#dude one seemed offended on my behalf that dude two had ''made a woman move''

[theradicalace]

there's two guys at this bus stop fighting SO loudly 💀

[heyitsbugette]

Heart and soul

Not even everything in training that Damian Wayne was subjected to in the league of assassins nor the eccentricity of living as the only biological son of Bruce Wayne have prepared him for his greatest threat.

Luka Couffaine.

Anyone with eyes could see that there was a certain attraction on behalf of the heir for the sweet daughter of the best bakers in Paris, who with her kindness and charms she captivated the cold heart of the Prince of Gotham. And more than once Jason Todd joked with Tom Dupain about how it made a lot of sense for such a sweet girl to come straight out of a bakery, occasionally amusingly saying that the Dupain-Cheng kitchen was magical.

It was really confusing when the Robin was puzzled and stressed by feel tamed in the presence of his angel and surprisingly with the famous heroine Ladybug as well. Of course, he was teased until it all made sense to them, when together they find out the identity of the spotted heroine by Raven's deductions, his closest friend and ex-girlfriend. 

Raven, annoyed by the cowardice of her best friend, motivated him to go after his beloved right away. The youngest of the Wayne clan then did not know whether to feel grateful or offended when in the end he decided to heed the advice of the young woman of serious features.

His angel through his eyes became more and more perfect after the revelation, she knew how to fight and he did not need it to defend herself, Damian Wayne undoubtedly loved strong women. Such was their surprise when The Jagged Stone invited them by Marinette suggestion to reveal his pupil to them, the very one musician who he secretly hid under his wing for an entire year to prepare him to his debut, a boy with the ferocity of a pirate and the intelligence of a predator to words of the number one rocker in lists.

— Luka is somewhat shy at first, but when my little starlight introduced us I knew that the boy was born to succeed... Come on, dude! I mean-... Bruce, I guarantee that our collaboration between Wayne Enterprises, Rolling Stone Company and MDC will be legendary.

— I trust you, Jagged.

The fierceness in the artist's words could be seen for miles, convincing everyone with his confidence, and if the boy turns out to be as talented as they claimed, the launch of Anarka's son could generate a few million if his strategy worked. Bruce, by the way, looked amused despite the fact that his facial expression did not help at all to demonstrate it, always with his expressionless face and a curious gaze direct to his new partner.

But he could not speak in the same way for his children and how they were inusually calm, the ones who had always admired the singer were nervous with his presence, to the point that they were strangely silent behind him as they followed them, which was suspicious for the family's patriarch, they were not so well-mannered, but always noisy.

Damian, on the other hand, although he found Jagged's company pleasant, he had little mind in the older man's new human toy, he did not have time to be interested in another spoiled child with ambitions of glory and fame, because he only agreed to accompany his family for two reasons.

First and foremost, Marinette would be there. Second, he wanted to visit Fang, he had a great appreciation for the playful crocodile.

— Hey B! So will we finally meet the star boy they all were talking about so much?

— Indeed, Jason. Marinette arranged everything with Miss Rolling and they agreed on a small presentation to close the deal.

— Oh, cool.

The youngest of the clan hid his smile at the mere mention of his muse, heading to the recording studio where they took a seat next to some investors while Luka Couffaine was in front in his maximum glory on the stage, being assisted by a small French-Chinese girl who arranged his clothes meticulously between whispers that were dedicated, they seemed close. They laughed together as they whispered, as if they shared a local joke that only the two of them could understand, but it was when she blushed that the frown of Bruce Wayne's son became more noticeable.

No one with eyes could deny the obvious, Jagged's protegé was conventionally handsome; his seductive blue eyes that saw through his lens, a winning and playful smile. Although the boy was tall and slender, it was obvious that he was not a weakling at all, he had the figure in slim-fit, quite strange cause Couffaine had not exactly the kind of the lifestyle of an athlete.

Along with it, dark hair dyed in turquoise tips and aesthetic piercings adorning his ears up to the side of the helix. The guy in question have quite the look, dressed to impress in a grunge outfit designed precisely by MDC especially for him, he had a style that Jason Todd would say "You got it, brother!".

— Marinette, honey, stop. I think Luka looks handsome already.

— Oh, Miss Penny. He doesn't even need my help for that.

