Tired, the family dozed between checking on Waylon and eating some semblance of dinner, and with the fact that the plane was between emergency rush mode and regular rush mode, it gave some moderation to help the family recover a bit easier.
Poppy sighed softly as she is gently wrapping the gauze bandages again around Waylon's injured arm...She never had been queasy at the sight of blood or such, but seeing her best friend and crush like this, it hurt her heart...
She knew that Aunt Leslie had been instrumental in bringing Kel to Martha, in binding wounds from the rare times that Kel or Bruce had in their patrols if Alfred admitted that he can't fix something out of his experience. She hopes that Aunt Leslie would find out what's going on with that croc that bit Waylon and find a cure to whatever it is ailing Waylon inside himself from this infected and injured arm.
Of course, there was an obvious issue glaring at her, and she's afraid of losing Waylon before she could even admit her feelings...But seeing that he's asleep, and that the family is dozing tiredly in their seats and such, she could only think aloud, wishing that she was older, but the best thing she could hope for is at least one kiss on the lips or maybe in his arms if he wished for her in his dying hours...
"Oh, Wally...", Poppy whispered as she gently brushed his head as she laid closer to him. He was still pretty warm which was hopefully fighting his infections. He groaned a bit before he slowly opened his eyes and glanced over to her.
"P-Poppy...?", Waylon whispered back as she shushed him. "No, no... please, go back to sleep, Wally... you need your rest...", Poppy told him as he tried to give a little smile.
"Okay... yo- you like playing nurse, right now?", Waylon asked. Poppy raised an eyebrow, "I know what you're doing. This isn't a game, Waylon...I...it hurts so much to see you like this... You need to rest...".
Waylon exhaled, "Yes, ma'am...", closing his eyes, not really sleeping but dozing as he was inwardly surprised to see Poppy on his couch daybed, yet he wanted to know what's bothering her as he saw for a few moments, he knew that her brain can't shut up, still whirring.
Poppy was just beating herself up mentally as she watched him, feeling so conflicted with things but unable to get what she wanted to say to come from her mouth or for her body to move in the way that she wanted to.
She heard the chimes twinkle above, and she looked up, sighing deeply as she knew that Caroline never would have wasted time in telling things off her chest, and Poppy knew that Caroline trusted her to set Waylon straight...
Pretending to talk to Caroline if she had found out of Poppy's crush, Poppy exhaled, "It's scary...but what if he rejects me because I am too young for him even when I think like a 14-year-old, while being 13 physically with getting to be 12 chronically soon? I don't care if he has hair or is bald, human or mutant...", frowning before she kept going, somehow wanting to rant and think aloud.
She looked down at herself and sighed, "Not even close to still being a woman... just almost feels like an insult with how it's only a few years away before all these issues probably wouldn't be a problem...". She closed her eyes and wanted to sob.
Hearing Caroline's voice pretending to be concerned about her, Poppy sighed, opening her eyes as she looked at the chimes, imagining Caroline's face, "I'm pathetic...Wally saved my life...but I can't save his life, damn it...I only can abide by helping him...I shouldn't have a crush on him in the first place, but I do...I really like-like him, I want to fall in love with him...I...I want him to know that he isn't alone, that he can be loved...I...I never had been kissed, you know? Oh, sure, I know I'm awfully pretty and probably going to turn out beautiful soon, but those boys are idiots at school...they...they think I'm a teacher's pet, a know-it-all kid, maybe a popular kid for saving Bonnie and the other girls last school term, but it ain't...I feel lonely, even if I have Bonnie, Mom and Mama, Brucie, Alfred, the dogs, and some of the kids at gymnastics practice like Barbara Gordon...Wally is different because he's my best friend, he...I can't lose him...", unknowing that Waylon was internally combusting with shock and surprise and hope with every word Poppy said, realizing that Poppy is airing out her feelings as he pretended to sleep, dozing.
"Please... Wally... don't die...", Poppy sniffled as now she started to cry. "Just hang on until we can find out what's wrong... and then... maybe there could be something I could do...".
Waylon knew he had to speak and confess his feelings too...God, she actually has a crush on him too...And besides, he hates seeing his best friend and crush cry if he heard the sniffling right...He opened his eyes to see Poppy crying with her eyes closed, and he reached out with his good hand, ignoring the pain from his resting injured arm, using the strength of his heart to speak up strongly, "You're not pathetic, Poppy.", caressing her cheek as she gasped, opening her eyes, to see Waylon's dark golden-brown eyes still fighting, still full of life.
"You're wrong...You aren't just helping me...You saved me...Poppy, I was in a dark place last year...I...I kept going partially because of your letters...You kept writing to me, even after...after I hurt you...Even after you forgave me, I...I still can't believe that I'm worthy to be part of your life, to be your best friend...", Waylon spoke.
