riverviewlogs | [Open] Just a night

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[Open] Just a night

who: Jason Todd, OTA.
what: Jay is settling in.
when: July 11th.
where: Floor Six, and Quarantine Bar, more may be added!
warnings: Most likely just language for now, but will update!

A: Floor Six - Open

Since moving into his space on Floor Six, Jason Todd had made it a point to rarely be in. Aside from attending the meeting that had happened the day before. It was the middle of the afternoon when Jay made his way inside home to long, he had dropped a couple bags on the kitchen counter, and his phone tossed inside of a cup to make the song playing off his phone play louder while he dug around for pans and a cutting board. Considering he had eaten out most of the festival he figured he needed to save money before he blew through it all. New clothes were still something he needed to buy, so food needed to be cheaper.

The older rock tunes floated through the sixth floor, as did the eventual smell of a vegetable stew. Jason himself had hoisted himself up to sit on the counter as he flipped through the friendr app. The stew would be ready within the hour, so he was mostly killing time. He didn't want to be hungry when he leaves later to go see Dick.

B: quarantine bar - Open

It was well near midnight when Jason found himself sitting at the Quarantine Bar. He had planned to head out to Trixie, and yet, decided at the last moment to skip out on it. Eventually he had found himself at the bar, sitting by himself with head propped on one hand with his fingers tangled in his dark hair. A beer sat in front of him half empty, he was listening to the sounds of the club. He was tired but he refused to even consider sleep while it was still so early in the night. Which was why he was reading to keep his mind occupied but not wandering.

Eventually he closed the book and lifted his arms over his head, stretching and yawning at the same time. He shifted off the stool and moved to go see if there was anyone sitting around he could bother at the late hour, with little concern for the fact he would have to be at work in the morning.

C: Wild Card

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ He'd figured from the start that masks-on would somehow make this easier, and maybe it should be a relief that it's actually not. He knows the helmet by now, and he should've known better than to be surprised by the guns this time. He'd worn them here for a reason. He tells himself that one day that won't twist his heart tight enough to steal his breath away.

Today Dick wears easy grace like armor, cartwheeling down from his perch into a lightfooted landing on an edge of loose scaffolding. His folds his arms; untouchable. Solid. He knows better this time than to show Jason anything else. ]

You seriously thought I wasn't gonna show?

[ Because he'd kind of been expecting to be stood up himself. ]

[ One thing Jason took to heart when he was still wearing the old green short shorts, a mask does a lot to protect a person. Be it from themselves or from the world, Jason was a man in a mask, with a helmet over it. Protecting himself in layers and with voice changers.

A sign of peace was the fact he didn't draw one of his guns when Dick cartwheeled down. Like with Bruce, sometimes Jason just loved to see how Dick worked. Idly wondering if Dick felt more free in his costumes to.

He walked to the edge keeping distance, and slipping his hands in his jacket pockets as he looked down through the helmet. ]

I wouldn't have blamed you. But no, I knew you'd show. [ The red helmet turned Dick's way, he didn't say anything else yet.]

While Friends is a rerun? [ The helmet is a little unfair, and any display of uncertainty here in response to that would tip whatever balance they have in Jason's favor. Dick stands his ground instead, the picture of unworried ease. It's Jason's move. He won't give an inch until he makes it. ]

Why not.

...You watch Friends?

[ He shouldn't be surprised, but it got a laugh out of him. Reaching up he undid the helmet, mostly because laughing with it on sounded weird. When it was removed, he still had the red domino on. He sat down on the edge of the building, he might not trust a lot of things but he knew Dick wouldn't shove him off.]

We have a lot of bad blood between us, and if your serious about letting it run under the bridge, we can just leave it at that. Just, be warned, I am not the kid you knew, I can never be that person. In my time I'm only just starting to get back on friendly terms with everyone but I'm an outlaw, Dick. So, there you have it.

[ He looked out upon the city instead of at Dick, taking in the sight of the new city. Nothing like Gotham, which was good in a way, but not what he wanted. He couldn't deny it was still a hell of a view.]

[ Dick takes his time studying the skyline, face turned away. It would be easier somehow if he could be as angry at Jason as he is at himself. For not trying harder. Being there. For allowing this to happen. He takes a breath. ]

Well if we're cutting to the chase... [ And he lowers himself carefully into the space beside Jason at last. The tension hasn't left his posture yet. ] -that kind of goes both ways.

I'm not exactly the same guy you have such a problem with.

I like to cut the bullshit when it comes to these things. Everything else I can bullshit all day.

[ He crossed his arms, looking over to Dick, sitting next to him. It felt better having Dick there, even if he knew he didn't deserve it.]

So, we've both changed. Do you really want to do this Dick? I can't promise I wont disappoint you again.

[ Somehow it's a question that catches him off guard. As if he's still halfway expecting Dick to tell him no. Stand up now and walk away.

He'd walked away once already. He'd left Jason on a roof like this one because he'd been angry. Disappointed. It isn't hard at all, suddenly, to imagine exactly what that tight wedge between them looks like, in that other world. He can feel it there now, ready to cut through the fragile heart of whatever this is. Whatever bridge they're here to try and build. ]

Not a chance the Jason Todd where I'm from is ever going to have. [ His head tips down, and finally the impassive mask slips. ]

So forgive me if it's a little hard on my end to pass up an opportunity to meet the guy he might've been.

