Archive of Our Own

“Dick?” 

The door clicked closed behind him, followed only a second later by a whir in his ears as static flashed in his periphery.

A brief pang of familiarity.

And then warm hands were on his shoulders, the ginger’s head angled awkwardly to catch Dick’s eyes, which brightened when they met his. “It is you!”

“Wally?” He couldn’t stop the grin that sprung to his face, eyes fighting to both hold Wally’s gaze and look him over at the same time. 

“Gosh, it’s been so long.” His laugh was as warm as the hug Dick soon found himself drawn into and the raven-haired man belatedly remembered to wrap his arms back around the other. Wally spoke again, “Too long.” And Dick forced himself to ignore how softly he’d said it.

“Years.” He agreed. 

They pulled apart and the freckles on his cheeks caught Dick’s attention.

He shook his head lightly in residual disbelief, “You’re- what are you doing here, Wals?”

“I had to see Bruce about a mission. Thought I’d take the chance that you might be nearby, running a case with the Bat.” 

Dick rolled his eyes, and still couldn’t believe that they landed back on Wally. He was in front of him.

“Yeah, it’s been pretty much radio silence from you. Gotham keeping you busy?”

“I patrol Blüdhaven now. Mostly.”

“Oh right, you’ve got your own territory now, don’t you big guy?” And the finger Wally poked at the blue symbol on his uniform wasn’t half as noticeable as the way the hairs on the back of his neck prickled at that lopsided grin.

And then Wally seemed to remember that he had a meeting with Batman and said a hurried goodbye. The speedster zoomed around the board room, probably more than once, but Dick couldn’t tell since it just looked like one blur to him. A flutter of papers somewhere behind him, and then he was gone. But not before Dick felt a rush of air past his face, much closer, and when he looked down, he saw a note between his fingers written in that hurried scrawl.

Stop by so we can catch up. 

When Dick finally had a night off from patrols, and the gnawing feeling of something closing in on his thoughts was getting to a point where he was obsessing over it, he gave in. 

His knuckles made contact with the door, and a small part of him was disappointed when Wally answered, that part of Dick having half-hoped the speedster wouldn’t be home.

But he stepped inside anyway after Wally invited him in, the lights and carpeted floor and out-of-place sheer curtains forcing his mind to replay that forgotten memory- of the feeling of the cold wall pressed against his back, the ghost of warm breath fluttering over his lips.

He couldn’t hide his surprise when he saw her sprawled on the couch.

“Artemis?”

“Hey, Grayson. Been a while.” She had a book between her hands and hadn’t even bothered to look at him, like she knew Wally had been expecting his visit.
 
“Yeah?” He didn’t know why he said it like it was a question, but neither other occupant in the room seemed to notice it regardless. He heard the tick of a clock, the sound of her turning the page, and he shoved back the feeling like he was the one out of place.

“You joining us for dinner?” She carefully put the book down, after bending over the corner of the page she was on to keep her place, and then stood in one graceful motion, that same ease that she’d always had.

Wally was suddenly behind Dick, the palm of his hand pressed neatly to the small of his back and nudging him towards the dining table like he thought Dick had forgotten where it was. “You’re just in time, so why not?”

Dick nodded dumbly against his instincts to leave.

Throughout dinner, he smiled though he could feel it didn’t reach his eyes. And all the while he still couldn’t stop his gaze from lingering on Artemis, like she was something foreign and strange and like she didn’t belong sitting next to Wally. Even though she did. Dick had seen them together- had been around when they had first started dating. 

But she was still there. Still with Wally. It had Dick’s jaw tighten and he put his fork down halfway through his meal. 

The conversation was idle and surface-level. Mild jokes about their younger days, when they were 19 and reckless, stories exchanged from their different missions, skirting around certain topics, not asking why he’d disappeared.

When Artemis got up to pack away the rest of the leftovers, Wally scooted closer to Dick, placing a too hot hand over his on the table and squaring him with that look that only Wally could pull off. The look that made it impossible for Dick to move or look away.

“I’ve missed you, Dick.”

He always hated how honest he was.

Dick’s gaze remained frozen on Wally’s face.  

He’d grown. They both had. But not by as much as the space between them had. 

Five years.

And then Artemis walked back in and Dick felt Wally squeeze his hand once before pulling away and coming to stand next to her. He watched as Wally busied his fingers with tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “Don’t worry, I’ve got the dishes.” 

It was hard to miss how well her smile matched his goofy grin.

Dick cleared his throat. “I should get going.”

“Don’t be a stranger.”

It was a long time before he saw him again. Probably a month. 

A rush of wind and Wally was sitting next to him. The rooftop didn’t feel big enough for both of them. 

“Let me guess,” Dick started, leaning forward to rest his arms on his knees. “Bruce?”

“Alfred, actually.”

Dick didn’t need to hear the entire explanation, but Wally was still there and talking. The same images that had been on a loop in his mind the past month played again then- images of Wally’s toned skin under Dick’s palms as he memorized every inch of him, of Wally’s bright eyes that seemed to get darker with each whispered word between them.

“What are you hiding?”

Dick froze for a second, expelling the images from his mind in an instant. “What?”

“Your hands,” and then Wally’s warm hands were over his and easily taking the item from his fingers. “New Batarangs.” he turned the item over, the metal catching moonlight.

“They’re not new.” 

And he hoped Wally wouldn’t point out the obvious, but he did. “New to me.”

Dick couldn’t look at him.

“Come over again. Show me your new moves.” 

A shot fired past his head, the bullet missing him by a mile. Amateurs. Dick flipped in an arc over the thug’s head, knocking the weapon from his hand in the process. The guy spat and yanked a sword from under his belt, the blade moving fast to slice the throat of the tied up woman.

A spark in the air and belatedly on his skin, and suddenly Wally was next to him, the blade clattering to the ground, a look of bewildered shock across the thug’s face. 

“Never seen a speedster before?”

Wally laughed loudly, brazenly, as he sped to the tied up woman and Dick suppressed a flutter of something between satisfaction and pride in his chest. It didn’t distract him from successfully slamming a fist into the man’s chin, his nose and then he kneed him in the stomach.

“A little late, don’t you think, Flash?” He couldn’t hide the humor in his tone despite himself and he didn’t need to indicate to the other unconscious bodies scattered around the dock.

“Doesn’t seem like you needed me.” He stood, zoomed over to the teetering duffel bag that was one gust of wind away from being claimed by the wide gape of the ocean. 

“Then why show up at all?”

“Figured I’d have to come see those moves myself.” 

The duffel bag was dropped before his feet.

He rolled out the tension in his shoulders and looked up to see Wally crossing his arms over his chest.

