Old Friends

"Really? What made him do that...?" Artemis asked, looking surprised.

"I-I don't, I'm fine." Oliver said quickly.

"I don't know..." Frankie said tiredly, "I just don't know."

Connor pushed his brother's hood down, "What happened?"

Artemis nodded and hugged him again. "Sorry."

"Nothing..." Oliver said, looking away from him.

Frankie hugged back tiredly, "I should probably sleep..."

"Are you okay?" Connor asked softly.

"Yes you should." Artemis agreed, nodding. "You need it."

"Of course I am..." Oliver answered, though he didn't even convince himself as he said it.

Frankie nodded with a sigh before yawning tiredly.

"Whats wrong Oliver?" Connor asked again.

"Come and find me if you need anything, okay?"

"I..." Oliver started, about to say 'nothing' again.

Frankie nodded, "I will, thanks Artemis."

"Don't lie Oliver...." Connor said at the pause.

"No problem." Artemis smiled before turning to go.

Oliver sighed, not looking at him as he spoke. "I was visiting a friend..."

Frankie went over to the bed and climbed in.

"A friend?" Connor asked with a confused look.

Artemis quietly closed the door before turning to look at Alex.

"They're a...close friend." Oliver said quietly.

Alex hugged him close.

Connor nodded slowly, half understanding what he meant.

"Still worried about him, even if he is finally sleeping..." Artemis mumbled, leaning against Alex.

Oliver turned back to the mirror, flinching slightly as he touched part of the bruise around his eye.

"I know, but we have to take each step slowly Arty."

Connor went over to his brother with a sigh.

"I know..." Artemis sighed, nodding slowly.

"What...?" Oliver asked, frowning as he glanced at his brother.

Alex kissed his cheek, "Shall we check on our sleeping Dante?"

Connor just hugged his brother.

"I guess so." Artemis said, smiling a little.

"...what's this for?" Oliver asked, looking confused, though he slowly hugged back.

Alex smiled and gently tugged on his hand.

"I'm your brother, i'm allowed to just hug you." Connor answered.

"Alright, I'm coming." Artemis chuckled as he started walking.

"I guess so." Oliver said, shrugging his shoulders after letting Connor go.

Alex smiled and slowly opened the door to their room.
Dante was still curled up on the bed.

Connor moved back slightly.

Artemis couldn't help but smile when he saw Dante, leaning against the doorframe as he watched him.

Oliver frowned slightly, turning his head away so that his brother couldn't see the bruise clearly.

Dante snuggled cutely deeper into the blankets around him.

"How bad is it?" Connor asked.

Artemis chuckled quietly before glancing at Alex.

Oliver shrugged his shoulders. "No idea."

Alex smiled and leaned against Artemis.

"You need a doctor to look at that."

Artemis smiled and kissed his head, wrapping an arm around him.

"You think so?" Oliver asked, trying not to look worried.