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[The hug is entirely unexpected. Jason expected perhaps some scolding, maybe a comment on his sunburn or the bruising, but no. Bruce draws him into a hug and fuck if this isn't the first hug he's gotten in a very long, long time. At first. Jason doesn't know what to do with the hug before he slowly wraps an arm around Bruce in return and pulls them both closer.]

( The embrace is forever light in the event Jason wants to pull out of it. There's no ulterior motive with it either — no trackers being gently placed on him or even discreetly feeling around to make sure he's not stabbed or shot anywhere. He's simply holding him there as a means to be a pillar of support for him. A pillar that's riddled with cracks, but. Still standing. For now anyways. )

You're ok.

( Whether it's reassurance for himself or for Jason is anyone's guess, but. He says it regardless. Soft and a little raspy. )

Yeah. [Jason murmurs low, into Bruce's chest.] We're okay.

[He's not sure if either of them is really okay, but Jason is trying to reassure Bruce that they can both lean on each other, especially now that Jason has found some new strength after being out in the woods.]

( He'll let Jason hold to him for as long as he needs — keeping the one around around him what with the glass of water being in his other hand. A slight tilt of his head, he looks down to the kid. )

You need anything?

[Jason does start to pull back as the gesture starts to bring up emotion. He steps back to blink a few times, to clear up the sentiments rising in his chest.]

Maybe an ice pack. [His face still hurts, after all.]

( When Jason pulls back, he lets him, arm slowly falling down to his side. )

Should be in the kitchen.

( Because obviously he'd have a few of those on hand. )

[Jason nods and heads into the kitchen. He grabs one from the freezer and gently presses it to his nose as he leans against the counter to steady himself.]

Thanks.

( Slowly, he follows after the other — keeps an eye on him while sipping on his water. )

Did you sort everything out with the others?

No. [Jason carefully adjusts the ice pack on his face.] Why, they come talk to you?

I'm not family.

( Therefore, why would they? )

Neither am I.

[Jason shrugs.] They made that really fucking clear. I'm just some delinquent with passing resemblance to one of theirs.

I know the feeling.

( Except try being compared to someone like Bruce Wayne or Batman. A legacy he has yet to fulfill. If he ever even does. Anyways, he takes another sip of his water, licks over his lips, then gently sets the glass down. )

They don't often come around here. If you need some place to stay ever.

[Jason pulls the ice pack down so he can really look at Bruce and for a moment imagine the weight he must carry, especially with the additions of Dick and another Bruce to the belfry. At least they don't expect much out of him.]

I... yeah. Think I might do that. Looks like you still need some help cleaning up.

[Because it's less vulnerable to help Bruce than admit that he himself needs a fuck load of help.]

( Cleaning up means he has to admit there's a problem — that he's hurt — and it's so much easier to just ignore it than deal with it. That's the Bruce Wayne way anyways. )

You don't want what I have for you?

[Jason is immediately distracted by the offer and he perks up, as if he hasn't just admitted that he's not part of the Big Bat Family.]

Yeah. You have it here?

It's in the terminal.

( You know. His "batcave" as they call it. )

Okay, yeah. I'd like that.

[He crosses the room to Bruce, wobbling a bit back and forth as he does.]

( The wobbling gets Bruce to eye him a little, but. Again, like he's in any position to criticize. So, with that in mind, he slowly makes his way for the other hidden elevator to take them down to the terminal, going about the usual pulling of the caged door and pressing what button takes them down. There's a bit of hesitation in his expression there, but. )

You don't... have to like it. I won't be offended.

Unless it's a bit 'get out' sign, I don't think I won't like it.

[Which is always possible. Jason tries to prepare himself for rejection, no matter how implausible it gets.]

( There's a brief look of disbelief there on his face before he's staring ahead as they go down. The ride is short enough and when they tap to the bottom, he opens the gate and slowly makes his way out. The moment he does, the chirps of the bats living within the terminal can be heard — some fluttering about overhead. He's used to it, of course, barely paying them any attention as he slowly makes his way further into the terminal he has set up for his base of operations.

Where he takes Jason is over to one of the work tables he has there and, resting there on it, an upper body suit that still seems to be a bit of a work in progress. Gently, fingers run along the chest of it and he turns some to look over to Jason for only a moment before he's looking back down to it. Black and unfinished. )

Still a work in progress. Been trying to make sure it's as resistant to bullets and stab wounds as it can be.

[Jason follows Bruce out and ducks underneath the bats, but as soon as his eyes fall on what is most definitely the beginning of a suit, his breath is stolen away. Tears rise to his eyes as he remembers so firmly how Bruce fired him, took away the one thing that gave him meaning in his life.

And now it's here, on the table in front of him. He watches as Bruce touches it and then looks over at him then back to the suit.]

This is for me? [He tries to firm up his voice, but there's no hiding the warble beneath the surface. This is everything to him. He approaches the table carefully, as if afraid that Bruce might snatch it away in some cruel joke.

'Please don't take this away from me.' rings in his ears as he steps forward to press shaking fingers to the chest of the suit. He bites his lip to try and keep down the emotion gathering beneath the surface, threatening to explode out of him. He looks over to Bruce and his eyes are bright with tears.]

( He... didn't really expect that for a reaction. If anything, he thought maybe it might not seem as high-tech as any of the others suits. After all, he came in wearing greasepaint beneath his cowl, despite the material it's made out of, still experimental with the design of his suit and his toys he uses. Plus, he can only really work with what he finds around here. So for Jason to not scoff at it, if even jokingly... well. It's a little unexpected.

Licking over his lips, he looks back down to the suit. )

I, uh... wasn't sure what colour you wanted it.

( Hence why it's still black. Also, still working on it, obviously. At that, however, he pushes the top aside and pulls open a drawer, taking from it a few things that he carefully sets down on the table. )

Ultraviolet flashlight, zip ties, sticky bomb, tracker, lockpick.

( Hum on his lips, he stares at them. )

It's not much, but it's what I could put together.

No, it's-- [Jason takes a moment to swallow down his emotions as they continue to gather. His lips quaver as he nods.]

Black. I like black. [He doesn't want the Robin colors anywhere near his body. Not anymore.]

I really like it. [Jason fails to keep his emotions intact as a few tears escape down his cheeks as he nods.] I want it. I want it so bad. You have no idea.

[He rests his hand on the chest plate again as he quietly cries. This is freedom, this is a way to reclaim what he's lost. And for Bruce to just give it to him? There is nothing he could ever do to repay him for this.]

( He's quiet as he watches the way Jason reaches for the chest piece — as his emotions get the better of him and he practically cries right then and there over how much he wants this piece. It's not even finished — not polished to a final product he can proudly wear and yet, here he is, ready to take it with him already. It gets Bruce to stare down in contemplation — gets him to mull over a few things — and then he's gently placing a hand on the other's shoulder. Supportive, again. )

I'm still working on it. ( As he's said, but. ) Trying to have it finished before the next mission starts.

( Just in case. Not wanting Jason to be left vulnerable should the mission involve more physical and violent aspects to it. )

[Jason looks over as Bruce puts a hand on his shoulder but immediately looks away to try and hide his tears.]

This is-- Bruce this is everything.

[He supposes Bruce has already gotten that impression from him, but he needs to say it out loud. It's like two years ago when his Bruce first offered the Robin suit to him. His entire life changed overnight and this is no different.]

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