Chapter Text
Dick woke first. Last night was the best night's sleep he's gotten in a bit, the constant switching between conscious and unconscious didn't make for a rejuvenating sleep, but last night he slept the whole night. He's met with the view of Wally, his best friend who had died then miraculously returned, holding him tightly. Their limbs intertwined in a way that wouldn't be considered normal for best friends, however Dick couldn't bring himself to care. Wally’s eyes fluttered open, and his vibrant green eyes met Dick’s beautiful blue ones.
“Did you sleep well?” Wally nuzzled himself against Dick’s neck.
“I did,” Dick said, grinning. Wally is reminded just how much he missed his friend’s smile. The way his dimples were only visible when he smiled, and his straight teeth would be on display for all of those lucky enough to witness the event. This time, however, his smile wasn't as wide as it would've been two years ago, and his teeth had a yellow hue to them. It was evident that Dick hadn't taken the best care of himself since Wally’s death. And as selfish as this made him seem, Wally was glad that Dick cared for him that much, but it was a double edged sword. He hated seeing Dick like this, he missed his vibrant personality that was now dulled after the time spent away from Wally.
Wally reached up to Dick’s face, cupping his cheek. He grazed his thumb along his cheekbone. He then moved his hand through his hair, muttering, “You need a shower.”
Dick just hummed in response, closing his eyes and leaning into the touch. Words couldn't describe how much Dick had missed Wally. Wally was the one person he truly loved. Sure he had dated Zatanna, but they weren't meant to be like how he and Wally were. When Wally started to date Artemis he knew that he was too late, he needed to suck it up and accept that Wally didn't love him as much as he loved Wally.
“Have you talked to Artemis?” Dick questioned. Wally frowned in response.
“No.” The other boy sighed, “When I was pulled from the speed force it was just Barry and Bart there. They had sensed a major burst of electromagnetic activity in the area I had disappeared, and worked together to pull me out. They asked if I wanted to contact Artemis, but I asked about you instead. They said that they hadn't heard from you in a year, that you were living in Blüdhaven as Nightwing and they had an address, but they weren't sure if you still lived there. Luckily, you did.” Wally continued to run his hands through Dick’s hair, it was longer than it had been when they were kids, all the way to about halfway down his biceps.
“I'm sorry we didn't find you sooner,”
“We've been over this, you couldn't have known.”
“I know, but I just still feel so guilty.”
Wally raised his other hand up to Dick’s face, bringing both of them to cup his face. Wally pulled himself towards his friend, kissing him with nothing but appreciation for him. Pulling away he wiped tears that he hadn't even realized were falling, “I feel guilty for not knowing sooner that I loved you. It took two years in the speed force to realize it, and I don't think I would've otherwise.” Wally said, “That alone makes everything worth it, the fact that now it's all over and I can say this to you.”
Dick just stared, stunned. His face heated up and his stomach began to twist into knots, “I love you too.”
Then they went back to kissing, this time with more heat, Wally reaching for Dick’s hair and Dick grabbing onto Wally’s shoulders desperately. They nibbled at each other’s lips, their teeth clinked together as they attempted to get impossibly close to one another. Wally eventually pulled away only to dive nose first into the side of Dick’s neck. He kissed with a sense of unbridled lechery, occasionally biting on the areas he declared his own. Dick moaned each time he bit, his hands moving along Wally’s body, eventually making their way under his shirt.
Before things got too heated, Wally pulled away, panting. “Wait,” Wally eventually said after catching his breath.
“I'm sorry,”
“No, no!” Wally frantically tried to convince Dick he didn't do anything wrong, “It's just I need to end things with Artemis, and right now you're still just so… vulnerable, in a sense, and I think we both need time to process what happened and just talk about how we want th-”
“Okay,” Dick just smiled. He stood up, adjusted the neck of his shirt where wally moved it down for easier access, “I get it, and I agree. I think I still need time to process. I also don't want our first time to be when I smell like I am from the 1800’s and don't have access to a shower.”
Wally stood up as well, walking over to Dick and grabbing his hands. He sniffed the air for a second and feigned a look of disgust, “You're right, you do stink.” Wally laughed. Dick just responded by punching him gently in the shoulder.
