Warriors! | Red Hood and Starfire | Flashback

lifebetweenthedeath:

It was easy for the woman to forget how miraculous her gifts were, that not all people were allotted the same abilities. She forgot Jason wasn’t like her most — though he had no clear meta-human abilities, he was so gifted. He fought with such grace, such precision, it only seemed right to think they were a product of more than just training.
She never really saw his orders as intrusions to what she was doing, nor did she feel as though Jason was above her for telling her what to do. Kori trusted his judgement — relied on it, even. To say that she didn’t value it, wouldn’t listen because she thought taking suggestions was beneath her, was ridiculous. That wasn’t to say she didn’t think for herself but, in their current situation, it definitely kept her from hesitating.
As the dust began to settle, Kori’s eyes raised to the ceiling. She couldn’t see much from their current angle but, seeing as she was essentially a walking light when suited up, the princess figured she’d be able to map things out once she was at eye level.
“Visibility isn’t great, but I’ll make do. Ladies first, yes?”
Starfire didn’t wait for an answer, simply angled her palms toward the ground and cast a blast toward it, sending her vaulting through the air. As she landed on the mezzanine, a couple of thugs started toward her. With no secondary thought, she blasted two of them into nonexistence, leaving the third to continue toward her. Her elbow connected with his collarbone, forcing him to his knees before she wrapped her palm around his neck, heat burning through his skin.

He didn’t have to watch her to know what was happening. Twin beams of pink energy circled her, destroying anything in their way. Setting that aside, he turned his attention back to the half dozen men in front of him. They were cautious, wary of the fate that had fallen their cohorts. They had seen Jason with a shotgun and a knife; this time, he pulled out his P30L. Raising the pistol, he dropped two men at fifteen feet, then pivoted to stop a third from flanking. That left three, two of whom were armed. One charged, and Jason lunged forward. A kick to the knee, then a single bullet in his temple. Spin, aim, trigger. Right between the eyes. The last man was panicking, holding an AK of some sort. He managed to get off seven shots before Jason broke his femur.

He turned to look for Starfire, hoping she’d eliminated the last of the thugs. Jason was tired, and there was much more to do before he could go home. Dismantling the firearms that had been dropped, collecting the ammunition, and removing the cash they left behind was going to be a chore. He didn’t like to leave such things behind; the cash, he’d dump into a charity box on his way home. The guns would be left where they fell, albeit useless. Jason was fond of removing the firing pins, but stripping the receivers off worked too. Anything to keep them from being useful later on. The ammunition was just a quirk he’d picked up with the League. Never knew when you’d need more shots.

Roy echoed over his comm. “Hey, tough guy. There’s a semitruck pulling up. Looks like reinforcements. The trailer is full.” “Great. Star? You ready for round two?”
Jason grabbed a grenade from a dead Triad member, and pulled the pin.
“I sure as fuck am.”

Warriors! | Red Hood and Starfire | Flashback

lifebetweenthedeath:

Kori knew, of course, that Jason’s silence was not out of indifference so much as it was the unwillingness to get in the middle of (yet another) lover’s quarrel. Frankly, Kori couldn’t blame him. She and Roy bickered just as often as they didn’t, and it typically didn’t take very long for one of them to try and rope Jason in to their side of the argument. Even if he did tend to take Kori’s stance on most things, it wasn’t Jason’s relationship to be taking sides in. Forcing him to have an opinion at all just wasn’t fair.

When Jay spoke, however, a wry grin pulled at the corners of Kori’s lips. Roy’s yelp only widened the expression; she’d probably scold Jason for having Henri injure him further later, but it was the redhead’s fault they were in this mess in the first place, so he may have been a bit deserving. She’d tuned out the opposition sounding over the comm (men), waiting patiently for the go-ahead from Jason.

As he spoke and loaded his gun simultaneously, the princess’ smile fell. There was a certain aura about the two of them when they fought on their own; without Roy’s easy-going attitude to lighten the situation, reign the two of them in, things tended to get serious quite quickly. There was no room for mercy, for remorse. Jason and Kori were both slightly unhinged in that way: show no weakness, take no survivors. Save the ones in white and paint the rest of the world red.

“I thought you’d never ask.”

A dark expression pulled over her features, balls of pink energy beginning to form around her hands. Starfire’s eyes glowed green as she channeled the firestars’ energy to her palms, hair aflame down her back. She followed him through the skylight, feet connecting with the face of a Triad and knocking him nearly ten feet away before ever hitting the concrete.