Poppy whispered, "Wally...", tears falling as Waylon wiped her tears gently, "Shh, I'm not finished yet...I heard you...Now it's your turn to hear me...", looking directly at her, into her beautiful light emerald eyes, unable to believe that he's actually doing this, but he knew he can't back down...especially when his mother told him that Halloween night that he deserved to have love, all kinds of love no matter what he is, and of course, even if he's terrified, he had a feeling that Caroline is watching with encouragement of a smile and probably a raised eyebrow, with Jane maybe not understanding, but still watching with joy and curiosity.
"Poppy... you're a wonderful girl; truly special and practically would be the envy of any man on Earth one of these days when you find the right guy... and, I would just be lying to myself if I didn't admit that a part of me deep down wanted to be that man...", Waylon said as he took a deep breath before he continued on, "It seems like almost cruel fate in many ways that that I was born earlier before you...".
"Waylon Jones, if you weren't born at all, I...I would probably have not survived the flood...If you were born a bit later, being almost my age then, you could have still tried to save me...", Poppy replied.
Waylon exhaled, "Maybe...But I wouldn't know if I might have been strong enough then like I was when I saw you in the river...", and Poppy sniffled, "You're strong, Wally...You have to fight this...I...", before widening her eyes as she realized what Waylon said earlier about wanting to be the right guy for her, "Wait, are...you aren't lying?", as her heart skipped a beat while Waylon took another deep breath as he isn't finished yet.
Waylon blushed a bit as he looked guilty, "I'm sick, aren't I? And I don't mean with... well, you know...", biting his lip. "Wally, there's nothing wrong with two friends becoming more than friends over the years...", Poppy tried to tell him. "It... it's alright as long as we would wait, right? Nothing anyone would get upset with... certainly not with my own mother, for sure!".
Waylon gave a little chuckle as he replied, "True, since your mom loves your ma, as much as they loved your dad...", and Poppy smirked, "Exactly...And besides, you're just almost 17, there wouldn't be any funny looks if I can help it! Mom, Mama, Alfred, Bruce, they would understand that...After all, I look like 13, even if I think like a 14-year-old teenager...it's still less than having 6 years difference if I was actually 11, turning 12 by Halloween...".
"Jesus Christ, I still wouldn't get used to your sass and determination...", Waylon smiled, "If I find a way to do some stuff to gloss over this...I would go out with you, even if I can't believe that you actually like-like me...", gesturing to himself.
Poppy blushed, leaning into his hand on her cheek, whispering, "You heard me earlier, Waylon...I don't care if you are bald or having hair, or looking human tan, or crocodile green, hell, I don't care what anybody out of Wayne Manor thinks about us holding hands, sitting together, having a date, kissing...".
Waylon whispered, "I ain't rejecting you, Poppy...I am not going to hurt you again in the heart if I can help it...", and Poppy looked at him in surprise and joy before gazing at his lips for an obvious moment before looking back to his eyes, letting him have the choice to leap for it, not going to push him as this is majorly new to him and her both, though she is more bold about it than him.
"Wally...", Poppy whispered as he took a deep breath, "I can see it in your eyes right now... I know what you want at this moment...". He groaned as he then took another breath, "If I'm not going to make it... I don't want you to live with regret without this at least...", as he slowly started to lift his head closer to hers.
Poppy slowly started to lower her head down closer to his as well, their eyes meeting each other as they know what each other is feeling, and she cradled Waylon's cheek with her hand as he kept his hand on her cheek.
They didn't stop even for a second to hesitate as they wanted this moment, and finally, their lips met in a tender, awkward, new sensation, closing their eyes as Waylon's hand burrowed deeper behind her neck into her hair with Poppy doing the same, making their first kiss more natural as the chimes rang tenderly yet beautifully above them, almost like Caroline's quietly cheering with Jane with smiles.
Unknown to them, in his habit to check on his son, Alfred woke up from his sleep, nudging Martha gently into waking up too, and they shared a proud, bittersweet smile as they saw the intimate, tender moment, and seeing that Poppy would help Waylon, having it under control if something turns over in Waylon's situation, the adults went back to sleep, hoping and praying that they would get Waylon to Leslie in time to pull blood tests to see what that wild croc had to make Waylon sick, and how to cure it and all, as their son and daughter truly are smitten with each other, not wanting history to repeat again...
Poppy and Waylon then had to breathe, taking into fresh air, as Poppy whispered, looking at him, "That felt so right...Perfect...", with an awed, tender smile, and Waylon gave a warm smile as his hand carded through her hair, "I know why all the kids were fussing so much now about this...I...I felt like I could fly for a moment with you...".
