CAUTION: SADNESS AHEAD
Today I decided it would be a good idea to rewatch season 2. Not a good idea.
I replayed the scene where we see the cave blow up...so many times.
And it hurt.
It hurt because yesterday we saw everything...become so happy. I mean we saw the kids from the first season reunite...as adults. They were grown, and mature, and...just so perfect.
And then there was that scene between Bart and Wally.
And then I remembered all of the first season. From the first time we heard the word 'whelmed' to the first souvenir, to Megan's cheerleading tryout, to SuperMartian's first kiss, all the way to that amazing Superboy/Robin kick ass scene at the end.
And then I remembered all those scenes where they were in the cave.
The tour, the first batch of burned cookies, the first pick-up line Wally did...everything.
All those memories just...gone. And we watched it all. We watched the kitchen burn...and to me it seemed to take forever for it to end.
And then after watching all that...I found this song.
Happy Together by Filter.
It explained my feelings by the tone of the song. So...here's a new chapter.
Inspiration hit...with force today.
Next Saturday is the end.
I unfortunately will be marching in a Parade while the episode airs...but it'll still be the end.
I won't be able to update...until who knows when.
Especially because I know that after Saturday...I'm going to be broken and sad.
So...
In MangoSirene's words: Stay Asterous.
At least until next time.
-Doubt But Never Regret
The first time Jaime sees Bart cry is during his second visit home, on Christmas day.
It's Christmas night, they're at the Allen residence with Bart's family.
Jaime had agreed to coming after Bart spent Christmas Eve with him and his family.
"Merry Christmas!" Wally had shouted out randomly in the midst of all the gift opening and Jaime just smiled and watched as Bart was showered with gifts and presents of every size and shape.
"Thanks, Grandma Iris." the red head had chuckled before accepting another package.
The first tear wasn't shed then.
It didn't make an appearance when they had dinner, or when they talked about memories...they didn't even come when Artemis announced that she was pregnant.
The first tear came when Everyone was leaving.
Jaime watched a tear slip down his boyfriend's face only when they were outside, walking towards the Zeta Tubes downtown.
"Bart?"
"Hm?" Bart is quick to wipe the tears away and plaster on a smile...but Jaime knows better.
He's seen the real Bart Allen...and this wasn't him.
"What's wrong?" The Hispanic asks and wraps an arm around the shorter boy's shoulders.
"I've been here...for almost four years. And not once have I celebrated Christmas; we've always been too busy. It's...nice to be around them all. I mean, it never happens. Ever."
"You're happy." Jaime states in confusion.
"Yes! I'm very happy!"
"I'm happy too then." Jaime smiles and pecks the pale boy's temple gently.
"You know, you still haven't opened your present." Bart smiles slightly.
"You haven't either."
"I already told you; you first."
"...alright. When we get home."
Bart chuckles and nods before standing on his toes and kissing Jaime hungrily.
"Bart!" Jaime gasps in shock as he looks around in panic.
"Chill out, Jaime. No one's out right now."
"How about a warning? You never know what kind of people are around!"
"Let them see." Bart growls with an eye roll.
"Bart, you don't know how much I want to say that and mean it."
"Then just say it!"
"It's not that simple! There are always going to be people-"
"Who don't accept us. And you just want to protect me from them blah, blah, blah. I know Jaime, I've heard this speech from the first day we starting dating."
"Don't roll your eyes at me, Hermano." Jaime mutters as they reach an alley.
"It wouldn't kill you to let loose."
"Whatever." Jaime states as they walk into an old phone booth.
Bart chuckles and pecks Jaime gently as the ebony types in their destination.
... ...
They some how make it into Jaime's room in one piece despite Jaime's mother insisting that they stay downstairs to eat cookies and drink hot chocolate.
"Your mom is awesome." Bart grins as they stumble into the room with hands full of sugar cookies.
"You only say that because she cooks for you."
"Not true! That's not the only reason."
"Yeah, okay." Jaime plops down onto the bed beside his boy friend and gently takes the cookies from his hands in order to place them on the bed side table.
"Hey what are you...oh..." Bart trails off when Jaime leans into his space and gives him a smirk. "Your family is downstairs."
"I don't care." Jaime deadpans as his fingers trail up the red head's thigh.
"You're serious?"
"Definitely."
Bart doesn't need anymore confirmation before he's straddling Jaime while his lips are preoccupied with another pair.
Jaime chuckles when Bart squirms and giggles every time Jaime brushes the pads of his fingers over his sides.
"Stop!" Bart growls and catches both of Jaime's wandering hands.
"What?" the tanned skin gives him an innocent look and charming smile.
"Jerk!" Bart mutters just before he shoves Jaime down into his back, much to the other's shock.
"Whoa!" Jaime gasps on his way down. He laughs when he processes what happened, but smirks afterward.
"Your present." Bart crawls off of Jaime and the ebony whines softly.
"Don't be a baby!" Bart chuckles.
"Whatever!" Jaime huffs as he watches Bart rush towards his closet. "Seriously?"
"This is place is a mess; you'd never find it in here." Bart states as he bends over, giving Jaime a good view of his rear.
"Dang, Hermano. Have I ever told you how good you look in black?" Jaime mumbles softly.
"Jaime!" Bart hisses with red cheeks as he jerks upright.
"Aww..." Jaime mumbles in mock-disappointment.
"Here." Bart blushes brighter as he hands over the box.
"Thanks. here's yours." Jaime crawls over to the edge of the bed to retrieve a small box from his bedside table.
"Really?" Bart laughs.
"Yeah."
Jaime's less eager about ripping apart the foil wrapping than Bart. But they both smile happily when they see their gifts.
Jaime's rewarded with a soft squeak before he's shoved onto the bed and showered in kisses of all types.
"I take it you like it?" Jaime mumbles softly.
"I love it." Bart whispers with a grin.
"Good. I love my present too." Jaime smiles and turns his head to look at the small frame that had landed near the edge of the bed.
Bart had drawn his a self portrait...and Jaime loved every inch of the black and white drawing.
"I'm glad."
...
"I love you, Jaime Reyes." Bart whispers when they're snuggled under the covers.
"I love you more, Bart Allen." Jaime whispers back.
"Just a year and a few months."
"For what?"
"For my graduation. You'll come right?"
"I wouldn't miss it for the world."
"Good." Bart smiles happily when he feels Jaime's fingers intertwine with his just before he dozes off.
"Love you, Angel." Jaime whispers lovingly.
Jaime's only ever seen Bart cry once.
And despite the fact that the tears were of joy...they still hurt Jaime.
So right then...he promised himself to never have Bart cry again. Not because of sadness any way.