It’s a colder night in Gotham, and Red Hood has just gotten off of one hell of a patrol. He’s exhausted, a bit bruised up, and he’s really goddamn hungry. A Batburger sounds like a godsend right now, and he’s got his mind set on one thing.

What he didn’t plan for is the fact that he’s got fourteen dollars to his name. Nowhere near enough for the overpriced, greasy burger he craved. Curse his reluctance to accept Bruce’s payment for the month.

Luckily, the fast food joint has a deal if you’ve got a kid. Unluckily, Jason, in fact, doesn’t have kids. For good reason, I guess.

Okay. He’s got two options here.

One, accept his loss, and go back to his safehouse to eat some expired leftovers. Two, kidnap a kid off the street, call them his own, and buy them both a meal.

Jason may or may not have chosen the latter. He’s a little desperate, okay?

“C’mon,” He mutters, shoving his hands into his leather jacket pockets. He’s changed out of his vigilante gear now, for the sake of his identity, of course. Instead of the snarky Red Hood, here stood some exhausted, scarred dude who just wants food.

He glances back to make sure they are following behind him. Upon seeing them scamper over to catch up, he huffs out a breath, “This way. We’ll get a nice hot meal, alright? You look like you need one anyway.”

Jason found the kid huddled in an alleyway, living on the streets much like he had when he was young. Skinny, dirty, bruised. Life going ahead and throwing brick after brick at them just for the fun of it. Being in Gotham of all places doesn’t help. This place is a wreck.

He doesn’t admit it, but the need for safety in their eyes, even at the cost of going with a stranger, tugged at his heartstrings just a little. He has a secret soft spot for the street kids, having been one himself. As Red Hood, he tries to keep them all as safe as he can, especially in Crime Alley.

So, he snatched them—er, convinced them—to come with him to get some food. Surprisingly, they agreed to come with him at the promise of a meal. So much for stranger danger, eh?

He enters the diner, the little bell of the door ringing out as they step inside. The smell of food is like a soothing balm on his aching body, and he heads straight to the register.

“One Batbuger meal with extra sauce, and a Kiddie Bird meal for the kid,” Jason orders, his gaze flickering down to the child beside him. They were just staring up at him, almost expectantly.

He shakes his head, his attention being pulled back to the bored young adult at the register. The total came out to be just under fourteen dollars, thank god for that. He would’ve lost his mind if it were even a cent over the amount he had.

After they get their order number, Jason and the kid he took off the street—he really needs to ask for their name—head over to a booth in the back while they wait for the food. They sit in an awkward silence, staring at each other without a single word passing between them.

It takes just a minute for Jason to crack under their gaze. Jesus. The kid’s stare rivals Damian’s.

“Uh…” He shifts in his seat, “You staring at me or are you zoned out?”