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

Chapter 23: regret the past, plan the future

Jason couldn't shake the regret from the night before. The moment played on a loop in his mind, taunting him with what could have been. He should have kissed her. Aubrey had been so close, their eyes locked, her breath catching in the slight space between them. His heart had screamed at him to just close the distance, but the shadows of his past held him back. Now, all he could do was wonder if that chance would ever come again.

He stood at the window, the early morning light creeping into his apartment as if mocking his indecision. They had taken a rare night off from patrolling the city, deciding to just be... normal, for once. Sitting side by side on the couch, they'd watched some cheesy rom-com. The movie was predictable, the kind of story where everything worked out perfectly in the end. He thought for a minute how nice it would be if his life worked out that well. He remembered the sound of her breathing, how it felt to let his guard down for just a few hours.

They weren't vigilantes that night—just two people who could pretend the world wasn't crashing down around them.

Frustrated, Jason grabbed his phone and dialed Roy Harper. He needed to talk to someone before his thoughts spiraled further. The phone rang twice before Roy picked up.

"Yo, my favorite birdy, what's up?" Roy answered, his voice relaxed, like he was ready for a casual conversation. Jason felt the weight of everything crashing down on him.

"I screwed up," Jason admitted, leaning his forehead against the cool glass of the window.

"Yeah, what else is new?" Roy quipped, laughing lightly. "What'd you do this time, Red?"

Jason hesitated before finally blurting it out. "Aubrey. I had the chance to kiss her last night, and I... I didn't."

There was a beat of silence before Roy's laughter came louder this time. "You're calling me about girl problems? I thought you had some serious shit going down. What happened? got cold feet or just decided you didn't like her?"

"I'm serious, Roy," Jason growled, feeling the embarrassment creeping up his neck. "This was different."

"Different how?"

Jason sighed, sinking into the couch. "You remember that night you told me to find my sunset? That person who makes everything... just stop hurting? The one who makes you want to follow her because as long as you do the night won't come? I found her."

Roy's laughter died down, replaced with a more serious tone. "Well damn, that was poetic. Pretty sure I was drunk when we had that conversation. Jason, if you feel that way, then what the hell are you waiting for?"

"I don't know," Jason said, frustrated. "I just—what if I'm not enough for her? What if I screw this up like I've screwed everything else up?"

Roy's response was simple. "You won't know until you try. Stop overthinking it. You'll get another shot. Don't waste it next time."

Jason let out a long breath. "Yeah. Maybe."