batstalked

[batstalked]

CARING FOR THE SICK PROMPTS.

i found this list and kinda fed into it each time i got the flu or a migraine, and u know what, it's just me revealing just how much i love the caring threads and the soft threads and the fondly exasperated "let me help you" threads! use at your pleasure, DO NOT ADD TO THE LIST NOR EDIT IT! i will be changing it accordingly!

" i found you passed out in the kitchen. you wanna stop working yourself so hard? or do i need to keep hitting the gym to carry you to bed every day? "

" you're burning up. "

" your neighbour called me and said you could use a nurse. looks like they were right, too. "

" you were told to take it easy, so... yeah. this is kinda on you. "

" you took a sick day. you NEVER take a sick day. so yeah, i got worried, and i figured i'd come over and keep an eye on you. "

" you texted me a long and incoherent text that held about 90% of the emoji list and about four different languages. figured it wouldn't hurt to drop by and see how you were doing. "

" how long have you been sick for? and don't lie. "

" you look like hell. "

" i brought you some soup; let me heat some up for you? "

" okay. it's time you went to the hospital. "

" hey… hello there, sleeping beauty. you gave me a bit of a scare yesterday. how are you feeling? "

" i swear, if you even think of getting out of that bed… "

" you know when i said to call if it's an emergency? a fever is most DEFINITELY considered an emergency! "

" if you think you're going to work like this, you better think again. "

" don't worry. my family swears by this remedy; just let it work its magic and you'll feel good as new in no time. "

" I don't care about getting sick. i'm not leaving you until you're back to full health. "

" you didn't stop to think that this might happen when you're burning the candle at both ends? "

" yeah, I can play the role of nurse AND say "I told you so" at the same time, actually. "

" you better drink every last drop of this tea, no matter how disgusting it is. "

" i told my boss it was an emergency so they've given me a full week to look after you. "

" quit being so stubborn and get into BED! "

" what part of doctor's orders hasn't sunk in yet? bed rest! for the WEEK! "

" right, where do you keep your saucepans? i'm going to make you my famous noodle soup. it's a cure-all, i'm telling you! "

" hey, unless you're going to the bathroom or the sofa, I don't want to see you out of that bed. got it? "

" when are you gonna start letting people look after you, huh? "

" i know, i know, i turned off all the lights once i figured you had the migraine. you want some tea? water? "

" don't be mad, but i saw your fridge, and... it frightened me. so i've taken you back to my place, and i'm gonna get deliveroo to bring some groceries to your place tomorrow. okay? "

" i know your appetite is a little off, so i ordered in a whole tonne of options. just try a little bit of something, please? for me? "

" i've brought half a pharmacy, enough movies and boardgames to last us a decade, and every single snack i could fit into the basket at the grocery store. so sit your butt down, eat your soup, and try and make the most of your bed rest for the next week, will you? "

ACTION PROMPTS ( SEND THE FULL LINE! and feel free to reverse if u wish! ):

[ TOUCH ]: sender gently rests a hand against the receiver's forehead to check their temperature.

[ DAMP ]: sender presses a cool cloth against the receiver's face, neck and forehead to try and lower their fever.

[ BLANKET ]: sender wraps another blanket around the receiver to try and stop them from shivering.

[ SPOON ]: sender gently coaxes spoons of soup into the receiver's mouth to build up their strength after an illness.

[ CARRY ]: sender, finding the receiver weakened/unconscious on the floor, immediately lifts them up and carries them back to bed.

[ AROUND ]: sender keeps a protective arm around the receiver to help them walk without the risk of stumbling or collapsing.

[ STAY ]: sender decides to stay by the receiver's bedside after learning that they're sick.

[ HAIR ]: sender smooths back the receiver's hair in a soothing gesture to try and help them go back to sleep.

[ TILT ]: sender tips a bottle of water up for the receiver to sip from.

[ HUM ]: sender hums/sings to soothe a sick receiver back to sleep.

[ BACK ]: sender gently rubs the receiver's back, either to soothe them or warm them while they're unwell.

[ SHARE ]: sender climbs into the receiver's sickbed with them, wrapping their arms around them to offer warmth and comfort.

[ SHOWER ]: sender, learning the receiver has a high fever, takes a cold shower with them in order to lower their temperature.

[ WAKEN ]: the receiver wakes up in bed, having been found unconscious by the sender and carried into the bed from the floor.

[ QUARANTINE ]: the sender and receiver, both being sick, decide to quarantine together and spend the recovery period with each other.

[batstalked]

tears gnaw at the backs of his eyes. exhaustion and everything being so overly emotional really taking a toll on him now. and this was just the first conversation that he'd had since waking up. there were at least three more to go. as much as Tim was glad that Kon was the first one that he'd been able to see when he woke up, he wasn't sure that this was the hardest conversation that he going to have to have.

he only just looks up as Kon moves around the room to collect his jacket. yeah, he definitely deserved that. he wants to beg Kon to stay. wants to ask him to just… get in the bed with him and pretend that this wasn't happening. but he knows that that's all just too selfish after everything that happened. everything that he'd done. so he just lets Kon head for the door. biting back the urge to ask him to at least text him when he got wherever he was going. unfortunately that brings up the thought that his phone was probably in pieces under the rubble they'd left behind. he should have left it in the impala.

