Sorry this took so long and it's not very long. The new semester started and I got a new job and I've been so busy..but y'all seemed to be interested in me continuing this so I am going to try my best. Just when I would forget about it and think about not writing for it for a while I would get an email about a new review and I am so thankful! Please let me know what you think in a review!
"No...There is no way that this," Roy gestured to the quiet baby in his friend's arms, "is Wally."
"What are you talking about? Of course it's Wally. Just look at him!" Dick shouted in a whisper, wanting the child to remain as calm as he was now. And he was right, there was no mistaking that this child was their friend. The fact that Flash was missing from the league? And that Bruce was so adamant on them making sure nothing happened to him? And it wasn't like they hadn't seen baby pictures of Wally before. Iris used to love to pull those out. Yeah, this kid was definitely Wally West.
"Wally is twenty-six years old, Dick." the archer started, purposely emphasizing the raven-haired man's name, "This kid is maybe six months!" He shouted, pointing at the baby accusingly. The adult redhead obviously didn't share his same concern for keeping the baby calm. For just a moment, it was so quiet you could've heard a pin drop. However, the silence was short lived as the startled and scared baby began to wail for the first time. Dick glared at Roy while the redhead at least had the audacity to look guilty. Dick tried rocking the little guy as a way to calm him down, but it wasn't very effective.
"You say that like this is weirdest thing to ever happen to any of us." Dck replied calmly, still desperately trying to calm the crying infant.
"Let me try something." The redhead said, and Dick relinquished his hold on one of his best friends. Roy put on a fake smile and overly happy face, but through his mask his eyes showed that he was upset for upsetting the kid. His voice became soft as he spoke as gently as Dick had ever heard from him.
"Shh..hey little guy...I'm sorry..I didn't mean it..calm down for me, huh? Come on.." And lo and behold, after a few more moments of this, Wally's cries slowly got quieter, finally just small whimpers. Roy continued to comfort him and sway back and forth. Finally, after wiping a tear off the baby's face, and oh my god his skin was so soft he looked up to see Dick staring at him, his masked eyes wide and mouth hanging open in disbelief.
"Close your mouth, dude. You'll catch flies." Roy said nonchalantly before walking into the rec room and taking a seat on the couch. Dick hesitated for just a moment before following.
"Where did you learn to be good with kids?" He asked, almost smirking, but the hint of disbelief in his voice was still evident. The look Roy gave him could only be described as "are you stupid or something?"
"Dude, I have a daughter...aren't you supposed to be the World's Second Greatest Detective or something?"
Oh yeah, shit, how could he forget about Lian? To be fair, she does look more like her mother, anyway. The little redhead in Roy's arms right now? Now he could pass for Roy's kid. Wally would've thought this was hilarious. Dick took a seat next to Roy on the couch. They looked down at the now sleepy baby. He seemed to be having a hard time keeping his eyes open. Dick reached up and grabbed one of the tiny hands between his index finger and thumb.
"What do you think did this to him?" The former-Robin questioned, eager to change the subject.
"I have no clue, man. Hopefully the rest of the League knows something; they'll tell us when they get back. I'm gonna put him down and see what they got to eat in this joint. There might actually be something good left up here since Wally's out of commish." He replied, carefully pushing himself up off the couch as to not wake the now sleeping baby. Dick released Wally's hand and stood to follow.
The bassinet was stationed behind the couch and Roy gently placed him down in it and tucked him him to make sure he was comfortable and warm. He almost missed having a baby around. Lian had just turned seven a few months ago, but she spent most of her time with Jade, who'd given up her villainous ways to care for her daughter. Roy was sure to visit at least twice a week though. He wished he could see her more, that he didn't have to miss so much of her life, but he was a hero, this was the life he chose so many years ago. Sometimes personal sacrifices had to be made for the greater good. With a final look at the peacefully sleeping child and a quick check to ensure the baby monitor was on, the two friends left in search of food.
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With a final well-placed hit to the head, the Anti-Humanite fell to the ground, unconscious. Shayera landed, reattaching her mace to her belt and crossing her arms. The rest of the team gathered behind her. John had already contacted the local authorities to come in and take over now that the threat had been taken care of.
"Let's get back to the Watchtower. Prepare for transport." Batman ordered as soon as the lights of the police cars could be seen.
"You sure are in a hurry. What, don't think Nighwing can handle it?" Superman said joking, putting a big hand on the other man's shoulder. Bruce looked at him over his shoulder and he could've sworn he saw a smirk on the Dark Knight's face.
"I know he can't. That's why Speedy is there as well." He shrugged the hand off his shoulder as he turned around to face the the rest of the team.
"You know, I think he goes by Red Arrow now." Clark replied, smirking as well. He was met with Bruce's everyday glare as they began to disappear.
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"I'm just saying, you could've been a little more creative. I mean, you literally just picked a different color scheme."
"Yeah, well, you used to be a walking traffic light in a cape until you copied Bat's whole "dark night" thing." Roy countered, "Besides, Wally obviously wins least original superhero name."
"Yeah, but that's not his fault. Barry didn't mean to force the mantle on him, especially not so soon.." He shot Roy a solemn look from behind the mask before continuing, "Who's to say I would be Nightwing if something had happened to Bruce? Gotham would still need a Batman, just like Central still needed a Flash." Roy nodded, understanding. However, he was eager to turn the conversation back in a less serious direction.
"Yeah, I get what you're saying," The two walked through the doorway, making towards the bassinet. Dick took a bite out of his apple while Roy took a drink from his chocolate milk. He had a bottle of formula made in case the baby was hungry again. They hadn't been told if Wally's metabolism was still as hyperactive as ever or not before the League had ran out the door, so he figured better safe than sorry and made one while he was in the kitchen.
"But even before...that..happened. It was Flash and Kid Flash. That's like...Batman and Kid Batman! Could you imagine?!" They were both laughing now, before Roy stopped in his tracks. The open milk container fell to the ground, spilling the contents everywhere. In his other hand, the grip on the plastic bottle was so tight he was surprised it was still in one piece. At the spilled milk, Dick looked up to see his friend's masked eyes open wide.
"Roy? What-?" He cut himself off as he followed Roy's gaze to what used to be a bundle of blankets with a baby inside. In the cradle, a small redhead child still slept peacefully. However, he was about three or four years older than he had been when they had left him some thirty minutes earlier.
"Holy sh...What happened to him?!" Dick shouted quietly. Any reply Roy may have had was cut off by footsteps as the rest of the Justice League chose this moment to step in the doorway...