“Go talk to Artemis, I will stay here and shower, and clean up a bit.” Dick said, planting a chaste kiss on Wally’s cheek, then walking towards the linen closet and grabbing a towel.
Wally smiled stupidly, walking out of Dick’s bedroom in search of Artemis.
—
The zeta tube announced Wally’s arrival:
B-03 Kidflash
Everyone gasped, sure after Wally’s death Bart had taken up the Kid Flash mantle, but his designation was different from Wally’s.
“Wally?” Artemis gasped as she walked into the central area of Mt. Justice. “Wally, you're.. what?” Batman walked into the room, followed by the rest of the team, plus a few additions he didn't really know.
“Kid Flash,” Batman said in his normal monotone manner, “Flash told me of your.. return. . I take it you've just come back from Nightwing’s?”
“Yes,” Wally said. He glanced over at Artemis who looked betrayed that she wasn't the first person to find out, but also understanding in a weird sense.
“Kid Flash,” Kaldur walked up to Wally. He smiled softly, “We missed you.”
“I missed you guys too, but please just.. call me Wally.” He sighed, “I'm not sure if I will return to the team after everything that's happened, and I hear that Di- Nightwing quit as well. I just don't see much of a point in continuing my life on the team.”
“That is fine, Wally.” Kaldur’s voice was soft.
The original team all surrounded Wally, bringing him into a hug. The sounds of “We missed you”’s and “Welcome back”’s were overwhelming, and all Wally could think about was talking to Artemis.
“I appreciate this guys, but I need to talk to Artemis,” Wally said, glancing at the blonde, “Alone.”
“Of course,” Kaldur said, leading everyone out of the room.
“Wally,” Artemis said, pulling him into a tight hug, “Welcome back.”
Wally hummed in response, “I need to talk to you about something.”
Artemis sighed, she rested her hand on Wally’s bicep, “It's about Dick, right?”
“Yeah.”
“You love Dick, don't you?”
“I do.” Wally smiled.
Artemis smiled as well, “Is he doing okay?”
“No. I got to his apartment and he looked awful,” Wally put his head on Artemis’ shoulder, “His apartment was so messy, and I am pretty sure I saw multiple, empty, bottles of beer scattered around everywhere. He looked like he hadn't showered in days, let alone slept a decent sleep.”
Artemis brought him into another hug, “He took it the worst out of all of us, but he wouldn't talk about it. I heard from Barry that he was convinced you were still alive, but we all thought it was a weird coping mechanism, I guess we were wrong.”
“I feel awful,” Wally mumbled into her shoulder, his voice wavering as if he was about to break down into tears. “We almost had.. sex.. but I felt bad about taking advantage of his current state, not to mention I wanted to talk to you, so he said he would take a shower and clean up when I was gone, but I still feel like he's hiding so much from me, so many emotions.”
“He does that, I think it's a bat thing,” Artemis explained, “I'm sure he'll open up, he loves you and you obviously love him. It will all work out, Wally.”
“Yeah I think so.” Wally just sighed, melting into the hug that Artemis still held.
—
Wally returned to Dick’s apartment in Blüdhaven. It was much tidier than it was when he first arrived, the empty bottles of alcohol no longer scattered the room, and all the dishes were in the sink. Obviously it wasn't spotless but it was so much better than before, and Dick looked so much better than before. His hair was still damp from his shower, but its original shine had returned. His eyes were no longer dulled by deep eyebags, and his clothes were clean.
“Hey,” Dick said while he opened the door for Wally to enter.
“Hey,” Wally smiled, “You look beautiful.”
“Thanks,” Dick smiled, this time widely. His teeth were white again and he wore his dimples proudly. His tan skin had turned a pink hue. Wally couldn't help but kiss him on the cheek.
“We need to talk,” Wally sat down on the couch, “About us.”
“Yeah.” Dick sat down next to Wally, their knees knocking together.
“Do you want to be boyfriends?”
“Yeah,” Dick said, “I've wanted to since we were kids.”
Wally grinned in response and kissed him. Things were going to be okay, Wally was sure of it.