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[torchbearer]

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[batsymbol]

Well. You've got time now.

( to draw. to doodle. to do something he loves. )

[torchbearer]

[ he sighs. ]

For now.

[batsymbol]

I told you. You can stay here as long as you need.

( words soft, they're completely genuine. )

[torchbearer]

Thanks.

[ a pause. ]

Though . . . I should go back sometime. Check on Jason.

[batsymbol]

Whenever you're ready to.

( he's not about to keep kyle from jason. but he hopes kyle will take some time for himself to feel better — feel a little more himself . even if it's with drawing and painting a little. )

[torchbearer]

[ kyle sighs. ]

Can anyone be ready for that?

[batsymbol]

No. But sometimes we have to make ourselves be.

( bruce has thrown himself into a lot of things he probably wasn't ready for. )

[torchbearer]

[ a wry chuckle. ]

That's what I've had to do ever since I became a Lantern.

[batsymbol]

( a hum of acknowledgement, he nods to kyle then. )

You know Diana and I are here for you. Whatever you need.

[torchbearer]

[ kyle barely knows what he needs. or even what he wants. why is he fighting it? he should just let ion in. he knew things would end. he knew he would fail. being ion was better for everyone. ]

I know.

[batsymbol]

Whatever you decide, we'll be here.

( to pull him out of it all or to be there by his side in going forward. he means it. )

[torchbearer]

[ kyle gives him a weak smile. ]

And if I let go?

[batsymbol]

I have a grapple hook and Diana can fly. One of us should be able to catch you.

( and it's said so casually. )

[torchbearer]

[ okay he chuckles at that. ]

When did you get a sense of humour?

[batsymbol]

( faintly, he wears a smile. )

Must be the company I keep.

[torchbearer]

. . . Maybe.

[batsymbol]

( gently, he reaches over. hand touching kyle's shoulder. a quiet squeeze of reassurance. )

You'll get through this.

[torchbearer]

You think so?

[batsymbol]

Yes. Because I believe in you.

( and bruce, of course, means that. )

[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.