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thejusticelounge2014-12-31 05:12 pm
bossymarmalade) wrote in thejusticelounge2014-12-31 05:12 pm
Entry tags:
nestlings
It is four in the morning when Tim ventures to the kitchen. He has slept eight hours, went to sleep as soon as he received Zee’s talisman and doesn’t dare return to his bed in case he sleeps the entire day away. It allows him to get familiar with the hallways of the Manor once more, while everyone else is asleep. “I thought I’d never return,” he mumbles opening a cabinet and finding the mugs with a little smile, amused that Alfred never changed the inventory of the kitchen.
Jason has not been able to sleep at all, even with the talisman. The bed is too big, and the room is so large it feels like he’s an ant. After tossing and turning for hours, he gets up, hands in the pockets of his sweat pants as he wanders the halls, steps almost silent. He finds himself nearing his old room and immediately turns and rushes downstairs. Since he can’t sleep, he might as well make some coffee. His bare feet pad across the floor and into the kitchen. He pauses in the doorway when he spots Tim. “You still having trouble sleeping?” he asks, voice low, trying not to startle him.
Tim cradles the tin of roasted coffee beans to his chest, inhaling its heavenly scent when Jason enters the kitchen. He hums in reply, eyes opening and glancing his brother’s way, noticing he looks rather tired. “Actually, no. The talisman Zee sent me works fine,” he says, facing the man and showing him said piece of magic. He fiddles with its cord, looking down at it with curious eyes. “I suppose I shouldn’t wear it when making coffee though.. Yours not working?”
Jason shakes his head and wanders further into the kitchen, moving to lean against one of the counters. “Nah, it’s working fine. Just getting to sleep is the problem, not the dreams.” He rubs the back of his neck and glances around the place. “Just… really weird being back here, y’know? So what are you doing up anyway?”
Tim prepares the beans to make them some coffee, busying himself. “So it’s not insomnia.. you feel uncomfortable here?” He asks, but can guess his answer. “It is odd to be here, like this. I’m up because I’m not used to getting a lot of sleep. I slept for eight hours. Can’t remember the last time that happened. Years ago, I suppose,” Tim mumbles reaching for another cup and watching the coffee machine work its own magic. “I thought of returning here, when I was abroad. I just.. didn’t imagine I’d feel this alienated.”
Jason casually walks a bit closer, though he still leaves Tim plenty of personal space. “Kinda, yeah,” he admits with a little nod. “Guess that makes sense, but it means the talisman’s working, right?” He’ll have to remember to thank Zee for that later. “Things’ve changed. I never really thought Bruce’d let me back in here. Keep expecting to wake up in my safehouse or back at Ollie’s or something.”
Tim leans his hip against the counter, crossing his arms over his chest as he nods. The talisman works. Now he fears what might happen after its power starts fading. “We’ll see how long that lasts.” He never truly understood his brother’s doubt concerning his ties to their family, safe for the obvious reasons from the past. “Elaborate again, why would Bruce not want you here after he has given you the access codes?” Tim looks at Jason, head tilted in question.
"Should work for a while, had mine at least a month now and it’s still good." He looks away sheepishly and shrugs. It’s not something that’s easy to explain, mostly because he knows that some of the worries and fears are quite irrational, though he can do little to quell them. "Cause a couple months ago, he could barely look at me. He kept my old room exactly how I left it, cause I think he wants the kid who left it that way to come back… and it’s not gonna happen. Sooner or later, he’s gonna figure that out."
Tim presses his lips together. His own room looked the same as well, not a single object moved after he left for his journey. “I’m not sure what Bruce expects of us while we live here, but I told him I am going to alter my room. I’m no longer a teen. You are neither. Even.. if..” He needs a moment to choose his words wisely, takes the chance to pour Jason and himself some coffee and pushes the mug over the counter towards his brother, leaving it there for him to take. He has gotten better at this, reacting to another presence. Physical contact aside, there are no longer unconscious, paranoid jerks of his body whenever Jason or Bruce enter the room. He can’t promise the same for others however. Family first, Tim figures staring into his coffee and finally resuming his sentence. “Even if you didn’t die, you would have changed over the years. It’s a logical, perfectly normal process. Identifying your true self..” he mutters.
