Work Text:
Jason Peters had been working at the local bookshop for all of a week before a hazard looking young man stumbled into the shop. He was dressed in business attire, had messy brown hair, and looked a bit out of breath. The tie was crooked too. Wayne Enterprises was nearby so maybe the guy was an intern?
“Can I help you?” Jason offered from behind the counter where he had a book open and his feet propped up.
The kid, it was a kid right? Anyways the kid nodded.
“Are you Jason? Jason Peters?” The kid-guy asked.
Okay. That was weird. No one came looking for Jason Peters. It was a carefully crafted alias. The guy was a Gotham native who grew up in a decent part of town, graduated from an average school, then got a job at the bookstore he was currently in doing mundane work. There was no reason anyone should be looking for an average guy.
“Why do you wanna know?” Jason asked cautiously, one could never be too careful in Gotham.
The intern shuffled, “Uh, I was told to deliver this to him?”
The kid held up a letter, sealed with a Wayne Enterprises logo on the front.
Jason raised an eyebrow, “It's not like- laced with anything right?”
The kid panicked, “No! No, it's completely safe! I was just told to deliver it, I don't know it's contents!”
With a sigh, he sat his feet back on the ground and leaned forward to extend his hand, “Hand it over, it's for me.”
The letter exchanged hands and the poor intern stood around awkwardly for a second too long before giving him an awkward wave and a mumbled ‘bye’. Which in turn left Jason with the letter. He stared at it and carefully felt for anything strange through the paper. Nothing from what he could feel. He'd need to take it home and look it over later. So he tucked it in his pocket and forgot about it for the rest of his shift.
Later that night, before he geared up for Jason Todd's job, he remembered the letter and pulled it out. Using a very technical process called shaking the envelope he discovered there was something in it but no powders or anything of that sort. Just a paper. It was probably fine since it had come from WE. He didn't particularly care for the man in charge of the company but it wasn't like the CEO was going to allow his mail to be intercepted. Jason stared at the letter before moving to his meager kitchen and digging around for a knife. Finding none he moved to Red Hood's stash of toys and quickly found a pocket knife he could use. He flipped the blade out and slipped it in between the two pieces of paper. It was cut open in a second and he closed the knife and tossed it back into the room of his apartment somewhere he'd find later.
Inside the envelope was a sheet of paper and a card. Jason pulled out the card first and scoffed at the debit card. Was this one of those bank scams? It wasn't credit though? Plus why was Wayne Enterprises handing out debit cards? One of this caliber too? Weird…
Jason sat the card down and pulled out the paper inside, discarding the now empty envelope.
“Dear Mr. Peters- oh this is rich!” Jason said with a laugh, “I have found myself in a position of power and wish to come to an agreement with you. I would like to fund you and your lifestyle, in return I would like a date with you. Please use the card as you see fit- are you kidding me?”
He tossed the letter down. What the fuck? Was this lady serious? What did this even mean? Some stranger wanted to give him money in exchange for a date- oh shit he wanted to be Jason's sugar daddy! What the fuck! He was not going to participate in some sort of sugar daddy type arrangement with some old bastard he had never met before! Absolutely not!
Jason glanced at the discarded paper and his eyes caught the message.
‘...and your lifestyle.’
Wait. His blood turned cold and he froze. The fear that he had been caught in his nightly activities got stuck in his chest and he skimmed the paper again, desperate for proof that he was going crazy and some old geezer didn't know his biggest secret. He found nothing.
He groaned as he realized what he was stuck with. The only option he had to truly figure out if the old hag knew his secret was to go meet her.
It was fine. He would just… decline in person. Get his answer and move on. That's all. It was fine.
He still went out as Red Hood that night, wanting to not confirm anything by changing his typical behavior. Plus, a good beat down cured an anxious mind or something. The letter had a phone number attached and when he had very anxiously called it, the number had sent him straight to a voicemail inbox where he could accept the proposition. It had admittedly pissed him off to not be able to contact the rich hag who had reached out to him via letter. Still he accepted the invite and was left to wait for a response.
Said response came the next day in the most infuriating way. This time a different intern came, a girl who looked barely out of college if at all. Same sad business attire. Skirt, hosiery, heels that looked a half-size too big for her, and a button up blouse that had the hint of an old stain furiously scrubbed out. She didn't seem particularly winded like the last errand boy however she gave him a nervous smile and wobbled over in her too big heels to pass over another forsaken letter. Jason looked at it angrily.
The female intern began to leave but Jason stopped her, “Why does your boss keep sending interns instead of coming herself?”
The young woman frowned, “Uh, well, there's a lot of meetings and then there's the grand opening of the new charity and then-”
He cut her off, “Okay I get it, the boss is busy. Thanks for the delivery.”
She nodded and ran off, likely on a coffee run or whatever it was that interns do. Jason sat back in his chair with a sigh. He glanced at the letter and debated opening it in the store. Realistically, he should wait. But he wanted to know…
His hand snatched the envelope and he used his finger this time to tear it open. Unlike the clean cut of last time, this was jagged and rough. Jason pulled out the letter enclosed and tossed the torn envelope in the paper receptacle.
