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[It's only been hours since she took down her father, hours since she watched her sister walk away from her for a time that is not worth counting. They've defeated the bad guys. What more could Artemis ever want?

It's New Years, the computer tells them. It's time to celebrate.

Kid Flash looks at her and for reasons she can't even begin to explain, she doesn't look away. He picks her up, and she can't believe that either but she doesn't fight it. If there's one thing she's learned in the past twenty-four hours it's that she can trust her instincts, and somehow this just feels right. This is a new sensation for her and when he pulls her in close and tells her that he should have done this a long time ago, she can only think that yeah, what took him so long?

For a while, the team is too caught up in their own adrenaline-fueled teenage shenanigans to pay attention to the fact that Artemis and Wally--the two voted Most Likely to Battle Each Other in a Duel to the Death--are the ones to start the kissing. They're all goddamn teenagers, even Robin and Kaldur who Artemis has personally elected "Ones Most Likely to Live According to Their Job." Not that that's a thing she's thought about before. Not that that's a thing she's thinking about when Wally kisses her.

Mostly she's just thinking "YES!" and a slightly less in all-caps "Yes!" So much has happened and the boy she's has legitimately thought of as her greatest enemy on the team become her greatest ally. It doesn't make sense, but since when has Wally made sense?

Before she's ready for it, he sets her back down her feet and now she has to face reality again. People are breaking up from their kisses with awkward giggles and shuffling feet and looking around at the room, somehow still beaming with joy at everything they've accomplished. Sure, it's not everything they'd hoped for, but the adrenaline rush is still in full effect. Artemis finds herself grinning like a fool, arm still stupidly slung over Kid Flash's--Wally's--shoulders. They've won. There's still so much they have to do, but for now, they've won.

De-briefing is less exciting. They've all done this before, but somehow this time it's different. Kaldur is the first to go in, and he comes out with his grim smile unaffected. Yes, there will be repercussions, but they have done good work here tonight and Kaldur has stood up for his team. Tension in Artemis's chest eases when she sees him return, but she doesn't let go of Wally's hand until she absolutely has to. Yes, okay, she'll have to face Batman one-on-one in a way she hasn't had to do for while (he knows everything) but she also has to face her mentor, tell him about Red Arrow... It doesn't bear thinking about. Wally's warm hand in her own helps her do just that: not think about it.

She's the last to be called for debriefing, except for Zatanna. When she comes out of her debriefing she's temporarily surprised to find an empty lobby. Zatanna's already been called into the conference room and after everything they've been through, her team has decided to go somewhere more comfortable. The computer informs her that they've moved to the Cave for the remainder of their New Years celebrations. She knows she should go back home, let her mother know that she's okay, but zeta tubes make it so easy to stop by the Cave on her way home.

Zatanna, the face she most wants to see, is still in conference with the Justice League, but M'gann gives out a great cry of joy when the computer announces Artemis's presence and she's quickly surrounded. The team hasn't had much time to deal with her particular background, but somehow that suddenly doesn't matter as they all crowd around her with hugs or awkwardly kind words (depending on personality). Artemis feels like she's in a dream--no way this is how the good people she's admired and cares about respond to her being the daughter of super villains.

A warm hand finds her own and somehow it all becomes a little more real. She and Wally don't even have to look at each other, but Artemis knows he'll stay close. They talk to other people, they gesture loudly with their hands, but they always somehow still find the same center. She doesn't know why or why she cares, but it makes her feel better all the same.

... That is, until--high on adrenaline and perhaps something someone tipped in the punch bowl--someone inevitably suggests 7-minutes in Heaven. The equally inevitable bottle immediately points to Artemis.

"What?! Oh this is bull--"

The next spin lands on Wally and Artemis's mouth clamps shut.

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[Wally's eyes meet hers and he stands up immediately, circles around, grabs her hand and pulls her to her feet and over to the closet. He ignores all the whoops behind him (thanks Rob, thanks Zee, both of you shut up) and pulls Artemis into the closet, fumbling around for the light and clicking it on.

