Boom!

The crackle of thunder reverberated through the halls of the mountain. It made Robin jump and pull the covers over his head, thankful that there were no windows to let in the glare of lightning. He hated thunderstorms; he always had. He despised the ear-splitting sound of thunder, the blinding lightning that even his mask couldn't keep out. He hated that Batman wasn't there to comfort him, to hold him like a child and tell him stories of heroes until he fell asleep. But most of all he hated that he was thirteen years old and still afraid of thunder.

"I can sleep through it. I don't need to run to Bruce for this." He told himself as he tried to make himself comfortable among the fortress of pillows on his bed. He took a deep breath. "I can do this."

Boom!

"No, I can't!" Not a second later he bolted from his bed and sprinted to the nearest occupied bedroom. He slipped under the green coverlet and squeezed his masked eyes shut.

"Who's there?" A female voice demanded. Robin peeked out from the covers to find the tip of a crossbow aimed right between his eyes. The blonde girl holding it was wearing pyjamas and was looking none too pleased.

"Um, me?" He said nervously.

"Robin?" Artemis' brows furrowed in confusion. Robin laughed nervously and wriggled his fingers in a wave.

"Hi."

"What are you doing here?" Artemis said groggily. She relaxed her tensed form and stifled a yawn. "It's, like, two in the morning."

"I know, I just, uh...couldn't sleep." He scrambled for an excuse. "I was hoping you had some ideas for combating insomnia."

"And what makes you think I know any?" Artemis raised a brow.

"Aren't you supposed to be the super smart chick that can deal any problem thrown her w-"

Another roll of thunder came and Robin jerked the covers over his face. Artemis stared at him incredulously for a few moments before it clicked.

"You're afraid of thunder." She deadpanned.

"No, I'm-"

"Don't even try to deny it."

Robin lowered the covers and his shoulders slumped, a defeated look on his face. He let out a shuddering sigh.

"...Yes." He whispered and turned away, unable to face her. Artemis couldn't believe it. Robin Boy Wonder, protégé of the Dark Knight himself, was afraid of thunder.

Go figure.

She looked at his tiny body shivering with fear. Even though he tried to put on a brave front, he looked so helpless it was almost scary. Another thunderclap came and he clasped his hands over his ears.

"Can...Can I...sleep here tonight?" He asked timidly. He sounded like a five-year-old. Artemis shook her head at his question.

"Sorry, but that's just..." Her voice trailed off as Robin adopted the look of a kicked puppy. "But what will Batman say if..." She took in the soft pouting lips and widened masked eyes (even covered they held lots of puppy-dog-eye power) and her resolve crumbled in an instant.

"Fine." She sighed. A wide smile graced Robin's face. "But!"

"But what?" Robin grimaced.

"You have to sleep on the floor."

"What?! Really Arty?"

"Hey, beggars can't be choosers." Artemis stood from the bed and retrieved a set of blankets and a mat from her closet. In a matter of moments she had a makeshift bed set up for him.

"There, that should do it." Feeling a bit proud of her impromptu bed-making skills, she pulled the Boy Wonder out of her bed and into his own. "In we go, now." Robin grinned as the blonde tucked him in like a fussy mother and was almost disappointed when she didn't give him a goodnight kiss. He decided it would be kind of scary if she had, though.

About fifteen minutes had passed after they had settled down, when Artemis heard a whimpering noise. She concentrated to find its source. Thunder boomed and she heard it again.

"Robin?" She called out quietly.

"Hm?"

"Is that you?

"...Mmhm." Was the response. Artemis groaned and held up her hands in a 'why me?' gesture.

"C'mon Wonder Boy."

She made space for him on her bed and he gladly filled it.

"No funny business," She warned.

"Aye aye captain!" Robin saluted her and she rolled her eyes.

Once they were settled, Artemis closed her eyes. Thunder rumbled in the distance and caused the mountain to tremble. Immediately she felt arms go around her in a bone crushing hug as Robin cowered into her back.

"Robin...can't...breath!" She gasped out.

"Sorry!" He whispered, loosening his grip, but not letting go. Artemis sighed and turned to face him. She wrapped her arms around the boy comfortingly and rubbed his back.