After so tender flirting, the aforementioned blushed noticeably in the same red shade that the heir saw in his furious vision. Did his angel flirt with another boy? But, It's not like he could demand explanations from her and he knew it, they weren't a couple or anything remotely similar. Yes, they were close and they spent a lot of time together, but if he saw it objectively she was not his.

Without option he was able to recover his composure ignoring the mocking smile that his older brothers gave him, he looked uncomfortable. But surely Marinette just wanted to be nice and give her friend a compliment to brighten his day only, that's the kind of person she was.

— Come on, Luka!

His mentor indicated as he launched himself into his couch while Penny sat next to him taking his hand. Both saw themselves as a pair of proud parents attentive to each movement that the guitarist made to prepare, the latter meanwhile looking out of the corner of his eye attentive to the little French girl with tender freckles inadvertently present, since of course she was his motivation .

His actions were unnoticed by everyone except for a certain green eyed boy who still did not trust the musician. He knew his kind, womanizers who went from girl to girl breaking hearts left and right, of course he only wanted to protect his angel from a guy who didn't even deserve to breathe her own air.

The punk man was... Like his father, sure. Or so he wanted to believe.

Oh! Yeah, Alright… Mmmm.

Gather 'round guys

It's time to start listening

Practice makes perfect

But perfect's not workin'

There's a lot more to music

That knowing where your cue's gonna be.

Okay, okay. The guy knows how to sing without the need for auto-tune, he gives it to him. But he wouldn't admit it, flattering the enemy is something that would never be available; he would not dedicate him the mere weakness of raising his ego.

Marinette deserves the best, which is indisputable to the dark-haired teen, and such was his victory when his angel realized the same thing when she moved on off the spinleless coward who was Adrien Agreste. Luckily Luka Couffaine would not last a day.

You can play all the right notes

But that don't mean you're movin' me

But if you can jump like David Lee Roth

Or pump your fist like you're Bruce "The Boss"

Bruce was perplexed at his mention, watching amused as the teenager endorsed the stage listeing with pleasure the laughter of the iconic artist who was stroking the crocodile that was rubbing on his legs. Marinette held back so as not to shout in support of Luka with the same passion with which he cheered her up when she triumphed, a star-shaped sparkle in her eyes was present with no intention of leaving.

If you got a heart and soul

You can rock and roll                        

Rock and roll

The American tried to no be disappointed when he noticed that she was not even aware of his presence, but would not allow anyone else to know it, he would be weak to allow the rookie musical to affect him because of how well he grabed the attention of his beloved heroine.

He wouldn't give his annoying siblings the pleasure of driving him out of his box, although Dick was close enough to get him by keep looking at him with pity. No, he don't need anyone's pity.

Strum it

Drum it

Slide across and run it

The stage is your home

If you learn how to own it

Like the greats did

There's no way that you can fake it

Just when he thought the half asian girl would continue to ignore him during the entire performance, he didn't count on her swapping seats with the pesky Drake to position herself next to him. Being impossible for the vigilante not to melt before her happy smile and with her gaze outlining that perfect silhouette that he would be fascinated to paint, he would not deny that she was his art, his source of inspiration.

— I'm so happy for Luka, Dami. You have no idea how hard he has worked.

— He's a lucky guy... I suppose.

She took his hand, pressing it a little against hers as she tried to suppress the emotion of seeing Luka start his career, how shes sitll as always emotional and enthusiastic when someone she loved achieve them goals, crying with them with joy when them dreams came true.

Such was the youngest of the Dupain-Cheng family, Damian experienced it first hand with each accomplishment that he got culminated. His angel always received him with some well made dessert and words of encouragement to encourage him to continue working hard.

That's the type of person she is.

You've got to feel the beat before you can move

Even though you're not wearing blue suede shoes

Makin' mistakes, but that won't matter

If you can swagger like old' pal Jagged

If you got a heart and soul

You can rock and roll

You can rock and roll

If you live and you die

For the music inside

If the one for five never gets sold

Then you can rock and roll

Rock and roll

Luka playfully looked at his idol when he made reference to him in his lyrics, and this one who just left his seat at once to raise his hands in celebration, exclaiming proudly pointed out with determination, as he pull out a Bruce Wayne before the amused gaze of the brothers. He then gave way to a guitar solo finally performed with great technique, heating up the meeting in which investors fully convinced to invest in the musical prodigy.

