It had been half a week since Elliot Knight had moved in and the three roommates were beginning to adapt to the others' habits and general activities.
For example, this was the regular schedule from Monday to Wednesday, though it was often varied due to Jinx's and Wally's other occupation as a Titan.
At around six oclock in the morning, Kid Flash would spring energetically out of his sturdy double bed and dress swiftly in some designer, fashionable attire, furtively carrying his flamboyant spandex of course. He would then rapidly drain some piping hot coffee and speedily consume a nutritious breakfast bar, often scarcely suppressing the vehement urge to startle a deeply asleep Elliot Knight awake. Wally West would whistle cheerfully the entire morning, usually listening to upbeat music on full volume with his expensive, wireless headphones, until he had to go to his small job at a local sports shop at eight.
Subsequently, Jinx would awaken at a slightly differing time that was most likely being around eight oclock and, still dressed in her gothic pyjamas, would pour herself some healthy weetabix and immensely milky tea. She wouldn't take long to finish her appeasing breakfast and next would take a short, hot shower. And of course, she would go through the greatly strenuous task of swiftly applying her branded makeup and swiftly perfecting her protruding, pink hair, also slipping on her flouncy costume after as usual. By quarter to nine, Jinx would leisurely exit her modern apartment and would begin her gradual stroll to her dull work as a mere cashier at a large cosmetics and makeup shop, leaving Elliot alone.
Then, by ten, Elliot Knight would tiredly stumble out of his makeshift bed on the comfy sofa and wearily make himself some very strong coffee and would snatch a filling breakfast bar. Admittedly, it would take around half an hour until his sleepy mind was fully awake. Afterwards, he would take a short, cool shower, and change into his plain, dark clothes, only to next struggle with his knotty hair to scrape it neatly in a loose, low ponytail. At eleven, Elliot would be completely bored and would sometimes have a rapid visit to the modern gym, watch a terrifying horror film that he actually relished or have a small walk around the bustling streets of Jump City. Either way, he would consume a simple meal at around quarter to one, often creating or purchasing fresh tuna sandwiches and a delicious fruit smoothie. And of course, he'd then simply teleport leisurely to the vast library and begin his uninteresting shift. He actually enjoyed it- the tranquil quiet, the friendly man at the library desk, just the pleasant chance to be surrounded by beloved novels. The only one problem was that the library cataloguer (Emily Willaims, a sour, mean young adult) really had it in for him, mouthing offensive insults nonstop, insolently mimicking him all the time and even attempting to trip him up. Nonetheless, he never reacted, merely plastered an unfathomable expression on his pale face- he was used to this after all. Then, at three, he'd have a swift dinner break, often teleporting to random shops for his daily meal, before getting back to the quiet work, merely ignoring the impertinent cataloguer.
Eventually, Wally West would return at three oclock, swiftly followed by Jinx, who finished at four instead and of course Elliot Knight at five. Wally would drag Elliot inside his unorganised bedroom with him, where they would mess around playfully and Jinx did whatever took her interest that day. By seven, Kid Flash would change into his comfortable, designer pyjamas, still insisting on hanging out with Elliot whether he liked it or not. By ten oclock, Elliot Knight would very, very reluctantly exchange his desired attire for his stupid, new Spiderman pyjamas, earning himself Flash's unrelenting teasing, even though it was actually his fault he had them on. And of course, Wally West would yawn wearily and Elliot would forcibly be dragged into a tight goodnight embrace, before Elliot excused himself to sleep on the comfy sofa instead. Admittedly, they did relish the extra warmth they received when they slept with the other, but they didn't dare go against Jinx any time soon. She too would also close her plain bedroom door for desired sleep like Wally West and both had no particular problem with falling asleep swiftly. That usually accounted for Elliot Knight too.
Except, right now, Elliot was laying restlessly on the comfortable sofa, attempting to clear his troubled mind of that awful nightmare at two in the morning. At least it was Thursday tomorrow: he didn't have his part time job then. He was sat up, breathing deeply in a desperate attempt to compose himself, and in a cold sweat. Elliot cupped his pale face in his hands despairingly.
"Why is this happening to me?,"Elliot groaned dolefully.
Basically, this had been his unfortunate, petrifying dream.
