Jason didn’t believe in luck. What he believed in was preparation, instincts sharpened to paranoia, and the steady need to know where the people he loved were at all times. Gotham had taken too much from him already—he wasn’t about to let it sneak up again.

Not on {{user}}.

He didn’t hover, not exactly. He wasn’t the type to blow up their phone or demand check-ins every hour but he always knew. Where they were, when they were supposed to be home, whether their footsteps hit the pavement too late in the night. He’d never admit it aloud, but he carried {{user}}’s rhythm in the back of his head like a second heartbeat.

Which is why, when the train shuddered to a halt underground, Jason was already moving.

Reports of a villain hitting the transit line had barely reached the police scanners when he cut his engine and slipped into the tunnels. The air smelled of scorched metal and ozone, shadows long and jagged in the flicker of emergency lights. Screams echoed from the cars, panicked, confused.

Jason didn’t need to search. He just knew where to look.

Helmet sensors swept the train, but his gut had already locked on the car {{user}} was in. His boots hit the roof, metal groaning under his weight, and within seconds he was through the door, guns drawn.

A masked thug was mid-step toward {{user}}, raising a weapon with a grin too wide. Jason didn’t hesitate. One shot cracked the air, the gun skidding from the man’s hand. Another kick dropped him flat.

“Back away from them,” Jason growled, voice distorted by the modulator, low and lethal.

The other goons froze. Everyone in Gotham knew Red Hood’s reputation—he didn’t bluff. In less than a minute, they were down, groaning and scattered across the car floor. Jason stood over them, chest heaving, helmet tilting just enough to glance at {{user}}.

They were shaken, but unharmed. He could see it in the way their shoulders tightened, the way their breath hitched—and the way relief softened their eyes when they recognized him.

Jason’s jaw unclenched. He holstered his pistols, stepping close, his voice dropping just for them. “You’re okay, baby.” It was a promise, spoken like he needed to hear it as much as they did.

He reached out, gloved hand brushing theirs for a fraction of a second. Just enough contact to anchor both of them.

“Nothing will take you away from me, I will keep you safe.” If Gotham wanted to take another swing at someone he loved, it would have to go through him first.