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ragingbookdragon · 3 years

Text

If We Were Fast Enough

Flash!Reader x Flashfamily One-Shot

Word Count: 5.3K Warnings: Explicit Language, Angst

Author's Note: I had this idea after watching a few clips of Flashpoint Paradox! Enjoy! -Thorne

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Her hand was tightly clasped in his, eyes narrowed in sadness, but there was a pride in them; she felt the speed transfer between them, flowing through her veins and he said, “You’ve got my speed, honey. It’s up to you now.”

The tears that had welled in her vision tipped over and she whispered, “I can’t leave you here, dad. I—I can’t just run away.”

He shook his head. “You’re not running away. You’re surviving.” A groan escaped him, and the pool of blood seemed to double in size. “We’re running out of time. You’ve gotta go before the timeline collapses.”

“Where do I go?” she asked, wiping her eyes. “This universe is home.”

“Honey, Speedsters are Speedsters whichever universe we’re in.” he smiled weakly at her. “You’ll have a family wherever you end up.”

She gazed at him, breathing deeply as fresh tears grew in her gaze. “I’m scared.”

“I know. But you can do this.” he replied, pausing to look her over. “You look just like your mother, honey.” He smiled tearfully. “She’d be so proud of you if she were here now.”

Pulling the cowl over her head, she gave a watery laugh. “Mom always said I looked like you.”

“Nah. You take your speed and nature after me, but you are a spitting image of your mother.” A blast sounded in the distance and they both looked over, eyes widening as the white flash of light grew larger and larger. “You have to go. Now.”

Swallowing thickly, she leaned down and hugged him around his neck as tight as she could, inhaling the scent of ozone and spearmint for the last time. “I love you, dad. I love you so much.” Her fingers dug into his ruined suit as she cried. “I love you.”

He caressed the back of her cowled head. “I love you more, honey.” Pulling away, he leveled her with a firm look. “Now run, Lightning Flash. Run.”

The bluish-white lightning flowed across her body, and she turned, letting her feet carry her across the war-torn field, escaping the atomic blast. The world melted around her, a blur of memories surrounding her: her birthdays, her parents’ faces, her first stroke as a Flash, the start of the war, the deaths of her friends and family, everything up until now.

She was helpless to stop the tears that flowed down her cheeks, the feeling of her heart pounding in her chest, and the booming in her ears as she ripped through the waves of time and the boundaries of space.

A shriek sounded behind her, and she turned her head, eyes widening. “Ah shit!”

The time wraith screamed at her again, reaching out to grab her and she just barely dodged it, turning back to face the flowing warp. She was close. All she had to do was get to the next time boundary and she could lose the wraith.

“Almost there!” she told herself as another bellowed sounded in her ears again, and with one final leap, she burst through the barrier, the waves collapsing around her. The shock of the blast sent her skidding along the ground, and she cried out as she rolled.

Shouts sounded in her ears, humans, but she was more concerned about the screaming time wraith. “I just lost everything! Can’t you just leave me the hell alone!” It shrieked at her again, advancing and anger welled through her as she pushed herself to her feet and she growled, “You wanna dance, you sonovabitch? Then let’s dance.”

Her eyes lit up in a white force and she darted past the wraith, hitting a point above it, then she darted past again, and again and again in a star formation, over and over until all that could be seen was a blur of blue and white. The clouds rumbled above, swirling faster and faster and she hit the top of the star, coming down at the wraith. A burst of lightning cracked from the sky, striking the time being just as she collided with it, and in a hail of blue and white strikes, the wraith exploded into smoking fragments.

As the smoke cleared, the human voices grew louder, but she was sprawled out on the ground, breathing heavily, her body crying under the strain. Someone placed their hand on her shoulder, worrying, “Are you alright?”

She nodded weakly. “Yeah…just gimme a minute. The five-star lightning strike always takes a lot outta me.” Shutting her eyes, she focused on breathing deeply.

“I’ve never seen anyone destroy a time wraith before.”

“It takes practice.” Craning her neck, she opened her eyes, and bit back a sob as the man’s face cleared before hers. “You’re this world’s Flash, aren’t you?” she whispered, “Barry Allen.” His blue eyes widened, and he nodded mutely. “I figured.”

“Who are you?” he asked. “What world did you come from?”

She shook her head. “Doesn’t matter. It’s gone now.” Meeting his gaze once more, she added, “But you can call me the Lightning Flash.”

“What’s your real name?” Barry quizzed.

(Y/N) Allen. And I’d tell you that but all it’d do is bring hurt to both of us.

“(Y/N) Sloan.” She laid her head down, closing her eyes. “I’m gonna take a nap for a while…I’m really…tired…”

His voice called out to her, but all she heard was a warbling noise as she drifted into darkness.

***

When she came to, her head felt like someone had thrown an overripe melon off a balcony ledge and watched it splatter across the ground. She groaned and forced her eyes to open, pushing herself up on her palms.

“Woah, woah, woah!” someone worried. “Take it easy there, Flashy.”

(Y/N) looked over, seeing a familiar green symbol, and an ever more familiar unmasked face. “I’m fine, Hal.”

He blinked. “You know who I am?”

“Please, I’d know that big head of yours from a mile away.” Smirking, she added, “I know everyone in the Justice League.” She grunted, pulling her left arm over her chest, feeling the taut muscles in her back ripple as she stretched them out. “Where am I?”

“The Watchtower.” Hal gazed at her curiously. “Man, when Barry said you knew who he was, I didn’t think he meant you knew all of us.”

“You sound upset that you didn’t get to introduce yourself,” she shot back with a pained grin, stretching her other arm. “If it makes you feel any better, I’ll forget I know you, and you can reintroduce yourself.”

He chuckled and pressed a button on the side of the med bay bed. “Nah, no point now.” He looked down at the small light flashing. “Hey, she’s awake.”

In an instant, a sharp wind blew across the room and there stood the scarlet speedster without his cowl; moments later, the doors opened and in walked the top League members, Superman, Wonder Woman, and Batman.

(Y/N) threw her legs over the side of the bed as they walked over, waving off Barry and Hal who both reached for her, and stood on shaky legs. “Shit, I feel like a newly born giraffe.”

“You shouldn’t be up.” Barry frowned. “You practically tore yourself apart at the molecular level.”

“It was that or be taken by a time wraith,” she shot back, cracking her neck. “How long have I been out?”

“Eighty-six hours,” Batman said, taking her chin in his hand, tipping her head side to side as he shown a light in her eyes. “Your body’s been recovering slower than it should for a Flash.”

(Y/N) blinked. “The particular move does like Barry said it did. It tears the body at the molecular level to contain the speed force into one location.”

“It was dangerous,” Barry scowled, and she couldn’t help but laugh at this younger version of her father who was still just as serious.

“Being a Flash is dangerous.” She felt Batman pull away and she flexed her fingers. “I don’t use the move unless it’s a life-or-death situation.” Glancing at Barry, she questioned, “What earth is this?”

Before he could speak, Batman denounced, “You time jumped, and you don’t know what earth you came into?”

“I didn’t exactly have time to think out a plan while a nuclear blast was going off, Bruce,” she growled, glaring at him from behind the neon blue mask. “And to top it off, I had a time wraith coming after me. I wasn’t in a position to choose which earth I wanted.”

He went silent, gazing at her intently. “Whose names do you know of the Justice League here?”

(Y/N) looked around at the superheroes before her. “You’re all the same Justice League as my earth, but in mine, you’re retired, and your children run the show.”

“I’m sorry, children?” Hal interrupted. “We have—we have children?”

“Some,” she laughed. “Conner Kent is our Superman, Donna Troy is our Wonder Woman, Jason Todd is our Batman, Kyle Rayner is our Green Lantern, and Roy Harper is our Green Arrow.”

“And you?” Superman questioned.

“I’m my Justice League’s Flash. The Lightning Flash.” (Y/N) smiled wearily. “The fastest woman alive.” She toyed with the blue and white gauntlet. “At least now I am.”

“You said you were our kids?” Hal said. “Are you Barry’s daughter?”

The two Speedsters looked at each other and she answered calmly, “No. My transformation into the Flash was a freak accident, much like Wally West’s. That being said, I’m not related to the Flashfamily by blood.”

“Hmm.” Batman grunted, then turned, wandering off. “You need to rest up more then we’ll run tests.”

“Only if she consents.” Barry called out.

Bruce stopped, not even bothering to look over his shoulder as he retorted, “She’s a Speedster from another universe. We need more information before we can let her loose in anyone’s city.”

As he wandered off, she placed her hands on her hips and griped, “God, I miss Jason being Batman. He’s less of a jerk-off about new things.”

Superman chuckled, resting a hand on her shoulder. “Don’t take it the wrong way…(Y/N), was it?”

She nodded. “Yeah, (Y/N) Sloan.” Sticking her hand out, she added, “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Pleasure’s all mine,” he murmured, shaking her hand strongly, then he pulled away. “He is right though. You should get some more rest before you wander around the Watchtower.”

She waved it off. “I’ll be alright. If you’ve got a treadmill designed for Speedsters though, I’d like to run a bit.”

“I’ll show you where it is,” Barry answered, leading her from the group. As they walked down the hallway, she paused, leaning against the wall as a wave of nausea came over her; he caught it instantly. “Are you okay?” he frowned. “We should go back to the med bay.”

“No.” she grunted. “I’m fine. Just…just gimme a moment.” Shaking it off, she squared her shoulders. “I absorbed speed from the remaining Speedsters on my world before I left. It’s just taking a toll on me.”

“Why absorb their speed?” he asked, and she could tell from his voice that there was a level of suspicion in it.

“Because it was the only way to keep it from being stolen by our enemies as we were being slaughtered.” (Y/N) looked down the hall. “We can go now. It’s passed.” She bypassed him, wandering down the hallway, though she kept a hand on the railing the entire time.

***

It wasn’t a surprise that they sent her back to Central City with Barry after the few tests she’d let them run. Only tests on the outside, no blood or DNA samples for them to investigate. Barry’s apartment was cramped and there wasn’t room for them both to be in the kitchen, but she’d lived there before, so ducking under his arms and turning around him was second nature.

And Barry, bless the kindhearted soul he was, tried at every opportunity to make her comfortable in the home. (Y/N) respected it, knowing that even worlds apart, Barry Allen was still Barry Allen. She watched him sometimes. When he was sitting on the sofa or at the bar, flipping through paperwork or reading a book on physics. He always lost track of time, forgot what was happening around him, but his face showed ease. Peace. Like the world wasn’t on his shoulders.

It made her miss her father. It made her miss her family and friends. Her world. (Y/N) cried at night on the couch, silent tears dripping down her cheeks as she remembered every last moment of her family and friends’ lives. She’d been lucky in the end to come out unscathed. But her father, his friends, her friends, all dead. All killed in a pointless war that ended with the entire world blown to hell—and she was the only one left.

She sat beside the window, gazing down at the quiet street below her; she felt like crying, but by now, she’d cried out every tear, and all that remained was the hole drilled in her chest, empty and aching.

“(Y/N)?” Glancing over, she saw Barry coming out from his bedroom, brows furrowing at her. “Are you okay?”

Shrugging, she looked back out the window. “I don’t know if I’ll ever be okay again, Barry.” It was hard to not call him ‘dad’ all the time, and weird to call him ‘Barry’.

She felt him sit opposite of her on the little bench. “Can I help you anyway?”

It took a while for her to speak, but when she did, her voice was barely above a whisper. “It’s all gone. My life. All of it. I’m the only one left from my world.” She swallowed the lump in her throat. “I’m…alone.” His hand rested on hers and she felt tears well in her gaze. “I miss my family…and I miss my friends.”

She shook her head, looking at him. “Why my world? Why us?” tears slipped down her cheeks. “Everything was fine one moment and the next thing any of us knew, the world was going to war, and we couldn’t stop it.” A loathing laugh escaped her. “We were the Justice League. The proteges of the greatest heroes and yet we couldn’t stop war.”

(Y/N) wiped her tears. “We failed. I failed.”

“What happened wasn’t your fault, (Y/N).” Barry murmured. “You know that.”

“It feels like it.” She countered. “What do I have to show for all my saving? A sole survivor stuck in a world that has no need for her.”

His eyes were narrowed in concern, the way her father’s used to do when she’d tell him of her troubles and doubts. “There’s always a need for us. Everyone one of us.”

“Speedsters?” she asked, and he squeezed her hand.

“If the universe wanted you dead, you’d be dead, (Y/N). But you’re here and you’re alive.” He smiled sadly. “You can’t outrun the past. But you can change the direction you’re running in.”

She gazed at him and for once in the past few weeks she’d been there, she felt her heart lighten. “Thank you, Barry.”

He smiled warmly at her and patted her hand. “Since we’re both awake…wanna go for a run?”

(Y/N) chuckled and nodded her head. “Yeah. It’d certainly help burn off the emotions.” She held out her hand and Barry looked at the ring on her finger.

“Wow, your ring is cool.” He took her hand, gazing intently at it. “I noticed your suit isn’t red like most of us Speedsters are. Yours is mainly blue and white.”

She nodded. “It was too complicated to call myself Flash since there were more than one, so I took the name Lightning Flash and designed my suit the colors associate with lighting.” (Y/N) vibrated and reappeared in her suit. “Blue and white.”

“With silver trimming,” he added, poking the mask she wore, and she batted his hand away.

“Hey, gold’s overrated.”

Barry’s face pinched as he vibrated into his suit. “Is not!”

“Is too! It’s the colors for the Seminoles.”

He placed a hand to his chest. “I can’t believe you just told me my colors were FSU’s colors. I’ve been fatally wounded.”

“You’re a drama queen,” (Y/N) laughed then started towards the door. “Race you to Coast City!”

Barry sped after her. “Why Coast City!”

“Because it’s California, man!” she watched as he matched her speed. “And Hal’s apartment always has Doritos!”

“I think you might have a crush on our resident Green Lantern,” Barry teased and (Y/N) gagged.

“Dude, gross.”

“Oh, come on! Don’t tell me you aren’t friends with your Green Lantern!”

“The best, but Kyle and I were only friends! My dalliance fell with another team member!”

“Batman?” he asked, and she nodded.

“Batman.”

“Oh. Lovely.” Barry sighed. “You and Jason Todd seem like a wonderful pair.”

(Y/N) snorted. “Contrary to popular belief, Jason was actually a fantastic Batman. He loved it, oddly enough.”

“That is odd,” the Speedster countered. “Because as far as I know, none of the Batkids want to be Batman.”

She merely laughed in return, passing the Coast City sign.

***

“You know these aren’t…my world folks, right?”

He smiled, watching the group of young adults across the room laugh and joke around. “I know, but the lot of us thought it would be good if you got together with the age group of you own.” Barry looked over. “Besides, I think you’re going to fit right in with this world’s group.”

(Y/N) tipped her head side to side, huffing a laugh as Jason thumped Kyle in the side. “We’ll see.” She let Barry lead her over and the small group perked up at their arrival.

“Hey guys, thanks for coming on such short notice. I know you were busy.”

Jason crossed his arms over his chest. “So, why did the League invite us all?”

Barry gestured to (Y/N). “I’d like everyone to meet (Y/N) Sloan. She’s a Speedster who recently arrived on this earth.”

“Recently?” Roy asked and he nodded.

“There was a…problem on her earth.” He glanced at her and nodded, prompting her to speak.

“My world isn’t in the general stream of timelines anymore.” She smiled awkwardly. “I came here to…survive more or less.” Holding out her hand for one of them to shake, she said, “But it’s a pleasure to meet you all.”

“You know who we are?” Kyle asked as he shook her hand.

“Yeah. This world is surprisingly similar to mine, Kyle.” (Y/N) smiled with a little less awkwardness. “I know all of you.” Her eyes fell on Jason who was watching her closely, teal eyes narrowed in calculation. “Penny for your thoughts?”

He hummed. “Who are we over there?”

At that, all the awkwardness fell away. “You don’t wanna know,” she giggled, and his face dropped.

“No.” she nodded, and he whispered, “Me?”

“You.”

“I’m confused,” Roy interrupted, and Donna snickered.

“I think Jason’s the Batman of (Y/N)’s world.”

“HA!” everyone dissolved into hysterics as Jason proceeded to all but cry.

“I don’t wanna be Batman!” he whined. “Why am I Batman! Why not anyone else!”

(Y/N) laughed. “What are you talking about? You volunteered to be Batman.”

“Jesus, I must’ve lost my mind then,” Jason retorted, then looked at her. “Do I carry guns?”

“Non-lethal rounds.”

“Damnit.” He sulked. “Can’t freakin’ believe I’m the Batman on your world and I willingly put the suit on.”

“You were a good Batman,” she stated. “There wasn’t anyone I trusted more to watch my back on the team.”

He met her gaze, seemingly shocked, though it only lasted a minute as he quizzed, “So if I’m Batman, does that make all of us…?”

(Y/N) nodded. “Yep. Wonder Woman, Superman, Green Arrow, and Green Lantern.”

“And you?” Kyle asked.

“Lightning Flash,” she answered coolly. “The fastest woman alive.” Meeting their gazes, she tipped her head down. “I know you’re not them…but I do hope we can be friends.” She smiled. “You can never have too many of those, no matter what world you’re on.”

Kyle looked over at Barry who was almost crying. “We get to keep her, right? Because if we don’t, I’m going to be very upset.”

(Y/N) snorted and wrapped a loose arm around his waist. “Don’t worry, Kyle. I’m not going anywhere anytime soon.” A growling sounded and her cheeks warmed as she pressed a hand to her stomach. “Sorry about that.”

Jason laughed, getting to his feet. “I guess Speedster stomachs are the same no matter what world you’re on.”

“Isn’t that the truth,” Barry retorted, and the vigilante looked at her.

“Wanna annoy Batman and hang around Gotham City?”

(Y/N) nodded. “Absolutely.”

“Wait for me!” Roy shouted, yanking his legs from the table, and soon the others were following.

Barry watched them as they walked to the Zeta-Tubes, laughing and ribbing one another like they’d been friends since childhood; someone nudged him in the side, murmuring, “She’s gonna be okay.”

He nodded as Hal settled beside him. “Yeah…I know she will.” He smiled as (Y/N) leaned into Jason’s side and brought a hand to her eyes, wiping the tears away. “She’s already fitting in better than I thought.”

“(Y/N)’s a strong woman,” Hal acknowledged. “She acts a lot like you in that aspect.”

“How so?” Barry inquired and the Lantern shrugged.

“Well, you can’t get her to stop attending League meetings no matter what Batman says, and she’s always ready to put herself on the line for us.” Hal huffed a laugh. “And she treats me like I’m an old man. I’m thirty-eight and she acts like I’m fifty-six.” He looked at Barry. “But she flows in the world like you, Barry. Her mannerisms, her styles, her speech, it’s all you.”

The Speedster frowned, quietly stating, “You think she’s my future daughter, don’t you?”

Hal shrugged. “She doesn’t look like you, but she’s comfortable around you. Like she knows she’s safe if you’re there with her.”

“Why lie about it though?” Hal could tell Barry was hurt. “Wouldn’t she want to tell me?”

“If you lost everything and showed up in another world where there was a parent still alive, would you act like nothing changed or would you keep it at arms-length?”

Barry sighed. “You’re…right.” He shook his head. “I didn’t even think of that.” His frown deepened. “She must hate looking at me though. I’m not her dad but I’m another version of him.”

“She doesn’t hate you, Barry.” Hal said, clasping his hand on his best friend’s shoulder. “She’s just…trying to keep it all together and not mix this world with hers.”

“I feel connected with her.” He admitted. “The speed force works funny like that. We can feel other speedsters—we know their speeds and auras.” His voice became soft. “Hers feels like…like…”

“Like?” Hal encouraged and Barry sighed.

“Her aura feels like when I went back in time and saved my mom.” He shook his head. “It’s hard to explain but she feels like—”

“Like family.”

Barry gaped at Hal. “Yeah…that’s exactly it.”

Hal nodded. “She’s still your daughter even worlds apart.”

“What do I say to her?”

“Don’t.” he answered. “Let her come to you about it.”

“That sounds like a good idea,” Barry agreed.

***

The group had dispersed as quickly as it had come together, not that she was overly upset—she knew they all had prior engagements and teams to be apart of, but she would’ve been lying to say that it hadn’t saddened her a bit. Jason and Kyle, however, seemed to be the only ones that were usually around, Jason more than the latter.

(Y/N) liked being around Jason. He was much more hotheaded than she was used to, but she decided that like the Flashes, Jason Todd was Jason Todd no matter what universe he was in.

He was a little more reckless than she knew, playing fast and loose with the game, but he knew where his feet landed with each jump, and he was there when she needed help, her the same.

It hadn’t taken him long to deduce that the two of them were more than friends in her world, making the joke that she was his Catwoman—she’d cried she’d laughed so hard, but it given them time to talk about everything that had happened to her and her world; most importantly, her father.

She watched as Jason reclined against the cool stone of the ledge, passing one of the wrapped cheeseburgers to her. “Thank you,” she murmured, unwrapping it.

“Mhm,” he hummed, sipping his milkshake, setting his hood beside him; he swallowed and looked over. “What’s on your mind?”

(Y/N) blinked. “What are you talking about?” he merely cocked a brow and she sighed. “I forgot you could read people well.”

“Well maybe if you were a book and not a pamphlet, it’d be harder.”

“Did you just call me simple?”

“Never.” He waved it off. “What are you thinking about?”

She sighed again and set her half-eaten burger aside, pulling her knees to her chest as she whispered, “My mom’s maiden name was Sloan.”

Jason arched a brow. “You go by ‘Sloan’. Was your mom married?”

“My parents were. She died from cancer when I was ten.”

“I’m sorry,” he lamented, and she smiled.

“Thank you.” (Y/N) looked over. “My last name is Allen.”

His eyes widened. “As in Barry Allen, Allen?”

“Yeah…my dad.”

Jason blinked. “Holy shit.”

“Mhm.” She propped her chin on her knees. “The reason I’m just as fast as Wally West in this world is because I absorbed my dad’s speed before I left mine.” (Y/N) gazed at the city. “And then I left him to die in the blast.”

“You know that wasn’t your fault.”

She huffed. “So Barry’s told me.”

Jason stared at her. “Why do you live with him in Central City?”

“Because I don’t have anywhere else to go,” she answered. “And I…I—”

“You miss your dad.” He answered for her, and she nodded, feeling warmth gather in her eyes and she squeezed them shut.

“Yeah…it’s not him but…”

“It’s the only thing you’ve got that’s close enough to him.”

“Yeah.”

Jason nodded. “You’re welcome to come live with me over here.”

(Y/N) looked over at him. “I can’t do that, Jason.”

“Why not?”

She laughed. “We barely know each other.”

He shrugged. “We know each other enough.” Gazing at her, he added, “I’m not your world’s Jason, but we must be similar enough because I’ve seen and felt you fall behind me during fights, being at my six when I didn’t have it covered.” He smiled. “You know me, (Y/N), and I’d like to know you too.”

She merely gaped at him, then huffed a laugh. “I think that’s the most similar thing to my world’s Jason that I’ve heard you say.”

“Oh, come on!” he griped. “He couldn’t be that different from me!”

(Y/N) smiled. “Robins.”

Jason blanched. “I had Robins?”

“You had a son, who was exactly like you right now.”

“I wanna ask about the son, but what do you mean right now?”

“Oh, you know…hotheaded, anti-social, antagonistic.”

“You’re cute,” he scowled, then looked into the distance. “I can’t imagine bringing my kid with me.”

(Y/N) giggled. “Please, it took him like five years of complete begging on his knees before you’d even let him put on the suit, let alone go out with you.” She reached over and pushed hair behind his ear. “You were a good father…a good man.” Her expression turned sad. “I wasn’t fast enough to save either of you.”

Jason leaned into her touch, a frown on his face. “They know you tried, (Y/N).”

Tears gathered in her eyes. “I hope they knew that.” She shook her head as the tears started to spill over. “I lost everyone. You, JJ, my dad and all my friends.” (Y/N) stared at him through the tears. “How do I just start over after all that?”

He pushed the takeout bags out of the way and scooted over, pulling her to his chest; she buried her face in his suit and he propped his chin on the crown of her head. “I wish I had an answer for you.” He rubbed circles in her back. “But I do know that you can either let this keep you down, or you can get back up. Because if you don’t…then every life lost was in vain for you to survive.”

“I take it back,” she blubbered. “Your philosophical bullshit life lessons are the most Jason thing I’ve heard.”

He smiled, squeezing her tight. “That’s what we’re gonna call it now. Philosophical bullshit life lessons.” Jason pressed a kiss to her head. “It’s going to be okay, (Y/N). It’ll get better.”

***

It’d been a full year since she’d come to the new earth. She hadn’t moved in with Jason yet, but the moving boxes on the couch were the start of it—and she hadn’t told Barry she was leaving, or that he was her dad. (Y/N) wasn’t sure how to break that seal just yet.

She wandered around the tiny apartment, smiling at all the memories she’d made in the past year, and into his bedroom, where she paused at his dresser. A gold ring rested on top of it, and she picked it up, flipping it in her hand.

A woosh sounded from the door. “I’m home!” Barry’s voice trailed off in confusion and he called, “(Y/N)?”

“Here.”

He appeared in her peripheral, but she didn’t take her eyes off the ring, still gazing at the center stones. “There are boxes on the couch.”

“I’m moving in with Jason over in Gotham.”

“Oh…” he murmured, then took sight of what she had in her hands. “Is that—”

“Nora’s wedding ring?” she nodded. “Yeah.”

“How’d you know it was my mom’s?” Barry asked, stepping up to her and she finally looked at him, meeting his eyes.

