Shadowed Threads

Chapter Twenty-Five: The Cost of Survival

(Jason's Perspective)

Jason knew something was wrong the second they crossed the threshold into Wayne Manor.

Marinette was too quiet.

Not the normal kind of quiet-the strategic, calculating quiet she used when she was planning ten steps ahead.

This was different.

This was off.

And Jason Todd knew off when he saw it.

⸻

They made it as far as the Batcave before Marinette stumbled.

Just a fraction-just enough for Jason to catch her by the arm before she could collapse.

His stomach dropped.

"Bug," he said, voice sharp, urgent.

She winced.

And then Jason saw the blood.

Dark and heavy, seeping through the torn fabric of her suit, spreading across her side like a stain he couldn't ignore anymore.

He hadn't noticed before.

Too much adrenaline.

Too much focus on getting the hell out of that burning warehouse.

Too much goddamn smoke and fire and her pushing him out of the way.

"Jesus, Marinette," Jason muttered, anger flaring-at himself, at her, at whoever the hell had done this.

Marinette tried to wave him off. "It's-"

"If you say it's fine, I swear to god-"

Marinette sighed. "I was going to say manageable."

Jason's jaw clenched.

"Yeah, well, we're managing it right now. Sit down."

Marinette opened her mouth to argue, but Jason was already moving, grabbing the first aid kit like a goddamn lifeline.

Tim and Dick had stopped what they were doing, glancing over with mild concern.

Damian, sharpening his sword, raised an eyebrow.

Bruce didn't even look up from the Batcomputer. "Jason, handle it."

Jason growled under his breath. "I am."

And that's how he found himself kneeling in front of Marinette, carefully peeling back the torn layers of her suit.

⸻

The wound was bad.

Deep, jagged-like someone had taken a blade to her ribs and twisted.

Jason's hands tightened into fists.

"Who?" he asked, voice low, dangerous.

Marinette inhaled sharply. "Lila."

Jason swore.

"Of course it was."

⸻

Jason grabbed the antiseptic and pressed it against the wound before she could react.

Marinette hissed, glaring at him.

"You could warn me next time."

Jason didn't look up. "And you could not hide stab wounds next time."

Marinette sighed. "I was trying to keep focus on the mission."

Jason's hands froze for a second.

Then, slowly, he lifted his gaze to meet hers.

"You nearly bled out on the way back," he said, voice quiet, sharp as a knife's edge.

Marinette's lips pressed together, something unreadable in her expression.

Jason exhaled harshly, going back to wrapping the wound, his hands surprisingly gentle despite the frustration humming through him.

"Next time," he muttered, "tell me when you're hurt. I don't like finding out when you're two seconds from passing out."

Marinette let out a soft, tired laugh. "You really need to stop worrying about me."

Jason snorted.

"Yeah, not happening."

⸻

The Batcave had fallen into silence.

The others had moved away, returning to their work.

But Jason stayed.

Marinette wasn't moving, watching him carefully as he finished bandaging her side.

His jaw was tight, tension rolling through him in waves.

"You pissed?" she asked, voice softer than before.

Jason's hands stilled.

Then, finally, he met her eyes.

"I'm not pissed," he muttered. "I'm-"

He stopped.

He didn't know what he was.

Because this was new.

The feeling that had sunk into his chest when she fell back inside the collapsing warehouse.

The way his hands had shaken when he pulled her out.

The way his heart was still racing, even though they were back, safe, alive.

"I'm just glad you're still breathing," he said finally.

Marinette blinked, something shifting in her expression.

Jason didn't move.

Didn't say anything else.

Because what else was there to say?

She had scared the hell out of him.

And that wasn't going away anytime soon.

⸻

After a long pause, Marinette sighed.

"Well," she murmured, leaning back slightly. "Guess I'll have to stick around then."

Jason smirked, the tension in his chest easing-just a little.

"Yeah, you better."

Because if she didn't?

Jason didn't know what he'd do.

And that scared him more than anything.