Kaldur and Roy hang out.
Sorry for the slooooow update.
NOTE: for those reading/following Band Aid Effect I am still working on it. I have not abandoned it.
Same warnings apply. Please read the tags.
Disclaimer: I do not own Young Justice or its characters.
PLEASE don't forget to leave kudos & COMMENT.
Kaldur'ahm's POV
Roy's apartment was…sparse. And cluttered. At the same time. It was a strange dichotomy that fit his person well.
He had about 6 red shirts and 5 black ones. Three pairs of jeans and 2 pairs of shoes. It was his entire wardrobe. It had always managed to shock me that so few clothing items could be strewn about so casually.
I myself had few cloths. My suit made it unnecessary. However, the few civilian clothes I did own were stored away neatly.
It is important to take care of your possessions.
Roy Harper was not of the same mentality.
Aside from his clothes, he had random magazines, arrows, and empty food containers piled on the center of his coffee table.
I would usually not be able to stop myself from straightening up the place or at least washing a few dishes, but today I had other things on my mind.
I did not come here to talk.
I wanted to patrol with a friend that would not ask questions.
I was tired of the League members looking at me.
Roy would only think this was another one of my random visits I took when I needed to get away from Mt. Justice.
I do not have a personal problem with anyone on the team, but I am the oldest.
Robin is 13. Wally is 15 and Robin's best friend. I was always the third wheel there. M'gann and Connor are completely wrapped up in each other, Artemis is still too guarded to seek a friendship, and of course there is the issue that my best friend does not care for her.
Roy's hair is the personification of his character.
He is fire.
He embodies fire and all that it entails. He has the tendency to escalate things. Roy is hot headed, stubborn, and proud. But he is also creative, passionate, motivated, and action-driven.
He makes mistakes like we all do. He will deny aid in his endeavors, but when he gets in over his head he always calls for back up. He is impulsive.
He will dive head first into the water.
He is one of those people you have to take whole. You either accept every part of him, or none of him.
If Roy's hair personifies his character, then my eyes personify mines.
I am water.
I take shape of the situation around me. It has aided in my escape and victory many times. I am calm, introspective, and practical. I try to understand others and be a good ear for them.
But, like Roy, I too have my many faults.
I soak up the negative feelings around me. It overwhelms me and makes me anxious. It leaves me questioning myself and doubting my ability to lead. It is in my nature to brood. To look at everything and analyze it again and again.
I forget sometimes that I am deserving of gratitude.
In order to balance my life, I added a little fire.
Roy's POV
Kal has been my good friend for the past few years now. When I first met him I thought he was little more than a drone.
I couldn't stand the guy.
He was so uptight. So frigid. So formal.
It was always "yes my king", "with all due respect my liege", and "pardon me". The guy lacked a personality.
He was always so calm.
It irritated the hell out of me. I used to take pleasure in trying to rile him up. I only garnered little success.
I don't know when it went from "annoy the fish out of water" to "why don't we make inside jokes about our mentors to pass the time," but it marked the beginning of our friendship.
When he showed up at my place I could tell something was off. He looked disturbed. I was use to him dropping by randomly. Our jobs didn't leave a lot of room for planned free time.
I remember the first time he stopped by my place. It was the only time I was surprised by his presence.
***flashback***
Kaldur was standing in my door way awkwardly, waiting for me to allow him entrance. He clasped his hands and held them in front of him. His head was slightly bowed.
"Hello my friend."
I only raised a brow. Kaldur had never been to my place before. I hadn't even told him where I lived. It must have been Robin.
I stepped aside.
"Shut it behind you."
He briskly walked in and closed the door behind him. I was worried he was going to be awkward the whole time he was here so I tried to make him relax.
"Want something to drink?"
He seemed wary.
"It is not one of your inhibitor's is it?"
It took me a second to realize he was asking if I was offering him alcohol. I couldn't control my laughter.
"It's not alcohol Kal. It's soda. I promise you'll be completely hibited after you drink it. Sides, I'm not even old enough to drink."
He gave me one of his knowing smirks.
"I didn't say I don't drink. Just that I'm not old enough to."
He smiled for the first time since he got there.
I could tell his mind was on something, but he wasn't in the mood for talking. It was probably about me leaving the team.
"I am not sure how these things work. I am still learning your customs."
"There are no rules to hanging out with a friend Kaldur. You do whatever you want really. It's not a formal thing."
We'd been down this road before. Atlantean society was very structured and everything had rules. I had to explain to him that American society was more go with the flow.
"I see."
I really looked at him this time. His eyes had a slight grey tint under them. His hair, while short, was a little frayed at the ends. His posture was more rigid than usual. He was tired and being overworked.
But would he ever think to complain to Aquaman that he needed a break? Of course not. And Aquaman was like Batman in that since, you had to be near death or have a mental break down for them to see that you were overwhelmed.
