How do I top last chapter, with Barry worried when Willow returns five minutes after curfew. This introduced DIxie (a.k.a. Fem! Dick Grayson) as practice for when I do that little project,
"I'll be back later." Willow loudly stated.
It was Willow's weekly girl's night out with Dixie, M'gann, and Zatanna. She was wearing a red t-shirt and a jean skirt. Her hair was up with curls at the tips. This week, they agreed to go out to dinner and then go bowling. They were going to meet up at their usual diner in Metropolis, and Willow knew she had to get going.
"Have fun." Iris replied.
"You better be home by eleven young lady." Barry requested.
"I will." Willow promised, rolling her eyes at her uncle's constant reminder.
She was out the door in the blink of the eye. She was off the premises just as fast. If not faster. She wanted to be fashionably late, like she and Barry had perfected so well over the years. It was an expected experience for everyone involved, but they didn't care. With her powers, it was a requirement so that she wouldn't blow her cover as Kid Flash.
A red bowling ball smashed the pins, knocking all ten down. Willow jumped up in glee. That was her second strike in a row. She twirled around, heading back to her seat so Dixie could have her turn.
Willow took a seat next to M'gann, who was rocking one of Conner's flannel, a black tank top, and jeans. Her human cover was just as lively and friendly as ever. Looking at the scoreboard, Zantana was in first, followed by Willow and M'gann and Dixie were tied for third.
Dixie returned to her seat after her turn. She managed to get a spare. Right as M'gann was about to go up for hers, when a couple of guys approached their booth. There was a blonde, a brunette, and a redhead.
"Hey their ladies." The blonde greeted. "We're having a tournament over here. Care to join us at our booth as our cheerleaders?"
The quartet groaned in annoyance. This group seemed to show up every now and then, trying and failing to flirt with a number of the female bowlers. Today was no different. In fact, they tried flirting with a relatively newer group, who just so happened to bring their boyfriends along for a date night.
"No thank you." Dixie refused. "We're having enough fun without it."
"Come now," the redhead whined, "pretty things like you should be honored to be in our presence."
Everyone rolled their eyes, Willow's being the most noticeable. It didn't go unnoticed as the brunette decided to take a shot. He leaned across the table, getting up in Willow's face. He gave her a smirk that was theoretically supposed to be flirty.
"You look like you could use some fun." The brunette stated. "I like redheads. And your eyes are like emeralds."
Willow mentally groaned at the boy's up front attempt. She knew she was a bad flirt somedays, but not even she was this bad. Willow was tempted to smack the guy until she caught Zatanna out of the corner of her eye. With a mischievous smirk, Zatanna whispered something. A little spell no doubt.
A passing by group, who were carrying several trays full of food and drinks, suddenly tripped. The trays went flying drenching the trio in nacho cheese and soda. The boys backed up with groans, cussing along the way. They cursed out the group who anxiously apologized.
It got to the point where almost everyone in the bowling alley were watching the teens freak out. It didn't take long for them to find themselves the center of attention, in a rather embarrassing situation. The trio stormed out of the bowling alley, their ego's bruised. They wouldn't be bothering anyone anytime soon.
M'gann, Willow, Dixie, and Zatanna chuckled in amusement. Dixie offered to buy the group replacements for their dropped snack, stating that the trio deserved it and that they shouldn't worry about it. It was enough to calm the group down a bit, but it wasn't going to be an incident that they would soon forget.
Willow entered the house five minutes passed eleven. She was a little scared, hoping that Barry was asleep. She didn't plan on being late, not that it was by much. Willow quietly set her house keys on the counter and snuck into the living room.
A light turned on, catching Willow's attention. On the other side of the room was Barry, who was sitting in a chair with the lamp to his left. He was clearly pissed about her walking in when she did.
"Where were you?" Barry interrogated, standing up.
"Bowling." Willow replied. "I'm sorry, I was walking Dixie home and accidentaly got caught up on the butt end of a heist. We had to wait twenty minutes before we were able to talk to Commissioner Gordon, who excused us."
Barry approached Willow. He towered over her. He wasn't going to do anything regrettable, but he was going to give her a stern lecture.
"I was worried sick." Barry stated. "I expected you back here at eleven. And what's worse, you were in Gotham this late."
"Did you expect me to drop Dixie off alone?" Willow argued. "I know she can handle herself there, but come on, I wasn't going to leave her alone in her civilian clothes. Even if she 'never leaves home without her utility belt'."
She had a point. Vigilant sidekick or not, Dixie could use the assist. If anything happened to her, Barry could only imagine how Bruce would react. Plus, she probably didn't care, as she probably enjoyed having Willow's company. Barry bear hugged Willow, relieved that she at least got home safe.
"I know." Barry groaned. "But I was so worried. I know I'm more lenient than some parents, but that doesn't mean I can't worry."
Another annoyed groan echoed through Willow's mind as she rolled her eyes. She understood the concern, but sometimes it was too much. He would calm down eventually, and would let her go out again next week. She just had to deal with her uncle's sporadic reaction.
I just had a picture of the stereotypical movie/tv/cartoon trope where a parent catches their kids sneaking in after curfew and I just had to do it. You can expect that from Bruce, who even did that in the Batman vs Robin movie in one way, so why not Barry? XD