He forgot sometimes, just how deadly she was. A blast of energy that vaporized a crook. A screeching thrum that vibrated the air, the cells of the deceased expanding outward as his matter boiled, disintegrated. Jason wasn’t so lucky.

His death came through training and hard work, not metahuman abilities,. Still, he managed a kill count above Starfire’s. Training kicked in after the first punch was thrown at him.
Right hook. Pivot, kick to the knee. Headbutt, that means a jump backwards, then a flying knee. He’s got a gun. Slash upwards, then slice horizontal. Severed his carotid. Grab the body, absorb the MP5 fire from the guy in the corner. Headshot. Next target.

That’s how it went, blow for blow. Every single motion the enemy used against him, there was a reaction. It was a dance, deadly and beautiful, for those who were alive to remember it.

“Starfire! RPG, floor two!"

It was a yelled order, despite the lack of instruction. She obeyed, sending a hellfire of blasts skyward, which caved in the mezzanine. The dust billowed out, leaving Jason to use thermal vision. He murmured to Kori while he reloaded, then took aim with a grenade.

"There’s fifteen of them left. Two big clusters of six, and three solo acts. Can you see anyone?”

Fox On the Run | Batgirl and Red Hood | Flashback [Completed]

divine-my-own-future:

likeamantra:

He pulled away, turning back to face the city. “It doesn’t really matter, anyway. If you’re not bothered, then why should I be?”

A plume of smoke drifted east, contrasting starkly against the black waters. Sirens echoed against concrete and stone, sending a confusing array of noise at the pair of vigilantes. It didn’t make for a very romantic setting. Jay’s phone pulsed, an update from Henri. [Arsenal took a bullet in Trillium Park. He’s back at HQ. Starfire is en route to the Mob scuffle on Channel Island.] He looked back up, frowning.

“Batsie…I should get going. Duty calls."

One last kiss, and he was over the edge, slipping his helmet on as he free-fell to the ground. A grapple stopped his momentum, and he was on his bike in minutes.

So much for normal.

With a hasty embrace he was gone and her fingers splayed into the air as if trying to grab onto a shadow. Barbara moved to the threshold of the roof, elbows planted on top of the railing, weight shifting from the balls of her feet back down to her heels — teetering right on the edge. A sigh pulled from taught lips, and with a hard swallow she forced the tension out of her shoulders. Barbara could feel her jaw start to clench, her stomach lurching.

"See you.” The words were thrust forward into the empty night as a chill of a lonesome gust of wind rolled over Gotham’s skyline. Apprehension drew over her like a bothersome, itchy blanket, and she jumped out, free falling two stories before throwing out a line and floating softly to the ground. She could still taste him on her lips, smell him on her clothes and smile drew over her mouth.

Duty calls.

Warriors! | Red Hood and Starfire | Flashback

lifebetweenthedeath:

Dinlo. Idiot.

Of course Roy would go out on his own and get himself shot. Of course. The fact that Kori had thought, even for a moment, that Roy would actually spend an evening in — benched, really — was ridiculous. He’d go out on patrol in a full-body cast just to spite the world.

When she’d gotten his call, annoyingly nonchalant as he informed her that he might’ve gone out on patrol by himself despite orders against it and that maybe he’d gotten a bullet to the side in the process, Kori was so miffed she very well may have shot him herself, if she had the opportunity. Instead, she headed to his location and cauterized his wound (it was a shallow graze, luckily enough, but if it had actually pierced his skin, it could have hit his kidney) before sending the redhead on his way.

She’d deal with him later.

“Its just a flesh wound,” the princess quoted seamlessly, arms crossed over her chest as she looked out over the street from her vantage point.

“That’s my girl,“ the comm buzzed in her ear, and Kori rolled her eyes. She could practically hear the stupid smile on his face, which only caused an exasperated sigh to pass her lips. How she’d managed to fall in love with such an idiot, she’d never know.

Kori continued with a dismissive, “He’ll live.” Her brows furrowed at the mention of Armani’s, the sorry excuse for pizza that Roy constantly insisted on ordering at least once a week. She’d avoid eating it if she could, solely on the basis that she thought the cardboard box it came in had more nutritional value; that, and she had learned to love herself long ago. People who loved themselves didn’t buy five dollar pizza.

