Author's Note: As many of you have guessed, I've had to step back from fanfic because I'm an independent human with too much on my plate. I felt guilty about that for a while which is why I didn't so much as check my PMs for months (I wasn't in the mood to get scorched by flamers), but when I returned I saw a bunch of kind messages from people checking up on me and encouraging me to do things at my own pace. I was touched by how understanding everyone has been and would like to say thanks by bringing you this chapter. Here we go!

My mom's favorite movie is The Wizard of Oz. I must have watched it thirty times during my childhood, which is exactly why I hate The Wizard of Oz. Still, I couldn't help but think of the Tim Man the next day as I got up off of the couch. I'd slept there along with Robin, M'gann, and Superboy who had all refused to leave my side. All my joints felt rusty, and my movements felt mechanical. I got things done. I ate breakfast, I did homework, I talked to my teammates and to Uncle Barry. I was so tired though. Everything was twice as hard as normal, but I kept plugging away like a worn out machine. There was no other choice. I had a couple of tests coming up in school, I needed to keep an ear out for status updates on my Dad's situation, I needed to remember to eat...I went through the day on autopilot, pretending I didn't see the team glancing at M'gann, as if they were asking her what was going on inside my head. I pretended not to hear Canary when she offered to talk. I pretended that my history homework really did take an hour and a half and no I did not just stare at the same spot in my textbook for forty minutes.

My mood persisted to the point where I began to freak out my aunt and uncle and they arranged for Roy to come visit on Tuesday after school to "cheer me up." I could read the subtext though, they probably didn't want me to be home alone in case I did something stupid, like forget to eat, or run off to Qurac to test my theory, or straight-up run off. I was looking forward to seeing Roy…in a really detached sort of way. I hadn't really felt much since my initial meltdown after Dad was possessed by Dr. Fate. I felt like my feelings had all been used up. Like, I had a limited number of tears and a finite amount of stress and I'd been drained dry of both. Now all that was left was a grim determination to move forward despite my numbness and exhaustion. That is, until I received a text from my mother during a break at school.

"I need to meet with you after school," she had written. "Meet me at the Greengrass Park."

My heart clenched and I felt sick.

Welp, there goes the numbness. I thought. Now we're back to pure anxiety. Greeeat.

At least my sarcasm hadn't suffered.

I puffed out a breath and my gaze drifted over the lockers and passing students.

Uncle Barry had refused to give me details of how my mother had taken the news. I mainly got the gist of "not well." I had no clue what to expect. Would she be angry? Sad? She probably blamed me which really sucked. In fact, this whole conversation would probably end horribly. The bell rang and I quickly typed back a reply as I moved to my next class.

"Okay," I texted back. "Be there at 3:15."

She didn't text back, so I texted Roy instead.

"Hey, don't come to Central later. Mom wants to talk to me, so I'm meeting her."

Roy should have been working, but he texted back almost immediately.

"Why? What does she want? Do you want me to come with you?"

I could tell Roy was probably texting on the sly because be probably would have edited out the mother-hen undertone if he had the time.

"No idea, and no don't come with me."

"Call me when you're done talking to her. If you don't update me, I WILL find you."

"Thanks, Liam Neeson," I typed sarcastically, growing bored with the overprotectiveness of everyone around me.

"The guy from Taken? Please, I could have easily shaved four hours off that rescue time, at LEAST."

A hint of a smirk disrupted my stoic expression. I hadn't even come close to an honest smile in days and I couldn't help but forget my troubles for a minute to reply:

"Only four?"

I slipped into my classroom just as my phone buzzed angrily with his response, but I didn't check it because I didn't want my phone to end up being confiscated. I took my seat in the back of the room and Seemore waved at me from his assigned seat at the front.

I waved back.

Talk after class? He asked in sign language.

Yes. I signed back, absentmindedly.

Yea, Seemore and I were the smart-alecks that learned basic sign language just so we could talk in class. Granted, Seemore couldn't always read what I was saying due to his visual impairment, but it was still a fun way to throw the teachers through a loop.

