GSOG chapter 45

"Hey, uh… Kaldur?" Jason calls. Kaldur turns from the holo-computer and turns to the young pre-teen. "Um… I'm sorry about how I acted earlier…" Kaldur smiles softly and approaches him, placing a hand on Jason's shoulder.

"I understand, and I forgive you. You seem troubled. I know staying here away from all the action feels unpleasant. Believe me, I understand how that feels. It is how we became a team in the first place." Kaldur explains, smiling a bit more, reminiscing.

"Let me guess, your little breakfast club of sidekicks rebelled?" Jason asks, smirking.

"You could say that." Kaldur states. Jason looks at him expectantly. Kaldur simply sighs, making a couple pedestals rise from the ground to allow them to sit. "To make a long story short, Robin, Kid Flash and I had been told to stay put, though we had decided to investigate Cadmus, we did not wish to sit idle. We found Superboy there and rescued him. Because of what we had done, and our refusal to obey their orders, the League relented, and allowed us to form this team. Megan soon joined, Artemis not long after. Eventually we gained Zatanna after she lost her father. Now we have Raquel. She is our latest member."

"Will I ever get to join?" Jason asks.

"Perhaps one day. Do not rush into it, this sort of job is very difficult and you could be seriously hurt, or possibly even killed. All of us have had close calls and with you being human, you have more risk. Members that are human make up for it in their skill." Kaldur explains.

"Yea..." Jason agrees. One leg comes up and he rests an arm on it, then rests his head on it. "I just want to keep Dick safe. And Linlin." He says softly. "All my life I couldn't protect myself, and I couldn't save my mom… But I want to protect my new family, so I don't lose them again."

"That is why you are so desperate to train and learn…" Kaldur mentions.

"Yea... They've done so much for me, and the thought of losing them is terrifying. I… don't think I could lose another family." Jason says softly.

"Then you do what you must, but what you must do is not always what you think it is. You cannot let your family lose you either for they will grieve in your place. A pain I am sure you do not wish for them to endure."

"Risking my life and doing something I know will cost me my life are two entirely different things." Jason says. "That's from a character Dick showed me. We've been binge watching an anime called Death Note."

"Sounds like that character is very wise." Kaldur comments.

"Oh yea, world's greatest detective! I wonder if he'd out detect Bats, though."

"At least we will not have to find out."

Over in the kitchen, Melinda is showing M'gann a few of her own cooking techniques.

"Now, you want to keep it moving, too little and it'll start to burn." Melinda says, stirring up some food for dinner in a wok. "We also want a good even sear on all the vegetables." She pauses a moment to add some sauce and then keeps at it.

"This smells incredible! Where'd you learn to make this?"

"My mom, she knew a lot of different Chinese cuisines, she grew up in China." She explains There's a click as the rice cooker finishes. "Awesome! Rice is done, just needs a moment to finish absorbing the water."

"I am really looking forward to this!" M'gann says, smiling happily. Melinda smiles widely, showing her familiar smile. "You know your smile looks so much like Dick's?"

"I've been told that by quite a few people. I don't mind though, just makes me feel like one of the family, you know?" She mentions. "I'm glad I finally met my brother. I spent so many years wondering what he'd be like. Honestly, I'm not exactly sure what I expected, all I know is that I adore him so much. He started treating me like family from the start."

"That's one thing I can say for sure about him, he's fiercely loyal and protective, loves so deeply. He always shows care to everyone." M'gann says. "Even if he barely knows them, he will still treat them with the utmost respect and kindness."

"I've noticed. He's a real sweetheart." Melinda states, she takes the vegetables and places them in a large oval shaped bowl. "I worry for him out there. Especially knowing he's Robin, the dangers he faces with how bad Gotham is… and the possibility that Zucco might come after him… It terrifies me." She sets the Wok down, bowing her head, resting her hands on the counter. M'gann steps beside her, placing her hands on either shoulder.

"Robin can do many incredible things, he's amazingly skilled. I've witnessed it with my own eyes. Despite his size, he's rather sturdy and also very agile." M'gann explains. "I know that won't stop you from worrying, but if I can at least help sooth some of your fears…" Melinda nods, looking at her, smiling softly.

"Thanks Megan." Melinda says quietly. "Let's get the others, food is ready!"

