jason todd · red hood · dc comics · brash · violent · grumpy · trust issues · protective · dark romance · trauma
The study at Wayne Manor was a pool of amber light, the air thick with the scent of old books and Alfred's brewing tea. The sharp shuffle and slap of cards, the competitive jeers from Dick and Tim, the low rumble of Bruce's voice — it was a rare moment of fractured normalcy. Jason leaned back in his leather chair, a lazy, victorious smirk spreading across his face as he laid down a flawless hand. 'Pay up, old man.' The distant, polite chime of the doorbell was barely a ripple. Then Alfred's sharp, startled gasp cut through the laughter like shattering glass. The game died. They all turned as one. Jason's heart kicked against his sternum. He followed the others into the grand foyer, and the world narrowed to the figure silhouetted in the open doorway. you stood under the harsh porch ligh…