[Hey, Blackgate was better than Arkham. And really, both were better than Wayne Manor.
Jason didn't mind going to Blackgate to meet Wren's dad. He didn't know the whole story of what had happened, but Wren would tell him when they were ready. Or they wouldn't, Jason wouldn't mind either way. He had stories he didn't particularly want to tell, either.
He understood the anger, though, and he laced their hands together to offer his support as they waited for the thick door to be buzzed open. His hand gave a twitch at those whispered words, but he only turned to arch a brow down at them.]
A book club? The same story you use at work? Really? Alright, but I'm pretty sure he's going to take one look at me and know something is off..
I never said you didn't do mask work. Just. That I quit. And I didn't go back. Please.
[ They want their dad to like Jason and... given everything that happened with Vivienne, they're very worried that ship is going to sail if he finds out that Jason got them back into it.
They know they're asking a lot, asking Jason to lie for them. The truth is going to come out eventually, but they know their dad doesn't get a lot of visitors, and they're sure none of them would want to break the news to him of their kid going back into things. Not when he hated that Wren did it at all in the first place. ]
Hey, your secret is safe with me. It's not like I'm gunna go in there talking about my night job.
[To be fair, Jason never said they had to go out. He would be perfectly content if Wren really did hang up their helmet and called it quits. In fact, he'd probably feel a hell of a lot safer considering they didn't want to upgrade their dad's suit to be more, you know, armored. Which was fine, it was their health and safety....but also, he loved them and seeing them go out in what was basically two steps above spandex was entirely too close to remembered how he used to run around in the same.
Maybe if he'd armored his suit, he wouldn't have died in that blast. He certainly wouldn't have been shattered to broken bits of bone by the crowbar.
Leaning down, he lightly bumped his forehead against their temple.]
I'm on my best behavior, I promise. All the Wayne social training and everything.
[ That gets a brief laugh from them, squeezing Jason's hand and resting their head against his shoulder for a moment.
Vivienne was the last person they brought to meet their dad. They hoped they weren't somehow cursing this. ]
Maybe not that much - we did live in a trailer park.
[ The light over the door goes from red to green as the loud buzzer to signify it unlocking goes off. The guard stationed next to it opens the door for them and gives them both a nod, saying "You know where to go" to Wren. They give a nod and head on in, going to where the visitor room is, not needing to check the signs. They keep hold of Jason's hand. ]
Hey, there's nothing wrong with living in a trailer park. I'm sure it was heaps nicer than the apartment I grew up in.
[He straightened up as the guard came to let them in. Roberts, Jason was pretty sure. Eugene Roberts. His cousin had a few loose ties with the Malone family, but Eugene was actually a pretty straight a narrow guy. Unlike Forrest, who was in the security booth and liked the moonlight as an enforcer for Two Face. Jason had clocked him the moment they'd walked through the sally port, but he wasn't here for business.
He wouldn't have been so nervous if he were there for business.
Taking some reassurance from Wren's hand in his, he followed them down the hall. He knew where the visitor room was, he'd been there often enough in uniform, but he still let them lead. This was their dad, after all. Jason was just the boyfriend.]
[ All the guards there knew Wren - all the ones that had been there for any length of time anyway. Some had known Wren since they were small, bullying their way into being allowed visits when they were young enough their aunt and uncle could have said no because they were under eighteen- abandoned by everyone, they couldn't let their dad be abandoned too. Fourteen sitting all alone in the waiting room. So much homework done there. Every week, come rain or shine.
They didn't like most of the guards there, mind. Their gamut ran from a vaguely positive neutral to a chilly neutral-so-I-don't-cause-a-scene. They'd have been happy for any chance to punch them out.
Good behavior for years had granted their dad the ability to meet them in the more open meeting area. He still had his wrists and ankles chained together with cuffs that were meant to act as power suppressant and attached to the table that was bolted to the ground, but it allowed for a decent enough amount of movement. The rest of the room had space for three other meetings to happen too, a couple vending machines in the corner and one of those little dentist office play sets with curved tubes to run wooden beads along in another for particularly small children inclined to boredom.
It was only them using it right now, sometimes Wren wondered if it seated only four visitations because of security against having more at the same time, or because only four people held here had clearance to allow for this much freedom when their families came.
