Work Text:
(1 unread message from Tim)
Tim: hey barry, there's someone who claims he's from the future? says he's your grandson?
(6 unread messages from Wally)
Wally: Barryyyy
Wally: BARRY
Wally: WAKE UP ODL MAN
Wally: THERE'S A KID HERE
Wally: Name's Bart Allen. Says here's related to you
Wally: omggg get your old man bones over here!
The first time he officially met his grandson from the far future of the 30th century, Bart Allen aka Impulse, he sees the kid is wearing the distinct design that all Flash suits have, albeit in a white, yellow and red combination than the usual full yellow like Kid Flash. His mop of red hair doesn't seem to follow physics and his yellow-gold eyes flit around the room. He's nervous for some reason, which doesn't line up with what Wally said over the phone when Barry's making his way to Watchtower.
Then he gave Barry his first impression by dropping a question so ridiculous that Barry almost dropped there and then.
“Hey so, is Tim already adopted by Bruce in this timeline?” Bart asks, his voice innocent and genuinely curious. Barry blinks at the question, taken aback.
Tim Drake. The third Robin. Tim Drake-Wayne. Whom Bruce Wayne aka Batman already adopted.
“Yeah, like two years ago?” He answers, a little unsure and already fearing for his life. Bart's face scrunches in distaste, like he's swallowed a whole lemon. “Why?”
“Aw man!” Bart stomps at the ground, crossing his arms with a huff. “Why didn't you adopt him when you had the chance!”
I—
Huh.
Did Barry do something? He must’ve done something, right? Barry must've done something that pissed off his grandson because why is he saying this in the presence of the person who adopted Tim? And the entirety of the Justice League but most importantly, Bruce?
Speaking of the dude, hey… wasn't he standing at the back a few seconds ago?
“Man, maybe this timeline would be cooler if he was an Allen instead.” Bart continues to prattle on in a voice too quick for most people to understand, confusing not only him but also the others who are also in the room. “Could you imagine? Tim Drake-Allen? The aura!”
“Bart? Bart, my beloved grandson whom I just met, can you maybe not talk about that with them around?”
“What?” Bart blinks up at him, before looking around the room. Bruce is nearer now, face carefully neutral, Clark looks like he can't decide if he should laugh or not while Diana watches them with an amused smile. And hey, Ollie is here too, looking far too giddy for Barry's upcoming death. His grandson pauses, shrugs, then continues like he was never stopped. “As I was saying, Tim Drake-Allen. Or just Tim Allen. Doesn't that sound better than Tim Drake-Wayne? Besides, there's like a hundred people in the Wayne family already. You wouldn't mind if we take Tim, do you B?”
Bart turns to Bruce then, wide golden eyes looking at the man expectantly. He looks at him like he just took candy from a baby and is expecting to be congratulated. Or just asked if he can steal his adopted son and is expecting Bruce to agree.
Ollie chuckles. Barry hides his face in his hands.
Bruce just sighs and turns around, making his way to the exit like a man on a mission.
“That went well!” Bart exclaims, “He didn't even say no!”
***
Bart joins the Teen Titans, now renamed to Young Justice with Superboy, Wondergirl and of course, Robin. Their main base is located in San Francisco, the same base the Teen Titans had. And much like how the third Robin isn't like his predecessors, his team isn't like Teen Titans.
Robin isn't their leader. Or he was in the beginning but a few missions and additional members later, he steps down from the position, which is already a difference from how the usual team ups go where the Bat is immediately the one in charge. Instead, Wondergirl is their current leader (something Diana was very pleased by but isn’t saying out loud).
Another thing that separates their team is the fact that they don't follow rules as much and when they do, they find a loophole to work around it. It used to drive Barry and the older heroes crazy whenever they read their first mission reports to the point where other heroes simply elect to ignore their reports.
(Barry is not one of those people thankfully. Whether it’s because of his grandson or because of his Robin or both, he reads through them even if he can feel his hair slowly turning gray with each report.)
They’re also close in the way Teen Titans never exactly reached. Where if one is hurt, emotionally or otherwise, all of them are suddenly sporting that same hurt. They might as well have a hivemind with how well versed they are with each other’s feelings. Especially when it comes to their mentors.
Superboy or Kon, as he likes to be called, has a rocky start with Superman. Barry doesn’t fault him for it but he also understands Clark’s perspective. The man was technically dead when Kon first appeared, so to suddenly come back to a clone of yourself made with your DNA and your worst enemy; something Clark never wanted nor prepared for, it’s bound to mess with your emotions. But Barry also understands that maybe Clark shouldn’t have been so quick in pretending as if the boy was nothing but a nuisance that can be easily dealt with because he can see the strain that’s slowly growing between them by the day.
