conceal // traught

Consolation

"BO-7. Artemis." The robotic female voice rang out as I stepped out of the zeta beams and into the Cave.

"Damn! Artemis, you look like shit!" Wally teased. I glared at the redhead.

"You have no room to talk about people looking like shit. Matter of fact, go grab a mirror, take a good look into it, and then tell me who looks like shit." I snapped.

"Someone's not feeling the aster today." Nightwing's lisp filled voice told me.

"Fuck you." I muttered.

"Language! Language, everyone. We have preteens here." M'gann reminded, carrying a tray of burnt cookies. I grimaced as Wally grabbed one off of the tray and stuffed it into his mouth.

"Even though they're burnt, they're still delicious. Like you, of course." He tried flirting with the Martian. I snorted.

"Real smooth, Baywatch. Real smooth."

"Thanks."

"I was being sarcastic." I growled, then began to storm off towards the hall holding the training room.

"Woah! Hold your horses, Arty." Nightwing said, grabbing my shoulder. I looked back at him. "What?" I spat.

"Is something - do you want to talk about it?" He asked quietly. I looked away and bit my lip, then looked towards the ground and nodded. "Sure." I said barely above a whisper.

"Come on." Nightwing said, then placed his hand on the small of my back and lead me into the training room.

I set my bow and sheath of arrows down the ebony haired hero shut the double doors. Nightwing turned to me and smirked.

"Prepare yourself." He said and I rolled my eyes. "Whatever. You're going to be the one with bruises, not me."

"Bring it on, Blondie." Nightwing cockily said and I smirked. I ran at him and jumped into roundhouse kick. He moved to the right, dodging.

Nightwing threw a punch towards me, and I froze. I could see my dad in his place. I stood there as Nightwing's fist collided with my shoulder roughly and I fell to the floor.

I clutched my shoulder, shaking and staring ahead. I did my best to block out images of my nightmare last night.

"Artemis!" I heard Nightwing call out, but I didn't look up. He kneeled in front of me and lightly brushed his hand against my cheek.

"...Arty?"

"Wh-What?" I stuttered, coming to my senses. I looked into Nightwing's masked eyes.

"You wanna tell me what's going on now?" He hesitantly asked. I nodded, and closed my eyes.

"I had another dream, Dick." I whispered, shakily taking a deep breath. I could hear him sigh and then grabbed me in a hug.

"What happened in it?" Dick asked. I squeezed my eyes shut tighter, scared of the images of the dream. I was quiet for a long time.

"I-I was younger. My dad was, um, beating me. He kept asking where my mom was, but I refused to tell him. Then, he stood up and pulled out a gun. A-As I begged for him not to kill me, he laughed and said, "Goodbye, Artemis. I'll see you in Hell." Then, he pulled the trigger and - yeah, I woke up." I stammered out, willing myself not to cry.

Dick rubbed my back. I nuzzled my face into the crook of his neck. Slowly, I relaxed. Tears filled my eyes and I began to cry.

"I-I know he's dead now, b-but I'm still haunted with these flashbacks and images." I choked out, my body shaking. Dick placed a soft kiss on my forehead.

"I wish they would go a-away." I sobbed. Yeah, I felt embarrassed for blubbering like a big baby in front of someone who - even though I didn't want to admit - is pretty hot. Though, Dick's one of my best friends. He wouldn't make fun of me.

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Sorry if the ending was horrible. I just wanted to post the first few chapters because I promised IceSkatingElsa I would a few days ago.

Anyways, here it is! :) have a nice night people!

~GetTraught