[In a way, Jason doesn't get it. His instinct is to get away from things that have the power to hurt him. And he knows that the team all turning on Dick probably hurt him worse than it had Jason. Dick had been their friend, after all. Jason was just someone they barely knew. It had to hit him worse. And he still wants to do it all again.
But then, Jason does get it too. Because he's here, and sometimes going it alone sucks.]
If that's what you want, having me hang around is probably a shitty way to start. They're not going to want me around, and I still don't know shit about a team.
[ Yeah, it hurt. It hurt more than anything, and he carried that pain and guilt with him all the way to a jail cell. It was selfish and foolish, and now that he's got his head out of his ass once again, he's willing to try again. ]
There's no reason for them to not want you around, Jason. Things got twisted up, yeah, but we all played our part. If you're willing to try, we can make it happen. You know more than you think you do.
[Jason snorts again, because yes there fucking was. Everything else aside, personality clashes were still a thing in teams, and Jason had only gotten along with Gar, pretty much. And probably not anymore, given where that had gotten Gar.
But he doesn't outright turn Dick down. Jason's doesn't know what he's doing. It's not that unusual a feeling for him, but he doesn't usually feel so ... lost about it.
[ Personality clashes happen in teams, and Dick knows it takes some time to iron everything out. He knows that the way he handled things only added to the tension.... and yeah, okay. Jason isn't the easiest person to get along with, but that doesn't mean he should be cast out.
When Jason doesn't completely turn the idea down, Dick takes that as a win. A big win. He can work with this. ]
Okay. That's all I'm asking for, Jason. Just think about it. And in the meantime you can still come by.
[Jason sucks at his teeth for a second before shrugging. He'll think about it. It doesn't mean he'll do anything about it but maybe he'll just ... come by once in a while. Text more. See from there.]
Yeah. Okay. I should get going now though, probably.
[If only because that'd been a lot of talking and he felt awkward about it now.]
See you around? [A wry little smile.] Or sooner, if you're desperate and don't get your coffee machine fixed. Pretty sure B can afford a new one you know.
[ Dick takes this as a win. A big win. That shrug isn't a complete and all out no, and that's more than he could have asked for. Maybe it won't turn into anything, or maybe Jason will change his mind... but maybe he won't, and Dick has to hold onto that part of it.
He has to, especially after everything that's happened. ]
Okay.
[ He gets it. Jason needs to retreat and regroup, and hopefully not decide that Dick's full of shit and none of this is worth it in the meantime. ]
I'll get the coffee machine fixed. But you could see me around sooner if you'll let me pay you back by grabbing a coffee with you sometime, hm?
[ Dick feels good about this. He knows it took a lot for Jason to keep in touch with him, to come over here, to talk to him even though they said they wouldn't. He knows it took a hell of a lot, and he's not going to fuck this up this time.
So it's only a couple days before Dick texts him again- wanting Jason to give some time and space to think, but also not too much time so that Jason thinks this was all bullshit. It's early, but Dick hasn't been to sleep yet. He's feeling less than spectacular, but doesn't want to hole himself up in his room. He wants to reach out. ]
[Jason expects Dick to get in contact again. But he doesn't expect it to really be about coffee. He figures more like another invitation to come stay. And he's not gonna take it, not yet anyway. But he has admitted, to himself at least, that his current shithole is looking shittier than normal and the fact that he barely talks to anyone he's not punching is getting to him.
But it actually IS about coffee. Jason hasn't made it to bed yet, is just starting back from the alley he'd been camping in for the night to try to catch sight of a meet up when the text comes in. He smiles a little despite himself, eyes rolling.]
What, you need delivery service again? I'm gonna start charging.
[ Dick has a feeling Jason could use some company. He could use some company too, but that's a little harder to come by these days. He misses Donna, and he finds that he misses Jason too, despite how much they always clashed at the tower. At least one of those things he can do something about. ]
I'm paying this time. Along with some breakfast if you want it.
[Jason takes a few minutes to answer, since he has to make his way back to where his bike is hidden and then get clear of where he'd been. But then he pulls over, slouching on the bike as he answers.]
[It's not far off from that time estimate when Jason texts Dick to say he's around the corner. He parks a little ways away automatically and tries to smooth down his wild curls without even a little success. He still looks like he's been through a windtunnel or three.
He's also sporting a new, healing split lip and a dark shadow on his jaw, but when aren't they all sporting little bruises and injuries?
He scans the shop as he steps in, looking around for Dick.]
[ Dick is there, already going through one coffee, but he'll definitely have a second once Jason gets here. He's already well on his way to pushing his initial tiredness away by the time Jason's shows.
Dick's got a few spotty bruises along his jaw as well, but Jason's split lip is hard to beat. Especially because it makes those lips that much harder not to stare at.
He raises a hand when Jason starts looking around for him and waits for him to come over, glad that he actually showed. He could really get used to it, though he knows he shouldn't just yet. ]
[ Dick keeps his tone light, though it's not hard to do, considering brightness in Jason's smile, even if it's gone quick, and his slouchy nature, which always lingers. ]
Looks like you got into it last night. Did you ice that lip?
[ He knows he's going to get a dad comment or something of the sort, but he just can't help himself. he slides a menu over to Jason while he's at it. ]
Why do you hate yourself? Sugar's not gonna kill you.
[Jason pokes through the menu some more, but sighs, clearly fighting with himself before groaning. The thing is, it's a funny story, even if it's at his expense.]
