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

[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. )

[torchbearer]

I know.

[ it's simple and it's true. I know. it's not hard to dissect. kyle knows where jason is coming from. he knows why. ]

[reneger]

Can you either be pissed or not pissed? I don't know what the hell to do with this in between bullshit.

( the i'll get to it laters and the i knows as opposed to just - being fine with it entirely or trying to punch jason's teeth out. he'd get either of those responses. doesn't know what to do with--this. )

[torchbearer]

[ kyle runs his fingers through his hair for a moment. ]

I'm not — I'm not super pissed or anything. I get it.

I just — I'm still human. I don't want people to forget that either.

[reneger]

I know.

( they're each other's anchor, right? reminding each other that they are still human regardless of all the other bullshit going on. jason doesn't let go of kyle, but he does shift to just - gently drape his arms around him. )

's why I asked Babs to check on you if I was gone a while. To make sure you remembered, too. She wouldn't think any less of you--she knows you're human, too.

[torchbearer]

[ kyle . . . leans into it. jason is here. his heartbeat rings in his mind. ]

We don't really . . . know each other though. That's what makes it weird.

[reneger]

( that's. . . fair, he figures. kyle's a lantern, he exists outside of their fold. he was a titan, briefly, but it wasn't as if he spent much time with dick either. and jason was never a leaguer. )

I've only met Diana a couple times. Last time we chatted here wasn't--fun. ( she cornered him. he doesn't like being cornered. ) Wasn't sure who else to go to.

[torchbearer]

[ he can't help a slight smirk. ]

You got into trouble with Diana?