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[torchbearer]

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[torchbearer]

[ kyle sighs. ]

Sure, plenty. He's an invulnerable alien from another planet. Not exactly something people really care for. He has a lot of power and he has very few weaknesses.

[batsymbol]

( there’s a look there on bruce’s face that shows genuine concern. )

Sounds like someone to be careful of.

[torchbearer]

[ yeah, this is definitely an awkward conversation. ]

I mean, so are you. So are any of us. But Superman is the best for a reason. He's earned that rep.

And you guys were close. There wouldn't be a League without the both of you.

[batsymbol]

Maybe something happens. If one of you felt the need to find me and warn me.

( though he wishes he knew of and for what. )

[torchbearer]

Except him could be anything. It's not like there's a shortage of male superheroes who lose their shit.

I'm not saying it's not important, but . . . just think twice about jumping at shadows.

[ which feels stupid to throw out there, it's batman but kyle doesn't want to think of a world without either of them. too weird to contemplate. ]

[batsymbol]

( quiet for a moment, the arms end up being crossed again, bruce staring to kyle. )

Do you trust me?

[torchbearer]

Uh, yeah. Of course I do.

[batsymbol]

Then trust me not to start something unless I need to.

( or at least has all the facts he needs. )

I have people here I need to keep safe. ( his kids. ) You’re included in that. I just want to be prepared in case anything happens.

[torchbearer]

[ kyle blinks, a little surprised. he hadn't expected to hear that. ]

. . . Okay. Fair enough. You wouldn't be you if you didn't do that.

[batsymbol]

( that fleeting look of surprise kyle wears doesn't go unnoticed with bruce. )

We're on the same team. Here and where you're from. Your safety isn't any less important because you're not a kid of mine.

[torchbearer]

[ kyle doesn't really know how to respond to that. because, well, of course it is. that's how it should be. it's not like he thinks batman will hang him out to dry, but . . . kyle's a lantern. a broken mess of a lantern, who held it all by the seams.

he's just some guy. ]

It's fine if it is.

[batsymbol]

You ever win any arguments with me?

[torchbearer]

[ kyle grimaces lightly, thinking of their last argument when terry was attacked. ]

No, but that never really stopped me.

[batsymbol]

Well don't start now.

( because he's said what he's said and therefore, that's that.

turning back to his things on the table, he pushes them around a bit. mulls over the things kyle has told him. )

It's just the two of us here as it is anyways.

( from "the league" and all. )

[torchbearer]

[ hm. ]

If it's your future, I'm not the Green Lantern for the league. He probably means Hal or John Stewart.

[batsymbol]

Well I don't know a Hal or John Stewart. I have you. That's enough for me. Right here, right now.

( stop thinking you're not enough, kyle. )

[torchbearer]

[ that is enough of an echo of bruce's old words to kyle that he does stop short. "you are the League's Green Lantern. we trust you with our lives." ]

. . . Okay. You're the boss.