“Dear Mr. Peters, thank you for accepting my offer. I look forward to seeing you tonight, please dress in formal attire. My assistant will provide a suit for you should you wish to use it.” Jason read, his disbelief growing with each line.
He gave a disbelieving laugh, “This lady is serious? What did I get myself into…”
That night after he had just got home from closing up the bookstore, he was greeted with a knock at his door. He checked his security cameras and found a young woman, different from the intern, holding a clothing bag and looking very out of place in his run down apartment hallway. Her full business attire blatantly stood out. Jason opened the door tentatively.
She looked at him with calculating eyes, “Mr. Peters, I presume?”
He gave a nod.
“I'm here to drop off the suit you'll be wearing tonight and drive you to dinner.” She said smoothly and passed the suit bag through the cracked door.
Jason took it, “Thanks… I guess I'll go get changed then?”
She gave him a firm nod and he closed the door and headed to his room. Jason placed the bag on his bed and unzipped it, curious about what his date had thought to send. His eyebrows raised as he caught sight of the clothes provided. Black, high quality fabric greeted his finger tips and a crisp crimson tie was paired with it. It was definitely a nice suit. Way too nice for someone like him but he'd be wearing it all the same. He pulled it out of the bag and marveled at the fine craftsmanship. There were very few tailors who could tailor something like this. Jason doubted it would fit him very well.
Yet as he tugged the suit pants on and secured them he was shocked at how well they fit. He pulled the suit jacket over his shoulders and tightened the tie. It had little embroidered fluers on it that spoke of money. He ran a hand through his hair and debated on styling it. No. He wasn't going to put this much effort into a rejection. Jason moved to leave, an old pair of dress shoes on his feet. As he caught the sight of himself in the mirror leaning against his wall he stopped.
The suit didn't just fit. It was tailored to him. Like whoever this person was knew more about him than he did about himself. He hated it. It got under his skin and itched. Suddenly the well crafted tie was choking him the the colors of his signature helmet. He had to figure out how much this woman knew about him. Decline her offer to basically treat him like a sugar baby. Get this off of him.
He had never belonged in tailored suits and designer ties.
The assistant was still waiting patiently for him when he finally went to the door. She stepped aside when he opened it and she gave him a quick look over. Jason wasn't really sure why though.
“Ready Mr. Peters?” She asked curtly and he got the impression that she didn't like him.
Jason didn't really fancy her either as he shrugged, “I guess.”
The assistant said nothing in response and instead began heading out towards the car. Jason followed his chauffeur. The car was nothing special thankfully, he would've probably died again if it had been some hotrod that drew attention. The drive was admittedly peaceful and Jason watched as the streets he grew up running around on gave way to the places where he'd stake out for tires. Then, the places where Robin had flown. He ignored those memories.
She parked them right at the door of some fancy restaurant he didn't really recognize and Jason got out. Then she ditched him. He tried not to be pissed about it. He moved to talk to the waiter.
“Uh, yeah, hi. I'm here for… I'm not really sure to be honest but-” He started hesitantly.
The waiter smiled, “Yes, please follow me and I'll take you to your seat!”
Well. That was easy.
He followed the waiter through weaving halls and plenty of seating arrangements till they were on a private balcony. The waiter pulled out his seat for him and Jason felt himself cringe. This was not his typical preference for dining. The waiter left him be and he took it all in. Fancy tablecloth, fancy silverware that was likely real silver, special forks for different purposes, pretty wine glasses, a bottle of red wine from a private orchard, and the view of Gotham in its best state. Except Gotham's best was way back on the streets. Little shops owned by natives who had been struggling to stay afloat but gave their all. Food stalls who had the best food you'd ever had but it came with a greasy napkin and a dirty apron. This, the embroidered napkin clothes and the way you couldn't smell the city from inside the restaurant, it was all fake. None of it was real. Just an illusion to hide the real Gotham behind a curtain.
Jason loved Gotham. It was the one thing that had never changed in him. The rich old hag who seemed to know his waist measurements didn't seem to know much about his personality.
Speaking of! Where the hell was this woman? Fashionably late was and had always been out of style!
A man turned the corner right as Jason was tempted to order without his ‘date.’
He was shorter than him, loose black hair hanging in front of his eyes. He took smooth strides and was dressed just as finely as Jason was. The man looked young, though Jason had to assume that they weren't far apart in age. Ice blue eyes greeted him and he was a little surprised at how casually the man looked him dead in the eyes. Jason was broad, built, and admittedly had quite a presence. He wasn't unaware of that fact. Yet this man didn't seem intimidated. Still, he was young and not who Jason had been expecting at all.
Jason sighed and rested a hand on his chin, “Lemme guess, the rich old woman who wants to be my sugar momma had to cancel so she sent one of her sweet little interns down here to keep me company?”
