When you love, you get hurt Chapter 7, a young justice fanfic

-WHEN YOU LOVE, YOU GET HURT-

CHAPTER VII

Part I

"Munchausen's Syndrome?… Are you sure?, Wally that's not… Those cases are often false or highly questionable. "

His voice sounded calm and serene, he didn't need to speak with his usual tone, fortunately the distance between them was minimal, even his usual and false casualness was gone; he didn't need to pretend the tranquillity.

It was real.

Everything.

"I know but… Here! Obtaining DNA was not a simple process, as the remains were badly degraded. However the use of PCR to amplify STRs provided the advantage of permitting small amounts of degraded DNA to be extracted from the shaft of a femur of the corpse."

"…"

"Barry?"

"Huh?… Right!"

Thank goodness that he doesn't blush, because he just stared dumfounded at the owner of pretty Jades.

He readjusted his glasses and read at his normal speed the several papers on the folder that the redhead gave him.

"Wally there is still no clear consensus between experts on the very definition of the condition; some consider MSbP a mental disorder, others, an abusive behavior… I don't think that the correct answer for this assignment…"

"… I didn't know that you were like the others."

"Huh?" When he faced the freckled face he founded it close to pout.

"You have to think outside the box! Here!"

His heart stopped functioning when the redheaded closed the distance between them and started searching for the chemical results in the folder. Their shoulders were in constant touch, the scent of Mango Mandarin made him relax for several instants, while the repetitive brush of windblown locks with his chin tickled him.

He just closed the distance for the report.

Only the report.

"You tell me what this result says… expert in chemistry. "

"I'm starting to feel the mythical envy that the biological department feels towards us… Am I right?"

"…"

Ohh those eyes never looked so close to shoot green lasers.

"I-I… I better start reading these results…"

He wasn't conscious of the seriousness that his face acquired while reading the results. Or of the assumptions that the intrepid mind next to him made by his neutral expressions.

"Is something wrong?… I… I knew it I…"

"Who did this test?"

Pale irises seemed confused when the redhead dropped his eyes.

"…I…*sigh*… I did it."

"… Really?… I mean, Wally this is really good…"

"You just say that because… I dunno…" A nervous speedster bitted his lips.

"Because I love you?"

It never stops amusing him how fast the blood rushes to those freckled cheeks.

"I… I-I…I…"

He couldn't stop his laugh, or his impulse to grab the body next to him and embrace him until the lithe body was tense and nervous on his lap.

"I mean it Wally… I just asked because I thought that one of your professors did it, is really good, is very complete and veracious… You should have specialized in chemistry instead." He tried to soothe the young adult by talking with a reassuring tone close to the soft earlobe. He kept the embrace tight with and arm and started brushing with his fingers the red locks above the temple that once discovered, he started to kiss it.

"Youreallydo?" The tense redhead relaxed imperceptibly, like if his whole body made an integral sigh and let himself accommodate in the always welcoming strong chest.

"Yeap." He couldn't resist himself and kissed the nape.

It was so soft…

It was one of his favorite nights, since he opened up, sine he became honest with Wally and with himself… The redhead gave him a chance to win his trust again, little by little, is no like they used to… not even close, but with perseverance (and a little help from the future), he knows that they can create something deeper and hopefully stronger than before… He truly believes that. Now Wally lets him walk with him from college to the dorm, every night the little runner opens up a little bit, it started with mumbles and random comments, without mentioning the lack of eye contact, now they talk about everything, when he detects a shadow in the breathtaking Jades he takes the redhead to a country in which they can live for hours and still when they return he can help the busy runner with his assignments, even if the vibrating ball complains about it; when he is like that, he just waits until caffeine no longer has any effect on the young man and takes him to a comfy bed guarded by a vigilant pit bull.

"Ba-Barry…" The sound was between a whine and a sigh. The feather kisses on the nape turned deeper.

"I think that you are still on time to change your specialization… In chemistry…*tiny bite* I could be your tutor… and you could do your internships and thesis with me…" Enjoying the flustered reactions on his runner, with his fingertips he started to trace circles in one of the naked knees…

If he remembers correctly…

When the little redhead vibrated he wasn't conscious of the winner smile plastered in his face.

…Wally has so many weak spots.

There are nights that they stay at the dorm, he brings some exotic food from places that people just know from TV shows, the redhead feels comfortable and acts like he used to, the nervousness remains, the blushes are eternal but…He thinks, he believes… that they are happier, not completely… but they are getting close. He learned that Wally still prefers milk with tons of vanilla instead of coffee, that he is thinking in going to a symposium about Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in Vlatava, that he no longer likes any remotely related to comedy, he still can't pass some levels of Zelda, he is now a maniac of order, he cooks incredibly, he used to have a cat but it always tried to sleep on top of Artemis's head and he gave it to a co worker on the coffee shop, and more important…Katniss now likes him, well maybe like is not the word but… she no longer looks at him with… anger.

"…" The redheaded denied with his head.

"No?"

"Biology is… better in… so many ways."

"Is that so?" With a light *plop* the folder was left on top of a table… it lay there completely forgotten.

Tonight he took the redhead by surprise, he switched his monitor duty with Dinah and went straight to visit the busy redhead, after his embarrassing accident with the branch he is more careful when he watches (spies) the redhead from the window, he saw him on top of several cushions spread on the floor of the living room, he was studying and mumbling and reading several folders, his hair was as windblown as always, he was using a sweater that he gave him one night in Prague to protect him from the cold, it looked adorably huge on him… And nothing more … God those legs…

And now they are on his lap.

His senses were at his most perceptive level, he started nuzzling from the nape, following the path of freckles… ending at the shoulders, removing the annoying wool fabric that was on his way… Each freckle he kissed it slowly, taking his time…

"I'm joining all points of freckles on your shoulders, and it all makes sense to me."

…In particular freckles he let his tongue caress them, gaining surprised gasps and rushed vibrations… With one arm he stilled the uneasy redhead while a hand started a path where the fingertips established a parsimoniously slow rhythm trough the never-ending legs.

"If Biology is better… *kiss* explain me how could you have detected the Cyotec… *bite* without the chemical analysis?"

"Y-yes… the cyotec helped me to corroborate the hypothesis that the victim was pregnant… but it was the electrophoresis to the hair and the method of Kastle-Meyer that made me corroborate that the DNA and blood samples matched…"

With surprising strength, the redhead weakened the hold on his waist and stared at dark turquoises.

"… In conclusion it was Biology who made the assumption real. The victim was pregnant and her sister poisoned her with Cyotec because she suffered the Münchausen syndrome by proxy… I was right."

Barry found himself dumfounded again while he stared at a cocky smile that kissed him on the corner of his lips before the owner stood up and those legs went out of sight by the counter of the kitchen.

With an incredulous laugh he went backwards and stared at the ceiling.

He is one hundred percent sure that life is much better.

Definitely.

"What is in here?… You bought… soup ?"

Leaning sloppily on the floor, his head lazily popped up from the coffee table and his pale eyes glanced at the redhead that had his nose cringed graciously.

"The other bag has roast chicken… but …" In a blink he was next to the redhead and took the bag before the younger even thought about it.

"… That's for me. You need to eat something that isn't a nightmare of every diabetic."

"But…"

" Don't. Even. Think. That I didn't notice that the only things that you are eating have strawberries, vanilla and milk."

"But…"

"Nope, here is your beet juice… here is my soda."

"Barry!"

While he was searching the plates, he saw from the corner of his eye how the redhead stared at the soup… He poked at it… with a knife…

… It was hilarious.

"…Barry?" A tiny, imperceptible and scared mumble.

"Yes?"

"Why is it… orange ?"

"Cause its carrot soup."

"…"

"I hate carrots."

"Of course you do, they are healthy." With all his patience he sat on a stool in front of the counter, removed his glasses, and watched how the green eyed speedster stared at the inoffensive soup as if the Joker himself was going to come of it.