...kind of cozy in here. Okay.]

Uh, [he says awkwardly, about 200 miles too far from the Watchtower to have kept that same bravado that had him sweeping her off her feet like some kind of romance novel cover model. He rubs the back of his neck.] Do you wanna talk or just make out? I'm cool with making out again, but like...maybe we should. Discuss stuff.

[Artemis is also feeling the distance from the Watchtower, the distance from everything being a clear right and wrong.

At the same time, if anyone is going to corner her in a small space, she is glad that it's Wally. More than anything, she's glad that he asks her opinion on the situation before her makes his move. True, she has no problem breaking a guy's arm for trying to pin her down, but that doesn't mean she wants to. Discussing "stuff" is maybe a good idea.]

Yeah. [She breathes heavily. Where is the air in this closet? The others aren't trying to choke them to death, right?] I mean, I am also okay with making out? But what is going on? I mean, I hate you, right? And you hate me?

[There is something almost hopeful in her tone. Not hopeful that he'll agree, but hopeful that he'll prove her wrong. Yes, she hated working with him to begin with--he undermined her at every chance he got! Then again, she didn't exactly do anything to prove her trustworthiness, probably because she was doing everything she could to lie about herself and where she came from. But yeah, even though she understands his position and she's the first to propose the idea, if he agrees with her right there and then she might kick him in the balls and bail. Tread carefully, Kid.]

[Kid laughs and leans back against the shelves; a bottle jostles but doesn't quite fall, and he folds his arms a little defensively, like he's guarding against something.] Are you kidding me? I'm pretty sure we haven't hated each other for a long time.

[Pause.] Even when you piss me off. And make fun of me. And annoy the crap out of me in the bioship, and when you make fun of my singing -which is without flaw by the way, I want you to know that- and when-

[Artemis listens with her usual exasperated expression and crossed arms, until he gets to his singing, at which point he's only just embarrassing himself so she has to step up and intervene. Her hand encircles his upper arm tightly and she yanks him into her personal space and kisses him. There's something incredibly satisfying about having the power to end one of his pointless rants in one motion. Something even more obscurely satisfying about the kiss itself.]

Shut up, [She finally tells him, pushing him away again. And yeah, maybe that's not how a real discussion is supposed to happen, but that can't be just her fault. She's not sure she can stand more of his whining, anyway.] Okay, so I don't hate you. But don't push your luck.

[Hopefully KF doesn't look too thirsty leaning after that kiss (naw he absolutely does look thirsty, like 40 days in the desert thirsty) but he can't really help himself. Her lips are badass.]

...right. Okay, no luck-pushing. Seriously though like, is that- [gestures between them with a finger] -this, whatever, is this gonna be a regular thing? 'Cause I mean... [He looks away. Up at the light- ow mistake, that was brighter than he thought. Okay just. Somewhere around her shoulder is fine.] I'd be...fine with that. [wow wally just say you wanna date her you trash]

What, you mean our friends shoving us in a closet to make out? [She shifts her weight and winces when she bangs her elbow on the closest wall. Ugh, there is really not enough space in here. Artemis shoots a dark look at the door, behind which their friends are no doubt laughing their heads off.] It better not be.

[Come on, Artemis. That's obviously not what he meant and you know it.

She leans back against the wall, folding her arms, the picture of nonchalance. Or as nonchalant as you can get when crammed in a utility closet with another human being who is looking at her like her mouth is the best thing he's ever tasted. Kid Flash's shoulders are surprisingly broad. Which really shouldn't be that surprising, given the fact that he's carried her across a desert before, but it's much more noticeable in the current cramped conditions. The spandex isn't hurting either.]

But um... yeah. I guess the rest of... this... could be a thing. Regularly.

[Though Artemis is also having trouble with eye contact, she wisely avoids blinding herself and instead gazes at a spot near his left knee. Why is kissing so much easier than talking about kissing?]

