Work Text:
Tap.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Taptaptaptaptaptaptaptap—
The faint tapping on the window finally wakes Tim up with an annoyed groan. He groggily looks to the window as he sits up, his blanket pooling around his legs.
Tim glances at the clock beside his bed, 9:55AM. It’s way too early for whatever bullshit is waking him, but then all that ‘bat-approved-annoyance’ practically melts away when he looks to the window and—
He's met with the almost too bright, toothy smile that could only possibly belong to Kon, his best friend. Dressed in his usual Superboy getup, leather jacket, shades and all. The fuck was he doing in Gotham??
Kon waves excitedly once he notices Tim’s gaze. And taps again for Tim to unlock it.
Tim groans again and drags himself out from under the covers.
He unlatches the window locks(which is a fuck ton considering Bruce’s overbearing paranoia, but Tim sorta gets it??? Especially after the tower incident with Jason. Whatever. He’s the one who chose to sleep at the manor rather than at home.) and pulls up the window stepping back so Kon can climb inside.
Tim opens his mouth to speak but is promptly cut off when Kon clasps his hands onto Tim’s shoulders, shaking him a bit. “Okay— okay so I know I know what you’re gonna say ‘no metas in Gotham Kon! Why are you here!’ Blah blah bat-shit. But!” Kon takes a deep breath as if he’s run a marathon. Which is physically impossible, considering the dumbass flew here. Dumbass in bold sparkly letters, because that’s exactly what he is for coming to Gotham as Superboy.
“Kon—“ Tim sucks in a sharp breath. What if Kon came here for something that happened? I mean he’s in his suit and all so it must be very important, if not diar. And if somethings wrong Tim should know and he should—
“I came to pick you up!” Kon smiles bright as he promptly cuts Tim off.
“What?” Tim’s mind blanks out. What is Kon picking him up for??
Kon gives Tim a bit of a weird look but continues anyway “You said you’d hang out with me at the farm today, to make up for missing last week.” Kon nods knowingly, his shades sliding down his nose before he finally pushes them up with a grin. “Came here myself” he has a proud expression
Oh. Ohhhh. Tim has completely forgotten about that, he’d been a bit wrapped up in some missed school work the night before so his minds been peacefully shut off for the last uh. Tim glances at the clock on his nightstand again, 10:25AM. For the last 3 hours, god did he really only get three hours of sleep last night? Probably a record amount considering how many extra patrols he insists on doing, for no specific reason.(it’s because he doesn’t want to deal with the empty, quiet that Drake manor seems to always bring even with his dad and Donna around more often. They were off on some three week trip to Haiti for god knows what reason at this point.)
“…you came here for the extra guilt factor in case I say no didn’t you.” Tim says with a straight unamused expression.
Kon gasps, dramatically placing a hand on his chest. “Rob, how dare you! The absolute distrust you have in me is blasphemous. I’ll have you know I am simply here to ask if you’re still up to hang out today in person because I woke up early!” Tim almost scoffs, maybe dumbass in big sparkly bold letters isn’t enough of a description. Add a red underline, and use a shitty cartoon font and maybe just maybe that would suffice.
Tim’s gaze narrows “you’re always up early. Your gaslight game has disappointed me today.” Tim rolls his eyes fondly, and flicks Kons forehead.
“Fine. Fine. Two minutes I need to get dressed or something, unless you want me to go and hang out at the farm all day with you in a Superman T-shirt and sweats.” He huffs, and Kons smile brightens further. Tims honestly never been able to tell if Kons smile is so bright due to his kryptonian ‘im solar reliant’ DNA, or some other indubitably Kon-reason he won’t be able to figure out. Maybe he’d check that out another day. Going into the folder of shit about Kon Tim over analyzes whenever he gets the chance. Boop. Yep.
“I mean if you insist Robbieee“
“I’m not serious Kon!” Tim groans, and turns around on his heel heading to the bathroom and shutting the door with a soft click.
“I know I know” Kon flops down on Tim’s bed with a thud. Pushing over Tim’s laptop in favor of stretching out completely while waiting for Tim.
A few moments later Tim steps out of the bathroom wearing one of his Gotham Knights hoodies, and a pair of blue jeans. His hair had grown out a bit more these days since he hadn’t had the chance to really cut it yet, it’s lazily tied up into a half up half down bun.
“God how many Gotham knights sweaters do you own” Kon looks him up and down with a snort, Tim can feel a brush of TTK push a strand of hair securely behind his ear. Tim sighs at the action.
“Depends, how many Lord Of The Rings themed items do you own?”
“Okay okay! you win” Kon stands and punches Tim’s shoulder playfully and holds his hand out for Tim to grab. “Ready to go Wonder Boy?”
