Getting to know you

Date night

Dick sat on the couch, reading his book again. It was one of the only comforts he had. His eating had not improved, nor had his sleeping. And with Wally gone, it was slowly decreasing. Bruce had barely managed to get Dick to eat an apple, which was small even with his altered appetite.

The bell rang. Dick stood up, groaning when black dots lined the edge of his eyes. After they cleared, he started walking to the door, knowing Alfred would probably get it.

Dick peeked around the corner, a small sense of dread pooling in the bottom of his stomach. He'd been hard pressed to trust anyone new, ever since…him. He would often hide behind his brothers or Bruce. Sometimes he would join Alfred to get away from the new people.

Alfred opened the door, and smiled. "Welcome back, Master Wallace. How are you?" Dick gasped. Wally was back? "I'm good. Is Dick here?" Wally asked as he stepped in. Dick stepped out from around the corner. "Wally?"

Wally smiled and nodded. "I'm back, babe." Dick wasted no time in putting himself in Wally's arms. Wally pressed a gentle kiss on Dick's forehead. "I missed you, babe." "I missed you too, babe. I was so worried." Dick whispered, trying to keep tears in. He had a hard time keeping his emotions in, now that he was able to use them so freely.

Wally breathed in the scent of Dick's hair, relaxing slightly. It had been a while since he'd smelled the wonderful scent. It smelled like fruit, which meant Dick had recently showered. The still damp hair was another sign. That meant he was taking care of himself. Somewhat.

"You know what? How about I take you out to dinner? To celebrate?" Wally asked. "I-I don't know how much I'll eat." Dick admitted sheepishly. "That's ok. I want some alone time with you." Wally smiled at the younger. His pout was adorable. The fact that he hadn't wanted to disappoint Wally was even cuter.

Wally grabbed Dick's hand and intertwinned their fingers. "C'mon. Let's tell Bruce so we don't have five bats on our backs." Dick giggled and allowed Wally to lead him away. He was completely in love with the redhead speedster.

"Hey, Bruce." Dick announced their presences. "Hello, Dick. Wally." Wally waved. "We wanted to inform you that we were going out to eat. I can have him home whenever." Dick nodded. "Are you going to be ok, Dick? With your diet?" "Yeah. I'll be fine." "Have him home by ten. That gives you six hours from now. If anything happens-" "I know. I'm dead." "I'll keep your brothers here, Dick. Go enjoy yourselves, but stay safe."

About half an hour later, the couple were walking out the door, heading to the car Alfred would drive them in, Wally being responsible for getting Dick home. Wally cuddled up with Dick in the seat and pressed kisses to his cheek and forehead. "I love you." "I love you too, babe. Thank you for taking me out, even with…" "Your appetite? It's fine, babe. You don't have to worry about it. I'll probably make up for it, in the eyes of the restaurant."

Dick laughed, a sound Wally had missed. He loved seeing Dick smile, and know that he'd be ok. To see Dick laugh, and see that twinkle of mischief in Dick's eyes. To see the scars, no matter how many times Dick called them ugly and horrible. To see every beautiful thing Dick possessed, even if he called them horrible.

The food was delicious. Dick managed to eat a lot, surprising both of them. They sat as close as they could, shoulders pressing against each other. Wally wanted this moment to never end.

However, once it was done, he took Dick to the park. They walked around, just enjoying each other's company. "Y'know, we could do this." Wally whispered. "Do what?" "Have alone time, without your brothers on our backs. Don't get me wrong, I love the guys, but sometimes it's not until you're alone that some of the most beautiful things about you come out."

"Oh? Like what?" Dick wanted to know what Wally found beautiful about him. "The way your hair reflects the moonlight. The way the gold flecks in your eyes seemed to pop out with excitement. The smile that graces your lips, different from the one you use with your family. Like you're happy to get some time without your brothers breathing down your neck. All the scars that stand out, no matter how many times I hear you call them ugly, horrible, and monsters. All the little details that other people diminish with their own. That's what I see."

Dick had tears lining his eyes. "Babe, I don't know what to say." Dick wiped one away, sniffing. Wally pressed a gentle kiss to Dick's forehead and held him close. "You don't have to say anything. Your smile is enough for me." Dick rested his head on Wally's chest. "I love you." "I love you too, babe. Let's get you home, and we can play video games. I'm still not letting your brothers in." Dick laughed, making Wally smile even more. "And I notice the way you laugh, how your can just step into a room and lighten the moods of everyone."

"Since when did you get so sappy?" Dick joked. "Since I met my beautiful boyfriend. The one that is so stubborn, he escaped the freaking Court of Owls. The one that can kick criminal ass any day. The one that always makes me want to take on the world with him." "You're going sappy again." Dick smiled. "You love it." "That, I do. Now c'mere." Dick pulled Wally down for one final kiss in the park. "I love the sappiness, but I could never love it as much as I love you."

"I think it's my turn to cry." Wally chuckled, attempting to wiping his tears away. Dick cupped Wally's face and wiped the tears away. "I think we're both emotionally strung out, but I'm willing to push myself further if it means I get you to stop crying, before you get me going." "Maybe we go to your room and just cry with each other." Dick chuckled. "Maybe. Let's go home, babe." "Let's go home."