“Because I had the same one in my world.” (Y/N) searched his gaze. “But you don’t seem surprised by that fact.” She sighed. “How long have you known?”

Barry’s face contorted in shame. “A few weeks after you got here.”

“Why didn’t you say something?”

He shook his head. “Hal said—” he sighed. “I wanted to wait until you said something to me about it. I was afraid if I did, you’d run.”

(Y/N)’s brows pulled together, lips pulling down sadly. “Barry…”

“I know I’m not your dad,” he whispered. “But I know, (Y/N). I can feel it.”

She felt her lips wobble and before she knew it, she was throwing herself into his arms, wrapping hers around his waist as tight as she could. “Dad.”

Barry’s arms came around her, one holding the back of her head, the other in the middle of her back. “I’m here, (Y/N).”

“I missed you so much,” she cried. “I wasn’t fast enough to save them, and I couldn’t save you either.”

“No,” he said. “You did everything you could. I know you did.”

“But I wasn’t fast enough.” (Y/N) sobbed. “You had to give me your speed so I could run away. Like a coward.”

“Like a survivor,” Barry corrected. “You’ve never run away.” He ran his fingers through her hair. “You’re a survivor, (Y/N). And your dad made sure of that.” He pulled away slightly, tears of his own dripping down his cheeks. “You’re fast enough.” She shut her eyes as more tears rolled down her cheeks and he pressed his lips to her forehead. “And no matter what world you’re on, you’re still my daughter.”

A laugh that sounded much more like a sob escaped her and she hugged him again. “I love you, dad.”

Barry smiled, holding her tight. “I love you more, honey.”

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boldlyanxious · 4 years

Text

None the Wiser 9

Masterlist

All fic masterlist

Biodad Bruce Prompts:

-dating/love

-pets

-identities

-truths/lies (if you squint but that part will continue)

Marinette was waving bye to her friends before heading home. Alya was following her peppering her with questions about what she thought of Noah and what exactly he said to her. She almost pulled Marinette down holding onto her arm begging for details.

"Oh why do you do this to me? Lycée is wasted on you. I should be single and ready to mingle with all these cute new boys," Alya let out an exasperated groan.

Marinette lifted her hand and waved. "Hey Nino."

Alya turned around frantically looking for her boyfriend. When she didn't see him she turned back and slapped Marinette's arm when she saw she was laughing at her.

"You devil brat! I almost had a heart attack."

"Serves you right. Mooning over the new boys when you already have one who adores you."

"Doesn't seem like I would have a chance anyway. None of them look my way when you are standing near."

"That's not true. You're exaggerating."

"Noah just about knocked Max over in the hall the first time he saw you. You didn't notice because You were watching Adrien."

"That never happened."

"No, it did. I thought him and Kim were going to get into a fight but Kim saw where he was looking and laughed it off."

"Also that is definitely one boy, not every boy."

"He is not the only one. Pretty sure Luka is still pining after you. At least 3 other boys that went to different collèges and then of course Adrien."

"Another blatant fabrication. Adrien only sees me as a friend. You can't even say stuff like that. I need to move past that."

"You have been really distracted lately. You've missed a lot. He always smiled more brightly when you were around but now he watches you a lot."

"Stop Alya. He wouldn't want to date me."

"If you say so. But I think sleeping with his arms around you made him reconsider."

"It wasn't like that. Besides I have had a lot on my mind. I don't know that running off to find love right now is the best idea. It's all so confusing."

Their discussion of Marinette's dating life was interrupted when Damian walked up to them and addressed Marinette.

"You need to come with me."

"She isn't going anywhere with you. You've been an entitled jerk to her at every opportunity." Alya said with a glare.

"What do you need?" Marinette said.

"We can do it here but it might be easier if we were seated."

He gestured to some benches nearby and the girls sat. He tapped at his phone briefly and they saw the excited face of Tim who Damian barely acknowledged before turning back to Marinette.

"I am told that you may be visiting our home soon," he stated.

"That has been discussed and I am interested in the idea," Marinette said.

"I also heard you have always wanted a pet but that is complicated by your residence being attached to the patisserie," he continued.

"This is also true."

He addressed his phone, "Can you show her what you found?"

The 3 looked at the phone where they could see Tim turn it around they saw a ceiling and then a floor that looked like a store before it focused on a shopping cart as Tim talked about each thing he focused on.

"Okay this looks like it is the best enclosure it connects to a series of tunnels and a little cubby as a sleeping area. This wheel for exercise the water bottle, dish, food, and bedding material. All that is left is to choose one."

He focused his phone on the enclosures at what she had determined was a pet store. Marinette could see the variety of hamsters available.

"You are getting a hamster?" Marinette asked.

"You are getting a hamster," Damian clarified. "You just have to pick one."

Marinette was stunned with this gesture from Damian but she didn't have time to consider as Tim went through showing them each hamster that was available. Marinette oohed and ahhed at all of them but then she gasped at the smallest one she had seen.

"Oh it's so little and cute!"

Tim reached in and picked it up and it was even smaller than it had looked because there was another matching one huddled together with it. They both squirmed and struggled to get back to each other.

"Oh not that one," Marinette said. "They are together. They need each other."

"Get them both, Drake." Damian said.

"I'm already on it," he replied.

"No, that is too much. You don't need to do that." Marinette said.

"Nope. They need each other and I'm already doing it." Tim said.

"That is settled. I will have him send a picture when it is set up. When I am home I will give you updates as well as pictures and videos regularly."

Marinette's mouth was slightly ajar at his sudden change in attitude. He didn't wait for her to figure out her feelings, he pushed a card into her hands.

"This is my personal contact information. Use whichever you feel the most confident with and I will send the information that way. Good day."

When he finished speaking he walked off without waiting for a response. Marinette and Alya just stared as he walked away.

"Did that really just happen?" asked Marinette.

Alya just nodded before she too said her goodbyes and went home.

---

It was a little over 2 months from when they originally met the Justice League. Ladybug and Chat Noir had discussed it several times and then again with the Justice League members they had been working with. Today was when they decided to meet at a more private place for their reveal. Batman and Wonder Woman were not really involved. They were just there before to set up the meeting with the team but Hawkmoth wasn't considered to be at their level.

The decision of the miraculous users was that they would reveal to the 4 members they had gotten to know but that no one beyond that would know. They were already uncomfortable with the idea of a reveal and they wanted to control the information themselves. Well, Chat Noir was excited about the reveal. Ladybug was terrified what the reaction of her partner would be. She didn't worry about the Justice League group. She thought it was unlikely that they had ever met but Chat had met her as Marinette to rescue her, when he was disappointed with Ladybug not showing up, and then when she claimed to be in love with him.

The building was a gym under construction so no one would see them. When Ladybug entered she saw that Superboy and Robin were already there and talking. She gave a little wave as she approached them. She had grown to like the pair of them very well over the weeks they had worked together. Superboy was very friendly and Robin was very focused.

She looked over at the other side of the building at a new sound to see Wonder Girl walking up with Chat Noir. Based on their conversation they had just met outside while they were walking up. Greetings were exchanged and Marinette started to ask if anything knew about Kid Flash but as she started she saw his blur zip around the space several times before he joined them half a second later. He handed a flower to Ladybug with a flourish causing Chat Noir to glare at him.

Even though the Justice League members had acted as heroes longer Ladybug still took charge. It was her city and they had the experience with the problems there. They didn't like it at first but her no nonsense focus on the mission without being too uptight when they were patrolling together had made her accepted by all.

She took a deep breath. She was the only one very nervous. The others already knew the identities of their teammates. They had spent the last few weeks explaining situations where it had been useful. She thought they were probably skipping over times when it had not been a good idea. She had been talking with Superboy one night and he had almost let a story slip but he stopped himself.

She looked over at Chat. Maybe he was nervous too. But she could still see excitement in his eyes. She just hoped she would be enough. Their relationship wasn't like the others. He knew her civilian identity and they had worked together for 2 years. Ladybug took a breath and cleared her throat. Conversation stopped and she had their full attention when she spoke.

"Before we do this I want to remind everyone how important it is that the information not go beyond those in this room. It is the choice of each person to decide who knows their identity. If anyone disagrees with that they should say so now."

No one spoke but there were nods of agreement.

"Okay, then on three?"

She paused before slowly counting to 3. She closed her eyes as she detransformed and took a breath before she looked up. She looked first to see the fading green light on Chat Noir to meet the green eyes of Adrien Agreste. She was sure his shock was mirrored in her own. They both opened their mouths to speak but turned at another voice.

"Marinette?"

She turned to see Damian in Robin's uniform. Kid Flash and Superboy she had met at the fashion show but she couldn't remember their names. She had been too nervous to retain anything. She didn't think she had ever met Wonder Girl as a civilian. Surprisingly she was the only one. No one spoke for a moment. Adrien had that look on his face that Chat Noir would get sometimes when he looked at Ladybug. Marinette didn't think she could deal with this. Until one of the others opened his mouth and proved it.

"Isn't that your sister?" Jon said.

"Bruce is going to flip out," Wally added.

"You can't tell him!" Marinette screeched. "You can't tell anyone, especially not him."

"Marinette, what does he mean? I've met your parents. You don't have a brother." Adrien said.

"I-uh. It's complicated." Marinette said. "Actually I can't deal with this. It's just--"

She trailed off as she took several steps back before calling for her transformation and running out. She didn't see the fallout from her escape. They all argued over whether they should go after her and who should go. Cassie called for them to be quiet. She said she would be the one to go after Ladybug. Since she didn't know her it would be easier to calm her.

Wonder Girl flew off after Ladybug. She wasn't hiding but when she saw Wonder Girl headed towards her on the Eiffel Tower she stood up as if preparing to leave.

"Wait," Wonder Girl called out.

Ladybug paused as she landed and turned back towards her.

"Are they all upset with me?" she asked.

"I think it's mostly worried. You have a lot of secrets."

"I don't even like secrets. It feels like lying. I hate lies. A temporary secret like a surprise is one thing but sometimes I feel like my whole life is a lie."

Ladybug sat back down with her legs dangling as she had been before, Wonder Girl sat next to her. They sat there for awhile, saying nothing. Eventually Ladybug started speaking. She started back at the beginning when she first met Tikki and how she didn't even think she would be a good hero and tried to give the powers away. Once she started she couldn't stop. All her years of secrets and fears poured out. Wonder Girl sat there stunned realizing that not only had she not had anyone to talk to who knew but she also was at risk of becoming akumatized and endangering the entire city or even the world. She considered the spotted hero before she gave her first response that wasn't an encouragement to continue talking.

"You need to tell your parents."

**I will probably not use and additional prompts for this. I have a few prompts that will be separate but connected but don't fit chronologically (only one posted so far). But I will keep writing without prompts.

Taglist

@theymakeupfairies | @emjrabbitwolf

#maribat #bio dad bruce #bio!dad bruce wayne month 2020 #boldlyanxious

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elareine · 4 years

Note

Jason is like the best mom friend to his brother's friends. Some of them probably bunk in Jason's apartment when they're in Gotham.

I have no idea if you meant this as a prompt or not, but headcanon accepted. Thank you @yeats-nana for looking this over <3

Okay, so he got a headstart with Dick’s friends, which is only natural, seeing how some of them were on his team for a while.

(“Always will be, Jaybird,” Roy says, and Jason only rolls his eyes a little.)

No one actually likes staying at the manor, so it made sense that they crash in his safehouse-warehouse-apartment-club thingie instead. It gets bad enough that he grudgingly converts three rooms into guest rooms and doubles up on his groceries, just in case.

He picks up Bart by accident. Something blurs past him, and he reaches out by habit, grabbing whoever it was by the arm and stopping them in their tracks. It’s a neat trick, even if it always makes him feel like his arm socket is getting chewed on by Krypto.

Honestly, he expected Wally. But that’s a significantly less amount of human dangling from his hand. “The fuck?”

“Hey, you! Let Bart go!”

Oh, he’s seen that particular combo of bad boy looks and himbo vibes before. “You’re Drake’s clone boy, aren’t you?”

“He totally is,” the speedster still in his grasp—Bart—agrees equitably. “Hey, you’re Jason, right? Is that pizza you’re carrying? Can we come with and have some? Because I’m starving.”

Jason’s so flabbergasted that they know who he is and don’t immediately, like, try to kill him for what he did to the replacement (which—fair) that he completely forgets to object when they invite themselves in. And then call someone called Cassie to come over, but not bat-Cassie, which just makes things needlessly confusing.

Apparently, once the kids decide you’re the ‘cool brother’ (and Jason will never let Dick forget that), they never leave. Whenever it’s field-trip-to-Gotham time, or whatever they do when they’re here, they stay at his place. As a consequence, he sees a lot more of replacement—Tim, these days. The kid seems to think it’s the funniest thing that ever happened to him.

It’s not bad. It’s not bad, at all.

(He could do without being asked for relationship advice by teenagers deep in the throes of puberty, though.)

Steph tags along one day and just never leaves. Jason has no idea what her deal is, but he likes having her around and is more than happy to have her study in his living room. At least someone in this family is taking education seriously.

And Jason thinks that’s it. It’s more than enough, honestly. Everyone is pretty good about leaving him be when he actually needs some privacy; it’s still a lot.

Until he finds a miserable looking Superboy, Version Two, curled up on a roof.

Jason takes a second to put his guns away and double-check his hands for blood. Then he approaches cautiously. “Hey, Jon, right?”

The boy startles. For a second, his eyes glow red before he visibly calms himself down. “Oh, hey, you’re Robin’s brother! “

Jason tries not to sigh. “Yeah, I guess. What’re you doing here?”

“I wanted to meet up with Dames, but he’s not back yet.”

It takes a moment for Jason to connect ‘Dames’ with the Robin who tried to stab him two days ago, and not in a playful way.

“You could wait for him at the manor,” he suggested.

Jon looks down. “I might fall asleep.

“And?”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Why not?”

“Uh.” The kid shuffles awkwardly in place. “Sometimes I get bad dreams, and when I wake up I don’t—”

Right. Superpowers.

“How about you stay over at my place?” Jason hears himself ask. “The rooms are Roy Harper-proof, you should be fine.”

Wide blue eyes stare at him in confusion.

“It means they can withstand anything you can throw at them.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah, your brother stays over all the time, he tried to break them before. You can text him if you want to.”

But Jon perks up. “Oh, if Kon stays there, it should be fine! Thank you!”

(Jason plans to have a talk with Jon about that in the morning. Really, he gets that the kid is superpowered and doesn’t have to fear much, but you should not go home with a stranger! What if Jason was more of a villain?)

By the time Jason gets them home and shows Jon his room for the night, the kid is already half-asleep. Man, was he ever that young?

“Dames might stop by later,” he tells Jason, just before falling face-first into bed. His next words are distorted by the pillow, but still audible. “It’s okay when he’s there, you know. It never gets bad then.”

Christ. “Okay. Good night.”

He texts Dick to let him know what happened, and as soon as he gets the number from his, Lois. Because Superman is off-planet right now, but he is not the terrifying one in that marriage.

(Little does he know it’s the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Lois is not one to let contacts with knowledge about organized crime go to waste.)

So really, this is it. Roy and Kori drop by frequently, Tim’s gang less so, and Jon likes to drag Damian along for visits. Steph has started paying rent. (Jason doesn’t have the heart to tell her he’s his own landlord because the old one was exploiting minors and had to be dealt with.) He’s cooking for three or more people most weekends, which is as he likes it.

And then, one sunny afternoon, the doorbell rings.

Jason frowns, because—no one really does that anymore. So he’s cautious all the way down the stairs, opening the door in person, just to find a slightly awkward looking Duke Thomas standing there, clutching a backpack.

“Hi.”

Duke draws himself up. “Stephanie said you’re good at tutoring and I—I might need some help. To keep my grades up.”

And fuck, it’s not like Jason can say no to that. As far as he knows, Duke is a straight-A student.

He steps to the side and lets his brother inside. “C’mon in, then. I was just preparing lunch. Hope you like alambres.”

#elareine writes #jason todd #batfamily #young justice #teen titans

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rosesvioletshardy · 4 years

Text

can we do it? - billy/four - chapter 3

chapter 3 is here and i’m surprised i’m still writing this story despite y’all don’t really read it (not really begging you guys to do so but it’s your choice) but it keeps me sort of busy until i get called into work and start school.

also this isn’t edited btw

summary: one team, seven people, two lovers, things are about to get crazy and zero and four don’t know if they can do it with everything that is going on

masterlist

# of words: 2,246

warnings: angst?, language, fluff?

taglist: (message or inbox me if you want to be tagged)

The next few days were a blur for everyone. Seven has officially met everyone but questioned as to why there were only six of them instead of eight and why they skipped six. Zero did the part and explained it to him despite One wanting her not to tell him and everyone could still see that she was grieving. One gave Four a talk about him and Zero and he felt more guilt than he could imagine. He didn’t know that One had practically forced her to say that they were only friends but even then she still wouldn’t talk to him. Not after the way he treated her. It was his turn with Seven to talk about what they do and talk about One. They were sitting in another trailer that wasn’t really occupied that he used to watch his shows that were filled with dvds with Wally the dog and the Beaver show One loved so much playing in the background. Four was sitting in a chair throwing random cds after seeing what they were as Seven asked him a question.

“Hey, what do you know about One?”

“Well, for starters, he loves Wally the dog. He’s obsessed with this beaver show. I think he’s an orphan now that I come to it actually. We got a little bet on it if you want to put some money in. He really got rid of every evidence about his existence that even Zero can’t find, but I think she knows.” he told him

“This is an interesting crew you got here, bro. How many missions have you guys run?” he asked

“Counting Florence? Uh, one.”

“One what?” Seven asked eyeing him confused

“Actually, no, there was, um this, like, mini-mission, so maybe one and a quarter. It was in Sicily. But Florence? Absolute shitshow. I mean, if I wasn’t there, probably more than one of us dead. That’s all I’m saying” four said turning to face him

“Are you fucking kidding me?”

“I don’t fuck around”

“You realize I just buried myself in front of my family and friends?” “Yeah, One told me about that. Big military funeral. Guns popping, flags. It was pretty cool. At my funeral, there were only five people there and two of them left before the end. It is tough watching your mum cry at your grave. I feel like mine is still cursing at my grave for it. Love that woman, I do miss her, but you get over it. Anyways, this mission. I got a good feeling. I got a really good feeling about this mission.” Four said with a proud smile

“Yeah. how come you can’t find this guy?” Seven asked looking at a picture of Rovach’s brother

“I don’t know. Zero can usually find anyone but she’s been off since the last mission and isn’t in the right headspace for it. I tried telling her to take a break but she isn’t listening. To me or the advice. The only thing she said was that Americans caught him a few years back.”

“Americans?”

“I don’t know. Maybe Zero has something to do with it? Maybe Two as well, she has some sort of training that seems like it would tie into it. Not sure but that’s all she said and won’t tell me anything else without One’s permission.” Four told him as seven went and sat next to him

“What’s going on between the two of you? Are you guys dating? Did you date in the past? What is it?”

Four didn’t know how to answer the question because he still wasn’t over his feelings for her and neither was she but the two couldn’t be together and she wasn’t listening or talking to him. He sat there quietly as he tried to figure out something to say.

“Well, there isn’t anything going on between us because One has this rule that none of us can hook up and if we do, it basically has to be if we are undercover, with someone else, and it’s the last thing we need to do.” “But what about two and three? They seem like they’re hooking up.”

“Yeah I don’t know why he’s all up in our business when he should be paying attention to them but I think it has to do with the fact that we almost kissed and I guess he saw us. Which is really creepy if you think about it now. Also, maybe because he sees her as a little sister and he doesn’t want to get hurt again.” he said before finishing what he was talking about Rovach’s brother

“Back to what I was saying. The Americans caught him years back and gave him to his brother. The bald looking fella. You like him though, One?

“I mean, I guess I didn't really get to know him that much and we mainly talked about me. Feel like he was an asshole when he was younger.” Seven told him

“Yeah he's definitely an asshole, but a likable asshole, no?”

“No.”

“Well, out of all of us, probably likes you the most.” four said

“What about Zero? She seems to be on his good side and close to him”

“Yeah she was the first one recruited and knows most of her past. Thinks of her like a little sister. They’re like twins but not twins. They’re both good at hiding their trails and finding people and all that. From what I’ve heard they actually had a run with each other when she used his tech to find out all this stuff on American politicians that almost got her arrested before all of this. They both realized how helpful this stuff is since the government doesn't help anyone.”

One knew all about her past and he wondered if that was why he didn’t want someone like her to be with someone like Four but he didn’t tell either one of them that to make sure there wasn’t going to be drama between them.

“So you guys aren’t together? Even going behind his back and trying to secretly date?”

“No it’s too risky mate, and plus she said she only sees me as a brother and a friend”

“Damn. I haven't even known you guys a whole week and I think the two of you would’ve actually been good together.”

As they continued to talk, Zero walked past them and overheard the last of their conversation and how Seven liked her and Four together. It made her a little red until she remembered what One said and she continued to walk to where she was going.

They haven’t done much besides try and figure out where the four generals were and figure out a plan as to who was going to get the information out of them. Deciding it should be Three and Two since they have the most training and are more qualified for it they got everything ready. Four and Zero have started to talk again and are slowly reforming the friendship they had before. He tried to make it look like he wasn’t hurt by the fact that the first person he liked didn’t like him back and that he wasn’t threatened about dating her.

The day of the mission had everyone feeling nervous. Even though they had gone over everything they still felt like something was bound to go wrong like what happened in Florence. They had packed up everything they were going to need while in Las Vegas after finding out who is in charge of handing off Rovach’s brother. After gathering in their “Batcave”, Zero started to list off everything that was going to happen when they get there and how they all needed to be careful

“Listen, there are pretty much cameras covering every single inch of Las Vegas. You have to be careful about what or who you decide to go as or else they’ll have your face plastered on the news within the minute. Rovach set the four generals up in the penthouse and there’s going to a party, so be careful of who you injure.” zero told them

“Don’t worry, I used to be a hitman. I got this.” Three told her as he started packing everything

“Didn’t you almost shoot Four before Florence?” Five asked smirking remembering the memory

“Nearly took my ear out. Couldn’t hear anything out of the left ear for almost a week” Four grumbled

“I paid you back with the spaghetti carbonara and the many beers.”

The rest of the group couldn’t help but smile and laugh while One let out a sigh at the group he had created and how they were acting like children.

“This means that you can’t fuck up and you have to choose wisely. Even though she’s going to be staying, Zero is going to keep an eye on all three of us at all times and stay in communication with us. Who knows what they’re going to do while they're there.”

“Please I’m a grown man. I can handle my shit. I know what i’m going to be though”

“Don’t think that’s how the expression goes. Don’t handle you shit, flush it down the toilet like a grown ass man. You have to disappear. One more thing, just because all three of us are going to be doesn’t mean any of you can do shit.” One said mainly aiming at Zero and Four as their eyes darted each other for a split second

Now, we’re done. Leave and get ready.” He finished

The rest of the night was just them getting everything prepared as Zero made sure every form of communication was connected to each other was hooked up with one another and her computers. The group disbanded and went their separate ways back to their trailers before Four stopped in his tracks wanting to talk to Zero. He waited until everyone had left the room before he talked to her. Why he wanted to talk to her was so he can make amends but he didn’t know if she would talk to him or even want to be alone with him so he decided he wasn’t going to do anything and left her alone. Before he left, he took one last look at her and the way she was focused on getting everything set up. Yeah, he knew people as quick and smart as her, but he never has met anyone who was just as kind as her and would rather deal with other people’s problems rather than take on her own. She has been like that since she was a child, always had this maternal instinct to make sure everyone’s needs were put first. Maybe that was why she was so reserved and didn’t talk much of her own life that night and she made sure he didn’t feel uncomfortable when talking about his past life. Rather than hanging out with the crowds and going to parties throughout high school and college all the time, she would focus on her studies, only going every now and then.

Gathering up her stuff and the papers she had, but stopped as soon as she saw Four turn around and she didn’t stop him in time as he skated off back to his trailer. She let out a sigh and walked back to hers. It took her awhile to get adjusted to her new life and she still wasn’t used to how they lived. They had everything they could’ve asked for, yet it still didn’t feel like home for her no matter how many things she had with her from her past life. Turning on her music and getting ready for a bath to relax, she heard a knock on the door interrupting her quiet time. Setting everything down on the sink, she went back to the front. Opening the door she saw Four standing there with his hood up and hands in his pockets waiting.

“Hey”

“Hi”

The two stood there awkwardly for a few seconds before she remembered to invite him in instead of standing outside.

“I’m sorry, please come in.” she gestured moving out of the way letting Four step in. He looked around her place and noticed everything she talked about with him about herself and from what he saw that one time looked like everything she’d described. Vinyls were neatly stacked, fairy lights were hung all across, monitors that covered one corner of the room, and pictures of family and friends everywhere. He thought it felt right for her and more her style. The two of them walked over to her bed and sat down in quiet for what felt like forever before Four spoke up.

“I’m sorry.”

“For what? You didn’t do anything wro-” she tried to tell him before getting interrupted by him

“Yes I did. I treated you like shit even by not talking to you and just overall being me” he said

“But you didn’t do anything wrong. If anything, it’s my fault I'm the one who had to hide away their true feelings and then forced to say something I didn’t want to say.”

“Zero please, cut the b-” Four started to say before he felt lips on top of his.

At first, he was shocked until he loosened up and kissed her back. Their lips began to move together in sync as his hands moved to cup her face as hers snaked around his neck.

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queerbutstillhere · 4 years

Note

For my favourite writer, Damian and Jon get send to an Alternate Universe (maybe young justice cause I'm more familiar with it) and during their brief stay there everyone they interact with thinks they are dating because they act as a couple.

