“It’s my name on the line.“
Day 10: “It's My Name on the Line."
Fandom: Justice League the Animated Series
(Yes, I will keep posting even though October is way over, by the time I'm done, it'll be October again)
Lines are Drawn.
The watchtower was quiet, Flash leaned his head back on the couch cushion looking up at the watchtower ceiling. It was his turn to keep watch, but he couldn’t pay attention. It’s been a month since the Flash was dumped by a man he wasn’t even dating and he didn’t feel much better.
Anytime he saw a dark haired figure or a well pressed suit, he would be distracted.
Was this heartbreak?
He’s dated before, he’s flirted around for years, but something was different with Bruce Wayne. He didn’t know what it was. He felt like he always knew him. It felt so right to talk to him. But still... Who was he kidding? They were from two completely different worlds.
Bruce Wayne was an older rich man who could have the pick of any woman or man he wanted. Wally West just a poor nerd from Central City. Wally was just lucky enough to have Bruce Wayne grace him with his charm for that short period of time, of course he knew it wasn't going to last.
But, still, he couldn’t stop the hurt.
If Bruce Wayne had rejected him or ghosted him at the beginning, maybe he wouldn’t have had so much hope, maybe he wouldn’t have believed that they could actually get together.
Flash closed his eyes shut, trying to forget.
A shadow passed by his face and he blinked his eyes to see a coffee in his peripheral vision. He looked up, his heart beating faster seeing dark hair, but his heart dropped when he saw who it actually was, “Hey Supes.”
“Flash,” The man in blue nodded his head with a kind smile, “How is it?”
Flash was confused, before realizing what he was asking, “Surprisingly quiet tonight.”
“Take the coffee.” Superman offered the cup again and Flash took it in his hands.
He looked down at the black coffee. He wanted to turn it down, but he looked back up at Superman’s kind expression and took a sip. Flash must have made a surprised noise at the sweet taste, because Superman laughed and took a seat next to Flash, “Hazelnut syrup.”
Flash nodded, taking a longer sip, feeling more rejuvenated.
“Batman recommended it.” Superman said, “Coffee doesn’t do much for me, but it does make it taste better.”
Flash felt his lip curl up in a smirk when he heard Batman was the one to recommend it, guess Mr Dark Mysterious didn't always want bitter black coffee.
“It really does.” Flash took another sip and he looked closely at the chiseled man, he had black hair and kind blue eyes, he looked like a gentler version of the man stuck on his mind. He looked away feeling his face heat up.
Superman sighed, “Flash, if you need to talk about something. We’re here for you.”
“Am I that obvious?”
“You have been a little more distracted lately.”
Flash put the cup down on the nearest table and ringed his fingers together, “I… think I got ghosted.”
Superman tilted his head in confusion.
“By this guy- romantic partner.”
The slip up didn’t escape Superman’s super hearing and the boy scout put a hand on Flash’s shoulder, “If it’s a guy, that’s fine. No one here would judge you.”
Flash felt his face heat up again, was he really going to talk about this with the strongest man in the world?
Maybe he should finally get it off his mind.
He wanted to talk about it more with Nightwing, but his best friend always got a little more fidgety when Flash brought up Bruce. So maybe a set of (super powered) ears would help.
“I’m not ashamed,” Flash said confidently, “I’ve always liked girls and guys, but you know… My dad wasn’t always the most supportive.” He winced remembering his rough childhood.
Superman’s hand didn’t leave his shoulder, squeezing it in a comforting way.
“I met this guy a while ago,” Flash laughed as he explained, “Don’t tell Bats, but I met him in Gotham. He’s rich and famous, completely different from me, so I guess I shouldn’t have expected anything from it. It still hurts though, cause I feel like we really had a connection.”
Superman’s hand tensed, “Rich and famous? Does Batman know?”
“I mean he knows I met this guy, but I don’t think he fully knows about the connection I have with Bruce. He invited me to a gala and even kissed me, but I doubt Bats knows any of that…” Flash trailed off not even realizing he revealed the name in his awkward rambling, “Or at least I hope he doesn’t. That would be embarrassing.”
Superman’s hand released from his shoulder, standing up in surprise.
Flash looked up to him, “Are you okay?”
Superman cleared his throat, adjusting his expression, “It’s fine Flash…” He crossed his arms feeling a bit conflicted, “Why don’t you go home early?”
“You sure?” Flash sat a bit more enthusiastic.
“You got here early, so I don’t mind.”
Flash jumped to his feet, already feeling better, “You’re the man Supes!”
He sped off before Superman could change his mind. Superman cleaned up the coffee cup Flash left behind and said out loud, “You know I figured you knew his secret identity, but I didn’t know you would take advantage of that.”
Emerging from the shadows was Batman, who had crossed arms and a serious look, “I knew his uncle. It was never a secret.”
“Does Flash know that?”
Batman’s silence was his answer.
“You should tell him.” Batman glowered at that and Superman said seriously, “I mean it. You brought him to a gala? You kissed him? You have to say something, it’s not fair.”
“It’s not fair? It’s my name on the line.” Batman said angrily, “And my family’s names. You know the reason for secret identities.”
Superman raised an eyebrow and scoffed, “You think Flash would say something? Come on Bruce, we all work together, it couldn’t hurt.”
“It doesn’t matter, I’m letting him go.” Batman said, “He won’t need to know.”
Superman sighed looking back to the monitors, “It’s okay to let people in. It’s okay to love, but it’s not okay to lie to him.”
Superman didn’t have to turn back around to know Batman was gone. He just hoped that Batman would listen to him before it blew up in his or Flash’s face.
Little did any of them know that they wouldn't be able to prevent when or why the identity reveal would happen.
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