Shadowed Threads

Chapter Fourteen: Fire in His Blood

(Jason's Perspective)

Jason knew something had gone wrong before he even heard the explosion.

Maybe it was instinct. Maybe it was just knowing how Gotham worked-how it never let you get too comfortable before it ripped the ground out from under you.

Or maybe it was just because it was her.

Marinette had been on patrol with Dick. It wasn't supposed to be anything major-just recon, a small drug bust, something easy.

But then the Batfeed lit up with a warehouse explosion, and Jason's stomach dropped.

The feeling in his gut turned to fire when he heard her voice come through the comms.

"I'm fine, Hood."

She sounded breathless.

Too breathless.

Jason clenched his jaw. He hit the throttle on his bike, tearing through Gotham's streets, not thinking-just moving.

Because fine didn't mean safe.

And safe wasn't good enough anyway.

⸻

He found them ten minutes later.

They were on a rooftop near the East End, away from the wreckage but still close enough that the glow of the fire reflected off the skyline.

Dick was stretched out on his back, looking way too relaxed for someone who had almost gotten Marinette killed.

And Marinette-

She was on the edge of the roof, arms crossed, silent.

Her braid was half-undone, there was a cut along her cheek, and her gloves were still smeared with blood and soot.

Jason barely managed to hold himself back from grabbing her, from checking her over like she'd fall apart if he wasn't careful.

Instead, he did the next best thing.

He punched Dick.

Hard.

Dick cursed, staggering back, eyes wide. "Dude, what the hell-"

Jason glared. "What the hell? Are you serious? You took Marinette into a damn ambush!"

Dick groaned, rubbing his jaw. "Okay, one, I didn't know it was an ambush. And two, she handled herself fine."

"That's not the point."

Dick sighed dramatically. "Then what is the point?"

Jason opened his mouth-

Then closed it.

Because he didn't actually know what the point was.

He just knew that the idea of Marinette-his Bug-being caught in a collapsing warehouse, surrounded by enemies, with no way out-

It did something to him.

Something dangerous.

Something he didn't like.

Dick must've seen it on his face, because his expression shifted slightly.

"Jay," he said quietly. "She's okay."

Jason clenched his fists. "That's not-"

But before he could finish, Marinette finally spoke up.

"Are you done?"

Her voice was dry, but there was something behind it-something sharp, like she already knew what was going on.

Jason turned.

She was watching him, blue eyes clear and too damn knowing.

Jason forced himself to exhale, rolling his shoulders. "Yeah, Bug. I'm done."

She didn't look convinced.

She sighed, stepping closer. "You punched Dick."

Jason smirked. "Yeah, well. He deserved it."

Dick scoffed. "I totally didn't."

Marinette ignored him, moving even closer to Jason.

Too close.

Jason's breath hitched, but he didn't move away.

Her eyes searched his, like she was trying to figure him out.

Like she already knew.

Then, softly-

"You don't have to worry about me."

Jason's chest ached.

He swallowed. "Yeah, well. Too late."

Marinette's lips parted slightly, surprise flickering across her face-

Then, slowly, she smiled.

A small smile. But real.

And Jason-

Jason was screwed.