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all men do is lie
‘Consumed by Hope.’
Chapter two
Jason Todd x Reader
(she/her pronouns, first person, use of y/n)
Warnings: Mention of stab wound, gore-ish (if you squint), Mention of violence, fluff and awkward-ness.
Word count: 2,670
Previous: Prologue, Chapter one.
•••
For someone whose job it was to make coffee, I never really found joy in the taste of it. It never comforted me like it did others, always highlighting the bitter taste with a touch of anxiety instead of the ‘pure joy in a cup.’
I always had a cup next to me while I worked, though. After the sleepless nights all week over the thoughts of Red Hood, I really needed the energy for my shifts at the cafe.
I had spent most of last night researching every single media post about him, trying to gather useless information that made my head hurt. it wasn’t until I had woken up very late this morning did I realise that I had made a mistake;
I was so late. Arriving at the cafe one hour after my shift had started was embarrassing, and very unusual for me. Alice had to make sure I wasn’t sick, checking my forehead and everything as I clocked in. I looked so guilty, I was sure I was pale as snow.
Clocking on, and immediately ordering a coffee for myself was exactly what I had needed that entire run to the Cafe. At least Alice had reassured me that that it was practically empty.
It was like a ghost town.
I started to set up my station at the coffee machine before Alice came up behind me, leaning against the counter. “Your boyfriend is here, by the way.”
I knew exactly who she was referring to, immediately.
Since he first came in four days ago, Jason had come in every single day in the early morning for a hot beverage. He never really made conversation, just watched me make his coffee and leave.
Alice nudged her thumb behind her, and I immediately tilted my head to get a better look.
He was on table four, reading and taking annotations in what looked to be a well worn book. For the first time in the last four days, I could look at him without his intense stare burning a whole through my skin.
“He’s not my boyfriend, Alice.” I muttered, chewing the inside of my cheek.
“Really? Seemed like he was looking for you when he came in.” She giggled.
I liked Alice a lot, she was great manager, she always gave me the benefit of the doubt when I got a little anxious or quiet. She was always kind and helpful, a friend.
But she was way too invested in my love life. I never showed much interest in anyone. But, I guess Jason and I staring at each other the other day really pushed her over the edge.
She was going to be insufferable.
I sighed loudly, turning toward the coffee machine. “You’re impossible.”
“And you don’t let people love you enough.” She simply stated, polishing cutlery.
I sent her a pointed look, “I didn’t need to be psychoanalysed today, thanks.”
She just laughs.
But my eyes kept returning to look at Jason, as if it was my birth right. He really did need a haircut, constantly brushing his hair out of his eyes while he was reading. His hands were veiny, a beautiful contrast to his pale skin.
What was he reading? Had he read it before? Did he enjoy reading or was this performative? Does he want my attention? Why do I question everything?
My brain felt like it was going to explode.
After 10 minutes of stealing quick glances at him, he caught me. I didn’t look away quickly enough to avoid seeing the little smile on his face.
He really was beautiful, in a dark renaissance painting kind of way.
I quickly got distracted by the rush that had come in, and I successfully avoided any further embarrassment from Jason.
It wasn’t until the ticket machine slowed and the coffee stopped pouring for a second, did I let myself look his way.
But, I was terrified to see him just across the counter. His mouth was slightly open, as if he had been debating to say something. He looked awkward and out of place, it was the most charming thing in the world.
I jumped at his sudden presence, and he smile apologetically.
“Oh, did you need som-?”
“I was just wondering-”
I blinked at him, and he just chuckled. We interrupted each other, which shouldn’t really be a surprise. I had a nasty habit of talking without thinking.
“You first.” He said, scratching the back of his neck.
“I just asking if you needed some help with something.” I said, my voice betraying me and coming out softer than usual. I wanted to groan, I was so awkward.
He smiled at me, taking his time with his answer. “No, I was just wondering- … Actually no, it’s okay.” He adverted eye contact with me, he was hesitating.
“Are you sure?”
He coughed. “Yeah. Totally.”
His voice seemed familiar.
We both just stood there, once again staring at each other. To anyone else, I’m sure that it would be considered rude at this point, but I couldn’t help myself. His eyes were so gorgeous, and I desperately wished I could have their attention for the rest of my life.
I hadn’t realised he had a touch of green in his eyes until now.
I could feel my face turning more red by the second as we just stood there staring at each other.
