Four Times Wally Had Great Birthday Presents
And The One Present That Blew All Of Them Out Of The Water.
A.N: I'm back with another gigantic one shot. I can never make myself stop writing!
Anywho…I just had a birthday (yay me!) and I was just wondering how awesome birthdays must be for teenage super heroes and this was born! Plus, I've always wanted to write a "Four time…and the one time" fic…makes me feel like an accomplished author…
Enjoy and please review! I love that you guys fave and follow this story but reviews make me even more happy! :D
Disclaimer: I do not own Young Justice…no chica pull it in...don't you cry don't you dare cry…too late…I'm crying…
Ooo
Age 5
Wally knows he's not supposed to run off by himself and he most certainly is not allowed to walk across the road, but it's an inside road devoid of cars and there's something shiny in the middle of the street and shiny means fun; so he putters out on his little feet to get it.
Unfortunately, the shiny thing is nothing but a reflection of the light on the gravel but the large truck that's suddenly materialized near the intersection is not and it's so huge and so scary that little Wally is frozen in terror staring at the large vehicle that's most probably going to end his young life.
He hears his mother's scream, the truck's horn and then there's a sudden burst of air from behind and Wally feels his feet leave the road and he's being pressed against a warm chest with an arm cradling his back. When the little redhead opens his eyes, it's to a yellow lightning bolt across a red chest and a relieved smile from the Flash.
Now Wally's heard all about the Scarlet Speedster and he considers the hero to be even cooler than Batman. Now that he's in the arms of his hero, Wally forgets that he'd been 10 seconds away from being crushed by a truck and instead grins and blurts out, "Hi Flash! It's my birthday!"
Flash skids to a stop next to Wally's thankful mother and ruffles the boy's hair, "Is it? Well happy birthday munchkin! Try not to get yourself killed okay? You have a good day!"
And with a wink, the hero speeds off. Despite the hard smack his mother gives him for running off, Wally cannot help but think that this is the start of the most awesome birthday ever.
Ooo
Age 13
Wally knows that most of his friends all worship the Flash and dream of being the speedster. But because they lack Wally's genius and fantastical brain, they can't ever become the hero. Wally, however, has his aforementioned genius and so, he spends the majority of his waking hours researching the Flash and the formula that had made him so special.
Now, after two years of failed calculations and constant hair pulling, Wally is 87.8% sure that the formula he's come up with is the right one and all he has to do is test it. Problem is, he has no access to the chemicals required for the experiment.
That changes the moment his Aunt Iris gives him an advanced chemical set for his birthday and after promising that yes, he's going to be careful and no, he's not going to set the house on fire; Wally locks himself in the small lab he'd created out in the backyard shed and gets down to work.
Half an hour, one explosion and one hysterical drive (WALLY YOU WERE NOT SUPPOSED TO SET YOURSELF ON FIRE EITHER!) to the hospital, and one discovery (WHY THE HELL IS MY SON VIBRATING?!) later, Wally lies on his bed, bandages covering the majority of his already healing body and he looks up as his uncle Barry walks in.
Despite the recent discovery of his new powers (and the knowledge that he really was a bloody genius!), Wally is contrite as he sits up to apologize, "Uncle Barry, I'm so sorry! I just wanted to try the experiment and I know I was only 87.8% sure it was going to work and I know it was stupid but I just-"
Barry holds up a hand to cut his nephew off. Settling himself on the edge of the bed, the blonde looks over at Wally with an exasperated look, "Didn't I tell you 8 years ago not to get yourself killed? It's like you enjoy giving me constant heart attacks!"
Barry knows his nephew will understand; the kid did figure out his formula, and he waits all of 7 seconds before...
"HOLY SHIT! You're the Flamphhhh-"
"Secret identity mean anything to you kid? And watch the language!"
And looking over at his uncle with glee (because holy shit, his uncle is the FLASH!) Wally think that despite being blown up, this is a pretty awesome birthday present.
Ooo
Age 14
He's been training with Barry for almost a year now and it's been a nightmare.
