#Hurt Bart Allen

[taxi-cab-to-art-town]

Whumptober Day 30

For Taxi’s 366 day 304 and whumptober day 30: Recovery: hospital bed | holding back tears | “what have I done?”

[bluejaysandblackbats]

Almost There

Fandom: DC Comics, Flashfam

Summary: Everyone always knew Bart was eccentric, but the family becomes concerned when he starts talking to someone that doesn’t exist.

Chapters: 2/?

Characters: Bart Allen, Thad Thawne, Owen Mercer, Don Allen, Meloni Allen, Digger Harkness, Iris West, Barry Allen, Max Mercury, Helen Claiborne

Relationships: DonMeloni, BarryIris, WallyLinda

Additional Tags: Bart Allen-centric, Thad Thawne POV, No Powers AU, Imaginary Friends, Misdiagnosis, Blind Date, Hurt Bart Allen, Angst, Hurt/Comfort

Chapter Two: Float

When Bart and I were eight, we went to the swamp to sail paper boats on the water. It was one of the rare times that Bart asked to play with me. We put on our rain boots and trudged through the marsh. I crouched beside the pond blowing on our boats to push them across the water. “Do you think they’ll stop beating me up if I stop bringing CRAYDL to school?” I asked as I reached up to touch the corner of my healing black eye. It didn’t hurt to the touch anymore, but that didn’t make a difference to Bart.

“They’re gonna stop beating you up because I told ‘em to stop. Mom said I could beat them up if they keep bothering you,” Bart replied as he dislodged a stone from the mud with his foot. He’d been working at it for a while.

“Dad says it won’t always be like this at school for me,” I replied.

“Yeah, if I beat them up-.”

“Why does everyone wanna fight all the time? Dad says we should fight with our minds-.”

“I’ll headbutt one of ‘em for you,” Bart replied, “Sometimes you gotta beat people up. They’re not being fair to you. They’re beating you up.”

“I guess you’re right,” I mumbled, “Still, I wish it wouldn’t have to be that way.”

He grew quiet, so I followed the boats around, twirling them in tiny circles. “Bart, why don’t you come close and play?” I asked. He didn’t answer, so I turned around, and he was gone. “Bart?”

My blood ran cold as my brain flooded with images of a certain child-eating clown. I shook as I grabbed our boats and tiptoed through the marsh alone. “Bart, please stop hiding… I don’t like hide-and-go-seek,” I murmured. I could feel someone watching me, but I was too afraid to look back. I walked a little faster. I couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was behind me. My stomach turned, and my feet stopped working.

I went cold as I felt a breath on my neck. I thought my heart would burst in my chest. “You’ll float too,” a clown-ish voice whispered in my ear, and I let out such a bloodcurdling scream that I threw up and wet myself. “Aw, man! Thad, I’m-.” I burst into tears, and Owen picked me up. “It’s alright. I shouldn’t have scared you so bad.”

His friend squealed with laughter. “It’s not funny, dingus! He’s crying! My mom’s gonna kill me!” Owen snapped. He kissed my temple. “Please stop crying, Bubba. I’ll give you-. Wait, where’s Bart?”

I started crying even harder. “I was looking for Bart! He disappeared!” I wailed. Owen rubbed my back.

“It’s okay. I bet you Bart went home or something. He couldn’t have gotten far. Let’s look together. Okay?” Owen reassured me. He hiked up the hill to the street, where Bart walked along the sidewalk. “Bart!”

He didn’t respond, but I heard him. I heard him speaking to someone. “Linda, wait!” Bart hollered as he ran across the street.

“Bart, no!” Owen screamed. He saw it before anyone else. The car hit Bart so hard it knocked his shoes off, and I threw myself out of Owen’s arms. I scraped my knees, and I crawled to him. Someone tried to grab me, but I screamed and fought. “Axel! Go get somebody! Go get my Mom! Get someone, please!”

Owen screamed and cried until the older boy got out of the car. He pushed him and wept. “You hit my brother! That’s my brother!” Owen shouted. The bakery was only three blocks from the swamp, but Axel was smart enough to use a pay phone at the corner to call Mom.

She ran there on foot with Dad and Auntie Dawn. Auntie Dawn pulled Owen away from the older boy and held on tight. Dad grabbed me from whoever held onto me.

“Thad, what happened? Why-? Why are you wet?” Dad asked. I couldn’t stop shaking or crying.

“Bubba, he-. Daddy-. I can’t breathe,” I panicked. Dad blew on my face like he did when I was little, but it didn’t help. The ambulance came, and they carried Bart away with Mom. Dad took Owen and me home. Dad ran me a bath, but I was in shock. I couldn’t move. He took a cup of water and sat it on the tub before supporting my neck in his palm and rinsing my hair. “It’s gonna be alright, Spud… I wish you-. I’m worried about you,” Dad whispered, “Please say something.”

“What happened to our boats?” I asked. “I had them in my hand.”

Dad wrapped me in towels and pulled the drain before placing two large dinosaur bandages on my skinned knees. “I can work with that. I’ll make you both ten boats each. I’m gonna make my world-famous Philly Joes. I won’t make yours sloppy… Okay?” Dad asked.

“Can you tell me what I am?” I asked.

“You’re my littlest human. You draw the best dinosaur pictures I’ve ever seen. You and I don’t use the t-word because you’re your own person. Aren’t you?” Dad asked. He gave me that little pep talk whenever I felt responsible for something that happened to Bart. I dressed and followed Dad to the living room, where Owen lay in his pajamas, flipping through channels. I lay beside Owen on the couch, and he draped his arm over me.

“Why would he do that?” Owen mumbled.

I didn’t answer. Owen tightened his hold around me. “What do you feel, kiddo? Is he alright?” Owen asked. He knew I felt things Bart did sometimes.

