open!

[cowled]

Characters: Bruce Wayne and open
Date: During the mis-spell event!
Location: Lots of places in Keeliai.
Situation: Bruce Wayne is an octogenarian. This ends about as well as you can expect.
Warnings/Rating: Warning for talk of heart issues, so if this bothers or triggers you lmk and I'll avoid it in any threads we do.

Comments

[bolthead]

[Ahhh, the elusive Bigfoot, finally out of his cave.

There's a heartbeat of surprise, less over Bruce's age and more over the simple fact that Bruce is actually here on the turtle. Darkseid had been less than weeks ago for him, and though both Bart and Zatanna had confirmed that Bruce was present on the turtle; Zatanna had confirmed it, words were meaningless without evidence. But now the evidence is right in front of him, albeit with some 30+ years tacked on.

But they're in public, so he stamps down on the surprise and settles for a single raised eyebrow.]

I distinctly remember not liking most of the words that come out of your mouth. [Said dryly, but there's quite a bit of genuine relief and happiness at seeing Bruce alive and (sort of) well.] And yet I'm still so kind to you.

[The words are followed by the tiniest gust of wind accompanied by a blur in vision, gone in less time than it takes to blink. Both could have been attributed to the effects of old age - except the buildings lining the side of the street are decidedly different than they were a second ago.

Clark isn't the only one with a prankster streak in him. He's just the one that shows it more.]

[cowled]

[Well, he can't really argue with that. Most people don't like the words that come out of his mouth. Their loss, as far as he's concerned. Bruce has never cared overmuch about other people's opinions, since so many of them tend to be wrong.

Bruce just. Scowls, at the changes.]

'Kind' isn't a word I'd use to describe you.

[Except it totally is, though, he's just being a grumpybat. There's a moment of silence, in which Bruce grudgingly acknowledges that being an asshole in his public persona isn't good for his cover, then,]

It's good to see you, Barry.

[bolthead]

[It's okay Bruce, because Barry is actually immensely pleased to have a grumpybat in his arms, one that he carefully deposits back on the ground now that they've reached their final exotic destination of across the street.

Grumpy is good. Grumpy means Bruce is still undeniably Bruce and that's something that's reassuring to no end, Flash fact.]

You as well, Bruce. [Said with considerably more warmth than the original statement of compatriot.] You're a lot more put together than last I saw you.

[Which, if there was ever any question about just where exactly Barry had been in the murky timeline of his life, ought to have put that question to rest.]

Heading anywhere specific?

[He'll definitely offer a ride if Bruce is.]

[cowled]

[He just hopes no one else saw that little show of-- whatever it was. Still, Bruce spends enough time being carried around by metahumans it's barely even worth mentioning anymore.]

Hn. Darkseid.

[Not even a question. Just plain fact. There's no one within hearing distance, because no matter how old he is he's still got remarkably keen senses. It's just... other things that are failing him. He resists the urge to reach up and rub at his chest, over his heart.]

I'm monitoring the city for the effects of Zatanna's spell.

[His mouth twitches. Almost a self-deprecatory smile.]

Ineffectually, I might add.

[bolthead]

[There's no surprise at Bruce's immediate deduction of the cause, just a barely perceptible nod. Barry's long gotten used to near-godlike powers of deduction.

And while he'd love nothing more than to continue poking the bear while he's (mostly) incapacitated, the situation right now is at least somewhat serious.]

Do you need any help? [And before he can be interrupted:] I promise not to carry you but I can still move faster than you can.

[And for all that he's nowhere near Bruce's level of detective, he's still got enough training under his belt to keep a mostly critical eye open.]

[cowled]

[It still feels... strange, to consider Barry as being alive to help. Bruce looks at him for a moment, expressionless, but it's not a neutrality that extends to his emotional state as well. Death never got easier, and losing men like Barry was always a blow.

There was a reason Bruce had been avoiding him until now.]

I could use your eyes.

[He admits it, grudgingly. Bruce doesn't like these newfound limitations, but while pride is something he's never lacked, he knows when and how to circumvent it for necessity's sake.]