Laurens pov
I shut my front door and lock it letting my body slide down the length of it my ass hitting the cold floor of my apartment a warm comfort.
" what the fuck" I try and make sense of all that had just happened.
The RED HOOD lives above me.
The same red hood I am currently making a whole profile about for Bruce.
" shit " I mutter in realization pushing myself off the floor and walking over to the web of information that hangs on my wall.
if Bruce finds out I live in the same building as the Redhood its going to cause a couple issues.
the main being he's a threat against the bat not that I don't already know this.
I physically shudder at the original encounter I had with the red hood.
his whole demeanor and aura had a sense of power and danger.
one I wouldn't admit at the time I craved like a cold ice drink in summer.
I decided that it was an issue for future me and went to bed.
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JASONS POV
As the door clicked shut behind her I remained seated on the floor my thoughts swirling in a tumultuous storm.
She thought she had fooled me with her facade of innocence but I had seen through it from the moment she stepped into the room.
Her sudden appearance in my sanctuary only fueled my suspicion.
Why was she so insistent on helping me? What was her game?
With a sigh I pushed myself to my feet the ache in my side serving as a painful reminder of the danger lurking in the shadows.
But there was something else a nagging feeling that whispered of a connection beyond the superficial layers of hero and villain.
I made my way to the window, gazing out into the darkness of the city below.
Lauren's words lingered in the air haunting me with their sincerity.
Perhaps there was more to her than met the eye.
As I stood by the window the city's skyline cast in shadows beneath the pale moonlight I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered within me.
Lauren's unexpected act of kindness had left me grappling with conflicting emotions a turmoil of doubt and suspicion swirling in my mind.
"Pathetic" I muttered to myself the voice of self-doubt echoing in the quiet of the room. "Falling for her act, are we? The mighty Red Hood, brought down by a simple gesture of kindness."
I scowled at the voice irritation bubbling beneath the surface.
"It's not like that" I retorted though the words rang hollow even to my own ears.
"Oh, spare me," the voice taunted mocking in its tone. "You've got a thing for the blondie, and you know it. Admit it, Hood, you're just as human as the rest of them."
I gritted my teeth, frustration simmering beneath the surface.
"I don't have time for distractions," I growled though the memory of Lauren's soft touch lingered in the recesses of my mind.
"Distractions?" the voice scoffed. "More like you're scared. Scared of letting someone in, scared of getting hurt. But hey, who can blame you? It's not like you've got a great track record in the love department, now do you?"
I bristled at the taunt the sting of truth cutting deeper than I cared to admit.
"Enough," I snapped turning away from the window in a futile attempt to silence the relentless voice in my head.
But even as I tried to push the thoughts aside they lingered, a constant reminder of the vulnerabilities I sought to bury beneath layers of steel and determination.
With a heavy sigh I resigned myself to the fact that for better or worse Lauren had managed to crack the façade I had spent years constructing.
And as I prepared to face the night once more the weight of uncertainty pressing down upon me.
I couldn't help but wonder if perhaps in the midst of the chaos and darkness that defined Gotham's streets there was room for a glimmer of something more.
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LAURENS POV
days seem to pass from my last encounter with the Redhood each the same.
wake.
run.
eat.
sleep.
work.
work till god know what hours staring and getting more and more deeper into the mystery that is Redhood.
Humming softly to myself I moved gracefully around my living room preparing my late-night snack with practiced ease.
The radio provided a steady backdrop of music as I indulged in spoonfuls of cookie dough the sweetness a brief respite from the relentless quest for answers.
Lost in thought I stood before my web of clues my fingers tracing the interconnected threads in search of any overlooked details.
"Hmmm," I murmured, hoping that a change in perspective might reveal something new.
Suddenly a sharp tapping at the window shattered the quiet of the night causing me to jump in surprise.
Before I could react, Nightwing and Robin materialized in my apartment their sudden appearance sending a jolt of adrenaline coursing through my veins.
"Hey Lauren," Nightwing greeted with a smirk his blue eyes twinkling mischievously. "Didn't mean to startle you."
I steadied my racing heart a mixture of relief and annoyance flooding through me.
"How did you two get in here?" I demanded my gaze flickering between the masked vigilantes.
Nightwing flashed a grin. "Trade secret," he replied cryptically with wink .
"Window." Robin chimed in with a more straightforward answer
I made a mental note to lock it in the future before turning my attention to their reason for being here.
"What brings you both to my humble abode?" I asked crossing my arms over my chest.
Dick's expression grew serious.
"Bruce sent us to see if you've made any progress on the Red Hood case" he explained his tone indicating the importance of their mission.
I shook my head disappointment coloring my voice.
"No I haven't found anything substantial yet " I admitted frustration tingeing my words.
Tim sighed his features creased with concern.
"We haven't had much luck either," he confessed his tone somber.
After a brief catch-up the boys informed me that they needed to return to patrolling the city.
With a nod of understanding I watched as they disappeared through the window leaving me once again alone in the dimly lit room.
I drifted into a fitful sleep on the sofa the weight of exhaustion pulling me into its grasp.
As my mind teetered on the edge of consciousness a faint tapping intruded upon my dreams pulling me back to reality.
Groaning softly I shifted hoping to drown out the noise and return to the embrace of sleep.
But then came the unmistakable sound of a loud knock jolting me fully awake.
Irritation flared within me as I stumbled towards the window cursing whoever dared to disturb my precious rest at this ungodly hour.
"What the hell?" I muttered under my breath frustration coloring my voice as I yanked the window open fully prepared to give Nightwing and Robin a piece of my mind.
"Wounded and bloody, just what I needed," I muttered sarcastically, my annoyance evident in my tone.
Red Hood's battered figure stood before me, his helmet smashed to reveal a glimpse of his injured face. Blood trickled down his temple, staining the edges of his mask.
"What do you want?" I demanded my irritation giving way to concern despite my best efforts to remain aloof.
He smirked, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Oh you know just thought I'd drop by for a friendly chat" he replied his words laced with bitterness.
Rolling my eyes, I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt at my initial dismissiveness. "Fine come in" I relented stepping aside to let him enter.
I watched as Red Hood limped into my apartment and sink into the nearest chair his wounds a stark reminder of the dangers that lurked in the shadows I knew that this unexpected visit was just the beginning of a journey that would challenge everything I thought I knew.
AUTHORS NOTE
HIII IM BACKKKK
hope you enjoyed this chapter.
dont get your hopes up for regular updates haha.