I made the unanimous decision to take him to the movies.
He had never seen one and seemed to enjoy it. He took the rules seriously about no talking and turning of your cell phones.
He had popcorn for the first time. He drenched it in butter and pepper which resulted in him switching with me.
We watched Cloud Atlas. I noticed he blushed every time Halle Berry's character Luisa Rey was on the screen.
I teased him about it on the way home. He blushed and desperately tried to get me to change the subject. I took pity on him, but not before he threatened me form telling the guys.
All in all, it was a good day and Kaldur'ahm had relaxed.
***End Flashback***
I decided not to beat around the bush.
"You look like shit."
I was rewarded with the most strained smile I had ever seen from him. He would have normally made some type of sarcastic comment about the messiness of my apartment by now. He looked troubled. Deeply troubled. More than when he told me about Tula and Garth.
"Hey man you wanna sit down?"
He took a few seconds to answer.
"I do not."
I was guessing now.
"You wanna eat?"
He shook his head no.
"You wanna talk?"
"I…do not know what I want."
That was alarming. What was even more alarming was the fact that his comm had just went off and he either really didn't hear it beeping in his ear, or he was totally out of it.
"I'm going to answer your comm okay?"
He just looked at me. Since he didn't try to stop me I took his comm out of his ear and answered it.
"Aqualad?"
It was Aquaman. He sounded worried.
"Red Arrow."
I could hear his breath of relief.
"Is he alright?"
A warning bell went off in my head. Aquaman would never ask if Kaldur was alright unless he had reason to believe that he wasn't. Regardless of his concern, I wasn't about to throw Kaldur under the bus.
"He doesn't feel like talking. We're gonna hang out for a while."
"Hang out?"
"He's spending time with me."
"I see. Just let him know that I expect to see him before nightfall."
I wasn't aware Kaldur had a curfew.
"Will do. Red Arrow out."
I turned to Kaldur.
"You wanna tell me what that was about?"
He averted his eyes and said not really.
"Kal. You're starting to worry me. Let's sit."
"I do not want to sit!"
The venom in his voice brought me up short.
Angry Kaldur isn't as funny as I had imagined it.
"Kal. Something is up. Tell me."
He seemed about to answer but changed his mind.
"Can we patrol?"
I didn't think it was the best idea. He seemed hostile, but he had never give me reason to think he would lose control in the field.
After I suited up, we made our way to The Alley. The place is as seedy as it sounds. This was the only place I could think of that had such blatant crime this early in the day.
It seems my fears were misplaced. Kaldur did not go crazy on anybody. Quite the contrary actually.
He fought with veteran efficiency and precision.
Whenever I put my hand on his shoulder to tell him good job, he shrugged it off. If I didn't know any better, I would say he was mad at me.
He wasn't slowing down.
We had about 40 minutes until nighttime. I reminded Kaldur of Aquaman's words.
He eyes had cleared up and he was more focused.
Back to his usual calm demeanor.
Anyone with eyes could see he was embarrassed about his behavior earlier. Which is weird considering I go on rants every other day and he still thinks I'm sane.
Kaldur'ahm's POV
I had to clarify a few things with Roy before I left.
I needed to give him enough to know I was going to be okay without telling him too much.
I was rude to him all day. Giving him the silent treatment. Not thanking him for spending time with me.
I looked back in my memories to find out what I should do to let him know I was truly sorry. I remembered Robin and KF did a secret handshake. We did not have one of those so I chose another path.
I stepped up to him and wrapped my arms around his upper shoulders and back. He tensed up.
"I am sorry my friend. Today was a much needed distraction. I did not intend to take my frustrations out on you."
If it were any other day I would have laughed at his utterly ridiculous face.
His cheeks were brighter than his hair.
He cleared his throat and pushed away from me.
"Oookay. Dude. Hugs are a no. I forgive you. Just…yeah. So what's up? Really."
I took a moment to gather my thoughts.
"Roy. On our last mission there was a…criminal we captured that was…from my past. We did not have a good relationship. It rattled me. I did not expect such a thing to come up during my time on the surface. "
Or any time for that matter. We all swore that we would never bring it up.
"It has been a struggle these past few days. Aquaman means well, but you know how that goes. I like to solve my own problems."
And Roy did know. Green Arrow tried. He still tries. Their problems mostly stem from misunderstandings and personality differences.
"Kaldur we're friends. We're all assholes at least sometimes. Just don't make a habit of it. That's my gimmick."
I was grateful for his understanding. I could not afford to alienate such a good friend.
I bade my farewell and made my way back to Mt. Justice.
Roy's POV
In the end it was Kaldur's anger that bothered me the most. I didn't let on that I felt something was up. I just knew it was bigger than an old acquaintance from the past.
The guy had Kaldur shook.
