Scene 2 - Blossoming: Part II

Kaldur paced outside the room, unsure about his next course of action. He did not want to invade her privacy and yet, he had the compelling urge to talk to Brianna. Through the slit at the bottom of the door, the girl noticed a shadow loitering on the other side. "Whoever is out there, you can come in."

Blushing slightly, the Atlantean knocked on the door before entering her room with his hands tucked behind him. "Oh hey, Kaldur. Is there something I can help you with?" Brianna greeted him with a cheerful grin and offered him sweets from her drawer. "I would offer you a drink but I don't have a dispenser in here. I hope you like candy."

"Thank you," Kaldur replied as he pocketed the sweet with one hand before returning it into position behind his back. Both of them stared at each other in awkward silence before he broke the ice. "I… would like to express my gratitude to you for saving my life, Brianna."

The brunette raised her eyebrows with surprise. "You're welcome, Kaldur. I'm sure you would have done the same for all of us. You do set a good example for the team."

Aqualad gave a small smile at the compliment. "We just met each other for less than two months and you readily risked your life for a stranger like me," Kaldur said, attempting to buy some time. His heart was racing and he was becoming a little nervous.

Again, Brianna got a little confused. "Two months are more than enough time to know a person. Besides, we shouldn't refrain from helping others just because they're strangers. A little help goes a long way…" Her sentence trailed off and she was wondering if he was feeling alright since he made quite an unusual comment. "Are you okay, Kaldur? You're been behaving rather oddly ever since the mission. I hope the asphyxiation didn't cause any damage." She looked at him worriedly.

Immediately, the blonde got a little flustered at her facial expression. For some strange reason, he did not want to see her upset ever again. "I'm fine, do not worry. I'm really appreciative and happy for what you've done."

Brianna stood up and placed a hand on his shoulder. Kaldur pressed his hands further into his back.

"Like I said before, you're welcome. You're my friend and we should look out for each other," she looked at him with a smile and he got lost in the depths of her beautiful brown eyes.

Deciding that now was the right time, his hands were about to move when a voice called out to her, "Hey Brianna, M'gann needs your help in the kitchen!"

"Coming, Wally!" Brianna turned her head towards Kaldur. "I'll see you later," she gave his shoulder a squeeze before leaving the stunned Atlantean behind her.

Kaldur'ahm sighed as he brought his hands in front of him. Lying on his palms was a single pink water lily blossom.

Author's Note: In the first draft, the water lily was a sunflower. My boyfriend recommended that the flower should be changed into an aquatic one since Kaldur hails from the ocean and it would be more appropriate to get an aquatic flower. I know, water lilies ain't that rare. I am not an expert in Atlantean botany. =(