Anosmia
Chapter 2
Bruce lingered at the doorway watching his oldest son. Tim and Jason were teasing him, Jason in a little worrisome way. His hands stayed longer than needed at Dick's thigh when he leaned to crack some joke. Or he slid them while backing away. He got way too close his older brother, and if Bruce didn't know his son would think there'd be serious troubles back at the Manor (because the four of them all were going back tonight, either they liked or not). However, he was aware the challenging glare the second Robin was casting to the first Kid Flash before, while and after each flirtatious. Todd was clearly trying to get the redhead jealous. That could bring the real trouble.
Damian, for the other hand, and thanks to all gods in that universe, was oblivious about all that sexual tension inside the medical bay. Till where his youngest son could tell Dick did react exactly the same way as now when Damian's hated brother died. The boy's divine innocence saved him, whom lived only to training and to become an assassin. He never thought he would do that, but now he thanked most of all to Talia for not allow their son to have a normal childhood.
Flash finally seemed to get what was happening because he vanished for about two seconds when everybody were distracted. When he came back looked awfully upset with the boys, almost like he didn't know who'd be angry with. Batman waved to him to approach.
"What happened?"
"Like you don't know. You know everything. Apparently everyone knows and nobody cared to tell me" Batman sighed, a foreigner sound from him.
"Nobody knew, everybody suspected. Bart was too resolute about no one get in and the smell was quite revealing. I just don't know what this means. I know how Dick feels. But Wallace?"
"I know. That's why I don't know who I must be angry with. Wally is my boy, practically my son. Dick has sometimes been so frail. And Wally still loves Artemis, he told me that before Dick woke the first time. What the hell is Red Hood doing, anyway?
"Flirting with Dick" Bruce replied.
"What? But-"
"He's trying to get Wallace jealous. The funniest thing is how my kids can't see themselves as possible mates to the point where neither Dick nor Tim have any ideas of what Jason is doing. But taking notes on how proud the man is I probably gonna end with some serious troubles at night."
Artemis soon arrived with the original Team, Arsenal tagging along. Red Arrow brought his daughter, whom ran to Wally promptly and started calling him uncle. He needed to explain how the girl associated redhead with family, West didn't lay out any complaint.
"Well, you probably soon will be Lian's uncle for real."
"What d'you mean?" Wally asked a little confused, rocking the girl on his knees. She was laughing hard from Damian's grimaces. Dick averted his eyes, staring deeply in Jason's blue eyes, searching for support.
"Lian is my sister's daughter, Baywatch" Artemis explained.
"Cheshire? Did you have a daughter with the enemy?"
"Hey, it's my little girl mom you're talking about!" nagged the other redhead.
The thought of running away crossed Richard's mind, but a hand lying on his thigh stopped him. Jason was staring and mouthed 'I'm here. You can take it. I catch you if you fall!'. He nodded, smiling lightly, wrapped little new Robin's waist and pulled him till he was sitting on his lap. Hid his face in his hair.
"HEY!"
"Comfort me, little bird!" and squeezed him.
Bruce laughed out loud, everyone whom wasn't from the family remained in silence really believing they were losing their mind. Barry had already heard him laugh before, never in the cowl, but to him what was surprising was the Mother Hen act Dick was pulling. He saw him before with the twins, obviously, with Bart even, but a Robin with another was… well… weren't they supposed to be The Night?
"Dad!" Damian cried out for help.
Wally didn't know what to think about this new petit Robin. The first Robin was his best friend, the best of the best, his partner. The second he definitely didn't like, when first showed up he got all Dick's attention and flirted with Artemis with a straight face. They hated each other and when the brat died, or not, apparently, Dick was ruined. His best friend always wished a big family, and taking care of his younger brother lit something inside him that could not be dimmed again. Then came the third Robin, Wally was practically out of the team already and almost hadn't time to his friend so he couldn't be jealous. And even hating people thinking that about him, Tim Drake was too cute. Always trying to prove he was just as good as the previous Robins and trying so hard to please his big bro. To Wally, Tim was the sum of what a younger brother should be ('Sorry, Bart'). And now came the forth. He was spoiled, annoying and cocky, almost like Dick used to be at that age. He complained about being cuddled by his older brother, but seemed to enjoy every caress. He was annoyingly adorable.
