[the tunnel swallows them up and the outside world disappears. there's a soft noise of confusion like they weren't immediately expecting it, but they finally turn their head back to jason to stare up at him. this is a boring tunnel so they aren't missing anything.]
[They are so funny. But this tunnel is boring, so it's fine.]
Depends on you, buckaroo. You hopping off, or are you staying on? Doesn't make any difference to me. I've been on this loop plenty of times. So, what d'you say?
[Aquarius has the choice to decide. They getting off, or are they going around Gotham?]
Well, I haven't. [like that makes a difference? but they seem to be debating outwardly wanting to admit they want to keep going or taking what they got and calling it a day. their hand grips the bar a little, thinking to themselves.]
...I don't really want to go back to the hotel yet when there's still stuff to look at. We can loop back to the beginning.
[also less time outside of the hotel, the better, but they don't outwardly say that. the outside is different when it's dark out.]
[This makes him laugh, and it's easier to hear as the train stops at the platform for the few minutes of disembarking and embarking.]
Sure. We can go around. You want to ride the whole way out here, or do you want to sit comfy on the inside? Well--as comfy as a dirty Gotham interior will get you.
Yeah, you can. You can still see a lot, and maybe without the tears you have from the wind slapping you in the face. Hold on.
[He twists a bit and flings himself off the rails and back of the train toward the side and away from the tracks. Like without any hesitation, as if he’s done it a million times.
Once he stands up again, he turns around and holds his arms open at Aquarius like before.]
[they watch jason fling himself off a train. it's something he recognizes, the agility and strength of someone who does this repeated, and they think a little about what they know about jason in general.
it makes sense.
and then he pauses and he waits, and it takes a few moments for them to decide if they want to trust this. it's not like jason's going to drop them on the tracks or anything. they could manage fine alone if they needed to. but maybe they don't have to, for once.
so all of this is to say that they're essentially mimicking the movement to fling themselves off of this train and straight at jason. catch.]
[He waits for Aquarius to jump without rushing. He catches them mostly with his hands rather than catching them in a bear hug, but it's so he can plop them down on their feet quickly and usher them toward the edge of the platform.
There's a wall-mounted ladder, but their time is short, so he hefts Aquarius up at the midsection once they get there to let Aquarius grab onto the top part of the ladder and save time. All Aquarius has to do is climb onto the platform off the top. Tada.
Jason is a dorito who jumps up the ladder two at a time.]
[they don't reply immediately, jumping and letting jason set them on their feet before they head for the edge of the platform.]
Survival instincts and delinquency aren't really the same. [so it's fine? they don't mind. instead, there's an indignant little noise when they're lifted onto the ladder, but they grab on and they're moving.] I know how to climb!
[The fuss makes him laugh.] I know, but time is of the essence, 'Arius! You miss this one, and you'll be waiting about thirty-five for the next one. [He gives them a patpat between the shoulder blades.]
Race ya.
[He just
immediately takes off sprinting for one of the closest pairs of doors for the train without even letting them decide how they want to respond.]
jason's running, and there's another indignant noise from aquarius before they just take off after him? the thing about it is that for being much smaller than jason they're pretty decently quick which means they catch up not long after.
they also don't bother running the rest of the way and just take a running leap for the doors. like a flying squirrel. goodbye. it's debatable who actually gets there first, that is your call anna, i don't know how fast jay moves on foot.]
[Jason is actually pretty fast for a dude who has two hundred pounds of wind resistance, but it's funnier if skinny Aquarius wins by flying squirreling it right into the train. Jason makes sure he doesn't take them out by also trying to leap into the train.
Seeing this happen, though, makes Jason burst into amused laughter as he sprinting jumps from the platform into the train. He grabs the bar by the door to stop himself, but also to hold himself up as he continues to cackle.]
