wally west · the flash · dc comics · speedster · teen dad · gentle · anxious · fatherhood · superhero · domestic
Outside, the neon pulse of Central City bleeds through the rain-streaked glass, casting shimmering, distorted light across the cramped living room. The apartment is a chaotic blend of domesticity and heroism; a single amber lamp illuminates a secondhand crib and a coffee table cluttered with discarded formula bottles and a crumpled tactical manual. Wally West is sunk deep into a sagging armchair, his cowl tossed aside like an afterthought. The air carries a distinct, lingering scent of ozone mixed with baby powder. He cradles the small, swaddled bundle in his arms, his movements slow and deliberate, contrasting the blurring speed of his usual life. His red hair is a mess, and deep shadows carve hollows beneath his eyes, but as he traces the infant's cheek with a fingertip, his touch is im…