cold hands
jason todd x gender neutral reader. 789 words.
notes: i started this in december i swear it was seasonally appropriate at the time
warnings: n/a
he scooped your hands into his own, cupping them together and bringing them to his face smoothly.
he caught your eye with a small smirk. you knew him well enough to know he wasn't really smug- he was looking for your reaction, a silent is this okay wrapped up in his confident expression. the large, colorful lights strung across the shop front you had stopped in front of were reflected in his eyes, but he was focused entirely on you.
you slipped your thumb out of his hold and ran it over his own.
jason took it for the invitation it was and exhaled heavily over your frigid fingers, looking down to them.
you, though? you kept your gaze right where it was.
he was beautiful, you thought. a strong jaw and handful of faded scars were contrasted by the softness of his eyes, his red (garnet, you remembered him saying with a little self-aware grin, not red- that was a work color, and you weren't work) knit hat bringing out the green in them. he was bathed in an orangey-pink from the décor behind you, and you almost wanted to pull a hand back to take a picture.
almost.
"i'm buying you some damn gloves," he muttered without heat, laughter buried in his tone as he gently massaged your fingers.
"and put my personal hand warmer out of a job?"
"he's creative. he'll find another one."
you let out a small huff of laughter, the sound turning to fog between the two of you. you pulled your hands out of his grasp- earning a raised eyebrow- and pushed forward to take hold of the front of his jacket, gently pulling him into kissing range.
as always, he adapted almost instantly. "see?" he asked quietly, his palms finding your hips. "a new job opened up pretty quick."
"shut up," you mumbled fondly, pressing your lips to his.
the warmth in your chest absolutely erupted, the sweet, familiar feeling of his lips- of his presence- making your heart and mind go the same sugar-sweet shade of pink.
"i love you," you pulled back to whisper firmly, grip tightening on his jacket just to give some of the oomph in your veins somewhere to go.
you felt his chuckle under your fists and against your lips, like the bassline of your favorite song with the dial all the way up, rattling through the floor and into your ribs and threatening to turn you giddy. "i think that means i'm doing alright at my new job."
"you're doing wonderfully at your new job."
not much would be worth opening your eyes from such a spell, but you found that his smile made the list: crooked and fond and beautiful and somehow it was aimed at you.
"think i can clock in for another shift?" he asked lowly, playfully, sending another wave of butterflies through your system. they left quickly, replaced by a feeling of belonging, of home, of peace.
"yes," you answered simply, trying (and failing, judging by his little laugh) to keep your eagerness under control. "you should."
so he kissed you again, holding you close. sheltering you from the chill of gotham in the dead of winter. reflecting warm lights onto you and chasing shadows away. turning every beautiful, poetic thought you'd ever had about him into something literal and visible and tangible and not having a single clue.
--
so he kissed you again, basking in the affection in your eyes and letting it warm him straight to his bones. begging his mind to save the image of you bathed in orange and pink and magic, looking at him like he was even close to that kind of beautiful, tugging him towards you like there was nowhere else on the planet you'd rather he be.
and he tried to hold you as softly as you deserved, bringing a hand up to cup your jaw and tilt your head slightly and cherishing the way you immediately, confidently leaned into his touch like you trusted him to keep you upright.
it felt like someone cracked a glowstick where his heart should be.
no- that was too vivid, too harsh. this was like a candle, warm and steady and breathing and alive. this was something to look to in the dim and the dreary, something by which he could read; something to warm his hands over, something to turn to when the storms rolled through and the power failed and left him in the dark.
you were something to turn to in the dark.
he decided, then and there, pressed against your coat and your lips and your warmth, that you were getting the nicest gloves he could get his hands on.
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weathered rifle
monster au (Jeanne POV), 2089 words;
general warnings: blood, violence, profanity, attempted kidnapping
[ A/N: hi, this is probably a little out of nowhere, but i had this monster au drabble written up for a while and wanted to share it :3 hope you enjoy! ]
Bam!
Jeanne gritted her teeth as she pulled the trigger on her old rifle, watching as one of the hunters fell. A perfect shot.
Her daughter sat huddled behind her, covering her sensitive ears with a whine. Jeanne leaned down, gently ruffling Citrine's head as she reached for some more sniper ammo.
"It'll be okay, Rin. Your mama will be here soon, and then… and then everything will be okay. I promise."
Citrine's eyes peeked up at her, brimming with frightened tears. Jeanne's heart twisted at the sight, wanting nothing more than to hold her daughter close and console her - but she didn't have that luxury right now.
Why did it have to be tonight?
