Okay. So I've never been so excited for a chapter. This one has one of the first prompts I ever thought of and I was desperately trying to fit it into this story and I found a way and it works so well. I'm so excited!
*Kid Flash/Wally West*
I waited outside the gates of Wayne Manor, leaning against the wall with my jacket wrapped tightly around me. I was in the mood to see my boyfriend and I was going to sit out here until he came out. I know they knew I was here. They were just making me stand out here… in the dark… alone.
He had left the Cave so quickly after his silent conversation he had with Batman that I didn't even get a goodbye. Kind of stung a little but I guess that's what comes with dating the secret identity of Robin, the Boy Wonder.
The gates finally began to open and I looked toward it, my heart raising slightly at finally being acknowledged. Suddenly, a black car came through the gate and my heart instantly sank. It was just Alfred, with Bruce in the back seat no doubt off to do fancy billionaire things that billionaires do.
I watched upset as the car pulled away and I slumped against the wall. Come on Dick. I want to see you.
"Wally?"
I looked back over to the gate to see him. Dick Grayson. Standing outside the gate with his eyebrows raised at me.
I smiled, happy to see him. "Come here," I said, motioning with my hand.
He smiled widely, walking into the grass over to me. I pushed myself off of the wall to greet him but he pushed me back onto it, grabbing fistfuls of my shirt.
"I hate you so much," he mumbled before bringing me into a kiss. I couldn't help but smile into it. I had a feeling this was about me being shirtless earlier today back at the Cave. Ahh memories.
He pulled away and glared up at me. "You're driving me crazy."
"I find that to be quite the accomplishment. Especially judging how you initially turned me down." I smiled down at that cute stubborn face of his.
He kissed me again. "Let's not talk about that," he mumbled against my lips. I couldn't agree more.
I pulled away from the kiss and he whimpered at the loss."Sooo... can I come in?" I asked, beginning to suckle his neck. As much as I enjoyed kissing him against the wall, a bed would be so much more comfortable.
"Sorry Wals. You can't stay. I'm supposed to arrive fashionably late to some formal event for Bruce. I need to start getting ready."
"If I understand correctly," I said against his neck which caused him to shiver slightly. "Arriving late means you would have some free time, now wouldn't it?"
"Well yeah but it's already started and I have to look my best. Plus I have to pick up my friend Barbara."
I instantly tensed. That name again. Barbara. Who was she? And why was he picking her up for some formal event? Was she his date? Why couldn't I be his date?
"You okay?" Dick asked, taking note of my change in attitude.
I smiled at him, not wanting anything to get in between us again. No, he had cried over our relationship. It was me he wanted to be with. This Barbara was just a friend. Just a friend. She had to be. "I just want to be with you is all," I answered.
He smiled and began to kiss my neck, his warm breath against it sending goosebumps over my arms. He gave one more nice suck before pulling away.
"Tease," I grumbled and he laughed.
"I'll see you tomorrow Wally." I nodded my head and lifted my hand in a wave.
"Yeah. See ya then." He waved back before disappearing back through the gate.
Not much of a visit. But it was better than nothing. I walked away from Wayne Manor with a smile.
*xoOox*
*Artemis Crock*
Friday. What a great day. Second best day of the week. The first being Saturday, of course.
There was just one problem with this particular Friday. I was too hung up on Prince's "target." Who could it be? Based on the conversation, Robin and I were in the clear. It seemed as if that would mean they were targeting the Team but precautions had to be made. I did live in Gotham and could be viewed as an ally of Batman... I guess. Whatever. Like I said: precautions
Batman was probably busy with other stuff. Like, oh I don't know, protecting Gotham freaking City for instance. So I decided the best thing for me to do was protect possible targets. And that included Commissioner Gordon and his family. And his daughter just oh so happened to go to Gotham Academy.
Just one problem. I couldn't just walk up to her and become an instant friend. Things just don't work that way. I'm not good at making friends anyways.
I went to school early today. I don't know why. I just did.
I walked into my homeroom, not too sure where else to go. Bette always came to school at the last minute unless she had any other reason not to. So coming to school early would just make me look like some weirdo girl, sitting in the corner, with no friends. Great.
A group of four students were crowded around a desk, their eyes glued to a smart phone that one of them was holding propped up on the desk.
Curious, I walked over to them. "What are you watching?"
The one holding the phone, some girl whose name I didn't know, looked up at me. "The video Derek sent the whole school last night. It's pretty... interesting."
"I didn't see it," I said, craning my head to see the screen of the phone.
"Oh my gosh! Watch it!" The girl practically screamed at me, shoving the phone into my hands. I blinked in surprised before adjusting the phone in my hands to get a better view of it. It was probably this Derek kid doing something stupid.
Instead I was surprised to see Wally, leaning up against the wall of the Wayne Manor, and Dick Grayson himself in his arms... KISSING HIM! My jaw dropped. Wha-what? Wally and Dick Grayson?! My brain just couldn't process this.
"I know! Surprising right?" The girl squealed, noticing my reaction,and her friends nodded in agreement. I nodded my head, my eyes still glued to the phone. Wally was... kissing a boy. He was kissing Dick Grayson. The boy I was kidnapped with.
