[ Dick has been through some tough times with Bruce, but as estranged as they've been at some of those points it's rare that they've ever been truly alone. Alone the way that Bruce is here and now, Dick doesn't need to know everything that he's done here to realize that Damian was his one strongest connection, that much came out easily from Damian himself, and that brief time that Dick actually had to talk to him, and subsequently to flip through the notes that he left behind. If he had any doubts then the state of this place, and the man himself, would have put those to rest.
If nothing else he's not only familiar with this tactic, lashing out in an attempt to cover a raw, painful wound, he was expecting it. Unfortunately for Bruce he's relatively low on ammunition that's actually going to sting, verbally anyway, but Dick is resilient, he's not just going to walk away and do nothing because Bruce is a little mean to him.
He does progress up a few stairs, stopping more or less halfway, at a more conversational distance. The proximity also makes it clearer that Bruce looks terrible, no surprises there either, of course he wouldn't be taking care of himself. Dick's assessing, both the state of him and what's his best approach here. ]
If I disappear then it's even more important that you don't shut him out like this, but I'm not just here for him.
[ He's not quite frowning, but his lips do press into a thin line briefly. ]
( The question comes out before he even realizes it and he narrows his eyes some at Dick when he asks it. Not out of skepticism entirely. More because he's tired and the lights, while dimmed, are still feeling a little bright to him; they always are in this spot of the penthouse. )
You don't know me. You don't exist for me where I'm from and I'm not the Bruce you came to know, live with, and fight alongside.
( He's the only one from his Gotham here β has been since day one and, again. It makes him wonder if he's meant to be the Batman who goes it alone. But at the thought, he turns, intending to head back to his room. )
[ Why. Like he hasn't heard that one already. Like he needs some compelling, irrefutable obligation to care. Maybe that's gotten under his skin more than he would prefer to admit, because he knows where that's coming from, specifically from people, in situations, where they don't know how that it can be better than this. He knows because he's been lucky, in so many ways. ]
Yeah, you're not the same person. Just like Jason isn't the Jason I remember. So what? I know you're Bruce Wayne. I know that you're fighting a war all on your own in a way that no one else has before you, or will after, and I know that you've only scratched the surface of what you can really do. And I know that you don't have to do this alone, not here, anyone who would stick by me would have your back too. We're all fighting for the same thing, even if it's in different ways.
[ He's made his way up a few more steps, but he stops again a few short from the top. ]
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no subject
If nothing else he's not only familiar with this tactic, lashing out in an attempt to cover a raw, painful wound, he was expecting it. Unfortunately for Bruce he's relatively low on ammunition that's actually going to sting, verbally anyway, but Dick is resilient, he's not just going to walk away and do nothing because Bruce is a little mean to him.
He does progress up a few stairs, stopping more or less halfway, at a more conversational distance. The proximity also makes it clearer that Bruce looks terrible, no surprises there either, of course he wouldn't be taking care of himself. Dick's assessing, both the state of him and what's his best approach here. ]
If I disappear then it's even more important that you don't shut him out like this, but I'm not just here for him.
[ He's not quite frowning, but his lips do press into a thin line briefly. ]
When was the last time you had something to eat?
no subject
( The question comes out before he even realizes it and he narrows his eyes some at Dick when he asks it. Not out of skepticism entirely. More because he's tired and the lights, while dimmed, are still feeling a little bright to him; they always are in this spot of the penthouse. )
You don't know me. You don't exist for me where I'm from and I'm not the Bruce you came to know, live with, and fight alongside.
( He's the only one from his Gotham here β has been since day one and, again. It makes him wonder if he's meant to be the Batman who goes it alone. But at the thought, he turns, intending to head back to his room. )
I'm fine. Go be with your family, Dick.
( Because there's none to be found here. )
no subject
Is that what you told Damian too?
[ Why. Like he hasn't heard that one already. Like he needs some compelling, irrefutable obligation to care. Maybe that's gotten under his skin more than he would prefer to admit, because he knows where that's coming from, specifically from people, in situations, where they don't know how that it can be better than this. He knows because he's been lucky, in so many ways. ]
Yeah, you're not the same person. Just like Jason isn't the Jason I remember. So what? I know you're Bruce Wayne. I know that you're fighting a war all on your own in a way that no one else has before you, or will after, and I know that you've only scratched the surface of what you can really do. And I know that you don't have to do this alone, not here, anyone who would stick by me would have your back too. We're all fighting for the same thing, even if it's in different ways.
[ He's made his way up a few more steps, but he stops again a few short from the top. ]
As for the rest, you could tell me about it.
no subject
I'm fighting to save my Gotham. Why are you here?
( To save his Gotham. Because that's why they're all here. To prove their worlds β their homes worth saving. )