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Dick stalked off the bio ship with anger bubbling under his skin. He wanted to get this mission report over and done with and hit the showers, maybe stay in the gym for a bit to work his anger off. Most of all, he just wanted to be left alone.
Not for the first time, Dick was grateful that he hadn’t been made the leader of the team. Kaldur finished the debrief quickly, and Dick determinedly ignored Bruce’s analyzing stare. Bruce could fuck off for a bit. At least Dick hoped he would; he didn’t want to yell at him for something that wasn’t even his fault.
The mission had been a success. Everything had started off great, however there had been a hitch in the plan halfway through. It wasn’t unexpected, no plan really went exactly as planned. However, it ended with the team being in a vulnerable spot, and Wally – living up to his name of Kid Idiot – rushed off, drawing the enemy after him.
If Dick hadn’t been able to find his location and swoop in, Wally would have come home with more than just bruises and cuts. If he came home at all.
Dick slammed the door to the lockers open after slipping away from the team, hissing each exhale between his teeth. He fumbled with his cape, the latches catching and locking up. He really couldn't wait for his new suit - his Nightwing suit to be finished so he could finally be rid of the cape. With a growl, he ripped his gloves off and tugged at the cape again, slamming it into his locker once it was free. His hands shook and he had the sudden urge to ram his fists into something.
He stared at his locker for a moment before shoving his hands through his hair. He tugged at the strands, trying to center himself. But anger was heavy in his stomach, and he didn’t really want it to leave. Anger felt better than the other emotions that wanted to rise.
Dick quickly pulled out up one of his sets of gym clothes and made quick work of pulling it on. The scent of the solvent he used to remove his mask burned his nose slightly, and he welcomed the sensation. He slipped on his sunglasses just as the others entered the room.
Wally’s eyes found him instantly, his lips parting as though he was going to say something. Dick looked down to the bandages on his exposed arm and felt his rage bubble back up. He slipped through them, doing his best to blend in with the shadows.
He’d feel better after he was left alone. He started towards the gym. Most people didn’t go to the gym after missions, even if they were frustrated, so he’d be left alone for at least half an hour if someone was looking for him.
“Nightwing,”
Dick exhaled sharply, looking over his shoulder. “Batman,” he replied.
He could barely make out the raised eyebrow from under Bruce’s cowl. “Where are you going?”
“Gym,” Dick said. And then, “Did you need me for something?”
Bruce shook his head, visibly hesitated, and then placed a hand on Dick’s shoulder. “How are you?”
Dick stared at him. He knew this was Bruce trying to make amends, trying to fix things between them. And Dick wanted that because he loved his dad, he wanted them to be able to talk and laugh like they had before.
“I can’t talk right now, B,” Dick said honestly, a bit desperate. “I don’t want to fight and I’m just...”
Bruce nodded, “I understand. Just...know you can come to me, son.”
“I know.” Dick said, and then after a moment, he turned back towards the gym, “I’ll be home soon.”
Bruce didn’t reply but Dick saw a small smile on his lips when he turned the corner. It made some of his tense muscles relax, but he hadn’t been angry at Bruce, not really. He had been upset that things between them were changing, wanted to go back to being that kid who laughed and leaped onto his shoulders again, but it hadn’t been Bruce that Dick was angry with.
Dick looked around the gym once he walked into it, and kissed his teeth as he thought about what he should do. He looked over to the gymnastics rings but wasn’t sure if he was up for it. He turned to the treadmill and quickly started the machine up and shoved his earbuds into his ears.
He upped the speed after a few minutes, needing an ache in his muscles. He upped the incline when it didn’t seem to help.
He just couldn’t understand it. They had backup plans for the chance that they were discovered, they had several ways to retreat or fight, depending on what they were dealing with. Plans the team approved of, plans all of them have worked on together.
Yet, the moment something unplanned rose, Wally was off sacrificing himself. He could have ruined the mission, could have gotten someone hurt, and worse? Wally could have gone too far, could have been thrown around too much, and Dick wouldn’t have been able to locate him. He could have been killed or taken prisoner or he could have been injured beyond a few cuts and bruises.
It was like Wally didn’t even care, either. It was like he didn’t care that he could have died, didn’t care or realize that his death would ruin Dick.
