toofast | open post.

[ Maybe what they had was just a hookup, yeah. Jason's always been shit at hookups, though. The kind hookups that are more personal rather than just business. He gets attached to things that might be more permanent, even when they're not, and then it all gets fucked up anyway.

he should probably learn his lesson by now, but he hasn't. and really, Barry didn't ask for this. He didn't say it would or could be more. Jason just... jumped to conclusions or overreacted, because things had been so good. Barry understood him, and he wanted to hang on to that as much as all those other non permanent things he's always grappled for.

Before this kiss, he thought they were likely done and over with. Some awkward, heartbreaking goodbye, and another layer of armor to keep people further away. But now... now... Barry's hand is on his neck, and Jason parts his lips to deepen the kiss, his hands moving up to grasp Barry's jacket to pull him a little closer.

It's then that someone clears their throat nearby and Jason jumps back to turn and look at Alfred, who is standing at the stairs with a very amused look on his face. ]

Master Jason, Master Barry.

[ Shit. Honestly between the two of them, this place is like cockblock central. Not... that that's where this is going, because Jason needs to get them out of here right now. ]

Uh. We were just heading out. We're going to grab food. Later, Alfred.

[ Jason nudges Barry toward the door, giving Alfred a tight smile. The older man just laughs and shakes his head, watching them go. ]

[ When the sound of someone there is made obvious, Barry freezes because... oh shit if that is Bruce of all people. Thankfully, it's Alfred and thankfully, Barry doesn't just zip right out of there like he wasn't just getting a little carried away sucking face with Jason here. Granted, it's still awkward for Alfred to have... how much did he see? Barry's curious but also... doesn't want to know. At all. Ever.

Thankfully, Jason is the one who takes control of the situation and it's for the best because Barry has absolutely no idea what to even say to what might or might not have been seen there. So, he appreciates it. Even if he's still internally sweating at the thought of Alfred catching them making out like they were. Not that there's anything wrong with it, just... Bruce. Always Bruce and yeah.

The nudge to head out gets him to blink the panic away and he nods, nearly dropping his folder there before he awkwardly tosses a smile Alfred's way because... hi, Alfred. ]

Right. Food. That's — that's what's happening. Now. Going to get, yeah.

[ He mumbles as he turns to try and explain to Alfred, walking backwards a couple steps before deciding that's probably a bad idea and just turns around to make his way out, rubbing at the back of his neck as he goes. Stepping out of the manor, he kisses his teeth, face scrunched up a bit. ]

That was... awkward. To say the least.

[ The thing about it is, if it was Bruce, he wouldn't have made himself known... which is concerning a bit in and of itself cause he could have seen them too... but Jason doesn't think about that. He's just glad it was already watching them making out and not anyone else.

Maybe they should have been more careful?? But... it's not exactly as if this is a secret, right? It doesn't need to be. But that's getting ahead of himself like always. It's better if Bruce doesn't know for now, especually because Jason doesn't even know what this is. If it's even going to be anything, or just a kiss.

Jason's eyes go slightly wide when Barry starts trying to explain, but it's more amused than anything. He gets them out the door in record time, closing it behind him and then his eyes go comically wide and he smirks. ]

Shit. At least it was just Alfred. He's not gonna say anything. He's cool like that.

[ Of course Jason would find the amusement in this while Barry is the slightly awkward one stumbling over both himself and his words practically. But at least they're out and they don't have to explain further than getting food. Hopefully. He thinks. Alfred is cool, Barry will absolutely agree with that, but. Yeah.

Being outside now, he puffs out a sigh of relief with being rather quickly removed from the super awkward situation and looks back over to Jason then, giving a nod as he throws a look around them and the grounds. ]

Ok because — yeah. That... that wasn't a thing I expected to have happen. Ever.

[ Just saying. ]

I mean, you were making out with me in the middle of the foyer, pretty much where the most foot traffic is.

[ Foot traffic being like, three people, most of the time, but still. Barry looks upended by all of this, but Jason can't really blame him. The thought of Bruce looming around and getting in on their business can be overwhelming, but Jason isn't gonna lose any sleep over it.

He's more concerned over Barry, and that really good kiss, and... Jason shoves his hands in his pockets, eying Barry as he looks over the estate. ]

So... do you wanna actually go grab some food?

[ Yes, yes he was but no, he doesn't regret it. Just slightly embarrassing is all, especially what with his lack of love life and reputation there and all. But, you know, not like it's anyone's business but his own... and maybe Jason's.

