Chapter 9
Artemis loved going to see her mother. It always came with warm food and clean clothes. But the best part was just spending time with her mom. Someone who knew every single thing about her and loved her unconditionally. Just an hour with her mom helped her de-stress, and thanks to Wally's tutelage, Artemis had an entire night with her mother.
One thing she did not miss though, was her mother's keen eye. She had eaten her share of pho, her clothes were in the dryer, and she was just chilling on the couch when her mother shut off the television.
Artemis whipped her head towards her mom. "What's up?"
"Artemis, I'm worried about you," Her mother wheeled next to the couch. Oh man, not again.
"Mom, I already had this talk with Ollie."
"Well, now you're having it with me," her mother replied sharply. Artemis remained silent; she knew it was better to listen when her mother got like this. "Are you having any fun? Are you making any friends?"
"Fun?" She expected to be asked about her sleep and her food and her grades. But her friends? "Uh, yeah. I guess."
Her mother frowned and took her hand. "Artemis, I know you worry. I know you worry about me, about your grades, your team, about the whole world. But who is worrying about you?"
"You are, mom." Artemis replied gently.
"Artemis, you know what I mean." Artemis opened her mouth to reply but Paula held up her hand. "And don't say Ollie, either. Who are your friends? Your partners?"
Artemis smiled. "Mom, I am making friends, I promise. My teammates, Zatanna and M'gann. We even had a girls' night recently."
"But they're only friends?" Her mother asked. Ah, of course. With Ollie's sex talk the other night, Artemis should have been expecting this.
Aretmis rolled her eyes. "Yes, mom. I don't really have time for anything else. Besides, you know…" She lowered her eyes and picked at a loose thread on the couch. "Relationships are…messy."
"This is what I'm talking about," her mother chided. "You are overthinking everything. You need to have fun, Artemis. Adventure. Maybe more."
It felt purposeful that Artemis couldn't leave the apartment because all of her clothing was wet.
"Mom, I really don't want to talk about this." Artemis pleaded.
"Okay, okay," Her mother let go of her hand. "I just want to say, not every relationship has to end like me and your dad. Just look at Dinah and Ollie." Artemis nodded. Luckily, the dryer buzzed just then.
A few days later, and Wally was pretty happy heading to the Cave. They were going to hang out, he'd get to see Artemis outside of class, get some training done, maybe set another 'study session' up.
And then Red Siblings hit. He was aching and tired, and Artemis was a little too friendly with Dick, to be honest. Wally was a zombie in his classes the next day. They had been betrayed by their own Justice League "den mother," and it was sure to be another long night tonight too. And Wally wasn't wrong. It was a night of betrayal and fighting super-animals, and they almost lost Captain Marvel.
Laying in bed later that night, he realized he didn't even really get to talk to Artemis. She'd been impressive in the cave, sneaking around, and using her arrow to set off the weapon. She had been their last hope, and she had come through. And then in the jungle, Tigress had been essential. He debated texting her. I'm going to see her in the morning in class. But it really wasn't that late at night, he reasoned.
"Hey, you up?" he texted. The moment he sent it, Wally wanted to punch himself in the face. It sounded like a total booty call. That is not what he had meant. Damn, damn damn. He waited as ten minutes, fifteen minutes, twenty minutes passed. Wally got up and did what he does best to avoid thinking, made a snack. He kept his phone with him while he heated up leftover chicken. After he finished eating his second helping, Wally finally accepted that she wasn't going to answer. Maybe she's asleep, he hoped. Ugh, actually it may be better if all of the internet had exploded and every wireless satellite and maybe she never got his text. However, if that couldn't have happened, the next best thing would be if she was just passed out at home.
The next morning, Wally brought Artemis a coffee to class. He knew she said no to coffee, but after the last two days? She needed it. She usually got there at least ten to fifteen minutes before class, but as time passed more and more people came in, she still didn't show up.
Finally, Professor Ruiz began class, and Wally got more nervous. Where is she? He pulled out his phone, but he had no new messages. Class seemed endless. When it was over, Wally had a hard time not using his speed to get to Wayne Tech to zeta to the Cave.
When he got there, it was empty. Where is this woman? He zipped through the kitchen and training room, but nothing. She wasn't in her room. Quickly, he ran back to the zeta tubes and ended up back at Wayne Tech. When he got to the elevator, he sped home. Did she get hurt last night? Was something going with… Suddenly, Wally realized he didn't know anything about Artemis' family or friends or anything. He shuffled into his apartment. Dick was sitting in the living room, working on his laptop.