“Did you want another coffee?”
“No, no, I was just heading out.”
I nodded, he nodded.
Silence.
Just like Red Hood.
He left shortly after that, and I had to curse myself for now constantly thinking about a mysterious hero and a mysterious pretty boy.
I wish I could stop thinking all together.
•••
Another rainy cold night in Gotham, and I was absolutely beside myself.
My bed had seen my body for the last 5 hours, ever since I had gotten home from work. I was in no state to research anything, or write a random paper that no one would ever read.
I was laying flat on my back, chewing my lip while staring at the ceiling. All that was consuming my mind was; Jason.
I hardly knew him, but he drew me in like he was my own personal drug. He looked at me like I held the world. His eyes were so passionate but he was so quiet.
I groaned.
I really was starting to become insane. I mean, this whole thing is delusion! First, I meet Red Hood, who stole all the thoughts in my mind to actually function as a human. He was so mysterious and I wanted to learn everything about him.
And Jason? God, he was breathtaking. His voice today was so warm and sweet, almost like he was afraid he would scare me. I had hardly spoken a few sentences and he was treating me like I was precious to him. He was sweet.
I really needed to get out this city.
Before I could throw my head into my pillows to scream, a noise pulled me from my thought.
A deafening loud bang was heard from outside my window.
I sat up immediately, my chest constricting every breath I took. My heart felt like it was beating outside of my shaky body, and I immediately started to panic. I was just blinking at my window, waiting for any movement that didn’t come.
Every single extinct I had was telling me to hide somewhere in my apartment where no one could find me. That’s something any smart Gotham resident would do, obviously used to this crazy city.
But, there was a small pull in my stomach telling me to check out what was happening.
My feet were walking towards my window before I even had the chance to really think about what I was doing, and I pulled it open quite harshly.
Red Hood was laying on my fire escape.
All my anxiety and fear washed away at the sight of him. My flight or fight turned off around him, which could cause me issues in the future.
I looked at him for a beat, trying to deduce the situation. “Oh, Hello.”
He lifted his hand weakly, waving it slightly. “Hey.”
His voice sounded different than I remembered it, deeper and darker. It was more rough, as if he was forcing it to sound different. But, it had been nearly five days since my second encounter with him, so maybe I was forgetting his voice. That would really surprise me though, considering it’s been trying to echo through my mind ever since we first met.
“Are you okay?” I took a few steps closer to him, realising that he was clutching his ribs on the left side.
“Just peachy, thanks.” He hisses.
Sassy Man Apocalypse, great.
I kneeled down in front of him, “Hey, no need to be sassy.” I frowned, “I just want to help.”
There was a few beats of silence, and a loud sigh from him.
“I’m sorry, scholar.” He tried to get up, but failed miserably.
I grabbed his arm and pulled him up the best I could. He was so muscular and tall that it was a really big struggle trying to get him through my window. “Jesus.” It was my time to hiss, “What do they feed you?”
He tried his best to help me by limping through my window and using my furniture to stable himself. We made our way slowly through my bedroom and into my bathroom, taking as much time as we needed.
He didn’t bother giving me a reply, which was fine, because I was more focused on my internal panic and all the questions floating around my head.
I leaned him against the wall as I quickly grabbed my desk chair from my bedroom. Wheeling it in quietly, and avoiding the tilt of his head. “I thought it would be more comfortable than a toilet seat.”
He nodded once and let himself slam into the chair. It creaked and moved slightly at his weight, not used to the gigantic man that sat upon it.
If he breaks my desk chair, Red Hood owes me a new one.
I kind of stood there awkwardly, letting my bottom lip get stuck in my teeth. I had no idea what to do in a situation like this, I didn’t even know where to start.
I am positive he could feel my hesitation because he started for me, attempting to take his brown leather jacket off. He was hissing and lightly groaning at the pain, so I helped him peel it off gently.
I kneeled on the ground to see the damage, and was immediately reminded why I didn’t even think to become a doctor in this lifetime.
A nasty cut, nay, a wound, was the first thing I noticed when the jacket was off. It was bleeding onto his Red Hood uniform, the crimson red almost matching the helmet.
“I have no idea what I’m doing.”
“I’ll tell you what to do, just breathe.” He groaned once more, which made me question if he was speaking to me or himself. “You can do this.”
I nodded, and took a deep breath. I can do this.