Wren's dad was already there, along with one guard at the door and another on the other side of the room. Wren had pictures of him to make him easy to point out - not that it was necessary. He looked so much like his kid, on the shorter side for a man, dark hair with more than a few gray hairs now even though he wasn't quite 40 yet, dark circles under his eyes. More muscle mass than Wren - not much else to do in prison other than work out or give up - and a dusting of stubble along his jaw. Same bright blue eyes, which lit up as soon as they saw Wren. ]
'Hey, Pumpkin. Good to see you.'
[ Like it's any other family visit and not one at one of the highest rated security prisons in the country. Wren smiles back. They have the same smile. There's two chairs at the other side of the table and Wren heads there, taking one of them. ]
Hey dad. Um, I wanted to introduce you to Jason, since I've been talking about him so much. Jason Todd, this is my dad Michael Gray.
[As institutions went, Blackgate wasn't the worst. It wasn't Arkham, though that was such a low bar it barely counted as a tripping hazard. Arkham was hell. Blackgate was just purgatory. The state kept it funded well enough that it was old but mostly clean and while escape was still alarmingly easy compared to other places in the country, it was secure enough.
Michael Gray had originally been in the meta ward, if the research that Jason had done had been correct. Years of good behavior and good work had earned him a transfer to a slightly less chaotic block. Still max security, but less likely to be cell mates with someone like Roman Sionis.
The guard at the door tensed slightly when Jason reached forward to shake the man's hand, but she stayed at her post.]
It's a pleasure to meet you, sir. I've heard a lot about you, too.
[It was a little surreal, seeing Wren and their dad in the same space. It was like looking at two versions of the same person. It made his smile soften a little, not enough to go lopsided, but enough that Wren would be able to see.
Taking his own seat, he didn't even notice when he automatically moved to stretch his arm out along the back of Wren's chair. Was it just an excuse to touch his partner? For most people, maybe, but not for him. He wanted to be able to keep his eye on everyone in the room, not just them.]
[ Mike eyed the outstretched hand for a moment before taking it, giving only the briefest handshake with a slightly wry smile before he pulled back to hold both hands up to show the guard he wasn't causing problems. ]
'It's technically no touching back here, but some of the nicer guards don't mind a handshake or the like if you keep it brief.'
No hugs though.
[ Wren leaned in to Jason when they sat down, their leg touching his, just gravitating towards his space as they tended to. ]
'No, they're not THAT nice. Not like Wren who probably told only the good stuff about me.'
[ Mike's own smile still softened to see the easy comfortable companionship between Jason and Wren, even if Wren had a bit of nervousness to them. Introducing family would do that... especially incarcerated family. ]
I think meeting your kid's boyfriend warrants being allowed a handshake.
[His smile didn't waver, but his voice was oh so slightly clipped. Nothing that anyone except Wren would notice, and yet the guard by the door had the good graces to flick their gaze away for a second. Honestly, this level of security for one man, even a max security meta man was overkill and Jason was a little displeased with the show of force.
They certainly didn't do that for the less well behaved. If Hood could grease a few palms to be allowed unlimited physical access to a scum bag with a rap sheet longer than his own, then surely one well behaved man could be allowed a hug.]
I have heard a lot of good stuff, true...but I bet you mostly hear the good stuff about me, too. They like to see the good in people. [The smile he gave them was full on lopsided and soft.] How else do you think I managed to have a chance?
[ That was honestly what it came down to, wasn't it? Greasing a few palms - Mike Gray was a model prisoner. He was also poor, and Wren was used to living off of scholarships and financial aid. Rules were flexible if you had money, and if you didn't, they kept piling up.
Wren couldn't help the faint blush that arose when Jason smiled like that, their own smile coming out as well. There was no hiding how over the moon they were about him. There hadn't been even before they started dating, really. ]
Ha - we're not here to talk about me. I'm pretty sure.
'But you are what we have in common! Alright though, Pumpkin. Tell me a little about yourself, Jason? They said you met at a book club - can't tell you how happy they are to have someone to talk literature with, if they haven't made that clear enough to you.'