Initially, he was peacefully strolling through the bright streets of Jump City, except he was much more joyous than he normally would be. You see, instead of having a ghostly white complexion, pointed ears, amber eyes and feline-related antics, he had pale, yet human skin colour with average brown eyes, completely expected ears and fully standard mannerisms. He was just so...content. At the start of his dream, he had a loving family and countless friends, as he was really popular at his amazing high school and he didn't require to rob or to hurt anyone. However that glorious tranquility didn't last long. Elliot panicked as the world delved into a menacing darkness, until suddenly he saw the Hive Five, waving elatedly and pleading for him to return. Elliot Knight looked opposite them and conflictedly witnessed Jinx and Kid Flash cheering cheerfully and begging brightly for him to join them instead. A menacing ticking sounded and every minute he debated desperately, both sides would fade slowly into eerie nonexistence. He just desired to stay like he was, to be normal, but at the same time, he didn't want to see them all go away. His clotted brain seemed unable to muse at the wild hurricane of frantic emotion inside of him and before he had even begun to settle his insane feelings, the gradual ticking transformed into the booming sound of his alarm. It wouldn't stop ringing ear-splittingly loud and Elliot collapsed to his knees until it finally stopped. Fearfully, Elliot stood up shakily, just so relieved to see that cheerful, bright city again. He held his head hair proudly and began strolling when he halted to a stop as horrible realizations seemed to cascade mercilessly on his once serene mind. He was an orphan. He never went to high school. People despised him. He- With a frightened gulp, Elliot Knight slowly gazed at his hands to see them pale white. Again. Feeling like weeping fervently, Elliot looked back up to see he was completely surrounded by a mop of vexed citizens, hard stones readied in their ruthless hands.
Elliot had awoken the minute they all began stoning him, trembling fearfully.
Elliot staggered wearily to Wally's bedroom, knocking tentatively. Almost immediately, he heard a distinct and suspicious 'who is there?'.
"I- err… it's me, Elliot,"Elliot Knight stammered weakly.
Suddenly, the plain door slid open and Wally West gazed concernedly at his shaking, clearly traumatised friend with wide eyes. Elliot looked away, instantly recognising the spark of worried understanding in Kid Flash's blue eyes.
"Nightmare, Ellie?,"Wally enquired concernedly, slightly legarthical at his abrupt awakening at two in the morning.
Elliot nodded and sighed shakily,"I just thought it'd be nice to j-just...stay in your room for a minute to just...clear my head."
Flash shook his head firmly, and much to Elliot's surprised shock, Wally gently tugged him inside and securely locked the plain door. Elliot frowned guiltily and ruefully went to flee when Wally merely tenderly pulled him back again.
"You are sleeping in here with me,"Kid Flash said simply, already dragging Elliot to his sturdy double bed.
"Wally! I can't just-,"Elliot objected weakly.
"I've been thinking about kidnapping you in the middle of the night so you get to sleep in a proper bed. So shut up and be grateful that you choose to come here, Okay, El?,"Wally West teased sleepily, smiling mischievously at his exasperated, yet also appreciative companion.
Wally slipped underneath his warm duvet and smiled tiredly as Elliot slid next to him, smiling as well.
"You're so stupid, Wally,"Elliot mumbled wearily, already curling up into a tight ball against Kid Flash's chest.
"Oh, just go to sleep already, Ellie,"Flash goaded amusedly, feeling his eyes close slowly.
However, Elliot was much more fatigued than he had initially anticipated and was literally already fast asleep, vibrating soothingly with each pur. Oh, how Wally had forgotten how much he had relished the reassuring lullaby gradually luling him gently to sleep and Elliot's pleasant coolness that mingled perfectly with his own warmth. Almost instinctively, Flash wrapped his arms around Elliot and pressed him closer, smiling sweetly as Elliot's sleepy purs were also unconsciously joined with his content ones. Jinx had no idea what she had taken from him when she had forced them to sleep separately. And with that, Wally West fell asleep.
When Elliot Knight awoke the next morning, he didn't panic or stress to escape Wally West's warm embrace. He merely sighed contently and leaned in closer. After all, whenever he had a horrific nightmare at the Hive Five, he had no one to go to and had to endure silently. He never desired for this luxurious warmth of comfort and just the mere feeling of being dearly loved was so glorious he purred more vehemently then he had in much too long.
Maybe living in the same apartment as Kid Flash had its advantages.