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Wally didn’t care much for clothing shopping. He’d rather spend his time doing anything else, like doing schoolwork or running around in red and silver. Fashion just didn’t speak to him the way it seemed to for other people, and he was fine with being the unfashionable one of the group (even if that group was of people who spent more time in spandex and body armor than they did civilian clothing).
Still, when Iris Allen-West wanted something, it was easier to go along with it. It wasn’t like Wally really minded following his aunt around dutifully and giving his opinion on whatever she chose, but he did have other priorities and didn’t like spending the entire day looking at similar fabrics.
Wally sighed as he sat down near the changing rooms in the newest store of the day. It was a quaint little place that had good clothes for cheap prices, and Iris always took them there at least once every two months despite most of the options there being more alternative than business. She ruined more clothes as a reporter than Wally thought necessary, but seeing as she ran towards trouble rather than away from it, he could see how she ended up with so many ruined blouses.
The speedster carefully pulled his phone from his pocket and skimmed the few notifications on the home screen. There were a few from the Team’s group chat, Kaldur reminding everyone of the next day’s training and a majority of them acknowledging the message. Wally thumbed at the side of his phone after sending a thumbs up. He was getting hungry, though it could be argued that he was always hungry, and he wanted to get the shopping trip over with.
“Wally,” Iris said, sticking her head out to look over to him. Wally quirked an eyebrow and his aunt made a face, “Can you get that green top?”
Wally withheld a grumble as he rose to his feet. Never let it be said that Iris could make up her mind about what kind of clothes she wanted because she definitely could not. He carefully navigated his way through the racks, skimming the room lazily. There were only a few people in the shop, counting the employee at the front and the one folding clothes that looked like she wanted to be anywhere but there. Wally related to that immensely and wondered if Iris would notice if he slipped out to grab a snack or three.
Wally turned back to his path and found a boy around his age sorting through a rack of skirts like he was on a mission. His hair was dark, falling in messy layers down his shoulders. His ears had several piercings, alternating between studs and earrings long enough to land just above his shoulders, and there was a silver hoop on each side of his bottom lip.
His shirt was mesh, layered over a cropped top with stars splattered over it, and tucked into his purple and blue plaid pants. There were a few chains hanging from his belt loops, topped off with a pair of clunky platforms and wrists full of bracelets. He looked over to Wally through the corner of his eyes, and Wally felt his breath catch.
Wally ran into the clothing rack and tumbled onto the floor.
Wally felt his face flame with embarrassment and wondered if he could pull a Barry and go back in time. He’s sure he could reach the speeds now; mortification was a great motivator. The teen above him didn’t bat an eye, seemingly unbothered by Wally’s clumsiness, and turned to him with a skirt and a shirt clutched in his hands.
“Do you think this would be too much?” he asked, voice smooth and making Wally’s face heat more, though less from mortification and more from plain old shyness. He held it to his hips, sucked his teeth a bit, and then his blue eyes were back to Wally. “Maybe I could match it with this...?”
Wally looked at the deep red skirt, spotted the dark lace that trimmed it, and blurted out, “Maybe that black shirt behind you?”
The teen turned and lifted the dark blouse with lacy sleeves up in question. When Wally nodded his head awkwardly, he seemed to scrutinize how well it would fit with the skirt before he grinned, dark-painted lips pulling back to show white teeth.
“Oh, this is nice,” he said, “Thanks.” He turned back to Wally, and then his smile grew to something more amused, “You’re still on the floor.”
Wally scrambled up. He laughed awkwardly, rubbing the back of his head.
“You okay, Mr. Blues?” The teen asked.
“What?” Wally asked.
Chipped, black-painted nails pointed to his shirt, and it was with an amused voice the other responded with, “Roadhouse Blues, y’know, by The Doors.”
“Oh,” Wally said, mortified. He’d forgotten about the shirt he’d thrown on that morning, some old The Doors merch he stole from Barry that Barry had stolen from Hal. “Yeah, uh, I’m okay.”
“Cool,”
“It’s Wally.” Wally blurted out and tried to salvage the awkwardness by joking, “Um, not Mr. Blues.”
The teen offered his hand, bracelets rattling together, “Richard, but everyone calls me Dick.”
“That’s unfortunate.” Wally said.
Dick snickered and shook his hand. “Tell me about it.”
Wally awkwardly looked down to their still clasped hands before he quickly removed his grip. Dick looked at him for a moment before he turned back to the clothes folded over his shoulder.
