So, I have a confession: I love Hartley Rathaway. He's such an underrated character! And I love his relationship with Wally! I've always wanted to explore it further. Anyway, this fic is very simple, here's the summary that you probably read already:

Hartley Rathaway leads a dangerous life. He is a high school student, and he is bullied at school and home. He is also gay. The only person he cares about is his best friend, Wally West. But it sucks because he's developing a crush on him. When the Rogues see the potential he has, they recruit him. Unknowingly, they're pinning him against Kid Flash, the only person he loves more than anything. It's so messed up, right? This is the story of Pied Piper.

Wild Heart

Hartley Rathaway

Stupid world.

Stupid life.

Stupid everything.

Did I do something bad in a previous life or whatever to deserve to have such a shitty family? I don't know, and I guess I never will. All I have to do is suck it up and try to live through the day. It's always the same, wake up in this terrible house with these terrible people just to go to school and have to endure more bullshit. Yeah, it sucks. I mean, all I ever wanted was to receive some sort of love. Is that too much to ask? Sometime I think I am unlovable. Which is weird because sometime I think I have a lot of good qualities to cherish. I'm smart, I try to be a good person and I actually do well in science stuff. None of that matters to my parents though, all they see is a complete failure.

So now I'm walking towards class, hating every minute of it. I mean, I'd rather be in school rather than be stuck at home receiving judging looks all the time. But being the outcast at school is also terrible. But sometime it's not that bad, because I know that I have a good friend out there. Someone who actually likes me for who I am. Must the only person in the world who actually enjoys my company.

"Hey, Hartley!"

I blink when I hear him say my name. I turn around at the entrance of Keystone High and find a ginger boy with bright green eyes. Wallace Rudolph West. The best fucking guy in the world. The only person in this world who actually thinks I'm funny and worth a damn. I smile inside as I see him rushing to me. His smile is so contagious, adorning his freckled face and showcasing his beautiful features.

Wait, did I say "beautiful"?

"Hi, Wally," I say with a smile as I extend my hand for a handshake, but he shakes my hand away and wraps his arms around me in a big hug. "Hey, what's with this?"

Wally just smiles as he shakes me against him. "What? Can't I hug one of my best friends?"

I can't help but smile. I nod. I can't tell him how much I appreciate the physical contact with him. I can't tell him how much his hugs mean to me. How much he means to me. He is really the best fucking guy in the world.

"Yeah, you can," I say with a smile and then he lets go of me. "Ready for another day of boring lectures and merciless picking?"

Wally scoffs. "Ha. Yeah, I am."

"Good, because I'm not," I admit with a fake sigh. "I hate this."

He puts a hand over my shoulder. "Hey, I've got your back. Don't worry."

I can't help but look at him in the eye and feel a great connection. And I suddenly feel a great need to want to hold his hand and lean forward and kiss him. Yes, it's very fucked up. I have a crush. On my best friend. Who is straight. This is so messed up.

I've known for a couple of years now that I'm gay. I always felt attracted to guys. It's a no brainer that I would find myself lusting after such a cute and amazing guy like Wally West. But I knew he was straighter than a pencil. And I hate that, because I really don't want to ruin our friendship by confessing that I like him that way.

No, wait, I don't like him. I fucking love him.

Why do I have to screw everything up?

"Hey, Hartley," says Wally as we walk into the hallways. "I would like you to come over for dinner one of these days, do you think you can?"

I blinker surprised. He had never asked me to go over to his house. "Really?"

"Yeah, I'd like you to meet my girlfriend. Her name is Artemis. She lives in Gotham, but she's coming over in a couple of days and I'd really love it if you guys met!"

Sigh. His girlfriend. Right. I meant, it really sucks, this whole crushing situation but I'd love to hang out with him a little longer. I mean, he's my best friend. That's what best friends do, right? I guess I can make it.

"Sure, Wally," I say with a smile. "Thanks."

"Great!" says Wally as he fist-bumps in the air. "I'll tell her to come over then! Maybe this Friday? How does that sounds?"

"Yeah, of course," I say with a smile.

