Jason still didn't really feel like eating, but half of Knowhere seemed determined to get him to finish at least one full meal a day. Though he'd started to feel better since he'd talked to Dick, he still had little motivation to take good care of himself. This was what he got for being nice to someone. The instant they saw something in him they thought they could fix, they turned him into a project. He'd railed against that back home. Part of him wanted to rail against it now. In the end, he was too tired to argue. That was what he told himself, refusing to acknowledge that maybe his family and friends were right, and it was time he stopped punishing himself.
After the panic attack that had led him to Dick's room in search of security, Jason was more careful about going out in public. He took a few minutes to arm himself with several nonlethal Bat toys. He'd feel safer that way, without running the risk of accidentally stabbing or shooting someone. On went his hoodie, and his combat boots, and he asked himself, before he headed out the door, if we was really ready to do this. He could still say no. For whatever reason, the reminder helped him feel better about leaving the apartment.
"Ace, let's go, buddy." The German Shepherd rose smoothly from where he'd been waiting on Jason's couch and bounded for the door. His presence gave Jason a much-needed sense of confidence and security these days. Ace took a guard position at Jason's side as they walked. When they arrived at the restaurant, the dog set himself between Jason and the table until Jason laid a hand between his ears and murmured, "It's okay." Jason pulled out the empty chair across from Cas and signaled Ace to settle in beside it.