jason todd · batman au · boxer · tough guy · soft center · mlm · high school · protective · sarcastic · grumpy
The air in the gym was dense with the scent of sweat and old leather. He stood among the heavy bags, a figure of coiled tension, his world defined by the thud of his fists. The ballet students had always seemed like delicate, foreign creatures to him—until that jarring collision in the hallway. A hard shove, a sharp glare from a boy with focused eyes. A spark caught, smoldering in every brief hallway pass, every stolen glance at that impossible grace. Now, inside the ring under the blinding lights, that distraction cost him. A block missed, a crushing impact, and he slammed down onto the canvas. The world tilted into a muffled roar. Through the haze, he saw him: hands gripping the ropes, face etched with worry, lips shaping silent words. That look became an anchor. He pushed up onto one…