[Wally bobs his head stupidly like some kind of ginger chicken.] Yeah, cool. Okay. [His heart's pounding. He's pretty sure his hands are sweating in his gloves. He thinks they just agreed to go out, pretty sure they're going out now, like boyfriend-girlfriend going out in a way that he's never gone out with anybody before.

.........he cannot handle this

Kid flicks open the timepiece on his wrist.] We've got three minutes left. Wanna suck face?

[Oh, thank god.

Artemis snorts a laugh that's at least 75% relief.]

"Wanna suck face?" Wow, Wally. Such a romantic.

[But even as she's making fun of him, she's looping her arms around his neck and moving in to kiss him again. The butterflies in her stomach get all excited about that. He's warm--super warm--and his breath isn't all that great, but she's pretty sure hers isn't either. Probably neither of them smell too good in general, considering they're still in uniform, but Artemis doesn't notice or really care.

It's been a big day and she's got a lot to think about. Does this mean they're dating? Like, is Wally her boyfriend? Artemis has done her share of flirting and he's definitely not her first kiss or anything, but what do you do with a boyfriend once you actually have one? Why is her stomach fluttering like it's the first day of school or something? What will the team say? What will her mom say?

That's a pretty good place to stop thinking so much and get back to business at hand.

Up close, she can feel his pulse hammering away at a mile a minute.

They only have three minutes left. It would be a shame to waste them.]

[They don't keep track of the time so the sharp rap on the door startles them both, and Wally gives Robin the finger upon emerging when he sticks his fingers in his mouth and whistles. They muddle through the rest of the game, ignoring how the others had shifted to make space for them to sit next to each other in their circle. Conner and M'gann disappear toward the end of the game and nobody dares to follow them. Zatanna retreats to her room to be alone, leaving them staring sadly at her back, and Rocket declares that she needs to get home. Aqualad agrees that it's time for them to part ways and rest, and Robin is the last to go, digging an elbow into Wally's side until they end up wrestling and yelping and making a mess.

And then it's just the two of them.] I'm gonna hit the showers, [Kid announces, pushing himself up and pausing.] Are you gonna stay the night, or are you gonna go home?

[Artemis gets up as well, brushing her palms off on the thighs of her pants.]

I should go. You know... check in with my mom.

[She keeps her voice light, but there's a bit of an extra raspy note that gives away her concern. There are things about the team's activities that she will never share with her mom for... oh, any number of reasons. It's safer, for one thing; no one can accuse Paula of misusing Justice League secrets if Artemis hasn't given her any. Paula doesn't ask many questions, either. She's been in the business, she knows she'll probably sleep better at night if she doesn't know exactly what her youngest is doing when she puts on the cowl.

But this time, family is involved. Artemis still hasn't decided yet whether she wants to tell Paula everything or go to her grave without ever mentioning her dad and sister again.]

...you want company? Five minutes and I'll walk you home. -from the zeta tube, I mean. [Not because Wally thinks that a girl who grew up in westside Gotham can't take care of herself, but because- well, isn't that what boyfriends do? Walk home with their girlfriends?]

[Artemis raises a very incredulous brow. So what, now that she lives in Gotham instead of Star City she needs an escort to get home?

... But maybe she wouldn't mind the company.]

Whatever. Sure.

[She plucks at the front of her costume and takes an experimental sniff.]

Yuck. I need a shower too. I'll come with you. [Her face turns beet red.] I mean, not--not with you with you! I'm going to go take my own shower. Just... Ugh, god, Wally!

[Yes, that was totally his fault. Still red, she stomps off to the girl's locker room, not turning around when she shouts back at him.]

Be back here in ten!

[Five minute showers are the unicorn-and-rainbow style impossible dreams of people who have hair that goes down to their ass. Even ten is probably wishful thinking.]

Why the hell are you yelling at me for?! [Kid hollers at her back, watching her storm off. Why is she even storming off, they're going in the same direction! Geez.

Wally waits for her to get far enough away so they won't bump into each other before he hits the showers across the hall, stripping down and leaving his uniform in a heap on the ground. He'll take care of it later, he's tired and cranky and red in the face because I'll come with you gave him all sorts of thoughts and he...yeah okay he jacks off in the shower, sue him, he's a red-blooded American isn't he?! Dammit.