“You don’t seem like the type,” Dick said, and motioned around the store.
“I’m here with my aunt,” Wally replied, and grimaced a little at the reminder of Iris. She was still waiting for that blouse.
Dick nodded his head, “Well, your assistance must help.”
“I guess,” Wally said, laughing.
“I’m serious!” Dick said, clearly being overdramatic on purpose, eyes laughing. “I would have been hopeless without your help.”
“You seem to have it covered,” Wally said, and looked him up and down. He flushed red when Dick raised an eyebrow at him, “Um, I mean, you look really nice. I like your style.”
“Thanks,” Dick replied, grinning. “Well, I should get going.”
“Yeah,” Wally nodded quickly and had to remind himself to stay at regular human speeds. “Yeah, cool.”
Dick sent him another smile before turning on his heel. He didn’t take more than a few steps before he paused and turned around, looking thoughtful.
“Hey, want to swap numbers?” Dick asked.
Wally never agreed to anything faster in his life.
Wally ended up meeting Dick at a café a few miles from his house three weeks later. It was surprisingly easy to talk to Dick, and they seemed to click instantly. Dick had a certain sense of humor that paired well with Wally’s, and if Wally knew for a fact that he’d remember meeting someone like him, he’d think that him and Dick had known each other for years.
It took him a few seconds to find where the other was sitting – he was a few minutes late after getting held up with a rogue attack – and he jogged over to where his date sat.
“Hi,” he said breathlessly.
Dick smiled up at him, lips a deep red and eyes smokey. “Hey, you.”
“Sorry I’m late,” Wally said hurriedly as he sat down across from him, “There was a Captain Cold fight.”
Concern stretched over Dick’s features, “It’s okay. Are you hurt?”
“Right as rain, beautiful.” Wally grinned. Dick rolled his eyes playfully, and quickly handed Wally the menu in his hands.
After a filling – for anyone who wasn’t a speedster – lunch, Wally bashfully suggested going for a walk. Dick agreed eagerly, and they left the café with their shoulders brushing. Dick’s skirt – or skirts, seeing as he had what looked like two layered together, one white and lacy, reaching down to his calves, and the other a deep purple – blew wildly in the wind, and he settled it with a careful hand.
“Is it always like this after Cold attacks?” Dick asked.
Wally frowned at him a little, “Yeah. Are you not from here?”
“Nope,” Dick replied, popping the p, “Gotham.”
Wally smiled faintly at the mention of the cesspool of a city that was his best friend’s hometown. “Ah. How are you liking Central?”
Dick looked around, “Well, your alternative shops aren’t as popular.”
“That’s not fair, practically everyone in Gotham is goth,” Wally said, only half joking. Nightwing had once mentioned, when he had still gone by Robin, how most people wore black since it was easy to cover blood stains, and Wally still didn’t know if he had been joking or not.
Dick smiled at him, “You’ve ever been to Gotham?”
“A few times,” Wally admitted.
Dick seemed to brighten at this and started to talk about popular places in Gotham. Wally listened attentively as they walked and thought about how he could listen to Dick talk all day and never get tired of his voice.
Wally slumped onto the couch in Mount Justice, groaning into the cushions. He heard the others dragging their feet as they moved to their designations and looked up when he heard someone head into the kitchen.
“Bring me a burrito,” he called pitifully. Nightwing’s laugh was his answer, and he smooshed his face back into the couch.
After what felt like hours but could only be minutes (damn how the speedforce made him experience time), there was a warm burrito placed in his limp hand, and Wally peaked an eye open. Nightwing had already changed into his civies, which was jeans and a baggy hoodie, as always, and there were a pair of sunglasses perched on his nose.
Wally sat up a bit, if only to give his savior a place to sit and stared to eat his snack. Nightwing slumped next to him, and the tight lines around his mouth were the only tell that he was uncomfortable and tired.
“How’re you?” Wally asked around a mouthful.
Nightwing shot him a look, “Don’t talk with your mouth full,” he said, like he always did. It was more of a tradition than Nightwing caring about it, by this point. Wally made a show of chewing loudly and smiled when Nightwing turned away with a snort. “Fine, how about you?”
“Sore,” Wally complained.
He almost mentioned how he had to cancel a date, and though Dick had been understanding, Wally didn’t like the idea of just up and bailing on the guy he was tentatively (hopefully) calling his boyfriend. He wanted to tell someone about the amazing guy that somehow decided to look Wally’s way, but he couldn’t with the team. Nightwing would probably figure out his identity from the tiniest hints, and Artemis would certainly hound him for details, which would make Wally likely spill his guts.