“Nothing but our heads hurt,” I replied. Owen kissed the top of my head.

“I’m sorry for scaring you,” Owen apologized, “That wasn’t funny. You didn’t deserve that.”

Owen wasn’t a bully by any means. He loved Bart and me. So, I knew he didn’t mean any harm when he scared me earlier. “It’s okay,” I whispered.

“My dad’s gonna come watch us tonight after dinner. Your dad’s going to the hospital to check on Bart,” Owen whispered. Owen must’ve been torn up about the car accident because he was always excited to see Digger. Digger wasn’t the most responsible grown-up I ever met, but he loved Owen more than anything.

Owen tightened his grip on me so much it almost hurt, and he sat up, still holding me. “Don! Don!” Owen yelled. Dad ran into the room in his apron with latex gloves on.

“What’s wrong, kiddo?” Dad asked, half out of breath.

I felt water hit the top of my head. “Where are Bart’s rain boots? He had rain boots on, and they came off when-. They came off. Did somebody get his boots?” Owen asked as he started to cry.

Dad frowned and crouched in front of Owen and me. “Hey, the EMTs got his boots and put them in a plastic bag. I know it looked scary, but Bart’s gonna be okay-.”

“I should’ve paid more-.”

“You’re a wonderful brother, and I love you so much,” Don whispered, “You care so much… And I’m so grateful that you���re the oldest.” He messed up Owen’s hair.

[abisalli]

I am having a lot of thoughts and feelings about one Bart Allen

[cryptocism]

Since I think about clones like I’m getting paid for it, I've been rotating those alternate universe "what if Bart and Thad were actually raised together" scenarios in my brain, with Thad either post-redemption-arc or pre-villainy. Because adjusting Thad's character to fit an ally role while still keeping true to his core motives and personality is so so fascinating to me.

Like I think there's an immediate first instinct to slot Thad into a "bad" twin category: ie rebellious and prickly, doesn't get along with people, mean lil shit. And obviously it's not wrong bc we're outside the realm of canon, but the reading still feels a little left of center.

Because Thad is mean and prickly in canon. In the Impulse comics he belittles Bart and Bart’s friends/family constantly in his appearances. He loves to goad, and monologue about his own superiority and intelligence. He’s very Not Nice, and he causes many problems, and he even does it on purpose.

But, I think it’s important to consider the context. From the jump Thad knows very little about anything except which team he’s on and who he’s playing for. He gets his orders from an unseen authority and he carries out his tasks because success means his team wins.

For all his self-aggrandizing talk, everything he does is in service of an end goal that doesn't actually center him. He's trying to get revenge for grievances he's never personally suffered, retribution for actions never committed against him. Everything he does is on someone else's behalf.

Thad sees in black and white, us or them. Up until the final few issues of Mercury Falling, Bart and co. are Thad's enemies, of course he's not going to be nice.

So Thad's motivation seems pretty simple: Thawne Supremacy™.

But it’s in Mercury Falling where this starts to fall apart, and the real core of his motivation gets revealed. Thad pretends to be Bart and suddenly Helen is nice to him. Bart’s friends think he’s funny. Bart’s teachers are impressed with his grades. Max ruffles his hair and gives him hugs and tells him he’s done a good job.

If he was actually an inherently mean and standoffish character, if Thad actually had significant personal stake in the Thawne VS Allen conflict, the weight of such tiny acts of kindness wouldn’t completely break him the way that it does in canon.

Thad thinks his goal is superiority and revenge and Thawne Supremacy™, but he's chasing validation. Thad doesn’t have a personal stake in the Thawne VS Allen conflict. He wouldn't get much satisfaction if he actually destroyed Bart and his family. Thad's personal victory would be the recognition after the fact: the praise and attention from the other Thawnes (a group of people he has literally never met) for his success.

He wants validation. That's basically it. And the fact that he gets it so easily from Bart's family and friends doesn't align with how he's told himself things are supposed to work.

Actually tangentially, Bart and Thad’s respective relationships to authority is so diametrically opposed and tbh kind of subversive in a superhero narrative. Where the hero is the one carving his own path without regard to social or societal rules, no fucks to give what anybody thinks of it. And the villain is a chronic people-pleaser.

Just based on Thad’s reaction to simple praise and affection from Max I really think Thad’s motivation has more to do with the response he gets than whatever the details are of any given task. He has no actual personal convictions beyond getting positive attention, and whatever he did have crumbled as soon as Bart’s friends laughed at his joke one time. Which of course leads into the core of his whole conflict at the end of Mercury Falling. He cares too much about Bart’s friends and family now, he doesn’t want to kill them, but worse than that, he’s faced with the sudden realization that he’s on the wrong side.

The Allens gave Thad everything he actually wanted and needed, but his conception of himself is inexorably tied to the Thawnes: who gave him jack shit. These two facts are in opposition to each other, and he can’t reconcile the reality of it.

Anyway all this to say, in an AU where Bart and Thad are raised together or Thad gets an actual redemption arc etc etc, I think my personal take on Thad’s personality whether it be pre-or-post-villainy would be one that is extremely socially conscious. He is much more of a people-person than Bart. Whether he's actually accurate in assessing people's feelings and how to respond to them can be hit or miss, but he wants to behave in a way that gets people to like him.

Pretending to be Bart isn’t remarked upon as, like, a difficult task for Thad. In his internal monologue he’s literally bragging to himself about how easy it is. But what’s especially notable to me is where his act differs from Bart's typical MO. Everyone notices, and lots of people comment, and presumably if Thad didn’t have the excuse of Max’s illness to “motivate” Bart to do better he would’ve been found out immediately. And those things are, specifically: paying attention in class, doing his chores, staying on task, and being helpful around the house. The one thing about Bart he chooses not to emulate is Bart’s rebelliousness.

