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The music could have been considered thunder at that point. It was loud enough to make Richard’s skin tingle and his lungs feel like mush. Over the roar of music, neon lights flashed all over the room like police sirens and a faint, hazy chatter could be heard. No words could be made out, but continuous laughter. His eyes glanced over the crowd, it was a superhero party. Everyone he had ever met was there, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Superman.. You name it. They were there.
Everything was a little more hyped than it should’ve been, and Richard found himself leaning back onto the chair, watching the crowd blankly from the table. Tiredly, he took another sip from his red cup. You know, like those you see in movies. He took his time to analyze it. Apple Juice… yeah sure..
He searched around, catching out his brothers by the table, for better or worse. Jason didn’t have a gun on him, so you know, he was doing great. Drake seemed to be scolding him for something or whatever, and Damien was tapping away at his phone against the wall. He sighed, he wasn’t even the one who chose to come here. It was Kori who suggested that they catch up with their old teammates and come here, but only god knew where they went now. He stood to leave. This was lame. Squeezing through the crowd, he desperately hoped to avoid any sign of the adult heroes, not feeling like being chatted up again. His attempts to get through the crowd seemed to work until suddenly, he felt himself crashing through the crowd, his feet flying off the ground. Arms swinging over his face, he waited for the dreaded thud. But that didn't happen.
“Woah! Careful there!’’
…..
Removing his arms from his face, he hesitantly looked up at the person whose arms he had fallen into. He looked his age, maybe a year older. His straight, ginger hair dangled over the freckles decorated across his cheeks, complimenting his bright, emerald eyes. Those eyes… He recognised those eyes.
‘’You always end up falling for me don’t you.’’
In a shock, he quickly scurried to his feet, pushing away from the boy. He was sure he was blushing now. Taking his time to analyze him, it all ended up hitting him in the face, how could he forget!? His childhood best friend!
“Wally?!”
“Robin. Took you a while.” He laughed, his cheeks also tinted with a light rose color. Richard rolled his eyes, crossing his arms against his chest. “That’s Damian, I’m Nightwing.”
“Ah, no longer working for Batman I see?” Wally sighed, leaning against the wall and running his hand over his hair, seeming embarrassed. “And I’m over here still working for my uncle after all these years, must seem lame to you huh?’’
Richard scoffed teasingly. “Still? When do you think you'll be independent, then?”
He shrugged. “I like my job, and you were cooler as Robin.” He mocked, playfully.
“As if!” Dick responded. “Sorry I don't like to cling onto some other superhero's back and follow some lame rules. I just do my own thing.”
Wally tilted his head, frowning. “You’ve got a team or something then?”
“Ah… I did once," he trailed off, clearing his throat as if to show it wasn't really a topic he'd like to discuss. Sure, the old team were still his friends, but it just wasn't the same. Even so he preferred it this way, as an independent hero to do whatever he wanted instead of what Batman wanted. The older boy let out a small chuckle, “You’ve changed. A lot.” He moved forward, teasing him about his height.
“So have you.” He frowned a little, seeing what his childhood best friend was doing. “Be shorter please.”
“Nah.” He smirked. “This is nice revenge.”
“Shut up, tall-ass,” Dick laughed, shoving him away playfully. Wally laughed along with him, it felt just like the old times, and the party seemed to be quieter now.
Richard found himself admiring every inch and detail of Wally's face, every freckle across his old friend's cheeks and nose making his heart melt in his chest a little more than it already was for him. He just stared in silence for a moment, not even noticing the dusty pink that slowly spread across his own face. Wally seemed to notice the body language, and moved even closer to speak. “Wanna leave? This is lame.”
“Ah-” The younger boy seemed to be caught off-guard by the redhead suddenly speaking. “Yeah, agreed. This music's giving me a migraine.”
“Barry’s probably drunk anyway.” He shrugged, turning to leave before being stopped in his tracks by a small flash. A familiar girl glided past him, wrapping her arms around Richard’s shoulders lovingly. Her eyes spoke of a beautiful soul, and Wally couldn’t help but frown with a hint of jealousy.
“Star!” Dick warmly greeted her, smiling with a friendliness he'd perhaps never expressed to anyone before. Without a doubt, his good friend Starfire was possibly the most gorgeous girl he'd ever seen, and it was impossible not to love every second with her. Not to mention her indescribably charming personality; she was certainly beautiful on both the inside and out. “How's the party?”
Ah. So he knew her. Wally thought, slightly annoyed. The girl rolled her vibrant emerald eyes, giggling. “I looked everywhere for you!” Her fire-like hair waved over Dick’s shoulders as she leaned forwards.