He wordlessly interlocks his fingers with Kons, Kons other arm wraps securely around Tims waist. The gesture is sweet considering Kon barely even needs a fingertip of touch against Tim to cover him in TTK but sweet nonetheless. What a loser. Tim adores him.
But then a quick thought strikes Tim’s mind and he taps on Kons arm so he’d release his TTKs hold.
“You okay Rob??” Kon says quickly, as Tim moves away towards his dresser
“Peachy.” He nods and reaches for his camera strap, slinging it across his neck to rest absently against his chest. He turns back to Kon, “okay now I’m ready.”
————————————————————————
Smallville has always been nice. Such a big difference compared to the gloomy dullness Tim’s so used to in Gotham. Smallville is well small, and sunny, everyone knows everyone. Unlike Gotham, Smallville brings a safe sort of comfort. Soft breezes, rows of fields highlighted by the warm orange-red sunrise. But the Kent’s farm is by far the best place in Smallville.
Tim has visited the farm a handful of times, each normally being to rewatch Star Trek or Lord Of The Rings with Kon. But also for occasional business with Clark when he’s around there.
Kon lands gracefully in front of the farm house, taking a moment longer before releasing his TTK on Tim. “Ready to go, wonder?” Kon asks with a grin, and Tim all but rolls his eyes and the two head inside
Once inside they greet Ma Kent who’s currently baking apple pie. It's around that time in the season where apples are probably the most common thing on Ma Kent’s grocery list considering winter is just around the corner.(Tim considered bringing something along but Kon insisted Ma wouldn’t take anything)
Then they greet Krypto, who happily pads up to Tim the moment he steps through the living room archway, Tim giggles and scratches behind his ear the way he loves “hi boy” He mumbles before turning back to Kon. Pa’s out in town picking up some groceries with Clark who decided on staying over for the holidays while he can, Clark just finished a 3 month off world mission and Tim can’t imagine anything himself better than staying here so he gets it. Sort of.
“You know it’s been far too long since I’ve seen you,” Ma starts up when she sees Tim. “Have you been eating enough, sweetheart? You look like skin and bones!” She races to grab something from the kitchen, “Kon you just tell Alfred when you bring Tim home here that he’s gotta keep this boy well fed.” She waves her kitchen glove at him and Tim lets out a breathy sigh nodding with a smile.
“Will do Ma” Kon says, Tim giggles. Ma Kent’s always had a strong personality. I mean she raised Superman for god's sake dude. She is a literal god and whoever says otherwise obviously hasn’t met her.
Ma ends up handing Tim a tupperware container of cookies for him and Kon to share. She kisses Tim on his cheek then starts up again, “now you boys go have fun. And Tim, you better bring home some of my famous pie before you leave!”
“Thanks Ma” they both laugh endearingly then turn to leave. The floorboards creak with age under them. The house is gorgeous, pictures lined all over the walls. A few of Clark when he was a kid. Some family photos. Even a few of Kon and Krypto. It’s homey and sweet and smells of baked goods.
————————————————————————
Soon enough Tim finds him and Kon in a large field just near the farm with Krypto.(who would not give up trying to get pets and attention from Tim the moment he found himself in Smallville, little suck up.) but he’s all too happy to indulge in the happy puppy’s affection. Earning a few slobbery licks to his cheek while he’s at it.
Kon throws Kryptos favorite ball far in the sky for him to catch which Krypto excitedly jumps for. He flys back down and places the ball in front of Tim who throws it a few times before Krypto gets bored and goes back to Kon. He always does that. I guess it’s his sweet little way of making sure Tim is included.
Kon happily throws it, “see Robbie? Definite favorite.” Kon stops for a moment, “next to Bart—“ Tim snorts and giggles.
“That’s only because they’re like the same person at this point”
“Exactly”
Tim’s smile grows as he watches Kons actions. The sun still has that faint golden glow to it, sparkling all over Kons skin. Most kryptonians are sort of sparkly in the light, always having that slight otherworldly feel to them. Tim thinks Kon wears it the best though.
Kons changed out of his Superboy getup by now, dressed in a pair of blue ripped jeans, a Liz Phair band T, and a flannel with little pins decorating the collar. The red flannel compliments his sun kissed skin, Tim can’t help but stare for a moment. His eyes trace every detail of the half-kryptonian, every curve, and artificial perfection. Tim has to eventually tear his eyes away to keep it from getting too weird because you ‘can’t look at your bros’ for that long without it being ‘gay’ or some bullshit… in favor of messing around with his camera settings.
Tim holds his camera up after adjusting the settings to get it just right, and…
Kon looks back at the camera just in time, smiles wide and genuine, his eyes bright with happiness, the sun shines behind him encasing him in the golden glow that matches him so perfectly he looks ethereal. His curls are messy in the wind.