Thad wants to prove himself, constantly, to whatever authority he respects (probably Max in this scenario) and will do whatever it takes to make that happen. In contrast to Bart, who only listens to authority when the shit they're saying actually makes sense to him. It’s excessively difficult to convince him to go against his own interests. (And I think a key part of that is Bart’s security in knowing that no matter how much he fucks up or doesn’t listen, the people he loves will always love him back.)

Thad’s got the people-pleaser in him that has to deserve whatever he’s given. It’s why he’s happiest when he’s given a clear goal or objective to complete, because it gives him an opening to prove himself.

All this to say that if we are quantifying Bart and Thad as a "good" or "bad" twin, in the eyes of every authority: Bart is the bad twin. Bart is the bad twin, Bart is the bad twin. Bart is the one who doesn’t care about school and whose grades vary wildly depending on his personal interest. He’s the one who goes off to do dangerous shit for fun and gets in trouble constantly and doesn’t do his chores and is thoroughly unconvinced by any authority figure trying to sell him bullshit. 

Thad is the one who needs to know all the rules just so he can experience the joy of following them. Relentlessly obedient. He'll put all his effort into doing all the right things that’ll endear him to whoever he wants to impress - meaning he’s the asshole who reminds the teacher about the assigned homework. Bart might be the most popular boy in school, but Thad is a pleasure to have in class.

Like Thad can (and should) still be high-strung and short-tempered and sarcastic and edgy and mean, because he is. But he can’t be doing all that without rhyme or reason. Colouring every interaction has to be that one-zero binary of ally or enemy. He needs to have somebody he’s proving himself to: a team he’s on and a team he’s against. He’s not an inherently rebellious character. He can go up against The Enemy, whoever he deems as such, but it has to be in service of a hypothetical future in which somebody eventually tells him he did a great job.

And in the interest of continuing to beat a dead horse, it connects to their respective upbringings. Thad and Bart were both raised in VR, but Bart’s experience had the side effect of basically hard-wiring him against insecurity. His world was a playground tailor-made for him, and he was never made to feel bad or insufficient about any aspect of himself. His first interaction with a real human person was Iris moving heaven and earth to save him, without him knowing her, without her knowing him, with no reasoning for the act needed beyond Being Her Grandson. Which is probably a significant factor in why Bart moves through the world with frankly atomic levels of autistic swag.

Thad’s VR upbringing installed self-consciousness in his psyche before any other personality trait. As in: he is immediately made conscious of himself and his relationship with everyone he will ever encounter. He’s told two things: he’s a clone of someone else (inherently derivative, lesser) and that he was made to be superior (a status to achieve). Which is such an instant clarifier for Thad’s everything. Where superiority is a condition that everyone either has, or does not. It’s the one-zero binary again: are they better than me or am I better than them. Being above others is mandatory, and if his superiority is ever challenged by hard evidence or god forbid nuance Thad’s brain physically cannot take it. He needs to be better, to be worse is unthinkable, and there is no other way to be.

And this status of better or worse is, crucially, not up to Thad to decide. He needs The Authority to validate him. Bart never tries to prove himself because he has nothing to prove. Thad’s entire identity hinges on the self-worth he gets from doing a Good Job.

It is such an inherent part of his motives in the Impulse comics canon, which is why it always feels a little off when he’s interpreted as a jackass indiscriminately.

Like I don't think he needs everyone to like him. But I do think he has either one person or a set of very particular people that he needs to like him. Everyone else is either in that circle or outside of it.

(Which is why Bart is such a great foil for Thad tbh. There is no set of words or behaviors that’ll change Bart’s opinion of Thad, because Bart is unaffected by obedience or charm. So ironically Bart is probably one of few people that Thad doesn’t bother to put on even a little bit of an act for.)

While Bart goes with his instincts, his personal beliefs and convictions at all times, Thad is hyper-conscious of big-picture goals. They balance each other out that way. Thad's keeping track of whatever expectations he has placed on him, and how his actions reflect on him and the team beyond short-sighted solutions. He's a team player. AND he's an asshole.

[pup-pee]

srry etsy update but :3

IF UR CONFUSED ABOUT ANYTHING PLS MSG ME ON HERE OR ON ETSY!!!! I PROMISE I DONT BITE JKDSHGAKJF

im aware that sometimes the way i explain/type can b confusig so like!!! hopefully this isnt confusoing!!!! but if it is im happy 2 try again :D

here r all the designs!!

wally got banished 2 the speed force

[spookyprime]

Can I request an skater Bart, people usually forgets Bart is canonically an skater guy 🛹

[hijinxinprogress]

YJs ability to piss people off occasionally backfires (But they’re still gonna do it again)

Imagine YJ pisses off a telepath with a stupid costume so the villain with a habit of telepathically tormenting mfs starts targeting yj by making them hear things they’re afraid of and everyone else’s is like regular run of the mill shit like their family/friends dying or telling them they hate them, sometimes they hear them listing every bad quality they have and every mistake they’ve ever made, they know it’s not still happening but they’ll hear a loved one or a civilian they couldn’t save using their last breath to blame them for their deaths in the middle of the night which is usually followed by the voice that reminds them that ‘they just don’t quite measure up to their peers or predecessors so really, wouldn’t it be for the best if they just disappeared? No one would even notice and if they did, how likely is it that they’d care? What could they possibly be contributing to the world that can’t be done better by someone else?’ And that’s normal for yj but what causes them to lose it is when they start to hear the sound of someone clicking their tongue and humming in disapproval whenever they’re doing something ill advised but they only figure out who fears that sound when Anita loses her shit so they find her and they’re like wtf?? you live like this?? but she’s fucking petrified and muttering to herself

[kidflashimpulse]

the first pic is so devastating if u think what saving barry meant to him 🥲 he loves his grandpa sm

[sbd-laytall]

*holds you* *holds you* *holds you*

Young Justice (1998) #10

[the-coffeeaddict-tim-drake]

Tim Drake Fics Part 2

Pretty Boys and Identity Problems by DarnGoshit

In an effort to get over his crush on Robin, Kon pursues a relationship with a civilian Gothamite, Tim Drake.

