Chapter Text
Jason first met Robin when he allegedly (mom is so proud of him when he uses big words) stole six dollars from a mean old mobster he really shouldn’t have been anywhere near. But dad kicked him out again, he was really, really hungry, and mom needed medicine. It wasn’t enough money for both, so if he couldn’t pilfer a few more bucks, he’d have to settle for being hungry. That was fine. He would be okay so long as mom got better.
As soon as he’d successfully slipped into a nearby alley undetected, Robin dropped out of the freaking sky and gave him a cheery ‘hello’ and a wave. Instantly, Jason knew that Robin had seen him pickpocket the guy. Batman and Robin beat up bad guys, and stealing is bad, so Robin is going to hurt him worse than dad does and throw him in jail. He knew how to take a beating, but he couldn’t go to jail! He’s heard horrible, traumatizing things about the kids who get taken away by the police. Even the ones who end up in CPS get trafficked, he can’t imagine what would happen in jail.
So, Jason did the only thing he could think of. He sucker punched Robin and bolted out the other side of the alley, praying that he could escape and that he didn’t just make a future beating worse. Behind him, he heard Robin calling for him to wait, but there was no way in hell he was going to obey.
Mind racing frantically, he tried to figure out where he could hide. He couldn’t go home, not only was dad a crook but mom might get arrested too even though she never did a bad thing in her entire life. His usual hideout off of Carraway was a no go because a new gang moved in just a few buildings away. Maybe he could duck into the back of Mrs. Brently’s shop? It was closed, but she often hung around after hours. Besides, she was nice and said he could come to her for help. She might let him hide under her desk until Robin left?
Unfortunately, he’d been so caught up in his thoughts that he didn’t realize he’d missed his turn and barreled right into a dead end. Heart racing frantically, he whipped around to hopefully slip out before Robin caught up, but it was too late. The brightly colored hero skid to a stop a few yards away from him and is completely unphased by the chase.
Robin opened his mouth, but Jason didn’t give him a chance to speak. He needed to get this out before this situation became completely unsalvageable. If he was lucky, maybe he could convince Robin to just beat him up and let him go. “I’m sorry,” Jason said in as steady a voice he could manage. “I shouldn’t have stolen the money from him. I swear he was the only one; please don’t take me to jail.”
With that, Jason held out the measly six dollars and waited to see what Robin would do. The older kid simply tilted his head as he seemed to chew on Jason’s words. After a second, he asked, “Why’d you take the money?”
“Mom’s sick…and I was hungry,” he admitted defeatedly. He hated acting meek and pathetic, but maybe he could just be honest and lean into the ‘sad little kid who can’t do anything’ act. If he seemed harmless, maybe it would hurt less. As much as he wanted to fight back and stand up for himself, he had to help mom.
Robin nodded sagely before chirping, “Okay, let’s go grab some things at that corner store then!”
Jason blinked, not comprehending or believing what he was hearing. “What?” he asked, shock coloring his tone.
“Come on, you must be really hungry if you’re willing to risk getting pounded by Two-Crook Nick!” With that, Robin waved Jason along and started heading down the alley. Unsure what to do, Jason followed him like a lost puppy as the hero kept jabbering on. “I was really worried when you pickpocketed him. He’s a mean one! A couple weeks ago, Batman and I-”
The constant stream of chatter continued as Robin led them inside a convenience store and grabbed several sandwiches, bags of chips, and sodas as he told Jason to grab whatever medicine his mom needed. Feeling like he was trapped in some kind of fever dream, he stumbled to the next aisle over and grabbed a few boxes.
When Jason followed Robin to the counter, the stunned-looking clerk checked them out and accepted the couple of bills the small hero offered him. After that, Robin led him onto a nearby roof so they could eat. Jason took an agonizing minute to double check that everything was safely sealed as discreetly as he could to not offend his surprise benefactor before digging right into his food. Everything was delicious, and Jason couldn’t help but feel more at ease around the acrobat.
“So,” Robin asked between bites of his sandwich. “What’s your name?”
A second of hesitation later, he replied, “Jason.”
