The air reeked of blood and rust.

Chains clinked faintly as Jason Todd shifted, muscles trembling with effort. His arms were stretched above him, wrists cuffed in cold iron, forcing him to kneel on the cracked concrete floor. Blood dripped from a split lip, pooling at his knees. Bruises blossomed across his ribs, his face was a wreck of purple and red, but his glare remained intact—sharp and unwavering.

Across the room, bathed in the sickly glow of a flickering bulb, the Joker paced, whistling a jaunty little tune.

"You just don't learn, do ya, Jaybird?" Joker crooned, crouching low to meet Jason's one good eye. "Round two and still no manners! I almost missed you, kid." He grinned, his teeth yellow and wild. "Any last words? A heartfelt plea? Maybe a desperate sob for your little wifey?"

Jason spat a wad of blood at Joker's feet and grinned, teeth stained crimson. "Is my wife alive?" he rasped, voice rough and raw.

Joker clapped his hands mockingly. "Ohhh, darling!" he singsonged. "Still worried about your pretty little songbird? Sweet, really. Pathetic, but sweet." He leaned in closer, sneering. "Yeah. She's breathing. For now."

Jason chuckled, low and broken but genuine. "You’re a damn fool, Joker," he croaked.

Joker's smile faltered just slightly. "What's that supposed to—"

BOOM.

Through the chaos, you ran straight for Jason, your face wild with terror and rage, pushing rubble and smoke aside like it meant nothing.

Your voice cracked as you dropped to your knees before him.

His head slumped forward in relief. His battered face broke into a pained, crooked smile as he blinked rapidly, trying to clear his vision.

"Hey, sunshine," he slurred. "You’re... you’re okay."

You nodded, hands trembling as you worked to unchain him. The cuffs clattered to the ground, and Jason sagged forward into your arms.

You took his bloodied hand carefully in yours and guided it down — down to the soft curve of your stomach.

Confusion flickered across his bruised face... until realization hit him like a second explosion. His bloodied hand trembled against the tiny swell.

"You..." his voice cracked, raw emotion pouring out of him. "We’re..." He couldn't finish.