He told me there was a small amount of medical equipment in his pistol holsters, and I helped myself while trying to avoid touching the guns. I took a few deep breaths as I found everything I might possibly need in the small pockets.
“That’s it, now, I need you to cut my uniform so you can stitch the stab wound.”
I looked up immediately, “You were stabbed??”
“Focus, sweetheart. I am in so much pain, please focus.” His voice was so gentle, but I didn’t have time to get lost in it.
I listened to every instruction he gave me to stitch his unfortunate stab wound, and trying my best to ignore his words of endearment. I wasn’t going to let Red Hood bleed out in my apartment, or worse, distract me from helping him.
He groaned and struggled for only the first few moments, but after the numbing cream set in, he was fine. Neither of us really tried to make conversation, just him telling me what to do and me listening to him.
I finished up quite quickly, wiping the excess blood off his pale skin. I could see a few scars from where I was wiping, but I didn’t bother to question them. I guess it was apart of the job description, to get hurt every now and again.
I wonder if he ever regretted hurting anyone?
I shook my head, trying to get rid of the thoughts that were popping through my head. I could ask him, but I wasn’t sure he would appreciate me questioning his unethical approach to being one of Gothams heroes.
Instead, I had another question.
“Why’d you come here?”
“You were the closest. Nightwing is across the city and I don’t trust many people to help me.”
“But you trusted me, a total stranger?” I was done, so I stood up and washed my hands. “That sounds very stupid, on your part.”
Oh my god, I just called a murderous vigilante stupid.
I turned towards him slowly, almost afraid he would grab one of his pistols and shoot me dead. But he didn’t, he just did his signature head tilt and chuckle slightly.
“You read pride and prejudice, I doubt you’re harmful in anyway.” There was a certain level of honesty in his voice, mixed with a whole lot of humour.
“Part of me wishes that I left you bleeding out on my fire escape.” I let myself laugh lightly, kneeling back down. “We should wrap it, yeah?”
He just nodded, lifting himself off the chair so I could wrap him up. I took my time, trying to be as gentle as I could while also trying to give him space.
He didn’t seem like the type of guy that liked to be touched.
“All done.” I stood up and lightly smiled. “Are you feeling faint? I could grab you some food.”
“Uh, it’s okay-“
“Dude, where are you?” A new voice filled my ears, coming straight from my bedroom. “I have your location, Hood.”
“In here.” Red Hood called out gently. I could hear it in his voice, he had literally no energy left.
I stood still as Nightwing made his way into my very small bathroom, looking his friend up and down before sighing carefully. This room was suddenly feeling very claustrophobic. “Dude.”
“Don’t ask.” Red Hood grumbled, not even allowing anyone to lecture him. It made me smile lightly.
Nightwing instead turned his attention to me, “Concussion girl! How’s the head?”
Aw, he remembered me. “Yeah, I’m all good.” My smile hardly reached my eyes, I was getting dizzy with all the things I’ve gone through the last week.
Nightwing helped his friend stand up from the chair, “Jump into anymore crime scenes?”
Before I could answer, Red Hood muttered. “Just a drug deal.” Which made me roll my eyes.
“I was hiding behind a tree, I wouldn’t call that very heroic.”
Nightwing shrugs, “You helped my brother here, you’re my hero.” He chuckles a little at himself, “Where’d you learn to stitch? You did a beautiful job!”
“Red Hood taught me about 5 minutes ago.” I sigh, stretching my arms over my neck. “I’m a quick learner.”
“Thank god.” Red Hood muttered as they got to my window, ready to take off. He was leaning against Nightwing as he turned around to me, “Thank you.”
I nod slowly, suddenly realising everything that’s happened in the last twenty minutes. “Of course, anytime.”
They climb my fire escape, getting ready to leave. Red Hood muttered a quick ‘goodnight,’ and Nightwing winked at me. Before I knew it, they were gone.
I hadn’t realised, until the next morning, when I woke up to shower, that Red Hood had left his jacket in my bathroom,
Great.
‘Consumed by hope.’
Chapter one
Jason Todd x Reader
(she/her pronouns, first person, use of y/n.)
Summary: Red Hood banter, Jason meets reader.
Warnings: Mentions of drugs, mentions of underage drug use (not really though), nothing much to worry about <3
Word count: 2,457
PLEASE READ THE PROLOGUE FIRST!!!
•••
I absolutely adored walking around central Gotham in the evening.