— That's my kid, you lil shits!

Instead, unsurprisingly, the only one unimpressed was the legitimate heir to Wayne Enterprises. He rolled his eyes thinking that the oldest was a stocking sucker, a mere flattering of cute words and empty feelings.

Someone like that couldn't make his ladybug happy.

However, seeing her so delighted now releasing her hand to take herself putting bot hands in her own cheeks by giving them little taps to lower her blush was the final blow for him to declare his total displeasure to the amateur musician. Wayne hated that feeling of bitterness, so he huffed angrily.

Alright, now take it low.

Now I need my sunshine girl, right here, as the crowd starts to cheer.

Don’t take it personal, mate. Don’t get too emotional.

You know how It is...

"How dare you?! Do you want to die young or what?!" He saw red, of course, the fuckboy is flirting with his marigold in front of him, the nerve. And of course, the musician smiled when he saw him getting angry, it was clear that this was just a game, a provocation on how he was playing with him, only as a Couffaine could when fooling around with the object of his entertainment. 

He loved being loved and hated, it was fun.

— Uh ... We'll soon bury him, right?

— Yup.

Jason whispered to his brothers when they noticed the contained fury of the minor among them, they knew that once provoked the assassin prince there would be no human power to stop him.

Rest in peace, Luka Couffaine. Good friend, good artist. We will remember you for what you were, champion.

If you can scream like Axl Rose

Or sing like Christina show after show

If you've got a heart and soul

You can rock and roll

If you've got a heart and soul

You can rock and roll

You can rock and roll

Ooh, yeah

You can rock and roll.

The performance ended with an innocent smile and an expectant look on behalf of the vocalist as soon as his fingers finished with the last chord of his guitar, so when he took it off he received the energetic baker's daughter in his arms who embraced him warmly when the high command of the label gave their approval of him.

Luka Couffaine would be the next star, the exotic apprentice of the living rock legend and MDC designs' most precious jewel.

Get moving, Austin Moon! Who knows you, XY ?!

— I told you! You did It, you idiot!

— Oe, oe! I must learn better than to doubt your trust in me, ma mélodie.

Tender giggles were heard from the girl's mouth as she hid her face in the teenager boy's chest, aggressively grabbing the lapels of his leather jacket in a desperate attempt to hide her blush at such a loving nickname. Then when looking away and raising her face to meet the relaxed features of the French guy, both succumbed to sharing a giggle at the moment when in a change of position the aspiring soloist kissed the back of the young woman's hand, who he regarded her as his most ingenious symphony.

Little did they know that a certain person burned with anger looking around him in red, after all he thought that he was the only person who made her smile like that. The green-eyed felt weak from falling to something as gross as jealousy, but no one had prepared him to endure a suave musician.

— Heya, pixie pop! Would you mind introducing your friend to us?

—Ah, Jay-Jay! I longed to present you all for a long time.

Luckily, it was the albino tuft guy who intervened to sneakily separate the couple, putting himself in the middle of both while embossing a charming smile and a relaxed expression on his face.

— Sup kid! Here's Jason Todd. You know, the cool one. And these idiots next to me are my brothers...This one at my right is Tim Drake, the coffee rat. And the other one with the stupid face is Dick Grayson, the dick. Oh, and the dwarf is lil D-...

— Damian Wayne.

Suddenly the mentioned one appeared, narrowing his eyes challengingly during the brief exchange of glances he shared with the artist in a non-verbal competition. Too bad the guitarist didn't know he was competing.

— Enchanté, guys. Mon trésor told me a lot about you.

"Ma mélodie? Mon trésor? Yah, this guy is asking for it… ” He chattered his teeth in anger and even without trusting the intentions of the stranger man, as he said before, he knew the ones of his type. Young rock stars were all the same.

— Guys.. This is Luka Couffaine ... My boyfriend.

Has anyone heard that? It seems that something broke slowly inside the american heir as how Damian could almost hear Kagami Tsurugi whispered on his mind: "You hesitated."

