I don't own anything but original characters and my original plot

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Chapter 18 - Dinner

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"I DO NOT BRING FORGIVENESS WITH ME, NOR FORGETFULNESS. THE ONLY ONES WHO CAN FORGIVE ARE DEAD; THE LIVING HAVE NO RIGHT TO FORGET" {Chaim Herzog}

"I don't look to vampire-y do I?" I asked, spinning in a quick circle dressed in my Around the World outfit. Wally chuckled, shaking his head, "Good, I was not going to change a fourth time. I should have done this one from the start. Actually, scratch that because I don't even know why I'm doing this."

"Because you love me," Wally sang flirtatiously.

Humming in agreement, I ran a hand through Wally's hair to both flatten and ruffle it. Once I was satisfied I grabbed my coat, a knee-length black number that had quickly become one of my favorites.

"Well, now you look like a vampire," Wally mumbled, grinning sheepishly when I sent him a warning glare.

"Two hours at most, alright? That's all I'm gonna give them to convince me they aren't trash."

"Two hours," Wally confirmed, "Just some dinner. We don't even have to stay for a drink after."

We left my room and traversed down the many hallways and staircases- and in one case a hidden elevator- until we reached the Batcave so we could go through the zeta-tube.

"Finals are killing me, but it's two more years after this then I'm scotch free," Wally said conversationally as he typed in Central City's location, "Are you planning on going to college?"

"Bruce and I have talked about that actually, and he enrolled me in online courses last week so I can work at my own pace. I've been meaning to tell you. I'm going into psychiatry, to help other people who've been through traumatic experiences."

"And you say you aren't worthy of being a hero," Wally scoffed, stepping back when the portal lit up.

"Jason thinks I'm an Outlaw, I lean more in that direction," I chuckled as we stepped towards it.

"Black Rose, B-twenty-seven."

"Kid Flash, B-oh-three."

We emerged in Central City's STAR Labs. I looked around in amazement; it was nearly entirely abandoned like it had been since the Particle Accelerator exploded years ago and the Flash got his powers.

"Flash or cab?" Wally questioned, leading me out of the expansive building.

"Cab. I've worked too hard on my hair, and I don't want to throw up in the bushes."

So, we hailed a cab outside. It was a silent ride to the West residence, the two of us just holding hands. It was enough support for the both of us while we mentally prepped for dinner with Wally's parents.

The cab pulled up and Wally paid, opening my door for me. Clearing my throat, I looked p at the home. It was a nice home from the outside. While there was a small layer of snow on the ground, I could tell the lawn was well taken care of during the warmer months. Christmas decorations were strewn around the house, and two cars were parked in the driveway.

"They always put up Christmas decorations right after my birthday," Wally chuckled as we stepped up to the door, ringing the doorbell.

A woman in her mid-forties opened the door. She smiled and welcomed us inside. A man the same age as Wally's mother was setting a dish of casserole on the dining room table. The two were both redheads, so it was obvious where Wally got his hair and freckles from.

"(Y/n), lovely to meet you. I'm Rudy," Wally's father held out his hand for me to shake.

Resisting the urge to scrunch up my nose, I slowly shook his hand once and stepped back. Sure, I could use my incognito skills but it was a big effort when I didn't want to put in any.

"And I'm Mary," instead of the handshake I was expecting, I got a warm hug from the mother of my boyfriend. Making a noise of surprise, I tightened my fists, "Welcome to the family."

I hugged back properly, not knowing the general execution for familial affection was. I didn't even know how to feel about his parents. According to Wally, their behavior towards him had improved exponentially in the five years I had been a villain, but that didn't satisfy me enough. If I was still Black Rose, I would have killed them about hesitation, but I had self restraint.

The four of us sat at the table. Wally was the main one talking to his parents, while I stuck to giving short answers when I was directly addressed. The tension was thick and obvious, and I didn't attempt to diffuse it.

"So, (Y/n), what are you going to school for?"

