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[unobtainableredemption]

This is Kaine. I'm clearly not here so leave a message.

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[unobtainableredemption]

[Yeah that's not a concept he's familiar with.]

So I'm, what, your charity case? [He's too stunned to put any sort of anger in that statement.]

[imaginate]

[It's one Kyle's familiar with giving, but not receiving.]

Do I look like I do this for charity!

[A pause, and he has the self-awareness to look sheepish.]

... Don't answer that. Look. Just. Take the thing, okay.

[unobtainableredemption]

[Throws his hands in the air.]

How the hell should I know?! I barely know you!

[Attempts to take a deep breath, but it just sort of comes out as a growl.] Fine.

[imaginate]

Okay.

[Exhale. Man, this was unexpectedly harrowing. Not even Damian had been this badly affected.]

Enjoy. And save some for the kids.

[unobtainableredemption]

[That battle may be over, but he's still going to start a new one. Because he can.]

How do you know about the kids?

[imaginate]

Because... they use the front door...?

[unobtainableredemption]

[...Right.]

They're... my brother and my niece. From other universes.

[imaginate]

[Eyebrow. Raise.]

... Ouch.

[unobtainableredemption]

My... family's always been complicated. [So much so he's finding it hard to call them family.]

[imaginate]

You don't say.

[Kyle suspects Kaine's not really the type to talk about family, let alone use the word, and anyway he's not interested in pushing the subject. The real fight's over; he's not intending to have another one.]

Spend some time in with them, yeah?

[At least he doesn't know they're superheroes..?]

[unobtainableredemption]

I can't stop them from coming over. [He's tried.]

[imaginate]

[Kyle grins at him, politely, and ponders saying something noncommittal because Kaine is having Emotions and this is Awkward because he's kind of right, they do barely know each other.]

[...]

[...Aw hell.]

First time being the caretaker?

[Who narrowly avoided saying "dad"? This guy.]

[unobtainableredemption]

[Arches an eyebrow at the word "caretaker." Christ, is taht really what he is?]

There was a girl just as annoying back home that stayed with me, if that's what you're implying.

[imaginate]

[Step carefully, Rayner...]

Kids, right?

[metaphorical elbow to the ribs of someone who commiserates...?]

[unobtainableredemption]

You have a kid? [Poor kid.]

[imaginate]

[Kyle.. actually pouts.]

Had. Several.

[unobtainableredemption]

So... what? You're a deadbeat dad? Or your kids keep dying?

[imaginate]

[Far from getting angry at being told his "kids" died, Kyle actually just. Facepalms. This entire situation is ridiculous and it's not lost on him.]

No, dude. They grew up. Freaky space thing.

[unobtainableredemption]

...What? [Inwardly sighs. Why is all of this bullshit suddenly in his life?]

[imaginate]

[Kind of what happens when you're from comics, except it never seems to occur to anyone that this is all preposterous.]

They grew up.

[unobtainableredemption]

[Yeah, see, despite being a clone, he managed to avoid most of his bullshit his entire life.]

I got the birds and the bees part.

[imaginate]

... Good luck.

[Seriously. Kyle's not about to wish teenagers on anybody, not even his enemies.]

[unobtainableredemption]

[Mumbles] At least they don't hover off the bed exorcist style.

[imaginate]

[what are you mumbling and why...]

Hm?

[unobtainableredemption]

Nothing.