Wally turns to continue walking towards the classroom, but somehow, out of weird instinct or whatever, I grab his wrist and stop him. I just, I need to let some things out. I need him to know something.

"Hartley?" asks Wally, looking at me curiously.

"Wally, I…" I begin with a sigh. "I just want you to know that you're my best friend. And that I love every single second that I spend with you. Just so you know…"

Silence.

I think I messed up.

Wally looks at me surprised. "Wow. Hartley. I… thanks. That… really means a lot. Is everything okay, though? Why tell me now?"

I shrug. "I don't know. I guess I'm just a little emotional these days."

My ginger best friend just throws an arm around my shoulders and pulls me closer. "Yeah, it happens. But don't worry, buddy. I've got your back. You mean a lot to me too, you know?"

I smile hearing that makes the whole world better. "Thanks Wally."

I really have to contain my need to kiss him right now. So we walk side by side into the classroom. I wish it wasn't a torture for me, but at the same time, its bliss. He'll never know just how much he means to me, and I probably don't mean as much to him. But I'll take what I can. I just hope he knows how much of a special guy he is.

With that, we walk to class.

Wally West

All through school, I haven't been able to take my eyes off Hartley. What he said to me was so amazing and touching, but it also worries me. I know we haven't been friends for a long time, but he does mean a lot to me. He's one of my best friends. I know, I have the Dick and Roy, and the entire Team. They are the one who know me, every single bit of me. From Wally West to Kid Flash. But Hartley, well, it's different. He doesn't know I'm Kid Flash, so he likes me just because I am me.

Yes, Dick has had my back and saved my butt countless times. I can't even count them. I know Dick would give his life for me anytime, and I would for him. But there is something about my relationship with Hartley that's different and attractive. I guess I just want to feel normal from time to time, and I can feel that way with Hartley.

So yes, I'm worried about him. I just wish I knew what bothers him so much. But I'm such an idiot when it comes to dealing with feeling. I guess I'll have to ask… M'Gann? Yeah, she's good with advice. Plus she has the teenage drama thing down. I'm definitely not asking Superboy. Anyway, I just wish I could learn to be a better friend to Hartley.

By the end of the school day, I'm walking towards the front porch. I really want to talk to Hartley before the day end.

I find him sitting in the bleachers, doing some designing. He's crazy about technology. I guess that's one thing we have in common.

I rush towards him, trying not to use my super speed and not freak him out. "Hey buddy!"

He turns to me and I swear, his smile is so bright that it's like a 180° turn. "Hi Wally, heading home?"

"Yep, I wanted to talk with you though…" I say, trying not to scare him. "I just… well, today you were pretty emotional and… I just wanted to know if you're alright."

He sighs. "I guess. I mean, my life is bullshit, I hate my family and they hate me. I have no one in the fucking world and no one gives a damn about me."

That literally broke my heart. I put my hand on his shoulder. "Hey, it's alright. That's not true, you know? I care about you. You're my friend. One of the best. I promise you, as long as I can, I'll never leave you alone."

I can see his eyes watering. "You mean that, Wally?"

"Of course!" I say and I sit next to him and then wrap my arms around him. "Come on, you need a hug."

I can feel him relaxing against me. He really is so sensitive despite the fact that he tries to act cold and tough.

Suddenly, our small moment is interrupted by my phone ringing. I sigh. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay," he says and let's go of me. "I have to get going anyway. Thanks for everything Wally. I really… you know…"

I smile at him, as he walks away.

I pick the phone. It's Dick. "What's up, dude?"

"Batman's got a mission for us. Meet us at the Cave as soon as you can," I hear Dick say through the phone.

I sigh. Sometimes I wonder why I'm still Kid Flash. I used to love being a hero. Now, it's getting in the way of me getting a functional life. I haven't told anyone about it though, not even Artemis. Not even Dick. Not even Uncle Barry. I really don't want to disappoint them.

But truth is simple: I want to give up Kid Flash.

It's so weird and strange for me.

Sighing again, I speed off to the closest Zeta Beam.