thoughtformed | (no subject)

[Jason lets the surprise show on his face.]

And he hasn't escaped yet?

[Is this Red Robin guy even a real Bat? Well, he can figure that out later, what he really needs to know is...]

Actually, do you get any villainous types here? The guy I'm thinking of specifically has green hair, wears ugly ass purple suits and has a cackle like a hyena. And he's- he's a mass murderer.

That guy's definitely not here. For sure. If someone like that were, we'd stop him.

[He folds his arms on the table.]

For the most part, we don't get too many bad guys. Maybe the island's selective. But sometimes--you know the weird shit I said happens? Sometimes that changes people.

[Jason lets out a slow breath and swirls the dregs of his coffee. He doesn't remember drinking all of it.]

I almost wish he was here. I'd like to...

[Jason trails off. He doesn't know exactly what he wants.]

[Dave levels a measuring look at Jason, just tapping his fingers against the tabletop for a while. Finally, he drops his gaze.]

Nah. I get you.

[He remembers kneeling by Bro's body on John's bruise of a planet. He remembers how he'd said he wanted to go after Jack, even as he was terrified of someone who could do this to his hero. He remembers hearing how Jack was here, once, and the thrill of fear that had run through him even as his hand had tightened on the hilt of his sword.]

He isn't, though. If there are any badguys here right now, they're the kind that can keep a low profile for a long time.

[Jason lets out a small, humorless laugh.]

Yeah, 'low profile' definitely isn't his style.

[He pushes away the cup and pulls the hood of his sweatshirt back up.]

So... this got a little depressing. Sorry.

No big. Homeworld stuff usually is.

[He takes Jason's empty cup, aims for the nearest trash can, and whoosh. Nothin' but net. Or trash bag, in this case. Whatever.]

Feeling any more human?

Ehhhhhhhhhhhh.

[Jason makes a face.]

Close enough, probably. I mean, you did say you didn't want to see any exploding hearts, right? So I probably shouldn't get any refills.

Yeah, exploding is generally frowned on in most polite societies and I'm nothing if not the most mannerly of gentlemen.

[Dave stands and stretches.]

Want me to walk you to your next stop? Again, all the time in the world, my hours are not your hours, etc.

Was housing ever discussed or am I making shit up?

[Jason stands as well and has to make a clumsy grab for the edge of the table to keep from toppling over. Everything becomes dizzy, there's a brief rushing sound filling his ears and then-

The world swims back into focus. After giving it a moment to make sure he's not actually about to pass out, Jason gingerly lets go of the table. He lets out the breath he didn't realize he'd been holding.]

Ohhhhkay now I'm good.

[Dave watches him nervously until it's clear he's not going to keel over all of a sudden, then drops his hands.]

You sure, dude? 'Cause I mean, you can crash on my couch until you get your notification of housing but maybe I should call my bro for a lift instead of doing the pedestrian thing.

[Jason considers his options.]

Do you have a roommate and are they awful in any way?

I do but he's basically the chillest guy in existence. He didn't even blink when I came in the first time through the window.

Ugh, if I go to sleep now I'll sleep through the night.

Isn't that a good thing. That's when people are supposed to sleep.

[...]

Yes, that's when people are supposed to sleep. Uh, so you really wouldn't mind if I stole your couch for the night?

Sure, no big. Souji and I have people over all the time, we're basically the island's most popular players. No plans tonight, though.

I'm pretty sure you could throw a kegger right on top of me and I wouldn't wake up once I'd passed out.

Tempting, but I'll save it for some day when I'm a little more legal. Let me just call my bro and you can take all the snoozetime you want.

Man, I seriously owe you one. Thanks.

[Who waits until they're legal to drink?]

[Well, Dave technically hasn't, but last time he got drunk he ended up waking up super hungover, cuddled between his sister and his best friend's troll boyfriend.]

No problem, dude. I'm a delivery boy. This is what I do.

'This'? Deliver random dudes to your apartment for the night? I think that has a different job title.

[Dave laughs.]

Dude! Okay, no, when you put it like that, you're definitely my first.

Jesus, now you're making me all nervous. Your brother doesn't have a shotgun, does he?

Nah, but he's got a very expensive katana that I wheedled the police station for for almost a whole year.

Was that supposed to be reassuring?