Chapter Text
Jason didn’t know how he got into this situation.
Okay, so maybe wearing the Red Hood while in Star wasn’t the best move. Because apparently, Star didn’t have an abundance of rogues and problems like Gotham did, so whenever a mysterious dude with guns shows up, that becomes the local vigilante's numero uno priority. Not, like, number 8 underneath catching the mayor on a bribery charge.
Jason just wanted to check out the local street scene here, make sure the sex workers were being treated all right, and that drugs weren’t getting pumped into school buildings.
Unfortunately, he got spotted by the one Star City resident vigilante who didn’t know who he was. He expected to be taken to the local police. It would have sucked but he could have handled it. But handing him over to the eff-ing Justice League?!
Green Arrow said he “just wanted to ask some questions”. If that was the case, Red Hood would have gladly answered them right there on the same street he was found in. He was peaceful! He could play nice! He didn’t want to get on Green Arrow’s bad side and risk messing with Roy’s relationship with his father. He knew how much it meant to Roy.
And OF COURSE the first time Jason goes to the Watchtower, Batman isn’t even here. Noooo, because that would have been too easy! Instead, he was stuck with a bunch of high and mighty heroes who had no idea who they were messing with. He didn’t even get to meet Wonder Woman! This sucked!
At least not all of them seemed to approve of Oliver’s actions. A few gave them odd looks as they entered. Green Lantern had even dragged Oliver aside to ask what he was doing. Jason couldn’t hear what they were saying, but whatever Oliver told him, it was enough to get Green Lantern to nod and let him continue.
“I didn’t even do anything,” Red Hood mumbles. He was currently sitting in a metal chair, restraints on each wrist and ankle, like some sort of criminal!
“You shot at me,” Green Arrow says, arms crossed and unimpressed.
“You startled me,” he defends himself. “I was just watching my back. Can’t blame a guy for being a shoot first, ask questions later, type.”
“Yeah, well, I can actually. Especially when you have no business being in my neighborhood. Want to explain what you were doing?”
“Don’t know why you had to take me all the way up to space just to ask me that. We could have talked on the street, ” he pointed out, unable to not be argumentative.
“And give you a chance to run off? Don’t think so.” Oliver’s voice turns serious. “Now answer the question. I have ways of making you talk.”
This was getting out of hand. Fast. Hopefully his way of making Jason talk involved Wonder Woman’s lasso. Because if he was implying broken ribs or an arrow to the shoulder, Roy was not going to be happy.
Jason sighs.
“Look, I’m one of you guys. I was just checking out the local area, making sure no one was causing trouble. Honest.”
“From my experience, heroes don’t pack so many guns.”
Red Hood leaned his head back and groaned.
“Can I get my phone call?”
“This isn’t a jail cell.”
“So you’re saying the Justice League gives citizens less rights than the American Police force?” Hood whistled. “That’s not a good look, man.”
“Fine,” Green Arrow snapped. Red Hood didn’t bother to hide his smirk over getting him riled up, (it’s not like he could see it). “One phone call after you answer one question.”
“I already answered one question.”
“A different question.” Oliver leaned against a desk. “I saw you talking to members of the Viperz gang. You working with them? Hoping to sell?”
“That’s more than one question,” Red Hood points out. “But whatever. I’ll answer both.” He lets out this next part real slow. “I. work. for. Bat. Man.” Honestly, saying that still leaves a sour taste in his mouth, but if it will get his dad’s ‘buddies’ to back off, then he’ll deal with it.
“The Big Man doesn’t work with anyone but us,” Green Lantern scoffs, sounding way too confident for someone who is completely wrong.
The Flash at least has a thoughtful expression on his face, like he’s willing to hear Jason out. But before he can ask, Oliver opens his big, stupid mouth.
“Oh, yeah?” Green Arrow asks. “Because I looked you up. Red Hood, right?” Green Arrow had a satisfied smirk on his face. He took a piece of paper out of his front pocket. “Local papers from a few years ago say you’re a criminal.” Oliver whistled, looking the paper over. “Got quite the reputation too. Gang violence, murder, drug trades. Do you think I’m stupid?”
“Yeah,” Jason says automatically.
So much for not starting anything with Oliver. It was kinda already too late anyway.
Honestly, Jason was planning on changing his vigilante name and costume. He was sick of his old reputation following him around and getting him into trouble. He especially didn’t want to risk Roy or Lian over his own shit. He needed a clean slate.
“I answered your question,” Jason says, before Oliver can chew him out for that comment. “Can I get my phone call now?”
Green Arrow rolls his eyes but releases one of Hood’s hands and places a phone in it. It was Wayne tech, which allowed communication to travel across space. Jason smirks at the irony.
He debates on who he should call. And, man, Jason never thought he’d see the day where he had options on who to call when he was in trouble.
Who should Jason call?
Roy: see Chapter 2
Dick: see Chapter 3
Batman: see Chapter 4