We'll Always Have Metropolis
Dec. 11th, 2006 09:26 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
shankieThe rest of the story...
We'll Always Have Metropolis
Kyle/Wally Toonverse, R
- The Fifth Year -
“Yeah, I don’t get back home much.” Kilowog let out a breath full of pride, as they stood overlooking the central battery, glowing ethereal in a sky full of newly familiar stars. “Earth, though, is a nice place. Pretty crazy, but everyone seems pretty happy.”
“Ever been there before this?”
“Oh yeah, couple times. You know, it’s a shame you never get back there, might be a long haul, or never, just waiting on the post.”
Kyle shrugged. “Not like I’ve got much free time.”
“Ain’t it the truth.”
“So, um, how’s everyone doing there?”
“Good as always, you humans are a plucky bunch.”
“Only three of them are actually human. I think.”
“Hey!” Kilowog slapped him on the back, “you know, that Flash kid invited me back to his place, maybe you should come with.”
“I’ll think about it.”
He seriously considered refusing, but all the same, he freed up two days in advance, hell to pay on catch-up when he got back, but… it had been a long time. The only reason the Guardians approved a brief leave from Oa at all, that and Kilowog putting in a good word. His influence went a long way.
They arrived at Wally’s apartment building, landing on the roof, where he’d set out plastic folding chairs and a radio, dancing along as he grilled. Wally didn’t notice his visitors until they landed, dropping the metal spatula and appearing around Kyle in a tight hug they held on to, then bashfully let go.
“Big guy, so glad you could make it.” Wally gestured around at what there was to eat; quite a bit, which was good, knowing what those two could put away.
Wally kept fidgeting with the loose threads on his cutoffs, throwing him sly glances as they settled down.
“So Wally, what do you do to keep busy these days?” Kyle bit into a kielbasa, trying and failing to not make a mess of it on his shirt.
“Well, still living here, so it can’t be that great.” He grinned, and got up to grab the mustard, taking longer than he usually did to do anything as he had his back to his visitors, spreading it on a set of hot dogs. “I uh, started seeing this chick from Kansas City.”
Kyle grinned, at once both glad to hear it and hit with pangs of regret. “Fox?”
“Killer.”
“What does killing little furry critters have to do with anything?” Kilowog asked honestly, and the other two laughed.
“It’s just some of our quaint backwater lingo,” Kyle said. “We are a simple people, with figures of speech that make no logical sense at all.”
Wally held up his bottle to Kyle with flair, breaking into a smile just like his memories. “To meaningless human affectations.”
Neither of them was smiling when they drank. On the way home, Kilowog asked him what Wally had meant by that, but he wasn’t quite sure he knew.
He went straight to Arisia’s quarters when they got back, and she answered fully dressed in uniform, late as it was.
“Kyle. Back from Earth?”
“Either that, or I’m having an out-of-body experience.”
She smirked and leaned against the arched doorway sultrily, with all the same offers she’d been making for some time now, and this time, he reached out and stroked the curve of her hips with the brush of a finger. He returned her sultry gaze, and closed the door behind him.
- The Sixth Year -
Somehow, Kyle was managing to impress the higher-ups, but to Kyle? It was just… fun. The Corps had become his great passion, he lived and breathed every second of it, still annoying the hell out of the other Lanterns with his sound effects during a fight... but so what? He was having the time of his life out here.
When again was informed he was due for another visit to Earth, it stopped his whirlwind life in its tracks; Superman was dead. The Guardians immediately organized those wishing to go pay their respects and they were sent off with their own regrets at the tragic loss.
The journey home was quiet, the Lanterns all in ceremonial garb, only speaking in their green vessel to occasionally recall some memory of the Earth's greatest hero. Kyle talked about how he'd first been given the ring, how Supes had been there, risking his life for a stranger, not asking for anything in return.
Being on Oa had made him used to everyone being in Lantern uniforms, but when they landed, he felt conspicuous in the robes they all wore, like some cult unable to break from their orderly marching together amongst the splashes of bright color and loose groups of everyone else. He decided against wearing his own, feeling more comfortable, self-conscious to be back amongst his own people.
The cathedral was vast, and J'onn's heartfelt words echoed to his tearful audience, still resonating as the assembled fell into a funeral procession through the center of the city both Kyle and Clark had once called home.
Kyle wondered if he would ever return here for anything more than a visit, or his own funeral someday.
The dark city felt both intimately familiar and locked away from him, and he sighed over things lost to duty and responsibility. To power, if he was going to be completely honest, and it seemed like the wrong time to be lying to himself. It was easier just to stay away from home, than to be constantly reminded that it wasn’t home anymore.
The Flash had been with the other members of the League the entire time, now helping to carry the casket as the Corps members walked beside them. Despite circumstances, Kyle felt a few butterflies fluttering through the heaviness in his gut.
Sometimes, he had to remind himself that Wally was a real person, not just some dream that got mixed up with memory.
He saw Jimmy and Lois there, of course, and it was good to see them both doing alright, even with their loss. Over and over, he heard the same feeling from people; that everyone, even those who never got to know Superman, were taking it just as personally as if they had.
Kyle sniffled as more words were spoken at the memorial, and the crowd fell into clusters, the League swamped with attention and the Lanterns mostly keeping to themselves, as they tended to. Kilowog patted his back reassuringly with his big hand, but they were subdued, and didn’t have a lot left to say. Kat had done what Kyle had, edging her way to see glimpses of the League, and they both waited together for the crowds to clear, wordlessly deciding on their moment of opportunity, the other Lanterns behind them as they finally approached the somber heroes.
“The Guardians wish to express their sorrow at this loss… even on Oa, Superman meant a great deal,” Kat said, taking Wonder Woman’s hands into her own to share a moment.
Batman, unsurprisingly, wasn’t there, but the rest were, and they shared more condolences and handshakes… and Kyle edged away, catching Wally’s eye before he walked off on his own, to the outside of the mourners and just behind a concrete wall, still just in sight of the top of the memorial, but relatively private.
Wally appeared in front of him, looking around, so close he could feel the heat running off his body. He looked unsure as he leaned closer, then kissed him tenderly, his hands hesitantly touching Kyle’s sides, his lips warm and sweet.
Only a moment, trying to commit each sensation to memory and steal each other’s grief hugging against the wall. Kyle breathed in the smell of electricity, orange-scented shampoo, and him, clinging until their time was up, and he regretfully pressed his cheek to Wally’s.
“I know you keep getting this crap, but I know you guys were close in the end. I’m sorry,” Kyle whispered.
“It’s funny, I miss him but… I keep thinking he was lucky. To go down fighting the good fight.”
“Yeah.”
Kyle let his mask fade away, feeling trapped by it, and he sniffed again, rubbing a single tear off his cheek with his arm.
By the time he’d pulled himself together, it was already time to leave; and again, they didn’t say goodbye.
The Lanterns returned to Oa straight away, and Kyle was back investing himself in tracking a pirate through Sector 2763, finally bagging the bugger once his ring caught up to the small ship’s engines.
It was all he could talk about, gloating to Arisia about how the little purple rat had squealed when he broke through the hull and took him into custody.
“Rayner, you’re impossible.”
“What?”
“Even now, all you can think about is yourself, isn’t it?”
She adjusted her green miniskirt down over her golden thighs and looked perfectly furious with him as she took off, slamming the door on her way out. He knew she’d be back.
The next morning, the cafeteria was buzzing with the latest; Superman wasn’t dead, after all.
Kyle was dizzy with relief.
- The Seventh Year -
Wally's apartment had been destroyed in a riot during the Thanagarian invasion; it had been fierce, and the buildings had been knocked down on the protesting crowds as an example.
There wasn't much left, but he looked for what he could find, digging through rubble after dark with night-vision goggles he borrowed from the Bat. Bruce Wayne. Who knew. Now that they were all on a first-name basis, he wasn't exactly more friendly... more approachable, maybe. It turned out to be almost a half-hours work, taking the big slabs of broken concrete into account. What the fire didn't get, the destruction itself had.
Everything except a fire-proof safe he'd kept in his closet. A stroke of precautionary genius; after he'd seen so much destroyed violently, it seemed like a good idea. He went to John's for some clothes, carrying almost all his worldly possessions in his hand back to Central City and his girlfriend's house.
