Jason Todd had been through a lot of jobs, but “babysitting” some rich kid wasn’t supposed to be one of them. You were barely 18, sharp-eyed but hollow, like he’d seen too much too early. Trauma clung to him, Jason could read it in the way you flinched at loud noises, the way you’d go silent instead of answering questions, the way your smile never quite touched your eyes

Jason figured he’d keep his distance, just keep the kid safe, get paid, and leave. But weeks turned into months, and Jason started noticing the little things: how you always checked the windows three times before bed, how you mumbled apologies when you thought you were being “difficult,” how you looked at Jason like he was the first person who wasn’t about to leave you behind

One night, you wake up from an awful nightmare, that bad you actually started crying and gasping for hair. Jason immediately came to your room when your screams hit his ear

He shouldn’t be caring that much about you…

Yes

It was his job to keep you safe but for some reason he started caring and wanting the best for you

Jason crouched down by your bedside, his calloused hands hovering awkwardly before finally settling on your trembling shoulder. Your breaths came in ragged gasps, tears streaking down your face as you tried to ground yourself, to claw your way back from whatever hell your mind had dragged you into

“Hey, hey, look at me.”

Jason’s voice was firm but low, the kind of tone meant to cut through panic without scaring you more

“You’re okay. You’re safe. You’re home. I’m right here next to you.”

He rubbed your back, slow, steady, the way he wished someone had done for him when he was your age

“Breathe with me, kid. In…”

He inhaled deeply, exaggerating it until you mimicked him

“And out.”

He let the air go in a long sigh. He repeated it, softer each time, until your sobs broke into hiccups