"Honestly, I don’t think he really knows either. Pretty sure he’s just glad to have this place back," he notes, leaning back a little further and resting his hands on the counter. Somehow, the kitchen feels less confining than his immense room, more familiar, the tiles and cabinets almost feeling friendly. "Thanks," he says, taking the mug. "I would’ve. Well, I mean, I have… but Bruce’s only seen the worst of it. Sorta think he might want us to go back to… how we were when we lived here before. Dunno if it’s a thing he’s aware of, but think it’s gotta be part of why he let me come back."
"You’re welcome. And not a chance," Tim adds flatly, swirling his coffee with a roll of his eyes. Bruce doesn’t strike him as one to reminisce when their antics as cheeky Robins are involved. "We have all changed. Bruce has.. changed as well. With Ollie and Kate, I didn’t know about them and, it’s odd but Bruce has changed because of them. He feels.. more approachable? Pretty certain he’s not aware of it. He is aware that you have changed Jason, for better or worse. He knows I have changed as well." Tim looks around for a sign of the butler of the house, hoisting himself up on the counter when remembering the man is probably still asleep. "Living together might not be the easiest thing."
Jason cocks an eyebrow at Tim’s flat refusal of his suggestion. “Huh, I hadn’t really noticed,” he says, sipping at his coffee a little bitterly, because it’s still an extremely difficult task for him to approach Bruce. “I’m not saying he doesn’t know that we’ve changed, just that he might miss the way things used to be, even if he won’t admit it to himself.” Letting out a breath, he nods. “Pretty sure you’re right about that. Figure we’ll make it work, but… might be weird for a while. Think I’m probably still gonna spend a couple days with Ollie once in a while, just to check in and stuff, y’know?”
Tim gives a little shrug. Perhaps it has been his personal interpretation of the man’s body language. Only he truly knows what he wants others to think of him anyway. “We all miss the way things used to be. There’s no point on wishful thinking however.” His voice becomes stern, eyes gazing at the doorway where he expects Bruce to lurk in the shadows, secretly hoping he witnesses this conversation and knows he’s fooling himself. “I think it’s good to stick with Ollie as well. He’s.. a good man. What are the chances of some of that easy-going personality rubbing off on Bruce?” Tim sighs dramatically.
"Yeah." He can’t really argue with that, so Jason just gives his coffee a long, thoughtful look. "Just wish he’d take the damn memorial out of the cave," he mutters, not really meaning for Tim to hear. It doesn’t really matter anyway, as he’s fairly sure he’s still not trusted enough to be allowed back down into the Cave. "He’s a really good guy. I dunno, probably not too great. Don’t think Bruce is physically capable of being ‘easy-going’, but… I think they are good for each other… when they’re actually able to talk and work through shit, I mean."
That can be arranged, a little voice in the back of Tim’s head suggests. Hm. Not certain he’s willing to anger the man by letting the memorial vanish without his consent. Jason has a point however. As much as it’s a reminder of his mistake, it is also a constant reminder of Jason’s trauma. He crosses his legs at his ankles, thinking quietly. “If not removed, it can be covered at least.” Or they could simply ask Bruce to remove it. Welp. Tim finishes his coffee quickly. “True, only Brucie is easy-going and I still have to grit my teeth whenever he forces that persona on me in public. Ollie is a good influence though.. he’s brave, that’s for sure.” Because a relationship with Bruce sounds nearly impossible to Tim. “I don’t know Kate well at all.. Seeing as she’s married to Ollie however. I assume she and Bruce.. get along well, too?” He shifts on top of the counter, slightly uncomfortable with where this is going.
Jason glances up at Tim in slight surprise. “Guess that’s a start at least.” It’s something, more than he ever expected. That damn case seems like it’s haunting him. He knows why Bruce has kept it, but the reason, that guilt just makes him more furious. Even while he understands that Bruce can’t let go, it means he can’t let it go either. It means that every time the man looks at him, Jason can’t help wondering if he’s seeing him or the boy that he buried. “Oh god, can’t even remember the last time I had to hang around Brucie,” he says with a grimace. “He’s brave, yeah, and a good listener. Uh, I dunno too much about Kate either, only talked to her once. Figure it’s the three of ‘em, yeah…” He trails off, not really sure how to continue with that subject without it getting weird. “But it’s good that they have each other, things have been hard for all of ‘em, I think, decent support system… or it should be.”
