Dick's POV

Thump, thump.

Someone once told me: the eyes are the windows to the soul. They're like 2 glass marbles, both colorful and transparent, that look right into a person.

Maybe that's why superhero's wear masks?

To give them an edge against the normal thug.

To hide their true intent.

Thump, thump.

When I walked into that bathroom to find my would-be opponent, I wore no mask. My intentions were clear: I was to find and save Jake Rozin's next victim. Then maybe bash Jake's face in one more time for good measure.

That was, until I looked into Wally West's bright green eyes.

They were like 2 emeralds, both rough and hardened; and yet…..clinging to some sort of innocence.

Though...I couldn't deny the darker shadows I had seen as well, ones that mirrored my own.

One glance at his eyes and my intentions changed.

Thump, thump.

Time can be a funny thing. It can speed up, slow down, or even stand completely still, subjective to the person watching.

I have never stopped fearing the power of time, always worried that it may soon run out.

Again.

Time slowed down as I carried Wally in my arms.

As I felt him become completely limp, everything else in the world ceased to matter, except the task at hand. I was still running towards help and yet ...I became increasingly aware of how he felt.

The feeling of his soft, red hair prickling my chin.

The feeling of his breathing becoming deeper and deeper with every exhale.

The feeling of his pulse slowing down to a steady rhythm.

The feeling of his blood as it began to drip down my arm.

Thump, thump.

Time sped up when the ambulance arrived, everyone moving and acting like a well-oiled machine. Methodical and uncaring, as though this sort of thing happened all the time. Which, in Gotham, did.

Someone even had the audacity to try and force me to stay behind.

I practically snarled at them.

It wasn't until we got into said ambulance that I relinquished my hold on Wally, allowing the paramedics to strap him on the gurney and to the various machines.

Thump, thump.

Then I heard IT .

The sound of his heartbeat.

The constant, rhythmic beep was nothing compared to the real thing but it was enough for me to release some of the tension I had been holding in.

Time seemed grounded for the first time as the world slowed down to a normal pace. The paramedic was working hard to bandage up what she could, stalling time until we got to Gotham General Hospital.

I could tell by the glances she gave me that she was concerned about MY well-being and, really, who could blame her? I refused to say anything to her, except to give my own assessment of his injuries, not even glancing her way.

Until she asked me if I had anything to do with the others injured.

My chilling, cold-hearted smirk was enough to shut her up, leaving us to a comfortable (at least for me) silence.

Thump, thump.

Upon arrival, the hospital staff immediately separated us and forcing me towards the waiting room. I almost put up a fight but a small voice in my head told me to not make a scene and to be patient.

It sounded a lot like Alfred.

When the doctor finally came to get me after several hours of pacing, I forced myself to listen to what he was saying, things like concussion, dry drowning, broken nose, and a deep laceration to the back of his skull. Things that I had already come to the conclusion myself.

I just silently nodded and followed him back, just wanting to see the redhead once more.

Thump, thump.

I heard him before I saw him. At least, his heartbeat.

Unable to pay attention to the doctor any longer, I moved into the room and glanced over the still figure before me.

Wally West was now wearing a standard hospital gown and was hooked up to an IV drip, oxygen tank, and heart monitor. Bandages were wrapped around his head, focusing the majority of the pressure to the back of his skull. His once, bloody nose was now covered up and sat in a less crooked angle. In between it all, various shades of purple and red bruises were sprinkled amongst his freckles.

Wordlessly, the doctor pulled up a chair for me and left, leaving me to my own thoughts.

Thump, thump.

For the first time that day, I was at a loss.

Here I was, a complete stranger, standing beside him like a friend.

Wanting to be there for him when he awoke.

Needing to be.

After several minutes, I slowly lowered myself into the chair, afraid of waking him up. I remained that way for what felt like an eternity, listening to peaceful sounds of his heart rate monitor.

Refusing to move.

Until I found myself reaching out to touch his wrist, too scared to grab his hand.

Thump, thump.

There.

Under my fingers.

I FELT it.

The feeling of his heart beating.

Thump, thump.

As the feeling under my fingers synced with the melody in my ears, the world became one shade clearer. Every thought, every intention had ceased to be.

I did not know what was going to happen next, nor did I care. All I knew was that I would be there when he awoke.

To look into those beautiful emerald eyes, even just once more.

To chase away the shadows.