The woman had already given her breathless thank you’s before skirting away from the scene, apparently not wanting to be involved with the police. No one did, not with how corrupt things were becoming.

“I didn’t think you were that interested.” He immediately regretted saying it, it sounded like he was backing himself into a corner. He moved over to collect the firearm from where it had landed on the ground.

“Nice to see you too, Dick.”

Dick raised a brow at the sharp tone.

Wally sighed, ran a hand through his hair and morphed his words into something warmer. “I miss us hanging out. What changed?”

I couldn’t stop thinking about being with you.

“Things got busy.” 

“Not for me. Just you.”

“Yeah, exactly. Blüdhaven's a wreck even with Nightwing.” He stepped over the thug’s limp body, bent down to check his coat for any identification.

“Dick-”

“Look, what do you want me to say? That I’m sorry, that I miss hanging out too.” He refused to look at Wally again, heated words targeted at the unmoving body on the ground, because that was a lot easier than talking to Wally.

He briefly wondered if his memories were all just part of some fevered dream.

Did Wally not remember? Why was he forcing Dick to replay moments that he’d long since buried?

He found a wallet, read the name on his credit card, but didn’t register it. The only name he was reading in his mind was Wally’s, and that was because he was still there, talking.

“We used to be best friends. You’re still my best friend.”  

He screwed his eyes shut. He couldn’t do this now. He needed to focus on collecting what evidence he could from the drug bust. That was all.

Wally sighed, half defeated, and Dick really wanted him to just forget it. 

“Would you at least look at me?”

He hesitated for too long. It must have felt even longer to Wally since he was so used to speed, to things being fast and immediate. But the ginger didn’t shift his weight or change his posture where he stood. Just waited with all the patience in the world.

And when Dick sighed again, turned around, stood and looked at Wally, really looked at him, he hated how the other’s eyes seemed to soften too much around the edges. It felt like all his thoughts were written on his face, and Wally was able to read all of it, effortlessly, even in the dim moonlight.  

Dick felt an awkward tenseness pull at his spine, at his shoulders, so he shrugged. Anything to dispel Wally’s stare or the wrenching feeling in his chest.

And it must have conveyed the message Dick was trying to get across. 

Wally nodded, then looked away finally. He seemed to think of something then, nervously nudging a stone further into the dirt with the toe of his shoe and Dick wished the visit was over already.

He forced a sigh past his lips, turned his head to let his eyes watch the unruly water that looked darker and colder than the night sky. 

“Wally-”

“Don’t.” He was still fidgeting with the gravel beneath his feet. “Don’t feel like you need to explain yourself. Can-” he swallowed, “Is it cool if I stick around? I don’t care if you just want to work in silence.”

Dick laughed. “Think you can keep quiet that long?”

He was glad when Wally flashed him a soft smile. 

Wally’s eyes seemed to widen a fraction, probably in surprise at the cramped space. 

Dick’s apartment really wasn’t much to look at. He had the bare necessities in terms of furniture and appliances, but nothing lavish or luxury, or anything really colourful for that matter.

Wally let his eyes roam the space for a little longer, and it seemed like he was looking for something in particular, but then he blinked and seemed to forget it. 

And then Wally quickly took up the couch. It was the same one Dick had had in his old place. And the picture of Wally there was quickly turning into one of Wally suddenly shirtless and groaning into one of the couch pillows, Dick pressed perfectly against him. 

He blinked back the hot rush of nostalgia that scorched his chest. 

“You gonna change?” And Wally was looking at him with those soulful eyes, like he wasn’t planning on taking them off Dick’s anytime soon. 

“Yeah, be right back.” He headed to his room quickly, like he couldn’t have left Wally there fast enough. He clumsily changed out of his Nightwing gear, washed the blood off his body with cold water over the sink and scrubbed too hard with a bar of soap in front of the small mirror.

He shut off the water and paused like that for a moment, his hand still clasped over the handle, very aware of how Wally’s presence was closing in on him like the walls of his small apartment. The haunting memories were playing in his mind and Dick let out a sigh that was more harsh than anything.

He’d missed Wally too. More than he allowed himself to feel. 

He stared back at his own blue eyes. In them, he could see just how much.

And it bothered him how Wally was acting like things could go back to normal between them. 

Admittedly, things had always been normal between them. Fun, free, single idiots who were keeping each other company and enjoying exploring together. Dick was the one who’d started to pull away once Wally had met Artemis.

He straightened, shook his head too hard. 

He could put the memories behind himself. They had been together in some messy haze of happiness, but it was not as real as what he and Artemis had. And when the pair had started dating, the only logical thing had been to keep his distance, not wanting his own feelings to ruin what Wally was building with her.

When he got back to the living room, he had changed out of his Flash uniform and was now wearing sweats and was busy pulling a t-shirt over his head. Dick’s eyes snagged on the bit of exposed flesh before it was quickly hidden from view. 

He spied an overnight bag lying on the floor next to the couch. 

“Did you just run home and get that?”

“Yeah,” Wally zipped over to him, ruffling his hair in a way that was too annoying for Dick to resist protesting against. “Couldn’t pass up the opportunity for a sleepover with my best babe.”

His scowl didn’t hide his grin and he shook his head to displace the hand there. “You know I hate when you do that.”

Wally smiled, nodded. “Haven’t forgotten.” 

There was a breath’s space between them and Dick felt something race across his skin, a static that had his fingers twitch in anticipation when he allowed himself to look at Wally while he was this close to him. 

But then Wally’s eyes brightened and he finally moved away so that Dick could breathe again, pulling out his phone and glancing back at him. “Oh yeah, mind if I order pizza?”

They landed up huddled on Dick’s old couch, watching a bad horror movie that they had both already seen and eating too much pizza. 

Wally was sitting close to him, the energy around him buzzing, their legs pressed together and shoulders touching, and he couldn’t force his mind to stop focusing on the heat the other was radiating. He’d missed this warmth- this speedster warmth- that never seemed to run out or lessen in its intensity. Dick flexed his fingers, laced them together, his own hands suddenly feeling cold in comparison.

And then Wally shifted next to him so he could lean over to grab another slice from the box that was on the table and that heat moved with him but didn’t disappear. A warm hand braced on his thigh to steady himself and then it was gone. 

So Dick could push his thoughts aside. He wanted their friendship back, could silence the way his body screamed to kiss the man next to him- so casually, the way he used to take for granted.

Wally put another film on after the first had finished and his arm found its way over the back of the couch, and Dick almost froze when his fingers began to play absently at the strands by the back of his head, warm fingers tickling the skin of his neck.