"if… if you don't come back before i'm released, i'll get someone to call you." he didn't want to hope that Kon was going to stick around on his own volition. or that he didn't have other things that he needed to do. at least this was he wouldn't be completely left in the dark if he did choose to go home or back to Kansas.

only once the door is shut does he let the tears fall freely.

he'd really fucked this one up.

▪︎▪︎☆

His best friend was right, the truth would not make Kon any less angry. He understood as well, but it did not mean he was ready to forgive that just yet. And damn it, he hated the power Timothy had on him when it came to that sad expression. It encouraged quick solutions to get rid of it because his heart ached to see the other in any state besides happiness. How long had it been anyway since they were both truly that? Maybe they did still have secrets, but they were working on it. One being about the knowledge, Kon ignored it for now. Rude, but he meant what he said. 

Too many emotions were already swirling around them and he did not want to cheapen a very real talk about shit they were hiding when it came to ‘them’.  His gaze remained unwavering on Tim, so the other knew that Kon heard every word. “You’re right. It does not lessen my feelings right now, but it's a start and,” He felt like he was about to hand over another weapon or maybe that was dramatic. Permission to do it again might be a better term. 

Boots moved then, taking him to the chair to scoop up his leather jacket and slid it on. “I am going to take some space for a bit now that I know you are awake. Others want to come see how you are doing.” To the door he headed, opening it and pausing in the frame. Those sea hues looked back at Timothy. “I love you. That’s not going to change.” No matter what the outcome of them was, there was a truth for a truth. Fingers curled around the knob to pull it closed so he could go get who ever wanted to see him next. 

☆▪︎▪︎

[batstalked]

knowing Kon as long as Tim had lets him pick up on the fact that the other is shocked that he wasn't putting up a fight. but there was no point. Kon was right. Tim had fucked up. and he'd done so in a way that would leave a scar. he knew that. and he was more than ready to own it. not just with Kon. with all of them. so he was just going to sit there and take whatever they needed to throw at him in order to potentially open the door towards healing. there was nothing that was going to hold him back at this point. no protocols. no expectations. just Tim accepting responsibility for his actions and the pain that it had caused. there was no justifying this as 'for the cause' or an act 'for the greater good'.

Tim had made this choice. and he was going to make up for it.

though the words that leave Kon make him stop everything that he'd been doing. mind grinding to a halt as it tried to come up with things that he could do to make it up to the other. blue stare at him with wild disbelief; jaw hanging loosely as he has to force himself not to drop the water bottle in his hand.

"you… you knew?" he wants to be upset about it. wants to throw the bottle at the other. but he keeps himself in check. he deserved this. the way that he'd confessed to the other was one of the worst ways. this was tame in comparison. "how long have you known?" as much as Tim wanted to grant the other his request of waiting to talk about it until they got home. Tim didn't know if he was even going home. to the cabin for a while sure. but he'd never really thought about going back to the apartment even though it was the one space that he shared with the other. he just shakes his head slightly ignoring the dizziness that it caused. "yeah, no. of course we can talk about it later."

his jaw clenches slightly as Kon switches topics leaving no room for any real argument anyway. and he knows that he's right about this too. there was nothing that Tim could say to explain his reasoning without it sounding like an excuse, but he'd do it if Kon wanted to know. but he gets the feeling that Kon doesn't care why he'd done it. "I know," he breathes out knowing that Kon will hear him perfectly fine.

"and i know it wont make it any better but i didn't tell all of them. i didn't know what was going to happen. if they survived and i didn't, i… i had a pretty good idea of how you would react. and it wasn't because i think you're dangerous. i know that you're not. and i know that you don't want to hear anything i have to say on the matter but you also need to know all of the facts. it wont make you any less pissed at me. but at least you'll be pissed for the right reasons." he doesn't look up at the other. blue boring holes into the blanket that was draped over his legs and picking at the label on the water bottle.

"i told Eddie what to say. that was it. if it seemed like you might come at any of them for perfectly valid reasons. they've heard me talking about you, hell I've talked to them about you. they know how much you mean to me… and i'm sure that they put two and two together. Dean and Eddie know where you would be coming from with it. so all i told Eddie was that if it seemed like you were going to lash out at them without all the facts to just say that i told him where the kryptonite was. they never had access. they don't even know where it is. they don't know what it would do to you. but I know that it's enough to make you stop for a second. that it would have given them the chance to explain. so you can be mad at me. you can hate me for a while. but i only did any of it to keep all of you safe.

i'm sorry."

▪︎▪︎☆

Kon expected logic explanation or the whole talk of the greater good, which should matter in the end. So why was he so pressed about this? Was it not what they had been doing their whole damn lives? This response was different. Accountability and regret. Part of Kon wanted his best friend to talk him down with running circles around him because it was their normal once upon a time. This, however, felt…. Nicer. Better? He was not sure since anything new caused a stumble. So he was quiet because what else could he say when Timothy told him everything he wanted to hear? There would not be any promise to never do it again, not when both could so easily break it. 

Despite his anger, he helped Timothy by using his TTK to move it closer when noticing how the IV stretches. He could have held it for him, but a small bit of independence was good for Tim after being unconscious. “I know.” Said softly, understanding Timothy more than likely would never have told Kon if they were both being honest. Not unless it was encouraged. The back of his neck felt warm suddenly, nervousness and something else in his gut before those pretty eyes snapped back to Timothy. “What? Tim.” A sigh was heavy from his lips. “I’ve known you have been in love with me. Neither of us are subtle about our feelings. And look, I want to talk about it. I don’t want to ignore that confession but not here. Can we… Let’s wait to talk about this at home.” That voice was rushed, and a little nervous. 

