PETER LOOKS AT THE FILES THAT he left on his desk then glances back to Jaime. “Oh I’m not busy at all. It’s just some stuff with that anesthetic we’re creating for Bart.” He says as he looks over at Jaime. “I’m glad you’re feeling good, was worried about you.” He admits as he stands up out of the chair and leans against the front of his desk to look down at his friend.
“Oh yeah? How’s it going, looking positive?” Jaime asks, feeling hopeful. He knows they don’t need it now, Bart shouldn’t need surgery again for a long time, but it’ll be good to know that when he does he won’t have to go through the same pain as last time. “You don’t have to worry - honestly, it wasn’t a big deal. Just some bruises and stuff, s’fine.” He shrugs his shoulders, not wanting to make a big deal out of it - it had been more than that, but he doesn’t want Peter freaking out. “How’s things going for you? What’s going on?”
“I’m good - well, I’m getting back to being good. I’ll be alright.” Jaime insists, offering Peter a smile. It’s good to see him again after everything that’s happened, nice to see a friend he can just hang out with. “No no - don’t mind me, honestly.” He glances at the papers Peter had been looking through when he arrived, a slight frown on his face. “I didn’t realise - I can go, if you’re busy.”
   “ –––- shut up” TIM wasn’t BRUCE, he wasn’t JASON, he wasn’t DAMIAN –– he actually wasn’t anyone but himself. and no matter how hard people often tried to think of the boys as being similar; TIM did not want that. he cared for his family, he always did and always would – but being just like the batman himself was something he never wished for. so if he wanted to actually worry about someone, show emotion in a different way; he would do so without anyone telling him not to. JAMIE did sort of look like he had been dragged under a car or something – “ what did you do?” he asked. his own head was stitched up pretty nicely actually. “ or actually, I do think you’ll be fine - but you don’t look that dipper, to be honest”
“Excuse me, don’t tell me to shut up.” He frowns, though he has to admit talking isn’t his favourite thing eight now. Not that anything else is much better - he’s aching all over, and he really just wishes it would all finally go away. Jaime doesn’t like this, he doesn’t like being hurt, and he definitely doesn’t like watching his friends worry about him. “I didn’t do anything, Tim! I didn’t just wander out and decide I wanted to be in agony for days, thanks.” He snaps, though he regrets it immediately. “Sorry, man - tough week. I got cornered by those nuts - the ones who attacked all the unregistered heroes. They wanted me to join them - this is what happened when I said no.”
Right when Jaime thought Bart couldn’t look and sound any more amazing, he does - the moan he lets out seems to reverberate straight through him as Bart comes and there’s no way Jaime could hold off if he tried. “Bart - Ah -” Jaime groans as he comes with one last thrust, his whole body tense and taught for a moment as his orgasm rushes through him. He barely manages to keep himself from falling right on top of Bart, resting his forehead against the other’s instead as he tries to catch his breath. “Wow - wow, that.. was amazing.”
BART CAN’T HELP HOW HE REACTS, the worry setting in as he’s moving around at super speed. Papers flying off the fridge, and some stuff is knocked over as he’s trying to get access to everything they own that could be of use right now. There’s all sorts of objects laying around between them now, since he just dumped them there. He finds a few more, and adds them to the pile. He glances at them, kneeling down to see if anything can be of help right now. “I think something should work I don’t know if we have anything else, I can go out and buy something –” His words are cut off as he feels a hand on his shoulders. Their gaze meets. “You’re hurt though, Jaime!’
He’s still worried, there may not be a concussion, but there’s still injury. Bart is pulled closer, and lets Jaime lean against him. “Yeah we can sit, do you want to go to the living room? Or we can sit here, oh I can get something for you to rest against if you want to stay here!”
“Babe..” Jaime can’t help but chuckle weakly as he watches Bart zip around the apartment to collect just about anything that might possibly help him. Jaime’s not even sure what he needs, apart from a lot of sleep and a chance to recover, but he knows he needs to calm Bart down first. The last thing he wants is for the other to keep freaking out like this - it’s not good for him, or for Jaime. “Easy, take it easy -” He says with a gentle smile on his face when Bart finally meets his eyes. “I know. I know, and m’sorry - I didn’t mean to scare you like this.”
It’s a relief when Bart lets Jaime lean against him a little, some of that pressure of holding himself up dissipating, easing a bit of the pain. “Living room is good, I can make it there.” He assures Bart gently as he begins to make his way towards the couch. “This is all gonna heal up in a couple of days, okay? I’ll be alright, I just - I don’t want them coming here. I gotta make sure they don’t.”
