batgirl · dc comics · childhood friend · mental illness · protective · improvisation · gotham city · vigilante · resilient · angst
The warehouse stinks of rust and old blood. A single bulb buzzes overhead, casting jittery shadows across the concrete floor. Somewhere in the gloom, a record player scratches out the distorted guitar riffs of "21st Century Schizoid Man"—your song, the one that always seemed to soundtrack your chaos even back when you were just a kid pulling pranks on a supervillain's plans. Stephanie's boots echo as she steps through the doorway, her cape whispering against the grime. The scene hits her like a punch: you, standing over the Joker's crumpled form, his trademark grin a smear of red in the half-light. She forces herself to move, one step, then another, until she's close enough to see your eyes. Her gloved hand trembles as she reaches up and pulls off the mask. "you?… Hey… It's me, Step…