12-31-14
Here's the epilogue!
Thank you so much to all you lovely readers out there! You made the last couple weeks of 2014 so awesome with all your kind reviews! Cookies for all! ( : : ) ( : : ) ( : : )
This chapter also doubles as PrettyKitt Luvs U's gift fic. The prompt: Spitfire snowball fight.
(Sorry for the wait! I actually published this three or four hours ago, but it never registered as published and I don't know why! So I deleted it, and then republished it. Hopefully it'll work this time.)
Enjoy!
Central City
December 31, 23:12
Artemis sighed contentedly, taking in the beautiful scene all around her. Sure, some thought that snow was annoying. But there was something about the soft white flakes that seemed...pure. Compared to the usual bleak black and grey of Gotham—which in itself marked the tragedy and violence in its streets—the innocence of the white blanket advertised peace and tranquility.
Unless, of course, one happened to be walking with her megamouth boyfriend.
The two had managed to slip out of their houses an hour before midnight, choosing to take a stroll around the park in Central City (since no one in their right mind walked around Gotham City at night, even on New Year's Eve), hands intertwined.
At this point, it had been silent between them for a grand total of ten seconds. Artemis patiently awaited the next random stream of gibberish, simply happy to just be with him at the moment.
They still had yet to break in on the elephant in the park. And from the extended silence, Artemis had a feeling she knew that particular topic was coming next.
"So," Wally said finally, attempting to sound nonchalant and coming out more—as Robin would say—chalant. "What did you think?"
He didn't need to say anymore. Artemis knew exactly what he was talking about: the 12 Days of Christmas.
And oh boy. There was a lot she could say to that. However, one thing pushed to the forefront of her mind: "Drumsticks?" she snorted. "Really?"
Wally stared at her, confused. "What? Drumsticks are a great present!"
Artemis rolled her eyes. "Burnt to a crisp and smoking, too, I suppose?"
Wally blinked. A chagrined look appeared on his face. "Aw, man! They were supposed to be roasting!"
"I noticed. Where did you get all those sweethearts? They're hardly in season."
The speedster rubbed awkwardly at the back of his neck. "I may have found a stash I kept in first grade."
Artemis's nose crinkled. Thank goodness she hadn't eaten any of them. Having been to Wally's room many times, she knew just how much junk could be hidden within the other junk all over the floor. Deciding to keep her boyfriend on edge, she kept up the barrage of questions: "Where'd you get all the milk cartons?"
Wally laughed nervously. "Well, when there's two speedsters in the house, let's just say food doesn't really last very long. Both my mom and Aunt Iris get tired of walking them out to the recycle bin all the time, so I took them off their hands."
"And the goldfish?"
"The pet store and Pepperidge Farm."
"The golden arrows?"
Wally stiffened, giving her a wary look. "Scavenging."
"How'd you convince the girls to text me?"
Wally blushed a beet red. He mumbled something under his breath.
"I'm sorry, what was that?" Artemis said, leaning in closer.
Wally cleared his throat. "Autographed pictures of Robin," he grumbled.
Artemis snickered. "I guess that answers my next question as to how you got ROB to text me."
Wally looked horrified. "You know?!"
Artemis rolled her eyes. "Yes, I know who Robin is. It was so stinking obvious once I put the pieces together." She gave him a chiding look. "It connected when you put his civilian persona in a pear tree."
Wally shifted uncomfortably. "Oops."
There was a tense silence, more on Wally's part then on Artemis's.
"By the way, I've been meaning to ask," Artemis said, innocently. "How did your mom and Aunt Iris react when they found out you stole their pajamas?"
"How'd you like the pear tree?" Wally countered, ignoring her request.
"You ate all the pears," Artemis observed offhandedly.
"I was hungry!" he protested. Then, he sighed. "Can't you just tell me what you thought overall?" He gave her a look, eyes pleading like a kicked puppy.
"You mean despite the fact that our kitchen cupboards are full of baguettes, I have 24 giant lollipops under my bed, there's more milk than my mom and I consume in a year in the fridge, and there's one and a half quivers of golden arrows stashed in my closet?"