Lian jumped from his lap to try to mimic Dick annoying Damian. He saw again, a hand over Dick's thigh, another around his waist. Jason virtually made out with his brother. He definitely hated him. Grayson always loved and nurtured him and now he returned what? Flirting? Who the hell did he think that he was? Leaning to catch Lian again, mouthed to the little squirt 'He's mine'. He was so mad that even perceived what had done. Handed the girl to Red Arrow, kind hard to call his friend by Roy with another Roy in the room. They could be sorted by letter. His good friend being a clone would be B-Roy, while the original would be A-Roy. He was so mad that let this precious joke fly by. (1)
"I'm kinda hungry, brb" and left, he just wanted to take a step away from that leech and calm down. Grabbed a bunch of junk food. He stepped away from the machine and faced a pair of fierce blue eyes. "You!" exclaimed angrily.
"So… 'He's yours'? Just because you fucked him?"
"You're his brother! He'll never will want you! He loves me!"
"Conceited, aren't we?" smiled. "He's confused by your return, true words. But after five years he moved on. New friends, new lovers. I came back before you. I got more time."
"But he told me..."
"He regressed almost ten years in his head. Obviously he's fallen hard for you. And don't fool yourself. It wasn't you that affected him so badly. He was hit by speedforce, mainly on his head. Let's do this, handsome, you move on with your petty life and leaves my brother alone" he seemed really angry right now, all the playfulness gone. "He suffered more than enough for you. You even hadn't the balls to deny that thing about being the snotty brat uncle. You don't want him, you want his idolatry" spat on the floor before him and drew his gun aiming between the eyes. "If I find you near my brother again, let's pray you're in conditions to outrun a bullet. We're taking him from here today, it's not healthy for him to be near you" and marched back to the room.
Wally saw Batman held his son asking what just happened. Jason muttered some excuse and sat with his brothers again. He lost all the flirtatious aura and just stared at Wally mad. West tried to have a good time with his friends but still could feel Jason aiming the back of his head, almost like he was to pull the trigger.
"Aw, will you just stop?" Dick joked at Jason's ear.
"What?"
"You were flirting with me, I was liking it! Well, if you stop that's mean you got what you wanted, didn't you?"
"Did you realize?" Dick muffled a laugh, drawing some attention.
"It only could be more obvious if you had kissed me. But I know you enough to get I wasn't your target, little bird" Damian turned around when heard his pet name being used by another person.
"Squeeze Damian, it's the best you can do. I'm way out of here. Too much ginger in one place" halted in front of Megan, smiling charming to her. "But if you want feel free to call me, pudding" and left under the angry look that came from Conner.
-/-/-/-/-/-
The arrival at the manor was strained, Bruce had decided to drive a little, then they zetaed to Metropolis and they would drive from there, passing through Blüdhaven right to Gotham. It was supposed to appease Dick and give him time to process, he wouldn't be around Wally that much. For half of the time Dick was asleep, when he woke up it was impossible to calm him down. It was needed to stop the car at the first payed parking lot and to zeta themselves to the Batcave. Richard was inconsolable, he was shaken and in denial. It came to the point when he started to talk in romani. Jason, who was already at the manor, ran to his brother's side supporting him, allowing Bruce to reach his comm.
"Flash, I need your kid here."
"I can't remove him from the Watchtower. He's in recovering."
"I don't care. Alfred is here, he's better than any doctor you can find. And he's fine anyway, I don't know why or how but he is. Here is the best place for me to find out" Dick screamed really loudly, Jason needed to use strength to stop him from hurting himself. "It's worsening. I don't know what to do this time. Bring the boy and I'll keep him safe and sound."
There wasn't any answer through the comm but moments later Flash's presence was announced by the zeta system. Kid Flash, despite all the scolding, was allowed by the first Robin to access the Batcave since the beginning of their friendship and Dick never deleted any of his authorizations and if anyone did he would reupload all of them. Richard Grayson had promised to himself to never let Wally be forgotten by anyone. The both speedsters crossed the cave, in less than a second Wallace was pushing Todd away and supporting his friend in his place.
"Hey, I'm here. Look at me" Dick lifted his head softly. "Like that, see? It's me. I'm not going anywhere. Wanna play something? I figure your old room is downdated in games, but we can always download some new ones" and kept chit chatting to divert his attention.
