chains ♕ [spitfire] ON HOLD

three

«let me take you, when i go»

"Er. . .hello?" Artemis' voice reverberated off the seemingly never-ending darkness.

"Artemis." The sound seemed to be coming from all around. Artemis knew that voice. She'd recognise it any day.

"Wally!" She spun in a circle, trying to pinpoint where he was.

"Artemis, please." He was now. . .begging? Begging for what?

"What is it, Wally?" Artemis asked, tears brimming her eyes. "Wally, please come back," she whispered into the darkness.

It was silent for many moments. Artemis feared that Wally was gone, had left her again--

"Artemis." He appeared in front of her, a faint white glow surrounding him. He looked different: paler, with dark circles around his eyes; he looked tired, like all he wanted to do was sleep and never wake up. And was it just her eyes, or was there a tinge of blue in his skin?

"Wally!" she cried, lunging out to hug him but he faded away before she could touch him. He materialised behind her, and she whipped her body around, taking one step closer--

"Artemis, don't come any closer."

His words felt like an arrow through her heart. Don't come any closer? Why? All Artemis wanted to do was to smother him with hugs and kisses. . .

"You - you need to move on, Arty," he continued, his voice softer now.

"M-Move on? Why?" The tears pricked her eyes, threatening to fall out, but she fought against them. "Aren't you here now? With me? Aren't you. . .alive?"

"I-" Wally paused. Emotions took over his face, and he faced Artemis with sadness written all over. "I love you, Arty. Always remember that. I will always, always love you." Now tears were running down Wally's cheeks. He choked back a sob, "I'm so sorry I had to leave you. I'm so sorry we'll never be able to go to Paris again, that we'll never watch movies together again, that we'll never have stupid gummy bear fights anymore. . . I'm sorry, Artemis, that I'll never see you ever again. . ."

"What are you talking about?!" Artemis' voice was strong, but the tears leaking from her eyes said everything. "Of course you'll see me again - at home, at the cave - everywhere! Wherever you are, I'll be there!"

Wally shook his head. "Not this time, Artemis. You're. . .there and I. . . Well, I've joined my old pal Kent Nelson."

"So it's actually true?" Artemis crumbled to her knees. "It's true. You're really gone."

Wally stepped forward, until he had his arms wrapped around Artemis for what would be the last time. Artemis immediately moulded in his arms, sobbing into his chest while Wally stroked her hair. Wally's glow around him started faltering, and he began losing his opaqueness.

"Remember, I will always love you."

Artemis looked up and saw that Wally was already partially lost. Without thinking, she smashed her lips against his, and shared their last kiss before Wally faded away completely.

"Why did you have to leave me. . .again."

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[27.03.2016]