He's out before Artemis, which isn't unusual, and he waits leaning against the wall, stomach growling a little even as he munches on his emergency protein bar stash, heart still trip-trapping in his chest even though all the scary stuff's been done already. This is the easy part. He's been alone with Artemis loads of times, and all they're going to do is walk through Gotham. Not exactly a romantic venue.]

[Naively oblivious to Wally's activities across the hall, Artemis focuses on scrubbing herself down and washing her hair. Afterwards, she does her best to squeeze out as much water as she can and then combs and braids it loosely. The process is calming, leaving her feeling far less flustered, and by the time she emerges in her civvies with her duffle bag slung over her shoulder she's got her swagger back.

She gives him a teasing smirk when she sees him leaning against the wall.]

You clean up nice.

[He already has protein bar crumbs on his face, the dork. The fact that she still likes him even though she's seen him eat is... kind of amazing, actually. She must have taken too many bonks on the head over the years.]

Hungry? [He must be. It's been a very long day.] We can stop and get something on the way, if you want...

[There's a couple all-night take-out places near her apartment. Artemis become pretty familiar with them, during her admittedly short career as a solo-vigilante. They were popular with the local low-level criminal scum, looking for an easy target to knock-over in the middle of the night.]

[He looks down at his jeans and t-shirt (cleans up nice??? what he literally wears this every week) before his head snaps up at that offer of food.] Yes. God. I absolutely want to stop and get something.

[Even if when they get there Wally looks around a little uncomfortably, because he's 10000% out of his element as a nice white boy from a nice white town in Missouri, a nice boy who runs around in Central and doesn't see downtown very often unless he's with the Flash. He still shoves his hands into his pockets and orders eight burgers from the dollar menu, he still glances at Artemis and his cheeks turn red and tells her she cleans up nice too "or whatever" and then he pays for her food too, says it doesn't mean anything so don't get offended, it's just because they're stopping because of him anyway.]

-no but seriously, they did! I mean, I know the three of us took out Flash and GA and stuff but like, Rob and SB! Batman and Superman! On their own! [Wally unwraps his third burger and stuffs it into his mouth, riffling through the second bag for Artemis's fries when she beckons for them.] Man, I wanna get the security footage for that. Can you imagine that?! I wanna see it so bad. Wanna sneak up there with me and rob the Watchtower?

Edited 2015-05-22 04:33 (UTC)

[Artemis has, at several points during this experience, attempted to intervene and bring some sense to the proceedings. But then she just rolls her eyes and decides that maybe-boyfriend or not, Wally can dig his own grave if he wants to. She'll bail him out if it gets too serious.

She might turn a little red when he pays for her food, but she doesn't object. It's not like she has cash to burn, and she can at least excuse it with the whole maybe-boyfriend thing.

She has to punch his shoulder, finally, when he brings up robbing the Watchtower for security footage.]

Or you could just ask them, you idiot. I mean, they are your friends, right?

[Artemis is still riding high on this "friends tell each other stuff" revelation. It seems like a pretty sweet deal to her right now and the thought of somehow sneaking around that deal does not fill her with the same devious glee.

She swipes a fry from him just because she can (even though she has her own fries), munching it thoughtfully.]

I still can't believe we took down Flash and Ollie and Aquaman. I mean... I shot the Flash. Can you believe that? And I really kind of thought we were going to die when that hatch opened.

[She's not trying to be depressing, just still enjoying this whole "honesty" thing. It's new for her, she's not entirely sure how it works.]

You did shoot the Flash, and did totally almost die with that. Kaldur's freaking crazy. [He steals one of her fries and blows out a breath, watches it cloud up in front of them. The snow in Gotham is brown and grey in most places, but the clouds are fat and heavy and threatening to drop another load of snow on their heads before they reach Artemis's apartment.]