Don't get him wrong, Wally loves the fact that he had his uncle's speed and that he is now working with his idol but everything around him is so slow and Wally is so fast.
It's long and painful; learning how to slow down for the world around him, walking quickly without tapping into his powers, de-accelerating from a full out sprint around the world and combatting his new found appetite.
But Wally will tumble and fall a hundred times if it means he gets to run. He didn't douse himself in chemicals and set himself on fire just to quit because of bumps and cuts and unbearable hunger pangs. Wally is a fighter and he is going to fight each and every obstacle his new found powers throw in his way because he knows that it's all going to pay off at the end.
These thoughts are his consolation as he slumps gently near the edge of the Grand Canyon, wincing at the strain of his muscles and pulling down the sports goggles strapped around his eyes.
He guzzles his twelfth bottle of water that day and rips open yet another granola bar as he waits for Barry to return. The man had cited some work as a reason to leave as they took their customary laps around the world and had told his nephew to wait for him at the Canyon before they went home for Wally's birthday dinner.
Wally is in the middle of making small tornadoes with his finger when a burst of air announces the arrival of his uncle.
"Happy birthday kid!"
In his hands lay a lumpy package and Wally takes it from the blonde with a grin.
"Thanks uncle B. What is it?"
"Gotta open it and find out."
Wally sticks his tongue out at his excited uncle before scooching away from the edge and laying the gift on the ground. It feels like cloth but at the same time it feels a little too durable to be cloth. Raising an eyebrow, Wally makes quick work of the wrapping paper to find...
"Is this what I think it is?"
"Why don't you put it on and check?" Barry replies with a chuckle.
Wally throws his uncle a grin and stands up. He's long mastered the skill of quick changes and within a few seconds a brightly coloured red head stand in front of Barry.
The blonde holds out a pair of yellow goggles that Wally slips over his head and Barry grins at the sight before him.
Gone is Wally West for in his place stands-
"Kid Flash. You're really serious about this uncle B? You- you really think I'm ready?" Wally half whispers as he runs his hands over his new uniform.
The suit sticks to him like a second skin but it is comfortable in a way that even his civilian clothes cannot offer. Kevlar lines the majority of the suit but it doesn't weigh him down and the boots have a strong grip as Wally rubs them on the terrain. He grins when a small compartment on his wrist pops open to reveal two small protein bars.
Barry grins and claps a hand on his nephew's shoulder, "Ya kid. You are. You're gonna be a great Kid Flash and you and I are going to be the best speedster duo ever! Well, after Batman and Robin...cause they're...you know...Batman and Robin." The man adds as an afterthought before being pulled into a hug by Wally.
"Thanks Uncle Barry."
"You're welcome kid. Now let's go surprise your mother and find out how much trouble we're in for being late!"
Ooo
Age 18
"Hey birthday boy."
Wally looks away from the picturesque snow covered Happy Harbor and turns to find Robin walking towards him with a glass of punch in his hand.
"Hey yourself."
"What's wrong? Not enjoying the party?" The acrobat inquires, standing next to Wally and slipping a hand around his boyfriend's waist.
Wally shakes his head, "No, the party's great! I just...wanted some time alone."
"Why?"
"Just...you know...just like that. Look Rob, I'm fine, I'll come inside in a few minutes."
"Wally, you should know better than to lie to me. Now what is this all about? Is it the cake? Or the spiked punch? Or-"
"It's about the fact I don't know my boyfriend's real name okay?" Wally blurts out and then immediately groans and turns away.
God damnit! He promised himself he wasn't gonna open that can of worms right now.
The last time they'd fought over the issue of Robin's secret ID, it had ended with three dents in the concrete walls of the gym (Robin), 20 takeout containers all consumed in one night (Wally) and a lot of curt hellos and nods in the hallway.
It only ended when Conner locked both of them into a small supply closet with the order to make up and make out so that the clone could have some peace from his girlfriend's constant wails that her OTP was being destroyed.
