shankie | A Flash by Any Other Name

In the face of chaos, Bruce makes time for his Wally, who has an afternoon only a superhero could call normal.

Part Thirty-Eight: Your Friends and Mine

They drove back to Wayne Manor through the 'less than obvious' door under the cliff and walked to the cave through a tunnel from an underground garage. They were all still in disguise, deciding against changing before they were certain nobody was keeping an eye on them.

Wally had to admit, the idea of someone watching him with a satellite or something wasn't the most relaxing. Neither was the idea that they might get swarmed by metas from an angry badguy. He'd never realized how comforting the secrecy of the cave had become; possibly the least known and most secure location around. The list of people that could come in without an explicit invitation and escort by the big guy himself was very short...

...And apparently had grown by one.

Standing in front of the computer, with his hand resting on the back of the chair Tim was currently occupying, was Jason Blood, in a black suit, sipping tea.

"Hello Jason." Bruce said, pulling off his brown wig and extending his hand.

"Bruce. A pleasure, as always, but I'm afraid I'm here on business, not a mere social call."

Bruce gave him a raised eyebrow as they shook hands and Wally wondered exactly what to do with himself in this situation; he settled for hanging back with J'onn, who was giving the Demon's human alter-ego a significant berth. Sure, Jason liked J'onn well enough; but Etrigan really, really didn't like either of them a bit.

"I'm afraid we're all on rather urgent business at the moment, as you may know." Bruce said as he began removing the fake tattoo with some solvent and a little towel. "I've heard something about the magical world in an uproar, but frankly, I don't see what any of us can do to help you."

"As usual, underestimating your potential in the arcane arts. That is, in fact, why I am here; but I understand your current tasks are also of some import. I'm here to make you an offer."

"And what's that?"

"In exchange for my, and Etrigan's, assistance now, you would join me in completing our own task." Jason responded.

"Which is?"

"To track down a certain magician who may be partially responsible for our current... difficulties."

Even Wally could see how obviously Jason was trying to avoid going into any detail, not that it was a new thing for the magical-types. Perhaps it was because he and J'onn were there.

"Hey Jason, good to see you again." Wally said finally, walking forward and repeating Bruce's gesture of an offered hand.

"Mr. West, is it?" He responded with a twitch at the edges of his mouth. "How have you been faring since we last met?"

"Dandy. Was it really you I met, though? I don't really get how that thing with you and Et..."

"Please," Jason interrupted, "It would be best not to mention his name in my presence."

"Uh, sure. Um, I'm going to go... change. Into boy clothes." Wally gestured up the stairs with his thumb just a little too fast. "I'll catch you later."

With that, he ran upstairs, knowing he just vanished to their eyes, but he was in that sort of mood. Wanted to run for hours. Or do terribly dirty things to Bruce, but it didn't look like that was going to happen.

There was always something else, some responsibility, for one or both of them, it seemed. He'd been living like this since he was ten years old; but he still wasn't used to it. Half your life belonging to everyone else. More like 90% these days.

He wanted to maybe sleep; watch TV. Play Halo against Bart.

Bart!

He made it halfway up the steps before he got excited and ran faster, into their apartment, where he found Bart watching TV and threw him up in the air. He got a skeptical once-over with a wrinkled nose and squinted yellow eyes.

"I kinda never believed it." He finally said. "You have boobs."

"Kinda. I couldn't wait to say hi and stuff." Wally said, laughing as he set Bart back down. 'Couldn't wait to see if you were alright.' He didn't say.

He felt anxious. Everything was starting to get to him and he was jumpy. Really; what was the world coming to when even the home of the most dangerous man in the world wasn't safe?

Had to get rid of this nervous energy.

"What time is it, anyway?"

Bart checked his watch.

"Twenty-two thirty-seven."

"Bruce gave you that watch, didn't he?"

Bart nodded, and Wally just rolled his eyes. Of course he'd give a kid a watch in military time.

"I'm going to go change. And you're going to go to bed soon, right?"

Bart sighed heavily and put his hands on his hips defiantly.

"You don't have to go to bed now!"

"I'm a grown-up, it's different."

"Yeah, right."

Bart rolled his eyes and switched off the TV, then Wally ran out and up the first couple of steps before he tripped in his heels and sprawled out on the staircase.

"Uf! Damnit." He sat on the offending step and rubbed his now sore ribs. "Real graceful, Wally, way to go."

"Perhaps you could use some help getting upstairs."

Wally looked up, and Bruce was standing at the bottom of the stairs with his arms crossed and a smug smile on his face. Taking the opportunity, he crossed his legs with all the sensuality he could muster, and leaned back on his hands, head tilted to one side and a smirk on his lips.

