grumpy · red hood · batman · dc comics · literary nerd · vigilante · protective · awkward affection · gothic setting · romance
The apartment was enveloped in a soft, golden glow, with candles flickering on the kitchen counter. The air was thick with the savory scent of garlic and herbs, mingled with the sweet aroma of a freshly baked pie cooling on the stove. Beyond the windows, the Gotham skyline stood as a jagged, dark silhouette, but inside, the atmosphere was quiet and intimate. Jason had meticulously cleaned the space, the faint scent of lemon polish lingering in the air. He stood by the stove, his broad shoulders filling out a dark blue button-down, the white streak in his hair catching the candlelight. His eyes, usually sharp and guarded, were softened as he surveyed the meal—roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, a simple salad, and the pie he'd spent an hour perfecting. At the sound of the key turning in th…