Dick could have lost him.
Dick slowed the treadmill down the instant that thought rose. He planted his hands onto the handles, bowed his head as he panted, and his lungs burned. He wiped his forehead as sweat beaded, and just pressed his forehead against his arm as he regulated his breathing.
He suddenly itched to punch something. He eyed the punching bags across the room and flexed his fingers.
“Thought I’d find you here,” Dick heard from over the blare of his music, and he turned. Wally sent him a lopsided grin and tossed him a water bottle. Dick caught it wordlessly, and pulled his ear buds from his ears. “What’s up with you? You reek, man.”
Dick closed his eyes, inhaled, exhaled. “Yeah,” he said simply and took a gulp of water. It had the taste of the grape flavoring the speedsters usually added to their water, designed by STAR labs for extra energy. “I’ll hit the showers.”
Wally frowned, stepping in front of Dick when he started back towards the lockers. “No way, not until you tell me what’s wrong.”
“What’s wrong?” Dick hissed, unable to stop himself. “Gee, I wonder.”
“Did Batman say something again?” Wally asked, his face scrunching up slightly. “You know you can always stay with me if things get, like, chaotic again–”
“It has nothing to do with B, it’s because of you!” Dick snapped.
Wally’s eyes narrowed, “What did I do?”
“You led an entire group of armed meta-humans away by yourself,” Dick shoved his finger into Wally’s chest, “You could have died!”
“I’m fine!” Wally said, raising his hands up, “And the mission was a success.”
“I don’t care about the mission,” Dick cried, “You could have died! If I was a second too late, you would have!”
“But you weren’t late, and I didn’t die,” Wally scowled, “What’s the big deal, Rob?”
Dick made a frustrated sound, “It’s not just this mission, Wally,” he said lowly, “You do this all the time. You always put yourself at risk! What if you died!? Or-Or got hurt to the point where you couldn’t be on the team anymore?”
“It won’t matter,” Wally said, his voice softer than it had been, “We all know I’m useless to the team, Dick. You guys can replace me easily.”
Dick stared at him for a long moment, not really believing his ears. Suddenly, it was as if white noise filled his ears and the anger that had been building since he pulled Wally out of a group of enemies grew tenfold.
“You’re so fucking stupid,” Dick hissed, turning around quickly. His hands flexed and the bottle in his hands crunched. He dropped it after the lid burst off.
“What?” Wally snapped.
“You are so fucking stupid!” Dick repeated himself, rounding on his friend. “What are you thinking? That you’re just some expendable pawn!? Fuck you, Wally!”
“I’m not wrong!” Wally yelled, throwing his arms out, “I’m a hero, I’m going to be expendable! And if me sacrificing myself saves you guys, I’d do it every time!”
“You’re going to die!” Dick shouted, bawling his fists at his side.
“Then at least I’d be useful to the team!” Wally snapped back.
Dick reared back, feeling as though Wally’s words had hit him in the gut. He barely heard a word Wally said as he continued to shout about missions and the team.
He reared forward, quick as lightning, and slammed his lips onto Wally’s. Wally froze, moved to pull back, but started to kiss back furiously the moment Dick tangled his hands into his hair. Dick bit at his lips unforgivingly, pushed his tongue past his teeth to lick at his palate. He tugged at his hair, pulled him closer while walking them backwards.
Wally’s hands groped at whatever he could reach, sliding down Dick’s arm, settling over his nape, trailed down his back, gripped his rear. Heat pooled in Dick’s belly while dread and panic simultaneously ate at his thoughts. Dick took another step forward, and then another, and his heart leaped into his throat when Wally stumbled backwards.
Dick was dragged down with him, sprawling over his torso, his glasses falling askew. He pushed himself upright, didn’t let Wally get a chance to right himself before he attacked his lips again. Wally muffled a sound into Dick’s mouth, choked off and low, his chest rumbling with it. Dick clawed at his hair, ran his nails down his chest and then slipped his fingertips under his shirt. He was suddenly desperate to feel Wally, all warmth and muscled, scarred skin.
Alive, Wally was alive.
His mouth tasted like the grape flavored water and his hair was damp. His hands were warm and calloused on Dick’s waist and his grip was tight, pulling him closer until they were hip to hip and chest to chest.
