The sight had been horrifying.

Young Wally West had been caught in a reaction caused by mixing unstable chemicals in the confines of his bedroom. The resulting explosion had burned nearly every part of the boy's body and broken multiple bones. When Iris and Barry arrived at the hospital to visit, the boy was still unconscious. His skin was an angry red and bandages wrapped his limbs and skull.

Rudolph and Mary were there at his side, as they had been since the moment they were allowed. The couple stood over their son's broken body, holding one another with worry.

"I don't understand..." said Mary, turning to her sister-in-law as they approached. "Wally is really good with chemistry and he's used that set dozens of times before...I would've thought..."

Rudy picked up sternly from where she could not continue.

"He would be smart enough to avoid something like this."

No one corrected Rudy or reprimanded his harsh tone, though Barry couldn't help an inward cringe. In his own way, the man had complimented his son and no one could argue that he was worried, even if he didn't say so out loud. Strained relationship or not, Wally was still his boy. Rudolph had not let his son out of his sights for a second since the accident.

"He'll pull through," assured Iris as her husband left her side to examine the boy's medical charts – charts that would detail the damage and the events that caused it. "He's a tough kid, you'll see him on his feet in no time."

Over her brother's shoulder, Iris watched Barry cover his mouth and step back from the bed. As the Wests turned their attention back to their boy, the woman rushed to her husband, who had gone pale where he stood.

"He was recreating the Flash's experiment," breathed Barry. He set down the clipboard, steeled his nerves and turned away from the sight of the child who was beginning to stir. He'd recognized the chemicals involved in the report, all too familiar with their instability and tendency to explode.

"This is not your fault." Iris gave her husband a stern look, already aware of how quickly he was blaming himself for the boy's condition.

"They were my notes, Iris. Of course this is my fault."

"You didn't give them to him. You didn't encourage him to try them. You didn't do this, Barry."

Regardless of his wife's reassurances, the man couldn't help but to hang his head and try desperately to ignore the pain in his chest. He heard Iris sigh and go silent for a few impossibly long seconds. Then he felt her hand on his arm, giving him a little tug. Barry turned, only to have his eyes drawn to the bed ridden kid across the room.

Wally was awake – if only barely – and his one, bandage-free eye had found him.

Barry met the boy's stare, noting that he looked as if he was about to burst into tears. This wasn't all that much of a surprise, considering the amount of pain he must have been in. The kid bit his lip and managed to hold his tears back, but still stared at his uncle with an expression that screamed with emotion.

He was asking for forgiveness. His expression looked just as guilty as Barry felt – as if Wally understood what pain his actions had caused his family and what he was putting his uncle through.

Iris – ever perceptive of her husband's guilty conscious – noted the exchange and gently took Barry's hand in her own. She towed the man over to the side of the ginger's bed, opposite his parents. Together, the young couple stared down at the child for what felt like forever before Iris released her husband to take Wally's hand and hold it firmly in both of her own.

It took him a moment, but eventually Barry sighed, managing a smile as he placed his own hand over theirs.

On the opposite side, Mary had also taken her son's hand, Rudy standing over them both with his hands on her shoulders.

"We're here for you buddy," said Barry softly, aware he was being watched. "We always will be."

When Richard had visited a day later, his friend was out cold – a sleep aided by copious amounts of painkillers, he was sure.

Bruce agreed to wait outside and give his young ward some privacy to speak with his friend. The ten year old had thanked his father figure for understanding and quietly shut the door behind him, left in the silence with only Wally's breathing and the steady beeping of his heart monitor.

"Hey, Wally," Dick said, his voice hushed as if it would wake his comatose friend. He crossed the room and stood beside the hospital bed, hesitating there as he continued. "I came to apologize."

There wasn't an answer, but Dick wasn't expecting one.

"I've been really distant this past year, and believe me, I wish I didn't have to be."

Dick was still and silent for a while, lost in thought. Eventually, he climbed onto the bed, seating himself cross-legged at his friend's side and staring down at him with a conflicted expression. He was careful not to disturb his friend physically in any way. He hadn't shifted the bed at all, and was afraid to touch the elder boy in fear of causing him harm.

