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[Wally had rolled his eyes and complained when his parents came home with circus tickets for the family to attend. "We don't spend enough time together since you got your new job," they insist, because that's what they call it: his new job. They're not wrong, and Wally regrets not being able to spend time with his family because he never went through that awkward "I hate my parents" stage.

But circuses are for babies.

It's hard to keep saying that when there's a guy swallowing fire while throwing knives at a blindfolded lady. Wally always thought the blindfold was supposed to go on the knife-thrower, but he can see how having knives chucked at you when you can't see them would be terrifying. Considering she has to dodge some of them.

In fact, the whole thing is pretty damn impressive. Wally had never been to a circus before this; he'd been to state and county fairs, sure, but something of this scale? This is professional. Hell, Wally can break the sound barrier in his sneakers and he thinks this is impressive. There's even a handful of the performers his age or younger, throwing themselves off of tightropes or shooting out of cannons. Just regular human beings, doing death-defying stunts because they're that goddamn good at them. Cool.] Very cool, [Wally murmurs, watching as some kid snatches two clubs out of the air while backflipping and lands like it was no sweat.

But then there's a loud sound and Wally thinks, for a second, that it's the cannon going off. Judging by how the performers all jump and stare at the smoke suddenly billowing from the north side of the tent, though, Wally doesn't think so. He's already half out of his seat by the time his mother grabs his wrist, and he gives her a look before dashing off.

There's fire outside. A lot of fire. Wally finds somewhere to throw on his uniform and darts back into the tent to get his parents. People are already streaming outside, performers helping them to find the exits and KF zips between them just in time for another explosion -louder than before- to nearly deafen him. It's so powerful it rocks everything in the tent like an earthquake; the poles holding up the tents top give a magnificent shudder, the kid who caught the clubs is still up there and he doesn't have a net-

KF is moving before he realizes it, watching the kid fall in slow-motion -because everything is slow motion to him right now- and dropping into a slide to catch him before he cracks his head open on the ground. He loses his footing and falls back onto his ass, but he keeps his grip as they skid to a halt and sits back up with a shocked gasp.]

Geez! Whoa! Hey, you okay?

[ People always say that during a near-death experience, your life flashes before your eyes. Nothing like that happens to Dick, but he does register several things as he plummets so much faster than the slow-motion he's been told to expect: one, this is going to hurt if he lives; two, he's never going to get that solo act; and three, a few of the cages are still locked, and there's fire right there, it's so far from the exits and no one sees —

The ground surges up to meet him, but something intercepts. He reels, trying to understand, as he looks up and sees goggles, a mess of red hair, bright yellow. Who changed their costume? That's just garish—

It's Kid Flash, he realizes, just like the poster by his bed, and for a minute he's too star-struck to remember that he should be freaking out. Time does slow. The tip of Kid Flash's nose has three freckles on it.

Then the smell of smoke hits, sharp and stinging his eyes, and he remembers. He scrambles out of Kid Flash's grip and gets to his feet, legs feeling too unsteady for what he needs to do. ]

Death-defying leaps, [ he says, breathless words tumbling half-crazed, half-cocky out of his mouth as he spreads his arms and takes a wild bow. A second later, he's darting off. No time to get all fanboy — he's gotta make it to the animals. ]

[KF watches in surprise as the kid jumps to his feet, throws down that cocky bow and one-liner before hurtling off into the smoke, toward the sounds of roaring and stamping.

Death-defying leaps.

He'd been shaking.

Despite the danger and the immediacy of finding his parents to make sure they get out, Wally grins. He grins kinda big and stupid, then gets up and chases down the kid into the smoke to make sure he's not going to do anything crazy. The tent is cleared out, his parents have to be okay, and the kid is right in front of him. Help who he can first.]

Hey, you! That direction isn't out!

[ Okay, okay, who's still trapped back here? The lions hadn't been brought in yet, Zitka's out — and that leaves Bruno. The black bear groans and whuffs, pacing in his pen as the smoke billows toward them. Who was supposed to be in charge of him tonight? Dick's gonna give them a piece of his mind once everyone's safe... ]

Hang on, buddy, I got you...

[ His hands fumble with the latch and he coughs around a lungful of smoke — and hears Kid Flash's voice again. Why is he still here? ]

I told you, I'm fine!

