"I look at Robin like a younger brother," Wally shrugged, "A younger brother who's smarter, sneakier, and- don't tell him I said this- a little more badass than me, but a younger brother nonetheless."
"I don't see how you can still see him as a kid," Artemis shook her head, "You guys are best friends, and he's been doing this longer than you. He taught you the ropes for goodness sakes."
"Yeah, but Art, he is still a kid, if you think about. He's only 13," Wally reminded her. Their young leader sometimes seemed much older than his years.
"Yeah, but he's gone through so much already," Artemis argued, "He's had to grow up way too fast."
"Well that's why it comes in handy that Bats is his mentor. You wouldn't tell by looking at him, or talking to him, or interacting with him," Wally trailed off, "But he's really just a big softy, if only for Boy Wonder over there."
Artemis thought of her own interactions with Batman and how he'd helped her out with this whole "Green Arrow's niece" thing, and had to agree. He was a good guy, a better mentor than Superman'd turned out to be.
"Well he basically saved my life," Artemis thought back to the Reds' attack on their base, "Which is why it feels downright silly that we're stuck here babysitting him."
"We're not 'babysitting'," Wally insisted, "We're just, uh, keeping an eye on him."
"Is he on a date with Zatanna?" Artemis asked, suddenly realizing the situation, "What are you Steve Martin? Leave the kids alone!"
Wally shh-ed her, placing a hand over her mouth so the other two wouldn't hear, before hissing in her ear, "Arty, babe, you know I love ya, but you need to shut! up!"
His hot breath on her ear and their sudden close proximity sent a chill down her spine, but she wasn't relenting that easily. She dragged him away from their two younger teammates so they could actually have a conversation.
"There's no way I'm helping you spy on Rob and Zatanna's first date," Artemis crossed her arms over her chest, before adding, "And don't call me babe."
"Fine, whatever, sorry," Wally answered, "Now let's get back in there."
"No way, Wally!" Artemis shook her head, "Do you have any idea how embarrassed they'll be if they catch us?"
"If they catch us," repeated the redhead, mischievously, "We're the Justice League for goodness sakes, we should be able to spy on two unassuming preteens."
"We're technically 'Young Justice'," came a voice from behind the two, "And we're both teenagers, thank you very much."
"Sorry Rob, I tried to stop him," Artemis rolled her eyes.
"I know you did Arty, you two aren't very sneaky, you know?" Robin laughed. He grabbed a cookie out of Wally's hand and walked away.
"I hate when he does that," Wally muttered.
"So, what are we doing?" Zatanna asked.
"We're spying," Robin, silenced her with a wave of his hand as they traveled through the air vents together.
"This is a terrible date Rob," Zatanna giggled flirtatiously.
The boy didn't answer her, instead continuing on his path.
At least he didn't leave me, Zatanna said to herself, allowing a small smile at the thought, he must like me, at least a little.
They continued on their path towards KidFlash's private room at the headquarters, were the boy was 'hanging out' with Artemis. Let's be honest, Robin wasn't sure what they were doing, but he was tired of Wally always thinking he was so young and silly, so he was determined to figure out what the two older members of the team did.
It pained the Boy Wonder to think of Wally as more mature than he was and that sort of thing, but in terms of girls, he had to admit it was true. He was just interested.
Interested, but unprepared. When he got to the vent and saw just what Wally and Artemis were to to, he quickly turned Zatanna around and the two headed back to where they'd come from. If that's what older kids do with their friends, Robin was just fine with staying young, at least for now.