saga/title/fandom: You and I Got Something

author: Dimitri Aidan

rating/genre: (PG-13 (for now))- Drama/Romance

warnings: slash, adult situations, adult language

summary: (Flash/GL, Batman/Wonder Woman, Superman/Lois Lane. A little Nightwing/OMC and Hawkgirl/GL) As they get ready for Bruce and Diana's wedding, Flash thinks. Getting together isn't easy in their line of work, but somehow he and John managed it; evil robots, best friends, and Yellow Lanterns be damned.

comments/disclaimers: The lack of GL and Flash interaction in JL:U spawned this story. Actually the lack of Flash in general was upsetting. In the comic Raven is an empath. I’m not sure if that applies to ‘Teen Titans’ on Cartoon Network but it doesn’t matter much. She, at some point, used her power to convince Wally that he was in love with her. She had good intentions but…you know that’s a shitty thing to do. And in this story Wally is decidedly fucked up because of it. He just doesn’t know it yet.

Chapter Four

When You Think About Me

Hartley Rathaway was in Wally’s honest opinion a man of many hidden depths. Not the least of which was the fact that as the only gay supervillian type that Wally was aware of but he was also the only one Wally knew who’d gone straight.

He shared this apparent irony with Hart over the phone one evening and just got silence in return. Followed by the other man asking what the hell was wrong with him. So, being the honest sort that he was, Wally told him the truth.

“I think I’m gay…are you laughing?”

Indeed Hart had been laughing. Hard. Hard enough to drop the phone.

It’d taken some time for get him to stop, mostly at the insistence that he was very much serious. …okay, really that had just made the other man laugh harder. Finally, five minutes passed, and he’d resorted to whining.

“C’mon, I could be in the middle of a life altering revelation about my sexuality and…you know, my apparently rampant denial in spite of the fact everyone but I know I‘m not striaght. Could you stop laughing for just a second?”

This was followed by a snort and then, finally. “Sorry Wal. It’s just…does the phrase ‘Me thinks the lady doth protest too much’ mean anything to you?”

“No.”

“Right.” Another short laugh then Hart had hung up the phone. Feeling rather defeated Wally had flopped back onto his couch and pulled a cover over his head.

An hour later a very amused blond was standing at the entrance of his apartment. Hart was leaning against the door frame, one eyebrow arched while his eyes danced with barely contained mirth and a hand in his pocket.

Wally briefly acknowledged the thought that he was actually rather attractive. (He wasn’t John or anything and damn but Wally had it bad, but he wasn’t exactly hard on the eyes or anything) He wondered why exactly he’d never noticed that before.

“Are you drunk?”

“No.” But that was actually a pretty good idea now that he thought about it. Except for that whole impending hangover thing. Wally shook his head to rid himself of the thought then yelped when Hart took him by the hand and started leading him away. “Hey, what-”

“We’re going out. I hate to be the one to tell you this but your place isn’t exactly fit for human occupation.”

Wally had to admit he had a legitimate point. It’d been two weeks since he’d decided, or been talked into depending on how you took it, his little vacation and he’d done nothing but eat takeout, watch cartoons, and sleep.

His idea of a vacation wasn’t too elaborate or complex. Maybe it was the line of work he was in that made it that way but he’d found that the simple things in life that he’d enjoyed before that freak lightening accident were the things he most appreciate. He missed watching hours of mind rotting sugar coated kiddie violence and being able to sleep normal hours.

He was also struck by the strange phenomenon of how spending too much time sleeping made one tired all over again. He dimly remembered such occurrences from weekends when he was younger but it’d been a while since he’d been able to spend the entire day doing nothing.

Thus far his vacation rocked. Sure he hadn’t figured anything out in the past seven and a half days but he hadn’t been stressed out or upset over it either. Who needed a cruise or hiking or any of that shit when you could just lay in bed and stare at the people on the street below?

He supposed there was a touch of irony in that. When Batman had first revealed himself as Bruce Wayne his internal reaction had been ‘Damn. He’s rich and one of the ultimate good guys. How unfair.’

But really what did Bruce do with that fortune of his? Make bigger and badder bat weapons? It wasn’t like he dared to enjoy what he had.