Slowly Grayson started to pace his breath, putting his arms around his friend and letting up. Wally glanced victorious to Todd and smiled with superiority. Jason frowned and left, bumping on the redhead. He fast and low talked angrily to Batman before really leave the cave. Tim and Damian observed theirs brother exit, moving away from his path, confused.
Wally pressed the smaller body, snuggling him, inhaled his scent and tried to keep his focus away from this trail. Untangled the arms around himself and passed one of his arms around a shoulder supporting his weight and guided him to his room. The changes in the manor were impossible to be spotted. Maybe one or another new painting or a swap of furniture. The only change that caught the eyes were the electronics, they were all from the new generation. Dick's room was even worst, it had stopped in time at the moment the boy left to live by himself. Even the electronics didn't change. But it was impeccably clean. Put the boy on his bed. The box probably said single bed, but in truth was bigger than the double one he shared with Artemis.
Alfred entered the room just after bringing two laptops and videogame's controllers. Asked if they were in need of a bigger screen, but Wally denied. Turning on the computers, he thought if Batman kept a whole room filled with new equipments just waiting to be used. Installed quickly the game store service and bought almost the whole highlight page (Alfred made the favor of bringing one of Master Bruce's credit cards, the sky was the limit). Dick bought the same ones. They put the back of the screen against each other and spent the day testing the games.
When the redhead left excusing for another snack, he heard Batman and the Red Hood arguing.
"I thought our point was to take him away from the dead guy. He's even worse than I expected!"
"Jason, I know. But we will need to do this gradually. Obviously he's not recovering well. If it keeps this way I fear I'll have to forbid him to return to his Nightwing cowl."
"Is this affecting his training?"
"Very likely. He's already scheduled to an intensive training when all of this is over, I'll say it's because of the leg" a huge sighed was heard. "I like Flash's kid, believe me, but now I don't know. I mean, the boy must be in bad shape himself and this blind idolization Dick's doing is supplying a lot of his needs."
"I know very well what needs are being supplied! Argh! I hate him! He's using MY brother!"
"Not that I take any joy in pointing fingers, Jason, but you did start today's bickering."
"I wanted to see if he was prepared to expose what they had done, defend their relationship and I found out they even are together! He used Dick to satisfy himself! JUST THAT!"
"I don't want to meddle" something heavy fell down on a padded armchair. "I heard my boy confessing, he talking of how much he loved this kid. All I ever wanted was for my kids to be happy, but it seems all of you want exactly the opposite."
"Bruce" Jason whispered. "Dad. We'll take care of him. Ok? If you think gradually will make the charm we'll do your way. Dick will be happy even if I'll have to shoot that smelly ginger, sunk him into some tank with formaldehyde and give it to my brother! What is this creepy smile?"
"You called me dad."
And that started to be way too personal in Wally's taste. Running back to the room, he found Richard curled in a corner. His head was on his knees and repeatedly muttering 'He's backing'. Ran to him and raised his chin. It was hard to remember his friend needed his constant company. Then he remembered he would be taken away. He felt enraged. But they were right Dick wasn't reacting positively. However, just the thought of them being apart was wrong. They were made to each other, they were meant together.
"Walls?" Dick asked softly, looking in his eyes then staring to him whole.
Richard Grayson now was twenty three years old. At the beginning he overlapped his nineteen friend image over the real one. Though now was kind of hard not realize the changes. Things like his broader and angler chin, wider back and shoulders. Even curled in the corner he didn't seem anymore like the petite eleven year old he first met, or the nineteen he left behind.
"Wallace? I'm fine now. Can we get up?" asked, still with a cracking voice.
"Sorry" whispered, pulling him up by his hand. "I shouldn't take so long."
"It's fine. I'm the one bringing you trouble" tears fell down in silence. "You still didn't spend any time with neither your family nor your girlfriend. Nor even your friends. I'm occupying all your time. I shouldn't. I'm not that important."
"Shut up! Just shut up!" he didn't yell, but was firm. "When did I ever say any of those things? That you aren't important! That I don't want to be with you! When? Didn't we just see my family this morning? Or the guys? Or Artemis?"
"But you even were supposed to be at the medic bay. I was! I'm losing my mind and making you be my babysitter. You came back, but couldn't accept your welcoming party that all guys wanted to throw for you. Or see your aunt. I was there every single moment with your loved ones. I made you do things you didn't want to!"
