His uncle said not to take things too fast, but Wally was a speedster.

That's like asking him to stop breathing. And oh, Wally is the epitome of self control at that moment because he was sure that the out-of-city Detective, Dick Grayson, was the love of his life.

It wasn't even that hard to reach that status when the man brought him to a local burger joint. Over fries and milkshakes, they quickly found common ground. And then Dick began to talk about what he liked to do off hours... he was a gymnast in simple terms. Which caught Wally very off guard. Something he never would have expected when looking at him. Wally shared some equally interesting information, casually bringing up that he liked to run (not a lie, just not the same as what Dick is probably thinking of).

"So are you pretty caught up on this alien tech case?" Dick asked, making air quotes with his hand.

Wally finished swallowing a bite of food, wiping his mouth with a napkin as he nodded. "Yeah, I don't know how much I'm allowed to discuss since I haven't been briefed on the severity of it," he shrugged, "but there are some similarities in a case at my own department and I think that's why they bothered to bring me in." Wally took a sip of his drink, then gestured to Dick, who still seemed to be listening intently. "Is that why you're here? For the case?" He asked.

"More or less," the dark haired man shrugged.

Wally stared at him, narrowing his eyes. After a moment of silence he let out a humored huff. "That's it?"

Dick smiled, taking a sip of his soda.

"No," Wally shook his head, laughing almost. "What happened to having a conversation?"

"Well it's the same as you," Dick chuckled in response. "Not sure how much I'm supposed to say."

"Well why would you ask a question you can't answer yourself?" Wally asked, unbelievably perplexed.

"It was my turn to interrogate you," he said, raising his paper cup and clinking it with Wally's.

He raised his brow. "Again," Wally reiterated from earlier in the day, "I was making conversation. Is that why you wanted to get dinner with me? To question me?"

"What reason did you think I was asking you to dinner for?"

This time Wally remained silent, deciding it was best if he took another bite of his food to avoid answering.

"Whatever reason you're thinking," Dick started, "it was that too." And Wally doubted that he was thinking of the same reason.

Wally gulped. "I'm starting to doubt it." He took a sip of his drink, well aware of how red his face had probably gotten. "So..." he said, desperate to move on. "You like motorcycles?"

"Wally," Dick's tone softened. "I asked you out to dinner cause I think you're hot and I wanted to get to know you."

Wally looked at him, face severely flushed. "So, this is a date?" He asked.

"Do you want it to be?" Dick leaned forward, earnest blue eyes staring deep into his.

Suddenly, every single thought and doubt about this dinner had flown out of his brain. Screw his poor commitment issues and priority of being a superhero, this gorgeous man just clarified that he asked him on a date. And sure, Wally's known him for just about a day but he would gladly stop the world for him.

Dick reached out and put his hand on top of Wally's, still maintaining eye contact, he placed his napkin in a pile with the rest of the trash and discarded food. "Can I ask you on another date so the message is clear?" He asked, tilting his head.

"I think it's clear," Wally nodded slowly, almost transfixed. "Uhm..." he glanced at the trash and empty cups of soda. "Do you want to get out of here?"

Dick grinned and before long they were out of the burger joint and securing themselves back on Dick's bike. They drove through the streets of Gotham. It was odd to see streets so deserted at night, but Wally could only interpret that as one of the larger differences between there and Keystone. Eventually, they found themselves pulling up to the hotel entrance, standing just off to the side, unsure how to say goodbye.

Wally got off the bike slowly, handing the spare helmet back to Dick as the former just watched. "What time do you have to be in tomorrow?" Dick asked, turning off the engine to give them a bit of quiet.

Wally kicked a rock off the sidewalk and watched the rock bounce into a flower bed full of weeds. "I was planning around nine." Wally cleared his throat.

"Uh..."

"Would you want to—," they said at the same time. Laughing as they wave it off.

"You go first," Dick said, holding his laugh and taking off his helmet, hair all messed up in a way that was so attractive, Wally wished he could just cover it up again.

"Was wondering," Wally started, looking away, "if you would like to come back to my hotel room with me."

Dick got off of his motorcycle and fixed his hair with a quick ruffle, slipping his helmet under his arm, he nudged his head. "Lead the way."

Wally took a deep breath, trying to steady the flutter in his chest. "This way," he said, starting towards the hotel entrance. They walked side by side, their hands brushing occasionally, sending sparks of excitement through him.