He huffed a laugh, and it sounded rough but had the desired effect- Wally’s hand stilled and fell from where it had been occupied with chasing goosebumps down Dick’s spine. He turned his eyes to look at Wally. “You good, dude?”

“Yeah?”

“You still do that as a nervous habit?”

He lightly whacked him over the head but he was smiling.

And like this, he could pretend like Wally was still the same Wally, that nothing had changed even after years of being apart and that Wally's warm friendship was enough, and he didn't need anything more than this.

Wally slept on the couch and Dick in his own bed. It felt strange. Wally there but not next to him. 

And then the image of Wally suddenly showed in front of Dick’s eyes again when he closed them, the place at his neck burning where he had been touched, dreaming of green eyes and warm lips pressed to his collarbone, his mind between sleep and waking where his thoughts were allowed, weren’t turned over, examined and then buried away.

Wally visited more often now that he knew where Dick stayed and he was beginning to wonder if it was a mistake. 

He stayed too late and slept on the couch too often that Dick was starting to catch traces of his scent whenever he found himself sprawled across it, his thoughts continuing to drift whenever he was alone.

“You getting enough sleep, dude?”

He wasn’t alone now. Wally was there and they were both sitting too close on his couch once more. But tonight the space felt both cramped and not close enough, and Dick’s leg bounced with an insatiable restlessness thrumming beneath his skin.

He shrugged, “Sure, if you consider the naps in between patrols decent shut eye.”

Concern pinched the space between his brows and he sighed lightly. “Yeah, I can tell you’re running on adrenaline and caffeine.”

Dick shrugged again because that seemed to be what he was best at, at the moment. “It’ll catch up to me and I’ll crash eventually, don’t worry.” 

“You need to like, calm down or something. It looks like you’re working on overdrive.” 

Dick stood, feeling like it was better if he did- to dispel the energy in his limbs and the weight of Wally’s gaze, though the speedster just got up after him, even followed him to the kitchen. 

He stood there in the doorway, arms crossed in front of his chest as his eyes, too stern to not look out of place on his face, tracked Dick’s every movement- filling the kettle, putting it on boil, collecting a mug and dropping a tea bag into it. They stood in silence all the while, Dick not really caring that Wally was still watching him, unmoving, when he poured the water. 

Finally, he turned to the taller man, lifting his cup in mock cheers. “See? Tea.” 

He just raised a brow in reply. 

And then Wally was in front of him, and the harsh kitchen lighting highlighted things in Wally’s eyes that Dick didn’t want to try and identify. So he closed his eyes and didn’t move when he felt the press of Wally’s thumb run softly on the rise of his cheek, just beneath his fluttering lashes. 

“You know you can talk to me.”

And then he was swallowing around the fondness that sat in his throat. 

Later, Wally was drawing patterns on the inside of his wrist. 

“Artie was hoping the three of us could hang out together. Watch a movie, maybe get dinner.”

He hummed.

Saw how Wally’s hand briefly stilled then continued.

He closed his eyes again.

After a few quiet moments, he felt a shift and the springs of the couch decompressed next to him as Wally stood, heard him walking off at normal speed to Dick’s room. When he came back, Dick’s eyes opened, landing on Wally’s calm ones, his lips a neutral line like he was trying to stay as still as he could. And his eyes drifted down to see he was holding one of Dick’s pillows.

“Figured this one would be more comfortable for you.” 

Dick didn’t say anything, simply blinked back at him once and regarded Wally with a tired stare.

And then he was watching the way Wally hesitated before he placed the pillow on one end of the couch and Dick didn’t resist him urging him to lie down. 

Wally was eye level with Dick now when he crouched beside him as he softly swiped his bangs out of his eyes. Moving slowly so as not to disrupt the delicate stupor that Dick was in.

That warmth he was radiating was captivating again. He felt his gaze move to Wally’s mouth.

Felt his own eyes linger there in exhausted interest.

Wally grinned lightly, a hint of playful mirth, seeming to notice his diverted gaze, but Dick was too tired to adjust his stare. 

Something familiar stirred in his gut then.  

He closed his eyes against the picture of Wally hovering above him, close.

“Goodnight, Dick.”

Wally saw himself out. 

He was too restless to sleep again.

His thoughts strayed sometimes, to things he chastised himself for remembering, and things he imagined that could happen. 

Sometimes imagining the ghost of Wally’s lips on his neck when sleep evaded him, of warm hands travelling down his spine, lifting goosebumps in their wake. Of his hand moving lower. Slow words spoken just for him to hear and the feeling of hot skin beneath his own fingertips.

And then that smile would turn away from him and would be met with stunning lips instead that matched his perfectly and the spell would break.

He sighed in frustration, his own hand that had trailed down his body, slipping away, too cold, reminding him it wasn’t Wally’s.

He met up with them a few nights later and he was surprised when Wally sat next to him at the table instead of next to Artemis. It was the first time Dick saw Artemis wearing something as extravagant and elegant as the dress she was in, and maybe Wally could appreciate it more from his view next to Dick. 

Artemis was laughing. “I think you’re the worst flirt I’ve ever encountered. Even worse than Grayson. And you get out more than he does.”

“Wh-what, there’s no ways that-” He sputtered, incredulous disbelief on his face and Dick couldn’t stop himself from laughing.

“Totally.” He agreed, hiding his smirk behind a sip from his glass.

“What was the line you tried to use on me on our second date?” And she laughed at herself, waving a hand to dispel some of the mirth in her words. “Something about being a DNA helicase enzyme so you could ‘unzip my genes’?” 

Dick laughed hard at that, and even harder when he saw the rise of pink in Wally’s cheeks at being the target of their teasing.

“That line’s gold, I challenge either of you to think of a better one.”

“Fine, fine, you’re right,” and Artemis gave him a brief once-over, “the mistake was entirely in your timing.”

“He lacks tact when he flirts.” Dick clarified and flinched when Wally playfully jabbed him in the ribs with his elbow.

When Dick got back from the restroom, Wally had taken up the seat next to Artemis and had his arm braced loosely around her shoulders, whispering something in her ear. 

Dick ignored how his stomach twisted at the sight, reminding himself to breathe when Wally led Artemis by her lower back towards him, that his own hands were not trembling.

When they were outside the restaurant, Artemis hugged them both, gave Wally a kiss on the cheek. “I’m going to take a cab home.”

“Are you sure? I can take you home.”

She raised an unamused brow. “I’m not being piggy-backed in this dress.” And before Wally could protest, she held up a finger, “Or carried bridal style with how long it took to get my hair done.”

Dick walked back with him and when they reached Wally’s place, he was surprised to see it was dark inside.

“Is Artemis sleeping?”

