If I turn into another (closed);

[copsormasks]

WHO: Jason Todd (Titans), Chrissy (Stranger Things), Bruce Wayne (The Batman), Clark Kent (Superman 2025), Jason Todd (WFA), Bruce Wayne (DC Comics)
WHEN: After Jason's canon update
WHERE: Nova City, all over
WHAT: Jason has a beef with the belfry
NOTES\WARNINGS: Mentions of drug use, possible mentions of violence (Jason's death)



Chrissy (Stranger Things)

[Jason dreams of the lazarus pit, of being brought to life in the basement of Arkham Asylum, of having one of those drugged inhalers brought to his lips, and then being formed into Red Hood. He wakes slowly from his place on Chrissy’s couch. Each movement measured as Crane’s words echo in the back of his mind. There’s no Batman here. You’re gonna give this city what it needs. With no hesitation. No guilt. No fear. New mask. New name. New you.

We’ll punish all of them for what they’ve done to us.

His gaze drifts over to the door to Chrissy’s bedroom before back to his duffle and backpack. It takes him a moment to recognize where he is, who he’s with, and where Crane disappeared to.

He’s in Etraya. A city not unlike Gotham and full of bats.

He climbs up from the couch, slides his shoes on, and then shoulders both of his bags before he moves toward the door.]


Bruce Wayne (The Batman)

[When Jason returns to the Tower, it’s with an explicit purpose. He first goes up to his room to retrieve a red hoodie. He slides it on and tucks it around his neck so it is almost like a blanket. He shoves a couple other hoodies into his bag and then he makes his way to the Terminal.

He prepares for a confrontation, but he reminds himself. No hesitation. No guilt. No fear.

The elevator lowers to the Terminal and Jason makes a beeline for his suit.]


Clark Kent (Superman 2025)

[Jason remembers Clark coming in the middle of the night to help, how Jason apologized to him. None of that matters now. He needs to make sure Clark know that Jason stands on his own two feet now. He’s Red Hood now and that identity will power him through any issue.]

Super. [He makes sure he speaks clear and precise.] I know you’re listening. Hear this: I don’t need your help any more. I’m Red Hood now and I don’t need anything from you.

[And then he continues his path, expecting nothing to happen.]


Jason Todd (Wayne Family Adventures)

[Jason has been on patrol for about an hour. There’s not nearly the same level as crime as Gotham, no five families running the drug trade and no Rogue’s Gallery to keep an eye on.

No hesitation. No guilt. No fear.

Just as Jason is about to move onto another corner, he hears the presence of another. Gentle footfalls. Jason turns to see the older version of himself. Jason looks out from under his domino mask and red hoodie and shakes his head.]

Hey old man.


Bruce Wayne (DC Comics)


[After encountering nearly every bat in the belfry, Jason is determined not to run into any others. He hates heights, but he forces himself to perch on a rooftop to watch Nova City. His instincts tell him this is the best spot to try and keep an eye on both the Tower and the Manor.

But then he hears someone, just past the view of his red hoodie.

Turning, he sees the other Bruce there. Jason frowns.]

I already talked to one of you. I’m not doing it a second time.

Comments

[copsormasks]

[Jason half turns to Bruce and it take him a moment to comprehend that it’s not his Bruce.

He turns back to his gear and begins collecting it into a bag. His anger continues to heat his words.]

You didn’t bring me back to life.

[batsymbol]

( he didn't, no. but jason hadn't died here. )

I don't... understand.

[copsormasks]

[Jason rounds on Bruce on a heartbeat, anger hot on his throat.]

You did nothing but leave me and Gotham behind. Couldn’t stand to look at your failure?

[batsymbol]

( he's calm as jason unexpectedly lashes out. )

Jason, Gotham isn't here. There's no where to go in Etraya.

[copsormasks]

[Etraya. Jason’s anger stops for a moment as he properly takes in Bruce. His form is fuzzy around the edges as the overhead lights distort and twist.

Jason shakes his head and turns back to his gear.]

It’s all the same.

[batsymbol]

( making his way over to him, he eyes the boy more carefully, keeping a bit of distance between them but being there with him either way. )

What happened?

[copsormasks]

I came back to life, obviously.

[Jason doesn’t look back at Bruce while his senses are all fucked, instead focused in tucking all the pieces of a suit away.]

Got dumped in a pit and filled up with go-go juice. Now back to kicking ass!

[batsymbol]

( at that, he reaches out and takes hold of jason's arm. )

You went back again?

( to his gotham. )

[copsormasks]

[Jason turns on a dime, trying to push back, despite the way Bruce bends and distorts.]

It’s where I belong! I’m going to teach Gotham what it really means to be afraid.

[batsymbol]

( well that's a little more than concerning to hear and at that, he goes to hold onto jason's arms, a means to try and ground him back into the present. to right here and now. )

Jason. Look at me.

[copsormasks]

[Jason does but his gaze falls just short if Bruce’s face.

Let go of me. I have work to do.

[batsymbol]

( he doesn't let go. )

What work? The next mission hasn't started yet.

[copsormasks]

The work. The mission. Let go of me!

[Jason starts to pull again but the world is still fluid and blurry. He sinks halfway to the floor, leaning against his workstation.]

[batsymbol]

( he has no idea what is happening right now aside from jason having gone back to his gotham at some point and coming back to life after all. jason sinks to the floor and bruce lets him, hands still holding to his arms. )

You're not yourself right now, just calm down.

cw: mention of drugs/drug use

[copsormasks]

I’m fine. I’m fine. [He’s sweating as he sinks the rest of the way down to the floor. He can’t look at Bruce as he starts to need. His breathing is slow, sluggush as the drug starts to work out of his system.]

I just need more.

[batsymbol]

( he's crouching down there in front of jason, hands still on his arms. )

Need more what?

[copsormasks]

[Jason leans his head back and takes a deep breath to try and ease the nausea.]

Crane makes it.

[batsymbol]

( crane. there's a name his older— much older counterpart had told him about when he had been here. )

There's nothing he makes that you need.

[copsormasks]

You’re wrong. [Jason could possibly make it himself but he needs the equipment and to not feel like shit.

He tries to pull his arms back. He needs to grab his stuff and go.]

[batsymbol]

( jason threatens to free himself but bruce doesn't let him go — drops down to a knee as he remains crouched there in front of him. )

What? What could he possibly make that you need?

[copsormasks]

It makes me unafraid. Like I could do anything. It makes me stronger, faster, smart—

[He stops and shakes his head as the nausea rises again. He needs to move while he can.]

Everything Red Hood is supposed to be.

[batsymbol]

( something chemical, he means and bruce's face twists up in both confusion and... something else. fingers hold tighter to jason's arm, almost seemingly refusing to let him go. )

No. You don't need anything from him. Do you understand me?

[copsormasks]

[Jason’s anger flares again, but it’s muffled by the come down.]

Then I’ll just make it myself.

[batsymbol]

No you won't. You don't need that, Jason.

( and his voice is firm in the way he says that. )

[copsormasks]

You don't know me any more. [The words come out in a mix of sharpness, edge softened. He sits up, looks at Bruce through the haze.] I fucking died and came back to life.