Cassie is never shy in showing her hatred for the man ever since, saying scathing words that reminds Barry why he's wary of teenages. Tim and Bart are quieter in their anger but it’s there, simmering but scalding. They show it by doing things that annoy Superman or causing mild inconveniences for him rather than saying it outright.
(One memorable one was when they hijacked a League meeting to show a livestream of them hanging out in Lex Luthor’s office, while said man is sitting in his office chair with a put upon expression. They're running around the room like it's their own personal playground and not the office of Superman's rival.)
It’s not only Superman. Rarely for Wonder Woman, where they would just mostly ignore her for the duration of their visit if she said or did something that made Cassie suddenly go quiet and insecure. Sometimes, it’s towards Batman— where Kon, Cassie and Bart aren’t afraid in showing their disdain for the man and pulling Tim away from him. Barry still isn’t really sure what they’re mad at him for. Maybe it’s for his and Robin’s rocky start? Or his strictness? Perhaps the lack of time spent with his son compared to the others? Last time Barry checked, he wasn't as… bitchy nor pissy anymore so it must be something he's missing.
Either way, the kids are not afraid to show when they’re pissed at their mentors. They’re vocal in their anger; when one is upset at their mentors, all of them will suddenly be upset too. And yet…
Bart doesn’t show any indication that he harbors any anger at him. Not like the way he purposely annoys Superman or angers Batman or flat out ignores Wonder Woman. If anything, he seeks Barry out. Sometimes by himself or with Tim and occasionally joined by Kon and Cassie.
The kids always tease his grandson for holding Barry in this high pedestal that simultaneously warms his heart and intimidates him.
He’s learned to just let them be whenever they arrive wherever Barry is hanging out for the day. Whether it’s in his house or in the labs because at this point they might as well have a compass leading to him for how often they find him. They’ll start rambling to each other about this and that (Cassie and Kon). He’ll let them grab whatever gizmo interests them and let them tinker with it (Tim and Bart). Sometimes, they’ll rope him into whatever blueprint or formula they’re cooking up. All in all, a rather productive activity for everyone.
Oftentimes, they mostly just talk about future ideas for inconveniencing their mentors. It’s funny and also mildly concerning to listen to them talk about ways to take revenge on his colleagues. He loves these kids, he really does, and he's glad that they're comfortable with him. But maybe they do hate him to a certain degree and this is their way of showing it.
They’re in Barry’s living room, which Bart and Tim just barged into without any preamble because knocking is not a concept known by these kids. It’s only the two of them as Kon is back with Ma and Pa Kent and Cassie’s out with her mother. They’re talking loudly to each other, ideas to annoy Clark bouncing with each other like an expert round of pingpong.
“—you considered moving every furniture an inch to the left everyday until it drives them mad?” He hears Bart say, fingers drumming on Tim’s leg. Tim thinks for a moment before sighing, shaking his head.
“No. Kon wouldn’t like that.” Tim replies. “That'd be unfair to Ma and Pa.”
“What about Clark's apartment?”
“Kon also wouldn’t like that, I think. Wouldn’t wanna bring Lois into it.” Tim mumbles, fiddling with his pencil. “Bad boy rep, my ass. He's such a goodie two shoes.”
Tim and Bart go quiet for a while then, too focused on their supposed plan to avenge Kon for some reason. Barry internally sighs. He and Clark must’ve argued again if these two are taking this way more seriously.
“What if we put tiny pieces of kryptonite in his pockets?” Tim suggests because of course he’s the one who will think of that. “We can put them in his suit pockets.”
“Oh, that'd be fun!” Bart exclaims. He turns to Barry, eyes gleaming in that familiar childish mischief that’s just a Young Justice staple at this point. “Don't we have a dolly hammer? Can we borrow it?”
“We'll bring it back immediately, pinky promise.” Tim says with faux seriousness, betrayed by the smirk on his lips.
“As long as you don't tell anyone that I was listening to you plan this.” Barry tells them jokingly, watching as the lights in their eyes become brighter, their smiles wide as if Barry just gave them an entire motherboard.
“Deal!”
The boys immediately make their way to the garage— Bart speeding and sending papers flying everywhere, carrying Tim with the latter laughing loudly.
Barry’s left with a messy living room and the sound of children's laughter echoing in his ears and he smiles at no one in particular, feeling exasperated while also feeling like he just won a competition.
(1 unread message from Bruce)
Bruce : Allen, do you have an idea why the vault for the kryptonite has been opened?
Barry: No? Why?
(4 unread messages from Tim)
Tim: barry? did bruce ask you something?
