Chapter Four
Are you fucking kidding me, Artemis hit the punching bag. He thinks he's so hot. Stupid. Wally. Stupid. Kid. Mouth. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. She punctuated each thought with a kick to the bag. Artemis wasn't big on using the training room with a Cave full of the team, but she just had so much pent up rage after the whole Doctor Fate thing that she changed into her uniform and came straight back to the punching bags. She'd texted Ollie to see if she could join him for patrol, but he was with Dinah. He suggested she text Roy, but there was no way that was happening. Ollie had kept them apart for years, and now she knew why. So instead of patrolling on her own, Artemis decided to take her rage out in the training room.
And it was rage. Directed at herself and directed at Wally Asshole West. Her lips curled just at the thought of his name.
Wally wanted to flirt with her in class and be rude to her during the missions? Granted he didn't know they were the same person, but still. She. Was. Not. The. One.
And then, oh god, then he had the nerve to try to get with M'gann? In front of my face? She shrieked internally. Wally's magic denial and his need to impress M'gann had almost gotten them killed, but he didn't even seem to notice, running after her as soon as the mission was over. Artemis imagined his face in front of her, punching the bag as hard as she could.
She had been distancing herself from him all week anyway. That whole texting thing had gotten out of hand. She'd been looking at the photo too often over the weekend, a small fire burning in her belly. That was too much. After all, Wally might be flirting with Artemis, but she couldn't risk him finding out that she was also Tigress. This was not the person to have a casual thing with. After all, she was in college- it shouldn't be hard to find a hookup that wasn't also her mortal enemy/teammate.
So when Tuesday had rolled around, she'd gotten to class early to get a good seat, one next to a window in the front row where there were no other open seats. When Wally had slid in, almost late (she was pretty sure he'd used his powers to get there in time), he'd texted her after spotting her across the room just a simple "?"
"Sorry," she'd replied, "wanted a good seat."
"No problem, babe, the view from here isn't bad either." She'd turned to him and rolled her eyes, but couldn't help but smile a little to herself when she turned back to her laptop. Artemis tried not to glance back at him, but she could feel his stare on her. Once, she'd looked back, and Wally had been looking right at her. He sat up a little straighter and winked at her, and she could feel her face flush.
And then the very next day, he did this? Well, he can forget it. He can have his good girl M'gann with her perfect family and perfect life. Artemis was just starting to feel better about her home life after working with Aqualad and hearing his story. But her father was no romantic sentimental, willing to give up his mission for love. And she was not taught to value love.
Wally was reminding her why, flirting with M'gann, falling over himself to ingratiate himself to her. It was such a different way than he flirted with her. Probably because he sees me as some toy he can play with and M'gann as someone he is in love with, Artemis thought to herself, punching the bag again.
And no, she couldn't be mad at M'gann who clearly wasn't asking for any of it. But Wally was not gonna drag Artemis into whatever little ladies man fantasy he had. She hated to admit it, but part of what was so enraging is how stupid she felt.
Artemis was moving to the archery range, where she knew she was going to be imagining her own face at the bullseye as much as Wally's when a voice rang out behind her.
"Not feeling the aster, huh?"
Nightwing. Artemis didn't turn around, just pulled back an arrow and let it go.
"What do you want?" Artemis asked as Nightwing dropped down to stand beside her. He'd changed into his uniform too, making him seem a little more omniscient.
"I just wanted to check on you." He watched as she notched another arrow.
"I'm fine."
"Uh-huh."
"I'm fine."
"You don't seem fine."
Nightwing raised an eyebrow, but he didn't seem to believe her. Artemis didn't want to push her luck, so she turned back to her target. He watched silently as she shot arrow after arrow, the only sound in the training room, the thwang and thuds. Finally, out of arrows, she set her bow down to retrieve them from the targets.
Nightwing stopped her by putting his hand on her arm.
Artemis sighed. "Listen, Nightwing. Yeah, Kid Flash is irritating, but I'm okay. It's good motivation anyway. Keeps me and my arrows sharp." Artemis gave him a crooked smile. He seemed to examine her face for a moment before nodding and letting her go. Artemis gathered her arrows and headed toward the exit. Nightwing followed her out to the hallway.
"Hey Artemis?" He stopped her again.
"Yeah?"
"Don't worry too much about it. Wally may be a little…" He seemed to struggle for a moment, "dense. But he gets there in the end." She stiffened. Artemis knew Nightwing knew more than he let on, but what was that supposed to mean?
"He can "get" whatever he wants. But he needs to leave me- us- the team" Artemis stuttered embarrassingly for a moment before returning to her point, "out of it." With that, she turned and walked to her room in the cave angrily.
Artemis closed her door and rested against the other side. Fuck. There was a reason why she didn't like to use the Cave training room that often, especially when other people were around. The team was pretty free with their bodies. They had beach days, there was a communal locker, and normally Artemis would love that. It wasn't like she thought she was the hottest shit, but she was pretty comfortable with her body, and okay, she knew she looked good. But being naked while hiding your identity from your archenemy/teammate/classmate could be more than a little difficult.
And now Artemis was sweaty and gross, and she didn't want to get dressed in her civvies like this, so she was forced to head back out of her room to the locker room to shower.
Avoiding the inevitable, Artemis took her hair down and brushed it out, taking care to get rid of every tangle, counting out 100 strokes. It was a calming technique more than anything, reminding her of the way her mother used to brush her hair, soothing her every night. When her mother left, her father had cut her hair short, ignoring Artemis' cries, claiming that it was about practicality, but like everything her father did there was a lot of cruelty and vengeful joy behind it too.