There was something so special about the people you saw walking down the streets, questioning what they were going to do when they went home. Or, questioning what they were thinking about at that very moment.
What I would give to be able to read minds.
I had finished work hours ago, but chose not to go home straight away. The cafe was beautiful and all, but I had some nasty customers during the day, and I just needed to clear my mind with some fresh air.
So, Central Park it was, the best piece of nature in the city.
Well, the best piece of nature that I could get in the middle of a gross city that disrespected the climate. The air quality wasn’t great at all, but it never really seemed to bother the government.
Which I thought was outrageous.
Even walking around the park, I noticed that there was an abundance of rubbish everywhere. Cans of alcohol, food wrappers and even syringes were scattered across the pavement.
So, I picked them up. I always had plastic gloves on me in my work bag for the cafe, and I carried around a small rubbish bag to do exactly this.
I liked helping out, it gave me a little bit of purpose.
After a while, my feet were getting more and more sore, which made sense considering I had been standing for more than 12 hours. So I made my way to the public bathrooms in the park, and threw away the rubbish at the dumpster.
Before I could even walk away from the dumpster, a familiar voice froze me into place. The same voice that had echoed through my mind for the past three nights while I was trying to sleep.
It was coming from behind the public toilets, so I did what any good citizen would do.
I hid behind a tree and eavesdropped, which is kind of an invasion of privacy, but they were technically at a public park. I had every right to make sure there was nothing sketchy going on.
My head lightly poked out behind from the tree, desperately trying to see what was going on.
Red Hood was visibly angry at this older looking guy, waving his hands around. There was a kid standing behind Red Hood, looking very guilty. The kid looked only a few years younger than me, and he looked just as exhausted as I was at his age.
I tried to listen harder.
“Selling drugs to kids, What the fuck is wrong with you??”
“Hey man, I had no idea he was a kid!” The older guy put his hands up, pleading with the scary vigilante in front of him.
Huh, Red Hood cares about kids doing drugs. Which, shouldn’t really be a surprise, considering he fights crime.
But, he is an anti-hero after all.
I remember when I first heard about the big and terrifying Red Hood. It was only a few years ago, maybe two, I was just out of high school, and this mysterious man was basically a crime lord. He demanded respect from high drug rings and killed anyone who got in his way.
Violence was never my thing, at all. I stopped listening to the media after a while. There is nothing that disgusted me more than people who choose violence over kindness.
But, the last I had heard was that he was helping out Batman and his gang, to a certain extent. Nightwing trusted him, my encounter with both of them, three nights ago, proved that.
I was too exhausted to be afraid of him then, but did I really have a reason to be scared now?
I blink a few times, realising that I had spaced out in my own thoughts for a moment.
The crime fighting vigilante was gone from my sights, and there was no trace of a busted drug deal. They had completely disappeared from my sights.
I sighed, closing my eyes and leaning against the tree. There was something that really drew my attention towards Red Hood, and I was not enjoying the feeling for even a moment.
By the time I blinked my eyes open, I was ready to go home.
That was until I realised there was a figure standing right in front of me, tilting his head only slightly. The little light I was getting from the sky really made him look more scary up close. I hadn’t had time to take in his helmet when I had my concussion, and I’m glad I didn’t.
His red helmet looked like it had a permanent scowl on it, as if he was always grumpy. Which, would make a lot of sense. I could not imagine the killing machine standing in front of me, being gentle in any aspect.
I blinked once, and then twice. Was I in trouble? Or maybe danger? I mean, he hadn’t hurt me when he walked me into my apartment the other night. He even closed my bedroom window for me when he noticed it was freezing in my home. I hadn’t noticed the act of kindness until the next morning.
But, that doesn’t mean the two pistols in his holsters couldn’t be used against me in this situation.
I could die instantly.
What really drew me out of my trance was him speaking first. His voice was just as I had remembered it.
Soft, deep and all consuming.
“Why are you hiding behind a tree?” Before I could even answer, his head tilted more. “Are you spying on me?”
I could hear the smirk in his voice. My ears were practically ringing at his words, cherishing every syllable and locking it inside my brain for later. His voice was truly so smooth, just like honey.
I shake my head at my silly thoughts, and at his accusation. I really had to get my act together or I was sure he would think I was clinically insane.
“I’m trying to find more damsels in distress, obviously.”
“Is that meant to be a joke?” He barely let me finish my sentence.
