FudoTwin17: Hey, guys!
Cat: She's finally back.
FudoTwin17: Yup! And do I have a show for you!
Goldfish # 4: Don't pretend you didn't steal that line from Veggie Tales.
FudoTwin17: Okay. Anyways, I'm back with a new chappie! Hopefully you can forgive my tardiness. I have final exams this week, I'm on crutches, I'm preparing for a People to People trip, and next week my mom has surgery, so life's kinda crazy right now.
Dog # 1: Yup.
FudoTwin17: So, please bear with me, and I promise I'll try to finish this story soon since I'm SO CLOSE to finishing it. Anyways, luv ya! I don't own (Veggie Tales) Young Justice!
Chapter 35
When Rux seemed to snap back to reality, it was because something that didn't belong had suddenly been pushed into her mouth. It took her a moment to realize that she was kissing someone-or at least that they were kissing her. As soon as her memory seemed to flood back, her eyes snapped open to see none other than the King directly in front of her.
His hands weren't where they belonged, either.
She pushed him away, glaring harshly even as he staggered back a few steps. Despite having just been openly rejected by his wife, his smirk was still set happily on his face. He walked back to her, taking one of her hands in both of his almost romantically.
"I'm glad it worked." He said with an almost genuine smile. "You've been out of it for about half an hour."
She ripped her hand away abruptly, noticing the look of displeasure that immediately made it's way to his face. He didn't seem to realize that the only things that had seemed to wake her from the almost drunken state after being bitten and healed had been devastatingly violent and disturbing. What he had just pulled had most definitely been violent and disturbing.
"Then that half an hour was the best half an hour I've had for days." She replied simply, crossing her arms.
Ruxandera turned away, eyes wandering. They along with all of Josh's family and the superhero community were all in a spectacular ballroom much larger than the one that the had originally had a banquet with his family in. It was decorated in rich reds, midnight blues, and creamy décor that seemed to make the room much more beautiful. Flowers were everywhere as well. Roses, lilies, angel-wing begonias, abutilon, and more flowers hung from the diamond chandeliers, lined walls, and sat on tables. And the room itself! It had rich peach walls with smooth, tiled floors and large marble columns. To the side was a small stage on which the orchestra sat and played.
However, she kept how impressed she was with the room off of her face. She didn't want Josh to see.
Said evil demon spawn slipped an arm around her waist, fingers trailing the corset uncomfortably. Rux tried to pull away futilely as her new husband began to sway to the music, forcing her stiff body into motion as well.
"This is nice, isn't it?" Josh asked quietly, whispering in her ear. A chill went down her spine. "You're my wife. This is our wedding. And in just seven days, you will become mine truly. Your mind and body . . . ."
At that point, her heartbeat was so loud that she couldn't hear him over it. It pounded in her ears and she could feel his light nips at her exposed neck. Fear made her body quake. She didn't want to be a wife. She didn't want her family to be in mortal danger every day. She didn't want to be this man's slave.
She wanted her team. She wanted her dad. She wanted Bruce. She wanted Wally. She wanted Artemis. She wanted Conner. She wanted Megan. She wanted Kaldur.
Kaldur.
Kaldur.
Kaldur.
"I need to go." She whispered hoarsely, face expressing no emotion. A part of her was shocked when Josh unwound his arms from her stomach, but the rest of her was too numb to acknowledge it. Slowly, she walked away, letting her eyes remain unfocused.
Automatically, she swept the room for Kaldur'ahm and was unsurprised when she saw him standing by the refreshments table. His gaze was murderously focused on the table, fists clenched. The burn on his neck seemed to stand out to Ruxandera as her heels clacked slowly on the tile floor.
However, when she was just about to grasp his shoulder, a jolt went through her. What was she doing?
She had barely known Kal before they formed the team having only met on occasion. She knew him. She trusted him with her life. She knew he was a great dude. But when had she begun coming to him for all of her problems?
Rux couldn't imagine the kind of pain that she had put him through. He always had dark circles around his eyes from lack of sleep, he seemed distracted whenever she was hurt or in a bad situation. He had bruises and-and burns from just being around her.