Jade hadn't given her any sympathy either, laughing at her when she saw the uneven bob. "What's wrong, baby sis? Now it's out of your eyes at least!" But she'd gotten out the rusty scissors and evened it out for Artemis. Her dad's lesson stuck though-Artemis learned that she was the only one who would take care of Artemis, and she hadn't cut her hair since. She stared at herself in the mirror for a moment, remembering. Artemis pulled her back up and replaced her mask.
It's only down the hall to the left, she reminded herself. Surely she could do this without running into anyone else. The last thing she needed was another interrogation after what happened with Nightwing. Artemis took in a deep breath, grabbed her clothes, and stepped outside. Right into Wally and M'gann.
And from the way M'gann and Wally were holding each other, Artemis was definitely interrupting.
Wally saw his life flash before his eyes. Tigress was in her costume for some reason, which meant her face mask, but her eyes were piercing through, and they look pissed. Wally pushed Megan away quickly, straightening up with a squeak. In all honesty, Tigress was the last person Wally had wanted to see. He had been trying very hard not to think about her, after what Kent Nelson had hinted at. Besides, he reasoned with himself, who on Earth would call her a spitfire? She's more of a flaming bullet, or, he amended, arrow. She'll burn out the whole heart of someone one day. Wally chose to ignore how appealing that sounded.
But here she was, right in front of him as he stumbled again. He just couldn't get a leg up on her. No matter what he did or said, she was able to find fault. So of course Tigress was right there when Wally was walking backwards and trying to convince Megan to go to a magic show. He'd tripped over his own feet, and when Megan tried to grab him, he ended up taking her down, pinning her against the wall. Wally thought that once he'd left puberty behind, he'd also leave behind his clumsiness. But nope. While Wally was definitely less clumsy than he was as an adolescent, right now, he could say for certain that he wasn't any more lucky.
As he stood up, there were a thousand thoughts in his head. "Tigress-"
"Excuse me, West," she interrupted. "If you don't mind taking your make-out sessions elsewhere, some of us are trying to use the hallway."
Not bothering to correct her, Wally snapped back automatically, "There's plenty of room, Tigress."
"Not with your huge ego in the way," she retorted. "So if you could take your woeful wooing elsewhere, it would be appreciated.
Wally glared. "You sound jealous, Tigress."
She scoffed in his face."Please, if anything, I feel sorry for M'gann. She deserves more than some wanna-be ladies man like you."
"That didn't sound like a denial, babe." Wally stepped closer to her. He saw her eyes widen, and snap to his lips. What's that about? Before he could follow that train of thought, she stepped back and hissed.
"How's this for a denial? You can take your stupid Flash Boy googles and stick them straight up your-"
"Tigress," suddenly Megan stepped between them. Wally realized he'd forgotten she was there. "We weren't doing anything."
Tigress pursed her lips, but she looked less sure. Of course, she'll believe anyone who's not me, Wally thought resentfully.
"Really. Wally just tripped." Megan explained. Wally groaned as Tigress started to giggle. He wasn't sure he'd ever heard Tigress giggle, and it had this unexpected musicality, but he couldn't focus on that when it was directed at him.
"What's so funny?" Wally grumbled.
"Nothing," she started to laugh now. Great, another thing he'd never hear the end of from her. Before he could respond, Tigress slipped around them, heading down the hall, calling back, "Thanks M'gann, I needed the laugh."
Wally glared at her back, but Megan floated after her.
"Wait, Tigress," Megan landed in front of her, so Wally decided to join them, speeding over. All he needed was the two of them spending too much time together, and Tigress rubbing off on Megan. She's basically contagious.
"What's up, M'gann?" Tigress was still grinning, so Wally scowled at her.
"Wally was just telling me about a magic show in town. We should all go together!" Megan cheerfully chirped. Wally gaped at her. That was supposed to be a date for the two of us!
Tigress' smile faded. She hesitated for a moment before responding,"Thanks, but I don't think so."
Wally snapped his head towards her, What she's too good to hang out with us?
Megan reached out to touch Tigress on the arm. "Just think about it."
"Forget it, Megan," Wally crossed his arms. "Tigress is too cool to come with us to a magic show."
"That's not what I said," Tigress protested, her eyes flashing.
"Right, but it's what you mean."
"How would you know what I mean? What are you, some kind of mind reader?' Tigress took a step closer.
"It's obvious that you think you're so superior!" Wally threw his hands in the air.
"Just to you, Wally," Tigress snapped back. "But then again, so is a slug."
"At least I'm not some wanna-be archer horning in where I'm not wanted." Wally retorted.
Tigress jerked back. He thought he saw something like hurt in her eyes, but before he could be sure, they'd turn steel cold. "Well, then you'll be happy to know that I won't be "horning in" on your little magic outing to watch you get shut down again, Wall-man," she snarled. With that, she turned on her heel and stormed down the hall.
Wally watched her walk away with a mix of frustration and regret.
"Really, Wally?" Megan looked at him reprovingly.
"She's fine." He muttered with a furrowed brow, unable to look her in the eye.
"You know, you're missing out too. Tigress is actually pretty great."
"I know." And he did, kind of. She'd more than held her own at the Tower, but he couldn't admit it to her.
"Then why do you treat her that way?"
"She started it!" Wally protested, falling back on his original argument.