He knew Timothy would agree after the man said he would do what ever it took. Patience was an easy ask because Kon had to explain some things and there were people waiting to see Tim. There was also another topic. “You’ve lost some of my trust today.” The hurt in saying those words went right to his eyes as they softened in a sad expression. “You told strangers about a weapon that can end me, without my permission. And that stranger threatened me with it at the moment when I thought I lost my world.  This is why I am fucking hurt, Tim.” Fist clenched at his side again. “It would be like someone showing you a gun and saying they know where to shoot you, while you were panicked about my safety. I,” He cut himself off, huffing out a breath as his chest grew so damn tight again. 

“I know in the past I have been brash, but I’ve struggled so hard to look at myself as something other than a weapon. I have done so damn good to not hurt people when I get emotional and that slammed me back there. I am dangerous… I thought I got past that.” He did not say it but it was in the air. Timothy threw him back there unintentionally, but there nevertheless.

☆▪︎▪︎

[batstalked]

Tim almost giggles at the way that Dean talks about how he assumed that he was going to die now. it was sort of hilarious to think that that Dean assumed that it was going to be him and Ben that killed him. when it would really be himself that ended everything because he was a stubborn little shit who was notorious for doing the same thing that Tim had just done. but Tim wasn't about to spoil the moment by pointing out that Dean was just as bad.

"oh yeah i put on that whole show just to kill off my childhood," he snickers. he would have done something far less traumatizing if that was all that he was going to do. instead he'd put nearly everyone that he cared about in danger. so he would kindly like Dean to retract that statement. the frown that tugs at Dean's lips makes his stomach squirm uncomfortably. of course he knew that Dean was upset with him. and that he absolutely deserved it.

"it's been weighing me down since i took the mantel. i have no idea who i am now. i know you're mad at me. i know you're all probably mad at me. but it was the only way. it had to be an untouched soul and i was the only option. i know i should have told you. but you'd have never gone for it. and things would have been so much worse. i know the city isn't worth it… but there are people here that i care about here." shifting back to lean against the bed, he didn't really want to be that far away from Dean but he also knew that they needed to fully discuss what happened.

"i can't promise that nothing like that will ever happen again. but neither can you."

--- tim's eyeroll earned him one back, but dean was trying to keep this light. tim was still healing up and even if he was upset with him for the stunt he pulled he also understood. the greater good. and for his family. tim was doing what he thought was his only option.

"robin." dean stated it almost like he didn't exactly hear tim right. it didn't make sense for a moment but hearing tim state it again seemed to have something click into place in dean's brain. the hunter drug a hand down his face as he sighed with a slight shake of his head. he killed robin. dean was fairly sure he got what tim was going for. it was dramatic as all hell and dean could practically hear eddie's voice saying 'of course he's being dramatic, sweetheart. he's being like you.' with his hand covering his eyes and dean started to chuckle and then laugh, although there was a manic edge to it.

"always said i was gonna die young, you know? i thought some monster would get me. some insane fuckin'," he pulled his hand free from his face to wave it around. "hellgate bullshit even! but i got it wrong. it's gonna be because my heart explodes from stress because my 'genius' kid," he poked his finger into tim's forehead. "put me through shit like that to kill off his alter ego." of course dean knew that wasn't the reason tim did what he did, and maybe that was why, despite the joke, dean ended frowning.

"you know i'm glad you feel like you can move on from that. i know robin has been something you felt like was weighing you down for awhile. so i'm glad you finally feel like it's dead and gone for you. but you know it doesn't change the fact that i'm still not cool with how it happened, right?"

[batstalked]

⭒⭑⭒— 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐭: nsfw edition, part 2

send me a pairing and i'll answer: which one struggles more with asking for what they want? which one likes to test the other by teasing them in public? which one prefers taking things slow? which one enjoys taking the lead and which one prefers to follow? which one is more likely to initiate shower sex? which one is into leaving marks? which one likes teasing with words and which prefers physical tease? which one accidentally tears the sheets (again)? which one is secretly into praise kink? which one loves making the other beg? which one suggests using toys? which one gets shy when picking out toys together?

[batstalked]

blue roll at the elder as if he’d be so sure that it was going to make sense. and maybe he was still a little bit out of it. but that didn’t make what he’d said any less true. at least to Tim. unlike the others around them that had died for whatever reasons. he wasn’t going to go down the same path. he was going to use this to his advantage. going to make something positive out of it at the end of the day. even if he wasn’t going to be good at it at first. that was okay. because he had Dean. and Ben. and Eddie. and hopefully Kon even if they needed to work on a few things before moving forward with their lives again. it would all be okay.

“Robin,” he breathes out. perhaps it was a little bit on the nose for the situation. but it felt right. he’d been so weighed down by not knowing who he was outside of Robin that he was letting go. using his momentary death to say good bye to a huge part of his life. sure he would always have the training and the skills. but he was finally allowing himself to be Tim again. just Tim. not Robin. not Red Robin. not Timothy Drake Wayne.

just Tim.

just a lot eighteen year old kid who finally found a family outside of young justice that wanted him. that cared about him. of course young justice would always be his first family. but this… this was something entirely different. this was where he belonged as Tim.

“I killed Robin.”

