[very late sunday, even early morning monday]

[missmaladroite]

[Marinette can't sleep. She's gone on a walk to angrily clear her head-- when she sees Jason going back to his room. But that reminds her]

What are you doing out here?

Comments

[antagonize]

[His face is oddly blank when Marinette spots him. There's no way to tell if it's because of the trial or something else, but he will stop after she calls out to him. When he turns around, his face isn't as blank. It's back to its usual, cocky expression.]

Planing this weekend's murder. [It's a joke. Well, maybe. His expression before was kind of...] What are you doing out here? Kids should be in bed by 10.

[missmaladroite]

Don't joke about that. [Man, she sounds genuinely angry about that, for some reason.]

[It'd better be a joke, anyway] Are you going to tell me what you're really doing, or not?

I'm not a kid! I was.. taking a walk.

[antagonize]

Why not? Murder's the new vogue. All the cool kids are doing it. Just ask Adelina.

[Ha ha. He's upset about Adelina, too, Marinette. Making shitty jokes about death is his coping mechanism. It's either that, or he tears up some private property.

He waves his hand at her, dismissively.]

I'll have to go with not. Telling ruins the enigma, but maybe you'll find out one day.

[missmaladroite]

[This is the fun patrol, Jason!! No coping jokes allowed] I'm serious! Everyone else is turning out to be a serial killer or a psychopath or crazy or stupid enough to fall for these stupid motives! You're one of the only people--- You're one of the only people that's not..... That I can.... Ugh.

[She cuts herself with a huff, folding her arms]

Don't tell me you've got a secret alien-hunting role like Bull. [She's not expecting a real answer in return, but yeah]

[antagonize]

That you can trust. Is that what you were going to say? Because lemme tell you, you might wanna reconsider that opinion.

[And so continues the trend of Jason Todd trying to keep people at a distance, despite already being very invested in their continued survival. Maybe one day he'll stop being so contrary, but not today.]

Fine. Then I won't tell you. [He says, clearly joking, but he does add this after a pause:] ... If it helps you sleep better at night, I will say I was having a nice, friendly chat with someone. No Bull the Alien Slayer shenanigans involved. Scout's honor.

[missmaladroite]

[That she could count on, actually. But close enough. Can she really trust him? Logically, the answer should be no. Anyone could turn out to be a killer, as she's learned time and time again. Even the people she thinks are moral-- who have the same goal.]

[But Jason had helped them with Jack.]

Why? Because you're secretly an alien? I think they've already hit their quota of space village idiot with Rhys.

[Marinette you jerk]

If it's Elizabeth, you don't have to keep a secret, you know. I already saw you two.

[antagonize]

If I were secretly an alien, I wouldn't know about it. So who knows? The parasite inside me could just be bidding its time, waiting for the perfect opportunity to turn you into a ladybug flavored shish kebab.

[If she's going to be a jerk, then he'll be a jerk, as well.]

Heh, maybe it was Elizabeth. I'd tell you the details, but you're a little too young for that. [A beat.] Then again, you did bare it all to your boyfriend earlier.

[Don't talk to him about Elizabeth. It's a mistake.]

[missmaladroite]

[Ah..... the two teenagers devolving into five year old mentalities, perfect]

Don't aliens need at least a partial brain to possess?

[Ugh, no, this is going all wrong!!! She's supposed to get revenge on him, not get teased] Maybe I did. Do you need romance tips?

[antagonize]

Maybe. Maybe not. If you turn out to have an alien stowaway, I think we can call that theory confirmed.

[He's the older sibling??? Marinette was destined to lose no matter what.]

Sure. But I think I'd rather hear riveting tales of your romance, instead. Tell me, when's the wedding?

[missmaladroite]

Trust me, it's not going to happen.

[Jason stop turning this around on her!! Even though she started teasing him, she's suddenly blushing, and shoving at him]

Come on!Stop messing around, I need to talk to you!

one day i, too, will reply to threads in a timely manner

[antagonize]

Who said I'm messing around?

[He's dutifully getting shoved by a 15-year-old, but it's obvious enough he's going along with it instead of losing his footing. He still finds this funny. Sorry.]

Fine. I'm all ears. Tell me, what's up?