"Um...yes?"
Artemis resisted the almost irresistible urge to roll her eyes. "It was awfully sweet, Wally. But there's only one thing I want for Christmas."
Wally cocked his head. "Really? Just say the word, and it's yours, baby!"
Artemis gave in and rolled her eyes. "I almost don't want to. I might regret it later. It can't exactly be returned."
Wally slung an arm over her shoulders. "Aw, come on, Artie. You can tell me."
"Don't call me Artie," Artemis snapped. Then, she sighed. "Fine. I want a boy with bright red hair, an unstoppable mouth, and a crappy sense of humor."
A frown crossed Wally's lips, his arm slipping off of Artemis's shoulder. "And who would that be?" he asked, green eyes wide and pitiful, yet somehow flashing with anger and suspicion at the same time.
Artemis punched him lightly in the chest. "You, Baywatch."
Understanding dawned in Wally's eyes. "Oooooohhh..." His eyebrows furrowed. "My humor is crappy?"
Artemis rolled her eyes again.
They walked for a long moment in a silence only broken by the crisp wind whistling through the bare trees around them.
"So what did you promise Rob to get him to cooperate?" she asked casually. "I'm guessing he had a hand in like, everything electronic related, not to mention you kept shoving him into a pear tree."
The speedster froze in his tracks, an emotion almost like fear appearing in his emerald eyes. "Oh... Um... Hehe, you know Rob."
Artemis barely forced back a smile. "Oh yes. I do. He also promised to send me the footage."
The blood drained from Wally's face so fast, Artemis didn't even have time to blink.
Unable to hold back anymore, Artemis let out a snort of laughter. That's all it took. She totally cracked up, holding her stomach as her boyfriend shot her a chagrined look, his face as white as the snow falling around him.
"It's—it's not funny!" he stammered.
Artemis wiped tears of mirth from her eyes, struggling to contain herself as she managed to stand straight again. "Yes. It is," she countered, giving him a shark-like grin.
Feeling she'd teased him enough, she leaned over and hugged his arm, patting his hard chest lightly. "Don't worry. I'll still love you. Probably."
Wally gave her a severely chastened look. "Probably?" he whined.
She cocked her head. "Well, in order that I won't be so ticked at you for the first month of the new year, I'm going to need to get some sort of payback."
Wally immediately looked wary. "What sort of payback?"
A smirk played at the corners of her mouth. Before Wally could react, she scooped up a handful of snow and chucked it into his face. "That!"
Hastily brushing the snow from his cheeks, a bright red nose and glaring green eyes became visible through the crystals. "Oh, it's on."
The couple separated, sprinting in opposite directions as they searched for cover. Artemis dove behind a park bench, white powder flying as she single-bodily dug out her trench.
Peering through the wooden slats of the bench, she saw that Wally had already built his own fort, packing snow on three sides to form a cornered "U." She noticed with a frown that a hefty stack of snowballs already stood beside the walls, appearing far from innocent.
Determinedly, she dug her hands into the snow on the side of the bench, compressing it between her hands to start making her snowballs.
Without warning, the bench guarding her shuddered, a spray of snow flying into a Artemis's face as a snowball slammed into the back of the bench. And then another. And another. And another.
Wally was literally a human machine gun as snowball after snowball smacked and shattered against the wooden park bench. Hopefully her boyfriend wouldn't be charged with vandalism if the public furniture broke.
Oops, we were having a snowball fight 'cause he gave me weird presents for Christmas, and the bench kinda broke. Sorry.
Just as suddenly as it had started, the snow storm stopped.
Artemis cautiously peered around the side of the snow-caked bench. Visible in the lowlight was Wally, outside of his protective fort, furiously replenishing his ammo. And presenting a rather tempting target.
She smirked, rolling the hard packed ball in her hands. Her turn.
Even in the dim light of the street lamp, Wally was a big target. And he was only twenty feet away. Piece of cake.
