Dc x DP Prompt #2: He was Tragedy
I’ll start off by saying not everything that I am about to write will be canon compliant but I don’t really care about that. I also won't claim to know everything there is to know about Jason Todd but this my take on his character. And as for Danny I'm working mostly off of tidbits from the show and lore made by fans.
Jason Todd was born to an alcoholic father and raised by a drug addict mother. Both were victims of poverty in their own ways. His father turned to the drink to cope with the loss of his job and later, life as a two-bit thug supporting a family he grew to resent. His mother got caught up in addiction when she was young, watching her own mother use it to cope, and she grew dependent on it to deal with her husband's abuse. He grew up in a life of poverty and abuse.
Daniel Fenton was born to a simple-minded father and a strong-willed mother. Both outcasts in the same way. Regardless of their inventive or scientific brilliance the two were shunned for there ardent beliefs in paranormal science. Two, otherwise talented individuals, the laughingstock of their community because of it. But they found love in each other and their mutual beliefs. They were utterly wrapped up in each other, their work and their desire to prove themselves . So much so, that they often forgot some of the most important people in their lives. He grew up watching his parents neglect and forget about him and his sister pursue their obsession.
Jason Todd watched his father beat his mother and his mother loose the fight to addiction. He learned the harsh realities of life on the streets. He knew people doomed by the cycle of poverty in a corrupt system. He learned that some people had twisted minds and devious desires. He understood the injustice of the world from a young age.
Daniel Fenton watched his otherwise in-love parents fight every Christmas and tear up their house. He learned harsh realities of his own life in his kitchen where food came back to life. He knew his sister his sister grew up too fast to take care of him. He knew that his friends' parents didn't like leaving them in his parents' care. He understood the injustice of his situation from a young age.
Jason Todd still loved his mother and Danny Fenton still loved his parents. It was tragic that their parents cared but didn't love them the same way.
Jason Todd had a chance at a happy life but nothing was ever cut and dry. He loved his books and his new family. But he struggled in a community that didn't truly accept him. He did his best to change the world as he fought crime. But life isn’t fair, and it certainly isn’t kind. Jason Todd was 15 when he died.
Daniel Fenton still lived a happy life but nothing was ever cut and dry. He loved the stars and his two friends. But he struggled in a community that didn't truly accept him. He did his best to change his world wishing to be popular or an astronaut. But life isn’t fair, and it certainly isn’t kind. Daniel Fenton was 14 when he died.
Jason Todd could feel his bruised skin burn and smoke fill his pierced lungs. He died wishing for his for his father to come save him. He awoke in the dark 6 months later and crawled his way out of his grave. He gained more awareness in a pool of green. He was filled with anger and trained to be deadly.
Everyday he will know tragedy.
Danny Fenton could feel electricity dance on his burning skin as every molecule of his DNA was being overwritten. He died hoping his friends were still safe. He came to 10 minutes later with his body in a limbo and faintly realizing that he wouldn't get a grave. He gained more clarity when his eyes flashed green. He was filled with guilt and fighting to protect.
Everyday he will know tragedy.
Red Hood does somethings he regrets and others he doesn't. It gets worse before it gets better. But it's still not good. Some days he still gets mad and somethings he'll never let go of (his father's bataraang at his neck). But he moves on, reconciling with his brothers he learns to cope and he's getting better. He takes responsibility on him self to protect and avenge the downtrodden in the way he knows works. He tries to improve both sides
He fights to stop tragedy.
Phantom learns the hard way not to do things he'll regret. He knows it can get worse and strives to do better. But it's still hard. Some days he's resentful and somethings he wishes were better (his parents still shoot at him). But he moves on, his sister and friends teach him to cope and help him get better. He is given the responsibility to protect others and maintain balance in whatever ways he can. He tries to protect both sides.
He fights to stop tragedy.
When they meet it's not love at first sight. There is no desperate attraction or magnetic pull. There is patience and slowly growing close. There is nurtured love and hard-earned trust. There is looking into each other's eyes and understanding that, yes,
These two find solace in having someone understand even a fraction of the tragedy they know. Their love is like a fire that burns hot and slow. It is bright and passionate and fills them with warmth. They love each other deeply and they know:
They will not let their story end in Tragedy.
