SkyWing34: Aw, thank you! I haven't come across a YJ fic using Vixen as a mentor - there's probably some, but I haven't found it - and I love having her in Young Justice. As for Calypso's name, yes. I grew up reading the Percy Jackson books and I've always loved the name Calypso so I was making her character, the name Calypso just felt perfect for her. Again, thank you and I hope you enjoy this chapter~

Guest: Here ya go!

Thank you so much for 48 favorites and 61 follows! I'm doing my best to juggle school, work and writing so updates may be slow but hopefully won't take too long.


𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝒮𝒾𝓍 - Denial
"The brave man is not he who
does not feel afraid,
but he who conquers that fear."

DETROIT
AUGUST 19, 18:27 EDT

"Hi! My name is (what?) My name is (who?) My name is Slim Shady-"

"Work it, make it, do it, makes us harder, better-"

"Honey came in and she caught me red-handed creeping with the girl next door-"

"Luke, pick a song, please."

"Fine, fine."

"She take my money when I'm in need. Yeah, she's a triflin' friend indeed. Oh, she's a gold digger, way over town, that digs on me."

Luke added ten pounds to each side of the barbell, making it eighty pounds. "You sure you don't need me to spot you, V?"

I shoke my head. "Aniyo, I got this." He stepped back and sat down beside me. I took a deep breath and lifted the weight. I kept it for a few seconds before bringing back down. Not too hard yet, but lifting weights was getting easier.

"So, how've you been V?" he asked after taking a swig of his water.

"Good." I said. "Perfect, actually. I'm so happy being a part of the team and I've made some great friends, except for a few..."

He chuckled. "You can win everybody. Who's the 'few?'"

I brought the weight down and wiped my forehead with my freezing water bottle. "Well... there's R," Luke nodded knew who I was referring to, "he's immature and annoying but he's only thirteen so that keeps me from slapping him. Then there's A, who I don't think likes me very much. She's a little closed off."

"A is new to the team, right?" I nodded. "Maybe you should give her some time to warm up to you. As for R... get to know him and find somethin' about him, that's not irritating."

"That will be difficult."

"Why?"

"Because I might punch him."

Luke rolled his eyes as I laid back down. He changed out the weights to ninety pounds. I took a deep breath before picking it up and held it for a few seconds before bringing it back down.

"Mari told me about one friend - Kaldur."

I gasped, almost dropping the bar. "K-Kaldur? What about him?"

He raised his eyebrow, unconvinced on how I was trying to be nonchalant. "Your red face says it all."

"No, it doesn't! He's just a friend."

"Mhm." He crossed his arms. "I've known you for waaay too long, girlie. I know when you're lyin' to me."

I put the weights down and sat up. "He is just a friend. He's sweet and kind and an amazing leader." I knew he still didn't believe me, so I changed the subject. "I'm really excited about school, though. I think I want to join band or orchestra."

"Hmm, what do you want to play?"

"Maybe the piano or saxophone." I answered with a smile. "I'm leaning towards the piano - wouldn't have to carry an instrument around all day." I'm sure Luke saw right through my plan but didn't press me anymore about Kaldur.

I took a long sip of my water. "What about you, Luke? How've you been lately?"

"Good. Been tryin' to take Mari out on a date, but she's been so stressed lately." he said, and I could tell from his voice how upset he was. Ever since I found out about him having a thing for Mari, I've constantly teased him for it. It's adorable. "So I've just been focusing on upgradin' some stuff in the gym, hosting events, small stuff to keep everyone occupied."

"She won't tell me what's going on with her." It bugged me a lot she was still hiding something from me. I wanted to know. Maybe I could help and take some weight off her shoulders. "Did she tell you anything?"

Luke sighed, rubbing his forehead. "No. Anytime I ask, she changes the subject or gets mad at me for bringing it up." I could tell Mari hiding her problems from Luke was stressing him out. He's always been there for her, and now she's pushing him away. "Somethin' isn't right... I just wish she would let me help her..."

I didn't like seeing him like this. Luke was always so positive, letting nothing get him down. If the world was going to end tomorrow, he would find someway to make the best out of it. Probably use it to propose to Mari, finally.

