Chapter 92: 92

Words : 963 Updated : Oct 3rd, 2025

| Washington D.C. - August 10 Joseph and Kori were on another date—something rare these days, and something he didn't take for granted. Life had been speeding up lately so moments like this? Where it was just him and her, they were gold. When they were together like this, they didn't talk about the Team, the League, or any of the hero stuff. Just two people. Just Joseph and Kori. They met in the early afternoon, right by the fountain outside the Smithsonian. The sun was out, the breeze was soft, and D.C. was pulsing with tourist life. The city always looked better in the summer, when the chaos softened into something livable. Kori looked stunning in a simple lilac sundress and white sneakers, her red hair flowing behind her in the breeze. Joseph had opted for dark jeans and a casual navy button-up. They decided to catch a movie—Tron: Legacy, newly released in theaters. Kori was fascinated by the neon aesthetic from the posters alone. And the movie? Awesome. For two hours, they were submerged in a world of light cycles, killer soundtracks, and digital gods. Kori kept leaning over to whisper questions about the physics of the Grid, and Joseph kept whispering back nonsense just to make her giggle. Afterward, they wandered along the National Mall, deciding on lunch. "I want something super greasy and very unhealthy," Joseph declared with a mock-serious expression, squinting at a line of food trucks. "You're in luck," Kori said. "Because D.C. food trucks are overpriced and barely healthy." They settled on hotdogs, loaded with ketchup, mustard, onions, and fries that were too good to be legal. Plus overpriced bottled sodas, of course. They found a quiet bench shaded by a tree and sat down to eat. Joseph took a bite, leaned back, and sighed. "Okay, this is probably the best hotdog I've had this week." "Have you had any others this week?" Kori asked with a smile. "...That's not the point." They ate in companionable silence for a while, people-watching and soaking in the lazy energy of the afternoon. Eventually, Kori dusted off her hands and wiped her mouth with a napkin. "I've been thinking," she said softly, turning to him. "Dangerous," Joseph teased. "Go on." She gave him a light nudge with her elbow. "About doing something during my downtime. I'm grateful to the League—and to you—for covering all my living expenses. But... I want to feel like I'm contributing. Like I'm not just... taking." Joseph tilted his head. "Kori, you do contribute. You've saved people, protected cities—" "I don't mean like that," she interrupted gently. "I mean in everyday life. A normal job. Something small. Human." He looked at her thoughtfully, then nodded. "Okay. I get that. You know I don't mind helping with money, but... yeah. I'll support whatever you want to do." She smiled. "There's this modeling agency. A representative saw me a few days ago—when I was just out shopping in civvies. She said I had 'the look.' Whatever that means." Joseph laughed. "It means you're very pretty and people would pay to see you in clothes they can't afford." She blushed slightly. "I was thinking of doing it under my civilian identity, Kory Anders. It could be fun... and also help me feel a little more grounded. What do you think?" "I think you'd crush it," he said, without hesitation. "Try it out. If you hate it, you walk away. But honestly, I can't imagine a single outfit not looking great on you." "You're so sweet," Kori murmured, leaning in to kiss him on the cheek. Joseph wasn't satisfied with a peck. "Selina recommended this really good Spanish place we could hit up later. Real fancy. Good atmosphere. Candlelight. Though everything's in Spanish so you might not understand." Kori gave him a knowing look. "If you wanted another kiss, you could've just said so." She leaned in and kissed him properly this time—slow, warm, and genuine. When they pulled apart, Joseph felt like he was floating. "I wasn't speaking Spanish yet. You'll have to do it again." Kori roled her eyes at his shamelessness. He smiled. Life's good. ** | Central City – August 10 Wally was in his room doing homework. School had started two days ago, and despite his goofy nature, Wally was a science whiz—top of his class—so he was breezing through assignments, using his speed to knock them out in minutes. He paused, grabbed a potato chip, and ate it. Ever since Joseph shared the Speed Force formula with him, Wally's connection to the Speed Force had deepened. He noticed his metabolism wasn't as crazy-fast anymore. He still ate more than a regular person—or even his uncle—but it was starting to taper off. Only time would tell if that trend continued as his speed kept increasing. He owed Joseph a lot. Even if Spee-Red Arrow didn't seem to like the guy much, Wally figured he'd come around. Beneath that stoic shell, Joseph was solid. Just then, his uncle Barry appeared in his room, suited up, the Speed Force lightning and aura flickering around him before fading. "You're alive—thank God," Barry said, pulling him into a hug. Then he started rambling inhumanly fast—something about timelines, Batman wielding an Amazonian sword, and a guy called Reverse-Flash? Who even was that? Yesterday, Wally had told him about the Speed Force formula. Maybe that's why he was acting weird. "No matter what, don't break the time barrier!" Barry warned, before speeding out of the room. Wally blinked. Was that even scientifically possible? "That was weird."

Chapter 92: 92

Comments (0)