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So, Jason had officially moved into one of his safe houses, as an actual flat and not a quick place to stay and burn should he need to. No, instead this was a flat that was strictly off-limited to Hood-Shenanigans unless the need was dire.
The place was rather homely, even in such a short time, Dick and Tim kept bringing him little trinkets and gifts and some things from his room in the Manor, which was nice. Babs had also sent him a few housewarming gifts and Alfie had sent him some baked goods which Jason was pretty sure had been worth dying for.
All in all he was happy, mostly, Dick and Tim came over often, sometimes the three would watch movies and Dick would tell Jason about Bruce’s progress as a parent. Tim’s solo-Robin excursions had been stopped instantly and Robin never strayed far from Batman now. Jason was pleased to hear it and Tim had reluctantly offered up a thank you for looking out for him, even if he did end up getting a small lecture from Bruce.
There was just one problem.
Jason still didn’t know how to tell Bruce he was alive.
That and the fact he was itching to get back into patrolling with his brothers but now he was lacking a hero identity, since Tim was Robin. He’d never really thought about what he’d do once he graduated from Robin, he’d known it would eventually happen but he’d never put thought into it before he died.
So now he needed a name and he needed to tell his kind-of Dad that he isn't dead anymore. What to do first…
Name first.
“What about Jaybird!” Dick grinned enthusiastically, because Jason had invited the two others to help him decide and to share his opinions.
“Uh no, the whole part of a secret identity is that it doesn’t link back to my name? I can’t go around using my nickname, Dickie.” Jason scoffed as Dick rolled his eyes.
“But Bruce literally gets called B both in and out of the suit.”
“But that’s just a letter.”
“J is just a letter.”
Tim let out a laugh as the two argued and squabbled.
“What about… Bluebird?” Tim added, interpreting the two, and Dikc pursed his lips.
“Timmy don’t steal my ideas!” He whined dramatically but grinning throughout. Jason exhaled.
“Just because you both have dumb bird aesthetics doesn’t mean I have to, right?”
“But.. don’t you want to match with us?” Dick asked with puppy dog eyes that had Jason roll his eyes.
“I mean, considering I don’t know if Bruce is going to have an opinion on me heading back out once he finds out I ain’t worm food…” Jason trailed earning twin winces, Tim curling into his side more, arms wrapping around one of Jason’s.
“Don’t leave again.” Tim mumbled and Jason softened.
“I’ll try, Baby Bird.” Jason soothed, his non-captive arm coming to curl into Tim’s hair. The smallest brother relaxed instantly at the touch.
“What about… Red Wing?” Tim offered up and Jason shrugged.
“Isn’t there already a Red Wing?”
“Oh shit yeah…”
“You could be my Flamebird!” Dick grinned widely.
“Weren’t Nightwing and Flamebird lovers?” Jason asked, nose curling up that had Dick blanch.
“Ew okay no.” Dick backtracked.
“How about… Bluejay? It’s not as obvious its a name…because it’s a bird…?” Tim offered up, eyes hopeful.
“I don’t think I’m really wanting bird words…” Jason looked a little uncomfortable.
“Elmo.” Dick suggested, with a completely straight face that had Tim choke on his spit and Jason let out a long suffering whine.
“Why, Dick. I could have thought of something better by myself.”
“But, Elmo. He’s loud and shouty and red and he’s you.”
“I am not fucking Elmo!” Jason snapped and Dick only laughed harder.
“You so are.”
“Elmo hardly strikes fear into the villains of Gotham, though does it?” Jason snarked and Dick only shrugged as Tim sipped his hot chocolate.
“It kind of does if he’s the size you are. You’re bigger than me now.” Dick looked a little sad at that. Jason only scoffed.
“Lazarus Pit’s do wonders for Childhood Malnutrition apparently. If there wasn’t the murderous side-effects I’d say Tiny Timbo over here could benefit from one.” Jason grinned and Tim exclaimed in protest instantly.
“Hey, I’m still growing!” The Eleven Year old looked adorable when offended that Jason couldn’t resist pulling the kiddo closer for a cuddle, all the while the kid was still wrapped around an arm. Dick cooed and leant in to join the hug.
“Sure, Timmy.”
“I am!”
“Hey, I do like using Red though….” Jason trailed, he liked the colour. It made him think of Robin but not the horrifying memories that haunted him, instead thinking of Robin brought him to the time he’d seen Dick fly over the rooftops while he’d still been living on the streets, or how Tim had wildly protested at green scaly panties and had trousers added to the suit. He thought of his brothers. So red was his favourite colour.
“Red Hood.” Jason finally decided, earning twin stares of surprise.
“You… do know what that name entails, right, Lil Wing?” Dick asked, rigid in the still partially a cuddle pile that was going on.
“Yeah, Dickie.” Jason hummed and nodded. “I know who used it.” He spoke, low and quiet and suddenly the tension in the room felt heavy. “But imagine how big of a fuck you it would be to use his old name for good.” Jason proposed.
Dick looked nervous, unconvinced but Tim’s eyes were wide and full of awe and idolization.
“It also makes you a bigger target, he won’t like it when he hears-” Dick countered and Jason laughed.
“What’s the worst he could do? Kill me? Been there, done that.” Jason mirfully retorted, Dick flinched and burrowed into Jason’s chest.
“Please don’t-”
“Sorry Dickie. But I think I’m going to use it. I like the poetic irony.”
“Red Hood is it then?” Tim asked quietly, Jason nodded.
“Yeah, Red Hood it is.”
And so, Red Hood, Vigilante-come-Hero was born.