[this is an extremely loaded question and for a while they're quiet. they roll the ball around the bottom of the ramp. they shift their weight from foot to foot. they pause and sigh though. ]
I want to make sure I do my job to the best of my ability for as long as your term is in effect. [carefully. and then... ] Wedding planning is a little bit of a stretch but I do have someone who'll kill me the longer I'm here. And it seems like guest relations will be a little harder if there are no guests, you know? So we'll see.
[It’s fine. Jason doesn’t rush them. He lets them have time and be quiet, and he continues rolling a few balls up the ramp so it doesn’t look like he’s rushing them.
The answer he can infer, yeah. It brings a brief, small smirk to his face. Okay. Good. He can accept this answer.]
Don’t worry then. We’re going to give them one hell of a show so that… maybe you can think about additional employment. One with… better benefits.
[He sort of stops and hefts the ball he has in his hand a little, peering at them. Then he hangs his hand with it by his side.]
I can do both.
[He's going to do both. Sorry if he seems familiar at all to the same bullshit they have put up with elsewhere. But... he's a Bat. He's going to do both.]
[A second passes, and then he moves over to squat down in front of them, placing the skee ball between his feet so it doesn't roll away. He puts a hand on one of their knees.
Unfortunately for them, he has forgotten a lot of trauma, and so he has become a slightly more well-adjusted person. Uh. Briefly.]
I'm not afraid of tall orders. I give a shit about you, and I'm going to keep giving a shit about you. You're my friend. I trust you. But I don't want to do anything to get you in trouble.
[this has been such a trying week for aquarius and it's only wednesday. they watch jason crouch down and actually jason todd being slightly more well-adjusted is hard.
so they listen, and it's....hard. hearing it is hard. hearing it and not knowing if this is what jason means or if it's what this version of jason thinks he means and it feels a little...
they don't reply. they're quiet and there's a lull as they continue rubbing at their face under the veil.]
Stop. [it's a quiet, tired request that's half-hearted at best.] There's nothing...I told you. This is about you.
[He gets Aquarius is having a hard time. What he can't say because he doesn't know is that he's fine? Even without the trauma; Lup isn't wrong later. He's the young man he could be without the guard, the thorns. It's easier to be on the outside what he is on the inside without jumping over the ugly pits. There's a bridge!
Unfortunately for both of them, he can't reassure this.]
It's about all of us, you included.
[Slowly, he pulls himself up to his feet. His moment of contemplation isn't very long before he bends over to get Aquarius under the arms and make an attempt to heft them off the ramp and up onto his chest. He just, like, drapes them high over his chest above the floor. So he can hug them. Well, if they let him. Lessons from big brother Dick Grayson.]
It's okay. It's about us too. We'll finish the contracts. I'll finish mine.
[why does this keep getting worse actually. the thing about it is that jason gets up and says that and aquarius doesn't move. instead, jason picks them up and maybe it's surprising there's zero fight for once. like you know that thing where you pick up a cat and they just know they're doomed to deal with it so they're limp and unmoving? it's like that.]
What are you doing, Jason? [but they don't continue for a second before aquarius drops their head on jason's chest and shoulder.] I don't know how to make you understand. And it's not like you can promise anything when we don't know who's next. No one ever does. Not just here.
[they aren't explaining well, and they wonder if they should try right now.
but...they've been in a situation like this before, so they pause and just keep their face there. whatever. they can deal with the problems later and just play along for his sake.]
Just do me a favor and take care of yourself and the other guests first, okay? I'll concede this once, but that's all I need to ask. I know you'll fulfill yours somehow.
[Yes. Exactly like that, there, there. He sort of rubs the middle of their back and holds them. I am so sorry they are having to deal with the Grayson treatment here only because Jason has batter brain.]
Hugging you.
[Listen.
He inwardly hms at "not just here," but doesn't press it because he's always walking on such thin eggshells here.]
Okay, I will do you this favor. [He'll take care of them, but he will ALSO TAKE CARE OF AQUARIUS AND THE OTHERS. So the fingers are a tad crossed.] I will. I'm not exactly the roll over and take it type.
[this is actually terrible because there's a very slight jump in their shoulders that they don't acknowledge. they do kind of adjust their arms to drape over jason's shoulders if only because it's uncomfortable to have them pinned to his chest.]
Since when do you do hugs? [just. still tiredly. still deciding to pick their battles.] But I know you're not. You're stubborn and you're a pain and you're annoying so you're obviously going to get somewhere.
[...unfortunately, it's kind of a horrible sort of fondness. there's a moment they pause again.]
...it would be kind of terrible if you disappeared before then. [so please don't die.]
[Which he didn't give out because he's a damn moron with a lot of issues, but shhhh. Bad brain can't catch him now. His chest rumbles under them when he laughs at the list of qualities.]
Wow. I will put those on my resume.
[His hand slows to a stop, and then gives them a small squeeze.]
Yeah, but even if I did, that wouldn't be the last you see of me. Bet.
