I've Been Bamboozled !

(✉️ ➡️ JT): I know how to lay low. To not get caught.  (✉️ ➡️ JT): Good.  (✉️ ➡️ JT): It’s getting bad. Enforcers are being given incentives. They’re also offering incentives to those who register and ‘behave’.   

The archer looks up from where his head was in his hands. He should have known, AND maybe part of him did. It shouldn’t be easy to just walk into the lives of those that look like his best friends. He misses Jason the most, maybe that’s why is the first to be daughter out on his own accord. Roy ran into Oliver by pure accident and that reunion went better than expected. It gave him hope, that approaching the rest would be OKAY. How foolish of a thought that is, everyone is different and in this line of work they all have a right to be a little paranoid. He doesn’t blame Jason for being suspicious.

The redhead stands up again, pulling his phone out of his pocket. He holds onto it for a moment, not sure how else the marksman expects him to prove it. Maybe it would be better to lie, say that he wasn’t who he claims to be, save everyone from the heartache. He could never replace the young archer they had to lay to rest — only sixteen at the time of passing. Roy can’t do that though, he wasn’t a liar, so he would be standing his ground on this. He can offer some information up, all that he had was a phone loaded with hundreds of videos and photographs. “Nobody put me up to this. I would never lie. I really am Roy Harper. I’m still trying to figure out who’s behind the magic that pulled ripped me away from my own universe. I have no leads — which is why I’m telling the truth when I say that I’m stuck in this one. I can’t expect you to believe my story. If you want nothing to do with me then that’s fine, but at least look at this first. It’s all the proof I have to back up my story.” He had everything backed up to his laptop back home, but hands the phone over.  

It had photos and video of not just Roy with his family, his friends in the TITANS, but just as much if not more of him with HIS JASON. Some when they were kids in their sidekick uniforms. When you keep going there’s so much evidence of a life — a photo of his best friend holding his daughter at one of her birthday parties, a video of a Roy filming Jason putting his gear on, many photos of them together in their civvies and outside of them — plus whatever else happens to be on the phone. You could consider the archer sentimental. “That’s all I have. If you don’t believe me still that’s fine, I can learn to deal with that. You won’t have to see me ever again, Jay.”

Jason is one hundred percent on high alert, absolutely expecting this to be a trick or a trap or some kind of bullshit he’s going to have to fight his way out of. Look, people come back to life all the time. He’s not one to talk. That’s not what makes him so damn skeptical about this. What does is that he’s not an idiot. The facts don’t add up. The numbers don’t add up. And it’s just too convenient for this guy to say he’s from another universe and expect that to sound like a real excuse, the fucked up way this world is going.

And after everything.. Jason’s spent way too much time on hope to  let himself fall into that without some kind of proof.

As much as his instincts tell him to kick this guy’s ass the second he moves Jason holds off, waiting to see just what kinda proof he thinks he can muster up that might actually convince him. Jason’s not an easily fooled guy, he runs his life on a healthy dose of skepticism and expecting the worst by default. And the universe is not going to be so nice as to give him back a best friend he lost when he was basically a fucking kid. That shit just doesn’t happen to Jason. All he can do is watch cautiously as the guy pulls out a phone, and...

Shit.

If Roy or anyone else ever mentioned it later he’d deny it, but his hands are trembling as he takes the phone, making his way through what looks like... years of memories. Photos. So many photos. Of Roy with the Titans, with Dick - he wonders absently if Roy’s version of Dick has his head screwed on a little tighter, but that thought can wait until later. With his family - with Oliver and Dinah, both a little older than the ones they know here. And photos with... with Jason. And shit, his Jason looks a lot like he’s got his act together, doesn’t he? Way more than Jason feels he does right now. Because right now he feels like he has absolutely no clue where to go, what to do, and how to actually react to any of this. Because.. the photos proof it. This is Roy. Not their Roy. But Roy nonetheless. “Holy shit.” Jason breathes softly as he scrolls through countless photos of the time Roy’s spent with Jason - with his Jason.

Calm down. Think.

