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Artemis is sure she heard wrong, that and she’s probably gawking at Wally like he’s grown another head. “YOU? Have a date?” She yells, cringing as Wally seems to smirk more. No. Way. There’s absolutely no way Wally freaking west would have a date before her. There’s no way.
“Yes. Art-e-mis” he says wiggling his finger for every syllable, “I -the wallman, have a Valentine’s Day date. While you- Artemis- sad sad Artemis, do not!” Wally smiles ignoring Artemis’s eye roll.
How?? How??? The wall man?? What girl would want to go out with a guy that calls himself that? There’s no way. “Yea dufus I too have a date but I call bull on yours... she’s probably some family member who pitied you, or an escort who needed money very desperately.” Artemis smirks, quickly wiping the smile from Wally’s face.
“As if, I do not need a pity date, unlike someone who I’m more than sure has no date, and you're the real dufus, dufus, I wouldn’t even be able to afford an escort” Wally says while rolling his eyes.
“Definitely! I soooo believe that” she quickly responds.“ So then is your date like a ghost or hallucination then?? I knew your messed up baywatch but enough to start seeing ghosts..”
“Artemis if you don’t believe me then let's have a double date, because unlike yours, my date is real and will actually be with me on the fourteenth.” Wally challenges. And before she knows it she’s accepted and Wally’s sped out of the kitchen.
Fuck.
Wally’s date may actually be real, that there may actually be girls who fall for the so-called Wally charm, not herself of course, but still some poor fools. But artemis on the other hand, has no date, and doesn’t try to be charming or flirtatious. She’s not like Wally. The guys at Gotham academy aren’t even her type, and it’s not like she can ask someone from the team because then Wally will know she’s lying, and that can’t happen. He CANT have one up on her.
-
It’s not until two days before Valentine’s Day does Artemis get an idea, it’s not the best, and Wally might just see through it, but she needs a date and she’s found someone within the great halls of Gotham academy who she can tolerate. Dick Grayson.
He’s almost perfect. He’s rich, something Wally isn’t, something sure to impress. He’s a borderline genius, Wally’s a science genius but dicks more, another impressive point. He’s believed to be handsome, he’s not really Artemis’s type, but he’s always got girls vying for his attention and even with the dark sunglasses he wears all the time it’s obvious he’s a looker. He’s got a good personality, he’s plenty funny if not a little mischievous. He’s just…kind of a wildcard. Artemis doesn’t really know him and to invite him and he be a completely different person than he is at school is just nerve racking.
-
Mustering up the courage after school on a rare moment that Grayson is alone, Artemis walks up to him. “Hey..Grayson” she waves.
“Hm..? Oh hey” he says looking up at Artemis as he ties his shoe.
“I was wondering…if you’d like to go on a date with me” Artemis says with a slight blush on her face. Immediately the black haired boy is rolled over laughing leaving Artemis confused and feeling rejected. “I-I don’t mean like a real date…I kind of talked out my ass and ended up needing a date to prove a point…”.
“A point?” Grayson asks, “you want to date me to prove a point..? Is this some new type of pick up line-“NO no I-ugh- I don’t want to date you, trust me you're not my type. BUT I was being stupid and now have to go on a double date with the worst person imaginable so please, please just do me this favor” Artemis interrupts.
Grayson looks to be thinking it over, Artemis hopes and prays he’ll agree, she needs him to agree. Thankfully her prayers are answered.
“Give me your number and text me some details about you and more about this date” he smirks before walking off.
-
Two days later the dreaded day has finally arrived. Artemis spends the morning alternating between going over the plan with dick and getting dressed. The plan has to be perfect and she has to look good.
Artemis finds herself questioning Wally’s date while walking to their meeting point. Who could it be? What would they be wearing? Are they actually real? Does Wally really like them? He must right? In order to go out with her? Are they going to start officially dating? The questions keep coming, but just thinking about Wally’s date sends a sickness to Artemis' stomach.
She doesn’t want to think about Wally on a date, or herself sitting across from him being privy to it. She secretly hopes that the girl stands him up, falls for Grayson, or literally anything else were to happen. Artemis instantly feels guilty for thinking it, Wally’s a good ish guy. He deserves someone like him.
