It's Friday now and they're packing away the last few bags, the nerves growing in my stomach and the pain all over my body is still intense. There are many new bruises and cuts to accompany the old ones and the scars. I'm not too sure how quickly I can run to Dick's…

I turn on my phone to text him, still hiding out in my room as long as I possibly can.

To: BabyBird

Hey babybird… Theyre ready to leave, when we go outside ill make my break. They have a whole day to find me tho so im scared…

I banged my head on the wall as quietly as I could to avoid being heard. This really sucks. Why do we have to leave TODAY?

From: BabyBird

Hey kitten! Alright, once you're here, Bruce and I will keep you safe. We're heroes; it's what we do remember?

I sighed, nerves still filling my stomach. This really is going to be difficult, won't it? I know they won't just let me leave…

I munched on the snacks I had saved over the last few days by not eating any of the small amounts of food so I could eat it before I ran.

To: BabyBird

Wish me luck… I think we're leaving… see ya soon

From: BabyBird

Good luck, see ya soon little kitten

"Wally. We're leaving. Get your ass outside." My dad called into my room. I placed my phone in my zipper pocket and zipped it safely away inside so it wouldn't fall out while running. I got up off of the floor and made my way to the front door.

I opened the door, the sunlight nearly blinding me. My mom was in the car already and my dad was busy putting the last things in the trunk. This is my chance.

I took it. I started running; faster than I've ever dared to push myself before. Within seconds I was miles away. I pushed harder. Then it happened. I broke the sound barrier and was sent to the ground in pain, blood dripping from my ears.

The pain was immense, but I knew I had to get to Dick's before they caught up. This IS my only chance.

I pulled myself off of the ground lightheaded and took off again. I knew exactly where I was headed so I pushed on. The blood dripping from my ears pulsated with every quick beat of my heart, making my head pound in pain. I kept going.

Within the next minute, I saw the mansion and a smile made its way to my face. Relief flushed through me as I came to a halt on the porch and rang the bell. The door opened as soon as my finger left the button.

I was immediately caught in a warm familiar hug. "Dick…" I panted.

"Wally! I thought maybe- what happened dude?" He panicked, seeing the blood from my ears first, followed by the many new bruises and cuts.

"I broke the sound barrier… why are you talking really quietly?" He didn't reply to me and led me inside, sitting me down on the couch. That's when Bruce walked in. He stopped in his tracks once he saw me, clearly he was unprepared for this.

"They did this to you?" He asked, coming closer to me and inspecting my wounds.

I could barely hear him so I nodded. I was pretty sure he was asking about my cuts so I figure yes is a good answer.

He nodded in return and left, saying something to Alfred that I was too far away to hear. Al walked over to me and lightly grabbed my arm, making me stand up.

As we walked out I caught Dick's eye. "Dick? What's gonna happen?"

The answer was hard to hear but I'm sure he said, "Al will fix you up; we'll keep them away from you until tomorrow."

"You're not going to… to kill them, are you?" I hated them, but I couldn't bring myself to wish for their deaths.

"No, I don't work that way." Bruce said, coming out of a door to wait by the front one with Dick.

"Yeah, you've got nothing to worry about, just go get better little kitten." He said, walking over to me and planting a small kiss on my blood-drenched cheek. I blushed some as Alfred led me away to a medical room.

He set me down on a table and took some pictures first, probably to show the child services people after he fixed me up. Then he began to work; sewing up open gashes, cleaning up the blood and bandaging anything he could after painfully applying disinfectants. I also had to have cotton balls in my ears, which made it harder to hear.

"Well, there you are, Master Wally. You are a speedster so you will naturally heal faster than Bruce does. Also, I have finished your suit, would you like to see it?"

"Yeah!" I was suddenly excited, hoping Dick had mentioned the food compartment.

Al led me off down to a different room, which held Dick and I's suits. After we were inside, he pressed a button and the panels in one of the walls opened up, revealing my suit. It was red on the bottom with yellow boots. The top was yellow and it donned the Flash symbol. It came with red goggles and these things that went over my ears; no doubt there to protect me from further tussles with the sound barrier.

"Did Dick tell you about the-" I was cut off by Alfred pressing a button on the arm of the suit, opening a small hatch, big enough for a few snacks. I smiled.

"He did, Master Wally." He smiled back, leading me back to the living room to wait. As I walked in I noticed that Dick was still inside but Bruce was in a chair on the porch.

I sat down on the couch and looked over at Dick, giving him a shy smile. He smiled back and walked over to me.

"No one has come by yet so maybe they'll let you stay here?" Dick shrugged, taking a seat beside me.

My hearing was slowly improving so I answered. "I doubt it…" He scooted closer to me and hugged me. I returned the hug and he nuzzled into my chest. Resting my head in his hair, I took a shaky breath. He smelled amazing, like he had put on a small amount of cologne.

"Dude? Did you put on cologne?" I asked.

He quickly let go of me and blushed. "M-Maybe a little… why? Do you not like it?" He scratched the back of his head.

I sighed and pulled him back into me. "No, I love it." He sighed and fell into my lap. I cringed.

"Did I hurt you? Oh my God I'm so sorry I-"

"It's fine, Dick." I smiled, getting over the pain. I leaned my head back and closed my eyes. Yawning, I drifted off.