"Oh, Wally." Megan floated down the hall, probably to see Tigress. Wally considered joining her, but instead he sighed and turned towards the kitchen. I need a sandwich.
Oh yeah, now this is a sandwich. Wally looked over his masterpiece with admiration. He reminded himself that he wasn't one to dwell, especially on Tigress. Besides if she thinks so little of me, what does it matter what I say? So, doing his best to ignore the weight he felt in his chest, he focused on what he knew best- food. Wally turned to get some juice from the cave's fridge, but when he turned back, Nightwing was standing there. Wally was so startled that only his reflexes stopped the bottle from hitting the ground.
"Dude, where'd you come from?" Wally exclaimed. Dick had his serious look on, crossed arms, full uniform, and frowning. What did I do now?
"Wally," Dick sighed, "you're an idiot."
Wally frowned and stepped around him to pour his juice in a glass. "Care to elaborate?"
"Why do you have to act like that?" Dick asked, as Wally put up the juice.
Wally walked his sandwich and juice to the couch. "Like what?"
"Just…flirting with M'gann and treating Tigress that way." Tigress? He sat on the couch, Dick sitting across from him in one of the living room chairs. Again with this? Why is everyone obsessed with how I treat Tigress today?
"What's wrong with flirting? I don't see her complaining." Wally squished his stomach down to fit more in his mouth at a time.
"Dude." Dick seemed to debate with himself, "You are just so clueless sometimes."
"What'd y'mean?" Wally scrunched his nose in confusion, then bit into his sandwich.
"Never mind. But lay off Tigress, okay? She's here to stay, so you can at least be nice to her." Dick started to stand up.
"You're my best friend; you're supposed to be on my side," Wally complained around his chewing.
"And I'm also supposed to tell you when you're being an ass," Dick pointed out.
Wally rolled his eyes and swallowed. "Tigress can take it. She's tough. Besides, in case you haven't noticed, she gives me a ton of shit too."
Dick stood over him for another beat silently then just repeated, "Dude, you are so clueless," before walking away. Wally chewed thoughtfully for a moment before sighing. He quickly stuffed the last of the sandwich down and followed it with the glass of juice before standing up.
Wally shuffled down the hall towards Tigress' room. Wally wasn't usually this slow, but he really didn't even know what he was doing. For the sake of team unity, he told himself as he eyed her door. If you're going to do this, suck it up, Wally, and get it over with. He knocked quickly, hoping she wouldn't answer, even though he knew she hadn't left yet.
"Come in," her raspy voice called. Wally opened the door but hesitated. She was bent over, tying her combat boots, and Wally realized she'd changed out of her uniform. There still wasn't much to see, as she was wearing a hat and sunglasses, but when she stood up, he realized she was also wearing a crop top and tight low-rise jeans. His stomach dropped a little, and he's sure his mouth did a little too at the sight of her smooth stomach, firm muscles and low dip.
"Oh." She spoke flatly, "It's you. What do you want?" Wally quickly swallowed. He tried to stop staring.
"Uh, I just wanted to say, y'know..." he trailed off. They stood there in silence for a minute as she looked at him expectantly.
Finally, she threw her hands in the air."No, I don't know, Kid Idiot. So excuse me," she added, picking up her bag, "but I've got places to be, with someone far more interesting than you."
Yeah, there's that flame, Wally thought to himself, narrowing his eyes. Suddenly, he realized the implications of what she said.
"What, like a date?" Wally sneered.
"What's it to you?" Tigress glared through her sunglasses somehow. "Some of us don't need to flirt with every breathing member of the opposite sex like you but can actually commit to a relationship."
What? Does she have a boyfriend? Wally realized he'd never thought about that before, but of course she did. She had that sexy voice and amazing body and probably there was some guys out there that liked that kind of attitude. Not him, of course, but someone.
"What's that supposed to mean?" he snapped.
"You figure it out," Tigress huffed, pushing past him. Wally was rooted to the spot, fuming. He was finally jerked out of his brooding by the sound of her saying her goodbyes to Connor and Megan. Dammit, I'm not going to feel guilty all week for not apologizing.
Wally used his speed to stop her right before got to the zeta tubes, and he was pleased to see that he caught her by surprise.
That seemed to just make her angrier, however. "What do you want, Wally?" She snapped at him, taking a step back.
"Listen, I came to your room to apologize." Wally spread his hands in front of him.
"Oh really?" Tigress crossed her arms. He tried to not get distracted by how that accentuated her figure.
Wally didn't know what was more frustrating, her attitude or the way she looked in those tight jeans, but something about her just rankled him in some sort of way.
"Yes, really. You know, unlike some people, I am a polite person who wants to get along with his teammates."
"Unlike me?" Her hands moved to her hips, and Wally watched a little cautiously. He wouldn't be surprised if she was hiding a crossbow somewhere behind her back somehow.
"Oh my god, can't you just accept?" He asked angrily.
"Accept what?"
"Um, my apology, duh," Wally replied. Why does she have to be so difficult?
"You never apologized!" Tigress threw up her hands.
"No, I did… Oh…" Wally realized that once again he had neglected the point of the conversation. "Well, it's your fault. I keep trying, but you keep distracting me."
"Oh, I'm sure you say that to all the girls," she replied sarcastically. "I don't have time for this."
"Because of your date?" Wally snarled accusingly. God, she cannot wait to get out of here.
"Seriously, Wally? You suck at this!" Tigress poked him in the chest. "If you have something to say, just say it."
