Back with another update. I did decide to kind of cover everyone's reaction here. It's brief (since this will focus on the Flash family), but it's something.
Reintroducing Wally was a slow process. Visits were comprised within the Allen household and in three separate tours. The first people to see him was his family. Bart and Iris' excitement was matched by Mary and Rudy's happiness. While his parents and Iris hadn't changed much, Bart had grown. His fun loving nature and Barry inspired humor was the same, but he was almost as tall as Wally. The joy in the house was amazing, and Wally adored being back. Seeing that his family felt the same was great.
They agreed that Wally should stay with Barry and Iris until they could figure out how to reintegrate Wally back into society. It was the logical choice. Explaining Wally's sudden return would only put unnecessary stress on his parents since they weren't properly equipped for the situation.
Next was the League. With them knowing that Wally was back, it gave them the opportunity to handle the legality of the situation as well as concocting an appropriate story. It wasn't the most entertaining visit, but it had to be done.
The last was his friends and teammates. They were the most varied of the group. While the former newbies, minus Bart, were glad that Wally had come back, they weren't as enthused as others. The current new recruits were a little confused, but happy all the same.
It was his close friends and founding team members who were the most euphoric. Kaldur, Roy, Megan, and Conner were happy to be reunited with their missing teammate, noting how it wasn't the same without him. Artemis was relieved at his revival, crying tears of joy. Dick was happy and apologetic, feeling the most responsible for his disappearance.
It was a sentiment that Wally was more than willing to forgive. While his actions were infuriating and controversial, Wally kind of understood what Dick was trying to do. He didn't approve, but he knew Dick didn't mean for it to happen. He was just doing what he thought the situation called for and Wally couldn't be totally enraged with him.
It was getting late as Wally comfortably relaxing on the couch after finishing one of Iris' famous dinners. The visits weren't enough to completely wear him out, but it did take a bit out of him. He was glad to see everyone, sure, but all the encounters and reactions were draining.
He shuffled slightly to get into a different positon when he caught a glimpse of Wally and Bart heading for the door. He silently sit up and watch. They looked like they were ready to go.
"We'll be back." Barry promised Iris. "It's just a robbery so it shouldn't take too long."
"Why don't I come with you?" Wally invited, running over to them.
"No!" Barry anxiously gasped, holding on to his nephew's shoulders.
The outburst startled Wally. He was ready to jump back into the motions and didn't expect Barry to react that way. The amount of panicked authority was shocking. Barry caught on to it, changing his approach.
"No." Barry disagreed a little calmer this time. "You just got back and need to relax. It's just a robbery. Nothing major."
"But I want to come." Wally admitted.
"I know, but I don't want you to overexert yourself after you just got back. Just leave it to us, okay?"
Wally could tell that he wasn't going to get far. He could tell that Barry was just concerned and wanted him to adjust. It wasn't like it was going to be permanent.
"Alright."
"Thank you."
Barry released Wally as he made his way back towards the couch. A concerned look from Iris darted towards Barry. The need for a discussion would have to wait until later.
The sound of Barry and Bart entering the house jolted Wally out of his sleep. Having to crash in the living room due to Bart taking residence in the guest room, wasn't exactly what he had in mind, not that Wally could complain. If anything, he had forgotten to turn the television off. He didn't move, not wanting to cause a ruckus. Wally heard Barry tell Bart to get to bed, since school was in the morning, before Barry could be heard going to the kitchen.
It didn't take long before the mumbled voices of Barry and Iris vibrated. Wally couldn't quite make out what exactly they were saying, but it didn't sound very agreeable. The only thing he was able to pick up was his name. What they could be talking about was beyond him.
Wally quickly closed his eyes the moment he heard movement in the kitchen. He knew they were coming and didn't want to raise any suspicion. He heard two pairs of footsteps enter the room. The noise stopped by the back of the couch and slight shuffling told him that someone was leaning against it.
"He's okay." Barry whispered. "That's all that matters."
"This can't be what you really want." Iris quietly argued.
"It'll be fine. Trust me."
A soft sigh got away from Iris as she moved away from the couch. Though he was pretending to sleep and wasn't looking, Wally could tell that his aunt felt deflated.
"If you say so."
Wally continued his charade as he heard shuffling. He felt a hand grab the remote from in front of him and turned the television off. It was set aside, away from him from what Wally could hear. He felt his aunt's hand grabbed the blanket and pulling it up to his shoulders before calling it a night.
Her footsteps were followed by Barry's as light thumbing on the stairs signified the duo going to bed. As he continued to lie on the couch, Wally's curiosity didn't want him to sleep. It plagued him with questions. What they could have possibly been discussing was a plaguing thought. What could have caused them to disagree? What did he have to do with it? Was there something that Barry wasn't telling him in regards to him patrolling? Why didn't Barry want Wally to go on patrol?
Suspicious Barry will get addressed in the next (and final) chapter.
