Chapter Text
It was a day like any other. The mid-afternoon sunlight bathed all of Happy Harbor, its glow reaching Mount Justice, where four young heroes were resting after what could be considered a successful mission with favorable results.
Bart was in the kitchen, stuffing his face with everything he could get his hands on.
On the newly installed couch in what could be considered a “common room,” Cassie and Kon were sprawled at opposite ends, occasionally letting out tired groans.
And finally, Tim was at the main computer, finishing the mission report—as he always did, being the team leader… and because none of the others had the patience to write a detailed report. Definitely a Bat thing.
Tim was unusually quiet, rereading what he had just written but barely paying attention. His mind had been preoccupied for days now. Finally, he decided to speak, turning away from the computer screen.
“Guys…” Tim called out. Cassie and Kon were the first to turn toward him. Bart appeared two seconds later, a sandwich in hand.
“Something wrong?” Bart asked, taking another bite of his snack.
“No… Yes… It’s just something that’s been on my mind lately,” Tim admitted, searching for the right words.
“And that is?” Cassie prompted.
“Well…” He sighed. “What would you guys think if I started coming up with contingency plans for you?”
Silence. None of them spoke. Even Tim wasn’t sure how to continue.
“Excuse me?” Cassie finally said. “I think I misheard. Did you say contingency plans?”
“Contingency plans?” Kon raised an eyebrow. “Like the ones Batman has for the Justice League?”
“Yeah…” Tim didn’t sound too confident in his own words.
“You mean like the plans that got Batman kicked out of the League for who knows how many months?” Bart questioned.
“I mean, it’s not like I’d do it the way he did.” Tim defended himself. “Batman went behind his team’s back. I’m asking you guys directly.”
“That doesn’t make it better, Tim.” Cassie crossed her arms.
“Actually, I think it kind of does,” Kon interjected.
“Kon,” Cassie called, her tone clearly warning him.
“Guys, I’m just suggesting it,” Tim said, trying to ease the tension.
“Suggesting things to do in case we turn evil!” Bart exclaimed, raising his voice slightly.
“That’s not it. It’s not because I think you guys would turn evil,” Tim clarified. “It’s in case something happens—if someone or something stronger than us tries to manipulate or control you. We all saw what happened the last time Luthor got close to Kon. He tried to turn him against us.”
Tim had a point. Every single interaction Kon had with Luthor ended the same way—with that bald maniac trying to manipulate him. The last time had been even worse; Luthor had messed with his head so badly that Kon had to spend over a month in Smallville just to recover.
“Tim, we get where you’re coming from,” Cassie said, stepping closer and placing a hand on his shoulder. “But designing contingency plans, exposing our weaknesses just to use them against us, doesn’t feel right.”
Tim opened his mouth to argue, but Cassie didn’t let him.
“And I’m pretty sure neither Cissie, Anita, nor even Freddy—who’s, like, Batman’s biggest fanboy—would be okay with someone making a contingency plan against them,” Cassie added, clearly trying to drive her point home.
“I gotta side with Wonder Girl on this one,” Bart commented. Finally, he spoke more. Considering how much of a loudmouth he usually was, Tim was honestly surprised he hadn’t said more by now.
“And Kon…?”
At that moment, all three turned to look at Superboy. He had been quiet for most of the conversation.
“I…” Kon opened his mouth, then shut it again. His gaze flickered to Tim, his Tim, his ridiculously handsome boyfriend, who was looking at him with those blue eyes that always made him blush.
Tim smiled.
Oh, no.
Tim smiled.
Kon’s brain acted purely on instinct.
“…I don’t think it’s a bad idea,” he finally said.
“What?” Cassie practically shrieked.
“Traitor!” Bart pointed an accusatory finger at him.
“Guys, but Tim has… has a point, doesn’t he?” Kon asked. “I mean, it’s not like he’s planning to stab me with a Kryptonite dagger or anything.”
“I hadn’t considered that,” Tim said, stroking his chin as he sat back down at the computer.
“Great, now you’re giving him ideas,” Cassie groaned, crossing her arms.
“Dammit, Kon, you’re such a simp.”
“I am not a simp!” Kon protested—then leaned toward Cassie and whispered, “What’s a simp?”
“A simp is someone who would do anything for the person they like,” Bart explained. “Or, in your case, someone who does everything their boyfriend says. You’re like a loyal little puppy with Tim.”
“That’s not true.”
“Oh, it totally is,” Cassie said with a small laugh. “Every time Tim praises you for doing something right, you look like you’re about to grow a tail and start wagging it like a happy puppy.”
“She’s got a point.”
Kon frowned, suddenly feeling attacked. Why were his friends ganging up on him all of a sudden?
“You let Tim walk all over you, you never push back on his opinions, you let him control you, and, most importantly, you do everything he asks.”
“Pfft, you guys are talking nonsense. None of that is true,” Kon scoffed, crossing his arms and turning his head away.
”Kon, could you grab me an energy drink from the fridge?” Tim called from his seat at the computer.
Not even five seconds passed before Kon sprinted to the fridge and returned with the can. Tim took it with a smile and placed a quick kiss on his cheek.
“See what we mean?” Bart said, clearly amused.
No, this was ridiculous. Kon wasn’t just following Tim around like some obedient… guy. He wasn’t that clone… no, that boy anymore. Kon wasn’t controlled by anyone. He was his own person.
But if that were true… No! Absolutely not. Tim would never manipulate him like that.
“You never push back when Tim tells you to do something,” Cassie pointed out.
“You don’t question a single word he says,” Bart added.
“And you definitely don’t know how to say ‘no’ to him,” they both finished in unison.
“Lies,” Kon declared firmly.
“Prove it,” Cassie challenged, raising an eyebrow.
”Kon,” Tim called, ”could you grab the blue folders from my room?”
“On it, Tim!” Kon responded instantly, disappearing in a blur. Seconds later, he was back, folders in hand. “Anything else?”
“No, this is perfect,” Tim said with a smile. “Thanks.”
“…But he’s not a simp,” Bart whispered.
“We need to do something about this,” Cassie whispered back. “He can’t keep letting Tim get away with everything.”
“I’ve got an idea…” Bart smirked.