This is a memorial, so I'm going to completely shatter any of the self-inposed barriers I've put up for my writing today. There's going to be bits longer and shorter than 100 words. It's all completely raw-unedited and fresh.
He's not dead. The speed force will carry him back, but until then, we mourn.
Should, Could, Would
We should've done something.
Within our ability, yes, we should have helped. However, could we? No. Unless you would willingly doom the Earth for one life, and that in itself is pointless. We are able to mourn today because of that one life.
I hate it when you're so logical. But I still...I don't know...
Could you have sacrificed your planet for a life, Jaime Reyes?
Could I? Yes. Would I? ...No, unless it was over my dead body. Oh man, Wally, I'm so sorry...If Artemis heard my thoughts, she'd kill me...
No, she would agree. Wally has died valiantly. Whilst mourning, remember that he would be the first to say he would do it all the same way. As part of the heroes, this is his duty, and his reason for the sacrifice.
Laugh
Dick stared at the picture of him and Artemis, then ripped it in half, then quarters, before dropping it in the trash can.
That stupid teenage stunt was supposed to be laughed about with Wally. With the stupid get-a-room couple already together and safe. And alive, knowing his identity.
Dick turned around and drew back his fist to punch the wall, then stopped and just flopped into his chair.
He had no energy, patience, time, or strength for that.
All of the above was reserved for grief.
Omega
It was the last time they'd ever kiss.
And Wally had just made a crack about them coming back sometime. She should've known it was all too good to last, that the hero jobs would put speedsters in dangers too. Put Wally in danger, not just her. That she should worry fervently about him.
He was-seemed-so invulnerable. He is-was-the solid rock, the jokester, the partier...her boyfriend. Soon-to-be fiance.
Omega squad. Their last kiss in Paris.
The irony just about killed her.
Blonde
Bart actually laughed when Artemis said "As a blonde." He looked next to him to tell Wally-but only a hologram stared blankly ahead. His shoulders visibly slumped as he remembered the hard truth.
It was such a blonde moment.
He looked up again, not to tell, but to pay homage, and let a few tears run their course.
Kaldur, Superboy, Artemis, M'gann, Dick
I cannot believe he is gone. The grief is here, the belief is not. It is how I am carrying on for now. How I carried on when she died.
I was always Superboy to him and Dick, even after I got named Conner. I didn't mind, really. He gave me my first name-"Supes". The first name not designated to me by those seeking to use me as a weapon. He gave critiques on my names for pets (I still like the name Wolf.) A first in my life...already gone.
I can't talk about this, just cry.
I now get that he was "hitting on me" all the time, five years ago. I feel embarrassed for him, and ashamed to be embarrassed. I can't understand what had him being so brave about it, but that courage was reapplied today.
My best friend just died. Who's next? Why can't there be a constant in my life other than me? He's the most shocking one, because nobody expected him, of all people, to be the first to go.
I'm never going to show him how to type with one hand, or disappear like a ninja.
I'm never going to marry him.
I cried all night and have completely alienated my parents over how much I've cried.
I'm such a sob (not son of **, sob as in the crying.)
So much angstiness and sadness to layer onto sadness, so I'm so sorry.