"No more talking, or signing," she said, looking sternly at Seemore and I.

Seemore smiled innocently, and I just continued to look as blank and as bored as I had all day. The teacher looked at me questioningly.

"Now, let's get started…"

I tried to take notes, really I did, but my mind kept drifting to the meeting with Mom and what she could possibly want. At the end of class though I looked down at my paper and realized I'd spouted out disconnected sentences that trailed off midway through and picked up in weird places. It was more of a string of nonsense than actual notes.

I sighed and gathered up my books.

As I left class I walked right past Seemore, instantly forgetting the fact that I was supposed to talk to him.

"Dude, hold up."

I paused and turned to Seemore.

"Huh?"

"You said we'd talk, remember?" asked Seemore.

"Oh…yea," I said. "Sorry, I forgot, I'm supposed to meet my Mom…"

"She's meeting with you?" Seemore asked in surprise. "Man, no wonder you've been weird today."

I blinked, trying to remember when I had told Seemore about the situation with Mom. Then it hit me, yesterday Jinx had asked me why I was acting like a Zombie. I couldn't exactly tell her and Seemore that it was because my dad had been possessed by the lord of order, instead I had told them about my mom…and how she'd basically rejected me. It bothered me that I completely forgot about a conversation I'd had yesterday though.

"Yea…" I said slowly. "That's why."

"There you are!"

I turned around and saw Jinx walking towards us.

"Are you okay?" she asked me. "I mean, I know you mentioned the thing with your mom yesterday…

"He's meeting with his mom today," said Seemore. Then he looked at me apologetically.

I just shrugged. I never told Seemore anything I didn't want Jinx to know. Seemore never could keep a secret from her unless, of course, that secret involved his feelings for her.

"We'll come with you," said Jinx instantly.

"No, guys…I got this."

"I never said we were giving you a choice," said Jinx. "You've been a mess since Monday and we're going to be here when that—woman—I mean—after you talk to your mom."

I gritted my teeth as Jinx struggled not to insult my mother. Mom was a lot of things, but nobody got to talk crap about her. Ever.

I breathed in through my nose.

"I need to talk to her alone, and I'm running late. I'll text you later."

I turned and walked away and I heard Seemore holding Jinx back and gently explaining that they should respect my wishes.

I could always count on Seemore.

I walked several blocks to the park and glanced around.

I saw my mom sitting on a bench and went over. It was freezing, and meeting outside when it was forty degrees out wasn't the best idea.

"Hey…Mom," I said awkwardly, standing in front of her.

She looked as nervous as I felt.

"Hey, sweetie," she said quietly. "Sit down?"

I sat next to her and noticed she was holding a box, wrapped in green paper.

She passed it to me.

"This is from your Dad," she said quietly. "It's—well, your birthday is in a couple days so he wanted you to have it."

I looked at her in confusion.

"We spoke last night, through Fate. It was after Barry stopped by…we talked about a lot of things…." She trailed off. "You should open it."

I hesitated, then I opened the wrapping paper and the box.

I carefully removed an oddly shaped object about the size of a shoebox.

"Is this a mailbox?" I asked, baffled.

Mom reached over and opened it. Inside was a letter addressed in my Dad's handwriting.

"The mailbox is from Dr. Fate, and the envelope is from your father," she informed me.

You can write to him, just put a letter in this box, and put the flag up," she said, indicating a small plastic flag on the side of the mailbox, "and he'll receive whatever you send to him. It works in reverse too, he can send letters and they'll appear in this mailbox. It's…magic."

"It's probably some controlled teleportation system designed to transport inorganic matter that weighs less than a certain amount," I countered reflexively.

Mom pursed her lips.

"Well, whatever it is, you can talk to him."

I set the mailbox down, trying not to think about the letter inside.

"Um, thanks. For delivering this."

Mom looked at me and bit her lip. I had to fight the urge to bite my own.

