Chapter Text
A sunny day. A perfect day. A day where nothing could go wrong.
Conner Kent had woken up happy, despite the early hour and the loudly chirping birds outside his window. There was no exact reason for his happiness other than that his life was good at the moment. He was getting along with his dad, he had a group of friends he could trust, he had amazing music taste if he did say so himself, and his bike was actually working for once.
A Chuck Berry song came on the radio while Conner was getting ready for the day; one of his favourites, Johnny B. Goode. He put on his jeans (rolled at the ankles of course), a white t-shirt, boots, and his signature black leather jacket (one with his family's crest sewn into the back) to pull the whole outfit together. It was a staple amongst his people; all Rockers dressed the same to identify each other and fit into their chosen aesthetic. He finished combing his hair and admiring himself in the mirror before trying to make his escape out the door.
“Not so fast,” a voice called from the kitchen.
Conner stopped in his tracks with a sigh. He turned slowly to make his way into the kitchen, expecting another lecture from his dad. Things may be good between them now but Conner was just waiting for the day when all hell would break loose.
“Where are you headed?” Clark asked.
“Down to the beach, everyone is going to be there.”
“You haven’t even eaten yet.”
Conner shook his head. “We’re getting food there. It’s Whitsun weekend and the sun is splitting the sky, the beach will be packed so we need to get going early.”
Clark stared at him in thought. Conner hated when he did that because he could never read his dad.
“Alright, just make sure you eat. Your grandparents would kill me if they found out you didn’t.”
Conner nodded and took that as the go ahead to leave but his dad stopped him again.
“Kara is coming soon, you should wait for her.”
Kara was his cousin, a few years older. Conner had a rocky relationship with her. They both liked the same music and hung out within the same crowds but they didn’t always agree on things. She was a certified Mod hater but Conner had no problem with them. They had their own music and style and he had his, no reason to spit at their names.
But Kara was sure to bring up the recent altercations between Mods and Rockers in Clacton and Hastings during the Easter holidays. The newspapers were making them out to be more than they actually were. Mods and Rockers don’t hate each other, especially not in Brighton.
“Do I have to?” Conner whined.
Clark looked amused which made Conner pout even more. Kara didn’t even have a bike of her own which meant she would have to ride behind Conner on his, something he hated. The time he spent on his motorbike was between himself and nobody else. Kara was the only person allowed on his bike and that was because his dad made him, nobody else has even touched it much less ride it and it would stay that way.
“Yes. Besides, it will give you time to change. You can hardly go to the beach dressed like that.”
Conner scoffed. He has had this conversation with his dad so many times and he still did not understand. Fashion is impacted by no weather. The leather jacket stayed on whether it was 0℃ or 30℃. Heat meant nothing to a person with style and no amount of sunlight would make him sacrifice his look in favour of a more Mod-ish looking outfit. Conner could respect them without turning into one, that was for sure.
Luckily the doorbell rang which gave Conner an excuse to leave the conversation. Unfortunately it was Kara with a big grin on her face.
“I told you, cousin, those Mods are no good kids,” Kara greeted, pausing to wave at Clark behind him but not entering the house. In her hands was a newspaper from the previous month by the Daily Mirror sporting the headline: Scooter Gangs ‘Beat Up’ Clacton. ‘Wild Ones’ Invade Seaside - 97 Arrests. She grabbed Conner and dragged him out the door towards where his bike was parked.
Conner tried to ignore her rambling as he got on the bike, barely waiting for Kara to get situated before speeding off towards the beach. The loud roar of the bike on the road, passing by cars and other motorbikes, drowned out Kara’s talking, which Conner was grateful for. It was too early to hear about how bad the Mods were with their handsome good looks and fancy scooters (Conner’s words, not Kara’s - she was much more mean and descriptive).
The beach was half packed already when they arrived but Conner was able to locate his friend’s bikes and park beside them. They were all waiting there, in outfits similar to his own, laughing away at a joke that Cassie had said.
“There’s the boss,” Anita called out once he had turned off his bike.
“Good to see you too, Anita,” Kara called back with a grin.
Conner mumbled, “She was talking to me,” before hopping off his bike and going to greet his friends.
Slobo whistled at Kara in her tight trousers and leather jacket, making Conner want to get sick. He rolled his eyes and headed over to Cassie instead. Cassandra Sandsmark was his closest and longest friend, he was always happy to be around her.
“Glad you brought Kara, I love when she hangs out with us,” Cassie remarked when Conner reached her.
“Not you too,” Conner sighed.
Cassie stuck her tongue out at Conner. “I don’t know why you hate her.”
“I don’t hate her. Just sometimes she’s too much for me.”
Cassie gasped, “Oh, I get it. You’re jealous that she’s cooler than you.”
There was no point arguing with Cassie over that because he would not win. She wasn’t completely right but not completely wrong either. He didn’t believe that Kara was cooler than him but everyone else did. And he wasn’t jealous, just wished people would stop thinking that, is all. Was that such an unreasonable request? Kara joining them would be so much easier then.
Cassie grinned in triumph as the five of them headed down to the beach to find a spot to sit down. There were leather jackets all over the beach, some faces recognisable and others unfamiliar, probably people who came down to Brighton with their families for the weekend.
Slobo had his radio with him and Anita had the towels for them to sit on. Conner volunteered to get them all food and walked over to a food truck selling crepes when he heard the commotion. Screaming and shouting coming from the beach, feet trying to run on the sand, yelling from the pier.
But before Conner could investigate the noise he was punched in the jaw and fell backwards onto the beach, trampled by feet running by him.
Chapter Text
A sunny day. A perfect day. A day where nothing could go wrong.
It was Whitsun weekend which meant more Mods rolling into town with their families and Tim Drake was always happy about that. He just hoped what happened during Easter in Clacton didn’t happen this weekend in Brighton. Mods and Rockers don’t hate each other, especially not here.
Tim knew the Rockers laughed at their expensive and sensible style, their decorative scooters, and their soulful music but it was all harmless. Tim was secretly a fan of the leather jackets and cool attitudes of the other group, which made them all even more attractive.
He was meeting with his friends later and knew he had to get up, certainly after Hit the Road Jack by Ray Charles started to play on his radio. Music could always put him in a good mood, or otherwise play with his emotions.
His suit was pristinely pressed and ready for wear, courtesy of his butler, Alfred. Wearing suits every other day, particularly in sun scorching weather, may be impractical, but his father always said that there was nothing a man could not do if he was wearing a suit, and Tim was inclined to believe him. His suits have captured the attention of many past relationships, too bad his fear of commitment had ruined them.
Downstairs his siblings were all eating breakfast, his father having already left for the day. Stephanie Brown, his closest friend, was also seated at the table digging into the spread Alfred had made. Unfortunately Tim knew Steph was there for multiple reasons before she was there for Tim, reason number one coming down the stairs right behind him.
“Cass!” Steph exclaimed, “I’ve missed you so much.” Steph hopped out of her chair to give Cass a squashing hug.
“You saw her yesterday,” Duke pointed out, rolling his eyes.
Steph glared rudely at him from Cass’ arms. “Just because some of you here are miserable and single does not mean the rest of us are.”
And Tim sighed at that. Because his best friend and sister dating was not the most ideal situation, especially when he had no love of his own at the moment. At least all his brothers were single, and his father. Really the whole Wayne family was nowhere near as successful as Cassandra Cain. But who did not love her?
Cass was more of a Rocker but chose to hang out with Tim’s Mod group, mostly because of Steph, but sometimes because of him and Duke and the others. She was an example of how the two groups could live peacefully together despite their differences, but also Cass wasn’t petty so perhaps that was not indicative of anything.
“We’re meeting up with Cissie and Greta soon. Greta said that Mods were all going to the beach today and her information has never let us down before,” Tim commented, popping toast into his mouth.
“She is a wonderful spy,” Steph laughed.
“She’s not a spy, she’s just quiet and people tell her things,” Duke replied.
“Definitely a spy,” Cass mumbled, which made Tim laugh because it takes one to know one.
Alfred forced them all to stay longer to finish eating breakfast but shortly the four of them were out the door and onto their scooters (Steph and Cass sharing), racing down to the beach. When they got there it was packed with motorbikes already making Tim worry. He spotted scooters on the other side of the beach parking and was able to locate Cissie and Greta quite quickly, leading his small group towards them.
“What’s going on here?” Tim asked after getting off his scooter.
Cissie shrugged. “Ask Secret here.”
Greta blushed at the nickname. “I was told all the Mods are meeting up here today, didn’t know we would find the Rockers taking over the beach.”
That was when the running, or more like charging, started. People in stylish clothing took to speeding towards the beach, attacking any person with a leather jacket in sight. Tim couldn’t believe his eyes. The Mods, his Mods, were beating up for Rockers and he had no clue as to why. Was it because of the previous seaside clashes? Was there actual animosity between the two groups that he was not privy to?
There was no time to ponder on those thoughts, though, because Tim was being dragged towards the beach. By who? He had no clue. There was pulling and shoving and Tim had simply lost all control of himself. He was unaware of anything he was doing. One second he was standing there watching everything unfold and the next he was behind a man in a leather jacket, one with some sort of S symbol sewed into it.
Then Tim was pushed into this man. And somehow, someway, Tim had punched him, square in the jaw, causing him to fall onto the ground. He barely remembered doing it, maybe he didn’t. There was no way to really know.
Tim bent down to see if the man was okay but was kicked back by said man, and then dragged away by some other Mods he did not recognise. When Tim looked behind him, the leather jacket clad man had gone, which Tim hoped meant he was fine, that he could walk and get himself to safety.
Everything went by in a blur. It had simultaneously been seconds and hours. Tim could not say how long he was there, or how long it was before he found his friends, or how long it took for the police to arrive and start making arrests.
Cissie had found Tim first and got him to the others, shoving him on his scooter and telling him to take off as quickly as possible. He followed the others, still unsure of himself and not quite confident in his abilities to drive right at that moment. He managed to get to Cissie’s house with his other five friends unscathed and confused.
“What the fuck,” was all Tim could exclaim when he arrived. “What the actual fuck was that?”
And his friends all just looked at him sadly.
“That was the beginning of a turf war.”
Chapter Text
Conner was pissed and in pain. A purple bruise was forming on his jaw and it hurt to move it. The asshole that punched him better hope that Conner never sees him again because it would not end well. Suits and money can’t protect those people forever.
Maybe Kara was right about those Mods; nothing but trouble. They may look good, but they definitely do not act like it. Why ambush the Rockers at the beach? There were a lot more than usual too. Some were down with their families for the weekend, of course, but Conner suspected that others were involved in the previous clashes between the two groups and came to Brighton for more fun.
And now the media were involved, making it out to be bigger than it was. There is no historic rivalry between Mods and Rockers. There is no scheme to cause havoc and make the streets unsafe. The headlines are trying to cause mass panic, trying to get the public to mistrust young people, especially those wearing a biker jacket or fancy suit.
It was working too. Conner wanted to hate the Mods so bad. Wanted to track down the guy that punched him. Wanted to retaliate for the beach. His friends were ready to start something, itching for a fight.
“Have a look at these,” Kara said as she entered the Kent household slamming various newspapers onto the kitchen table that Conner was sitting at.
“What happened to knocking?” Conner replied, an irritated look on his face.
Kara shrugged. “This is too big for knocking.”
Conner glanced down at the newspapers, reading the headlines.
Mods Let Fly at the Rockers in Fierce Seafront Clashes. Battle of Brighton. Fifty Arrested.
Beach Crowds Take Cover from Battling Mods and Rockers. Wildest Ones Yet.
Day of Terror by Scooter Groups.
Living for Kicks. Portrait of a Mod in Action at Brighton Yesterday.
Youngsters Beat Up Town.
They are Hell Bent for Destruction.
West Side Story on English Coast.
Seaside Resorts Prepare for the Hooligans’ Invasion.
Conner was exhausted just from reading all of those headlines. How Kara found all of those newspapers he’ll never know. The stories contained inside were probably even worse; Conner wasn’t brave enough to wade through them.
“They’re all so dramatic, it wasn’t that bad,” Conner sighed.
“Tell that to your jaw,” Kara said, poking the side of Conner’s face and making him wince.
Conner pulled away. “Not funny. I haven’t heard of anyone being that seriously hurt and all of those arrested have been released. Fights happen all the time, why focus so much on this?”
“The newspapers are bored and we’re pretty sexy,” Kara smiled. “I wonder if they’ll feature a picture of me next time.”
“There won’t be a next time.”
Kara shook her head. “Aren’t you bored too? Come on, this could be good for us.”
“Did you not read the headlines that you broke into my house to show me?” Conner questioned with a raised eyebrow. “They think we’re hooligans, that we’re going to rase Brighton.”
“Firstly, I didn’t break in, your door was open; if you didn’t want guests you would lock your door. Secondly, you’re the one who said they were being dramatic. Besides, look at the one calling us the English West Side Story.”
Conner stared pointedly at Kara. “People died in that story.”
“People also fell in love in that story.”
“So you just want your own star crossed lover?”
Kara made a disgusted face. “What? Ew, no. I hate the Mods. I’m just saying it wasn’t all bad. They’re comparing our real life to fiction, so let’s go out there and create a story, let’s have some fun while we still can.”
Conner took all of Kara’s words in. She wasn’t right. But she also wasn’t wrong. Conner didn’t want his life to be like a fictional story. He didn’t want all of the dramatics and the ‘opposite sides of the war’ type love and the whole song and dance. But he did want to hit something. He was still angry and still sore and thinking of the guy that hit him made him clench his jaw which put him in more pain, continuing a cycle.
“Have you guys seen what they have been saying about us in the papers? We’re famous!” Cassie exclaimed as she entered the Kent household.
“I see everyone has forgotten how to knock,” Conner mumbled, frowning.
