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For the last few months, Jason has been undercover in the White Collar office of New York City. It was a mission that Talia asked him to do, to make sure no more of Ra’s assassins had infiltrated the unit. His cover was a conman named Neal Caffrey, who, not even six hours ago, had found a painting that had Kryptonite in it. Peter went to Hughes with Jason’s theory, and Hughes decided it was at least worth a check. He called the JLA and they said they would send someone over to check it out. At this point, it had already passed leaving time. But sadly, Neal needed to be there to ‘hand it over’ because he is the one who found it. Peter said that the JLA might want to get his statement, too.
Peter and Hughes also had to stay as Neal’s glorified babysitters (and ride home, in Peter’s case) but Diana and Jones stayed just to see who it was. Jason is trying to hide his nerves. He couldn’t get out of this one, and if it was someone who knew Jason before he died (or as Red Hood. That might actually be worse of a outcome.), well, then he might have to break his cover.
Of course, Jason was never exactly known as lucky.
“Hello Batman, thank you for coming to take this off of our hands,” Peter said(definitely sticking out his hand for a handshake.)
Shit .
Jason glares down at his computer. Maybe if he stayed still enough they would forget he was there?
“Where is the painting,” Batman demanded.
Jason could tell that Batman didn’t shake Peter’s hand just from the annoyance in his voice as he switches to ask Diana, “Diana, could you go to the evidence ro-”
Diana cut him off, “already ahead of you, sir.”
The soft sound of something, which was most definitely the painting, was passed between three sets of hands. Diana probably passed it to Peter who passed it to Batman. Jason tried to focus on writing up his report for the office while he listened. Tried being the keyword.
After a few moments of silence, as Batman was probably checking over the painting, Batman made the agreeing-growl that he does, “It is definitely kryptonite. Who identified it?”
After a second of silence, Peter, who must have realized that Neal wasn’t going to speak up, sighed in resigned disappointment and answered instead, “Neal, my CI found it. He is heavily knowledgeable in paintings and other types of art media. Neal, come on.”
Jason regretted all of his life decisions that led him to this point as he stood up. He walked a few steps forward, which landed him just behind Peter.
With a fake smile and slightly thicker ‘Brooklyn’ accent Jason told Batman his alias, “I’m Neal. Nice to meet you.”
Batman takes no time stiffening up as much as possible, and glaring at him.
“Jason.” Is growled from Batman’s face.
Neal tries his hardest not to flinch(which is noticeable to none except the two bats), (Jason’s Neal’s eyes flash green, he halfheartedly tries to fight it), “My name is Neal Caffrey, as was just stated multiple times. My name is not Jason.”
Batman continues to glare at him.
Jason hears a voice in the vents whisper, “Akh?” disbelievingly.
The pit had some good side effects.
Jason expects to hear the voice of his replacement telling him to be quiet. Batman would never come without Robin. It takes no time at all for Jason to figure out what it means when he doesn’t hear someone else even shift.
Peter is voicing his confusion at Batman as he looks back and forth between the two. Jason doesn’t even hear his handler’s voice as his eyes glow green and he pushes past him to snarl at Batman.
“If my brother is the only one in the vents above my head, you are going to regret coming here,” is growled lowly from Jason’s throat as he stalked towards Batman.
Peter makes a choked noise behind him.
Batman glares back, “He needed guidance to change from his ways. He will continue to be Robin until his training is done.”
“Like H*ll he will. Eaziziun, Taealaa li.”
Robin jumps out of the vent and hugs Jason who had stopped just out of Batman’s reach. Jason’s eyes glowled less nuclear, although they flashed again when Batman tried to grab Robin and stop him from going to Jason.
“I thought you were dead! I missed you,” Damian told him quietly in League Dialect.
Jason’s eyes flashed green again as he wondered who told his brother that, and how it probably killed some of his hope.
Jason lightly pushed Damian behind him, and turned back to Batman.
“He is under my protection. I’m not leaving my brother to die in your care.”
“I wouldn’t let-”
“Don’t you dare say you wouldn't let him die! Don’t you dare say you wouldn’t let anything happen! What about me? Where were you then? I needed you, and you. Weren’t. There.” Jason’s eyes are back to the sick green from before, and he is now breathing heavily, barely inches from Batman, “How is this different!? I doubt you’ve changed much.”
“Talia trusts me with him. She left him for me to protect.”
“Oh yeah!?” Jason glared harder, “The only reason she left him with you is because Ra’s nor Deathstroke would dare step foot in Gotham. And she didn’t leave him with me because I’m on a mission.”
Batman opened his mouth after growling but Jason cut him off, “and don’t you dare even try to say they won’t go into the city because of you. They know that Gotham is my territory and it doesn’t matter if I live there at the moment or not. If they tried anything , there wouldn't be anywhere safe enough. Don’t act like mom trusts you with her son, she would never . Not after what you did to me. Take your stupid painting and fucking leave . Linarhal, little brother.”
Damian followed, with no doubt that there was no safer place than beside his older brother, who just so happened to be not dead.