"It's—like I said. We talked about a lot of things."

I looked at her, waiting for the other shoe to drop. I knew that she didn't just call me out to give me a birthday gift.

"Dr. Fate had an arrangement with his previous host, that his wife—Inza, I think it was—could live with him. They could see each other, from time to time."

My eyes widened.

"You're going to live with Dr. Fate?"

Mom looked over at a tree across the park, her eyes far away.

"I'm not sure. I wanted to talk to you, it was a lot to take in. Apparently it's a lot of responsibility to be the wife of Dr. Fate. I would have to—he said I'd be very busy. He said I'd have to leave everything behind."

"What does he want you to do?" I asked, alarmed.

"Well, I'd need to learn about magic, so that I could help safe-guard The Tower of Fate. I can't do much, but knowing the basics can help me to navigate the tower and keep it safe. There's a lot of things Kent Nelson's wife would do—she would grow herbs to cure curses. She would provide sanctuary to those who were lost. She would go with him to different dimensions to help negotiate peace between different groups."

"So you're going to be growing herbs in some guy's tower and giving "sanctuary" to people? What does that even mean? Will you be harboring criminals?" I spluttered.

Mom looked uncomfortable.

"No, dear. More like…you remember when you brought Superboy home? Because he had nowhere to go? It's more like that."

"So you're going to be living with strangers," I clarified, with skepticism.

"Not quite. The Tower of Fate is more expansive than you would believe. It's like a castle, really. Dr. Fate is like—he's almost like a king. He has a lot of responsibilities and he needs help with certain tasks in order to keep the universe balanced."

"This sounds sketchy," I said flatly.

"I've seen it, Wally," she said. "It's a whole different world, one I've never seen before and for a moment I understood why you do what you do. The things he does, Wally, the things your Dad is doing now are beautiful. He helps people in ways no one else can, he's going to make a real difference."

I frowned.

"You know Dad won't be possessed by Fate forever, right?" I asked. "Once I find a cure for the venom—"

"We don't know how long that will take," Mom interrupted. "Wally, listen."

She turned to me and looked at me with sad eyes.

"If you want me to stay, then I'll stay. I'll stay with you until you graduate high school and then I'll go and help your father."

There was a look in her eyes that I didn't like.

"You don't want to stay," I said, turning away so I wouldn't have to look at her face.

"I do," she assured me, putting a hand on my shoulder. "I do, but I want to go too. I want to be with both of you but I—I can't. Fate said The Tower of Fate would reject you; you can't live there unless you let yourself believe in its magic. Dr. Fate asked me to stay with him but if you want me to stay with you then I will. You're my son."

"Mom, I can't make that choice for you," I said weakly, "you're going to have to decide for yourself."

"I can't choose between two people I love!" said Mom.

"You already did," I said bitterly, standing up and leaving the mailbox on the bench. "From the beginning, it didn't matter what Dad did to us when he was on drugs as long as he was happy, right?"

"Wally West, don't you think for a second that I wouldn't have done the same for you," said Mom tearfully as she got to her feet. "I'm sorry, alright? I'm sorry that I couldn't be there for you, I'm sorry that I blamed you for your dad having to go to rehab. The truth is—the truth is that I—I somehow expected the two of us to save him before it came to that, but not even heroes can save people from themselves and I should never have expected it to work. He was so addicted, he was willing to do anything to get a fix, anything and you can't fight that, can you?"

"Mom, tell me the truth," I said, unable to respond to what she'd just said. "Do you want to go with Fate?"

Mom hesitated.

"I—If I stay, honey, I can support both of us—but it will be hard. We won't be able to afford much."

"I don't care about that," I protested, but even as I said it I knew it was futile. It was so obvious that she'd already made up her mind.

"Well I do!" said Mom "I don't want to fall asleep worrying about whether I can afford to buy you enough vegetables to keep you running. I don't want to stress about being able to buy you shoes when you run yours out. I don't want you to be in pain when your metabolism gives you trouble and I can't afford to run out and fill your prescription. I don't want to have to burn through your college fund because I need to pay for a flat tire, or a damaged pipe in the house."