Dick panted against his mouth when his lungs burned for air before he trailed messy kisses over his jaw, latching onto his throat. He sucked and nibbled at his skin until Wally was tugging his hair and dragging Dick’s lips back to his.
“Wally,” Dick panted, “Wally, Wally, Wally...”
Wally fit their lips together again and again, and Dick savored each brush of tongue and each threat of teeth. He closed his eyes until colors sparked behind his eyelids and pulled Wally impossibly closer.
Suddenly, the anger and the panic drained from him. Dick slowed their desperate kisses, let his hands settle on Wally’s stomach, felt the warmth that radiated from his skin. He pressed a sob against Wally’s lips and opened his eyes slowly when Wally pulled away.
“Dick...” Wally mumbled, eyes wide.
His lips were kiss bitten and his hair was all over the place, his freckled skin flushed red. He was beautiful and he had almost died, and Dick had almost lost him.
“You aren’t useless,” Dick cried, pressing his face into Wally’s neck. “I don’t know what I would do without you, Wally, please. Y-You aren’t useless. I need you,”
Wally inhaled sharply, but carefully wrapped his arms around Dick, hugged him close.
“Please,” Dick said again, desperate, “Please, you can’t do that again. Please, Wally, I need you. I need you.”
“Okay,” Wally whispered into Dick’s shoulder. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”
Dick pulled back, sniffling as he observed Wally’s expression. Wally reached up, wiped at his tears with a gentle swipe of his thumb, his eyes soft and glassy.
“Okay,” Wally repeated.
Dick leaned forward and kissed him. He cupped his cheeks, licked into his mouth slowly, savoring the kiss and taking his time. Wally pressed their foreheads together once Dick pulled away, and for a moment Dick could pretend that they were just lovers spending an evening together. For a moment, Dick could pretend that they were normal and in love and together in every way possible.
For a moment Dick wondered if they could be that.
“Wally,” Dick said softly.
Wally’s eyes were so bright, shining with something Dick couldn’t quite identify. He sighed a breath over Dick’s lips, pressed a kiss to the corner of his mouth. “Dick,” Wally mumbled, “Did you...why did you kiss me?”
There was a quip on his tongue, a diversion. But Dick closed his eyes, let himself breathe, and then stared into his best friend’s eyes. “It scared me, you scared me.” Dick murmured, trailing his fingertip over Wally’s cheek, “I can’t lose you. I love you.”
Wally inhaled sharply, and before Dick could feel any doubt, Wally pressed a desperate kiss against his lips. “Me too,” he said breathlessly, “I love you too.”
Dick shoved his face into Wally’s neck and hugged him close. He felt like he could cry all over again, and settled for clinging to Wally as tight as he could.
Footsteps and voices reached Dick’s ears moments later and he suddenly realized the position he and Wally were in. It didn’t sound like Batman, which Dick was absolutely thankful for. He looked around for his glasses while Wally scrambled to stand them up. Dick just barely tucked his sunglasses on by the time M’gann peeked through the doorway.
“Hey, guys,” She said hesitantly. “Everything okay...?”
“Okay? Yeah, totally!” Wally sputtered, “We’re great, right, Rob?”
“Yep,” Dick said, trying to find his voice.
“We heard screaming,” Kaldur said slowly, his eyes sharp and observing.
“See, we’re great!” Wally said. “Did you hear screaming, Rob?”
“No,” Dick muttered, “I’m heading to the lockers.”
“Cool, cool, cool,” Wally rambled, “I’ll talk to you later?”
Dick hated how uncertain he sounded. He looked at his friend for a moment before he nodded firmly. “Yeah,” he said, smiling a little bit. “See you later.”
Wally had this hopeful expression on his face when Dick looked back over to him, and Dick felt butterflies in his stomach. They had a lot to talk about, but Dick sure as hell wasn’t going to make them wait long.
(Wally ended up meeting Dick at the manor, and they fell asleep entangled together with a movie playing.
Dick would wake up with his boyfriend hugging him close and he would spend a long while just watching the way the sunrise looked as it lit up Wally’s features. Wally would wake up with a smile and Dick wouldn’t be able to stop himself from kissing it off.)