Flaming wings don't fly(Jason Todd x OC)

Chapter 4: Ghosts in the Fire

Jason couldn't sleep. The city below thrummed with its usual nocturnal energy, but for him, the night was restless. That in itself was nothing new. He lay on his bed, staring up at the cracked ceiling, the shadows cast by the dim light bulb seeming to dance mockingly. Nightmares had plagued him since he was brought back, and sleep was usually something that did not come easy to him. Lately however, it wasn't his past or the loud cackling laughter that played on repeat in his ears. It was the words spoken to him on the roof of a building.

'And don't think you can dictate everything. We're partners, not puppets. I've had enough of that in my life, nobody ever will call my shots for me again. The last one who tried winded up dead.'

Flare had spoken those words with such confidence and determination, but he heard the pain behind it.

Those words had rung a bell with him, finding a nerve he thought he had buried deep. Flare's declaration resonated with him on a level he hadn't anticipated. He understood her need for autonomy, her resistance to being controlled.

Something bugged him more and more about it. She seemed strong, more than enough to defend herself. Who had been controlling her in the past? Who scarred her enough that she felt the need to rebel the same way he did?

Why did he care?

He rolled out of bed and pulled on his gear, the familiar weight of his armor and helmet grounding him in the present. He needed to get out of the confines of his apartment, away from the oppressive quiet that only seemed to magnify his thoughts.

Gotham's night air was cool and crisp as he moved silently across the rooftops. The city below was a labyrinth of shadows and lights, each corner hiding secrets and stories. He felt a pull towards the warehouse they had hit earlier. It was still smoking from the explosion, a beacon of their latest victory but also a reminder of the chaos they were trying to manage.

As he approached the ruins, he spotted a figure standing amidst the smoldering debris—Flare, her fiery aura barely visible in the dim light of dawn. She was perched on a nearby rooftop, looking out over the wreckage with a contemplative expression.

Jason landed silently beside her. "Couldn't sleep either?" he asked, his voice gruff but carrying an edge of genuine curiosity.

Flare turned to him, her mask and the dim light casting shadows over her face. "Something like that. I needed to see the aftermath of last night. It's... a reminder of what we're up against."

Jason nodded, his gaze drifting over the charred remains of the warehouse. "I've been thinking about what you said on the roof."

Her eyes met his, the flames around her flickering slightly in response to her emotional state. "Which part?"

"About not being controlled. About us being partners, not puppets. It resonated with me. I get where you're coming from. I've had my own battles with being controlled, with not having a say in my own life."

Flare's posture relaxed slightly, though her eyes remained sharp. "You've been through a lot. I know that just from being around you. It's not easy fighting against something that tries to define you, to make you into something you're not."

Maybe it was the warm glow around her, maybe it was how she seemed to be going through the same issues as him. Whatever it was, Jason found himself wanting to be honest with her. Or at least partially.

Jason's voice softened, the anger and frustration of the past few weeks giving way to a more vulnerable tone. "I used to be Robin. I was part of Batman's operation, but I was never really part of the decision-making. I was just... a tool. When that ended, it wasn't just about dealing with the Batman or the crime in Gotham. It was about finding my own path, my own way to fight."

Flare's own expression softened, a flicker of empathy in her eyes. "Sounds like we both have some unresolved issues. I've spent so long trying to fight my own battles and make sure no one ever controls me again. It's a heavy burden. Especially with abilities like mine. Like ours."

They stood in silence for a moment, the weight of their shared experiences hanging between them. The city around them seemed to pause, the usual cacophony of sounds dimming as if respecting their moment of understanding.

"Why do you keep doing this?" Flare's voice was softer than her usual raspy purr. "Why keep fighting in a city that seems to always find a way to pull you back into the darkness?"

Jason considered this for a moment. "It's not just about fighting the darkness. It's about trying to find a little bit of light, even if it's just a spark. And sometimes... sometimes it's about finding something worth fighting for."

Flare's gaze met his, and for the first time, Jason saw vulnerability behind the mask.

Flare smiled "Maybe we're both searching for that light. Maybe we're both just trying to make a difference, one way or another."

Jason nodded. Once again the two found themselves surrounded by silence as the dawn broke and the sun started peeking over the clouds.

Finally, Flare broke the silence. "So, where do we go from here?"

Jason looked at her, a small, genuine smile playing at the corners of his lips. "We keep going. We fight the battles we can, and we make sure we don't lose ourselves in the process. We work together, but we do it on our own terms."

Flare nodded, the fire around her flaring briefly in agreement. "Deal. But just for the record, if you want to solve your own issues, maybe don't talk about them to the other vigilante in town on a random rooftop at 5 in the morning. Also, you need a shower, I can still see the soot on your shoulder from my flames."

Jason chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Yeah, that'd be a good idea probably." Whether she had shifted the focus because she was awkward or because she knew he was getting uncomfortable he didn't know, but he was grateful regardless.

As the first light of dawn began to break over Gotham, casting a soft glow over the city, Jason and Flare stood side by side. They watched for a little while longer before Flare shoved him.

"Go clean up and do whatever it is you do during the day, Cinderella. We have a long night ahead of us come sundown." Her tone once again was teasing, but the rasp was back and she seemed brighter than she had been.

Jason watched her burst into sparks and disappear before he got off the roof and went to do as she said.

Ironic. Here he was following her orders after they just had that whole conversation.

Jason showered and took a nap before waking up with a clear head.

"What the hell did i just do?"