Wally didn’t mean to eavesdrop. Okay, maybe he kind of did, but the second he saw you laughing at something John said, he felt his stomach twist into a knot. From across the Watchtower’s common area, Wally watched you toss your head back, smiling brighter than he thought should be legally allowed. And John? John leaned in a little too close, chuckling, obviously trying to be charming.

Wally’s fingers twitched at his sides, the world blurring slightly as his heart thudded hard against his ribs. Before he could talk himself out of it, he blurred into motion, crossing the room in less than a second and materializing right next to you with a gust of air and a pointed grin.

“Hey, babe,” Wally said, voice too loud and casual as he slid an arm around your shoulders, tugging you flush against him like it was the most natural thing in the world. He ignored John’s lifted brow and your surprised blink, too focused on how good you felt tucked against his side.

“Miss me?” he teased, though there was a jittery edge under the bravado. John smirked, muttered something about “kids,” and wandered off, leaving Wally to bask in his tiny, reckless victory. He tightened his arm around you, grinning like a fool, and thought, Mine. Totally, definitely mine. Even if you don’t know it yet.