[Generation Records, NYC] Put Your Records On (Invite Only)

"Yes, well, some of us only show my age in my drink orders, Young Miss Gwen." Wally pointedly does not look in her direction, nose turned up just a little. He carefully pushes up the sleeves of his sweater, showing pale skin covered in freckles.

"Only at dawn? I suppose I can wait that long," he says with a dramatic sigh, but he does not straighten his sleeves. Wally hums in thought as Gwen artfully dances around giving him much of a real answer, not unlike a ballerina. "Can't say I know of Horizon Labs, but I'm not surprised you're really smart, Glen."

Wally turns his cup around so she can read where it says "Kanye."

"Me? I just have a part-time gig working in an auto shop out in L.A. I'm out here just exploring since I have been with Wonder Woman for a few weeks now. She's pretty kind." He blows gently on his tea, knowing that it's too hot to sip just yet. "In fact, you should thank her. That was her money that bought your coffee."

Wally gestures at the cafe around them, "Wanna sit or walk and drink? I'm always up to stretch my legs and you seem to know this place really well."

It takes all his ability not to drop his monstrosi-tea as she drags him out of the coffee shop and into the city again. She keeps using that strength that is just a little too much for a girl her size.

"Wait, hey, why not? Besides, she isn't here, exactly. She's still back home in D.C."

Wally is wildly confused by Gwen's sudden frantic excitement, juggling it with a sense of almost admonishment. Was it even legal for him to feel schooled by a younger person? At most, she's probably 19.

He has a response for her on his tongue when Gwen pauses, turning back to him with just two little words. 'Like me.' Oh. Oh. Everything starts to click into place and Wally feels like smacking his forehead. Instead, he eases a gentle smile onto his face and steps up to where his new friend stands.

"Gwen, are you afraid of heights?" He tips his head to the side, gesturing towards an alleyway and he does not wait for her as he starts walking towards it. "Care to lend me a little bit of your faith, musician girl? I think I can settle all of this in just a few seconds."

He means her absolutely no ill at all. If she's this caught up over someone's public identity, then she was likely worried about her secret identity. Every Robin he's ever met was the same about it all.

"Come on, shortcake."

"Are you?" Wally asks innocently enough, but it's clear that her answer is a deciding factor in his game plan. He tosses his now empty cup into the trash after Gwen's, hardly tasting it as his mind churns. If his mental map of New York is correct in this universe, they really aren't that far from-

"That is going to work out in both of our favor far more than you might think." He takes her hand, careful not to hurt her even though he's beginning to wonder if he even can. People who have strength tend to also be rather resilient. Wally pulls her into the alley with him, mindful to lead her around the puddles and far enough away that they aren't immediately noticed. Those green eyes turn back to Gwen as he grins in excitement, turning to face her.

"Alright, we need to cover just a few things. First, I will need to scoop you into my arms for this to work. Second, if you have extra senses for sight, you might be better off closing your eyes."

Wally pauses and adds, "And don't worry. No one will see us. I do have a spare facemask if you need it once we stop."

He seems to think better of waiting and pulls a black face mask with blue birds across them from his pocket. Wally tucks it into the hand he is holding, the tag on the mask says 'Nightwing.' Without further warning, he moves to stand at her side and leans down to scoop her into his arms. The motion is quick, easy, and well-practiced.

"This will be over in a flash." He winks at her.

If Gwen knows what teleportation feels like, this would seem eerily similar. One moment, the two of them are in an alleyway only a few blocks from Washington Square Park. The next moment, they are surrounded by sky and wind. A short glance would reveal Central Park sprawled out far below them. A second glance would let her know that they are at the top of the Central Park Tower.

The walk alone is nearly 3 miles (4.6km) and the building itself is 1,550ft (472m). Wally's arms are secure against her back and under her knees. His chest heaves a little with exertion, but he's grinning madly with pride.

"Thoughts?"

Wally tips his head as Gwen looks up at him, her expression hard to understand. She isn't afraid or calling him a weirdo, so he takes it all in stride.

"Much Wow-" he starts before stopping as she reaches into her own pocket, curiosity getting the better of him. Wally isn't sure he recognizes the mask, but he isn't surprised. The past few weeks had him traveling up and down the country looking to help out and explore in equal measure. Maybe she was just a local hero?