[ text → Jason T. ]: Was it a chance encounter or were they specifically after you? [ text → Jason T. ]: No, Jason, I’m not financially supporting anyone I’m not legally tied to. [ … ] [ text → Jason T. ]: Is her name Katherine Pryde?

Bruce knew that no matter how much time had passed, no matter what middle ground they agreed on or how many cases they worked together, things continued to be far too complicated between him and Jason. They were definitely better than before, Bruce thankful for the improvements they had managed to reach, no matter how small they could seem to others. Still, too much had happened, too much had changed, both carrying a million things that could not be forgotten and many more things still left unsaid. Where could they begin? How were they supposed to do so? Was it truly worth it opening those wounds, or would it just make things even worst?

Red Hood’s harsh tone did not come as a surprise, Batman giving no physical reaction to it. “I know you do,” he replied, his gaze shifting to their target on street level. “But now it’s not the time to refuse aid.” It wasn’t about recklessness, it wasn’t about either of them not being able to handle the obstacles. Their enemy was simply too large, far too organized and with too much support. No matter how prepared either of them were, the Accords were not something they would be able to fight on their own. They had to stand together, they had to remain together. Their differences were no longer relevant, not on the big scale of things–if they were going to prevail, they couldn’t continue to drift apart.

“I need you to understand.” Batman turned to Red Hood, a softer tone to his voice despised the modulator of the cowl. “You aren’t alone.” On the night’s particular mission, against the Panel, or overall. Things were complex between them all, and Bruce knew his brothers weren’t making things easy. But Jason was part of the team, he was part of the family. They had lost him once, they had lost so many after…They couldn’t risk it again, Bruce refused to risk it again.

He lowered himself on the rooftop, inspecting the gang below. “What’s the plan?”

It’s not that Jason doesn’t get it. Really. He knows Bruce has a habit of basically building a flock, and he feels responsible for said flock. He’s taken in more children than he can probably count at this point. He’s brought all of them into a life that’s now got them on the run from Enforcers. Not his fault. They all chose to do it, one way or another. Hell, being Robin was probably the best thing to ever happen to Jason until that fucking clown came along. But he can get why Bruce feels the need to make sure they’re all being careful, now. Like it’s his job to keep them on their toes, to make sure they don’t get thrown into the raft.

But it’s not. Jason’s not his responsibility. As much as he’d like to believe the things they’ve gone through and the work they’ve done to try and right their relationship over the years would mean something.. Jason just can’t shake the fact that he’s not. The way he’s treated, the way he’s left out of things. The way the rest of them just seem stuck on casting him out. Black sheep of the family, that’s Jason. He’s not about to get sucked back into believing otherwise. “I’m not refusing aid, I’m just telling you I don’t need it.” And it’s true, he doesn’t He hasn’t had any major encounters with Enforcers, he’s pretty sure he flies under the radar enough not to worry about it. He doesn’t exactly plan on that changing any time soon, either.

Jason almost snorts at Bruce’s final words. It sounds like something he would throw out there like this. You’re not alone. The family is always here for you. You can call on us whenever you need to. But the reality is - he is, and they’re not, and he can’t. Jason sure as hell can’t trust them not to try and stop him in the middle of a contract considering none of them like what he does. And he can’t seem to trust them not to give him shit about something or the other. But voicing any of that to Bruce is more trouble than it’s worth - all it’s going to mean is an argument, and he’d rather leave that for when he’s not busy.

(✉️ ➡️ JT): Always. I’m on a burner.  (✉️ ➡️ JT): You good?  (✉️ ➡️ JT): What do you want to know?   

          Oh shit. There he was. Looking right at him. He felt even behind the mask that the other could look right into his soul, stare through him and see for who he really was. Was, keyword of the hour. That’s exactly who he’d been faced to confront these past weeks, this past year. Every mistake he’s ever made as a teenager growing into an adult had finally caught up to him, and it was time to face facts: He was kind of an asshole. What teen isn’t, really? Trying to find a place in the world, especially when that place is somehow out of reach of a giant, bat-shaped shadow. Dick found himself trying not to smile, this wasn’t the time for excuses. Two minutes. Go.

