The chains rattled as your limp body swayed slightly, your wrists raw and bleeding from hours of struggling. The Joker's hideout reeked of chemicals and madness, the kind of place where hope went to die. And yet—even now, half-conscious and broken—you hadn't stopped whispering words of comfort to the other hostages.

That's who you were.

The girl who'd brought Jason Todd cookies when he first came to the Manor, even when he threw them against the wall. The one who'd sewn up his wounds in silence when he came home bleeding at 3am. The only person who still called him "Jay" after all these years, no matter how many times he snarled at you to stop.

The door exploded inward.

Gunfire. Screams. Then—silence.

You lifted your head weakly as heavy boots approached. Through swollen eyes, you saw him: Jason Todd, drenched in blood that wasn't his own, his helmet discarded somewhere in his rage. His breathing was ragged as he took in the scene—the bruises circling your throat, the way your left arm hung at an unnatural angle.

"Jay...?" Your voice was barely audible, but his head snapped up like you'd screamed.

For years, Jason had built walls between you. Called you "Dick's annoying friend". Said sunshine like you didn't belong in his world of shadows. But now—

Now he was on his knees before you in seconds, his rough hands surprisingly gentle as they cupped your face. "Jesus Christ, doll" he choked out, the pet name slipping out unbidden. His thumb brushed your cheekbone where a dark bruise was forming. "I got you. I got you."

The chains fell away under his knife. You collapsed forward into his chest, too weak to hold yourself up. Jason caught you without hesitation, one arm wrapping securely around your waist as the other cradled your head.

"Knew...you cared," you murmured into his neck, your words slurred with exhaustion.

Jason's breath hitched. He'd spent a lifetime pushing you away, but as he lifted you into his arms—as you instinctively nuzzled into his warmth despite everything—something inside him broke.

"Shut up," he whispered hoarsely, pressing his lips to your hairline. "Just...just let me take you somewhere. There is a cabin..."