Tim didn't think that he held his breath until Dean's arms curled around him. but with his nose pressed hard into Dean's shoulder it finally leaves him in a shaky stream. unable to keep the tears from tipping over dark lashes. he was exhausted to a level that he could only describe as bone deep but still he manages to wiggle himself basically into Dean's lap. but it was just so god damn good to know that Dean didn't hate him.

there's no fight in him when Dean pulls back to look him over. not missing the way that green linger on his throat ever so slightly. it was just a matching scar at this point. one on each side at different angles. it didn't bother Tim as much as he thought it might. he was alive and so was everyone else. there hadn't been a single casualty in all of that and the fact that there hadn't been was wild to him. but he wasn't about to look a gift horse in the mouth.

he couldn't help but laugh when Dean tells him that he's grounded. he could take that. that was the least of his worries at this point. he really didn't have too many if he was being honest. not now. the gate was closed. sure they were onto the next horror movie but there was no chance that the entire city was going to be sucked into hell for whatever fucked up ritual they were trying to do.

"i killed him," he offers in a slightly hysterical rush of words. "i killed him, dad." the word just leaves him freely now. knowing that he owed Dean a do over for the way it had left him before. sure it wasn't much better but at least he wasn't seconds from death this time.

[batstalked]

Tim didn't think that he held his breath until Dean's arms curled around him. but with his nose pressed hard into Dean's shoulder it finally leaves him in a shaky stream. unable to keep the tears from tipping over dark lashes. he was exhausted to a level that he could only describe as bone deep but still he manages to wiggle himself basically into Dean's lap. but it was just so god damn good to know that Dean didn't hate him.

there's no fight in him when Dean pulls back to look him over. not missing the way that green linger on his throat ever so slightly. it was just a matching scar at this point. one on each side at different angles. it didn't bother Tim as much as he thought it might. he was alive and so was everyone else. there hadn't been a single casualty in all of that and the fact that there hadn't been was wild to him. but he wasn't about to look a gift horse in the mouth.

he couldn't help but laugh when Dean tells him that he's grounded. he could take that. that was the least of his worries at this point. he really didn't have too many if he was being honest. not now. the gate was closed. sure they were onto the next horror movie but there was no chance that the entire city was going to be sucked into hell for whatever fucked up ritual they were trying to do.

"i killed him," he offers in a slightly hysterical rush of words. "i killed him, dad." the word just leaves him freely now. knowing that he owed Dean a do over for the way it had left him before. sure it wasn't much better but at least he wasn't seconds from death this time.

--- the one visitor at a time rule was a rough one. he knew there was no pulling kon away from tim but if they were all crowded in there he had to imagine that it would be overwhelming. still, dean hearing that tim was awake, may have made a sneaky pass or three past his room to see for himself. but he wasn't going to mention that.

as soon as he stepped through the door dean's shoulders sagged; he could read the anxiety all over tim's expression. those out stretched arms were just a uppercut to his soft heart. "dammit, kid," he mumbled before all but rushing tim and gathering him into his arms. dean had to admit he needed this just as bad. seeing tim awake was one thing, but holding onto him and seeing him fully conscious was another.

"i know, i know," he soothed. he squeezed slightly tighter and then pulled back so he could really look at tim. he swept his hair back out of his face and his eyes tracked down towards his throat. he was okay, dean knew he was going to be the moment he'd taken him from castiel, but seeing him awake with more color in his complexion was soothing dean's frayed nerves.

"you're grounded," he managed a small joke, his tired eyes crinkling up around the edges. "you're so goddamn grounded."

[batstalked]

with all due respect, which is none,

[batstalked]

Leslie has a very strict one visitor at a time policy. which meant that Tim knew exactly what was going to happen when Kon was ushered out of the room. steeling himself against the onslaught that was likely coming through the door, he doesn't know what he's going to say to Dean. he knew full well that Dean was blaming himself for putting them all in this position. that he was blaming himself for not knowing a different way to close the gate.

the sight of the elder has tears biting at the back of his eyes, holding out his arms like a child who'd just had a nightmare and wanted to be consoled. he didn't know if Dean hated him or not but this was good way to find out. of course he remembered what Dean had yelled the moment before the knife had cut through his skin. but that could have changed in --- well he wasn't sure how long he was out. he still hadn't seen Eddie or ben. there was a good chance that they could hate him too.

"I'm sorry..."

@therebetterbepie

[batstalked]

he doesn't plan on arguing with Kon. if the other truly didn't want to talk about it, then they wouldn't talk about it. Tim knew that he had no leverage here. had no leg to stand on. he wasn't used to being the one that had to ask for forgiveness. but he was more than ready to do so. he doesn't fight when Kon shakes his wrist loose and steps away from him. though he was slightly surprised when Kon moves the little table and all but crawls into the bed with him for a moment. pressing his hands flat against the other's back, allowing himself to soak up the affection for as long as it was offered. but of course it has to end at some point.

there's only a nod when Kon explains that he wouldn't be able to touch him while speaking. Tim couldn't blame him at all. so when the other begins speaking, he just sits there listening to him without interrupting. he knows that everything that Kon is saying is true. he'd messed up and he'd messed up big time. he'd made one too much rash decisions and it was going to bite him in the ass in so many ways. watching him tells Tim more than the words do. but still he was more intent on hearing the other out than anything else. determined to answer for what he'd done instead of trying to run away like he usually did. he didn't want to be that person anymore.

