X
X's and O's
X
He lays low for a couple days.
He even turns down a job.
Or two.
X
He gets a latte at the cafe.
The waitress asks him if he wants anything else.
He tells her hopefully another day.
He spends the evening there. Just sipping his latte.
X
He wants to call up Bruce. Ask him some advice.
He had always been there for him.
Well.
Almost always.
X
On Friday, one of his better paying clients needs a job. And Jason is running low on funds.
He dons the mask again.
X
The Titans always presented a good challenge. And Red X loves challenges.
But they didn't do so well tonight.
Raven had chased him as he ran up and out of the building. Her fighting was half hearted. But he couldn't risk talking to her now.
Jason sits on the rooftop and wonders if she misses him as much as he misses her.
X
He's drawn up charts like football plays of hypothetical situations. The X's are him, of course.
If he pursues this relationship with her, he's choosing a relationship with a hero. As much as he would like to totally convert her to his side, that's not quite noble.
No, this will take sacrifice on his part.
That play gets scratched.
And if he himself converts back to their side, the pros are that she will be able to tell her friends, much less secrecy and sacrifice. The cons . . .
Scratched.
Yeah. Not happening.
It's going to be tricky. And why does he think this is worth it? He shakes his head.
This is worth the headache he's developing.
If he plays mostly neutral, doesn't ask Raven to give up her cloak, but doesn't completely toss in his either, just lays a bit low . . .
Could that work?
More O's appear on her side. Friends, duty, her dignity . . . a couple X's on his. A bit more freedom.
A hero's love affair with a villain is sure to become a headline.
Couldn't he just live a normal life?
He pops a few ibuprofen.
Jason Todd was not meant for normal.
X
Crime has been having a ball the past couple days.
Reports wouldn't say anything, but the Titans are looking about tired out.
And Raven has kind of been mentally AWOL.
They really do depend on each other, Red X muses as he watches another news broadcast.
X
He looks up the dictionary definitions of love and infatuation.
He frowns.
Words can be so inadequate sometimes.
X
He sits, caught between ordering and just leaving to find something else to do.
She slides in across from him. "Have you ordered yet?"
He looks up at her. He feels the hope rise up, the desperation, the effort he has to make to focus on breathing correctly.
"No," he manages.
She smiles. "Good."
He quickly yet cautiously places his hand over hers.
"We can try this. But," she pauses. Hesitation. Reserves. She's still nervous. Still unsure.
"I understand," he finishes. Whatever rules and regulations, whatever cautions and guards, he can work with them.
As long as he gets to be with her.
The waitress comes over.
This time, Raven orders. "The usual, please."
x
A/N: I tried to keep him as in character as possible. He's smitten, but still a villain. Then again, love does pretty crazy things to people. Don't worry, he still has his bad side. This took a while to figure out just how I wanted it. Still not 100% satisfied though. Thanks for those who reviewed! Truly appreciated. I am trying to be more conscious of X's personality. However, I could also really see some of this happening. Lol. Maybe that's just me.