Chapter Text
“So, why are we waiting on a rooftop again? Not that we don’t usually do this, but why this specific one?” Batman glanced at Robin before looking back to the city. The Joker was up to his old tricks again, but he had enlisted the help of another villain outside of Gotham.
“Flash said he’d run some info to us about that other villain Joker’s conspiring with. It won’t be long now. He’s never usually this late.” Just as he finished speaking, a yellow and red blur passed them on the rooftop, stopped, then backtracked. It stopped once again to reveal not Flash, but a kid around Robin’s age dressed in a yellow and red outfit similar to Flash’s. Their hair was a dark ginger, eyes the color of emeralds, and freckles dotting their exposed cheeks and across their nose. “Kid Flash. I take it Flash got caught up in something.”
“The media got to him, so he sent me as his messenger. Here’s that file you asked for.” Kid Flash grinned and handed over the file, crossing their arms over their chest and looking over at Robin. “If that’s all, I gotta get back home or my parents will kill me.” Batman nodded and turned away, Kid Flash grinning widely and lazily saluting to Robin before running back to Central City.
“...Who was that?”
“Kid Flash. Flash’s sidekick. You’ll meet them again.” Robin pursed his lips and nodded, following his mentor back to the Batcave. It wasn’t until a few weeks after that first meeting on the roof did Robin meet Kid Flash again, this time while their mentors talked with a few other members of the League. The duo stood off to the side, Kid Flash pouting slightly at not being involved.
“...What’s with the pouting?” Robin finally asked, crossing his arms. Kid Flash didn’t look at him, eyes trained on the adults.
“...Flash is my uncle, but sometimes… sometimes I feel like he doesn’t trust me enough with really important information.”
“Yeah, I feel that. It’s like they’re… underestimating us.”
“We’re still kids, though, so I guess it makes sense, but…”
“Yeah…” They both sighed, Kid Flash finally looking at Robin.
“I’m Wally, by the way. Wally West, but you can called me Wally or Kid Flash.” They grinned and held out their hand for Robin to shake. Robin glanced at it before smirking and shaking their hand.
“Robin. But I’m sure you already knew that.” He released their hand, tilting his head slightly. “So, you said Flash is your uncle? How are you related to him?”
“Oh! I’m his niece! My dad’s sister is his wife!”
“So, you’re parents… did your parents decide when you were born “Hey, let’s name our little girl Wally?” or something like that? Wally’s an odd name for a girl… not that there’s anything wrong with that. I’m just curious.” Wally rubbed the back of her neck and looked away, suddenly looking a bit uncomfortable. Robin took note of this right away. “Look, if you don’t wanna talk about it…”
“No, no, it’s fine. It’s just kind of a touchy subject and I usually don’t tell anyone… My parents wanted a little boy, but they got me instead. You think they’d be thrilled that they have me, I mean what’s not to love, am I right?” She chuckled humorlessly before clearing her throat and continuing. “I guess I didn’t realize they’d want me to be that perfect girl, y’know? Prom queen, prissy, wearing dresses all the time… Instead, they got the family disappointment. I’m more of a jeans and t-shirts girl, definitely a science nerd, not really planning on going to prom… pretty much the exact opposite of what my parents wanted.”
“...Oh…” Robin frowned slightly, looking over at where the adults were talking. “...Is that why you spend so much time with your uncle?”
“Um… I actually live with him now… He got me out of my parents’ house when I called saying I was scared and wanted to leave… It didn’t help that I decided to make myself worse in their eyes and recreate my uncle’s accident…”
“What happened that made you so scared?”
“...Let’s stop talking about this, alright? We’ve only just met officially and I’d rather not spill all my secrets just yet,” Wally said softly, turning away from Robin and crossing her arms over her chest.
“Hey, Kid! Let’s head back home! We’re done here!” Wally hummed and smiled slightly, pulling her goggles down over her eyes.
“Catch ya later, Robs.” With that, she was gone, racing after the Flash in a blur of yellow and red. Robin hummed in thought as he watched her go, contemplating the information she willingly gave to him and what else she could be hiding about her family.
“Robin, let’s go.” Robin shook himself out of his thoughts, following Batman back to his Batjet. He was silent the entire trip home, a thoughtful look on his face. “You seem distracted by something.”
“...What do you know about the West family in Central City?”
“What’s your interest in them all of a sudden?” Robin shrugged as he stepped out of the plane. Batman studied him for a few moments before heading over to the Batcomputer. “The West family consists of Joe West, Iris West-Allen, Barry Allen, Rudy West, Mary West, and Wally West. What do you need to know?”
“Any reports of… domestic abuse.” Batman glanced at him, but didn’t question him just yet, searching for what he wanted.