"What if the three of us take a day off? Go see a movie, play some board games - have a family night." I suggested. Luke immediately smiled brightly, loving the idea. His smile was contagious. "Maybe she'll tell us what's been going on and why she's been so protective over me lately."

"Mari's always been protective of you, Cal. She's like a mama bear and you're her only cub."

"This 'cub' can take care of herself."

He chuckled, taking the weights off the bar. "I don't doubt it, girlie. Let's see that bear cub strength." as I took a sip from my water, Luke began setting up a 50 pound heavy bag, easily placing it on a hook.

I cracked my knuckles and walked over to Luke. "Fifty pounds? You insult me."

Luke raised his eyebrow, crossing his arms. "Let's see if you can handle it, girlie. No totem." I wrapped both hands and gave my Devatma totem to Luke, who carefully placed it on the bench next to him. "Remember the techniques I taught you. Keep your balance and breathe."

"One, two, three! My baby don't mess around-"

"There used to be a greying tower alone on the sea-"

"Pump up the jam! Pump it up while your feet are stomping-"

I groaned, looking over my shoulder to glare at him. "Luke, please."

"Right, sorry, sorry."

"Now that you're out of my life, I'm so much better. You thought that I'd be weak without you, but I'm stronger."

Taking a deep breath, I adjusted my stance and raised my hands. I focused on the bag in front of me - this was now my opponent. I imagined it as Lamia. She was dangerous, probably deadly, but her words still rang inside my mind.

"I know who you are."

Without even realizing it, I was punching the bag, continuing to move on my feet. How could she know who I am? I've barely fought anyone! If she is someone Mari is afraid of... why? Vixen could take her down easily, especially with help from the League. What does she want with me?

"Uh, Caly-"

My hits were faster now, and I couldn't control my breathing. She knows Sportsmaster and Chesire and probably more bad guys. Were they going to attack me in the middle of the night and try to kill me?

"Calypso-"

My heart was beating out of control. Why was I feeling such fear? I'm Virago! I have the powers of the entire animal kingdom behind me - but Lamia seemed as strong as Superman. She healed faster than any human could. I couldn't fight her. I was lucky to survive this last fight. This bag felt nothing like her face. Punching her was like hitting a brick wall covered in cement. I realized I need to train more if I was going to face her again.

"Calypso!"

With a final swing of my right hand, the heavy bag flew off the now broken hook and crashed into the wall. I collapsed to floor, trying to regain my breathing as tears streamed down my face. When did I start crying? Why was I crying? Luke was at my side instantly, water bottle in hand.

"What the hell was that? Are you alright?" He grabbed my hands, removing the wrappings to show how red and swollen my hands were. "Calypso..."

I took a deep breath, swallowing a lump of tears. "I'm scared, Luke." I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.

He used a fresh towel to wipe away my tears. "Of what, Caly?"

I explained to him what happened on our last mission, including what Lamia said. I described what she looked like, hoping Luke might know something I didn't. I felt shivers down my spine again as I talked about her. Even when she wasn't here, I was still afraid.

He sat down beside me, bringing a cold rag to my forehead. "I ain't ever heard of someone like her before. I can see why you're afraid, but you don't have to face her alone, girlie. You now have a team behind you."

"But what if I have to face her again? I barely fought her the first two times Luke."

"Hmm..." he ran his fingers through his beard as he thought. I remember him growing it out to look like Santa Claus one year, but Mari made him cut it as soon as Christmas was over. Now it was barely an inch or two long. "I'll talk to some people, see what I can do. I'll try to train you the best I can, girlie. Don't worry."

"Too late for that." I mumbled.

"Caly, it's gonna be alright, I promise. You know damn well your team, me, Mari, hell even the rest of supes all have your back." he wrapped his arm around my shoulder, bringing me into a small hug. "We've got'chu girlie."

A wave of relief washed over me, calming the fears I had been pushing away. I didn't expect to explode like that, but I've never felt like that before. This is the first time I've truly been afraid of being a hero. I can't let the fear stop me. I am Virago, protege of Vixen. I have Kaldur, M'gann, Wally, Robin, and Artemis beside me. I have my mom beside me.