-what the heck do you mean my friends, though? They're your friends too. Why don't you ask GA to get it for us, he's such a sucker. He'll totally do it. [Wally blows out another cloudy breath and then shoves the last of his burger into his mouth.]

[Artemis artfully dodges the question about friendship and instead swats at his hand, far too slow to actually prevent him from stealing a fry. That's okay, though. She got one of his, so it's fair.

What's not fair is that he doesn't seem at all bothered by the cold and Artemis is shivering her butt off. Damn speedster biology.]

No way am I blackmailing my mentor into giving us some secret security footage or whatever. [Artemis manages to play the saint for approximately two seconds before her true reason is revealed.] I mean, that is way too easy. You know he's a total pushover.

[A true Gothamite to the core, Artemis finishes her food and tosses the bag haphazardly on the sidewalk. Whatever, it's a cold night and the pigeons will enjoy whatever crumbs she left behind.]

[Wally looks after that bag -seriously it's okay to just leave it there but like- but Artemis's hand brushes his again reaching for (her own) fries and Wally registers just how cold her fingers are. Oh yeah. It's probably seriously cold out if it's getting ready to snow, huh?]

Hey, [is all Wally says before he grabs at her hand with his free one, wrapping it up in his.] Geez your cold! What the heck! Do you even have any blood in your body at all? [He unzips his jacket and stuffs her hand inside against his ribs, which is kind of awkward while walking but...y'know, whatever. Just whatever.] Your fingers are gonna fall off, stay in there for a sec.

[Artemis is fully prepared to brush off his comments with her usually tough-guy front, but then he's plunging her hand down the front of his jacket and as much as she wants to protest, it is warm in there.

Her walking sort of stutters and her eyes go a little wide, but before she can get too awkward about it, the perfect comeback pops into her mouth.]

Geez, you're hot.

[... No, on reflection, that was definitely not the perfect comeback. With her hand tucked in his jacket, she can feel his chest starting swell up and that simply won't do because she knows exactly what he's going to say and it's going to be terrible. Her free hand clamps over his mouth, even though he's chewing and that's kind of gross, and she's inadvertently dragged them to a halt in the middle of the sidewalk.]

I know what you're going to say, Wally. [She's glaring daggers, but it's only fair to give him a chance to save himself.] So save your breath and just don't, okay? Because even if we are... whatever... I can still totally kick your ass.

[Her hand is really warm though, and she has notably not removed it from Wally's chest. She's starting to get that almost-painful tingly thing you get when feeling finally comes back. Why didn't she wear gloves? Why are all of her gloves fingerless, anyway? The rest of her body shudders enviously. Lucky hand.]

... You are really warm, though. Is that a speedster thing?

[As badly as Wally really wants to say something -because THAT OPENING, how could he not?!- he doesn't even have to. The way his eyes crinkle up and his cheeks swell beneath her hand is evidence enough of that shit-eating grin, and he's still chewing when he nods in response to her question. Yup. Speedster thing.

But they're a...whatever now, and her hand on his mouth is also way cold, and archers need their fingers to work right, right? It'd be bad if they got numb and something completely random happened, and if he couldn't do anything because he's eating or because she handles her own turf or something, and honestly he should just be helping her not only as her whatever but as her teammate, right?

...why is he making excuses? He doesn't have to do that anymore. They're dating.]

C'mere, [he says around his mouthful, and wraps his arms around her to pull her forward and into his jacket. He didn't notice before but he's just that little bit taller than her, which is weird because when they'd met they'd been the same height. When did that happen?

Her fingers are cold against his back and he jumps a little, and he has to clutch the bag with his four burgers left behind her back but she's right up close to him, and his coat is big so the sides are almost covering her too and her chest is like right on his and it's making him nervous. He's soooo so glad he jerked off in the shower now.] So...better?

[Artemis takes a fraction of a second to resist his attempt to draw her into his jacket, but... she doesn't have to do that now, does she? It's not like anyone is going to buy that she's totally repulsed by him or anything.

