#johnjay

Jason isn't sure he expected a glittering portal, but he supposes the fantastical happens every day when John Constantine is involved.

Jason isn't really sure why he's surprised. John was a sorcerer, no doubts about it, and a very sought out one at that. Of course, he has a system of travel that's quick and efficient but Jason didn't expect it to glitter and sparkle. Either way, Constantine pulls Jason through that portal and Jason is not sure what he expects when he steps through, to be fair. It's not like Jason is attuned to all things magical; he's just a guy from Gotham who got revived in a restorative pit of goo, didn't get any special powers from it to his knowledge, and that's as close as he could claim to be distance-wise to magic.

But Constantine? He knows more than anyone Jason knows. From their brief run ins all across Gotham—most of which ended up with Bruce begrudgingly pulling John aside to talk while the rest of them contemplated what the hell just happened—Jason had learned two things about John: if he were here something demonic was afoot and you'd better listen him if you valued your life. There's something about the magical world that John Constantine was in tune to that Jason wasn't even sure he could fully understand, but without John magical happenings would be so much more complicated. Jason could fake it until he made it, that was for sure. What he couldn't fake was being asked afterward to get a drink with the cynical exorcist. No team up, no undescribable threat, just two guys hanging out like they were friends.

That was something new that had never happened before across all their meetings.

Of course, Jason said yes, because getting to know more about Constantine made him less intimidating in the long run. Information gathering was one of his strongest assets. So he goes, guided through the glittering gold portal. "It's safe to go through," Constantine says, "You're not gonna get launched into another dimension or something. This one's specifically attuned to a bar." And really, Jason shouldn't have been so trusting of him; he knows John Constantine is a smooth talker with alterior motives most times he meets up with him.

Constantine is waving at the bartender, taking a seat right in front of him while fishing a cigarette out of his pocket. He snaps and his cigarette is lit. Part of his pyrokinetics, Jason connects as he takes the seat beside him. He remembers that from quick debriefings that Bruce had with them. "Want a drink?" John says, "Or a cig?"

"I'm fine for now," Jason replies, "Thanks though."

It takes a moment, but then "John Constantine, you absolute dog," the bartender says, "Long time no see. What have you been up to?" Of course he's been here multiple times before, Jason notes, he wouldn't have a special portal attuned to a place he'd never been before. 

"The usual. The occult never stop being occultish and stupid with it. Not much else." John tips back his drink,

"And who's this fine gentleman here?" Jason recognizes he's being talked about, looked at by the bartender he's never met before.

"Jason. Jason Todd," he introduces. He notices the bartender's glance, a quick up and down that would be inconspicuous if Jason didn't know that something was afoot that he couldn't quite understand.

"Ooh, Jason," the bartender continues, "This is new for you, Constantine. One of Bruce Wayne's wards—" He turns to Jason, whispering in jest, "He's not trying to drain of your money, is he? The con man--"

"Oh can it," John says, "I don't have to bring the bloke to a bar to get quick cash from a billionare—" They have their back and forth with Jason just content to listen and absorb what the hell was going on.

Jason doesn't really know how they get to this conversation, but they do. "They say that if you bring kings intent on ruling the world here, their empires crumbles," the bartender says to him, "Or that if you bring a lover, they'll be yours. I think it's the magic of the place." Beside him, Constantine laughs. "That's a crock of bullshit, Jim. You're spewing fairy tales," John says, taking a sip of his drink. The one thing Jason notes is that Constantine won't look him in the eyes, face flushed red from what Jason could presume was alcohol. Despite all the cynicism, there had to be a reason John had taken him here--to the magical bar for lovers and enemies alike--and Jason was cursed to pursue knowedge in a way. 

He's a viglilante from a long line of detectives, it was engrained in his body like magic was in John's. He just had to know and wouldn't stop until he gets the information.

"Why did you bring me here, John?" Jason asks, "I know I got revived in a pit of goo and all, but I'm not magical. I don't belong here--" 

"Jason, this is the Oblivion Bar," Constantine says, "You wouldn't have been able to step foot in this place if you didn't have some affinity or attunement to magic." It's said like it's the most common knowledge thing in the universe, but it's not. Constantine nearly chugs down his drink after answering Jason's question. In its place lies another one that Constantine swirls around in his hand. "That pit of goo, as you call it, helped you out in more ways than one I guess."  Jason couldn't help but notice that Constantine was skirting around the actual question, something that he wanted to lean into more to get a clearer picture as to what was going on here.

Jason is looking for a sign, for clues of Constantine's intent, when the bartender speaks up again. "C'mon Johnny boy," the bartender--Jim, as Jason now learns--says to. Constantine, "Be honest with the guy. You always take the magical ones you like for a drink here to feel out where they stand." Jason makes a mental note of that, tries to connect it to the way he refuses to look at him, and comes to one conclusion.

It seems John Constantine, sorcerer supreme and exorcist extraordinaire, had a crush on him. Crazy work.

Constantine nearly chokes on his drink when Jim brings that up, looking at Jason quickly before turning back to Jim. Like he was gauging somehting John replies, "What are you blabbing on about?" 

"Need I remind you about Zatanna. Or Epiphany--" More pieces of evidence for Jason to note down.

It was comical, in a way, that this was the most flustered Jason had ever seen John. The quick tongued, quick witted, exorcist was absolutely flustered at the thought of a date him. It was quite flattering, if Jason were honest.