A/N: So...um, this is my little summer project. As I have stated in my profile, I have been in a major writer's block. Sad I know. So, my friend and I took up this 30 day challenge. She wanted to do it for fun. As for me, I thought it would help get my creativity flowing again. This challenge wasn't made for fanfic writing, but I thought "Hey, I should change it up a bit."

Now for this part, I know it says Day 2. Well...the reason why it's day 2 was when I started writing...it fit more as Day 2's prompt, instead of Day 1's. I apologize for the confusion. ahaha

Day 2: A couple

Characters: Kaldur, Artemis

Rating: K

Genre: Friendship/Romance (fluffiness)

There was something a bit weird when Kaldur got back from Atlantis. It was as if everyone seemed suddenly in tune with each other. Superboy spoke more, Wally and Artemis tolerated each other more than they normally would, Robin refrained from making fun of Wally too much, and M'gann, well...she was still her sweet normal self.

Kaldur didn't know if they all had an epiphany at the exact point in time or what...but it was nice to see them all interact with each other. Like today, for example. Robin was in the kitchen helping M'gann with a cheesecake recipe she had found on the computers in what was called the world wide web. (He had yet to use this program, only knowing how to research on the Justice League's database as a reference for missions.) Wally was currently giving Superboy a tour of his home city, and both had promised to be back by dinnertime. As for himself, Artemis thought it was best to widen her team leader's knowledge on weapons by having him sit on the couch and help her clean and inspect her arrows while she told him everything she knew.

Do not misunderstand Kaldur's confusion for ungratefulness. He was very much grateful for their unexpected choice of team bonding...especially right after he had been rejected by Tula.

His eyes lowered at the thought of her. She was happy, and, of course, he was happy that she was happy. This also applied to Garth as well. Kaldur was just a bit depressed at how much time (and how late) it took him to share his feelings with Tula.

"Kaldur..."

Artemis' voice jolted him from his thoughts, but only his eyes flickered from side to side until they rested on her. She didn't hide how her face had been etched with worry...worry for him. A hand reached out to grip his hand -the one holding the arrow- and her head tilted with question.

"I apologize, Artemis," he answered rather shakily. There was a minute pause before he continued with a teasing tone. "Surely, this is not one of your electrocuting arrows?"

Her eyes searched his quietly, to a point that he started to shift under the scrutiny. "It is, but if you paid attention, you would've spotted the pressure sensors. I just stopped you from rubbing one."

His eyes widened as he pulled his hand that held the rag further away from the arrow. "Oh! I-"

"-Kaldur, you've been much more reserved when you came back. It's not just me, but everyone has noticed, even Wally. You're alright when we're on missions, but when you're given time to yourself, you get this -I guess depressed?- aura..."

He looked away, contemplating her words. Could it be that he had the team worried? Well, that was stupid of himself. He was the leader, he should set an example for them, be a little more emotionless, so he wouldn't have to cause worry for them. Even though Artemis couldn't see it, he blushed. "Is...is this why there has been more off duty interaction within the team?"

She gave him a hesitant nod, and looked a bit sheepish. "We wanted to show you that you could be comfortable enough with us to talk about whatever happened in Atlantis."

Suddenly, flashes of Superboy's failed attempts at swimming lessons, Wally's horrible karaoke, M'gann's suprisingly strong tugs to get him to follow her into a store, and Robin's tactile, surprise, random attacks ran through his mind. All those events, which had occurred within the last week, had him smiling fondly.

"The members of Young Justice are not just teammates, we're all friends, and not only that, we're teenagers. Don't get me wrong, Black Canary listens to our frustrations, Red Tornado -he's a robot and all- practically ignores the weird situations we've been in...and Batman is great...which is scary if you think about it, but can you honestly see yourself talking to him about the emotional aspects of a teen? Because the mental image of him as your shrink is very amusing."

His small smile transformed into a full out grin, to which she returned, making her face light up along with his. "I understand your intentions, and I appreciate it."

"Well, I'm not going to force you to talk or anything, but when you do want to talk you can approach any of us."

The hand that gripped his squeezed in comfort, and with that one squeeze Kaldur felt a constricting feeling within his chest. The way her eyes looked up at him made him feel differently for the first time towards her. Although it stayed the same, her smile had his breath catch in his throat, making it hard to even breath for a few seconds. In that moment she looked beautiful to him, in that moment he forgot all about Tula...for once.

Without thinking, he let go of the rag and reached over to cup her cheek. His body leaned over closer to hers, ignoring how she suddenly tensed at the invasion of personal space. Eyes fluttered shut, a simple press of lips, a hint of suckle had him feeling even warmer, and as he pulled away from her, he suddenly realized what he had just done. Her eyes flashed open and showed just how confused she was. But ever the calm and collected leader he was, he simply covered that up by saying, "I apologize...I completely forgot that it is not a tradition here on the surface."

She blinked releasing some of the daze she seemed to be in. "Tradition?"

"Back in Atlantis, if one is very thankful, they show gratitude by touching lip to lip." There were very few moments in his life where he had lied fully, but this was to save him from complete embarrassment. A little guilt started to build in his gut, with the thought of how he had suddenly just switched and acted impulsively, but he caught the unsure smile she gave him and he returned it with an awkward one as well.

What did surprise him was how she had scooted closer to him, and plucked the arrow from his hand before she cupped his face softly. She leaned up as she led his face close to hers. Out of instinct he closed his eyes again, anticipating for the feel of her. There was a light feathery touch on his lips, the warmth of her breath had him slightly shaking, and then she pressed her lips harder -but still light for his tastes- earning a small groan from him.

When they pulled away, she touched her forehead to his. With another beautiful smile she said, "Well, I can certainly appreciate that tradition. You're welcome."