She could feel it as her fists began to tremble.
Why? Why would he stay around her so much when it only caused him pain? He didn't deserve it! Just because Josh was jealous of her . . . .
Abruptly, the newly wed bride cut off her thoughts. Slowly, she turned and walked away, fully aware that Kaldur knew nothing of her nearly coming to him for help. She didn't want him to know. He'd just tell her that it was okay and that she should come to him when she needed help! He'd say he could take it.
She didn't want him to have to take it.
Rux could feel it as tears ran down her face as she quietly and quickly made her way to the door. She just needed to escape.
However, she found herself hitting something very solid and very soft. Before she knew it, two warm arms slid around her, softly rubbing circles onto her back. Her head was tucked safely under a strong jaw. A familiar voice whispered softly to her. "Shh. It's okay. I've got you."
Her big, blue eyes slid upward as she pulled back just enough to look at him. "Wa-Wally?"
He smiled reassuringly at her. "Yeah. I'm here."
Slowly, her eyes teared up again and big tears slid down her face. She let her hands turn into fists against his chest as she sobbed, hiding her face in the black material at his neck. She didn't seem to need to say a thing as his hand slowly trailed down her back, the other petting her hair.
After a few moments, she felt it as he pulled her up into a bridal style hold and zoomed away with her safe in his arms. Her face was still hidden in the black, dangerous material hugging his body, but somehow she felt safe.
As he stopped to walk normal speed, the queen prepared herself. She was going to tell him.
Everything.
. . .
Artemis felt her hands clench and unclench as she slowly headed for the exit. It was far away, and she really wanted to escape, but she wanted to be subtle in her escape. After all, that old geezer behind her still seemed to be following her, trying to talk to her.
She didn't know who he was, but he was starting to freak her out.
Thus, she was ready to escape.
However, she seemed to freeze on the spot when she was halfway there. Wally and Rux were . . . hugging?
Slowly, she made her way to a column to watch. She couldn't see much, but there was a smile on Wally's lips, and Robin's face was buried in his chest. His hand slid up to touch her hair while the other slid down to the small of her back. As Robin looked up, someone walked in front of Artemis.
Almost desperately, Artemis pushed past them to be blocked by a crowd again. When she could finally see again, Rux was in a bridal hold, her face once again hidden in the black material of the suit sticking to his skin. There was a genuine, kind smile on Wally's face before he sped away.
Artemis felt her heart drop. Had they just . . . kissed? She didn't know, but there was a voice in the back of her head that whispered to her. Of course they did! Who got that close to such a-such a beautiful girl without trying to make a move? Surely not Wally, the self-dubbed player!
Her fists clenched. Ruxandera and Wally?
But-But she and M'gann thought that Robin and Kaldur . . . .
Kaldur'ahm and Rux just seemed to make such a good couple! Robin was always talking him up, even before Kal had found out about Robin's little secret. It was always "Kaldur's such a good teammate" this or "Kal's such a kind person" that or "I wish could be as good a leader as Kaldur" this!
Then again, Wally and Robin were best friends. And they were always touching and laughing. Of course they were together. They were kinda perfect.
Artemis wanted to punch a wall.
Where was M'gann when she needed her? The girl was an empath! She had said that Kal and Rux had both felt something strongly toward each other. She couldn't have been wrong . . . .
Slowly, she exhaled, ready to just find a corner and slump against it. However, it was then when she was coming out from her hiding place that the older male found her.
He was roughly in his forties or fifties with gray hair tied into a short pony tail at his neck. He wore an old tuxedo with a bow tie that seemed to hug his muscled chest. Her eyes slid up the tan skin to the odd eye patch. She couldn't help but wonder how he got it when he spoke.
"Hello, Artemis." His voice was somewhat warm, but it was also very secretive. Calculating, almost.
"Hi." She replied, meeting his fiery gaze.
His one steel gray eye stared into hers.
. . .
Kaldur'ahm forced himself to breathe, trying desperately to push away the negative feelings that seemed to run through his veins, chilling his blood. After being released, he'd been desperate to find Rux only to find that she was completely at Josh's mercy, her lucidity temporarily having been thrown out the window.
