Never Letting Go.
A Spitfire fanfiction.
Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN YOUN JUSTICE! (Though it would be awesome if I did.)
Artemis POV
Today has not been a great day. No, scratch that. Today has been the absolute shittiest day there has ever been in the history of shitty days.
'Breathe Artemis, just breathe.' I've been telling myself this ever since second period today. I'm having trouble focusing on… well, everything. My life had been going great, you know. And I'd been having so much fun with the team and I had something to focus on other than today, and him. Then I got up this morning and Mum was gone. I looked on the kitchen bench and dining table for a note and I found nothing except an open window and a bread knife out of place. That's when I realised what day it was today. It's the shittiest day of the year. Most kids dream and wait all year for today, but not me. I try and hide the fact that its September 23rd. My birthday.
I scoffed as the bell went to signal the end of the school day. I rushed to grab my books and head home. As I rounded the corner of my street I slowed to a stop. 'Why should I go home?' I thought bitterly, 'There's no one there. I may as well just go to the cave.' A little voice poked through from the back of my head, 'You'd be safer at the cave.'
I looked around and noticed that I was still standing in the middle of the footpath, I started walking again, at a faster pace this time. I strode into the alley and relaxed as I stepped into the little telephone box. I let out a breath and slumped against the wall, just willing myself to snap out of this little reverie. 'I have to be strong, for Mum.' I stood up straight and pulled my shoulders back, raising my chin a little in the air and proceeded to zeta to the cave.
Recognised, Artemis B-07.
As I appeared the first thing I noticed was how quiet it was. Then I realised that Robin wasn't here, he always beats me to the cave. I walked over to the lounge and put my books down. 'That's weird, Wally's not here either.' I shook my head, 'Wait, why do I care whether Baywatch is here or not?' I must be losing my mind. I slipped off my shoes and blazer, they're too restricting and if there is an intruder, my shoes will most certainly let them know where I am. 'Breathe, just breathe.' I walked further through the cave and still found no signs of anyone. I reached the hallway where our rooms reside and I walked directly to Zatanna's door. It was open. I inched my way past the door to find an empty room. I moved to her desk where her laptop lay open, 'She's just left. She just got up and left.' That's when it hit me. He's got her. Not just Zatanna, but the whole team. 'Breathe, breathe, breathe.' I had to get out of here. 'Stay whelmed', I heard that little voice say in the back of my head. I smiled a little bit. Robin's abuse of the English language just has to be the thing that saves my sanity. As I neared M'gann's room I found the same thing. They were both just here. I'm starting to worry. A lot. Each room was exactly the same. 'Breathe, I'm sure they're fine. If he does have them, he's going to be in deep trouble. He would have a magician, Martian, half-kryptonian, Atlantean, baby bat and a speedster on his hands. They're going to annoy him to death.' I kept moving, looking behind me every few steps to make sure no one was following me.
*Cough*. I froze. 'Someone's here.' I'm not sure whether that's a comforting thought or not. The sound came from the kitchen, I'm sure of it. As I neared the kitchen I realised that the lights were out, someone's messing with me. I made sure to be as invisible as possible, I was not going to lose this fight. I tensed, in preparation, curling my calloused fingers into fists and stepped over the threshold of the kitchen.
"SURPRISE!" The lights flicked on to reveal the entire team in the kitchen wearing party clothes and a banner behind them that read; 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY!' My eyes scanned around the room, looking at every smiling face, before landing on Wally. He was looking at me weirdly, his eyes kept flickering from my face to my hands. I looked down and realised that I was still prepared for a fight, I relaxed and took a deep breath, I looked back around and plastered a smile on my face.
"You guys! You shouldn't have!" I wasn't lying, they really shouldn't have. M'gann flew over to me and pulled me into a very tight embrace.
"Happy Birthday Artemis!" She squealed into my ear. "M'gann, can't breathe." I let out. "Ohh, sorry!" Her arms retracted and I could breathe again. Zatanna came over with Robin, "Happy Birthday Arty!" She threw her arms around me and whispered, "Relax, we're all okay." I looked at her, how did she..? She winked and gave me a smile. "Happy B'day 'Mis, you seem very whelmed, just wait till you see the cake." He patted my shoulder. 'Cake?' Conner simply nodded and Kaldur placed his hands on my shoulders and smiled. "I wish you happiness my friend." I returned his smile, "Thankyou Kaldur." He joined Conner and Wolf over by the wall. I was too busy trying to think of anything other than the raw love that this team has for one another and the fact that today was not supposed to be a day of celebration, to realise that Wally had moved to stand next to me and placed his hand on my arm. I looked up at him, slightly surprised, but focusing on trying to shake the feeling of electricity bolting up my arm from where his fingertips are currently resting. He was looking at the floor as I was still staring up at him, so entranced by him. He glanced up at me as he cleared his throat and locked eyes with me. A small, lopsided, cheeky grin pulled up one corner of his mouth and he whispered a happy birthday. I opened my mouth to speak, but I couldn't think of anything to say, so I closed my mouth. He was still holding my wrist. My brain is so foggy, I can't think straight. 'Dammit Baywatch, what have you done to me?' I never realised just how broad his shoulders were, or how soft his hair looks in the light, maybe if I just reach out and – 'Stop it Artemis!' I mentally slapped myself, this is Wally. Annoying, flirtatious, always eating, handsome Wally. 'Wait what?' I can't look away from his eyes, they're so green. So clear, and so full of raw emotion. He's staring at me so strongly that it's almost a glare, but it's so warm and… loving? Is that what I see? Love? The only coherent thought I have in my brain is 'Kiss me.' I am certain now, I am going crazy. Why do I want to kiss Wally, he's Wally!
"Artemis?" I jolted away from Wally and looked at M'gann. "Y-yes?" I choked out, heat burning my cheeks, but the cold freezing my wrist where Wally's fingers are no longer present. "Are you, are you alright?" M'gann's voice was laced with so much concern, it was strange, just a second ago she was so happy and excited. What happened? "I – Yes. I think so, why?" I sounded so scared. I need to get out of here. I need to leave. I couldn't bring myself to look at anything except M'gann's cheek. I can't look at her eyes, I know I'm going to break if I do and I can't do that. "Artemis… I need you to look at me, please." My heart is breaking. I did. I wish I didn't. "I-I. I have to go." I can't breathe. I took one last look at M'gann before I turned on my heel and bolted. I just ran and ran until I couldn't anymore. I just needed to breathe. 'Breathe, breathe, c'mon lungs, BREATHE!' My mind was screaming. I couldn't hold it down any longer, the lump in my throat just got larger and larger and a loud sob escaped from my lips. My vision blurred as the tears were streaming down my face, my knees buckled and I collapsed. The ground was cool and hard and the contact made me yelp. I tried to stand, but I had no energy. I looked up, trying to see through the tears to see where I was, but I couldn't make out any distinguishing features. I have no idea where I am in the cave. I felt paralysed, so I just lied there on the floor, willing my sobs to subside. At some point I curled in on myself, into the foetal position. I just kept crying and crying and I didn't care that it was a display of weakness, I just needed to cry. Something in which I have not done in a long time.
After what seemed to be hours I stopped crying. I had nothing left, no more tears to shed and my body relaxed as I let the darkness and blurry vision consume me. 'Breathe, brea-.'
Chapter one finished! Please review! I'm open to suggestions and feel free to PM me. The more reviews the motivated I will be to update sooner. I go on a holiday tomorrow and will have my laptop, but I most likely wont update for a little while.
~DramaQueen Out