"Psychology. You know, for people with bad pasts," I aggressively stabbed a noddle, "Car accidents, depression, abusive homes. Situations like that."

"(Y/n)," Wally nudged me with his knee.

"It's alright Wally."

Dick's voice ran through my head on repeat.

"He used to count how many times his parents hit him in a day."

"It's not okay!" I slammed my hands onto the table, nearly knocking the glasses over. My head whipped to Wally, "And I hate how you think it is too! Your parents used to hit you and you say that's okay? My father did the same thing and I'll never forgive him for it. We fight people like this! Abuse it never okay! There's no excuse for making someone lose their light.

"You know, he used to count how many times you guys hit him. What was the record Wally?" Wally stayed silent, my eyes narrowed, and I lowered my tone, "What was the record, Wally?"

"Thirty-nine," Wally whispered, shifting awkwardly.

"See? It's been six, seven years, and he still remembers. Because it's things like that that haunt you. It's things like that that drive villains to become who they are now! Harley used to hide bruises under stage makeup from the Joker!"

In the process of my yelling the windows became black. When I ended my rant and took time to breathe, the light from the streetlights outside and from the light fixture returned.

"The majority of our money was going towards drugs," Mary spoke, "It's no excuse whatsoever for what we did, but we were in a bad place and we dragged Wally there with us. When we finally got help, we both agreed we would give anything to go back and stop ourselves."

Staying silent, I thought over my options, "I don't know if I can forgive you for what you did to him."

"We don't expect you to."

"Good," I took a bite of my casserole, taking my time to chew, then took a sip of my wine, "We were talking about college?"

"Yes, what college are you planning on attending?"

"I signed up online last week actually, it's uh," I racked my brain for the full name, perking up when they nodded in approvement, "Bruce insisted I go to an Ivy League school but I wanted to focus on how successful the graduates were rather than how expensive it was to go."

"You're very noble," Rudy commented.

"Yeah, well, I'm trying to redeem myself too."

~*~

The rest of dinner went off without a hitch. All of us were more receptive to each other and after two more glasses of wine each, Wally and I were only slightly tipsy and ready to head back to the manor.

We took a cab back to STAR Labs. Wally walked me to the zeta tube and gave me a kiss goodnight. I put in the Batcaves code and turned to him once it was loading.

"You planning on just going back to your apartment?"

"Pretty much, I have finals to stress over," Wally shoved his hands into his pockets, "Would you... would you ever consider moving in with me?"

My brain short-circuited at the notion. After choking out a few, pathetic noises, I nodded slowly, "Um, I may not be on a short leash with the league, but I'm still on a leash. It'd be something we'd have to talk to them about, but I'd love to if I can."

"Great, awesome. Wow, yeah," Wally chuckled awkwardly, "I wasn't expecting you to say yes. Since our relationship is kinda new, and all."

"If going back five years counts as new," I smiled, shrugging, "Your parents aren't that bad now. I wish I could see that same improvement in Klarion."

"Yeah, we've worked pretty hard to improve our relationship lately. What you said to them back there, though, it means a lot, and you're right."

"Well, you're one of the brightest people I know. It's hard to explain without getting into all the magic behind it, but sometimes I can see glimpses of your aura, of your soul, and it's so bright. It scares me thinking that they could have taken that away."

"Don't worry (Y/n), I'm still standing," Wally kissed me again, slower that time, "I love you. Goodnight."

"Night."

I stepped through the zeta and popped up in the cave. Tim, finally realizing what was good for him, wasn't in front of the computer and was likely in his room, that or he was on patrol... eh, he'd go to sleep in the end. I took the elevator to the main floor and didn't pass anyone on my way to my room.

A grin stretched across my lips as I once again thought of Wally's proposition. As I changed into my pajamas, I imagined it. A domestic life, minus our hero work- but we'd cut back on it because of our jobs. We'd take turns making food, and help each other through our nightmares.

Pulling the covers over my body, I sighed and stared at the ceiling. It'd be the perfect life. But to get there, I had to ensure our safety first.