I suddenly frowned. Did Wally use my kidnapping to pick Grayson up? Not cool Wally. Could he really not keep it in his pants? But then I remembered, Wally had told me he wanted to pursue a meaningful relationship. Maybe he really did like Grayson. I had to give him the benefit of the doubt.
Shoving the phone back into the girl's hands, I ran out of the room desperate to find Grayson.
If I knew teenagers, Grayson was going to be harassed about this whole thing. That so wasn't going to fly with me. As of today, Grayson was under MY protection.
And fortunately for me, the Commish's kid just so happened to be Grayson's best friend.
*xoOox*
*Robin/Dick Grayson*
Yeah, I saw it. The video. Barbara showed it to me once I dropped her off at her house when the party was over. Apparently the video was sent to every kid in school. Great.
I wasn't that I was ashamed of having a boyfriend. Far from it actually. I just didn't think a video being spread around school was the best way to go about my classmates knowing. Being gay was a touchy subject still.
I walked into school expecting to put up with insults. I expected to hear several boys calling me "fag" and "queer" and god knows what other name. Honestly, I didn't care though. Since that kiss Tuesday, oh god that kiss, Wally had been proving everyday just how much he really did love me and I could feel myself falling harder for the idiot with every passing day. I know I had walked into this relationship initially just to try it out and see how it went but now, I couldn't imagine how I hadn't noticed how amazing he was and how much I loved him back. Being with him was absolutely gratifying.
Plus, bonus: Bruce approved. He had even let me go outside and talk to him last night. I was happy with Wally and wouldn't end things with him just because of some stupid unoriginal insults. So screw my classmates. I loved Wally, damn it.
I walked onto the school campus and already noticed the stares people were sending my way. No one spoke to me though. Not yet at least. It wasn't until I reached my locker and began to put in the combination when one of the jocks approached me.
"Hey. Saw you on in this video last night." The jock said with a cocky smile.
I whipped open my locker door and began pulling out the books I would need. "You don't say?" I said, refusing to look at him.
"Yeah and I was-"
"Grayson!" a harpy voice cut off the jock. I looked up to see Artemis walk over to me. She slung an arm around my shoulder and squeezed me in an awkward hug. What was she doing here?
I blinked back my surprise. The jock's face, though, obviously showed his. "Artemis. Didn't you see? This boy's… gay." He whispered 'gay' as if he was afraid other people were going to hear him say it. I nearly scoffed at him
Artemis looked over at the jock and smirked. "I know. I find it pretty… hot." I felt shivers run down my back. Since when could Artemis talk so… seductively? I was starting to feel a little uncomfortable.
"Y-You do?" the jock asked, still very surprised.
Artemis nodded her head. "Oh yes. Gay boys can be… more fun. If you get what I'm saying." The jock's eyes widened before he took a step back. He stared at Artemis for a couple of seconds, obviously unsure of what to say before turning around and walking off. Artemis smiled in victory.
As much as I enjoyed the little show, I shrugged off her arm and slammed my locker shut. "You didn't have to do that." I said, trying to sound irritated. I turned to walk away but Artemis grabbed my shoulder and turned me to face her.
"Yes I did. I'm not letting anyone treat you like crap, okay Grayson? It already sucks that the whole school saw you sucking face with that redhead but you shouldn't have to deal with stupid high school drama too." Artemis said, frowning at me. "No one's going to dare mess with you."
I almost laughed when she called Wally "that redhead" but knew she was doing it to protect his identity. If she said she knew him, I might 'accidently' make the connection that Wally might be a superhero too. Oh the joys of being me. Instead I nodded my head. "Whatever you say," I mumbled before walking away, leaving her standing beside my locker.
So. She felt the need to protect me. How exactly was that going to go?
I wouldn't find out until 4th period, the last class before lunch. No one before then had said another word to me about the video and no one else seemed to concerned about it. Now, though, my whole classroom was buzzing with gossip.
"What's going on?" I asked Barbara, who sat behind me in this class.
She smiled at me. "After your little… um… show with Artemis in the hallway. A few things have… happened." I raised my eyebrows at her, horrified. What did Artemis do?
"I heard Micheal did too," a girl whispered besides me.
"Micheal?" the other girl whispered.
"I know! That's the third one today!"
I looked back at Barbara, who had heard the two girls too. "Pleeeease elaborate."
Barbara laughed. "Well, Artemis declared that she found gay boys hot, right?" She wiggled her eyebrows and I gave her a blank face, waiting for her to continue.
"Oh my gosh, Dick. You don't know anything about your classmates, do you? Artemis has a reputation for being hot but hard to get with." I blinked at her.
"Uh… so?"
Barbara rolled her eyes. "Soooo, her announcement about finding gay boys hot has convinced three other boys to come out of the closet. It's all over the school, Dick!" I blinked at her again. Wow. Artemis had some serious power in this school. It was quite impressive.
"Pipe down!" the teacher said from his desk, glaring over at us. Oh yeah… we were supposed to be finishing our worksheets. I lifted up the blank paper and sighed. I was so not in the mood for this.