Conner looked as Cassie and his frown deepened. “Is your hand bruised?”
“Not worse than your face,” Cassie joked, making Kara laugh and Conner realised that his face will be permanently scowled because of his friends.
“Let me see it Cassie, “ Conner said, holding out his hand to take hold of hers.
Cassie relented and extended her hand. Her knuckles were black and blue, and she winced when Conner rubbed his thumb over them. What the fuck did she do? As far as Conner was aware she wasn’t involved in the Brighton brawl. The bruises look fresh, something she got that morning.
“Don’t give me that look Conner. I was out with Slobo and Anita and we spotted some Mods eyeing up our bikes. Our bikes! No way would we let those fancy fuckers damage our bikes so we chased them. I cornered some blonde bitch, punched her straight in the nose. She fought back, got me right in the ribs. Went to punch her again but she ducked and I got the wall behind her. She ran away, as did her friends. Slobo and Anita only have some scratches, they’re fine.”
“Oh, I wish I was there. Glad to see you’re okay though, Cassie. Can’t have my favourite Rocker dying on me,” Kara said, pulling Cassie in for a side hug.
Conner wanted to respond. To the story, to Kara’s comment. But he was fuming. Some Mods hurt Cassie. He would be able to get over what they did to him, what they did to his people on the beach. But Cassie? He could never forgive that. His best friend was hurt. And that was not okay.
“Let’s go,” Conner said, standing up from his chair and grabbing his leather jacket.
“Where are we going?” Cassie asked.
“We’re going to find some Mods, and we’re going to make them pay.”
Chapter Text
“You’re saying some Rockers just jumped you for no reason?” Tim asked, worry filling his face.
Cissie had just gotten the blood to stop pouring down from her nose, soaking her lips and chin. Tim was pacing the floor as Cissie sat at the desk in his bedroom. Duke was leaning against the doorframe and the other three girls were lounging on his bed.
“Cissie, Cass, and I were walking down the road, minding our own business, when these Rockers started chasing us. One caught up with Cissie and decked her right in the nose. Cissie got her back though with a jab to the ribs. All that Olympic training that her mum makes her do is clearly paying off. Cass and I got some hits in too on the other Rockers. And may I just say she looked so good fighting, nearly had me distracted.”
Tim rolled his eyes. He was happy for his best friend and sister. But he was sick of them. They were so grossly in love and they needed to stop rubbing it in.
“You want us to hit them back?” Tim asked, ready to put his coat on and search the town for these assailants.
“We shouldn’t play into this more than we have already. A turf war is a bad idea. Fighting for no reason is a bad idea,” Duke reasoned.
“It’s not no reason, they hit first!” Cissie exclaimed.
“We hit first. The beach.”
“I guess Cass is right. But those smug bastards deserved it. They’re always teasing us. And we don’t know who caused the Easter fights,” Cissie sighed.
“I say we fight,” Steph said, a smile on her face at the chance to swing at some Rockers.
“Me too,” Greta agreed with a nod.
Tim was happy to see them on the same side. “It’s payback, Duke. They attacked our own, it’s personal now. Blood was spilled, a line was crossed. There’s no going back now.”
Duke was being weared down, Tim could see it in his face. Just one look from Cass and he was sold. They all wanted a fight, even Duke. Tim knew how far he would go to protect his friends, his family. The energy in the room was electric. They were going out to hunt, and God help their prey.
Tim knew how it looked. Six young adults, most in expensive looking suits or formal wear, with war written all over their faces. It was a ridiculous sight. All odds stacked against them. But having Bruce Wayne for a father had its perks. Private fighting lessons, every week, for self defense against thieves or kidnappers. The Rockers were no thieves or kidnappers, but they should fear the Wayne legacy.
Cissie took them to where she was attacked, drops of her blood splattered across the road. There were no other signs of attack, no leather jackets hanging around, no motorbikes passing by. It was quiet.
“Tim,” Greta called him over. “I can go to my sources, see what people are saying, if there’s any word on this attack or others.”
“I don’t think we should separate,” Tim frowned.
“I’ll be safe, I always am. The others call me a spy, let me spy for you.”
Tim wasn’t sure. It was too dangerous to be out alone, he felt, especially looking like they do. But having information on the attackers or if there are plans for future attacks could be important.
“Okay, go. But watch yourself. And if you see any sign of trouble, leave and come back to us. Stay safe, Secret.”
Greta nodded and made her way down the road, heading to wherever it was she found out information from. Tim had no idea how she did it and Greta was never willing to give up her secrets.
While he was talking to Greta the others had wandered off. He could vaguely see the back of them but they were too far to shout for. Tim let out a string of curses. He had just told Greta that they should stick together and now here he was. Alone.
Tim went to run after them when he bumped into something. Or someone.
The person was taller than him and had black hair.
And he was wearing a leather jacket with an S symbol on the back.
Oh fuck.
“Watch where you’re going,” the taller guy warned, turning around and glancing down at Tim.
Anger filled his eyes, then recognition. The anger turned to fury and this was the first time Tim was legitimately fearful for his life. And a little aroused but there was no time to unpack that.
“You,” the taller guy stated, his voice deep and mad.
“Me,” Tim replied, not knowing what else to say.
“I was looking for some Mods to hit, glad it was you I found.”
Oh shit.
“I am quite the charmer,” Tim smiled.
Why did he say that? Did he want to aggravate the handsome guy even more? It was quite thrilling, in a very sadistic way. The guy hated Mods, and he clearly especially hated Tim. The purple bruise on his jaw was enough explanation for that. It did look quite bad. Tim felt terrible for it at the time, but now the guilt was slipping away.
The very handsome guy grabbed Tim by the lapels of his coat and all Tim could do was stare into his beautifully blue eyes. They were a marvel, something he could get lost in.
Tim quickly shook that thought out of his head. He was being threatened, very nearly punched, by this guy. No matter how good looking he was it could never happen. He was an asshole. A Rocker. And the look in his eyes meant he wanted to kill Tim. Not very sexy.
“I don’t like you,” the guy stated.
Tim rolled his eyes. “That much is obvious.”
“Your people attacked mine on the beach. You punched me in the jaw. Your friends fought mine earlier this morning.”
Of course they were his friends. But how did he know that Tim’s friends were involved?
“I think you mean that your friends attacked mine unprompted this morning.”
The guy scoffed, pulling tighter on Tim’s lapels. “Unprompted? They were scoping out our bikes, no doubt trying to damage or ruin them.”
“Like we would care about your bikes,” Tim rolled his eyes. “We don’t play childish games.”
“I want to hit you so bad for so many reasons. The main one right now being that it would shut you up.”
“Then why don’t you?” Tim asked, regretting it immediately. Maybe this guy was right, he did need to shut up.
Tim searched the guy’s eyes for an answer after a while of silence. He could see emotion running through them, trying to formulate the right words.
In the end he said, “You’re not worth it,” before letting go of Tim, brushing down his lapels, and walking away.
Tim watched him, staring at the S symbol on his leather jacket, wondering what it meant. Regretting not punching the guy himself. Hoping he would never have to see him again. Calling himself a liar. Deciding to find his friends. Getting one last glimpse at the guy’s muscles under the jacket before he turned the corner. Sighing. Breathing. Letting go.
Chapter Text
Conner walked away. Just like that. He was flexing his hand from closed fist to open palm. But he continued walking. He did not look back at that guy. That annoying, smart-mouthed, ridiculously handsome guy.
He had punched Conner first, so why couldn’t he hit the guy back? Conner knew, deep down he knew. How could he mess up that perfect face? With those wonderful, curious eyes staring up at him, and those plump, kissable lips?
Conner wanted to punch himself instead. For not being able to hit the mysterious guy, and then for thinking those illicit thoughts.
He still hated the guy. He was a Mod. He had punched him in the jaw and left a nasty bruise. He was friends with the girl who hurt Cassie.
Cassie had told him on their manhunt for these people that he recognised the girl and her friends from the beach, they were with the guy who had punched him. And she was right because the guy didn’t deny it, in fact he confirmed it all to be true.
The night was still young and he needed to get back to his friends. He hoped they didn’t run into the guy’s friends because he did not need another interaction with mister arrogant. He also didn’t have the energy to fight or to break one up. Besides, the police were out en masse, just looking for innocent, harmless Rockers to arrest, and he didn’t have the Mods’ connections for a peaceful night in lock up.
Conner wanted revenge, but not tonight.
He managed to find his friends back at the beach. It was empty, quiet. Just the five of them; Slobo and Anita had joined the search after Kara went to tell them what they were doing. Slobo and Anita had been there with Cassie, it was only fair.
Conner was not surprised to see that Bart Allen had also joined them. Bart was not a Rocker, just a childhood friend. He liked all sorts of music, wore all types of clothes, and hung out with all kinds of people. When Conner became a full time Rocker and formed his friend group, he could not leave Bart behind. And so, Bart occasionally meets up with them, makes everyone laugh, and has them all worried for his well being.
“Conner, Conner, Conner. You’re alive! What’s wrong with your face? And I mean both the bruise and the frown. Did you fall or did someone hurt you? Nobody would tell me what is going on. Everyone is just angry and sad and hurt. I tried to cheer them up and I think it worked. Do you want to go to the zoo one day? We can make a whole day out of it. I want to see the monkeys.”
Bart could talk, but that’s what Conner liked about him. As soon as Conner stepped onto the sand Bart shot up from where he was sitting and ran over to him faster than a normal human. He wrapped his arms around Conner and buried his face into Conner’s chest; their height difference extremely noticeable. And he would just ramble and ramble, Conner only half catching what he was saying because of how fast he spoke and because it was mumbled into his shirt from how tight Bart was clinging on to him.
And all Conner could do was smile. The frown that Bart had mentioned (that Conner didn’t even know he was wearing) had washed away. It had been a few days since he last saw Bart and his presence was greatly missed. He knew the others, especially Cassie, had missed him too, even if they all wouldn’t admit to it.
“I’m fine, Bart, I’m fine. I’m sure you saw about the beach brawl in the papers. This shiner is collateral damage from that, is all. A guy, some Mod, punched me. But no big deal, I’m all good now. It’s good to see you,” Conner laughed, reciprocating the hug.
Bart pulled Conner down to whisper in his ear. “Do you know why they’re all grumpy?”
“Unfortunately, I do,” Conner whispered back, detangling Bart from himself so the two could head over to the group.
“We thought those bastards had gotten you,” Slobo greeted when Conner sat down on a beach chair left out for him.
Conner chuckled. “Can’t get rid of me that easily.”
Cassie looked at him worriedly. “So what happened? You left us to clear your head or something stupid and that was hours ago. We didn’t find the snobby Mods who were eying our bikes and made me hurt my hand.”
“I realised I had too much pent up anger and knew I would hurt someone if I stayed with you. I needed to walk it off. We can’t let what these newspapers are saying about us become true. I won’t be another Rocker locked up for street fighting.”
“Nevermind the wrath of Clark if you did get arrested,” Kara joked.
Conner stared at her with annoyance in his eyes. Repercussions with his dad was the last thing on his mind at the moment. And he hated what, or who, the first thing on his mind was. He needed to focus, explain himself to his friends, unfortunately that person was the focal point of this whole thing.
“When I was walking this guy bumped into me and I was still pissed off. And just my luck it was the Mod who punched me on the beach. I only saw red in that moment. He was trying to crack jokes but all I wanted to do was hit him. Not just for me but for Cassie too. He’s friends with the girl that hurt her; it became even more personal.”
“Did you hit him?” Anita questioned. And Conner knew that she believed the guy deserved it.
He looked around at his friends and could see that all of them silently hoped he got his own back, that he got his revenge. Well all of them except for Bart who still looked confused and was probably still thinking about the monkeys he mentioned visiting earlier.
“I couldn’t. What kind of person would that make me, to punch a random guy on the street? Someone smaller than me, someone the media would love to see me attack. He’s probably rich and well connected. I just couldn’t do it.”
What Conner didn’t tell his friends was that his brain practically short circuited when he saw the guy, not because he was angry but because he was so beautiful Conner didn’t know what to do. He could never tell them that, never. Not even Cassie.
“I could punch him for you,” Slobo suggested.
“We’ll tag team him,” Kara added, giving Slobo a high five.
“I can help hide the body,” Anita pitched in.
“No body, no crime,” Cassie laughed.
“Are we playing hide and seek?” Bart asked innocently.
Just then Conner realised how much he appreciated his friends. And also how much he hated them. They ignored what he was saying. He doesn’t want to fight the Mods anymore. It was a lapse of judgement to go out looking for them, one fuelled by love. But it won’t happen again, it can’t. He wants the feud to stop.
“Lads, there’s somebody watching us,” Anita said, interrupting the group’s plans for murder that Conner wanted no part in. “On the pier, there’s a Mod there.”
“That doesn’t mean we’re being watched,” Conner said, turning around to search the pier.
“You can’t trust any Mod right now. I’m going to go talk to her,” Anita replied, getting up and walking the short distance to the small girl with almost white hair staring at the waves.
“She’s so paranoid. I say we attack first, ask questions later,” Slobo piped up, slamming one of his fists into his other open palmed hand.
Kara rolled her eyes. “You’re always looking for a fight.”
“So are you,” Slobo argued.
They went on for a while and Conner zoned out. He could tell Cassie was staring at him, probably worried for him. But how could he explain everything to her? She got hurt and would think he was betraying her by wanting to not fight anymore.
When Anita came back all eyes were on her.
“She denied everything but something about her posture made me think she was lying. We should start meeting in secret or less public locations from now on.”
The others, except for Bart again, nodded their heads in agreement but Conner just wanted to scream ‘Do you hear yourselves right now?’ There was nothing to hide. If a Mod was spying on them what would that change? They’re not making plans to attack the Mods the way Rockers were attacked on the beach, or at least Conner hoped so. They were not retaliating no matter how much his friends might want to. They were just hanging out, like any friend group would. But he couldn’t tell them that, because they would all go against him.
