(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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.”
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 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.
“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.”
“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,
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