[ from @dataxe ]
Dread curled at the bottom of their stomach, at the news. Panic bubbled and rose up: Of course Grant had to be stupid enough, to not wait just a few more weeks for this to be over. Because there was no question in their mind... They were going to have to confront him.
Grabbing their uniform, they quickly slipped out into the night and took the familiar route from Gotham to Jump. Finding Red X was simple... He never removed the old trackers Robin had placed on him.
Stupid stupid stupid.
Cornering him in an alleyway - a hidden entrance to one of his safe houses in the area, they hung from a pole - body practiced and delicate.
Data called out, their voice modulation device still in effect, "So... the dead speak, and walk! Riddle me this, X: I am the consequences of your actions, and the current reason for the rush of adrenaline pumping through your veins. I add fuel to any flame. I am the warning sign you get before narrowly surviving a moving bus or train...."
They twirled off the pole into a flip, expertly landing on their feet, they stalked closer,
"I'm something you should stay away from, and yet, you seem to fall in my lap anytime one of your 'teen titan' heroes are off taking a nap... What am I?"
So maybe he’s not been handling Robin's death well.
An up close perspective on grief wasn’t what Grant ever thought he’d get a taste of when it came to having to choke down his own medicine.
No wonder his family ended up they way they did. This is insufferable. Not in the way he used to like. Not the snarky, annoying, jealous, fun prodding type of insufferable. It’s the heavy, unbearable choking kind that he wants to be done with.
A month ago, there’d be a lot more banter right around here. Ridiculous quips about what the hell are you wearing, and when did Jump get another weirdo? There’s no energy for it now though. Instead, he just looks bored. Well, irritated was probably a better word. This is pointless. Much like most everything else.
The x's in his palms light up in warning. Cocking his head as he took a step forward. The nap thing shouldn’t get under his skin as much as it does- but it’s like dialing up the already more than simmering anger up to a straight boil.
“I hardly think I need lectures on the danger of what I do- especially from someone who isn’t from here.”