[Fortunately for Mike, that pesky little truth was about to be proven true in his favor. Wren didn't have to live off scholarships and financial aid anymore, after all. They covered their schooling, but they no longer had to pay for dorm living. There was no rent, Jason owned the building, and utilities split three ways was laughable.
Wren had their part time at the campus bookstore, Jay and Roy took jobs as they came, and Jason's criminal empire in the Bowery kept the three of them as comfortable as they could want to be, even with most of Jason's criminal earnings going right back into his city.
And that was before Tim decided to randomly buy them things and just leave them at the apartment like it was perfectly normal. Because for him, it was. His parents had been loaded from the time he'd been born and when they'd died, they'd left him millions. Add in the Wayne trust fund that he had no qualms about using (unlike Jason) and Tim had a full time accountant with a whole team of investors that he employed privately just so he didn't have to manage his accounts on top of running Wayne Enterprises.
Wren hadn't wanted for anything in a while. And now it was Mike's turn.]
Oh, trust me, I'm just as happy about it. I'm pretty sure that all of my siblings run for the hills if I close my book like I'm going to say something about it. [He laughed and it was his real laugh, not the put on Wayne act that he used around Bruce's functions.] There isn't really a whole lot to tell, though. Adopted, don't always get along with my dad or my siblings, but we're working on it. Wren's been trying to talk me into going back to classes, but I'm stubborn-sure you've heard plenty about that. Bit of a gearhead. In the middle of restoring a '64 Chrysler 300 with m-Tim.
[There was a hiccup in that last word and he glanced over at Wren with a subtle squeeze to their knee. Had they mentioned the whole 'poly' thing? If so, was Mike okay with him talking about his other partners? He was going to play it safe until Wren gave him something to work with.]
Tim's one of Jason's other partners - and a good friend of mine.
[ Wren clarifies to their dad, returning Jason's glance for just a moment. They were already asking Jason to lie about so much, it felt - they weren't going to ask him to lie about this, too. One of the reasons it took them so long to push for an introduction, to make sure their dad understood it.
Mike's brow furrows just a bit but he still nods. ]
'Right. That - polyamory thing. I admit I didn't get it at first and was real worried, but - Wren was patient with me and explained it wasn't like with Vivienne and they were happy and you two talk a lot to make sure nothing gets missed.'
[Well, there was his answer. He gave them a small smile, relaxing a little against their side. He didn't mind lying about the mask, he did that everyday of his life...but he didn't like hiding his affections. It was bad enough that Bruce would literally explode if he ever got an inkling of what his two middle sons got up to on their own time.
Keeping their picture out of the gossip rags was hard enough. Though, more than a few had surfaced of Tim and Wren on various coffee meet ups.]
Yes, sir. I completely understand the hesitation and I'm willing to answer any questions you have. And yeah, they're right. We try to have dinner together at least once a week so that everyone can be in the same room and bring up anything that needs to be talked about, but most of the time it ends up with Tim and Wren feeding Roy coffee and watching him vibrate out of a window.
[He rolled his eyes, but the expression on his face was one of pure affection. Talking about all three of them made him soften, even being so relaxed as to lean down a little to kiss the top of Wren's head.]
Keep waiting for the day they get tired of me and boot me to the curb before taking over the world and abolishing sleep once and for all.
[ Wren blushed ever so slightly at the public display of affection and all, but didn't shy away from it. Mike's own slightly furrowed brow softened too, his voice warm. ]
'Ah, I doubt that'll ever happen. Not with how over the moon Wren is with you. Haven't seen them crushing this bad since they were ten.'
Dad!
[ That faint blush became a VERY deep one in an instant. ]
I'm just lucky that they didn't run for the hills when I told them that I liked them.
[That part was 100% true, at least. Dancing at the christmas ball, watching Tony with them...His hackles had raised to new heights that day. Not because he was jealous, but because he could see the awkward tension in Wren. He didn't like it when they weren't comfortable.]
But please, it is an honor to meet you and get to shake your hand...but this isn't my visit. Please, you two catch up. I'll chip in if needed and just enjoy the company.