"How will living with Fate help with any of that?" I demanded.

"You'll be with your aunt and uncle and I'll be rent-free. I can send our family savings directly to them, so they can take care of you," she said.

"I don't need anyone to take care of me," I snapped. "I'm practically sixteen, I'm old enough to take care of myself."

Mom hung her head a few tears leaking from her eyes and I paused, feeling guilty.

"I know you don't need me to take care of you," she said quietly. "I know that."

She looked up at me and smiled sadly.

"I raised you to be independent, to follow your dreams, and you have. You're the person that people look to in a crisis. There's not a thing in this world you can't do if you put your mind to it. Every parent wants their child to learn to stand on their own two feet, and Wally you have, but sometimes even adults need to lean on each other."

"Like you and dad?" I asked, trying not to get sucked into the flattery. A week ago I would have been so happy to hear all this, but after everything that happened I just couldn't feel it. I couldn't even sense if she was telling the truth. I did know that she was trying to get at something and I needed her to stop pretending and admit it.

"Yes," she said. "Yes, Wally. I need him, and when he spoke to me he said that he needs me too."

"Will it be enough for you?" I asked, folding my arms. "Will playing housewife to some stranger in the hopes that you'll get a glimpse of Dad be enough for you?"

"Yes," said Mom, quietly, "because at least then I would have hope."

I shook my head.

"Then go," I told her.

"Wally—"

"What?" I snapped.

"You don't sound like you want that."

"I want my dad back, but that's not going to happen. I want you to act like my mom but apparently me being "all grown up" means that you don't need to anymore, so go! Be with that stupid sorcerer, just don't say I didn't warn you when you realize that he's not exactly Harry Potter!"

My mom hugged me tightly, cutting off the rest of my rant.

"I know you don't understand," she told me. "Wally, I know. I'd take you with me if I could, but you have a life. I'm not about to rip you away from it. There's nothing I can do to fix what's happened to us all, but I can help your father by being by his side. That's all I can do."

I knew that if I tried to convince her to stay she probably would, but I also knew that she'd made up her mind before she even texted me and asked for a meeting. If I asked her to stay, she'd resent me for it. Just like how she resented me for not being able to save Dad.

"Be safe," was all I could say. "Call me if you need anything, or if he does anything creepy."

Mom hugged me tightly.

"It will be alright," she insisted.

I didn't believe her in the slightest.

. . . . . . .. . .. . .

Roy had texted me to ask if I was still with Mom.

"No," I texted back.

I was still sitting on the bench with the mailbox. I was alone now, and I sat there debating on whether I should open the letter from Dad. In the end I decided that I might as well.

I carefully tore open the seal and stared at the letter. It was surprisingly long. Dad's a man of few words, but I guess being stuck in a charlatan's head can make anyone chatty.

Wally,

You're sixteen now. Most would say that's a big milestone. Kids your age are entering manhood, learning to drive, making decisions about where they want to go, what they want to do, and who they want to be. But, you've already done those things so I can't say for sure whether this is a milestone or not. You've never been typical, you've always done things your own way and at your own pace. I used to resent that, but now I recognize that you've always had a vision for yourself that you've been working towards, even when no one else could see it. I hope you continue to work towards that vision, even when times are tough.

I know it's tradition for me to give you advice on your birthday for the new year. Heaven knows you don't want to hear it the other 364 days of the year, but I was the same way growing up. I think that's why your grandfather started the tradition in the first place. The Wests have always been a bit hardheaded, but we're tough SOBs so it evens out. Anyways here goes: Respect those around you and appreciate them. Don't treat others with disrespect. No more telling girls they're pretty when you know they don't like it. No more asking people out when you know they aren't interested. That stuff can get you into a lot of hot water ethically and legally. I know that advice might seem out of place, but that's really the only thing I could think of because you're doing pretty darn good for someone so young. Fate suggested that I encourage you to learn about magic, but I told him not to hold his breath on that one. You've always been a science-brain; I wouldn't have it any other way.