He's standing there, folder held against his thigh when Jason goes and asks what he does and Barry turns to look at him and the way he does is so... relieved? Hopeful? Shyly surprised in a good way? Maybe a bit of all three, what with their conversation having been a little push and pull there prior to his deciding to just kiss him as he did. ]

Uh - yeah? Yeah. If you want to, I mean.

[ Not that Barry would ever turn down the opportunity to get food, just... it's a bit nicer when he has someone else to get it with. That someone being Jason. ]

Do you want to?

[ Maybe it's that wording that got Jason before, and now he's trying to figure it out. Trying to understand what Barry is really saying instead of jumping to conclusions. Jason needs more direct sometimes, otherwise he questions it all, but... maybe Barry isn't the most direct kinda guy.

Aside from kisses, that is. Those are pretty direct, and that's the only reason why Jason felt confident enough to ask, after he thought Barry might want to just leave. Maybe he doesn't. ]

[ Barry knows that sometimes he just... gets ahead of himself, trips over his own words, lands himself with confused looks due to how fast his mind processes and responds to things. He's a little all over the place sometimes but, not all the time. It just sort of kicks in a bit when he feels nervous or unsure, especially about himself.

So when Jason seeks to clarify, he takes a bit of a breath and smiles. He's got this. He knows he does. ]

Yeah — yeah I do. [ Scrunching up his face some, teeth sink into his bottom lip before he huffs a laugh and nods, licking over his lips then. ] I'd like it a lot, yeah. Cause I've... sort of missed you. Spending time with you, I mean.

[ Maybe Jason needed to slow down this time too. He was kinda hurling himself forward into everything and now he's stopping to think, to listen, to try and understand. It isn't easy for him when he's so damn emotional about everything, often letting those emotions get the better of him, and he can be pretty all over the place with that too. But maybe not all the time. Just when he feels nervous or unsure, especially about himself.

Jason gives Barry a crooked grin and nods, licking his lips. ]

Me too. All of those things.

[ He passes Barry, bumping his shoulder, then continues down the steps. ]

Come on, we can take my bike.

[ It's finding their footing with one another if anything, both similar in certain ways and capable of connecting over those certain things, yes. But also very different in how they see the world, others, even themselves at times. Toss in the fact that Barry is a little out of practice when it comes to wooing anyone and you've got yourself an awkward recipe for trying to figure out how to not be awkward. Jason does have a way of making him want to figure that out.

The bump to his shoulder has his smile widen a bit and then he quickly looks around them before he goes and follows after down the steps. ]

Oh! Yeah. You uh — don't have one of those little side cars to put me in, do you?

[ Are those still A Thing? ]

[ They're different. Very different, it's true, but maybe if they can just figure out how to navigate that, those differences might be a good thing. Well, maybe good for Jason. He's still pretty damn sure that there isn't much good about him, especially not for Barry, but... maybe he won't be poison this time. Maybe he can do it. ]

No, but now I'm thinkin' about getting one cause that would be real funny.

[ Jason brings them around to the garage, unlocking it to let them in. Inside there's an array of one fancy car after another, and Jason's bike parked on the side. ]

We could probably snag one of the cars if we wanted, but I like my bike.

[ Barry has seen this and that when it comes to Bruce's personal arsenal but nothing really like this. So when Jason lets them in, he takes a moment to have a proper look around in the handful of seconds that it takes for him, fingers wrapped tight around the strap of his bag. ]

Does he really need this many cars? Or is this more a collector kinda thing?

[ He figures it's the latter, but. Who knows with Bruce. The mention of wanting to use his bike, however, gets Barry to look over to Jason then. ]

Getting the feeling you're just looking for an excuse to have me wrap my arms around you. [ He grins. ] Just an observation.

[ It's pretty impressive, it's true. Jason nearly shit himself when he saw all these cars, and Bruce assured him he wouldn't have to steal any of the hubcaps from them cause he wouldn't need to. Wayne Manor would be as much Jason's as his, a sidekick job included. Best day of his life.

He remembers that feeling, and it gets him through the times when Bruce is being a dick, and Dick is being a Bruce. ]

Collector thing, I guess. He probably only really needs like one and the Batmobile.

[ Jason finds an extra helmet and tosses it over to Barry, a smirk on his face as he puts his own helmet on and sits on the bike. ]

You got me. Make sure to hold on really tight.