“What?” He gave him a confused look before unlocking the door and inviting Dick inside. 

But they were the only two in the house. 

And then Wally seemed to register Dick’s question and he turned to fully regard him, confusion still pulling at his brows. “We don’t live together.”
  
“Oh.” Was all that Dick said. 

The next time Dick visited Wally, it was early morning and Artemis was in fact there. She was walking out of Wally’s room, having just woken up before she headed to the kitchen to make coffee. 

Dick watched as Wally’s eyes followed after her.

“I thought you were doing breakfast.” She walked up to him to poke the ginger’s chest.

He blinked and remembered, “I am.” 

The pancakes were ready with a flourish, a warmth at Dick’s side that left too quickly after Wally had placed a stack on his plate.

“Eat up.”

“By that, he means eat quickly or else you’ll see that food disappear.”

“I’ve been stealing Dick’s food for years. He knows what I mean.”

He decided to leave when the domestic feeling lingered around the room even after breakfast. Artemis jumped up after him, also getting ready to leave.

His eyes caught a glimpse of the throw blanket that lay over the arm rest of one of the couches. A pillow and one of Wally’s t-shirts.

Then there was warmth next to him again, broad chest and shoulders blocking his view, and Wally’s tight smile as he waved them out.

When he was outside with her, she turned to him. “He’s really glad to see you again, you know.”

Dick chuckled, erasing any remaining trace of the heaviness that sat in his chest. “I know.”

Her lips were pursed and she had a disbelieving raise in her brow. “Get some more sleep. And stop frowning the whole time.” 

She somehow landed up saving her number in his phone. “So you don’t disappear on us again,” and she handed it back to him.

“I feel like you only agreed because Artemis asked you to come.”

“And if that's true?”

“Then I'd be deeply hurt.” Wally pressed a hand to his chest in mock offense. Dick’s laugh came out warm.

“Tigress.” She corrected when she approached them again. “Remember, all three lines have to be cut off simultaneously.”

“On your signal, babe.”

The world was quieting around them now that the first band of morning light was appearing and the invitation to help Artemis with her target had extended to a house visit. “When was the last time you worked in Gotham?”

“Years.”

“Feel different?” Wally caught his eye, and Artemis appeared around them with the bowl of popcorn.

“No.” He continued after a beat. “Better company, though.” 

Wally’s grin was stunning, his eyes creasing at the edges, and Dick’s thoughts were back where they shouldn’t be. He looked away. 

Artemis scoffed, “Don’t know why it’s so difficult to wrangle a visit out of you, then.” 

Some days it was easier than others. To act like things between him and Wally could go back to normal. 

She sat neatly next to him, his arm automatically coming up to rest along the back of the couch behind her.

Other days, he wasn’t in the headspace to battle his own feelings. 

He chose to fix his eyes forward, look past them, pretending he didn’t see. But he tightened his fists at his sides. 

He would never interfere. 

He hated how that was something he had to remind himself of.

“Sometimes you text when I’m busy.”

“As if this is a better time. Popcorn for supper after a bust.”

“It was fun, though. We used to do missions together like this.” Wally’s voice smoothed over the rough edge that sat in Dick’s chest at the mention of the past. 

Even back then, Dick had hardly hung out with the two of them, already pulling away from the friendship.

The moment changed as Artemis put a comedy on and Wally caught a few pieces of popcorn mid air that Dick threw at him from the other couch, perfectly aimed for his mouth, as if Dick’s focus hadn't been on his lips ever since the ginger started mouthing off about the movie.

“You throw like an old man.”

“My aim is perfect.” 

“See if you can get five pieces in with one throw.” 

“You want me to just throw popcorn at your face?”

“I’ll catch it.”

“I swear Grayson, if even one piece falls down my shirt, you really won’t be invited anymore.”

They passed a look of worry towards one another at the exact same moment and Wally’s rich laughter brought a smile to his own lips.

Sometimes things were normal between them again. 

Wally caught each piece perfectly, licked his bottom lip after the last one, and Dick’s eyes snagged on the motion.

But mostly, Dick wanted to crash their lips together. 

“Too easy.”

“You’re terrible, West.” Artemis scowled and Dick halted when Wally glanced down fondly at the woman leaning against his side.

Wally ate the rest of the popcorn by himself.

“Stay the night, Dick. Seriously, there’s another couch.”

She said it with exasperation and of course Wally had already zipped off to fetch another blanket.

“Yeah, you’re welcome to stay.”

Wally pulled himself down onto the other couch after the lights were turned off.

“You don’t have to sleep here for my benefit.”

“Where else am I going to go?” and he sighed at Wally’s logic. As if he had to keep Dick company, his obligation as host.

And Dick could only focus on the space between them. Wally close but not at his side, as though that was wrong, hands clenching into fists, he should be with Artemis.

He turned on his side, facing where he could see the top of Wally’s head and he’d be able to brush the strands there if he reached out, could press his lips there and work his way down to claim his mouth, a taste he still remembered.

A soft sigh. Or maybe it was another noise. Wally craned his neck up awkwardly, eyes finding Dick’s, “You okay?”

“Fine.” And if there had been anything more than moonlight in the room, Dick feared that Wally might have caught something else in his eyes.

“Sleep, Dick. My house, my rules.”

Soft breathing showed that Wally was drifting off, but tension sat tight in Dick’s muscles, until he kicked the blanket away and turned his body to face the cushions. 

“So when am I getting a proper invitation?”

“For what?”

“To visit."

He raised a brow. “Do you need one?”

There was silence for a moment, and he could practically hear Wally belatedly registering that he was already standing in Dick’s living room.

“No, but-”

“I don’t mind you dropping by, Wals.” He laughed stiffly, finally looking up from his phone to spare the other a glance. “Is that good enough?”

He stayed put where he stood, watching Dick back as he was reclined on the couch. Then a look crossed his face and he was right next to him and Dick’s first instinct was to sit up, but he didn’t move. 

“Here.” Wally swiftly took the phone out of his hand, started typing.

And Dick was about to protest but before he could so much as put a scowl in place, his phone was handed back to him, his chat with Wally open and a single line in the text field- Come over.

He breathed a laugh at the look of confusion on Dick’s face, and Dick swore his brain just recorded that sound. “Just hit send.”

So he did, and Wally’s own phone chimed. 

“Wasn’t so hard, right?”
 
He rolled his eyes, affection clashing with guilt somewhere in his chest. But he let the word fall bitterly from his lips, “Right.”

A flicker of hurt chased the mirth in Wally’s face. “Cut that out, dude.”

He froze lightly at his tone that felt stiff, like a warning wrapped in restraint, softened at the edges. Wally’s eyes were still on him, suddenly feeling too invasive and he felt too exposed with him standing over him like that. 