"Thank you. I don't know what I'd do without you."

He smiled. "Batman'd probably train you or somethin', maybe even Superman himself."


MOUNT JUSTICE
AUGUST 19, 19:39 EDT

"Kaldur's uh nice don't'cha think?" Artemis pointed out, and I almost choked on my green tea. She and M'gann stared at me in surprise, both patting my back. Way to stay subtle me, good job. "You okay, Cal?"

I rubbed my throat, nodding. "U-uh, yeah, sure." I could feel my face getting warm. My stomach started the weird butterfly thing again, so I took another sip of my tea. "What were you saying?"

Artemis saw right through me. She crossed her arms and smirked. "Oh, Kaldur. He's nice, right? I mean, he's handsome, commanding, one of you should totally ask him out."

I froze. Kaldur? Handsome? That was 100% true. I was struggling to keep my eyes off of him as he fought with Superboy.

Commanding? Oh, definitely.

Handsome? That's a no-brainer.

Asking him out? Totally off the table.

As I had an existential crisis in my mind, M'gann shoke her head. "Kaldur's like a big brother to me." I was really hoping she wasn't reading my mind right now. "But y'know who would make the cutest couple?" she turned to Artemis. "You and Wally~! You're so full of passion and he's so full of... um..."

"It?"

The three of us burst into laughter, looking over at Wally who was stuffing his face with a burrito. What a charmer.

"So Calypso," Artemis smirked and wrapped her arm around my shoulders, "you never answered my question about Kaldur."

"About that... I, um..." I watched as Kaldur dodged another punch from Superboy and he met my eyes with a small smile. That's when it clicked in my head. "Naneun geuleul joh-ahanda."

My best Martian friend gasped, translating, "You like him?"

Apparently that distracted Kaldur, as Superboy could flip him over his shoulder with ease and throw him onto the ground. 'COMBAT FAIL' appeared next to the Atlantean's head as the computer announced he failed.

I faced both girls and covered their mouths, giving them the most intense glare I could to show I was serious. It worked because both their eyes widened in shock. "This stays between us, got it?" they nodded and I removed my hands. "Yes, I do. It hit me just now, actually."

"Why don't you ask him out then?" Artemis asked.

I shook my head. "I don't think he likes me back."

"Have you asked him?"

"Uh, no."

"Then how do you know if he does or doesn't?" the archer had a point.

"Besides," M'gann placed her hand on my shoulder, "he's always there for you, making sure you're okay, like more than a normal teammate would. I think he likes you!"

But what if he doesn't like me and I ruin our friendship? What if I make it awkward? What if he has a girlfriend in Atlantis?

Red Tornado flew through a hatch at the top of the cave and landed on the ground, stopping my internal freak out. I silently thanked the android in my mind.

'We're so talking about this later, Caly.' M'gann said. I nodded with a sheepish smile. Hopefully she wasn't mad at me for not telling her. This feeling… it's new to me. Sure, I've had relationships in the past, but nothing made me feel like this. Butterflies, sweaty palms, trouble speaking and breathing… I wasn't dying right?

Wally sped over to the droid as the rest of us approached him at normal non-speedster speed. "Do you have a mission for us?"

"Mission assignments are the Batman's responsibility." Red Tornado responds.

"Yeah. Well, the Batman is with the Robin, doing the Dynamic Duo thing in Gotham. But yooou're," he made finger guns at the League member, "but you're heading somewhere, right? Hot date or a-a missión?" I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.

"If we can be of help." Kaldur added, respectful as always.

Red Tornado turned around and activated the computer, pulling up a few holographic screens. The largest was of an old man wearing a very dapper black tux and holding a strange looking gold cane. "This is Kent Nelson, a friend. He is one hundred and six years old."

Wally leaned over to Artemis. "Guy doesn't look a day over ninety."

The droid ignored his comment and continued, "And he has been missing for twenty-three days. Kent was a charter member of the Justice Society, the precursor to your mentor's Justice League." the image changed; he was now wearing a golden helmet, with a blue uniform and golden armor. He looked like a different person.

