#BUT I'M GOING TO TRY TO READ MORE WALLY THIS YEAR TRUST so long as it's fun

[welcometogrouchland]

(ID in alt) you guys even fuck w/ the flash on here???

[mery-cm99]

Death & you ~ Wally Clark (Chapter 2)

Masterlist

Description: Lana had always thought she had already lost all the people she had to lose. She was supposed to be able to have him forever. He's just her best friend, but he's her everything. That's why when fate took him away, Lana lost everything that tied her to life.

Pairing: Wally Clark x fem!OC

Warnings: Mention of death, trauma, wounds, homophobia (not from OC) and sad stuff in general (just my usual writting style). English is not my first language, so sorry in advance for any grammar or spelling mistakes. It might have same spoilers from the first season of School Spirits.

Ratings: Teens and up

Chapter: 2/?

Word Count: 1,091 words.

Lana had never felt like she belonged anywhere. She wasn't from Split River and her parents had never set foot there. But she and Victoria had moved to that town after the accident that had left her an orphan when she was just four years old. Still, it wasn't just that Lana had no roots in the physical place. The girl didn't even feel like she had anyone to call home. At least not until she was six. Victoria, her adoptive mother and best friend of her recently deceased birth mother, had decided they were going to move to Split River together to start a new life. Or to run away from the ghosts that had haunted them both for two years. So when the girl was five years old, four months shy of her sixth birthday, she had to face a new change: a new town, a new house, new neighbors, a new school... But the same loneliness. 

Split River Elementary School was filled with the laughter and shouts of children running through the halls, thrilled to be reunited with their friends after a long summer. Lana advanced among them with her backpack pressed against her chest, as if it were the shield of one of the knights in her favorite books. The shield that protected her from the rest of the world. She was walking silently beside Victoria, who was gently urging her along to keep her from stopping. The woman knew Lana didn't want to be there. Since she had adopted her, Lana didn't feel like doing anything but hiding in her blanket fort, which she had made in a corner of her new room, to read her books. She didn't want to go out to play, she didn't want to talk, she didn't want to eat... She wouldn't even accept the candy and chocolate the woman offered her to try to gain her trust.  But Victoria didn't want to be there either. The woman wanted time to turn back so she could stop her best friend from getting into that damn car. 

They both walked in silence, as they did most of the time. Lana hadn't talked much since she had lost her parents, and now that they had moved she talked even less. She had nothing to say. Everything was strange. Everything was new. And new, lately, just meant more change. 

Victoria walked her to the door that indicated it was the first grade classroom and bent down to her height to tuck a lock of hair behind the girl's ear. They looked into each other's eyes.

“You're going to do fine, honey,” the woman assured her quietly. "Just be yourself." 

Lana nodded wordlessly and walked into the classroom. All her new classmates were already sitting at their desks, talking among themselves. Little Lana approached the teacher, who smiled kindly at her before greeting her and instructing Lana to sit at the only empty table. Lana silently obeyed and sat where she was instructed. Her desk neighbor leaned across the table to get her attention. His hair was so black it looked as if he had absorbed the night sky, but his eyes shone like stars, even if they were the color of chocolate. Lana felt hungry. She missed chocolate. 

“Hello,” the boy greeted her with a mischievous smile and eyes full of curiosity. "I'm Wally."

Lana looked away and took out her blue notebook and pencil from her backpack. As she opened it, she still felt the boy's gaze silently watching her. A moment later she heard him laugh.

"Do you know that you look like a squirrel with that pout on your face?”

Lana turned to look at him, frowning even more.

"No, I don't!"

"Yes, you do!" Wally insisted, still laughing. "It's a good thing I like squirrels."

Lana opened her mouth to answer, but Wally clenched his hands around his face and puffed out his cheeks to resemble the animal. 

"I'm Lana, not a squirrel,” replied the little girl, still looking serious. 

"Lana the squirrel,” he said with a huge smile. 

And then, without being able to help it, Lana laughed. Wally had a very contagious laugh. What the boy didn't know was that this was the first time Lana had laughed since her parents had died. 

Lana hid among the shelves full of books. Her bathing suit was still damp, but this time it was uncomfortable. She was leaning against a shelf of books, but apparently the moisture from her clothes didn't reach them. Something strange, but Lana decided to ignore it. She had other things on her mind. Like that her lifeless body had been pulled out of the high school pool. It was still sinking in. She was shivering, but not exactly from the cold, and she started sobbing between her knees before she even comprehended what was happening. 