Actually you didn't say anything like that! [KF screeches to a halt beside him, goggles down so he can at least see in all of this. He grabs the latch and yanks it open.] And in case you didn't notice, I'm here to help. C'mon, get your bear and lets get out of here.

[ Wait, he didn't? ]

I-it was implied!

[ Dick's eyes go wide as Kid Flash gets the latch open. He's taller than he looks on TV. Okay, okay, he'll geek out about this later. ]

I don't know how you can help with this, but— but fine! C'mon, Bruno, there's a good boy...

[ The bear grunts prodigiously, backing up in his cage, looking between the door of his pen, the stranger, and the fire behind him... and apparently decides that Dick is his safest bet. Thank goodness. Dick rests a hand on his huge, furry shoulder, the height of Dick's head, leading him toward the performer-only exit at the back of the tent. Man he hopes that the big guy doesn't panic when they get outside. He doesn't want to be responsible for a superhero-on-bear fight... ]

Just— keep an eye out for anything that would freak out a bear, okay? Is everyone else safe?

Hey, you taking charge might get me all tingly [what why did he say that], but I'm pretty sure I don't tell you how to backflip off of a thirty foot platform. I know what I'm doing.

[Wally takes a few steps away from Bruno before darting off again to check around the area. When he comes back, he leans in close to the kid.] Hurry it up, [he mutters,] there's someone in here and I'm pretty sure he's not one of the clowns.

T-tingly?!

[ It's forty feet, he wants to shout, but his tongue isn't working right. He's all swept up in the chaos of the moment but look, he's fourteen and he's pretty sure Kid Flash was just flirting with him. What's he supposed to do?

But then his superhero's back, and it takes a second to figure out what he's getting at. Then it hits him like a truck. From his platform, he hadn't been able to see what had gone wrong, but he'd assumed it was an accident, the cannon or the lights or something with the propellant, any one of dozens of things that can go wrong during a show. He hadn't seriously expected — ]

Sabotage?

[ No no no no no. No time to panic, no time to remember, no matter how much everything in him is screaming not again. Dick picks up the pace, ushering Bruno out of the tent flap and into the blinding sunlight, passing him off to the strongman who's much better equipped to wrangle a frightened bear.

Dick catches his breath in the cool air. There are sirens in the distance. He could run. He could get to safety, somewhere without smoke and fire and tent poles groaning dangerously.

... but Kid Flash is all by himself in there.

He darts back inside. ]

[It's quiet inside the tent, save for the soft hush of the sprinklers that finally kicked in. The smoke lays fat and heavy along the ground cooling and largely trapped inside the tent and absolutely destroying visibility of anything more than two inches in front of Dick's face.

There's a quiet, choked sound further into the smoke, and then a voice that is distinctly not KF's rings out. It's low and gravely, malicious, too-throaty and absolutely not belonging to anybody in the circus.]

Wasn't expecting to find a delicacy like you here. What's your name again? Speedy? [A soft thump.] Mmm, tasty. Thanks, kid. That's just what I needed. Could've been better, but I guess there's a reason why you're just a sidekick.

[The sound of footsteps scuffing too-fast against the ground and then one of the tent flaps on the far end of the tent flutters, disturbing the smoke enough so that Kid Flash is visible, staggering up to his feet and leaning against a support pole.]

[ Dick freezes at the sound of that voice, pure animal terror bolting his feet to the ground. He feels smoke stinging his throat, and he almost coughs, but he swallows and chokes it down. What is that thing? Is it even human? What's it doing here?

Then he spots Kid Flash. He looks... hurt. That thing must have left the tent, which means it's outside — and there are people outside. And unless the Flash is here, Kid Flash is all they've got.

Dick wants to help. Needs to help. He has a favor to return. And besides, that thing attacked his home. Suddenly his limbs are too light and too loose, but he can move again, and he bolts across the tent, resting a shaky hand on Kid Flash's arm and looking him over for injuries. ]

Are you okay? What was that?

Parasite, [KF pants, a hand rubbing his chest. He glares in the direction of the tent flap.] Metropolis baddie. He was...wearing a circus outfit. I think he was impersonating one of your stagehands.

[wait a second-] You- why are you in here? Get outside! Go get somewhere safe!

Where's safer than with a superhero?

