i have this headcanon that Jason's alley subordinates get their first real impression of the latest Robin when during an important strategy meeting to deal with whatever bullshit Black Mask is pumping out onto Hood's territory, one of them notices him sneaking in through the ceiling and watching from the rafters.
there's an instant uproar based on the assumption that Batman is with him and this is a recon/attack mission. those assumptions are frozen in their tracks when Hood demands they drop their weapons.
"Little shit clearly snuck away- the big bat doesn't even know he's here." Hood declares, as, eyeing them all warily, Robin slinks down from the rafters to stand at his side, borderline hiding behind him. "Right brat?"
Robin nods. "He kept blabbering on about things that weren't interesting. I got bored and wanted to see you."
Hood ruffles his hair and continues the meeting, uncaring of the enemy listening to every word. The goons are baffled.
it keeps happening, too. on patrol, Hood doesn't blink an eye at Robin's existence, acting as if they've never spoken before, and the kid vice versa does the same. and yet it's a weekly occurrence that while dealing with confidential Red Hood-business, the goons will spot the little fucker seeping into their bases to act like he lives amongst them-and suddenly Hood's all soft words and hair ruffles and jokes that make it seem like the two have known each other their whole lives.
"I want a new katana." The kid stormed in at one point, interrupting the interrogation of the leader of a neighbouring cartel. He didn't blink at the multiple men holding down limbs, or the rag of water that Hood himself was holding, about to continue the waterboarding. Hood's shoulders slumped inwards out of exasperation.
"I'm sure you do," He chuckled, turning to give the kid a fond (they could tell, even through the helmet) glare. "But I'm kinda busy right now, so lets talk later?"
"With obsidian and emerald in the hilt, like my old one." Robin continues. "Batman confiscated it."
"Ask your mother and see what she says," Hood calls out casually, drenching the rag in a bucket of water and preparing to continue. "I'm not shelling out on a new one if it's just gonna get taken back by that asshole."
Robin groans, throwing his head back. "Fine. By the way, I stole a copy of all of Batman's information on that man's gang for you." He points casually at the half-conscious man being borderline tortured.
"God, I taught you well." Hood laughs. The goons exchanged knowing looks.
the thing was, it all added up--the familiarity, the fondness, the whining banter exchanged between the two and begrudging way that Robin listened to every order Hood gave him, the incredible loyalty that the kid showed one of Batman's current most influential enemies, and the protective nature Hood showed the kid in turn.
"So we're all in agreement, right?" Goon 1 turned to the others after they'd both left. "The Bossman is Robin's dad, and he's sent his son undercover to work for the Bat to gain information?"
the rest of the goons nodded instantly.
(meanwhile, Hood has no idea this is what his subordinates think, he's just trying to be a supportive big brother, helping provide a safe space for Damian while he deals with the ridiculous culture shock of moving from the league's compound to going it alone at Wayne manor. Damian knows this is what everybody at Hood's work thinks. he doesn't think it's worth correcting--Hood raised him more than anybody else did, so it's not entirely inaccurate, right? Plus the scary dog privilege he gets in the alley for being Red Hood's son is funnier than any kind of perk he's ever gotten for being Bruce's kid.)
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