"…" Green eyes diverted their stare between the beet juice and the soup over and over. Trying to act nonchalantly the redhead starts searching for something in the drawers.

"Damn he ate them all."

"Who ate what?"

"… Bart… my Chicken Whizees… Have you seen him?"

"Actually no… Jay told me that he said that he was visiting a friend."

"A friend?… Tim?… Joan let Bart go to… Gotham?" Jades showed a glimpse of worry.

"No, he said… I don't remember… I think it was Blue Beetle."

"…?" Before any word escaped from his lips the forgotten sound of a com-link interrupted him.

An apologetic smile was all he got before the blond hero turned his attention to duty.

Ring.

With uncertainty he stared at the smart phone that lay on the counter.

…

Mal Duncan?

An uneasy sensation traveled trough his spine.

There are no coincidences.

Something happened to Dick?

"I can't hear you G. A, the static is…"

From the corner of his eye he saw how the blond man stood up from the stool and went to a window in search of signal.

Please be ok… please be ok stupid bird.

"Mal?… What…?"

"You have to come."

"Wally…"

Nervous Jades stared at the man that placed a hand on his shoulder before it ran trough blond locks.

Bad sign.

Bad, bad sign.

"Who is there with you?... Wally, Aqualad and his new team launched another attack, this time he… He destroyed Mount Justice."

He didn't hear the deep voice that came from the phone, all his attention was focused on worried turquoises.

"… They captured Bart."

Part II

In the way none of them said a word.

Because they didn't knew what to say.

Both were worried.

Bart was Barry grandson.

His blood.

His heritage.

His legacy and responsibility.

To Wally… Bart was…

Family.

He hated the fact that Barry had to decelerate so that way the scarlet speedster could keep an eye on him.

What he didn't know was that Barry needed him.

He needed the presence of the redhead near him.

He needed one of his reasons to fight close to him.

While Wally needed the reassurance that everything would be alright.

He was scared.

What was Kaldur'ahm thinking?!

What this part of the plan?

… What… What other things Dick is planning to do?

Artemis… Was she part of this?

What if she didn't?

What if none of this was part of the plan?

What if Kaldur'ahm…?

…Impossible.

He couldn't.

… Right?

God with whom is Artemis with?

He feels a bitter taste rise on his throat, one that he has been familiar with.

Guilt.

He didn't stop Artemis; he respected her decision, yes he made it clear that he didn't agree with the plan but… he didn't stop her.

Fear.

What if he just pushed her to her own death…?

Paula was right.

It is his fault.

He should have stopped Dick from the beginning.

He should have told Canary.

Hell he should have told Batman.

… Now Bart is in danger.

…God the experiments.

The metagene.

All this is because of that variant unseen and undiscovered for humans.

All this is because Dick needed answers.

Is he alright?

He knows Dick; he knows how obsessive he can get… He knows that no matter what… There is nothing more important than the mission to him… even his own life.

That's how the Bats think.

His work was to show him that there is always another way, another method… one without sacrifices.

He needs to see his friend… his best friend.

His biggest fear is that there is nothing left… that his friend… his brother is gone.

Barry sensed Wally's anxiety and saw all the troublesome and constricted feelings bubbling in the green orbs.

He started to decelerate and grabbed his runner by the arm… making them stop in the middle of Washington.

"Wally It's ok…" He grabbed the lithe body by the shoulders and tried to find the green orbs hidden behind red locks that blocked the view.

"N-No.. Is not."

This is my fault.

Paula was right.

"Wally everything is going to be alright… We are going to find out why Aqualad did this… we are going to bring Bart home… Wally… Wally look at me…"

With hesitance, Jades faced the owner of the reassuring voice.

"…"

"We are going to find out who is behind all this."

Despite all the confidence that the scarlet hero tried to give…

The redhead died inside, because…

He knows why Kaldur'ahm destroyed Mount Justice.

He knows who planned it.

He knows why they captured Bart.

He knows what they are doing to him right now.

That makes him as guilty as anyone.

Because he couldn't give enough answers to Dick.

Because he didn't stop him.

Because he didn't stop Artemis.

And God he can't say anything to the man he loves.

… He can't.

And it's killing him.

Because he knows how hard Barry is pretending to be alright… he knows that he is not only trying to convince him but… to himself too.

He does the only thing that he can do right now.

"…" He nods and…

Keeps silence.

… Until he has a few words with Dick.

Enough is enough.

"… Do you trust me?"

Pale irises kept staring at him with worry.

"Yes… let's go, we have a speedster to find."

Because they will bring him back home.

Part III

This time, when he arrived at the Hall of Justice there weren't flashes of cameras, or people calling him speedy, it was empty… When he entered the monumental structure he didn't feel the sensation of safety and reassurance that seeing the statues of his childhood idols always brought him…

… He knew that almost all of them were gone.

The echo of their steps was unsettling… this place wasn't suppose to be this… lifeless and lugubrious.

He followed the scarlet hero 'til the elevator for the heroes area, he waited for the normal protocol for when you are going to let a civilian enter…

"Recognized Flash 04."

"Recognized Kid Flash B03."

Startled he saw his mentor; the blond man gave him a sheepish smile.

"It doesn't matter to me if you carry the yellow suit or not… There is only one Kid Flash."

To say that his cheeks were burning was an understatement.

Knowing well the place where they were, he had to stand on tiptoe to give a quick hug to his hero. Strong arms around his waist made sure to prolong as much as possible the intimate moment.

"Don't be scared… We'll find him."

Again, his body was struggling to form the words that he wanted to share so badly, but at the end, he just bitted his lower lip until it started to feel numb.

Reluctantly they separated and went to see the other heroes.

If you knew what I know… You'd be scared too.

Part IV

When he entered the room where all were reunited…

… He knows that no matter how hard he'll try it; his image from this place would no longer be the same…

The place where Roy, Kaldur, Dick and himself dreamed to visit, imagining all the adventures that the future would depart for them, side by side with the most powerful heroes… their mentors… The place where with new additions they shared victories… This place used to be so full of…

… Life.

Now it looks like…

…A mortuary.

The four of them had a link with this place… it was their goal.

Now he wants to be anywhere else but here.

And now more than ever, apparently their arrival was enough to stop abruptly what the others were doing.

Barbara, Karen and Raquel were sitting on the sofas; they usually chat and share memories as if they didn't see each other for years, when actually it was just the last weekend that they reunited… Now they were quiet, with frowns in their graced features, the worry was palpable… They are remembering…

Remembering the report of the failed mission against Black Manta.

None of them went to that mission, but Batman made them analyze it…

They analyzed what were their flaws as a team back then and why…

… Why Tula died.

Without counting how Barbara mourned for Jason.

And how Artemis's lost have been so recent that they still don't get used to the idea.

Knowing how methodic Barbara is; how clever Karen could be; and how dangerously sharp is Raquel… He is sure that they are making comparisons…

…There is a high percent that they are going to lose their youngest members.

Mal and Conner where discussing on a corner with Captain Atom and Green Arrow, by their expressions and corporal language… they want more than ever the head of Kaldur on a silver platter, and the older heroes don't know how to pacify them.

Tim was typing in the same computer that Dick years ago hacked searching for information about Cadmus, he was so absorbed in his investigation that he didn't notice them.

A blond girl that he just knows from the news and has the alias of Wonder Girl was the only one that was watching the news on TV, it was on mute... but words weren't needed.

Her expression was the epitome of sadness.

She was seeing how a place that she started to call home was being destroyed.

By a person that she worshipped years ago.

He didn't saw Megan… But a lamp was floating in circles in the farthest corner, at their arrival a pair of green gleams appeared and she became visible while the lamp went to its respective place, she tried to smile at him… he knows she tried…

Her uncle, her boyfriend and now her little brother are gone…

… She is starting to despair.