Tim gives his brother a slight smile, seeing his surprised gaze. A cloth should do or perhaps some graffiti. It’s been a while since he’s done something sneaky to Bruce, something Robin would do. He’s still a Robin of sorts. Tim leans back against the cupboards and sighs. “A support system of three. I must admit it baffled me when I first heard of it.. Suppose I shouldn’t judge without properly knowing their dynamics.”
Jason manages to return the smile with a faint one of his own. He’s not really sure what to make of Tim offering to help on this, but he really appreciates him even making the offer. Somehow he doubts that Bruce will agree with it being removed or even covered. “Yeah, kinda caught me by surprise too. From what I’ve heard from Ollie, when it works, it really works, but… lately there’s been some issues. Didn’t really ask too much though, didn’t wanna pry, y’know?”
Tim nods. “Hm, ‘love shouldn’t be questioned’, or something like that. Their bond is rare and interesting even if I still have my doubts. I am rooting for them however.” Tim hops off the counter, rinsing his mug shortly and washing his hands thoroughly afterwards. “Prying will get you into trouble, but I’m keeping my eye on them. It’s what I do best, after all.” He dries his hands on a cloth and fumbles with the talisman around his neck, pointing at Jason’s as well. “You should talk to Zee about not being able to fall asleep. As for me, I have boxes to unpack.” He moves to the doorway, looking over his shoulder hesitantly. “.. We should drink coffee together more often.”
"Something like that," he agrees, though he’s probably one to question it more than more. "Guess if you’re doing it cause you care it’s not so bad. Just don’t get caught." Not that he expects Bruce to be all that upset even if he does. Glancing down at his own talisman, he nods. "Yeah, maybe." He meets Tim’s eyes and smiles again as he nods. "Yeah, we should."
Tim gives a soft snort. Getting caught, really? He might not be at his best at this moment, but he is determined. “There are cots in the Cave, you know,” he tells Jason, wondering if the Cave will provide a more secure place for his brother to sleep. “Get some sleep. You look awful,” he quips, leaving the kitchen with a small wave.
Jason rolls his eyes and snorts. “Gee thanks,” he calls after him. Finishing his coffee, he cleans up his mug and reluctantly heads back up to the guest room he’s staying in. Instead of returning to bed though, he grabs the blankets off the mattress and drags them into the large closet. There’s more than enough room for him to lay down comfortably, so he makes himself a little nest, and tries to sleep again.
Jason has not been able to sleep at all, even with the talisman. The bed is too big, and the room is so large it feels like he’s an ant. After tossing and turning for hours, he gets up, hands in the pockets of his sweat pants as he wanders the halls, steps almost silent. He finds himself nearing his old room and immediately turns and rushes downstairs. Since he can’t sleep, he might as well make some coffee. His bare feet pad across the floor and into the kitchen. He pauses in the doorway when he spots Tim. “You still having trouble sleeping?” he asks, voice low, trying not to startle him.
Tim cradles the tin of roasted coffee beans to his chest, inhaling its heavenly scent when Jason enters the kitchen. He hums in reply, eyes opening and glancing his brother’s way, noticing he looks rather tired. “Actually, no. The talisman Zee sent me works fine,” he says, facing the man and showing him said piece of magic. He fiddles with its cord, looking down at it with curious eyes. “I suppose I shouldn’t wear it when making coffee though.. Yours not working?”
Jason shakes his head and wanders further into the kitchen, moving to lean against one of the counters. “Nah, it’s working fine. Just getting to sleep is the problem, not the dreams.” He rubs the back of his neck and glances around the place. “Just… really weird being back here, y’know? So what are you doing up anyway?”
Tim prepares the beans to make them some coffee, busying himself. “So it’s not insomnia.. you feel uncomfortable here?” He asks, but can guess his answer. “It is odd to be here, like this. I’m up because I’m not used to getting a lot of sleep. I slept for eight hours. Can’t remember the last time that happened. Years ago, I suppose,” Tim mumbles reaching for another cup and watching the coffee machine work its own magic. “I thought of returning here, when I was abroad. I just.. didn’t imagine I’d feel this alienated.”
