#fcrtnite

He tells himself a million lies about why he hates the manor. That it's a tomb disguised as a house, that it's a monument to failure, so on and so forth. But he knows the truth: Jason hates coming here because being in the manor reminds him of being Robin again, of the last time he had a home.

But he's here again. Alfred's request, really. It's the only reason he ever comes by anymore.

the cody family had finished a job quite successfully the night before, and that meant that j had a bit of money to spend as he pleased. he didn't normally go to clubs, but his uncles had insisted they go in order to celebrate - to bond, even.

at some point, one by one, his uncles had abandoned him. deran leaving, because girls really weren't his taste. and then pope, who wasn't a fan of being touched or being in places like this. and then baz and craig - off with girls for solo dances. leaving j to himself.

and now he sits alone, watching kitty dance. and the youngest member of the cody crime family is entranced. kitty is beautiful and a skilled dancer, and suddenly, it's not so bad having been brought here.

"It's good..." Reacher could admit in surprise. It wasn't often he got to drink wine, let alone actually good wine. He had to wonder just where she had found it... and how much she had spent on it. Hopefully not just for this occasion, he'd hope she would splurge on herself more than him...

"Did you try it?" Reacher asks, lifting his gaze from the food over to Larken. There's a signature light smile present when he looks at her, a glint in his eye that reveals what his expressions usually hide.