The princess heard her best friend’s footsteps behind her, though she didn’t turn to look at him until he was at her side. She cocked her head to the side slightly at his words, a gust of wind catching her bright red hair and causing it to flicker like flames behind her.

“It’s only not gonna be pretty ‘cause I’m not there,” Roy chimed in over the comm. Kori gave Jason a look, one that clearly read, ‘please wire him out.’ “Scratch that. Kor brings enough pretty for all of us. Right, babe?” Her expression, which hadn’t been serious in nature at first, contorted.

“Shut up and eat your cardboard cheese,” Kori shot back, dropping her hands to her sides as she stepped closer to the building’s edge. She looked over her shoulder at Jason and nodded once before dropping off the side of the building. Starfire landed, crouched on the pavement. The vigilante straightened, glancing around quickly before starting in the direction of the warehouse.

He dutifully ignored Kori’s jabs, attempting to remain neutral. When Roy started antagonizing her, however, he had to intervene.
“Harper. Shut the fuck up. You got shot, Pay the price.” He rolled his eyes, having retracted his lenses around Kori. “Henri. Punch him in the bullet wound.”
The resulting yelp was all the two Outlaws needed.
A high giggle sounded over the line; Dick laughing.
Jason snorted.

“Alright, Starfire. Ignore the idiots. We’ve got death to deal out.”

A short discussion followed, arguing the logistics of a full fledged insertion to the middle of a volatile Mob war.
“Look, all I’m saying is-”
“Jay, you can’t possibly expect to land in the middle and survive-”
“Dude, no, there’s no WAY you can pull that off, Jay-”

“Shut. Up.”
He was breathing heavy, looking at Kori with the same manic calm that defined his entire existence.
“Comms off.”

He pulled out his shotgun, racking in the explosive rounds. With a chuckle, he nodded at Kori.
“Weapons hot, Star. Let’s burn them all.”
Less than a second later, he was on the ground, carving his way through the mass of gangsters.

Warriors! | Red Hood and Starfire | Flashback

Navigating the city was tough any day, but the added traffic from the Cobble Hill fire made it worse. After a frustrating ten minutes stuck in Columbia Point, Jason abandoned the low profile tactic. Gunning his bike, he shot past the cops, tossing an EMP at the squad car in front. The lights shut off immediately, and no one followed him.

Weaving in and out of the still packed street, Jason got to South Channel Island soon after, calling Kori on the Hood as he slowed down on the Roxbury Bridge. Henri had said the turf war was on Ryders and Ash, and Jason parked his bike less than a block away.

Twin .45’s, check. Garrote wire, check. Sword, check. Bandolier, ammo belt, sawed off, check, check, check. Switching on the air lock for the Hood, he called Kori on the comms. “I’m here. Gimme the skinny on Harp while I make my way to you.”

It didn’t really matter what had happened to Harper; he was a SEAL, and a warrior too. More than likely, he’d taken a glancing hit that Henri or Kori had worried enough about to force him to stay. Sure enough, his voice came over the comm, clear as a bell.

“Hey fuck you, Jaybird. I’m here watching you have all the fun. Dick says hi. There’s Armani’s pizza waiting for when y’all get back.”

Jason snorted. Armani’s was universally terrible, but it was five bucks for a whole pie. Harper couldn’t stay away. He was jogging now, finding the rooftop that Kori’s locator placed her at. A grapple took him to the top, some old highrise that never got completed. A few squatters, innocent bystanders. His boots crunched on the gravel as he approached her.

“Greeks and the Triads, huh? This is not gonna be pretty." Jason laughed, a dark chuckle.

"Let’s send ‘em all to hell, Starfire.”

Fox On the Run | Batgirl and Red Hood | Flashback

divine-my-own-future:

The edges of Gotham began to dissolve around them, and for a moment she was no longer moving, just standing in awe of poetic words and pure praise. Then instantly she was hyper aware; pink clambered up her neck, staining her cheeks. Embarrassment coated her mouth and words stuck somewhere in the back of her throat.

“What can I say risky is my middle name. Although, typically my middle name is stubborn.” Her mouth softened into a smile as she tipped her chin up, attempting to keep him at eye level. “Does anyone ever truly work alone in this city? Don’t worry about me, Hood. I do alright.” Barbara shrugged, sarcastic lilt spilling over her tongue.