The Atlantean's eyes widened. "Of course! Nelson was Earth's Sorcerer Supreme. He was Doctor Fate!" I noticed how his eyes lit up as he spoke and I smiled. Not that Kaldur was never happy, but his smile was infectious. I liked seeing him excited.

"Pfft." Wally scoffed. "More like Doctor Fake, guy knows a little advanced science and Dumbledore's it up to scare the bad guys and impress the babes."

The Leaguer ignored the speedster's comment again. "Kent may just be on one of his… walkabouts, but he is caretaker to the Helmet of Fate. The source of the Doctor's mystic might, and it unwise to leave such power unguarded."

"He's like the great sorcerer-priests and priestesses of Mars!" M'gann beamed. "I would be honored to help find him."

Superboy and I exchanged looks, not understanding why everyone was so excited. We both shrugged. Oh well.

Suddenly the ginger's hand shot up. "Me too!" everyone turned to him. Wasn't he just saying how underwhelming this guy was? "So honored, I can barely stand it. Magic rocks." the glare Artemis gave him was murderous. I moved towards Kaldur.

Red Tornado offered Kaldur an old key. "Take this, it is the key to the Tower of Fate."

The speedster grinned at M'gann. "What are the chances we both so admire the mystic arts?" If Artemis wasn't going to murder him by the end of the mission, I sure will.


SALEM
AUGUST 19, 20:22 EDT

"So, Wally," Artemis broke the silence in the Bioship, "when did you realize your honest affinity for sorcery?" she mocked the speedster.

He stumbled over his words as he spoke, his attention fully on M'gann, "Well, I-I don't like to brag, but, uh before I became Kid Flash, I seriously considered become a wizard myself." Artemis rolled her eyes in response.

My eyes widened. "That's a thing? You can just become a wizard?"

Kaldur looked over his shoulder. "It is not that simple. If it was, I am sure everyone would study sorcery." I guess you could say the Devatma totem is magic, but I never saw myself as a wizard. Although if I had the opportunity to be Hermonie Granger, I would gladly become a wizard.

M'gann disregarded Wally's words as the Bioship flew closer into town. "We've reached Tornado's coordinates, but-" we reached the street that connected to an open field. It was eerily empty. No people, not even any animals.

"Nothing's there." Superboy finished.

The Atlantean stood. "Take us down." M'gann landed the camouflaged ship, and I looked around. There was nothing in the field. The only thing around us were old buildings, some vacant, some abandoned.

As we exited the ship, Kaldur ordered Wally to look around the area. There had to be something here. Maybe we weren't looking hard enough.

The speedster skidded to a stop in front of us after a quick lap around the place. "Nothing." he reported. "This isn't simple camouflage."

"So whaddya think?" Artemis placed her hands on her hips, giving a smug smile. "Adaptive micro-opto-electronics combined with phase shifting?" I blanked after the first few words. It sounded like she was speaking gibberish.

'Think invisibility.' my Martian best friend translated, and I thanked her.

"Absolutely-" Wally turned to see M'gann at his side and the smile drops from his face, "Not! Clearly mystic powers are at work here." I'm not sure who he was trying to convince, but she's smarter than he thinks.

Kaldur inspected the key Red Tornado gave him. "A test of faith…" he whispered, and I noticed the key said 'insert.' "Stand behind me."

He walked a few steps away from the team and placed the key into the air. He turned his hand and a gigantic stone tower appeared. I stood in awe. I would love to hear Wally try to explain this. Kaldur pushed the door opened, and we followed him inside, the door slamming shut behind us.

"Uh, where'd the door go?" Superboy questioned. I turned around to point at said object, but it disappeared. All around us were walls. No windows or doors. This sorcery thing is so cool.

Then a holographic gold image of Kent Nelson emerged. "Greetings. You have entered with a key, but the Tower does not recognize you. State your purpose and intent."

Wally gave M'gann a flirty smile before turning to the image. "We are true believers, here to find Doctor Fate~" His overdramatic response did not please Kent, and he faded, making the ginger frown.

