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Chapter 1 - Talk My Ear Off (And Kiss It Better)
The Speedsters talk a lot. And they talk fast. They constantly need a soundboard, but for whatever reason, they never use each other. Barry will find Hal, who was content to have Flash in his lap while he did his prattling. Bart would find Tim and Kon, usually cuddled up together, and sit on the floor while he rambled.
And Wally… he had Dick. Nightwing never complained about it, either.
It all started on a quiet night. Wally had just finished the last book in a series he adored and was completely in shambles over it. He needed someone to talk to, eyes filled with unshed tears from the gains and losses of the characters from the story, when Dick bumped into him on the way back from the kitchen.
“Wally? What’s the matter?”
“My book…”
Then he (embarrassingly) broke down in tears. Give him some slack, okay?! He was up for over twenty-four hours, reading the tale, on top of other hero business. Dick smiled, took Wally’s hand, and led him to the very comfortable couch in the common room.
“I’m going to start talking fast and for a long time. Stop me if you get annoyed,” Wally said through tears, and then launched.
The entire time, Dick nodded, asked questions when he needed them, and never let go of Wally’s hand. Eventually, the young Flash talked himself to sleep, and when he woke the next morning, Dick was still sitting with him, head resting on Wally’s, fingers intertwined.
So, it became a habit. Wally would finish a book, or a show, and usually burst into tears in front of Dick, then get coddled while he rambled. His favorite was when he caught Dick in his room, because usually, Nightwing would rest his head on Wally’s chest and draw little patterns on his arm while he listened.
Today, he had finished another novel lent to him by Jason, and was looking to talk to Dick when he heard Damian talking to him over coffee in the kitchen. Wally cringed and hid; he and Damian had a rocky relationship, at best. Ever since Dick broke his leg on a mission, Damian had made it a point to make Wally’s life Hell.
“It doesn't get annoying? All of that prattling?”
“Well, does it annoy you when Jon seeks you out to show you whatever rock he found on flights?”
Damian scoffed, making his usual tt sound.
“Of course not, Richard. I love him. He could never annoy me.”
“Exactly. So, no; Wally never annoys me.”
Wally nearly gave away his cover with his gasp. He had to do a few laps around the Pacific Ocean to calm his erratic heart.
Chapter 2 - So Sweet, With That Mean Streak
If looks gave heart attacks, Kyle and Wally would both be dead.
It was a small meeting in the Watchtower. Barry was going over a few things with Wally, when Hal showed up. Of course, he scooped Barry in his arms and gave him a horribly obnoxious kiss. Wally and Dick both got ruffled on the head. Then, Kyle came around the corner.
“You need me to kiss you like that, Walls?”
Wally laughed, then stood to hug him, even picking Kyle up off the ground to swing him around.
“Kyle! I haven’t seen you in forever!”
“Hal and I were working on something. Thought I’d swing by and say hi to my favorite Speedster,” Kyle said, giving Wally an endearing pat on the cheek. Dick scoffed.
Barry drew them back in, going over the reports spread on the table. Kyle took a seat next to Wally, an arm thrown over the back of his chair, looking at the graphs and charts Barry was explaining. Dick was glaring daggers at Kyle, jaw set in a hard line. Soon, Kyle had his hand stretched across himself, his fingers playing with Wally’s. Hal was asking a few follow-up questions, trying to figure out something related to Batman’s technical capabilities, but Dick was just grunting his replies. Wally tilted his head in concern, but his attention was drawn away by Kyle.
“Why don’t Hal and I just help you and Barry? Lantern and Speedster? Easier than all the bat-crap,” Kyle teased, fingers still brushing Wally’s. Dick sucked in a sharp breath, hands gripping the table like it was a lifeline.
“Sure, pretty boy. We need more brains than you and Hal,” Wally rolled his eyes, sending a jolt into Kyle’s fingertips. Instead of pulling his fingers away from Wally’s hand, like intended, Kyle snorted and trailed up his arm to rest his fingertips on Wally’s collar.
“Pretty boy? You sure you’re not looking for that kiss?”
Dick stood abruptly, chair falling over, scaring everyone else. Kyle rested his hand back on the table. Before Wally could ask what the deal was, Hal murmured a young love under his breath, then Dick was grabbing his hand and dragging him out of the conference room.
“What’s the matter?” Wally asked, voice rising a few octaves in fear as Dick pushed him against the wall in the hallway. Dick glared. Wally gulped. This was bad… sure, Wally could enter the Speed Force and get away, but one of the bat brothers would undoubtedly murder Wally while he slept. He already saw the way Damian glared at him after Dick got hurt on missions.
“I’m your pretty boy. Not Kyle.”
Wally put his hands up, trying to become one with the wall behind him. Dick took another step forward, jutting his chest out so he pressed Wally flat against the wall behind him. Wally was so confused; he called everyone pretty boy, or pretty girl, or pretty dear. Maybe it was Kyle’s wandering fingers that upset Dick?
