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Wally West knew his best friend and partner in crime-stopping, Robin, like the back of his hand. He prided himself on how close they’d become in the years they’ve known each other. They were inseparable. They told each other everything. God knows Wally had spent enough time staring longingly to have every part of Robin committed to memory, from the curves of his cheekbones to the way his fingers drummed on the table during one of their too-long debriefings. Knowing Robin was as easy as breathing, probably even easier, because Wally was still a little sore from when he broke a rib yesterday. 

When Dick Grayson entered the Wayne Gala where Wally-West-as-Kid-Flash was patrolling, Wally West didn’t even realize that Wally recognized him. Robin had always kept his secret identity close to his chest, per Batman’s orders, but it was undeniable that Dick Grayson was Robin. Even in a bespoke, expensive suit, Wally could recognize his best friend.

Robin was Dick Grayson, the media’s darling and heir to the Wayne family fortune. Dick Grayson was Robin, his best friend and crush of half a decade. It just made sense, in some weird corner of Wally’s mind, like he had always known. 

Dick Grayson moved through the crowd with practiced ease, smiling politely at the paparazzi who tried to crowd him and shaking hands with all the important, wealthy people in the room. Wally was quite frankly impressed, watching Dick from the corner of the room while munching on fancy appetizers. Wally certainly didn’t belong in this world of affluence and snobbery, (he was only brought along because Batman thought the event would need extra protection), but Dick acted like Dick did. There was a reason that Dick Grayson was the media’s golden boy; he was charming and funny and generous, not to mention a walking wet dream. Of course, Wally always thought Robin was hot, even while sweaty and collapsed on the team couch after a long mission, but the tailored suit really did wonders for his body. 

Wally was surprised that he wasn’t fending off suitors with a stick. All the tabloids claimed that Dick Grayson was single as ever, which made Wally’s heart do a little happy dance in his chest. Of course, Dick Grayson probably was fending off suitors...Wally’s eyes narrowed as he watched some girl in a little black dress touching Dick’s chest, halfway across the room. Even without having an intuitive sense of what the man was thinking at all times, it was pretty clear that he was uncomfortable, backing away from her lingering touch.

Before he knew it, Wally was halfway across the room, stepping between Dick and whatever girl was next to him, grinning and sticking out his hand.

“The name’s Kid Flash. Mind if I speak to you?”

Dick Grayson looked relieved, shooting an apologetic smile at the girl and letting Kid Flash drag him away.

“Dick Grayson, it’s nice to meet you,” Dick said, as he followed Wally away from the crowds of the gala. “How can I help you?”

“Oh, I just wanted to save a gorgeous man from an awkward conversation,” Wally said, leaning up against the wall and winking at Dick through his goggles.

Dick smiled, looking away before meeting Wally’s eyes again. “I bet you say that to all the guys you save.”

Wally’s eyes widened. Oh, he wasn’t used to this. Normally the object of his affections just waved him off. He wasn’t prepared for Dick Grayson– Robin – to flirt back.

What the fuck was he supposed to do now?

“Just the really gorgeous ones. And I promise, this has nothing to do with the fact that you could afford to buy me a yacht. Really, I don’t even want a yacht.”

It was the kind of joke that just slipped out before Wally could think better of it. For one terrifying second, he was sure that he’d just ruined everything. But then, Dick Grayson laughed, and it was his real laugh, not the fake, polite laugh he used in uncomfortable conversations with rich dudes. It made Wally feel warm, that he could make Dick Grayson laugh like that. Like it was a sign from the universe that he maybe had a chance. 

“I don’t think Bruce would let me buy you a yacht. I could buy you a drink, though,” Dick offered.

“I’m working right now, technically.” Suddenly this all felt a little too real. Like he was driving a spike into a balloon and praying it wouldn’t pop.

“They’re serving water.”

Wally swallowed. He was weak. He said yes. Best decision of his life. 

Wally was still grinning when he returned to Mount Justice. Dick was just as perfect as Robin was, as if he needed anymore proof that they were the same person. He was just as charming and funny as the tabloids made him out to be, and if Wally wasn’t already hopelessly in love with Dick, he would be now. He wanted to tell Robin that he knew, because they definitely flirted at the gala, right?

“What’s got you so excited?” Artemis grumbled as he strutted into the room. “Did you seduce some poor girl at the gala?”

“You’re just jealous you didn’t get to go. Do you know where Rob is?”

Artemis shrugged, fiddling with the tip of one of her trademark green arrows. “How should I know? He’s your boyfriend.”

Wally rolled his eyes, but he couldn’t pretend that the word didn’t set off butterflies in his stomach. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Superboy entering, and raced over.

“Do you know where Rob is?”

“I think he was talking to M’gann, why?”
“Thanks!”
And in another flash, Wally was right outside M’gann’s room, smiling like an idiot. He took a minute to compose himself, straightening out his red hair. He was about to knock, then faltered, hearing voices on the other side of the door. 