once Kon has finished he waits a moment to make sure that he had said all that he had wanted to. shifting to push himself up to sit a little higher in the bed. "you're right. i broke my promise and i hurt you. i can sit here and tell you that i didn't want to do that, but you already know i didn't. it was fucked up to put that on you. i wasn't thinking. i was terrified and i didn't know if i was going to survive. i didn't want to say good bye because that made it too real. that made the fact that i could die too much of a possibility. but i shouldn't have made that choice for you." reaching for the bottle of water, he hates the way that the IV tugs at the skin of the back of his hand.

there's a long moment of silence that stretches between them while Tim consumes more of the water, before speaking again. "that wasn't the way that i wanted to tell you, just so you know. i just.. i didn't want to maybe die and not have told you. i know it was shitty. and I'm sorry. we can… well i know it's not something that we can just forget i said. but if… if you don't feel the same i get it. but i'll do whatever i have to do to make it up to you. as friends."

▪︎▪︎☆

Kon paused at feeling colder fingers gripping his wrist, drawn to the connected limbs and remaining there for longer than necessary. He hated how his heart ticked a little at the ‘stupid’ smile on those angled features, a weapon against him nowadays. It did the same thing no matter what his mood was, yet did not always override those feelings. Today was one of those days when it was going to take more than a cheeky grin even if he appreciated having the chance to see it again. 

No morse code. That voice was weak though and at this point, Kon would be talking at Tim more than to him. There was no hiding how his expression dropped to reveal hurt. “I don’t think this is a good time to talk. You just woke up.” And yet, Kon wanted to finally say all the things in his head. Now they were all jumbled up and more emotions were pushing forward. It was almost too much and he knew some of it had to get out. 

Where did he begin? Tim’s broken promise, his love confession, or how he put Kon in danger? Straw rose once more to encourage another sip or two before the kryptonian backed up, disconnecting himself and Timothy. The bottle was abandoned for a moment on one of those sliding tables so Kon could wrap his arms around Timothy, holding him close for a few moments, smelling his sweaty hair. He just… he needed this first, to feel the man in his arms one more Tim before… “Okay, I just needed to do that.” Unwrapping arms, he gained space back between them. “Cause, I can’t touch you for this next bit.” 

Tim wanted him to talk, but the topics were serious. Kon had to treat them as such or he would crumble like he always did. Not this time. Tim crossed some lines. “You promised.” His words were… defeated in tone. “I know you have good excuses as to why you did what you did. You always do, Tim. It does not erase the pain and consequences they leave behind. What did you think would happen if you had not come back? If you stayed dead?” Arms crossed over his broad chest, stretching out that suit.” Did you think the people you left behind would eventually move on and be happy about that sacrifice? That we all would know in time that you loved us and did it for us?” the more he spoke, his agitation mounted. 

“How could you believe that civilian bullshit? Fuck you.” It was not said playfully, but with conviction. “I would not have moved on, would not eventually find happiness. I am angry, I am hurt, and that would have festered in me. You, as a kid of someone who scolded you for failure, should know that everyone single person involved would have felt that from your death and none of us would get over it.”  Sometimes, Timothy was so smart, he was clueless. Or maybe his brain knew the outcome but weighed it on some personal scale. “And you would be gone, no longer dealing with the aftermath of your actions.” Arms uncrossed so he could put a hand up, bringing up a point that was circulating in his mind. 

“In the end, this is not only about you sacrificing yourself. I mean, yeah I am pissed about it, but would be a hypocrite when I did the same thing. The difference is I gave you a chance to say goodbye. You stole that from me and everyone else involved. Whispers of your feelings… that…it's...” Hand went up to push fingers through his curls while lips terse. “It’s not closure. It was one way.” 

☆▪︎▪︎

[batstalked]

Tim stops himself from rolling his eyes at the other again. instead Kon just gets a sarcastic laugh. "you're hilarious. truly. maybe you should consider the career change." it would never work, Kon was too determined to help people to even think about quitting his mantel.

an offended gasp sounds from him to cover up the laugh that threatens to leave him. "i'm not going to be squishy! how dare you. you can sit at the other end of the couch for movie night now." he was full of hot air and he would never make Kon sit on the other end of the couch. that was his own selfish little gift to himself. teeth snap playfully at the thumb that drags along his face. though it was mostly a cover up for the way that his cheeks tinted at the touch.

"yes, dear." he taunts as Kon puts a little bit of space between them. "five grilled cheese coming up." they were easier to make than much of anything else that they had in the kitchen right now. he was already planning on ordering them breakfast. the last thing that Tim wanted to do was get into bed with the other finally after a month apart and then have to get up and cook breakfast. and there was no way that he was going to let Kon cook.

it doesn't take too long for him to cook the grilled cheese. the oven set to a low temperature as he does so that they don't get cold if Kon decides to have a longer than normal shower. out of instinct he glances up when the bathroom door opens, regretting it almost instantly as his stomach flips. without thinking a soft curse leaves him when he turns his attention to the pan. used to being alone as he had been for the last while. the sound of footsteps sees Tim pulling the grilled cheese out of the oven and setting them on the island that was now between them.

"all done. drink?"

▪︎▪︎☆

“You should look into stand up comedy. Making fun of the crowd and all.” Those pretty caribbean hue irises lifted in a half hearted roll to mimic Timothy, smile stretching those full lips across his perfectly shaped face. . 

