for Jill

[goldeneyedflash]

If it hadn't been in the middle of a blizzard, Bart probably would be up on the sky-deck or out for a run to try to just think. He needed to sort through what was going on in his head lately, why he wasn't dealing with his problems as well as he should. It wasn't quite a brood, but it was close

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[healerofharms]

Jill hadn't quite encroached on Bob's room, but she'd built a little nest for herself in the main room of the top floor, blankets and teacups and books in neat little stacks.

She was still moving slowly - always moved slowly, these days, the healing ribs sometimes making her gray when she moved wrong even though she tried to never complain.

She came up with a book in one hand, slowly, it taking much too long in her (freezing) opinion, until she heard Bob chittering. "Hello?"

[goldeneyedflash]

Bart started to turn towards the main room, hearing Jill, because he couldn't just not say he was here, even if he wasn't sure he wanted company.

"Hey," he said, cracking open the door to look at her. "Don't mind us, I'm just feeding the bottomless pit."

[healerofharms]

She paused, standing there with the book, her skin a rather unappealing color. "Do- Do you want me to leave?" She didn't think he would, but-

But she should probably talk to him, honestly. "If you're not busy, we could talk?" She'd be fiddling with her shirt, if she wasn't holding a book in her hands.

[goldeneyedflash]

Bart saw her face, and left the bat to move to her side, putting an arm around her carefully. "I'm never too busy for my friends, Jill. You should know that by now," he stated, as he tried to help her to a place to sit and get some of the stress off her healing ribs.

[healerofharms]

"Of course you're not," she said as he steered her to where she was going to sit anyway. "I just didn't know if you were wanting to be alone - I mean, most of the time, that's why I come up here." She closed her mouth with a click, looking away.

They weren't really here to talk about her issues.

"How're things going with you?"

[goldeneyedflash]

"It's kinda hard to put into words, even though I'm trying," Bart said, as he sat across from her, hugging his bad knee to his chest unconsciously. "It just seems like there's been a whole lot of shake-ups from home lately. A lot of things I've tried not to think about.'

[healerofharms]

Jill nodded. "I know. Things have been really rough on you - on all of us, really, the last few months." She paused. "I wanted to talk to you anyway, actually."

[goldeneyedflash]

"Oh, what about?" Bart said, curious. "I've been more worried about you, to be honest. With all the people you've heard us talk about showing, and stuff.You haven't been around all that much."

[healerofharms]

"You, actually." She shook her head. "I'm alright, I'm just... I'm worried about you, Bart." It wasn't about her being around, it was, for her, about his mental instability.

[goldeneyedflash]

"I'm okay, Jill, really," Bart said, trying to reassure her. He mostly was. Except that sometimes he just needed to vent, and he couldn't risk losing control. That much he knew, remembered, and was a little afraid of. If he let go, people would be hurt, and they didn't deserve that.

"The statue wasn't about Kon, you know. That was the day I turned over the suit, said I wouldn't be the Flash."

[healerofharms]

She paused, then spoke very quietly, very evenly. "Bart," she turned slightly so she was looking at him. "You know that I'm good at what I do, right? That I know what I'm talking about and have studied and done practicum?"

[goldeneyedflash]

"I know, but..."

He stopped, not sure what to say. "I'm trying to sort things out, but the last thing I need is to lose control like Tim."

[healerofharms]

"Bart," she said, her hand moving to squeeze his. "It is the last thing you need. That's why I think that you need help. Your psyche isn't constructed to deal with the things you've dealt with on your own. Few people's are."

[goldeneyedflash]

"Talking to a near stranger about things I have a hard time even telling my friends isn't my idea of help, Jill," he said, flatly. "And being subjected to tests because adult eidetic memory hasn't ever been verified, or god only knows what else doesn't sound like fun, either."

[healerofharms]

Her brows knit. "Who said that we'd test you?" She tried to not take it as a personal affront. "Sometimes, talking to a stranger does help. Talking to someone who isn't involved, and you don't have to worry about hurting by telling them the truth."