She drew back her arm, judging angle and trajectory. There wasn't much wind, as the snow was falling straight down—well, as straight down as is possible for a snowflake. The shot was laughably easy.
Three... Two... One...
She wind milled her arm, releasing the snowball.
It flew end over end through the air, briefly disappearing against the white backdrop.
Artemis didn't wait to see the results of her labor, quickly grabbing another snowball and chucking it after the first. Within seconds, Wally cried out in surprise, pitching forward with a suspicious white something or other plastered on the back of his head.
The other snowball grazed the top of his flat form, pitching into the pile of snowballs he'd been building instead and bowling them over like pins.
"Yes!" Artemis cried, doing a victory fist pump for her boyfriend's benefit. "Artemis two, Wally zero!"
She quickly ducked behind the bench as a wall of white headed her way, thudding into the bench so hard, the old slats vibrated, creaking and groaning in protest.
Artemis grinned wickedly as the shots finally ceased. "Is that all you got?" she jeered as he staggered into view once again.
"You ain't seen nothing yet," Wally retorted.
Artemis smirked as she prepared her next throw.
Wally may have quantity. But Artemis had quality. Speed vs. Accuracy—which one was better in a snowball fight?
Pretty quickly, Artemis sided with accuracy.
All she had to do was wait for Wally to exhaust his supply of snowballs in an admittedly impressive constant barrage, and then she could easily pop up and chuck a few shots into his nose and rear as he scrambled to pack more snowballs.
And the best part? Wally kept plowing farther and farther away from his fort with every reload, having used all the good snow behind his fort before the game had officially begun. And that meant he was vulnerable for much longer periods of time.
Artemis was careful to take full advantage.
Before too long, both of them were bearing bright red faces, huffing large clouds of steam into the cold night air, and practically dripping with melted snow.
"Haven't...done that...in years," Artemis panted, lying flat on her back in the mid ground between the two makeshift shelters.
"Last time...was with Rob," Wally huffed beside her. "I had...nothing to shoot at."
Artemis gave a breathy laugh. "I...wouldn't doubt it."
"Snow angel!" Wally yelled suddenly, apparently having caught his breath already as he waved his arms up and down rapidly, shooting snow in every direction.
Artemis yelped in surprise, rolling over to cover her face with her arms as her boyfriend propelled snow like water off a dog. "Wally! Knock it off!"
After a moment, the swooshing snow stopped as the hysterical laughter started. "I got you, I got you, I really really got you!" Wally sang.
Artemis rolled her eyes, sitting up and brushing the snow from her jacket. "Nice to know your level of maturity." She leaned over, shoving down the sides of the angel-shaped crater her boyfriend had formed.
Wally squealed as snow blanketed him from head-to-foot, bolting straight up and shaking his head until fiery red hair was visible within the frost. "How was that mature?" he countered, scrubbing ice from his face.
Artemis shrugged. "Don't know. But it was fun."
They lay there for a moment, staring up into the clouded sky as silent flakes fell around them. Artemis debated sticking her tongue out to try and catch one on the tip.
Without warning, a huge cheer rose up from the silence, and the two heroes jerked upright in surprise.
"HAPPY NEW YEAR!" came a joyful roar from every house as the bell in the clock tower began to toll the midnight hour.
Wally and Artemis exchanged a look.
Wally grinned goofily.
Simultaneously, they leaned forward, noses brushing lightly, hot breath puffing on flushed cheeks. And then their lips met. Everything else faded to white noise around them as Artemis leaned in, deepening their kiss.
She became dimly aware of his hand at her back, her own hand entangled in his wild red hair. She wondered if she'd ever get used to the warm, tingling thrill she got every time they kissed. She hoped not.
For a long moment, it was just the two of them, their intertwined hands, and their joined lips as the cheers slowly began to die.
After what seemed like mere seconds, they separated, panting slightly for breath.
Wally gave her another silly grin. He pulled a box out of his jacket pocket, holding it out so its silvery sheen glinted in the lamplight. "Happy New Year, Artemis Crock. Or should I say, 'Happy Anniversary'?"