"There, there." She said awkwardly. "It'll be alright?"

"You're not very good at this are you?" Robin giggled.

"Shut your face," Artemis smiled. "I'm trying."

"And I appreciate it."

The two teens lapsed into a comfortable silence. They listened to the pitter-patter of the rain outside and the distant rumbling. Artemis' mind raced with thoughts as she rubbed small circles on Robin's back. Robin's breathing was rhythmic and shallow. The scent of his shampoo made Artemis smile; calming lavender.

"I know how you feel." She said after a while.

"You mean, pathetic?" Robin mumbled.

"Yes- no! I meant being scared."

"Please. You? Artemis the strong and tall, afraid of thunder? That's unbelievable."

"Says the Dark Knight's protégé." She rolled her eyes and his shoulders slumped.

"I know and that's why I'm pathetic. I'm thirteen for crying out loud!"

"You are not pathetic! And so what if you're thirteen? I'm fifteen, and I still get scared sometimes." She countered. Robin stayed silent for a few seconds before answering.

"Whenever there was a thunderstorm, I always ran to Batman for comfort." He snorted. "It's a stupid fear, being afraid of thunder."

"No, it's not." Artemis said softly.

"How?" Robin asked, genuinely curious.

"Because it's okay to be afraid of it." Robin gave her a deadpan look and Artemis let out a tired sigh.

"Thunder is dangerous. It's uncontrollable and it can strike at any given moment, at any given target. It doesn't care who or what, it just does. And it destroys anything it desires. If that's not a good enough reason to fear it, then I don't what is."

Robin stayed silent. It was the first time someone had given him a good answer. It had always either been, "I used to be scared, too" or "you don't have to be scared because it's hundreds of miles away." She had given him a legitimate answer while still sympathising with him.

"When I was little," She continued. "I lived in a terrible place. Every time it stormed out, I laid in bed and cried myself to sleep. But I would always have to hide it. Fear was a sign of weakness and that was not acceptable. You're lucky you had Batman to run to. I had no one." She closed her eyes, remembering.

"What about your parents?"

"My relationship with my dad is...complicated. And as for my mum, dad made it hard to see her as often as I had liked."

"So you just cried through it all alone?" He felt a tinge of pity for her.

"Most of the time yeah, but you know what made it a little better?"

"What?"

"As cliché as it sounds, I reminded myself that a storm never lasts forever, that it had to end eventually. But, you know what makes it even cheesier?"

"What?" Robin was curious to know more about the blonde archer and he pulled back to see her face. She was blushing.

"It's silly actually, but..." She pulled something out from under her bed.

It took him a while to realize what it was. The object was light in colour, but in the dark he couldn't really tell which colour exactly. It was also slightly worn and looked old, but it gave it a comforting look. The faded scent of peaches wafted from it.

"A stuffed dog?" He tried to hide his smile.

"Yeah," She smiled. "My mum had given it to me when I was very young and I've had it since. It was always a comfort to me. Especially when we were apart."

They laughed quietly.

"Yeah, but don't tell anyone or I'll make sure you don't wake up tomorrow." Artemis threatened, attempting to sound serious.

"Only if you don't tell anyone about my fear." Robin smirked.

"Deal."

"Thank you." Said Robin as he hugged her tightly. She returned the hug before ruffling his hair.

"Yeah, yeah. Just go to sleep already."

"Heheh, good night."

"Good night."

They cuddled up together, glad to have someone to spend the thunderstorm with.

"Hey, Rob?" Artemis murmured.

"Mm?"

"If you ever get scared or need anything, my room, Momo, and I are here for you and you're always welcome."

"Momo?"

"The dog..." Artemis blushed.

"Hehehe. Thanks, I really appreciate It." He smiled.

"You're welcome."

"Hey, Arty?"

"Yeah?" She said ignoring the nickname Wally had given her.

"Since when are you so motherly?" He asked with a small smirk.

"Since about twenty-five minutes ago. Why?"

He shrugged.

"I like it."

Artemis laughed and kissed the top of his head.

"Well don't get used to it. Now sleep before I ground you."

Robin smiled and closed his eyes.

"Yes, mum." Robin giggled. And with that they fell into a comfortable deep sleep.