As they reached the elevator, Wally pressed the button and they waited in silence. The elevator doors opened, and they stepped inside. The air between them felt charged, anticipation building with each floor they passed.

Dick turned to Wally, a playful glint in his eye. He wasn't saying anything but his eyes made Wally question if he could even make it to the hotel room in time. The elevator dinged like the final bell in a boxing match. Wally fumbled with the keycard leading up to the room, his nerves getting the better of him. Finally, the door unlocked, and he pushed it open, motioning for Dick to enter first.

As soon as the door closed behind them, the atmosphere shifted. The small room felt intimate, the only sound was their quiet breaths and the distant hum of city life outside. Dick set his helmet down on the dresser and turned to Wally, their eyes meeting in a moment of unspoken understanding.

He saw Dick's mouth open to say something, but before a word could escape, Wally stepped forward, taking the initiative to be the one to steal the breath from his lungs.

Pulling back just slightly, Wally breathed heavily, their foreheads touching. "I've wanted to do that all night," he admitted with a chuckle.

Dick's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Took you long enough," he teased, his voice low.

Their lips crashed together with intensity, and Dick's back hit the wall with a soft thud. There was no room for second guessing; Wally's fingers threaded through Dick's hair, feeling the silky strands slip between them. Dick responded in kind, his hands tangling and gripping Wally's curls with a desperate need. Every kiss, every touch, deepened Wally's infatuation, sending him spiraling into a heady rush of emotion. He was going insane for this man, consumed by the passion that flared between them.

It wasn't long until his beloved flannel was left thrown on a chair and Dicks jacket crumpled at the foot of the bed. Touches tended to linger and whispers tended to stain.

Wally felt the touch of a god on some odd night and he'd be damned to ever be deprived of it again.

***

"So I had Travis check out your notes from yesterday."

The sound of whirring drills and the smell of gasoline hit Wally like a two ton sack of bricks. The garage was alive for the morning. The other mechanics were yelling and laughing, all sharing a good time over a cup of black coffee. All he needed was a sleep and a good meal and he'd be set to join in too.

"We cross referenced some other cases and we think this may be bigger than we thought."

Mike held out a file and Wally took it in his hands. He was sitting on the floor next to the machine he was prying open the previous day. When opening the folder, he found he was only given photographs and notes regarding each piece of technology and evidence they found related to the case and his area of work.

He flipped through the photos and checked his own notes. He stopped at one picture, the long satellite beacon coated in matte. It looked too similar to the back alleys of Gotham, too easy to hide in plain sight.

"Thank you, Mike." He cleared his throat, waving the file. "Do you mind if I call my department? I want to see if I can compare some things over there."

"Go ahead, West." And Mike left him to be alone.

He stood up from his spot and grabbed his backpack, shuffling around for his phone. He found it and quickly found Barry's number. He let it ring and waited.

"Yellow!" The familiar voice chirped on the other side of the call. "How was your date?"

Wally sighed, quickly replaying the memories of the previous night in his mind. "It was great, but I called about something else. Where are you right now?"

"Forensics lab," he replied. "Why? Do you need something?"

"When you get the chance, can you get Cisco to run a detector for a few specific things?" He requested. He pulled his notes closer. "A radio frequency range from 10.5 to 10.6 GHz. I've also noticed that the lights in this garage flicker when I poke the circuits. I am not sure how to describe that."

"Any clue as to what it does yet?"

Wally dragged a hand over his face, tiredly. "No, but hopefully tonight when I compare with," he glanced around, "you know, we can get the bigger picture. Have you noticed anything back home? The examples I have look like they can conceal themselves pretty easily."

"Nothing new, but I'll be sure to start looking for them. Anything else you need?"

"Not for now," he said. "I'll keep you updated."

They hung up soon after, he took a moment to gather his thoughts, looking around the bustling garage. The other mechanics were still engrossed in their work, the hum of drills and machinery creating a rhythmic backdrop. He needed to focus, but the anticipation of the evening's meeting with Nightwing had now crept into his mind.

***

As the day wound down, Wally finished his tasks in the garage, making sure everything was in order before he left. He carefully packed away his tools, double-checked his notes, and stowed his belongings. He glanced at the clock on the wall; it was almost time to meet Nightwing. He wiped the grease off his hands and face, trying to shake off the fatigue that clung to him, still from the previous night.