"WHEN DID IT LOOK LIKE I DIDN'T WANT IT?" now he yelled. "I won't lie, I never thought of doing any of those things. But I did. I wanted it!"
"No!" Grayson covered his ears and closed his eyes, trying to put some distance between them. Tripped over his broken leg and fell against the wall. "Stop talking what I want to hear! Tell me the truth! Throw in my face so I can overcome all of this! I hate being this vulnerable!"
"I'M NOT LYING! LOOK AT ME!" pulled his hands away with some strength. He was vibrating infuriated. "LOOK! I'M JUST AS CONFUSED AS YOU ARE! I LOVE ARTEMIS! I still want her like the first time. But now I want you too. I don't know what to do" his voice vanishing at the end of the sentence, he leaned his head on Dick's trembling shoulder.
The brunette breathing accelerated. He was hyperventilating almost having a panic attack, if he wasn't already having one. Tried to calm down, still was grasping his hands.
"You told me" started, his forehead still on his shoulder. He moved just enough to his lips brush against the skin of his neck "that if I take you once I could have you forever" inhaled deeply and bit the place, licking and sucking. "I took you about five times, Dick."
The answer was a loud sigh followed by a sultry moan while surrender to his caress. Wally moved his kisses to the lips exhausted of trying to fix everything and controlling his desire. Desires which were screaming for more of the last night. It was so wrong. Jason was right, he was using Dick for satisfaction. But now wasn't time to control. Not with a hand under his shirt, scratching his skin, a body grinding on his own and another hand on his groin too slow for his opinion.
A shot was enough to put him under control again.
"I told you!" growled between his teeth, adjusting the aim and shooting again.
Wally managed to be just fast enough to dodge the bullet taking Dick with him. Barely stood after his accomplishment and realized Jason adjusted the aim again and emptied the gun's magazine. One of the bullets scratched his shoulder, leaving a scrape that would be healed in five minutes tops. Jason was reloading the gun while the rest of the family arrived. Nightwing was at his side on the floor begging to see the wound trembling violently. Batman withdrew Red Hood from the room and ordered the younger ones to take him somewhere to cool down.
"Wallace, would you care to explain why Jason reacted that way?" Batman was beside his son lifting and taking him to his bed. "Does anything to do with the yelling I was hearing?" blushing he shook his head. "So?"
"Dick and I, we, well, er- we- you know..." scratched his head. Oh, no one prepared him to face the Batdad. He would choose crazy brother over him any time. That glare was frightening.
"You…?" insisted, his voice dangerously lowing.
"I kissed him" Dick recovered enough to answer, looking anywhere that wasn't Wally's bleeding shoulder.
"Actually, I started" he was too proud to let anyone be a martyr for him.
"West, could you tell me why?" Bruce's voice was so low he almost missed this question but the hatred was very well transmitted.
Wally was running from his own feelings to be inquired about them right now and so suddenly. He kissed him because he wanted to. Should be all that matters. Why to think about it?
"It's kinda personal, Bruce" Dick answered in his place while the man was analyzing his leg.
"It's for your own good, and his."
"We've been far enough to care about a kiss" retorted, annoyed now his panic was turned down. The affirmative put Wally in panic instead.
"And be happy I'm not inquiring about that" he took a deep breath after hearing that, trying hard to calm down. Batman knew what they did.
Silence reigned. Mentor and pupil staring at each other furiously, for a moment Wally believed they were arguing through a mental link. At the end Bruce sighed and looked to him. He froze.
"I will politely ask for you to stop hurting my son. Don't kiss him, don't hug him, don't touch him unless you're willing to be with him. For real, like a couple. If you're in doubt or confuse just sit around in any chair, close enough for him to know you're still here" turned to the young man in the bed. "Dick, I beg you, stop abusing this leg or you can lose it. I'll ask Alfred to pay you a visit and evaluate the damage and take a sample of the lad's blood" turned to the redhead again. "I promised your uncle I would find out what happened to you, why your powers are so strong. I'll collect a small amount of your blood and run some tests and then I'll ask you to come to the cave so I can try a few things. Don't try my patience, West" and exited the room while his warning was still echoing.
