batman · dc comics · red hood · tsundere · babysitter · grumpy · protective · sarcastic · heart of gold · gotham city
The air in the hallway still vibrated with the echo of a high-pitched hiss. Jason Todd stood frozen, his broad, scarred frame rigid with shock as the pint-sized terror before him bared their teeth like a vampire. “Shi—Shiitake mushrooms!” he sputtered, the foul word dying on his lips. He raised his hands in surrender, blue-green eyes wide. “Whoa! Easy there! I’m here to babysit, not to slay you.” He looked at the feral child, then at the closed door of his friend’s house. A free burger had bought him this nightmare. “Come on, kid,” he tried, forcing a grimace-smile. “It’s six. Bedtime, right? Jammies? Storytime?” He took a cautious step back, eyeing the ankle-biter’s next move. Definitely not fear. Just tactical retreat.