It started that summer

Unlikely friends

A/N: Buckle up and grab your snacks because this chapter is gonna be a long one ;) You can thank @Burntoutdasiy for inspiring this chapter! (Some widdle outlaw content bc redheads stick together)

I fell through the night, chaos faded into a haunting silence. The wind rushed past me, a chilling embrace that felt oddly comforting, almost peaceful. My heart raced, but the fear that should have consumed me was drowned out by a numbing calm. Damian's terrified scream echoed above me, a reminder of my failure.

I was supposed to protect him. . . I wish I had more time.

The thoughts swirled through my mind like debris caught in a storm. I saw their faces—Tim's eager smile, the warmth in his eyes that I never took the time to appreciate.

I wished I would have gotten to know Tim sooner.

I regretted all the missed opportunities—the Mario Kart competitions I brushed off, the times Stephanie had invited me to hang out, her laughter echoing like music I'd ignored.

I wish I could have made it to one of Cass's dance recitals, where she poured her heart into every move.

I wish I would have taken a chance to train with Duke, to learn and grow alongside him.

I wish I would have gone to that book club with Barbara.

And most of all, I wished I had taken Dick up on that coffee offer just once—I wish I would have told him all of this.

The missed chances piled up, each regret a jagged shard digging deeper into my heart. I wished I hadn't run into this alone, over my head, and I wished I had never gone by myself all those years ago.

I wish... I felt the weight of it all pressing down on me. I wish I wasn't so hard on Bruce. I wish I'd let him in on my life. That thought cut deeper than any blade. I'd always pushed him away, thinking I could handle it all alone. But now, as I faced my end, I realized just how desperately I needed him. I love you, Dad. The confession hung unspoken in my mind, heavy and suffocating, a farewell I'd never get to share. Pain flared in my side, sharp and insistent, pulling me back to the present. Blood soaked through my clothes, warm and sticky, a reminder of the battle I lost. But even as my body cried out, I couldn't focus on it. The stars twinkled above, so close I could almost reach out to them. 

WAIT! I'm not ready to go! Panic surged through me, there are still battles to fight, lives to protect. I can't just give up now.

Suddenly, a dark shape blurred into view, and before I could comprehend it, strong arms wrapped around me, pulling me upward. The rush of wind transformed into the warmth of a familiar presence. Bruce wrapped his arms around me, and everything spun. Pain shot through my side, "AHH!" I gasped.

"Jason!" His voice was raw, filled with panic and relief, and I felt his heart pounding against mine. "Are you okay? What happened?"

I could barely register his questions as the weight of everything crashed down on me. The fear and regret mingled in my chest, Bruce is here—he . . . caught me? I had spent years wanting him to save me, and now, he was holding me like I was the most precious thing in the world. "B-B-Bruce...?" I managed, but the words were choked by pain and emotion. I could see the tears welling in his eyes, the anguish of a father who had lost so much. He pulled me closer, shaking slightly, and I felt his desperation.

"I'm here," he said as he held me tighter. "I've got you. I'm here this time. I won't let you go." His breath hitched as he scanned my injuries, and the pain in my side flared with every movement.