[CLOSED]

[performance]

WHO: Dick, Artemis, and Wally
WHERE: Downtown Heropa.
WHEN: 7/12, nighttime.
WHAT: Robin's emotional turmoil culiminates in the world's stupidest injury. Stupid teenage dramatics to follow.
WARNINGS: References to a broken bone? And probably yelling.

[ It's 10:20 PM, and it's finally stopped raining that particular variety of Florida rain that's not so much like a drizzle as like the sky's just up and poured a bucket of water on your head. It's wet and it's too warm and there's still lightning flashing off in the distance, and Robin's just made the stupidest mistake of his career.

Okay, so no one realistically-fake-died, and nothing exploded. Which is a plus, considering his track record. But breaking a leg in a fall from a third story roof has to be — without any hyperbole — the most embarrassing thing he's done in his entire life.

He could make a lot of excuses: he's not used to the weather, the railing was slick, he hadn't checked his equipment, the terrain's unfamiliar, he's distracted and emotionally compromised. He doesn't have his team. Every single one is terrible, even if they're all true.

For several excruciating minutes, while he waits for the painkillers to work their magic, Robin debates his options. An ambulance would attract attention. He's pretty sure he couldn't hobble all the way to the hospital like this, even if there was one within the city limits. Maybe the ground will swallow him up right along with his shame and he won't have to admit that any of this ever happened.

It doesn't.

Out of reasonable options, he sends off a text with his coordinates to Artemis, who, logically, is the person on their team most likely to know how to deal with injuries:
SOS.
Achey breaky leg.
Please don't ask.

And moments later, a text to Wally with the same coordinates:
Need a ride to the hospital.
If you're not married to SB's couch now.
Faster is better.



It takes a minute for him to realize the gravity of his possible mistake. If they find a way to fight over this, too... well, maybe yelling makes bones knit faster. ]

Comments

[runningstart]

[Once Artemis has the splint tied off and Robin isn't in any immediate pain, KF crouches and, gently as possible, lifts him up into his arms in a bridal carry, broken leg closest to him for the most stability.

He glances over at Artemis.]

...I can try and carry you both, but it'll be slow going. [He could probably manage, so long as it's not fast. He won't go fast anyway or he'll jostle Robin's leg too badly, but they both know whether or not he can do it isn't the problem here.]

[real_archer]

[She knew Robin could handle it, but she's obscurely proud of him anyway. She shoots him a tight lipped smile of her own.]

Go Team No Powers, right?

[On the other hand, she isn't quite able to meet Kid Flash's eye when he addresses her.]

Don't bother with me, just get him to the hospital. I'll take the bus or something and meet you there.

[performance]

[ Robin looks between the two of them for a tense moment. He can't believe Wally offered to carry her. He can't believe Wally thought it would work.

He can't believe she's gonna take the bus. ]

... I could pay for a taxi?

[ It sounds so unbelievably lame, coming from a superhero, but... well. Improvisation. And apparently it's just a lame superhero kind of night. ]

[runningstart]

[..."Team No Powers," huh?]

You heard her, it's fine. She knows how to handle herself. [Wally glances at Artemis.] Don't you?

[The worst thing about having a snappy comeback is when you feel like a dickhole right after saying it. So KF just turns on his heel and jogs down the street, Robin up in his arms, keeping it under forty MPH and hoping that she doesn't find a bus to the hospital too quick.]

[real_archer]

[At first, Artemis is too shocked by the sudden dig to reply. And then he's already too far down the road.

Seething silently, she stalks out into the rain to find some goddamn transportation.]

[performance]

[ It's probably not a great idea, when you have a broken leg, to punch your only mode of transportation in the shoulder. But everything hurts and he's already miserable and now he's furious on Artemis's behalf on top of it. ]

What's wrong with you? You— you started off fine, and then— [ And another punch, for good measure. It's pretty pathetic — the angle's terrible and he doesn't really want to hurt him, but it's the principle of the thing. ]

I can't believe I actually felt guilty for lecturing you!

[runningstart]

Ow! Knock it off! [Wally doesn't even know how to get to the hospital from here. He should probably ask for directions.]

What about you, huh?! You call her first? You go out on a date with her, you two have a- have a no powers club? What the hell is that?

[performance]

Wha— so what? You haven't talked to me in a week! You just moved out, without any warning! You're supposed to be my best friend!

... And I can date whoever I want! [ Okay, so the date was supposed to make him a little bit jealous, but not like this. ]

[runningstart]

I didn't move out because of you, you idiot, I moved out because of Levi! And because- because I don't like being here, in Heropa, and because you seemed like you wanted your space because whenever I tried to talk to you about Bruce you got all down and talked about how you're not good enough for- for whatever and I don't wanna hear you badmouth yourself like that!

[Wally skids to a halt and he slips a little but keeps his feet, stops at the sidewalk because he doesn't know where he's going and the rain's a lot harder so it's difficult to see, and his hair's matted to his forehead and he's just so finished with everything.]

You're my best friend too! I would've run away with you to the circus, so why can't you ask me to go?!

[performance]

[ They're both soaked through, and this whole situation is ridiculous and cliche, but Robin just stares up at him silently, long enough for a car to amble up the road and past them again. He sniffs, looking off at the retreating headlights, because it's easier than facing Wally. ]

... Because I was afraid, okay? I was afraid you would, and you'd regret it, and I'd be responsible for dragging you down with me. I can't...