That's all I have to say for now except: Happy Birthday.

Hang in there,

Dad

I re-read the letter several times. There was noting about Fate asking mom to live with him. There was nothing about where he was, how he was doing. I had so many questions, but should I even ask? Did I really want to know the answers?

Seemore and Jinx were blowing up my phone with texts. I told them something vague, something about Mom moving away but wanting to give me a birthday present. They asked questions and I brushed them off, flatly staying that I'd live with my aunt and uncle and to please, please stop asking questions.

I sat there until I heard footsteps and glanced up.

Roy was standing there, wrapped in a coat. He kicked my ankle lightly.

"Get up, it's cold out here," he said.

It took me a minute to process that yes, Roy had come from Star City to get me.

I stood up, taking the mailbox and letter with me.

"Why do you have that?" asked Roy.

"It's a birthday present," I said dryly.

"It's a mailbox."

"It's a magic mailbox," I said sarcastically.

"…I actually can't tell if you're being serious or not."

"I am being serious," I said.

"I thought you didn't believe in—"

"I don't."

"Okay then, Fate?"

"Yup."

"He talked to your mom and told her to give you a magic mailbox to…keep in touch?

"Yup."

"Then what?"

"Apparently mom's going to live with him."

"What?!"

I explained the conversation I'd had with my mom in a flat, disinterested tone.

"Man, that sucks. Are you okay?"

"Sure," I said with a shrug. "I mean so much crap has happened lately, why not this?"

"Wally—"

"It's fine. Not like she was talking to me anyway. It's not like we would have gone back to normal if she'd stayed."

"You're being creepily calm about this."

"I'd be less calm if this came as much of a shock. All things considered I really should have seen it coming."

"That's uncharacteristically pessimistic of you," said Roy.

"Well, being optimistic doesn't lead to anything but disappointment."

"Geeze, are you listening to yourself?"

"No, and you don't have to listen to me either."

Roy's phone chimed

"Um, no I'm going to listen," he checked his phone and looked at me hesitantly. "And, uh so is Robin."

"Huh?" I asked wearily.

"Robin knows you met with your mom."

"Why?" I groaned. "Why does everyone need to be in my business right now?"

"He wanted to come over to Central, because he heard I was coming to chill. He texted to see if he could hang with us and I told him you cancelled. He wanted to know why so, yea, I told him."

I shook my head.

"He's coming here isn't he?"

"He left five minutes ago."

I sighed as we reached my uncle's house. I pulled the key from my pocket and entered, Roy following close behind.

I looked up and saw Robin sitting on my aunt's couch.

I turned to Roy.

"I thought you said he just left Gotham."

Roy shrugged and I waved a hand.

"Well make yourselves at home, I guess."

"Aren't you going to ask me how I got here so fast?" asked Robin cheekily.

"Would you give me a straight answer if I did?" I asked.

"Nope," said Robin cheerfully.

"There ya go," I said. "Want some tea or something?"

"Tea?" asked Robin. "What, are you Agent A now?" he asked, referring to Alfred. Not even Roy knew Robin's real identity.

"My aunt's been on a sweet tea kick, there's a jug in the fridge."

"Nah, I'd rather have a nice tall glass of what-happened-with-your-mom?"

I glared at Roy.

"You know, if you'd told me Robin was coming, I would have only had to tell this story once."

Roy grimaced in apology.

"What you wouldn't have told me later?" asked Robin, sounding hurt. "I thought we talked about this…"

"Again, making it all about you, aren't ya?" I said, grabbing the tea from the fridge. I looked over and saw that Robin seemed upset.

"Don't mind him, he's extra prickly because his mom is shacking up with Dr. Fate," said Roy bluntly as I poured myself a glass.

"What?!" Robin gasped.

