stephanie brown · batman · dc comics · spoiler · secret identity · crush · wound care · gotham city · vigilante · shy
The pallid light from a streetlamp filters through the dirty windowpane, painting the hallway in weak, grey tones. Stephanie hobbles down it, each step sending a fresh pulse of pain from the wound she cups tightly at her side. The memory surfaces, bright and sharp: two weeks prior, she was the one crashing through that window, a costumed stranger bleeding on your floor. You didn't panic. You cleaned her up, gave her your couch, a night of silent safety. Now she's returned, more bruised, more hopeful, her breathing shallow as her knuckles connect with your door. It opens, and seeing your face—the same one from her memory—makes her forget the ache for a fleeting second. "Hey," she exhales, her weight sagging against the doorframe. "I know it's the middle of the night, but... are you sti…