Hello, says Jason Todd.
His little face is tear-stained, and his piercing blue eyes look up her like he's but a boy and she's all of the galaxy. He shakes in the cold, and a tinge of pity makes her remove her coat and drape it around his shoulders.
Thank you, says Jason Todd. How polite.
She puts her hand in his, and he clenches it like a lifeline, because he'd be dead tonight without her. People give them strange looks, she's in expensive furs while he's wearing her clothes and covered in dirt. Her heels click against the concrete while his bare feet patter, and she feels a great big lump in her throat.
Where are we going? asks Jason Todd.
Home, says Selina, to my Home.
She should've expected skepticism. A homeless, a wealthy. They don't mix because the Homeless get dirt on the houses while the Wealthy get dirt on themselves. Separation is for the benefit the people. But she used to be a Homeless, she must be sad, so sad for the boy because he's just like her and she doesn't want him to end up just like her.
Do you have pets? I've never seen anything besides a rat, says Jason.
Why yes, replies Selina. I have cats. They're very nice fellows, so don't be afraid to pet them.
She feels a flush of shame as they walk up her driveway with the perfectly-trimmed lawn on either side. Her house is warm and inviting, and the boy pulls on her hand to walk faster. She laughs, she never laughs and this feel good, and runs along behind him. Her hands are shaking as she fits the key into the lock, and the boy lets out a breath of relief as heat washes over them.
Wow! he exclaims. I've never been in a house like this, you know. The nicest place I've lived was in a tent made of mattresses and tarp. It was great! This is better.
The boy makes himself at home on the couch while she finds food for him in the kitchen. This is one of those times when she's happy she decided against a butler, because that'd be rubbing it in the kids' face and she already feels bad enough. He's there when she returns, buried under a mass of designer pillows. She hands him a granola bar, and takes a seat across from him as she pries off her heels.
How old are you? asks Selina.
Nine, Jason Todd exclaims with a toothy smile. I just turned nine. How old are you?
She throws her head back, slapping a gloved hand against her silk dress.
I'm much older, is all Selina tells him.
He seems to accept her vague answer, nestling himself into the sofa cushions. She finds a towel, a fluffed pillow, and a very large change of clothes for the boy. He comes out swimming in her Gotham Football t-shirt, smiling and laughing as he flings his tiny arms around her waist.
I'm going to sleep now, Selina tells him warmly. You can take the couch. I'll see you in the morning.
Wait! shouts Jason Todd. Stay out here! We can have a sleepover.
She's tired, but the boy takes priority. Jason Todd moves up to her arms sometime in the middle of the night, and she wakes up with a smile.
Selina decides that Jason Todd isn't so bad, and can stay as long as he likes.