I sighed, leaning my head against the tree, “Yeah, I’m joking.”
Silence. Crickets.
Silence was something I was scared of, I hated it more than I’d care to admit. But this silence was different. I didn’t feel the need to fill it with small talk or questions about him. I didn’t even feel that awkward tension like I normally did with silence.
Instead, I was more interested than anything.
I kept glancing down to the red helmet and then the leaves that sat on the ground. His helmet was towards me, but I couldn’t tell if he was making eye contact with me.
I decided to break the silence.
“Are you looking at me right now?”
“Yes.”
“Oh.”
Silence once again.
I kind of just stood there, rocking back and forth on my feet. He was still looking at me, not making any move to leave. I felt a little insecure about his persistent staring, but I knew if he wanted to hurt me, he would have done it by now.
I cough, and then nod. “Well, have a good night, Mr Red Hood.”
I take a few steps away from the tree, letting my sweater peel off the trunk. I gather my bag that I hadn’t realised I had dropped on the grass, and I make my way to the gates of the park.
What a strange guy.
It wasn’t until I was a block away from the park, did I realise he was following me. I could hear him on the top of buildings, walking at my pace.
I felt more uncomfortable with the fact that I was weirdly relaxed with a strange man following me home. Maybe it’s because he was following me from a distance, and giving me space.
I tried to ignore him, but it was kind of hard. I could see the glow of his helmet, and the lighter he was playing with.
A pyromaniac, obviously.
I sighed loudly, “You’re following me.”
“What a lovely observation.”
Oh, Red Hood was full of sarcasm and is a pyromaniac, fantastic.
“Why?”
“I’m vengeance.” He replied, in the deepest voice he could. He shook his head a little in what I can only assume was silent laughter.
I couldn’t hold my laugh in either, snorting a little. I quickly covered my mouth and stopped walking.
That was humiliating.
“Did you just snort?” He said, letting the amusement fill his sickly sweet voice. I shook my head quickly at his question.
“No, never.” I continued to walk.
“You totally did!”
“You quoted Batman! It was funny! This is your fault!” I said, walking faster.
He dropped down to be on level ground with me, and walked behind me. “I am pretty funny, aren’t I?”
“Oh, Red Hood is humble!” I rebutted back, letting myself giggle, only slightly.
I was going to comment on how it was strange that he was following me home, but I had to quickly remind myself that this was in fact, Gotham. This was probably the most normal thing that he would do tonight.
That reminds me, “Shouldn’t you be stopping another drug trade right now? Saving people? patrolling the city?”
“I’m patrolling you, aren’t I?”
I didn’t give him an answer.
After ten minutes of comfortable silence, we had made it to my apartment building. I was about to walk in, before I quickly changed my mind. I turned towards him instead.
“You walked me home.”
He just nodded.
“You wanted to make sure I got home safe.”
Silence, but another nod.
I sighed softly. “Thank you, I do appreciate it. Even though I was, kind of, eavesdropping on you doing your job.”
He shrugged, “I would be curious too.”
I nodded, and he mirrored me. “I question everything.” I wasn’t sure why I blurted that out.
“I figured.”
Before we could fall into yet another comfortable silence, I opened the door to the lobby. “Goodnight, Vengeance.”
Before the door closed behind me, I heard a soft “Goodnight, Scholar.”
My heart didn’t stop pounding until I got back into my warm apartment.
•••
The cafe was slow, as it normally was on a Wednesday. We had students in here studying, a few meetings and two interviews happening.
Nothing really out of the ordinary.
What was quite particular, was how my brain kept drifting to a certain vigilante. I was normally so focused on my job, brewing coffee was something I found a lot of pleasure in. But, I had messed up about three coffees already and it was only three hours into my shift.
I was completely and utterly distracted.
I never really liked waitressing, because it didn’t give me enough time to day-dream, but making the coffee gives me all the time in the world. But, there was a difference to focusing on my work while having background thoughts, then having a superhero consume my every thought.
I wanted to swear at whoever was up in the sky, but decided against it when a new patron walked through the door. I just sipped my own personal coffee as I watched him walk towards the register.
He was really pretty.
I shook my head, not needing another reason to be distracted at work. I turned back to the tickets and the coffee machine.
Focus, silly girl!
My manager, Alice, smiled at his approach and welcomed him in. “What can I get for you?”
