truth_and_justice

[ it's already awkward before wally even hits send, because he's never really had an ... actual conversation with clark kent before. there have been the occasional debriefs, but nothing really ... personal. even if this isn't exactly personal, it's just checking in. figuring out what everyone knows and where they're from. (it's getting hard to keep track of.) but from what he gathered from bruce, definitely not from his universe, either. ]

heeeeyyy... clark... uh this is wally west im hoping that rings some bells or else this is gonna be a pretty weird conversation

Of course I know who you are, Wally.

I've just been a bit busy lately, so my apologies on slacking when it comes to checking in with you.

How are you? What can I do for you?

oh good thats a relief barry and iris dont so that was weird uh anyway im cool i guess just checking in or up maybe?? dont worry i know youre a busy dude we can probably keep this quick that is a specialty of mine as you know

[ wow he really has no idea what to say... that's not exactly a first, but it is a little embarrassing. then again, he's gotten used to embarrassing himself in front of, well, basically everyone. it's kind of his trademark. ]

Barry and Iris are certainly... different. And much younger than I'm used to them being anymore, if that makes sense.

Checking in is good.

And I'm not too busy for you if you need something.

yeah i get you im not sure i exist where theyre from?? definitely not related to them anyway no uh i dont think i need anything really maybe..... advice tho?

[ he might as well get a second opinion, even if bruce's pretty much convinced him. if superman and batman tell him to not be an idiot, maybe he'll actually listen to them. ]

theres this.... thing that i should probably tell someone a close kind of someone and its kind of a Big Deal thing that maybe they would be better off not knowing? so i guess my question is if you were me would you keep it to yourself or spill the beans?

Tell them.

Otherwise, it'll poison everything else. It will hang over you every moment.

[ well, that answer sure is unequivocal. which, you know, he was expecting. especially after what bruce told him. but -- well, he still has his own doubts. it would be easier if he could just think like clark. ]

yeah yeah, youre right

[ and he knows it's the right thing to do. he's just terrified of doing it. for a hero, he's not sure where his courage is. (maybe it's just because dick is his best friend. and the truth is scarier than any villain. he doesn't want dick to be disappointed. or upset. he'd rather spare him that pain. except won't that just cause more pain, in the long run?) he knows what he should do, what he needs to do -- he's just not sure he can. ]

[ later, without really thinking, he adds: ]

what if i cant?

[ what if i'm a coward? ]

What're the consequences? Really? Why can't you? What's in your way?

[ it takes wally a while to formulate a response, if only because he's frustrated with himself, and he doesn't want to accidentally turn that on clark. he types well, i'm not you but immediately erases it. ]

its dick hes my best friend i dont want him to look at me differently i dont want to hurt him and hes already dealing with

[ bruce's death (and generally everything else involving bruce wayne), he doesn't say. he knows clark knows. ]

well, you know i dont want to add to that im supposed to be there for him to make things better not make them worse

Would it really get in the way of being there for him? More than keeping it from him?

How differently would he really look at you?

i dont know i just i dont know i feel like i dont know him like i know the dick from my world i mean theyre the same but theyre different too it doesnt even directly concern him it wouldnt match up for him he still has a wally

Trying to convince me or yourself there?

idk both i guess dont you ever doubt if the truth is more painful than not saying anything? i mean if he asked i wouldnt lie to him but he doesnt have a reason to ask so i feel like whats the point of telling him? maybe im just talking in circles i've always been better at avoiding these kinds of problems

I'm going to point out that Dick studied under Bruce.

And while Dick isn't the type to go snooping in quite the same way, to poke at things, he will add things up eventually.

Because it matters to you.

So the question isn't 'should he know or not' it's 'do you want to tell him or do you want to have to deal with it when he figures it out?'

yeah..... thats a good point he does like poking ugh its like no one but bats are allowed to have secrets i mean i guess we've never really had secrets between us anyway but i wouldnt even know how to tell him about this its not something you just bring up in casual conversation

They're frustrating like that. Trust me, I know.

But more importantly, trust HIM.

man, yeah, i've only got bruce lite over here nothing compared to full strength bruce wayne his secrets have secrets but i mean i trust dick with everything i think this might just hit too close to something else tho for him, i mean

Which is why you definitely want to be the one to break it to him instead of letting him find out himself.

yeah.... ok thanks for talking it through with me probably not the conversation you were expecting to have but i promise not to be so serious next time

[ he's still gonna sit on it for a while, but... he will take bruce and clark's advice one way or the other. ]

You're allowed to be serious, Wally. And sad and confused and frustrated. You don't have to entertain me.

If you need to talk, or just a good meal, you know where to find me.

thanks you know me food is the key to my happiness i'll definitely keep the offer in mind

You take care of yourself.

Have a nice evening, Wally.

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