A web in the dark

That's definitely jason todd.

He wasn't just standing there—he was assessing her. She could practically feel the weight of his gaze behind that stupid bucket helmet, picking apart everything about her in mere seconds.

And while she was good at hiding it, she knew he had caught her initial panic.

But then, to her surprise, he moved.

Slowly, deliberately—untensing.

His shoulders dropped, his stance softened. He tilted his head slightly, as if trying to make himself look smaller, less threatening. It was calculated, controlled. Like he had done this before—like he knew exactly how not to scare a kid.

It almost worked.

But Persephone had been around Deadpool and daredevil so much the past year she knew better. She knew a controlled action when she saw one.

She didn't move, still wary, still watching.

Then, in one smooth motion, he reached up and pulled off the helmet.

Persephone tensed again on instinct—but then she saw his face.

Well, most of it.

A mask still covered the area around his eyes, but she could see enough.

And that was enough to make her stare.

Because that mask? Yeah, it did absolutely nothing to hide the fact that the man standing in front of her was Jason Todd.

She hadn't known for sure before. But now? Yeah. It was him.

And for some reason, that was hilarious.

Before she could stop herself, a tiny giggle slipped out.

Jason—because that was definitely Jason—froze slightly, head tilting in clear confusion.

She immediately slapped a hand over her mouth, not meaning to laugh, but the damage was already done.

He didn't say anything at first, just stared at her like he was trying to figure out what was so funny.

She shook her head, forcing herself to stay silent, biting back the amused smirk trying to creep onto her face.

Jason sighed, muttering something under his breath before finally speaking.

"Name's Red Hood," he said casually, stuffing the helmet under his arm. "Protector of street kids. Or street rats, as I like to call 'em."

She quirked a brow. Protector of street kids?

Well, that explained why he was here.

He must've seen her with Luke, Noel, and Ian. Maybe thought she was some lost kid trying to survive in Gotham.

Technically, he wasn't wrong.

But that didn't mean she was going to trust him.

He studied her for a moment, then asked, "What's your name, kid?"

Persephone hesitated.

She could lie. She should lie.

But this whole situation? The weirdest thing she had ever experienced.

So, feeling a little reckless—because why not?—she decided to mess with him.

With the most serious expression she could muster, she tilted her head and answered, "Persephone Grayson."

Jason visibly stilled.

It was slight—so slight that most people wouldn't have noticed. But she did.

The way his fingers twitched slightly against his helmet. The way his breath hitched just a fraction. The way his whole body went impossibly still.

Outwardly? He was calm. Unshaken.

Internally?

Yeah, internally, Jason Todd was freaking the hell out.

Persephone bit the inside of her cheek to keep from smirking.

Because, really—what were the chances?

A little girl who looked exactly like his brother just happened to also have the last name Grayson?

Yeah. Jason was definitely losing it inside.

But, to his credit, he recovered quickly.

His voice remained even as he responded, "Huh. Grayson, huh?"

She just shrugged.

Jason stared at her for another long moment, like he was trying to see through her. Trying to figure out if she was lying.

Which was fair.

Because she definitely was.

But it was so much fun watching him try to keep his composure.