batmanschmatman | 134 [video]

[Dick turns on the camera feed and smiles sort of sheepishly,]

So, I'm back. Checked on a few things at home, dropped in to say hi to some friends, Kirk says hi back. Doesn't sound like I missed anything too awful on this end.

[He hesitates, like he's considering just leaving it at that, because he's got a pretty good idea by now how some people take this sort of thing, but. Hey. Sometimes it's good, to remember it's actually worth it sometimes.]

I came here two years ago to save the lives of one hundred thousand and sixty eight people who were killed when a living chemical bomb was dropped on the city I'd spent years trying to protect. Part of the reason I went home was to make sure the Admiral followed through on our deal, because that's a pretty big thing to ask for, even for this place.

The city's still a radioactive wasteland, but everyone got out okay.

[One corner of his mouth ticks up in a small smile, almost embarrassed, or maybe just disbelieving, because he can still remember what it had been like, to watch it happen and run back to try and help, passing out in the wreckage of the city from the radiation, honestly not expecting anyone to get him out and maybe not even wanting them to.] You can tell me this place is awful and I'm crazy for being here all you want, but I don't care what crap the Admiral puts us through on a day to day basis. If this place helps one person - and it's done way more than that over the years - then it's worth it, and I'm not sorry I agreed to work here.

[Private to Tim]

Thanks for looking after Jinks for me.

[Private to Sara]

Hey.

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[Dick absolutely never says no to just lying around and cuddling. Especially when there are no psychos trying to blow up the city in the immediate vicinity (to the best of his knowledge).]

And how did he take that?

He said he needs time to think it all over. So, honestly? Could go either way. [She runs a hand through her hair, pushing some long strands off her face.] If this was the wrong move I can't say I know what the next one's going to be.

You'll figure it out. Worse comes to worse, you're stuck with him for a few more weeks.

[Although hey actually ew gross we should probably. Have a talk about this, shouldn't we.] If he graduates, are you planning on sticking around, or heading back?

[She looks at him for a moment, then away.]

Right now I feel like I've got more reasons to stay than I have to go.

I guess that makes two of us.

[Although he's not going to be presumptuous and imply that he's maybe one of those reasons, because that's silly. Even though he is kind of relieved to hear that. B(]

[You are, Dick. But Sara's got an ongoing policy of not mentioning that unless under extreme duress.]

Yeah. [She smiles joylessly.] And it's not like I'm short on deals to make.

[Good policy in a place where forming emotional bonds with people usually just leads to more and more heartache.]

I know that feeling.

Thought you might. [She moves closer, tugging the sheets tighter.] You got anywhere to be for the next couple hours?

134 [video]

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