“But you’re in love with him,” M’gann said, sounding confused. 

Wally’s heart slammed to a halt. Robin was in love? It wouldn’t be too crazy if Wally thought it was him , right? Because Robin had been totally flirting with him at the Wayne Gala, Wally was sure of it. Right?

“It’s not that simple,” Robin snapped, sounding irritated. “Trust me, you don’t have to remind me how irrevocably in love I am with Wally West.”

And oh, the serotonin from that statement could’ve powered Wally for years. His heart was fluttering in his chest and he felt like he was walking on air, a stupid, dopey gay smile on his face. He almost forgot to listen to the rest of what Robin was saying. 

“And even if he liked me back, we’d never have a chance. Batman still wouldn’t let me tell him who I am, and I don’t think I could date someone without being honest with them,” Robin finished, voice tinged with melancholy.

It hit Wally like a slap in the face. He did like Robin back, and Robin liked him, and they’d be perfect together, Wally knew it. But just because of some stupid rule of Batman’s…it was like the worst kind of tragedy. Shakespeare could never.

He slumped against the wall, heaving a sigh of disappointment. Then he stood up, eyes widening. But he did know what Robin’s secret identity was. Dick Grayson.

Robin liked–loved– him back. He could ask Robin out, and tell Robin that he knew, and Robin would say yes, and they could live happily ever after with a dog and a house and like two awesome kids. 

After a few more muffled words, the door swung open and Robin walked out, doing a double-take when he saw Wally.

“How long have you been standing there?” Robin asked, sounding nervous.

“Can we talk?” Wally asked, trying to project his most suave, flirtatious, seductive persona possible to cover how nervous he felt.

Robin nodded. “Yeah, I guess we can talk.”

Robin was sitting patiently on Wally’s bed as Wally paced the floor in front of him, trying to find the best way to phrase everything. He glanced at the door, which was closed, and thought of all of the people who could overhear them. The walls weren’t that thick. And Robin would definitely dump Wally if he spread Robin’s uber secret identity around.

“So I went to the Wayne Gala yesterday, right?”

Robin nodded slowly, then said, “I thought this was about–”
“I’m getting there, I promise. So I met Dick Grayson, and I think– I know I have a crush on him.”

Robin blinked. “I don’t think I should–”

“What? No, Robin, it’s okay.” Why didn’t Robin look excited? “I know why you weren’t at the Gala. I know that you’re…friends with Dick Grayson.” Wasn’t that the euphemism that Disneyland actors used? Robin had been to Disneyland before, right?

Robin seemed to de-tense in his seat. Wally was fairly confident his message was getting across.

“And, um, what do you want me to do?” Robin asked.

“Well, I heard through the grapevine that Dick Grayson might like me back. And since you’re… friends …” Wally looked at Robin pointedly. “I was hoping you could, you know, set us up on a date.”

Robin looked confused, brow furrowed in the cutest way, then his eyes widened slightly. “Oh.”

“You get what I’m saying?” Wally asked eagerly. “Is Dick Grayson going to say yes?”

There was a small smile on Robin’s face, and it still felt Wally’s heart racing. He couldn’t believe this was happening. 

“Yeah, I think that could work. I’ll, um, text him for you.”
Wally felt like he’d just run a marathon, heart pounding and a smile on his face. “You’re the best, Boy Wonder.”

At that moment, Kaldur called them into the training room, and Wally and Robin left to go meet him. Wally couldn’t help but try to catch Robin’s eyes during the meeting. Months of pining, and it all led to this. Wally wished he could time travel to the future already. 

Shortly after his and Robin’s talk, Wally got a text message from an unknown number. From Dick Grayson. Inviting him on a date. An official one.

I should warn you, Dick’s message read, there’s a good chance that the media will find out about our date, and run a story in it. Still want to go?

Like that would actually stop Wally from going on a date with the man of his dreams. Like Wally hadn’t already been out for years and was used to the prying media as Kid Flash. Still, it was adorable how much Dick cared about him.

The days seemed to drag by at a snail’s pace until Thursday finally, finally arrived. He’d ran to his Aunt Iris first, and she studied him with an amused smile as he rambled on about cute rich boys and what the hell was he supposed to wear on this date, anyway?

The thing was, Wally knew he probably shouldn’t be nervous. Robin liked him, had admitted  had agreed to go on a date with him, all of it. But he couldn’t help but feel like he had something to prove to Robin. Prove that he could be a good boyfriend– nay, a perfect one. Now, if he could only figure out how to tie a tie…

“You look great, Wally,” Aunt Iris cooed, adjusting the way his tie fell over his white button-down. 