“Oh my birthday is in a few days. My family said they will cook dinner and then give us the house to ourselves if you guys want to come over. It can be our super secret hang out place. My friends Tim and Cissie and some others will be over too but they’re good. Nothing to worry about there, no secret sharing,” Bart said and Conner realised that he had been listening the whole time; he had forgotten to not underestimate Bart.
“We’ll all go,” Conner replied, before anyone could decline the invite. A party would be nice, even with a group of strangers there. Conner had always wanted to meet some of Bart’s other friends.
Chapter Text
“You all better be dressed and ready to go in five minutes. Bart is waiting for us,” Tim called out into the hallway where his siblings' bedrooms were before heading back into his own bedroom to put on his shoes.
Bart Allen was their friend who showed up sometimes before disappearing again to meet up with other people. Tim was okay with that, his friends were allowed to have other friends, he couldn’t stop that. Cass and Duke also had their own friends that they occasionally hung out with. Tim had some other friends from school. He wasn’t jealous of how much Bart gushed over his friend Conner, and he wasn’t nervous to meet the guy in a few minutes or anything.
There was a knock on his bedroom door and Tim checked himself out in his mirror, fixing his tie, before going to open it.
“Late,” is all Cass said before heading downstairs, leaving Tim standing in his own doorway alone.
Duke laughed at him and then followed Cass down the stairs. “We’re ready, you’re not,” he called, the sound of the front door opening.
Tim sighed, rushing to run after his siblings and their rudeness. Steph, Cissie, and Greta were waiting outside for them, Cass already holding Steph’s hand as Tim was the last to leave the house.
“What kept you?” Steph asked innocently.
Tim just stuck his tongue out at her and started walking, leading the group towards Bart’s house. They didn’t need to take their scooters but Tim missed the comfort of sitting on one; his hands on the handle bars, his feet on the pedals, the wind in his coat, the helmet squashing his head. All familiar feelings that would distract him from his thoughts.
He didn’t tell his friends about the interaction with the Rocker he punched on the beach. He had no reason not to but he wanted to keep it to himself. It felt private, a moment just between them. Tim doubted he would see that guy again so there was no point in bringing it up.
But that interaction was the only thing on his mind. Why did that very beautiful guy have to be a Rocker and the worst person he has ever met? Tim would love to see him again but only from a distance and only if he did not open his mouth. Was that too much to ask for? Otherwise he would just go back to the original plan of simply never seeing him again, which was more probable. Brighton was big enough to never see the same people twice, or in this case, thrice.
“Tim, I know what happened,” Greta said in a low voice, coming up to walk beside him, making Tim jump a little. Tim hated when she snuck up on him, not many people could.
“What are you talking about?” Tim responded, in a similarly low voice.
“I found those Rockers. They speak very loudly. They were talking about some interaction one had with a guy who hit him on the beach. That was you. You saw him again and didn’t tell us.”
Tim stayed silent for a while. “Is that all you found out?”
Greta looked like she wanted to say something else but thought better of it. “They practically want to kill you, but he doesn’t. One saw me and came over, started questioning why I was there. I had to leave after that, but I didn’t give anything away.”
“I’m glad you stayed safe. It’s probably best that you don’t try to spy on them again.”
They practically want to kill you, but he doesn’t.
But he doesn’t.
Tim was so fucked.
They arrived at the house and Tim knew he was even more fucked because there were motorbikes outside of it.
“You never told us that Bart’s other friends were Rockers,” Steph hissed.
“He never said anything. I’m going to kill him,” Cissie replied angrily.
“Rockers not all bad,” Cass said and Steph visibly melted, changing her tune. Because Cass was still friends with some Rockers, because Cass still sometimes wore her leather jacket and Steph less than subtly loved it.
“If they’re friends with Bart, how bad can they be?” Duke reasoned with a shrug.
And Tim was inclined to agree with him, until he entered the house and saw the back of a guy wearing a leather jacket with an S symbol in the kitchen. He started to back away slowly but Duke was standing behind him, blocking the exit. He looked down at him with crossed over arms and a raised eyebrow. How was Tim going to explain this?
“Cissie! Tim! I’ve missed you guys! I’m so glad you brought Greta and Steph and Cass and Duke, I love all of you. The others are already here, let me introduce you,” Bart greeted, rushing over to give everyone hugs. Tim saw Cissie squeeze him tighter than usually but Bart paid no mind to it, in fact he relished the closeness.
When the six of them stepped into the kitchen the air was sucked out of the room and if a pin was dropped it would be heard throughout the whole house. Bart was excitedly introducing everyone but the two groups were just staring at each other angrily. Tim was too afraid to catch the eye of the guy he punched, but he knew he was staring back at him.
“So this is Kara, Anita, Slobo, Cassie, and Conner. They’re all Rockers and they are very cool. I think you’ll all like them.
Tim’s world froze even more, if that was possible. That was Conner? The famous Conner that Bart was always gushing about? Tim punched Bart’s friend Conner? At that point he hoped what Greta said was true about the Rockers wanting to kill him because death would be better than being at that party.
“Tim Drake, I’ve heard so much about you from Bart. It’s lovely to finally meet you,” Conner said, stepping towards Tim and sticking his hand out to shake.
Tim stared at it for a moment, knowing all eyes were on them. “Conner Kent, likewise,” Tim eventually said, taking Conner’s hand.
The handshake was firm, proper, and he had been taught well. His mentor was no Alfred Pennyworth but it would do. Conner’s hands were rough, probably from gripping the handle bars on his motorbike, from fixing it if what Bart said about his bike always breaking down was true.
“Let’s eat,” Bart cheered, ushering everyone to take seats wherever they could. Extra chairs and another table was shoved into the kitchen area to fit them all. Unfortunately they had no say in where they sat as Bart shoved them into random seats, splitting up the groups. Tim was across from Conner because of course he was. Cissie was on his right with Cassie opposite her. Greta and Bart were at either end of the table and the other six were on the other table.
Bart was leading the conversation, with everyone else chiming in here and there but nobody too invested in whatever topic Bart moved on to. Cissie and Cassie were staring daggers at each other and Tim was afraid of round two happening. Tim felt as though Conner kept trying to get his attention but he was avoiding him at all costs. He had nothing to say to him, nothing he wanted to talk about with all their friends around.
“I feel some tension around this table,” and trust Bart to state the obvious.
“Oh you know us Rockers and Mods, can’t get along, as the papers are saying,” Conner joked.
“I think you mean Mods and Rockers,” Tim replied and he had no idea why.
Conner glared at him. “Not helping.”
“You’re both my friends, I thought you would also be friends. I think you would all like each other,” Bart pouted.
“There’s nothing to like,” Cissie mumbled.
“What was that you said?” Cassie asked loudly.
“Fuck you, Stephanie Brown,” Kara erupted from the other table and Tim loudly sighed.
That was the straw that broke the camel’s back, as the saying goes.
Because then Cissie hopped the table, landing on Cassie, forcing the two of them to go down with the chair, hitting and pulling hair as they went down. Kara and Steph were shouting at each other. Slobo and Anita were getting ready to attack Cass and Duke. Bart was trying to calm everyone down, while Greta was cheering them all on. And Conner? He was staring at Tim, waiting to see what he would do.
Tim just wanted to leave, let them sort out their own mess.
But he couldn’t.
One look at Conner and he knew he couldn’t. It was the first time the whole night that he properly looked at Conner.
They practically want to kill you, but he doesn’t.
Greta’s earlier words rang through his head. Tim wasn’t sure what she meant but now, in that moment, staring at Conner, he got it.
Conner Kent looked like he wanted to fight the world. But he doesn’t have an evil bone in his body.
Conner Kent stopped himself from punching Tim back. Tim might not know his reasons, but he understood them. Conner wants to stop the fighting, but he’s afraid that Tim will hit him again.
Tim never would never hurt Conner Kent again. That was a promise.
Chapter Text
Tim Drake carried the weight of the world on his shoulders, Conner was sure of that.
Conner was watching him carefully, seeing how he would react to all of their friends brawling in the middle of Bart’s kitchen. Conner should have tried to stop it himself, he knew that. But he couldn’t take his eyes off of Tim. He could see the cogs turning in the Mod’s eyes, trying to come up with a plan, his hands gripping onto his coat as though he just wanted to bolt out of the door. Conner didn’t know him well, but he knew Tim enough to know that he would never leave his friends.
Conner hated that he knew that.
The sound of a plate being smashed and a cry for help from Bart was enough to send Tim springing into action. He rose from his seat and hopped over the table in such a speed that Conner was not actually sure that he had witnessed it happening. Tim had grabbed Greta and told her to try and get Cissie and Cassie to stop fighting. He managed to convince Steph to stop arguing with Kara and got her to take Cass and Duke with her out of the door before any real fight between them and Anita and Slobo could occur.
Conner just watched in awe. Tim had no real power over his friends but there was a sense of leadership there. They respected him enough to walk away before any more damage could be done. Conner’s friends would never listen to him like that.
Cissie and Cassie were still throwing punches and Conner knew he would have to intervene here. Tim told Greta to follow the others out of the door and that he would deal with the two girls. Conner went over before Tim could and grabbed hold of Cassie, separating her from Cissie.
“Let me go, Conner. I was winning,” Cassie shouted, kicking her legs and wiggling her body to get free from Conner’s grip.
“In your dreams, pretty girl,” Cissie shouted back, similarly struggling in Tim’s grasp once he had eventually joined them.
Conner grimaced as Cassie managed to elbow him in the ribs trying to get free. Tim sent him a sympathetic look before turning his attention towards Cissie. He whispered something to her and she relaxed, relinquishing her want to fight and allowing Tim to walk her towards the front door.
“I’ll see you again, blondie, and you won’t be so lucky with your protection next time,” Cassie called after her, still trying to worm her way out of Conner’s grip. Conner was waiting for her to calm down before he could let her go, not trusting her enough to not run after Cissie and start fighting again.
“But you’re both blonde?” Bart asked with confusion.
And Conner felt like shit. Because he just let his friends wreck Bart’s kitchen on his birthday and did nothing to stop it.
Tim walked back into the kitchen then and received glares from all of Conner’s friends. Conner knew what he had to do.
“Okay all of you, apologise to Bart for ruining his birthday and then get out,” Conner ordered, hoping to channel some of Tim’s power.
“You can’t tell us what to do,” Kara argued.
Conner let go of Cassie after feeling her relax in his grip, then rubbed his face and sighed. “Apologise right now and then get the fuck out!” Conner shouted loudly, scaring himself with the volume.
He received grumbles in response. Everyone went over to apologise to Bart before leaving his house. Conner waited until he heard the rumble of the motorbikes starting before allowing himself to breathe a sigh in relief.
“Bart, I’m so sorry that happened. I don’t know what came over them. I know you were excited for us all to meet and get along. And it’s your birthday too. Don’t worry about the mess, I’ll stick around to clean it up for you,” Tim said, making Conner perk up.
“I’ll help too,” Conner said quickly without thinking. “Also, I’m very sorry for all of their actions today.”
Tim looked at him curiously and Conner wished he could decipher all of Tim’s facial expressions.
“Thanks guys,” Bart said sadly, breaking Conner’s heart. “I’m sorry it didn’t work out. I thought the whole Mods vs Rockers thing was just a joke but you guys really hate each other. Can I trust you two to actually clean up?”
Conner and Tim stared at each other. Conner knew Bart meant that he was afraid they would start fighting and making a worse mess. But his mind went in a completely different direction as to why they were not to be trusted alone.
“We’ll be fine, go lie down or fix yourself. Your kitchen will be shinier than what it was like before we arrived,” Tim smiled brightly, it reaching all the way to his eyes.
It was going to be a long day.
Bart showed them where the clean up equipment was and left them alone in the kitchen to fix the mess their friends had made. Tim had grabbed a dustpan and brush to sweep up the broken shards of the smashed plate.
Conner, on the other hand, was distracted. Why was watching Tim do domestic chores distracting him? He needed to get out of that kitchen. Why did he volunteer to clean up? Because it was the right thing to do. Because it was the selfish thing to do.
“You’re not allowed to kill me until we have cleaned this kitchen and left this house,” Tim said nonchalantly, snapping Conner out of his thoughts.
“Why would I want to kill you?”
Tim looked around the messy room pointedly with a raised eyebrow.
“I guess that makes sense,” Conner agreed. “I’m not like them, my friends. I don’t hate Mods. I did, for a second, because of the beach and Cassie. But those headlines make us out to be no good kids who just want to terrorise the public. I can’t let them win. So I put my anger aside.”
“I’m sorry for punching you. It was an accident. I didn’t know that was going to happen on the beach, I just happened to be there with my friends like always. I don’t hate Rockers, have no reason to.”
Tim’s excuse felt poor but he said it with such sincerity that Conner felt it hard not to believe him. If neither of them hated the other, then why did their friends? There was no real reason for them to fight and yet both groups have attacked each other a few times now. It needed to end.
Conner got stuck in his own head again that he hadn’t realised Tim had gotten closer to him. Tim was shorter than him but stood up on his toes, reaching a hand forward to cup Conner’s jaw, rubbing his thumb over the bruise that was still visible a week later.
“I’m sorry,” Tim whispered, staring into Conner’s eyes.
“You already said that,” Conner whispered back, returning Tim’s gaze.
Conner almost did something stupid right then and there but Tim had let go of his jaw and got back to work. Conner composed himself and then went to pack up any uneaten food. They continued to clean the kitchen in silence until Bart rejoined them to help and filled the quiet with his constant chatter, seemingly over the earlier fighting.
Chapter Text
“He’s alive!” Steph cheered when Tim walked through the front door of his house.
