[The thing is, Jason doesn't usually find anyone who's not only at his level but above it. And definitely not between the baseline humans. There's Bruce, though he's not opening that can of worms, and most of the Robins would make him break a sweat but overall Bruce and Talia's training made it sure that he's ready for any eventuality during a battle. He's a warrior, through and through. Dick might have been good with his body but Jason was the natural brawler. So while he's no strange to failure at all it's not exactly a feeling he's used to, either.
And then there's Clarisse.
He knows it's not fair to compare. Jason might have been a natural but she was literally born for it. Jason has adopted war into himself but it's literally running through her veins, making her who she is and watching her in battle is like watching the first strokes on a masterpiece. She makes no unnecessary movements, never makes the same mistake twice. It's not just about strength, it's the way her brain works when it comes to the battle itself. And Jason would be lying if he said he didn't find it hot as hell. She's younger than him, smaller too, but she could tell Jason to get on his fucking knees and he would so fast his head would spin.
But he's good at keeping that to himself. He had to learn back home, because of the Mission that always came first, and it's become kind of a habit by now to keep his thoughts from straying. So he spars with her, has friendly banter, gets his ass kicked more often than not (he's getting better, he swears he is, but Clarisse keeps having the upper hand still) and if he loses himself to his hand then that's his own fucking business.
Until Clarisse kisses him against the wall, that is. Jason is only human after all. He doesn't waste a second, just reaching for the back of her neck to pull her close as he happily returns the kiss as aggressively as he can. Some guys would probably feel weird being pinned against the wall, but Jason relishes in it.]
SO LATE I'M SO SORRY
And then there's Clarisse.
He knows it's not fair to compare. Jason might have been a natural but she was literally born for it. Jason has adopted war into himself but it's literally running through her veins, making her who she is and watching her in battle is like watching the first strokes on a masterpiece. She makes no unnecessary movements, never makes the same mistake twice. It's not just about strength, it's the way her brain works when it comes to the battle itself. And Jason would be lying if he said he didn't find it hot as hell. She's younger than him, smaller too, but she could tell Jason to get on his fucking knees and he would so fast his head would spin.
But he's good at keeping that to himself. He had to learn back home, because of the Mission that always came first, and it's become kind of a habit by now to keep his thoughts from straying. So he spars with her, has friendly banter, gets his ass kicked more often than not (he's getting better, he swears he is, but Clarisse keeps having the upper hand still) and if he loses himself to his hand then that's his own fucking business.
Until Clarisse kisses him against the wall, that is. Jason is only human after all. He doesn't waste a second, just reaching for the back of her neck to pull her close as he happily returns the kiss as aggressively as he can. Some guys would probably feel weird being pinned against the wall, but Jason relishes in it.]