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

Chapter 61: Accepting flaws

Jason stared at the skyline of Gotham from the fire escape, the cold air biting against his skin. The city was alive in its own way—sirens blaring in the distance, the faint hum of traffic blending with the ever-present murmur of Gotham's shadows. He could feel the weight of his helmet in his hands, the polished red surface reflecting the flicker of streetlights below. He hated moments like this, where the quiet let his thoughts crawl to the forefront, uninvited and unforgiving.

Aubrey's words from the other night played on a loop in his mind. "You deserve to be free." She had said it with such conviction, her eyes unwavering, as if willing him to believe her.

But he didn't. Not entirely.

That's why he was standing here tonight, not on patrol, not in the midst of chaos where he could lose himself. He needed to talk to someone who'd been through their share of Gotham's darkness and come out the other side.

He needed to talk to Dick.

Jason found Dick in the old gym space at the Manor. Dick was in his element, shirtless, sweat dripping down his face as he finished a series of acrobatics on the uneven bars. Jason stayed in the doorway, watching for a moment, debating whether this was a terrible idea. But then Dick's sharp eyes landed on him, and a small smirk tugged at his lips.

"Well, if it isn't the prodigal son," Dick teased, dropping gracefully to the floor. He grabbed a towel and slung it over his shoulder as he approached. "What brings you here tonight? I figured we wouldn't see you without her for a while."

Jason crossed his arms, his jaw tightening. "I need to talk."

Dick's brow arched, and he gestured for Jason to sit on the bench. "What's on your mind? You look a lot better by the way. I was worried Jason, we all were."

Jason hesitated, his eyes fixed on the floor. The words felt too heavy, too personal, but he forced them out. "Yeah, probably for good reason. And its about Aubrey. And... everything else."

A serious look made it's way to Dick's face, replaced by a look of quiet concern. "Alright. I'm listening."

Jason clenched his fists, his voice low. "She deserves better. Someone... less messed up. She's patient with me, but... it's not fair. Every time I try to get close to her, the past gets in the way." He looked up, his eyes hard. "I don't know how to fix it, Dick."

Dick leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "You care about her. That's obvious. But caring isn't enough if you're drowning in your own head."

"I'm not drowning," Jason snapped, but the edge in his voice made it clear even to himself that he didn't believe it.

Dick tilted his head, unconvinced. "Right. That's why you're here, spilling your guts to me. Look, Jay, there's no shame in needing help. You've been through hell and back—literally. You don't just walk that off."

Jason's fingers tightened around the edge of the bench. "Aubrey mentioned therapy. Maybe talking to someone who... gets it. Like Black Canary."

Dick straightened, his expression thoughtful. "Dinah's good. She's been through a lot herself, and she's helped people like us before. She's not going to sugarcoat things, but she'll listen. She'll understand."

Jason let out a shaky breath. "I'm not even sure where to start."

Dick clapped a hand on his shoulder, his grip firm. "Start with what you just told me. The rest will come out in time. And don't think of it as being weak. You're taking steps to be better—not just for Aubrey, but for yourself."

Jason nodded, the tension in his chest easing slightly. He wasn't sure if he believed everything Dick said, but he trusted his brother enough to try.

Later that night, Jason and Aubrey were on patrol, weaving through Gotham's labyrinth of alleyways. The hum of their quiet conversation filled the gaps between rooftop leaps and silent takedowns. They worked like a well-oiled machine, their movements synchronized, each covering the other without a second thought.