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( Standing close by in thought for a moment, he looks over to Jason there on the couch before he goes and joins him, hands slowly coming out of his pocket. Still in thought, brows furrowing for just a moment, he looks over to Jason. )

Spend a lot of time together?

Yeah. Apparently enough that the belfry has her apartment marked as a place I frequent.

[Jason shrugs.] I mean she’s a good friend. We went and played baseball for her birthday.

( Should he... say something? Does he need to? He sits there in his thoughts for a moment, staring ahead before he's looking back over to Jason, face slightly scrunched briefly as he tries to figure out how to phrase this. )

Do you... I mean. ( A beat. ) You know to be careful... right? If that... happens.

[Jason’s expression darkens.]

Look, I’m not jumping into anything after Rose. You don’t have to worry. I don’t want to be that close to anyone again.

I'm not worried.

( He looks back ahead. )

I know things can be complicated.

Yeah, dating a mole and daughter of Deathstroke? Complicated? Trusting she wasn’t gonna spread my secrets everywhere?

[Jason sinks deeper into the couch.]

I learned my lesson.

( He nods at Jason's words — takes a second. )

They're not all like Rose. But I get it.

[Jason continues to slouch on the couch, his good mood dispelled.]

What do you want to watch?

Whatever you're in the mood for.

( He looks down after looking to Jason. )

I didn't mean to assume anything. I just... want to make sure you're ok.

She’s just a friend. I learned my lesson.

[Jason flicks to a horror movie and continues to slump lower yet in the couch.]

I'm glad you have a friend here.

( Because lord knows he does not. )

You know I like being here, right? Having a home? Having a…

[’Dad’ he doesn’t say as the opening credits begin to play out on the screen.]

A Bruce that seems to not want to run away from me or push ne off on someone else at every opportunity possible. Y’know. Like you want me here.

I do want you here.

( It's said without a trace of hesitation despite the slow and gentle way it comes off. A glance over to Jason there, he lets his gaze drop for a moment. )

You'll always have a place here.

[Jason doesn’t answer and instead slouches deeper somehow into the couch.]

( Alright... )

What is it?

If you could leave— and I mean go anywhere, go home, go to some future— would you go?

( Hm. )

You're afraid I'm going to leave you behind?

[Jason fiddles with the edge of the remote, not saying anything.]

So far I'm the one that's been left behind.

( Clark, Damian, Selina... although he didn't choose to go with her, so. Does that really count? Anyways. )

Jason, so long as it's within my power, I won't leave you. I told you, I've got you.

[Jason’s fiddling slows and comes to a stop. He looks over to Bruce and takes him in. They’ve had this conversation before but it keeps happening for a reason.]

Yeah?

Yeah.

( He knows Jason's insecure — likely needs to be reassured a number of times and as such, he's being patient and trying his best to do that for him. Even when he's not so sure he's being good at it. )

You're here because I want you to be. Because I care about you.

And if I show up beat to hell again?

[Because it’s not outside the realm of possibilities that ends up hurt again.]

Then I'll take care of you.

( He's a little confused with what Jason was trying to get at there? )

[Jason knows he can be trouble. His experience with Deathstroke taught him that.]

Long as that kid doesn’t drop on me again.

I'd prefer if neither of you started anything with each other.

( And, like before, there's a beat before he continues. )

I'm not saying you will. I'm just saying that's what I'd like.

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