"Wally!" She still flew to where he was and gave him a desperate hug.

She was trembling.

Her slim arms were clinging and her face was hidden…

He felt the tears on his neck.

"I've been missing you… I've been missing you so much." Whispered above his ear.

How Dick can see and live with these people everyday and lie on their faces?

They might never forgive us, said the dark-haired hero.

Of course they won't.

He felt how a powerful force tried to enter into his mind… it was fast, and it disappeared in an instant…

Her powers are out of control.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry Wally!"

The Martian went invisible and tried to fly away, but he caught her by the ankle before.

"I'm fine beautiful." He still doesn't know from where he got the force to smile like he did at that moment.

All he knows is that he did it for her.

I miss you too. Thought aloud enough for her to hear even without intending to.

When she became visible again, this time a small smile greeted him in return. She descended slowly and stood by his side shyly... He grabbed her hand delicately and interlaced their fingers subtly.

I love you Wally... Don't leave us… We need you...Return…Return Wally.

He swallowed hard and fought to keep his thoughts at bay.

I… I love you too Megan.

From the corner of his eye he saw the scarlet hero that stood next to him… he found white lenses lightly shocked… but seconds later his posture softened and smiled in return.

The redheaded speedster wasn't conscious that his gesture with the Martian lighted the atmosphere.

"Wally! I'm glad you are here…" Mal and Conner were the first to react and come closer.

Conner's eyes softened when there was no distance between them.

He looked… grateful.

He knows that just like Megan's… His forgiveness is going to be the most needed…

Still the most impossible to receive.

He never enjoyed the sensation that causes being the center of attention in the room.

Right now… he feels nauseous.

Someone hold his hand by less than a millisecond.

"… You came with the Flash? Are you two together again?"

The speedsters needed a total of five seconds (an eternity for them) to came out of their stupor and tranquilize their nerves.

Mal didn't mean that.

No.

Right?

With cautious steps the actual Robin came closer with an eyebrow raised suspiciously.

That was odd.

"…N-No." He is the only person that can stutter a monosyllable.

"That's a shame; we need all the help that we can get right now." The emerald archer came closer too, this time it was him who placed a hand on his shoulder. "Don't disappear from my sight again kid, B. C and I care for you."

"…" He was going to answer him when a pair of blue eyes was staring at him, getting into his personal space.

What the…?

He couldn't repress the jolt.

"Are you Kid Flash?… Hi I'm Cassie."

Apparently her curiosity was awake and wanted to meet him, she was nice but…

… She had to fly over his head like that?

"…Wally, nice to meet…"

The sound of the door sliding got the attention of all the presents in the room.

The person who came in was no other than the beautiful Zatanna, her electric blue eyes looked frustrated and they had hints of anger.

She let escape a tired sigh and removed dark curls that were on her charming face.

"Z did he…?" Raquel looked anxious.

"The only way to convince him is with an overdose of magic… Wally?… Wally!" Her face lighted up… or tried.

People need to stop trying to look happy for him.

"Wally, Nightwing is… trying to figure out how…" Megan was thinking too hard the words that she wanted to say.

"He is in his martyr mode right now." You can always count with Conner for a conversation straight to the point.

"What happened?" He needed details; he needed to know the truth… from their point of view.

Mal and Conner exchanged worried looks… When one of his best friends looked at him…

He remembered just how old Conner was.

Just six years.

"All I know is that in one moment out of nowhere…."

With each word from the Kryptonian in his mind a voice each time stronger and stronger keep repeating.

What have we done?

Part IV

Everybody went to the Watchtower to reorganize and ponder the damage… He smiled them away… He needed a few words with Nightwing.

Every minute with them was asphyxiating.

They were too…

They needed a Wally West that…

… Doesn't exist anymore.

Ollie, not Green Arrow but Ollie, invited him to visit Queen Industries, he said that he also wanted to have a barbecue with him… His eyes were turning gray… his long blond hair was losing his sparkle… He said that the real Roy Harper was asking for them…

None of them have visited him.

Dick, Kaldur or himself.

Hell he doesn't even know when or how Roy found the other... Roy.

…

More guilt to bear.

Ollie has always been part of his family… When Roy discovered the truth about his existence… Ollie and Dinah where so… lost the three of them went to the rescue and helped them in all they could, Kaldur tried to put some sense into the stubborn Scarlet Archer, Dick hacked every satellite in the orbit without any rest… In his case, he picked up the pieces of a devastated mentor; he tried to raise the spirit of the wonderful man that everybody pitied… He tried to visit him and keep his hope alive. They organized squads where in every night he had to break the sound barrier to reach another continent.

After his… exile four years ago.

Not even once he visited him.

At that time he was too scared of the members of the League.

He still is.

Tonight he promised a visit to Star City, a dinner in Wayne Manor and a training session in the Watchtower.

He is not sure why he accepted.

… He doesn't think capable to reject them anymore.

With an exhale he let the air run away… wishing to let escape his demons too.

He feels weak.

Running from Palo Alto to Washington with an empty stomach wasn't a wise decision.

He supported his back in the giant door and let the cold of the steel reach his bones.

He closed his eyes at starting to feel the floor moving.

…

Minutes passed 'till he gained control of his senses and the vibrations of his left hand decreased.

The image of worried turquoises crossed his mind.

Barry was reluctant to leave him…. But he had to talk with his best friend alone.

Unconsciously he turned his hands into fists until his knuckles turned white by the pressure.

His Jades achieved a lost fire while he faced the door.

No more lies.

He has to stop this madness.

For Megan, for Conner, for the new team, for Bart, for Roy, for Barry, but mostly… for Dick.

Part V

"Recognized Kid Flash B03."

He took a deep breath that came out… shaky.

Even from the distance, the powerful and skillful Nightwing looked…

Defeated.

This is not what he was expecting, Dick never surrenders.

Never.

The Dick he knows would be facing his comrades, already hacking the first computer that crosses his path, doing something, giving orders, creating squads, sending to hell the Justice League,… he would be outside, telling Megan why her boyfriend and her little brother were captured.

He wasn't conscious of the tiny marks of blood on his palms caused by the force of his fists.

"What. Happened?" He contained as much as possible his boiling sensations…

… His fears.

… His desperations.

What the hell happened?

He didn't need his imagination to see across the domino mask, electric blue eyes were turning gray.

The dark-haired hero knew that… That's why he kept staring at his untouched coffee.

His chest felt heavy, with difficulties to keep at bay his respiration… The pain wasn't physical; it wasn't the fact that he almost died drowned…

… It was the battle inside of him that took place in his chest.

He was relieved to see his speedster ok… He was concerned that the Competitor had heard about the metahuman that lived in Palo Alto.

But what was breaking him was that… Wally was disappointed.

He let him down.

Screw it.

He let down the whole Earth.

And he can't ask to one of his most important persons for a little of compassion because… He didn't deserve it.

Right now, at this instant… he wanted to feel nothing.

He wanted to be just like The Dark Knight of Gotham…. To be… hollow in the inside.

But the presence of the redhead won't let him.

Wally means too much.

Too much.

And he is losing him.

"It was necessary." His voice sounded hoarse and lifeless. His throat felt rough.

"It better has been. Spill. "

Wally wasn't asking to a friend how you could hack the blog of a villain.

He was asking to a leader why he putted lives at danger unnecessarily.

Nightwing may be ok, drinking his coffee in the Hall of Justice, trusting that his friends may be ok under the care of Kaldur.

But Dick, the one he cares about, the one he loves, needed a dose of reality.

Things. Are. Out. Of. Control.

Don't you see? Wake up!

"Aqualad needed to find a way to help us rescue Lagoon boy. He already injected a microscopic tag into La'gaan bloodstream, and he used the raid on the cave to pass essential intel."

