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One thing that Wally had learned as a hero was that the littlest of things could turn out to be some of the biggest problems later on. You let one perp get away, the next day he’s set up a bomb in City Hall. You tell the first person you see when you find out about a mind controlling snake rock thingy, they end up being the one controlled at the moment and end up almost getting rid of you and blowing up the sun. You skip a meal before an outer space mission, you’re starving with no edible food for humans in sight after the Javelin crashes.
He was always one of the heroes that looked out for the little guys. Hell, his villains could be categorized as “little” compared to the psychos Bats and Superman had to face on a daily basis.
But looking out for the little things was very different than paying attention to details. With his attention span, they might as well only exist to bite him the butt later. Sometimes he didn’t understand how he became a forensic scientist, let alone one of CCPD’s best. He wasn’t even sure how he managed to be a mechanic for a bit.
Wally overlooked things a lot, but usually he didn’t need to worry about that as much when he was with the League. They had learned to not let anyone get away unless they had a plan or really couldn’t get to them. They had learned to be more cautious when mind control was the weekly event. They had learned to always keep an enhanced protein bar or two for Wally.
Too bad Wally didn’t entirely learn how to figure out the little things going on with himself.
He was in the rec-room with John and Shayera. All the others were doing whatever either in their home cities or actually doing work in the watchtower. Which, he guessed he was really the only one that came up here for any reason other than work.
Anyway, Wally was currently enjoying a bit of chocolate (with sea salt, one of his favorites!) while beating John at an old fighter game. He had opted for Mario Kart, but was quickly outvoted by both of the others. It’s not like his superspeed would transfer to his character, just while pressing the buttons and his reaction time!
He still reveled in John's muttering and grumbles about losing, denying the accusations that he was losing his powers. He couldn’t really stop using his powers though, even at the CCPD he wrote inhumanly fast.
A pixelated flame covered the screen after Wally landed one more hit on John’s character. The blaring bright words of GAME OVER only made him feel even more smug. He flashed a shit-eating grin to GL.
The Lantern pinched his shoulder in response, rolling his eyes. Then, as per their rules in any of their hangouts, gave Wally another chocolate. Shayera laughed lightly and bumped his other shoulder.
“Alright, it’s my turn!” She declared, reaching over Wally to snatch John’s controller.
“Oh come on, at least let me beat him once.” John urged. He was getting restless (which wasn’t that weird? John being the restless one in the same room as the two most hot-headed members of the league [don’t tell Shay]).
“You’re just a sore loser.” Wally teased, leaning his head on John’s shoulder mockingly. The Lantern pushed him off with an eye roll and unintelligible grumble. He fell into Shayera’s shoulder and laughed.
“We’ll see who’s talking after I’m done with you.” Shayera said, or rather, threatened. He stuck out his chocolate covered tongue and she scrunched up her nose and rolled her eyes.
For another hour or so, the group continued to switch off on who played against who. Then, after Shayera ended up winning the most rounds (which he totally wasn’t butthurt about, shut up John), they moved on to a basic shooter game.
Wally picked his favorite character, which to anyone else would be a surprise as to who that was, a stealth character! Bats would blow a gasket if he ever found out. But, what could he say, she had a speed boost while in stealth mode. The others picked their respective characters, then they fought a couple rounds against different teams.
Another hour and a half passed, all the chocolate was gone and now replaced by three large bowls of popcorn, two of which were for Wally.
There was some cheesy horror movie on the TV that even Flash thought was bad. But, John had recommended it, so he thought he might as well try it. He sat there and made fun of it with his friends.
It was well into the Watchtower’s simulated night cycle by the time it was done. Every room and hallway was dark, and the only sign of life were the three of them. Wally leaned back against the couch as he let out a wide yawn.
“I think it’s about time to head home.” John said, covering his mouth as he yawned too. Sometimes Wally wondered if those things were contagious, like they set off a chain reaction. He should look that up sometime.
Wally was a tiny bit sad to end their night just hanging out, but even speedsters needed to sleep once in a while. He hummed a quiet agreement and stretched out his legs before he got up.
As he stood, a small tingly feeling creeped up his legs. He frowned and blinked several times at the feeling. It was weird, but probably nothing. He had been sitting down in the same spot for a while.
“Well, it was a good one,” Shayera said, wrapping an arm around Wally’s shoulder, “too bad I won most of the chocolate though.” She teased smugly. The speedster rolled his eyes. Hawkgirl had given him a lot of the chocolates she had won anyway.
He let out a small sigh, then started towards the door.
A second later, he was holding himself up from the armrest on the couch and taking gasping breaths.
“Wally?” John asked, turning back and rushing towards the speedster. He only had the mind to let out a small groan, more so a whimper, really. “Hey, what’s going on, kid?” John leaned down to grab Wally’s shoulders as his legs gave out.
Shit fuck shit shit! His leg felt like it was locked into place. He didn’t think he could move it without sparks of pain making it feel like it was burning. He placed his hands on his leg and started to rub it.
“ Cramp .” He forced out, his eyes already watering. And, wow, wasn’t that embarrassing?
Shayera sat down on the floor next to the two, rubbing circles on Flash’s back. He leaned his head forward and rested it on John’s chest. He tried to move his leg, curling it forward, but the combination of the searing pain and John’s hand on his knee stopped him.
“Stretch it out, it’ll help.” He urged. Wally didn’t think it would help when it only increased the pain and made him want to cry more than he already was. Either way, John forced it down (rude) and massaged it as best he could (less rude, but still).
Slowly, disgustingly slow for Wally’s standards, the pain started to subside. It was still there, but it was better. Wally let out another gasp and whimper. John brought him into a hug, then Shayera surrounded them both with her arms and then her wings.
“That’s never happened before.” Wally mumbled, closing his eyes tightly as the pain flared up again for a moment.
“You probably just sat still for too long.” Shayera offered. She drew back her wings as Wally leaned back and away from the hug.
“That’s never happened before either.” He added, a pouty lip protruding.
“Just try to keep stretching it for a bit. We can stay longer, there aren’t any emergencies.” John said. Wally smiled at him. Sometimes he couldn’t tell if John was his best friend or his older brother figure. He guessed he could be both.
“Come on,” Shay said, hoisting Wally up into her arms. He made a small squeak at the sudden movement, then he was plopped down on the couch again, and John and Shayera both sat beside him again.
“I don’t think you have to do all this.” Flash muttered under his breath, because he had no idea how to say thanks for sitting with me while I just fought for my life against a leg cramp of all things.
“Well, we can just leave.” Hawkgirl drawled, moving as if she would get up. Flash quickly, though somewhat slowly for him, grabbed her arm and pulled her back down.
“No, that's fine.” He insisted, holding onto her wrist. She smiled, shook him off, then threw her arm around his shoulders and brought him into a half-hug. He leaned against her shoulder with a hum.
“Thanks.” He mumbled, still a little embarrassed. John lightly bumped his shoulder before moving a bit closer to him.
“Anytime Hotshot.” he assured.
Wally may never see all the little things, but his family always would catch what he missed.