(I'm not sure how I feel about this, but oh well? I hope it's okay! Also it's kinda a weird situation, like they're in an alternate universe, but it's also just Young Justice? Idk I hope it makes sense!)

You know, it wasn't everyday that you're chilling with your Bros, a big blue portal opens in the ceiling and from it falls two vigilantes, cursing and kicking each other, right onto your coffee table, shattering it everyday.

Or at least it shouldn't be an everyday occurrence.

It certainly wasn't that surprising to say the least.

I suppose you want background, don't you?

It was a wonderful summer morning. Timothy Drake, Conner Kent, Cassie Sandsmark and Bart Allen had gone to visit their good friends Cissie and Greta, retired heroes. Tim, being a rich kid, could afford to do this for a weekend, and of course, the others could just run or fly there. So they went out for lunch and then went back to Cissies house, her mom conveniently out for the weekend. They were just chilling and catching up when the portal opened, people fell, and glass table shattered.

Greta had screamed when they fell, meanwhile the others just jumped up, ready to fight. The two vigilantes weren't terribly large, they had landed on top of each other, and the one on top was covered by a large black cape, a hood flipped over his head. He was the one swearing loudly. The other one was clearly a teen, wearing blue and red, and a red cape twisted underneath him. He had black hair and blue eyes and looked . . . Like Clark?

Tim and Kon exchanged a confused look.

"Damn you!"

"Stop it! Would you just stop fighting and hold still while I get a bearing on where the hell we are."

"No! Let go of me!"

"You're bleeding," the teen responded, arms tightly clasped around the person on top of him.

He had spotted Kon and apparently identified him as the current threat, body going rigid.

"I'm always bleeding, let go!"

There was a grunt and then cape man was pushing up, sitting on his companions stomachs as he looked around, eyes landing on Tim.

They both gasped at the same time.

"Robin?" Tim exclaimed, because standing in front of him was an. . . Older Damian?

"Drake," Damian shot back, tilting his head.

"Whoa, wait a minute," Kon said, stepping in front of Tim. "What's going on?"

"Tim, how does he know that?" Cissie asked.

"Know what? His last name?" Robin said with an eyeroll.

"God, Robin, lay off the bean burgers!" The younger man complained, shoving at Robin.

"Shut the hell up, Superboy. Now is not the time."

A small whine escaped "Superboy" and then he locked eyes with Kon again. Sure enough, on his chest was the S emblem of Superman. Kon took a step towards him, and in a flash, this Superboy was across the room, Robin between him and the wall as he glared at them, an arm behind him, touching Robin.

"Stay back. Who the hell are you people."

"Tt. Kent, don't be so naive," Robin said, poking his head out around the taller teens shoulder. "That is clearly my brother."

"You're-" Tim started confused.

"I see that, Rob, but who are the others?"

".... Admittedly I don't know. It appears Rex's portal dropped us into another dimension. . . Fascination."

"Uh! No! The last alternate dimension we got involved in, my dad was evil! Your dad doesn't even know we snuck out."

"Eh. I'm sure it'll be fine. What's the worst that can happen? They send West after us?"

"Robin!"

Tim raised an eyebrow at the two, motioning for the others to stand down, Cassie relaxed, and Cissie stopped edging towards her bow.

"Bart, can you clean up the glass, please?" Tim asked softly.

"Yeah." The speedster blurred around until all the glass pieces were collected, and then appeared with a vaccum, sweeping the rug.

Superboy and Robin had gone silent, watching this.

"He's a speedster."

"I see that."

"I don't trust them."

"And you think I do? They haven't attacked us yet, though, so that's a start."

Tim watched with hidden amusement, this whole time, as they stood against the wall, they had been touching the whole time, Robin's hands on Superboy's arm, which was wrapped around and hooked into Robin's utility belt. It was almost as if they were holding each other back.

"Okay. Why don't we do introductions instead of standing here and whispering," Tim said, stepping closer. "I'm Tim Drake."

"Red Robin. I know," Robin said softly.

Tim frowned, eyebrow raising. "I'm not..."

Robin's eyebrow also raised.

"Maybe he's not Red in this universe?" Superboy said softly.

Robin gently cuffed the back of Superboy's head. "Use your eyes. Read his body language, his posture, his body shape. He's a vigilante of some kind. It seems only reasonable that he would be Red Robin still. His recognized me, which means I have become Robin in this universe already. So unless he quit, or by some miracle, is Batman..."

"Okay, Damian, just, stop," Tim said, waving his hands. "Yes I know who you are. But I'm not Red Robin anymore."

"Oh you did quit?" Robin inquired.

"No. . . I uh. Changed my name."

"Fucking Drake," Kon muttered from behind them.

"Okay, you know what. Greta and I are gonna go to the kitchen why you guys sort this mess out," Cissie said, and sure enough, the two girls just exited stage left-

"What did you change it to?" Robin asked, he still hadn't moved from behind Superboy.

".... Drake."

Robin blinked once. Then twice.

"What the fuck?"

"Look! Okay! It's a powerful duck-"

"It's literally only aggressive when horny, Tim, what the hell?" Robin interrupted, staring at him with the biggest "what the fuck" expression ever.

"I TOLD YOU!" Bart nearly screamed, zipping over. "Hi! I'm Bart Allen, Impulse! I'm Barry's grandkid."

"Uh, Hi. I'm Superboy?" Superboy said, blue eyes cautiously scanning Bart.

"That's hilarious, because I'm Superboy," Kon said, stepping up, wrapping an arm around Tim's waist.

The two Superboy's had a glaring match.

"Cassandra Sandsmark. Wonder Girl."

"Oh, isn't Donna-"

"Alternate dimension," Robin reminded his Superboy.

Tim didn't miss the small sway that just happened to Robin. Neither did Superboy, as he suddenly spun and scooped up Robin.

"You dumbass," he huffed, looking around.

"I'm fine. We have more pressing matters-"

"You are literally bleeding through your armor."

"Kent I'm fine."

"Like hell."

Superboy looked at Tim.

"He took a shank to the stomach earlier. Do you have medical supplies?"

"Somewhere-"

They sent Bart off to look for those, while Superboy laid Robin down on the dining room table, gently undoing all his armor as Robin was forced to lay there helplessly, and just talk.

"As you have probably figured out by now, I'm Damian Wayne, and this is Jonathan Kent. We are Robin and Superboy from our universe," Damian explained, tugging off his gloves and then his mask.

"Wait does that make us brothers?" Kon asked, staring at Jonathan.

"What?" The younger Kent asked , barely glancing up from his task of gently pulling off Damian's layers, every touch and tug painfully gentle.

"Your dad is Clark, right?"

"Yeah."

"He's mine too. I'm Kon, Conner Kent."

"Oh! Cool!" Jon grinned at him brightly.

Neither of them noticed it, but Damian went rigid, and Jon mumbled an apology, looking back down. Bart returned with a first aid kit finally.

"This is all Cissie had."

"I'll take it," Jon said.

While he got to work, ripping his cape for spare bandaged, and using the surgical needle and string that Cissie had wisely decided there should be inside, Damian began explaining what had happened, how they had been battling an old enemy named Rex, and he had, in a last ditch effort, opened the portal, tossing them through it. Cassie and Tim asked a few questions to better understand, and Damian answered them all, barely bothered by Jon working on his stab wound, bandaging it as best he could.

"So wait. We don't exist on your world?" Cassie asked.

"Well, Tim does, and I do believe I've heard of a Cassandra Sandsmark. But I've never met you, Kon, nor do we have an Impulse. Just the Wally's and Barry. Oh and Jay."

"Wild."

"Well, Jon here doesn't exist in our timeline, so it'd not that surprising," Kon said to Bart.

"Yeah but still. What do people do without us?"

"We survive just fine, I assure you," Damian said sarcastically.

Jon smacked his thigh. "Hey, play nice."

"I am playing nice."

"No. You're being a dick."

"This is him being a dick?" Tim asked, eyebrow raised. "You should meet my Damian. . . Hey how old are you anyway."

"I'm seventeen. Jon is fifteen."

Tim exchanged a look with Kon, right as Damian gave a small grunt.

"Sorry, I'm almost done, okay? Hold still," Jon said, lightly touching Damian's arm before tying off the string.

They almost acted like a couple, with the gentle touches and soft tones they used.

"That's cute," Bart said softly, almost as if he had read Tim's mind.

Jon's head snapped up, and he looked at Bart, cheeks turning red.

"So we should most likely talk to Father, and maybe Kord to see how to get us back," Damian said to Tim.

"Yeah. I'll call Bruce. I think he's in Paris though so he may not be much help."

"He'd still like to know what is going on."

Tim shook his head slightly. "Don't you two worry, we'll get you boys back to your own universe as quick as possible."

"We're not children, Drake," Damian muttered, shaking his head. "God I can't believe you picked Drake!"

So they called Bruce, headed to the watchtower, changing on the way. When Tim walked out from the room on the batwing that he had been changing in, Damian just stared at him.

"Why are you brown and yellow."

"It's my uniform."

"That is the blandest uniform I have ever seen. That's not even the colors of a Drake."

"What?" Tim asked confused."

"You're literally wearing the colors of a female duck," Damian explained.

"Dami! Don't be rude!"

"It's cause he's such a bottom," Kon commented, grinning at Tim.

"Okay, gross," Damian said, making a face.

"What? Is that not gay culture on your universe?"

"I wouldn't know, frankly," Damian said with a sigh, looking down at his touchscreen gauntlet, messing with it.

". . . So you two aren't dating then?"

Both of them looked at Kon in alarm.

"What?!" Jon screeched.

"Why would we be dating?"

"Because you guys are all gross and touchy," Kon said, even as he leaned on Tim.

"We are not!" Jon protested. "He's my best friend!"

And yet, when they got to the watchtower, the two walked with their arms pressed together, murmuring softly and pointing things out to each other and in general acting like a couple. Tim may not know this Damian, but he can read closeted gay anywhere. Well except himself.

All of the Justice League was wary of these new vigilantes, but interested too, asking questions. Tiny angry Damian was not impressed with older, happier Damian, but older Damian just smiled and spoke gently to younger Damian for a moment, and then the kid huffed in annoyance and ran off.

"What did you tell him?" Jon asked softly.

"That it was okay and he would make mistakes and to just learn from them instead of beating himself up. And that I was proud of him because I remembered how hard and confusing it was to follow Bruce's rules, but things will get better."

Jon smiled fondly at Damian. "Things you wish you had been told?"

"Maybe."

"Totally not dating," Tim mumbled as he walked past. They both glared after him.

It took a few hours for them to figure out how to send Damian and Jon back, meanwhile, the two just hung out with Tim and Kon and chatted, swapping stories and finding out information about each other. Tim really couldn't believe they weren't dating. They sure acted like it.

"Okay, kiddos," everyone looked up as Barry walked over. "Time to go, we've got it all figured out."

They walked over to where the portal was supposed to open.

"Thank you, for helping," Damian said, pressing on his mask.

"It was our pleasure," Tim said with a grin.

Jon said goodbye to Kon, and then ran after Damian through the portal. Tim just laughed and shook his head, and turned to Kon.

"I liked them."

"They were most definitely dating without realizing it yet."

"Oh yeah."

Send me a prompt!

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red-flashes · 4 years

Text

“I don’t even know why I’m here.”

Once again, Damian elbowed Jason in the hip--the highest he could reach--as Tim answered, “I told you, Nightwing wanted everyone there.”

“Why couldn’t we just do it on the screens like we usually do?” Jason asked stubbornly, crossing his arms as they stood in the Hall of Justice. Nearly everyone was there, current and former heroes and sidekicks all gathered. It was rare that so many of them met up at all, nevermind for something that wasn’t for a mission. Each of them stood sequestered off in their little groups, and Jason himself was tucked back behind Batman and Red Robin with Damian and Cass on either side of him. Honestly, he was surprised he was invited, but it was Dick they were talking about, here. He probably invited anyone who had ever put on a mask.

Tim sighed, one hand on his hip as he tried to get a better look at where Nightwing and the Flash were talking up at the front of the room. “Nightwing said it had to be in person, something about being physically present.”

“Yeah, well, Nightwing can tell my--”

“Both of you, quiet,” came the sharp command from Batman, and immediately their group quieted, just in time for Flash to step forward and begin speaking.

“Thank you all, so much, for coming,” he started, waving awkwardly at everyone. Dick stood at his side with a grin, occasionally looking back over his shoulder. Jason watched him with narrowed eyes, mostly tuning out Flash as he spoke. Something about a past mission, it didn’t sound important. What was important, however, was when Nightwing stood to the side and told everyone, “And back again with us now, everyone: re-meet Kid Flash!”

There was a brief crackle of electricity that accompanied all speedsters before a yellow blur appeared beside Dick with a bright grin that sent ice crawling down Jason’s spine.

Instantly, Cass noticed his subtle change, and he could feel her glancing at him, but Jason was too busy trying to convince himself he wasn’t having a nightmare. That was the only time he ever saw what he was looking at, right? That was the only place he had ever seen that shock of red hair before.

The supposed Kid Flash was stepping forward, greeting everyone again and introducing himself, and Jason swallowed hard. No, this was real. He knew him. How did he know him? Where had he seen him before?

On the worst nights, when he couldn’t wake up out of the nightmares, there was the faintest presence of someone behind him, someone helping him through.

A familiar laugh echoing around him when he was stuck in a memory, bright green eyes flashing at him from beside him only to be gone a second later. But then again, the nightmares had disappeared, too.

He had convinced himself it was a fever dream, something his injured brain had conjured up to help ease himself through the coma and everything else that came after. He was so in and out when he was with the Al Ghuls, so tormented by pain and the memories of an explosion, but he could have sworn he had someone there with him, someone who had been there for him every time he had come in and out of the memories again.

“Todd?” came Damian’s surprised hiss, but Jason ignored him, shoving forward past Tim and pushing in between him and Batman to bring himself front and center in front of where Flash, Nightwing, and Kid Flash stood.

Jason knew that costume, teased him about the red and yellow constantly. He made fun of his windswept hair, joked about his goggles, endured the teasing about his shorts in return. They bonded over ridiculous sidekick costumes and being heroes and anything and everything. They had spent an eternity helping each other through the pains that came with being dead and the realization of eternity. He had seen and been seen by the man he was looking at.

“Hood?” Nightwing asked tentatively as they all looked at him. Kid Flash--Jason had only ever known him by another name, by something else and more familiar--looked at him in confusion as well. Jason would never forget those green eyes.

Slowly, his hazy vision looked up, focusing on a form in front of him. He watched as the man looked around wildly, like he couldn’t figure out where he was before looking back at Jason. He wasn’t completely there, Jason could see the outline of the table behind him through his thigh, but he was the one looking at Jason like he was a ghost. “Who are you? How did you get here?”

“Uh, hey!” Kid Flash was saying, waving at him. “Nice to meet you!”

He never thought he’d hear that voice directed at him again. Breath caught in his throat, he asked quietly, “Wally?”

The three people in front of him froze. He could see Nightwing glancing around, trying to make sure no one else had heard the real name, but Jason ignored him. In seconds, he had his helmet ripped off, looking at Wally with his bare face. He saw his eyes go wide, and he couldn’t believe it. It was him, it had to be him--how was he here?

On instinct, he hurled his helmet at him. Surprised gasps echoed around the room at the display, but Wally caught it, shock on his face. He glanced up finally, slowly, and just as quietly asked, “Jason?”

In the next second, Jason was being hit in the chest, Wally’s entire form crashing into him in a desperate hug that felt more like a tackle. He threw his arms around Wally, still not believing this was real. Wally was here--he could touch him. He could hold him. And it was with that hug that he remembered everything: the decades they had spent together stuck in that limbo, Wally being there to welcome him back every time he had fallen back in, every single conversation where Wally slowly became the person who knew him best.

“You’re real,” he whispered to Wally, clutching onto him like if he let go Wally would fade away again. All that time convincing himself it was just a dream--here he was, real and alive and solid and holding onto him.

“You’re alive!” Wally retorted, then let out another laugh. “And tall! God, what the hell have you been eating the past few years?” Wally pulled back, only far enough to look at him, still holding on just as tightly. Jason was sure he’d bruise from it, but Wally was running the same risk with the way Jason was holding on to his shoulders. “I can’t believe you’re alive,” he said breathlessly, eyes traveling over Jason’s face.

“You’re here,” Jason told him, more stating it for himself than asking. “You got out, you’re here. You’re real.” Wally was nodding eagerly, and Jason knew on some instinctual level he would have started talking at his stupid super speed had it not been for Steph’s voice echoing around the hall.

“Is Red Hood smiling? Is this real life?”

All at once, he was brought back to where they were, who they were in front of. His hands fell off of Wally’s shoulders, looking around so he didn’t have to see the confused look on Wally’s face. His eyes focused on Dick, looking at him in a mix of hesitation and concern, who suddenly announced, “Hood’s got the idea! In order for Kid Flash’s memories to be reinstated, he needs physical contact. A handshake will do, or a high five even...”

“Jason?”

He looked back down, finally looking at Wally again. Dick droned on in the background, trying to get people organized, but all Jason could focus on was Wally. Wally, and that almost fearful look in his eyes, the way he was still holding onto Jason, Wally was here and he’s real--

“Later,” he told him, pulling Wally’s hands off of him and taking a step back. Wally almost came after him, but Jason held up a hand, still glancing around at who was now surrounding him. “Later. I’ll wait here. Once this is done...just. Later, okay?”

Slowly, Wally nodded, and Jason could feel his eyes on him as he melted back into the crowd, studiously ignoring his family and the questions he knew they’d have. He found an inconspicuous spot to sit back and away from everything, arms crossed tightly in front of him. His fists were clenched like he was holding onto the memory of how Wally felt, like he was afraid of forgetting it.

“I know you don’t believe it, but you’re a hero, Jason. You always will be, dead or not.”

Jason sat back and waited. After everything he’d been through, he’d become very good at waiting.

#redflash #jason todd #red hood #wally west #kid flash #flash #batfam #wally x jason #wally west x jason todd #jason todd x wally west #dc rarepair #dc #dc comic #dc comics #its story time babey #my writing #hoodflash

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winchester90210 · 4 years

Text

The BH 90210 Rewrite. 1x20: Spring Training.

Rewrite Masterlist

Read the previous chapter here!

Chapter Summary: Alongside Brandon, you take a dive into the world of little league.

Word count: 2,000

Warnings: Swearing, brief mention of violence. Also... I know nothing about baseball.

A/N: Hi everyone! Hope you enjoy this week’s episode! Took an extra week off to focus on my mental health and am feeling much better with everything now. I hope you guys are as excited as the next chapter as I am! It’s almost time for the spring dance :)

My work is to not be reposted/republished, and/or edited without my expressed written consent. (Reblogging is great and encouraged!!)

Feedback is very appreciated and encouraged!! :)

"With my dad laid up, we need all the help we can get. We’re practicing today if either of you want to join in on the festivities," Brandon persuades the two of you as you round the corner of the Peach Pit to sit at your usual booth. The familiar scent of pie crust and burgers fills the air, instantly putting your soul at ease.

"Thanks… but no thanks, slim," Dylan rejects him, sliding into the seat opposite of you while Brandon follows suit.

"Dylan, I thought you were a total baseball freak!" You tell him.

"I am, but listening to these parents berate their kids from the sidelines all day long," he shakes his head, cringing, "Brings back a whole slew of bad memories."

"But it shouldn't be about the parents!" Brandon protests, "It should be about being on a team, learning fundamentals, having a good time!"

"That's very noble, Brandon. But when I was playing? It was about winning at any cost necessary.” Dylan argues. Brandon sighs in defeat, looking to you.

"What about you, Y/N/N?"

"Not a chance,” you laugh.

"What? Why not?"

"Brandon… me and 20 kids, in an extremely competitive state? Did you learn nothing from the summer of '85?" You jest. Brandon chuckles at your extreme rejection, sliding a laminated menu your way.

"Wait… what happened in '85?" Dylan's eyes flicker cluelessly between the two of you, awaiting an explanation.

"Look, it was no big deal. Things got a little heated during one of Eric's little league games," you shrug dismissively, flipping through the Peach Pit's menu as if you didn't get the same thing every time.

"She beat up a nine-year-old,” Brandon quips.

“I didn’t beat up a—“ you pause, taking in a breath. “To put it simply I… put a kid back in his rightful place. He was picking on my brother, nothing happened that he didn't deserve."

“What’d you do, tackle him out on the field?” Dylan lifts his eyebrows, amused smile on his face.

“No, of course not!” You duck your head back into your menu, mumbling, “I went out there and hit him in the groin with his bat.”

The kids run out into the field, taking their positions with their needed equipment in hand. You lean back onto the warm metal fence, slipping a pair of sunglasses over your eyes to get a better look at Nat’s team. Without the glaring sun in your eyes.

“This is pathetic!” A young boy, adorned in a bright yellow Dukes uniform comes hurdling out from behind the fence to join Brandon and Steve. “They’re not even wearing uniforms!”

“So what?” Brandon shrugs, voice hardened, “It’s a practice game.” Steve leans into Brandon to whisper something to him, but since he lacks the levels of common decency that most people acquire by the age of five, he talks loud enough for the whole team to hear.

“They don’t look so good, Brandon.”

“It’s okay. They came to play, that’s the important thing.” Man… sometimes Brandon felt too good to be true. You’re convinced there has to be a catch at this point. Gorgeous, smart, great with kids. What’s next? He opens up an animal sanctuary for underprivileged strays? Buys a soup kitchen? “Listen up, you guys. The way you treat your competition is a direct comment on how you play the game. Good sportsmanship counts big time with me and my old man…” as he continues to ramble on, your thoughts begin to shift elsewhere. Like how good he looks. It’s purely criminal for anyone to look so hot in yellow. It’s an inherently unattractive color. Yet, there he is—coaching children in the blazing heat, instilling them with good sportsmanship, and all you want to do is to get him to yourself. That bastard. You shake it off, chalking it up to teenage hormones, and try to focus on the game.

“Hey doofus! You really eat toads!” The same kid whining about uniforms earlier is now directing all of his pent up privilege and ten-year-old angst towards the poor, sweet, small child from Nat's team, the Pitts, further solidifying your desire to never procreate.

“You’ll throw it better next time, Manny!” Nat encourages the little boy wholeheartedly, clapping for him as loudly as he can.

“Hey Corey! Throw it to the doofus, he’s a real toad!” Does this kid only know two insults? The smaller brunette, the less athletically gifted child hangs his head, kicking sand around the base plate in frustration. Brandon takes note of it, immediately bounding out into the middle of the game.

“Time out! Crawford, get in the game for Noah!” His voice is stern, and as he approaches the boy he’s in total coach mode. It’s kinda hot... Well, it’s not your fault baseball’s boring. Gotta keep yourself entertained somehow.

Steve stops Randy Crawford from going out from the fence with the back of his hand, and going after Brandon himself, sand slipping from under his shoes. You can’t hear what they're saying but you know it’s not the happiest conversation. Knowing them, you know exactly how this is playing out. You don’t even need to hear them. You can see Steve furrow his brows from the sidelines, and Brandon’s gesticulating with his hands wildly as they talk but can’t make out any words that are flying from their mouths. Brandon, the moral center of Los Angeles wants Noah out for being a little jerk. Steve, being Steve, would probably rather keep the better player in than save the self esteem of a little boy before it’s too late and it no longer exists. It’s not long until Brandon pats Steve hard on the shoulder, storming off the field in a blur of sand and sweat.

Well, that’s your cue to leave, isn't it? You go to follow Brandon out, but Steve stops you short.

“That boyfriend of yours is a total Boy Scout,” he spits.

“Well, someone’s gotta be," You scoff, eyes rolling, ”They’re just kids, Steve! This isn’t Major League Baseball. There’s no trophy, there��s no prize. There’s absolutely nothing at stake here. What they need to be doing is having fun, and while that snot-nosed little jerk is out there on the field, they’re all gonna be miserable.”

You flop down onto Dylan's couch, feet up on the armrest as he grabs a soda from the fridge and parks himself on the ottoman beside you. You exhale, eyes fluttering shut for a moment.

"Rough day out with the little leaguers?"

"Rough day out with Steve," you snort. “I’m so used to being around Brandon I forget that people like Steve Sanders even exist.”

“Come on, Steve isn't that bad."

"Dylan, you're talking about the guy that got carjacked by a girl he was trying to hook up with, and still bailed her out of jail--despite the fact she robbed him justminutes before--in the hopes of getting laid, only for her to steal his wallet." Dylan's face screws in a mix of amusement and total disbelief.

"Okay, so he's that bad," Dylan laughs. "Sorry to break it to you, Y/N/N, but not everyone is a part of the illustrious Walsh family."

"Not everyone can be," you tease. He gently tosses you a throw pillow from the chair across the room, and you use it to prop up your head. "It’s a tragedy.”

“See, what did I tell you? Isn’t he sweet? Isn’t he great?” Brenda watches as you comb through the stray dog’s long gray fur. He really is cute… wet black nose, shaggy gray hair, big puppy dog eyes. But you can’t keep him. “I think he likes you!”

“Bren, as much as I’d love to take this puppy home, my parents would kill me!"

“Just take him for a trial run, and if you like him, keep him!”

“Bren—“

“Please?”

“Bren—“

“Come on!” She pleads.

“Fine! Okay, okay. I’ll see if we can take him in tomorrow night,” you concede, giving the dog one last pat on the head. Brenda squeals happily, a grin on her face as she wraps her arms around you.

“He’s great! You’ll love him!”

"Fine. See you later... Wally."