When 4th period ended, Barbara and I walked over to our usual table. It was this random table near one of the back breezeways. Totally private and a great location. The sun was always beaming down on us, except when it was raining of course.
Walking up to the table, though, I was surprised to see Artemis waiting for us. When she noticed us, she raised a hand and waved.
"Is this going to become a daily thing?" Barbara mumbled to me. I chuckled at her. She was a little weird when it came to trusting people but who am I to complain?
"Hey Grayson, hey Barbara," she said with a smile as we sat opposite from her at the table.
"Artemis," I sighed. "You've done more than enough already. I don't think you need to have lunch with us."
"Are you trying to get rid of me, Grayson?" she asked with a sassy smile.
"No," I told her, pulling out a muffin from my lunch bag. Alfred had made it this morning. It was delicious. "I just don't think you need to necessarily stick your neck out for me if-"
"Artemis!" a loud scream cut me off. We looked over to see Bette walking down the breezeway towards our table, a newspaper rolled up in her hand.
"Bette?" she asked, though obviously she couldn't hear her.
"Have you seen today's paper?" Bette asked once she approached the table, putting her hands on her hips for emphasis.
Artemis shook her head. "I haven't. Don't really read the paper anyway." She added a shrug and her disinterested face seemed to only fuel Bette's anger. She tossed the paper in front of Artemis so that she was looking at the front page.
"Well look at today's headline," Bette said with a whimper, practically melting into the seat beside Artemis. She seemed so… upset.
"'New Sidekick? The well-known sidekick of the Batman was seen last night with an unidentified heroine whose costume seems to resemble a female version of Batman.'" Artemis frowned at paper but continued to read. "'The criminals that this unknown heroine apprehended described her as an excellent fighter who took them down, along with Robin, quite easily. Is this a new sidekick? Is Batman readying a replacement for Robin?'"
Huh… I didn't think Babs would make the papers that quick. Then again, Gotham media was obsessed with anything Batman related.
Still frowning, Artemis looked up from the paper and slowly looked at Bette beside her. Bette's face was in a thin line and she looked at Artemis, waiting for a response.
Artemis's mouth suddenly twitched up slightly and Bette frowned at her, obviously not happy. Then Artemis lost it. She burst into laughter, holding onto her stomach and letting it all out.
"Tha-That's what you're so upset a-about?" she said between laughs. Babs and I exchanged nervous glances with one another.
"This isn't funny! This chick thinks she can just swoop in and steal my guy!" Bette said, her finger nails tapping the table quickly in annoyance. Um… her guy? I could see Babs next to me, trying to keep herself from smiling.
"You really need to get over this crush Bette." Artemis told her. "I don't think you'll ever get your hands on him." Whoa. Bette had a crush on me? Or rather, Robin me. This was quite interesting. I felt my head swelling the pride.
Bette put her elbow on the table and put her hand against her cheek, sulking. "He's so unattainable. So not fair."
"Bette. That's the only reason you're interested in him. Besides you shouldn't worry. He's probably too busy for a relationship." Pssh… right. Too busy. Artemis pointed to the article in the paper. "This 'Batgirl' or whatever probably isn't in a romantic relationship with him."
Bette's face brightened. "So are you going to help me meet him, then?" she asked, suddenly excited. Wow. This girl had quite the obsession. I couldn't help but smile with pride and Bab discreetly punched my leg.
"Ow," I whispered at her, rubbing the area where she hit me.
"Bette, I told you. It's going to be impossible to meet him. And even if you do, do you think he'll stick around to have a nice little conversation with him? Plus, isn't he way too young for you?"
"You don't know that!" Bette said. "He could very well be our age. Just… short." Okay. I was no longer liking this conversation.
"I don't think so Bette." Artemis rubbed Bette's back soothingly before she stood up.
"Alright. See you 5th Artemis," she said with a smiling, scooping up the paper and walking away. We all awkwardly watched her go.
"A crush on Robin?" I heard Babs asked and I whipped my head from Bette's back to the two girls sitting with me.
"She just aims really high," Artemis said. "And he's got the perfect type of body that she's into." She waved her hand passively. "But it's just a superhero crush. Everyone has one."
"What's yours?" I quickly asked, interested. She blushed deeply before turning away.
"None of your business Grayson," she mumbled uncomfortable. The air suddenly grew tense and I realized asking had been a mistake. Dick Grayson knew that Artemis Crock was a superhero. What I was really asking for was her real crush. Nice one Grayson.
"Well mine is Robin too," Babs said beside me, obviously trying to calm the tension. I glared over at her, not liking where this was going.
"He just amazes me so much, I just can't handle myself." She fanned dramatically at herself and blinked her eyes rapidly. She was being such a bitch.
Artemis laughed. "You're kidding right?"
Babs rolled her eyes. "Duh."
They both laughed. I, on the other hand, was left to grumble.
By the way, Dick didn't lie. He did go out to an event for Bruce but during it there was a robbery and Bruce had decided now was the best time to send Batgirl/Barbara out into the field. Just thought I should clarify that.