A few days before his birthday, Wally was practically vibrating with excitement.

He talked about it constantly.

“Three days!” he announced one afternoon, holding up three fingers.

Robin barely looked up. “We know.”

“Three. Days.”

“You said that yesterday,” Artemis reminded him.

“And the day before,” Kaldur added calmly.

Wally grinned. “Exactly! So everyone’s keeping track.”

You rolled your eyes. “You’re impossible.”

Wally only laughed. He had every reason to be excited. A birthday meant cake, presents, a party, and spending time with his friends. And, perhaps, there was another reason he was looking forward to it.

You.

You and Wally had always had a strange little dynamic. Flirty banter, playful teasing, lingering looks that neither of you acknowledged. It was all a joke, obviously.

At least, that was what Wally told himself.

When his birthday finally arrived, he was practically bouncing off the walls.

The surprise party was better than he expected. Decorations covered the room, presents were piled nearby, and a large cake sat proudly on the table. Everyone was there—Robin, Kaldur, Artemis, M’gann, Conner, you, and the rest of the team.

Wally spent the evening laughing and joking with everyone, soaking up the attention.

“Best birthday ever!” he declared.

“You haven't even opened all your presents yet,” Robin pointed out.

“I’m setting the tone!”

You laughed, and Wally immediately glanced your way with a grin.

Yeah. Best birthday ever.

At least, it had been.

Later, while everyone was gathered around talking, Artemis casually walked over to Wally.

“Oh, by the way,” she said, as if mentioning something insignificant, “Conner and M’gann are dating now.”

Wally froze. For half a second, his brain completely stopped.

“…What?”

“Conner and M’gann. They’re dating.”

“Oh.”

Just oh.

His smile remained, but it suddenly felt forced. His eyes drifted toward Conner and M’gann. They were standing together, looking perfectly happy.

Wally swallowed.

“Cool,” he said, forcing a laugh. “Good for them.”

Artemis studied him. “You okay?”

“Me? Yeah! Totally! Why wouldn’t I be?”

Because the girl he'd had his eye on for a while was already taken. And because it was his birthday.

But Wally wasn't about to let anyone ruin it. He quickly changed the subject, cracked another joke, and acted like nothing had happened.

Eventually, everyone gathered around the cake.

The candles were lit.

“Make a wish!” M’gann encouraged.

Wally smiled, closed his eyes, and made his wish.

Then he blew out the candles.

Everyone cheered.

Wally cut the cake, handed out slices, and continued joking around as if nothing had happened. He played the part perfectly—the happy birthday boy, the energetic speedster, the guy having the time of his life.

But once everyone had their cake and started chatting again, Wally quietly took his own slice and sat down.

He barely said a word.

Around him, the rest of Young Justice laughed and talked. Robin and Artemis were arguing about something, Kaldur listened patiently, and M’gann and Conner sat together.

He simply stared at his plate before slowly taking a bite, eating his birthday cake. His shoulders were slightly slumped, his usual grin completely gone. He looked like a puppy that had just been kicked.