Or, Tim accidentally Hannah Montana’s his crush... and it works?

Leap, Fall, Fly by malcyon

He tries to use his voice, “You have one of my shirts?” Tim looks at him, amused.

“Dude, I have, like, four.”

*****

Kon figures some stuff out. Tim helps.

A Minor Inconvenience by Sishal

Tim knows he shouldn't make potentially dangerous decisions on next to no sleep. Ah well, it will be fine, right?

Only A03 users can read this fic.

Another Mistake - or is it? by Sishal 

Tim makes another stupid mistake. Jason is there to pick up the pieces.

Only A03 users can read this fic

Awesome Big Brother by Sishal 

Tim is maybe infiltrating the wrong club. To be honest, he's not really sure. But he will at least try. Or, well, he would if Jason would let him.

Only A03 users can read this fic.

Tired Brothers by Sishal 

Tim is tired. Really tired. So how bad must it be that he’s the epitome of rested when compared to his brothers.

Only A03 users can read this fic.

Every Letter Counts by timbitsandpieces

Tim would much rather be taking pictures of Batman and Robin than literally anything school-related, up to and including this stupid English essay he had to do by tomorrow. He’d been putting it off, and was actually putting it off even further, when he remembered one thing. Jason Todd, aka Robin, was an English nerd. Maybe Tim could do both.

Robin landed right next to Tim, immediately scanning the surrounding area for danger. “What’s wrong, kid? Are you okay? What -”

“I’m failing English. Or, I will if you don’t help me with my homework. Please.”

“I - what?”

“My English homework. My essay’s due tomorrow. On The Outsiders. And the role of physical violence in it. You need to help me.”

All He Could Bear by Kgraces

Tim has been avoiding the Bats since he managed to save Bruce from the timestream. He needs to use the Batcomputer for a case, and he plans on leaving before Dick and Damian return from patrol. His carefully timed exit goes awry when Bruce makes an unexpected visit to the Cave.

For the first time since Bruce's return, they talk.

Bruce realizes just how much his third son is hurting and is determined to fix things.

No More Dead Robins by Kgraces for alwaysbeenhim

Tim's heart stops for fifteen minutes after flying solo gets him into trouble he can't outrun.

Jason is determined to fix things between the kid and the rest of the Bats. He won't let Tim be on his own again.

It's Called: Freefall by Kgraces

In the wake of the Widower's attack, Tim Drake has been left for dead. Badly injured and clinging to consciousness, Tim thinks he's hallucinating when he suddenly finds himself back in Gotham. He soon realizes he's not in his Gotham, but he's somehow slipped into another universe, one in which Jason Todd never died. He's expecting to be cast aside, just as he was in his own universe, but that doesn't happen.

Bruce finds a broken bird and takes him under his wing. Tim somehow finds a family, despite his worst fears.

He Knows by Ortholeine

Timothy Drake is a civilian, a normal boy. Kind of. He's normal in that he keeps secrets and has some hobbies. Those secrets and hobbies, though, are a little unique...and completely, 100% revolve around the crime-fighting family of Gotham. A good friend of the Waynes, Tim finds himself dodging his heroes' attempts to reveal their identities to him in a misguided attempt to keep the status quo. No one seems to want to let it rest, unfortunately for Timothy Drake.

We're Not Driving (How did we get here?) by TimTheToaster (tabletoptime) for ReplacementRobin

Tim stared at his phone, as if that would change what was on the screen.

Dick Grayson @FlyingDGrayson

It took some doing, and in some cases a little blackmail, but we've finally got the whole family together for a movie night! #WayneManor #movienight #familytime #schedulingisanightmare

15 minutes ago

Everybody's Heard (Bird is the Word) by TimTheToaster (tabletoptime)

5 times Batman heard other heroes talking about his wayward brother,

And 1 time they were talking about his son.

Takes a Little Time, Takes a Lotta Twine (To Get Us Back Together) by TimTheToaster (tabletoptime)

Tim was in Gotham.

Tim had pretty specifically been avoiding thinking about Dick as much as possible for the last few weeks. For the last year, really. No need to open that can of carnivorous worms.

Dick had other plans.

RedBird of Friendliness (In the Outlet by the Lightswitch) by TimTheToaster (tabletoptime)

5 times villains had something to say about Tim Drake.

And 1 time he was there to talk back.

buy the ticket, take the ride by Anonymous

Tim had always figured that if he ever woke up in Vegas sans-memory, it would be when he was older than fourteen. But there were some things he couldn’t control, and apparently whatever had happened last night that he didn’t remember was one of them.

Don't Feed the Birds (or they'll keep coming back Writer_loves_tropes

Red Hood is crossing the street one night and he's hit by a car. Tim Drake scrambles out of the passenger seat, but his Uber driver doesn't stick around to face Red Hood's wrath. Tim is 13 years old, so Hood knows he wasn't the driver, but Tim still wants to make up for what happened, so he says he owes Hood a favor. That is the beginning of an unlikely truce that turns into friendship that turns into little brother acquisition.

aka: Tim owes Red Hood a favor and through a series of back and forth favors, he gets adopted by the Red Hood and the Outlaws.

Enjoy!!

[ants-personal]

so your telling me the due to the flashes metabolism he heals faster than normal and no one thought to torture bart long and horrible enough that he discoveres this anyways UH plot hole fixed kinda for me cause its like i can describe injuries but theres describing and droning

[awhitehead17]

Totally (not) handling it

Core Four, Friendship, Kon being an idiot, Fainting, Hurt/Comfort, Fluff.