"You have my trust," Wally says easily enough as he adjusts to let his hands rest on her shoulder and back. Their size difference makes the positioning a little tricky. His eyes widen a fraction as she raises an arm and suddenly he's being dragged off of the tower with strength that feels like it could rival Wondergirl's. Wally's hold is quickly stronger than it was before but he lets out a whoop of joy as they swing.

There is no way this is happening currently, but it is also so typical for Wally. Life, for all of its faults, had a way of always putting him in the most interesting of situations. He doesn't pull away as they land on top of the Empire State Building, knowing well enough that the wind will shove him off.

"Yes! Once upon a time and very far from here, I was the Flash. I haven't been able to test it much here, but I was the fastest man alive. I've been trying to recover enough to use my abilities to their fullest again."

His cheeks are starting to ache from how much he is grinning, but he can't seem to stop himself.

"You're a Spider! A wonderful, strong as hell, Spider. I can't believe this. You're amazing and I love it. I have a million questions," Wally says as he shakes his head. "How?"

"A radioactive spider bit you and you lived? How is that- Well, I actually can't even ask how that is possible."

He runs a hand through his hair, following her gaze out over the city. His mind is running through all the ways he's pretty sure that she shouldn't have been given powers from a spider and the familiar itch to study rears its head.

"I was doused in chemicals and struck by lightning," he says as if he was merely commenting on the weather. "I was fortunate that the Flash of my world was there and took me under his wing. Being a child with the Speedforce could have gone very poorly for me without his guidance."

Gwen's turning to face him drags him out of his thoughts and his grin eases into a warm smile.

"As long as it's not Dr. Fate pulling us together. I will say, I am glad I decided to sit and complain about music this morning. And, thanks for reaching out to help me, Gwen."

Wally shifts forward, careful not to slip as he sits on the edge of the platform. The heels of his worn sneakers tap on the side of the building as they dangle.

"Thank you for letting me know. I know very well how hard that can be and it means alot to me that we can have this. You know what that means though, right?" He turns his head to her, looking perfectly at peace with the world. "If you ever need help, you can lean on me. Even if it's just because your door is stuck or you need someone to help evac civilians. Give me your number?"

Wally clocks the change in her expression quickly only because he knows it so well. How many lost has he found? How many people has he held as their world crumbled around them? His heart breaks as she tells him that she has been alone, fighting against the seemingly never-ending tide of crime in such a massive city.

As she goes into detail about her father, a soft understanding comes over his expression. He still remembers those years of trying to accept Barry's death. His grief had felt so large, so impossible, but he had had people to be there with him, to share in his grief. She had done all of this alone.

"Gwen," he starts as she hands him her phone and Wally lets himself do the one thing he has fought for a decade. He looks at this wonderful, amazing girl and wonders if his daughter would have been like her. More than that, Wally finds himself thinking from the shoes of a father and knows what he would want someone to offer his kid. "You are so incredible. To go through all of that and still go off to do what is right takes a level of strength that most don't understand. I am so impossibly proud of you."

His arm lifts in an open offer of a hug if she wants it as he swallows against the knot in his throat. He needs her to understand that he'll be there. Rain or shine; normal Tuesday or the end of the world, Wally West will be there for her. "I am so grateful I ended up here and ended up running into you. I've got you and I get it. If you ever want to go into it, my dad died doing the hero thing. Even if you never want to, just know that I get it."

She squeezes the breath from him and Wally can't keep the trembling smile off his lips. His arms come down to complete the hug, keeping her close for as long as she needs. A part of him realizes that he needs this hug as much as she has.

"I'll remember that," he says in agreement with her repeated offer to be there for him too. Wally has long since learned not to turn down such a genuine gift. He sniffs once, blinking back potential tears as he follows her gaze. Though it was never his home, he can easily see why she claimed it. Between the abundance of music, coffee shops with no name, and skyscrapers, he can't see her in any other place.

"For a stinky city, the sight beats just about any other place I've been."

Wally looks up at her as she stands, looking like the proud, brave person she is. It is too late for him. Gwen, the Ghost Spider of New York City, has made herself important to him and he'll be damned if he loses that.

At her proposal, Wally barks a laugh full of surprise and entertainment. He leans back on his hands with a cocky little grin. "Best bagels in town? You have any allergies I should be aware of like peppermint? Also, where are we meeting up after? I might have time to take a nap while I wait for you."