouldnât even hit a single pin. Definitely nothing to complain about with Spoiler though. The eggplant? I love it, and the transition from the full face cover to the half mask? Itâs honestly everything.â Steph clapped from her seat, nodding fervently.Â
âSee? Iâm not the only one that thinks I- she looks good in it. Canât believe everyone keeps saying she should pick a different colour that isnât as obvious to see. Like câmon.â You pointed over at her with a grin.Â
âNO SEE SHE GETS IT. Like, Red Hood? Dude that thing is fucking chrome, in the streetlights, I swear heâd be reflecting like one of those rainbow prisms. Like calm it down. Could never argue with a man whose thighs are the size of my head though.â You nodded and sat back in your chair. From the side of you, Jason looked at you incredulously.Â
âHow dare you. For one, you fucking love that helmet, I donât want a word out of you on that front. Second, you and I know damn well my thighs are bigger than your head and you would absolutely argue with me. And you do. Just yesterday you were arguing with me when I said we should have peonies on the tables at our wedding because theyâre your favourite but you said no because they would be out of season since you want a fall wedding.â He huffed and sat back in his chair.Â
âYeah well, I donât want a fake flower bouquet. Itâs just not the same.â Dick held up his hands as he processed the words Jason had said just a few moments ago.Â
âWoah, wait a second. Can we backtrack just a second? You know heâs Red Hood?â You raised an eyebrow at him.Â
âWell, yeah? This man cannot keep a secret from me to save his life. Proposing was the one thing heâs ever managed to surprise me with, like, ever.â You shrugged, like it was no big deal to know that your fiance was Gothamâs most infamous crime lord and one of the few people actively on the Justice Leagueâs wanted list. âAlso, back to the topic of suits, Dick, can you please tell me what possessed you to wear the Discowing suit? That in and of itself was probably the turning point for at least one Gotham rogue.â You went back giving him the side eye with your lips pursed and an eyebrow raised.Â
âHow dare you, that was the pinnacle of fashion at the time and I will not stand for this slander!â His chair fell from under him as he stood up, slamming his hands on the table. A sharp cough from the doorway caught everyoneâs attention.Â
âMaster Richard, I think you will find you have just, in fact, stood for âthis slanderâ so if you would please return to your seat, that would be most obliged. And if we could refrain from slamming the table, thank you.â Alfred spared no more words as he turned and went back to wherever he had come from in the first place. Everyone was silent at the table for a moment before everyone broke out into raucous laughter at Dickâs expense as he sat with his head on the table. Even Bruce stifled a laugh behind his palm.Â
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The dinner, from that point on, had gone without incident. Jason was so happy to see you get along well with his family. Even if he didnât get along with them all of the time, and they had more than their fair share of disagreements, they were still his family and he (not that heâd ever admit, even to himself) loved them as such.Â
He didnât realise how nervous heâd been until you were back home, getting ready for bed. You were sat in bed, watching as Jason pulled on his socks while getting ready to go out for the night. Without warning, you launched yourself at his back, tangling your arms around his neck and grappling your legs around his waist. Taken off guard, he let himself be dragged backwards onto the bed as you smothered the top of his head and forehead with kisses.Â
âI love you so much. Thank you for letting me meet your family.â Jason breathed out and pressed kisses into your forearms resting over his shoulders.Â
âI love you more, might as well meet them before they start causing problems about it. Now, sweetheart, as much as I love you and I love this, I have to get going. Big bad guys to catch and all.â You relented your hold and pulled his face in for one last kiss before the boots and helmet went on.
âAlright, but Iâd better be meeting Roy soon.â You pointed at him and blew another kiss to where he stood by the window, hands braced on the frame with one foot already halfway out.Â
âWhatever you want.â