Jason casually walks a bit closer, though he still leaves Tim plenty of personal space. “Kinda, yeah,” he admits with a little nod. “Guess that makes sense, but it means the talisman’s working, right?” He’ll have to remember to thank Zee for that later. “Things’ve changed. I never really thought Bruce’d let me back in here. Keep expecting to wake up in my safehouse or back at Ollie’s or something.”
Tim leans his hip against the counter, crossing his arms over his chest as he nods. The talisman works. Now he fears what might happen after its power starts fading. “We’ll see how long that lasts.” He never truly understood his brother’s doubt concerning his ties to their family, safe for the obvious reasons from the past. “Elaborate again, why would Bruce not want you here after he has given you the access codes?” Tim looks at Jason, head tilted in question.
"Should work for a while, had mine at least a month now and it’s still good." He looks away sheepishly and shrugs. It’s not something that’s easy to explain, mostly because he knows that some of the worries and fears are quite irrational, though he can do little to quell them. "Cause a couple months ago, he could barely look at me. He kept my old room exactly how I left it, cause I think he wants the kid who left it that way to come back… and it’s not gonna happen. Sooner or later, he’s gonna figure that out."
Tim presses his lips together. His own room looked the same as well, not a single object moved after he left for his journey. “I’m not sure what Bruce expects of us while we live here, but I told him I am going to alter my room. I’m no longer a teen. You are neither. Even.. if..” He needs a moment to choose his words wisely, takes the chance to pour Jason and himself some coffee and pushes the mug over the counter towards his brother, leaving it there for him to take. He has gotten better at this, reacting to another presence. Physical contact aside, there are no longer unconscious, paranoid jerks of his body whenever Jason or Bruce enter the room. He can’t promise the same for others however. Family first, Tim figures staring into his coffee and finally resuming his sentence. “Even if you didn’t die, you would have changed over the years. It’s a logical, perfectly normal process. Identifying your true self..” he mutters.
"Honestly, I don’t think he really knows either. Pretty sure he’s just glad to have this place back," he notes, leaning back a little further and resting his hands on the counter. Somehow, the kitchen feels less confining than his immense room, more familiar, the tiles and cabinets almost feeling friendly. "Thanks," he says, taking the mug. "I would’ve. Well, I mean, I have… but Bruce’s only seen the worst of it. Sorta think he might want us to go back to… how we were when we lived here before. Dunno if it’s a thing he’s aware of, but think it’s gotta be part of why he let me come back."
"You’re welcome. And not a chance," Tim adds flatly, swirling his coffee with a roll of his eyes. Bruce doesn’t strike him as one to reminisce when their antics as cheeky Robins are involved. "We have all changed. Bruce has.. changed as well. With Ollie and Kate, I didn’t know about them and, it’s odd but Bruce has changed because of them. He feels.. more approachable? Pretty certain he’s not aware of it. He is aware that you have changed Jason, for better or worse. He knows I have changed as well." Tim looks around for a sign of the butler of the house, hoisting himself up on the counter when remembering the man is probably still asleep. "Living together might not be the easiest thing."
Jason cocks an eyebrow at Tim’s flat refusal of his suggestion. “Huh, I hadn’t really noticed,” he says, sipping at his coffee a little bitterly, because it’s still an extremely difficult task for him to approach Bruce. “I’m not saying he doesn’t know that we’ve changed, just that he might miss the way things used to be, even if he won’t admit it to himself.” Letting out a breath, he nods. “Pretty sure you’re right about that. Figure we’ll make it work, but… might be weird for a while. Think I’m probably still gonna spend a couple days with Ollie once in a while, just to check in and stuff, y’know?”
Tim gives a little shrug. Perhaps it has been his personal interpretation of the man’s body language. Only he truly knows what he wants others to think of him anyway. “We all miss the way things used to be. There’s no point on wishful thinking however.” His voice becomes stern, eyes gazing at the doorway where he expects Bruce to lurk in the shadows, secretly hoping he witnesses this conversation and knows he’s fooling himself. “I think it’s good to stick with Ollie as well. He’s.. a good man. What are the chances of some of that easy-going personality rubbing off on Bruce?” Tim sighs dramatically.
"Yeah." He can’t really argue with that, so Jason just gives his coffee a long, thoughtful look. "Just wish he’d take the damn memorial out of the cave," he mutters, not really meaning for Tim to hear. It doesn’t really matter anyway, as he’s fairly sure he’s still not trusted enough to be allowed back down into the Cave. "He’s a really good guy. I dunno, probably not too great. Don’t think Bruce is physically capable of being ‘easy-going’, but… I think they are good for each other… when they’re actually able to talk and work through shit, I mean."
