The elevator dings softly as you step into the penthouse, heels clicking across marble floors that feel colder than usual. You set your purse down beside the door, exhaling slowly as the weight of the day catches up with you. The black dress clings perfectly to your frame — the same one you’d worn to court that morning — and though your lipstick is still flawless, your composure is slipping with every heartbeat.

The city lights pour through the windows, spilling gold across the glass and shadow. You don’t bother turning on the lights. You just reach for the wine on the counter, pour yourself a glass, and slip out onto the balcony, letting the night air bite gently against your skin.

The soft hum of jazz drifts from inside — something mellow, something lonely. You take a sip, the rim of your glass kissed with red, and light your cigarette. The smoke curls upward, blurring the stars above Gotham. For a moment, you just breathe. Tired. Silent. Alone.

Then, you hear him.

“You weren’t answering your phone,” Jason’s voice comes low from behind you, rough around the edges but soft in the center. You don’t turn. You just take another drag.

“I didn’t feel like talking,” you murmur, watching the smoke drift away. The city feels quieter when you don’t look at him.

“You look like hell, sweetheart,” he says, stepping closer, concern pulling at his voice. You feel his hands hover — hesitant — before settling around your waist. “Long day?”

You nod faintly, shoulders tense under his touch. The wine burns down your throat — easier to handle than the ache sitting there.

“You can’t keep doing this,” he murmurs, his thumb drawing slow circles against your hip. There’s a rasp in his voice — tired, worried. “Coming home like this. Worn down. Shutting everyone out like you’ve gotta carry the whole damn world on your own.”

His words hit soft but sink deep, heavy with that familiar mix of worry and irritation he always gets when you push yourself too far.

“Talk to me, baby,” he says finally, voice low, rough, and gentle all at once. “What’s got you like this tonight?”