🩹 apply pressure to the deep slash on the receiver’s abdomen.
[𝒜]nd the Robin labascates, his mother once told him he was isangelous, as though such a word might be spoken and not weigh upon the tongue. He keeps it still, as one remembers angelus from childhood, returning unbidden at the hour of trial. He stands near unto revelation, and the au courant krioboly waits upon the threshold of knowing. Yet he knows himself too well to abide the comfort of sanctification. 𝐼𝑛𝑜𝑐𝑐𝑖𝑑𝑢𝑜𝑢𝑠٫ says Bruce, praising what does not wither. 𝐼𝑛𝑔𝑜𝑟𝑑𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑜𝑢𝑠٫ says Damian, scorning what does not spare. Thus he is lauded and thus he is lowered, and in neither does he find absolution. ℋe was never the prescited ℛobin, never hailed by prophecy nor spared by foretelling, as though the mantle were ever granted without cost.
Choice has always stood beside him, stern as a confessor. Not mercy. Not malice. A thing borne. A thing owed. It is both everything and nothing. 𝑇𝑖𝑚 𝐷𝑟𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝘩𝑎𝑠 𝑎 𝑐𝘩𝑜𝑖𝑐𝑒. And by that knowing, he is bound.
❛ I’m not dying tonight. ❜ He says it sternly, though his body betrays him. His hand, decutient, closes over hers where she presses the wound; blood has made her grip unclean, his warmth yet holding in her hand. The slash at his abdomen gapes like a mouth taught only one word: more. ❛ ‘Ya hear that, Kinney ? So, put more pressure, yeah ? I can take it. ❜ The blood answers first, welling [ dark and earnest ] soaking cloth and skin alike. And still, against reason, he smiles at her ! The thought comes unbidden, thin and statistical: this happens often ( such scaevity ) Missions ending in measure ... how much can be lost before the sum is paid ? He does not judge it. He cannot. What authority has a mortal who bleeds only crimson, never ichor, whose body opens like any other when cut true ?
Is this theomeny and is he in his thysiastery ? — ❛ I totally get what happened. ❜ His voice is quieter now, pared down to what breath will allow. The words leave him stained red. ❛ The redbird will be here in a few minutes, keep me entertained. ❜
