This Is My Future

Chapter 44

Dick's P.O.V

I sighed rereading the strongly worded email Aqualad sent me, barely a minute after I sent the resignation.

"I didn't know Kaldur even knew what that word meant..."

"Which one?" I heard Kaldur's angered tone, "Asshole or-"

My jaw tightened and I held my breath, feeling Kaldur's glare on my back soften.

"Dick..."

I sighed, tensing when I felt his hand on my shoulder.

"Dick, when did...what happened..."

"It's...nothing," I muttered.

"It is clearly not nothing, Dick."

I bit my lip.

"Dick...please...tell me."

"I broke my leg," I spat.

"Where is the cast then?" He asked, obviously knowing I was lying.

I didn't look at him, "Arty didn't give me one yet."

"Dick..."

"Yes?"

"What happened..." he repeated, "Tell me the truth."

"I...broke my back..." I muttered.

"Will it heal or are you..."

I licked my lips. "I'm paralyzed..." I choked out in barely a whisper.

I didn't have to look at him to know Kaldur's expression.

"I'm fine," I lied. "I just have to get used to this."

I moved back so we could look at each other.

He looked down at me. He looked normal. I expected a face of pity, but no...he looked at me...as if I was me.

"Are you okay, my friend?" He asked.

"Yeah dumbass! I only lost half the use of my body, I'm perfectly fine!" I shouted throwing up my arms.

Where did that come from...?

"Dick, calm down," Kaldur said, sounding like his normal patient self.

"Calm down! Look at my goddamn legs!" I yelled yanking up my pant leg and gestured to the limp appendage, "See! It's dead!"

"Dick-"

"No!" I screamed covering my ears. I could feel myself shaking, I knew I was having a nervous breakdown, "Stop! You don't know what it's like!"

Kaldur touched my shoulder and I swung at him, not thinking. He stepped back, avoiding the swing.

"Dick, calm down. I understand this is hard."

"No you don't! You have no idea what this is like!" I swung at him again as he stepped closer. "Leave me the hell alone!"

"You're right," he said simply. "But I will not leave you alone."

I growled, covering my ears.

"I'm here for you, Dick."

"Shut up!" I gritted out.

"You can get through this."

I closed my eyes, "Stop talking to me!"

"You may call upon me if you need anything, even just an ear to listen."

I clenched my fists and pressed them against my head.

"I believe in you, my friend."

I began hissing out breaths.

"I am sorry to anger you, but I will not accept your resignation; as I see it may have been a grief ridden decision."

I heard him approach me from in front. He put his hand on my shoulder. I was breathing heavily, or maybe not at all. My head was rushing and I couldn't take it. I pulled back my closed fist and with all my might, I threw a punch at him, but he moved too quickly.

Without my target keeping me in place, I fell forward out of the chair. I bit my quivering lip, holding myself up on my elbows. I broke and began sobbing, lowering my head and gripping my hair.

I could hear Kaldur's bare feet slap the floor as he approached me. He crouched down, grabbed my arm, and turned me over.

I looked at him as uncontrollable tears flowed out of my eyes. He pulled me into a sitting position and wrapped me in a tight hug. I buried my face into his shoulder and sobbed, loud, muffled sobs. He rocked us.

"It is okay, Dick," he said gently. "It is going to be okay."

******

("See! It's dead!")

Thanks SoundwaveWFC

Sorry for any offense that might have been taken in this chapter for any reason.