          “I’ve been… confronting a lot of things. A lot in my past, how I wasn’t the best man I could’ve been.” It sounded too sugary, too sweet. He was going to blow this. “I failed a lot of people where I should’ve helped them thrive. I was… selfish. I was looking out for my own best interests and let a lot of people down, including myself.” He was suddenly forgetting his script. The words were tumbling out of his mouth without warning, and suddenly he was afraid of how deep he may dig his own grave. “I wasn’t there for you… ever. You came in for B, when he needed a Robin, and I was so afraid of being near him, being in his shadow again, that I didn’t think how much that would affect… Us.” Was you a better word there?

          “I was afraid being near him would discredit me as my own hero, and… that was incredibly selfish and awful and I just…” Cracks in his voice. Curse being the emotional one of this family. “I wasn’t there for you. Ever. I’m… I’m so sorry.”

Truth be told, Jason has no idea what to expect here. Considering the way he jumped into those texts and insisted on a conversation, insisted they needed to talk and sort things out. He expected more of a lecture, more of an attempt to talk about what’s going on now. Considering everything they’re facing, and the way the whole ‘team’ seems to be operating right now, he would assume that’s a little more urgent. And Grayson’s never been afraid to make his opinion known when it comes to Jason’s methods, never shied away from making it clear he doesn’t approve.

Not that Jason needs his approval anymore.

So when Dick starts to talk, delving into past shit that really doesn’t matter anymore in the grand scheme of things, it takes him by surprise. And not in a good way. In the middle of all this shit, in the middle of dealing with the Accords and Enforcers and what looks like the family falling apart one person-sized chunk at a time.. this is what Dick thinks he cares about? This is what the guy figures Jason’s all hung up on? Shit from years ago that he really couldn’t care less about anymore? Does he really know that little about Jason? The inevitable apology tumbles from the man’s lips, and silence falls between them as Jason processes. Considering the words, the speech, and just how much he wants to even bother with this. It’s probably going to take much more energy than it’s worth, knowing Grayson. “You done?” He asks flatly, trying at least a little to keep the irritation out of his voice.

[ text → Jason T. ]: What happened, Jason? [ text → Jason T. ]: But it bothered you enough to bring it up. [ text → Jason T. ]: I have all types of conversations with all types of people. I can’t remember all of them. [ text → Jason T. ]: What’s her name?

[ text → Jason T. ]: Now that we are on the subject, would you care to elaborate on the incident you mentioned on the group chat? [ text → Jason T. ]: I’m asking because I have no one asking me to be anything. But if someone is bothering you with matters involving me, I’d like to know who.

[ text → Jason T. ]: I’m keeping an eye out for her. [ text → Jason T. ]: I don’t know what you are talking about. Who’s contacting you?

Kyle’s not too sure he follows that line of logic – which, well, wouldn’t be a first. But he can’t help but relax a little given Jason’s now apparently laughing in the same space as him. Is it the first time that’s happened? Most likely. Kyle can only imagine having heard it before if it was at his expense, back when they were at odds with each other. Huh. “ Hey, you’re the one bringing up no guns in Ikea, I didn’t say anything about it. Plus i’m pretty sure carrying a weapon doesn’t mean you suddenly lose appreciation for decor. You know how many times I appreciated some digs when i’m on the job? ” His eyes roll, but there’s a small smile in place at least. It’s easy, nice even if it helps distract from the situation at hand here. “ You focus on the cool kitchen set-ups in every place of yours? I’m more a bedroom kinda guy, myself. ”

The first-aid kit is well stocked, and Kyle makes sure to keep a clear view of what he’s taking out for any kind of objections. Hell knows he’s not the best nurse out there, but he knows what it’s like to need to know what’s coming. Not that Jason seems to be having that issue right now, distracted with the dog’s immediate response. Nailed it. “ I couldn’t just stay here and call him Dog, that’s way beyond my abilities. ” Kyle insists, readying a cotton pad with disinfectant. “ His full name’s Benjamin Barker, if you really wanna know. Felt right, if he was gonna be related to a Mister Todd. ” So maybe Kyle had watched too many movies here instead of work, but hey. If he’s being offered a place, it’s not like work was urgent. 

