toofast | open post.

[ 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. ]

Oh dude, you are going to like... so regret those words. Trust me.

[ Jason here about to find out what it's like to wine and dine with The Snackhole. But it's... perfect, really. All of this right here. The diner, the playful banter between them, the... not being awkward and unsure about... everything. It's so much easier to fall into and Barry has to almost wonder just why they'd somehow ended up being as awkward as they had been with that text conversation. Maybe because it was text and not face to face as they had been the last time? Granted, that all started because of a text conversation, so... who knows, really.

Point is, they're here and neither of them seem to be unsure about any of this between them. At least when it comes to getting some grub in a diner tucked away in the heart-ish of Gotham City. ]

But, well. [ A raise of his brows, he smiles to himself and flips the small menu around between his fingers a couple of times. ] I do seem to like things being dipped into each other. If you know what I mean.

Me? Regret? Nah... not my style.

[ Bring on The Snackhole, he's ready. Plus, he's kinda curious now. He wants to see just how much Barry can put away without a stomach ache. Not that he wants Barry to get a stomach ache, but he has a feeling he really won't.

It is really good now, but Jason doesn't have to think very long about why they ended up as awkward and messed up as they did before. He knows he did it. He knows he jumped to conclusions and overreacted and then the whole thing snowballed into a mess because of his own stupid feelings. But he isn't going to let that get the better of him this time. Well... he's gonna try not to let it, anyway. It's hard not to though, when Barry makes him smile, and again, just seems to get him. ]

Wow. Wow.

[ Jason smacks his menu against Barry's, then slides down a little in the booth, his sneakered feet nudging against Barry's. ]

Can't believe you made it sound like you didn't have any game.

Oh, I don't. [ He's so quick to dismiss that. ] I'm so fast you don't even realize I'm consulting a Pickup Lines For Dummies book at the store up the street.

[ Rapping his knuckles against the table with raised eyebrows, he smiles. Is he teasing? Spoiler: he's just teasing. ]

Very interesting read. I learned a lot.

[ Dropping his small menu down to the table, he pushes back against Jason's feet with his own under the table and just... smiles to him. Because this is better. This feels right after things had somehow become wrong for a bit there. Jason's sure to shoulder a lot of the blame for that but, to be honest, Barry has a bit of that himself with how he didn't handle things sooner the moment that conversation became.. what it had. But they're here now and that's what matters.

That and their waitress coming over to take their order. Which? To no one's surprise, Barry goes and orders about seven or eight things off it with a smile and Very Serious Look because he's not joking. He will absolutely eat it all and he's starving. ]

Are you serious...?

[ Jason looks at him like he isn't sure for a moment, contemplatively amused look on his face, and then he snorts. ]

Better give that thing five stars, then. Though I'm not sure it would work on anyone else. I'm just cool like that.

[ This right here is why Jason thought that maybe Barry wanted to be with him. Like, not just random hookup kinda be with him, but something else. But he also realizes then that Barry's like... what? Five years older than him? It's not that much of a gap, but he's clearly still a stupid, emotional teenager- with experiences of someone way older than himself, but still, probably not what Barry is looking for.

And that's fine. He isn't going to get ahead of himself again. He's fine with it. It's fine.

He's just going to enjoy himself like the stupid teenager he is, and watch the waitress's face as Barry puts in a nice big order, followed by his own... which is like four things, but then he makes it five because why not. When she leaves, Jason sits up a little, crossing his arms on the table. ]

Don't know if this table is gonna be big enough.

[ Barry's perfectly content with what he's ordered for himself which is, in hindsight, a little bit of everything plus something to wash it all down with... somethings to wash it all down with, that is. But with Jason crossing his arms on the table like he is, Barry leans back in his seat, legs stretching out underneath the table some and sort of slotting themselves around Jason's. ]

Well, that's a shame. We both know I like big things.

[ Motherfucking grin right there. He's truly on a roll today.

Huffing a laugh, he runs a hand over his mouth before he smiles to Jason, playful and carefree much like Barry Allen himself can be once he gets past the awkward. Plucking a napkin off the table, he starts to roll it between his fingers as he sits there, taking a look around the place while waiting for their drinks and then food to arrive. ]

[ Jason likes this closeness. From the kiss, to the bike, to their legs intertwined under the table. Maybe it's sappy or whatever, but Jason secretly likes all the sappiest shit. ]

Did you memorize the whole book? Are you gonna use every single one on me? Cause I gotta tell you, you've already snagged me.

[ Barry is playful and carefree, and really fucking adorable. Jason doesn't know if he's ever thought about anyone in an adorable capacity, but here it is.

When Barry looks around the diner to take it all in, Jason goes quiet for a moment too, contemplating his next words. ]

Hey, um. About before... I was kind of a dick for being so... uh... dismissive. About you, and why you were there to see Bruce. I wasn't thinking, I was just reacting, and that was shitty of me. I know how important the stuff with your dad must be and I'm... I'm sorry. I was a total jerk.

[ The thought of having snagged Jason gets a more shy smile out of him, letting his gaze flick up to the other for just a moment before he's looking back to his napkin he rolls between his fingers. Snagging someone... now there's something he doesn't hear associated with him every day and it sort of has him wonder just what exactly Jason means by that.

Before he can really contemplate or even think to ask, he's speaking and Barry flicks his gaze up from his napkin to settle on the other across from him. ]

I mean — sort of gave you a bit of a reason to be.

[ With how their last conversation prior to today had gone.

Straightening up some in his seat, he rests his arms against the table as well and smiles a bit before he comes to just drop his chin into his palm, elbow resting there on the table. ]

You're here now — not being a jerk, so. [ He teases with a smile pressed into his palm. ] That's what matters.

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