You stand on another circular platform, suspended in a swirling inferno of flame that howls like a wild beast, fighting to break free. The floor beneath you is blackened and charred stone, sharp enough to cut your feet, with still-glowing embers forming a spiral of shifting runes.
At the center of the platform is a handsome, muscular man with a pained, conflicted expression. In one hand he holds a kris dagger and the other seems to be tentatively reaching out to you - he looks unsure whether to hurt you, hurt himself, or to actually follow his heart. But it feels like he would only be this uncertain if he cared for you more deeply than he knew how to handle.
The city forms around you, though there are no landmarks to be seen from the street. But the fake plastic and metal seem even more lifeless than usual, blank and empty. Even the sky seems gray. Colourless.
A single figure is there, walking away from you with a near empty bottle of whiskey in hand. His movements are sluggish, like a body moving on instinct alone, thoughts barren. Jason takes one final swig from the bottle, then tosses it to the side where it shatters against the pavement.
He's losing colour by the minute. Already his hair has begun bleaching itself white, one strand at a time.
When he notices you, his expression hardens - a facade sliding back into place. He’s unimpressed, but underneath it all he just seems tired.
He shrugs. "Breaking up hasn't worked for shit. But going back to Gotham works just as well. I'll finally be out of everyone's lives and they can get their happily ever afters."
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
LEVEL 4C
At the center of the platform is a handsome, muscular man with a pained, conflicted expression. In one hand he holds a kris dagger and the other seems to be tentatively reaching out to you - he looks unsure whether to hurt you, hurt himself, or to actually follow his heart. But it feels like he would only be this uncertain if he cared for you more deeply than he knew how to handle.
The plaque inscription reads:
Re: LEVEL 4C
Easily done.
[ Taps the inscription! ]
Re: LEVEL 4C
A single figure is there, walking away from you with a near empty bottle of whiskey in hand. His movements are sluggish, like a body moving on instinct alone, thoughts barren. Jason takes one final swig from the bottle, then tosses it to the side where it shatters against the pavement.
He's losing colour by the minute. Already his hair has begun bleaching itself white, one strand at a time.
When he notices you, his expression hardens - a facade sliding back into place. He’s unimpressed, but underneath it all he just seems tired.
“So... you actually found me."
Re: LEVEL 4C
Did you expect me not to? Don't be stupid.
Re: LEVEL 4C
Jason snorts - a dark, cynical sound. "Right. I never could shake you off."
Re: LEVEL 4C
[ Takes a slow breath, glancing back up at him and fighting the urge to grimace ]
What are you doing out here? Other than the obvious.
Re: LEVEL 4C
"What do you think?"
Re: LEVEL 4C
Answer me seriously. I know what you are trying, so tell me why.
Re: LEVEL 4C
"Nah."
Re: LEVEL 4C
Re: LEVEL 4C
"What do you think you're accomplishing here? You're gonna save me or something? There's nothing here to save."
Re: LEVEL 4C
There is you. And you do not get to tell me I have no business saving my own brother.
Re: LEVEL 4C
He looks down at Talon's hand like it was an entirely foreign concept - frowning.
"Don't tell me it hasn't crossed your mind to change things in here. You could fix things, with us."
Re: LEVEL 4C
[ He removes his hand, crossing his arms instead ]
I may disapprove, but I am not going to interfere in Jason's own choices so directly. He chose this as much as Griffin did.
Re: LEVEL 4C
"Did you have a choice when Nero fucked around in your heart?"
Re: LEVEL 4C
I am not him. I am Talon, and I am not going to sabotage my brother's life. Not even this part of it.
You are here, and you are staying.
Re: LEVEL 4C
"So what, you'd fight for them to stay together? After everything Nero did to hurt him?"
Re: LEVEL 4C
I am not fighting for the relationship. I am fighting for Jason's right to make his own decisions about it instead of doing it for him.
Re: LEVEL 4C
"Even when his own decisions tend to fuck himself over?"
Re: LEVEL 4C
I do not want to lose him.
Re: LEVEL 4C
None too gently, he ruffles Talon's hair.
"I don't wanna lose him either."
Re: LEVEL 4C
Then stop trying to fade yourself away!
Re: LEVEL 4C
"He's gonna end up leaving Nero sooner or later. I'm just a place for that fear."
Re: LEVEL 4C
Re: LEVEL 4C
He shrugs. "Breaking up hasn't worked for shit. But going back to Gotham works just as well. I'll finally be out of everyone's lives and they can get their happily ever afters."
Re: LEVEL 4C
Re: LEVEL 4C
Re: LEVEL 4C
Re: LEVEL 4C
Re: LEVEL 4C
Re: LEVEL 4C
Re: LEVEL 4C
Re: LEVEL 4C