Summary: While trying to prove his worth to Clark, Kon almost works himself into an early grave as he looks after Metropolis. Thankfully his friends step in before it’s too late and put a stop to his lack of self-care.

A/N: This is done for the 'Fainting' square on my Bad Things Happen Bingo Card.

Also on A03

Enjoy! :D

He’s a liability. A fact which took him longer than it should have to admit it. The endless hours of pushing himself, using his powers constantly without respite, lack of sleep, and not eating enough is all finally catching up to him and therefore leaving him exhausted and on the brink of collapse.

Kon knows he should ask for help. He knows handling it all on his own is next to impossible, but he wants to prove to Clark that he can handle it. He’s been doing alright so far! Although it comes at the price of pushing himself way past his limits.

Clark’s been off world on a mission and asked Kon to look after Metropolis in his absence. Understanding this is a major ask, a test of trustworthiness and more, Kon resolutely agreed and swore he’d do everything in his power to keep the city safe and running like Superman always does.

It’s been a long seven days and he’s still got three more to go before Clark returns. There have been many times over the week when Kon’s picked up his phone to call his team for back up but only to hesitate before pressing the call button. He never called them. Kon has this idea in his mind of wanting to solely be able to look after the city to prove his worthiness.

Having just returned to his apartment from helping out the city’s water company with an exploded pipe downtown, Kon collapses onto his couch and lets out a long and tired sigh. He’s aching all over and is fed up with everything. Thankfully that latest call wasn’t the worst thing he’s had to deal with, he shouldn’t complain really because at least it wasn't a cat stuck in a tree situation, that’s just old and cliché and shit Kon couldn’t be bothered to deal with anymore.

Tipping his head back against the couch cushion he closes his eyes and feels his body starting to relax. God, what he wouldn’t give to get a solid five hours of sleep right now. He says five because eight is too hopeful and the most he’s gotten in the last seven days consecutively is three. So five hours would be a luxury.

He doesn’t even get five minutes.

Groaning in frustration Kon swipes at his face and wills himself not to cry. When will he get a break? What’s disturbed him this time isn’t a cry for help but rather someone knocking at his apartment front door.

“Kon. It’s me. Open up!” A voice calls out and a pounding on the door follows. Kon frowns into the space of his living room. Why is Tim here? He never called him. Did he? Kon glances around for his phone in hopes to get an answer for that question but is unable to find it in immediate proximity. Oh well, that’s probably for the best. The last thing he needs is his phone blowing up with notifications on the city’s next catastrophe that needs his attention.

“Kon!”

The pounding on the door continues and Kon finally gets his ass into gear to go answer it. Apparently he takes too long because by the time he’s made it to the hall Tim is there opening up the door himself with a key in his hand. If it was surprising to hear Tim on the other side of the door, Kon was furthermore surprised when Cassie and Bart make an appearance just behind the boy wonder.

Kon had either fallen asleep and is dreaming or he's really seeing his friends in front of him and not understanding why they’re there. He wipes at his eyes to clear his vision from the grey that seems to be forming and blinks stupidly at his friends not saying anything. Maybe he did call them after all and just can’t remember, it’s been an exhausting week.

“Are we allowed to come in? Ma Kent would be so disappointed with your lack of manners Kon!” Cassie laughs but there’s a tightness to her tone as if the humour is being forced.

Kon shakes his head, although a wave of vertigo hits him and causes him to stumble, he grabs hold of the open door to steady himself. At his stumble his friends surge forward to help him but stop short once he's steady. Ignoring what happened Kon swings an arm towards the inside of the apartment, “come in.” Just because he wasn’t expecting his friends doesn’t mean he’ll turn them away.

The three of them all give him the side eye as they pass through and make themselves at home in his living room. As Kon turns to shut the door he’s hit with a second wave of vertigo and forces himself to breathe through it until it passes. Once it does he turns back to his friends and asks the million dollar question.

“So what are you guys doing here? Not that I’m not happy to see you of course.”

Apparently it’s the wrong question because his friends stop what they’re doing and stare at him and Kon tries to not squirm under the intense scrutiny.

“Kon it’s the twentieth, we’re going to the hockey game tomorrow remember? We arranged to come and stay with you months ago.” Cassie explains putting her hands on her hips looking worried.

Frowning, Kon rubs his eyes again as the grey re-appears, and tries to focus on his friends. He has vague recollection of them organising it. However, “that can’t be right, it’s not the twentieth yet.”

“Yeah it is bud. What’s going on?” Bart speaks up looking concerned and Kon hates how apparently he’s the one that’s put that expression on his face. “If you’ve lost track of time, that’s easily done, but it would explain why you haven’t answered our calls and messages.”

That reminds Kon of his missing phone and he absentmindedly pats his pockets. As he tries to remember what he did with it, a sudden bout of nausea hits and has Kon controlling his breathing yet again until it passes.

Wait... what was he doing again?

“Conner?”

Frowning Kon looks up and is surprised to see his friends in his apartment. “What’re you guys doin’ here?”

When his friends don’t say anything and simply stare at him, it takes Kon a moment to remember that he had just let them into his apartment. What was wrong with him? He breathes deeply and rubs his eyes yet again when the grey reappears in his vision, the nausea comes back too leaving Kon like he’s about to throw up any second. Something isn’t right.

“I don’t feel good,” Kon mumbles under his breath. The grey turns to black and the last thing Kon can recall is the distant shout of his name.

Waking up with a splitting headache is never fun. The pounding going on inside his skull makes him reluctant to open his eyes knowing how irritable the light is going to be and that’s saying a lot considering he usually thrives off sunlight.