"Hey," he greeted Dick dejectedly.
"Hey," Dick answered him.
An idea struck Wally. "Hey."
Dick looked at him confusedly, "Um, hey."
Wally sped over to him. "So, you're like the world's greatest detective ever, right?"
"No, that's Batman." Dick looked at him with a furrowed brow. "But I guess I'm pretty good. What's this about?"
"I don't know anything about Artemis. I mean, how many of us do? Does she have friends, family?"
"A boyfriend?" Dick teased. Wally hadn't even thought of that. His stomach clenched, but he chose to move on.
"I'm serious. We don't know anything about her friends or family. Maybe we should do some, y'know, digging."
Dick frowned. "No, we shouldn't." He closed his laptop. "Batman and Green Arrow trust her. And so do I. Remember, I've known Artemis for years."
Wally jerked back in surprise. "I'm not talking about trust."
"But you are talking about invading her privacy. Wally, think this through."
Wally plopped on the couch beside him. "You're right; I know. It's just that she wasn't in class today. Something could be wrong, and we'd never know."
"Well, have you tried texting her?"
Wally hesitated. "Last time that didn't go so good. Can you text Zatanna and just make sure she's okay?"
"No. You've got to stop using me and Zatanna as some sort of work around to whatever this is between you two. If you want to know something about Artemis, ask her. If you want to see her, go see her."
Wally stood up. "Dude, really?"
Dick opened his computer again. "Really."
Wally headed to the kitchen to grab some food. He'd eaten his way through most of his feelings before deciding to have Dick's favorite ice cream as dessert. But he knew that Dick was right. He left Dick half the carton, grumpily, and texted Artemis, again.
"Hey, missed you in class today."
Wally debated asking Dick if his text looked okay, but he knew the troll wouldn't be of much help. Finally leaving the kitchen, Wally went to his room and tried to catch up on homework. He started with his science courses, trying to distract himself, but he still jumped every time his phone buzzed. Even when Megan texted the group chat, he was surprised to find himself disappointed. Oh wait, the group chat. He scrolled through the chat to see if Artemis had answered anything from there since yesterday, but it seemed like the only people who had texted were Kal and Megan. When he got to the poetry homework, he gave up. This is ridiculous. Who doesn't answer any texts for days? What if there was an emergency?
He stomped out, with new determination, not even bothering to tell Dick where he was going when he passed him in the living room. But it seemed as though Dick had figured it out. When Wally knocked on her apartment door a few minutes later, Zatanna answered quickly, as though waiting for him.
"I assume Dick texted you?"
"Yup," she answered cheerfully, moving aside to let him in. "She's in her room, and I'm headed to training. Y'all be good." Zatanna winked and walked out the door.
For once, Wally wasn't in a hurry to get somewhere. If she's here, why didn't she come to class? Why didn't she answer my text? He finally arrived at her door and knocked.
"Yeah?" came her raspy reply.
Wally opened the door to find no sign of Artemis. The lights were off, and the curtains closed. Her desk was covered in tissues, and he heard a humidifier going.
"Artemis?" He called lightly. Finally, he spotted the lump on her bed move.
Her face poked out. "Wally?"
He sped over to her. "Artemis, are you okay?"
She turned her head back to the pillow. "Wally, what are you doing here?"
"Aren't you going to look at me?"
"No," she answered, her words muffled. "I look gross."
"Hey, what's up? You didn't come to class."
Artemis turned to face the wall, and Wally sat beside her on the bed.
"I have a cold."
"A cold?" Wally could hardly stop himself from laughing from relief. Oh my god, she doesn't hate me. And she's not dying somewhere.
"Yes, a cold, Kid Obvious. That'll happen when you almost drown two nights in a row." She snapped, still not looking at him.
"Well, why didn't you text me? I was worried about you."
Artemis finally turned over, and he could see her face. She was pale and sweaty and her eyes looked a little glazed but she still managed to frown. "Why? Because we hooked up a couple of times?" She waved him off. "We've talked about this. It doesn't mean anything." Her face was red and sweating, and he could see her eyes were dazed. Her words stung though.
"We're teammates, Arty. I just want to make sure you're in fighting condition." Wally snapped.
"Well, I'll be fine. I just need some rest and meds. No need to alert the League." Wally opened his mouth to argue when he noticed her shivering. Wally softened his voice.
"Are you cold?"
"Yeah, I can't get warm." She pulled her covers closer.
Wally sighed. "Here, scoot over." He lifted the covers, and before she could protest, he got under them and pulled her close.