So he stood, wanting to redirect some of the tension in the room, started drifting over to the doorway. “Cut what out?” 

“That-” Wally gestured at him in poorly-hidden frustration. “Walking away.” The heat of his body matched the heat in his eyes as he closed the distance between them and suddenly Dick was aware of his back that was a hair’s width away from the wall.

“I don-”

“You-” He lifted a hand, both, and let them simply hover somewhere over Dick’s shoulders. Then he spoke quieter, “always do this.” He searched his eyes, strong arms moving on either side of him, warm hands gently grasping his shoulders, moving down to rest on upper arms. 

Dick’s eyes traced the worried line of his lips, the tight cords of his neck. He looked like he was waiting for something.
 
“You keep acting like you want to be alone.”

Dick felt something hot flare in his blood. “Why are you so persistent on acting like you’ve forgotten about it?”

He paused and Dick was glad that he didn’t need to elaborate. “Because you act like you don’t want to talk about it.”

“I don’t.”

Wally huffed in frustration, but his eyes were patient. “Exactly.” 

“I don’t know what you want me to say.”

He squeezed his arms lightly. 

And then his vision was disrupted by ginger locks and Wally’s breath was next to his ear and Dick struggled to focus on what he said next.

“Tell me if you want this- us to be friends again.”

It took a moment for the honest words to come out, spoken softly even to Dick’s own ears. “I do.”

Sharp green eyes that were still holding a tenderness in them found his again. “Then why are you being evasive? Still avoiding me.”

Dick opened his mouth to speak, but the reasoning failed him, things he couldn't say to Wally, but here he was so close to him and Dick was so close to his resolve breaking, the warmth of the ginger’s fingers burning into Dick’s skin was almost uncomfortable now in it’s heat.

He knew he couldn't go back to being friends. Not with the way he’d been thinking about Wally. The way he was still thinking about Wally.

Back then, things were easy, and Dick hadn’t realised when it had started to change for him. Friendly kisses and touches that had started to mean more. 

He just knew that it was better for them both if he broke the friendship off.

Wally’s hands moved soothingly now, up Dick’s arms, grounding him, voice still patient. “I don't know what to do if you’re not telling me how to fix it.”

Fix it? You’re worried about that now? And there was a bitter taste in his mouth at his own thoughts as he examined Wally’s expression. “Maybe you can’t fix it.”

Dick wasn’t sure if the growl he heard in the other’s voice was imagined or not. “Why would you say that?” 

“I don't want you to fix it.”

“You don’t?” His breath came out hot and Dick felt it over his lips. “That’s your answer?”

Dick hesitated.

The warmth was gone from his arms.

“I swear, Dick-” he shook his head, eyes closed in disappointment, words unfinished.

Dick was alone in the room again.

Dick stubbornly didn’t reach out again. It was supposed to be this way anyway. He would just end up ruining things for Wally. And Artemis.

Sometimes he would hear a zip outside his door and when he checked, there would be no one there.

His couch lost the smell of Wally and sleep was harder for Dick to grasp, until his reflexes were letting him down on patrols.

Wrapping the gauze around a close wound around his waist that he had been too slow to avoid, Dick scowled at his stupidity. On his bed, the covers kicked to the floor, Dick knew he had to get over his insomnia and knew guilt was at the root of it.

‘Come over’

That was still the last message in their chat.

Dick re-sent it.

He shouldn’t have been surprised when Wally was outside his door the next hour, still in uniform. But he was, and he was also grateful that he had decided to see him in the first place.

He zipped inside before Dick could officially invite him in, either not trusting Dick to stick to the invitation or from nervousness, but the whir of wind past him was already a familiarity that Dick couldn’t deny that he’d missed.

And then Wally was standing there, seeming unsure and hesitant, which Dick could understand since he hadn’t heard from him in weeks.

“Ugh, I forgot to change.” His eyes darted around the room, endearing embarrassment written over his features at his eagerness to get to Dick immediately after patrol.

The ginger caught the hoodie and sweats tossed at him with ease, slipping into the items that Dick had retrieved from his closet. Dick looked away, tired eyes not ready to take in more of the man standing in the middle of his sitting room.

Then Wally was in front of him, a forlorn look on his face that Dick wished he would try and hide better.

He couldn’t handle the guilt right then.

Dick shuttered his eyes against the look. “I just need some sleep.”

“Okay.”

The bed shifted under Wally’s weight and the simple recognition of it was enough to send Dick’s thoughts into overdrive. This might not have been the best idea. Too many memories flashed in his mind.

A warm hand teased a few strands at Dick’s scalp, pulling lightly, the tension melting from his body and his eyes fluttered closed as if commanded. A sigh escaped him and when Wally’s fingers moved and skimmed over Dick’s knuckles, his world finally went quiet.

A hum reached his ears, but it was still part of his dream, where his fingers brushed over familiar hipbones. Moved higher as if working on muscle memory over hot skin as they slipped under the thick fabric that suddenly didn’t feel like it belonged there. 

He stirred as an arm around his waist tightened, pulled him, the warm body closer then.

Reality was as dousing as ice water and Dick woke fully, yanking himself away from the inviting heat, all traces of sleep dissolving. 

“Hn,” a grunt and then that arm was back around his waist, pulling him back down. “Sleep a bit longer.”

The familiarity was as silencing as the tired voice that spoke the words and Dick complied, mind fighting for a chance to stay awake against his fatigued limbs and the way his body almost leaned into the touch, and maybe he let it.

He let the whole day pass before he checked the message on his phone. 

“Need me to come over again?” 

Wally had left in the early hours of the morning, but not before waking Dick by carding fingers through his hair, and mumbling something about having business in Central City against his cheek, and Dick was glad that he had the space to do everything slowly. 

He took his time getting up, showering, doing laundry, unintentionally staring a little too long at his hoodie and sweatpants that Wally had worn that had fit him well but had felt out of place in his sleep. 

By the time late afternoon had rolled around and Dick had exhausted his list of things that he could pretend were important for him to get to, he was left standing in his room and staring at his phone and at the message Wally had sent a good few hours ago.

He read the message a few more times, trying to find a hint in the words that would finalise his thoughts. 

The word selfish came to mind regardless of what his answer was- wanting Wally to come over so he could be alone with him, not wanting him to come so he wouldn’t have to answer the questions he had. 

His thoughts reflexively cycled through various scenarios of how that conversation would go down. And in every scenario, Dick felt something in his chest clench. 

“It didn’t stay casual for me.”

“I can’t go back to being friends.”

“I wish I’d said something before you met her.”