-Central city-

After dinner, of which Wally and Dick didn't eat much of for different reasons, Wally is being bathed by his boyfriend. Wally keeps his head bowed, just letting Dick wash his hair. He gently massages his sudsy scalp, then has him close his eyes before rinsing it out. Dick hums softly as he works on scrubbing Wally's skin, used to him not talking that much. Wally lifts his head, feeling water trail down his face from the tufts of his hair. He turns his head to look at Dick as he's gently cleaning his arm.

"Is something wrong? Too rough?" Dick asks. Wally shakes his head a bit.

"Why do you stay by me…?" Wally asks. "You have your own life… Your arm's not broken so you can go on missions again… Patrol Gotham, but you're here… Taking care of me…" Dick pauses to think, thinking of the best way to explain. He then reaches over to grab Wally's other hand, starting to clean it now.

"Well… There's a lot of reasons. The main one is because I love you, and I want to see you get better. No matter how long it takes." Dick explains. He then grabs Wally's leg, lifting it up enough to clean it.

"But, you're even bathing me… Not… Not a lot of couples do that…" Wally comments. "Not ones that are so young like us either… I mean… you're fourteen… taking care of me like we're an old married couple…"

"Well, one day we will be an old married couple. I mean, probably anyway." Dick says. He sets his leg back in the water, grabbing the other one. "Besides, there's nothing I wouldn't do for you. And I'd rather help you bathe than risk you passing out and smacking your head or something." He sets Wally's leg back into the water. He turns to look at Wally, placing a hand on the side of his head, pressing their foreheads together despite the fact Wally's is wet. "Even if we weren't dating I'd still do this because, regardless of the label, I love you." Wally brings his arms up, wrapping them around the smaller teen.

"I love you too… I don't think I'd make it through this without you…" Wally tells him, hugging him a bit tighter, which sort of stretches Dick's stomach a bit, causing him a little pain, but he's getting affection, he doesn't want that to stop.

"You would. There're others around who'd help you." Dick explains. "But that doesn't mean I'll pass the job off to them." Wally separates a bit, looking at Dick, into his eyes. He then leans in and kisses him. Dick hums, first in surprise, then in delight, having missed this so much… But, he's put aside his own desires for Wally's sake. Wally pulls him closer, wrapping an arm around his sides to do so. Dick winces, having to pull away, arms wrapping around his stomach.

"Did I hurt you…?" Wally asks, really concerned. Dick lifts his head to look at Wally.

"No, I… I was already hurt…" Dick admits finally.

"When…?" Wally asks softly. "Who…?" Dick sighs gently, bowing his head.

"Last Thursday… Um… Slade…" Dick admits softly.

"Why didn't you tell me…?" Wally asks, he sounds hurt and angry, not that Dick blames him. He hates keeping things from him.

"I just wanted you to worry about yourself for once…" Dick says softly, bowing his head a bit. "You've done so much for me, I didn't want you to fret about me while mourning your parents…"

"Babe, I'll always fret…" Wally says softly, sounding a bit more like himself, at least in wording. He lightly grabs Dick's arm. "You're everything to me…"

"You're everything to me too… Which is why I couldn't bring myself to tell you… I didn't want to take attention away from you, your needs… you're hurting right now, way more than me." Dick explains. "You matter most right now. I can deal with a few bruises."

"Is that the other reason why you've been staying here…?" Wally asks softly.

"It's only a reason… Dad thought it'd be better to be here than back at the manor. Jason and Melinda have been taken to the Cave. Here soon Uncle Rick is going to be taken to the Watchtower." Dick explains. "He knew I'd want to still come see you, he thought it'd be safer if I just stayed for a while, so it's a win-win." He looks up at him again, smiling a little. Wally places his hands on Dick's cheeks pulls him in for another kiss. A slight blush forms on both their cheeks once more. Eventually, they pull away, Wally looking into Dick's eyes, and vice versa.

"I need you to promise me something, ok…? Promise you won't hide your pain anymore… No matter what I'm going through, I want you to tell me… We're partners, we need to take care of each other… And we can't do that if the other doesn't say anything…" Wally says. Dick nods a bit.

"I understand… And… I'll try to be better about it. I can promise that at least." Dick states softly.

"I'll take it…" Wally smiles softly. He runs a hand through Dick's hair. Dick leans into the touch, slightly hiccupping a bit, then starts crying. "Babe, what's wrong…?" Dick doesn't say anything, he just pulls him in, hugging him, he doesn't care that the bruises on his stomach are resting on the ledge of the tub, he also doesn't care that he's soaking wet. Wally wraps his arms around him.

"I'm sorry…" Dick says softly.

