[ Mike gives a soft snort, gently tossing Red Hood his jacket back before he returns to his cell. No protests about it, this is where he belongs and he's fully aware of that fact. ]
Guess we'll see.
[ He cares about his kid. Everything else is secondary at best. Especially himself. ]
Pulling his jacket back on, he huffed out a chuckle as he slid the door to the cell shut, swiping the keycard with less than a minute left in their allotted time.]
Don't fuck this up. They need you.
[He turned and made his way back down the hall as the green light on the camera in the corner flickered back to life.
In the visiting room, Hood didn't say anything as he gestured for Wren to follow him. He lead the way back out through the maze that he'd lead them in through, shouldering open the exit without a sound. They were all the way back to the bike before Jason risked turning, spreading his arms to offer a hug if Wren wasn't too pissed at him.]
I needed you to be mad at me for this first time. I'm sorry, songbird...
[ Wren waited patiently for Jason's return, helmet on, not wanting to risk doing something that would jeopardize future chances for more meetings. They followed after him without complaint when Red Hood returned, looking around only with their eyes under the helmet as they made their way back out through the unfamiliar parts of the building back to the bike.
His words and the spread arms brought them up short. They had been mad at him at the start -- a part of them was still mad, but that was distant and would take some time to be remembered. Right now all they had was the euphoria of that gift. So it was only the most minor hesitation before they reached out and wrapped their arms around Jason in return, hug desperate and tight. ]
[It was an anger that deserved to be remembered. He'd been a jackass and while he hadn't gone so far to distance them as to misgender them, he still deserved to sleep on the couch for a few nights. It was worth it, getting to see father and child together like that, but he still regretted the way it had happened.
He wrapped his arms around them, holding them close and tight against him. He deserved their anger, but he'd never turn down their affection.]
Of course. That's why I set it up so late, so I wouldn't have to go back out on patrol afterward.
[Because they shouldn't be alone after something like that. Roy was home to offer comfort if they were too mad at him to accept from him. He'd thought this out.
He gave them one last squeeze before he got them both back onto the bike. The drive home was quiet, the city finally bedding itself down, and the apartment was dark and welcoming after such an emotional upheaval.]
Want me to go get Roy so you don't have to deal with me for a while?
[ They're glad for Jason's forethought for the planning, to ensure he didn't have to leave them again right after. Even if sometimes it felt safer for Wren to be alone with their feelings so there was no chance of hurting anyone else in the event of an explosion. The ride out they were anxious, wanting to speak but unable to - now they find themself relieved there's no ability to. They're not sure what to say, and the forced silence lets them gather their thoughts so they don't risk speaking without thinking first.
It was still such a relief to be home. To have a place they thought of as 'home'. ]
No. I want to talk to you first.
[ They had said they'd be Talking later, after all.]
[They had and that was fair. He wasn't looking forward to the Talk, but he couldn't deny at least a little bit of gratitude that they were going to get through the worst of it immediately instead of letting it fester. At least, he hoped they would.]
Of course.
[He didn't want to take the time to check his gear and shower, but he did at least shrug off his jacket and hang it on the arm of the chair. His helmet went next, and it probably said more about how he felt about himself at the moment then he cared to admit when he peeled off his domino without bothering with the dissolving solution first.]
[ They didn't want any feelings to fester, didn't want Jason thinking things were worse than they were or - assume that Wren was upset for the wrong reasons. They took the helmet off too, running their hands through their hair, looking worriedly at Jason as he peeled the domino under the mask off without taking the time to keep it from irritating his skin. They reached out to gently touch Jason's cheek, eyes serious, careful to keep their voice even. ]
... I told you how Vivienne cheated on me, but I'm not sure I mentioned what else was happening at the time. I was already on-edge and preoccupied, because my dad had gone missing. I showed up to our normal time, and he wasn't there, and nobody would tell me anything about where he was. Whether he was hurt or vanished or- nobody would give me anything. Obviously now he was okay, but at the time I didn't know and nobody who did know was talking. I was chasing down any lead I could. For days. I didn't know when it started, how long he'd been missing.