"Wally...", Poppy caressed his head, and he smiled, relishing in the touch of her soft hand, and yawned, and then to his surprise, Poppy laid down, resting her head on his chest and shoulder as she glanced at him, "I ain't leaving you, you won't be alone, Waylon...And before you fret, I'm tough. I never really got sick, and I think it's thanks to being part of Mama next to Mom and Daddy. So, don't you dare tell me to get out of bed...It's only harmless sleep...Please, Wally? I...I want to be held in your arms for once without regret...".
"A-alright...", Waylon relented, knowing that she was obviously going to put up a fight no matter what. He was just praying that whatever he had wouldn't spread. Last thing he wanted was for her to end up like him in this situation. "Do you know how much longer the flight will be?", he asked her.
"Should be only a few more hours... not much longer...", Poppy admitted as she started to get herself cozy up against him. Waylon hesitated for a moment before wrapping Poppy in his good arm, and Poppy sighed contentedly with a smile, and Waylon's heart skipped a beat at the sight, seeing her fall asleep, and he kissed her head on the hair, closing his eyes.
Strangely enough, Waylon didn't feel the impulse to shiver from his sickness, feeling like he could dream without pain too much, and the scent of Poppy filled his few dreams, unconsciously holding and embracing Poppy closer but not too tightly, hearing faintly of her heartbeat and her breathing, while he slept with a smile.
Tired and exhausted themselves, they were deep asleep to notice the older adults waking up and making rounds including checking into the remaining time to Gotham, and Bruce woke up a bit later, and his eyes widened, narrowing his eyes slightly as he saw his own sister sleeping with Waylon, and started to move in his brotherly instinct before Martha grabbed his shoulder, and Kel's voice rumbled through Martha quietly, "He is too sick to take advantage of Poppy, it's only harmless sleeping, and besides, they need it, Bruce. It took them a time to admit their feelings...I, your mother, and Alfred only saw them kiss for the first time, and besides, we know Waylon...He may be a rough boy from Louisiana, but Caroline taught him to be respectful and honorable as a man, and Poppy would be patient for him, and vice versa, even if they have some deep wishes down in themselves that the situation would be different without him being sick or her being older.".
"Yeah... yeah... I get it... still... can't say I'm really for it right now.", Bruce admitted as Martha nodded. "Neither am I or Kel in some ways, but we don't know the future. Poppy might find someone else, same as Waylon, in a few years... and if not... we both know that it would be the best for them to wait.", Martha said.
"Hopefully wait quite a while...", Bruce said. "If they try anything...", he started to say with a frown. "They won't.", Martha interrupted. "Alfred and I will certainly see to that... and if need be, Kel, for sure, as a last resort. I doubt he'd ever want to get on her bad side. Fatal mistake.".
Bruce nodded, "I'm right behind Mama there...", before exhaling, "I guess I'd take harmless sleeping and restrained kissing over that situation for a while...".
Martha gave a smile, "You're a really good big brother, Bruce. But Poppy isn't a little, helpless kid anymore, even if I and Kel wanted her to be that way for much longer, but she's a growing teenager now...And I have a feeling your father would have been much of the same, but we all want them to be happy...Right, Alfred?".
Bruce turned slightly to look at Alfred that returned from the cockpit, with a smile as he nodded, "I trust my son, and Poppy gave us so much proof that we have to trust her as well...They truly deserve to be happy...I'm just relieved that they got their feelings out of the way at last, since we knew that Poppy had a crush on Waylon, and Caroline saw that Waylon had something similar for Poppy as well. And good news, we'll be there in 35 minutes as we're actually making good time after that recent turbulence an hour earlier.".
"Have you already called ahead to Leslie?", Martha asked Alfred as he nodded. "Of course. Hell, I called before we even left for Louisiana.", he said as she widened her eyes. "Well, if things were manageable, then a simple call saying that her services wasn't going to hurt.".
Bruce replied, "I think we got an overprotective dad here, Mom. So, are we going to her clinic?", and Alfred shook his head, "No, not her weekend clinic down in Park Row...You haven't exactly seen the entire lot of her labs, Bruce, when you were shadowing your mother while visiting Leslie at Wayne Entreprises...".
"Wait, you don't mean...", Bruce asked, looking between Alfred and Martha, and Kel's voice rumbled again through Martha's lips, "Yes...We need to look through every path to treatment for Waylon, including gamma rays.", with a nod.
Bruce blinked, "Okay, I get that we can't waste every treatment, but is...is it the last resort? I mean, I know, Mom, you did this when you were in your prime adult age back then...but Waylon is almost 17...".
Alfred whispered, "Waylon is a fighter...Caroline raised him so he could live...I need to have all options...I know how Thomas felt now...".