Thrice – "The Artist in the Ambulance" rated T

I thought it would be a normal mission in the middle of winter, but little did I know it would be the day I almost lost my life. The team was ahead of me chasing after the thieves, I tried to make the sharp corner I did, but the snow cause me to slide…that was the last thing I remember.

I felt light hand on my body, holding me up, then I heard the voice…his voice, I opened my eyes to see bright florescent white and a bright streak of fiery orange and yellow.

"I'll be okay Rob…you'll make it through this I promise…"

My world went black after that, and I swear I heard my mother again. She told me to come with her, but I knew I couldn't. There was someone back home I just couldn't leave because I knew it would crush them.

The sound of crunching metal and the smell of burning rubber was all I could remember. That was until one day…I opened my eyes to find myself in a hospital bed, and sitting next to me was a very depressed looking speedster. I tried to speak but the words wouldn't come out. I started to gag.

"R-Robin! Y-you're finally awake! I'll go get the nurse!" Wally said, he ran out of the room. I was so confused, what was going on? What did he mean I was "awake"? Why couldn't I breathe? A nurse came in and pulled a tube from my throat…that would answer one of my questions…

"W-wally?" I whispered hoarsely. He sat back down and gently shushed me.

"Don't speak dude…just relax…I'll explain, okay? Just please…don't freak out." he laid a hand on mine. I gave him a light nod and cuddled back into the pillows.

"You were in a coma for a few months…its February now." My eyes widened…last I remembered it was November. His words were soft, and I felt him brushing his thumb along my hand. "Don't worry…you didn't miss much. On our last mission you got into a car accident. Your bike hit a patch of black ice in the road…and you skidded until you it the buildings on the corner. I heard the crash and ran back to check on you…but when I found you; you were out cold in a snow back with your bike on top of you…" Tears welled up in his eyes; I gave his hand a gentle squeeze. He took a deep forced breath before continuing.

"I thought I lost you…some civilians saw you crash and called an ambulance…if they didn't you would have died." He bit his lip, hesitantly continuing. "W-when you got to the hospital the doctors found out that your leg was crushed…t-they debated for a long time on whether or not to amputate… don't worry though…they saved it. Even with the helmet though you had a skull fracture, and some brain damage, which was why you were out for so long…" It made sense now…

"R-Robin…I love you. I never left your side not even in the ambulance because I was scared I'd never get a chance to tell you. I love you so much." I gave him a small smile.

"W-Wally…" I whispered again, grabbing his attention for once. "I saw my mom…s-she wanted me to go with her…b-but I told her no…because…t-there was someone here who needed me…i-I didn't go with her because…i-I couldn't leave y-you…" he stared at me for a long time. I was worried I said something wrong. "i-I love you too Wally." I whispered after letting my throat rest. That little smile that broke out on his freckled face my not have been his signature grin, but it held all the happiness shining in his eyes. He leaned forward and kissed my forehead.

"Get some rest, Robin…"

"Dick…" I whispered.

"Huh?"

"Call me Dick…it's my name" he smiled again, and I gave a weak one back.

"Sleep Dick, I'll be right here when you wake up."

"Alright Wally…" I said, and instead of falling into the cold back I had been in for months, I feel into a warm sleep, and I had even intention of waking up again.