I Accept the Burden

It’s been far too long. Perhaps the time has come and passed for them to speak of the previous event, especially with their community in such a bad light. However, Mera is not a woman to give up easily or allow others who do not know, have not been part of it, to judge her. And thus while the landdwellers question her husband’s League of Justice occupying him even in the depths of Atlantis, the Queen takes it upon herself to visit Kaldur while he is with them below surface.

He blinks in surprise at the sound of his name, but slowly moves to meet Mera without hesitation, bowing as she approaches. “It is good to see you, my queen. My apologies for not greeting you sooner.” In truth he has been avoiding the palace and his former mentor. While all of the treachery was feigned, some of the resentment was real. 

[text]: Wait, seriously? You joined a frat?

[text]: And then got drunk???

[text]: I am uneriatn of my succesess

[text]: I wsa tryging to blend in

[text]: i aslo seem tobe lost

She really did regret not helping them out. Of course she couldn’t do anything about it. She had been off planet at the time. But if someone had been lost to them, anyone of their friends her mind would never have let her rest in peace knowing that perhaps there was a small chance of it that she would’ve done something to stop whatever had happened. The blame game was something her mind played with her on a daily bases. Even when it cam ego her sister.

There was no way Kaldur could hold it against her, he understood just how difficult it must have been for her dealing with her own planet and putting things right there. Though, now that she was back, it would be invaluable to have her on their side to cope with any new threat that might pop up. He was never naive enough to believe that peace would last. His only hope was that they would be able to rebuild the Earth enough before the next threat came.

"Well I appreciate it all the same." he said with a smile. "I’m sure that the citizens of Gotham appreciate it too." The need for a strong League presence around the world was paramount. The facts were that there wasn’t a strong League presence, anywhere really. Somehow they were keeping the League together and the appearance that there was a strong League presence, but in truth they were majorly understaffed. Most of the original members were off world, or licking their wounds, or focussing completely on working for the people. The worst occasions were when there had been deaths, or when heroes had retired completely. 

"Honestly, we should be thanking you. You’re going to be more help than you can imagine and we’re honored that you’re even considering us." he may have been laying it on a little thick, but they were in desperate need for Aqualad’s assistance. He was the best for what they needed him for. "They are just the start." he said nodding. "We hope to bring the League back to full strength, and with a little bit of luck we’ll be able to." he said with a nod. "You are all highly skilled in your fields and I look forward to personally working with you in the future, if you accept our offer of course."

Turning, he looked out over Gotham, nodding again. "I am glad to be of assistance." The city needed saving, and he was happy to play his part. In the last several months, Kaldur had become well aware of how short handed the League was, so he was willing to step up, to make sure that the team fulfilled whatever extra roles they needed to. 

Hesitating, Kaldur's gaze dropped and he stared at the bridge. He had never known quite what to do with praise. It never felt as though he truly deserved it, no matter how hard he might work, leaving him uncertain as to how to respond. "Thank you, you are very kind." Finally looking back up at Superman, he nodded. "And I you. I... believe I may take you up on the offer. There is someone that I wish to speak to about it first."

"…I’ll provide coffee next time, then," he said after a pause. Generally this situation was the other way around. All the same he tentatively reached with a spindly hand for the paper cup that was being offered. "Thank you," came the polite, guarded response.

Hauling his briefcase inside, the professor shut and locked the door behind them, and made a beeline for the nearest library table.

"I don’t believe I’ve asked yet," Jonathan started as he unlatched the briefcase and began setting piles of papers up on the table, "why did you choose my class to TA for? Unless my memory is failing me, I don’t believe I’ve had you as a student, nor are you studying psychology. And I won’t pretend to be the most popular professor on campus," he added dryly, an afterthought, as he handed Kaldur a packet of papers.

His own coffee in hand, he followed after Jonathan without hesitation, briefly letting his eyes flick around the library. He knew the place well given how often he found himself their studying or grading papers. Pulling out a chair for himself at the table, he set down his bag and coffee, turning to look at Jonathan with slightly raised eyebrows.

 "There was a position available and, though I have not taken a psychology course, that is simply because it would not fit into my schedule. This seemed to be an adequate way to gain some knowledge of the subject," he said with a small shrug. It was true, for the most part. Initially, he had assumed the position would be temporary, though he was rather pleased that it had lasted longer than expected. 

"We’re glad to have you. God knows that you’re providing much appreciated assistance." he said with a nod. He knew that Atlantis hadn’t escaped the invasion unscathed, though the extent of the damage would be a mystery to him as he didn’t really have the time to go to the undersea nation to have a quick check. However he’d understand if Aqualad had chosen to remain with his people instead of assisting the people of the surface. 

The boy’s reaction was almost military, standing to attention, he almost told him that he didn’t need to show him that sort of respect, but for some reason he knew that that wouldn’t change anything. Aqualad was like that for a reason, and Superman would only ever be able to change that if he continued to work alongside the boy. 

But still the way that some people revered him … well it made him feel uncomfortable. Pushing those thoughts away he looked at the young man and nodded understandingly.

"It is the least I can do. The surface is my home as well." Beyond the fact that he was half human, he had made a home for himself on the surface, and he intended to do what was necessary in order to repair it. There was also the fact that, due to the lengths he had gone with his undercover mission, some of those in Atlantis no longer trusted him... or believed much more in their old reasons to doubt him.

He blinked in surprise, not used to any members of the League admitting fault, particularly when it came to their judgments about his team. "Thank you," he said, a little uncertainly. Considering the people he had picked, Kaldur slowly nodded. "Excellent choices. I have not personally worked with Black Bat, but I know she is quite skilled."

She nodded in confirmation. “Yes. I only got back a few days ago and have taken the time to get myself reacquainted with everyone. It has been far too long.” Too long indeed. Especially for one such as Starfire who thrived in the company of the people she cared about and the ones who cared for her.

"I see," he said, eyes widening a little at her tale. "I am glad that the mission went well. Much has changed since I last saw you." Though, given that she had zetaed up from Earth, he was fairly sure she had already seen some of the damages that had been done in her absence. It was rather hard to miss in most places.