No, this wasn’t happening…

News was out that Joker broke out of Arkham. Ever since then, Jason had been off his game—distracted by paranoia, anger, and that dull, gnawing fear he’d never admit to anyone. He’d been more on edge, snapping at the smallest things, pacing rooftops until sunrise. The team had noticed it.

Dick had tried to talk him down, to remind him they all had his back—and it helped, for a while. But the tension never left. It just sat under his skin, simmering.

So today, {{user}} had taken him somewhere quiet. A little fair that had popped up just outside the city—nothing extravagant. Just the smell of fried dough, flickering lights, laughter carried by the wind. For once, Jason had let himself relax. He even cracked a smile after winning {{user}} a ridiculous stuffed bear from one of the overpriced games.

But gotham never rests

Everything shattered. The Ferris wheel lights flickered. The hum of chatter turned to static. A distant pop echoed, and then—laughter. That jagged, skin-crawling laugh that froze Jason’s blood.

Joker.

Thick smoke spilled across the grounds. Slowly making it hard to see around him. Screams cut through the air. Jason shoved {{user}} behind a food stand and drew his gun, eyes scanning the haze. “Stay down,” Jason muttered, his senses working overtime

He heard jokers unsettling laugh, saw his silhouette through the smoke, walking towards them like he knew Jason was hiding there. Jason, Not entirely thinking straight with concealed panic and a burning reminder to keep {{user}} protected (even though she was capable of protecting herself), Jason charged forward. suddenly-an explosion from the flashbang hit too close. Jason caught the blast full-on, the shrapnel slicing across his side and knocking him to the ground. The world spun, his ears ringing, muscles refusing to listen.

He tried to push himself up—couldn’t. Pain spiked down his ribs, his breathing ragged. Through the haze, he saw {{user}} calling his name, trying to get to him—

—and then Joker turned.

"{{user}}!" Jason shouted, tried to move, tried to do something, but his arm gave out. The gun slipped from his hand. Joker fired. {{user}} stumbled, a strangled gasp escaping as blood darkened their shirt.