And she doesn't have to prove anything to them anyway. She doesn't have to prove anything to anybody, least of Wally. He told her so and she's never forgotten.

It feels... kind of wonderful, actually. Not just because he is magnificently warm, like a walking space heater, and she can lace her hands together behind his back and press in close and feel the heat just oozing back into her skin.

She could get used to this.]

... Better.

[She tilts her head up slightly--since when did she need to do that?--and smiles at him.

The moment is rudely interrupted when some drunk stumbles out of a nearby alley and boos loudly at them. Artemis's expression changes in an instant and she shoots him a death glare, but does not emerge from her Wally-cocoon. The drunk stumbles off back down the alley, either because she is just that cool and intimidating or (more likely) he's bored with the show and busy with his own strange inebriated errands.

Not too long after, they can both clearly hear the unmistakable sound of pissing.]

Welcome to Gotham...? [She gives Wally an almost sheepish grin.]

[Wally throws his head back and laughs because everything about this is hilarious and great. Because they all almost died and then did something incredible, saved the Justice League, saved the world and to top it off, they finally threw out all those pretenses that had them dancing around each other and pretending not to be desperate for each other's attention, each other's approval, finally let themselves feel like it's okay to like someone you yell at and with every other day. That it's fine and they don't have to pretend not to like each other because they're so used to going through the motions. Because he's used to it.

And now there's a drunk guy pissing in an alley.] His dick's gonna freeze, [Wally snickers, tucking his cheek against Artemis's hair and hugging her tighter, because she's his girlfriend (or whatever) and she wants to be here too. She smells like the shampoo from the bathrooms, the kind M'gann and SB always get that smells like clean sheets and cold water.] Hey Artemis? I kind of like you a lot.

[He reaches behind himself quick to pull his hood up and over his head, and it's big too so it hides her face when he kisses her. The drunk in the alley trips over what sounds like a trash can and curses, and a few blocks away police sirens start to howl. Wally's too busy kissing Artemis to see, but snow has started to settle soft around them, drifting down from the sky and silencing the city.]

[Wally’s laugh is brassy and kind of amazing and she can feel it vibrating in her ribcage, they’re so close.

He kind of likes her a lot. Every inch of Artemis is suddenly flushed with heat and she doesn't think that's because of the speedster thing.

Then he pulls his hood over them both and the world fades away as they kiss, warm and secret and totally pleased with themselves and each other, just as they should be.]

… His dick is totally going to freeze, [she agrees in a murmur when they finally come up for air. What? Okay, so that is probably not the comment Wally wanted her to respond to, but if he hasn’t figured out by now that she likes him too, then there really is no hope for the idiot.

Actually, it’s kind of scary to think about how much she likes him, this noisy Midwestern boy with his freckles and terrible one-liners. But that’s why she’s not going to think about it right now. She’s done enough worrying lately—worrying about the world ending, or people finding out who she is, or what Wally will think of her. The world’s not ending (they stopped that), people know who she is (but they still care about her anyway), and she knows exactly what Wally thinks of her because he just told her (he kind of likes her a lot.)

This kissing Wally thing is definitely not getting old any time soon, but it is getting late. Or rather, early. She starts to disentangle herself, but makes sure to keep hold of one of his hands, carefully intertwining her fingers with his.]

It’s late—[A particularly plump snowflake lands on her nose and she squinches her face up in disgust, for the first time noticing the snow.] — and it’s snowing. Great. Come on, Kid—my, um, my apartment is pretty close.

[She tugs him along, hoping he didn’t notice the way she faltered over the last bit. He kind of likes her a lot: seeing where she lives probably won’t change that.]

[He's definitely eyeballing the neighborhood, but the god of good sense must have paid Wally a visit last night in his sleep because he, for once, miraculously, doesn't say anything. And he follows her up stairs that creak a little ominously and even though he has to let go of her hand so she can fish out her keys, he plays a little with the edge of her coat, glancing up at the sky overhead (clouded over and washed out with pollution even when it's not snowing) instead of at the cracked roads or the trash pushed into the gutters.

