He'd admit that he isn't okay in the sense that no one should use him as a role model in any regard. That he's less okay now than he was -- probably not.
"She wasn't from my world, either, though she clearly knew some version of me." Based on the name of her hyena, which he thinks might also apply to this Harley.
anyway, he takes a drink of his coffee and shrugs. "I got caught up in the gang and guard activity." Stabbed, then jailed. "I was not in ...peak condition and Joker stepped in for the public portion of the punishment, and I was in worse condition then. It was mostly a matter of disinfecting and stitching, some fluid and antibiotics, but there are parts of my body I can't reach myself."
And he cannot have that happen again. Not with Joker, not with that level of vulnerability and especially not when the power dynamic here is so skewed by their designations.
Kyle knew that when Bruce texted him this wasn't going to be good, and he knew he'd be here for him. He just hadn't realized how bad things had gotten for Bruce, and what he'd had to deal with.
With another, he would offer sympathy here, ask questions about how bad things were. Especially not physically. This is Bruce though, and he's learning how to scale back his natural tendencies for the comfort of batfam member Bruce.
So he considers his words carefully. "Physically how bad is it? That you're aware of?" He's pretty certain he's acutely aware of how bad it is. It's not like Bruce not to know.
"There's nothing that needs further addressing, or will do more than leave a few more scars over the long term."
Is that an answer? He's trying.
"It's still bad enough to be uncomfortable, but not much more than that, at this point. It would have been a major problem if Joker hadn't decided to play nice."
He needs someone he can call on. He resents that, but he does.
It's an answer. Not a great answer but it's definitely an answer.
"I know... of him. Of things that happened to Tim here before, and what happened to Harley. She and I confided in one another about life and some other things over the years."
He's heard a lot. He saw how bad Tim was. And he knew what the people from their world were like. He'd known Roman and Zsasz. It made him almost thankful for the kind of monster Jones was. Almost.
"He's here though so who knows about next time?" He sighs. "I know our relationship is interesting, Bruce, because of Tim but... if you don't call me next time, he's not the only one you'll have to contend with."
Okay Bruce Wayne, please be intimidated by the doctor who totally won't do anything of the sort, even if he could rip someone apart.
Bruce lifts his eyebrows, in a way that is very clearly pointed, but not in a particularly sharp way. A little warmth, a little tired, a little amused, even, but still a Look.
"I didn't have to contact you about this time. I did. To make arrangements." But then: "Our relationship isn't odd, for me, 'because of Tim'." He doesn't say things without them meaning... something.
And in this case he's telling Kyle a couple of things.
One of them being 'yeah, he knows about the sex but he likes you and would anyway -- or maybe would sleep with Kyle anyway'. Either way. Both ways?
Kyle offers back a very practiced bland look, not even trying to pretend he isn't putting on that face.
"I know you didn't, and I know you fear me about as much as a fly. That doesn't mean I don't like you, Bruce, and if I can be there for you I'm glad you'll let me."
He nods at that, considering asking why it's odd then but this is Duplicity and he could probably think of a dozen reasons or so why.
"Also, on that note, this stays between us. I assume you know that but making that clear. No matter what might happen. Because you're a friend and I want to do what I can."
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"She wasn't from my world, either, though she clearly knew some version of me." Based on the name of her hyena, which he thinks might also apply to this Harley.
anyway, he takes a drink of his coffee and shrugs. "I got caught up in the gang and guard activity." Stabbed, then jailed. "I was not in ...peak condition and Joker stepped in for the public portion of the punishment, and I was in worse condition then. It was mostly a matter of disinfecting and stitching, some fluid and antibiotics, but there are parts of my body I can't reach myself."
And he cannot have that happen again. Not with Joker, not with that level of vulnerability and especially not when the power dynamic here is so skewed by their designations.
no subject
With another, he would offer sympathy here, ask questions about how bad things were. Especially not physically. This is Bruce though, and he's learning how to scale back his natural tendencies for the comfort of
batfam memberBruce.So he considers his words carefully. "Physically how bad is it? That you're aware of?" He's pretty certain he's acutely aware of how bad it is. It's not like Bruce not to know.
no subject
Is that an answer? He's trying.
"It's still bad enough to be uncomfortable, but not much more than that, at this point. It would have been a major problem if Joker hadn't decided to play nice."
He needs someone he can call on. He resents that, but he does.
Kyle is... his answer.
no subject
"I know... of him. Of things that happened to Tim here before, and what happened to Harley. She and I confided in one another about life and some other things over the years."
He's heard a lot. He saw how bad Tim was. And he knew what the people from their world were like. He'd known Roman and Zsasz. It made him almost thankful for the kind of monster Jones was. Almost.
"He's here though so who knows about next time?" He sighs. "I know our relationship is interesting, Bruce, because of Tim but... if you don't call me next time, he's not the only one you'll have to contend with."
Okay Bruce Wayne, please be intimidated by the doctor who totally won't do anything of the sort, even if he could rip someone apart.
no subject
"I didn't have to contact you about this time. I did. To make arrangements." But then: "Our relationship isn't odd, for me, 'because of Tim'." He doesn't say things without them meaning... something.
And in this case he's telling Kyle a couple of things.
One of them being 'yeah, he knows about the sex but he likes you and would anyway -- or maybe would sleep with Kyle anyway'. Either way. Both ways?
no subject
"I know you didn't, and I know you fear me about as much as a fly. That doesn't mean I don't like you, Bruce, and if I can be there for you I'm glad you'll let me."
He nods at that, considering asking why it's odd then but this is Duplicity and he could probably think of a dozen reasons or so why.
"Also, on that note, this stays between us. I assume you know that but making that clear. No matter what might happen. Because you're a friend and I want to do what I can."