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So I can't say I exactly get it- but just cause we're fictional doesn't mean we're not real, right? Stupid question. We're here. We're real.

What I mean is- and I can never exactly wrap my head around it - should've probably sent a letter in to that one comic writer about it - but it's like fiction is this third place between "reality" and "unreality," right?

Or does anyone know that one author with the idea that all universes are really just fiction written by someone else? Kinda has me worried for some of those fanfic 'verses.

And it's not like "real life" back home was any less strange than fiction. I mean, geeze- we had aliens flying about keeping us safe.

Oh, and yeah- the name's Wally West. Guess it's nice to make all of your fictional acquaintances.

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[Face pressed against Wally's shoulder, Dick stays for almost a full minute until he's caught his breath. Then he eases back, his face mostly returned to the usual half-smirk, though definitely grateful.]

Yeah, maybe. It's weird. People don't remember each other disappearing, and they probably would. There's at least one person I know who's been gone from here, then come back, but apparently when he came back, he didn't remember anything about having been here before, and neither did he know about this place back home. Uh. His home.

And I wasn't there for the trivia game? Somebody just mentioned their friend finally got that answer right.

And at least three people have known about me being Robin.

So. Weird.

But, other than that, relatively survivable. I mean, compared to Gotham.

[ About a few seconds into that stream of gabbing, Wally grimaced a bit and reached up to lightly pinch Dick's nose. It wouldn't keep him from breathing, but maybe he'd get the hint. ]

Figured as much. Someone said Uncle Barry and I actually have our own comic where he's from.

[Dick opened his mouth, breathing in through it, anyway, blue eyes fixed up (less up than it's supposed to be!) on the green ones. And then he just nodded. Once. That's just the beginning.]

[ Now that he was done with the constant stream of words, Wally just let go of Dick's knows and brought that hand to his shoulder. ]

Beats being characters in some cheap novel, right? Hah, we'll have collection value with enough time.

[ Is the humor helping at all, dude? ]

[Always, dude.]

[Dick actually makes a valiant effort to a smirk.]

I started sooner. I'll get there first.

[ Oh boy. ]

Do you really wanna talk about who can get somewhere first with me?

[ He's grinning as if he's never late. ]

[And Dick just spreads one arm out (the other still holding on to Wally) in a shaky smirk of I've been here for a while.]

So, uh. Library, or ice cream?

[ Sigh. It's funny- he knows that he just saw Dick hours ago back home, but seeing how much Dick missed him here... It's different, to say the least. ]

Do you really have to ask, dude? [ His hand drops from Dick's shoulder to hanging lightly about his torso. ] Lead the way.

[Not quite as funny on Dick's end, but SO MUCH BETTER, NOW! He bounces a little on his feet, then grabs Wally's hand and does lead the way, not doubting that his friend will be able to keep up. All things considered.]

Hey, you said you'd eaten.

[Silence for maybe ten feet.]

There are four Robins after me. Well, in their world there are. One of them's a girl. [That part doesn't sound like he's upset about it, he's just. Bringing him up to speed.]

[Then Dick takes a breath as though to say something more... and lets it out, walking on in silence.]

Seriously? [ When had "just eaten" been too much of a problem for him? Wally followed along in those silent ten feet, knowing something was coming, but he just couldn't tell what. A couple of years was enough to be able to read his best friend like that. ]

Wow- four. Meanwhile, from what I heard, it's just me after Barry.

[ Hm... ]

So how's the new family?

[Well, the 'just eaten' made the possibility that he'll take something other than food immediately slightly greater. Not in any way a problem.]

Dude.

Bruce. Family. I think you can get your first idea right there. Complicated.

[Dick swallowed heavily, then his hand squeezed the speedster's.]

The Robin after me. The - the Joker killed him. And then he was, basically, resurrected. A Lazarus Pit was involved. But Jason isn't... exactly easy to talk with, and those things are not exactly easy to talk about.

And another Robin was... practically killed, too. I don't...

[Sharp breath.]

Back home, I knew I didn't want to become Batman, I'll - I'll tell you about that, later. Anyway. I'm -

[Yeah, okay. Wally probably could figure the next bit out on his own. If Dick hadn't become Robin, they would have been said. Four kids after him. Two of them killed.]

Anyway. Tim is awesome, and wicked smart, and twenty. He's also been here for a very long time, and this place can be... difficult. And Damian, that's the current Robin...

[Uh.]

He's actually Bruce's son. With Talia al Ghul. And raised by the League. I think he needs an actual family the most. He's like. Ten or eleven.

[ Right. Batman and family. What the heck is Wally supposed to think on that there? Mr. Tall, Dark, and Broody.

Yawn. (Not an actual one, though - he wouldn't be that rude to Dick right now, especially with that hand squeezing his.)

His brow furrowed at the mention of Joker actually getting a Robin. That guy was a psycho and a creep and he- ugh. Did Dick seriously just say Lazarus Pit? Those zombie baths Ra's al Ghul used? ]

Oh, yeah. I talked to Tim for a bit before you showed up. Seems nice. [ And wait- what?

He stopped walking and looked to Dick like his brain was melting out of his ears. ]

Bruce- And Ra's daughter? Had a kid. And they let him become Robin?

[Yeah, okay, maybe he blurted things out a little bit too fast. He stopped when Wally did, then took the step closer to bump his shoulder against the speedster's ... uh. Upper arm.]

He's really good. But don't get him angry, he'd probably be really vicious.

Anyway. Yeah, I'm big brother to all of them.

[Pause, for the meaning of that one to come through, and his face eases into a bit of a questioning smile. THE ABSURDITY!]

[ Wally snorts, for probably the umpteenth time. ]

Dude, if you're anything big, it's a birdbrain, and that's it. Drop the "big" and stick with "brother."

[ He playfully nudges Dick and as if on cue, his stomach rumbles. ]

C'mon, dude. Ice cream's calling.

Hey! I am too older than Damian! And bigger than him! ... a little.

[But he laughs, and squeezes Wally's hand again, feeling lighter than he had, realizing Zatanna had disappeared while he'd been inside Corsair.]

Let's go, before you collapse in starvation or something.

[Of course, it's the best ice cream place he takes him to. Hands down. He opens the door for him, then smirks.]

Knock yourself out, watch out for that bainfreeze, you can only do so much with what you have. Butterscotch is pretty good.

Uh-huh, then you'd have to try dragging me around, and I don't think you've got the strength for that, little man. [ The speedster chuckled, and then stepped through the open door. The cool creamy scent of ice cream filled the air and it set the speedster's tummy to rumbling again. ]

... can we try that, actually? Just in case? After ice-cream, and somewhere less public, though.

I mean, I wouldn't want to let you down if the situation required that I get you away!

[Yeah, even Dick's salivating at the scent.]

It's hot outside, isn't it.

[ Wally gives his best friend a look. He doesn't know if he should take this seriously or not, but what the hey. ]

If you're that bored, fine. And yeah... so can't wait for winter to come around alrea-

[ A thought crosses his mind as they reach the counter. ]

They're not gonna have us go to school here, y'think?

Hey, you're asking that as if it's ever been a problem.

Well, I figured we'd be safe from that here. What good's it gonna do us "fictional" folk?

They want to integrate us into 'real' society. Of course, we don't get that here.

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warning: info dump, cw: bats

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