Alfred arrived in minutes, he took a little while examining Dick's leg, at the end he smiled to them and announced the damage looked worse than it was. Apparently the supports withstood his weight during Dick's rebel up raise against his own leg. The collected some samples of Wally's blood, Richard was with his eyes closed during the whole process.
"How long do I know you, master Wallace?"
"Eight years?" answered, seeing the man taking his blood.
"Well, if we take the horrible five ones when you were gone. Wally" looked in the youngster's eyes. This has been the first time ever he didn't call him 'Master Wallace'. "Welcome back" West answered with a grin. He was the first one to say that. "Well, I'll take my leave and take these to Master Bruce. In case you need me, I'll be in the cave. Master Richard, spite this splint (2) abnormal resistance, please, get some rest" walked toward the door and stopped. "I'll keep this locked, so you guys can have some privacy" and left.
Wally went to his friend's bed, sitting at the edge, wondering what he should do, if he had to talk something. Then he felt arms around his neck and a mouth searching his.
"You wanted me just a moment ago" came the lustful whisper.
"Dick-" tried to protest, but it was easier to surrender. "Batman said-" so hard to form full sentences when someone was being so lascivious on his lap. "We shouldn't-"
Ignored all the inner denial while pushing him over his back on the bed, leaning upon him and kissing him with desire. His mind was screaming for him to stop, but his body seemed to be away from his will. Grabbed the smaller body, bringing him closer, he arched his back trying to keep most of physical contact possible. Wally loved when Dick did that. Undressed his shirt leisurely, enjoying the view revealing before him. Bit each exposed part. Lined the waistband with his fingertips. Unbuttoned, pulled the zipper down being blessed with a view of Dick's white cotton underwear already wet.
"How can you be so sexy?" asked, biting his skin near the ribs, sticking a hand inside his pants touching him.
"Practice" replied between pants. That sent a jealous shiver down his back.
"I told you I'm not fair" bit him more starting to vibrate. "From now on you can't do anything with anyone else" nipped a nipple making him scream in pleasure. The previous night taught him some things and he was a good learner. "You're mine" and to emphasize he sped up his vibrations taking Dick to his climax. Trembling and breathless.
"Real unfair" agreed. "You're still dressed!"
"Come fix this!" raised him and kissed him.
-/-/-/-/-/-
Dick woke up with a very annoying buzzing in his ears. An arm locked him down on the bed and a chest was pressed against his back. It was easy to tell he wasn't being threatened and probably had someone over for the night. Clearly that was a man's chest, his last date was a girl though. He was squeezed against that chest while the man buried his face in Dick's neck. Red locks entered his sight as he got back to his senses. He jumped sitting, the air leaving his body. Ran a hand through his hair. Wally sat by his side, gloriously naked, pulled his face and looked right in his eyes.
"I'm right here. I'm fine. Look to me."
"Yes" muttered back. A smiling forming on his face. He was graced with one as an answer.
"Good morning, sleepyhead."
"Wonderful morning, Kidiot" heard his cellphone vibrating on the floor. Bent to take it while Wallace stood up, stretching and picking up his clothes. He thought how easy he could get used to that if become a daily routine crossed his mind.
"Is it fine if I'll take a shower?" pointed to the bathroom.
"I guess I can survive a few minutes without freaking out" smiled ogling his body. As soon as the door closed, he answered the phone. "Hello?"
"Grayson? It's Florence, do you remember me?" No, he didn't. "From the bar."
"Florence! Sure! I was confused for a moment because I was sure your name was a little more like 'Gorgeous' but Florence is good too" she laughed at the other side of the line.
"So, I was thinking if this night was an okay for you to pay me that drink you had promised?" Wally left the bathroom totally dressed.
"This night is a no. I have a friend over."
"Bring him!" Oh, that made him blush.
"I don't know, I guess would be better to leave to another time" Wally cast a curious glance.
"Come on! It will be fun! I can bring a friend. What do you say?"
"Florence..."
"Grayson! Will you dismiss to pretty girls?"
The redhead sat beside him, near enough to hear the other side of the line. Closed his eyes angry. Felt the gadget be removed from his hands while received a very loud hickey.
"Dick, you should enter the bath… with me" said kissing him. Let a moan escape when his nipples were pinched. "Hey, he's busy now. Maybe you should hang out with your friend" and hung up the call. "Where were we? Oh yes, the bath."
