Prompt: I'll just leave you two alone then.", requested by theragingartist
Kagome:ﾠI'll be in the studio with Kaldur, if you need me.
This again. This is probably the fourth similar message he received from her. Kagome hadn't been hanging out with him for a while now, and Conner hated it. He hated it.
He is supposed to be their equal!
Sure he's fine with Kagome, their girlfriend, spending time with their boyfriend. That's pretty typical with polygamous relationships. But, what isn't typical that she hadn't been spending time with him!
It was teeth-grinding frustrating, and his chest hurts. Even his head hurts.
Kaldur was fully well aware, but simply assured him to be patient.
Just like that–the Atlantean didn't take the issue as seriously as it should've been.
Probably because he was the favorite now. Conner thought, grudgingly.
It was a terrible thought, and there was a sting of guilt for even thinking in such a way. Kaldur and Kagome were two of the best people he was fortunate to ever have known. That he felt blessed to have them to love him back just as much as he felt for them.
But perhaps, it wasn't the case.
Biting back a whine Conner gripped his phone. There wasn't anything else to do but to confront them. Debating if he should text them, he shook his head at that idea. Maybe he'll find his answer by surprising them.
Tucking in his phone in a pocket he heaved a sigh and mentally steeled himself for whatever that may come. Hopping on one of his bikes he took off, reeving as he went. Red lights trailing in the direction he left into.
"Oh, he's gone?"
"About damn time. Come on! We gotta get this ball rolling!"
"Do you think this might be too early?"
"Well, technically, midnight still counts. Let's go, we don't know how much time we got left before he gets back. Two of our favorite people should be getting rest of the stuffs pretty soon too."
A brief ride later Conner arrived at a tall building. Stopping and kicking down the kickstand at his reserved spot, he glanced up. Far up was one of few windows shining brightly–that one was Kaldur's rented studio.
Softly he can barely hear a familiar giggle but it tapered off into background noises.
Huffing Conner secured his helmet onto his bike. Glaring at it he grumbled over the city, its laws, and fines, before he swung a leg off of the machine. If he kept on dreading the confrontation Conner would never get off of it. Trumping down the urge to turn and run he forced himself to enter the building.
And climbed the stairs.
Conner felt that he'd bust a hole into the wall and makes a run for it if he was standing alone to his own thoughts in the elevator. Keeping his body moving was the only way he doesn't have to dread. Closer to his destination more he could hear strange crinkling of papers and soft fussing and laughter.
It was…puzzling.
Without bothering to think twice he grabbed the appropriate key and inserted it into the doorknob.
"Wait, is that the door?"
The door spoiled his entrance, resulting into a loud yelp and a strange series of something crackling. It opened wide enough for Conner to catch the tailend of Kagome's black hair and long legs, before slamming the bathroom door close.
Kaldur stood tall from the couch, something colorful falling off from his laps onto the floor. He looked as baffled as Conner was, with his pale green eyes wide.
"Oh, Conner!" He said, rubbing his bare bicep, "What a…surprise to see you." Kaldur tried.
With his brain still processing at what he just saw, Conner recognized his boyfriend's state–or the lack thereof.
Kaldur was bare-chested, unusual for him as he gets cold and uncomfortable fairly easily. While Conner frequently forgoes a shirt simply because he liked to show off. So, it was…disturbing to see Kaldur being bare-chested.
Any other day Conner would've appreciated it, but when he was holding doubts over the status of his relationships with his partners, it was entirely another matter altogether.
When the dial-up finally caught up to his brain Conner finally found words, profound hurts slithering through, "I…will just leave you two alone then." Without giving Kaldur a chance to protest Conner stepped outside and slid close the door.
"Conner!"
Within a beat Conner fled.
"Wa, wha–? Do we tell him?"
Conner didn't bother waiting for Kaldur's faraway reply, storming down the stairwell and lunged for his bike. Anywhere is better than here, he decided, and reeved the machine. Ignoring his helmet he was already gone, his form a blur on the road.
He didn't pay attention to how long he had been on the road. But, the ride at least was relaxing. Finding a perfect stop into an isolated and poorly lit gas-station Conner inhaled and exhaled a deep breath. At least he could think.
How long had he been gone anyway?
