A/N: This is an overdue birthday present for @boosyboo9206. I’m so sorry it took this long to post!
Prompt: Technically, it was a recent conversation we had about Arkham Knight Jason. I had an entire other story half-written, but scrapped it for this one 😂
Pairings: Reader x Arkham Knight!Jason
Warnings: None, really. Just a lot of fluff 😉
It’s been two years since Scarecrow tried to take over Gotham, with Arkham Knight being his manipulated tool, and things have finally started becoming the Gotham-esque version of normal.
You sigh, resting your arms on the counter next to the register you’re working today. Looking out at the customers relaxing in the shop, you smile. There’s a customer in the corner who’s reading a book, a couple sitting in a booth chatting as they drink their coffees, and a group of adorable college geeks typing away at their laptops. Several other people litter the coffee shop, but all of them are relaxed; they’re content with life at the moment.
Working in a small coffee shop hadn’t been your ideal career of choice a few years ago, but you can’t deny the fact that you’re pretty good at brewing some decent coffee. You’ve gotten Timothy “Never Sleep” Drake’s decree of “best coffee creator” and that simple fact makes you warm inside. Tim’s a regular to your small establishment, and you always enjoy his entertaining visits. You’ve grown fond of your little shop, if you must admit, and can’t imagine permanently leaving. Even if some days customers are especially rude.
Today isn’t one of those days, though, and you’re in a really good mood.
A few hours later, you’re closing up shop for the day as you whistle some random tune. It’d been a rather peaceful day today, and your mood from earlier hasn’t swayed. You’re really, really content.
Once you’ve finished, you don’t have to wait very long for the escort your boyfriend assigned to protect you. He walks over with the familiar militia-emblemed sweater on and the hoodie down off his head.
He’s showing off the new razor fade haircut, and it makes you smile. “Hey Antoine!”
Antoine smiles back. He’d been your boyfriend’s most trusted soldier, so whenever he’s not with you, Antoine is the only one he trusts to protect your life. “[F/n]! How’s my boss’ girlfriend doing? Like the new cut?”
“Today, actually, has been one of the better ones,” you cheerily reply as you two start walking to your apartment. “And, yes, it’s a pretty nice one.”
He hums, wrapping an arm around you for a brief side-hug. “Thanks!”
Being someone who’s naturally talkative, you chatter on about your day, filling one of your good friends in on your peaceful day. Antoine listens politely, commenting every now and again to show he’s listening.
Soon enough, you’re unlocking the door to your apartment, and hugging Antoine good-bye.
Once you’re inside, you hang your keys on the keyholder beside the door, and shed your coat. You know your boyfriend won’t be showing up for another while, so you make your way to the kitchen to get dinner started, humming as you do.
Sighing, Jason slides the window to the apartment he shares with you open, slipping inside silently. Today’s been a slow day, and he isn’t sure if he should be grateful or worried, but he knows one thing for sure: Jason can’t wait to see your smile.
The smile that he never doubts; the smile that chases away his nightmares and demons; the smile Jason’s come to look forward to the way a normal kid does Christmas.
Because that’s what you are to him. A gift from the heavens, and one Jason never dreamed he’d get in a million years.
Taking off the helmet, Jason reaches up to make sure the bandage covering the scar on his cheek is still on. You haven’t seen any of his scars, and he’s hesitant to let you. What if they repulse you? What if you leave him because of them?
The first inhale without the mask on makes his mouth water. You must be in the kitchen.
Jason hesitates to see you, instead going to change fully. The entire time, he mentally debates letting you see his scars tonight–specifically as he holds a dark green t-shirt in his hands. Making his decision, he bites the inside of his cheek and walks out of the bedroom shirtless, holding both the shirt and bandage in his hands.
When he walks into the dining room/kitchen, you’re watching as a cup fills with water, and he can only stare at you.
Because you’re so… perfect, and beautiful, and so many things he doesn’t deserve, that he has no idea how someone like him, ended up with someone as breath-taking and amazing as you.
Snapping out of his awe, Jason awkwardly clears his throat, fidgeting self-consciously. He’s painfully aware of the cold air on his chest and face as he speaks. “Hey, doll.”
You smile at the sound of Jason’s voice, turning off the water and placing the cup on the counter before turning to face him.
The minute you do, your eyes widen, the smile slowly melting away. Jason’s standing in the entrance to the room, hands fidgeting and head slightly bowed, shirtless and scars exposed for your eyes to see. He’s avoiding your gaze, staring at the floor.
And see the scars you do. They’re ugly ones that leave almost no skin unmarred, curling and snaking around to his back.
You take slow steps forward, reaching out to trace the scars delicately once you can reach them. Goosebumps raise under your touch, and Jason tenses a bit, but you hardly notice.
The scars, to you, spell out a painful story of torture and hardship; they tell of a story filled with agony and suffering.
But the amazing part is that here Jason stands. He endured through all the pain and lived on to beat the shit out of the wicked, eventually killing them, to make sure they never touch an innocent again.
Because he’s your Jason. Your strong, loving, self-conscious, nerdy, haunted, protective Jason. He’s the man you love.
Jason’s hands grab your own, and you look up to his face to see him staring at you with his gentle blue eyes. Your own focus on his left cheek, where the letter J stands out plainly against the otherwise smooth skin.
You look back to meet Jason’s anxious gaze and free a hand to pull his face closer to yours. He sighs, but lets you do so, closing his eyes. You press a gentle kiss to the brand on his face, and Jason’s eyes fly open in surprise.
You smile. “Jason, you’re so amazing.” Reaching up, your other hand tangles itself in his hair, and you press your forehead to Jason’s. “You’re so beautiful.”
His eyebrows furrow in that way you find adorable, and he says, “No, I’m not… Don’t you see all–”
“The scars?” Cutting him off, your smile turns a bit sad. “They’re what make you… so wonderfully you. I love you, Jason Peter Todd, not flawless skin. Your scars are part of who you are, and I love every inch of all of you.” Smile brightening, you continue, “I’m madly in love you and your scars, okay? If I had to choose between this you–this raw, real, scarred up, wonderful you–and a flawlessly skinned you, I’d pick this you every. Single. Time.”
Jason’s arms crush you in a hug, pulling you flat against his chest. His head moves to your shoulder, and his hair tickles your neck. You feel something wet your shoulder, and your love for this boy who suffered so much–impossibly–grows. “I love you, [F/n]. I love you so much. I–I don’t deserve you but, fuck, I’m so in love with you.”
You return the hug just as tight. “And I love you, Jason. I love you more than you can imagine, and I’ll always be here, no matter what. I’m not going anywhere, Jay.”
The two of you stay like that until dusk, turns to dawn.
I hope you guys enjoyed it! I certainly loved writing it.
Have an amazing week, guys! ❤
Tags: @mizmahlia @boosyboo9206
(If you want to be tagged, just let me know! I’d be glad to tag you)
Dusk Turns To Dawn
Published
Toad's Cave 