[ It takes him a moment. His mouth opens and then closes again, before he reaches out to take them from Bruce, gently, like they're made of fine china.
Man, are you kidding? I'm dying here, I haven't seen the Knights play in months now. [ Since before he'd come to Haven. Before he'd run away from home. Before Two-Face.
That's he'd remembered, that he'd even tried for a boy he doesn't know.
He sees Bruce's smile and gives him a light, playful punch on the shoulder with the glove. ]
Come on. You're gonna help me break it in, right? [ He's trotting a few steps away without even waiting for an answer. ]
[ the kid who has probably been picked last for every sports team is not sure how to take this. bruce rubs his shoulder, still smiling. he lengthens his stride to catch up. ]
You could say that. [ And maybe his grin is a little too cocky. But he tosses Bruce the supplies and his expression softens a moment later. It has to be said. ]
[ he says nothing else as he tugs the glove over his left hand. as he retreats a few steps, he tosses the ball into the glove a couple of times to get used to it. once in position, he lifts his head. ]
No. Trust me, it could be a lot worse. [ He swings again and misses clean away, then breaks his stance for a moment to chase after the ball before it rolls too far. ]
I guess there aren't a lot of kids around the, uh- [ Is he allowed to say it? ] -the manor.
[ Only him, in his time. He tosses the ball back. ]
He knows he is, every now and then. When Bruce is away, when he benches Dick for school. While other kids try out for baseball, for track while he comes straight home (almost) every day. When they gang up on him in the hall.
But it’s nothing on being Robin. He wouldn't give it up for a second for a whole lifetime of baseball games and track meets. ]
I know Gordon too. [ Captain Gordon. ] He, um- checks on me every once in a while.
lifting an eyebrow, he makes the trade. bruce imitates dick's hold on the bat. taking up dick's previous position, he waits for the other boy to throw. ]
Who is the man you said? Who's taking care of you.
He's, uh- [ How does he keep making this mistake. ]
You wouldn't know him. He's the best, though. [ He tosses the pitch in a carefully thought-out arc; just fast enough so Bruce (hopefully) won't feel patronized, slow enough that the chance to actually hit it is there. ]
Something like that. [ Close enough. He chases the ball and dives on top of it because why not. Then he rolls back to his feet, tossing it in one hand for a moment. ]
Actually, he's more like a consultant. He helps out on the bigger cases. The ones the police can't always handle.
They, um- [ Keep it casual, keep it calm. The ball slips out of his hands instead, and he’s stuck grappling for it with clammy fingers. His eyes stay on the ground for an extra moment once he has it back. ]
They’re not around anymore. [ As if it's really that simple.
But he's lost, suddenly, for the right words. When it still hurts so much, when it'll never not hurt deep down no matter how many Zucco's he puts in jail. When he knows it's something that hurts Bruce too. Talking about it (that watch he carries...). ]
...I used to work in the circus. All three of us did. [ It's a happier memory. ]
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Birthday gifts. Birthday gifts for him. ]
...Wow. That's-
Those are for me?
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[ his worry over its reception dissipates. bruce allows himself a smile. he made a good choice trusting someone else to pick a present. ]
I remembered that you have a birthday coming up. I wasn't sure you like baseball but—
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That's he'd remembered, that he'd even tried for a boy he doesn't know.
He sees Bruce's smile and gives him a light, playful punch on the shoulder with the glove. ]
Come on. You're gonna help me break it in, right? [ He's trotting a few steps away without even waiting for an answer. ]
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[ the kid who has probably been picked last for every sports team is not sure how to take this. bruce rubs his shoulder, still smiling. he lengthens his stride to catch up. ]
Where are you going?
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You want first pitch? I can do either. I've got a pretty good arm. [ He twirls the bat to demonstrate. ]
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he grins. ]
Toss me the glove and a ball.
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...You didn't have to, you know.
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[ he says nothing else as he tugs the glove over his left hand. as he retreats a few steps, he tosses the ball into the glove a couple of times to get used to it. once in position, he lifts his head. ]
Ready?
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Anytime you are.
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he won't get any points for finesse, but the ball does fly toward dick. ]
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Best two out of three, then we'll switch.
You don't play ball that much, do you? [ It's one of the mysteries of Bruce's childhood that's had him wondering for years. ]
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Is it that obvious?
[ he throws again with about the same amount ( see: lack ) of skill. the most that can be said is that his pitch doesn't fall short. ]
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I guess there aren't a lot of kids around the, uh- [ Is he allowed to say it? ] -the manor.
[ Only him, in his time. He tosses the ball back. ]
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I prefer it. I don't receive any visitors aside from Detective Gordon.
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He knows he is, every now and then. When Bruce is away, when he benches Dick for school. While other kids try out for baseball, for track while he comes straight home (almost) every day. When they gang up on him in the hall.
But it’s nothing on being Robin. He wouldn't give it up for a second for a whole lifetime of baseball games and track meets. ]
I know Gordon too. [ Captain Gordon. ] He, um- checks on me every once in a while.
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How come?
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[ It's not a lie. It's easier when it's not a lie.
He swings again and it's a hit this time. The ball flies up and towards the wall of apartment 25. ]
Whoo! And Grayson takes it away with a homer!
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Do you still want to bat? [ he calls once he's returned, ball safely in the glove. ]
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With a little practice you'll be ready for the big leagues.
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lifting an eyebrow, he makes the trade. bruce imitates dick's hold on the bat. taking up dick's previous position, he waits for the other boy to throw. ]
Who is the man you said? Who's taking care of you.
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You wouldn't know him. He's the best, though. [ He tosses the pitch in a carefully thought-out arc; just fast enough so Bruce (hopefully) won't feel patronized, slow enough that the chance to actually hit it is there. ]
You'd like him if you did know him.
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I might. [ because he obsessively follows everything gordon does but let's keep that to ourselves. ] Is he another police officer?
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Actually, he's more like a consultant. He helps out on the bigger cases. The ones the police can't always handle.
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[ too personal, maybe, but his curiosity got the best of him. ]
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They’re not around anymore. [ As if it's really that simple.
But he's lost, suddenly, for the right words. When it still hurts so much, when it'll never not hurt deep down no matter how many Zucco's he puts in jail. When he knows it's something that hurts Bruce too. Talking about it (that watch he carries...). ]
...I used to work in the circus. All three of us did. [ It's a happier memory. ]
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