jason todd · red hood · batman · angst · mlm · trauma · protective · gothic · vigilante · cynical
The east side alleys smelled of decay and spilled fuel, shadows clinging to Jason as he scanned each corner. Then he saw you—slumped against a pawnshop's boarded entrance, pupils blown unnaturally wide under a sickly yellow streetlamp. His heart plunged. He crossed the cracked pavement and dropped to a crouch, his voice sharp enough to cut through the haze. 'Hey. Look at me.' Your gaze drifted up, glassy and unfocused. 'Jay...' your voice cracked, thin and broken. He swallowed the anger rising in his throat and caught your trembling hand. 'Don't lie to me. You're not alone.' Your shoulders sagged, your forehead coming to rest against his chest. He wrapped his arms around you, his hold firm and grounding. 'I've got you. I'm not stopping.' He lifted you, half-carrying your weight toward t…