“When you said you were staying to help clean up we for sure thought you were dead meat in there with those animals,” Cissie said.
“We also feel bad for ruining Bart’s birthday,” Duke added, with a stern look towards the others.
Tim kept walking up the stairs and into his bedroom in silence knowing the others would follow him in. He needed a moment to process everything that had happened that day. Not just with the fighting and Bart’s birthday but also with Conner. What even happened with Conner? Nothing, and nothing ever will.
“Did those Rockers give you a hard time without us there?” Duke asked, sitting on the bed beside him.
Tim shook his head. “They left shortly after you guys.”
“Alone cleaning up?” Cass asked after.
Tim shook his head again. “No, Conner stayed too.”
“Conner? Which one is Conner?” Cissie questioned loudly.
Tim sighed. Greta looked at him knowingly and Tim remembered that his friends don’t really know much about the situation. They weren’t there when he punched Conner. He didn’t tell them about him meeting Conner when they were looking for the Rockers who attacked Cissie, Cass, and Steph. And they weren’t in Tim’s head when he made all of the connections.
“The tall guy with black hair,” Tim said, not wanting to give a too in depth description of the guy in fear his friends would get suspicious. “We just cleaned up in silence, no drama to report. Bart was there too and took away some of the awkwardness. You will all have to make it up to him at some point.”
“Well I think I know a way to mess with those Rockers in a non violent way,” Steph smiled maliciously and Tim was worried. He appreciated the non violent aspect but Steph’s plans were not always the best and often got them into more trouble than it was worth.
“I think we should fake news stories to the newspapers about the Rockers. It’ll keep them off our backs for a while, and we get to annoy both the media and the Rockers. It seems like a triple win to me.”
“Very mean,” Cass said but there was no reprimand in it; she seemed to like the idea.
“I can find out some information for you to twist and give up, they could be semi real stories,” Greta offered.
Cissie smiled wide. “You’re both geniuses, we are definitely doing this?”
“Are you guys sure about this?” Duke asked sceptically.
Before Tim had any time to reply there was a knock on his bedroom door. Tim called for the person to come in and was surprised to see his dad, it was earlier than usual for him to be home.
“Tim, I was hoping we could talk for a few minutes, alone.”
Everyone glanced at Tim and he just nodded his head, signalling for them to leave. Bruce entered the room fully after everyone else had left. Tim patted his bed where Duke was previously sitting, inviting his dad to join him.
“You’re home early,” Tim commented.
“I am,” Bruce agreed.
When Tim realised there was no explanation coming he decided to ask, “Is there any reason for that?”
“Not particularly. But there was something troubling that came to my attention today containing you.”
Tim thought back to all of his recent activities trying to think of what he had done that would be reported back to his dad. Nothing too out of the ordinary except for what happened at the beach, but that couldn’t be it, right?
Unfortunately, that is exactly what it was.
“There was a picture of you taken at the beach punching some guy in a leather jacket last week. My people managed to get a hold of it before it could be printed in any of the papers. What were you thinking?” Bruce had the picture in his hands but Tim was too scared to look at it.
“Cass and Duke were there too,” Tim said quickly, wincing as he did because all of a sudden he was eight years old again throwing his siblings under the bus to take some blame off of himself.
Bruce sighed. “Tim, is there something going on? Who is this guy?”
“I’m fine, dad, really. It was an accident and I’ve apologised to the guy already. I don’t know him, honest.”
“Are you sure? You know you can always talk to me. That goes for all you kids,” Bruce said, the last part louder and directed towards the closed bedroom door.
There was no response but Tim knew, just as his dad had, that his friends and siblings were behind the door eavesdropping on the conversation.
“Everything is okay. Nothing like that will happen again. Nobody will be fighting Rockers in their off time. If something was to get worse I would tell you,” Tim reassured his dad.
Bruce looked at him unconvinced but decided to let it go anyway, which Tim was grateful for. “Okay. I didn’t train you guys for you to use your skills on innocent kids. I don’t want to hear anymore reports about fighting,” Bruce warned. “Alfred has dinner ready if you all want to head downstairs.”
Tim could hear multiple sets of feet rushing down the stairs for food which made Bruce smile.
“Come on, kid. You know how Alfred gets when we’re late,” Bruce said, ruffling Tim’s hair and waiting at the door for him to follow. He had left the photo on Tim’s bed but Tim would still not look at it.
Tim wished he could tell his dad about Conner but what would he even say? ‘Hey dad, I punched the most handsome guy in the world but it’s okay because he’s very annoying and all of my friends hate him and his friends anyway. Also he’s close friends with Bart so that’s awesome and a fight broke out between all of our friends at Bart’s birthday because have I mentioned they all hate each other? Have I also mentioned that he’s the most handsome man in the world? Got any advice?’
That would go over great.
Tim would simply ignore everything and hope it will blow over soon. He doesn’t plan on bumping into Conner ever again if he could help it.
Conner Kent will become a distant memory to him and Tim was glad for it.
Chapter Text
“Conner Kent, come down here please!” Clark called up to him.
Conner had no idea what this could be about. He had already received a lecture about his bruised jaw, despite that not even being his own fault. His dad didn’t know about anything else; he told his dad that Bart’s party went well, his dad hasn’t seen Cassie’s bruised hand or knows anything about her fight with Tim’s friend. What else could there possibly be?
He found his dad in the kitchen, a newspaper in his hand.
“You told me this fight on the beach was not your fault, that you had nothing to do with it,” Clark said with a frown.
“Because that’s the truth,” Conner replied, annoyed that his dad didn’t believe him.
Clark smacked the newspaper in his hand on the kitchen counter, making Conner jump slightly in surprise. “I just received that from a friend in the Daily Mirror, ready to print tomorrow morning.”
Conner moved closer to inspect it. There was a picture of a group of Rockers on the cover, staring menacingly at a lone Mod walking past them. The headline read: Rockers in Brighton Up to No Good - Innocent Mod Attacked.
Conner scoffed at the story, not even bothering to read the full thing. “What has this to do with me?”
“Were you involved?” Clark asked calmly.
Conner’s mouth hung agape, “How could you even ask that?”
“Because you were involved in a fight with Mods on the beach not that long ago, Conner!” Clark shouted.
“I told you that wasn’t my fault. That Mod hit me!” Conner interrupted.
“And you’re never home anymore. You seem angry all the time. You won’t talk to me.”
“I won’t talk to you because of shit like this. Accusations instead of coming to me to talk.”
“Don’t curse at me young man. And I’m talking to you right now.”
Conner wanted to reply about how his dad is shouting not talking but what’s the point? Nothing could get resolved between them. His dad thinks he’s a no good kid who goes out to beat up random Mods. Conner refused to admit that he was partially correct because of how he went out to beat up the Mods that hurt Cassie. But he didn’t do anything. That had to count for something right? He’ll go out there right now and show his dad just how wrong he was.
“I’m leaving,” Conner stated calmly, heading towards the front door.
“We’re not done here,” Clark said in a commanding tone.
Conner just kept walking. He knew his dad would never grab him, never follow him, never hurt him. Clark Kent knew the importance of privacy and having time to yourself. It was one of the reasons Conner was able to have any sort of semblance of a relationship with him in the first place.
The air was fresh on his face when he exited the house. It was getting warmer and perhaps the leather jacket was a bad decision but he would do anything for the aesthetic. The hot and sweaty weather wasn’t enough to make him give up the jacket. The bad press associated with it also wasn’t enough. The media could accuse them all of murder and Conner would never give up the leather jacket.
He started to walk. He had no destination in mind. No plan attached to his walk out. He wanted to show his dad that he could be good, that he is good. Rockers were not bad people. Rockers didn’t hate Mods. There was no need for the animosity being cooked up by the media. He thought his dad of all people would know that the newspapers create narratives that don’t always reflect the truth.
Before he knew it he was near the beach. The Beach. Where everything went wrong. Or maybe it wasn’t all bad. It led to him meeting Tim Drake. Conner hated to admit it but Tim really was beautiful. Under any other circumstance he would have asked Tim out by now. But he couldn’t do that now. Not while everything was so hostile between their people.
He went down to the beach, feeling the sand and rocks crunch beneath his boots. He looked out to the sea, glancing over the few people who were sitting on the sand or splashing in the water. Families having fun, older people exercising, a boy about his age staring pensively at the crashing waves, a dog playing fetch.
And Conner had to double back. Because he knew the pensive boy. Fate had a funny way of hurting him that was for sure. He should leave before it was too late.
But instead his feet betrayed him and he was walking over towards the boy, thinking of what he could possibly say.
He settled on a simple, “Hi,” tapping the boy on the shoulder.
The boy flinched and lifted his hand up as if to hit Conner.
“Is this going to become a regular thing?” Conner asked with a nervous laugh, wondering if the boy actually was going to hit him again.
“Sorry. You surprised me,” Tim Drake responded, lowering his hand.
“It’s okay,” Conner shrugged, now thinking about how stupid it was of him to come over. He should have just left the beach.
Tim somehow looked even better with the sun beating down on his face. Conner was just staring at him, taking it all in as if this was the last time he would ever see Tim.
“Are you alright?” Tim asked with an arched eyebrow.
He thinks Conner is weird for staring. Conner thinks it’s weird too but he can’t help himself.
“Not really, I just fought with my dad,” Conner replied, cursing himself internally. Why did he bring that up? He wouldn’t even tell Cassie about the fight because it seemed inconsequential. He doesn’t know Tim. Tim doesn’t want to hear about his problems. What is wrong with him?
Tim stared up at him, his eyebrow lowering, his facial features softening in what looked to be concern. “I’m sorry. Anything you want to talk about?”
“He thinks I’m picking fights with Mods. That I’m in some rebellious phase and am lashing out.”
Tim laughed, and it was the most perfect and wonderful laugh that Conner had ever heard.
Again, what is wrong with him? He shouldn’t be thinking thoughts like that.
“My dad thought that too, actually. Seems like these headlines have gotten everybody riled up.”
And Conner could just not get over how good Tim looked in that moment. The sun casting light down on his face like a spotlight. The waves crashing in the background. The sand beneath their feet. It was all perfect. Conner thought back to the moment they had in Bart’s kitchen, a moment he regretted. But this time he would not regret it because this time he did do something stupid.
Conner gently grabbed Tim’s face with his hands and leaned down, connecting their lips together as the world around them faded out of existence.
Chapter Text
Conner Kent was kissing him. Conner fucking Kent was kissing him. And Tim? Tim didn’t hate it. That was the worst part. Conner was so very good at kissing that Tim couldn’t help but to kiss back. He didn’t mean to but Conner was just so distracting. The way he held Tim’s face in his calloused hands was surprisingly comforting; the tips of his fingers were playing with the ends of his hair and Tim just wanted to melt into the touch.
But he couldn’t.
He broke away from the kiss and stared into Conner’s wonderfully blue eyes, almost getting lost in them.
“I’m…I’m sorry,” Tim said just barely above a whisper.
Conner looked at him with confusion as Tim took a step back, losing the warmth from Conner’s hands on his cheeks.
Tim shook his head, tears threatening to spill from his eyes at the dejected look on Conner’s handsome face. “I’m sorry,” Tim repeated before turning around and sprinting away, leaving Conner alone behind him.
He ran to the other end of the beach where his scooter was parked, his feet falling in the sand as he took his steps, kicking up stones and particles that hit off his legs. Tim couldn’t focus on that; he just needed to get out, to get away. It was too much.
Why did Conner kiss him?
Why did he run away?
He wanted to kiss Conner. But he couldn’t allow that to happen. His friends would never forgive him for it. Conner’s friends would hate him even more. He would hate himself. It was wrong. It was so wrong. Conner is a Rocker. Tim is a Mod. They’re on opposite sides of a war. Their friends want to fight each other. Tim punched Conner. It was wrong.
But Tim wanted to feel Conner’s lips on his again. They were so soft, not too forceful, just a perfect fit. Tim hated Conner more than anything. Because he was everything that Tim wanted and he could never have it.
Tim would never forget that look on Conner’s face. The small smile on his face after the kiss that quickly turned into a frown when Tim apologised. The sparkle in his eyes dimmed, the light blush on his cheeks faded, his body straightened up. It was awful. And it was Tim’s fault. How could he do that to such an amazing guy?
Tim had reached his scooter but he didn’t feel like he earned the right to ride it home. He couldn’t leave it at the beach so he had to do the difficult task of pushing it all the way home. He deserved the strenuous effort it took, he deserved all the pain that came with it. He was a horrible person.
He should be back on that beach kissing Conner Kent right now. But he can’t. He can’t go back. He can never see Conner again. That’s what he wanted right? He never wanted to see Conner again anyway, he resolved to that happening. It should not be a big deal now.
He can never tell his friends. He ran away for them but even if they knew that they might not forgive him. Because they would wonder why Conner felt comfortable enough around Tim to kiss him in the first place. It was too complicated. They don’t need to know. It’s for the best because then Tim can forget about it.
Does he want to forget about it?
There was no time to answer that question because someone was hollering at him.
“Oi, Mod boy! What are you doing here in our ends?”
Tim looked over. There was a group of guys wearing leather jackets and leaning on motor bikes.
Oh he was fucked.
“I’m just passing through,” Tim replied, continuing on with his scooter.
“Your scooter broken or something?”
“Or something,” Tim mumbled.
“What was that? Are you being cheeky, mate?”
Tim picked up his pace, ignoring the Rockers, hoping they would just continue to go about their day forgetting he was there.
“Don’t ignore us, Mod boy,” one of the Rockers shouted.
Tim could hear feet hitting the tarmac but was not brave enough to turn around and see if they were following him. What he did know was that they were not Conner’s friends. Was that a good or a bad thing?
Tim was walking quite quickly, or as fast as dragging his scooter along would allow him. The footsteps got louder as more joined the group and Tim knew for sure that they were all following him now.
