[ text | un: jkent ]

[supersweet]

psa: no one is allowed to tell me off for wandering alone in riverview because you guys are all the worst kids ever when you get tiny.

you also all have like zero self-preservation instincts. ZERO.

also if you're a tiny kid and you don't want adults in your business, I'm happy to help out.

Comments

[supersweet]

[ He blinks, caught off guard. Jon's never realized how much he's looked like his father. But he's not bothered as Jon shakes his hand warmly, with that faint trace of alien strength behind it. ]

Yep! You helped me out through a tough time, so I owe you one. How're you holding up so far?

[pixieboots]

I'm okay. Thanks for asking, pal.

[ And he gives him a more genuine smile, because it's kind of nice to think that Officer Grayson helped out this kid somehow, even if Dick can't fathom how. ]

It's just, uh- weird, that's all.

[supersweet]

Yeah, I'll bet.

[ Jon's pretty used to weird, but if he was in Dick's shoes, he'd probably freak out a little. ]

But it doesn't have to be weird all on your own.

[pixieboots]

Yeah? [ The relief in his face is actually palpable for a moment. It seems Dick's poker face can only improve with age. ]

Well, lucky for you I didn't come empty handed.

[ He brought an entire bag of candy in fact, which he fishes out of the bag he's carrying at his side. ]

You chocolate or vanilla?

[ There Can Only Be One. ]

[supersweet]

Chocolate!

[ No question about it. ]

Is there anything else on your mind though?

[pixieboots]

[ Dick hands the candy over as if Jon passed an unspecified litmus, grin fading only after the question has the chance to sit for a few seconds. He ought to stop beating around the bush. ]

You know about me, right?

About Robin?

[ Saying it out loud makes his heart flutter. Batman would never forgive him. ]

[supersweet]

[ He blinks. He forgets that other superheroes have to hold their identities close. For Jon, it's not a name so much as his entire being. ]

Yeah. I mean, I don't know all about it, but I know enough. Batman hangs out at my place pretty often.

[pixieboots]

Heh. Bet he loves that. [ And the thought brings a smile to his face, even as it gives him a little pang at the same time. Bruce needs friends. It's nice to imagine him settling on Superman.

He hesitates before he looks Jon in the eye. ]

...What about the other Robins?

I know there's more now.

[supersweet]

Uhm, I think there's a lot more now. Damian's the current Robin and the others have new names, I think?

[ The bat-hierarchy is very confusing. Jon scratches the back of his neck. ]

[pixieboots]

...Yeah. I figured.

[ It bothers him, and he doesn't really want Jon to see that, so he studies the ground instead. ]

Well don't hold out on me, pal. What's your Super opinion?

They doing okay?

[supersweet]

I'm not much of a Super anything yet.

[ He may have the title, but he hasn't done much with it. ]

They're okay. The ones I met here are nice and they care.

[ Damian is Jon's hot mess so, out of kindness, Jon leaves him out. ]

[pixieboots]

Old guy me? [ He has to ask. His gaze is steady, but there's a real flicker of fear lurking there. ]

He's okay too?

[supersweet]

[ Huh. ]

He's fine. Great, even. He was a big help when I was in trouble.

[pixieboots]

Okay. [ Something dark in his expression eases a little. It isn't Jon's fault. ]

Thank's for, um. Being honest.

[supersweet]

Sure. It's not like I'm holding anything back.

Are you sure you're okay? It sounds like you've got a lot on your mind.

[pixieboots]

[ He doesn't want to impose. Doesn't want to assume more than Jon is willing to offer. But he hesitates there anyway. No one else has asked him the question at all. ]

...Do you, uh- do you play any ball?

Cause I play.

[supersweet]

Yeah, I play.

But I've got an advantage. Are you cool with that?

[pixieboots]

Sure. [ And his smile brightens at once. ]

I've sort of got one too. At least against normal kids. [ No one like Jon, that's for sure. ]

Batman doesn't let me play.

[supersweet]

[ Oh. Jon gets that. ]

Same. I'm not allowed to play with other kids.

[pixieboots]

Well... [ His smile is all mischief as he grabs Jon's hand, and if he's allowed he'll start to tug him in the opposite direction of housing. ]

You can play with me, pal. I know how to get out of the way in a hurry.

[supersweet]

[ Jon just grins. ]

I'm all ears.

[pixieboots]

[ Dick stops running, brow furrowed as if he's working on a complicated math problem of some kind. ]

So how much space do you need?

For safety and all.

[supersweet]

It's fine. My powers don't always work anyway. So . . . we'll just see how it goes!