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[torchbearer]

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[torchbearer]

[ he falls quiet for a moment. ]

I won't let you down.

[batsymbol]

I know.

( a reassuring squeeze to kyle's shoulder there. )

We both know.

[torchbearer]

[ he nods slowly. ]

Ion is . . . Jenny's starheart. She left it to me. I don't know, I thought — When we broke up, I thought she stopped loving me.

They always leave. And they die. It was the same with Donna. I often wondered how Diana could still look me in the eye after that.

[batsymbol]

Diana's capable of loving others even when they don't love themselves.

( or feel they don't deserve it. )

I find it hard to believe she'd ever look at you differently.

[torchbearer]

Maybe. Donna was like her sister.

And I failed her. I failed Jason too.

[batsymbol]

Kyle.

( his name is soft there as he says it, yet carries with it a firmness to it that's very much bruce. )

Jason's capable of making mistakes and stupid decisions all on his own. You didn't fail him.

[avatarfortruth]

[ He can believe her. She doesn't lie. ]

Is there anything I can do to help you?

[torchbearer]

. . . No. I'll be all right.

I just need some time.

[torchbearer]

I'm aware of that.

[ kyle isn't likely to forget jason's flaws. he knows them well. ]

I just . . . I could have done more.

[batsymbol]

Listen to me when I tell you that thinking like that is going to drive you mad.

( because he's been there. with his parents. even though he was just a child. it doesn't stop him from wondering. from blaming himself. for the guilt in not having caught their killer yet. )

We can't change the past. No matter how much we want to. But we can change right now. Do something with right now.

[torchbearer]

[ kyle gives a sharp, pained laugh. ]

Bruce, I know that. No one knows that as well as me.

[batsymbol]

Then start drawing.

( he leans back some as he says that. )

Focus on that.

[torchbearer]

[ he exhales softly. ]

Yeah. Maybe it'll take the edge off.

[batsymbol]

( moving to stand, he looks to kyle and pockets one hand while letting the other gently clap down on the man's shoulder again. as before, reassuring in its touch. )

Whatever you need, we're here. Literally just a couple floors down and I'm sure Bear would always be happy to provide... puppy company.

[torchbearer]

Is he a therapy dog now?

[batsymbol]

He likes people and he spent a number of weeks with you.

( when bruce was in the past... and ran away from diana to vegas. ugh, jason. )

[avatarfortruth]

Time, we have. And plenty of distractions.

The Alliance has given me a mission... I could always use your help, if you're willing to give it.

[torchbearer]

[ his answer comes easily enough, despite his own problems. ]

Sure. You know I have your back.

[torchbearer]

You assume Jason knows how to share.

[ between the dog and kyle, he's pretty sure the dog was the favourite. ]

[batsymbol]

Guess it's your turn now.

[torchbearer]

Guess so.

I don't need therapy, you know.

[ a pause. ]

I don't think.

[batsymbol]

Wasn't judging you.

( as if he has any place to. )

[torchbearer]

[ he waves this off. ]

I know.

[ a wry smile. ]

We judge ourselves the harshest.

[batsymbol]

Kind of like right now.

( with kyle being so hard on himself. )

[avatarfortruth]

I'm always sure of that.

[ She squeezes his shoulder, then lets go, shifting. ]

Would you like company tonight? I wouldn't mind sleeping on the floor, or the couch.