In honor of what got me started writing in the DC fandom, this first chapter is from the Young Justice 'verse and centers around Dick and Wally. Dick has become Nightwing at this point and we're going to pretend Wally never 'died' because I refuse to believe he's really gone.

The prompt was the sentence "For once, stop pretending you're okay! Just talk to me!".

Also: Wally's comment at the end is in no way an attempt to blame Jason for what happened to him, just so we're clear. I personally think the idea that Jason is responsible for what happened to him is ludicrous. But we all know how the Batfamily doesn't always share details, so Wally didn't really have much to go on.

Wally watched as Dick stepped out of the pre-mission briefing, touching a finger to the comm piece in his right ear. He could tell Dick was upset, based on the near-constant clenching of his jaw, so he guessed Dick was talking to Batman. He carefully slipped from the briefing room and followed him down the hall.

"Come on. You and I both know where the Joker is. I'm not going back to Bludhaven." He stopped walking and inhaled deeply, holding his breath while he waited for Batman to finish talking. He closed his eyes and leaned against the wall, pinching the bridge of his nose as he exhaled.

"That's a load of crap and you know it. The team is ready to head for Bialya and Kaldur volunteered to take point on this one because of…" He trailed off, looking down at the floor.

Wally hung back about twenty feet, giving Dick some space. The team was shaken to its core after losing Robin a few days prior, and truth be told, as devastated as he was? Wally also felt guilty for being relieved it hadn't been Dick tortured and murdered by the Joker. The second Robin had been a good kid- really smart, strong and brave, if not a little cocky. But they all could be, so he'd fit right in and proved himself more than worthy of being on their team. He startled when Dick raised his voice sharply, something he rarely did when talking to any of his superiors, especially Batman.

"But you don't get to make that call! You may have lost a son, but I lost a brother." Dick slid down the wall, covering his eyes with one hand, keeping his other on his earpiece. "And his team lost a friend."

He shook his head angrily as Batman continued talking.

"That's rich, coming from you, of all people. Telling me to talk to someone? To get help?"

He stood up and balled his free hand into a fist, turning his back toward Wally again.

"You're such a damn hypocrite, Batman. Nightwing out."

He abruptly ended the conversation, ripping the comm from his ear and whipping it down the hallway. He turned and punched the wall, his fist going straight through the drywall. Pulling his arm out, bringing plaster and dust with it, he hunched over and rested his hands on his knees. He took a few breaths to calm down before he spoke, his voice weary.

"I know you're there, KF."

Wally closed the gap between them, running a hand through his hair.

"Can I ask what the fight was about?" He stopped a few feet from Dick, startled at how much he was shaking. He'd seen him angry before, but this was... different.

"What do you think?" He stood and narrowed his eyes, glaring at Wally, who held his hands up in surrender.

"Whoa. I can't imagine what you're feeling, but…"

"No, you can't. So back off." Dick dusted his hands together, plaster and drywall drifting to the floor.

"Not gonna happen. My best friend loses a family member and expects me to pretend everything is fine?" Wally shook his head and his voice softened. "You know me better than that."

"I'm fine," Dick replied, his voice barely a whisper. "I'm okay."

"Yeah? And I'm Wonder Woman. You aren't fine and it's obvious. And it's okay."

Dick didn't say anything and refused to look at Wally. He was back to clenching his jaw again, but he'd stopped shaking for the time being. But when he started checking his utility belt and gauntlets, taking an inventory, Wally realized he was getting ready to leave. He stepped closer and put his hand on Dick's arm.

"You're not seriously considering going after the Joker alone, are you?"

Dick shook Wally's hand off and took a step backward, still refusing to look at him.

"I'm not 'considering' anything."

"Then fill me on what you've got and I'll go with you." He zipped up his suit the rest of the way and adjusted his goggles on his forehead. Dick shook his head and turned to leave.

"No, KF. I've got this."

"Like hell you do." He stepped forward again, spinning Dick around to face him.

"I told you, I'm fine. Batman and I will handle this."

"I'd believe you if I didn't know you so well. Batman doesn't know you're going, does he?" Wally tapped the chest plate of Dick's suit. "I saw you disable the tracker."

Dick looked at Wally, anger flashing in his eyes.

"And who are you, my babysitter?"

Wally laughed darkly.

"Honestly? Sounds like you need one. This is so incredibly stupid and you know it." He softened his voice a little. "And that's coming from me, dude. Wally West, king of stupid ideas."

He shook his head, looking away from Wally again.

"I can't.. I won't get anyone else involved in this. It's for our family to handle."

"And what the hell am I, chopped liver?" His voice was full of frustration. Dick didn't respond, instead turning and stalking toward the garage. He applied his domino mask as he went. Wally jogged to keep up.

"After everything we've been through, you know you can trust me. I'd do anything to help. I've got your back."

Without missing a step, he turned and shoved Wally backward.

"I said I'm fine, now back off." He turned a corner and entered the garage. "I won't warn you again."

Wally paused for a moment in disbelief, before narrowing his eyes and following Dick. He gave the door an angry shove, knocking it against the wall with a loud bang. Dick was about to get on his motorcycle when Wally grabbed him and pulled him off it. He gripped his shoulders tightly, forcing Dick to look him in the face.

"For once, stop pretending you're okay! Just talk to me!"

Dick's facade crumbled momentarily, giving Wally a glimpse at how much he was hurting. He glanced down at the floor and shook his head as Wally pulled him into a hug. Dick leaned against him, his arms hanging limply at his sides.

"Just let me do this. I need to do something. I… I can't stay here."

"And I can't let you do that. As your best friend and teammate, I can't let you do this alone." Wally looked at him, waiting for him to make eye contact again. "Tell me what you've got and I"ll come with you."

"And I said no." He pushed Wally away and turned toward the motorcycle. Wally didn't want it to come to this, but he didn't see any other option. He took a deep breath and stepped back a few steps.

"You know this is what got him killed, right? All of you think you can handle everything alone."

As expected, Dick's posture immediately changed, his back straightening and his hands balling into fists. He turned and took a swing at Wally, the punch sailing wide to his right. He incorrectly assumed Dick wouldn't throw another punch and closed his eyes, shaking his head.

"Dick, I…"

Dick's fist connected with Wally's cheek, sending him backward into a work bench before he hit the floor. Wally touched a hand to his face, sighing when his fingers came away with blood.

"You son of a.." Dick stood over him, his blue eyes glinting furiously in the low light. "Don't you dare…" He trailed off and turned, getting on the motorcycle. Wally stood up, not bothering to wipe the blood running down his cheek.

"Don't do this. You have an entire team, the entire damn Justice League to help you."

"Yeah, well, I don't want it. This time it's personal."

He gunned the throttle and sped off, leaving Wally standing there alone. He knew he could easily catch Dick's motorcycle, but he knew there was no talking him out of this one. He turned and headed back into the cave to contact Batman. There was no way he was losing another teammate.

Not to the Joker, not to anyone.