( closed )

[imaginate]

Characters: Kyle & various.
Date: Catch-all log for July.
Location: All around.
Situation: Various.
Warnings/Rating: War horrors, child abuse, mention of torture, physical and psychological.
Notes: [Action] or prose are all good. Ping me if you'd like a specific setup/threadstarter.

Comments

[imaginate]

'I know,' he says gently. 'She.. kind of already knows one—' (Tim) '—and it's not exactly difficult to narrow it down to the other—' (Damian) '—especially since he spends time with her.'

He'd just seen how awful Zatanna felt, thinking she might be having a difficult time.

'I'm saying: nip it in the bud before it becomes a real problem. Ask your dad.'

[hackingyoursensors]

For some reason, it was weird for Kyle to refer to Bruce as Dick's dad. Maybe because he said it so casually, even knowing Bruce is big scary Batman.

"I will."

He's not sure if Bruce will go for it, but the circumstances here are different.

Dick still seems distracted, worried.

[imaginate]

Family was family, different universe or not. He knew Dick missed his real father, but the Bruce here was all he had and whatever issues they had, Bruce was at least there for them, unlike Ollie.

'Hey,' he says, to bring Dick's attention back to him, 'anything you want to talk to me about?'

[hackingyoursensors]

He hesitates, his expression falling a little.

"What if she doesn't like me when she finds out who I am? What if she thinks I was just messing with her?"

What if she thinks I've betrayed her somehow?

[imaginate]

'Well, you weren't. She'll understand once it's all clearly explained. Probably even be extremely relieved.'

You wouldn't do that to her. Ever.

'Trust me.'

[hackingyoursensors]

He gives Kyle a small, humorless smile.

"In a love triangle with myself. That's a first."

[imaginate]

'Cross it off the bucket list.'

He tilts his head, a smile playing on his lips. You gonna be okay?

[hackingyoursensors]

"I'm pretty sure half of my family would be laughing if they knew. Except, you know, Zatara."

Dick carefully tries not to think of the fate (urk) awaiting Zatara when he gets home. He promised Zatanna he'd try to save her dad, but...

He half-shrugs. As good as I get.

[imaginate]

'Pretty sure they'd need it. You guys need to loosen up once in a while.'

Kyle had his share of grim moments, and he knew he was frequently in danger of falling into darkness, but at least he reached for something else, something better. Held on to hope, and fun, and the like. On his own terms.

[hackingyoursensors]

"Hey, I'm perfectly loose."

Relatively (ha ha).

[imaginate]

'Flexible's a better word for it.'

[hackingyoursensors]

...

"I'm not sure if that was so awful it was funny or just awful."

[imaginate]

'... It's funny!'

Obviously.

[hackingyoursensors]

"Sure."

He puts his hands in his pockets, looking not quite serious but not quite lighthearted.

"Thanks for all of this. I... should probably let you get back to your dinner. Have a few things to think about, to be honest."

[imaginate]

They reach the Water Sector again and Kyle squeezes Dick's shoulder gently. He was planning to talk to Wally at earliest opportunity, to discuss all of it, because it was getting ridiculous.

'Hey, it's no problem.'

[hackingyoursensors]

Dick shoots Kyle one last smile before he turns and makes his way to Wood.