Kaldur's Pain

Roy's House

Roy has been training him hard for the past several hours. Running rooftop to rooftop, getting used to his weapons again, hands to hand combat. Roy was honestly surprised that Kaldur was able to keep up with him. He knew that his training in Atlantis made him tough but not to this extent. Roy took him back to his apartment to rest for the night until a knock came on his door. Not knowing who it was, he whispered to Kaldur painfully ran to the fire escape to listen in. He heard the door open and footsteps walk in.

"Sure Dihan, come in please,"

"Oh hush Roy. Where is he?"

"Where is who?"

"Shalina, I have not seen Kaldur in days. The last time he came over was about a week ago."

"I don't believe that Roy. He hasn't made contact with you for weeks. That is what you're telling me."

"Yes."

"Don't lie to me."

"I'm saying what happened. He came, we talked, then he left. That was weeks ago."

"What did you two talk about?" Mera asked.

"Your highness, I can't tell you that, he wouldn't want that."

"But he is my son, please you must tell us," Shalina's pleaded.

"No, I'm sticking to that. This is why he keeps running away from the Tower. He wants space to breathe."

"You have no clue-"

"Arthur don't even go there. Do you have any idea what Kaldur had been through? A man grabbed him in the middle of the fucking day, took him to a dark room, and tortured him for an entire year. A whole damn year. Do you have any idea what that is like to have your entire life, your entire world taken, from you? Do you know what it's like to be chained to a wall, basically naked, and be whipped and beaten everyday," Roy said angrily.

Kaldur sat on the step and listened. The memories came back with full force while tears trickled down his face. He held his hand to his lips and listened.

"The Tower is just like the hole, the only different is that he is only being tortured mentally every day, he can't leave, and the League is always up his ass. He needs to breathe. He needs freedom. That's why he keeps leaving."

"Why hasn't Kaldur just talked to us about this? Why does he express these things to you," Mera asked.

"I've known him for the past five years. He came to me for those past five years on everything that was happening. From Tula not loving him, from his time in the Academy, from who his father is."

"My son really does trust you," Shalina said softly in shock.

"And I trust your son, with my life."

"This doesn't explain where he is?"

"I don't know' and even if I did, part of me wouldn't want to and won't do it."

"How could-"

"Stop my king, in Kaldur'arhm truly wishes for space and time, as his mother, I have to allow that."

"He's getting involved with things that do bot concern him anymore."

"Enough Arthur, Kaldur's speaks highly of this archer, I trust him."

"Thank you, your majesty," Roy smiled kindly to her.

"Roy, can you answer one question?" Dihan asked.

"Yea,"

"Do you really think Kaldur would kill him?" both Roy and Kaldur froze at the question.

Kaldur moved to the edge at the step to listen clearly to the answer, "if you asked me this two years ago, before all of this happened, I would have laughed in your face. But now aftereverything that happened, I simple doesn't know anymore."

"You think he could do it?'

"No, I don't think Kal is capable of murder, but under certain circustances, anyone is capable of anything."

"Call us if you hear him."

"Fine. Arthur,"

"Yes?"

"Kaldur want the truth. He has been through enough. You are the only father figure in his life, you owe it to him as a father to suck it up and tell him the truth."

"I will handle it."

"And one more thing what's gonna happen to Kaldur after his recovery? Are you going to send hi back to Atlantis or what?"

"That is again none of your concern."

"Are you seriously going to give me that answer?"

"This is none of your concern, Roy."

"Dihan he's my best friend. He helped me get clean. I owe him everything. I need to know if I gonna lose him."

"That decision will be up to Aquaman and the League. Call me if Kaldur shows up."

"Not promising that and don't even think about sending the kids to spy on me."

"Have a goodnight, Roy," the four left the apartment.

Roy sighed, grabbed a bottle of water and a beer for himself and went to the fire esacpe. When he didn't see him on the step, he walked up to the roof. Roy saw his friend sitting on the edge with his head in his hands. He moved to sit next to his distraught friend and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"I know. I'm sorry," Kaldur picked his head up and looked at him.

"I can't go back there. Roy, I can not go back there."

Roy sighed softly, not knowing what to say and hugged him. He placed a hand on his forearm while hiding his face in Roy's neck. Tears slipped down his cheeks, dampening his shirt.

"No matter what happens, I will always be here for you."

"Thank you. If I go back to the Watchtower I will not come back."

"You can stay with me while you train. I don't have a problem with that."

"They will just come back."

"I will deal with it. You know what, I know a room that is vacant. The landlord doesn't know about. You can stay there until you are ready to head up again."

"Are you sure that will not get you in trouble?"

"All I have to do is slip in and extra twenty or two in my bill."

"Thank you," he said gratefully while smiling softly to his friend.

They got off the roof and headed back inside. Roy helpe make up the inflatable bed to allow him to rest for the night. Tomorrow is more training.