Tim: if he did.. uhhh say no :)
Tim: hi barry!!! bart talking! we didnt do anything sus promise
Tim: we used an authorization card and evrythign
(1 unread messages from Bruce)
Bruce: The vault was opened with Clark’s ID.
Barry blinks at the notification for five more seconds before pressing the power button. He flips his phone screen face down on the table for good measure.
***
Lois is looking at him with obvious concern in her face, lips pursed and eyes narrowed like she's trying to figure out a particularly tricky puzzle.
“Are you feeling well, Smallville?” She asks Clark. He looks paler than usual, woozy too. Even Jimmy raised a brow at his unusual behavior. “You're looking a little sick.”
“Yeah, yeah.” He waves her off, trying for a smile. It's ridiculously adorable and awkward. But still, concerning. “Feels like a migraine but nothing I can't handle.”
“This is the first time I've heard you say something like that.” Jimmy pipes up. “Don't let Perry hear you say that. He'll have a conniption over it.”
***
“Okay, okay, I have another one.”
Barry looks away from the screen to see Tim facing him, hands drumming on his lap to a tune only he can hear. He has a smile on his face that shows he's having fun with their little activity, eyes twinkling behind his goggles.
“Lay it on me, kid.”
It's just them and Tim for the day, the kid bringing a few samples from Gotham for their latest test. Tim has been making up scenarios for Barry to solve while they're waiting for the results. In the past twenty minutes or so, he's already asked him five different cases with varying difficulty and he's been making them more convoluted and ridiculous as time goes on. If Barry didn't already know that this is just how the kid is, he would be concerned for his safety.
His safety or Tim's? Barry's settling on both.
"So this guy's smart, yeah? He leaves his shoes out before breaking into the victim’s house and kills her while she's asleep.” Barry nods along. “Then he steals some stuff and then when he leaves, he disposes of his weapon and cuts his hair off.”
“Smart move.” Barry remarks idly. Tim nods before continuing his story.
"Then the police found him and arrested him and they're like fuck , we know it's him but we can't prove it's him because he's fucking bald— ”
Barry snorts at that, schooling it immediately when Tim glares at him. It's unsuccessful, Tim keeps glaring at him until he gives him an answer.
“Then we look for other evidence, like his fingerprints.”
“But what would you do if he already cleaned the stuff he stole and sold some of them already?” Tim continues, his expression suddenly becoming harried for a simple hypothetical situation. "The police are mad as hell because they know it's him but the evidence isn't enough. So? What do you think?”
"Why don't you ask Batman? Isn't he the world's greatest detective?" He jokes to ease Tim, who's suddenly getting too worked up about his own hypotheticals.
It works. Tim huffs and crosses his arms at that. The Batman slander never ceases to amuse Barry and distract Tim (he thinks all Robins are just destined to slander their mentor no matter what and it's hilarious). "I would ask him but all he'd say is 'hn' and I am not fluent enough in caveman speak to understand that.”
In the other room, Superman chokes on his brownies.
In this room, Barry laughs to the point where it just sounds like he's coughing. Tim giggles at him until he calms down again, waiting for Barry to answer.
"So? What do you think?" He repeats, patiently waiting for Barry to answer.
"Let me recap, they found the suspect's hair at the crime scene but is bald when they arrested him. There's no fingerprints left on the scene and on the stolen items…” Barry hums. “He also removed his shoes before entering the house. Did I get that right?"
Tim nods, bright blue eyes watching him intensely.
"Then we check his toe prints."
It's a sound suggestion, albeit rather unusual. But it is a hypothetical scenario and Tim didn't say what shoes the suspect was wearing and there's the possibility of him not wearing socks. That or there could also be the footprints outside the house. Either way, not a bad suggestion in Barry's humble opinion.
Tim pauses, in that eerily still way when he's been blindsided by something. He blinks at Barry, mouth opening and closing as his words fail him. It's a funny sight. He's expecting Barry to probably say something different or tell him he's only joking.
When Barry still doesn't say anything, the kid slams his hands on the table.
"What do you mean there's toe prints—”
(4 unread messages from Bart)
Bart: baryy
Bart: tim is being all moody bevause apparently you said toe prints are a thing
Bart: ar eyou serious??!?
Bart: wdym toe prints are a real thign???!!
A few weeks later, there's a case folder left on his desk, the official GCPD logo on the front. It's hidden underneath a stack of paper, probably to not make the other scientists suspicious on why a Gotham case is inside the Central City Police Department without any real reason.
He reads through the case about a consummated murder, and the events give him a weird feeling of deja vu. Familiarity nags at his mind, telling him he's heard of this scenario before. He just can't figure out where— an old case study? A news report? A story from past lectures?