Wally wondered if Nightwing ever struggled with the whole secret identity thing. He’d been doing it longer than Wally had, after all. He probably felt just as guilty about keeping it from their friends as he did.
“Why can’t villains choose better days to be themselves, I had plans,” he said pitifully into his burrito, trying to chase away his thoughts.
The Team barely mentioned the lack of knowledge of his and Nightwing’s civilian identities anymore, though Wally figured it was more from the way they’d all heard the way Nightwing screamed at Batman about it before he’d quit being Robin.
“Got a hot date?” Nightwing asked teasingly.
“Maybe,” Wally said, quirking an eyebrow, “You?”
Nightwing grinned, and it looked a little smitten. Wally leaned forward, intrigued. “Yeah.”
“Had to cancel?” Wally asked, sympathetic.
Nightwing sighed, “Yeah.”
Wally gave his shoulder a pat. “Eh, if they don’t understand a few rain checks, they don’t deserve you.”
Nightwing slumped over, letting his head rest on Wally’s shoulder. His damp hair tickled Wally’s cheek. “I really like him.” Nightwing said, a hesitant note to his voice.
Wally rested his head on Nightwing’s, “You think he’d understand the whole hero thing?”
Nightwing laughed, “If I can’t even tell you my identity, you think I’d be able to tell some guy I just met?”
Wally grinned, shrugging a little. Nightwing whined in the back of his throat as his head was jostled, “Just wait a bit then. If he sticks around your workaholic ass, he’s a keeper, Robbie.”
Nightwing sighed at either the nickname or the insult, though he knew by now that either wasn’t going anywhere. He’d always be Rob and Wally knew that he’d likely end doing work when he left the cave like the work-obsessed teenager he was. “Shut up,” He grumbled, “And eat your burrito.”
“Okay,” Dick said slowly, leaning back a bit. Wally opened his eyes and watched the way his boyfriend seemed to glow with his smile. “All done.”
Wally fluttered his eyelashes, “Do I look pretty?”
Dick grinned, “Very.”
Wally turned to the mirror Dick held up and looked his features over. Dick had come over to his house after Wally invited him over with the overused ‘I’m home alone’ spiel, and instead of watching movies and maybe making out like Wally had planned, Dick had sat Wally down and done his makeup.
It was surprisingly light weight, and though Wally could feel the product on his face, it wasn’t bothersome. Dick hadn’t used a lot, Wally noted when he saw most of his freckles still in place. Wally blinked a few more times, trying to get used to the mascara that clumped his now-curled eyelashes together.
He had to admit, he looked good. But, Wally sent a look at Dick and took him in, he didn’t think anyone would ever look better than his boyfriend. He was honestly the most beautiful man Wally had ever laid eyes on.
“What do you think?” Dick asked eagerly.
“I like it,” Wally said.
He did, truthfully, like it. The way the eyeliner and eyeshadow made his eyes look was nice, and the color Dick coated his lips with was pretty. But he didn’t think he’d do it himself, and he knew for a fact that he wouldn’t be able to do it with the same skill Dick did.
Dick beamed, looking like Wally made his day. Wally felt his heart skip a beat.
“Good,” Dick said, “Because you look handsome.”
Wally grinned cheekily, “Oh yeah?”
“Mhm,” Dick reached up and carefully edged his nail – a deep blue, today – under Wally’s lip. He murmured, “Smudged it.”
“How do you keep your piercings so clean?” Wally asked, looking at the hoops around his boyfriend’s full lips. Dick grinned smugly, making a show of running his tongue over one of the silver piercings.
“That, babe, is a secret.” Dick replied dramatically.
Wally clutched his chest, “What, and you don’t want to share it with your favorite boyfriend?”
“Who says you’re my favorite?” Dick teased.
Wally gasped. “How could you say that? I don’t think I’ll ever recover from this, Dick!”
“Suffer,” Dick laughed, and shoved one of Wally’s pillows at him.
Wally caught his wrists, a grin breaking out over his lips, before he reached forward and started to tickle him. They wrestled for a moment before Dick ended up straddling Wally’s hips, his hands batting away Wally’s as he giggled. Wally stared up at him, and knew he looked as lovesick as he felt.
He wondered if a few months was too soon to fall in love.