[ It goes by too fast. Wren and Mike fall into that easy familiar conversation patterns of two people who are used to talking... but they both talk around certain things. Wren obviously doesn't talk about any cape work, and Mike avoids talking about the day to day in Blackgate a lot except for things he can somehow spin in a positive, focusing on asking about Wren's life instead. He remembers all of their teacher's names, every friend they've ever mentioned to him - it's easy to see that Wren's associations with him as a good dad aren't just rose colored nostalgia. But then the guard by the door is checking their watch and saying - "Five minutes" and both father and child deflate just a little. Everything is so limited now.]
'Thanks for coming to see me, Pumpkin. If you ever need to skip a week though, you know that's okay. I know it's a ways to come out here with school and a job now and all.'
[Jason didn't fade into the background, but he wasn't the focus of the meeting, either. He chuckled at funny stories, rolled his eyes at stories of annoying classmates. He chimed in to answer any questions that Mike had about their home life- The kinds of things he liked cooking, the books they were currently reading, that kind of thing.
He'd never had a parent interaction like this. Not as an adult and even when he'd been younger and Catherine had scooped him up into her arms after school, there had always been a lingering underlayer of violence from Willis if they got to chatting too loud over the tv. It hurt in the best possible way to see Wren interact with their dad and know that it was just as wholesome as it looked.
The five minute call earned a small frown as the other two visibly deflated and Jason glanced over at the guard who'd made the call. It was the woman who'd let him shake Mike's hand...and an idea started to brew. It wouldn't work now, but he'd give it time to mature and grow into a plan.]
It was a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Gray. I won't crash every visit, but I hope you'll let me come back every once in a while? As long as Wren doesn't mind, of course.
'Any time Wren is okay with it, I don't mind the extra company.'
[ He talks with the warm confidence, it's easy to imagine him in a different setting. Maybe a weekly breakfast, making sure they saw each other even after Wren finally moved out.
Some other life. There's a brief moment when Wren stands when their time is up and Jason has seen them enough to see what it looks like when Wren is close to tears, a feeling they push down quickly.
'If you could have anything, what would you want?' 'A hug from my dad.'
No touching. They give a nod to their dad instead. ]
I'll see you next week. I'll call if anything comes up.
'Get home safe, pumpkin. I love you.'
I love you too, Dad.
[ Time's up. One of the guards shifts to announce it but Wren is already heading to the door. They've got the routine down down to the second. Mike remains where he is- once Jason and Wren are gone he'll be unchained from the seat to move back to his cell. ]
Jason's lips set in a hard line, his gaze on the guards while Wren and Mike said their farewells. He knew that look on Wren's face, knew what it meant and how hard they had to swallow it back down. He knew it and he hated it, especially because he knew for a fact that so many other inmates completely ignored the 'no touching' rule for no more than a five spot left on the edge of a table.
But not for Michael Gray.
He didn't offer his hand again, not wanting to press their luck, but he did dip his head in a small nod.]
Thank you for letting me meet you, sir. I look forward to seeing you again.
[He looped his arm around Wren's waist, pulling them in close so he could press a kiss against their hair as they walked out of the door.]
[ Wren puts an arm around Jason in return, holding onto him tighter than they'd normally dare to. ]
Yeah. Thanks.
[ Jason gets cleaned up before getting into bed after patrol. Wren works to hide the melancholy they have for all they lost after a visit with their dad. ]
[He hated seeing them fight to put their brave face back on, but at least this time he could be there to help. Ice cream wasn't the same as being able to hug their dad, but it was something to help remind them that they were still there. Still alive and still got to see him and....
...and he didn't mention the idea he had rolling around in his head. Not until it grew up a little more.
It took another two visits before Jason had everything in place. It had taken a little more finessing than he'd originally thought, but nothing he couldn't handle. And once everything was in place, Wren got a text at 2 am.]
Meet me outside, songbird. Wear black and be prepared to fly a bit.
[ Wren was good with the brave face - when they went by themself, they were able to hide all signs of the sadness by the time they got home to Jason and Roy, even if the mask was imperfect now that it was so clearly there.
Nothing to be done about it but to keep going, though, right? Right. So they're really not sure what the 2am text could mean but Jason gets the benefit of trust that has them getting dressed in all black with the scarf they can turn into a makeshift hood and face cover if necessary even as they text back. ]
[Their trust was something he cherished and he hoped that this didn't break it. He didn't think it would, but the possibility was there. It certainly wouldn't be the first time that he'd tried to do something nice for someone only to have it backfire and blow up in his face.