So what was the point really?

Wally made a face. Too much complexity for one day. He pushed the thoughts aside and tried to focus on where he was being dragged off to.

They ended up downtown and walking outside of a Starbuck’s, cups in hand. Well Hart was walking out. Wally refused to enter because he was almost positive Satan owned Starbuck’s and was intent on stealing their souls through sinfully delicious coffee. He’d run this idea past John once and had gotten this smile that was half indulgent and half ‘god somebody save me from this kid’.

Most of the smiles John graced him with were like that. Like he was torn between humoring him and his slightly rampant insanity and just turning and walking away. Wally appreciated the fact John always stood around and let him ramble himself out. He also appreciated the way John listened, like it was something really fascinating and worth listening to.

Which Wally knew it wasn’t. He didn’t take himself seriously most of the time and he was surprised that anyone gave him half the time of day sometimes. But that was just how John was. Why Wally didn’t know, but he was.

“Wally?” A hand waved in front of his face and he jumped, taken aback. Hart hid a snicker behind his cup. He offered Wally the one in his other hand then indicated for him to follow. They started down the sidewalk in companionable silence.

Wally eyed his cup and, more accurately, the mass of foam at the top and the caramel swirled over it, then took a sip. And groaned before sighing.

“How pathetic is it that this is the closest I’ve come to an assisted orgasm in over a year?”

Hart looked upwards while a woman with a child holding on to each hand took a unnecessarily wide arc around them. Wally blinked then took another drink.

Whatever.

“I don’t think I wanted to know that.” Hart said finally.

Wally smiled cheekily. “Yet you can’t stop thinking about it?”

“You wish.” Hart laughed.

Wally snorted behind his cup. “You wish.”

“How many times must I explain it to you?” He let out a long suffering sigh. “What you mistake for me flirting with you is really just me trying to boost your tragically low self-esteem.”

“Riiiight.”

“So what’s wrong?”

“What makes you think something is wrong?”

“You’ve got the Afro’d wonder running around saving the city, you’re up before noon on what seems to be your day off and you seem to be considering-”

“Batting for my own team?”

The blond frowned. “Do me a favor and clear that analogy from your mind. They could revoke my gay card for letting you say that sort of stuff.”

“There’s a card?”

“Mmhmm. I’d let you see mine but it’s getting laminated today.”

“What other sort of things do you get?”

“A toaster oven with every successfully converted straight man and a copy of the gay agenda. And a fruit basket if you can corrupt an innocent child. Can‘t forget the fruit basket.”

Wally’s mouth twitched. “Have you ever considered ‘Masked Fruit’ as a name?”

“Only when I’m depressed. So why are you suddenly contemplating your straightness?”

“A general lack of attraction to women.” Hart’s gaze was nothing short of skeptical. “What?”

“I’ve known you for a few years Wally and seem to remember someone having a slight panic attack when I came out to them.” It had not been a panic attack. …not exactly anyway. “So somehow I think it’s more than you suddenly coming to the conclusion you don’t like women.”

This was as bad as trying to talk to Dick. It was a real pain in the ass when people were able to so completely see through him and his mask.

“Why does everyone have to look for a deeper meaning? I just happened to realize I don’t like women, why does there have to be something going on behind it?!”

A few more people stopped and stared before hurrying along their way. Wally took a sip of his drink and considered the scene he was probably making. Two twentysomthings walking down the sidewalk only to have one suddenly stop and proclaim very loudly that he wasn’t attracted to women and that there was nothing more to it.

He hoped they didn’t get arrested for traumatizing people. He didn’t want to have to call Iris to bail him out of prison. She might not do it. Apparently Bart had been on some sort of weirdo sugar high since he’d been tapped to take care of things for him. Wally was inclined to believe that the kid needed to get out more if this was all it took to make him happy.

Not that he was one to talk.

Hart tsked. “Come on Wal, don’t make me treat you like some kind of redheaded step-child-”

Wally wasn’t able to contain his bark of laughter. Hart’s mouth twitched but he managed to keep from letting any sound loose. People on the sidewalk graced them with a few odd looks, as if men standing in the middle of the sidewalk just this side of tears wasn’t an everyday occurrence.

