As the clone of an alien with near-indestructibility, Conner had only two weaknesses. The obvious one being Kryptonite, and the less obvious second, the one she held closer to her chest, was Robin. Tim Drake.

Conner’s heart fluttered anytime Tim was around, whether it was a dutiful team-up or a personal hang-out. The circumstance never mattered, the fact Tim was beside him was what mattered.

Conner loved other people. Like Clark, or other members of the team he and Tim were on, Bart or Cassie.

But not in the same way that he loved Tim without confession. Not in the way that made his lips part when proximity was too close to closing, or made his eyes linger when Tim looked away, or made him want to do anything possible to see Tim smile.

The issue, the reason Conner could never voice the way that he felt about the other boy, was the fact Tim’s heart didn’t belong to him. It belonged to a girl, to Stephanie Brown.

She was actually a nice girl. That may have been the worst part, the fact Conner had no reason other than envy to dislike her. She was good to Tim.

Conner and Tim had just finished up a mission—one that Conner would’ve hated doing if it weren’t for the fact Tim was with him—and so, Conner was flying him home. He didn’t even have to be asked.

Conner actually liked taking Tim home, or anywhere, really. Because when they were in the air together, it was the only time he got to hold him in the way he always fantasized about. It wasn’t meant to be romantic, but Conner imagined it as such, only in his head.

The Batcave was hidden inside the manor, which meant Conner dropped him off at the front gate. Immediately, he spotted Stephanie standing there, waiting for Tim. His jaw tightened as he lowered him to the ground.

“Tim,” A bright smile crossed Stephanie’s face as she greeted Tim, excited as she approached him, “Finally. What took so long?”

Conner exhaled sharply. What really got to him was the fact he knew Tim was probably just excited to see her as she was him.

As Conner let go, he instantly felt the same he always did when doing so. Missed the feeling of touching Tim. And now, Stephanie would inevitably be the one with hands on him in a few mere moments. Instead of him.

Conner felt a sharp pang of jealousy.