In the Golden Light - A Justice League AU

Chapter 31 - Sanctuary

"I'm so worried about Lazuli, so so worried."

Once the League had gotten to Manhattan Beach, Goldwath had stayed behind from the rest with Hawkgirl, pacing back and forth. This was the same place they had met after Lazuli ran away from Atlantis. Close to where just beyond the ocean, more inland in the city of New York, they had resided in his new home. 

Hawkgirl asked, "Didn't you tell me that she was going to have your kids?"

"Exactly! Exactly why I'm so worried. What if something had happened to them? She could have gotten hurt, which could have affected them, and possibly it could even mean--" Goldwath stopped himself from letting that pessimistic thought escape his mouth, taking a moment to breathe. "I just...I'm scared. For the first time in my life."

She tried her best to comfort him, though she looked confused on his fear for his children. She semeed to try and understand his love for his unborn kids but it was not registering. Finally, she pointed ahead. "Look."

Goldwath looked up to where Hawkgirl had pointed. The ocean bubbled, followed by Atlanteans popping out of the water. Some left the waters while some remained, splashing their fishy tails in the water. In front of the now land based Atlanteans stood an elderly dark tan-furred Atlantean with scars ranging from a bitten left ear to cuts on his back and front leg and graying fur carrying Lazuli on his back. She was unconscious, barely moving, with a blindfold over her eyes. She looked a bit at peace, though there was fear in her expression as she twitched. Goldwath couldn't help himself from shoving his way to her, rushing immediately to her side.

"Lazuli!!" he shouted to her.

The princess had stirred, moving her head towards him. She mumbled as she tried to speak to him. She reached out weakly but collapsed back on the Atlantean, groaning.

"She is weak and sedated," the elderly Atlantean stated, "but slowly waking up. She is not ina. good state though, so do be careful."

"... Goldwath?" Lazuli weakly asked as she stumbled into Goldwath's arms. He reached out and held her tightly, resting his head on her's. In the meanwhile, the League spoke to the Atlanteans.

"It's me. It's me," he said softly, stroking the back of her head with his good paw. He protectively lowered his paw to rest on her swollen belly. He was relieved to feel a kick from their unborn children and know they were still alive. "You're save, love."

The princess huddled closer to him, pressing her soaked body to his. She clung onto him for dear life, though he could feel her paws shaking aggressively as they tried to keep its grip. "Goldwath..." the princess whispered. "A-Atlantis has... Heelburn...He-He's..."

"Shh, shh. It's okay, you're fine now," Goldwath hushed her, nuzzling her. He wrapped his tail around her to keep her warm. "Only tell me what happened afterwards once you are recovered, love. That is, if you want to; it is up to you. I'm not forcing you. I think I will get the rest of the story from the League later on. You need rest." He pulled back, staring at her blindfold. "Let's get this off you.." he muttered, carefully unwrapping the piece of cloth and dropping it on the sand.

Lazuli's eyes weakly fluttered open, immediately filling his half sight with her beautiful emerald eyes. She stared for a while before she widened them and began to shake again. "Gold..Goldwath...Goldwath-"

"Yes, love?"

"Uhm. Hey? Goldwath?"

He lifted up his head at the booming voice of her father; Ultramine and his wife were approaching him in a neutral saunter, which eased the rising neck fur. His deep blue eyes reflected worry and sadness. The Thanagarian still kept his guard; he did not fully like him after what he did to them. He hugged Lazuli in his protective grasp. "What is it?" Goldwath asked, raising an eyebrow.

The King raised a paw to scratch behind his neck. "I...thanked the League, but. I wanted to thank you as well," he said.

The Thanagarian narrowed his eyes. "For?"

"Befriending my daughter and helping me open up my eyes and change my views on the surface world. And especially change my views on the Justice League. If Lazuli had not met you, I don't know where we would be right now after the coup. She and you truly helped me open up my eyes. You helped me. I cannot thank you enough for that." 

The King, along with the Queen, bowed their heads at him with full respect.

Goldwath felt his ears twitch. He didn't know how to feel about this apology the King was handing to him. He still remembered all the horrible things he had done to his daughter. All the things he done to him as well. He cleared his throat and kept a firm grip on the shaking Lazuli as he met Ultramine straight in the eye. "We may have our differences, and I know you were trying to mean well for your daughter," he began, "but my trust is not easy to gain. I am still going to need more than an apology after all you've done to me. All you've done to your daughter.."

Ultramine shot a nervous glance at his wife, who was staring at him with an expression that Goldwath could only interpret as he is right, you know? The King looked back and nodded. "Fair enough, surfa-- I mean, Goldwath," he agreed. "I am willing to do all it takes to work together and gain your trust. That's an honorable deal I will never break." He reached out a paw to him, to which Goldwath took reluctantly. The two shook paws, keeping their eyes locked before finally Goldwath got to his paws, having Lazuli lean on his shoulder.

Before heading to the Javelin, the dark tan Atlantean stopped him to hand him something.

"In case the princess has another panic attack," he said calmly, "use this to sedate her. It is specifically designed for us Atlanteans since surface dweller medicine is ineffective to us. It will help calm her down for an hour."

Goldwath took it and dipped his head, watching the Atlanteans sink into the water without blinking. He made his way back to the Javelin, comforting Lazuli as they took off back to the Watchtower. Slowly, Lazuli regained her voice, and she began to mutter slowly and softly as she recounted what happened.

"It happened...so fast... The blood... The destruction... Betrayal..." All was quiet for a while until Lazuli gasped, clutching her chest. "Heelburn... No... He's....He's--"

Goldwath rubbed her back. "It's okay, love. You don't have to--"

"HE'S DEAD! HE DIED SAVING ME!!" Lazuli began to grow hysterical. "CLAMS AND PEARLS, HE WAS KILLED BY SOMEONE I THOUGHT WAS MY FRIEND MY WHOLE LIFE!! I FAILED HIM! .....I failed him...... I couldn't save him! I was betrayed, Goldwath!" She grabbed onto his chest. "BETRAYED!! HE WAS BETRAYED, WE WERE ALL BETRAYED!!!"

Her parents soon joined by her side as they tried to soothe her. Goldwath was very much worried for her, but there was another issue to take into consideration. "Lazuli! Lazuli, the children--" 

"AHH!!" Lazuli began to wail out, breaking down into a sobbing mess. 

Goldwath couldn't seem to calm down Lazuli. She couldn't comply in her state. He took what the elderly Atlantean had given him (a small little syringe) and quickly injected her with the sedation; she wailed and panicked some more until finally, she gave in the to the effects and passed out in his arms. Goldwath sighed, worried and also a tad bit embarrassed, for everyone had stared uncomfortably at him in confusion and worry, which made him swallow a painful lump in his throat.

"Woah...Talk about crazy," Flash commented.

Green Lantern smacked him from behind the head. 

"Hey!"

"Not the right time."

Goldwath ignored their playful banter and focused on the sleeping Lazuli.

Sure, he was worried about Lazuli.

But he was also fearing for their unborn children. All this stress and trauma wouldn't be good for her body. For the children. Goldwath bit back a sudden wave of frustration.

What's going to happen now?

{To be continued. . .}