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

Chapter 44: Locked in a tower

Aubrey was done.

It had been a week since the attack at the clinic, and in that time, she hadn't seen Jason once. Instead, she'd been stuck in her penthouse with an endless rotation of babysitters—Dick, Tim, and even Damian. The entire family of them had been taking shifts, keeping her under what felt like house arrest, all under strict orders from Jason to make sure she stayed safe.

Safe. The word was starting to grate on her nerves. She didn't need protection, she needed to be involved. To do something. Jason, meanwhile, was out there in the city, dealing with whatever demons he was keeping from her. And now, they wouldn't even let her leave the apartment.

She knew she could get out at any time, but she was hoping Jason would work whatever was in his system out and come back.

Clearly that wasn't happening. And the peanut gallery wasn't making it any better. She had tolerated them for long enough. Dick seemed adamant about snooping around as much as possible, and if he pulled up ONE MORE ARTICLE about Flare and the Red Hood she was going to lose her mind.

Aubrey had always been patient, but she was officially over it.

"You can't leave, Aubrey. Orders from the top," Dick said, leaning casually against the counter, but Aubrey could hear the exhaustion in his voice. He, too, had been running patrols nonstop between keeping an eye on her and his own nightly duties. "Jason's just trying to keep you safe."

"And I've told you, Dick," Aubrey said through gritted teeth, "I can handle myself."

Tim sat on the couch, nose buried in his tablet, but even he seemed aware that Aubrey was on the verge of snapping. Damian was, thankfully, out running errands, but that wouldn't save the other two from her frustrations.

"Look," Dick continued, "I get it. You're pissed, but—"

Before he could finish, Aubrey moved faster than either of them anticipated. In one smooth motion, she kicked Dick's legs out from under him, sending him crashing to the ground. Tim barely had time to react before she grabbed his wrist, twisting it behind him and pinning him to the couch. With a quick flick of her wrist, she snapped a rope around both of them, leaving the two men tied securely to the chair.

Dick groaned, rubbing his head where it had hit the floor. "Okay, that was uncalled for."

Tim scowled, his face flushed with embarrassment. "You're not supposed to attack your babysitters."

Aubrey ignored their protests, already slipping into her Flare suit. "I told you," she muttered, fastening her gloves. "I don't need babysitters."

With that, she left the apartment, taking to the rooftops as Flare, her fiery energy propelling her across the city. She had been out of the game too long, and it didn't take long to track down her target. Jason had been busy—his actions had made headlines, and whispers of the Red Hood's brutal tactics were spreading across Gotham.

It didn't take long to find him.

Jason was a whirlwind of fury, cutting through the city's criminal underbelly like a storm. Anyone involved in the attack on the clinic, anyone connected to the Waterkindle trade, was being dealt with swiftly and without mercy. The thugs he encountered barely stood a chance, and those who did, wished they hadn't.

He was in the middle of dragging a gang member out of a hideout when a familiar figure dropped down in front of him.

"Flare?" Jason froze, his helmet hiding the initial shock in his expression. "What the hell are you doing here?"

She crossed her arms, her fiery red eyes glaring at him. "Looking for you.

Jason scowled. "Where are my brothers? They were supposed to be watching you."