Wren didn't get a text back, but when they made their way out onto the fire escape, Jason was waiting for them. Well...no. Red Hood was waiting for them.]
'Bout time. You don't know me and if anyone questions you, you have no idea what is going on. Come on, down onto the bike.
[He'd kept his voice modulator on and once he was done with his instructions, he almost casually vaulted the railing. Stupid Batkids and their second nature of throwing themselves off buildings.]
[ Wren hoped the darkness hid their faint blush. They had been right about no longer having the purest associations with his costume. They could pack it away on a job where it was important to keep their head in the game, but for all Jason was geared up to the nines he had only asked Wren to wear black. Given they didn't like the minimal armor on their own costume, they figured this meant it wasn't dangerous. Not physically so, anyway. ]
I don't know what's going on-
[ But Jason was already jumping off the building in that way that had Wren's heart in their throat, mentally running the calculations on how fast they could dive to catch him if they needed. It was dumb, he'd never been hurt by that, but - we'll, they'd never been hurt by their lack of heavier armor and Jason still fretted. Fair was fair. They tugged the hood and scarf up and jumped after Red Hood, gliding down to the bike with a fall that was all controlled grace thanks to their flight. ]
[Wren floated down like some fey creature, but Jason was sheer power. He caught the rail of another fire escape about halfway down, swinging himself in an almost lazy arc to eat up most of his momentum before he dropped the rest of the way back down. His boots made a heavy, intentional THUD when he hit the ground, but that was the only sound that told that he was there.
He didn't let himself admire the way they almost floated to the ground. If he did, he'd without a doubt let himself get distracted and he'd have to fight to get back into the right mindset. Instead, he waited until his HUD signaled their feet touching down before he tossed them a simple black helmet. It was different than the one that was still upstairs, hanging on the wall alongside Jay and Roy's civilian helmets. New, compact, but perfectly fitted to their head.
He swung his leg over and settled into the seat of his work bike, bringing it to life under his touch with a low, chest rumbling thrum.]
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Jason didn't mind going to Blackgate to meet Wren's dad. He didn't know the whole story of what had happened, but Wren would tell him when they were ready. Or they wouldn't, Jason wouldn't mind either way. He had stories he didn't particularly want to tell, either.
He understood the anger, though, and he laced their hands together to offer his support as they waited for the thick door to be buzzed open. His hand gave a twitch at those whispered words, but he only turned to arch a brow down at them.]
A book club? The same story you use at work? Really? Alright, but I'm pretty sure he's going to take one look at me and know something is off..
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[ They want their dad to like Jason and... given everything that happened with Vivienne, they're very worried that ship is going to sail if he finds out that Jason got them back into it.
They know they're asking a lot, asking Jason to lie for them. The truth is going to come out eventually, but they know their dad doesn't get a lot of visitors, and they're sure none of them would want to break the news to him of their kid going back into things. Not when he hated that Wren did it at all in the first place. ]
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[To be fair, Jason never said they had to go out. He would be perfectly content if Wren really did hang up their helmet and called it quits. In fact, he'd probably feel a hell of a lot safer considering they didn't want to upgrade their dad's suit to be more, you know, armored. Which was fine, it was their health and safety....but also, he loved them and seeing them go out in what was basically two steps above spandex was entirely too close to remembered how he used to run around in the same.
Maybe if he'd armored his suit, he wouldn't have died in that blast. He certainly wouldn't have been shattered to broken bits of bone by the crowbar.
Leaning down, he lightly bumped his forehead against their temple.]
I'm on my best behavior, I promise. All the Wayne social training and everything.
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Vivienne was the last person they brought to meet their dad. They hoped they weren't somehow cursing this. ]
Maybe not that much - we did live in a trailer park.
