[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]

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.

[runningstart]

[Automatic fist bump return, though Wally's a little surprised about the comment from Artemis. How did she...? He told her?]

Oh. Well- I mean, yeah, but someone referenced me. How'd you get an interview? [Wally didn't even see that Tony post. He...didn't do much the first couple days back from Colorado.]

[performance]

He posted to the network and I impressed him. And dude, who cares if you were referred? Don't do the self-deprecating thing — you're like the biggest nerd I know. He would've been an idiot not to want you.

[ Robin swings his feet, because he can't hold still when he's really excited like this, and bumps Wally's ankle with the toe of his shoe. ]

[runningstart]

[Wally grins. I impressed him. Like it's as easy as that- of course, it probably is as easy as that for Robin, and that solid stone of dread that had been sinking into his stomach vanishes. He'd been worried about suggesting a move considering the fact that all his friends would have to find new jobs, just because he hates Florida.]

Dude.

That's so cool. Dude, we're gonna be working at the same place! I mean, probably on separate floors but still!

[performance]

[ It's nice seeing Wally this happy after Colorado. Plus, his enthusiasm always has a way of sweeping Robin right up in its wake. ]

Yeah, but we can totally commute together! Man, that sounds so mature. Oh man, and we can hang out at lunch, and I can come bug you when I'm on breaks... he said I get a workstation. A workstation!

[runningstart]

A workstation? What, like your own desk you can put stuff on and a desktop with a background you can personalize? Duuuude. [The waitress brings them their drinks and silverware, and Wally starts tearing up the paper napkin ring.] We can stand around the water cooler and talk about what was on Dateline last night, and how the economy is all messed up.

[performance]

[ Robin almost chokes on his orange juice, laughing. ]

Snk— haha! I'm gonna get one of those motivational cat posters. And by one I mean five.

[runningstart]

That's disgusting, [Wally says with obvious joy.

They trade off stereotypical office tropes -"I'm gonna get a mini putting green." "I'm gonna get one of those momentum pendulum ball things!"- until their food comes, and then a lot of Wally's attention is occupied with seeing how many pancakes he can stuff into his mouth at once.]

So- like, yeah. We should all move. SB and Artemis too.

[performance]

[ That gives him pause. He stabs a bite of pancake, a faint, thoughtful frown on his face. He doesn't mind, exactly, but maybe Wally's forgetting... ]

... So I'd be Robin at home.

[runningstart]

[YUP. He forgot.] Oh. Right. [He even pauses eating for a moment.] Yeah, I guess that's...not an option.

[It's just so weird; Wally's used to Robin just being...him that he forgets that sometimes Dick has to pretend to be two different people.]

[performance]

Well, I mean...

[ Having Superboy and Artemis closer would be nice. And it's not like he can't do it. But it'll be hard. It'll be really hard if he's holding down a job. A job he's sharing with Wally, who'd be living with him, but he'll have to pretend they're going, coincidentally, to two separate places at the same time. Ugh, just the logistics... ]

... Look, it's not out of the question. If it's important to you, I'll make it work. Glue my sunglasses to my face or something.