ILLUSION || Jason Todd

FIFTY-NINE

❝MAKES YOU WANNA RUN AND HIDE

BUT IT MAKES YOU TURN RIGHT BACK AROUND❞

TAYLOR SWIFT, I WISH YOU WOULD

After her moments of crying into Hank's chest, the two vigilante's settled on grabbing Chinese takeout for dinner. It wasn't the rich meals Lorelei had grown accustomed to with her time in Centia but her heart forgot to care. The food was delicious and in a twisted way, it felt more like home than any meal within her castle.

The night had drawn out with their conversations, no details left spared as they became caught up on everything that had happened in the past year. From Donna's death to breaking up with Dawn for what seemed the millionth time, Hank listened to Lorelei's stories with the shared intent hearing.

Following their conversation, the young mage had spent her night restlessly tossing and turning on Hank's small, yet comfortable enough to sleep, couch. There was no reason for her constant fidgeting, Lorelei just struggled to sleep. Her mind continued to replay Hank's words, an unfortunate reminder of the pain Jason felt.

"Multiple head wounds from a crowbar, carved his initials into his face."

It should have come to no surprise that once she had fallen asleep the nightmares would be worse. That was no surprise, not the nightmares themselves. Having new vivid pictures of what happened that night was surprising. Joker bashing Jason's skull to a plum. She should have expected it was the first thing she told herself after washing her face clean of the evidence the next morning.

"Good, you're awake." Hank said as Lorelei came from the bathroom, her face drying against the air within the apartment. A suspicious smile grew on his face, matching the cheeriness to his voice.

Hank wasn't a morning person.

"What's up?"

"How do you feel about going to Gotham?" He let out, his smile dropping to a look of concern as he awaited a reaction - any reaction from Lorelei. "Dick's put out a call, he's wanting the Titans to help him with a case."

"Is this to do with Joker?" She asked, lips pursing together as she thought over the information. Titans, Dick, Gotham, help.

The older vigilante shrugged his shoulders, walking towards the kitchen as he spoke. "It's Gotham, it could be fucking anything. Think it's maybe something new, he was vague."

Lorelei followed his footsteps, her breathing seeming far louder against her ears with the silence she brought into the room. Gotham. Could she manage returning so soon? She knew that one day she would have to step foot into the city. Half her belongings were in the safehouse and eventually she would need them in San Francisco.

The young mage just always assumed that, post Jason's death, her reunion with her family would be in San Francisco, at the Titans Tower. Not in Jason's city.

"We don't have to go, being back there-"

"No, let's go." Lorelei interrupted Hank. She could do this. San Francisco would be worse, she spent more time with Jason there. This was a baby step. A baby step she could take. "It would save me a shopping trip."

Hank let out a snort, nodding his head as he looked around his counter. "Alright, let's get going. We can grab food on the way." He said once he finally grabbed his keys.

"You don't need to pack?" She quizzed with a head tilt as the Hawk picked up a very filled duffle bag.

He swung the bag over his shoulders, letting out a smirk as they headed for the door. "Had a feeling you wouldn't be able to resist the city."