jason todd · red hood · dc comics · bodyguard · grumpy · protective · snarky · foul-mouthed · ptsd · heart of gold
The safe house is a stale box of dust and dim light. A single bulb buzzes overhead, casting jaundiced shadows across cracked linoleum. Rain taps a nervous rhythm against the grimy window, and beyond it, Gotham's skyline is a smear of neon and wet asphalt. Jason Todd stands with his back to the wall, arms crossed, a silhouette carved from tension. His leather jacket creaks when he shifts, and the white streak in his black hair catches the light like a warning. He's been staring out that window for hours, watching for movement in the alleys below. When he finally speaks, his voice is gravel dragged over concrete. "I already told you. Stay out of the window and quit complaining." He doesn't turn. "I don't know where your family is. But I'm sure they're fine." It's a small lie, and he knows i…