Old Friends

"What makes you think that?" Will asked curiously.

"He's mine! They stole him!" Raven snapped.

"Where daddy go?" Cole asked.
Artemis froze, having been about to come closer. "...do you want me to go?"

"I... Don't even do much outside the office." Connor answered softly.

"So! Its been years... How do you think Orion feels knowing that he was less to you then Frankie?" Stevie asked, jumping just a little.

"I don't know..." Dante answered.
"No!" Alex answered quickly, "Of course not Arty."

"So? You're useful inside it."

"That's none of your business!" Raven hissed, not wanting to answer.

"Okaay..." Cole sighed, pouting slightly.
"I was just checking..."

"I'm just a computer geek..."

Stevie sighed and shook his head, "Your lucky he doesn't hate you yet..."

Dante kissed the top of his head.
Alex held his hand out to him.

"Who's helped us a lot over the years..." Will said.

"Just go help Peter." Raven growled.

Cole gave a small smile and crawled closer to him.
Artemis went over to Alex, smiling as he took his hand.

"Oliver's been a better help..."

Stevie sighed and got up, shaking his head as he left.

Dante hugged him close, "Hope your daddy comes back soon."
Alex got up and curled close to Artemis.

"You help in your own way Connor." Will said softly.

Raven just rolled his eyes and went to sit at his desk.

Cole nodded. "Me too."
"Are you sure you're alright?" Artemis asked, wrapping his arms around him.

"I guess..." Connor replied softly.

Dante smiled and hugged him.
Alex nodded, "Yeah, just wanted to snuggle."

"You do." Will said. "Come here..."

Cole smiled and wrapped an arm around Dante's neck, sitting the Lego dog on Dante's head.
"Alright then." Artemis chuckled.

Connor went over to Will.

Dante chuckled softly, "What are you doing?"
Alex curled closer.

Will gave a small smile, getting up from his seat to hug him.

"He on your head."
Artemis held him close, rubbing his back with one hand.

Connor smiled and hugged his long time friend back.

Dante chuckled again, "I can see that."
Alex smiled softly, leaning into his gentle rubbing.

"You should know by now that you aren't useless Connor..."

Cole giggled, making the dog walk down Dante's arm instead.
Artemis stayed quiet as he continued rubbing Alex's back, trying not to worry about him.

"I just... Hear the other guys talking..."

Dante chuckled softly, watching with a smile.
"Arty.." Alex murmured softly, curling closer.

"Which guys?" Will frowned.

"Are you sure you're alright Alex...?" Artemis asked.

Connor sighed softly, "Mike and his buddies..."

Alex nodded slowly, "Yeah... Just needed you Arty."

"Mike?" Will said, pulling a face. "He's always been an ass to people, you know that."

"Why didn't you come and find me then?"

"I know..." Connor said softly.

"I didn't wanna bug you." Alex answered.

Will sighed, hugging his friend again. "So why listen to him Connor?"

"Why would you be bugging me?" Artemis asked.

"I.... Just hear it so much...." Connor said as he hugged back.

"You have so much going on with Jacen..."

"That doesn't make it true," Will said. "Hasn't Oliver told you that?"

"Yes, but you're my husband, if you need me I'm not going to ignore you." Artemis said softly.

"I've not told Oliver..." Connor replied softly.

Alex curled close, "I know Arty." He relaxed with a smile.

"Why not? He's your brother..."

"I love you." Artemis smiled.

"He deals with a lot."

"Love you too Arty." Alex said with a small.

"So do you..." Will pointed out.

Artemis led Alex over to the bed and sat down, gently pulling Alex with him.