Cassie had a pretty big place in a ritzy neighborhood, being a model and all. She answered the door with her long, blonde hair a bed-mussed mane around an angry-looking heart-shaped face.
"Oh, look who shows up finally. I've been worried sick, you haven't even called in a week, and its 3am? What the hell is wrong with you?”
"Listen, I have a perfectly good explanation, I'll tell you everything, I just need..."
"You need to get off my porch is what you need! That's enough Wally, I'm so sick and tired of you running off for days on end, sometimes in the middle of the night? For no reason! Or never one you'll ever tell me. Do you really expect me to believe any of your lame excuses anymore, and now you want something?"
"But... the invasion..."
"Has made me think about a lot of things." She looked away and crossed her arms over her chest, and Wally slumped his shoulders. "Specifically, what's really important in my life. And that's just not you anymore. Get out."
She slammed the door in his face, and he just stood there for a minute.
Wally went to his mom's house and his old room, not bothering to wake her. He'd make breakfast as a surprise; it wasn't the first time he'd been stuck and come here in the middle of the night.
He stared at his picture of Barry on the desk, hugging his pillow. It was a little dusty, but he squeezed it to his chest and fought off his demons with gritted teeth, until most of them finally left him alone, and he could sleep.
- The Ninth Year -
He never thought it would take this long for another trip to Earth; or that it would be as part of a Lantern horde set on revenge for the unthinkable, the unfathomable; the center of the universe was gone. The angry charge after Amazo had been doused with the return of Oa, safe and sound, but he wouldn't say relieved; they would have to be able to grasp the idea of Oa being gone first, and that never happened. At least not for Kyle.
And he found himself back in Metropolis. The others were set to return to duty, but he begged off, saying he'd take any heat for coming back later, but in the chaos they didn't think much of it, other things on their minds. Kyle watched them fly off in a green glow and vanish into the sky.
Of all the things he could visit, all the people he could see, he set off west.
Kyle didn't know where to look, but he had to be here somewhere. He flew up and decided on the direct approach; a giant green Flash symbol in the sky, waiting on top of City Hall.
"John, if you wanted to get my..." Wally appeared on the roof, and trailed off, leaving his mouth hanging open as he almost tripped over a loose tile.
"Hi."
"Hi."
They just kind of stared at each other with dopey grins, then Kyle hit the roof, getting his wind back around Wally's demanding lips. They were thrown into a frenzy so scattered neither managed to get undressed, grabbing and roughly grinding their cocks together through their uniforms, growling breathily until Wally rolled off him.
He lay there catching his breath long enough for Kyle to begin sitting up, then sent them on a dizzying super-speed rollercoaster right onto a bed. Probably his bed, but Kyle didn't really care just then.
Kyle willed away his uniform and Wally's vanished, landing on the floor after Wally was already kissing him again, pushing his tongue into his mouth, biting his nipples, sucking him off, seemingly all at once. All he could see was a hazy blur through heavy-lidded eyes, and he was everywhere. Kyle arched up hard then lunged forward and tackled him down, panting as he licked the soft skin of Wally's hips, gripping his hard thighs in his hands.
"Put the boots back on." Wally laughed but quickly complied, appearing in front of him on his hands and knees, lifting up his calves and pointing his toes. He waggled his sculpted ass a little and winked. An image Kyle decided to make sure not to forget.
They made with their playful fucking for hours, sometimes launching into pillow-fights, and one round of arm-wrestling on the floor.
It had been a very long day, and he was in Heaven, tangled in a curtain that had been torn down when Kyle had tripped backwards and sent them sprawling. They'd landed, and just stayed there, Wally laid up between his knees and his head on Kyle's chest. They lazily stroked each other's skin in a long moment.
"Stay," Wally broke the silence softly.
It took Kyle a moment to bring himself to meet his gaze, pleading that dug sharply through his chest, and he looked away again, lifting his chin up. "You know I can't."
Wally forced him to look at him, swallowing a few times before he could continue emphatically, "there has to be a way, you're like, a big guy with the Corps, right? The blue dudes won't listen to you?" Kyle shook loose and got up, willing himself dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, and he leaned in the doorway, looking out at the rest of Wally's apartment, sparsely furnished and cluttered with wrappers. Wally wrapped his arms around Kyle's waist from behind and pressed his face against his shoulder. "I can't live like this forever."
"I never said anything about your chicks, just like you never asked about mine."
"It's not even about that, damn you. I just... when you're gone..." He squeezed him tighter, like it would make him more real. "It's like some horrible tease, you just show up and... God, I miss you so bad." Wally's moods could shift as quickly as he moved, and he was suddenly in a fit of rage, slamming his fist through the wall and smashing a glass vase against the wall before Kyle could stop him. "Fuck this, just, fuck it! How can I let you do this to me? WhyshouldIevencare!?"
"I'm sorry."
"It isn't your fault," he said matter-of-factly against the wall, already calming down again. Wally put on a pair of red shorts and composed himself, and they both noticed they were tired.
They curled up close and dozed contently, and Kyle stopped thinking about anything for a while.
In the morning, they got up and brushing each other's teeth, splashing each other in the sink and swapping toothpaste-kisses. Kyle reacquainted himself with cooking scrambled eggs and bacon while Wally ran down the street for coffee and donuts, then all over the place for fruit and thick cream he brought back in a mason jar.
Kyle ended up eating himself almost sick off all it, especially the tangy strawberries and cream off Wally's fingers, but the morning couldn't last forever.
This time, Kyle grabbed Wally for a kiss goodbye, deep and slow to end, their lips still hovering over each other for a few more stolen brushes before he ringed into his uniform and flew away. Every time, it was so much harder to leave.
Kyle could no more part with his ring now than Wally could stop running. But part of him wished he could.
- The Tenth Year -
Linda Park had some kinda crazy thing going for the Flash.
She tucked her phone number in his waistband before she left after her... very heartfelt newscast... and he had no idea what to do with it. He could call and make a date, and she was cute no doubt, but was he supposed to go to dinner in costume? Or just drop his secret identity to a reporter on a whim? That didn't seem like a very good idea.
He was on monitor duty a few days later, considering his problem. When Batman stopped through to check on one of the terminals, Wally took his feet off the console and turned to him seriously as the Bat was hunched in the chair. "Bats, you're good with the ladies, right?"
"Excuse me?" He turned incredulously to Wally, raising an eyebrow.
"Well, see, I have this problem, and I was wondering..."
Batman promptly stood up and left.
Wally had to wait another hour for J'onn to be his next target. Luckily, he was in the habit of actually talking.
"J'onn, could you help me with something?"
"I can certainly try."
Wally leaned back in the chair and crossed his legs, tapping his fingers together. "So, I have this girl who gave me her number, and she's a hottie and all, but she gave it to the Flash and I think it'd be cool to go on a date or something, but I'd feel like an idiot doing it in longjohns."
"You frequently appear publicly in costume."
"Well, yeah, we all do, duh, but... you know?"
"Hm." J'onn looked thoughtful, then shrugged. "Have you considered approaching her without it, and... neglect to mention you've already met?"
"I like your ideas."
Wally was never really good at intrigue, so he decided to be direct; he sent a dozen roses with his phone number on the tag to the studio, and waited; but she never called.
He tried to talk to her in person at the studio, and she was perpetually 'busy' and unavailable.
Finally, he just called.
"Hello?"
"Yeah, hi, um, my name's Wally, you uh, gave me your number."
"Wally?" I don't remember... when was this?"
"Oh, a while back, I can't think exactly... but I'd be surprised if you didn't remember me."
"That so?"
"I'm the cute redhead," he said seductively, grinning in the receiver. "I'm sure you'll remember me. You know. When we go out to dinner."
"Oh really?"
Of course, she didn't recognize him. At first, she was obviously just tolerating him for a free dinner; by the end, Linda asked Wally back to her place.
Before long, she knew he was the Flash, and took advantage of it as much as she could for her career. Linda loved the upsides to dating a superhero; he kept the costume on a lot in bed, loved watching him do his thing. She hated the danger, the uncertain hours and the demands on his time... their time... and he spent less and less time as Wally West.
She was definitely dating the Flash, and not him. He tried not to mind. Even when she’d leave him all the time, only to come back a day or two later. She thought they should be getting more serious. Wally didn't know how to explain he needed space to be himself without defending himself, that he'd moved in with someone before, and it didn't make anything easier. Linda was stubborn, and so was he.
