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"We could really use your help, Flash." Wally was up on his feet and into his suit without a second's hesitation. "Aqualad's keeping this thing at bay, but we could use some more backup."
"Coming to you now, Nightwing."
As much as he'd tried to fashion a working communicator in the speed force, the mere difference in speed from both ends makes it a challenge.
He's speeding right over when he crossed someone standing on the edge of a waterfall cliff. It's quire a drop, protruding rocks at the top and on the drop. The waterfall itself isn't quite idyllic, as it's tucked away in the depths of the forest and hardly has any fish swimming about. But the simple vision of the stranger makes him pause. Wally stops running quite a ways away and has a brief moment to think and process what he saw, then he decides that it's better safe than sorry and runs back.
The canopy of tall, thick trees sway with the force; leaves tearing off their branches. He stops a bit away so as not to scare the person into actually jumping. From this angle, he sees this person from the back: tall, broad shouldered, wearing a brown leather jacket and combat boots in a forest. Yeah, this doesn't quite spell good things.
Wally plays it loose, trying to understand, and he asks, "Do you need any help or can I call someone you know?" Give them choices; it's not a single option with vague consequences. It's this or that. It's safety and decision.
The person responds with a laugh, disbelief coloring it.
Wally tries to quietly get closer. From where he's standing, his ankles force the stream to go around. At this speed, each and every protruding rock pokes into his feet. Even though he knows that he can run to this person, catch them before they tip over, it's best to give them the chance to choose.
"Donna just arrived," Nightwing reports. Wally can hear the grunts that follow.
The person in front of him doesn't move from their spot, but they do bury their face in their hands for a second, whispering, "I can't believe this." He wants to ask. They turn around.
It's… "Jason?" Wait, Dick's little brother?
"What?" Nightwing questions. "Is he in trouble, Flash?"
Jason turns around, the look of recognition and derision simultaneously confirming and confuses Wally in equal measure.
"Doesn't look like you're dressed for a swim, Jay." Wally tacks on a small smile; he's aiming to be disarming, not antagonistic. After so long in this hero game, he's never quite mastered the same level of talk-down Barry's managed. Sometimes, his mouth runs faster than his mind and heart.
"Just admiring the view, Flash." He almost cringes. They're in the middle a forest in—he has to think about the world's map for a second—Portugal. The team's a few countries away. Titans go anywhere they're needed. What's a born and bred Gotham bird like Jason doing here in inappropriate clothing?
"Arsenal is here." Nightwing sounds frustrated. Should they switch positions right now? "Take care of my brother, Flash."
"Listen," Wally starts as he edges forward, but he stops when Jason tracks his every movement. "Why don't you come with me? You're a hero. Let's go be heroes."
Jason scoffs. "Who told you I was a hero?" Wally has never heard such thinly-veiled hatred in someone's tone. Hatred for what, exactly?
"Anybody can be a hero," he says, reminds, reassures—whatever is needed. Jason looks like he's about to argue. "But I definitely know you are one."
The stream continues to push at him. The sound of it falling into the bay below has historically been used to get him to meditate and sleep. Jason pockets his hands and turns away. He either trusts Wally or finds him annoying. "Just fuck off, Flash."
He gets closer. "Come on, Jay. There'll probably be people to punch."
"You don't know?" Jason asks with a brow raised, but maybe it's the whole helmet thing, but it seems that Jason does that with his whole body. Charades must be a family staple.
"Ah well." He reaches up to rub his neck then forces his hand down. He's trying to break out of all the fidgeting. "Your brother just called for help, so I was on my way."
"Of course, don't keep him waiting." Wally blinks. He's only about five feet away now, and even at this point, he can see the steep drop—and maybe it's the extended silence. Jason seems to whisper the words like confession. "You'll just drop anything to help him, no question." Yeah— "I don't have that. My own dad wouldn't do that for me."
Now that, Wally can't stop the grimace for. But it doesn't stop the fact that he's heard it and processed it. "I'll do it." Jason snaps his head back, snarling and ready to bite. "Can't speak for anyone else, but I will."
"Don't." Hardened, golden eyes force Wally to re-evaluate… life, living, the concerned older brother in his in-ear. "You don't know what a crime lord would use that kinda thing for."
"You're right, I don't." He hums. "But I'm going it anyway."
"Dumb ass decision."
"I'm chalk full of them, and here's another one: come with me."
He reaches out a hand, a metaphorical rope for Jason to climb out of the well with. Wally sees the hesitation, the rise of shoulders, and the clenched jaw. He sees the fear in bright, shiny eyes. "I don't have my mask or helmet."
Wally wants to laugh as tentative relief washes over him. He makes do with a smile. "I'm the Flash."
Jason takes a step toward Wally; a step away from the edge. He stares at Wally's hands as he chews on something. "You sure you want me to fight crime or whatever it is big bird called you for?"
"You'll be fine," he answers with a short lean forward. He can't grab Jason's hand, but he can make the journey shorter. His comm sparks back to life, a wave of sound hitting his eardrums as Dick says and Wally repeats verbatim: "And Dick will be more than happy to have you there."
"Thought we weren't speaking for other people."
Wally points to his comm, hidden behind his hair—he definitely needs a haircut. It's getting a bit ticklish in the back of his neck. "Take it up with him. He said it himself."
Briefly, Jason's eyes squeeze themselves closed. They're clear and bright when Wally next sees them. "Fuck. God. Fine. Need my mask and helmet first."
The corner of Wally's lips twitch. "Of course, almighty Red Hood."
"Fuck off," Jason says with a full-body eye-roll. "Let's just go already.