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

Chapter 39: A little bit better

Jason slowly drifted back into consciousness, warmth surrounding him in a way that felt both comforting and unfamiliar. He blinked against the soft morning light filtering through the curtains, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep. As his mind slowly cleared, he realized something was different—he wasn't just lying next to Aubrey.

He was snuggled into her chest.

A wave of panic hit him all at once. His face was resting perfectly in the valley of her chest, her arms wrapped loosely around his back, her body pressed close. The steady rhythm of her heartbeat echoed softly in his ear, and the plush feeling of her skin beneath the thin fabric of her shirt was impossible to ignore around the sides of his face.

Jason's heart thudded in his chest, his pulse quickening. He felt completely out of his depth, unsure of how he'd ended up like this. He hadn't planned for this. Hell, he hadn't even thought about it happening, and now here he was—tangled up in a situation that was equal parts comforting and nerve-wracking.

Okay, think Todd!

He tried to calm the flurry of thoughts racing through his head. 

Just... don't freak out. Don't do anything rash.

Alfred's voice echoed in the back of his mind, a firm reminder of the gentlemanly manners he had drilled into him over the years. "Always treat a lady with respect, Master Jason. Especially in delicate situations."

Yeah, well, this is about as delicate as it gets...

He was trying to figure out how to free himself without waking her. Every small movement he made felt like it would disturb her, and the last thing he wanted was to make this more awkward than it already was.

Aubrey's breathing was slow and steady, completely at ease. Jason took a deep breath, willing himself to calm down. He could do this. He just had to move carefully, shift his weight, and—

Aubrey stirred in her sleep, nuzzling closer to him. Jason froze, his body stiffening as his heart raced even faster. She was completely unaware of the turmoil raging inside him, and yet she had instinctively curled tighter against him.

He swallowed hard, desperately trying not to let his mind wander in dangerous directions.

 Don't even think about it. Be cool. Be respectful.

But the more he tried to think of a way out, the more tangled up he felt—emotionally and physically. Finally, after what felt like hours of internal debate, Jason came to a reluctant conclusion.

I'll just go back to sleep.

Yeah. That was the best solution. Pretend this wasn't happening and hope he could figure it out later. At least then he wouldn't risk making a fool of himself.

With a deep breath, he closed his eyes and let the warmth of Aubrey's presence lull him back to sleep.

---

When Jason woke again, the bed was empty.

For a brief moment, panic surged through him. His arm instinctively reached out to the spot where Aubrey had been, finding only cold sheets in her place. His heart thudded in his chest as he sat up quickly, the sudden absence jarring him back to reality.

But then he heard it—a soft, melodic voice drifting through the air. Aubrey's voice.

He relaxed, the tension melting away as he listened. She was singing. The gentle sound floated through the apartment, and Jason realized she must be in the kitchen. He swung his legs over the edge of the bed and rubbed his eyes, trying to shake off the grogginess.