Words that, every time he admitted to himself, made it feel like someone was twisting a knife in his gut. 

He sighed, felt his legs give in so that he landed heavily, sitting at the edge of his bed, his phone forgotten somewhere next to him. Hands moved weakly through his hair, turning to fists, no frustration, just exhaustion showing in the loose grip of his knuckles. 

His thoughts drifted again, to the arm around his waist, warmth on his skin, pulling him closer, sleep. 

He sighed again, felt himself shift to stare up at the ceiling, though his eyes didn’t register the bright white of it.

The company was definitely good for him. Sleep was easier and Dick would lie to himself before admitting that the last few years of his life had been wasted in loneliness, but part of it was true.

His eyes roamed the way his hands used to and he almost didn't notice when Wally stopped to watch him, until his eyes found Wally studying him, something pulling at Dick to avert his gaze, but he couldn't bring himself to follow through with that logic. And Wally didn’t call him out on it either.

“Figured you would have found a way to kick me out by now.” 

“Are you asking?”

There was a shrug from the other, like he wouldn’t have put it past him, considering the way Dick had behaved before.

The bed creaked and now Wally was reclined and running his hand in Dick’s hair again, the motion immediately compelling his eyes to close.

This was becoming his new familiar with Wally. Like this, it was allowed but couldn’t be more. 

“Before, you said I forgot about it-” 

Dick cracked an eye open and caught Wally’s gaze swiftly moving back up to his eyes. 

Hesitation paused on Wally’s face, “I haven’t,” and then Wally held up a hand to silence Dick’s next words. “I still don’t understand why you pulled away then. I mean- from me.”

He huffed, eyes closing again.

“Now I’m getting kicked out, aren’t I?” and the smile in his voice got another huff out of him, though this time it sounded amused.

They were still for a moment, only the buzz that Dick associated with Wally’s presence was in the space between them.

“It hurt to see you with Artemis back then.” He didn’t know where the sudden honesty came from. The most honest he’d been with him.

“Why?” 

He just shrugged.

“Oh.”

“I just didn’t belong there.” Even now-

“You’ll always belong here. You’re my best friend.”

It was both so close, yet so far from what Dick actually wanted to hear. Warm hands stayed over his chest that night.

He was painfully aware that the next time he visited Wally, Artemis wasn’t there. 

Wally seemed content that they were at least talking more consistently, Dick no longer declining his invitations. But the uncertainty sometimes showed in his eyes and Dick had to look away, still not having the answers ready for him.

Reclining in his seat, laughter still on his lips, Wally’s earnest eyes grazed over Dick’s face, his smile reserved.

“Thanks for inviting me over.”

“This is your place.”

“I mean the time before that. You look like you’ve been sleeping better, at least a little.” His openness showed through, casual lock of their eyes and no arms crossed over his chest that felt as friendly as it used to, as though there were no unresolved arguments between them. 

Dick didn’t respond. 

He was also more content, also able to sleep better lately. Would draw on the feeling of Wally’s chest, warm against his back, arms around his waist, when sleep would initially evade him, until the idea of the security and Wally there would have his eyes close.

“Were you getting so worked up over me, you were losing sleep?” And the wink was so Wally that Dick faltered for only a second.

“Whatever you need to tell yourself.”

Rich honey laughter and his hand was still warm where Wally had placed it over his knee. His mind focused on it, on that speedster warmth that had always felt natural over his skin, how easy it had been to be enveloped by it. “You can always tell me if you need me to stay over.” 

He let his gaze fixate there, on Wally’s arms and fingers as the muscles flexed and relaxed. 

“Dick.” A warm, inviting grin. “You know you’re staring.”

He blinked back his thoughts, realized it was too late to backpedal from his mistake, and smirked back at him, “What, can’t handle a little appreciation?” He winked at him, which was probably the reason why Wally scoffed and looked away, back down, dare he say, a little embarrassed, but there was a grin on his lips.

“Hey, I’m not complaining.”

Dick laughed, his nerves feeling eased as he watched Wally’s hands move- slicing onion, turning over the packet of sauce and stirring something in the pan, all at regular speed. He couldn't recall a time Wally’s apartment had smelled this good. His eye caught on the rolled up sleeve at Wally’s forearms. 

That familiarity that used to exist between them was slowly coming back.

He straightened a little from where he had been leaning over the counter to watch the other work, reflexively letting his gaze track down his torso, and back up. “You seriously just invited me over to cook me dinner?” 

“Sure, why not.”

And then he suddenly became interested in fiddling with the kitchen towel next to his hand when Wally’s lips had started becoming more engaging than their conversation. “This had better not be a veiled attempt at trying to butter me up for something.”

“I’m not allowed to care?”

He squared him with an unmoving look. I’d prefer if you didn’t. 

Wally shrugged, “Hey, this is just me- I don’t know, returning the favour.”

“What favour?”

He moved away again, hovered over the stove and stayed there for a while and Dick watched the meal come together. “I don’t know, I’m sure I’ll owe you for something soon.”

He scoffed, “Probably.” 

Wally’s proximity turned Dick’s thoughts once again to those forbidden memories, want clashing with hesitation and restraint, the warmth from him a constant reminder of the touches that he now only dreamt of. He felt his fingers flex following his initial train of thought- of pushing his shirt up, of running his hands up his chest, over his shoulders to pull him into a searing kiss, but then the desire would be quickly quelled, as quickly as it had entered his mind.

They'd just finished their meal, still at the table, and Wally’s gaze on him felt heavy, his expression shifting with something as he seemed to regard the look on Dick’s face. But whether he’d figured out what Dick was thinking or not, he didn’t press the matter further. “Thanks for coming over.”

He just nodded, unable to look away from whatever look had crossed Wally’s face, equating it with something he shouldn’t be thinking about.

He scoffed lightly, “Dick.” 

“Wally.”

The hand on his leg squeezed lightly and then was gone. Then the warm pad of his thumb brushed over his brow, concern showing in the slow movement of the gesture and Wally’s eyes still not leaving his. 

“Why do you always look like you’re fighting with yourself?”

Dick ignored the gentleness in the other’s tone, not allowing himself to be moved to reveal more of himself. “...Just thinking.”

“About what?”

“Nothing for you to worry about.”

A soft sigh. “If you don’t want me worrying, then talk to me.”

He didn’t say anything. He stood, Wally followed the motion.

His face seemed to fall slightly. “You still don’t want me to fix it?”

You can’t. 

“Dick-” His voice wavered with restrained emotion. 

“Just,” he spoke the word harsher than he’d intended, “drop it, will you?” Harsher than he’d meant.

The bite back was instant, “I will when you stop hiding.”

He scoffed, “Isn’t it just easier this way?”