“Are you scared of us, rich boy? You believe what they say in the papers? That Rockers are all big, scary gangsters going around beating up helpless little Mods?”
Tim kept moving but the Rockers were right on his feet. He could sense them right behind him. One grabbed the end of his coat, pulling him to a stop, his scooter falling beside him without his grip on it. The Rocker turned Tim around, getting all in his face. He was nothing like Conner. Conner was beautiful and kind. This man was rough and gritty.
“How about we make those rumours true?” the Rocker snarled before shoving Tim to the ground.
He stood above Tim with a smirk. Tim knew he could take him, could fight back. But there were ten other Rockers with him. He could never beat that many by himself. A kick landed on his back and Tim did the only thing he could think of: cower and wrap his arms around his head to protect it.
Once the main Rocker had begun the rest all decided to get involved. Tim was being punched and slapped and kicked from all angles. His body was being pushed and dragged along the tarmac, getting harsh scraps from the rough road. He could hear his bike getting smashed and torn apart beside him. The one thing he refused to do was cry. He would cry for Conner but not for this.
As Tim faded out of consciousness to the sound of laughter and the feeling of heavy boots stomping down on his body he could only think of one thing, ‘I deserve this.’
Chapter Text
Conner didn’t know what to do. He was left stranded on that stupid dreaded beach. He hated the beach. It brought nothing but pain.
Life went on around him with the same families and old people and the dog playing on the beach. But the pensive boy was gone. The pensive boy had left him. Tim Drake had left him.
He kissed Tim and Tim kissed back and it was the most amazing kiss of his life. Truly there were no words to describe it. Tim’s lips just fit with his like two perfect jigsaw puzzle pieces. And then Tim left. No, not just left, he fucking ran away. He apologised and then sprinted down the beach without looking back.
Conner felt like such a fool. He watched Tim run until he disappeared in the distance. And then he kept watching, hoping that Tim would come back. Would return with more apologies and Conner would forgive him and they would kiss again and again and again. Everything would be perfect.
But an hour had passed and still Tim did not return. Conner had not moved an inch. One of the elderly on the beach came up to him to ask if he was okay. He wasn’t but he was waiting.
Two hours and nothing. The beach was empty now, the sun was setting, the cold breeze was coming in. Conner’s legs were aching from standing there but he couldn’t move. He was too afraid to move. Because once he moved it all became real. Tim Drake rejected him and Conner wasn’t ready to deal with the reality of that.
He felt pathetic. He was pathetic. He shouldn’t have kissed Tim. But it was just a perfect moment and he had to try. He ruined everything. Tim will never want to see or speak to him again. He can’t tell any of his friends or family about this. He will just have to go on through life pretending that the kiss never happened.
But he didn’t want to forget it. It was such a good kiss it would be a crime to erase it.
Just as he was preparing himself to leave, to move on from that moment, a group of Rockers appeared on the beach. They were all laughing and joking about something that Conner couldn’t hear.
The Rockers spotted him and came rushing over. “Did you hear what happened?” one of the Rockers asked. Conner vaguely recognised him.
Conner shook his head, not knowing what the guy was referring to.
“We got one of those smug Mod bastards. He was walking his scooter in our ends, giving us the cheek. Group of us jumped him, got him good. They had to take him to the hospital last we heard. That’ll give those fucking papers something to talk about,” the Rocker jokes, making his friends laugh.
Conner frowned. “Do you know who the Mod you got is?”
The Rocker shoved him playfully. “Don’t tell me you’re one of those Mod sympathisers. Don’t forget that they were the ones who attacked us first.”
Conner scoffed. “Just a harmless question.”
“Well, we don’t know any of them Mods but he was short enough, dark hair, ugly red and green scooter. Them fancy trousers in a cream colour of something I don’t know, doesn’t matter now because they’re ruined,” the guy laughed again.
But Conner had no time for them. Because even that vague description was enough to send him running off.
“See you then, mate,” the Rocker called in an annoyed tone because Conner wouldn’t give him the time of day.
The description. Conner had to know. This was too important, kiss rejection be damned. Conner had to know if the Mod they beat up was Tim Drake or not.
When he got to the pier he cursed himself for not bringing his bike. It meant he had to run all the way to the hospital, at least he had enough nervous adrenaline to get him there.
Conner pushed himself, running faster than he ever has before to get to the hospital in record time. He sped into the foyer, about to ask the receptionist if any person named Tim Drake had been admitted but was shoved up against a wall before he could.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” a short, angry blonde girl asked.
She looked familiar. Conner recognised her as one of Tim’s friends, the one who fought with Cassie. He recalls her name being Cissie. Bart liked her. If she was here then-
“Who’s this?” an older man asked.
“Conner Kent,” Tim’s sister, Cass, replied. Conner had made it his business to ask Bart all about the guests at his birthday afterwards, to see what he thought of them all. He said everybody loved Cass.
“He’s our enemy,” another one of Tim’s blonde friends replied. Stephanie Brown, Cass’ girlfriend and Tim’s closest friend apparently but Conner swore he knew her face from somewhere else.
“Is that so?” the older man asked amusedly.
“He’s a Rocker,” Duke, Tim‘s brother, shrugged as if that would be enough explanation for the man.
And clearly it was. “Ah, I’ve heard about this little rivalry of yours. What are you doing here, young man?”
Conner was still being pinned to the wall by Cissie. She was surprisingly strong for her size. Nobody seemed inclined to help him and Conner didn’t want to try and fight her, not now, not here. “I need to see him.”
“I suppose you’re talking about Tim? What are you to my son?”
This older man is Tim’s dad? This is not how Conner thought he would be introduced to Tim’s family. That meant that the other three guys behind Tim’s dad were probably his other brothers. How wonderful.
“I’m…a friend of sorts,” Conner replied, not too sure of the answer.
Tim’s dad eyed him and honestly, Conner was a little frightened of the man.
“Were you involved in what happened to my son?” Tim’s dad asked with scrutiny.
Greta, the last of Tim’s friends that was there, replied for him. “Conner definitely wasn’t involved. He would never hurt Tim.”
Conner stared at her, trying to figure out what she knew. Anita had mentioned that she was the one who was spying on them after his run in with Tim before Bart’s party.
“I just need to see him,” Conner pleaded, trying to look sincere.
Tim’s dad looked around at all of his children and Tim’s friends, reading their faces, Conner supposed.
“I’ll take you to Tim but I’m not leaving you alone with him.”
“That’s fine with me,” Conner replied, relaxing as Cissie finally let him go and he could step away from the wall.
Everyone watched as he followed Tim’s dad down the hallway and up the stairs to Tim’s hospital room. The walk was silent and gave Conner much time to worry. Tim was in hospital. Tim had gotten beaten up by Rockers. It was Conner’s fault really. If he hadn't kissed Tim then he wouldn’t have run off and bumped into those Rockers.
Tim’s dad opened a door to one of the rooms and allowed Conner to enter first. Conner gasped at what he saw. Tim was lying on the hospital bed all bandaged up. His eyes were closed, his chest steady. Conner was afraid that he was comatose.
He walked over to the bed, aware that Tim’s dad was watching him. He bent down to be closer to Tim. He was afraid to touch him, partly because of his injuries, partly because of Tim’s dad, and partly because he believed Tim hated him and wouldn’t want Conner to be touching him.
He only needed a second with Tim. Just enough to confirm that it was indeed him who was beat up by those Rockers. He couldn’t stay any longer or he would cry. It was too much. Tim was not supposed to be in that hospital bed.
Conner made to leave when a hand grabbed him.
“Conner?”
Chapter Text
“Conner?”
Tim had just woken up and he feared that his mind was playing tricks on him. He had been in and out of consciousness ever since he arrived at the hospital. He was able to tell his dad what had happened to him before closing his eyes again and that’s the last thing he remembered.
Was Conner Kent really there in his hospital room? Why would he be there after the way Tim treated him?
“I’m here, Tim. I’m here,” a familiar voice replied shakily, holding Tim’s hand in his own.
Tim gave a lazy smile. Conner was there. He was really there. He came to visit Tim.
Conner came to visit him and he probably looked terrible right now. Conner is probably even regretting kissing him now. Tim did not look good enough for a guy that looked like Conner, a modern day Adonis.
“Why’re you here?” Tim tried to ask but it came out croakily from his dry throat.
Bruce came to his bedside with a glass of water in his hand. “Here, son, drink this.” He helped Tim hold his head up and put the glass to his lips so he could sip at the water, refreshing his mouth and throat.
“I heard what happened and I had to make sure you were okay,” Conner replied once Tim had finished his water.
“Even after everything I’ve done to you?”
Tim knew his dad was still there but maybe it was a good thing that somebody was there to hear all of this. He needed to be honest, it was only fair to Conner.
Conner was brushing his thumb across Tim’s knuckles. “This is my fault.”
How could he think that?
“You didn’t beat me up, Conner.”
“I know. But if I hadn’t kissed you then you wouldn’t have run away.”
Bruce tensed up beside Tim and Tim realised that perhaps his dad was not the best person to have as a witness to this conversation. It was too late now.
“You can’t blame yourself. Please don’t do that Conner. I would have just left later and it probably still would have happened. Or they would have attacked somebody else. It wasn’t a personal attack. Better it was me than anyone else. I deserved it.”
“Tim,” his dad warned.
“What are you talking about?!” Conner interjected. “How could you possibly deserve this?”
Tim sighed. “I hurt you Conner. You’re amazing and I hurt you. Physically and emotionally. This is my karma.”
“Tim Drake, you stop this right now,” Conner demanded. “You’re allowed to hurt me, one hundred thousand times over. I give you permission to hurt me. I would rather you hurt me then cut me out of your life. You’ve made a lasting impression on me and I can’t lose you now.”
“Oh, Tim. Just kiss him already,” Bruce said with a sigh.
And Tim did exactly that. He reached up to grab the back of Conner’s head, bringing them closer. The action caused him to wince from soreness but he didn’t care. He needed to make up for his mistakes. He locked eyes with Conner, making sure he still wanted to do this. Conner gave him a shy nod and with that Tim pushed their lips together.
It was a short kiss, not like their first one. It was just enough. A promise of more. They were both aware of Bruce being in the room and of Tim’s injuries. The kiss was enough for now and they both knew it.
When they broke apart Conner rested his forehead on Tim’s, a big grin on his face and his previous worried mood clearly changed to a more chirper one. Tim was glad. Seeing Conner happy was all he needed in that moment, all he needed to forget the attack and his pain.
Conner didn’t hate him and that was all Tim needed to know.
“Okay, Conner. I think it’s time for you to leave. I don’t need my son getting over excited and hurting himself more.”
Tim scoffed at his dad being gross but Conner just laughed, leaving with a promise to visit him the next day.
~
Bruce was there to sign Tim out of the hospital a few days later. He was still hurting but his cuts and bruises were beginning to heal. His friends and siblings all came to visit over the days, and of course Conner was there. He showed up everyday but the two of them were never allowed to be alone together. Bruce was always there with them. Tim hated it.
It was just his dad and him leaving the hospital, everyone else apparently had prior engagements which Tim had to admit stung a little but he understood.
As soon as they exited the hospital Tim spotted a familiar leather jacket with an S symbol on the back.
“There’s my brave little boy,” Conner called out from his motorbike with one of those teddy bears that are sold in the hospital’s shop.
Tim shook his head at Conner and turned to Bruce with a grin on his face. “What is he doing here?”
“He asked me if he could take you on a date once you were discharged from the hospital. I said it was up to you,” Bruce shrugged, a small smile on his own lips.
Conner was growing on his dad, Tim could tell. He gave his dad a quick side hug before racing over to Conner.
“I’ve missed you,” Tim said, standing in front of Conner and his bike.
“You saw me yesterday,” Conner replied to which Tim frowned. “I’ve missed you too,” Conner relented with a big grin.
“I heard a rumour that you wanted to take me out on a date,” Tim said innocently.
Conner arched his eyebrow. “Is that so?”
“Uh huh. You should really ask me instead of my dad though. That’s a bit old fashioned.”
“I’m old fashioned? He hasn’t let us be alone together this whole time lest I corrupt his innocent young son,” Conner said dramatically, hand clutching the clothes above his heart.
“He scares you.”
“He scares me,” Conner agreed.
“Is he still watching us?”
Conner glanced over Tim’s shoulder and nodded.
Tim smirked. “Well I’m about to do something scandalous that should run him off.”
Conner looked surprised as Tim grabbed the lapels on his leather jacket, pulling him in and giving him the best kiss of his life, if Tim was inclined to gloat. It was all the passion that was missing from their first kiss because of Tim’s fear to commit.
The kiss seemed to go on for aeons and Tim enjoyed every minute of it. It only stopped so they could break away for air.
“Well, who knew you had that in you?” Conner said in amazement.
“I’m a man of many surprises, Mr. Kent,” Tim cheekily replied, a smirk back on his lips.
“Your dad left.”
Tim nodded, “Good. We have a date to go on I believe. Or we should but someone hasn’t asked me yet.”
Conner was still recovering from the kiss. “Tim Drake, would you like to go on a date with me?” he asked breathily, presenting the teddy bear to Tim.
“I would love nothing more,” Tim replied, taking the teddy bear.
“Then hop on,” Conner ordered, handing Tim a helmet and instructing Tim on how to get onto his motorbike, urging him to wrap his arms around Conner’s waist.
Tim wasn’t sure how necessary that was but it was the perfect excuse to get to hug Conner so he took advantage of it.
“Where are we going?” Tim asked.
“You’re not the only one full of surprises, Mr. Drake,” Conner replied before taking off, forcing Tim to hug him tighter.