"I guess that depends."

"Oh?"

Bruce took a step closer, now looking less amused and more... something.

"Mmmhmmmm..." Wally grinned and bit his lip, tasting the red lipstick against his tongue.

"I could be persuaded to make certain... concessions."

Wally raised an eyebrow, until Bruce leaned down over him so close he could feel warm breath on his lips. Wally closed his eyes and parted them ever so slightly, but found himself not being kissed, but being thrown over Bruce's shoulder.

"That works, too."

"Shut up."

He was taking long strides down the hall, and threw open his door tersely, closing it behind him with the same impatience and locking it firmly.

"Don't we have to go save the world?"

"You're talking too much."

"Generally."

He landed on the bed with a bounce, and Bruce knelt over him, one knee on each side of his chest, as he took off the blonde wig and loosened Wally's red hair around his face. It was slightly kinked from being pinned up and almost long enough to put into a ponytail now, so Bruce had a lot to play with.

"And isn't Jason..."

Bruce stopped him by pulling a clean rag out of his pocket and shoving it in Wally's mouth. And he found that he didn't really mind.

Just the opposite, actually.

"Mruphhh..."

"The world is just going to have to wait until I'm done with you." Bruce growled, "Did you think you could just tease me like a little tramp and get away with it, Wally?"

He just moaned in response, as Bruce slid the leather up around his waist and began stroking him through the prison of damp satin. He was talking dirty and he couldn't stand how hot it was that Bruce even had it in him.

Wally felt like he was losing his mind in the best way imaginable, and then he was tossed in the window seat overlooking the city, on his knees, too concerned with the anticipation of what was happening behind him to consider spitting out the fabric for some response.

The world could burn around them for all he cared.

Perhaps it already was, he couldn't tell.

Bruce tangled his fingers in Wally's hair, the other hand reaching down to tear off his underwear and then gently, slowly, fuck him senseless with three fingers curved ever so slightly. His head was pulled back onto Bruce's chest, and he could see his jaw tight above him, until it was too much, and he just closed his eyes and leaned into him with a little muffled helpless sound.

The hand slipped out, and a moment later was around his waist tight, and Bruce pushed up with a long intake of breath, thrusting in with a fleeting sharp twinge that became just a hunger for more.

Wally braced himself against the cool panes of glass, with the hot breath of Bruce's groans running down his neck as thrust in again and again, then let go of his hair and grabbed his erection with unexpected strength that made him let out a little cry.

He had no concept of the passing time, just Bruce's hands and grunts and increasingly more unforgiving fucking, which was all he could call it, moving with abandon and a wanton desire that duty could no longer repress.

Wally's mouth was hanging open and his deep breaths pushed out the the rag for him as a sudden, fast stroke sent him moaning and vibrating against Bruce without even realizing it until seconds, long seconds, later.

Then everything seemed to just stop as Wally screamed hoarsely and came in Bruce's fist, a long, hovering eternity that ticked by like an orgasm lasting for hours, days, still senseless as things moved again and Bruce finally came, biting into his neck sharply, but Wally barely felt it.

He just sagged back against the window catching his breath until Bruce picked him up tenderly and sat back down on the bed with him in his lap, putting kisses all over his flushed face.

"I don't know what I'd do without you." Bruce whispered softly.

"Not get laid?" Wally replied with a grin, cutting off the inevitable comeback by covering his lips with his own, then licking a bead of sweat off them playfully.

"Minx."

"That only works if I'm really a girl."

"My bed, my rules."

"So I've learned." Wally kissed him again, then settled contently against his chest. "I have a demand, though."

"And that is?"

"Sleep now."

"I have to..."

"Four hours in the last three days. Sleep now. Or I'll get Alfred to drug your tea."

"You wouldn't."

"I would." He said with a resolute nod.

"Fine. Three hours."

"Eight."

"Four."

"Eight."

"Six."

"Eight!"

Bruce let out a long-suffering sigh.

"Very well."

It'd seemed like a long time since they actually slept together, so Wally couldn't help but smile as he washed up and they curled up together and they quickly nodded off with pillow-talk whispers and soft little kisses in the dark.

There'd been too many nights of Wally falling asleep and waking up alone. The rest of the world would just have to wait.

* * *

The clock read almost Noon the next day when Wally finally stretched out and woke up; unsurprisingly, Bruce was gone, his side of the bed cool and empty. As he flopped onto his back and slowly woke up, he was a little jealous; Wally always needed lots and lots of sleep, just like he needed to eat constantly like his life depended on it; which it did.

Sometimes it seemed like Bruce lived off pure willpower and adrenaline, but Wally was starting to learn how to tell when he was overdoing it. Not that he'd always listen.