Artemis smiled softly. "Either one will do. You didn't have to get me something."
"But I wanted to," Wally insisted.
Warily, Artemis plucked the box from his hands, examining it distrustfully.
"I swear, it's nothing like Christmas," Wally added hastily.
Artemis smirked. "In that case..." She pulled a card out of her own jacket pocket. "Happy New Year and Anniversary, Wally West."
Taking the envelope, Artemis watched him study it with a slightly suspicious eye.
"It's not payback," Artemis promised. This time.
Wally nodded, satisfied. "On three?" he suggested.
"On three," she agreed.
"One...two...three!"
Together, they opened their respective presents.
Ripping off the lid of her box, Artemis stared at the item it contained. Lying on a dark velvet pillow, something silver shimmered in the light. It was...a necklace. A thin chain sporting a small oak leaf charm, the two shining merely in the dim light of the park.
"Fifty dollars to Bottomless Buffet?!" Wally shrieked suddenly in front of her, green eyes wide with shock and excitement. "Babe," he breathed, looking up at her, "you rock my world."
Artemis smiled. "I'm glad."
She reached down to the necklace, gently brushing the tiny charm. It looked so fragile, she was almost afraid she'd break it.
"Do you like it?"
Artemis realized she had been quiet for some time. "It's beautiful," she whispered.
Wally's face lit up. "Really?"
Artemis nodded. And she meant it. It was probably the most beautiful (and most expensive) gift she'd ever received in her life. Picking up the chain carefully between her thumb and forefinger, she slowly lifted it from the box, admiring the way it flashed as if it had a light of its own. "Could you...?"
"Sure."
Shoving his gift card into his pocket, he reached over and lifted the necklace from Artemis's fingers, reaching around her neck and fumbling slightly with the clasp.
Finally, he leaned back, scrutinizing her up and down. His nose and brows crinkled in the cutest way when he was thinking. Then he relaxed, his megawatt smile glowing in the dark. "You look amazing," he breathed.
"Thanks," Artemis murmured, her cheeks coloring slightly as she looked down. The oak leaf lay just under her collar bone, appearing as delicate as the leaf itself. "I love it."
"Me too," Wally agreed. "But not more than I love you."
Artemis flushed. Wally could be so cheesy sometimes. Not that that bothered her that much. "I love you, too."
Their eyes met, and Artemis found herself sinking into those honest green orbs. Genuine affection reflected back at her, unhindered by any doubt or mistrust. Wally had always been so open with his feelings, if not at least somewhat loud about them. After she finally saw past her own prejudice, he was probably the sweetest boy she had ever met. At least, now that she was used to him.
"We should probably get back," Wally said finally, softly as if wishing he didn't have to ruin the moment. "My mom is going to kill me."
Artemis sighed. "Yeah, mine, too. At least she's over at your place." She smiled fondly at him. "That way she wasn't alone for the New Years and I don't have to feel as guilty."
"But still guilty?"
"Yeah, just a bit. She is my mother, Wally," Artemis snorted.
"But...you had fun, right?"
Artemis slapped him on the arm. "Of course I had fun! Gee, Wally, stop being so paranoid!"
Wally gave a relieved smile, saluting comically. "Yes, ma'am."
He got to his feet, holding out his hand for Artemis to take. Despite being perfectly capable of getting up by herself, Artemis accepted it, allowing him to assist her to her feet in the knee deep snow.
Hiking back to the sidewalk, their hands still clasped tightly, Artemis (for once) felt perfectly at peace. They were together. Just as they would remain for the rest of their lives.
The corners of Artemis's mouth quirked up. "Come on, Baywatch. Let's go home."
So what do you think? Enjoy the final installment? Let me know in a review!
I might be doing a one-shot involving Artemis's necklace here... We'll see. Anyone catch the silver oak leaf reference? ;)
Off to eat Jet's pizza now!
Have a wonderful New Year, and don't stop reviewing! :)