[ Dick frowns, resting a hand on Kid Flash's chest as he leans in closer, invading his personal space to look him over. ]

We don't have any stagehands who sound like that. But we did take on a few new people a couple stops back...

[ He loops one of Kid Flash's arms over his shoulder. He can't do much, but he can lead him out of the smoky tent before they both suffocate. And maybe once they're outside, he can tell Jack, or the police, or someone... ]

... Are you sure you're okay? He really sounded like he was gonna eat you.

[Dick's lucky that KF is a naturally physical person. He leans on Dick gratefully as they head outside, looking shaky and weak like he'd just come down with the flu.]

He did eat me. He...eats powers. [When Dick lowers him down to the grass he rests his elbows on his raised knees and leans forward.] I gotta contact the League. He's on their criminal A-list. [He taps his earpiece to enter a call, eyes darting over to Dick and lingering before scanning for Parasite. If he decided to run, he'll be miles and miles away by now.]

[ Dick crouches down next to Kid Flash, sticking close in case he gets any worse. He's kind of pale. Dick's a little worried he might keel over. ]

Eats powers? W-wait, permanently? Are you gonna... oops you're on a call. Sorryyy.

[ He runs a hand through his hair, wet from the sprinklers and messy from everything else. Sure, this guy's a superhero, but he's not sure if he should leave Kid Flash just yet. They're a little isolated over here by the big top — the rest of the crowd seems to have gotten back a safer distance, and the police haven't arrived yet. If that guy comes back... ]

[While it's unlikely that Parasite will come back now that he's gotten what he wanted, KF is still glad that the kid is staying close by. If he does come back, he'd rather the guy be in his sight rather than lost in that mass of people. Shit, where his parents probably are.

Wally finishes off the call with,] Okay. Kid Flash out, [and pushes himself up to his feet. He's fine, he can walk, he's just...yeugh. Feels sick in a way he hasn't since he got his powers.] Parasite's probably long gone. C'mon, let's go make sure everybody made it out. [Okay, not trying to chase off his impromptu partner anymore, then.]

Right.

[ He doesn't ask about the powers again. Feels a little silly now, because if it had been permanent, he'd be taking it a lot more seriously, right? Right.

So he gets lightly to his feet, and his hands — which have finally stopped shaking, yay — move to untie the turquoise sash from around his waist. He offers it up to Kid Flash, a hint of a smile on his face. ]

Here. Tie this around your mouth and nose. You won't inhale so much smoke.

[you motherfuckin prince charming

KF grabs one end of the scarf and brings it up to his mouth, but gestures to Dick to take the other. You too, buddy. At least he's not telling you that you can't come.

He and Dick circle the tents, checking for anyone trapped in the smoke. Sirens wail in the distance but most of the circus workers operating in concert with the sprinklers have already smothered the fire in the third tent. KF spots his parents and nods to them as discreetly as he can, and they nod back, Rudy's expression grim and Mary gripping his hand tight. They'd been worried.

KF hands Dick's sash back to him, glancing in the direction of the police.] I gotta go talk to the cops. [Gives Dick an appraising look. Not really concern just...curiosity.] You good?

Don't worry about me. I'm sturdy.

[ Dick grins, biting his lip and rocking from his heels to his toes a few times. He wants to ask for an autograph, or a photo, or something to prove that he actually met Kid Flash (and something he can keep on his dresser, too). But he shouldn't keep him. He has important hero stuff to do, and Dick has people he should check in with, and Kid Flash probably gets people asking him for that kind of stuff all the time, and he doesn't wanna be that guy.

But an impulsive whim comes over him, and before he can think twice, he presses the sash right back into Kid Flash's hands with a grin. ]

Here. Souvenir!

[ He can feel the blush crawling up the back of his neck, and he turns on his heel to go. Better to leave on a high note, no matter how much he wants more. ]

[Kid Flash watches him jog off, and wads up the sash in his fist before he limps over to the cops to let them know what happened. He finds a quiet place to slip away with his parents, because his clothes have gone...somewhere and he's not really in good enough shape to try retrieving them.

He realizes on the way home, the sash around his neck and a blanket around his shoulders to hide his costume, that he never got the other kid's name.