Dick stared at him for a moment, eyes soft and fingers tangling with Wally’s, before he dipped down. He kissed Wally gently, pulling back before Wally could even think of kissing back. Wally carefully cupped his nape, met his eyes and felt breathless at the emotions shining there, before he pulled him into another kiss.
Dick hummed in the back of his throat, lowering himself a bit to be closer, and Wally could feel the warmth of his skin even through all the layers his boyfriend tended to wear. His lips tasted like the mints he had been unsubtly taking from Wally’s stash the whole evening, his hair fell around their faces, soft against Wally’s skin, and his earrings clicked together quietly. Wally parted his lips, ran their tongues together, and pulled away.
Dick smiled; his piercings cool against Wally’s lips. “That all you got, Mr. Blues?”
Wally snickered and kissed him again. They traded slow kisses that slowly grew longer. Dick pushed his hand up Wally’s shirt, resting it over his quickly beating heart, and Wally bunched his other hand in the fabric of Dick’s shirt, nails teasing the tights pulled taught over Dick’s thighs.
They’d kissed a lot in the four months they’d been together, but it hadn’t been anything like this. It was easy and slow, and it felt like they’d done it hundreds of times before. Wally felt his breathing quicken as Dick started to kiss his way down his neck, teeth nipping, and it was only when he felt his boyfriend start to suck at his skin that he scrambled to pull him up.
“No hickies,” Wally breathed, a touch mournful. There was no way he’d be able to explain how they disappeared so quickly with his quick healing.
Dick nodded, and before he could apologize, Wally sealed their lips together again. He scraped his nails over Dick’s scalp, angling their heads so he could kiss him deeper.
Wally was so wrapped up in the feeling of Dick on him, the taste of him, the sound of him, that he didn’t hear anyone approaching his room until the door was thrown open.
“Wally, we got – oh!” Barry said, and Dick jumped up from Wally as if he’d been burnt.
Wally looked over to his uncle with wide eyes, and Barry looked just as flabbergasted. After a moment, Barry smiled awkwardly. “Um, we got dinner.”
“Okay,” Wally said, voice cracking.
Barry nodded his head quickly, looking over to where Dick was staring at him wide eyed, and looked even more awkward, if possible. “You’re welcome to join us?”
“Okay, thanks,” Wally said, shuffling off the bed quickly. He was at the door in a few steps, and started to usher his uncle out, “I’ll be down in a bit.”
If Wally wasn’t freaking out a bit, he’d find it a bit funny how the mighty Flash was defeated by an awkward situation. Now, however, Wally simply closed the door tightly and sent a wide-eyed look to his boyfriend.
Dick offered a little smile, “Your uncle seems nice?”
Wally opened and closed his mouth a few times, “I didn’t tell them about you.”
Dick stared at him for a moment before a hurt look crossed his features. “Oh, okay.”
“It’s - It’s not because of you. I really, really like you,” Wally rushed to explain, “I just. I haven’t told them I’m, uh, you know. Into guys?”
“Oh,” Dick said, his eyes widening, “Oh .”
“Yeah,” Wally grimaced a bit. The only one who really knew about his attraction to men was Nightwing, and that was only because his friend came out to him first when Wally had been eighteen. “I mean, I know that they don’t care. Barry’s bi, and they have this weird thing going on with Hal, I don’t know, but I just.”
He remembered the way his dad used to talk about people who were queer or boys who liked to wear skirts and makeup, and never managed to tell anyone he was gay without sobbing all over them - I.e., all over Nightwing. Wally swallowed thickly, looking down at the floor.
“Hey,” Dick said softly, walking over to him quietly. His mitch matched, striped socks ended up in Wally’s vision. “It’s okay.”
“I know,” Wally replied, “I just...”
Dick cupped his cheek, smiling at him comfortingly. “I can sneak out your window if you want to pretend your uncle walking in on us was a fever dream, or something.”
“You don’t care?” Wally asked, feeling his eyes sting.
“I mean, I haven’t snuck out of any windows before, but it can’t be that difficult,” Dick replied.
“No,” Wally muttered, “About me hiding us.”
Dick kissed him gently. “Babe, all I care about is you doing things at your own pace, ‘kay? I want you to be comfortable.”
Wally pushed his face into his neck and let out a shaky breath. Dick ran his fingers over his back carefully.
“I want you to meet them.” Wally decided after a long moment.
“Okay,” Dick said, “I want all the embarrassing stories they have of you.”
Wally snorted, “Don’t worry, there’s a lot.”
Dick grinned up at him, and Wally smiled back hesitantly.
“Okay,” Wally breathed, “Ready?”
