( he's so new. jason's heard bruce bitch about how it's justice, not vengeance so many fucking times. he knows it--had been this way for bruce, once upon a time. when he was young, new, when he was full of hurt and a need to punish. but that's not the bruce jason knew. his knee stays on bruce's chest, weight pressing down against it. the grip on the fabric of his uniform doesn't lessen, either. jason doesn't move away, he just stays right where he is.

watching bruce carefully. tries to steady himself a little, because it sure would be a shame if he let bruce break him down. )

You've met them, haven't you? The kids. ( tim and dick. the two robins that shouldn't be so little but are and it's still fucking jason up. he knew damn well he's a shit choice to keep an eye on dick, but somehow he moved dick into his place anyway. tim is--someone jason shouldn't be around, ever, but that's another problem. all of this is another problem. irrelevant. ) They look up to you. You're the person they turn to when they need someone, and it doesn't matter if you're not the one they're used to. Back home, he'd bitch about how it's not vengeance, it's justice he needs to fight for. Batman is a symbol, someone even the alleyrats look for when shit goes south for 'em. I get you're chasing your vendetta, but if you're gonna bitch at me about keeping Dick safe, you'd better do your part and not act like a shithead intent on digging his own grave.

( words jason should take to heart, too. but what fun is that. )