“I don’t know, Rob. You becoming squishy would make a nice pillow during movie night. I am selfishly withholding my support for now.” Before he could say sike, a poke was felt, making abs flex unconsciously from that single touch, starved of it after a month of being around strangers and people he was not comfortable enough to steal a hug from. 

Thumb shifted to stroke down that round chin. “Make US something to eat. Double mine. I’ll take grilled cheese at this point.” Hands reluctantly left his best friend’s person so Kon could lift a few inches from the ground, reserving energy by floating to the bathroom. TTK was used to undo the suit and hang it. Every groove and wired together fabric was known by his extra sense, moving over it like millions of tiny brushes to cleanse away every bit of sweat, dirt and other particles, lifting and placing them into the toilet for Kon to flush down.  

He was next, turning the water and stepping in before it got hot. Once it reached that temperature, he was quick to scrub his body with a cloth and condition his curls for now, not wanting to waste time with shampooing but needing to soften it. By the time he got out, the whole bathroom was full of steam. It followed him like wisps hands when the door opened and a towel was wrapped around his middle as he made his way to his bedroom. 

Door was cast ajar, ten minutes passed before Kon was coming back out dressed in a pair of gym shorts and hoodie, back to floating. He looked less exhausted, the shower renewing him a bit not realizing how he had missed it. “Alright. What can I help with or are we all done?”

☆▪︎▪︎

[batstalked]

the nickname that leaves the other, because that's all it was these days, has a wider smile stretching chapped lips. even the sting of the cracks widening was a blessing in disguise. he could feel that. it was a reminder that he was alive. that he could still look up at Kon and enjoy every moment with him. a breathy laugh leaves him when Kon moves quickly to get him water. he always knew what Tim needed which was so dumb. fingers fumble with the bed to rise it so that he could sit. ignoring the way that his head swam slightly, that was to be expected when one lost as much blood as he had.

there's no attempt to take the bottle from the other. not wanting to rob him of that task to distract himself with. blue never once leave Kon's face, despite the healing factor, Tim knew that he'd been crying. the glitter of salt that clung to sun kissed skin. drinking only what he dared to right now, he can't help but snicker softly as Kon answers the unasked question.

"good," he offers quietly. shifting to grip at Kon's extended wrist, a silent plea not to leave. logically he knew that there was no way that Kon was going to go anywhere. but he still needed the reassurance that he was going to stay. "we should though. you're mad at me. and you have every right to be." he was going to need more water before too long but for now he just wanted to get it out of the way. they'd spent so long not saying what should be said and they needed to.

"talk to me… please."

▪︎▪︎☆

Kon could not sleep and he tried. The anxiety, questions, memories, and confessions were on a continuous loop; answers that would wait. Right now, he just wanted Tim to wake up. Privacy gone as Kon kept going back to that tempo, making sure it was not failing again. Bare hands enveloped Timothy’s between them, wanting to feel even the slightest twitch. 

An old nickname, low but registering in Kon’s hearing range, caused his head to raise slowly, eyes peeling open. Evidence of his prior cry was gone, skin long since healed itself and eyes no longer irritated. No glasses, those deep blue irises were looking right at Timothy, facial expression stoic except his eyes softened just around the edges. “Hey Robin.” Voice raw with emotion that threatened to choke him as it all flared up when he looked at those equally beautiful blues. 

In one smooth motion he stood, his hands untangling from Timothy’s so Kon could go get one of the bottles and straws. Heading back to his friend, top was undone, straw unsleeved and put into it. Leaning down, he angled the straw toward Timothy’s mouth so he could take a sip if he wanted. If denied, Kon would stand up and continue holding it until Tim was ready. 

“Everyone is okay. Physically.” That was normally the first question on Timothy’s mind. One of the things that made Kon feel safe when with him. Funny, considering. “We don’t need to talk right now." What was supposed to be said hung in the air, unspoken among the two: it worked. The kryptonian was in no mood to say his best friend was right or that he did it. Kon knew, agreed because had he not done the same thing years ago... “Unless you want to use morse code?” Free hand extended a palm upside toward Tim as a distraction from those thoughts. 

☆▪︎▪︎

[batstalked]

waking was far more difficult than it had ever been before. it felt as though he was being weighed down by thousands of pounds of sand. his throat was so dry that it hurt to even be aware of. only being vaguely aware of his surroundings, the steady beeping somewhere to his right tells him that he’s in some sort of hospital or med bay. so he had lived. that was good. even if the dread that someone else might not have. he doesn’t let himself think about that. he was sure that answers would come sooner rather than later.

as his body grows used to the idea of being conscious again, he finds that his left hand is incredibly warm. blue crack open and slip from the ceiling to the form next to him. a soft smile cracking dry lips at the sight of curly hair against the bed next to him. sure this wasn’t exactly the way that he wanted things to go. but he’d take what he could get at this moment.

Tim knows that the second he moves, Kon will wake up. so he chooses to stay still. not wanting to spook the other.

“clone boy…” he croaks out, knowing that even a whisper would likely wake the other at this point. the guilt that curled around his ribs like barbed wire tightens knowing what he’d done. sure that @starboipersona was furious with him right now. Tim knew that it would be a miracle if they weren’t all livid about all of this.

