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( Gently, he reaches out and places a hand on Jason’s shoulder there, squeezing it as a means to show that he’s very much here with him. That he’s not alone. Not falling. That he’s right here in this room with him. )

I got you.

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[Jason steadies with Bruce’s touch and he takes a deep breath. Not falling. Not falling.]

I know.

[It is perhaps the first time that Jason has really meant that he knows Bruce is there for him. It’s an odd feeling for certain.]

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( Hand remaining where it is, he watches Jason closely. Ready to catch him if he feels like he might fall, metaphorically speaking. )

When you’re ready we’ll go over it. Or if it seems like you might need it for the next mission. For now, just keep it with you in your room. Unless you’d rather I keep it with your suit.

( That he’s still working on. )

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Here. [Jason replies quickly, urgently.]

I need to get used to seeing it.

[Diving into the deep end of exposure therapy is maybe not the best idea, but when has Jason had a good idea.]

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( It’s not that he doubts Jason, it’s more that he wants to be certain it’s a good idea. )

Are you sure?

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I can do this. [Jason insists. He needs to prove that he can, even if this Bruce isn’t asking him to do so.]

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( At that, he gives Jason a slow nod. )

Alright. If you’re sure. But if you need it out of here, you let me know. No judgement.

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Yeah. [Jason nods firmly. Then he remembers he didn’t see Bruce on the way up.]

Were you working on something?

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Your suit mostly. It's taking me a bit longer with this not being Gotham, but.

( He shrugs. It gives him something to do. Distracts his mind. )

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Can I see it? [Get ready to have a teenager all up in your space.]

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It's more or less as you saw it. I was just working on a mask.

( Which is when he glances down to Jason then — namely his pants. Something he still needs to decide on for him. )

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Did you go with goggles?

[Jason minicks wearing them by circling his eyes with his fingers.]

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Yeah. Reinforcing them though.

( So they're not just goggles. )

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Reinforcing them?

[Jason drops his hands.]

With what?

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Whatever I can find useful at the junkyard or the shops when things show up.

( He doesn't have his experimental Wayne tech here to work with, but. It's not as though there's completely nothing he can use. He's just being a bit more creative with it all.

A glance to his face, he nods then. )

How's that doing?

( His nose, he means. )

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Still being a pain.

[He touches around the worst of it and shakes his head.]

Barbara said it could take weeks.

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Give or take. Luckily it wasn't too bad.

( Could have been worse, basically. )

Are you settling in ok?

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It’s weird. Being in one place. I’ve been running for a while.

[Jason shrugs.]

It’s what I did before Bruce, too.

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( He nods. Quiet. Hands slipping into his pockets then — what with the grapple gun set aside now — as he stands there. )

You ever feel like you need to be away from here, just keep in touch.

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Wait, really?

[Jason looks startled as he stares at Bruce.]

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This isn't a prison, Jason. I won't force you to be here if you don't want to be. But you always have a room here for as long as you want and I won't turn you away.

( In case Jason didn't know that... which it seems he didn't. )

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[Jason is so used to nomad-ing his way around Etraya and his experience with the Titans that being offered a no-strings place to stay is a bit of a mind screw at first.]

I mean I like it here. I’m— I’m still waiting for the belfry to show up somehow.

[Despite Bruce indicating that the belfry doesn’t know he’s here.]

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They don't have much reason to come around here. I'm not the Bruce they know.

( He shrugs. Simple as that. )

They all stick together. I stay here.

( Because this is the closest thing he has to home. )

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Then I’ll stay here.

[Jason says it firmly, looking at Bruce with intent.]

You might not be the Bruce I know, but that’s a fucking good thing. Don’t be him. He’s a dick.

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( At that, his gaze drops. )

All I can be is myself. Whoever that is.