Hands (SuperBat)

22 Clean

Bruce was worried about Kal since the altercation from a week ago. He knew that Kal was not in the stable frame of mind. Well, he was less stable than he has been in a while.

Diana visited often when Bruce told her of the altercation.

Kal continued to do what he usually did, but he was melancholy in everything he did. They had their breakfasts and picnics. That interaction with Jimmy shook him. The topic of a friend dying brought more memories of his family dying, which led to memories of Vandal. It was a whole domino effect.

"Kal," Bruce called. He came into the sitting area where Kal was sitting quietly. He sat beside him.

It was evening. The sun was barely in the sky

Kal went, "Hm?" He seemed out of it.

"Is there anything you need?"

Kal shook his head no. He looked down at the book on his lap. He wasn't reading it. His mind was going off somewhere else.

Bruce asked, "Want to take a bath together? I know that you have been neglecting yourself again."

Kal looked over at him. It was like he needed some time to process what he said. Eventually, he nodded yes.

Bruce and Kal managed to get undressed and into the bathtub filled with water and bubbles. They sat there quietly. Bruce observed Kal's listlessness.

Kal didn't feel like moving. He didn't feel like being present.

Grabbing a washcloth, Bruce asked, "Want me to wash you? A simple spray wouldn't be enough." The two of them sprayed themselves before soaking in the bathtub.

Kal shook his head no. He reached for the washcloth and took it. He did everything himself. He obviously still didn't want to be touched. When he got between his legs under the water, he paused and looked puzzled.

"What's wrong?" Bruce asked concerned. He couldn't see through the bubbles what caused the reaction.

Kal's knees went up to his chest as he shivered. "I- I don't why I cant-. I was doing so well." He was struggling to wash below the waist once more. And that frustrated him.

"It's okay," Bruce said. "Setbacks happen."

"This is so stupid," Kal scowled bitter. "This is so fucking stupid. I hate it so much."

Bruce nodded, "I know it could be hard."

"Why is this happening again?" Kal said. "All because of fucking Jimmy! All the memories. The blood. The guilt. It's like it's happening all over again." His breaths were growing ragged. "He wouldn't stop touching me with his bloody hands. I couldn't do anything." He began shaking his head as if trying to will the horrible memories away.

"I'm sorry," Bruce said. He felt like he should've kept a closer eye on him. All of this could've been avoided. "I'm sorry but-." He stopped himself. He was about to go into technicals that it was all in Kal's head and what he is remembering is nothing but bad memories. In other words, Vandal isn't here to hurt him anymore. Maybe less words would be better for Kal. "Is there something you need?"

Kal looked at Bruce. "I want no one else to get hurt." That was a tall order. "And to be clean, but I can't." His hand holding the washcloth was shaking.

"Could I help with that?"

Hesitantly, Kal nodded. He wasn't sure.

"Okay, let's try this." Bruce had an idea. He knew that the unknown scared him, and maybe not being able to see into the water made things worse. He got Kal to sit on the edge of the bathtub with the water to his knees. Bruce placed a robe around his shoulders to cover his shaking frame. He kneeled in front of him in the water and bubbles.