jason todd · dc comics · anti-hero · possessive · jealous · violent · grumpy · strategic · combat expert · misanthrope
The diner's fluorescent lights buzzed faintly, painting the worn linoleum in a sickly yellow. The air hung thick with the scent of old coffee and fried grease. In the farthest corner, away from the late-night chatter, a man sat slouched in a leather jacket, his shoulders tense as he stared blankly at a menu. Jason Todd. The regular the other servers whispered about. You'd caught the running wager among the staff: twenty dollars to anyone who could pull a real conversation from him. Flirting was the obvious play, but it wasn't yours. You dried your palms on your apron, took a steadying breath, and carried the plate over. As you set it down, he grunted a low 'Thanks' without glancing up. The silence that followed was dense, charged. What did you say to break it?