encrypted text. to batfam.

[batsymbol]

( this is very much from bruce's device, especially what with his and jason's trackers being reactivated again. )

Jason made it back. He's in one piece.

( and that's all. )

Comments

[reneger]

if you're planning on kicking my ass can you do it before babs comes over?

[torchbearer]

She can watch if she wants.

[reneger]

( so kyle is really pissed.

on a private filter. because he's not sure what he did and also because he should probably - )

sorry

[torchbearer]

[ . . . okay. he does deflate a little. sorries aren't often passed around. ]

I merit more than a text.

Also Babs contacted me.

[reneger]

( fuck. )

i came straight home
before i even stopped to charge my phone

[torchbearer]

I'll come back.

Do you need anything?

[reneger]

just you

[torchbearer]

I won't be long.

[reneger]

i'm not going anywhere any time soon

[torchbearer]

[ he doesn't need to respond to that. he feels any response would feel tepid compared to his rush back to the apartment, to check, to see and calm the wild rush of his heart. he's always afraid of coming back and seeing — seeing the worst.

he slips through the window, looking around. ]

[reneger]

( as promised, jason's settled himself in the apartment. the bag kyle had dropped off for him is sitting next to the window, looking significantly rattier than it has any right to. jason - doesn't look much better. sprawled out on the couch with his phone resting on top of his chest, he's still covered in grime from his trip. . . elsewhere. his hair is overgrown in most areas, leaving it in messy curls over his ears and roughly chopped to his brow to keep it from getting into his eyes.

the suit is in rough shape, torn in a couple areas and leaving patches of bandages visible under it. but the ring is still there on his middle finger, visible from where his hands rest on his abdomen.

without opening his eyes, he calls out, ) Babs isn't gonna say shit to anyone else.

[torchbearer]

[ kyle fetches a wet towel before heading over to jason. gently, he smooths away what he can. he knows it's rough. bruce wouldn't have been so sparse with details if it hadn't been bad. kyle can read between the lines just as well as anyone. ]

That's not the point and you know it.

[reneger]

I know.

( but he's going to ignore the towel and kyle being pissed at him anyway, and instead reach out to wrap both arms tight around him, pulling him in as close as is humanly possible. sharing is caring, right? even if it comes to black sludge, dried blood, dirt, and god knows what else. )

[torchbearer]

[ kyle doesn't protest and slides closer, though he's careful to listen to any involuntary noises jason may make. just in case he's more injured than he lets out. which is often the case. he cradles jason's cheek, fingers slipping around the back of his neck. ]

You kept your promise.

[reneger]

( he's bruised and battered, but not as bad off as he could be. and not nearly bad enough to keep him from pulling kyle down onto his lap while jason presses his face in against the side of his neck. takes a moment to just--breathe him in. )

'course I did. ( with a very tight squeeze, before he offers a teasing, ) I'd kiss you but I'm really, really gross right now.

[torchbearer]

You, gross? Shocker.

[ but he's clearly not complaining, curling his arms around jason. already he feels steadier. more like himself. ]

[reneger]

You're a shit. ( but there's no heat to the comment; it's more soft than anything else. kyle isn't currently threatening to throw him out the window for his transgressions, so jason figures he should probably take advantage of that. )

I remember a time when all I wanted was for you to shut up. But hell if it isn't relieving to hear your voice again.

( hands drop down to kyle's waist, and settle there. jason isn't planning on moving. he also isn't intending on letting kyle move either. )

[torchbearer]

[ kyle rubs his back, in circular motions. tracing patterns like an artist would. ]

Definitely gross.

[reneger]

Downright disgusting, I know.

( with a snort, head tipping down to rub stubble against kyle's neck. hope he appreciates beard burn. )

Soon as I shower an' clean up I'm gonna go down for a while--so if you're planning on bitching at me, now's the time.

[torchbearer]

[ kyle frowns. ]

Going down where?

[reneger]

To sleep.

( he's not leaving again. hell, he'll be staying on his own side of central city to avoid run-ins with bruce, even. not out of any dislike towards him, but because he needs a break from seeing his broody scowl. )

An' I'm not getting up for anything short of an apocalypse.

( this'll last for maybe a day, tops. )

[torchbearer]

[ he pauses before brushing his lips over jason's forehead. ]

Okay. Get some rest then.

[reneger]

What happened to kicking my ass while Babs watches?

( he's not complaining. not really. but he is leaning back enough so he can look up to kyle, brow raised. )

[torchbearer]

[ he frowns for a moment before sighing. the thing is — with ion — is that there's a reason it's back. something he can't remember. it's not a lightbulb. it doesn't just switch on. jenny passed it to him, but it was quiet until now. why?

because he's on the ledge. something will give way. ]

It can wait.

[reneger]

I'm sorry.

( another apology, this one out loud even if jason's leaning forward to muffle it against kyle's neck. )

I know you're capable of handling your own shit, but I didn't know what I was jumping into. An' I didn't want to go without making sure--someone I trust'd be there if you needed it.

( he's tired. more than just the physical exhaustion, but mentally worn out from - the last month or so he'd spent with bruce. tired enough that there's no energy left to argue over whether or not he was right or wrong, because--well, he knows he's likely in the wrong, and they don't need to go over it. kyle can harp on him all he wants, jason knows he deserves it.

it's not a i won't do it again because he probably would. kyle likely already knows that, too. )