“Just a coffee, black, thanks.” I could hardly hear over the steaming of the almond milk I was working on.
I blinked wearily at the coffee machine, letting the gentle laugh of Red Hood ring through my mind. It was so strange how different I acted around him, I was confident.
I’m not confident with anyone.
I shook my head, focusing on the almond latte, and perfecting my coffee art.
“Could I grab a name?”
“Jason.”
The ticket for the black coffee popped up in a matter of seconds, and I started working on it immediately.
‘Are you looking at me right now?’
‘Yes.’
I wanted to groan, scream and maybe shoot myself in the leg. The words from last night would not stop repeating in my head, and it was really starting to bug me.
I finished the black coffee, putting the lid on it and sliding it across the counter. “Jason?”
I looked up at the man, noticing his hair first. He had black hair darker than the night sky, with two white streaks at the front, framing his face almost perfectly. My eyes made their way to the faded scar in his left cheek, tracing the jagged lines. My first thought was to ask about it, but I would never.
Then, finally, my eyes made their way to his, only to find that he was already looking at me. His eyes were ocean blue, drawing in every ounce of my attention to drown in them. They captivated me immediately, drawing me in until I couldn’t breathe.
I blinked once, but he didn’t move to collect his coffee.
He was leaning against the wall near the door, just staring at me. I couldn’t help but wonder how long he had been looking at me.
I wish I could say I was uncomfortable under his stare, but I wasn’t, not even a little bit.
“Uh, Jason?” I didn’t break eye contact with him.
He blinked once before getting up from his spot on the wall. I didn’t realise how tall he was until he had reached the counter.
He was at least 6 foot 3, and purely just muscle.
My cheeks flushed at the never ending attention he was giving me with his eyes, and I all but shoved the coffee in his hand. I was honestly surprised it didn’t spill all over his arm.
“Have a good day!” I quickly said, turning around so I didn’t have to watch him leave. Instead choosing to focus on the tickets that had just printed.
I heard the bell ring at his exit, and all the weight off my shoulders came off. I sighed loudly, my body leaning against the counter for only a moment. My heart felt like it was going to burst out of my chest.
Alice patted my back, “You could have asked for his number, you know?”
I nearly choked on my spit, “What??”
“He was fully staring at you the entire time he was in here.” She giggles, checking the register.
I just shook my head lightly, deciding not to encourage her outrageous imagination.
I just tried to focus on work.
It didn’t work.
‘Consumed by hope.’
Prologue
Jason Todd x Reader
(she/her pronouns, first person, use of y/n)
Summary: Red Hood meets reader.
Warnings: Mention of sexual assault (not in detail), swearing, mention of injuries, mention of a teenager getting sexually harassed, reader is reckless. Please proceed with caution.
Word count: 2,219
•••
The words “is Gotham trying to kill itself?” flash back at me in a dark black font.
The six words that I have repeated in my mind the last four hours have completely consumed me.
I was never quite happy with the title, it would never engage an audience straight away. Not that anyone would ever read my writing, but it had to captivate me enough to finish witting it, that’s for certain.
My eyes strain against the document I’ve just been looking at for the last 25 minutes, begging me to take a break. I was inclined to listen to my body’s begging, so I gave my eyes a rest bite by looking outside my window.
It was a cold, foggy night in Gotham, perfect crime weather for the city that truly never sleeps. My window was open, letting the fresh air flow through my otherwise stuffy one bedroom apartment. It was tiny and almost on the brink of collapse, but the rent was cheap and it was home.
I never really knew what to do with myself on nights on these, I didn’t have many friends in the city and I don’t work past 4:00 pm.
So, I do what I do best; Question.
I question everything, I research anything my brain can comprehend without exploding and I am always curious.
I have been told many times that it’s my biggest flaw, but I always disagree. I knew that I had questions that couldn’t be answered sometimes, and that gets me upset, but I never think of it as a flaw.
To question is to always be curious, and to be curious, one must be understanding. My father always told me, never once did he get annoyed at my all questions.
I miss him.
My eyes drifted back to my screen from my window, and I sighed heavily. I needed to finish this today or I seriously was going to go through psychosis.
Before I could start typing again, I heard a very loud scream from below my apartment building.
What the fuck?
I didn’t give myself a moment to think before I was shutting my laptop and making my way through the window. I have never ran down a fire escape so quickly, but the screams of someone in distress was enough to motivate me to go quicker.