Oh. He was jealous. Wally fought the urge to smirk.
“You are a pretty boy. Kyle is a pretty boy. Jason is a pretty boy. Roy is also a pretty boy. But you, Dickie, you’re my only pretty bird,” Wally smiled.
Dick grinned, his blush framing his cheeks around the domino mask. He didn’t step back, instead, he pushed more of his body into Flash’s. Without really knowing what to do, Wally brushed a lock of silky black hair from Dick’s forehead.
“Hmm. Okay,” Nightwing said, stepping back from Wally and grabbing his hand. “Come on, let me cook you something to eat.”
Wally forgot the entire fiasco, forgot the entire meeting, since he was too excited for Dick’s cooking.
Chapter 3 - An Interesting Bet
Dive bars were more Hal Jordan’s thing.
Barry was more equipped for wineries or breweries, with a bright atmosphere and options for outdoor seating. Plus, Speedsters couldn’t really get drunk, so Barry liked the more expensive, uppity places for a better taste. Wally would sometimes tag along with the Young Justice or Titans to different clubs, mostly to dance, since he also couldn’t get drunk. But Dick…
Dick liked to party.
He was usually the one dragging Wally out to the dancefloor, breath fruity from the cocktails he would consume, smoke in his hair for the cigarettes he’d bum off of strangers for a better buzz. And sometimes, Dick would dance with Wally so his back was pressed against the Speedster’s chest, hips grinding, back-to-front. Wally was always glad for the dark lights, since his face was as red as his hair. By the end of the night, Wally was giving him shots of water and carrying him to the car.
So… once again, dive bars were a Hal Jordan thing. Cheap beer, rock music on decade-old stereos, middle-aged veterans, and rickety pool tables. The sticky floor held the remnants of cigarette smoke, spilled Busch Lite, and salt from fried food.
Wally had to admit he was enjoying the atmosphere. Dick was grimacing, used to nightclubs and galas. Barry was talking about how great the food was, something about the owners having a cattle farm. Hal had found them a table, shoving a few napkins under the leg so it was stable, and ordered a round of Coors.
“They don’t have anything else?” Dick asked, grimacing after his first sip. He watched Wally’s throat bob with each gulp of beer. If he was a bit more tipsy, he would likely use his thumb to get the droplets off the other’s lips.
“They do… but this isn’t exactly the place to be ordering a cosmopolitan,” Hal winked.
Barry ordered fries for the table and whatever greasy pizzas they had on the menu today. The bartender— Patsy, Wally learned— squeezed Hal’s shoulder and gave Barry free fries. They must be regulars here.
Dick bumped his thigh against Wally’s, already on his third beer. He wasn’t grimacing anymore and there was a pretty blush to his cheeks.
“Does anyone know how to play pool?” Wally asked the table, on his second pizza.
Hal signaled Patsy for another round of Coors.
“You basketcases go ahead,” Hal winked, resting his arm around Barry.
Wally dragged Dick over to the pool table, setting up the balls while Dick grabbed the cue sticks. He bumped his hip against Wally’s.
“If I win, you have to give me a kiss,” Dick smiled, handing Wally the cue for pool.
“Well, what if I win?” Wally asked, putting chalk on the tip. He had no idea what that did, but it felt right.
“Then I’ll give you a kiss.”
Wally scratched the first play. Either way, he was going to win.
Chapter 4 - His Hand Brushed Mine
Dick was a touchy person. Hugs, holding hands, shoulder bumps. But Wally secretly thought these touches were a bit… different… between the two of them.
For one, Dick would always sit on Wally’s lap. Whenever they had Young Justice movie nights, they never had to worry about lack of seating since Dick would sprawl himself on Wally’s lap. And everyone thought this was normal! Not that Wally minded… Dick would play with the hairs laying on the back of Wally’s neck, or rub right above his collarbone, or trace little shapes on his arm.
For two, Dick was like Wally’s personal masseuse. Running all the time made his legs and feet seriously sore. And his lower back, depending on what type of running he was doing. Wally would limp into the living room, wincing with every step, and Dick would lay him on the couch so his back was exposed. Using whatever gels and creams Bruce made for Barry, Dick would soothe all of Wally’s sore muscles, usually lulling him to sleep. At least it didn’t lead to other things, like when Hal massaged Barry. That has gotten them booted out of the Watchtower too many times to count.
For three, Dick was seriously obsessed with Wally’s hands. Dick held hands with everyone, but it was so much different with Wally! He would push their hands palms-together, almost like he was revelling in how Wally’s fingers were so much longer, his palm much wider. Dick would also play with the Flash ring, slipping it on and off of his fingers. Dick would constantly massage his hands, trace the lines on his palms, and intertwine their fingers. Under the table at meetings, walking down the street, recovering from training… Dick always had Wally’s hand.
