Jason: *groggily opens one eye as he feels the foot of his bed dip*
Jason: *hears a small noise from the kitchen as both his eyes begin to adjust to the darkness, the soreness of his battle-weary body returning*
Jason: *quietly reaches under his pillow for one of his guns, his finger ready to disengage the safety switch at a moment’s notice, but is abruptly stopped by.. Voices?*
Artemis: *whispering* The man just clearly came from patrol. The considerate thing to do would be to let him rest, Arrow Boy.
Arsenal: *angrily whispering back* Listen, lady, I’ve known Jaybird far longer than you have, so don’t tell me what I should or shouldn’t do –
Starfire: *hissing* Roy, that’s enough –
Artemis: *in a booming voice* Don’t you “lady” me, you mortal –
Jason: *feels his heart speed up when the glint of a familiar axe catches his eye and attempts to get up and stop whatever war is unfolding before him, but loses his balance as his entire bed moves*
Bizarro: *shifting his position at the foot of Jason’s bed, excitedly yelling* RED HIM AM AWAKE! RED HIM AM AWAKE!
Arsenal, Starfire, and Artemis: *immediately stop bickering and look at Jason with fondness*
Jason: *rubbing his eyes tiredly* Why’re you all looking at me like th– hHUrrkK!
Bizarro: *hugging him tightly* BIZARRO AND PUP PUP AM MISS YOU SO MUCH!
Jason: *gasping for air as Bizarro lets him go* I miss you, too, big buddy, but I’m pretty sure you just pulverized my broken bo– mMPh! Mmm hmmm…
Artemis: *releases Jason from their kiss and smiles shyly* Forgive me…
Jason: *grins dreamily at Artemis* You’re forgiven…
Starfire: *softly places a hand on Jason’s shoulder* It’s so good to see you.
Jason: It’s good to see you, too, Kory… All of you… But, um… What’re all of you doing here at *glances at the clock on his night table*… two in the morning?
Arsenal: Kory and I got here first!
Artemis: *rolls her eyes* Your immaturity continues to astound me.
Jason: Okaaay… *reaching for his phone* What day is it, anyway?
Bizarro: It am Apr–
Arsenal: *covers Bizarro’s mouth and chuckles nervously* It am doesn’t matter! Is what he meant to say.
Starfire: *gently pushes Jason back to bed, covers him with a blanket, and tucks Pup Pup under his arm* We can talk later, okay? Go to sleep. And when you wake up, we’ll be here.
Jason: *yawns and lets the darkness overtake him once more, uncertain whether seeing his closest friends all together was just a dream or not, but grateful either way*
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
@wingedskyes, let’s just say that the 27th of April tends to be a long day for the people who care about him. And it’s only just begun.