“There were several reports made by Wally West about her being beaten by her father, Rudy West, but she was dismissed as she was still young when she made them. The last one was made nine months ago and was brought to court after Barry Allen, Iris West-Allen, and Joe West all witnessed Wally being beaten in her own home. Wally now lives in the care of her uncle and aunt, Barry and Iris.” Robin frowned slightly, looking through the news report about it and the case files, now understanding why Wally refused to talk about it in further detail.
“...Looks like the reports came in more and more after this date… That must have been when she replicated the accident…”
“...If Wally wasn’t ready to tell you about this, you really shouldn’t pry into it.”
“I know, I just… She didn’t look like the type to be scared so easily, I just wanted to know what could have scared her into calling her uncle.” Batman sighed and placed a hand on his shoulder.
“She’ll explain everything when she’s ready. For now, get some rest.” Robin nodded and let out a breath, heading out of the Batcave and back up to the manor. Morning came with a mission for Robin. “So… you want me to go all the way to Central City just to return some files to Star Labs that could just as easily be sent digitally?”
“Yes. This isn’t just about the files, though. You may find some more information about Wally’s past.” Robin pouted slightly before taking the files, dressed in civilian clothes and sunglasses. “Use the nearest zeta tube to get there. They’re expecting you soon.”
“Yeah, yeah, I got it. I’ll be back soon.”
“Take your time.” Robin pouted more, using a nearby zeta tube disguised as a broken phone booth to teleport to Central City. He walked into Star Labs, immediately being pointed to the elevator and told a floor. Once he arrived, he was met by a familiar face.
“...Oh! You’re delivering the files, Rob?”
“Wally? You work here?” She laughed and shook her head, taking the files from him.
“Nah, I just help out. Science nerd, remember? Also, this is where they helped Uncle Barry after the accident, so we’re all kinda close. C’mon, I’ve got some friends you’ll wanna meet.” Without waiting for an answer, she took his hand and dragged him down the hall, stopping in front of an open doorway to a lab. “Cisco, Caitlin! Those files just arrived!” A woman, Caitlin he presumed, smiled and hurried over, taking the files from Wally’s hands.
“Thank you, Wally. Who’s your friend?”
“This is Robin. Works under Batman and refuses to tell me his real name despite knowing mine.” Caitlin chuckled and held out her hand, Robin grasping it and shaking it slightly.
“It’s nice to meet you, Robin. I’m Dr. Caitlin Snow and over there messing with Barry’s treadmill is Cisco. Cisco! Come meet Wally’s friend!” The man working on the treadmill rushed over, nearly tripping on a nearby stool.
“Hey…! I’m Cisco Ramon Any friend of Wally’s is a friend of ours! Thanks for bringing those files, but I should get back to work.” And just like that he was rushing back to work, Caitlin walking away to finish her work as well.
“Stay as long as you like, Robin. Once Barry gets here, we’re actually going to run some tests if you’d like to stay and watch.”
“I’d love to, thank you.” Wally grinned and pulled him over to a couple stools near where Caitlin was working. He hopped up onto one of them, Wally hopping up next to him. The two watched her work, Robin occasionally asking questions while Wally would just point at something and receive an answer. Barry soon came running in, grabbing Wally and hugging her tight.
“Well, if it isn’t my favorite niece!” She laughed and playfully pushed him away. He grinned, noticing Robin. “And Robin! What a surprise! Good to see you. Let’s get to work. The treadmill ready, Cisco?”
“Ready! Let’s get this started!” Everyone but Barry gathered near the window to the treadmill room as Barry began running.
“...So, what are you guys testing for?” Robin asked.
“We’re testing how fast Barry can actually run,” Caitlin said as she watched the speed rise on her monitor. “Vitals are normal, as always… Speed is increasing at an astonishing rate… Everything looks good.” The numbers continued rising, a flash of blue catching his eye. There was blue lightning mixed in with the usual yellow for the Flash. He was about to ask what that meant when he caught sight of Wally’s face. She was standing, face frozen in terror as blue reflected off her face. Cisco reached out to touch her, but she flinched away and ran off further into the building. “Shit… Barry, stop!” Caitlin said into a microphone, Barry slowing to stop and stepping into the lab. He shared a look with Cisco and Caitlin which tweaked Robin’s interest.
“...Why did Wally freak out like that after seeing blue lightning?” he asked, not even flinching when all three adults turned to him. Barry glanced at Caitlin who nodded towards the door. He nodded and ran off to find Wally.
“...Have you ever heard of Zoom, Robin?”
“The evil speedster? Yeah, why?”