And now tonight… Wally was right on the verge of dozing off when he heard his window click open. Of course, he was up and out of bed to see who it was before the intruder even realized Wally moved. Instead of it being whatever villain Wally had nightmares about that week, it was just Nightwing. Still in his uniform, domino mask and all, standing before the window with a grim frown on his face.
Wally didn’t want to embarrass him, so he stayed still, his breathing slow and controlled so Dick thought he was still asleep. He heard gear hit the floor, latex and kevlar peel off of sweaty skin, and the pull of the domino mask with a wince. Maybe Dick just needed somewhere to wash up?
Then, he heard rummaging in his dresser drawers. It was almost silent, and if Wally was asleep, he definitely would’ve not noticed. One of the best parts about speed: he could open and close his eyes so fast, no one could tell Wally was staring. So, he fought the urge to grin when he saw Dick pull on a pair of Wally’s flannel pajamas and some sort of old hoodie that was probably Hal or Barry’s.
Really to his surprise, was when Dick padded over to the bed and slid under the blanket, rolling so his back was to Wally. With nimble fingers, Dick raised Wally’s arm and snuggled under him with a sigh, the tension finally rolling off of his body. Maybe this is what Wally needed to actually fall asleep.
To his knowledge, Dick didn’t sneak into anyone else’s room for comfort. That made Wally special, and Wally likes feeling special. Maybe he’ll make pancakes for breakfast tomorrow.
Chapter 5 - Exchanging Body Heat In The Passenger Seat
It was always both a good and bad day when Wally had to help Dick on his ritual Gotham patrols. Good, because he was able to make sure Nightwing was safe and being a Speedster made a pretty good backup. Bad, because he had to stay up late and would definitely be tired tomorrow. Tonight, they were doing a stakeout at some warehouse, trying to intercept a new line of Ivy pollen. Damian and Jon were in the Batmobile, as Bruce and Clark were looking to “retire” and let the other superbat duo take over.
“It’s freezing,” Dick said, rubbing his hands together.
“Really? I guess I don’t exactly feel cold,” Wally hummed. Perks of having super speed!
Dick grumbled something under his breath and went to turn their getaway car on. Wally grabbed the keys.
“Dickie. You’ll give us away!”
Dick groaned and let his head thump the steering wheel. Wally rubbed his hands together quickly and pressed them to Dick’s arm, trying to warm him up little bits at a time.
“Put your seat back, Walls,” Nightwing ordered.
Confused, Wally reached for the lever and pulled, sliding the passenger seat all the way back. He also put the backrest back, leaning so he could get comfy but also see the warehouse.
“Now what?” Wally asked.
Dick undid his seatbelt and moved over the middle console, falling into Wally’s lap. The young Flash tried not to flush, instead sitting stiff as a board so his stupid heart didn’t betray him. Dick settled in with a sigh, wrapping Wally’s arms around his chest.
“It’s not fair. You get to be warm and I get to suffer? I don’t think so,” Dick hummed, grabbing the binoculars to keep watching the warehouse. Wally smiled, settling in the seat, watching the Batmobile for their signal to move. Wally had no idea how much time passed, but their windows were starting to fog, and he was a bit worried Damian would get the wrong idea.
Then, the headlights flashed once. Twice. Three times.
“That’s our signal, pretty bird!” Wally said, jostling Dick. The lack of his warmth when he shot off of Wally’s chest caused a frown. Nightwing quickly hopped out of the passenger seat, crouching to start the slow sneak over to the Batmobile. Wally followed, waiting for his orders.
“They aren’t getting out,” Dick whispered, reaching for his escrima sticks.
Wally tapped into his speed and peaked his head into the Batmobile. His eyes flew open, mouth dropping with a gasp. Jon was in the passenger seat, backrest tilted as far back as it could go. Damian was straddling his lap, hands tracing the S on Jon’s suit, while Superboy was trying to pull Damian’s shirt up, hands racing across his lithe back.
“Um… false alarm?”
Dick furrowed his brows and peered in, tapping on the glass.
Then gasped.
“Damian Wayne!” Dick shrieked, nearly tearing the handle off the Batmobile trying to open the door.
Jon roughly shoved Damian off, jostling him against the dashboard and setting off four different panic alarms. The doors of the warehouse flew open, armed goons stalking out. Wally sighed and shook his ankles out, then bolted. Looks like he was on his own for this one.
Nightwing was still trying to wring Jon’s neck by the time he was done.
Epilogue - If I Saw Him, I’d Still Kiss Him
It happened in the dead of night.
Some group of anarchists managed to hack the government’s system and get nuclear launch codes. It should be no one’s surprise that the government was hiding nuclear weapons undetected by most radars. Of course, Bruce Wayne knew about this, but the cave didn’t detect it in enough time. Until it was already too late.