Just as he was about to leave, his phone buzzed. He pulled it out of his pocket and saw a message from an unnamed contact, presumably from his communicator for security reasons. Opening it, he saw:

N/A: Meet me at the rooftop of the Gotham Central Library at 9 PM. – N

Wally felt a surge of anxiety. This was the moment that it set in his hand. He quickly replied:

KF: Got it. See you there. -kf

He grabbed his gear and quickly changed into his Flash suit, then sped through the dimly lit streets of Gotham. The city had a distinct atmosphere, a blend of old-world architecture and modern gloom. As he navigated the streets at super speed, he couldn't help but compare his run through the streets to the ride on his motorcycle from the night before.

Wally stopped his train of thought before it veered too off topic. He needed to stop thinking about Dick... for the meeting at least.

Wally reached the Gotham Central Library a few minutes before 9 PM. He slowed to a stop, his suit's bright red contrasting sharply against the dark Gotham roads. He looked around to make sure he wasn't followed and then made his way up the fire escape to the rooftop, each step bringing him closer to Nightwing.

When he pulled himself over the edge of the railing, he saw an empty rooftop. He looked around, checking the digital clock on his communicator. He looked around, waiting nervously.

He felt a tap on his shoulder, he whipped his head around to see Nightwing already there, standing in the shadows, his silhouette blending into the night. The only thing distinguishing him was the faint blue glow from his suit's accents and the glint of his escrima sticks at his sides.

Nightwing tilted his head, a slight smirk on his lips. "You're early."

Wally shrugged, trying to play it cool and not immediately burst out smiling at the fact that he's seeing his best friend for the first time in years. "Figured it was better than being late."

Nightwing nodded and immediately pulled him forward, wrapping Wally in a hug. "Good to see you, KF."

Wally squeezed him tighter. "You too, Rob." He pulled away looking his friend up and down. "Is this a new suit? It looks tighter than I remember."

Nightwing punched his arm and still had that unwavering grin. "You're one to talk, Flash," he replied. "Are you really going by that now?"

Wally shrugged. "The other Flash and I share it but when we're together I'll typically go back to Kid or KF. Whatever's the easiest at the time."

Nightwing nodded, still looking at him. "I like the suit," he commented. They stared at one another for a moment, an indescribable air and energy staying static between them. Wally cleared his throat and Nightwing must have broken out of his thoughts as he looked up, the white eyes of his domino mask widening. "The case," he said. "Tell me about your case. When did it start? What have you collected? What is the off-world technology you have? And do you have any idea of what it can do?"

They moved to a corner of the rooftop where they could sit and spread out their notes. Wally pulled out the photographs and documents he had brought with him, laying them out in front of them. Nightwing did the same, producing a set of files and gadgets. He must have forgotten something because Nightwing immediately frowned, looking down at Wally's collection of files.

"How do you have those? The GCPD put those together," he said, pointing to the photos that were given to Wally just earlier in the day from Mike. "Dude, you can't just steal reports from the police."

Wally hummed, weighing his options and deciding to with that story. "Gotham has a vigilante that kills people and you're pressed about me stealing files from the police?"

"Hey, I only kill the bad people," a voice piped up from above them.

Wally jumped, grabbing Nightwing and pulling him to the other side of the rooftop at record speed. Nightwing seemed a bit unfazed but mildly surprised at the speed. He turned and looked up to see THE Red Hood sitting on one of the A/C systems.

Wally wasn't quite sure of the vibe of the situation but Nightwings body language screamed that he was actively rolling his eyes.

"Hood, what are you doing here?" Nightwing asked, exasperated but with a hint of a smile.

Red Hood hopped down from the A/C unit, landing lightly on his feet. "Was running my route for patrol and just thought I'd stop by and say hi." He walked over to Nightwing, slapping him on the back. "Hi."

Wally, still a bit tense, looked between Nightwing and Red Hood, catching the Bat emblem on the latters suit. "This is Red Hood?" He asked, looking at Nightwing. "You get along with the guy who gives people severed heads."

Nightwing sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Not really," he glanced at Red Hood playfully, "he's kind of an asshole."

Red Hood shrugged nonchalantly. "You pester me all the time about checking in and the one time I do it, you berate me. I see how it is."

"I'm only giving you a hard time cause I clearly told everyone not to disturb me when Flash and I were discussing this case."

Red Hood used his hands to mock Nightwing as he turned to leave. "Yeah, yeah, I'll get out of your hair for now." He then paused and looked back at Wally. "Good luck with the case, Flash. Don't let the other bats drive you too crazy."