Wally just ran, bet to himself about how long it would take for her to change her mind this time. He did miss her, when she did this; not the most understanding person in the world, but she would listen, sometimes.
He skimmed over the harbor, and skidded to a stop up on the beach at the prompting of a giant green stop sign... Wally grinned; it was Kyle.
"I thought you were going to wait another three years, you arrogant prick. Slumming back to Earth when the last-resorts on Oa dry up."
"More or less." Kyle let his construct fade away and swaggered over, just to keep it going. "The Zenion princess isn't returning my calls after she caught me with her servant girl."
"Princess, huh?"
"She was very grateful after I prevented the destruction of her world." His mask faded, and his expression had nothing to do with some conquest. "I think her top speed is about five miles per hour."
"Really." They were inches away, and Wally was conflicted. "It sounds like you already have what you need."
"No." Kyle nuzzled against his neck, and he was so... different now, so confidant and self-assured, the lines on his body cut sharper from combat. But he could smile, and it was just like years ago, the artist getting knocked on his ass by flavor-of-the-week villains.
He always came back to him different.
There wasn't a part of Wally that could ever resist, and in seconds they were hidden away in his living room; the curtains were all drawn, and it was darkness pierced by lines of sunlight.
He ached to take him in a frenzy of pent up desire, but poured it out slowly over him instead, pushed Kyle under him, Wally's erection so hot and heavy in his hand as he smeared it with the only thing he had on hand; cooking oil from the kitchen. Kyle arched his head back and they ran their tongues along each other as Wally finally plunged inside him, and they rocked back in forth with straining muscles against each other.
They fell to lazy pleasure, and it was nice to pretend there was all the time in the world.
It trickled off to tired play fighting, laying on the floor in a blanket, all wrapped up in each other and watching TV. Kyle still hadn't said much, and now his eyes were glued to commercials as he stroked Wally's abdominal muscles. "It's crazy, how stuff changes when I'm gone a little while. What is that thing?"
"It's a phone."
"That does all that?"
"Next thing you know, we'll all have power rings." Kyle began sucking along the side of Wally's neck, kissing a little. "Mmm, those are nice, too."
"I missed you," he breathed into Wally's neck, then squeezed him in a tight hug. "I'll make you happy someday, I promise."
"You should be careful with your promises," Wally said. "One day you might show up, and I'll have learned to move on." He couldn't help but feel a little bitter, because he never would.
Kyle held him tight, and Wally hummed with how wonderful it felt. He knew he could wait, and that's all he could do.
They found the bed eventually, and Kyle woke him up in the morning, backlit by the rising sun like a halo around his uniform, and Wally laughed. "I'll remember you, just like this," Kyle said, smiling as if he wanted to cry, but he couldn't tell behind the mask. "Happy and just where you belong. In bed."
Wally snorted and Kyle grinned. They didn't know any other way to talk to each other about how they felt, and just fell into each other. A goodbye, in every touch.
Kyle winked as he flew away. Gone again, but Wally felt happy and just bubbling over with glee for days.
Linda called after a little over a week.
"Wally, I'm sorry... I really miss you. I thought, maybe you could come over tonight and we could talk about it."
He looked around his empty apartment and thought for a moment. He was still in his ripped uniform, just slumping in a chair with the phone. It all just... never ended, did it?
"Yeah. I'll be over in a minute."
- The Thirteenth Year -
Christmas Eve; Kyle finally got approved for some leave on a holiday. And he came bearing a gift, wrapped in silver foil.
Central City was blanketed in snow that was still falling slow and heavy, already evening and dark. Twinkling with light and decorations just like out of childhood memories. The ring was leading him to Wally, in a suburban area just outside the city, a little house strung with lights and a life-size glowing Santa on the lawn.
Kyle willed himself into some warm clothes with the box in his arm, and knocked on the door. The mailbox read 'Park' and it was going to be a huge intrusion, but he had to see him, just for a minute.
A Korean woman that looked like she'd found middle age more than a little gracefully answered it, pointedly keeping the door mostly shut as she evaluated her guest. "Yes?"
"Is, uh, Wally West here? I just want to talk to him for a sec."
"And you are?"
"Kyle. He knows me."
She opened the door up and welcomed him in to wait in front of a staircase, in a little hallway decorated with a few Asian pieces, and lots of floral stuff. It irked his sense of interior design. There were voices somewhere, and it sounded like he'd shown up right in the middle of dinner. Christmas dinner; he'd be having some of that tomorrow, and he couldn't wait.
Kyle sighed and shook off his jitters like he would before a big fight, and checked his hair in a little mirror.
Wally appeared wearing a black tie, of all things, took one look at him, and whisked them back in the cold, in a dark shadow behind the house. "What are you doing here?"
"Just giving you this, I'm sorry I interrupted your shindig."
"I don't... Kyle." Wally sighed and hugged him, burying his face in the lapels of Kyle's leather jacket. "Why did you have to come now?"
Kyle chuckled and held him desperately, not letting himself be jealous. Jealous of whoever was waiting inside by an empty chair, the person Wally shared his life with. "I have to go."
He handed Wally the box, but Wally never looked at it, just at him, like he was trying to think of what to say, then finally kissed him, just a brush of lips. Kyle could still feel his fingers in his hair after he immediately vanished, and Kyle was left to go to his own family for a rare visit.
- The Fifteenth Year -
Kyle was used to being summoned by the Guardians by now, proudly one of their star field commanders. Sought by women, respected by men... that whole bit, except... mostly aliens. So he didn't think much of it, or the air of gravity they perpetually had, ringed up above him in their chairs.
"Kyle Rayner, your service to Oa has been exemplary, and you have become an invaluable member of the Corps here. However, in keeping with your previous requests to be posted to Sector 2814, we are now offering you the opportunity to take the position."
"So... John Stewart is getting a different assignment?"
"In light of recent events on Earth, we have decided that prudence would dictate that more than one Lantern aid in maintaining order in that sector. There has been yet another event threatening the wellbeing of life everywhere, and we would like a capable addition to their defenses."
Kyle laughed unbelievingly, then slapped his forehead. "No shit. Uh, pardon my language. Wow. Thank you. When?"
"You may leave as soon as you are ready."
There wasn't much to pack, even after this many years; a few trophies from over the years, an iridescent wall-hanging woven with holographic fibers he never got tired of looking at as it shifted colors and patterns, and Wally's ring. He said goodbye to a few of the other Lanterns, but it wasn't really a goodbye; it was hard to avoid each other in this line of work, it wouldn't be long before he was back beside Arisia or Kat throwing come-ons in battle.
He was going home.
Kyle went back to Metropolis and checked his bank account, more than enough until he got some work. He spent the afternoon tracking down a small apartment near the docks, with a view of warehouses, arranged what he had around until it looked like someone might actually live here, and spent the night listening to the city in the darkness.
There didn't seem to be a good enough way to tell Wally he wasn't going to leave. He didn’t want it to be like last time, finding him right in the middle of a life he didn't have a place in. He hadn't been afraid of that on the way here, but now that he felt almost settled and at home again, it hit him... just how long he'd been gone. Or even the last time he'd spoken to Wally.
Eventually, Wally would find out he was back, if he found him or not, of course.
Kyle waited another day then he let his ring take him to Central City, tension gripping his belly. It was a sunny, beautiful day, and the Keystone River glittered through the bright buildings clustered next to it.
The ring was pointing at the park, and Kyle went invisible as he got closer; Wally wasn’t alone.
He was sitting on a park bench with a black-haired woman that was talking about asking for a raise, with his hand resting over hers between them on the slab of stone. He looked happy, watching people walking by and nodding occasionally. His red hair was cut a little shorter and spikier than before, a blue tank top hanging off his shoulders, setting off all the muscles of his back and arms.
Wally whispered something to the woman, and they both laughed; Kyle smiled sadly and went back to Metropolis.
- Metropolis, Part Two -
No overnight shifts unless you want them. What a lie. Wally was stuck, all night, on monitor duty, and it sucked. J'onn had something mysterious to do back on Earth, and John was stuck on a mission with Doctor Light. Something about spontaneously vanishing parked cars or at least, something more mysterious than they're just being jacked. Apparently something pressing.
