[closed] a welcome reprieve from emotional agony

[performance]

WHO: DICK GRAYSON (codename birdbrain) and WALLY WEST (codename kidiot)
WHERE: Maurtia Falls, PA
WHEN: July 31st, NIGHTTIME
WHAT: Crimefighting and shenanigans.
WARNINGS: Nerds.

[ July had been a mess, but at least it's almost over. To celebrate that fact (and his newly-healed leg, and his friends' safe return home, and hopefully the end of everything awful for at least a little while) Robin had invited-slash-dragged Kid Flash out on patrol, just the two of them, somewhere far away from Heropa.

Huge, dark clouds hang heavy in the sky. There's no storm yet, but the air feels like lightning. Or maybe it's just the two of them— ]

Check it out!

[ Robin whoops as he leaps the gap between buildings, executing a neat (if completely pointless) midair somersault. ]

Comments

[performance]

I offered to share!

[ Robin shakes his dripping cape with both hands by way of explanation, looking not unlike a wet flappy baby bird who's just learning to fly. ]

[runningstart]

I made an executive decision to make it more fun. [KF grabs Robin's cape and wrings it out for him. There. No harm done.]

[performance]

[ Robin just sighs and rolls his eyes and lets Wally manhandle his costume. ]

So where are we eating? Because you overshot my idea by like eight blocks.

[runningstart]

You can't really stop this machine once it gets going. [Wally peers out at the storm just at the edge of the awning.] What is it with us getting stuck in the rain, anyway? I feel like I'm in a teen drama.

[performance]

[ ... Of all the stupid things to bring up. Robin's stomach feels a little like it's trying to backflip right out of the conversation, and the tips of his ears go warm. Aren't they supposed to be ignoring that entire night? Wasn't that kind of the unspoken agreement there? ]

Nah. We'd be arguing over something way more important than where to get dinner.

[runningstart]

[Yes there was and yes they were but Wally's mouth ran ahead and now he's turning red too, looking away and back down the street like there's something of interest over there. He rubs the back of his neck.]

Yeah. You're right. Um. Maybe we can find a Subway, there's some of those open twenty-four hours, right?

[performance]

Yeah, but before you drag me halfway across the city looking for one...

[ He rubs the back of his neck, too, before he realizes he's doing it, disguises it as squeezing some of the water out of the back of his hair, and then pulls out his comm. ]

We should probably figure out where we're going.

[runningstart]

[Robin can handle that, then.] You see what I mean about this place, though? That wasn't just some smash and grab by a couple guys desperate for a buck. That was organized, seven guys, two vehicles. This city has got to have a mob problem, black market, something.

[performance]

You're right, dude. This whole city just screams shady. I'd know.

[runningstart]

Getting that Gotham vibe? [This city isn't exactly Wally's favorite caliber, but at least it's not Heropa. And at least it snows in the winter.]

[performance]

Little bit. Gotham Lite. Diet Gotham.

[ He grins, glancing up from the map on his communicator. ]

Seriously, do you know how long it's been since I got to take out mob flunkies? I was getting homesick.

[runningstart]

Well, I mean...why not move here, then? There's military housing. Just a matter of packing up our stuff. [kf darling could you possibly look or sound more suspicious rn]

[performance]

[ NO HE COULD NOT ]

Wha— where'd that come from?

[runningstart]

Where'd what come from? [wally] That- the moving thing? Oh that. Well I mean, it's just an idea. To consider. I mean, just a course of action you could take, with or without me and Artemis and Conner. I haven't been thinking about it.

[performance]

I'm not gonna move somewhere just because it's sketchy, dude. That's not how this works.

[ His eyes narrow, and he looks consideringly up at Wally. He'd thought they were just going out on patrol. Getting them both out of the house so they could stop dwelling on things. He'd thought. ]

... How long have you been sitting on this?

[runningstart]

Oh god, [Wally groans because there's no escaping this now. He tilts his head back and covers his face.] Since I got here, dude. I just kind of hate our roommates and I hate Florida and I hate not being around the team. It's a lot of hate.

[performance]

[ wow. ]

So what you're saying is you want to move, but you want me to think it's my idea so you don't have to admit defeat.

[runningstart]

Yes.

[do everything for him also]

[performance]

[ Robin gives Wally a look that makes it perfectly clear that he's in no way impressed by his perpetual need to squirm out of things that make him look uncool. It lasts a few seconds, and then he shrugs. ]

Okay, I'll meet you halfway: we can get out of Florida. You and I should look into moving for work, anyway.

[ See? Two can play at the "I didn't tell you this really important thing but now I'm casually bringing it up like it's no big deal" game. ]

[runningstart]

Uh- right, yeah, I also got a new job, it's been a weird... [KF squints at Robin.] Wait a sec. Did you get a new job?

[performance]

[ That insufferable grin again. ]

Wanna discuss this over food? There's an all-night pancake place right up the next street.

[runningstart]

[They manage to make it there mostly dry, and thankfully it's late enough that there's only a couple other patrons when the ask for a table. They get a weird look from the staff but the waitress takes their order kindly enough, and when Wally orders three large platters 'to start,' she brightens up a little.]

Okay so what new job did you get? Finally find someone who won't stick you behind a cash register? I still can't believe they put you in retail, that's so stupid.

[performance]

No more customer service for me. I'm working for Starktech now.

[ He grins, waiting for Wally's reaction, looking for all the world like a puppy waiting for a ball to fetch. ]

[runningstart]

[He's not disappointed.

A grin starts slow on Wally's face before spreading, wide and bright and genuine.] Dude, are you serious? I'm gonna work there too!

[performance]

Awesome! Dude, I knew it! This is the coolest!

[ He laughs, giddy, and holds his fist out for Wally to bump. ]

Artemis said you had an interview with a tech company, and the timing — I just figured it had to be. And I knew there was no way you weren't gonna get it.