Yeah, thanks, Babs. [ friends. she knows everything about him, calling them friends feels like highlighting the distance that's since grown between them. this is over text--good thing. ]
Yeah. I know you wouldn't do that to me.
[ of course he wasn't going to tell her. if it weren't for desperately needing this background check, he'd have passed through without another peep. she'd know. he'd feel bad, but perhaps not as bad as he does now. ]
I'm working on a case and a lead pointed to Gotham. It was natural they'd send me. I'm headed to Seattle tomorrow morning.
Anyway. I appreciate your help. SFPD's resources are limited compared to what we're used to.
[If she'd wanted to hurt him, she wouldn't have answered his text. She would have blocked his number ages ago. Instead, she held out hope he'd be able to separate her from Bruce and reach out.
Not exactly how she imagined, but she'll take it for now.]
Of course they are. Not everyone has my access to the best systems in the world.
How soon do you need the info? I could probably have what you need by tonight if you want to stop by the belfry.
[ there's a mix of relief and regret when their conversation lands on work again, but he knows this isn't the place to explain why he's so hesitant to reach out. ]
Tonight would be great, thanks. What can I do to repay you?
[ he wants to lean into it, he knows they should talk about it, and as soon as he'd seen Gotham over the horizon, she'd been on the forefront of his mind. he reconciles it all with work ]
Perfect. I'll be by in a few hours.
[ he wraps up combing though a few other locations and organizing the file at hand before he phones in an order of lamb curry to Barbara's favourite spot. the memories come pouring in when he ducks into the take-out joint and recognizes the exact blend of spices associated with the restaurant. nothing has changed.
the curry is still steaming when he takes it up the old elevator up the clock tower, pleased that the security system still lets him through. when he steps in, his footsteps echo through the dim stone space and autopilots him straight to the vast windows framing out a breathtaking view of Gotham. it's as beautiful as much as it's a shithole, grimy and dense, and at one point, the only home he knew. he holds the takeout in one hand and keeps his helmet tucked under the other arm and stands silhouetted against the city lights, waiting for Barbara. ]
((ooc: hope this works!! im totes not familiar with gotham knights ;; ))
[The scent of the curry fills the room signalling his arrival if she somehow missed the alarm system notification. She hadn't, but it's nice to have that familiar pull once more. Seeing him standing there with Gotham as a backdrop honestly hurts in a way she hadn't expected.
It's one thing to know the reasons why he left, hell, she even agrees with them; but that doesn't make it any easier. Logic and emotions don't always mix.]
And you were going to skip out on this view.
[She meets him at the window, a folder and flash drive in her hands that she holds out to him.]
Trade you. While I eat, you can look at what I found.
[There is a small table and chairs in one corner for those times when Dick or one of the others arrived to pull her away from her screens and remind her that there was more to the world.]
[ he turns when the soft patter of her steps enters the room. sheβs bathed in the dim light of the city like this, and the quip tugs a wry smile onto his mouth as much as seeing her does. he does his best not to think about when he thought heβd never hear her steps again, but something about Gotham tends to cast myriad shadows.
he takes the file and drive that she hands him and trades her the curry. ]
Thanks, and hi to you too. [ he spreads his arms for a hug. ]
[Never able to deny him anything, Barbara steps into the hug. It's pure instinct and familiarity that has her melt into him. ]
I've missed you.
[She means it in so many ways. Who else could she talk to about her daily life both in and out of the mask? Or discuss everything and nothing at the same time?
Bruce would be there in his way, but sometimes, often times he was the issue. Something Dick understood better than anyone. And although she trusts Bruce, it was Dick she'd trust her life with.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Yeah. I know you wouldn't do that to me.
[ of course he wasn't going to tell her. if it weren't for desperately needing this background check, he'd have passed through without another peep. she'd know. he'd feel bad, but perhaps not as bad as he does now. ]
I'm working on a case and a lead pointed to Gotham. It was natural they'd send me. I'm headed to Seattle tomorrow morning.
Anyway. I appreciate your help. SFPD's resources are limited compared to what we're used to.
no subject
Not exactly how she imagined, but she'll take it for now.]
Of course they are. Not everyone has my access to the best systems in the world.
How soon do you need the info? I could probably have what you need by tonight if you want to stop by the belfry.
no subject
Tonight would be great, thanks. What can I do to repay you?
no subject
Pick me up an order of lamb curry on the way, and we're even.
no subject
Perfect. I'll be by in a few hours.
[ he wraps up combing though a few other locations and organizing the file at hand before he phones in an order of lamb curry to Barbara's favourite spot. the memories come pouring in when he ducks into the take-out joint and recognizes the exact blend of spices associated with the restaurant. nothing has changed.
the curry is still steaming when he takes it up the old elevator up the clock tower, pleased that the security system still lets him through. when he steps in, his footsteps echo through the dim stone space and autopilots him straight to the vast windows framing out a breathtaking view of Gotham. it's as beautiful as much as it's a shithole, grimy and dense, and at one point, the only home he knew. he holds the takeout in one hand and keeps his helmet tucked under the other arm and stands silhouetted against the city lights, waiting for Barbara. ]
((ooc: hope this works!! im totes not familiar with gotham knights ;; ))
no subject
It's one thing to know the reasons why he left, hell, she even agrees with them; but that doesn't make it any easier. Logic and emotions don't always mix.]
And you were going to skip out on this view.
[She meets him at the window, a folder and flash drive in her hands that she holds out to him.]
Trade you. While I eat, you can look at what I found.
[There is a small table and chairs in one corner for those times when Dick or one of the others arrived to pull her away from her screens and remind her that there was more to the world.]
no subject
he takes the file and drive that she hands him and trades her the curry. ]
Thanks, and hi to you too. [ he spreads his arms for a hug. ]
no subject
I've missed you.
[She means it in so many ways. Who else could she talk to about her daily life both in and out of the mask? Or discuss everything and nothing at the same time?
Bruce would be there in his way, but sometimes, often times he was the issue. Something Dick understood better than anyone. And although she trusts Bruce, it was Dick she'd trust her life with.]