Misery

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Dick stared at the brownish contents of the glass before him before staring back up at Artemis, incredulous.

But Artemis's resolve never wavered as she stared back at him, her arms crossed.

Yes, she knew it wouldn't taste that great but he needed sustenance. Nutrition.

Her eyes gazed briefly at his sunken face. And his arms-- they were thinning from lack of sustenance.

Protein, vitamins, everything. But this drink will help provide it.

Her stare returned to his own, only strengthening in resolve. He wasn't getting out of this. She sat down across from him at the kitchen table, resting her elbows on the wooden surface with her head resting on her hands. Wally had just finished cleaning up the kitchen from breakfast and had put the milk back in the fridge before turning around just behind Artemis.

He didn't say anything, just offered an encouraging smile. He was letting Artemis take charge on this one, after all she's had her own experience. And well...

Since last night, Artemis is the only one of the two he'll open up to. At least a little. And it seems that any mention of food seems to make Dick turn a sickly shade of green. It was a battle just to get him to take a drink of water.

Dick furrowed his brows and fidgeted his hands on the table, he paused for a moment before opening his mouth before he was quickly cut off by Artemis.

"Dick, I know it's hard but if you don't have some sort of nutrition you're going to have to go back to the hospital and get IV nutrition instead... under surveillance."

Well, Artemis didn't really want to pull that card but it did seem to work at least a little as Dick sputtered for a moment before grimacing and tentatively gripping the glass.

"Besides..."

Artemis spun the carton of protein powder around so Dick could read the label.

"It's supposed to taste like chocolate!"

Yes, yes she knew that was a lie. Kind of... they're advertised as that but they seldom ever taste even remotely good. And she was sure Dick knew it too because more than likely he's had to have at least one of these before.

And judging from the look Dick gave her, she was right.

His lip was curled in obvious displeasure, his eyes narrowing before he glanced up at Wally with an almost pleading look on his face.

Wally held his hands up in a placating gesture and shook his head.

Nope. Still not getting out of this.

"Fine..."

He held the glass up to his lips, allowing a small trickle of the cool liquid through.

Hmm...

Didn't actually taste that bad...

Dick relaxed his throat and allowed himself to swallow.

Maybe he could—

Dick's eyes bulged as he felt the liquid settle in his stomach, in order to not make a mess he had to quickly cover his mouth with his hand.

"Dick?"

"Wally, get the trash can!"

Wally quickly offered Dick the small trash can but he shoved it away, his hand pressed roughly against his mouth while his other curled tightly around his stomach.

He did not want to throw up again.

After a moment his stomach settled down enough to where he felt like it wasn't going to come back up. At least immediately.

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