[batstalked]

Dean's protests were expected. and Tim knew that it was cruel to make Dean watch this, but it was the only way. they did not have the means to do it any other way. it wasn't as though they could have called Michael and just had the archangel do it for them. so they had to resort to the next best thing and hope for the best. besides two vessels and archangel grace should be more than enough to do what they need to do. there was nothing in the text that specified that it had to be Michael. just that it took two vessels. and that was what they had.

two of Michael's vessels. an archangel's grace.

and a willing sacrifice.

of course in the research that he'd done there had been no mention of how to survive such a thing. Tim deduced that it was because it didn't matter if the human involved survived. the lives of the many out weigh the life of one. it all had that very biblical tone to it. Jesus had died for the sins of all. so he could see how this would track along the same belief system.

"Dean." he starts, trying to cut through the shouting that the hunter was doing at the moment. the threats and curses that left him were hollow, Tim knew. he was just scared. they were all scared. perhaps not the angels he thought. but they were next to indestructible under normal circumstances. this would be nothing compared to the things that they'd likely already done in their very long lives. "Dad!" it ricochets off the walls around them like a gun shot, making even Tim flinch despite having been the one that said it. deliberately this time. blue meeting green with a calmness that hadn't been there all day.

"it's gonna be okay. it has to be me. i'm the one that's never died before." it was common knowledge that Dean had died before, though Sam had eluded to it being more times than Dean would ever admit. Eddie had died. Ben had momentarily died in the ambulance on the way to the hospital after the accident. and even if there had been a chance of using Dick or Jason, Tim would never have asked them to do this. no, it had to be him. Steph had always said that there was a reason that he'd never died even for a moment like the rest of them. and maybe she didn't quite have this in mind… but it turned out that she had been right.

pulling his attention away from Dean, he looks up at Gabriel next to him. "Do it."

"you're insane, kid. but you've got some guts… i'll give you that." there's a tap to his forehead from the archangel before he moves towards the gate.

closing his eyes to keep the tears at bay, there's a breath and a misplaced prayer that this works as Gabriel raises a hand. the rustle of feathers sounding once more as unseen wings unfurl from the archangel's back to act as a link between Dean and Ben.

"i love you," he says to none of them in particular. "and i'm sorry that i kept this from you. but i knew that you'd try to stop me and i need this to work. for all of us. just… just please don't watch." he knew that it was pointless to ask. Dean would never look away. Tim already knew the guilt that was brewing in the hunter's gut.

it would be okay. it had to be okay.

"Kon," he whispers barely above a breath. "i know you're listening. I'm sorry that i didn't tell you this before… i love you. i'm -- i'm IN love with you. i have been for years. please forgive me." he knew that at this point the three of them would be arriving soon. it was so close to midnight that there was no way that they weren't. he just hopes that he didn't call Dick, Jason and Kon to come collect their corpses. a shaky breath leaves him as he pushes himself back up to his knees, ignoring the way that his hands shake. "now Gabriel."

the movement of his hand is a flash in the now nearly blinding light from the gate. white hot pain sears across the side of his neck just below his ear and jaw. deep enough that the lightheadedness sets in almost instantly as his blood pressure drops. the warmth that quickly runs down his throat tells him that he'd used just enough pressure. good, he thinks as the knife clatters to the stone floor. the quicker his blood ran the quicker this would be over. its only by pure will to finish this alone that sees him guiding himself down to the floor just behind Gabriel, blood pooling and running down the ever so slightly graded gully. blue focus only long enough to watch the crimson slip under the wall. twin sounds of surprise tell him that he had been deemed a worthy sacrifice and that blades within the walls had slashed across Dean and Ben's wrists.

numbly his mind supplies that it was unfair that he would be oblivious to what happens next. if they failed he would never know. if they succeeded he still may never know. he can only hope that Dean can forgive him for all of this. and that Ben wont hate him for the choices that he'd made.

seconds later. maybe hours. his mind supplies the vague feeling of being touched. of voices that were little more than droning sounds. the odd sensation of limbs dangling and swaying. more voices still louder now as if shouting. but none of it really registers as memories. just dreamlike experiences that are gone as quickly as they came.

he wasn't so sure that he hated the feeling of dying if this was all that it was.

--- not yet. dean had to wonder how long they were going to be locked in place here. part of him regretted letting ben be the one to do this. he knew he wanted to help, he wanted to defend his home, but looking across at him, locked into the other keyhole, he just seemed so young. it wasn't fair that this was on his shoulders. he trusted tim, he did, but the lasting effects of this on ben...well he supposed that was part of being a winchester. nothing came easy and it was never simple. but part of dean really wished that he was looking over at his brother in that moment instead of his son. at least they knew what it was like to be twisted up in this biblical nightmare.

they had practice.

but that was a thought for another time. he was instantly distracted the moment tim lifted his sweater over his head. dean's brows came together in confusion. he almost spoke up to ask exactly what tim was doing but he didn't want his own worry to leech into ben. so he did his best to just...watch. but the more he watched the less he liked. especially when eddie started tracing runes onto his skin and speaking latin. tim didn't know and eddie didn't realize how much dean understood (dean played ignorant on purpose) but he knew enough to understand the gist of what he was saying. denying energy to release into the light of the divine? what the hell was this spell?

the way tim came to kneel between him and ben was incredibly telling. he wasn't looking at either of them and dean quickly sought out eddie with almost panic in his eyes. he wanted to know what was going on and he was looking for a sense of comfort but instead what he found was a knife was in his best friend's hand. suddenly dean's heart was in his throat. "what the fuck is that for? eddie...what the fuck is that for?!"

cas crowding into his space did nothing to calm him. if anything it made it worse. dean started to thrash. he could still see everything. cas was shorter than him so there was no blocking him from seeing just what was going on. the knife was pushed into tim's hand and the hunter practically roared. "NO!! shut it down!! tim don't you fuckin' dare! don't you dare make me watch another kid die! this fuckin' hellhole of a city ain't worth it!! your life is worth more than this!! THERE HAS TO BE ANOTHER WAY!!" and then cas was clamping around his shoulders, lifting his feet inches off the floor. with his arms pinned there wasn't much he could do but dean still made his distress heard. namely by threatening to rip heads off as soon as he got the chance.

