#hat man

Bruce: I'll circle back to that. You're not smiling or cackling, what are you feeling?

Jason: Not homicidal... I don't feel like smiling everything is just really, really, really, really, really, really, really-

Bruce: Stop saying really.

Jason: Everything looks really realistic and wobbly.

Tim (holding a water bottle): Realistic in a hyper way?

Bruce (glancing at Tim with a glare): Walk away. Walk the frick away. I don't want to hear that word again!

Tim chuckled, walking away, since he and Duke had been using that word a lot to annoy Bruce when describing anything.

Jason (talking slowly): This might make... more sense. You ever smoked... weed, but it was your first time trying... and... the guy who gave you the joint is shady... and it’s in a weird bong that looks like the lamp from Aladdin?

Bruce: ...There was this one time in Germany— No, no, I have not! I remember a friend describing being high from marijuana and that is an accurate description. Not me though I wouldn't dare touch that... devil lettuce.

Alfred (knowing smirk): Oh sure, you only went to Germany to learn about your ancestors?

Jason shrugged, blinking rapidly.

Bruce: I’m dying on that hill that I took that Germany trip for that reason. Anyway, you think you’ll be alright, Jason?

Bruce: You’re seeing something. What is it?

Jason: I… I'm seeing a man made of shadows wearing a… fedora. I see him at night sometimes.

Bruce (used to that man): That's the Hat Man. He won't hurt you. Does he have an Australian accent to you too?

Jason: I thought I was the only one who heard that accent! Holy crap! If I stare at him, the world stops shaking. So... that’s helping.

Bruce: That’s reassuring. Continue staring at the Hat Man until I can get you an antidote.

Jason (monotone): Okay… You should probably take this... knife from me, or I’ll stab my eye to get rid of the spider.

Jason held up a hunting knife, nearly knocking Bruce back. His father cautiously took the knife and then walked off to go back to his desk in the Batcave.

Jason (talking to Hatman): So you did meet him… Yeah, he's not a complete asshole. He used to be way worse.

Dick had been silently watching the exchange with Bruce, Jason and then the Hat Man. While he couldn't see the man made of shadows currently, he had before. He leaned back, eyes wide in shock and slight terror.

Tim: Are you okay?

Dick: Not really. I thought the Hat Man was an imaginary friend or hallucination. Why is he real?

Tim: I’m not sure, but you get used to him. He just watches us while we sleep and feeds on our fears. Nothing too terrifying.

Dick: Nothing too— You know what? I’m just going to accept this reality and make some coffee.