knightbynight: (72)

[personal profile] knightbynight 2024-11-21 02:37 am (UTC)(link)
Uh huh. Notice, write your letters and keep your mouth about noticing. Bruce is busy - though still keeping an eye on things and noting the length of that letter.

That's the one to whoever has his son..... That isn't exactly an intentionally directed thought, just an observational thought that he is aware will be heard. Pride. Arrogance. Desperation and something to prove.

Does he want Asmodeus to 'take' Zerxus? Absolutely not. He's been here for a long time. It would take a lot of investment and unlearning to even contemplate protesting. Not that he's never a... problem for his father, but when he is it certainly isn't casually.

He's also spoiled and generally expects to get what he wants.

Edited 2024-11-21 02:40 (UTC)
knightbynight: (pic#8240828)

[personal profile] knightbynight 2024-11-21 03:29 am (UTC)(link)
And attraction. He hadn't actually, truly, noticed on a conscious level, but that didn't mean he wasn't aware. Largely by default, in fairness. Bruce is attractive, knows he is, and is well acquainted with how to use that.

He's just also fascinated by this specific man. Still watching him as he writes as a matter of fact.

I'll find something for him to wear that will help him 'blend in'. It's an easy argument to make. Am I suggesting he send his armor home, or do you have some particular desire for it? to stay within Gotham or very specifically and personally.

Why would his father? ...because he can?
knightbynight: (4)

[personal profile] knightbynight 2024-11-21 03:46 am (UTC)(link)
I did ask if he was suicidal for a reason.

The willingness to walk into Gotham without the sword was that reason. The willingness to send it back is a bigger one. Even if it's denied, there's something... fundamental cracked, Bruce thinks. There has to be. The pieces don't fit, otherwise.

Meanwhile the writing stalling out has him wondering, and not at all realizing he's having any sort of personal response to the evidence of a more normal parental type bond. He is, but is oblivious to it.

Just puzzling out pieces and noting that he - they - have his son's name now. Or at least can likely puzzle it out.
knightbynight: (Default)

[personal profile] knightbynight 2024-11-21 04:22 am (UTC)(link)
It says he's an arrogant idiot, is what Bruce is pretty sure it says.

He waits out the letter writing with seemingly endless patience, and in truth that's not too far off the mark. He's sharp and spoiled and can be incredibly reactive, but he is capable of still for far, far longer than his general demeanor would imply.

Particularly when his father is an... active presence.

"Tell me."
knightbynight: (48)

[personal profile] knightbynight 2024-11-21 04:55 am (UTC)(link)
Asmodeus is slyly delighted.

Bruce is appalled and angry.

"You are an idiot." Yes, he would have used the son and his safety as... a point of bargaining for what he wanted. Yes, his safety for the time his father was gone could be more secure with this, but you don't just hand a devil that sort of opportunity with such clear willingness to give anything for it.

...he should not have said that aloud, and he realizes it only after the flare of temper and second the words are out of his mouth.

Anything you want.
knightbynight: (pissed)

[personal profile] knightbynight 2024-11-21 02:54 pm (UTC)(link)
Yes, but then I'd have a permanent arrangement with, and soul of, what is apparently a blithering idiot.

His tone is not quite his father's snideness, but more something caught between disgust and confusion, as he watches that man's expression soften in response to very real anger.

"You attack no devils for two years. You attack no one at all in Gotham for the time you are here, though you are free to defend yourself. You obey me for the duration of that year." His verbal tone is more flat, but not quite recognizable as mostly recitation. Mostly because 'don't attack people in Gotham' is... likely unnecessary but also wholly his requirement.

And he's just still looking... pissy and confused. "You can start with sending your armor and sword back." The sword he already knew was going, but he doesn't need to admit he knew that and, well, he should reasonably want it gone.

knightbynight: (48)

[personal profile] knightbynight 2024-11-22 01:45 am (UTC)(link)
Eternity is a very long time

Especially when combined with his obsessive nature. And the fact that he'd want to. And probably find that hot. He does not need that pressure and fully intends to resist doing that, at least until and unless he's either pushed or this idiot figures out how to be, if not more intelligent, better at navigating these things.

...That year should be a good chance to try to teach him a thing or two regardless of any ultimate goals.

"You stand out in it and look as though you expect to be attacked. I'll find something more suitable. Since you'll be staying."
Edited (WORKING IN THE JOKE OK) 2024-11-22 01:49 (UTC)
knightbynight: (7)

[personal profile] knightbynight 2024-11-22 02:52 am (UTC)(link)
Bruce doesn't forget, and he doesn't for one moment believe that Asmodeus forgets.

That particular assumed lie Bruce reads as a sign that he is behaving in a way that is ... less than desirable, but is not so far out of line as to warrant it being addressed in a stronger way.

At least for the time being, and with other more interesting things to hold his attention. They are also holding Bruce's attention. More so with that low, vibrato quality of his father's voice and the... wistful? tone.

The state of his gambeson and where it came from tells a story. It's a fairly large piece of the puzzle as to why Zerxus is here.

"How old are you?" That is... absolutely out of nowhere and after having been silent for likely entirely too long to fit within the flow of conversation. It can't be anything but a response to seeing the insignia.

Cathmoira was a city.

yes, he's asking Zerxus a question while very much not asking one of Asmodeus.
knightbynight: (48)

[personal profile] knightbynight 2024-11-22 03:26 am (UTC)(link)
Bruce refocuses more on Zerxus than his father temporarily, head cocking over at his response. This man is going to give him a literal pain in the neck (if that were possible) at this rate.

Yes, and that certainly explains some things about his presence here..

"How long is this going to take you?" He sounds impatient. He isn't, really, it's just a means of prodding Zerxus out of a... revealing reaction, for reasons he can't quite explain. He just knows he's uncomfortable with it.

knightbynight: (19)

[personal profile] knightbynight 2024-11-22 03:41 am (UTC)(link)
Please just keep focusing on getting out of your armor and ignore Bruce's not all that subtle (by his standards) response to being clearly warned. There's that brief freeze again, and some subtle tension.

That particularly silky tone is... clear.

He doesn't even have justification beyond failing at impulse control, which makes it worse.

"How long has your son's other parent been dead?"

That's an assumption but it isn't a hard one to make and it is both... sadistically pointed and (he hopes) enough of a course correction.
knightbynight: (pic#8319351)

[personal profile] knightbynight 2024-11-22 04:14 am (UTC)(link)
There is a moment or two there where he has a combination of his father's amusement and approval, his own relief and just barely there and quickly buried deeper... not guilt, exactly, but discomfort at Zerxus response, and (very basic) going on in his head.

That does not tell him why Zerxus is here now? That answer is one he very much wants. He probably isn't going to get it in the next fifteen minutes. He's...is not (much) backing off due to discomfort this time. There's no immediate leverage there, and he has time.

"As long as it wasn't day before yesterday." Dry, and not at all sympathetic. "I need to show you where you'll be staying and provide you with a wardrobe when you're finished with this."




knightbynight: (87)

[personal profile] knightbynight 2024-11-22 04:29 am (UTC)(link)
"Aren't you?" asks the king of hell's son. Truthfully, his impression of most mortal parents is... conflicted. He has strongly ingrained ideas, but he also has occasional evidence, and that doesn't matter right now. "If you say so. Now finish."

'Fun'.

He actually might, but it's going to be a long year. Especially if he can't get Asmodeus reassured that his son isn't too interested or invested.

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