...maybe I can believe that. [they should? maybe ask jason to put them down? they are still on the job???
but jason's also like half a foot taller than them and this sort of feels weirdly comforting. hateful. terrible. they're kind of annoyed about it immediately.]
Mm. Don't say bet. [THAT DOESN'T FIT YOU.] And even if that were true, it doesn't change the part where--
[...jason doesn't remember things. they keep remembering that, and it stops them from continuing again.]
...just be careful, idiot. Other people besides me would be pretty upset, too.
[very convincing when they're still faceplanting into his chest. dumb dorito.]
[Damn, let Aquarius hug on the job. Maybe he'll do a better job if he could hug on the job (no).]
I'll be careful. [Quietly, near their ear:] You be careful.
[He may be dumb, but he isn't stupid. He gives their back a few reassuring pats, then carefully, he lowers them down onto their feet again in front of himself. Both hands on the shoulders, though, to steady them.]
[looks at canon. i mean yes actually, but anyway. they hear jason mumble and there's a short nod. sure. they can both say they'll be careful whether that's true or not. once they're lowered to their feet, they still don't move immediately as their hand curls into jason's shirt a little. his hands are on their shoulders which are still a little tense, but eventually they do look up.]
[As if Jason can talk. He might be a stubborn shit ass, but he worries about a lot of things. He's kind of mad actually at how much he's worrying this round having come in a slightly more decent person than last time. It was... easier last time. A little. It felt easier.]
Sorry I said I'd come hang out with you, then ruined it with this kind of talk. Want to do something that's actual fun instead, or are you tired? We could just, like, get some ice cream or something.
[no, let them suffer. but they nod because it's easier and they finally look up and forward again.]
I'm used to it, it's okay. [but...they do like the company.] Being tired and eating ice cream aren't mutually exclusive. So sure? Give me strength before heading back to work and stuff.
This coming from the person who is probably going to end up face-first in their ice cream. Yeah, okay.
[Which he would find very amusing and cute, but whatever. He still isn't ever sure if they like to be smothered, as Dick Grayson acting as he is, so he lowers his hands and gestures. Walking!]
What kind do you want? Let me guess: you're a fan of sprinkles.
I am not going to fall asleep in my ice cream. [binch. but they follow after him, shadowing him a bit. there are a lot of complicated feelings about being smothered or being treated like they're younger than jason. they can't quite figure out what to do about it, and it's safer not to mention it while he's in dick grayson mode. ]
And I'm not opposed to sprinkles. It's been a while since I've had ice cream. Usually w--[hm. pausing.] I'm not picky, but probably not too extravagant.
I'll eat what you don't eat. [Glances sidelong at them.] I know people probably tell you this all the time, and they shouldn't because it's just as bad as telling someone they're fat, but you need to eat more before I'm able to fly you in the air like a kite.
You sure you're okay? [(jason voice) do you not eat because you have anxiety] It only worries me because I grew up starving most of the time, and I hoarded food because I didn't know when I'd get to eat next.
[there's a little hum of agreement because he's right people do tell them this but it's whatever.]
I'm okay. It's been a while since I've had to worry about where my next meal's coming from. I just don't always have an appetite. [for a multitude of reasons including sometimes anxiety yes. but there's a tired, sort of humorous huff.] My doctor gets on my case about it a lot.
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I want to make sure I do my job to the best of my ability for as long as your term is in effect. [carefully. and then... ] Wedding planning is a little bit of a stretch but I do have someone who'll kill me the longer I'm here. And it seems like guest relations will be a little harder if there are no guests, you know? So we'll see.
[jason can infer that however he wants.]
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The answer he can infer, yeah. It brings a brief, small smirk to his face. Okay. Good. He can accept this answer.]
Don’t worry then. We’re going to give them one hell of a show so that… maybe you can think about additional employment. One with… better benefits.
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I need you to focus on fulfilling your contract. That's the important part. Don't worry about whatever happens to us. Okay?
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I can do both.
[He's going to do both. Sorry if he seems familiar at all to the same bullshit they have put up with elsewhere. But... he's a Bat. He's going to do both.]
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Unfortunately for them, he has forgotten a lot of trauma, and so he has become a slightly more well-adjusted person. Uh. Briefly.]
I'm not afraid of tall orders. I give a shit about you, and I'm going to keep giving a shit about you. You're my friend. I trust you. But I don't want to do anything to get you in trouble.
I'm proud of you, okay?
[But he doesn't clarify.]
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so they listen, and it's....hard. hearing it is hard. hearing it and not knowing if this is what jason means or if it's what this version of jason thinks he means and it feels a little...
they don't reply. they're quiet and there's a lull as they continue rubbing at their face under the veil.]
Stop. [it's a quiet, tired request that's half-hearted at best.] There's nothing...I told you. This is about you.
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Unfortunately for both of them, he can't reassure this.]
It's about all of us, you included.
