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[unobtainableredemption]

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

TEXT | VOICE | VIDEO | ACTION

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[imaginate]

Because.

[It's not an answer and he knows it - hell, this is hitting his own buttons badly, even he can't accept something just because.]

When's the last time you weren't on edge, huh? [He knows it, intimately. Seeing it in somebody else makes it conscious of its presence in him, too.]

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I didn't live this long just accepting gifts from strangers. [Though even the thought of strangers wanting to give him gifts is funny. But that's also to say the answer is never.]

And you still didn't answer my question.

[imaginate]

[Irritably:]

Yeah well don't think of it as a favour.

[He sighs.]

You're all by yourself. That sucks, trust me. Never hurts to have somebody watching your back - in the good way - especially here with all the crap flying around.

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I've always been alone, this is nothing new to me. I'm used to it. Besides, people are better off not involving themselves with me.

[imaginate]

[Kyle gives him a glare that's brought gods to their knees.]

Do not make me unleash the Power of Friendship^TM, because I will.

[He's honestly more bothered by the fact that he's said all this to Jim, or implied it, and here it is being parroted back at him. Well. He isn't taking no for an answer.]

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[Oooh a glare, like he's never seen one of those before.]

What. the. fuck are you talking about?

[imaginate]

I'm being nice to you, asshole, because not enough people have been nice to you!

Jesus!

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[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.

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[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.

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[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...?

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[...Right.]

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

[imaginate]

[Eyebrow. Raise.]

... Ouch.

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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..?]

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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.]

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[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...?]

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You have a kid? [Poor kid.]

[imaginate]

[Kyle.. actually pouts.]

Had. Several.

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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.