Wally looked entirely confused. “What’s easier?”

“Just leave it, forget it.”

“No, what? Pretending it never happened, right? Why don’t you want to talk about it?” The edge in his voice was still there, the smallest tremor in his hand, as though his mind was working faster than his mouth.

He ran a hand through his hair. “What do you want, Wally?”

“I’ve already told you- I want to go back to the way things used to be.”

“I can’t.”

“Why not?” Wally was too close, hands fisted in the front of his shirt, pulling Dick even closer, and Dick felt his defenses rise even further. Felt his eyes flick across Wally’s desperate ones, the warmth too close, the hold exactly where he wanted to be, but Wally would never-

“I just can’t do it again.” He pushed against Wally’s chest. The lack of space suffocating, but still found himself taking in a few deep breaths with the distance, the space still too small.

Wally fixed him with a hard gaze, one Dick hadn’t often felt directed at himself, offense tainting those expressive orbs. “Do what again?”

Fall in love with you again. Want more than what you’re offering. Get hurt by you again.

He moved toward the exit of the room, but Wally quickly moved in front of him, blocking.

“Get out of my way, Wally.”

The look was completely different. “I can’t, please Dick, I don’t want you to disappear again.”

He didn’t say anything. 

The next words had Dick falter again, “Just tell me what I need to do.”

“Everything okay with you two?”

Neither of them had heard her come in and Dick blanched.

With a quick bounce of energy, Wally grabbed both of Dick’s hands, the barest tremor in them. “I don’t want you to disappear again.”

He yanked his hands free, hard, eyes falling back to Artemis, feeling like if he didn’t leave, his expression or words would give himself away. He pushed away the look of hurt he’d caught in Wally’s eyes.

Wally found Dick on a rooftop again, two weeks later, and this time, Dick didn’t question how he’d known to look for him there. They were both quiet for a while and far apart enough that Dick couldn’t feel any residual heat radiating from him.

“Did you ever land up finding someone worth dating?”

Dick couldn’t help but look at him then. He had his cowl down, curls shifting lazily in the quiet night and face turned to the stars, a soft smile. He looked tired. He clarified, “In those five years?”

“No.” The finality of it was uncomfortable and Dick wanted to say something to cover it up, but didn’t elaborate.

He chuckled. “Typical Dick Grayson. You’ve always been hard to pin down.”

A very unfortunate series of memories played in his mind then. 

There was a weird pulse of electricity between them, but not something entirely foreign to Dick. His head immediately whipped around to look at Wally, seeing the line of his silhouette faintly stutter, repeatedly, vibrating as his nervous system tried to keep up with whatever was running through his head and the adrenaline in his blood.

“Wally-” Dick moved to put his arms around him, anything to ground his friend.

“Sorry,”

“It’s okay.”

“It feels like you hate me.”

“I don’t.”

“You won’t talk to me either.” The insecurity was the rarest form of trust that Dick had ever bore witness to from the ginger. He pulled away to grasp his hand in his, to ground him, and moved to place Wally’s hands against his cheeks. “I’m not leaving, okay? I just wanted to think.”

“Seriously, why do I always end up upsetting you. You'd think I’d learn by now.” 

Dick moved his mouth toward Wally’s cheek, halted there for too long to be normal, brushed his nose against it instead, fearful of what he’d almost done on instinct. Then Wally’s forehead was resting on his shoulder and a deep sigh was warm against him.

“It’s faster for me to get to your place than for you to drive to me.”

“Yeah, so?”

He shrugged. “Just justifying it to myself.”

“Justifying what?”

He gestured vaguely, “Just stuff, dude.”

“Wow, you’re articulate tonight.” The haughty smirk on Dick’s lips only seemed to further heighten that thrum that was sitting between them, that had been there since Wally had arrived, and Dick couldn’t decide if Wally was to blame for the feeling like the room was steadily getting warmer. 

“Give me a break.” 

He said it lightly, amused, but Dick registered the dark circles under the ginger’s eyes, the slight drop of his shoulders.

He scooted his chair closer to him then, until their shoulders were touching, Dick hesitating only briefly before placing his palm over the back of Wally’s hand on the table, decidedly not lacing their fingers together, but letting it rest there all the same.

Wally glanced down at their hands and something seemed to flicker across his eyes for a second and then that dopey smile was on his lips. “Thanks for dinner.”

“It was just takeout.”

“Still good, though.”

He watched him without much thought, just let his eyes rest on Wally’s face and Wally didn’t seem to mind, simply let him stare. His gaze shifted to Dick’s mouth, or some place in that general region, and Dick fought the urge to swipe his tongue across his lips out of habit.

“You can stay the night if you want.”

“Wow,” Wally huffed a laugh. “You’re asking me to stay? That’s progress, right?”

He didn’t say anything and Wally leaned in closer then, and Dick could have sworn his eyes seemed to darken a fraction.

And then Wally’s free hand was hovering close to his face, his thumb running over a spot at the corner of his mouth. He let his hold linger there, fingers pressed lightly into Dick’s jaw and Wally’s eyes halted on his. The air between them shifted, Wally’s breath felt too close on his face, eyes tracking his expression heavily, tiredly. And Dick felt himself wanting to lean in before his mind screamed at him to put distance between them.

“I’ll set up the couch.”

“You spent the night here, didn’t you?” She had hit the nail on the head as soon as the door had been opened for her.

Dick almost dropped the platter for a second, immediately shook his head, “Not like-”

But Wally was already talking over him, “How’d you know?”

Artemis seemed to be attempting to scrutinize him, but the smirk on her lips gave the ruse away a bit. “It smells like too much cologne in here.” She took a seat on the couch.

“How do you know that’s not what Dick’s place just smells like? This is your first time visiting, anyway.” Wally had an arm behind her immediately.

“I think Grayson knows not to spray as much as you do.”

“But it’s his cologne.”

She shrugged, “Precisely, you’re using his cologne.” 

Dick chuckled, Wally had walked right into that one. “You got him there, Artemis.”

“I know, he can’t hide anything from me.”

His next chuckle was a bit weaker.

Wally huffed, “I never try to hide anything from you anyway.”

“I know, it’s still fun to make you think you can, though.”

Through the movie, Artemis sat in the middle, at some point, leaning a bit against Wally and one of her legs found its way resting over Dick’s. The familiarity of it made Dick’s stomach churn a bit, the way it did when he remembered all the hangouts Artemis and Wally had invited him to in the past that he’d always refused.

At some point, about halfway through the movie, though, she jumped up. “Okay, this is too much fun, I’m heading back to Gotham now.” 