What was urgent was the extent of the injury. The sheer amount of blood that spreads down Jason’s arm, and torso. Beneath that – the number and brutality of the scars left in plain sight. It makes sense now, why Jason had been reluctant to let Kyle do this. Kyle himself feels guilty, forcing Jason to reveal all of this to him in a state of blood loss and what must be a huge amount of pain. Hell knows Kyle has scars of his own. Scars he doesn’t want to show anyone, that still burned or suffocated him some days. Most days. He can’t imagine any of these have a happy tale behind them. But thankfully, he knows better than to comment on that. “ Yeah, yeah, i’ll get it done in no time. Master seamstress. Seamster? At your service. ” Kyle assures before getting to work, efficiently disinfecting and numbing the nearest area while he can. “ Let me know if it hurts too much, alright? ”

“Maybe it’s just for safety. You ever think about that? People get crazy at Ikea.” Jason points out with a roll of his eyes, but he’s not that annoyed. He’s not sure.. why, or how they got here, but for some reason Kyle doesn’t seem to mind - this being around each other, spending time together. Even if it’s purely out of obligation, just to make sure Jason doesn’t bleed out trying to stitch himself up. At least it doesn’t feel tense, they’re not fighting, Jason doesn’t feel like hitting him in the face. Quite.. the opposite, actually. Huh. An eyebrow shoots up at the comment, an amused - maybe interested - sort of grin spreading across his face. “More of a bedroom guy, huh? Particular reason for that one?”

He seriously can’t believe Kyle actually named his dog. After countless discussions and arguing about it, Jason can’t believe he went out of his way to name the dog anyway. More than that - he can’t believe Kyle went out of his way to find a name that the dog responded to that suited Jason’s interests. It’s not.. all that well known that he’s a bit of a musical theatre guy, but he didn’t really think Kyle was paying enough attention for that. “Huh.” He answers simply, tilting his head to the side as he looks down at the dog. “Benjamin’s too much of a mouthful, though.” He mumbles, focusing on his friend instead of the fact that Kyle is now getting an eyeful of Jason’s long list of scars. He doesn’t - care about them, it’s not like they keep him up at night, but he definitely doesn’t go around showing them off, and he didn’t exactly expect Kyle to get a glimpse of them, never mind see them up close and personal like this.

Roy knew his best friend better than anyone AND if this version of him was anything like the Jason from his universe then this outcome could have been predicted. It wasn’t what he came here to do, not keen on starting some sort of fight between the two of them, and refused to actually let an arrow loose on him. There was no way he would be hurting someone that looked like his best friend. He wants so badly to be close to this Jason — knowing how  they’re better together than apart. He can’t begin assuming to know anything about the man in front or him, keeping in mind that this world was different than his own. They could get to know each other if there wasn’t already a connection there, and maybe they’ll he would be lucky enough to call this Jason his best friend too. He can’t quite imagine a world where they didn’t have a connection like that.

The flip was something Roy had began doing from a young age, a simple thing if anything, but with how often it had been used became something like a signature move for him. He tenses up in his shoulders, letting the nickname slip out was probably a bad call, but it was hard NOT to call Jason that. He frowns, hand lifting up to pull the domino mask after the smoke disappears from around them with the wind. It was tucked away, and now the truth would be facing them.

Roy doesn’t say anything at first, letting it sink in, watching as Jason moves closer to check him out. “Hey, Jay.” His voice almost cracks, but it doesn’t. He felt nervous for he first time in a while, not sure what to do with his hands without anything in them to keep himself occupied. He doesn’t keep his stare off of Jason though, a saddened expression on his own face. He has been through a lot, more than anyone should, and visiting the grave of younger Roy had messed with his head. Part of him wanting a drink, but keeping himself away from the substance. He doesn’t want to  cover up these feelings, no, facing it would be better.