[Slowly, he pulls himself up to his feet. His moment of contemplation isn't very long before he bends over to get Aquarius under the arms and make an attempt to heft them off the ramp and up onto his chest. He just, like, drapes them high over his chest above the floor. So he can hug them. Well, if they let him. Lessons from big brother Dick Grayson.]
It's okay. It's about us too. We'll finish the contracts. I'll finish mine.
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What are you doing, Jason? [but they don't continue for a second before aquarius drops their head on jason's chest and shoulder.] I don't know how to make you understand. And it's not like you can promise anything when we don't know who's next. No one ever does. Not just here.
[they aren't explaining well, and they wonder if they should try right now.
but...they've been in a situation like this before, so they pause and just keep their face there. whatever. they can deal with the problems later and just play along for his sake.]
Just do me a favor and take care of yourself and the other guests first, okay? I'll concede this once, but that's all I need to ask. I know you'll fulfill yours somehow.
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Hugging you.
[Listen.
He inwardly hms at "not just here," but doesn't press it because he's always walking on such thin eggshells here.]
Okay, I will do you this favor. [He'll take care of them, but he will ALSO TAKE CARE OF AQUARIUS AND THE OTHERS. So the fingers are a tad crossed.] I will. I'm not exactly the roll over and take it type.
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Since when do you do hugs? [just. still tiredly. still deciding to pick their battles.] But I know you're not. You're stubborn and you're a pain and you're annoying so you're obviously going to get somewhere.
[...unfortunately, it's kind of a horrible sort of fondness. there's a moment they pause again.]
...it would be kind of terrible if you disappeared before then. [so please don't die.]
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[Which he didn't give out because he's a damn moron with a lot of issues, but shhhh. Bad brain can't catch him now. His chest rumbles under them when he laughs at the list of qualities.]
Wow. I will put those on my resume.
[His hand slows to a stop, and then gives them a small squeeze.]
Yeah, but even if I did, that wouldn't be the last you see of me. Bet.
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but jason's also like half a foot taller than them and this sort of feels weirdly comforting. hateful. terrible. they're kind of annoyed about it immediately.]
Mm. Don't say bet. [THAT DOESN'T FIT YOU.] And even if that were true, it doesn't change the part where--
[...jason doesn't remember things. they keep remembering that, and it stops them from continuing again.]
...just be careful, idiot. Other people besides me would be pretty upset, too.
[very convincing when they're still faceplanting into his chest. dumb dorito.]
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I'll be careful. [Quietly, near their ear:] You be careful.
[He may be dumb, but he isn't stupid. He gives their back a few reassuring pats, then carefully, he lowers them down onto their feet again in front of himself. Both hands on the shoulders, though, to steady them.]
We've got this. Yeah?
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...yeah. Of course.
[easier to agree for now.]
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So try not to worry too much.
[As if Jason can talk. He might be a stubborn shit ass, but he worries about a lot of things. He's kind of mad actually at how much he's worrying this round having come in a slightly more decent person than last time. It was... easier last time. A little. It felt easier.]
Sorry I said I'd come hang out with you, then ruined it with this kind of talk. Want to do something that's actual fun instead, or are you tired? We could just, like, get some ice cream or something.
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I'm used to it, it's okay. [but...they do like the company.] Being tired and eating ice cream aren't mutually exclusive. So sure? Give me strength before heading back to work and stuff.
[haha. ]
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[Which he would find very amusing and cute, but whatever. He still isn't ever sure if they like to be smothered, as Dick Grayson acting as he is, so he lowers his hands and gestures. Walking!]
What kind do you want? Let me guess: you're a fan of sprinkles.
[He's teasing.]
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And I'm not opposed to sprinkles. It's been a while since I've had ice cream. Usually w--[hm. pausing.] I'm not picky, but probably not too extravagant.
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He doesn't rush, walking at an easy pace. He also pretends like he doesn't notice the slip and adjust.]
Might try some Neapolitan. Three flavors in one. [Sneaks a glance at them. After a second of pause:] Looks like doodoo when you mix it up.
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Don't be disgusting. [but they do seem to have thoughts since they pause again. ] Maybe just strawberry for me then, actually.
[maybe a vague reminder of someplace else.]
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Strawberry doesn't sound too bad. Maybe I'll copy you and have strawberry. Or, you know, make you share yours with me. I only have a few cooties.
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I'll eat what you don't eat. [Glances sidelong at them.] I know people probably tell you this all the time, and they shouldn't because it's just as bad as telling someone they're fat, but you need to eat more before I'm able to fly you in the air like a kite.
You sure you're okay? [(jason voice) do you not eat because you have anxiety] It only worries me because I grew up starving most of the time, and I hoarded food because I didn't know when I'd get to eat next.
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I'm okay. It's been a while since I've had to worry about where my next meal's coming from. I just don't always have an appetite. [for a multitude of reasons including sometimes anxiety yes. but there's a tired, sort of humorous huff.] My doctor gets on my case about it a lot.
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