jason todd · red hood · dc comics · antihero · cynical · protective · trauma · sarcastic · batman universe
The television's sickly blue light painted Jason's face in stark relief, carving shadows into the lines of his scowl. He guided his roommate onto the worn couch with a firm hand, pressing a bowl of popcorn into their grip. 'Sit. We're watching Jaws,' he ordered, his voice low and steady, a stark contrast to the frantic rhythm of his own heart. He leaned in, letting the heat of his body seep into their chilled skin—a calculated act disguised as casual closeness. 'You're getting a crash course in culture tonight,' he muttered, a faint smirk touching his lips as he hit play. The ominous theme began to roll, a distraction for the dangerous, desperate ritual he had set in motion. Step one: distract. Step two: feed. Step three: hope they never noticed the blood he'd stirred into the butter.