"Of all possessions a friend is the most precious." -Herodotus
It was an accident really. At least that's what he told himself when the broadcast aired announcing a new scandalous relationship among the titans. He didn't even know they were being followed since in the ocean constant intrusion of privacy wasn't something that was permanently recorded. But now here he was face buried in his hands as the TV blared on about him, desperately trying to hide from the embarrassment. Speedy was laughing his ass off beside him, reminding him of how much of an idiot he looked like, while Bumblebee was in a frenzy behind them calling every station and reporter to cancel their programs. The twins, seated on the floor, were confused, repeatedly staring at him and then to the screen itself with their wide eyes.
Aqualad groaned in his arms as another image of him holding hands appeared. He didn't know something so simple and innocent could be taken out of context that much, but then again the surface world was still relatively new to him. But this? All he did was simply show a little bit of physical affection to a friend and now he was being blasted on the television for it.
Gods he hoped this wasn't seen by his father or worse his mother.
"Hey Blondie, how was the beach trip with Aqualad?" Jinx asked, snuggling up with a tired Kid Flash who was flipping through channels. The speedster by her side gave a yawning wave to the smaller boy.
Jericho, who had just been dropped off back home from Titans East, gave her a thumbs up as he walked over to them, plopping himself down on the couch. Leaning against the pink haired girl, all three of them were now cuddled up mindlessly watching the TV.
"BREAKING NEWS AQUALAD-"
"Wait, go back," Jinx said, as her boyfriend searched through the channels.
Changing to the news station, the teens' mouths dropped open from the outrageous announcement.
"-According to reports, a recent romance has been spotted! This time it's Aqualad and Jericho? Is this young love between the East and Central? Is this their official debut as a couple? Spotted two hours ago at the beach-"
Kid Flash and Jinx slowly turned their shocked gazes to the little titan beside them gaping back and forth at him and the television. But Jericho only stood up, straightened out his clothes and smiled; a blush spread across his cheeks as he left the room.
'Who knew he could cause such a ruckus by just holding hands?' He thought mischievously.
Meanwhile in another part of the tower the Herald's communicator was ringing non-stop from an angry bee. The teleporter sighing to himself didn't answer until he tracked down his troublesome body jumping teammate for answers. Why he couldn't have one good day, he didn't know.
It really sucked being a hero sometimes.