“Well, Jason! How about we get you home now? It’s getting late, and I’m sure your mom needs that medicine.” Jason’s face twisted momentarily before he put on a blank mask, but Robin must’ve seen it. “What’s wrong?” the hero asked curiously.
Jason bit his lip to keep his emotions under control (dad said if he ever cried again he’d sell him), he quietly said, “Dad kicked me out.” Robin’s face fell, and Jason immediately felt bad for making Robin feel…whatever negative emotion he was feeling. “It’s okay! I’ll sneak in and give mom the medicine. He’ll let me back in after a couple days, so I’ll just sleep in the basement or something until then. I’ll be fine, really!”
Robin insisted on walking him home, so the two wandered together until they arrived at the right building. Before parting ways, Robin pulled two twenties and an emergency space blanket out of his belt. “Hope to see you again soon! I’d love to hang out more, but Batman’s calling me.”
Stunned speechless at the older boy’s kindness, Jason was only able to stutter out a thanks after Robin had already taken to the air.
_______
Mom got better. Until she didn’t. She’s been getting sicker, and Jason doesn’t know what to do. The one little silver lining to his life is his friend Robin. It’s been six months since he started visiting Jason’s rooftop once a week or so and would eat snacks and hang out with him. It was nice to have a friend, but it wouldn’t fix the problems plaguing his life.
“Dad’s in jail again,” Jason said forlorn. He hated the man and always lived in fear of being trafficked or beaten, but at least he’d paid the bills. Well, most of them. Robin had promised to track him down if dad ever sold him, but Gotham had swallowed up too many kids for Jason to believe him. He did appreciate it though.
A deep sigh, and then Robin replied, “I’m sorry.” He knew exactly what kind of situation Jason lived in.
“Useless dirtbag,” Jason growled angrily as Robin rubbed his back and crooned comforting nonsense to him until Batman called him away.
_______
Dad died. He was murdered in prison just like he deserved. But despite that, Jason didn’t know how to feel. Robin held him and let him cry his anger and begrudging love out for as long as he needed. He wished he could just hate Willis, but he couldn’t.
_______
A month later, Jason came home one afternoon to find his mom’s cold, limp body on the bathroom floor. He’d read books on medicine and first aid and CPR and none of it was working. It took far too long for Jason to realize that his mom was dead. She’d never smile again. Or sing to him or hold him or tell him how proud of him she was-
Mom was gone. And with that realization came the knowledge that CPS would come for him. And as soon as CPS got their hands on him, he’d be trafficked. After that, who knows what would happen to him. He’s heard of kids being sold to rogues so they could test their newest toxins and concoctions on them. Other stories whisper about children who were sold to Gotham’s rich elites as pets. Some people said trafficked kids were kept as toys and treated like their own personal corner girl. Still others spoke of kids being sold off to monsters who enjoyed murder without the hassle of finding their own victims.
Jason didn’t want to die, but being sold to a murderer seemed to be the best out of all the horrible options laid before him. Somehow, Jason shakily made his way to the roof without toppling over the side. Tears streaked down his cheek as the world continued to turn outside his little bubble of misery.
One blink, the sun was still high in the sky and traffic still bustled on the streets below him. Another blink, and the sun was setting. The next, it was deep into the night.
Eventually, a worried voice asked, “Jason? Are you okay?”
The sudden voice startled Jason, but he calmed down, well, as much as he could, after he realized it was just Robin. Struggling to find his voice, he choked out, “Mom’s dead. I’m going to go to CPS. They’re going to traffick me and I’ll be lucky if I get sold to someone who’ll just kill me.” At this point he was full on sobbing as the words poured out of his mouth.
“No, I won’t let that happen,” Robin growled ferociously as he pulled Jason into a hug.
Whining pathetically, although Jason was too upset to care, he replied, “There’s nothing you can do about it! Maybe- maybe I can live on the streets? I can try pickpocketing or running for one of the gangs-” As soon as the idea of running drugs left his mouth, he instantly knew he wouldn’t be able to do that. Images of his mom’s corpse just a few stories below him made him gag, and Robin did his best to soothe him.
“I- Well, I think I have an idea,” Robin said tentatively, and that’s when Jason’s whole world changed.