-
Arriving at a street downtown, Artemis meets dick. He’s dressed in a nice pair of jeans, and a blue long sleeve with his dark sunglasses, he’s got his hair slightly gelled and nicely pulled back. He looks good. Surely Wally will be ( jealous ) impressed. Patting herself on the back for the choice, Artemis goes over the plan.
“So we’re going to -“ I already know what to do..we’ve gone over this so many times, just trust me” dick interrupts.
Trust.
Artemis doesn’t really have a good track record with trusting others, but this time she will, at least for the time being. Dick Grayson holds her dignity in his hands, and she will just trust him with it. This “date” will be good. It has to.
The two walk together in silence until dick breaks it by asking a question. “Soo I get you did something stupid and agreed to it but? Why does it bother you so much that this guy had a date? So much so that you had to beg me?”
Why did it bother her? Artemis had been asking herself the same question for almost a week now. Part of her was just in shock. Someone actually wanted to be with Wally. The same Wally that flirts with anything that moves. The same Wally that eats any and everything, very sloppily at that. The same Wally that for whatever reason helps her with science. The same Wally who’s challenging and fun to argue with. The same Wally who could be yelling at her one minute and the next gentle. The same Wally she’s sure she loves.
The thought immediately causes Artemis to stop in her tracks. “Wha-hey” Grayson says, grabbing her hand to pull her out of the road, “I get having a love apthinaty but you totally can’t have one of those right now, we’re in the street”.
Almost getting hit snaps Artemis out of her shock and back into the real world. She may love Wally. The same Wally- no not that again, she thinks, The Wally who she’s now going on a double date with. The Wally who she can see standing near the window of the restaurant he chose for the date. The Wally who’s standing next to a pretty girl with dark hair.
-
Artemis is used to feeling insecure. She’s on a team with freaking metas, powerhouses, and absolute geniuses, but now standing in front of one Linda park, she feels more than insecure.
Linda, based on appearances, because Artemis hasn’t paid actual attention to her (to busy being grumpy), is pretty. She’s more feminine in ways Artemis is obviously not. She’s got short dark hair and darker eyes with nice tanned skin. She looks gorgeous in her simple skirt and tee shirt. She kind of reminds Artemis of Megan.
-
“Earth to Artemis” Wally says walking up and snapping at Artemis. Fuck. She’s zoned out.
“Yes, Baywatch,” she says, swatting his hands away.
“I said, when you were so gracefully zoned out, that we should go in”
“You don’t need my permission Wally” Artemis says, pushing past him.
“Is she always like that?” Artemis hears someone, Linda, whisper. Fuck.
-
The date, luckily, isn’t too bad. Artemis keeps herself and her emotions in control and there’s no real problems. Wally asks questions about dick and how he asked Artemis out, and dick answers in perfectly planned words, it’s almost too easy. Yet looking at Wally it’s obvious he’s not believing any of it.
Artemis on the other hand, is believing the responses to her questions. Linda seems to actually like Wally. Wally may not seem all the interested but he’s leaning into every touch, sharing fries, and drinking from one milkshake while making goo-goo eyes. It makes Artemis want to throw up.
She hates it.
“Excuse me” Artemis says standing up, “bathroom” comes her one word explanation.
She knows no one will follow her. Linda doesn’t know her enough to care or even notice the what feels to be obvious emotional distress she’s in, and Wally and dick can’t go to the women’s bathroom. Thank goodness.
Artemis hopes alone time will do her good. That being away from the “love” that may be in the air, that may be brewing between Lind and Wally and not Artemis and Wally, will make things better.
“Artemis?” Comes Linda’s questioning voice from outside the stall.
It’s been five minutes and Artemis isn’t feeling better. Her time away didn’t help and instead now her mind is reeling even more. Stupid love questions pop up like zits in her head. It’s terrible.
What’s going to happen if they date? Will she have to see Linda more? Will she have to see more sharing, goo-goo eyes, and flirting? Can Linda sense the crush Artemis has on wally? Ifs, ands, buts, what’s, and wills play on repeat in artemis's mind. She needs fresh air. She needs to get out.
