Hi, again. I was able to update sooner than I really expected. School starts next week, but I'll try to update again soon.
Bart is a really hard character for me to write sometimes. His fast thoughts and happy, innocent nature make him a really complicated character for me. I don't know why either. That, in itself, is frustrating.
Disclaimer: If I owned DC Comics, I would be a happier woman. Sadly, though, I do not.
Bartholomew's POV
The boy (Bartholomew! Gottaremembermyname'sBartholomewnow!) held on tightly to his dad's (DaddaddadIhaveaDAD!) hand as they walked out of the hospital's door entryway. He then was pulled into an ally by the older speedster. The youth turned him face upwards questionably.
"Listen, son," began Wally, "I need you to close your eyes. You'll get dust, dirt, and all sorts of things in them if you don't." When Bartholomew's face didn't change, he tried again. "How will you run like that?!"
Bartholomew became excited. Run? I've never done that before.He wasn't ever allowed to leave his room before today, and now he got to run? Something he could only ever read about? This is the best day ever! He closed his eyes and gripped Wally's tighter. Then, the most incredible thing happened. His legs were moving and the wind was rapidly hitting his face. He smiled while keeping his mouth closed. He didn't want those small weird-looking flying creatures (BUGS!) to get in it.
Wally's POV
While running to his place, Wally kept an eye on his new son. To a mind that went as fast as his, Bartholomew's rapid aging was all too apparent at first glance, but now, going at a high speed, it seemed normal. That lit a spark of an idea. They stopped when they got to his apartment.
Inside, Wally sat on the couch while Bartholomew ran around. Multiple sayings such as "Dad, what's this," "Dad, did you know that I read a book about that," and "OMYGOSH! Dad, lookatwhatIfound. This is so cool!" were thrown his way.
There seemed to be a pattern. Bartholomew would age quickly only if he was standing still. It's like the more he runs, the less energy he has to age. Of course! Wally jumped up and ran to his room. He went to his closet and pulled out an old box. He got out a pair of goggles and rushed back to the living room.
Bartholomew's POV
Bartholomew looked up just as his dad (DaddI'llnevereverevereverevergettiredofthatword!) came back in the room. He had a red thing (GOGGLES! That's what those are.) "Here,' the older speedster said.
"Why do I need those? Why do you want me to wear them? I mean I know what they do and all. Gogglesareforprotectingtheeyesfromglaredustwaterandstuff. I read it in a book. I just don't know why I would need them," Bartholomew said, then his eyes widened. "We're going running? Again? So soon? That's why I need them, right? To protect my eyes?" he asked. His father laughed and nodded.
He smiled as they took off. The young speedster saw hundreds of things he had only read about plus more. Still, he didn't stop unless his dad did. This was that father-son thing (Bonding!) books always described; Bartholomew was determined not to mess it up somehow. He kept running even after he became tired and his legs started hurting. He ran until he couldn't keep his eyes open anymore. The moment he had to shut them, he felt strong arms lift him up.
-LINE BREAK-
The bright light of the morning hurt Bartholomew's eyes when he tried to open them. This room is reallyreally bright, he thought sleepily. Light's not good for eyes, though. That'swhatthatbooksaid. I'll need to be careful when I wake up every day.
He got up and ran to the kitchen he had seen the day before while exploring his new home. His dad was sitting at the table. On said table, there was a lot of food. Bartholomew grinned and rushed to a chair. The speedster had stopped while running yesterday to get some red meaty things with bread (Hotdogs! Iactuallygottoeetrealhotdogs!) They didn't eat for very long, but Bartholomew was just glad he got to eat something so good. The hospitals food wasn't very tasty. Continuing this line of thought, he started eating.
Wally's POV
Wally paused in his own eating to glance at his son and smiled. His plan had worked! Bartholomew gave no sign of aging faster than the average person while sitting at the table. I didn't fail. He won't die. He won't.
He adult let out a deep sigh and stood up, walking over to the sink with some dirty dishes that were on the table. For the first time since meeting his son, he considered money issues. The food budget will need to increase. At least be doubled what it is now. I'll have to buy Bartholomew clothes, too. He'll need his own toothbrush, dresser, toys… Didn't Nurse Quandary say he read a lot? I wonder what books he likes. I'll have to ask. I should see what foods he likes, too. I wonder what we should have for lunch today. It should be something special. It'll be our first lunch together after all. I wonder if he would like quesadillas. What kind? Cheese? Chicken? Veggie? Beef? Isheavegetarian? No, wait, he ate those hotdogs yesterday, so I guess he does eat meat. How much meat is actually in a hotdog?
Wally shook his head. This was no time to get distracted. He turned his head back to the table to check on his son. Bartholomew finished all the food that was on the table and was looking bored. Wally smiled. Ah, subjective time. The worst part about being a speedster. That thought gave him an idea.
"Stay here, son," Wally ordered as he rushed to get his wallet. He then ran to the store, being careful so he wasn't seen. Walking down several aisles, he grabbed a plain white t-shirt, underwear, and blue shorts that looked around Bartholomew's size along with a toothbrush. He waited in lines at the cash registers for two minutes before paying for the items. He ran home after leaving the store.
-LINE BREAK-
Bartholomew's POV
Bartholomew was bored when he heard his dad come in. He had found the T.V. and had figured out how to work the remote control. The problem was that every program was so slow. He had only read about televisions before, but he had always assumed one would be as fast as the person watching it wanted. He ran to the door when he heard his name called.
"Get ready," Wally said, "We should get going."
"Going where?" Bartholomew asked, taking a bag from his dad and pulling a shirt out of it to examine.
His dad knelt down to look him in the eyes before saying in a voice that barely concealed his excitement and nervousness, "We're going to see your grandma and grandpa. You're aunt and uncle, too."
All boredom forgotten, Bartholomew raced down the hall to change and brush his teeth and hair. His heart was beating, and a huge smile was on his face.
TBA…
So, a lot of POV changing this time; I tried to make Bart and Wally seem a bit alike, but I don't know how successful I was.
If you're confused about when Bart's thoughts named something, it's because he read about it before and can finally put a word to different things he sees for the first time in real life.
Also, there is a reason he's being called Bartholomew right now.
Suggestions are always welcome. Please review.