LUCK PUSHER °° Arthur Curry

prologue.

PAST
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            "WHERE WOULD I BE WITHOUT YOU CAL?" Arthur's arm was slung around Calantha's shoulders. She was supporting most of his weight, and had it not been for her Atlantean genes, he would've crushed her. She pulled him to her car, and threw the door open, pushing him onto the seat. She shut the door once he was properly situated.

Sighing, Cal got in the driver's seat. No matter how many times she promised herself she wouldn't come back to this island, she always found herself in this same position. Not only was it immensely embarrassing, it was also dangerous. No one from Atlantis had come in search for her for fifteen years, but being near the oceans just made her an open target.

Cal looked to Arthur. He seemed out of place sitting in her small car. His long hair was wild and his eyes were shut tight. "Stop staring," he told her, cracking open one eye.

"You're unbelievable," she forced out through clenched teeth, while backing out of the bar's parking lot. "I do too much for you, and I don't even get a 'Hey, thanks for saving my ass again Cal.'" She did her best imitation of him.

"Saving me from what Cal?" His nearly white irises were on her face, but she was completely focused on the road.

"How 'bout from drowning in alcohol, and accidentally killing one of these men who try to show you up."

"Newsflash," he began, "I can't drown, and I don't kill the innocent."

Calantha's couldn't hold back her scoff. "Stop being a dic—" He cut her off as she turned near his father's house.

"What are you doing here anyway? Aren't you supposed to be halfway across the world?"

"I'm taking a break," she let out putting the car in park, but not turning it off. She didn't give him an explanation, he didn't deserve it right now. "I think you should do the same."

She could imagine the look of confusion that most likely shadowed over his face. "Take a break from what? I don't have a job."

"From drinking Arthur." Cal finally looked at him again. The woman couldn't hide the anger on her face and, just as he thought, he couldn't hide the confusion on his.

"It isn't even that big of a deal, I burn it off," he said loudly. "See? It's already wearing off."

"I know Arthur, I know," she whispered, her anger slowly dissipating. Of course she knew.

"Then what's the problem?" Arthur asked, grabbing her hand. "You've been my friend for a long time, I know that my drinking habits aren't what's truly bothering you."

She raised a brow. "Oh they are, but I talked to Bruce."

"He approached you too? He wants you on the team?" Cal didn't answer him. "Calantha that's way too dangerous for you—"

"He approached me about you. Even if he had approached me about being on the team, you're in no position to tell me what's dangerous."

He didn't seem to be the mood for a new argument. "What did he tell you?"

Calantha turned off her car and stepped into the cold of the night which was turning into dawn. She expected him to follow. When she heard the car door close her small trek halted. He stood before her at, at least, seven inches taller than her. The green eyed woman looked at him for a moment before speaking.

"He told me how he needs you. A lot. He confirmed the visions I've been having for years," she said. "My father used to tell me of the great battle that once occurred against Steppenwolf. The story was about the world was uniting in one fight, but if this is what it takes to get the world to unite I don't want it. I'm afraid Arthur."

He cupped her face in his large hands. Rough callouses rubbed at her face. She recalled the many times he'd done that same thing when she was in distress. For some reason that made her want to lean away from him but she didn't. "You're especially touchy today." Arthur was never a fairly affectionate person, but sometimes his true nature peeked through.

He smiled a dazzling smile. "Shit, I know. You're finally getting to me." He was joking but she could hear the worry embedded into his voice. "Look, I was planning on going to Atlantis today, the box needs protecting."

"I'll come with you," Calantha said firmly. His hands dropped from the woman's face.

"That's not your responsibility, and we aren't going to push your luck." He was shaking his head. "Once this all blows over, Atlantis can't know you're alive. They'd come after you, and finish what they started."

"I would die if it meant saving the world," Cal whispered seriously.

"When did you become a martyr?"

She made a face and shrugged. "Five minutes ago."

His smirk returned. "Stay here with my father, I'll come back."

"Okay."

"Okay."

So this time, she stayed and he went. Oh how she would come to regret the decision.

-unedited-

whew there's the prologue, and it's pretty short. i just wanted to give you readers an idea about how their relationship is. thanks for reading and don't forget to vote and comment your thoughts.

-rewritten on october 17