“Kon? You with us?”

The voice calls out to him, and feeling like he’s got the worst hangover ever Kon begrudgingly opens his eyes, squinting to try and see through the predictably irritating sunlight. “Huh?”

“Oh good you’re awake. We were getting worried.”

Kon forces himself to wake up further, trying to clear the fog from his brain. His head feels like a bull is charging through it while his body feels like he’s gone several rounds against Solomon Grundy and lost. He sits up and finally sees his friends gathered around him on the sofa. Bart’s looking at him with a frown, Cassie is clearly angry and Tim has his whole stoic expression going on which means he's livid.

“What happened?” Kon asks trying to wrap his head around what’s going on. In front of him, Bart flickers in place and suddenly he’s handing him pain killers and a glass of water. Accepting them, despite usual painkillers not working for him and downing the water, Kon tries to recall what happened for his friends to be like this.

Bart thankfully takes pity on him and explains, “dude, you fainted. Not cool.”

Kon blinks and thinks back. Oh shit.

“Why didn’t you tell us it gotten that bad Kon? You know we’re only a call away. I thought you had more sense than this.” Cassie says with a forced calm to her tone, clearly trying to not blow up at him. He appreciates it, his head won’t be able to handle any shouting matches right now.

With his mind finally catching up, Kon sighs and fiddles with the rim of the glass not looking at anyone. “I was handling it. It’s all fine, I only have a few days left then he’s back and everything can go back to normal.”

“That doesn’t excuse you from working yourself into an early grave Kon…” Tim snaps disapprovingly. Kon does look up then and sends his best friend a glare.

“Fuck off Tim. You’re one to talk.”

Tim looks affronted by his comment and opens his mouth to obviously retort back but Bart slashes his hand between them and cuts in before he could say anything. “No. Absolutely not. We’re not having this pissing contest right now. This is what we’re going to do,” he pauses looking between everyone before speaking again in a no nonsense tone. “Tim, go help Kon wash up and changed into some comfy clothes. Cassie please coordinate cover for Kon over Metropolis for the next 24 hours or so, whether that’s us taking shifts or some of the other Titans, it doesn't matter. Do not argue Kon. I’m going to set up for a movie night and run down the street to grab us food.”

Before Kon could protest, Bart’s gone in a blink of an eye, Cassie has her phone against her ear dialling whoever, and Tim has grasped his arm and is helping him off the sofa leading him towards the bathroom.

“I’m not a child. I don’t need babysitting.” Kon grumbles, although he leans on Tim for support as he’s still feeling weak and shaky which he won’t admit too.

Once they get into the bathroom Tim deposits Kon down on the toilet and backs up looking at him with a frown in place and his hands on his hips. Kon suddenly feels guilty, like he’s disappointed a parent for being naughty.

Sighing deeply Kon shakes his head and starts trying to strip out of his clothing. “C’mon man, don’t look at me like that.” He huffs when his shirt gets caught around his neck.

“You deserve the look and you know it.” Tim retorts. He snorts at Kon’s predicament before helping come free of the fabric. “Why didn’t call me Kon? You know I would’ve helped out. Any of us would have if you just messaged! You didn’t have to work yourself to exhaustion.”

Once the t-shirt is off Kon works on stripping his trousers off while Tim turns away and puts the shower on. “We all know what it’s like trying to live up to their expectations. No matter how long it’s been or what we’ve already achieved. I know for a fact you sometimes still feel like you need to prove yourself to Bruce and push yourself. This is the same.” Kon pauses before narrowing his eyes at his best friend as he plays with the edge of his boxers. “I also don’t need you in here with me as I shower.”

It certainly wouldn’t be the first time they’ve showered together, but believe it or not Kon still has some dignity left. He also doesn’t need a babysitter.

“I’ll turn my back.” Tim comments moving to stand to the side facing the wall as he promised. He doesn’t say anything else on the matter and Kon certainly isn’t going to bring it up. Rolling his eyes, and then having to grab the sink to steady himself thanks to some vertigo, he stands up and removes his boxers before entering the shower.

The two of them are quiet as Kon washes off and he has to admit he feels much better being clean. Tiredness still pulls at him but he’s feeling more human now than before.

He gets out, dries off and pulls on the clean clothes Tim hands him before the two of them make their way back into the living room. Sure enough Bart’s gone the extra mile and has turned Kon’s living room into a slumber party den. Blankets and pillows cover the sofas, snacks and bottles of soft drinks line the coffee table, the curtains have been drawn and a dim lamp is on giving the room a warm glow and finally Netflix is up loaded on his TV awaiting for a film to be chosen.

Tim herds Kon to the couch and then proceeds to wrap a blanket around him until he’s resembling a burrito. It’s as Tim is settling down on the couch next to him Cassie appears and flops into the love seat adjacent to them.

“Shifts and cover have been arranged for the next couple days.” She announces, sinking into the chair with a sigh. She looks over at him with a critical stare. “You’re not allowed to help for the minimum of two days. What were you thinking Kon! You’re not a novice at this anymore, you should have called us before things got this bad.”

Feeling like a child being scolded, for a second time, Kon scowls. He opens his mouth to snap back but Tim jumps in before he could defend himself. “Cassie.” He shoots her a warning look. “Trust me when I say he deserves the scolding, but let’s leave it for when he isn’t about to keel over.”

Cassie huffs but otherwise quietens down. Kon knows he’s been let off the hook for now but is definitely in for a hard time in the near future.

Bart soon speeds in and stops in front of the TV with the remote in hand and is already browsing through the movies on offer looking for something to watch. With input from everyone and ten minutes later, they manage to find something they agree on and quickly settle down to watch it.