“One sec,” Dick said, and prodded at Wally’s lips for a moment, mixing the pigments together before he wiped at the black gloss smudged over his neck. “I think we should try black lipstick on you next.”
“Okay,” Wally said, smiling. Dick nodded, like that was the answer he had been expecting, and then wiped the residue of the lipstick over his black button up.
“Do I look okay?” Dick asked, sounding uncharacteristically nervous.
“You look beautiful,” Wally said earnestly. Dick blushed and smiled before he grabbed the doorknob and opened the door.
Wally tangled their hands together before he started down the stairs with Dick in tow, and he heard Iris’ and Barry’s hushed whispers die down by the time they made it to the bottom stairs. He peaked around the corner and saw both of them looking in a different direction of the room, obviously trying to make it seem like they hadn’t been waiting for him.
Dick squeezed his hand and Wally let out a nervous breath before he walked into the dining room. They awkwardly stood in front of them, and Wally fiddled with one of the rings on Dick’s fingers before he met their gazes.
“Um, this is my boyfriend Dick,” he said. Dick gave a little wave, looking more put together than Wally was.
Barry sent Wally a confused look, and mouthed Dick like nobody else could see him. Wally sent him a flat look as Dick snickered.
“You can call me Richard, if you want,” Dick offered.
“No, no,” Iris said, “It’s nice to meet you, Dick.”
“Likewise,” Dick nodded to her and then offered her a hand. Iris shook it like one did with a business partner, but she did that with everyone. “Wally talks about you two a lot.”
Iris unsubtly perked up at that while Barry grinned like a proud parent.
“Well, we know nothing about you,” Barry said, still beaming, “Tell us about yourself!”
“Grab some dinner first,” Iris instructed, sending Barry a look, “Do you not know how to treat guests?”
“Honey,” Barry whined, pouting.
Wally felt the tension ease from his body and smiled a bit as the two started to playfully bicker with each other. He and Dick headed to the kitchen, and Wally put together two plates of the takeout they had gotten despite Dick insisting that he was plenty capable of it. Barry and Iris asked Dick basic questions as they ate.
“How old are you?” Iris asked.
“Eighteen,” Dick replied.
“High school?” Barry asked.
“Graduated last year,” Dick said, “Early graduate.”
“Are you going to college?” Iris added.
“Not currently,” Dick shrugged, “Just helping with the family business.”
“What’s your family’s business?” Barry asked, intrigued.
A strange look crossed Dick’s face, like it always did whenever Wally asked about his family. He always looked like he expected people to know, and it always made Wally curious.
“Um,” Dick said, grimacing a bit. “A bit of everything?”
“How did you two meet?” Iris asked gleefully.
Wally felt his face flame and contemplated trying to vibrate through the floor. Dick sent him a deeply amused look, like this was the best thing to ever happen to him.
“Okay, so,” Dick said and started a dramatic retelling of how they met. Barry was laughing by the end of it, and Wally pouted. “Hey, I thought it was cute!” Dick insisted, “You fell for me on day one!”
Wally felt his face soften as Dick fell into snickering into his hand. Dick tended to have that effect on him, but Wally didn’t mind. He loved Dick’s laugh and how it made his eyes scrunch up and shine.
Wally helped Iris scoop up the dishes when they were finished eating, and he waved off Dick’s attempt to help. He winked at his boyfriend as he took his plate and Dick rolled his eyes fondly.
Wally stopped by the sink and listened with one ear as Dick talked about the hero system. He didn’t need to look at Barry to see that he would be bringing up some of the points in Dick’s rant at the next JL meeting. Dick always had good ideas on the hero system, though he did tend to forget half the heroes names no matter how many times Wally told him them.
“He’s nice,” Iris said, bumping their shoulders together. She smiled at him, a kind thing. “A real keeper.”
“Yeah,” Wally replied softly, “He is.”
Iris grinned as she rinsed a plate off, “Have him come around more often. Oh, and keep the door open.”
“What?” Wally sputtered, “Iris, I’m twenty!”
“Yeah, and you live under our roof,” Iris teased him, “No boyfriends behind closed doors.”
“You guys asked me to stay,” Wally complained, pouting.
“That’s because we love you, champ!” Barry called. “And college is expensive.”
Wally rolled his eyes but contented himself with listening to his family’s teasing and Dick’s laughter.
“Do you think we could go to your place?” Wally asked as he wrestled with his textbook and notes. He put them on his desk, sighing softly and stretching his neck while holding his phone to his ear. “Iris and Barry are planning and snatching you and I like spending time with you alone.”