Hart just rolled his eyes and, after checking to make sure no trucks would be plowing him over, jogged across the street and towards a park. Wally watched him go while leaning against a lamp post and trying to regain control. It took a few moments but he finally did. He tossed his cup away then ran after Hart. He caught up to him in a matter of seconds then fell into step beside him.

A few kids ran past in bathing suits and shorts, undoubtedly heading for the pool in the center of the park. It was a good idea since it was pretty hot outside. Late July and early August in Central City never failed to be hot and sticky to the point of being annoying.

Crime and crazy people seemed to multiple around these times as if the heat drove people out of their heads.

“So?”

“So?”

“So why did you decide to call me?”

Wally made a show of looking offended. “I can’t just call my friends to hang out?” Hart shot him an annoyed look and, sensing that it wasn’t just for show, Wally let the act drop. “You know who Green Lantern is right?”

“The one with the green glow right? He’s kind of cute.”

“I’ve noticed.” Wally said dully.

“And therein lies the problem?”

“No…and yes. It doesn’t bother me that I have a thing for Lantern. I’ve known for months, since before Linda and I broke up even. It’s this whole ‘I just realized he’s really sexy and I kind of want to fuck him’ aspect that has me messed up.” Hart arched an eyebrow and light blue eyes seemed to be searching him very carefully. “He’s…I…it’s like… You’ve seen him. Stop looking at me like that.”

“I wasn’t saying anything.” Hart held up a hand defensively then shoved it back into his pocket. “Does it bother you?”

“The way you were looking at me? Yeah.”

“No, the wanting to fuck him thing. I swear this is worse then trying to reason with psychos.”

“Oh.” Wally tilted his head to the side. “Not exactly bother. More like…surprised. Isn’t this the sort of thing you usually know before you’re in your twenties?”

“Sometimes. Some people don‘t ever want to know.”

“I guess.” He looked up at the sky. It was about noon and the sun was directly overhead but the trees that lined the side of the brick pathway blocked it out. “And for that matter do you think it should have bothered me?”

“Possibly. But, and I don’t know if you’re aware of this, you’re weird.”

“I try.” Hart snorted then tilted his head off to the side slightly.

“So you have a crush on one of your male teammates and you decided to bother your, if you don’t mind me assuming, only gay friend for some sort of advice? I’m flattered.” There was a note of sarcasm to his voice and Wally frowned before shaking his head.

Sometimes he was almost positive that no one he knew had any kind of faith in him.

“Of course not. It was more like bother one of my only real friends. If I wanted to just talk to anyone who was gay I could have went and talked to Nightwing.”

Though to be honest he wasn’t sure Dick was so much gay or even bi as he was insane. Not that Dick being insane had anything to do with his dating habits (Though some may wish to argue that) so much as Dick being insane already put him way outside of the box. What was dating men, women, and the occasional alien to a guy like Dick?

Wally however wasn’t really that secure in the knowledge that it was okay to be weird. Part of him still longed for the normal life he’d lost when he’d become Kid Flash.

Hart seemed a little more at ease upon hearing that. Wally guessed that Hart didn’t want to be ‘The Gay friend’ anymore than Wally wanted to be ‘That gay superhero’.

“I’ve got it all figured out.” Hart announced finally as a wide smirk curved his lips. “I know exactly what you need to do.”

“And for some odd reason that frightens me. You aren’t having an evil relapse or anything, are you?”

“Hmm? Of course not.” Hart waved a hand dismissively. “The first thing you need to do is introduce me to that Dove guy. We share political views.”

Wally had to admit he doubted that. Hart wanted to over throw the government (from time to time. Depended on how things were going) and Dove was pro-peace. Somehow anarchy and peace didn’t seem similar in Wally’s mind. If not for the fact Hawk was such a fan of the government Wally would have suggested that Hart would get along better with him.

But he decided not to say that since he was sure Hart was already aware of it.

Which besides the fact he wasn’t sure Dove was gay. Or would be interested in a slightly manic political activist even if he were. Then again Dove was kind of a slightly manic political activist himself, wasn’t he?

