Note: I don't have Microsoft Word or any of those programs- I am stuck with a crummy WordPad. That means aaallllll the corrections and stuff are up to me because it has no spell check. Don't hesitate to point out any errors. Thank you for all the kind words and stuff! I will try my best to keep this updated, but with school coming it might not update until the weekends. (Even then I have sports events I have to run in. Running=work.) Again, thank you so much! Have fun reading!
A little more than three years ago
"He is such a little bitch, I swear," Artemis vented into the phone, cradling it between her ear and her shoulder. Zatanna made a sound of agreement from the other end, distracted. The two of them were both getting ready for the same event- the wedding of Wally West. He was marrying some reporter named Linda Park, a woman he broke up with Artemis for. Despite being over him, she couldn't help but feel bitter towards the whole ordeal.
Three years had passed since Wally and Artemis' relationship had fizzled out, leaving the blonde archer without a home. Their house together was a place they shared through college, a home to both of them. When Wally had walked into their shared bedroom, face serious, Artemis knew something was up. Not one second after an hour later, Artemis was homeless, single, and fuming. It wasn't his fault- not in the slightest. He even said that she could stay. (Which was beyond stupid, in Artemis's opinion.) She kicked herself out in a whirlwind of death glares, harsh words, and stubbed toes.
A week later she was sharing an apartment with one of her best friends, Zatanna. Artemis's nights consisted of a constant flow of Ben & Jerry's and sitcoms, both generously provided by her friend. Eventually, she sucked it up and faced the world head on as she always did. Masking whatever hurt emotions she had were a specialty, having practiced the poker face since she was a kid. Zatanna was a major help for her, always being there when Artemis needed something to punch. (She wasn't the punch bag, of course. She just said a spell that made one out of couch cushions.)
And now here she was, three years later, trying to jam her foot into a too-small shoe for her ex-boyfriend's wedding. "I mean, of course he would invite me," she went on into the reciever, brows furrowed as she stood up. "We have been civil to each other and all, but..." she faltered, her ability to talk well leaving her. She swore through her teeth as the too-tight shoes practically cut off the circulation in her feet. She shakily hobbled over to the small hallway mirror, wincing with every step. The shoes added a good four inches to her already tall height, requiring her to hunch over to see her entire face in the hallway mirror. The makeup she applied was light, highlighting her cheekbones with some blush, making her eyes pop with some shimmery powder.
Navy blue sequins made up her daring cocktail dress, an incredible find at a thrift shop a few blocks from her apartment. The dress was tight enough to show off the curves she was oh-so-proud of. Sighing, she clomped through the dimly lit hallway. Lonliness was a lingering feeling in her apartment, every noise echoing almost sadly. The sound of her heels were loud against the old wooden floor.
On the other end of the phone, Zatanna "mmhmm,"-ed in agreement, magically levatating her phone beside her ear. "Was he awkward about it or anything?" she asked, carefully applying mascara to her already full lashes. There was a pause from Artemis's end.
"No," Artemis said carefully, opening the door of her car, "He was really rushed about it, though."
"At least you know that he wants you to be there," Zatanna mused, blinking a few times and capping her tube of mascara. "S'not like he's avoiding you or anything,"
"Yeah," Artemis said, starting the engine of her old truck. She could always use the zeta tube, but she had to arrive "normally," or something. "Listen, I gotta go. See you there,"
"Can't wait, babe," Zatanna warbled from the other end. Artemis pressed end, the phone going silent.
The wedding was gorgeous, she'll admit it. Artemis lingered around the ornately decorated drinks table, gingerly holding a glass in her hands. She didn't know half the people there and she wasn't sure how comfortable she was sauntering up to Wally after drinking a three and a half glasses of wine. She wasn't drunk, but she wasn't taking any risks either. A face or two popped out at her as familiar, chattering with the others as if they were best friends. She even thought she saw Dick and Zatanna, who were probably schmoozing the newlyweds. Dick was always good at schmoozing. She downed the last half of her fourth glass, reaching for another when a hand stopped her.
"Getting drunk at my wedding? Wow, rude," Wally grinned down at her, still holding her wrist. She rolled her eyes and pulled her hand away, cracking a smile. Despite the small amount of awkwardness, he was always easy to talk to. He had an open smile and kind eyes, not at all intimidating.
"You caught me," she teased, plastering a broad smile on her face, "Congratulations, by the way. Linda is beautiful." she said sincerely, looking over at the bride. Wally followed her gave and smiled warmly. Artemis could see in his eyes that he loved Linda, adored her. A small voice in the back of her mind asked when the last time a guy looked at her like that. An even smaller voice answered, reminding her that it had been years since she last had a serious boyfriend.
"I know," he said, tearing his gaze off of Linda as if it pained him to look away. "So do you have any matrimonial plans coming up?" he asked, half joking.
Artemis let out a sharp bark of laughter, picking up another wine glass. Her patience was being tested, her temper flaring for some odd reason. "Hell no," she muttered into her glass, taking a swig. Wally looked concerned for a minute, eyebrows furrowed. Was he seriously worried about her? The nerve.
"Well, I gotta go talk to her parents..." He said, his face still etched with concern. "I'll be over by the cake if you need anything,"
Artemis nodded, going back to drinking her wine contentedly. She probably looked ridiculous over by the alcohol by herself, but she found herself caring less and less with every sip. She took to counting the faces that she recognized, making a mental note of their general area so that she could go talk to them. Dick, chocolate fountain. Zatanna, dance floor. Wally, Linda. Conner, table. Kaldur, beverages. Megan, dance floor. Roy, alcohol.
Roy?