I woke up and Dick was still on my lap, fast asleep. I looked out a window and saw how dark it was outside. Carefully, as to not wake up Dick, I slipped out from under him to try to find Bruce.

I went to the front door and opened it to check if he was still out there and I saw him dozing off in the chair with a blanket the Alfred must have provided.

"Bruce?" I said quietly, trying to wake him easily.

He jumped awake and looked over at me. "What!? Oh… It's just you. You can sit down if you want to."

I took a seat by Bruce and glanced over at him. "So… I take it they never showed?" I asked.

"No, but I'll stay out here until child services come, just to be sure. Go on back inside now and get some rest; you look like you need it, son." I nodded and went back inside, closing the door softly.

I went over to the couch and looked at Dick sleeping. He looks so cute when he sleeps, I don't want to wake him… I'll try to be careful.

I picked him up softly and held him bridal style, taking him up to his room. He stirred some and I stopped.

"Shhh… hush babybird, everything's alright." I whispered.

"Wally…" He murmured.

"Shhh… quiet babybird. Sleep." I entered the room and set him down on the bed, covering him up. I stood up to go to that spare bedroom that would soon be mine.

"Wait… kitten… stay here…" He yawned. I rolled my eyes and gently lay down beside him under the covers.

He snuggled up close to me and yawned again. "Kitten? Will you sing to me?"

I looked at him in shock. I don't sing but he's so tired, I doubt he'll even remember it. "Alright babybird. What do you want me to sing?"

"Can you sing me Just So You Know by Jesse McCartney? Do you know that song?" He rubbed his eyes.

I nodded, "Yeah, I know it. Just go to sleep, okay?" He nodded in return and snuggled close to me again as I started to sing.

I shouldn't love you, but I want to, I just can't turn away.

I shouldn't see you, but I can't move. I can't look away.

I shouldn't love you, but I want to, I just can't turn away.

I shouldn't see you, but I can't move. I can't look away.

And I don't know how to be fine when I'm not

'Cause I don't know how to make a feeling stop.

Just so you know, this feeling's taking control of me and I can't help it.

I won't sit around, I can't let him win now.

Thought you should know, I've tried my best to let go of you, but I don't want to.

I just gotta say it all before I go. Just so you know.

His heavy breathing indicated that he had fallen back asleep so I decided to stop there, not liking my own voice. I snuggled closer and tried to fall back asleep when my mind began to wonder.

Was there a reason he wanted me to sing THAT song? I mean, I could be over-thinking this right? Or maybe he could really like me…? I have no idea but I really don't want to risk it… On the other hand, I'll never know if I don't try… right?

I rubbed my face with my hands and tried to clear my mind so I could sleep, but sleep wouldn't come.

I slipped out of bed and out of the room silently, making my way to the roof as quietly as I can. I walked up all the stairs there were and finally made it out onto the roof. The cold breeze chilled me a little, but I'll deal with it.

I walked to the edge and sat down, pulling my knees close to me. I looked out over the town and took it all in. When I'm a hero, I'll protect much more than this. I'll protect the ones I care about with it. I'll protect Dick, just like he's protecting me now. I'll keep him safe… always…

Just then, I heard the roof door open and I swung my head around in panic to see who was there. It was Dick. "Dude, what the Hell? Go back to bed." I turned my view back to the city.

"No way," He rubbed his eyes. "Alfred woke me up and told me you went to the roof. He told me he'd rather have me check up on you instead. What's up bro?" He sat next to me, legs still on the roof side.

"Nothing. He shouldn't have woken you up. I'm fine." I defended.

"Obviously not. This is where I come to think too; you're not fine. C'mon kitten, you can tell me…"

"Fine I… I don't know how to say this without creeping you out…" I swallowed in fear. This CAN'T go well…

"Just say it; I promise you I won't be creeped out at all, okay?"

"Alright… Well, the thing is that I think I like you… as more than a friend, and I don't want to ruin anything and if you don't feel the same it's fine, I'll get over these stupid feelings eventually I just… I'm just scared… scared to lose you… I… I can't do that…" Tears formed in my eyes as Dick stared at me. I looked at him in desperation for him to do something, ANYTHING at all.

I closed my eyes and let the tears fall when I felt something; another pair of lips on mine. My reddened eyes flew open, seeing the closed eyes of Dick right in front of me. I closed my eyes again and relaxed into the kiss. It was sweet and not forced. Our lips moved slightly; together.

I pulled away, blushing. "So…"

"I like you too, Wally. I tried to hint at it, but I guess I'm not that good at that." He chuckled, rubbing the back of his head. "I guess I'll be more straightforward. Wally, would you like to be my boyfriend?"

My face flushed a bright red and I nodded, going in for another kiss. This one was more passionate than the first, but still not forced or hard. I pulled away and kissed his nose. Resting our foreheads together, I smiled widely.

"By the way, you have an amazing voice." He separated our foreheads.

"No way, I-I bet you're better…" I blushed.

He rolled his eyes then giggled. "C'mon little kitten, can we sleep now? I'm still tired."

"Yeah, sure thing babybird." I smiled.

We walked hand in hand back to his room, snuggling up close again. "Goodnight, kitten, sleep tight."

"Goodnight babybird, see you in the morning." I smiled and nuzzled as close to him as I could. I can't believe this is happening… I thought again, only this time, it was a good thing..