Robin is eleven so Aqualad is 15/16 ish.

I figured they clearly knew each other in the first episode so ow did they meet? Thus, this chapter

Aqualad, also known as Kaldur'ahm, had heard about the (many) surface heroes from his king. He had been particularly interested to learn of the younger heroes who were mentored be older heroes, working in similar capacities to him. Robin, the protégé of Batman, came up the most due to his young age, having been the first of the young heroes and his own King's encounters with the boy.

He had been quietly excited and more than a little curious when Aquaman had announced he would be taking him to explore the surface world more. However, they hadn't gotten far before his king had been called away for a mission with the Justice League (which Aqualad hadn't been allowed the details of let alone been able to take part in). That left Aqualad in his current position, standing on a secluded part of Happy Harbour beach, watching the coast and wondering if he should return underwater or wait for his mentor. Aquaman hadn't exactly been cleared as he rushed off. There was no one around as it was the middle of the night, the moon cast an odd light across the water which only served to make him more unsure of what he was supposed to be doing.

Kaldur had given up on standing alone on the beach about half an hour into his solitude, moving to settle on a rock amongst a series of rockpools. He was brought out of his melancholy thoughts by the sound of footprints in the sand, heading towards the rock he sat on. On the off-chance the stranger hadn't already seen him (the light wasn't particularly good and the footsteps still sounded a bit away) he swiftly and silently slid off his rock and ducked down behind one of the larger rocks. He didn't feel in the mood for company or trying to explain his presence in the middle of the night on a beach.

The footsteps fell silent as he waited, hoping the stranger would just leave. When he had heard nothing (aside from the rolling waves hitting the beach) for several minutes he dared to peak around the side of the rock. He was starting to feel a bit childish but couldn't bring himself to care much. He couldn't see anything; where had the footprints gone? Had he just imagined it all? He sighed to himself, clearly he was just overreacting. He moved back to his previous position on the rock. Just as he had started to relax, feeling slightly stupid for hiding, a figure appeared out of nowhere in front of him.

Aqualad leapt into a fighting stance, ready to fight this unknown silhouette. A civilian wouldn't have been able to appear like that, and no one should have been on the beach at this time of night. The figure (who was fairly short actually) walked into the dim moonlight, allowing Aqualad to get a better look of the unknown in front of him.

"Woah, Aqualad! I'm not going to hurt you." The figure announced, hands raised in the universal 'I surrender' sign. Kaldur was greeted with the sight of a kid (maybe about 10 or 11) dressed in a bright coloured costume with a cape and utility belt. A black domino mask covering his eyes, obscuring his identity. Definitely not a civilian. Something niggled in the back of his head - the bright coloured uniform and accessories sounded oddly familiar.

"Who are you?" Aqualad asked still in fighting stance, but starting to relax more at the lack of an attack.

"I'm Robin. Batman's partner." The now identified kid replied.

Aqualad felt a little bit sheepish now - that was why the kid had sounded familiar, Aquaman had described the younger half of the Dynamic Duo to him before. "Ah, I am Aqualad" He paused, remembering how the younger hero had greeted him. "Although you already knew that. If you do not mind me asking, what are you here for?" Aqualad settled back down on his rock, still watching Robin. Robin sat down next to him.

"Kaldur'ahm right? I just wanted to keep you company. Batman is on a mission with Aquaman, Superman and Wonder Woman. Aquaman had mentioned you were supposed to be exploring the surface so I figured you had probably been left on your own. Flash, Green Arrow and Green Lantern are supposed to be watching me at the Watch Tower but I snuck away." Robin grinned across at Kaldur'ahm.

"You are correct, but how did you escape and why?" Kaldur'ahm was curious to know more about this hero's skills and why he had decided to join him on the beach.

"Let's just say it involved glitter, paint, a rubber duck and a game of hide 'n' seek. I'm pretty sure they should have learnt not to play hide 'n' seek with me by now, I always win. And why? Well you seemed a bit down and in need of a friend. Can I call you Kaldur? It's a lot shorter than Kaldur'ahm." Robin tilted his head to the side with wide eyes, noticeable even though they were hidden beneath his mask, looking at Kaldur questioningly. The now named Kaldur smiled and nodded his head in answer to the younger boy. The hero seemed nice and it would be good to have an actual friend on the surface.

"If I may ask, how old are you?" Kaldur questioned, the bird seemed young to be fighting crime.

"I'm eleven. I don't see how Batman feels I still need a babysitter. It's not like I can't defend myself - I've been doing this since I was six." Robin crossed his arms. Kaldur glanced at the scowling boy, he knew he was young but to have started at six was something else entirely.

"So ... what's wrong?" Robin asked bluntly, face smoothing out of the scowl into a more neutral expression.

"How do you know anything is wrong?" Kaldur asked curious.

"I'm Batman's protégé." Was the simple reply.

Kaldur gave a sigh. "I do not know if I am doing well. My king has not said much to me and being abandoned here had not reassured me."

Robin looked at him, expression softening into an understanding look. "Batman's like that with me. More about criticism for my mistakes then praising what I've have done right. But I know I'm doing well because I am improving and there are less things for Batman to criticize, it's just his way of showing he cares. You are doing really well, believe me. I have heard about your work under the sea and whenever I talk to Aquaman he tells me all about you, he is proud of how you are doing." Robin offered a gentle smile to Kaldur.

Meanwhile Kaldur was having a mental debate with himself. He honestly wanted to believe Robin, and the kid presented evidence to back up his kind words, but he didn't know the boy particularly well yet. After a few more minutes of debating, Kaldur decided to believe the young hero. He looked up and nodded his thanks, he appreciated that the other hero hadn't tried to say anything - just left him to organise his thoughts.

"How about I tell you some stories to cheer you up?" And with that announcement Robin dived into stories about the Leaguers, Batman and even a few about Aquaman. Both good stories and more entertaining ones. Easy to say it did cheer Kaldur up, especially the stories of the elder heroes messing up (sometimes in a spectacular fashion).

For the rest of the night the two boys chatted and exchanged stories until their mentors came and found them in the early hours of the morning. The sun was rising in the distance creating a beautiful sunset and casting lovely light across the beach. Batman was only a little angry at Robin for running away from the Watch Tower but gave him a small smile that only Robin could see. Happy to see the two young heroes getting along, Robin needed more friends, and Aqualad seemed a much more mature presence than Speedy and Kid Flash. Aquaman was just as happy to see the boys get along, but showed it more openly.

And that is how Aqualad and Robin met and became friends. Robin later introduced his new friend to Roy and Wally, and the four of them spent many a day complaining about their mentors and sharing advice.

«««««««««««««««««««««« Meanwhile at the Watch Tower »»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»

"ROBIN!" A glitter covered Green Arrow screamed.

A paint covered (pink to his disgust, he claimed he was allergic to pink) Green Lantern stood next to him equally angry.

Flash meanwhile was doubled over laughing at his unfortunate team mates, wishing he had a camera and planning to get the security tape from Robin. The kid was undoubtedly recording the chaos.

They had spent hours looking for the hidden Bird, though they should really have known better than to have played hide 'n' seek with that sneaky little hero.

All three of knew that if they couldn't find him, Daddy Bats would kill them.

The only thing they had found was a bright yellow rubber duck, with a recording of Robin's terrifying cackle. On loop. And they couldn't stop it.

Little did they know the Bird was long gone from the Watch Tower.