CHAPTER 36
REYES RESIDENCE
Jaime and Bart were playing video games in Jaime's room. Unknown to Jaime Bart was analyzing his every move every laugh, every stray look every friendly jester.
"Looks like I win this round hermano" Jaime bragged as Sub Zero froze and shattered Scorpion
"Please if this was the kind of tech we have in 2056 you'd so be going down" Bart lied through his teeth. Jaime playfully shoved him, Bart couldn't understand how a smile so genuine could lead to such an evil future.
"So Blue tell me what do I have to know about the team? I'm the new guy so what are the do's and don'ts" Bart asked, if he was going to fit in he needed to know what not to do.
"Well when we break up into teams like Alpha, Beta and Gamma we are usually assigned a squad leader although primarily if you're looking for guidance Nightwing, Superboy and Miss Martian are the best they're the originals ya know ese?" Bart nodded absorbing the information.
"We have mandatory training sessions Beast Boy and Wondergirl are amazing you'll love them Batgirl, Bumblebee and Mal are older than us so they're kind of like the big brother and sisters of the group hopefully when we get Lagoon Boy back you can meet him too" Jaime sighed at the loss of their teammate.
"Hey I'm sure we'll bring him home in no time, what about Robin? I heard the bats are all broody and dark" Bart purposely stereotyped.
"Nah ese Robin is awesome he's a bit quiet but he's one of the smartest guys I've ever met" Bart raised an eyebrow at the look Jaime was giving him. It was friendly but it also made him feel weird.
"Okay hey did you ever work with Kid Flash?" Bart asked enthusiastically.
"Nah by the time I joined Kid Flash and Artemis left the team same with Aqualad, Zatanna, Rocket, Troia, Tempest and the Marvels" Jaime announced noting Bart's disappointment.
"Hey don't worry about that if you want to know more about Wally just ask him you're his primoito right?" Jaime asked Bart.
"That's cousin right? Yeah I am ya know what Jaime you're right I'll talk to him gotta jet" He sped off at super speed running back to steal a bag of chicken whizzies before speeding off once more.
MOUNT JUSTICE
Tim paced back and forth outside of Conner's room holding a cupcake. It was a simple vanilla cupcake with chocolate frosting and a candle shaped like the number 6.
" Um" Tim sighed pacing once more he attempted to knock on the door bust lost his nerve.
"Hey Kon um so I know it's your birthday so I thought surprise? No that's lame, Hey Superboy so here's a present or whatever, no big deal. He'll never buy that" Tim mentally kicked himself letting out a frustrated groan. The door suddenly opened and Conner exited his room shirtless wearing pajama pants causing Tim's heart to skip a beat.
"Ya know if you wanna know my reaction you might wanna give it to me?" Conner smirked as Tim's kight face turned a bright red. He held out the cupcake refusing to meet the half kryptonian's eyes.
"Happy Birthday" Conner looked at the 6 candle letting a chuckle escape his lips.
"Hey you remembered, thank you" Conner picked up the cupcake gently and began eating it.
"You can come in if you want" Tim nodded entering the room. Conner's bed was a mess and Wolf laid on it tilting his head at Tim's unexpected entry. Conner laid on the bed resting his head on wolf, Tim sat on the edge of the bed keeping his hands on his knees.
"Why are you always say tense around me?" Conner asked causing Tim's eyes to widen.
"It's nothing I just think you're cool" Tim made up an excuse.
"Do you now? Ya know Gar thinks I'm cool but he never acted like this let me tell you something. A few years ago Wally broke his arm and Captain Marvel waited on him hand and foot. We all found out Cap liked hanging with us cause he's a kid himself that was only half of the reason. He liked pleasing Wally because he had a crush on Wally" Tim gulped clenching the fabric of his jeans.
"I think I should go, I have some homework to work on" Tim made his way to the door only to be stopped by Conner, Conner placed Tim's hand on his bare chest.
"Kon" Tim whispered backing up slowly until his back was against the door.
"Do you like pleasing me Tim?" Conner asked moving in slowly, Tim began shaking wishing he could shrink and disappear.
"Do you have a crush on me?" Conner asked the boy wonder getting even closer to him, he leaned over to Tim's ear.
"I can hear your heart ya know? Everytime you see me it beats in such a harmonic way" He lifted Tim's face upward lips hovering over his.
"Kon I just I need some air" Tim pushed the super clone back and ran out of the room . He kept running until he reaches the Zeta tubes.
"RECOGNIZE ROBIN B20" The computer announced his departure.
WEST/CROCK RESIDENCE
Wally sat on the couch sipping at his beer, Paula just left with a few of Artemis's things. It was so hard lying to that poor woman. She spent so much of her life in jail and than losing her oldest daughter to the Light and the shadows, Sportsmaster leaving her, her losing the use of her legs and now she thinks Artemis is dead. He's just as bad as Dick or Kaldur for letting her go along with this.
He took a long drink from his beer before noticing a presence behind him as his dog Brucely began to bark. He turned around seeing Bart vibrate through his door.
"Dude there's a doorbell for a reason and didn't Nightwing tell you about power use in public?" Wally glared.
"Nobody saw me, plus come on we're too fast to be seen anyway" Bart smiled only to be met by annoyance.
"Whatever, did you need something are Jay and Joan okay?" Wally asked slight worry entering his voice
"The Garricks are fine they're awesome I just wanted to spend time with my family ya know?" Bart plopped down next to Wally he picked up a beer and smelled it.
"Don't touch that what are you like 10?" Wally asked glaring at him snatching the drink away.
"Hey I'm 13 thank you very much" Bart crossed his arms defensively.
"And you're not even born yet infact you're dad is barely developed in Aunt Iris's womb and even if you were from this time you're not old enough to be around this stuff" Wally said picking up the alcohol and walking into the kitchen, Impulse sped over and began eating food from the fridge.
"Fair fair, so how have you been? I know things have been rough on you since ya know" Wally sighed pinching the bridge of his nose.
"I just had to comfort Artemis's mom and girlfriend all day and I'm sleeping here which feels so empty without her so yeah Bart I'm not doing okay" Wally admitted.
"Maybe you, M'gann, Conner and Dick could get together and" Wally turned around interrupting him before he could finish.
"I get you're trying to help but I think I just need some sleep" Wally said walking towards his room, suddenly a gush of wind flew past him and Bart reappeared holding his comforter and pillow.
"Not here this place is making you sad and I don't like it so sleepover at Grandma and Grandpa's house" Bart cheered.
"Bart" Wally sighed desperately.
"Don't worry this is an awesome idea they'll love that we came oh we can make smore and hot coco and maybe get some more chicken whizzes" Bart sped walked away while listing off things they'll need. Wally let out a defeated sigh following Bart out of the apartment.