Barbara was still healing up from her wound and had come in to the hospital to get it checked out only to find out that Jaime was there now, too. Walking into his room and folding her arms over her chest, she appraised him with a raised brow. “Who was it?” she asked, her lips pressed into a thin line, her voice deadly quiet. She wasn’t one for revenge, persay, but she wasn’t about to just roll over and let someone do this to her friend without facing consequences. She softened her demeanor, walking over and dropping into the chair next to his bed. “We have to stop meeting up in the hospital.”
{ @ofbluebeetle }
Jaime had hoped he could get away with not going to the hospital, but with Bart’s worrying and Khaji Da’s fretting he ended up making the trip anyway. He didn’t expect any visitors besides Bart - and he sure doesn’t want any, he doesn’t need anyone worrying about him. So when he hears Barbara’s voice at the door it takes him by surprise, looking up at her with a slight frown on his face. “I’m fine, Babs.” He tells her with a small sigh, shrugging his shoulders - which still hurts. He’s so used to Khaji Da dealing with his wounds and injuries, but whatever those guys had used on them to disable the scarab powers had really done a number on them both and it’s taking longer than usual for him to heal. “Good idea. Let’s agree to never meet here again.”
“Don’t look at me like that, Tim.” Jaime winces as he touches his eyebrow, a little annoyed that the cut there has reopened. He knows he looks like he was someone’s punching bag lately - and the truth is, he was, to about six assholes - but that doesn’t mean he wants anyone’s pity. “It’s fine, it’s not a big deal - stuff’s just taking longer to heal than usual. I think it’s because they hit the scarab, they’re feeling it too. We’ll be fine.”
BART WAS ALREADY WORRIED about where Jaime could be, so when he hears the door opening he’s already out of his chair. Their dog doesn’t move though deciding to sleep instead, but the speedster is making his way to the door when he stops in his tracks. He stops in front of him and doesn’t know what to do.
“JAIME WHAT HAPPENED?” He shouts before he’s at his side in an instant. He’s afraid to touch him, but he does anyway. “Who did this to you? Why did they do it? Where does it hurt? Oh should we go to a hospital? You’re not dying are you? Jaime you can’t die! We still have shows to catch up on, food we haven’t tried yet, and I can’t be without you!” Bart is being dramatic, already freaking out when his boyfriend told him NOT to.Â
The speedster rushes to the bathroom, and in one trip he’s back with everything from the bathroom, dumping out in front of them. “I don’t know what any of this does, but something has to work!”
Despite the fact that Jaime’s in a bit of pain, considering the fact that he’s just about ready to curl up in bed and sleep for a week until these bruises go away.. he can’t help but smile at Bart’s reaction, just a little. It’s so typically Bart, very much true to him and it’s just another reminder of why he loves the speedster so much. Somehow, he can always make Jaime feel better.
“Bart, slow down -” He starts, but before it knows it Bart’s zooming away at top speed. He’s back before Jaime knows it with a bunch of stuff from the bathroom, dropping them in between them as his freak-out continues, and before Jaime even looks at any of the things Bart’s brought out, he reaches out to rest his hands on Bart’s shoulders, meeting his eyes. “Hey, I’m okay. Well - I’m not dying, that’s for sure.”
Jaime Reyes, perhaps Bart’s suggestion is sound, your hospitals could be of use in this situation.
No thanks, I hate hospitals and Bart will only freak out more if we have to go. Do I have a concussion?
Not by my assessment.
Then we’re staying here.
“Khaji says I don’t have a concussion, so we don’t need to go to hospital. Nothing’s broken, m’just.. really really sore.” Jaime pulls Bart in closer, leaning against him a little and letting out a slow breath - even that hurts a bit, but his ribs hurt at just about any movement he makes right now. “Can we just - can we sit down? I think that’d help a whole lot.”
“I’m completely fine,” she replied offhandedly. Between her father and Bruce, Barbara had always seen people working through the pain—and with the determination that had been instilled in her over the years with Jim Gordon, she wasn’t about to let something like a bullet that had been easily removed slow her down, not when there were people out there to go after. “I bribed Cass,” she replied. “I gave her the key to my place to look after my cat as long as she brought my computer.” Barbara looked up at Jaime. “What, am I supposed to sit here and do nothing? Watch soap operas? You know that isn’t my style.”