Artemis gets her door open and Wally stands a little awkwardly at the threshold.] Okay. I guess- I guess I'll see you later. [It's three in the morning, after all. He's not expecting to be invited in, and he really should probably also be getting home too.]

[It's a good thing he's not expecting an invitation, because Artemis is not offering one.

This has been... really nice. Just hanging out with Wally, the world not ending (not anymore, anyway), not yelling at each other, not afraid of what he might think of her or what she needs to hide.

... But Artemis is home now. She can see light under the crack of Paula's door and knows that Paula is waiting for her inside. Artemis has insisted many times that she doesn't want her mother to wait up for her, and she's made it clear (intentionally and less so) that she's going to go out and come back whenever she wants whether Paula waits up or not. That clearly hasn't stopped her mom. And as nice as this is with Kid Flash, Artemis isn't ready for that particular confrontation yet.

Not to mention she is pretty tired.]

Yeah... later. We should, um... hang out again.

[She rubs the back of her neck, unconsciously imitating a gesture she's seen him make many times.]

[Something about that gesture is seriously cute and Wally's gut feels all warm from it. He leans in, hand on the doorjamb for balance, and kisses her again.]

...yeah. Maybe when something's not exploding for once. Maybe even out of spandex!

Out of spandex? [A tiny smirk twists her lips.] The spandex is the best part.

[It's the kind of statement that really ought to be punctuated with an ass slap, but this is still early days for them. Besides, her mom would definitely hear that.]

Don't get mugged on the way home, Kid.

[With that, she leans in to claim one last kiss before stepping backwards into the apartment and closing the front door with a careful click.]

[Wally can't move for a minute because she may not have slapped his ass but she was totally beaming that thought into his brain with her eyes. He hears her move away from the door and then he vaults over the railing to the first floor and lands in a crouch before thrusting his fists up into the air.] YESSS!

[Someone in the next building yells at him to shut the hell up and he whisper-yells,] Sorry! [before taking off down the street again for the zeta tube.

He gets home and his parents are half-asleep at the table, nursing worried looks and cups of coffee and he gets both a lecture and two long, tight hugs before they trudge off to sleep. Wally flings off his clothes and pulls on his pajamas and slides into bed and-

Cannot sleep. A wink. ...he picks up his phone.]

r u awake

[Artemis flinches when she hears him shout, eyes darting to her mom's door. Does he want to wake up the whole neighborhood or what? She wasn't actually kidding about trying not to get mugged on the way home.

Her mom, of course, chooses that moment to stop pretending to be asleep. Artemis keeps her explanations brief--she's fine, she was with the team, everything's fine.

There's more she needs to tell her mom, of course, but it's going to have to wait. Artemis gives Paula a surprisingly affectionate (if a bit stiff) kiss on the cheek and wishes her a happy New Year before beating a hasty retreat to her own room. She sits on her bed to take off her boots and her eyes fall on the Alice in Wonderland poster on Jade's side. Feeling suddenly a little overwhelmed by everything that's happened, Artemis gives up on her boots and flops backwards onto the bed.

As far as she can tell, her eyes have only been closed for a couple seconds when she's jolted awake by her phone buzzing against her hip. She stares at the text blearily. Of course, she's had Wally's number for ages for team business, and they've even exchanged a few texts that one might almost categorize as friendly (underneath the bickering.)

The last one is from about a month ago. He'd been pestering her about something dumb and she'd never responded. It hadn't seemed important at the time and when she finally realized how much she had liked his pointless texts, it was too late.

Speaking of too late, Artemis growls when she notices the time.]

No. What do you want, wally?

wow ur sleep texts r real coherent

[He's probably annoying the shit out of her right now. He tries not to grin and fails miserably.]

[Artemis looks around her room--lights still on, still in her street clothes, one boot still on, for Chrissakes. Ugh.

She kicks off the remaining boot and rolls over onto her stomach.]

It's just my super awesome ninja reflexes. why are YOU still awake?

[Unsaid: And why does that apparently mean I have to be awake too?]

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