The words came out of his mouth as…

… As if he was explaining an equation.

He needed to control his emotions.

He cannot look more miserable in front of Wally.

God he wanted a warm hand on his shoulder.

How many times he complained to a fifteen year old speedster about his breathtaking hugs?

Right now he would give anything to turn back time.

To say…

To say so many things that…

…It doesn't matter now.

A wall of rejection is what is waiting for him.

"A flash drive, with among other things… tracking software that can locate the tag." He grabbed the usb driver and showed it to the redhead, with hopes to soothe the guilt…. At that moment he faces him.

He sees the green fire, the green fire that he enjoys to start and push to its limits…

… Tonight it's not amusing.

There is no pout, no whine, and no blush.

"Like that's all he did." Wally's stubbornness can be as strong and powerful as Dick's pride.

"Wally, he had to make it look good. He put inhibitor collars on us, but he knew I'd get us out of them." He needed to get closer, so he stood up, searching for a tiny bit of compassion…

Wally can't be that mad at him… right?

Wally loves him… Roy said that when they were kids and Gotham was his playground.

"He took three more hostages! Members of your team."

The redhead's patience was reaching the end.

All he sees is Nightwing.

All he sees is the Dark Knight.

… Where is Dick?

"And we'll rescue them when we rescue Lagoon boy!"

WHERE ARE YOU, DICK?!

"Dick! He blew up the cave! You guys almost died!" He grabbed his friend by the collar of his uniform.

He is desperate… why… why Dick takes so easily death?

"No! It's all on the flash drive…" The hero took the slim wrists and before he could take those hands… the owner pulls them off.

All his training didn't let him show the soreness that gesture caused.

"He knew I'd have to purse to make it legit and that's exactly what happened. He gave us time to get out." Jades, beautiful jades staring at him with worry anxiety and desperation.

… He dropped his eyes.

Even with the mask… He knows that only Wally can read him like an open book.

"We just… we got caught in the debris field from the explosion." The pain on his chest… he understands it now.

…Is-Is… is his heart.

"Did you even hear yourself? What if one of you had left behind, huh? Why take that risk? Why go to such extremes?"

Don't turn your back on me Dick!

… Dick?

The body of the speedster starts trembling imperceptibly to the human eye.

The pain on his stomach was unbearable.

The nausea, the dizziness and his lack of breath were starting to cause disequilibrium. That's why he supported his hands on his hips.

"The drive explains that too…*sigh*… he-he needed to submit his position with the Light, and the Light's partner."

The dark bird tried to keep his composure; he needed to look like he had everything under control.

But he stuttered.

The perfectionist hero never lets that happen.

"Wasn't that why he *murdered* Artemis?" Wally's cynicism always shows up when Dick acts like the Batman.

"I guess it didn't convince everyone." Thought aloud the eighteen year old hero.

"YOU GUESS?!"

That decision ruined her life?!

That decision is killing Paula.

That decision is eating alive the minds of your team!

That decision is… killing me.

That decision is making me take 700 mg of PROZAC so that way I can sleep four hours without nightmares.

You knew that…?

You knew that, my old friend?

Of course not.

If is not part of the plan… It doesn't matter to you.

"The cave is…was just a place! Worth sacrificing if it helps us stop the invasion!"

Dick decided to ignore the tantrums of his... heart.

He is tired of Wally's judgments.

At least he is doing something.

What is doing the stupid and incompetent silly?

Study in his comfy dorm… ignoring the needs of the world.

Ignoring him.

"Look, I'm sorry you lost all your souvenirs!"

Right and there died all the patience that Wally could have.

"ARE YOU SERIOUS?!" With all his force he pushed the stunned hero.

"I don't care about that junk! Am worried about Artemis… Terrified for her! You put her right into his hands!"

Fear.

"Wally, we are talking about Kaldur here!"

Dick tried to argue back.

Because they were talking about Kaldur.

Kaldur.

Their friend.

Their brother.

But…

Also was Roy.

And years ago he helped to control League's minds.

Fuck, they even cloned him! And found out years later!

"I know, Kaldur, our friend… Who in the space of a few months lost the love of his life , and found out that Black Manta was his father . Isn't it possible Aqualad might have actually be a traitor… A triple agent? He's supposed to be playing them… but are you absolutely sure he isn't playing… you?"

Glassy eyes saw how his best friend changed his posture.

Yes, Kaldur is his friend.

One of the persons that he admires more.

But as his friend… he knows the pain that he has been trough.

Roy told him just how much he loved Tula.

He was just right there when she died… He saw how the eyes of his friend changed forever the moment she closed hers.

He knows how it feels to be betrayed by your mentor.

Because when the King of Atlantis omitted the origins of his most loyal partner… and lied about them.

… That's called betrayal.

Actually… he wouldn't be surprised if the atlantean turned their backs on them.

They have nothing to offer.

Just lies and sacrifices.

….They even made him kill hundreds… the Kroloteans… that was part of the plan too?

Tell me Dick.

"What… what you want me to say Wally?… I… I have done everything to save us, to protect this world from the invasion… What have you done?"

The atmosphere changed drastically.

Now it was Dick's turn to judge.

He stood up and started to use his height on his favor.

With authoritative steps he closed any distance between them.

"Let me answer for you… N. O. T. H. I. N. G. " Every word was icier and whispered above soft lips.

He knows that he is playing with fire.

The beautifully dangerous gleam on green orbs was the proofs of that… they were challenging him.

They were so provocative.

He knows that Wally may never forgive him.

But damn he is tired.

The smaller in the room tried to take a few steps back… he was starting to see black dots… but a strong grip on his arm kept him still.

"I'm the one who have been leading and keeping alive this team, you are just a…"

"With lies!" Interrupted defiantly the speedster.

He is not afraid of Nightwing.

Even if the grip was hurting him. like. hell.

The dark haired hero lowered his head and got even closer, their noses were touching and their lips were at millimeters.

And for the first time.

For the first time in his life, Wally saw… white lenses… nothing more.

His mind couldn't place blue eyes.

Because… he knows how empty Nightwing really was.

How lonely.

"You left us Wally! Out of nowhere! You didn't… you didn't tell me why… you just… you… arg!" Brusquely the grip on his arm was gone, causing him a disequilibrium that in his condition caused a series of stumbles until his back hit the wall.

He felt disoriented.

Nightwing turned his back to him so he couldn't see how he removed his domino mask and pressed his fingers on his eyelids.

"Dick I… I can't."

He tried to get closer to his friend, but at the attempt of a step… his legs betrayed him and he had to seek support on the wall.

He is too weak now.

His energy was completely drained.

"Then don't judge me for keeping my secrets too." When the black haired man faced the speedster… his mask was on place.

Like nothing happened.

Like he didn't disappear the tray of tears seconds ago.

Like his heart wasn't dying.

"There are not just yours to decide that… Dick… they are going after Kaldur… Megan is unstable now... And you know just how powerful her mind really is… Just tell her the truth… At least to just Conner and Megan…"

"So you didn't just came here to judge me… you also came to judge my team… people that put their lives on danger to save the world… You don't know anything about sacrifices, anything about pain."

This time Nightwing become lethal.

"Your parents are alive, your family is alive, your mentor treats you like a treasure, your body is scarless… like your life… nothing bad happens to you… you only worry for your careers and your girlfriend… you don't love anyone else…"

"… Di-Dick… that is not true and you… you know it."

A single tear started to join several freckles on its path.

Wally isn't Dick.

He can't ignore the pain.

Dick is everything he needed in his childhood.

Dick is everything inside of him that he wishes that he could be.

Why is hurting him?

Why they just fight over and over?

"Then…"

A hand grabbed him by the chin this time… with frailty.

And…

Blue eyes, electric, beautiful and alive.

Their pupils were dilated and a gray shade was over them… like a shadow.