With that, Red Hood disappeared into the night, leaving Wally standing there, bewildered.

"That guy's a bat?" Wally questioned. His friend shrugged, walking back to the files left discarded in the corner. "After this case I think we really need to catch up."

"Sure," Nightwing smiled, acting as though they weren't just interrupted. "Stealing from the police aside, I've noticed your information in Keystone either doesn't have nearly as many sightings or findings as Gotham or Bludhaven."

"Right, I'm having a friend work on detecting them. But let's start with the radio frequency," he suggested. "I've noticed that the off-world tech seems to operate on a specific range, around 10.5 to 10.6 GHz. It's causing electrical disturbances wherever it's placed."

Nightwing nodded, his brow furrowed in concentration. "I've seen similar disturbances in Bludhaven and Red Robin reported some here. Lights flickering, devices malfunctioning. It's subtle but definitely there. I've been tracking a series of thefts involving advanced tech components. I think they're being used to build something bigger."

Wally leaned in, examining one of Nightwing's gadgets. "Have you managed to find the source of the frequency or is it only around the tech?"

"I've found several key locations that these could come from. I should be able to narrow it down if I rule out that frequency."

They continued to discuss their findings, cross-referencing the data they had collected. The pieces of the puzzle were starting to come together, but there was still much to uncover. As they worked, Wally couldn't help but glance at Nightwing, appreciating the effortless workflow that appeared, acting as if they hadn't gone years without talking.

Finally, after a couple of hours, they had a plan. They would split up, each covering different sectors of the city, using enhanced scanners that Nightwing modified to trace the RF signals. They would regroup the next night to share their findings and adjust their strategy.

Nightwing stood up, stretching slightly. "We've got a lot of work ahead of us, but we're on the right track. Be careful out there, Flash."

Wally nodded. "You too, Nightwing. We'll figure this out."

They split up after that, Wally taking his time to run around the city and collect the readings. He didn't find much. He considered the fact that all the bats would have found them by now. But nonetheless, he kept running. It was nearing about an hour in when he felt his communicator vibrate. He unclipped it from his belt and saw the screen glitching. He tapped it, unable to get it to respond. He sighed, deciding to go check in with Nightwing and see if he's collected anything so far.

He ran towards Nightwings section of the city to find him stopped on some rooftop, smacking his communicator with his hand. The vigilante seemed to notice Wally immediately cause he turned to him with a frown. "We're not going to get anywhere with this. Is yours the same?" He asked, showing off his glitching screen.

Wally nodded.

Nightwing also pulled out his escrima sticks, showing off the sparks that ran along the sides of it. "All my tech is acting like this. Whatever's going on is definitely targeting the city as a whole." He slipped his weapons back on his belt. "I think we can call it a night. You should head back to your city and continue investigating, I'll go ahead and report to B and figure out a better plan of action."

"Sounds good. I'll discuss this with my team and see if we're working with the same thing." He looked back at Nightwing and smiled. "It was nice seeing you again, I'll be sure to keep you updated."

***

Wally slept like a rock the rest of the night in his hotel room. He felt like the whole trip to Gotham had been the most energy draining weekend he's ever had in his life. He approached the morning, relieved that it was his last one there. Taking the last of his remaining clean clothes from his suitcase, he got ready.

The Gotham City Police Department was the same as it was the two previous mornings. Same drilling and whirring sounds of engines in the garage, he waved to Mike as he came in and went straight to the machine. As he turned the corner, he caught sight of Dick standing over the workbench, flipping through his notes.

"Detective," Wally greeted. He set his bag on a chair and pulled out his tools, setting them on the desk. "How's your morning?"

"It's going," Dick nodded. He continued to read through the papers, soon looking up at Wally. Smiling. "I meant to text you yesterday, but my phone was acting up." He turned away from the bench, now bringing all of his attention back to him. "You're heading back to Keystone today, right?"

"Yeah," he replied. "As interesting as all of this is, I'm getting tired of this chunk of metal."

"Reasonable," Dick laughed. "I get it." He checked his watch. "Well, I just wanted to come by and see you before you left. Hopefully next time I won't have to leave so early in the morning and we could get breakfast afterwards."

Wally stood up straighter, leaning forward. "You want there to be a next time?"

"Of course! I want there to be several next times," he scoffed as if it was obvious. "Just call me whenever you're near by—. Or not! I'll meet you halfway anywhere. Just," he shrugged, "call me."

"I will." Wally grinned. "I definitely will."