Normally I would have flipped out on the archer for phrasing it that way but the numbness was starting to settle in again.

"Can you not phrase it like that? I mean, she is married to the person Fate's possessing."

Roy looked disappointed and it occurred to me that he had been trying to provoke me.

"As of now, she's married to his body, and Fate is going to be controlling that body.She's going to be living with a stranger."

"Roy!" said Robin, smacking the redhead in the arm.

"Why are you trying to push my buttons, dude?" I asked, dryly.

"You're being so—cavalier about this whole thing," he said. "It's freaky."

"Nice vocab, you been watching Juno?"

"I'm serious!" said Roy.

"I know," I said. "Look, I just don't care anymore. She's a grown woman, she can do what she wants."

Roy and Robin looked at me sadly.

"Stop looking at me like that. It's fine. I mean, it's not fine—and sure, maybe I care…a little—but I have to deal with it regardless, right? Maybe it's time I just start rolling with the punches instead of freaking out about everything."

"Well, you're right about one thing…" said Robin.

"If you say "it's not fine" I will hang you from a flagpole by your Batman boxer shorts."

"I do not wear Batman boxer shorts!" Dick exclaimed, blushing a little.

"You wear Batman boxer shorts?" asked Roy, not believing the kid for a second.

"Shut up! This is about Wally, not me."

"Now, Robin, it's important to talk about these things," I said as I sat down next to him on the couch and patted his shoulder. "Wearing Batman boxer shorts symbolizes your inner desire to be a bat, but you know that you will never sprout hairy wings or pointy teeth. Talking about that inner conflict is the first step to moving past this confusing and emotional time."

"That would be funny if you didn't sound like a Vulcan," said Roy warily.

"Live long and prosper," I said flatly, making the Vulcan hand sign.

"Okay, coming from the guy who always giggles at his own jokes? That is a bit freaky," said Robin, looking concerned.

"It's fine guys," I told them.

Roy and Robin exchanged looks.

"Seriously, guys, I'm fine," I said.

"You're not fine," said the pair at the same time.

I groaned and flopped back on the couch.

"Look, guys, I'm tapped out. I literally have zero cares left to give about this. I can't think about it anymore, I actually can't. Every time I try to picture Mom leaving I just realize that she already left and I was too worried about other stuff to deal with it. Either way I've accepted it and there's nothing left to do but move on."

I could practically hear Roy and Robin communicating silently.

"Dude, if you ever need to talk—"

"I'll round you guys up along with the team, my aunt, my uncle, and everyone else who keeps pestering me to tell them how I'm feeling. We can have a giant care-circle and you'll all be on the same page and you can have a discussion forum behind my back," I said irritably.

Robin and Roy looked guilty and I sat up.

"Look, I'm sorry. I'm just—"

"Cranky?" suggested Robin.

"Very," I said.

"Well," said Robin. "I have something that may help with that."

He pulled a wrapped present out of his jacket.

I looked at it warily.

"Please tell me it's not a magic mailbox."

"Huh?" asked Robin.

"Dr. Fate gave him a magic mailbox so he can send and receive letters from his dad," explained Roy.

"Has he not heard of email?" asked Robin incredulously. "Anyways, no it's nothing like that. Just open it."

I resignedly tore the paper off and saw…

"Danger City IV?" I asked.

"Happy early Birthday!" said Robin

I should have been excited, thrilled even. I did feel those things…really deep down.

I hugged Robin so he couldn't see my inability to smile.

"Thanks dude, you're the best," I said forcing as much cheer into my voice as soon as possible. I released him and quickly turned away holding up the game like I was Rafiki holding up Simba in The Lion King.

"Tonight, we ride!" I said, using theatrics to cover the fact that I could NOT emote. "I'll grab my game station."

I trotted up the stairs quickly, making my rush look like excitement.

For some reason, getting a present and feeling utterly numb and unable to smile about it felt worse than the emotional roller coaster I'd been stuck on over the past few weeks.

