This fic is dedicated to 4evacrazy, on the historic marker of her 16th birthday. This story is a semi sequel to "In the event of my death." Except, it's Atlanta's letter to Archie. So please, enjoy.
Disclaimer: I don't own COTT, or Atlanta.
Dear Archie.
(No, wait that's not right.)
My dearest Archie.
(No, that's not it either…)
Archie,
If you're reading this, then I've died. To be honest, despite the prophecy and what not, I don't doubt you'll get a chance to read this. It doesn't matter how fast I am, unless I get myself grafted to Neil, I doubt I'm lucky enough to keep avoiding the battles and the keep the near death experiences from being the real thing.
There are a few things that I want you to know.
No, that's not right either.
There's just one thing.
I like you. I mean, I really like you.
See, that's it, you know. I don't like you, no matter how many really's I put on the front of it. I love you.
There. I said it. I love you.
I think, really, I always have. I mean, I've dated other guys, and I've liked them, but, well, I've never really been fully comfortable around them the way I have around you. You've never made me feel self conscious, or left me when I needed you, or tried to wrap me up in cotton wool.
Of all the qualities that guys have shown me, it's definitely the last one that sets you apart.
And even after all the stories that Artemis told me, how men and love brought down so many of the greatest female heroes over the years, Atalanta among them, I couldn't help myself. I fell for you, and it felt like nothing else I've ever known.
I do need to tell you something else. I remember the kiss. When I had the Seeper virus, and you kissed me, and told me I'd be alright, it was able to cut through the fog of pain and insanity that the virus created. You gave me the strength to carry on. You gave me the strength to live. I just wish I'd been strong enough to speak up afterwards. But for all my thrill seeking and fighting and supposed bravery, I was too scared to admit how I felt. I wasn't ready to face my feelings.
If there's anything I regret it's that. I look back as I write this, and I wonder what would have been, what could have been, if I'd only spoken up earlier.
But there's nothing I can about that. So all I can do is tell you I'm sorry, and ask one favour of you.
Don't mourn for me, like you did Sarah. It was my time, and I know you did your best to save me, just like you always have. I don't expect you to move on straight away. But at the same time, I need you to know I expect you move on eventually. If you don't, then I'll just have to kick your ass when you join me in the Elysian fields.
And remember:
I love you.
~Atlanta Green,