A/N: Thank you to everyone who reviewed last chapter! Hope this one's fine as well. Does anyone else really like the idea of Roy/Kaldur friendship?

"Aqualad here."

"It's me," the voice informed him through the comm. link. Kaldur sighed, although he was far used to Roy's assuming matter of speaking. "I - I, uh-"

It was, however, unlike Roy to pause, which worried the Atlantean. "What is it, my friend?"

"You guys have a med bay at the cave, right?"

Kaldur smiled in relief. Whatever Red Arrow had gotten himself into, he had managed to get out. And if he was calling for help like this, he couldn't be too badly injured. "Of course," he answered. "Do you need any supplies?"

"I-" Roy uncharacteristically hesitated again. Kaldur could hear him panting for breath. "Um, no thanks. I'll come there, if that's ok with you."

Kaldur, knowing that no one could see him, raised his eyebrows in surprise. It crossed his mind that it might be an imposter, but he dismissed the thought. An imposter could not pass as Roy through the computer systems. "It's perfectly acceptable," he answered.

"Great," Roy answered. "I'll be there shortly. And, Kaldur? Do you think you could show me the equipment?

Kaldur frowned. "It is fairly simple to-"

"I mean, could you be there?"

Oh. He should have guessed. Kaldur felt a smile tug at the corner of his lips as he answered, "Of course, my friend."

"You are not the only one that's ever had trouble with fire," Kaldur'ahm said, shaking his hands dry. "In my first encounter with it, I accidently grabbed a stuffed bear instead of the child I meant to be saving. Do not fear, the child was fine, but only due to King Orin."

Kaldur turned back to Roy to observe his handiwork. Both of the archer's burns, one on Roy's arm and one on his leg, he had encased in bubbles of water. "This is how my king instructed me to treat my injuries. It might not be as effective on human physiology, but…" He shrugged to himself. "It should have some benefit."

On his infirmary bed, Roy groaned and murmured something.

Kaldur brightened. At last, his friend was awake. "What was that?"

"I said, my head hurts like a goddamn bitch."

"I warned you that the second dose of painkiller was not necessary-"

"Shut up, Kal," Roy snapped, opening his eye before snapping them off again at the light. "Why's it so bright in here? Can you turn off your tattoos?"

Kaldur sighed. "I'm afraid they glow for the duration that I am using my magic, and I do not wish to remove your healing orbs."

"What are you talking-" Roy opened his eyes again, and this time spotted the water that encased his limbs and bolted into a sitting position. "Holy shit, what is that?"

"Profanity does not suit you," Kaldur commented mildly.

"What'd you call them?" Roy raised his arm, entranced as the water moved with him, like a cast. "Healing orbs?" He refocused his attention on Kaldur. "Are they hard to do?"

Kaldur shook his head. "Concentrating water into an unanimated solid shape requires minimal effort. It is the same principle I use with my water bearers."

"…Oh," Roy answered. He glanced back down at his arm. "Thanks."

"It is not a problem." The Atlantean hesitated, and then returned, "Thank you for being trusting enough to come here. I know the team…tries your patience, sometimes."

Roy snorted. "That's the politically correct way of putting it. They're just so young, all of them. Wally and Robin are great kids, but they're really immature, and the rest of them are so green- well, you saw, GA's adopting them."

"Roy-"

"I don't know how you put up with it, Kal. Don't you get tired of having to be the grown-up all the time?"

Kaldur had opened his mouth, but then shut it again to reconsider. "I do miss working with you," he acknowledged.

"That's not what I was fishing for-"

"Let me finish," Kaldur interrupted, holding up a hand in front of him to mimic the human gesture for stop. "It is a different situation. With the team, I get the experience of being a leader that I haven't had before. The new responsibilities have new trials, yes. There is much more structure then there was when just you and I would go out together when our mentors had business with the League. But they are trials I need to learn to handle, and I am ready for them now."

The speech silenced Roy for a moment. Kaldur was beginning to think he'd never get a response, when the gruff voice answered, "I'm."

"Excuse me?"

"Not I am. I'm. Contractions are your friends, Kal." Roy sighed and closed his eyes. "You and me, versus the entire west coast. I haven't forgotten." A small smile appeared on his lips. "I miss those days."

"They…don't have to be over," Kaldur said carefully. He observed the other man as Roy's eyes reopened. "Just because you aren't Speedy any more doesn't mean we can no longer work together."

Roy smiled. "I told you already, if the team ever needs something, call me." He laid himself back down on the infirmary bed. "That goes for you too, you know," he continued. "Now, I really do have a headache, so if you don't mind…"

Kaldur nodded. "I'll let you sleep."

"Thanks. For everything. And remember those contractions."

Kaldur smiled, standing in the doorway, doing nothing except let the water float away from Roy's limbs and back into the sink. Roy's last sensation before succumbing to exhaustion was the darkness that following Kaldur's tattoos dimming. They were really bright.

"Aqualad here. Do not worry, Red Arrow is perfectly fine. He is resting here in the cave. I thought you might want…"