Freya was away to visit her mother for a hunt, and she wasn't supposed to be back for a few days. It was supposed to be a peaceful night, just her and her children and the books she wanted to get through - but then she got a panicked phone call from her brother that a hunting party was heading for their house.
Jeanne had dusted off her sniper rifle and dug out her old ammo, even as her children watched her pace anxiously around the house.
She didn't want to have to use her old hunting gear again, but she knew what she had to do. Jeanne had been taught the horrid craft of monster hunting growing up, but she would use it to take down those that threatened her family.
The twins were in the basement, safe with food and water to last them a few days if necessary. When she had left them, Jeanne thought Citrine was safe and sound with her sisters - but it didn't take her long to realize the little half-werewolf followed her to the second floor where she was now stationed to defend their home.
She really wished that Citrine didn't need to see any of this.
This wasn't their first run in with a monster hunting party, but it was the first one where Jeanne was alone to protect them. Normally Freya would be here, making sure nobody got too close to the house. She'd handle the melee combatants while Jeanne would take down anyone armed with silver bullets.
Tonight, though, she was alone. She couldn't tell how long they've been holding out now, but it felt like they kept coming.
Maybe… maybe Father-
No no, she shouldn't get distracted. What her father thought didn't matter. Not tonight. Jeanne reloaded her rifle, looking down the scope as she mumbled a quiet 'cover your ears, Rin,' to her daughter before pulling the trigger again.
Her aim struck true, piercing the shoulder of a hunter armed with a silver dagger. The knife hit the dirt unceremoniously as the hunter screamed, his companions looking around for the source of the gunfire. Jeanne ducked her head, counting the bullets she had left.
I'm running out. After this I just have some shotgun shells, and then…
"Mama, why are they here?" Citrine bubbled out, nearly curled up into a ball on the floor. "What do they want?"
Jeanne hesitated, gnawing at the inside of her lip. She peeked over the window again, watching for the hunters. "...they don't like people that are different, Rin. People like your mama, they try to seek them out to get rid of them."
"But… why?"
"Cover your ears, sweetheart."
Citrine did, just as Jeanne fired another piercing bullet at the hunters. This time, she hit two in the leg.
"In there!" One of the hunters shouted, making Jeanne's blood run cold. "They're in there, get them!"
"Shit- Citrine honey, you need to hide."
"What?! I don't want to leave you--!" The half-werewolf yelped in protest as Jeanne scooped her up with an arm, leaving the sniper rifle at the window as she ran towards the closet. "Mama!"
"You know what to do. I can handle myself, pumpkin, but you need to hide so that way your sisters have somebody to look after them. Okay?" She leaned forward and kissed her daughter's forehead, wiping away Citrine's tears with a hand. "I'm doing this for your sake."
Citrine sniffled quietly, nodding as she curled up in the closet. Thankfully she blended in with the piles of clothes rather easily. "O-okay…"
"That's my girl. I'll be back. Cover your ears and don't come out."
Jeanne shut the door, rolling her arm out as she opened a weathered gun case. She could hear the hunters downstairs trying to break in, but the door would hold out a while longer.
...Freya, I'm scared.
The ex-hunter steeled herself as she picked up her old shotgun, loading the shells in while she still had the chance. The twins in the basement thankfully were hidden in a secure place with a passcode, but Jeanne was more worried about Citrine than anything else. If the hunters got past her, there was no telling what they'd do to her daughter.
Jeanne gritted her teeth, her hands shaking slightly as she gripped her shotgun. She could hear them walking around downstairs now.
"Come oooout," one of the hunters almost sang, the sound of a blade scraping along the floor resounding as they searched.
The stairs creaked, making Jeanne tighten her hold on the shotgun's trigger.
"We know you're in here, wolfy," another hunter called out. "Just save us the trouble and show yourself."
They were right outside.
Not yet.
The door knob turned, the sound of a blade being drawn.
"Get the fuck out of my house," Jeanne bit out, pulling the trigger the instant the door opened. She could hear one of the hunters scream, reeling back and falling into one of their allies. "I said get OUT!"
"You- you fucking traitor!" A gruff voice spat at her, a hand rocketing out of the darkness coming for Jeanne.
Without hesitation, she fired again, wincing at the sound of cracking bones. I need to reload, but-
A desperate yell rang out, and suddenly Jeanne was on the floor.
Shit shit shit-
There was a hand at her throat and a knee in her side. Jeanne forced her eyes open, finding the silver glint of a knife by her cheek.