"Remember when you used to come over like, every other weekend and we'd watch movies or explore the mansion together? You really helped me out by being there. I was going through a tough time and things were changing really fast for me...but you helped keep me anchored. I never told you, but you were practically my only friend. You...you still kinda are."

Wally just kept on breathing, which is all Dick could ask for.

"You being there...wanting to see me, calling me, wanting to hang out and do friend stuff...that kept me going, you know? With my family gone and having to adjust to a new...different life, it was hard...but having you as a friend made it easier."

A pause.

"But I've been selfish."

The boy hung his head and turned to let his feet dangle over the side of the cot.

"I've been so wrapped up in what I'm going through that I didn't really pay attention to what was going on with you...you never asked for my help or support, but I should have known anyways. That's what friends do, right?"

Dick heard voices outside, Bruce's being the most recognizable of them, but he paid them little attention.

"The day I called you, I knew. I knew something was wrong, but...I didn't think I had the time to work it out. I thought that you could handle it by yourself. I didn't even try..." The boy knew he was running out of time, so he took in a breath and turned back to his friend. "I'm sorry, Wally, for being such a bad friend to you. Believe me, I didn't mean to, and I really, really miss you. And...I promise...when you get out...and when you get better, I'll explain everything to you, okay? No more secrets."

"Dick." Bruce was suddenly at the door, his expression sympathetic. The dark-haired boy looked up, hoping his guardian hadn't heard the promise he'd just made to his friend. But whether or not he did, it was time to go. The nurses needed to tend to Wally, and visiting hour was up.

With a final, quiet goodbye to the unconscious redhead, the boy hopped off the bed and followed his mentor out the door.

Had he lingered for just a moment longer, he would've seen the ginger's eye gradually open and his fists clench at his sides.

Wally was released from the hospital two weeks ahead of schedule, so the Wests and the Allens threw the child a "welcome home" party. When his Aunt brought him home, he was delighted to walk into a room full of familiar faces: his mom and dad, his aunt and uncle – even Dick and Bruce were there. But what had truly been a welcome surprise was the presence of an elder man and his wife – a man who Wally recognized instantly, despite only having met him a few years prior with his uncle.

Jay Garrick.

Wally couldn't have been happier to see what he considered his entire family gathered in one place, Jay and Joan included. Though the entirety of the party guests were cautious around him and constantly asking if he was okay, if he should be straining himself or resting, Wally wasn't about to let himself miss out on this sort of treat for any reason.

Truthfully, Wally's swift recovery had impressed even the hospital staff. He was supposed to be bed ridden for much longer, but most of his burns had healed wonderfully and his bones had seemed to repair themselves with little help. The doctors had said such rapid healing was rare and Wally was lucky to be blessed with it – for that ability had probably saved his life, or at least prevented him from being permanently scarred by his burns.

At one point, Iris had pulled her lover aside and asked if it was possible that Wally's experiment had worked and that his rapid healing was a result of his new found connection to the speed force, but Barry wasn't convinced.

"If it had worked, he would've been healed within the day. Yeah, Wally healed quickly, but not speedster fast. I think he was just lucky, and thank god for it."

They were all glad for the ginger's luck, convinced that was all it was – luck.

The group enjoyed a home-cooked meal made by the combined efforts or Iris, Barry and Joan. When dinner had been cleared, Mary served ice cream and cake, following which everyone sat around the table and chattered happily with one another. It was when Wally began to yawn and zone out that Mary decided it best everyone head home to let the boy rest.

"Hey, Wally," Dick pulled his older friend aside as Bruce went to start the car – having forgone the limo to be a little more inconspicuous. "Meet me here in a month's time, and don't tell anyone about it, okay?"

The boy slipped a piece of paper into his friend's hand and received a puzzled look.

"I mean it, absolutely no one."

He waited until Wally gave a little nod, then took off after his guardian.

Barry and Iris were the last to leave, and not without both receiving a crushing hug from the youngster.

"Hey Barry," Wally had said, hushed so his parents wouldn't overhear. "I'm sorry...for everything."