Wally was pretty good at keeping himself occupied, but not that good, so when John finally showed up to take over, Wally gave him a long-suffering sigh. "Have fun?"
"Bundles. Anything I should know?"
"Brewing tropical storm off the coast of Brazil that might turn into something. That's about it." Wally stretched and yawned as he got up, and gave the chair over to him. "Oh, I need a copy of that file on the possible new League members for that thing tomorrow."
"What happened to the one Batman already gave you?" John sat down and began catching up, his fingers dancing over the keys with a little spark of his ring glowing around one hand curiously.
"If I say I didn't lose it, will you believe me?"
"Not really, no." He sent out a little tendril of green that snaked out the door and returned with a file folder that Wally caught out of the air. "I've already gone through it. Most of them are too green, but Plastic Man and Rayner might be good additions. If he's even interested."
Wally blinked at the back of John's head until he turned around and gave him a curious look. "Sorry, did you say Rayner? Kyle Rayner, the GL? I thought he was still on Oa."
"Nope, the Guardians changed their policy on the sector after the Darkseid thing. He's posted here for good, been mostly getting back into a life here, but we've been in touch. Haven't asked if he wants to join the League, but Batman wanted to include him on the list, anyway." John turned back and thankfully didn't seem to notice how shocked Wally was. "Good kid, definitely earned his stripes. Might be better than me, now." He chuckled to himself, and Wally flicked his tongue over his bottom lip thoughtfully.
"Yeah. I'll uh, look at this, thanks."
Wally transported to his apartment and tossed the folder on the kitchen table, pushed his cowl back, and sank on his couch staring at the ceiling. Why wouldn’t Kyle tell him that he was back on Earth? After everything that had been said... and done... over the years, why wouldn't he even call? He got why Kyle never called from Oa, but...
Kyle didn't care about him anymore. That had to be it.
When Wally woke up late the next morning, his sadness was replaced by anger. He didn't even stop for breakfast, just jumped back into the suit and ran to Metropolis.
He realized when he got to the city that he didn't even know if Kyle was living here or not, let alone exactly where he was. But being driven by anger makes things like logic and sensibility less important; he ran through traffic and swerved through the crowded sidewalks looking for him in every face, thinking every flash of dark hair or green was him out of the corners of his eyes, only for it to be yet another stranger. In Central City, he was familiar with most of the faces, but here, they were all unfamiliar.
Where would Kyle be?
Wally looked up at the Metropolis Museum of Art in front of him and laughed. Would it really be that obvious?
Apparently, it was. Kyle was sitting cross-legged in front of a Greek statue of a warrior, bent over a sketchbook with only the fleeting glances up at his subject, and didn't notice Wally standing above him, watching the black pencil lines building details of the figure in quick strokes. Wally suddenly found all the patience in the world, and kept standing there, watching him, abundantly aware of the other museum-goers who kept gaping at the Flash just hanging out in the Classical art section.
He wore a red skintight outfit every day in public, and hadn't seen this man in two years. He could do what he wanted. And right now, he just wanted to watch him make something beautiful. Wally considered leaving without telling Kyle he was there, but he still deserved to be berated later.
Kyle's hand hovered over the finished picture, like he was deciding if it was actually finished or not, then closed it up and slipped his supplies back in a satchel, slinging it over his shoulder as he got up and got the kinks out of his back from the position. Wally waited, motionless, with his hands crossed over his chest, and didn't say anything, mostly for a lack of exactly what to say just then. When Kyle turned around to leave, he ran straight into him, and looked up surprised, a mumbled apology dying in his throat.
He stared at Wally and began stammering half-formed words. Wally just stood there and listened without twitching so much as a muscle, and Kyle trailed off, looking at him like he might not actually be real, and they stared quietly again. A yappy little dog in an old woman's tote bag began yipping, grating on Wally's nerves until he finally grabbed Kyle and moved their standoff to the top of the Daily Planet building, where Kyle looked around a little disoriented.
"I'm so angry at you I can't even speak," Wally said, an updraft whistling past the wings over his ears. "Except for that."
Kyle frowned in confusion. "Why? I don't..."
"Why? Why? WHY?!?!" Wally roared suddenly, and Kyle took a step back. "How the fuck do you ask me 'why' you fruitbasket, after everything I went through for your scrawny ass!" He got into Kyle's face and stuck his index finger pointedly in the center of Kyle's chest. "How dare you? What did you think? That you could leave me hanging for fifteen mother-fucking years and then come back and pretend we don't know each other or something?!?"
"I never left you hanging!" Kyle yelled, swatting his hand away and pointing his own index finger in Wally's face. "I had responsibilities, something you only ever seem to kind of understand ever, okay? I never promised you anything, and it's not like you've been suffering!"
"Is that right?" Wally sneered and put his hands firmly on his hips. "I'm sorry we can't all be the great and wonderful Kyle Rayner, like fuckin' Indiana Jones of the cosmos, pretending to be so fantastic. But I know exactly who you are, and I think all those alien babes who've distracted you so fucking well would be appalled."
"Oh really? So what do you think this is, some kind of relationship?" Kyle snarled and they were close breathing rage at each other for a moment, until Kyle lifted up his chin and stepped back. "I don't... damnit, Wally! Stop feeling sorry for yourself, arrogant prick, thinking you're the only one who feels anything, huh? What do you think, I screwed my way through the Corps and came back to you on my booty call rounds? Huh? You think it didn't hurt, to keep coming back and find you with someone else half the time? You're like a disease, this plague rotting me apart, damn you! I could have been happy with someone else, and sometimes I was, but you know what? I don't want to hear a damned lecture from you for doing just what you did, alright!?!"
Kyle gritted his jaw and looked off to one side, his lips pressed in a thin line. Wally took a deep breath. "I'm not angry because you weren't faithful to me or some stupid shit like that."
"So why? Because I didn't come sweep you away from what's-her-name in the park?" He sounded a little hurt, even if he was obviously trying not to, and Wally furrowed his eyebrows.
"Why..." Wally's eyes went wide as he realized what was going on like a bolt of lightning, and slid off his cowl, pulling Kyle facing him with his hands over his shoulders. "Kyle... Linda and I aren't together. We're just friends."
"Friends."
"Yeah."
"So you're not..."
"I've been single for like, years, man. I was..." Wally let out a short breath and laughed a little at himself, then looked Kyle in the eyes with every bit of fervent honesty he could give, to himself just as much as Kyle. "I was waiting for you," he whispered.
Kyle's eyes got glassy, and he looked like he might burst into tears, and Wally was pretty sure he looked the same, but he didn't want to cry or be sad. Wally felt like he'd just won the lottery again.
"Wally?"
"Yeah?"
"I... I really like you. A lot."
Wally grinned and let his hands drift down around Kyle's waist. "I like you, too."
"I mean... Wally..." He brushed his hand along the side of Wally's face, with such feeling in his eyes that Wally thought he'd be crushed under the weight of it.
"I know."
Surging with joy, Wally wrapped his arms around him and pulled their bodies together kissing him with every ounce of passion he had in him, Kyle's lips on his own, his hands through the thin fabric of his uniform, all like blessed relief for a long-open wound. I love you, he thought, over and over like a mantra in his head, smiling through his kisses that he could admit it, and feel anything but regret.
Kyle pulled away a little, holding Wally's face close to his in his hands. "I can't promise you much, still, but..."
Wally grinned and jumped forward, muffling his words with his lips until he gave in, to leaping back into something that Wally thought was communicating a lot better than talking. He didn’t want to talk anymore.
They had all the time in the world. And it was true this time.
We'll Always Have Metropolis
Kyle/Wally Toonverse, R
- The Fifth Year -
“Yeah, I don’t get back home much.” Kilowog let out a breath full of pride, as they stood overlooking the central battery, glowing ethereal in a sky full of newly familiar stars. “Earth, though, is a nice place. Pretty crazy, but everyone seems pretty happy.”
“Ever been there before this?”
“Oh yeah, couple times. You know, it’s a shame you never get back there, might be a long haul, or never, just waiting on the post.”
Kyle shrugged. “Not like I’ve got much free time.”
“Ain’t it the truth.”
“So, um, how’s everyone doing there?”
“Good as always, you humans are a plucky bunch.”
“Only three of them are actually human. I think.”
