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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... ]

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[ 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...

[ I kind of like you. Dick's stomach swoops like he's back on the trapeze, and he grins so wide his face hurts. ]

Well... as long as we're being honest? I kind of like you, too.

Really? [KF laughs a little.] Cool. That's- that's really cool. Awesome. [He laughs again, trying to swallow it down but it keeps bubbling up. He hasn't been giddy like this in a long time.] So, do you- I mean, you wanna go on a date sometime?

Really? ... Dumb question, of course really— uh, yeah! Yes. Very yes.

Um, but I don't... we travel a lot, so I don't know where the good date spots are or anything...

[ He also hasn't been on a real date before, but that's probably too much pressure to put on this. Just... gonna keep that on the down low. For now. ]

[he said yes HE SAID YES] That's cool. There's always places to go no matter what city you're in. I bet we can find something. What's your stop after Santa Fe?

Uh... Denver! I know it's not that glamorous, but... yeah, we can definitely find something to do, right? We're two cool guys. We're fun. We'll hit the town.

Dude, totally. Besides I'm like, the best mode of transportation out there. I could carry you wherever we wanted to go. [wow forward] If that's cool with you, I mean.

Are you kidding? That's so cool with me! That's the coolest with me. Can't imagine anything cooler.