[it's fine? it's absolutely fine seeing how they jump and kind of dodge roll out of the way before getting back to their feet and clearing space for jason to jump. once they're both on, they
okay, they just stand there completely unamused jason's just laughing like an asshole.]
You're the one who started running first. What did you expect? [competitive...] And anyway it worked so who cares how it looked?
[it absolutely looked. so stupid. it's fine. they're here.]
Anyway you're the one who said we were on a clock, weren't you? Would've been stupid to run only to miss it anyway.
[Hold on. HOLD ON. He has tears in the corners of his eyes. He is still holding onto the pole and laughing. Aaaaa, help. How fastly they jumped straight into the train.]
Hahaha... oh man... Like a lilypad jumping frog...
[Wiping his eyes with the back of a hooked finger.] I just wanted to see if you had the guts to race me. Looks like you did. [Disgustingly fond about this. He likes it when people are rowdy like him.
And sure enough, the train's doors all pull closed. It begins to chug forward from the platform. So Aquarius isn't wrong.]
You'd never be late for anything if you kept that up, especially not the closing doors of a tram.
[what the hell happened to my tag and why don't i know english, good lord, repetition. anyway jason's laughing and aquarius looks like they may be debating kicking him in the shin to make him stop. but they do not. instead, they fold their arms over their chest and kind of huff, an attempt to make themselves look a little bigger.]
I don't like backing down from challenges. And I'm not a frog. [so THERE.
but the train pulls forward and aquarius looks around the train car, taking in everything they can see. it's also easier so they don't have to look at jason when they talk.]
I don't like wasting time. [it's kind of softer than before, more factual than anything.] And I'm used to working with a lot of tight deadlines. Every minute counts for stuff. Missing a train would mean waiting more than half an hour for another, and a lot can happen on the other side of the city in that timeframe.
The inside of the train is dingy, and it's actually been tagged a little here and there too. Such is the life of Gotham. The windows are big, though, so they can see out as the train is flung from the first tunnel into the open air again around the city. It's quieter in here, making both their ears feel deafened from how beat they had been by the wind before. But it's fine.]
The only punctual thing I've ever been to is my death.
[they're watching out the window at least, quiet for a moment as they let that hang between them. they watch the city pass by them, staring for a long while before they speak again.]
That's because death waits for no one. It's not kind or patient enough to. [thanks, emo child. but they don't seem bothered with this either, and instead...] ...I think maybe someday I'd like to tell you more.
[which is a vague statement, but they assume jason will understand.]
[Well, he is watching them even if he can't see shit because he's seen Gotham a million times. It's not new to him. But then he does finally tilt his head to peer out of the window at what they're passing.
Towering buildings and glowing lights. Apartments. Cars. Police.]
You're not wrong. [He won't begrudge Aquarius the emo-ness because he, too, is an edgy emo kid.] Heh.
I think someday I'd like to hear it. Hopefully sooner rather than later.
[He doesn't finish what he's saying for a long moment, eyes out the window. Unfortunate that there's a sync, so Aquarius gets the soft feelings anyway.]
...It's yours, so. Your story. So I'd like to hear it anyway.
unfortunately it's mutual. it's a little like a bird fluttering in its cage, the door wide open and still waiting to make sure it's safe to take flight. it'd be...nice, maybe, if jason didn't freak out upon hearing more. whenever that may be. they aren't going to pretend jason isn't aware they're not who they say they are. but they can't share out loud yet.
there's a soft huff though at that.]
...when I'm off the clock then. I'll take a break and tell you whatever you want to know. You're you. I wouldn't be surprised if you had your own questions.
Pspspsp, little black birdy. But it's fine. Jason... gets it? He was like the hissing kitten that tried to scratch you with its little needles when he was young. He didn't trust anyone, and he didn't trust anyone when he got out of the grave either. It took a long time to be able to trust people, to trust them more than believing they'd hurt him.]
I've got a few, but they can wait. When you're off the clock then. Can't wait to see all the closet skeletons.
