[ Asking was a mistake. Dick flinches as if he'd been struck, hating himself for the pain on that face, for the way seeing it reflected in someone else can start the invisible feed of the memory in his head before he's even ready for it. The fall that lasted a lifetime. Their blood soaking through his leotard. His eyes sting behind his mask, and he drops his eyes again. ]
Yeah... [ His throat is tight. ] That's, um. [ The answer. The reason. With clumsy fingers he reaches up and tugs the mask off. The last piece he can offer. ]
[action]
Yeah... [ His throat is tight. ] That's, um. [ The answer. The reason. With clumsy fingers he reaches up and tugs the mask off. The last piece he can offer. ]