"Walls" muttered. "You shouldn't spoil me like this" moaned.
"And you shouldn't get me jealous. Apparently, we can't get what we want" replied with a hint of annoyance, taking the brunette in his arms to the bathroom.
-/-
When they finally left the room, Alfred was waiting with the breakfast at the table. Wallace sonorously inhaled the air and ran for the first seat at his sight. Filled his plate with a little of everything and literally swallow his food. Dick, leaning on his crutch, just stood there watching him eat. He grinned, the return of his best friend finally sinking in.
"I see you found the crutches, Master Richard."
"Yes, Alfred. Thank you."
Jason stepped in the room followed by Bruce, glanced to the redhead to the table and turned on his heels and left. The older just sighed and took a seat. He was silently observing their interaction. Wally was acting normally, eating as fast as he could (and that meant you could even see when the food disappeared) and being scolded by the butler for his manners. That was a very common scenario at the beginning of their friendship, he recalled the redhead dodging the butler's hand slaps. Dick smiled towards his friend, seeming satisfied with something that Bruce couldn't grasp what, or was doing the best job at pretending he didn't.
"West, I'll need you at the cave today. Flash will come by later so we can debrief about results, and then you will go pay a visit to your aunt and cousins, after that you will return. You'll be here until further notice. Dick, you'll join us until the meeting. After that you be going to your physiotherapy" the silence grew. No one daring to talk about the amount of time the boys ('Young men, Bruce. Remember that') would be apart.
"It was time to cut that umbilical cord West using like a leash" Jason was at the doorway waiting for something.
"Better a leash on my hands than yours, isn't it?" Wally retorted, glancing furiously to Robin II. Todd led his hands to the holsters and the redhead stood up.
"Enough!" Dick yelled. Ran a hand through his hair and sighed. "I'm going to the cave, when both of you decide to stop calling me a dog and a crybaby tell so we can start this day!"
"Grayson!" Todd called for him following his trail. "Sorry, I didn't mean to be like that."
"Who are you and what did you do to my baby brother?" he was serious spite what was said.
"I'm just trying to not upset you more. I'm worried, okay? Even I am capable of worry. You've not been yourself lately. This guy, he's doing this. You ridiculously rely on him for everything. Your humor changes according to his deeds. And he can't give a damn! I saw him with that blonde and I saw him not caring to deny their relationship."
"I'm not asking for him to break up with Arty! Stop trying to defend me!" replied. "My relationship, functional or messed up, is my problem! I thank you for your concern, but stop attacking Wally!"
"There it is! He can't give a damn and you keep defending him!"
"I love him! Jason! I never needed to be requited, and it's not now I will need. I'm just confused. I spent the last five years mourning his death, waking up to a world without him, I just forgot how to act around him. I only know this is a better world!"
"And he doesn't love you" his tone was dangerously low.
"No, at least not like I do love him. And I don't want you shooting him again."
"I will, every time I see you crying for him."
"No, you won't! Because if any bullet get its target be ready to shoot me too."
"Dick..."
"I mean it, I can't survive losing him again. I'm not strong enough! I don't even know if I can be apart of him enough for him to live his life, I'm that weak! Then, if you think a bullshit as unrequited love is enough to take him away from me, think again. Because I'm more inclined to spend a whole life with not being loved back than to spend a single day without him!"
"Why can't you just love somebody else? Like Babs."
"Sorry, but it's not that simple. And I already promised Wally I would only be his" smiled nervously, blushing.
"You did what?"
"I told him if he… well, if we..." scratched his head, his face crimson, leaning against the wall looking around. "I told him if we had sex once I would be his forever."
"You know you are a man at his twenty three, don't you? And not a fourteen year old little girls."
"It's not like that."
"Yeah, it is. Wanna know how did I heard you saying that?" pulled two wisps of hair pretend to be pigtails. "Hihihihihi I said" started with terrible falsetto. "that if he… hihihihihihihihi make love to me hihi I would be his forever and ever and ever."
"Grow up, Todd."
"No, Grayson, you grow up and try to get some balls in the process. I hope that when you're medicated for your mental state. Believe me, you need medicine. Come back to normal and realize the bullshit coming from your mouth. And if your bastard boyfriend, because hell to him if he tries to deny that, is thinking all of this is cute he will also need drugs. I'll take West personally to Arkham, luckily doctor Quinzel still working" and received a punch at the shoulder. Dick couldn't avoid a small laugh. Jason softly smiled, a foreigner look on his face. "See? You never needed him to be happy, you idiot. Now let me lead before I start to catch the fairies."
