Together

Chapter 2: Asking Around

A/N: I finally got an idea for this chapter. I hope y'all enjoy this one!
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Happy Harbor

10:20

Saturday, Jan. 24, 2017

Artemis Crock walked into the local Starbucks cafe that she and her friends were very fond of. It was the place where they went to sort out any problems they had between each other. It was good to know that the place was good for other things, too, liking giving advice to other friends.

She sat next to Dick Grayson at the bar, and, after ordering a hot cocoa, turned to her friend. "You wanted to see me?" She asked. (You're lying if you say you didn't read that in her voice)

Dick nodded. "Look, I need some advice," he told her. She paid for her drink and took a sip from it.

"Hmm, I'm not really good at doing that, but I'll try my best," Artemis said.

"Thanks," he said. He took a sip from his own drink before continuing. "It's about Wally." 

Artemis rolled her dark gray eyes and sighed. "What did he do this time?" she deadpanned.

"It's not what he did," Dick replied, staring into his drink.

"Well, what is it?" she asked him.

He sighed. "It's about Valentine's Day," he said. 

"Dick, that's not for another several days, what are you talking about?" Artemis was confused; what was Dick talking about?

"I know that, it's just..." Dick trailed off. It was then that Artemis came to a realization. 

"You don't know what to get Wally for Valentine's Day, do you?" she inquired. 

He shook his head sorrowfully. "No, I don't," he said.

"And I would." It was more of a statement than a question. 

Dick nodded. "You and Wally used to date, right?" Artemis nodded. "Then you should know what Wally likes," he said.

Artemis thought for a moment. "Did you try food and a movie?" 

Dick nodded. "I also tried singing," he told her. 

"Then I'm out of ideas," Artemis said.

"Arty!! Please!" he exclaimed (read: whined). 

"Okay, okay, um..." She thought for a moment. "Just do something unique."

"Like what?"

"Like something only you could think of."

Dick thought for a few minutes, then a look of realization graced his face. "I got it!" he exclaimed, hopping up. "Thanks Arty," he said, giving her a quick hug before leaving. 

"You're welcome," Artemis whispered.

---

Wally walked through town, thinking. What should I get him? What would he even want? Ugh, this is  so hard!

For all the years he hadn't forgotten (which was three), he had gotten Dick half a container of strawberry ice cream, a bouquet of his favorite flowers, and had seen a movie with him. He was out of ideas. He wanted to do something special for Dick, since Dick always did special things for him.

He was so deep in thought that he wasn't watching where he was going, so he ran into someone. "Oh, my god, I'm so sorry, are you okay?" he asked frantically.

"It's okay Wally, I'm fine."

Wait a minute. He recognized that voice. "Zatanna?"

"Hello Wally," she said, pushing some of her black hair out of her face. 

"I'm so glad I ran into you," he said. She raised an eyebrow. "No, no, wait, I mean-" Wally stammered. 

"It's alright, Wally," Zatanna laughed. Wally blushed before laughing with her.

"Now, what do you need help with, Twinkletoes?" Zatanna asked, using the nickname Dick had given him when they were younger. 

"I have no idea what to do for Valentine's Day, Zee," he said, "and I want to do something amazing for Dickie Bird. You know what I mean?"

Zatanna nodded. "Yeah, I do. You know, you should probably do something really special to make up for forgetting two Valentine's Days." 

Wally blushed at this. "Yeah, you're right," he said. "But what?"

The magician shrugged. "Maybe you should ask Babs or Tim," she suggested. "They'll know what he might like." 

Wally grinned. "That's a good idea! Thanks Zee!" he exclaimed, hugging her before running(like a person) off...

Just to return back shortly after with a sheepish expression. "The zeta is that way," Zatanna said, pointing behind her. 

"Thanks again!" Wally shouted, running towards where she pointed.

---

Gotham City

10:30

Saturday, Jan. 24, 2017

Alfred Pennyworth opened the door to see Wally West standing there. "Ah, Master Wallace, what a pleasant surprise," he said warmly. 

"Hey Alfred," Wally said, "is Babs and/or Tim here? I need to talk to one of them."

Alfred nodded. "I believe they are in Master Timothy's room," he told the speedster. 

"Thanks Alf," Wally said, before walking towards Tim's room.

He found the two sitting on the bed, talking quietly. He cleared his throat, startling the two. They both turned around sharply, standing up in fighting positions. However, when they saw it was just Wally, both stood down.

"Ugh, Wally, don't do that," Babs said, holding a hand to her chest.

"Yeah, please don't," Tim agreed.

"I thought Bats didn't get scared," Wally teased, earning scowls from the two Gothamites.

"Shut up and tell us why you're here," Tim grumbled, sitting back down on his bed. Babs did the same as Wally walked fully into the room.

"I need your help," was the first thing out of his mouth, and when they faced him with raised eyebrows, he elaborated.

"With the anniversary, I mean. You see, I don't know what to do for Dick this year. He always does everything for me on our anniversary. I just want to repay the favor for once."

His emerald eyes had turned towards the floor while speaking, and when they raised back up, they were met with two sets of concerned yet determined teal ones.

"Well, you've come to the right place," Babs said, reaching over and placing a hand on his shoulder. 

"Yeah, we're pretty well versed in knowing what makes Dick happy," Tim added, giving Wally a reassuring smile before reaching for a laptop that lay discarded by his bed. "I'm sure we can find something for you to surprise him with."

Smiling widely, the speedster plopped down in between the two bats as Tim searched for any upcoming events that Dick might enjoy during Valentine's Day. So far, they had ruled out the zoo and the movies, since both had already been done for previous Valentine's Days. So that only left...

"Hey, what about this?" Wally inquired, pointing to the last option on the screen. Babs and Tim both looked where the speedster's finger was, and bright smiles instantly lit up their faces. 

"That's a great idea, Wally," Tim replied excitedly.

"Yeah, Dick will love it!" Babs added, giving Wally what was probably supposed to be a friendly punch on the shoulder, but hurt a little more than necessary. 

Rubbing his shoulder, the speedster thanked the two bats and sped out of the house, but not before receiving a few chocolate chip cookies from the butler on the way out.

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Woo! Finally got this one done! 

Happy New Year, everyone! Enjoy this new chapter! 

Stay traught!