As the film plays Kon feels himself dropping off to sleep. The jerk of his head as it drops keeps him awake and fighting to keep his eyes open. He’s just so tried. A hand grabbing his shoulder jerks him into awareness and he blinks at Tim who is looking at him pointedly, he doesn’t need to be the world’s second greatest detective to tell Kon is close from being beaten by The Sandman. The hand on Kon’s shoulder starts tugging and still wrapped up like a burrito, Kon is helpless but to obey Tim’s command and is moved until he’s lying across the sofa with his head on Tim’s lap.

Surrounded by his best friends who are all safe and currently uninjured, the comfort and warmth from the blanket mixed with the exhaustion and knowing he’ll soon be getting a lecture about self-care, Kon falls asleep easily.

[bluejaysandblackbats]

Almost There

Fandom: DC Comics, Flashfam

Summary: Everyone always knew Bart was eccentric, but the family becomes concerned when he starts talking to someone that doesn’t exist.

Chapters: 4/?

Characters: Bart Allen, Thad Thawne, Owen Mercer, Don Allen, Meloni Allen, Digger Harkness, Iris West, Barry Allen, Max Mercury, Helen Claiborne

Relationships: DonMeloni, BarryIris, WallyLinda

Additional Tags: Bart Allen-centric, Thad Thawne POV, No Powers AU, Imaginary Friends, Misdiagnosis, Blind Date, Hurt Bart Allen, Angst, Hurt/Comfort

Chapter Four: Road Trip

Bart and I were twelve the first time he escaped from the hospital . It was summertime, so I slept with the window cracked even though Mom and Dad told me not to. I had the fan on and my radio played the same ten stories over and over, so I could sleep. I would’ve slept through the night if it hadn’t been for someone jostling me awake. By the time I opened my eyes, I saw a figure crouched in the corner, drinking from my water bottle. I covered my mouth, afraid that if I screamed, the figure would do me harm. So, I sat frozen in my bed, hands over my mouth in horror as tears streamed down my cheeks. The figure stood after drinking all of my water, and they clutched their forehead. “Thad, get dressed and meet me in the swamp. Bring money and your suitcase. Don’t wake anybody up. We gotta get going,” Bart whispered. 

“What—?”

“Hurry,” Bart interrupted as he slipped out of my window and into the dark. I quickly obeyed, worrying that I’d never see him again if I didn’t. I couldn’t think of anything else. I met Bart in the swamp, and we trekked through the mud and the grass to the bus stop on the other side, and we took the bus to some random girl’s house. She sat in front of the public library in a car, smoking a cigarette. 

I didn’t want to get in the car. I was afraid. “Bart, who is this girl?” I asked. 

“Don’t worry. She’s a girl from my group. She’s gonna drive us to Des Moines,” Bart whispered. The girl chucked her cigarette out the window. I didn’t know what she’d do to Bart if I let him go, so I got in the car with him. It was still dark out, but I could see the dark circles around Bart’s eyes. 

I started shaking and crying once the reality of our trip set in. Des Moines was in another state. It was far from Mom and Dad and Digger and Owen… And—. And everything. “Why’s he crying?” the girl asked. “He’s gonna make it look like he’s been kidnapped… Did you kidnap him?” 

“No, I didn’t kidnap him… He’s my brother. He’s just scared. Thad, you hafta stop crying. I’ll take you home after I find what I’m looking for in Des Moines,” Bart explained in a soft voice. 

“Tell me what I am,” I begged with tears in my eyes. 

“You’re the only person in the world who understands… So, you’re the only one that matters right now,” Bart answered. I sucked it up and nodded. As soon as I had his attention, he was gone from me again. Staring into space, reaching for her. My face twisted with pain and contempt as I stared out the window. I felt so jealous inside I thought I’d be sick. 

The girl sighed. “I’m Rose. I stole my dad’s car to drive you guys to Iowa,” Rose explained, “And I like to piss my dad off… You can have an orange and throw the peel in the bag, or you can talk or take a nap. I don’t care.” 

“I’m Thad… How old are you?” Thad questioned. 

“Thirteen… But, who’s gonna suspect that a kid my age can drive like this?” Rose replied. “You’re identical, huh?” 

“Uh-huh… What group were you in with Bart?” I asked. 

“Ask your brother. He might not want me to tell you,” Rose replied. 

I looked over at Bart, and he grabbed my hand. “Bart, what group were you in with Rose?” I asked again. 

He didn’t look at me. I think he touched my hand to make sure I was there. “Anger management… It’s called something else, but I wasn’t paying any attention… I hit somebody in the face,” Bart answered. I nodded. He took off his jacket and draped it over me. “Go to sleep. We’ll be on the road for a while.” I couldn’t sleep at first, though. I was still shaken up and confused, but I didn’t want to ask any questions. He pulled a Bug Juice out of the cooler and gave me one before passing another one up to Rose. 

“No, thanks. If we drive for twelve hours without stopping more than once, we can probably make it to Des Moines without getting caught, which means, one bathroom stop and one gas station stop. We’ll combine the two if we can. If you can’t wait, we’ve got an empty bottle in the back and hand sanitizer in the glove box. We crystal clear?” Rose asked. We both nodded. “I can’t see either of you. Yes or no?”

“Yes,” we both answered. Bart’s cheeks went rosy, and he rolled his window down a crack. I nudged him, but he knew what I was going to ask. So, he nodded. 

**

Twelve hours, six in-car bathroom uses, five Bug Juices, two drive-thrus, and a gas station stop later, we arrived in Des Moines at a house that Bart specifically picked out. He went to the door and knocked before arguing with the man who answered, and he burst into tears. I got out of the car despite Rose telling me not to, and I grabbed his arm. “Linda said she’d be here. I came here for Linda,” Bart cried. 

