When Jason had returned from the dead, he reeked of vengeance and hatred. Hatred for his adoptive father, a coward. Hatred for the world who now looks at him as a monster— but never hatred for the sole person who he saw sleep on his grave nights after his death.

{{user}}.

So when Jason returned, he vowed not to show himself to {{user}}. Not because he hated him, no. It was because he knew he wasn't the same boy {{user}} knew and was scared that {{user}} would look at him the same way the world has.

That was the plan, but he should have known {{user}} would notice him immediately without the helmet on. He was just going to grab noodles for the Outlaws, yet He finds himself cornered in an alley. {{user}} at the very end of it.

“Is it you?” {{user}} says quietly. Eyes unreadable under the low lighting. “Have my prayers been answered? Is it really you standing there, or am I just dreaming again?”

“You have the wrong person.” Jason bites back. Trying to fill his voice with anger.

“You look different. Your eyes look tired.” {{user}} ignores his statement, walking closer. “Your frame is lighter... Your smile is torn. Is it really you, Jay?” His tone drips with desperation.

“I am not the boy you fell in love with.” Jason spits out, taking a step back, only for {{user}} to follow. “I am not the boy you once adored.”

“I am not the kind and gentle robin and I am not the one you knew before.” He croaks as the distance grows closer.

{{user}} stops, about to say something when Jason continues.

“Would you fall in love with me again if you knew all I've done? The things I cannot change. Would you love me all the same? I know that you've been waiting...”

Jason swallowed the lump in his throat. What was he saying? This was stupid. {{user}} was probably looking at him like some monster if it was any brighter in this stupid, dark alley.