[ Jay looked from the city to Dick, but only once the man who by all rights should have been his older brother, had spoke. He wondered a moment, maybe it just hadn't happened yet, maybe it had and Dick didn't know. Either way he was curious. ]

I don't know about that, Dick.

[ He ran a hand through his hair and then reached over one of his gloved hands to shake.]

Tonight we start new then. Just be warned, I'm not the nicest guy, I can and will be a prick.

You'll get a prick right back. [ But he cracks a little smile, and whatever venom might have been there is neutralized. He takes Jason's outstretched hand and shakes it firmly. He wants to believe they can do this. He wants. ]

...So it's good to meet you, if I haven't said it before.

[ That got another crack of a smile as he shook Dick's hand in return. He had a feeling in his gut it wouldn't work out, but at least he could say he had tried before he could hypothetically douse everything in gasoline and watch it burn. ]

I'm gonna refrain from a bad joke there. [ Dick jokes were so easy at moments like these.] Yeah, I don't think we ever did that. It's nice to meet you, Dick.

So, is there anything you want to know about back home?

[ It's an interesting question. Dick has a lot of them, starting with what the hell was the deal with the Lazarus pit you mentioned last time and tell me Tim is alright. All of them feel weighted. Too heavy for the delicate threads between him and Jason right now.

If he does this right, there will be time for that.

So instead he shakes his head a little, giving him a bit of an obvious once-over, up and done. ]

So were you planning to explain the helmet thing, or...

[ Jason let the question sit a silent moment between them looking out at the city again. Idly wishing they had something to distract from anything in his head at the moment.

But instead of speaking he reached down, hitting the button on the inside to open it and power up. Holding it over to Dick.]

Try it on.

[ Jason gets a bit of a look, but it's amused (curious) more than doubtful. He trusts enough to take it from his hands, pulling it on over his mask the way Jason did. Then he tilts his head up, looking for him through the new lenses. ]

What exactly am I looking at? [ Advanced tech? Some kind of VR? He squints, looking for the catch. ]

[ The night-vision lenses, certain helped for seeing in the dark, as did the built in tech. Granted, he had nothing to hook the helmet up to in this place, nothing to update it with new info, so any information displayed was wrong. The voice changer helped to scamble Dick's voice, which made Jason smirk a bit.]

Your seeing the latest military tech built into a full head covering. It keeps my identity hidden, which is a perk when your legally dead, and it's hard to break so extra protection. There is a radio built in, but, all of it was set up for stuff back home. Uh, it will protect you from any poison in the air and shit like that.

[ Jason smiled a little and reached over running a finger on the side, as low music started, low enough that Jason could talk over it.]

It's also synced to my phone for when I get bored on jobs, Bluetooth is a hell of a convenience.

[ The unguarded delight in Dick's face is lost to the mask, but he shimmies his shoulders a little from side to side, jamming out with appreciation.

And the world does look different from in here. Senses a step removed from the touch of the the night air. The glow of the skyline before them. The feel of Jason beside him. All the things he lives and dies by as Nightwing. It's more than protection.

Maybe he gets it now, in a way. ]

I'm gonna need to have a chat with your stylist.

[ And he tugs it off at last, and hands it back to Jason. His smile hasn't faded; he's impressed, in spite of himself ]

[ He couldn't help but smile seeing Dick shimmy like that. It was amusing but he said nothing about it.

Jay reached out and took it, turning it back off, and back sitting it beside him. Pulling one of his knees up on the ledge to rest his arm on as he shook his head amused.]

Nah, your better with that domino. Why deny the world the sight of Nightwing?

[ He looked back out at the sky a moment.]

It's useful, but it's also a means to piss off the Joker. I stole his maiden name warped it into something different. I strike terror into the hearts of criminals Dick, I'm not like B. [ he looked out at the city not looking at the man beside him.] B strikes fear but they know they will be okay, they know when the Red Hood comes for them their going down and their not getting back up....

[ He choose not to mention he had promised Bruce not to kill anyone. He hated playing by Bruce's rules but he was back in Gotham at the time what else could he do? ]

[ And there it is again. The divide they're never going to cross. The impasse they can't seem to move an inch without stepping in. Dick's fists clench.

And suddenly he's on his feet again; too tense, too restless to sit still. ]

So answer me one question- [ He sure is pointing dramatically now. ]

How does that make you better than they are?

How are you not an executioner, if you're putting them in the ground without due process?

[ There's anger in his voice, but also something close to genuine confusion. Hurt. Concern. ]

[ Jason sighed shaking his head, he didn't look back to Dick, he knew if he did he would see red and this would all be for nothing. So much for letting the past go... even though he tore open that wound himself. He was a sucker for pain.

