"Hun, don't worry. It'll be fine."
Barry flashed a huge smile at his wife as they pulled into the parking lot at the park. The sound of music and children laughing filtering through the car window as he killed the engine.
"I know, just a little nervous. I'm still not sure if your family likes me," he admitted, peering out through the windshield at the festivities of the family picnic.
Iris reached over and took hold of Barry's hand reassuringly, "I love you, and that's all that matters."
Barry couldn't help but lean over to press a sweet kiss to his wife's lips, "I love you too. I think I can handle this, plus...I'm starving."
Iris laughed, "When aren't you?"
Barry joined her laughter and hopped out of the car, joining Iris on the other side and wrapping an arm around her waist as they walked for the pavilion. Iris greeted her various relatives as they went, introducing her new husband. Barry nodded and shook hands with as many as he could, already loosing track of all the names thrown at him. But he kept a friendly smile on his face, laughing at all the stupid jokes made and the pointless small talk.
Slowly but surely, he inched his way over to the picnic tables full of food. He swore if he didn't eat soon, everyone would surely hear his stomach grumbling loudly. He eagerly loaded up two plates of food for himself, not caring about the weird looks he was getting from the others around him. He needed to eat. His metabolism was burning through his energy faster than a normal human. Not that he could explain that to anyone, not even his wife.
He found an empty table to sit at, ready to dig in, rubbing his hands together in excitement. He shoveled down the first plate of food down with ease and was about to start his second one when his wife placed a hand on his shoulder and whispered into his ear.
"There's someone I want you to meet."
"Huh? Yeah, alright," he said, forcing a smile on his face and sadly departing from his food, following Iris to small circle of people.
"Barry, this is my brother, Rudolph and his wife Mary," Iris introduced with a tight smile that only Barry noticed. With a nod he shook the other man's hand, getting an uneasy feeling from the contact.
"Please to meet ya," rumbled Rudolph, beer can in hand. It was easy to tell that the man had been drinking all day from his slight sway and slur. Barry noted that Mary stood silent with the most fake smile on her face as if to say, 'Yes, we're completely normal and happy. Nothing to see here.'
"Um, where's Wally?" asked Iris at Barry's side.
Rudolph grunted in disgust, leading Barry to believe they were talking about a dog. "He's always wandering off. WALLACE! Get over 'ere!"
Trotted over a tiny, scrawny boy with a bright red mop of hair on his freckled head. Adorable. That was the first word that popped into Barry's head as he looked down at the boy, who stared right back up at him with huge green eyes...full of fear. Barry's stomach dropped as the boy hid behind his mother's leg, hiding his face in her skirt.
"Boy, stop hiding and say hello to yer uncle!" barked Rudolph, grabbing a hold of Wally's tiny arm and yanking him free from his mother, who still stood by passively. Both Barry and Iris tensed up, not liking anything that they saw.
"H-Hello...," mumbled out Wally, looking down at his sneakers, rubbing his arm where his father grabbing him, his skin tinged pink from the force.
"Nice to meet you, Wally," said Barry, kneeling down to the boy's level and placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. Wally's eyes went so huge; Barry thought his eyes were going to bug out of his head. The boy gaped at his Uncle as if this was the only kindness he had ever experienced. It broke Barry's heart. He knew nothing about this boy, yet already he wanted to take him home with him and protect him from the obviously abusive and rough nature of his father.
Without asking permission, he took hold of Wally's little hand and started walking with him towards the picnic tables, away from his parents. He dared Rudolph to stop him. But Rudolph sung the praises of Barry for getting the "brat" out of his hair. Barry had to force himself not to turn around and punch the other man in the face. But it really wasn't his place. He only just met Wally minutes ago...and he wasn't Barry's to care for.
"You hungry, kiddo?" asked Barry, pushing the anger and conflicting feelings out of his mind for now. Little Wally nodded and clung to Barry's hand for dear life.
"Come here," he said with a light chuckle, scooping the boy up and carrying him against his hip. Wally let out a squeak at the sudden movement, but relaxed and held onto Barry's shirt, watching closely as Barry made him a plate of food.
Gently sitting Wally down on the bench, he sat next to him and ruffled his vibrantly red hair. "There ya go," he said, laughing to himself as Wally struggled to eat the hot dog, noticing now that one of Wally's front teeth was missing.
Iris joined them, sitting on the other side of Barry, smiling warmly at the two of them. "Looks like you're a natural with kids."
"Just part of my charm," Barry laughed with a wink. As Flash, he loved talking to the kids on the streets. He loved seeing their faces light up as a hero took the time to spend a little time with them. It warmed his heart and gave him a purpose. To protect every little smile.
Wally looked up at Barry silently, gnawing on his hot dog. Barry noticed the child's gaze on him and couldn't help but smile widely, finding the boy just too cute.
For the first time, Wally echoed his smile, giggling softly. Barry chuckled and grabbed a napkin to wipe the ketchup off Wally's freckled cheek, causing Wally to playfully whine and squirm in his seat.
The time with Wally ended way too quickly for Barry's liking, having spent practically the whole day with the boy. He taught him how to play horse shoes, ate cake with him, and sat in the grass, poking around at the bugs. Wally was still a little shy around Barry, but he was now smiling and giggling openly around him.
"I'll see you around, kiddo. Aunt Iris and I will visit soon," Barry promised as he knelt in front of Wally, who was pouting and staring down at the grass. "Be good for your parents, okay?" he said, fondly brushing the red hair back from the boy's forehead. Wally merely nodded and sniffled, not wanting to say good bye. Barry sighed and pulled Wally into a quick hug before pulling away and standing.
Wally gazed up at him with his big, green eyes, still frowning even when Iris leaned down to hug him good bye. Together, the newlyweds went to the car and sadly watched as Wally stood were they left him, not making any effort to move from the spot.
"It's like leaving behind a sad, abandoned puppy," Barry sighed as he started the car.
"I know, love," Iris said, reaching over to pat Barry's knee, "I'll call Mary as see if we can have a family dinner soon, okay?"
"I'd like that."
He waved to Wally one last time as he back the car up. The little boy brightened up and started frantically waving as the car pulled away and disappeared down the street, watching till he couldn't see them anymore. With a sad sigh, he finally turned and returned to his parents, wish he could have left with his Aunt and Uncle.