Zatanna sat on the bed-not her bed because her bed was in her home and this wasn't her home, even if Artemis(who wouldn't even look at Zatanna properly)was there. the weight was unfamiliar and cardboard boxes piled up around her. The walls were bare, and a boring color. None of the decorations or imperfections that made her room(home, really)her's.

But, mostly she felt empty, like a large part of her had packed up and left. Her father-Docter Fate. Because of her. And the way Robin had looked at her through his sunglasses made her feel even more sick. It was as though he liked her more than a friend, and like he understood what she was going through(he didn't, so he didn't need to pretend). But she didn't like him that way, and didn't want to string him along by pretending she did.

When she first came to the cave, she liked Robin instantly because he was nice to her right of the bat. Zatanna responded to his attempts at flirting, or whatever they were, because she thought it was cute. Nothing more. He was like the little brother she never had, and she didn't like him any more than that. No.

But the absolute longing that was projected through those dark shades. She didn't want to break his heart, like hers had been. But she had kissed Artemis, goddamnit. Zatanna loved her. But now Artemis was careful to avoid her at all costs(wouldn't even make eye contact, as if she wasn't there), Robin maybe sorta kinda loved her(oh, who was she kidding? He had a crush on her from the very beggining, and she was too stupid to realize it), her father was right next to her but not and-

It hurt.

When had her life gotten this messed up? A dry, throaty chuckle escaped Zatanna's lips, even though it wasn't very funny. Since she had kissed Artemis, that's when. No; it was before that. It was as soon as she walked into the Mountain, when she had followed her father through those dreadful tubes. As soon as Robin laid eyes on her and he was caught like she was on Artemis. That's when her life got this messed up. (It could've been worse, though-knock on wood)

It wouldn't have been so bad if Zatanna hadn't fallen in love with Artemis. If Artemis had fallen in love with her back. Then everything would've been just fine. It felt like a punch in the gut, and it wasn't because of Artemis or Robin or her life. It was her father's. Oh god, what was she doing(thinking, really, but not important)?! Her father had taken his entire life, and given it willingly to save her. Why did he do that? She would happily take the helmet, hide(like a coward)from Artemis and everything. Wasn't that his entire mission, though? To protect her? When she was younger, practically the only way to gog outside on her own was sneaking out and a duplication spell. That's how protective he was of her, and it took her months to even be allowed to go to (look what good that did her). And now he was not dead, but trapped , all alone forever(which was worse than being dead), while she angst'd about the love triangle she was part of. What kind of daughter am-was, because she was nobody's daughter now-I?

The next blow(it wasn't actually there; just her heartsickness, need for breath-when had that happened?)sent her doubling over, curling up into a fetal position in her bed. Tears streaked down her face as she cried. She was crying, laughing. Her heart was worn and she was losing her mind. Probably. Tangled, messy dark hair fell over her face and stuck there, the tears serving as glue and the redness of her face as a backdrop. She was a mess, a freaking mess. Artemis would never love her, Robin always would and so would her father, and that's why he's dead(not dead;just trapped, in a helmet, forever. Cuz that's so much better). The laughter became more hysterical, because it was doubled with the sobs, and her breath came out when she wasn't sobbing or laughing(who laughs at a time and place like this?). She would die of hyperventilation, if not by llik annataZ arataZ tghir won or by grief/sadness. That would probably be for the best, anyway.

She hiccuped, and there was a knock on the door. Before Zatanna could clean herself up, hide or just cast the damn spell already, the door opened and Robin peeked through. His trademark sunglasses were on and how could I love somebody when I don't even know who he is? "Zatanna, are you alright? I thought I heard-"

He caught sight of her, and his eyebrows raised as though he surprised. He really wasn't, she knew, but she'd pretend. Because she owed him that much, and probably more. "Oh s-god, are you alright?"

Zatanna pulled herself into a sitting position, though her (father's)hair was still streaked across her faces in slashes, like the tears. She glared at him, blowing a strand that was tickling her eye. She knew she was in no position to glare, or do anything of the sort, but it made her feel better. Direct some of the anger and hurt at him, though he was only trying to help(and, in his mind, he was). It was morally wrong, and she knew that. Besides, she was the Orphaned/Trauma Child now, people usually went soft on them and cooed(or made fun of, but that's beside the point). "No."she said pointedly, and it was also morally wrong to snap at him when he was just being the concerned more-than-friend. But she didn't care, not right now. Maybe later, when she'd cooled down enough to think logically but right now her emotions were running a little bit high and he just walked in on her crying/manically laughing session. A hiccup and a few shakes, but she held strong. "But I will be. Privacy, please?"

"You can tell me if you need anything, you know." Robin said earnestly and Zatanna bit back a sure I will. Her hovered in the doorway, still a little sure and obviously longing to help or something. (probably something) "It's not healthy to isolate yourself from your friends-"

"OUT!" Zatanna yelled and she chucked the never used pillow at him. It missed by a mile, hit a stack of tilting boxes and they toppled. Zatanna was on her feet now, though she didn't remember when that happened. Probably when she yelled. Robin looked like he wanted to do anything but, yet he obeyed, closing the door softly with that sad little pity look on his face. Zatanna felt sick.

As soon as the door clicked shut, she collapsed on the spot again, tears spilling out as though her tear ducts' were rivers and her cheeks were the riverbed. She wasn't laughing anymore, or sobbing for that matter. Just kind of numb, staring at the door where Robin had left. Somewhere deep down, she felt a little guilty about yelling at him, but it was covered by the sickening sense of glee and newfound numbness. But mostly, her longing and dreadful sense that it should be Artemis checking on her, not Robin.

Yeah. Really OOC. I'll work on fixing that. Set after 'Misplaced'.