“If you were fine you wouldn’t still be in here.” He sighs, shaking his head. He gets it, she’s driven to keep working, to do what she has to do, Jaime gets that. But she can only push herself for so long until, what, she burns out completely? And considering she just got shot.. “Damnit. You shouldn’t be working, c’mon. You need rest, you need to get relax and recover - not wearing yourself out on that thing.” Jaime frowns and shakes his head. “I know it’s not your style, Babs. I just.. I worry, alright? I can’t help it. You got shot, I think I’m allowed to be concerned.”
By the time Jaime drags himself into the apartment, he’s ready to drop. He’s got the advantage of Khaji Da - handy alien technology, it’s pushing some kind of pain relief through Jaime’s body. Enough to take the edge off, but not enough to rid him of pain entirely. His whole body feels bruised, tender, and he’s sure he looks like an absolute mess.
“M’home..” He tries to yell out but ends up wincing, leaning back against the door as it closes behind him. He knows Bart is going to lose it, he’s going to panic - and really, Jaime doesn’t blame him. He doesn’t know what to do - somehow, no matter what he does, he can’t win either way. He registers, and it gives them everything they need to try and coerce him into some crazy task force designed to kill people. He doesn’t register, and he’d be one of the ones they’re hunting.
What a fantastic goddamn choice.
He leans his head back against the door and lets out a slow breath, opening his eyes when he hears Bart approaching. “Please.. please don’t freak out.”
It’s not exactly late, but it’s not early either - it’s getting dark, shadows casting across the ground as streetlights start coming to life. It’s not far for Jaime to get home - sure, he could fly home if he wanted, but with the chaos in the city the last thing he wants is to make things worse by random Blue Beetle sightings, so he keeps to the streets, his bag slung over his shoulder as he makes his way home.
He takes a shortcut through an alleyway, something he uses often enough, but tonight something feels different. He can’t help but feel a little off, like someone’s watching him, and he can feel Khaji Da beginning to stir, trying to sense their targets. They’re limited to a certain degree, though - there’s only so much they can sense without Jaime being able to see what’s going on.
Still, he continues on, walking that little bit faster, eager to get home. To get away from this. Between his own nerves and Khaji Da on edge, Jaime wants to get out of whatever this is as quickly as possible.
“Where are you headed, Blue Beetle?”
Jaime stops in his tracks, spinning around to see a few masked men approaching him. His head whips around and he sees a couple more in front of him, blocking off the only other exit. He could fly out, but he has the feeling it won’t be that easy - a quick glance upwards and he can see figures on the rooftops, and he doubts they’re unarmed. And they look a lot like the ones who were at the ball the other night.
“You shouldn’t know that.” Jaime answers, avoiding their question.
“Oh, we know all of the registered heroes, and your identities. Including that speedster boyfriend of yours.” A couple of the figures chuckle, shaking their heads, and Jaime feels a spark of anger at the way they’re speaking.
“You stay away from him.” He snaps, hands clenching into fists at his sides.
“We’re here for you, Reyes.”
Jaime Reyes, these men are heavily armed. Recommend wide range sonic blasts to the left and above before attempting an airborne escape.
I’m impressed, you’re learning. Jaime answers in his head, but truth be told most of his attention is on the figures around him. It might not be that easy - if they’re the same task force as the other night, the one who have been confirmed as registered, radical superheroes fighting to stop the un-registered heroes.. they might have their own powers.
“What do you mean, here for me? I’m already registered, and I’m not selling out anyone who’s not.” Jaime can feel the tension rising, he’s sweating, and it’s taking everything he has to not deploy the scarab’s armour.Â
“Oh, we know about that letter you received for.. helping. You think the government really care about what you want? No - the only way you get anywhere is if you help us make all of this right. You’re going to help us wipe out anyone who didn’t register, make them pay for their.. disobedience.”
“Sounds like a load of shit to me.” Jaime’s eyes narrowed, looking around at all of the men. He can take them out if he has to, but he knows this can turn ugly fast. The second Khaji Da senses a risk to Jaime’s life, they’ll do what they have to to protect him, whether Jaime likes it or not.
“I’m not joining you, letter be damned. Now you’re going to get out of my way, and I’m going home.” Jaime insists as calmly as he can, taking a step towards the exit to the alleyway.
The mistake he made was turning his back on any of them. The next thing he knows he can feel something white hot and almost electric, an unfamiliar and painful power rushing through his body, similar to the last time the scarab had been disabled and the Reach had caught him. Things have changed now - rather than knocking him out cold, Jaime manages to stay conscious, but he can’t help but fall to his knees as the energy pulse practically disables Khaji Da, and that’s when they all move in.