"Why…? Dick, talk to me…"

"I don't even know why I'm crying…" Dick answers.

"You should probably talk to Canary too. You're not ok… And you need to talk about it…" Wally tells him. He does pull him into the tub though.

"Wally, I'm clothed…" Dick mumbles as he's pulled into the tub with him, Wally having him sit on his legs, pulling him in for another kiss as he lays back so Dick is laying on top of him. His arms are wrapped tightly around him.

"I just wanna hold you…" Wally says after he breaks from Dick's lips. "Can I just hold you for a bit…?"

"Yea…" Dick says softly, snuggling into him, not really caring anymore that his clothes are getting soaked. "I'm just glad my phone's not in my pocket…"

"Yea, that would suck…" Wally comments. "I'd ruin another phone." He does start to take off his now soaked clothing, and Dick doesn't flinch as he goes for the shirt, but he stops him a moment.

"I… want to warn you of what you'll see…" Dick starts. "It… looks worse than it is…" Dick then lifts off the shirt himself to show him the bruises, Wally runs his eyes over them, brows knitting.

"God, babe…" Wally says softly.

"It really isn't as bad as it looks… I'm told my spleen bled a bit though… Thankfully it stopped on its own." Dick states, looking down at them a moment, then looks at Wally. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you…"

"It's ok…" Wally states. He places a hand gently on the dark blotches. "Just so long as you talk to me about things like this from now on…"

"Like I said, I'll try…" Dick says softly. Wally nods, then lowers his hand, bringing his other hand over on the other side, both hands take hold of the waist of his pants. Before he proceeds, Wally looks into Dick's eyes to gage his reactions, then slowly starts to pull them down. The young teen somewhat tenses, but is blushing at the same time.

"Are you ok…?" Wally asks softly, stopping.

"Yea… yea, I'm ok…" Dick says softly. "I just feel a little awkward."

"I can stop…" Wally offers.

"No, it's ok… I'm ok…" Dick states. Wally nods and continues pulling his soaked pants off and tosses them onto the floor. Both do feel kind of awkward being completely skin to skin, no barriers between them, but Dick lays back down on top of Wally, head resting just under his chin. Wally holds him close. And it's not long before Dick ends up falling asleep, feeling so warm and safe… Wally's a bit surprised he's fallen asleep so quickly. Then again, knowing Dick, he's probably barely slept lately. How come he never noticed…?

He's been a horrible boyfriend, not noticing his boyfriend's suffering… He nuzzles him gently, taking in the scent of his hair. It's not strawberries this time, smells like vanilla. Makes him think of vanilla ice cream, which makes him think of chocolate ice cream… Which makes him think of chocolate cake. His birthday party… Dick threw him the best surprise birthday party, getting everyone together to help, orchestrating all of it. He's awesome…

He finds peace in this, just cuddling Dick to him, holding him… It feels strange though, being completely naked together in the bath, but it feels some other kind of way that Wally can't really describe. But he enjoys it, up until the bath water turns too cold to tolerate and Wally shakes Dick gently.

"Babe…" Wally says softly, not wanting to startle him. Dick opens his eyes a bit, humming in confusion. "You fell asleep."

"Oh…" Dick mumbles, sitting back, stretching his back a bit, rubbing his eyes a little. "M sorry…"

"You're fine, you seem like you need it."

"I haven't really been sleeping well lately…" Dick admits. With that though, he moves to climb out of the water. He grabs a towel and works to wrap it around himself. Wally rests an arm on the ledge of the tub, then rests his head on it, just watching Dick dry off.

"You have a cute butt." Wally comments, smiling softly. Dick blushes madly, turning back around to look at him. "It's like, so perfect and round."

"Dude…" Dick mumbles, sounding a little embarrassed. Wally climbs out of the tub, but a sudden weakness passes through him as his legs give out. Dick darts forward, grabbing him, keeping him up while he adjusts him, lowering him down so he's not so heavy, having him rest against him while his body essentially ragdolls.

"I din'like that…" Wally mumbles, his words a little slurred together.

"It's probably because you need to eat more." Dick says. He adjusts Wally more so he's not so deadweight on the smaller teen, moving against the wall.

"I'll work on that…" Wally says softly. They're silent for a moment. "Hey, babe…? I love you…"

"I love you too." Dick says back, turning his head so he kisses him atop his. His hair is actually mostly dry now. Dick then nuzzles into his hair, loving how soft it feels, how it smells like citrus.