“I’m so sorry, Mister. Our friend used to live here… And I—. We have to go now. I’m sorry about all of this,” I apologized. It was too late. The man’s wife called the police and they took us in for harassment, car theft, and something else. I couldn’t remember why I was crying so hard, but Rose’s dad came to get her immediately. He’d been tracking her the whole time. 

He made a phone call to both of us, but he didn’t tell me who he called. I would’ve stopped him if he had told me who he called. We were in a holding cell for three hours until Wally got there, and he lost it on us the second we got in the car. Bart started sweating through his clothes in the car, and Wally turned the AC on. Wally stopped yelling for a minute to get a good look at Bart. “Why is he sweating like that? Does he have a fever?” Wally asked. 

“No… It doesn’t—. It feels bad, though… I think you should stop the car,” I warned him. Wally pulled to the shoulder, and Bart opened the door to throw up. I thought it was all the Bug Juice and Twinkies. I couldn’t stop fidgeting, and I started crying because Bart felt sick. And I cried myself sick. “Criminy! You can’t both be—. Ugh! You’re both in so much trouble. So much,” Wally groaned. He took towels from his gym bag and wiped our faces. “Thad talk sense to me. Okay… What’s going on here?” 

I looked at Bart, and Wally shook his head. “No! No. No… Don’t look at Bart. Look at me. Tell me. What the hell both of you were doing in Iowa with a girl, a stolen car, and—? Thad… Thad, what happened?” Wally asked. I couldn’t stop crying. 

“My head hurts—.”

“Thad, this is serious… What were you thinking?” Wally asked. 

I couldn’t tell Bart, so I told the version of the truth that didn’t betray my love for my brother. “I just wanted my brother back,” I sobbed. Wally frowned and shushed me as he kept wiping my face with the towel. 

“Okay… I’m sorry for shouting at you both, but you kids could’ve been seriously hurt. Bart is ill. He’s a danger to himself—.” 

“I’m not sick… Linda’s real, and she loves you. I don’t know why, but she does. You said you loved her more than any girl you’ve ever met, and you—. You said you’d always find your way back to her,” Bart explained. He leaned outside the car with his head between his knees and tears in his eyes. I wouldn’t see him again for two years.

[nari-writes]

Was meant to be self-sacrifice and somehow turned into Shenanigans instead: welcome the yj core 4 being three badly-raised teenage guys and one "normal" teenage girl who Does Not Deserve This Level Of Mortification (also, there's a vampire)

----

"Okay," Tim says, and then again, a bit more breathlessly, "okay. We can do this. It's fine. It's fine? No-one's injured, and without blood their tracking won't be-"

"Shit," Cassie says. Tim's attention immediately snaps to her, which is not what she wants but also entirely what she expects.

"What?" he asks. "Did you get hurt? Are you okay?"

"No," she says, humiliation making her cheeks burn, and Tim gets even more concerned.

"No what?" he asks, and then, too fast for her to get an answer in, "No to you being okay? No to having an injury? Cassie-"

Oh god this is the worst, she thinks, because this is the punchline to the world's most misogynistic joke - an alien, a too-old baby, a socially awkward teen therapist, and a girl with- "I'm on my period," she says, and hates how squirmy embarrassment feels in her stomach.

Kon stares at her, looking vaguely panicked. Bart at least just cocks his head, but Tim can't even look at her, and he's turning pink under his mask-

"How- much blood?" Tim asks, sounding as awkwardly as she feels, and Cassie hisses.

"I don't measure it! I dunno, Robin, enough for a freaking blood-sniffing vampire to track-"

"Just turn it off?" Bart says, and Cassie makes an offended noise in the back of her throat.

"Wait, she can do that?" Kon asks, now looking even more panicked.

"No!" Tim and Cassie say in unison.

"I wish," Cassie adds, and this time it's Bart's turn to reel back.

"So you just bleed?" he asks, aghast.

Cassie's tone probably matches his when she asks, "Imp, has no-one had the talk with you yet? Is there no sex ed in the future?"

"Shots not," Tim says, and Cassie immediately repeats the phrase, desperately.

"What!" Kon says, "No, no, no, no, I am not- I can't! You want me to teach him? I don't even know if human sex ed is different from Kryptonian sex ed!"

"Not like Superman gave you many pointers on either," Tim mutters, because he takes every chance he can get to snub Clark, and Cassie steps on his foot.

"Nobody has to tell me about anything," Bart says crossly, "I'll just go to the library and teach myself-"

"Vampire!" says Tim, grabbing Bart's bicep before he can flash from the room. "Oh my god do not go out there right now."

[thegoodshit-ficrecs]

In Our Family Portrait (Let's Play Pretend)

https://archiveofourown.org/works/52705141/chapters/133312972

Title: In Our Family Portrait (Let's Play Pretend) Author:  DisillusionedDanny @disillusioneddanny Rating: Mature Fandom: DCU Locked/Unlocked

Completed- 5 Chapters Published- January 1, 2024: April 8, 2024

Additional Tags:                                             

Depressed Bruce Wayne

Tim Drake Needs a Hug

Tim Drake Angst

Bruce Wayne Tries to Be a Good Parent

Dick Grayson Has Issues

Jason Todd is Bad at Feelings

Damian Wayne is Bad at Feelings

Whump

Angst

Angst with a Happy Ending

Time stream aftermath

Tim Drake's Missing Spleen

Tim Drake's Bad Childhood

Tim Drake deserved better

Minor Bart Allen/Tim Drake/Kon-El | Conner Kent

Hopeful Ending

talks of suicide

Depression

Summary:      

When Bruce Wayne is hit with a curse that sends him back to his darkest moments emotionally, the only one who knows how to take care of him is Tim Drake. With that, comes quite a few conversations and tearful realizations.

[pup-pee]

pancake bunny pancake bunny boakcake buny

mmmmmm paper