He's already outlived me. ( in age at least, if not experience. so regardless of their similarities, they're--already different enough he's fairly certain that however that jason's path turns out, it won't be the same as his own.

with dick's soda in hand, he pauses for a moment. considers how deep into this he really wants to go. )

I died because I was a reckless idiot, chasing after a family that didn't exist. Walked straight into a trap set by the Joker and got the absolute shit beaten out of me. He laughed the whole goddamn time, y'know. Swung a crowbar into me over and over again until my skull cracked, limbs broke, 'til I couldn't fucking breathe and had a real swell time asking me what way hurt worse--then left me on the ground, tied up and half dead. Gave me just enough time to loosen the ropes and drag myself to the door before the fucking he'd left several feet away from the door went off. A bomb I'd have no chance of disarming, fucked up as my hands were. But up until that last moment? I thought he'd come for me. I believed in him.

( the who isn't a secret. dick should get that easily enough. )

I went by myself, because he benched me. Didn't believe me when I said something happened accidentally. ( whether or not it was is. well. debatable. but. ) Even after coming back and swearing to follow his stupid rules, that hasn't changed. And it's not just him either.

( if jason todd can be feasibly blamed for something, he generally is. )

That the answer you were looking for? The how and why? I wanted a place to belong where it wasn't people constantly telling me how I wasn't you. How I'd never be as good as Dick Grayson. ( partially true. but it's not used for the truth now; he's just being bitter. ) Guess I did get that, at least.