~000~

The Special Two

Chapter Twenty Five

Skating In A Winter Wonderland

~000~

I sit beside my boyfriend, Wow that's still odd to say, in his living room. Along with his aunt and uncle watching a comedic movie on Netflix. It was silent in the Allen/West apartment (for the exception of the sounds coming from the television). I glanced at the one of many long multipaned windows to watch the snow fall like rain would if it were spring. It seemed like the snow storm outside wasn't going to let up anytime soon. It had to be freezing out there and my insides turned at the thought of the less fortunate living in horrible conditions under the streets of Gotham.

I was glad to have at least helped the unfortunate by all of the charity events hosted by Bruce. Wally and I even volunteered at the soup kitchen before Christmas, and of course all of my work as Robin. But I wish I could do more for them. I was hoping the charity event on New Year's Eve is a success this year, usually it always had been.

I rearranged myself and hugged my knees into my chest, putting my focus back on the movie. I watched as the main character finally have the courage to talk to his love interest. To be honest, I really hadn't been focusing on the movie at all. Not with my thoughts vastly changing like a… well to be frank like a speedster.

And speaking of a speedster,

"You okay?" Wally asked, rubbing at my shoulder.

I looked up sneaking a glance at his uncle who looked our way when Wally spoke. His expression looked harden and wasn't what I was used to seeing on Barry. It was something I couldn't place on him. He seemed like he was irritated with me.

I honestly couldn't place why he would be, except for the fact that I was dating his nephew.

"Yeah, I'm fine." I said after a while glancing over at Wally, giving him a smile so he wouldn't worry.

"Well, come over here. You don't have to be distant, Rich." He said, and I bit my lip. I shouldn't have felt that way, but I was feeling awkward as it was. I knew Barry and Iris knew that Wally and I were a couple but and were understanding about us. But I don't think that either of them would like me snuggling up to their nephew in front of them. They probably weren't used to us yet.

Wally began to tug at my cozy oversized sweater that he had gotten me for Christmas, trying to pull me over to him, "Um, okay." I mumbled. As he wrapped his arms around me as I leaned onto his chest, sneaking a quick glance at the married couple who were focusing on the television screen instead of us.

We sat in silence. I felt the warmth from Wally's body and pinched lightly at his flannel unconsciously. My feeling of uneasiness not easing up in the slightest.

"I'm going to the kitchen to make a snack, anyone want anything?" Barry asked, suddenly unwrapping himself from his wife.

I heard Wally ask for pretzels and I sat upward when Barry left, turning to Iris I said, "Are you sure it's okay that Wally and I are doing this in your home? I don't want to make anyone upset."

Iris blinked a couple of times from what I was assuming she was processing of what I had said then, "You two are fine. It's just Barry and I are still getting used to it. Ignore how Barry is acting he's just not having the greatest time at work. Did you hear about the brutal shooting on nine mile? Well, Barry's working on the case and I think he's just getting frustrated. Crimes like this was really rare when he worked in Central and you know him being a super also."

I nodded and wanted to say something about how Bruce is probably just as frustrated as Barry. The act was certainly gang related there was too many civilians in the line of shot that has Batman looking into it. But I kept my mouth shut because I was sworn to secrecy from the Batman himself. And anyway I had a feeling that Iris was just presuming what Barry was irritated with. The look that he gave me just mere minutes ago told me something totally different.

Like he was having a problem with me.

"Don't worry about him just get over here," Wally said obviously wanting affection like a puppy. He hooked his arm around my neck and yanked me towards him, cutting off my air supply for a moment.

"Wally, don't you dare yank him again." I heard Iris scold towards her nephew. Wally quickly let me go as I gasped inward, feeling him pat my back a little.

"What? I really would like my boyfriend to actually cuddle with me, and not be all distant like he has a problem with being touched when we're around you guys." Wally argued as I tried to get out of his hold he now had around my stomach.

"Oh, please when we're around Bruce. You won't even come near me you're always, like, a mile away." I said looking up at his face.

"That's not true! It's not a mile away you dork." He said as his aunt began to stand up and murmur quietly that we were just adorable together.

"What are we going to do tomorrow?" I asked once Iris joined her husband in the kitchen.

Wally shrugged and thought for a bit, staring at the windows I had stared at just a while ago. "I don't know, depends on the weather."

I got up settling myself on his lap, "Let's go skating." I suggested, staring at his bright green eyes.

"Skating?" He asked, sounding disinterested.

I rolled my eyes and cradled his face in my hands, "Yeah ice skating, Babs and I used to do it all the time during break. It'll be fun."

He pursed his lips, "Then ask her to go."

I tilted my head to the side, not sure if he was being serious or just giving me a hard time. "What's wrong? You don't like skating?"

He doesn't look at me for a while and I'm half afraid and half glad that I might have striked a nerve. Even though Wally was acting more like himself each day, I still wanted to know about what was making him so upset and why he was going to Black Canary for therapy.

I blamed Batman and his training on this consent obsession.