He pulls out the examiner’s report, then he sees that the suspect was finally convicted because of a toe print found at the crime scene, and it clicks.
“Questioned latent print marked “A” was impressed by the left big toe of one individual named Kurt Smith whose standard toe prints appear on the specimen marked “A1”.
“Ah.” He says smartly, grinning to himself.
At the very back of the folder is a post-it note in Tim’s messy handwriting. A simple thank you with a little >:( at the end.
Barry laughs loud enough to make a few of his co-workers glance at him with curious and suspicious expressions. He ignores them until they finally look away, returning to their work.
Next time, he really should ask Tim if the scenarios he's asking him are just hypotheticals or actual crime scenes.
Tim: hypothetically, if i have some samples of glass fragments with me
Tim: and i, hypothetically, want to use that as evidence
Barry: Google exists for a reason kid
Tim: just answer the question >:(
Barry: Ouch you weren’t this mean before
Barry: Yes, you can use them as evidence. Do you know how to hypothetically test them out?
Tim is typing…
The Cave is filled with the quiet background noises of Tim on the Batcomputer, typing away and not talking to anyone, as he always is when he’s too focused on his work. Cass and Steph are talking amongst themselves in quiet whispers, the latter giggling occasionally.
Jason is starting his spar with Dick when the door to the Cave opens, heavy footsteps that's different from Bruce's echoing. Dick pauses, head tilting towards the sound. From where she's sitting, Cass doesn't seem to care, so he figures it's probably not a threat.
“You should like, marry Bart already.” Kon says as he struts into the room, ignoring the curious questions of “why the fuck are you here” and narrowed eyes on him as he makes his way to where Tim's sitting. The boy doesn't seem to notice or care. “Make it official already. I can't stand hearing Barry talk about how you're already adopted by Bruce.”
“Stop listening in on them then.” Tim replies easily, still staring at the screen in front of him. Kon rolls his eyes, easily picking his friend up and taking his spot on the chair before placing Tim on his lap. Steph giggles at his startled yelp and surprised look on his face.
“Uh no, how can I be updated about wedding plans if I didn't?”
Tim lets out a resigned sigh. “There is no wedding happening.”
“Oh but c'mon! I wanna see you add another hyphen to your last name!” Kon whines, resting his chin on Tim’s hair like he’s just a grumpy teddy bear. Said grumpy teddy who’s also Jason’s brother groans loudly.
“Is Timothy Jackson Drake-Wayne not long enough for you guys?”
“It's lacking that signature Allen pizzazz!” Bart exclaims from the entrance, Cassie just behind him. Jason ignores the headache already forming. Oh alright, so they're all here in Gotham, in the Batcave for some reason. Did Alfred let them in? He probably did. He adores Tim's friends for some reason. Bart runs over to Tim and Kon, looking at their co-captain with a pout. They ignore Jason and his siblings entirely.
Kids these days, so disrespectful.
“Bart, I'm already adopted by Bruce.” Tim answers in that tone that says this is a discussion that's happened multiple times already, finally looking away from the file and facing the speedster with a raised brow.
“Duh, that's why Barry can't adopt you.” Bart rolls his eyes at him. “That's why we need to get married instead so you can be an Allen and everyone will be happy!”
“I won't be!” Dick screams suddenly, pointing his escrima stick at his younger brother. “Tim, don't you dare!”
“Says the one who's planning on being a West!” Bart yells back.
Dick's dramatic gasp can be heard all the way back to Kansas.
“But think about it!” Cassie cuts in, hands wildly gesturing for them to stop. “It'll be funny seeing Bruce be Bart's grandfather-in-law—”
That’s when Bruce makes his entrance, cutting off Cassie instantly. Kon and Cassie are pointedly avoiding the man's glare, trying and failing to hide their giggles, while Bart is grinning from ear to ear. It's a cartoonishly ridiculous standoff that a tumbleweed could probably roll behind them with the soundtrack and everything.
There’s a very very poignant pause in which they're all just staring at Bruce, waiting for something to happen.
Jason decides to break the silence. “Okay yeah, that’d be funny.”
Jay Austen: have you considered Timothy Jackson Drake-Wayne-Allen instead?
Jay Austen: or Timothy Jackson Drake-Wayne-Allen-Kent? add Sandsmark too while you're at it
Timberlina: oh my god
Timberlina: fuck off jason
Batman is staring at him.
No, scratch that. That's Bruce staring at him.
He's been doing that a lot lately. Like a lot, a lot; too often that Barry is now a pro at knowing if he's pissed because of Batman related things or Bruce related things.