The four of you watch silently, perched up at the counter of the Peach Pit as Nat's baseball team chows down on slices of pepperoni pizza. We've got Nat to your far left, wondering how the hell they're going to survive against the team from Beverly Hills, then we've got Dylan to your left debating on whether to finally help Nat and shack up with the struggling team, Brandon to your right who hasn't lifted his hand from your upper thigh this whole time which is seriously distracting, and you, wondering how such little boys could devour so much pizza in so little time.

"You know the improvement from one week to the next is remarkable." You mumble.

"Oh yeah… the kids are showing a lot of promise." Brandon nods absentmindedly, bringing his cup to his lips.

"But…" Dylan begins, "you still need a pitcher that can put the ball over the plate."

"Yeah," Nat sighs, "but win or lose, the most important thing is how good the kids feel about themselves." He's trying to convince you, but the more he talks the more you know he's trying to convince himself.

"Absolutely." You agree.

"Totally." Brandon nods.

"Yeah, I mean, in the long run that's all that counts," Dylan shrugs, his voice coated with scepticism.

"Absolutely." Brandon concurs.

"Totally…” You say. “Y’know, I was talking to Andrea about this and she knows a pretty great player from the valley."

They all turn their heads, slowly, with Nat glancing from you to the phone. You roll your eyes at the boys, making your way over to the payphone. The group watches with bated breath behind you as you slip in the quarters and dial her number, waiting for her to pick up.

"Hello?"

"Andrea, hi! Listen, uh, do you remember the other day? You told me you knew some kid in the valley who was a major blue-chip little leaguer?"

"Oh, yeah! Avery?"

"Yeah… Avery." You twist your head back, giving them a smile and a thumbs up.

"What's Dylan doing? Bringing in a ringer?" Steve scoffs, twisting the metal bat in his hand as he cleans it. You exchange knowing smirks with Brandon as Dylan helps Avery get ready on the sidelines. She takes off her ball cap, releasing the foot of long brunette pony-tailed hair. Gasps are heard from center field, seemingly originating from Noah. Shocker.

"Oh my god! Dude, it's a girl!" He laughs out, adjusting his cap against the wind.

"Poor Dylan, he's really scraping the bottom of the barrel, huh?" Oh, if only you and that misogynistic head of yours knew, Steve-O. And surprise, surprise—Every pitch she's involved in ends up in a home run for the Pitts.

And little by little, much to your joy, Steve is getting progressively more aggravated— tapping feet, flaring nostrils, bugged-out eyes. You’re beginning to like baseball.

Eventually you make your way over to Brenda, off by the sidelines. You watch as they send Davey from the Dukes out, and Manny, the small, athletically challenged boy from the Pitts, isn’t far behind. Brandon perks up, calling a timeout to give what you can only assume is another one of his infamous Brandon talks to his team. After a moment the team breaks up, moving into their correct positions and as Manny chokes up on his bat ready to pitch. You cringe, hiding your face in your hand.

But it's nothing short of a miracle as Davey throws the ball. It makes contact with Manny's bat, soaring across the field as he jets off across the bases. The catcher from the Dukes runs for the ball, tripping over his own foot and skidding across the grass. The whole team erupts into ecstatic cheers, rushing out and lifting Manny onto their shoulders. You know that Davey blew the pitch for him, you’ve seen him pitch a hundred times. But seeing the joy on that little boy's face, you knew that it didn't matter.

"Poor kid," Brenda sighs, looking out to the opposite direction to Randy Crawford, the catcher that landed face-first into the grass. "I mean, he really gave it his best-- Wally!"

"Wally? Bren, what're you-- oh my god! That is Wally!" Off in the distance, you can see the gray ball of hair hurdling towards the baseball diamond.

"That's not Wally! That's Rupert! It's my dog, he's back!" Randy gasps, watching in amazement as his shaggy mutt runs across the crowds and into his open arms.

"Hey uh," Brandon comes to greet you, but is looking out into the field as well, "isn't that supposed to be your dog, Y/N/N?"

"No, Brandon," Brenda shakes her head, light smile lacing her lips. "I guess that's Randy's dog…" You sigh, but seeing the little boy giggle with glee as Wally-- er, Rupert, laps at his cheek, there's no troubling emotions to be found.

"I'm sorry, Y/N/N," Brandon laces his fingers with yours, grabbing your attention with a soft kiss to your temple.

"I'm not," you assure him. You smile, the sight of the boy reuniting with his long lost dog something straight out of a movie scene. One last look and you turn away from the boy, eyes meeting your boyfriend’s. “Hey, Brandon... have a date for that dance yet?”

Taglist: @be-patient-be-good @mpmarypoppins @bevelyhills90210 @blueoz @princess-ghost-alien @hueycat2004 @l4life @keepcalm-and-beyou @isthatabutterfly @rosy-pugs @thewalshess

#beverly hills 90210 #bh90210 #90210 #brandon walsh x reader #jason priestley x reader #beverly hills 90210 imagine #90210 imagine #brandon walsh #jason priestley #steve sanders #ian ziering #gif is mine #dylan mckay #luke perry #90s fanfiction #90s x reader

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mwolf0epsilon · 4 years

Note

Sammy’s and Normans first kiss?

I don't usually poke at these sorts of themes, but fair warning: This is slightly NSFW due to a few "wandering hands" on Sammy's part.

Summary: If there's anything that Norman regrets, it's his and Sammy's disaster of a first kiss...

---

Susie's and Sammy's messy breakup over the replacement of Alice Angel's voice actress role had taken an even bigger toll on the studio than anyone could have ever imagined. Morale had already been low with the steady increase of workload, and the stress of overclocking to chug through the narrowing time frames between deadlines. So having both Sammy Lawrence and Susie Campbell, two of the most outspoken and loud folk in the studio, in such low spirits really had an impact on the other employees.

Sammy took it out on people, his fragility making his temperament unstable to the point lashing out felt like an easier way to cope than to deal with his emotional turmoils head on.

Susie resorted to pettier methods. Decreasing morale with rumors and cruel gossip, and overall making any voice over roles she got (the very same low grade background characters she'd begun with) a nuisance to get done if just to make Sammy's life more difficult. This in turn, fed the perpetual cycle of anger and frustration that permeated the recording booth.

Susie was gaslighting Sammy, and Sammy was verbally assaulting people in retaliation. All of this generated by Joey Drew "accidentally" sending everyone but the intended employee a memo detailing sensitive information regarding their work.

Truly, Norman was at his wits end from pure exasperation over Drew's tactics to keep the studio under his iron grasp. He knew the sort of dangerous game that devil of a man was playing, and he hated how easily everyone fell into place.

Above all, he hated what Joey was slowly shaping both Sammy and Susie into.

Back in Louisiana Norman had a particular childhood bully who was the ringleader of the bigger meaner kids in town. He was a scrawny meek looking boy with a devious spark in his eye. A thinker instead of a go-getter.

That boy had made Norman's life a living hell, up until his growth spurt came in (he'd been a late bloomer so that had been a good 15 years under that little hellion's tyrannical grasp). Once Norman became bigger than his bullies, that clever bastard had tried buttering up to him. Get him nice and friendly so he'd fall in line with the rest of the thugs.

Once Norman 'kindly refused', he'd instead tried to make him look bad to the rest of the neighborhood. Not too hard, considering he'd always been a bit of a sneak, but honestly he'd never much minded what others thought.

Norman was the weird kid with the crazy eye, and the lightest feet in town. He could sneak up on the feral cats that lived in the overgrown playground without getting heard, and he was the kid that knew sign language because one day his hearing was going to go because he was born with something inherently wrong with his ears. He was also the kid that woke up at 5AM sharp to run training drills with his old man and his siblings.

Nothing the little jerk could do or say had ever made much of an impact on his reputation. Then one day of course his little sister came in missing a braid and his little brother had a split lip. That day Norman beat the shit out of that hellspawn and got in trouble for standing up to his bully.

That's what Drew was doing. Pulling all sorts of cheap manipulative tactics that were slowly shaping the people he employed into being predisposed to doing whatever he felt like.

Be it light threats hidden in passive aggressive comments, invitations to lunches or dinners where he'd test his boundaries of control over certain situations like who paid the bill or what sort of seed of doubt he could implant in someone's brain, or even feed the fires of someone's ire by meddling with their relationships.

By doing this to Sammy, especially, Joey was destroying his reputation as a respectable musician. The blond music director may be unreasonably unsociable, but that did not affect the quality of his work in the least. If anything Sammy seemed to work better under a more private setting.

Now that he was the focus of scrutiny and that people were constantly intruding upon his given workspace however, things were blurring. Professional and personal life had mixed and Joey was purposefully poking a sleeping bear to maintain control over the only composer he knew he could effortlessly keep under his control.

If Sammy so much as tried to quit, the damage of his current behaviors would ensure he'd never be employed ever again, and then where would he go from there when he had bills and rent to pay, and another mouth to feed?

Susie too was at risk.

She'd taken the hit so badly that she was actively fighting her employer and superior by behaving in an almost childish way in protest over being personally wronged. By demeaning her own work she was risking one of Joey's infamous blacklistings from the working industry. Who'd hire a difficult broad that thought she ran the show?

No one, that's who. Not in this overly masculine society.

20 years ahead of both in experience, Norman was well and truly concerned. Both of them weren't bad people. They were fine adults with their whole life ahead of them if they played their cards right and sorted their emotional bullshit before snakes like that devil Drew got them cornered like mice in a maze. They were also both very competent and passionate about their work (which honestly was very attractive to him).

Obviously they weren't getting it on their own, so he had to stir them towards the right path somehow. A little nudge.

If only things weren't so hard in this damn studio… Getting to Susie was complicated considering she was avoiding people. And Sammy? Well, Sammy had some concerning vices.

"He's been drinking." Jack had taken Sammy under his wing a while back. Norman knew how much the lyricist cared for his coworker and friend, so the pain in his voice was palpable. "He's hardly himself anymore. He's resorting to racist comments and shouting matches because he can't come up with any real reason to put people down, and I caught Wally straight up crying in the bathroom the other day because Sammy made fun of his spots to the point he couldn't take it anymore."

"Miss Campbell ain't doin' no better. Word is she pitched a mighty tantrum ta other day in ta booth." At least that's what he'd witnessed while doing his usual rounds. "Sammy threatened ta write her up so Joey would fire her."

"Don't remind me… I was conducting the band while Sammy helped Miss Pendle, and then Susie just barged in!" Jack ran a hand over his tired face, looking a decade older than he actually was. Just from how frustrated the situation left him. "I'm losing my best friend Norman… If this keeps up I won't be able to stand Sammy. Wally feels just about the same with Susie. They're hurting everyone around them and they don't care because they're so caught up on attacking each another…"

"They is more stubborn than a mule in ta field. Ain't nothin' I could say that could fix what Drew's meddlin' has done, but I could sure try ta call them ta reason." He muses. "I've had ta knock some sense into Sammy before. Could use the reminder..."

"You're not gonna hit him are you? Norman you could get fired…" Jack looked concerned at this.

"N'aw. Drew don't care, I roughed him up before and our 'kindly boss' didn't give a rat's ass 'bout his wellbeing." Norman stated. "Henry sure did give me an earful tho…"

"Who…?"

"An old friend… Anyhow, can't hurt ta go see Sammy 'bout his deplorable behavior. You know where he gone off to?" Norman dismissed the question with a smile.

Jack shrugged at him in reply.

"You could try his office. Unless you know where he holes himself up, then he's probably there." The shorter of the two men fixed his bowtie and grabbed his hat from the hanger at the door. "Please go easy on him… It's not his fault."

"Don't excuse him being a right pain to everyone else."

"No, but you wouldn't blame a wounded dog to bite when cornered would you?"

"That's what a muzzle is for."

Not that a muzzle would work on Sammy's sort of breed. He was not one to be silenced so easily in his pain.

Subdued… Maybe, if he had a couple of glasses of that yummy bravery juice and an ear to badger. He wasn't a wordsy man in the sense that he could elaborate what he felt. He was more the word vomit type that said what he felt in bursts. Not very articulate but definitely trying to show what was going on in that confused head of his.

Silencing Sammy was not worth the effort. It'd only make the situation worse. At best, Norman hoped to get him talking after knocking him about just a little.

It never occurred to him that he'd end up doing something else entirely.

Jack hadn't been kidding. The kid had indeed been drinking, and god the smell of whiskey in his office was overpowering. It came off thicker than Sammy's cheap cologne, and it definitely reminded him of his Pepaw's bootlegging days. The sharp smell of alcohol and a man's bitter tears beneath the dense musk of despair.

Norman crinkled his nose in displeasure as he watched the wiry frame of the blond music director draped over his desk like some twisted puppet that had its strings cut off abruptly. A soft noise made him roll his good eye, wondering when Sammy had fallen so far from grace to the point he was openly snoring in his office like he didn't care about his reputation.

He walked closer, half ready to slap him awake when he realized the noises weren't snores. More like keening whimpers. Soft and throaty, just barely contained.

Then he really scrutinized what the kid was doing. Left arm cushioning his head, while the other was… Oh.

"Fuckin' Christ Sammy…"

The other's flushed face turned to look at him with a jump, his hand still stuck in his pants, and his eyes just barely focusing.

The wretched smell of alcohol and sweat were already an indicative of his state of inebriation. The lack of shame in his actions, another indication.

But then it was the way he was staring up at him that really gave Norman a scope of just how shitfaced Sammy was.

".........S'dat you Norms…?" Speech slurred and bleary eyed. Drunk as an Irishman on Saint Patty's, or a German man on Oktoberfest. This was not a dignified way to find the ornery composer. If anything Norman felt wrong intruding on… Whatever this was. A pity wank?

"I… should come back later." He was not dealing with this.

"No!" Sammy reached out for him. "S'day. S'ged'ing lon'ly…"

The taller of the two froze and bit his lip in discomfort. He was not staying to watch Sammy jack off, there was no way in hell. He'd seen Piedmont enough times to warrant a restraining order if the man ever found out what he'd been up to while hiding in the walls. He wasn't going to perv on someone 20 years younger than himself. That was just wrong... As hypocritical as that may sound.

"I really should let yous finish that…" he tried to back off, but the other clearly wasn't getting it. Counting bottles, Norman could guess why exactly that was. Just how much had Sammy drank?

"Pl'ase. S'day… D'n't wonna… D'n't feel good all al'ne…" Sammy sniffled loudly. Still reaching out for him with his unoccupied hand. The other was still very much preoccupied down south, from what he could tell in the dark.

"Sammy Lawrence I am not watchin' you pleasurin' yourself like some deviant! That ain't right!" Hypocrite, the little voice in the back of his mind hissed. You would.

"Why no'd…? You cute…" Had he… had Sammy just called him cute? A man twice his age and well outside the whole petit brunettes sort he liked? "Big an' han'some… You cou'd brea' me… I'd let's you…"

This was… this was not what he imagined when he'd come to confront Sammy. That hungry, lustful look under the drunken stupor. The way he wasn't even trying to hide his pleasure as he unapologetically stroked himself while speaking to Norman.

An open invitation. It evoked something the older of the two men had been trying to bury for a while now. Desire. A desire that was certainly making his own trousers feel a tad constrictive.

But he couldn't. Not like this. Sammy wasn't in the right state of mind for this.

As if reading his mind, the blond stumbled forward. The projectionist backed up once more to avoid his grasp, but found his back colliding with the office door. Closing it and cornering himself in the process.

Sammy breached his personal space and put a hand to his chest. Norman tensed under his touch, watching transfixed as the composer felt up his pecks in clear adoration. Adoration. Sammy Lawrence was showing something other than annoyance towards him and it felt like he was watching the man being enlightened in some way.

"So strong…" He felt himself swallowing around a thick lump in his throat as Sammy's purrs got to his groin rather quickly. "So han'some…"

Norman's good eye went back to the fiddling hand, just barely able to see what was happening beneath fabric. Then he felt Sammy's exploring touch lower until it rest between his legs.

"So big…" The blond whispered seductively before he pressed their lips together in a bid to get what he wanted. Get what both wanted. The taste was both vile and tempting. So hard to push away... But Norman knew it was inherently wrong to exploit.

"Ok that's enough a' this charade!" He grabbed hold of Sammy's shoulders and pushed him off, ignoring the painful ache between his legs that begged for the music director's hand to return. "Yous don't just go feelin' up a fella's package you damn twit! If I was one o' them homophobes I woulda beat yous black an' blue for this! Ya gotta be smart Sammy, or yous is gonna end up dead one o' these days!"

The blond stared up at him in confusion and mild shock, clearly unhappy about the rejection. He pulled his hand out of his trousers and just stared at him with that semi unfocused gaze that was slowly gaining a bit of clarity as time progressed.

"... Did… I do bad…?" His confusion soon turned into frustrated anger "Why m'I never good 'nough?!"

"Sammy what are ya hollerin' 'bout?"

"M'I ugly? W'y s'everyone got'a leave?!" Sammy stalked back over and pushed Norman against the door, clearly ready to blow up out of anger. "M'I not good 'nough for you?!"

"Sammy…"

"J'ust wonna feel! Feel good!" The music director looked him in the eye, practically begging. "Wonna feel good! Pl'ease! Ju'sh wonna feel loved!"

"Wouldn't be right… you're drunker than a skunk… ain't right kid. Please see reason…" He pleaded, honestly pleaded with the distraught man.

To his credit, it sort of worked. Sammy cried out in anger and shoved him a few more times against the door for good measure, before collapsing into a crying heap. All Norman could really do was kneel down and try to comfort him.

"J'us wonna m-matter…"

"Damn it Sammy… You do matter." He held him closely, feeling bitter about the circumstances behind the gesture. "Yous don't gotta offer yourself up like this ta feel like you do…"

Rather than reply, Sammy sobbed and clung to him for dear life. Letting all the pent-up heartbreak out.

The games Drew played… they had an impact that Norman truly despised. Ones that lead people into the brink of desperation. Sammy was already a casualty of it, Susie not far behind.

That night Norman took it upon himself to take Sammy home, not trusting the kid to be able to go on his own. He practically carried him all the way, making sure to go through less frequented streets to conserve some of the dignity the music director had left.

Knocking on the door and having to explain to Sammy's sister that he was out of it was... Distressing. That girl may be a ray of sunshine, but the obvious disapproval behind Abigail's eyes was colder than ice.

They'd been at odds recently, the two siblings, because of just how badly things were spiraling.

Abigail wanted Sammy to leave the studio, find something else to do that didn't take such a toll on his mental health. Sammy refused, out of pride and fear for what Drew might do to sabotage him.

Norman found that this was another thing he couldn't exactly fix. Wherever that devil of a man looked, a strange taint followed. Even something as pure as a sibling bond, or a kiss.

And god, did Norman regret that damn kiss.

What a fucking mess.

#Eps Writes:#Bendy and the Ink Machine #BATIM #Sammy Lawrence #Norman Polk #Norman believes in consent #Also fuck Joey Drew

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cdelphiki · 5 years

Text

Damian didn’t scream.

That was the first thing Dick noticed. Aside from his own internal panic of shit shit shit the kid’s been shot, of course. Even though it was just with a dart of fear toxin and not like, an actual bullet, it still got Dick’s heart racing just a little quicker.

But Damian wasn’t screaming. Dick had seen each of the other kids on fear toxin, as well as hundreds of random civilians. There was always screaming. Crying, shouting, screaming. And yet, Damian was doing none of that.

Keeping the kid in his peripherals, Dick finished taking out Scarecrow and tied him up nice and pretty for the GCPD. It was actually fairly easy, since he, too, was unnerved by Robin’s lack of screaming. The tiny little 10-year-old’s apparent lack of fear.

“Robin?” Dick asked as he slowly approached. It was clear Damian was hallucinating. At least, Dick thought it was. Since Damian had quit fighting and was standing there, stiffly. He just wasn’t scared.

“Hey, kiddo,” he said, kneeling down in front of Damian as he did a visual scan of the boy, his hands hovering an inch or so from Damian’s body, afraid to touch him and risk setting him off, “can you hear me?”

In response, all Damian did was take in a deep breath and let it out slowly, through his nose. A move Dick recognized as meant to calm one down. To slow a heart rate and keep panic at bay.

So perhaps Damian was scared. Did he know what was happening then? And was responding accordingly? Staying calm because he knew none of what he was seeing was real?

Dick had no idea.

“Hey,” he said gently as he loaded a clean syringe up with a full dose of the antitoxin, “I’m going to give you some medicine that will make it stop, okay, kid? Can you hear me?”

Damian didn’t respond, so Dick very carefully grasped onto Damian’s upper arm, testing the waters to see how violent a reaction he’d have to touch. Considering normal Damian was quick to kick or punch, or as Tim had discovered the one time he ‘accidentally’ ruffled Damian’s hair, bite, Dick was preparing himself to defend against a ruthless, violent attack.

Instead, Damian gasped, almost inaudibly, as he shut his eyes tight.

“It’s okay, D,” he said as he gripped a little tighter, allowing him to stab the syringe right into Damian’s thigh. Straight through his uniform.

The boy didn’t even flinch.

But then Damian said, with an almost unnoticeable shake to his voice, “I’m sorry.” If one didn’t know Damian, it would have gone unnoticed. But Dick did know Damian. He’d been the primary caretaker…. Well that was probably actually Alfred. He was the one who got them to sleep and eat and such.

He’d been the primary emotional caregiver to Damian for nearly six months. Ever since Bruce died.

“What for?” he asked in as soothing a tone as the Batman gravel would allow, “You’re okay, you did nothing wrong.”

While he let the antitoxin run its course, Dick pulled out his batphone to let Gordon know Scarecrow was ready for pick up. The entire time, he kept his hand on Damian’s arm, making sure he stayed put.

The boy didn’t move. He didn’t try to pull away, even as his body began shaking, ever so slightly.

“Robin?” Dick said, pocketing his phone and looking back over at the boy.

“Please,” Damian whispered.

The hint of desperation in Damian’s voice was enough to make Dick drop the Batman voice all together. “Please what, bud?”

“I’m sorry. Grayson- I- I’m-”

“Shhhhh,” Dick said, running his free hand up and down Damian’s arm, trying his best to sooth the panic he could see rising in the boy. Why wasn’t the antitoxin working? It should only take a couple minutes, and Damian only seemed to be getting worse.

“Its okay. You’re okay,” Dick started to repeat, as he stood, “Come on, we need to get you home and synthesize a new antitoxin.”

“Grayson, please,” Damian choked out, in a painful sounding aborted sob. The poor kid was struggling not to cry, now, and that only seemed to make it all worse.

Dick wanted nothing more than for Damian to go back to not being scared.

Was he ever not scared? Or had the fear just become so intense that he could no longer hide it?

He didn’t even want to think about the implications of a 10-year-old being able to hide his fear so well, he appeared to have none while on fear toxin.

“What is it?” he asked softly, dropping back down to a crouch so he could brush his fingers across Damian’s cheek before checking his pulse.

“I apologize, I-”

His pulse was racing. At least 150bpm. “You’re okay kiddo, you’re okay. It’s okay.”

Just as a tear escaped out of Damian’s domino and down his cheek, Damian tensed up. He quickly swiped it away as his entire body went completely rigid, all trace of emotion vanished from his face. “It was a mistake,” he said stiffly, “I can be better. I promise. I will. Please.”

Dick let go abruptly, just so he could pull Damian in close, squishing his tense little body right into his chest. Because that’s what this kid needed right now. A hug.

A hug and probably a lifetime’s worth of therapy. But they could all use that, so Dick wasn’t really one to talk there.

“Don’t send me back,” Damian whispered, both unbothered and unnoticing of his new position being crushed in Dick’s arms.

“I would never,” Dick whispered back, wishing beyond hope that his words would penetrate whatever hallucination Damian was stuck in.

When Dick was tripping on fear gas, he’d watch his parents fall to their deaths. Then watch Bruce. Then Jason. And Tim. And Alfred. Babs and Wally. And probably Damian, now, too.

Tim, as far as Dick could tell, usually saw everyone he loved die. Everyone important in his life turn their backs on him and leave him all alone.

Bruce had usually witnessed each of them dying. Collapsed down onto the ground and cried for each of his children.

Damian, though. Damian apparently saw himself getting kicked out by Dick and sent back to the League of Assassins. He tensed up and waited for the blows to come, for Dick, or whoever Damian was seeing, to take their disappointment in him out on him physically.

His favorite little kid was so used to being hit that he didn’t even try to fight it. The same kid that fought everything. That screamed and bit and stabbed for a simple hair ruffle. For looking at him the wrong way.

“Oh, Damian,” he whispered, blinking back the tears that had started to well in his eyes. Crying right now would not be good. He needed to get them home. And with the sound of sirens growing closer, he needed to get them out of there soon.

Dick stood, only letting go of his grip on Damian enough to scoop him up into his arms and carry him, bridal style, to the Batmobile. He wrapped his cape around the boy tightly, as if the trembling mess of a child in his arms could be comforted by it.

Damian didn’t speak again. In fact, he seemed to completely leave his body. His heart-rate slowed down as his breathing became steady. The trembling stopped, and he just lay there, in Dick’s arms, completely limp as Dick continued walking them to the Batmobile.

With a deep breath, Dick tried to get the hand that was clamping down on his heart and making his entire chest seize to let up. There was nothing he could do about any of this until he got them home and made a new antitoxin. Until the fear toxin was out of Damian’s body, nothing he said or did would fix anything.

Once he reached the Batmobile, he opened the passenger door and carefully set Damian down on the seat, detaching his cape as he did so he could leave it wrapped around Damian. “I love you,” he whispered, as he pushed back Damian’s hair and planted a kiss on his forehead, “We’ll fix this, okay? Just hang in there, bud.”

