For the lovely Black Licorice Addict. Certified!
in which all you're meant to be ≈ everything
The plan is, Robin would declare, extremely turbing. Artemis thinks she's getting science help. Wally... probably just thinks free food! When they first spot each other, realize they've been set up, she can't seem to smile. The air turns chilly, only in part due to Bibbo's malfunctioning air-conditioner.
"Pulchritudinous?" she ventures, shivering.
He shrugs off his jacket. "Yeah."
Artemis's eyes burn imaginary craters into the table as she accepts the garment. "I didn't hang up, that night."
It takes a moment for the penny to drop, but when it does, it keeps dropping, till Artemis quietly interrupts. "Alright. My name is—"
"You don't have to tell me," Wally blurts with typical tact. "I always knew."
"You what?"
Alarmed but undeterred, the speedster quickly continues, "My geek-in-training. It's all I need to know." To love you.
Mine.
Artemis lets out a breath she didn't realize she was holding.
"You asked me if this would last forever. I can tell you it won't."
Wide gray eyes locked onto his.
"But maybe we don't need forever." Wally grins, his glance at her expression rewarded by the skepticism he's missed seeing, so much. "Because we already have everything."
Of course, Robin's either gagging or filming from his Secret Location as they kiss, rushed, hungry.
Until Artemis abruptly breaks away.
"Please, don't be one of those idiots who text that it meant nothing the next day."
Wally can only smile, and say, "I thought I was your kind of idiot." They lean in, closer.
"I can live with that." Was he imagining the playful lilt in her voice?
"Live with it? You'll, like, revel in—"
"Wally?"
"Mm."
"Stick to teaching science. You obviously don't know how to shut up and just kiss me."
So, of course, that's when he really kisses her.
Parachute's Kiss Me Slowly. 'Nuff said.
You likey?
m.e.