But they were still beautiful.

Dick removed his mask.

No more white lenses.

No more sunglasses.

"… tell me silly…"

Cold lips kissed the single tear on his cheekbone.

"… tell me that you lo…"

"Recognized Flash 04."

Part VI

Barry could be a lot of things, witty, laid-back, humorous, friendly, among other things… but not stupid.

He knew what he saw.

White lenses narrowed until they were just mere lines.

To whom the glare was directed at just arched an eyebrow in confusion.

Since when the Flash cares about who kisses his nephew?

"Recognized Robin B20."

"Flash, did you…?"

Tim Drake didn't need to be a detective to know that something was off.

Nightwing…

…Dick's domino mask was on the floor.

His posture tried to be casual… but the tension on the strong shoulders showed hints of a state of alert.

His blue eyes were torn between confusion and… annoyance.

Tim knows that look… normally is directed at Bruce, when the billionaire doesn't let the older bird do whatever Dick proposed to.

The real mystery was the Flash…

He left the Watchtower, saying that he needed to do something.

Guessing that it has to do with Wally, Tim followed him.

He needed to ask some questions to Dick.

Aqualad's behavior wasn't normal.

Seconds ago, when the Flash left the reunion he wasn't this…

…

Upset?

Irritated?

Ready to kill a bird?

Words were difficult to find when you are not used to describe a person with them.

All he knows is that his posture screamed danger.

Probably Dick and Wally were found fighting?

That would explain the dense atmosphere.

Finally, his eyes adverted the redhead.

…

His slim silhouette was in the farthest corner; he couldn't see his face, just his back… Wait… it looked like… He looked… blurry?… What…?

"Wally!"

Before he could even blink a red blur passed next to him and caught the falling redhead.

"Bab-Wally?… Wally what's going on?… Wally wake up… Wally?! Wakeup!"

If it wasn't for the situation, Tim would be scared by how fast the behavior of the scarlet hero changed.

His voice was anxious and… frightened?

That only increased his worry… you never expect to hear any fear in the voice of one of the most powerful man in this era.

It was as if in one second you see the dangerous God that can kill you before you even realize it, and in one instant you see a…

… man.

When both raven-haired heroes approached the speedsters, their bodies paralyzed...

In the arms of the man that carries the lightning, was an unconscious young redhead that was… disappearing.

"What…?" The youngest in the room couldn't believe what he was seeing.

The normally gold-sun-kissed glow was gone, even the small freckles under the eyes vanished… the boyish features showed signs of pain… his lips were parted… trying to catch oxygen that with the pass of the seconds turned more and more indispensable… red locks were adhered to the forehead by a fine layer of sweat… his eyes were closed… but the redhead wasn't resting… the only color on the tormented face was at the cheekbones… they had a furious blush… like if he had a fever…

… He was dying.

To the mortal eyes of the youngest bat, the young speedster was vibrating… vibrating at a speed that seemed like he was… disappearing… For sporadic seconds the redhead would appear… in others it would seem like a ghost…

… There was a moment that he could just see trough the vibrating body…. Like a hologram…

"Di-Dick?… what…he…?"

His mind was a blackout… he saw the speedster earlier, he was fine! What happened?…

… what happened?!

Barry was embracing his redhead with his life, with his arms he had a strong hold on the limp body; trying to keep as close as possible the body next to his chest…. the vibrations were increasing at a rate that he has never seen before… he had never seen Wally vibrate at this rate… and less unconscious… He seemed trapped in a nightmare or a coma… He was losing the control of his powers…

… It seemed like a power outflow.

He tried to maintain his position, to be an anchor, to use his force and resistance as a brake, to stop the outflow…

… But at seeing his own arms through the slim body…

… His blood turned cold.

It wasn't working.

The speed of the vibrations was so high that his arms were starting to feel numb; he wasn't feeling the constant needles of power trying to escape anymore… The speed was so high that he couldn't keep up with it…

To the eyes of Dick a hologram was disappearing….

"Wa…Wally?" Whispered afraid.

Ignoring the voices of alert inside his mind, he knelt in front of both speedsters and reached a hand to touch a transparent shoulder.

In the exact moment in which his hand made contact with the unconscious speedster, Barry started to vibrate in the opposite direction…

… Both felt how an electric current reached their bodies and tried to drain their energies… The current was so strong that throw them away.

"DICK!" Tim saw stunned how his mentor's body flew away and his back clashed against a bookshelf that after he lay on the ground, it fell on top of him.

With difficulty he removed the bookshelf, to his relieve Blüdhaven's hero was conscious and there weren't any visual injuries.

With shaky movements the maskless hero tried to stand up… The cautious eyes of Tim predicted the stumble and helped his leader.

"My… my energy…" Royal blue eyes showed confusion.

"What happened?" Asked worried and losing his nerves the black haired teen.

"I…I'm not sure…" His eyes widen in realization and started to search desperately the speedsters.

Tim's skin turned pale when he saw the Flash trying to use a wall as a support to stand up from the other side of the immense room.

The wall had a crater.

Those walls were tested by Superman.

In the surface, there were no injuries in the scarlet suit, like Dick, but… he looked… exhausted.

"Flash?!… Are you ok?"

"…" The legendary hero ignored him and went straight to where Wally was.

He was going to ask something to his mentor… but he found him already going to where was his best friend.

The redhead was exactly where he was before; he was curled up and seemed to be…

… Sleeping?

His lithe body was curled up on the floor… his chest was moving subtly up and down at the compass of the small mouth that opened and closed with each breath… His face was still blushed and showed signs of discomfort but…

… He was there… alive…

With them.

Small vibrations remained, and even to the human eye it was possible to see a series of small lightning bolts around the surface of the body…

…It seemed like whatever happened it was starting to fade.

Under a domino mask, incredulous blue eyes couldn't believe what just happened.

Actually he is not sure.

All he knows is that his body let go all his tension with one exhalation.

Wally…

How many secrets do you really have?

Asked himself the youngest hero while seeing how the fastest man alive knelt to pick up his ex sidekick and with a potent vibration that moved the floor ceased the vibrations in the sleeping young man. He didn't miss the smile of the red clad hero when the unconscious runner buried his freckled face on his chest and sighed in his sleep.

"zzz… ss…up…" Mumbled the lethargic redhead.

"Hmm? What is it kid?" Whispered the scarlet speedster above the temple in a way that made Tim blush.

"… S-soup… want… zzz…"

Barry Allen looked taken aback for an instant, later he smiled subtly and kissed the freckled temple while with extreme care he started to leave the room.

It was one of the unresolved mysteries of the hero community… why one of the best relationships hero-partner died so unexpectedly.

Tim is sure that it has to do with whatever happened today.

Someone that wasn't oblivious of the scene either was the dark haired hero that without his mask on, it let visible the glare that he was sending.

You have a few thing to explain me Wally.

Part VII

Beep.

Most people would find annoying the constant sound of an electrocardiogram, but to him it was a bless…

It was the proof that the young man unconscious on the medical bed was alive…

If he closes his eyes, even for an instant, he can clearly remember how the redhead was disappearing in his arms moments ago…

… Literally.

It has been the most terrifying experience in his existence.

Because he couldn't do anything.

He just…

…How is it possible that he didn't know any of this?

The rush an adrenaline was out of his body.

All that was left were the images of the event, repeating over and over in his mind.

The fear was a constant too.

And he knows that it won't disappear.

Wally was going to…

…If he didn't decide to go at that moment to the Hall, if he…

Wally would just…

Of one thing he is absolutely sure.

He won't leave Wally alone.

With brusqueness he removed his cowl.

This happened before?… It always has been this severe?… Is it common?… Is he sick?… Is he always unconscious?

Does anybody else know?!

Why Wally?… Why you didn't tell me...