The floor wobbled underneath our feet, almost like an earthquake. Before we had any time to react, the bricks broke away, sending us to the bottom of the magma covered ground. The heat was so intense as if we were standing above a volcano.

I heard my teammates scream as we plummeted closer to the lava. I reacted quickly, touching my totem, and thought of the first flying animal that popped into my head. I caught myself in the air and reached for Kaldur's arm. He gave me a grateful smile, and I blushed.

Artemis pulls out a small crossbow and shots high at the rock above us. She tried to grab Superboy, but he was falling too fast. M'gann flies to Wally and quickly grabs him while Superboy digs his nails and feet into the rock, inches away from the magma. Unfortunately, his boots weren't so lucky. His feet slipped into the lava, burning off his boots.

Conner screamed in pain, quickly pulling his feet from the lava. Fortunately, they were unharmed, not a burn on them. "Those were my favorite boots. This Kent better be worth it."

While everyone was holding onto the wall for dear life, M'gann and Wally were still floating in the air. They slowly fell, and I noticed how she and Kaldur were sweating profusely. I tightened my grip around him as I felt his breathing labor. His body temperature was getting warmer, not a good sign.

"We'll get out of this Kal," I promised, trying my best to keep us as close to the wall as possible. He nodded in response, weakly smiling.

M'gann wipes the sweat from her forehead. "Having trouble… maintaining altitude…" she wipes more sweat from her brow. "Ugh, I'm so hot."

With no hesitation, Wally responds, "You certainly are."

"Wally!" Artemis gasped, glaring at him incredulously. I know she wanted to punch him as much as everyone else.

I rolled my eyes. "Is now really the time for this?" I looked to the Atlantean beside me and something hit me. If this was our last moments… should I confess too? Maybe Wally was on to something.

"Hey, inches above sizzling death, I'm entitled to speak my mind!" the speedster snapped.

Kaldur used his sleeve to wipe away some sweat on his face. "My physiology and M'gann's are susceptible to heat, we must climb out quickly."

"Hello, Megan!" M'gann said, gently face palming. "We never truly answered the question." She used her free hand to extend the volume of her voice. "Red Tornado sent us… to see if Mr. Nelson and the Helmet… were safe."

Almost immediately, a panel appeared and covered the lava. Superboy landed on the ground first, M'gann, Wally, and Artemis following. I slowly lowered Kaldur, and I to the floor and helped M'gann off the ground. I expected the floor to be hot and burning all of our feet, but it was as if there was no lava to begin with.

The Atlantean crouched down and spread his palm against the panel. "This platform… it should be red hot, but it is cool to the touch."

The ginger wrapped his arm around the Martian's shoulders. "Don't worry Megalicious, I gotcha~"

"ENOUGH!" Artemis shoved him into the wall, done with Wally. "Your little 'impress M'gann at all cost' game nearly got us all barbecued!"

"When did this become my fault?"

"When you lied to that whatever-it-was and called yourself a true believer."

M'gann frowned, as all eyes were on the speedster. "Wally, you don't believe?"

He was silent for a few moments before responding, throwing his arms up in frustration. "Fine. Fine! I lied about believing in magic! But magic's the real lie, it's all a major load!" I guess someone never got his Hogwart's letter. No wonder he's so upset.

"Wally, I studied for a year at the Conservatory of Sorcery in Atlantis." Kaldur explained, still examining the floor. "The Mystic Mages created the skin icons that power my water bearers." My eyes widened in shock at how cool that is. I wanted to know more.

"Dude, you ever hear of Bioelectricity?" he asked, annoyed. "Hey, in primitive cultures, fire once considered magic too. Today, it's all a bunch of tricks."

I touched my totem and held out the glowing object. "I would love for you to explain my Devatma totem, then." He opened his mouth to speak, but the archer cut him off.

"You're pretty closed minded for a guy who can break the sound barrier in his sneakers." Artemis pointed out, hands on her hips.

"That's science. I recreated the Flash's experiment, and here I am!" he responds sarcastically. "Everything can be explained by science." he glanced at me. "Even your bear rock thingie is science."

