Robin sighed and walked up behind Artemis. The blonde archer was sitting on the outside of the mountain. She hadn't spoken to anyone since the mission.
"Hey," he said simply, more to let her know she was there than to start a conversation. He was fully aware of how quiet his footfalls were.
Artemis didn't respond. She didn't even look away from that one spot on the horizon that had captured her full attention. Robin hadn't expected her to anyway, he sat down next to her.
"Wally told me what happened. He pretty ticked."
No answer.
The acrobat made a face and chewed the inside of his cheek nervously. "I get it. Being insecure I mean." he added hurriedly. Artemis snorted and looked away.
"Sure."
"I do." Robin implored the older girl. "Why do you think I vanish all the time? Do things on my own?"
Artemis looked at him, "Why? You're the most experienced. You have nothing to prove."
"Experience aside, I'm thirteen."
Artemis huffed and looked back at her spot on the horizon. "Yeah but I bet you never put the mission in danger."
Robin pulled a face. "Never ask Batman about my early missions okay?" he asked leaning back. Artemis laughed softly. He looked at her. "I also know why you're insecure. Especially when you're up against Sportsmaster."
Artemis narrowed her eyes, "Yeah? Enlighten me."
"'Cause he's your dad."
Artemis' eyes shot wide as she whipped around to face her youngest teammate. Robin's face was blank, he looked at her and smiled. "I know Artemis, but the difference between me and Red Arrow is: I don't care."
"But, don't you think I'm the mole?" she asked venomously.
Robin didn't hesitate, he didn't accuse her, didn't even blink. In fact he smirked. "Why would I think you're the mole?" he was almost laughing.
Artemis stared at him like he was an idiot. "Ah… cause my dad's an assassin maybe?" she asked shrilly.
Robin shrugged. "So? I work with Batman. I can read people, and every time Sportsmaster gets mentioned you look guilty-"
"How does that mean I'm not the mole?"
Robin put his head to one side. "If you let me finish. But~ it's more guilt by association. You think having evil family makes you evil-"
"No I don't." Artemis interrupted again.
Robin's smirk grew. "Not consciously. You don't want to, but you're scared that it might be true. You shouldn't be. It doesn't. The others wouldn't mind you know. They wouldn't hold it against you, I mean. After all, you can't choose your family."
Artemis sniffed. "You sure? Doubt Kid Mouth would be very understanding." she said, her gaze wandering back to the horizon.
Robin scrunched up his nose in amusement. "Nah, Wally's not that bad. He can be kind of deep… when he wants to be." he smirked. Artemis laughed softly. "And anyway," Robin continued. "in my experience, people trying to get out of other people's shadows, don't tend to work for them."
Artemis smiled. "That is true." she looked back to Robin as he stood up. "Thanks," she said softly.
Robin smiled and waved her off, "Nah, I mean, what are pseudo-families for?" he smiled. "If you need to talk…"
Artemis nodded, smiling. Robin waved and headed back inside as the archer's gaze returned to the horizon. She smiled wider, sure she couldn't choose her biological family. But she could choose her pseudo-siblings. And that might just make up for it.
Hehe, this has been in my head for a little while, well since I saw insecure anyway. Cheesy endings! Yay! sorry. So uh... please review! Anycomment is a good comment, even if you didn't like it, let me know why. uh... yeah, REVIEW!