Dick laughed. “I like Iris and Barry, they’re fun.”
Wally pouted a little. Truthfully, they’d been a little overbearing. He’s glad that they were happy for him, but he did like spending time with his boyfriend without his uncle or aunt being right there with them.
“But, um,” Dick continued, “I don’t think you’d be able to come over to my house.”
“Huh, why?” Wally asked.
“I live in Bludhaven,” Dick replied, sounding sheepish.
Wally blinked a few times, “You live in Bludhaven.”
“Yeah,” Dick drew it out, “Um, I come to Central on the weekends?”
“Dude, how.” Wally blurted out.
Dick laughed a little, “So, my dad is kind of rich? He has a private jet and I sort of just take it to Central?”
“What?” Wally asked.
“Yeah, I’m surprised you guys didn’t know.” Dick said, “My dad is Bruce Wayne.”
“The airhead billionaire?” Wally sputtered.
“Yeah,” Dick laughed.
“Babe,” Wally said, “Have you been going on long ass flights every weekend to see me?”
“Yeah,” Dick said, sounding a little bashful. “I like spending time with you. It’s not a big deal.”
Wally felt his heart swell.
“I can come to Bludhaven, you know.” He said softly.
“I know.” Dick replied, “But you, babylove, are a broke college student.”
It was on the tip of his tongue; it would be so damn easy to tell Dick the truth. He could be to Bludhaven and back in a few minutes, not even counting the zeta tubes. Barry and Iris liked Dick, he’s sure they wouldn’t mind too much if Dick found out he was a Flash.
Instead, Wally said, “Well, maybe one day I could go back with you.”
Dick sounded soft as he murmured, “Alright.”
“I’m dating someone,” Wally blurted out.
Nightwing looked over to him, and his mask moved in a way that spoke of his eyebrows rising. “Okay. Congrats, KF.”
Wally tapped his fingers against the coffee table. “I’m - I’m serious about him.”
Nightwing smiled at him, punching his shoulder lightly. “That’s good, man. I’m happy for you.”
Wally bit his lip, ducking his head a bit. “I’m thinking of retiring.”
Nightwing froze. “What?”
Wally grimaced a bit and shrugged, “I don’t know, it’s just.” he waved his hand around, “This isn’t going to be my entire life, it never was. I want to spent time with him, and I don’t want to lie about everything.”
He couldn’t do the constant lying. Not even Nightwing, his best damn friend, knew the true Wally. All he knew was the mask he had to wear for being a hero, and Wally knew that he didn’t know the true Nightwing either. Dick was the only one that knew something close to who Wally really was. Maybe before, years ago when Wally would look at Nightwing and feel butterflies, it would have been easier to leave. To start a new life without heroism but being able to understand it in a way no one could.
But Wally loved Dick, and looking at the what-ifs made him feel sick. Like he was betraying his boyfriend.
“You’re quitting for some guy?” Nightwing asked, sounding flabbergasted.
“He’s not just some guy,” Wally snapped, “I’m in love with him.”
“How long have you even known him?” Nightwind demanded, “How do you know you can trust him?”
Wally thought back to the recent months. He’d spend days with Dick, staying in his apartment and kissing him goodbye as he rushed off to work, or spent the day lazing around with the man on his chest and a movie running in the background as he read his newest lessons. He wanted to spend the rest of his life with Dick, and sure, people might say it was too soon to decide such a thing, but when did Wally do anything slow?
Dick was bright and everything good in life and Wally wanted that. He wanted to love him and be honest with him and spend the rest of his life with him.
“I trust him with this,” Wally replied.
Nightwing looked stricken. “And you don’t trust me?”
Wally’s face fell. “That’s not fair.” he snapped, “You know that’s not fair.”
“You’re leaving the team!” Nightwing shouted, “You’re leaving me! I don’t have to be fair!”
“I’m sorry,” Wally said desperately, “But me retiring doesn’t mean I’m abandoning you! We’re still friends!”
Nightwing rubbed his face aggressively. “You’re leaving for him.”
It wasn’t just for Dick. It was for Wally too.
“I am.” Wally replied anyways.
Nightwing looked over to him, a touch desperate, “Am I a bad partner if I don’t leave?”
Wally’s eyes widened. “No,” he said, “I don’t think so.”