Wally yawned and stretched out again, then flipped off the bed and pulled on a robe, shuffling downstairs to the kitchen. Alfred was down there preparing what looked like his own lunch, which he immediately looked up from with a warm smile.

"Good morning, Master Wally. I trust you slept well?"

"Like the dead." He rolled his head around and cracked his neck as he popped open the 'fridge and dug out a pitcher of orange juice.

"Would you like me to prepare you breakfast? Or perhaps lunch?"

"Ummm... how about like... a big omelet with lots of bacon and stuff in it? That'd be awesome right now."

"Certainly."

Wally made some buttered toast and watched Alfred dig out a carton of eggs, which he emptied out with deft cracks into an oversized frying pan. Watching someone else cook his food was still strange, but it wasn't often he caught Alfred busy doing something else, and he always acted a little hurt when Wally insisted on doing it himself. It was a point of pride, he once explained.

"Master Bruce also told me to inform you of a note waiting on his desk."

Wally flew back upstairs and back down in a gust of wind that blew around some plastic packaging as he unfolded the paper scrawled with his name and read it.

Wally -

Jason has agreed to assist you in the task of liberating our usual foe and potential ally; he will be waiting before you speak to Thaddeus.

J'onn and I have returned to the Watchtower, I can't say when I'll return.

As always, be careful.

- Bruce

Wally smiled as he tore it up and threw it over the eggshells in the kitchen trash.

"Young Master Bart and Timothy have gone into the city, as well. He pledged to return by two o'clock so you may be on your way with Mister Etrigan by three."

"Why no big rush?"

"I believe he had other affairs to attend to first."

"Are you sure it's Etrigan and not, you know, Jason?"

"That is what I was told. I merely work here, Master Wally." He said dryly, and Wally laughed and poured himself some coffee.

Alfred ran the place and he knew it. Without him, Bruce would have been living in the cave eating takeout every night. Not that he didn't already stop at a McDonalds on the edge of Gotham with surprising regularity; that tidbit he'd picked up when he did an occasional patrol with the Bat crew. It always made him laugh, to remember watching the Batmobile go in the drive-through, with an unfazed old guy at the window taking his order with monotone responses.

Bruce was such a freak.

Wally nodded assent to himself as he dumped a bunch of cream and sugar into the oversized cup he'd been sure to bring from Central City; red, with a gold-embossed Flash symbol rubbing off it. Alfred never let anyone else use it, which always made him laugh. Not even Bruce was spared from a lecture when he'd reached for it in the cabinet.

He chatted with Alfred about the morning's news, which was fairly uneventful, ate his twelve-egg omelet, then went for a run.

Central City was busy with midday traffic, but otherwise peaceful. He waved to everyone who greeted him as he passed, going at what was to him a jog, still passing every car like it was almost standing still. He checked on his apartment, went by all the streets, helped someone who's engine had died on the freeway, and circled around the midwest and back along the Canadian border to Gotham, where lunch was already waiting and much appreciated.

A little while after changing back into jeans and a ratty Motorhead t-shirt, his cellphone went off in his pocket, with John's number flashing.

"Hey John."

"Hey there little cruiser! I'm at John's place, but it ain't him. Taught me how to use this contraption a while back."

"Kilowog! Buddy! Slumming with Earthling technology, are we?"

"Well, you know how it is. He's not here and nobody up at your satellite will return my messages, I figured you'd know what was going on out of everyone on his list by this thing."

"Yeah, well, you kinda showed up at a bad time. The guys upstairs are in a real mess, and we're not doing a whole heck of a lot better here."

"You need any help little buddy?"

"From you? I'd be crazy to say no. Besides, if I did, you'd prolly woop my behind."

"I'd do it anyway!" Kilowog replied with a belly-laugh. "Where you at right now? I only ask to try and stick to your human customs and not just trace the signal back with the ring." He said, and laughed again. "Wacky humans."

"Psh, you love us and you know it. Um, you want an address, or as the crow flies directions?"

"You know how I travel." He replied with a deep chuckle.

"Yes sir I do. There's a big house on a little jut of land just north of Gotham City. Can't miss it."

"What are you doing in that dreary old place?"

"Gotham? Heh. Tell ya all about it when you get here."

"I'll hold you to it kid."

Wally grinned to himself as he hung up and tidied he and Bart's apartment, tossing some discarded socks and jeans in the hamper and tossing out a mountain of candy and potato chip wrappers scattered all over the place. A few seconds later he took a quick swim, read through the newspapers Bruce had left in the kitchen, went into town to buy a grill, set it up on the patio, and was halfway done with some Victorian mystery novel out in the shade of a tree in the gardens when the unmistakable purple and green figure of Kilowog descended in the front drive.

