Chapter Text
For as long as he could remember, Jason Todd felt as if he knew where his morals stood and who he trusted. Ever since his death, that has all been warped and twisted with. Crawling out of his grave and clawing through the soil to get out was just the beginning, he'd thought that was all the struggle and he could finally return home - to the manor. But instead he found that no one mentioned him anymore, not the people of Gotham, not the news outlets, and certainly not the Bats.
So instead, here he was, wandering through Crime Alley and giving lifeless nods to strangers passing by. He decided it would be a good idea to pass by the manor sometime, or at least find a safehouse, but for now he wanted to find someone - anyone, who recognised him as Jason Todd, son of the prestigious Bruce Wayne. However, while he was stumbling down busy streets, bustling with street kids and parlours, looking almost catatonic, he didn't realise someone had recognised him and was now following him.
Talia Al Ghul was not a woman who got worried or confused easily, she had access to anything she needed and she used those sources to her fullest extent. So when she found out that Jason Todd, the son of the man she longed to have, was allegedly walking the earth again she decided to go and see for herself.
(She never thought to think about how much this would change her life.)
Jason spent another 10 minutes walking before he felt someone tap him on the shoulder,
(Was Bruce finally taking him home?)
the ex- Robin flinched and turned around, startled to find the once lover of his supposed father staring right back at him, a confused but also scared look on her face.
"Jason? Jason Todd?!" She almost screamed, shocked to find Bruce Wayne's dead child, although she didn't suppose she could call him dead now - could she? Jason didn't respond, his face going through a range of emotions. He already thought dying was enough and now he had to see his dads ex too? He wanted to say something but he feared nothing would come out if he even tried. "Talia, what - what are you doing here?" He stumbled over his words, the shock filling his mind, he stared at her for what felt like hours, trying to accept what he was seeing but his mind just couldn't take the shock, as he felt himself going lightheaded.
Talia quickly grabbed him by the arm and dragged him - making sure he stayed close to her side, she rushed through the endless crowds of people walking by - no one even gave the pair a second glance, not even registering that one of the most deadliest women in the world was currently dragging Batman's old sidekick by her side like he was a lost dog trying to find its way back home.
As soon as they got into her car she pestered him with endless questions. "I thought you died, what happened?" "Why aren't you with Bruce?" "Where were you going?" He didn't know how to respond to any of the questions, he didn't even think he knew the answers either so instead he just opted for staying silent and looking out of the window of the car, trying to make sense of where Talia was taking him.
They eventually got to the suburbs of Gotham, decorated with large homes and fancy gardens, they suited the people that lived here, for the beautiful gardens were once dirty and run-down grounds just like how the wealthy wore perfectly crafted facades, but under all that beauty he knew sick things laid. When he was Robin - or still Jason Peter Todd, a 12 year old child who thought everything was a game, when he went to the galas with Bruce he saw what the wealthy were like under their mask, he heard what they said and thought and continued to do, he knew what they were, he knew what they were like.
He thought to ask Talia if she was going to take him to Metropolis, or maybe Blüdhaven but he soon realised that was not the case because just as he thought that the car turned into a driveway of a house. "Since when did you live in Gotham?" He was met with no answer.
(Not like he expected one anyways.)
They both got out of the house and walked inside, being met with several nods from shadows. Talia ushered him in, she had so many questions and she didn't know how much time she would have before Bruce would come looking for Jason.
(He was never coming though, was he?)
"So, Jason, when will your father come? I reckon he's wondering where you are," she seemed to be in thought for a while, before continuing, "although, I haven't heard of him doing anything with you lately," she raised her eyebrow and looked at him, waiting for a response. "Bruce? No, he hasn't - he hasn't been in touch with me lately," he looked down at the floor for a second, "Have you heard from him? Because I know he hasn't exactly tried finding me," the hope in his eyes disappeared as soon as he said that, replaced with a look of anger, but at the same time, sadness. Talia gave him a look, a look not even the greatest detective could decipher.
"Really?"