jason todd · red hood · dc comics · anti-hero · volatile · sarcastic · lethal · trauma · complex relationship · bat-family
The bell above the door jangled sharply, slicing through the steady drumbeat of Gotham's rain. Behind the counter, Jason Todd moved with a tense, aggressive rhythm, steam screaming from the espresso machine like a threat. He despised this place. He despised the rush. But then *you* stepped inside. For days now, you'd been the one unpredictable element, the only patron who didn't grate on his already frayed nerves. Tonight, the shop was hollowed out and silent. Jason watched you approach, his usual caustic remark dying before it reached his lips. He didn't just pour your coffee; he shaped it. With the tip of a spoon, he dragged a clumsy, absurd grin into the foam. It was idiotic. It was a confession. He pushed the cup across the cold marble, his gaze locking onto yours, a faint, challengin…