Title: Sleeping

Author: Devilinaredhead

Rating: K

Word Count: 329

Summary: Contrary to popular belief, Wally West is a very light sleeper.

A/N: So this is a very short little drabble that I cooked up on the metro a while ago. I just had time to get it down. This does assume that Paula died during the time skip and it's pre-Depths, obviously. It's partially terrible and ended up much more fluffly then I expected, but I hope you like it!

Contrary to popular belief, Wally West is a very light sleeper. Sure, he snores like a chainsaw and sprawls himself over every imaginably space when he sleeps, but even minute changes in his environment can have him bolting upright.

The loss of body heat when his girlfriend left their bed was what woke him tonight. It was cute how she still thought that she could sneak out of bed without him noticing, even after a few years of proving her wrong. He, on the other hand, was shockingly adept at moving quietly when he needed to. Using all his skill, he crept to the doorway into the living room, knowing almost instinctively where she'd be.

"Hey Arty."

She sniffled from her curled up position on the couch. "Hi Wally."

"What's up, beautiful?" He plopped down next to her, wrapping his arm around her shoulder.

"I.. had a dream about mom. I miss her. I miss Jade. I miss… having a family." At that, her face crumpled and her silent sobs started again. Wally just folded her closer to his body and whispered those nonsense things that people think make you feel better. He sat and held her as she cried. He muttered apologies and promises into her hair. When her tears dried, he tipped her face up and looked her in the eye.

"You still have a family. You have me and Rob and Megan. You've got Connor and Babs and the Team. You've got Ollie and Dinah and the whole League if you want them. And Jade isn't gone, she'll come back. You aren't alone Artemis. Never."

She gave a small smile and tucked herself back into Wally's body. Her "thanks" was muffled by his chest, but he still pressed a kiss to her fore head and whispered "You're welcome". He watched her fall back asleep in his arms, and as she finally drifted out of consciousness, he held her even closer and promised he'd never leave her.