[once again i would love for you to know how much i hate this cr because it really is just a giant circle of "same hat" on repeat.
so yeah. trust is a wildass thing they're both still figuring out, except jason makes a stupid joke and they jerk in surprise. it's brief and subtle, but they smooth themselves out and relax just slightly before shaking their head.]
Very funny, Todd. [rude.] I'll let you know when. [but for now, city watching. there's a vague semblance of gratitude though.]
Aquarius has skeletons in their closet. They do, but Jason does not know this. He was just making a bad joke that I forced him to make. He probably wouldn't be scared of the skeletons, though, actually.]
You can just call me Jay, you know.
[This very Damian-like energy of Todd is endearing to him in a rascal sort of way. Sometimes, you end up with two very edgy little brothers...?]
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[Aquarius gets him, and there is a feeling of adjutant fondness as the second tunnel for the next stop swallows them up.
The brakes on the train hiss as it starts slowing down for the platform yards ahead. This tunnel isn’t as cool as the other one. :(]
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...staying? Or is this our stop?
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Depends on you, buckaroo. You hopping off, or are you staying on? Doesn't make any difference to me. I've been on this loop plenty of times. So, what d'you say?
[Aquarius has the choice to decide. They getting off, or are they going around Gotham?]
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...I don't really want to go back to the hotel yet when there's still stuff to look at. We can loop back to the beginning.
[also less time outside of the hotel, the better, but they don't outwardly say that. the outside is different when it's dark out.]
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Sure. We can go around. You want to ride the whole way out here, or do you want to sit comfy on the inside? Well--as comfy as a dirty Gotham interior will get you.
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[...but.]
You can still see just as much from in there right?
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Yeah, you can. You can still see a lot, and maybe without the tears you have from the wind slapping you in the face. Hold on.
[He twists a bit and flings himself off the rails and back of the train toward the side and away from the tracks. Like without any hesitation, as if he’s done it a million times.
Once he stands up again, he turns around and holds his arms open at Aquarius like before.]
Come on, I’ve got you.
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[they watch jason fling himself off a train. it's something he recognizes, the agility and strength of someone who does this repeated, and they think a little about what they know about jason in general.
it makes sense.
and then he pauses and he waits, and it takes a few moments for them to decide if they want to trust this. it's not like jason's going to drop them on the tracks or anything. they could manage fine alone if they needed to. but maybe they don't have to, for once.
so all of this is to say that they're essentially mimicking the movement to fling themselves off of this train and straight at jason. catch.]
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[He waits for Aquarius to jump without rushing. He catches them mostly with his hands rather than catching them in a bear hug, but it's so he can plop them down on their feet quickly and usher them toward the edge of the platform.
There's a wall-mounted ladder, but their time is short, so he hefts Aquarius up at the midsection once they get there to let Aquarius grab onto the top part of the ladder and save time. All Aquarius has to do is climb onto the platform off the top. Tada.
Jason is a dorito who jumps up the ladder two at a time.]
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Survival instincts and delinquency aren't really the same. [so it's fine? they don't mind. instead, there's an indignant little noise when they're lifted onto the ladder, but they grab on and they're moving.] I know how to climb!
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Race ya.
[He just
immediately takes off sprinting for one of the closest pairs of doors for the train without even letting them decide how they want to respond.]
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jason's running, and there's another indignant noise from aquarius before they just take off after him? the thing about it is that for being much smaller than jason they're pretty decently quick which means they catch up not long after.
they also don't bother running the rest of the way and just take a running leap for the doors. like a flying squirrel. goodbye. it's debatable who actually gets there first, that is your call anna, i don't know how fast jay moves on foot.]
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Seeing this happen, though, makes Jason burst into amused laughter as he sprinting jumps from the platform into the train. He grabs the bar by the door to stop himself, but also to hold himself up as he continues to cackle.]
You should have seen how you looked jumping in!
