"You've got to be kidding," Speedy says, crossing his arms over his chest.
Kaldur blushes, but forges on. This is important.
"I am not. It is an Atlantean military tradition, to tie the bonds of comrades-"
"Why would you care about a military tradition? You're a fuckin' kid man," Speedy says flippantly, gesturing out to his sides.
Kaldur straightens. This is nothing to be ashamed of, whether it makes him different or not. "I was conscripted into military service at the age of ten," he says seriously, hands at his sides. He resists the impulse to stand at attention. "Many Atlanteans from my province are."
Speedy reels back, eyes wide. Kaldur crumples for a moment, but remains tall. He is not ashamed. He is not.
"You've got to be kidding me," Speedy says softly. There's something in his eyes.
Kaldur prays it isn't pity. He was proud to do his duty, even if that duty was only on border patrols and as support to the professional soldiers.
He nods his head, slowly.
"Ten?" Speedy repeats, incredulous. "But-"
Kaldur can see where this is going. "I have heard," he begins "that there is another sidekick on the surface, apprenticed to the hero called Batman. He is also ten, and he fights in Gotham, one of the most dangerous of all surface cities. Do you find it so terrible that he fights?"
Speedy, having twitched a bit at the word sidekick- Kaldur files this away for later. It would not due to ruin their friendship by off-handedly offending the other boy- shakes his head.
"That's different," he says. "Robin got to choose."
Kaldur sighs. Looks Speedy steadily in the eyes, his expression somber. "It is true that I was not allowed to decide whether or not to enter into the service of my country," he admits, allowing his hands to open from their fists. Strange. He had not realized he was making them. "But I am proud of that service just the same. It was my duty as a citizen of Atlantis, a duty to my country and to my king.
"Also," he continues, a little uncomfortable sharing such things. He has not known Speedy for very long, but the other boy made him feel open. More free to share the who and why of himself, rather than just the what. "I desired to protect those precious to me. Serving in the military, and what I do now as a vassal of my king, these things have allowed- do allow me to achieve that desire."
Speedy's expression softens. "So that's what this is about, huh? Protecting Atlantis?"
Kaldur smiles softly. "I have also grown fond of the surface," he amends. "I wish to protect the world. And," here is where it becomes uncertain. Kaldur has seen glimpses of it in the other before, on their missions together with their mentors. "And I have sensed the same desire in you. This would be a pledge. To the world's protection," the words that follow are heavy, but perhaps the most important. "At all costs."
Speedy sighs. Looks aside, then into his eyes. They are hopeful and oddly vulnerable. "And each other?" he questions, shifting closer.
Kaldur grins. "That is the meaning of camaraderie, my friend. To protect one another, and to serve a common goal."
"Right," Speedy straitens, the vulnerability disappearing. But he is smiling now, even grinning, as he holds out his palm. "How much is this gonna take?"
"A small cut should suffice," Kaldur replies, forming a small knife from his water bearer.
"But before we do this," Roy grabs Kaldur's wrist firmly but gently. With his other hand, he peels off his mask. Kaldur's breathe hitches. Speedy's eyes are blue.
"It's Roy, not Speedy, okay?" Spee- Roy, grins even harder, reaching back to scratch his head. The mask drops into the sand, unheeded. His grip is still warm on Kaldur's arm.
Kaldur smiles- open and honestly- for what feels like the first time since he left Atlantis, two long months ago. "And I," he says warmly, squeezing Roy's wrist gently, "Am Kaldur."
Year later the scars are still there, faded but visible, when Kaldur clasps Roy's hand in his. Roy pulls him up from his hospital bed and embraces him tightly.
"You fucking bastard," Roy whispers brokenly into his neck.
Kaldur only holds him tighter, not bothering to fake an apology. He knows that Roy, at least, understands.