Okay, so shut up before I tell you this. I wasn't doing shit but some recon last night. But before I got to the spot, I grabbed food, and a couple of blocks over I heard someone yelling. So I went to check it out and a couple of dumb kids were taking off with this old lady's chicken. I didn't even know people could have chickens here if they weren't in a bucket. So I grabbed the chicken to give back. The little shit bit me and I almost dropped it, and had to grab it again, wasn't looking, and when I stood up the old lady clocked me with a purse full of rolls of nickels 'cause she thought I was one of the kids.
[He shrugs.]
But she gave me free dinner when she realized. Pretty damn good, too.
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But then, Jason does get it too. Because he's here, and sometimes going it alone sucks.]
If that's what you want, having me hang around is probably a shitty way to start. They're not going to want me around, and I still don't know shit about a team.
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There's no reason for them to not want you around, Jason. Things got twisted up, yeah, but we all played our part. If you're willing to try, we can make it happen. You know more than you think you do.
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But he doesn't outright turn Dick down. Jason's doesn't know what he's doing. It's not that unusual a feeling for him, but he doesn't usually feel so ... lost about it.
So he gives in, just a little.]
Maybe I'll think about it.
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When Jason doesn't completely turn the idea down, Dick takes that as a win. A big win. He can work with this. ]
Okay. That's all I'm asking for, Jason. Just think about it. And in the meantime you can still come by.
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Yeah. Okay. I should get going now though, probably.
[If only because that'd been a lot of talking and he felt awkward about it now.]
See you around? [A wry little smile.] Or sooner, if you're desperate and don't get your coffee machine fixed. Pretty sure B can afford a new one you know.
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He has to, especially after everything that's happened. ]
Okay.
[ He gets it. Jason needs to retreat and regroup, and hopefully not decide that Dick's full of shit and none of this is worth it in the meantime. ]
I'll get the coffee machine fixed. But you could see me around sooner if you'll let me pay you back by grabbing a coffee with you sometime, hm?
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Yeah, maybe. Text me or something if you want.
[Jason gives Dick another shrug and a quick smile and then turns to slip out, head ducked a little, but less wary than he'd looked when he walked in.]
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[ Dick feels good about this. He knows it took a lot for Jason to keep in touch with him, to come over here, to talk to him even though they said they wouldn't. He knows it took a hell of a lot, and he's not going to fuck this up this time.
So it's only a couple days before Dick texts him again- wanting Jason to give some time and space to think, but also not too much time so that Jason thinks this was all bullshit. It's early, but Dick hasn't been to sleep yet. He's feeling less than spectacular, but doesn't want to hole himself up in his room. He wants to reach out. ]
How about that coffee?
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But it actually IS about coffee. Jason hasn't made it to bed yet, is just starting back from the alley he'd been camping in for the night to try to catch sight of a meet up when the text comes in. He smiles a little despite himself, eyes rolling.]
What, you need delivery service again? I'm gonna start charging.
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I'm paying this time. Along with some breakfast if you want it.
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Guess I could eat. Where?
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There's a great little place on the corner of Mercer and 4th if you're in the neighborhood?
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Yeah, I can get there in about forty five minutes, if you're not in a rush.
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Sounds good. See you soon.
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He's also sporting a new, healing split lip and a dark shadow on his jaw, but when aren't they all sporting little bruises and injuries?
He scans the shop as he steps in, looking around for Dick.]
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Dick's got a few spotty bruises along his jaw as well, but Jason's split lip is hard to beat. Especially because it makes those lips that much harder not to stare at.
He raises a hand when Jason starts looking around for him and waits for him to come over, glad that he actually showed. He could really get used to it, though he knows he shouldn't just yet. ]
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He crosses over and slouches down opposite Dick, not looking any more like he slept than Dick does.]
Hey. Took a while, I was across town.
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[ Dick keeps his tone light, though it's not hard to do, considering brightness in Jason's smile, even if it's gone quick, and his slouchy nature, which always lingers. ]
Looks like you got into it last night. Did you ice that lip?
[ He knows he's going to get a dad comment or something of the sort, but he just can't help himself. he slides a menu over to Jason while he's at it. ]
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Whatever they call a Red Eye here, I'll take.
[He touches a finger to his lip reflexively and rolls his eyes.]
Nah. It's fine. I'll put something on it later. It was just a lucky shot.
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You mean like this one? Mine is just straight up though, no sugar. Get some food too, though. I think I'm going to try their egg white omelet.
[ He gives a nod, but doesn't poke at the situation. He knows all about those lucky shots. ]
What'd the guy do?
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Why do you hate yourself? Sugar's not gonna kill you.
[Jason pokes through the menu some more, but sighs, clearly fighting with himself before groaning. The thing is, it's a funny story, even if it's at his expense.]
Okay, so shut up before I tell you this. I wasn't doing shit but some recon last night. But before I got to the spot, I grabbed food, and a couple of blocks over I heard someone yelling. So I went to check it out and a couple of dumb kids were taking off with this old lady's chicken. I didn't even know people could have chickens here if they weren't in a bucket. So I grabbed the chicken to give back. The little shit bit me and I almost dropped it, and had to grab it again, wasn't looking, and when I stood up the old lady clocked me with a purse full of rolls of nickels 'cause she thought I was one of the kids.
[He shrugs.]
But she gave me free dinner when she realized. Pretty damn good, too.