Click.
————————————————————————
The hayloft in the barn has been Young Justice’s little hide away since Tim can remember, sure they had Mount Justice but nothing beats hanging out at 3 in the morning here while Cassie and Cissie try to convince them to play another round of uno knowing that last time Bart started feeding his cards to Krypto just to win, with Kon fixes his undercut talking about the new episode of Wendy with Tim, and Anita doing Barts nails complaining the whole time about how he can’t stay still. Oh. Fuck man, Tim misses this.
Why don’t they do this more often?
They used to be together constantly 24/7 365 type shit, it’s nice to just hang out again. Even if it’s just him and a big lump of Kon sprawled across his lap while Tim sits up against a prickly haystack that’s beginning to dig a bit too uncomfortably into his back.
“Kon,” Tim says, tapping on Kons forehead. Kon groans and moves his head to the side, his cheek pressed up against Tim’s thigh comfortably, his eyes are shut, eyelashes fluttering ever so slightly against his faintly freckle-spotted cheeks.
“Kon, come on it’s getting uncomfortable” Tim groans “I can feel the hay digging into my ass by now get up.”
“Nooo” kon whines, and valiantly throws his arms up over his head. Drama queen.
“Yesss” Tim snorts and runs a hand through Kons hair unknotting a few strands, Kon humms thoughtfully in response leaning into the touch.
“But you’re comfy Robbieee” Kon bursts out into a fit of giggles
“God you’re weird” Tim flicks his forehead but smiles
Beside them sits the container of Ma Kent’s cookies. Tim swears that Ma is the only one who’s able to one up Alfred with cookies, they’re pretty much tied in that way. (Though Bart would argue Ma’s are better just for a whole pie to himself, like the suck up he most undoubtedly is.)
Hm. Maybe they should bring Bart around next time, he would probably be able to sneak an extra batch of cookies if he’s using enough of those famous ‘Bartholomew charms’ hah that sounds like a cereal brand.
…
Is that a cereal? Probably, knowing Bart he would’ve already somehow gotten a dumbass cereal or food marketing. I mean he’s a dumbass. He would so name a cereal Bartholomew charms—
Tim feels a flying cookie hit his cheek, the crumbs sprinkling onto his sweater, he wipes them away groaning, and watches as the cookie floats down into Kons mouth.
“What’s got you so deep in thought, wonder boy?” Kon asks, shifting his position so he’s laying straight on his back over Tim’s lap, arms resting crossed on his stomach. Kons words are mumbled by the cookie he’s currently scarfing down.
“…cereal.”
“What?” Kon narrows his eyes and gives Tim an odd look.
“Well- I was thinking about Bart, and then I thought about cereal because Bartholomew charms sounds like one right? Like wouldn't it be so bart to go and make cereal of like his face or something.”
Kon snorts, “you’re so weird Rob.” He rolls his eyes fondly.
“Says the one who puts the milk before the cereal.”
“Hey that was one time!” Kon whines, “you said you wouldn’t bring it back upppp.” He swats at Tim’s arm and Tim just giggles, flicking Kons forehead in response.
“Yeah, yeah.” Tim smiles wider here. Brighter than he has in the past few days. He can’t remember them well. Nothing unusual, he normally has spurs like this so it’s whatever. He’s happy to be here. With Kon goofing around at the farm. He loves this, he missed this.
They go quiet then. Blissfully silent. It’s not awkward or uncomfortable. It’s soft and sweet. It’s so overwhelming but in a way Tim can’t seem to explain.
The two stare at one another. Kon sprawled comfortably on Tim’s lap, his inhumanly cyan eyes emit a partial glow to them. Soft almost unnoticeable freckles decorate over Kons nose like constellations that compliment his tan skin. Kon is gorgeous. He’s like a god. Tim’s never been religious but if he was to worship someone it would for sure be Kon.
Ok that sounds gay.
And Tim is 100% not gay for Kon. That’s his best friend. He trusts Kon a lot and yeah he loves him but not in THAT way. He doesn’t like guys, he can just you know… appreciate when a guy is pretty! Yeah. Not gay at all.
Is calling your best friend pretty gay???
Nahh…
…
His train of thought is cut off when Kon starts speaking again, “hey, I wanna show you somethin’ come with me.”
With that Kon stands and holds his hand out to Tim.
————————————————————————
“Where are you even taking us?” Tim asks for the second time, they’ve been rustling through a particularly annoying corn field and Tim is not having fun being swatted at by literal vegetables. Or it a fruit? Questions for later.
His hand is sweaty in Kons soft uncalloused one. It’s unfair how Kon can spend hours in the sun and not even get a little sunburn let alone sweat at all.
