For The Sake Of Family (He really wants to go home.)
Becoming Aquaman's Protege had some perks. Not only was he trusted by the King and grateful Queen of Atlantis, but he also had nearly unrestricted movements about the palace and grounds whenever he wished. It was nice and he had even grown to like Tula and Garth. Maybe Tula more than Garth, but nevertheless, it was good to learn and work with them.
He had almost forgotten his true purpose there while he was at it.
"My son," He recalled his father's message and voice from not too long ago, "This is where your patience is truly needed and cunning. You need to continue playing the fool and lapdog for Aquaman and others. Get them to trust you completely and utterly. Your mission is one of secrets- secrets you must hold until you can return to my side. This may be the last time we communicate for some time, Kaldur'ahm, though it grieves your brother so, it has to be done. Stay safe and never forget who you are."
Kaldur stared almost sightless at the small communicator in his hand while he was at Shayeris for the time being, on leave from his work to visit home. He still wasn't close to Calvin Durham, but knew better than to not seemingly warm up to the man. His father was right, he had to play the part of the good dutiful son to these people. At least until he could be relieved of this burden.
Still, there was a problem with all this for him and it came in the form of a blonde beautiful woman that was his mother, Sha'lain'a. His mother who knew his secret but kept it to herself. His mother who was strange and yet not at all. He still wasn't sure what to make of her and she never asked him to reveal any of his plans, only wishing him to be safe and happy with his decisions. It unsettled Kaldur to a degree, making him want to question some things that never really occurred to him before.
He was still not sure what to think of her or of what she had told him. That his grandfather had sanctioned her and Calvin to sabotage his father's plans then and then knowing what happened to the old man ultimately left the young atlantean at an utter loss to whether he should tell his father of this or not. It felt like something that he wouldn't believe or know about. So would it be worth it? Or would he believe it a lie by his mother?
Such thoughts, however, had to be tended to later when he spotted the familiar blonde, orange, green person swimming towards him. Quickly, Kaldur hid the communicator just as King Orin swam up to him.
"Good day, King Orin." Kaldur saluted him, looking up to him, "Do we have a mission?"
"Same to you, Kaldur'ahm." Aquaman gestured for the teenager to follow, "We do. There's something happening in Star City's harbor and Green Arrow wished for some help. I figured you would enjoy this, as I believe you haven't met his protege, Speedy, yet."
"Speedy?" Kaldur's brows rose but he followed him, "No, I have not. What is he like?"
Aquaman chuckled, "A very...interesting youth. I won't spoil it for you but I think you'll figure it out yourself."
Kaldur'ahm of Shayeris, Son of Black Manta and Sha'lain'a , brother to Jackson Hyde, was many things. A competent fighter. A loving son and brother. A good little soldier for a cause he believes in wholeheartedly and a sensitive soul deep-beneath it all.
He was not, however, without annoyances and exasperation such as one Speedy could give him. It wasn't so much that he disliked the older teen- actually he liked him just fine- but one can forgive Kaldur for wanting to punch his partner very much as he's holding on to Speedy's legs so they didn't fall six stories down the side of the building hiding from some of the criminals that were a bit much more than they could handle.
"This is entirely your fault." Kaldur was even amazed by how calm he stated this.
"Hey!" Speedy looked down..or..up?- at him, "No one told you to follow me here! I was doing just fine, thanks."
"Right, fine." Kaldur could feel his legs burning from doing this for so long. They needed to get back to the top of the roof again. "Fine as in you were surrounded completely and didn't have enough arrows for it, fine? Or was it the fine when you assured me we would not be hanging here for very long? Please, enlighten me as to which it is."
Speedy grumbled and took his last arrow out. It should work but he couldn't help but 'glare' at Kaldur for a bit, " You're a snarky asshole, aren't you?"
"I am also holding you and can conveniently lose my grip."
"Alright, fishboy, calm your gills and hold steady." Speedy aimed it before shooting the arrow up. Once it turned into a grappling hook and held firm, he began to climb up.
After a few moments, the two finally made it to the rooftop and Speedy grinned, "See? Nothing to it!"
"Says the one that lead us over the edge in the first place. " Kaldur couldn't resist. "But, I will say you did get us out of it."
Huffing, Speedy walked away from him, "Some thanks."
"No, truly, it was miraculous that we managed to survive." Kaldur followed him, "Thanks to you."
Speedy glanced over at him for a while, measuring him then away, "Wanna grab something to eat before they come looking for us?"
Amused, Kaldur nodded, "Sounds good. What do you suggest?"
"There's a seafood place around the corner." Speedy had a wicked grin that spread across his face, "If, you know, you can eat them?"
With a straight face, Kaldur shook his head, " I cannot."
"Wait, really?"
"Of course." Kaldur pretended to be offended, looking away, " I- I know it comes as a surprise to you people, but fish are friends and not food for us. "
"Oh shit- I am so sorry, Aqualad." Speedy rubbed the back of his neck, feeling awkward, " I didn't think - I mean I thought you guys ate them too. At least, O- er Green Arrow told me that you did."
"I have you know that one of my friends is an octopus."
Wanting to not end this badly, Speedy said, " How about a burger instead?"
Kaldur eyed him, wondering how long could he keep this up? He rather liked being around Speedy. Better than always being around Kid Flash and his constant eating or other annoying habits. Still, he smiled, "Sounds fine."
Kaldur realized, quite suddenly, and without warning while floating along the surface, that he may need to keep his distance from Speedy. He's known the archer for all of seven months or so, and in that time he had to catch himself from slipping into his old habits of speaking. Spending his free time when not in Atlantis or on missions with him- Roy. His name was Roy Harper Jr. - was something he had found himself coming to look forward to.
