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. ]
[ that could mean almost anything. abandonment. getting lost. being arrested. except bruce is also left scrambling for purchase when he's asked about his parents. somehow nothing he can say is right, and he blurts out the first thing to come to mind — on the rare occasion he doesn't bite on his tongue to prevent something awful from coming out.
bruce lowers the bat. he doesn't need to ask what dick means. the pearls feel heavy in his pocket. when he finds words, he speaks without pity. only soft curiosity and a willingness to listen. ]
Yeah. We were acrobats. We were good too, even though we were bush-league. [ A smile tugs at the side of his mouth again before it starts to fade away. ]
We used to come through Gotham once a year. That’s when, um- [ He should stop now. ]
...Well, an extortion ring got there first. When Mr. Haly wouldn’t pay up, they made the sure the lines were too weak to hold us. Only they wouldn’t give until we were center ring. [ If he gets it out all at once he won’t need to repeat himself. Only he can tell himself that over and over again and there that awful memory will always be, with a sharp twinge of guilt to go with it this time. Bruce doesn’t need to hear about it now, wouldn't want to hear about it if he'd known what he was asking. About an awful scene he’ll see for himself one day.
But lying to him about it - about this - it can't be right either. ]
...That’s how it happened. [ His shoulders lift and then fall. ]
[ he listens without interruption, and without visible reaction. he smoothed his features while dick spoke. this was dick's story; he didn't want to disrespect dick or his trust by trying to make it about him. when he's done, bruce pulls his lower lip between his teeth. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
he grins. ]
Toss me the glove and a ball.
no subject
...You didn't have to, you know.
no subject
[ 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?
no subject
Anytime you are.
no subject
he won't get any points for finesse, but the ball does fly toward dick. ]
no subject
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. ]
no subject
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. ]
no subject
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. ]
no subject
I prefer it. I don't receive any visitors aside from Detective Gordon.
no subject
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.
no subject
How come?
no subject
[ 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!
no subject
Do you still want to bat? [ he calls once he's returned, ball safely in the glove. ]
no subject
With a little practice you'll be ready for the big leagues.
no subject
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.
no subject
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.
no subject
I might. [ because he obsessively follows everything gordon does but let's keep that to ourselves. ] Is he another police officer?
no subject
Actually, he's more like a consultant. He helps out on the bigger cases. The ones the police can't always handle.
no subject
[ too personal, maybe, but his curiosity got the best of him. ]
no subject
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. ]
no subject
bruce lowers the bat. he doesn't need to ask what dick means. the pearls feel heavy in his pocket. when he finds words, he speaks without pity. only soft curiosity and a willingness to listen. ]
Did you have an act?
no subject
We used to come through Gotham once a year. That’s when, um- [ He should stop now. ]
...Well, an extortion ring got there first. When Mr. Haly wouldn’t pay up, they made the sure the lines were too weak to hold us. Only they wouldn’t give until we were center ring. [ If he gets it out all at once he won’t need to repeat himself. Only he can tell himself that over and over again and there that awful memory will always be, with a sharp twinge of guilt to go with it this time. Bruce doesn’t need to hear about it now, wouldn't want to hear about it if he'd known what he was asking. About an awful scene he’ll see for himself one day.
But lying to him about it - about this - it can't be right either. ]
...That’s how it happened. [ His shoulders lift and then fall. ]
no subject
Were they brought to trial? The ones responsible?
no subject
I mean, the- um. The guy I live with now. He did.
[ His jaw clenches a little before he remembers to force the muscles to relax. ]
He'll never hurt anybody again. [ Even if that won't ever bring them back. ]
no subject
And you helped. [ dick doesn't seem the type to sit around any more than bruce.
a little pause, and he quirks a tiny, kindly smile. ] I wish I could have seen you perform. I'm sure you're incredible.
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)