It's never too late [complete]
WHO: Roy and Wally.
WHERE: Titans Tower
WHEN: Before the zombie attack.
WARNINGS: None.
SUMMARY: Roy has some explaining to do and gives Wally The Talk.
FORMAT: Quicklog (AIM)
Roy: [Roy finally made up his mind about talking with Wally about things that need to be talked about, case in point being the trackmarks that are fading on his arms. They're going to come up at some point, so he figures he'd better tell his story before someone does it for him. He knocks at the door of Wally's room and pokes his head in.]
Hey! You decent?
Wally: [Adjusting was coming easier to Wally than he had expected. The whole 'future Titans' thing would probably never stop being weird but he's been through somewhat stranger things. At least he had Roy who was from his time. Relatively. Something had happened, Wally was sure of that. He wasn't stupid but he hadn't quite known how to bring it up just yet. Now maybe he wouldn't have to.]
You know, you should ask that before coming in. [But he's decent enough, just lounging on the bed.]
Roy: [Roy shrugs and saunters in with a grin on his face.] You're Kid Flash. Even if you weren't, you would be before I saw anything.
[He nudges the door shut with his foot, then leans back on it.] So. [He heaves a sigh and looks up tot he heavens.] We hafta talk, I think.
Wally: That's not the point. Can't a guy have some decency around here without having to change at super-speed? [He's grinning despite his complaints though, and sitting up once Roy's closed the door.]
I guess we do. [The grin's gone now, he can already tell what kind of talk this is going to be, and he gestures at the bed for Roy to sit down.]
Roy: [Roy looks... smaller as he walks over. More vulnerable. He's certainly not looking Wally in the eye.] There isn't exactly an easy way to say this but... you know how Robin and I aren't from exactly the same place as you, right?
Wally: [It's hard not to notice that and Wally can't keep the worried frown from appearing on his face as he nods slowly.] Yeah. You're from my future and Robin's from a different universe where the Titans don't exist, right?
Roy: Yeah. So there's things about me that you should know and... I guess... God. Here, it's easier just to show you. [Roy trails off and then bites his lip and just starts pulling up his shirt sleeves. He always wears long-sleeved shirts nowadays.] There was some really bad stuff that happened between your when and mine. [The track marks are faded, but still very much visible. Roy smiles weakly.] Green Arrow's sort of a douchebag.
Wally: [Wally sits up straighter and watches Roy uncertainly as Roy pulls his sleeves up. He's really not sure where this is going. At least not until he sees the track marks and he instantly knows. But just because he knows it doesn't mean he knows how to react. He opens his mouth as if to speak and then closes it again and then just settles for grabbing Roy's arm and staring at it as he tries to think of what to say.]
What happened. Exactly. [His voice is hoarse when he finally speaks but the expression on his face is blank. He's not looking back up to meet Roy's eyes either.]
Roy: It... It goes sorta like this. [Roy bites his lip and then slowly starts talking about Ollie and how he left Roy behind. How it hurt and how he was lonely and how the only thing that stopped the pain was the drugs. He laughs weakly when he talks about how Ollie came back.] You'd think he'd have helped me out, but he punched me in the face and threw me out onto the streets. Didn't even look back, just got rid of me because I was too much of a bother. [Roy sighs and smiles wryly.] So, uh, that's why we don't talk about drugs at Titans Tower and why I'm a little messed up and, um, not Speedy anymore.
Wally: [Wally simply listens carefully until Roy's finished, all the while staying uncharacteristically silent though his changing expressions throughout the story pretty much betrayed every emotion he was feeling. It was mostly anger. When Roy finishes he has to take a deep breath to calm down though the anger remains.]
Why...Why didn't you come to us? [He forces himself to look at Roy's face and now there's guilt in his expression too.]
Roy: [It takes a lot of willpower not to flinch away when Wally looks so angry.]
I... [Roy shrugs.] I didn't want to drag you guys down. I mean, I know that's sort of a weak explanation, but it made sense at the time. I was... really stupid.
Wally: You think!? [Yeah, he's lashing out but Wally can't help it. He just feels so helplessly angry. He lets go of Roy's arm and for a moment looks like he's going to run. He wants to run. But he ends up shifting his position until he's sitting with his legs folded to prevent himself from doing so and he lets his hands, now curled into fists, rest in his lap. He really can't keep looking at Roy so he squeezes his eyes shut and focuses on just breathing for a little while.]
Is there anything else I should know about?
Roy: [Roy runs a hand through his hair and looks up at the ceiling. Wally's actually taking this... better than Roy had expected. Whaddya know.] Uh, don't talk to Dick about Batman. Like, ever. Unless he brings it up. I mean, it's his story to tell, but just. Yeah. It gets him even more Batty and stick-up-the-butt than normal.
