A slight headache made him open his eyes. Curtains in his room were obscured, so he wasn't sure if he had to get up, or just try to sleep again. After a few minutes of staring at the white ceiling of his messy bedroom, he deciced to get up, take a shower and eat something, if of course there was something edible in his fridge.

He got up and looked at the floor, but it was hard to see it under the mess. Dozens empty bottles of energy drinks, some pizza boxes, clothes and his Flash suit dropped under his bed. The headache had strengthened.

He went to the bathroom and opened the white cupboard above the sink. He found an aspirin, took a couple white pills and placed his mouth under the tap to drink some water. He also washed his face and felt that cold water made his blood run a bit faster, but not as fast it should in the body of the fastest man alive. Even Batman seemed to be more vehement than Wally was last time. He smiled when he imagined The Dark Knight running through the Watch Tower with enthusiasm as big as his lack of sense humor.

His smile vanished when he looked at the mirror placed on the wall under the cupboard. Strawberry blonde hair of young hero was almost red against skin pale as milk. The skin under his green eyes was dark and swollen.

He never felt so tired, even after most of the struggles with Leauge. Looks like that insomnia could be more determinated than many of Ghotam villains.

'There is no way I can show myself in the Watch Tower in that shape' Wally thought during a shower. Cold water made his mind sharperand woke up his body. Minutes were passing but Wally didn't move, thinking about what he would say John if he decided to visit him. Wally didn't answer to any of his last calls, so it was obvious taht he will come.

'What would I tell him? That I am to tired to show up or that I can't sleep?' It sounds like a joke, not funny even for me' he though. John was his closest friend from the Leauge and he will understand almost everything, but Wally was afraid to talk with him.

He wasn't sure If they know how young he is, maybe except Batman. But it was obvious that he was the youngest member of them. John asked him about it one time, Wally didn't answer and unfortunately that was enough for John. He told him, that If he were the leader Wally had have to wait couple of years until they let him join. If Wally tell John what is the problem, he will tell Sups that younger hero can't handle the duties or something like that.

"Fuck!" he screamed and hit the shower wall with his cold fist. He left the bathroom, freezed to bone and angry, because of his weakness.

Dressed in some random clothes he get back to the bed, without eating anything. Cold and fatigue wraped him like a heavy blanket. He was floating between sleep and consciousness when he heard that something was moving next to him. Wally opened his eyes and saw a black shadow on the wall. He blinked and felt that his hear was beating faster.

"What are you doing here?" Wally asked and got up and trying not to tremble under Batman's sight. He was feling naked without a mask.

"John asked me to see with you" he said calmly and got closer to him.

"What for?" Wally asked him trying to look surprised. Batman's long silence told him that he have failed. He was feeling so small and pathetic standing against that man wrapped in black, whose power was authority.

"Wally, what's wrong with you?" Batman's voice was low and slow, devoid from emotions. Wally didn't answer to him, trying to avoid eye contact.

'God, am I that weak?'

Suddenly the Dark Knight placed his hand on Wally's shoulder. Wally trembled but didn't move.

"Nothing, I'm just tired." he finally said and looked this time in Batman's eyes. "If John wanted to know that, why didn't he come instead of you?"

"He is busy" Batman answered. His voice has cut air like a knife.

Wally wanted to move Batman's hand out of his shoulder, but then older man forced him to sit on bed.

"What the..." he started but then he saw that Batman took off his mask.

"Wally, tell me what's wrong?" he asked softly this time, trying not to scare the younger man. "You can trust me" he added calmly.

"I'm fine..." Wally said and his body started to shake. He felt something warm in his eyes so he covered his face by hands.

to be continued...

English is not my native language, so feel free to tell me what is wrong here :)