Brute Squad | Kori and Jason | Chat
Ah. Well, the choreography of that one is beautiful, but the one at the end is still my favorite. [The truth was, the fight at the end always made her cry; not just because Inigo reminded her of Roy, but because of that one striking line, the line they could all identify with too well, of a loss that they could never get back.] Not a clue. It’s got to be one of the best films of all time. [She readjusted on the couch, curled up against Jason’s side. Exhaustion from her shift began to settle in, eyes beginning to droop, but Kori persevered — for the sake of how much she loved the film, if nothing else.]
[She rested her head on his shoulder, and he slid lower on the couch. She was warm, but still wrapped in a blanket. The heat seeped into him, and they were both asleep before the Wesley and Buttercup reached the Fire Swamp. Lightly snoring, they both appeared dead to the world, content, well fed, and back in each other’s lives. Friends until the very end, too close to be confused with anything else. Closer than lovers, closer than she and Roy had ever been. Entirely without romantic feelings. Siblings, united in spilled blood.]
[Outlaws.]
Brute Squad | Kori and Jason | Chat
Sounds good. [There was the slightest hint of hesitation in her tone at the mention of Roy, but she did her best to stifle it. Honestly, she figured he’d say no, anyway.] But that’s at the end of the film! [She hopped over the back of the couch and settled into the cushion, draping her legs over Jason’s with no thought at all.] Alright, alright. [Kori changed inputs and hit play. The screen went black and the sound of coughing echoed from the speakers, which elicited an excited smile from the woman. Gods, she loved this movie.]
I mean with the Dread Pirate Roberts, Kor. [It was a tradition, this movie. They’d each seen it a dozen times, and each felt a kinship with various characters. They weren’t so different, the Outlaws. Fezzik became Kori, Inigo was Roy, and of course that left Jason to be Wesley. The similarities were striking, you had to admit.] Seriously. How did this movie not win an Oscar?
Brute Squad | Kori and Jason | Chat
[She handed her plate to him with little thought — she’d pick some leftovers out of the fridge later. As she turned on the TV, Kori frowned at the news, but the expression was short-lived at the sound of Jason’s offer. If there was anything that could cheer her up, it was kicking some icy butt.] Absolutely. None of that “Winter is coming” crap. It’s time for summer. [It was time for her to get back in the game, and she knew it. Roy’s return only solidified what she’d been feeling, anyway, and now she had the excuse.]
Tonight. Small operation. Just us, but I’ll ask the Idiot if he’s down. [The mood was noticeably lighter, and the food was delicious. With a full stomach and tired eyes, Jason dumped the plates in the sink, sitting heavily on the couch.] Come on, Kor. You promised me Princess Bride. I want to get to Inigo’s swordfight before I fall asleep.
Brute Squad | Kori and Jason | Chat
I’ve still got half a mind to kill him, anyway. [The statement itself was fruitless, she couldn’t put much effort behind it and it clearly wasn’t true. Kori finally looked up from her plate, which was still untouched, and over to Jason. A sad smile flushed her features, her tone thick when she finally managed to speak.] Neither can I. [She let out another long breath, looking back at her plate.] Do you want it?
Hmm? Oh, sure. [He stacked the full plate on top of his empty one, eating more slowly this time. Sensing that it was too quiet, he asked for the remote. She turned on the TV, and the news blasted out in a jarring wave. “And in other news, the recent return of the supervillain Mister Freeze rocked Gotham last night, with a bank heist resulting in the deaths of two security guards. The third, who was also frozen, remains in critical condition at Mercy General.” [Jason caught Kori’s eye, a small grin on his face.] Feel like a hunt later tonight? I could use a space heater against Old Man Winter.
Brute Squad | Kori and Jason | Chat
[Her gaze fell, eyes locked on her plate of uneaten food, as Jason spoke. She didn’t really have much to say, not after the blur that was the night before. What was she supposed to do? Accept Roy back with open arms? Of course she was glad he was alive, but the trust, the love that had been there. It was shattered. After a long moment, Kori finally spoke again.] He’s also an asshole. [The slightest hint of a smile pulled at the corners of her mouth.] But you’re right. [Kori pursed her lips.] I had no intention of sending him away, anyway, despite his belief that it was what he deserved. Even if it is what he deserves, I… [The princess trailed off once more and shook her head. Damn that ridiculous redhead. Damn him.]
Yeah. That’s about how I felt. [There’s a pause, only marked by the rise and fall of Roxy’s snores. Outside, a light rain started to fall, and the sound seemed to soothe the situation, deflating the anger they both had felt.] It’s better off that he found us, you know. Can you imagine if we’d found him first? I think we’d have both killed him. [He laughs, but there was little humor in it, hollow and dark.] Still, can’t say I’m not glad he’s back.
Whiskey, Whiskey, Whiskey | Jason and Eddie | Flashback
“Ah. Well, all in a day’s work, I suppose, but one can get too much.”
He observed Jay’s face as it reconstructed happiness into sadness—or at the very least, world weariness. How did a man die and come back to life? How did he talk about it nonchalantly, all the while looking like he lost an integral piece of himself somewhere deep and dark and cavernous?
