Wally West sat across from you at the familiar booth in Big Belly Burger, his eyes alight with excitement as he animatedly recounted his latest encounter with the mysterious new hero, Eclipse. He was practically glowing with enthusiasm, his usual speedster energy barely contained. You listened intently, trying to maintain a neutral expression, even as your heart raced. It wasn't every day you got to hear your crush ramble on about... well, you.
"I mean, you should have seen them!" Wally exclaimed, his burger momentarily forgotten on the tray in front of him. "They took down five of Count Vertigo's goons like it was nothing! I barely had to lift a finger. And the way they moved-so smooth, so precise. I mean, Eclipse is amazing!"
You hid a smile behind your drink, taking a long sip to buy yourself a moment. It was surreal, hearing Wally gush about your alter ego without knowing it was you beneath the mask. Since joining Young Justice, you'd managed to keep your dual identity a secret from your teammates, Wally included. But it was getting harder and harder, especially with how much Wally admired Eclipse.
"Sounds like they really made an impression on you," you said, trying to sound casual.
"Are you kidding? Eclipse is the coolest new hero around," Wally continued, leaning in closer. "And, okay, I know this is gonna sound cheesy, but I think I'm starting to have a bit of a crush on them."
Your heart skipped a beat, and you nearly choked on your drink. Wally West, the boy you'd been harbouring feelings for since joining the team, had a crush on you. Well, on Eclipse. Same thing, right?
"Really?" you managed to say, your voice a touch higher than usual. "A crush?"
Wally laughed, running a hand through his unruly red hair. "Yeah, I know it's silly. I mean, I don't even know who they are. But there's just something about them, you know? They're brave, strong, and they have this aura of mystery. It's kinda intoxicating."
You smiled weakly, unsure how to feel. It was flattering, of course, but also frustrating. Wally liked you, but not the you he knew. He liked the mask, the persona, the hero. Not the everyday person who sat across from him, sharing burgers and banter.
Over the next few weeks, Wally's infatuation with Eclipse only grew. He talked about you constantly, recounting every mission, every fight, every shared moment. And you listened, torn between wanting to reveal the truth and fearing what might happen if you did. What if he was disappointed? What if he didn't like the real you?
It all came to a head one night during a particularly intense mission. The team was up against an unusually large contingent of villains, and things were not going well. You and Wally had been separated from the others, forced to fight back-to-back as wave after wave of enemies closed in.
"Hang on, Eclipse!" Wally shouted, his voice strained with effort. "We can do this!"
You nodded, gritting your teeth as you blasted another thug with a burst of energy. But there were too many, and even with Wally's speed, you were being overwhelmed.
"We need to regroup with the others!" you yelled over the din of battle.
"Agreed! On three!" Wally's hand found yours, a comforting anchor in the chaos. "One, two-"
Before he could finish, a powerful blow knocked you off your feet, sending you sprawling. Your mask slipped, and in the frantic moment of trying to recover, it fell off completely.
You scrambled to grab it, but it was too late. Wally's eyes widened as he stared at you, realization dawning on his face.
"Y/N?" he breathed, disbelief colouring his voice.
You winced, caught between fighting off attackers and facing Wally's shock. "Wally, I-"
He didn't let you finish. With a speed that left your head spinning, Wally dispatched the remaining enemies, then turned to you, his expression a mix of hurt and confusion.
"Why didn't you tell me?" he demanded, his voice cracking.
"I wanted to, but I was scared," you admitted, your own voice shaking. "I didn't know how you'd react."
Wally took a deep breath, his eyes searching yours. "You should have trusted me."
"I do trust you," you said, stepping closer. "But I was afraid. Afraid that you wouldn't like the real me."
He shook his head, a small, incredulous smile tugging at his lips. "How could I not like the real you? You're amazing, Y/N. Both as Eclipse and as yourself."
You felt tears prickling at the corners of your eyes. "You really mean that?"
Wally's smile widened, his usual cocky confidence returning. "Yeah, I do. And hey, I guess this means I had a crush on you all along."
You laughed, a sound of relief and joy. "Yeah, I guess it does."
Before you could say anything else, Wally pulled you into a tight hug, his arms wrapping around you with surprising gentleness. You hugged him back, feeling a weight lift off your shoulders.
When you finally pulled away, Wally's eyes were sparkling with mischief. "So, since you're Eclipse, does that mean we get to team up more often?"
You grinned, wiping away the last of your tears. "Count on it, West."
As the two of you rejoined the team, you felt a newfound sense of freedom. The secret was out, and it hadn't destroyed anything. If anything, it had brought you and Wally closer. And as you fought side by side, you knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, you'd face them together.
Days turned into weeks, and your relationship with Wally blossomed. He teased you relentlessly about keeping your identity hidden for so long, but he also respected your reasons. The trust between you deepened, and you found yourself falling for him even more deeply than before.
One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon and cast a warm glow over Mount Justice, you found yourself alone with Wally on a rooftop. The others had retired for the night, leaving the two of you to enjoy a rare moment of peace.
"I still can't believe you're Eclipse," Wally said, his voice soft with wonder. He stood beside you, leaning against the ledge and gazing out at the city below. "I mean, it's like a dream come true."
You chuckled softly, leaning closer to him. "I'm glad you think so."
He turned to look at you, his eyes earnest. "No, seriously. You're incredible, Y/N. You're not just an amazing hero, but you're also... well, you."
Your heart fluttered at his words, warmth spreading through you like sunlight. "Thank you, Wally. That means a lot."
He smiled, reaching out to gently brush a strand of hair from your face. "I mean it. And I... I really like you, Y/N. Like, a lot."
You met his gaze, your breath catching in your throat. "I like you too, Wally. More than I can say."
He grinned, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. "Good. Because I was hoping... maybe we could make this official? You know, you and me?"
Your heart soared, and you couldn't stop the smile that spread across your face. "I'd love that, Wally. I'd love that more than anything."
In the quiet moments that followed, Wally pulled you into his arms, holding you close as if he never wanted to let go. And as you stood together, watching the stars twinkle overhead, you knew that this was just the beginning of your journey together.
As partners, as teammates, and now as something more, you and Wally faced the future with hope and courage. And no matter what challenges lay ahead, you knew that as long as you were together, you could weather any storm.
Because when lightning and shadow intertwined, they created something beautiful and strong-something that could illuminate the darkest of nights and bring hope to a world in need.
And so, under the starlit sky, you embraced your destiny with open arms, ready to write the next chapter of your story-side by side, heart to heart, with the boy who had captured both your heart and your hero's soul.
