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]

[ 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?

[reneger]

( well it's. not wrong. even if the way jason's nose scrunches makes it obvious he doesn't want to talk about it. )

She interrogated me on why I took off.

[torchbearer]

[ woof. he can imagine how that went down. ]

She's hard to get away from, huh.

[reneger]

I mean you've seen her. Fought with her. She's been my hero since long before I put on the R.

( present tense. because she still is. she is wonder woman. )

I wouldn't idolize someone who was easy to slip away from.

[torchbearer]

[ he smiles, wistful. he's worked with diana, so some of the hero worship has long since faded. ]

Yeah. She's incredible.

[reneger]

( childhood hero-crush aside, because they don't need to go over that, ) I'm still figuring out how to talk to her outside of her being Wonder Woman.

[torchbearer]

I find just talking to her helps.

[reneger]

So she can interrogate me again?

[torchbearer]

So you can engage with each other. Truthfully.

Because that's basically all she wants.

[reneger]

( engage with someone truthfully? in this house full of liars? nah. )

I'd shove you off but that'd require me moving.

[torchbearer]

Uh-huh.

You got off easy with an interrogation anyway.

[reneger]

I figure she took pity on me 'cause she knew you and Dickie would come at me harder anyway. He gave me the silent treatment. Dick Grayson, being quiet.

( one of the most terrifying experiences in his life right there. )

[torchbearer]

Oof.

[ that is definitely something. ]

For how long?

[reneger]

The whole ride home from school.

( even worse is having him attached to jason's back and silent. but they made it out okay. )

Even at fifteen he still manages to be terrifying.

[torchbearer]

I can see that.

And you did have it coming.