She pressed a quick kiss to Wally’s cheek and then with that same air of ease, lifted onto her toes to press one to Dick’s cheek too before waving them bye. Wally grinned at him, “We’re still gonna finish the movie, right?”

The warmth was back in his bed, and Dick felt himself lean into it. Hot breath fanned over his lips, and it was enough to cause Dick’s mouth to run dry. There was an ache in his body, but not from exhaustion, but rather from the strain of his muscles as Dick tried to keep himself in check.

And then heat skimmed down his side, a hand moving to grip at his hipbone lightly, but there was a small pressure of intent behind the action and before his mind could even register it any further, his own hand automatically found Wally’s, moving it away, back up to rest in the space between them.

An amused sigh of warm breath over his lips again.

Static in the air caused Dick’s skin to prickle and then Wally was opening the door after Dick had barely managed to get one knock out.

The movie was playing, but Dick’s focus was entirely on the warmth at his side, the way Wally was leaning against him, his shoulder flush against his, and Dick was watching the way the light from the TV bounded off Wally’s profile.

And the way Wally’s chest had been pressed against his back when they’d woken with the first sign of morning a few days ago was still at the front of Dick’s mind and that made it difficult for him to move away from that thought. Though he was somehow still surprised when he spoke aloud.

“I’ve missed how warm you are.”

Wally turned to look at him, surprise being replaced as his lips pulled into a warm grin and Dick’s eyes froze there. The proximity was suddenly stifling.

Dark lashes and bright green that contrasted dizzyingly with the dim room. “Are you saying you missed me?”

It was entirely playful, but those captivating orbs flickered downward, and Dick knew he copied the motion before he could register it, the smile still there. His lips parted briefly, and the silence between them hummed.

And usually, Wally’s unabashed upfront flirting was something Dick actually enjoyed being on the receiving end of, but sometimes, it just made him stumble.

“You can kiss me if you want to.” His gaze was still cast downward as he said it, voice low, as if speaking too loudly would bring Dick back to reality. But it did.

His brows pinched in confusion, the heat coming off Wally suddenly making him run hotter. “Wals. that’s not- we can’t- what about-” It was the most incoherent he’d ever been and he opened his mouth to say more, but the words were interrupted by Wally, who suddenly turned in his seat to face him directly, brows high on his face.

“You think Artemis and I are still dating.”

The word ‘think’ sat lodged somewhere in Dick’s brain and his mind blanked for a few moments.

He blinked. 

Those eyes were still looking at him, showing everything, concern, understanding, mirth, realisation.

“We’re not.” 

His mind was short-circuiting and working on overdrive at the same time.

“We’re not casual either. Just close. I sleep here when she stays the night.” And Dick’s eyes flickered over to the pillow and blanket that were still on the other couch which Wally indicated towards with a tilt of his head.

He finally found his voice. “How long?”

“We broke up two years ago. I never told you that. I thought it was obvious.”

Dick didn’t say anything, just watched Wally back, blinked slowly.

“Why did you think-”

“You still seem fond of her.”

He paused. “I’m the same with you. For Artie, she’s fond of you too. You’ve never been an outsider.”

He nodded stiffly, something sitting uncomfortably in his chest and he really wished Wally had nothing more to say.

“You don’t have to keep your distance.”

A tense sigh escaped him. Thoughts hesitantly turning hopeful at those words. 

Too many feelings. Relief, want. And fear was there too.

They were both quiet for a long while. He couldn't tell if it was a comfortable quiet or simply easiest for neither of them to speak.

"You sure it's fine if I stay over?"

He stopped in front of him- in front of where Wally sat at the edge of the bed. He felt warm hands glide down his sides, slowly. And then he was being gently pulled, hands moving to his hips, leading him until he stood between Wally’s knees, and then Wally was looking up at him, slow, lingering gaze that had heat creeping up Dick’s skin.

Dick let his hot gaze trace Wally’s lips, his eyes, the look of want in them. But he didn’t make any further move- wasn't sure if he could. Still knowing that they couldn’t start this again, that it would end the same way.

“You have that look on your face again.”

Dick smirked, “So do you.” The warmth was there by Dick’s hips, but it wasn't restrictive.

He breathed a laugh.

Hands found Wally’s and he placed them over his. Then slid them up Wally’s strong arms, wrapping over his shoulders, hooking loosely, fingers in the ginger hair at the nape of his neck. Wally was still watching him.

A step closer. Eyes fell to Wally’s lips again.

Wally broke the silence again, “I can feel you’re hesitating.” 

He still chose not to say anything, just continued to watch Wally.

And then Dick felt, rather than heard, beneath the press of his arms over his shoulders the breath the ginger inhaled, and Dick spoke then, words soft and guarded. “I don’t want things to go back to the way they were.” 

Wally’s hands stilled where they had been tracing circles into Dick’s hips. And then he pitched forward slightly, his forehead coming to rest against Dick’s abdomen. “I’m sorry that I ever moved on when you weren’t ready. Didn’t even talk to you about it.”

And Dick felt embarrassment, knowing Wally had figured out that their hookups had meant more to him than to Wally. It was supposed to stay casual. Fun until they moved on. But Dick hadn’t.

Wally huffed, fingers flexing. “I’m sorry for wasting your time, Dick. It was stupid.”

He let his fingers play gently with the hair at Wally’s nape, “Wally, it’s okay-”, but he was still murmuring something, incoherent, “just breathe, tell me what you’re thinking.”

He did, and his words cleared up. “That it wasn’t just you. That I was just slower at realizing it than you were.” And he pulled back, gaze fixing on Dick’s face, earnestness pinching the corners of his expression. “You were the person I kept looking for, wanting to spend time with. I just didn’t question it at the time.”

Dick’s words caught in his throat.

He lowered himself to hover on Wally’s legs, knees pressed into the bed on either side of Wally's thighs, then felt warmth tickling up his sides, hands reaching up to stop at his shoulders, the warmth pressing there reminding Dick of so many memories.

Wally shifted, head titled back. And like this, Dick’s eyes were stuck on freckles and expressive eyes, the way Wally swallowed when Dick didn’t make any further move, but patient.

Then he spoke again, “Dick-”

Dick sighed a laugh, the sound soft in the room. “Don’t talk.”

“Then don’t think.”

Then he was being pulled, slowly, just enough pressure to guide him, but Dick didn’t need the guidance, bending closer.

An almost press of lips against his cheek, the corner of his mouth, barely a brush, not enough, and then gently on his lips, then he was already moving away.

Dick hadn’t noticed when he closed his eyes until he opened them against the retreating warmth and Wally was back to watching every shift on Dick’s face.

A hand combed through his dark bangs and settled over his cheek, and they were both still there.