Which is usually about Tim.
And this is Bruce staring at him right now which means it's Tim related and for some reason he thinks Barry did something and now he’s being silently judged.
“For the record, I didn’t do anything .” He tells the man. Well, he definitely did something but no way in hell is he admitting that. Because he isn't even sure what he did. Bruce’s eyes narrow at him even more.
Ollie is sitting on the farthest side of the couch, grinning at the two with way too much mirth in his eyes. For some reason, he just keeps appearing whenever Bruce wants to throw Barry out the Watchtower. “Man, I thought you said you weren't planning on pulling a Bruce?”
Barry whips his head at Ollie quickly, glaring at the archer. “I was not!”
“Your grandson says otherwise.”
Barry turns to Bruce. “B, I am not adopting your son.”
“You calling your grandson a liar?”
Barry turns to Ollie. “I will kill you, Ollie.”
When they look back at the entrance, Bruce is already leaving, rubbing his forehead in an attempt to sway off an oncoming headache.
“Goddamnit, Ollie. Now I have to pull up my funeral plans again.” Barry hisses at the archer, already walking out the exit. Ollie’s cackling fades the more he walks away. “I haven't opened that file in eight weeks!”
Barry's barely out of the hallway when Bruce's voice jolts him in surprise, looking around until he finds the man walking out of the shadows. How is he not a meta, seriously? No way the Tibetan monks taught him that.
“Were you really planning on adopting Tim?” Bruce asks, his voice gruff and accusatory with a hint of… hesitance? He sounds uncertain, like he isn’t sure if he wants to hear the answer. It instantly stops Barry from thinking of a reason to leave what seems to be an emotionally driven talk. Then again, the man probably needs it and he is the one who initiated this talk so…
“Dick keeps saying you're jealous.” He says lightly, grinning when Bruce glares at him. Barry raises his arms in mock surrender. “Hey, your kid said it, not me.”
When Bruce keeps glaring at him, Barry pauses, choosing his next words carefully.
“You know,” Barry starts, facing Bruce with false nonchalance, “if you want Tim to spend more time with you, maybe actually join him next time he asks?”
When Bruce blinks at him, looking lost, Barry fights the urge to sigh. Instead, he gestures for Bruce to follow him inside of one of the empty conference rooms, raising his hand and begins counting off as they walk inside.
“You visit Dick when he's teaching gymnastics, you read with Jason and you watch Cass’ ballet performances. Hell, you even cook with Steph.” Bruce opens his mouth to speak, but Barry beats him to it. “Before you ask how I know, Tim tells me.”
Bruce closes his mouth instantly, shoulders deflating. He doesn't say anything, but he does sit on the empty chair across the table, so now he's facing Barry directly. He's uncomfortable, Barry can see it in his posture: wound up and defensive, but he's listening and that's all Barry can ask for.
“Last time he told me he did something with you, it was training.” Barry looks him straight in the eyes at that, his tone accusing. “And I don't think that counts as bonding.”
“I know.” Bruce says after a moment, dragging a hand over his face. Suddenly, he doesn't look like an intimidating hero and more like a tired and lost father trying his best. “I'm just not sure on where to start.”
Barry gives him a tight smile. “Ask him if he needs assistance or some company. Just… listen and be there for him, I guess.” Barry tells him, shrugging. “Sure worked for me and that was by pure coincidence.”
“...I will.” Bruce finally says after a moment, nodding at Barry. “Thanks.”
“Yeah yeah, whatever.” He waves a hand at him. “Do better or I will find a way to take him from you. That’s not a joke, by the way. Bart is already making a list.”
Tim: since bart is coming over at the labs tmrw
Tim: can b join too?
Tim: hypothetically ofc
Barry: Wow, I can’t believe you have a different B figure in your life
Tim: asshole
Tim: thats my dad youre talking about
Tim: can he tho?
Barry: Of course he can. The more, the merrier and all that
Barry: Honestly, took him way too long to join us. Would’ve thought he’d babysit us the first time we hung out
Bart: hey barry i have another ideaaaa
Barry: Is it going to end with me buried underground?
Bart: no :((((
Bart: i was gonna say what if you adn bruce become friends instead :))))
“He's drunk.” Tim announces. “Like, real drunk.”
Barry looks up. Tim is carefully pushing the unconscious man to sit upright, the man groaning as he does so. Behind him, Bruce is hoisting the other man up, his free hand pulling his phone to call for the police.
He meets Bruce's eyes for a brief second before returning their focus on their respective tasks.
