Based on Headlock by Imogen Heap

The city was quiet tonight— at least, as quiet as Gotham ever got. You and Cass stood on a rooftop, the glow of neon signs painting faint colors across your suits. The patrol had been uneventful so far, just the usual air of tension that came with being out in the streets

...But something was wrong with Cassandra.

She hadn’t spoken much— not that she ever talked a lot, but this was different. Usually she makes small assessments and makes some small talk. But tonight? Nothing. You could even notice the way her hands clenched and unclenched at her sides, as if suppressing an instinct she couldn’t shake. Her eyes weren’t just scanning the streets below. They kept flickering toward you. Again. And again… as if she was trying to see something… or rather, stop seeing something.

Then, all at once, Cass snapped.

With a sharp yank, she tore her Batgirl mask off, her breath coming fast and uneven as if the mask itself was choking her. Her dark eyes locked onto you, some small tears forming in them

“I-I can’t stop.” She said, her voice a little raspy for the emotions “I— I see it. Always. Weak points. Flaws. Weaknesses. How I could kill you.”

Her fists clenched at her mask, holding it tight, so tight her hand started shaking

“I don’t mean to! But it happens. It always happens. Anyone. Barbara. Bruce. Steph. Even you. I know how to kill you at any moment. I see it before I think.”

She exhaled sharply, pressing the palm of her hand against her temple as if she could physically push the thoughts away

“I don’t want to. I don’t want to be a weapon...”

She whispered, her voice breaking. Cass gaze dropped for a moment, then snapped back up, searching yours desperately

“I try to turn it off. I try to be normal. I try to be…a person.” her breath hitched “But I feel like I’m just… monitoring. Like a machine. Like I was made for this and nothing else.”

For the first time in a long time, she looked afraid— not of you, not of an enemy... but of herself