"An ideal way to die, some might say—briefly, and returned with a clean bill of health. Do you hide them, normally—your eyes? And…how exactly does one wind up in a Gulag?”
The first question was merely etiquette, a logical thing to ask, watered down with a limited amount of curiosity. As for the second, Eddie did not expect an honest answer. Nothing verbal, at least. But perhaps he could salvage a piece of this jigsaw puzzle and put it back together. At least he wouldn’t be bored.
“Please,” he took another sip of whiskey, settled an arm across the back of the booth as he leaned into it, uncoiling. “There’s nothing honest about it. It’s hardly to my benefit to be insane in this city—the market’s very well cornered—tends to wear a purple coat, or a mask and cape…”
Or tell drunken tales of regeneration and glowing irises.
“No, I leave the theatrics to others—the last new world order that was attempted here didn’t go so well for the instigators in the end… Gotham’s grand flaw is that everyone is stupid and they all care so much, about one thing or another. Let the criminals and the mobs and the vigilantes tear each other apart—they loosen things up, all I do is…rearrange the pieces. And, for the record—I’m far too well dressed for most people.”
"Yeah man, a gulag.”
Leaning in, he whispered conspiratorially.
“Most people think they disappeared with the fall of the U.S.S.R. But they didn’t. In fact, there’s a massive network of them, some old coal mines, others fallout bunkers, all throughout Ukraine.”
He winked before leaning back, he swallowed a third of his drink.
“There’s a reason no one is allowed in Chernobyl. It’s not just the radiation, Comrade. There’s things hidden there that would make your nosing around in Wall Street seem like stealing candy from a dead baby.”
A sudden quiet came over the bar, and Jason’s gaze flicked to the entrance. A broad shouldered man was visible, making his way through the crowd. Once at the bar, he ordered a martini, then found a seat with the man whose collarbone had been tweaked by Jason. He turned his attention back to Eddie.
“Heads up. Our boy called for backup. I can’t promise we won’t get in a fight.”
Again, a wink.
“I’ll take lead, if it comes to it. You strapped?”
He hadn’t noticed a piece on Eddie, but it could be in his waistband. Everyone carried around here. Mostly illegal. People were too careless with guns, Jason thought with a snort. Like I’m one to talk.
“Doesn’t matter. No one will pull a firearm here; too many people and too many witnesses. Better off using your hands.”
Jason enjoyed fucking with people; it was one of his favorite activities. The look of nonplussed calm, twinged with just a hint of you’re fucking crazy, dude, was just evidence he was succeeding.
Brute Squad | Kori and Jason | Chat
[At the mention of Roy, Kori’s fingers curled around her fork. It was probably enough to bend the metal, but she took no notice to it. A long sigh passed her lips as Jason spoke, and the princess stabbed her eggs a couple of times before speaking. Her words were dry.] How do you think it went? [Kori exhaled again.] What’s there to talk about? My ex-lover essentially returned from the dead and I somehow managed not to throw him through a wall. I think that’s as successful of a night as either of us were expecting it to be. [She set her fork down and ran a hand through her hair before resting her chin against her palm.] Bastard.
Well. When you put it that way…I guess it’s good all you did was break a door. [He held her gaze for e long while, then returned to his food.] He came at me with all sorts of bullshit about giving up, having no hope, you know. Same dramatics he was always fond of. But, man, I think he really meant it this time. He’s clean, and he’s back. I don’t know. [Pushing back his plate, he ran his fingers through his hair, exhaling loudly.] He’s a valuable asset, and he’s saved our lives more times to count. That’s gotta count for something.
Brute Squad | Kori and Jason | Chat
[As Jason worked on the door, Kori began to prepare breakfast. He liked things simple enough — bacon, eggs, toast — so she knew it wasn’t going to take very long to cook. Jason had finished the door quicker than she could fry up eggs, however, and she was flipping pieces of bacon when he reentered the room.] “We should take her sailing. It’s been ages since I’ve been on the open ocean.” [There was a certain fondness to her tone; Kori missed the sea more than she ever let on. The Starfire was truly the first place she called home. Her attachment to the ship was so strong that she’d called herself after it. That had to say something. Kori pulled a face as the stench hit her, and she shook her head.] “Let’s hope not.” [The food was finished a moment later, and Kori served it onto two plates. She extended one to Jason as she rounded her kitchen counter and took a seat.]
[A sad smile sat on her face as she spoke, and Jason remembered just how fierce she’d looked in the pictures she’d salvaged from the Starfire, wind whipping her hair around her shoulders.] Yeah. Past the harbor, get some real sun. Maybe take the Idiot with us for entertainment. Gods know he could use a tan. [He laughed, then sat, digging into the plate he’d been looking forward to since their conversation the night before. It was delicious.] Speaking of the Idiot King, how’d that all turn out? He didn’t swing back by the Complex, so he’s either dead or doing great. Wanna talk about it?
and all of this will never be the same again 