"Okay, okay, fine." He blew out a breath. Well, here goes nothing. "I'm sorry I said you were horning in and unwanted. I-uh- we are all glad...that you… you're here." He gulped and closed his eyes, ready for either the physical or verbal lashing she would give out. After a moment of silence, he carefully opened his eyes to see Tigress looking at him with furrowed brows.
Finally she shrugged. "Okay."
Wally felt a huge sense of relief. "Yeah?"
"Listen, I know M'gann and Nightwing put you up to this."
Wally opened his mouth, then closed it immediately. That wasn't completely true, yet he also couldn't say it was completely false either. Tigress seemed to take this as affirmation, however.
"Whatever, Wally. Let's just agree to stay out of each other's way, okay?" She crossed her arms again. "That's what you want, right?"
It was Wally's turn to furrow his brow. Is that what I want?
Tigress arched her eyebrows at him. "Okay then, Wallman? We don't have to be friends, just teammates. Enjoy your date." With that, she spun away to take her zeta tube, leaving Wally confused and frustrated. Shaking his head, he thought to himself, Okay, I clearly need more sandwiches.
The next day, Artemis got up early again. She took a long shower, even though she'd showered after her workout last night. She didn't sleep well, and she figured that this was a good way to wake up. After she got out of the shower, Artemis slowly made a thick braid that she then piled on top of her head. She loved days off from superheroing, when she could just be herself, nerdy and casual. She slipped on a tank top, sweatshirt, and some shorts before heading to the kitchen for a quick breakfast. As she walked that way, she thought she heard voices.
"…could have used you…Wally and fate…"
"I know... soon… training….dad."
Artemis frowned, but walked into the kitchen. There stood Zatanna and Dick, both still in their pajamas. They looked startled when she entered.
"Hey guys." Artemis raised her eyebrow, "What's up?"
Zatanna and Dick answered in unison, "Nothing." They all stood there for a moment.
"Okaaaayy…" Artemis moved towards the bowls. Dick and Zatanna exchanged looks as she grabbed the cereal from in front of them and poured a bowl. Finally, Zatanna stood up quickly. She cleared her throat and grabbed Dick's sleeve.
"Well, we'll leave you to it." Artemis frowned in surprise as Zatanna and Dick hurriedly left the room. She could hear them murmuring as they walked back to Zatanna's room, but she couldn't understand what they were saying anymore. She sighed into her cereal. Okay, this is getting ridiculous. Just because I'm keeping secrets doesn't mean they are. Stop being so suspicious, she reproached herself. Artemis finished her cereal quickly and left for class, just trying to make it in time to get a good seat, one as far away from Wally West as possible.
Artemis arrived ten full minutes before class, long before most of her classmates, so she was surprised to see someone else was already there. She glanced in the window of the door only to see a familiar redhead next to the very desk she had staked out last time. Of course, she groaned to herself. She stepped away from the door and sat on the bench outside of the classroom. Suddenly her phone buzzed.
"Hey, beautiful. Can't wait to see you in class today!"—Wally.
Artemis angrily stared at the phone. She didn't know if she was more angry at Wally or herself. She debated taking the day off; after all, avoidance is a great tool in these matters, a classic Crock move. She thought about sending him a text too, but she just sat there, unable to think of what to say.
This was so unlike Artemis. Usually, she could run a boy off with a snap of her teeth or wave of her hand. But with Wally, it just felt more complicated. Finally, she closed her messages. Other students started to pile in the class, and Artemis slipped in with a group to sit in the back to give herself time to think of how to approach him. She chanced a glance at Wally, but he didn't seem to notice. He was too busy on his phone, texting someone else (with a pang, Artemis thought, probably another girl).
She continued to watch him out of the corner of her eyes, but he didn't look up until Professor Ruiz walked in and cleared her throat. Artemis saw Wally whip his head towards the clock on the wall then the empty seat beside him. He quickly turned to scan the room, and too late, Artemis tore her eyes away. He had caught her, but she swiftly turned her attention to the front of the classroom. It wasn't easy to ignore him since he was sitting front and center, looking right at her, so she turned her attention to the readings on her laptop until he slowly turned back around. She felt her phone buzz in her pocket but chose to ignore it.
Class had never gone faster. For once, Artemis didn't add to discussion. Hell, she couldn't even tell you what they were talking about. But she sure kept her eyes trained to the readings intensely. How to get away from a speedster? Artemis knew that as soon as class was over, she was going to have to answer questions. She sighed, resigned. Maybe she could sneak away, but doubtful. Still, it's not like she's not one of many, she reminded herself. At least the drama would be over. Hell, maybe she wouldn't have to worry about him over at her place to hang out with Dick and Zatanna if she made it awkward enough.
Too soon, class ended. Artemis took her time packing up, trying to wait out Wally, but he clearly wasn't having it. He stood in front of the door and held it open for her. "Thanks," Artemis couldn't help but say (Are you happy, Mom?).
"No problem," Wally answered easily. "Listen, uh… can we talk?"
Artemis kept walking, "I have to get to my next class."
Wally touched her arm, keeping up easily, "It'll just take a second."
Artemis stopped, but avoided looking at Wally, instead searching through her tote, like she was looking for something. "What's up?"
"Hey, look at me." Artemis sighed. He certainly wasn't going to make this easy. Finally, she looked up, straight into his green eyes filled with confusion, but also hurt.
Shit.