And every time he got close, the monstrous king would move farther away. Finally, he had lost them in the crowd and, eventually, he found himself by the refreshments table, thankfully away from most people.
For a while, no one approached him. Once in a while, someone would head his way for drinks, food, or friendly chatter, but once they really got close, they would turn and flee. That was, until she walked up.
His eyes had wandered up immediately. He didn't know her, but she wore the same pair of clothing all the heroes wore so he assumed she was a part of their community. "Hi." She greeted him.
He nodded. "Hello."
"So," She trailed for a moment. "you're Aqualad, right?"
He blinked. "Ah, yes. And you must be . . . ."
She smiled lightly at him, dark hair bouncing with her head. "My real name's Raquel, but I prefer Rocket."
He blinked before smiling at her. "Nice to meet you, Rocket."
"You, too." With those two words, the conversation seemed to end. They both stood there awkwardly for a moment until Raquel couldn't take it any longer. "Today was sick. Who was that girl that was forced to marry that guy? I mean, seriously. The name's familiar, but I don't know her. But she barely looked fifteen! She's not old enough for anything yet!"
With each prejudice word, Kaldur's nails dug a little further into his skin. "That was Robin."
Rocket's eyes widened in shock. She stared at him with big, brown eyes. "Robin? As in, Batman's partner, boy wonder, Robin?"
Kaldur nodded. "And she's only thirteen."
It was almost comical how much wider her eyes got. "That's sick! And perverted! That guy-" She cut herself off, staring at his palm for a moment where his nails had dug into his skin. "How well do you know her?"
Kal gave her his best smile, which he knew probably looked pitiful. "Well. We are teammates. Friends. We are . . . close."
Rocket smiled a sad, knowing smile. She leaned toward him, her words soft. "How long have you loved her?"
Kaldur blinked for a moment before what she said sunk in. He found himself immediately stuttering, his pale green eyes wide. "I-I-What-Ro-Robin-I don't-"
She smiled at him, putting an elbow on the table so she could put her cheek in her hand. There was a grin on her face that seemed stuck there despite the situation. "No need to deny it. I've seen that look before. I even wore it myself, once!" She said, eyes lit up. "You love her."
"I-I wouldn't . . . I wouldn't call it love." He said weakly, finally letting his shoulders sag in defeat.
She chuckled. "You may not call it that, but trust me; I know that look." Her smile was sympathetic when she looked up at him again. "You haven't told her."
"How can I?" He asked quietly, eyes aimed at the floor. He sighed heavily. "In the present situation, I don't think-"
Rocket rolled her eyes. "Boy, it'll never be the right time. Right now, you're both alive, and that might not last long! You gotta do it before it's too late. If you're too late, then you'll spend the rest of your life wondering. Don't do that to yourself." She sighed before letting her smile return. "You seem like a nice guy, Aqualad. Don't do that to yourself." She swiftly pulled out two glasses, filling them with punch. "Anyway, I've gotta go. Icon'll be missing me. See ya." She had slowly begun to walk away, Kaldur's wide eyes still watching her.
After a moment, she turned back to him, brown eyes lit up. "Just remember what I said. Don't do that to yourself. Just live in the moment." She smiled. "I'll be seeing ya!" Just like that, she was gone with her two glasses of punch.
Faintly, Kal turned back to the table, shaking his head. He decided that he liked her. She was a very kind person. He would bet she'd be a valuable teammate. Then again . . . .
He sighed.
How was it that she could so easily figure him out after just meeting him and the rest of his team had no idea of his secret?
Then a scary thought hit him. What if they could read him? What if they knew? What if his enemies could figure it out?
What if Joshua figured it out?
Heavily, he sighed. Live in the moment? How was he supposed to do that?
Besides, Rux needed him as a friend right then, not anything more. He didn't want to force himself on her. And especially not at this point in time! He would wait.
He had gotten used to waiting.
. . .
FudoTwin17: Well, I hope this was acceptable! I had fun writing it, so . . . . :D
Cat: Reviews and requests still loved.
FudoTwin17: Yes!
Goldfish # 4: Bye!