[batstalked]

Please reblog this if it is okay to send you memes a few hours after you reblogged them. So timezones/work do not lock out some people of meme fun

[batstalked]

"i know, dad." Ben tries to keep his voice steady, not wanting to be seen as weak through all of this. he was a Winchester and he was going to act like it. dragging in a breath, he steels himself against the idea of whatever was going to happen next. he would face this like a man. like his father. the whole scene before them is distracting enough that no one but Tim sees Eddie point at Gabriel to make sure that the archangel knew he was, in fact, the douche bag.

watching the way that the gate became almost blinding was a thrill that Tim had rarely experienced. but it was also so wholly terrifying that Tim would never fully appreciate the sight before him. Dean's voice pulls him from the revery of watching the gate. "no…" Tim breathes out. "no, not yet." but that would be an instruction that Cas would have to give in a little while. turning his attention to Eddie, he nods shallowly. Eddie moves to begin set up the ritual that needed to be completed. fingers curl into the back of Tim's sweater before pulling it over his head and dropping it onto the now empty bags. his watch soon joins as there was no need for it.

there was a cursory glance at his phone, a small sliver of gratefulness that flitters through his chest at the sight of the text on his phone screen. Dick, Jason and Kon having responding in their own ways. before dumping his phone into the pile as well. he wouldn't need it. Eddie stands before him with a jar, a complex mix of herbs and other ingredients. fingers are dipped into the mixture before the elder begins to draw out the necessary runes on his skin. all the while muttering in latin.

"Voco retro et sanitate sensus Sapientis Santo cum omnipotentis duce mundare et plene negativity industria, ut emundetur a fluxi aliquam densitatem vel non existat vel militat. Negans industria in lucem dimittere divinum."

Tim stood there ignoring the way that his body trembled and twitched. dragging in deep breaths to try to steel his own nerves. he'd told Ben that they were going to be okay. that they were going to see the other side of this. and he was determined to make sure that happened. once Eddie was finished, he moves without looking at Dean or Ben to kneel before the gate. a thin gully that lead to the bottom of the gate between his knees. he knows the moment that Dean's eyes land on the knife Tim knew was in Eddie's hand. all Tim has to do is say Cas and Eddies names before the angel is moving to crowd Dean's space. Eddie lingering for a moment as he presses the knife into Tim's hand with a meaningful look before moving over to Ben and curling an arm around him. shielding him in a way that made it obvious that nothing good was about to happen.

--- the moment tim shut his eyes dean knew what he was doing. however, he wasn't prepared for two figures to show up. the archangel standing next to cas was one that dean had history with and that history was more than a little rocky. without hesitation he went for his gun and the sound of his safety clicking off would have resonated around the chamber they were in if it wasn't for gabriel's announcement.

the feeling of eddie's hand on his own, gently pressing to get him to lower the gun saw dean staring back into eddie's eyes for a moment but the silent communication between the two of them saw dean clenching his jaw and dropping the gun to his side. eddie patted his shoulder as dean tucked his 1911 back into place in the back of his jeans. now wasn't the time and he knew it but instinct was a funny thing. they both had their feelings about angels, eddie's were usually especially vocal but if he could suck it up so could dean.

for the greater good.

"hello dean." the usual greeting from cas was somehow comforting. at least he could count on some things here. "hey cas. ready to get this over with?" a nod was all he got in return and dean was fine with that. he made his way over to the other hole and sighed. "nothing i love more than stickin' my hand in a mystery hole. i've seen indiana jones way too many times for this," he muttered to himself. it was soft, he didn't want tim or ben to hear him, because he could tell ben was already nervous enough but so was he. sticking your arm into a hole beside a hellgate wasn't exactly dean would call comforting.

"here goes nothin'," he mumbled to himself. with a glance over at tim and ben dean almost forcefully stuck his arm into the hole before him. dean let out a grunt of surprise when his arm was clamped in place and when he heard tim comforting ben and looked over at his son and gave him his best reassuring smile. "it's alright, ben. i'm right here with you. eddie's here. tim's here. and we got a couple of angels. even if one is a giant douchebag." he grinned trying to make light of things. the reprimand of 'dean' coming from cas saw dean laughing. he had no idea what was about to happen. might as well get a shot in at gabriel right?

dean watched as the gate seemed to glow brighter but that was no surprise. their presence activated it alone but now the keys were literally in the locks. "alright tim. think it's uh...juiced up. what next? do we twist or somethin'? left, right, up, down? cheat code style?" he was nervous and the bad jokes were flowing but he couldn't help it. being locked into place did that to him, go figure.

[batstalked]

are you mad at me? would you like to be