Artemis had a smudge on her nose, and Wally really wanted to reach out and wipe at it. He wanted to laugh with her about it, and he wanted to pull down her braids, run his hands through her hair. But what he really, really wanted to do was talk to her. Wally had been texting all morning with Dick about how smooth he was to get there early (not an easy feat, even for a speedster) and then she'd pulled that disappearing act.
"What's going on? Didn't you get my text? I saved you a seat up front." Artemis bit her lip, and Wally tried not to get distracted.
"Listen, Wally." Oh no, this can't be good. I've heard that tone before. "That was nice and all, but I'm kind of busy. Don't worry about me, okay? I can find my own seat."
Wally shuffled his feet, perplexed. "Okaaay…well, do you want to hang out later? I think a bunch of us were considering going to a movie." There was a pause, and Wally added hopefully, " Zatanna will be there."
"I don't think so." Silence. "Sorry, West, but I need to get to class. I'll see you around." She shrugged apologetically, but her voice was cool, almost detached. Before he could respond, she'd turned away and started walking back down the hall.
West? Since when did she call me that? Wally stared in confusion at her retreating back. He turned slowly back to walk to the cafeteria to meet Zatanna and Dick for lunch, but his feet didn't seem to want to move. When he finally got there, he grabbed food indiscriminately, not paying much attention to what he put on his tray. What happened?
He sat across from Dick and started picking at his food, not paying attention as Zatanna told some story about training. Wally knew that the last time he and Artemis had seen each other, she had been annoyed, but those texts made him think that she'd forgiven him. Or even that maybe she liked him too. What had he done? She wasn't annoyed, she seemed almost… indifferent at first, but also...regretful? Was she regretting flirting with him? It was so confusing. Wally stabbed a potato.
"…and that's when all the women took off their tops!"
"Uh-huh," Wally replied absently.
"WALLY!" Zatanna slammed her hand on the table, and Wally looked up, startled. "What is wrong with you?"
"Nothing," he frowned in response.
"Oh please," Zatanna scoffed, "you've been distracted the whole time you've been sitting there."
"Yeah," Dick smirked, "Did something happen with Artemis? Did she appreciate you saving her a seat?"
Wally sighed and put down his fork. "No, as a matter of fact, she didn't. Actually, she totally just blew me off." He turned to Zatanna. "Listen, I know she's your roommate and there's probably like some friend code or something, but has she said anything? I thought we were getting along, but today…she was just so cold." Wally didn't miss it when Zatanna and Dick exchanged looks. "She did, didn't she? What did I do?"
Zatanna shifted uncomfortably. "Well, we're not that close. She's…not easy to get to know, and we've only been living together for a little while. We've had some meals together but not much more than that."
"Well, can you ask her?" Wally pleaded. Zatanna sighed. "Please?"
"Fine, fine. I need a girly night anyway." Zatanna grumbled. Wally tried to reach across to hug her but she put up her hand in a "stop" motion. "BUT I make no promises. Girl's a tough nut to crack."
"Thank you, Zatanna! I know you can do it," Wally replied, sitting back down. "And if you need a little help, I think you can probably figure out some way to persuade her." He winked at her, wiggling his fingers, but she just rolled her eyes. Wally started to dig into his plate with full confidence now, when Dick spoke up.
"Sooo… how did it go with Tigress last night?"
Wally frowned as he remembered last night's conversation and grumbled. "You know that harpy has a boyfriend?"
Dick looked sincerely surprised. "What? Did you ask her out?"
Wally scoffed. "No! That's not the point."
"Well, what is the point?" Dick raised his eyebrow.
"I'm just saying!" Wally struggled for a moment. What am I saying? "What do any of us know about her?"
"She told you she has a boyfriend though?"
"Basically!"
"What does "basically" mean?" Dick arched his eyebrow.
"She implied it, like she had a date last night after our mission."
Zatanna smirked. "Maybe she has a girlfriend."
Wally paused to consider. "Huh. Still, my point remains! She's out there doing whatever she wants with whoever she wants, probably some shady character."
For some reason, Dick seemed to think this was funny. "So, you think anyone interested in Tigress would automatically be shady?"
"Yes!" Wally emphasized his point by stabbing another potato.
"So, I take it that the apology went well?"
"Well," And now it was Wally's turn to shift uncomfortably in his seat, "It didn't quite go as planned."
"Wally," Zatanna chided. Why was everyone on Tigress' side anyway? They were supposed to be his friends, not hers.
"Whatever, she's fine. Maybe her girlfriend will comfort her." Wally finished his food and patted his stomach. Pushing all thoughts of Tigress aside, he felt better about potentially having some answers about Artemis. "You know what? I could use some dessert." He jumped up to grab the biggest bowl of ice cream he could find, as Zatanna and Dick put their heads together.
"Hey, girlie!" Artemis blinked in surprise. She'd just opened the door, and Zatanna was standing in their living room with a bottle of wine and two glasses, like she was waiting on her.
"Uh, hey." Artemis thought Zatanna was friendly, but this was unexpected. Artemis had finished with classes and stayed at the library for a little longer to get some work done, expecting no one to be home when she got back.
"I thought maybe we could have a girl's night in! You don't have class tomorrow, right?"
Artemis slowly put down her bag near the couch. "Uh, no. But I was gonna go work out." She was actually planning on heading to the Cave since Wally was supposed to be at the movies. In fact, he was supposed to be there with her roommate. She cocked her head. "Aren't you supposed to be at the movies with Dick?"