[ The light over the door goes from red to green as the loud buzzer to signify it unlocking goes off. The guard stationed next to it opens the door for them and gives them both a nod, saying "You know where to go" to Wren. They give a nod and head on in, going to where the visitor room is, not needing to check the signs. They keep hold of Jason's hand. ]
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[He straightened up as the guard came to let them in. Roberts, Jason was pretty sure. Eugene Roberts. His cousin had a few loose ties with the Malone family, but Eugene was actually a pretty straight a narrow guy. Unlike Forrest, who was in the security booth and liked the moonlight as an enforcer for Two Face. Jason had clocked him the moment they'd walked through the sally port, but he wasn't here for business.
He wouldn't have been so nervous if he were there for business.
Taking some reassurance from Wren's hand in his, he followed them down the hall. He knew where the visitor room was, he'd been there often enough in uniform, but he still let them lead. This was their dad, after all. Jason was just the boyfriend.]
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They didn't like most of the guards there, mind. Their gamut ran from a vaguely positive neutral to a chilly neutral-so-I-don't-cause-a-scene. They'd have been happy for any chance to punch them out.
Good behavior for years had granted their dad the ability to meet them in the more open meeting area. He still had his wrists and ankles chained together with cuffs that were meant to act as power suppressant and attached to the table that was bolted to the ground, but it allowed for a decent enough amount of movement. The rest of the room had space for three other meetings to happen too, a couple vending machines in the corner and one of those little dentist office play sets with curved tubes to run wooden beads along in another for particularly small children inclined to boredom.
It was only them using it right now, sometimes Wren wondered if it seated only four visitations because of security against having more at the same time, or because only four people held here had clearance to allow for this much freedom when their families came.
Wren's dad was already there, along with one guard at the door and another on the other side of the room. Wren had pictures of him to make him easy to point out - not that it was necessary. He looked so much like his kid, on the shorter side for a man, dark hair with more than a few gray hairs now even though he wasn't quite 40 yet, dark circles under his eyes. More muscle mass than Wren - not much else to do in prison other than work out or give up - and a dusting of stubble along his jaw. Same bright blue eyes, which lit up as soon as they saw Wren. ]
'Hey, Pumpkin. Good to see you.'
[ Like it's any other family visit and not one at one of the highest rated security prisons in the country. Wren smiles back. They have the same smile. There's two chairs at the other side of the table and Wren heads there, taking one of them. ]
Hey dad. Um, I wanted to introduce you to Jason, since I've been talking about him so much. Jason Todd, this is my dad Michael Gray.
'Just Mike, please.'
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Michael Gray had originally been in the meta ward, if the research that Jason had done had been correct. Years of good behavior and good work had earned him a transfer to a slightly less chaotic block. Still max security, but less likely to be cell mates with someone like Roman Sionis.
The guard at the door tensed slightly when Jason reached forward to shake the man's hand, but she stayed at her post.]
It's a pleasure to meet you, sir. I've heard a lot about you, too.
[It was a little surreal, seeing Wren and their dad in the same space. It was like looking at two versions of the same person. It made his smile soften a little, not enough to go lopsided, but enough that Wren would be able to see.
Taking his own seat, he didn't even notice when he automatically moved to stretch his arm out along the back of Wren's chair. Was it just an excuse to touch his partner? For most people, maybe, but not for him. He wanted to be able to keep his eye on everyone in the room, not just them.]
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'It's technically no touching back here, but some of the nicer guards don't mind a handshake or the like if you keep it brief.'
No hugs though.
[ Wren leaned in to Jason when they sat down, their leg touching his, just gravitating towards his space as they tended to. ]
'No, they're not THAT nice. Not like Wren who probably told only the good stuff about me.'
[ Mike's own smile still softened to see the easy comfortable companionship between Jason and Wren, even if Wren had a bit of nervousness to them. Introducing family would do that... especially incarcerated family. ]
That's because there's a lot of good stuff.
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[His smile didn't waver, but his voice was oh so slightly clipped. Nothing that anyone except Wren would notice, and yet the guard by the door had the good graces to flick their gaze away for a second. Honestly, this level of security for one man, even a max security meta man was overkill and Jason was a little displeased with the show of force.
They certainly didn't do that for the less well behaved. If Hood could grease a few palms to be allowed unlimited physical access to a scum bag with a rap sheet longer than his own, then surely one well behaved man could be allowed a hug.]