“Hey!” Kilowog slapped him on the back, “you know, that Flash kid invited me back to his place, maybe you should come with.”
“I’ll think about it.”
He seriously considered refusing, but all the same, he freed up two days in advance, hell to pay on catch-up when he got back, but… it had been a long time. The only reason the Guardians approved a brief leave from Oa at all, that and Kilowog putting in a good word. His influence went a long way.
They arrived at Wally’s apartment building, landing on the roof, where he’d set out plastic folding chairs and a radio, dancing along as he grilled. Wally didn’t notice his visitors until they landed, dropping the metal spatula and appearing around Kyle in a tight hug they held on to, then bashfully let go.
“Big guy, so glad you could make it.” Wally gestured around at what there was to eat; quite a bit, which was good, knowing what those two could put away.
Wally kept fidgeting with the loose threads on his cutoffs, throwing him sly glances as they settled down.
“So Wally, what do you do to keep busy these days?” Kyle bit into a kielbasa, trying and failing to not make a mess of it on his shirt.
“Well, still living here, so it can’t be that great.” He grinned, and got up to grab the mustard, taking longer than he usually did to do anything as he had his back to his visitors, spreading it on a set of hot dogs. “I uh, started seeing this chick from Kansas City.”
Kyle grinned, at once both glad to hear it and hit with pangs of regret. “Fox?”
“Killer.”
“What does killing little furry critters have to do with anything?” Kilowog asked honestly, and the other two laughed.
“It’s just some of our quaint backwater lingo,” Kyle said. “We are a simple people, with figures of speech that make no logical sense at all.”
Wally held up his bottle to Kyle with flair, breaking into a smile just like his memories. “To meaningless human affectations.”
Neither of them was smiling when they drank. On the way home, Kilowog asked him what Wally had meant by that, but he wasn’t quite sure he knew.
He went straight to Arisia’s quarters when they got back, and she answered fully dressed in uniform, late as it was.
“Kyle. Back from Earth?”
“Either that, or I’m having an out-of-body experience.”
She smirked and leaned against the arched doorway sultrily, with all the same offers she’d been making for some time now, and this time, he reached out and stroked the curve of her hips with the brush of a finger. He returned her sultry gaze, and closed the door behind him.
- The Sixth Year -
Somehow, Kyle was managing to impress the higher-ups, but to Kyle? It was just… fun. The Corps had become his great passion, he lived and breathed every second of it, still annoying the hell out of the other Lanterns with his sound effects during a fight... but so what? He was having the time of his life out here.
When again was informed he was due for another visit to Earth, it stopped his whirlwind life in its tracks; Superman was dead. The Guardians immediately organized those wishing to go pay their respects and they were sent off with their own regrets at the tragic loss.
The journey home was quiet, the Lanterns all in ceremonial garb, only speaking in their green vessel to occasionally recall some memory of the Earth's greatest hero. Kyle talked about how he'd first been given the ring, how Supes had been there, risking his life for a stranger, not asking for anything in return.
Being on Oa had made him used to everyone being in Lantern uniforms, but when they landed, he felt conspicuous in the robes they all wore, like some cult unable to break from their orderly marching together amongst the splashes of bright color and loose groups of everyone else. He decided against wearing his own, feeling more comfortable, self-conscious to be back amongst his own people.
The cathedral was vast, and J'onn's heartfelt words echoed to his tearful audience, still resonating as the assembled fell into a funeral procession through the center of the city both Kyle and Clark had once called home.
Kyle wondered if he would ever return here for anything more than a visit, or his own funeral someday.
The dark city felt both intimately familiar and locked away from him, and he sighed over things lost to duty and responsibility. To power, if he was going to be completely honest, and it seemed like the wrong time to be lying to himself. It was easier just to stay away from home, than to be constantly reminded that it wasn’t home anymore.
The Flash had been with the other members of the League the entire time, now helping to carry the casket as the Corps members walked beside them. Despite circumstances, Kyle felt a few butterflies fluttering through the heaviness in his gut.
Sometimes, he had to remind himself that Wally was a real person, not just some dream that got mixed up with memory.
He saw Jimmy and Lois there, of course, and it was good to see them both doing alright, even with their loss. Over and over, he heard the same feeling from people; that everyone, even those who never got to know Superman, were taking it just as personally as if they had.
Kyle sniffled as more words were spoken at the memorial, and the crowd fell into clusters, the League swamped with attention and the Lanterns mostly keeping to themselves, as they tended to. Kilowog patted his back reassuringly with his big hand, but they were subdued, and didn’t have a lot left to say. Kat had done what Kyle had, edging her way to see glimpses of the League, and they both waited together for the crowds to clear, wordlessly deciding on their moment of opportunity, the other Lanterns behind them as they finally approached the somber heroes.
“The Guardians wish to express their sorrow at this loss… even on Oa, Superman meant a great deal,” Kat said, taking Wonder Woman’s hands into her own to share a moment.
Batman, unsurprisingly, wasn’t there, but the rest were, and they shared more condolences and handshakes… and Kyle edged away, catching Wally’s eye before he walked off on his own, to the outside of the mourners and just behind a concrete wall, still just in sight of the top of the memorial, but relatively private.
Wally appeared in front of him, looking around, so close he could feel the heat running off his body. He looked unsure as he leaned closer, then kissed him tenderly, his hands hesitantly touching Kyle’s sides, his lips warm and sweet.
Only a moment, trying to commit each sensation to memory and steal each other’s grief hugging against the wall. Kyle breathed in the smell of electricity, orange-scented shampoo, and him, clinging until their time was up, and he regretfully pressed his cheek to Wally’s.
“I know you keep getting this crap, but I know you guys were close in the end. I’m sorry,” Kyle whispered.
“It’s funny, I miss him but… I keep thinking he was lucky. To go down fighting the good fight.”
“Yeah.”
Kyle let his mask fade away, feeling trapped by it, and he sniffed again, rubbing a single tear off his cheek with his arm.
By the time he’d pulled himself together, it was already time to leave; and again, they didn’t say goodbye.
The Lanterns returned to Oa straight away, and Kyle was back investing himself in tracking a pirate through Sector 2763, finally bagging the bugger once his ring caught up to the small ship’s engines.
It was all he could talk about, gloating to Arisia about how the little purple rat had squealed when he broke through the hull and took him into custody.
“Rayner, you’re impossible.”
“What?”
“Even now, all you can think about is yourself, isn’t it?”
She adjusted her green miniskirt down over her golden thighs and looked perfectly furious with him as she took off, slamming the door on her way out. He knew she’d be back.
The next morning, the cafeteria was buzzing with the latest; Superman wasn’t dead, after all.
Kyle was dizzy with relief.
- The Seventh Year -
Wally's apartment had been destroyed in a riot during the Thanagarian invasion; it had been fierce, and the buildings had been knocked down on the protesting crowds as an example.
There wasn't much left, but he looked for what he could find, digging through rubble after dark with night-vision goggles he borrowed from the Bat. Bruce Wayne. Who knew. Now that they were all on a first-name basis, he wasn't exactly more friendly... more approachable, maybe. It turned out to be almost a half-hours work, taking the big slabs of broken concrete into account. What the fire didn't get, the destruction itself had.
Everything except a fire-proof safe he'd kept in his closet. A stroke of precautionary genius; after he'd seen so much destroyed violently, it seemed like a good idea. He went to John's for some clothes, carrying almost all his worldly possessions in his hand back to Central City and his girlfriend's house.
Cassie had a pretty big place in a ritzy neighborhood, being a model and all. She answered the door with her long, blonde hair a bed-mussed mane around an angry-looking heart-shaped face.
"Oh, look who shows up finally. I've been worried sick, you haven't even called in a week, and its 3am? What the hell is wrong with you?”
"Listen, I have a perfectly good explanation, I'll tell you everything, I just need..."
"You need to get off my porch is what you need! That's enough Wally, I'm so sick and tired of you running off for days on end, sometimes in the middle of the night? For no reason! Or never one you'll ever tell me. Do you really expect me to believe any of your lame excuses anymore, and now you want something?"
"But... the invasion..."
"Has made me think about a lot of things." She looked away and crossed her arms over her chest, and Wally slumped his shoulders. "Specifically, what's really important in my life. And that's just not you anymore. Get out."
She slammed the door in his face, and he just stood there for a minute.