Wally walked into the kitchen where M'gann, Conner, and Kaldur were seated eating breakfast. A grand array of food had been set out onto the table.

"Good morning Wally," Miss Martian greeted. "Have you seen Robin and Artemis?"

"Mornin' Megalicious," Wally greeted before promptly stuffing a bagel into his mouth. "And no, I thought Rob was already here. He usually is."

"Artemis is usually here, too, by now. But neither of them has shown up."

"Maybe they're still asleep?" Superboy chimed in.

"Black Canary will be coming for training soon. I think it is best if we awaken them; They should eat before training." Kaldur suggested.

"I got it!" Kid Flash said taking a bite out of a bagel and zipping away.

The three remaining heroes stayed behind to finish up their meal. Not three seconds later Wally returned, a confused look on his face.

"Guys, Robin's not in his room."

"What? Did you knock?" M'gann's head tilted to one side.

"Only about a million times. No answer."

"That is strange. Perhaps he has already awoken?" Kaldur provided.

"Dunno, it's hard to tell with him. Sometimes, when he's doing his hacking, he'll stay up all night and sleep in." Wally shrugged and grabbed some more food.

"Did you actually check to see if he was inside?" Superboy raised a brow.

"Well, no…."

"Then how do you know he wasn't just hacking and ignored you?"

"...You make a very good point."

The four heroes made their way back to the bird's room and stepped inside. Kid Flash dashed straight to the bed where he proceeded to jump up and down.

"Yo, Rob! Wakey wakey!"

"Wally get down!" Scolded M'gann. She used her powers to levitate him off the bed. From his floating position he pulled back the sheets.

"Dude?" He said confused. "Where are you?" The four heroes looked around the empty room for any sign of him.

"Umm, let's try Artemis." Miss M suggested.

They walked out of the room and headed down the hall before stopping at a green door with an arrow printed on it. Kaldur knocked politely.

"Artemis? Are you in there?" He called.

No answer. He tried again and again received no answer. Wally's impatience got the best of him and decided to enter forcefully.

"Hey Blondie, are you in- whoa!" He began to chortle at the scene before him.

"Wally, what-oh my!" Miss Martian gasped before smiling. The other two boys stared in confusion.

On the bed was Artemis herself, still very much asleep. She was splayed out on her back, arms and legs spread out in funny angles. What the heroes didn't expect to see, however, was the sleeping form of Robin. His head was laid on Artemis' chest, one arm hugging her middle, the other a plush animal, and his legs were latched around Artemis' left thigh.

"Aww!" Miss M gushed. "They look so peaceful!"

Wally zipped away and was back in a second (literally) with his phone in hand.

"Yeah, totally cute." He grinned mischievously as he started taking pictures. "This day just keeps getting better and better."

"Wally I do not think that is a wise idea. If they awaken-" Kaldur began.

"WAKE UP!" Wally yelled all of a sudden.

The two on the bed screamed as they shot up into sitting positions. They turned to look at each other's dishevelled forms and screamed again in unison. Then they turned to their friends at the door.

"What the hell, Wally?" Artemis yelled at the same time Robin yelled, "Oh my god!"

"Did you have a nice sleep?" Wally taunted. "Nice bed heads by the way."

"That's none of your business, Baywatch!" Artemis growled and threw a pillow at him.

"He's my best friend; Of course it's my business." He crossed his arms over his chest. Artemis jumped out of bed to get into Wally's face, possibly even punch him, but before she could retort Robin jumped between them and gave her a hug.

"Thanks. I owe you one." He said. She hugged him back, glaring at Wally over his shoulder.

"No problem. Any time you need me, I'm right here." The shorter male let go and ran out of the archer's room to his own. Wally gaped.

"What was that?" He demanded, totally confused.

"Get out of my room!" She said pushing all the intruders out and shutting the door.

"...What just happened?" Superboy asked.

"I...have no idea." Miss Martian responded.

"Perhaps it is best if we don't know." Kaldur said slowly and scrunched his brows.

"Artemis! Tell me what he's talking about!" Wally banged on the door. "Open the door! Artemis!"

The three remaining teens shared a look before deciding to let the subject drop and walk away.