"I'm sorry Rob. Just forget I said anything."
"Wally I-"
Wally shakes his head and stares straight out the window, "No, it's fine. I know Bats doesn't want you to tell me who you are and I know you've argued with him over the fact that we were first best friends and then boyfriends and I really don't want to get into this now an get into another argument because-"
"My name is Richard Grayson."
And then Wally turns, because he knows that name and Robin is standing there with a small smile and no sunglasses and all Wally can do is admire how frickin' blue his boyfriend's eyes are.
While Wally stands there with his deer-caught-in-headlights look, Dick walks forward, dropping his sunglasses on the floor.
"My name is Dick Grayson and I'm the last of the Flying Graysons. My parents were killed before my eyes when I was 9 because they refused to pay protection money to Tony Zucco. Bruce Wayne took me in: first as his son and then as Robin."
"Wh-why are you telling me this now?"
Dick smiles as he cups Wally's cheek. At age 16, he's finally getting his growth spurt and can kiss the speedster without having to get onto his tippy toes.
"Because I know how much I hate it when Bruce keeps secrets from me and he's my father. You being my boyfriend and my best friend for so many years deserve to know this and I'm sorry it took so long and mphh-"
Dick's words turn into a moan as Wally pulls him flush against his chest and kisses him. There's tongue and eager hands pulling at clothing and its 15 minutes later when both walk back into the common room looking thoroughly disheveled.
Just before they enter the room, Wally presses his hands against Dick's eyes and when the acrobat opens them again, it's to find his sunglasses covering his vision.
Wally smiles and presses a chaste kiss to his boyfriend's lips, "That was my birthday present only."
Dick only grins and hugs Wally tight before both walk back into the party.
Ooo
And the one time…..
Age 25
He hasn't celebrated his birthday much over the years, especially once he left the Team and both Kal and Artemis went undercover and it seemed silly celebrating the fact he was getting old when there was the threat of an alien invasion hanging over their heads.
But it's been a year since Kal broke the Light in half, since returning to the hero life, since almost dying and Dick tells him quite firmly that he doesn't give a shit what Wally thinks; they are going out and they were going to have a nice dinner to celebrate Wally's 25th.
So now Wally is in a fancy restaurant in Star City with a glass of wine and an empty seat opposite him because Dick hasn't shown up yet. The speedster looks at his watch for the 18th time in 3 minutes when a familiar brunette sets himself in the empty seat.
But Wally doesn't get up and kiss the man because the man opposite him isn't Dick.
It's Conner.
"Uhh...hey Supey. Whatcha doing here?"
Conner says nothing but hands Wally a piece of paper. The red head raises an eyebrow but accepts the papers and unfolds it. The message is written in Dick's neat print and the words make Wally wonder how much his boyfriend likes to troll him.
You must think that I'm a pest
For sending you on this quest
But I'm a Bat you see
So I have a reason for your misery
On this day November 11th
You must comprise a list of 7
A list of firsts of a life well lived
And a reminder of the stupid things you did.
"Is he serious?" Wally looks up to find Conner smirking. The red head groans.
"He's sending me on a treasure hunt on my birthday during a snowstorm?"
"He didn't say you couldn't use your powers." Conner finally speaks and he hands Wally another paper.
Wally sighs, knocks back the last of his wine and puts a 20 on the table. The second piece of paper reveals his first clue.
The first time you ever met the Flash.
Wally smiles because he remembers that little road so well and he gets up from his seat and throws Conner a two fingered salute before he's out the door.
Wally's glad he's back in the field because it means he's always prepared to run. And it means he gets to rifle through the various cool safe houses littered over the world.
The one he is in now belongs to Roy but the original members of the Team all have their own caches within. Wally strips off his jeans and shirt and pulls on the familiar yellow and red suit. He loads up his food compartment and slips his goggles over his eyes.
In a few minutes, he's out and running towards the Central City intersection where 20 years ago, he had first met the Flash on his 5th birthday. When he reaches the street, he skids to a stop, slipping slightly on the snowy ground.
