[ If Bruce knew, he might have subtly encouraged weaning Jon off the toxin. Maybe he could finally get his mental health sorted. Maybe Bruce could do something that actually helps him, instead of mitigating the damage Scarecrow could cause. He didn't want it to be like this forever. ]
Ah well, I think sleeping is good for illness. You'll feel better in no time with a little r and r, Dr. Crane.
[ he still eyes the bird, though it's with a curious gleam. Not a malicious or apprehensive one. ]
Thank you, I appreciate your concern. I don't think I'll use it myself. But I have some friends who want to experiment.
[ It's him, he's friends. And he wants to break down the chemical components and make an antidote for an overdose. ]
[ That was like asking the old man to stop smoking or to take better care of himself. It was never happening. The toxin was his life's work, and he would tinker at it as long as he could. ]
I agree, sleeping it off is the best thing. Sadly, he reminds me often that I am not that kind of doctor. We will see, but thank you, Mr. Wayne.
[ He meant it too, moving Nightmare back up to his shoulders, his tired eyes took in the handsome billionaire in his Halloween themed living room. What a strange life he leads. ] Well, as long as you don't I shall call it my good dead of whatever amount of time.
Not to be a downer, Mr. Wayne, but I tried that. For a very long time, I tried to be what I thought the world expected of me. Every turn I was reminded that I was nothing and I deserved ever abuse I ever suffered even before I turned to crime.
So no, I see no point in any good deeds, outside of those I give a shit about. Which somehow includes you these days.
[ The words spoken before he turned quickly and sneezed. Nightmare fluttering away. He sounds awful, but the years of smoking certainly doesnt help.]
[ Crane's been useful in working some of his recent cases. Bruce's used the intel to dig up leads and that have helped to move the investigation forward. But sometimes, Bruce wonders if he's allowed this to go on longer than it needed to. It's not like he needed Crane for intel. Not when he had Barbara and her many many eyes spread out across the city.
Crane just gave the information Bruce often needed a nuance that helped him see the clues and how they fit together more clearly. He could provide things cameras could not - like motivation. ]
That's very kind of you to say. [ He pauses ] If it means anything to you, I don't think you're nothing.
[ Crane had no idea, of course, if he did, Jon would drop all the niceties and likely accuse Wayne of using him. Ruining any chance to keep the calm almost friendship for good.
Looking up at Wayne again when he spoke, the rarest of smiles crossed his face. One that made him look closer to his age. Despite the gauntness of his features. The only downside to that smile is it made the scar on his chin from Lyle Bolton's abuses in Arkham all the more noticeable. Not that Crane ever admitted to what happened, beyond 'fell down some steps.']
Kind? No. I just speak the truth when it comes to you. Though, thank you, it is kind of you to say.
[ Honestly? Bruce was using Crane. Not in a way that he'd consider malicious; it wasn't like Crane was being forced into anything. Bruce wasn't dangling him off rooftops and demanding answers in exchange for leaving his bones in tact. The relationship was mutually beneficial. Though maybe the trade off is tipped in Bruce's favor more often than Jon's. Bruce couldn't help it, though. He'd always look for the advantage.
He catches that smile and damnit if it's not a nice thing to see from Jon. It almost makes him smile too. Almost. But not quite. ]
I should let you rest, Doctor. Can I check on you in a few days?
[ As long as Crane didn't know he couldn't care. The worst part would be finding out someone he'd grown to trust was again betraying him. Not a new feeling, just another point towards the world being cruel and people not being worth dealing with.
Nightmare, still watching Bruce with distrust, while Craw was trying to get at the bars to get to the billionaire.
Jon's smiles were very rare, almost as rare as his natural accent slipping.]
Perhaps, but please don't hesitate to call upon me again. Should you wish.
[ it's just the nature of a relationship with Bruce. It'd (almost) always be transactional. Especially with someone like Jon; someone he's not really supposed to be associating with. Any of his friends who knew would question him about it, wonder if he's finally gone mad. Maybe he had.
He stands when Jon does, nods politely and turns to go. Hope that bird doesn't decide to attack while he's on his way out. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Ah well, I think sleeping is good for illness. You'll feel better in no time with a little r and r, Dr. Crane.
[ he still eyes the bird, though it's with a curious gleam. Not a malicious or apprehensive one. ]
Thank you, I appreciate your concern. I don't think I'll use it myself. But I have some friends who want to experiment.
[ It's him, he's friends. And he wants to break down the chemical components and make an antidote for an overdose. ]
no subject
I agree, sleeping it off is the best thing. Sadly, he reminds me often that I am not that kind of doctor. We will see, but thank you, Mr. Wayne.
[ He meant it too, moving Nightmare back up to his shoulders, his tired eyes took in the handsome billionaire in his Halloween themed living room. What a strange life he leads. ] Well, as long as you don't I shall call it my good dead of whatever amount of time.
no subject
I think you could do a lot of good deeds, Doctor Crane. If you really wanted to.
[ They don't always have to punch each other. Give peace a chance, Jon. ]
no subject
So no, I see no point in any good deeds, outside of those I give a shit about. Which somehow includes you these days.
[ The words spoken before he turned quickly and sneezed. Nightmare fluttering away. He sounds awful, but the years of smoking certainly doesnt help.]
no subject
Crane just gave the information Bruce often needed a nuance that helped him see the clues and how they fit together more clearly. He could provide things cameras could not - like motivation. ]
That's very kind of you to say. [ He pauses ] If it means anything to you, I don't think you're nothing.
no subject
Looking up at Wayne again when he spoke, the rarest of smiles crossed his face. One that made him look closer to his age. Despite the gauntness of his features. The only downside to that smile is it made the scar on his chin from Lyle Bolton's abuses in Arkham all the more noticeable. Not that Crane ever admitted to what happened, beyond 'fell down some steps.']
Kind? No. I just speak the truth when it comes to you. Though, thank you, it is kind of you to say.
no subject
He catches that smile and damnit if it's not a nice thing to see from Jon. It almost makes him smile too. Almost. But not quite. ]
I should let you rest, Doctor. Can I check on you in a few days?
no subject
Nightmare, still watching Bruce with distrust, while Craw was trying to get at the bars to get to the billionaire.
Jon's smiles were very rare, almost as rare as his natural accent slipping.]
Perhaps, but please don't hesitate to call upon me again. Should you wish.
[ Standing, clearly about to go back upstairs.]
no subject
He stands when Jon does, nods politely and turns to go. Hope that bird doesn't decide to attack while he's on his way out. ]
no subject
[ Nightmare started off Jon's shoulder before Jon caught him in both spidery hands. ] No, we're going upstairs, leave Mr. Wayne alone.