Chapter Text
Conner tried to plan the perfect first date. He had stayed up for nights brainstorming ideas. He even asked Tim’s dad for permission to take him on a date, hoping he would be helpful. He was not. It was probably the most awkward encounter of his life. He wasn’t sure if Tim’s dad liked him, he was kind of scary. But after spending a few days with him supervising Conner’s hospital visits he had built up the courage to ask him.
“Uh, Mr. Wayne?” Conner had asked shyly as they made the walk from Tim’s room to the foyer after his visit.
Tim’s dad had simply raised his eyebrow as an amused smile found its way to his face. “Yes, Conner?”
“I was just wondering if, uh, if it would be okay with you…if I had your permission to… . What I mean to say is that… .” Conner had trailed off. Why had he acted like that? Conner never lost his confidence.
‘Tim Drake, what are you doing to me?’ Conner had thought with a sigh.
“Are you alright, son?” Tim’s dad had asked with what seemed like genuine concern.
‘Just spit it out,’ Conner had told himself. “Do you want to go on a date?”
Fuck.
Tim’s dad had chuckled. “I think I’m a little too old for you.”
“I…that came out wrong. I want to ask Tim out on a date. That’s what I meant. I really like him and I want to take him out somewhere nice, he deserves it. Especially after what just happened.”
“Why are you telling me all of this?”
Conner had shrugged. “You monitor all of our visits. You seem traditional and I guess I wanted to impress you.”
“There’s no need to impress me, Conner. You only need to impress Tim. My son is not easily taken back but I can tell you’re special to him. Just ask him out yourself. But if you hurt him, just know I will make your life a living hell,” Tim’s dad had replied with a sharp smile, patting Conner on the shoulder.
Tim could never know about what exactly was said in that conversation. Nor could he know just how nervous he made Conner. Tim…Tim was brilliant. And Conner was just nothing compared to him.
But he could take him on a date. Would it be a good date? That remains to be seen. Because Conner was not the most creative or romantic person he had decided to bring Tim back to that dreaded beach. Maybe Tim would laugh about it, he hoped.
The beach deserved to have more good memories attached to it.
“Oh, Mr. Kent, you are hilarious. You’re never going to let that go, are you?” Tim said as Conner’s motorbike came to a stop and they had taken their helmets off.
“Whatever could you mean, Mr. Drake?” Conner replied innocently, turning his head to face Tim sitting behind him, his arms still snaking around Conner’s torso, the teddy bear squished between them. Conner didn’t mind.
“Are you really going to make me say it? This is where I accidentally punched you, accidentally, among other things like running away from you. Did I mention it was an accident?” Tim sighed, tugging Conner closer. The poor teddy bear.
Conner leaned his head back on Tim’s shoulder, glancing up to stare into Tim’s eyes. “I believe it was an accident, yes. If you hadn’t we wouldn’t be here right now. So in a weird way I’m glad you did it.”
“You’re such a hopeless romantic,” Tim said sarcastically, leaning down to give Conner a peck on the lips.
“If it gets me more kisses,” Conner shrugged, laughing as Tim shoved him forward to get off the bike, the squashed teddy bear in his hand.
Conner hopped off the bike himself and took Tim’s free hand. He was taking his confidence back. This was going to be the best date that Tim Drake has ever been on, despite Conner not exactly having a plan other than taking him to the place they first met.
They walked in silence for a bit, just enjoying the simpleness of each other’s company and the cool breeze flying past them. Conner walked them to a more secluded part of the beach under the pier.
He took off his leather jacket and laid it on the sand for Tim to sit on. He sat beside Tim, wrapping his arm around his shoulder with Tim laying his head on Conner’s shoulder. It was nice, everything he had wanted.
“Conner, I just want to say thank you,” Tim spoke up.
“What for?”
“For visiting me in the hospital. You didn’t have to, especially after I had run away from you just before. I appreciate it a lot.”
Conner scooched closer to Tim, plastering their bodies together. “I didn’t have to think about it. I heard those guys gloating about beating up some Mod and I just knew by their descriptions that it was you. My mind stopped and I just took off running, before I knew it I was at the hospital meeting your whole family and getting attacked by your friends. But none of that mattered because I had to see you.”
“I’m sorry about them. I told them to back off from you and your friends. I don’t know how it all got taken so far,” Tim sighed.
“It worked out in the end.”
Tim chuckled. “Not just for us.”
Conner perked up at that. “What do you mean?”
Tim broke him away from Conner to face him. “You don’t know?”
“Know what?” Conner whined, annoyed that Tim was keeping something interesting from it. He wasn’t ashamed to admit that he loved a bit of gossip.
A massive grin found its way to Tim’s face. “Greta and Anita are definitely dating in secret.”
“No way,” Conner gasped. “How do you know?”
“Greta is great at finding out other people’s secrets but she is not good at keeping her own. She’s been sneaking away a lot and all of the stolen glances at Bart’s party told me everything I need to know.”
“Since Bart’s party? But Anita caught Greta spying on us just before then there’s no way.”
Tim laughed and Conner could really get used to hearing it. As cliche as it sounds it really was like music to his ears. “The heart wants what the heart wants, Mr. Kent.”
“It does indeed, Mr. Drake,” Conner smiled to himself.
“I also have a sneaking suspicion about two others,” Tim said slyly after a moment of silence.
“Oh, don’t leave me hanging,” Conner whined again.
Tim looked at him then with a look that Conner couldn’t decipher but hoped one day that he would be able to.
“I don’t believe that they are together but Cissie and Cassie have a certain air about them.”
“They hate each other,” Conner rolled his eyes, not believing Tim about this one.
“We hated each other.”
“That wasn’t real hate, Tim. Not from my side anyway.”
“Not from mine either, but maybe it’s the same for them,” Tim shrugged.
The conversation was left at that. Conner had a hard time believing that those two would ever get together.
They spent the rest of the evening watching the waves, enjoying the sunset, and talking about anything that was available to them. Also a lot of kissing. It was nice. Not the best date ever but Conner had all the time in the world to get that right.
Tim Drake was his and nothing could change that.
When Conner finally relented and brought Tim home it was late.
“Your dad isn’t going to hate me right?” Conner asked when they pulled up to the Wayne house. Conner couldn’t help but admire how big and fancy it looked.
“Why would he hate you?”
“Well it’s late. You don’t have a curfew or anything, do you?”
Tim grabbed Conner’s hands in his own and forced Conner to stare into his eyes. “Conner Kent, my dad loves you. He would never tell you that and if you asked he would deny it but it’s the truth. He knows I’m in safe hands when I’m with you.”
“And yet he was with us for every hospital visit,” Conner mumbled.
“He didn’t know you then and the others had told him about our two groups not getting along. Also I was injured and he didn’t want us doing anything that could strain me further,” Tim laughed.
But Conner just blushed and looked down at the ground in embarrassment.
Tim let go of his hands in order to grab Conner’s face, tipping his chin upwards and forcing him to stare into his eyes once again. He then connected their lips and Conner’s bashfulness had completely disappeared. He grabbed Tim’s waist, bringing their two bodies closer, deepening their kiss. Tim couldn’t have all the fun when it came to their kisses, it was time for Conner to take charge.
The sound of a door opening is what broke them apart. An older man stood at the door. The Wayne butler, Conner supposed. But Tim had said he was so much more, had practically raised his dad and was therefore a surrogate grandfather to all of them.
“Good night, Conner Kent. See you tomorrow,” was all Tim said before making his departure, waving the teddy bear’s hand, leaving Conner standing there beside his bike, once again lost for words at the kiss. How did Tim Drake keep doing that to him? Even when Conner tried to be domineering it was Tim who came out superior and Conner breathless and wanting more.
When he arrived at his own house he saw the front light on through the window and thought his dad had stayed up waiting for him. He prepared himself for a shouting match about how irresponsible he was for staying out so late with all the reported attacks.
But it wasn’t Clark Kent he found awake waiting for him. It was his cousin.
“What are you doing here, Kara?”
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” was her response.
Conner was taken aback. “Excuse me?”
“I know you were out with Tim Drake, have been visiting him all week in hospital. He’s the enemy Conner.”
This was not the conversation that Conner had prepared himself for.
“He’s not my enemy.”
Kara folded her arms and put on a stern expression. “Then you’re a traitor.”
“You’re so dramatic, Kara,” Conner said while rolling his eyes. He couldn’t believe this was a conversation they were having.
“He’s a Mod, you’re a Rocker. You’re not supposed to hang out together.”
“We weren’t hanging out.”
“Don’t lie to me, Conner. I have my sources and they said they saw him riding on the back of your motorbike. You never let people ride your bike except for when you’re forced to let me do it.”
“We weren’t hanging out. We were together because we were on a date,” Conner sighed, regretting it as soon as it came out of his mouth.
The silence in the house was eerie. He would rather get yelled at by Kara then have to stand there feeling her enraged quietness.
“Conner Kent I am going to kill you!”
“Yeah, yeah, you can do it tomorrow, I’m tired and I am not letting you ruin the best day I’ve had in a long time,” Conner said, brushing past Kara to go upstairs to his room. If Kara was there that late she was probably staying over so Conner didn’t feel guilty leaving her there.
He really couldn’t care less what his cousin had to say. He was happy and that was all that mattered. The opinions of his friends and family were unimportant in this scenario.
Conner Kent fell asleep that night with a big smile on his face thinking of Tim Drake.
Chapter Text
Tim Drake woke up the next morning with a smile on his face thinking of Conner Kent.
He had such a nice day with Conner, the real unfiltered Conner. Before the accident they danced around each other. And in the hospital his dad was always there. But on the beach it was just them. Conner had recovered the beach from their bad memories together and turned it into their first date where they could have a good time together.
It was still crazy to think that he just went on a first date with Conner Kent, a Rocker. And he rode on his motorbike. His friends are going to hate him for that last bit.
Someway, somehow, Conner was able to charm him and Tim doesn’t regret it. The only regret he has is running away from their first kiss. But maybe that turned out to be a good thing, because now there’s no reason for his friends to dislike Conner. And his dad approves of Conner, which didn’t exactly matter but was definitely a plus. Tim was just happy that everything worked out.
A knock on his bedroom door startled him out of his thoughts. He told the knocker to come in and was surprised to see Cass and Duke enter.
“Good morning,” Tim greeted.
“We need to talk,” Duke responded.
That got Tim worried. That phrase plus the serious looks they were both sporting could not mean anything good.
“What is this about?” Tim asked wearily.
“We are worried about you,” Cass replied.
“What is there to worry about? I’m fine. My injuries have healed.”
Duke and Cass shared a look and Tim felt left out. He felt like he was in trouble for something but didn’t know what it was.
“Dad said you went out on a date with Conner yesterday,” Duke said but still Tim was confused.
“Well it was no secret that Conner had been visiting me everyday. Didn’t you guys know why?”
“Did not think it was serious,” Cass shrugged.
“He’s a Rocker!” Duke exclaimed.
“Where is this coming from? Cass is still a Rocker and Duke you didn’t even want to fight them in the first place. Conner is good, I like him, I like being with him. He makes me happy.”
Cass and Duke shared another look which just agitated Tim.
“If you’re happy then we support you, Tim, of course we do. We know Conner isn’t bad but his friends and the other Rockers are ones to watch okay. You just got beat up and sent to the hospital. We’re afraid what might happen if they find out you’re dating one of their own,” Duke reasoned.
“Just want you to be careful,” Cass added.
Tim could see their side of things, could maybe understand them. He hadn’t thought about what other Rockers would think. He didn’t really care but maybe his siblings were right. Dating Conner could be dangerous while things were still hot between the Mods and the Rockers.
“We don’t want to deter you from dating Conner, we just want to look out for you. Cass stays out of drama so her and Steph are relatively safe. But you and Conner are right in the middle of it at the moment.”
“I appreciate your concern for me. I can handle myself but I will come to you if that ever changes,” Tim replied, trying to be polite and not sour the mood further.
Tim watched as Cass and Duke left his bedroom before collapsing on his bed. Why did they have to make somewhat valid points? Why did they have to plant ideas in his head that up until that point he had not been worried about?
Out of the corner of his eye he had spotted a photo, one he had been too afraid to look at before now. His dad had brought it to him out of concern about the fighting, a photo he had managed to grab hold of before it went to print.
Tim got up to look at it now. He held it carefully in his hands as though it were dynamite. The photo was in black and white from the day at the beach, the first day he met Conner. A photographer had managed to capture the moment where Tim’s fist collided with Conner’s face. It looked especially brutal, worse than it felt. People were fighting all around them but there, in the background, was Tim after being shoved, his hand out to stop a potential fall. And there’s Conner, gorgeous as ever, his face being squished by Tim’s hand, pushed to the side, cheek caved in.
Tim hated staring at it but he couldn’t look away.
This was the beginning of their relationship. How could Conner ever want to be with him after that? No wonder the Rockers hate them. This was a disaster. He knew what to do.
He got ready to meet Conner. He was coming to the house to pick up Tim. There was no plan after that which worked in Tim’s favour.
“Tim, your boyfriend is here,” Bruce called up the stairs in a sing-song voice.
For a moment Tim just relished in the fact that he had a date with a boy he liked and that his dad was supportive of it, was even teasing him about it. It was nice.
And there was Conner standing outside, leaning against his bike, with his leather jacket on and his hair messed up from his helmet. Tim wished he was a painter who could capture that moment forever.
Conner smiled at him when he exited the house and Tim couldn’t help but to smile back, it was contagious. But that smile wouldn’t last and Tim hated that he was about to hurt Conner again.
“I’ve missed you,” Conner said earnestly.
This was going to be hard.
“I’ve missed you too, you big softie,” Tim replied, hating himself for how easy it was to be around Conner.
“Are you ready to go?” Conner asked, handing him a helmet.
Tim took a deep breath. “Just one second, I have something I want to say.”
Conner raised his eyebrow but did not reply, indicating for Tim to continue talking.
“Conner I really like you, like really really like you. You make me so happy. But I’m not sure if this can work, at least not right now.”