Perk up, West, I told myself firmly as I dug my game station out of the box I'd left it in.

I dragged myself back downstairs and busied myself with setting up the game. I entered the multi-player mode and handed controllers to Robin and Roy. The whole time I avoided eye-contact as much as possible

We swept through the first level and I noted blandly that Robin was right, it was better than Danger City II. Still, I couldn't draw my focus away from what had happened earlier in the day. It was like a quiet weight sitting on my chest. It didn't hurt (at least, not right now) but it was impossible to ignore.

"Nice!" said Robin as I set a guy on fire in the game.

I grunted and spammed the X button, trying to fight off a horde of angry, post-apocalyptic gang members who were defending their turf.

My uncle came home partway through the campaign and smiled at the three of us.

"Hello boys," he said. "How are you all doing."

"Good," I mumbled as Robin paused the game.

"Hey, Mr. Allen," said Robin.

"Your guardian know you're over?" asked Uncle Barry, looking like he was trying to remember whether to call him "Bruce" or "Batman" in front of Roy.

"Bats is cool with it if you are," said Robin. "I just need to be back by eight."

"That gives you time to stay for pizza," said Uncle Barry cheerfully. "What do you all want?"

"Pepperoni!" cheered Robin.

"Whatever," said Roy neutrally.

"What he said," I chimed in dully, leaving it up to Uncle Barry to figure out who I was referring to.

"I'll call them now," said Uncle Barry as he loosened his tie.

He went upstairs and Robin and Roy looked at me.

"What?" I asked.

"You gonna tell him?" asked Robin.

"Nah, that's Mom's job," I said. "I don't want to get in the middle of that."

"You sure?" asked Roy dubiously.

"She wants to ditch Central and live with a supernatural entity then fine, she can explain it to Aunt Iris and Uncle Barry," I said. Though as I said it worry began to creep up on me again. My aunt and uncle were shocked and concerned to have me for three months. What would they say when they found out I was staying with them indefinitely? Would they even want me?

Well, your own mother is pretty much done with you so odds aren't that great.

"That won't end well," Robin advised. "You should just tell him?"

"Forgot my cellphone," announced Uncle Barry as he came down the stairs. "What are we talking about?" It was clear he'd heard Robin's last comment.

I rolled my eyes.

"Fine," I said irritably to Robin. I turned to my uncle and said bluntly.

"Mom said she's done raising me and she's going to live with Dr. Fate. She says I can't come with her. Don't sweat it though I can totally find somewhere else to be. In a few days, I'll be old enough to be an emancipated minor. "

Uncle Barry's cheerful look slowly vanished.

"That was very—abrupt, Wally," he said, clearly trying to gather his thoughts. "I appreciate the honesty though," he said quickly. "When did you find all this out?"

"Today," I said casually.

"Right," said Uncle Barry, clearly trying to control his emotions. "Well you can back off of the whole "emancipation" idea. You see, your aunt and I have been listed in your parents' will for the past seven years as your back-up legal guardians. So since you can't stay with them, we are more than ready to look after you."

I looked at him, processing the information.

I'm for sure living with them?

I looked back on the past several days. All the arguments, the lies, the hurtful words.

"Pass," I said.

"Why would you say that?" spluttered my uncle, caught off guard.

"Obviously because you told him he made everyone's lives difficult and he internalized it the way he's internalized everything the past few weeks," said Roy.

He turned to me.

"Sound about right?"

I shrugged. He'd hit the nail on the head. I was mildly annoyed, but If I was being brutally honest, why couldn't they?

"You know," said Robin. "This is a surprise for everyone so maybe the three of us should go for a walk and talk for a bit before anyone says anything they'll regret."

Uncle Barry breathed through his nose.

"Sure," he said forcing himself to stay calm.

The three of us shuffled out the door and the moment it closed Robin smacked Roy.

"Ow! What? I was right wasn't I?"

Robin gave him a look that could only be interpreted as a glare, even from under his sunglasses.