That can be arranged, a little voice in the back of Tim’s head suggests. Hm. Not certain he’s willing to anger the man by letting the memorial vanish without his consent. Jason has a point however. As much as it’s a reminder of his mistake, it is also a constant reminder of Jason’s trauma. He crosses his legs at his ankles, thinking quietly. “If not removed, it can be covered at least.” Or they could simply ask Bruce to remove it. Welp. Tim finishes his coffee quickly. “True, only Brucie is easy-going and I still have to grit my teeth whenever he forces that persona on me in public. Ollie is a good influence though.. he’s brave, that’s for sure.” Because a relationship with Bruce sounds nearly impossible to Tim. “I don’t know Kate well at all.. Seeing as she’s married to Ollie however. I assume she and Bruce.. get along well, too?” He shifts on top of the counter, slightly uncomfortable with where this is going.
Jason glances up at Tim in slight surprise. “Guess that’s a start at least.” It’s something, more than he ever expected. That damn case seems like it’s haunting him. He knows why Bruce has kept it, but the reason, that guilt just makes him more furious. Even while he understands that Bruce can’t let go, it means he can’t let it go either. It means that every time the man looks at him, Jason can’t help wondering if he’s seeing him or the boy that he buried. “Oh god, can’t even remember the last time I had to hang around Brucie,” he says with a grimace. “He’s brave, yeah, and a good listener. Uh, I dunno too much about Kate either, only talked to her once. Figure it’s the three of ‘em, yeah…” He trails off, not really sure how to continue with that subject without it getting weird. “But it’s good that they have each other, things have been hard for all of ‘em, I think, decent support system… or it should be.”
Tim gives his brother a slight smile, seeing his surprised gaze. A cloth should do or perhaps some graffiti. It’s been a while since he’s done something sneaky to Bruce, something Robin would do. He’s still a Robin of sorts. Tim leans back against the cupboards and sighs. “A support system of three. I must admit it baffled me when I first heard of it.. Suppose I shouldn’t judge without properly knowing their dynamics.”
Jason manages to return the smile with a faint one of his own. He’s not really sure what to make of Tim offering to help on this, but he really appreciates him even making the offer. Somehow he doubts that Bruce will agree with it being removed or even covered. “Yeah, kinda caught me by surprise too. From what I’ve heard from Ollie, when it works, it really works, but… lately there’s been some issues. Didn’t really ask too much though, didn’t wanna pry, y’know?”
Tim nods. “Hm, ‘love shouldn’t be questioned’, or something like that. Their bond is rare and interesting even if I still have my doubts. I am rooting for them however.” Tim hops off the counter, rinsing his mug shortly and washing his hands thoroughly afterwards. “Prying will get you into trouble, but I’m keeping my eye on them. It’s what I do best, after all.” He dries his hands on a cloth and fumbles with the talisman around his neck, pointing at Jason’s as well. “You should talk to Zee about not being able to fall asleep. As for me, I have boxes to unpack.” He moves to the doorway, looking over his shoulder hesitantly. “.. We should drink coffee together more often.”
"Something like that," he agrees, though he’s probably one to question it more than more. "Guess if you’re doing it cause you care it’s not so bad. Just don’t get caught." Not that he expects Bruce to be all that upset even if he does. Glancing down at his own talisman, he nods. "Yeah, maybe." He meets Tim’s eyes and smiles again as he nods. "Yeah, we should."
Tim gives a soft snort. Getting caught, really? He might not be at his best at this moment, but he is determined. “There are cots in the Cave, you know,” he tells Jason, wondering if the Cave will provide a more secure place for his brother to sleep. “Get some sleep. You look awful,” he quips, leaving the kitchen with a small wave.
Jason rolls his eyes and snorts. “Gee thanks,” he calls after him. Finishing his coffee, he cleans up his mug and reluctantly heads back up to the guest room he’s staying in. Instead of returning to bed though, he grabs the blankets off the mattress and drags them into the large closet. There’s more than enough room for him to lay down comfortably, so he makes himself a little nest, and tries to sleep again.