Conner’s face fell and it broke Tim’s heart. “What?”
“You’re a Rocker. I’m a Mod. Our people hate each other right now. Mine attacked yours on the beach, yours attacked me and put me in the hospital. Our friends are constantly fighting. It’s too dangerous for us to be dating right now,” Tim tried to reason, tried to convince himself that this was the right thing to do for everybody involved.
“Where is this coming from? Did somebody say something to you? I thought the whole Mods versus Rockers thing didn’t matter to us. I thought we were happy.” Conner’s voice broke on the ‘happy’ and Tim nearly shed tears right then and there.
“I’m sorry Conner, I just can’t, not right now. I want to but what happens when those guys who beat me up find out I’m dating one of their own?”
Tim didn’t want Conner to feel guilty but he could tell by the dejected look on Conner’s face that is what he just did.
“I’m sorry, Conner, I’m so sorry,” Tim kept repeating.
He stepped closer to Conner and left a small, lingering kiss on his lips. Their last kiss.
For the second time Tim Drake abandoned Conner Kent after a kiss.
Chapter Text
Conner really hated Tim Drake.
That was a lie.
He could never hate Tim Drake.
But he wanted to.
He stood in the driveway of the Wayne house, watching Tim walk away from him again. They were supposed to be going on a date. Yesterday was perfect. The whole week has been great. What the hell happened? Who got into Tim’s head? Who wants them to not be together?
It was easier for Conner to blame someone else manipulating Tim than to think that it could possibly be all Tim’s own opinions. Because the Tim he hung out with yesterday was not the same Tim today. Was it possible that it was somebody else wearing a Tim costume? A clone? A look-a-like? An alien? That person was not Tim Drake.
Yes, Tim had left him before but this was different. That Tim didn’t want to be with him, this Tim does.
Conner needed to find out what went wrong. Conner needed to talk to Tim. Conner needed to get out of the Wayne driveway. He could see Alfred staring at him through the window with pity and it was sort of embarrassing.
But where would Tim go?
Conner had wasted at least twenty minutes trying to process what had just happened, which, in his defence, was better than the hours he spent on the beach. Tim could be anywhere by now. But he was walking and Conner had his motorbike, he could easily catch up with Tim. He just needed to figure out where Tim would go when he was upset other than his own house.
Conner hopped on his bike and hoped that his subconscious would be able to locate Tim and take him to him. An internal Tim Drake detector.
Wow, he was so desperate and lame.
‘Get a hold of yourself,’ Conner thought to himself. ‘You barely know Tim. If he doesn’t want to be with you then let him.’
Conner wished he could take his own words seriously but he would definitely ignore them. Tim Drake had somehow crept into his soul and had taken over. He was part of Conner’s every thoughts and feelings. He was annoying. He was amazing. Conner needed to see him at least one more time before he was willing to give up. He needed a real reason for Tim leaving him.
Conner sped down various roads, going way faster than the speed limit, but could still not seem to spot Tim. He was glancing left and right down every street, hoping to catch a glimpse of that familiar face or clean cut outfit. Some may call what he was doing reckless driving but Conner could not care less, Tim was more important than him. Tim’s safety and wellbeing was the priority right now. If Conner crashed then so be it.
Suddenly Conner was parked, standing in front of a building. If he knew Tim as well as he wanted to then this is where he would go when he was upset. Why did he waste all that time circling Brighton when he should have come straight here? He was so dumb.
Conner took off his helmet and straightened his hair and clothes, checking himself out in the side mirror of his motorbike. He took a deep breath and entered the building, climbing up the stairs until he found the right door number that he was sure Tim had mentioned before. He knocked on the door and hoped it was the right one, or else he had an awkward encounter ahead of him.
The encounter was awkward nonetheless because the person behind the door was a blonde girl whose face turned into a scowl upon seeing him at the door.
“You’re not permitted on these premises,” Steph said meanly.
Conner deserved that.
“Is he here?”
“I don’t know who you’re talking about,” Steph shrugged.
“C’mon Steph, I need to see him.”
“Oh, I don’t think so,” someone else said as they approached the door. Cissie.
Conner instinctively took a step back, remembering what happened in the hospital.
“Please let me talk to him. I don’t want us to be over,” Conner begged.
“I think we should hear him out,” another voice reasoned. That was Greta. Tim said that she was dating Anita but Conner hadn’t gotten around to asking yet. He was hoping her niceness towards him meant that was true and he would have at least one person on his side.
“Of course you would want to hear him out, you’re a traitor too,” Cissie snapped.
Greta rolled her eyes. “You’re one to talk. Steph too. We’re all in love with Rockers, so what?”
“I’m not in love with a Rocker,” Cissie protested.
“Cass does not count!” Steph added.
“But Kara definitely did,” Greta replied.
And holy shit! Because now Conner knows why Steph looks so familiar. Kara used to always hang with her a few years ago. Steph was a Rocker. Steph left because she started hanging out with Cass and her family. Steph broke Kara’s heart. Steph is the reason Kara hates Mods now. Everything makes sense.
“Enough!”
That one word was enough to draw Conner’s attention away from the girls. Because it was Tim, his Tim, standing at the door. He looked beautiful despite his tear stained face and skewed shirt.
“Tim,” Conner breathed out.
Tim turned to face him and it broke Conner’s heart to see him like this.
But there was no time for them to talk because suddenly there were feet stomping up the stairs and a lot of shouting and shoving. Conner was grabbed hard and he realised it was the police. What the fuck?
“What’s going on?” Conner tried to ask calmly.
“Shut up!” was the response with an elbow to his gut.
Conner doubled over and was being dragged away.
“Tim! Tim! I love you Tim Drake,” Conner called out.
“I said shut up!” the police officer shouted at him, pushing him harshly.
He was brought down the stairs and shoved into the back of a police car. Outside the window he saw four faces staring back at him in shock.
Conner was confused. Why were they taking him away? What did he do wrong? This felt illegal. Weren’t they supposed to say what they were arresting him for. Was he being arrested? He had never been arrested before. What was going to happen to him? What would his dad think? He was going to be in so much trouble. What was going to happen to his bike? What if one of the girls try to wreck it? Tim. He told Tim he loved him. How did the police know he was there? Did Tim call the police on him? No, he wouldn’t. Or would he? Did Conner really know Tim Drake?
They arrived at the police station and Conner was dragged in. The station was buzzing with activity, mostly with Rockers being charged and put in cells or protesting on their friends’ behalf. Conner was no different. He was charged with something or other, he was not paying attention. How could he? He was being set up, he was sure of it.
Conner was put in a cell with a few other Rockers who were shouting loudly at the police officers to release them.
“If you don’t shut up I’m coming in there with a birch rod.”
Conner didn’t care. Tim betrayed him, it was the only reason Conner could think of at that moment. It was the end.
The shouting didn’t cease and Conner could hear the cell door open and multiple people enter.
“Line up!” a voice ordered.
Conner didn’t really understand what was going on. One of the police officers had a bundle of sticks in his hand and suddenly Conner could hear wood hitting the skin of one of his cellmates.
The last thing Conner remembered was the feeling of the hard twigs against his own back.
Chapter Text
What the hell just happened?
Conner was just dragged away in a police car. Was he the real target or was it just a coincidence? Were the police tailing him or did they just see his bike and assume trouble? Tim had to call his dad to help free Conner. He was innocent, he had to be innocent, Tim was sure of it. Out of all the Rockers Conner was the least likely one to start anything, to do harm. It had to be one big misunderstanding.
Greta left to go figure out what was going on and Cissie decided to go with her, mostly out of curiosity. Tim was still at Steph’s place.
“Asking if you are alright seems like a silly question,” Steph said as she passed him a cup of tea and took the seat on the couch beside him.
“I’m worried about Conner. What if they hurt him in there? You’ve heard the reports about police abusing their power and the arrested being released injured.”
Tim could tell that Steph wanted to say something reassuring but she wasn’t one for lying about serious things and she couldn’t be sure if Conner would be okay. Sometimes Tim wished she would just lie to him instead.
“I need to go downstairs and use the phone,” Tim stated after a beat of silence before getting up and leaving Steph alone.
He entered the phone booth, put his coins in and wound up the phone, dialling the number for his dad’s office and waited for his secretary to answer.
“It’s Tim, is my dad there?” Tim said as soon as the dialling stopped and the phone was answered, not waiting for the secretary to greet him.
He waited a moment for the phone to click as he was patched into his dad’s office phone.
“Tim, are you alright?” Bruce asked over the phone, his voice deeper than in person.
“Dad, something happened. Conner was arrested outside Steph’s place not long ago.”
“Why was he arrested?”
“I don’t know. There was a lot of shoving and shouting. I could just hear them talking about Rockers. He didn’t do anything, dad. You have to help him,” Tim pleaded.
“I’ll see what I can do, Tim. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, dad. I’m with Steph right now. Just help him please.”
“I will, Tim,” Bruce replied before hanging up.
Tim stayed in the phone booth after the call because he wasn’t ready to talk to Steph yet. His dad probably thinks that he and Conner are still together because why wouldn’t he? They were supposed to be on a date right now. Is this how Conner felt when he found out that Tim was in the hospital? Because Tim feels like his heart was just ripped out of his chest. He certainly doesn’t deserve to feel like that.
Banging on the glass of the phone booth startled Tim out of his thoughts. Cissie and Greta had returned but there were grim looks on both of their faces.
“What’s wrong? What has happened?” Tim asked quickly as he opened the door to the phone booth.
“Tim, we should go back upstairs,” Cissie said calmly.
Tim shook his head. “No, tell me now.”
“A Rocker has died. One was arrested and birched in his cell. He was hit too severely and too many times. He was taken to hospital and died from his injuries. We don’t know who-”
“-but you think it was Conner,” Tim finished for Greta.
“Like I said, we don’t know,” Greta said softly.
But Tim didn’t care because the idea had already been implemented in his mind. Conner Kent was dead and it was all his fault.
He backed up into the phone booth and shut the door on Greta and Cissie, holding it tight so they wouldn’t get in. Conner was dead. Conner was dead. Conner was dead. He killed Conner. It was his fault. Conner was there because of him, because he walked away again. He killed Conner. The police were following Rockers because he got beaten up, because his people started the fight on the beach. Conner was dead.
Tim couldn’t breathe. It was all too much. He needed air. But if he left the comfort of the phone booth then his friends would try to help. He didn’t deserve their help. He killed Conner. He deserved nothing.
He needed to be on his own. He needed to run away. So that is exactly what he did. He opened the phone booth door and took off running. He ran and ran and ran until his lungs gave out and his breath shortened and his feet hurt and his sweat ran through his clothes. And then he ran some more. He pushed his body beyond its limits because that was what it deserved, it’s what he deserved, and it stopped him from having to think about anything other than continuing to push himself.
It was only when he allowed himself to breathe did Tim realise that he had taken himself to the beach because of course he had. This place haunted him now. It was his place with Conner, through all of the good and the bad times.
Tim sat down on the beach, giving his body a chance to relax after all of the running. He looked out at the waves and just took in the sea air. He finally allowed himself to cry, to mourn, to remember the Conner from the day before when they were happy, before he ruined everything. It was an almost melancholic moment.
He felt somebody sit down beside him and was startled to find out it was Kara, Conner’s cousin who vehemently hates Mods.
“Conner told me that you two went on a date,” was the first thing she said.
“We did,” Tim replied, hastingly wiping his tears away.
“It’s no surprise that I don’t like you or your people.”
“Because of Steph,” Tim stated rather than questioned.
Kara gave a dry laugh. “It’s petty, I know. I liked her and she left me for you and your sister. I mean there’s also the fact that Mods attacked Rockers on this very beach for no reason.”
“I don’t know the reason. I didn’t even know about the attack. But I suppose it had something to do with the tension that the media drummed up between us. I don’t hate you, Kara, or your people,” Tim sighed.
“I know because you love Conner.”
“Loved,” Tim corrected sharply, hurting himself.
Kara turned to him with a raised eyebrow. “What happened?”
“You don’t know?” Tim asked with shock on his face.
“What should I know?”
Tim was picking at the sand beneath him. “Conner…he was arrested and…”
“Yes?”
“They beat him up real bad…”
“I know.”
“You know?” Tim asked.
“I know,” Kara repeated. “That’s why I’m here. Conner sent me to get you.”
Tim ceased fidgeting immediately and snapped his head up to stare at Kara directly. “He what?”
“He’s in the hospital and he sent me to get you. Said there’s some things you need to talk about. Your dad was at the hospital too and told me you were at Steph’s so I went over there and they told me you left but they didn’t know where you went. I took Conner’s bike and had a sneaking suspicion I would find you here because this is your place right? With Conner?”
Tim was spiralling. Conner was alive. Conner was okay. Conner wanted to see him. Conner told Kara about their date and the beach. Conner was alive.
“What are we still doing here then, let’s go,” Tim ordered as he sprung up from where he was sitting, dragging Kara with him.
“Why is it you that has captured Conner’s heart,” Kara sighed as she allowed Tim to drag her over to where she had parked Conner’s bike.
Kara got on the bike and Tim sat behind her and they rode to the hospital together, Tim urging her to go faster. He was going to see Conner again and that was all that mattered.
Chapter Text
“Tim! Tim!” Conner called, thrashing in his bed, trying to pull out the wires that were attached to him.
Where was he? Why were there wires attached to him?
Hands were grabbing and restraining him. A soothing voice, “Conner, calm down, please son.”
Son?
Conner relaxed, leaving the wires alone and looked up.
“What’s going on? Where am I?” Conner asked his dad.
Clark sighed, letting go of Conner and sitting down in a chair beside Conner’s bed. “You’re in the hospital. You were beaten up badly by the police.”