Wally went to his mom's house and his old room, not bothering to wake her. He'd make breakfast as a surprise; it wasn't the first time he'd been stuck and come here in the middle of the night.
He stared at his picture of Barry on the desk, hugging his pillow. It was a little dusty, but he squeezed it to his chest and fought off his demons with gritted teeth, until most of them finally left him alone, and he could sleep.
- The Ninth Year -
He never thought it would take this long for another trip to Earth; or that it would be as part of a Lantern horde set on revenge for the unthinkable, the unfathomable; the center of the universe was gone. The angry charge after Amazo had been doused with the return of Oa, safe and sound, but he wouldn't say relieved; they would have to be able to grasp the idea of Oa being gone first, and that never happened. At least not for Kyle.
And he found himself back in Metropolis. The others were set to return to duty, but he begged off, saying he'd take any heat for coming back later, but in the chaos they didn't think much of it, other things on their minds. Kyle watched them fly off in a green glow and vanish into the sky.
Of all the things he could visit, all the people he could see, he set off west.
Kyle didn't know where to look, but he had to be here somewhere. He flew up and decided on the direct approach; a giant green Flash symbol in the sky, waiting on top of City Hall.
"John, if you wanted to get my..." Wally appeared on the roof, and trailed off, leaving his mouth hanging open as he almost tripped over a loose tile.
"Hi."
"Hi."
They just kind of stared at each other with dopey grins, then Kyle hit the roof, getting his wind back around Wally's demanding lips. They were thrown into a frenzy so scattered neither managed to get undressed, grabbing and roughly grinding their cocks together through their uniforms, growling breathily until Wally rolled off him.
He lay there catching his breath long enough for Kyle to begin sitting up, then sent them on a dizzying super-speed rollercoaster right onto a bed. Probably his bed, but Kyle didn't really care just then.
Kyle willed away his uniform and Wally's vanished, landing on the floor after Wally was already kissing him again, pushing his tongue into his mouth, biting his nipples, sucking him off, seemingly all at once. All he could see was a hazy blur through heavy-lidded eyes, and he was everywhere. Kyle arched up hard then lunged forward and tackled him down, panting as he licked the soft skin of Wally's hips, gripping his hard thighs in his hands.
"Put the boots back on." Wally laughed but quickly complied, appearing in front of him on his hands and knees, lifting up his calves and pointing his toes. He waggled his sculpted ass a little and winked. An image Kyle decided to make sure not to forget.
They made with their playful fucking for hours, sometimes launching into pillow-fights, and one round of arm-wrestling on the floor.
It had been a very long day, and he was in Heaven, tangled in a curtain that had been torn down when Kyle had tripped backwards and sent them sprawling. They'd landed, and just stayed there, Wally laid up between his knees and his head on Kyle's chest. They lazily stroked each other's skin in a long moment.
"Stay," Wally broke the silence softly.
It took Kyle a moment to bring himself to meet his gaze, pleading that dug sharply through his chest, and he looked away again, lifting his chin up. "You know I can't."
Wally forced him to look at him, swallowing a few times before he could continue emphatically, "there has to be a way, you're like, a big guy with the Corps, right? The blue dudes won't listen to you?" Kyle shook loose and got up, willing himself dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, and he leaned in the doorway, looking out at the rest of Wally's apartment, sparsely furnished and cluttered with wrappers. Wally wrapped his arms around Kyle's waist from behind and pressed his face against his shoulder. "I can't live like this forever."
"I never said anything about your chicks, just like you never asked about mine."
"It's not even about that, damn you. I just... when you're gone..." He squeezed him tighter, like it would make him more real. "It's like some horrible tease, you just show up and... God, I miss you so bad." Wally's moods could shift as quickly as he moved, and he was suddenly in a fit of rage, slamming his fist through the wall and smashing a glass vase against the wall before Kyle could stop him. "Fuck this, just, fuck it! How can I let you do this to me? WhyshouldIevencare!?"
"I'm sorry."
"It isn't your fault," he said matter-of-factly against the wall, already calming down again. Wally put on a pair of red shorts and composed himself, and they both noticed they were tired.
They curled up close and dozed contently, and Kyle stopped thinking about anything for a while.
In the morning, they got up and brushing each other's teeth, splashing each other in the sink and swapping toothpaste-kisses. Kyle reacquainted himself with cooking scrambled eggs and bacon while Wally ran down the street for coffee and donuts, then all over the place for fruit and thick cream he brought back in a mason jar.
Kyle ended up eating himself almost sick off all it, especially the tangy strawberries and cream off Wally's fingers, but the morning couldn't last forever.
This time, Kyle grabbed Wally for a kiss goodbye, deep and slow to end, their lips still hovering over each other for a few more stolen brushes before he ringed into his uniform and flew away. Every time, it was so much harder to leave.
Kyle could no more part with his ring now than Wally could stop running. But part of him wished he could.
- The Tenth Year -
Linda Park had some kinda crazy thing going for the Flash.
She tucked her phone number in his waistband before she left after her... very heartfelt newscast... and he had no idea what to do with it. He could call and make a date, and she was cute no doubt, but was he supposed to go to dinner in costume? Or just drop his secret identity to a reporter on a whim? That didn't seem like a very good idea.
He was on monitor duty a few days later, considering his problem. When Batman stopped through to check on one of the terminals, Wally took his feet off the console and turned to him seriously as the Bat was hunched in the chair. "Bats, you're good with the ladies, right?"
"Excuse me?" He turned incredulously to Wally, raising an eyebrow.
"Well, see, I have this problem, and I was wondering..."
Batman promptly stood up and left.
Wally had to wait another hour for J'onn to be his next target. Luckily, he was in the habit of actually talking.
"J'onn, could you help me with something?"
"I can certainly try."
Wally leaned back in the chair and crossed his legs, tapping his fingers together. "So, I have this girl who gave me her number, and she's a hottie and all, but she gave it to the Flash and I think it'd be cool to go on a date or something, but I'd feel like an idiot doing it in longjohns."
"You frequently appear publicly in costume."
"Well, yeah, we all do, duh, but... you know?"
"Hm." J'onn looked thoughtful, then shrugged. "Have you considered approaching her without it, and... neglect to mention you've already met?"
"I like your ideas."
Wally was never really good at intrigue, so he decided to be direct; he sent a dozen roses with his phone number on the tag to the studio, and waited; but she never called.
He tried to talk to her in person at the studio, and she was perpetually 'busy' and unavailable.
Finally, he just called.
"Hello?"
"Yeah, hi, um, my name's Wally, you uh, gave me your number."
"Wally?" I don't remember... when was this?"
"Oh, a while back, I can't think exactly... but I'd be surprised if you didn't remember me."
"That so?"
"I'm the cute redhead," he said seductively, grinning in the receiver. "I'm sure you'll remember me. You know. When we go out to dinner."
"Oh really?"
Of course, she didn't recognize him. At first, she was obviously just tolerating him for a free dinner; by the end, Linda asked Wally back to her place.
Before long, she knew he was the Flash, and took advantage of it as much as she could for her career. Linda loved the upsides to dating a superhero; he kept the costume on a lot in bed, loved watching him do his thing. She hated the danger, the uncertain hours and the demands on his time... their time... and he spent less and less time as Wally West.
She was definitely dating the Flash, and not him. He tried not to mind. Even when she’d leave him all the time, only to come back a day or two later. She thought they should be getting more serious. Wally didn't know how to explain he needed space to be himself without defending himself, that he'd moved in with someone before, and it didn't make anything easier. Linda was stubborn, and so was he.
Wally just ran, bet to himself about how long it would take for her to change her mind this time. He did miss her, when she did this; not the most understanding person in the world, but she would listen, sometimes.
He skimmed over the harbor, and skidded to a stop up on the beach at the prompting of a giant green stop sign... Wally grinned; it was Kyle.
"I thought you were going to wait another three years, you arrogant prick. Slumming back to Earth when the last-resorts on Oa dry up."
"More or less." Kyle let his construct fade away and swaggered over, just to keep it going. "The Zenion princess isn't returning my calls after she caught me with her servant girl."
"Princess, huh?"
"She was very grateful after I prevented the destruction of her world." His mask faded, and his expression had nothing to do with some conquest. "I think her top speed is about five miles per hour."