It takes a lot to shake a man who is used to fighting literal monsters.
I made up my mind to give him his space, but to be on the lookout for anymore suspicious behavior.
I might have Robin check the guy out.
Kaldur'ahm's POV
It was windy out, but it did not bother me. I was used to much colder temperatures. It was the silence that bothered me. It was a dull silence. It gave me more time to think than I needed.
I could not help slightly doubting my father. Not about him blaming me, but that he would not take actions into his own hands. I had spoken with him about it briefly when my mother was not in the room.
He takes protecting me and my mother very seriously.
I know he will try to locate these men and execute them if given half the chance. He did not get into Manta's army by being unwilling to kill.
I know he is a changed man, but I believe he believes this situation justifies it. I am not sure about my mother either. She is fierce when it comes to me.
She might even help. Subtly that is. She can not use her magic in any case.
I felt bad about leaving my parents early, but I was getting anxious being around them. They were unsure what to say to me, and I to them.
We never had a problem communicating before. This is just another thing I had hoped to avoid. I am starting to regret telling them. Even now, I know they are thinking about me. Worried about my health. Fretting over things they have no control over.
I fear I will not uphold my promises to my parents. Already I had denied sustenance from Roy twice that day.
I finally made it back to base where Aquaman was waiting for me.
Batman and Superman were there to.
I was suddenly tired. I just wanted to get in my tank and sleep until the morning. If we did not have any missions, I was only responsible for making practices.
I guess something in my posture was defensive because Batman and Superman shared a look while Aquaman raised a brow.
"Kaldur'ahm. I hope your time with Red Arrow was beneficial. We have much to discuss."
"Can it not wait?" Even I heard the bite in my tone.
I do not know where that came from. I had not meant to say it. I just had the sudden urge to test him. I was tired, but I was not that tired.
I could the surprise clear on his face. On Superman's too. I had never denied such a reasonable request.
I am not mad at Aquaman.
I had to remind myself of that.
He is only trying to help me.
I have to internalize this.
Aquaman took his time answering.
"If you are truly tired you may convene to your quarters. It is not something that cannot wait until the morrow."
I tried to reign it in. I really did. I know he did not mean anything by it, but I was overly sensitive for some reason.
Before I could stop the flow I words I blurted out what I thought about that.
"If I am truly tired? Would I lie about such matters?"
"Kaldur'ahm…I did not mean to suggest-"
"It does not matter. I am tired and I am taking my rest."
I was scared. I had no clue why I was reacting this way to Aquaman. He has done nothing against me. Instead of turning around and apologizing, I hurried to my room.
Aquaman's POV
"What was that?"
I was speaking more to myself than anything.
Batman answered anyways.
"This is not uncommon behavior for this kind of thing. I wouldn't take it to heart. He doesn't mean to snap at you. It will subside in time. Give him room to breathe. It's easy to forget, but he is still a teenager. This wont be his last mood swing."
It is hard seeing Kaldur'ahm this way. I can see the merit if the Bat's words, but I feel like I have been grasping at straws for the past few days now.
What really baffles me is that Kaldur'ahm seems angry with me. I hope he does not feel like I pressured him into talking with his parents. The more I think about it, the more I wish I had pushed the meeting back a few days like I had initially planned.
It was too much too soon.
All heroes with a protégé were given orders to keep them away from Mt. Justice for the week or until further notice.
It is not as if they would not notice the absence of their leader.
M'gann and Connor will be staying with her uncle in his apartment.
"He needs help."
Me and Batman turned to Superman. He was clearly pointing out the obvious.
"I mean he needs help that we are not equipped to give him. Canary is good at her job, but she is not completely unbiased. She knows Kaldur. She works with him. He needs to believe that whatever he says will stay with that person. Canary has a certain limit that she can keep to herself. There are things she has to tell us. Kaldur knows that too. He could be subconsciously holding things back."
I heaved a troubled sigh.
"What you say is true, but I do not believe Kaldur would want to see someone else. I will ask, but we must be prepared for a negative response."
"As long as he's getting help."
Kaldur'ahm's POV
I got to my room and started panicking. I told myself to calm down. To breathe. But it was not working.
I could not make my body obey my mind. My limbs would not submit.
I was overtaken in another memory.
It came out of nowhere.
I slid to the floor. Remembering. Cringing. Gagging.
"Hurry Dardanus. We would like our turns too."
My face was pressed against the ocean floor. I was breathing in water and sand. I tried to focus on the sway of the water. But I could not hear her. She was too far away.
But what I could hear was grunting. The only thing I felt was pain and humiliation. When they got together it was so much more talking. So many more things they would make me say.
"You enjoy this Durahm?"
I did not answer. He hit my backside with his open palm. It stung.
My answer was a weak yes.
They all laughed.
Dardanus finished and passed me to Kordax.
