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[ The audience goes wild as Haly's Traveling Circus begins its three-ring opening act extravaganza. The performers swarm the floor in a choreographed riot of colors and music, and Dick just knows he's gonna get lost in the crowd.

When's Jack gonna give in and let him have his own aerial act? The accident was five years ago. He's ready. He's got a routine worked out and everything. All he needs is a chance.

Not that he's ever gonna get one as long as he's stuck doing boring old handsprings through boring old flaming hoops all the way over in the third ring. Total baby stuff. He could do this in his sleep. He catches two juggling clubs mid-double-backflip, spins once more in midair, sticks the landing, and the crowd goes nuts. Okay, that felt pretty cool, maybe it was more impressive than he'd —

... Or maybe the elephant's stealing the show. Aw, come on, Zitka... ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Okay well I'm not from outer space, and I do have parents. I came back late for my curfew when I visited you last so I got grounded.

I mean, I'm sixteen! Who gives a sixteen-year-old an eleven o'clock curfew? It's just dumb.

[ Dick groans, running a hand down his face. His fault. HIS FAULT. He got Kid Flash grounded! He's basically a supervillain. ]

Oh, man, I'm so sorry. And I even kept you after I knew!

[p sure supervillains don't try to get kf GROUNDED kiddo]

Yeah I kind of kept myself after I knew so it's not a problem. By the time I noticed I was already gonna be late, so...don't beat yourself up over it.

[ the tiniest smile. ]

... I hope it was worth it.

One hundred percent. [KF smiles, jiggling his foot.] Y'know, aside from the fact that I can't come see you this time.

We'll just have to have twice as much fun next time.

Definitely.

[They talk for a while longer, about inconsequential things. KF wants to hear about Dick's routine, how he's gunning for his own set with the ringleader and his adoptive father. He asks about how Dick goes to school, what living in a traveling circus is even like, if he gets paid.

In return, Dick asks him about his exploits and Kid tells him about the altercation with Captain Boomerang the other day. He talks about how he got to inside the Hall of Justice, though not very far, and met up with the other sidekicks for the first time in a long time.] You'd like Aqualad, [he says,] and Speedy. Although I think he's Red Arrow now? He struck out on his own a few months ago, seems to be doing okay.

[ Dick's amazed at how natural conversation with Kid Flash is. They fall into an easy rhythm, casual chatter and more of what he's increasingly certain is flirting.

He finds himself wondering what he's like when he isn't wearing the yellow and red, though. What's his favorite subject in school? What kind of music is he into? What's his family like? Is the Flash really his dad? ]

Whoa. Like going solo? You think you'll ever do that?

Oh geez, no. I don't think so. I mean, not like he did. [KF tucks his phone between his ear and shoulder so he can separate two nachos stuck together with stringy cheese.] I mean, probably eventually I might be the next Flash, when the previous one retires. That's what happened to him; there was the Flash from the forties, right? And then the current Flash, and now me. It's practically a family business at this point. [Oop. Was that a little too telling? ...nahhh, it's a metaphor. Not that obvious.]

[ At least he's not asking any questions. Just assuming. ]

... must be cool. Having a whole family thing like that.

[Oh geez. Way to run your dumb mouth, KF.]

Sorry. I wasn't...

What? No, no, it's fine! It's okay. I— I mean it. I think it's great.

[Awkward silence ahoy.]

...you ever think about them? [Stupid question.] Nevermind- you don't have to answer that. None of my business.

... Yeah. Sure. All the time.

[ He pauses, teeth worrying at his bottom lip. ]

You don't have to totally avoid the topic or anything. I mean... it was four years ago. I miss them, but... you can't spend forever being sad. And besides, my life's pretty good.

[KF moves the empty nacho plate off his stomach and rolls over, propped up on his arms.]

I guess that's why you like Batman so much, huh? [All the pictures and sightings and newspaper clippings on the wall.]

... How'd you know about all this stuff? I know it was news, but I didn't think it made it that far out of Gotham.

[UH.]

I uh...I might've...looked some stuff up after we met. [wow that sounds so much creepier than he thought it would] I mean, just because- y'know, I didn't even ask for your name? So I figured it would be online, and there were articles...

Oh.

[ And if that doesn't make his insides all squirmy again... ]

You did your research. [ THAT MAKES IT SOUND CREEPIER, DICK ]

[UGH AHHH WHY]

Ssssure did. [dear god] So. Uh. Sure you still want me to come to the next show, since I'm sort of kind of a stalker now? [JUST GONNA THROW THAT WORD OUT THERE NO BIG]

... I did go to the Flash Museum right after we met. And I do have your poster by my bed. So... I mean... the stalking is kind of mutual.

[thmp thmp thmpthmpthmpthmpthmp]

Is that all that's mutual...?

I guess that depends.

[ He grins, and he's really, really glad he's by himself — well, by himself with Zitka. ]

Do you think I'm hot stuff, too?

Well, I did follow you back to your trailer. [What the heck, why can't he just say 'yes?' No- no he can't, he can't just come right out and say it. Oh geez.]

Thought that was just for the pen.

[Nut up, KF. Are you a hero or aren't you?]

Not just for the pen. [He lets out a breath.] I'm just gonna- I'll come right out and say it. I kind of like you. And I've been pretty hardcore flirting with you, and I think you've been flirting back, so...