"Really." They were inches away, and Wally was conflicted. "It sounds like you already have what you need."
"No." Kyle nuzzled against his neck, and he was so... different now, so confidant and self-assured, the lines on his body cut sharper from combat. But he could smile, and it was just like years ago, the artist getting knocked on his ass by flavor-of-the-week villains.
He always came back to him different.
There wasn't a part of Wally that could ever resist, and in seconds they were hidden away in his living room; the curtains were all drawn, and it was darkness pierced by lines of sunlight.
He ached to take him in a frenzy of pent up desire, but poured it out slowly over him instead, pushed Kyle under him, Wally's erection so hot and heavy in his hand as he smeared it with the only thing he had on hand; cooking oil from the kitchen. Kyle arched his head back and they ran their tongues along each other as Wally finally plunged inside him, and they rocked back in forth with straining muscles against each other.
They fell to lazy pleasure, and it was nice to pretend there was all the time in the world.
It trickled off to tired play fighting, laying on the floor in a blanket, all wrapped up in each other and watching TV. Kyle still hadn't said much, and now his eyes were glued to commercials as he stroked Wally's abdominal muscles. "It's crazy, how stuff changes when I'm gone a little while. What is that thing?"
"It's a phone."
"That does all that?"
"Next thing you know, we'll all have power rings." Kyle began sucking along the side of Wally's neck, kissing a little. "Mmm, those are nice, too."
"I missed you," he breathed into Wally's neck, then squeezed him in a tight hug. "I'll make you happy someday, I promise."
"You should be careful with your promises," Wally said. "One day you might show up, and I'll have learned to move on." He couldn't help but feel a little bitter, because he never would.
Kyle held him tight, and Wally hummed with how wonderful it felt. He knew he could wait, and that's all he could do.
They found the bed eventually, and Kyle woke him up in the morning, backlit by the rising sun like a halo around his uniform, and Wally laughed. "I'll remember you, just like this," Kyle said, smiling as if he wanted to cry, but he couldn't tell behind the mask. "Happy and just where you belong. In bed."
Wally snorted and Kyle grinned. They didn't know any other way to talk to each other about how they felt, and just fell into each other. A goodbye, in every touch.
Kyle winked as he flew away. Gone again, but Wally felt happy and just bubbling over with glee for days.
Linda called after a little over a week.
"Wally, I'm sorry... I really miss you. I thought, maybe you could come over tonight and we could talk about it."
He looked around his empty apartment and thought for a moment. He was still in his ripped uniform, just slumping in a chair with the phone. It all just... never ended, did it?
"Yeah. I'll be over in a minute."
- The Thirteenth Year -
Christmas Eve; Kyle finally got approved for some leave on a holiday. And he came bearing a gift, wrapped in silver foil.
Central City was blanketed in snow that was still falling slow and heavy, already evening and dark. Twinkling with light and decorations just like out of childhood memories. The ring was leading him to Wally, in a suburban area just outside the city, a little house strung with lights and a life-size glowing Santa on the lawn.
Kyle willed himself into some warm clothes with the box in his arm, and knocked on the door. The mailbox read 'Park' and it was going to be a huge intrusion, but he had to see him, just for a minute.
A Korean woman that looked like she'd found middle age more than a little gracefully answered it, pointedly keeping the door mostly shut as she evaluated her guest. "Yes?"
"Is, uh, Wally West here? I just want to talk to him for a sec."
"And you are?"
"Kyle. He knows me."
She opened the door up and welcomed him in to wait in front of a staircase, in a little hallway decorated with a few Asian pieces, and lots of floral stuff. It irked his sense of interior design. There were voices somewhere, and it sounded like he'd shown up right in the middle of dinner. Christmas dinner; he'd be having some of that tomorrow, and he couldn't wait.
Kyle sighed and shook off his jitters like he would before a big fight, and checked his hair in a little mirror.
Wally appeared wearing a black tie, of all things, took one look at him, and whisked them back in the cold, in a dark shadow behind the house. "What are you doing here?"
"Just giving you this, I'm sorry I interrupted your shindig."
"I don't... Kyle." Wally sighed and hugged him, burying his face in the lapels of Kyle's leather jacket. "Why did you have to come now?"
Kyle chuckled and held him desperately, not letting himself be jealous. Jealous of whoever was waiting inside by an empty chair, the person Wally shared his life with. "I have to go."
He handed Wally the box, but Wally never looked at it, just at him, like he was trying to think of what to say, then finally kissed him, just a brush of lips. Kyle could still feel his fingers in his hair after he immediately vanished, and Kyle was left to go to his own family for a rare visit.
- The Fifteenth Year -
Kyle was used to being summoned by the Guardians by now, proudly one of their star field commanders. Sought by women, respected by men... that whole bit, except... mostly aliens. So he didn't think much of it, or the air of gravity they perpetually had, ringed up above him in their chairs.
"Kyle Rayner, your service to Oa has been exemplary, and you have become an invaluable member of the Corps here. However, in keeping with your previous requests to be posted to Sector 2814, we are now offering you the opportunity to take the position."
"So... John Stewart is getting a different assignment?"
"In light of recent events on Earth, we have decided that prudence would dictate that more than one Lantern aid in maintaining order in that sector. There has been yet another event threatening the wellbeing of life everywhere, and we would like a capable addition to their defenses."
Kyle laughed unbelievingly, then slapped his forehead. "No shit. Uh, pardon my language. Wow. Thank you. When?"
"You may leave as soon as you are ready."
There wasn't much to pack, even after this many years; a few trophies from over the years, an iridescent wall-hanging woven with holographic fibers he never got tired of looking at as it shifted colors and patterns, and Wally's ring. He said goodbye to a few of the other Lanterns, but it wasn't really a goodbye; it was hard to avoid each other in this line of work, it wouldn't be long before he was back beside Arisia or Kat throwing come-ons in battle.
He was going home.
Kyle went back to Metropolis and checked his bank account, more than enough until he got some work. He spent the afternoon tracking down a small apartment near the docks, with a view of warehouses, arranged what he had around until it looked like someone might actually live here, and spent the night listening to the city in the darkness.
There didn't seem to be a good enough way to tell Wally he wasn't going to leave. He didn’t want it to be like last time, finding him right in the middle of a life he didn't have a place in. He hadn't been afraid of that on the way here, but now that he felt almost settled and at home again, it hit him... just how long he'd been gone. Or even the last time he'd spoken to Wally.
Eventually, Wally would find out he was back, if he found him or not, of course.
Kyle waited another day then he let his ring take him to Central City, tension gripping his belly. It was a sunny, beautiful day, and the Keystone River glittered through the bright buildings clustered next to it.
The ring was pointing at the park, and Kyle went invisible as he got closer; Wally wasn’t alone.
He was sitting on a park bench with a black-haired woman that was talking about asking for a raise, with his hand resting over hers between them on the slab of stone. He looked happy, watching people walking by and nodding occasionally. His red hair was cut a little shorter and spikier than before, a blue tank top hanging off his shoulders, setting off all the muscles of his back and arms.
Wally whispered something to the woman, and they both laughed; Kyle smiled sadly and went back to Metropolis.
- Metropolis, Part Two -
No overnight shifts unless you want them. What a lie. Wally was stuck, all night, on monitor duty, and it sucked. J'onn had something mysterious to do back on Earth, and John was stuck on a mission with Doctor Light. Something about spontaneously vanishing parked cars or at least, something more mysterious than they're just being jacked. Apparently something pressing.
Wally was pretty good at keeping himself occupied, but not that good, so when John finally showed up to take over, Wally gave him a long-suffering sigh. "Have fun?"
"Bundles. Anything I should know?"
"Brewing tropical storm off the coast of Brazil that might turn into something. That's about it." Wally stretched and yawned as he got up, and gave the chair over to him. "Oh, I need a copy of that file on the possible new League members for that thing tomorrow."
"What happened to the one Batman already gave you?" John sat down and began catching up, his fingers dancing over the keys with a little spark of his ring glowing around one hand curiously.
"If I say I didn't lose it, will you believe me?"
"Not really, no." He sent out a little tendril of green that snaked out the door and returned with a file folder that Wally caught out of the air. "I've already gone through it. Most of them are too green, but Plastic Man and Rayner might be good additions. If he's even interested."