“What’s the occasion?” Uncle Barry asked, walking into the kitchen while munching on a reheated burrito. He pecked Aunt Iris on the cheek before surveying Wally’s outfit and giving him a big thumbs-up. 

“Wally here has a date,” Aunt Iris said, sounding proud.

“Who’s the lucky person?”

As much as Wally loved how supportive his aunt and uncle were, he could do with a little less prying into his love life. Mostly because he didn’t really want to answer this question.

“It’s Dick Grayson,” Wally replied, feeling self-conscious. He knew how it probably seemed, claiming that a city celebrity is dating a, well, nobody. “I was at the Wayne Gala with the team, and we hit it off.”

Luckily, his parents didn’t question it. 

The doorbell rang five minutes early, an oddly comforting sign that Dick Grayson was just as nervously eager as Wally was for this date. Wally had never run to the door faster, and he was rewarded with Dick Grayson looking possibly more gorgeous than he’d ever been, bright blue eyes adorably shy and raven black hair just the right kind of messy. Wally forgot how words worked for a minute, gaping like a fish. 

“You look…fantastic.”
Dick blushed and smiled. “You too. Are you ready?”

“Yes! Yes, I am so ready, and–” He cut off his rambling. “Let’s go.”

The place Dick chose for their date was a classy seafood restaurant on the outskirts of Gotham City. He’d been quick to tell Wally to order anything on the menu, as Dick was going to be paying, and Wally had never been more grateful to be wearing a tie. Everything here just felt so posh. 

Wally’s hands were sweating like crazy, and he was grateful for how extensive the menu was because it gave him something to do with his hands. He and Dick were going through the usual motions of being on a first date– family, hobbies, interests– as if they were pretending they didn’t know each other. And it was weird, because Wally had known Robin for years, but he had never met this side of Robin, the Dick Grayson side of Robin. 

But it was still his Robin. Wally could see it, in all of the little nervous quirks Dick had, those little half-smiles when Wally made a truly despicable pun, the way Dick’s favorite color was green and the way that Dick had a soft spot for the circus, just like Robin did. As the night went on, Wally began to relax, his palms getting less sweaty. This was just Robin without the traffic-light-colored spandex uniform. 

By the time their dishes came out (and, really, Wally had never cared less about food), they had found their rhythm. Not as Kid-Flash-and-Robin, but as Wally-West-and-Dick-Grayson. It was perfect.

“And that’s the story of how I tried to get superpowers and accidentally lit my science teacher on fire,” Wally finished proudly, watching the way Dick’s very blue eyes sparkled in the bright lighting of the restaurant.

“That’s impressive. I could never even figure out how to work the Bunsen Burners.”

“Yeah, well, you go to Gotham Academy. You probably have fancy Bunsen Burners with fancy buttons. Like little sonic screwdrivers that also light on fire.”

Dick laughed, and Wally felt like he’d just won the Powerball Lottery. 

“I promise you, Gotham Academy does not have sonic screwdrivers. I probably wouldn’t be doing so badly in chemistry if we did,” Dick said.

And oh, that was new. “I didn’t know that,” Wally blurted out. He backtracked quickly, realizing how it sounded, and said, “The media always makes you out as perfect.”

Dick sighed, shooting Wally a cynical smile. “That’s the media for you. You’re either a perfect hero, or you’re a total failure. But, you know, no pressure.”

Wally could read between the lines– Dick was trying to be vulnerable. This was a precious moment that he did not want to break. Robin always held everything in, and Wally had to pry his feelings out with a crowbar. Dick trusted him. He didn’t want to screw this up.

Wally’s mouth didn’t seem to get the message, though.

“You’re more perfect than me. I mean, I set fire to my science teacher. That’s like…supervillain level stuff right there. I’m an awful superhero. Middle school Wallace West was a menace to society.”

Dick stared at him for a second before bursting out laughing, and Wally’s chest filled with a warm glow. 

“I wish I knew you in middle school,” Dick said, laughter finally subsiding. “And for the record, I think you’re a pretty awesome superhero.”

A wave of serotonin flooded Wally’s brain, and he was pretty sure he shut down for a moment. Dick thought he was a pretty awesome superhero. It was incredible how good Dick/Robin was at washing away Wally’s insecurities. 

“For the record, I’m, like, a chemistry prodigy. Just saying, if you were in need of a hot chemistry tutor that you could have a romance subplot with…” Wally trailed off, sending Dick an overexaggerated wink.

Dick snorted. “I might just take you up on that. Study date.” Dick paused, and then said quickly, as if he was afraid he would lose the nerve. “I wasn’t kidding about me not being perfect, though. I like you a lot, Wally, but there’s some things that I can’t tell you.”

“That’s okay. I can talk enough for the both of us. I haven’t even gotten started on how I think Bruce Wayne is Batman’s secret sugar daddy–”

He was promptly cut off by the sound of Dick choking on a sip of water.

