Family

Chapter eight

Dick and I arrived at the table, where everyone was sitting.

The only open seats were one that was straight across from Artemis or the one straight across from Wally.

Dick and I looked at each other having a silent conversation about what to do, Wally and Artemis were sitting together, so either way I'd have to be close to Artemis.

It was decided, so i took the seat in front of Wally, and dick took the seat across from Artemis. I was sitting next to Kaldur who was at the head of the table with Wally across from me, and dick next to me. Next to dick sat M'gann, Connor who sat at the other end of the rectangular table. There was an empty seat in between Artemis and Connor so I guess when they have guests they have somewhere to sit.

Tonight we were eating an Atlantan dish, it looked really good. Then I sensed that someone was staring at me, I looked up and Artemis was practically glowering at me, but I ignored it.

I tried to break the awkward silence, other than the clinking of forks against the plate.

"I know that I'm the new kid, but some of you have been very welcoming, and I'm thankful for that."

"You are welcome friend" Kaldur replied. I blushed? Wait why am I blushing, I only have a crush on Wally, so why am I blushing?

After my mini freak out session, the dinner continued, Connor or M'gann discovering something 'new' on earth. I didn't even realize that the room had gone silent, until I looked up.

"I'm sorry what, I wasn't really paying attention" Wally and dick burst out laughing, and I was just confused.

"I just asked why you decided to join the team?" Artemis asked. I just mentally rolled my eyes. I didn't like the way Artemis treated me when I was dawning my alter ego.

"Batman just asked me if I wanted to be on the team, and I said yes" I said while shrugging, it was really simple, that was how it was.

"So you just showed up out of no where and Batman just asked if you wanted to go?" Artemis asked with a smirk, like she just discovered the worst secret and was about to find it out.

"No I didn't show up out of no where, and I've only been Amethyst for a couple of months, but I've been working with the bat since before Amethyst ever showed up on the streets." I replied smoothly.

"So you admit you're inexperienced" Artemis shot at me

"Well in field time sure, but I'm trained enough to hold my own in a fight, I'm pretty sure both you and robin can confirm that"

Silence.

it was one of those very uncomfortable silences that nobody ever wants but most have. i was feeling tired, do i decided to just hit the hay, and not deal with any more suspision from artemis.

"well if we're done being silent, i'm going to bed." i picked up my plate, and washed it off in the sink, putting it in the dishwasher.

When the small task was done, i walked to my room. I saw concern flash across Robin's face, as i walked out of the room.

when I reached my room, i closed the door, and locked it. As soon as i was sure that the door was secure i took off my glasses, and walked to the dresser, pulling out some pajamas, and changing into them.

once i was all dressed i walked into the bathroom, and washed my face, afterwards, also brushing my teeth in the process. Once i was done, i walked to the bed, crawling under the comforting color, and almost instantly falling asleep.

I woke up to someone stroking my hair, my horrible nightmare, quickly fading from my brain. My brain was slowly getting over the grogginess, and finally realized who was in my room.

"hey, hey, it's ok, dickie is on his way, ok? everything is gonna be ok." Wally, an amazing friend had heard my nightmare, and come to check on me. i sat up, and immediately hugged him, crying into his chest.

my nightmares had been the same since i was eight years old, when the joker got my parents. it was getting better, but as we neared the fatal day every year, the nightmares always got worse, it was the same for dick, he had nightmares but they were always the worst around the anniversary of his parent's deaths.

the door slid open, i was barely aware of it happening, until i was transferred onto another chest, all three of us were sitting there, eventually, all three of us fell asleep, with me in the middle of a bear hug sandwich, inbetween the two boys.

Dick's POV

there was a knock on the door, dick was the first to wake up, pulling the shades, on the sleeping form of his sister, before pulling his shades on himself.

i cracked the door open, to see Artemis. her arms were folded across her chest, as she eyed me suspiciously.

"what do you need?" i whispered

"i'm looking for Wally, have you seen him?" she asked

"yeah, he's in here, why?"

"why is he in there?"

"because reasons, is there any particular reason you need him?"

"reasons" i just rolled my eyes at that, she was using my own sass against me. Yawning, i waved her off, and closed the door. Wally, and i were the only other ones besides Daphne who could get into her room,  when she locked it. i knew she'd be having nightmares, the question was why did bruce tell us to stay in the cave, when he knew the anniversary was coming up? He knew i'd be here but she generally prefers bruce to me, so why?

it was still the middle of the night, so i returned back to where i was, the same questions swirling through my head about my adoptive father, and worrying about my little sister, before sleepiness swallowed me.