- - -

It took far too long to synthesize a new antitoxin. Three hours. And that was with him and Alfred both working tirelessly on it.

Three hours Damian was trapped in the hellscape that was his mind.

After twenty minutes, Alfred had sedated him. Dick knew being sedated while on fear gas or toxin didn’t end the nightmares, but it would prevent Damian from hurting himself or someone else in his hallucinations.

Not that he had done anything more than tremble.

Dick hated to see him disassociate. It killed him to see. Because the kid was 10. He was 10 and strong and very capable. He could defend himself against anything, Dick knew.

Had his life really been so terrible that the only option he had when faced with his greatest nightmares was to just disconnect himself from reality? To pretend nothing was happening and go off somewhere else?

What horrors has he experienced, that this was his only option? That not even he could escape them?

Grayson, please.

And… had he been begging Dick not to hurt him? Or begging him to help him?

Once the antitoxin was finished and they’d given him two doses of it, Dick found himself sitting at Damian’s bedside. He held onto one of Damian’s hands, while his other gently traced up and down his arm, trying his best to be soothing and comforting, in the way Damian would never allow while conscious.

That’s how Alfred found him when he came down to check on Damian’s vitals some time later.

“I knew,” Dick said, laying his head down in his arm next to Damian, “that he wasn’t treated well. I knew his training was bad. But Alfred-” he had to pause, because his voice broke and he had to clear his throat.

When he looked up at Alfred, he noticed his vision was blurring, and he couldn’t even find it in him to wipe the tears away. “I didn’t know it was this bad,” he whispered, just letting himself cry right in front of everyone for once in his life, “God, Alfred, how do we fix this? No wonder he doesn’t trust me. He doesn’t trust anyone.”

“Master Dick,” Alfred said, rounding the bed to place a hand on Dick’s shoulder, “I believe at this point, all we can do is be there for him. Remind him of our love and be patient with him. It is not as hopeless as you might think.”

“What if he never trusts us?” Dick said, sitting up and rubbing at his face, “Never believes us?”

Alfred just pat at his shoulder and said, “If we do not give him a reason to distrust us, he will, eventually.”

“He thought I was going to hurt him,” Dick whispered, turning his attention to his little brother’s face. To the peaceful, sleeping, baby face of Damian Wayne. “Whoever he thought I was, at least. He thought-”

Alfred just squeezed his shoulder.

“How could they? Alfred, how could they?” After pushing Damian’s hair back and giving him another kiss on the forehead, Dick laid his head back down, right next to Damian’s, and let himself feel all the pain Damian never indulged in himself. All the while, Alfred stood next to him, his hand still offering that comfort on his back as he cried.

- - -

Damian woke late that morning, nearly near lunch time. Dick had carried him up to the penthouse, so he’d be in a more comfortable environment when he woke. As much as Dick knew Damian loved the bunker, he figured waking up to a warm living room would be better than waking up in a dark, steel cave.

“Grayson,” he said, his voice thick with sleep, “What happened?”

Dick, who had been sitting on the floor, his back to the couch Damian was laying on, turned and smiled at Damian. His hair was a mess and he was rubbing at his face like a normal little 10-year-old, annoyed at being woken for school so early.

“Dami, hey pal,” he said softly, grabbing the remote and muting the television he’d been watching, “How are you feeling?”

After sitting up, Damian scrunched his eyebrows at Dick, in that way he always did when trying to decide what to share with Dick.

“Honest assessment,” Dick added, softening his face to convey to Damian that he wasn’t going to be mad about anything.

“Minor headache. That is all.”

Nodding, because that was probably accurate, Dick asked, “What do you remember?”

Damian took a long minute to think, his eyes narrowed before he finally said, “Patrol… Crane. We were fighting Crane, but then…. I- I’m not sure.” He looked at Dick, then around the room, as if he were checking out the environment to compare against the memories he had. Trying to figure out how he got from one place to the other.

“You got dosed with fear toxin.”

“Ah,” Damian said, the confusion on his face completely vanishing as he nodded, “That would explain it.”

“Do you want to talk about what you saw?”

“No.” The word wasn’t sharp, but it was quick to come, and Dick knew he probably had to accept it. It didn’t mean Dick wasn’t going to talk about what Damian saw.

“Okay,” he said, pushing himself up onto the couch next to Damian, “Can I have a hug?”

“Why?” Damian asked slowly, looking over at Dick skeptically. Not with fear, though, Dick was relieved to see. Just confusion and maybe a touch of disdain. Damian really did hate physical affection, didn’t he?

“It’s been a rough night.”

“Were you injured?”

“No,” Dick said, smiling again, “But the kid I love dearly had to be sedated.”

“Tt,” Damian huffed, rolling his eyes as he looked away. But a second later, he leaned toward Dick, the only invitation to pull him in for a hug Dick was going to get.

So Dick did, squeezing as tight as he could without Damian protesting. “I love you,” he whispered, fighting back the tears again, because apparently he was a mess now, “So much, Damian. You have no idea. Don’t ever doubt that, okay?”

“Did I say something,” Damian asked slowly, not pulling away but not melting into Dick’s embrace either, “while incapacitated?”

“Not really. You were pretty quiet. I just wanted to make sure you knew.”

Damian nodded and whispered after a minute or so, “I know.”

“And you know I’d never hurt you, right? No matter what? Not as a punishment, not as training, nothing. I’ll never hurt you.”

“What did I say?” Damian demanded, shifting in Dick’s arms, turning his back a little more so his shoulder was resting against Dick’s chest.

“You didn't say anything.”

“Clearly I said something,” Damian said dryly, still wiggling in Dick’s arms until he was in a more comfortable position.

Dick had to stifle a smile at that, because not only was Damian allowing a hug, but he was basically snuggling down so Dick could just hold him. He was probably telling himself it was for Dick, but Dick knew he didn’t have that level of patience for unwanted physical affection. This was wanted.

“What do you think you said?” Dick asked, bringing a hand up to comb through Damian’s hair. To try and tame the bed head that had developed throughout the night.

The silence stretched, even as Damian reached up and grabbed Dick’s hand, pulling it away from his hair and back down around himself.

When Damian continued to stay silent, Dick asked, “Is this a fear you have, Damian?”

“No.”

And there was that word again. That lie. Because this time, it was said with less conviction. With hesitancy. And Dick knew that this time, if he just stayed quiet, Damian would start talking.

“I know it’s different here.”

“Good. Good,” Dick said, shifting himself on the couch, throwing one leg up on it, so he could lay back a tad more comfortably with Damian, “That’s… good.”

“I…” Damian said slowly, very softly, “I like it here.”

“I like having you here, Damian. I love having you here.”

As Dick started caressing Damian’s arm, just allowing the silence to envelop them, he realized. Damian had never mentioned liking being there. He’d never said anything about his preference of where he lived.

Like he didn’t want to get his hopes up. Didn’t want to admit to someone he even had a preference. It was always just ‘acceptable,’ the plans they made. Moving to the penthouse. Dick being his guardian and Batman. Fighting crime and being homeschooled.

‘Don’t send me back,’ he had begged.

“And no matter what you do,” Dick said, squashing down all the emotions that bubbled up at that, “I’ll never make you leave, either. This is your home, Damian, and you’re always welcome in it.”

Damian nodded and turned around so his face was half hidden in Dick’s shirt, so Dick let him. He pulled the blanket down from the back of the couch and over them as he pretended not to notice Damian cry his silent cry.

Carefully, Dick reached down to the floor for the remote and unmuted the television, allowing the sound of the Nature Channel take over the room, and he spent the rest of the morning laying there with his little brother. Just holding him and reminding him he’s loved.

#I made myself feel things #Dick Grayson #Damian Wayne #Fear Gas #Fear Toxin #Robin #Batman #dickanddamiweek2019 #brother relationship #father son realationship #angst #emotional hurt/comfort #batfamily #batfam #batbros #c writes

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wonderlandleighleigh · 5 years

Text

Back to the Start (Full)

I started this in bits and pieces, so some of this was posted previously.

But I finished!

Baconverse: Back to the Start Takes place five months after the end of season 2.

“…Can…hear…?"

M'gann’s eyes snap open and she sits up in her bedroom on the Watchtower.

It’s been nearly five months since the Reach were defeated…since the Light were fragmented…Since Wally West…

But she can hear him now. Why now suddenly?

She gets to her feet and wanders around the room.

"W…Wally…?”

“M'g…hear me?"

She reaches out psychically. "I can hear you…focus on me. Focus on my voice, Wally."

"M'gann…?”

“Where are you?"

"I…I don’t know…so tired…always running…so…so scared…"

"Wally…”

“M'gann…please…please end this…please…”

He sounds broken. He sounds like he wants to die, and M'gann feels tears threaten her because when she reaches out with her mind she can feel his defeat; his longing to really truly end it.

“Hang on, Wally. Just hang on a little longer."

If she concentrates she can feel his presence; can pinpoint where he’s been for the last five months. She shifts into her uniform and heads out of her room and for the bioship.

"Just a little longer, Wally. I’m on my way.”

*****

M'gann dashes off the Bioship and is immediately hit by the cold arctic winds outside.

This is it.

This is where they lost him.

“Wally?”

She gets no response, but she can feel his presence. He’s here, but she can’t see him; like he’s on a completely different plain of existence.

She reaches out forcefully, trying to latch her mind onto his, and he’s moving so fast that it’s almost impossible, but she tries harder anyways.

“Wally. I know you’re there, and I know you can hear me. I need you to focus on me. On my mind.”

“Can’tstopohgodcan’tstophelpmecan’tstoppleasejustcan’tstopcan’tstopcan’tstopcan’t-“

“WALLY!”

“Artemis…I’m sorry…”

His voice sounds so small, but it’s slowed down enough that she can finally connect with his mind.

White light flashes before her eyes and when it clears, she’s in a warm clearing. The sun shines brightly overhead, and the grass is green. The trees are in full bloom and off in the distance there’s a clear stream.

“Where-?”

A blur of yellow and red whizzes by her and she stumbles back.

“Wally?”

It happens again and she reaches out to grab on, but misses.

“Wally!”

It happens a few more times, and by the fifth time, she’s timed it just so, and jumps right in front of him.

They collide, and with a grunt, he tumbles to the ground with M’gann, tangled up in the grass.

She pulls away from him and rolls him onto his back. “Wally. Wally, can you hear me?”

He blinks up at her, eyes obviously unfocused. “M’gann…?”

“Yes. Yes, it’s me. We’re inside your mind,” she tells him. “Although where your head’s at I have no idea…”

“Blue Valley,” he mutters. “We’re in Blue Valley…”

M’gann frowns as she looks around them. “Your hometown, before Central City?”

He nods, obviously still dazed. “I’m still running…can’t stop running…”

“Wally,” M’gann says, cupping his face in her hands. “Listen to me. I think I can stop you, but I need your help, because it’s going to be like throwing the emergency brake in the middle of a high speed chase. So I need you to focus all of your energy on stopping.”

“Can’t…” he looks exhausted. “I can’t, M’gann, I can’t stop.”

“You can,” she snaps. “You’re stuck in some kind of speed loop, but you can stop this. We can stop this. Take a deep breath, and stop.”

*****

She comes back to herself with a jolt and a rift opens up in front of her accompanied by a crack of lightning.

Wally West falls out of the rift and into the snow, unconscious and a mess. He’s pale, and intensely thin; his hair overgrown and messy, his Kid Flash uniform in tatters. His whole body is vibrating and she’s not sure if it’s from the running or if he’s shivering from the cold, but she doesn’t care because he’s here and he’s back.

M’gann lets out a relieved sob and turns on her comm link. “Miss Martian to Watchtower. Have I got a surprise for you.“

*****

When he wakes up, he’s staring at a painted white ceiling. It’s sunny, and he can feel a cool breeze drifting in through the open window.

Everything feels slow, and he’s so relieved he could burst into tears.

He covers his eyes with an arm and breathes deeply, trying to contain himself.

He’s not even sure where he is, but he feels like that’s okay. As long as he can sit still, he’s gonna be fine.

‘Are you awake?’

Wally blinks and looks up, finding M’gann staring at him from the doorway. He opens his mouth to talk, but no words come out.

She grins. “You’ve lost your voice, Wally. All that running…you must have been screaming for a while.”

‘Where am I?’

‘My apartment…We initially had you at the Watchtower, but Dick and I felt you might recover better someplace else.’

Wally frowns and slowly sits up. ‘What…what happened at the Watchtower?”

M’gann sighs, her grin fading. ‘The League didn’t believe that it was you. Batman wanted to do some tests on you and Dick and I were afraid that your mind was too fragile to withstand too much more sedation…we smuggled you out and brought you here.”

His eyes widen. ‘And what makes you think the League won’t come after me.’

M’gann sighs and sits next to him. ‘They will. It’s an inevitability. We need a plant.”

Wally stares at her, and then nods. He swallows, and then tries to speak. “Artemis?” he croaks out softly.

M’gann gives him a sympathetic look. “She’s on an away mission to Atlantis with Kaldur and Conner. We tried to reach them, but so far we haven’t had any luck.”

He nods and looks down, and she grins.

“Get a little more rest,” she tells him. “I’ve got some soup on the stove.”

At the mention of food, Wally’s stomach rumbles loudly and he gives her an incredibly sheepish look.

She laughs and ruffles his hair.

*****

Kaldur nods as he grips the comm tightly.

“I understand, M'gann. We’ll be back on the surface as soon as possible."

Artemis looks up, then, frowning as he disconnects. "What’s going on? Did something happen at the Watchtower? Is everyone okay?"

Kaldur opens his mouth, and then closes it.

Conner narrows his eyes. "What happened?"

Kaldur looks at him and then back at Artemis. "Conner, I need to speak to Artemis alone."

Conner looks from one to the other, and slight realization dawns on him. He nods and steps out, and when he’s gone, Artemis turns to Kaldur.

"He didn’t have to leave. Whatever’s going on, he’ll find out eventually."

"Artemis."

"So? Who was it? Sportsmaster again?” she asks. “Dear old dad causing more problems? Wants my head on a stick or something?"

He huffs out a breath. "Artemis."

"We should get-"

”Artemis.“

She stops talking then, staring at him, all business. She’s always all business these days. She’s thrown herself into work so hard since…

He’s having a hard time putting this into words. Usually he can break any news to anyone. He’s so used to making the hard choices, telling his team the things that they need to hear, even the things that break their heart into pieces.

He’s not terribly certain how to give good news.

He looks at her desperately, hoping that maybe, by some feat, she’ll understand.

"Well?” Artemis asks. Her voice is so even, so void of emotion. “What is it?"

Kaldur swallows. "It’s Wally."

Her expression doesn’t change. She just stares at him, saying nothing.

"M'gann found Wally,” he tells her. “They are at her apartment, and I’m taking you there as soon as we wrap up."

Still, she says nothing.

"Artemis-”

“It’s not him,” she says. “It’s never him. You know that. That shapeshifter we ran across, he tried to make me believe, and I was stupid and I did, and it won’t happen agai-"

"It is him, Artemis,” Kaldur says. “M'gann is sure of it."

"Then M'gann’s being a moron, and we should go save her from her damn food hope,” Artemis tells him.

He watches her walk out; hears her say something to Conner about saving his damn fool ex, and his rubs his face.

“This will not go well.”

*****

Artemis stares at the door to M’Gann’s apartment. She’s been standing there staring at it for a number of minutes.

According to Kaldur…to M’Gann…to Dick…Wally West is behind this door.

She should knock.

He’s there. He’s behind this door. He’s alive and breathing and she’s missed him so much that it physically hurts, and she should just knock on the damn door.

She doesn’t.

Instead, she turns and walks away.

*****

When she gets to the bottom of the stairs and heads for the front door, she nearly rams right into Dick.

“Whoa. Hey.” He takes her shoulders, smiling. He looks exhausted and happy and upset all at the same time. “Did you see him?”

Artemis hesitates. “I…”

His smile falls. “Aw. Artemis…”

“What if it’s not him?” she blurts out. “What if...what if whatever M’gann found is just...it’s not Wally? What if-”

“It is,” Dick says gently. “It’s him. Putting aside all of the DNA tests done on him when we took him to the Watchtower...I know Wally West. For a few years, we were practically the same person. He is my best friend. I know him better than I know myself some days, and I know that it’s him. When you see him, you’ll know it, too.”

She swallows. “What if...what if it is him? What if it is him and we don’t work anymore? What if I’m too different? What if he’s...five months...just...just running, what if he’s not...what if he’s not Wally anymore?”

“There’s only one way to find out,” Dick tells her. He takes her hand and squeezes it. “Come on. Come back up. Come see Wally.”

*****

“I’m not saying this is the best soup ever because my grandmother would like...rise from the dead and give me that look that says I’ve been a bad boy and I’m in a lot of trouble, but...M’gann...this is...this soup is so good.”

M’gann can’t help a soft laugh. “Wally, it’s canned soup. I heated it up on the stove.”

“Oh...Still! It’s really good!”

He’s sitting up on the couch, wearing a worn, soft t-shirt and boxer shorts Dick had grabbed from the Watchtower before they’d smuggled him out. They hang a little loose now, five months later, and M’gann frets over it silently as she ladles him out more soup.

She’s in the process of handing him the bowl when the door opens and Dick steps in, Artemis behind him, and M’gann freezes.

“You’re here,” she lights up. “Hi.”

Wally looks over, sees Artemis and stands quickly.

“Wally, wait-!” Dick cries.

It’s fast, the way he’s on his feet and then on the floor, his legs not quite strong enough to hold his weight yet.

“Wally!?” Artemis cries, dashing over out of instinct. She pushes M’gann out of the way and kneels down next to him, cupping his face. “What happened?”

He opens his mouth and no sound comes out for a moment as he struggles.

“Ba…”

She knows he’s trying to say “Babe.”

“His vocal chords are still raw,” M’gann explains. “He still can’t really talk.”

Artemis frowns. “Why would…?”

“He was screaming while he was running,” Dick tells her gently.

Artemis stares at them and then back at Wally, who looks sheepish.

“Opening up a psychic link,” M’gann says.

“Hi, Babe.”

“Is it really you?”

“As far as I know. That’s what they tell me.”

Artemis swallows and looks up, realizing Dick and M’gann have cleared out of the living room, before looking back at Wally. “God, Wally, what happened?”

“I...I still trying to figure that out,” he tells her, his expression going grim. “I have a lot to sort through. But...but it’s...it’s been a little hard to think...it’s getting better but...but...I was...I was running for five months. Wherever I was. I was just...running and I couldn’t stop. I should be dead.”

Artemis grips his shoulders. “I can’t believe you’re here.”

Tears spring to his eyes as he fumbles to hold onto her. “Me neither. You’re all I could think about, Babe.”

She wraps him in her arms, holding him tightly and squeezing her eyes shut. Everything about him feels the same, from the feel of his hair against her cheek to the tenseness of his shoulders and how it melts away in her arms. He even smells the same.

She loves and hates that Dick is right.

There isn’t any way this isn’t Wally West.

Artemis holds him tighter, and allows herself a couple of tears as he sobs quietly against her neck.

*****

It’s an hour later, and Artemis has a cup of coffee cradled in her hands at M’gann’s kitchen table. Dick, Kaldur, and M’gann surround her. Wally sleeps deeply on the couch in the other room, still exhausted.

“So...you smuggled him out of the Watchtower, without the League’s permission,” Artemis says softly.

“The tests they were talking about doing would have required heavy sedation,” M’gann explains. “He’s fragile right now. I was worried he wouldn’t have woken up if they’d put him under that deep. He’s starting to heal, his powers are helping it along, but his mind was...fragmented.”

Artemis looks up at M’gann worriedly. “Do you think he could...do you think he could disappear again?”

“We don’t know,” Dick says. “So far, he’s stable, and M’gann’s been monitoring his progress, but...we just don’t know.”

“What we do know is that the League will not stay away for long,” Kaldur cuts in. “We’re going to have to face them sooner or later.”

“Sooner,” M’gann tells them.

There’s a bang on the door before it’s kicked open, and the Flash runs in, followed by Batman, and Green Arrow.

In the living room, Wally shoots up with a gasp ou of a dead sleep and runs, faster than anyone has ever seen him run - possibly faster than anyone else has ever run before - to a corner of the room, a trace of lightning following him. His legs wobble and give.

Artemis gets there as quick as she can, just keeping him from hitting the floor.

“M’gann, open up a channel,” he tells her,

She does.

“WHAT THE HELL, BARRY!”

The Leaguers all jump from Wally’s booming voice in their heads. Even Batman hadn’t seen that coming.

“What do you mean What the hell?!” Barry yells, without missing a beat. “Miss Martian and Nightwing kidnapped you from the Watchtower!”

“Ohmygod KIDNAPPED?! What is WRONG with you! They brought me here to recover!”

“Youwererecoveringjustfine!”

“IWASN”TANDYOUKNOWITDON’TEVENTRYITWITHME!”

“YOUWEREDEAD!”

“IWASN’TDEADANDIT’SNOTMYFAULTYOUTHOUGHTIWAS!”

Their words have gotten so fast that no one else can understand them, just that Wally is yelling, and quickly.

“Wait!” Barry cries, holding up a hand. “Wait!”

Wally stares at him, eyes wide and blazing with anger, his body shaking against Artemis.

“When did you learn to talk that fast?”

“Who cares?” Wally snaps telepathically. “Barry you can’t just kick M’gann’s door down like that! Not cool!”

“Come back to the Watchtower,” Barry orders.

“No.”

“Then at least come back to Central City, your parents are worried sick.”

“I can’t,” Wally tells him, looking torn. “I...I can’t even talk, Barry. I can barely run. I need time. I need...I need sleep and I need...I need my team.”

Ollie rests a hand on Barry’s shoulder. “We’ll check in with you kids tomorrow. If you need us, don’t hesitate to call.’

Bruce narrows his eyes at Dick. “You and I will talk later.”

Dick swallows, but nods.

“Nice to know that we still get treated like babies,” Wally grumbles once the trio of Leaguers are gone.

“Back on the couch, you,” M’gann orders. “More soup. More sleep.”

Wally sags against Artemis, unable to hold himself up anymore and nods.

*****

They all wind up sleeping in the living room.

M’gann is curled up in a chair, watching her friends as they sleep. Wally and Artemis somehow sharing the couch, his leg thrown over her and her face smushed in against his chest. Dick and Kaldur sharing an air mattress on the floor.

Dick has always been a messy sleeper. Feet everywhere. Arms out. By comparison, Kaldur is curled up tight on himself, on his side, away from Dick, looking peaceful.

She closes her eyes, and feels gratefulness spread over her, warmer than any blanket, even though the one person who should be here isn’t.

Until he is.

There’s a soft tap on the broken door, and M’gann gets up, knowing that Conner will be on the other side.

She shifts it open carefully and smiles sadly.

“Hi,” she whispers.

“Hi,” he says. “I...I heard...about Wally.”

M’gann nods. “He’s asleep. Everyone is.”

“Oh. I can...I’ll come back.”

“Or you could stay,” M’gann says quickly.

“M’gann…”

“I know. I know. But this isn’t about us,” she explains. “This is about Wally, and he needs us right now. All of us. So just...stay?”

Conner stares at her for a moment before relenting and stepping inside.

Soon, M’gann is back in her chair. Kaldur and Dick still share the air matress. Wally and Artemis are still on the couch.

And now Conner is settled on the side of her chair, his weight resting against it.

She reaches down and offers him her hand.

It takes a moment, but he takes it. Warm fingers holding hers.

And it’s a start.

#Young Justice #Spitfire #Baconverse #Wally West #Artemis Crock #kaldur'ahm #m'gann m'orzz #dick grayson #conner kent #the team #fic #here we go again

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fullmetaldevil-blog · 5 years

Text

Batim Stitched Au Short: A Gift of Water and Light

The 4th of July is rapidly approaching and everyone wanted to make the summer holiday special for the two demons. A little discovery goes a long way towards the holiday and with the new found information they were willing to go all out to make the most of the situation.

*Authors notes: I had planned on having this short finished BEFORE the 4th of July but as they say ‘life gets in the way’ so I didn’t get it out in time.

so without further interruptions

On with the show~!

The town shopping center was bustling with life as people came and went with party supplies for the coming weekend. Norman couldn't help but grin ear to ear as Janice, Benny's neighbor, had called him up asking him to help her set up a barbecue at the elderly home for the 4th of July weekend. She had invited Wally, Sammy, Susie, Bendy, Benny and their respective families to join them for the 4th of July celebration. The care giver happily boasted about having the best seats in the valley to watch the fireworks and she wanted the toon's first summer holiday celebration to be special. While the toon's couldn't swim and the adults were all told to bring swim gear, Janice had other festivities planned to more then make up for their inability to get too close to the water.

So now Norman found himself in the nearby art store to help pick up supplies for decorations while Janice was doing her best to keep a tight lid on the grandmas. As soon as the elderly ladies found out the 'kids' had been invited to celebrate the holiday with them they went into overdrive with making sure the party went off without a hitch, even if it was giving Janice a few more Grey hairs. The Projectionist drifted down the red, white and blue decorated isles picking up extra summer themed items when he passed by a display of items that were on sale. While normally he wasn't interested in the art supplies, a bottle with a unique label caught his attention. He approached the stand and gingerly lifted a bottle reading 'sealer' he turned it over reading what it was supposed to do.

