open.

[shoving]

𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞

Comments

Re: for his_own_wings

[his_own_wings]

Didn't realize I needed to notify you when I decided to stop by, Bruce. [He's sitting at the table, hands wrapped around a cup that he's about half done with. Yes, Alfred had contacted him but he'd already been aware of the shift.]

So why don't you tell me what's going on with you lately? Because last time I checked, you didn't cross certain lines.

[shoving]

You don't live here anymore.

[ He doesn't mean for it to be as rude as it sounds, but he's also not going to mince words. He takes another sip of his coffee then sets the mug aside. ]

There's nothing to talk about.

[his_own_wings]

Didn't realize moving out meant I wasn't allowed to come back whenever I wanted to. [He eyes Bruce for a long moment, one eyebrow rising.]

Bruce, that's bullshit and we both know it. You know there were rules you agreed to follow when you took on this role and Gordon isn't going to sit by and let you keep going like this.

[shoving]

I haven't done anything.

[ in the same way Carmine Falcone never did anything when he ordered hits on his enemies. ]

Gordon has no reason to accuse me. Neither do you.

[his_own_wings]

We both know that's bullshit, Bruce and I don't appreciate you lying to my face.

Not about this. [Not about anything but it's not like he hasn't been checking things out before he approached Bruce either.]

It stops now. This isn't how you do things.

[shoving]

[ It's enough to get Bruce to pause. Not because he is considering anything Dick is saying - he's been gone too long. He doesn't know anything now. But because he thinks he can just slip back into place here. Seamlessly. Like he'd never left. Like nothing ever broke between them. ]

I didn't know you were an expert on how I do things.

Sorry got sick for a bit

[his_own_wings]

You think I'd forget how you're supposed to be doing things that quickly? [They both know that he's the only one who does, really, even if they've been at odds. ]

So I'm asking again. What do you think you're doing?

No worries! Hope you're feeling better

[shoving]

[ Bruce is quiet for a minute. Alfred asked him that when this first started. The answer is the same now as it was back then. ]

What needs to be done.

Re: No worries! Hope you're feeling better

[his_own_wings]

Except you're not. You're crossing lines, Bruce and it needs to stop. You've lost sight of what you're supposed to be doing. [The frustration is clear in his voice, Dick staring him down. ]

You have a code. You lose that and you lose Gordon's backing.

[shoving]

I don't need Gordon's backing.

[ In fact, Gordon hasn't said a word. The light is still on gcpd's roof. ]

I don't need your permission either.

[his_own_wings]

You don't need permission but you do need someone to hold you to the standards you set, Bruce. And this?

This isn't acceptable. You're not going to retain your power by breaking your own rules whether they can trace it back to you or not. I can.

[shoving]

What do you know about my standards, Dick? You left.

[ For years and years. ]

Things change.