Falling for Grayson : birdflash

Ch26: 'Stay-Put' Food

It was the morning after I told Artemis. Weekends are my favorite, I get to sleep at HQ and have endless morning muffins. As I laid there curled up in bed I wondered whether I'd tell anyone else.

Do I tell M'gann and Conner? I mean, they'd understand, right? M'gann knows what it's like to hide her true martian heritage. She had the courage to share with the team, she knows what it's like to hide a part of herself. She's also a good person to talk to about difficult things. M'gann's really good at listening without judging.

And Conner? He was grown in a lab and didn't have his views shaped by an older, often more 'traditional,' generation. Conner doesn't give a crap about superficial things, like who people are allowed to like. In his mind, two people like each other and that's it. End of story. If only everyone else shared his blasé view.

But if I tell them, then I'd have to tell Dick. And I can't do that yet. I don't think I could handle him rejecting me or him not returning the feeling. If that door gets closed, I don't know if I would want to look for other open doors. Plus the mission is coming up. Bruce only asked me to mend things with Artemis for the mission. If I share now, I might mess things up.

There was a knock on the door before sliding open a crack.

"Hey, it's me," Artemis said, "You decent?"

"Yeah, come in."

Artemis opened the door and walked over to the bed. She was wearing a caramel hoody and forest green joggers, holding a plate that I could only hope was food for me.

She laid the plate on the bed and sat beside. There were green grapes, some cheese, and half a bagel with cream cheese.

"Where's the other half?"

"You're kidding me, right?"

"Haha... yeah..." I said, unconvincingly. "Thanks for the food... but why am I getting breakfast in bed?

"Well, during our conversation yesterday, I had some questions I wanted to ask, but... you were sort of in a state."

I gave her a look.

"— which was fair by the way," she quickly added.

"That still doesn't explain the food, not that I'm not happy you brought it."

"Wal, let's be real. If I came in here without food and told you I had questions, you'd say you were hungry and speed off to the kitchen and never return."

"I'd so too come back," I muttered in defence.

"You avoid tough conversations, Wal."

I sighed. "Fair enough."

"So..." Artemis said, pushing the plate of food toward me.

"So..." I replied, picking up a piece of cheese and eating it without breaking eye contact.

"Who else have you told?"

I quickly stuffed my face with food.

Artemis laughed. "That's not gonna save you from answering my question!"

"Ye ib boes," I said through cheese and grapes. When I finally finished, I opened my mouth about to speak, before using super speed to stuff my face again. Artemis rolled her eyes.

"You're outa food so that's not gonna work again."

Her logic was sound.

After the last bite and a swig of water, I lied back down. I turned over and hid under the covers. "I haven't told anyone else. Just you."