"It's alright, kiddo, just don't do anything that stupid again, okay? I don't think we can handle being scared like that a second time."

Barry ruffled his nephew's hair, who smiled up at him and nodded. Arm in arm, the couple had departed, leaving Wally behind with his family.

With everyone gone, Mary had banished her son upstairs to rest, promising that a big breakfast would be waiting for him in the morning.

But morning seemed to come so slowly.

Wally was up inexplicably early and wonderfully energized, but under the full knowledge that both his parents would want him in bed and resting for as long as possible. Still, the minutes lying in bed had seemed to drag on, and do so agonizingly slow.

Curious, Wally stared at his digital clock and counted.

He was well beyond sixty when the number finally changed, so he tried again, pacing himself even further.

Again, he was well beyond sixty seconds when the clock finally changed to eight

Wally's heart skipped a beat, a crazy and exciting idea forming in his head. He threw off his covers and moved slowly and carefully for the door. As quietly as he could, he crept through the house, letting himself out the front without being discovered. He took up a runner's stance in the middle of the street, holding his breath in anticipation.

This was so crazy.

But still, worth a shot.

Slowly, Wally let out his breath, shutting his eyes and calming the erratic beating of his heart. When he opened them, he fixed his stare on a point on the horizon, tensed his muscles, lifted his body and

ran.

It was exhilarating.

The world around him was but a blur of colour as he passed it, the wind whipping at his face and pulling at his clothes. He couldn't stop himself from grinning, feeling elated with feelings of joy and excitement. This was absolutely everything he'd imagined it would be, and more.

The first time he'd taken off running was earlier that morning and he had run miles in no time at all, in love with the feeling. At the time, he had no destination and was more than content to just run and run until he was too tired to continue, though the fatigue was welcome and satisfying.

Now, actually dressed in more than just his pyjamas and running with a destination in mind, he found the trip disappointingly short. It seemed only a minute or so had passed since leaving his house, but he'd already crossed the city and was rapidly approaching where his aunt and uncle lived.

Even so, the fact that he had been able to get to the other side of central in so little time was amazing. What was more was that he couldn't wait to share his discovery with Barry. He wasn't any less sorry about making them worry as he had been when he'd apologized, but maybe now that he was okay and that he had powers, Barry would change his mind about accepting a protege.

Wally came to an abrupt halt in front of the Allens' door, knocking so quickly the sound blurred into one continuous noise.

That was so cool!

Barry came to the door looking confused, even more so to see his bright-eyed nephew grinning up at him and without his parents in sight.

"...Wally? What are you-"

"I gotta show you something, Uncle Barry!"

Barry was caught off guard by the rush of wind and blur of colour that signified his nephew running past him and into the house. He turned, watching as the kid whizzed around the room at a breakneck pace. Shutting the door behind him quickly and appearing in the living room with the aid of his own speed, Barry found himself being circled.

It was too much to handle.

"It worked!" chirped the boy, his voice distorted and weird due to his speed. Barry's hands pressed into his head as he tried to sort through the thoughts that were cluttering his mind as quickly as the boy was moving. "Look!"

Barry was looking. He was probably one of the only people in the world who could. Few others would be able to keep that colourful blur in sight and still distinguish it as a person.

"I can be your partner!" Wally was grinning, looking happier than Barry had seen in months. "We'd make a great team! I could be Kid Flash!"

Normally, in an overwhelming situation such as this, Barry would kick himself into hyper speed to think it through, everything frozen around him as he processed information far faster than anyone else in the area. But this time, upon trying that trick, he found Wally still there, still racing around the room, still circling him.

That had to stop.

"Wally!"

The boy skidded to a halt in front of him.

"You...this...this is insane, Wally!" Barry threw up his hands in exasperation "What I do is dangerous, and I don't want to see you get hurt!"

"But I wouldn't! I'd learn how to control my speed and make sure no one could touch me! With your help, I'd be okay."

"Wally, I-"

Completely out of nowhere, the boy held up his hand with a stern expression. The action was so unexpected, Barry had stopped himself to give the ginger an indignant look.

