Part 2

Kory took up the next leg of driving, Conner joining her in the shotgun seat. Tim and Rachel, both nursing takeaway coffees, were sprawled across the two couches arguing over what movie to watch next, and Dick was sat at the table, every so often swiping on the tablet he was silently reading from.

Gar had headed down the back of the bus where the beds were. His portable gaming set lay abandoned by his feet, and he lay on his back looking at the bottom of the bunk above, his phone held loosely in his hands as he mulled over how to even begin contacting Jason.

A text message was probably easier and gave Jason the most open options in responding. He could straight up delete it, just ignore it, read it and ignore it, completely block his number…

Or he might even reply. Eventually. Gar didn't want to push him.

He took a deep breath and began to type.

[4:07 PM]

Hey Jason, it's Gar - just me, and
I can prove that if you need me to.

I hope you're okay wherever you are
right now. You don't have to do this
very often, whenever you like even…
just please check in with me every so
often so I know you're out there?

You're still my friend.

I'm here for you man.

Gar.

Reading it over once more, he pressed send and settled his phone screen-down on his stomach, letting out a long breath. He felt a little better having sent the message but the anxiety in his belly was still there, anticipating the reply. If he even got one for the next however long it took them to reach Titans Tower.

He wanted to respect Jason's space and give him time. Dick had said how Jason wasn't sure what he wanted anymore, and Gar knew he had to respect that. Jason had always been a bit lost since they'd first met, partly why Gar had tried to befriend him in the first place, and he doubted everything that had happened with Crane had helped in any way.

Dick had ended up in Detroit after he'd left Gotham last time, and now look where he was – happy and settled as the head of their family. Maybe they'd never see Red Hood again. Maybe Jason needed to carve himself a new name of his own or to step away from vigilantism entirely. Gar just hoped Jason would let them stay in touch, whatever he decided to do next.

He was wholeheartedly surprised to feel his phone buzz and see Jason's name pop up on the screen when he looked at it. Barely five minutes since Gar had sent the first message. That was promising, even if it just was a 'Leave me the fuck alone' response.

It wasn't.

[4:13 PM]

Thanks, bro. Currently staying at M's.

Planning on heading out soon, not
sure where yet but way out of
Gotham. At least for now.

Call or message whenever you like,
but just you, yeah? No other Titans.

Take care.

J.

M's.

Molly's. Jason hadn't used her name, but Gar knew that was who he meant. And seeing as he hadn't gotten an angry text or call from Molly herself telling him to back the hell off that could only be a good thing too. He was glad Jason wasn't alone, at least for now. Whether they were leaving Gotham together he wasn't sure, but Molly was a rare close friend of Jason's and Gar knew how much she cared for him.

She'd watch out for him.

Huge shout out to KodiakWolfe13 - I'm sorry this is so late!
Part 3 coming soon as Jason wouldn't leave me alone!

I'm sorry for the format of the texts, FFNet doesn't really let you add beautifully created fake message images like AO3 does *cries*