"So, you're the hunter that went rogue," the hooded figure over her said, pressing the knife to her face. "We were wondering how one of those mutts were supposed to fire guns. Turns out it's just a bratty little human."
Jeanne gritted her teeth, clawing at the hand at her neck. She felt a sting of pain at her face, the knife running down along her jawline.
This fucking hunter-
"Ah ah ah. Cut that out. We've got a bounty on everyone in this house, and that includes you. They wanted you preferably alive, but that doesn't mean we have to adhere to that. Capisce?"
"I'm the- the only one here," Jeanne managed, trying to swallow. She just had to hold out a bit longer. Just a bit-
A ferocious howl shook the earth, the walls of the house rattling as someone - Freya - bounded up the stairs, bowling over the hunters still at the door to the room.
The grip at her neck slacked, then tightened as the hunter that had Jeanne pinned down readjusted their grip to hold her hostage, the knife tip pointed to her neck.
"LET HER GO, NOW!" Freya bellowed, easily tossing the rest of the hunters over the railing and down the stairs. The werewolf wiped at her maw, smearing the blood away.
"Easy," the hunter murmured. "You show me where the rest of your family is, and I'll let her go."
"Freya, don't-" A gloved hand covered her mouth, muffling her words. Don't- don't fall for it!
"Tick tock, wolfy. Which is it? Little Red here or your family?"
A door creaked open.
Citrine.
The half-werewolf charged at the hunter, her fangs piercing the hand that held the knife as she pulled their arm back.
"Citrine!" Freya shouted, bounding over to the three of them as the grip on Jeanne's throat loosened just enough to let the ex-hunter slip out of their grasp.
Jeanne felt the rush of her wife's fur bounding overhead, the werewolf tackling the hunter and ripping the silver knife out of their hand.
"Shi-"
"Citrine, cover your ears!" Jeanne shouted again, trying to get up but finding she had no strength in her legs.
The little werewolf complied, snarling as she dug her teeth in the hunter's arm with a shake. The hunter screamed, trying to unlatch Citrine's jaw from their arm to no avail.
Freya patted their daughter's ears back, murmuring something quiet to the girl. Hesitantly, she let go of the hunter's arm and scurried to get behind her werewolf mother.
"Listen. You're going to go back to whoever sent you, and you're going to tell them you didn't find shit. You're lucky you got inside in the first place. You're going to be even luckier to get out in one piece." Freya's voice growled, picking up the hunter roughly. "I never want to see your face here again. Understand?"
Jeanne could hear the hunter bubble anxiously in response before her wife rushed out the window, throwing them into a tree from the sound of it.
"AND THE REST OF YOU! GET THE HELL OUT!" Freya howled out, her words followed by the noise of startled men running downstairs.
Are we safe?
Jeanne felt like she couldn't catch her breath. She laid her head back down on the floor, wheezing quietly as the last of the hunters left.
Gentle arms picked her up, caressing Jeanne’s hair lightly. She felt a puff of warm air and her wife’s tongue lap at her cut cheek.
“I think I’m okay,” Jeanne murmured. She could feel her wife’s snout sniffing over her in a panic, holding her close. “The twins, they should still be in the basement…”
“The basement’s secure. I’m more worried about you,” Freya huffed, a whine building in her chest. “You alright? That knife wasn’t poisoned, was it?”
“No, I don’t think so. I’m just… really glad you’re here.” Jeanne could feel a slight sting in her face as the cut sealed itself. She found enough strength in her to wrap her arms around her wife’s neck, burying her face in Freya’s fur. “I’m glad…”
“Mama?” Citrine asked, concern clear in her voice.
“Mama’s alright, honey. She just needs to rest a bit, okay?” Freya said gently, leaning down to let the little werewolf climb onto her back. “Let’s go check on your sisters.”
“Okay,” Citrine mumbled, her head peeking over Freya’s shoulder to nuzzle into Jeanne’s head.
Jeanne couldn’t help but laugh quietly, releasing a hand to gently smooth out her daughter’s hair as Freya brought them downstairs. “You were so brave, sweetheart. But… hopefully you won’t ever need to do that again.”
“Yeah, holy crap. Have your teeth gotten longer since the last full moon, Rinny?” Freya asked, her ears flicking inquisitively.
Their daughter shrugged, opening her mouth. The canines certainly seemed a bit elongated, at least from Jeanne’s perspective. She relayed this to Freya, who laughed boisterously. “That’s good! That’s good, you’ll need those to protect your little sisters!”
Citrine cheered in response, though Jeanne could tell the night wore on her. She felt tired herself - it probably wouldn’t be a bad idea to just sleep in the basement until morning. Her brother promised to come by in the morning to set up new defenses, and she knew the girls would love to see their favorite uncle Jules again.