“I’m sorry?” Dick squeaked. 

“I have a whole powerpoint on this,” Wally said. “Artemis thinks I’m joking but I really do think there’s something here.”
“I need to hear this,” Dick announced, sounding incredibly invested. Which Wally supposed made sense, since Bruce Wayne was pretty much his dad and Batman was Robin’s dad which meant that omg Bruce Wayne and Batman are co-parenting a child together, that’s a whole other box to unpack. 

The date passed too quickly, and it was far too soon when Dick dropped Wally off at his porch, looking gorgeous as ever even in the weird orangey glow of his half-broken front porch light.

“I had a good time tonight,” Dick said sincerely, standing a mere inches away from Wally. “And I really hope you’re not kidding about that study date.”

“I’d take any excuse to spend more time with you,” Wally admitted. Wally was definitely blushing. 

“Okay. Me too. Um. Goodnight Wally,” Dick said. He paused, as if debating something, then quickly kissed Wally on the cheek before running back down the steps.

Almost dazed, Wally brushed his fingers along the spot where Dick’s lips had been. It was just a quick press of lips, but it was somehow everything. He just got kissed by Dick Grayson. Dick Grayson, who was his best friend, who liked him back, who wanted another date with him. Oh god. He could feel his brain short-circuiting as he stood in the dim porch light, grinning like an absolute fool in love.

Dick Grayson’s predictions had been spot on. As soon as Wally entered Mount Justice the next day, still riding the high of his date, Artemis tackled him almost immediately.

“You said you didn’t meet anyone at the Gala!” Artemis scowled playfully.

“I didn’t!” Wally exclaimed, and Artemis punched him in the shoulder. “Ow! What was that for?”
Artemis shoved a newspaper under his nose. “You lied to me!”

Wally snatched the paper out of her hands, reading the headline. His eyes widened. Dick really wasn’t kidding about the media being a pack of fast-acting vultures.

GOTHAM’S GOLDEN BOY SPOTTED WITH NEW MYSTERY LOVER?

The bold black words were featured prominently above a grainy, far-away picture that was still unmistakably Dick and Wally leaving the restaurant. 

“I can’t believe you went on a date with the Dick Grayson and didn’t tell me!” Artemis half-shouted.

“Artemis, do you want the whole mountain to know?” Wally scowled. “Seriously, it wasn’t a big deal.” He felt the blush rising up in his cheeks. “It was just, you know, a date.”
“Just a date? Geez, Wally, if I had known that gorgeous heirs were on the table, I would’ve gone to the Gala myself instead of letting you have all the fun.”

“I–”

Wally was saved from having to answer when Robin stepped into the cave,the mechanical voice calling out his name. “Rob! Hey!” He said, raising his hand in an awkward little wave. He was lucky that he was already blushing.

Robin seemed to brighten up when Wally said that. “Hey KF! Kaldur said he needed to talk to me, have you seen him?”

“No, but I was hoping we could talk about something after practice today?” Wally asked hopefully. He wanted to arrange his “study date” with Dick Grayson. 

“Yeah, sure. See ya!” Robin rounded the corner, and Wally watched him go with a smile, heart fluttering in his chest. He couldn’t believe how lucky he had gotten. 

Beside him, Artemis gasped, whacking him on the arm again.

“What was that for?” Wally hissed. “Stop hitting me.”

“You didn’t tell me you were in love with Robin!” Artemis gasped.

Wally went a brighter shade of red than the Flash costume, spluttering and grasping for words. “What? No, I’m not in love with Robin. I just– I just went on a date with Dick Grayson, remember? The Gotham Golden Boy?”

Artemis raised an eyebrow in disbelief. Wally deflated slightly. This wasn’t good. He was not about to out Robin as Dick Grayson just because he was looking. 

“Okay, okay,” Wally pretended to cave. “I did have a small crush on Robin. But it’s not like it would ever work between us. Besides, I have Dick Grayson now, remember? My new, perfectly hot, perfectly rich celebrity boyfriend.”

Artemis groaned. “I can’t believe you’re using him as a rebound . If Grayson ever wisens up, slip him my number for me, will you?”

As Artemis chattered on about Wally’s very exciting love life as opposed to her barren, star-less one (her words, not Wally’s), Wally couldn’t help the pit of uneasy doubt settling in his stomach. If Artemis could pick up on Wally’s crush on Robin with a look, who else could tell? Who else would question why Wally was dating Dick Grayson when he was so clearly enamored with Robin?
Like it or not, Wally could date Robin, or he could date Dick Grayson. There was too much at risk when it came to keeping Robin’s identities secret. If Robin’s secret identity got leaked because of Wally? Well, Batman would kill Wally if the guilt didn’t get to Wally first.

For Robin’s sake, he would have to be careful with how he interacted with Robin. No more longing stares, no more lingering touches, no more standing way too close during missions. Just basically act like a boy not in love.