“Be patient Robbie, need me to explain that word to yah?” Kon snorts, “we’re almost there wonder don’t get your panties in a twist.” Tim rolls his eyes at that comment. What a dumbass. Total extreme immense dumbass.
That’s when they make it under the biggest oldest weeping Willow Tim’s ever seen. It’s gorgeous. Framed by the setting sun's orange and yellow hue. “Wow,” he breathes.
“Here we are!” Kon says excitedly and lets go of Tim’s hand to go sit down against the tree. Looking out at the rows of fields, at the sun setting. Kon basks in the light. As if he exists for the sun. Created for it. And the sun shines brightly on him just the same. It’s like a silent I love you between both sides. An unspoken adoration for one another. Tim stares at Kon as if he’s the most gorgeous being on earth. Gods, the earth doesn’t deserve to have him here. Kon will never deserve the things he’s treated as. He’s the most amazing person. His existence is like a supernova. Bright, exhilarating, loud, and powerful. Tim couldn’t imagine a world without Kon.
“You gonna sit down or what Rob?” Kon giggles, snapping Tim out of his trance and looking at him.
“Yeah- right yeah,” Tim quickly makes his way over, stumbling on a rock before sitting down beside Tim.
“Isn’t it gorgeous?” He says softly. Unusually soft for how Kon usually is. Tim answers with a small grunt of approval nodding. And well It really is. Tim cant deny a single second of that.
He almost feels a bit gushy. (which is stupid as hell cuz he’s just with Kon.) but it almost feels like he’s been a world away. Like it’s been so long since he’s seen Kon. But that’s not true right? They saw each other just last week.
The sun sets over the rows of corn fields, bleeding into the soft yellows and greens. The setting sun covers the entire farm in a halo of covers until only the stars shed light.
It feels like time has gone too fast. Its night already? That can’t be. It was just morning a bit ago.
He looks over at Kon. Who’s eyes are shut as he basks in the moonlight, he’s gorgeous even in the dark.
The crickets are louder than their own thoughts at that point. The constellations decorating the skies. This is the most blissed Tim’s been for awhile. But he can’t seem to remember why.
He missed this so much. He missed when Kon and him would hang out constantly. Midnight snack runs. Or movie nights with YJ. Watching Wendy together while Tim lays bored in a hospital room to cheer him up. Baking cookies together and burning the whole batch because Tim couldn’t find his phone for half an hour. It’s like everything is right at this moment. But there’s still that sense of wrongness. He missed this
“Why don’t we do this more often?” Tim looks at Kon, but his face is wrong.Blood seeping from a gash in his head. He's no longer in his Liz Phair band T, jeans, and plaid flannel. No he’s dressed all too familiarly, his old ‘S’ symbol t-shirt is torn and shucked out of his jeans. There’s so many bruises all over him. Too many for someone who’s supposed to be invincible.
Kon doesn’t look at him. Just continues staring out at the stars, “you know why, Tim.”
Tears prick desperately at Tim’s eyes. He holds back still though. Grabbing a fist full of grass beneath him. But it feels fake. Wrong. So wrong. The world slowly darkens more and more. “No!” Tim chokes, “it’s not- it’s not fair.” He looks more desperately at Kon. As if searching for more than is there.
“Please don’t leave again,” he bites his tongue, tasting faint metallic. “I miss you so much I can’t do this without you, everything’s wrong. The team, me, everything. I wish you were here.”
Tim reaches toward Kon, gripping his bloodied shoulder like a lifeline. “I need you here,please don’t go again please.” He begs through tearful eyes.
That’s when Kon finally looks at him, his eyes that bright inhumane cyan that Tim grew to love all these years. The same eyes that he yearns for. “I’m always here with you Tim,” he smiles sadly and places a hand over tims heart. “I’m right here.”
The world around them begins seeping into the dark again. Chipping like puzzle pieces.
“No- no! Don’t go don’t go Kon, please I love you please don’t-“
————————————————————————
Tim wakes with a jolt. His hand pressed comfortably over where his heart is. Hugging the same photograph of Kon only taken a few months prior. Smiling brightly in his plaid flannel shirt as he throws Kryptos ball. His sun kissed skin almost shining in the midday heat.
“Fuck,” Tim groans sitting up and placing the photo back on his nightstand where it had been earlier that day. He had the stupid dream again.
He rubs at his eyes, wetness seeping into the fabric of his stolen hoodie. He’d taken it when they started moving all of Kons stuff. Had taken most of his clothes over the years anyway. But this was the last one that still smelt like him. It’s a creepy but comforting item.
He turns over and pulls Kons hoodie tight around his body, having a feeling this would turn into another sleepless night.