[runningstart]

[And Wally pretends to be looking for some kind of landmark or something so he can find his way to the hospital.]

Stop it. That, right there. You aren't responsible for what I decide to do, you got that Robin? And I mean really got it.

[performance]

[ He just clears his throat. ]

I think the hospital's the other way.

[runningstart]

[...fuck.]

This discussion is not over. [And that's a weird thing coming from Wally but he wants to make absolutely sure Robin gets it. He'll save it for now though, wait until Robin's at least got on a cast and they're not in the pouring rain.

To the hospital it is.]

[real_archer]

[Artemis rolls in almost an hour later. She is wet, she is muddy, and her mood has not improved by standing at the bus stop in the rain, getting splashed by every passing car.

She practically kicks open the swinging doors to the ER and stomps in like a gunslinger in a Western. She's about to march up to the nurse's desk and ask for Robin when she sees Robin and Wally, looking wet and sulky in hospital waiting room chairs.]

What is he still doing out here?!

[People are staring and Artemis stone cold does not give a shit.]

[performance]

A-Artemis!

[ He holds up his hands in a very clear PLEASE DO NOT gesture, eyes wide behind his mask.

The receptionist, clearly not impressed, explains in a patient drawl that it's been a very busy night — despite the empty waiting room — and he's on the list. ]

[runningstart]

It's because they have a list, Artemis, and some people, [and KF gets up and it's clear by the annoyed look on the receptionist's face that it's not the first time he's done it] seem to think that it's okay to leave a teenage hero with a broken leg sitting in their waiting room, soaking wet, for almost an hour when there's nobody! In here! [Wally throws out his arms to gesture and the one other person in the emergency room glances up from their magazine before looking back down.]

I could've built a high-tech bone-healing device in the time it takes these people to go down their list!

[real_archer]

[Artemis glances at Kid Flash--she's not at all surprised he's upset, since Robin is his best friend and all, but it is kind of a nice change of pace to hear him yelling at someone else. Robin is trying to quiet them, but no. Not okay, right now.

She marches up to the nurses's and slams her hand down.]

Forget high tech bone-healing devices, I just took the freaking bus and he still hasn't seen a doctor. The bus.

[She leans over, getting right into the receptionist's face.]

Get a new list.

[Artemis would absolutely love it if the receptionist rolled over right then and there, but ER nurses on the night shift are notoriously hard to ruffle. Instead she gets a face full of attitude right back at her and the nurse suggests that security might be interested in hearing her opinions on wait times.]

[performance]

[ Robin's slid halfway down the chair by now, casting his eyes toward the ceiling and wondering about the odds of spontaneous human combustion. He feels useless enough already, and having his teammates treat a broken leg like a life-threatening injury isn't helping...

(though it's kind of flattering anyway) ]

Guys! Guys, it's okay. I'm not dying.

[ Unfortunately. ]

And like they said, my leg's not getting any more broken.

[ He pats the chair next to him. ]

I, uh... I saved you a seat.

[runningstart]

Hang on, I'm gonna at least get a towel or blanket or something. [Wally storms off in the direction of the front desk. He's going to harass a towel out of this lady if it's the last thing he does.]

[real_archer]

[Artemis throws up her hands--maybe Wally can get something out of this lady, but Artemis is getting no where.

She stomps back over to Robin and flops down in the empty chair with an unpleasant squelch. She looks over at Robin and her brows furrows.]

... How are you feeling?

[She hopes they at least gave him some pain meds if they're going to make him wait this long]

[performance]

Okay, for now. They had to make sure my leg was really broken before they'd give me anything. Like we look suspicious or something.

[ He glances back over to where Wally's making a scene and sighs. What can you do? ]

I'm sorry you had to take the bus.

[real_archer]

[She shrugs, sinking lower into her seat and following Robin's gaze to Kid Flash throwing a fit about towels.]

Yeah, well... the bus seemed less likely to drop me in a ditch.

[She immediately wishes she could take her words back and slumps forward, pinching the bridge of her nose That was not helpful.]

... Sorry. I just really hate the bus. And the rain. And people getting hurt. And seriously, I hate the bus.

[She figures that if he's ever ridden public transit in Gotham, then he should understand. Not that she can share that with him.

Also she's kind of burying the lead there, but whatever. The bus sucks, lets talk about that.]

[performance]

You didn't have to come. I mean... I know it would've been easier for you to just go home.

[ He doesn't know what he would've done in her position. Probably something stupid. He looks back over at Artemis, eyes soft behind his mask. ]

Thank you. I mean it.

[real_archer]

No, Robin, don't.

[She does not want to feel like some kind of hero right now. She wants to feel like a wet, cranky, worried teenager. Because that's what she is.]

I wasn't going to do that and you know it.

[He's gotten her out of way too many tight spots for her to just go home and watch Netflix or something while he's in the ER. She doesn't know who would be waiting with him in the ER if he were at home, but whoever they are, they're clearly not here. So it's just going to have to be her.

... And Kid Flash. Ugh.]

[runningstart]

[Speak of the devil. Didn't you know that if you think Kid Flash's name with a tone of disgust, you can summon him to the physical plane? Because here he comes, and he's even got two towels with him, each of which he tosses to Robin and Artemis respectively.]

Only two towels available in this entire hospital. They must've had a ton of budget cuts lately.