"No, it's just," He sighed, "I don't know how to skate." He finished still not looking at me, which made me think that it was something more.

"Well," I said, wrapping my hands around his neck to get his attention. "I could teach you."

He raised an eyebrow, giving me a look that simply said, I seriously doubt it.

"Oh come on. I'm a great teacher; I'm hardworking, understanding, compassionate –"

"And modest." Wally snickered, breaking me off.

I let myself snicker then lean down close to him, "Well, that too." And I let my lips touch his.

…..

I had bundled myself well against the chilly air. That wrapped around Wally and I like some icy blanket. A warm blue scarf was looped tightly around my neck, and I wore a thick sweater beneath my jacket. My hands were covered in leather gloves that I brought to my face and shivered as a gust of wind blew by us. I turned towards the car that Alfred brought us to the skating rink as he rolled down the window.

"Pick us up in a couple hours. I didn't think it was supposed to be this cold. I have my phone on me." I told him, looking behind myself to see Wally reading the sign of the skating rink's hours.

Alfred gave me a curt nod and rolled the window up then started to pull out of the lot as a group of girls made their way towards the rink, sneaking glances and giggling adoringly at my redhead.

"Gotham Square Skating Rink? Huh." Wally said as I made my way towards him.

"Yep, it's pretty friendly here. No one will laugh if you wobble around a bit." I teased, taking his arm and made my way towards the doors.

"That's not what I'm afraid of." Wally mumbled probably hoping that I didn't hear him. But I thought not to question it. We were supposed to have fun on this actual date. I didn't want to ruin it before it even began with my constant questioning.

It was warm inside the building and I let out a sigh of relief to be out of the bitter cold. Once the skates were paid for and the skates were on. We set for the rink that was located outside back in the cold air.

"You coming?" I asked looking behind myself as Wally wobbled unsteadily on his skates, taking hold of the wall beside him.

He nodded, "Just give me a second."

I chuckled and took his upper hand with one hand, while I held open the door to the ice with my other.

"Now when you get on the ice it's going to feel a little weird and slippery. The wall is right here," I said as I stepped out on the ice still holding onto his arm.

"Okay." He mumbled looking unsure as he placed one skate on the ice then another.

The reaction was immediate, he simply looked like the famous doe in the Disney films.

"Rich?" He asked as he wobbled trying to find my arms or at least something to steady himself with.

I tried not to laugh, I really did, but I couldn't help the smile that tugged on my lips as I reached out and took hold of him.

He grasped me tightly through the many layers of shirts I was wearing and croaked out, "I knew this was a bad idea."

I didn't notice he was shaking.

"Hey, it's okay." I assured him, "The worse that can happen is that you fall. You of all people know that falling is part of gig as long as you get yourself back up and try again."

It was weird to see him shaking, had something happen to Wally on a sheet of ice to make him frightened suddenly?

He closed his eyes and breathed slowly as I felt the wind fly pass us as skaters rounded the turn.

"We don't have to do this," I said after he hasn't said anything in a while and I'm starting to get frightened myself, thinking that Wally might have a panic attack right here. But no he's breathing just fine, it seems like he's just trying to forget something.

"I'm okay." He whispered so softly that only I can hear, because I'm so close to him, "I'm- I'm fine."

He opened his green eyes that remind me so much of fresh summer grass and tries to force a toothy grin, but fails miserably.

I'm about to open my mouth to ask what had just happened when he cuts me off, "So you going to teach me or what?"

I nodded and began to teach him, never letting go of his hands. If I did I was afraid I would witness something terrifying and so uncharacteristic from my speedster.

"So are you going to be alright for a little bit?" I asked. I had been getting a little giddy watching the other skaters do tricks and skating around without joy.

"I'll be just fine. Go have fun." He said, smiling his hand still gripping the railing that I had directed him to.

"Alright, it'll just be a bit then I'll be right back." I told him, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek.

I took a few strides away from him then turned back to make sure he was alright.

He rolled his eyes, "I'm fine." He assured.

I gave him one of my Robin smirks and took off. I sped towards the middle of the rink turning myself around to skate in a half circle. My arms spread wide as I glided backward weaving through other skaters.

Once I rounded the rink I turned around facing the front, spotting Wally watching me. I smiled wide loving the fact that Wally always had his eyes on me. I took off towards him going as fast as I possibly could. Slightly wondering at the speed I was going if it was almost what it was like to be Kid Flash.

If so, it felt amazing. My scarf danced in the wind behind me as it flapped against my back. My messy hair, flying off my face as the wind made my cheeks go numb. Once I was almost in front of Wally I turned my skates to the side, rutting them in the ice. Making dust of the frozen water fly up on his pant legs.

"Cute," he commented, pulling me in towards him. "Is there nothing that you can't do perfectly?"

I giggled and wrapped my hands around his neck, "Hm, well I know I can't run as fast as you."

"But I bet when you run your form and strides are just Olympic worthy." He joked.

"Hardly." I said, leaning up and kissing him full on the mouth.

"Ahem?"

We broke apart from the sound and looked round to find who had interrupted us.