“Oh, Lana,” she heard someone say. She recognized the voice instantly, though it was impossible. She looked up and they both stared at each other in surprise. “Can you see me?” the boy asked in surprise. 

Hearing his voice again was what woke her up. “Wally,” she sobbed before jumping up and leaping into his arms. The boy greeted her even more confused.

“Can you touch me?” Lana let out a sadness-laden laugh, but nodded her head.  “How is that possible, Lan. What happened?"

Lan. She hadn't heard that endearment for three months.

“I came for a swim last night so I could think. The last thing I remember is relaxing in the water... But when I woke up there were a bunch of people, they were screaming... and it was me, Wally. The girl in the pool was me...” Wally hugged her tightly again when he understood what she was saying.

When Wally realized that she had calmed down, he let go of her just enough to look into her eyes. They were bloodshot, but still that brown color that looked like wet earth after the rain. It was her, his Lana. And she was there with him.

“I can't believe you can see me. That I have you here. You don't know how much I've missed you” the boy assured looking into his best friend's eyes. Lana laughed loudly.

“You really don't have a clue, Walls. These past three months have been torture.” she assured.

“I promised you I wasn't going anywhere, Lan. I've been here all along, waiting." Wally replied still holding her arms, as if he thought she would vanish if he didn't hold her.

[northoftheroad]

Hi! I'm really sorry to bother you! But I was wondering if you could give us a list of recommended stories with dick after his Robin days. Like after bruce fired him and he became nightwing? All up to the time he had to become batman? I really love your content by the way ☺️!!!

Gosh, this turned out to be even more tricky than the Robin list, and it's frightfully long!

One reason is that storytelling has changed since Dick was Robin. Back in the Golden and Silver age, with very few exceptions, comics were stand-alone short stories. In later decades, it's usually arcs that span at least a couple of issues. Some themes can run for a very long time. For instance, Dick was brainwashed by Brother Blood in New Teen Titans vol 1  # 22 (in 1982), and that would have consequences until The New Teen Titans vol 2 #31 (1987). 

There are also a looot of stories – apart from guest appearances, Nightwing is a regular/lead character in several books named New Teen Titans/Titans and suchlike, 1980-1996 and 1999-2009; Outsiders vol 3 (2003-2007); Nightwing vol 1 (1995) and vol 2 (1996–2007). In team titles, several characters compete for attention. Also, I have read and know the Nightwing books more than his team titles, so they will be more prominent on my list. 

There are a bunch of stories where Dick has a pretty small role and won't be in a lot of panels, but those panels can be "important" and often quoted when it comes to Dick. For instance, Bruce Wayne: Murderer/Fugitive, Hush, Under the Hood... 

So, you'll have to take this for what it is. A very personal list, with stories I like (and remember), or have some fun panels, or are "important". Because certain stories are essential to the character's history, regardless if you like them or not. (And if you want more of Dick with Kory/Starfire, read the New Teen Titans titles.) If you'd like to see a synopsis before you commit to reading – because did I mention it is a very long list indeed? – the dc.fandom.com wiki page will often provide. 

(Or you could do the sensible thing, and see this as more of "the complete history of pre-Batman Nightwing, and ask somebody else for recommendations...) 

The Judas contract (when Dick becomes Nightwing). The New Teen Titans # 39-40, Tales of the Teen Titans #41-44, Annual #3. (1984) 

Trivial Pursuits. NewTeen Titans vol 2 # 32. (A nice breather, when the Titans try just to relax together. It goes as well as can be expected.) (1987)

Batman # 416. (First post-Crisis meeting with Jason Todd) (1988)

The Cheshire Contract. Action Comics Weekly # 613-618 (Dick helps Roy find his daughter.) (1988)

The New Titans # 55. (Dick learns about Jason's death when the Titans return to Earth after a long period in space. He goes to Bruce to talk and what follows is the infamous scene when Bruce hits Dick, says he should never have had a partner and tells Dick to leave and leave the keys with Alfred.) (1989)

