A Dragon's Love (Young Justice)

Disordered

It's been nine days... Everyone is depressed, I can feel it every time I pass any of them in the hallways. I haven't said very much to any of them since the failed exercise, especially not Kaldur. I can't even be in the same room as him without thinking of what happened, not that it's not in my mind already.

I'm in my suit, instead of a dress today. I don't want to feel the swish as the soft fabrics brush against my skin. I'm hiding myself inside my cloak, my hood shading my eyes, and wishing I could hide myself in the shadows. I can't bare the thought of any skin showing right now. I've even changed my mask. I don't want anyone to see any of my emotions. Not a smile, not a frown. Definitely no tears...

I've mostly stayed in my room, Phyrix laying beside me on my bed as I stare up at the ceiling. Books lie open carelessly, scattered across the floor in a mess of pages. Giant dents cover the walls from where my anger got the best of me, and the only way I could let it out was to punch something. Pictures and masks alike on the floor after falling from the impact; some with shattered glass or porcelain. That something was, of course, the walls. Both of my hands were wrapped in bloody, make-shift bandages from the numerous cuts I'd gained from the metal walls. Yet, I lacked the energy to heal myself. So what if they scar over?

The memories keep replaying in my head. I'm such an idiot! Why did I have to do that? We were in an apocalypse. Even though it was fake, I shouldn't have acted like that. I shouldn't have let my emotions get the best of me. I shouldn't have left Kaldur there alone, when he got disintegrated. I should've been the last one through. I should've gotten shot at, not him. I shouldn't have kissed him!

I shouldn't have kissed him. That thought alone is enough to make me want to cry again. The memory plays over and over in my head. It was my fault that he was left behind. Because I threw off his guard. I put him in a daze. And the way I acted inside the mothership? I behaved like an angry child. I should've had a better grip. I shouldn't have kissed him...

I'm brought out of my thoughts as my stomach growls. Phyrix jumps up and runs to the door, waving his tail excitedly. "Are you hungry, little one?" I ask, sitting up. He spins in a circle, and places a paw on the door. I sigh, getting up. I pull up the gloves over my hands, opening the door and walking out, Phyrix walking beside me.

Walking into the living room, I immediately see M'gann stirring something in a bowl, Wally leaning against the counter, Artemis sitting on the back of the couch, and Robin sitting on one of the other couches. Connor and Kaldur are nowhere in sight. I go straight to the fridge, grabbing the first thing I see to feed Phyrix and myself. Before I leave the room, my curiosity gets the better of me.

"Where are Superboy and Aqualad?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper. Honestly, I can't even say his name without it burning the back of my throat. Silence. Then, "Kaldur's in speaking with Canary." "Superboy left the cave earlier." Robin and M'gann answer, whispering as well. I nod in small thanks, before finally leaving. It's as I'm walking through the hallway back to my room that I hear Kaldur's voice in a room just down the hall.

"I was the general, but behaved like a soldier and sacrificed myself. I am not fit for command and must resign as team leader." I hear. I stop from passing the glass doorway, leaning against the wall to listen, eating the piece of food that I grabbed, and sharing it with Phyrix. "Who do you recommend to take your place?" Black Canary asks.

"Artemis is too raw and untrusting." Kaldur begins, ruling out each team member. "Kid Flash too rash and impulsive. Miss Martian remains too eager to please. Superboy carries too much anger." "Making Robin or Dracona the logical choice." Canary offers. "But Robin is so young." "Kaldur, you're all young." "I cannot shift this burden to him. Not yet."

"And what about Dracona?" Black Canary asks. I hear Kaldur sigh, his heart skipping a beat. I feel myself twitch. "She'd be like me. She has stated it herself once before that she is willing to sacrifice herself before others, which could be reckless, disastrous even, if no other leader is to be found." Kaldur explains. He sighs. "It appears I must withdraw my resignation."