#which. i will say for DT fans. we haven't been working on lately

[s0ckh3adstudios]

Considering I missed the anniversary of me starting work on my game, annual reminder to go play my video game demo pretty please

Happy Birthday Koen I am SO SORRY.

[newgenog]

Timing

Wildmoore Week Day 5 - Alternate Meeting/AU

Alternate Timeline and Alternate Universe are basically the same thing, yes? Let's pretend if not. I borrowed from The Flash Armageddon Part 4 for this fic. As a Wildmoore fan, I'm really hoping you've already watched this crossover. If you haven't, huge HUGE spoilers are ahead. So, you should probably go do that first. Necessary end note also included. DT: @you-are-crazy-beautiful Thanks for the encouragement!

Sophie and Ryan are laying in bed, discussing Ryan’s trip to Central City for her best friend, Iris West’s rehearsal dinner. 

S: Do you really have to go? 

R: You really can’t come? 

These were rhetorical questions. Neither of them could or would change their plans, regardless of how much they wished there was a workable alternative to their current predicament.

S: If it was for anyone else but Jordan, you know I'd be there. Dammit, why didn’t we coordinate this better? 

R: I know, right? I'm sad I'm missing the community center's 10 year anniversary, too. I helped get that thing off the ground!

It wasn't as if Jordan or Iris would have actually exchanged notes on their ideal dates for such important celebrations. Whether this resulted from them enjoying the bliss of ignorance or absent mindedness caused by their hectic lives, it wasn't until a month ago that Sophie and Ryan realized they were going to have to miss the other's event. Sophie is sulking because Ryan's activity is taking her out of town, and Sophie is even a little jealous because she always has such a great time in Central City.

R: But, hey, it’s just a weekend - and not even that: two days and one night. I’ll be back in no time. 

They are on their sides, facing each other. Ryan leans in to kiss her wife. They’ve been making out, off and on, since they woke up, and Ryan is officially behind schedule. Early into their relationship, they’d made a habit of sleeping naked, which meant they were late to a lot of things. And, Sophie has used every weapon in her arsenal to stop Ryan from succeeding in her goal to start getting ready. 

R: Okay, I’m getting up now. 

Sophie has that questioning expression she makes when she's skeptical about something. It seems like an odd reaction to Ryan abandoning her in the bed.

R: What’s that look? 

S: You really think Eobard is the one? 

R: That’s not my job. My job is to be a supportive best friend. 

S: And if it doesn’t work out…?

R: Then my job is still to be a supportive best friend. I didn’t realize you didn’t like him, though. 

S: I didn’t say I didn’t like him. He's fine, I guess.

R: Okay...what, then? 

S: Do you think they’re like us? 

R: I don’t know if anyone is like us - not even Luke and Mary. 

S: You’re probably right. 

R: I have to go, and I’m not even going to kiss you again, because that’s why I’m late in the first place. 

S: And when you get back, we’ll take another look at the donor options? 

Ryan’s jaw drops, shocked at the lengths Sophie is willing to take to stall. 

R: Don’t you think we should settle which one of us is going to carry before we start paying for storage at a cryobank? 

S: I just think we can do those things in parallel. Why not be efficient with our time? 

R: Fiiinnnee. We can look at donors again when I get back. 

Ryan starts to roll over to climb out of the bed. 

S: What’s the hurry, anyway? It’s early in the morning and you’re heading out for a dinner. 

R: Soph, I was supposed to be getting ready 20 minutes ago. I promised to help Iris with whatever she needed. And, you’re trying to trap me in the bed again! 

S: What, my sex appeal isn’t enticing enough for you. I’m not worth being late for. 

R: You’re asking for it. 

Ryan reverses, and pins Sophie onto her back. She starts kissing down her neck and between her breasts. Just as Ryan is gently biting at Sophie’s hip, her phone begins to vibrate. 

S: Ignore it. 

R: It’s probably Iris. 

S: Of course it’s Iris. She’s like Miss Cleo, always knowing exactly when to call and ruin the moment. 

R: Babe, she’s getting married. Remember how much she was there for me when we got married. I'm taking this Maid of Honor thing seriously!

In the back and forth, they missed the call, but the caller is persistent and the phone vibrates again. Sophie surrenders, passing it to Ryan. 

R: Hey bestie! What’s up?

I: Alex says Kelly can’t make it either, so you fellow wives can be each other’s dates. 

R: That’s what you called for? 

I: Yeah, why? Bad time? 

S: Nothing a text couldn’t have accomplished. 

I: Is that Sophie? Tell her I said hey sis! 

R: I will. 

I: You’re leaving soon, right? 

R: Yup. I’ll be out of the door in 15 minutes. 

I: Great! See you soon! 

