In the Golden Light - A Justice League AU

Chapter 7 - Rivalry of the Heart

"I...really don't know why I did what I had done. I was so blind, and I wasn't thinking rationally. I'm sorry if I had caused any harm to Superman. And the others..."

"Then why?"

"Why what?"

"Why would you go against us like this? Go against your word."

The two had been talking for some time now in the Med Bay, and Goldwath nearly felt himself tearing into pieces as he tried to explain the sudden rage that crossed him. His headache was throbbing painfully with a sharp dull. He really didn't know why he acted like this all of a sudden, and he really didn't want to get on the bad side of the Justice League. He turned to Hawkgirl with pleading eyes.

"I do not want to go against my promise," he answered her. "I really don't!"

Hawkgirl just looked away, which pained him. 

"Please, listen to me-"

"I am listening," she interrupted. 

"Then why aren't you looking my way?" Goldwath asked, suddenly feeling his anger spike. "Why do you look away from me? Is it how I look? Or you just hate me like the rest of them? Like the rest of the Thanagarians who EXILED ME BECAUSE OF MY INJURIES!?!? ARE YOU LIKE THE REST OF THEM, HAWKGIRL!? I THOUGHT YOU ACCEPTED ME AS I AM!!" He recognized his anger was taking over him and began to calm down, inhaling deeply and sighing. "I'm sorry...I didn't mean to let that get out of hand..."

Hawkgirl turned her gaze to him, which revealed so much sadness that it broke his heart. He was about to apologize again but she stopped him with a paw. He awaited bad news to come from her mouth and braced for the worst. He shut his eyes, slightly trembling. "I know you hate me now...just like the others," he muttered slightly aloud. "You're all probably wanting me gone, and I understand...Just do what you wish with me...I'll accept any punishment..."

This is what you get for letting your hot-headedness get to you, Goldwath, his brother's words rang in his head. 

But this isn't my usual hot-headedness, Goldwath thought. Something's messing with me, I'm never this angry. Hot-headed, sure, but borderline rage...? That's unlike me at all...

What is happening with me?

He felt a paw rest on his back, soothing words washing over him. "Goldwath...The others may be hating you, but I don't. I would never hate you ever. That is, of course, unless you did some really, really heinous act that is unforgivable. Listen, we are going to work something out."

Goldwath let his eyes wonder to the window, seeing the empty space and stars glittering. He let his solemn gaze flitter to Hawkgirl, his limp arm pulling closer to his chest. "...You are?" 

"No. We are. We're going to work on building back the lost trust together, and the others will surely welcome you back with open arms. And I will be there for you all the way." Hawkgirl pressed her cheek to Goldwath's neck, leaving it there. "I care about you, Goldwath. I care about anyone that is my kind."

Goldwath's heart jumped into his throat as he nuzzled Hawkgirl back. "Do you mean it for real?" he asked with suspicion. 

"Of course I do," she responded. 

"Like...actually care about me?"

Hawkgirl laughed. "You're such a goof when you're this sincere. It's adorable."

She...she called me adorable! This can't be happening!

While the two stood there in silence nuzzling each other, someone was eavesdropping on them with anger.

And that someone was about to confront Goldwath.

✰✰✰

After having a talk with Hawkgirl, Goldwath sat back with excitement bubbling in his chest. She had actually called him adorable! Adorable! He could hardly believe her words. Pain struck his body, making him wince. He didn't dwell much on the pain though.

She likes me! he thought to himself. I'm sure she likes me more than that stupid---

"Goldwath, is it?"

The door slid open, indicating someone had entered the Med Bay. His heart immediately fell back to his stomach at the familiarity of the voice. He whipped around and narrowed his eyes. 

Green Lantern.

"Yes? What do you want with me?" he asked, holding back a snarl. Why exactly are you here? Don't you despise me? And what exactly do you want with me? Oh, let me guess....something about Hawkgirl, huh? 

It seems his thoughts were right as Green Lantern approached closer and stared down at him. "I don't know what mind games you're playing," he started, "but I don't trust you, and I especially don't trust Hawkgirl being around you."

I knew it, his mind spoke as he snarled. It's about her! That's all you ever think about huh? Hawkgirl. Well back off---

"I love her," he had blurted in a mumble. 

Green Lantern twitched an ear. "Say that again."

"You heard me damn well," Goldwath lashed his head up to him, pulling his lips back. "But just for you, I will repeat it slowly to you: I. Love. Hawkgirl."

"You don't love her," he snarled back. "It's all a ruse for you. You're just playing tricks with her, so that you can closer to us and take us out from the inside."

"What does tricking Hawkgirl have to do with taking out the Justice League?" he huffed. "And also, what's with you always talking about her and getting worried over? You feel the same, don't you?"

Green Lantern went flustered for a second and darted his eyes around. "I- Erm-- That's NONE of your business to know!"

"I think it is, considering I'm a part of this team now-"

"Like hell you are..."

Goldwath slinked away next to him and looked back, snarling. "Stay away from Hawkgirl." 

Green Lantern lifted up his paw, the one with his ring on it, and stared back. "Is that a threat?" he growled.

Goldwath shrugged. "More of a....friendly statement, if anything. I'm not threatening you with anything....that is, if you decide to push my buttons any further..."

He whisked out of the Med Bay and leaned against the hallway wall, clawing the floor. His anger was spiking again, overtaking his mind at the exchange that happened just now. Goldwath turned his head back, his sight blurring as he struggled to stay standing.

If he thinks I am fooling Hawkgirl and the others...well I'll prove to him I can be easily trusted. I just gotta work on this rage issue. Hawkgirl doesn't mind it, she still believes in me! He sighed. He was getting tired.

I should get some sleep. I need a good rest to clear my head and hopefully...clear my rage.

Goldwath could only hope for the better that they could get to the root of his uncontrollable rage he was experiencing.

{To be continued...}