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

Chapter 8: Confrontation and Secrets

Another few weeks had passed, and Jason found himself growing more accustomed to the rhythm of his partnership with Flare. Together, they had taken down several more gangs, extinguishing pockets of crime that Gotham's police and even Batman himself seemed to overlook. Jason felt a strange sense of balance with her, as if their destructive methods complemented each other perfectly. But the words Bruce and Damian had said haunted him, always sitting just below the surface.

Tonight, they were hunting down another syndicate—a smaller one, but dangerous enough to warrant their attention. The night was cool, the air tinged with a light fog that clung to the alleys and streets as they worked their way through the warehouse district. As usual, Flare was the silent predator, her flames licking at the edges of her body, ready to strike at a moment's notice.

But as they rounded a corner toward their target, they weren't alone.

Damian stood in their path, his sword gleaming under the faint light of the moon. His eyes, sharp and cold, were locked on Flare. "We need to talk," he said, his voice cutting through the silence.

Jason tensed immediately. He hadn't expected Damian to show up tonight, but he knew this was coming eventually. Flare stopped beside him, her flames dimming slightly, as though she sensed the confrontation before it even began.

Flare's masked face turned toward Damian, her voice calm but with an edge. "I didn't realize we were on speaking terms, kid."

Damian's eyes narrowed. "I know who you are. You were with the League of Assassins. So tell me, why are you in Gotham? What's your real agenda?"

Jason watched the exchange carefully, his mind racing. He had been waiting for this moment, but he hadn't expected it to happen like this—so suddenly, with Damian forcing the issue. He glanced at Flare, waiting to see how she would respond.

Flare crossed her arms, her voice unbothered by the direct confrontation. "It's none of your business, Damian."

She knew his name?

"It is my business," Damian snapped. "You were one of the League's top assassins. You're dangerous. I want to know why you're here and what you're planning."

For a moment, there was silence, the tension between them thickening. Then Flare tilted her head slightly, her tone softening. "I see you've grown, Damian. You're stronger. More focused. And it seems you're out of the League now, which I'm glad to see. You're better off without them."

Damian's glare didn't falter, but Jason could see the confusion flicker in his eyes. He wasn't expecting her to say that.

Flare continued, her voice taking on a tone that was almost wistful. "You and I come from the same place, Damian. You know as well as I do that the League wasn't a place for any of us. I left for a reason. And if you're out, then you've probably figured out your own reasons too."

Damian's expression hardened again, though Jason could tell her words had gotten under his skin. "That doesn't answer my question. Why are you here? What's your goal in Gotham?"

Flare's eyes glowed faintly beneath her mask. "My goal is simple. I'm doing what I've always done—tearing down corruption. The same way I tore down the League's operations overseas. Gotham's no different, just another playground for the wicked. The only difference is that here, I've found someone worth working with."

Jason felt the weight of her words as she glanced at him briefly. He didn't miss the subtle compliment, but he also knew there was more to her than what she was letting on. Damian, however, wasn't so easily swayed.

"I don't believe you," Damian growled, his hand gripping his sword tighter. "You may be working with him," he nodded toward Jason, "but that doesn't mean I trust you. If I find out you're lying—"

Flare interrupted him with a sharp laugh. "Trust? Damian, I don't need your trust. I'm not here for your approval. And if you think I'm scared of you or your father, you're sorely mistaken."

Before Damian could respond, Jason stepped in. "Alright, that's enough." His voice was firm, and both Damian and Flare turned to him. "Damian, I appreciate the concern, but I've got this under control."

Damian's eyes flicked between the two of them before he reluctantly sheathed his sword. "For your sake, I hope you do."

With a final glare at Flare, Damian turned and disappeared into the shadows, leaving Jason and Flare alone again. The silence that followed was thick with unspoken tension, and Jason could feel Flare's gaze on him, even through her mask.

"Seems the kid's grown" she said with a small chuckle.

Jason sighed, glancing at her. "He told me."

Flare tilted her head. "Told you what?"

"About you. That you were former League." Jason's voice was calm, but the weight of his words hung in the air. "I've been feeling you out the past two weeks, trying to figure out if I could still trust you."

Flare was silent for a moment, her eyes unreadable behind her mask. Then she sighed, the fire around her dimming. "And? What's the verdict?"

Jason shrugged. "You're still here, aren't you?"

She let out a small laugh, the sound dry and amused. "Good to know I passed your little test."

Jason stepped closer, his voice lowering. "But you should know, Batman wants you out of the city."

Flare's reaction was immediate—a loud, unrestrained laugh echoed through the alleyway, the flames around her flaring up briefly. "Of course he does! He's predictable. I wish him luck."

Jason raised an eyebrow. "You're not worried?"

"About Batman? Please." She waved him off with a flick of her wrist. "He can try all he wants, but I'm not going anywhere until I'm finished here. And I'm far from finished."

Jason couldn't help but smirk, despite the tension between them. "I figured you'd say something like that."

Flare's flames crackled around her, brighter now as if ignited by the challenge. "I said it before. Nobody but me calls the shots i take."

As they turned their attention back to the task at hand, Jason couldn't shake the feeling that things were getting more complicated. He was deeper now than ever before, and there was no turning back. Not for him—and certainly not for Flare.

And as they disappeared into the night, he couldn't help but wonder what would happen when all the cards were finally on the table.