Nightwing put his head in his hands. “I don’t know what to do.” he said miserably. “Last week, he almost saw a wound I got from patrol. How do I explain that to someone? I’m putting myself at risk every damn night, I could die, and he doesn’t even know .”
Wally sat next to him, and gently patted his shoulder. He knew the feeling, the thought of his boyfriend finding out the truth and not being able to handle dating a superhero; someone who risked their life every day. He couldn’t imagine how it would feel to find out the hero you were dating was human with no quick healing or extra strength.
“I can’t quit,” Nightwing muttered, desperate like Wally wouldn’t understand him. But Wally did, knew better than anyone that this was Nightwing’s life more than anything else, it was all he knew, “I can’t, KF.”
Wally brought him into a hug, and Nightwing clung to him. “If he doesn’t accept that, then he doesn’t deserve you.”
Nightwing laughed. It sounded like a sob. “That makes it seem easy.”
Wally knew it wasn’t.
“Hi,” Dick mumbled as he walked into Wally’s room. Wally swiveled in his chair, surprised at the sight of his boyfriend, but certainly not complaining.
Wally took his lover in and frowned at the distinct lack of flair Dick always had. He wasn’t wearing any jewelry, and his face was clean of any product. Dick always liked to come over with wild outfits and precise makeup and have Wally react to it all. But most of all, he looked sad .
“What’s wrong?” Wally asked as Dick slumped onto his bed.
Dick looked over to him, though he didn’t say anything. Wally sat next to him, putting a hand on his knee, and waited patiently.
“I got into a fight with a friend,” Dick mumbled eventually. “It made me think.”
Wally watched how Dick gnawed on his lip, carefully avoiding the studs under his lip.
“What do you think about heroes?” Dick asked.
Wally’s eyebrows furrowed. “I think they’re helpful?”
Dick looked up at him, and there was something desperate in his eyes. “They get hurt.” he said, “They die.”
Wally inhaled sharply. “I think...that heroes give their lives to help other people because they care. And I think that’s difficult to understand, but. It’s what they’re passionate about, you know? It’s what they want to do.”
Dick seemed to relax a little, but there was something lingering in his eyes that put Wally on edge. The entire conversation put Wally on edge.
“Wally,” Dick said, “I’m...” He paused for a long moment before sighing and curling around Wally, wrapping his arms around his waist. “Can I stay over tonight?”
Wally brushed his hair from his face, and Dick opened his eyes to watch him. “’course you can, babe.”
Wally wondered why Dick didn’t seem happy about the answer.
Wally was in the middle of watching a movie with Dick cuddled against his side when his emergency phone started to ring. He fumbled to pull it from his pocket and cursed under his breath when he saw Barry’s several messages.
“I have to go,” Wally said quickly. Dick looked surprised as Wally shot up, just a bit faster than he tended to around Dick.
He’d been planning on telling his boyfriend that he was a (soon to be retired) Flash, but he supposed this would have to do.
“What, Wally? Where are you going?” Dick asked, startled.
“I’ll be right back,” Wally rushed out, and leaned down to kiss him, “I’ll explain everything later, okay, I swear.”
“Wally-”
Wally ran.
When Wally finally made it back to Dick’s apartment, hours had passed, and he was shivering. Weather Wizzard and Captain Cold made a deadly duo, and Wally was freezing. It took him, Barry, and a surprise appearance from Jay to get the rogues down and locked up.
Now he was anxiously standing outside his boyfriend’s apartment. Wally ran a jerky hand through his hair, sighing softly. He really should have told Dick the truth sooner. After stealing his nerves, Wally raised a hand and knocked on the door.
Dick threw it open a few seconds after, almost as if he had been waiting by the door for Wally to return. Wally felt guilt gnaw at his gut and couldn’t even manage a smile for his boyfriend.
“I’m sor–”
“Come in,” Dick instructed quickly, and tugged Wally into his apartment. Wally watched nervously as Dick locked the door and seemed to take a moment to breathe deeply. “You’re a Flash.”
“Yeah,” Wally agreed softly.
Dick turned to him and shook his head. He laughed, like it was something funny, and put his hands over his face. “God.”
“I’m sorry,” Wally said again, looking away, “I wanted to tell you.”
Dick moved his hands and stared at Wally for a long moment.
“It’s okay.” he said softly. “I haven’t been honest either.”
“The whole your dad is rich thing doesn’t really compare,” Wally replied bitterly. “I put you in danger.”
“No,” Dick said sharply. “No, you didn’t.”
Wally gave him a helpless look, and Dick shuffled a bit.