Barry, Bart, and Wally rescued as many as they could. The Supers tried to keep the weapons from falling into Earth’s atmosphere, but it was difficult to stop them all and get them far enough out of the Solar System before the next was launched.
And like everything in life, the most dangerous was last. Clark was however many millions of miles away, launching one away from where an explosion would harm gravitational pulls. Kon and Jon were on rescue. Barry was injured, as was Bart, because of course they were prepared for the heroes. So, it was up to Wally to save millions of people in less than ten seconds.
He knew he would need to enter the Speed Force. He knew the risks. Barry knew too, because he mouthed I love you to the young Flash, before he took off. The civilians were moved, as well as whatever pets and livestock Wally saw along the way. And when the explosion happened, kicking up dirt and dust and debris, there was no Wally.
“Where’s Wally?” Dick asked, frantically scanning the dust cloud on the horizon.
“Well,” Barry said, trying to avoid Dick’s gaze. “To save that many people that fast, he needed to enter the Speed Force. And he was there for a long time. He might be stuck.”
Dick felt his world crumple. Someone screamed. Or maybe that was him.
☆
Wally has entered the Speed Force before, but never for this long. He knew the civilians were safe, and he very vividly recognized the city falling around him, but he couldn’t quite figure out how to stop. Shit. But he wasn’t afraid. Wally kind of accepted that, at some point, he would get stuck here. He just wished he had more time with Dick.
So he continued on in the Speed Force. He thought about all of the books he wanted to read, all of the shows left unseen. He thought about Dick. Oh no. Wally was going to leave Dick behind. All fine bones, taut muscles, inky black hair and sky blue eyes. His pretty bird. Wally had to get back, had to at least try with Dick; at least let the poor man know that he knows Dick loves him.
“Wally!”
Weird. Is he imagining things?
“Wallace West!”
That was definitely Dick. He was definitely angry. More angry than the Kyle incident.
“Get out of there now!”
He was closer to the yelling now. Close enough he heard little sobs. Was that Dick crying? This definitely isn’t good. Wally really needs to figure out how to get out of here. Dammit. He really should’ve paid attention to Barry’s lessons. Is he going to cause a Flash Point?
“Please, Wally. Come back to me.”
And how could he say no to such a sweet voice?
Like bursting through water, Wally skidded to a stop over sand, kicking it up into a cloud around himself. He felt like a golfball in a bunker. Shaking his head, Wally went for the cowl on his head. Why was he shaking so hard?
Then he heard a sharp gasp.
Wally grinned, spinning around to face the heroes on the horizon of his sandpit. He saw a streak of blue and black sprinting toward him. Wally laughed, Dick’s body colliding with his, holding him and feeling tears soak into his neck.
“Pretty bird,” Wally cooed. “I’m okay. You brought me back.”
Dick wrapped his hands around Wally’s throat, jokingly wringing his neck. Though there was actually quite a bit of pressure behind it. Dick is going to kill him.
“You asshole. Never do that again.”
Then, with Barry cackling in the sand, Batman fighting the urge to grin, Dick pressed his lips against Wally’s in a sweet, open-mouthed kiss. He tasted Nightwing’s tears on his lips, gripping Dick tightly by the back so they were chest-to-chest.
“I love you, Wally West.”
“I know, Dick Grayson.”
Dick rolled his eyes, then brought their lips together again. Wally tugged him up by the back of his thighs, so he could hold Dick tighter, breaking their kiss to let his lips glide all over Nightwing’s face.
“Marry me, Dick Grayson. Make me the happiest man alive,” Wally murmured against his lips, quiet enough so only the two of them heard.
“Second happiest. I’m the first. You came back to me.”
Bonus - Wally West’s Frantic Texts
Wall-E: OMG Dick
Wall-E: My novel
Wall-E: Where are you
Pretty Bird: OMG
Pretty Bird: YOUR NOVEL
Pretty Bird: Manor, going over data w timbo
Wall-E: I’M COMING OVER
Wall-E: …………. Is Damian there tho
☆
Greenie: Are you dating Wing??
Walls: Kyle
Walls: Brother
Walls: WHAT???????
Greenie: He’s, like, pissed at me
Greenie: He told me I’m not special just because I’m a “pretty boy”????
Walls: He kinda right tho
Greenie: Brother
Walls: Brother
☆
Jonno: GET YOUR DOG BRUH
Wallo: ????????
Jonno: DICK IS TRYING TO KILL ME
Jonno: HE THINKS I CORRUPTED DAMIAN
Wallo: Lol
Wallo: I already talked him out of telling Bruce and Clark
Wallo: What more do you want from me
Wallo: Also hooking up in the batmobile is, like, a rite of passage
Jonno: Oop!!!!!!!!!!
Jonno: Speaking from experience there????