Heart and soul - The Jonas Brothers

[notstars-doors]

Take Me Back To The Start

Ch. 2: Little Wonders

Dick and Wally's first date.

Both of them.

____

When Wally arrives, frazzled and windswept and fifteen minutes late, Dick can’t help but smile fondly. It’s been almost a decade, but he can always count on Wally West to be consistently inconstant. Dick had come a few minutes early, just to see if Wally’s habits had changed in the time they’d been apart – he hadn’t been counting on it. That’s why at twelve minutes late, Dick had gone up to the register to order their coffee – which he now holds out to Wally when he finally finds Dick leaning against the back wall of the café.

Wally takes the still steaming paper cup, a crestfallen look on his face as he takes Dick’s now empty hand in his own. “Dick! I’m so sorry, I-”

“Why?” He cocks an eyebrow. “You’re right on time.”

“What?” Wally glances at his watch. “You said 2:30, right?”

“Yup. Which is why I expected you at 2:45.”

“You- What?”

“We were best friends for thirteen years, you think I never planned around ‘Wally Time’? You really haven’t changed that much.”

Wally’s adorably confused, brows furrowed together in an expression caught somewhere between wanting to be offended and loving that Dick still thinks about things like that.

Dick doesn’t give him the chance to decide how to feel, instead leaning forward to press a soft kiss to his lips. Having almost definitely run here at the speed of sound, Wally’s face is flushed, his lips a little chapped and responsive as ever as he melts into the kiss. Dick smiles, breaking the kiss just as Wally starts to move in, stepping around him and using their entwined hands to pull him out of the café.

“C’mon, we’ve got a whole afternoon, let’s not waste it.”

“Okay…” Wally lets himself be dragged along, shaking his head clear from the kiss. “Wait- what the hell is ‘Wally Time’ ?”

It’s been almost a week since the two of them had their spontaneous reunion. They decided the morning after that if this was going to work, they’d have to figure out how to spend time together outside of, well, literally every other part of their lives. Away from jobs, “second-jobs”, kids, friends. Just the two of them, learning each other all over again. It was miraculous that they’d managed to find a day both of them were free so soon, but Dick counts his lucky stars that they did.

He’d missed Wally.

He’d spent eight years without him, but the second this particular red-head was back in his life, he’d started taking up more space in Dick’s mind than he’d like to admit.

Dick couldn’t stop thinking about that night. Or the next morning. Or all the things they did that night and that morning. At work, on the rooftops – all the freaking time, Wally’s dumb, wonderful smile is imprinted on the back of Dick’s eyelids every time he closes his eyes.

A coffee date is simple. It’s normal. They need something normal to start this relationship again, because nothing about them has ever been normal or thought out or planned. They’d thrown themselves into a relationship years ago, and as good as those years were, they lead different lives now. More complicated, adult lives. A part of Dick wishes that things were still as easy as they used to be, but then he realizes that their lives have never been easy. Being together had just made things bearable.

Bludhaven might be a crime ridden hovel of a city, but damn if snow doesn’t make the neon lights and dirty sidewalks just a little bit easier to ignore. The city still winds twinkle lights around every stubborn tree, hanging tacky silver stars from broken lampposts. Somehow, that small effort makes Dick love Bludhaven even more. The resilience of the citizens to find beauty and hope in the smallest things makes Dick proud to be their hero.