“I’m Nightwing,” Dick said.
Wally’s eyebrows furrowed, and he opened his mouth. No words came, he didn’t even know what he wanted to say, and so he pressed his lips together. Dick pulled a familiar mask from his pocket, showing Wally it.
“I - I thought about it. While you were gone.” Dick said softly, “I’m so stupid, I didn’t even realize you were KF. But.” he looked up, his expression earnest. “You were going to leave this all behind for me?”
Wally sucked in a sharp breath. “I love you.”
Dick – Nightwing, Rob, he was Wally’s best friend, how did he never realize it – smiled at him, a wobbly thing. “I’m a workaholic.” he said, “And I keep secrets. I won’t stop being a hero, even if you leave for me.”
“I know,” Wally said. “I love you.”
Dick lunged forward, wrapped his arms around Wally’s neck and pulled him down for a desperate kiss. He pulled back after a moment, laughing against his lips, “God, you’re cold.”
“Captain Cold is such a prick.” Wally mumbled, and grinned.
Dick laughed, bright and loud and just a hint of Nightwing to it. Wally thought he could get used to it. He could love it.
“Well, we better warm you up, right?” Dick asked and tugged Wally further into the apartment.
“Hey,” Dick said. “I got an idea.”
Wally nodded along, though he was more preoccupied with the way Dick’s white corset top hugged his waist. Dick laughed at him, giving Wally a teasing look.
“Eyes up here, Mr. Blues.” Dick said.
“Eyes up here,” Wally repeated, grinning.
Dick took his hand, pulling him closer as they walked hand in hand. Dick had suggested walking around the park they both liked in Central, and Wally was a sucker for his boyfriend.
“Do you still want to retire?” Dick asked, squeezing Wally’s hand.
“I don’t know,” Wally said, sobering quickly.
Dick smiled at him, “Well,” he drew out, “I have an idea.”
“Hit me, babygirl.” Wally replied.
Dick twirled a piece of his hair around his finger, a nervous tic of his that Wally found adorable. “How would you like to be my Flamebird?”
Wally felt like he stopped breathing. Dick looked up at him hopefully, and Wally leaned down, pressing their lips together.
“Yeah,” he said, “I’d love that. I love you.”
Dick grinned, “I love you more, babylove.”
Wally gasped, “Are we doing this right now?”
“Doing what?” Dick batted his eyelashes. “I’m just being honest.”
“Nope.” Wally said, “I love you waaay more.”
Wally looked at Bruce Wayne and stared. Bruce Wayne stared back.
“Okay,” Dick drew out, “This is awkward.”
“Hn.” Bruce replied.
“Babe,” Wally said, “I had my doubts, but holy shit.”
“What?” Dick asked, quirking an eyebrow.
“Batman fell into a fountain last week.” Wally said, matter of fact.
Bruce Wayne’s eyebrow twitched. Wally grinned gleefully, and Dick sighed, shaking his head.
“I’m going to help Alfred in the kitchen,” Dick said, standing up. He kissed Wally’s cheek before heading out of the room. “Don’t try to maim him, B!”
Bruce grunted; Wally watched Dick leave. He really did like those pants on him.
“Listen here,” Bruce said lowly.
“I want to marry him.” Wally blurted out. Bruce blinked a few times, and any other day, Wally would take pride in surprising Batman. “I, uh. I wanted to ask for your blessing.”
Bruce leaned back and stared at Wally like he couldn’t believe his ears.
“I mean, not that I need your blessing, because obviously Dick will do whatever he wants. But it’s, like, tradition, right? And if Dick does say yes, then we’d be family, and I don’t want to start it off on a bad foot, you know?” Wally rambled, waving his hand around.
“Wally.” Bruce cut in. Wally looked over to him with wide eyes. Bruce looked a little disgruntled as he said, “You have my blessing.”
“Oh,” Wally said, “Cool. Thanks.”
Dick returned just then with a platter of teacups and a tea pot, and Alfred was on his heels with a spread of sandwiches and finger foods. Wally lit up at the sight of a snack, and Dick sent him an amused look.
Wally grinned when his boyfriend sat back next to him and found his hand under the table.
The day that Flamebird debuted was a wild one. What was supposed to be a quick patrol ended up as an alien invasion. The press latched onto the change of identity, and within weeks, anyone who cared for hero gossip knew that the former Kid Flash and Nightwing were now a pair.
Wally hung the news clipping in their apartment. His fiancé called him a sap, and Wally kissed the grin right off his face.