As soon as Jason turned the corner Wallace was by his side, an arm wrapping his waist. He looked furious and was vibrating lightly, could almost be unnoticed. Bruce appeared from the same direction he came and led them silently to the cave, but passing beside the redhead he lightly tapped his back. Wally turned astonished and followed him, supporting Dick and carrying his crutches.
-/-
"I didn't realize I was being so cruel and immature" told him while was being tied to what looked like a magnetic resonance machine, which Richard could swear never had seen before in there, but wasn't going to be him to ask.
"You aren't. Jason's just a drama queen."
"He was right. Stop being soft on me"
"I'm not. If anything you make me hard" and blinked to him whom halted in his ties.
"I think what West is trying to convey is this line was terrible and, please, do not forget we have kids in the house" Batman answered from his chair in front the computer.
"Robin's at school and Red Robin is already old enough to get this" and blinked to the older man.
"I don't think I'm old enough for this" Wally replied, smiling. Dick cackled, then noticed his mentor waving to him.
"We'll begin. I'm right here, okay?" touched his face gently, landing a soft kiss on his lips. "Try not to move or this can take forever."
"It's hard not to move" glared to the machinery.
"Try your best. Count all Pi numbers."
"Pi is an infinite constant" Wally was alarmed.
"What can give you enough time counting" and waved back to Bruce. The bed slid into the machinery.
Anyone who had the pleasure of working with speedsters knows they are extremely claustrophobic. Flash, being the most reasonable, could keep his cool, but a good observer could see the sweat flowing down his face and very light vibrations, Conner once said he lost the rhythm of his heart beats. Bart was a little less controlled, and by little it's meant a lot. Once he exploded a locker, which was a big time problem to the whole League, after all it was in his school and he was locked inside by his bullies. Bart vibrated so hard that the locker's metal reached critical mass and entered in nuclear fission. When they finally arrived there, found him wounded, trembling and shocked. Apparently, for the kid was it worse, it reminded him from the Reach's pods. Wally didn't react so strongly, but he would start to blabber and to constantly move, and if it was needed he would try to vibrate through his restrains, which led to more panic and nosebleed, but looked like now he could properly vibrate through solids.
The redhead widened his eyes, as he got closer to the machinery he started to tremble.
"Three point one four one five nine..." shut his eyes and kept counting in his head.
Dick limped to Bruce's side and peeked the screen. All the reading seemed normal, there were beeps about how fast his whole metabolism was, which indicated this thing was acquired in a hurry and not modified to speedsters. He couldn't help feeling thankful to his mentor, once these exams should be taken in the Watchtower. Sat beside him.
"I wanted you here. Where Alfred can watch you and report me everything."
"Thanks, Bruce" sighed.
"Any chance all of you start calling me dad?"
"Damian does."
"If I only wanted one kid, I wouldn't have adopted other three" replied.
"For a lonely bat you sure are too needy" smiled at the man who snorted trying his best to not laugh.
"You know the only thing keeping that boy from a very painful murder is my love for you, don't you?"
"And here I was thinking it was because you loved the Flash!" received a slap at his nape. "I was already scolded for this, can we let it go? I have not had a week with Wally back."
"What if this return is not definitive?" Dick widened his eyes, he didn't think about it. "If I was the Flash this boy would be isolated, in a sterilized and controlled environment until all my doubts are gone. And how his well being is affecting yours, I've almost made this call."
"Bruce, he would hate that. He is a speedster, he can't live without running."
"He stopped on his own accord once" reminded.
"AND LOOK HOW IT ALL ENDED!" jumped on his feet, landing on his broken leg. Batman was supporting him in the second.
"I know. I'm not suggesting lock him up. But right now we even know if it's safe for him to tap into speedforce."
"Dad, please, don't. Don't take this from him. He would hate it" stubborn tears came down his face. He knew he couldn't control his cries any longer. Maybe Jason was right and he really needed a therapist.
"Calm down" the man touched his back smoothly and rubbed circles on it. "Breathe. He is fine, and I don't think anything will take him away. I just want to scratch any possibility. So, just sit here and breathe. We're almost ending this."