To his surprise the liquid was used to waterproof artworks and finishes helping to preserve them. A small memory came to his mind of him watching both Benny and Bendy down ink on several different occasions. Bendy had a funny habit of downing colored ink and at one point he drank enough yellow ink and with some concentration, he had managed to turn his face, gloves and bow tie yellow like Benny. He even had Benny jokingly draw his stitches in ink on the toons face and they tried to act like there were two Benny's to fool their respective parents. They didn't get far once Allison held out a container of food with the real Benny eagerly at her side, the woman knowing how to lure her toon to exactly where she wanted him. Norman chuckled at the memory of Henry putting away Bendy's collection of colored ink for awhile as punishment.

The projectionist's eyes returned to the bottle in his hand. If Bendy and Benny were able to consume art supplies would they be able to drink this to withstand water? It wasn't a secret that both toons couldn't handle too much water while Benny could withstand it a bit longer then Bendy. For grins he grabbed a few bottles and tossed them into his cart before making his way to the register to check out. Before going anywhere Norman found a pay phone and called Janice explaining what his plan was and she sounded elated at the idea. The elderly ladies all took turns taking to Norman and finalizing their plans for the toons should the sealer work, they still had a backup plan on the off chance it didn't. Once he hung up, he retreated to his van and headed down the road.

The mans first stop was Henry's since the man lived further away and he could pick Benny up on the way back to the home. He was thankful the traffic was light as it seemed that everyone was out of town making his drive to the animators house much faster. To his surprise Henry was out in his front yard watering some roses when the projectionists van pulled into his driveway, the older man waving at the animator.

"Norman, what brings you here?" Henry smiled at him while turning the water off, he quickly rolled up the hose and approached the van.

"Nothin' much. Is Bendy aroun'?" Norman grinned from the vehicle getting a raised brow from the animator.

Henry gestured to the house "He's inside reading last I saw. Why? What's up?”

"Thanks, though I was wonderin' if it be alright fer 'em t' hang wit' me fer a spell?" Norman politely inquired.

"Yeah, I'm sure he'd like to hang with you for a bit. Just make sure to have him home before dinner." Norman nodded at Henry's request and watched the animator head into the home.

He didn't wait too long as Bendy happily came bounding out the house and to the side of the van. Norman unlocked it for Henry as the animator helped the toon inside and made sure he was buckled up.

"Hi-yah! Norman!" Bendy happily chirped in his seat. "What brings you here?" Norman laughed and told the toon it was a secret earning a confused look, but he decided to take the man up on his word. He wasn't gonna lie, he really wanted to know! Bendy waved good bye to Henry as the vehicle pulled out the driveway and headed down the road to the highway for the hills.

Bendy instantly knew where they were going when the familiar hills came into view, they were going to Benny's house! He eagerly swayed in his seat in anticipation of rough housing with his counterpart. His eagerness ground to a halt and was replaced with confusion when Norman pulled into the driveway and told Bendy to stay put while he rolled down a window and went towards the house. The toon looked at the projectionist completely baffled at why he couldn't leave the van, but did as he was told and waited. A few brief minutes later Norman exited the home with Benny following him earning a grin from Bendy as the toon slowly got himself into position.

"Where are we going?" Benny inquired as he followed Norman to the van clearly unaware as to the other occupant.

Norman rested his hand on the door chuckling "It's a surprise." The man barely opened the door when a black blur charged out colliding into Benny sending them both rolling.

The toon squeaked in shock, but was replaced by laughter when he realized who it was "Bendy! What are you doing here?" The toon pushing the other off of him.

Bendy stood up and helped Benny to his feet before gesturing to Norman. "Norman brought me."

Benny looked up at the man confused. "What's going on?"

Norman scratched the back of his head. "Well I needed help on makin' some things and I was wonderin' if you boys wanted t' help out."

Both toons nodded eagerly and both were helped back into the van. once they were buckled up and ready to go, Norman returned to the driver seat to head down the road. To Benny and Bendy's surprise they drove to the elderly home and were promptly greeted and smothered by the elderly ladies. Norman had to swiftly follow the group inside with his bags from the store, lest the old ladies lock him out.

The toons were placed in the living room and were eagerly chatting with the ladies until Norman caught up with the group entering the room with a bag in hand setting it on a counter. Once he was there the ladies turned their attention to the man thus drawing the toons attention to him as well. Norman cleared his throat and the older ladies said their good-byes clearing the room and leaving behind two very confused demons.

Norman waved at the ladies before speaking "sorry t' drag you boys all th' way out 'ere but I wanted t' confirm somethin'." Both Benny and Bendy looked at each other with equal looks of confusion before giving Norman their undivided attention. "Now so I got mah facts strait, both you boys can drink ink correct?" Both demons nodded. "Now you" Norman pointed at Bendy "found tha' you can drink different inks and feel no effect from 'em except if ya get enough if it ya can change yer colorin' correct?"

Bendy nodded and politely asked "Where are ya goin' with this?"

Norman scratched the back of his head while sheepishly smiling "See I got this idea to see if you boys can handle a little water over the weekend." Both toons gave each other worried glances before looking at Norman with deep concern in their eyes. " Now befer ya'll get any ideas 'ear me out first. See I foun' this stuff." he reached into the bag on the counter and pulled out a bottle allowing the toons to read the label. "This is used to water proof artworks. Now I doubt its a permanent fix fer yer water problem, but I think it can give ya enough immunity to it t' go swimmin' with yer folks if ya get enough of it in ya."

Both toons looked at each other nervously, but also with twinges of curiosity. Both of them had to admit to small feelings of jealously at watching most normal people play at the pool and swim, especially when they watched small children learn how to swim and play with their parents. They couldn't deal with water too long even if they wanted to. Swimming looked so much like fun and they silently dreamed of the ability to swim with their respective parents, but that was just it. A dream.

Bendy dryly swallowed before looking up at Norman. "So what do we do with it?"

The man shrugged before looking at the bottle "I think you might be able to drink it and see if there are any changes, but if you boys aren't comfortable, we can nix the idea." Just as he was about to put the bottle back in the bag a gloved hand caught his.

Norman looked to see Bendy grasping onto his hand with a shaky grin. "I'll try it."

"I ain't forcin' ya to." Norman calmly spoke. He knew there were many questions about if it could work. The toons had legit reasons to be scared as water can easily thin the ink that makes up their bodies, plus they had always drank ink, they never once tried to drink any other art supply before.

"I want to try. I want to swim and have fun." Bendy gripped his hand a little harder. Norman soon found Benny's hand on his leg as the plush toon looked up at him expectantly as well. “Please?”

"A'ight 'ere's what we'll do. We'll try a small bit first t' see if it works, then we'll try with th' kitchen sink. Ok?" Both toon nodded and waited.

Norman walked over to the bar counter that separated the kitchen space from the dining room and set the bag down. He walked around the bar into the kitchen swiftly followed by the toons. He picked them up one by one and sat them on top the bar before he opened up a bottle of the sealer and handed it to Bendy. The demon looked at the bottle and lightly sniffed it finding no real odor. He carefully brought the bottle to his lips and cautiously drank some of the liquid finding that it was quite bitter. He shuttered at the taste, but if it was to allow him to touch water safely then he'll cope. All the while he was under the watchful eye of both Benny and Norman.

"Well?" Norman asked looking at the toon.

Bendy closed his eyes and concentrated on the liquid now within his body, he willed it to cover his arm and to the groups surprise Bendy's arm took a light sheen to it, like someone had polished the toons inky skin somehow.

"Bendy! Look!" Benny's voice causing Bendy to look at his arm. He was shocked at the shine on his arm and held it up to examining it with a wide grin on his face. It worked!

Norman let out the breath he had been holding and chuckled "Well now, we gotta see if th' stuff works."

Benny extended his arms and grabbed a hold of Norman's shoulders and pulled himself up onto the mans back to watch while Norman scooped Bendy off the counter and turned on the water in the faucet. Upon seeing the sink filling up with water Bendy froze up with fear clear in his eyes.

"W-What if it doesn't work?" The toon lightly grasping onto Norman's shirt. Bendy stared at the clear fluid and the last thing he wanted to was to lose a hand to the stuff. While he could easily replace a lost limb with enough ink the process to do so was excruciating.

The man looked down and patted Bendy between his horns and turned the toon to look at him in the eyes. “Well I'm 'ere should anythin' go wrong. If it bother's ya don' hesitate t' say somethin' so I can pull ya away."

The demon nodded and looked at his arm that had a shine from the sealer he drank. He inspected his arm one last time and slowly and carefully dipped his fingers into the water. He fully expected to have to rip his had away once it starts to melt causing excruciating pain, but he felt nothing. His hand was perfectly intact and he tested it by wiggling his arm around in the water splashing about. He was fine! He was completely fine!

The demon turned looking up at Norman flashing him a wide grin "It worked!"

"Let me try, let me try please!" Benny tried to crawl over Normans head, but the man caught the toon with his other hand and lifted him up and over.

Norman chuckled at the eagerness of the toon "ok, ok, ok hold yer horses." He lowered Benny allowing the toon to grasp the remainder of the bottle and waited patiently while the toon downed the liquid. He chuckled at seeing Benny's reaction to the taste of the liquid with the toon uttering small complaints about it apparently being quite bitter and no better then drinking bacon soup. Just how bad was the stuff?

Bendy told Benny to concentrate on the liquid and to focus on having his ink push the fluid to coat his arm like he had. The demon nodded and closed his eyes focusing and in a short time his arm developed a small sheen as the fluid mixed in with his fabric skin. Benny opened his eyes to inspect his arm noting the glossy surface and beamed up at Norman, confirming that his arm was ready. Norman nodded and slowly lowered the toon to the sink. Benny took a glance at this arm and slowly lowered his hand into the water and after a minute he was happily swishing his arm around in the water. Soon both demons were happily splashing water about and even got a little on each other as well as the floor.

"A'ight you two" Norman lifted them away from the sink. "We need t' figure out 'ow long this lasts an' if ya can cover more then just yer arms."

Both demons nodded and set about drinking more of the sealer while Norman wiped up the water on the floor. They discovered that they can cover their entire body with the coating except their eyes so Norman made a mental note to get the demons a pair of goggles to solve that problem. He made them promise not to say anything to their parents until the weekend. Both devils were confused, but consented and once Norman was sure they had agreed, he set up a sprinkler for the two to play in the back yard. The man sat back and watched them play for a good hour happily running in and out the sprinkler and he even had to butt in at one point when Bendy grabbed the hose and chased Benny. The mans reward for trying to save the plushtoon was him getting soaked instead. The projectionist retaliated by grabbing the 2nd garden hose and all but drowned the little ink demon in retaliation. Once Bendy learned his lesson about messing with the man, Norman returned to watching them play while letting his clothes dry. Janice came to the back of the house to call the boys back inside to help with the decorations and to turn off the water. She was met with a mini chorus of 'awwwws' but seeing the elderly ladies moving to the dining room to begin making decorations spurred the toons into coming inside. Norman left the toons in the ladies care while he set about what he really was called over for.

With the demon's out of the way, Janice met Norman on the side of the house and helped open up the crate that had been delivered. Both of them stood back admiring the grill and smoker she had bought with the man's help. Since becoming good friends with both the toons respective families and the elderly ladies adopting the toons as their grandchildren, the families often gathered at the elderly home for a holiday or a weekend. It was beneficial for everyone since it was such a large home and the amount of love within. Janice wanted to make the summer holiday special and went out of her way to find a grill and smoker set large enough that could feed everyone. The pair eagerly grinned at each other rolled up their sleeves and went to work. Norman pulled out the parts and started assembling them while Janice fingered through the instructions reading them aloud and slowly the smoker and grill was put together. They didn't want the toons knowing the grill was there so with a bit of effort they rolled it deeper to the side of the house and covered it with a tarp. Once they were done Norman glanced at his watch.

"Well it's 'bout that time." Norman tiredly shrugged.

"Thanks for the help Norman" Janice smiled while walking with him back to the house.

"No problem, 'sides I wanna see 'em have fun." He chuckled as they came to the door and stopped seeing the table covered in a mound of summer themed decorations and two toons sleeping in their chairs. The ladies beckoned the pair to come and to take the 'tuckered out boys' home.

With small whispers of 'thanks' Norman gathered up the sleeping devils and noticed that the shiny coating that was on their bodies has begun to fade. He checked his watch and noted that the sealer seemed to last for up to 5 hours with them. That would be more then enough time for the weekend activities before the real show begins. With the final farewells given, he left the home and set the sleeping demons in the van and drove down the road. He first stopped at Benny's house dropping him off and then headed to Bendy's home dropping him off before heading home himself.

---- 4th of July -----

The weekend hadn't come soon enough for Bendy as he eagerly ran about the home helping Henry pack the SUV with food. Linda had spent the previous day cooking extra food that was to be brought with them and more then once she had to fend off her husband and demon. It had even gotten to a point to where Henry and Bendy had to tag team her to sneak a bite of the morrow's meal before getting swatted away. Linda even placed a bunch of chairs at the kitchen doorways to block her husband from entering till she heard a splash and saw Bendy's Ink Demon form pop out of one of his dark doorways snagging 2 cookies. He froze when he realized she was standing right next to him armed with a broom, she swatted the demon playfully on the head chasing him back into his dark door. Bendy popped out into the living room holding the two cookies for which both he and Henry happily enjoyed while under Linda's watchful glare. After that the pair made it a point to stay away lest they end up on the wrong side of Linda's broom and once she pulled out the long handle skillet the argument was over.

On the other end of town Tom and Allison were loading up several roll away coolers with food while Benny carefully stowed away drinks and small dishes within his hammerspace. He wanted to sneak some of the food so bad, but was willing to wait till he got to the Grandma's house. Plus Norman had warned him not to eat too much before their planned event, but by golly he couldn't wait! Allison had been asked to make pies and small side dishes that he had never seen before. He asked about several of the food items that had been made and was told that they are items typically made for summer parties as they are light and easy finger food. Tom had surprisingly enough behaved himself despite the spread since he said that once he got there he was hitting the pool and couldn't afford a bunch of food in his stomach. When Benny asked him why, his answer was that humans would cramp up if they went swimming after a meal and he wanted to save the food for later.

--- At the home ---

Norman and Janice buzzed about the home preparing the house and warming up the grill. The pair stood before the fully set up grill marveling at all the meats and veggies that were slowly cooking on it. Norman had come the previous day to marinade the meats in his self proclaimed 'special down home seasonings' as well as to drop off the needed supplies for the grill so they wouldn't have to make any last minute store runs. Janice left Norman to attend to the grill while she retreated into the home and pulled out two gift bags looking them over with joy. The Grandma's had found out that Norman's experiment was a success and they immediately pooled their money together and bought both toons swim sets and toys to play with in the water. While the older ladies themselves couldn't swim they were more then happy to sit pool side and watch their grand kids swim in their place.

Soft knocking on the door followed by small curses let Janice know that their first set of guests had arrived. With a spring to her step she opened the door to be greeted by Allison and to see Tom struggling with balancing all the coolers while Benny was trying to help him pull them up the small hill to the door.

"Welcome everyone!" Janice cheered at the crowd and was briefly hugged by Allison.

"Thanks for the invite Janice." The actress smiled as she handed over some of the bags of food, before turning to try and help her husband.

Benny darted past Tom leaving the man to struggle alone before going into the home. Once he was inside he transformed into his Ragdoll form and from the safety of the home he extended his arms outside and relieved Tom of all the coolers, the man patted Ragdoll's large hands as they withdrew into the home.

"Thanks Benny." Tom patted the Ragdoll demon on his shoulder when he finally got inside the house.

Benny happily hummed at the gesture handing over the coolers to Janice and Allison before a horn honked outside grabbing the demon's attention. Tom watched as Benny's attention was drawn outside and the demon stayed deadlocked on it. A grin swept across his face as the cords that kept his arms together once again lengthened coiling on the ground. Tom lifted a brow and looked past the devil to see Henry's SUV had just pulled up in front of the house.

"Hey old coot!" Tom cheekily hollered at the slightly older man stepping out the vehicle.

Henry waved from the side of the truck before turning to fiddle with it's contents along side Linda. Bendy exited the vehicle and immediately spotted Ragdoll in the shadows of the doorway and wanted to play with him as he kept eyeing the demondoll, but relented and needed to help Henry. Linda and Henry slowly pulled out all the things they packed away and were met by a large pair of gloved hands that drifted over to take their luggage. The man smiled looking over at Benny who was gathering up their baggage to spare them from carrying them.

"Thanks Benny." The man patted the hands before they withdrew into the house.

Henry and Linda gathered up the last of their bags while Bendy followed Ragdoll's hands back into the house to help put food away. As soon as the older animator and his wife stepped through the threshold into the home they were greeted by various smells of the food already there along with the faint smoky smell of the grill.

"So happy you're here!" Janice approached the couple with wide arms hugging the both of them.

Benny reverted back to his toon form and went chasing after Bendy as they went running into the living room to go play nearly running Norman over whom had come inside at the sounds of the two demons. The man telling them to slow down a bit as the house wasn't going anywhere.

With the two demons out of the way Janice pulled Henry and Linda aside before grabbing Tom and Allison as well. Making sure they were out of ear shot of the toons she told them of Norman's experiment and how it had worked. Naturally the parents questioned the stability of the events and Norman joined them to answer any and all questions. He told them of how the sealer worked and that he personally supervised them playing in the sprinklers and hosing each other with the spare gardening hose. The more information Norman provided about their experiment and the general time limit that he had discovered the parents relaxed while a glint of eagerness shown in their eyes. They had been told to bring swim gear and now hearing that the toons would be able to swim with them added on to their eagerness.

Once the group was done chatting, they slowly drifted into the living room and was met by both Benny and Bendy running up to them wearing a pair of swim trunks each and a set of goggles around their pie cut eyes. Benny wore purple swim trunks with a yellow and black crisscross pattern on the rim of the shorts and sported purple goggles. Bendy wore yellow swim trunks with a simple black trim and wore yellow goggles on his shimmering pie cut eyes. The group could hardly contain their laughter as the toons eagerly bounced around them begging to go swimming. Norman had to catch them and made sure they each drank a copious amount of the sealer and to wait a bit for it to set in.

While the two devils impatiently waited for the sealer to do it's job, a ring of the bell caught their attention and they rushed to the door to find Tom already opening it.

“SAMMY!” Both toons practically flew out of the doorway earning a yelp from the man, but he was just fast enough to side step the lunging demons.

“Do you have to do that every time you see me!?” The irate musical director questioned as he was holding a fruit bowl out of harms way and was thankful he didn't get tackled by the toons or else the food was done for.

“Quit complaining song bird and get inside already.” Tom gestured for the man to come inside.

“Nice to see you too Mr. Connor” Sammy groaned as he warily heading inside the home with both Bendy and Benny following the man in his shadow. Sammy repeatedly looked over his shoulder to be met with two sets of grins earning a small whimper from him as he was led into the kitchen. He noted the outfits the little devils wore, but with their mischievous pie cut eyes watching him he wasn't about to question their attire and assumed that they were dressed for the occasion. Norman happily greeted the musical director and showed him round back where both Allison and Linda had already changed into their swim suits. Sammy smiling at the two women “I see you ladies and demons are all ready for the pool.”

“Yep, are you gonna swim Sammy?” Linda inquired while looking over the former director. The man wore a simple shirt, pants and shoes and clearly didn't look like he was gonna hit the water any time soon. He didn't even look like he was dressed for the summer at all.

“Nope. I don't feel like swimming.” The man shrugged answered before a hand landed on his shoulder. Sammy turned to see Henry grinning at him simply uttering 4 little words. 'not on my watch'.

Much to the musicians protest, Sammy was led away to another room of the house to change since Janice had bought quite a few swim sets for both the men and woman. It was a pool party and she meant it. The two ladies could hear the shrill cries of the musical director as Henry clearly wasn't taking 'no' for an answer. While the two men were disposed of, Benny and Bendy got roped into helping Allison and Linda apply some sunscreen on their backs earning a nearly completely Grey face from Bendy and a pink face from Benny, both women laughed at how shy the toons were.

Wally and Susie were the last to arrive as Wally had offered to pick the woman up along the way. Both arrived already dressed and ready to go for the festivities. The former janitor came sporting a Hawaiian shirt shorts and even a lei as he bounded through the home with arms full of drinks and a black bag that he didn't want the toons playing with. When asked about the bag, it was opened to reveal various small fireworks. Norman naturally got on his case about the bag, but was told that he had brought them to provide a mini light show so the toons could watch since. He wanted to add a small personal touch to the evening hours festivities. Norman glanced at the bag with concern and made it a point to mention the evening plans to Henry, hoping the animator would be ok with the fireworks.

Susie had brought several fruit platters and arrived already wearing her swimsuit under her dress. As soon as she saw the other ladies already outside and ready to go she eagerly joined them getting hugs from the other ladies. Bendy and Benny thought they were free of the suntan lotion and tried to slip away, but Susie roped both boys into giving her the same treatment as their mothers. Both demons silently swore to themselves that they would never go near the stuff again.

Sammy finally exited the changing room looking paler then normal, with Henry following right behind him looking pleased with himself. The musical director had been changed into a pair of black and white swim trunks with little musical notes swirling around them. The man became irate when all the woman snickered at the choice of attire for the man.

“looking good Sammy” Linda snickered while Allison blatantly laughed and Susie's smile was cracking.

“It's wasn't my choice!” The now red faced Sammy shouted.

“Oh shut up and march” Henry lightly nudged the musical director to the gate of the pool area. “You coming Wally?”

“Nah, I can't swim, but I'll be more then happy to mind the eats while you all swim.” Wally pointed at the grill next to the pool. “And besides, I'll still be able to have fun with ya.”

Once Benny and Bendy were done with Susie they eagerly ran up to their respective mothers and asked if it was ok to go swimming which naturally earned a concerned look from the remaining guests. Norman took a moment to explain to the party what they discovered all the while the toons were glued to the gate leading to the pool.

“So your telling me that the little hell spawns can swim now?” Sammy groaned at the mere thought as Tom opened up the gate letting Bendy and Benny though. “Nothing is sacred anymore.”

“They aren't 'hell spawns', and yes they can at least learn now.” Tom motioned for the group to enter the pool area with Sammy being the last to enter.

Allison inflated a few floaties and had Benny and Bendy both put them on while Susie slowly dipped into the water happily sighing at it's cool feel. Norman pulled Henry aside briefly explaining the later events to the man earning a small groan from him but told Norman that he had come prepared on that off chance. Once Henry was fine and dipped into the pool, Norman took up a spot on the beach chairs as he was working on his 'tan' and to play 'life guard' despite the pool being full of adults and two 30 year old toons.

“Aren't you coming in Sammy?” Susie swam out further into the pool before swimming to it's edge looking at her former boss giving her the sweetest doe eyes she could muster.

“No. I didn't come to swim nor had I planned on it. I shall gladly take a seat right he-” Sammy didn't get to finish his sentence as both Benny and Bendy eagerly tackled the man sending him and both demon's over the edge, the man howling in frustration and surprise as he fell into the pool.

The entire party burst into laughter at the misfortunes of their musical director and laughed even harder when the man scrambled out the pool like a wet cat. “NOT FUNNY!” Sammy shrieked at the rest of the group earning more laughter and a pair of grins floating at the edge of the pool eyeing the man.

Allison and Linda both swam over and collected their respective demons from the edge of the pool and to relieve Sammy of them. Each woman floated in the shallow end teaching the toons the basics of swimming. Allison scowled at Tom as the man went running into the pool doing a full on canon ball kicking up a lot of waves that was making the toons struggle a bit with the choppy waters. Bendy kept eyeing Henry as he wanted to swim with him, but couldn't since the man was in the deep end and even though he had floaters around his arms, Linda didn't want to take the chance. Henry noted that Bendy kept watching him had a little idea, he swam up to his wife and toon gently taking Bendy from Linda's grasp. He floated on his back while having Bendy ride on his stomach while the man did a few lazy circles in the deep end. Benny feeling a bit jealous at his counterpart looked over at his father and Tom realized what the little toon wanted, but he had a different idea. The man had Allison swim to the deep end while he dove beneath the surface earning a confused sound from Benny. The noise turned into a shocked squeak when Tom swam beneath him grabbing him by his feet and pushed off the bottom of the pool launching Benny into the air sending the toon flying into the deep end with a splash. Allison was right there to scoop up the toon as he was shocked by the action, but quickly wadded back to Tom to do it again since it was fun.

The group swam for hours with Sammy finally lightening up and joining them in the water with both Bendy and Benny wadding around him in the floaties like little demonic sharks. Sammy looked amused at the toons slow but steady paddling around him and even asked if Benny was taking after his father in doing the dog paddle. That comment earned him a beach ball to the face from the 'dog' in question. Janice relieved Wally of the grill and had him sit pool side while the group broke into a game of 'air ball'. The elderly ladies finally joined them and rested in the adjacent chairs with Norman while occasionally bouncing the beach ball back into the pool if it got knocked out. They were more then happy to watch the wide grins on the toons faces as they paddled around the pool playing with their parents and friends.

Norman and Susie decided to make a small game of 'fetch' earning a small scowl from Tom at the dog joke, but with the offering of money the man was more then willing to join in. Sammy lightly commented that this sort of pool game was right up Tom's alley earning a devious look from the man. Susie fetched a small bag of change from the elderly ladies and they took small brightly colored pool weights and placed a few coins within them. The name of the game was for everyone to stay at the edges of the pool and once the weight was tossed in at random that they were to dive for the weight and whatever change was inside was theirs to keep. Both toons groaned at not being able to dive for the change, but they cheered when they were told that not all the toys being used are weights as some of them will float as well to make it fair.

Once Susie and Norman loaded all the toys they both turned their backs so they couldn't see where they were tossing the toys and one by one they tossed them into the pool. The first toy landed near Sammy as the man lightly swam to the toy, but was pulled under by Tom whom nabbed the toy holding in high in the air claiming victory. Benny cheered when Tom gave him the toy and the toon wadded to edge of the pool setting it aside to count the change later. All the while Sammy glared at Tom from under the water vowing revenge.