R: Bye girl. 

Ryan notices Sophie is peering over at her nightstand, clearly considering her options. 

R: You don’t need that. 

S: But you just said…

R: I’m already late.

~~~~~

Ryan made it to Central City an hour later than her initial plan, but Iris had built in plenty of cushion because she’s used to her best friend’s questionable time management, especially when it came to Sophie. After brunch, they spent most of the day running wedding related errands, and the later part of the afternoon getting ready for the Rehearsal Dinner. With Iris’s help, they’re early, and passing time while waiting for the remainder of their friends to arrive.  

I: I really appreciate all of your help today. 

R: Wouldn’t have missed it for the world.

I: Thank you, but I do know it’s not easy for you to leave. 

R: Batwing can take care of Gotham for 5 minutes. 

I: You know that’s not what I meant. 

R: Okay, that part is definitely harder. 

I: Exactly. I knew what 15 minutes meant when I called this morning. 

R: In my defense, Sophie and I had been talking about the baby plan!

I: Mhm…

R: We were! Eventually. 

I: You two are the worst. So, what’s the plan? 

R: I guess we’re going to start with picking a donor, and take it from there. 

I: Do you know what you’re looking for? 

R: Yes and no. 

I: What does that mean? 

R: There are things we know we don’t want. Like, he probably needs to be at least 6 feet tall, because if I carry, we need someone who’s going to offset my height. 

I: Are you thinking of carrying?!! 

R: No idea. 

I: Don’t you think you guys should figure that part out? 

R: That’s what I said?! Why is it so complicated deciding how to have a baby? The bat suit isn’t exactly baby proof, but I can’t force Sophie into 9 months of indigestion and swollen ankles. 

I: Sis, you are spiraling. Do you remember what I told you when I was your Maid of Honor? 

R: No, I was busy getting married, not taking notes.

I: I told you to stop thinking so much and to listen to your heart. If you want to have a baby, your heart will figure out the how. 

~~~~~

Barry Allen, a.k.a The Reverse Flash, interrupted the Iris West and Eobard Thawne Rehearsal Dinner, and then ran off. Team Flash and friends have been scouring every corner of Central City trying to uncover his whereabouts. Batwoman has not had any luck in her search. She gets into the batmobile and decides to check in with Sophie. She selects her wife’s number from the favorites in her contacts. 

S: Babe? Everything okay? 

R: Yup! Just laid out a few muggers and saved a young girl who was living out of her van. 

Ryan recalls the time she needed a hero for the exact same scenario, and the fact that this moment has come full circle is far from lost on her. 

S: That’s my wife! You guys find Allen yet? 

R: I wish. I searched the entire waterfront, and found nothing, but at least I did some good. I’m headed back to Iris to regroup. 

S: Tell her hi for me, and that I’m really sorry I’m not there. Talk to Luke, yet? 

R: No…but I saw his missed call. Why? 

S: You’re going to want to call him back. 

Good old Gotham, having the best, tragic timing ever. Ryan is not going to let whatever doom is pending break her concentration. She didn't actually just call to check in.

R: Alright, but can I run something by you really quick? 

S: Uh oh.

R: It’s nothing bad, I promise. 

S: Okay…What’s up?

R: Well, I’ve been talking to Iris about how we can’t decide who should carry. And, that it’s even kinda hard to pick a donor. 

S: Are you…having second thoughts? 

R: No - never! It’s just…I have been thinking. 

S: Yeah…? 

R: What if we adopt? 

S: Huh. 

Sophie's tone is reflective, which gives Ryan the momentum she needs to push forward.

R: Listen, saving that girl who was living just like I used to, and thinking about how Cora saved me. It feels like maybe that’s what everything was leading to. 

S: Babe…

Ryan hears Sophie's voice break, and she can imagine the way her mouth is twitched to one corner, like it always does when she worries over Ryan. She just hopes Sophie isn't also worried about how to remind Ryan that this wasn't the plan.

R: Will you at least consider it? 

S: No need. Let’s do it.

R: Really?! I was prepared to have to do at least a little more convincing.

S: I’m not going to lie. I have definitely been picturing a miniature version of one of us running around here, but I think you’re right. I think this might be the path we’re meant to take. It just makes sense, and I can actually see it, too. We should adopt.  

R: Ooh, yes! I love you so much! 

S: I love you, too. Hey, we'll talk about it more when you get home, but call Luke, okay?  

R: I’m on it 

S: Miss you. 

R: Miss you, too.  

For continuity and context, I chose to quote Ryan and Iris verbatim from the actual beginning scene in Armageddon Part 4. Use of that copy is in courtesy of the rightful owners, TM & © 2021 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Thanks for sharing, WB!