( Someone from another time or universe pops up, and Bruce gets himself all wound up over it. It'd just been another Tuesday by Jason's standards the night he'd found Sizhui wandering around Crime Alley. Someone in that get up sticks out like a sore thumb in a place as dark and gloomy as Gotham, even more so when they're wandering the streets of the places Jason tends to haunt. After the initial and awkward attempt to pull Sizhui into a (mostly) safe spot, he'd done his best to try and explain everything with broken language skills. Not his best moment, but no one got shot or stabbed. Always a plus, right?
But things are never that easy in Jason's life. What had started out as trying to get Sizhui back to one of his own safehouses while he figured out this whole thing, Batman had intercepted. It wasn't pretty. To see two men the size of Batman and the Red Hood squaring up against one another in a heated argument that had gotten a little loud and colorful on Jason's end had to be a worrying sight. And in the end, Batman wins their argument. Batman always wins their goddamn arguments, and Jason is left seething as Batman drives off with the other man. Despite his own anger, Jason can admit this is probably for the best. The Batcave is way more equip to deal with weird things like this, and Alfred will take care of the guy.
Jason keeps his distance at first. Gets the occasional updates from Tim or Dick who reassure him that yes, his walking ancient Chinese friend was safe and doing well. Sizhui is his name. And after a stiff conversation with Bruce, he gets reluctant permission to spot by just this one time. Only - Jason doesn't stop by just once. He waltzes through the front door the first time to check on Sizhui, spends some time with him and learns a bit more. But the times are never quite so direct.
Of course, Jason is sure Bruce knows he's been sneaking in. He's friggin' Batman. But he still does it. No one stops him, and Alfred always gives him the courtesy of telling him when one of the others has arrived or is on their way so he can cut and run as if he hadn't been there at all. It's a strange realization that he can't stay away for long, that something about Sizhui always draws him back to the manor every couple of weeks. Maybe it's the idea that he understands what it feels like to be under metaphorical lock and key of the Bat, to be the dirty little secret of the Batfamily. Or maybe he just likes Sizhui. The latter is a thought he doesn't know how to process, but he's trying to work through it, at least.
It's been a couple weeks since his last snuck in, and he appears in the room silently as many of them often do. But he's got the foresight and manners (ha) to announce himself by leaning a bit too heavily against the door frame and letting the creak of the old wood give away his position. )
It's like you don't know me at all, thinking I'm looking for that guy.
( There's mock offense in his voice, but he offers a small smirk quickly enough as he makes his way over to where Sizhui is sitting. He drops onto the nearest chair, throwing his arms over the sides to get comfortable. )
Thought you could use some company. I know how lonely it is when all you have is a dog and a bunch of hallways and doors to talk to.
( No offense to Ace - he'd been good company when Jason actually lived here and the dog wasn't at Bruce's heels. )
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But things are never that easy in Jason's life. What had started out as trying to get Sizhui back to one of his own safehouses while he figured out this whole thing, Batman had intercepted. It wasn't pretty. To see two men the size of Batman and the Red Hood squaring up against one another in a heated argument that had gotten a little loud and colorful on Jason's end had to be a worrying sight. And in the end, Batman wins their argument. Batman always wins their goddamn arguments, and Jason is left seething as Batman drives off with the other man. Despite his own anger, Jason can admit this is probably for the best. The Batcave is way more equip to deal with weird things like this, and Alfred will take care of the guy.
Jason keeps his distance at first. Gets the occasional updates from Tim or Dick who reassure him that yes, his walking ancient Chinese friend was safe and doing well. Sizhui is his name. And after a stiff conversation with Bruce, he gets reluctant permission to spot by just this one time. Only - Jason doesn't stop by just once. He waltzes through the front door the first time to check on Sizhui, spends some time with him and learns a bit more. But the times are never quite so direct.
Of course, Jason is sure Bruce knows he's been sneaking in. He's friggin' Batman. But he still does it. No one stops him, and Alfred always gives him the courtesy of telling him when one of the others has arrived or is on their way so he can cut and run as if he hadn't been there at all. It's a strange realization that he can't stay away for long, that something about Sizhui always draws him back to the manor every couple of weeks. Maybe it's the idea that he understands what it feels like to be under metaphorical lock and key of the Bat, to be the dirty little secret of the Batfamily. Or maybe he just likes Sizhui. The latter is a thought he doesn't know how to process, but he's trying to work through it, at least.
It's been a couple weeks since his last snuck in, and he appears in the room silently as many of them often do. But he's got the foresight and manners (ha) to announce himself by leaning a bit too heavily against the door frame and letting the creak of the old wood give away his position. )
It's like you don't know me at all, thinking I'm looking for that guy.
( There's mock offense in his voice, but he offers a small smirk quickly enough as he makes his way over to where Sizhui is sitting. He drops onto the nearest chair, throwing his arms over the sides to get comfortable. )
Thought you could use some company. I know how lonely it is when all you have is a dog and a bunch of hallways and doors to talk to.
( No offense to Ace - he'd been good company when Jason actually lived here and the dog wasn't at Bruce's heels. )