Richard couldn't help but blush. Just like mentioned, it was impossible not to love every second with her. “I was just catching up with an old friend,” he beamed at Wally. “Wally, this is Starfire. She was part of our old team back when it was… You know. Still a thing.”
She looked over at the older boy, and nodded. “Greetings, my friend!” She flew over to face Wally, bowing her head down. “I am what would be known on this planet as Richard’s girlfriend, it is an honor to meet you. I’ve heard so much about you!”
Richard thought they would get along fairly well. Then again, he couldn't think of many who didn't get along with Star. She was just too lovely to hate, in his opinion. Or at least too lovely for anyone with much sense to hate. Unfortunately, Wally didn’t think the same. He abruptly stumbled back, feeling as if he had just been brutally cut open. So, Richard has a girlfriend. This shouldn’t have been a surprise to him, after all he was the one who left him. He was the one who…. He winced, Dick just wanted someone who would make him happy, and Wally wasn’t that someone anymore. Quickly shaking his head and forcing on a smile, he had always been good at covering his emotions after all.
Richard's pleased smile wavered for a little. Wally was good at flashing his eyes and forging up a smile for the sake of putting his pain behind a mask, but they knew each other all too well. At this point he was sure they could speak to each other silently just by giving each other a look. But even so, he couldn't make Star think she'd done something wrong by dismissing her. “Well, uh… I hope you two can get along. Wally, you wanna go get some drinks or something?” He was obviously referring to the… Apple juice. Hastily, the redhead shook his head. “Starfire was looking for you, you should probably spend some time with her now.. I uh…” He cleared his throat. “I’ll hopefully see you around.. right?”
Dick only needed to give him a concerned frown, knowing that would be enough for the taller boy to understand. Again, he was certain they didn't even have to say anything to have a conversation. He knew something was up, and he was waiting for him to catch on that he knew something was up. The older boy just fixed his gaze at the floor, and sighed. “I’ll see you again.” He hated the pained look on Richard’s face, but he had to get out of there. With a flash, he was gone, leaving nothing but a rush of wind behind and a blurred trail of color.
The younger childhood friend, now left behind with nothing but the breeze of his friend to remain, lowered his head to the ground. It hurt even more to think they used to tell each other anything and everything, even if it was the stupidest stuff to get upset about, and they'd both be there for each other. It was how they knew each other so well, but now… Well, that has changed. Perhaps time just simply wore on their closeness, but it still stung, leaving a lump in his throat and a numbness in his legs until he had to sit down, sighing. He glanced over at Star, deciding to just forge up a smile just as Wally did for her sake. “So, you alright?” He felt like he didn't even know how to speak to her anymore.
It seemed she had noticed the sudden change in mood, and quickly gilded back over besides him. “Yes! I am absolutely fine. I think we should just go see our friends, what do you think?” She asked, hoping to uplift his feelings a bit.
Our friends. The words rang in his head for a moment. Wally was his friend too… He knew he shouldn't have been missing him so much, but the thought of the loss of opportunity to spend as much time together as they could made his heart shatter. It made him anxious, too; when would they see each other next? What if it was in years to come, like it had been before? What if things were different now after what had happened with the taller boy's sudden mood switch? “Yeah.” He responded sharply after a moment, quickly snapping out of it. He stood again, trying to push the thoughts out of his mind to little avail. “Let's go,” he walked off to go find them. His eyes trailed down at the floor as he followed his girlfriends, before being stopped by a rose on the floor. Along with it, a note was left. He knew who that was from.
“.......” Richard picked up the rose and the note, walking off elsewhere without Star. He knew he should probably tell her where he was going, but it didn't matter. He hadn't gotten one of his… Episodes… In a while now, so he was sure she'd assume he'd be fine. He left through the doors to the fresh night breeze, opening the note with one hand and holding the rose between his thumb and forefinger, though with a kind of care, as if the rose was priceless to him.
Carefully, he read the note:
“You know where to find me.Tonight. P.S. I remembered your favorite flowers are roses, they look cute on you, you know.”
Dick blushed, shaking his head with a small, flattered smile. Of course Wally would remember something like that. He glanced behind him at the party. He'd never been the abandoning type, but the thought of seeing his best friend once more - even if it was just for a minute, gazing into the redhead's calm, carefree eyes which spoke wonders and tales yet to be told to him - gave him a sudden urge to just ditch his friends, Batman and every other stupid important figure in that deafening crackhouse of a party just to see him again. Wally was more important than the superheroes he doubted he'd even had a proper conversation with; he didn't feel he wanted to just walk out on in there anyway. Wrapping the note up gently and placing it in his pocket, he looked ahead at the gleaming night stars and headed off.