“Well, his lightning was blue. When Wally was young and she had just found out about Barry being the Flash, Zoom kidnapped her and used her as a bargaining chip. He said he’d give Wally back if Barry gave up his speed. Barry was given 24 hours to think about it, and Zoom kept Wally with him all that time. She doesn’t remember any details, just the look of Zoom’s mask and the blue lightning, but seeing Barry make that color must have triggered those memories. Tread carefully and don’t tell her we told you any of this.” Robin frowned slightly, unsure how he felt about Wally not knowing he knew, but he nodded anyway.
“I won’t tell her anything. Though, you really shouldn’t keep the details a secret from her. She’s probably gonna find out one way or another.” With that, Robin walked out of the lab and down the hall the two speedsters disappeared to, peeking in every room he came across in hopes of finding at least one of them. He was surprised to catch a glimpse of a red sneaker under a desk in a darkened lab, though there didn’t seem to be any sign of Barry anywhere in the room. He cautiously stepped inside, shutting the door behind him and walking over to the desk, crouching down to see who was there. “Wally?” She jolted and scrambled backwards, back pressed against the cool metal of the desk, green eyes wide with fear. She stared at him for a few moments before her mind seemed to catch up, her shoulders relaxing slightly.
“...Robin?”
“Hey… It’s okay. You wanna talk about it?” he asked softly, sitting cross-legged in front of her and smiling slightly. “It’s alright if you don’t want to, but sometimes it helps to talk about it.” She swallowed and shook her head slightly. “Alright, no talking. We can just chill here until you’re ready to come out.” After a few moments of silence, Robin spoke up again. “Actually, you know what? I’m gonna talk. You don’t have to say anything, but I’m still gonna talk anyway.” And true to his word, Robin began to talk about anything that came to his mind, filling the silent room with chatter. Eventually, Wally began talking back, though in short sentences or one word. She crawled out from under the desk, taking Robin’s hand when it was offered, allowing him to pull her to her feet. “You gonna be okay?”
“Yeah… I’ll be fine. I’m actually gonna head home.”
“Let me walk you home. Is it far?”
“You don’t have to. I can just run back home.”
“Wally, you’re legs are shaking and I’m the only thing keeping you from falling over right now. I’m walking you home.” Wally opened her mouth to protest again, but sighed and nodded, slinging her arm around Robin’s shoulder so he could take her weight easier.
“Well, my home is kinda far from here.”
“Is there anywhere nearby I could take you and get you a ride?”
“My grandpa Joe works at the police station.”
“Police station it is.” He began leading her out of Star Labs, stopping when he saw Barry down the hall.
“Wally! Are you alright, kid?”
“Yeah, I’m good, Uncle Barry. Rob’s gonna walk me to the police station so Grandpa Joe can give me a ride home.”
“The news station is closer. Iris’ll give you a ride home.”
“Right… See you at home, Uncle Barry…” Robin continued leading her out of Star Labs, asking for directions to the news station. “...She’s gonna worry about me… I hate it when Aunt Iris worries…”
“We were all worried about you. Just so you know.”
“You hardly know me, though.”
“I know you a little better than you think, Wally.” She frowned slightly and looked at him.
“...What do you mean? What did they tell you?”
“No one told me anything. After that talk we had yesterday, I… may have looked into some records on your family.” She stopped walking and stared at him.
“You did what?”
“I was only curious… You don’t seem to be the type of girl to get scared so easily, so when you said you called your uncle out of fear I just… I just wanted to know what happened… I know now why you wanted to keep it quiet.” She bared her teeth and pulled her arm away from him, taking a step away from him.
“I can’t believe you. I trusted you with that information! I wasn’t ready to tell you that yet!”
“Wally, I-”
“Save it! I’ll get to the news station myself.” Before he could respond, she ran off, leaving him alone on the sidewalk. He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck, frowning and heading off to the nearest zeta tube.
“How’d your trip to Star Labs go?” Bruce asked when he returned.
“It was fine at first then I messed everything up…”
“What happened?”
“I stuck around since they were testing Barry’s speed, but then this blue lightning started appearing around him and Wally freaked and ran off. I found her and stayed with her until she calmed down, offered to walk her home. She said it was too far and to walk her to the police station to get a ride from her grandfather, but Barry said take her to the news station. She said she didn’t want her aunt to worry, I said we were all worried anyway. She said I didn’t know her and I kinda let it slip that I looked into her past. She got understandably mad and ran off on her own, so I came back here.” He took a deep breath and took off his sunglasses, looking up at Bruce with worried blue eyes. “And that’s what happened. In summary.” Bruce nodded and stroked his chin thoughtfully.
“She does have a right to be mad at you… I’d give her some space, let her cool her head for a while.”
“Yeah, you’re right… She can’t stay mad at me forever, right?”