[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.
[DON'T BULLY THEM BY SAYING GOOD. Stop smirking, too.
He gestures very grandiose-like at the restaurant when they arrive. They just go to this fancy restaurant for ice cream.]
I can't talk. I was about your size when I was a teenager. Surprised Batman didn't ball me up and put me in the dumpster like a foil wrapper when he caught me stealing his tires.
[DON'T JUST SAY GOOD? but to the restaurant they go and they follow after jason with little protest. sure. they can eat fancy ice cream.]
Most people didn't pay attention until they had to. [it's an off-handed mention. ] I left the place I was at not long after my sister left--[died, but they're being careful how to phrase things.]--so I took care of myself for a couple of years until I ended up going back. Why were you trying to steal tires...?
[Jason will eat his own ice cream and then half the ice cream Aquarius leaves behind. Nice.]
Money. [They were right. He pauses. Whatever he started to say has failed him. Something... Some pieces are missing? He's a little concerned when he can't find the connections, and it looks like it visibly sort of worries him.] Guess I was a little punk...?
Maybe he shouldn't have had his ride parked in Crime Alley.
[ice cream...fine by them. they will have a sit and eat a few bites and call it a day, but they're listening to jason anyway. even if there's a frown. hm. right. missing memories...they don't think about what, exactly, jason's missing but they are aware it's probably something very huge to who he is.]
Maybe you were. Does seem like a dumb place to park an expensive vehicle. [...] So what did actually happen after he caught you?
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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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[DON'T BULLY THEM BY SAYING GOOD. Stop smirking, too.
He gestures very grandiose-like at the restaurant when they arrive. They just go to this fancy restaurant for ice cream.]
I can't talk. I was about your size when I was a teenager. Surprised Batman didn't ball me up and put me in the dumpster like a foil wrapper when he caught me stealing his tires.
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Most people didn't pay attention until they had to. [it's an off-handed mention. ] I left the place I was at not long after my sister left--[died, but they're being careful how to phrase things.]--so I took care of myself for a couple of years until I ended up going back. Why were you trying to steal tires...?
[they assume money, but.]
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Money. [They were right. He pauses. Whatever he started to say has failed him. Something... Some pieces are missing? He's a little concerned when he can't find the connections, and it looks like it visibly sort of worries him.] Guess I was a little punk...?
Maybe he shouldn't have had his ride parked in Crime Alley.
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Maybe you were. Does seem like a dumb place to park an expensive vehicle. [...] So what did actually happen after he caught you?
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He bought me a cheeseburger. [He was starving, but... why? Why was he so hungry? Weird.] Took me to a boy's home. Great.
But ended up coming back later to get me.
[There are some things missing here, too, but it's fine.]
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Makes sense. Guess that makes him a "good guy" for coming to get you and take you back with him later instead of leaving you there.
[hm.]