Kurt wasn't much one for inane chatter but let Wally wax poetic without interference.

It was obvious Wally was attracted him, which was incredibly sweet, but he realized the boy also must have trusted him on some level, a basic instinct, given the information he was happily tossing about. He wasn't sure how he felt about that trust. What did Wally see in him? What did Wally want from him?

To help, Wally answered when Kurt posed the bald question.

"But why? In my experience, those who offer help usually expect to be repaid."

Wally raised a brow. "And do you? What about that girl you helped this afternoon? Do you expect something in return?"

Kurt flushed and looked away. "Point taken," he whispered.

Wally blew out a breath. "Boy, someone really screwed you over, huh?" His eyes narrowed. "Was it Green Arrow?"

Kurt startled. "Of course not!" he exclaimed. "Oliver was nothing but lovely to me. Dinah, too."

Wally chewed on that for a while - frantically suppressing all of his questions about that relationship which he truly wanted to ask - determined not to be as inappropriate as Artemis had accused. Not that he had a problem with direct questions; they usually yielded the desired result even amongst veteran liars. Everyone wanted someone to know their truth, to listen.

Maybe Kurt just really needed someone to listen to what he had to say.

"What do you want to do?" he finally asked.

"I don't know," Kurt replied, looking surprised by his own answer.

"You want to go back home," Wally guessed.

Kurt hesitated a fraction too long in his answer. "Of course."

Wally filed that away for later pondering.

"I just ... I don't know what to do," Kurt admitted. "Back home, I had a role, a function to perform. Here there's a superhero on every corner."

"Yeah, but you know the law of averages. For every one of us, there's another baddie or four who needs to be scolded." He paused. "Do you want to see Diana?"

Kurt sighed. "It's strange to hear her called that. Even after I found out that was her real name, it never rang true for me. She was just my mom, you know?"'

"Was she a good mom?"

"The best."

"What do you really look like under there?"

Kurt snorted. "Already picturing me naked?"

"Dude, that was a while back."

"You're a pervert. And don't call me dude."

"So no one knows Robin's real identity?"

"Nope, and I'm not spilling the beans."

"I respect that."

"Wow. I'm not usually ... respected."

"Maybe you don't know the right people."

"She's Oliver's niece?"

"That's what they say. Didn't he have one on your world?"

"No, but that doesn't necessarily mean anything. Back home, my mother had a sister but Drusilla doesn't exist here. It's entirely possible Artemis is Oliver's niece."

"Do you really believe that?"

"No."

"You still have to go to high school?"

"Yeah. It sucks."

"I bet. You couldn't pay me."

"You're lucky you never had to go."

"I went for a year. That was enough."

"Not all of us are geniuses and the League wants us to have a semblance of a normal life. Not that there's anything normal about high school."

"Hm. How are your grades?"

"Straight As, which is pretty amazing considering all the classes I miss or skip."

"So you are a genius, at least in some subjects. Do you have any friends?"

"Outside the Team? Nah."

"Then what's the point? Aside from the League's demands, what are you getting out of it? You're acing the material, you don't really socialize, and you resent being there."

"Thanks for reminding me."

"What I'm saying is this: the League wants you to have a normal childhood, but you're not normal. Oh, stop. I don't mean it that way. Aren't there other things you could be doing? Aren't there things you'd like to do? If high school is holding you back, what's the point of wasting even more time?"

"It's not that easy."

"Because they're sending you mixed messages. They want you to pretend you're just like everyone else while simultaneously demanding you grow up and assume duties they refuse to grant you. But you're not like everyone else, Wally. You're special."

"You're the only one who thinks so."

"I doubt that includes Robin and the rest are either blind or stupid. Why should you care what they think?"

"Right now? Right here with you? I'm not so sure I do."

"She can fly?"

"Yep. I take it you can't?"

"Not as far as I know, and I assume Katrine would have told me if I could. All of the Amazons have the same powers, though only Mom and Aunt Dru's worked off the island, and none of them could fly."

"So what else can you do?"

"Enhanced hearing and sight, accelerated healing, and I'm basically bulletproof. You know what the lasso can do and my circlet is just like her tiara ... with a few modifications. I'm very physically strong and my running speed approaches the speed of sound."

"Do what now? Cool! Finally someone who can keep up with me!"

"I'm also mildly telepathic and empathic, can speak with animals, and am omnilingual."

"What about magic?"

"Mostly immune, but it really depends on the power of the practitioner."

"Did you also have an invisible jet?"

"Mom had an invisible plane, but I don't know what happened to it and Katrine could never find it. She made me an invisible helicopter, though."