Wally blinked at the back of John's head until he turned around and gave him a curious look. "Sorry, did you say Rayner? Kyle Rayner, the GL? I thought he was still on Oa."
"Nope, the Guardians changed their policy on the sector after the Darkseid thing. He's posted here for good, been mostly getting back into a life here, but we've been in touch. Haven't asked if he wants to join the League, but Batman wanted to include him on the list, anyway." John turned back and thankfully didn't seem to notice how shocked Wally was. "Good kid, definitely earned his stripes. Might be better than me, now." He chuckled to himself, and Wally flicked his tongue over his bottom lip thoughtfully.
"Yeah. I'll uh, look at this, thanks."
Wally transported to his apartment and tossed the folder on the kitchen table, pushed his cowl back, and sank on his couch staring at the ceiling. Why wouldn’t Kyle tell him that he was back on Earth? After everything that had been said... and done... over the years, why wouldn't he even call? He got why Kyle never called from Oa, but...
Kyle didn't care about him anymore. That had to be it.
When Wally woke up late the next morning, his sadness was replaced by anger. He didn't even stop for breakfast, just jumped back into the suit and ran to Metropolis.
He realized when he got to the city that he didn't even know if Kyle was living here or not, let alone exactly where he was. But being driven by anger makes things like logic and sensibility less important; he ran through traffic and swerved through the crowded sidewalks looking for him in every face, thinking every flash of dark hair or green was him out of the corners of his eyes, only for it to be yet another stranger. In Central City, he was familiar with most of the faces, but here, they were all unfamiliar.
Where would Kyle be?
Wally looked up at the Metropolis Museum of Art in front of him and laughed. Would it really be that obvious?
Apparently, it was. Kyle was sitting cross-legged in front of a Greek statue of a warrior, bent over a sketchbook with only the fleeting glances up at his subject, and didn't notice Wally standing above him, watching the black pencil lines building details of the figure in quick strokes. Wally suddenly found all the patience in the world, and kept standing there, watching him, abundantly aware of the other museum-goers who kept gaping at the Flash just hanging out in the Classical art section.
He wore a red skintight outfit every day in public, and hadn't seen this man in two years. He could do what he wanted. And right now, he just wanted to watch him make something beautiful. Wally considered leaving without telling Kyle he was there, but he still deserved to be berated later.
Kyle's hand hovered over the finished picture, like he was deciding if it was actually finished or not, then closed it up and slipped his supplies back in a satchel, slinging it over his shoulder as he got up and got the kinks out of his back from the position. Wally waited, motionless, with his hands crossed over his chest, and didn't say anything, mostly for a lack of exactly what to say just then. When Kyle turned around to leave, he ran straight into him, and looked up surprised, a mumbled apology dying in his throat.
He stared at Wally and began stammering half-formed words. Wally just stood there and listened without twitching so much as a muscle, and Kyle trailed off, looking at him like he might not actually be real, and they stared quietly again. A yappy little dog in an old woman's tote bag began yipping, grating on Wally's nerves until he finally grabbed Kyle and moved their standoff to the top of the Daily Planet building, where Kyle looked around a little disoriented.
"I'm so angry at you I can't even speak," Wally said, an updraft whistling past the wings over his ears. "Except for that."
Kyle frowned in confusion. "Why? I don't..."
"Why? Why? WHY?!?!" Wally roared suddenly, and Kyle took a step back. "How the fuck do you ask me 'why' you fruitbasket, after everything I went through for your scrawny ass!" He got into Kyle's face and stuck his index finger pointedly in the center of Kyle's chest. "How dare you? What did you think? That you could leave me hanging for fifteen mother-fucking years and then come back and pretend we don't know each other or something?!?"
"I never left you hanging!" Kyle yelled, swatting his hand away and pointing his own index finger in Wally's face. "I had responsibilities, something you only ever seem to kind of understand ever, okay? I never promised you anything, and it's not like you've been suffering!"
"Is that right?" Wally sneered and put his hands firmly on his hips. "I'm sorry we can't all be the great and wonderful Kyle Rayner, like fuckin' Indiana Jones of the cosmos, pretending to be so fantastic. But I know exactly who you are, and I think all those alien babes who've distracted you so fucking well would be appalled."
"Oh really? So what do you think this is, some kind of relationship?" Kyle snarled and they were close breathing rage at each other for a moment, until Kyle lifted up his chin and stepped back. "I don't... damnit, Wally! Stop feeling sorry for yourself, arrogant prick, thinking you're the only one who feels anything, huh? What do you think, I screwed my way through the Corps and came back to you on my booty call rounds? Huh? You think it didn't hurt, to keep coming back and find you with someone else half the time? You're like a disease, this plague rotting me apart, damn you! I could have been happy with someone else, and sometimes I was, but you know what? I don't want to hear a damned lecture from you for doing just what you did, alright!?!"
Kyle gritted his jaw and looked off to one side, his lips pressed in a thin line. Wally took a deep breath. "I'm not angry because you weren't faithful to me or some stupid shit like that."
"So why? Because I didn't come sweep you away from what's-her-name in the park?" He sounded a little hurt, even if he was obviously trying not to, and Wally furrowed his eyebrows.
"Why..." Wally's eyes went wide as he realized what was going on like a bolt of lightning, and slid off his cowl, pulling Kyle facing him with his hands over his shoulders. "Kyle... Linda and I aren't together. We're just friends."
"Friends."
"Yeah."
"So you're not..."
"I've been single for like, years, man. I was..." Wally let out a short breath and laughed a little at himself, then looked Kyle in the eyes with every bit of fervent honesty he could give, to himself just as much as Kyle. "I was waiting for you," he whispered.
Kyle's eyes got glassy, and he looked like he might burst into tears, and Wally was pretty sure he looked the same, but he didn't want to cry or be sad. Wally felt like he'd just won the lottery again.
"Wally?"
"Yeah?"
"I... I really like you. A lot."
Wally grinned and let his hands drift down around Kyle's waist. "I like you, too."
"I mean... Wally..." He brushed his hand along the side of Wally's face, with such feeling in his eyes that Wally thought he'd be crushed under the weight of it.
"I know."
Surging with joy, Wally wrapped his arms around him and pulled their bodies together kissing him with every ounce of passion he had in him, Kyle's lips on his own, his hands through the thin fabric of his uniform, all like blessed relief for a long-open wound. I love you, he thought, over and over like a mantra in his head, smiling through his kisses that he could admit it, and feel anything but regret.
Kyle pulled away a little, holding Wally's face close to his in his hands. "I can't promise you much, still, but..."
Wally grinned and jumped forward, muffling his words with his lips until he gave in, to leaping back into something that Wally thought was communicating a lot better than talking. He didn’t want to talk anymore.
They had all the time in the world. And it was true this time.
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on 2006-12-13 10:38 am (UTC)I'm yet again amazed at your ability to pair Wally with, well, *everybody.*
I enjoyed reading, thanks for posting!
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on 2006-12-13 10:07 pm (UTC)Kyle's a fun guy, especially in the comics, but I wanted to give this one a try, I'm glad it worked. I do try. :)
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on 2006-12-15 02:30 pm (UTC)Just curious, though, what other endings did you have in mind?
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on 2006-12-15 10:38 pm (UTC)I had a lot of trouble getting together many concrete ideas at all; and I didn't want to make it just mushy or something entirely anti-climactic. So the story just kinda... stopped. XD
The first actual ending I've written in a while, so I was rusty. Still totally am.
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on 2007-01-04 05:52 am (UTC)no subject
on 2007-01-04 06:55 am (UTC)I've kinda been drawn to write a little epilogue, too. Maybe. I like the open end of happy, yes. :)
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on 2008-02-11 02:06 pm (UTC)"I... I really like you. A lot."
Wally grinned and let his hands drift down around Kyle's waist. "I like you, too."
Bwah-ha! Silly boys.
What a wonderful read.
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on 2008-02-19 05:49 pm (UTC)They're so much fun to write, because they're both just so... like a pair of bickering jocks or something, haha. And very silly. XD
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on 2008-10-13 06:06 am (UTC)no subject
on 2008-10-15 10:25 pm (UTC)no subject
on 2012-09-03 08:12 pm (UTC)I think I'm in love =D
Because you wrote this so wonderfully~
Goodness. You're amazing!!
I'm actually glad I found the link to your archive~<3