With a murderous glare similar to Artemis' and crossed my arms. "Devatma totem." I corrected, and he backed away, raising his hands innocently.

Kaldur smiled, and I felt my heart flutter. Any anger or annoyance I had towards Wally melted away. "Let us test that theory." he reaches for a handle that none of us noticed.

"Wait, the back draft from the lava will roast us alive!" the ginger tried to protest, but I trusted our leader. The Atlantean pulled the handle, opening a hatch in the floor. Instead of lava and magma greeting us, it was freezing snow and wind instead.

"It's snow!" M'gann said cheerfully, waving her hand through the snowflakes.

The look on Wally's face was priceless. Artemis smirked at how angry he was. "Do you ever get tired of being wrong?"

Kaldur jumped through first, and I followed him. Even though we jumped down, the panel was sideways. It messed with my mind, but I reminded myself that this was magic at work.

The speedster was the last to jump through and the portal vanished with a golden flash. Once again, everyone's eyes were on him.

"Well?" Artemis asked, raising her eyebrow.

He shoved his hands into his pockets, responding sarcastically, "Every hear of string theory? We're in a pocket dimension." She scoffed, rolling her eyes.

"What's that?" at M'gann's question, everyone turned around. She was pointing at a can, floating above the snow. I recognized the cane from Kent Nelson's picture.

"Ooo, maybe it's Nelson's magic wand." Wally mocked, speeding over to the object just as Artemis reached it. Both reached for the cane, picking it up.

"I got it." they said at the same time as it began glowing gold. "I can't let go!" the cane shot upwards, pulling them both into the sky before they disappeared in a flash of more gold.

I rushed to where the two were, almost slipping in the snow. "Do you think they'll be alright?"

"I'm sure they will be." M'gann assured, placing a hand on my shoulder. "Where should we go?"

The four of us began walking to nowhere in particular. I'm glad we were walking in freezing cold and snow instead of burning, sweltering lava. I'd rather be cold than sweaty.

"I don't understand Wally." M'gann speaks up over our silence. "It's almost like he needs to believe the impossible can't happen."

I exchanged looks with my friends. M'gann, Conner, and I don't know Wally as well as Kaldur or Robin do. I didn't understand his logic on the situation, especially since the impossible happens almost every day.

"Wally uses his understanding of science to control what he cannot comprehend." Kaldur explained in a way to not offend the absent speedster. "Acknowledging magic would relinquish the last vestige of that control."

"I guess that makes sense." I said with a small shrug.

A loud creaking noise echos in the distance, followed by a thud. I follow the noise to see a doorway at the top of a ridge with steps leading up to it. I looked to my teammates who nodded, not bothering to say anything, as we headed towards the door.

Superboy went through the door first, Kaldur and I following right after. Instead of this being a normal doorway - I don't know why I expected it to be considering we're inside a magic tower - it sent us down, not forward. The three of us fell to the ground while M'gann landed gracefully on her feet.

Kaldur helped me off the ground as we checked each other for any injuries. I opened my mouth to thank him until I realized where we were. All around us were stairs going in different directions - vertical, horizontal, upside down, every way you could think of. In front of me was a giant golden bell.

"Wow," I whispered in awe. "Trippy."

"Friends of yours?" I looked over to see Artemis, Wally and Kent Nelson, all unharmed and okay. The archer ran towards us just before a blue bolt of electricity almost hit the speedster and Kent.

"Friends of yours?!" Wally grabs the older man and pulls him away from another blast that got sent our way. All of us dodged the blast, moving away.

Nelson hit the bell with his cane, and it glowed brightly. He went inside the bell with Wally, and the creature holding a weird-looking cat flew into the bell after them. He looked to be wearing a suit and had… horns and a tail? I needed to stop questioning things that were happening or else I'd have a headache.

Before I could react, another shot of electricity shot at Superboy, keeping him from moving. I touched my totem and raced forward towards the Fabio-looking magician and jumped up to kick him. He quickly dodged and pointed his wand at me.