"Dude ... "

"Don't call me dude."

"I guess it's hard to reconcile that kind of technology with a people who still kind of live in the Bronze Age."

"Amazons are highly scientific and many of their technological advances far outstrip their mortal counterparts."

"Are you immortal?"

"I don't really know and neither did Katrine. She didn't believe I would have an Amazon's longevity, but once I'd put on the belt, she thought I'd probably age one year for every five hundred spent on Earth."

"So ... immortal then."

"If you insist."

"I do. What do you do for fun?"

"Read."

"Oh, wow. Just when I thought you were cool."

"I also sing."

"Really? Neat. Will you sing something for me?"

"No."

"Aw, come on! Please?"

"No."

"I'll be your best friend."

"Pass."

"I'll sing with you! It could be a duet!"

"Why do I sense that would only be painful for me?"

"Pretty please with the cherry that Green Arrow popped on top?"

"Another thing I like to do is punt annoying teen superheroes into orbit."

"You sure are you mother's son."

"Why did you come after me?"

"Because everyone else was too busy debating what to do. I figured it would be a lot easier just to ask what you wanted."

"That tells me a lot about them, actually. And about you."

"Let's talk more about me. Do you think I'm cute?"

"Yes, but you already knew that. I'm sure everyone thinks you're cute, whether or not they're willing to admit it."

"They all think I'm just a really fast puppy."

"Oh. No, I meant you're cute as in hot."

" ... you think I'm hot?"

"Have you looked in a mirror lately?"

" ... yeah?"

"Then get some Windex. Because you're hot."

"Will you go out with me?"

"Are you really sure that's a good idea?"

"Of course not."

"You get bonus points for honesty. I'm not really ready to go out with anyone, Wally. It's nothing personal against you, though."

"Still hung up on Ollie?"

"Not at all. Oliver is my past and, while it was wonderful, it's over. He married and is expecting a child. I still love him, but I'm not in love with him."

"So why won't you go out with me?"

"Because I just met you, I'm in a new world and have no idea how things operate, and I don't have a place to live or a job. You're almost five years younger than me, which means you and I together would be illegal. Also, and most important, I have nothing to wear."

"That's not a definite no."

"Sounded like it to me."

"No is just an opening for further negotiations."

"I won't go out on a date with you, but we can go out as friends."

"Are we? Friends, I mean."

"I thought we were."

"I ... I'd really like that."

Wally was glad Kurt agreed to live at the Cave for the time being, though his new ... friend ... was adamant it would only be until he got a job and could afford his own apartment. The thought of Kurt not staying with them filled Wally with anxiety. That anxiety in turned caused him anxiety of an altogether different kind.

How could he be this into someone so quickly?

But he was. He hadn't thought of Megan's smile or Artemis's butt or Conner's pecs even once while talking with Kurt. From the moment he had lain eyes on the other boy, it was as though no one else existed. Both his brain and his dick had decided he would have Kurt and no other.

The token protestations were expected. He knew Kurt was older, more mature, and had been on his own for a significant portion of his young life. They'd had different experiences, although Kurt's were much more ... sad.

It was the sadness which called to Wally. All he wanted to do was make Kurt laugh and, the first time he did, he had never heard a more musical or angelic sound in his life. He wanted to hear it all the time. He wanted to hear it when he first awoke and he wanted it to be the last thing he heard before falling asleep. He wanted it to be his ringtone.

And yet ... Kurt had been very honest with him, something he appreciated. He believed Kurt when the other boy said he was no longer in love with Oliver Queen. There had been no stuttered denials or half-assed explanations. Kurt had loved his Oliver, they parted ways, and then had become very close friends.

It was still difficult for Wally to imagine, being best friends with your ex's new squeeze, but the love and complete respect Kurt held for Black Canary was obvious. Wally even thought Kurt missed Dinah more than Oliver. Maybe part of it was the baby. Kurt was devastated he might never know that baby and Wally wondered if that meant Kurt wanted children of his own.

Wally wanted kids, always had. He loved being Kid Flash, but ... well ... he had seen the effects this life had on the members of the Justice League. Most of them were solitary. He didn't want that.

He wanted the whole shebang: a partner, some rugrats, a cutesy house and a really awesome dog.

Some Leaguers tried to form romantic attachments with other members, but it usually didn't work out; when it didn't, then being teamed with that member appeared to be something of a great burden. And then there was Bruce, Diana, and Clark.

Wally had no idea what was going on there, but everyone agreed something was. Diana and Clark were best friends, but it was pretty obvious Clark harbored deeper feelings. Lois certainly thought so, though she had never confronted him as far as Wally was aware. The sexual tension between Diana and Bruce was legendary but forcefully repressed. And, somehow, Bruce and Clark remained tight through it all.

