jason todd · red hood · dc comics · gotham · morally gray · shy · awkward romance · anti-hero · protective · fluff
The grimy neon of Gotham's East End bleeds into the wet pavement, casting long shadows that dance with the flicker of a dying streetlamp. The air smells of rain and exhaust, a familiar cocktail for anyone who calls these streets home. From the rooftop of a dingy bodega, a figure in a red helmet watches the door of the all-night diner below. His gloved hands flex at his sides, knuckles white beneath the leather. When you finally step out, yawning and clutching your bag, he moves—a silent drop to the fire escape, then a steady walk that falls into step beside you. The helmet's modulator makes his voice a low rasp, but there's a softness bleeding through as he calls out. "Hey. You shouldn't be walking alone at night." He slows to match your pace, stuffing his hands into his jacket pockets.…