Prolouge
Wally's Pov
He dashed around the room, a whirlwind of energy, his laughter echoing off the walls until Uncle Barry finally intervened. "Slow down, bud," he said, his voice steady but laced with concern. Wally felt a surge of frustration bubble within him. “How can I!” he exclaimed, throwing his hands up in exasperation. “This was their night off!”
Barry’s expression shifted, the weariness evident in his eyes. He understood how hard it was to plan a date night, especially one that involved not just Wally, but also Artemis and Richelle. This was a rare occasion—a time for all of them to relax and enjoy each other’s company. Wally huffed in irritation, but before he could protest further, Artemis gently urged him to sit on the ground.
“Baywatch, stop,” she whispered, placing a soft kiss on his cheek. The warmth of her affection was calming, but Wally still felt restless. “I hate waiting,” he whined, burying his head in the crook of her neck, seeking solace.
“I know, Walls,” she replied softly, her fingers threading through his hair as she rubbed his head, grounding him momentarily in her comforting presence.
Suddenly, the intercom crackled to life, announcing, **Recognized: Batman-02. Recognized: Robin-B11.** Wally shot up, adrenaline coursing through him, dragging Artemis up with him as they both turned their attention to the doorway. Batman strode into the main room, his presence commanding, with Tim trailing closely behind him, his face clouded with a grim expression that sent a chill down Wally’s spine.
“Where are they?” Wally demanded, his heart racing with a mix of hope and anxiety. Tim hesitated, and Wally could see the struggle in his eyes before he finally whispered, “They… they didn’t make it.” He slipped off his domino mask, revealing tear-streaked cheeks that shattered Wally’s resolve.
“What do you mean by that!?” Artemis’s voice pierced through the room, filled with disbelief and anger.
Tears began to spill freely from Tim’s dark blue eyes as he choked out the words, his voice shaking with the weight of his grief. “They saved me. Bane broke out of Arkham—that’s why Bat called Dickie from Bludhaven. I-I wasn’t paying attention, and Bane grabbed me. He was about to throw me, and Dickie stopped his arm with a new weapon they’d been wanting to try out. Bane dropped me, and since the wire was wrapped around his arm, he tossed them instead, just like a rag doll. I heard their head hit the loose construction pole. I went to… check on them and—and…” His words faltered, his small frame wracked with sobs that echoed the sorrow enveloping the room.
Wally felt a fire ignite within him, a surge of raw emotion propelling him into action. He ran—fast, faster than he ever had before—though he hadn’t even noticed when Artemis grabbed onto him for support. Without thinking, he shoved the morgue’s front doors open with a force that surprised even him. The woman at the front desk looked startled, dropping the papers she was holding. “W-where are they!?” Wally cried, panic rising in his chest.
“W-who?” the lady stammered, her confusion evident. Artemis stepped forward, her demeanor calm but urgent. “He means Nightwing,” she said, her brown eyes softening with empathy. “Oh, follow me,” the receptionist replied, leading them through a maze of sterile hallways, each step heavier than the last.
Once they arrived at the backroom, the lady left them alone, and the atmosphere shifted dramatically. On the cold metal table lay Nightwing, and Wally’s heart shattered as he approached. The sight was unbearable. The workers hadn’t removed Dick from their Nightwing suit, a mark of respect for their identity. Their once vibrant tan skin was now a lifeless shade of pale, and Wally felt the weight of grief press down on him.
Tears streamed down his cheeks as he brushed the long midnight blue bangs away from Dick’s closed eyes. Freshly dried blood matted the right side of their head, clumped together with strands of hair that once flowed freely. Artemis, equally heartbroken, gently removed Dick's domino mask and placed it reverently near their head. “Oh, Dickie,” she whispered, her voice trembling.
Wally let out a humorless chuckle through his tears, his heart aching. “Dumb bird. We made a promise, remember? After the… after the invasion that we wouldn’t leave each other. Artie and I should have tried harder… I should have tried harder to get you to quit.”
Artemis took his hand, squeezing it tightly, her own eyes glistening with unshed tears. “We both know they loved doing this. Helping people,” she reminded him, her voice a fragile whisper in the sterile silence.
“I know,” Wally replied, struggling to keep his composure. “I just… what are we going to do?” He pressed a gentle kiss to her knuckles, searching for any sign of hope.
“I don’t know, Baywatch. I just don’t know,” she said, her voice breaking.
Days turned into a blur of grief and disbelief. The Justice League organized a small funeral service, limited to just the teams and Barbara. Bruce, as Batman, held a more significant service for Richelle to maintain appearances, but neither Artemis nor Wally could bring themselves to attend. Their denial was too strong, a protective barrier against the harsh reality of their loss.
Sometimes, they would catch each other talking to the air, convinced they were speaking to Dick. “You know you should have seen that one coming, right?” Wally would say, only half-joking.
While cleaning around the apartment, Artemis assigned Wally the task of tackling their bedroom. As he surveyed the chaos with his emerald eyes, something caught his attention—a pair of wireless headphones. They belonged to Dick. With a trembling hand, he picked them up and ran his thumb over the “On” button, hesitating for just a moment before finally pressing it.
Soft melodies floated through the speakers, wrapping around him like a comforting embrace. Wally sank down onto the bed, the music washing over him, and he closed his eyes, allowing himself to be carried away from the pain for just a little while longer. Each note seemed to resonate with memories of laughter, of shared moments, and of a bond that felt unbreakable, even in the face of such tragedy.