[ Barry loves the Batmobile. What he's seen of it, that is. But to have seen it as up close and personal as he has (though didn't try and steal the hubcaps off it), it's impressive and he's still a little in awe at how Bruce manages to craft these things into the beasts that they are. Batmobile, bat...jet..? Seriously, the whole "being rich" as a superpower thing maybe isn't all that bad.

Tucking his folder away in his bag, he secures it a little more properly on his back right as he's tossed that extra helmet and he can't help but huff a laugh, fingers sticking to the coloured plastic. ]

Oh, so you'd let me fall to my death would you? Kinda rude.

[ He teases the other with a grin still there on his lips as he gets himself on the bike behind Jason and does just what he's asked: holds on nice and tight, sort of like how he was that last time they were together. Helmet pulled on, he tilts his head. ]

Where you planning on taking us anyways?

[ Bruce is pretty damn incredible, yeah. All of this is, and sometimes Jason can't even believe this is his life now. Maybe he's so quick to being defensive sometimes cause he knows how quickly it could all be taken away, too. He's trying hard to prove himself, but he knows he keeps faltering along the way.

Is this whole Barry thing something Bruce would be angry about? He's not sure, but he doesn't want to think about that just as much as Barry doesn't.

Right now, at least, with Barry, Jason feels back on track. ]

Guess you'd just have to try and reverse time.

[ He teases back, knowing how barry feels about that, but hey, he did say he wasn't going to let that go. he isn't going to let Barry fall either, though. So he waits for him to get on and secure, grinning when he holds on nice and tight. ]

The best diner in all of Gotham. Hope you're hungry cause we're gonna get pretty much everything on the menu.

[ And with that he takes off, away from the manor and heading towards the city at his typical Jason speed. ]

You sure know how to flirt with a guy.

[ He huffs a laugh and then they're off, leaving behind the awkwardness of Alfred, the Manor, and everything else.

The entire ride over, Barry holds tight to Jason, enjoying both the closeness and the way everything around them rushes by. For as much as he enjoyed the slower moments they shared that one night after the park, he also still enjoys the speed of it all and while this isn't exactly the sort of speed he can go, it's enough to keep a smile there on his face.

This is probably something they both need right now. Leaving expectations, misunderstandings, and awkwardness behind to just be as they are with each other much as they had been that one night in the park. Sure, little moments of "is this the right thing to be doing?" might have popped up even then, but the camaraderie of the moment and everything felt between them throughout that night had overruled anything else that might have meant to make the moment more fleeting between them. Like then, Barry wants to enjoy it and he intends to. With Jason. Like before.

So when they finally find themselves heading for that diner Jason seems to have in mind, he tilts his head some, chin only coming to rest on Jason's shoulder the moment he begins to slow it down a bit. ]

Uh... is this gonna be a treat from you sort of thing? Because I can eat a lot.

Sure hope so.

[ Jason likes a little sarcasm and back and forth. Works for him well, especially when not arguing. He's glad to be leaving that whole scene too, though. It could have gone way worse than this, but somehow it turned around. He was so sure Barry would walk away, but he didn't.

Jason doesn't want to fuck it up this time.

He likes how tight Barry holds on to him, and he knows it's not because he's scared of how fast they're going. Yeah, he wants to live in the moment, slow this down... but sometimes you have to speed things up to live. Jason likes it that way, almost as much as Barry getting closer to him. ]

My treat. I'm the one who asked you out anyways, right?

[ Well. Sort of. Barry did ask first, but that had all gone to hell, so this is what counts. ]

Anyways, I've got B's card so we can go nuts.

Pretty sure whenever he gets the bill for this and sees just how much is charged, he's gonna start asking questions or... just somehow know it's me.

[ Bruce just be like that sometimes. Can't hide anything from him. Eventually he figures it out. Just a matter of whether or not he tells you that he has.

None of that matters right now though. What does is the fact that they're talking. Riding on a motorcycle together. About to get a bite to eat together after getting caught making out in the foyer like it's No Big Deal and all that — which it's not. Really. Just who knows what certain other people would think or what have you because "professionalism" or whatever; like Bruce has room to talk there. Selina Kyle anyone?? ]

But oh baby, a way to my heart is definitely through my stomach.

[ Central City's snackhole after all. ]

Nah, he knows I can put down a lot of food too. Plus I can just blame the Titans.

