( he doesn't dare stay in mako's space longer than he's welcome. it's with a sigh that he pulls himself back, cradling his cheek in his palm, elbows braced on his folded legs. as far as experience goes, dick is absolute as out of his element as he would be with rock on his palms for the day. and while he knows mako isn't as unversed in romantic inclinations as he is - mako's had two very public relationships, okay, dick didn't stalk him or anything - there's something else amiss there. age old wounds he keeps picking at until they bleed, maybe. the pain of thinking you destroy the things that you touch.

dick relates. this isn't that, but he gets it. )

Mako. ( softly, and then louder. ) Mako, I was flirting with you. I wasn't serious.

( maybe dick is the one who's not being clear. his eyebrows knit together, turning his hand to crack his knuckles on his chin.

if this is what mako would prefer to talk about, then fine. dick's visage droops into something more introspective, something more solemn. they're at least this far in agreement - emotions are hard. )

You don't really see me as a criminal, do you? ( it's more than a little upsetting. ) All I want to do is help people. Even if I did join the police force, I think I'd still keep up this persona, because. There's just some people the police can't help. Following the books doesn't always save lives. That's my priority. If that makes me a criminal, then I guess I'm a criminal.