"When I was talking to Iris after I found out you were the Flash, she told me how you felt. You didn't want me risking my life blowing myself up for this, and you didn't want me risking my life fighting crime. Well, I chose to take the chance, it seemed worth it – if I could make a difference in my life and help people. I messed up, and I got hurt, that was my doing, this is my doing. But it's happened, whether you like it or not."

Barry frowned.

"Now I have this speed, and I'm going to use it. I'm asking for your help, because I want to learn from you. I'm sorry I made you and Iris worry, but there's no going back."

"Wally," Barry couldn't help how stern his voice sounded, and he felt himself frown when the boy stuffed his hands in his pockets and looked at his shoes with a pout.

"I'm not gonna stop running now, Barry. I won't."

Despite the submissive expression, the boy's voice was firm. Even though he wished otherwise, the blonde knew he couldn't exactly fix this situation the way he wanted to. He couldn't just take away the kid's speed, and even if he could, would he? This was something Wally was excited about. He was happier than he'd been in weeks. He was convinced he could do good for the world – and for Barry – and was determined to prove he could, no matter the cost.

Originally, Barry didn't want a sidekick or a partner. He didn't want to constantly be watching out for someone else, because god knows he would never forgive himself if harm came to someone he was supposed to be looking out for.

But this was Wally. Stubborn, smart, independent Wally. Turning him away would not save him from danger, but motivate him to face it on his own. There really was only one option for the blonde now, an option that was still pouting at its shoes.

Barry took a long breath in, then spoke firmly, pointing a stern finger at his nephew.

"Okay...You can be Kid Flash. But you do exactly as I say, when I say it."

The man found himself in a crushing hug almost instantaneously, quite unused to having things happen at a speed close to his own.

"Thank you, Uncle Barry," Wally said, smiling from ear to ear as he hugged his relative tighter. "I promise, I won't let you down! I'll make you proud!"

At these words, Barry wormed his hands free and allowed himself to smile.

"Wally, we – I – have always been proud of you, speedster or otherwise."

The boy's wide-eyed stare was directed up to his uncle, as if in disbelief. The blonde ruffled his junior's hair affectionately, then pulled him back into a tight hug.

Kid Flash was a reality, there was no denying it. Barry's task now was to train his newly acquired ward to the best of his ability, so the child would be able to defend himself and grow into the hero he so desperately wanted to be.

"Alright, I want you to head home and rest up. We're going to have to work some stuff out first, like how to handle your parents. Until then, I want you to at least try to keep things quiet about this. As far as your parents know, you still need a few days rest, so take it easy for a while and I'll contact you before the week is through."

For a moment, Barry thought the kid would dispute being sent home so soon, but apparently he was so elated at having been accepted by his uncle that he was more than willing to do anything he was asked. With a nod, another thank you and a big grin, Wally was out the door in a heartbeat, nothing more than a blur of colour once again.

The blonde shut the door behind their departed guest, then turned to find Iris standing in the hallway, leaning against the wall with a knowing smile on her lips.

"What?"

"You did a good thing, Barry.

"I just did what seemed right, I guess."

The man crossed the room to his wife and drew her into his arms.

"It means the world to Wally."

"It's dangerous."

"I never said it wasn't." The woman pulled back to smile up at her husband, a certain twinkle in her eyes that made him feel like she knew something he did not. "This just...feels right. He'll be fine."

"With practice," added Barry warily.

"Of course. But this way, at least I know someone else out there is looking out for you – someone who can keep up with you."

The blonde opened his mouth to protest, but found one of her dainty fingers pressing against his lips to silence him. At her sly smile, the man drew her closer, dipping his head to meet her mouth with his own. When they were but an inch apart, Barry suddenly pulled away and cast his gaze towards the door.

Wally appeared under the blonde's stare hardly a second after. Iris's eyes were wide with surprise, whilst Barry simply looked a little irritated with the interruption.

"Sorry, I got like, halfway into the city and then realized I've never really paid attention to how we got home."

The ginger's goofy smile prompted the young couple to pull apart hurriedly

"Which way is my house?"

Wooooo!
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