Flipping on his phone to see the time, he recoiled at the amount of text messages he received. Feeling a little irked at seeing Kagome and Kaldur's names among them, Nightwing's stood out the most.
Nightwing: Team assembly! Now!
It arrived mere 10 minutes ago, his brain barely registering he had been gone for about an hour.
Cursing, he hurried to fill up his bike, paid, and before taking off onto the road again, he send a reply.
Conner: Will be there soon
Hopefully he can get there before a country get bombed or something–there weren't any zeta-beam entry point nearby, that his phone could detect. Conner cursed again, at his own recklessness. He'd mope about his partners later.
"What's taking him so long?"
"It's already past midnight, dude."
"Ugh…"
"Well, sounds like Supey is being an emo from the sound of it."
"Think your text'll work? I mean…you don't send emergency texts."
"Trust me, he probably wouldn't think twice about that if he's in the mood."
"…We feel bad enough already, hurting his feelings is just…"
"It'll be worth it. Don't worry so much. You two can make it up with him later."
Conner rushed in, abandoning his bike outside. With a touch of shame, he called out, "Sorry I'm late!"
And then silence returned his reply.
Quirking a brow Conner pressed on, turning around a bend, "Guys?"
Where is everyone?
"SURPRISE!"
Conner nearly fell backward, in shock, "What the–?!"
The sight before him had his breath trapped in his throat. The room, already large, was filled to brim with decorations and small groups of people he already knew and were good friends with. The biggest banner hanging from the center of the ceiling screamed, Happy Birthday! in a loud font. Scattering around on multiple surfaces were presents in all shapes and sizes wrapped with sparkly bows and some red plastic cups. Underneath the banner laid out a table covered with foods, with the center being a massive white layered cake.
"Happy 25th birthday!" Kagome hurried to her wide-eyed boyfriend with Kaldur tailing closely behind. She grappled onto his thick arm, "You oughta to look at your calendar a bit more, don't you think?" She giggled sheepishly.
Kaldur clamped his hand onto Conner's shoulder, "We really do have to apologize for all the secretiveness." At his blink and the slumping with relief, Kaldur continued, "We were preparing for your birthday. We never did intend to hurt you, in any way, but," he shared an awkward glance with Kagome, "it is very difficult to surprise you." He gestured to Conner's ears, invoking an understanding 'Ah'.
Giving a trembling smile, Kagome released her hold from Conner and folded them against her chest, "Really, really sorry we hurt you. We were actually wrapping your presents when you walked in." She looked just as guilty as Kaldur was.
Conner grabbed her hand and squeezed it reassuringly, now fully understanding the scene he earlier saw and their strange avoidant behaviors, "This is awesome of you guys," he laughed, still with the relief he felt, "but…it's late!" Conner furrowed his brows, though he flashed a grin at his audience in some sort of an informal greeting.
"Hm, well," Kagome tallied off the core reasons, "some of them got plans already, and most of them wouldn't make it because duties and all."
"We're due back again in Bialya," Artemis confirmed, shrugging toward Nightwing and Megan, "But, we wanted to celebrate with you for a bit, before we go."
Following Artemis were several more brief explanations from the others.
"And Kagome and I have something we'd like to do, with you tomorrow." Kaldur added, provoking jeers from some of more immature members. He narrowed his eyes in an almost-glare at them, but said nothing else.
Kagome bounced at her feet, "So, that's why we're having an impromptu party."
Conner mused, "Okay, yeah, I'm fine with that." He caught the sight of Kaldur's shirt, "So why were you…?" He poked at Kaldur's chest.
The Atlantean flustered, just a slight, but it was there, "I had to wash it."
Leaning to whisper Kagome explained, "Poor boy got some of flour on his shirt, when we were making cupcakes."
"It was a very nice shirt for this occasion." Kaldur defended.
Kagome snorted, "I told you to wear an apron!"
Grinning big at his partners' barter, Conner interrupted, "Alright, alright, I think everyone is getting annoyed with us. Lets have cake! And stuffs."
The crowd erupted an cheer. When they turned to the cake, debating on who get to reward the first slice to the birthday boy, Conner pulled Kagome and Kaldur close, wrapping his arms around their waists, "Thanks."
Kagome and Kaldur both pressed a kiss on his cheeks, all the while smiling.
"Anything for the birthday boy."