Roy sighed. "Look, Wally, it's pretty obvious that your uncle genuinely wants you to stay with him. Before you get all mopey, consider what you'd do if Robin or me didn't have a place to go."

I considered this as the three of us walked down the block. It was true, I'd take them in in a heartbeat, but this didn't feel the same.

"That's true," chimed in Robin. "You took in Superboy and told him your secret identity when you'd only known him for all of a day."

"That's different," I said, rolling my eyes. "Supey was literally born that day, which means he was just a baby—essentially. You can't just kick a baby to the curb."

"I'm sure Supes would love that descriptor," said Robin.

"I had to teach the guy what a washcloth was," I said dryly. "And I had to teach him table manners. Apparently they forgot to program basic, everyday skills at Cadmus."

"YOU taught him table manners?" asked Robin. "But he's so polite!'

"Just because I've always eaten like a savage post-metabolism-acceleration doesn't mean my Mom didn't raise me right."

Mom.

I suddenly looked down at the ground and glared at the concrete.

Roy and Robin looked at each other over my shoulders, picking up on the sudden shift in mood. Neither said anything though.

"Anyway, my point is, Supey was just born. I'm almost an adult. I don't need to stay with them."

"Sure, you don't need to," said Roy. "Heck, you could probably make a fake identity if you don't feel like doing the whole emancipation thing. You'd have a heck of a fight on your hands though, and it would probably mess things up between you and your uncle…Do you two really want to have the type of relationship that I have with Green Arrow right now?"

Robin and I looked up at him, wide-eyed.

"Yea, yea. I'm admitting that it sucks," said Roy with a sigh. "The guy raised me, and even if he's a jerk sometimes I don't really enjoy not speaking to him."

He looked at me earnestly. "Do you really want that distance between you and Barry? Because once you have that kind of rift between you it's really hard to fix, not to mention awkward," he grumbled.

"I don't care about any of that," I said.

"That's because you're depressed," said Robin directly. "Once the numbness goes away you will care."

"I'm not depressed," I argued.

"You're apathetic," said Roy. "You had almost no response to your Mom living with Fate."

"Not true, there's just no use arguing," I protested.

"Things that usually make you happy aren't making you happy," Robin countered. "I know you don't care one bit whether we're here in Central with you or not. You weren't even happy to play Danger City IV."

"I was happy," I protested.

"Can you even remember the level we just beat?" asked Roy.

I paused, realizing I couldn't.

"So lack of interest and concentration," said Robin.

"It's not that—"

"When's your birthday?" asked Roy.

"Uhh…" I paused, my mind blanking.

"Walls, you've done a birthday countdown since I've known you," said Robin gently.

"Well it was a dumb thing to do! Who cares about a stupid birthday anyway?"

"See? This is what we're talking about," said Roy.

"You guys aren't therapists so it's not like you have any right to diagnose me," I growled.

"It's not like we're trying to prescribe you drugs," said Roy, rolling his eyes. "We're just saying that now might not be the best time to make major life decisions."

"Yea," agreed Robin. "Look, can you just stay with him for like—two more weeks—and see how it goes? If you still want out then, we'll come up with a game plan."

I thought about it for a moment.

"Okay."

And that was that, we went back to my Uncle's house and found him pacing around the living room as he spoke to someone over a cellphone.

"We'll talk later," he said angrily to whoever was on the other line and he hung up.

"Hi," he said, greeting the three of us.

"He's staying with you," Robin announced.

I nodded emotionlessly.

"Good," said my uncle, nodding. "Yes…so pizza then. Right."

I'd rarely heard my uncle sound so frazzled. He ordered the food while tapping his fingers in agitation and I plopped back on the couch with Roy and Robin.

"So who was I playing as again?"

"That's my controller," said Robin carefully. "This one's yours."

"Yea, duh, I knew that."

I really didn't though, I was starting to feel like I didn't know anything anymore.

Author's Note: Please don't cry, it gets better next chapter. I'll do my best to update soon!