The universe must think it's hilarious to let them be attacked as civilians. Granted, it's nothing serious, really just a nuisance. Now their clothes are rumpled and they're late to their supposed meeting with one of the businessmen here in Flash’s city. Maybe if Barry didn't accept Tim’s request to guide them around the city (even though he's pretty sure they know their way around), Barry would still be sleeping the day away with Iris right now. But no, he's here because he's unfortunately a softie for this kid.
Truly the peak of comedy, Barry thinks sarcastically. “Yeah? How can you tell?”
Tim looks at him then, before returning his gaze to the man. “Aside from the fact that he was swaying earlier like a moron?” He shuffles a bit as he rummages for something in his pocket. “I checked the breathalyzer.”
“And how did you get him to use the breathalyzer?” Bruce asks after calling the authorities, pulling out zip ties from his pockets because of course he just has them in his rich man suit pockets.
Tim looks smug, chin raised proudly. “Told him it was vape and asked if he wanted a hit. Idiot took it immediately then I knocked him out.”
“Tim, why didn't you just knock him out immediately? We can see he's drunk.” Bruce tells him, to which his son just raised a brow at his dad like he just asked him something stupid. Barry has learned a long time ago not to question the kid’s methods at this point. No one but him and his friends can understand his logic.
Bruce holds his gaze for a minute longer before letting out a sigh. Tim cheers at his father's defeat.
Barry's just glad to see their relationship is finally taking a turn for the better.
Bruce: You would tell me if my son is doing something reckless or impulsive, wouldn't you?
Barry: Ha! I value my pride and safety way too much to do that
Barry: So nope
Bruce: Fair enough.
Barry: Try reading their mission reports for a change. They're hilarious
Bruce: I value my remaining sanity, Barry. I'm not doing that .
Bart really must be doing this on purpose. He must be. Barry just can't prove it.
Bruce is joining them in the lab, something about the specimen that means he should be there to watch over them. Or at least, that's what he said. Really, he could've just asked like a normal person.
Whatever the real reason is, Barry doesn't mind. Tim doesn't either. If anything, Tim looks like he's enjoying it, dragging Bruce around the place and making him do this and that. The man lets himself be pulled and follows his son around and even if his face isn't as expressive, Barry knows he's also enjoying his time.
But Bart probably does have a problem with it or he just wants to send his grandfather to an early grave via murder by Bruce Wayne, because he's been talking nonstop about ideas for taking Tim and making him part of the family. Increasing the severity each time that Barry is worried that he’s actually harboring a tiny hyperactive supervillain in the making (then again, it’s like all of Tim’s friends are all supervillains in teenage superhero bodies). Just five minutes ago, he just asked Barry if they could just go forge adoption papers and take Tim right there and then.
Still, Barry isn't opposed to that idea (shut up, imaginary Ollie) because Bruce still isn’t in the clear, but maybe Bart shouldn't be saying them in front of Tim's father who’s currently with them and is hanging out with his son.
Barry sighs. Bart is doing this on purpose.
“Oh! I have another one!” Bart suddenly perks up, yanking Tim's hand from the microscope and swinging their entwined hands together. “What if I kidnap you?”
“Oh my god, Bart.” Tim groans with no real annoyance.
“And say, you agreed to it, so is it really kidnapping if you did?”
“Yes, Bart.” Tim replies immediately. “It's called consented abduction and for your information, I will not be agreeing.”
Bart raises a brow at Tim, almost judgemental. He rolls his eyes for good measure. “I know that, dingus. But can you really call it consented abduction if there's no lewd design involved?”
“God, please don't talk about that.” Barry and Bruce say at the same time, in the same exasperated tone and cadence. He blinks, looking at Bruce in surprise. When their eyes meet, tired dad eyes meeting equally tired dad eyes, they both let out a sigh.
Bart and Tim pause, looking at them both with wide eyes.
“Oh my god.” Bart whispers, disbelieving. “They're joining forces. Quick, Tim! Call Kon and we can escape to Hawaii!”
“I am not doing that!”
(1 unread message from Bruce)
Bruce: Thank you.
“Uh, B?” Tim asks, looking at the multiple tabs open showing Batman's contingencies on the Justice League. He just closed Barry Allen's tab when he entered, pulling up Bart’s file next. “Not that I'm excited to read more contingency plans but, why are you exactly updating them now?”
Bruce sighs, ruffling Tim's hair lightly. “Just being paranoid. Nothing to worry about.”
Tim chuckles, pushing Bruce’s hand off his hair lightly. “B, I’m not letting myself be kidnapped by Bart. Besides, his current contingencies are already okay. You don’t have to make them worse.”
Bruce scoffs. “You’ve written worse contingencies than mine, chum. You have no room to talk.”
