A/N: Time to write more! Wow, I don't write enough these days and there are so many fics I need to wrap up because I'm close to the end but just don't have the motivation to write through the boring parts. This fic is one of those that I love because a lot of elements of it reflect on my relationship with my girlfriend (even though I know she doesn't read it anymore) and I think it's kind of fun to display the parts of both growing apart while still trying to stick together, and especially at this part in the fic, this is exactly where I wanted to be because this is a chapter I've been excited about for a while now.

Disclaimer: I own nothing. Also, apologies in the fact of having never written Rudy or Mary West before, so I'll try to keep it about as accurate as I know from watching YJ.

On Time

"Wow," remarks Wally, checking over his shoulder with a quiet look, "you actually showed up on time for once."

Dick's face, smug as hell, is bent down to kiss the top of Wally's ginger head before settling into the seat right beside him and fanning out a napkin over his lap. "I'm working on fixing some of my bad habits." The fight the night before is still fresh in his mind, and the repair work on this would be tough and the goal was just to get through the day and maybe get his boyfriend back on his side.

"You'd better." Shots fired.

"Good to see you again, Richard," says Mary with a smile. "It's been far too long since we've seen you around our part of town. Has Bruce been keeping you busy?"

He tries so hard not to smirk. "Yeah, family business and stuff. He wants me to work in the marketing sector at Wayne Enterprises, wants me to be running the office out of Blüdhaven. I'm inclined to take him up on it considering it's either that or be a cop over there, but I guess it boils down to a choice: doing what's right or justice."

Dick is pretty convinced he's just seen Wally lean away from him. His words were chosen carefully, and he knew the effect they would have.

As aware as Mary and Rudy were of their relationship, they still weren't aware of their son's boyfriend's hero status, and he wants to keep it that way. Bruce wasn't comfortable with everyone and their dog knowing who Batman was, so it kept the banter running along the lines of Rudy asking, "Don't you think that's a bit dangerous? Being a cop?"

"I feel like being in Bruce's house with Tim and Jason is just as dangerous." He feels his own heart twinge. "Brothers are kind of chaotic sometimes. And besides, it could be a lot worse. Being a cop would at least do some good rather than being a young marketing exec who can't gain the respect of a single worker just because I'm in the job courtesy of being the boss's ward. I think I'd rather work my way to the top than just win the orphan lottery."

Wally shifts in his chair again. "I'd rather have you not getting hurt," he says sharply before reaching to get a drink of his water.

"And I'd rather have respect." He leads a team, he worked his way up. He was Batman's partner, sure, but he worked from being the youngest to being the one in charge. His skills as a hero, his intelligence, and his general prowess had put him at the top. He earned it a long time ago. Dick earned the right to be a hero. "I'd rather not be another pity case." And he's infinitely glad that the team never knew who he was because otherwise, he'd be the little baby that everyone had to take care of and fawn over. No way would he let that happen, not anymore.

"Sounds like you boys are hitting a rough patch." Rudy's comment is slow as his gaze shifts between the two.

Yeah, like this was the first rough patch they'd ever driven through. Without warning, Wally scoffs aloud, not meaning to, and all eyes were on him for a moment before Dick interrupted by clearing his throat. "We usually get through things quickly enough." He looks to Wally and then reaches under the table to touch his thigh and give a slight reassuring squeeze. "Compromise."

To interrupt even more effectively is the waitress who drops off menus and introduces herself as Kacey and stands there with the perkiest smile, an incredibly high ponytail, and the cheeriest voice Wally has probably ever heard. He realizes then how used to the calm allure of Dick he'd become. He'd fallen into the dark trap of relaxing in his boyfriend's arms, and anyone so chipper and cheery aside from Megan had started to throw him for a loop. And so, without realizing it, he has taken Dick's hand under the table, knowing that he fell down the rabbit hole, probably never to crawl back out: he's far too in love with his boyfriend at this point to even reconsider backing out, like it was a permanent commitment that he no longer has any say in. But to him, falling in love with Dick was never a bad thing and even though there were days he'd rather just punch the guy in the face, he never wanted Dick to go anywhere.

Dick's face bears a huge smile. "Besides, we're going to move in together."

Wally, wide-eyed like a deer in headlights as his parents are about to say probably a hundred different versions of "congratulations" alongside of other proud coos, leans over in one fluid movement and presses his now dry lips to Dick's ear and fiercely whispers, "When did we decide this?"

"Just now." Dick's smile barely moves as he speaks.

"Did you think about talking through this with me?"

"No." He is enjoying watching the blissful joy of Mary as she speaks to Rudy with animated gestures about how her son would be moving on with his life, out of college and onto the real world with his boyfriend, so supportive of their relationship until the end; Dick's own heart twinges as he wishes he could see his own mother glowing with such elation.

"You're not very good at this, are you?" The mumbled conversation keeps moving quickly.

"I'm a spur of the moment sort of guy."

"I'm aware, D."

"Hey."

"What?" Still in a fierce whisper.

"I love you."

"I love you too." Wally sighs before kissing Dick's cheek, prompting Grayson to turn and kiss him fully, and as much as Wally absolutely hates losing himself in these moments, he can't help but feel happy that, yeah, his life was moving on and maybe they were growing up and despite it all being hard as hell, they were doing something right and pulling it all together and they loved each other more than anything else in the world, and that was something they knew without a doubt.

Across the table, Mary, while still beaming with happiness, has finally settled down, allowing Mr. West to voice his own thoughts. While reaching across the table for the pitcher to refill his water, Rudy asks, "So, you'll be moving to Central?"

Dick freezes up, his turn to be in the headlights; this wasn't how he planned it.

Wally leans over again with a sweet kiss and more murmured words: "Didn't think this one through, did you?"

He can't hardly make words, even in his head.

"But you actually expect me to move to Blüdhaven?"

Dick pauses and sort of gave Wally a side-eyed look of horror. "I don't really know what I expected, I was hoping to tackle this part later."

Wally smirks now, smug as hell. "I love you."

Dick sighs, staring at expectant faces. "I love you too."

A week later, they'll fall asleep tangled up in each other after sex at Dick's place in Blüdhaven. Earlier that day, they'll have sold Wally's apartment in Central. The compromise: Dick has to get rid of his office to make space for his boyfriend's things.

A/N: Leave a review?

~Sky