I know him being in prison doesn't mean he's safe. That anything could happen to him, and- and it's entirely possible days will pass before I even know.
And there's nothing I can do about that. At all.
I know you needed me 'realistically upset', but - Jason, I thought he'd - that something had happened to my dad.
[He didn't flinch when they touched his cheek, but he couldn't bring himself to look at them, either. At least, not until understanding flickered in those pale blue eyes and his gaze snapped up as he realized exactly how unintentionally cruel he'd been.]
Fuck, Wren...I'm sorry. I didn't know that. I never wanted you to think he was in any danger or was injured. I should have thought about that, I'm sorry. I was so focused on trying to make sure you were upset enough at me that you wouldn't slip, I didn't even think about that.
[He took a tentative step forward, hands resting lightly on their waist as he leaned in to lightly touch their foreheads together.]
I promise you that nothing will happen to him that you don't immediate know about, okay? Though...I don't think you need to worry too much about that.
[Not if the bruises that were still darkening under his armor were to be believed, anyway. He didn't want to outright tell them that the power nullifiers didn't work on him, but he was at least going to give them some reassurance that he could take care of himself if push came to shove.]
[ They had thought - had known - that Jason didn't know. There was no way he'd put them through that anxiety. That would have gotten real fury from Wren, regardless of how greatful they were for the end result.
Theyre still mad, but it's not at Jason. Just the nebulous anger to be in this situation, to need to have to account for these things, because this is your life now and will simply be your life for almost another two decades, at minimum.
As soon as Jason steps in close Wren welcomes the touch, resting their forehead against Jason's, shoulders sagging, palm still warm against Jason's cheek. ]
I know you didn't know. That - that all you were focused on was how to do this incredibly kind thing for me in the safest way possible.
[ And speaking of that kind thing - their eyes start to get damp again as the tears threaten to come out once more, wren bringing up their other hand to quickly try to rub them away before they start pouring. ]
Thank you. Thank you. The - the last time I hugged my dad - it was the day he went in. I was twelve he knew his team was coming for him. So he stopped by home just long enough to hug me and tell me he loved me before he left. They picked him up an hour after that.
[Of course he hadn't known. He'd had no way to know. But he still should have guessed. He'd known how long he'd been in there, after all. Known how long Wren had been alone.
He was an asshole. He'd intended to be an asshole, sure, but he was a bigger asshole than he'd meant to be.
One hand came up, thumb oh so gentle as he wiped at their damp eyes.]
I'm so sorry, songbird. I'm so sorry you had to go through that and that I made it worse. But I do promise you that he's okay and he's going to be okay. I can't tell you any more than that, but trust me? He can defend himself if push comes to shove. And you'll get plenty of time to see him from now on. As often as I can make it happen, I promise.
[He drew them close, one arm looping around the small of their back to keep them close.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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Guess we'll see.
[ He cares about his kid. Everything else is secondary at best. Especially himself. ]
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Pulling his jacket back on, he huffed out a chuckle as he slid the door to the cell shut, swiping the keycard with less than a minute left in their allotted time.]
Don't fuck this up. They need you.
[He turned and made his way back down the hall as the green light on the camera in the corner flickered back to life.
In the visiting room, Hood didn't say anything as he gestured for Wren to follow him. He lead the way back out through the maze that he'd lead them in through, shouldering open the exit without a sound. They were all the way back to the bike before Jason risked turning, spreading his arms to offer a hug if Wren wasn't too pissed at him.]
I needed you to be mad at me for this first time. I'm sorry, songbird...
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His words and the spread arms brought them up short. They had been mad at him at the start -- a part of them was still mad, but that was distant and would take some time to be remembered. Right now all they had was the euphoria of that gift. So it was only the most minor hesitation before they reached out and wrapped their arms around Jason in return, hug desperate and tight. ]
Take me home?