Batman year Three. Batman # 436–439. (Flashbacks with a retelling of Dick's origin, during Bruce's third year as Batman. In the "now", Dick tries to reach out to Bruce and Dick's parents' murderer is about to be set free.)  (1989)

A Lonely Place of Dying. Batman # 440-442, New Titans # 60-61. (1990)

The New Titans # 65. (Tim turns up at Dick's place to learn what it is to be Batman's partner.) (1990)

Total Chaos. (In issues of Deathstroke the Terminator, New Titans and Team Titans.) (Mirage, a woman from an alternate future and who has illusion casting powers, takes the form of Starfire and sleeps with Dick, who is shamed by his team members for being unfaithful to Kory, even though this is rape. So, an important fact to know but not something I would recommend to read.) (1992)

Knightfall Prodigal (Dick's first longer stint as Batman. And he takes care of Tim and the Manor on his own!) In Batman #512-514 and three other titles. (1994-1995)

Nightwing Alfred's Return (Kind of fun, when Dick seeks out Alfred, who left Bruce's service because Bruce wasn't taking care of himself, in London.) (1995)

Nightwing vol 1 # 1-4. (I don't love this, but it is a milestone in that it's the first Nightwing solo series, Dick momentarily decides to leave the hero business, and gets his by now classic fingerstripe suit.) #1-4 (1995)

Like Riding a Bike. (Donna checks up on Dick.) The Batman Chronicles # 7. (1996)

(Nightwing vol 2 began in 1996.)

Nightwing vol 2 # 6. (Tim and Dick talk and fight crooks.) (1997)

Nightwing vol 2 # 12-16. (Batman pays a visit and Dick makes his custom made car.) (1997) 

The Flash plus Nightwing. (Dick and Wally on vacation.) (1997)

Then & Now. Teen Titans vol 2 #12-15. (The original four Titan boys find themselves fighting their past selves.) (1997)

Nightwing vol 2 # 25. (Tim and Dick talk and ride on train roofs. Dick has decided to become a cop.) (1998)

Detective Comics # 725 (A heart-to-heart between Bruce and Dick.) (1998)

The Technis Imperative. JLA/Titans #1-3. (1998-1999)

The Titans (1999) # 2. (The start of a new Titans team, Dick tells Superman to give them some room.) (1999)

Nightwing vol 2 # 32–34. (Dick at the Police Academy.) (1999)

Nightwing vol 2 # 35–39. (On a mission from Batman: To take control of Blackgate Prison. Afterwards, he recuperates at Barbara's when her place is attacked.) (1999-2000)

The Titans (1999) #15–16. (The original five Titans try to work out some difficulties.) 2000.

Transference. Batman: Gotham Knights #8-11. (2000)

Nightwing vol 2 # 45-46. (The Hunt for Oracle.) (2000)

Action Comics # 771. (Nightwing and Superman hang out and work together – what's not to like!) 2000

Gods of Gotham. Wonder Woman # 164-167. (2001)

Nightwing vol 2 # 54-58. (Blockbuster, Nightwing's main adversary in Blüdhaven, hires an old enemy of Dick's to deal with the vigilante: Shrike. A character from Robin Year One.) (2001)

Matatoa. Batman: Gotham Knights # 16-17. (Bruce adopts Dick.) (2001)

Who Is Troia? The Titans (1999) # 23-25. (A visit from the Titan's children from the Kingdom Come universe.). (2001)

Retribution. Batman: Gotham Knights # 20-21. (2001)

Nightwing vol 2 # 64. (Nightwing as Santa's elf.) (2001)

Bruce Wayne: Murderer and Bruce Wayne: Fugitive (in several titles). (Dick refuses to believe that Bruce can be a murderer and it causes friction with for instance Tim. Also, a big fight between Dick and Bruce when the latter says he is going to abandon his Bruce identity.) (2002)

Nightwing vol 2 # 75. (Flashback's to Dick's early years with Bruce. Plus the first appearance of Tarantula (Catalina Flores; a controversial figure in Dick's history, she straddled the line between vigilante and villain.)) (2002)

Hush. Batman # 608–619. (# 615 for Dick, but it might be confusing only to read one issue.) (2002-2003)

The Obsidian Age. JLA vol 1 # 68-75. (The Justice League members disappear, Dick leads a new team for a few issues. In # 73, Bruce is quoted:" The only time I ever feel pride is when I look at Nightwing. Sometimes I think he's the only thing I ever did right."). (2002-2003)