Richard sat as instructed and took a deep breath. After a while Wally's bed slid off the machinery. Bruce went to him and untied.
"How many numbers did you get?"
"About four thousand" panted. Then scanned the room for Dick, starting to despair when not finding him. All of them were alert for his breakdowns.
Noticed the young man sitting near the computers, focused breathing in and breathing out. Ran to his side and hugged him, muttering something in his hair. Dick hugged him back, still breathing deeply, one comforted the other until they were able to break apart a little bit.
"West, can we go on? I promise there won't be another closed space."
"Fine" caressed the brunette's face and followed the Batman.
-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-
Flash's arrival ended the exams. They started to discuss rules to keep Wally safe. It was about training, if he should return to be a hero, if he wanted it. Barry demanded his nephew went back home every day, which Batman agreed. He either wanted to Dick to have some time to get used to the distance. It would start with a few hours, unless Dick couldn't take, then they would gradually add some more time. At this point Richard was so ashamed he hid his face in Wally's neck. Then they discussed whether they should undo the death certificate and reactivate other documents, or creating false documents would raise less suspicion. If the lad would return to his college, where he would go for. They weren't talking about how long he would stay at rest because that was tied to Dick's well being. The last topic was for them to talk about Wally's return. Richard was trying to give the highest amount of details. 'Leave the details. We'll have the martians analyzing the memories another time. Give me the whole picture'. The redhead tried his best to explain where he was and how was there. After hours talking they were released for the day.
When the meeting was done Wallace ran to his home. His Aunt I was waiting him with tons of food, he could just think how much work it was to cook for all of these speedsters. The Garrisons were there, just as Bart and Jaime, the twins, whom Wally noticed were way too cute and way too quick, and he and Uncle Barry. Just by entering he was welcomed by two super speedy kids, they became shy as soon as they saw him. Iris came running for her kids and saw him. She dropped everything she brought in hands and squeezed him crying.
"They wouldn't let me go there! I wanted so much, I almost forced my way there! My dear Wally, my baby! I missed you so much, my love" and kissed his cheeks. He couldn't help to crying back and hugging her so tight. He missed her. She was like a mother for him.
The family reunion was happy, even though all the tears. His parents came by later, said they were happy he was back, hugged him and kissed him, also in tears. But they had an appointment they couldn't postpone. Wally didn't think it could be any different. His parents weren't exactly the most caring. He stayed there for nearly four hours, during which he received three Dick's phone calls to soothing him. That was when he found out his best friend was part of his family now, practically adopted. Bart was complaining something about the dish soap at Dick's house is falling short, almost like it was his own house. His aunt said if he would stop by some store to buy a few things for her, like it was a common thing Bart shopping for Dick's. Over them talking so much about Nightwing, one of the twins asked: 'Is uncle Dick not coming?'. Nobody talked about Artemis or any of his other friends. But Richard Grayson was called every minute like he was part of this household. He was even in the Twin's pictures.
"He is Don's godfather. He is here every weekend to spend time with him" Iris told him, passing a picture for him. Dick in a suit holding Baby Don in some church. "He was by our side when we lost you. He took care of us and let us take care of him."
"What about Artemis?"
"She's a good girl, but not the caring type of girl. I can only imagine how awful was for her to let someone in and then lose him. She backed away from anything that could remind her of you. I can't blame her" glanced to her husband talking to Jay. "I guess I would do the same."
Wally opened his mouth to talk about what was going on between him and Dick, he needed some advices, especially about what his brother said. Before he could think in what tell his uncle stopped by his side, landing a hand on his shoulder and warning was time to go.
(1) – Honestly, this was me in my best Andrew Hussie moment… u.u Fuck… How could I let that go in Portuguese version? Ahoy…. So funny…. Yeah… fuck.
(2) – I seriously had forgotten the fucking name of this in portuguese… SERIOUSLY…. I put another complete different word (I used tourniquet translation for... reasons...) at original fic, I knew it was wrong but I was 'fuck it! I can't remember this fucking bullshit!'… and also… I never broke a fucking bone in my entire life! There was a joke to be made now and I can't remember which was…. u.u So forgive for not having a clue of how this works… pretend is poetical and shit… And yeah… I just read about 2 days of Homestuck releases… so… too much cursing…