He lets the silence sit for more than a second or two just breathing, thinking about the pack of cigarettes in his jacket pocket. He had planned to keep that habit hidden still but, he really felt the itch for the nicotine. Still he resisted. ]

I'm not a monster. I just put monsters down. [ He starts his tone even, trying to keep his temper in check. He wanted this to work, but it was like being back at square one with one not knowing the rest of the story.] You cant tell me some of them don't deserve to die. They get back out they hurt more people, innocent lives, families lost and destroyed.

A simple slap on the wrist doesn't cut it, actions have consequences. You don't understand the mortality of the situation. You don't understand, I do, I've died, I've been there. It's the only way they learn. They only way they don't do it again.

You think I don't want to strangle him? For what he did to Barbara? For what he did to- [ -you. The word hovers unsaid a second too long.

And then he has to look away, yes prickling. He's angry at himself, for letting this go south so quickly. At Jason, for not being willing to leave it all in that past Dick hasn't lived. For making him see it. See him this way. ]

But where does it stop, right? You make one exception- [ It's nearly a plea. He stops. Drops his hand. ]

You're not a monster, Jason.

[ Jason was quiet while Dick spoke his peace looking out to the night sky. Idly wondering if he would have accepted it if Dick had strangled the Joker. Honestly it was almost like a weight lifted and more added at the same time.

Dick had always been better, he would never be Dick, and yet he would always compare himself. That wasn't his issue tonight. He couldn't leave it in the past, his life was so deep rooted in what had happened that even as he stepped forward he always took two steps back.]

It's not your place to lay a hand on his deranged head. It was B's and he dropped the ball on that big time. I'm not asking you to understand Dick, you cant you wont. Your not me, and you never will be, you can't understand me or my choices. [ He rambled a little the way he does when he's comfortable or stressed. He was more the latter at the second.] What I mean is you don't know if I'm a monster or not. I didn't want to start again on lies, you have a right to know what I am and what I do. I'm not a stupid kid anymore.

Though, maybe this was stupid. I just had to try before I wrote any chance of us being family off again. [ he reached over for his helmet to open it up like he was about to leave.]

[ He scrubs his hands through his hair. Fights for some semblance of equilibrium.

He can't. He cannot let it end this way. He reaches for Jason's arm, intending to latch on tight enough to hold him fast a moment longer. Long enough to hear this. ]

I'm not asking you to lie to me about who you are, I'm asking you to do the right thing now.

[ His eyes look for his under the mask, intent and sad. ]

You can stop, Jason.

[ He hadn't latched the helmet yet, so when Dick's hand latches on his arm he pulls it back down, his blue eyes meeting Dick's, a storm brewing in him. He knew he could just admit B's already had this talk with him. Instead he opts for something else. Less gruff in his tone, keeping his temper in check and his emotions pushed down.]

Dickie, I don't just kill anyone, I kill the ones who deserve it. I am being better, I've been playing by B's rules awhile now. Even if I don't like it. You might not like it, but one of us has to be willing to cross that line for the better of everyone. I can and will be that monster when I need to be. I don't intend to kill anyone here unless it becomes nessisary. And this place is full of superheroes. They will beat me to it before I could try.

[ He sighs before a thought hits him and he starts to laugh through the seriousness of the moment as he looked to Dick.]

Did you know they have super hero porn here? Like for real?

[ If nothing else, that dramatic sense of whiplash is starting to become familiar. It's another reminder of how little they've ever had the chance to know one another. As the boy Jason was then. As the man he is now.

But Jason has a point that the stakes are different here. The needs of this world are different. Is an imperfect impasse the same as compromising? Does he have a chance at ever getting through to Jason at all if he doesn't accept this as progress?

He doesn't know what Bruce would want him to do. What Bruce would ask him to do.

He lets out a little breath at last, not quite a laugh. ]

...And that's coming as a shock?

[ But. Alright, porn. If that's the conversation they're having now. He doesn't smile, but he does back down, tension and visible indecision dissipating a little. ]

You missed out on a lot while you were-

...gone.

[ Jason had been working on trying to be better for awhile, but he didn't want to give Bruce that credit. Or his bad endings with Roy. Lots of reasons factored in, but this world was giving him another chance. A chance to be better with Dick. The older not remembering the terrible things he's done to the family as well.

He's thankful Dick couldn't know about so much of what had happened, not just in his life but in Dick's own. Damian's and Tim's... so much gone. A better chance, and yet he wasn't sure he deserved it. ]

A little yeah, I mean this shit was old school all the way. It was horrifyingly amazing. I know you didn't ask, but I have to say before it sounds weird, it did nothing for me.

[ He waved a hand as he said it, before looking back up at Dick. The emotional whiplash showing on his features, both looking tired and uncertain.]

Not as much as you'd think Dickie, come on sit back down with me. Or we can ditch the masks and go get a drink somewhere.

[ He reads his own emotions there in Jason, and It occurs to him for the first time that maybe they're both looking for the same nameless, unspoken thing here. And probably, probably that means they're afraid of the same things. Disappointment. Another chance lost. ]

Fine. Let's... let's bag all that for now and just... [ Leave. Drink. The tension in his muscles dissolves at last as he peels his domino off, rubbing tiredly at his eyes underneath. ]

I've had enough of masks for one night.

[ He wants to know Jason. ]

[Open] Just a night

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