He snorts at what he finds. Wolf sits quietly on the sidewalk with a scroll around his neck. When he sees Wally, he comes to the speedster with a look that says look-at-what-your-crazy-boyfriend-made-me-do and Wally chuckles in understanding as he rubs the animal's head.
Unfurling the scroll, Wally reads the message. Well, it's more of a phrase. The letter 'E' is bold against the paper and there's the next clue:
Where you were given your first suit.
Wally frowns because seriously- Dick is going to make him run from Central to the Grand Canyon? Not that it was going to be difficult but Wally is not the most patient of people and he really wants know what the hell is at the end of this treasure hunt.
Three minutes later, Wally is at the Grand Canyon and he raises an eyebrow at who is there to meet him. Roy grumbles out about Dick's manipulative puppy dog eyes and Wally makes no move to disagree with the archer as he reads the next hint.
This one is the letter 'M' and the clue: The first time you ever saved someone as KF.
"Where the hell is this going Roy?" Because the first time he'd ever saved someone was in Germany. Roy shakes his head and Wally gives him an unimpressed look before zipping off.
It had been two days after Barry had given him the suit. As part of his training, Barry would make Wally take a run around the world and on that particular day, the blonde had to respond a League call so Wally went off by himself.
It was dark and Wally slowed atop a roof to take a break. He was in stealth mode so there was no brightly coloured hero zipping through Berlin. He'd just crumpled up the granola wrapper when he heard a scream from the alley below.
What he saw made his blood boil. A young woman was pressed up against the building and some low life thug had one hand under her dress and the other held a knife to her neck.
Now Wally wasn't supposed to deal with any situations like these; Barry thought they were far too damaging to his nephew. But Barry wasn't here and damn if Wally was going to stand by and watch the bastard take advantage of the woman.
He couldn't just rush at them because the knife could slip and hurt the woman but Wally was fast enough to break the man's hold on the weapon and that's just what he did.
The thug looked around with a yell as his knife disappeared before a bright blue of color collided with him. A fist to the guy's throat left him choking and a kick to the head rendered him unconscious. Making sure the man was secured to the rain pipe, Wally walked over to the woman.
She looked terrified but thankful as Wally handed her her purse and coat. Seeing the insignia on his chest, she asked, "Sie sind schwarz Flash?" (You are black Flash?)
"Um no...not schwarz (?) Flash...Kid Flash."
The woman patted his cheek in understanding, "Ahh, Kid Flash. Danke."
"Uhh..you too?"
He dropped the woman off at the nearest police station and made sure she'd be fine before zipping off home. He'd never told anyone of what happened except Dick when they became best friends and both stopped a rape attempt in Gotham during one of Wally's visits to the city of doom and gloom.
Now when he skids to a stop in the alleyway in Berlin, it's to find Jaime muttering under his breath.
"Scarab giving you flak for getting caught up in this?" Wally asks and the brunette gives him a knowing look.
"Si, ese. Here you go hermano."
This clue holds the letter 'Y' and the words: The first time you ever met me.
And so goes Wally, running around the world, to find the various clues Dick has left for him.
In Gotham, he meets Tim who hands him the letter 'R' and the hint: Where we made our first best friend pact.
He finds Barbara high up on Wayne Towers again with the letter 'R' and the next piece of the puzzle and this one makes him blush in remembrance: Where we shared our first kiss.
Wally turns to the female Bat, "Is there anything saying I can't use the tubes?"
"Not that I know off. Good luck Wally."
Wally runs down to the abandoned telephone booth in the Gotham alley and he punches in the ever familiar coordinates to the newly built Mount Justice. He steps out in the hangar bay and pauses long enough to pat Sphere before he zips to the training room.
His favorite Martian waits for him with a plate of her fresh cookies, the letter 'A' and what looks to be the last clue: Where we had our first date. And this time, no tubes.