Zatanna waved her off and pulled her down to sit beside her. "I can go to the movie anytime. And as for working out, do you really have to do that tonight? What, you're gonna get more muscles?" Zatanna waved the wine in Artemis' face. Well, it's better than risking meeting up with Wally or watching him fawn over M'ghann. She set her jaw and nodded. After the week she'd had, yeah, that wine looked pretty good.
Zatanna squealed and picked up the corkscrew to open the wine "Yay! We can order some Chinese food and do face masks later too!"
Oh no, what did I get into? Artemis put her hands up, but before she could protest, Zatanna had thrust a glass in her hand. As Zatanna opened the wine, Artemis sighed. Oh well. Maybe there's a second bottle somewhere around here.
Several hours later and several glasses of wine later, Artemis was eating noodles, and actually having fun. There was a conspiratorial air about Zatanna, like you two were in it together no matter what, that made it hard to resist her. Artemis felt almost close to her already.
Growing up with Sportsmaster had taught her a lot about not getting close with others, and Jade hadn't really been a girlfriend type of sister. But Zatanna made her feel so comfortable, like loyalty was a two-way street open without Artemis having to prove herself.
Maybe having one friend wouldn't be so bad.
Just then, Zatanna's phone buzzed, reminding Artemis that Zatanna came with other…connections. Zatanna smiled to herself as she texted Dick.
Artemis watched her wistfully. "So, Dick…is he your boyfriend? Or…?"
Zatanna screwed up her face a little in response. "I don't really like labels. And they don't really work for me and Dick." Artemis motioned for her to continue. "We've been together, we've been broken up, but we keep finding our way back to each other. And it's just easier without trying to define it."
Artemis chewed her noodles thoughtfully. She understood that. "But y'all don't like… date other people when you are together, do you?"
Zatanna laughed. "No, no. We keep each other pretty busy."
"Well, I have noticed that," Artemis joked.
"And what about you?" Zatanna leaned over to pour Artemis more wine. "Any boyfriend?" Artemis shook her head. "Girlfriend?"
"No, not right now." She shrugged. "Too busy."
"Too busy for a love life?" Zatanna asked disapprovingly
"I just have a lot going on." Artemis took another drink from her glass.
"But how do you... wind down?"
"I work out." Artemis shrugged again.
"Oh honey." Zatanna closed her eyes. "Those are not at all the same things."
"Hey, I'm not opposed to finding a cute person," she emphasized for clarity, "here or there. I just don't have time for relationships. And I haven't really had the opportunity to go bar hopping lately with classes starting." Or spending my nights with the team chasing supervillains. To be honest, she had been feeling the itch lately, but it was pretty easy to distract herself currently with everything she has going on.
"What you need," Zatanna paused for dramatic effect, "is delivery." Artemis almost snorted up her wine.
"Yes, that would be ideal." She giggled. "Unfortunately, that service isn't exactly legal yet."
It was Zatanna's turn to shrug now. "I bet I could find you someone," she responded in all seriousness.
"Oh yeah?" Artemis arched her eyebrows, still smiling.
Zatanna answered back firmly, "Yeah."
Artemis cocked her head. "What are you, Tindr?"
Zatanna scoffed. "Please, I have way better connections than Tindr." She snapped her fingers. "Actually, I have the perfect guy." Zatanna pulled out her phone, and Artemis leaned over curiously. Zatanna flipped through her photos for a moment before she turned it towards Artemis. On her phone was a picture of Wally and Dick in front of a lake, both shirtless. Artemis' stomach dropped as she examined Wally's naked chest, his lopsided grin. That slim waist and those broad shoulders had been on her mind too often lately. She shoved the phone down and sat back into her seat.
"I thought you said you didn't want to share Dick?" she deadpanned.
Zatanna rolled her eyes. "Haha. No, but seriously, you and Wally would be great. And who knows…it could be more than a hook-up."
"No, thanks," Artemis replied dryly. Zatanna watched her expectedly. "Alright, I know that Wally thinks he likes me, but I'm not really his type." Something he made abundantly clear at the Cave.
"What?!" Zatanna gave her a look like she was crazy. "Girl, you're everyone's type."
Artemis tried to laugh it off, "Wow, Zee, the wine, the dinner, and now the flattery? What would Dick say?"
"Okay, first off, Dick would ask if he could join, or at least tape it." Artemis laughed. "Second off, nice try. Seriously, you and Wally would be super cute. And he is definitely into you." Zatanna argued.
Artemis sighed and pulled at a thread on the blanket covering her lap. Finally, she looked up."Ok, listen, I don't want to insult your friend anything…but Wally is kind of a dog."
Zatanna looked taken aback. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, surely you've noticed. He flirts with every girl with a pulse."
"That's not exactly true." Zatanna defended her friend, which Artemis expected, but there was no way to really explain that she knew Wally in a different way.
"I've seen it."
"When?" Zatanna demanded. Artemis hesitated. Um, every day as Kid Flash. Even before they met, she'd seen him on TV, flirting with TV reporters. She'd actually thought he was kinda cute when she was younger, but that was a long time ago.
Artemis frowned. "Just around. Let's drop it, okay?"
"Okay," Zatanna put her hands up in defeat, but she seemed to want to argue. Sure enough a moment later, she held up her glass. "Let me say one thing—Wally may flirt in passing with other girls, but when he cares? When he falls? He falls hard. And he's not the type to mess around." Artemis nodded, but she couldn't tell Zatanna the truth—she knew Wally had already fallen hard, but it wasn't for her.
