Disclaimer: DC owns these characters, not me.
The TVs soft light filtered into the living room of the small, one bedroom apartment as the blonde stretched out across the couch. Behind her, Wally had his face shoved in his laptop, typing away to finish a paper he had to do for college. Kara had asked what it was about, but when Wally started talking Physics, Kara tended to tune him out. Not purposefully, mind you, but she had a habit of just staring at him blankly until his mouth stopped moving, and then smiling and saying "that's nice". Wally knew she was not listening, too, but he talked anyway and seemed to pretend she was interested. It's not like he could blame her, he had the habit of doing the same thing sometimes, especially when she started talking about her cousin. Clark was still protective of the blonde, and would give Wally this polite, but slightly disapproving look whenever he caught the male with his arms around her. Well, at least he used too. Now he just gave the ginger a sympathetic stare, which was even worse than a disapproving gaze.
It had been difficult, trying to get back into their regular routine, and it was no secret that they were drifting. Kara desperately tried to cheer her boyfriend up, but she knew all too well what it was like to lose someone close. After a while, it had become exhausting, and she was beginning to not even bother trying, her days spent sitting around watching TV or out saving the planet. Wally had not put on his costume since Barry's death, and she was really starting to worry about him, but bringing it up only seemed to make things worse, and the phrase "time heals all" was definitely not working in this situation. In fact time seemed to make matters worse, like every time they went to visit Barry only solidified he was not coming back and threw the male into a deeper depression. He was even beginning to shut out his aunt and the rest of his family.
Sitting up, she peered over the couch, staring intently at the speedster who rubbed his eyes which must have hurt from staring at the screen for so long. "Wally?" her voice was light, hesitant, and he looked up, regarding her placidly, not at all like the Wally she knew. She almost preferred him when he was in denial about his feelings and trying to act cheerful, this was just...well, pathetic, for lack of a better word. "I was thinking...maybe we could go out tomorrow? For a walk or something. Or...maybe you could put on your costume and-" She immediately regretted even mentioning it as he shoved his face back into his work. "I'm busy, I have a lot of papers due this week, Kara. No time," he muttered dismissively, and she snorted slightly. "You're a speedsters Wally, there's always time. Maybe if you just-" she was cut off again by his muffled reply. "I said no. Maybe next week."
That was it, she could not take it any longer, if he wanted too drown in self pity than that was his decision, but she was not about to go down with him. Standing, she practically stomped toward him, though he was trying very hard not to notice, and with a quick movement she slammed his laptop shut, nearly smashing his face and fingers. He jumped, startled, and she finally saw some sort of emotion in him, though it definitely was not the kind she had wanted to see. "Jesus Kara! Are you trying to break my laptop?" he snapped waspishly, trying to swipe it away from her, though she pulled it closer too herself and out of his reach. "Yes," she replied, bluntly, and his brows knit together slightly, as if confused by her statement. "All you do anymore is work on papers and bury yourself in school! Wally, you're really starting to worry me. You never crack jokes or laugh, or even smile unless it's fake anymore!"
If they had an audience, they would have seen invisible electricity cackle between them as Wally stood, his chair scrapping against the floor loudly. "You want me to make jokes? Fine. What do you call a girl who asks a guy to make jokes when his uncle is dead? I'll give you a hint: single!" he practically shouted, face red with heavy bags under his eyes, like he hadn't slept for a week, his expression dark and humorless. There was a moment of shocked silence, large blue eyes widening as his words sank in. Her own expression darkened, with surprised force she picked up his laptop and shoved it into his chest. "That's fine with me! I'd rather be single than in a relationship with a selfish, self-loathing, pathetic jerk like you anyway!" her own words were laced with venom, and she was gone so fast she did not catch both the hurt and regret that had laced his expression.
"I'm telling you Lois he's a nightmare!" she ranted, pacing back and forth in front of the older woman who was watching her intently. "I've tried too be nice and patient, I've tried too be forceful, I've tried too be supportive, but nothings working. I swear it's like he wants to be lonely and miserable." With her last word, she dramatically flopped face first into the couch, resisting the urge to scream and instead groaning mournfully. She expected the other to reply immediately, but she was greeted with silence, and after a few minutes she looked up to find Lois scribbling something down on a piece of paper while staring at her computer. "Where you even listening?" the blonde asked, trying not to sound as irritated as she felt.
"Oh I heard every bit of it," Lois confirmed, but said no more on the topic. "And...?" she urged, as if expecting the other to agree vehemently with her and condemn Wally for being such a jerk. "You're a hypocrite," she replied plainly, now typing something on her laptop, and she felt herself bristle, the scene reminding her too much of what had just happened between her and her...ex-boyfriend. "Excuse me?" she blurted, offended as she stared hard at the other woman, who seemed completely unfazed. "You heard me. Listen to yourself, you're mad at him for his pity party and here you are throwing your own-one I'd rather not be apart of, thank you. I'm not about to help some whiny teenager who had a fight with her boyfriend, I have work to do, so you're on your own."
The Girl of Steel's mouth opened and closed several times like a fish out of water, unsure whether to be infuriated by the woman, or admire how straightforward and upfront she was. Kara wanted too say something intelligent back, to prove that Lois was wrong, but the fact was, she was completely right, and it was quite embarrassing. "Yeah...well..." she started, but words failed her, and she buried her face back into the couch again. It was not the first time she had been wrong, or had been selfish, in fact it was a reoccurring theme it seemed. Taking a deep breath, she rolled off of the couch, standing up and moving toward the door. Lois' head rose slightly, blue eyes brimming over the computers screen. "Where are you going?" the inquiry sounded half-hearted, like she did not actually want too know, fearful she would be disappointed.
"Well, if I can't help Wally, and you can't help me, then I figure it's about time I find someone who can help the both of use before things get really bad." Lois looked tempted to ask more questions (it was the reporter in her), but the look in Kara's eye told her she would get no real answer, so instead she went back to work, only vaguely aware of the faint sound of a door opening and closing. She could only hope the girl made the right choice, but she was smart, well for the most part. Kara made a lot of stupid decisions and could be impulsive, but Lois knew she meant well, and almost always did the right thing in the end.
Even if it took her a while to figure out what the right thing was.
So my next chapter will probably be in Wally's POV, and if not the next one, then the one after the next since I have them planned out already.