“Harsh.” Tim says, grinning when Bruce only rolls his eyes at him playfully. He raises his chin haughtily at him as the older man chuckles. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Sure you don’t.”
young just us <3
bart: barry and bruce are joining forces this is so no bueno D:
kon: what? why is that a bad thing?
kon: you wanted them to get along didn't you?
cassie: yeah wouldn't that make marrying tim easier 🤨
cassie: like, bruce can give you his blessings or wtv 🤨🙄
tim: guys please
tim: are we really doing this right now
tim: don't make me pull out the powerpoint
bart: noooooooo you guys don't get it!!
bart: they're gonna be trauma bondinggh 😭
kon: LOLLL
Bart is not here when the Kent family announces the date for Kon's funeral. He's hidden himself somewhere that no one can find and they all know that when he doesn't want to be found, he won't be.
(Tim and Cassie shared a sad look when Barry told them he doesn't know his grandson's whereabouts. It's a look of understanding, like they expected it but weren't happy about it.)
A few people were there when Barry, Iris and Wally arrived at the farmhouse. Bruce, Dick and Tim. Diana and Cassie. Kon's school friends. Lois greets them, her smile light even with the dark circles under her eyes. Clark isn't faring any better but he tries to pull himself together.
Afterwards, when Kon's casket was closed and buried, Tim quickly books it towards Clark, each step determined. Bruce follows after him immediately.
“I hate that you finally looked at him in the eyes when he couldn't see it.” Tim hisses at Clark, pained and angry and so so tired. Behind him, Bruce places a steadying hand on his son's shoulder. “You're so— I hate you. I hate you and I'm so mad at you but not really ‘cause you tried but it's not enough and I'm mad at myself ‘cause I—”
“Hey, stop that.” Clark immediately stops the kid's angry ramblings. He kneels down in front of him, his eyes going soft even when Tim glares at him. “None of that. I'm the adult and I failed Kon, alright? I'm the one who messed up with him and you and your friends had to pick up the pieces. You didn't fail Kon, Tim. I did. Don't blame yourself.”
Clark takes a deep breath. “I'm sorry. You're Kon's friends, his family and I… I didn't try enough. By the time I did, it was too late and—”
Barry carefully pushes himself off his chair and quietly leaves. This isn't a conversation for him to listen to.
(6 unread messages from tim allen not wayne)
tim allen not wayne: hey bart, it's tim
tim allen not wayne: ik we haven't talked after, y'know
tim allen not wayne: but, wanna hang out? cassie’s joining. i think cissie can make it too
tim allen not wayne: we can go to that restaurant you like so much
tim allen not wayne: tell me when you're free alright?
tim allen not wayne: we miss you
(5 unread messages from aye aye captain 🏴☠️)
aye aye captain 🏴☠️: hi bart, you back from wherever you went?
aye aye captain 🏴☠️: do you wanna hang out?
aye aye captain 🏴☠️: tim probably texted you already but i just wanna make sure
aye aye captain 🏴☠️: it's gonna be my treat! :D
aye aye captain 🏴☠️: and by me, i mean tim but i have his credit card so 🤷🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️
(1 unread message from best grandpa ever)
best grandpa ever: Hey kid, the test you left here is waiting for you. Wanna check it out when you return?
Sometimes, he’s reminded of why they’re doing this in the first place. Being a hero, risking their lives for civilians because they have the ability, the power, the drive to save them; they have the courage to run into trouble head on for selfless reasons. It’s a gratifying feeling, watching the people they save run into the arms of their family, friends, those who love them, those who will hold them tightly and swear to never let them go.
And then in moments like these, he wonders if it is really worth it if he has to lose his own family in the process.
Bart’s hand in his, small but scarred and calloused, is cold. It’s so cold. He used to think he’s used to the cold, waxy feeling of a corpse’s skin; used to believe that he wouldn’t be fazed by the unnaturally pale skin and the stiff posture and the cold, cold, cold-
But it’s Bart. There’s no need for reasons other than it's Bart. That’s his grandson lying there, small and so, so young and still which is so unlike him.
Bart should be here with them right now. He should be running laps with Wally, making convoluted plans with Tim and Cassie and bugging Barry about adopting Tim.
Instead of Bart running up to them to be caught in their embrace, he had to be carefully picked up off the ground because he can no longer move, no longer breathe; cradled in shaking arms until they made their way back home. He didn't leave a will or any plans for this, because no one as young as him should be planning for their funeral anyway.
So they make do. Tim and Cassie, their quartet now down to two, arrive to help them plan the funeral.