[ He knows Barry is worried, but he doesn't want him to be. Jason can handle Bruce, and he'll handle Bruce for Barry if he has to. And really, it's true, Bruce can't say shit. He's done his fair share of whatevering all over Gotham, and hell, Jason knows Alfred would vouch for them. He's probably happy that Jason has some good role models and friends, and... whatever else this is.

Jason isn't gonna think about whatever else this is, though. He doesn't want to fuck it up by assuming anything again. This is just food. Hanging out and getting food like two perfectly normal people who do... things. Yeah. ]

Careful, now it sounds like you're flirting with me.

[ Jason grins, parking his bike behind the diner and removes his helmet to smirk at Barry. ]

You're the first person who hasn't complained about my reckless driving. I like it.

Oh — was I supposed to? Slow down or you'll hurt someone. That better?

[ Ab-so-lutely teasing, Barry laughs a bit as he pulls his own helmet off and shakes the mess that is Helmet Hair out of his eyes, fingers carding through a moment after. With tucking said helmet under his arm, he gets himself off the bike and takes a moment to look around, definitely not recognizing the place which obviously makes sense with his being from Central City and all.

He takes only a few steps forward before he's twisting back to look to Jason. Waiting for him. ]

This where you usually go for a bite to eat or to, you know, get away from it all sometimes?

[ Jason lets out a small laugh, dragging his fingers through his hair as well, which pretty much sends it every which way. ]

Yeah, sure, man. Sounds real authentic.

[ It's definitely not the best part of Gotham... then again, there isn't much of Gotham that is the best part, but it'll take a lot for someone to steal this bike, Jason's made sure of it.

He catches up to Barry as they head for the diner, pulling the door open for him. ]

Mostly to get away from it all. Used to come here as a kid when my uncle and I would get kicked out of a bar, and he didn't have enough money for food. Owner was a sucker for a cute face, I guess.

Guess that makes two of us.

[ Barry tosses a wink Jason's way, a little proud of how cheeky that was, and steps his way inside. It's about as one would expect a diner to look like and, honestly, it seems almost perfect in a strange sort of way for them. Some hole in the wall they can hide away in without having to deal with the rest of the world - the rest of either of their worlds - around them. ]

Alright, moment of truth.

[ Turning on his heels, he raises his brows to Jason. ]

Booth or counter?

[ Jason raises an eyebrow because yeah, okay, that was pretty slick. He likes this. He likes how easy this feels when they just go with it. It's so much better than that awkward, disjointed bullshit he was feeling earlier. This feels like... like before, when they were hanging out the first time, before anything else got in the way.

Except nothing got in the way here either, Jason reminds himself. It's alright. Maybe it'll be alright. ]

Come on, man. Who doesn't want to skulk away in a booth? Slidin' into a booth is like a nice, warm hug. Easier to hide, too, when someone's lookin' for ya.

[ Shaking a finger, he smiles over to Jason. ]

Yes and yes. Clearly the right answer to that question.

[ With that? He wanders on over to a booth tucked away near the back of the diner, figuring it adds a little more to the whole privacy factor of this getting away from it all sort of vibe. Bag dropped off his shoulder, he dumps that in the far corner of the seat, helmet to follow and then, him, sliding on in with a puff of a sigh.

Comfortable in his seat, he folds his hands on the table before he reaches over to pluck one of those smaller menus tucked away with the salt and pepper and ketchup, etc. ]

You know I probably could eat every single thing in this place if I really wanted to. Like... no joke. I am being one hundred percent serious and then they'd kick me out and because I ate everything and there's nothing left to serve the other paying customers.

[ Jason smiles, ducking his head a little. Look, he likes to be praised, alright? If Barry hasn't already noticed... Jason doesn't realize how obvious he is about it.

He follows over to his favorite booth, smiling harder when that's the one Barry slides into, and he doesn't beam very often, but he really is right now as he slides in himself, tucking himself into the corner as he drops his helmet down next to him. ]

You can if you want to. Like hey, why not? Not like we're dinning and dashing. Seriously man, get whatever you want.

[ he pulls out a menu as well, flipping it over back and forth quickly cause he already knows it by heart, pretty much, but he needs something to do with his hands. ]

I gotta say, though. The chili dogs are the best. Loaded fries are to fucking die for and you have to try the chocolate strawberry shake. All at the same time, preferably dipped into each other, if you know what I mean.

[ maybe he doesn't expend as much energy as barry does, but he can certainly put some food down. ]

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