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He wrapped his arms around them, holding them close and tight against him. He deserved their anger, but he'd never turn down their affection.]
Of course. That's why I set it up so late, so I wouldn't have to go back out on patrol afterward.
[Because they shouldn't be alone after something like that. Roy was home to offer comfort if they were too mad at him to accept from him. He'd thought this out.
He gave them one last squeeze before he got them both back onto the bike. The drive home was quiet, the city finally bedding itself down, and the apartment was dark and welcoming after such an emotional upheaval.]
Want me to go get Roy so you don't have to deal with me for a while?
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It was still such a relief to be home. To have a place they thought of as 'home'. ]
No. I want to talk to you first.
[ They had said they'd be Talking later, after all.]
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Of course.
[He didn't want to take the time to check his gear and shower, but he did at least shrug off his jacket and hang it on the arm of the chair. His helmet went next, and it probably said more about how he felt about himself at the moment then he cared to admit when he peeled off his domino without bothering with the dissolving solution first.]
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... I told you how Vivienne cheated on me, but I'm not sure I mentioned what else was happening at the time. I was already on-edge and preoccupied, because my dad had gone missing. I showed up to our normal time, and he wasn't there, and nobody would tell me anything about where he was. Whether he was hurt or vanished or- nobody would give me anything. Obviously now he was okay, but at the time I didn't know and nobody who did know was talking. I was chasing down any lead I could. For days. I didn't know when it started, how long he'd been missing.
I know him being in prison doesn't mean he's safe. That anything could happen to him, and- and it's entirely possible days will pass before I even know.
And there's nothing I can do about that. At all.
I know you needed me 'realistically upset', but - Jason, I thought he'd - that something had happened to my dad.
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Fuck, Wren...I'm sorry. I didn't know that. I never wanted you to think he was in any danger or was injured. I should have thought about that, I'm sorry. I was so focused on trying to make sure you were upset enough at me that you wouldn't slip, I didn't even think about that.
[He took a tentative step forward, hands resting lightly on their waist as he leaned in to lightly touch their foreheads together.]
I promise you that nothing will happen to him that you don't immediate know about, okay? Though...I don't think you need to worry too much about that.
[Not if the bruises that were still darkening under his armor were to be believed, anyway. He didn't want to outright tell them that the power nullifiers didn't work on him, but he was at least going to give them some reassurance that he could take care of himself if push came to shove.]
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Theyre still mad, but it's not at Jason. Just the nebulous anger to be in this situation, to need to have to account for these things, because this is your life now and will simply be your life for almost another two decades, at minimum.
As soon as Jason steps in close Wren welcomes the touch, resting their forehead against Jason's, shoulders sagging, palm still warm against Jason's cheek. ]
I know you didn't know. That - that all you were focused on was how to do this incredibly kind thing for me in the safest way possible.
[ And speaking of that kind thing - their eyes start to get damp again as the tears threaten to come out once more, wren bringing up their other hand to quickly try to rub them away before they start pouring. ]
Thank you. Thank you. The - the last time I hugged my dad - it was the day he went in. I was twelve he knew his team was coming for him. So he stopped by home just long enough to hug me and tell me he loved me before he left. They picked him up an hour after that.
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He was an asshole. He'd intended to be an asshole, sure, but he was a bigger asshole than he'd meant to be.
One hand came up, thumb oh so gentle as he wiped at their damp eyes.]
I'm so sorry, songbird. I'm so sorry you had to go through that and that I made it worse. But I do promise you that he's okay and he's going to be okay. I can't tell you any more than that, but trust me? He can defend himself if push comes to shove. And you'll get plenty of time to see him from now on. As often as I can make it happen, I promise.
[He drew them close, one arm looping around the small of their back to keep them close.]
I love you, songbird.