Wally had enough experience in desperately hiding from his feelings. He was basically a pro. This was going to be fine. It was all going to be fine. 

It wasn’t fine. It wasn’t fine at all. Robin was avoiding him. 

It took Wally a while to figure out what was happening. Robin didn’t stand next to him during their training briefing like he normally did. Robin didn’t want to be Wally’s sparring partner, picking Kaldur instead. Robin was avoiding looking at him at all.

He didn’t think anything of it, at first. Of course Robin wouldn’t be all over him when Wally was so publicly dating Dick Grayson. But as the day went on, Wally’s heart sank to the bottom of his friction-resistant shoes. Robin was avoiding him, and he didn’t understand why. 

As soon as training let out for the day, Robin disappeared without a trace. Wally couldn’t help but feel nervous for Robin. Did something happen? He knocked on Robin’s door, hoping that he could catch him before he left. If something happened, he wanted to be there for his best friend.

“Who’s there?”
Yes! Wally’s heart did a little happy dance in his chest. At least he could talk to Robin about whatever was happening, see if he could help. And if Wally was at fault, then he could apologize, and they could go back to normal. 

“It’s Wally. Can we talk?”

Robin muttered something under his breath, then opened the door. He looked tired and worn-out, and he wasn’t letting Wally in like he usually did. He was standing in the doorway, door halfway open, like he was in a rush to get Wally to leave him alone.

Wally felt something uncomfortable settled in his chest. The idea that Wally was at fault seemed startlingly possible, his brain sifting through every conversation they’d had. He didn’t know what was wrong.

“Are you okay?” Wally asked.

“I’m fine,” Robin replied, and even his voice sounded tense, the complete opposite of fine. “I’m great. I’m feeling totally, totally whelmed .” 

“You realize that wasn’t as convincing at all, right?” Wally deadpanned. He glanced at the empty hallway. They were alone. “Wanna talk about it?”

Robin shook his head. “Trust me, this really isn’t the kind of thing you want to hear about.”

“Hey,” Wally said, in what he hoped would be a reassuring voice. “You’re still my best friend, Boy Wonderful. If there’s something bothering you, I want you to hear about it.”

Robin gave a half-hearted attempt at a smile. “Seriously, I’m fine. It’s not a big deal. What did you want to talk about?”

Aka, they wouldn’t be talking about this anymore. “I was kinda hoping we could talk about the Dick Grayson thing.”

He didn’t miss the way that Robin tensed. When Robin spoke, his voice was carefully neutral. “You should probably ask Dick Grayson about that.” He brushed past Wally and quickly left the hallway, leaving Wally behind.

Was Robin upset because of something Wally did? Wally couldn’t figure out what Robin would be mad about. Maybe he should talk to Dick Grayson about it during their study date. Stay whelmed, West, he reminded himself. Robin was guarded, but he and Wally told each other everything. If Robin wasn’t talking to him about that, then maybe it really was nothing.

But Wally knew his best friend better than that. Robin was annoyed about something. And Wally had a sinking feeling that it had something to do with him . 

Surprise, surprise, Wally lost the nerve to bring it up again with Dick Grayson. Robin was still being distant, and Wally whole-heartedly expected Dick Grayson to cancel their study date.

He didn’t. In fact, Dick Grayson was just as charming as ever, throwing out witty comebacks to match all of Wally’s stupid puns. Dick Grayson looked tired, but he also looked happy, and Wally dreaded bringing up anything that would take that gorgeous smile away.

They didn’t talk about it on their second date, when Dick and Wally spent the afternoon working through homework together, cuddled up on the couch and laughing together, when they had their first, actual, on-the-lips kiss. They didn’t talk about it on their third date, when Dick took Wally out for the best ice cream in Gotham City, and they made up stories about the weird people who hung out in the park (and Wally was convinced that Blue Shirt Guy and his stupid corgi was a supervillain, no matter what Dick said). 

Even though Robin wasn’t acting like he used to, Dick Grayson didn’t seem to be annoyed at all with Wally. Wally had admired–loved– Robin for years, and he was used to his crushes being unrequited. What he had with Dick was anything but unrequited. 

It was their fourth official date. Bruce was out of town, so Wally and Dick were at the Wayne Manor, laying on Dick’s stupidly soft rich-person bed, tangled together and gazing up at the ceiling that was so expensive it didn’t even have that popcorn stuff on it. 

Wally had always been a very tactile person, but he’d never imagined that Dick would be. He smiled to himself; just one more way they were perfect for each other.

“What?” Dick asked, looking over to see Wally staring at him.

“Nothing, just thinking about how perfect you are,” Wally replied, turning on all of his Classic West Charm (™). 

Dick snorted, staring up at the pristine white ceiling. “I’m really not, you know.”

“You’re perfect for me,” Wally argued playfully, pecking Dick on the cheek. 

