Years And Years (Birdflash)

Secret Gaygent

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I'm sorry, I couldn't help myself. ⬆️ I couldn't keep doing serious chapter titles.
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Wally and Dick stare at each other, both shocked. Wally is still shaking. He can't believe what he just admitted. He can't believe Darren was attacked like that. Dick stands up and says softly, "Let's get you some air."

Wally nods, grabbing a hoodie and pulling it on. Dick guides him out with a hand on his back. He somehow figures out where the stairs to the roof is, despite this being his first time in the building. Once up there, he gets Wally to take slow, deep breaths in order to calm him down somewhat. He's prioritising Wally's emotions over his own now.

"I thought Frances was your first kiss," Dick says. They're both now sitting against a wall. There's not much space between them. The night is chilly and the only other sounds to be heard is the occasional car driving past on the road below. 

"I led you to believe that. I'm sorry. I should have told you the truth. I should have told you way before now. You of all people would have understood. But I just...couldn't get it out, you know? Those two words."

Wally stares off into the distance, across the campus and the lights of city beyond. It's almost five o'clock, meaning a few people would be waking up soon for early morning shifts. Everyone else is asleep. Wally knows that no one is going to hear this conversation but Dick. That thought should relax him, but his heart is still racing.

"It's okay, Wally. I mean, it hurts, but I know how hard it is," Dick says, "Two words. I still find it difficult to say. But...every time it gets a little easier."

Wally nods. He's never talked to anyone about Darren beside Iris, but Dick deserves the truth. So he explains. Once he starts its hard to stop.

"Darren was my best friend back in Blue Valley. I guess I had liked him for a while without really realising it. When we were thirteen, Darren and I were in an empty classroom together, working on a science project. I can't remember exactly what happened, but we ended up kissing. A teacher walked in. The principal was told. Our parents were called. That was the night I got kicked out. Lucky for me, Iris happened to be in town. You know the rest."

Dick nods. He's quiet for a moment, then asks, "Did you talk to Darren after it?"

Wally shakes his head and blinks back tears, "No. I hated him because I thought it was his fault my dad kicked me out. I shouldn't have blamed him. It was my fault for being-"

"No. It was your dad's fault for being a homophobic asshole. God, I'm so, so sorry Wally. I don't really know what to say."

Wally rests his head on Dick's shoulder and quietly cries. The action makes his heart flutter, and suddenly he's back to being fifteen and in love with his best friend. Dick is nervous as he takes Wally's hand and squeezes it, but it feels right. Wally doesn't take his hand away.

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Wally wakes up again at 12:30pm. He can't remember what time exactly they left the roof, but the sky had started getting brighter. It's weird for him to sleep in. It's a good thing Wally hasn't got any classes today.

Last night doesn't seem real. He turns his head and sees Dick on the floor, in a sleeping bag. However, he doesn't let the bag restrict him from sprawling out on his stomach. Dick knows now. Wally never said the two words exactly, but he knows.