The streets of Gotham were unusually quiet that night, almost too quiet. Jason and Flare patrolled side by side, weaving through the alleys and dark corners that usually hid the city's worst, but nothing stirred.
Jason scanned their surroundings, his hand hovering near his gun out of habit. "Dead night," he muttered, breaking the silence.
Flare glanced at him, a faint smile tugging at her lips. She had switched the scarf that covered the bottom of her face for a black domino mask. "Isn't that a good thing?"
Jason shrugged. "Maybe. Feels weird though." He looked away, realizing he was staring at her mouth. Her lips were painted dark red, and when she smiled fully it was blinding.
They continued walking, neither saying much, when the sound of small footsteps echoed behind them. Jason turned, spotting a little girl, no older than eight, running toward them. Her wide eyes sparkled with excitement as she skidded to a stop in front of them.
"You're Red Hood and Flare!" she exclaimed, her voice full of awe. "You're my favorite heroes!"
Jason stiffened, the word "heroes" landing uncomfortably in his ears. He didn't think of himself as a hero—he never had. And from the look on Flare's face, neither did she. Her whole body tensed, her smile fading as the word lingered in the air.
Still, Flare knelt down to the girl's level, forcing a smile. "Thank you," she said softly, reaching into her jacket. She pulled out a small stone, flickering with a faint ember. A firestone. She pressed it into the girl's hand. "Take this and keep it safe, okay? Stay out of trouble."
The girl's eyes widened in amazement as she took the firestone, clutching it tightly. "Wow, thank you!"
Just as the girl's mother came running up, out of breath, Jason's eyes narrowed, his protective instincts flaring. "You need to keep a closer eye on your kid," he said, his tone firm but not unkind. "This city's dangerous, especially at night."
The mother nodded quickly, grabbing her daughter's hand. "I'm so sorry! Thank you for looking out for her."
Jason gave a stiff nod, and Flare stood up, watching the girl wave goodbye as they hurried off down the street. They stood in silence for a moment before Flare let out a breath, her tension fading slightly.
"Hero, huh?" Jason muttered, glancing at her from the corner of his eye.
Flare shook her head, a faint smirk on her lips. "Not exactly what I'd call myself."
Jason huffed in agreement, and they continued walking. But after a few blocks, Flare's eyes lit up as they passed a small café tucked between two larger buildings. The soft glow of a neon sign flickered in the window, and the smell of something sweet drifted through the air.
"Wait," Flare said, grabbing his arm. "We're stopping."
Jason frowned. "Why? It's a coffee shop. I don't even like coffee."
Flare grinned, pulling him toward the door. "Neither do I, but they have the best hot chocolate in Gotham. Trust me."
Jason opened his mouth to protest, but the look on her face stopped him. She was genuinely excited, which wasn't something he saw from her often. With a reluctant sigh, he followed her inside.
The owner, a small, older man with glasses, froze the moment they stepped through the door. His eyes widened, clearly recognizing them. Jason wasn't sure if it was fear or respect, but either way, the man didn't hesitate to serve them.
"What'll it be?" the owner asked, smiling kindly at Flare. Apparently she was a regular.
Flare smiled warmly. "Two hot chocolates. One of them your fall blend."
Jason raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Fall blend?"
Flare nodded, leaning on the counter. "Yeah. Fits, doesn't it? I use fire, and fall's my favorite season."
Jason chuckled, a rare, genuine laugh. "No kidding. Mine too."
Flare's smile widened, her eyes twinkling in the soft light of the café. "Fall always makes me want to curl up with a good book by a campfire."
Jason tilted his head, curious. "You like to read?"
Flare nodded, accepting the warm cup of hot chocolate from the owner and taking a sip. "I love it. It was the easiest way to escape my reality when I was younger. Still is truthfully."
Jason took his cup and followed her out of the café, his curiosity piqued. "Same here. Books are my way out too."
They found themselves on a nearby rooftop, overlooking the quiet city below. The view was peaceful, the lights of Gotham twinkling like stars scattered across the skyline. They sat down, both cradling their cups of hot chocolate, the warmth seeping through their gloves.
"So, what kind of books do you read?" Jason asked, genuinely interested.
Flare smiled, leaning back against the cool surface of the rooftop. "Mostly fantasy. I like stories that take me to places far away from here. Magic, adventure, heroes that don't always follow the rules." She gave him a sideways glance, her smile teasing. "Sound familiar?"
Jason smirked. "Yeah, I get that. I'm more into thrillers, though. Crime, mystery. Maybe I like solving other people's problems because I sure as hell can't figure out my own."
Flare laughed, the sound light and unexpected. "Fair enough."
They continued talking, the conversation flowing easily between them. Books, favorite stories, moments in books they hated and loved—it was the most relaxed Jason had felt in a long time. He hadn't expected this, hadn't expected her to be someone he could just talk to. But here they were, sitting on a rooftop in Gotham, sipping hot chocolate and sharing pieces of themselves.
From a distance, hidden in the shadows, Bruce watched. He had been following Jason, keeping an eye on him from afar. And now, seeing him here with Flare, he couldn't help but feel a strange mixture of pride and concern. Jason had found someone who understood him, someone who shared his darkness and his struggle. But that also made it dangerous.
Bruce's gaze lingered on the two of them for a moment longer before he slipped back into the shadows, unseen and unnoticed.
On the rooftop, Jason took a final sip of his hot chocolate, the warmth lingering on his lips. "You're right," he admitted. "That was the best hot chocolate I've ever had."
Flare grinned, her eyes sparkling. "Told you."
They sat in comfortable silence for a while longer, the city stretching out before them like a silent promise. And for once, Jason didn't feel the need to keep running. Not tonight. Not with her.
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Flaming wings don't fly(Jason Todd x OC)
FanfictionJason was content alone. Until he meets a flame wielding woman in an alley who shares his dislike for rules, control, and Batman. Now he has a partner, and she carries more secrets than she does heat. Buckle down and grab a fire extinguisher Red, it...