“Maybe I like the assumptions ––” Before she could conclude her statement, he had pulled her dangerously close, lips meeting and connecting seamlessly. Her muscles felt like they were thawing, arms wrapping tighter around his shoulders.

He pulled away, turning back to face the city. “It doesn’t really matter, anyway. If you’re not bothered, then why should I be?”

A plume of smoke drifted east, contrasting starkly against the black waters. Sirens echoed against concrete and stone, sending a confusing array of noise at the pair of vigilantes. It didn’t make for a very romantic setting. Jay’s phone pulsed, an update from Henri. [Arsenal took a bullet in Trillium Park. He’s back at HQ. Starfire is en route to the Mob scuffle on Channel Island.] He looked back up, frowning.

“Batsie…I should get going. Duty calls."

One last kiss, and he was over the edge, slipping his helmet on as he free-fell to the ground. A grapple stopped his momentum, and he was on his bike in minutes.

So much for normal.

Fox On the Run | Batgirl and Red Hood | Flashback

divine-my-own-future:

Barbara dramatically rolled her eyes, sneering as she shook her head. “Here I thought I was in shape. Never good enough for the great and powerful Red Hood.” She slid her right hand over the crest of his shoulder, splayed hand sitting high on his back. Her gaze fluttered away from his face, casually hanging on the imposing horizon surrounding them. The streets, the rooftops, had become completely and utterly theirs in the last year. If possible she felt more at ease and comfortable with him than anyone else and she felt the contentment relax her shoulders down.

“French assassin.” She rolled the words over her tongue a few times as if trying to physically taste the preposterous statement. If it had been anyone else she wouldn’t have even remotely believed them. “Of course.” A sincere laugh escaped her mouth as she rested her head lightly against the armor covering his chest. “Once upon a time I was a classically trained dancer, anything you can throw at me, I can take.”

Letting out a small satisfied sigh, Barbara nodded her head. “Pretty sure the secret thing was all your idea. Didn’t want to hurt your reputation, or didn’t want your friends making fun of you for hanging out with a bat. I don’t answer to anyone, if that’s what you’re asking.”

“Explains the mile long legs. Ballet, i always assumed. You move like…”
He stopped, aware of the small blush creeping up his face.
“Like moonlight on a snowbank. Soft and smooth and silent, like you’re not really part of the world.” Embarrassed, he shrugged. “Weightless, Batsie. I’ve never seen anything quite like it, and I’ve grown up around killers and ninjas since i was four feet tall.”

“You’re totally alone when I’m not around? No one running logistics in your ear, nothing tying you to help? That’s risky, Batsie. You never know what dangerous killer might decide to make a move on you, take you by surprise on a secluded area.” As he spoke, he leaned closer to her, his words barely carrying over the traffic noises below. “People might make assumptions about your character, based on reckless behavior with a knave like me.” He kissed her, pulling her hips to his as his tongue swirled around hers.

Fox On the Run | Batgirl and Red Hood | Flashback

divine-my-own-future:

“Sorry,” Barbara cupped a hand to her ear. “I can’t understand you. Something about me being the better vigilante, right? Shouldn’t talk with your mouth full.” Bounding up from her seated position, she sucked in her bottom lip between her front teeth, cautious smirk playing at her mouth. She watched with curiosity as something flashed over his face, something she didn’t quite comprehend. Something, she assumed, he was trying to obfuscate.

Standing with her hands on her hips, Barbara grabbed at his arms, attempting to pull him up. “Trying to serenade me? It won’t work. I’m a hard egg to crack.” A brief burst of laughter escaped her lips, hanging in the air before she tried to hoist him again. “You’re heavier than you look.”

“So, you sing, you shoot bad guys, you bring me hot dogs from the stadium, but…” There was a glimmer in her eye as she placed their hands together, weaving fingers against his. “Do you dance?”

He laughed as she failed to lift him, knowing he was nearly three hundred pounds, armor and weapons included. “You’re gonna need to work out a bit more to lift me, Batsie.” But he stood a little taller, letting her lift him a few inches. When she darted around him, holding his hands up, he smiled.

“I was taught to dance by a French assassin while living in Rome. What do you like, a waltz? Two step? It’s been a few years, but still. I think I can manage.”