“Yeah, well, you must have really low standards.”

Wally frowned, adjusting himself so he could see Dick’s face better. “Is everything okay?”

“Just peachy,” Dick responded dryly, still looking at the ceiling instead of Wally, and Wally was instantly reminded of when he and Robin talked in the hallway. 

Wally sat up on the bed, taking Dick’s hand in what he hoped would be a comforting gesture. “If something’s wrong, which it is, then I want you to tell me about it. I know you too well for you to lie to me,” he added, hoping to bring some levity.

It was obviously the wrong choice of words, for some far-off straw that Wally was still trying to grasp at (that was the saying, right?). Dick sat up, pulling his hand out of Wally’s and turning his back to him.

This was serious, apparently. Wally wished he knew what to do. 

“Maybe you don’t know me as well as you think you do,” Dick said, sounding bitter and resigned, clearly annoyed at something but Wally couldn’t pinpoint if Dick was more annoyed at Wally or himself. 

“Dick? What does that mean?” Wally asked, trying to sound patient despite his confusion and worry. He and Robin had been friends for years. They didn’t keep secrets from each other. They relaxed around each other. So why was Dick being so tense?

“It’s just, maybe I’m just sick of pretending to be someone I’m not.”

Wally blinked. Where was this even coming from? He thought of the way Dick spoke about the media, about how the pressure of his public image sometimes got to him. Was this just more of that? 

“You know you can tell me anything, right? You don’t have to pretend around me. I don’t want you to.”

“I can’t.”

“You can’t what?”

“I can’t tell you everything.” The admission came out through gritted teeth. “Especially not this.”

What? Why not? What could be so important that Robin was ignoring him over it, that he couldn’t even acknowledge?

“Dick–”
“I think you should leave.”
Dick stood up and ran out of the room as quickly as a speedster, leaving Wally stunned. He wanted desperately to chase Dick down, to ask him what Wally did wrong and how to fix it, pray for forgiveness, just for the chance to get things back to normal. Instead, he was left completely in the dark and alone. It seemed like trying to talk about it just made it worse, so did Wally dare to try?

Yes. Yes, talk to him. Make things right.

Wally wasn’t even sure how, but he wanted to. God, he wanted to. He just missed his best friend. 

As it turned out, Wally wasn’t even the one to reach out first. When he woke up the next morning, there was a series of text messages from Dick, sent early enough in the morning that it was a little concerning. 

The first one was just I’m sorry. And then, a few minutes later, I overreacted. I shouldn’t have stormed out like that. A few more minutes later and It wasn’t your fault, it’s mine. And, ten minutes after that, the most ominous text of all, the worst five little words one can hear in a relationship: Can we talk? It’s important. 

Wally swallowed. This was either going to be very good or very bad. The way Wally’s luck had been going so far, he didn’t have very high hopes. 

Yes, we should talk, Wally replied, feeling like he was signing his own death warrant.

Dick texted back way too quickly for Wally’s liking, sending the address to a local coffee place and a time. 

Wally showed up five minutes late, in true speedster fashion, mostly because he was so busy panicking that he may have accidentally lost track of time. Dick was already there, Wally could see him through the window, looking well-dressed but unsure of himself, already sipping what Wally assumed to be a pure black coffee. DIck straightened up as soon as he saw Wally enter, and Wally made a beeline for him, taking a seat across from him.

“So,” Wally said, trying to get his leg to stop bouncing frantically, “You wanted to talk? About yesterday?”

“Yeah,” Dick said, looking every bit as uncomfortable as Wally felt. “Look, I’m sorry about yesterday. I overreacted, and–”

“It’s okay,” Wally said quickly. “I know you’re probably dealing with a lot, being Dick Grayson and all. I just– I just want to know what’s bothering you.”

Dick Grayson hesitated, and Wally’s heart started slowly sinking into his stomach. Yep, this was it. This was a break-up speech.

“Look, Wally, I like you a lot. As a friend and as something more. It’s just–”

“You’ve got some deep, dark secret you can’t tell me,” Wally guessed, nervous energy dimming into disappointment. He should’ve seen this coming, but it still stung.

“Yeah,” Dick Grayson sighed. “I just– I don’t think it’s fair to either of us to be in a relationship where one person is lying to the other.”

“And you can’t tell me, for some reason. Yeah, I get it.”

Wally stood up. Dick looked at him apologetically, looking and sounding so sincere.

“I really am sorry. I didn’t want things to end like this.”

“Yeah, me neither. I’ll see you around, Dick.”

Wally left the coffee shop, praying that he wouldn’t start crying. He failed. As soon as he got home, he ran up the stairs before Aunt Iris could say anything, shut his bedroom door, and collapsed on his bed. His stupid little perfect fairytale romance was shattered, and he didn’t even know why, and he just wanted things to go back to normal.

