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]

( 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.

[reneger]

Fuck off.

( there's no heat to it. and jason does start moving, even if it's just lowering his hands to hold onto kyle by his hips. )

I did my time.

[torchbearer]

Does it look like I'm holding it against you?

[reneger]

No.

( grip tightening just by a fraction, and jason - meets kyle's eyes, gaze steady. )

You should be. I left you for two weeks without a word, then fucked off again for another week. Didn't even give you the option of coming with me.

[torchbearer]

You didn't fuck off. You went to save someone.

It was something you had to do.

[reneger]

I was gone for over a month by my timeline. Got my head bashed in. It was needlessly reckless, I could've brought in backup.

( he would do it again and not change a thing. jason got them out, it just took him time to figure out how. if they'd had anyone else, rations would have been a lot tighter. it was easier to watch each others' back when it was just the two of them. and they has the time to talk. to figure shit out together.

but his point still stands. )

[torchbearer]

[ hm. ]

And are you going to do that next time?

[reneger]

No.

( of course the answer is no. )

Place was a nightmare. I wouldn't've sent anyone else into that.

[torchbearer]

So it was messy but you both made it out okay.

That's enough.

[reneger]

( if their positions were switched, he'd be on the same page as kyle. but the shoe isn't on the other foot, and jason's just - dropping his head against the back of the couch and gently pushing at kyle's hips. )

Move. I gotta go brush my teeth so I can kiss you.

[torchbearer]

You're a real sweet talker.

[ but he does move. ]

[reneger]

( the grin he throws kyle is all teeth, and jason - moves to get up. it's the first time in what feels like forever he's actually let himself relax and the effort to get up almost, almost doesn't feel worth it. but he does manage to get onto his feet.

walks slowly across the living area to the bathroom. leaves the door open while he hunches over the sink and. brushes his teeth, as promised. )