currently at tushanshu but considering others

[cowled]

You don't have the time.

[eloquent as ever, Bruce.]

Comments

[hesmypuddin]

[You probably want to talk to her as much as you want a root canal, but when has she ever cared?]

Eh, you'll have time when yer dead, Bats... Although... [She smiles sweetly.] That can be arranged if ya prefer?

[cowled]

[Wow, Harley, you know how to make an entrance. Bruce's expression doesn't change, but he definitely doesn't look impressed and he's definitely amped that Batman voice up to eleven when he speaks.]

Some other time, Harley.

[Not like he hasn't clawed his way out of enough graves already.]

[bodilesswarrior]

And that's ever stopped you before.

[cowled]

[He just gives her a Look.]

There's a difference between what I do and her 'games', Barbara.

[It's almost as good as saying 'it's good to see you'.]

[flyingg]

But the distraction can be useful, right?

[cowled]

Not to me.

[Because 'Batman' and 'Distractions' are basically matters of opposing polarity, as far as he's concerned.]

[goodsoldier]

I'd make some kind of time travel joke, but I don't have the heart.

[cowled]

[And because everything that Jay says is designed in one way or another to basically be the verbal equivalent of sticking a knife between Bruce's ribs, the look he gives Jason is edged in weary neutrality.

It's always hard to see him. No matter the version or the time or the circumstance. It never gets any easier.]

Jason.

[bumblebeeb]

Good luck gettin' her to listen, big guy.

[cowled]

[... Okay, yes, Kord's quips grate on him no less than they always used to, but he's a little dead right now and where Bruce is concerned, let's face it, little else makes the heart grow fonder. So although his eyes do narrow slightly, he doesn't. Outright do more than just raise an eyebrow.]

If she'd consider the matter logically, I wouldn't need her to.

[evenrobin]

You've just gotta ruin everyone's fun. [He's grinning, though.]

[cowled]

[bluescreen.

reboot imminent in three, two, one...

What does it say that his first instinct is to say 'hey, chum'. God, did he ever used to use that phrase.]

It's never been a priority.

[glass case of emotion on the inside, man.]

[alienfromkansas]

[Bruce your heart feels old...]

This timeline shenanigans get more and more confusing each time. That said- isn't it up to her to decide?

[cowled]

[Clark you look about ten years younger than he's used to. Bruce just gives him a suspicious look because goddamnit if this is another clone or duplicate or alternate universe or timeline jumble, so help him...

... That boyscoutism, though. That's about a hundred and ten percent Clark Kent.]

No.

[He is so surly about this you can't even.]

[plains_hunter]

The great Batman is admonishing someone? Oh, perish the thought. Nice to see some things can be counted on with every incarnation of you.

[cowled]

Blake.

[Oh that's a frosty tone, part admonition and part 'hi you're a sometimes-member of my rogue gallery'.]

sob what am I doing

[vuuvuuvuu]

[Hey look, it's Aquaman but he's cooler and there's a 20% increase in chance of bitch-face and questioning your leadership!]

Is that your only objection?

excellence incarnate, bb.

[cowled]

[And suddenly Arthur. As with Clark, he's... younger than Bruce is accustomed to.

And kind of shinier, too. Dat art.]

No. Merely the most pressing.

[hexappeal]

On the bright side, you remain as popular as ever?

[cowled]

[Whoops, Zatanna.]

This isn't about popularity.

[Almost, he adds her nickname on the end of that statement. Hard to believe it's still a natural reflex, after everything.]

/sob you already have a ton of jasons tagging you but

[secondrate]

[Shrugging in a falsely casual manner, 'give no fucks' mode activated.]

Thanks for sharing with the class, Bruce. We all appreciate your candor.

no come here and let me love you /reaches

[cowled]

[This is really not his favourite thing in the world. Seeing Jason alive will never fail to inspire that same stabbing guilt just under his sternum, and although Bruce is no stranger to self-flagellation, this manages to hurt the same each and every time.]

Jason.

[More than anything, it's just a weary greeting, by degrees an admonition and entirely too honest in regards to the feelings behind it.]

[comicbookvillain]

They never do, do they?

[cowled]

No. That's half the problem.

[Wow if Bruce wasn't a naturally suspicious person from the get-go his mun's reaction sure would have amped it up to eleven because seriously that happy-sounding shriek.]

HI

[theonlyresponse]

Even if they did, this is not a constructive use for it.

omg I'm sorry this went to spam why gmail why

[cowled]

I'm aware.

[Doubles are nothing new. Though this one seems... different somehow. Bruce's eyes narrow behind the cowl, considering.]