Chapter Text
There’s one word that could never be used to describe Wally West’s life; boring. He has the life that he had always dreamed of. He’s Kid Flash, a teenaged superhero heartthrob, he can break the sound barrier without breaking a sweat, plus he has the most awesome friends anyone could ask for. What more could a guy want?
A lot.
The fact is, not everything’s perfect in Wally’s life; far from it actually. Sure it’s never boring, fighting crime with a group of teenagers who respect and love him like family; that could never be boring.
But they are the only ones.
And they don’t even really know Wally; only what he lets them know.
The team he’s on, the team he helped create, the team where he can smile and joke and flirt and it seems normal- is normal; it’s all a simple excuse to just get away for a while. That’s what his father tells him every time.
“You’re not good enough to be a hero.” He’d say, “You’re nothing more than a worthless wannabe; a freak of nature.”
Wally tries not to listen to him when he says stuff like that.
He’s just worried about me. That’s all. He’s just worried.
He tries really hard not to believe the harsh words.
He lets them fly over his head, because it hurts less to pretend he doesn’t hear, but won’t let it show that it does.
But sometimes it seems so much easier to just give in; even just a little. Just to let the words sink in and maybe, just maybe it might not be so bad. Maybe one day he might be able to earn his father’s acceptance; his love-
No. His father loves him. He’s just worried.
He doesn’t tell Uncle Barry about his parents; he doesn’t think it matters. So what if his parents are strict? So what if they say things that are harsh and sharp and sometimes hurt more than Wally lets show? They’re his parents. They care about him; even if they don’t always show it.
He doesn’t tell Uncle Barry about the bruises. Wally knows how he would respond, that he wouldn’t understand. No one would. Wally lets himself get hit because he cares about his parents. He never wants to ever see his mother be struck again. So if he has to be hit, it’s okay.
He’ll heal anyway.
~~~
“Goddamnit, Wally! If you eat that last piece, so help me God-!”
Wally pauses, sly grin plastered on his face, a slice of pepperoni pizza dangling just above his mouth, his head bent back. Looking sideways at the thirteen year-old who looks about ready to strangle him, Wally couldn’t help but wink deviously at the brunette before making as if to bite the pizza in slow motion.
“Wally!” Robin all but growls, lunging at the red-head. Laughing, Wally finishes the piece of pizza before the Boy Wonder even makes it to his side of the couch. “Wally!” The boy whines once he realizes the precious food has been devoured. “So not cool, dude!”
“You snooze, you lose.” Wally says, shit eating grin sneaking its way on his face. Robin glares. “Besides,” Wally continues, “There’s still some on your plate.” And the way he says it makes the thirteen year-old’s eyes narrow.
“Don’t. You. Dare.” Robin hisses lunging for his plate as Wally reaches his arm out to snag it. The raven-haired boy makes it in time by shoving a bony knee into the others arm.
“Aw, come on, Rob! Learn to share a little!” Wally laughs wrestling the younger for the pizza.
“Hell no!” The smaller of the two says elbowing Wally in the chest from behind. Wally’s grip around the younger is momentarily lost as he’s shoved unceremoniously off of the couch, landing on the floor on his back with an Umpf.
Coughing slightly from the air being knocked out of him, Wally sits up and glares at the younger.
“Dude! Like, pointy elbows much?!” Wally says rubbing his chest. It hurt a lot more than what he was willing to show. Last night’s blow was still tender and Robin unknowingly hit Wally where the bruises were still a mix of ugly colors. But his best friend didn’t need to know that, so downplaying it to make it look like an over-exaggeration, Wally mock-pouts at his friend. “You play dirty, man. Jeez.”
Robin makes a noise of satisfaction and finishes his pizza before Wally can find the chance to steal it away. Wally mentally sighs with relief that his acting worked, while on the outside he remains playful and slightly annoyed.
“What the hell are you guys doing now?” Wally looks up to see Roy walk in, hair still dripping slightly from the shower, his perma-frown in place.
“Wally was being a dick,” Robin states without looking up from the TV, finishing the last of his pizza.
“Says the abuser,” Wally jokes. Robin scoffs.
“Like I really hurt you, Baby-Flash.” He mocks, standing up and brushing his hands off on his jeans. Taking his plate, he starts towards the kitchen. “He tried to steal my pizza, he got what he deserved.” Robin says matter-of-factly, with a shrug of his shoulders while passing Roy.
“Kid-Flash!” Wally says on instinct, mildly irritated by the mispronunciation, before realizing the jab his friend just made at him. “And I’m not a baby!”
From inside the kitchen, Wally can hear Robin’s laugh and instead of being angry he just smiles.
Standing up, Wally grimaces as his ribs and chest throb in protest but quickly hides it behind the smile before the pain on his face is noticeable. Apparently he isn’t quick enough, because Roy’s eyes narrow in the way that Wally knows is somewhere along the lines of worry and confusion.
Ignoring the questioning look the archer was giving him, Wally picks up his own plate and heads towards the kitchen. Inside, Robin is busy scrounging around the cupboards.
“Roy, where the hell’s the soap?” Robin calls.
“Behind the garbage,” The eldest replies distractedly from the doorway. Wally tries not to jump; he hadn’t realized Roy had followed him in. Turning slightly, Wally sees that Roy is still staring at him, frowning. Wally doesn’t really like the way Roy’s eyes keep going up and down his body; searching for something.