Wally poked Dick in the back as he walked up behind him in the kitchen. They'd just arrived back from the movies, and Wally knew Dick was texting with Zatanna. "So, what did she say?"
Dick scowled, looking up from his phone. "She said that the new Chinese place is good."
Wally rolled his eyes. "No, what did she say about Artemis?"
Dick shrugged. "She said she liked her. That they were having fun."
Wally grabbed an apple out of the bowl on the counter. "Listen, Dick, no offense, but you know I don't care. What did Artemis say about me?"
Dick sighed. "I don't know. Would you believe Zee and I talk about things besides you?"
Wally grinned and took a big bite of the apple. "Yeah, yeah, I know you do. When you talk at all." He paused, chewing. "What are they doing anyway?"
"I don't know. Whatever girls do during "girlie nights." Wally raised his eyebrows. "Yeah, I somehow doubt it's whatever you're thinking, KF."
"You never know." He waggled his eyebrows. Dick's phone buzzed again, and Wally snatched it.
""She said KF flirts with too many girls and she's too busy to play around with him"?!" He read out loud. He looked up at Dick with outrage. "I do not flirt with too many girls! I haven't flirted with a single other girl in front of Artemis."
Dick grabbed his phone back. "You can't just read my texts! That could have been from Bruce or she could've been sending me a nude!"
"Really? Nudes? While my heart is breaking, you are talking about how your hot girlfriend likes to send you nudes? When she's hanging out with other hot girls?" Wally sank into a nearby chair, disregarding his apple on the table. "What the hell, man." Where in the world did Artemis get the idea that I'm a flirt? She barely knows me! He sat up, determined. "Text her back. Get details."
"No." Dick said firmly, stepping back further from Wally.
"Why not?" Wally whined. If she wouldn't talk to him, and Zee and Dick weren't going to help, what could he do? This had started out as an attraction, but it'd grown and he really liked this girl.
"How about this? If I let you come to breakfast with me and Zee tomorrow, you can ask her for details yourself." Dick replied, rolling his eyes. Wally perked up.
"Seriously?" Wally never said no to a meal. He grabbed a water out of the fridge.
"Yes, but," Dick crossed his arms, "you have to stop bugging us and trying to read my texts tonight.
Wally considered while he took a drink from his bottle. "Alright, I can handle that. But text me if they send photos of a pillow fight." He whistled, walking out of the kitchen with his bottle of water. Finally, he'd get some real answers.
The next morning, Wally and Dick walked into the café across from their apartment only to find not just Zatanna but Artemis as well. Artemis frowned at him and hissed something to Zatanna, so she seemed just as surprised as him. But Wally was delighted, Oh, now I can get the details straight from the source.
Artemis was still in her pajamas, flannel bottoms and a Stanford sweatshirt in cardinal red. Her hair was damp, in her usual knot on top of her head, and her eyes look tired but bright. She clearly wasn't wearing any makeup. He thought she looked amazing.
"Now that's a face I could get used to seeing over my breakfast." Wally scooted into the booth beside her. Artemis snorted and turned to Dick.
"Nice to see you, Dick," she said pointedly. Dick had his arm around Zatanna.
"You too, Artemis. Did you girls have fun last night?"
Zatanna started excitedly recalling the events of the night before, which to Wally's disappointment, did not seem to include nude photoshoots. Wally watched as Artemis stirred her coffee (he counted four packets of sugar beside her), smiling on occasion at Zatanna. Just then the waitress Debbie walked up.
"Well, fancy seeing you boys here." She winked at Wally. Debbie was only a few years older than Wally and Dick, and they'd been going there at least five times a week since they'd moved in together, so Wally had quickly become well-known. "It's been too long."
"Well, I couldn't keep away from you for too long, Debbie." Wally winked back. When he looked back across the table, Dick and Zatanna had on wide eyes. Dick nodded towards Artemis, but when Wally looked at her, she seemed to be examining the menu. Was that flirting? If so, she didn't seem to care. "Uh, I'll just have the usual."
Artemis flipped over her menu and quickly ordered an egg white and cheese omelet. As Zatanna and Dick ordered, Artemis seemed to be purposefully ignoring him, examining the various hot sauces laid out on the table instead. When Debbie went to put in their orders, Dick took over the conversation.
"What are your plans for today, Artemis?"
She shrugged. "I need to work out today, especially after all that wine last night. And then probably some homework. Maybe go see a…friend." The word seemed uncomfortable on her tongue.
"Friend?" Wally questioned.
"Family friend." She confirmed, rolling her eyes.
"Do I need to feel threatened?" Wally teased.
"West," she sighed. "You are the last of my problems, I promise you." What does that mean? Wally packed away that comment to think about later.
"I may be the least of your problems, but I could be all of your solutions." He grinned suggestively. She blushed a little but seemed to not have an answer for once. Instead she turned to Dick.
"How was the movie?"
By the time they were done describing the action film they'd seen the night before, Debbie was back. Artemis had seemed to have relaxed, even agreeing with Wally on several points about the essentiality of the Fast and the Furious series.
"That was fast," Wally exclaimed excitedly, as Debbie laid plate after plate in front of them, almost all Wally's.
"They saw you coming," Debbie told him.
"Oh Debbie, you have the keys to my heart." Again, Dick motioned towards Artemis, but once again, she wasn't paying attention, instead covering her omelet in hot sauce. Debbie just chuckled as she walked away.
"Artemis, do you really need that much hot sauce?" Wally hated seeing cheese disrespected like that.