Two weeks later, Kid Flash and Robin still weren’t talking to each other. Wally knew the team could see the tension between them, but Wally didn’t care. He didn’t know how to explain what happened. He didn’t even know what happened. He had hoped that after he broke up with Dick Grayson, he and Robin could go back to normal. Robin didn’t seem interested, and Wally’s texts to Dick went largely unanswered. Whatever was bothering Robin, it was apparently still going on, and it apparently meant they still couldn’t be friends.

And, really, Wally was fine with that. He didn’t want to be friends with someone who kept secrets like that, no pretty their laugh was when they laughed at Wally’s stupid jokes. He was perfectly happy being completely ignored by his best friend and longtime crush for something that was probably stupid and petty. Wally was feeling stupid and petty. 

That’s not what he told Aqualad, though, when Kaldur pulled him aside after a mission briefing to ask if he and Robin are okay.
“We’re fine,” Wally replied, crossing his arms.

Kaldur didn’t seem convinced. Wally had never been very good at hiding his anger, so he was surprised. “I tried to ask Robin but he seemed adamant that it was nothing.”

“Of course he would tell you that,” Wally muttered. It was so in character for Robin to do all sorts of wild things without talking to anyone about it. Not even his best friend. 

“Wally. If you and Robin are having issues, then I need to know as your team leader,” Kaldur said strictly. “The plan hinges on you and Robin being able to work together.”

“We can totally work together.” If Robin was going to pretend like nothing was wrong, then Wally could too. Two can play at this game.

“Okay,” Kaldur said, still sounding unconvinced. “Then the plan will proceed as normal.”

“Don’t worry, everything will go fine. We’re professionals.” Professional liars, in Robin’s case. Professional liar and professional secret-keeper.

It really didn’t take long for the plan to go completely sideways. But Wally is still convinced that it was all Boy Wonder’s fault. He was the one who took too long on the hacking, leading to the alarms getting tripped and them being swarmed by guards.

“What the hell, Robin?” Wally muttered, hearing the shouts of guards as they stampeded down the hallway towards them. “I thought you could do this quickly.”

“I’m sorry I’m not perfect!” Robin hissed back. 

In the background, Wally could hear Artemis’s arrows taking down the small army of guards. Seriously, this place was well-guarded for what was supposed to be just a simple storage facility for a slightly-shady canned food company. 

“I’m not asking you to be perfect but if it’s not gonna take ten seconds then don’t tell me ten seconds!” Wally hissed.

“It was an estimate! I told you that!”

“Oh, yeah, because you’ve been doing so much talking to me these past few days. Do you even think about other people or just yourself?”

“Robin, Kid Flash, focus!” Kaldur snapped through the telepathic link. “The mission is the first priority.”

“You don’t have to tell him that,” Wally muttered darkly. 

“I’d do a lot better if you weren’t bothering me!” Robin snapped.

“Fine. I’m going to go help Artemis.” Wally sped out of the room, heading down the hallway where Artemis and Kaldur were fighting off the guards.

It felt really good to take out his energy punching guards and running at superspeed. The trio managed to take out the group quickly, and Kaldur turned to Kid Flash disapprovingly.

“We did not need your help. You were supposed to stay with Robin.”

“You heard him, he doesn’t need my help,” Wally replied, crossing his arms.

Robin’s voice came in through the mind link, and Wally hated how much he still liked the sound of it. “Guys, I’ve finished the– ah, oh f–!”
His words were cut off by a sudden thud. Wally’s eyes went wide, heartbeat racing, and he sprinted back into the room. Robin was fighting with a guard who must’ve snuck through their defenses. Wally wasted no time in knocking the guard out cold, turning back to where Robin had fallen on the ground. 

“You okay?”

“He’s got really bad aim,” Robin grumbled. He stood up, glancing at his arm, where a large cut was in his shoulder. “Tried to stab me but missed. It’s fine.”

Kaldur walked into the room. “Did you get the data?”

“Yep.” Robin held up a flash drive. “It’s all on here.”

“Good. Because we need to have a talk.”

Wally was hoping he could slip away after Kaldur finished the mission debriefing. Talking to Robin was the absolute last thing he wanted to do. The guilt he felt over Robin getting hurt was overshadowed by sheer annoyance. None of this was Wally’s fault, it was all Robin’s. 

Kaldur, Robin, and Wally stood in the middle of the training room. Robin was resolutely looking at the floor, and Wally was just fine with that. He didn’t want to look at Robin anyway. He caught a glimpse of the torn sleeve in Robin’s costume, though, and his anger started to fade. Robin got hurt. He still cared about his best friend. 

“You and Robin need to work out whatever is going on between you two,” Kaldur said. 

“Nothing’s happening between us!” Robin snapped, annoyed. What did he have to be annoyed about? He was the one who had been ghosting Wally since the breakup– well, it went before even that. 