Wally doesn't even begin to wonder how Dick knew he'd taken the Zeta tubes; he pegs it down to being a damn Bat. But he is slightly pissed off that Dick is making him go back to his starting point, the same restaurant Wally had been in Star City.
Thanking M'Gann with a quick kiss to the cheek, Wally leaves through the open hangar door and runs back to Star City, his shoes offering little to no traction over the snow. He doesn't slip and tumble but when he gets back to the small safe house, Wally is glad to be on stable dry ground. Changing back into his jeans and shirt, the redhead ruffles his hair as he takes the six pieces of paper and puts them in his pocket.
When he finally reaches the restaurant, he finds Dick waiting for him outside. Wally wants to be annoyed with his boyfriend for sending him on a weird hunt but he can't bring himself to do so when the man before him gives him one of those brilliant smiles, the blue eyes lighting up.
"Hey babe. Have fun on your quest?"
"It wasn't my ideal definition of fun but it was nice to see those places again. Now mind telling me the point to all of that?"
"All in good time babe. Let's go in. I'm in the mood for wine."
"I had wine while waiting for you."
Dick says nothing but follows the maitre'd to their little booth. Wally watches as the brunette orders some expensive wine and an appetizer and once their waiter leaves, he slides over to his boyfriend, demanding an explanation.
Dick grins and reaches out for Wally's neck, pulling the redhead for a kiss. Through the haze of Dick's lips doing that thing to him, Wally feels his boyfriend press something in his hands.
They break away from the kiss and Wally looks down to find yet another piece of paper in his hands. Dick gives him a 'go ahead' look and Wally sighs in fond exasperation as he opens it.
The letter 'M' stares up at him and then Wally reads five confusing words: So, will you do it?
"Will I do what?"
"Take a look at the clues Wally."
The redhead pulls out the six pieces of paper currently burning a hole in his pocket and sets them on the table. He puts them in the order they were given and the words 'EM YRRAM' look back at him.
"What the heck is em yrram?"
Dick laughs, "They're backwards is what it is."
And then Wally sees it and his mouth drops open because the letter spell 'Marry Me' and he looks up and Dick isn't in the booth but on the floor on one knee and the most nervous look on his face.
"Wally, I know that sometimes I piss you off beyond comprehension but let's be honest; you do the exact thing to me. But somehow it works. I love you and your weirdness and the fact that you eat four times as much as me and that you and I go off on weird tangents and are just so messed up together but we work Walls. I love you Wally and I'm going to spend my life loving you till I die. But I'd love for you to spend those many years with me. So what say, will you marry me?"
The entire restaurant is watching them with the intensity that M'Gann watches her soap operas and Wally grins as he slides down to Dick's level and whispers, "You sent me on a bloody goose chase around the world to propose to me on my birthday in the middle of a snowstorm. Hell, yes I'm going to marry you!"
And then Dick kisses him with so much ferocity that Wally knows his lips are going to be bruised but he doesn't care because his boyf- his fiancé is slipping a silver ring around his finger and the restaurant is filled with cheers, hoots and laughter.
When they pull apart, Dick helps Wally up and pulls him towards a large party room.
"Where are we going?"
"To celebrate!" And Dick pushes open the doors to reveal the entire Team who are giving Wally the biggest shit eating grins possible.
"So what's the verdict Baywatch?" Artemis asks but her smirk and all the smiles on their faces say that they heard the cheers from outside and know what happened.
Nevertheless, Wally holds up his left hand and shows the ring glinting on his finger and he laughs as the room erupts with cheers, squeals and applause. Everyone is congratulating him and then Bart is rolling in a giant red velvet cake with the words 'Happy Birthday Wally' and he chuckles when he sees what's hastily written underneath: 'And Yay, You Getting Married!'
Wally blows the candles and Dick swipes frosting over his lips. That's before he leans over and kisses it away with a grin.
"Happy Birthday Wally."
And without a doubt, Wally knows that this is best birthday present ever!
Ooo
A.N: Sorry about the lack luster ending…my muse ran away from me. Hope you still enjoyed it so please review as you fave me and my story! :D