A middle-aged woman wearing more winter clothing than Wally and me combined glared over at us. Her arms crossed in front of her chest and her daughter wearing (if you believe it) more clothing than her mother. She was gripping tightly to her jacket an odd expression on her face as she looked between Wally and me.

I groaned softly remembering that this was a 'family friendly' place. And as much as I disagreed with the matter of showing affection in public even if you're gay. It isn't what most people want to see or is used to seeing.

Times have changed, but we still have a long way to go.

"I just wanted to let you two realize this is a family oriented place. I'm not going to report you, but please there are children around." She said her voice calm, but on the verge of breaking if either of us contradicted her in her beliefs in anyway. "Young children." She added in a hiss.

I could feel Wally's body stiffen against my own, and I leaned away from him, missing his warmth as the cold air whipped around me. "Yes, we both just lost ourselves in the moment, you won't see us do that again."

Even though I said it, I could feel the anger inside me rise and could just imagine what it was like for my speedster who's beside me. It shouldn't matter that I do that with Wally despite that we're the same gender. If I were a girl this woman wouldn't have even bothered to interrupted us. But like I mentioned before, times have changed, but we do have a long way to go before the discrimination ends.

Once she skates away with her daughter by her side and out of earshot. Wally gripped onto my arm tightly and whispered,

"Help me back to the inside."

I don't have to ask him if he's done. It's obvious the encounter with the woman soured any chance of Wally wanting to learn more about how to skate and I don't have to ask him if he's okay. I know he's down right pissed.

"Come on." I tell him as I help him inside, "Let's go to the coffee shop. They have those really big marshmallows you like."

"With creamy hot chocolate?" He asked, cocking a grin.

"Is there any other kind?" I teased.

~000~

I was lounging in the coffee place that was just across from the ice rink. It was a pleasant inside here with its candy colored plastic furniture and its windows all along the area that had a clear view of the rink.

I could see the woman and her child making a turn and I knew it was wrong of me to think it but I was hoping the woman would lose her balance and topple over. I was glad for the cinnamon spiked espresso smell that wafted pleasantly under my nose.

It was calming me down with each inhale.

I watched Rich as he leaned against the front counter. A tousled-hair waiter was handing him a couple of steaming cups of hot liquid.

"Two hot chocolates with large marshmallows." He announced as Rich pulled out his card to pay, making me feel a little guiltily for not offering to pay instead.

"Thanks." I heard him say and he rejoined me at our window side table. I picked at the large mug and dug for one of the large marshmallows.

I could tell Rich was watching me probably rolling his eyes before taking a sip from his own steaming cup of hot chocolate.

"This is a nice café." I remarked after finally taking a sip of my own drink, tasting the milky goodness slide down my throat.

"Yeah," Rich nodded, sounding a bit dazed all the sudden. "Did you know this is kind of our two month anniversary?"

I stared in disbelief. Had time really flown that quickly, then an actually pang of guilt hits my mid-section, "Were we supposed to get each other something? Oh man I—"

Rich chuckled and shook his head, "No you're enough, Wally."

My heart fluttered against my chest like a baby hummingbird. How can this guy say things so simply that makes my heart beat like this? A warmth floods through me and I know the tops of my ears are getting red and I'm aware that's there's a red blush on my face.

"You're enough too, Rich." I told him my face feeling hotter than before.

We make small talk for the remainder of the time we spent at the rink. I noticed that Rich had been acting a little more affectionate tonight. The way he asked me if I wanted to go back to his place to watch a movie before my curfew. How when I said yes his face turned pink slightly and a small smile curved his lips upward, and when Alfred drove us back to his place Rich's hand laced with mine and I knew he must have felt the electricity too when our hands were intertwined.

He didn't let go when we entered the manor either. When he waved hello to Bruce and Jason who were in their living room playing a game of chess or when he lead me to his room.

He shut the door behind himself and locked the door. I got a little nervous and asked, "I thought you couldn't have the door shut?"

"I can rebel sometimes." He told me and made his way towards his DVD and Blue Ray selection, "What do you want to watch?"

I watched as he takes of his jacket and scarf in slow movements almost as if he wants me to stare and…

"Rich?" I asked inching towards him, "You really don't want to watch a movie do you?"

His face is red and he won't look at me head on only when I cradle his chin and pull it gently upwards he finally does.

"Not particularly no." He whispered.

"Then," I said very quietly knowing he'll be the only one to hear me, "What do you want to do?"

He shrugged his shoulders, "I don't know," he swallowed loudly, "to feel you against me."

"Are you inviting me onto your bed?" I asked, leaning down and letting my lips touch his smooth cheek.

"Not to, you know, but yeah." He said and I nodded knowing his gibberish lingo.

It was one of my favorite moments with Rich. We didn't make out or even talk. We didn't have to. I laid on his bed with him next to me, feeling his heartbeat against my ribcage. I was beyond happy. I was overjoyed.

Hope you enjoyed it! Please leave your thoughts on the chapter in the review box! :) Happy 2014!