He is sitting with the computer between them, a hammer in hand, because he will absolutely go berserk if he feels like he needs to. He is on the floor with his long leg curved around the computer, no less.]
Oh, is that how I could have gotten you to answer your phone?
All the texts I sent, like the ones asking you to call me, they weren't enough?
[ He's angry enough for the both of them. Bruce wants to reach for him, pull him up and tug him into his arms. But he keeps his distance. Less so because Jason might try to hurt and more because Bruce needed to keep his resolve in tact. ]
[He throws the hammer at Bruce's chest. There is no finesse to it, so if Bruce wants to dodge, he can, and he probably can easily. It's rage flung out of Jason's hand right at Bruce's heart.
He thinks he can feel the heat of tears rising behind his face but damn it, he is not going to cry.]
[He gets up, then, and his hands are fists at his side.]
I tried. You didn't reply to a single text.
What is this about? Is this payback for going on a mission? Are you being petty as fuck? I was out there doing something important, and you've been fucking around the Diamond District.
[ It's not the first time Jason's ever punched him the face. But when it connects, he doesn't feel just the force of the punch. He feels the weight of everything Jason must be feeling. The break in his voice. It breaks him. ]
[ It stings. And he doesn't know what to do with the pain. He could bury it, like always. Or give himself the space to feel it. He doesn't know what to do with any of this. ]
No. You have every right to be angry with me. But I didn't lie to you.
[He moves back, away, across the room so he's in the corner. Normally he doesn't let himself do that, be cornered, somewhere that he can't hold onto all the power in the room, but he can't help it now. He shakes his head.]
Then what the fuck is it, Bruce? You told me you loved me, and then you, wha-
[ He could see the tears and honestly, this isn't how he wanted this to go. It's not how he'd planned for their relationship to end.
He could go. Probably should, since Jason is throwing him out, but Jason isn't the only one who feels like he's being pulled apart. Bruce had not been there for the explosion. But he wants to be here now, since this is all his fault.
It's stupid. He should go. But he doesn't. He pulls the cowl off and moves in closer to Jason so he can try to wipe his tears. So he doesn't feel like he's coming unraveled. ]
[ because words hit harder than any punch. Bruce would have preferred the punch to the face. The pain would fade. Jason's words cut deep and the worst part of it all? He's not completely wrong. ]
I wanted what was best for you.
[ And what was easiest for Bruce. It's easier to walk away when he thinks it's for someone else's own good and not his own. Bruce is the martyr you see. Sacrificing himself for everyone else. ]
I said it because I meant it. But you-- [ didn't say it back. ] I didn't want you to feel obligated.
[ It comes out sharper than he means for it to. He wants to lash out too, to push back on the idea that he's afraid. But he knows if he thinks about it, even for a moment, it feels like he's lying. He is afraid. ]
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He is sitting with the computer between them, a hammer in hand, because he will absolutely go berserk if he feels like he needs to. He is on the floor with his long leg curved around the computer, no less.]
Oh, is that how I could have gotten you to answer your phone?
All the texts I sent, like the ones asking you to call me, they weren't enough?
[He looks angry enough for the both of them.]
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If you wanted my attention, you have it.
Talk to me.
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[He throws the hammer at Bruce's chest. There is no finesse to it, so if Bruce wants to dodge, he can, and he probably can easily. It's rage flung out of Jason's hand right at Bruce's heart.
He thinks he can feel the heat of tears rising behind his face but damn it, he is not going to cry.]
What the hell? You abandoned me.
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I didn't abandon you. If you needed me, you could have reached me.
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I tried. You didn't reply to a single text.
What is this about? Is this payback for going on a mission? Are you being petty as fuck? I was out there doing something important, and you've been fucking around the Diamond District.
[Oh, he's been keeping tabs.]
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No. It has nothing to do with that.
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Go to hell!
[He yells it, and it's clear he's going to cry any second now.]
Fuck you, fuck you, fuck you. You lied.
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Jason, stop.
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You are so goddamned predictable, I should have known-
[He aims another punch.]
I should never have trusted you, I should have known, this is my goddamned fault-
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Stop. Listen to me.
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[He slaps Bruce, then, open handed and sad.]
I kept doing that and you kept fucking with me, and now you-
[His lips pull away from his teeth in a growl.]
Iโm always the idiot, arenโt I?
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No. You have every right to be angry with me. But I didn't lie to you.
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Then what the fuck is it, Bruce? You told me you loved me, and then you, wha-
[And then it hits him.]
You coward. You fucking coward.
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I did what I needed to do. That doesn't make me a coward.
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Get out. Get out, I never-
Get out!
[He yells it, and he feels like his body is coming apart. He feels like he did when he saw the bomb tick down to zero.]
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He could go. Probably should, since Jason is throwing him out, but Jason isn't the only one who feels like he's being pulled apart. Bruce had not been there for the explosion. But he wants to be here now, since this is all his fault.
It's stupid. He should go. But he doesn't. He pulls the cowl off and moves in closer to Jason so he can try to wipe his tears. So he doesn't feel like he's coming unraveled. ]
It wasn't meant to hurt you, Jason.
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Only this isnโt physical.]
Oh no? Oh, daddy, did it get too real for you? You missed my pretty hole but then realized that feelings would make it gross?
Maybe you should have thought of that six months ago when you thought it would be a good idea to put your cock in my mouth!
[His tone is mean, his voice deep and snarling.]
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I wanted what was best for you.
[ And what was easiest for Bruce. It's easier to walk away when he thinks it's for someone else's own good and not his own. Bruce is the martyr you see. Sacrificing himself for everyone else. ]
I said it because I meant it. But you-- [ didn't say it back. ] I didn't want you to feel obligated.
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You could have waited a day, but no, you didn't get what you wanted right away and you left-
[He slams his hands into the wall behind him.]
You didn't want me to feel obligated, but you treated it like a goddamned test, that's not love, Bruce!
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[ It comes out sharper than he means for it to. He wants to lash out too, to push back on the idea that he's afraid. But he knows if he thinks about it, even for a moment, it feels like he's lying. He is afraid. ]
I just...I was giving you the out.
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[He shakes his head.]
You were giving yourself an out.
[He makes a deep throated noise.]
You might love me but youโre more afraid of me than anything.