Endearments

SUMMARY: The first time Jason called him babe, Wally cringed. He wondered if this was what M'gaan had felt when she was on the receiving end of his bad flirting.

The first time Jason called him babe, Wally cringed. He wondered if this was what M'gaan had felt when she was on the receiving end of his bad flirting.

"Dude, don't call me that."

Jason raised an eyebrow. "Why not? We're dating."

"But I don't like it," he retorted. "Sounds stupid."

"Aw, don't be mad, babe."

"Keep calling me babe and I'll just have to start calling you sweetcheeks."

That comeback, Wally immediately realized, was a terrible one. The younger man smirked and said huskily, "It's not my cheeks that are sweet."

"Dude."

"Alright," he laughed, holding his hands up in feigned defense. "How about sweetheart? Sweetums?"

Oh, how he was regretting starting this conversation. "Enough with the sweets!" Wally groaned.

"Never thought I'd hear you say that, honeybuns."

"Seriously, what's with the nicknames?"

"Isn't it customary to give one's significant other a nickname?" Jason replied innocently.

Wally shot him a skeptical look. "I never figured you to be one for anything conventional."

"Conventionality has its perks."

"Whatever you say, darling."

"Yeeaah, don't. Saying darling sorta implies that you're one of those sophisticated moneybags. Or British."

"What kind of warped logic do you have? And isn't Alfred British?"

"I think he's secretly Irish."

"He doesn't sound Irish."

"That's why he's secretly one." And then he added, "Buttercup."

"Keep trying, Casanova."

"Cupcake? Gumdrop? Lamb chop? Sugar plum?"

"Are you trying to make me hungry?"

"You're always hungry," he snorted. "I'm not calling you pudding, though. I'm not pulling a Harley."

Wally made a face. "Good, because I don't want to be the Joker in our relationship."

Jason hummed, tapping his chin in a thoughtful manner. "How about snookums?"

"Like you'll ever call me that in public."

"Red? A tribute to your red hair."

He rolled his eyes. "Or to your vigilante name."

"Muffin top?"

"No food nicknames."

"Boy toy?"

"Are you trying to make me laugh?"

"Well, we can cross out sunshine, you downer," sighed Jason.

"You can call me hot stuff, 'cause, ya know," Wally said, slicking his hair back and grinning lopsidedly, "that's what I am."

The younger man grinned back and suddenly pounced on top of the speedster, pinning him onto the sofa and eliciting a shriek out of him. "Oh yeah, you're hot stuff, alright," Jason snorted. He ran his nose along Wally's jaw-line and planted kisses along the way. He then pulled away, pleased to feel the older man vibrate in contentment.

"Glad you agree," Wally grunted, wrapping his legs around his waist.

"Actually, I have a better name in mind."

"Is it sex-on-legs? 'Cause I'd be fine with that too."

"YAM."

"Yam?" Wally said incredulously. "Why compare me to a vegetable? And what did I say about food nicknames?"

"Not food," Jason chuckled, roaming a hand downwards from Wally's chest to his hip. "It's an acronym."

"Acronym? Meaning what?"

"Meaning," he whispered after nipping his ear, "you are mine."