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Well, it’s not really stealing if I left a note telling Bruce I was taking the Batmobile and I was taking it to help Jason. So really, is it even wrong if I’m doing it for my brother? I think not.
Few moments ago I got a call from Jason, and I knew it couldn’t be because he wanted to grab a drink or something. Like he would ever call me just to hang out, or to ask to me how I was doing. So even before I picked it up, I knew there was a problem. Now that I think about it, that was the most pleasant phone conversation i ever had with him.
[THE CALL]
“Hey, Hood, what’s up? Are you okay?”
“I sent you my location, dickhead. I need a ride fast. And NO FUCKING BATMAN.”
[HANGS UP]
My little brother needed backup, so of course I go. The only problem is that when Jason called, I was in the middle of patching the bullet-shaped hole in my shoulder in an alley, using whatever tools I had on hand so it’s not my best work, but I took some pain meds and I’m not actively bleeding, so that’s something.
Me getting shot was one of the reasons I took the Batmobile instead of my bike. Also, the location Jason sent me was in the middle of a desert, so I’ve gotta keep the shade up.
__________________________________________________________
After driving for five hours, I finally reach where Jason supposedly is but I don’t see him. That makes me wonder if I’ve been lured into a trap, but the thought disappears as soon as I hear him.
“What took you so long, wingnut?” Jason says, coming out from behind a rock.
“Do I want to know what you’re doing in the middle of nowhere?”
“None of your business,” he says as he walks past me, clearly he is mad not at me i hope because, What the fuck did i do, i just got here.
He grabs a water bottle from the car, and finishes it in one breathless gulp.
It makes me wonder when was the last time he hydrated and how long he’d been stuck here before calling me. He seems to struggle a bit as he gets into the passenger seat a leg injury, maybe.
I get in myself and start driving. He won’t tell me what happened, so I’m a little unclear on the details, but it looks like he was here for some mission, then lost a fight, lost his bike, and lost his way. In short, he’s a loser.
Man, I always wanted to go on a road trip. Isn’t this perfect? I say
“It would be if you shut the fuck up.”
Yeah, it’s going to be fun five hours.
__________________________________________________________
[2 hour laters]
Between getting here and going back, I have been driving for seven fucking hours now, and it seems my pain meds are wearing off. I feel the ache in my shoulder increasing, and my head is killing me. If this wasn’t enough, all the pain and this fucking driving on sand is giving me motion sickness. I feel like throwing up, and I will if I keep this up. Yup time to take a break.
“Why the hell are we stopping?” jason snap at me.
“I am tired of driving, and no road trip is complete without sightseeing. You gotta soak it all in,” I say, getting out.
“There is nothing out here. Just give me the keys if you need to sleep.”
“Sometimes there is beauty in nothing, jay. It’s quite nice out here actually the sky and the boulders,” I say, lying on the hood of the car.
Even if I try to ignore the fact that he drives like a maniac, he’s hurt as well, and I’m fine. As soon as I stop feeling the nausea, I’ll take some more pain meds, then I should be able to finish this with no problem.
Jay gets out himself and sits beside me.
“So, how are things with the Outlaws?” i ask
“It’s good.”
“Thats good to know. I was wondering if something had happened when you called me.”
“What? You find it hard to believe that things are fine with my team?”
“No, Hood, I didn’t mean that.” i really didn't
“Just because the Bat and you don’t want me around doesn’t mean no one does.” he says getting up and raising his voice.
“When have I ever said I don’t want you around, man? When?”
“You think I can’t tell you don’t want to be here with me right now?”
“Dude! I came because I care about you, Jay.”
“If you care so much, you wouldn’t have missed my funeral, for fuck’s sake.”
Something in me snaps. Maybe it’s the pain. It’s been a while since I’ve been in this much pain the shot wound keeps throbbing, my shoulder hurts, my head hurts. I hurt. And on top of all the pain in my body, I have to deal with this shit.
“YOU DON’T THINK I WOULD HAVE BEEN THERE IF I COULD HAVE?” I shouted.
“Jason, I have mourned you. I grieved you for years. Fuck, I still am.”
“I don’t expect you to forgive me for what happened, because I haven’t forgiven myself yet. But don’t you fucking dare say that I don’t care. I care. I love you more than anything else. You’re my brother, for God’s sake.”
I stop, catching my breath. Man, it hurts. The pain is definitely making me irrational. Why the hell am I even arguing with Jason in the middle of nowhere? I need to calm down.
I look up at Jason. He’s staring at me. I think my little crash-out shocked the both of us. I don’t think I’ve ever shouted at him like this before. There’s an awkward silence between us.
A few minutes later, we get back in the car and I take some pain meds.
“Are you okay?” he asks, not looking at me.
“I got shot in the shoulder earlier, but it’s fine. I took care of it already. Don’t worry about it.”
He doesn’t say anything, and neither do I for a while.
“About earlier,” I start awkwardly.
“Let’s just forget about that.”
“So you want to tell me why you’re so mad at me today?” I ask.
“I told you no Batman,” he says quietly.
“What?”
“I told you not to involve Batman, but you didn’t listen to me.”
“Jason, I didn’t tell Bruce about any of this.”
“So what, you want me to believe you just stole Dad’s car?”
“I didn’t steal it. I left a note.”
“You are kidding me.” he says in disbelieve
After that, we just look at each other for a moment before we start laughing.
__________________________________________________________
[1 month later ]
I got a call from Jason, so even before I picked it up, I was bracing myself for trouble.
“Hey, Jason, what’s going on?”
“Hey, Goldie. What are you doing right now?”
“Just finished patrolling. You okay?”
“Yeah. I was thinking if you wanted to grab a drink or something.”
“What do you mean right now? It’s almost morning.” i ask looking outside
“Well, if you don’t want to, then forget about it.” he said annoyed
“No, no. I could totally go for a drink right now.”
“Just don’t be late.”
“Just send me the location I'll Be there in a minute.”