Titans/Young Justice: Graduation Day # 1-3 (Donna is killed. Dick is devastated and declares that the Titans are finished.) (2003)

Nightwing vol 2 # 80-83. (Deathstroke is in Blüdhaven to kill someone close to Dick. Bruce asks when he will quit the force, Dick wants to stay as a cop, but when he saves Amy Rohrbach, she recognizes that Dick is Nightwing and fires him.) (2003)

Nightwing vol 2 # 86. (Dick, forced to rest after being injured, solves crimes on America's Most Wanted and drives Barbara up the wall.) (2003)

The Outsiders vol 3 # 1 (Roy talks Dick, who dissolved the Titans after Donna's death, into leading a new team, promising they will not be a family.) (2003)

Nightwing vol 2 # 87-100. (Definitely one of the darkest periods points in Dick's life pre-Flashpoint. Tarantula breaks up him and Barbara. Blockbuster destroys his circus, his home and kills people just for talking to Dick. Tarantula kills Blockbuster and Nightwing is too exhausted to prevent it, and afterwards, she rapes him (# 93). Not necessarily an arc I would recommend to read, but fans discuss it a lot.) (2003-2004)

The Outsiders vol 3 # 11 (Roy is angsting about going back to the hero business after narrowly surviving being shot, sparring and heart-to-heart with Dick follows.) (2004)

Under the Hood. Batman # 635-641, 645-650, Annual # 25. (2004-2006)

Nightwing Year One. Nightwing vol 2 # 101-106. (I honestly don't care much for this story, but it's good to know that it's one of several retellings of how Dick became Nightwing.) (2005)

Supergirl (2005) # 3 (Supergirl has a huuuge crush on Nightwing... ) (2005)

Silent partner. The Outsiders vol 3 # 21-23. (Dick goes ballistic when he realizes Batman has been funding the Outsiders, Roy admits Batman has been feeding him information. Only it wasn't Batman – it was Deathstroke in disguise.) (2005)

DC Special: The Return of Donna Troy  # 1-4. (2005)

Nightwing vol 2 # 107–117. (Dick leaves Nightwing, starts working for the mob and trains Deathstroke's daughter. I think the author has some kind of resolution to the crisis Dick had gone through the last years in mind, but Infinite Crisis got in the way. Blüdhaven is destroyed in a nuclear explosion.) 

Infinite Crisis. (DC had planned to let Dick die, he is central to the story even if he's not very visible.) (2005-2006)

Targets. Nightwing vol 2 # 125-128. (Dick hunts for a day job in New York and gets buried alive, which leads to some retrospection on his behalf. There's also fights with a guy with a weaponized armour.) (2007)

The Brave and the Bold # 15. Nightwing and Hawkman. (Deadman, inside Hawkman, says that Dick Grayson is the one guy that every crimefighter trusts.) (2007)

Outsiders: Five of a Kind – Nightwing/Boomerang. (It ends with Batman telling Dick: "Go back to the good fight, Dick. Leave the bad fight to us.") (2007)

Wrath Child. (A story from when Dick was fairly new as Nightwing.) Batman Confidential # 13-16. (2008)

Freefall. Nightwing vol 2 # 140–146. (Dick starts freefalling as a new hobby; Bruce is not pleased. And he gets a new daytime job, as a museum curator. Oh, and there's Talia al Ghul, too.) (2008)

Robin # 175. (Some fun panels with flashbacks with Dick and Tim.) (2008)

The Great Leap. Nightwing vol 2 # 147–151. (Two-Face wants Nightwing to save a life.) (2008-2009)

Titans (2008) # 10. (Dick leaves the Titans because he needs to go back to Gotham and "take care of my other family." (2009)

Nightwing vol 2 # 152-153. (That time when Ra's al Ghul called Dick detective. And Dick packed up and left New York to move back to Gotham.) (2009)

Batman # 682. (Just for the line about how Dick made colour come into their monochrome lives ;-) ) (2009)

Detective Comics # 85, Batman # 684 (Dick mourning Bruce) (2009) 

The Secret Six # 9. (Some of the members of the Secret Six feel they should be the new Batman.) (2009)

Battle for the Cowl # 1-3. (2009)