Cardinal Sins (Sequel to ARS) Jason Todd x Roy Harper x fem!reader

Pool

song by paramore!

A/N: part 1 of the aftermath, but chapter 9 gets more directly into the slap

i didn't really explain this in the notes of last chapter but I felt it necessary to add the slap because I feel it's imperative to his rocky relationship with jason (specifically gotham war series which I cant even fucking read anymore it's absolute bssss yall and also ofc under the red hood series). I felt like ARS really glorified bruce and I wanted to show this other side of him as it pertains really well with the rest of the plot. this is a messy series- no one is perfect and I wanted to make this clear early on as it only gets messier. personally, for me, the messiness is what makes these characters truly come to life and I hope you can see why I made the decision I did when this is all finished :p

Just as you'd thought, when you show up a few days later at the manor, Jason and Bruce start it off by avoiding each other like the plague. Roy doesn't even try to hide his distaste as he swerves your group over to greet Alfred instead. You know the main reason they even bothered coming after what had happened last night was for you and your benefit. Regardless of his rocky relationship with Bruce, it seems like Jason's finally able to understand, or at least respect, that the man is important to you.

Being the last weeks of March, the Gotham weather has been consistently dreary and cold for months now. Lian's currently on spring break and, upon learning this, Dick had begged Alfred to move the luncheon to the indoor pool area, thus everyone arrives dressed accordingly.

You're almost grateful for the distraction the pool setting brings. For one, it'll be easier to avoid Bruce without it necessarily looking so, but you still won't be able to avoid him completely.

The only person, it seems, who's actually going to enjoy today is Lian. As soon as she's through the atrium doors, she immediately takes off and cannonballs into the pool right next to Stephanie and Connor.

Bruce's new girlfriend Samantha is already here, draped against Bruce's side as he makes them plates from the buffet when your group arrives. Eventually, no one can play it off anymore and you walk over to greet the two of them. A quick glance behind you proves Roy's distracting Jason with sunscreen as they spread out the fluffy towels Alfred has left on each beach chair. Though you're all technically inside and it's a typical cloudy March day, all three of you know full well that Roy will burn under the atrium glass if he doesn't put on sunscreen.

Bruce suddenly draws you from your thoughts.

He says your name with a well-practiced playboy air. This side of him is what you were used to witnessing from him back in high school, you know, back before you knew about his family's caped secrets. "I don't think the two of you have met yet," Bruce says as he ushers you to shake her dainty, pale hand. "This is the Samantha I've been telling you about."

"All good things, I hope," she jokes, laughing in a way that can only be described as sophisticated. Everything about the woman looks expensive, yet somehow effortlessly so.

You put on your game face if only to save face for your boyfriends, who definitely aren't in the mood to play family with Bruce today.

"Of course." You meet her charming smile with as much a smile as you can muster. You didn't realize how difficult it'd be to see Bruce so soon after... You clear your throat, along with your faltering thoughts, "It's nice to finally meet you."

The three of you go on to make small talk for a few moments before you manage to ask more about his new girlfriend. Instead of Samantha responding, however, Bruce interjects to boast on her behalf.