"I hate weddings," he mused, grabbing a glass and standing by Artemis. "Too frilly,"
Artemis blinked, her head slightly fuzzy. "And.. I thought you hated me," she quipped, "Too mole-y."
Mole-y. She snickered to herself, a high pitched giggle that did not match her outside appearance in the slightest. Roy just gave her an exhausted-looking stare that made her giggle some more.
"Why are you here," he asked pointedly, "If you are only going to get drunk?"
"Why are you here," she responded in the same condescending tone, "If you hate weddings?"
"Touche," he smirked, setting down his wine glass. Alcohol didn't appeal to him like it used to, and he didn't want to end up like the giggling idiot he was standing next to. The giggling idiot who, much to his surprise, had bent over shakily, using him as a support. She was taking off her five inch heels, which were giving her blisters everywhere.
The wedding was dying down, and she was ready to go home. Shoes off, drunk, unable to drive, she couldn't go home even if she wanted to. Realizing this, she groaned out loud. "Shit," she sighed, rubbing her head with her hands. "Shit, shit, shit,"
"What?" Roy said, watching her have a tiny mental breakdown right in front of him.
"I wanna get out of here but," she wailed, ignoring the glances from people surrounding them, "I am drunk."
Roy nodded slowly, looking her over. "I came with Wally, I could take you home if you have a car," he said nonchalantly.
"Okay, okay, thank you," Artemis slurred, putting down her wine glass and fishing around in her small purse. After a few seconds of searching, she finally extracted her keys with a bold, "Aha!" and dropped them in the palm of Roy's hand. "Let's get out of here, but you can go away after you take me home," she stated imperiously, tossing her hair over her shoulder and drunkenly sauntering out of the building. Roy followed with a chuckle, glancing at the groom. Wally had his arm looped around Linda's waist, looking like he was having the time of his life. He probably was.
"Mmmmygod," Artemis slurred, trying (and failing) for the tenth time to get her key in the keyhole of her apartment door. "This.. Stupid technology,"
Roy let out a short, exasperated sigh, wrenching her keys out of her drunken grip and twisting them in the lock. The door popped open with a squeak. Artemis let out a little surprised, "Oh!" before taking an uneasy step inside. Despite himself, Roy held out his arms to steady her, hands going on her waist as she took a dangerous dip towards the ground.
She froze at his touch, turning her head to look at him. He seemed just as surprised, removing his hands quickly. "I... I'll go now," he mumbled, taking a step back.
"Oh no you don't," Artemis said, making a grab for his suit. She caught his pocket with her ring finger, tugging him inside. "You saved my ass back there, come sit down or something." In all honesty, she had no idea what she wanted him to do. The still-working part of her brain wanted to pay him back somehow, someway. He obliged, even though grudgingly. Roy sat down on one of her re-upholstered sofas, looking around the dimly lit room. It was barely furnished, but it was obvious that Artemis took pride in making it look nice.
"You haven't seen my apartment yet, have you?" She mused, putting her keys on a faux-wood counter. Roy shook his head, tearing his eyes from a framed photo of her and the team. It was obvious that she missed them.
"Okay, you have to get the grand tour," she proposed, letting her hair down, the golden locks falling in long strands down her back. "Follow me, peasant."
"I think you need to go to bed," Roy muttered, running a hand through his hair. She was being crazy. She just sang out a tune from what sounded like Veggie Tales, leaning against the door of her bathroom.
He rolled his eyes and followed her through the small apartment, tolerating her only because she was drunk. She probably wouldn't remember anything by tomorrow morning, so he might as well act civil towards her. Artemis stopped at a closed door, stumbling so that she caught herself on the wall. "And with this, I bid thee goodnight," she slurred, turning the squeaky doorknob.
"What, no goodnight kiss?" He joked sarcastically, smirking down at her. Her glassy, unfocused eyes met his, her face unreadable. In one quick movement, she was kissing him, hands sliding under his dress shirt. Caught completely by surprise, Roy almost pulled back, but stopped himself. He kind of liked it. He really liked it. He kissed her back, holding her close by the arch of her back, hand moving lower, lower.
"The bed is right there," she murmered, breath hot on his lips. She pulled him in her room by the collar, kicking the door shut and grinning as it slammed noisily.
"I know," he huffed, taking off his belt.
The warm sting of sunlight on her cheeks roused Artemis from a deep sleep, the sun bright and hot on her face. She made a small noise in the back of her throat, rolling over to avoid the square of light. She all but screamed when she rolled into another person. Muffling her cry with her hand, she stared wide eyed at Roy Harper, who was sleeping clothesless right next to her. In her bed. She looked down under the covers, eyes growing even wider when the realization hit.
Oh my god. Me and roy tangoed after my ex boyfriend's wedding. Oh my god.
"Roy," his name sounded weird coming out of her mouth. She helt the sheet over her chest, sitting up and poking him with a finger. "Roy,"
"Mrfgn," he groaned, burying his face in his pillow. His hair stuck up in every which way, something that would be funny if it were a different circumstance.
"For the love of pete," she hissed, dropping the sheet and grabbing her pillow, "Wake up!" She whacked him over the head with the pillow, grinning when he sat up in alarm.
"Christs sake." He grumbled, voice cracking and husky with sleep. He rubbed his eyes and held his face in his hands, back slouched. "Why the hell are you hitting me with a pillow,"
"Why are you in my bed?" she asked, voice shrill and alarmed. How much had she drunk? How much had HE drunk, considering his total dislike of her?
Roy looked at her, long and hard. She had picked the sheet back up, covering her bare chest with mild embarrassment. It was a few minutes before he looked away, flopping back down on the bed and covering his eyes with a well-toned arm. "We were both drunk," he said, "Really drunk."
In all honesty, though... He was not drunk. Not in the slightest bit.