At the time he let escape a tired exhalation he closed his eyes with force to prevent the frustrating burn behind his eyes…

… He wants to scream, to punch something… anything!

He has been so stupid.

Wally's lack of appetite.

He knows from where it comes from…

Wally has been trying to repress his powers.

A speedster's body needs tons of energy, and it also needs a way to let that energy be drained, other way the energy will be contained inside the body… until it finds a way to be free.

That's extremely dangerous for the body.

Extremely reckless and harmful.

Just like every decision that Wally takes.

Wally has been trying to repress his powers… cutting the energy by no eating anything at all.

He also knows that the young speedster reason to study two careers is to keep his fast mind process busy.

… So every time that the redhead uses his powers… just like earlier…

He swallowed hard the bile on his throat…

He didn't do anything when he saw Wally tremble after their encounter with Neutron.

… He was too scared to break the moment between them.

Beep.

…

His pale eyes glanced at the monitor that showed a flat line for several seconds.

…

Beep.

His own heart reassumed his beat after seeing the sign of cardiac activity in the monitor.

It wasn't the first time that happened.

Wally's cardiac rhythm was irregular.

For how long?

… No one knows.

With more tiredness that he wants to admit he hid his face with his hands.

"Don't worry."

The hand on his shoulder startled him.

He wasn't aware that he wasn't alone in the room.

The youngest Robin was making him company.

"…"

"The Watchtower equipment is composed by a mix of several civilizations, I'm sure that with the help of Captain Atom we'll find a cure."

"…"

From the corner of his eye he saw how the raven haired teen dropped his face.

"… Thanks… Robin."

"N-No problem."

"…"

"… Flash?"

"Yes?"

"I knew your identity already, but anyone could enter and…"

"Got it."

The scarlet cowl was back were it belonged, hiding pale blue eyes.

Seconds later the automated doors opened and three heroes came in.

"Where is the kid? Wally!" The emerald archer paled at seeing so still a kid that used to be so… alive.

Showing real and honest concern the blond archer stood close to the unconscious redhead.

Barry appreciated it.

Tim, in the other hand, glared at his mentor.

Nightwing just shrugged.

"He passed in front of the labs when Captain Atom and I were discussing the situation and… you know Ollie…"

Yeah…

When someone of his own is hurt… you won't remove him from his side.

"I won't say anything." Said in his defense the man using a green hood.

Behind his mask Tim rolled his eyes.

"Flash, it seems that your theory was correct, Nightwing and I went to the room of the… event and… we found remains of…" Captain Atom was trying to be as professional as possible.

"… The same energy that Bart left on his arrive at the cave." Concluded Nightwing.

"What do you mean?" Flash stood up and he was as intimidating as any Dark Knight on a bad day.

"When Bart arrived in this time…he caused a instability of energy, bringing with him remains of energy at his pass, even weeks after his arrival you could see how in the area of where the machine landed, a series of tiny lighting bolts and even the air composition was different…" Explained as best as he could the hero of Blüdhaven.

But he couldn't do much; he doesn't understand nor has any knowledge of what is going on.

"It seems that somehow Wally's instability can actually give him a power too strong for his human body." Completed Captain Atom.

"…" Barry wasn't the only one in the room that couldn't breathe for a couple of seconds.

"How is that possible?" Whispered in disbelief the youngest bat.

"Hours ago Wally used his powers, awakening them, but his body wasn't prepared, causing an outflow of pure energy, his body wasn't going to resist it, so my hypothesis is that when Flash used his powers to cease the vibrations of Wally, the body unconsciously took the energy of the Flash and also Nighwing's, so that way it could survive the event."

"So… if it happens again all he needs is a … battery?" Asked confused the archer.

"I'm afraid that is not as simple as the concept defines… My theory is that this is not the first time that it occurs, also I think that it has an increasing pattern…"

"It could get… worse?" Tim could hear the fear in his leader's voice.

"…" Captain Atom dropped his eyes.

"Adams." The stern voice of his comrade didn't help him with his struggling… He doesn't want to say that…

He rose his face and… he saw how the archer was placing a hand on the slim shoulder of the sleeping redhead, he saw the alarmed expression in a teen that was too young to hear about death, he saw the fear on a young man with a weight too big on his shoulders and… he saw the white lenses of his friend…

… They needed the truth.

"If Wally experiences another event he… he will die."

Not even a second later his back was against the door, the impact was so strong that deformed the door made of titanium.

"BARRY!" Oliver ran and placed a hand in the trembling shoulder of his friend.

Tim was with his bo in an alert position.

While Nightwing just looked warily at the scarlet speedster.

"Flash… hear me out…" The leader of the Justice League placed both hands in the wrist that were on his shoulders pushing him against the door, and tried to remove them…

…

He couldn't.

No matter how many times he tried.

That's impossible, I'm stronger than him.

"That's. Not. Gonna. Happen."

Tim couldn't repress the shiver trough his body… Flash could be terrifying.

"Barry, Wally is in here, imagine if he wakes up now… he won't be precisely pleased to see you like this."

Oliver's reasoning seamed to be enough to calm the powerful man.

From his back, Nightwing hid again an inhibitor collar.

Tim raised an eyebrow.

"From where Dick got that equipment?"

"So-s…sorry Adams is not … I…" Barry removed his cowl and everybody could see just how broken the man looked.

Captain Atom placed a hand in the shoulder of his friend.

"Don't be sorry… There is still hope."

"Yeah, we just… the kid just need a few training sessions… right?" With optimism Oliver searched for support.

None of the others faced him.

"Maybe if Flash gives him some of his energy." Suggests Tim.

"I think… is more complicated than that… We need to talk in private Barry."

"… I won't leave Wally alone."

"Whatever you say to him, I have the right to hear it too, I'm his best friend."

Barry let escape a dry chuckle.

The lenses of the domino mask were just mere lines.

"Nightwing you better go with your team, they need you right now, and if we don't want to get suspicious you better start going now." Tried to soothe the atmosphere the leader of the Justice League.

"I'm not leaving my fr…"

"Oh now is your friend? Cause that's not exactly how it looked like when you were trying to kiss him."

Now it was the turn of Nightwing to chuckle.

"At least I can…"

"ENOUGH!"

Everybody in the room stared astonished at the younger in the room.

"Dick please shut up and go to attend your team, send Barbara to check Blüdhaven that Alfred is already monitoring Gotham… I'm going with Barry at a more secure place, G. A is going to stay here with Wally… Because I'm not sure that everybody here remembers that here is resting a patient that needs quietness and peace. "

"…"

"…Maybe the little bat should replace you C. A."

Part VIII

Beep.

….

Beep.

…

Beep.

"Everybody is unharmed… yes we are deciding how we are going to proceed… How is behaving the troublesome baby?... and Lian?"

He always considered himself a normal person.

He is not spectacular.

He is not indispensable.

So when he woke up from his nightmares.

And just opened his eyes slowly.

He wondered for the first time if a normal person would wake up that way, with such... stillness.

But again.

Nobody experienced what he just went trough.

His Jades blinked several times, trying to adjust to the white light.

He felt numb, drained and… exhausted.

But mostly…

Lost.

He knows that he'd been unconscious… but that doesn't mean that he should feel rested.

In fact, he feels exact the opposite.

Moving imperceptibly his head, he saw the I. V and a monitor with his vital signs.

Beep.

…

Beep.

They were irregular.

A normal person would be scared and would be looking for help.

He just blinked.

And very slowly returned his glance at the white roof.

Everything aches.

His line of thought was incompressible, trying to keep up with it…

… Hurted.

By reflex his hand tried to go to his temple, trying to soothe the pain.

…

But he couldn't.

For the first time since he woke up, his Jades showed an emotion…

… Apprehension.

His hand… for any mortal, it would look like it was paralyzed…

But to the eyes of a speedster it was moving…

Impossibly slow.