“And then you should do whatever seems right.” Hart concluded.

Wally rolled his eyes. “You’re so fucking helpful. Have you been watching after school specials again?” First Diana and now this.

Hart shrugged. “I was trying to keep it as simple as possible so as not to hurt your brain. I mean let’s be logical for a minute Wally. This guy has been all over the universe, seen all sorts of amazing things, and defended all kinds of…uh, wrongdoing. Somehow I doubt you having a thing for him is going to prompt him to knock you senseless. And, more than that, its really hard to get a date in this line of work.”

“Weren’t you dating some guy?”

“I’ve dated a lot of ‘some guys’. We can’t just date some guy, or some girl. Sadly not all of us have the capacity for those epic type romances and it’d be easier to find someone who understands what’s going on than it would be to try and make a relationship work with someone who can never really know who you work with, where you’ll be at any given moment, or if you’re going to come home that night.” Hart paused for a moment. “And then you run the risk of someone getting caught up in something they can’t handle. If something had happened to Linda while you were together what would you have done?”

Wally didn’t say anything. He assumed Hart took that for agreement because the blond sighed and shrugged again.

“If Lantern is aware of how hard happiness is to find he may be willing to give your flaky, immature, hyper ass a shot.”

“Huh. That was kind of deep.” And really unexpected. Not to accuse Hart of being shallow or anything…

Hart bowed. “That’s me, the next Confucius.”

“Confused, maybe. Confucius…eh.”

“Bastard.”

“Your point?”

“So, about the Dove thing-”

“I wouldn’t try it. His brother can, and will, kill you.”

“Well that’s why it’s fun. It’d be easy to go up to some guy and go ‘Hey, I’m the Flash-”

“Only you aren’t.”

“Sleep with me.’” Hart ignored him. “But there’s no fun in that. The challenge is what makes these things worthwhile.”

“You need to get out more. I could go for something easy.”

Hart quirked an eyebrow. “You free Saturday?”

“When I said easy,” Wally deadpanned. “I meant something not complicated, not someone slutty.”

“You wound me Wally. Really.” But Hart’s smile was wide and it was clear that Wally had done nothing of the sort. Hart slung an arm around his shoulder and began steering him back towards the park entrance. Wally chuckled but allowed the other man to lead the way. “Oh, before I forget, I plan to hold this entire conversation over your head and taunt you mercilessly for the rest of your life.”

“I’m not surprised.”

“It’s kind of sweet. You in love with Green Lantern and getting all stressed out over it. It‘s like an episode of Dawson‘s Creek on crack. And with less bored upstate types. And no boats.”

“Shut it.”

“I‘m just saying…Wally.”

“Hmm?”

“Friend of yours?”

Wally looked up from the ground. And then looked further up. Standing not six feet above them with a hand on her hip was Supergirl. Her bright blue eyes flickered from Hart to him then back to Hart. Wally frowned.

“You know I’m on vacation right? Strictly non-saving the world type activities.”

“Clearly.” Her tone was nothing short of dry. “Android is heading for earth and we’re holding an emergency gathering at the Tower. You didn’t answer you summons and you‘ve been blocking J‘onn out.”

“Because it’s my vacation. I left Flash at home and maybe I don‘t want the Martian in my head today.”

Wally was dangerously close to whining. Half because he really didn’t want to go and half because he…well, didn’t want to go. Now that he was in the middle of this little vacation he was kind of starting to enjoy it.

“You can’t just leave it at home and you know blocking J’onn is dangerous.” She had both hands on her hips and she looked furious. Another two seconds and she’d start channeling Batman or Superman. Or, even worse, both. At the same time.

He looked at Hart who smiled mildly before removing his arm. Wally shot a none too discreet glare at Supergirl (and winced internally because Green Arrow was going to kick his ass if he found out he was being an ass to Kara.) before running towards his apartment.

Maybe it was selfish or bad hero form but he really wasn’t in the mood to end his vacation so he could get his ass kicked by some suped up android.

Stupid fucking robot things.

home          prior chapter          next chapter          fiction gateway