Aqualad (Young Justice) x reader | Princess of Vlatava

Kaldur POV

May 16, 15:56 EET

I looked over at (y/n), who was smiling beside her sister as she chatted away with her and the team. It had been two days since we came to Vlatava. Yesterday, the team had helped to capture a small group of assassins that tried to kill Queen Perdita and (y/n). We had also arrested Count Vertigo after he tried to kill the two himself. Now, Vlatava seemed at peace knowing their Queen and Princess were safe.

(y/n) had invited the team to join them for the rest of the celebrations, as a way to say thank you. After checking in with Batman, we agreed to stay. As a result, we were now seated at a large table beside (y/n) and Perdita, enjoying the festivities of their anniversary. We had each been given new outfits to wear for the night. While the boys wore suits and ties, the girls wore ball gowns that (y/n) had supplied.

(y/n) herself was wearing a slightly fancier dress than the other girls. It was (f/c) and its sleeves were made of lace. Her (h/c) hair was curled and let loose down her back, a small tiara set upon her head. Perdita was dressed almost the same way, yet her blonde hair was less curly and she wore a crown on her head.

As the night went on, our friends began to get more into the festive mood. Most of them were dancing amongst the Vlatavan people. I glanced over at (y/n) and Perdita as Wally came up to them. He asked them something, causing Perdita to nod and take his hand. The speedster pulled her from her seat and to the dance floor, leaving a smiling (y/n) in her seat.

With a small smile on my face, I stood from my seat and walked to (y/n)'s side. She noticed me approaching and looked up at me, smiling. Once I reached her, I extended one of my hands to her.

"Care to dance?" I asked.

(y/n) smiled and placed her hand in mine.

"I would love to, Kaldur."

(y/n) rose to her feet and followed me to the dance floor.

~

Many songs later, (y/n) and I decided to take a break from dancing. She gently took my hand and led me towards one of the balconies that branched off from the ballroom. Almost as soon as we stepped outside, the music behind us seemed to quiet a little.

(y/n) walked to the edge of the balcony and smiled. Below, you could see almost the entire city. Every street was filled with lights and music. People were dancing in the streets while some were talking or eating. The entire city seemed alive.

"Sometimes I forget how much I miss this," (y/n) said, causing me to look at her. "The people are always so full of life."

We stood in silence for a moment, simply enjoying the night and peace around us.

"(y/n)?" I asked, making her hum in acknowledgement. "Why did you not tell us?"

She sighed.

"I'm royalty, Kaldur." I looked at her in confusion, prompting her to continue. "Everywhere I go, I'm treated such. With respect, seriousness, caution even. I hated it growing up. So when the League came to recruit me for the team, I could hardly pass it up. Perdita convinced me to join the team because she knew I wasn't totally happy being a princess. She knew I wasn't ready to become queen, so she took on that role, and it suits her.

"I kept my life from you a secret because... I wanted to be normal. I wanted to be around people who aren't afraid to goof around, to do whatever they like around me. I won't deny I had wanted to tell you, but I saw the way you acted around Aquaman. He's your king and you treat him as such. I didn't want that from you."

"You did not want anything between us to change," I said, summarizing what she had just told me.

"Yes."

I looked at her with a soft smile then gently took her hand in my own. (y/n) looked up at me.

"I understand why you chose not to tell us, (y/n)," I said, "and I want to let you know that this will change nothing between anyone. You are still our friend and we will treat you as such." I paused to smile. "And it will not change anything between us, I promise."

(y/n) smiled and lightly kissed me.

"Thank you, Kaldur," she said.

I nodded and kissed her back.