A Google search on his phone is all he needs to find out, and from there he reads up on the story about the tragedy with his parents and Batman's intervention and he thinks, oh, right, I heard about this. It's weird to remember the story as a stranger to it, and to remember it again knowing that the little boy in the picture is the same one that ran back into the smoke to rescue a bear and then, later, Wally.

It was...kind of cool.

Richard Grayson.

Wally spends the next day in bed shaking off the effects of Parasite's powers, and he hears second-hand from Barry that the League had managed to trap and contain him, thanks to the drawback of Wally's powers where he gets really really hungry. It's good for something, at least. And when they finally put Parasite away and Wally feels himself on the mend, he looks up the Haly Circus and their tour schedule. There's been a slight delay due to the damage the fire caused and the police investigation, but the tentative pickup date is three weeks later, in Texas.

Three weeks later, Kid Flash is in Texas, and he's snooping around -probably where he shouldn't be- in stealth mode, trying to find the acrobat after his show. It's late and everyone is packing up, so that means he has to be somewhere, right?

...except that he gets caught.]

Uh- no no, no! Not a thief! I'm just looking for someone, um, Richard Grayson?

[ The enormous tattooed man gives Kid Flash a long, unblinking look: the kind usually reserved for troublemakers, morons, and assholes who've got it coming. This one, he seems to think, might be all of the above. But when the kid doesn't bolt under ten seconds of silent, intense scrutiny, he turns and yells over his shoulder: ]

Hey, Dickie! Some ginger kid over here dressed like a cartoon ninja says he's lookin' for you.

[ He shoots Wally the universal symbol for I've got my eye on you, followed by something less clear that still conveys and I'll remove your balls if you try anything funny. His gigantic illustrated biceps flex as he picks up a crate in one arm and heads off.

Only seconds later, Dick pokes his head out of a train car, blue eyes wide — and beams, darting over and skidding to a stop in front of Kid Flash, looking for all the world like he's about to hug him. He doesn't, but it's touch and go there for a minute. ]

You came back! Whoa, costume change. I like it! Very mysterious.

Oh- yeah. I was trying not to get caught. [KF flicks the symbol on his chest and he flickers back to yellow and red.] I obviously failed.

[But- hey, there he is, the kid he'd been looking up articles and videos about for the past three weeks. Kind of cool. For a second he thought...Dickie? Really? He'd thought he was going to hug him, but then he didn't and KF was equal parts relieved and disappointed. It would've been weird, right? Totally weird. Probably.] -so, hey! Place looks good. Doesn't even look like there was fire and stuff all over the place a couple weeks ago. Was the turnout for tonight okay?

It was great! Almost a full house. [ He beams, throwing his arms wide to an imaginary audience. ] That stuff always boosts attendance in the end. Sure, a few people get scared, but it gets our name out there.

[ His smile flags, just a little. He knows this stuff from experience. ]

Some people come hoping for a repeat, too. But hey, a ticket's a ticket.

[ Is he babbling? He thinks he might be babbling. Dick's always chatty, but for some reason this feels different. He'd never, ever, in a million years thought he'd run into Kid Flash again. ]

[Wally sits down on a nearby crate and he's kind of surprised by how interested he is in knowing this stuff. Since when has he ever given a shit about the circus, of all things?]

I saw a bunch of conspiracy theorists doing their thing on a forum. They were like, "It was rigged for publicity" and all that, and then G. Gordon got ahold of it and was super convinced that the League was involved somehow. It was intense.

We made it all the way to 3G? Ugh, I can't believe people even listen to that guy.

[ He's mostly incredulous, but a little bit offended on behalf of the circus, too. He tries not to care about gossip, but... it's his family.

Dick hops up onto the crate next to Kid Flash, dropping into a cross-legged sit. ]

So what are you doing all the way out in Texas? I heard the case was closed. Do you need a statement or something?

[Something inside of KF churns warm and pleasant when Dick implies disliking Godfrey. Like his opinion on that matters or something. Doesn't it? ...why wouldn't it?

But the question takes Kid by surprise, because he hadn't been expecting it and now that he thinks about it, he should have. Why did he run all the way out to Texas?] Uh, no. No, I just...y'know, I was going running anyway. And I wanted to check up on you. Y'know, make sure everything was cool. [And he feels kind of stupid for it now. Just checking up on the kid you met once? Wow.]