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okay, they just stand there completely unamused jason's just laughing like an asshole.]
You're the one who started running first. What did you expect? [competitive...] And anyway it worked so who cares how it looked?
[it absolutely looked. so stupid. it's fine. they're here.]
Anyway you're the one who said we were on a clock, weren't you? Would've been stupid to run only to miss it anyway.
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Hahaha... oh man... Like a lilypad jumping frog...
[Wiping his eyes with the back of a hooked finger.] I just wanted to see if you had the guts to race me. Looks like you did. [Disgustingly fond about this. He likes it when people are rowdy like him.
And sure enough, the train's doors all pull closed. It begins to chug forward from the platform. So Aquarius isn't wrong.]
You'd never be late for anything if you kept that up, especially not the closing doors of a tram.
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I don't like backing down from challenges. And I'm not a frog. [so THERE.
but the train pulls forward and aquarius looks around the train car, taking in everything they can see. it's also easier so they don't have to look at jason when they talk.]
I don't like wasting time. [it's kind of softer than before, more factual than anything.] And I'm used to working with a lot of tight deadlines. Every minute counts for stuff. Missing a train would mean waiting more than half an hour for another, and a lot can happen on the other side of the city in that timeframe.
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The inside of the train is dingy, and it's actually been tagged a little here and there too. Such is the life of Gotham. The windows are big, though, so they can see out as the train is flung from the first tunnel into the open air again around the city. It's quieter in here, making both their ears feel deafened from how beat they had been by the wind before. But it's fine.]
The only punctual thing I've ever been to is my death.
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That's because death waits for no one. It's not kind or patient enough to. [thanks, emo child. but they don't seem bothered with this either, and instead...] ...I think maybe someday I'd like to tell you more.
[which is a vague statement, but they assume jason will understand.]
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Towering buildings and glowing lights. Apartments. Cars. Police.]
You're not wrong. [He won't begrudge Aquarius the emo-ness because he, too, is an edgy emo kid.] Heh.
I think someday I'd like to hear it. Hopefully sooner rather than later.
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I don't know if you'll still like it after you hear it. But I guess we'll see. Who knows when? That's maybe a future thing.
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[He doesn't finish what he's saying for a long moment, eyes out the window. Unfortunate that there's a sync, so Aquarius gets the soft feelings anyway.]
...It's yours, so. Your story. So I'd like to hear it anyway.
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unfortunately it's mutual. it's a little like a bird fluttering in its cage, the door wide open and still waiting to make sure it's safe to take flight. it'd be...nice, maybe, if jason didn't freak out upon hearing more. whenever that may be. they aren't going to pretend jason isn't aware they're not who they say they are. but they can't share out loud yet.
there's a soft huff though at that.]
...when I'm off the clock then. I'll take a break and tell you whatever you want to know. You're you. I wouldn't be surprised if you had your own questions.
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Pspspsp, little black birdy. But it's fine. Jason... gets it? He was like the hissing kitten that tried to scratch you with its little needles when he was young. He didn't trust anyone, and he didn't trust anyone when he got out of the grave either. It took a long time to be able to trust people, to trust them more than believing they'd hurt him.]
I've got a few, but they can wait. When you're off the clock then. Can't wait to see all the closet skeletons.
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so yeah. trust is a wildass thing they're both still figuring out, except jason makes a stupid joke and they jerk in surprise. it's brief and subtle, but they smooth themselves out and relax just slightly before shaking their head.]
Very funny, Todd. [rude.] I'll let you know when. [but for now, city watching. there's a vague semblance of gratitude though.]
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Aquarius has skeletons in their closet. They do, but Jason does not know this. He was just making a bad joke that I forced him to make. He probably wouldn't be scared of the skeletons, though, actually.]
You can just call me Jay, you know.
[This very Damian-like energy of Todd is endearing to him in a rascal sort of way. Sometimes, you end up with two very edgy little brothers...?]
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