It was Friday night, and the energy in the air was electric. Artemis had been looking forward to this evening all week. She wanted to go out drinking with Wally, but he had promised Dick that they would hang out, a promise that lingered heavily between them. The trio hadn’t had many opportunities to spend time together since Wally’s retirement, and Artemis was eager to make the most of the night.
“Hey, what if we brought Dick along?” she suggested, a hopeful glint in her eye.
Wally raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. “Got your ID?” he asked, glancing over at Dick, who was fidgeting with excitement.
With a proud grin, Dick held up their fake ID. “Tim got it finished just in time!” Their voice was laced with enthusiasm, and Artemis couldn’t help but admire them. Tonight, Dick looked absolutely stunning, exuding a beauty that was almost otherworldly.
Dick wore a cozy blue sweater that hung off their smaller frame just right, paired with sleek black shorts and stylish leather ankle boots that added an edgy flair. The makeup was minimal but striking: a hint of light blue eyeshadow accentuated their bright blue eyes, while foundation masked the scars and bruises from their nightly escapades. Dark blue eyeliner framed their eyes, and their lips were painted with a subtle dark blue shade. Their long, ebony hair cascaded down their back, with a neat braid woven around their left ear. Resting atop their head were blue circled sunglasses, adding to the effortless vibe. A cherry earring dangled from their lower ear, accompanied by two smaller hoops in the upper piercing.
“Damn, Tim did good,” Wally said, nudging Dick playfully with his shoulder.
“I know! Kid’s smart,” he replied, adjusting their sweater with a shy smile.
Artemis rolled her eyes, teasingly chiming in, “Didn’t he figure out your identity by the acrobatics you do?” Dick’s face flushed a deep crimson, and the sight only added to their charm.
“N-not the point, Artie!” Dick stammered, earning laughter from both Wally and Artemis. The playful banter was a welcome distraction, but as they headed to the club, Dick couldn’t shake the growing knot of anxiety in their stomach.
Once inside, the club was packed, vibrant lights swirling and pulsing to the beat of the music. Dick took a shot, and their face scrunched up at the burning sensation. “You okay, Dickie?” Artemis asked, concern etched on her features.
“Yep! Burns a bit, but I can handle it,” Dick replied with a grin, trying to mask their discomfort.
Artemis smiled brightly and stood up, her energy infectious. “Wally, dance with me!” she declared, grabbing his hand and pulling him towards the dance floor. Dick watched them go, a mix of emotions swirling within—joy for their happiness, but also a pang of loneliness as they took another shot, trying to shake off the feeling. The couple swayed and laughed, their movements fluid and natural, while Dick felt the weight of longing settle in their chest.
As the night progressed and the drinks flowed, Dick found themselves growing lightheaded. They rose from their seat, the world around them spinning just a little, and decided it was time to head home. With determination, they made their way to the door, where the cool night air greeted them, refreshing and stark against the warmth of the club.
Unlocking the apartment door, they stepped inside and headed straight to their room. The familiar routine of preparing for bed felt comforting amidst the chaos of the evening. They paused, catching a glimpse of themselves in the mirror. Good lord, were their bags always this dark? The reflection staring back looked tired and worn.
Suddenly, a knock on the door startled them. “Hey, Dickie!” Wally’s voice came through, accompanied by Artemis’s softer tone. “Why didn’t you tell us you were leaving?”
Dick huffed, a bit defensive. “Because I didn’t want to interrupt the romantic moment,” they replied, crossing their arms.
“Dick… can we talk?” Artemis asked, her tone serious. Panic flared in Dick’s chest—was this the moment they had been dreading? The moment when Wally and Artemis would decide they didn’t want to be friends anymore?
Wally, sensing the tension, took their hands and led them to the well-worn couch in the living room, a familiar sanctuary for the three of them. They settled down, with Artemis on one side and Wally on the other.
“Dickie… you know you’re pretty, right?” Wally began, his voice softening.
Dick nodded, feeling their cheeks heat up. “A-and—”
Artemis interrupted him, her eyes sparkling with determination. “We both have romantic feelings for you, and neither of us knew how to tell you. So, I was thinking tonight would be the right time. All three of us in the same place, with alcohol to loosen things up. You know?”
Dick felt their heart race, warmth flooding their face. “U-um… oh wow. I mean, wow. God, please tell me this isn’t a dream,” they stammered, their mind racing to process the words.
The couple exchanged glances, concern etched on their faces. “I mean, you both are hot as hell, and where would I even fit into this already hot couple?”
“Rachel, you are like a deity in human form; no one compares to your beauty,” Wally said, his cheeks now tinted with a blush.
“No one?” Artemis teased, her voice light and playful.
“Look, babe, you’re hot, but Blue Jay here is just… perfect,” Wally laughed, and Dick couldn’t help but join in, feeling a wave of warmth and affection wash over them.
“So? Will you be our partner, or do you need time?” Artemis asked, her voice serious yet gentle.
“Yes! God, I’ve liked both of you for a long time!” Dick confessed, their heart soaring.
Without hesitation, Artemis pulled Dick into a kiss, her lips crashing against theirs, igniting a spark that sent shivers down their spine. The kiss was electric, full of passion and longing, and Wally leaned in next, his kiss slow and deliberate, like molten lava flowing over a cold surface. Dick melted into the moment, a sense of pure happiness enveloping them.
The trio settled onto the couch, the warmth of each other’s presence wrapping around them like a comforting blanket. They talked, laughed, and shared stories until the world outside faded away, leaving only the rhythm of their hearts and the soft music playing in the background. As the night wore on, Dick felt their eyelids growing heavy, succumbing to sleep, nestled between the two people they adored most.