A speaker in the Hood played in the backgroumd, Elvin Bishop’s Fooled Around and Fell in Love. The dance was slow, soft, and totally different for them. The deadly assassin Red Hood, cradling the willowy vigilante Batgirl, dancing int he cold night air. Bruce would have been furious.

With her head on his chest, he whispered to her, barely carrying above the wind and street noise. “It’s really a shame we’re supposed to keep this a secret, Batsie. It’s hard enough with you working solo. I’ve still got a group asking me where I keep going.” He paused, still swaying slowly. “Don’t you have someone who wonders where you go?”

Fox On the Run | Batgirl and Red Hood | Flashback

divine-my-own-future:

The crest of her eyebrow moved into a cheeky arch; lips pursed into a half smile, half irritated smirk. Barbara’s eyes rolled, shaking her head in a curt manner. There was never a stale moment between them and it was something she had come to appreciate, even revel in. It wasn’t as if the other aspects of her life were mundane – she did dress up in full costume and fly across Gotham’s rooftops for fun, but he had kept her on her toes. Kept her patrols fresh. Kept her curious. Kept her wanting more.

The flicker in his eyes briefly sets her heart fluttering, a skyward spiral she never wants to stop. There is defiant challenge hidden in his words, and she was getting very good at reading between the lines. Snatching the bag, she scoffed, opening one of the pouches and shoving the half-eaten cookie back in.

“I stood in line for hours for that crumbled pastry and you want bread?” She wet her bottom lip with the tip of her tongue, faux irritation rolling over her shoulders.

“Hey!”

His objection, mouth still full of cookie, came out distorted and hard to understand. He faked a pout, crossing his arms in mock anger.

“Man can live on bread alone, you know. Trust me. I was full on Aladdin as a kid.”

It was true, however sad it was. Years spent as a street rat, stealing what he needed to survive. He’d given Batgirl the basics, but she didn’t know the gritty details. Stabbing the security guard, Tom. How he’d stayed in the apartment with his dead mother’s body until food ran out. No one needed to know that.

He faked a smile, laughed, and then turned away from her, gazing out over the cityscape. He sighed, then quirked his mouth into a grin.

“I can show you the world, Batsie. Shining, shimmering-splendid.”

Fox On the Run | Batgirl and Red Hood | Flashback

divine-my-own-future:

“Oh, I definitely think you’re all of those things. An accountant slash plumber slash carpenter slash undead assassin saving Gotham from itself.” A grin tugged at her mouth as she rested her chin in her hands.

“I almost forgot.” Digging into one of the pouches on her belt, Barbara produced a small brown bag. “It’s your fault if they’re nothing but crumbles.” Stamped on the outside of the bag was the logo for a small local bakery in North Beach. Once a month locals lined up, hugging sidewalks and buildings, the queue curling around for blocks, for the chance to purchase the matriarch of the Leuzzi family’s famous pizzelles.

North Beach was one of the few old Gotham neighborhoods to avoid gentrification. A hidden jewel among superstructures and towering metal. Barbara had seen first-hand the ill effects shifts of money brought to her beloved city. The neighborhood she had grown up in had been bought and sold three or four times while she was away at college. Urban redevelopment, that’s what the real estate investors called it, but it was little more than a money grab veiled in venture capitalist terminology. The playground she had spent her days exploring, her respite from the concrete jungle, had been demolished to make way for clean chrome and glass; the old oaks and cedar trees that lined the streets removed for fresh cement and fire hydrants. Gotham’s future, Gotham’s saviors, the newspapers proclaimed, but anyone that grew up in Gotham knew that neither was true.

“Next time don’t tackle me and maybe your cookies won’t be dust.” Barbara gazed up, observing the stars, like tiny pieces of rock salt scattered across the cloudy sky. It felt like there was electricity in the air, as if the city was awakening for the evening. The sensation prickled against the exposed skin on her face, bringing a rosy blush to the apples of her cheeks.

“Hey, Leuzzi’s! Score.”

He tore the package open, popping a small chunk into his mouth. It was true, he could have been gentler. But then again, she would never go easy on him. Ever. That was cheating, and she didn’t allow that.

“You know,” he said, holding up the wrinkled bag, “you could always try harder, and this wouldn’t be an issue. Or get better snacks. Like bread! You can’t crumble a good loaf of bread. Trust me. It’s sturdy food.”

He grinned, his eyes gleaming in mirth.

“Or, like I said. Don’t lose. Your choice.”