"Artemis," Black Canary cleared her throat as she stepped out of the apartment building and onto the terrace, shutting the sliding doors behind her. "I absolutely adore what you've done to your new place."
"Thanks, Dinah. I can't believe this is your first time seeing it. I bought this place nearly a month ago." The two ladies held a glass of wine in their hands, while they wore casual attires. Down time was much needed an active city such as Star City.
"I apologize. My schedule has been ridiculous with all of this wedding planning." Ollie had finally grown some balls and asked Dinah to marry him. "But I want you to know, no one is more proud of you than I am." The smile on Dinah's lips was unquestionably whole-hearted.
Artemis had grown into a beautiful young woman. No longer was she the same insecure teenager. After being under the supervision and assistance of Green Arrow and Black Canary for the past five years, her body was more fit, her mind clearer, and her aim more accurate than ever before. But the one feature Artemis improved on the most had to be her confidence. Never had she been more sure of her place in the world.
"Thanks, Dinah." Artemis returned the kind smile. "But I have to ask, how are the wedding plans coming along?"
Black Canary sighed dreamily and her gaze lifted to the star-lit sky. "Amazingly. The wedding is going to be huge. Everyone is invited. It's going to be so colorful!"
"You sound very excited." In fact, her excitement was almost contagious.
"I guess I am. But what I'm most the excited about is spending the rest of my life with the most handsome man I've ever met." Dinah took a deep breath before laughing at herself. "Geeze, could I sound anymore cliche?"
"You're in love." Artemis stared admirably at the strong, happy woman in front of her. "Everything is cliche when it comes to love." She pointed out expertly.
"Speaking of love..." Dinah leaned her elbow against the wooden railing. "What's your love life looking like? Have you been dating?"
Artemis took a sip of her wine and looked away. Dinah eyed her with curious eyes. "I'm still single. I've been on a few dates here and there, but nothing serious."
Dinah's eyes narrowed slightly. "No special man in your life?"
"Men are too...complicated." She couldn't have explained it any better.
"So you prefer women?" Dinah raised a suspiscious brow.
The two women burst into laughter.
Artemis' lithe body curled comfortably underneath the sheets of her bed. She had just gotten to sleep an hour ago after saying goodbye to Dinah.
The sound of her front door clicking open caught Artemis' attention. Through years of training, hearing had become one of her most prized assets. Artemis quickly shot up from her bed and got up to the door.
She creaked her bedroom door open and stepped out into the hallway in nothing but her short shorts and tank top. As quietly as possible, she tip toed to the end of the hallway until she reached the front of her apartment.
There, sitting at her kitchen table with dark jeans, a white t-shirt and sunglasses, was none other than the very same man she had remained close friends with for all these years.
"Dick!" She gasped in relief, placing a hand to her chest. "You can't just sneak into my house whenever you feel like it. I thought you were a serious threat for a second there." Artemis leaned against a nearby wall and crossed her arms over her breasts. "What can I help you with tonight?"
Removing his glasses, he revealed his baby blue eyes. "I'm sorry to disturb you so late at night. But I have some news I feel you deserve to know. A friend from your past has been watching you, Artemis."
This information caught her attention. Her back straightened out as she took a step towards him. "What are you talking about?"
"An ex boyfriend of yours, actually."
There was only two men in the entire universe that Artemis would consider an "ex-boyfriend." And one was dead. So instantly, she knew exactly who Dick was talking about.
Roy Harper. He may not have been her first love, but at one point in time she had considered him to be her true love. Shortly after Wally died, Artemis found herself depressed. She had given up on love.
That is until Roy decided to make it his mission to make sure that she didn't do anything drastic. He practically stalked her for months on end, until finally she accepted his friendship.
The more and more they spent time together, the less she started to hate Red Arrow and the more she began to like Roy Harper. The physical attraction had always been there, but before she had never liked his personality. At least, before she got to know the real Roy.
They may have only dated for a year and a half, but that year and a half was the best and worst times of her life. Her relationship with Roy was like a roller coaster.
When they were happy, nothing could stand between their love for each other. They admired one another, due to their similar struggles in life and the fact that those struggle only made them stronger.
But at the same token, they were both stubborn as hell. When they argued, it was a screaming match. They wouldn't speak for days until one of them caved and then they would have amazing makeup sex. Yes, Artemis had to admit that although they didn't always see eye to eye, they had mind-blowing, hot sex.
She had been in love with him. Hell, she was still in love with him. He was the very reason she was still single. Every man she tried to go out with she would compare to Roy. Only, there was no comparison. No one understood her as well as he did. Not her friends, not her family. Only Roy.
She may still be in love with him, but at the same time she hated him. Hated him for betraying her. For hurting her. Dragging her heart through the mud for all their friends to see.
"I thought he was in New York." Her body language instantly stiffened.
"He's back in Star City. For what? No one knows. I've been following him ever since I learned he was back in town and he lead me to you."
Artemis sighed deeply through her nose. The last thing she wanted was to see him again. Not after all this time. "I can't believe he's here. And what the hell could he possibly want from me?!"
Dick pursed his lips in thought. "Maybe he wants to apologize?"
She burst into bitter laughter. "Apologize?! After all these years? I highly doubt that."
"I'm guessing you wouldn't accept an apology from him." He said softly.
"Are you kidding me?" Her dark eyes widened. "I can't even look at him."
It was Dick's turn to sigh deeply. He got up from the table and approached Artemis. Timidly, he rested his hand on top of her shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. The look on his face could only be described as sympathetic.
"Look, you're bound to run into each other eventually with Oliver and Dinah's wedding coming up. The most adult thing to do would be to forgive him. Or at least tell him you'll forgive him so that the two of you can be civil."
Artemis glanced down at the floor as she took in Dick's words. He always knew what to say. "I can't forgive him. But I can be civil. At least for Dinah and Ollie."
Dick's signature grin spread on his lips. "That's my girl. Now I should go. Don't want Donna to start a search party."
The two close friends shared a laugh.
Before Dick reached for the door handle, Artemis called out to him.
"Hey, Nightwing?"
He turned around to face her. "Yeah?"
"Thanks for looking after me." She meant it from the bottom of her heart. He was the brother she could never have.
He smiled at her. A warm, genuine smile. "Anything for you, Artemis."
The house was now completely silent. Despite Artemis' padding feet against the hardwood floor as she marched back to her bedroom for some much needed rest.