"Oh," Artemis turned back to him in relief, putting her head on his shoulder and snuggling close. He wrapped his arms around her, bringing her in even tighter. Normally, Artemis was slightly cooler than him, since he ran at speedster temperatures, but now, she was almost the same temperature. That's not good.
"You don't have to stay," she told him, muffled, but snuggled deeper, wrapping one leg around him.
"I'll stay just a while, okay?" He promised, rolling his eyes.
"Mmmkay."
After a few minutes, Artemis was asleep, snoring lightly into his neck. Crap, it's like 8pm. What am I supposed to do now? Wally used one hand to grab the TV remote off the desk, avoiding snotty tissues. Flipping the channels, he found some old ninja movie just starting. Snuggling close with Artemis, he couldn't help but think, Score.
Artemis was warmer than she had been in days. She snuggled in deeper into her warmth source, not even recognizing for a moment what she was leaning into. She realized that it was a person when she felt a kiss on her head. Oh, right, Wally. Part of her wanted to push him away, but he just felt so good.
His arms were around her, and his fingers rubbed in slow, soothing circles. This was not the way she had imagined ever waking up with Wally (and she had to admit that she had imagined it, maybe too many times). She was sticky with sweat from when her fever finally broke, her hair and face felt greasy, and she knew she was covered in bruises and scrapes from the last two missions.
Artemis finally sat up, not looking at Wally.
"Hey," Wally said gently. "How are you feeling?"
"Much better." She winced at the raspy quality of her voice, but in comparison to yesterday, her throat still felt a thousand times better.
"Yeah?" He touched her shoulder.
She nodded and could feel herself blushing. "Yeah."
"Do you want some breakfast?" Wally was still speaking to her in a cautious tone, as though she was fragile.
Artemis frowned. She was anything but fragile. "Uh, actually, I think I really want to take a shower."
"Oh, yeah, sure." Wally climbed off the bed, making room for Artemis to follow.
She headed to the door, but before she left, she turned to him. "What, no comment about joining me?" She teased, an attempt to get back at their more organic relationship.
He smiled awkwardly. "Yeah, I must be really tired."
She frowned again. Okaaay…
When she got out of the bathroom, Artemis felt so much better, like she had washed the sickness away. Her face was fresh, and she had spent a long time scrubbing her hair. She remembered the way Wally's hands had felt massaging her scalp, the firmness and warmth of his fingers, but she shook it off, spending time shaving her legs, and giving her hair a deep conditioning. When she was done, she felt like a new person.
Artemis was surprised to find Wally in the kitchen when she got there. "Oh, hi."
"Hey," He looked her over thoughtfully. She was suddenly aware of how little clothing she was wearing, just a tank top and leggings. While her outfit did cover most of her bruises, she wished she put on a bra.
She crossed her arms protectively, "I thought you'd go home."
"Well, I did." He gestured towards his clothes. Oh, I guess he changed. She didn't really remember what he was wearing. "But I thought maybe we could have some breakfast." That's when Artemis noticed all the food behind him. There were stacks of pancakes and a pile of eggs and toast.
"Oh, okay." Why is he being so nice? Artemis sat at the kitchen island and Wally brought over the food. They ate quietly for a moment (well, quiet for Wally). "So, um. Thanks, I guess. For, y'know. Everything."
Wally smiled happily, and Artemis felt herself melt a little. "No problem, babe. I was worried for a second."
"Yeah, well, you're a good friend."
Wally beamed. "So, friends?"
Artemis was confused. "Yeah, friends."
"Because last night you were saying…"
"Oh." Artemis had purposefully avoided thinking about what she had said last night, but apparently it had been weighing on Wally. "Wally," she sighed. I guess we're doing this.
He held his hand up. "Artemis, I know you're not looking for a relationship. I get that. But I really think we will make good friends."
Artemis hesitated, eating a mouthful of eggs to buy herself time. She thought about what her mom said, about how much richer her life was with Dick and Megan and Zatanna in it. What's the harm, really? "Okay, friends."
The rest of the meal was a lot more relaxed. They teased and laughed like usual. Artemis actually began to enjoy herself. After breakfast, Wally stood up to head home.
Artemis walked him to the door. "Hey, seriously, Wally, thanks. You're a good friend." She reached up to give him a hug, and a quick peck on the cheek, when he moved his head. Their lips met, and electricity ran through her. Almost without realizing it, Artemis was pressing her body against his. His hands squeezed her waist, while hers tangled in his hair. Finally, she pulled back breathless. "Well, maybe friends with benefits."