~More Than A Program~/// Bart Allen x Reader

Chapter 10

It was fear for  you.

You had to admit, you would've loved to stop. You were trembling uncontrollably, you were terrified. You had never confronted anyone before, and it was downright scary. You just wanted to hide in a corner and vanish...

But no. You wouldn't. Not when you were defending Bart. Not when you were making him see that you would never, ever  betray him, not when you were making him see that he was much more than an ordinary Impulse to you.

'Cause seemingly, during the past two weeks you spent together, he hadn't realized any of this.

Your teacher's cold laughter met your ears. Twisting back toward her, you returned her glare as she mocked, "Oh, so you even gave it a name? How sweet of you! Oooh, oooh," she broke out into a cruel grin, "I know what you'll say next! You'll say it feels so happy  to have been blessed with a name, no?"

"That's right."

You quickly whirled to Bart getting to his feet. And...

For the first time, he was angry.

It was hard to tell from his rather calm expression, but his set jaw and burning eyes gave it away completely.

You felt a shiver run down your spine. A ticked-off Bart...

This couldn't be good.

He slowly made his way over to your side, ignoring your gawking self completely, and focusing on the teacher instead.

Looking her straight in the eye, he coolly continued, "I feel both delighted and honoured to have been given a name. In fact, (Y/N) had been meaning to name me after The Flash, Barry Allen, but it doesn't matter. I cherish my name nevertheless."

His brows furrowed as his composed demeanor melted into a hateful scowl. "I also feel enraged, for you speak of me like if I were a pest that's to be disposed of, and especially since you treat (Y/N) with so much disrespect."

Despite the seriousness of the moment, you couldn't help but wonder...Since when does he talk with this kind of vocabulary...? Damn, this must've hit him real hard, getting him so angry...

Smirking slightly, your teacher rolled her eyes, seeming unaffected by Bart's small speech. "Oh, really now? That can't be right, for emotions are not included in your design, Impulse-"

"I am not  an Impulse!!" Bart roared unexpectedly, the passionate flame dancing in his eyes blaring to life. Everyone seemed taken back by his sudden, uncontained rage and even a little scared, all except for your damn cocky teacher.

"If you're not an Impulse, what are you then-"

"He's human!!"  You burst out, your lips curling into a snarl as you stared daggers at her.

You had had enough. No way was she insulting Bart on your watch. She'd swallow her words.

"He's human, plain, fully human, and more human than you  will ever be, you demon!!"

"Pfftt," your teacher sneered, "Look who's talking! If there's a demon here, it's surely you, (Y/N), spreading madness and leaving disruptive anger issues untreated." Smirking in satisfaction, she mocked, "What do you think, Impulse? Oh, right, you can't  think, can you?"

Bart ignored her last few words. "I..." He finally met your gaze. Giving you a small smile, he quietly admitted, "I think she's the best friend I could ever ask for."

You gawked at him for a few moments, unable to process what he had just said. But once you did... A pleasant giddiness washed over you, and you slowly returned his smile.  Bart...

"Disgusting fools!" Your teacher's growl brought your attention back toward her. "You've obviously corrupted it, (Y/N)." She laughed bitterly. "But I feel no pity for the Impulse. In fact..." Her voice dripped with malice as she lowly hissed, "You, just like your owner, are a complete disgrace. "

That dealt the fatal blow.

You couldn't keep it in any longer. Letting out a choked sob, you hurried out of the room, blinded by freefalling tears.

Seeing you like this made Bart feel like the world had collapsed.

"(Y/N)!!"  Without even giving your teacher a spare look, he set chase after you, trying not to cry himself as he followed the sound of your weeping. "(Y/N), wait up, please! "

His words seemed to get to you, for moments later, he found you curled up next to a locker, hugging your knees against your chest and crying into them.

He rushed over, getting down next to you and immediately pulled you into a tight hug.

You eagerly accepted the embrace, weakly wrapping your arms around him as you whimpered and cried shamelessly into his chest. Your sniffs were muffled as you wailed, "B-B-Bart, I'm s-so sorry, I didn't t-think she'd s-say that, it's n-not true, a-and-"

"Shhh, i-it's all right (Y/N)," he murmured quietly as he struggled to bite back his own tears. He had to be strong for you, yet... How could he not cry when you were in such a horrible state? "It's all right, I'm r-right here..."

You clung on to him more tightly as he started gently weaving his fingers through your hair, whispering soothing words to you. You felt a few tears hit the top of your head, but you didn't care. In fact, you wanted  Bart to cry with you. He was suffering too.

And, you finally understood... There was nothing wrong with expressing your sadness, nothing wrong nor shameful about crying in front of someone.

You felt him tremble a little against you, but you found comfort in his arms nevertheless. A few shaky breaths escaped from him, and when they did, you found the strength to softly shush him through your sniffs.

You were comforting each other.

I-I wouldn't have it any other way... I wouldn't cry anywhere but here, with him.

     Once your sobs had finally died out, you looked up at the speedster, not caring if he saw you in such a vulnerable state.

Smiling down at you, he bitterly laughed. "Y-You look terrible (Y/N)."

"I could say the same for you," you weakly teased, noticing his puffy eyes. "L-Let's think of something t-that makes us happy to feel better..."

"Like f-food?" His eyes brightened a little.

You smiled faintly. "Yeah. Like food."

Although what made you  happy was that you had your usual, food-loving Bart back. Maybe a tear-stained, hurt Bart, but still the Bart you knew and learned to appreciate...

"Hey, Bart?" He weakly hummed, prompting you to go on.

Before you did, you shifted a little so your side was pressed against his front, your cheek resting on his chest. "Don't doubt me again. I... I-I saw the fear in your eyes earlier." You closed your eyes, letting out a shaky sigh. "I'd never mistreat you or see you as an Impulse, I... Y-You're Bart Allen to me. Bart Allen, and Bart Allen alone. You're more than a program, Bart. Okay?"

You felt him wrap his arms back around you and pull you closer against him. Then, he rested his chin upon your head, and murmured, "I won't doubt you again. I promise."

"...Thank you."

"Mmm."

 ...I'm really lucky to have him.