Wally: [Oh, he's actually angry enough to punch Roy right now but he knows that wouldn't really help matters. So he tries to let go of the anger by keeping his attention on the subject change of Dick and opens his eyes again.] What, was his Batman a psycho or something?
Roy: [Roy's eyes slide over.] Dude, I really shouldn't tell you anything more than "don't talk to him about Batman", because that's his story to tell.
[A beat.]
But sort of.
[Roy's generally good at keeping secrets, but hey, this is Wally. He's a Titan, not some random stranger... And Roy's feeling guilty, too.]
Wally: [Wally had just been saying it and certainly hadn't expected to be right so he can only blink in surprise. The moment it really sinks in though, he unclenches a fist and raises his hand so he can rest a palm against his forehead and groan in frustration.] This is so messed up.
Roy: [Roy rubs at his temples.] Yeah, tell me about it. We're getting over it, though... Or at least, I am. [Sort of.] Dick's still a crazy Bat sometimes who doesn't know how to have fun.
Wally: [Wally lowers his hand a little so he can peek at Roy through his fingers. He's still angry, he probably will stay angry for a while, but Roy said he was getting over it so it was best to just let the previous subject go for now.] Well then it's a good thing we're here.
Roy: [Roy smirks a little.] Yeah, I guess so. [A beat.] Thanks, by the way. For not... [leaving me.] freaking out.
Wally: [Wally grins almost deviously, it's strained but not entirely forced.] I'm sure I can think of a few ways to get that stick out of his butt. [At that second bit he just removes his hand from his face and makes a nonchalant little gesture. He doesn't trust himself to stay composed if he does actually say anything about it just yet.]
Roy: [Roy raises an eyebrow.] Don't tell me. That way if he asks if I know what you're up to, I can tell him no without lying. [Roy's a little disappointed that Wally isn't saying anything... but he's not going to comment. He'll take silence over screaming, thanks.]
Wally: [Wally snorts.] Oh come on, you should totally help me with this. He'll learn how to have fun twice as fast. [The grin comes a little easier this time.]
Roy: Well..... [Roy looks to the side and considers... for about half a second.] Okay, let's do it.
Wally: [Wally automatically holds his hand up for a high five.] All right, awesome. He'll be a different Dick when we're through with him.
Roy: [Roy high-fives back without hesitation.] Dude, totally. [He thinks for a little while, then casually mentions.] You know... the Titans have a swimming pool.
Wally: [Wally's grin couldn't get any bigger or cheshire cat-like if he tried at hearing that.] A swimming pool? Are you serious? That's perfect.
Roy: [Roy's smirk isn't quite as wide, but it manages to make him look crazy like a fox.] Oh yeah. You thinking what I'm thinking? Because I'm thinking Jell-O.
Wally: [Wally tilts his head cheekily, anger temporarily forgotten at the prospect of awesome pranks.] Man, it's like you've read my mind.
Roy: [Roy rubs his hands together, the very picture of glee.] Oh man, this is gonna be great. We just need to make sure no one hits the pool for a couple hours while it sets... and keep it cold, but we can just turn the heat off for that, I figure.
Wally: Hey, have you forgotten who you're talking to? With me around things get done a whole lot faster. [Wally's already jumping off the bed eagerly.] Are we going to do it now?
Roy: [Roy starts to say yes, then pauses.] Wait, no. If we buy all that Jello powder at once, someone's gonna figure out it's us. Let's wait on it, then spring it when everyone's feeling really down. It'll be our gift to the Titans. Y'know, cheeriness and all that. [Sure, Roy.]
Wally: [Wally looks disappointed for a grand total of ten seconds before he's nodding.] Yeah, okay. Sounds like a plan. These Titans won't know what hit them. [They'll probably regret ever inviting them in.]
Roy: [They would never. Roy and Wally would make /eyes/. Plus, they'll totally enjoy this.] Oh yeah. We're the best. [Roy flicks his eyes to the side.] So, um...we're cool?
Wally: Definitely. [Wally looked all satisfied right up until Roy had to bring it up again. Then he just bites his lip and considers for a moment.] I'm angry and it's the most incredible stupidest thing you ever could have done and-- [He cuts himself off because if he keeps going, he'll end up yelling and Roy already knows it was stupid. So he finishes with a sigh instead.] ...but yeah, we're cool.
Roy: [Roy winces, but he figures he deserves this.] Yeah, it was. [The shitty thing is that he's not sure it's not going to happen again... but he's been clean for almost two months now and he's not going to break that streak if he can help it.] But, if we're cool... that's really good. I'm glad.