“Police? I didn’t do anything, dad, I promise. They got the wrong person,” Conner immediately defended himself, not even sure if it was true. He tried to remember what happened, why did the police beat him up?
He was with Tim. And then Tim left him. Again. Steph’s place. Police. Jail cell.
It came rushing back to him like a bad headache. He must have winced because his dad was back hovering over him, holding down his arms and staring at him with concern in his eyes. Conner was familiar with that look. But this time it felt different.
“I know, son. I’m sorry for not believing you before. I just worry about you. The papers, they had all these stories about young boys who look like you getting up to no good. I wanted to protect you. And now look at what happened. You almost died, Conner.”
Conner jerked out of his dad’s grip. “This is not my fault!”
“I’m not saying it is,” Clark exasperated. “This is not coming out right. I’m trying to say I should have taken this more seriously. I’m a journalist and I should have done more due diligence by trying to stop or reshape these stories.”
“They didn’t come from the Daily Planet,” Conner mumbled.
“But still,” Clark sighed.
And Conner had nothing more to say. The newspapers created a moral panic and it almost killed him. His fashion sense and taste in music almost killed him. This had to be one giant joke.
“So,” Clark started, “who is Tim?”
Conner started blushing. “Tim is…” But who is Tim to him? They were strangers. They were enemies. They were amicable. They were lovers. They were nothing. They were everything.
“...right here,” a voice from the doorway called out.
Conner didn’t want to believe it. Surely his mind was playing tricks on him.
But no. Standing there, with red eyes, wind swept hair, and a disheveled shirt, was the one and only Tim Drake. He still looked gorgeous regardless.
Conner could feel his dad’s eyes on him but he didn’t care. Tim was here. For him. He had a sense of deja vu except this time it was him in the hospital bed.
“Clark,” Kara called out from behind Tim. Conner wasn’t even aware she was there. “We should let these two talk.”
Clark squeezed Conner’s hand and Conner finally looked back at him. “Will you be okay?” He asked quietly, just for the two of them.
Conner nodded. “Yes. Tim and I need to speak.”
Clark understood and got up, heading to the doorway. “I need to speak with Bruce Wayne anyway, I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
“How do you know my dad?” Tim asked as Clark passed him.
Clark paused, glancing at Tim. “Dad, huh? Of course my son had to fall for a Wayne boy,” Clark said while shaking his head with a small smile on his lips.
“Dad!” Conner whined.
Clark just laughed. “Bruce and I, we go way back.” He stepped out of Conner’s room, ushering Kara with him to give the two some privacy.
“Wait, dad,” Conner called, making Clark stop in his steps. “I’m okay, please don’t blame yourself.”
Clark nodded and then he was gone. Conner knew that his relationship with his dad wasn’t perfect, and it was far from fixed but they were good for now and that was enough.
The room was quiet for a moment, Tim still standing beside the door.
“I don’t bite,” Conner said, trying to fill the silence.
Tim took that as permission to come closer, taking the seat previously occupied by Conner’s dad.
“Conner, I’m so sorry,” Tim started.
“Why? You didn’t call the police,” Conner replied. And then, “Did you?”
“No!” Tim rushed to say. “No, it wasn’t any of us. My dad said there were planned raids and they were going after anyone in a leather jacket.”
“Then you have nothing to be sorry about,” Conner shrugged, and then winced, his whole body aching. Conner ignored the pain. He had worried that Tim betrayed him, that he truly hated him enough to get him locked up, but deep down he knew that would never be true.
Tim grabbed his hand, a worried look on his face. Conner waved his worry away, saying it was nothing.
“But this is all my fault. If I hadn’t punched you it wouldn’t have escalated this far. Our friends wouldn’t hate each other. We wouldn’t have kissed. I wouldn’t have run away from you and be the reason you were where you were to get picked up by the police.”
“Tim, you shouldn’t assume these things, it only makes an ass out of you and me.”
“Shut up,” Tim said, huffing out a small laugh.
Conner loved that he could still make Tim laugh, after everything. “But seriously Tim. This is not on you. The fight on the beach was not your fault. As you keep reminding me, the punch was an accident. Besides, the police raid had nothing to do with you. It was just unfortunate they found me. But I’m fine now.”
“But it is my fault!” Tim protested. “My friends, they helped feed fake stories about Rockers to the press and I didn’t stop them.”
Oh.
“That still doesn’t make it your fault, Tim. This started long before we knew each other. Something like this was always going to happen. A couple of fake stories were never going to change anything.”
Tim’s face softened. “How do you see the good in everything?”
“Not everything,” Conner replied. “Just you.”
That must have been enough for Tim because the next thing Conner knew his face was being cupped and his lips feeling the warmth of the other boy’s lips. Conner reached up to run his hands through Tim’s hair, pulling him down forcefully on top of him to bring them closer to each other.
Only when Conner moaned in pain rather than pleasure did they break apart.
“Did I hurt you?” Tim fretfully asked, eyes darting across Conner’s body looking for the main source of the pain.
“You could never hurt me,” Conner replied. Well that wasn’t true. Aside from the physical pain that was shooting through his whole body in that moment due to exerting himself with the passion filled kiss, Tim had also broken his heart. Twice. But he would never let that happen again. He was never letting Tim go, ever.
“Conner…” Tim started.
Conner shook his head. “No, Tim. I don’t care about your worries. I like you and that’s all that matters. I don’t care about what other Mods and Rockers have to say. I don’t care what the papers have to say. I don’t care what our friends have to say. I want to be with you.”
“I want to be with you too. I was just so scared something like this would happen. That you would get hurt. But you did anyway, and not because you were with me. Kara helped me to realise something before coming here.”
“Kara, my Kara?” Conner asked incredulously, he was wondering why they arrived together.
Tim looked confused. “She told me you had sent her to get me.”
Now it was Conner who was confused. “I just woke up before you got here, I never told her to do anything.”
Tim sat back, dejected.
“Not that I don’t want you here,” Conner was quick to add. He never wanted to be the reason Tim had a frown on his face.
Tim perked up slightly after hearing that. “Well, she also said she knew to find me at our beach because you had told her about our date. And then she said I loved you.”
Conner sucked in a breath. “Do you?”
He forced himself to look at Tim, staring into his eyes to make sure he got the real truth, even if the answer was not what he wanted.
“Of course I do, Conner. I begged my dad to help get you out of jail before I thought you were dead! And it broke me. I was cruel to you and I don’t deserve you but I’m hopelessly in love with you, Conner,” Tim proclaimed, and then he broke out into song. “Conner! Say it loud and there’s music playing. Say it soft and it’s almost like praying. Conner, I’ll never stop saying Conner!”
Conner started laughing. “Tim, what are you doing?”
“You read the papers! They’re calling us West Side Story! Would you prefer I quote the original Romeo and Juliet. But soft! What light through yonder window breaks? It is the east and Conner is the sun.”
“You’re ridiculous,” Conner said while shaking his head. “Those stories end in tragedies.”
Tim went back to being serious. “Our story won’t. We both defied death, we get to be together now and nothing can stop us.”
“You mean that?” Conner asked sincerely. He needed it to be true. He wanted nothing more than to be with Tim.
Tim raised a hand to caress Conner’s cheek. “Of course I do. I love you, Conner Kent. I want to be with you. I want to forget this silly feud and for our friends to get along. I want you!”
Conner kissed Tim’s wrist and nuzzled into his touch. “I want that too.”
Chapter 18
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Once Conner was out of the hospital, life was good for Tim. The press had cooled with their Mods vs Rockers agenda. His dad had gotten the police involved in the dangerous beatings suspended for now, with all of the Rockers that had been arrested released. And now he has a boyfriend.
Conner Kent was his boyfriend.
Tim couldn’t stop smiling.
“Hey baby,” Conner called after parking his motorbike.
“Ewwww,” Cassie said while fake gagging.
Tim rolled his eyes and walked halfway to meet Conner and planted a kiss on his cheek. “You’re one to talk. You and Cissie are worse now that you like each other. I almost miss when you were fighting.”
To demonstrate, Cissie grabbed Cassie and started making out with her, making sure to grab her ass for all to see.
Tim averted his eyes, instead choosing to look up at Conner. His beautiful Conner. “I missed you.”
Conner smiled. “We saw each other yesterday.”
“Okay, okay, that’s enough,” Tim heard Slobo say before barging past the girls and making his way onto the beach.
Everyone began to follow him, Tim and Conner walking at the back of the group, hand in hand.
In front of them were Kara and Steph, just close enough that Tim could hear their conversation.
“I just want to say I’m sorry for leaving you behind, Kara,” Steph said.
Kara shrugged, “It is what it is.” But Tim knew how much it had hurt her, from their previous conversation on this very beach.
“Still, I am sorry. And I want to thank you for finding Tim and bringing him to the hospital.”
Kara has confessed to Tim and Conner that she had lied about Conner sending her to find Tim because she knew how much they meant to each other and didn’t want them to miss out on a good thing. It was sweet, in a slightly bizarre way that only Kara could come up with.
“I still can’t believe you were right about Cissie and Cassie,” Conner said, bringing Tim’s attention back to him.
Tim grinned. “I’m always right. Haven’t you heard? I’m a bit of an amateur detective.”
“Oh yeah?” Conner smirked. “I have some clues you can find later.”
“If that’s your attempt at being seductive, just know that even though it’s incredibly corny and doesn’t even make sense, it’s definitely working on me,” Tim leaned up to whisper, making sure to nibble on Conner’s ear. He felt the shiver work its way down Conner’s body and smiled innocently.
“Why don’t we disappear for a while?” Conner asked, attempting to drag Tim in a different direction to their friends, presumably to a bathroom.
As much as Tim would love to do nothing more than find a private place for the two of them to get a bit frisky, he resisted. “We can do that later, we have something to do first and it’s important.”
Conner knew that and so he relented as Tim led him back to their friends.
“Come on guys, you know you’re essential for this plan to work,” Duke called to them, camera in hand.
The beach was busy today, but there were no other Mods or Rockers around. Both groups were still too afraid to be seen in public places together after the raids.
Beachgoers looked at them apprehensively when they noticed the group. The worry on their faces said enough about how they thought this was going to end.
Duke held up his camera, Kara had her pen and paper ready, and Slobo figured himself some sort of director, yelling ACTION! once they were all on the beach.
The rest of them shrugged and went for it. But instead of throwing punches, they embraced their couple. Cissie and Cassie were all over each other, worse than before. Greta and Anita kept it more sweet, caressing each other’s cheeks. Tim refused to look at Steph and Cass because his sister and his best friend is not something he ever wants to see. As for him and Conner? Well Tim jumped Conner immediately, wrapping his legs around Conner’s waist and smothering him in kisses.
Slobo yelled CUT! but everyone ignored him. It took another few moments for them to stop, Tim never wanting to let Conner go.
“Well that was truly disgusting,” Slobo said, opting to lay down on the sand.
“What can I say? When you’re in love, you never want it to end,” Conner shrugged, dragging him and Tim down beside Slobo.
Soon everyone else followed. The beachgoers were now staring at them in a mix of disgust and awe. At least they could safely say the group would not break out in a fight.
“I can’t believe I had to take photos of that,” Duke grimaced.
“Well, did they turn out good?” Steph asked.
“He won’t know until we get them developed. After that I will turn in my story to the Daily Planet and we stop this feud for good,” Kara chimed in.
Now this truly was a sunny day. A perfect day. A day where nothing could go wrong.
West Side Story on English Coast Turns Happy Ending
Daily Planet
Youngsters Kiss Up Town
Daily Express
Day of Love by Scooter Groups
Daily Telegraph
Boot Goes in for Summer. Mods and Lovers!
Daily Star
Living for Kisses. Portrait of a Mod in Action at Brighton Yesterday.
Daily Mirror
Mods Let Fly at the Rockers in Fierce Seafront Kisses.
Evening Argus
Beach Crowds Take Cover from Kissing Mods and Rockers. Wildest Ones Yet.
Daily Sketch
Scooter Gangs ‘Love Up’ Brighton. ‘Wild Ones’ Invade Seaside
Daily Mirror
Notes:
wow so it only took me 3 and a half years to finish this my bad. i was dedicated to doing a multi chapter fic, which i never do. and then found myself getting really busy with college half way through. i almost finished it and then had a dissertation to do and left the last two chapters hanging for forever. i dont know what inspired me to finish this today but here we are. this probably could have been better and way longer but clearly i was not the one to do it. anyway if anyone read this the full way through hope you enjoyed it. timkon still going strong in my heart even though i have no idea what they are currently up to in dc.
lesbiantano on Chapter 1 Sun 07 Nov 2021 04:11PM UTC
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ripavengers on Chapter 1 Sun 07 Nov 2021 05:26PM UTC
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lesbiantano on Chapter 2 Sun 07 Nov 2021 04:33PM UTC
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ripavengers on Chapter 2 Sun 07 Nov 2021 05:26PM UTC
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lesbiantano on Chapter 3 Fri 19 Nov 2021 03:46PM UTC
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ripavengers on Chapter 3 Fri 19 Nov 2021 04:49PM UTC
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lesbiantano on Chapter 4 Fri 19 Nov 2021 03:48PM UTC
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lesbiantano on Chapter 5 Sun 21 Nov 2021 05:04PM UTC
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ripavengers on Chapter 5 Sun 21 Nov 2021 05:10PM UTC
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lesbiantano on Chapter 6 Sun 21 Nov 2021 05:07PM UTC
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ripavengers on Chapter 6 Sun 21 Nov 2021 05:11PM UTC
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lesbiantano on Chapter 7 Mon 06 Dec 2021 10:58AM UTC
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ripavengers on Chapter 7 Mon 06 Dec 2021 11:10AM UTC
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lesbiantano on Chapter 8 Mon 06 Dec 2021 11:03AM UTC
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ripavengers on Chapter 8 Mon 06 Dec 2021 11:11AM UTC
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