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We can watch something else.

( it's not that serious, jason. your dad is just... gloomy. that's batman for you. )

[copsormasks]

[Gloomy dad or not, Jason feels like he just made it worse.]

I'm serious, Bruce.

[He huffs.]

You haven't been feeling like the guy in the movie, have you?

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That my life is wonderful?

( dry humor. very bruce. )

references to a suicide attempt in a movie.

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[Jason's frown becomes more irritated than before. He's serious about making sure Bruce is okay.]

The bridge part.

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( he figured. )

No. I don't feel that way.

( batman has to keep going. because no one else will for gotham. )

[copsormasks]

You promise? [Jason needs the reaffirmation that Bruce isn't about to re-enact a movie.] I've been there before. I know how it feels.

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( if anything takes him out, it'll likely be venom adrenaline, but. even then. that's a last resort. it's why he looks up to jason with a genuine softness there in his expression. )

Yeah. I just... didn't think she'd show up.

( not his. not that she ever was since. well. bruce had been batman about it. )

[copsormasks]

[Jason nods and then looks down at the ground for a moment or two.]

Yeah, that part sucks.

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I only knew her a couple days. It doesn't matter.

( keep everyone at arms length, bruce. like always. )

[copsormasks]

Bruce, it does fucking matter. C'mon man. [Jason sighs as he looks at Bruce.]

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( don't perceive him, kiddo. )

We worked together on Riddler. After it, she said she was going to Bludhaven. Wanted me to go with her... but I couldn't.

( because gotham needs him. )

[copsormasks]

Fuck, I'm sorry, Bruce. [If Chrissy said she was leaving to go somewhere else, his heart would very likely break.]

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Like I said, I didn't know her long.

( though there had obviously been an instant attraction between the both of them.

looking back down to the movie, he nods and then looks up to jason before he's licking over his lips and nodding to the key he'd been given. )

Planning to take it for a spin?

[copsormasks]

Now? [He's referring to the heavy topic they were just discussing, not the hour.]

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You seemed excited.

( and he doesn't want to ruin the moment there with his lonely gloomy bs. )

[copsormasks]

Yeah, but. I mean. I don't want to leave you by yourself, Bruce.

[Jason would love to go out and take the bike for a spin, but not right now. Not with Bruce talking about things the way he is.]

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I'll be ok.

( he nods — gives him that reassurance, but. he knows how stubborn jason is. whatever he decides, he won't fight him on it. )

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Why don't you come with me? [Jason suggests, his expression urgent. He never spent enough time with his Bruce enough to know his moods. This Bruce, though, he cares a lot about and doesn't want to see him hurt himself.]

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Don't you want to take your girl for a ride?

( at that, he looks up to jason with a gentle smile there on his face. )

Could be a nice surprise.

( chrissy would be awake, right? bats and birds are always up at this hour. aren't regular people? )

[copsormasks]

[While Bruce can't take his girl for a ride? Jason isn't about to flaunt that in front of him after the news of Selina's arrival.]

I could do that tomorrow. [Jason furrows his brow.] If I leave here, are you gonna be okay?

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Yeah. I'm ok.

( well. as about as ok as bruce wayne can ever be, but. at that, he stands and, reaching out, he pulls jason in, arm gently wrapping around his shoulders for an embrace. silent like that for only a few moments, when he speaks, his voice is quiet but rough, fingers holding tight to the boy there he holds against him within his arm. )

You're a good son. Thank you.

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[Jason doesn't expect a hug, but he'll accept it all the same. It's a hug to a touch-starved kid who grew up with three different parental figures not wanting to hold him. He curls his fingers into the back of Bruce's shirt, just to hold him a little tighter.]

Thanks Bruce. I... [Hearing the word 'son' still strikes him with emotion, even after all this time with this Bruce.] Thanks.

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( honestly, if he were to lose jason in any sort of way, he might very well crash out. bruce and loss of any kind always goes terribly. whether that be in the form of anger, of guilt, of depression, or all of the above, it's never a good time for anyone around him, but especially for himself.

a couple pats to jason's shoulder, he clears his throat some and looks to the tree as he gently pulls back to let jason slip out of the embrace if he wants. )

I told you. I've got you.

( always. even when he's barely holding on himself. )

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[The feeling is mutual. If Bruce were to ever disappear, Jason would lose himself. He hates the belfry and he's not sure if even Chrissy could pull him out of the mess that would follow.]

That's the best present you could ever give me. I hope you know that.

[He slowly pulls back and clears his voice as well.]

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( slowly, his hand rubs between jason's shoulder blades before he finally lets him go and he looks to the kid — to his son there in front of him. hand gentle in the way it claps to jason's shoulder there, he cocks his head to the side a bit and gestures off with his eyes briefly. )

Go have some fun. Let your old man get some rest.

( and sleep off everything trying to drown him from within. at least for today anyways. )