I was crying by then. Barely keeping it together. Kordax loved to make me beg. To pretend.
My eyes followed his form.
He removed his clothes and lay on his back.
He was going to make me get on top.
"Come on Kaldur'ahm. Hop on."
I flushed red from my neck to the tips of my ears.
I straddled him and he pulled me onto him.
He was much wider than Dardanus. He threatened me not to look away.
I kept my eyes on him but I let my mind wander.
He caught on and started making me engage.
"So tight. So small. You are the perfect size Kaldur. You take me so well."
My tears were beyond my control by then. I just let him have his way.
"Tell me why we do this. Open your mouth and tell me."
I gave the customary response.
"Because I deserve it. It feels good. I need this."
Kordax finished quickly after that.
I was sore. I wanted to stop, but it is not as if they would have listened.
Next was Topo. Topo and Arion. Arion did not always join in. Mostly he took pictures of me.
If anyone ever saw them they would be deceived. I looked happy enough in some of them. If anyone cared to look they might notice my disheveled clothed, my too shiny eyes, my fake smile.
Topo pushed me to my knees. I was ashamed at how grateful I was. I do not think I would be able to sit if he had used me the other way.
Arion had the camera ready.
"Open up Kaldur'ahm. Yessss."
I opened my mouth and Topo did the rest. He hardly ever had the patience to make me do things on my own.
It was Arion who truly frightened me.
Arion was really big on talking.
I could barely breathe. Topo did not care.
His taste was bitter.
"That's it Kaldur. You are so pretty."
I tried to block Arion out, but it was impossible.
"Look at that mouth."
Topo did not break his pace. My chest was starting to burn. My knees were scraping the ground, and because they had taken my clothes I was completely exposed.
Click!
"Perfect. You are perfect for this."
Even as the others agreed, I hated when he said that.
Click!
"Take him down all the way. Just like that."
He stepped closer and got a photo of me with Topo in my mouth. He always showed them to me after.
Topo finished down my throat as usual. He then passed me to Kordax who would clean me up and help me put my clothes back on.
I was moving to slow for them so Dardanus carried me to Arion's study. Nobody ever asked what we did in there.
"Sit Kaldur'ahm."
I just looked at him.
He kept talking like I never even stopped him.
"Of course. You are probably feeling a little discomfort."
A little discomfort?
"Very well. You may stand next to me."
I moved to stand by him. The sooner we got this over with the better.
"You know what to do Kaldur'ahm."
I took his member out of his pants and started rubbing him like he taught me to.
"Good. You are so good at this now. Remember the first time? You were so nervous."
He sounded like he was telling a story about the time I got a question wrong in class.
He pulled out the pictures.
"This one is good. Hmmm. All you can see is your back and you on your knees. Classic."
I did not say anything. I was not supposed to.
"I like this one too. Slower Kaldur.:
I went slower.
"Aah. Yes. This one with you looking at the camera with your mouth full. Your lips are so plump. It is no wonder Topo enjoys them so much. He makes your mouth stretch. And those tears."
He groaned deeply.
I kept twisting and jerking.
"Not many Atlanteans have tear ducts. You cry so beautifully. You know we do not mean to hurt you right?"
I nodded my head.
"Good. It is important that you know that. Firmer Kaldur'ahm. Firmer. From the top. Here."
He repositioned my hands. I had to use both because one would not reach all the way around.
He was sweating and panting in his chair.
I had been to this room so many times that I could recount the first 63 books on his shelf by title and author without looking. My goal was to know the entire top row.
It kept my mind occupied.
"Do you like this one? This is you on your back with Dardanus inside you."
He always made everything sound dirtier than I remembered it.
"Your eyes are lidded. I can tell you were enjoying it."
I was not. I was in pain. I was close to passing out, but it was just like Arion to overlook that.
I knew what was next. His breathing had picked up. I knew better than to speed up anymore. If he finished before he got to his favorite picture, I was in trouble.
He pulled it out of his top drawer.
"This is my favorite."
It was a picture of me completely naked and sleeping in his bed. You could tell it was his bed because he had taken me to his home on one of the breaks. His pillow with his initials embroidered on it was in between my legs.
He had me to lie to my parents and tell them that I was not taking one.
He took me after most people had already left.
He took me to a few shops and made me buy things. He kept saying that money was not an issue. I wanted to tell him that I did not want his things. But he would have been furious with me. So I picked out random things that meant nothing to me.
It was a week of hell but I survived.
"Kaldur!"
My memory had started to blur. Someone was calling me but I could not answer.
My vision went black.
Superman's POV
I heard Kaldur choking from the other room. By the time we got there he was curled up on the floor and his eyes were in the back of his head.
This just solidified my thinking earlier.
I tried calling his name but he didn't respond. I swooped him up and flew him to the infirmary. Batman and Aquaman were following me.
