We're Stardust, You and I | BIRDFLASH

Hold me close, let me go

"I have a favor I need to ask of you," Dick said, his voice slightly muffled by the background noise.

Wally nodded even though he knew no one could see the gesture. Currently, as he worked on replacing the tires of one of the older models of the police cars, he answered a call from the detective. It was reluctant considering he could have been listening to his 90's boy bands, but lately, when it came to Dick Grayson, he would drop anything to talk to the man.

"Anything for you, gorgeous," he spoke quietly so as to not be overheard by anyone else in the garage.

In the background, Wally could hear the faint hum of activity from Dick's end—voices discussing cases, the clatter of keyboards, and the occasional ring of a phone. It was midday at the police station, and the hustle and bustle of police work formed a chaotic symphony.

Dick huffed, likely smiling if Wally could guess. "I need you to be my date at a charity gala next week," he said, not so much asking, but implying.

Wally made a face, tightening a screw on the plate. He reached for his phone, turning up the volume a bit and adjusting the headphones on his ears. "Sorry, can you repeat that?" he asked. He heard it, but it was an odd thing to ask someone you're seeing to be your date.

"There's a charity gala next week that I need you to be my date to," Dick repeated. "It's either you or I'm going to be assigned some model that I'll have to babysit the whole time."

"Why?" Wally asked, curiosity piqued.

"Public persona things," Dick groaned. "It's hard to explain, but it'd mean the world to me if you were there. Plus, my dad and most of my brothers will be there, so I thought that this would be a good chance for you to meet them."

"You want me to meet your family, is what I'm getting at," Wally said, more a statement than a question.

"Yeah," Dick confirmed, "and I've realized that I want to be more open with you."

"I've noticed," Wally replied. "Considering this is the first time you've ever mentioned having brothers."

"Listen, Wally, I really like you and even for a long-distance relationship, this has been one of the best things in my life," Dick said, his tone earnest. "I don't know how else to explain it, other than I'm ready to stop treating it like a fling. Plus, I'm tired of the Gotham hotels. I want to take you back to my place."

Wally was sick of those hotels as well, but he respected Dick's privacy when it came to visiting him. Though, the detective tended to visit Wally more often, spending most nights at Wally's apartment.

Dick had always been secretive. At first, Wally found it a little attractive and fun, but as the weeks wore on, he began to wonder if he was missing a big puzzle to a bigger picture.

Hell, Wally didn't even know what city Dick lived in. Just that he visited Gotham enough to help out the P.D. there. He was starting to wonder if it was too late to ask Cisco for that background check.

"I'll have to see if I can get out of work, but I'm sure I can make it," Wally sighed. "Just send me the details, and we'll figure it out."

"Thank you so much," Dick thanked him, a note of relief in his voice. "I'll call you later, alright?"

"Alright. Bye, Dick," Wally said.

"Bye, Wally," Dick replied.

As the call ended, Wally stared at his phone for a moment, a mix of emotions swirling inside him. The sound of the garage doors opening brought him back to reality, and he got back to work, the weight of Dick's request heavy on his mind.