She shrugged, "I like things spicy."
"Oh, I bet you do." Wally replied, watching her lips.
She rolled her eyes again, but smiled as she replied, "You wish, West." Okay, that was a score in my book, Wally thought triumphantly, digging into his eggs.
There was some blessed silence as everyone ate. Wally had the most food, but he was also the fastest eater.
"Don't worry," Zee assured Artemis suddenly. Wally looked up to see Artemis looking at him with interest, "You get used to watching Wally eat."
"Har har," But Wally slowed down. Just then he noticed a tan hand sneaking onto his plate. She wasn't watching me eat, she's trying to steal my food. He grabbed her wrist. "What. Are. You. Doing?" He asked her through his teeth.
Artemis shrugged casually, like stealing food was no big deal. "You had too much bacon. It's not good for you."
"Not good for me…I …" Wally gaped at her. She took advantage of the moment to free her wrist, grabbing his fork with her other hand to take a bite of his pancakes.
Artemis closed her eyes and a look of pleasure came over her face. "Okay, yeah, I'm gonna get those next time." Wally stared at her and then looked back at his smirking friends.
"Well, I think that's our cue." Dick laughed, giving Wally a look. Wally gulped as they both scooted out of the booth, Dick throwing some bills down while they both ignored his and Artemis' protests. At last, it was just the two of them.
The problem was Wally didn't know if he was thrilled or terrified.
"I should probably go too," Artemis looked wildly for an exit, but Wally was blocking her into the booth. I knew this was a set-up. She'd accused Zatanna of as much when Wally and Dick had shown up, but Zatanna had denied it quickly. I'm sure Wally was in on it.
As if he heard her thoughts, Wally said quickly, "I didn't know you were going to be here."
"Uh-huh."
"But since you are here…maybe we can finally talk?" Wally pleaded. His impossibly green eyes were wide, and Artemis was silent for a moment too long. "Here, I'll make you a deal: I have fifteen minutes until I have to get to class. You and I can chill and talk until then and you…" He hesitated, and Artemis arched her eyebrow, "can have some of my pancakes." Now both brows went up, "Some. I said some. Basically, one, Artemis"
Artemis was tempted—these were some really good pancakes, all gooey and warm with just a hint of coconut. And she was sure she could sneak more than one from him. She sighed. "Okay but let me go to the other side of the booth at least. We look creepy sitting side-by-side."
"You won't run?" Wally asked suspiciously.
"What am I, a child?" Artemis didn't want to admit that it had crossed her mind. She knew he couldn't exactly use his powers in public, but would that really stop him if she decided to try to book it? In the end, the pancakes were the deciding factor. "Now scootch," she waved at him.
"Okay okay," Wally quickly let her out, and Artemis moved to the other side. Oh man, I'm gonna have to work so hard with GA today to make up for all this, she thought to herself as she stabbed a piece of pancakes and ate it, closing her eyes again in happiness. Woooorth it. She opened her eyes and saw him watching her.
"What?"
"Nothing, nothing." He started eating too. "So…"
"So, what?"
"So, you think I flirt too much?" Dammit, Zee.
Artemis tried to reach across the table for her coffee, and Wally pushed it towards her. "What did Zee tell you?"
"She didn't tell me anything." He put his hands up in mock surrender. "I kinda stole Dick's phone."
"Hmmmm…" Artemis took another bite of pancakes, in part to avoid his question and in part because it was so damn good.
"What do you mean by "flirting"?"
She shrugged, staring at the plate as she cut up more pancake. "We were just talking. I don't know if it's flirting exactly…"
"Then what?"
"Listen, West," His eyes narrowed, "Fine, Wally. I know you think you are like some kind of player, and I'm just…" she waved her hands vaguely, "not interested in that."
"Why do you think that?"
Artemis took a bite and chewed her pancakes silently. Because I see it every day with M'gann, because I know you are just flirting with me to have something to do or because you want to 'score' or whatever. She shrugged.
"I know."
"Artemis." She stirred her cold coffee. "Artemis." She looked into his eyes. "I am not some kind of player."
Artemis didn't know how to explain without letting the (proverbial and literal) cat out of the bag. She sighed.
"Wally, it's not just that. I'm busy. I have school and friends and…" She set her fork down, "just stuff."
"Stuff?" Just then, Wally's phone buzzed. On the table beside them. New message from Megan blinked back at them. Suddenly, Artemis was back at another table, a sticky bar with Cameron, and he was explaining mysterious texts from other women. Nope, not again. I promised myself never again. Her hands tightened under the table, and she dug her fingernails into the rough and sticky vinyl. This is why relationships weren't worth the time. Besides, if he knew the real you, he'd be out like a shot. Her and Wally? Dead in the water. Better to not even start.
"Yeah, you know, stuff." Artemis replied sharply, and Wally's eyes furrowed in confusion at her tone shift. "And none of them include some puppy dog chasing after me. So, you know what? Don't save a seat for me in class, don't ask Zee about me, don't text me. Let's just be classmates, and you're friends with my roommate's boyfriend. That's it." He started to protest, but she stood up. "And you're going to be late for class."
It was hard to sweep out of a diner in flannel pajamas and a sweatshirt, but damn if Artemis didn't give it her best effort. She was halfway down the street when she remembered that Zee had driven them. As she called for an Uber, she noticed her fingers were shaking. Probably the adrenaline, she thought to herself, leaning against a brick wall, ignoring the sick feeling just above her stomach, closer to her ribs.