“I AM Roy Harper. I’m just not the one you remember. I’m sorry, I didn’t come here to uncover old wounds. I’m from another universe, it’s similar to this one, but there’s some differences to it as well. Where I’m from you’re my best friend. RED HOOD AND ARSENAL was quite the team up.” He laughs, but he was the only one. “I don’t know how I got here. My daughter and I just got pulled over randomly one day from my sister’s living room. I tried to keep my distance after learning what happened to the Roy here. I didn’t want to bring anyone more pain that knew him. He was so young —“ He frowns looking down for a moment at his shaking hands then to Jason, deciding taking a seat on the rooftop would be best. “I just wanted to see you, Jaybird. I don’t know why I’m here, but I don’t think I can go back to my own world. This is my home now — and I’m just trying to find my place in it.” He leans forward, resting his head in his hands for a moment. “I’m sorry I’m not him.” He says without looking up, voice finally cracking.

Jason doesn’t like this. He feels like he’s on the backfoot from the start and that’s never a good feeling for him. He likes being prepared, likes his facts and logic and to know what he’s walking into. And what he’s walking into here is a fucking mess, by the looks of it. Because while he doesn’t know who this guy is, he seems to know who Jason is and Jason does not like that.

And yeah, he said it. He said Roy’s name. He couldn’t help it. That flip, those eyes - it was just too much like him, he couldn’t help it. But he knows better. Because right now, there are two options.

One - Roy’s been alive this whole fucking time and the asshole stayed away from everyone. Which sounds pretty goddamn impossible for a guy like him. And Jason’s not sure he could deal with that. Not just because it means his best friend when he was Robin didn’t care enough to let him know he was alive, but because it means the guy fucked everyone over. Everyone Jason’s ever cared about, everyone who gave a damn about Roy Harper, none of them were important enough for him to tell them he wasn’t dead. And that just - doesn’t sound right. That doesn’t sound like something the Roy Jason knew would do.

The other option here, though, is that someone’s fucking with Jason, sending someone in to pretend to be Roy and mess with his head. Way more likely. Jason can think of at least four people who would do something like that just to get under his skin and distract him so they can screw him over or stab him in the back somehow. Jason’s not an idiot. And he’s not falling for it.

be stuck in an elevator - Dick, the guy would acrobat-flip out of there right away and Jason would have some peace and quiet

Be stuck in traffic - Helena, feel like she’s got some fun life stories to kill time with

Be stuck int he apocalypse with - Bruce, look they have their problems but how do you NOT choose Batman for this one

Protect - Roy, the guy’s useless without him 👀

Attack - Dick of course

Fight side by side with - Kyle, it’s handy having a guy who can fly around okay

💰 - rob a bank with, hide a body with, rat out to the cops.

Rob a bank with - Bruce, most likely to cooperate

Hide a body with - Dick, guy’s too goodhearted useless to do something like that on his own

Rat out to the cops - Tim, least trusted batbrat draws the short straw

          A harsh growl, staccato. That title wasn’t his anymore, neither was it Todd’s or Grayson’s. Not that he was bitter about it or anything. He looked back over his shoulder, flicking away the holographs blocking his vision. At least the cowl masked most of his expressions in the almost molded scowl lines. “Well, you haven’t yet. You’re debating my use, which depending on what exactly you’re looking for will determine if I leave with full files or fragments.” All possible escape routes flashed through his mind’s eye, and they all were a bit of a tight squeeze. Just as long as he could stall enough to download all this shit…

          “Trade routes,” Tim bluntly explained. A few hang gestures and an outward holographic projection showed buried files, still half encrypted. “Heard rumors about weapon and drug cartels making routes, but there’s a specific route that some of these guys have taken, with different providers.” A few more flicks, tossing away some pages and bringing forward more buried ones. “I’ve reason to believe they’re shipping more than just the usual Gotham fare.” 

To be frank, Jason doesn’t give a shit about Tim’s issues with the title. As far as he’s concerned the kid stole it in the first place, what makes him think someone else wouldn’t come along and do the same? Especially considering the latest Robin actually seems to know what he’s doing, aside from just sulking in front of computer screens and getting caught out like this. “I don’t give a shit whether you leave with full files or not. Doesn’t make a difference to me.” Jason responds flatly, already bored with this conversation.