The dizzy spells start to pass a bit, allowing them to get up. Dick wraps a towel around Wally's waist and then his own, and keeps Wally close as they go to his room. Dick has him sit on his bed and grabs some pajamas for him. While Dick rummages through his bag and grabs out some boxer shorts and a t-shirt, Wally gets dressed. Dick dresses as well and turns back to Wally who is trying to button his shirt, but his fingers are a bit too shaky. Dick steps over and helps him button it.

"I feel like a weak little kid…" Wally says softly.

"You're recovering from trauma, love. It's a process." Dick states as he finishes the buttons, adjusting his collar a bit. "You probably should eat something though, your blood sugar might be low." Dick suggests. He grabs the bag of bugles he brought along, it's half empty, but he holds it out for Wally to have. There's also the candy bar that Canary brought that Dick hands him. Wally starts eating the fun little finger hats and is immediately starting to feel better physically. Dick sits beside him, one leg up so his foot rests on the bed, a hand placed on Wally's back, rubbing it gently.

"Are you… ever ok again…?" Wally asks softly. He lowers the bag of bugles, resting both his arms on his legs. "I know it's only been a week, and I sometimes forget it was real, not just a nightmare… and… sometimes I close my eyes and I believe I'm back home… In my bed… believing my mom will be there in the morning making breakfast and my dad reading the morning paper with the tv playing in the background… But then I remember they won't, ever again… Does it ever just… go away…? That feeling…? Like there's just a constant pit in your stomach…?"

"I…" Dick starts, he doesn't want to lie, false hope won't help him. "I really don't know." Dick places his chin on Wally's shoulder. "All I know is is that love helps… My uncle said that love is the best medicine for the soul. And I agree. It's helped me anyway. If it wasn't for Bruce, well, I don't know where I'd be. And now, because of him, I have so much more than I ever thought possible back then." Dick nuzzles him a bit. "I have you in my life… You're everything to me." Wally nuzzles him back. "I'm so sorry you're going through this… I wouldn't wish this on anybody, especially not my best pal… But I promise I'll do everything I can to be here for you." Dick explains softly. "No matter how long it takes." Wally turns his head, making Dick lift his, looking at him. He smiles softly at him. Wally leans in, kissing him deeply, maintaining it until they have to separate to breathe.

"Never forget how appreciated you are, ok?" Wally asks, smiling softly. Dick smiles back at him, feeling like slowly his boyfriend is coming back to life. Their warm, fuzzy feeling is abruptly cut when Dick hears his phone ring. He grabs it off the nightstand to see who's calling him at nearly 9 at night. It's Barbara. That's not like her…

"Hey, what's up?" Dick answers.

"Dick…!? Dick run!" Barbara shouts. Then he hears her scream.

"Barbara!" Dick calls in concern, standing up. Wally looks at him, his brows knit.

"Hello, Richard." Slade… of course.

"What did you do…?" Dick demands, his voice deepening in anger.

"Let's just say, she'll be lucky if she can walk after tonight, but I can ensure she never does again." Slade's hauntingly taunts. "This is your punishment for not following through. And for telling Bruce."

"I didn't tell him anything! He figured it out! I swear! Let her go!" Dick shouts. Wally watches Dick talk and pace.

"I will. If you hold up your end of the deal. Our new deal is this, you come back to Gotham, meet me at warehouse B off the northern docks. If you don't come alone, I'll know, and I will kill her. You have three hours." Slade warns. He then hangs up. Dick's mouth gaps and he looks back at his phone, then turns back to Wally.

"Slade has Barbara…" Dick tells him. "He's going to kill her if I don't go!"

"Hold on, you can't just go rushing in there!" Wally states, standing up.

"I have three hours!" Dick protests. "I have to save her!" Wally steps forward.

"I know you do, which is why I'm coming with you." Wally places his hands on Dick's shoulders as he speaks.

"I have to go alone. If he finds out you're there, he'll kill her!" Dick explains, feeling the telltale signs of panic, trying to figure out what all he can do against Slade. Slade's practically as much of a threat as the Joker, and he can barely dodge the Joker.

"No way in hell I'm letting you go there alone!" Wally argues.

"I can't risk Barbara's life… I'm sorry!" Dick apologizes and pulls Wally in for a quick kiss, then climbs onto Wally's bed to get out the window. Wally watches him leave, expertly hiding in the shadows. But two can play at that game… Wally grabs a jacket, and Dick's. He overheard enough of the conversation, Docks, Warehouse B, that's all he needs to know. Dick may not want him there, but Wally can't lose his best friend…