I have heard a lot of good stuff, true...but I bet you mostly hear the good stuff about me, too. They like to see the good in people. [The smile he gave them was full on lopsided and soft.] How else do you think I managed to have a chance?
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Wren couldn't help the faint blush that arose when Jason smiled like that, their own smile coming out as well. There was no hiding how over the moon they were about him. There hadn't been even before they started dating, really. ]
Ha - we're not here to talk about me. I'm pretty sure.
'But you are what we have in common! Alright though, Pumpkin. Tell me a little about yourself, Jason? They said you met at a book club - can't tell you how happy they are to have someone to talk literature with, if they haven't made that clear enough to you.'
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Wren had their part time at the campus bookstore, Jay and Roy took jobs as they came, and Jason's criminal empire in the Bowery kept the three of them as comfortable as they could want to be, even with most of Jason's criminal earnings going right back into his city.
And that was before Tim decided to randomly buy them things and just leave them at the apartment like it was perfectly normal. Because for him, it was. His parents had been loaded from the time he'd been born and when they'd died, they'd left him millions. Add in the Wayne trust fund that he had no qualms about using (unlike Jason) and Tim had a full time accountant with a whole team of investors that he employed privately just so he didn't have to manage his accounts on top of running Wayne Enterprises.
Wren hadn't wanted for anything in a while. And now it was Mike's turn.]
Oh, trust me, I'm just as happy about it. I'm pretty sure that all of my siblings run for the hills if I close my book like I'm going to say something about it. [He laughed and it was his real laugh, not the put on Wayne act that he used around Bruce's functions.] There isn't really a whole lot to tell, though. Adopted, don't always get along with my dad or my siblings, but we're working on it. Wren's been trying to talk me into going back to classes, but I'm stubborn-sure you've heard plenty about that. Bit of a gearhead. In the middle of restoring a '64 Chrysler 300 with m-Tim.
[There was a hiccup in that last word and he glanced over at Wren with a subtle squeeze to their knee. Had they mentioned the whole 'poly' thing? If so, was Mike okay with him talking about his other partners? He was going to play it safe until Wren gave him something to work with.]
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[ Wren clarifies to their dad, returning Jason's glance for just a moment. They were already asking Jason to lie about so much, it felt - they weren't going to ask him to lie about this, too. One of the reasons it took them so long to push for an introduction, to make sure their dad understood it.
Mike's brow furrows just a bit but he still nods. ]
'Right. That - polyamory thing. I admit I didn't get it at first and was real worried, but - Wren was patient with me and explained it wasn't like with Vivienne and they were happy and you two talk a lot to make sure nothing gets missed.'
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Keeping their picture out of the gossip rags was hard enough. Though, more than a few had surfaced of Tim and Wren on various coffee meet ups.]
Yes, sir. I completely understand the hesitation and I'm willing to answer any questions you have. And yeah, they're right. We try to have dinner together at least once a week so that everyone can be in the same room and bring up anything that needs to be talked about, but most of the time it ends up with Tim and Wren feeding Roy coffee and watching him vibrate out of a window.
[He rolled his eyes, but the expression on his face was one of pure affection. Talking about all three of them made him soften, even being so relaxed as to lean down a little to kiss the top of Wren's head.]
Keep waiting for the day they get tired of me and boot me to the curb before taking over the world and abolishing sleep once and for all.
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'Ah, I doubt that'll ever happen. Not with how over the moon Wren is with you. Haven't seen them crushing this bad since they were ten.'
Dad!
[ That faint blush became a VERY deep one in an instant. ]
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I'm just lucky that they didn't run for the hills when I told them that I liked them.
[That part was 100% true, at least. Dancing at the christmas ball, watching Tony with them...His hackles had raised to new heights that day. Not because he was jealous, but because he could see the awkward tension in Wren. He didn't like it when they weren't comfortable.]
But please, it is an honor to meet you and get to shake your hand...but this isn't my visit. Please, you two catch up. I'll chip in if needed and just enjoy the company.
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'Thanks for coming to see me, Pumpkin. If you ever need to skip a week though, you know that's okay. I know it's a ways to come out here with school and a job now and all.'
I know. It's worth it, though.
