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

Chapter 32: Reemergence

Gotham had always been a city of secrets, but this time, something felt off. Red Hood stood on the rooftop of a crumbling building, scanning the chaotic streets below. Crime was rising again—gangs were popping up like weeds in a garden, stronger and more organized than they had been in months. But there was something different. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but Jason knew one thing: someone was pulling the strings, and he couldn't figure out who.

"Hey, you alright?" Aubrey's voice crackled through his comm, pulling him out of his thoughts.

"Yeah," Jason replied, his voice tight. He had hoped they had finished this, but in the few weeks since Aubrey got hit, the gangs had come back and took over territory. They needed to act fast before Gotham fell back into the chaos he had worked so hard to clean up.

"Doesn't look like it from here," she teased, her voice a rare light in his world of shadows. Flare had been his partner for the last few months now, and he knew her experience was just as vast as his, but even she hadn't seen this coming. The two had made a formidable team, and while Jason wasn't keen on sharing the field, he knew she would always be his exception. She had proven herself in more ways than one. 

So how did this happen? He was stronger than ever and had a partner who matched him stride for stride. HOW did this manage to slip completely under the radar? How did he miss that someone else was orchestrating it?

"I'm just thinking. Something's not adding up," Jason said, his eyes narrowing as he spotted a group of thugs moving suspiciously in the distance. They were too well-armed, too well-coordinated.

"I've been feeling it too," Aubrey admitted, her tone more serious now. "Gangs don't just resurface like this. Someone's bankrolling them. Feeding them weapons and intel."

Jason cursed under his breath. He had been tracking the gangs for weeks, but they kept slipping through his fingers. They were always one step ahead, and it was driving him mad.

"Meet me at the warehouse on 22nd. Let's see if we can shake something loose," he ordered, already moving toward his bike.

Aubrey didn't need to be told twice. "On my way."

The ride to the warehouse was quick, and as soon as Jason arrived, he knew something was wrong. The air felt heavy, and the usual sounds of Gotham's underworld were oddly muted. He crouched by a broken window, peering inside. Aubrey joined him moments later, her eyes scanning the area just as intently.

"Something's off," she whispered.

Jason nodded. "Stay sharp."

Inside, the warehouse was mostly empty—except for a few crates and scattered weapons. But Jason knew better than to think it was a simple stash house. It was too quiet, too still. Aubrey moved to check the crates, her fingers tracing over symbols Jason didn't recognize.

"Not local," she muttered. "These came from outside Gotham."

Jason frowned. "What the hell is going on?"

Before Aubrey could respond, gunfire erupted from the shadows. Jason dove for cover, pulling his pistols out as he returned fire. Aubrey's flames flickered to life, forming a protective barrier around them.

"They were waiting for us," Jason growled. He felt a wave of frustration building as he realized they had walked into a trap.

"Who's they?" Aubrey shot back, flames flaring in her hands as she prepared to attack.

"That's what I'm trying to figure out!" His anger wasn't meant towards her, but he couldn't control it. He could feel the pit bubbling to life inside him, and momentarily he let himself get lost in it. 

The battle was chaotic—bullets flying, flames burning, and shadows moving faster than their opponents could track. But they held their ground, fighting back with the precision and ruthlessness that had made them a dangerous duo. When the last thug fell, Jason's chest heaved with adrenaline, but his mind was still racing.

"Someone's orchestrating this," Aubrey said, breathing heavily as her flames dimmed. "This isn't just random gang violence. There's a bigger plan here."

Jason clenched his fists, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. "I know."

The mystery of who was behind the resurgence of gang activity was growing, and Jason couldn't shake the feeling that they were running out of time. They needed answers—and fast.

Aubrey gave him a look, not appreciating his tone. He knew he shouldn't talk to her that way damn it, he was just so angry. Everything was falling apart, and since this chaos started again he wasn't able to make time to see her in civilian form. So their only time together was as Redhood and Flare, and while it was something it wasn't what he wanted. Even worse, it didn't seem to bother her in the slightest.

Did she not care?

"Are we calling it a night?"

Jason scoffed. Maybe she really was trying to get away from him. 

"Sure. Go ahead princess, take the rest of the night off." 

He saw her bristle, and watched the flames flicker to life around her as she finally lost her temper. Good, now at least both of them where angry. 

"Have a good night Red. Have a fun time dealing with this on your own. Im done." Her tone was flat and bored, masking the rage that burned in her eyes. 

"Figures your just walking away, that was the plan all along wasn't it? To just leave me after hanging around for a little? Have some fun and ditch once it got serious?" He should stop. He doesn't mean this, he wants her to stay. Why was he saying this?

Flare whipped around to face him, her eyes blazing now. Jason felt the air get hotter, and a small part of his mind registered danger. The rest of it was screaming at him to fix what he just did because he was about to lose the best thing to ever happen to him. 

"You have some damn nerve. No Red, im not leaving because it's getting serious, im leaving because nobody orders me around, and NOBODY talks to me the way you just did. Im not leaving because of the circumstances or because of how things changed, im leaving cause of this, right here. How you are acting in this moment. You don't get to throw things in my face and talk down to me just because things get hard. Im not your brothers or your father, I didn't hurt you or abandon you, and I sure as hell don't owe you anything. I respond to how you treat me, and you wanted to throw an attitude, so im leaving. Because you can't handle me giving one back." Her words where slow and brutal. They cut him like a knife. 

Aubrey turned and disappeared off the rooftop, likely going home. 

He should follow her. He knows he should, but he can't. Not when his head is such a mess. Not when he doesn't know how to apologize. Not when he realizes he just acted exactly like Bruce would have. Pushing others away when things got bad. 

He needed to fix his head damn it, and he knows how he should start. His pride screamed against him. Why should he be the first one to start that conversation.

He looks to the side and sees the spot Aubrey was just standing. 

Thats why. Because if i lose her over this...

He sighed, and got ready to go see Bruce.