Chapter Text
Nights hit differently in Gotham City; the darkness was thicker, the city lights dimmer, and the sirens louder. Jessica decided she liked it. The wind whipped her hair around her face, stinging her eyes as she gazed ahead, taking in the shimmering cityscape against the sky’s black ink. Reaching into her leather jacket’s inner pocket, she fished out a cigarette and lighter and proceeded to light it, using her hand as a windbreak. The acrid smell of burning tobacco mingled with the cold, crisp air as she scanned the street below, waiting.
There was a flicker of movement in the shadows behind her, but Jessica didn't bother to turn around. With her eyes still fixed on the city’s skyline, she took a drag from her cigarette. The ember sprung to life momentarily illuminating her pale skin and sharp eyes, the smoke warming her up from the inside out.
She exhaled slowly, "Who the fuck are you?” she asked, through the cloud of smoke.
“Who the fuck are you?” a distorted voice shot right back.
Jessica rolled her eyes, bringing the cigarette back to her lips for another drag to try and invoke her non-existent patience. A voice modulator. How very original.
Heavy footfalls punctuated the quiet night as a large figure emerged from the shadows. The man was built like a linebacker on steroids and sporting a ridiculous red helmet which covered his whole head. He wore a decent leather jacket and cargo pants with multiple firearm holsters strapped around his thighs. Combat boots scuffed against the ground as he approached. She would dig the ensemble if not for the ridiculous headpiece. Still, better than Daredevil’s, she had to admit.
“I asked first,”
They stood there for a while, locked in a stare down, the siren of a police car tore through the lingering silence between them.
“I'm Red Hood,” he finally said and Jessica couldn’t hold back a snort.
"Red hood? Red hood? Where's your damn wicker basket? Don't tell me you forgot the pie… Granny's gonna flip!"
The voice modulator crackled, sounding like the distorted growl of an animal,“You think you’re funny?” Red Hood barked, taking a step towards her.
"No, I think you're funny. Thought I made that clear?" she answered, taking a step towards him, and she tapped it nonchalantly, scattering ash into the wind.
“I’m Gotham’s most feared crime-lord…”
"And you went with a code-name straight out of a kid's bedtime story."
“I’m known for carrying duffel bags filled with severed heads, not fucking bedtime stories.” Red hood huffed, his fists clenching at his sides.
Some dudes were just so easy to work up, Jessica smirked. Serves him right for ruining her smoke break.
"So... You’re going by Red Hood and lugging around a duffel bag full of heads... You missed a real chance there, big guy. Named after a little girl with a wicker basket, rocking a silly red helmet... Just fully commit to the lore and carry a damn basket. Imagine hopping around with it, complete with a red checkered cotton tea towel on top? Pulling severed heads out from there ? Now that's some cognitive dissonance I could potentially get behind.” she said with a laugh and took another drag of smoke.
Red Hood just stood there. She could swear he was gaping at her under his stupid, blank helmet."Now please fuck off to another rooftop. You've interrupted my smoke break," she concluded, turning her back to him once again.
“You interrupted my smoke break! This is my rooftop!”
Jessica shot him an unimpressed look complete with a single raised eyebrow. “You own the building, pal?”
“I own the fucking city!” Red Hood answered angrilly.
"But not this building. So it ain’t your rooftop. And, as all the cool kids at school can tell you: first come, first served."
"Quit pissing me off. Your cigarette's almost gone, so get lost before I make you," Red Hood growled.
"I'll take my chances, Little Red Cap," Jessica scoffed. "Look, I'm feeling generous today, so what the hell... you can smoke here too. I don't mind."
“Oh, you don’t mind? That’s a fucking relief,” Red Hood scoffed.
Jessica smirked. "Go ahead. Forgot your pack or something? I can spare one if you're short.” She watched him with intrigue. Would he take his helmet off? Unlikely. But maybe he’d at least fuck off and leave her alone.
To her surprise, he reached into his jacket with a huff and drew out a pack and lighter, each movement drenched in frustration. Jessica watched as he lifted the helmet just enough to expose his lips. She wondered if this brief glimpse of him would be enough to figure out who the guy was. That would be a nice challenge. His lips were full, and his jaw strong and angular. Her eyes traced the lines of it down to his muscular neck, then his hand and long fingers cupping around the flame. He lowered his hand, shoving pack and lighter back into his jacket, his cheeks caving in as he took a deep drag. The skin pulled taut against his cheekbones, creating sharp, hollowed contours. The ember glowed warmly against the chill.
"Looks like you needed that, Red," she quipped, eyes drilling into him.
He remained silent.
"Ah, so the voice modulator's in the helmet, huh?" Jessica nodded, lips twitching.
Red Hood turned his head to the side, looking away from her. He leaned against the roof hatch behind him and tilted his head upwards as he slowly exhaled smoke. Jessica took in the view and had to begrudgingly admit to herself she liked what she saw.
"What would Granny say about smoking, Red?" She needled, hoping to provoke even a single word from him. Gather another clue. Her eyes roved over his bare skin again. No visible tattoos or scars. Damn it.
“You’re no fun without your helmet on,” she huffed.
It was then that her eyes caught movement on the street below, her head turning sharply to inspect. With a final drag, Jessica threw the cigarette to the ground and stomped on it. She pulled her black hoodie up, casting her face in shadows once again and she tilted her head to Red Hood.
“Watch out for the big bad wolf, Red.”
Not expecting a retort, she walked to the edge of the rooftop and jumped.
Red Hood’s loud yell of “What the fuck!” broke the silence, and Jessica smirked as she fell. He had a nice voice.
She landed on the asphalt with a soft thump and immediately jogged behind a dashing figure. Turning her head toward the rooftop for a second, she saw Red Hood’s imposing figure leaning over the edge of the building, helmet now in place.
“Who the fuck are you?” he yelled after her.
Jessica’s lips twitched upwards but she remained silent, vanishing into Gotham’s night.