[ Bruce never needs to ask, is what he opens his mouth to say. But the chance is gone and Dick is left with nothing but the phone in his hand.
But true to his word, he approaches the stairs only a few moments later at a deceptively unhurried pace, hands in jean pockets, satchel slung over his shoulder. He raises his hand in a bright wave. ]
[ Selina. He bites his lip once at the name, then smooths away the tic with a more neutral expression. A hunch isn't the same as knowing, but it's not the biggest curve this place has thrown.
Catwoman belongs in a jail cell, but Selina could be anyone now, he reminds himself. Different just like Bruce is. He's silent for a moment while his footsteps follow Bruce's. ]
[ It hits him at once, that Bruce asking means that he already believes he’s failed. Dick feels a twinge of sympathy, and his posture relaxes. She’s only a girl. The baggage is something he can (try) to put aside. ]
...Yeah. Of course I will. [ He can’t promise Bruce less.
Gently: ]
But right now this is all new to her. She has about as much reason to trust me as Yao. [ And you, he doesn't say. He's sure Catwoman hadn't known Bruce at this age, whatever Yao had wanted him to think. ]
I'm not asking you to get her trust. I am asking you to be kind, help her, and if necessary protect her as you would me. It's the same I've communicated to Tim and Damian.
[ Dick is left to stare after him, suddenly at a loss as to whether he should feel needled by the abrupt ending to the exchange or not.
It’s not fair. It’s not fair when Bruce is the one who’s supposed to understand Catwoman, who’s supposed to understand girls. What is he supposed to do about Bruce with a dumb hangup on probably the worst possible girl around to hang up on? ]
Come on... [ He’s running to catch him, a soft exasperated sound between his teeth. ]
Look, I’ll leave her a care package, okay? [ For you. ]
But it was weeks before I came around. [ On Damian, on Tim. ] Just give her a few days.
[ dick is making absolutely no sense. nothing about that is what bruce was asking. exasperated, bruce snaps. ]
I'm not asking you to be her friend! I'm not asking you to talk to her! I am telling you to be Robin! [ how is that so difficult to understand. bruce glares. ]
[ Oh no he didn’t. Dick closes his posture up and holds his ground. ]
Well, last I checked those things sorta go together. And it doesn’t make a difference who she is. I’d do it for anyone. [ That Bruce missed that is the part that stings. ]
[ Dick doesn't follow him this time, just scowls at the back of his head and hopes he feels it in the heat of his stare.
No reason. How does Bruce still think - more than a dozen years removed - that he gets to treat him like a lapdog and not a friend? Not a partner, not Robin? He scuffs the dirt with his ruined sneaker and finally stomps off in the opposite direction with a huff that's wasted on the rocks. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
no subject
[ Snacks are probably a given, the Robin suit (he hopes) is implied. ]
no subject
[ he hangs up without another word. ]
no subject
But true to his word, he approaches the stairs only a few moments later at a deceptively unhurried pace, hands in jean pockets, satchel slung over his shoulder. He raises his hand in a bright wave. ]
Reporting for duty.
no subject
I met Selina. [ he doesn't ask if dick did; bruce knows he did. ] I'd like you to help her with whatever she needs.
no subject
Catwoman belongs in a jail cell, but Selina could be anyone now, he reminds himself. Different just like Bruce is. He's silent for a moment while his footsteps follow Bruce's. ]
So what did she say?
no subject
Will you?
no subject
...Yeah. Of course I will. [ He can’t promise Bruce less.
Gently: ]
But right now this is all new to her. She has about as much reason to trust me as Yao. [ And you, he doesn't say. He's sure Catwoman hadn't known Bruce at this age, whatever Yao had wanted him to think. ]
no subject
I'm not asking you to get her trust. I am asking you to be kind, help her, and if necessary protect her as you would me. It's the same I've communicated to Tim and Damian.
no subject
Well, not all of that is up to me. And I know just how she feels. [ He tries to say, reasonably. ]
What makes you think she'll even listen to me? [ Or Tim or Damian, for that matter. ]
no subject
Excuse me.
[ he walks away. ]
no subject
It’s not fair. It’s not fair when Bruce is the one who’s supposed to understand Catwoman, who’s supposed to understand girls. What is he supposed to do about Bruce with a dumb hangup on probably the worst possible girl around to hang up on? ]
Come on... [ He’s running to catch him, a soft exasperated sound between his teeth. ]
Look, I’ll leave her a care package, okay? [ For you. ]
But it was weeks before I came around. [ On Damian, on Tim. ] Just give her a few days.
no subject
[ dick is making absolutely no sense. nothing about that is what bruce was asking. exasperated, bruce snaps. ]
I'm not asking you to be her friend! I'm not asking you to talk to her! I am telling you to be Robin! [ how is that so difficult to understand. bruce glares. ]
Is that clear?
no subject
Well, last I checked those things sorta go together. And it doesn’t make a difference who she is. I’d do it for anyone. [ That Bruce missed that is the part that stings. ]
You don’t have to ask me.
no subject
[ #byefelicia ]
no subject
No reason. How does Bruce still think - more than a dozen years removed - that he gets to treat him like a lapdog and not a friend? Not a partner, not Robin? He scuffs the dirt with his ruined sneaker and finally stomps off in the opposite direction with a huff that's wasted on the rocks. ]