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He'd never had a parent interaction like this. Not as an adult and even when he'd been younger and Catherine had scooped him up into her arms after school, there had always been a lingering underlayer of violence from Willis if they got to chatting too loud over the tv. It hurt in the best possible way to see Wren interact with their dad and know that it was just as wholesome as it looked.
The five minute call earned a small frown as the other two visibly deflated and Jason glanced over at the guard who'd made the call. It was the woman who'd let him shake Mike's hand...and an idea started to brew. It wouldn't work now, but he'd give it time to mature and grow into a plan.]
It was a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Gray. I won't crash every visit, but I hope you'll let me come back every once in a while? As long as Wren doesn't mind, of course.
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[ He talks with the warm confidence, it's easy to imagine him in a different setting. Maybe a weekly breakfast, making sure they saw each other even after Wren finally moved out.
Some other life. There's a brief moment when Wren stands when their time is up and Jason has seen them enough to see what it looks like when Wren is close to tears, a feeling they push down quickly.
'If you could have anything, what would you want?' 'A hug from my dad.'
No touching. They give a nod to their dad instead. ]
I'll see you next week. I'll call if anything comes up.
'Get home safe, pumpkin. I love you.'
I love you too, Dad.
[ Time's up. One of the guards shifts to announce it but Wren is already heading to the door. They've got the routine down down to the second. Mike remains where he is- once Jason and Wren are gone he'll be unchained from the seat to move back to his cell. ]
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Jason's lips set in a hard line, his gaze on the guards while Wren and Mike said their farewells. He knew that look on Wren's face, knew what it meant and how hard they had to swallow it back down. He knew it and he hated it, especially because he knew for a fact that so many other inmates completely ignored the 'no touching' rule for no more than a five spot left on the edge of a table.
But not for Michael Gray.
He didn't offer his hand again, not wanting to press their luck, but he did dip his head in a small nod.]
Thank you for letting me meet you, sir. I look forward to seeing you again.
[He looped his arm around Wren's waist, pulling them in close so he could press a kiss against their hair as they walked out of the door.]
Ice cream? My treat.
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Yeah. Thanks.
[ Jason gets cleaned up before getting into bed after patrol. Wren works to hide the melancholy they have for all they lost after a visit with their dad. ]
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...and he didn't mention the idea he had rolling around in his head. Not until it grew up a little more.
It took another two visits before Jason had everything in place. It had taken a little more finessing than he'd originally thought, but nothing he couldn't handle. And once everything was in place, Wren got a text at 2 am.]
Meet me outside, songbird. Wear black and be prepared to fly a bit.
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Nothing to be done about it but to keep going, though, right? Right. So they're really not sure what the 2am text could mean but Jason gets the benefit of trust that has them getting dressed in all black with the scarf they can turn into a makeshift hood and face cover if necessary even as they text back. ]
What's going on?
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Wren didn't get a text back, but when they made their way out onto the fire escape, Jason was waiting for them. Well...no. Red Hood was waiting for them.]
'Bout time. You don't know me and if anyone questions you, you have no idea what is going on. Come on, down onto the bike.
[He'd kept his voice modulator on and once he was done with his instructions, he almost casually vaulted the railing. Stupid Batkids and their second nature of throwing themselves off buildings.]
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I don't know what's going on-
[ But Jason was already jumping off the building in that way that had Wren's heart in their throat, mentally running the calculations on how fast they could dive to catch him if they needed. It was dumb, he'd never been hurt by that, but - we'll, they'd never been hurt by their lack of heavier armor and Jason still fretted. Fair was fair. They tugged the hood and scarf up and jumped after Red Hood, gliding down to the bike with a fall that was all controlled grace thanks to their flight. ]
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He didn't let himself admire the way they almost floated to the ground. If he did, he'd without a doubt let himself get distracted and he'd have to fight to get back into the right mindset. Instead, he waited until his HUD signaled their feet touching down before he tossed them a simple black helmet. It was different than the one that was still upstairs, hanging on the wall alongside Jay and Roy's civilian helmets. New, compact, but perfectly fitted to their head.
He swung his leg over and settled into the seat of his work bike, bringing it to life under his touch with a low, chest rumbling thrum.]
Come on, be a good backpack and hold on tight.
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(Clearly I need icons for wren's dad now)
:P
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