From the look of on Wally’s face as they walk past a barred-up window display of an ancient Santa robot, he’s clearly not as charmed by the place as Dick is.

~~~

The earbud in his left ear blasted an upbeat pop song that he knew from somewhere, but Dick couldn’t place it. It was Wally’s turn to pick a song, Dick’s expensive headphones plugged into his iPhone and volume all the way up. The song was bouncy and bass-heavy and very early-2000’s, and he’d be able to figure it out if he wasn’t burning up from head to toe. If Wally’s hand wasn’t brushing against his every five seconds. If Wally’s laugh wasn’t sending shivers down his spine and his stomach into his throat. If Wally’s eyes weren’t burning a hole in the side of his head every time he refused to meet them.

If Dick and Wally weren’t on their very first date, and if they had any idea what they were doing.

“Dude, you’ll get it by the chorus.”

Dick rolled his eyes. “You said that about the last song too.”

Wally waved a dismissive hand. “It’s not my fault you’re lame! Use that freaky Bat-memory, dig deep! I know you know this song, they played it at like, every middle school dance in America.”

“You forget that I went to a private school that played live jazz and had a mandatory waltz at school dances.”

“I’m still not convinced that Gotham Academy isn’t Hogwarts in disguise.”

They both laughed at that, their breath visible from the chill in the air.

It was cold, but not freezing, the snow drifting around them like it didn’t want to touch the ground. Gotham in December was always pretty mild, the heavy weather always hitting in January after the holiday madness. Every store window on Mainstreet was glowing with twinkle lights and shiny baubles, potted evergreens and fir trees lining the sidewalk. Giant golden stars hung over their heads from old cast iron lamp posts, and every building had massive holiday advertisements projected onto worn brick walls. This area of the city was always beautiful this time of year. Dick found most of his city beautiful in it’s own way, but he knew Wally would appreciate this Gotham at it’s best - sparkling and otherworldly and extra in every way.

Wally’s fingers brushed against his knuckles again, causing Dick’s heart to skip a beat - again - and he took a deep breath to will away the impending blush. At least it was cold enough that he could explain away red cheeks and ears, despite how bundled up he was. So much of him wanted to bury his face in Wally’s neck and soak up all his ridiculous body heat, but just the thought had his heart pounding and his breath catching again. Which was so stupid - he’d always hugged Wally for warmth, the guy was a walking space heater and Dick had never once questioned the thought of clinging to him like a koala when he got cold.

But that was before he’d realized that he had it bad for his best friend, and it had changed everything.

Even now, on an actual date and knowing that his feelings were returned, Dick couldn’t move. He wanted to reach out and touch, to feel Wally’s glowing warmth on his skin. He wanted that contact with every fiber of his being, but something inside him kept his arms tucked tightly at his sides.

Which was why the ever-graceful Dick Grayson almost tripped over his own feet when Wally took his hand and laced their fingers together.

~~~

“Why Bludhaven?”

Dick turns, catching Wally’s curious eye. He’s been staring around at the boarded up windows and triple-locked doors as they walk down a slushy sidewalk, features of the city that Dick is used to by now. Wally may have once spent a lot of time in Gotham, but Gotham is a far cry from Bludhaven even in it’s darkest times.

“What do you mean?” He asks, even if he knows.

“Why did you decide to live… here?” Wally’s voice drops ever so slightly as they pass a disgruntled looking woman, probably not wanting to offend any citizens that weren’t Dick.

Not that Dick is that offended. He gets it.

“I’m not really sure.” He answers honestly. “I came here once to help Bruce solve a couple cases, and after that it just seemed like the most natural place for me to be. I guess?”

“It just doesn’t feel like you.”

Dick ponders that for a second, then raises an eyebrow. “It doesn’t… feel like me?”

“Yeah.”

“Wanna expand on that a little?”

Wally’s friendly smile and barking laugh is out of place on Bludhaven streets. “I don’t know how to! It’s just… dark. And gloomy.”

“I grew up in Gotham .”

“Yeah, but, here feels... hopeless.”

Dick is quiet for a moment. “Maybe that’s why I need to be there, then.” He can’t help but notice the small smile tugging at Wally’s lips. “What?”

“And you say I haven’t changed.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Wally shrugs, the smile still there, but now a little sad. “You always have to put so much pressure on yourself, y’know that?”

“I… what?”

“You still put the world on your shoulders, one messed up person or place at a time.”

Wally’s looking at him now, and Dick’s finding it hard to respond when Wally’s looking at him like that . Like he knows him inside out, like he knows every crack and fault in his armour, but smiles despite it all. The look is fond, and familiar, and has his stomach twisting in an oddly pleasant way.

“Like you don’t do the same with your own city - oh sorry, cities , now.” Dick replies, his mouth a little dry so his humor follows suit.

“I have superspeed and a population of citizens who actually put effort into healthy, functioning lives. My jobs a lot easier than yours.”

Dick’s not sure if he should laugh or be offended on behalf of his city. A chuckle slips out despite himself. “Hey man, they’re doing their best.”

