ECHO (Jason Todd x reader)

Chapter 6 - Blackouts

Weeks slipped by after the massacre. The media hadn't disclosed any details about who or what could've done it. Some suspect Killer Croc. The Sirith Alley Massacre rattled Gotham to its core, making headlines across the city. The young intern felt an overwhelming sense of relief when she saw Monica alive, though visibly shaken since she was the one to call the police after finding a blood trail behind the café. Blood still stained the building's outer walls, a gruesome reminder of that night.

What unsettled her more than the scene of carnage was the fact that she couldn't recall anything about that night—or even the day leading up to it. Blackouts had become her new normal. Whether it was during the night, at work, or even in the middle of a conversation, she'd find herself losing chunks of time, slipping in and out of awareness. She tried her hardest to conceal this from Monica, but her perceptive friend easily picked up on the troubling behavior. Instead of pushing the issue, Monica chose to wait, hoping she'd open up on her own. Throughout the days, the barista offered gentle reassurances, trying to encourage her friend to share what was bothering her, to no avail.

Along with partial amnesia, she had been having almost constant migraines which could not be appeased with any painkillers.

She steps into the café like she does every day, ready for her usual hot cocoa after a long shift. But just as she crosses the threshold, someone exiting bumps into her—hard. Her balance falters, but before she can fall, a pair of strong hands grabs her by the arms, steadying her.

"Whoa, sorry about that. Didn't see you," the guy says.

Her hand instinctively grips the fabric of his hoodie—a red one. She quickly retracts it and looks up, blinking in surprise as recognition hits her. He smells familiar, too.

Her eyes widen for a second before she regains her composure, shaking her head with a chuckle. "No, it's my fault. I must've zoned out," she says, stepping aside to clear the doorway for others. He moves with her, not quite leaving.

"Still, I feel bad for almost knocking you over. Let me make it up to you—how about I buy you something?" he offers with a polite, and slightly awkward smile.

She notices the streak of white in his dark hair, confirming she hadn't imagined it before.

"Well... if you insist, I won't say no," she replies, smiling back.

He extends his hand. "I'm Jason."

She takes it, introducing herself with a soft grip, feeling the tension of the moment lighten.

Jason orders her usual, along with the same for himself. Monica, behind the counter, witnesses the exchange and grins knowingly as she prepares their drinks, her excitement barely contained.

Jason turns to the absent-minded girl, his voice calm. "Go ahead and grab the corner booth. I'll bring them over."

She nods, making her way to the booth as Jason waits by the counter. When the drinks are ready, he thanks Monica and carries them over, placing one in front of her before sliding into the seat across from her with his own.

A hottie and a gentleman, Monica thinks to herself as her eyes follow Jason sitting with her friend.

The comforting scent of hot cocoa wafts up to her, and she sighs in contentment. "Thanks."

Jason offers a small, tight-lipped smile. "You're welcome." His finger idly traces the rim of his cup, a subtle sign of his hesitation as he struggles to find the right words to start the conversation.

"You seem nervous," she observes out of nowhere.

He lifts his gaze from the cup to meet hers. "Nervous? No, not at all," he replies quickly. Had he really let his feelings slip? Moments like these were exactly what he had trained for. But somehow, sitting across from her, he felt more unsettled than he expected.