Wally: [Here, have Wally suddenly pointing a finger at your face in a probably-not-very-menacing-at-all way.] You better remember for whatever next time something's going on with you, we're there for you. You can come to us, we're your friends, Roy. The only time you're dragging us down is when you don't tell us anything and end up doing stupid crap.
Roy: [Wow, that was almost too fast for Roy to understand properly. He got most of it, though, and nodded.] I... I'll keep that in mind. [He didn't quite believe it yet, but he would keep it.]
Wally: Good, don't make me pound it into you. [Because he totally would.]
Roy: [Roy grins.] Hey, if we got into a scrap, I'd be the one pounding you into the dirt.
Wally: Dude, you wouldn't even be able to touch me. [Wally does the mature thing of sticking out his tongue, it's totally not childish or anything.]
Roy: Man, I'd nail you and you know it. Just because I'm not a meta doesn't mean I can't hold my own in a fight. [Roy rolls his eyes and makes a fake-swipe at Wally's face.] And if you stick your tongue out, I'm totally gonna grab it.
Wally: No, you wouldn't. You have no chance against the amazing Kid Flash. [Even if it's a fake-swipe and Wally knows it, he's still suddenly standing on the other side of the room.] Keep dreaming, archer boy.
Roy: [Roy tips his head back and laughs, letting himself flop back on Wally's bed. Wow, it's been a while since he cut loose like this.] Sure, dude. Whatever you say. Just you wait until I have my bow on me, then you'll see.
Wally: Your bow won't save you. [Wally moves back to the bed in the blink of an eye and he's leaning over a bit so he can look Roy in the eye when he speaks.] Anyway. I was thinking of going into town and buying some of that jello powder and then go exploring. Do I need to get you anything?
Roy: [Roy didn't think he'd ever get used to Wally being here and there and everywhere in the blink of an eye, but he was getting better at hiding the shock.] Uh, nope! I'm good. You need directions or are you just gonna wing it?
Wally: Alright. And I'm gonna wing it, I need the run. [He smiles and then straightens up and stretches himself out before moving over to the door. He's already holding it open when he pauses and looks back.] See you when I get back?
Roy: Sure thing! [Roy waves, already starting to get up. He figures that hanging out in Wally's room while Wally's not there is just weird.]
WHERE: Titans Tower
WHEN: Before the zombie attack.
WARNINGS: None.
SUMMARY: Roy has some explaining to do and gives Wally The Talk.
FORMAT: Quicklog (AIM)
Roy: [Roy finally made up his mind about talking with Wally about things that need to be talked about, case in point being the trackmarks that are fading on his arms. They're going to come up at some point, so he figures he'd better tell his story before someone does it for him. He knocks at the door of Wally's room and pokes his head in.]
Hey! You decent?
Wally: [Adjusting was coming easier to Wally than he had expected. The whole 'future Titans' thing would probably never stop being weird but he's been through somewhat stranger things. At least he had Roy who was from his time. Relatively. Something had happened, Wally was sure of that. He wasn't stupid but he hadn't quite known how to bring it up just yet. Now maybe he wouldn't have to.]
You know, you should ask that before coming in. [But he's decent enough, just lounging on the bed.]
Roy: [Roy shrugs and saunters in with a grin on his face.] You're Kid Flash. Even if you weren't, you would be before I saw anything.
[He nudges the door shut with his foot, then leans back on it.] So. [He heaves a sigh and looks up tot he heavens.] We hafta talk, I think.
Wally: That's not the point. Can't a guy have some decency around here without having to change at super-speed? [He's grinning despite his complaints though, and sitting up once Roy's closed the door.]
I guess we do. [The grin's gone now, he can already tell what kind of talk this is going to be, and he gestures at the bed for Roy to sit down.]
Roy: [Roy looks... smaller as he walks over. More vulnerable. He's certainly not looking Wally in the eye.] There isn't exactly an easy way to say this but... you know how Robin and I aren't from exactly the same place as you, right?
Wally: [It's hard not to notice that and Wally can't keep the worried frown from appearing on his face as he nods slowly.] Yeah. You're from my future and Robin's from a different universe where the Titans don't exist, right?
Roy: Yeah. So there's things about me that you should know and... I guess... God. Here, it's easier just to show you. [Roy trails off and then bites his lip and just starts pulling up his shirt sleeves. He always wears long-sleeved shirts nowadays.] There was some really bad stuff that happened between your when and mine. [The track marks are faded, but still very much visible. Roy smiles weakly.] Green Arrow's sort of a douchebag.