Unlatching the stall Artemis quickly washes and dries her hands then says a quick, “outside” to the waiting Linda. Speeding out of the bathroom doors Artemis walks right past their table and makes her way outside. All without looking at Wally.
Once she’s outside Artemis turns a couple of streets and finds a broken staircase leading to a rooftop. Carefully Artemis hoists herself up and slowly walks up the steps, until she gets to the roof.
The view is nice. It’s like the whole city is at her feet. The sound of the street below is buzzing with the noise of strangers. The wind rustling and the sun shining down feels good on her skin, it’s all so calming until she hears the unmistakable sound of Wally yelling her name.
“Artemis…? Artemis??? Artemis??” He yells.
Looking over the edge she sees him. He’s looking up to rake his hands through his hair when he locks eyes with her. He says something that doesn’t get heard and then disappears down the side of the building.
Fuck.
Then there’s a rush of air.
Double fuck.
“Artemis?” Wally says standing behind her.
“Go away Wally” she yells.
“Artemis? Did something happen…? What’s wrong..?” He tries.
“Why wont you just go away” she turns around, “god Wally you're the worst” Artemis yells.
“Wha? I didn’t even DO anything” Wally continues defeated, “look Artemis I don’t know what’s wrong or going on but do NOT blame me…I just wanted a nice Valentine’s Day with a girl who liked me”.
“I like you ” she says, “you never asked me? You told me about your stupid date and then invited me to have a double date that’s been hell for me Wally. Of - of fucking course I’m going to blame you right now.”
It’s not until a few seconds too late does Artemis realize what she’s said.
I. Like. You. She told him. The wide green eyes staring back at her blushing is proof enough.
Fuck.
Groaning Artemis turns back to the city. “Please leave Wally” she whispers.
There’s no sound for a minute, Artemis almost believes Wally’s walked off to join Linda and dick. But she knows better, she can hear him, smell him, and feel him as he’s rooted behind her. He’s probably thinking. He’s probably pissed . A girl finally takes an interest in him, and he has to be out here with her. Artemis wouldn’t be mad if he yelled. She’d much prefer it.
“Artemis…look at me…” Wally says darkly.
She doesn’t want to look, but Wally’s almost never sounds like that, it worries Artemis. It forces her to look into the green eyes glaring at her.
“I-” she starts.
“Artemis. Do you really like me?” He asks.
“Yes” whispers Artemis looking down at where their shoes almost touch. Her boots, his sneakers.
“Fuck” she heard him whisper to himself.
Fuck indeed.
“Listen arty..” he says and suddenly it’s coming. The rejection. Artemis I don’t have feelings for you, I’m in love with Linda, happy Valentine’s Day! Fuckfuckfuckfuck.
Artemis waits for the rejection but instead feels Wally’s warm hands cupping her face, then his chapped lips on hers.
What. The . Fuck. Artemis thinks before pushing him away.
What the fuck, what the fuck, what the fuck????
“You kissed me?? What the hell wally?” Artemis yells.
“I-I thought you liked me?” He questions.
“I do b-but you have a whole date just a couple streets over?? Wha- I- I can’t do this” Artemis says going to walk off.
“No artemis” Wally sighs, “ Look Linda and I- there’s nothing going on, I promise. I like you . She’s only here with me today to make someone else jealous.”
“I promise Artemis she’s just a good actor.”
Artemis’s whole day has been flipped upside down, shaken, and thrown. Everything feels janky and it takes a total of five seconds before Artemis really understands what Wally said.
There’s nothing going on between him and Linda. Linda is here to make some other guy jealous, some guy that’s not Wally. Wally likes her. Wally likes Artemis. There is and will not be a Linda and Wally. Hope surges through Artemis.
There’s a possibility for Artemis and wally . Taking a chance Artemis steps closer to Wally and softly kisses him. This kiss, unlike the first, isn’t cut short, and both pull each other tightly in an embrace. When the two pull apart they pull apart smiling. “Happy Valentine’s Day” they say at the same time, before leaning in for another kiss.