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[torchbearer]

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[torchbearer]

I mean. Other people don't know that. And I doubt even me telling them will stop them from trying.

But people don't get close enough to get that chance.

[batsymbol]

We'll try not to let them.

( who is we? bruce doesn't bother to elaborate and, instead, keeps walking down the hall to peer into one of the dismantled bathrooms that definitely needs to be fixed up. )

So how did we meet then? When you joined that team?

( the justice league, he means. )

[torchbearer]

[ kyle rubs the back of his neck. ]

Well, I came to the League for help with Parallax, but I wasn't a member until later. I was a Titan for a bit but the League felt they needed a Lantern and well, I'm it.

[ he hesitates for a moment. ]

We met up at Gotham first. I wanted some . . . help. Mentor help but you said you didn't have time to me.

[ he gives a sheepish smile and a shrug. ]

I was pretty miffed at the time.

[batsymbol]

( shoulder pressed to the door frame, he looks over to kyle. quiet. contemplative. )

I was probably busy.

[torchbearer]

Probably.

[ kyle's smile is guileless. no grudges hidden there. ]

It's fine. You've helped me out plenty of times since then.

[ and hurt him too, but so what? ]

[batsymbol]

( busy and yet he's supposed to take on dick and a number of others in the future. it's still a little hard to fathom — hard for him to really see given where he is currently back in gotham. )

Just means you can help me now.

[torchbearer]

[ kyle can see the wheels are turning and doesn't press. ]

Sure. Anything you need, like I said.

[batsymbol]

A kickstart on getting this place fixed up.

( that's really all he wants from kyle. maybe the company a little, but. it's not as if he'd ever admit that. )

[torchbearer]

My constructs will sweep, tidy up and move any debris out of the way.

They're a godsend when I moved around.

[batsymbol]

I appreciate it.

( and that appreciation can be felt in the soft way he says that while looking to kyle. )

[torchbearer]

[ his smile grows. ]

That's all I need to hear.