The man choked and sputtered before breaking into a bright laugh, “I- Oh my God! You're- you didn't- I didn't- I am so sorry!”
Jason raised an eyebrow at the response, “What? Why? You didn't do anything, did you?”
The man recovered and nodded before smiling and gosh that was such a nice look for him-
“There's been a misunderstanding.” Blue Eyes said smoothly, voice the air of confidence.
Jason waited patiently for the explanation, though he was growing tired of waiting.
Blue eyes sparkled with mirth, “I am the one you're meeting with tonight.”
Jason's brain short circuited. This guy? What? Why would- I mean Jason didn't think that poorly of himself however he really didn't think that some young twenties-something would want to be handing money over to some random guy all in the name of having a weird sugar baby type relationship. Plus, what was someone his age doing with enough money to do such a thing in the first place? Like seriously did that junk just grow on trees and Jason had been poor for the fun of it growing up? What the hell!
“What the hell!” Jason said indignantly.
The man gave an understanding smile that had a hint of pity that Jasom found terribly irritating in the way that had him itching to wipe it off his face, “I met you, a while ago, though you did not know it was me. I like you Jason, a lot. Though I know enough to know that it would be easier to convince you to have dinner with me if you had a reason to suspect that I knew something you didn't want me to.”
Jason opened his mouth but the man cut him off, “Relax, your secret is safe with me. I have told no one. In fact, I find the work you do… appealing. You're appealing, Jason.”
Suddenly there wasn't a lot of air on their little balcony. Jason grew warm at the insinuation and he gaped at the blatant admission of his greatest secret. He hadn't expected it but he was speechless.
The man smiled and oh boy Jason was done with those smiles, “My name is Tim.”
Jason stared at him like he had just grown two heads, “You're insane.”
The man, Tim apparently, shrugged, “Yeah, what's new?”
“You're like- clinically insane.” Jason said bluntly.
Tim huffed a laugh, “I'm not sure what I expected from this to be honest.”
Jason rolled his eyes, “Well I had assumed a date.”
A raised eyebrow, “Is that what you want? Now that you know?”
“Fuck if I know. We're here now though.” Jason said a little crazed.
He was gonna have to kill this guy or something. This Tim person knew that he was Red Hood. He knew. That was bad. Bad because- because why? It wasn't like this random guy with money knew Batman personally. Maybe he got his money from the underworld and that was why he knew Jason. But it wasn't like he had a life to ruin. Jason was a dead man. You couldn't destroy what didn't exist. Plus, Jason could totally take Tim. This guy was lean like a bean pole. Harmless. Probably had never spent time in a gym let alone outside the office. Jason could relax, this guy was no threat. And if he became one then Jason could eliminate him. Easy.
Tim hummed, “Thinking about killing me, hm?”
Jason narrowed his eyes at the guy, “No. We're at dinner, that would be rude.”
“You don't care about manners,” Tim pointed out rather annoyingly.
He huffed, “You're not a threat.”
Tim grinned something feral and suddenly Jason doubted his initial assessment, “You seem confident for knowing nothing but my first name.”
Jason crossed his arms and leaned back in the fancy chair, “You must like confident then.”
Blue eyes were alight with amusement and Jason had a feeling that Tim was enjoying this, “I do. Shall we continue this discussion over dinner?”
He gave a firm nod, “Sure, though this isn't much of a discussion if I'm always right.”
Tim snorted but said nothing, instead picking up the menu. Jason peered at it too but his kind kept wandering.
This guy was intelligent. Scarily so. Yet he liked Jason. Which was probably why Jason was getting away with so much. However he didn't really understand what the deal was with this guy. He was handsome. Well dressed and manicured. Easily from the Gotham elite. Yet he was young. Maybe Jason's age but even if he was slightly older it would be peculiar to have that much money at such a young age. But that glint in his eyes… it was predatory. Too smart for its own good. Tim was a smart man. Jason was sure that he could take someone as small as Tim in a fight. Yet the way Tim had responded with confidence and smoothly gave him reason for concern. Suddenly he felt skeptical and cautious. Beware an opponent that doesn't fear you. Jason glanced at Tim before looking back at the stupid menu.
They ordered and that once again left them alone with time on their hands.
“How can I trust you?” Jason asked immediately.
Tim frowned and it was the first time Jason had seen something other than a smile, “You can't. I know that. Just… I really do want to get to know you.” He then shrugged, “The money is just an incentive.”
Jason stared at him then sighed, “Okay.”
“Okay?” Tim parroted in confusion.
He nodded, “Okay. Get to know me.”
Tim broke into a smile so fast that Jason got whiplash, “Thank you.”
The guy sounded so genuine that Jason had to look away with a scoff. Maybe he was making a mistake. Maybe he should just kill the guy. Maybe he should just move on, he didn't have time to get to know someone. The money was a decent incentive, but was that why he was going along with this? No, but Tim didn't need to know that.
“So, what do you like to read?”