I only saw what was happening when I got down to the first floor’s fire escape, and my blood ran cold.
There were four men surrounding a young girl, who was clutching her handbag so hard that I was sure it would pop if she applied more pressure. She looked terrified, face frozen in fear and a dress soaked with the freezing rain.
My body shivered, but I wasn’t quite sure if it was because one of the very tall guys had pinned the poor girl, or because I was wearing a very thin hoodie. They all looked about ready to pounce, like an animal hunting its prey.
I should call the police, but they wouldn’t get here in time. I shouldn’t engage with these men without any help. How could I help? I was basically weak compared to these men. I was never considered strong or powerful, my help would be useless. I could be killed.
If I don’t help, she could be killed.
So I get down on their level, between the two very tall buildings. The alleyway stinks, but the snarling men make me want to throw up more.
I guess I’m playing hero tonight.
“Hey! Leave her alone!” I yell, I was desperate to get their attention off her. The more I looked, the more I noticed how young and small she looked.
She could not be older than 15.
Every single body froze and turned towards me, but all four men relaxed at the sight of me. I was a mouse compared to all of them. They were stronger than I had realised, all muscle and smirks.
One of them dropped the girl from where he had her pinned, and she fell to the ground. I winced, her knees were going to hurt later.
I wish I could help her off the ground.
But, I remember where I am and how much danger I’m in, so I puff my chest slightly and stand my ground.
I really was going to die.
They all started making their way towards me, whistling and catcalling.
“Tough girl? Huh? Is that what you are? I like me a tough girl.”
“Little birdie is very pretty.”
I caught one of them saying something about my body, and then going into details about my boobs. My blood was boiling now, terrified at the thought of them doing this to other people.
“You are all disgusting pigs, how dare you-“
“NO. How dare to interrupt our meal!” The biggest one snarled. He was first to reach me, grabbing my chin and pinning me against the brick wall.
I almost blacked out because of the pain, but I blinked a few times, and swung my fist.
My fist landed right on his jaw.
Bullseye.
The other three exploded towards me as the bigger one clutched his now damaged jaw.
His eyes looked like he was ready to kill me, and I knew I wasn’t getting anymore hits on the guys coming towards me.
“You massive fucking bitch!”
Before any one of them could reach me, a figure fell from the sky, right in front of my face.
All I saw was black and blue as I quickly dived out of the way, covering my head as I landed on the pavement.
Ouch, a concussion and some scraps along my arms was not what I had planned for tonight.
Before I could even blink, the mystery figure had two of the smaller guys in custody. “That’s no way to speak to a lady, is it now?”
He quickly smiled at me, before he saw the other two guys running. “Red, coming towards you!”
Ah, of course I was being saved by Nightwing and Red Hood. I’m anything but surprised.
I saw the figure at the end of the alleyway take down the remaining predators, and I finally let myself breathe for a moment. I closed my eyes and lift myself up against the wall.
What a crazy night, I was definitely ready for 30 years of sleep, minimum.
“You okay there..?” Nightwing was suddenly in my face, clicking his fingers. I swatted him away.
“Yes, thank you.” I nodded slowly, my neck aching a little bit. I moved my head towards to where the girl was, but she’s no longer there. “Where did she..?”
“She’s talking with Red Hood, over there.” Nightwing pointed to somewhere behind us, but I could see his eyebrows furrow. “Why’d you run into danger like that? You’re hurt.” He frowned.
“She needed help.” I hissed, just as he placed a hand behind my head. It was gentle and warm, but it still hurt like a bitch.
“Concussion, probably just a small one. It was really kind of you to help her, you saved her life.” He murmured, blinking a few times. The rain was getting in his eyes. “Ice your head when you get back to your apartment, okie dokie?”
“Sir, yes, sir.” I sighed. He just smiled at me lightly, making light conversation as he cleaned up the scratches on my arms.
But my eyes kept trailing to the anti-hero that was the Red Hood. He was comforting the young girl who was in shock, talking to her calmly as she tried to calm down. Never once touching her. I couldn’t hear what he was saying, but she was talking back.
The mysterious Red Hood knows how to comfort someone who’s going through a panic attack. Strange.
After the police arrived, and after the vigilantes, the victim and I took statements, I was allowed to go home, which was quite an easy decision because my whole body had started aching. I was definitely developing a fever, which royally sucked.