I landed on the ground just in time for him to hit me with a missile of energy, sending me flying into the steps. I cried in pain as an electrical cage covered my body. I struggled against it and yelped when my entire body got shocked. I could barely move or breathe without it zapping me.

The only thing I could hear was the buzz of the cages and the yells of pain of my friends. It felt like my skin was burning. I couldn't think of any animal immune to electricity, but I couldn't reach my totem without being electrocuted.

Suddenly, the cage disappeared. I glanced to my friends, who were slowly getting up from the ground. The magician was now in his underwear and without his wand. A giant golden cross looking symbol glowed behind him and I recognized it from the picture of Doctor Fate Red Tornado showed us.

Superboy was the closest to the half-naked man. He cracked his knuckles with a smirk. "Show's over." with one Kryptonian punch, he fell the ground, knocked out.

"Calypso!" Kaldur rushed over to me, gently pulling me from the ground. "Are you alright?"

I shivered, still feeling the shocks course through my body. "D-doing better n-now. A-a-are you-"

He nodded. "I am alright." he reached for my hand and I noticed how almost all of my body was red and stung to any touch. I blushed at how close and attentive he was.

"Electricity isn't my thing, I'll be okay." I joked as I winced. He frowned, not buying my facade.

"When we arrive at the Cave, I will look over your injuries."

"Kaldur, I'm-" it was his turn to show his own murderous glare except I didn't feel threatened - I felt the exact opposite in fact. His eyes… they're so beautiful… My brain thought this was the perfect time to kiss him, but I restrained myself.

I chuckled weakly. "Fine, you win." I could never say no to him.


MOUNT JUSTICE
AUGUST 20, 03:04 EDT

"Ow! Kal-"

"You need to hold still, Calypso."

"I'm trying, but it hurts!"

"Please, Caly, sit still."

I grumbled in annoyance, extending out my arms once again. Kaldur contained to spray a burn remedy on my skin, making me yelp in pain. I did my best not to move, but man, did this stuff itch!

Luckily, the electricity didn't burn my skin too badly, but I got hit the worst out of my teammates. It wasn't until I realized the animal I picked to fight Fabio magician, Abra Kadabra, was… a shark.

I do not understand why I thought of one to fight a magician on land in a magic tower, but I guess the magic stuff really confused me. Since I couldn't reach my totem in time, I felt more connected to the shark which meant I had its susceptibility to electricity and it made a lasting impression on my body.

Kaldur put the cap back onto the burn spray and placed it back into the first aid kit. I massaged it into my skin, biting my lip to keep myself from crying in pain.

"I feel so stupid." I muttered. "I should've paid more attention to what I was doing."

"Everyone makes mistakes, Calypso. It is alright and you should not beat yourself up over it."

I sighed in relief as the cream felt cool against the burns. "Still stupid though…"

The Atlantean moved closer, standing right in front of me. "Calypso, you are one of the strongest people I have met. Your powers with the Devatma totem are incredible. You are far from stupid."

When I glanced at Kaldur, I really looked at him. I could see in his eyes how sincere he was, how he was smiling as he spoke fondly of me, but then he looked away, stepping back from where I was sitting.

He rubbed the back of his neck, looking anywhere but my eyes. "I am sorry, I did not realize how close I was-" somehow, a rush of confidence flew through me. I remembered M'gann's and Artemis' words from earlier. There was no harm in trying. Worst-case scenario, he uses his water bearers to drown me.

I placed my finger on his lips, shushing him. His eyes widened, blinking in surprise. I let my hand drop to my side and slowly leaned up towards him, waiting for any signal that he didn't want this. He caught me off guard when he reached for my hand, lacing our fingers together, and moved his head down, our lips almost touching. I couldn't stop myself from smiling as my eyes fluttered shut. I could feel his breath on my face, his lips brushed against mine-

He pulled away quickly, removing his hand from mine, and moving as far away as possible. I couldn't read his expression. Was he hurt? Upset? Disgusted? Did I do something wrong? "I-I am sorry-" before he could explain, he quickly left the room, leaving me speechless.

I felt tears well up in my eyes, my heart hammering in my chest. Did I just make a big mistake?