"This feels too much like some kind of next step or new challenge." There's no mocking quality to his tone. Bruce repeats the words the same way someone else might withdraw a book and reference one particular chapter. He isn't trying to make an accusation but rather attempting to gather evidence and test the conclusions that might result. His brows come together thoughtfully. "I'd mentioned that you could be considered free of the expectations from your home. But I suppose whether it's hesitation or not depends on your perspective." He isn't, after all, particularly quick to leap to a course of action either.

When he finishes the second snowman it's in time to see light moving, out of the corner of his eye. To see Jason shifting his lantern and elongating the shadow of each shape until it becomes one huge, pattered darkness. This both is and isn't the point he'd tried to make- the hand that he'd tipped. Jason says all the more reason to stay together and what Bruce had meant was, the darkness is always there. And so am I.

He pushes slowly to his feet.

"Try not to stay out here too long. Unless demi-gods are impervious to the common cold."