Before the two famous heroes could leave, I waddled over to them. They were deep in conversation, but they stopped as soon as they noticed me. Nightwing smiled at me, welcoming me into the little circle we had now formed.
Red Hood made no effort to turn his body to face me.
“I just came over to say thank you, for saving me, and for helping her.” I said, letting the thought of my near death experience sober me up.
Nightwing just smiled even more brightly, “It’s what we do, no problems at all!”
Red Hood just nodded.
“Red was just saying about how he wanted to walk you back to your apartment, seeing as we are right next to the building.”
Before Nightwing could even finish his sentence, Red Hood’s head flew to look at his partner, almost to say ‘what the fuck, dude?!’
“Oh no, I’m okay, there’s no need.” I tried to reassure them both, and myself that I was fine to take an elevator to the fifth floor without help, but he wasn’t having any of it.
“Nah, Red doesn’t mind, do you Red?” He chuckled, and then started walking away. He winked and used finger guns at me, “Bye concussion girl, don’t be a hero and steal my job!”
Before I could blink, he was gone.
It was just Red Hood and I, standing in the freezing cold rain, for what felt like an eternity.
He made the first step, moving towards my apartment building, without saying a word,
I followed, mindlessly letting him lead me back home.
•••
After 5 minutes of limping towards the elevator, standing in complete silence all the way up and then towards my door, we had finally made it.
I still had not heard him mutter a word. I wanted to question why he was so silent, but I had no energy to want to pry into the famous Red Hood’s personal life, so I matched his silence.
Until, I realised my biggest mistake of the night. I groaned, and hung my head towards the ceiling. “My keys are inside my apartment.” I could feel the shame reach my ears. “Maybe I could climb the fire escape … what are you doing?”
Red Hood was on one knee, lock picking my door with precision I’ve never seen before. Instead of giving me an answer, he looked at me, waved his hand at the lock for a moment and shrugged. Almost to say, ‘isn’t it obvious?’
Before I could even answer, my white door swung open. He stood up from his place in my doorway, and gestured for me to go in.
I wordlessly did as instructed, and walked into my now freezing apartment. My bedroom window was still open, and the chill made my apartment feel just as this whole situation had: surreal and unsettling.
I sat myself on my couch as Red Hood walked through my apartment. I couldn’t be bothered to ask him what he was doing, knowing I wouldn’t get an answer, so I just closed my eyes for a moment.
The shiver of my spine woke me up from my slumber, and I realised quite quickly that he was putting an ice pack on the back of my head.
The embarrassment is heavy at the thought that I fell asleep in front of a total stranger, even if it was just for a moment.
I relish in the feel of the heat that his fingers were radiating from inside the gloves. He pulled away as quickly as he could, and walked towards the front door.
He was leaving.
Before he could, something caught his eye. On my bookshelf, was my limited edition copy of Pride and Prejudice. He stopped dead in his tracks and let his fingers trace the spine. He was engrossed in the intricate gold designs of the book, and I could tell.
I let myself look at his body in my darkly lit apartment, gently taking in the warmth that he was emitting, just by looking at something so simple as a novel.
“You can borrow it, if you’d like?” My voice was softer than I had intended it to sound.
His answer surprised me more than I wanted it to. “I’ve read it a thousand times.”
His voice is just the right amount of deep and softness, and it feels like honey going through my veins. My ears ring at the sound and I desperately want to hear more.
The only answer I could manage was a simple, “Oh.”
He made his way to the front door again, opening it, and turning to me slightly. “Thank you, but it’s one of my favourites.”
I shake my head and huff, “That makes perfect sense.”
He tilts his head, and his shoulders shake a little. He sucks in a quiet breath, and lets it out with a gentle exhale, “Goodnight…?”
“Y/n.”
“Goodnight, y/n.”
Before I could say anything else, the door shuts behind him, letting every single question I had for him leave with the hero that had captivated me more than I’d care to admit.
All the pain from the last hour hits me like a truck and I groan lightly.
This was going to be a long night.
36 Questions to Fall In Love
jason todd x reader soulmate au
summary: so, reader and jason are soulmates. great! now they just have to figure out literally everything else
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first work in series: 5683
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Question 1 - 6
Questions 27, 29, and 31
Question 25
Question 26
Question 34
Question 23
Question 8 and 11
Questions 20 and 30
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(more soon)
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viewers please note, he is only tearing up and definitely NOT crying