[She looks down at her tea. Why is this so weird? She and Robin were sharing snow cones and trying on stupid sunglasses at the beach like a week ago. What's going on now?
Well, there was that whole thing where he fell off a roof. But he couldn't know that would bother her any more than him getting hurt already did.]
[Artemis does not exactly go nuts. She picks a spot and carefully draws her arrow symbol, then neatly prints the rest of her name, using the arrow as the letter A.
She's a long way from being the kind of superhero who signs autographs, but hey--a girl can dream, right? And that right there would make a pretty sweet autograph.]
[ You're not as subtle as you think you are, Artemis. But he's not about to call her on it. ]
Right. Duly noted.
[ He hesitates a moment. He doesn't really want to bring it up, but — maybe if he just gets it out in the open, things can go back to normal with them. ]
Look, about last night. I wanted to apologize. For... well, everything, but especially how you found out about the secret ID thing. That wasn't how I'd wanted you to find out. I-I mean... jeez, that makes it sound like I was trying to lie to you or whatever, which I guess I was, and I know it probably seems like I'm only apologizing because I got caught, but—
Robin. It's a secret ID. Key word, secret. The whole point is that you don't tell people. I mean, if you want to tell people, fine, but... I never asked.
[So only she and Batman know? There's a club she never thought she'd join. Two years, though? That's way longer than she's known any of them. Two years ago Kid Flash and Robin and Aqualad and Speedy we're just names on the news and she was nobody.]
.... You mean Kid Mouth kept a secret for two years? I'm impressed.
[It's easy to fall back on a cheap jab at Kid Flash. Though she probably doesn't get to do that anymore now that she and Wally are... Wait, is it worse if they're fighting or if they're kind of not right now? Either way, it's a little awkward.]
[... Right? If it is, she's pretty sure it's not her fault this time. Okay, maybe she lost it a little bit, but... Robin's going to be okay. That's the important thing. The rest, she can deal with.]
I mean, it's your secret ID. Do what you want with it.
[You could even be like Artemis and tell everyone your secret ID and hope no one notices.]
[ He actually kind of laughs, so, congrats, Artemis. ]
No. Well— yeah, but—
More like a wakeup call to stop internalizing everything. I've been driving myself crazy keeping secrets and hiding things and trying to take everything on alone. Bottling stuff up. You know?
[ And. About that. He grips his teacup in both hands, taking a deep, steadying breath. She should know. She deserves to know. It isn't fair for him to keep secrets about her, from her. ]
[ He looks up at her, cautious but steady. His heart's pounding. Just get it out, he thinks. The world won't end and the sky won't fall and she won't freak out on him or get angry or leave. And even if she does — it's her right. She deserves to know. ]
I know about your family. I've known for a long time.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[ Robin laughs a little, rubbing the back of his neck. ]
But, as I want to remain judgment free, I'll have it your way.
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At least try it without sugar first, okay?
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And thanks. For having me over and stuff.
[ That was awkward, wasn't it? THAT WAS AWKWARD. ]
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[She looks down at her tea. Why is this so weird? She and Robin were sharing snow cones and trying on stupid sunglasses at the beach like a week ago. What's going on now?
Well, there was that whole thing where he fell off a roof. But he couldn't know that would bother her any more than him getting hurt already did.]
So, did you bring a marker?
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[ He grins, fishing a green glitter sharpie out of his pocket and holding it out for her. ]
Picked it out special for you.
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Green glitter? That's pretty brave.
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[Artemis does not exactly go nuts. She picks a spot and carefully draws her arrow symbol, then neatly prints the rest of her name, using the arrow as the letter A.
She's a long way from being the kind of superhero who signs autographs, but hey--a girl can dream, right? And that right there would make a pretty sweet autograph.]
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[ No irony whatsoever. He sounds genuinely impressed by her incredibly rad signature. ]
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Just don't let anyone sign over it. Then I really will be mad.
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Hey, how long's this take before it's tea?
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[She blows on her own and takes a cautious sip. Argh, too hot! She tries not to let it show that she jut burned the hell out of her mouth.]
Um, actually maybe you better wait a minute...
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Right. Duly noted.
[ He hesitates a moment. He doesn't really want to bring it up, but — maybe if he just gets it out in the open, things can go back to normal with them. ]
Look, about last night. I wanted to apologize. For... well, everything, but especially how you found out about the secret ID thing. That wasn't how I'd wanted you to find out. I-I mean... jeez, that makes it sound like I was trying to lie to you or whatever, which I guess I was, and I know it probably seems like I'm only apologizing because I got caught, but—
... I'm digging myself a hole here.
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[ He sighs, frustrated, rubbing the bridge of his nose. ]
For the record? Even Batman doesn't— ...didn't know. For like... two years. So you're only the second person to find out.
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.... You mean Kid Mouth kept a secret for two years? I'm impressed.
[It's easy to fall back on a cheap jab at Kid Flash. Though she probably doesn't get to do that anymore now that she and Wally are... Wait, is it worse if they're fighting or if they're kind of not right now? Either way, it's a little awkward.]
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[ It's too soon. Thinking about Wally still makes his stomach all churny. ]
Look, Artemis, I don't want anything to be weird between the two of us.
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[... Right? If it is, she's pretty sure it's not her fault this time. Okay, maybe she lost it a little bit, but... Robin's going to be okay. That's the important thing. The rest, she can deal with.]
I mean, it's your secret ID. Do what you want with it.
[You could even be like Artemis and tell everyone your secret ID and hope no one notices.]
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And the awkward stuff with Wally last night... ninety percent sure that was me. Not you. Just so that's clear.
[ And moving abruptly on... ]
Things have been weird for all of us lately, I know. But I think this... as much as it sucks? It was the wakeup call I needed.
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Was that a wake up call to not fall off the roof? Because any of us could have just told you that.
[See? She's dealing with it.]
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No. Well— yeah, but—
More like a wakeup call to stop internalizing everything. I've been driving myself crazy keeping secrets and hiding things and trying to take everything on alone. Bottling stuff up. You know?
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She stares down at her tea.]
Yeah... I know.
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Look, Artemis... there's something else I've gotta tell you.
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[She's actually hoping he won't. Because if he tells her then he might expect her to tell him hers.]
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[ He looks up at her, cautious but steady. His heart's pounding. Just get it out, he thinks. The world won't end and the sky won't fall and she won't freak out on him or get angry or leave. And even if she does — it's her right. She deserves to know. ]
I know about your family. I've known for a long time.
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