“Robin,” Kaldur said, in his don’t-argue-with-me voice. “It’s beginning to affect the team. You need to work it out.”

Kaldur walked off, and Wally was almost relieved for the excuse to talk. He wanted to know what he did wrong. Robin–Dick– was everything to him, and he would be okay if all they ever were was friends. But he couldn’t live with a Robin who pretended like he didn’t exist. 

“He’s right, Robin. You’ve been basically ignoring me since we started dating. Did I do something wrong?”

Robin huffed, still refusing to make eye contact. “You didn’t do anything.”

“Well obviously I did, unless you just felt like starting this for no reason!”

“I don’t know, why don’t you talk to your new boyfriend Dick Grayson about it?”

Wow, Robin knew how to hit him where it hurt. Side effect of them knowing each other too well for too long. 

“You know I can’t. You’re the one who ended things.”

“Me? No, I didn’t want to end anything!”

“Right. Yeah, I forgot. It was the secrets’ fault,” Wally snarked. 

“Well, Kaldur was right about one thing. You’re obviously very mad at me.”

“Of course I’m mad!” Wally yelled, unable to stop himself. How could Robin act like this, like it didn’t mean anything? “You pulled away from me! You were my best friend, and you acted like I didn’t exist. What kind of secret means we can’t even be friends? It hurts to think that you think this is the only option left. I mean– we tell each other everything , Rob, and I thought–” He cut himself off, feeling hot tears welling up in his eyes. I thought you loved me as much as I loved you. “I thought you trusted me.”

“You pulled away first!” Robin snapped, finally looking at Wally, their eyes meeting. “You started dating him, and I thought it was going to be fine, but then you started leaving me for him. And I was jealous, okay?”

Wally blinked. He certainly hadn’t been expecting to hear…that. “You don’t have any reason to be jealous, Robin.” Confusion washed away any lingering pain in his voice. Why would Robin be jealous of himself?

“Of course you would say that.” His voice was filled with enough venom and bitterness to make a sugar-hating snake jealous. “I don’t even think you realized how I felt about you. I thought that you heard what M’gann said, that day you pulled me into your bedroom. And then you asked me to ask him out for you! What does Dick Grayson have that I don’t, huh? Why is he so much better than me?”

Wally blinked. Robin sounded mad– really, really mad. Did he make a mistake in thinking that Dick and Robin were the same person? No, he couldn’t’ve, he was positive of it. So did Robin not know that Wally knew…?

“I did overhear what M’gann and you were talking about,” Wally said, talking very quickly so that Robin didn’t interrupt him or slap him or something. “I heard you say that you wouldn’t date me if I didn’t know that you were Dick Grayson. So I tried to tell you that I knew.”

Robin’s eyes were wide open through his domino mask. “I never told you that. How did you find out because–”
“I spend way too much time staring at you,” Wally blurted out. “When I saw you– Dick Grayson– at the Wayne Gala, I knew it was you. You looked too similar, and then I was actually talking to you, and I knew it had to be you.”

Robin made a tiny gasping noise. “You’ve known I was Dick Grayson this whole time?”

Wally nodded. “Don’t get me wrong, Dick Grayson’s cool, but you’re much, much cooler. I never would’ve asked him out if he wasn’t you .” He paused, thinking over Robin’s words from the breakup. “Wait, is that the secret you broke up with me over?”

Robin rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. “Um. Yes?”

Wally was smiling again. “Does this mean that we could date again?” He asked hopefully.

This time, Robin was smiling, too. “Yeah, I’d really like that.”

“Awesome,” Wally breathed, now unable to stop smiling. All the pieces were finally, finally, settling into place, and he couldn’t be happier. “Can, I, um kiss you?”

Robin blushed again, pale pink creeping out from underneath the edges of his domino mask. “Yeah, yeah, that’d be okay.”

Wally leaned in, and their lips met, and it was better than running, better than a giant stack of pancakes, better than that one time the League and Team fought side-by-side, better than anything he’d ever experienced. It was perfect. 

It was six months later when Wally West finally met Dick Grayson’s dad, the Bruce Wayne. Wally was in his very best suit, standing on the doorstep of Wayne Manor, more terrified than he’d ever been in his life. 

“Hello, Wallace,” Bruce Wayne said, glaring daggers at Wally while Dick rolled his eyes in the background.

“Dad, don’t scare him off,” Dick sighed.

It was at that moment where Wally realized where he’d seen that threatening, disappointed glare before. His eyes widened, staring open-mouthed at Bruce Wayne’s familiar form.

“Holy shit you’re Batman,” Wally said, before he could think better of it.

Judging from Bruce Wayne’s resulting glare and Dick’s wide-eyed stare, Wally was wondering how fast he could enter the witness protection program, and who would give the eulogy at his funeral.