With a grin, he hopped up and ran to greet him with a big bear hug, lifted up in the air by the burly alien, who was chuckling like rumbling thunder in his throat.

"You live here little cruiser? Pretty nice if I do say so myself."

"Yep, sure do."

Wally couldn't keep the smile off his face as he gave a little tour and introduced him to an unsurprised Alfred, who'd taken a break from some cleaning in the cave to make sure they didn't need anything. It'd been a while since Kilowog had come to Earth, and he'd missed his company.

A lot had happened since then.

They raided the fridge for ice cream and spicy sausages, then lounged out on the deck grilling as Wally listened to Kilowog's latest adventure in the Corps; he'd been sent to find out why a Lantern hadn't been active, only to find the Lantern was, in fact, a planet. A planet. Insane.

"Alright, you got what I've been up to. Now you've gotta tell me how it is you've upgraded to a swanky pad on the coast."

"Swanky pad? Dude, we've been hanging out way too much, I'm starting to corrupt your language." Wally laughed and speared a sausage with a fork, tossing it to the alien kicking back in a lawn chair. "Well, it's kinda a long story, but I've got, uh..." He checked his watch. One o'clock. "Two hours, then I've got some stuff to do with Gruesome."

"Etrigan? I'd pay to see that."

"I suppose you could come along." He said with a wry grin. "But anyway, yeah. This isn't my place, really." Wally said, gesturing broadly with a fork. "It's none other than The Batman himself's."

"Woah now. You're telling me you live with that guy?"

Wally laughed and plucked up a sausage, sitting in the seat across from Kilowog before he continued.

"We don't just live together, man." He got a little sentimental in spite of himself, looking down at the brick patio with a flush in his cheeks.

"You and the Bat? No way."

"Way." Wally looked up with a little smile. "He... takes care of me. And I take care of him. And... we're happy that way."

Kilowog looked back with a pleased expression.

"I'm glad to hear it, little cruiser. Looks like he's rich enough to keep you from starving to death, too." They both laughed uproariously; because really, it was true. If it wasn't for the fact that Wally'd won the lottery a few years back, he'd be bummin' for enough to eat. "Been some time since I got back to Bolovax for some attention, if you know what I mean. Can't always be picky about species in the Corps."

"I can imagine." Wally replied, even though he really couldn't imagine Kilowog in any sort of romantic situation of any kind.

And really, it was better that way.

"Yeea, I can tell from over here he's been keeping you busy." Kilowog roared in laughter again, and Wally just blushed and got another sausage off the grill.

Wally filled him in about the recent goings-on and got a firm and eager reiterated offer of help. He could only wonder what Jason would think about running around with someone Etrigan insulted at every opportunity, a hyperactive not-really-twelve-year-old, and an eight-foot alien with a power ring. Without Bruce to even things out, and the Demon apparently being the one who was coming along, it'd be one loud and potentially hazardous mission.

He was interrupted in his musing when he heard Tim's car pull up and park, followed by excited yelling from Bart as he ran out back before the engine even had a chance to shut off and looked up at the towering Lantern with bug-eyes and his mouth hanging open.

"Woah."

"Kilowog, meet Bart Allen, speedster and menace to society. Bart, meet the biggest, baddest dude to ever join the Green Lantern Corps."

Kilowog extended a large hand, which Bart took bemusedly, dwarfed in his shadow. Tim followed him, with his hands in his pockets and a smirk on his lips.

"And that's Tim Drake, he lives out back."

"That's all you have to say about me, Wally?" Tim said teasingly as he helped himself to some of the meat on the grill.

"Well, how would Bruce introduce you?" Wally asked.

"Prolly wouldn't." Tim said with a snarky grin. "Not that we have many aliens hanging out in the back yard."

"There's Clark." Wally pointed out.

Tim just shrugged.

"He doesn't stick around. I think the idea of being around Bruce on his own turf intimidates him." Tim leapt on the railing and balanced upside-down on one hand, eating the sausage with the other. "Didn't used to, but now he like, never comes here."

Wally didn't really know enough about it to comment, and settled for going back into story-swapping and watching Bart continue to stare at Kilowog with a look of awe.

"So when's our resident friend from the Underworld stopping by?" Kilowog asked after they'd finished the food and let the coals die out.

"Oh, any time now."

There was a rumble and an odour of powder-burns and eggs in the air a moment later, to which many a brow was raised and Wally just sighed in resignation.

"Yup. Fire and brimstone. He's here. Bruce has the weirdest friends."

"Sure does." Kilowog said, then ate his fork. "Ah. I love food on Earth."

* * *

Batman at McDonalds, One and Two by