After Tom's little stunt with Sammy, the musical director took the game more seriously. Plus he realized that the fathers were playing for their toon's sake as the demon's had to stick to the surface while they could dive to the bottom to scoop up the weights. Tom and Henry played for keeps as the men were openly competing and were immediately on top of any sinking toys while their little demons wadded around gathering up the floating toys. Sammy stepped up his game by diving for the toys as soon as they were tossed into the pool to get the jump on Henry and Tom. He only got as far as one toy cause as soon as the man reached the surface with the toy to hold it up triumphantly he was met with two shimmering pie cut eyes as both Benny and Bendy wadded up to him with equal puppy dog eyes. The man's stern facade cracked and he gave in splitting the toy and taking his losses. So much for his revenge.

The fun and games came to a close once Janice announced that food was ready and for everyone to dry themselves off, both toons and some of the adults were a chorus of 'awwww's, but the setting sun was a indicator that they hadn't eaten anything and that the 5 hour mark was rapidly approaching for the toons. One by one everyone got out of the pool and dried themselves off somewhat before heading to the grill and tables that had been set up next to the pool. Allison and Linda both carefully toweled off their respective toons and wrapped them in the towels while carrying them over to the table to let them eat.

The table had been decorated in the various decorations that the demons and the ladies made earlier in the week making both parties swell with pride with complements to the overall decorum. However the decorations paled in comparison to the food that had been laid out along with the additional items that were being added that was fresh off the grill.

Everyone happily chatted amongst themselves as they dug into the various dishes that had been brought. Norman boasted about his famous ribs and made sure that both Benny and Bendy had a heaping serving alongside Henry's steaks and Tom's Burgers. Soon it became a battle of who had the best meats as Henry, Norman and Tom all boasted about their 'famous' dishes and proceeded to make everyone try them to see who was top dog of the grill even though they didn't cook them as Wally had minded the grill for them. The verdict was that all the prepared meats that the men took pride in were equally good and the toons didn't care, food was food. Sammy despite his occasional standoffish attitude towards the toons, made sure they had some of the fruit salad he brought since it 'was the only healthy thing on the table'. His words got debunked when Susie blatantly pointed out the fruit platters she brought and Wally made a comment about 'birds of a feather' earning him a stern look from both the dueling pair. Bendy happily gorged himself on Susie's tropical fruit platters thoroughly enjoying the fruits making the woman smile while Benny nearly inhaled the more traditional fruit salad that Sammy brought.

The shimmering pool surface was dyed a deep blue as the amber rays of the sun had just set drawing the pale purple curtain of the night sky with the occasional early stars peeking through. The Night sky now upon the group the elderly ladies ushered the party guests inside as they, Norman and Janice set up the grass lot on the side of the house that over looked the city below. The ladies brought out several blankets handing them over to Norman and Janice to lay out while the more mobile ones returned to the home to fetch a water basin and a few buckets. Janice took the basin and the buckets from the ladies and filled them with water setting them aside. Once the outside was set up Janice returned to the home to fetch the guests as they moved to the side of the house.

“What's with the blankets?” Bendy asked as he took in the sights of the blankets that had been laid across the grass.

His question was met with a hand atop his head ushering him to the space. “You'll see” Henry smiled at the toon as he found a spot on the blanket and sat down.

Bendy looked at him confused till Linda lifted him up and sat next to Henry setting him down on her lap. He looked up at her confused and saw several others all doing the same. Sammy picked a corner seat but was quickly booted towards the front by Janice whom needed the elderly ladies to sit towards the back since it was closer to the house. The man grumbled, but Susie shut him up by offering him an empty spot next to her which he gladly took. Tom, Allison and Benny sat towards the middle with Benny sitting between his respective parents. Norman sat towards the rear along with the ladies as they were fiddling with several bags rummaging through them and slowly pulling out their contents while Wally was preparing some items in front of the group.

“What are those?” Benny asked when he saw Norman slowly circle throughout the group passing around strange sticks occasionally returning to the ladies for a few more.

Tom looked at his stick grinning. “You'll see” the man grasping it and bent it in half making a loud cracking sound.

Benny looked at him baffled as to why he broke his stick till it suddenly started glowing a bright yellow. “That's so cool!” The toon shouted at the glowing stick in his father's hand.

“Yep, these things are called 'glow sticks'” Tom smiled while lightly shaking it to make sure it was completely mixed through. “You bend them in half mixing two chemicals that create the glowing light you see.”

Benny eagerly bent his finding that his glow stick was pink earning snickering from Bendy earning a scowl from Benny. The small ink demon didn't laugh too long as he found that his glow stick was also pink earning a retaliatory snicker fest from Benny.

“Here, Benny” Allison chuckled handing him her glow stick that was purple earning a grin from the toon and a 'thank you'.

Linda tapped Bendy on his shoulder and waved her green glow stick at him which he gingerly exchanged his with hers while thanking her.

Once all the glow sticks were all broken and passed around with the night sky now fully upon them Wally took center stage with his bag as he pulled out several items and set them up. Henry got a little tense at the sight of the objects, but Linda was right there telling him that everything was fine and that she was with him. Bendy looked at his slightly panicking creator with worry and removed himself from Linda's lap and sat on Henry's leaning into him to calm the man down. Seeing Henry's ill reaction to his items made Wally rethink his choices, but Linda pulled out a small pair of earmuffs having Henry wear them before giving Wally a thumbs up urging him to continue.

“Since this is Bendy and Benny's first 4th of July, I thought we might start it off with a bang.” Wally addressed the crowd.

“Get on with it.” Sammy piped up from the side.

Wally laughed “Hold your horses Sammy.” The man bent down and pulled out a lighter and carefully lit one of the little sticks.

The toon's watched as something shot off the end of the stick and into the air bursting into a bright array of colors decorating the sky along side a loud bang making them jump slightly from the noise.

“What is that?” Bendy looked up at Henry who was still a bit tense, but was relaxing a bit as Wally lit another stick sending up more bright colors. The toon nudged him to get his attention with Henry removing a cover to listen to him. “What is that?” Bendy pointed up at the sky.

“Those are called fireworks.” Henry looked down at Bendy gesturing for the toon to turn his attention to the sky as another firework danced in the air. “They are used in celebration of many different holidays, but primarily for the 4th of July and New Years in the states. There are many types of fireworks that dazzle crowds as they paint the night sky. The really large fireworks are handled by people called Pyrotechnics, they are kinda like artists but their canvas is the night sky. They paint dazzling collages of colors in the sky and can sometimes be accompanied by a band of sorts.”

Bendy and Benny both listened to the animators words as Wally sent up the fireworks one at a time with each one more spectacular then the last. They were amazed by the brief flashes of colors that raced through the sky to paint their picture before their light was sniffed out. They thought the show was over once Wally ran out of the fireworks, but Norman shouted for the group to look strait ahead at the valley below them and both demons eyes were wide in shock.

The electric sea before them was bursting with color as fireworks broke through it's surface like a fish showering the sea below in dazzling colors. There were hundreds of light shows all going off at once completely filling the night sky putting Wally's little show to shame. Benny tugged on Tom's arm and the man lifted the toon up to sit on his shoulders as the little plushtoon was captivated by the valley wide light show. Bendy was about to try and do the same, but Henry beat him to the punch and lifted him up on his shoulders so he could get a better view.

By the end of the various fire work shows the toon's were slowly nodding off while doing their best to fight sleep. They wanted to see the shows to the end. Little 'Z's kept popping up and bursting over the toon's heads as the the firework shows showed off their finales trying to out do the other before the their lights and colors cascaded to the electric sea below dipping below it's surface leaving a tranquil night sky. Once the stillness of the night had been restored Benny and Bendy finally succumbed their respective battles with the floating 'Z's. Bendy slumped over Henry's head earning a chuckle from him with Linda scooping him off her husbands shoulders while Benny nearly fell off of Tom with the man scrambling to catch him. He succeeded in catching the toon, but by his leg temporarily dangling him upside down earning a scowl from Allison as she took Benny from him with the toon out like a light unawares as to the events around him.

The mother figures followed the elderly ladies into the home leaving the guys to help clean up with Susie abandoning them to their fates. Sammy was about to complain, but a look from Norman quashed that idea and he just muttered as he helped gather up the now dull glow sticks. Tom and Henry gathered up the blankets folding them while Wally cleaned up the remains of his firework display and poured out the water basin and buckets of water that they had nearby for emergencies. Norman returned to the grill extinguishing the coals that had been left burning to smoke the last of the meat while everyone was watching the show. He piled the ribs on a plate setting it aside before double checking that the smoker and grill's coals were completely submerged in water before grabbing the pan and pouring out the ashes and spent coals at the edge of the garden. The backyard was soon returned to it's normal order and everyone piled back into the house to help clean up.

Benny and Bendy had their swim gear removed and were wrapped up in a blanket as they napped on the couch while the ladies were packing up the remains of the food. Allison and Linda divided up the left overs so everyone got to go home with a container and that there was plenty left over for the elderly ladies whom were being helped to bed by Janice along with Susie's help since the elderly ladies were a bit too energetic for bed. Tom took up residence on the couch while Henry poured himself a small cup of coffee.

“Got a bit of a drive before you old man.” Tom commented while he watched Henry lightly sip on the dark brew.

Henry chuckled at Tom's comment. “Yeah, but it was worth it.” The man smiling at his reflection in the cup. “Seeing the excitement and wonder in their eyes when they were swimming and at the firework show was worth it.”

“You know.” Tom sat up a bit while he lightly ran his hand along Benny's horn earning a small smile from the sleeping demon. “You, Linda and Bendy can spend the night at our place so you don't have that drive home. We got spare rooms and I'm sure Benny would love the company.”

Henry looked at Tom in brief surprise before he smiled. “I think I'll take you up on the offer, but let me see what Linda has to say about it. Though I doubt she'll be up for the drive either, we aren't as young as we used to be.”

Tom stifled a laugh. “Ain't that the truth.”

“Awww, c'mon guys, you aren't that old” Wally chimed in from the kitchen as he joined them with his own cup of coffee.

Tom laughed while Henry chuckled at the janitors statement. “Trust me Wally, kids make you feel older then you actually are. They have boundless energy while you are long past your sell by date.”

Tom finally got a handle on his laughter and joined in “Yep, and then you come to realize that your injuries are no longer caused by your own stupidity, but from trying to play with the kids.”

Wally shrugged at the two men. “I guess.” Janice and Susie emerged from the hallway that lead to the ladies room chatting away gaining Wally's attention. “Ready to go?”

Susie looked at him before tiredly nodding. “Yeah, I'm ready to head out.”

“I'm taking off too.” Sammy emerged from the restroom fully dressed again shooting small glares at Henry whom lifted his coffee cup in greeting.

Janice smiled at the group before making her rounds hugging Susie, Wally and Sammy. “Thank you all for coming, I'm sure the boys had a wonderful time.”

Wally grinned from ear to ear. “It was my pleasure ma'am. I couldn't resist coming when I found out that the little ones were gonna be here.”

“Someone has to keep an eye on the little hell spawns since their so called parents don't do it.” Sammy deadpanned.

“Hey!” Tom piped up. “These so called parents aren't about to deny their children when it comes to them showing affection towards their family or friends 'Mr. Sammy'”

“Besides, you act like you don't care but you're the first one to show up when it comes to them.” Henry bluntly pointed out.

Sammy's face glowed red in embarrassment “S-Someone's gotta be the responsible one here Mr. Stein! And that's Sammy to you Mr. Connor!”.

“'Ey. Pipe down.” Norman walked into the room followed by Allison and Linda carrying several boxes. “The kid's are sleepin'”

“Here.” Allison walked up to the irate music director. “This is for you to take home.”

Sammy calmed down a bit and accepted the box with a small 'thank you' before turning to Janice pulling out the swim trunks he wore earlier. “Here, thank you for letting me 'borrow' them” Sammy turned his head to Henry emphasizing 'borrow', before he held out the pair for Janice to take.

The woman shook her head before smiling mischievously at him. “Nah, you keep them. They looked good on you.” her statement earned a few snickers in the room.

Sammy's face turned an even deeper red as he pocked the swim wear grumbling small curses. He turned thanking everyone for the day and the food before heading to the door to head home. Taking that as a sign to leave, Wally gathered up his and Susie's boxes from Linda while the actress hugged Janice good-bye and thanked her for having them over before joining Wally in the doorway. The pair followed Sammy out leaving the rest of the party waving good-bye and wishing them well on the roads home.

“Don't you have to be going home too Norman? You have a longer drive then I do.” Henry turned to look at the projectionist.

“Nah' I'm spendin' the night 'ere.” Norman tiredly smiled down at Henry. “Since Janice asked me t' help out with the holiday she offered t' put me up for the weekend.”

Tom got up from the couch and walked over to Norman holding out his hand. “I'd like to thank you for all that you did for the little devils today. It was truly something watching them laugh and play in the water for which they have never done before. That opened up so many opportunities for them.”

Norman looked at Tom's outstretched hand before taking it and pulling the mechanic in a small hug before releasing him. “It was mah pleasure. I want th' best for 'em just like y'all do.”

Each respective parent took turns hugging Norman and thanking him for his efforts in pulling off the holiday for all of them. They all had to admit that they would have had fun even if the toons couldn't join them in the pool, but with the introduction of the sealer provided by Norman, that changed everything. Henry and Linda were able to relive what it was like teaching a small child how to swim and the joys that came with it while Tom and Allison were experiencing it for the first time.

Allison and Linda drifted to the couch gathering up their sleeping demons in their arms while Tom and Henry packed the remains of the bags with Norman's help. Henry told Linda how Tom offered for them to spend the night at their house to prevent the drive home and she was instantly on board with the plan. She had to admit that she too was tired and was only staying up to keep an eye on Bendy since the demon is very energetic, she was silently thankful that all the swimming tuckered him out.

The last of the bags were packed and the boxes of food had been rounded up. Norman offered to walk them home, but was turned down by Allison telling him that he looked tired and that it was only a 5 minute walk, that he had done enough for the day. The group said their good-byes as they drifted down the road home accompanied by a small flashlight that Tom packed. The fathers idly chatted while occasionally glancing over their shoulders at their wives behind them that were carrying the little sleeping devils.

Henry smiled at the relaxed expressions on the toon's faces and turned around facing the road ahead of him. “We need to do these events more often.” the man speaking into the open air. “There's so much more to do now.”

Tom looked over at the content animator silently agreeing before looking back at his own little toon in Allison's arms. Benny was so relaxed in her arms and it was a comforting sight to see him in such a state of contentment rather then fear. The toons had come a long way and were finally getting to experience the outside world for what it is and all the wonders that came with it. Water was always their biggest obstacle and now that hurdle had been cleared opening up a whole new world of opportunity for them. Tom felt like his heart was a little lighter and his step a little faster as he turned to the road before him looking forward to the new adventures that the morrow was sure to bring.

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writingstarling · 5 years

Text

Worry (YJ! Dick [Robin] x reader)

Warning: I don't know if this is good because I'm not really sure if I'm portraying it with your relationship with Robin as the center so please feel free to comment and criticize it and please forgive me if there are any mistakes

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

2nd POV

Robin paced back and forth in front of the Cave's medical wing. Bitting his nails to help ease his anxiety that seemed to increase every passing minute. Hearing the door of the infirmary slide open, he whipped his head to it.

"How is she?" Robin asked, worry lacing his words.

"She's going to be fine, but when she will wake up, I don't know."

Robin let go of the breath he subconsciously held. Putting a hand on his chest to ease his rapidly beating heart.

"Can I see her?" his masked eyes full of hope.

With a nod of approval, he marched to enter the infirmary. But as he reached the door, he came to a stop. He felt his stomach twist caused by his mixed feelings. He wanted to see you, but on the other hand; he felt too ashamed to. After releasing one shaky breath, he continued to march inside.

The first thing he noticed when he entered was how bright the room was as the walls were also colored in white, accompanying the lights. The next was your sleeping form tucked under a layer of white. A tide of guilt washed over him, remembering what caused you to lay unconsciously on the white layered bed.

The team was on a mission to collect intel on the upcoming transaction between Bane and Lex Luther. Batman had commanded that they were to simply infiltrate Lex's office and download the needed information into a hard drive to later be sent to the Justice League then escape out of sight, a simple heist.

But alas, similar to their past missions, their stealth mission took a few bumps and was not something Batman asked for which in the end turned into a fight. At the end of it, they celebrated their victory a bit too soon and didn't realize the one robot who was still functional that aimed his weapon to a beam that was holding half of the roof together.

It succeeded in doing so and the roof fell on one side. After destroying the robot with your customized boomerang, you pushed Robin out of the way before the whole ceiling collapsed on you. It took them ten minutes to dig among the boulders and debris until they finally found you crushed under a boulder with your head the only thing that wasn't ruthlessly crushed by the boulder.

"I'm sorry," he whispered breathlessly.

He balled his shaky hands in an attempt to calm his nerves. His nails dug into his skin making it pale, but the pain was numbed by guilt and worry. His black domino mask shielded his eyes that were glossed with tears, but nothing can hide away his frown and devastated look. He stared down at your form.

So peaceful, so solemn, with the only evidence of the pain you went through were the bandages that covered your forehead and arms. A hand was suddenly placed on Robin's shoulder, but he didn't move.

"She's going to be alright," Miss Martian reassured.

Her eyes held what Robin could only guess as sympathy. Robin inhaled deeply. He knew that Miss Martian meant it for consolation, but it didn't really help ease the guilt and worry twisting in his stomach. Noticing Robin's lack of reaction she withdrew her hand to her chest.

"We're gonna wait for you outside," she glanced to you, "if it's any help, she wouldn't blame you."

Robin could hear the sliding of the door open and close before everything around him seemed to blur. Subconsciously, his hand reached to held yours. He always loves holding your hand. How yours is smaller than his, but still provides warmth for him.

"I broke my promise," his voice cracked, "I couldn't protect you."

The tears that pooled his eyes streamed down his cheeks. Small sniffles echoed the room. But for a moment, for just a brief moment; he could feel your fingers move to intertwine with his. He didn't know whether that was true or his imagination, but he couldn't stop his heart from skipping a beat.

After he reluctantly left the medical wing, he limped his way to the tube.

"You're already leaving?" Kid Flash inquired.

"Yeah, I have to go on patrol," he faced Kid Flash, "see you tomorrow, KF."

Without waiting for a reply, he entered the tube and was soon transported to the Batcave.

The next few days went by the same way, with you showing no signs of waking up any time soon. And in those days if there wasn't a mission Robin had to go on, he would sat next to your bed and remain there until he had to leave. Telling you of how his day went, what interesting things that had happened during the day, how everyone misses you, how he misses you.

However, on the fifth day of your comatose, something was different. In the middle of Robin's tale, you shifted in your bed. Your eyebrows were furrowed and your lips pulled downwards, tears pooled your eyes. Robin took notice of it and became alarmed.

"I'm sorry," you whimpered softly.

A pained look overtook Robin's face. It hurts him to see you laying down on the seemingly uncomfortable makeshift bed, but seeing you whimper and cry took it to a whole new level.

"I'm really sorry, please don't leave me," you sobbed once more.

Not able to take seeing you in pain anymore, he did the only thing that came to mind. He held your hand and sang softly.

Slowly but surely, you started to calm down. The sobs died down until finally, your lips tugged upwards as you held unto Robin's hand. A relieved sigh escaped his lips. He didn't know whether that would actually work or not, but was grateful that it did.

Unbeknownst by him, the team had heard Robin's singing courtesy of Superboy's super hearing. They spied on you both from the window of the infirmary.

"I didn't know Robin can sing," Miss Martian chirped quietly as she peeked through the window.

"Neither did I," Kid Flash admitted, dumbfounded by the fact.

Robin stared at you with a loving gaze. A smile tugged on his lips.

"Glad you like that song, my mom used to sing that song to me when I had nightmares, thought that it'll help you," Robin stroked your hand that held unto his with his thumb to comfort you.

Robin could see your lips move, forming words that were inaudible to him, but thanks to his training with Batman, he was able to read your lips. The smile that painted his lips softened.

"You're welcome, (H/n)," leaning in to plant a kiss on your bandaged forehead.

Suddenly, a loud squeal could be heard from outside of the room. Robin let out an exasperated sigh.

"I should've known they'd come and spy," Robin muttered lowly, to himself.

After gently peeling off your hand that grasped his -- with much reluctance -- he went out to see Miss Martian apologizing, Kid Flash looking slightly terrified, Superboy with a neutral look, Artemis sighing, and Aqualad shaking his head.

"Now, why were you guys spying on me?" Robin leaned against the wall, a smirk played on his lips.

Miss Martian sheepishly looked away, rubbing the back of her neck, "We were curious."

"I heard singing," Superboy flatly responded, a slightly amused look displayed on his face.

"Dude! Why didn't you tell me you can sing?" Kid Flash whined whilst Artemis -- who stood beside him -- rolled her eyes.

"Why don't you try using the tiny bits of your brain to solve that question, genius," Artemis retorted lowly that only Superboy was able to hear her.

An amused smirk crawled its way to Superboy's lips at her remark.

Aqualad stepped forward, "We apologize for intruding, we were simply worried."

Robin sighed, "It's fine, that and I didn't tell you I can sing because I know you'll probably tease or pester me about it or even use me, Wally."

Kid Flash pouted while Artemis chuckled beside him.

"It's not funny! That actually hurts!" Kid Flash childishly scoffed.

Artemis rolled her eyes at his exclaim, but a playful smirk graced her lips.

"Of course it does," sarcasm dripped from her words like venom.

"You both really act like an old married couple," Robin teasingly commented.

Red dusted their cheeks as they fumed, but didn't retort against it. Robin smirked triumphantly before looking back to you through the transparent panel. You were still in the same position as Robin left you.

"I wonder how much longer will it take for her to wake up?" he questioned to no one in particular.

A sun-kissed colored palm tapped Robin's shoulder, "When the time comes, she will awake."

"Thanks."

It was the end of the week, the seventh day of your comatose. Like any day Robin visited your room. He wore his civilian clothing accompanied by his signature sleek black sunglasses.

Robin took a deep breath in front of the infirmary door. Bracing himself to be met with your sleeping form once again. Reminding himself to be optimistic and hope for the best. The door opened automatically when he took a step forward.

"Robin?"

Robin's eyes immediately darted to the bed. There you were, sitting on the bed casually. Your hair as big of a mess as a lion's mane from bed hair. Bandages still wrapped around your forehead and forearms. And you were still wearing the plain mint green hospital robe when you first arrived in the medical wing.

Normally people don't look attractive or even decent after a coma, but you look absolutely stunning in his eyes. Your head tilted to the side showing genuine curiosity and worry.

"Is everything alright?" you asked, edging closer to the end of the bed.

Robin pinched himself much to your worry and confusion.

"I'm not dreaming," he mumbled, still pinching his reddening cheek.

"No you're not?" you hesitantly responded. "Are you alright Robin? Should I call the doctor?"

"I'm not dreaming!" Robin suddenly cheered, scaring you a tad bit.

You were about to question him once again before he suddenly engulfed you in a hug.

"I'm not dreaming," he blissfully whispered, laying his head on the crook of your neck.

You didn't understand why he was like that or why you woke up at the infirmary, but those questions were for later. Right then, you were focused on returning Robin's gesture. Calming him the best way you can. You stroked calming circles on his back.

"No you're not, I'm here Robin. I'm right here, and I'm not going anywhere anytime soon."

You two stayed like that for a few minutes. Him, relishing the feeling of having you conscious, safe, and alright in his arms. You, trying console him the best you can. After about ten minutes, Robin released his hold on you.

"Sorry, it's just that, I really missed you. I still do honestly," he meekly chuckled, wiping stray tears in his eyes without revealing his eyes.

You giggled at his tiny confession, "Seriously, you made me so worried, for a moment I thought you got injected with the Joker's poison or something."

Robin playfully glared at you through his sunglasses as a grin crawled his lips.

Robin took a seat on a vacant stool near your bed and told you about the accident and how you fell into a comatose. Staying unconscious for a week, worrying him sick.

"You know, you shouldn't be really worried. I can take care of myself you know and as many have said, I am a fighter, Robin.

I will not let something like crushed by a boulder stop me from finally defeating you in martial arts. So stop worrying about me."

"Sorry, no can do," he trailed off with a smirk.

"It's my job to worry, (H/n)."

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Please feel free to request or comment!

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jasonp43 · 5 years

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Jondami week 2019 Day 3: Dancing in The Dark

Prompt: Homecoming

Synopsis: Its prom night, members of the league, young justice and teen titans have gathered at the gala. It's all smiles for everyone.. everyone but Damian Wayne. His date was late... 7 years late by Jon's count.

A/N: I suggest listening to the song Damian plays when reading through that part of this fic.

Damian Wayne, youngest son of the Bat was once again alone. Standing by the sidelines, much to everyone's surprise. He's barely talked to anyone and hasn't eaten a thing since the night started. He was cold, colder than usual and no one could really figure out why.

Artemis with Wally, dancing like they owner the place, the Question with Helena, earning a few curious looks, hell, even Jaime found the balls to ask out Bart, the latter of which only responded with "That's totally crash", a smile on his lips as he kissed Jaime, before dragging him onto the dance floor.

Damian stood alone, arms crossed over his chest, leaning against a wall his pressed suit getting a few wrinkles. He hasn't danced with anyone tonight, and it's not for a lack of people trying.

Zatanna, Raven, Maya hell even Garfield asked for his hand on the dance floor. All of whom were immediately shot down by a blunt "No." And a "Fuck off." For beast boy when he wouldn't stop asking.

