Archive of Our Own ^beta

Jason Todd did not dress up.

He didn't.

Why would he?

He had no reason to put on a stupid costume for a pretty gal with gorgeous blue eyes that were like crystal oceans, especially when she begged and-

And he didn't dress up.

End of story.

Which is what he should've said when Pixie first brought the idea up. Except he didn't say that he couldn't dress up, he was so weak for those pleading eyes and her rosy cheeks.

So that's how he ended up scrolling through a list of Halloween costumes.

None were appealing, not even remotely.

Nettie had only asked for his help because apparently Adrien had come down with a cold and couldn't make it to a charity event Marinette was hosting.

Jason admired her dedication to helping people in and out of the suit. In fact, he'd wager that Pixie could give Brucie Wayne a run for his money.

The whole event was for sick kiddos in the hospital who were too ill to go trick-or-treating. Marinette had taken it upon herself to make tons of sweets for them and was planning on dressing up and distributing them in the coming days.

It was just his luck that her best friend had ended up sick. Now he had to find a dinky little costume to wear.

He sighed, putting down his phone. He really didn't mind, he liked, loved even, helping Nettie out.

He thought it was sweet she was doing this for the kids.

Halloween just wasn't a favorite holiday of his… maybe it was the clown costumes or perhaps it was all the undead paraphernalia.

It just unnerved him a bit.

Just then Marinette walked in, carrying a large box full of candies and sweets.

"Hi Jason! Thanks again for doing this! I really appreciate it, have you got a costume yet?" She chirped.

He smiled, finding it easy to do when the bubbly girl was around.

Sighing, "No, I can't seem to find anything that I like online. It's all just so… wrong to me?"

Nettie nodded, as if the vagueness made perfect sense to her.

Marinette smiled, "Who says you need to find one."

Jason frowned, brow furrowing. "Huh?"

She giggled, a sound Jason wouldn't mind hearing more often from the petite girl. Turning to face him she smoothly replied.

"You don't need a costume. You're already a zombie."

He must've had a funny look on his face because Marinette burst out in giggles, practically tripping on herself to try and stay standing.

Two could play at that game!

He swiftly got up from his spot on the couch and scooped Marinette up, dropping her on the couch and relentlessly tickling her.

"Jason!" She gasped for air, giggling uncontrollably. "Jay! Jay stop-! I can't-!"

Finally he relented, admiring her flushed face.

Her lips looked soft and he was still hovering over her.

He leaned closer, Marinette's breath hitching.

Sapphire blue eyes gazed deep into sea foam green.

"Ahem."

Jason jerked back, heat rising to his face. "Yes Alfred? Was there something you needed"

The old butler simply shook his head, setting a package that had come down on the nearby table.

Marinette, still flushed, perked up. "Oh! My costume for the event finally arrived! Thanks Alfred!"

Alfred nodded, "Of course Miss Marinette."

With that the elder exited, leaving the two once more alone.

"So Pixie, what costume did you get?" He asked, more than a little curious.

Marinette just stuck her tongue out at him, "It's a surprise, so you'll have to wait until the event!"

Jason grinned, feral. "What is it, one of those sexy cat costumes?"

Marinette sputtered and her face went cherry red. It made Jason want to tease her more often.

"Jay!"

She stuttered out her defense and he found it adorable, seeing the petite girl flustered was a great sight to see.

"Jason, are you listening?"

He zoned back into reality, "Sorry Mari, what did you say?"

She pouted, another expression that Jason could add to his ever growing list of favorite faces she made.

"I asked if you wanted me to alter one of your old shirts into a costume. It'd be simple and I know you don't really like dressing up and I thought that maybe just a basic shirt with a Halloween design on it might be better and- oh kwami I'm rambling aren't I?"

Jason laughed, making the pink tint on her cheeks spread. "Yeah that'd be fine, I'd really appreciate it too."

Marinette broke into a smile, practically vibrating with excitement, "Oh good! Just lend me one of your old shirts, preferably white, and I can give it to you before the event!"

A white shirt huh? Jason had one of those on right now…

He quickly reached and grabbed his shirt, pulling over his head and then turning right side out. He offered it to Marinette.

Marinette whose blush had turned bright red, eyes trying not to stare but failing miserably.

Jason almost felt bad… almost.

"Sorry it's not very clean…"

He rubbed the back of his neck, sheepish for not thinking of it sooner.

Marinette looked away, accepting the shirt.

"Ah, thank you! I'm going to go work on it now! Goodbye!"

Jason laughed, Mari had sped out of the room faster than a speedster. He looked forward to his costume.

Mari had been avoiding him all week. He was beginning to worry that he had overstepped or pushed Nettie too far. He did tease her quite a bit… maybe too much…

A knock on his door.

"Come in!"

Alfred strode in, something in his hands.

"Not who you were hoping for, Master Jason?"

He shook his head, sighing.

Alfred gave a small smile, "She's busy changing into her costume for the event. I recommend you do the same."

And with that he laid the item on the edge of the bed and retreated.

Jason set down the book he'd been trying to read, his mind too focused on crystal oceans, and stood to inspect the costume Marinette had made for him.

He snorted. She couldn't be serious could she? Of course she was, that was Pixie for you.

He quickly changed and slipped on the shirt, chuckling to himself as he made his way down the stairs.

Jason had just made it to the lower floor of the house when he saw her.

And she was wearing his jacket. And his armor. And his holsters. And had his domino mask. And was holding his helmet in her arm.

She had dressed up as him!

"Are you kidding me?" He walked up to her.

Mari laughed, "What I thought it'd be fun to go as the Red Hood! Besides, the kids will love it and I hope you don't mind that I borrowed your actual helmet… I made the rest of it but I couldn't make the helmet."

He shook his head, "No that's alright, wait if you made the costume then what was that package for?"

Nettie stifled a giggle, "Well I did order a custom made replica but it came a bit… wonky."

She pointed to the nearby table, showcasing a bicycle helmet that had been poorly painted red.

He snorted, "I should wear that to patrol, maybe even ride a bicycle around Gotham."

He smiled as Marinette laughed at his joke.

Well, she thought it was a joke at least. He was kinda serious. It'd be hilarious.

Once she quit laughing she turned to him, "And how do you like your costume?"

He smiled and looked at it.

"Well for starters you dyed it orange."

"Yep"

He continued, "And you drew a carved pumpkin face on it."

She nodded.

"With a sharpie." He finished, turning to her.

She giggled, "What I thought you could be a Jack-o-lantern?"

He sighed, fondly exasperated.

"But with a sharpie? Pixie you are a world renowned fashion designer and you drew on a shirt with a sharpie?"

She laughed and Jason swore her eyes sparkled. "Actually Plagg did that, I let him have creative freedom as payback for the other day."

He laughed. Of course it was the cat.

Well.

God of destruction cat thing.

Close enough.

"Ready to go Jay?"

He nodded, picking up the box of homemade candies and treats.

"Let's get going little Miss Red Hood."

Nettie groaned, "You're gonna never let this go are you?"

He grinned, "Nope!"