Wally: [Wally sits up straighter and watches Roy uncertainly as Roy pulls his sleeves up. He's really not sure where this is going. At least not until he sees the track marks and he instantly knows. But just because he knows it doesn't mean he knows how to react. He opens his mouth as if to speak and then closes it again and then just settles for grabbing Roy's arm and staring at it as he tries to think of what to say.]
What happened. Exactly. [His voice is hoarse when he finally speaks but the expression on his face is blank. He's not looking back up to meet Roy's eyes either.]
Roy: It... It goes sorta like this. [Roy bites his lip and then slowly starts talking about Ollie and how he left Roy behind. How it hurt and how he was lonely and how the only thing that stopped the pain was the drugs. He laughs weakly when he talks about how Ollie came back.] You'd think he'd have helped me out, but he punched me in the face and threw me out onto the streets. Didn't even look back, just got rid of me because I was too much of a bother. [Roy sighs and smiles wryly.] So, uh, that's why we don't talk about drugs at Titans Tower and why I'm a little messed up and, um, not Speedy anymore.
Wally: [Wally simply listens carefully until Roy's finished, all the while staying uncharacteristically silent though his changing expressions throughout the story pretty much betrayed every emotion he was feeling. It was mostly anger. When Roy finishes he has to take a deep breath to calm down though the anger remains.]
Why...Why didn't you come to us? [He forces himself to look at Roy's face and now there's guilt in his expression too.]
Roy: [It takes a lot of willpower not to flinch away when Wally looks so angry.]
I... [Roy shrugs.] I didn't want to drag you guys down. I mean, I know that's sort of a weak explanation, but it made sense at the time. I was... really stupid.
Wally: You think!? [Yeah, he's lashing out but Wally can't help it. He just feels so helplessly angry. He lets go of Roy's arm and for a moment looks like he's going to run. He wants to run. But he ends up shifting his position until he's sitting with his legs folded to prevent himself from doing so and he lets his hands, now curled into fists, rest in his lap. He really can't keep looking at Roy so he squeezes his eyes shut and focuses on just breathing for a little while.]
Is there anything else I should know about?
Roy: [Roy runs a hand through his hair and looks up at the ceiling. Wally's actually taking this... better than Roy had expected. Whaddya know.] Uh, don't talk to Dick about Batman. Like, ever. Unless he brings it up. I mean, it's his story to tell, but just. Yeah. It gets him even more Batty and stick-up-the-butt than normal.
Wally: [Oh, he's actually angry enough to punch Roy right now but he knows that wouldn't really help matters. So he tries to let go of the anger by keeping his attention on the subject change of Dick and opens his eyes again.] What, was his Batman a psycho or something?
Roy: [Roy's eyes slide over.] Dude, I really shouldn't tell you anything more than "don't talk to him about Batman", because that's his story to tell.
[A beat.]
But sort of.
[Roy's generally good at keeping secrets, but hey, this is Wally. He's a Titan, not some random stranger... And Roy's feeling guilty, too.]
Wally: [Wally had just been saying it and certainly hadn't expected to be right so he can only blink in surprise. The moment it really sinks in though, he unclenches a fist and raises his hand so he can rest a palm against his forehead and groan in frustration.] This is so messed up.
Roy: [Roy rubs at his temples.] Yeah, tell me about it. We're getting over it, though... Or at least, I am. [Sort of.] Dick's still a crazy Bat sometimes who doesn't know how to have fun.
Wally: [Wally lowers his hand a little so he can peek at Roy through his fingers. He's still angry, he probably will stay angry for a while, but Roy said he was getting over it so it was best to just let the previous subject go for now.] Well then it's a good thing we're here.
Roy: [Roy smirks a little.] Yeah, I guess so. [A beat.] Thanks, by the way. For not... [leaving me.] freaking out.
Wally: [Wally grins almost deviously, it's strained but not entirely forced.] I'm sure I can think of a few ways to get that stick out of his butt. [At that second bit he just removes his hand from his face and makes a nonchalant little gesture. He doesn't trust himself to stay composed if he does actually say anything about it just yet.]
Roy: [Roy raises an eyebrow.] Don't tell me. That way if he asks if I know what you're up to, I can tell him no without lying. [Roy's a little disappointed that Wally isn't saying anything... but he's not going to comment. He'll take silence over screaming, thanks.]
Wally: [Wally snorts.] Oh come on, you should totally help me with this. He'll learn how to have fun twice as fast. [The grin comes a little easier this time.]
Roy: Well..... [Roy looks to the side and considers... for about half a second.] Okay, let's do it.
Wally: [Wally automatically holds his hand up for a high five.] All right, awesome. He'll be a different Dick when we're through with him.
