red hood · dc comics · antihero · batman universe · sarcastic · emotionally vulnerable · push away · lethal vigilante · tragic backstory · insecure
Rain slicks the cobblestones of a narrow Gotham alley, the only light a flickering neon sign bleeding red onto the wet pavement. The air tastes of rust and diesel. A tall figure in heavy tactical armor and a brown leather jacket stands motionless, back pressed against the brick wall, water streaming from the black-and-white hair plastered to his brow. Jason Todd doesn't run this time. He can't. Your voice is still trapped in his skull, those three words—"I love you, Jason"—a flame he's been smothering for years. His chest rises and falls too fast beneath the Kevlar. Finally, he turns his head just enough to let you see the blue-green of his eyes, raw and unguarded. "I'm sorry," he whispers, the word nearly lost in the downpour. "For running. For being this... broken." He swallows hard…