Wally tilts his head to the side, considering that with a raised eyebrow. “Fair enough.”

~~~

His chapped lips parted in surprise, looking down at their joined hands for a moment before finally meeting Wally’s gaze. Freckled cheeks were flushed red, the tip of his tongue licking his lower lip as he looks at Dick in anticipation.

“Is this okay?” Wally asked softly. “I’ve been wanting to do it all night.”

Dick let out a breathy laugh, wondering how on Earth they even managed to get to this point with how apprehensive they both were. He squeezed Wally’s hand, securing their hold on each other and resting his own free hand on Wally’s forearm. “Of course it’s okay.”

Wally’s smile was blinding, all hesitance gone. His eyes were shining, dark and green and wonderful, and so deep that Dick must have been falling into them, because he was moving closer to Wally now than he had all night.

His fingers toyed at the edge of Wally’s jacket, the fabric light and cold through his gloves. Wally had never needed a thick jacket, and it was something Dick envied every winter as he wrapped layer after layer around himself. Now, though, he counted it as a blessing as Wally’s body heat radiated through the fabric and warmed his hand.

The weird invisible barrier that been between them all night was gone now, that simple moment breaking the tension and letting Dick shove down that thing in his chest that kept him from reaching out.

He had unspoken permission now, the look on Wally’s face telling him everything he needed to know.

He’d almost caught up to Wally’s height at this point. The competitive spirit in him wanted to breach those last two inches just to hold it over him someday, but in this particular moment he was okay with being a little shorter. It wasn’t much, but it was just enough that when he moved even closer, Wally had to duck his head to follow him.

Which gave Dick the perfect opportunity to shove his cold nose directly into the crook of Wally’s neck.

~~~

“So, how’re Jai and Irey?”

The bridge they’re on is long and quiet, the stillness of not-quite rush hour only broken by the occasional car rumbling by. They’d both tossed their coffee cups a while back, now opting to hold hands as they come to a halt in the middle of the bridge.

The proud smile on Wally’s lips answers the question before he even opens his mouth. “They’re good. Finally growing at a normal pace now.”

“How old-?”

“Fourteen.”

Dick frowns. “Shit, didn’t you only have them… what, four years ago?”

Wally sighs, leaning on the railing of the bridge and watching the water flow beneath them. “Yeah. The Speedforce is great in some ways, in others… regardless, they’re finally living a normal life. Well, as normal as a kid hero and a former kid hero can live, anyway.”

“Oh right…” Dick had heard about that fiasco from Roy. What they’d gone through, and what Irey had done to save her brother. “How’s Jai dealing with that?”

“As well as a teenager with a superhero sister and divorced parents can deal with it.”

Dick lets out a slow breath, puffing his cheeks out. “That… can’t be easy on your end.”

Wally shrugs. “No, but nothing about our life has been easy. You get used to it. I’m just glad I get to see them grow.”

It’s a simple thing for Dick to lay his hand over Wally’s, squeezing gently. His fingers are warm even when pressed against the cold metal railing. Dick will never cease to be amazed at how warm Wally has always been.

“I’m glad too.”

Wally turns to him, a soft smile toying at his lips. He squeezes back, hearing everything that Dick means behind those words. “How’s Mar’i? I can’t believe I haven’t met her. Is she with Kori today?”

“Yeah.” Dick nods, a proud smile on his lips that he’s sure mirrors Wally’s. “She’s… a little firecracker.”

Wally snorts and rolls his eyes. “Of course.”

“It’s true!” Dick can’t help chuckling at his own bad joke. “She’s spectacular.”

“That’s what every dad thinks about his kids.”

“No no, just you wait til you meet her. You’ll see.”

Wally throws his head back with laughter, and Dick can’t help appreciating how his shaggy ginger bangs fall away from his face. There’s something warm and comfortable in his chest, despite the chill of the air around them, and the longer he looks at Wally the stronger that feeling grows.

“I’m sure she is, babe! I’m not disagreeing with you, I’m just saying.”

Dick blinks, the corner of his mouth twitching upwards. “Did you just call me ‘babe’?”

Wally pauses, his lips pursed in surprise, then shrugs. “I… Yeah, I guess. Kinda slipped out. Is that weird? To already be saying that… again?”

