canon is gotham, probably spoilers in the comments

[saintjames]

It's too early to call his motive. I wasn't expecting things to go this way but trust me, I'll take care of it.

Which means whatever you're thinking, I'm not game. Cobblepot aside nobody else is going to be following up on these cases so that still falls to me.

[ And it's not like he can count on anyone else to help him. ]

I'm not going anywhere until I figure it out.

Comments

[pearlstrings]

Do you intend to protest?

[saintjames]

I already am.

[pearlstrings]

What will you do if they're ignored?

[saintjames]

It wouldn't be the first time.

I'm not exactly a pushover.

[ The metaphor of a dog worrying a bone comes to mind. ]

[pearlstrings]

But there might be work for you to do.

In the place you're sent to.

[saintjames]

I have work in Gotham.

[ And a promise to keep. ]

[pearlstrings]

My father said that a man doesn't always choose the work that he does.

Sometimes, it chooses him.

[saintjames]

Your father was a pretty wise man.

[eyescratches]

Good luck with all that Detective.

[saintjames]

[ You little :||| ]

We still have a conversation that needs to happen.

[eyescratches]

[8D]

Aboooout what, exactly?

[saintjames]

That isn't going to work with me.

[eyescratches]

I'm not sure what you're talking about, Detective.

[INNOCENT SMILE]

[saintjames]

We'll see what tune you're singing when I find you again.

[ In canon. Not here. Obviously. ]

You didn't give me anything to work with, for the record.

[eyescratches]

Well... [Give her a second to find something smarmy to say]

I told you what I saw. If you can't figure anything out from that then... maybe you're not a very good detective.

[Still a petulant child at heart.]

[saintjames]

You gave me information I already had.

[ Didn't we go over this already?? ]

And then somebody ran away.

[eyescratches]

[Look, she saw what she saw, okay.]

Well somebody handcuffed me to a pole. [Shrug]

You should really invest in some better cuffs. I mean, if I could get out of them, I can't imagine who else could.

[saintjames]

For good reason, apparently.

Don't let it go to your head.

[ And very slippery. You're going to be a pain in my butt when you grow up. ]

[eyescratches]

[This is only the beginning, Detective.]

Hey, I might not have run if you hadn't done that.

[You can't trap a cat]

[saintjames]

Uh huh.

[attemptable]

Your conviction is, as always, admirable, Detective.

[saintjames]

With any luck it'll get me out of trouble before any starts.

[ But his luck hasn't been all that stellar as of late. ]

[attemptable]

Do you doubt yourself?

[ there's a lot of that going around. ]

[saintjames]

[ Sometimes. ]

I think this is more a battle of wills.

[attemptable]

Then, look at this as a test of strength. Of character.

[saintjames]

And if I fail?

[ Would you think less of him, Bruce? ]

[attemptable]

We learn from our mistakes.

[ he thinks of his father, of the words he would speak to him in times of fear. he glances up at jim with earnest. ]

We try again.

[ because we have to. because we must. ]

[saintjames]

[ He nods. ]

I don't plan on giving up.

[ Here, or in Gotham. ]

[attemptable]

Then you won't fail.

oops no smiling icons

[saintjames]

[ His mouth pulls up into a crooked smile. ]

What about you?

shh, it's the thought that counts

[attemptable]

[ he won't tell gordon about the promise he's made or the reason he's doing all that he is to conquer his fears. he doesn't speak on the nightmares or the thoughts that paralyze him late at night, before he tries closing his eyes.

instead, bruce smiles that gentle, convincing smile that comes as second-nature. ]

I'm not giving up, either.

[saintjames]

Okay.

[ He says it like they've just made an agreement. And maybe they have. ]

[neverrobin]

Unfortunately, there's not much you can do to discourage them once they get an idea into their heads. Trust me, I've tried.

[saintjames]

That isn't promising.

[mrplayboybunny]

You're a good man, Jim. A good detective.

I'm sure you'll figure things out.

[saintjames]

[ He stares for a moment, because there are vestiges of the boy he knows in this face, but-- ]

There is no other option.

[ ... ]

Bruce?

[mrplayboybunny]

[He shrugs a shoulder lightly, a small, knowing smile playing about his lips.]

Just... an old friend.

So you've always been ambitious when it comes to cleaning up Gotham, then. I saw that in you when we first met.

[saintjames]

[ His gaze lingers, as suspicious as it is curious. ]

Some people say I'm a sucker for lost causes.

[mrplayboybunny]

Those people would say Gotham is a lost cause, especially back then.

[Before the Batman was around.]

You don't agree.

[saintjames]

[ Gordon glances away. It's as evasive as it is telling. ]

It's in a bad way.

[ But no, he doesn't.]

[mrplayboybunny]

But not hopeless.

Anyone can be a hero, you know.

[saintjames]

You said back then.

Does it make a difference?

[ Does he make a difference? ]

[mrplayboybunny]

[Bruce sighs quietly.]

The Gordon I knew was the only good, honest cop in Gotham. He showed me kindness when I needed it, when I was at my lowest, and he gave me the strength I needed. [To become a symbol of hope Gotham needed.]

Yeah, it makes a difference. Just don't lose all hope in this corrupt city.

[saintjames]

If it came to that... [ He trails off. If it came to that maybe he would leave, instead of succumbing to the sickness he sees in everyone else. But he can't leave, just like he can't break his promise to Bruce. That boy deserves better. He deserves justice.

Gordon shakes his head. ]

Just keep swimming.

[mrplayboybunny]

[Bruce smiles a little at that.]

Yeah.

You made a difference to him. To that kid.


To me. You've done that for Gotham, too.

[saintjames]

I hope I live up to it.

[ He shifts his weight, hands on his hips. It's one thing to be told he can make a difference, another entirely... this. ]

If I get out of this, at least.

[ A gesture at the multiverse as a whole. Yeah good luck with that Gordon. ]