Unlike with Kid Flash or even with Robin, Roy was someone he could relate to utterly well and tease. Even without really knowing why, he found himself slipping up a little more than he liked.
What's worst, their mentors encouraged this friendship between them. Kaldur had a sinking suspicion that King Orin made excuses for him to do this. Perhaps for some goal that he couldn't see yet? Perhaps. It would be like Aquaman to do something like that, wouldn't it?
He pulled the communicator out once more, knowing that no one was around him right now, and stared at it. It had been a while since he had spoken with his father or brother. He missed hearing their voices terribly and seeing them. Even now, he wondered what Jackie was up to. If he had made any friends as well or if he was doing better than before and staying out of trouble.
"I have to stay the course." Kaldur told himself putting it away. "I have to do this- for father."
Even as he turned over in the water to dive back down, Kaldur wasn't so sure if he was trying to convince himself of this or not.
No, he thought to himself as he swam into the cool depths of the sea, Father's vision is clear. I'm the one that's weak. I can't give up on this. He's counting on me!
He pale eyes narrowed a bit, When this mission is over, I can go home. I can see them again and everything will be fine. It will.
Kaldur panted softly, glaring at the criminal before him with something akin to annoyance. Not the same time that he reserved for Speedy, no, but one reserved for the Purists he had to beat the other day. Right now, he was trying to disarm them so he could go after the main villain that dared to interrupt his day off.
Generally speaking, he wouldn't be so vexed by this if it wasn't for the fact that all the villains on this day decided it was 'Attack your favorite hero' day. So, the last few days had been nothing but defending against attacks in some cities. This time, he was called to Star city again to be support for Speedy as they broke into the hide out of one of the villains of the city while Green Arrow and his team distracted them.
Their job, of course, was to find the hostages and the stolen goods and then leave without any trouble.
Unfortunately, working with Speedy meant trouble was always going to find them.
"I thought you said everyone was outside?" He gritted his teeth pulling out his waterbearers and constructing a mace and shield.
"They were, ok?" Speedy fixed a glare at a few of them, "Apparently this guy isn't as stupid as he looked." And fired a few arrows at the door, "I'll get the hostages, can you handle it from here?"
"Yes, but be quick." Kaldur swung the mace, knocking the men out as more came, "They might've called more friends than this."
"Right." Then he was gone.
It suited Kaldur fine, really because now he didn't have to hold back anymore. One of the things he found he hated doing when he had to team up with one of the others was that he had to hide his abilities from them so they wouldn't know exactly how well he could fight. He could only use the 'Atlantean training' lie for so long. Even in Atlantis, they didn't teach how to swipe legs out from underneath an opponent or how to round-house kick a guy in the chest. In fact, if he thought about it, a lot of Atlantis's fighting styles was very ambush or rush them head on with weapons.
Then again, on land, with only air to contend with, things were made swifter and lighter to deal with as well.
Plus, it was nice to really push himself once more.
He breathed out, once all his enemies were on the ground, mostly to relax himself when he noticed another one was running away. He shouldn't give chase, but he figured that Speedy could call him if he needed him badly enough.
Kaldur ran after the masked criminal, frowning a little to himself as he jumped up flights of stairs leading to the roof. What is it with the roofs and bad guys? He wondered idly as he kicked down the door. Alley way would've been better than this.
"Stop!" He stood only a few feet from him. " You have nowhere else to run. Just turn yourself in, peacefully and everything will be fine."
There was something about this one, though. His build and stance seemed a little familiar to him. Yet the person didn't say anything.
"Did you not hear me?" Kaldur asked cautiously approaching him and pulling out his water bearers. "Turn yourself in."
"Really?" The person turned around and pulled off the mask, "Are you really going to turn in your older brother?" Jackson Hyde smiled brightly at Kaldur, "It's been a while, Kal."
"Jackie?" Kaldur blurted it out without thought, "But father-? What is going on?"
Behind them, he could hear Speedy call for him, heading in his direction.
"Aqualad, I'm heading for you. Both Green Arrow and the team were successful! Tell me where you are!"
"Aqualad?" Jackson snorted. "Seriously?"
Sheathing the bearers, Kaldur ignored Speedy's voice on the com and walked over to his brother. "Why are you here, Jackie? Didn't father have you with him?"
"He did." Jackson admitted, "Dad doesn't know I'm here, Kal. So lets keep it between me and you, ok?"
Kaldur ran his hand over his short hair, "You better get out of here, fast. We'll meet again. The Docks, two days from now at sun down."
"Alright." Jackson smiled and put the mask on once more. As he passed him, Jackson clapped his shoulder, "It's good seeing you. We'll talk better then."
Once he was gone, Kaldur could feel like he could breathe again. All this time...
"Aqualad?" Speedy's voice came in on his com again, "Kaldur, where are you?"
A rush of guilt filled him at the sound of his friend's voice. Something in it- a panicked tone- made him feel awful for not answering.
"I am here, my friend. On the roof top. I will be there shortly." He replied then listened.
"Thank fuck." Speedy sounded relieved, "Hurry up. I'll show you a new place to eat if you do."
"Shall do."
Kaldur stared up at the sky, barely seeing the stars for all the lights in the city and suddenly wondered what it would be like to not have lie. Because he knew that if he went down and met with Speedy that all he would and could do was lie to him.
And he didn't want to lie to Speedy.
But he will.
He will for the sake of his family.