It was as if it was trapped…

In time.

BeepBeepBeep.

The rhythm of his heart gave him away.

"Wait Di… Wally!" Oliver Queen dropped his phone to the floor and tried to calm the young man that he saw grow.

The kid was supporting his upper body's weight with one elbow while his unbeatably green eyes were staring at his own hand.

He helped to sit the young man and ran his gloved hand trough the redhead's spine in a reassuring way.

But he got no reaction.

"Wally! Kid! Are you ok?... I'll call Barry, he should kn-…" His words were cut by a hand that stopped him from turning on his com-link. Confused he saw how small freckles lighten up when the redhead smiled at him sweetly.

As if nothing happened.

"I'm ok Ollie."

"Oh! You… you scared me for a moment." The emerald archer smiled relieved.

"Ollie?"

"Yeah?"

"Your phone is on the floor and I think that Dinah is going to prove if her powers work on distance."

"Ohh Shit!"

The archer didn't notice the heaviness in the friendly voice of the patient, didn't notice the fine layer of sweat, the hand that clutched the bed sheets, or how the redhead bitted his lip with inhuman force.

"Wow! slow down honey…. Wally I'm going to answer this outside." An embarrassed archer excused himself and leaved the room.

Immediately, gleaming Jades loosed their energy and went hidden by eyelids that were constricted in pain.

He needed to get out.

BeepBeepBeep.

Now.

Part IX

Two days ago.

Oh Oh Oh, Oshikuru,

Oh-Oh-Oh, Oshikuru,

My-O-My He's a ...

Demon Samurai ...

Who's the guy who had to die?

Oshikuru!

"What is this called again?" Wally glanced unimpressed at the screen of the LCD in the living room for a couple of seconds before he returned his attention to his laptop.

"Zzzzz… chi…whi….zzz"

From the corner of his eye he saw a sleeping teen sprawled on his couch… drool included.

Finally.

With a light *plop* he closed his laptop and with looseness he stood up from the carpet and placed a cover in the thin body.

*Oshikuru-sama why you have a tail?*

The redhead rolled his eyes before he turned off the T. V.

Bart seriously needs to stop watching crappy shows.

He went to the kitchen and started doing a hot chocolate; the microwave's tiny screen showed that it was 2:10 a.m.

It was Sunday, he was going to spend the weekend studying and correcting some observations for his internship's report, Barry was in Thailand helping the victims of a tsunami, so he was expecting a calm and peaceful weekend.

… Of course Barry told Bart that he was going to be alone.

And of course Bart ruined his plans.

He served the hot beverage in his favorite cup (of Green Lanterns) and leaned with his elbows on the counter of the kitchen, while the warmness of the hot chocolate helped him with the constant sensation of coldness inside of him.

Bart helped him with his loneliness too.

He is a good kid.

Crappy shows and everything.

With a final sip he left the empty cup in the counter and went to his room.

"No! Leave them alone!"

The redhead stopped in his tracks and returned to the living room, where a thin brunette was kicking in his sleep.

He was having a nightmare.

Carefully, like afraid to awake abruptly the teen, Wally kneeled near the sleeper and with soothing strokes to the humid hair he started whispering calming words to his cousin.

Between sobs the teen revealed what was troubling him.

"Lea-ve…them…al…ne…don't…ple…se…they are all…no…please…"

"Shhh… Bart wake up… everything is ok…. you are not alone….wake up…"

Worried Jades noticed the tiny fist on the cover, with concern he undid them, and kept a hold in one of the trembling hands.

"Bart… wake up please…" He kissed lightly the troubled forehead.

"… Wa… Wally?"

Golden eyes stared at him disoriented.

"Hey pulga…" Wally tried to smile and give some space to breathe to the youngest speedster.

But at the minimum attempt to move away… A golden eyed hug-monster jumped him and sent him to the floor.

"Don'tleavemepromisethatyouwon'tleaveme." The teen was curled up on his chest and his tiny arms were around his neck clinging with no intentions of letting go.

"I-I…" Wally was out of words…

…This whole experience was…

It seems that there is much more behind Bart's arrival.

He returned as best as he could the hug and slowly started to stand up.

Now the clinging was actually breathtaking… literally.

He felt a nose nuzzling his neck while some nails were leaving marks on his shoulder blades, long legs were wrapped around his waist with a force that he knows that tomorrow he will have to explain several marks to a jealous scarlet speedster.

Actually…

…is better if Bart does the explanation.

"B-Bart… I can't… Can you walk for a mo-ment…"

"Nmmpho!Iwon'tleaveyouandyouwon'tleavemeandyouwillalwaysbemy favoritecousin!"

…

Ok.

Now he can't breathe.

Like…

He is gonna die if Bart doesn't stop pushing what he thinks is his diaphragm with his knee.

"Let's make a deal… I let you sleep with me if you let me go…"

"Nmmpho!"

"…So you are going to sleep alone?"

…

A small blur went to his room.

He was so weak that he fell to the floor on his knees and a hand went to his neck trying to alleviate the pain.

God Bart can be really strong when he wants to.

He needed several minutes to finally normalize his breathing… With curiosity he raised his T-shirt and saw perplexed the red marks on his chest, abdomen and hips… even his freckles were reddish.

He blinked stupidly for more than a few seconds.

Yeap.

Barry was going to kill him.

Present.

Constant memories were bombarding his restless mind.

He didn't know where he was.

He didn't know why he ran.

He didn't know what he was doing.

All he wants to do is … runaway.

And be forgotten.

Because he just. can't. face. them.

His friends.

He just…

… can't.

Megan, Conner, Oliver, Roy, Tim, Dick… Barry.

He can't face Barry right now.

He can't lie to his face.

His not a bat, he can't.

But what was killing him was… Bart.

His lies put him in danger.

…

"Don'tleavemepromisethatyouwon'tleaveme."

He can still hear his voice at high speed.

That's all he can think about.

Or all that he can understand of his fast mind.

It was frustrating.

Restless hours.

They caused an integral numbness trough his body.

He stumbled and searched for the support of a wall… but he didn't find it.

And fell.

At that moment he realized to where he ran.

His lost and hollow Jades stared at the remains of his second home.

His home four years ago.

He went to what was left of Mount Justice.

Happy Birthday Wally!

Don't eat those Kid Mouth!

Can you help me with the homework? I'll give you nachos."

You want to go to the park with Wolf and me? I'll give you a ride with Sphere.

Wally, you did good today. I'm proud of you.

Hi! I'm Tula and he is Garth.

So you are the best friend of Grayson?… You look taller in T. V.

Don't deny it anymore! I saw your Harry Potter books under your bed!

I-I… I want you to be my prom date.

Stop.

…

STOP!

His knees were bleeding by the constant friction of the rocks.

The fire was gone and nobody was there.

… Just memories.

Even if it was early in the morning the smoke clouded any ray of light.

The cold breeze from the sea was brutal and had no compassion.

It faded his tears…. Though.

He couldn't.

He couldn't stop crying.

He wishes to be stronger.

He wishes to be like Dick.

He wishes to be like Roy.

He wishes to stop being so sensitive… to stop caring about rejection…

…

But he is weak.

With anger he removed the silent tears.

He stood up when he heard the sound of helicopters. Instants before he started running… his foot stepped on something that wasn't a rock…

… He distinguished something red, and ignoring the protests of his body, he kneeled and removed with difficulty a rock that was covering it.

It was…

…

Perdita's heart carrier.

He hugged it with his life.

"I read about that."

That voice…

BART!

He blinked several times; in front of him were green boots just like Bart's… but green. Slowly he raised his face, noticing a different uniform…

… Maybe it was the stealth mode?

When he saw the face of the teen…

Wait a minute he wasn't….

His line of thought was cut by an impossibly strong hand on his jaw, the hold was so powerful that it started to raise him.