Of course, when they fought, everyone was on high alert - especially because, though Clark was Superman, Bruce was Batman and no outcome was certain.

Wally knew he flirted and made a lot of innuendo, but even he wasn't sure how he would've reacted if the object of his current lust - whoever that might have been - had reciprocated even a little. Perhaps that was why he was so outrageous; it was a defense mechanism to prevent anyone from getting too close.

The only person he had ever allowed to get that close was Dick, and he harbored no romantic intentions toward the other boy. Dick was the greatest bro any dude could ever have. Wally knew he was damned lucky to have him in his corner.

He also knew Dick would give him nothing but shit over this, but that was okay.

As far as he was concerned, Kurt's no translated to a discussion to be had later. Because Kurt thought Wally was cute. And hot. Couldn't forget the hot. No one had ever called him hot.

He was pretty sure Kurt had meant it, too. He was fairly certain Kurt never said anything he didn't mean. He kept some stuff private, but that was cool, and certainly preferable to lying about it or prevaricating.

Wally liked that Kurt had clear lines for himself, what he would talk about and what he wouldn't, his expectations for himself and others. Kurt knew who he was, didn't apologize for it, and wasn't really interested if you liked it or not.

And Kurt hadn't resisted when Wally had taken his elbow and teleported into the Cave. And Kurt hadn't stepped more than a foot away from Wally when introduced properly to the others. And Kurt wanted Wally to give him the tour. And Kurt wanted to know where Wally's bedroom was.

That last one ... oh, boy.

The thought of Kurt in his room, in his bed, even if only to sleep, would provide new fapping material for the next month. Easily.

Kurt's suit hid nothing and his body was banging. And Wally sure as hell wanted to bang it. Or get banged by it. Or both.

He hadn't really figured all that out yet. He was fifteen and horny all the time and living inside a mountain with some insanely attractive people had been frustrating in the extreme these past few months.

But Kurt didn't frustrate him. There was hope and desire and longing and, yes, anticipation, but Wally was happy to let Kurt set the pace.

And as the evening wore on, it was pretty obvious that Kurt felt something for him. Kurt was nothing but pleasant to the others, an almost painful politeness, but it was Wally of whom he asked questions. It was Wally to whom he looked for answers. It was only Wally at whom he smiled.

Dick had picked up on it but said nothing because he was cool like that. Wally had no doubt there'd be an epic bromance session later with lots of grunting and scented candles, but that was okay. He trusted Dick. Dick would tease him and make kissy noises but be squarely on his side. He knew if he had ever expressed real interest in Megan or Artemis, Dick totally would have been his wingman.

Just as Wally planned to do when Dick realized he had an itch only Zatanna could scratch.

But that was later.

Now was for Kurt, though only Wally knew his real name. It was kind of neat, being the only recipient of that knowledge. Kurt trusted him, just like Dick did.

Kurt was less reticent about revealing his true form, however. Dick was always scared that if the Team ever saw him out of uniform, they would no longer see Robin but a thirteen-year-old kid playing Cops and Robbers.

But Kurt was twenty and saw the value of letting your ... roommates ... - for he hadn't said anything about joining the Team - being able to recognize you should an emergency arise.

So when Conner - who was showing a little too much interest in Kurt for Wally's peace of mind - prompted, Kurt held his arms aloft and then spun like a top. There was a huge explosion of light which forced the others to shut their eyes and turn their heads. When it was over ...

Wally was in love. He knew this like he knew how to breathe.

Beautiful.

Kurt was so beautiful.

The body. The hair. The skin.

All flawless.

But it was the eyes.

Wally knew then and there he could spend forever staring into those eyes. He could drown in those eyes and die a happy man.

His appreciation must have been obvious if the light blush staining Kurt's cheeks or the shy ducking of his head were any indication.

Wally chose to ignore Megan's coo.

And then exhaustion finally set in and Kurt allowed Wally once again to take his elbow and guide him to him new bedroom. Before crossing the threshold, Kurt halted and turned toward him. Wally cocked his head and waited patiently, not wanting to spook him.

In point of fact, this new well of patience spooked Wally himself but it seemed to be working, so he was just going to roll with it.

Slowly, agonizingly slowly, Kurt haltingly drew up his hand and gently traced the visible portion of Wally's face.

"I like the freckles."

He then leaned in and placed a soft kiss on Wally's cheek.

"Good night, Wally."

Wally could do nothing more than blink, but Kurt smiled and entered his room, closing the door behind him.

Wally's cheek burned.