Jon made Damian promise he would be his first dance of the night. Damian obliged, honestly he wanted Jon to also be his last dance of the night, not caring to be with anyone other than him.

That promise is one Damian intended to keep, and so he waited. And waited. And waited.. and waited...

Unmoving from the spot he Jon agreed to wait for one another. Even as the rest of the guests left, and the ballroom went dark Damian wouldn't move a muscle. Kent wouldn't lie to him, Kent wouldn't break his promise! Would he...?

He kept his head bowed, arms over his chest, eyes closed tightly. He would wait, he would listen, he would wait to hear Jon's voice break the deafening silence.

Then he heard a voice, a voice that broke the silence.. albeit not the voice he was expecting.

"Hey- uh.. kid?" An old janitor part of the clean up crew- or well.. he was sum total of the clean up crew, said to him. His voice unsure.

"Get out." Damian demanded, his voice harsh and bitter. The man recoiled, grumbling something along the lines of 'spoiled brat.' As he left the room.

Damian slowly opened his eyes, his gaze moving from end of the room to the other. Looking over the messy white cloth tabe tops, the discarded glasses and plates streamers and confetti on the floor other clutter in the room.. hoping to see Jon there, waiting for him to spot him.

But Jon wasn't there.

Damian tightened his fist, as he felt his face contort into something almost no one ever saw.. a face only ever saw.

He felt a single tear drip down the side of his cheek, falling to the floor. Damian let out a pained growl as he turned and plunged his fist into the wall, cracking it.

Breathing heavily, he felt the rest of the tears in his eyes threatening to break as he fell to his knees. Tears began to stream from his face, mixing with beads of sweat as Damian clutched his sides. Wails of agony and whimpers of sorrow reverberated throughout the halls, filling the previously joyous gala with a sense of.... emptiness.

"I can't..." Damian managed to say, between breaths. "Why did you-.... Kent.. how could you..? After I finally opened up to someone.." Damian said, sounding defeated.

"No! Why did I... choose to finally open up?! Why the hell did I choose to trust.." Damian said.. tears streaming down his face as he grabbed lochs of his hair, tugging harshly on them "WHY THE HELL DID I CHOOSE TO LOVE." Damian spat like venom, before his furious growls turned to.. empty broken whimpers.

Damian stayed there, a shivering, whimpering broken mess. Falling over to his side, by some miracle he managed to cry himself to sleep, his arms around his chest, wishing Jon could be there.. there with him.. like they promised each other.... instead he was greeted with emptiness.. the cold... bitter.. void.

Damian stirred lightly in his sleep, tears still dripping when a figure flew through an open window.

The figure's gaze moved from left to right as it remained otherwise motionless in the air, seemingly trying to find someone.

The figure flew over to Damian, staring down a the broken mess of a boy, letting out a pained sigh. He felt his boots touch the floor, walking over beside him, he slid his back against the floor and sat down, his knees to his chest.

"Hey... wake up, sleepy head" the figure said sweetly, gently adjusting the stray strands of hair on Damian's face, though their skin didn't touch.

Damian heard the voice it was... familiar...

"Mmn...." Damian groaned, slowly opening his eyes, his eyelids crusted with dry tears. His vision was blurred but he could just barely make out a silhouette of a boy sitting beside him. The moon light shines through a nearby window, making it impossible to clearly see the figure from Damian's point of view.. but that voice... the messy hair resting haphazardly on the boy's head... he could recognize that silhouette anywhere.

"J-" Damian coughed, "Jon...?" Damian asked, his vision hazy.

"H-hey there, Dami" Jon let out a nervous laugh, his features still unseen.

"Sorry I'm late for the- oof!" Jon was cut off by Damian who had tackled him to the ground, wrapping his arms around him and burying his face into Jon's chest humming in content at the contact, but... something was different.. Jon was.. taller?

"Uhhh, Damia-" His voice was deeper. Damian broke the hug, pulling back and sitting up.

Damian could finally see Jon clearly... 3 weeks without seeing the boy of his dreams... seeing him now? He had a scar running down his left cheek, he was more muscular, dressed in Kryptonian battle armor and.. he looked.. older. Much older.

"Kent, what.. what happened?" Damian, reaching for Jon's face and cupping his cheek. Jon froze, his breath hitching in his throat before he willed himself to relax, avoiding eye contact.

"Haha.. remember how I said I was a little late..?" Jon said, looking anywhere but Damian's eyes, a fake smile on his face. "Yeah.. by that I mean... really late.. like- 7 years late." Jon said, a pained laugh escaping his lips.

Damian's eyes went wide at the remark. "S-Seven Years?!" He asked, desperation in his voice.

"Yup!" Jon tried to sound peppy, his voice was.. deeper now. "But that doesn't matter, what matters is I'm here and we can-" Damian cut him off.

"Kent. Look at me." Damian demanded. And when Jon wouldn't oblige, he pushed the boy's face so they were facing each other. Jon kept his eyes closed.

"Open your eyes, for me Jon." Jon didn't want to, shaking his head violently.

"Please.." Damian pleaded, and Jon finally complied. He couldn't resist his voice 7 years ago, and he couldn't resist his voice now.

Jon slowly opened his eyes, pained emeralds meeting tortured and regretful sapphires.

His smile broke, he couldn't lie to Damian's eyes. No amount of torture, training, beating or war could ever change that.

Jon began to cry, wrapping his boyfriend in tight embrace, careful not break him with his strength.

"D-damian! Y-you were right.." Jon cried out, tightening his grip as he dampened Damian's suit with tears.

Damian stayed silent. Hugging him back. Despite now being older, he was still the boy who broke the ice around his heart, the boy he fell in love with; and no power on earth or any other could ever change that.

"I never- never should have gone with my grandfather!" Jon's breath was heavy, his voice was pained.

"Shh.. shh.. Its ok, Jon. "Damian cooed, running a hand through the half kryptonian's hair, while the other returned the hug.

"I- I missed you..." Jon's voice hitched in his throat. "So.. so much..." Jon barely managed to get out between whimpers. "Damian...!" he cried, his eyes tightly closed.

"Its ok Jon.. I'm here now.." Damian said as he closed his eyes. "I'm here now..." he felt tears begin to well up in his eyes but he knew he had to be the strong one.. he had to be strong for Jon. So he held them back.

"Hey, Kent?" Damian asked, in as sweet a voice as he could.

"Y-yeah?" Jon said, sniffling.

"You.. still up for that dance?" Damian asked, trying to lighten the mood.

"Y-you mean you still want to-" Damian cut him off, nodding, a smile on his face. He had a thousand questions.. but those could wait. For now, he had to be here for Jon. The way Jon was there for him.. all those nights ago.

Standing up and dusting himself off. He offered a hand to Jon.

"O-okay.." Jon took his hand, and at that moment Jon felt it. The spark he shared with damian, the fire he missed so much.. after all this time.. it was like feeling it for the first time all over again.

"What song?" Damian asked.

"Y-you already know the one." Jon said, his voice still shakey wiping away tears.

Damian smiled and nodded, choosing the song 'All about us' by He is We. They chose the song because it would be perfect for their first dance, for them coming out, proud to be in love with each other... that was the original thought.. its definitely.. different now, but why put all that planning to waste?

Damian walked over to Jon, grasping the boy's hand as the started to play.

(play the song while you read)

"You ready?" Damian asked

"Ready as I'll ever be!" Jon answered, his voice pained yet.. happy.

The boys said, as the song started to play, their words matching that of what they said last time they danced.. all those nights ago.

The boys moved slowly to the sound of the song, their eyes locked on to each other. The ball room was dark... but the light in each other's eyes was all they needed..

Jon turned his hand slowly, a cue for Damian who obliged and twirled, leaning away, their hands never separating as he pulled back, landing perfectly in Jon's strong arms.

"You've been practicing..?" Damian asked, impressed.

"Yeah, I have-"

"Ouch!" Damian yelped, Jon stepping on his feet.

"S-sorry, Dami" Jon looked away, blushing.

Damian smirked, feeling the heat in his cheeks. "Every bit as cute as I remember, Kent." Damian said, planting a kiss on Jon's cheek.

Jon touched his cheek, feeling himself smile, truly smile.. for the first time in years.

"Let's keep going." Damian said, bluntly yet sweetly, Jon giggled and happily complied.

The boys danced the night away, despite all the time spent apart.. it was still them. Superboy and Robin, Damian and Jon. The unbreakable duo, the super sons. Bound first by friendship, now by love and nothing could ever change that. Nothing could ever break their special bond.

The bond of true love between two boys.

A/N: Alrigt, there we go. My submission for Day 3, oh btw this is linked with my submission for day 2. Also, this is how my other story "Just Don't Ask" was supposed to end before I changed my mind. So if you wanted to know the original ending for that, here it is. Check the story out if you're curious. Anyway, with that out of the way I hope you guys enjoyed! -Jason

#jondami week 2019 #damijon #damijon fanfic #robin #damian wayne #jonathan samuel kent #jonathan kent #super sons #gay #sad #fluff #almost made me cry

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renecdote · 6 years

Note

birdflash and “I can’t breathe” or “Give me a chance” or "You’re special to me” ? if you'd like! (i swear i narrowed it down A Lot)

I was going to write fluffy hurt/comfort and then I did… not that. This is pure angst I’m sorry.

The music is too loud. Or maybe it isn’t, maybe it’s Dick’s head that is too loud. Sounds and smells and flashes of images behind his eyelids, a nauseating kaleidoscope of past, present and god knows what else. It all pulses in his head, pounding, hammering, thumping, an anvil against stone, a fist against a punching bag.

(“Woah there, Dick. What did that punching bag ever do you?”)

Dick slams back the rest of his whiskey. He pinches the bridge of his nose so hard it hurts; it’s still not enough to distract from the circus in his head. “Another,” he says to Bea.

Bea shakes her head. “I’m cutting you off, Ric. Go home.”

Red hair flashes in the corner of Dick’s eyes. He clenches his fist on his knee. Go home. Right. And where the fuck is that?

(Freckles, green eyes, crooked smile.)

(“Hey, handsome.”)

“I’ll call you a cab,” Bea says but Dick is already leaving.

He stumbles onto the street and Bludhaven’s cold, polluted air smacks him in the face. The noise from the bar is muffled when the door slams shut. Dick looks left and right down the street. He thinks he sees a blur of red in the corner of eye, but it’s just the alcohol. There’s nothing there. Dick shakes his head. Home, he’s supposed to be going home. Right then. He picks a direction and starts walking.

—

Dick dreams of sunshine. Sand beneath his back, in his hair, sticking to the blood on the side of his face. The sky is on fire and the world is ringing. But it could be worse; if he has to die somewhere, a beach is a nice enough place. Everything is so fuzzy. Dick lets his eyes fall shut.

“Robin.”

The voice feels like it’s coming from far away.

“Get up.”

It’s so hard to concentrate, but that voice won’t let Dick sink back into unconsciousness.

“C’mon, Rob, get up.”

Dick opens his eyes. The fire is closer. Is the sky falling? He blinks. No, not fire, red hair. Kid Flash is leaning over him, a frown where there should be a bright grin.

“Wally,” Dick says, but it’s okay because he doesn’t say it very loudly.

Wally look away, lips moving, shouting to somewhere beyond Dick’s grasp. There’s something going on, something important. The world is on fire.

“Hold on,” Wally says, voice only for Dick now, “I’m gonna get you out of here, Dick.”

Dick tries to sit up. His fingers dig into Wally’s arms, clinging to that anchor as the world spins. Red and orange and blotches of inky black. He feels disconnected, like his head has spun right off his body and is floating somewhere above. The sun is hot and the world is burning. Dick hopes Wally will still be there when it’s over.

—

Dick wakes feeling like a truck hit him. Or a bullet. Heh. Probably too soon to be making those kinds of jokes. He rolls over in cotton sheets he doesn’t recognise and buries his face in a pillow. It smells like… something. Something salty and familiar.

(Red hair, golden sand, “c’mon, Rob, get up”.)

He shakes it away as he rolls out of bed. Heavy and sore, feeling like he hasn’t slept at all.

Maybe I should take a holiday_ he thinks, just get away from everything and everyone he’s supposed to know. Somewhere warm, sunny. Maybe a beach.

He rubs at the headache building behind his eyes. Yeah, right, a holiday. Maybe he should just head to the bar and have another drink instead.

—

Sometimes the dreams don’t feel like dreams at all. The feel real, tangible, like a memory he’s experiencing for the first time all over again.

“You brought me flowers.”

Roses, six of them, petals a perfect dark red. Dick rubs the back of his neck. “I thought we should do this properly,” he says.

Wally rolls his eyes, but it’s fond. “I don’t think there’s anything proper about a stakeout as a first date, Dick.”

“A stakeout and dinner,” Dick corrects. He drops the takeaway bag in Wally’s lap and drops down beside him.

They look at each other and laugh. The roses really are a ridiculous touch to the burgers and sodas on one of Bludhaven’s dirty rooftops. A neon sign buzzes above them, illuminating Wally’s face in unflattering green. Dick thinks he looks gorgeous.

“Hey.” Wally nudges Dick’s leg with his own. “Do I have something on my face?”

“What?”

“It’s just that I thought you were supposed to be starring at bad guys all night not at me.”

Dick rolls his eyes. The world doesn’t exist outside them; there’s no city noise, no polluted air, no bad guys. Just him and Wally and the rooftop beneath them.

Sometimes the memories get twisted. Happy endings disappearing in a bang that leaves Dick screaming, calling out for someone he won’t remember when he wakes up.

Sometimes the endings aren’t happy to begin with.

Sometimes they are though, and sometimes they stay that way.

Sometimes it’s just Dick and Wally and a rooftop and that’s all it needs to be.

—

Dick wakes feeling light, happy. He smiles into baby blue sheets. He can’t remember the last time he woke up smiling.

(Red hair, sleepy eyes, lazy kisses.)

He’s still smiling as he stands under the weak pressure of a shower-head that is much too low. Bea cut him off again before he could drink too much last night and his head doesn’t hate him this morning. He actually feels… almost good.

Dick hums as he scrubs rose-scented soap over his body. Maybe today will actually be an alright day.

—

Dick dreams of home. Or what he thinks should be home. He knows this apartment. He doesn’t remember it, but he knows it. The way he knows how he likes his coffee, and how to box, and what steps his feet should take in the moment to do a waltz.

“Are you even listening to me?”

Dick’s attention snaps to the other side of the room. Wally is there. Taller, older, as old as he should be now. Dick doesn’t know how he knows what age Wally is supposed to be, what he’s supposed to look like, but he does. He remembers, just for a moment, just for this moment.

“You’re special to me.” Wally’s voice is low, a hiss that makes Dick’s skin prickle. “You’re the most special person in my life and you don’t even remember me.”

“No,” Dick says. No, that’s not true. No, I wouldn’t forget. No, this is just a dream. He doesn’t know what he means, there’s too many thoughts, too many maybe-memories-maybe-nots tangled in his head.

“Call me when you’ve remembered that you love me, Dick Grayson.”

I do love you, I do, I do, I care about you, I know I do.

The door slams shut and the apartment is silent. Empty. Dick is left standing alone in the middle of a room he knows but doesn’t recognise. It’s as if Wally was never even there.

–

Dick wakes with a heavy feeling in his chest and tear tracks on his cheeks. He’s sad. Sad about… something. Something important, something that is just out of reach. He doesn’t remember but he feels, he knows, that something is missing.

(Red hair, green eyes, freckles, crooked smile.)

(“Hey, handsome.”)

He just wishes he knew what.

#Dick Grayson #Wally West #Birdflash #fic

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paintingwithdarkness · 5 years

Text

Family

“Jaime?”

“Hmmm?” The ebony-haired man hummed in response to his husband, running a hand through the younger man’s auburn locks. Bart’s head was resting against his sternum, arms around his waist, both of them completely naked under the covers of their king-sized bed.

“Have you ever wanted kids?” The speedster traced a palm up the side of Jaime’s muscular chest as he asked.

Immediately, the older man levered them both up into a sitting position so that he could look his partner in the eyes. Bart, who’d been dislodged from his position on Jaime’s chest scooted close to his husband, tucking his slightly smaller body against the Latino’s side.

“Cariño, where is this coming from all of a sudden?” Jaime sought out his husband’s green orbs, looking for any indication as to what might have gotten his partner onto this particular line of thinking.

Bart stubbornly kept his gaze down, absentmindedly using a pale finger to draw patterns against Jaime’s thigh under the duvet. “I dunno,” he mumbled. His tracing increased until he was practically etching shapes into Jaime’s leg.

The older man grabbed his hand, lacing their fingers together to keep Bart from fidgeting. He wrapped his other arm around Bart’s back, pulling the smaller man more snugly into his side. He had been with the speedster long enough to know how much Bart needed it. Coming from the time he had grown up in, Bart had been severely touch-deprived and since he had gotten to the past, seemed to make an effort to be in constant contact with at least one person at any given time. Most often, that was Jaime, and the Latino tended to indulge his husband, especially when he noticed that the speedster was upset or anxious about something.

“You can tell me, Amorcito,” Jaime whispered, dropping a kiss on the auburn-haired head. “Te amo mucho and I trust you with my life, Bart; every day on the battlefield and off the battlefield, too. I know trust doesn’t come easily to you, Cariño, but I want you to know that you can trust me the same way. I won’t ever let anything happen to you.” Jaime used the arm wrapped around Bart to turn his head upwards and pressed a kiss to his husband’s lips.

When they pulled away, Bart tucked his head into the space between Jaime’s neck and shoulder. “It’s just...” He tried shifting closer, but with no where else to go, Jaime ended up pulling the smaller man into his lap. Bart felt the tension leave his body as his husband’s arms wrapped around him. “In my time, people... didn’t really want to have kids.”

Jaime laced his fingers through the speedster’s, tracing his thumbs over the backs of Bart’s knuckles and the silver band on his left ring finger. He knew how hard it was for Bart to open up about the terrible time he had grown up in. The best thing he could do was hold the green-eyed man close and wait for him to explain things on his own terms. Once they had started dating, Bart had slowly begun telling him more about the reality of his own time, but Jaime knew there was a lot more to the story than what Bart had revealed thus far.

“It was a really bad time to live, Jaime. Food was always short, the sun and stars had been blotted out by ash and everyone who wasn’t a Reach soldier was treated like a slave or an experiment. If you couldn’t offer anything useful, they killed you. Nobody wanted to subject their kids to that.” Bart shuddered. He, unfortunately, had been one of the kids subjected to it.

Jaime gently stroked his back, encouraging the speedster to continue. “Dad and Wally told me that you could never be too careful.” Bart wiped a hand across his face, and Jaime knew that he was crying. Bart didn’t usually cry about a lot, unless something was really bothering him. Jaime didn’t know everything about Bart’s future, but every time his parents were brought up, Jaime could see the tears shining in the corners of his husband’s eyes.

Bart soldiered on, voice surprisingly steady despite the small tremors wracking his frame. “Dad and Aunt Dawn taught me to use my powers when I was really young. Wally helped out a little too.” At the mention of their former teammate, a small smile flicked onto Bart’s lips. “As soon as I was old enough to walk, they started training me. Mom used to worry that we would get caught. We all used to run around the Resistance base. The others who had powers used them too, but never out in the open. The Reach had soldiers planted everywhere. I’m actually a little surprised they didn’t know about the base,” Bart let out a pained laugh. “If a Reach soldier caught you and found out you were a meta, on went the collar and you were marched up to the Reach HQ. There, they experimented on you. The Reach found us when I was around seven.” Bart let out a small sob and turned his face into Jaime’s neck, wetting the Latino’s skin with salty tears.

Gently, Jaime rubbed up and down Bart’s back, trying to soothe his upset husband. He knew that sharing stuff like this was hard for Bart. While the speedster seemed fine most of the time, Jaime could always tell when something would remind Bart of the time he had grown up in, just based on the dulling color of his green eyes. Bart was good at playing pretend, and could fool most people, but the longer Jaime had known him, the better he’d gotten at reading between the lines of Bart’s deceptions.

“Shh,” the older man soothed, “It’s alright, Amorcito.” He gently traced his palm up and down Bart’s back, holding him close as the speedster shook with pent up sobs.

After a few minutes, Bart pulled back from his husband, swiping a hand over his face to collect the remainders of the tears streaking down his cheeks. “So,” he attempted a laugh. “How’d this get turned on me? I’m the one who asked you first.”

Jaime wasn’t impressed by the younger man’s deflection, but he let it slide. Bart was the type to play the ‘ignore it and it will go away’ game when it came to emotions. If he was deflecting, it meant he was done sharing, and Jaime wasn’t going to get any more out of him. But Bart had told him enough to get the whole picture anyway. He’d said, “The Reach found us when I was around seven,” meaning that Bart had been a Reach slave for six years before coming to Jaime’s time period. Bart had worn an inhibitor collar for six years, been experimented on for six years, and been beaten on by Jaime’s own moded alter-ego from the future for six years, all without anyone to lean on. His parents, role models and friends had all been killed. Bart hadn’t deserved any of it. And on top of the abuse, he’d been tasked with saving the literal world and had ended up stranded in an unfamiliar time period as a result. All of it had been Jaime’s fault. And the shocking thing was, Bart loved him. Bart had not only become his teammate, but his best friend, boyfriend, fiancé, and husband in turn. How Jaime deserved someone as pure-hearted as Bart, the Latino would never know. What he did know though, was that he was going to do everything within his power to make it up to his spouse.

Jaime leaned in to kiss the auburn-haired man. “I’d love to have a family with you, Cariño,” he said in response to Bart’s statement.

Bart pulled back slightly, searching out Jaime’s eyes. “Really?” He asked.

“Of course,” Jaime replied. “You’re the most important person on this planet to me, Cariño. I’d love to raise a kid with you.”

Bart smiled, squeezing Jaime’s fingers between his own. “We’d have to adopt.”

Jaime laughed in response. “I know, Amor. I already told Mamá not to expect any kids from us. I’m pretty sure she had a feeling we’d end up married anyway, based on her reaction when I told her we’d started dating.” Both laughed at the memory. “She stopped talking to me about grandkids the day after, and doubled her efforts with Milagro.”

Bart nuzzled his head into Jaime’s chest, making the Hispanic man hum and let go of one of his hands to run it through his auburn locks. “I want to adopt our baby when they’re too young to remember,” Bart said.

Jaime leaned back so that Bart could see his confused expression. “Remember what?” He asked.

Bart cast his eyes towards their still entwined hands, which were laying in Bart’s lap. He started twisting the silver wedding band around Jaime’s finger, which matched his own. “Too young to remember their biological parents.”

“Why?”

Bart sighed. “When I was collared, there were some kids I grew up with. We were all in the same situation, with the exception that I had already lost my parents.”

Jaime could tell he was trying to hold his tears back- he had just stopped crying- but at the word ‘parents’, one slipped down his cheek. Quickly, Jaime reached up to brush it away, giving his husband a kiss on the cheek, encouraging him to continue.

“They were unwanted. The kids I grew up with. Their parents traded them in like... like piecesofmeatfortheReach. Allforafewscrapsoffoodwhenthegoinggottough. Butitwashardforeverybody. The kids could remember their parents, Jaime. Theycouldrememberthebetrayals. I-I don’t want our kid to remember. To-to feel unwanted.”

Jaime pressed a kiss to the top of his husband’s head. Bart’s words were blurring together with hyper speed, and Jaime could barely make out what he was saying. That usually only happened when he was upset, anxious, excited, embarrassed, or really really turned on. Jaime was betting on the first reason for the change in the speedster’s speech.

“Sí, Cariño. Maybe we can look into finding a birth mother. Someone who’s still pregnant. We can meet our baby from the start.” Jaime gently placed another kiss into his husband’s hair.

Bart nodded against him. “Do you want a boy or a girl?” He asked out of curiosity.

Jaime hummed in contemplation. “I think having a daughter would be cool, but I’d be happy with a son too. You?”

Bart let out a small laugh. “I never thought I’d have kids, growing up when I did. And especially not since I’m gay. They didn’t exactly have such a thing as adoption in my time.”

“Oh,” Jaime mumbled. He hadn’t really thought about that. “I guess it’s pointless to ask about names then.”

“Nathaniel,” Bart immediately blurted out. “Nathaley for a girl.”

Considering Bart’s previous response, Jaime hadn’t expected him to have an answer. “Why those?” He asked out of curiosity.

Bart blushed. “I-I had a friend in the future. He, uh, helped me fix the time machine. His name was Nathaniel.”

Jaime nodded. He didn’t want to push for details. If Bart wanted to share more about it, he would.

“I’ve always liked Veronica,” Jaime said, keeping the conversation going, “and Pedro.”

Bart hummed and turned his head to place a kiss on the side of Jaime’s neck. “Pedro Nathaniel Allen-Reyes. I like it,” the speedster whispered.

“Nathaley Veronica Allen-Reyes has a good ring to it, too,” Jaime added, kissing his husband on the lips.

Bart kissed him back, turning so that their chests pressed together and he could lace his fingers through Jaime’s hair. “It’s too bad we can’t make one of our own,” Bart panted when they finally pulled away.

Jaime gave his husband his best bedroom eyes and a seductive smile. “We could try.” He grabbed Bart around the waist and pushed him down against the mattress, hovering over the younger man on all fours. He immediately noticed lust darken the auburn-haired man’s green eyes.

“Sounds like a plan to me,” Bart commented, dragging Jaime down for another kiss.

#first fanfic #Bart Allen #Jaime Reyes #future fic #married #blue beetle #impulse #kid flash #young justice #bluepulse #probably pretty bad #but i tried

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