He’s not sure why they use their fists, why they go for physical assaults instead of using whatever powers they have, but the next thing Jaime knows he’s on the ground, curled up as tight as he can, holding his arms over his face to try and protect himself as best as he can. Every time he even thinks about getting up they just hit him harder, kicking, punching, and within minutes Jaime feels bruised from head to toe.
After what feels like hours, they finally stop, one of them flicking a card onto the ground before driving one last kick to his stomach. As they walk away, Jaime can barely see from the pain radiating through his entire body.
He’s not sure exactly how much time passes before he inches himself back up bit by bit - it feels like an eternity, working his way up into sitting position, his hand scrambling hopelessly for the card they’d left behind.
All it has is a phone number, and a message - “Think about it, we’ll be back.”
His head is pounding, his eyebrow is split, and he can feel the awful metallic taste of blood in his mouth. Still, he drags himself up, groaning in pain as he grips onto his ribs.
“C’mon, Khaji..” He mumbles as he leans against the wall, closing his eyes for a moment. “Wake up, I need your help..”
Ja... Jaime R...
That’s it, come on.
Jaime Reyes.. your body is extensively damaged..
Khaji Da sounds faint, almost weak, but at least They’re regaining.. well, consciousness, in a way, and Jaime almost smiles. Tell me something I don’t know. You alright, hermano?
I am fine, Jaime. I apologise, I should not have been so easily disabled.
Relax, not your fault. Jaime’s glad they can talk like this - he’s not sure he can handle a lot of talking out loud right now, considering everything feels like it’s spinning every time he takes a breath. What’s the damage?
No life threatening injuries, but you will need some time to heal. One to two days. Bart will be worried, you are late in returning from your classes.
I know, I know. Jaime sighs and picks his back up slowly, trying not to jolt his system too much as he moves, and begins to make his way back home.
BART WAS ABOUT TO GET UP, but he’s pulled back into the bed. He can’t complain too much, but it seems Khaji doesn’t want him going anywhere either. He’s stuck in bed, so he accepts defeat. “Alright, we won’t be going anywhere. What about snacks though?” He asks with a chuckle, as he stays wrapped up in his boyfriend’s arms.Â
Maybe the world doesn’t need him to be Bart Allen or Kid Flash today. “I’m all yours, I’m not going anywhere.” He confirms as he leans in for a kiss.Â
Jaime can’t help but be glad that Bart doesn’t object. He doesn’t know exactly what it is, but after the ball and the shooting and how absolutely crazy things had been, Jaime just wants a normal, quiet morning. Some time to hide away and just be together, pretend things are okay for a little while. “We gotta train Max to bring us some snacks. We’ll go get some things later, when you get hungry.” He smiles and tightens his arms around Bart, holding him close.
It’s nice, hearing Bart confirm that he’s happy to stay here, and Jaime doesn’t hesitate to lean in to kiss the speedster again. “You’re too good to me, y’know.”
BART LOOKS AT THE FOOD on his plate then looks back at Jaime. “I don’t know, but it’ll be fun to find out, right?” He asks as he offers the plate over to his boyfriend if he wants to take more off of it. He has a grin spread over his face all the while, shoving something else into his mouth. “That’s the best thing you’ve ever said to me.”
Jaime can’t help but grin as he picks up something else from the plate of food, glad Bart seems to have gotten enough food for two of them. Though, he’s sure Bart will eat most of it anyway. “I’m pretty sure you will, I know how you get.” He chuckles and presses a kiss to the side of Bart’s head. “Really? That’s the best thing I’ve ever said to you? Wow, I gotta try harder.”
Bart sounds incredible, he looks incredible, he feels incredible, and with each thrust Jaime feels more confident, moving that little bit faster, rocking into Bart that little bit harder, letting out another groan that seems to echo around them. He cuts the sound short though as he leans in to kiss Bart, his groans muffled against the other’s lips. Everyone moment of this feels so amazing, and Jaime knows he won’t last much longer.
         “So, how’re you feeling after the whole thing at the ball?” Wally asks, taking a seat in the empty chair opposite Jaime. “You weren’t hurt, were you?”Â
@ofbluebeetle
Jaime sighs and considers Wally’s question for a second before answering. “Terrible, if I’m being honest. I don’t understand why they would think this would be a good idea.” He grumbles, crossing his arms. “No no - I wasn’t hurt, Bart and I got outta there okay, thank god.”