…

Alarmed, his hands tried to break the hold.

…

But he couldn't.

"Hahahaha."

A cold chill ran trough his spine.

It was Bart's voice but at the same time… it wasn't.

His clouded eyes saw golden eyes at mere millimeters of his face.

They had a dangerous sparkle that screamed… insanity.

His knuckles turned white by the force in which he tried to break the hold.

"Don't be scared… we are family cousin."

The kid smiled cruelty and with fake boredom let him free suddenly.

Making him fall on the burned rocks again.

"Who are you? What are you… you aren't Bart…" Trying to hide his weakened state he stood up as best as he could.

What the hell was going on?

Who was this guy?

Why he looked like Bart?

"Are you supposed to be always remarking the obvious?" The kid was walking in circles acting nonchalantly, a psychotic smirk was plastered in his face, it only enlarged when he gave a sign to get near the redhead… and the civilian took a few steps back…

… He was enjoying the power.

He loves playing the game of the cat and the mouse.

"You could say that I'm… a better version of what my annoying twin could ever be."

An auburn eyebrow rose with incomprehension.

Twin?

Bart has a twin?

"You… you came for him?… From the future?"

The question was lingering in the air when the green boots stopped.

Exhausted Jades saw how the kid dropped his eyes until blond locks were covering them… then he started to tremble… thin shoulders started to tremble…

… like if the kid was crying.

The image of Bart screaming in his couch crossed his mind.

With uncertainty Wally started to approach the kid, and with softness he placed a hand on the fragile shoulder.

"So easy."

"Huh?"

PUM!

He didn't have time to react, he really didn't, all he felt was a powerful force that sent him flying to a pile of rocks… the kick on his chest was nothing compared to the collision of his back against the rocks.

"Hahaha."

Again with the creepy laugh.

"I love this velocity nine!"

From afar he saw how the kid did a little jump in the air.

"… Psycho."

Before he could even rise up… someone was grabbing him by the hair and a humid mouth made constants and highly uncomfortable touches with his ear.

"You are wrong cousin… I'm not here for the brat no no no… I'm here… for you."

"Wha…"

…

Time stopped.

He…

His…

Completely in shock he saw golden orbs full of greed and madness… A madness that just rivaled with the insane smile.

"Ohh… you like it?…."

The kid strengthened the hold of…

…

Of his heart.

The twin vibrated trough his chest and grabbed his heart.

"ARG!"

And squeezed it.

"Hmphump." The kid pretended to be serious but couldn't stop… laughing.

The shock in the green orbs… was…

… exhilarating.

The pain was too much.

Everything…

…it was…

… unbearable.

The burn of his skin.

The pain of his bones.

The… fear.

It paralyzed his perception of the world and time.

"Are you scared cousin?…. Poor little Wally…what happens if I stop vibrating?" And to make his point clear the kid stopped abruptly the vibrations of his hand.

"AHHH!" He bit his lips until a trail of blood was visible trough his chin and neck.

STOP.

Please…

…He wanted to die.

The redhead forced his body to vibrate… trying to be intangible again.

"Nah-ah-ah!… Don't cheat!" The kid vibrated in the same speed… grabbing again the heart of his own cousin… with his bare hand.

With an unstable smile the kid licked the mix of sweat and blood in the contrary's jaw.

"You know at what you taste?"

"…" Wally was loosing consciousness.

He couldn't keep up for much longer.

"… You taste like fear….Umm… seeing you from this close I realize that your you from the future didn't age… that's not fair…"

"What… what do you want from me? I-I… I don't even know you." The redhead was talking with heaviness caused by his lack of breath.

He couldn't understand how he was speaking.

… he was dying.

Two times in less than four hours.

That must me a record.

"You don't know me now but… Let's say that your you in the future has more than a few bills to pay me."

"Then get even with him…"

The dark humor was more than amusing to the kid.

"Ohhh I wish I could but… the thing is… that he is dead. And I better stop you now before you take everything away from me."

"… Wha…"

"…You did to me? Let's say that you made me something worse than death."

Maybe they needed a change of topic because the kid was strengthening his hold with each word.

And no matter how many times he increased the vibrations… the kid would always reach him.

…

His senses were ruined.

… He couldn't focus.

… He couldn't hear.

… He couldn't see.

He was going to die.

…

With heaviness he closed his eyes.

He was trying to remember everyone important to him before he died… he refused to let the psycho kid became his last memory.

When empty Jades blinked for the last time… The twin becomes aware of the heart that wasn't throbbing anymore.

"I better kill you now… if I let you loss more blood you won't be useful for the reach…Good bye cousin… Don't worry, your miserable world would be making you company in hell very soon."

With the same fake boredom than before, he removed his hand with a fluent move that caused a sick sound of broken bones and the outflow of blood.

The limp body of the redhead fell to the floor, this time it didn't stood up.

Golden eyes watched with unnatural triviality how the limp body keeps vibrating.

Apparently in his unconsciousness West was trying to regenerate his wounds.

Ha!… he'll love to see if he can make it on time before he dies for blood loss.

But just to make sure….

He kicked the boyish features.

"That's for turning me into a statute." The gleam in the golden orbs was just a hint of the instability inside the kid.

Not caring about the blood in his hand, he touched the com-link in his ear.

"Inertia here, Kid Flash is out of the game... I had a blast by the way."

…

"Those weren't your orders." A deep voice with a metallic tone broke the silence.

Inertia tsked while he rolled his golden eyes.

"Don't treat me like the stupid clone… You are not my boss." The kid sat next to the dying redhead and petted him.

"No, I'm just the provider of your beloved drug… does the constants vibrations of the ex sidekick drained your energy?"

Alarmed the teen stood up and searched with his stunned golden eyes the tall figure of that man.

"Whe-…where are you Deathstroke?"

"… I see… you didn't stand up as fast as before."

"I'm-I'm ok… I don't….Yo-you are bluffing you are not here!"

"…"

If it wasn't by his super speed Inertia would be dead by the unpredictable shoot that came out of nowhere.

"WHAT?! ARE YOU CRAZY?!" Now the kid's breathing went frenetic.

"Are you really making me that question… you?" While the cold voice from the com-link never sounded more collected.

"Why-why I don't better take what is left of West to the base?… You said that…"

"Is not part of the plan… yet."

"I-I…."

"Well, is inevitable your return to the base for more velocity 9… you better make sure that West lives for another day or I'll personally make sure that you won't move beyond the speed of a wheelchair… for good. "

Cold sweat was traveling trough the young forehead.

"Deathstroke?… Deathstroke?! What do I do?!… DEASTHSTROKE?! SHIT! SHIT!"

A frustrated Inertia threw to the sea the com-link.

…

"WhatdoIdo?WhatdoIdo?WhatdoIdo?"

Not thinking clearly by being in the middle of a panic attack, the kid tried to accommodate the comatose redhead in a better position.

"West!West!… Damn he is dead!"

"… Bart?"

The unstable blond looked from above his shoulder the running figure of… Robin.

Cursing under his breath the kid used the little amounts of energy left on his body to…

… disappear.

Leaving a redhead that wasn't vibrating anymore.

A/N: Hi! Happy 2013! I hope you all have had a good beginning of the year. Thank you for your patience, and for just taking your time to read, for me that's more than enough; because I know that is hard to read a fic where the writer regrettably still has problems of redaction, so thank you for still giving me a chance, also I'm very thankful for the advises they are useful and give me courage to get better… again, thanks it was a nice gesture.

About the fic… well… Remember the chapter four? Where a pair of intruders went to Wally's house? … I said that one of them was Match… the other was Deathstroke.

There is a part in which Slade says: "Next time I'll bring the other."

That other was Inertia.

I know is very confusing, but I'm open to questions, I'll gladly help... and hopefully the doubts will be answered in the next chapter.

…Key word *hopefully*.

Take care!