~ Chapter Six ~
Disclaimer: No owning of Young Justice here…
Quick A/N: After my friend read this chapter, she pointed out that this is slightly AU. When I thought about it, I realized she was right. Because of that, this story is now slightly AU, as in here Artemis and Wally never shared a kiss during Auld Acquaintance. Just to let you all know!
Artemis' POV
I throw myself out of Dick's arms, a scarlet blush dusting my cheeks. Dick's cheeks are similarly painted, even though we hadn't been doing anything wrong. Friends can hug, right?
I was more embarrassed by the fact that the boy I liked had caught us doing it.
I'm sure he hates me now.
Dammit.
"Dude!" Wally yells at Dick. "What the hell? I thought this was bro's night? Why is Artemis here? Better yet, how did she find out your identity?"
I put my hands on my hips, my stance set. "It's a long story, Baywatch. Can your ultra-fast speedster brain concentrate long enough to hear it?"I snap. I am so mean to him. I can't help myself. I have to hide what I feel for him. They are forbidden feelings; feelings that I wish would just go and die in a hole somewhere. I'm sure Wally doesn't feel the same way about me. Why else would he always be harping on me, trying to defend Speedy—Red Arrow's honour as Green Arrow's sidekick? As far as I know, when a boy likes you, they don't start running their incredibly-fast mouth every time you're both in the same room.
Wally crosses his arms and flops down on Dick's bed, his eyes narrowed and his mouth folded into a frown. He looks from me to Dick before sighing. "Fine. Lay it on me, Artemis." I proceed to tell the elaborate story of how I found out, Dick piping in at the appropriate times to fill in details I have missed. I hesitate before telling him about me almost being raped. I didn't want him to think me weak. I'd always put on the façade that I could take anything that life threw my way. I didn't want that image of me to be ruined. To my surprise, Wally's expression changes into one of…is that worry? Was he actually worried about me? As I finish, I feel a blush creep up my cheeks. I quickly look away.
Wally sits there in a stunned silence, the worry still plain on his face. "Wow," he says, falling back to lie on the bed for a moment before propping himself up on his elbow. "That must've been…quite the trip to the mall." He tries to put a humorous spin to the statement but his voice is still laced in pity. He rolls to his feet and claps Dick on the back, a little too hard. "Well, that explains your bruises, Dick. I can't believe you let yourself get beat up by a girl, and Artemis at that!" I clench my fists. Wally wasn't worried. He didn't care about me. That expression must've been fake. He'd just wanted to mess with my head yet again.
"Master Richard! Master Wallace! Mistress Artemis!" Alfred's voice calls from the bottom of the stairs. "Lunch is being served!"
"We'll be right there, Alfred!" Dick yells back. He looks at the glares being exchanged between me and Wally. "I think I'll, uh, leave you two alone. Just, come down when you're done." He slips out the door, leaving us alone inside his own bedroom.
Wally's expression softens after Dick leaves. The motion makes me think of him taking off a mask that he wears when Dick or the others are around. He places his hand on my shoulder. I don't brush it away. "Are you okay, Artemis?" he says gently. "That must've been...so scary. I can't even imagine what you must've gone through."
My heart melts. "Y-yeah. I'm g-good now." I stammer out. I clamp my jaw shut as I blush yet again. Why did I have to start stuttering now? Wally nods, blushing too. He runs his hand over the back of his neck sheepishly.
"That's, um, that's good. I'm glad." he says. All of a sudden, I feel Wally's arms wrapped around me. I freeze. Was this actually happening? "I'm sorry you had to go through that Artemis." I smile and return the gesture, holding him tight.
"Thanks, Wally. It's nice to know you care." Everything fades around me. My heart is pounding against my ribs. My mind is going blank, my thoughts concentrated solely on the red-haired, emerald-eyed boy that's holding me in his strong arms. My entire being yearns for him. I want him to be mine. I desperately hope he can't tell how flustered he's making me. He pulls me slightly away and we lock eyes. His green eyes are so bright, so full of life. I never realized how vibrant his hair is.
Before I know what's happening his lips are pressed to mine.
I gasp against him as he kisses me, his lips strong yet gentle. I kiss him back, the gesture fueled by passion that had been filling up inside me since the moment I met him after his fantastic entrance into Mount Justice. I savour the warmth of his body, surely the result of his high metabolism and his constant need to speed things along. For once, Wally is slow, not rushing through the process of kissing me.
All too soon, Wally pulls away. I stay frozen in position, savouring the feel of his lips. He smiles at me. "C'mon, let's go get some food. I'm starving, and Alfred's cooking is always amazing!"
I laugh and follow him out the door, punching him lightly on the arm. "You're always hungry, West."
Lunch is awkward, to say the very least.
Dick views us questioningly as we sit. My face is scarlet and Wally's now matches the colour of his hair. Bruce doesn't join us. Alfred sets a plate in front of each of us, his eyebrows raised ever so slightly. Wally starts shovelling the food into his mouth, trying to direct attention away from himself by eating messily. I roll my eyes. It's times like these that I wonder what I see in him. The meal is penne with pesto alfredo sauce and chicken, as well as green peas thrown in. I lick my lips hungrily and dig in.
When the last bit of sauce is cleaned from the plate, we thank Alfred and leave the dining room. When we exit Bruce—Batman is standing there, the cowl pulled up onto his face.
"Suit up," he says briskly, the kinder persona of Bruce Wayne gone. Now I understand what Dick had meant when he said he was hoping to catch him as Bruce. I'd much rather talk to Bruce about my personal problems than Batman. "I have a mission for the team."
A/N: Nakama no otaku kon'nichiwa! Hello fellow geeks! Not the most exciting chapter, I know. Sorry for the shortness as well. I feel like I didn't write this chapter very well. Hopefully it was okay for you guys. :/ Anyway, SPITFIRE FANS REJOICE! :D I thought that little tidbit would be a good little twist in the story. Next chapter's going to have a little bit of Chalant in it too.
Also, I would just like to ask if you would be so kind as to go answer the polls on my profile. I would really appreciate the input! As always, please review! Happy reading and stay astrous! ;)