Inside, Wally’s slightly freaking out. He knows how Roy gets when he wants to know something. Sure it isn’t as bad as Robin, who basically stalks you until you tell him what he wants to hear. No, Roy’s different. He stares like he can see through you and Wally really hates that stare. He doesn’t think he gave anything away, and if Roy asks him about the grimace then he can just bluff it off as being from patrol. The problem with Roy is that he’s really good at telling when Wally’s lying to him. Wally doesn’t know how he does it but it seriously unnerves him. He can’t lie to Roy without him seeing through it, so he always tries extra hard not to let anything show around him so Roy doesn’t need to ask any questions.
On the outside Wally is neutral. He tries not to gulp when he sees Roy’s eyes narrow further and his frown deepen.
Don’t give anything away. Don’t give anything away. Stay calm. Don’t give anything away. Don’tgiveanythingawaystaycalmstaycalmstaycalmSTAYCALMDON’T-
“Why’s everyone so quiet?” Robin’s voice breaks through the near scream of Wally’s thoughts and he turns to see the boy wonder with an eyebrow cocked. Wally smiles, his natural failsafe.
“More like bored.” Wally says lightly. “Just waiting on you, dish-boy.” He laughs at the face he gets.
“Well you could help you know.” Robin glares but goes back to drying a glass.
Wally helps out, ignoring the glare coming off of Roy and by the time they’re done with dishes, both Wally and Robin are back to joking and laughing and being normal.
Out of the corner of his eye, Wally can still see Roy staring at him but it’s more relaxed instead of staring-through-your-soul intense. Wally relaxes back into the routine of playing around with video games and poking fun here and there.
By 8:30, Wally has basically forgotten about earlier and is at Roy’s apartment door waving goodbye to Robin as the boy wonder heads home.
“See you at the mountain tomorrow, Baby-Flash.” Robin says waving. Wally groans.
“You’re not gonna let that one go, are you?”
“Not a chance,” The smaller grins and Wally groans again. “Oh. Roy?” Robin turns to the other red-head who grunts in acknowledgment. “You’re out of soap.”
Roy rolls his eyes. “Night, bird-brain.” Robin grins again then finally leaves.
Roy closes the apartment door and turns to Wally who suddenly feels chills creep up his spine.
The archer narrows his eyes and Wally wants nothing more than to shrink into the floorboards rather than face a questioning Roy.
“What?” Wally tries to play ignorant to what Roy is obviously trying to do with his persistent searching stare.
After a moment that feels like hours, but most likely about a minute, Roy sighs then makes his way towards the kitchen. Wally stands still for a couple seconds before following the taller red-head, slightly confused as to why he isn’t being bombarded with questions.
Roy motions for him to sit at the table. After a second’s hesitation, Wally obliges, sitting on the one closest to the doorway, just in case he needs to run. Roy brings over two mugs and places the one filled with hot chocolate in front of Wally. Wally stares down at the steaming liquid and prays that this will be over quickly. Roy sits across from him and takes a sip from his coffee before placing it down.
After about a minute of silence, Roy finally speaks.
“How bad is it?” Roy isn’t looking at him so he doesn’t see the blank look Wally’s giving him.
“Huh?”
Roy looks at him and sighs again before nodding towards Wally’s chest.
“Oh.” Wally feels his face redden from embarrassment and fights the relieved sigh that wants to escape from his mouth. Roy doesn’t know how bad it is at home, he thinks then stops himself, biting his tongue. Nothing’s bad at home so of course he doesn’t think that. He fights the urge to hit himself for thinking something so stupid, instead he smiles calmly and looks back at the mug in front of him. “It’s okay.” He says, “Just a bruise. “ Bruises, and most likely a fractured rib, “I got it on patrol last night, hasn’t fully healed yet.” His voice is calm and collected which kind of surprises him because his head is a mess.
He looks up at Roy who’s frowning again.
“I thought Barry had you on a leash.” Roy says, concern leaking into his voice. “He was with Ollie last night.”
Shit. ShitshitshitshitshitshitshitshitshitshitSHITSHIT-
Wally gives a sheepish smile. “It’s really nothing, Roy. I just-“
“You didn’t tell him.” Roy states, eyebrow rising.
Wally lets himself look a little guilty, because in truth, he didn’t tell Uncle Barry about what happened to him, so technically he isn’t lying to Roy.
“Wally-”
“It’s really not that bad, Roy, I promise.” Wally says “I didn’t wanna worry him, plus, if he found out, I can kiss patrol goodbye for at least a month.” He tries to sound as innocently desperate as possible, even adding in the puppy dog eyes.
Roy stares at him for a moment; thinking. He sighs, and runs a hand through his hair.
“Fine, I won’t tell your overprotective uncle about your sneaking out,” when Wally’s smile starts coming back Roy raises a finger. “On one condition,” Wally nods quickly, anything to get this over with, “Don’t do it again, got it?”
Wally nods enthusiastically, smile lighting up his face.
“Promise!”
Roy raises his eyebrow again at how childish Wally must’ve sounded. Wally doesn’t even feel the need to be embarrassed because the utter relief of not having Roy harassing him further tops everything else.
After a while of just nonsense talking, Wally realizes what time it is. It's already past curfew.
After hastily throwing on his shoes and once again promising not to do stupid stuff alone, like patrol, Wally says his goodbyes and rushes to the nearest zeta-tube, thinking the whole way there of ways to ease his mother’s worried mind and lessen his father’s anger.