Weird isn’t how Dick would describe it. Unexpected? Sure. Dizzying? Yeah, that works. But weird? Not quite. It’s almost like he’s used to it. It took him to a second to even register that Wally had said it, the word feels that familiar.

“No, I don’t think so.” Dick looks down at their hands, still linked together, resting on the cold metal railing. “I mean, our relationship isn’t exactly… normal , by any means, is it? So, what’s weird for us?”

“That’s… a very good question.”

Dick leans into Wally’s side, smiling when Wally’s head knocks against his own in automatic response. They stare down at the water for a while, both a little lost in thought as they ponder their situation. Dick had never really thought about being… here. Sure, over the years, he thought about Wally. He thought about their history and how he was doing and if he should - could - send him a message or something. He’d get a pang in his chest every time he was reminded of an old inside joke, or when he passed one of their old haunts in Gotham.

But now they were together again - both literally and emotionally. Every time he even looked at Wally, a ghost of that nostalgia rushed through him. As if this isn’t actually happening. As if Wally isn’t here, and he’s just lost in a memory as he stares at something painfully familiar.

But this is happening. This is real . And Dick really isn’t sure how to navigate this strange place they’ve found themselves in.

“Okay.” Dick finally breaks the silence, his voice soft and almost getting lost under the sound of running water beneath them. “How about this…”

Wally turns to face him. “I’m listening.”

“We take this as it comes.” Dick starts, gesturing between them. “We used to date, so it’s natural that we fall back into some habits. We don’t question them.”

“Even though you just did-”

“Shut up, I’m planning here.”

Wally grins, raising his free hand in surrender and gesturing for Dick to continue.

Dick huffs, flicking Wally’ in the shoulder before starting again. “Anything… new, we talk about. Anything old that shouldn’t come back, we talk about. Our lives are different now, this isn’t going to be the same as it was before.”

“It kind of feels the same though, doesn’t it?”

Wally catches his eye again, his voice deep and quiet in it’s hesitance. Dick’s heart stutters at the sound, his mind flashing back to the first time Wally had ever asked him something like that. His tongue flicks out to wet his bottom lip, most of the freckles faded from his cheeks, which aren’t as rosy as they had been. But the anticipation in his gaze is exactly the same, and Dick feels like he’s falling.

“Better.”

The smile on Wally’s lips could outshine the sun, and Dick can’t help but lean in to catch them with his own. The kiss is soft, and sweet, and perfect in that moment.

Fuck planning. They’ll figure it out as they go along.

~~~

“Shit! You’re freezing, dude.” Wally, flinching in response to Dick’s cold skin on his, sounded mildly disappointed, but he curled his arms around Dick’s shoulders regardless.

“Not all of us burn with the heat of a thousand suns twenty-four-seven.” Dick replied, his breath wetting the crook of Wally’s neck beneath his mouth. He wound his arms around Wally’s slim waist and settled comfortably into the chest of his best friend.

“Fair enough.”

Wally buried his face into Dick’s hair, nuzzling his temple a little, and the sensation has Dick gripping a little tighter at the back of Wally’s jacket. They were standing in the middle of a mostly empty street, holding onto each other like they never wanted to let go, under the pretense of sharing a little body heat. It was dumb, and weird, and very, very them. And Dick felt like maybe this whole thing didn’t have to be such a big thing after all.

“Wally?”

“Yeah?”

Dick pulled away just enough to look at him, swallowing the lump in his throat. Wally was looking at him, green eyes curious and warm just like the rest of him, and Dick felt no need to hesitate when he spoke.

“Kiss me?”

Wally’s small gasp lasted about a millisecond before he was swooping in, Dick leaning into his touch as their lips finally met.

For as quick as Wally was to move, they didn’t crash into each other. It was gentle, and Wally held him like a china doll he was afraid to shatter, so Dick was the one to pull them closer and cling a little tighter. Wally’s hands came to rest on either side of his neck, the heat of his palms sending shivers down Dick’s spine.

It was soft, and sweet, and perfect.

Dick didn’t know where this relationship was going. He didn’t know if they were meant to be, or if they could make this work. He sure as hell didn’t know if they would be like this forever.

All he knew in that moment was that Wally was warm, and here, and all his.

Fuck it. They’d figure it out as they went along.