“We weren't there.” Cassie tells him, cradling the bouquet of flowers in her arms. Tim isn’t looking at him and is focused on his own bouquet. Barry pointedly ignores their trembling hands. Her voice is almost pleading when she says, “I… please just let us help, Barry. I— We can't—”
“I understand. Now go,” He gently says and Cassie swallows thickly. “You can place those flowers on the table.”
It’s a quiet affair, the entire thing. Only a few select people were invited, even smaller than Kon’s. Bart probably wouldn’t like it but he’ll understand. He will. Barry thinks he can’t handle any more people. He can barely keep track of Wally and the others through the haze of his grief, he knows he won’t be able to act like a warm light for them right now. His grandson took the sunshine with him, leaving him feeling cold despite the streaks of sunlight peeking through the windows.
During the wake, Tim and Cassie have moved their chairs closer to the coffin, their heads leaning on the wooden frame as they talk quietly with each other. It's like they're letting Bart in on their whispered conversations. They've stayed like that for a while now. The others let them, pained understanding on their faces. Barry stands and leaves for the kitchen, slumping on the chair with a shuddering sigh.
His eyes feel too heavy, begging to be closed with each blink. He forces them open again when footsteps fill the room and after a moment, Bruce appears at the entrance, hand holding a mug. His eyes are focused on Barry, holding way too much understanding.
“Barry.”
“Bruce.”
“I’m sorry.” Bruce tells him but Barry shakes his head, letting out a sigh.
“Don’t be.” He says, watching tiredly as Bruce takes a seat across from him. He runs a hand through his hair, cringing at the oily mess it's in. “I just hate that I understand you better because of this.”
“It will never go away.” Bruce tells him, stern but not unkindly. Almost like a bitter reminder. “It never does.”
Barry looks at him. He thinks about the second Robin; about Jason and broken caskets and the man that returned after. He wonders if Bart—
Barry shakes his head. God no, it's too soon.
“Even when he came back?”
“Even when he came back.”
A companionable silence falls on them, grief sitting with them on the empty chairs. In the living room, he can hear the quiet chatter and soft laughter, stories and memories they've had with Bart being shared with each other. In the kitchen, Bruce and Barry sit together with way too much coffee in their mugs and too much grief between them.
“Your grandson has a weird sense of humor."
Barry perks up at that, an inquiring brow raised at the man. “What?”
“This wasn't what I was expecting when he said he wanted us to find a common ground.”
…
“Ha.” Barry snorts despite himself, smiling wryly at Bruce. There's a small smile on his lips as well, hidden when he takes another sip. “Damn, I don’t think this was what Bart was planning when he wanted us to get along.”
Tim: hey barry
Tim: can i take bart’s last experiment?
Tim: it's fine if you don't want to
Barry: No problem kid
Barry: You can take it. Text me when you're coming
Tim: i will. thanks
Batman dies in the fight with Darkseid and Clark, his oldest friend, takes the cold body home to bury.
To the people of Gotham, Bruce Wayne is out of the country.
To the hero community, to his family, they grieve. Clark and Diana give their condolences that the children accept with a bitter thanks. Barry does too, going through all the others before ending with Tim.
He finds the boy sitting at a corner of the room, almost hidden, staring blankly at the background past the closed coffin. To anyone, they might think he's dissociating or spaced out. Barry knows though, that even with that blank look, the boy’s mind is racing even faster than Barry's speed.
Before Barry can even say anything, Tim cuts him off with a harsh whisper. “I'm so done with condolences, Barry.”
Condolence for Steph. Condolence for his biological parents. Condolence for Kon. Condolence for Bart. Condolence for Bruce.
“I’m not going to be the next one to leave, Tim.” Barry tells him instead.
Tim’s breath hitches, his eyes closing tightly. He presses his palm over his eyes, taking deep, shuddering breaths. A few stray tears escape his eyes and he whispers a quiet curse as he quickly wipes them away. “But someone will be next. There will be and I— I don’t want another one.”
Barry doesn’t say anything after that, letting the sounds of people grieving wash over them like a heavy, suffocating blanket. He doesn’t say anything until people start leaving, whispering goodbyes and even more condolences that don’t help in the slightest.
Barry and the original League members leave when everyone else has already left, a promise that they're always there should they need their help. He hopes it won't be like last time.
But in a move that is so much like Bruce, the remaining Bats lock themselves in their city; letting themselves fall into their work to ignore everything outside the mask. Much like when Bruce did when Jason died. Only this time, Tim is with them and there's no one else with a heart and mind like his to pull them out from that darkness.
***
After two weeks of radio silence from anyone at Gotham, Barry receives a message.
(1 unread message from Tim)
Tim: hypothetically, what if bruce is still alive?