Roy: [Roy high-fives back without hesitation.] Dude, totally. [He thinks for a little while, then casually mentions.] You know... the Titans have a swimming pool.
Wally: [Wally's grin couldn't get any bigger or cheshire cat-like if he tried at hearing that.] A swimming pool? Are you serious? That's perfect.
Roy: [Roy's smirk isn't quite as wide, but it manages to make him look crazy like a fox.] Oh yeah. You thinking what I'm thinking? Because I'm thinking Jell-O.
Wally: [Wally tilts his head cheekily, anger temporarily forgotten at the prospect of awesome pranks.] Man, it's like you've read my mind.
Roy: [Roy rubs his hands together, the very picture of glee.] Oh man, this is gonna be great. We just need to make sure no one hits the pool for a couple hours while it sets... and keep it cold, but we can just turn the heat off for that, I figure.
Wally: Hey, have you forgotten who you're talking to? With me around things get done a whole lot faster. [Wally's already jumping off the bed eagerly.] Are we going to do it now?
Roy: [Roy starts to say yes, then pauses.] Wait, no. If we buy all that Jello powder at once, someone's gonna figure out it's us. Let's wait on it, then spring it when everyone's feeling really down. It'll be our gift to the Titans. Y'know, cheeriness and all that. [Sure, Roy.]
Wally: [Wally looks disappointed for a grand total of ten seconds before he's nodding.] Yeah, okay. Sounds like a plan. These Titans won't know what hit them. [They'll probably regret ever inviting them in.]
Roy: [They would never. Roy and Wally would make /eyes/. Plus, they'll totally enjoy this.] Oh yeah. We're the best. [Roy flicks his eyes to the side.] So, um...we're cool?
Wally: Definitely. [Wally looked all satisfied right up until Roy had to bring it up again. Then he just bites his lip and considers for a moment.] I'm angry and it's the most incredible stupidest thing you ever could have done and-- [He cuts himself off because if he keeps going, he'll end up yelling and Roy already knows it was stupid. So he finishes with a sigh instead.] ...but yeah, we're cool.
Roy: [Roy winces, but he figures he deserves this.] Yeah, it was. [The shitty thing is that he's not sure it's not going to happen again... but he's been clean for almost two months now and he's not going to break that streak if he can help it.] But, if we're cool... that's really good. I'm glad.
Wally: [Here, have Wally suddenly pointing a finger at your face in a probably-not-very-menacing-at-all way.] You better remember for whatever next time something's going on with you, we're there for you. You can come to us, we're your friends, Roy. The only time you're dragging us down is when you don't tell us anything and end up doing stupid crap.
Roy: [Wow, that was almost too fast for Roy to understand properly. He got most of it, though, and nodded.] I... I'll keep that in mind. [He didn't quite believe it yet, but he would keep it.]
Wally: Good, don't make me pound it into you. [Because he totally would.]
Roy: [Roy grins.] Hey, if we got into a scrap, I'd be the one pounding you into the dirt.
Wally: Dude, you wouldn't even be able to touch me. [Wally does the mature thing of sticking out his tongue, it's totally not childish or anything.]
Roy: Man, I'd nail you and you know it. Just because I'm not a meta doesn't mean I can't hold my own in a fight. [Roy rolls his eyes and makes a fake-swipe at Wally's face.] And if you stick your tongue out, I'm totally gonna grab it.
Wally: No, you wouldn't. You have no chance against the amazing Kid Flash. [Even if it's a fake-swipe and Wally knows it, he's still suddenly standing on the other side of the room.] Keep dreaming, archer boy.
Roy: [Roy tips his head back and laughs, letting himself flop back on Wally's bed. Wow, it's been a while since he cut loose like this.] Sure, dude. Whatever you say. Just you wait until I have my bow on me, then you'll see.
Wally: Your bow won't save you. [Wally moves back to the bed in the blink of an eye and he's leaning over a bit so he can look Roy in the eye when he speaks.] Anyway. I was thinking of going into town and buying some of that jello powder and then go exploring. Do I need to get you anything?
Roy: [Roy didn't think he'd ever get used to Wally being here and there and everywhere in the blink of an eye, but he was getting better at hiding the shock.] Uh, nope! I'm good. You need directions or are you just gonna wing it?
Wally: Alright. And I'm gonna wing it, I need the run. [He smiles and then straightens up and stretches himself out before moving over to the door. He's already holding it open when he pauses and looks back.] See you when I get back?
Roy: Sure thing! [Roy waves, already starting to get up. He figures that hanging out in Wally's room while Wally's not there is just weird.]