Resurface

SpAqua

Speedy had never been a big fan of water. He'd never told anyone about his fear, which had followed him from childhood. It probably had something to do with the fact that he had never learned how to swim.

At first, he had thought Aqualad was nuts. Who in their right mind wanted to spend all of their time underwater? Someone with a death wish. But as Speedy grew closer to his team mate, a slight worry began to eat at him whenever the other boy disappeared below the surface. Speedy hated this feeling – Aqualad could BREATHE UNDERWATER for crying out loud! He wasn't going to drown or anything. Still, whenever Aqualad disappeared below the water, Speedy found himself always glancing at the pool, waiting for him to resurface.

He always did.

Then there was the storm. It thrashed Steel City with endless rain and winds that made the water rise in angry waves. Aqualad was insistent that he needed to go out and check on the water-life. Speedy panicked. All he could imagine was the dark, unforgiving water pulling his teammate away for good. "You're not going!" he snapped, grabbing onto the other boy's wrist.

Aqualad regarded the archer with narrowed eyes. "Yes, I am." He tried to yank his arm away. "Let me go, Speedy."

"It's way too dangerous!" Speedy argued, his voice cracking. "What if you die? What would I – er, we – do without you?"

The Antlantian's gaze softened. He moved his other hand to rest it on Speedy's, gently pulling it from his wrist and encasing it in his fingers. "Speedy, I'll be back. Don't worry." He gave the boy's hand a squeeze. And then he dove into the pool, his dark shape immediately shooting to the tunnel that lead to the outside waters.

Speedy decided he would wait until Aqualad returned. He sat at the edge of the pool and gazed into the depths, fiddling with his bow. Four hours passed, and the Antlantian still wasn't back. Speedy had been visited by Mas e Menos multiple times, and was berated by the twins' rapid-fire Spanish. He mostly ignored them.

At one point, Bumble Bee came down and brought Speedy a cup of coffee. She sat next to him, pulling her knees into her chest. "Still not back?" she asked quietly.

"No," Speedy replied, scratching the back of his head. Bumble Bee sighed.

"He'll be back. I know it." With that, the leader stood and left the archer to his vigil.

Approximately eight hours after Aqualad had left, Speedy fell asleep at the edge of the pool. He woke up to water dripping on his face.

Above him was Aqualad's smug face, his long black hair hanging down enough to brush Speedy's skin. "Morning, princess," he teased. Speedy moved so quickly he almost fell into the water, hopping back and regaining his footing.

"You're back!" he exclaimed, jaw slack in disbelief. Aqualad chuckled, leaning his chin on one hand. His body was still in the water.

"Told you." He smiled. Using his lean-muscled arms, the Antlantian pulled himself up and out of the pool. Speedy ran a gloved hand through his orange hair, his heart racing.

"What time is it?" he asked.

Aqualad's eyes flicked to the clock on the wall behind them. "Four a.m."

Speedy felt his mouth go dry. "It's been twelve hours?" Aqualad shrugged.

"Yup. Kind of feels weird to be back on land again." As he began to swipe the excess water from his uniform, Speedy tackled him in a hug, nearly sending them both into the pool.

For once, he really didn't mind getting wet.

A/N – Dudes I've never written this ship before. I kind of love it.