Freya huffed quietly, leaning to give Jeanne a kiss on the forehead as she unlocked the door to the basement. “You sure you’re alright..?”
“I am now,” Jeanne responded, pressing a kiss to her wife’s muzzle. She chuckled as she spotted Freya’s tail wag slightly, never tiring of her wife’s antics.
“You’re gonna take it easy tonight. Mom’s gonna help me clean up and get the blood out of the hardwood later. I’ll clean a bit too then be right back, got it?”
“Got it.”
“Good. Girls, be kind to mama. She’s tired,” Freya said as she laid Jeanne down on a comfortable sofa they brought down to the basement. Immediately their three daughters were around her, sniffing quietly.
…I don’t want her to go yet.
“Freya, um…”
“Mhm?”
“Can… you stay here a little longer? At least until Idunn arrives?” Jeanne asked, her face tinged red.
Freya blinked once, then smiled at her in that charming roguish way that Jeanne adored. “Of course, hon.”
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stormy weather
jason todd x gender neutral reader. 720 words.
notes: a very abstract take on 'write a true story about you with characters instead of people', one of the prompts from the ever lovely @reaperintheroses drabble december! this was more 'write about feelings', but i tried.
warnings: vague bad headspace on jason's part
he was in a mood.
you weren't sure what mood, but it wasn't good.
it was, however, familiar enough that you weren't surprised when he walked through the bedroom like a ghost.
all he took with him as he left it was a nail file.
you sat quietly, listening for the window.
there it was, about half a minute later: the sliding sound of the window in the frame was quiet but unmistakable, as was the sound of it sliding shut behind him.
fire escape brooding.
you sighed- that was a surefire sign that the mood had settled in completely. you had hoped, somewhat naïvely, that it would be a "wrong side of the bed" situation; had hoped he would be able to shake it off.
with the mood here to stay, you put your phone aside and slid out of bed.
it wasn't something to fix. not days like this. as much as you wished you could carry the weight of this for him, you settled instead for trying to share the load.
you took your time walking through the apartment, giving him his space for a little while as you boiled water and steeped tea for him.
you dug out his largest, warmest sweatshirt, tugging it on to brace against the cold you knew was wrapped around him both mentally and literally. then, with a glance at his silhouette in the window, you picked up his mug and approached.
he barely reacted to the sound of the window opening, only shifting slightly so his ear was towards you in silent acknowledgement.
"i made tea," you said softly, leaning on the sill. "interested?"
jason hesitated a moment, the only sounds the traffic below.
he shrugged, twirling the nail file between two fingers.
you reached over, gently pressing the mug into his free hand, watching as he pulled it to his chest with a hum.
"do you want space, or would you prefer i join you?"
"...you can." his voice was steady, but uncharacteristically quiet and lifeless. "not gonna be much company right now."
you slid out the window, closing it behind you, and he glanced up at you blankly. "you don't have to be," you said firmly, quietly, as you sat down beside him. "i'm just here."
the metal was freezing, even through your thick sweatpants. it would take more than a stretch of the imagination to call it comfortable, but you settled in like it was memory foam.
you sat in silence, listening to him breathe beside you and watching it fog in your peripheral.
you sat until your legs ached and your nose felt about ready to fall off from the cold. you sat for far longer than it took him to drain his mug. you sat long enough that the rush of lunch traffic came and went below you.
you sat watching gray clouds churn in the sky, offering the only comfort you could: he wasn't alone.
eventually, he inhaled deeply, and you felt something shift.
"you want a grilled cheese?" his voice was rough and quiet, but using it was a good sign.
you recognized the offer as the thank you that it was.
"yeah," you matched his volume, gently breaking your silence. "that sounds good."
it wasn't over, not by a long shot. you could feel it in the air around you, as though jason was a storm and the front was rolling in. it would be a few days, you suspected, of this- of disconnect, of that distant look in his eyes.
and that was the best case scenario.
he pushed himself up and off the ground, wincing when his bad ankle popped unpleasantly, and you changed your mind. he wasn't the storm. a storm in his own right, sure, strong and beautiful and immovable to all the world, but in this case he was standing on the coast and watching the storm turn the ocean angry.
he reached a hand down to help you up.
you took it, squeezing it once, twice, three times in quick succession as you hauled yourself to your feet. once there, you relaxed your grip.
he kept his, keeping your palm against his own. bracing himself against the wind.
you'd be damned if you let him board up the windows and sandbag the doorways on his own.
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